It seems like it’s feast or famine when it comes to visiting hotels and resorts, and I have a lot of reviews that I’m working on right now. To make sure that you know what your getting when you read my reviews, I’m going to spell out my process, what I look for at a hotel, the standards I use, and my thought process. I’ll also spill my personal biases because, after all, preferences are a very personal thing. When I visit a hotel, I take down lots of details. I write notes, record audio and video, and take lots of photos. I ask questions sometimes, and other times I sit back and observe. Both levels of involvement tell you different things. I wander the hotel at different hours of the day and night, call the front desk at various […]
Read More10 Practical Beauty & Fashion Travel Necessities
When you’re traveling, the elements conspire against your body, skin and hair. Let’s face it, airplanes beat up our bodies as well as our spirits. Fashionable and practical don’t have to be mutually exclusive! Here’s my top 10 list that I think fit in both of those categories, proving that you can look good and feel good when you travel: Water – You’ll have to buy a bottle inside of security, or refill an empty bottle that you’ve brought from home, but this is the very best thing you can do for your skin, hair, and general well being. The airplane sucks all the water out of you so remember — hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. My current choice: I’ve tried a variety of water bottles, trying hard to be green, but just haven’t found one that quite does the trick. For […]
Read MoreAn Italian Retrospective
It’s with mixed feelings that I’m back in Seattle after three and a half weeks in Italy. It’s always good to come back home, of course, but there is a part of me that was left behind, waiting patiently until I come back to claim it. The pace was both busy and leisurely, with a day or two of activity followed by a day or two of rest. Leisure days were spent by the pool, taking naps, drinking wine, eating pasta and lots of gelato. Activity days were full of exploring, sightseeing, discovering new things, and lots and lots of walking to counteract all that pasta, gelato, and wine. It was the perfect combination of Adventure Holidays and Walking holidays, with plenty of rest to get ready for it all. Here are some of the highlights of the trip: Climbing […]
Read MoreClimbing Mt. Etna: MJ vs. the Volcano
One of the things that I was excited to do in Sicily was climbing Mt. Etna. At approximately 10,922 feet high, this largest active volcano in Europe was visible from the back deck of our villa. Every morning I’d take a look at how beautiful it was, it’s very top visible in the earlier morning hours, and then watch as the clouds circled about it come mid-morning. The presence of Mt. Etna, along with its history – both true and legend, dominates the island of Sicily, Make no mistake about it, this is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. This decade alone has seen two major eruptions, in 2001 and 2002, both of which caused damage to both the mountain and surrounding areas. The three of us were all interested in climbing Mt. Etna, and our choice […]
Read More7 Family Vacation Destinations that are FUN & Educational
Looking for a way to combine family travel with a little educational and cultural experience as well? There are a number of cities that can fill those specifications, blending lots of fun things to do with a quality cultural experience. There’s nothing wrong with combining plenty of relaxing downtime with an educational experience. Learning can be fun, and when I see families who go the extra mile to make it, I know that the experiences will stay with their kids for a lifetime. These US cities meet the test of having both educational and FUN attractions and things to do. If you can’t enjoy spending time in these destinations, you’re just not trying to have a good vacation! Here are my Top 7 U.S. cities for educational and cultural family travel: Boston: History tops the chart in this city, with […]
Read MoreHow to Plan for an Active Vacation
Active travelers know that if they want to enjoy their favorite activities while on vacation that it may take plenty of advance planning. Whether you’re looking for a tee time, tennis lessons, or ski weekends, you’re going to have to do a little bit of research and planning. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when you’re selecting where to go and stay: What’s my skill level? Do I want a black diamond ski run, or is the rope tow just fine? Are you looking for lessons, whether it be to learn a new activity or to hone and advance one that I currently enjoy. Do you need to work on your backswing or to learn to horseback ride? Will there be any special equipment that you need to bring along? Golf clubs, skis, snowboards, etc., can often […]
Read MoreBackpacks & Airplanes: Code of Conduct
Backpacks, once the “luggage” of choice for college-aged travelers, have become mainstream, with travelers of all ages preferring to travel light, with everything they need literally on their back. It’s simple, avoids checked bag fees and waiting time, and forces travelers to pack light. When carrying a backpack onto an airplane, however, there are inherent dangers. After traveling millions of miles, and seeing backpacks in varying sizes and design, I’ve seen far too many people injured by backpacks. So, how about we all adopt the following Backpackers Code of Conduct for Air Travel: I will walk straight down the airplane aisle, knowing that when I turn from side-to-side someone sitting or standing behind me may inadvertently get thumped by my backpack. I will turn my head to look behind me before stepping back, knowing that the person behind me may […]
Read MoreExperience Space Travel at the Astronaut Hall of Fame
At the US Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, Florida, you’ll have an opportunity to experience both the technical side of space travel, as well as the very personal side of it, with exhibits tracing our race into space, not only historically, but also from the personal perspective of participating astronauts. The Science on a Sphere exhibit offers a wonderful 3-D view of what the earth and the solar system look like when seen from space. You’ll see a season of hurricanes, watch the spectrum of commercial air traffic move across the world, and take a look at how space technology and meteorology intersect. You’ll see spacecraft from the Mercury and Apollo days, and be fascinated by the personal memorabilia on display. These artifacts tell the personal stories of the astronauts, their thoughts and dreams and goals, and speak volumes […]
Read MoreBottoms Up: Grappa in Italy
Everywhere you turn in Italy you’ll find grappa, a clear alcoholic beverage sure to knock your socks off. Grappa is made from the grape residue left over from the crush of grapes during the winemaking process, and includes the grape skins, stems, seeds, and everything else. Like many food items in Italy, the beverage originally began as a way of reducing waste and using everything up. Today, however, grappa stands on its own. Like wine, the flavor of grappa will depend on the type of grapes, growing conditions, and terroir. But grappa isn’t wine. It;s a clear liquide, with an alcohol content ranging from 35-60%, and is thick in taste and feel like Brandy. In fact, you’ll often hear it referred to as Italian Brandy. Production is a strictly regulated process, and for a liquor to be called grappa it […]
Read MoreIt’s Sicily!
It took the better part of 24 hours, but I’m finally settled into my villa in Sicily. The day started with a 3:30 am car service pick up, which started the day’s travel with a flight to Chicago, then connecting to an overnight flight to Rome. The group met up at the Rome airport, thankfully everyone’s flight was pretty close to being on time, and we caught a quick commuter flight to the island of Sicily. The villa has exceeded expectations. It’s a beautiful 4-bedroom place, surrounded by lemon trees. There’s also two dining areas, two living room areas, a kitchen with a pizza oven, and a huge wrap around deck/patio. I’ve included a few photos, but these first 24-hours are pretty much for settling in and relaxing. We’ve gone to the supermarket, set in some provisions, and the rest […]
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