In case you hadn’t noticed, vacation weather doesn’t always mimic the brochure photos. It’s more than likely that at least a day or two of your much-anticipated escape will not involve sunshine and Windex-blue skies.
illustration via www.cartoonstock.comOne of the most memorable Alaska adventures my husband Hank and I have enjoyed involved eight days of rain and clouds. Did it stop us? Slowed us down, perhaps. But did it ruin the vacation? Not a chance. In fact, the moody, misty weather made the Alaskan land and seascapes even more magical.
We’re not alone. Follow these travel tips from savvy travelers and never again let bad weather spoil a good adventure.
Read my full article on The Adventure Blog at CanadianMountainHolidays.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Winter is a great time to plan national park trips because there is still a broad range of room options available in popular parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. Although some of the iconic lodges are filling up during peak times, there is plenty of availability.
National park concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts offers tips for successfully planning a park visit and securing accommodations.
1. Be informed. Visit Xanterra’s web site at www.xanterra.com for general information on the parks operated by Xanterra as well as lodging descriptions, rates and availability. Another good source of information on national parks is the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov.
2. Be web-savvy. Rooms can be booked online at:
- www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com,
- www.grandcanyonlodges.com,
- www.zionlodge.com,
- www.craterlakelodges.com
- and www.furnacecreekresort.com.
Booking online is usually the quickest way to secure a reservation. Travelers can check room availability too via Xanterra’s online reservations calendar.
3. Confirm that you have the full online picture. Some lodges will list various room types as part of drop down menus. If you do not click on the down arrow only one room type will be visible. And guess which room type is the first to show up as sold out?
4. Be flexible with your choice of lodge. Some of the larger parks such as Grand Canyon and Yellowstone feature multiple lodges in spectacular settings. While Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn and Grand Canyon’s El Tovar are best-known and tend to fill up first, other lodges offer history, comfortable accommodations and their own appeal.
5. Avoid the crowds. Regardless of which park you are visiting, consider traveling during the first two weeks of June, the last 10 days of August or the first two weeks of September.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
a guest article by B&B expert, Marti Mayne
The Distinctive Inns of New England have spent some time researching what women and men really want for Valentine’s Day. And the answers may surprise you.
While women do love their flowers, romantic escapes and chocolates, it’s the sentiment that comes with the gift that really counts. And while some men may answer the question about what they want most for Valentine’s Day with a three letter word, the majority are more interested in their loved ones’ happiness.
Surprised?
Read the two part series in the Distinctive Inns of New England’s blog .
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Research, Compare, and Select the Best Tour Operator by Knowing the Right Questions To Ask.
It is summer vacation planning time again and knowing how to find and vet the best options is an important step. Following are Ten Tips to take you from research to R&R as you strategize when and where to spend precious vacation time and dollars.
A little time and energy spent on the front end helps ensure the vacation of your dreams. “The planning process should be a fun part of the overall experience,” says Dan Austin, owner of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), named the World’s Best Tour Operator by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine for the past two consecutive years.
To help guide you through the maze of vacation options, the tour experts at Austin-Lehman Adventures offer these useful tips when starting the trip planning process:
#1 Build Files Organize brochures, maps, notes from conversations to website links.
#2 Google is Your Friend! 96% of all travel research is now done online. Use long tail search terms to hone in on your questions such as: Best family adventure vacation to Yellowstone. Bookmark the better sites you visit.
#3 Shop for Information off-line Pick up travel magazines and regional guides reflecting your interests. Talk to friends and co-workers. Visit your local travel counselor for input.
#4 Create a bucket list Create a list of dream destinations and activities; cut it to a short list. Use logic. Is Mexico too hot in summer? Maybe. Then consider fall travel. Keep track of your thinking and why.
#5 Who Gets Your Business? Seek tour operators specializing in the kinds of vacations on your short list. Again, Google is your friend. For example, search for best bike tour operator in Italy and note results. Pour through travel magazines that often list the best of the best in special annual editions. Look for them online. In the end you will have created a list of operators that best match your short list of destinations and activities.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Thousands of protesters continue to gather in Cairo, Suez, Alexandria and Luxor, in an uprising against Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
The protests have now put the country into a state of civil unrest. Foreign Offices around the world have urged travellers to avoid visiting Egypt due to its level of instability. High incidences of looting, vigilantism, prison escapes and “open revolt” have now enveloped the country and as the world looks on, Egypt’s future is uncertain.
© W.M. Wiggins via YourLifeIsATrip.comAt our sister site, YourLifeIsATrip.com, our ‘Ask the Captain’ columnist, W.M. Wiggins, just evacuated Cairo via Rome and reports on his experiences.
READ his FIRST-PERSON REPORT FROM EGYPT confirming that the situation is extremely volatile and due to demonstrations and vigilante-style community protection actions, making the streets unsafe for travelers.
If you, or any travelers you know, are currently in Egypt, you might find this Evacuation Guide from our partners at WorldNomads.com helpful.
To travel safely and stay up to date on what’s happening in Egypt, what to do, and what the government is saying, READ MORE.
And to our Egyptian friends, please know that you are in our thoughts and that we’re hoping for a positive and speedy resolution.
Ellen
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Finding a Valentine’s getaway just got easier. Travelers can now explore a selection of romance packages and specials available at North America inns by visiting Select Registry’s new website, http://www.selectregistry.com/valentines. Browse by inn location, package type, or amenities - such as a spa or culinary experience.
Select Registry B&Bs offer luxurious drive-to escapes in scenic locales across the United States and Canada. Rendezvous without the costs or romance-busters of air travel, rental cars and hasty breakfasts. Romantic ambiance, one-of-a-kind amenities and delicious breakfasts are all part of the package.
For couples seeking a one-of-a-kind retreat this Valentine’s Day and beyond, here are a few of the romance packages available:
Honor Mansion - Healdsburg, California
Escape to a romantic three-night retreat in the heart of California’s renowned Sonoma Wine Country. Honor Mansion’s Valentine’s Day Package pampers with candle-lit rose petal turndown upon arrival (or at another time upon request); handcrafted chocolates; local sparkling wine with keepsake flutes; and a romantic movie to enjoy in-room with popcorn and as a take-home gift. Guests choose from thirteen spacious guestrooms, private cottages and luxurious suites, all spread over four landscaped acres. Amenities include romantic sleigh and canopy beds, hand-carved fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, iPod radios, and private terraces with outdoor spa tub for two. This package is offered complimentary with any three-night stay, starting any time, Feb. 10 – 15, 2011.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".