Booking a place to stay can feel like playing travel roulette, but after years of trial, error, and one too many bathrooms without doors, we’ve learned a few things. As a former travel agent, I (Mish!) like to do my research. We usually book ahead so we can find something fabulous, but not too fabulous for the budget.

You know those days when you've been staring at a screen for too long, and your brain quietly whispers, “maybe you should be on a yacht right now”?Well… I listened. On a particularly long workday, I found a last-minute deal that felt too dreamy to ignore — a 10-day small ship cruise through Croatia aboard the MV Princess Eleganza. Croatia has always been high on our must-visit list, and suddenly, the timing just felt right.