Marbella Without the Yacht Money, and Why We Liked Estepona More
Marbella is not only Puerto Banus. We did the old town and the locals' beach, then went home to Estepona, our favorite town on the Costa del Sol.
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Filed under: Travel Tips
18 dispatches from the journal.
Gibraltar in a Day: The Rock, the Monkeys, and 7 Miles of Regret
A Gibraltar day trip from the Costa del Sol: parking on the Spanish side, the walk to the Rock, the monkeys, and why we would take the taxi tour next time.
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Seville by High-Speed Train: The Overnight That Beat the Drive
We drove to Malaga and took the high-speed train to Seville for one night. Why the overnight beats a day trip, and how to do it with a kid in July heat.
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Five White Towns and a Cave: Day Trips from Estepona
Malaga, Mijas, Benalmadena, Nerja, Ronda and Setenil from one base near Estepona. Drive times, what each town is for, and which to skip if it is hot.
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Driving the Costa del Sol: Tolls, Garages, and Ronda
Renting a car on the Costa del Sol: the AP-7 toll math, garages tight enough to scrape a car, and whether to drive to Ronda at all.
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Two Weeks in Andalucia: Why We Rented Instead of Cruising
After 20 years of cruising, we based ourselves in one apartment outside Estepona for two weeks with a rental car. What the home base model changed.
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What All-Inclusive Really Includes (And the 7 Things It Doesn't)
What does all-inclusive really include? Adults-only or family, here is what it covers and the seven charges that still hit your bill, line by line.
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How Much Does a Cruise Really Cost? An Advisor's Breakdown
The cruise fare is not the cruise cost. An honest, line-by-line breakdown of what you actually pay for, what's included, and where the real money goes.
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Keeping the Romance Alive Between Trips: A Couple's Field Guide
The anniversary trip is the highlight, but the year in between keeps a couple close. How we keep date night feeling like an adventure between getaways.
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Why a Travel Advisor Matters More Than Ever
Headlines say AI is replacing travel agents. The data, and my 250+ nights at sea, say the opposite. Why judgment, accountability, and access matter more.
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One Year of Travel by Trinidad: What We Learned
Travel by Trinidad nears its first year. What a family-run agency learned about cruises, Disney, all-inclusives, group travel and concierge trip planning.
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Travel by Trinidad Is Now on Android: Why We Went Native
The Travel by Trinidad app is live on Google Play. Why we built separate native apps for iPhone and Android instead of shortcuts, and why parity matters.
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AI Postcards: A Second Life for Your Travel Photos
The Travel by Trinidad app now turns your travel photos into AI-styled postcards. Choose a vibe, tap generate, and share something worth posting.
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Why We Built a Travel App for Our Clients
Travel by Trinidad's app is live on the App Store. Why we built it, how it supports our concierge clients, and why we made it available to all travelers.
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Wave Season 2027: When It Starts and Which Deals Are Real
Wave Season runs January through March, and most promotions are noise. How the deals really work, which offers hold value, and the repricing move to make.
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Freedom of the Seas Reviews (2026): An Honest Take
Our honest Freedom of the Seas review for 2026, rated 4.5 after sailing her: cabins, dining, the Solarium, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and who she's for.
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Offseason Travel: Fewer Crowds, Better Value, Family Fun
We prefer offseason travel for fewer crowds and better value. How we keep summer exciting with NYC, Six Flags and Mets games while planning our next trip.
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How to Afford a Cruise Suite Without Breaking the Bank
Dreaming of a cruise suite? Discover 10 expert tips to book luxury suites on Royal Caribbean, NCL, Disney, MSC, and more without breaking your budget.
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