Tips for Tuesdays: Building Anticipation for your Kids

Today's Tip: Before the trip, make up bedtime stories around the sights you'll be visiting. Or, check out these fantastic children's books by Miroslav Sasek. His "This Is..." series includes illustrated books on New York, Paris, San Fransisco, London, Washington D.C., Ireland, Rome, Hong Kong, Greece, Britain, Texas, Edinburgh, Austraila, Venice, Israel, and Munich. The kids will be more excited to see things they've spent nights dreaming about.

Tips for Tuesdays: Stay Over on a Sunday

Today's Tip: This goes hand-in-hand with last week's tip...Stay over on a Sunday. Many hotels get Friday and Saturday night traffic from leisure travelers and Monday-through-Friday bookings from business travelers, so there's a void on Sunday nights - which usually means better rates and a chance at an upgrade. Instead of going for Friday and Saturday nights, book Saturday and Sunday or Sunday and Monday if you can.

Tips for Tuesdays: Fly on an Off-peak Day

Today's Tip: Fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. Traveling on off-peak days - and at off-peak times - means lower fares, a less crowded cabin, and a greater chance of snagging those elusive mileage-award seats. 

Taking two days off for a long weekend? Instead of a Thursday-Sunday or Friday-Monday trip, save money by flying on a Saturday and returning on a Tuesday.

Tips for Tuesdays: Finding a Great Travel Doctor

Today's Tip: Traveling internationally? With yellow fever (and more) making headlines, it's very important to find a doctor who knows the latest in travel precautions. Plus, most general practitioners won't have the vaccines you'll need on hand (typhoid, for example). Search the International Society of Travel Medicine database for a list of health providers who specialize in pretravel immunizations. 

Also, the CDC Travelers' Health web page offers a vaccination guide as well as notices for high-risk locations, and the World Health Organization puts out a helpful International Travel and Health report annually.

Tips for Tuesdays: Taking Kids to the Museum

Today's Tip: When going to a museum with children, first go to the gift shop and buy postcards of some of the artwork. Give five to ten of them to each child and make a game of finding the art.

Photo Friday: Singapore

One of my favorite cities in Asia has got to be Singapore. Few cities in the world can rival its fascinating ethnic brew, fashion-forward population and amazing street food. Where else in the world can you dip into the cultures of China, India, and Muslim Malaysia all in one day, all against the backdrop of ultra-modern Western commerce? And to top it off, it's one of the cleanest places I have ever seen! Now if only it wasn't so humid...I might have to move there one day!

A stunning view from the Ritz Singapore.

Hanging out with my hubby in front of the iconic Mer-lion. 

For as modern as most of the city is, 

there are still some beautiful old temples. Such a contrast!

One of my favorite sights in Singapore is the development center.
This is a working model of what the city will look like in a few years!

Browsing around Chinatown. 

Gorgeous flowers at the National Orchid Garden.

In front of the famous Raffles Hotel.
Can't leave without tasting a Singapore Sling!

You better Belize it!

Thanksgiving greetings from Belize! As I write these words, I am sitting on the porch of our private cabana at the Capricorn Resort on Ambergris Caye just watching the waves roll in and taking a moment to think about how thankful I am. 

 Our cabana at the Capricorn Resort. I'm sitting on that porch!

I feel like I have so much to be thankful for this year. On the top of my list is my wonderful husband, Ryan, of two years and my loving family. With their unwavering support, I have been able to make my dream of running my own travel consulting business a reality! I'm also super grateful for my health and the health of my loved ones. I never take those things for granted. After that, I feel so fortunate to have had some of the most amazing travel experiences in past few years. Just yesterday I had the opportunity to snorkel the second largest barrier reef in the world and swim with nurse sharks! Being in their environment and watching them dart all around us was so cool, especially given my child-like fascination for sharks. This is definitely a Thanksgiving I won't soon forget. I hope yours is as memorable!

One of the most fun ways to spend Thanksgiving. 

Grateful to still have all my fingers and toes!

Tips for Tuesdays: Preserving Your Travel Memories

Today's Tip: Pack a small glue stick so you can affix your paper mementos (ticket stubs, maps, business cards, etc.) into your journal as you're traveling. Then you don't have to keep track of little scraps and it helps you remember of where you've been throughout the trip.

Photo Friday: Paris

When I was a freshman in college, I decided to study abroad in Paris for the summer. It was my first solo trip to Europe and it completely changed my life. Looking back, I think it was the trip that ignited my love for travel (at least in my adult life). Below is an excerpt from an email I sent to my parents while I was there. Just being in the city changed me in many indelible ways...

"Today, I went to The Shakespeare and Company - this amazing little old book store in the Latin Quarter. The opening scene of my favorite movie, Before Sunset, was filmed there. The whole movie is Julie Deply and Ethan Hawke walking around Paris and having an incredible meandering conversation. I've seen it so many times that I have most of it memorized!

Anyway, it was really cool to be surrounded by that many old books. It was a little crowded, but I took a lot of pictures as I weaved my way to the back where there I found very steep red staircase. I climbed up and discovered more cozy little rooms filled with shelves of tattered books. There was this one room with a corner nest bed made of blankets and throw pillows. I have heard that many famous authors, like Hemingway, have slept there. On the table there was an old typewriter with a black cat curled up next to it. The cat was so asleep that when I stroked its soft fur, it stayed very still. I'm sure it is used to the attention. I also ran my fingers over the soft spines of the books. I realized that I have constantly reached out to touch things in Paris - like the fabric of a designer dress or the corner pillar of a church. I've been so drawn to experiencing the touch sensations of Paris. I feel their power run through me.

The bookstore was unlike any other I've seen. This place had so much character with its worn green carpet and dusty artifacts scattered about. A saying over one of the door frames read, "Be not inhospitable to strangers, lest they be angels in disguise." I can see that the owners of this store open their doors to anyone with a love of books.

After I bought a few books, including "A Movable Feast" by Hemingway, which is about Paris, I walked to the nearest bridge to pass over the Seine with the intent of going back to my apartment, a shelter from the cold. As, I crossed the street, I looked up at Notre Dame and this feeling swept over me. I started to walk slower as I starred up in awe. Then I looked to my left and to my right at the Seine and I felt the tears come to my eyes. I took a seat at a bench on the bridge, still looking at the cathedral's arc-boutants (flying buttresses). And I tried so hard not to cry, but the tears fell anyways. I felt so perfectly overwhelmed by my surroundings that if I were to die that night, I would be content to have felt the way I felt in that moment. For in that moment, Paris brought forth from me all the emotions I knew were there the whole time. It gave me the greatest gift and I felt so alive and at peace.

I sat there for a half an hour, trying desperately to savor the feelings and wipe my tears so that no one would approach me and spoil it. I was so happy to be there, just me and the city, that moment. It was perfect."

 A favorite lesson from Shakespeare and Company. 

This cat was so still, you'd think he was a prop.

Enjoying a stroll up to Montmartre.

The city of lights twinkling in the twilight.

I felt so alive in Paris. 

 Peaceful contemplation at Notre Dame.

 I loved all the churches of Paris. They were so peaceful.

It wouldn't be a complete trip to Paris without an 

indulgent breakfast at Les Deux Magots.

The Perfect Holiday Gift

Are you looking for the perfect gift for loved ones this holiday season? Do you have friends or family that like to explore new destinations? Then give the gift of remarkable travel experiences this season!

Everyone appreciates being in-the-know regarding authentic hotels, restaurants, shops and activities that will enhance their vacation, but people rarely have the time to thoroughly research their trips. With Golden Key, they can travel with tons of great insider recommendations without any of the pre-planning stress.

Golden Key Travel Consulting is now offering custom gift cards for all occasions. Just email Alexa at Alexa@GoldenKeyTravelConsulting.com. The gift card will arrive just in time for the holidays.

 

Give the gift of bespoke travel this season!

Tips for Tuesdays: Groupon

Today's Tip: Join Groupon for the next city you're visiting. It's a smart way to discover new places and get some great deals on restaurants and activities.

Photo Friday: Kyoto

When a traveler first encounters Japan, there appear to be two Japans: there is a Japan that exists now, not just modern, but post-modern, already shaping the 22nd century. Then there is a traditional Japan, the Japan of the flowering of Zen Buddhism, the arts and of the samurai warrior and the Shoguns. Both will dazzle and delight you. For the post-modern Japan, head to the super cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama. For the traditional side, you can't beat Kyoto. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

 The famous Golden Temple.

 More traditional Japanese architecture.

 Hanging with some locals.

 A famous geisha. Kyoto has the most active geishas of any Japanese city.

 Outside of cherry blossom season, Japan is the most beautiful in the fall.

 Fushimi-Inari Taisha. Love those orange torris!

Tips for Tuesdays: Power Cord Organization

From now on, I will be posting some of my favorite travel tips every Tuesday. 

Today's tip: If you're like me, you travel with a lot of electronics (cell phone, computer, camera, etc.) Pack a labeled Ziploc bag for each power cord. It prevents tangling and reminds you to retrieve them at the end of your trip. You'll never leave a charger behind again!

Photo Friday: Western Australia

Ahhh the open road...it has always called to me. The freedom, the vastness, the empty horizon stretching before me for miles. I love the romantic idea of it. Give me some wheels and a map and I'm into it.

And let me tell you, I have seen the OPEN road. I thought America was empty, especially the middle part, but it is nothing compared to what I experienced in Western Australia. Try to imagine the western half of the continental United States (around 1 million square miles) with a population the size of Houston (around 2.3 million people) and you've pretty much got W.A. There are hundreds of miles of open space without a person in sight. In fact, all that you have to tell you what century you're in is the black asphalt beneath you. And once you get onto some of their dirt tracks, you'll have no sense of time. 

It's a beautiful thing really. Though, I don't recommend seeing it the way I did. My husband and I thought that since we were going out into the "Great Australian Outback" that we would need to camp. And our idea of camping includes a full-service bathroom, a kitchen with a small refrigerator and a bed. I know, I like to think of myself as adventurous, but I do draw the line with real camping. I'm a sissy and I own it. Anyway, we decided to rent an RV for our W.A. adventure. We christened her Matilda after the national anthem of Oz and after a few days, she was renamed "the beast." While we thought that having an RV would allow us to feel a sense of comfort in remote camping spots, we ended up regretting it. First off, we couldn't really make it to those remote camping spots we dreamed about since Matilda couldn't exactly go off-roading. Most nights, we pulled into a lame RV park and "camped" right next to a dozen families on holiday. Not exactly the romance of the open road we were hoping for...

Secondly, Matilda guzzled gas. We wanted to put some serious road behind us and we ended up driving from Perth all the way up to Shark's Bay (2/3 of the western coast). In the end, it cost us quite a bit of money just in gas. By the time we hauled the beast to our destination for the night, we had spent enough money to stay in a nice little motel. At least then we wouldn't have had to assemble and disassemble our bed every day. Plus, there was the noise. Any divet in the road would cause the silverware packed haphazardly in drawers in the kitchenette to sound a symphony of clanging. I realize that I am not an RV person. I can say I've done it and I probably will never do it again.

That said, there were some marvelously beautiful parts of W.A. It really does feel like the edge of the world. And there's wildlife everywhere. We saw kangaroos, emus, sharks, pelicans and dolphins on multiple occasions. Here are some of the highlights...

Ryan and Matilda, aka "the beast."

Looking out from the famous suspended tree-top walk near 

Walpole in the Valley of the Giants south of Perth.

 Cuddling a baby kangaroo was a highlight of the trip.

(He was domesticated! Do not try this with a wild animal.)

An Australian icon.

These rocks once linked Australia to Antarctica 

when the continents were one as Pangea. 

What's a road trip with out a little roadside kitsch?

Australians have an obsession with making giant fiberglass sculptures. 

Around Oz there's also a a giant lobster, a koala, a bull and a banana. 

The natural splendor of the Pinnacles Desert near Cervantes.

I have never seen anything like this pink lake near Kalbarri. 

It must have been caused by some sort of mineral in the water. 

Pretty amazing sight.

The edge-of-the-world cliffs near Kalbarri.

 Truly the OPEN road.

Sunset at Monkey Mia.

Photo Friday: sLOVEnia

While most of my friends in college were going to Cancun or Florida for spring break, my husband (then boyfriend) and I decided we wanted more of an adventure. So, instead of packing bathing suits and flip flops, we packed our jeans and jackets and headed out on a road trip through eastern Europe. We started in Budapest, drove to Bratislava and Vienna, down to Graz (Austria) and on to Croatia via Slovenia. The tiny country of Slovenia ended up being the highlight of our trip. The people were friendly and active. Everywhere you looked, people were hiking, kayaking, skiing and biking. They put Californians and Australians to shame! Bordering both the Alps and the Mediterranean means that Slovenia is full of natural beauty. Actually, a third of the territory of the country is protected! Plus, the food is highly influenced by the divine cuisine of Northern Italy (it's neighbor). And to top it off, it was inexpensive! What more could you want? Here are some of the highlights...please ignore the cloudy weather. It was February...

 One of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia is the glacial Lake Bled.

 This was the stunning view from the room of our
modest guest house outside of Bled.
We were amazed at how far our money could go.

The oldest church in Slovenia. 

So serene.

Hitting the slopes in a winter wonderland. 

Walking around the streets of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.

 The main square in Ljubljana.

Photo Friday: Scotland

There are places we dream about visiting one day as a child. Sometimes those places disappoint upon arrival. And sometimes those places carve an indelible place in our hearts. For me, a place that I wanted to go from a young age was Scotland. I had a nanny who had emigrated from Glasgow who became part of my family for nine years. When she joined our household, I was only 7 years old and she was only 23. At that point in my life, she was the most exotic person I knew and I was always intrigued by the mysterious land from which she came. What did I know about it except for the legend of the Loch Ness monster?! After a few months, I started getting used to her thick accent (now, I don't even notice it!). Little did I know that she would completely change my life in so many wonderful ways. She was the first one to introduce me to salt and vinegar chips, Maltesers, phrases like "cheeky monkey" and oddly enough, country music! Sometimes you don't have to even leave your own country to have a cultural experience...

When I finally made it to Scotland, I was 21 years old - almost the age she was when she came to the United States. I was bewitched by not only its stunning landscapes, but by its charming and kind people. My husband couldn't understand a lick the Glaswegians were saying, but I had no problem... It felt like coming home. 

Here are some of my favorite snapshots:

 The atmospheric Dunnottar Castle outside Stonehaven, Scotland. 

Of course, portions of Mel Gibson's Hamlet were shot here in 1990.

Where else?

The famous Loch Ness. I couldn't resist.

You couldn't help but pull over on the side of the road to look at the magnificent scenery. 

This was on a drive to Loch Torridon. 

Sometimes we felt like we had the whole country all to ourselves...

Well, almost all to ourselves. 

Enjoying some typical Scottish weather at Eilean Donan Castle.

Gorgeous waterfalls in Glen Nevis.

 Could the little lanes of Crail be any cuter?