What's New

Ideas Anyone? The Decision to Wander - AGAIN.

Ellen Barone — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:21:20 +0000

For the past year, a vague sense of restlessness has been brewing in the Barone household.

This will not surprise those who know Hank and me. Nor is the itch to wander an unfamiliar one.

Nearly two decades ago we eloped during a 3-month vacation. In 1996 we packed up the Subaru and didn’t return home for more than a year. Fourteen months later, we moved 2,000-miles across the country to begin a new life. And, for the past decade we’ve divided our time between homes in Old and New Mexico.

So, while the decision to wander - again - might not be breaking news to outsiders, it did, at least for me, feel a bit like a bolt from the blue. As if I suddenly emerged from the rabbit hole with blinking eyes in the blinding light of a new world.

Perhaps it’s because life has been rather comfortable these past few years, ticking along at a creative clip, supported by good friends in an amazingly beautiful part of the world. So, why trade it for the unknown?

Oddly enough, it’s precisely the unknown that has us sitting up nights tossing ideas back and forth, too excited to sleep.

“What about an around-the-world cruise?” I find myself blurting out at 3AM.

“Uruguay sounds nice,” Hank says, nose buried in a South American guidebook over our morning cuppa.

“I wonder if the Four Seasons Bora Bora needs an in-house blogger,” I say, in full schemin’ and dreamin’ mode.

Happy 2010

Ellen Barone — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:32:57 +0000

As 2009 unfolds into 2010, I wish you wonderful new experiences, fulfilling creative pursuits and more good than you can imagine!

I plan to begin the new year as I would any journey. To breathe in the fullness of life, observe with joy and greet the new with open arms.

Join me for the adventure!

Bon Voyage,

Ellen

Santa's Giving Out Travel Gear from December 1 - 15: Travel Bloggers' Caravan

Ellen Barone — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:51:27 +0000

Psst! I’ve got a secret to share. Next Tuesday, 15 travel bloggers, including EllenBarone.com, will put on their Santa hats and will give away prizes in celebration of the season.

Prizes range from hotel gift cards and overnight stays to digital cameras and noise-cancelling headphones to luggage and camera bags to travel guidebooks and DVDs.

Each day, between December 1–15, a different travel expert’s blog will be featured in this round robin event. You’ll have a chance to win one of over a dozen prizes by reading and commenting on the daily blog post.

Simply visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each morning to learn about the featured Caravan “stop-of-the-day” between December 1 and 15, and then enter to win.

Complete Travel Caravan Schedule

December 1: LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Lingo 16-Language Translator courtesy of Magellan’s Travel Supplies

ExOfficio newsletter features travel tips from EllenBarone.com

Ellen Barone — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:23:18 +0000

Gifts under $20 bucks from ExOfficio and FREE travel tips from yours truly included. YAY!

See below:

MEN’S WOMEN’S SHOES SALE



		5 Easy Tips For Returning Home With Great Vacation Photographs by Travel Photojournalist, Ellen Barone 1. Keep your camera handy Some of the best images happen when you least expect them, especially when traveling through interesting or unique terrain. 2. Get focused Ask yourself what about the scene attracts you? Is it the sun-drenched vistas of ancient olive groves and terraced vineyards? Or a riot of red geraniums pushing out from balcony window boxes? Exclude anything that doesn’t capture your attention. 3. Get out there Get up early, stay out late. If you’re with a group, rather than taking the van back hang around a bit. Use any spare time to look for photographs. The additional effort discovering the place will enrich your experience. 4. Don’t be shy If you approach people with an open heart, they’ll usually be happy to have their picture made. Joke around a little. Show genuine interest in their life. At the very least, learn how to say “hello” and “May I make a photograph” in the local language. Most of all, relax and enjoy the exchange. If you feel comfortable, so will they. 5. Compose creatively Remember to shoot from different positions. Get elevated, or low. Move in close. Move right or left for a different perspective. If you can without being intrusive, put yourself right in the midst of the swirling dancers, bagpipers, white water rapids, café kitchen, etc. And, don’t forget to look behind you. Sometimes it’s the best shot! Visit Ellen’s web site for travel tips, podcasts and more.

Order at www.exofficio.com or by Phone: (800) 644-7303 M-F 7am-5pm PST

This message was sent to info@ellenbarone.com by info@exofficio.com

Unsubscribe / Manage | Forward Email | Report Abuse

3314 S 116th St, Tukwila, WA, 98168

EllenBarone.com Launches TRAVEL TASTES a new forum for foodies, Reader Reviews and Menus.

Ellen Barone — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:26:19 +0000

Are you a foodie? We all know that it’s often the discovery of a special restaurant, memorable meal, innovative chef, or the unexpected back-alley bistro that adds zing to great travel experiences.

Whether it’s down the street or across the globe, what gastronomic discovery is it that you just can’t stop talking about, and are urging others to try too? I invite you to SHARE IT IN THE NEW TRAVEL TASTES COMMUNITY FORUM AT ELLENBARONE.COM

Tell us about your tastes, travels, inspirations or the trends you see. Share memories, meet up for a meal, tap the insider know-how of travelers who discover the world food first. Be blunt, be honest, be generous. Best of all, join the discussion! SHARING IS EASY. Simply click the CREATE NEW POST button provided at http://ellenbarone.com/travel-tastes

Join Me In France With The Wayfarers

Ellen Barone — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:44:34 +0000

Come along! September 27 – October 3, 20-9 with a day or two on each end for time in Paris or kayaking on the Dordogne.

You may remember that last May I went walking with The Wayfarers in Provence, France, and wrote about my experiences for their gorgeous new 2009 brochure. You can read the full article, here.

In September, I’ll be packing my bags (and cameras) again for France and another walking trip withThe Wayfarers, this time to the historic Dordogne region.

This beautiful area is known for its river and castles and although I’m not exactly going for the prehistoric caves and 15,000 year old rock art, I WILL BE going for the quaint villages, black truffles, wine & foie gras!

This isn’t a photo-themed tour, but I’ll be shooting plenty and happy to answer your questions while we walk and talk. The walks are not too challenging and we’ll visit artists, eat outside and have time to relax in lovely country house hotels.

Not sure? Read this New York Times front page article on The Dordogne.

Currency bonus $400 off per person – net cost $3,395. Airfares are down and the dollar is UP!

Think it over and let your friends know - this trip is not limited to females.

I hope to see you in FRANCE.

CLICK HERE or call (800) 249- 4620 for walk details.

EllenBarone.com Partners With Leading Online Community DivineCaroline.com

Ellen Barone — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:41:00 +0000

I’m thrilled to announce a new partnership with Real Girls Media, Inc. popular online community, DivineCaroline.com, where women come together to express themselves, find answers and share life through storytelling.

As part of the agreement, DivineCaroline.com will stream weekly RSS feeds fromEllenBarone.com to the DivineCaroline.com Travel category. The weekly streams include EllenBarone.com travel steals + deals, trips + tips, gadget girl reviews, photo-of-the-month, travel podcasts, and much more.

Featuring nine different content areas where members publish their stories, chat in forums, write reviews and more, DivineCaroline.com is a community for women managing several aspects of their life.

I love the site and think you will too. Become a member and join the fun. Click here to get started today.

I look forward to getting to know you as we embark on this journey together!

Ellen

Another Top Travel Resource Brings The Wild Pair to Readers

Ellen Barone — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:19:20 +0000

Adventure.travel partners with The Wild Pair (a.k.a. travel journalists Ellen Barone and Judith Fein)

You can now read travel tips and articles by The Wild Pair at adventure.travel, an online hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and consumer guide to finding high quality, trusted Adventure Travel tour operators from around the globe.

2009 OR BUST

Ellen Barone — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:42:30 +0000

As 2009 swings into gear, I find myself excited for what comes next. Where will my globe-trotting dreams lead? What fulfilling creative project will land on my desktop. What new, or existing, client will bring passion and vision to the new year? Who will I meet and learn from? It’s sure to be a journey full of extraordinary experiences!

To say that life is a trip is an understatement. Each of us brings our own point of view, our past experiences, and our unique expectations to the adventure. There is no one way to do life. That’s why, with a new year, Wild Pair partner Judith Fein and I have decided to launch a new venture: YourLifeIsATrip.com. Your life IS a trip and our goal is to help you maximize the experience. Whatever you do, we want to help you do it the best way possible. You CAN be a traveler, rather than a tourist, in your own life.YourLifeIsATrip.com is dedicated to you and your stories: inspirational, fun, and everything in between. So rev up your writing engines and send us your stories! Plus, come back often for exclusive audio and video clips, photo slideshows and expanded coverage. Your Life Is A Trip, and we hope to be part of it!

Going forward, EllenBarone.com continues to be one-stop-shopping for travel advice, vacation tips, gadget reviews and much more, with new features being added constantly. So visit often. And remember, if you have a favorite travel provider, book, organization or gear and gadget recommendation, please let me know —- I’d love to hear from you!

Best wishes for health, happiness, prosperity and all that you wish for in 2009!

Bon Voyage,

Ellen

Bringing Good Gadgets to ItsGoodStuff.com

Ellen Barone — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:34:00 +0000

I’m thrilled to be the new ‘gadget girl’ at It’sGoodStuff.com - a free daily email that brings great deals to your inbox every day. Whether it is information about health, home, finances or entertainment, look to ItsGoodStuff.com to deliver the goods.

As their gadget girl, I’ll be sharing all my favorite gadget and gear recommendations. Too fun!

If you’re like me and love great stuff, click here to sign up.