Tag: "Travel"
A Personal Year in Review: 2011
As we say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012, I am particularly grateful for having had a year full of blessings, joy, good times, a few bad ones, a whole lot of laughter, and of course countless adventures near and far! It was a year in which boundaries were broken, new friendships were made, [...]
I’ll fill you in on a little secret…
My friends and I recently stumbled upon a true gem in Southern California. It’s called “California’s Secret Desert,” and I sure do hope it stays that way. We visited Borrego Springs after a weekend of wine tasting in Temecula, figuring that getting to this desert paradise in the middle of nowhere would a lot closer [...]
Relying on the kindness of strangers – could you do it?
Two recent NYU film school graduates, Sarah Sellman and Greg Grano, set off on an adventure to test a simple concept: the kindness of strangers. In the summer of 2010, armed with nothing but their curiosity and a camera, Sarah and Greg traveled the country relying on the kindness of strangers for a home each [...]
2011 Highlight: Alberta, Canada
This Spring, I took a trip to Alberta, Canada, where we explored the city of Calgary (including a preview of the famous Calgary Stampede), the gorgeous town of Banff, and the breathtaking beauty of Lake Louise. The expansive landscapes, grandiose mountains, crisp air, challenging hiking, horseback riding, vibrant wildlife, warm hospitality, and the most charming [...]
Adventures in Wales
Wales quite simply captivated me on a recent trip there. I was amazed and exhilarated by all the adventure, beauty, and serenity the country has to offer. My coverage of the story was split up into three parts, each highlighting a different region of the country, activities to do, and places to stay: Part One: [...]
Considering a trip to Japan? AA and JAL are giving you reasons to go…
On Thursday November 10, The Asia Society of Southern California (in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan) presented “Japan Rising: The Future of the World’s Third Largest Economic Power” at the California Science Centerin Los Angeles. The full-day conference focused on how the country of Japan is recovering eight months after the devastating earthquake and [...]
Why You Should Be Keeping an Eye on the Chinese Travel Market
It was recently brought to my attention while on a trip in Canada that there are 10 million millionaires today in China. That’s more than there are people in Canada. It was an astounding number. And with some projections seeing that number quadruple by 2015, there’s more than a few reasons to pay attention. Travel [...]
Adventures in Wales – Part One of the Mini Welsh Challenge
Wales is a country full of serene landscapes, majestic castles, magical quiet, exhilarating adventure, and yes, lots and lots of sheep. A country with more sheep than people (literally 10 million sheep and 3 million people), it offers an escape to a land where time fades, boundaries are broken, and laughs are abundant. This was [...]
Space Travel News: The First Commercial Astronaut Pilot Selected
Today, Virgin Galactic announced that after an intense selection process, with more than 500 applicants including some of the best pilots in the world, former USAF test pilot Keith Colmer has been selected as the first astronaut pilot to join the commercial spaceline’s flight team. Just over fifty years ago, an historic competition for the [...]
Santa Barbara: A Weekend Escape to the Beach and Vineyards
Most people living in Los Angeles have visited Santa Barbara at least once. Either they went as a child for a weekend of family fun on the beach, as a college student to partake in the party scene in Isla Vista (where the University of California at Santa Barbara is located), as adults for a [...]
Visiting the Saguenay Fjord, Quebec: Where to Play and Stay
When we hear the word “fjord” most people think of Scandinavia or Norway. Few think of Canada. The Saguenay Fjord is a relatively unknown, unexplored region in Northern Quebec, with exception to tourists from the more urban areas of the province. With 2,130 known Fjords around the world, only 38 are 100 or more kilometers [...]
Saguenay Fjord, Quebec: An Amazing Race Challenge for Journalists
As an adventurer at heart who once dreamed of writing for National Geographic and traveling all over the world discovering the planet’s hidden gems, I jumped at a recent opportunity to be one of five journalists who would participate in a friendly competition along the Saquenay Fjord in Northern Quebec. I didn’t know much – [...]
Off to Go Castle-Hopping in Wales
In just a few days, I will be off to participate in the Mini Welsh Challenge 2011, a trip that will unite 17 bloggers and journalists from around the globe to explore all that Wales has to offer. Visit Wales has split the group into four teams, covering the themes of Adventure, Culture (two teams), [...]
Southern California’s Wine Country: Temecula Valley
With a rich history, rolling hills covered with vineyards, championship golf courses, picturesque views, and plenty of unique shopping and recreation, Temecula makes for a perfect getaway from the city. Southern California’s wine country, located less than 60 miles north of San Diego and 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles, may not have the abundance [...]
Southern California Getaway to Claremont
Just 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles is the quaint 100-year-old town of Claremont, best known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and college campuses. Stroll through the residential neighborhoods around the downtown core of Claremont Village to see trees that were planted at the turn of the 20th century. Mountain landscapes and Mount [...]
