While riding in a gondola in Venice is one of the most common ways to see the city, it is also one of the most expensive. A ride on the traghetto, a sort of foot ferry on a gondola, is usually crowded and quick, leaving little time to see the city from the water. A ride on the vaporetto (water taxi) can be so crowded that you may not even be able to see the water from your standing spot. Although I think a trip to Venice should include all three of the above, on a hot summer day I’d suggest taking to the water on a motor boat. A motor boat will take you nearly everywhere that a gondola will. The faster pace may be a little less romantic, but the trade off is a little breeze on your […]
Read MoreHow to Spend a Day at Woodland Park Zoo
As big of a fan as I am of seeing the world, I’m likewise a fan of seeing my own community. So it was with that in mind that I’m staying close to home this Labor Day Weekend. The Seattle weather forecast is sunny and warm (score!), there’s tons to do around the King-Pierce-Snohomish area, and it’s a chance to see some of the things that it is so easy to take for granted. So I headed off to Woodland Park Zoo for the day. Woodland Park Zoo is located in the Phinney Ridge area and has been serving as the city’s zoo for over 100 years. It is often cited as one of the best zoos in the U.S. Today, the zoo complex spreads out over 92 acres, and includes animals and exhibits, open space, a rose garden, many […]
Read MoreWater Adventure Thrills in Cape Town
South Africa is known for many activities most notably wine and safaris. However, in Cape Town, South Africa there are even more possibilities – some fantastic water experiences – particularly since the city sits near the exact spot where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. Folks often head to Cape Town for some downtime after a wildlife safari, but how about an added adrenaline rush of a shark cage dive. After viewing the wildlife on safari, get up a little closer and try swimming with Jackass African penguins. Or for something a little less active, you can go whale watching from the shore or on a boat, giving you plenty of opportunities to admire the grace and beauty of the migrating Southern Right Whale. Feel the Adrenaline as you Shark Cage Diving This adrenalin rush of an adventure activity […]
Read MoreTop 5 Drives with Views of the Ocean
When heading to the beach, the fun usually starts when you arrive at your destination. However, sometimes the stunning views along the road to the beach can mean that the journey itself is an enjoyable one thanks to the amazing sights you can take in along the way. Great ocean drives allow you to witness some stunning scenery of both sea and land while enjoying the freedom of the open road. Below, are five of the best driving routes with views of the ocean: Pacific Coast Highway – California Heading along the Pacific Coast Highway in southern California will see you travelling a 123-mile route that affords breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Starting from Monterey, the highway takes you through the Big Sur region of the state to Morro Bay and as it is a designated All-American Road, you […]
Read MoreLjubljana Castle Blends History & Culture in Slovenia
If you’re a castle lover, Slovenia is the right place for a blend of history and culture in a country that’s still untainted by the tourist factor. First stop on your list will likely be the capital city’s Ljubljana Castle built in the 15th century. Located in the city of its namesake, the castle sits atop a hill with sweeping views of the city and the countryside and it’s the largest and most visited castle in the country. Not surprising. It’s free to enter the castle courtyard so even if you just want a good view and a cup of coffee or glass of wine at the top, you’ll be able to take in the atmosphere no cost. Guided tours take place daily from June to mid-September at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and are about an hour long. From […]
Read MoreItalian Vacation: Gondolas in Venice
Can there be a more iconic experience of Venice than a ride in a gondola? For centuries this flat-bottomed boat was the primary means of transportation and moving goods within the city Venice, but today they are primarily used for sightseeing by visitors, weddings and funerals, and the occasional regatta. So yes, riding on a gondola is a touristy thing to do – but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss it out of hand. This quintessential experience can be relaxing, fun, and romantic. It will let you see the city from the water, and for a few minutes, let you imagine what the city was like in an earlier era. The cheapest way to ride a gondola is also the quickest. For about a dollar (depending on exchange rates) you can take a traghetto, a sort of foot ferry shuttling […]
Read More10 Fashion Tips to Help You Pack for a European Vacation
Travel and fashion can often be a difficult combination, especially when that travel is a 24 hour journey to one of the most fashionable countries in the world. At home it’s easy to throw on a pair of shorts and flip flops for bumming around during the day, and when you need to class it up a bit, you’ve got your whole closet right there waiting for you. But packing smart for an extended vacation means packing light, so it’s easy to let fashion fall by the wayside. While certain concessions need to be made for practicality’s sake, with a little bit of effort can help you blend in and look like a local and not a tourist. Here are a few of the fashion trends that I noticed in Italy this year, and which can easily be incorporated into […]
Read MoreHollywood in Ohio with The Shawshank Trail
In 1982 Stephen King published a simple little novella titled Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It was part of a collection of stories and was hailed as a masterpiece. The novella was adapted for the big screen as The Shawshank Redemption and was a modest hit. . . at least until awards season rolled around when it received seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. and catapulted into the stratosphere of top-watched movies. Many people, myself included, had never heard of the novella until the movie came out, but in the years since it’s release in 1994 Shawshank has achieved nearly cult status. The plot is a simple one: Young banker (Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins) is convicted, perhaps wrongfully so, for the murder of his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two life sentences […]
Read MoreSmall Plates Delight at Julian Serrano at ARIA Las Vegas
Last fall I stayed at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and became a fan of the LEED certified property. While there, I saw the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis!, spent an afternoon at the spa, and had many fine meals, one of which was at Julian Serrano, a Spanish restaurant. Julian Serrano offers classic Spanish fare that includes hot and cold tapas, paella, and a variety of seafood dishes. My first visit was as part of a large group attending Blog World Expo. Since then, however, I’ve been back quite a few times – both with friends and as a solo diner. The restaurant has an open floor plan, and is vibrant and noisy as guest pass, share, and talk about their choices. If you’re looking for a fun and lively meal, this is the place. […]
Read MoreSubversive Ways of Seeing London
Are you tired of doing the same thing day in, day out? Do your travel plans seem a bit routine? Have you gotten stuck in a rut? Today we have a guest post from travel writer Andrea Kirkby who is trying to convince us of ways to look at things differently while in London. —- I recently met up with a friend who has been living in West London for a while. After being there a month or so, he found that he was sticking to a rather regular pattern of commuting, rarely going out of his particular area and not seeing much of the city. Most of us get like that after a while, but he decided to do something about it. Every time he went to a meeting or to visit a friend, he decided to get off […]
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