When planning travels, many people first think about their destination. Stunning azure coastlines, iconic festivals, or legendary historical sites are the focal points toward which their dreams are drawn. In such a case, the choice of transport becomes a matter of convenience, speed, budget, and other important considerations.

But if you view travel not as a distance to be covered but as an adventure, then choosing a mode of transport becomes even more important. In this case, train travel offers many more opportunities to feel inspired and gain new experiences.

By preparing your residence prior to going on an extended vacation or trip, you will not only alleviate some of the stress associated with traveling, but also eliminate many of the issues you would normally deal with at home while travelling. When you are away from your home and are not able to perform your daily activities, things like unpaid bills, unattended mail, or unsecured belongings can very easily turn into larger issues. Taking the time to prepare your residence prior to your trip will help you to focus on your travels rather than on anything happening at home.

Today, the world is progressing toward legacy travel, trips that three or four generations travel together so that family history can shine with intention.

As a global educator, curious tourist, or a grandma who wants to share your culture with your extended family, these adventures allow your culture to live and thrive past the current oldest generation and live on for more generations to come.

In the U.S., distance is amorphous. A “quick hop” can turn into a six-hour flight. Buses can run overnight. And trains can stretch time in a way that lets you get tired, rest a little, and somehow rethink half your life plans, all before you arrive.

For anyone with a bigger Christmas budget this year, setting your sights on Christmas in New York City is definitely a festive vacation idea to consider. NYC is really quite magical during Christmastime, with more lights, events, and festive cheer than a lot of other major cities!

Just think about the amount of Christmas movies that are set in New York City - it’s the perfect backdrop for the kind of cozy, fairytale festive season we all really want!

Traveling for an extended period, whether it is for work, family visits, or just a change of scenery, means that you need to have a different kind of planning. It's not just about picking the right flights and hotels; it's all about finding a good balance. You want to make sure that you have somewhere that feels a little bit more like home and routines that are still in place, as well as being able to have the normal travel experiences that remind you of what you love to explore. 

Scandinavia Private Tours has been on our radar for a while now, and having experienced aspects of the service, we wanted to review it. Here, we give it our full attention, explaining what the operator does, what it doesn’t do, what we liked, and what we thought could be improved. 

A trip to Europe holds so many exciting possibilities. And when you’re planning a luxury holiday, a private tour experience could be just the thing to bring that extra magic. Whether you want to benefit from local knowledge, a custom itinerary and even exclusive access to different sights and experiences, a private tour company could be just what you need to enjoy the trip of a lifetime.