Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
~P.J. O'Rourke
I am an avid reader and one of the reasons I love travelling so much is because it allows me time to read. I tend to devour 5+ books when I travel, depending on how much wait time I have. I can't sleep on the plane, train, or in the car, but I can read in all of those places and usually do! Last year I purchased an iPad, and I love to bring my books on it! Also, the Overdrive app allows users to check out eBooks from their public library for free - you can't beat it!
Book Recommendations
Gone by Michael Grant
Intensity by Dean Koontz
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Private by James Patterson
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Quiet Game by Greg Iles
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
To Drive or Not to Drive
Rome . . . not if you value your life!
Germany . . . go for it!
Grand Cayman . . . only if driving on the wrong side of the road doesn't freak you out!
There can be great benefits to having access to a car when travelling outside the U.S. In larger cities that have great public transportation systems like Paris, Rome, and NYC, you probably wouldn't want to rent a car. However, if you are going to be driving to a variety of places, this is something you may want to consider.
MapQuest.com is a great tool to help you plan your routes. It's always a good idea to take maps and instructions with you, in case roads are closed and you have to go to Plan B. It's also a good idea to research the rules and regulations of driving in the country you travel to, as well as the rental car guidelines.
Germany . . . go for it!
Grand Cayman . . . only if driving on the wrong side of the road doesn't freak you out!
There can be great benefits to having access to a car when travelling outside the U.S. In larger cities that have great public transportation systems like Paris, Rome, and NYC, you probably wouldn't want to rent a car. However, if you are going to be driving to a variety of places, this is something you may want to consider.
MapQuest.com is a great tool to help you plan your routes. It's always a good idea to take maps and instructions with you, in case roads are closed and you have to go to Plan B. It's also a good idea to research the rules and regulations of driving in the country you travel to, as well as the rental car guidelines.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of my absolute favorite places to visit! The name is a bit misleading though; it is actually a castle and collection of many towers. The first tower was built by William the Conqueror, first king of England. Since 1078, it has been used as a royal residence, prison, and menagerie. Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded on Tower Green after being held as a prisoner at the Tower.
Today the Tower of London serves as a tourist attraction that should not be missed! You can purchase tickets online at a discount as well as read about special attractions. The Crown Jewels are housed at the Tower, and there's always a long queue, or line, to see them, so make sure you get there early. The Yeoman Warder tours and prisoners exhibition are also worth taking the time to experience.
With all the things to do and see at the Tower of London, plan to stay for the majority of the day. The Yeoman Warders can be found all around the Tower and are available for both pictures and questions. Definitely decide ahead of time what you want to experience and make the most of your visit!
Today the Tower of London serves as a tourist attraction that should not be missed! You can purchase tickets online at a discount as well as read about special attractions. The Crown Jewels are housed at the Tower, and there's always a long queue, or line, to see them, so make sure you get there early. The Yeoman Warder tours and prisoners exhibition are also worth taking the time to experience.
With all the things to do and see at the Tower of London, plan to stay for the majority of the day. The Yeoman Warders can be found all around the Tower and are available for both pictures and questions. Definitely decide ahead of time what you want to experience and make the most of your visit!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
La Comida de Costa Rica
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| At Machu Picchu, a delicious Peruvian restaurant in San Jose. |
The coffee in Costa Rica is some of the best in the world. There are a variety of tours you can take to visit coffee plantations and sample different roasts. Fresh bags of coffee beans are usually available to purchase at the end of each tour. My family likes to bring back bags of coffee as souvenirs and gifts for our family and friends.
I can't write about the food in CR without mentioning Gallo Pinto, a rice and black beans dish that you will find yourself eating at breakfast, lunch, and dinner! This tasty dish is a staple in Costa Rican homes and restaurants, and I ate it numberous times during the week I was there. I enjoyed it so much, I am planning an attempt to make it myself!
Whenever you travel, always give yourself an opportunity to taste local cuisine, you won't regret it.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
oh whitewater, keep on rolling
If you're planning a trip to Costa Rica, one of the excursions that is definitely worth taking time for is a whitewater rafting trip down the Pacuare River. Our family has been twice and both times used Rios Tropicales for this adventure. Rios Tropicales is an excellent group that has been leading rafting tours for the past 20+ years! The rapid levels on the Pacuare are 3's and 4's from December to April but get bigger during the rainy season in the fall.
When taking a whitewater rafting trip, you want to wear comfortable, durable shoes that can get soaked! I have a pair of Keens that I love - you can throw them in the washer and dryer when you get home.
If you're interested in taking a camera with you on the trip, you should invest in one that is waterproof, because everything will get wet. Sony has recently come out with a very good waterproof camera, but it is pretty expensive. Most rafting companies send a photographer on the trip, and he/she takes photos of each raft crossing all of the major rapids. Then they compile CD's of photos each individual raft and sell them for around $40. The shots are excellent and well-worth the money.
When taking a whitewater rafting trip, you want to wear comfortable, durable shoes that can get soaked! I have a pair of Keens that I love - you can throw them in the washer and dryer when you get home.
If you're interested in taking a camera with you on the trip, you should invest in one that is waterproof, because everything will get wet. Sony has recently come out with a very good waterproof camera, but it is pretty expensive. Most rafting companies send a photographer on the trip, and he/she takes photos of each raft crossing all of the major rapids. Then they compile CD's of photos each individual raft and sell them for around $40. The shots are excellent and well-worth the money.The most important thing to remember when tackling the whitewater is . . . have fun and enjoy the ride! Oh, and always obey your guide's instructions; you don't want the photos to show you falling out of the raft!
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