Yes Please

In need of a mini-vacation right now. This would be nice.

Visit one of Europe's secluded hamlets for a blissfully unspoiled experience: http://t.co/oQ0p6kdn0q pic.twitter.com/iOWO2M0T30

— Travel + Leisure (@TravlandLeisure) September 21, 2014

Our Roots in Scotland

My sister and I have been talking up a trip to Scotland, the "land of our people", sometime in the next few years. It will be interesting to see what happens if Scotland votes for independence on September 18th. I'm not sure it will impact our travels, but it might be disruptive to the country's economy and politics.

Today's #DailyEscape is from Dornie, Scotland. http://t.co/YKb7lv0KJO pic.twitter.com/X48EFv3oST

— Travel Channel (@travelchannel) September 9, 2014

Why I Want To Go To Iceland

"Now with lava fountains" 60 meters high #ashtag #Bardarbunga Fresh images of seismic activity http://t.co/qnM4oQnXNI pic.twitter.com/9tV9uIfmLe

— professorsabena (@professorsabena) August 31, 2014

Road Trip!

It's been a long time since I took a road trip vacation. I had forgotten the planning that has to go into packing up the car and driving 500 miles from NJ to ME. We were sharing a house with four friends; we each had a list of things to bring - games, food, linens, etc.

This trip really was all about lists. A list for clothing, a list for food, a list for specific items we knew we'd need (our own coffee grinder/pot). I'm not used to packing as much as we wanted to; no 3-1-1 bags! I brought an entire bottle of shampoo. It felt decadent.

On our way to South Bristol (where our rental house was), we stopped in Freeport to visit L.L. Bean and some other outlet shops. It's a good thing I drive a Honda Element - plenty of room for shopping bags :-)

We ended up spending the better part of a Saturday here, browsing and eating and shopping.

The house (view from our bedroom, above) was spectacular, if a bit remote. It was a good 30 minute drive to anywhere, but that's ok. Each morning we awoke to the sounds of the water lapping at the rocks below the window as the tide came in.

Our days consisted of day trips, mostly involving some sort of water activity, whether it was lighthouse visiting, whale watching, kayaking, or sailing. We were very fortunate to have gorgeous weather almost the entire trip.

All in all, it was a very relaxing week spent with good friends. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the New England coast, and am looking forward to my next opportunity to head north.

Ayeh, headed to Maine this summer

Falmouth, Maine pic.twitter.com/AhnnxpSW0Q

— New England Scenery (@NEScenery) May 9, 2014

Disney Survival Guide

So, next week I'm heading to Disney World with my sister, to celebrate her 50th birthday. Being veteran Disneyphiles and Disney Vacation Club members, we've got this trip nailed. As I was gathering some things to take on this trip, I thought I'd share a few things you should take on Disney trips that I've found useful over the years.

Noise Canceling Headphones

If you have them, take a pair of noise canceling headphones. The flights to Orlando are notoriously filled with families, which means yelling, crying, screaming children. And some parents. On the way to Orlando they are happy (but still noisy), and on the way home they are cranky. You can thank me later.





Comfy Shoes

Disney World covers approximately 42,000 acres (~70 square miles). You will walk a LOT. On concrete. This is not the place for new shoes, pretty shoes, flimsy shoes, etc. Find the most comfortable shoes you own and take them with you. Period. If you have two pair, take both. Your feet will thank me.




Rain Poncho

Disney World is in Florida. It will rain. Depending on what time of year you go, it will rain a LOT. Every. Single. Afternoon. You can be like the bulk of the tourists and run into the closest store when it pours, and come out with an expensive yellow or clear Mickey poncho, or you can be smart and bring one from home. They are cheap and can be purchased online. Pick a cool color like blue and your family will stand out in the crowd, making it easier to spot all the kids.




Small Backpack

Take a small backpack in your suitcase to use in the parks, especially if you have kids. Put those ponchos in it. Put clean socks in it. Put water bottles in it. Put snacks in it. Put tissues in it. Put a few plastic grocery bags in it. You get the idea.









Snacks

Take control of what you and your family eat and spend. Bring along some snacks. Make sure they won't melt or crush easily. I've found things like Justin's Peanut Butter pouches, and prepackaged single serving bags of fruits & nuts to be a good choice. If you have nut allergies, try some granola or trail mix. It's far easier to grab something out of your bag instead of waiting in a long line to buy some overpriced junk food.



Patience

This is probably one of the most important things to bring along on any Disney trip - patience. Lots of it. There will be lines. Lots of lines. Unless you are a Disney pro and know which rides to hit when, or you have scheduled your FastPass tickets well in advance, you're going to be standing and waiting for rides, food, bathrooms. Just be patient - you'll get there!




If you take these things with you when you visit the Mouse then you should be well on your way to an enjoyable vacation. Remember, Have Fun!!

Plane Clothes

On the eve of my next trip, I sit here thinking about what to wear on the plane. I need something comfortable, and versatile enough to go from cold NJ to warm New Orleans. I arrive early in the morning, and I'll be renting a car and doing some sightseeing before checking into my hotel later in the day. Here's what I'm planning on wearing on the flight down:

Deva Lifewear Basic Shirt (purple):

Sadly, Deva Lifewear no longer makes their cotton clothes due to a lack of acceptable materials. I have several of their shirts and I swear by them for comfort.










L.L. Bean Perfect Fit Pants (black):

I usually wear these for yoga, but they're perfect for travel. Lightweight and comfortable, they'll be perfect for walking around and sightseeing.











Women's White T-Shirt:

Nothing fancy, just a layer under the cotton shirt to keep me warm until I get to my destination.











Keen Mercer Lace CNX Shoes:

I have these shoes in black and beige, both of which will be accompanying me on this trip. I'll wear a pair of black, low cut socks with them.










Black Pashmina Scarf:

Purchased for $5 on the streets of New York. I'll use it to keep warm on the plane.











L.L. Bean Women's Fitness Fleece Jacket:

Mine is black, so it goes with everything. It makes a great layer, especially for travel.











L.L. Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket:

Mine is a lovely shade of blue - again, a great lightweight travel layer, and according to the forecast, a perfect addition to have in New Orleans next week!









So, there you have it; my travel outfit for a day of changing weather :-)

This Won't Be Good For Me....

In exactly one week, I'll be getting ready to eat these.

There's no mistaking #NewOrleans for a health food hub. Here are our #BigEasy food picks: http://t.co/iyjy2IsvvS pic.twitter.com/B3B7auicwe
— Fathom WaytoGo (@FathomWaytoGo) February 28, 2014

Tracking My Travel

I've been thinking about getting another tattoo. What do you think?

Keeping Track of Countries In A Permanent Way - http://t.co/YmnSa4FvIo via @MichaelWTravels pic.twitter.com/WavP9rN0JI
— BoardingArea (@BoardingArea) February 17, 2014

2014 Travel Plans

While we may not be going on any dive trips (again) this year, there are several other trips planned. First up (after another jaunt to DC for work last month) will be another work trip, this time to the outskirts of New Orleans. Shortly afterward will be a week long visit to Nashville to visit my cousin. In May, we'll be taking my sister to Disney World for her 50th birthday. Early summer finds us on a pilgrimage to the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, NY. And late summer we may be spending a week with friends in a house in Maine. And here I was, feeling sorry for myself because I'm not going diving.