Article List: world travel, personal finance, adventure, culture

Secrets of Authentic Paella from Valencia, Spain

Authentic Paella, Spain - TravelsWithSuz.com

Authentic paella originated in Valencia, Spain. It is so popular that the whole world considers paella to be a quintessential Spanish national dish.

The Valencians can become quite incensed when people call any old rice dishes “paella” – there’s only one original Valencian paella. The black paella, seafood paella, etc. are not true paellas in the natives’ eyes.

Knowing this, I wanted to get to the bottom of the paella mysteries, so I spent a day in Valencia at a cooking school, where we shopped, prepared, and cooked a fabulous dish of paella.

If you want to learn how to make authentic Valencian paella, follow these step-by-step instructions and photos.

(Seafood paella instructions also included.)

Valencia, Spain – so Excited that Les Falles is Happening Now!

When I decided to go on a beach vacation in Valencia, Spain, I had no idea that their big local festival, Les Falles, was happening. I’d never heard of it, but as I walked around town and saw the giant statues, fireworks, and smoke, I knew something extraordinary was going on…

Normally held March 15-19, it was cancelled for 2 years, and rescheduled to September in 2021 – lucky me! Here’s everything you need to know about Les Falles in Valencia – and lots of amazing photos and videos.

Madrid, Spain: What to See in this Great City!

The Bear and the Tree Madrid - TravelsWithSuz.com — **Madrid!**

Puerto del Sol - Madrid - TravelsWithSuz.com — **Madrid!**

Madrid, Spain is a lively, elegant, sizzling, livable city, and after a couple of weeks here as a first-timer, I’m in love with it. If you search for what to see and do in Madrid, you’ll see the same suggestions over and over again. Let’s start with some unusual behind-the-scenes ideas that I found, and then we’ll get to the more typical ones.

3 Great Day Trips from Wiesbaden in Summer

Following is information about 3 great day trips from Wiesbaden in summer: the Tree Face Forest, the Rock Ocean Forest, and Burg Rheinstein, a castle dating from the 1300’s. (In winter, it’s all about the Christmas Markets!)

Forest Walks - Tree Face Forest, Wiesbaden, TravelsWithSuz.com — **3 great day trips near Wiesbaden:** **Tree Face Forest,** **Rock Ocean Forest,** **and Burg Rheinstein**

3 great day trips from Wiesbaden - Rock Ocean Forest - TravelsWithSuz.com — **3 great day trips near Wiesbaden:** **Tree Face Forest,** **Rock Ocean Forest,** **and Burg Rheinstein**

Schwarzer Bock Hotel in Wiesbaden, Germany – a Review

A few restaurant reviews, too.

I have family in Wiesbaden, and visit often. On each trip, I’ve admired the Schwarzer Bock Radisson Blu Hotel in the downtown area – it looks so elegant! I finally stayed there in June & July of 2021, as the Covid pandemic restrictions were beginning to ease.

Let’s take a look at this beautiful hotel and the surrounding area…

Delta One Review – My Big Trip to Europe in a Pandemic

Are we in a pandemic? Or is it “post-pandemic” (will it ever be?) – whatever it is, travel is opening up for US citizens. I flew Delta One PHL to FRA on June 18; here’s my Delta One Review in a pandemic.

Why was I anxious to go?

My grandson was turning 5! I hadn’t seen him or his 2-year-old sister since March 2020.

Look at these Unique Beach Towns in Colombia!

Palomino & Taganga

– a guest post by Alex Barrera

Alex says, “I was born and raised in Miami, but my roots are Colombian. As a kid, I went often, and I grew up learning much about my culture.” Check out her gorgeous photos, with lots of information about these 2 beach towns and their environs in Colombia.

Southwest Credit Cards now have Increased Bonuses – wow!

Update August, 2021 – sadly, the increased bonuses have ended – but read on; these are great cards!

The offers for Chase Southwest credit cards are getting a major upgrade! Southwest Rapid Rewards is easily one of my favorite rewards programs for free travel. If you’re interested in signing up for a Southwest card, now is a great time to do so…

**Share with friends who are paying retail price for their travel!**

What are the Best Free Travel Apps for 2021?

Travelers have smartphones and we need travel apps! After years of solo travel, I’ve researched and used a bunch of different ones – here are Suz’s 30 Best Free Travel Apps, with some websites thrown in.

Using these before and during a trip can help save you time, money, and a lot of stress. You can find local recommendations and hidden gems that tourists don’t often get to see, and the best part is, these apps are completely free.

There are millions of apps out there – some are great, some aren’t worth the download. Use Suz’s tried-and-true best free travel apps to make your travels easier.

Covid Vaccine Passport: What in the World is it?

You’ll be surprised!

Covid Edition – April 27, 2021; updated 7-1-21

“Vaccine Passport” is a common phrase amongst travelers these days. So many people have asked me about this and the upshot for travel. There is so much confusion! 🤔 Let’s clear this up once and for all. Here’s a rundown about the Covid Vaccine Passport – Fact vs. Fiction

Check the last paragraph for this week’s exciting info on Europe opening to US citizens this summer!*

Rabat, Morocco – Solo Travel – What to See and Do

5th stop in my month of solo travel, adventure, and discovery in Morocco!

Morocco – this exotic, magical North African country has fascinated me since I was a kid, hearing Crosby, Stills, and Nash sing of “…striped djellabas we can wear at home,” from their song “Marrakech Express.” Fifty years later 😮 in 2019, I spent a month traveling in Morocco; here’s what I discovered in the city of Rabat!

Ancient ruins in the Chellah, rabat, Morocco — **Scenes of Rabat, Morocco**

Door knocker in the medina of Rabat, Morocco — **Scenes of Rabat, Morocco**

Half Dome – First Solo Ascent to the Summit

Eric Beck was the First Solo Climber to Summit Half Dome Peak, a Grade VI Climb in Yosemite National Park

Read this description of the first solo ascent to the summit of Half Dome, in Yosemite National Park, and alternate ways of reaching the top for hikers rather than mountain climbers

Photo Credit: Breese76

I know exactly nothing about this kind of climbing…but Eric’s story, and the photos, are amazing and inspiring. Whether you’re a climber or not, this is an epic, historic tale!

Tangier, Morocco – an Ancient and a Modern City

During my year of overseas travel in 2018-19, I spent an exciting month in Morocco, North Africa, exploring much of the country. After Casablanca, Chefchaouen, and Tetouan, it was time to move on to the famous port town of Tangier. Tag along!

**Tangier, Morocco – a map**, **the medina, the town**

spice market in the Tangier medina — **Tangier, Morocco – a map**, **the medina, the town**

Join me here on a tour of the picturesque Medina of Tangier (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Cave of Hercules, and where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean converge…

Tetouan, Morocco – a fun Road Trip and Arts School Visit

In February 2019, I spent an amazing month traveling solo and exploring most of the country of Morocco, in North Africa. I took so many photos that I’ve divided this trip into several articles; this is 5th in the series. After starting in Casablanca, I first headed to Chefchaouen in the interior of the northern part of Morocco, then on to Tetouan.

The P4105 road winds through northern Morocco, between Chefchaouen and the coast, along the Oued Laou; beautiful cliffs — **The Oued Laou along P4105**

Beautiful inlaid wooden dresser with mirror, made at a trade school for traditional arts in Tetouan, Morocco — **The Oued Laou along P4105**

I’d fallen in love with Chefchaouen, and enjoyed my time there, but there was a lot more to see of Morocco! I love traveling the back roads to see more of the countryside, landscapes, and small towns. My lodgings in Chefchaouen helped me find a driver who didn’t mind going the “long way” to Tetouan…

Ultimate Guide to Credit Scores and Credit Cards

Fixes for No Credit & Poor Credit; Ideas for Excellent Credit

-researched and written by Suzanne McConaghy

If you want more flexibility and money in life, then you must pay attention to your credit scores and credit cards. Check out this ultimate guide for people with all credit scores – perfect, excellent, good, fair, poor, or non-existent. Everyone, regardless of your credit status, will benefit from the info in this article. If you have good, excellent, or perfect credit, you’ll find a super easy and little-known way to make real money from your credit cards at the end of the article.

Why listen to me? In 2014, when my husband died, I was over $25,000 in debt for his medical bills, and my income didn’t begin to cover my mortgage and car payment. Less than 4 years later, I was completely debt free – including my house – and began traveling the world.

I wrote this article is in response to many requests for information about how to travel for free, how to get out of debt, and how people can increase their credit scores.

5 Easy Ways to Travel for Free!

Earn credit card points, airline miles, and hotel points with these 5 expert tips; save or go free on flights, hotels, & vacations for international or domestic travel.

Here’s where I’ve traveled – over 19 countries in the last couple of years, mainly due to travel hacking. Use my tips for free or reduced costs to ramp up your travel.

There’s so much of the world I have yet to see…but, I’m working on it!

Practical, Useful Gifts for Travelers They’ll Love

Gifts for Father’s Day, Birthdays, any day! 💖💘💝

-updated April 24, 2021

Giving practical, useful gifts is important – first off, I get so much joy when I can gift someone a great present – don’t you?! 🥰 And, as a person who ditched most of my material things in order to travel the world, I really appreciate thoughtful, useful gifts for travelers. It’s so tough to think of just the right thing; especially for men, so this list includes lots of things for men as well as women (who are SO EASY to shop for – am I right?!).

These are some of the favorite things I’ve personally found and tried; I love them, and I think just about anyone who’s into travel would. I hope this helps you brainstorm some ideas for your traveler – or yourself!

Well Told Design and Good Green Cleaner – 2 great finds

I recently came across a couple of items I wanted to share – they’re really cool!

The Souk & Tajine Lunch with new Local Friends – Solo Travel

Solo Travel Has Advantages!

I loved exploring the small town of Chefchaouen, but wanted to see some of the surrounding areas as well. My guesthouse host suggested going to the nearby souk that was open that day, and arranged a driver for me.

I’ve found that traveling solo opens up many unique opportunities. Here’s how I met some locals and was invited to lunch…

chicken tajine with peas, veggies, and eggs

This tajine! Chicken, peppers, peas, and hardboiled eggs – yum!

Meals are a communal, sharing time, anywhere in the world, aren’t they?

Minneapolis – Let’s Check it Out!

I have a nephew and niece (and a grand-niece!) in Minneapolis; I haven’t been there yet, but I know I’ll go at some point. Here are some cool things I’ve found that I want to do while I’m there.

3 Attractions To Visit Around Minneapolis

Minneapolis, one half of the Twin Cities, looks like it’s full of entertainment and fun. Here are three of the best things I’ve found to do during a visit to Minneapolis, Minnesota, among lots of other options. You’ll want to go back again and again, and the city will welcome you with open doors!