Samanta Brown
Global Travel Expert
Latest from Samanta Brown
20 Articles
9 Red Flags That May Signal a Rental Listing Scam
Finding a place to live has gotten harder, not easier, in most U.S. cities over the past couple of years. Low inventory and rising rents have pushed more renter
Why Countries Near Costa Rica Are Seeing More American Tourists
For years, Costa Rica was the obvious answer when someone mentioned a Central American vacation. Lately, though, the region's map has started to look different.
4 of America's Most Structurally Deficient Bridges
Millions of drivers cross bridges every day without giving much thought to what's underneath them. Yet across the country, a surprising number of well known cro
A TSA Agent's Take: 6 Mistakes That Can Get Travelers Pulled Aside
Airport security lines move fast when everything goes right, and painfully slow the moment something doesn't. Most travelers assume they're following the rules,
6 Road Trip Habits That Can Add Unnecessary Stress
Most people picture a road trip as the easy version of travel. No security lines, no baggage limits, just you, the car, and the open road. Yet plenty of drivers
8 Secrets Hotel Workers Can’t Share, Former Employees Claim
Checking into a hotel feels simple enough. You hand over a card, take the key, and disappear into a room that smells like fresh linen and promises a few days of
14 Things People Forget on a Coach Tour Every Single Time
You'd think after decades of group bus tours, travelers would have this down to a science by now. But ask any tour director who's spent years riding shotgun acr
The 6 Countries With the World's Highest Obesity Rates
When people picture the world's heaviest nations, many still think of the United States or wealthy Gulf states. Yet the real numbers tell a very different story
5 countries that used to exist – and don't anymore
Maps get redrawn more often than most people realize. A country that felt permanent to one generation can vanish within a single lifetime, replaced by new borde
The Biggest Dos and Don'ts for Americans Traveling to Paris
Paris rewards travelers who show up with a little cultural homework done, and it can feel unforgiving toward those who don't. The gap between American habits an
4 Things Housekeepers Wish Hotel Guests Knew About Room Requests
A hotel room gets made up in roughly twenty minutes, sometimes less, and in that narrow window a housekeeper is expected to strip beds, scrub a bathroom, restoc
9 Countries Where Living Abroad Feels Cheap and Joyful
There's a particular kind of relief that comes from moving somewhere new and realizing your money stretches further than you expected. It's not just about payin
9 Road Trip Mistakes Drivers Don't Realize They're Making
Most people plan a road trip around the fun part: the playlist, the snacks, the scenic overlook they saw on Instagram. Fewer people think about the small habits
We Tried Retiring in Three Countries Before Finding the Right One
Retirement abroad sounds simple in theory. Sell the house, pick a sunny spot on a map, and start living on a fraction of what it costs to stay in the United Sta
15 Seat Choices That Decide How a Coach Tour Feels
Most people assume a coach tour lives or dies by the itinerary – the castles, the coastlines, the little wine stops along the way. That's not quite true. Ask an
Why I Quit Dining at Top-Rated Restaurants – and Why You Might Too
Two years ago I kept a running list of restaurants with four and a half stars or higher, the kind of places friends texted screenshots of the moment they landed
13 Things Breakfast Staff Put Back for People Who Say Good Morning
Watch the counter at any diner during the breakfast rush and you'll start noticing a pattern. The customer scrolling their phone in silence gets exactly what th
Disney's Lesser-Known Side: 4 Hidden Magic Kingdom Experiences
Most people walk through Magic Kingdom looking up, not down or sideways. They snap a photo of the castle, ride the big names, and leave without ever noticing th
16 Things Coach Drivers Do for People Who Sit Near the Front
Most passengers assume a coach seat is just a seat – first come, first served, no different from any other spot on the bus. But regular riders know that's not q
16 Booking Mistakes That Cost People Money Before They Leave
Most travelers assume the money drains out of their wallet at the airport bar or the resort gift shop. It doesn't. The real damage happens days or weeks earlier