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On this page, you will find all the blog posts we have done to date on Wanderers Compass. Check back often as our list grows!
Planning a visit to Europe soon? Check out our 24 Country Travel Guides. Our country guides provide essential info and fun facts to help you prepare for your next adventure.
All Posts To Date
An Apple AirTag, Stolen Luggage, and Lessons Learned
A Cautionary Tale “It is not so much about what life hands you, but…
Mexico City: A Bucket List Must!
Explore with us the cultural, political, and economic capital of Mexico “The truth is…
Historic Mitchelville: At the Dawn of Freedom
Freedmen town on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ”Those who deny freedom to others,…
Packing for Cold and Windy Destinations
Stuffing a suitcase with cold-weather essentials can be challenging. Smart packing choices can prepare…
Rock of Cashel – Ireland’s Ancient Site of Kings
It’s huge, it’s complex, it’s iconic, there is nothing like it anywhere else in…
Traditional Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás)
Authenticity at the Core Bringing home the best of Hungary We are delighted to…
Cliffs of Moher – Ireland’s Best Natural Attraction
A guide to making the most of your visit “The sun is setting in…
Are you considering starting a travel blog? It takes a “village” of the right resources
Let us show you how to build yourself a powerhouse of a “village“ Remember…
Prague Travel Log and Photo Gallery
Join us as we explore the ancient splendor and beauty of Prague ‘‘The streets…
Vienna Travel Log and Photo Gallery
Join us as we explore the Grand Austrian city of Vienna “Vienna is a…
Bratislava Travel Log and Photo Gallery
Join us as we explore the Slovakian City of Bratislava Bratislava is a lively…
Budapest Travel Log and Photo Gallery
Join us as we explore the fascinating city of Budapest, Hungary “They said that,…
Montepulciano, Italy Travel Guide – Explore It as a Local
Get to know this Tuscan Marvel “What is the fatal charm of Italy? What…
Port: A Beloved Portuguese Tradition
Our Eighth Featured Libation of the World comes from lovely Portugal When thinking of…
Pastel/Pasteis de Nata Recipe
Bringing Home Portugal’s Favorite Pastry One of the most important ways to experience a…
Traveling to Portland? Here are 4 Places You Cannot Miss
From must-visit attractions to hidden gems, Portland’s top attractions continuously evolve to attract visitors…
Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Increase your odds of smooth travels and reduce stress by using these valuable tips.…
Mdina “Silent City” Travel Guide 2022
“The legs go where the heart goes” Maltese proverb Mdina, Malta, is for curious…
Best things to do and see in Kosovo
Kosovo Visitor Guide and Photo Gallery Kosovo is a small country but it also…
Antwerp Belgium Things to Know Before You Visit
An Antwerp Visitor Guide and Photo Gallery Belgium is such a beautiful place with…
Want to travel for free? Let us show you how
A guide to making your travel dreams a beautiful reality “We travel not to…
Zadar Croatia: Reasons Why You Should Visit in 2023
“Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world……… applauded at every evening” Alfred…
Ghent Belgium – The History Book of Europe
The Ultimate Ghent Visitor Guide and Photo Gallery ‘Nie pleuje!’ – Don’t give up!…
Grand Marnier: Exquisite Elegance
Our Seventh Featured Libation of the World comes from Fabulous France Grand Marnier is…
Cinque Terre Visitor Guide and Photo Gallery
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect Cinque Terre visit “Italy is…
Tired of Long TSA Airport security lines? Here is how to avoid them
Learn how TSA Precheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry can get you through the airport…
12 Best Things to Do on the Isle of Skye, Scotland
Planning a Visit to the Isle of Skye? Read This First! “Wherever I wander,…
Europe Travel Update May 2022
Providing a detailed summary of our experiences from our six-country trip for those curious…
9 Top Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting France
“Whenever you go on a trip to visit foreign lands or distant places, remember…
Mastiha: A Unique Herbal Spirit from Greece
Cover photo from Skinos Mastiha Official Website Our Sixth Featured Libation of the World…
Delft Netherlands: A Visitor Guide to this South Holland Delight
Delft Netherlands is a delight and a must-do during any visit to South Holland.…
Global Medical Evacuation Coverage for Travelers: A frank discussion
An in-depth look at Medjet Assist Global Medical Transport “All human plans [are] subject…
Traditional Pasta Carbonara
Bringing Italy Home Stanley Tucci says that he never orders Pasta Carbonara outside of…
Exploring Mighty Malta: A Visitor Guide
There is no rose without thorns maltese proverb Mighty Malta Malta is a tiny island…
Aperol: The Orange Sensation
Our Fifth Featured Libation of the World comes from stunning Italy. The drink that…
Castello Monteriggioni, Tuscany: A Visitor Guide
“As with circling round Of turrets, Monteriggioni crowns his walls; E’en thus the shore, encompassing the…
Setenil de las Bodegas: An Andalucia Wonder
A Visitor Guide “Setenil de las Bodegas,where the sky is rock….. “ Gerardo Diego…
French Crepe Recipe
Cover Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash “Keep Calm….Make Crepes” Unknown Bringing French Cuisine Home Growing up…
The Kinderdijk Windmills of The Netherlands
There are, indeed, few merrier spectacles than that of many windmills bickering together in…
Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World
Our Fourth Featured Libation of the World comes from beautiful Iceland. It is as…
Monreale Cathedral: A Visitors Guide
“Anyone who comes to Palermo without seeing Monreale arrives on a donkey and leaves…
Homemade Limoncello Recipe
“When life hands you lemons….make……limoncello” Unknown Bringing Italy Home Limoncello is a sweet and…
Travel Insurance: Protecting You and Yours
We often encounter discussions on social media travel sites about whether someone should buy…
Malmö Sweden Visitor Guide
You’re off to visit friends in… Stockholm and you find yourself telling people you’re…
Tomato Balsamic Bruschetta
Bringing Italy Home One of the highlights of traveling to Italy is the food.…
Limoncello: Libations of the World
Our Third Featured Libation of the World comes from the Sorrentine Peninsula and Amalfi…
Pompeii Explored
Since childhood, Pompeii’s fascinating and tragic story has captured our imagination. Maybe years of…
Edinburgh Castle: The Crown of Edinburgh
After walking the Royal Mile, we visit Edinburgh Castle. Overlooking the city from the…
Vinsanto: Libations of the World
Our Second Featured Libation of the World comes from the island of Santorini, Greece.…
Traversing Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park Action-Packed 2-Day Itinerary is full of valuable facts and tips on…
Covid-19 Testing for U.S. Residents Returning from Abroad
After traveling abroad, United States residents now have a reliable, rapid, trustworthy, and most…
Iceland: Summer and Winter Comparative Photo Gallery
“THE PROBLEM WITH DRIVING AROUND ICELAND IS THAT YOU’RE BASICALLY CONFRONTED BY A NEW…
Ginja d’Obidos: Libations of the World
Our first Featured Libation of the World comes from Obidos, Portugal. This iconic Portuguese…
Ultimate Guide to Iceland’s Glacier Lagoons
Our ultimate guide and photo gallery of Iceland’s Glacier Lagoons. Join us on a…
Eze France: Medieval Splendor
Charming Eze, France, is a picturesque hilltop medieval village renowned for its breathtaking panoramic…
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for US Citizens Traveling Abroad
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a valuable free service provided to US…
Mercado de San Miguel: Best of Madrid
When it comes to gastronomic markets one of best to be found in Europe…
Hum, Croatia: The Smallest of Treasures
Hum, Croatia, a mini near-perfect medieval hill town, has been penned the smallest city…
Santorini Inspiration
A photo gallery to inspire your Santorini Greece travels
Meteora Monasteries
The Ultimate Guide to the Meteora Greece Monasteries in the clouds..
Pula Croatia Ultimate Travel Guide
Ancient ruins, a bustling vibrant city, and a magnificent coastline, Pula has it all.
The Colors of Crete
There is so much beauty in Crete but what is most striking are the…
Holiday Gifts for Travelers
Looking for that perfect holiday gift for the traveler in your life? Check out…
Croatia: The Hidden Gem of Europe
Croatia is the hidden gem of Europe on the gorgeous Adriatic Sea. Discover this…
Ronda, Spain – Discovering the Magic
Ronda, Spain, is part of the White Towns of the Andalucía region of Southern…
Santorini Greece: The Jewel of the Aegean Sea
Santorini Greece captures your heart and imagination and won’t let go long after you…
Ryan’s Top Travel Tips
With some simple strategies and tricks of trade you can improve your travel experience.…
How to Stay Healthy During Travel
Staying healthy during travel is about preparedness. We will guide you on what you…
Croatia Cuisine: A Travelers Culinary Wonder
Croatia food was one of the highlights of our trip. We take you on…
Trim Castle: Where the Magic Began
Along the river Boyne in the quaint village of Trim sits the mighty Trim…
Obidos: Portugal Perfection
Obidos is Portugal at its very finest. This walled medieval town with an imposing…
Medical Supply Shopping List for Travel
Our Travel Medical Supply Shopping List was created to assist you in gathering all…
Red Shed Brewery Cooperstown Taproom
Cooperstown, New York, is this lovely little village that comes right out of a…
Want to learn about Wanderers Compass?
Our Recommended Travel Resources
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
If you are booking a trip, don’t forget to get travel insurance within 14 days of your first booking. We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured. Not just for the little stuff but the big stuff like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Over the years, we have used many sites but have now found our go-to place. Squaremouth.com does a fantastic job; it has a user-friendly interface, they use top-rated and reputable insurance carriers, and most policies cover Covid medical issues and cancellations. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems with your policy.
To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. They cover Covid-related transports as well.
Medjet carries its own policies. The policy is only for transport and no other aspects of travel insurance. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74 and younger. Prices are not based on age below that.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Expedia.com
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Whether planning a family vacation, booking for business, or organizing the trip of a lifetime, they are a fantastic resource. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you would need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises, to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes.
We always start with Expedia to check prices, but it sometimes says it is sold out. We then try Booking.com, and we find it lists plenty of rooms. It could be they are a Europe-based company. Try both before booking accommodations.
Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)
Are you traveling with a family or having an extended stay at your destination?
With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, VRBO connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The VRBO community offers families or groups various rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, etc.
VRBO is under the Expedia group ownership now, which many were worried about, but it hasn’t panned out to be a concern. It is a massive network that has access to all forms of lodging should issues arise. Joelle has used VRBO for many years with her family with no problems.
Viator
As the leading marketplace for travel experiences, Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier.
With industry-leading flexibility and last-minute availability, it’s never too late to make any day extraordinary. This one site has it all and has experiences throughout the world. We use them often during our travels, especially for food tours. We especially take the time to read the reviews provided.
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, helps hundreds of millions of people each month become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers worldwide use the Tripadvisor site and App to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before.
With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions from nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at popular restaurants, and discover great places to see nearby. We use them for guidance and research on every trip; it is a valuable app for the independent traveler.
Welcome Pick-ups
(Airport and sightseeing service)
A global leader in ground transportation for travelers. They help hundreds of companies around the world enhance their services and boost their revenue with our 5-star ride experiences and hassle-free automation
Founded in 2015 in Athens, Greece, Welcome Pick-ups goes above and beyond the standard transfer service as the first company to deliver a holistic, in-destination travel experience. From the moment a traveler arrives at a new destination until they return home, Welcome accommodates all their travel needs (transfers, travel products, things to do, information) as the easiest, friendliest, and most personalized solution.
Rail Europe
Discover Europe by Train
Rail Europe sells train and bus tickets for travel across Europe. They cover 24 countries, 105 rail operations, and 20,000 stations. They are the official rail and bus operations agents in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Rail Europe continues to add coverage all the time.
It is a fast, easy, and economical way to purchase European train and bus tickets. Eurail passes are also available to buy through their site.
Amazon.com
An excellent source for travel essentials and guides
We now have our own Amazon Storefront with all our favorite travel accessories and gear in one place. Check out our travel store at the link below.
Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. On behalf of their customers, teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com provide extensive options to customers.
We buy most of our travel books, accessories, and luggage from Amazon. We have ordered up to two days before travel and get what we need.
Travelpro Luggage
Thoughtfully Designed | Meticulously Constructed | Quality Guaranteed.
We have used this luggage for years, left briefly to try others, and returned to Travelpro. Travelpro luggage is carried by crews from over 90 airlines worldwide.
Travelpro takes the time to learn what travelers want and need, then builds it. The key factor for us is that it must be lightweight upfront and resistant to rough handling. Their luggage is the best, and we could not recommend it enough. It is our go-to luggage.
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