Mindy on the Map

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!