A Suitcase and a Smile: Mother-Daughter Time in Portugal

TrekSimple is excited to collaborate with Cris Gawlik, a nomadic travel blogger Maggie met online through a personal finance Facebook group. She has an interesting story to share not only about her nomadic lifestyle, but also about spending intentional family time doing what she loves – traveling! Our thanks to Cris for guest posting, and enjoy! In … More A Suitcase and a Smile: Mother-Daughter Time in Portugal

Extending Your Fort Lauderdale Cruise Vacation

One of the great things about living in a vacation destination with a hugely popular cruise port means friends and family often come to town to hop on a cruise. While the options out of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port, include the eastern and western Caribbean, South America and even repositioning cruises across the … More Extending Your Fort Lauderdale Cruise Vacation

The One Where we Went to Cuba – and Fidel Castro Died

Travel enough and you’ll experience some interesting things, but for me one event trumps all others, considering I’ve lived in South Florida now longer than anywhere else.  I was in Havana, Cuba – a place most Americans couldn’t easily travel to for a generation – when Fidel Castro died. The journey to Cuba began in … More The One Where we Went to Cuba – and Fidel Castro Died

Laundry: pack light, wash, and air-dry with a travel clothesline

This product recommendation and guide is useful under a few conditions: You’re traveling internationally in a warm climate and have packed lightweight, quick-drying clothing You want to pack lightly for your trip, and are maybe backpacking* You and/or your travel companions are cool with washing underwear in a sink You’re camping or beaching and want … More Laundry: pack light, wash, and air-dry with a travel clothesline

Negotiating your vacation rental property price

Almost everything is negotiable, including the price of your vacation. I know this because I’ve managed a vacation rental property since 2012, and have rarely refused a discount to anyone confident enough to bother asking! You may wonder why I’m using the word “negotiation” instead of the phrase “asking for a discount.” In most of … More Negotiating your vacation rental property price

Hawaii National Park Stunners: Sunrise in the Clouds and Active Lava

Yes, I went back to Hawaii for my birthday again this year. I guess you could say I have a problem, but arguably, a good problem. More to come on that, but for now, here’s a quick post to share two of the incredible new-to-me sights I saw last week while putting my *NERDALERT* America … More Hawaii National Park Stunners: Sunrise in the Clouds and Active Lava

Yosemite in Fall

Yosemite National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring, special places in the United States, maybe the world. Don’t believe me? Perhaps you were as clueless as I was before visiting, and hopefully this post will put Yosemite National Park on your travel list. I was making plans to attend a music festival in San … More Yosemite in Fall