I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect when I was approaching the museum. Would it be filled with dusty old uniforms or stacks of old paper logs, the edges curled and yellow? Would it be filled not with artifacts but instead cliches - the handsome, hunky firefighters and their infallible equipment? I wasn't entirely convinced that this would be a good fit for me.

What does it take to keep a small museum thriving? In the case of the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, you need a little ingenuity, a whole lot of community connections, and an troop of dedicated volunteers, willing to work every day, every week, every month for decades at a time.

There aren't many places in the world where you can drift off to sleep next to an ocean front, sunset view for under $30 but Prince Edward Island is one of them - IF you're willing to go camping! And we certainly were! Heading to the Canadian Maritimes with a bare-bones budget, we were determined to still enjoy the very best the area had to offer and make some amazing vacation memories. And with this in mind, we were off to enjoy Cabot Beach camping at a spectacular provincial park. Thank goodness we did! It may just be the most spectacular sunset campground PEI has to offer! Read on to see why we loved it so much.

Climbing nearly 400 steps to reach a hostel in Northern Italy, running around the Paris zoo during my first marathon, doing back to back to back walking tours in London - without a doubt, I explore the world with my feet! And I bet a lot of you do too! Walking (or running, or climbing) is a great way to see a city's hidden nooks and crannies and explore the natural wonders of the countryside. But all that roaming can really rough up your feet and few things can ruin a trip like sore, peeling, swollen, blistered feet. Here's how to keep your most valuable travel asset happy and healthy before, during, and after a trip.

I can't claim to be the most stylish person to ever hit the road. There was that first summer of backpacking in Europe, when I brought along just one pair of trousers. There was also a sarong and clogs combo that I wore to an Easter church service in Birmingham. And the two - count em, TWO - bright orange cotton T-shirts I brought along to Malawi that I am convinced played a role in attracting a higher than normal level of mosquitoes. But I'm slowly growing up and my travels are evolving to include more business and formal occasions -but I still love my bare bones, carry on luggage. So exactly what am I wearing on my feet for special occasions?

Singapore is home to some of the most gorgeous and unique hotel properties in the world. They offer stunning views, amazing roof top cocktail bars, and the chicest of design. So why on earth did we opt for the Holiday Inn Express on Orchard Road? 

In short? We didn't think we'd be in any hotel long enough to appreciate any special features. Arriving late at night from Bangkok, we'd literally be in the room just long enough to sleep before heading out to explore early the next morning. We needed something that was centrally located, close to public transit, clean, safe, convenient, and EASY. It didn't exactly scream hip Singapore style,  but it included free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and rang in at around $150 - not our greatest deal ever, but still a respectable bargain for the city. 

The Hampton History Museum is so much more than just a small community museum - visiting it is like getting a refresher lesson in American history! I soon learned from our docent, Ed, that Hampton was positioned at the cross roads of history and was witness to some of the 19th and 20th centuries' most pivotal events. 

Tents, yurts, hostels, and couches- value minded travellers have seen it all! And when it comes to hotels, well, it's fair to say that no two trips are the same. A 2 star budget chain hotel in the American Southwest, a gorgeous 4 star suite in downtown Montreal with rock star heritage, and a 3 star in Paris (with a no-star bathroom and a 5 star address) - these are just some of the hotels I've called home recently. 

When you're planning your big trip it doesn't matter if you're eyeing the bare basics or sweet, suite stars. You just want to get the best bang for your buck. Here are some best practices to get the best value on every hotel, everywhere. 

Malaria is the most probable serious illness a traveller will face. It's hard to imagine a worse travel experience than being seriously ill with malaria when you are far away from home. I'm talking the how-can-I-find-a-doctor-at-3am-in-Cape-Maclear kind of horror that ruins a trip and can even make you fear for your life.  This mosquito driven infectious disease, which the World Health Organization estimates affects nearly 220 million people each year, does not discriminate and thousands of travellers are stricken with malaria each year. 

Fortunately a traveller can limit their exposure and lessen their risk - but it all comes at a cost. Like many specialty health care items, malaria prevention products, devices, and prescriptions can be very expensive. The information below is NO substitution for a physician's advice, but I've done my best to provide you with the information needed to beat both the mosquitoes AND the bank!