Recently, I was fortunate to be able to stay at The Springs Resort and Spa in La Fortuna, Arenal. This 5 star resort could easily be a destination all by itself. This resort is less than two years old and has swimming pools and a slide, natural hot and cold springs, waterfalls, an animal preserve, and oh, what a view of the volcano. There are 18 lushly landscaped hot springs pools, bars, swim up bars with movable bar stools, and 9 restaurants to experience.
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Oct8
1 CommentIndulge in The Springs Resort & Spa
Posted in: Accommodations, Adventurous Activities, Leisure Activities, Small Group Tours, Western Hemisphere
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Aug20
Red or white for your inspiration? While viewing the movie, Eat, Pray, Love I was transported back to Italy. MSNBC says, “Julia Roberts plays a woman who leaves her safe life behind to go on a journey of self-discovery by embarking on a round-the-world trip.” However, for me Italy is the true inspiration in the movie. Italy is all about the food, sights, and wine all the while enjoying them with friends and family.Consigli di…vini says… Italy is famous for many reasons, but perhaps it is mostly famous for its exclusive quality of wine. The wines of Italy are full of varieties. Wine is very common item in Italy, as tea and coffee are common in the other parts of the world. There are many different varieties of wine. The two most distinct and prominent classifications are red and white wine. There is a lot more varieties suitable for different activities.
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Aug13
Italy, India, and Indonesia in a Year?
Posted in: Beach Getaways, Eastern Hemisphere, Small Group Tours
Do you have a year you can take off to simply travel? Well that is exactly what Elizabeth Gilbert does in her book “Eat, Pray, Love“. The movie based on the book comes out today in theaters. If you haven’t guessed, I’m reading the book. My goal is to finish it today or by the time I see the movie, whichever comes first.
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Jul16
It was only a week ago that we were with our group in China savoring the Shanghai flavors, taking in the Beijing sounds and Xian sights, along with enjoying the Yantgze River people.
When I travel, photos are an essential way to capture the story for someone else or to send me back to the experience. For your visual journey through China, I’ve included some photos.
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Jul9
Journey Conversations on…Bali
Like many women Jan wears a lot of “different hats” in her busy schedule. She is a mother of three and caring for a fourth, a wife, a traveler, travel writer, and owner of Puckett’s Grocery Restaurant in Franklin, TN. They will soon have a new location in downtown Nashville, http://www.puckettsgrocery.com/. Here is our travel conversation on Bali, an island of Indonesia.
Traveling Journey Guest ~ Jan Marshall
We appreciate you taking the time for this travel interview today on Bali. Can you share with our audience why Bali is your favorite place to travel to?
Yes. I would love to. It really is a magical journey. Bali is full of lush lands, primitive surroundings and beautiful, exotic people who love to serve and are proud of their home.
WDJ Blog Bali Beach
What are your top 3 insider tips for visitors to Bali?
1. Stay at one of the beautiful resorts until you can get the lay of the land. We stayed at the Melia Resort. It was amazing!
2. Prepare to shop and bring an extra luggage bag unless you want to bundle shipping costs with fellow travelers. No matter how bulky the artifact you purchase is, they will get it on the plane for you. These people take pride in their service. On that note, I recommend you fly Singapore Airlines. It is worth it for such long flight.
3. Go through Ubed and take some of the back roads with a reputable driver. The artists there are amazing and worth the extra trips. Plus it’ll save you some $$.
WDJ Blog Bali Monkeys
Can you describe your “Jungle Book” experience?
This excursion was a wild one for sure! We are all used to going into zoos and seeing monkeys there, but this is not that at all. I walked along a cleared out pathway through some temple ruins covered with foliage, when out of the trees, pops out these little monkeys following me. They are really cute, and creepy at the same time. I was told not to have any food in my purse because they would “steal” it. A lady ignored this advice, and had monkeys al around her-dancing and literally opening her purse and getting the food. It reminded me so much of Jungle Book! The monkeys were harmless, but they had total control of this entire temple ruin. I loved it. No one should miss it. However, I admit, I was ready to leave!
What time of year did you travel and was this a good time to go?
We traveled in late October. This is their rainy season. Being a native of Tennessee, rainy seasons mean long periods of endless rain. I’m a weather nerd, and I was worried about this when we would go on excursions. One morning, while dining in the lobby, I asked the concierge what the weather forecast was for the day. He pops his head out the door, looks back and says, “maybe rain, maybe not.” No weather maps and radars there! It’s really not a concern. Just bring a jacket for the occasional pop up shower. It is a great time to go.
What would you recommend as your must-have travel items for Bali?
Bring a jacket, warm season travel clothes, and good walking shoes that can get you through different terrains, a travel journal and an open mind for the people. They are quite lovely.
WDJ Blog Bali
All travel has its funny and not so funny moments; do you have any from this trip you’d like to share?
One of the funniest memories of all my travels is in Bali. My husband, Andy, loves to bargain, and is quite good at it. We were at a stone artisan pavilion where there were ornate carvings everywhere of ancient gods. The artist is carving these with a very crude flint stick, and they are truly incredible. However, we eyed this simple carving of Mother Mary, and decide on it. While Andy was bargaining, I was talking to our driver, Sumatru, about who Mary is in the Christian faith. This man and I were having a serious moment. He was so dear, and yet had no idea that you could pray to a god you could not see. Andy is bargaining for Mary, and we hear him tell the owner “you don’t even know who she is. Why would it matter to you the price.” Sumatru and I just looked at each other and started laughing.
What’s the next destination on your “Bucket List” to travel to and why?
Sadly, I have never been to Europe, and am dying to go. I want to see Italy, Scotland, England, some of France and Germany. Being a ‘foodie‘ I would love to eat my way through Italy and France. We have some lovely friends in Germany, and the pictures from there are exquisite. Scotland is Andy’s homeland. We’d love to stay there for quite a time to get a feel for the culture. Many of my ancestors are from England, and I’d like to see some of the areas where they lived.
Thank you for your interview today and we hope to hear about your other travels in the future.
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Jul6
Journey Conversations..
Today will be a conversation with an amazing woman I have known for several years and when we get together I am always excited to hear about her latest journey. Katherine is an avid traveler so I spent a little time recently asking her some general travel questions. Here is her story.
Traveling Journey Guest - Katherine Letterman
Welcome and thank you for taking the time for this interview today. Would you mind telling our readers a little about yourself and why you have traveled so much?
Traveling satisfies my curiosity and I must have had nomadic ancestors. Even returning home means books to read about one’s destination, delicious meals to try to recreate in one’s home kitchen, and memories that last a lifetime. Not to mention the zeal of planning the next adventure.
I know you have traveled to numerous countries around the world. Have you kept count of the number? And did you usually visit alone or with someone?
I’ve been fortunate to visit almost seventy countries and I have traveled both solo and accompanied. My husband and I have kissed in all fifty state capitol buildings. Road trips are a great way to see our own country and there are some impressive museums tucked away in small towns in America – not to mention fabulous regional foods.
What part of the world draws you the most to return to? And why would that be?
I have yet to travel everywhere and returning holds little appeal for me until I have satisfied the wanderlust and intellectual curiosity I have for new places. Morocco is an incredible country with ocean, endless green fields, beautiful Atlas Mountains, and the stunning colors of the Sahara Desert. The animals in Kenya are absolutely jaw-dropping to see. The colors in India are breath-taking. Iguazu Falls in South America makes Niagara Falls look like a faucet, at least according to Eleanor Roosevelt!
Elephants by Sandy Salle
What was one of the most amazing places you have ever visited and that you would tell readers it needs to be on your bucket list?
The Galapagos Islands should not be missed! What a perfect family vacation. The islands are remote, yet accessible. The volcanic history and adaptive evolution of the animals and birds are an interesting study. It is casual and laid back. The kids can all learn photography and be amazed at what they capture on film.
Albatrosses on Espanola - Galapagos
Can you describe one funny experience while traveling?
Learning not to take liquid Pepto-Bismol! A bottle broke in my luggage and everything I wore and used for the entire trip was pink. Even my stash of $1 bills turned pink. And I am not a pink person!
Tell us what must always pack in your carry-on when you travel.
Anything I ABSOLUTELY can’t lose. After that – a stash of cash to convert upon arrival, hand sanitizer, tickets, passport, book to throw away when finished, necessary medicines, lipstick, disposable toothbrush and toothpaste, camera, and travel journal. Wet wipes are great for cleaning tray tables, refreshing your face, and cleaning your hands. I usually have an Eyewitness guidebook so that I am ready to hit the road running when I land. A large scarf is a great way to cocoon on a long air trip and can be adapted to one’s wardrobe after arrival. A book of Sudoku is a new favorite to help pass the time.
When and where are you traveling next?
Next will be the most remote peninsula in Costa Rica to see bird life. As far as when, I have been quoted as saying I can be ready to go on less than a day’s notice!
Thank you very much and we hope to hear more from our traveling journey guest, Katherine Letterman, in the future.
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Jul2
Today I’d like to share a dear friend and fitness guru with you. Linda is my personal fitness trainer that works miracles around my ailments and provides amazing workouts with a great sense of humor. Linda will be sharing essential exercises for when you fly long distances to journeys and beyond. Here is her foreword and some exercise tips for your next flight.
Linda, thank you for taking the time to share this important information with our travelers today.
Journey Exercise Guest – Linda Kenmuir
Exercise on a Plane
So, the doctor had refused to give you any more Prozac or Zoloft to get you through the day. Your narcissistic boss has freed you temporarily, you have not even tried to strangle the children yet, and you are finally on vacation!
The flight may be 13 hours long, but if you sleep, eat and watch 17 episodes of “Lost” you will get through it, right?
Ever heard of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)? This happens when you sit still for a long period in a cramped area (economy seat), and a clot forms in a vein deep in your body. This clot can break loose and cause a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism – not something you want to deal with when you are on vacation.
There is quite an easy way to avoid this nasty business – exercise.
Not everyone will be comfortable doing lunges, bunny hops and deep squats in the aisles, so here are some moves you can do while seated:
1. Place your feet firmly on the floor, then raise your toes: 20 reps
2. Keep your feet on the floor, then raise your heels: 20 reps
3. Place your arms on the armrests, then lift your knees up: 10 reps
4. Cross your legs, the rotate the foot that is up, both sides: 20 reps
5. Drop your chin to your chest, then roll head from side to side: 10 reps
6. Pull shoulders up to your ears in a shrug, then relax: 10 reps
7. Butt squeezes: 20 reps
8. Squeeze a tennis ball/stress ball, or towel in your hand: 20 reps
Do these every couple of hours, get up and walk, and drink plenty of fluids.
Safe travels ~ Linda
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Jun25
Italy ~ A Sample Itinerary of an Extraordinary Collection: Part 2
Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Eastern Hemisphere
An extraordinary collection of sights: Continued
Tuscany
Journey on…a Chianti Wine Tour The private tour will drive along the “Wine Road” between vineyards and olive trees, to reach Greve in Chianti. In Greve stop at the enoteca “Le Cantine” to taste some of the more than 100 different wines, but also olive oil, vin santo and grappa, all produced in the Chianti area. If time permits, the guide will stop at the Bonollo grappa distillery and at Montefioralle, a small village above Greve, which still preserves its medieval architectural flavor. After Greve, depart for the magnificent Castle of Verrazzano, situated on top of a hill between Florence and Siena, in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine production area.
At the Castle, guided tours are available to see the gardens, the centuries-old aging cellars and, as a curiosity, the wild boar that breed naturally in the surrounding woods. Together with the world famous wines, all the various products of the farm can be tasted, including olive oil, salted meats, wild board sausage (I’m not sure if I want to try this) and the area’s other typical specialties. After the castle, the tour continues with a drive through the typical Tuscan countryside and small villages like Panzano and Castellina in Chianti, with an additional stop for another wine tasting at the famous “Rocca delle Macie” winery. In route back to Florence, we suggest you take the chance to admire the Medieval Fortress of Monteriggioni, with its walls and remaining towers.
When in Venice…Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, & a Gondola ride
Venice, Italy
Marco Polo is where the airport is and there are several ways to the historic city. The fastest route though is via a private water taxi. The heart of Venice is San Marco and its only square in Venice. The must see sights are The Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Saint Mark’s Square, The Clocktower, Archaeological Museum, and La Fenice Opera House. A ‘must do’ would be a gondola ride through the canals. Riding the canals in the less tourist areas will allow you to see a different view of Venice plus it won’t be bumper to bumper gondalas.
Be sure to explore the other districts of Venice, the sestiere of Castello, San Polo, Cannaregio, Santa Croce, and the sestiere of Dorsoduro. The sestiere of Santa Croce via Piazzle Roma connects Venice to the mainland. The sestiere of San Polo is where you’ll find Rialto Bridge, Palace of Camerienghi, the Goldoni House, and San Polo Square.
When in Rome…throw a coin and gain another Journey
If you’ve made it to the end of this Italy sample itinerary (Part 1 & 2) you realize there are so many areas yet to discover and experience that I did not get a chance to mention. For now, these will have to wait for another journey conversation.
Are you ready to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain? Or maybe you already have, if so, it’s time to return to Rome!
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