Shalee Wanders Travel Blog
Climbing Acatenango On Your Own: Everything You Need to Know
Travel With Me! Discover trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here Climbing Acatenango On Your Own: Everything You Need to Know January 14, 2024 The view of Volcan de Fuego from Acatenango was one of the most anticipated moments of my travel career. I had dreamt of the moment…
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Best and Worst Greek Islands to Visit in The Fall
Best and Worst Greek Islands to Visit in the Fall December 27, 2023 I had always heard that early fall was the best time to visit the Greek Islands. By mid-September, the majority of travelers have traveled home. The islands are still open and operating but with much fewer tourists. I visited nearly all the…
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Backpacking & Hiking Gift Ideas for 2024
Backpacking & Hiking Gift Ideas for 2024 November 15, 2023 Backpacking & Hiking Gift Ideas for 2024 A few weeks ago, I was thinking about how after ten years of backpacking and hiking, I think I finally have the perfect gear setup. It took a lot of trial and error, but I think I finally…
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How to Prepare for a Long Flight
Travel With Me! Discover trips to Yellowstone, Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here How to Prepare for a Long Flight August 8th, 2023 I love traveling but hate flying. When I first started flying long distances, I bought the most budget-friendly seats possible. This means I’ve had a lot of uncomfortable…
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Where is The Best Place to Exchange Currency For a Trip?
Where is The Best Place to Exchange Money for a Trip? June 30th, 2023 Planning for a trip abroad can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Even after 40 countries, I still get overwhelmed the night before a trip! There’s the worry of packing, not forgetting anything, catching your flight, etc. However, I…
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Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone
Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone (From a Local) April 25th, 2023 Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone National Park So you’re visiting Yellowstone National Park. Welcome! As a local to the area, it fills my heart to see millions of tourists pass through our town each year. We live in a special place, and…
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Wyoming’s Best Hiking Trails: From Easy Strolls to Challenging Summits
Wyoming’s Best Hiking Trails: From Easy Strolls to Challenging Summits April 10th, 2023 Wyoming’s Best Hiking Trails: From Easy Strolls to Challenging Summits I live for hiking season in Wyoming. Between May-September, I spend most of my weekends in the backcountry of this state, whether hiking and climbing in the Tetons, the Wind River Range,…
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Eight Best Weekend Trips from Detroit
Travel With Me! Discover trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here Eight Best Weekend Trips from Detroit March 22, 2023 Eight Best Weekend Trips from Detroit Growing up in Michigan, there was no better feeling than packing the car and heading north for the weekend. Although I didn’t grow up…
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United Airlines Vs. American Airlines Vs. Delta Airlines Mileage Programs
United Airlines Vs. American Airlines Vs. Delta Airlines Mileage Programs February 26th, 2023 United Airlines Vs. American Airlines Vs. Delta Airlines Mileage Programs I joined my first airline mileage program at 18. At the time, I hoped to have enough miles on one airline for a round-trip flight by the time I was 50. At…
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Do Americans Need a Visa for Vietnam? 2023 Updates
Do Americans Need a Visa for Vietnam? 2023 Updates January 15, 2023 I’ve made plenty of mistakes while traveling, and one of the biggest in recent memory is thinking I could get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when entering Vietnam on a recent trip to Asia. Vietnam visas for Americans need to be approved ahead…
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How Much Does Bali Cost to Visit (2024)
How Much Does Bali Cost (2024) Updated: February 13th, 2024 Bali has long been known as one of the cheapest places to travel in the world. However, many people in the United States overlook the destination solely based on distance. The flight from North America to Indonesia isn’t necessarily ideal, but it’s still entirely worth…
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Booking Tickets Directly Through Airlines vs. Third Party Platforms in 2022
Booking Tickets Directly Through Airlines vs. Third Party Platforms in 2022 October 14, 2022 I’ve recommended third-party platforms on my blog many times in the past. As a budget traveler for many years, third-party airline booking options and deals were one of the main ways I could afford to travel. Today, one of the biggest…
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Project M Topper: The Best Lightweight Camper for Adventurers
Project M | The Best Lightweight Camper for Adventurers October 2, 2022 I should preface this article by saying I did a year of research before purchasing a Project M topper. I’ve spent many nights of my life sleeping reclined in the driver’s seat, pitching tents in the dark, and finding cafes with horrible wifi…
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10 Best Things to Do in The Les Cheneaux Islands
10 Best Things to Do in The Les Cheneaux Islands September 1, 2022 Fhe The Les Cheneaux Islands are a short 30-minute drive from the Mackinac Bridge. When you drive past on m134, you might blink and mistake the quiet intersection for a simple stop to fill up on gas on your way to Drummond…
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How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin
How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin June 12, 2022 Did you know you can easily rent forest service cabins around the United States? When they are not in use by rangers, the department rents them out on a nightly basis to anyone willing to book. The best part? They’re cheap! Most range between $35-75/night…
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How to Start a Travel Blog in 2024
How to Start a Travel Blog in 2024 Updated: February 14th, 2024 So, you want to start a travel blog? Welcome! I remember the feeling of excitement, anticipation, and fear when I started my blog back in 2014. I was in college, completely unqualified to run a travel blog (I had barely left the Midwest),…
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Where to Exchange Currency for a Trip
Where to Exchange Currency for a Trip (2024) Updated: February 14th, 2024 Anytime you travel abroad to a country with a different currency, you will need to have a plan when it comes to how you will make payments. It’s 2024, which means that credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in…
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Top 10 Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming
Top 10 Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming Updated: February 13th, 2024 This list is close to my heart. As a travel blogger who has lived in Cody for the past three years, I wanted to ensure my list of the best things to do in Cody, Wyoming, was thoughtful, true, and full of…
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Cusco to Machu Picchu: How to Get to The Sacred Valley of The Incas
Cusco to Machu Picchu: How to Get to The Sacred Valley of The Incas April 29, 2022 Machu Picchu has long been a top bucket list location for many travelers. In 2007, when the list of the new wonders of the world was announced, it was not surprising that Machu Picchu snagged a spot…
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Best Beaches in Michigan (2023)
The Seven Best Beaches in Michigan: (2023) April 1, 2022 Best Beaches in Michigan in 2023: 1. Sand Dunes Beach Sand Dunes Beach is in plain sight, overlooked by nearly every vehicle whizzing by on US 2 in the Upper Peninsula. Only about 20 miles or so west of the bridge, this beach actually…
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Backpacking Checklist: Complete Packing Guide for Overnight Backpacking Trips
Backpacking Checklist: Complete Packing Guide Overnight Backpacking Trips March 11, 2022 Backpacking Checklist: Complete Packing Guide Overnight Backpacking Trips When my parents brought my backpacking on Lake Michigan as a kid and I would fill my tiny backpack until the zipper would nearly burst. The trail to camp wasn’t any longer than a mile, but…
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5 Places to See in Iceland’s West Fjords
5 Places to See in Iceland’s West Fjords February 15, 2022 After my first visit to Iceland in 2015, I couldn’t help but regret choosing not to visit the West Fjords of Iceland. The more I saw photos of it, the more I longed to return to the country and experience the magic of Iceland’s…
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How to Book Cheap Flights in 2022
How to Book Cheap Flights in 2022 February 4, 2022 How to Book Cheap Flights From Someone Who Has Never Paid More Than $650 For Flights Around The World. I’ve said it in a recent post and I’ll repeat it – besides my first trip to Australia before I knew about travel hacking, I’ve never…
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Wyoming Hiking: Best Hikes in Wyoming in 2022
Wyoming Hiking: Best Hikes in Wyoming in 2022 January 25, 2020 Narrowing down the best hikes in Wyoming was tough. A true Wyoming hiking list could easily include 40+ trails and places to get out and explore. However, I tried my best to curate a list that includes every type of hike for every type…
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What to Do in Lake Como: Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy January 8, 2022 What to Do in Lake Como? Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy 1. Explore Varenna Varenna is an Italian village located along the eastern shoreline of Lake Como and is one of the prettiest towns…
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Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It? United Airline Miles vs. American Airlines Miles
Travel With Me! Come with me to Mount Blanc August 8th- 15th, 2026! Click Here Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It? United Airline Miles vs. American Airlines Miles Updated: February 13th, 2024 Are Airlines Credit Cards Worth it? Besides my first flight to Australia (before I knew what I was doing), I’ve never paid over…
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A Complete Guide to Traveling with Cats
A Complete Guide to Traveling with Cats December 2, 2021 Whether you need to move with your cat cross country or are looking to train your furry sidekick as an adventure companion, there are some important steps to take to get them acquainted for the road. Traveling with cats can be fun and enjoyable, but…
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Ultimate US Road Trip: 2 Week Itinerary with Travellers Autobarn Budget Van Rental
Ultimate US Road Trip: 2 Week Itinerary with Travellers Autobarn Budget Van Rental November 1, 2021 Sometimes the hardest part of a trip is knowing where to start. I get it. I do this for a living. Still, sitting down to plan a trip can be a bit overwhelming, and answering these three questions tends…
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Where to See Fall Colors in Michigan
Where to See Fall Colors in Michigan September 12th, 2021 Where to See Fall Colors in Michigan (2023) Michigan is one of the best places in the world for fall colors. Even though I no longer reside full-time in The Great Lakes State anymore, I always attempt to make a return for the fall season.…
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Everything to Know Before Visiting the Secret Island of Beaver Island, Michigan
Everything to Know Before Visiting the Secret Island of Beaver Island, Michigan August 24, 2021 Some of my earliest memories are of jumping into an old 1960s rusted out baby blue on the back roads of a place called Beaver Island. We’d spend our days biking the dirt roads two miles to the only town…
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Wyoming National Park Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming National Park Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park August 13th, 2021 Growing up in small-town Michigan, living in a ‘gateway’ town to Wyoming’s National Parks was a bit overwhelming at first. Driving through National Parks is, many times, our standard route to get anywhere these days. It doesn’t…
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Everything to Know Before Climbing Mount Rainier – Disappointment Cleaver Route
Travel With Me! Discover trips to New Zealand, Maldives, Europe and More in 2025 & 2026. Explore here Everything to Know Before Climbing Mount Rainier – Disappointment Cleaver Route Updated: May 8th, 2024 **Please note: this is an outline for climbing Mount Rainier via the Disappointment Cleaver route without a guide. Mount Rainier is not…
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How to Pack for Backpacking: Best Tips for First-Time Backpackers
How to Pack For a Backpacking Trip: Best Tips for First-Time Backpackers June 22, 2021 My mom was a 5th-grade teacher and at the end of every school year, she’d bring her students on a weekend-long backpacking trip along the shores of Lake Michigan. Every year I begged to join and when I was 8,…
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How to Travel Cheap: A Complete Guide to Saving Money While Traveling
How to Travel Cheap: A Complete Guide to Budget Travel in 2024 Updated: February 15th, 2024 If I hadn’t learned how to travel cheaply, my travel resume would be nonexistent. I never would’ve started this blog. I never would have this career. There is a fine line between not being able to afford to travel…
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Everything I Wish People Would’ve Told Me About How to Live The Van Life
Everything I Wish People Would’ve Told Me About How to Live The Van Life April 14, 2021 There are a lot of things we did right when it came to living in a van. However, there was also a lot we did wrong. The truth is, when it comes to van life, mistakes rarely happen…
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Top Things to Do in Michigan in 2021: Michigan Bucket List
Top Things to Do in Michigan in 2021: Michigan Bucket List April 6, 2021 Well, since 2020 was a major bust, we all have some extra adventuring to make up for the last 365+ days. If you’re like me, you’re not planning to let time go. Instead, you’re stocking up your summer with twice as…
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