I’ve spent the past few days in Denver and then in Keystone, Colorado, for TBEX – the world’s largest gathering travel bloggers, writers, and new media content creators. As the TBEX Conference Director, I attended all the events but often found myself so busy that I didn’t have a chance to connect with all the travel bloggers that I wanted to. For those new friends and old who I had the opportunity to chat with, please know that it’s your energy, enthusiasm, and love for travel that makes the conference so great – and that keeps me so enthused. And for those I was unable to connect with, I know that our paths will cross one day soon. Maybe in Girona for TBEX Europe or maybe just as our travels take us. Photo credit: From the TBEX flickr pool
Read MorePhoto Essay: A Day at Woodland Park Zoo
While Seattle may not be fully engaged in Spring, let alone tiptoeing into summer, there’s no denying that it’s been a lovely holiday weekend. So with the sun peeking through, I headed off to Woodland Park Zoo, one of my favorite things to do in the nice weather. Plus, the zoo has a few new exhibits that I hadn’t seen yet including Warthogs and the endangered Warty Pig. First stop was the Family Farm, a kid friendly stop just to the left of the South Entrance. It’s mostly farm animals, like this goat, with a few other animals rounding things out. I love watching the little kids pet the small animals; for many it’s the first glimpse at rural life. Wandering about the family farm were a few peacocks and pea hens. This guy spent some time preening before his admiring audience. […]
Read MorePhoto Friday: Art of St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice
No matter where you are in Venice, it seems like there’s an arrow pointing you to San Marco Piazza. And why not? Along with the gondolas on the Grand Canal, the piazza is one of the most popular spots in a city that’s full of popular spots. The Piazza fronts Saint Mark’s Basilica, a Catholic Cathedral and the most famous church in the city. It’s Byzantine architecture and grand design has been a symbol of the power and wealth of Venice for over 10 centuries. This photo is of the lower lower level of the Basilica, and is one of the arched portals that is surrounded by columns. The arch is above a set of bronze doors than open into the interior of the cathedral, where even more awe inducing art and architecture is found. The interior is probably best […]
Read MoreFREE Things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas
If you’re watching the budget, it’s no problem in Little Rock, Arkansas. The largest, and capital city of Arkansas, got its name from a small rock formation – la Petite Roche – that was once used as a landmark for traffic on the river. Today Little Rock offers a vast number of FREE activities that will keep you entertained for days and days. Take a look — History Learn about Civil Rights History with a visit to the circa 1927 Gothic-style Central High School, which received international attention during the Civil Rights Movement, and stop in at the museum in the restored service station across the street. The interactive exhibit “All the World is Watching Us” tells the story of the nine black students who made civil rights history when they entered Central High in September 1957. Location: 2125 Daisy […]
Read MorePhoto Friday: Wisteria on Capri
From Sorrento, a visit to the island of Capri is a short boat ride away, making it an easy day trip. In high season, reservations may be important, but otherwise just head down to Marina Grande, figure out your timing, and buy a ticket. The ticket will depend on the time of boat service and the current Euro exchange rate, but figure about $15-17 and allow 20-30 minutes transport time. Before you go to the island, though, learn how to correctly. It’s pronounced CAH-pree. The often heard cuh-PREE is a pair of pants. Locals will know what you’re talking about if you say it incorrectly, but what not try for a little authenticity. Once on the island, visitors typically either head off for a tour of the famous Blue Grotto, or take the funicular up to Capri Town. The town […]
Read MoreMay Day: How Do You Celebrate?
Today is May 1st, and depending on where you are in the world, the significance of the day runs for substantial to relatively unimportant. When I was a kid, growing up in a small town, May day was a day of leaving flowers – anonymously – on neighbor’s doorsteps. We’d gather up brightly colored construction paper, draw and decorate it, then roll and tape it into a cone. As a final touch we’d attach a thin strip to make a long handle. Once complete, we’d fill the cone with flowers from my grandmother’s garden. I’m not exactly sure what flowers we’d put in it, but grandma’s garden always seemed to have an abundant supply of blooms to fill a dozen or so May baskets. As I got older, the May baskets went from that rudimentary cone to woven ones, and […]
Read MoreBrand USA: Land of Dreams by Rosanne Cash
Brand USA officially launched at this past week’s USTA PowWow in Los Angeles. Brand USA was created in 2010 to encourage travelers from all over the world to visit the United States. The public-private marketing entity works in close partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel in communities around the country. Through its website, Discover America, Brand USA will inspire travellers to explore America’s boundless possibilities. As part of the new branding campaign, Brand USA commissioned Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash to create a song that could serve as a new anthem for America. An anthem that represented the diversity of this country and that would invite and welcome visitors from around the world to our country. Featuring guest artists that include Los Lobos, Bebel Gilberto and TREME, I think the video captures […]
Read MoreA Guide to Professional Sports in Toronto
You may not necessarily think of Toronto as a city with a rich sports culture, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! Toronto has had a sports team of some sort since the 1800s with the Granite Club, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, the Argonaut Rowing Club, and the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club. The Toronto Argonauts football was established in 1873 and is still around today! Professional sports in Toronto continue to develop and change, depending on the popularity of the particular sport and the success of the franchise. Here’s a quick guide to professional sports in Toronto to bring you up to speed: Hockey – If Toronto is known for one thing, it is the Maple Leafs, the most financially successful sports franchise in the country. Toronto has hosted several international hockey […]
Read MoreTravel Product: Cool-it-Caddy
Travel product development is a big industry, with every product hoping to be the next HOT item. Cool-it-Caddy, however, isn’t interest in HOT, it’s interested in helping you keep your cool. How? With their Icepops line – an insulated cosmetic bag that you pop in the freezer till frozen. The coolant is self contained, so there’s no drippy mess, and then when you’re ready to head out to the pool, golf course, on the water, or any other sun activity, the bag will keep your lipstick, medication, sunscreen, and healthy snacks at a cool temperature for up to 7 hours. No more melted lipstick or other cosmetic products. A few things to know: You can store the empty Icepops in the freezer, keeping it ready for use. Putting a small towel or wash cloth inside the Icepop when in the […]
Read MoreOpportunity Knocks: TBEX 2012
I’ve been busy with a few travel-related projects, and I’m excited to fill you in on one of them. I’ve been named the Conference Director for TBEX. I’m going to take this minute to brag on this opportunity a bit, and to fill in many of you unfamiliar with TBEX, and so will just publish the press release announcement. I’m VERY excited about this opportunity, and hope that some of you will consider attending the awesome event at Keystone Resort in Colorado (in photo above). It will be a great opportunity to learn about travel blogging from some of the best in the business, as well a chance to network with travel industry representatives. SAN DIEGO, April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Recently acquired by BlogWorld, TBEX ’12, the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers is taking place at the Keystone […]
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