Hi Reader, You’ve probably figured out by now that Gary and I love animals. One of our favorite trips was gorilla trekking in Uganda last year. We trekked through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. It was a bucket list experience we’ll never forget. There’s something incredible about hiking through the jungle and suddenly seeing a family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. No zoo or wildlife documentary can prepare you...
14 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, One of my favorite parts of traveling is exploring at my own pace. Earlier this year, we sailed around Hawaii on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. Since we'd visited all of the islands before, we decided to skip most of the traditional shore excursions and rent our own transportation instead. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made on the trip. During the cruise, we rented: A car in Maui A car in Kauai A street-legal buggy on the Big Island in Kona A car in...
21 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, I hope you're having a wonderful week. One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Whether it's whales in Alaska, bears in the Smoky Mountains, or sea turtles in the Caribbean, those are the memories that stay with me long after the trip is over. This week I wanted to share one of our favorite snorkeling adventures from St. Thomas. Snorkeling With Sea Turtles in St. Thomas If you love the ocean, snorkeling with sea turtles...
28 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, My mom and I just got back from a trip to the Gatlinburg area in Tennessee to visit my brother. While we were there, we returned to one of our favorite places in the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove. A Morning Drive Through Cades Cove If you’ve never been to Cades Cove, I highly recommend adding it to your Smoky Mountains itinerary. It’s an 11-mile scenic loop where wildlife, mountain views, and history all come together. We started our drive around 9 a.m., and the low clouds were...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, One of the things I love most about travel is that it doesn't always have to revolve around a destination. Sometimes the destination is the event itself. This spring, Gary and I checked off one of his bucket-list experiences when we attended the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. He's a lifelong Washington Commanders fan, and seeing the draft in person had been on his wish list for years. The trip ended up being a great reminder of how points, miles, credit card benefits, and a little...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Happy 4th of July, Reader, To all of our readers in the United States, I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day weekend filled with family, friends, and maybe even a little travel. As many of you know, Gary and I love wildlife and outdoor adventures. One of our favorite activities is whale watching. This year alone, we’ve been lucky enough to go whale watching in Dominica, Maui, Oahu (twice in one week), Juneau, and San Diego. Every tour has been different. Some days we’ve seen dolphins...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, One of the things I love most about Maui is that some of the best experiences don’t require reservations, tour bookings, or expensive excursions. On our last few visits, we spent several mornings exploring some of Maui’s quieter spots that many visitors drive right past. One of my favorites is the beachfront path in Kaanapali. The paved walkway stretches along the shoreline and connects several resorts, beaches, restaurants, and ocean viewpoints. It’s an easy walk and a great place...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, When most people think about cruising, they picture palm trees, beaches, and tropical drinks. Alaska is completely different. And that's exactly why we loved it. I've been fortunate enough to cruise Alaska twice. The first trip was with Gary on Princess, and last year I returned with my mom on Carnival to celebrate her birthday. Despite being on different cruise lines and with different travel companions, both trips left me wanting to go back. Instead of turquoise water and beach...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Welcome to Come Travel with Melodie. Every week I'll share a travel experience, a practical travel tip, and a tool or app that's helped make our travels easier. My goal is to help you travel smarter, discover great places, and make the most of your adventures. A few years ago, we discovered Paia Fish Market in Lahaina on Maui and quickly became fans. The seafood was fresh, the atmosphere was casual, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for Hawaii. Sadly, that original...
2 months ago • 3 min read