Given the current state of the world, couldn’t we all use a bit of diversion from reality? I know I’d like to escape—even if only through a beach read.

Here are a few titles I’ve enjoyed while on vacation, and a few ways to get them for FREE or at a very low price.

Hooray for Girls' Trips! Whether for a night, weekend, or week, they are essential for many of us for many reasons: emotionally, mentally, and physically. What makes them special? And depending on the vibe you and your besties seek, what destinations should you consider?

When life feels a bit nuts and you need to decompress, spend time in nature.

There’s a reason the U.S. National Park System is widely considered a national treasure. Here are 5 of my favorite Parks and why visiting them is always a good idea.

The US Healthcare System needs an overhaul. A recent ER visit and assessment of Medicare Part B premiums and payments has this author a bit ticked off. No wonder a recent comprehensive study ranked the US #10 out of 10.

What could we leverage to help the US healthcare system’s aches and pains? ‘Cause it’s a bit ‘ruff, ruff’ out there.

Why is Galena, a small town in the southwest corner of Kansas famous? What is the drive along the western border of Missouri like? If you visit Kansas City, what should you try to see? Join us in Kansas and Missouri—the final leg of our Middle America road trip.

Travel with us through the Quachita and Ozark Mountains region of Arkansas. Get the scoop on visiting Hot Springs National Park and Bath House Row, a National Historic Landmark District. Is this area of Arkansas worth a visit?

Oklahoma City was one of our favorite stops along a 2,200-mile road trip. We had the best time there, with good food, a great hotel, an impressive National Memorial and Museum, fun cowboy culture, and lots of positive interactions with a number of locals. It’s a great place to visit. Here’s why.

Spring is a great time to travel, as it often means warmer weather without the peak summer tourist crowds. It's a perfect combination!

Where could you go to celebrate this Spring (March 20-June 20)? How about one of these destinations?

Drive across the Panhandle Plains of Texas and you’ll feel the isolation and vastness of the region. This is small town America where ranching, farming, and renewable energy are the top employers. Some of the most famous Route 66 stops are found here too, and we stopped to see a few.

I like to describe Santa Fe as artsy but with a strong spine because of its complicated history. On our visit there, we immersed ourselves in art, learned about the state’s Native American, Mexican, and Spanish history, saw adobe architecture everywhere, and enjoyed a lot of New Mexican cuisine.

It’s a great place to visit. Here’s why.

Valentine’s Day is next week!

I’ve always considered V.D. one of those Hallmark-created holidays—a way for the card and gift industry to make some coin after the major holidays have passed. But with some research, I discovered the big ‘V’ has some weird history involving goats and gentle slaps. Take that, Cupid!

Are you looking to visit a few less-traveled places in Arizona? A road trip is a great way to combine a few quick stops with those that may require a day or half a day to experience fully. Using Route 66 to guide part of our route, we saw some American pop culture and impressive national parks.

Recently, my husband and I took a road trip across Middle America, starting in Phoenix, AZ, and ending in Kansas City, MO. Over two weeks and driving 2,200+ miles, we visited several places in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas (Panhandle), Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. Here are five reasons you want to consider the same or a similar trip.

October in Salem, MA is synonymous with parades, costume parties, haunted houses, ghost tours, over 200 artisan vendors, live music, theatrical presentations, and psychic readings. Here are key places to see and things to do.

Here are 10 US destinations that are perfect for a one-week getaway during October, November, or December! Each has a variety of things to see and do.

Which is better? Visiting Alaska by land or sea? That depends on the type of vacation you want, how much time you have, your total budget, how much planning you want to be responsible for personally, and more. Read about what to consider before making your decision.

Travel pictures that capture a moment in time and stop you in your tracks, even for just a few seconds, can be addictive to the eyes and soul. I'm talking about Travel Porn...

What's wrong with a little bit of eye candy that gets you thinking about your next adventure?!

Alaska is a vast state, and deciding where to visit and what to do there can be challenging. Here are the Top 10 places to explore, including national parks, small coastal towns, and ideal wildlife viewing spots. Can't you hear the moose, bears, and eagles calling you?

Do you have a bucket list? Mine has helped me prioritize and take action to realize a ton of my dreams. A personal bucket list can do the same for you.

Here’s my take on the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Personal Bucket Lists to get you started.

Despite its small size, Costa Rica hosts many ecosystems, including rainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, mangroves, and coastal marine. The southern Pacific coast region is less traveled. You’ll find expansive (and empty) beaches, pristine rainforests, wildlife-filled mangrove wetlands, and more. Pure Vida!