Visiting Venice

This is a sponsored post.

When picturing Italy and thinking of the cities to visit, Venice is usually on the top of that list, and it's not surprising at the least. Boasting some of the countries biggest attractions and wonderful sights, Venice is a must-see on your trip to Italy. These are just a few reasons why... 

Unforgettable Adventure Holidays

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When it comes to booking a holiday, you are faced with many different types of holidays from cruises, to romantic getaways to beach holidays and city breaks. However, if you are an adrenaline junkie or just fancy something a little left of centre, why don’t you try an adventure holiday? An adventure holiday can have a different meaning for different people, depending on your sense of adventure and just how far you’re willing to go! Read on for some ideas for an unforgettable adventure holiday! 

My First E-Book Coming Soon!

Hard at work on my first e-book! Inside tips and straightforward How-To advice on leaving the routine behind and making your travel dreams happen... Learn how to manage your money, settle on destinations, get inspired, go bargain hunting and much, much more! Stay tuned!

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Greek Escapes: Five Reasons to Visit

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Whether it’s mainland Greece or one of her islands that you find appealing, there are plenty of reasons why booking your break to this phenomenal country would be worth your while. Not only are last minute deals with Direct Holidays affordable, but they will also give you a wide variety of choices to help your decision. From the historical sites in Athens and the mainland beaches of Halkidiki to the numerous Greek islands that all hold their own piece of Greek utopia, there is a Greek escape for everyone. Here are some great reasons to visit the area – a perfect spot for your summer 2014 holiday. 

Vintage Train Cases

Who doesn't love that old glamour of yesteryear when women carried chic train cases in their gloved hands and waltzed off in utter style? I've always been a fan of those classy vintage boxes but that's all been exchanged for easier to handle, lighter models, which brings me to ask why they can't just come up with a combination of the two that won't break the bank...perhaps that'll be my next mission. These also make interesting design pieces for decorating your home. Aren't these cases great?

10 Things to Do in the Atacama Desert, Chile (part two)

...And the final thing that you absolutely MUST do in the Atacama Desert is... (view the other 9 things here)

10 Things to Do in the Atacama Desert in Chile

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is not the typical barren landscape you'd normally think of when it comes to deserts. The unearthly, moon-like landscape is entirely awe-inspiring— iridescent lakes, exploding geysers, lunar valleys, lavender mountains and pastel pink Andean flamingos. Believe me when I say the driest place on earth is one to add to the bucket list. Aside from walking through a vast panorama that looks directly pulled off a movie set, here are 10 things you'll want do in the Atacama Desert...

15 Hotel Terraces with Unbelievable Views

A favorite vacation activity? Lounging, a gorgeous view, and a snack or two. Here are 15 hotel porches perfect for just that… (above: LE MEURICE Paris, France)

The Weekend Guide : Newport & Narragansett, RI

Who doesn't love seaside towns.. They're chill, laid-back, and have their own culture of nautical inspired designs and fashion. Narragansett and Newport, Rhode Island (the sailing capital of the world) are only a 3 hour drive from Manhattan and two to three days gives you just enough time to sail, see, shop, drink and be merry. Here's a quick bucket list....

The Weekend Guide : Cold Spring, Hudson Valley

One of my favorite things to do, especially in the summer, is take short weekend jaunts to cool, new places. Over the Memorial weekend I hopped on a train bound for Cold Springs in the majestic Hudson Valley. It's worth the trip if just to get to the completely fantastic Cold Spring Apothecary on Main St. The shop is impeccably designed from the vintagey-organic interior right down to every piece of packaging for its line of hair, skin and body treatments, candles, soaps, and soothing fragrances. The products are hand-made right in the store with 100% natural ingredients and I do not exaggerate when I say this store is the best discovery I've made all year, I just looove this place and the merchandise. Shopping works up an appetite and Cathryn's Tuscan Grill did not disappoint with a too-delicious-for-words artichoke ravioli special. There's also Hudson Hil's, a cute French cafe across the street from Cathryn's that's good for sandwiches or desserts. After browsing Cold Spring's numerous antique shops end the day at The Pig Hill Inn and you've had yourself a mighty fine weekend.

Exploring Morocco

This is a sponsored post by Holiday Hypermarket.

Morocco is split into different regions, each one with its own unique charm and appeal that makes it a perfect get-away spot. It has historical appeal, excellent shopping and souks, a collection of significant monuments and landmarks that dot its many regions and surround some of its most sacred cities.

The Best of Iguazu Falls

Parque Nacional Iguazu is a subtropical rainforest that's split between Argentina and Brazil, though you'll want to make sure you're on the Argentinian side for the grandest of all waterfalls - Garganta del Diablo (Throat of the Devil). This one dwarfs them all in density and power and is an awesome sight to see, especially when there are butterflies fluttering all around like party confetti and landing on every surface, including your hands. Iguazu Falls comprises of over 250 individual waterfalls stretching across 2 miles and is absolutely teeming with wildlife. The moment that really stuck in my head though was turning a bend to a clearing in the park and being completely dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of this rainforest. I couldn't imagine there was a place more gorgeous in the world. 

Salta - Argentina's Most Beautiful City

If ever you feel the urge to look into the face of a 500 year old Inca girl, then make sure you travel to Salta, Argentina. I mentioned Salta in my last post as a jumping off point for my trip to Humahuaca but is an interesting enough place to while away a day or two as I did. The town, founded in 1852 by the Spaniards, is lined with gorgeous 19th century colonial buildings, one of which happens to house MAAM - The Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana where you'll find those 500 year old kids frozen in such perfect state, they might as well just be sleeping. 

Stay at the Hotel Salta, equipped with a spa and pool, and then hit up the Iglesia de San Francisco (above), Convento San Bernardo with its gorgeous backdrop of Cerro de San Bernardo (cerro means hill or small mountain) and the pink Catedral of Salta in the town square. 

This city quickly became one of my favorites in all of Argentina and could easily be one of its most beautiful.

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

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It's barely January but before you know it, bikini season will be upon us and Las Vegas will be back in full swing! If you're planning a trip there and need to narrow down the hundreds of hotel options, here are 5 luxe picks. Fret not if these don't fit your style or budget, luckily there's something for everyone in Vegas. Start with what you plan on doing and what your main interests are and take it from there to find most suitable choice. 

I Heart Street Art : Lisbon

Tourists are Terrorists and 'cops kill', Haha! 

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Vintage Photos

{ Eiffel Tower, Paris }

As I was going through my computer files a little while ago, I stumbled across these pics I took a while back from my European travels. Though not actually vintage, I edited them to look like historical photos. I think it brings such character to certain images... Don't you just love the look of old shots?.. Happy Weekend :-)

 {Westminster Abbey, London }

 {A cathedral in Belgium through my rainy window seat. }

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The Middle East: A Tour Through Wadi Rum, Jordan

Part adventure, part safari, and all sublime, a tour of Wadi Rum is akin to a journey through another time and place and undoubtedly one of the most stunning desert landscapes in the world. Although there are many spectacular 'wadis' (valleys in Arabic) in Jordan, none other can claim the fame of having been stomping grounds for the real Lawrence of Arabia or the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. I hitched a ride to Wadi Rum from the owner of my hotel in Aqaba and easily found a tour guide once there. If you have the choice, stay overnight at Captain's Desert Camp, a truly spectacular place to take in the beauty of the desert, the stars, and the Bedouin culture. The camp off the same comforts of a regular hotel and also makes a great stop for tea and music after watching the sun set behind the dunes.

The Bedouins of Petra

Besides the unbelievable sites and history, what makes Petra so exotic are the Bedouins of the ancient city. I will never forget looking to my left as I approached The Siq and seeing Aladdin ride by on a white horse and look over with electrifying eyes rimmed with liner. I thought, "Goodness who are YOU?!" LoL.. I kept going though and soon met a Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow look-alike, then came to know a few other Bedouins that were born and still live in caves, including a man who claimed to be somewhere around 110 years old. 

I ended the trip to Petra with a cave-cooked dinner after sunset prepared by Ibrahim (smoking cigarette) and Promise (red shirt) which was unexpectedly delicious, and very traditional, no plates or utensils so thank God for Purell. Then off to Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan.. next post!

View Part I  /  View Part II

New Wonder of the World

Petra was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007 and hopefully you can get a feel for why through these photos and from my previous post. I'm exhausted so I'll let the pics do the talking... Stay tuned for the last part of the Petra series in a few days! 

View Part I   /  View Part III

The Siq : Petra, Jordan

If there is any ONE place that I recommend you MUST travel to in your lifetime, it is PETRA.

A while back I saw a picture of The Siq in Petra, Jordan opening into this ancient carved cliffside known as The Treasury, and I instantaneously said to myself I had to go. A year later I was staring up at a scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade... Did you think I was kidding when I said I was basically becoming the new Indiana? (Petra was in the film which I didn't know at the time.) 

To get to The Treasury, you must first pass the Siq, an event in itself and one that I recommend walking on foot. The Siq, a dim and narrow gorge (approx. 600 ft high and only 10 ft wide at some points) winds its way through a mile of carved niches and ruins left by the Nabateans. This was the grand entrance to the old city of Petra and even today, horse chariots whiz by over the same cobblestone streets that are believed to have been in use over 2500 years ago.. Amazing!

Then all of a sudden, there's a crack in the gorge that reveals a sliver of the Treasury. The feeling you get once finally there is beyond description but I will compare it to being a lot like the very dramatic music used for the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack. No one knows for sure what the Treasury was ever used for – a tomb? a palace? a temple? The mystery remains as do the bullet holes (see pic below) as proof that throughout history it was thought to house real treasure though none was ever found. I still find it astonishing how entire buildings were carved so ornately BY HAND, into mountain sides. It's just unreal, you must see it for yourselves. 

Travel Tip: Get up at dawn and head over to the The Siq and The Treasury before the crowds and tour groups arrive. It's so worth it having the place all to yourself.

View Part II   /  View Part III