Best travel quotes....ever

There are many reasons why I love travel. There are equally many things that inspire me to travel. Photography is the most obvious. How many times I have seen a vibrant picture and said 'I want to go there!'. However, travel writing is another inspiring way to peak interest and let wanderlust take ahold of you. So I thought I would share some meaningful travel quotes and see if you are as moved as I am.

1. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” - Mark Twain

2. “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” - John Steinbeck

3. “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller



4. “Not all those who wander are lost.” - J. R. R. Tolkien

5. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

6. “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” - Maya Angelou

7. “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” - Aldous Huxley

8. “Adventure is a path. Real adventure - self-determined, self-motivated, often risky - forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind - and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” - Mark Jenkins

9. "Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." – Miriam Beard

10. "If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel." - Will Kommen Read more...

Vegas!

As I just returned form a sleepless weekend in Vegas, I thought I'd blog about some of the hotels/casinos to be found there with my thoughts on some of the best and worst the city has to offer.


My favorites:
1. Bellagio: Love this place. Great pool, great tables, nicest leather chairs in Vegas, and fanciest buffet.
2. Palazzo: This is the new sister hotel to the Venetian just built in January. One word: Wow. It's clean, well done, enormous rooms, and for the price, you won't find something nicer anywhere. On top of that, their pool area is a lot of fun. It connects with Venetian's pool (and Tao Beach) and provides hours of entertainment.
3. Wynn: Very similar to the Bellagio in that their furnishings, shops, and overall ambiance is top notch. I haven't explored this hotel a ton, but from what I've seen it's definitely in my top three. Steve Wynn is constructing a similar hotel next store named Encore that is due in December.
4. The Mirage: I know this one doesn't really fit with the others, but I like the overall feel and what they've done with the floor space. Lot's of room, well taken care of, and plenty to do.
5. Imperial Palace: If you're looking for cheap eats and tables, head straight to the IP. Their champagne pit tables, and rocking impersonators are worth the trip.

My least favorite:
1. Circus Circus: How this dilapidated casino is still up and running, I'm not sure.
2. New York New York: Most overrated casino on the strip. Crowded, and cheap knock-offs everywhere... Such potential.
3. The Palms: The only things this place has going for it are the eateries Nine and Little Buddha, and Ghostbar. Other than those, you may as well tear the whole place down. For a newer property, the casino is small, the decor lame, and the poker room looks like someone converted an old broom closet. Disappointing.
4. Las Vegas Hilton: Nothing at all redeeming about this place. It's a million miles from everything, and thinks it's a fancy place (not even in the realm of any of the places that are). Table minimums are way too high, boring decor, and charging way too much for where it's situated. Read more...

The comfy traveler

I am lucky enough to be blessed with the gift of sleep. What I mean by this is I can pretty much sleep any where or at any time without a problem. But I am aware that most travelers are not so lucky and have a very hard time becoming comfy enough to get in a quick nap. My boyfriend is a perfect example of this.... I call him 'high-maintenance sleep guy'. So due to the fact that I am leaving for Cabo tomorrow (insert high pitch squeal of joy here) I thought I would showcase some good products for making travel as comfy as possible.

1. The cabin cuddler- you might look like a giant swaddled infant, but these things sure are comfy! I am always freezing on plane rides and these keep you so warm. Plus you don't have to use a airline blanket that probably has not been washed in two years.

2. For those of you fearful of all the germs lurking on a plane, this is a good investment. Its called the plane sheet and it is literally just that. Plus, I love the patterns!

3. And who wants to use those old outdated neck pillows? Why not just go all out and have a pillow in the shape of a monkey? Technically it is made for kids, but still.

4. Magellan's self inflating seat cushion. Not for people just out of hemorrhoid surgery, this pillow alleviates pain in your lower back caused by continuous sitting. Read more...

Top Ten Archaeological Trips

By now you all know how much I love archaeology, ancient ruins, and the destinations in this world that are home to these magnificent places. Several years back I made my own top ten list of these destinations and promised myself that I'd do everything in my power to visit them. Several of these sites I have already visited, several more are scheduled, and a few more I hope to see later in life. I thought it would be interesting to list my top ten list with my thoughts on each. Obviously there are hundreds of worthy candidates, and I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on any sites they think should be put into the list. So without further adieu, here is my dream list:

1. The Pyramids, Egypt: The Pyramids of course are probably the most well-known site in the world. And really, this entry should just say "Egypt." The Pyramids are incredible, but you also have to include Luxor, The Valley of the Kings/Queens, Memphis, The Sphinx and Abu Simbel. This is a check-mark for me as I have been to Egypt (and am dying to go back).
2. Petra, Jordan: In terms of "take-your-breath-away" rankings, this may be #1. For those of you that aren't familiar with this place, it's in Southern Jordan and consists of an entire city carved out of rock. There is some debate around when this city was built, but what is known is it belonged to the ancient Nabataeans. Most well-known is the treasury as you exit the siq (was profiled in Indian Jones and the Last Crusade), but fewer people realize that the treasury is just one of a hundred different parts of the city. I think the most spectacular place is the Monastery at Petra (you have to climb over 800 carved stairs up the canyon to get there). I have also had the good fortune of exploring this site as well.
3. The Colosseum, Rome: I think everyone is familiar with the Colosseum; an amazing feat of construction in the old city area of Rome. I was able to visit this site in college on a 3-month backpack trip around Europe.
4. Angkor Wat, Cambodia: Wow. I think of all the places I have been, this may have been the most incredible overall. This site is in the jungles of Cambodia and is as immense a complex as I have ever seen (you really need no fewer than three days here). First built in the 12th century, this fabled lost city is an architectural masterpiece combining Hindu and Buddhist influences.
5. Machu Picchu, Peru: Nestled in a natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes lies Machu Picchu, the Incan Empire's defining piece of architecture. The complex was built around 1450, and not re-discovered until the early 1900s. I have not been to this site yet, but promised to see it for the first time with my sister, so hopefully I can make that happen soon.
6. Mayan Ruins of Central America: I grouped these Mayan sites together because there are so many I'm not sure I can separate them. That said, the most incredible examples are Tikal in Guatemala, Copan in Honduras, and Chichen Itza in Southern Mexico. The Mayans are known for their elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial architecture, temple-pyramids, palaces and observatories (all built without metal tools). This massive civilization lived from 2600BC - 300AD. I am planning to see both Tikal and Copan in August.
7. Great Wall, China: Built and maintained from the 6th century BC until nearly the 16th century AD, this construction is over 4000 miles long and at its height was manned by over a million men. This construction (along with possibly the Pyramids) is my leading candidate for the most spectacular accomplishment in all of history to present-day. The sheer size of the Wall is almost not comprehensible. I have not yet been to the Wall, but will someday plan to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall sections and the North Pass of Juyonggua.
8. Old City Jerusalem, Israel: The Old City of Jerusalem only covers one square kilometer, but packs more history into its space than perhaps any other place in the world. In addition to it being the historical epicenter of the three major religions, the number of archaeological sites are almost too many to list: The Western Wall, Temple Mount, Holy Sepulchre, Dome of the Rock, and The Cardo ... just to name a few. I spent some time here a few years back and feel like I barely scratched the surface.
9. Teotihuacán, Mexico: This often forgotten site can be summed up in one fact: At it's height in the 1st century AD it was larger than any city of the same era in Europe.... including Rome. I have not yet been here, and haven't planned a trip yet to do so.... Anyone want to come with me?
10. Mesa Verde, Colorado: This is the wild-card of the group, but if you've been here you'll know why I've included it. Mesa Verde was built by the Old Pueblo people (Anasazi's) that thrived in this region from 600AD-1300AD before mysteriously disappearing. The most well-known complex here is the Cliff Palace: A multi-story apartment complex built into a 325-footlong, 90-foot-deep, 65-foot-high cliff. The building had 200 rooms and 23 underground ceremonial rooms (kivas) used for social and religious rituals. There are 400 other cliff dwellings in the National Park as well. I climbed up into this site as a kid and it alone sparked my lifelong fascination with lost cities and archaeology. Read more...

Exploring Earth

The other night I was watching a special on the fateful 1996 Everest season chronicled by Krakauer in his book Into Thin Air that took (among others) the lives of famed guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer. For those of you that don't know the story, it is one of the most heart-wrenching modern tales of survival and adventure ever written. I mention this because for those of you that know me you'll know I have three vices: coffee, good food, and an obsession for adventure tales. Anything that is remotely related to discovery, borderline delusional adventure activities, or the capacity for the human body to survive near-death physical efforts, has my interest piqued. Anyhow, the show got me thinking about two things: The greatest adventure/exploration stories ever, and what (if any) modern day adventures are left?

To start, here is a list of what I consider to be six of the most incredible/fascinating adventure stories ever recorded:
1. Everest: The 1996 expedition, the Hillary/Irvine fateful attempt in 1924, and Messner's ascent alone and without oxygen in 1980
2. Lewis and Clark's exploration of the Western United States (and/or the trappers detailed in Give Your Heart to the Hawks)
3. Shackleton's odyssey in the Antarctic
4. Sir John Franklin's lost expedition to the Northwest Passage in 1845
5. The sinking of the whale-ship Essex in 1820, and the resulting survival story
6. The 14th century Moroccan wanderer Battúta's adventures as chronicaled in Travels

As for the last great unknowns and unexplored, here are my thoughts:
1. Everest still remains
2. The sub-glacial terrain of Antarctica (and sea life off the coast, see here)
3. The ocean floor (only 1% mapped)
4. The Northern Triangle Subtropical Forests of Myanmar
5. Regions of the central mountains of New Guinea
6. Parts of the Amazon (upper Orenoco)
7. The Greenland ice cap
8. The table mountains of southern Venezuela
9. Northwest Siberia
Read more...

Top ten reasons to visit Japan

I have a public service announcement: Japanese taxis might be possessed. Yep - certifiably, nuts. In fact, I'm not sure taxis there could possibly be from the same genus as those in our lovely New York City. Or Chicago. Or Los Angeles. They are a new species. First off, don't touch the doors. Nope, they'll open for you automatically. I half expected KITT to then greet me. KITT did not... Kazuki did though, and he had a suit on, he even smiled. Secondly, the cabs are spotless. They even have those doilies on the seats like you'd see at your grandmother's house when you were a kid. What is this? Automatic doors? Friendly drivers? A clean car with doilies? Nonsense. It can't be. They must be possessed.

The taxis alone are worth a visit. But if you plan to see more, here's 10 more reasons to visit this fantastic nation that I lived in for several months:

1. The toilets. There, I said it. What you ask could possibly be redeemable about a toilet? Well, try this: Seat warmers. automatic night lights, bidets (yes, that's plural), a dryer, automatic seat raisers, varied flush functions. Do I need to say more?
2. The sashimi: I guarantee you've never had fresher tasting, better fish in your life.
3. Tsukiji fish market: Any day you can peruse one of the largest fish markets in the world while being chased by frozen sea monsters on dollies is a good one in my eyes. Side note: Japan: Stop killing whales and cutting off shark fins. I don't care what kind of medicinal value it has.
4. Kyoto: Any city with 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites does not need an introduction.
5. Fuji-san: For anyone that has climbed the 10 stations of the mountain, you know its beauty. A well-kept secret though are the many natural hot spring ryokans you can stay at near the base.
6. Sake: Love this stuff. Try any Premium Ginjo. Kanpai!
7. Nikko: I fell in love with this city best known for its beautiful temple and Tosho-gu Shrine.
8. Shinjuku... At night: Picture Times Square on steroids and 50 times larger.
9. Business-people doing calisthenics in front of skyscrapers: Can you really beat 100 men in suits doing stretching routines at 6AM?
10. The people: Some of the most genuine, friendly people in the world. Read more...

Mmmmm... Beer

Okay, I know, I know... You're wondering why you are reading about beer on our blog. I have a better question: Why wouldn't you be? For me, sampling new beer as I travel is as much a staple as trying new cuisine, or experiencing new cultures. I love arriving in a country and settling in at a pub with a cold beer and a map to plan my next move. Many years back I traveled to Europe for a few months with a very good friend of mine, and we made it our mission to drink a Guinness in every city we arrived in before doing anything else: Finding accomodations, eating, sleeping... you get the point. Anyhow, this philosophy coupled with my new favorite show Three Sheets inspired me to amass a list of some of my favorite brews. So, here they are in no particular order:

Guinness: An Irish stout. Best Guinness I've had: At a pub on the western side of the Sevilla Cathedral.
Caffreys Cream Ale: Another Irish brew. Unfortunately, my days of being able to pick this beauty up at the store are long gone as it is no longer available in the States.
Beamish Stout: One more Irish stout.... fantastic. Had a pint in London once with some fish and chips - best thing I did in that country.
Budvar: For any of you Czech Republic fans, you know that this is the real Budweiser.
Staropramen Granat: Staropramen's semi-dark pilsner. One of the best. Oh, and when you are buying them for 50 cents on the Vlatava River in Prague, it doesn't get much better.
Struise Pannepot : A strong Belgian Ale. Weird name, but trust me on this one.
Yebisu Black: This is a dark lager only found in Japan. Though not as good as Guinness, the fact that you can buy it at a train station and drink it with friends over a card game on the bullet trains is pretty neat.
1554: This Brussels Style Black Ale is my favorite from the New Belgiam Brewing Company in Ft. Collins, CO. Most of you are more acquainted with Fat Tire, another of their fine brews.
Delirium Tremens: One of my all-time favorites, this Belgian tripple has a nearly 9% alcohol content. The pink elephants on the bottles are a nice touch as well.
Pilsner Urquell Kvasnicový: This unfiltered Czech brew (Pilsner) is brilliant. By the way, the bottled version you may find at Von's is not what I am talking about here... Read more...

vacation locations where the dollar does not suck

The weak dollar is felt not only here in the US, but also for those travelers abroad. Europe is a perfect example of a location where American travelers can easily spend more than anticipated. However, there still are plenty of places where the dollar is still thriving and your vacation funds will not run out on your first day.

1. Argentina- imagine relocating the French Rivera a bit further south and presto! you have Argentina. With its wide variation of chic hotels, great dining and nightlife, this is the perfect getaway for those looking to embrace the good life. Since the collapse of the Argentine peso in 2001, the price are still extremely reasonable for such a swanky location.

2. Latin America- smaller and lesser developed countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua are luring American tourists with excellent deals taking advantage of their immature currency and national debts. These countries maintain much of their original pristine beauty and many resorts offer great all inclusive stays on their breathtaking beaches.

3. Go Down Under for a real Australian experience. The dollar still fairs well in Australia and if you can afford the flight over, prices are quite reasonable upon arrival. Australia offers such a wide array of vacation opportunities for travelers, it really suits any one's needs. Read more...

43 Places

There is a great Web site named 43 Places that I found awhile back that allows users to pick the 43 places they'd like to see in the world, read reviews about the places, and even add new ones. The Web site uses Flickr for their photos, and describes thousands of locales around the world. In addition to countries, cities, streets, and hangouts, you can even find tags such as "Hogwarts" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," for those of us that liken travel to a state of mind from time to time. Once you choose one of your 43 places you can read reviews from folks that have been there, see suggested destinations that are identified as similar, or places that are on the lists of people that also chose your particular destination. For instance, one of my 43 are the temples and pagodas of Bagan (in Burma). Similar tagged locations would be Mandalay, Ko Chang and Red Rock Canyon. The Web site is a great way to bring out the wanderlust in all of us, and even find new vacation destinations. For any curious readers out there who want to know which places in this world pique my interest most, I've listed my 43 places below:

Ko Pha-Ngan
The Tiger's Nest
Whitsunday Islands
Denali National Park
Teotihuacán
Chichen Itza
The Great Blue Hole
Copán
Palmyra
Mount Kilimanjaro
Tracking the Mountain Gorilla
Wat Phou
Mount Everest
Bagan
Cappadocia
Gonder
Namib Desert
Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses
Varanasi
Machu Picchu
Galapagos Island
Borobudur Stupa
Patagonia
Palawan
Diocletian's Palace
Salar de Uyuni
African Safari
Tierra del Fuego
Kokoda Trail
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Babylon
Istanbul
Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania
Thessaloniki
Ha Long Bay
Abu Simbel
Badlands National Park
Lhasa
Nosy Boraha
Ice Hotel
Cage diving with a great white shark
Jodhpur Read more...

My "to do" list

A few years ago Chris and I were taking about his "100 things to do before I die" list. He had this elaborate list of all his special plans...one of which graces our website, where Chris is doing a handstand in front of the Pyramids. It inspired me to sit down and make my own list chalk full of the normal, #9. get married, and the ridiculous #34 take a picture with a penguin in South Africa.

I had a lot of fun taking the time to think about the things I really wanted out of my life. I admit that a large percent of what made my list is travel related items (i mean what can be more fun than fulling crazy travel dreams). However, I think it is also import to have some long terms reminders of what is important in life (other than getting hammered at Mardi Gras- #78).

I have included very adult endeavors, #2 buy a house and other not so adult endeavors, #87 Ride all the rides at 6 flags. I have added things I can do soon, #12 go a wine tour in Napa, to future aspirations #52 have a gold anniversary.

So, now I have to ask...what types of things are on your bucket list? Read more...

A Table for Two...

Someone posed a question the other day as to the most romantic place/city in the world. It got me thinking about my own travels. Now, for the record, I have never actually been out of the country with a girlfriend. So, the hypothetical Chris thinks the following....

Let's start with a short-list of places that aren't on the list:
1. The Prague train station. Seriously, is there a place in all of Europe you'd rather not be? I'd say the likelihood of seeing: A. A rat; B. A sketchy transaction; or C. Something transpire that will in short order put your life in danger, are all quite likely. In fact, if one were to ever bring a date/spouse/or crush into that station with hopes of anything romantic, you'd be quickly left on one of those unsanitary benches to debate what went wrong.
2. The gate/warehouse at the Rafah crossing point in Palestine: For all of you adventure seekers out there: If you'd like to impress someone with glorious new sites and experiences, let it not be here (unless you like sitting on foreign concrete with water dripping on your head).
3. Khao San Road, Thailand: Fake purses: Check. Tiger beer: Check, check. General mayhem: Check, check, check. Romantic evening on a patio of a local eatery: Abort.
4. A falafel stand in Luxor, Egypt: For any of you wondering what this romatic evening may look like, I'll give you a peak:
"I'd like two falafel's please. Can I also have one of those tables with a candle?"
Falafel man: "Those tables are plastic, and the legs are broken."
"Oh, in that case, can I get the tinfoil shaped into a little swan?"
Falafel man: "What's swan"
"Ahh, forget it"
(Your date gets run over by another mobile falafel stand making a bee-line for the crowd of people)
"Those are nice tire treads on your calf, honey"

Now for the romantic out there, here's a shortlist of some well-known and not so well-known places to take your significant other:
1. Koh Phi Phi Island, Thailand. Stay at the Phi Phi Natural Resort on the Northern-most part at Laem Tong. Ask for a bungalow near their private beach. Trust me on this one.
2. Venice at night. Any restaurant near the water. Enough said.
3. Petra, Jordan. Aside from the ancient city, stay in present-day Petra. When night falls and the musician's come out, soak the night away on the street with some Arabian tea and feta salad by candlelight.
4. Crepes at dusk on the back side of the Basilique Sacré-Coeur, Paris.
5. Quadra Island, British Columbia. Haven't heard of it? Find it, and take your significant other there with a backpack, canoe, and a tent. You'll never find silence quite like it.
6. Hypostyle Hall, Karnak Temple in Luxor (at night). Bring a sandwich and hang out at the base of the far columns.
7. Casita restaurant, Tokyo, Japan.

Where are your favorite overseas romantic or non-romantic places? Respond to the post and let us know! Read more...