Mindy on the Map

After growing up in the south, I’ve lived in Michigan for approximately a decade. I had no idea what to expect when moving here, but what I’ve found is that “the Motor City” has so much more than auto-related things to offer! And as friends and family have visited me, I’ve compiled this list of things to see and do in and around the metropolitan area that are quintessential-Detroit.

Obviously, you need to pack different clothes, shoes, and other basic items for each trip you take. But how many times do you show up at your destination and realize that there’s something else important that you forgot? For me, it happened way too often until I put tother this list of 25 items to pack for every trip! And don’t worry, everything on this list was selected while keeping space constraints in mind, so you’ll be prepared without adding tons of weight or bulk to your luggage. 

To be honest, I had heard some things about traveling to Paris as an American that had me a bit nervous for my trip. I did some reading to make sure I understood French culture (at least enough that I wouldn’t stand out as clueless tourist), got a basic understanding of the city layout, and figured out the best things to do , and all those concerns ended up being totally unrealized! Here is everything I learned:

Epic landmarks, rich history, glamourous shopping, museums galore, delicious food, romantic scenery - Paris has it all! It has so much in fact, that a week there just scratches the surface of what Paris has to offer and will leave you dreaming of your next trip to the City of Light.

No destination screams “HALLOWEEN” quite like Salem, Massachusetts does, so it’s no surprise that it draws thousands of visitors for the holiday (and the surrounding weekends) each year. This creates a fun, festive, atmosphere, but also means that the streets and shops are packed to capacity, tours sell out, accommodations book up well in advance, and your trip to Salem requires some advanced planning in order to be as enjoyable as possible. But this guide will take you through everything you need to know to make planning a breeze!

A perfect itinerary in the Canadian Rockies absolutely must include visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks. And if you’re already going to be in both of those locations, it would be a mistake not to go to Yoho National Park or discover what the Icefields Parkway has to offer as well. The only issue with having all of these great places in the same area, is that it can be overwhelming if you are trying to plan on seeing everything within the confines of a single week! This itinerary manages to do just that, though. And that means that instead of stressing out about the plan, you can use this as an outline for your own trip and then focus all of your energy on hiking, taking in the views, and enjoying what the parks have to offer. To follow this itinerary exactly, you’ll need to have a rental car and to start in Banff. This post contains affiliate links. That means, that at no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on a link and purchase the item. I choose prod...

The Icefields parkway is more than a road connecting Banff and Jasper National Parks – it’s an attraction in its own right. As one of the most scenic drives in the world, packed with lakes, mountains, wildlife, and glaciers, there are countless stops that can be made along the 140-ish mile long route, but these 7 really stand out.

Jasper National Park has extensive trails, active wildlife, and unbelievable mountain scenery. And, while the park itself is larger than neighboring Banff , the city is smaller and has a more local feel that a lot of visitors find preferable. Between the cute town and spectacular setting, you have the perfect backdrop for these 7 activities and a fantastic vacation!

People flock to Banff for the stunning scenery, epic hikes, various wildlife, and quaint downtown area. And I can confirm, the location is worth all the hype . After all, Banff was Canada’s first National Park for a reason!

Iceland is closer to the United States than you might realize. The flight from Detroit to Reykjavik took less than 6 hours, which means planning a stopover trip on your way somewhere else in Europe or a long weekend in Iceland from the Eastern part of the U.S. isn’t unreasonable! And, while that might not give you enough time to take the Ring Road around the entire country, that is plenty of time to explore the capital city and take a few spectacular day trips. Other factors that make Iceland a great place to visit are the safety and lack of language barrier for English speakers. Iceland has been ranked as the world’s safest country year after year (since 2008), making it ideal for solo travelers, couples, or groups alike. Also, tourism is Iceland’s biggest industry, and almost everyone speaks fluent English. One of the guides I was chatting with mentioned that Icelanders are tending to use English in casual conversations among themselves more and more nowadays, so it’s well-practi...

Austria’s culture is built around classical music, cafes, and a rich, well-preserved history. There are plenty of things to do and see in Austria in each of those categories, as well as beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and exemplary public transport to get around and see it all with. In short, there’s nothing not to love about Austria! Another reason to visit Austria is that there is no bad time to go. Summers are one of the most popular times to visit, because the mild temperatures are perfect for being out and about and the sunny weather just accentuates the scenery in the Austrian countryside that looks like it’s straight off of a screensaver. In the Spring and Fall, the various palace gardens are in full bloom and you avoid some of the tourist crowds. Winter is a second high season because Austria is the winter sports capital of Europe and hosts epic Christmas markets. Finally, Austria is one of the safest places in the world to visit. While you should always be aware of y...

Big cities, like Chicago, can be overwhelming. But if you go into visiting them with a plan, you can hit the major sights all in a weekend! Here’s a list of the must-do-and-see things on your trip.

Phuket (pronounced poo-ket) Thailand, is a true paradise, with a little bit of something for everyone. There are beaches, islands, rainforests, mountains, and bustling city areas to explore, so some days can be spent relaxing while others are spent out on the town or immersed in nature.

  Traveling isn’t all sunshine and rainbows – it’s excellent once you make it to your destination, but before that, getting through the various lines at the airport can be a hassle. The good news is that you can get different accesses such as TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or CLEAR to minimize your wait in U.S. security and customs lines and get to where you want to be faster! What is TSA PreCheck? TSA Pre-Check is a program that gets you expedited security screenings in most large U.S. airports. It often has dedicated lines at security, denoted by signs with the TSA Pre-Check logo, with extremely short wait times. Part of the reason for the short lines is that you don’t have to take off your shoes, belt, or light jacket, and you can leave your travel size liquids and laptop in your bag. Who is Eligible for TSA PreCheck? United States citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents are all eligible to apply for TSA PreCheck. However, your application will likel...