The Traveling Mind

Planning a trip to Washington, D.C.? Here are the famous landmarks, museums, and beautiful places worth adding to your itinerary — plus a few tips to help you make the most of your visit. Washington, D.C., is one of those places where you can spend days exploring without spending a fortune. From the White House and the Capitol to impressive monuments and world-class museums, there is plenty to see, and many of the best attractions are completely free. I've visited Washington, D.C., more than once, and every trip gives me something different to notice. If you're visiting for the first time, or simply want to see more of the city, here are 15 places I'd put on your must-see list. Check out the hotels we stayed at when visiting Washington, D.C. 1. The White House You can't visit Washington, D.C., without seeing the White House — the official residence and workplace of the U.S. president. You can view the building from the north side near Lafayette Square or from the south ...

Hotels can take a huge chunk out of your travel budget. And when you're planning a family vacation, those accommodation costs add up pretty quickly! I love travelling, but I also love finding a good deal. I'd much rather save a couple of hundred dollars on a hotel and spend that money exploring a destination, trying local food, or doing something memorable with my family. Over the years, I've developed a few habits that help me save money on hotels. I compare prices, book in advance, keep checking my reservations, and take advantage of discounts whenever I can. And while I always compare my options, I keep coming back to one booking platform: Expedia . I've personally found that Expedia often offers competitive hotel rates. I also like the convenience of comparing different accommodation options, earning rewards on eligible bookings, and getting additional benefits at selected hotels. So, if you're planning your next vacation and want to spend less on accommodation ...

We paid to visit Machu Picchu twice. Was it worth spending the extra money when we could have seen it in one day? Honestly, yes. And it wasn't just because we wanted to see one of the most incredible places in the world twice. We visited Machu Picchu on two consecutive days, choosing Circuit 1B for those breathtaking panoramic views and Circuit 2A to explore more of the ancient Inca citadel. What surprised me was just how different the two experiences felt — and why, if I were planning the trip again, I'd make the same decision. Of course, visiting Machu Picchu twice isn't exactly a budget-friendly choice. Between the entrance tickets, train rides, accommodation in Aguas Calientes, and transportation up the mountain, the costs add up quickly. So I understand why you might wonder whether one visit is enough. The good news? You don't necessarily need two visits to have an incredible experience. If you choose the right circuit for your interests, you can make the most of a...

There is something about fall that makes me want to get in the car, go somewhere new, and enjoy the beautiful colours of the season. And if there is one thing Upstate New York does really well in autumn, it is combining colourful forests with dramatic waterfalls, deep gorges, and scenic bridges. Last fall, we took a road trip from the Toronto area and visited two beautiful state parks: Letchworth State Park and Watkins Glen State Park. And honestly, it was such a beautiful way to experience autumn! From waterfalls surrounded by colourful trees to stone bridges tucked inside rocky gorges, these parks offer so many incredible views.  If you love nature, photography, scenic walks, and finding those places that make you stop and say, “Wow, look at this!”, you will want to add these destinations to your fall bucket list. In this guide, I’m sharing the places we visited, along with a few more New York state parks worth adding to your itinerary if you want to see more waterfalls, bridges,...