Spa travel and spa visits have become an integral part of the experience for many travelers.  With tons of spa deals available. it can be hard to choose, so here’s some information to help you decide if you’d like to incorporate a spa experience into your travel plans.

Structured Spa

A stand alone destination spa, often in a resort environment, will mean your every need is catered to.  The program is often set up on a fixed schedule, meaning you need to commit to staying the required days (usually 3, 5, or 10 days), but some allow a rotating arrival and departure day.  At the spa, or occasionally in advance of your arrival, you’ll fill out a profile indicating your health history, interests, and spa goals, and from that the spa will structure your activities, appointments, treatments, and food plan.  Once you show up, all you have to do is follow your daily schedule as you go from fitness activity to beauty treatment to health education session.  Structured spas are generally all-inclusive, with the exception of tips, and cover a specified number of treatments, all classes, overnight accommodations, and meals.  Price range:  moderate to high (depending on the degree of luxury, days of program, and the number of treatments included).

Where to find a structured spa:  It’s believed that the very first spa was The Golden Door in California, but since then additional spas have cropped up around the US (Texas, northeastern US, Arizona, etc.) and the world (Mexico, Switzerland, etc.).

Resort Spa

Nearly every value luxury hotel worth their salt these days has a spa on premise offering a range of spa and beauty treatments and services.  Booking in advance is often recommended, and most offer the full menu of services online – although you may have to call for the price list.  You can also book a treatment once you’re at the hotel, although available times may be more limited.  Many hotel spas have a full fitness center that is available for complimentary use with any spa treatment, so careful timing of your appointment can help you avoid that additional service fee.  You can book one treatment, or opt for a half or full day of pampering.  Hair salons are often available, but usually operated separately from the spa.  Resort spas range from high end luxury, with amenities like soaking pools, saunas, steam rooms, fully outfitted changing rooms and showers, relaxation areas with beverages and light snacks to more austere spas with small changing rooms only.  Price range:  moderate to high (depending on hotel, degree of luxury of amenities, and treatments chosen).

Where to find a resort spa:  Any high end hotel in Las Vegas, Paris, or other major city.

Day Spa

Similar to the way a resort spa operates, a day spa offers independent treatments, services, and products without being tied to a specific structured plan.  If your hotel doesn’t offer a spa on property, or if perhaps you’d like to check out something off site, a day spa can be the way to go.  While they generally trend more toward the beauty and salon types of services (facials, massages, pedicures) rather than health (gym, fitness classes), the array of options is often staggering.  Price range:  moderate (often depending on location).

Where to find a day spa:  Check with your hotel concierge who should be able to make a recommendation and often secure your appointment.

Spa Towns

Entire towns have evolved around the ritual of taking the waters and it’s often more of a lifestyle option than an occasional pampering treatment.  You’ll find thermal and sulfur pools for soaking and relaxing, hot springs, and often those pools have plenty of mud to slather all over you for a mud treatment.  These are family friendly (previous options are adult only) and can often involve a bit of hiking a walk or hike to get to.  I enjoyed an afternoon at a bagni (Italian for bath) this past summer (photo above), and thoroughly enjoyed the different levels of pools complete with the mud from the deepest one.  It was relaxing, fun, and my skin glowed for days.  Price range:  Inexpensive (a modest entrance fee) or free.

Where to find a spa town:  Primarily in Europe, and usually near small towns.  Look for words like baths, waters, pools, or something like that (in any number of languages).   These spa towns are great fun to get a couple pals together for a vacation as they make for cheap spa breaks, leaving you free to spend money on other things.

Photo credits:  author’s personal collection

Share on Facebook

Travel to China is as exotic as it is intimidating for travelers intrigued by its blend of ancient and modern.  It’s the kind of place that even experienced travelers want a little helping hand on occasion, and for the not-quite-so-adventurous traveler it can be downright frightening to think of tackling it on your own.  For those situations where you might not be comfortable exploring on your own, a tour can be a perfect way to have a safety net for your travels.

Tour company Friendly Planet Travel, known for their very competitively priced tour packages that include round trip air, offers a new China option – the 10-day Exploration of China’s Delights. This China tour package includes visits to Beijing, Shanghai, Hanzhou, the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace, with option add-on packages that will allow for a longer stay and a visit to the Giant Panda Research Center.  Friendly Planet keeps their prices affordable by providing all you need to see, a few extras, and then leaves it up to you whether you want to enjoy the rest of your time on your own or book additional excursions.

Here are the specifics about what’s included, what’s not, and what’s extra:

• Round trip flights from LAX via Air China, including fuel charges but not including taxes and fees (which may run an additional $90 per person)
• All intra-China flights and ground transportation
• Deluxe and first class hotels with private bath
• 11 meals (8 American buffet breakfasts, 3 lunches)
• Specified tours, and entrance fees
• Professional English-speaking tour director and local guides
• Full day excursion to Great Wall of China (optional Peking Duck Dinner and Kung Fu Show $53)
• Tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace (option evening excursion to Gaobeidian Village and a visit to a school, plus the opportunity to join with a family in preparing and sharing the evening meal, $45 per person)
• Visit to Six Harmony Pagoda in Hangzhou, a tour of the area, and a visit to a tea plantation
• Other optional excursions include:  Tour of the Temple of Heaven and shopping tour of the Pearl Market ($65 per person); Huangpu River Cruise ($35 per person); tour to Suzhou, the city of gardens, and a boat ride on its canals ($85 per person)
• Optional 2-day add on to Chengdu and the Giant Panda Research Center is $699 per person, based on double occupancy (optional Baby Panda Holding experience $190 per person – and I can’t imagine being their and not taking advantage of this opportunity!)

You will also need a visa for China which will run approximately $170.  Friendly Planet will provide you will detailed instructions on how to obtain one.

If you’ve been wanting to visit China, but have been hesitant to do it on your own, these value-priced tours may be the combination of organized yet independent that you’re looking for.

Price:  $1,299, per person based on double occupancy, if booked by September 14th.  That price includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles (LAX).

Departures Dates:  Various, November 2011 – April 2012

NOTE:  Like all travel deal, there is plenty of fine print.  Read, ask questions, and get informed before you make a decision.

Photo credit:  Via flickr.  Richard Thomas (Great Wall); Matt Spurr (panda)

Share on Facebook

If it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium, but in Seattle Tuesday is sweet at ART Restaurant at the Four Seasons Seattle.  Chefs Kerry Sear and Jelle Vandenbroucke have devised a menu of creative daily specials that are tempting me to visit every day of the week.  Take a look of this delicious lineup for 7 days of the ART:

1. Sunday:  Great American Burgers & Barbecue.  All those yummy summer favorites like burgers, ribs, and corn on the cob, but with a few special Seattle Twists.  How about the Elliott Bay Burger, a short rib burger with oysters?  Or stick with the traditional slow cooked baby back ribs.  Either way, you won’t have to clean up after this summer barbecue.
2. Monday:  Sips & Tips.  Get wine pairing advice while enjoying Northwest wine flights.  It’s a great way to sample some new selections and learn more about what you like best.
3. Tuesday:  Sweet Tuesday.  Ahhhhh, the sweet smells of cakes, pastries, pies and more.  Try one of the homemade ice cream or sorbet flavors, or channel your childhood favorites with a fun twist on the push-pop.
4. Wednesday:  Organic Wednesdays.  Head out on a shopping excursion to the Pike Place market and learn how Chef Jelle Vandenbrouke buys what’s for diner.  Then later that evening, enjoy the market-to-table menu created from the shopping trip.
5. Thursday:  Northwest Best Catch.  The Northwest’s best seafood grilled, poached in sea water, sauteed, fried, and all of it delicious.  The menu will vary from week to week, but let your mouth start watering for Dungeness crab bisque, black cod fish and chips, or poached halibut.  This is the Northwest at its best.
6. Friday:  Shake, Muddle & Mix.  A perfect Friday happy hour with creative cocktails.  Come thirsty.
7. Saturday:  ART Steak House.  An TV arrange of four different cuts of steak, seasonal condiments and steak fries.  This is not your childhood TV tray!

Or, choose ART’s new happy hour.  Available 5-7 pm every day, new menu items include savory smoked salt donut holes with BBQ sauce, Whidbey Island shellfish ceviche, Skagit Valley garlic chicken ($6).  Special prices are also available on snacks (mini burger $4), shared plates (trio of potatoes $10), and cocktails ($7).

Location:  99 Union Street, Seattle (downtown)

Dates:  7 Days of Art runs through August 31, 2011.

Photo credits:  Courtesy of ART

Share on Facebook

Think you know what a Flight Attendant does?

Under the best of circumstances all you’ll need him or her to do is nag you about turning off your electronics and pour you a beverage of two.  But don’t forget that Flight Attendants are trained as first responders – to fight fires, provide life saving first aid, act as security coordinators, and to get you off of an airplane fast, should the need arise.

Take a look at this video and think about it the next time you fly:

Share on Facebook

On the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the capital city of Victoria is equidistant from Seattle and Vancouver, BC (a little over 60 miles from both cities). The city is an easy getaway from both cities, as well as from Port Angeles on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.  Victoria is also a port of call for cruise ships traveling the Pacific Coast waters.  One of my top recommendations on things to do in Victoria is to visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, located at the corner of Belleville and Douglas Streets, in the downtown area.  The Parliament Building and the Empress Hotel are right nearby, giving you other things to do during your time, and there are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby for eating out.

The Royal BC Museum presents exhibits is a way that appeals to all the senses in a way that I’ve not experienced in other museums.  The visually stimulating exhibits are further developed with temperature drops (in the Ice Age exhibit), the sounds of seagulls and the smell of creosote (in the modern history exhibit), and beating drums and music (in the First People’s exhibit).

Here’s a little about what you can expect on a visit:

• Natural History Gallery – A journey across time and through dramatically changing environments, this gallery gives you an opportunity to visit lush tropical forests, frozen tundra, rainforest, and a rocky shore, as you learn how the movement of earth, ice, and water has created this part of the world.  You’ll view creatures of all the habitats, past and present, but the fierce looking wooly mammoth (in photo above) is probably my favorite.
• Modern History Gallery – Moving forward to the era of fur trading, this gallery gives you the sights, sounds, and smells of the time when European explores began the fur trade with coast First Nations Peoples.  Exhibits include a replica of Captain George Vancouver’s sailing ship, a pioneer homestead, and street scenes replicated from this era.
• First Peoples Gallery – With displays representative of the First People before and after the arrival of European settlers, this gallery features ceremonial masks, a ceremonial house, and a variety of artwork.

The Royal British Columbia Museum also features traveling exhibits, and is the home to the B.C. Archives, the records of the provincial government, that are accessible for public research.  There is also an IMAX Theater.

The museum is open daily, 10 am – 5 pm, with extended hours during the summer season.  Admission is $14.29 for adults; $9.06 for seniors (ages 65+), youth (6-18), and students (19+ with ID); children 5 and under are FREE.  An annual pass is available, which is a good value if you plan to visit more than twice a year.  Admission rates increase during peak tourism times – spring and summer.

Photo credit:  Rob Pongsajapan via flickr

For more information about visiting Victoria, and other destinations in British Columbia, visit My British Columbia Destination Info.

Note:  This post was sponsored by My Destination Info; the opinions expressed are those of the author.

Share on Facebook

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes right?  It is precisely with those types of days in mind – the recognition that everyone has a bad day once in awhile – that the holiday Everything You Think is Wrong Day was created.  Celebrated each year on March 15th, it’s a day that seems perfectly targeted for travelers.  After all, despite all your research, all your plans and preparations, all the work you’ve done to have the perfect travel experience, at some point in the journey you’re sure to discover that everything you think. . . is wrong.

Have any of these happened to you?

• You were certain that 12:15 a.m. was minutes after noon – so certain, in fact, that you were 12 hours late for you flight departure.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You knew you had a middle of the night flight, but then forgot that because the departure is after midnight that it is really the next calendar day.  Oh well, better to be a day early for your flight than a day late, and you can always go back home to bed.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You know that you have to check in plenty early for that flight, allowing plenty of time to get through security.  So why is it the one day that you leave the house just a few minutes late is also the day that the bus is early, your car is low on gas, there’s not a taxi to be found, there’s a road closure, traffic accident, and a long line at the airport.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You know that it’s important to check reliability statistics for your flight, especially when you’re making a connection, and you know that you need to consider these when scheduling your connect flights.  So why is it that the one time you cut it close, because your flight selection has a 95% on time arrival, your flight get struck by lightning, ingests a flock of birds, or has a rolling delay and despite all your heroic efforts to get yourself to another flight you still miss your connecting flight by 3 minutes.  And it was the last flight of the day to your destination.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You know better than to carry all your money in one place, so you’ve thoughtfully concealed a tidy sum in your money belt hidden beneath your comfy travel clothes.  But when nature calls and you must use the aircraft lavatory, you have to re-position your money belt causing hundred dollar bills to fall out.  When the Flight Attendants make an announcement about finding money in the lavatory and asking for someone to claim it, you joke to your companions about the inexperience travelers who should have used a money belt.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You know that subways and trains in unfamiliar places can make a traveler an easy target for petty theft or other crimes, so you’ve secured your money in different locations, including a money belt hidden beneath your clothing.  When you realize you’re missing money you swear it was a pickpocket who brushed up against you on the train, while your friends recall an announcement from your flight about money found in the lavatory.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You’ve studied up on currency rates, downloaded an app to your phone, and have mastered every trick for quickly converting a foreign currency into approximate US dollars.  You’ve purchased your foreign currency in advance, after watch fluctuations in valuation, so you know you have received the best exchange rate possible.  But when it’s time to get on the bus all you have is a large domination bill or lots of smaller coins from every country but the one that you’re in.  You’re about to be tossed from the bus until some local takes pity on you and covers your fare as all the rest of the passengers glare and hiss at you. Some days nothing goes right!
• You know that you’re supposed to turn off your cell phone in flight, perhaps because you’ve had a nagging Flight Attendant blogger reminding you again and again, and you are smug that you did so before tucking it away in your carry on.  Imagine your surprise when you retrieve in on landing only to find a dead battery because it really wasn’t turned off.  And your charger is in your checked bags en route to Detroit while you’re in Dubai.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You know that you’ll have to go through a metal detector at the security checkpoint, so you’ve carefully planned your traveling wardrobe with nothing metal that could cause a problem.  You’ve even organized  your watch, keys, belt, and coins in a small pouch inside your carry on so you won’t hold things up at security.  You’ve removed your shoes, put your laptop in a separate container, and have separated out your 3-1-1 bag of liquids.  You’re ready to go, but all of a sudden security is whisking you off to the side.  Guess it was that Swiss Army Knife corkscrew buried in the bottom of your suitcase that got everyone excited.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You know how important it is to stay healthy while traveling, and have read the CDC site and all of its updates.  You have a current tetanus shot, have inoculated against dengue fever, yellow fever, and various Hepatitis shots.  You’ve packed packed anti-malaria medication, bug spray, a water purifier, and mosquito repellant clothes.  You only drink bottled water, never eat street food, and only eat vegetables you can peel.  You constantly wash your hands with soap and water and carry hand sanitizer for touch ups when water isn’t available.  You strip the bedspread off the bed, check for bedbugs daily, and but the remote control in a plastic baggie before you use.  And then you step off a curb and sprain you foot, giving you a first hand look at what medical care is like in other countries.  Some days nothing goes right!
• You’ve finally decided to enter the digital era and purchased your first iPod.  You get friends and family to help you stock in up with your favorite music, a couple of audio books, some movies and television shows, and you know that you’ll not be bored on that long transatlantic flight and will finally banish the comments of all your annoying friends who are always plugged in.  You arrive and the airport and while standing in the international check in line realize that you spiffy new device is still at home on the counter.  Oh well, it’s nothing that a $100 cab ride can’t fix.  Some days nothing goes right!

Think that these can’t happen to you?  That you’re an experienced traveler that would is far better prepared and organized than this?  While names have been omitted, and minor details changed, these all happened to experienced, sophisticated, well-traveled friends.  So just remember, no matter how much you try, some days nothing goes right!

Enjoy Everything You Think is Wrong Day with these posts from the Travel Blog Mob, a group of expert, independent travelers who converge monthly on a single topic.  The list will be updated as posts are published, so check back and be sure to enjoy what all the “mob-sters” have to say.

• From Wandering Educators:  Everything You Think You Know about Travel is Wrong
• From Ciao Bambio:  Everything You Think You Know About Family Travel … Is Wrong
• From Boots n All:  Everything You Think You Know About Travel Writers is Wrong
• From Wanderlust & Lipstick:  Opting Out of Full Body Scanners
• From Spot Cool Stuff:  3 Obviously True Travel Facts that are Wrong
• From Nerd’s Eye View:  Getting it Wrong
• From The Vacation Gals:  Los Angeles Facts & Myths
• From Sharing Travel Experiences:  Travel Disaster:  6 Unfortunate Mishaps and How to Deal with Them

Photo credit:  SXC

Share on Facebook

A popular Spanish holiday island in the the Mediterranean, Mallorca has a bit of a split personality.  On one side are the secluded beach, challenging cycling trails, spectacular natural beauty for hiking and enjoying, challenging deep water rock climbing, and an environment that creates a haven for a variety of seabirds.  On the other side, Mallorca  appeals to the hip and trendy, with luxury resorts, marinas full of yachts and luxury sailing craft, top notch restaurants, and plenty of rocking nightlife and bars.

So how does a visitor take advantage of the warm weather in Mallorca, and reconcile these two versions of the island into a wonderful vacation?  There’s plenty to do on Mallorca, whether you’re young, hip, and ready to party, or are just looking for a relaxing beach getaway.  Here’s some ideas on how to make Mallorca the perfect vacation for you:

Hit the beach – Beaches top the list of things to do on any Mallorca trip, and for many people it’s the sole reason for choosing the island.  The main beaches are found on the southern and eastern coast, but if you’re willing to venture out, you’ll find smaller and more secluded beaches set in serene coves that you can have nearly to yourself.

Explore Palma – The capital city is full of history and culture, and visitors seeking the same will want to stroll the city center.  The cathedral is a major landmark (in photo above) that’s perfect to use for a starting point.  If you want to explore the island further, you can connect with one of the official tour guides to arrange visits to other sites and towns.

Get back to nature – Heron, waders, and warblers (and more) can be seen at S’Abulfera, a salt marsh near the town of Alcudia, and Fortmentor is another good spot for bird watching.  If you think bird watching is. . well. . . for the birds, just sit quietly for awhile and enjoy this natural beauty.  You’ll be glad you did.

Golf – With 27+ public courses on the island you’ll have plenty of choices.  Just watch out for those water traps.

Boating and Sailing – You can charter a yacht or sailboat and blend right in with the rich and famous often found in the island marinas.  Charters range from bareboat to fully crewed, depending on your skill level and budget.

Rock climbing – Adventure travelers are often enthusiastic about trying deep water soloing, also called psicobloc, a type of rock climbing above deep water.  Mallorca is considered the premier destination for this type of adventure, but it’s not for the feint of heart.

Biking – Consider it a good workout, not just a means of transportation, as several professional cycling teams train here.

Hiking – Weather it’s hiking to a secluded cover, or opting for one of the many island trails, you’ll have a chance to enjoy some of that fresh sea air while enjoying beautiful island scenery.

Caving – Several caves are open to the public.

Music – There’s plenty of nightlife in the bars and streets, but remember that Spain is a late night kind of place.  Tourists may be out earlier, but you’ll find most locals don’t head out for a night on the town till closer to midnight.  If you’re looking for something a little less all-night-long, opt for one of the outdoor summer music concerts.

Party on – Mallorca has a reputation for its party scene – beaches, nightlife, plenty of drink, and lots of young people.  Although it may not be as crazy, or as expensive, as nearby Ibiza, if you can’t find new friends to hang out with, you’re just not trying.

Explore the island – There’s plenty to see around the island, whether you opt for a tour guide or head out on your own. Try Cala d’Or (known for its Jazz Festival), Fornalutx (great starting spot for hikers), Pollenca (check out their Sunday market), or Valldemossa (in the Tramuntana mountains).  There’s plenty to explore and appreciate on the island if you eschew the party life.

How to get to Mallorca?

• By air:  Many European cities have direct flights into Palma de Mallorca airport, making this an easy getaway from most places on the continent.
• By water:  A ferry runs between Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Valencia and other cities along the coast of Spain, including a hydrofoil service from Denia Alicante.

Photo credits:  SXC

NOTE:  The post was sponsored by My Destination Info; the opinions expressed are those of the author.

Share on Facebook

I love lists.  I’ve made them all my life, from things to do, to resolutions and goals, books to read, and just things to think about.  I was a fan of the various book of lists that have been published over the years, and love looking at list that others have made to see how they compare to mine.

With the coming of a new year, I decided to sit down and write my travel bucket list.  I had to limit it to 100 items – without a limit I would still be listing and this post would never get published.  I had a few other self-imposed rules:  the list could include specific experiences or general destinations; there had to be a mix of domestic and international locations and experiences; I could not include anything that I knew for certain would be happening this year; and the list had to include a mix of ordinary and easy experiences along with the exotic and expensive.  Also, no self-editing was allowed – again, because I’d never finish the list.

So here is my list, in no particular order other than stream of conscious.  I’ll be using the list to plan some discretionary trips, as well as using it for a research guide for travels in the future.

MJ’s 100 Travel Bucket List:

1. Malta
2. Iceland
3. Cuba
4. Safari in Africa
5. Visit the White House
6. Turkey
7. Visit a lighthouse in Maine (and eat lobster, too)
8. Montgomery, Alabama
9. Ride in a gondola in Venice
10. Greece
11. Go to a Red Sox game in Boston
12. Visit the Everglades
13. Visit the great pyramids in Egypt
14. Transatlantic crossing by ship sailing into New York Harbor
15. London
16. Go to the top of the Empire State Building
17. Brussels
18. Wine tasting in the Finger Lakes
19. Molokai
20. Trace some roots in Madrid
21. Nashville, Tennessee
22. Enjoy a weekend on Cape Cod
23. Tunisia
24. Barging in France
25. Wear a fabulous hat at the Kentucky Derby
26. St. Petersburg, Russia
27. See the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba
28. Press olives in Italy
29. Spend a weekend on the Jersey shore
30. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
31. Sunbathing on Daytona Beach
32. Buenos Aires
33. Ride a camel
34. River cruise in Europe
35. Spend a weekend on a dude ranch
36. Providence, Rhode Island
37. Gibraltar
38. Stay in a room on stilts over the water somewhere in French Polynesia
39. Montreal
40. Santa Fe, New Mexico
41. Driving trip in Wales
42. Amsterdam
43. Learn to cook Cajun/Creole food in Louisiana
44. Swim in the Dead Sea
45. Atlanta Aquarium
46. Morocco
47. Get a massage on a beach in Thailand
48. Catalina Island
49. Spend a week at the Golden Door spa
50. Eat at Rao’s in Harlem
51. Sardinia, Italy
52. Ride in a blimp
53. Paddleboat cruise
54. Make wine in Argentina
55. Zipline in a tropical forest
56. Barbados
57. Vacation on a houseboat
58. Sail in the British Virgin Islands
59. Gettysburg
60. Have a signature scent formulated in Paris
61. Experience the First Class treatment on Emirates
62. Savannah, Georgia
63. Take a train ride across the United States
64. Yellowstone and Old Faithful
65. Take a cooking class in Italy
66. Charleston, South Carolina
67. Custom made clothes from Hong Kong
68. Mexico City
69. Round the world cruise
70. Take a child to Atlantis in the Bahamas
71. Lay down a bet in Monte Carlo
72. Whale watching in Hawaii
73. Drive around Ireland
74. Stay in a castle
75. Visit Graceland
76. Practice my Spanish in Barcelona
77. Visit a real life ghost town
78. Great Barrier Reef
79. Sedona
80. Go to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. St. Maarten/Sint Martin
82. Quebec City  November 2011
83. Ride an elephant
84. Stay in a penthouse suite in NYC
85. Have an audience with the Pope in Vatican City
86. Learn to throw a boomerang Down Under
87. Monterrey Aquarium
88. Bali
89. Take a road trip to the Florida Keys
90. Drink beer in Germany
91. Open a Swiss bank account
92. Niagara Falls (from the U.S. side)
93. Spend a night in a yurt
94. Watch tennis at Wimbledon
95. Martha’s Vineyard
96. Visit Pennsylvania’s Amish Country
97. Eat barbecue in Kansas City
98. Take an RV trip
99. Laugh it up at Second City in Chicago
100. Walk on the Great Wall of China

Do you have a Travel Bucket list?  Do we share any of the same travel dreams?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Shutterstock

I’m proud to join with some fabulous travel bloggers talking about new plans for travel for 2011.  See what the rest of the Travel Blog Mob has to say:

• Sharing Travel Experiences: A New Destination for a New Year
• Wandering Educators: Top Ten Destinations for Quirky Travelers
• The Vacation Gals: Ziplining in a Costa Rica Rain Forest
• Ciao Bambino: Family Safari in Africa
• Nerds Eye View:  Back to Austria in 2011
• BootsnAll:  Where to Travel Next, How to Decide
• Wanderlust & Lipstick:  Best Destinations for Solo Women Travelers
• Spot Cool Stuff:  Southern Sudan, the Newest Country

Share on Facebook

As I start the New Year, as I do every year, I take stock of where I’ve been.  It’s only by knowing where I’ve been that I can plan where I want to go.  I have a long, and I mean VERY LONG, list of places that I’d like to go.  I no sooner cross a place off than I add two or three more.  I’ve accepted that the list will never grow shorter!

Here’s where I stand as of January 1st, 2011.

The US States I’ve visited (32 of 51, which includes the District of Columbia):

And, the countries that I’ve visited (21, or 9% of the world).  Note to self:  visit bigger countries!

I clearly have a ways to go – both in getting to all 50 states, as well as becoming a member of the Centennial Club (visiting 100 countries).

How many states and countries have you visited?

Image credit:  Courtesy of World 66

Share on Facebook

Montefollonico Italy

It’s been a busy year of traveling, both in Europe and much closer to home.  It’s always fun for me to look back on where I’ve been over the year, so I can plan where I want to go the following year.

Here are the highlights from 2010:

January

• Starting the New Year with a stay in Seattle, I saw the fireworks at the Space Needle from the warmth and coziness of my hotel room.
• A sponsored trip to Spokane took me back to a city that I’ve been away from for far too long.  The occasion for the visit was the US Figure Skating Championships (in preparation for the Winter Olympics), but while there I got to see so much more of the city.  From a gondola ride over the river to a ride on the carousel in River Front Park, from visiting Barrister and Whitestone wineries to  Dry Fly Distillery to learn how vodka is made, and from experiencing the beautiful new Northern Quest Resort and discovering new gourmet restaurants, spending a few days in the Spokane was a bright spot in a gloomy winter.

February

• Heading south to Sacramento, and a little nicer weather, I attended Go West, a travel and tourism media event that focuses on the western United States. Along the whirlwind media appointments, I had a chance to see a few sights.  I panned for gold at Sutter’s Mill, visited the fabulous train museum, and visited the state capitol.  I also learned about the Sacramento Valley’s impressive wines and look forward to a return trip to visit a few of them.
• A road trip took me to the southern part of the state for Bed and Bookfest at Skamania Lodge.  A drive along the scenic Columbia River Gorge, a visit to the Bridge of the Gods, and cozy room at the lodge is a perfect winter getaway weekend.  It would be great in summer too, although a totally different experience.

March

• After an absence of several years, I headed back to Maui,discovering much had changed since I’d been there last (10+ years).  There was much to enjoy, including the warm weather and a visit to the Maui Lavender Farm to learn how master horticulturist Ali’i Chang has lovingly tended to the land.

April

• Spring brought another opportunity to explore another spot in the state, this time with a culinary themed press trip to Bellingham.  From visiting and learning about some of the local farms, to tasting Whatcom County wines, to visiting the Taylor Shellfish to learn how to shuck and prepare oysters, to discovering local restaurants, to enjoying the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, a Bellingham foodie getaway is a great spring getaway.

May

• A week in Orlando for USTA International Pow-Wow gave me plenty of opportunity to learn about travel trends in the United States. It was a great opportunity to meet travel suppliers from across the country and to discover what’s new and great in the travel industry, as well as to tour some of the Orlando sights.  Between media trips and various events, I had the chance to visit Daytona Speedway, Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios Orlando where we got a glimpse at the new Wonderful World of Harry Potter exhibit.  WOWZA on that last one!  It was also great to see fellow travel blogger Jennifer Miner, from The Vacation Gals. This annual travel event provides me story information and contacts to last the year, and is one of my favorite industry events.

June – July

• Heading off for the annual sojourn to Europe, the first stop was Sicily. We stayed at a lovely villa in the middle of a lemon grove in the small town of Giarre.  With a view of the Ionian Sea in front and Mt. Etna in back, the villa provided a wonderful place to stay as well as serving as home base for day trips to Taormina, Noto, Siracusa, numerous small villages along the sea, and climbing Mt. Etna.  We were in Sicily for a little over a week, just enough to whet our appetite for this charming island, and I think all of us would love a return trip.
• After Sicily, we headed to Tuscany for a couple weeks, staying at our favorite agriturismo, La Montalla, in the small town of Contignano.  We got to go back to some of our favorite Tuscan towns, including Pienza (for the traditional dinner at Latte di Luna), Montalcino (to order some of the delicious Brunellos and Super Tuscans to ship back home), Montepulciano (a necessary hospital visit), Radicofani, Orvieto, Montefollonico, and others, as well as had plenty of time to hang out at the farmhouse and enjoy the Tuscan sun.  Owner Giuseppe always makes us feel welcome, and we’ll be going back again in 2011.
• Lake Bolsena was a couple of hours away from where we stayed, but we had so much fun there that we made the trip twice.  It’s a lovely lake and town, and was a perfect place for watching a few of the World Cup matches.
• The heart of Italian art, Florence is a town that can overwhelm.  Since we’d visited before, we didn’t feel compelled to see ay of the “big” tourist spots, and could, instead, wander the streets as we wished.  In a city full of impressive architecture and art there were plenty of opportunity to stop and gawk, as well as multiple gelato opportunities.  It was great to be in Florence without an agenda of must-see attractions.
• After nearly a month in Italy, I got home in time for a quick press trip to Las Vegas, and a stay at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino.  The weekend included dinner at Diablo’s Cantina, the Frank Caliendo show, including a chance to meet the comic star, and a chance to bond with some other travel bloggers.

August

• August is a great month to be in Seattle, so this month was spent pretty close to home.  It was a great chance to finally check out Cafe Flora, the city’s notable vegetarian restaurants, as well as to do some wine tasting at Pour on the Plaza in Bellevue.
• I did have to make a quick trip to Washington DC for a hearing, and because of a variety of flight delays and misconnects had to sleep in the Chicago airport.  I haven’t had to do that in a long time, and it was a humbling reminder of the not-so-glamorous side of travel.

September

• I spent a few days in Southern California (Irvine) attending Travel Media Showcase, another travel media event.  This was my first year attending the event, and was pleased with the quality of contacts made.  There was also the opportunity to see some of the sights around the area, including horseback riding in Irvine Regional Park.
• Following TMS, I went on a FAM to the wine country of Temecula.  There is an incredible array of wineries there, and it was fun to visit three that spanned the spectrum:  Ponte Winery, Palumbo Family Vineyard & Winery, and Briar Rose Winery and its Snow White house.  And what would a visit to any wine country be without a delicious dinner with wine pairings?  We enjoyed the hospitality of the Temecula Creek Inn and Leonesse Cellars as they worked out the menu and pairings for an upcoming event.  I love being a guinea pig like that!  I was also thrilled to go on my first hot air balloon ride with California Dreamin’.  The experience was amazing, and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face and we watched the sun come up and floated above the vineyards of Temecula.

October

• Fall had me heading back to Spokane for a quick overnight to attend the opening of South Pacific, courtesy of the Red Lion Hotel.  The production is part of Best of Broadway Spokane, and the Red Lion Hotel offers some great weekend getaway packages.  While in town, I also had the opportunity to wander the Gonzaga University campus, including a look at some Bing Crosby memorabilia at the campus museum.
• I also headed back to Las Vegas for several days, for Blog World Expo.  For me it was a perfect blend of travel, tech, blogging, and business, all rolled together with some great networking.  I moderated a panel called “Travel Blogging as a Second Career” and was honored to meet and participate in the panel with Trisha Miller of Travel Writers Exchange, David and Carol Porter of The Roaming Boomers, and Rick Griffin of Midlife Road Trip.  During my time at BWE, I was the guest of ARIA Hotel at City Center, a beautiful LEED Gold certified hotel at the new City Center.  While there I had the opportunity to see the new Cirque du Soleil show, Viva Elvis, taste the delicious Spanish menu at Julian Serrano, and get a wonderful pampering Spa treatment.  Another highlight of the trip was a delicious wagyu steak dinner at craftsteak at the MGM Grand.

November

• I headed back to the sun in November, with a very quick trip to Fort Lauderdale and another travel media event, Visit Europe Media Exchange.  The event was held at the Westin Diplomat, and although the property is lovely, the stay and service were a big disappointment.  Still, the event gave me an opportunity to make some great contacts in Europe and to get lots of story ideas.

December

• Home, sweet home, in Seattle for the holidays!

Looking back, it was a pretty busy travel year.  As always, there were places I had hoped to get to that I didn’t, and places that I hadn’t expected to get to but did.  It was a great year – and I’m busy making plans so that 2012 will be just as great.

Where did you go in 2011?  And what was your favorite travel experience?

Photo credits:  All from the personal collection of Mary Jo Manzanares

Share on Facebook