A dotted blue path with a location pin marker at the start and a dotted circle at the end, representing a journey or route.

The Honest Travel Advice Blog

Real trips, honest takes, and what I wish someone had told me before I booked. Italy, Greece, river cruises, safaris, grad trips, and the rest of Europe, from a travel advisor who’s actually been there.

start planning your trip

A woman with red hair smiling outdoors by a lake, with hills and cloudy sky in the background.

Illustration of three travel stamps from Prague, Malmo, and Berlin with respective dates and airport details.

Line drawing of various famous buildings and landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Search for something specific:

Start Here

New here? These are the questions I ask every client, whether you’re dreaming about Italy, a safari, or a river cruise.

Featured

October 30, 2026

Are You River Cruise Ready? 5 Questions to Ask Before You Book

October 30, 2026

River cruises get sold as the easy way to see Europe. Sometimes they are. Sometimes they're a week of wishing you'd booked a train. Five questions to figure out which one you are.

River Cruising With Friends: How to Book a Group Without the Drama

Eight friends, four matching cabins, one river ship, and nobody stuck being the group’s unpaid travel agent. Here’s how I booked it: cabins, flights from different cities, splitting up on excursions, and why low water hits a group harder than a couple.