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. […]
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Hello 2012: Bucket List Update
Last year around this time I published my bucket list – a stream of conscious list of things I wanted to do, places to go, and things to see. I knew it was pretty ambitious; it was meant to be. Instead of having all these ideas rolling around in my head, I wanted to put them down on paper and see just how things stacked up. Despite a fair amount of traveling in 2011, I only crossed one item off my bucket list – a visit to Quebec City. So if I was traveling a lot, but didn’t cross anything else off the list, what in the heck was I up to? Here are a few details. San Francisco I’ve been a fan of the City by the Bay since my first visit back in high school, and this week […]
Read MoreThe Arc de Triomphe: The Triumph of Paris
Standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also called the Place de l’Étoile) at the western end of the Champs-Élyseés, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the world. It honors those who bravely fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I, the grave marked by the very first eternal flame. The flame burns in memory of those who died, but were not identified, in both WWI and WWII. The English translation of the inscription reads “Here lies a French soldier who died for his fatherland 1914-1918.” It’s said that this flame was the inspiration for an eternal flame being placed on the grave of assassinated President John F. Kennedy. The Arc de Triomphe stands about 165 feet tall, […]
Read MoreAirport Calm: Chicago O’Hare in the Early Morning
I spend an inordinate amount of times in airports. Some weeks it’s near daily. I have my favorites (Portland, San Jose, Vancouver BC) and those that I’d just as soon avoid (Atlanta, LAX, San Francisco). For most travelers, airports are a hot mess of crowds, frustration, and stress. I see it as an office environment. Much like the elevator that the office worker must be navigated to get to the cubicle, I see the airport as a means to an end, the route to my office – the airplane. During the day time, and the busy morning and evening bank of flights, the airport is a crazy place. But other times of day, the afternoon lull, the very early and late hours, and the middle of the night, you may find that you have it all to yourself. And that’s […]
Read More4 Tips to Plan a Ski Holiday
If your idea of the perfect vacation includes fresh powder, crisp mountain air, and long days on the slopes, it’s time to book your holiday ski vacation. Skiing holidays are the perfect option for any group, large or small: Families, work and corporate retreats, and singles groups can bond on and off the slopes and trails, while accommodating all skill levels. Couples will find everything they are looking for when they book an invigorating, romantic ski vacation, too; put in a long day on the slopes or trails, and then enjoy spa treatments, romantic dinners, and a nightcap next to a roaring fire in the afternoon and evenings. To help you plan and prepare your skiing holiday we have prepared a list of tips to make the process go more smoothly – all you will have left to do is […]
Read MoreHow to Choose Your Cruise Cabin
For many people, cruise holidays represent the best of travel – it’s as much about the journey (your time at sea) as it is the destination (your ports of call). Deciding to take a cruise is just the first of many decisions you’ll need to make, and like all travel decisions, this is where research, personal preferences, and budget come into play. One of the decisions you’ll need to make for your cruise is how to choose your cruise ship cabin. If money is no object just opt for the best available. But most of us are on a budget, even if it’s a generous one, so think about how you want to spend your time on the journey and then try to match up your preferences and budget with the best cabin category choice. Cruise lines give a variety […]
Read MoreRoad Trip Ahead: Coastal & Central Oregon
I’m up early today because I’ll be heading out on a road trip. Yes, me, a road trip. It’s a 5-day road trip with some other writers from the Seattle area and is sponsored by some nice folks in Oregon. (A full list of sponsors will accompany subsequent posts.) Joining me will be: Andy Hayes (from Sharing Travel Experiences), Kelly Goodman (from Travellious), and Michelle Schusterman (from Unlikely Places) The group will be meeting later thing morning (still in the early hours for most of us) at EverGreen Escapes who will be providing our driver and transportation for the trip in one of the comfy, bio-fueled Mercedes touring vans. Not familiar with EverGreen Escapes? Well I love these folks – I’ve met them personally – and was taken with their love of the Pacific Northwest, their commitment to their eco-friendly […]
Read MoreTop 5 Drives with Views of the Ocean
When heading to the beach, the fun usually starts when you arrive at your destination. However, sometimes the stunning views along the road to the beach can mean that the journey itself is an enjoyable one thanks to the amazing sights you can take in along the way. Great ocean drives allow you to witness some stunning scenery of both sea and land while enjoying the freedom of the open road. Below, are five of the best driving routes with views of the ocean: Pacific Coast Highway – California Heading along the Pacific Coast Highway in southern California will see you travelling a 123-mile route that affords breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Starting from Monterey, the highway takes you through the Big Sur region of the state to Morro Bay and as it is a designated All-American Road, you […]
Read MoreSmall Plates Delight at Julian Serrano at ARIA Las Vegas
Last fall I stayed at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and became a fan of the LEED certified property. While there, I saw the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis!, spent an afternoon at the spa, and had many fine meals, one of which was at Julian Serrano, a Spanish restaurant. Julian Serrano offers classic Spanish fare that includes hot and cold tapas, paella, and a variety of seafood dishes. My first visit was as part of a large group attending Blog World Expo. Since then, however, I’ve been back quite a few times – both with friends and as a solo diner. The restaurant has an open floor plan, and is vibrant and noisy as guest pass, share, and talk about their choices. If you’re looking for a fun and lively meal, this is the place. […]
Read MoreMy World Map Has Been Updated
After my most recent travels to Portugal, I figured it was time to update my “map of the world”. I love taking a look at how much (or how how little) of the world I’ve seen. It’s clear that I’ve got a long ways to go! How much of the world have you seen? Create your own travel mapMary Jo’s travel map has traveled to: Aruba, Bahamas, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, France, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Vatican City, USA States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
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