2012 was a far busier year of travel than I originally anticipated. Oh sure, my “day job” takes me to Hawaii a couple times a month and I make an effort to be a tourist here at home in Seattle, but there was much more on the calendar this year. And I even got to cross something off my fairly detailed and specific bucket list. Here are the highlights of travel in 2012. Riviera Maya I joined several other travel bloggers and travel writers for a We Go Mexico trip to the Riviera Maya. It was an opportunity to check out the new Blue Diamond Riviera Maya (then in soft opening) and to explore some Maya culture. The Blue Diamond is an adult only, all-suite, 5-star luxury resort and is truly spectacular. Although our itinerary kept us really busy, an […]
Read MorePostcard: Cypress of Big Sur
Along the Pacific Coast, south of Monterey and north of Carmel, you’ll find these iconic Cypress trees on a point near the Pebble Beach Golf Course and Resort. Make time for this gorgeous scenic drive.
Read MoreA Month of Sonoma Winery Visits
Any time is a good time for a visit to country. While many people first think of Napa Valley wineries, don’t forget to think of the other side of the bay, and the wonderful wineries in Sonoma County. Wine related travel is a popular part of a visit to Sonoma County. With 13 American Viticultural areas, each with distinctive characteristics, the Pacific coastline, redwood forests, fertile valleys, and mountains, all add to a success mix that creates outstanding wines. It’s a beautiful spot for a weekend of wine tasting or an easy day trip from Oakland, San Francisco, or Sacramento. Everyone has their personal wine preferences, and with over 250 Sonoma-area wineries to choose from, coming in all sizes and flavors, the task of choosing where to visit and what to taste can be overwhelming. To simplify the process, I’ve […]
Read MoreTalking About Tuscany on the Amateur Traveler
I’ve written here many times about how much I enjoy the small towns and villages in Tuscany, predominantly the southern part of the area. From staying at La Montalla in Contignano, to wine tasting in Montalcino, to shopping and dining in Pienza, to exploring in Montepulciano, it’s all part of how I love to see the Italy. This past week I had a chance to discuss some of my favorite places with Chris Christensen of the Amateur Traveler. You can listen here, or head on over to iTunes and subscribe to the Amateur Traveler. Tip: Download the past episodes and catch up on all of them when you have a chance. There’s some great stories, tips, and information to be discovered there. Travel to The Hill Towns of Southern Tuscany – Episode 350
Read MoreNo, I Don’t Want a Cracker
While he was squawking up a storm earlier, this parrot at the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Seattle suddenly got quiet when I got out the camera.
Read MoreJersey Shore: Lucy the Elephant
I love offbeat and quirky kinds of places – for just the reasons that they are offbeat and quirky. I’ve been known to drive out of my way to see the “biggest,” “smallest,” “world’s only,” “oldest” thing or place or whatever. Why not?! Although the Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage on the Jersey shore, it didn’t harm one of the shore’s iconically quirky attractions – Lucy the Elephant. Lucy is a six story, 90 ton elephant made of wood and tin sheeting. She was put up 1881 to attract tourism and development to the south Atlantic City area, and while she was architecturally unique at the time, she soon became merely the first of several zoomorphic (animal-shaped) buildings. Did you even know there was such a thing a zoomorphic architecture? Since she was originally constructed, Lucy has been a […]
Read MorePostcard from the Shower
One of the real treats of a luxury stay in a tropical resort is an outdoor shower. On a trip to the Mexico, for a stay in the Maya Riviera, I found that I preferred to step outside every morning to enjoy a shower beneath the sky. How about you? Do you like an outdoor shower?
Read MoreAnother Map Update
I love lists and maps, and when I can combine them together it’s a very good (and fun thing). I’ve now updated the list (and map) of the countries that I’ve visited. After my trip to Tokyo, I’ve got a country in Asia to check off, but still missing from the list is a visit to Africa and Australia. I must get to work on that. Here’s what the map looks like now: Create your own travel map – TravBuddy
Read MoreArizona Bound: Speaking at PhoCus Wright
After a couple weeks in Spain for TBEX Europe followed by a week in Tokyo, it was good to be home in Seattle for awhile. Now, it’s time to hit the road again, this time to Scottsdale, Arizona. I haven’t been to Arizona for quite some time, and while I hope to squeeze in a few hours of personal time, the primary purpose of the visit is to speak at PhoCus Wright. PhoCusWright is an executive level conference of travel industry leaders who meet to discover, confront, and capitalize on the latest trends and opportunities in travel. This is a group of people who are shaping the face of travel for consumers. So what am I doing there? I’ll be on a panel titled “The New Rules of Social Engagement,” one of the hot trends in the travel industry right […]
Read MorePostcard From: Chicago O’Hare Airport
One of the reasons I like Chicago O’Hare so much is that it’s filled with so much art. This is a walkway from the terminal to the train station.
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