Planning Archives • Traveling with Purpose

Green Google Map of route from Norfolk, Virginia to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. The route goes through Fayetteville and Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. Great road trip in the southeast states.

4 Southeast States on the Great American Road Trip

ByNancy Hann February 22, 2025February 22, 2025

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Are you dreaming of going on a coast-to-coast American road trip? This section covers our travel from Virginia, through North Carolina and…

Woman holding present in white wrapping paper and red ribbon - The Gift of Gratitude

Travel-Lover Gift Ideas | Inspiration | Travel Gear | Travel Tips

25 Best Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers

ByNancy Hann February 10, 2025March 12, 2025

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Do you have a travel lover on your gift list that’s hard to buy for? If so, here are some of the…

View from standing on the deck of a cruise ship. Smooth water and a clear sky at sunset can be seen. Also a quiet wooden deck with empty deck chairs and a few people walking in the distance.

Budget Travel Tips | Planning | Travel Tips

10 Best Cruise Tips for Beginners

ByNancy Hann February 10, 2025February 11, 2025

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If you’re a beginner to the world of cruising, all your options may be a bit overwhelming. In this post, I’m here…

Hikers on a trail surrounded by red rock formations in Arches National Park

Free National Park Days and Park Discount Passes

ByNancy Hann December 29, 2024December 29, 2024

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Did you know that there are several days each year that are free national park days? Admission fees are waived on these…

A vibrant image of Adare Manor, a grand 19th-century manor house in Ireland. The manor features ornate Gothic Revival architecture with numerous windows, chimneys, and intricate stone carvings. It is partially covered in red ivy, which adds a touch of natural red and green hues to the grey stonework. In the foreground, there are well-manicured gardens with an array of purple flowers and neatly trimmed conical shrubs lining a lush green lawn. A large tree with dense foliage is on the left side of the frame, contributing to the estate's serene and aristocratic ambiance under a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Where to find the Best Travel Deals

ByNancy Hann September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

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Are you always on the lookout for the best travel deals? Here we are again on Money-Saving Monday and I want to…

A couple enjoying a sunset while looking at their smartphone. The background shows a glowing sun with shades of gold, orange and brown reflecting on a lake, evoking a peaceful road trip moment.

8 Road Trip Apps That are Game Changers

ByNancy Hann September 14, 2024September 16, 2024

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While I’m getting ready for our next big road trip I thought I’d share a little about my favorite road trip apps,…

A scenic view of a car driving on a winding mountain road surrounded by lush green trees and steep cliffs under a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The road curves gently to the left, with vehicles parked along the roadside and distant mountain peaks visible in the background, creating a serene and picturesque landscape.

Planning | Travel Apps | Travel Logistics | Travel Tips | USA

12 Reasons Why You Need Roadtrippers Trip Planner

ByNancy Hann September 13, 2024September 13, 2024

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Have you tried planning a long road trip only to find that many of the free planning maps and apps limit your…

Four women smiling and preparing food -The International Kitchen Cooking Class

Destinations | Europe | Planning | Travel Experiences | USA

Where to Find Thousands of Lifelong Learning Travel Adventures

ByNancy Hann August 24, 2024August 24, 2024

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Are you bored with the same old vacation destinations and touristy sites? Have you ever thought about exploring more meaningful travel through…

A commercial airplane flying through a gap in the clouds

Travel Tips | Budget Travel Tips | Planning | Travel Logistics

My Pick for the Best Airfare Search Engine

ByNancy Hann August 15, 2024August 15, 2024

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Are you looking for the best airfare deals for your next adventure? If you know where and when you want to fly,…

A fork in the road with stars above and trees beside the road. USA Road Trip

My Best USA Road Trip Tips

ByNancy Hann August 13, 2024March 12, 2025

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Are you wondering where to start with planning an epic USA road trip? Well, we recently went on the best USA road…

Moss Glen Brook flows leisurely through a rocky riverbed bordered by green and yellow autumn trees near Stowe, Vermont. New England is one of the best places to travel in October.

Best Places to Travel in October and Why its the Best Month

ByNancy Hann August 3, 2024October 4, 2024

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In October I enjoyed some of my best vacations ever. We recently traveled to France and Germany! In looking back over my…

Several different Virginia maps spread out on a table

Best Sources For Free Paper Maps for Travel & Crafts

ByNancy Hann July 24, 2024August 24, 2024

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Paper maps are slowly being replaced by maps online, but you can still find a good supply of printed maps if you…

visiting a local public pool is a great idea for a mini-vacation staycation - image is two pairs of wet bare feet sticking out of a swimming pool.

Travel Tips | Budget Travel Tips | Inspiration | Planning

15 Ideas for a Mini-Vacation or Staycation

ByNancy Hann July 12, 2024September 11, 2024

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Sometimes life can get in the way of vacation plans and the only option is a staycation or mini-vacation. In this post,…

Carry-on suitcase with 6 different compression packing cubes inside. Each with a different national park design on the outside.

Travel Gear | Planning | Resources | Travel Tips | Travel-Lover Gift Ideas

Don’t Ever Travel Without Packing Cubes

ByNancy Hann July 2, 2024October 7, 2024

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Ok, here we go! I think it’s about time to share some of my best travel advice. I love using compression packing…

Travel Tips | Planning | Travel Gear

How to Avoid Getting Sick When You’re Traveling

ByNancy Hann February 16, 2024July 8, 2024

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It’s always a good idea to review these important healthy tips for travelers so you can avoid getting sick when you’re on…

San Xavier del Bac Mission - beautiful white and terracotta colored Spanish style mission built in the late 1700s. Adobe walls surround the building and 3 balconies and intricate sculptures decorate the front. Part of the National Heritage area.

Planning | Travel Tips | USA

Where to Find Info About Historical Travel in the U.S.

ByNancy Hann February 15, 2024May 17, 2024

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I just stumbled on the ultimate source for interesting historical travel in the U.S.. I’m supposed to be doing something else right…

Hand holding a pen over a map making travel plans. Additional colored pencils sit off to the side.

Travel Tips | Planning

How to Avoid Road Trip Planning Disasters

ByNancy Hann July 12, 2023June 1, 2024

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[This post was updated July 2023] As we ease into summer are you considering the possibility of going on a road trip?…

woman holding US money - dollars, hundred dollars

Budget Travel Tips | Planning

Where to Search for Unclaimed Money and Property for Free

ByNancy Hann April 4, 2022June 1, 2024

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Who doesn’t love FREE money? Did you know that there could be unclaimed money or property being held for you to claim?…

Budget Travel Tips | Planning | Travel Tips

19 Easy and Creative Ways to Save Money for Travel

ByNancy Hann April 2, 2022June 29, 2024

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Aren’t we all looking for creative ways to save money? Whether it’s for travel, splurges, buying big-ticket items, or maybe even just…

A margarita, tortilla chips and flight of salsas

Inspiration | Planning | Travel Tips

Foodie Travel Tips- Travel Mania

ByNancy Hann October 12, 2021June 1, 2024

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As I’m in the midst of my own wanderlust adventure, I’ve been having fun exploring foodie travel and I can’t wait to…

My Crazy Cross-Country Road Trip Songs and Artists

ByNancy Hann August 25, 2020March 4, 2024

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If you’ve never been on a solo cross-country road trip you may wonder how you can fill your time in the hours…