New Zealand packs an incredible amount of scenery into a surprisingly small country. During my travels, I found glaciers, fjords, volcanic landscapes, ancient forests, and some of the most beautiful coastlines I’ve ever seen. What surprised me most was how dramatically the scenery changed from one region to the next. If you’re planning a trip, these are … Read more

Finland surprised me more than almost any country I’ve ever visited.Before I arrived, I pictured endless forests, quiet lakes, and long winters. I found all of those things, but I also discovered medieval castles, colorful wooden towns, unforgettable saunas, and one of my favorite capital cities in Northern Europe.The more I explored, the more Finland … Read more

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to explore many corners of Portugal, from the colorful streets of Porto and Lisbon to quiet medieval towns, dramatic coastlines, and vineyard-covered valleys that most travelers never see.This list brings together the 15 places that have left the biggest impression on me. Some are famous, others are easy … Read more

International travel for Americans has become more expensive in recent years. Strong consideration and research should be done before traveling abroad. That’s the aim of Optimise Travel — to help Americans optimize all aspects of their travel experience. Over the last 10 years, the US Dollar (USD) has shifted significantly against many other currencies. These … Read more

International Travel for Australians has become more expensive in recent years. Strong consideration and research should be done BEFORE travelling abroad. This is the aim of Optimise Travel, to help Australians optimise all aspects of their travel experience. Over the last 10 years, the Australian Dollar (AUD) has fallen sharply against the US Dollar (USD) and many … Read more