Today I have an important guest post that will be of importance to anyone who suffers from ear discomfort while flying. I’m a sufferer, as a result of allergy and sinus-related issues, so have to take a lot of precautions when I travel. And that includes not flying when my ears get too bad! —- As a former hospital nurse and now as a nurse consultant in the travel industry, I have found patient/traveler education vital to success when dealing with health issues. Understanding the function of the body greatly increases compliance and personal satisfaction in preventing or treating ailments. I have found this especially true when reaching out to those who suffer with ear problems associated with flying, scuba diving, allergies, or colds. Most people are aware that ears can be an issue when flying – and many think […]
Read More30 Free Things to Do in Santa Barbara
In honor of Buy Nothing Day, Friday, November 26th, this post will try to convince you that the best things in life are free – even when it comes to travel! So let go of your need for expensive 5-star hotels, gourmet meals, and spa treatments. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying those delectable luxuries (and I do enjoy them), sometimes you need to get back in touch with reality by traveling on the cheap – or free. There are plenty of things to do and see for FREE, even though you might be traveling to an expensive part of the country. With its beautiful location on the ocean, and its lovely temperate weather, Santa Barbara is often referred to as the American Riviera, and common sense tells you that’s not going to come cheap. Still, this seaside community located […]
Read MoreRocky Balboa, Art & Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is as important to the City of Brotherly Love as it was to boxer Rocky Balboa, the unlikely here of the movie Rocky and its sequels. Rocky, played by Sylvester Stallone, trained for his first big fight by running up the steps of the museum. While a visit to the museum will usually find someone running up the steps, known as the Rocky Steps, merely walking up them gives you entrance to a very special world of art and culture. And yes, there’s plenty of people grasping their hands overhead in the Rocky stance! The museum was founded in 1876 in conjunction with the Centennial Exposition and opened to the public the following year. The current building, quasi-Greek revival in design, was opened in 1928. The museum houses impressive collections of paintings from Renaissance masters, […]
Read MoreDinner & Movie at Foreign Cinema
Long the classic date, dinner and a movie usually requires delicate timing. And early dinner and a late movie? Or an early movie and a late dinner? With both choices fraught with potential for timing disasters and arguments, why not do both at the same time — at San Francisco’s Foreign Cinema. Movies, which start at dusk, are screened in the covered outdoor courtyard. Seating is available in the courtyard, inside by the fire, and upstairs in the semi-private mezzanine that overlooks the dining room. In addition to the dining room, cocktails and a complete menu are served in the main bar and on the patio. The menu and wine list, which changes daily, are heavy on California-Mediterranean cuisine, and features a good selection of plates suitable for sharing. If you’re not ready to call it a night after dinner and […]
Read MoreHonolulu’s Punchbowl Honors Veterans
Overlooking the city of Honolulu is the extinct volcano Punchbowl Crater, home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, frequently referred to as Punchbowl Cemetery, or simply the Punchbowl. In addition to its tremendous views of the city, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl is the final resting place for veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During holidays, the individual graves are decorated with small flags, making it a quite sobering view. Marble slabs called the Courts of the Missing list the names of military personnel who are missing in action or who were lost or buried at sea (in photo above). At the base of the staircase leading up to the Courts of the Missing reads the following inscription: In these gardens are recorded the names of […]
Read More5 Less Visited European Destinations That are Worth the Trip
Today I have a guest post that going to push us onto a different path, the less traveled one, as we visit another side of Europe. —- Many of us, who have traveled Europe extensively, know the continent’s greatest and most popular resorts and have grown tired of the tourist traps and overcrowded summer seasons. With so many well established resorts available, it’s easy to overlook some of Europe’s most charming destinations that are just a bit off the beaten path. These are destinations that can offer the same level of services, better views and a guarantee that you will still have the best holiday ever, with a wide range of prices to suit every budget. All the great stuff, but without the melting pot of tourism. So open your hearts and minds and dare to explore Europe all over […]
Read MoreTop 10 Things To Do In London For A Wheelchair User
Today I have a guest post on a topic I know very little about – accessible travel. I take for granted getting up and down stairs, walking down narrow cobblestone streets, and making plans with very little thought. While not every traveler is as carefree with planning their vacation, accessibility is no longer the barrier to travel that it once was. Here’s what you can expect from accessible London —- Many of the tourist attractions in London are wheelchair friendly, although some are unfortunately entirely inaccessible. Here is a list of what I feel are the top ten wheelchair friendly things to do in London, but if you have something else in mind that does not appear on this list, just call ahead to check accessibility or to organize special assistance. Calling ahead is particularly important if you are travelling […]
Read MoreCoral Reefs and Ancient History: Exploring Egypt
Today I have a guest post about a fascinating part of the world, Egypt. It offers so many things to see, do, and experience, it’s hard to know where to start. Amanda starts with diving in the Red Sea. —- When vacationing in Egypt there are countless wonders to capture the imagination. From the natural coral reefs to ancient historical sites, Egypt will never fail to amaze. Despite the geological structure of the Red Sea often constraining the development of coral reefs, coastal Egypt is rich in these wonderful natural formations. As a consequence of this, the area has recently become a hot spot for divers with the area around Sharm-el-Sheikh fast becoming one of the best dive sites in the world. The site boasts 65 km of long reefs which are among the most spectacular of any on the […]
Read MoreHotel Review: ARIA Hotel at City Center, Las Vegas
Earlier this month, while I was in Las Vegas for Blog World & New Media Expo, I had the pleasure of staying at the ARIA Hotel at City Center. Over the years, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time in Las Vegas. It’s a haven for conference, convention, and trade shows, and at only a couple hours out of Seattle, it’s a popular choice for a quick getaway weekend. I’m not jaded at everything that the city has to offer, it’s just that I’ve seen most of it and so it takes a lot to impress me. But impress it did! Like most hotel properties on the strip, ARIA is best reached from the airport via cab. The fare from the airport to the hotel will run about $15-16, including tip and the required airport add-on fee. The […]
Read MoreMauritius Tempts Travelers with Beautiful Beaches
If you like unusual and out-of-the way destinations, some place that most of your friends have never heard of, then put travel to Mauritius on your bucket list. This island nation of the east coast of Madagascar is one that many people have never heard of, let alone thought about visiting. What does Mauritius have to offer a traveler? Beaches! It’s an island — so of course there are miles and miles of beaches to tempt you: Pointe aux Piments is popular with snorkelers looking for beautiful underwater scenery Trou aux Biches is home to a Hindu temple Choisy, one of the most popular beaches on the island, is great for its selection of water sports Belle Mare offers beautiful white sandy and crystal blue water (in photo) Blue Bay, probably the finest beach on the island, has a beautiful […]
Read More