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Game Plan

The best trips don't happen by accident. They happen because someone made smart decisions along the way. The Game Plan is where we tackle the planning questions that actually matter: when to go, how to budget, what to bring, and how to handle everything in between.
Black dachshund dog sits in blue pet carrier in an airport.
5 Lessons I Learned Flying Cross-Country With Two Pets
Written byWendy Rose Gould
A family holding hands and running toward the beach at sunset.
6 Ways to Stretch a Long Weekend Without Burning Vacation Days
Written byWendy Rose Gould
A view of the mountains and skyline of Cape Town, South Africa, with pretty flowers in the foreground.
6 Places Worth Every Last Day of Your PTO
Written bySophie Mendel
Couple relaxing on a bed with a suitcase near their feet.
Science Says One Week of Vacation Can Beat Burnout (But Only If You Do It Right)
Written byChaunie Marie Brusie

Trip Budgeting

Travel Safety and Health

Family Travel

Trip Preparation

Trip Timing

Packing

Dispatches To Everyday Explorers
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Latest Stories

Two travel passports sitting on top of a world map.
8 Planning Details That Trip Up First-Time International Travelers
Written byZoe Baillargeon
A dog lays on top of a suitcase in a hotel room.
6 Hotel Chains That Treat Your Dog Like an Actual Guest
Written byJenny Peters
A woman sits in an airport lounge while holding a cup of coffee.
Airport Lounges Instantly Improve Any Flying Experience and You Don’t Need a First Class Ticket to Get Inside
Written byJamie Davis Smith
Rows of purple airplane seats in an empty plane cabin.
3 Airlines That Cost Less and Deliver More Than Legacy Carriers
Written byJamie Davis Smith
A person is seen booking a hotel room on a laptop while holding a mobile next to a credit card.
When You Absolutely Need to Book Ahead (And When You're Overthinking It)
Written byJenny Peters
A flight status board with rows of canceled flights.
Canceled Flight? 5 Moves to Make When Being Late Isn't an Option
Written byJill Robbins
A woman sleeping on a plane while wearing an eye mask next to a window.
The 8 Things I Always Pack for Red-Eye Flights (After More Than a Dozen of Them)
Written byMonica Humphries
A statue of Mickey underneath a sign for Disney's All-Star Resorts.
6 Disney World Hotels Full of Magic and Easy on Your Wallet
Written byTerri Peters
A skyline of an Asian city on the waterfront.
6 Asian City Swaps That Trade Crowds for Something Better
Written byFiona Chandra
A child pulling a small red suitcase while wearing a bee backpack.
4 Kids' Carry-On Bags for the Independent Little Traveler
Written byErinne Magee
A woman sits at a plane window watching the sunrise.
5 Things You Can Do in Advance That Make Early Morning Flights Not Terrible
Written byChloé Pantazi-Wolber
An aerial view of the Las Vegas Strip at night.
The 72-Hour Vegas Itinerary for People Who Don't Care About Gambling
Written byAlesandra Dubin
A hand reaching into the Calpak lay flat toiletry bag while open to put in lipstick.
4 Viral Travel Products That Actually Live Up to the Hype
Written byWendy Rose Gould
A woman with curly hair sleeping next to a plane window wearing a neck pillow.
5 Travel Accessories I Tried Once and Would Never Buy Again
Written byJenny Peters
Couple relaxing on a bed with a suitcase near their feet.
Science Says One Week of Vacation Can Beat Burnout (But Only If You Do It Right)
Written byChaunie Marie Brusie
Different travel supplies laid out on a bed with a person packing an open suitcase.
3 Travel Gear Splurges Worth Every Penny (And 3 That Aren't)
Written byPauline Lacsamana