Category Archives: Travel Articles

Beer Travel and 8 Beer Trails Around the U.S.

Travel Articles, ,
a group of people standing under a white building
Entrance to Brewery Ommegang

I’m not a big drinker by any means but beer has played a significant role in my travels over the years.

There’s been a couple of trips to Germany with beer as the primary focus and a trip to Belgium where it also played a big part. Then there are the brewery tours. I’ve been on countless tours, mostly in the United States but I’ve also been on many in others countries like Albania, Belgium, Denmark, Holland & Scotland (and probably a few more that I just can’t remember at the moment).

What is it about beer that makes it so interesting? Let’s see. First of all it comes in so many different varieties which definitely makes it fun to try out. The second and probably even more important thing about beer (when traveling) is the social aspect. Having a beer at a large, communal table is the perfect way to meet new people.  Continue reading Beer Travel and 8 Beer Trails Around the U.S. →

World’s Best Places To Visit

Travel Articles
a screenshot of a website
image from US News & World Report

US News & Word Report came up with a list of World’s Best Places to Visit to help you choose where to go on your next trip.

The list features 25 places varying from “exotic islands, gigantic metropolises and world-class historic sites”. A bit of information about each place is included with each location as well as the option to vote Yes or No whether or not you agree that the place belongs on the list.

Continue reading World’s Best Places To Visit →

America’s Coolest Music Venues

Travel Articles, Uncategorized,
a stage with a stage and black and white balloons
Ryman Auditorium from our visit in 2012

Back in high school and college I was really into music. During this time, we would actually go to the store and buy a CD or get a burned copy from a friend unlike today where everything is downloaded! Some of my favorite bands back then were Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Dave Matthews Band and U2 among many others.

I used to also really love going to concerts although I’m not really into that kind of thing anymore. I couldn’t see spending money on a concert unless it was for a few select bands and even then I’d have to really think about it.

Continue reading America’s Coolest Music Venues →

18 Hidden Gems Around the World You Need To Visit

Travel Articles

a building with a bridge and trees

When visting a new place I always try to find and visit sites which are a bit off the beaten path. To help with finding such sites I search around online and also like to check sites like the travel forum Virtual Tourist.

Here are a few interesting/ odd sites that I’ve visited which come to mind:

Continue reading 18 Hidden Gems Around the World You Need To Visit →

Travel Instead Of Gifts For Father’s Day

Travel Articles, ,
a camera and a bike
photo from Yahoo Travel article

With Father’s Day fast approaching it might be a bit late to take the advice of this article from Yahoo Travel but I sure do like the idea that it suggests. Being that I am not really a big gift person, I’d much rather have some sort of travel-related experience than a material gift.

Yahoo Travel created an alternative list of travel related gift suggestions based on the most searched Father’s Day gifts in the article Forget the Tie, Dad Wants Travel! Continue reading Travel Instead Of Gifts For Father’s Day →

6 Most Interesting International Borders

Travel Articles,
a table and chairs outside a restaurant
Netherlands/ Belgium

I’m not sure what it is, but I always enjoy crossing borders. In recent past I have made this seemingly boring event into a fun photo-op. It can be crossing from country to country or even state to state, whatever it is, I find it fascinating and have to say that as minimal as it seems, it can be a lot of fun!

Over the years, border crossings that stood out were:

  • Walking from Vietnam into Cambodia and having to argue with the border guard who wanted to keep my Visa page
  • Walking from Cambodia into Thailand- seeing our luggage being pushed in strange, wooden wheel-barrows across the border
  • Walking from South Africa into Namibia
  • Taking a photo at Peru & Brazil’s border sign and catching our flight within Colombia from the Amazon.
  • Stopping on the side of the highway, waiting for a turn to jump by the Welcome to South Dakota sign (from Wyoming).
  • Getting permission from the Kosovo border guard to allow us to take some photos by the welcome sign.
  • Having our driver stop on the road into Albania for a brief photo-op.

Continue reading 6 Most Interesting International Borders →

What Are America’s Favorite Spots For Food & Culture + Win $25,000 Trip

Contest, Sweepstakes, Travel Articles, ,

a blue sign with white text

Travel + Leisure is looking for help in choosing America’s best spots for food and culture.

They are looking for participants to take their America’s Favorite Places survey for 2014. Those willing to take part will be entered for a chance to win a $25,000 Island Getaway!

T+L tweeted: Continue reading What Are America’s Favorite Spots For Food & Culture + Win $25,000 Trip →

American Detained In North Korea For…

Travel Articles,
a man in a black suit waving
image from USA Today

North Korea detained an American citizen in mid-May for the crime of leaving a Bible in his hotel room. Oh the horror! Talk about a ridiculous reason to be taken in.

The man, Jeffrey Edward Fowle was being questioned by authorities for conduct inappropriate for the purpose of his visit as a tourist. He was detained just before he was supposed to leave North Korea. Continue reading American Detained In North Korea For… →

Most Glorious Things To Ever Happen In An Airport

Travel Articles, Uncategorized, ,

a large sculpture in a building

An airport isn’t the kind of place where you’d  go for a good laugh, to get easily amused or have amazing things happen. However, at times these kinds of things can happen at the airport.

The funniest things I’ve seen at the airport, was at the check-in counter.

The guy next to me was trying to check his 50 lb dumbells. Weird item, kind of interesting but what’s so funny? Southwest wanted to charge the man additional fees even though they allow 2 pieces of checked luggage for free, weighing up to 50lbs each. However, Southwest’s scale had said that the dumbbells each weighed 52 lbs. Due to this, the airline wanted to charge him a $50 fee.

More recently, I saw a girl placing an odd item into her carry-on while checking some luggage for a flight.

Continue reading Most Glorious Things To Ever Happen In An Airport →

Top Packing Tips

Travel Articles, ,
a suitcase with clothes in it
image from Fodor’s

Everyone seems to have their opinion when it comes to packing.

Rolling or folding your clothes, carry-on or checking your bags, wheeled luggage or a backpack. These are some of the choices you need to make when packing for a trip whether it’s for business or pleasure.

For me, I tend to roll my clothes, check my bag and travel with a backpack. The rare times that I’ve traveled without Kim, I’ve brought a carry-on.

I recently came across an article sharing Top Packing Tips from Fodor’s Readers. These tips aren’t really about how to pack. They are more about things to do or bring to help make packing easier. Continue reading Top Packing Tips →