Éire’s wonderful castle hotels
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As little nippers, we were often read stories that included things that never really existed like dragons, fairy godmothers and frogs that turn into princes. (Many of you women out there probably know what a fairy tale that one was.) Some things in fairy tales, like knights in armor on faithful steeds, are factual but are no more. However, one thing in fairy tales that not only once existed but are still very much real are castles.
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Food and wine tours
You can tell a lot about what Americans find interesting from taking a look at the popularity and ranking of the cable channels. There are hundreds of cable channels catering to just about every interest, so what do Americans love the most? If you’re like me, you probably think the correct answer is Travel, but that would only be partially right.
Yes, the Travel Channel does rank in the top fifteen cable stations, and I guess the only surprising thing about that…again, at least for me…is that it didn’t come-in at number one. But, unless one traveling on business, one doesn’t just travel for the sake of getting somewhere and returning home. Usually, one combines travel with another interest or passion, and maybe the cable channels can tell us something there, too.
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All inclusive vacations
In my last blog, you heard me talk (and I say “heard” because I assume you read my blogs aloud to friends and family alike) about the importance of using travel professionals when planning trips. I also touched on the joy of all-inclusive travel and I feel that’s a topic important enough to expand on a bit.
My parents’ idea of travel consisted of getting in the car with a bunch of traveler’s checks and heading out with the hope that the checks would last longer than the vacation. Consequently, we ate as cheaply as possible, drove around each evening looking for the most inexpensive lodging and bypassed a lot of sights because the vagaries of what various things would cost…and the horrifying idea that we’d run out of money and have to live out the rest of our lives in our summer clothes somewhere in Canada’s frigid Northwest Territory…had my parents pinching pennies when they should have been enjoying our trip.
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Some well deserved luxury travel…
Today’s economy has caused people to cut back in many areas of their lives; they’re driving less, eating out less and buying less in both stores and on-line, while at the same time people are working harder and longer hours. Don’t you think, though, that there should be some small reward for all this sacrifice? It would be terrible to someday look back on these days and not have at least a handful of extremely pleasant memories to recall.
Now, I’m not suggesting that one should run out and start living every day as if one were Bill Gates. What I am suggesting, though, is that one spend at least a week or two each year rewarding oneself by living in the lap of some well-deserved luxury.
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The land of ice & fire
Legend has it that Flóki Vilgerðarson, a Scandinavian who may have been the first to discover Iceland, gave it it’s rather uninviting name because one winter he spotted some ice in the fjords and, for some reason, the appearance of ice in the middle of winter seems to have made quite an impression on him.
We should all be grateful that Flóki didn’t similarly name any American cities like Chicago, which could now be called You’ll-Freeze-Your-Skin-In-Thirty-Seconds-Land or Phoenix which might now be known as It’s-So-Hot-You’ll-Burst-Into-Flames-Land. Yes, Iceland does have ice in the winter, but the name is pretty misleading.
Croatia, the new vacation place to go!
If you’re above a certain age, when you think of Croatia, which was, until 1991, one of the Yugoslav republics, you probably think of one of those poor, colorless, eastern European, Soviet block countries with little to offer tourists. If you’re below a certain age, you probably don’t have a very clear picture of what Croatia is like at all. Either way, the reality is far more wonderful than any misperception one may have.
Croatia’s relative anonymity is part of what makes it such a special destination; that, however, is quickly changing so if you want a getaway spot that’s on the cutting edge of vacation fashionability, visiting now would be a good idea.
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Alaska- a truly unique vacation destination.
I’ve always been a believer in the idea that it’s best to see the sights in one’s own country before engaging in foreign travel. Not that you have to visit all 50 states; however, there are a few places in America that offer travelers sights they won’t see anywhere else on the globe. My home state of Arizona is one of those places, and Alaska is another.
Superlatives can be used to describe just about every aspect of Alaska. As the largest state in the union (sorry, Texas…we know it hurts, but facts are facts), it’s also one of the least populated with only about one person per square mile. Alaska boasts the highest mountain in North America and it has more inland lakes and rivers than any other state, equaling an area more than the entire size of Massachusetts and Vermont combined. And, it’s the only state that lies, in part, above the arctic circle.
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Discover Ecotourism with a Vacation in Costa Rica.
Thoughtful travelers are turning more to ecotourism these days and with good reason: there are fewer and fewer pristine places left on the planet. It also sends a good message to countries, which is that if they maintain their natural resources and are good caretakers of the environment, tourism dollars will follow, providing a financial incentive for conservation.
One country that has put ecotourism on the map, so to speak, is Costa Rica. If you want to see unspoiled forests and coastlines, or if you’re looking for a romantic getaway or honeymoon spot, Costa Rica should be one of your top travel destinations. Read more
River Cruising On The Mekong: A Trip Through Vietnam and Cambodia
In my last two postings, I talked about river cruises I had taken through Europe and Russia. For my final river cruise, I headed someplace even more exotic: Vietnam. I realize that those of a certain age may have pre-conceived notions of Vietnam, and I wish every American could experience the friendliness of the people and the modernity of the cities.
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River Cruising in Russia
In my last posting, I talked about having happily made the discovery of river cruising; specifically European river cruising. I had an incredibly wonderful time leisurely visiting small, charming European villages that I probably would never have otherwise seen, all the while traveling on a beautifully appointed, ultra-modern ship. Once I found the casual and intimate setting that river cruising provides, I was hooked and immediately wanted more.
The popularity of river cruises has meant an expansion in the locations and itineraries available and, since I couldn’t choose between historic Russia or exotic Vietnam, I decided to visit both.
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Travel Videos
Find your dream vacation
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