US Travel
” All that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast, and all that road going…” -Jack Kerouac
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Asia
“Saigon traffic is Vietnamese life, a continuous charade of posturing, bluffing, fast moves, tenacity and surrenders.” -Andrew X. Pham
Hotel Reviews
“I knew it. I knew it. Born in a hotel room – and God damn it – died in a hotel room.” -Eugene O’Neill
Recent Posts
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Downtown Vegas Oasis: El Cortez Cabana Suites
Choosing a hotel room in Las Vegas can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of thousands of rooms around the city ranging from palatial suites with butler service to a plain old Motel 6. Even after you’ve decided which hotel you want to visit it can be confusing deciding exactly which room to book. The differences…
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Where to Stay in Chile: Santiago’s Best Hotels
The first thing you’ll notice when searching for a hotel in Santiago is that most of them are arranged along a line from the center of the city to the east, parallel with the river. This is actually quite convenient because the #1 subway line runs along roughly the same path. Often visitors want to…
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Is This the Worst Country for Solo Travel?
Costa Rica has always enjoyed a sterling reputation in the US travel market. Long known as the safest and most stable country in Central America, many travelers value the ability to see all or most of it on a trip of just 1-2 weeks. The possibilities of where you could go in that time and…
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Is The Holiday Inn San Jose’s Best Hotel?
If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica you might be considering getting a hotel in San Jose to act as a base for exploring the rest of the country, or as a place to stay before or after flying. Holiday Inn is a name that’s familiar to most travelers and the Holiday Inn San…
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Is Hotel Los Ranchos a Slice of Paradise in Jaco Beach?
For travelers looking to stay in Jaco Beach finding a large chain hotel is not really possible. Aside from an all inclusive Best Western resort, there are just vacation rentals, hostels, and small local hotels. The Hotel Los Ranchos is one such property. Coming in at around $75 a night on Expedia, does this hotel…
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First Trip to Bogota: Everything You Need to Know
Bogota is not the world’s largest city. It’s not even close to the largest cities in the world, being barely within the top 30 in population size for its metro. But when you arrive in Bogota it will feel like the biggest city on Earth. Indeed, it’s larger than some of the world’s most visited…
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Ibis Cartagena Marbella: A Beachfront Stay in Colombia
The Colombian city of Cartagena is large. But the part where tourists go comprises just a small fraction of the city around the waterfront. Still, within that relatively thin footprint there’s all manner of lodging available from bunk beds in hostels to five star hotels. If you’re planning a trip there location is less a…
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Is The IHG Premier Mastercard Worth It? Full 90-Day Review
If you’re into travel a transferrable points card like the Venture X or Chase Sapphire Preferred is a must have. These are the best way to spend day-to-day. They’re also table stakes in a full card portfolio. Travelers wanting the most from their trips should add at least one airline and one hotel card for…
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The Best Attraction in Baltimore? On Visiting Poe’s Grave
When visitors think of Baltimore the first thing that usually comes to mind is the Inner Harbor. The Aquarium, Science Center and the USS Constellation are among the city’s most popular sites. But these attractions are very family-centric and have only limited appeal for business trips, solo travelers or visiting sports fans. One site that…
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Is This the Best Baltimore Hotel Under $200?
The market for rooms in Baltimore hotels is a little unique. The city is not a major tourist draw, nor is it above average in business travel. For many years Baltimore put most of its eggs in the Convention Visitors basket, but its dated convention center and lagging business recovery from Covid means the city…
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A Weekend Hiking Through History at Harpers Ferry NHP
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a unique place. The area between Gettysburg, Philadelphia, Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley is home to hundreds of historical sites. Even with much to see nearby, Harpers Ferry stands out for its history and its scenic beauty and recreation. Whether you only want to spend an hour or so on…
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Almost Heaven? Review of The Holiday Inn Express Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry and the site of John Brown’s Raid is a trip that should be on every American’s Bucket List. But unless you live within driving distance you’re going to need a Harpers Ferry hotel when visiting West Virginia. There are several chains nearby to choose from and prices range from about $75-200 per night.…
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