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Travel Tips

We’re in your corner! When you check online listings or look at travel brochures, every hotel looks good. But some are good and some are really poor – regardless of how good their pictures look. Picking a good hotel, finding a great surfing beach, scoring a last minute deal or getting tickets to a sold out show in your destination requires special knowledge and finesse. These travel tips will help you travel better.

An image of two skeletons in a Day of the Dead display - Day of the Dead Festival- Día de Muertos
Skeletons are a playful symbol of the Day of the Dead Festival. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN
Articles, Travel Tips

Day of the Dead Festival

What You Need to Know About Dia de los Muertos The Day of the Dead Festival is celebrated right after Halloween, but even though it includes playful costumes and decorations, it is not a Hispanic version of Halloween. Dia de los Muertos takes place over two days (Nov 1 and 2) as a colorful way for families to come together and celebrate the memory of deceased loved ones. On November 1, families honor deceased children and infants with Dia de los Inocentes and those of the Catholic faith also honor Catholic Saints on All Saints’ Day. November 2 is for celebrating older deceased relatives and is also All Souls’ Day, a day dedicated to prayers for the dead. Both days are national …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a bride and groom on a beach in Hawaii
Hawaii is a popular destination wedding location.
Travel Better, Travel Tips

Planning Affordable Beach Weddings

Marcel and Joan had a lovely wedding on the beach in Jamaica. Even though I wasn’t technically invited, I couldn’t help snapping a few pictures from the comfort of my beach chair. If I had known them, I might have even shed a tear or two. Their ceremony was the best of the four weddings we observed during our one-week stay at an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay. When it comes to beach destination weddings, Marcel and Joan have a lot of company – and I’m not just referring to uninvited wedding guests. Many couples are choosing destination weddings because they are fun and affordable beach weddings. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase …

Debbie Olsen
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Travel Better, Travel Tips

Phone Photography – Tips to Take Better Smartphone Photos

When you Leave your Good Camera Behind Have you ever gone to the airport and left something important behind? As I stood at the counter checking in for a red-eye flight, I realized I was missing something. My son had dropped me off and I had left my camera equipment in the backseat of his car. Since his cell phone was dead, there was no way to contact him. I was visiting three tropical islands on one trip and the only camera I had was the one on my lousy smartphone.  Nobody ever bought that particular model of smartphone for its camera capabilities. To be honest, it was an antique in the smartphone world. Since I didn’t have any other …

Debbie Olsen
View Phone Photography – Tips to Take Better Smartphone Photos
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