Traveling Through Life

Carpe Diem

2013-04-10T15:27:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have anxiously been waiting to here about the photo I left with my last post, I apologize for my tardiness. The photo is of a fog bell located next to Bass Harbor Lighthouse situated on Mount Desert Island in Maine! You can also find more photos from my Maine trip in my Google+ photos page! To find out more information about this area you can visit the National Park website or the AcadiaMagic website! I will have links for both websites on the side of the blog.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term carpe diem, it is Latin for 'seize the day'! Recently I bought a brand-new camera - the GoPro HERO3: White Edition! I'll be using it for vacations, day trips, little trips going here, and there, and everywhere, and definitely for seizing the day! Completely dedicated to seizing the day I've set up a new blog called Carpe Diem Adventures! Get ready to view my trips unplugged and unplanned! Carpe diem!

The Guess Where Trips

2013-03-28T13:25:00.001-04:00

Places to go, things to do, people to see! Let's add one - photos to take! Over a good many years I've taken a lot of photos on various trips I've taken! My trips have been both foreign and domestic! I've flown, driven, and even traveled by water! I've also taken multi-destination trips! Why am I telling you all this - because of the recent addition to my blog!

This new interactive 'Guess Where Trips' post contains a photo from a trip I took! I call it interactive because it requires both of us to participate! Here's how it works! Every now and then I post a photo from one of my past trips, after they're published it's your turn - guess the destination! After such and such a time I reveal the destination in a blog entry before posting a new photo soon after!

Here is the first photo! You can make your guesses in the 'Comments & Suggestions' section! There's no need to rush - I won't make the reveal until the week of April 14th! I hope you enjoy the photo as much as I enjoyed the trip!

Your Own Vacation Destination

2013-03-21T11:26:00.001-04:00

Lots of people have one of those favorite places that they like to go to on vacation! It could be Florida, Mexico, it could even be a ski resort! People like this have a couple options - they can either buy a vacation home near their favorite destination and stay for a week or so, or they can buy into a vacation club! Your own vacation home is nice if you have the money to burn, but for a lot of people a better option is probably joining a vacation club! Here, we'll look at three of the more popular vacation clubs!

First on the list is known as Disney's best-kept secret, Disney Vacation Club! Being a member myself, I know just how beneficial Disney Vacation Club can be! As a member, I haven't just traveled to Disney destinations, but also to places such as New York, upper Michigan, Missouri, and Maine! Through Disney's points-based system I can stay almost anywhere on Disney properties, go on a Disney cruise, take a tour through Adventures by Disney, and exchange points through their partnership with RCI for stays at many hotels around the world!

Up next is another popular one - Marriott Vacation Club! Known for its luxurious accommodations, Marriott Vacation Club is somewhat similar to Disney. It also has a points-based system where you can use points at various resorts. Unlike Disney though, Marriott doesn't control the cruises and tours you can experience. So, you may not have as great a vacation as you thought.

Finally, we have Hilton Grand Vacations Club! Once again we have a vacation club that uses a points-based system. Just like Disney and Marriott, you can use points for resorts, cruises, tours, or resorts from their partners. The biggest difference here is that when you become a member of Hilton Grand Vacations Club you're automatically enrolled in the Hilton HHonors program as a silver member and you'll earn reward points every time you stay at one of their resorts!

There are many more vacation clubs then these three. I'll probably always be partial to Disney Vacation Club! I've been partial since I was about five years old and I took my first trip to Walt Disney World! You just have to do a little research and see which one works best for you! None of them might be good for you, maybe you're better off just buying a vacation home and going there for several months every year - if that works for you!

Best Places to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

2013-03-14T12:05:00.001-04:00

As St. Patrick's Day approaches it occurred to me that, like several other holidays on the calendar, it has become more than just a religious feast day! It has become a day of green! We have green beer, green clothes, sometimes we go overboard with green food! In honor of my Irish heritage, I'd like to share with you a couple of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Before there were thirteen American states, there were thirteen American colonies! Feeling a little homesick, Irish soldiers serving in New York decided to honor their country's patron saint by having a parade on his feast day! For over 250 years there has been a St. Patrick's Day parade in New York! As time goes on, I'm told this parade gets bigger and better every year! If you're looking for something 'grand' - this is the place to go!

An obvious choice would be to go to the Emerald Isle itself! Although it wasn't until 1995 that the Irish government declared St. Patrick's Day a public holiday, Dublin has one of the largest celebrations in the world! Ireland's capital city hosts a multi-day festival consisting of traditional Irish food, green beer, dancing, fireworks, and yes, there is even a parade! If you're looking for a true Irish experience, then you should probably put Dublin on your bucket list!

These aren't the only places that have major St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Other major cities that celebrate are Boston, Chicago, London, and Sydney! Although I've never celebrated St. Patrick's Day in any of these cities, I know one thing is true throughout the entire world every year - everybody is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! Now go get your green on!

The Bucket List

2013-03-07T12:38:00.001-05:00

Almost everybody in the whole world has things they'd like to do before they die. Some lists are longer than others. I have a very long list - all consisting of going somewhere one way or another! Today, I'd like to share a couple of things from my list with you!

I've been on many trips to Walt Disney World - too many to count I think. I've also been to one of three of Disney's non-park resorts, as well as a cruise aboard the Disney Magic! With the original Disneyland Resort in California and two other non-park resorts in Florida and Hawaii it's no wonder why Disney is on my bucket list! That's not to mention all the foreign parks, the three other ships in Disney's fleet, as well as Disney's own tour company! I wonder if Walt Disney imagined all this before he died, or if he just thought of two resorts on either side of the United States.

In 2016 history will be made in South America when the Summer Olympics are held for the first time in Rio de Janeiro! The Olympics have always been on my bucket list since I was very young. I've always enjoyed watching the opening ceremonies and seeing what other countries do to celebrate hosting the Olympics! Although there are several years before 2016 happens, I look forward to being a part of the games live and in person! I only have a couple more things to do before I arrive in Brazil to cheer for Team USA! Maybe by that time I'll already be planning for a Winter Olympics!

One person's bucket list is a little different than someone else's. This is only a little bit of what's on mine! There are many other things that could be on a bucket list! Maybe you need to see all seven continents! Maybe you need to take a world cruise, or maybe you just need to visit this one place and you're probably good to go for the rest your life! Whatever's on your bucket list, here's to fulfilling it before the end of your days!

The Senses of Cleveland

2013-03-01T09:42:00.001-05:00

Many people don't look at Cleveland the way they look at cities like Chicago or New York. While Cleveland isn't as big as either of those cities it still has plenty to do. This week, I thought we'd explore what Cleveland can offer your senses! We'll look at places that are over 100 years old to places that just opened last year!

On the the north side of downtown sits one of Cleveland's most popular attractions! Aside from offering killer views of Lake Erie, The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame houses several exhibits, many of which are permanent, all of which should be experienced! The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is where you go when you want to listen to great history!

Located in University Circle is a place that'll have you making comments every five seconds. At The Cleveland Museum of Art, they have exhibits that are permanent, temporary, and even online! Also located in University Circle is The Cleveland Botanical Garden! Here you can experience the natural beauty of other lands!

Across the Cuyahoga River from Cleveland's downtown area is Ohio City! The Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened last year inside an old power plant. The big attraction here isn't the sharks or even the walk-through tunnel - it's the touch tank! After you've stimulated all your other senses we can take care of "taste" and your stomach last! Also in Ohio City is The West Side Market! This is one of Cleveland's oldest marketplaces - they celebrated their centennial last year!

These are just a few places that are available to people who come to Cleveland! Cleveland also has a number of sports facilities, a theater district, plenty of local museums, and much more! All the places mentioned here are accessible by Cleveland's RTA system! It might not be Chicago, it might not be New York, but it's uniquely Cleveland!

Man's Best Friend on Vacation

2013-02-22T11:56:00.001-05:00

Most of us who have or have had a pet think of them as family. So, why wouldn't you take them on vacation? On the other hand, why would you even consider taking them at all? Here, we'll explore some of the options for giving your pet the best vacation they deserve!

If you're leaving your pet . . .

1. They could stay at a pet hotel.
There's so many of these it's hard to keep track. Some are even part of local shelters or vet offices. PetSmart has a whole chain of hotels. Most of these include doggy day care so you can try it out before vacation.

2. Give your pet the home away from home treatment.
If your pet is used to sleeping indoors, has a backyard to play in, and needs to be waited on 24/7 then maybe you should have someone take your pet in during your trip. There are pet hotels and resorts that offer the ultimate pampering, but not many have a 24/7 staff. DogVacay offers listings of people who watch pets in their homes. There's opportunity to meet your pet's caretaker and view the environment they will be staying in. Many of these people also have pets, so there'll be no shortage of playtime.

3. Look to family and friends.
Friends and family don't have to be a last resort. On the contrary, if your pet is familiar with someone in your family or with a trusted friend all you have to do is make sure their home and schedule fit your pets needs.

If you absolutely insist on taking your pet with you . . .

1. Check out PetFriendlyTravel.com.
This is an absolute must for people who are taking their pets on vacation. Here, you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about taking your pet on vacation - and then some.

2. Consult with your vet.
Aside from yourself, there's probably nobody better who knows how to help your pet prepare for a great vacation! Your vet can advise you to what environments and activities are appropriate for you and your pet.

3. Check on requirements and restrictions.
Contact any place where your staying ahead of time to make sure your pet meets the standards. Also, be sure to check out any places that you and your pet are thinking of going to. You don't want to be turned away because you didn't call ahead!

Clearly, there are pros and cons to both sides. As for me, I would rather leave my dog at home rather than take him someplace where he'll probably run and I'll never see him again. Seeing as my dog is very spoiled, I believe he deserves only the best - a large kennel at the vets office. It might not seem like very much to most of you, but he always seems very happy when he goes there and I can go on vacation knowing that he's on vacation as well! Just remember whether you're taking your pet on vacation or you're leaving them home, it's all about them, it's never about you!

Passports: Your Ticket to The World

2013-02-12T22:49:00.001-05:00

Have you ever met one of those people who doesn't need a passport? I think I've met too many! I can't imagine why you wouldn't want one. Well I've come up with several reasons to debunk any excuse not to get a passport!

1. Passports are too expensive.
Passports are only about $100, less if you get a passport card. Also, consider the benefits of a passport. It's a pretty good deal for something you'll only have to renew every decade. How can you pass up such a bargain?

2. Maybe the passports are cheap, but, I don't really need to be traveling overseas!
Nobody said you had to leave the continent. In fact, depending on where you live, you could probably drive to at least one other country. With a passport card you have access to practically all of North America. Imagine, a cruise along the Mexican Riviera in the colder months, then when it gets warm, a trip to Niagara Falls, ON!

3. I've heard it takes a long time to get a passport.
The process of getting a passport for the first time is so quick, you won't have time to wonder why you didn't get one sooner. Fill out all the information online and have the proper documentation ready for the passport agents. After you hand everything over you should have your passport in about a month.

Life is full of little problems, and it's great to get away once in awhile. A passport allows you to REALLY get away! I'm glad I have a passport, because I love to travel! I'll be using mine for the first time for a trip to the Carribean!