Two Wave Season Suggestions

Each week in January Celebrity Cruises will feature a different destination. This week, it's cruises to Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii and Panama Canal. Book between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 to receive up to $150 Ship Board Credit to spend onboard. It's a great time to book your 2011 vacation.

Silversea Cruises has an adventure ship, the Prince Albert II.  Prince Albert II has a blog!  Plus, I will have exclusive amenities on any of Silverseas' sailings in addition to what they are offering.

Still need votes for the North Pole

I really do want to blog my way to the North Pole.  Really, I do, and I still need your votes!  I'd like to at least get to the top 5!  C'mon, give it a go!

Happy New Year!

May 2011 bring you joy, good health, and lots of travels!  Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  Do you have a travel bucket list? 

Australia Flooding Larger than France and Germany Combined

Australia flood zone bigger than Texas.  The area in Queensland is affecting over 200,000 people, with more flooding expected.  Queensland has set up a disaster relief program, and we can probably help via the Red Cross. 

What are your favorite travel memories for 2010?

Really, I want to know.  Was it a cruise?  Lying out on a beach?  A bicycle vacation?  A hike?  Diving?  A safari?  What was your favorite destination?  Food?  Would love to hear from you!

It's Raining, and You're on Vacation: Solutions!

1.  There are museums, and then there are obscure museums.  The Paris Sewers Museum explores the fascinating view of Paris, with gothic arches and tunnels and adventure and that Parisian sense of j'en sais quois.  It's raining, you're in Paris, go explore off the beaten path!

2.  There's a funny postcard I once saw in Amsterdam:  two pictures, one labeled Summer in Amsterdam, the other, Winter in Amsterdam.  In both images, it is bucketing rain.  Every time I've been to Amsterdam, it has been rainy most of the time.  One of my favorite things to do is to sit in one of the Brown Cafes, sipping coffee or a chocolate, watching the world go by.  So relaxing!  They are good for a drink, a coffee, a snack, and conversation. 

3. I saw the same above mentioned postcard applied to London.  So, go see a play!  London Theatre is some of the best in the world, and I've seen some amazing examples over the years.  So worth it!  I saw Vanessa Redgrave in a Tennessee Williams play that was riveting; Rowan Atkinson doing Chekov one-act plays; London Theatre is captivating.

4.  Oh, you know you need some pampering.  Budapest is the city of Spas!  With 118 thermal springs, you can spend all day in the healing waters.  Or if you happen to be in Rotorua, try out Hell's Gate.  Set in a geothermal reserve (like Yellowstone or Iceland), rich in Maori Culture, you can use the thermal springs, get a mud bath, a massage, or other treatments.  Where's the like button?

5.  Take a cooking class.  It's not just wonderful to eat Italian cuisine.  You can learn to cook like a local, shop like a local, enjoy like a local. 

And if all else fails, go out and play in the rain!  It can be fun!

Western Wedge Wildflower Safari

Western Wedge Wildflower Safari

14 day flying safari highlighting some of Western Australia's best

"This tour is carefully scheduled to coincide with many significant ecological events.  On day one make a spectacular scenic flight at cliff-level along the Great Australian Bight, viewing whales and their calves from above - a view that rare few ever experience.  From there see the vast contrast of this gargantuan state from turquiose coral filled waters of Ningaloo Reef, the wildflowers in the sandy soil of Kalbarri right down to the high-rainfall tall timber country in the south where you will walk amongst the Valley of the Giants" - John Dyer
Tour highlights:

• Stay at Wild Bush Luxury's Sal Salis retreat, Ningaloo Reef
• Fly at cliff level across the Great Australian Bight
• See Humpback and Right whales in calving season
• Meander through Western Australia's wildflower spectacular in Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Margaret River and Esperance
• Margaret River wineries including lunch at Vasse Felix
• Australia's prettiest beaches at Cape le Grand, Esperence
• Private tour of Kangaroo Island's diverse flora and fauna

Departure dates:

• 12th September 2011
• 3rd October 2011