The Things That Stood Out In My Travels

My Booking Style: What I Use & Why

I’ve always been a comparison shopper. In my early travel days, Agoda was my go-to for comparing accommodation prices with Expedia, and during my entire stay in Alaska, I booked exclusively through Agoda. It was reliable, straightforward, and perfect for finding deals in remote destinations.

But when it comes to accommodation + flights + car rentals all in one place, Expedia has always been my favorite. It’s the platform I trust most for complete trip planning, especially when I’m juggling multiple destinations or tight schedules.

How I Learned to Appreciate Tours

I’ll admit it — I used to avoid tours. I thought they were too expensive and unnecessary. I preferred exploring on my own, wandering freely, and discovering things at my own pace.

But travel has a way of humbling you.

Trusting Local Guides: The Aurora Stories

One of the biggest surprises in my travel journey was realizing how much richer certain experiences become when you trust a local guide.

My husband and I tried to see the Northern Lights on our own in Fairbanks, Alaska. We waited outside our hotel, watched the sky, checked the weather — nothing.

Then we tried again in Iceland, this time with a local guide. And everything changed.

He drove us to a secluded area with zero light pollution, followed a specialized aurora app, and kept the group entertained while we waited. When the lights finally appeared, it felt magical — not just because of the aurora itself, but because of the entire experience he created.

Sometimes paying extra isn’t about convenience. It’s about unlocking moments you simply cannot create on your own.

Wildlife Isn’t Always Where You Expect It

I used to think Alaska would be overflowing with wildlife — bears, seals, whales, moose — everywhere I looked. But nature doesn’t work on our schedule.

The only times I truly saw these majestic animals were:

• On a wildlife cruise excursion from Seward

• On a sightseeing plane tour from Talkeetna

Those experiences were unforgettable, and they reminded me that wildlife encounters often require expertise, timing, and the right environment — all things local guides know best.

For these kinds of adventures, I’ve always used Viator, and I’ll continue using it for my upcoming trips to Morocco, Japan, and beyond.

Iceland: The One Place I Broke My Own Rule

I have a personal travel policy: life is too short to visit the same place twice. There’s so much to see, and I want to experience as much of the world as possible.

But Iceland changed that.

I fell in love with it so deeply that I went twice — once in the summer and once in the winter. And honestly, I would go again.

Iceland is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Its fluorescent green hills, volcanic soil, flowing lava, and endless natural hot springs make it feel like a living, breathing planet. The geothermal energy is so abundant that the entire country’s heating system relies on naturally flowing hot water running through pipes beneath their infrastructure.

In summer, Iceland feels vibrant and alive — waterfalls roaring, moss glowing neon green, midnight sun stretching the day into eternity.

In winter, it becomes mystical — dark skies, frozen landscapes, and the Northern Lights dancing overhead like the world’s most ancient performance.

It’s a place that pulls you back, even when you swear you’re a “one-and-done” traveler. Iceland isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling, a force, a reminder of how powerful and beautiful our planet truly is.