Traveling is the gift we give to ourselves.  It broadens the mind with gentle education, helps you appreciate the diversity of cultures, and once awakened the spirit of adventure will call you over and over again.  Not everyone will visit the Galapagos Islands or stand next to the idols on Christmas island.  However not all travel is to exotic destinations.  I'm working on my list of adventures that will take a lifetime to complete - and helping you accomplish your list is what I do.

Do you want suggestions? I've traveled to many of the big cities in the USA and believe every American should visit Washington D.C. at least once.  It's a great vacation and one you'll talk about for years. Or how about a cruise through the Panama Canal - a wonder of engineering and built under incredible conditions. Have you seen the highest mountain on our continent - Denali,  the Great One, or its most recent name, Mt. McKinley? The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument; our national parks are beautiful and accessible. I have a long USA list and the Kentucky Derby is still on it.

I've hiked a section of Kings Canyon in Australia and witnessed a sunrise in the Outback. My open water dive certificate is from Fiji - I prefer warm water diving, don't you? I've explored underwater in Hawaii, several areas in Mexico, Tahiti, and the Caribbean. I have spent about a month in combined trips to Italy staying in villas, hotels, B&B's, exploring by train and rental car, visiting the Vatican, the Uffizi Museum, the walled cities of Cortona and Lucca, into the catacombs outside of Rome; these are just a few of the experiences I can share with you. How about somewhere closer? Canada for instance - the skiing is fantastic, or view the polar bears of Churchill, attend the Stampede in Calgary.  These all await the adventurous in spirit.

Thailand - one of my most strenuous trips with an elephant ride through the Teak Forest and the river canal shopping in Bangkok, with amazing palace visits during the day and open markets to shop at night.  The Cloud Forest in Costa Rica really challenged me to cross a dozen suspension bridges but I was rewarded with howler monkeys and the most beautiful hummingbirds I've ever seen in a secluded feeding area where I was "buzzed" by hummers the size of robins! 

I like to cruise - I get on a ship often.  My next one is to Alaska with my mother and her friend who have never seen our 49th state.  It will be my third cruise in Alaska and I'm looking forward to sharing it with them.  That's what travel means to me - sharing the memories and enticing others to adventure out of our backyard.  Let me help you add an adventure to your life story!

Money Abroad - a New Travel Scam

June 28, 2011

I like to share travel tips when I hear a good one or read an article that brings up a good point.  I just had clients return from Italy and they told me about "trick" that's being used to scam money.  Scam really isn't the right word, but it's the best I can come up with to describe it.  It's cab drivers who seem to be the most efficient scammers.  When you pay the fare to the driver, the money is palmed for a smaller bill and the driver insists you didn't...

New Non-Smoking Policy on Princess Cruise Lines

June 15, 2011

Cruise lines have been restricting smoking areas for years, some have even banned it in all public spaces.  A select few have enacted policies strictly prohibiting smoking in all personal cabins.  Princess Cruise Line has just announced their new policy for all sailing starting January 15th of 2012.  No smoking in any cabin.  If you get caught, even on the balcony, the fine is $250 and it's posted to the cabin account.  That fine can be assessed every time the violation...

Hurricane Season Predictions

June 09, 2011

It's official - the season for hurricanes in 2011 is predicted to be interesting.  More activity than the previous two years is expected.  Where is the hurricane zone?  It's not just the Gulf Coast area or the Caribbean.  It's a broader area:  Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Atlantic Coast, and the Pacific Coast areas are on the list.  Cyclones can occur in Tahiti and Fiji, and the Cooks.So as a traveler what does that mean to you?  First - get travel...