Friday, February 28, 2014

Apps: Duolingo

With our upcoming travel I have been doing some massive research and studying up on the places we'll be visiting. I wanted to take some language classes (Rosetta Stone?) just so I would have the basics covered.

Then I found the Duolingo app. I think it's pretty close to how Rosetta Stone works but it's FREE! So I have been practicing my French and I have to sag it's pretty tough!

I have always thought that learning a second language was hard. I started learning Spanish  (donde esta el bano?) when I was in 8th grade (14 years old) that is WAY to old to be starting if you ask me. I think one should start at the of 5. Supposedly there is a section of your brain that is dedicated to learning other languages and if you don't use it it gets used by something...supposedly.  Not 100% sure on that one. I do know that my friend who is American and can speak fluent Spanish can pick up on other languages pretty quickly so there has to be something to it. 


Have you used this app yet? 
Do you speak another language? Which one? 



Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Spring Break 2014

Since I'm not in college anymore and I don’t have any kids Spring Break is of no interest to me now. But it still should register on my radar since it’s a big travel time. Most places' Spring Breaks take place in March and maybe trickle into April. So if you are still looking for something to do or somewhere to go Travel+Leisure have come up with a pretty amazing list that will have you covered no matter your budget or travel style. You can click here to see the whole article. 

If you want to Relax:

El Capitan Canyon, California
Why go: Planning, packing, and schlepping gear—camping is nothing if not a lot of work, which is why someone invented luxury camping. Get used to the concept at El Capitan Canyon in Los Padres National Forest, near Santa Barbara, California.
Why it'­s relaxing: You'­ll snuggle under a comforter on a queen-size bed in a roomy, wood-floored safari tent—the only thing you might have to pitch is your Pack '­N Play. If you still manage to strain your back, spring for a massage from a Canyon therapist in your tent or under a secluded sycamore. Meanwhile, your brood can hop on horses, swim in the pool or the ocean, or hike the 15 miles of trails. Provisions? Bug spray, hotdogs, s'more kits, even lattes are available at the resort'­s market.

One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico
Why go: In the race to be the family-friendliest posh beach resort, One & Only Palmilla in Los Cabos is a leader of the pack.
Why it'­s relaxing: There's major help with the kids. As soon as you walk through the puerta, they'­re handed a beach bag stuffed with a T-shirt, hat, and Mexican toy; in your room, you'­ll find a crib (plus a menu of bedsheets) and a bathroom stocked with adult and baby products from Lady Primrose'­s. Come bedtime, a bunny or chick shows up to read a story over milk and cookies.
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Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Why go: Not one, not three, but five top-rated golf courses blanket Kiawah Island off the coast of Charleston, SC. Yet, golf clinics and family tee times are just some of the perks.
Why it'­s relaxing: Kids aged six and up can spot alligators on nature walks, explore 10 miles of packed-sand beach on a bike, or learn about the island's loggerhead turtles and other critters on one- or two-hour hikes; sibs as young as three attend Kamp Kiawah ($35-45 half day; $60 full). The Sanctuary, the island's only hotel, has all the requisite swanky-digs amenities, or you can rent your own place.

If you want to Learn:

Cooking Vacations, Italy
Why go: Take a trip with Cooking Vacations for a delicious week in Florence, Positano, Sorrento, or Rome.
On the syllabus: You and the kids will wander (to bakeries, pizza joints, farms), sightsee (Pompeii, the Uffizi), and, of course, measure, mix, knead, cook, and eat. In Florence, bake pizza in an outdoor oven; in Positano, pick lemons and make a big batch of fragrant granita (Italian slush). Participants are put up at inns and villas with plenty of outdoor play space.
Extra credit: Limited to eight, the tours are perfect for an extended family, and appeal to all ages (when a ball of sticky dough won'­t suffice, babysitters are available).

Space Camp, Alabama
What it is: A trip to the stratosphere may be overambitious, but training with the kids for a shuttle mission at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, is a pretty cool substitute.
On the syllabus: At Space Camp'­s parent-child three-day program, kids 7 to 12 and their folks try out scaled-down versions of the flight simulator equipment astronauts use. That's right: they get to feel what it's like to tumble weightless. Trainees also build and launch two-foot rockets. For total ground control, students stay in a dorm (there'­s also a Marriott on campus).
Extra credit: NASA-issue jumpsuits in all sizes go for $80.

Sanibel Sea School, Florida
What it is: While you collapse on Sanibel Island'­s white sand, enroll your guppies at the brand-new nonprofit Sanibel Sea School, started by a marine biologist to teach kids 6 to 13 about animal life on this barrier island sanctuary.
On the syllabus: After a briefing on wading birds or mangrove crabs, children head out to get their hands sandy, often in parts of the island closed to the public.
Extra credit: Adults are encouraged to join in (though you might have to provide your own transportation if the school bus is full).

If you want to Splurge:

African Safari
 What to do: Blue-butt monkey alert! CC Africa'­s 41 comfy lodges and camps—in 18 game reserves across six countries—are designed for daylong game-spotting. The company is noted for its community-mindedness: 80 percent of its employees are locals, and a percentage of its profits go to conservation projects. A $10 donation sends an African child on a game drive.
The awe factor: Young guests go on mini safaris to collect frogs and bugs, and on "poo" walks to identify scat. Those over 11 take two daily jeep outings, one at sunrise, to watch elephants wake up, another as the sun sets, to view the nocturnal doings of mongooses and leopards.
Top this: Hyenas and lions permitting, guides serve dinner, complete with candlelight and linens, in the bush.

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Australian Adventure
What to do: Heading all the way to Australia? Take in this vast country'­s greatest hits with Abercrombie & Kent'­s Australia Family Adventure.
The awe factor: Your 13-day tour starts out in Sydney, where the group learns to surf at Bondi Beach, and from there the action never stops: there'­s marsupial watching on Kangaroo Island, boomerang tossing in the Outback, and tours (by air and water) of the Great Barrier Reef.
Top this: Aboriginal hosts teach kids the art of spear chucking.

Grand Canyon
What to do: For a grand tour without a grand bill attached, take a trip to the Grand Canyon. The National Park Service's web site has all the essentials, including how to book a room at one of the park's eight well-priced hotels (choicest is El Tovar, a 1905 lodge on the south rim with spectacular views).
The awe factor: You can hike with the pros from the nonprofit Grand Canyon Field Institute to an 800-year-old pueblo or to rocks embedded with marine fossils older than the dinosaurs.
Top this: April to October, kids eight and older can sluice down Colorado River waters with Hualapai Indian guides.

The Galapagos and Machu Picchu
What to do: Pack in two World Heritage sites on an adventure guaranteed to rank as everyone'­s most memorable vacation.
The awe factor: On the first leg of Lindblad Expeditions' 16-day excursion to the Galápagos Islands and Peru, you'­ll cruise around this remote archipelago off the coast of Ecuador on a trim and tidy repurposed Swedish ferry and watch as giant sea turtles, iguanas, albatross, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies go about their business just inches away from you and your kids. Next up: the Peruvian mountain city of Cusco and the ancient sacred site Machu Picchu.
Top this: During the Cusco leg of the journey, an overnight at the Sanctuary puts you right outside the gates to Machu Picchu. You'­ll enter the Incan ruins at dawn, when kids can bond with the resident llamas before other tourists descend.

Will you be going anywhere for Spring Break 2014?

Monday, February 24, 2014

Frequent Flier Programs are Changing

Hope y'all had a great weekend! We spent the weekend working in the yard and upgrading flowerbeds for the spring! I have to say, if I ever became an expat I think yard work is one thing I will miss! Anyway, on to today's topic of frequent flier programs...

Looks like airlines are making it harder to earn and use rewards miles. Both United and Delta have changed the way you will qualify for Silver/Gold/Platinum statues but they have also upped the amount of miles you'll need to get you that free flight…bummer! As of this month, Delta’s mileage requirement for round-trip business-class reward tickets for travel from the United States to South Asia has been raised to 140,000 miles from 120,000 miles. And some business-class reward tickets to Europe on United now require 15% more miles than before. United is also raising the number of miles required for first-class reward travel on Star Alliance partner airlines by 18.5% to Europe and Japan, and by 20% to the Middle East.

The other change to the programs is now members who live in the United States need to spend a certain amount and fly a certain amount on United or a partner airline to achieve any sort of frequent flyer "status".

{Source}
Premier Silver: spend $2,500 annually and fly 25,000 qualifying miles annually
Premier Gold: spend $5,000 annually and fly 50,000 qualifying miles annually
Premier Platinum: spend $7,500 annually and fly 75,000 qualifying miles annually
Premier 1K: spend $10,000 annually and fly 100,000 qualifying miles annually

Delta has also done the same thing with their SkyMiles:

Silver Medallion: spend $2,500 annually and fly either 25,000 qualifying miles or 30 nonstop flights annually
Gold Medallion: spend $5,000 annually and fly either 50,000 qualifying miles or 60 nonstop flights
Platinum Medallion: spend $7,500 annually and fly 75,000 qualifying miles or 100 nonstop flights
Diamond Medallion: spend $12,500 and fly 125,000 qualifying miles or 140 nonstop flights

Both carriers waive their spending requirements if a loyalty program participant runs up $25,000 a year of purchases on a carrier co-branded credit card. You can read the whole article on this topic here.

This new way of accumulating miles makes the infamous "mileage runs" no longer worth it.

This will seriously affect how we fly since we have finally stated to accumulate enough points to cash in on free flights, looks like we'll need to save a little more.

Will this affect how you travel and fly?

Friday, February 21, 2014

First Class Perks You Covet

Every time I look at pictures of how awesome the first class cabin is I can’t help but feel like Kristen Wiig’s character from Bridesmaids. Her line, “Help me I’m poor.” Cracks me up EVERY-SINGLE-TIME! I love it! So when I saw this article accompanied by ridiculous pictures I couldn't help but think of that movie.

{Source}
Here are the perks:
A seat and a bed – If you’re in coach and they close the cabin doors and the seat next to you is vacant is like winning the lottery! JACKPOT! But if you pay enough and fly first class with Lufthansa you get to have both!

Showers – I don’t think I have ever even been on a plane that had a shower

Humidifiers – Now you know that not only will the first classers be sitting and eating better than you they are also breathing in better air!
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A Bidet – Okay, this might not make the “wish” list for some countries (the USA for one), I would bet a large amount of money that over ½ the population of the USA doesn't even know what a bidet is or what its purpose it.

A Chauffeur – Its becoming pretty common that if you purchase a first class ticket you won’t even need to drive yourself to the airport…they’ll do that for you too. Talk about stress free!

A Personal Suite – On Singapore airlines you can have your very own room! And if you want to join the mile high club you can book the 2 suites in the center and combine the beds to make to make it a double…oohh, la, la

Champagne – Well really just free booze in general. When you’re in coach you’ll be lucky if they even give you a full can of soda but in first class champagne, wine, vodka or rum comes with the seat.

Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones – Most airlines are offering these for their first class and business seats. Now you don’t have to hear the people in coach whine. Just kidding!

Toiletries Kit – I have to say, I am pretty excited to see if we’ll be getting one of these on our flight to Europe. I love anything that is in miniature form! I don’t know why but they are so cute!

You can see the full article with pictures here

Have you ever gotten to experience any of these?

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Extreme Travelers: Into the Empty Quarter

{Source & Photo}
Back in December 2013 Yahoo Travel shared their exclusive story about Alastair Humphrey's 45 day trek across the desert. And now I would like to share it with you for my Extreme Travelers series. I haven’t done an Extreme Travelers post in a while so I am excited to start up again and share this crazy story with you!

Alastair got the idea of crossing the Oman desert, the largest desert in the world, after he read Arabian Sands. This part of the world is known as the Empty Quarter.

Why did he do this? He says it best in his own words:

"When I first began dreaming of traveling the world, and doing so in an adventurous and challenging way, one of my holy texts was Wilfred Thesiger’s book, Arabian Sands.

The consummate English gentleman, Thesiger was educated at Eton College and Oxford University. He wore tweed and smart three-piece suits. But he was also a hard man and an epic traveler. He boxed for his university and later fought with British Special Forces - the SAS - in the deserts of North Africa in World War II.

{Source & Photo: Courtesy of Alastair Humphreys}
Arabian Sands describes his exploratory journeys through the Empty Quarter desert, located on the Arabian Peninsula, with a handful of charismatic, knowledgeable, loyal Bedouin guides in the late 1940s. His book beautifully captures the harsh beauty of the desert, the terrible hardships of crossing it by camel, and the wonderful blend of camaraderie, solitude and personal discovery that emerge with all the greatest adventures.

Ever since I first read Arabian Sands I dreamed of one day making a journey of my own into the Empty Quarter. And so, when I set my eyes upon the empty gravel plains for the first time a little over a year ago, I was seeing a place I had thought about for more than a decade. I was thrilled to be somewhere I had never been before. But I was excited also to be looking out at a landscape so familiar to my hero, Thesiger.

My journey was not aiming to replicate Thesiger’s adventures. I could not afford a camel, had no idea how to travel with one and - truth be told - I’m scared of them too. Nor could I roam at will across the desert. Saudi Arabia is off limits to today’s adventurous tourists, so I would be constrained to the desert in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

{Source & Photo: Courtesy of Alastair Humphreys}
My aim then was to become a human camel, hauling a homemade cart with 660 pounds of supplies for 1,000 miles across the Arabian Peninsula from Salalah in southern Oman to the glitzy madness of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. I would need some help with this madcap plan, so I recruited Leon McCarron, a friend of a friend and a fellow fan of Thesiger. We set a 45-day time limit because Leon promised to be home to see his girlfriend for Christmas.

We looked a strange sight, hauling our ludicrously overloaded cart along the side of the busy motorway out of Salalah. Bemused and amused drivers hooted their horns and waved as they passed. Already this journey was totally different to Thesiger’s experience. But you can never replicate someone else’s journey. It can be an inspiration or a catalyst, but you must seek out the adventures and experiences for yourself."

Alastair Humphreys is a British-born traveler who was named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2012. In this exclusive story for Yahoo Travel, he recounts his 45-day desert crossing that is the subject of the 2013 documentary, "Into the Empty Quarter." You can buy his DVD here.



Would you ever do something like this? 





Monday, February 17, 2014

Olympic Payout

With the Olympics underway in Sochi, Russia there is a lot of buzz about anything and everything having to do with the Olympics. I saw an article that I found interesting, it was about how much each country pays their athletes if they win. Many countries offer cash rewards if a member of the Olympic team brings home a medal. Below are a few:

{Source}
Estonia: A gold medal is worth $138,500, a silver medal will earn an Olympian $96,400 and a bronze totals to $60,000.

Italy: A gold medal is worth $189,800.

Russia: Not only will a gold medal earn an athlete $113,200, but also regional and private bonuses triple that value, according to Russian Olympic Committee head Alexander Zhukov.

Switzerland: Pays athletes who bring home the gold $88,600.

Canada: A gold medal in Canada is worth $17,900.

The United States of America: Gold medal athletes will receive $25,000, silver medalists get $15,000, and bronze medalists $10,000. That number hasn’t changed in a decade and with inflation that bonus value has actually dropped by more than $5,000. And when they get home they'll be expected to pay a portion of that to Uncle Sam. According to ATR, those in the top tax bracket (39.6%) like Shaun White or any Team USA hockey player will pay $9,900 on a gold medal, while those in the bottom tax bracket (10%) will pay $2,500 for a gold.

Great Britain: They don't pay Olympians. “We believe that the drive, dedication and commitment required of Team GB athletes is motivated, first and foremost, by the desire to represent their country to the very best of their ability on the greatest sporting stage in the world,” the British team told Bloomberg.

Latvia: A gold medal will get you $192,800.

Malaysia: Although they are not competing in Sochi, awards the largest prize to top ranking athletes: a solid gold bar from a gold mine owner in Kuala Lumpur worth $600,000. Unfortunately, no Malaysian has won a gold medal since 1956.

You can see more about Olympic medal payout here and here.

Has anybody ever been to an Olympic games? Which one? 


Friday, February 14, 2014

Pinspiration

Happy Valentine's Day y'all! I hope you have a LOVEly day :) Over the last week I have slowly been prepping for some cupcakes to bring to work. It always seems like something goes wrong with my icing. Its either too stiff or too creamy. And today it was too creamy. Of course I didn't want to run to the store to get more sugar so I just went with it...they don't taste bad but after being out of the fridge for some time I know the icing will start to drip.

I made the little hearts out of melted vanilla wafers that I piped into the shapes I wanted.

At least they taste good...

yummy vanilla cupcakes

Vanilla on Vanilla

I <3 you!
Did you make anything special for Valentine's Day? Or do you have any special plans?



Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Blogiversary

Yesterday was my three year blog anniversary! Yay! My first post was made on 11 February 2011 and it was about me studying abroad in Norway in 2008, An American in Norway. A lot has changed since I started traveling and since I started the blog. I have been trying to do a little updating and organizing around here and I wanted to share what I have done and a little navigating of the pages if you're new. I've taken a lot of ideas and help from some of my favorite blogs.

I will also be adding a new page soon about PR and how to contact me.


 Welcome! ~ Where to learn more about me and find me on all the media outlets


About the Blog and About Me!


Media Kit ~ I fianlly made one!

Destinations

Thanks for having a look around! Any other suggestion please let me know!



Monday, February 10, 2014

Dream Vacation(s)

Our upcoming travel has me all excited and giddy and thinking about MORE travel! We have a relatively free trip in Chicago this summer and we are contemplating a trip to Iceland late in 2014. All this travel and research has me day dreaming about my ultimate dream vacation(s)... I actually have two (go figure I couldn't choose).

My first one is to visit Croatia, Slovenia and that general area of the Mediterranean. I have found a Trafalgar Tour that does the job but its expensive! If we took that one I would get to cross four  countries off my bucket list! YAY! And I also found a cruise that also visits these countries for much less (I would only get to cross of three countries though). I hope that these are still available when we're ready to take them.
 
 
{ L-Trafalgar Tours; R - Norwegian Cruise Line}


Next would be going out of my comfort zone 100% and head in the opposite direction of Europe... Thailand and Cambodia. Trafalgar also has a tour for this. It would be 12 days in Thailand and an additional four in Cambodia.


{Source}

What is your dream vacation?




Friday, February 7, 2014

Eat Like a Local in Europe

Travel & Leisure came out with a list of European restaurants where you can eat like a local. The original list has 32 restaurants but I have cut it down to 20. I did some research and on of the restaurants in Paris is close to our hotel so I'm thinking we have to give it a try if I'm not full of pastries, desserts and macaroons! 

Ottolenghi, London
Follow Islington’s beau monde to this high-end Middle Eastern bakery and café, where the tantalizing bread platter (toasted table side) is a full meal in itself. 

 

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Café Central, Vienna
Though it’s welcomed plenty of tourists over its 137 years the grand café inside the majestic Palais Ferstel is known among pastry-obsessed Wieners for serving the best, flakiest strudel in town. 

 

Mr. Minsch, Berlin
The vibe is Mad Hatter meets 1950’s hausfrau at this Kreuzberg takeout bakery, where master pastry chef Andreas Minsch turns out his extravagant confections. You won't want to choose between their enormous cinnamon rolls or a slice of the popular Black Forest cherry cake.

 

Cristalli di Zucchero, Rome
Adjacent to a farmers’ market just off the Circus Maximus is a pretty-in-pink pasticceria where Parisian-style tartlets are made with regional ingredients like apricots and pistachios.

 

Sora Margherita, Rome
The most delicious plate of pasta in Rome is served in a narrow space with 15 paper-topped tables: cacio e pepe with pecorino and handmade noodles, garnished upon request with a generous dollop of sheep’s-milk ricotta. 

 

Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock, England
A chalkboard menu behind the counter tells you what’s on the menu for the day. It can vary from fish pies, grilled herring, or a crab sandwich with chips.

 

Pantelis Marathi, Marathi, Greece
On a tiny, car-free isle between Patmos and Bodrum, Turkey, this harbor front restaurant is a popular stop for the sailing crowd. Everything is impossibly fresh, from the crawfish sautéed in lemon oil to the creamy local goat cheese. 

 

Els Pescadors, Llançà, Spain
Beside the harbor in a tiny Costa Brava town, Els Pescadors serves up the day’s catch brought in by the fishing boats just a stone’s throw from your table. 

 

Ardigna Ristorante Rustico, Salemi, Italy
The most charming restaurant in western Sicily sits an hour’s drive inland from Marsala, on a remote hilltop. Nearly everything is made in-house: tangy ricotta, fragrant wildflower honey, garlicky salumi, silky tagliatelle, even the bittersweet amaro digestif. 

 

Restaurant Ziegelhütte, Zurich, Switzerland
Take a tram from downtown and then walk up a trail to this traditional country restaurant and beer garden, where regulars gather over plates of schnitzel and Älplermagronen, a creamy macaroni with cheese and potatoes. 

 

Chez Aline, Paris
Choose your own fillings or defer to Chef Delphine Zampetti for a deceptively simple baguette sandwich at her petite, retro-flavored deli in the 11th Arrondissement. 

 

Frenchie Wine Bar, Paris
Across from impossible-to-book Frenchie in the Second Arrondissement is its edgy sibling whose shared tables, 80’s rock playlist, and small plates are all the rage. 

 

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Glass, Paris
It’s all about creative cocktails, grilled hot dogs, and Brooklyn Brewery beer at this South Pigalle nightspot. 

 

El Vaso de Oro, Barcelona
Among the old fishermen’s houses of Barceloneta, this sepia-toned cervecería is full of local sea dogs and other salty types who come for house-brewed lager and an array of tapas 

 

Ved Stranden 10 Vinhandel & Bar, Copenhagen
On Monday nights, the canal-side wine bar becomes the hangout for the city’s culinary scene. A guest cook prepares a simple, tasty one-pot dish that functions like a staff meal, except it’s open to all. 

 

Sa’ Pesta, Genoa, Italy
Liguria’s beloved equivalent of the French socca is a thin, pizza-like pancake made from chickpea flour, served hot from the oven and typically adorned with chunks of gorgonzola or Stracchino cheese. 

 

Paco Gandía, Pinoso, Spain
In a sleepy hamlet 35 miles west of Alicante, the chef at Paco Gandía layers rice in a pan the size of a bicycle tire, along with rabbit, tomatoes, saffron, and snails that feed on wild herbs. 

 

Xocolat, Vienna
Even the most jaded epicurean succumbs to the Willy Wonka-esque sense of wonder at this haven for the cocoa-obsessed. Lose yourself amid the shelves of chocolate bars, truffles, and pralines. You can also sign up for a class to create your own.

 

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Bar Strelka, Moscow
On warm nights, the roof deck atop the Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture & Design is the stomping ground for the city’s freethinking intellectuals and cultural elite. An eclectic menu ranges from shareable snacks to hearty classics. 

 

Da Cesare, Rome
On the ground floor of a 1970’s building in the residential Monteverde neighborhood, this nondescript space is touted by food lovers as the best trattoria in town. The standouts on the menu are fried meatballs in a basil sauce, tiny cuttlefish, and gnocchi. 

 

Have you been to any of these restaurants? 
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