14 Best National Parks in The USA To Visit in 2023

Zion National Park Utah Photo Credit Mick Haupt CanvaPro

The United States is home to an incredible variety of breathtaking national parks, each offering unique landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor experiences. With over 60 national parks (plus lakeshores, seashores, and more) and over 52 million acres, the US National Parks is good for any outdoor lover, whether you’re a seasoned hiker, nature enthusiast, or simply … Read more

Barbie’s Pink Hotels and Vacation Rentals

Luxury Ocean Front House 1

Are you ready to live out your ultimate Barbie dreams? The Barbiecore trend is taking over the world thanks to the 2023 release of the Barbie movie. Since the announcement of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s casting as Barbie and Ken in Greta Gerwig’s live-action tribute, all things pink have captured the world. Now you … Read more

Addicted to Words: How Audiobooks Transformed My Reading Experience from Pages to Soundwaves

Audiobooks Photo credit Karolina Grabowski CanvaPro

I am obsessed with reading. I’ve belonged to one book club or another for 27 years. I love the idea of reading as a form of community and accountability. Primarily, I’ve read physical books (hardcover and trade paperback). Reading opens my mind to new possibilities and ideas, but audiobooks made me a voracious reader and, … Read more

Indigenous Tourism in the Olympic Peninsula

Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula 7 Day Itinerary scaled

In the face of unforeseen circumstances, our girl’s getaway to the Pacific Northwest refused to be deterred. Determined to embark on an extraordinary adventure, I enlisted the company of my eldest daughter for an immersive journey through the Olympic Peninsula and Seattle. This 7-day road trip unfolded as an exhilarating exploration of Indigenous Tourism in … Read more

Was Girona a mysterious location for Game of Thrones?

Was Girona Spain a location for Game of Thrones @DownshiftingPRO

Was Girona a location for Game of Thrones?

Update: Although the HBO series The Game of Thrones ended in 2019, it ran for eight seasons and had 73 episodes. This epic story takes place in many different locations, and the producers shot scenes in a variety of countries. The show was shot in Northern Ireland, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco and Spain.

Most of the episodes with castles, sea villages, and cities were filmed in Croatia, Malta, Morroco and Spain. Whereas the sweeping nature vistas were filmed in Northern Ireland, Canada and Iceland.

If you know the series, in the fifth season, places like the Alcázar of Seville were the stand-in for Sunspear, the sun-kissed Dornish home of the House Martell and the Sand Snakes.  The sixth season, which began filming in July 2015, returned to Spain and filmed in Navarra, Guadalajara, Seville, Almeria, Peniscola and Girona.

The colorful tiered 20th century houses Cases de lOnyar Girona Spain @DownshiftingPRO scaled

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Most Highly Rated Cruise Ships Voted by Passengers

Cruise Ship Photo credit Vinicuius Dattwyler CanvaPro.jpg

Through comprehensive passenger polls and research, we are sharing the most highly rated passenger ships. We will look at the highest-rated cruise ships voted by guests. These vessels have captured the hearts of cruisers. Some offer exceptional service, luxurious amenities, technical features, and unforgettable experiences. Whether your favorite cruise ships are part of the Royal … Read more

Stay Here – 5 Stunning Luxury Resorts and Hotels in America

Royal Hawaiian 3 Expedia Group via

In the realm of travel and hospitality, few words are as captivating as “luxury resorts.” Images of extravagant suites, gourmet dining, sprawling pools, and impeccable service would not be out of line when picturing these havens of extravagance. Every detail is curated for an unforgettable experience of ultimate comfort and indulgence. But luxury is not … Read more

5 Best All Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean

The Caribbean @DownshiftingPRO

Amid a record-breaking surge of summer travel, a surprising destination has emerged as a favorite: the Caribbean. While the warmer summer months usually represent a low season for Caribbean travel, the demand for this region seems hotter than ever, with a 48% increase in flight bookings over 2019 highs, according to ForwardKeys. To the surprise … Read more