There are times when we can put the emphasis less on sightseeing and more on experiencing our surroundings at a relaxed and comfortable pace.
Read MoreAdventure travel speaks to me…sometimes. I am the type of traveler that can thrive on doing absolutely nothing for days on end, and also find great enjoyment in having the most mind blowing, adrenaline pumping, heart racing adventures. I constantly have to ask myself, is this trip seeking to be an epic adventure of a lifetime, or will the most adventurous part of my trip be having two desserts? Decisions, decisions.
I know there are some people who fall firmly in one camp or the other, no matter what. Adventure seekers are always a blast to plan trips for because I know I can really let loose and create a fast-paced trip they are sure to love. They aren’t going to call me a few days in asking me to cancel the rest of their plans because they just fell like laying low at the spa. They are going to go, and then go some more.
If you are in that camp, I want to share with you a few of my favorite destinations I recommend for my fellow thrill-seekers.
Read MoreThe Game of Thrones season finale may mean life feels a little empty but you can cheer yourself up with a trip to Northern Ireland and the dramatic locations where the series was filmed.
I recently had a client depart for a month long trip to Europe, with half of that time spent in Ireland/Northern Ireland with—you guessed it—a focus on Game of Thrones sightseeing. Unbeknownst to me at the beginning of our vacation planning, some of the most majestic locations in Northern Ireland have become part and parcel of Westeros.
Read MoreI love a good beach club. There’s something about the beach AND a party vibe that makes all the sense in the world to me. Yes, I want to lounge in comfort, sip my overpriced umbrella’d drink, nosh on some yummy food, and listen to some great tunes— all while watching the waves crash!
When I visited Bali last year, I actually researched all the different beach clubs and made a list of all the ones I wanted to visit. They were all unique. Some were your typical party vibes, while others were laid back and unpretentious, letting the scenery and the essence of Bali do the talking. And honestly, when you are in Bali that is quite enough. But I made sure to sample a variety of them, for research purposes of course.
Read MoreTraveling by train in Italy is my favorite way to travel. Not only are their network of trains convenient and reliable, you also get some spectacular views of the countryside. Today, I wanted to answer a few of the most common questions I get about traveling by train in Italy, and hopefully guide you towards choosing the best mode of transportation for you on your next Italian adventure.
Read MoreTulum is fast becoming one of the “go-to” Mexican destinations for many travelers. It’s easy to see why this Mayan city built next to the sea is so popular. It has a spectacular setting, and a laid-back, casual chic vibe that makes it an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate.
Here is my personal rundown of how to best enjoy this Caribbean beauty.
Read MoreIt’s International Women’s Day Today, and I felt like it would be an awesome time to honor and highlight some of the beautiful women I met in the Dominican Republic a few weeks ago.
Some of the very best memories of my time in the Dominican Republic was the opportunity to spend time with these ladies. This is the group from RePapel that we spent the day making paper with. They are so full of life and love, and it shined through like you wouldn’t believe.
At the beginning of our time together, they each shared their story. Every one of them started with “I have this many kids, and this many grandkids." It was not lost on me how dedicated these women were to their families, and how each and every decision and sacrifice they made was for them.
Read MoreLast week I had the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic with Fathom Travel as part of their pilot program. I took part in some of the activities that will be offered once sailing starts in just a little over a month, and see firsthand what the experience will look like for people choosing a travel experience whose main goal is making an impact in the destination where they are headed.
Read MoreSpring Break is the time of year where students in college get the opportunity to take a break from their studies, and enjoy time off in a beautiful locale that usually provides a ton of sunshine, and a few (or many) frosty beverages. I never actually went on a Spring Break vacation while I was in college, and I feared I might of missed out on my opportunity, but then I thought… Why shouldn’t grownups get a spring break vacation?
Sure, studying for midterms is hard, but not nearly as hard as real life! Can I get an amen?!
Read MoreStaying at La Anita Ranch was one of the highlights of my trip for many reasons. It was peaceful, serene, absolutely gorgeous, and …. IT WAS A WORKING CHOCOLATE FARM. That last item for me is a game changer because, duh, I love chocolate. And the chocolate produced here is some of the best I’ve ever had. As a person who has tasted chocolate all throughout the world, I basically consider myself an expert on this subject.
Read MorePlaya Grande, Costa Rica is a gorgeous beach area off the beaten path, just north of Tamarindo. This beach is incredibly popular with surfers, and is the place to go if you consider yourself a pro, or are interested in honing your skills. I saw all skill sets benefitting from the awesome waves there. I don’t surf — at all— but it was enjoyable to simply sit on the beach and watch the waves crashing and the surfers do their thing.
Read MoreMy choice of accommodations are often varied. But they always have a purpose. Always. There is nothing I like more than figuring out the best place to stay that will give me the experience I’m after on a trip. Some would argue with me and say that it really doesn’t matter where you stay because you should be out exploring, and still others would argue that as long as it’s not broke why fix it— If there is a Four Seasons in the area there isn’t much to think about.
Read MoreVisiting Monteverde is something that many visitors to Costa Rica make part of their itinerary, and it is one of the top destinations in the country. People come here to experience nature at it’s very finest. The cloud forests are brimming with plants and animals, the zip lines and suspension bridges are the longest (and most exciting) in the country, and the coffee is tasty, local and cheap. Each of these diversions – as well as countless other activities – can be enjoyed through a number of exciting tours.
Read MoreCosta Rica is one of my favorite places. In fact, it was the first place I traveled when I retired as an athlete and wanted to escape to a place where I could just reconnect with myself, think about my life and the direction it was going, and experience what this “pura vida” was all about. I did all that and then some. Costa Rica truly is a destination that speaks to your soul and makes it sing.
Read MorePeople ask me all the time what my favorite trip is that I’ve ever taken. It’s so hard because it’s one of those questions I hate committing to. But for the past 8 months or so I haven’t hesitated.
Bali.
I loved it far more than I even thought I would for reasons that are both obvious and personal. Bali is an amazing destination adored by many, but travel can be so much more than just a beautiful place with fun activities and great food. It can also speak to your soul and be the medicine you didn’t even realize you needed. So, for me Bali was all that I thought it would be and also all that I needed it to be.
Read MoreI love weekend getaways! It’s the perfect opportunity to see and experience a different type of living from your day to day norm, and appreciate a change of pace without a huge commitment of time and resources. In between my more extensive travels, I am always on the lookout for a nice getaway and my most recent escapade brought me to the colorful state of Colorado.
My “Chasing Fall” adventure this weekend was such an amazing trip and a reminder that we live in such a beautiful country, with varied experiences all around us. I went to Colorado to spend some quality time, and be able to enjoy a small slice of Autumn the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Here are a few of my favorite moments…
Read MoreCreating itineraries for people who don’t travel very extensively can be exciting. It also can be a bit challenging in it's own way. Whereas you can have some clients who know exactly what they like and what they want to do, the flip-side is having clients who don’t know too much about what they might enjoy while traveling. Case in point- I just had a honeymoon couple return from an absolutely amazing trip in Europe that had never been, yet wanted a fully customized, off the beaten path trip that was all their own.
The hard part at the beginning though, was being able to uncover what the experience was they were after. Our literal starting point was: “We want to spend about three weeks in Europe.” No specific countries, no specific type of trip… just Europe. A whole entire continent of goodness.
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