The Journal

Travel Tips & Stories

Advice and inspiration from our advisors.

REAL ID Is Non-Negotiable Now: Is Your Family Actually Ready to Fly?

REAL ID is fully in effect, and it's the number one thing that catches travelers off guard before the holidays and 2027 trips. Here's our simple checklist for licenses, passports, and renewal timelines, plus how a real advisor keeps document deadlines from ever sneaking up on you.

Sep 3, 2026

Weddings & Honeymoons

Honeymoon Planning 101: The Trips That Book Up a Year Out (and How to Get Ahead)

Some of the most romantic honeymoons — overwater villas, African safaris, European river cruises — book up a full year in advance. Here's a look at the dreamy destinations, the lead times that matter, and why getting ahead of engagement season pays off.

Aug 27, 2026

Destination Guides

Fall Foliage Getaways: New England, the Smokies, and a Michigan Secret or Two

Autumn color arrives in a blink — and being there at peak is all about timing. From New England's classic byways to the Smokies' long, lingering season and a few of our favorite Thumb-region drives, here's how our advisors plan the perfect leaf-peeping getaway.

Aug 20, 2026

Destination Guides

The Great Lakes Cruise You Didn't Know Existed, Right From Michigan's Backyard

You don't need a passport or a long flight for a bucket-list cruise — American Cruise Lines sails the Great Lakes right past Mackinac, Georgian Bay, and stunning fall color. Here's what to know, and why it's worth planning with a real advisor.

Aug 13, 2026

Cruise Tips

River Cruising the Rhine and Danube in 2027: Why Europe Fans Book in the Fall

Europe's most beloved river routes — the Rhine and Danube — sail into 2027 with sparkling Christmas markets and springtime tulips. Here's why savvy travelers lock in their staterooms during the quiet winter months, and how a Huron advisor makes it effortless.

Aug 6, 2026

Disney & Family

Disney World at the Holidays: Start Planning Now for the Most Magical (and Busiest) Season

Christmas at Walt Disney World is pure magic — twinkling castle lights, holiday parades, and cocoa in the cool Florida evenings. But the most magical season is also the busiest, and the best dates, resorts, and party tickets get claimed months ahead. Here's why fall is the time to start planning.

Jul 30, 2026

Cruise Tips

Hurricane Season and Your Caribbean Cruise: What Your Advisor Actually Does to Protect You

Booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season isn't crazy — but how you book makes all the difference. Here's the straight talk on itinerary changes, travel insurance, and what a real advisor actually does when a storm shifts your plans.

Jul 23, 2026

Disney & Family

Back-to-School Travel: One Last Family Trip Before the Bell Rings

The week before school starts is one of the best-kept secrets in family travel: warm weather, thinner crowds, and gentler prices. Here's how to squeeze in one last getaway before the bell rings.

Jul 16, 2026

Cruise Tips

Alaska in 2027: Why the Smart Cabins Are Already Being Claimed

Alaska's 2027 cruise season is already opening for booking, and the glacier-view cabins are going first. Here's what the early itineraries look like and why waiting until spring 2027 usually means settling for less.

Jul 9, 2026

Seasonal & Deals

Booked Nothing for the Holidays Yet? Here's Your Advisor's Honest Timeline

Thanksgiving and Christmas travel is quietly filling up — and prices climb the longer you wait. Here's the honest booking timeline our advisors watch so you don't overpay for the holidays.

Jul 2, 2026