Living the Dream

Writing a Travel Book Part 1 - Finding a Niche and Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:12:00 +0000

During our time putting together our first self-published travel book, The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, we had to spend a lot of energy into learning about the self-publishing process and the travel guidebook market in general. In order to save future author's time and money, this ten-part Writing a Travel Book series was born!

The following is a quick list of the entries into this special feature. To learn more about our book launch and other information associated, please check out the Travel Book sidebar on this site.

Part 1 - Finding a Niche and Writing
Part 2 - Editing and Formatting
Part 3 - Evolution of a Cover Design
Part 4 - Digital Packages and Special Features
Part 5 - Developing a Website for Sales
Part 6 - Distribution Companies
Part 7 - Pricing Development and Launch
Part 8 - Affiliate Sales Programs and Tips to Succeed
Part 9 - The Cost of Writing and Sales Summary
Part 10 - Final Thoughts

Writing a Travel Book Part 1 - Finding a Niche and Writing

So you want to self-publish a travel book? Congratulations! Making the leap from independent writing to full-fledged authorship is a giant step and a lot of work. Luckily, writing a book for the travel audience like we did is, in our opinion, one of the more exciting topics to get out there. This series was developed based on our experiences in publishing a travel book, and some of the tips included will be tilted towards such. If you are looking to publish a book in another genre, don't worry! Many of the tips that are included in this series are universal regardless of the sector.

Find Your Niche

Writing a book, regardless of genre, starts with finding your niche. Much like writing a blog, publishing a book that already exists will not have as good of reception as something new and unique to the market. Do you write about an interesting story you experienced? Make up a fictional story with the destinations you've traveled as backdrop? Or go informational in the form of a guidebook? As exciting as my travels are to myself, they only make good blog posts and would not have a hook in book format.

I've had no life-changing experiences and purely go off to explore the world at my own pace, have some adventures that everyone else can have, and come back. My experiences make for good blog posts, but may be hard to populate a 250 page book. Other traveler's, such as Torre DeRoche, author of Swept, goes off and sails around the world with a guy she just met and turns into a life-altering experience. See the difference between the two? If your personal experiences do not have an edge, you may wish to write in another style.

For The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, I was quite astounded when I saw that there were thousands of guidebooks that existed for cities, but hardly any purely dedicated to how to travel, especially for the long-term market. There were a few, but glancing through chapter summaries, excerpts, and reviews said there was a gap needing to be filled. Since planning for long-term travel is a very intense process with many facets that could be easily overlooked, and I've been writing about it on this blog for years, the book was born.

Often, a quick Google search and browsing of books on the Amazon marketplace will get you enough information to see if your niche has been covered or not. If you think you've found something and want to run with it, begin writing!

Get to Writing

There are two common writing techniques that most authors fall into when writing a book: edit as you go or edit at the end. I decided to finish a complete draft of the guide prior to editing, as I felt that with my borderline OCD attention-to-detail it would take me too long to accomplish anything by stopping to edit after every chapter. But keeping it in perspective, there are merits to both options.

Write slow and edit as you go - Only a select group of authors are able to keep all of their thoughts straight while taking the time to write slowly and perform major edits as they go. Fiction and non-fiction books are much more suited for this writing style as they typically move in a chronological pace where the chapters in the future have little impact to the events that preceded it. In this instance there is no concern to doing major edits before moving on, and lower odds that something will pop up during later chapters that will cause you to delete it all and start over.

Even though this course of writing will put a substantial amount of time into the refinement stage while writing each chapter, there will still be a large undertaking at the end to ensure the book has a natural flow. It is with this reason that we are cautious in recommending the edit as you go process for aspiring authors who have not put out a book in the past. For all that fit in this category, speed writing may be for you.

Speed write and edit at the end - For all other books, especially those that are informational in nature, editing at the end may be a more effective use of your time. You may never know when a future chapter will make you want to delete entire sections preceding it, and with it goes the hours you spent doing focused edits. It is likely that your final book will be so unrecognizable to the first draft that it is best to keep this effort for a later date.

To begin your speed writing activities, make a list of all of the topics you wish to cover in the book in the form of an outline or chapter index. Write a couple sentences or paragraphs for each chapter and look at how it fits together. Do you need to add more, take some out, or move it around? This first step is a great activity for getting your thoughts on paper to see if they will flow well together before committing to writing.

Once you have a good set of thoughts, get to writing! Sit down for an hour or two and keep writing until you cannot take it any longer. Do minimal reviews and push forward. When a major section is complete or you have spent several days writing to the point that you need a break, do a quick read through of what you have and see if you like it. Make notes, move on, and continue writing until you have a first draft completed. This is the first hurdle in getting a book together. Cross it at your own pace, and most of all enjoy it! The moment you become frustrated by writing is the moment you should stop until you are wishing to write again.

The second part of this feature focuses more on what to look for during the edit phase and formatting techniques to get your book looking and reading great.

Pick a Title and Tag-Line

A title for your book is such a simple thing, yet is one of the most complicated aspects of the publishing process. A strong book title and corresponding tag-line has to stand out, be some-what relevant to your text, and inspire interest about your book. If your title cannot meet such criteria then the number of people that pass over it will rise, and sales will fall dramatically over what could have been.

Make your title too common and it will sound generic; too obscure and no one will know what you are writing about. Balancing somewhere in the middle is incredibly tricky even for the best authors and publishing houses in the world.

I will be the first to admit that I picked "The Long-Term Traveler's Guide" purely for its ability to convey the topic of the book, as well as for the relevant keywords that will show up in a Google or Amazon search. As part of the difficulty with self-publishing is exposure, I made sure to take this deficiency off the table with my book title. Now when anyone searches any phrase remotely near long-term travel or travel guide book, my book will be one of the first results coming back to them.

Pick a title to drive search results and sales - A literal book title is best suited for informational books such as the travel guide we recently published. No one needs an abstract title for a book that will be giving very straightforward information, and doing so will only result in one confused customer. There is a reason why most guidebooks will keep some variant of the word "guide" in the title, and it is so the reader will know in an instant what the book includes.

The issue with crafting a title in this category is being unique enough to find a title that has not been used before, while staying away from buzzwords that are used all the time. Brainstorm a list of several keywords and phrases to see if any would stick. Having a friend who is familiar with the industry you are targeting review title options is a great way to gather feedback and advice for what is typically a difficult naming process.

Pick an abstract title for aesthetics - An abstract title is common for books that have non-fiction/fiction based content rather than being informative. In these cases a booked called "My Life on the Road" may not have the same ring to it as something more obscure like "Lost in Paradise." Many times, an author will stumble upon a unique series of words while writing and fall in love with them so much that they pull it to be the book title. They may be relevant to the book or just plain unique and catchy.

For these instances, the title does not have to reflect on the content of the book with any significant detail. In order to retain the casual passer-by's interest and encourage them to learn more, a well developed tag-line that gets into the finer details of what the book is about is crucial and may take up more of your efforts in developing. Much like the informative titles listed above, brainstorm several keywords and phrases to help see what fits the best. You may be quite surprised when a string of phrases comes together into one beautiful tagline.

Once you have a good handle on these features and the contents of your book, the real work can begin!

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This ten part feature on writing and self-publishing a travel book is based on our experiences with our first book, The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, and is provided free of charge for those looking to write a book or e-book themselves. Other authors typically charge a modest price for an e-book that contains this information in such a fashion. Rather than requiring a purchase for this information, if you like what you have read please Reweet, Stumble, or 'Like' this post, use our affiliate links when registering for the companies we've recommended, or purchase a copy of The Long-Term Traveler's Guide to help us out!

Thank you for your support and happy travels!

Where Are They Now? Oscar the Roaming Gnome

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:31:00 +0000

After traveling several countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean, you may be wondering: just what has Oscar the Roaming Gnome been up to? In being a respectable age, Oscar is doing what all of his peers are doing, enjoying a quiet retirement at home. We caught up with Oscar just to see how his lifestyle has changed over the last year and what his plans are for the future.

Part Time Job

It turns out that Oscar the Roaming Gnome doesn't like sitting still for long periods of time, so he picked up a side job to help stay active, meet new people, and pay the bills. He travels to the office everyday in a luxury briefcase right next to the iPod and laptop computer.

Catching Up on Some Light Reading

Oscar has taken this time to catch up on his favorite books and has discovered a few new ones as well. He contributed his image several times for The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, and is getting a bit snarky about his newfound popularity.

Sleeping a Lot

Like most of his peers, you never know when you'll catch Oscar passed out in front of the television, in bed, or even in the jumbo hammock we bought together while in Thailand! He is finally catching up on all of the sleep he missed out on in the past adventures, but he sure does snore a lot even though he won't admit it.

Planning

Oscar does not want anyone to think this is the end of the Roaming Gnome. While he relaxes at home he is underway preparing for his next great adventure and is getting quite restless on when he can get on that next plane towards destiny. Lucky for him, it'll be sooner than he thinks. But that will be kept for another day.

To check out more of our great adventures together, check out the Roaming Gnome category on our sidebar. To keep up-to-date with all of our past travels, future plans, and other great travel topics, please subscribe to our news feed, follow us on Twitter, or 'like' us on Facebook! You too can own our first book, The Long-Term Traveler's Guide just like Oscar! Check out the guide's website to learn how to live your dream by exploring the world!

Musical USA Tours

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Today's Post is a Guest Post by Sophie McGovern.

Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama are the places that gave rise to the USA's most celebrated musical traditions. Whether you're an Elvis groupie or a line-dance loving country fanatic, this region of America is where you will find the roots of your favorite music. USA tours offer the chance to visit all of these famous locations along with the classic venues and recording studios where some of the world’s most famous musicians have played. From jazz and blues to country and rock and roll, it all began here. (Photo "Memphis Skyline" by Leonard 23)

Nashville, Tennessee is the home of country, where iconic stars like Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves recorded their famous Nashville Sound hits. Honky tonk, blues, gospel and blue-grass all have roots in this area and can be heard spilling from bars and diners, playing late into the Nashville night. The Country Music Hall of Fame honors all of the stars who came from or recorded in the city. Memorabilia and artifacts include costumes, instruments and a stunning collection of photographs, with instillations documenting the rise and reign of country music royalty. (Photo "Beale Street, Memphis" by mdcarpe01)

In the heart of Nashville, The Grand Ol Opry is the definitive country music venue with frequent live acts ranging from old greats to emerging stars. Originally a country music radio show, the Opry showcased old time fiddle and harmonica players as well as hoedown bands. It went on to offer a platform to many celebrated artists including Fruit Jar Drinkers and Crook Brothers before hosting acts in the 60’s such as Johnny Cash and the Everly Brothers.

Elvis fans from across the world make the musical pilgrimage to Memphis to visit the King’s birth town, Tupelo, and his famous home, Graceland. Every June the streets of Tupelo come to life for the Elvis Presley festival. Fans can also visit the church where he sang as a child and the hardware store where he played his first guitar. At Graceland you can peruse Elvis's classy collection of cars in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum and take a look inside his private jets, Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II. The mansion is suitably extravagant and the museum offers insight into the man behind the music, documenting his extraordinary life. (Photo "Elvis" by lurba)

Memphis has a long musical history from blues right through to rock. All this is archived at the Rock and Soul Memphis Museum, where you can take a tour through musical history from the days of BB King to those of Jerry Lee Lewis. Stars who recorded in Memphis are countless and include Johnny Cash, Otis Reading and The Memphis Horns.

Alabama is a living monument to musical history, where you can visit the recording studios in Muscle Shoals, the hit recording capital of the world. Loads of huge acts have recorded there including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and The Rolling Stones. Visit famous recording studios and the Alabama Music Halls of Fame where there is a chance to record your own track in the style of the greats.

The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is Available Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Today is the day we've spent the past twelve months working towards. Today we are launching our first self-published book, The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, in both print and digital formats!

It seems like so long ago when we first began preparations for the book; and after countless late nights and hundreds of hours of work, the guide is ready for the world. So for those who are looking to take a big trip in 2012, 2013, or beyond, this book is for you!

About the Guide

The Long-Term Traveler’s Guide is the definitive planning resource for all those looking to cut loose from the standard path and head out to see the world for weeks, months, or years on end. Whether you want to eat gelato in Italy, ride an elephant in Thailand, climb the Great Wall of China, go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, or do it all, planning for the adventure is unlike any other form of travel.

The 248 page guide covers all aspects of the planning process from deciding to go, developing your itinerary, saving for the trip, acquiring visas, packing, finding your style on the road, money management, finding the best food, overland travel methods, proof of onward travel, and much, much more. There are so many topics included that we can't list them all here, so instead we took a screen cap of the Table of Contents so you can see what the guide is all about! (Click to open the full-size image in a new window)

Read a Chapter

We don't want you to take our word for it that The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is going to turn the travel world upside-down, we want you to see for yourself! To show you what the guide is all about, we've provided two chapters for everyone to read on the book's website. The two chapters that we provided are some of the most difficult topics that all long-term travelers face:

Visa Acquisition
RTW Plane Tickets vs Independent

To read these chapters and get more information about the book, click here! (Link will open in a new window)

Reviews of the Guide

In preparation for launch we have distributed several copies of the digital package to fellow travel bloggers and even gave away a copy to one lucky fan who gave feedback on the book's cover designs via our Facebook Page. So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive in both official reviews and personal feedback.

The following are excerpts of some of the best reviews we have found for The Long-Term Traveler's Guide:

“I really really love the book. There is just so much in there I never even thought of. It’s been a great book to have and I have already told some of my travelling friends about it! So much better than Lonely Planet’s (sort of equivalent) Gap Year book – I also have that at home and information just isn’t as helpful!” – Annie N. Winner of the First Official Copy

"The Long Term Traveler’s Guide is geared towards those who are dreaming of long term travel but just haven’t been able to see their dream come true. It answers questions you maybe didn’t even know to ask and provides a great framework of how to go about making that dream a reality.” – Gillian and Jason, One Giant Step

As reviews of the guide will be popping up over the next few days, please check back soon for more reviews as they come up!

Printed Book and a Digital Package

The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is available in two forms: a printed edition or as a comprehensive digital package with many extra features developed to make planning your long-term adventure a breeze!

The printed edition of the guide is available through a number of online outlets listed below and is 248 pages of all topics related to planning your next long-term adventure. Please click on any of the links listed below to be taken to your favorite marketplace of choice. $16.50

Amazon
CreateSpace eStore
Barnes & Noble - Coming Soon!

The digital package of the guide is the ultimate source for planning your upcoming adventure. Included in the digital package are a number of tools that will make your planning phase more organized and less stressful, resulting in longer time spent on the road enjoying the world! $25.00

The Digital Package includes:

A complete PDF copy of the guide.
Comprehensive planning spreadsheets to aid in estimating your budget, keeping track of your savings goal, and monitor spending while on the road.
Random city generator program linking to planning resources and images for 475 of the world’s best cities to help you find new and exciting destinations to add to your route.
Historical weather charts for 250 cities around the world, developed to aid in route planning and avoid horrible weather.
Blogging directory with links to several hundred country specific posts on every continent around the world and one of the world’s largest directories of travel bloggers available.
Personal communication with the author for free planning advice, route critiques, and more.
Free access and downloads to all future updates that are currently being developed.

To purchase the digital package, click here!

We have partnered with ClickBank for sales of the digital package as they are the most trusted brand on the web with thousands upon thousands of active accounts and positive reviews. Delivery of the digital package is instant through eJunkie. You will also receive a download link in your email which is valid for up to five downloads.

Here is just a quick teaser of the features included in the digital package. Where these come from, there are a whole lot more!

Kindle and iPad Downloads

If you are an owner of a Kindle or iPad and are looking for a digital download, we have not forgotten about you. In just a few weeks we will be launching The Long-Term Traveler's Guide digitally for your favorite reader devices. Check back in early March when the Kindle and iPad formats will be released!

Looking to the Future

We are really happy to finally be able to release our book for the world, but that does not mean that our work ends here. Over the next few months we'll be developing even more features for the digital package which will be available absolutely free via a password protected page to all those who purchase the digital package!

Even more important - over the next few months we will be doing everything in our power to get in touch with publishing companies to get the word out about The Long-Term Traveler's Guide. We wont stop until the ink is signed on a book deal and we can bring the guide to the shelves of a book store near you! If you like the guide or just wish to help out, please Retweet, Stumble, 'Like' this post on Facebook, or comment below to help get the word out and make our dream a reality!

The world is not a scary place, and exploring it for an extended period is one of the most enjoyable things anyone can experience. With The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, you will have all of the tools necessary to plan a great adventure and make your travel goals a reality. Who knows, you may even run into us one day!

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Writing a book has been one of the most in-depth projects we have ever worked on. To help out all future authors learn from our effort, we will be publishing a ten-part "Writing a Travel Book" series in the next few months. To find the latest post in the series, check out the Travel Book link in the Categories sidebar of the site. To stay up-to-date in all of our past adventures and future plans, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our news feed. We can assure you, we've only just begun!

The Most Beautiful Temple in the World - Abu Simbel

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:04:00 +0000

The temples of Egypt are completely stunning. There is no other way to put it. From the pyramids outside of Cairo, to the massive complex of Karnak and the hidden sites at the Valley of the Kings, Egypt has it all. One site in particular stands out as being what we consider to be the most beautiful temple in the world: Abu Simbel.

Abu Simbel is the home to the Great Temple of Ramses II whose nearly 70 year reign in the 13th century BC is one of the most understood of all the Egyptian Pharaohs. This isn't too terribly shocking, as artifacts of Ramses II life is present in nearly every aspect of Egyptian culture through recordings of his major military campaigns and his affinity to building many large temples, monuments, and statues.

The temples at Abu Simbel are like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. To get in you must take either one of the few daily round-trip flights or board three hour convoy out of Aswan between the hours of 3am and 11am complete with AK-47 wielding guards. If you haven't seen the sunrise rise over the desert by reaching Aswan, this convoy will most certainly do the trick. When you arrive to the temple grounds, about 40 km north of the Sudanese border, it is time to explore.

Much like the temples of Petra in Jordan, the view of Abu Simbel comes from a distance as you make your way down the marked trail from behind the temple. As you get closer the four giant statues of Ramses II present themselves in full beauty. But before you are allowed to go explore the temple grounds, the tour guide drops a major piece of information - the entire temple was moved!

Due to an impending rise in the Nile after the construction of the high dam in Aswan, a scheme was set in place in the 1960s to move the temples of Abu Simbel to higher ground. Brick-by-brick and for a cost estimated to be around $40 million, both of the major temples at the site were moved some 65 meters higher and 200 meters away from the original spot and meticulously recreated with near perfect accuracy.

The relocation of a temple does not sound like a great feat by today's standards, but one detail should be kept in mind. The temple of Abu Simbel was designed with statues of four gods positioned at the far wall inside the main hall of the temple (Amun, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Ramses II himself). Twice a year, said to be the day of Ramses II birth and coronation, the rays of the sun shine all the way through the temple to the back wall and illuminate all of the statues. The one exception is Ptah who was connected to the underworld and kept in darkness. The relocation of the temple was so precise that it only introduced a one day difference, although other sources suggest that the date of this occurrence may have shifted one day due to the slight movements of the Earth over time.

In either case, movement of such an intricate temple is something that only adds to the allure that Abu Simbel has going for it. If that isn't enough, the second temple at the site, dedicated to Ramses II beloved wife Nefertari has an equally impressive design that was also moved brick by brick during this major expansion.

Visiting Abu Simbel is not what you would call a budget activity by any standards and takes over 6 hours of waiting on a bus to only spend a few hours at the temples. It may seem less than ideal after spending many days prior exploring the other beautiful temples of Egypt, but we can assure you, this is one you should not miss and has been waiting nearly 3,500 years for you to get there.

Day Tripping to Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:18:00 +0000

For most visitors, the highlight of a trip to Cairo is almost always the majestic pyramids on the Giza plateau and the Sphinx. As this spot is always on the top of must see lists, it is not uncommon for it to be the very first place all travelers in Egypt visit. As I was visiting Egypt on a guided tour, I already had my stop at the pyramids scheduled for a few days later. Instead I took the less traveled route and took a day trip even further back in time to the first pyramids of Egypt at Saqarra, Memphis, and Dahshur.

A day trip to these three destinations located 20-30 kilometers south of Cairo is quite an easy endeavor. The two options visitors have is to hail a yellow taxi on the side of the road and negotiate a daily rate ($25-$35) or arrange it via your hostel or hotel ($40-$50). For convenience in finding a reputable driver, we booked with our hotel for a flat $45 split between myself and a friend on the trip that was also in Cairo early. While this fee is on the high end, we felt comforted in knowing that the hotel arranged the driver and that he was fluent in English so we could communicate past my limited Arabic. Doing it yourself does not have such guarantee. After a few minutes waiting for the driver to arrive, we were on our way!

The Most Active Archaeological Site in Egypt - Saqqara

Not a day goes by that you do not read about new archaeological finds at Saqqara. It is quite apparent when you visit as every corner of the site is full of activity from workers and archaeologists alike.

While the complex itself is quite impressive, the true highlight of Saqqara is the Step Pyramid of Djoser which is considered to be the first pyramid built in Egypt (completed around 2648 BC). To put this in perspective, the Step Pyramid was completed a full one hundred years before work on the pyramids at Giza even began. For its age, the structure of the Step Pyramid is as complicated as it is simplistic. Prior to this point many Egyptian burial sites were mastabas, a basic flat roofed structures. The Step Pyramid is comprised of six of these mastabas on-top of each other, giving the famous shape that remains today.

For a structure that is over 4,600 years old and is 200 feet tall, the Step Pyramid of Djoser was the perfect introduction to Egyptian pyramids, and they only get better after that. The next stop on our day trip was to the Red Pyramid of Dahshur!

The Perfected Pyramid at Dahshur

Progressing forward in history, the next pyramids we stopped at on the day trip were the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, both constructed in Dahshur around 50 years after the Step Pyramid of Djoser for Pharaoh Sneferu at the beginning of the Fourth Dynasty. (To put the rulers in perspective, Sneferu preceded Khufu for whom the Great Pyramid of Giza was built).

While we only got to see the Bent Pyramid from a distance, this one is unique not only for its bent shape, but for the fact that much of the original limestone still remains. But as a perfection of the true pyramid design we know and love today, the Red Pyramid is the originator, and this one you can go inside!

Going inside a pyramid should be met with a word of warning to all those who are sensitive to heat or confined spaces. Here you will find both. Climbing down a pyramid to the burial chamber takes a bit of grace and agility by all those who dare enter. As the passages are only a few feet wide and tall, and steps are nothing more than wood blocks, the best way to get down is by walking backwards with your hands on the ground as support. This is a necessity as the lack of space lends itself to no other option.

The Red Pyramid of Dahshur was relatively easy to get into, but pretty lackluster once you are inside. The burial space is simply that, space. As all of the artifacts have since been removed you are inside an incredibly small and intensely hot, empty space. Still, something about saying you are hundreds of feet inside a pyramid is something everyone should experience, even if the heat makes it bearable to stay for only a few seconds.

Before Cairo, There was Memphis

The final stop on our day trip was to the ancient capital city of Memphis. The city itself predates all of the pyramids that we visited during the day by at least 400 years and was the first capital of ancient Egypt, well before the rise and fall of Thebes and modern day Cairo. Now the city serves as the home of some of the most important archaeological finds over the millenia.

The most impressive feature in the collection at Memphis is the 34 ft long statue of Ramses II who ruled Egypt over 1,300 years after the pyramids were built and whose temple of Abu Simbel outside of Aswan is my personal favorite. This statue is impressive not only for its size but for the level of detail that the artist put into the sculpture. Even by today's standards, the Colossus of Ramses II is a feat that can hardly be matched.

As an introduction to ancient Egyptian history, a day trip to Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur is rivaled by no other. Seeing the progression of pyramid design leading from the original step design in order to the Great Pyramid of Giza really shows how the architecture of the time made leaps and bounds in just over a century. Jumping forward over 1,000 years to the architecture during the reign of Ramses II is an impressive sneak-peak at what is about to come in the rest of your time in the country, and leaves you wanting so much more.

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To all those looking to travel in Egypt, be sure to have a student ID on hand if you have one. All temples in Egypt are 50% off with a student ID. Our tour guide was so nice that he even refunded the difference to all the students in our group even though some temple entry fees were lumped in our tour price.

To keep up-to-date with our adventures in Egypt, past travels, and future adventures, subscribe to our news feed, 'Like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter! Where this story came from we have dozens more that we have yet to publish.

Where You Should Be! - Orlando, Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:15:00 +0000

This feature of "Where You Should Be!" is a guest post by Jeremy Head

This week’s Where You Should Be! focuses on the holiday hub of Orlando, Florida!

This far south east corner of the USA with its long stretches of beach and year-round great weather has long been a holiday favourite for people from right across the USA and all corners of the globe. But what really puts it on the map is the incredible concentration of world-beating theme parks. These days Orlando is virtually synonymous with the adrenaline –fuelled family fun of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. But there is more here than just theme parks – including quirky museums for the curious and acres of untouched wetland. (Photo "Castle" by omster-com)

Theme Parks Galore

If you’re a theme park fan, Orlando’s unquestionably the place to go. But you need to do some homework before you arrive and choose wisely. There is way way more to do here than anyone could hope to cover in one trip. So make some choices ahead of time to avoid getting totally overwhelmed. Walt Disney World contributes four amazing parks to the mix – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and two water parks – Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Then there’s Seaworld Orlando, Universal Studio’s two parks and Discovery Cove too. (Photo "Universal Studio's Entrance" by equiLearn)

If you’ve got kids in tow, head for Magic Kingdom where they’ll find all their Disney friends – Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear and Mickey and the gang, with plenty to keep older kids and adults happy too of course. For possibly the best zoo experience in the world, try Animal Kingdom. With 1700 animals and 500 species on show, you’ll really feel at times as if you’ve been transported to Asia or Africa. If the underwater world is your thing, at Seaworld Orlando you can walk through vast aquariums and get up seriously close and personal with dolphins. Film buffs will be in cinema heaven at Universal Orlando which features the Simpson’s Ride, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Shrek 4D to name just a few.

Cultural Quirks

If you can tear yourself away from the theme parks (and believe me, it’s not that easy!) Just north of the theme park mayhem is the refined suburb of Winter Park which is home to all sorts of interesting museums – enough to keep culture creatures happy for days. Highlights include the arty delights of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Cornell Fine Arts Museum and the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. A short hop away in the suburb of Eatonville you’ll find one of the most interesting of the collections around here – the Maitland Telephone Museum. Located at the rear of the Maitland Historical Museum this treasure trove features unusual old vintage telephones and a 1940s era working switching station. And if kitsch and chaos is your thing, make time to find Flea World - a vast flea market just a short drive away from Orlando in Sanford. For a more ‘out there’ day out, how about the spiritualist village of Cassadaga deep in the forest? Spiritual centres in the village offer everything from tarot card readings, to hypnosis and communication with the nether world.

Natural Highlights

Around 30 miles north of Orlando, Blue Spring State park is a watery wilderness that covers more than 2,600 acres. It’s a great place to swim, snorkel and even scuba dive, but it’s most famous for being a refuge for the endangered Manatee, or sea cow. Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted, but there are viewing platforms from where at the right time of year they are easy to spot. Surprisingly, Disney is in the mix when it comes to the natural world highlights of Orlando too. As part of the deal when Disney was granted permission to develop the theme parks, the company was required to off-set the impact such a development would have on the environment by creating a large ecologically important project nearby too. The result is The Disney Wilderness Preserve. There’s not a souvenir shop or theme ride in sight. Just a wonderfully peaceful 12,000 acres of untouched wetland, home to all manner of species including eagles, foxes, snakes and squirrels . The only construction is a three mile walking trail for visitors to explore. (Photo "Cute Ducky" by stephmck99)

Get Around Orlando

Flights to Orlando, Florida are widely available from across the USA and international locations like London, Paris and Amsterdam. There are two airports in Orlando - Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Sanford Orlando International Airport (SFB) - so make sure you know which one your flight arrives in.

Orlando is pretty spread-out. So, unless you plan to spend all your time in your chosen theme park, budget for car hire. If you’re inside the Disney empire, getting around is pretty easy. Buses, boats and a monorail whisk people between the different parks. If you’re cash poor but time rich, the local Lynx buses do offer an expansive network across Orlando and further afield but journey times can be long. The I-ride Trolley bus is handy for getting around all the sights along International Drive including the Factory Outlet shopping malls and SeaWorld Orlando.

The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is Coming February 11th

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:22:00 +0000

It is with great pleasure that we announce that our first book, The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, has a firm launch date! Mark your calendars, because Saturday, February 11th will be a very big day for us here at Living the Dream, and we would love for you to be a part of it.

The guide will be launching in two formats: a printed book as well as a comprehensive digital package that has extra tools to make planning your long-term adventure a breeze. The printed guide will be available on Amazon and a number of other outlets for $16.50 and the digital package will be available via the book's website for $25.00.

For those with reader devices, we are currently converting the text of the book to Kindle and Nook formats and are anticipating an early March debut for these at a price of approximately $8.00.

But the great features don't stop there. We are planning even more tools to be released later for all those who purchase the digital package of the guide as well as iPod applications and more! I told you it would be a busy year for us, and we are just getting started.

For more information on The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, check out the book's website!

To keep up-to-date with all future developments on The Long-Term Traveler's Guide and the special ten part Writing a Travel Book series, check out the categories sidebar link "Travel Book," subscribe to our news feed, 'Like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter! If you are a travel blogger or website owner and would be interested in learning more about the affiliate program for The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, please e-mail us.

Our Honeymoon Itinerary - Spanish Luxury and a Whole Lot of Food

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:36:00 +0000

With only a few months left until our wedding, we thought it was finally time to decide on a destination to visit for our honeymoon. Airfare prices have been keeping us hesitant on committing to any destination until they came down; and although prices are slowly falling, our dates remain high. While we remain confident that our specific dates of travel will come down in the coming weeks for our honeymoon to Spain, we are not confident that best hotels will remain available. So rather than settling for a sub-par hotel we made the leap, booked our amazing rooms, and now are committed to Spain! (Photo "Sagrada Familia" by sylmac)

As we have come to find out in the last few days, planning a two-week honeymoon is much more difficult than budget travel. Where my travel arrangements on any other trip has been limited by a maximum budget and lack of desire to splurge for the best room, our honeymoon is the exact opposite while keeping obscene prices somewhat in check.

With countless hours looking at rooms and deciding where we will spend our short two-week honeymoon, we have come to the final itinerary and are looking for your inputs on what to see, do, and eat!

Madrid (4 nights) - 2 days exploring Madrid, 1 day-trip to Segovia, 1 day-trip to Toledo
Seville (3 nights) - 2 days exploring Seville, 1 day-trip to Cordoba
Granada (2 nights) - 3 days exploring Granada
Overnight Train to Barcelona
Barcelona (4 nights) - 3 days exploring Barcelona, 1 day-trip to Montserrat

If you may recall from our tentative itinerary at the beginning of the month, we were also looking at including Valencia into our plans. Unfortunately, several factors have forced us to cut Valencia in order to spend an additional day in both Seville and Granada. This is our honeymoon after all, and forcing much more into an already packed itinerary just sounds exhausting. (Photo "Albaycin" by albertoibz)

What are we doing in Spain? Well, we haven't planned much of that out yet, and need your help! This is what we have so far, and as you will see it is kind of lacking:

Step 1: Fly to Spain
Step 2: Eat Tapas
Step 3: ....
Step 4: Return Home

There are the staples of Spain that we are already planning on seeing, like La Boqueria in Barcelona and the Alhambra in Granada, so we are wanting to find more obscure activities to do and destinations to see that are worthy of a honeymoon. Where is the best cooking class? How about a spa package at an Arab Bath? Got a good restaurant/tapas bar recommendation? Let us know! (Photo "Tapas Plate" by knupett)

Give us your best recommendation and we'll see if we can include it in our itinerary and write about it when we return.

To keep up-to-date with our honeymoon plans, past travels, and future adventures, subscribe to our news feed, 'Like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter! Our honeymoon plans only begin to scratch the surface of our world explorations!

My ABC's of Travel - Living the Dream Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000

It has been quite some time, but we were finally tagged to do the ABC's of Travel post that has been going around the travel blogsphere lately. Not being one to say no, I relented and jumped on the bandwagon with this fun entry! Thank you to Sophie from Sophie's World for giving us the tag to do this. Since this is a fairly long post, we'll just get right to it!

Age you went on your first international trip:

I went to Toronto, Canada when I was around 6 and the Bahamas when I was around 7 or 8 on a 3 day cruise as well as another week-long cruise of Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rio, Jamaica when I was 17. My first major international trip was a four week tour of Europe when I was 22, just about 4 years ago.

Best foreign beer you have had and where:

I've tried so many beers while traveling, and I found that I have great memories of them only to not like them when I find them again at home (Chinese Tsingtao, I'm looking at you!). I still really enjoy Singha from Thailand, and would love to try the Cambodian beer Angkor again if I could ever find it. Overall Germany wins on all things beer in my mind. It truly is hard to top.

Cuisine (favorite):

Any, all, and mostly Thai. Runner up is Italian pizza. Give me a curry and chocolate banana roti with condensed milk on top and I am in heaven. In fact, if I don't make curry at least once a month I get upset. Still waiting to try a roti recipe though.

Destinations – favorite, least favorite and why:

Favorite is a tie between the islands of Thailand and the mountains of Switzerland. Beaches and mountains, what more can I say? Least favorite is probably Germany. I just couldn't get into it outside of the food, which I love, but I think I would like it a lot more if I explored more of Bavaria.

Event you experienced abroad that made you say wow:

I saw the Perseid Meteor Showers while hiking down Mount Sinai in Egypt as well as during a camp-out with the Bedouin in Wadi Rum, Jordan. A meteor passing through the Milky Way? Yep, pretty extraordinary.

Favorite mode of transportation:

A donkey going to the Valley of the Kings is hard to beat. Any living animal is quite fun, and I've ridden horses, camels, donkeys, and elephants abroad - not that they really take you anywhere other than a giant circle. As far as real transportation, I would have to say a sleeper car of a train so I can actually spread out, watch a movie, and sleep.

Greatest feeling while traveling:

Freedom to do whatever I want, whenever, with exception of the coming home part.

Hottest place you have traveled to:

It was over 120°F (48.9°C) in Egypt while I was there and I am pretty sure it may have been quite hotter but I could not measure it. I made the choice of visiting in August at the hottest part of the year which was likely my undoing. Wide open spaces, no clouds, and incredibly hot stones made for an interesting couple of days. To top it off, exploring the bazaar in Cairo a few days later with hundreds of people in a tight space gave me mild heat sickness that lasted a few days. I'd do it again in a heart beat if I had the option!

Incredible service you have experienced and where:

It isn't so much a service that I paid for, but my experience with the people of Japan has been some of most memorable. On several occasions people would stop me and try to see if I needed help with directions, with very minimal English, all because I was looking at my map. A few people went so far as making me follow them until they could show me where to go or found someone that spoke English to help me, where all I did was try to ask directions. Japan wins, hands down, and I hope the people there keep being awesome until the end of time.

Journey that took the longest:

Overland - 25 hours from Chengdu to Guilin, China. I had a sleeper car and shared it with two Chinese women and their crying toddlers the whole night. I almost went insane until I found another English speaker a few rooms over about 4 hours until we arrived in Guilin. It is train rides like these that make me wish I carry more than one 8 hour long laptop battery.

Flying - 8 1/2 hours from Singapore to Tokyo, a 3 hour layover (yay sushi run!), 13 hours from Tokyo to Newark, a canceled flight and a 4 hour layover before a flight to Cleveland, an overnight stay with my brother, and a 3 hour drive home. I have that kind of luck with airfare.

Keepsake from your travels:

I collect shot glasses which is pretty memorable as they are a massive collection now. We're going to start collecting Christmas tree ornaments which will be quite fun too.

I am also quite fond of the inverted painted globe I bought in Singapore as it was not only expensive, but quite beautiful. Bringing it home was interesting as it looked like a solid black ball on the x-ray machine. As soon as I saw it pop up I was like "I bet you want to see what that looks like, right?" and the guy marveled at how cool the item was and had to show it to another person he was working with.

Let-down site:

Overall I think Hong Kong was a pretty big let-down for me. I couldn't get into the food and was burnt out after spending 4 weeks in China which is taxing enough as it is. I spent most of the time eating McDonalds and going to the movie theater as a mini-trip break. The view of the harbor from the mountain is stunning, and I still managed to find some amazing sights, but it was pretty hard for me to be excited. I am sure if I went back I would enjoy it much though.

Moment when you fell in love with travel:

Jumping off a mountain in Austria to go paragliding pretty much ignited the spark for travel, not to mention crazy adventure sports.

Nicest hotel you’ve stayed in:

Hotel Rendezvous in Hanoi is the only place I can really rave about for amazing service, amazing facilities, and being my favorite dorm room in the whole world. But if you read this blog, you've probably heard me mention it several times by now. If not, read my reviews at the links here and book at this place when you go. Tell Luke and Sarah that Jeremy from Living the Dream says hello.

For a dedicated hotel, it is really hard to say. I prefer the boutique hotels that have more character, and although they are fun, they take a lot more to impress me as they are not as built up as some of the luxury counterparts that cost two to three times as much.

Obsession – what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling:

My traveling companion Oscar the Roaming Gnome is my favorite photo icon. He is quite fun to pose with attractions and try and get involved in hilarious situations. Unfortunately most of the time he prefers the water.

Passport stamps, how many and from where:

I've been to 34 countries and territories, but do not have as many stamps as I have traveled throughout the EU and on cruises where you do not need stamps. I've got a few from Canada, England, Germany, France, Japan, China, Macao, Hong Kong, Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and several return stamps to the USA.

Quirkiest attraction you have visited and where:

A quirky attraction is a hard pick. I went to the Pokemon World Store in Tokyo which was interesting, but skipped some of the more quirky attractions like the Hello Kitty Park (but I did talk to another traveler for 30 minutes about it... very awkward). The sightseeing tunnel between The Bund and Pudong in Shanghai was incredibly off-beat, and I only went on it at the request of a friend I randomly saw on the street while in Pudong. This video shows it in ultra-high-speed and it is incredibly trippy and absolutely ridiculous.

Recommended site, event, or experience:

Even my worst experience is better than staying at home, so I recommend them all. Get out and explore the world....now!

Splurge, something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling:

A room with air-conditioning and anything food related. No one likes to be sweaty and hungry.

Touristy thing you have done:

I like to take cruises, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I've been on 3 and I hope to do at least 2 more (Hawaii and Alaska) in the foreseeable future. Sometimes it is nice to unwind and not have to plan anything at all.

Unforgettable travel memory:

Proposing to Angie on the beach in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand at night. Kinda put a great topper to 5 months in Asia being away from her and reuniting with a proposal immediatley there after.

Visas, how many and from where:

Five. Egypt, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand. I didn't need the one for Thailand but to stay for over two weeks I decided to buy one rather than doing a visa run. Turns out they were offering them for free, so I got an extended stay visa at no cost! I also did not need one for Jordan as I entered via the trade free zone of Aqaba and just got a stamp for that.

Wine, best glass while traveling and where:

I typically don't buy wine while traveling unless I'm in a wine country. I have had very good Rieslings in Germany, so I do have to give the country credit for that! The 3-4 dollar bottles of wine in France are a good follow up just for the price aspect.

eXcellent view and from where:

On my tour of Europe we stayed in some pretty crappy campsites as a mean to save money. Most of these were out of the city and worth as much credit as I am giving in this short description. In Florence we stayed in Camping Panoramico in one of the campers they had on site. The camper was incredibly tiny, and I would never stay there again because of its location, but the name of the site says it all. The panoramic view of Florence was astounding, and one of the best views I have had that is not an official skyline view.

As far as skylines go, Shanghai is really nice as is Hong Kong from the mountain peak. Pittsburgh is good too, but I am partial to that because I live less than 60 seconds from the viewpoint.

Years spent traveling:

If you combine all the days I've been traveling in the last 4 years, I will have been on the road for over 220 (~16%). Of course, this number is set to go up quite a bit in the future :).

Zealous sports fans and where:

I dont do sports, so you are all zealous to me! I do want to go see a football game sometime though (international football, or as we Americans call it, soccer).

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To pass this series on, we are supposed to tag up to 5 fellow travel writers to do their post into the series. For the life of me I cannot think of anyone who hasn't done this already, so if you have wanted to do an ABC's of Travel post and have not been tagged yet, comment below and the first five people get it!

UPDATE - One slot has been requested, and we have four remaining.

Tag #1 - Deidra - Dream a Little Dream

Living the Dream's Interview with Tours4Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

It is not every day you get some face time (digitally) with a major international tour company. It is for that reason I am very excited about our recent interview with the travel company Tours4Fun that just went live on their site. I highly encourage everyone to check out the interview and let us know what you think! It was definitely one of my favorite interviews I've done so far with Living the Dream as they asked some pretty insightful travel questions aimed for the long-term crowd.

The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is Almost Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:14:00 +0000

It is with great excitement that we are unveiling to the world the first product in the Living the Dream brand. With over a year of effort and countless late nights, we are just a few weeks away from launching our first self-published book, The Long-Term Traveler's Guide!

The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is the definitive planning resource for all those looking to cut loose from the standard path and head out to see the world for weeks, months, or years on end. If you are planning to set off to explore the world in 2012, 2013, or beyond, the guide is for you!

All long-term planning topics are covered in the guide including making the decision to go, picking a route, preparing a budget, getting vaccinated, packing to go, finding your style on the road, returning home, and everything in between.

In fact, there are so many topics in the guide that we had force them all into a tiny screen cap just to list them below!

To correspond with the launch of the printed book, we are also launching a special digital package that includes several extra features to help make planning your long-term adventure a breeze! Some of the special features that will be available in the digital package of The Long-Term Traveler's Guide include:

*A complete PDF copy of the guide.
*Comprehensive planning spreadsheets to aid in estimating your budget, keeping track of your savings goals, and monitor spending while on the road.
*Random city generator linking to planning resources and images for 475 of the world's best cities to help you find new and exciting destinations to add to your route.
*Historical weather charts for 250 cities around the world, developed to aid in route planning and avoid horrible weather.
*Blogging directory with several hundred country specific posts on every continent and one of the world's largest directories of travel bloggers available.
*Personal communications with the author (that is me!) for free planning advice, route critiques, and to talk about all things travel.
*Free access and downloads to all future updates and chapter expansions that are being developed.

Want a glimpse into the digital package? This collage covers just a small fraction of the included features!

Read a Chapter

While the final details of the guide's launch are coming together, we have nearly finalized the website for the book. To see more of what The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is about and get excited for the launch, we are hosting two chapters on the guide's website and would love it if you checked it out! The chapters available are:

*Visa Acquisition
*RTW Plane Tickets vs Independent

These two topics of some the most difficult that all long-term travelers must face while planning, and only begin to scratch the surface on the planning process.

Writing a Travel Book - 10 Part Feature

Short of planning for a long-term trip itself, writing this book has been one of the largest undertakings we have ever done. As you can imagine, writing and self-publishing a travel book has a steep learning curve for someone new to the scene. To help out all you future authors out there, we are launching a special ten-part series that will break down all the details of writing a book that often goes unpublished or is only offered through paid e-books. Of course, our take on the series will be entirely free!

Part 1 - Finding a Niche and Writing
Part 2 - Editing and Formatting
Part 3 - Evolution of a Cover Design
Part 4 - Digital Packages and Special Features
Part 5 - Developing a Website for Sales
Part 6 - Distribution Companies
Part 7 - Pricing Development and Launch
Part 8 - Affiliate Sales Programs and Tips
Part 9 - The Cost of Writing and Sales Summary
Part 10 - Final Thoughts (Book Deal?)

As of now, these topics for the ten-part series are tentative. As the guide progresses we may stumble upon a topic that is more pressing than those listed above, so final topics and titles may change in the future. Part 1 will go live shortly after launch, and we hope to continue this series on a weekly/bi-weekly basis throughout the first part of 2012.

The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is coming soon, and we are one test print away from launching. Once we put the seal of approval on the test print we will set a dedicated launch date and finalize all other details for the launch, but those will come in a future post. For now, let's just say mid-February and hope the first test print turns out great!

To keep up-to-date with all future developments on The Long-Term Traveler's Guide and the special ten part Writing a Travel Book series, check out the categories sidebar link "Travel Book," subscribe to our news feed, 'Like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter! If you are a travel blogger or website owner and would be interested in learning more about the affiliate program for The Long-Term Traveler's Guide, please e-mail us.

Traveling is Better By Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:11:00 +0000

Looking back on my travels I can recall the good times and the bad in pretty much every place that I have visited. Getting sick in China but having an amazing time at the panda center of Chengdu. Eating amazing food in Italy but being rained out during my entire stay in Venice. Heat exhaustion in Cairo while exploring the beautiful Muhammad Ali mosque. But as time goes on, the bad experiences seem to fade away and my recollection turns only to the positive.

It is an interesting phenomena that poor travel memories fade away while only the good remain. I can easily say that Paris was not one of my favorite cities when I was there, but after being away for several years I am yearning to go back. Why? I can't tell you because I honestly don't know. There wasn't anything about the city that I disliked, but nothing that called out to me to make it a favorite like Koh Lipe, Thailand or Wadi Rum, Jordan. But now whenever I talk about the City of Lights, I always seem to think of it as being amazing even though I know I did not think that while I was there.

Maybe it is the feeling of not doing a place justice that brings out more positive memories and draws me back into wanting to see it again. With the exception of one city, every destination I have visited that was not as amazing as I would have liked still had some fun things to do that I am happy to have experienced. The only city I cannot say that I have positive memories from is Berlin, and even then I think it was mostly due to the parts of the city I decided to explore as I missed out on some of the major components that everyone calls their favorites, such as the nightlife.

Somehow my brain tells me that if I try a place I wasn't in love with again something new might pop up and turn it into one of my favorite spots. I haven't tried this theory out yet but I have a feeling that going back and hitting only the best parts of a destination will make for better memories. This would leave time to avoid the places I did not enjoy and allow ample time to discover new and exciting aspects I missed the first go around.

More importantly, the root cause of this phenomena could be entirely simplistic. A mediocre experience on the road is often infinitely better than most you can have at home. I'll take heat exhaustion in Cairo for a day if it means that I get to explore beautiful mosques and pyramids. A less thrilling city still has enjoyable attractions, and those are much more exciting than staying at home, working, and doing the same old routine. Unfortunately, it requires the returning home part to truly understand how much more enjoyable travel is, as several months doing a daily routine will make all experiences better by perspective.

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Today's post is brought to you by Ripleys on Smartsave. Ripley's Believe it or Not London is home to some of the most unbelievable objects found in the world and is a great addition to your next vacation.

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Do you have a destination you didn't care for while there, but only have positive feelings of now that you are moved on? Let us know by commenting below! To read more about our travels, subscribe to our news feed, 'like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

An Open Letter to IKEA

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Dear IKEA,

My name is Jeremy, and I am a travel writer, photographer, and frequent shopper at IKEA.

Every time I go into your stores, as I did this past weekend, I am amazed by the collection of furniture, accessories, and decorations you are able to sell around the world. I can easily spend several hours exploring your kitchens and living room options, not to mention the home goods section at the end of your display floor. Even when I go for just a quick purchase, I end up getting lost in fantasizing about my future home and all the ways I can build my dream design.

That is, until I get to that home goods department.

Being a photography fan who specializes in scenery, flowers, and all things nature, I make sure to always visit your decoration section in the home goods department. My special stop is to peruse what kind of canvas and poster based photography is available for purchase, and every time I leave disappointed to find the same images appearing on your shelves.

I can't help but think that you need a refresh, and my images would make a perfect fit alongside your impressive collection. I've been printing my images on canvas at home for years, and they are not only amazing decorations on my walls, but also inspire friends and family to travel and decorate their rooms with their favorite photos.

I'm not here to say that all my photography would be a good fit for IKEA, but after taking over 27,000 images in 34 countries in North America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, there are bound to be a few that are just right.

Unfortunately as I am a photographer by hobby and travel writer by profession, I do not have a storefront gallery in which to showcase my works. It is with that reason why I post my open letter here to get your attention.

I'd love to show off my portfolio to you at your availability, and I would be happy to share my favorite works and passion for travel with your customers around the world. It would truly be a match made in heaven to help showcase this great world we live in. To get things started, the photos following this letter are just a select few of my favorites from my immense collection, and I would love to get your opinion on them and show you several more.

My email is jeremy@livingthedreamrtw.com, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

-Jeremy
Living the Dream

To everyone else reading this at home,

Whether you are an avid IKEA shopper or just a fan of social media making the world a better place, help us out! We want to get in touch with the procurement person(s) at IKEA to discuss having our photos available for everyone and need your help!

Let's put the six degrees of separation theory to the test and see if our collective efforts will help us achieve our goal! Give a quick Retweet, Stumble, Facebook Share, or even just comment below to show your support. We wont stop 'til we make our pitch, and we would love for you to be apart of it!

-Jeremy
Living the Dream

I Love Koh Lanta's Hammock House

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:58:00 +0000

One of my favorite things about the islands of Thailand is that they are easy to explore. A cheap scooter and you're on your way to find a quiet beach, beautiful fields, or an unusual shop. During my time on the island of Koh Lanta, I took a day pursuing my favorite activity and stumbled upon what is quite possibly the best shop on the island - The Hammock House.

The Hammock House is not unique to Koh Lanta, as the brand of hammocks they sell are available on several other islands including Koh Lipe, Koh Chang, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui. Something about the name of the store just draws you in, and the tiny shack with nearly all walls and surfaces covered with hammocks are sure to keep you there for quite some time, testing out each and every variety.

Little did I know that upon entering the store that I was about to drop 3,000 baht on one of my favorite purchases of all my travels; however, after just a few minutes of looking around I was hooked. Between testing out each of their brightly colored hammocks, and marveling at the ones made especially for cats, I knew I had to leave with one in my possession. Ironically, the store's resident cats did not even prefer their made-to-size hammocks and would lounge in the full-size ones at any chance possible and have been known to scare the owners and unsuspecting visitors that are about to jump in.

The reason these hammocks are special and are priced higher than your everyday hammock is that they are not your typical mass-produced nylon hammocks. These wonderful creations are hand woven by the Mlabri tribe in northern Thailand and, quite literally, saved the tribe. After being displaced from their life in the jungles due to deforestation, the tribe needed a new career to get back to prosperity. They begun making hammocks in 1996 after a chance discovery of their little known weaving souvenir trade. Now with their thriving business expanding to other tribes in the region, there is little concern for prosperity in the future.

You may still be wondering why my specific hammock was so expensive? Well, I bought the jumbo one that can easily support two adults. As these hammocks are hand woven, the size of mine was said to take nearly 10 days to completely, and mine was not even the most intricate available. Other shops in Thailand may sell these hammocks for cheaper than the location in Koh Lanta, but I am not upset. My hammock is now a permanent fixture in our second bedroom and relaxing in it is my favorite activity that instantly transports me back to the islands.

Have you been to Koh Lanta, Thailand, or just love hammocks? Let us know by commenting below! To read more about our travels, subscribe to our news feed, 'like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

Living the Dream is Now on Flickr

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:36:00 +0000

Kicking off the new year on the right foot, we've already completed one of our travel resolutions. Nearly all of our entire collection of travel photos are now available on Flickr! Out of 27,000 photos, we have uploaded 14,000 of the best after getting rid of duplicates, bad shots, and pictures that include ourselves or other people. Yes, these photos are nearly all destination specific, and include wonderful destinations around North America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia. So head over to our Flickr stream and check out some of our best shots from around the world and watch out for these photos to be incorporated in a new feature on our site very, very soon.

Turning 4 Weeks in China from a Negative to a Positive

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:11:00 +0000

There seems to be a common theme among travelers that visiting China is an eye opening experience. Between the initial culture shock, adaptation to the local cuisine, and frequent run-ins with the thick smog, China is often considered to be a love it or hate it destination. Those that love it rave about it, and those that hate it will make their reasons quite obvious in an instant. After my first week in the country, I was quickly falling into the latter category. It was only until my last week that the country began growing on me and I became sad to leave.

Getting Over the Rough Patches

Arriving to China via ferry from Japan was like something out of a dream. As we slowly pulled into the harbor, the skyline of Shanghai opened itself up. Modern, sleek, and relatively clean due the World Expo, the city was nothing like I expected China to be. After a few days I made my trek up to Beijing, and my experience turned to a polar opposite.

Immediately after exiting the train into the station I began noticing a number of things that would come and haunt me for the duration of my time in China. The crowds were thick, children used the public squares like a communal restroom, and every single thing I ate did not appear appetizing nor sat well in my stomach. With 6 days in Beijing, my first four were not what I would like to call an ideal experience. Not feeling well, making the best of it was the daily struggle, yet the grey skies due to heavy smog with the same color of the concrete below me made it an uphill battle. Imagining another 3 weeks in the country at the speed I was at, I was contemplating an exit point.

The Redeeming Factors

It wasn't until the fifth day in Beijing and 8th day in China did my experiences begin to turn around. The Great Wall of China was my destination, and the Huanghuacheng section did not disappoint. Far enough removed from the city, there was no smog to be found and the fresh air did wonders for my lungs. A beautiful hike, amazing photos, and I knew that I found what I came to China to see. But going back to Beijing brought a dose of reality and the pollution and crowds began to take their toll yet again.

My next city of Xi'an marked the turn around of my time in China where I met up with fellow travel blogger Michael from Art of Backpacking where he was teaching English at the time. The smog stayed and my lungs still burned, but a great night out eating dozens of skewers of hot pot turned me into a new person. Finally, I found good food in China.

The following destinations of Chengdu and Yangshuo were where China began to really shine and left its lasting impression. Chengdu for its Panda Center where you can see dozens of the beautiful creatures in an enclosed and protected habitat along with the world famous Szechuan cuisine, and Yangshuo for being the natural beauty you would never think of existing in the country. When ever there is a reason to run away from a place you do not enjoy, the best spot to go has to be one that is either focused on food or has amazing scenery to help your troubles go away. A back-to-back shot of Chengdu and Yangshuo are the perfect combination for anyone looking to get out from the hectic "big" cities of China and back into a more relaxing pace.

Cue nearly ten days of eating amazing food and biking, kayaking, and exploring beautiful scenery and my trip was renewed. It is amazing how such minor things can turn an experience around nearly instantly, and I am glad I kept going to reach such amazing places. So I had to deal with a constant upset stomach, screaming and defecating children, and poor environmental conditions. These would have been a vacation ruiner in any other environment if it wasn't for the amazing experiences that turned it around, and now China is on my list of destinations to return to, if only for the spots known for the food and natural beauty.

Have you been to China and had similar experiences? Comment below! To read more about our travels, subscribe to our news feed, 'like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

Living the Dream's 2012 Travel Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year! 2012 is going to be an exciting year for us here at Living the Dream, and we just wanted to take this time to share with you some of our exciting plans for the next year. Between an upcoming book launch, our travel goals, and major plans for this site we are going to be busy. The following are just a few of the major items we have in store for you this year, so sit back and enjoy the great content we have coming your way!

A Book Launch in the Next Month!

If you have been following us on our Facebook Fan Page in the last month or so, you'll have read quite a bit about our upcoming book launch. If you have not then this may be news for you - our first book The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is launching in just a few short weeks!

Throughout the latter half of 2011 I've been busy toiling away in preparation for our first book release and have dropped off the radar quite a bit to complete it. The Long-Term Traveler's Guide is set to be the most comprehensive planning tool out there for anyone looking to take a long-term trip be it only a few weeks, months, or several years long. If you are planning to head off and see the world in 2012, 2013, or onward, this book is for you.

All topics for the planning process are covered in the guide and includes the following topics:

-Planning a Route
-Building a Budget and Saving for It
-Buying Luggage
-Developing a Packing List
-Finding Your Travel Style
-Visa Issues and Proof of Onward Travel
-Picking a Hotel vs Hostel
-Maintaining Budgets on the Road
-Finding the Best Food
-Securing a Job When You Get Home
...and dozens more!

Our book will initially launch in print as well as a comprehensive digital package with more tools built to make planning for your long-term adventure a breeze! Shortly after launch we will be working on formatting the book for Kindle and Nook reader devices, making a few iPod applications, and many more bonus features for those who own the digital package; all while working on securing a publishing deal. (If you know a publisher, please email us).

The launch of The Long-Term Traveler's Guide will be in just a few short weeks, and we'll be posting more information very soon with more information! We are waiting on the cover to be completed to order the first test print, and we'll have a firm launch date shortly thereafter. After launch we will be featuring a special 10 part series on all aspects of writing and self-publishing a travel book for those looking to do the same!

2012 Travel Outlook

If you may remember, we started 2011 out by getting engaged in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. 2012 will be the year that Angie and I end our engagement and get married in May. We have come to you for help in the last few months on ideas for where we will go for our honeymoon with our limited two week vacation time this year and finally made our decision.

After countless searching and scratching out many of the world's best destinations, we've settled on one:

We're honeymooning in Spain!

Unlike traditional honeymoons, we will be quite active in our time abroad and hope to hit several cities including Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, and Montserrat. So if you have advice in regards to any of these places, let us know by commenting below! (Photo "Barcelona Spain" by pinzino)

Our other travel plans are staying loose right now to see how many days of work I can get off after that. I'll be going up to Northern Alberta, Canada for work several times this year and hope to get a few days off to explore the wilderness, the Northern Lights, and maybe go on a dog sled if I can find a way to do so. I suspect that after going up there, we'll be doing a long weekend in the Caribbean near the end of the year to relax.

Living the Dream to the Top 10

2012 will be the fourth complete year we've been blogging since opening in late 2008, and we will be celebrating our 500th post in the next few weeks!

In the last few years of blogging we have grown considerably from just a few readers per week to 10,000 - 15,000 unique visitors per month and rising fast. This past year our efforts have been focused on being placed in search engine traffic where we have broken into the Top 30 of all travel blogs in terms of Google traffic in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Our goal was to be placed for as many keywords as possible, and we have achieved it quite remarkably with it being our biggest contributor to our readership.

This upcoming year we will be bringing you the same great content as always, and we'll be focused on building up our presence in the travel community with more features special to the social media world of Twitter and Facebook, uploading our 20,000+ travel photos to Flickr, sharing our several days worth of video on YouTube, as well as hosting and writing many guest posts with our fellow bloggers. We're aiming to end the year with 50,000 unique visitors per month (or more) and several thousand followers on our Facebook community as we develop Living the Dream into one of the best travel blogs on the internet.

The Top 5 Posts of 2011 in Review

While we are underway getting ready for our plans for 2012, we wanted to look back on our Top 5 posts from 2011 that you may have missed! These are not only our most popular in terms of traffic and comments, but our favorite experiences and musings from traveling around this amazing world of ours. Check them out:

1) The Fine Art of Haggling - 5 Tricks You Should Use - I tried so many methods of haggling on the road to find out they didn't work. These are five that had the best results.
2) Unearthing the Catacombs in Paris - Eerie and unsettling, the catacombs are my kind of attraction, maybe because they cannot talk back.
3) Top 10 Murphy's Laws of Backpacking - The only truths of traveling are the ones you do not want to have happen to you, yet they happen all the time.
4) The Great Durian Quest Part 3 - Durian Fruit - I heard Durian was not pleasant, so I went on a quest to find it. From Durian Cream Puff to Durian Chendol and Durian Ice Cream, Part 3 of this series finally got me to try this interesting fruit.
5) Travel Souvenirs Collection Part 2 - Shot Glasses - I collect shot glasses, and after 34 countries realized I have quite an impressive collection. Check out the photos!

2011 was an awesome year here at Living the Dream, 2012 will be even better, and looking forward, 2013 will be the best yet with some of the plans we have in the works that we can't quite talk about yet. We'd love it if you stuck around and check out some of our nearly 500 posts from our experiences in 34 countries around the world and the rest that are upcoming in what is shaping up to be a great year!

To keep up on all of our future developments, subscribe to our news feed, 'like' us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

Merry Christmas from Living the Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Whether your travel plans have you at home this holiday season or abroad,
Have a very merry Christmas from us at Living the Dream.

We will see you in 2012, our biggest year yet.
Major announcements are coming on January 1st!

What Dorm Size is Right For You?

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:36:00 +0000

After the hurdle of deciding to stay in a dorm has passed, the next biggest decision you will be faced with is choosing the size of room you wish to stay in. Starting from two beds all the way up to more than two dozen, dorm sizes come in all shapes and sizes with an appropriate cost to match. As it turns out, not all dorms are created equal and a lot of nuances come in to play when deciding your room size. When looking for holiday deals, do not forget to pick the appropriate room size, as a few dollars more may be all it takes to turn a nightmare experience into paradise.

Cost is Proportional to Size

In many cases, the cost of a dorm room is proportional to its size. A room for two will be more expensive than a room for four, which will be more expensive than a room for eight. This is not always the case, as some hostels have promotions and standard features where some rooms, regardless of capacity, are the same cost. For those who are traveling on an extreme budget, staying in the largest room typically provides the best bang for your buck. With its size, each room style has their own benefits and drawbacks that would reflect your own personal style when choosing.

Dorm for 2

Dorms built for just two people are increasingly rare as they can be often booked as a private room for a bigger fee. If being offered on a per bed basis, there is likely a specific reason as to why the room is not sold as a private, which most commonly translates to a lack of space. The two beds may be in bunk bed configuration; however, a few luxury hostels may actually provide a two bed dorm with all the amenities and space you could need.

It is hard to determine whether a dorm is the first or the latter unless the listing has pictures. This size room is perfect for those looking for privacy without paying the extra fee for a full private room. You could get lucky and not have a roommate for a night and essentially have a private for no extra cost.

Dorms for 3 to 6

The second class of dorms would be all sizes in the three to six person range. These rooms are larger than their dorm for two counterpart and can either provide large beds for each person or bunk beds. Dorm variability is at play in these rooms as some hostels have found ways to provide luxury in a small place while others are bare bones with minimal necessities.

With more people in the room, it is unlikely you will have the entire dorm to yourself for a night. But the trade off is having people to talk to, and direct conversation with other traveler's leads to making new friends and getting great travel advice. At six people or less, the room may have noise at all hours, but is minimal as your fellow roommates are coming and going.

Dorms 7 to 12

As the size of a room increases from six people, the likelihood of bunk bed configuration is guaranteed and more beds occupy as much available space as possible. These rooms will typically be significantly cheaper and will not always fill up to capacity every night. With more people in the room, your chances of being paired up with those that keep odd hours increases, and the likelihood of noise increases substantially.

Dorms Larger Than 12

Hostels that keep dorm rooms larger than twelve people per room are limited on space, but not afraid to maximize their earning capabilities. In many cases these hostels will only have one communal room that all travelers sleep in that could hold upwards of 30 beds or bunks that sit side by side in every inch of the room. They are the best deals of all hostels in terms of price, but include the drawbacks of significant noise and the fact that all thirty people will be sharing the same provided shower and toilet facilities.

Male / Female / Mixed Dorms

The final characteristic most dorms offer is either through staying in an all male dorm, an all female dorm, or in mixed dorms with both sexes sharing communally. All male dorms are standard accommodations like most other dorm rooms, except for the fact that they often come with a poor smell and are substantially messier than in mixed dorms (and likely cleaned with lesser frequency). Yes guys, you know you are messier when there are no women around.

Female dorms can be the same as most other dorms in some hostels, or fully loaded with special features in order to bring in interested travelers. Some of the more interesting additions to female only dorms include private corridors, specially designed rooms, and upgraded bathroom facilities. Many dorms even offer these rooms at the same price, or only at a slight premium that makes most guys jealous that all the rooms aren't like that.

Mixed dorms are a good balance as everyone is on their best behavior (unless a hostel is known for having such a reputation) in front of each other and otherwise a pretty habitable environment. Choosing to avoid a mixed dorm just because there will be the other gender room is a pretty big mistake, as everyone is capable of being friends regardless. For guys, getting away from the smell of an all guy room makes this one an easy choice.

When in Doubt, Trust a Review

If you ever find yourself in trouble while picking a dorm, just remember to use your feelings of reviews when picking a size. If someone reports having noise issues in a larger dorm, it is quite possible you will also have noise issues. When it could be just a dollar or two more per night to have more privacy and less noise, you may not always be too upset about the sudden splurge of a room. The only time when this does not come into play is when hostels charge upwards of 50% more for smaller rooms, and in this case your final choice comes easily!

Paragliding and Adventure Sports in Tyrol, Austria

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:38:00 +0000

The Tyrol region of Austria is known for its beautiful scenery high in the Alps. Picturesque villages are plenty and each make you feel like you are a part of the Sound of Music. As much as running over the hills singing at the top of my lungs was appealing, I was in this corner of Austria during my European sightseeing tours for another reason - adventure sports.

When I am put in a beautiful mountain town, my mind goes to one of two activities. The first is ascending the nearest accessible mountain and the second is the many adventure sports that this type of geography provides. With only a few days in the region, I made my mark by mountain biking, paragliding, and white water rafting in the pristine waters nearby.

Mountain Biking Works the Legs

The biking trails found throughout Tyrol are one of the most well developed I've seen. It should be no surprise because most of the residents that live in this region are avid fans of all things outdoors. Our two guides for the day looked like they came right off an Olympics team, and told us that their summer jobs are as biking/white water rafting guides and winter jobs are as ski instructors. Where do I sign up?

The main trails on our multi-kilometer bike trip were not as strenuous as the phrase 'biking in the mountains of Austria' would suggest. I am sure they exist, but we just chose an easier one. Watching the little villages, beautiful chalets, and mountains pass us by on our cycling trail is possibly one of the best ways to get to see a lot of scenery without taking another more expensive bus tour. Stopping partway at a small restaurant and getting amazing local food is just the added bonus.

Since there are so many trails; however, we recommend grabbing a map before you head off and mark where you came from!

White Water Rafting Works the Arms

Glacial water, check. Wet suit, check. Water proof camera, check. Shot of victory Schnapps, check. Wait, what?

Any activity that ends with a shot of Schnapps is an activity I want to be apart of, and white water rafting the class III/IV rapids in Tyrol offers this wondrous perk. For my first time whitewater rafting, the rapids offered enough challenge that I was interested but were not too difficult enough for me to be scared. It could have been the freezing water splashing on my exposed skin, but I had more important things to think about at the time.

The rush of hitting a rapid is something you have to feel to understand. A much bigger boat could easily glide over these minor disturbances with barely a bump, but the inflatable rafts are built to feel every minor movement, and you do. As the rapids get larger, the bumps get stronger and a coordinated team can make the difference between a good time and you being hurdled from your raft into the freezing waters of the river. Luckily I made it through without falling in, and there was no way I was going to jump in willingly like my fellow rafters. The shot at the end seemed to warm everyone up quite wonderfully.

Paragliding Works the Lungs

My time in Tyrol culminated with an activity I have been dreaming of for a long, long time - paragliding. Having an immense fear of heights would make this seem like an unlikely activity for me to try, but is just the sort of thing I crave when trying new adventures.

With a few fellow travelers and a short ride up the hills of Austria, we reached the bottom of a gondola lift leading to the top of the nearby mountain. The instructor asked who would be first, and I raised my hand to the surprise of everyone there, who all knew I do not like heights. Along with two instructors and fliers, we ascended the mountain. The instructors unfolded their equipment, and within a matter of moments I was strapped in and the first one to run off the side of the mountain.

As the parachute starts out from a flat position on the ground, you may be wondering how paragliding works. You simply run off the mountain. As you run towards the edge of the mountain, the parachute begins to rise. Wind resistance in the fabric causes it to expand before ultimately being pulled upward with you completely airborne. The feeling of being pulled back from an open chute is surreal, as is the balance of that and the fear that you will begin tumbling into the nearby trees below.

Once airborne, the experience is incredibly peaceful. It is just you, your instructor, and smooth circles around the beautiful countryside. That is, until they ask you if you want to do tricks. The brave who say yes are treated to fast spins and moving at incredible speeds for a few brief minutes. You can imagine what option I went for.

Several times during these spins I could have sworn that the parachute was either horizontal to my body, or even below, but I try to avoid thinking about that if possible. The only downside to doing these tricks is that they cause you to descend at a faster rate, and we were safely on the ground before I knew it. For the next 45 minutes we waited and watched as our fellow travelers each went up and gracefully came back to safety. Skydiving, you're next!

If you are ever traveling in Eastern Europe, make some time for the adventure sports of Tyrol, Austria. The beautiful mountain scenery is astounding, and the numerous sports available are nothing short of impressive. Those who visit in the winter time also have a lot to look forward too, as the gondola lifts we rode up in the summer months are the very same lifts used on the dozens of ski slopes the region offers. There is truly something for everyone in this mountain paradise, and I cannot wait to go back.

Luxury Ski Holidays for Beginners

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Jetting off to a sparkling new resort to discover a winter sport in the wild is both exhilarating and nerve wracking. Just like wobbling down that beginner’s run takes a lot of mental preparation and can reap dramatic rewards, so taking the time to organize your trip will give you a more fulfilling, stress-free holiday experience. Luxury ski holidays are becoming more popular with every year that passes, you may be one of many beginners on the slopes, but lack of experience needn’t hold you back from having a first class holiday. (Photo "Swiss" Malta333)

Accommodation

You’ll probably be eager to spend as much time as possible exploring runs, soaking in the views and sampling the local bars and restaurants, but your choice of accommodation can make or break the holiday experience. If you do opt for a chalet rental, figure out what it means to go with self-catering – what stores are nearby? Will you be living on canned sardines and ketchup for the week? Equally, will there be laundry facilities? Anyone staying for more than a week will need to know these things – there’s nothing worse than unwashed ski pants. (Photo "Old Switzerland Chalet" by gundolf)

Look into its location - thoroughly mapping out your hotel’s proximity to piste will have far more impact on the enjoyment of your trip than whether their swimming pool is Olympic-sized or not. It’s important to remember the maps on some websites are designed to show the lie of the land in the most positive light for the company, so always check independent sources.

Clothing

Choosing what clothes to bring is often one of the most arduous aspects of packing for a trip at the best of times – especially if you find it hard enough to squeeze everything into the wardrobe at home. Consider packing for 5 degrees below zero a logical survival process and not fashion frenzy. (Photo "High Above" by lusi)

There are some key rules to follow to make sure you’re comfortable and healthy throughout your ski holiday. Light silk under-layers draw moisture away from the skin, meaning however drenched in sweat you may become (and you will) it won’t chill you. Then, layer over a fleece or waterproof, while finally throwing on your all-important outer layer. This needs zipped sections for the release of heat, and, to have a padded bottom, which will be invaluable for snowboarders and first timers, who’ll be relying on it for shock absorption. You’ll also benefit from some quality sunblock and lip balm, UV protection goggles, quality gloves, and above all, a cosy hat. For more information about packing for a ski trip, see About.com's guide to ski packing.

Insurance

In the excitement of planning your trip abroad, it’s tragic that serious (however unlikely) contingencies, such as what would happen if you toppled off a mountain and crushed three vertebrae, are rarely afforded more than a ten minute trip to a comparison site. A comprehensive winter sports insurance policy is the most important thing you can buy for your trip and, unlike a spare pair of gloves or replacement bindings it can’t be bought with hindsight. It needs to cover all the standard perils and usual eventualities you may claim for on holiday insurance. Be sure to declare all pre-existing medical problems, however trivial or irrelevant you feel they are. Ensure the cover will look after you both on and off-piste, quiz the company about hidden excesses, and make sure they throw in some personal possessions cover for your gear.

Whether your next big ski outing this season takes you to a local ski resort or a world class resort, following these tips will ensure you have the best time possible before heading back to the lodge for some nice relaxation and recovery.

Do Not Support the Boat Ladies of Halong Bay, Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:14:00 +0000

The beautiful sights of Halong Bay are one of the most sought after destinations in all of Vietnam. Resulting from this, hundreds of tourists visit every single day and stay overnight on the water in one of the many number of junk boats. While this is a dream itinerary, there is one small drawback to the experience - the garbage.

When staying on the junk boats, guests are often informed that outside beverages are not allowed and that a drinking fee of 10% all the way up to $1 per beverage will be assessed per item (up to $5 if alcoholic). With drink prices being expensive as it is, often $1.50 per cola at a minimum, many people resort to outside sources in an attempt to sneak drinks on board to avoid the fee.

The common technique to get around this in Halong Bay is row boat peddlers which pull up to the side of a junk boat and sell drinks to passengers at heavily discounted prices. A dream come true for the budget minded? Hardly. It turns out that supporting the local peddlers has a huge impact on Halong Bay more than just drinking at a cheaper price.

For those traveling to Halong Bay, wait until dark to see the true nature of some local peddlers, as dozens of empty cola and beer cans are guaranteed to float by in the water, dumped without care of repercussion. At first, the guests on our junk thought it was from our boat itself, but we later saw the trash supply being unloaded from the boat for disposal via proper channels. Our tour guide informed us that the water dumpers are in fact the local people, fisherman, row boat peddlers; the very same that only hours earlier sold several people on our boat drinks at significantly reduced prices.

This act of disregard for trash disposal goes on throughout many Vietnamese cities, where highways, roadways, and side streets become dumping grounds for garbage. This is not an issue so much in these populated locales as there are numerous street cleaners that walk the streets at all hours picking up every piece of debris. The bay, however, does not have a similar service, and trash is likely never picked up until it makes landfall.

For being a World Heritage UNESCO site, seeing trash and debris floating in the waters is unsettling. Getting past the amount of boats on the water is one thing, but physically seeing cans and beer bottles floating by is unacceptable on many levels.

It is with this knowledge that I make this request to all readers: Do not support the boat peddlers in Halong Bay. To ensure the beauty of Halong Bay is maintained for future generations, purchasing drinks on the boat is the way to go, even if it may kill your prepared budget.

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The Two Castle Phenomena in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:31:00 +0000

Japanese castles are often one of the top attractions that foreign tourists want to see while in the country. Relics of an older time when samurai warriors dominated the land, Japanese castles are a testament to the beauty and engineering knowledge of the period which many travelers seek out holiday deals just to witness. While most of the castles have been destroyed and rebuilt over the ages, mostly resulting from World War II, they still represent an amazing period in Japanese history.

After traveling to three castles throughout Japan, there is a distinct trend that has appeared between the castles which, unfortunately, might not be entirely a good thing.

The trend itself stems from the fact that most of Japan's castles were rebuilt in the past 60 years. While rebuilding and restoration is often a good thing to preserve historic legacy, the castles only retain this true-to-form design on the outerward appearance. Inside the structure is a completely different scene all together.

For comparisson sake into this argument, one of the few surviving castles in Japan should be discussed first.

The Castle with All Original Pieces Remaining

Matsumoto castle, located in the town of Matsumoto about 45 minutes outside of Nagano, is considerd a national treasure by the people of Japan. Speaking the name of the castle will often receive praise as a good stop to see and even more surprise when telling someone you went there as it is outside of the normal tourist route.

Arriving at Matsumoto was quite simple for JR pass holders if staying in Nagano and a short walk puts you in front of a beautiful castle perched above a stone wall and moat that is still full of water. It may seem unusual to think, but a full moat is something quite unusual in many of the castles remaining in Japan. Small for its size, Matsumoto does not offer huge gardens or walking grounds for visitors to see, and the castle itself is the main attraction. Japan's commitment to this structure is apparent as all visitors must remove and carry around their shoes during the entire time within the building.

Once inside, however, the term "original state" is validated as the entire building is nearly devoid of relics, short of a few museum display cases and panels on the wall describing where you are at. While surprising, seeing the original structure of the increasing pagoda shaped levels is inspiring, even if climbing terrifyingly steep steps is not.

Each level in the castle has an open common room where high ranking commanders would sit, plan, and be protected. The outside border on all levels was lowered such that samurai could run from window to window and protect the castle in time of need. Multiple stories up and a great view is had from the lookout post, the only common feature between all the castles, rebuilt or not. Still, seeing the original design and reading about how the warriors lived and battled inside the same structure gave an amazing glimpse into Japanese history. For Matsumoto's sake, it is very evident why it survived throughout the ages.

Rebuilt Castles - More of a Museum

Castles that found a new life after long rebuilding and restoration now have an entirely new purpose to their internal design. With days of samurai war being over, the redesign of castles such as those in Nagoya and Osaka could afford new amenities and were primarily designed as a museum in the shape of the original building.

Unlike Matsumoto Castle which was small and devoid of artifacts, both Nagoya and Osaka castles come with huge grounds, gardens, and large unfilled moats. Once inside the castle itself, each fully air conditioned level showcases various display pieces, historical artifacts, and videos talking about the history of the castle. Modern stairs replace ladders, and tapestries and cases replace windows, with exception of the lookout on the upper level.

After visiting Nagoya castle as my second of the three, it was interesting to see the drastic difference between the two. While the museum pieces offered a better view into the historical aspect of the building and its uses over the years, I couldn't help but feeling that I was not inside an actual castle unless actually looking at it on the outside. Even more drastic was Osaka Castle, not because it was anything different, but was of the exact same variety as the one in Nagoya. Beautiful on the outside, museum on the inside.

Unfortunate Extremes

It is a bit unfortunate that the beautiful castles in Japan, both recreated and original, have very extreme differences in internal design. While Matsumoto's original design gives a really interesting insight into how warriors lived at the time, display pieces and recreations of some parts of the rooms could easily be done without distracting from the overall engineering of the building. Likewise, Osaka and Nagoya castles are practically empty of any engineering features signifying that you are inside a castle while visiting, aside from reading and viewing the history of a building that once was.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from visiting the castles in Japan. They are incredibly beautiful and an amazing piece of history, however the two extremes in tourist usage should be kept in mind when choosing the ones to see as the two castle phenomena is highly prevalent. One of each is a must, but after that your time may be better spent elsewhere.

The Best of Oscar the Roaming Gnome - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Today we celebrate the 2nd birthday of our faithful travel companion, Oscar the Roaming Gnome! Our faithful friend has traveled with us everywhere in the last two years, and so far has set foot in 18 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, and Asia. To honor this milestone, we bring you this photo essay that highlights the best photos of Oscar taken in his first two years of travel!

Maho Beach, St Maarten: Perhaps one of the best photos of Oscar the Roaming Gnome comes from our Caribbean cruise in the Spring of 2010. Maho Beach is world renowned not for its natural beauty, but because it is located just a few feet from the country's international airport. Every few minutes planes land and take off, allowing ample opportunities for great photos!

Titou Gorge, Dominica: Titou Gorge doesn't look like much from ground level as it is essentially a deep cavern full of water that visitors can snorkel in. It is best recognized from above, as this gorge had a brief placement in the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie when the cast rolled their makeshift bone cage down into a gorge to freedom. Oscar was not amused.

Lake Louise, Banff, Canada: In May of 2009, Oscar traveled with me to Banff, Canada on a frequent flyer reward trip for a long weekend in the mountains. Unbeknownst to us at the time, the lakes of Banff National Park do not thaw out until June, so we were in for quite the icy surprise. With no chance to snorkel, Oscar was taking in the scenery in other ways.

Nikko, Japan: The temples of Nikko are a popular day trip for Tokyo tourists; however, those who stay longer can get into the temple grounds well before the day trippers arrive. After wandering off the beaten path for several hours and getting completely lost, we stumbled upon this eerie scene.

Great Wall of China, China: You can't go to the Great Wall of China and not get the obligatory tourist photo. If Oscar had a Facebook page, this would probably be his profile picture. This section of the wall was Huanghuacheng, one of the less visited locations along the Great Wall.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: In Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, Oscar was being lazy, even though the water felt great. Somehow he got himself roped up in the mast and hung out for quite some time looking at the beautiful peaks as they slowly floated on by.

Railay Beach, Thailand: In what is quite possibly one of the best beaches in the world, Railay Beach is what Oscar calls true paradise. With a giant rock peak rising out of the water in the near distance, walkable in low tide, Railay is a spot of true luxury. After 150 days of traveling continuously, it was a perfect end to a long journey!

These are just some of the many photos of Oscar the Roaming Gnome we have collected in the first two years of his life. What do the next 2 include for him? We're keeping our travel plans pretty close to the chest right now but we can easily say that Spain and the Northern Lights will be in his future in the near term, as well as several other great destinations in the future! But more details on those will have to wait.

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Today's post was sponsored by Aqua Resorts. Aqua Resorts specializes in Hawaii vacations and will make your next trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience with their Kauai, Maui, and Oahu hotels.

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