• Subscribe to The Travel Oracle

    So you found our site. Maybe through Facebook. Maybe it was on Instagram. Perhaps you saw a Pin on Pinterest. Or maybe we twitted. Twittered? Anyway, you may be asking yourself, “why should I subscribe to the Travel Oracle?” Here are some GREAT reasons to join us on our journey. You’ll get our latest articles right to your in-box That’s right! You won’t need to hunt for us or wonder what we’re up to. Every week we will send you the absolute latest right to your email in-box. Our subscribers get exclusive content We scour the internet for related articles we think you’ll really enjoy and we occasionally write “secret…

  • Tokyo Marathon Finishers Medal in front of a cherry blossom tree

    Running the Tokyo Marathon

    As this year’s Tokyo Marathon is ALMOST here, we thought we’d share a little more about our time in Japan. We visited grand toriis and drank sake in a roof top igloo. We played with snow monkeys and rode on fast trains. But by far the MOST interesting experience has to be what happened RIGHT before the race. Let’s unpack the “collision at the crevice” and running the Tokyo Marathon. First…the Collision at the Crevice In case you missed it, let me recap. Our hotel room in Tokyo was small. How small was it? If it were any smaller, the bidet could have doubled as a shower. It was so…

  • How to be a Digital Nomad

    If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that people DON’T believe in washing their hands. Just kidding. It actually taught us a lot of things – like you can get used to wearing a face mask. You can binge watch just about anything if you’re bored enough. And if you’re a person who works on a computer for a living, not only can you work from home…you can work from ANYWHERE! Let me share with you some things I’ve learned along the way. Here’s how to be a digital nomad and not lose your mind! This post contains affiliate links. Get a Travel Monitor If you have a laptop, that’s good.…

  • Red faced snow monkey in a hot spring

    What Could be Better Than Hot Tubs and Snow Monkeys

    If you’re heading to Tokyo for the Marathon this March, let us let you in on a little secret. You will be just a train ride away from one of the most unique experiences on the planet. This week, let’s find the answer to this important question, “what could be better than hot tubs and snow monkeys?”. Faster than a Speeding Bullet? The first thing you’ll need to do is take a bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano. Though they aren’t quite as fast as a speeding bullet, you’ll still cover the 140 miles in less than 2 hours. And the train is rather posh, sort of like first class…

  • Buddhist temple with red pillars and a tall gray, tiled roof surrounded by a lane of red buildings on either side

    What You Won’t Want to Miss in Tokyo

    In 2023, we undertook an amazing adventure through the Land of the Rising Sun. We stayed for almost 3 weeks and shared with you the highlights of each out our days. Since there are just SO many GREAT places to see, we thought we’d make a City Guide for you so you’ll know what you won’t want to miss in Tokyo. If you want to do a deeper dive in Japan – check out our Japan collection. And if you’re a person who loves headlines, this article is for you! First, let’s talk food…Where to Eat? Oh my gosh! There hasn’t been a place I’ve visited where I’ve liked the…

  • Man and woman standing in Tokyo in front of what some call “The Golden Poo”. It’s a golden sculpture on top of a black highrise

    Tips for Your First Trip to Japan

    With the Tokyo Marathon just over a month away, we thought some of you might be planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. It might feel a bit daunting to visit somewhere so different from home. But we did it and we have some great tips for your first trip to Japan. Before You Go Order Pocket WiFi In Japan, you may not always have cellular service. Rather than sweating it, or remembering to download maps to your phone, get a pocket WiFi unit. You can rent them for as little as $5.40 USD per day. The company will have it delivered to your hotel prior to…

  • View of the tall buildings in Melbourne from the Sky Deck

    Tall Buildings, Graffiti Lanes, and Beetlejuice

    This week, let’s go back to the land down unda and head to the big city of Melbourne. We’ll see tall buildings, graffiti lanes and Beetlejuice! Just be sure NOT to say that out loud 3 times. Getting there As the Great Ocean Road faded into our rear view, the tall buildings of Melbourne came into view. Though Stephen felt pretty confident driving on the left on a two lane road, this city was something else all together. I honestly felt like some of the roads were built on a diagonal. Queen Victoria Market Our first stop of the day was the Queen Victoria Market that has indoor and outdoor…

  • Passport,a pouch that is embossed with the word “FlyKitt”, vitamin pouches, blue light glasses

    FlyKitt – The Magic Bullet for Jet Lag

    Anyone who has followed us for a while knows that jet lag kicks my butt. When we traveled to Japan it took me about five days before I got a good night sleep. It didn’t keep me from enjoying myself but it definitely would have been better had I arrived in Tokyo well rested.  With big trips planned to Africa and Europe this spring, you’d think I’d be concerned about jet lag.  But I’m not, because I know a secret! With Flykitt – I found the magic bullet for jet lag. The Inside Scoop Before our recent trip to London for the London Marathon, a fellow Sky Miles Life friend mentioned…

  • Man on an airplane, in a white brimmed hat, holding Anthony Bourdain's book - World Travel

    2025 – The Year in Books

    Besides globe trotting (me) and running ALL the races (Stephen), we have other interests. If you follow us on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle, you know that Stephen is spending most of his days training the newest member of our family, Mr. Milo. (His full name, by the way, is Milo Minute – which is pretty cool for a runner’s dog.) And I spend a lot of time with my nose in a book. This year I managed a record 40 reads. Rather than bore you will all of them, let’s just unpack the highlights. If you’re a reader like me, let’s talk 2025, the Year in Books! Motivating Non-Fiction This is…

  • Street lit by Christmas lights, leading to a clock tower

    It’s Like Christmas in a Time Machine

    Since way back in the aughts, there is one place I’ve always wanted to visit for my birthday. I’m sure some ladies would choose a spa weekend, or maybe somewhere glamourous with a beach. But if you know me at all, you know that I love history – thanks to my pop. Also, I can be VERY nostalgic – thanks to my mom. And that I was born in December – thanks to both! So when the commercial for Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village came on the radio last year, I couldn’t help but say out loud, “I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do that. It’s like Christmas in a Time Machine!!”…

  • Brown travel duffel in the upper left, compression packing cubes on the bottom left, multi colored luggage tags on the upper right and noise canceling ear buds on the bottom right. All GREAT deals for Black Friday

    Mad Good Travel Gear Deals

    Whether you’re looking for a gift for the traveler in your life or you’re looking for a little something just for you, we got you covered! Check out these mad good travel gear deal for Black Friday that start at just $5! Keep Them ALL Together If you’re planning to travel with the fam, be sure to snag this set for only $5. Stocking stuffers, anyone? Travel Duffel with Toiletry Bag for less than $15 Look like a big spender or just travel in style. The Syncb travel duffel with a toiletry bag is only $14.80. No Crying Babies Ruining Your Vibe With these babies, you won’t need to worry…