Sue Nelson

Sue Nelson

Hi, I'm Sue. I plan cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and slow multi-country trips through Europe. I'm a certified Hawaii travel specialist, and I book through host agency Outside Agents as a member of the Travel Leaders Network. Twenty years in senior HR leadership before this, which mostly taught me how to read what people actually want. I live in Grain Valley, Missouri with my husband and business partner Mike.

The Shoulder-Season Secret: Why October in Puglia Beats June in Tuscany (And Costs Half as Much)

Whitewashed Puglian hilltop town overlooking the Adriatic Sea at golden hour in October

The best time to visit Italy isn't when the influencers are posting — it's after they've gone home. If you've been saving for a June trip to Tuscany, there's a quieter, sunnier, and significantly cheaper version of the Italian dream happening 400 miles south in Puglia. Half the price, twice the olive oil, and not a tour bus in sight. Here's why October in Puglia is the shoulder-season secret worth planning your calendar around.

River Cruise vs Guided Land Tour in Europe: Which Is Better?

River cruise ship on the Rhine River next to travelers exploring a European city on a guided land tour

You've earned the good version of Europe; the one where someone else handles the luggage. But should that someone be a river cruise line or a guided land tour? Both promise castles, culture, and carbs. Only one is right for you. We compare them head-to-head so you can stop researching and start packing.