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 […]
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Top 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 MoreThe East & West Bank of Luxor, Egypt
River cruising has become a popular option with cruise lovers, offering a smaller, more intimate experience, as well as the opportunity to visit destination not otherwise accessible by larger ships. It’s also a way many novice travelers choose to visit more exotic locations, providing them with the security and comfort of luxury holidays while still allowing them a bit of adventure. A little taste of a destination on a cruise often leads to a return visit. A cruise in Egypt has become a popular choice, giving travelers an opportunity to see an ancient country fully engaged in modern day. It doesn’t hurt that it has nearly year round sunny weather, either! And seeing the country on a cruise gives travelers the security of fresh drinkable water, ice, and safe food. When most people think of Egypt they think of the […]
Read MoreA Little Austria in Montana: Cathedral of St Helena
Seen from a distance the Cathedral of St. Helena is impressive, but when you get inside, impressive doesn’t begin to convey the beauty of the neo-Gothic Cathedral. If your travel plans call for a visit to the area, it’s worth the time to stop off to check it out. Located in Helena, Montana, the Cathedral is modeled after the Votive Church of the Sacred Heart in Vienna, Austria. It was opened in 1914 (when the first service were held), but wasn’t finished, however, until 1924. Although the Cathedral was seriously damaged in an earthquake in 1935, it was reconstructed preserving both the impressive architecture and adding earthquake-proofing construction. It still maintains an impressive and imposing presence in Helena, attracting worshippers and travelers alike. As you walk up its stone stairs, take a moment to look behind you at the downtown […]
Read MoreNew Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Sites
I became fascinated with UNESCO World Heritage sites a few years ago when I realized the incredible diversity in the type of places and things on the list. Whenever I’m researching a new location, one of the first things I look for are the sites that are on the UNESCO list. While it’s not the be-all nor end-all of places that I’ll eventually visit, it helps me learn a lot about my eventual destination and get a feel for where I’m going. The island nation of New Zealand has three sites on the UNESCO list, just part of the reason that New Zealand is popular with visitors from the U.K., United States, and Australia. New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Island – The five southernmost island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island) are referred to as the New […]
Read MoreNew York City Airport Transportation
If a visit to New York City is in your plans, you’ll enjoy today’s guest post outlining your options from getting into the city from the area’s three major airports. One method not mentioned, and I think worth exploring, in the train/subway connection. Do your homework and you’ll save time and money. —- Whether flying for business or leisure, planning transportation can often bet the most challenging part of a trip. Not only that, but if there is something that travelers typically forget to plan for, transportation and parking is often that one thing. Thus, many travelers have to settle for the most convenient transportation and parking options, which aren’t always the most economical. This couldn’t more so be the case than in NYC, which has multiple airports, including the big three, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark. As one of the […]
Read MoreLatino Culture on LA’s Olvera Street
Olvera Street, also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument, is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles. The block-long street, one of the oldest in the city, features historic buildings lining a traditional Mexican style plaza, and is home to one of the most colorful marketplaces that you’ll ever see. The street was originally a short lane called Wine Street. The lane was eventually extended, and the name changed to honor Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles. Although it became a dirty, unused alley for a period of time, the area was eventually rehabilitated, closed off to vehicles, trees were planted, and a large wooden cross was put up at the south end of the street. Olvera Street officially opened on Easter Sunday 1930, and provided a place for Mexican American vendors to sell their goods […]
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