Trip reports, destination guides and travel advice from Dave Mudek, Adventure Advisor.https://davemudek.com/en-ushttps://davemudek.com/blog/all-about-dude-ranches-a-modern-guide-to-the-american-west/https://davemudek.com/blog/all-about-dude-ranches-a-modern-guide-to-the-american-west/If you’ve ever felt like your vacations are starting to blend together—same resorts, same cities, same pace—there’s a different kind of trip that resets everything.Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdestination-guidehttps://davemudek.com/blog/travel-tuesday-the-secret-to-scoring-the-best-travel-deals-of-the-year/https://davemudek.com/blog/travel-tuesday-the-secret-to-scoring-the-best-travel-deals-of-the-year/Travel Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is the year's biggest sale from airlines, hotels, cruise lines and tour companies. How to make the most of it.Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/faa-announces-temporary-reductions-at-40-u-s-airports/https://davemudek.com/blog/faa-announces-temporary-reductions-at-40-u-s-airports/In November 2025 the FAA cut air traffic by 10% at 40 major U.S. airports during the government shutdown, affecting roughly 4,000 flights.Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/amex-booking-or-any-online-portal-vs-a-travel-advisor-what-you-miss-when-you-click-book-now/https://davemudek.com/blog/amex-booking-or-any-online-portal-vs-a-travel-advisor-what-you-miss-when-you-click-book-now/Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts is one perk program. Booking through an advisor opens Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Marriott STARS and Hyatt Privé as well, with a person to call when plans change.Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/winter-sun-my-favorite-warm-weather-escapes-for-december/https://davemudek.com/blog/winter-sun-my-favorite-warm-weather-escapes-for-december/When December rolls around, the world tends to split in two — those who lean into the snow, and those who chase the sun.Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/vegas-reimagined-where-glamour-great-food-and-good-times-collide/https://davemudek.com/blog/vegas-reimagined-where-glamour-great-food-and-good-times-collide/Las Vegas has turned into a city for design lovers and food lovers. What's new, where to eat and drink, what to see beyond the Strip, and when to go.Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTdestination-guidehttps://davemudek.com/blog/the-michelin-keys-a-new-era-of-travel-excellence/https://davemudek.com/blog/the-michelin-keys-a-new-era-of-travel-excellence/The MICHELIN Guide has long been the ultimate benchmark for dining — but it actually began in the early 1920s as a guide for travelers, recommending hotels and inns across France.Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/bucket-list-shots-stokksnes-beach-iceland/https://davemudek.com/blog/bucket-list-shots-stokksnes-beach-iceland/Stokksnes Beach, nestled on the Stokksnes peninsula in southeast Iceland, is a black-sand haven cherished for its hauntingly beautiful reflections of the Vestrahorn and Brunnhorn mountains.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTbucket-listhttps://davemudek.com/blog/hotel-savings-arent-always-what-they-seem-the-value-of-booking-smart/https://davemudek.com/blog/hotel-savings-arent-always-what-they-seem-the-value-of-booking-smart/Most travelers think they’re being savvy by booking through discount sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, or Booking.com.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/unlocking-hotel-perks-how-we-get-you-treated-like-a-vip/https://davemudek.com/blog/unlocking-hotel-perks-how-we-get-you-treated-like-a-vip/For years, I’ve held Marriott Titanium and Hilton Diamond status. Like many frequent travelers, I appreciated the early check-in when available, the late…Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTcorporate-work-travelhotel-partnerstravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/how-to-book-the-worlds-best-golf-courses/https://davemudek.com/blog/how-to-book-the-worlds-best-golf-courses/Golf is more than a sport—it’s a passport to some of the most beautiful destinations on earth.Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTgolfhttps://davemudek.com/blog/why-now-is-the-time-to-plan-fall-college-campus-visits/https://davemudek.com/blog/why-now-is-the-time-to-plan-fall-college-campus-visits/August through fall is prime time for juniors to start touring campuses and for seniors to revisit their top picks. How to plan the visits.Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTdestination-guidehttps://davemudek.com/blog/at-the-corner-of-curiosity-meet-21c-museum-hotels/https://davemudek.com/blog/at-the-corner-of-curiosity-meet-21c-museum-hotels/A boutique hotel brand that transforms a night’s stay into an immersive cultural experienceWed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThotel-partnershttps://davemudek.com/blog/oceania-cruises-updates-onboard-dress-code-what-to-pack-for-effortless-sophistication/https://davemudek.com/blog/oceania-cruises-updates-onboard-dress-code-what-to-pack-for-effortless-sophistication/Oceania Cruises refreshed its onboard dress code from September 1, 2025: the roll-out dates, and what to pack for daytime and evenings.Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/long-weekend-in-la-fortuna-costa-rica/https://davemudek.com/blog/long-weekend-in-la-fortuna-costa-rica/Because sometimes you only have a long weekend—but still want a week’s worth of adventure.Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTtrip-reporthttps://davemudek.com/blog/simplify-your-business-trips-so-you-can-focus-on-the-work-that-pays/https://davemudek.com/blog/simplify-your-business-trips-so-you-can-focus-on-the-work-that-pays/Whether you’re a salaried road warrior or a project-based contractor, your time is too valuable to burn on flight searches and hotel comparisons.Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTcorporate-work-travelhttps://davemudek.com/blog/disney-world-insider-perks-and-updates-for-resort-guests/https://davemudek.com/blog/disney-world-insider-perks-and-updates-for-resort-guests/There’s always something new happening at Walt Disney World—and if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you may be eligible for perks and experiences that aren’t widely advertised.Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThot-sheethttps://davemudek.com/blog/discover-malta-a-mediterranean-gem-worth-exploring/https://davemudek.com/blog/discover-malta-a-mediterranean-gem-worth-exploring/Malta, a captivating archipelago in the Mediterranean, is an enchanting blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThot-sheethttps://davemudek.com/blog/maximize-your-travel-rewards-why-paying-a-little-extra-can-go-a-long-way/https://davemudek.com/blog/maximize-your-travel-rewards-why-paying-a-little-extra-can-go-a-long-way/The other night, I was having dinner with friends and helping them book a staycation at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal during Mardi Gras.Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tipshttps://davemudek.com/blog/understanding-travel-insurance/https://davemudek.com/blog/understanding-travel-insurance/What trip cancellation, medical, evacuation and rescue cover each pay for, and the questions to ask before you buy a policy.Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTtravel-tips