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Day 1 - Porto Portugal Travel Guide -Best Things to Do, Food & River Walks
The InterContinental Hotel Porto offers a breakfast buffet in the morning in their restaurant they also have a menu if you want to order a cooked to order breakfast, which is located off the reception area. After we ate, we located a coffee shop a few blocks away that had really good coffee. In the late morning, we met with the two guides, Melondy and Augusta, and went over what to expect the next 9 days. Afterwards we went and walked down by the river, Rio Douro, and cros
shawnayost
Oct 23, 20251 min read


Your Complete Travel Guide to Salema, Portugal
If you’ve ever dreamed of a charming coastal village where the pace slows down just enough to let you breathe in the salty sea air and savor every moment, Salema, Portugal, might just be your next favorite getaway. Nestled in the Algarve region, this little gem offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, local culture, and simple pleasures. I’ve spent some wonderful days wandering its sandy shores and quaint streets, and I’m excited to share everything you need to know to make
shawnayost
4 days ago4 min read


Top Travel Gear Essentials for Long Flight Travel Essentials
Long flights can be a bit of a challenge, right? Whether you’re heading across the country or halfway around the world, those hours in the air can feel endless. I’ve been there—stuck in a cramped seat, trying to get comfortable, and wishing I had packed a little smarter. Over time, I’ve learned that having the right gear can make all the difference. It’s like bringing a little slice of home with you, helping you relax, stay entertained, and arrive feeling refreshed. So, let’s
shawnayost
May 255 min read


Top Attractions to See in Porto in Two Days - Your Perfect Porto 2-Day Itinerary
Porto is one of those cities that sneaks up on you with its charm. I remember my first visit - the cobbled streets, the colorful houses stacked on the hills, and that unmistakable scent of fresh pastries and sea air. If you only have two days to explore, don’t worry. Porto is compact enough to give you a rich experience without feeling rushed. Let me walk you through a Porto 2-day itinerary that balances iconic sights with hidden gems, perfect for families, couples, or anyon
shawnayost
Apr 274 min read


Essential Travel Gear for Comfortable Long Flights: Your Long Flight Essentials Guide
Long flights can be a bit of a mixed bag, right? On one hand, you’re excited about the destination, the adventures ahead, and maybe even the little in-flight movie marathon. On the other hand, hours cramped in a seat, battling dry air, and trying to catch some shut-eye can feel like a test of endurance. Over the years, I’ve learned that having the right gear can make all the difference. So, let’s dive into the long flight essentials that have saved me from many a travel head
shawnayost
Apr 274 min read


Natural History Museum & Central Park
Checked out of our hotel and went to grab an Uber to drop off our luggage at a luggage storage spot near the Natural History Museum in New York City. Had a little problem with that because a 5K running race was about to start couple blocks from our hotel and the streets were closed in the area. So, we had to walk about a mile to an area where an Uber could pick us up. Still, it took at least 30 minutes before the driver could get to us with the streets closed and traffic.
shawnayost
Apr 222 min read


Exploring Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty: A Personal Journey
A Day of Discovery Today, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Instead of joining an organized tour, we decided to explore on our own. I purchased tickets online in advance and chose the earliest time slot available. We opted for general admission, which included a round-trip boat ride and an audio tour. We started our journey at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. After a quick Uber ride from our hotel, we were ready to set sail.
shawnayost
Apr 143 min read


Expert Tips from Online Family Travel Advisors for Family Vacation Planning Online
https://www.yostadventuretravel.com Why Family Vacation Planning Online Makes Life Easier Let’s be honest - planning a trip with kids or a partner can be overwhelming. There are flights to book, accommodations to choose, activities to schedule, and meals to consider. Doing all this online means you can take your time, compare options, and avoid the pressure of last-minute decisions. One of the biggest perks of family vacation planning online is the ability to read reviews and
shawnayost
Apr 144 min read


Complete Travel Guide to Salema, Portugal - Salema Travel Tips
If you’re dreaming of a charming coastal village where the pace slows down just enough to savor every moment, Salema, Portugal, might just be your next favorite getaway. Nestled in the Algarve region, this little gem offers a perfect blend of sun, sea, and authentic Portuguese charm. I’ve spent some wonderful days wandering its sandy shores and quaint streets, and I’m excited to share everything you need to know to make your trip as smooth and joyful as possible. Getting to K
shawnayost
Apr 74 min read


New York City & Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
We took our time to disembark from the Cunard Queen Mary II cruise. We booked the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson for 2 nights. We picked to stay in Jersey City versus New York City because the hotel wasn't too far from Liberty State Park where the terminal is located to catch the boat to go to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. We had an Uber pick us up from the cruise terminal and take us to the hotel. Check in was at 4:00 PM and because we were there before noo
shawnayost
Mar 312 min read
Transatlantic 7-night cruise on Cunard Queen Mary II
We embarked on September 26, 2026, from Southampton, England on the way to New York City, USA to disembark on October 3, 2026. We booked a cabin A2 category Club Balcony. Which included dinner at the restaurant Britania Club which is a private room off of the main dining room. The menu is a little upgrade from the main dining room menu. The dress code on Cunard is more dressed up then on other cruise lines and stricter on following it. One night was black & white gala ba
shawnayost
Mar 132 min read
Leaving London by private driver and spending night in Southampton
After are stay in London we headed to Southampton to take a transatlantic cruise to New York city on the Cunard Mary II. For seven days we sailed without any port stops. We hired a driver online before we left home from the company Mozio. I received a message beforehand providing us with the driver's name, number, picture, and vehicle's plate number, color, make, and model. We were picked up at 11:00 AM in front of our hotel. The drive was supposed to be around 2 hours b
shawnayost
Feb 261 min read


Stonehenge & Bath Day Tour from London
Today we did another full day trip outside of London with Viator. We had to be at the meeting point at 7:00 AM. We took the tube to the Gloucester Road Tube Station (Kensington area). We waited outside Stanhope Arms pub opposite the station exit. Very easy to find. It was a good size group of people, and we boarded a bus and headed to Stonehenge. About an hour out of London, we stopped at a rest area/gas station where we were able to stretch and get some coffee, snacks,
shawnayost
Feb 202 min read


London: Buckingham Palace & Big Ben & Westminster Abbey
Today we did another tour with Viator this time we stayed in London and did a walking tour. We met up outside the Ritz hotel and started are walk through the lovely Green Park, which is a large park. At the end of the park, we reached Buckingham Palace. Seeing that this was a Tuesday we were unable to see the changing of the Guard ceremony. They only do it in September on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:00 AM. We then went to Trafalgar Square, where we to
shawnayost
Feb 111 min read


Oxford and Traditional Cotswolds Villages Day Tour
Today we did another tour with Viator where we took a 16 seat Mercedes mini coach to two traditional Cotswolds Villages and then went to the University City of Oxford. The meeting point was not very clear in the directions, and we just made it to the meeting point with a couple minutes to spare before they would have left us. We had to meet at Stance 3 in the Greenline Coach Station and when we put in the direction's app Green Line Coach Station, we were directed to another
shawnayost
Feb 22 min read


First full day in London
Today we did a Viator excursion, Eating London: Brick Lane, Shoreditch & Spitalfields Food Tour. We had to be at the meeting point, the Old Spitalfields Market, at 11:00 AM. We had to take 2 trains to get there and leaving about an hour beforehand so, we wouldn't be late because they don't wait for you. There was only 7 of us so, nice and small group. We started with the Monte Crisco sandwich at one of the vendors in the market. It was a good size sandwich and very chees
shawnayost
Jan 62 min read
Taking Eurostar to London & going to a London Soccer Game
After waking up and checking out of the hotel we caught an Uber and headed to the train station. We decided to take the train from Brussels to London instead of flying. We bought the tickets ahead of time from home and chose to upgrade to Eurostar Plus, which included 2 pieces of luggage, 1 small hand luggage, a light meal and drinks, and free onboard wi-fi. It was a little confusing for first timers the board that tells you which area to go to for the ticket checks, secur
shawnayost
Dec 16, 20253 min read


Belgium 2nd full day
Today we did another tour through Viator. We did a day trip from Brussels to Bruges. It was an all-day trip that started at 8:30 AM and included the bus ride and guided walking tour. We were to meet the guide outside Brussels Central Station. Problem was there was a number of guides outside Brussels Central Station and not very clear which one was the English-speaking group guide. The first line we got in was not the English group but, at least they pointed out the corre
shawnayost
Dec 5, 20252 min read


Brussels: Historical Walking Tour with Chocolate & Waffle tasting
Our first full day in Brussels we did an excursion with Viator the Brussels historical walking tour with chocolate & waffle tasting. We meet our guide in front of city hall which wasn't too far from our hotel. In the square our guide described and decoding the symbols on the different facades. City hall, King's house, house of the dukes, and many other important houses. We then went to our first tasting which was a small Belgium waffle. We each were given a plain waffle,
shawnayost
Dec 2, 20252 min read


Portugal to Brussels
We booked an Uber the day before because we wanted an early pick up to head to the airport in Faro, which was 1 hour and 10 minutes away. The airport in Faro you don't find out where you drop off checked luggage until 2 hours before your flight so, if you are early you need to wait until your designated counter location shows up on the large information screens in the terminal. Because we were flying to Belgium, a Schengen country, and not to the United States, a non-Scheng
shawnayost
Nov 26, 20252 min read
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