Adventure.  It’s different things to different people.  And when it comes to adventure holidays, those definitions are all over the map – literally and figuratively.  Fortunately adventure travel has become broad enough to include everything from cultural interactivity to adrenaline pumping action in a way that lets travelers create an experience that they’ll never forget.

Let’s explore the spectrum of adventure for a few ideas and possibilities, in turn getting you thinking about which adventures might turn into probabilities.

Adrenaline rush adventure. For me, this is climbing a mountain, scaling a rock formation, serious white water rafting, or some other high fitness, high adrenaline level activity.  (It often evokes thoughts of snow, very cold weather, and icicles forming on my eyebrows.)  This is not my cup of adventure tea, but I know several people who find these ideas exciting and I’ll eagerly look forward to seeing their photos and hearing all about it.

Active vacations. In this category I put the type of activities that would span the entire length of one’s holidays.  Whether it’s a week long rafting trip, horseback exploration in the jungle, skiing, or hiking or biking through a country, these travels are as much about the journey as they are the destination.  These trips are definitely not for the lying on the beach vacationer!  Some trips of this type seem fascinating, and although I have concerns about my fitness level, reputable tour companies will see to it that travelers are matched up with the right activity and group for their specific fitness level.  I’ll put this type of adventure vacation on the maybe list.

Mixed activity vacations.  For those that want activity, just not 24/7, combining the best of thrilling experiences with relaxation may be just what you need.  Trekking holidays that include some time spent in locations along the way, biking and wine tasting, or a rafting trip combined with slower explorations on non-river days, are all ways to combine action and culture.  I love these types of vacation, because they give me my fill of the relaxation that I need from everyday life, but keep me engaged with seeing and doing something new.  It’s the best of both worlds.

Luxury adventure.  A hybrid of mixed activity vacations, these let you have wonderful adventures during the day and pampering luxury every night.  These are more personalized experiences where you can enjoy your adventure without having to worry about the day-to-day issues of food and bed.  Think of luxury tents on a trek or safari, with all your needs handled by someone else.  I’ve not tried this type of adventure vacation – but I sure would like to!

Soft adventure.  These adventures are often suited for travelers who want a less strenuous vacation, and are often organized around a central theme or interest.  Wildlife and nature are two common themes, and you’ll often see adventure trips that take you up close and personal for a look at some of the most remarkable places on earth.  These trips seem to be more about the destination (and what you’ll see there) than on the journey itself, and are typically suited for travelers of a broad range of fitness levels.

Cultural adventure.  It’s more about a sense of adventure, rather than strenuous physical activity, and these trips focus on the destination, its history, its people, and their traditions.  Here’s a chance to learn about someplace totally different from home, as you take a close look at exotic locations.  Tour temples, pyramids, and other cultural and architectural landmarks as you learn the importance of these sites to the people who live there.

My adventure preferences are generally of the mixed or soft adventure type.  I want to enjoy the destination as well as the journey, and learn a little something in the process.

How about you?  How do you define adventure travel.

Photo credit:  SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by The Adventure Company; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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It’s all about the money.  Always has been.  Apparently always will be.

At least it is at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).

The BEP prints all the Federal Reserve notes (translation:  Money) at facilities in Washington DC and Ft Worth, Texas.  Coins are produced by the US Mint.  The BEP also prints other specialty items, including engraved White House invitations, and other security documents for various governmental agencies.

Bureau of Engraving & Printing in Washington DC

Free tours are offered at both facilities, and provide an overview of the steps in the money making process.  I toured the Washington DC facility on a rainy mid-week afternoon.  There were no lines, and even though the tour group dawdled a bit, it still only took about an hour to watch stacks and stacks of large pieces of paper become ready-to-be-spent hundred dollar bills.  There is also a short movie which explains the process.

At the end of the tour is the requisite gift shop, where you can find treasury bills for serious collectors, as well as an assortment of novelty items.

The Washington DC facility is located at 14th & C Streets, S.W.  (map) Tour times are seasonal, so check the BEP website to make your plans.

During the apring and summer season, tickets are required.  They are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket booth on Raoul Wallenberg Place on the same day only.  The ticket booth opens at 8 am, and closes when all tickets have been distributed.  This is a popular tour, so plan to get to the line early as tickets go fast.

The Fort Worth facility is located at 9000 Blue Mound Road (map).  Check for tour availability.

Photo credit:  Daquella manera @flickr

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I enjoy museums, and try to get to one on a fairly frequent basis.  Art, history, science, culture — it all has appeal to me.  The the thirst for knowledge, information, or just seeing and experiencing something new is always a good time for me.

And then there are other kinds of museums.  The quirky ones, the ones with all sorts of odd collections and exhibits, the ones that you secretly want to check out even if everyone else laughs at you.

The Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia may very well fall into this latter category.

Created by an Austrian candy executive in 1927, Pez is an abbreviation of the German word for peppermint (Pfefferminz), the original Pez flavor.  Originally the candy was sold in small tins, and marketed as an adult mint for people who were trying to quit smoking.

Around 1950, dispensers debuted.  A couple years later, cartoon head dispensers debuted, and fruit flavored candy was introduced.  Pez became a full-fledged candy phenomenon, not just a quit smoking aid.

Pez dispensers have developed a strong foothold in popular culture, and have appeared in movies (“The Client,”  “Stand by Me,”  and “E.T.”), and television (“Seinfeld”).   Likenesses of cartoon characters, toys, historical characters,  and other pop culture figures have been used to create Pez characters, and Pez dispensers have become big collector items.

The Pez museum opened in 1995, and is the only place in the world where you can see an example of every single Pez dispenser ever made.  That’s right, over 550 different characters since the candy was invented.

The museum is located at 214 California Drive in Burlingame, California (map), about 10 minutes south of San Francisco International Airport.  Hours:  Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm.  (Closed, Sunday, Mondays, and major holidays).  Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children 4-12 and Seniors.

The Pez Museum won’t be  everyone’s cup of tea, but if you were a collector, or still are, or maybe just think the candy is a bit of silly fun, take an hour and check out the museum.

Photo credit:  Benimoto @flickr

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Business and pleasure travelers have have some travel concerns and preparations in common, and one of those is having to worry about what’s happening at home while we’re on the road.

If you have family or friends staying in your home while you’re traveling, it reduces a lot of concerns.  But if your home will remain empty, make sure that you aren’t sending a signal to potential burglars to come on in and help themselves.

Here are ten tips to help keep the burglars away while you are:

1. Let neighbors know that you will be away.  Neighbors are generally the first to notice what could be suspicious behavior, and this is one time that a nosy neighbor will be welcome.  (If you live in an apartment or other managed building, advise the property manager and doormen.  They can help prevent any unauthorized access to your unit.)  Ask neighbors for help in picking up those annoying unsolicited flyers left on doorsteps.
2. Try to get a friend or family member to stop by on an erratic schedule to check on the house.  An occasional car in the drive way, changing of light patterns, etc., can help make the house look occupied.  This is also an additional help in picking up unsolicited flyers.
3. Make sure that you don’t have a key “hidden” by the door.  Under the mat, above the door frame, or in the flower pots are not clever hiding places.  Give a key to anyone who needs to have it.
4. Have a car parked in the driveway, in front on the house, or in your assigned parking place if at all possible.  It will help to make it look like someone is home.
5. Stop the newspaper and mail service.  You don’t need this piling up.  Stopping the mail can be done online, and stopping newspaper service varies according the location.
6. Keep up regularly scheduled appointment such as gardening, lawn care, and housekeeping services.  An untended lawn or garden can signal an absent owner.  Keep as many consistencies to your normal scheduled as possible.  Ask workers to help pick up unsolicited flyers left on your doorstep.
7. Set indoor lights on automatic timers, preferably with a random schedule.  Vary the specific lights and times that they will come on.
8. Turn off the phone ringer, and turn down the volume on the answering machine.  This is especially important in an apartment building, where a constantly ringing phone can signal an empty apartment.
9. Do not leave an answering machine or voice mail message saying that your are traveling or gone.  Don’t leave an out-of-office message on your office phone, unless required to do so by your employer.  Don’t let the “I’m on vacation” message get out to anyone who doesn’t need to have it.  You control the information.
10. Make sure you have appropriate insurance.  No one wants to think about being the victim of a burglary, but being prepared in still an important option.

How about you?  Do you have other things that you do so it looks like you’re home — even when you’re not?

Photo credit: SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by kent washington insurance.  The opinions contained herein are my own.

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As we pass from one decade to the next, we start off with a round up of posts that are sure to inspire.  Where do you want to go in 2010?

• USA Today Travel covers the closing of NYC’s iconic Tavern on the Green, serving its last meals on New Year’s Eve.
• 

  Tavern on the Green in NYC's Central Park

  Gadling has the story of another travel icon biting the dust, the last run of the famous Orient Express.

• PlanetEye Traveler – London says that fares are going up, but more routes are going to be covered.  If London is in your travel plans, you’ll want to factor in this price hike in making your transportation plans.
• Practical Travel Gear has a round up of the best and worst travel gear from the past year.  What is it that you can’t travel without?
• Heather on her Travels entices us to visit the Residenz Palace in Munich.  Beautiful photos.
• West Seattle Blog profiles the neighborhood Bakery Nouveau, a local favorite located in the Junction.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Chicago profiles a new website that aims to help you save money at businesses and events in Chicago.  See if you can find a way to stretch your travel dollars even more.
• BNET says that hotel guests are willing to pay for free food.  And free wi-fi, too.  Why is it we can’t that everywhere?
• Foxnomad says Iceland in the winter is a good choice.  It’s long been on my list of places to visit, but I’m not sure if he’s convinced me about winter.
• The Culinary Gadabout has a review of the movie Bottle Shock.  I watched the movie shortly after returning home from Napa, and was charmed and impressed with the story behind Napa’s emergence as a wine powerhouse.
• Sosauce has a first hand account of Couch Surfing.  It can work out for you, but the thought still makes me a little nervous.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Edinburgh reminds of that money can make a great souvenir, and his explanation of the special Scottish Pound note should have Scotland visitors heading toward a bank.
• Rick Steves lists his New Year’s travel resolutions.  Some good food for thought on the list.  Have you made yours yet?  I’m still polishing up my list, but will have it posted soon.

That’s it for this week.  I hope you’ll take the time to check out some of these articles, and maybe even discover a few new travel blogs.  Please tell them that MJ sent you!

Photo credit: .bettina. @flickr

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It’s been a busy Thanksgiving week, and although I haven’t been traveling, I’ve followed with interest all the travel news going on.  I hope you’ll settle in for a few good travel reads, enjoying some of the best posts that I’ve seen this week.

• The Gypsy’s Guide reminds of all the great public art that can be seen in airports.  How many times have you dashed through, never paying attention to what’s around you.
• Ciao Bambino debates the child car seat issue – take with or get there.  This good review of the pros and cons should help you make your decision.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Adventure Travel offers a good primer on etiquette when visiting a mosque.  Following these suggestions will make for a hassle-free experience.
• USA Today’s Today in the Sky reports that a woman called in a bomb hoax to delay a flight so that her boss would make it.  There were additional consequences – go figure!
• Brilliant Tips takes us to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali.  This popular attraction, a jungle in the middle of the city, is both a nature reserve and a temple complex.
• Sharing Travel Experiences had me drooling with a great look at food in Madrid.  Great food and great travel seem to go together.
• PlanetEye Traveler – St. Petersburg tells us about a new hotel opening in St. Petersburg.  It may be part of a chain of hotels, but the Hotel Reva Sonya is sure to have its own quirky identity.  After all, it’s named after a prostitute made famous by Russian writer Dostoevsky.
• Seattle Metblogs reports that Seattle mobile restaurant Marination, which serves up tasty Korean-Hawaiian food in my neck of the woods, was named best food cart in the country.
• Gail at Large, a blog that I enjoy for its great photos, has a great shot of the arch from the Canadian National Exposition in Toronto.
• Consumer Travel reminds us that passengers should be quiet so that others can hear the safety demonstration.  And that means even if you’re a pilot.
• The Christian Science Monitor gives us a look at a “women only” hotel in Saudi Arabia, along with a discussion about whether this is a good thing (gives women options) or a bad thing (perpetuates the division of sexes).   Not as easy a question as it might seem.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Kuala Lumpur wishes everyone a happy Eid al-Adha, and explains how this Muslin holiday is celebrated.

I recommend that you take a little time and visit these great travel bloggers, some of whom I’m sure you know, and some who I hope you will discover for the very first time.  And please take a moment to leave them a comment, and tell them MJ sent you.

Photo credit: SXC

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Italy has become an annual event for me.  I fell in love the very first moment that I came up from the metro station and saw the Coliseum in front of me.  Since then, no matter when in the country I am, or what I may be looking at, I still have that sense of wonderment.

Sunflowers, Tuscany 2009

In no particular order, here are some of the things that I’ve come to love about Italy, and why I’m looking forward to a return trip next year.

1. Sunflowers
2. Gelato – at least twice a day
3. Lake Maggiore
4. Isola Madre
5. Isola Bella (and yes, I know it’s gaudy and over-the-top)
6. Latte de Luna (with wild mushroom soup that’s to-die-for)
7. Brunello wine
8. Giuseppe and La Montalla
9. Florence (so much beautiful art)
10. Trevi Fountain in Rome (I threw in 3 coins, just to ensure my return)
11. Vatican (history and art, religion and politics)
12. Fashion and fashionably dressed men and women
13. Cafes and cappuccino
14. Hill towns in Tuscany
15. Beautiful churches (every town has a dozen)
16. Pecorino cheese
17. Stopping the car to let sheep cross the road
18. The beautiful language (that I must learn)
19. Limoncello
20. Fresh tomato and onion salad
21. Wild boar pasta (actually, any kind of pasta at all!)
22. Vineyards and olive orchards
23. Cypress trees
24. Internet access (yes, in the middle of a vineyard, there’s still wi-fi)
25. History and a sense of how very young the U.S. is

What do you love about Italy?

Photo credit:  Mary Jo Manzanares

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It’s been a busy week of travel, and I’ve had a lot of my plate this week, but I still found some good travel posts to share with you.  Enjoy your afternoon with this variety of travel information:

Luxuo introduces us to a new type of architecture, a house built out of the iconic Louis Vuitton brown and gold print.  It’s rumored to be located in Mexicali.  I wonder how many tourists stop by for a look.

LA Times Travel lures us with exotic details of a cruise to Antarctica.  I would love to be able to afford a trip to this least inhabited of the continents.

Vintage Seattle shows us photos of Sea-Tac Airport circa the 1950’s.  It’s changed!

Tripbase lists 14 juvenile things to do with an underwater camera.  Come one, how many of these have you done while on vacation?

Over at Gadling, Heather lists 20 things you can do inflight with a maxi pad.  Yes, flight attendants really do ordinary items in unusual ways.

Traveling Mamas introduces us to the Broadmoor, a luxury resort in Colorado Springs.  The pool area sounds great, despite her little one’s misadventure.

Travel Writer News shares some airline humor.  Although many of these have been around for awhile, you’ll likely find a new one to chuckle at.

AOL Travel lists some ways to tell if a user generated review of a hotel is real or fake.  Take it all with a grain of salt seems like a good idea.

Almost Fearless gives good suggestions on how to find safe, affordable, and clean places to stay while traveling.  You’ll find these useful whether you’re traveling for a short duration or living on the road.

I’m off to learn more about what to expect in the travel industry for the next year, and what the trends will be.  I’ll have more to report on those topics coming up.

Photo credit: SXC

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It’s been a busy week of travel for me, with overnights in Vancouver BC and Chicago, but I still managed to find some great travel posts to share with you this weekend.

Velvet Escape tackles the weighty topic of. . . refrigerator magnet.  I love them!  And now, I think I’ll start a collection of my own.

The Paris Traveler shares a whiff of the Paris exotic with information about how to get your very own custom French fragrance.  What a delightful, and practical memory of a great vacation.

Refreshing Italian gelato

The Trends explain about a sort of reverse pick-pocketing going on in London.  Instead of taking money out of your pocket, they’re putting it in.

Gail at Large has a great photo taken while going through the tunnel to Boston’s Logan airport.

The Venice Guide writes about a topic near and dear to my heart, Italian gelato.  While visiting Italy, it was not uncommon for me to eat it two or three times a day.  Now that I’m back at home, this post reminded me of just what I’m missing, and the photo doesn’t come close to doing it justice.

Vintage Seattle has photos from the 1962 Seattle’s World Fair.  It’s a little trip down memory lane.

Boston.com reports on a new hotel marketing trend – marketing to family travelers with upscale features and amenities for the kids.  Will it work for you?

The DC Traveler gives us a history lesson of the founding and development of the Smithsonian Institute.  It’s a whole lot more than just the castle.

My Marrakesh gives us a little fashion show Moroccan style.  You’ll always find great photos and style at this blog.

Las Vegas Sun reports on how Las Vegas luxury resorts are offering promotional bargains to fill the rooms, and wondering if it’s a good thing. Why aren’t these rates available when I need a room there?

The Buenos Aires Guide makes we want to visit the city even more.  See if this post convinces you as well.

Consumer Traveler offers suggestions for healthy and stress free travel.  Maybe some of these will work for you.

Photo credit: fortes @flickr

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Ah, vacation!  It conjures up all sorts of wonderful day dreams, grabs our attention and “forces” us to spend countless hours doing “research” on the internet at great travel blogs like Flyaway Cafe.    We pick up guidebooks, go to the library, we talk to friends.  Sometimes the planning is a great deal of the fun in arranging vacation plans.  Still, do you always find yourself going to the same old places and doing the same old thing?!

Maybe what you need to do to get out of your rut is to look at vacation through a different lens, and perhaps a vacation club will help you branch out and see the world.

Royal Holiday is a premiere vacation club, that allows you to purchase credits to exchange for accommodations over the life of your membership.  Unlike a traditional time share, which locks you into one location, the vacation club allows you to choose a different vacation spot each year.    (Okay, if you really want to do the same thing every year, you can still do that with a vacation club, but c’mon – live a little!)

For a warm weather destination you could choose the Paradise Beach Villas in Aruba, or maybe try a cultural destination like Paris or London.  If you’re ready to try something more exotic, try Morocco or Chiang Mai.   And if you really don’t want to get too far from home, there are plenty of locations stateside like Lake Tahoe, Orlando, San Diego and Vail.  There are over 180 destinations in 52 countries, so you know you’ll find somewhere you want to go!

Royal Holiday also has owns and operates a few all-inclusive hotels in Mexico in Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, and Acapulco.  Blogging pal Jon, at The DC Traveler, visited the Park Royal Resort in Cozumel, so check out what he had to say about it.

Because they believe in their premium product, and want you to spend some time checking them out to decide if it’s an option for you, Royal Holiday has offered a GREAT prize for one Flyaway Cafe reader!

First, here’s the prize:

• Royal Holiday-branded polo shirt
• Royal Holiday-branded gym bag
• Royal Holiday-branded hat
• Royal Holiday-branded towel
• Flipcam Ultra

Yep, all that logo swag, AND a Flip video cam so that you can shoot some video on your next vacation.  How great is that?!

Here’s all you need to do:

Go to Royal Holiday and check them out.  Take a look at their history and what they offer. See if a vacation club offers good value for your personal travel style.  Then, go look to see if they have something to offer in your favorite vacation destination – or maybe somewhere that’s destined to become your new favorite location.

Leave a comment here telling me what that location is and why.

Deadline for comments is Tuesday, August 1st at midnight ET.  At that time, I’ll random select a number a match it up with the comment.  You must leave an email so that I can contact you.  This content is only open to residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico (shipping requirements).

I’ll start it off with my choice of the Sheraton Casablanca in Morocco.  Why?  Morocco fascinates me – the culture, the people, the food.  But I don’t know that I’m adventurous enough to go it alone in the country.   I’d like the convenience of a modern place to stay, alleviating the stress of the unfamiliar place to stay, leaving me free to explore something totally outside by comfort zone during the day.

How about you?  Where do you want to stay and why?

Photo credit:  Royal Holiday

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