International – Joe's Bucket List

Seville, Spain

Joe — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 23:20:51 +0000

A quick note–as with all of my articles:| – Absolutely essential. Don’t miss. – A notable highlight. Try hard to see. – A highlight. Even if an item gets no triangles, it’s still worthwhile–or I wouldn’t have written about it! If you’re looking for the real heart of Spain, you’ll find it in Seville. While Barcelona and Madrid seem to get most of the attention (and the tourists)…

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St. Martin / St. Maarten

Joe — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0000

St. Martin / St. Maarten is a Caribbean gem with a split personality, and I mean that in the best way possible. Half French, half Dutch, this small island packs in white-sand beaches, world-class dining, buzzing nightlife, and (of course) the famous Maho Beach plane-spotting experience. The Dutch islands and (to a somewhat lesser degree) French islands are generally my favorite islands in the…

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Joe’s Alaska Cruise Tips

Joe — Thu, 15 May 2025 23:49:56 +0000

Alaska is a massive place, and a cruise is easily the best way to see the scale of it without getting lost in the weeds. This guide covers the practical side of navigating the Last Frontier—from why you actually need a real camera (and a zoom lens) to the reality of those "expensive" excursions. I’ve also broken down my favorite spots in the major ports like Juneau and Skagway, plus a few tips on cruise etiquette and where to find the best wild salmon. If you're planning your first trip up the Inside Passage, here is what you actually need to know before you board.

Munich, Germany

Joe — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:28:23 +0000

Munich has a reputation for beer halls and lederhosen, and while you’ll definitely find both, the city is surprisingly polished and easy to navigate. This guide covers the essentials of using Munich as a home base, from free walking tours and world-class art museums to the logistics of day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle and even Zurich. I’ve also highlighted my favorite spots for a proper Augustiner and where to find a burger if you need a break from schnitzel. Whether you're there for the history or the pretzels, here is how to make the most of your time in Bavaria.

Now & Then: Tokyo

Joe — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 22:10:34 +0000

Check out Tokyo–over 30 years ago, and again today! I haven’t pinpointed the exact date when the old photos in this post were taken. At first, I assumed they were from the late 80s, but spotting Sonic the Hedgehog in the Akihabara pictures below suggests the photos were likely taken in fall 1991. The old photos all come from a single trip to Japan, probably in fall 1991…

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Tokyo, Japan

Joe — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 22:35:12 +0000

Tokyo is a city of contrasts: where ancient temples stand in the shadows of neon-lit skyscrapers, and serene gardens offer a break from the endless buzz of modern life. For the uninitiated, navigating its sprawling districts can feel like stepping into another world entirely—and that’s part of the thrill. But with so much to see and do, it’s daunting to plan a trip. How do you make the most of it?

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Trip Snippets: Padua & Arriving in Venice

Joe — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 04:38:49 +0000

For my inaugural “Trip Snippet,” here’s the first day I ever spent in Italy. Only minimal edits have been made to the original trip journal entry, and mostly to protect the inno–err–the identify of the rather odd people encountered. I woke up around 5 AM. I had initially planned on doing some trip journal writing, but I figured it was more expeditious to do some research…

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Joe’s Guide to the Netherlands

Joe — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 02:02:25 +0000

As my first formal effort towards the goal of “no green bananas,” we selected The Netherlands as our first international destination. My wife & I had spoken often about visiting the Netherlands for many years, but didn’t really have a plan to get it done. So, we made one. As a bonus, I also worked in a day trip to Brussels, Belgium via train. It was expensive, but worth it.

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Caribbean Cruise Ports

Joe — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 03:21:21 +0000

Like cruise ships, not all cruise ports are created equal. In this entry, I’ll list all of the Caribbean ports I’ve been to, rated from “worst to first,” and I’ll include some thoughts on each of the ports of call. I almost included a “safety” section for each port, but generally speaking, all ports are pretty safe–or the cruise lines wouldn’t stop there. But–follow common sense and don’t do…

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One Day in Aruba, 6/26/2019

Joe — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 00:14:47 +0000

This is a map of the route that we took in Aruba last week, complete with some of my favorite pictures taken on the trip.

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