Embarking on a journey to explore new destinations is an exciting endeavor, but having the right travel accessories can enhance your experience and make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. From practical essentials to innovative gadgets, there's a wide array of travel accessories available to cater to every traveler's needs and preferences. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a round-the-world expedition, here are some must-have travel accessories to consider packing for your next adventure.

Embarking on a journey to Europe is a dream for many American tourists, seeking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and scenic landscapes. While Europe offers countless destinations to explore, some cities stand out not only for their aesthetics but also for their reputation as safe havens for travelers. In this article, I unveil Europe's safest cities, where American tourists can wander with peace of mind and savor every moment of their adventure. Unlike in my article Five Most Dangerous European Cities for Tourists these destinations should not shock anyone.

Many Americans dream of exploring Europe, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and diverse cultures. However, like many cities in the United States, Europe has its share of cities where visitors should exercise caution due to safety concerns and elevated crime rates. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of Europe's most challenging destinations for American travelers, and some of these destinations may surprise you.

Maybe it’s a generational thing, but I never grew up in an era where the kindness of strangers was accepted without reservation. Traveling abroad to famous locations allows to collision of uninformed tourists and practiced scam artists. As a teenager, I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Italy to play soccer and was warned of these scam artists. Children running around the piazza were not to be trusted and old women talking to you or attempting to hand you their children were attempting to lift your wallet. As an adult, I’ve been chased through Montmarte by some kind stranger who made the mistake of putting a bracelet on my daughter’s wrist, assuming that I would entertain his sob story. Below is a list of scams to be aware of. While the details may change, the general premise will remain the same no matter your location.

I've used my travel hacking strategy for years and have been able to see England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Bermuda, and many other countries that are on many bucket lists. I am not certain I would even qualify for middle class, but my life experiences have provided me invaluable wealth. What means more to me now and certainly impacts the people I have helped are the opportunities we have been able to provide our kids with our travel.

Everyone should have emails they rotate for free trials and a gift card with a dollar on it to use to sign up for those free trials. Scour the internet and ask your friends, and you will be provided with life hacks that may or may not make your life easier. When it comes to travel tips, there are a ton of articles designed to exploit affiliate marketing or advertise the cheapest search engine. I have come up with the top five hacks to make all of those other articles worthwhile and start you on your travel hacking journey.

Certain cell phone companies like T-Mobile have amazing perks like free international texting, while other companies like Verizon charge you a flat daily rate to text and use the internet. If making calls is a must, use an App and preferably Wifi. I've had multiple carriers on my travels, but something I have used over and over again is CityMaps2Go.

As a teenager I got to experience what a thirty dollar flight from Milan to Manchester looked looks like with an entire soccer team. There were no assigned seats, the flight was overbooked, and none of our travel companions spoke a word of Italian. We all eventually made it. For a small family or solo traveler, the ability to traverse the European continent by high speed rail or budget airlines is the greatest luxury that costs very little.

In Southern Georgia, we drink sweet tea, go to church on Sundays, and patiently wait in lines. Cutting in line will draw the passive-aggressive stares felt by having your cell phone go off during the preacher's sermon. While I disapprove of cutting, American vacations are limited by time and money and exploiting knowledge is something I do approve of. I am also significantly more afraid of a Southern Baptist preacher's wife, than I am the French.