Travel Planning Advice & Destination Guides
I’m Jeanine Cioffi, founder of Lavishly Travel. Here I share firsthand travel experiences and practical advice to help you plan a trip that feels right for you, from Italy and Greece to honeymoons, anniversaries, retirement celebrations and journeys across Europe and beyond.
Explore the latest articles below, or start with my Italy guide, Greece guide, honeymoon and anniversary planning, and cruise planning.
How Many Days Do You Need in Iceland?
How many days do you actually need in Iceland? I share what I learned from doing it myself in just three days as a stopover, and why I tell most clients planning Iceland as the destination to build in five to seven nights instead.
How Much Does an Iceland Vacation Cost?
What does an Iceland vacation cost? See real planning examples and the choices—season, hotels, airfare, touring style and pace—that have the greatest effect on your total.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Iceland?
The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to experience. Compare daylight, Northern Lights possibilities, road access, weather and seasonal tradeoffs before choosing your dates.
How to Plan Your First Iceland Vacation
Plan your first Iceland vacation with Jeanine’s personal advice on seasons, routes, hotels, touring styles, and the details that make the trip feel unhurried.
Is Hawaii Worth the Cost? How to Decide for Your Trip
Is Hawaii worth the cost for your trip? Compare the full budget, resort inclusions, private experiences and time to relax with firsthand advice from Jeanine.
Hawaii Without the Rush: Planning a Vacation with Time to Breathe
Plan a Hawaii vacation with time to breathe. Jeanine shares how to balance activities, resort days, travel logistics and flexibility for a more relaxed trip.
14 Nights in Maui and Kauai: A Hawaii Honeymoon with Time to Unwind
See how Jeanine planned a 14-night Maui and Kauai honeymoon with stays in Wailea and Ka’anapali, ocean views, meaningful outings, and time to unwind. Includes the reasoning behind each stay and the context for this past trip’s approximately $20,000 investment for two.
Hawaii, Together: Planning a Multigenerational Family Vacation
Bring grandparents, parents and children together in Hawaii with thoughtful room choices, accessible features, shared experiences and space for individual plans.
Movie Locations Worth Planning a Trip Around: London, Tuscany, and Greece
From Sliding Doors in London to the landscapes of Tuscany and Mamma Mia! on Skopelos, discover how to make favorite film locations part of a thoughtfully planned vacation.
Hawaii for Families: Finding Your Island, Resort, and Rhythm
Find the Hawaii island, resort and pace that fit your family. Jeanine shares firsthand advice on room layouts, kids’ programs, meals, pool time and transportation.
Your First Hawaii Trip: Choosing the Right Island
Plan your first Hawaii trip around your interests, budget and pace. Compare Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island and Lanai with advice from Jeanine.
What to Pack for a Hawaii Vacation and What to Leave at Home
What to pack for a Hawaii vacation: carry-on essentials, resort wear, shoes, sun and rain gear, plus what to leave home. Jeanine shares her two-pass method.
My Favorite Hawaii Experiences and Who Will Love Them
Jeanine shares her favorite Hawaii experiences on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Island of Hawaii and Lanai, and explains which travelers will enjoy them most.
Should You Hire a Hawaii Travel Advisor?
Is a Hawaii travel advisor worth it? See when expert island, resort, room and activity guidance can save time and improve the complete value of your vacation.
Hawaii for Honeymoons: Choosing an Island and Resort Together
Plan a Hawaii honeymoon around both partners with Jeanine’s advice on island choice, resort style, seven-night pacing, room upgrades and meaningful downtime.
Hawaii Vacation Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Avoid common Hawaii planning mistakes with Jeanine’s advice on island and resort fit, room views, true trip value, activity timing and rental-car decisions.
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Hawaii Vacation?
When should you start planning Hawaii? Jeanine shares her preferred booking window and how holidays, room needs and shorter-notice trips change the timeline.
Should You Visit More Than One Hawaiian Island?
Visiting more than one Hawaiian island can add variety to your vacation, but every island change also requires time for packing, flights, rental cars, and hotel transitions. Learn when island hopping makes sense and when staying on one island may create a more relaxing and valuable Hawaii experience.
How Many Days Do You Need in Hawaii?
How many days do you really need in Hawaii? The right trip length depends on your flight time, the number of islands you want to visit, your preferred pace, and how much time you need to relax and explore without feeling rushed. Discover how to choose a Hawaii vacation length that fits the way you want to travel.
Best Time to Visit Hawaii
Choose Hawaii travel dates around your priorities, with firsthand advice on seasons, whale watching, family trips and value from Jeanine at Lavishly Travel.
