Living the Dream

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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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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Today's post was brought to you in part 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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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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5 Jordan Sight Seeing Dos and Donts

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:34:00 +0000

The Do and Don't listing is something that I have always enjoyed watching on travel specials and am throwing my hand into the style with this feature. While some of these features are often in the style of "you must do this" and "you might as well miss that," this version will be formatted in a different way and in no way tell you not to do something major, as my misfortune might be someone else's highlight. Instead, the "Do" will feature a specific place or thing to do in the destination that are great sites and experiences, and the "Don't" will spotlight things to keep in mind during that activity that are not well known and publicized when planning the trip.

For all posts in this feature, check out the Do and Dont link in the category list on the side bar in the future for countries, cities, and regions! Now, onward to 5 Jordan Dos and Donts!

Do - Hike to the Monastery at Petra
Don't - Expect it to be Quick and Easy

Petra is one of those places you see on television and movies and instantly dream of going there. The main thing that these images leave out is that the ruins of Petra are actually in a massive complex that is significantly larger than you would expect. In fact, before I went I had no idea that the hike from the iconic Treasury to the Monastery, the second most popular spot in the complex, was a several hour hike that had me practically climb a mountain to get there. In 100°F+ (38°C) weather, the hike is not for the faint of heart.

Luckily the Bedouin that live and work in Petra cater to tourists and offer donkey rides to the top. We made the trek, and no matter how difficult it was I was rewarded for the effort. Before giving up, make the extra few minute hike from there to the View of the End of the World. It is worth it.

Do - Stay a Night in Wadi Rum
Don't - Forget to Take a 4x4 Ride in the Desert

Wadi Rum may sound familiar to you, and it is because it is the location of the history depicted in the Lawrence of Arabia movie (and the movie was filmed there as well, naturally). Much like any desert in the Middle East, you can go and camp with the Bedouin and really begin to explore the surrounding desert. A multi-hour 4x4 ride in the desert is one of the best ways to get out and really appreciate the scenery.

The reason this is a must-see is that the geography of Wadi Rum changes quite significantly in relatively short distances. Most rides to Bedouin camps give way to beautiful scenery like in the photo above, but a true exploration will bring you to large natural arches, ancient wall carvings, and beautiful rose colored rock formations to name a few. But for those not interested in a long day in the desert, a trip to the camel race track is another option that would be hard to pass up.

Do - Swim in the Dead Sea and get a 3 Dinar Mud Wrap
Don't - Put the Mud On Your Face for a Photo-Op

The Dead Sea is not only the lowest point on Earth, but the saltiest body of water out there. As up until recently it was thought that nothing could survive in the waters of the Dead Sea, the name becomes apparent. The most popular activity in the Dead Sea is taking advantage of its high salinity and floating for as long as you desire with absolutely no effort at all. The feeling is weird, and the Dead Sea is one of the few places on Earth where this is feasible.

One of the side activities you can do at the Dead Sea is get a full body mud bath for only a few dollars. It is said that the mud on the floor of the Dead Sea is rich in minerals due to the high salt content and offer a number of positive effects on the body. Since it is cheap, do it! But be sure to avoid putting it on your face, or else you will experience the pain that several of my tour members did while washing it off their face with the salt water from the Dead Sea. (A full account of the pain of the Dead Sea's salt can be found in this post)

Do - Be Mindful of the Sharia Law Based Culture
Don't - Go to Extremes to Follow Cultural Norms as a Tourist

Sharia law is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts that Westerners have when looking at Islamic culture. Yes, there are extremists who take it out of proportion, but what religion does not have that? Popular culture would have you believe that covered skin is necessary in all situations and that locals will be incredibly rude to you for insulting the religion if you do not. While this may be the case from a few locals, it is not the truth for the majority, and you may not have to be as strict as possible with your wardrobe as you think.

Prior to heading to Jordan, I made sure to only pack plain clothing (t-shirts, shorts, and pants) and was expecting to be stared at. After a week in the country, and only one fellow tour member having their appearance mentioned in poor light, I came to the conclusion that it is understood that foreigners must dress in shorts and t-shirts as we just cannot handle the weather. This does not give anyone permission to wear the smallest bikini top in the world or revealing shorts, but just means that the "rules" are less strict than you would believe. Yes, I am talking to you, bikini-top-wearing cruise-tourist at the Pyramids in Egypt; if only I had got a picture of the situation for proof.

Keep in mind; however, that long pants and covered shoulders are still required before entering religious buildings such as mosques, so pack accordingly and be prepared for a hotter than normal day when touring such establishments.

Do - Make Day Trips to Kerak and Shobak Castles
Don't - Expect Much From the Sites in terms of "Castle" Remnants

Kerak and Shobak Castles are two of the many castles built during the Crusade period of the 1100s.   Due to their notable history in the world, Kerak and Shobak are now popular attractions sitting in the Jordanian countryside. Unfortunately for the castles, time has not been on their side, as the compounds have fallen into a substantial form of ruin. Beautiful architecture still remains, but the original glory of each has been lost to the ages.

For what it is worth, a visit to these castles may be quick for some and longer for others. As much as exploring the ruins of castles from the Crusades is a dream for many, I much more enjoyed the views from these castles as they are perched high above the surrounding region.    If you do decide to visit these castles, I highly recommend reading up on them before visiting as the history is not presented very well at either sight.

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Jordan is an amazing country for both it's history, natural beauty, and the wonder of the world Petra.   In keeping these Dos and Donts in mind, you will ensure that your experience will be a great one worthy of remembering forever!

Check back soon for more entries into the 5 Dos and Donts series as we further unravel the secrets of the most popular destinations around the world!

Product Review: Black Rapid Camera Strap

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:07:00 +0000

I received the Black Rapid Camera Strap as a gift from my brother prior to heading out on my adventure. Not knowing of the product before receiving it, I was skeptical of its use as a replacement strap for the serious photographer. Primarily, it seemed unreasonable that a $50+ strap would be worth it when a decent neck strap was already provided when purchasing my SLR a few years ago.

After giving the strap a serious workout for a several months in Asia, I can clearly see why it is far superior to regular neck straps.

The Strap Has a Unique Design

To understand how the Black Rapid strap works, descriptions may fail in conveying the message. The strap goes over the shoulder and crosses the body much like most laptop briefcases, which can be tightened to a perfect snug at the hip to prevent camera dangling while moving around. Unlike other products in which the camera is threaded into the strap material, the Black Rapid has a carabiner tied to a locking device that screws into any cameras tripod socket.

For use, the entire strap stays put on your body. Instead, the camera slides up and down the strap for easy shooting access. Once finished it can easily be lowered into the tight position at the side of the body.

Bonus Features and Drawbacks

One added feature that is beneficial in the strap design is a few zippered pockets in the shoulder pad that are large enough to toss in a couple extra memory cards, great if you run out of memory on a mid-day trip. But the padded strap that the memory cards fit into is also the straps only weakness.

The design of the strap forces all pieces to be tight against the body. The thicker and soft padded strap also follows this design and causes the body to sweat a whole lot more around the area on hot days. A small nuisance to have a wet spot generated on your shirt during use, yes, but the pad is also absorbent and any and all smells will stay with the camera strap for a long while. Compound that smell over a few months of travel, and it begs for a cleaning.

In 5 months of active use, I only had one serious issue pop up with the strap. The carabiner latch locks into place, but often comes loose over time. One day without checking the lock became so loose that my camera popped off. Everything was okay, but I had a mini heart attack as it happened. Now I check to ensure that the locking carabiner clip stays solid frequently while I use the strap. To me this is nothing too upsetting, as it takes all of two seconds to ensure the camera is locked into place.

Overall I'm very impressed with the Black Rapid camera strap. I am not entirely sure that it is an absolute necessity, especially when most travelers who own SLRs or other large cameras already have a perfectly functional neck strap provided with their camera. The ease of use and tight positioning of the camera close to the body is a great plus, but it also has some unexpected side effects that are not entirely pleasing but quite manageable. Would I personally spend $50 on it? No, but if you are in the market for a new neck strap and have some extra money to spend, give it a consideration for sure!

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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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Note: This post's sponsor has no affiliation with the Black Rapid Camera Strap, the corporation that produces it, or the contents of this independent review.

Enter HostelBookers Christmas Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

If you like surprises and prizes, our friends at HostelBookers have a thing or two in Santa's sack this year, just for you! In the spirit of a traditional advent calendar, HostelBookers will be getting fun and festive giving away fantastic prizes every day between 1st and 24th December.

The contest can't promise everyone a white Christmas but does offer prizes including an iPad2, free accommodation, a Kindle, InterRail tickets, Round-The-Word Expert flights and much more...ding dong indeed!

To Enter

Play in three easy steps...

Go to HostelBookers Facebook page.
Like Hostelbookers.
Click on the 'Christmas Giveaway' tab and answer a question.

A new question will be posted daily at midnight 00:00 GMT up to and including 24th December.
Winners will be notified by email and announced on the blog once they claim their prize.
Answers will be posted on the Facebook wall and on the blog.

For more information and terms and conditions click here

HostelBookers is the leading budget accommodation website in the travel industry not to apply a service charge and is, on average, 8.7% cheaper than its nearest competitor. It features over 20,000 hostels, cheap hotels and budget properties on its website in over 3,500 destinations across the world. Follow them on Twitter @hostelbookers.

Putting My Travel Shoes to the Ultimate Test

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:15:00 +0000

Normally the clothes I take traveling are chosen for their ability to be disposed of and replaced quickly and cheaply. Rather than caring what they look like, I will find the least expensive items possible just to cover the basics. It always seemed silly to me to spend a lot of money on clothing when one small misfortune could ruin them forever.

The exception to this rule is my travel shoes. Where other clothes had started brand new and became trash within a few weeks, my travel shoes always seem to stay with me and outlast any environment that dare challenge it. After a couple months of breaking in, five months and Asia, and several months after, my travel shoes are still kicking albeit with a more worn an rugged appearance.

Throughout the hardships these shoes had to endure, there have been a few pretty interesting encounters:

In the early stages of the life of my travel shoes they got a significant amount of hiking in, climbing Mount Misen on Miyajima island in Japan as well as hiking the Great Wall of China. Although they were not designed to be hiking shoes, they did the job wonderfully with only a minor loss of treading.

While still in China the shoes faced a grueling nine-hour bike ride in the scenic mountain town of Yangshuo. How they did not fall apart, no one will ever know.

Two months into the journey we took on a 3-day Sapa trek in the hills of northern Vietnam. A hard rain storm pushed the shoes to their limits as the slightly worn tread gave us a tricky time navigating the ankle deep mud pits. The stains and scars from this adventure remain to this day.

Month four coincided with the islands of Thailand where we spent numerous hours walking the beaches and being doused with salt water due to poorly planned long-tail trips. One of their flip flop brothers was stolen by a stray dog and never heard from again. Luckily my sturdy travel shoes missed this harrowing kidnapping.

The final weekend of the trip came with the great offload of all of the clothing that had grown ragged in the previous months. Nearly every item of my suitcase was left at the final hotel to be dispensed in the trash, but my travel shoes made the long journey home to be worn for countless months before I gave them a noble retirement.

30,000 miles traveling around the world and likely over 7,500 miles walking and the shoes always stayed true to their design. My Asian travel shoes may not see another great adventure, however their replacements are ready for their turn for glory. Enjoy your retirement my friends, you served me well.

Delightful River Cruises on the Danube

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:36:00 +0000

Taking one of the many river cruises along the Danube is an exciting prospect at any time and a truly delightful way to see Europe given that this famous river passes through no fewer than 10 countries - Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. As such, it's a brilliant way to soak up just a little of the thousands of years of history and culture which has helped shape the modern and thriving Europe we have today. (Photo "Budapest View from Chain Bridge" by maceras)

If the nearly 1,800 miles making up the length of the River Danube passes through many countries, it also has on its banks some very famous towns and cities. Some of these are capital cities - Vienna, for example, and Budapest, Belgrade and Bratislava - while well-known towns include Ulm, Linz, Vukovar, Novi Sad and many more. And, in passing, no other river in the world flows through so many capital cities!

The River Danube, recognised as an international waterway, starts its life rather modestly, rising in the mountains of the Black Forest in south-west Germany. Here, the waters which give it life are the smaller tributary rivers Brigach and Breg, which join together at the town of Donaueschingen to become the Danube proper. At the other end of its journey, it slows down as it flows through the famed and ecologically important wetlands of the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine and then finally empties out into the Black Sea. (Photo "Evening on the Danube" by rogojel)

What can you say about Vienna, Austria's capital, that's not been said a million times before? It is simply an extraordinary city, filled with history, culture, architecture and more, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is said that there are three visitors to the city for every one of its 1.7 million inhabitants.

Think of Vienna and Johann Strauss will undoubtedly spring to mind, the composer known as 'The Waltz King'. He composed no fewer than 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles and other types of music, bequeathing to the world such famous pieces as The Blue Danube and Tales from the Vienna Woods, and operettas such as Die Fledermaus. (Photo "Lanchid" by serje)

Budapest, a city with a similar-sized population to Vienna, is a must-see destination on any visitor's European itinerary. Visit the medieval Buda Castle, the palace of the Hungarian kings, or the Hungarian Parliament Building on the banks of the Danube, which surely must be one of the most impressive legislative buildings anywhere. If you can help it, too, don't miss the Museum of Fine Arts with its impressive collection of old masters, St. Stephen's Basilica, The Great Synagogue, and the Szechenyi Chain Bridge, to name just a few of the city's many and varied sights. A tourist's paradise without a doubt.

If you love European art, there is no finer museum worth visiting than Belgrade's National Museum, housing as it does many of the finest paintings of the great masters. We're talking Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and many more. But if castles and churches are more your scene then Bratislava has much to offer, including the rather impressive Bratislava Castle, built on a site which has seen occupation going back further than the Bronze Age.

Whether your time on the Danube takes you to Budapest, Vienna, or any of the other major destinations the river runs through, excitement and a great adventure are sure to follow!

Where You Should Be! - Wales

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:46:00 +0000

This edition of the series "Where You Should Be!" features the less traveled country of Wales!

Wales is an often overlooked country on the tourist trail due to having England as its neighbor to the East. But for being in such close proximity, it would be unwise to skip this country full of beauty on your next adventure. With the 2012 Olympics coming up, and Cardiff hosting some of the main events, tourism in this country will pick up fast. But before you start looking for cheap hotels in Cardiff, think about some of these interesting sights the country has to offer! (Photo "North Wales" by hcf116)

2012 Olympics in Cardiff

With it's neighboring city of London hosting the 2012 Olympics, the capital city of Cardiff has the luxury of hosting one of the major events in the entire games - football (soccer). The existing Millennium Stadium will be hosting many rounds of football in the upcoming games and can host nearly 75,000 fans per game during the upcoming celebrations. (Photo "Millennium Stadium, Cardiff" by Sigmoideus)

As the games are a perfect excuse to visit the country, it would be a perfect reason to begin exploring the rest of the country while you are there!

Tenby in the South

The town of Tenby in the South of Wales traces its origin back nearly 1,000 years with the first walls constructed around the city in 1093. Throughout the entire city, the history is maintained with historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and cars banned from the main roads during the summer months. (Photo " St Davids Cathedral" by Tarr3n)

Walking is one of the most popular activities in Tenby, and heading out to nearby Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a perfect day trip. Not only is this national park the first in the United Kingdom, it is also the only park situated right on the coast. This expansive park also includes several small islands and all visitors can choose between appreciating the beautiful islands or taking a stroll along the quaint villages seen along the walking path. No matter which you choose, a visit to Tenby is a must for all travelers to Wales.

Conwy Castle in the North

One of the most beautiful castles in Wales is found in the northern county of Conwy. Built in 1289, the expansive castle sits right on the edge of the sea and is just as popular for its history as it is for the views of the surrounding area. The design of this castle was fortified to receive any attack, and resisted a seige shortly after being built. In the centuries since the castle has had its share of impressive history and is now a wonderful attraction for all those who visit the region. (Photo "Conway Castle" by Tsandell)

Get Around Wales

With its terrain, Wales is an interesting country to navigate. Traveling around the North and South sections of the country by most modern transportation methods is quite simple. The real difficulty lies when wanting to travel North to South or vice versa and although is a scenic drive, can be quite time consuming. For those looking to travel between these two regions, a cheap budget flight may be the best option for both time and cost.

It is a real shame that Wales is overlooked by many travelers, however those that visit are met with a rich history and beautiful scenery that rivals most of the other top spots in the United Kingdom. When heading out on your next adventure, do no pass up checkig out this beautiful and historic country.

Floating in Agony on the Dead Sea

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:24:00 +0000

Out of all of the places in the world that I have visited, the Dead Sea has to be one of the most unusual. The name for this body of water is especially fitting, as until recently it was thought that nothing could survive in its high salinity waters. Nothing, except for the thousands of tourists that jump in every year to enjoy the other benefit the salt rich water provides - buoyancy.

As the Dead Sea is one of the few places in the world to experience buoyancy while on the surface of a body of water, I was thrilled to have experienced it on my Middle East adventure. A quick change into our swimsuits and our tour group ran into the water to experience this wonder in all its glory without second thought. The euphoria of some members of our group was quickly wiped away as they began having the sensation of severe burning moments later.

The Dead Sea was not killing them, but the high salinity water was quickly filling every scratch, cut, and break of the skin that my friends had on their bodies. After watching their agony, it was obvious as to why other travelers have recommended to avoid shaving for several days before entering the waters. How I managed to avoid significant pain from not shaving for only 24 hours, I'll never know. For a few, the pain was so unsettling that they had to get out of the water, and their skin was visibly irritated from the salt.

After having a significant amount of time goofing off in the water, with the added bonus of our bodies being completely purified from bacteria, our group decided to try out one of the second activities that the Dead Sea is famous for - a mud body scrub.

For just a few dollars, workers on the beach slathered our bodies with mud said to be raked from the bottom of the Dead Sea. The nutrients that are infused in the mud due to the high salinity waters are supposed to be beneficial to healthy skin.

Just like the first round of goofing off in the Dead Sea leading to pain for a few, the second round brought it back. My friends that covered their faces in the mud began to rinse it off with the salty water from the sea, and the agony repeated itself all over again as the water began entering new parts of the skin and the sensitive regions around the eyes. Knowing the pain that was experienced by a few the first time we jumped in, I opted not to cover my face and was relieved that I did not.

With more goofing off in the Dead Sea, our time at the wonder was coming to an end. The Dead Sea does not disappoint, and I look forward to going back one day and experiencing it from the Israeli side. Perhaps I will take in one of my favorite activities the next time I visit, scuba diving. This would be one place I would not want to be faced with an emergency mask purge, but I think it might be worth the risk.

For anyone who may be making a visit to the Dead Sea in the future I have this one recommendation: don't shave!

Where You Should Be! - Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Jeremy) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:05:00 +0000

This week's edition into the series "Where You Should Be!" is a bit broader than our previous editions and features one of my favorite countries in the world: Italy!

Italy is a versatile country that offers a number of travel options depending on your taste. One person could easily spend two weeks in the country exploring the historical side. Another could spend it all in Tuscany eating delicious food and taking a beautiful wine tour. This process could be repeated several times over before you've seen it all and is what makes Italy one of my favorite countries. (Photo "Vernazza" by atom_balm)

As I've already discussed my travels to Rome, Florence, and Venice quite significantly in previous posts, this edition of Where You Should Be! features some of the lesser traveled regions of Italy that we will be visiting in our upcoming travels and think you should too!

Cinque Terre for the Views

The coastal region of Cinque Terre exemplifies the vastness of Italy quite well as it includes five villages including Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Monterosso. You may not know these villages by name, but definitely recognize them by photo. Cinque Terre boasts some of the most colorful architecture in Italy, with many of the buildings perched on the cliffs overlooking the sea. (Photo "Cinque Terre, Italy" by redfloor)

It is this scenery that brings in the visitors to Cinque Terre, and the most popular activities to do in this region are simple hikes, cliff diving into the sea, and taking in Italian charm.

Naples for the Pizza

If there were ever a destination visited specifically for a food item, Naples would be it.

Pizza as we know it is said to be invtened in Naples, and pizza margherita is the flagship. Topped with tomato, basil, and mozzarella, this pizza style has been recreated the world over. Those from Naples are so proud of their pizza that they confirm to strict standards and boast "Vera Pizza Napoletana" for those that match those high standards. (Photo "Italian Pizza" by shoebill2)

Visiting Naples isn't all about food and the legendary Mount Vesuvius is a quick day trip for those looking to see a part of ancient Italy. The famous eruption took place in 79 AD and has had more in recent history. As this volcano is in its dormant state, be aware that eruptions could occur at any time and are expected. Watch the guides and public workers to see if they are offering information for the specific day you visit.

Bellagio for the Lake

The town of Bellagio sits in a beautiful location right on the edge of the world famous Lake Como.  As much as stalking celebrities and looking at the expensive chalets is one of the most interesting aspects of visiting Lake Como, the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains is something that needs to be explored. (Photo "Flying on Lake Como" by criscris1)

Many boating itineraries have been put together to take visitors around Lake Como to see the various towns that rest on its shores.   Pick a town, head in, and work your way up the mountain for impressive views of the lake and surrounding regions!

Get Around Italy

Train travel is one of the most popular transportation methods to get around all of Western Europe, and Italy is no different. With a network that reaches nearly all corners of the country, there are only a few itineraries you may require that cannot be reached by train.   For all others, or those on a tight budget, the Italian long-distance bus network boasts an equally impressive destination list and should meet any traveler's needs.

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Italy is one of my personal favorite destinations for its beauty, history, and food. As much as I enjoyed the major cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice there are several others that I missed that I must hit when I go back. The cities featured in this entry are only a few of the many wonderful spots Italy has to offer, which is why many travelers opt to take a popular Italy tour to see as much as possible. Whether you visit these or others, your time in Italy will be something you never forget.

Have you been to Italy? What other cities should travelers visit and what are the biggest things to see? Comment below and let us know!