STORIES

These are the places that stay with us. Stories shaped by personal journeys, quiet discoveries, extraordinary hotels, and the people who bring destinations to life. Part reflection, part guide, each piece offers insight beyond the itinerary—meant to inspire, inform, and deepen the way we see the world.

TESA TOTENGCO 5/30/26 TESA TOTENGCO 5/30/26

First-Time Cruisers, First-Time Alaska, and a Brilliant Surprise

I boarded Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady expecting spectacular Alaska scenery. What I didn't expect was how much our family—ranging from first-time cruisers to seasoned travelers—would fall in love with the ship itself. From Dawes Glacier and whale sightings to Scarlet Night and Sir Richard Branson onboard, this maiden Alaska voyage delivered plenty of surprises.

Adventure
- Jan 24, 2026 The Northern Lights Jan 24, 2026
- Jan 11, 2026 Lapland: Manifesting the Arctic Jan 11, 2026
- Nov 14, 2025 Charting the Uncharted: A Winter Voyage with PONANT Nov 14, 2025
- May 26, 2025 From Everest Dreams to Himalayan Realities: A Journey through Nepal May 26, 2025
- Sep 29, 2024 Faroe Islands: A Place Undiscovered Sep 29, 2024
- Sep 10, 2024 Beyond Machu Picchu: Discovering the True Magic of Peru Sep 10, 2024
- Aug 17, 2024 Hoi An Travel Guide Aug 17, 2024
- Mar 25, 2023 Luxury Living in the Heart of the Australian Outback Mar 25, 2023
- Mar 6, 2023 Kathakali, Chai, and Backwaters: A Journey through India's Diverse Landscape Mar 6, 2023
- Mar 1, 2023 Mumbai in 48 Hours: A First-Time Traveler's Experience Mar 1, 2023
- Oct 22, 2022 Beyond the Golden Triangle: Uncovering Croatia's Hidden Gems Oct 22, 2022
- Aug 10, 2022 Morocco Revisited Aug 10, 2022
- May 27, 2022 AZORES - No longer a secret May 27, 2022
- Apr 20, 2022 AlUla Apr 20, 2022
- Feb 19, 2022 ARGENTINA - Why we need to plan your trip NOW Feb 19, 2022
- Jan 23, 2022 Dreams Do Come True Jan 23, 2022
- Jul 9, 2021 I hit a wall in Namibia Jul 9, 2021
- May 31, 2021 On the road from Namibia May 31, 2021
- May 4, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - Hot Air Balloon Ride + Leopards May 4, 2021
- Apr 15, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - The Great Wildebeest Migration Apr 15, 2021
- Apr 8, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari – Eastern Serengeti Apr 8, 2021
- Mar 28, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - Ngorongoro Crater Mar 28, 2021
- Mar 7, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - Tarangire National Park Mar 7, 2021
- Jan 6, 2021 Traveling in the time of Covid Jan 6, 2021
- Aug 29, 2020 Istanbul Stopover Aug 29, 2020
- May 12, 2019 Experience Bali for the Family May 12, 2019
Africa
- Mar 14, 2026 Uganda & Rwanda: Three Treks, One Redemption Mar 14, 2026
- Aug 10, 2022 Morocco Revisited Aug 10, 2022
- Aug 28, 2021 Greece and Egypt Tested Us Aug 28, 2021
- Jul 9, 2021 I hit a wall in Namibia Jul 9, 2021
- May 31, 2021 On the road from Namibia May 31, 2021
- May 4, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - Hot Air Balloon Ride + Leopards May 4, 2021
- Apr 15, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - The Great Wildebeest Migration Apr 15, 2021
- Apr 8, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari – Eastern Serengeti Apr 8, 2021
- Mar 28, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - Ngorongoro Crater Mar 28, 2021
- Mar 7, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - Tarangire National Park Mar 7, 2021
Alaska
- May 30, 2026 First-Time Cruisers, First-Time Alaska, and a Brilliant Surprise May 30, 2026
Asia
- Feb 15, 2026 Three Nights in Beijing Feb 15, 2026
- Oct 31, 2025 Varanasi, India: Where Life and Death Flow on the Ganges Oct 31, 2025
- May 26, 2025 From Everest Dreams to Himalayan Realities: A Journey through Nepal May 26, 2025
- Apr 13, 2025 Kolkata Called—And I Said Yes Apr 13, 2025
- Dec 21, 2024 Iconic UNESCO World Heritage Adventures of 2024 Dec 21, 2024
- Aug 17, 2024 Hoi An Travel Guide Aug 17, 2024
- Mar 11, 2023 Discovering Delhi: From Museums and Monuments to Bazaars and Temples Mar 11, 2023
- Mar 6, 2023 Kathakali, Chai, and Backwaters: A Journey through India's Diverse Landscape Mar 6, 2023
- Mar 1, 2023 Mumbai in 48 Hours: A First-Time Traveler's Experience Mar 1, 2023
- May 12, 2019 Experience Bali for the Family May 12, 2019
Australia
- Mar 25, 2023 Luxury Living in the Heart of the Australian Outback Mar 25, 2023
- Nov 25, 2022 Sipping and Savouring South Australia's Finest: Exploring Adelaide Hills & Barossa Wine Regions Nov 25, 2022
Bhutan
- Dec 21, 2024 Iconic UNESCO World Heritage Adventures of 2024 Dec 21, 2024
Bucket List Trips
- Feb 15, 2026 Three Nights in Beijing Feb 15, 2026
- Jan 24, 2026 The Northern Lights Jan 24, 2026
- Oct 31, 2025 Varanasi, India: Where Life and Death Flow on the Ganges Oct 31, 2025
- May 26, 2025 From Everest Dreams to Himalayan Realities: A Journey through Nepal May 26, 2025
- Dec 21, 2024 Iconic UNESCO World Heritage Adventures of 2024 Dec 21, 2024
- Sep 10, 2024 Beyond Machu Picchu: Discovering the True Magic of Peru Sep 10, 2024
- Aug 10, 2022 Morocco Revisited Aug 10, 2022
- Apr 20, 2022 AlUla Apr 20, 2022
- May 31, 2021 On the road from Namibia May 31, 2021
- Apr 15, 2021 10 Day Tanzania Safari - The Great Wildebeest Migration Apr 15, 2021
Caribbean
- Sep 9, 2023 Exploring Paradise: Turtle Week at Four Seasons Nevis Sep 9, 2023
Carribean
- Feb 23, 2021 Traveling to Antigua in the time of COVID Feb 23, 2021
- Apr 7, 2019 Food Trip: Cartagena Ceviche Apr 7, 2019
Central America
- Oct 13, 2025 Panama: Beyond the Canal, Into the Cloud Forests and Islands Oct 13, 2025
China
- Feb 15, 2026 Three Nights in Beijing Feb 15, 2026
Croatia
- Oct 22, 2022 Beyond the Golden Triangle: Uncovering Croatia's Hidden Gems Oct 22, 2022
- Oct 21, 2022 Discovering Istria: Croatia's Best-Kept Secret Oct 21, 2022
Cruise
- May 30, 2026 First-Time Cruisers, First-Time Alaska, and a Brilliant Surprise May 30, 2026
- Nov 14, 2025 Charting the Uncharted: A Winter Voyage with PONANT Nov 14, 2025
- Sep 14, 2025 Seven Nights, Five Countries, One River: Cruising the Danube on AmaMagna Sep 14, 2025
- Sep 16, 2022 12 Nights of European Splendor aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises Sep 16, 2022
- Aug 28, 2021 Greece and Egypt Tested Us Aug 28, 2021
Culinary
- Nov 14, 2025 Charting the Uncharted: A Winter Voyage with PONANT Nov 14, 2025
- Sep 26, 2025 Panama’s Hidden Table: Hacienda Mamecillo in the Cloud Forest Sep 26, 2025
- May 14, 2025 Estonia Unveiled: Beyond Tallinn to the Islands of Muhu and Saaremaa May 14, 2025
- Nov 17, 2024 Discovering Brittany Through the Lens of Relais & Châteaux Nov 17, 2024
- Aug 17, 2024 Hoi An Travel Guide Aug 17, 2024
- Nov 25, 2022 Sipping and Savouring South Australia's Finest: Exploring Adelaide Hills & Barossa Wine Regions Nov 25, 2022
- Oct 22, 2022 Beyond the Golden Triangle: Uncovering Croatia's Hidden Gems Oct 22, 2022
- Aug 15, 2022 Herdade da Malhadinha Nova Aug 15, 2022
- Aug 20, 2020 Discover: Sifnos, Greece Aug 20, 2020
- Sep 22, 2019 Food Trip: Paella Recipe - the Mallorcain way Sep 22, 2019
- Jun 3, 2019 Food Trip: Paella - Part I Jun 3, 2019
- Apr 7, 2019 Food Trip: Cartagena Ceviche Apr 7, 2019
Culture
- Oct 31, 2025 Varanasi, India: Where Life and Death Flow on the Ganges Oct 31, 2025
- Sep 26, 2025 Panama’s Hidden Table: Hacienda Mamecillo in the Cloud Forest Sep 26, 2025
- May 14, 2025 Estonia Unveiled: Beyond Tallinn to the Islands of Muhu and Saaremaa May 14, 2025
- Apr 13, 2025 Kolkata Called—And I Said Yes Apr 13, 2025
- Aug 17, 2024 Hoi An Travel Guide Aug 17, 2024
- Sep 16, 2023 Exploring the Heart of Istanbul: A Tapestry of History and Culture Sep 16, 2023
- Mar 11, 2023 Discovering Delhi: From Museums and Monuments to Bazaars and Temples Mar 11, 2023
- Mar 6, 2023 Kathakali, Chai, and Backwaters: A Journey through India's Diverse Landscape Mar 6, 2023
- Mar 1, 2023 Mumbai in 48 Hours: A First-Time Traveler's Experience Mar 1, 2023
- Aug 10, 2022 Morocco Revisited Aug 10, 2022
- Apr 20, 2022 AlUla Apr 20, 2022
- Oct 31, 2021 Go n-éirí an bóthar leat (Gaelic) Oct 31, 2021
- Aug 24, 2020 Discover: Monemvasia, Greece Aug 24, 2020
- May 12, 2019 Experience Bali for the Family May 12, 2019
- Apr 21, 2019 Jean-Michel Basquiat: Life Doesn't Frighten Me Apr 21, 2019
- Apr 13, 2019 Discover Claude Monet's Giverny Apr 13, 2019
Europe
- Apr 14, 2026 Italy, with a few surprises Apr 14, 2026
- Jan 24, 2026 The Northern Lights Jan 24, 2026
- Jan 11, 2026 Lapland: Manifesting the Arctic Jan 11, 2026
- Sep 14, 2025 Seven Nights, Five Countries, One River: Cruising the Danube on AmaMagna Sep 14, 2025
- Aug 28, 2025 Anywhere Is Good, Part 3: La Rioja Aug 28, 2025
- Aug 15, 2025 Anywhere Is Good, Part 2: San Sebastián & the French Basque Country Aug 15, 2025
- Aug 4, 2025 "Anywhere Is Good" Aug 4, 2025
- Jun 9, 2025 When Rosewood Calls… You Pack. Jun 9, 2025
- May 14, 2025 Estonia Unveiled: Beyond Tallinn to the Islands of Muhu and Saaremaa May 14, 2025
- Nov 17, 2024 Discovering Brittany Through the Lens of Relais & Châteaux Nov 17, 2024
- Sep 29, 2024 Faroe Islands: A Place Undiscovered Sep 29, 2024
- Sep 16, 2023 Exploring the Heart of Istanbul: A Tapestry of History and Culture Sep 16, 2023
- Oct 22, 2022 Beyond the Golden Triangle: Uncovering Croatia's Hidden Gems Oct 22, 2022
- Oct 21, 2022 Discovering Istria: Croatia's Best-Kept Secret Oct 21, 2022
- Sep 16, 2022 12 Nights of European Splendor aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises Sep 16, 2022
- Sep 5, 2022 Lucerne in the Summertime Sep 5, 2022
- Aug 15, 2022 Herdade da Malhadinha Nova Aug 15, 2022
- May 27, 2022 AZORES - No longer a secret May 27, 2022
- Oct 31, 2021 Go n-éirí an bóthar leat (Gaelic) Oct 31, 2021
- Aug 29, 2020 Istanbul Stopover Aug 29, 2020
- Aug 24, 2020 Discover: Monemvasia, Greece Aug 24, 2020
- Aug 20, 2020 Discover: Sifnos, Greece Aug 20, 2020
- Oct 7, 2019 Explore: Folegandros, Greece Oct 7, 2019
- Sep 22, 2019 Food Trip: Paella Recipe - the Mallorcain way Sep 22, 2019
- Jun 3, 2019 Food Trip: Paella - Part I Jun 3, 2019
- Apr 13, 2019 Discover Claude Monet's Giverny Apr 13, 2019
Ezine
- Apr 9, 2021 A Seat at the Big Table Apr 9, 2021
Family
- Sep 9, 2023 Exploring Paradise: Turtle Week at Four Seasons Nevis Sep 9, 2023
- Sep 5, 2022 Lucerne in the Summertime Sep 5, 2022
- Feb 23, 2021 Traveling to Antigua in the time of COVID Feb 23, 2021
- May 12, 2019 Experience Bali for the Family May 12, 2019
Family Travel
- May 30, 2026 First-Time Cruisers, First-Time Alaska, and a Brilliant Surprise May 30, 2026
Food Trip
- Sep 26, 2025 Panama’s Hidden Table: Hacienda Mamecillo in the Cloud Forest Sep 26, 2025
- Aug 15, 2025 Anywhere Is Good, Part 2: San Sebastián & the French Basque Country Aug 15, 2025
Gorillas
- Mar 14, 2026 Uganda & Rwanda: Three Treks, One Redemption Mar 14, 2026
Greece
- Aug 28, 2021 Greece and Egypt Tested Us Aug 28, 2021
Hotels
- Jun 9, 2025 When Rosewood Calls… You Pack. Jun 9, 2025
India
- Oct 31, 2025 Varanasi, India: Where Life and Death Flow on the Ganges Oct 31, 2025
Italy
- Apr 14, 2026 Italy, with a few surprises Apr 14, 2026
Middle East
- Apr 20, 2022 AlUla Apr 20, 2022
Morocco
- Aug 10, 2022 Morocco Revisited Aug 10, 2022
Nordic
- Jan 24, 2026 The Northern Lights Jan 24, 2026
- Jan 11, 2026 Lapland: Manifesting the Arctic Jan 11, 2026
Off The Beaten Path
- Sep 26, 2025 Panama’s Hidden Table: Hacienda Mamecillo in the Cloud Forest Sep 26, 2025
- Oct 21, 2022 Discovering Istria: Croatia's Best-Kept Secret Oct 21, 2022
- Aug 24, 2020 Discover: Monemvasia, Greece Aug 24, 2020
- Aug 20, 2020 Discover: Sifnos, Greece Aug 20, 2020
- Oct 7, 2019 Explore: Folegandros, Greece Oct 7, 2019
Panama
- Oct 13, 2025 Panama: Beyond the Canal, Into the Cloud Forests and Islands Oct 13, 2025
Reviews
- May 30, 2026 First-Time Cruisers, First-Time Alaska, and a Brilliant Surprise May 30, 2026
Rwanda
- Mar 14, 2026 Uganda & Rwanda: Three Treks, One Redemption Mar 14, 2026
South America
- Dec 21, 2024 Iconic UNESCO World Heritage Adventures of 2024 Dec 21, 2024
- Sep 10, 2024 Beyond Machu Picchu: Discovering the True Magic of Peru Sep 10, 2024
- Feb 19, 2022 ARGENTINA - Why we need to plan your trip NOW Feb 19, 2022
- Jan 23, 2022 Dreams Do Come True Jan 23, 2022
Spain
- Aug 28, 2025 Anywhere Is Good, Part 3: La Rioja Aug 28, 2025
Travel + Leisure
- Nov 14, 2025 Charting the Uncharted: A Winter Voyage with PONANT Nov 14, 2025
UNESCO Heritage Site
- Sep 10, 2024 Beyond Machu Picchu: Discovering the True Magic of Peru Sep 10, 2024
- Aug 17, 2024 Hoi An Travel Guide Aug 17, 2024
- Sep 16, 2023 Exploring the Heart of Istanbul: A Tapestry of History and Culture Sep 16, 2023
- Mar 11, 2023 Discovering Delhi: From Museums and Monuments to Bazaars and Temples Mar 11, 2023
- Mar 6, 2023 Kathakali, Chai, and Backwaters: A Journey through India's Diverse Landscape Mar 6, 2023
- Mar 1, 2023 Mumbai in 48 Hours: A First-Time Traveler's Experience Mar 1, 2023
- Oct 22, 2022 Beyond the Golden Triangle: Uncovering Croatia's Hidden Gems Oct 22, 2022
- Apr 20, 2022 AlUla Apr 20, 2022
USA Travel
- Sep 18, 2021 High Times in Low Country Sep 18, 2021
- Jul 31, 2021 Do you choose the familiar or unfamiliar? Jul 31, 2021
Uganda
- Mar 14, 2026 Uganda & Rwanda: Three Treks, One Redemption Mar 14, 2026