Imagine traveling the world, exploring exotic locations, immersing yourself in extraordinary cultures, and meeting new exciting people, all while earning a living. Sounds like a dream, right? Fortunately, it’s one that can become your reality—even if you’re not a travel blogger or adventure photographer—with the help of Upwork, a web-based platform designed to connect freelancers with companies and the contract jobs they need to fill.
Between Portland’s exploding culinary scene, the recent recognition of the Willamette Valley as one of the world’s best wine regions, and the soon to open Oregon Timber Trail for mountain bikers that was inspired by the iconic Pacific Crest Trail, Oregon seems to be maturing into a new level of sexy as a travel destination.
Food might not be the sole reason why people travel, but savoring foreign delicacies still remains a vital part of the traveling experience. There are plenty of services out there looking to connect you to restaurants while abroad, but how many are able to treat you to a fresh, home cooked meal?
If you have to fly from Point A to Point B—whether for business or for pleasure—wouldn’t you like to be comfortable doing so? While a first-class or business-class ticket may score you a wider, more cushiony seat and extra legroom along with perks like pre-flight drinks and meals served with actual metal utensils, they also carry a hefty price tag. So, what’s an economy flyer with a limited budget to do?
It can be certainly be argued that the digital age is one of simplification, where individuals literally have the world at their fingertips and possibilities are endless.
However, sometimes clutter can intensify. That is where companies like Umapped form a bridge between information, global industry brands, travel advisors and their customers.
According to industry powerhouse The Knot, the average U.S. wedding costs $35,329—including $16,107 for the venue, $2,783 for a photographer, $1,245 for a deejay, $582 for a cake and $278 for an officiant. That’s an astounding outlay for a one-day celebration, and it is amazing that any of today’s couples have money left over for their honeymoons at all.
Have you ever shown up in a foreign destination and not known what to do? Doing research ahead of time can certainly help, though you might end up sorting through a sea of endless sponsored ads and hackneyed tourist traps.
You have your plane tickets, your luggage and you’re  ready for takeoff. The only issue is, who will get you once you arrive at your destination?
That’s where companies like Blacklane come into play. The professional driver service company covers the first and last miles of your journey, which are usually rides to and from the airport.
For the millennial generation, cultural immersion is an important part of any travel experience. According to one survey of individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, 86 percent said the desire to experience a new culture was their strongest travel motivator. If it’s also yours—and you want to eat local foods, experience local activities and get to know someone who actually lives there while on your next vacation—you should consider Homestay.com.
Planning a trip can be a real hassle, starting with choosing which airline would provide the most bang for its buck.
Luckily, things are arguably easier than ever before thanks to companies like FareCompare, which doesn’t sell plane tickets but does allow travelers to compare ticket costs.
According to AAA, 35 percent of Americans will travel as a family in 2017. While these excursions can be a great way to unplug, relax, reconnect and make memories, they can also be stressful—especially when children are involved.
From diverse preferences regarding destinations, accommodations and activities, to backseat disputes over who gets a window and who is touching who, planning a family getaway that makes everyone happy can feel downright impossible.
While taking time away from the daily grind to explore a new destination can be an exciting and invigorating way to recharge and unwind, the pre-trip planning process is often overwhelmingly stressful. Fortunately, the developers of TripSee have found a way to eliminate the need for the cumbersome spreadsheets, endless email chains, and stacks of written notes many of us previously relied on when creating a family or group vacation itinerary.
The Cathay Pacific Visa Signature card from Synchrony Bank is good for anyone looking to rack up some Asia Miles, especially for those currently limited by sign-up bonus restrictions imposed by larger banks. Asia Miles is a transfer partner of both American Express Membership Rewards and Citi Thank You points. However, American Express has a once-in-a-lifetime rule for earning sign up bonuses, and Citi limits sign up bonuses to once per 24 months per rewards family.
Vacation travel can feel magical, especially when finding an off-the-beaten-track spot. Travel apps are great to find places to go, but often algorithms miss hidden treasures.
Life’s most interesting journeys are about more than the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B. While there are plenty of navigation apps to assist you with maneuvering your way through city streets by car, those traveling by foot have had a dearth of options—until now.
Whether you’re traveling at home or abroad, exploring an unfamiliar city or just running errands in your own hometown, Sidekix will help you make the most of every step of your expedition.
RewardExpert spoke with Jenny Drezin, CMO and one of the company’s three co-founders, to find out more about the inspiration behind the app, how it works, and how any traveler can use it to discover new places on foot.
The tour company in charge of your European holiday goes bankrupt. A volcano destroys the Indonesian city you intend to visit. You twist an ankle while trekking through Nepal, or suffer a life-threatening illness while on a cruise to Brazil. Your house burns down while you’re exploring the jungles of South America. These unforeseen events, and countless others like them, are more common than you might think and can easily destroy a vacation—unless you have travel insurance.
Modern travelers have more lodging options than ever before. Hotels, resorts, B&Bs and private homes around the world are all just a few clicks away. But with all that variety comes a lot of uncertainty.
Unlike the routine rush to work, vacation travelers often want to explore scenic routes as they travel the world. However, it’s difficult to evaluate online maps to choose the best routes based on comfort and cost.
Whether you travel by plane, train, car, ferry or even bicycle, Rome2rio is an app that maps your trip for you.
You scored a great deal on your flight when you redeemed your miles. Your boss agreed to your time off request—even though it’s the busy season—and you found a reputable pet sitter to check in on Snowball while you’re gone. It may seem as though the most challenging prior-to-vacation tasks are behind you, but they aren’t. You still have to pack, and that means dealing with your luggage—something many people dread rather than enjoy.
You’ve been painstakingly saving those miles for a special trip and you finally reached your goal. You’ve got enough miles to book that award flight you’ve had your eye on. Booking award travel can be a bit intimidating if you haven’t done it before—especially when booking over the phone. But, have no fear. It’s easy to master the art of booking award tickets. Just use our handy script if this is your first time trying to book a free flight from your frequent flyer program.
