Thoughts and Tips #42 - May 24, 2015

In this issue:

-Want to Travel? Stop Thinking
-sateless suitcase | 10 Things that Surprised Me about Jordan
-Out in France: The secret to language learning success
-Prioritizing Quality Time v Counting Countries: Encouraging Full Cultural Immersion with Hanne Velik - Mapping Megan
-Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Cuba
-How to Choose Great Locally Owned Accommodations When You Travel | Cosmos Mariners
-Rooftop Gardens of Hong Kong | Explore Traveler
-Confessions of a Cruise Ship Chef
-61 Travel Tips to Make You the World's Savviest Traveler | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Want to Travel? Stop Thinking

Helsinki Cathedral. Photo by Dimitry B via Flickr

Some people are impulsive. They live on the edge, on whims, and flights of fancy. Other people are planners. They research their trips and want details, and more information. Most everyone fits somewhere between these two extremes, but I (usually) fall into the latter category. I plan, and I research, and I think, and then I overthink. When it comes to travel, sometimes thinking is bad. Not that you shouldn't think at all. Please don't be stupid. Just don't think, or maybe to be a bit more specific...
Read more...


sateless suitcase | 10 Things that Surprised Me about Jordan

Looking back, I had no idea what Jordan was going to be like before I boarded my flight. I had tried to google some of the places on our #GirlsGoneJordan itinerary, but in the end I traveled to...
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Out in France: The secret to language learning success

Learning a new language can be a humbling process. And time consuming and frustrating but also rewarding and fun. Depending upon your goals and how much time you have to learn a language, it may take a while before you get to a point where you feel comfortable conversing with others. But mo matter where you are now and where you'd like to be in the future, there's a secret to language learning success. It'll help you to look like you're better at a foreign language than you actually are. Her's the secret to looking like a pro even when you're not.
Read more...








Prioritizing Quality Time v Counting Countries: Encouraging Full Cultural Immersion with Hanne Velik - Mapping Megan

There are many different ways to travel, however for those looking to achieve full cultural immersion; that is to discover new cultures and impact and interact with local communities along the way, it is essential to dedicate quality time to each destination, more-so than you would in an average trip. And no-one knows this better than Hanne Hellvik, a traveler who has visited over 50 countries...
Read more...


Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Cuba

Cuba is a land with fascinating history. This Caribbean island was once the busy intersection stop for travelers, treasure bearers and pirates. Many people seeking the fortunes of the newly found America made their home here and gave birth to an amazing and diverse...
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How to Choose Great Locally Owned Accommodations When You Travel | Cosmos Mariners

Over the years, I've stayed in many hotels. Some were awesome, some were so-so, and some had me worried that I would see the next sunrise.

One thing that I have learned along the way is that some of my favorite stays have been at locally owned and independently operated places: each is different, and your stay is more likely to leave an impression.

Read more...















Rooftop Gardens of Hong Kong | Explore Traveler

Rooftop gardens are making a debut in the corporate jungle of Hong Kong. For years the citizens have been on the long road to disconnect from nature and now it is a long way home. In the 90's over 1/3 of the produce sold in Hong Kong was local, now it is a little more than 2%. There was a time that in the New Territories, the land that stretches from urban Kowloon to the border with mainland China, that farming reigned supreme. Now these farms too, have gone the way of urban life. Most of the food eaten in Hong Kong comes from...
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Confessions of a Cruise Ship Chef

A typical cruise ship kitchen (Photo: Oceania Cruises)

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a cruise ship kitchen? How the staff keeps hungry passengers satisfied on a long sailing? We caught up with executive chef Jörg Becker aboard Oceania Cruises' Nautica en route from Tokyo to Hong Kong. It was a full sailing, which meant that  Becker had plenty of mouths to feed each day

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61 Travel Tips to Make You the World's Savviest Traveler | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Most people aren't born savvy travelers. It's something that only comes with on the road experience. In the  beginning, you make a lot of mistakes. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behaviour, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you being to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.

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Thoughts and Tips #37 - May 9, 2015

In this edition:

-Reflections After The Nepal Earthquake - Travel Addicts
-Cuba's crumbling beauty is, oddly, part of its appeal
-Bastille - Pompeii - Acoustic [Live in Paris] - YouTube
-Festivals in May 2015 | Worldwide festivals guide (Conde Nast Traveller)
-Central America: Border Crossing Fees | Road Affair
-How To Beat Jet Lag (And Why It Happens) - Digg
-Every Question You've Ever Had About Flying, Answered By A Pilot | Supercompressor


Reflections After The Nepal Earthquake - Travel Addicts

My heart breaks at the destruction in the Nepal earthquake last week. I lived in the Himalayan kingdom during the early days of the civil war. I struggled to make sense of the violence and human suffering in the most beautiful place on earth. I learned that Nepal can be both Shangri-La and Hell on Earth.
Read more...





Cuba's crumbling beauty is, oddly, part of its appeal

Cuba confounds. The decay of the buildings belies their comeliness, suggesting an impoverished land with all its attendant problems, but not so Cuba.
Read more...






Bastille - Pompeii - Acoustic [Live in Paris] - YouTube

Filmed at Le Petit Palais, Musee de Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
(As you travel, sometimes you just come upon great performances that appeal to you in one way or another.)


Festivals in May 2015 | Worldwide festivals guide (Conde Nast Traveller)

Credit: Getty

New York
New York Sound City | 1-3 May 2015
An extension of Liverpool Sound City, fittingly, the Brooklyn incarnations theme is British Invasion. There'll be hip hop panels, roundtable discussions, interviews and performances - all of which will aim to expound on the subject of how Brit musicians have re-interpreted and re-packages US music and sold it back to the States.
Read more...



Central America: Border Crossing Fees | Road Affair

Border crossing fees suck but what makes it even wors(e), is not knowing exactly what the 'real' border fees are. There are almost never signs at the border, just people telling you what to pay and Central America is not different. While traveling throughout Central America, one of the hardest things to find out was the land border crossing fees for entering and exiting a country in Central America...
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How To Beat Jet Lag (And Why It Happens) - Digg

Why you get jet lag and what to do about it.
(Click each drawing.)
Read more...








Every Question You've Ever Had About Flying, Answered By A Pilot | Supercompressor

Let's just put it right out there: flying is a king-sized pain in the ass.

The cramped seats, the recycled air, the turbulence, the mysterious noises, and whaaaaaaaaaat' the deal with the food? If you can identify with the fourth of the population that gets freaked out from flying, you know there's little one can do or say to quell...

Read more...

Thoughts and Tips #36 - May 7, 2015

In this issue:

-US Approves Select Ferry Service to Cuba | Travel Pulse
-Visiting Thailand: The Best Places To Visit - This Way To Paradise - Beaches, Islands, And Travel
-Real Men Eat Iguana Eggs and Papuse | Global Degree | Seeker Network
-Oregon May Just Be The Most Stunning State In America: Here's Proof
-What Not to Pack for a Cruise: An Updated List of Things You Should Not Bring Onboard | The Lido Deck
-Ryanair cuts unpopular airport check-in fee - Telegraph

US Approves Select Ferry Service to Cuba | Travel Pulse

courtesy Thinkstock

For the first time since the U.S. imposed a trade embargo on Cuba more than five decades ago, select ferry service between the two countries has been approved.

According to the Sun Sentinel, four companies - Havana Ferry Partners of Fort Lauderdale, Baja Ferries of Miami, United Caribbean...

Read more...

Visiting Thailand: The Best Places To Visit - This Way To Paradise - Beaches, Islands, And Travel

If you are visiting Thailand, figuring out the best places to visit in Thailand is overwhelming. As someone who has visited Thailand many times, plus lived there, I have great suggestions for the places you shouldn't miss.

Read more...

Real Men Eat Iguana Eggs and Papuse | Global Degree | Seeker Network

Check out the very unexplored and very exotic El Salvador!

Many travelers avoid El Salvador on their way through central America, and it's a mistake. Watch as Mike and Alex explore the world's finest coffee and surfing, have laughs with the locals, and even take the adventure to 20, 000 feet overlooking the nation's capital...
Read more...


Oregon May Just Be The Most Stunning State In America: Here's Proof

You can wander the whole United States, but you won't find any place like Oregon. This coastal paradise is chock-full of lakes, mountains, rivers and valleys that blossom with life in spring and turn blazing colors in fall. You can hike, bike, snowboard, canoe, zip line or row along trails, streams or perfectly manicured waterfront gardens in the state's quaint cities and towns. Oh, and did we mention the beaches are dazzling too?

Read more...







What Not to Pack for a Cruise: An Updated List of Things You Should Not Bring Onboard | The Lido Deck

We don't know why, but Carnival's FAQ on "Are there restrictions on what we can bring aboard?" tends to spark either controversy or hilarity. Five years ago, an attempt to ban high-wattage hair dryers had female cruisers up in arms. A more recent perusal of the list shows that the Beards at Carnival, as the line's own blogger John Heald calls them, have left no stone unturned when it comes to being clear about what...
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Ryanair cuts unpopular airport check-in fee - Telegraph

Photo: Getty

Ryanair has announced a further reduction of its fees and charges as part of ongoing attempts to improve its image.

The low-cost airline - which unveiled its new "customer-friendly" ethos 18 months ago - has cut its airport check-in fee, which applies to anyone who forgets to check in online before their flight...

Read more...

News and Tips #20 - Monday, March 16, 2015

In this issue:

-8 Ways You Can Enjoy an Adult Spring Break
-Italy's 10 Beautiful Coastal Towns To Visit Before You Die
-6 of the World's Most Amazing Train Journeys
-Worried You're Missing the Boat on Travel to Cuba? Relax. | Toravelpulse
-61 Travel Tips to Make You the World's savviest Traveler | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
-Top 5 Auckland day trips | Man vs World
-Cruising for All Tastes - NYTimes.com
-Top 15 long haul destinations for over 50s | Travel News Travel | Daily Express


8 Ways You Can Enjoy an Adult Spring Break

Tired of winter? Want to escape to somewhere warmer?

You're not alone. The crazy cold winter much of the U.S. and Canada has suffered through has sparked many warm-weather travel dreams.

But the last thing you want is to select a spot for your getaway - and find that the young spring break party crowd...
Read more...


Italy's 10 Beautiful Coastal Towns to Visit Before You Die

Along with exquisite cruising, unique history and an enviable climate, Italy also boasts a never-ending list of postcard-perfect coastal towns. Each with its own panorama of breathtaking ocean views, the towns are easy on the eye from sea-level too, with row upon row of coloured houses blanketing the dramatic cliff-faces; there's no surprise that these towns are a hit with tourists. We look at ten of these gorgeous spots,
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6 of the World's Most Amazing Train Journeys

A spot of luxury travel...

No rickety tea carts or sweaty suits here, just six of the most awe-inspiring train journeys in the world.
Read more...





Worried You're Missing the Boat on Travel to Cuba? Relax. | TravelPulse

I've been a regular visitor to Cuba since 1999, and for the last four years I've taken multiple annual trips to the island. From U.S.-based acquaintances who have yet to travel to Cuba, I often hear a version of lament: "Oh damn! I need to get down there soon, before everything changes."
Read more..





61 Travel Tips to Make You the World's Savviest Travel | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Most people aren't born savvy travelers. It's something that only comes with on the road experience. In the beginning, you make a lot of mistakes. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate...
Read more...


Top 5 Auckland day trips | Man vs World

If you've got a free day in Auckland and you've already seen everything the city has to offer, you should hit the road (or water) and explore the surrounding area.

If you happen to be looking for inspiration - and you're reading this, so most likely you are - I can recommend these awesome Auckland self-drive day trips...
Read more...




Cruising for All Tastes - NYTimes.com

The efforts of cruise lines to meet consumer demand has exploded into an expansive array of vacation options, from intimate yacht-like departures to floating family-friendly theme parks. The 63 cruise company members of the Cruise Line Industry Association estimate passenger volume will grow to 23 million this year, up nearly a million over 2014.
Read more...



Top 15 long haul destinations for over 50s | Travel News | Travel | Daily Express

Desperate to escape Britain's miserable weather a growing number of over-50s are seeking brighter shores in far-flung destinations across the globe. A new study has found the most lust after trips.

Sadly nine out of ten Brits regret not travelling more with loved ones when they were younger, however, over-50s are proving its never too late with many jetting to all four corners of the globe.
Read more..

Cuban sunrise

Sunny thoughts...

Sunny thoughts..,

Cayo Coco, Cuba

News and Tips #12 - Sunday, March 1, 2015

Sunday, March 1, 2015

In this issue:
-Cuba Flights From the U.S. are Now Open To Book Online With CheapAir
-How To Plan Your Best Spring Break Ever - CBS Los Angeles
-10 Proven Tips: How to Bargain Like a Pro When Traveling
-EuroTravelogue: A Guided Tour Through Rome With Angels and Demons Pointing the Way
-Are These America's Happiest Airports
-Pacific Crest Trail Expects Tourism Boost from Reese Witherspoon's "Wild"

Cuba Flights From the U.S. are Now Open To Book Online With CheapAir

Americans are already going bonkers over eased travel restrictions to Cuba, and now one company is calling itself the first to offer flights from the U.S. to the island 90 minutes off the coast of Florida.

Travel website CheapAir debuted a "U.S. to Cuba" booking option Thursday, allowing users to find and book travel to Havana.
Read more...

How To Plan Your Best Spring Break Ever - CBS Los Angeles

Spring Break 2015 is just around the corner and if you're looking for tips on how to have the best spring break ever, you've come to the right place. Even if your class finals are inching closer, you should take some time to do some planning and figure out where you're going who's coming along for the ride. In order to stay safe and have the time of your life with your bestie, read on for five valuable tips for you best spring break ever.
Read more...

10 Proven Tips: How To Bargain Like a Pro When Traveling

Getting this at the local rate is not always easy when travelling. In western countries bargaining ins not always acceptable and as travelers we are sometimes not used to this game and the rules that come along with it. It's common to hear tourists complaining about prices being inflated by local sellers to make a few extra dollars without them noticing.
Read more...

EuroTravelogue: A Guided Tour Through Rome With Angels and Demons Pointing the Way

If this is your first visit to Rome, Italy, and you're not sure where to start, where to go or what to do, then seek out the "Path of Illumination," pun intended, on one of the most popular tours in Rome - "Angels and Demons Tour." Direct from Dan Brown's highly acclaimed bestseller "Angels and Demons", this tour introduces Rome's most famous landmarks as you follow in the footsteps of Brown's fictional character...

Read more...

Are These America's Happiest Airports?

Most of us dread layovers. The waiting, the greasy food, not to mention the unpleasant lighting can really dampen the whole vacation experience.

But apparently there are a few airports in the country where you may actually want to stop over.

Dating site MissTravel.com polled over 50,000 people and came up with a list of what may be America's happiest airports. With perks like great local food, variety of shops, free Wi-Fi and other activities, these hubs make travel a breeze.

Read more...

Pacific Crest Trail Expects Tourism Boost from Reese Witherspoon's "Wild"

During her three-month journey through the wilderness with no cellphone and no money, Strayed analyzed her divorce, the recent death of her mother, and her reckless behaviour. This journey of self-discovery was chronicled in her emotional memoir, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail".


Cheryl Strayed set out on a 1,100 mile journey on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to find herself. It was 1995, she was 26, and completely alone.

Read more...

Cuban breezes...

Sunny thoughts....

Cayo Coco, Cuba

Going to Cuba: For Now

The announcement of changes to the US embargo on Cuba in December 2014 has brought renewed excitement for travellers.  Americans want to visit this land so rich in culture and history.  Especially for some it is a chance to return to their homeland, or the land of their heritage.

While the excitement rises the opportunity for travel is still limited.  Independent travel is still not an option.  However, travelling through cultural programs is a viable and expanding option.

Read how US tour operators are responding for Americans to travel to Cuba in 2015.

Cuba - 6 interesting facts

With the relaxing of the US embargo on Cuba late last year, there has been an increased interest in the island, and in travel to it.  Here are 6 interesting facts about Cuba.

1) The beaches are gorgeous.

2) Rum based drinks are quite popular.
    Cuba was the home of Barcardi
    distillers until the revolution.  It was
    the 'birthplace' of the mojito.

3) Yes, there are a lot of old cars.
     Cuban citizens can only own
     cars from 1959 or earlier -
     those seized from their previous
     owners during the revolution.

4)  Baseball is the favourite sport in
     Cuba.














5) Cuba has a very high literacy rate - 99.8%.
    This is one of the highest rates in the world.


6) Cuba has one of the best universal health care
    systems in the world.  As well, because there are
    so many doctors that they are often sent to other
    countries where there is a shortage of them.