I don’t travel just to be going somewhere. I travel for the experiences. I dive, cruise, drink, boat, and explore as if that moment in time cannot be replicated. You would be amazed at how much more enjoyable travel is when you push beyond the edges of the ordinary.
Whether you are tired of the same old travel routines, want to know what it’s really like on a luxury cruise, how to find a seahorse, or beat everyone else to the newest wine regions, you have found the right website. If you are looking for more out of your travel, join me and learn how to travel with gusto, savor the flavors life offers, and break away from the travel herd.
Go more. Experience more. Enjoy it More.~ Melinda Crow
Sour Cream Biscuit Recipe
Photo by Melinda Crow. Sour cream biscuits. My family was a toast family. I'm not sure why, but the only biscuits we ever had when I was growing up came from a can, and those were a treat. The first time I ever had homemade biscuits was during a trip to my mother's...
Six Travel Stories on Medium for Non-subscribers
You know you've been wondering if there's any travel there. And guess what? Mine are there! Here are some of my recent travel stories on Medium you may have missed First, let me say that I'm in LOVE with Medium. If you haven't given it a read lately, you definitely...
The Non-Photographer of Our Team Tests Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020
Disclosure: As a Best Buy Blogger, I am compensated for sharing Best Buy products and services with my readers. As with everything I write, I only post what I find to be valuable to you, my readers. #AD Photo courtesy of Best Buy/Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 Here's...
Camera Drone Shopping: The DJI Global Mavic Mini
Disclosure: As a Best Buy Blogger, I am compensated for sharing Best Buy products and services with my readers. As with everything I write, I only post what I find to be valuable to you, my readers. #AD We have been shopping for a quality drone camera. The...
#TravelTruth: Should You Consider a Christmas Market Cruise?
A Christmas Market Cruise with AmaWaterways Mention "Christmas market cruise" in any group of people and you will likely get a response of, "oooh, I've always wanted to do that!" from at least half. Even people who have never been on a river cruise seem intrigued by...
What You May Have Missed on Cruise Critic
You do know that cruising is one of the most economical ways to explore the world, right? And cruising today is far removed from the cheesy days of "Love Boat" cruising from decades ago. There are cruise ships to suite almost any travel style and destination. Whether...
What the Heck is a Twitter Chat? (And Why Should YOU Participate?)
So you've been invited to participate in a Twitter chat. Now what? What is it? What does "participate" mean?And most importantly, how does it benefit YOU? As one of the hosts of the popular monthly #TBINChat about all things travel, I decided to do what I...
Squaremouth Proves It REALLY Pays to Read Your Travel Insurance Policy
Squaremouth Awards $30,000 in Secret Reading ContestI've written about the importance of travel insurance before and how easy it is to get comparisons and make your purchase on Squaremouth. But what I may not have stressed adequately enough is the...
Cruising 101: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Cruising, But Were Afraid to Ask
Cruising 101: You Don't Know What You Don't Know Welcome to our Cruising 101 page. Whether you have cruised before, or are just considering it for the first time, there are likely some questions you will have. Cruising comes with its own language. Between...
21 Ways Luxury Cruises are so Un-cruisey
Luxury Cruises Go Beyond the Cruise Norm No tipping. On luxury cruises, tips are usually either included in the cruise fare (without any break down) or are added to your bill automatically. This is a trend across all levels of cruising but has been...
Total Tech Support Powered by Geek Squad is There for You
Disclosure: As a Best Buy Blogger, I am compensated for sharing Best Buy products and services with my readers. As with everything I write, I only post what I find to be valuable to you, my readers. #ADWhat IS Total Tech Support?I have a confession: When...
Updated! Scuba Diving Bonaire on the Cheap
If you scuba dive you have no doubt heard of Bonaire. You've probably dreamed of Bonaire. The island in the deep Southern Caribbean, neighbor to Aruba and Curacao, is ringed by one of the most protected reef systems in the world. The reefs have been...
Wear OS by Google + Michael Kors = Fashion, Function and Fitness for Travel
Disclosure: As a Best Buy Blogger, I am compensated for sharing Best Buy products and services with my readers. As with everything I write, I only post what I find to be valuable to you, my readers. #ADLet's face it, smartwatches and fitness bands are...
Sony Noise Canceling Headphones Can Help De-Stress Your Travel
Disclosure: As a Best Buy Blogger, I am compensated for sharing Best Buy products and services with my readers. As with everything I write, I only post what I find to be valuable to you, my readers. #AD My favorite Sony noise canceling headphones just got...
It’s Cherry Blossom Season!
Everywhere you turn it seems there's another sign of spring. The daffodils are beginning to open and trees are budding—especially the cherry trees. I recently had the opportunity to compile a list of fifty places around the world where you can celebrate...
#TravelTruth: Everybody’s a Travel Writer
I have a love-hate relationship with those pop-up Facebook memories. I love seeing what went on in my life three years ago, eight years ago, or last year for that matter. What I hate is that my posts lack depth. There is usually only a photo and a line or...
Be a First Reader
FirstRead.Me was founded on the principle of helping you find the best travel content on the Internet. We start the conversation here, then point you in the direction of more on the topic across the Internet, whether on other blogs or on...
Purposeful Travel Made Easy
Purposeful Travel Sounds Complicated When you think of purposeful travel, what comes to mind? To me, it sounds like it must involve soul searching, dirt digging, and world changing. I think the term has taken on that meaning when referring to voluntourism...
Disclosure: Posts which I have been paid to write and post here are labeled as “Sponsored.” Other posts may contain links or references to companies, destinations, or travel providers that provided their product at no charge for the purpose of review. Additional links may be found to stories on other publications that I wrote for payment from those publications. In these two cases, I am under no obligation to write anything or provide links. These companies do not dictate or review what I post here on FirstRead.Me. All opinions are my own.