TRAVEL BETTER WITH THESE TRAVEL TIPS
As professional travel agents, it’s our job to stay up to date and keep you informed about the ever-changing world of travel. Below you will find our latest batch of travel tips to help you travel better. Please read on, and, if you have any additional questions regarding these topics or others, we’re only a phone call, email or text away.
We love spending time with our families, but planning a vacation with them — especially an international one — is another matter. That’s when things get complicated, trying to find activities that are not only enlightening and energetic, but also physically realistic for all age groups. Good news: you have many options that will easily engage and impress every generation you bring along, especially among the rich treasures of Europe. Our experienced travel agents can help you find the right balance of activity, history and natural splendor in these family-friendly adventures in the Old World. Here are a few ideas we can tailor to your particular crew.
When you tell your kids you’re going to the birthplace of pizza, their eyes will grow bigger than pepperonis. They don’t have to know the real reasons you’re going: Renaissance culture, iconic museums and sweeping wine country. While Rome’s cobblestones and hills can be difficult for seniors and toddlers alike, you can easily hop on a golf cart tour that navigates narrow alleys where buses can't go. You can cover the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in a few hours, no problem, with plenty of time to stop off for gelato mid-tour.
With a somewhat common language, iconic public transportation system and endless cultural experiences, London is one of those rare cities that can make everyone in your crew excited for a journey across the pond. It’s the kind of engaging, mesmerizing place where turning every corner leads to something new, even when that something new is 900 hundred years old. From riding high on the London Eye and watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace to tracking down filming locations from Harry Potter movies, there’s a lot to love about a family outing in London.
A family vacation to Spain’s capital city of Madrid has a lot to offer parents traveling with kids. A visit to the Royal Palace is a step back in time for a fascinating look into the history of Spain’s royal families, as well as a glimpse into the current royal lifestyle. See more than 200 years’ worth of paintings at the world-renowned Prado Museum, home to massive tapestries and works by Picasso and Dali. Kids will especially love Park Retiro, Europe’s more grandiose version of New York’s Central Park, where they can stroll past magnificent fountains and rent a boat to paddle around the man-made pond with the elaborate Monument to Alfonso XII as its impressive backdrop. Sports fans can also catch a match or tour the legendary stadium of Real Madrid, adding an exciting and memorable experience for the whole
Castles, in general, are enough to enthrall adventurers of all ages, and few compare to Edinburgh Castle. Although the body of the castle is only 100 years old (rebuilt after sieges and takeovers), the chapel on the grounds dates back to the late 11th century. Plus, every day at 1 p.m., they fire the One O’Clock Gun from the castle’s top, a site to see and hear that kids will never forget. Afterward, you can all enjoy the Royal Mile, which connects the castle to an Old Town area full of shops, pubs, restaurants and historical buildings.
Travel is an investment that enriches your life. And like any other investment, such as a house or car, you should insure your travel plans. Not all your travel plans, though. A weekend at the beach or a three-day cruise are most likely not worth insuring.
But the trips you typically book through our travel agency — the longer, intricate, life-changing journeys that transport you around the world — should be covered. Why? Because if a natural disaster or sudden illness ruined your travel plans, you could possibly lose a great deal of money.
While all plans differ, in general, travel insurance protects you and your family in case you get sick or injured right before your trip. It can also cover medical and hospital expenses, which can add up quickly in foreign destinations, and emergency evacuation to a preferred hospital.
A good travel insurance policy doesn’t stop there. It can also assist you if you have to cancel a flight due to a personal emergency, or it can cover your expenses if your train is delayed due to severe weather. It even lends a hand if your luggage is lost or stolen or if your pocket is picked.
Most of the insurance plans we offer include free worldwide assistance, available 24/7, just in case an emergency arises. We’ll gladly go over all the options with you the next time you book your trip of a lifetime.
And don’t forget — travel insurance is just one part of the package we provide to give you peace of mind. As your travel agent, we also monitor all the ever-changing factors of the vacations we create, like weather situations and regional instability, in order to keep you informed and safe.
Travelling for a game or a concert changes how you experience a city. Your schedule is built around a specific moment, and everything else organizes itself around that.
In cities hosting major events like the Champions League, the Super Bowl or the Olympics, the atmosphere starts days before. Sports bars fill early, fan zones open across the city and local transport runs at full capacity. On game days, stadium areas get crowded hours in advance, with merchandise stands and pre-event gatherings a part of the experience.
For tennis events like Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, timing matters even more. Matches run all day, and access to outer courts often gives you better views than you’d get at popular center court. Many travelers spend full days at the venue, moving between matches, food areas and rest zones.
River cruises follow routes that pass directly through historic and residential areas, making it simple to step off the ship and right into the middle of your destination. In cities like Vienna or Budapest, ships dock close to central districts. You can reach important landmarks, charming cafés and local shops within minutes.
In smaller destinations — especially along the Danube, Rhine or Rhône — ships dock in towns where everything is concentrated in one area. It’s easy to grab a fresh-baked croissant from a bakery in the morning or sample the local beer at a pub. Or maybe you’ll borrow one of the ship's bicycles and pedal around at your own pace. On the Middle Rhine, castles appear one after another along a short stretch. In the Wachau Valley, vineyards and small villages line both sides of the river.
Excursions are typically small-group and location-specific. Many river cruise lines include daily excursions, giving you multiple activities to choose from.
• Visits to local wineries with tastings
• Food-focused tours through markets
• Walking or bike tours to historic buildings led by local guides
• Hikes to nearby castles
Ships carry fewer passengers, which keeps waiting to a minimum. Over the course of a week, you move through multiple regions without changing hotels or handling luggage. Booking early for popular routes like the Danube and Rhine is key, and when you work with our travel agency, we help you compare itineraries, cruise lines and included experiences that can vary more than you would think.
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There has never been a better time to visit Santa Monica. In 2026, the legendary Route 66 turns 100, and the iconic beach city at the western end of America’s most famous highway is celebrating all year long. Add in a wave of refreshed luxury hotels and buzzy boutique stays, and Santa Monica is shaping up as one of the year’s most inspiring California escapes.
For generations of road trippers, Route 66 represented freedom, adventure, and the promise of the Pacific Ocean. The route famously ends in Santa Monica, where travellers still gather at the beloved “End of the Trail” sign on the Santa Monica Pier for that bucket-list photo.
For those looking to visit the official end of the Route, head to Mel’s Drive-In at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards for a view of the official Route 66 end street signs accompanied by American diner favorites. Mel’s Drive-In is a nostalgic stop operating out of a historic 1950s building, reflecting the vibe of Route 66 diner culture with a colorful Route 66 mural in its parking lot, a host of memorabilia, favorite American diner dishes and a Route 66 mosaic at the restaurant’s entrance.
To mark the centennial, Santa Monica is hosting citywide celebrations throughout 2026, highlighting the road’s history, nostalgia, and enduring cultural appeal. Visitors can expect commemorative events, special experiences, and themed programming all year.
Summer is prime time for California cruising. Expect an uptick in vintage car rallies, Route 66 enthusiasts, and cross-country travellers arriving in Santa Monica after driving the Mother Road. It’s the perfect season to rent a convertible, drive the coast, and celebrate the route in style.
September through November is the perfect time to visit and enjoy Santa Monica’s year-round sunshine. Warm days, cooler evenings, and fewer peak-summer crowds make fall ideal for enjoying the beach path, outdoor dining, and nearby shopping along Third Street Promenade.
Route 66 was officially established in November 1926, making November 11, 2026 a key date this centennial year. Expect celebrations across the country—with Santa Monica as the ultimate end or beginning of your Route 66 journey.
Santa Monica’s hotel scene has been elevated with stylish openings and high-profile restorations.
One of the most anticipated luxury arrivals on the California coast, this oceanfront property brings elevated wellness, refined dining, and ultra-premium service to Santa Monica. Perfect for Canadian travellers wanting a five-star beach retreat.
This iconic Art Deco landmark has been beautifully revived, bringing Old Hollywood glamour to Ocean Avenue. Just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, it’s a dream stay for travellers wanting Route 66 nostalgia with modern sophistication.
Celebrate 100 years of Route 66 and Hotel Casa del Mar at this luxurious beach retreat marking its centennial anniversary in 2026. Originally debuted in 1926 and undergoing a thoughtful restoration before reopening as a hotel in 1999, Hotel Casa del Mar offers elegant design, dedicated service and exquisite ocean view dining.
With Route 66’s 100th anniversary attracting global attention, Santa Monica hotel demand is expected to remain strong through the rest of 2026—especially summer weekends and the November anniversary period.
Few destinations combine history, beach culture, walkability, shopping, and luxury as effortlessly as Santa Monica. In 2026, visitors can stand where Route 66 meets the Pacific, celebrate one of America’s great travel icons, and check into some of California’s most exciting hotels.
If you are starting or ending your Route 66 journey in Santa Monica must be sure to stop by any of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism’s Visitor Information Centers to pick up your complimentary Route 66 Certificate of Completion or California Route 66 Passport highlighting key landmarks and stops along the Golden State’s stretch of the Route.
Contact your Northstar Travel Advisor today to plan your Route 66 road trip to Santa Monica and learn more about the city’s centennial celebrations.
