Shalee Wanders Travel Blog
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! Discover trips to Patagonia & Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore 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 Yellowstone, Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. 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 a…
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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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7 Things to Do Near Jaco, Costa Rica
7 Things to Do Near Jaco, Costa Rica March 10, 2021 I was 6 or 7 years old when I got a postcard from my aunt in the mail from Costa Rica. She always sent me postcards on her exotic travels. I would run the quarter-mile up the dusty dirt road to the mailbox every…
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The Best Winter Getaway in Montana
The Best Winter Getaway in Montana February 8th, 2021 There’s a lot I take into account when traveling. I love to remember the feeling a place gives me. When you leave somewhere new, you’ll feel a particular type of way. That’s how you know how much it meant to you. On certain days, long after…
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Four Unique Things to Do in Wyoming
Four Unique Things to Do in Wyoming January 14, 2021 I first visited Wyoming when I was eight on a family road trip out west. It’s a familiar story for those from the Midwest, especially in the late 90s and early 2000s. Where I was from, it was considered the trip. Pack your bags, drive westward for…
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The Best Gear For Hiking and Traveling With Cats
The Best Gear For Hiking & Traveling With Cats Published: December 6, 2020 Updated: May 1, 2022 We’ve been traveling with our two cats for nearly three years and have learned some pretty important lessons along the way. Recently we visited South Dakota, their 20th state. One of the biggest questions I receive about traveling/hiking…
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Granite Peak: Everything to Know About Climbing Montana’s Tallest Mountain
Granite Peak: Everything to Know About Climbing Montana’s Tallest Mountain November 23, 2020 Distance: 28 Miles Elevation: 12,808 Feet / 4,500ft Elevation Gain Route: Southwest Ramp/Couloir The pinkish-orange sunrise lit the valley and lakes below as we hobbled over steep rockfall toward the summit of Granite Peak. The clear skies and warm sun hid the…
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How to Plan an Adventure Elopement For Under 10k
How to Plan an Epic Adventure Elopement For Under 10k October 24, 2020 Surprise! We’re married! After traveling around the world together for over six years, Josh and I eloped surrounded by our family in Glacier National Park on September 28, 2020. Photo by Elsa Eileen Photography VENDORS Photography: Elsa Eileen Photography Hair/Make-up: Bridal Bliss Hair…
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The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Michigan
The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Michigan Updated: March 21, 2023 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Michigan I’ve watched Michigan sunsets in nearly every corner of the state. I’ve also watched sunsets from many different corners of the world. Sure, orange and pink wisps over glacial lagoons and moody deep red…
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What to Wear Hiking? The Best Affordable Hiking Gear for Every Season
What to Wear Hiking: The Best Affordable Hiking Gear for Every Season June 25, 2020 I’m very straightforward when it comes to outdoor gear. I don’t spend hundreds of dollars on brand name equipment from expensive apparel companies. I buy items because they work, they last, and they are efficient. Over the years, I’ve finally…
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Longs Peak Hike: What to Expect When Climbing Colorado’s “Deadliest” Mountain
Longs Peak Hike: What to Expect When Climbing Colorado’s “Deadliest” Mountain June 15, 2020 In terms of statistics, Longs Peak is only 14th on the list of hardest 14ers to climb in Colorado. There is no class 5 climbing and the trail is well-marked and easy to follow. However, it’s an isolated and difficult 14er…
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The Most Overrated Places in The United States (And Where to Go Instead)
The Most Overrated Places in The United States (And Where to Go Instead) May 21, 2020 1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee Although beautifully situated in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is everything a mountain vacation shouldn’t be. There, I said it. What visitors expect is a quiet cabin in the woods. However, often they get what looks more…
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The Six Most Instagrammable Places in Michigan
The Six Most Instagrammable Places in Michigan March 4, 2020 1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore It’s not hard to see that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore tops the list as Michigan’s most instagrammable place. From the towering cliffs, natural arches, crystal-clear waters, waterfalls, and endless adventures, it’s the epitome of an Instagram hot-spot. During temperate summer…
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Travel Blogger Q&A – Answering Reader Questions
Shalee Wanders Q&A – Answering Reader Questions February 21, 2020 Last week I asked my Facebook followers to submit any questions they had about travel. Here are my answers: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself about traveling? PACK LIGHT. And don’t overplan. Seriously, that’s it. I can’t stress…
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Three Things to Know Before Hiking Old Man of Storr
Three Things to Know Before Hiking Old Man of Storr January 25, 2020 The buzzing of my 4:00am alarm still rang in my head as we loaded the car and began the three-hour journey from Fort William to Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands. We immaturely allotted one day to explore Isle of Skye,…
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Minimalist Packing: How to Pack Everything Into a Carry-On
Minimalist Packing: How to Pack Everything Into a Carry-On January 12, 2020 It doesn’t matter how long I’m traveling for or what kind of weather I’m flying into: I pack only in a carry-on. Always. I was once an obsessive over-packer. The type of over packing where I’m sitting on my bag, attempting to fit…
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The Best (And Worst) Countries for Backpacking in Europe December 15, 2019 Best: Norway Although expensive, Norway’s flexible camping laws quickly offset higher costs for goods and services. More so, backpacking in Norway is completed with ease thanks to its robust train system that allows travelers to go travel from the southern coast up…
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The Four Best Road Trips to Take in 2020
The Four Best Road Trips to Take in 2020 November 8, 2019 Utah’s Grand National Park Tour Distance: 432 miles Driving Time: 8 hours, 30 minutes Trip Length: 5 Days Highlights: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Utah makes it…
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This Small Midwest Community Hides Some Of The Country’s Best Hidden Adventures
This Small Midwest Community Holds Some Of The Country’s Best Hidden Adventures October 21, 2019 There’s something about a place that feels like home the moment you arrive. Less than four hours after landing in Ironwood, Michigan, I’m standing in the middle of a black and red plaid street, surrounded by over three-hundred individuals (and…
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I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford It.
I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford it. September 17, 2019 I’ve been to more countries than years I’ve been alive, which often ignites an interesting conversation that revolves around how I afford to travel at such a young age. Recently while back in my hometown, I ran into an old…
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How Iceland Has Changed, And Why You Still Need to Go
How Iceland Has Changed, And Why You Still Need to Go August 28, 2019 The initial draw of Iceland was its remote, wild landscapes that tested the adventurer in all of us. Road tripping Iceland is much different now than it was a decade ago, even with the recent decline in tourists after WOW…
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What to Expect When Hiking Mt. Whitney’s Mountaineers Route
What to Expect When Hiking Mt Whitney’s Mountaineers Route July 20, 2019 Mountaineers Route July 2019 – photo by Josh Super What to Expect When Hiking Mt Whitney’s Mountaineers Route It was 2:30 am on July 13th, 2019, when I poured boiling water over the overly priced backpacking meal of scrambled eggs and bacon. I…
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Six Underrated Places to Visit in the United States
Six Underrated Places to Visit in The United States June 26, 2019 1. Savannah, Georgia What popular cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and New York lack in charm, Savannah brilliantly flourishes in. Blush & blue colored Victorian-era mansions line old squares, covered in vines and displaying wick-burning lanterns to welcome visitors. Skyscrapers are nonexistent while…
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Best Scotland Road Trip: Top Things to See in The Scottish Highlands
Best Scotland Road Trip: Top Things to See in The Scottish Highlands January 22, 2022 Scotland Road Trip Notes I can’t pinpoint the exact moment Scotland piqued my interest. Maybe it was a picture of a highland cow on Instagram, or a tip from a fellow traveler on the natural beauty tucked away in…
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