I read lots and lots of travel blogs posts over the course of a week, but it’s only the best of the best that I share with you.  This week, these blogs made me smile, laugh, wonder, question, or simply admire.  Perhaps you’ll feel the same way.
The Buenos Aires Guide – Be careful when booking you’re hotel, or you may wind up at one that rents by the hour.
Nerds Eye View – Pam is off at BlogHer with a bunch of other Seattle travelbloggers.  While I had to miss the event due to a scheduling matter, I’m keeping up …read more

Find your ghoul-mate this year with a Halloween Singles Cruise organized by Singles Travel International. You’ll sail away onboard Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas to the Mexican Riviera with ports of call in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Special onboard events are designed to encourage mixing and mingling and include costume and other parties and special events, along with special tours in every port. 
The ship leaves Sunday, October 26th from San Pedro Pier in Long Beach and returns Sunday, November 2nd.  Pricing starts at $840/person.  If you’re traveling alone and looking for a roommate, Singles Travel …read more

My trip to Hawaii last fall was motivated by a desire for some rest and relaxation, some warm weather, and an overall escape from my gray Seattle life.  I was longing for time spent on a balcony, watching the sunset or sunrise, listening to the waves, and having a slow-paced week ahead of me.
In fact, that type of vacation is one of the reasons people love Hawaii – sun, sand, surf, and stepping on the treadmill of ordinary life.
But at some point, you’re going to want to do something else.  I had a handful of ideas of those “other …read more

(As part of my quest to visit every state, I will be spending some time throughout the year highlighting each of our 50 states.)
 
Today is Admission Day for Alaska.  On January 3rd, 1959, Alaska (purchased from Russia in 1867) became the 49th state.
Although Alaska is the largest state in geographical area, it is one of the least populated, ranking 47th of 50.  Due in large part to its connection with the oil industry, it is one of the wealthiest states. 
Alaska is a rugged state, with lots of outdoor adventure opportunities:  fishing, hunting, hiking, snowshoeing, dog sledding, etc.  During the summer, …read more

Details: Transiting the Panama Canal is one of my all time great travel experiences.
It’s a series of locks, and ships of all sizes line up to go through. Once you start going through the locks it takes several hours to complete the transit process.
If you’ve ever considered a cruise, this is a trip that I’d heartily recommend!
Photo credit: wikimedia
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I’ve been on numerous cruises, and have always found the combination of relaxing days at sea and busy days in port to be a terrific vacation combination.
Days at sea can be spent lying on deck in the sun (lots of sunscreen applied), wandering around the ship, enjoying the great food and drink available, relaxing with a book, participating in any number of shipboard activities, or simply doing nothing at all.
Friends have frequently asked if it’s boring being on a ship.  The short answer is no.
Evidently, lots of people must have these types of questions, because I’m noticing more and more …read more

If you want to travel outside the geographical boundaries of the Unites States, you’re going to have to have a passport.  Gone are the days when a birth certificate and drivers license would do the trick.
Canada, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean have long been excluded from the requirement of a passport, but all that changes effective the end of the year. 
Travelers to and from these destinations will now be required to have a passport to enter the United States if traveling by common carrier — plane, cruise ship, train.  A year later, the passport requirement will be extended to …read more

Depending on the length of the cruise, there will be at least one, if not more, formal nights.
On cruises under a week, there is usually one formal night.  On weeklong cruises, usually two.  And on those over a week, usually three.  You will find a full itinerary listing meal events with your documents, in the cruise line brochure, or online.
The definition of formal varies from ship to ship, and person to person.  For the ladies, you will see floor length gowns, cocktail dresses, party outfits, or a simple long skirt and blouse.  For the gentlemen, you will see tuxedoes, suits, …read more

If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, keep your mail safe by having the postal service hold it until your return.
If your mail is delivered directly to a box at your home, have it held if you are not going to be able to pick it up within 24 hours.
An overflowing mailbox says “I’m gone,” and marks you a target for thieves looking to steal your mail, your identity or burglarize or vandalize your home.
Your mail can usually be held for as few as three days and for as long as 30.  A form is …read more

As the Dawn Princess sailed out of San Francisco’s harbor, we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, and these photos were taken from the top deck.
The Art Deco themed bridge, one of the most widely recognized San Francisco landmarks, opened for vehicle traffic at noon on May 28th, 1937. 
The Golden Gate refers not to the color of the bridge (it has always been painted orange), but to the Golden Gate Straight.
The bridge’s main suspension span is 1.7 miles long, and for 27 years held the world record for the longest suspension span.  It can be crossed by vehicle, bicycle or …read more