The ‘Best of’ List for the Cumbria & West Highland Ways

July 29, 2010

Just a few weeks ago I finished hiking the Cumbria Way through England’s Lake District and the West Highland Way in western Scotland. Here ‘s what made my list.

Favourite Sections and Highlights on the Cumbria Way

• Around Beacon Tarn on  the way to Coniston
• The climb to Stake Pass and the walk down the valley towards Rosthwaite
• The entire day from Keswick to Caldbeck
• Hospitality and friendliness of the locals
• Lovely, pastoral scenery

Favourite B&B’s on the Cumbria Way

Candlewyck Farm B&B Set on 7 acres of land within walking distance of the start of the Cumbria Way.
Claremont House in Ambleside. It’s not fancy but Dave the host was truly outstanding. He is a former member of the Mountain Rescue Team and is a wealth of information on hiking in the Lake District. He very generously went out of his way on several occasions to pick us up and drop us off at trailheads.
Edwardene Hotel in Keswick. Lovely rooms, nice breakfast and our hosts without asking washed and dried our stinky clothes. Amazing hospitality!

Best Restaurant on the Cumbria Way

Zeffirellis Compston Road, Ambleside Ph: 015394 33845.  Excellent, inventive italian inspired vegetarian menu – even for people who may not usually eat vegetarian!!

Favourite Sections & Highlights on the West Highland Way

• Lovely section of walking with views of Dumgoyach on Day 1
• The Conic Hill area on Day 2 is beautiful. Stunning views of Loch Lomond and the islands along the West Highland Fault greet you.
• Some but not all sections of walking along Loch Lomond
• Views of the hills, water and islands are excellent from the Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran
• The remote feeling of Rannoch Moor
• This may sound weird but loved watching the British military jets flying through the mountains – sometimes below me!
• The Devils Staircase and the first few miles past it towards Kinlochleven
• Hiking the Old military road out of Kinlochleven
• Catching a sheep roundup complete with 4 farmers and 12 dogs
• ‘Oreo cookie’ cows

Best Accommodation on the West Highland Way

Anchorage Cottage An eight minute drive from Rowardennan at the end of day 2 and just across the street from Loch Lomond. Get picked up from Rowardennan and delivered to a very clean and comfortable B&B. There’s also a pleasant sitting room complete with computer and free WiFi. Hosts were very accommodating and friendly.
Ewich Guest House This place is about 3 miles from Tyndrum and about a 10 minute drive from the Drovers Inn. Car pickups are easily arranged. Stay here for 2 nights while you hike from Inverarnan to Tyndrum. It had the best breakfasts by far on the West Highland Way. Nicely appointed single and double rooms are both available at very reasonable prices. Great bird watching and a farm like setting with chickens and llamas.  Also enjoy a lovely sitting area with a fireplace. Dinners available too any month but July.

Best Restaurant on the West Highland Way

The Lime Tree Enjoy inventive cuisine at this restaurant that has been awarded One Michellin Star.

Best Birdbook for England, Scotland (& Europe)

Birds of Great Britain and Europe (RSPB) by Rob Hume. Published by Dorling Kinderslry. ISBN# 0-7513-1234-7.

Most Useful Article of Clothing

Arm warmers. Temperatures varied over the day, body heat varied and they were a cinch to take off and put on.

How do they do it?

Most B&B’s offer blood pudding (sometimes fried) along with streaky bacon, sausages and eggs, tomatoes and beans for breakfast. It’s the same breakfast all over Great Britain. Wait a few weeks after you get home to get your cholesterol checked.

Wierdest Pizza Topping

• Haggis

Incredible but True

• The number of outdoor-climbing shops in the town of Ambleside in the Lake District is 34.
• Keswick, another town 17 miles north, has 38 outdoor-climbing type shops.

Don’t Forget

• A sunhat that stays on in the wind
•  A heavier raincoat.
• Various sizes of Compeed – a blister remedy available all over Great Britain

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Banff to Jasper Bike Guide Published

July 8, 2010

My 19th free guide is ready to download. Start planning your summer bike ride along the Banff to Jasper Highway. 

The 290 kilometre (180 mile) bike tour between Banff and Jasper is considered to be one of the most impressive mountain rides in the world. The ride runs parallel to the Continental Divide, and can start in either Banff or Jasper, both of which are exceptionally scenic towns.

Highlights include:  

• Stunning panoramas for the entire ride
• Mind numbing views
• Banff and Jasper National Parks
• Johnston Canyon
• The towns of Banff and Lake Louise
• Bow Pass
• Columbia Icefields
• Peyto Lake
• Wildlife sightings

The best time to cycle the Banff to Jasper Highway is in July and August. You still have time this year.

Leigh McAadam

www.hikebiketravel.com

14 Money Saving Tips to Make a Summer Vacation a Reality

June 2, 2010

Every Saturday I look forward to reading Canada’s Globe and Mail. After I’ve finished with the travel and lifestyle sections I love to check out the latest financial profile of an individual or couple who volunteer for a financial makeover. Two items stand out time and again. First, almost all want to retire by 55 or 60 (and do what for the next 20 years??) and secondly their vacation budgets are rarely greater than $250 a month, and in fact are usually much less. It seems that there are  lots of people out there who simply can’t travel if they want to quit working by 60. I say work till 70 and travel on a budget while you’re still healthy. Of course there are the people at the other end of the spectrum who feel they deserve a vacation no matter what their circumstances. Suzy Orman says:

As far as I am concerned, vacations are a necessity, not a luxury. But where I see so many people take a wrong turn is when they spend money for a luxury vacation that they can’t afford.

So here are 14 money saving tips to make travel and a summer vacation a reality.

1. Try renting your house especially if you live in a desirable location.
2. Swap your house through any number of house exchanges – HomeExchange, Intervac, HomeLink or VRBO.
3. Find a house or apartment through housecarers where you get free accommodation in exchange for house, pet and/or garden sitting. I’ve used this several times and it’s saved me paying for a dog sitter.
4. Rent a cottage with friends or family so you can split the costs.
5. Stay in hostels.
6. Sign up for email notification for hotels you want to visit. Take advantage of their sales. Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino offers amazing specials from time to time that I only hear of through my email.
7. Travel in the shoulder seasons for lower rates and third night free offers.
8. Concentrate on one particular hotel chain and leverage your stays over time for free upgrades or reduced rates.
9. Stay at small B&B’s where prices are usually cheaper plus your breakfast is included.
10. Look for places where you can do at least some of your own cooking.
11. Look for seat sales on airlines.
12. Sign up for notifications from the airlines or check out airfare predictions.
13. If you have a good driving record and a flexible schedule then sign up with people like Hit the Road and deliver a vehicle so you at least get free one way travel. In Canada there are lots of opportunities right now to drive across the country.
14. Forget all of the above. Buy a tent and a camp stove and head out for the great outdoors. Canoe, kayak, hike, cycle, backpack, car camp. You may have to drive somewhere but after that it’s very cheap. Try one of the following.

• National Parks the world over are known for their scenery. Pick one close to home and set up a basecamp for day trips.
• Head to  Lake Superior for a budget vacation in stunning country.
• Walk for a month on the Camino de Santiago in Spain and stay in hostels for only about $7 a night.
• Canoe the Bowron Lakes circuit, Algonquin Park, Killarney Park, or Boundary Waters as examples. Canoes are inexpensive to rent and it’s easy to go out for a week or more.
• Do a part of one of the world’s great long distance walks. Every continent but Antarctica has something to choose from.

Plan ahead for travel. Set aside some money every month and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a travel adventure of some sort this year.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

10 Activities in the Pacific Northwest in June

May 31, 2010

You’d never know the June was less than 24 hours away if you looked at the thermometer. I’m an optimist that sunnier, warmer days are just ahead; here are 9 activities that would be fun to do in June in the Pacific Northwest.

• Portland Rose Festival  Numerous activities including a Grand Floral Walk, dragon boat races, a run, concerts, parades, BBQs and more.
• June 4-6 Tofino Food and Wine Festival Learn about sustainable food sources while you drink and eat local products. There are lots of great places to stay too including Middle Beach Lodge and Long Beach Lodge Resort.
• June 12 Crosby, Stills and Nash start off the summer season in a lovely amphitheatre at Chateau Ste. Michelle – one of Washington’s premier wineries. You’ll have to find tickets on Craig’s list now but check out their calendar of events for further summer concerts.
• June 19-20 head to the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival  in Vancouver. Look for 180 teams and 90,000 visitors from around the world. The best viewing is near Science World.

• June 19-20th Comox Valley Shellfish Festival Get the sea to table story by BC’s shellfish farmers.
• Try a trip to Bend, Oregon.  This mountain town located at the edge of a desert, 6 hours from Seattle, enjoys 300 days per year of sunshine. Every outdoor sport imaginable is available in Bend.
• The West Coast Trail is on the must do list of many a backpacker but if you want a more remote experience that’s in line with what the West Coast Trail used to be then head up Vancouver Island and hike the recently completed North Coast Trail. This trail is a 43 km extension to the Cape Scott Trail. Go prepared for hard backpacking and wild, spectacular scenery.

• Try a visit to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. When you’re there you can kayak, bike, go whale watching, picnic, relax, take in some community theatre, dine, bird watch and enjoy about 80 other activities. There are some lovely accommodation choices including Friday Harbor House and the Dragonfly Inn. Make sure to visit Lime Kiln State Park and Roche Harbor.
• Take a culinary tour of Vancouver’s Chinatown, complete with lunch. Tours are offered every Saturday in June.
• June is the perfect month to cycle sections of the Kettle Valley Railway in the Okanagan area of BC. Choose one day sections with Monashee Tours or try a multi day B&B to B&B trip on your own.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Dude Ranching in the American West

May 26, 2010

My love of horses led me, in 1998, to seek out a ranch vacation in order to take a break after my divorce finalized. My aversion to trip planning was quickly replaced by relief when a timely article in Sunset Magazine caught my eye. They had published an article on dude ranches in the American West and this led me to Eatons’ Ranch in Wolf, Wyoming. If Sunset Magazine thinks Eatons’ is the best ranch in the country my experience with the magazine led me to believe them.  An authentic ranch experience is what I wanted, and that is what you will get at Eatons’.

Eaton’s Ranch is steeped in history. This location in Wolf, Wyoming has been the home of Eatons’ for over 100 years. It is the oldest dude ranch in the country with the fifth generation of the family still operating the ranch. Eatons’ has the distinction of having invented “dude ranching” in this country. Friends would come and visit the ranch –and not wanting to leave – offered to pay for the privilege of extending their stay.  

The accommodations at Eaton’s are cabins of all sizes and designs. All of the cabins are rustic, yet comfortable and all are quite different.  I chose a “premium” cabin for my first trip and have continued that tradition. Premium cabins are the larger cabins along the “Gold Coast” – situated on Wolf Creek. You can choose from a one-bedroom cabin for a single person or couple to a multiple room cabin. For the last two years we have travelled with three children and have stayed in the “Jenkins” cabin – a large stone cabin with a 40’ long living room and covered porch situated on Wolf Creek. It gives us plenty of room for the kids.

One of the great things about Dude Ranches is that meals are usually included, and this is no exception at Eaton’s. Three meals a day are provided in the family dining room – eight guests to a table with no shortage of anyone to visit or plan a ride with. The food is great and there’s plenty of it. The kids will love the desserts at lunch and dinner with a selection of ice creams and home-made cookies daily.  In the course of a week you could also choose from a breakfast or dinner ride- where meals are cooked over an open fire by the wranglers.

Horseback riding is the main event at Eatons’. When you arrive you will be fitted for a saddle, fill out some paperwork and get matched to a horse depending on your riding level. If you or the kids need a riding lesson- request one- they are provided free of charge and are worth their weight in gold. Last year we travelled to Eatons’ with our two foster children – four and eight – and they both benefited from a couple of lessons in the corral. There is a horse or pony available for every level of rider with over 200 to choose from.

If you sign up for a morning ride, your horse is saddled while you are having breakfast and tied to the hitching post by the time you are ready to ride and off you go. Yes, off you go.  Eatons’ is perhaps the only remaining ranch in the United States where you ride WITHOUT a guide.  You are provided with a trail map and you are on your own on 7,000 acres of ranch or you can venture into the Big Horn National Forest and enjoy miles and miles of trail riding with every sort of terrain you can imagine. Uncomfortable riding on your own? That’s o.k. too – you can request a wrangler. They are provided free of charge but be prepared to tip them.

If you enjoy bird watching you will be fascinated by the barn owls and great horned owls. Wild turkeys and grouse are common and you will probably spot a king fisher on the creek. We have even spotted curlews in the fields above the ranch along with plenty of hawks.  There are deer and antelope roaming the ranch and if you are lucky and get out for a longer ride you will probably spot a herd elk or a moose.

If you have kids, then Eaton’s should definitely be on your radar for a ranch holiday. There are organized children’s rides, bingo, swimming, hiking and fishing. A large recreation room called Howard Hall is always open and is a meeting place for all the kids staying at the ranch. This is a good place for a game of softball, horseshoes or tag. Babysitters are also available if you want to spend the day relaxing or shopping in Sheridan.

Speaking of Sheridan;this small town was voted the # 1 historical town in the American West and is full of quaint shops and history. Downtown Sheridan is a twenty-minute car ride from the ranch and is definitely a must-see. Be sure to visit the Museum at Kings Saddlery and browse the antique mall for authentic western décor. Main Street is full of interesting shops, bars and restaurant. Have a drink at the Mint Bar – this is where the locals have been throwing one back since 1907. It boasts an impressive array of taxidermy, hand made log furniture, and interesting old west artifacts.  Feel free to bring the kids in for a peek – it is a fascinating part of the history of Sheridan.

 There is a feeling at Eatons’ that will take you back to an earlier time.  This is surely a place to relax, unwind, and take a deep breath. The ranch quickly became my favorite getaway and I think you will feel that same way once you experience this part of our great American West.  Eatons’ will stay with you long after you arrive home and you will be planning your next visit before you even leave.

How to get there:  You have a couple choices. Book your flight directly into the Sheridan, Wyoming airport. This will usually take you through Denver, Colorado. From Seattle I have found it easiest to fly to Billings, Montana – rent a car – and then drive east on I-90 to Sheridan.  This drive takes us about 2 ½ hours with a stop for lunch.

Blog kindly written by Liz Sanborn of Seattle, Washington

A Guide to Having Fun in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

May 7, 2010

My 18th guide – The Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, A Wine Tour by Car and by Bike, has just been published. You can download it off the HikeBikeTravel website for free.

The Okanagan Valley is a long north-south valley located in the south central portion of BC, Canada, just north of the US border. The Okanagan is known for its sunny, dry climate with hot summers and cold winters. The arid landscape is punctuated with lakes and patches of green. It has become one of Canada’s premier grape growing and wine producing areas. There are upwards of 100 wineries, along the bluffs bordering the lakes, running the length of the valley from Vernon to Osoyoos.

The Okanagan is also one of Canada’s premier summertime playgrounds. There are so many things to do that you can’t help having fun. Highlights of the area include:

• Beautiful vineyards
• Fun wine tasting experiences
• Fantastic, scenic sections of the Kettle Valley Railroad (KVR) trail to hike and bike
• Tubing on the Okanagan River Channel
• Fine dining options at some wineries
• Interesting accommodation choices
• Lake swimming on hot summer days
• Old fashioned milkshakes in Okanagan Falls
• Excellent birding and wildlife viewing

Inside the guide look for: a 6 day itinerary, information on getting there, accommodation and restaurant choices, bike rental shops, companies offering an assortment of  tours - including one day to multi daybike rides on the Kettle Valley Railway, wine tours, wildlife tours and even boat tours on the lake. There’s lots of other useful information …download it and see for yourself.

I’m planning on visiting the Okanagan area again this summer and I just wish I had a week and not a weekend. You won’t go wrong with  a visit to this region.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Hawaii With The Kidlets

May 4, 2010

I have a confession to make.  I hate planning trips – the time it takes, the research and all the little details. But, when it comes to Hawaii it’s my responsibility.  My husband – let’s call him Ironman Scot – has holiday ideas that always revolve around some great physical feat – climbing a mountain, running a marathon, jumping out of a helicopter. My idea of a vacation includes doing a lot of nothing; it must include suntan lotion, a good book and a cocktail.  With that in mind, I knew if I wanted to go to Hawaii it was my job to make it happen.

First things first. I am a firm believer that your money likes to go on vacation.  With that said, my vacation plans were not to include a budget motel five blocks from the beach or any “all-you-can eat” buffets.   A Hawaiian vacation with the kids is no place to try and save money. This vacation needs to be packed with luxury, relaxation and fun, fun, fun. It is tough enough to try to renew your spirit while bringing the kidlets along – let’s not torture ourselves trying to save a little money.   I am not inclined to fly for 6 ½ hours to only arrive and be miserable. We can save that for climbing Kilimanjaro or some other painful pursuit disguised as a vacation.

My first task was to decide which island to go to.  This part was easy. A Google search of the best places for kids in Hawaii will take you to one Island – Oahu and Waikiki to be exact.  Waikiki has the  perfect mix of lots of things to do and beaches. Everything is in walking distance, making a rental car unnecessary  (hey- you’re saving money !) There are loads of choices for where to stay right on the beach.   

This task is getting easier and easier – not only is Waikiki the best place to stay but the Hilton Hawaiian Village is rated the best place to stay with kids. Planning a trip is fun!  We had a four and an eight year old with us – so I decided on a King Suite with a view. This had a separate bedroom for the adults with a full bath and plenty of closet space. The kids had the entire living room to themselves with a pull-out sofa that they shared. We had an ample dining room and bar including a small fridge and sink for preparing simple breakfasts and lunches. More importantly, there was plenty of room and coffee could be enjoyed on the ocean view balcony.  Trust me, your spouse will thank you, your kids will thank you and you can pat yourself on the back for giving yourself some space too!

Some information on the  Hilton Hawaiian Village is in order. It’s a large hotel with several towers, all with ocean view options.  It has great pools- including one with plenty of slides and tubes for the kids,  a good restaurant for breakfast on the beach, ample room to roam, several ponds and open spaces and an abundance of birds. This is paradise for a bird watcher.  The hotel takes their birds seriously and does everything it can to make their hotel a destination not only for weary travelers but anything that can fly in on wings. We saw plenty - night herons, pink flamingos, egrets, ducks of all kinds and even an exhibit of tropical penguins. The penguin trainers host the exhibit every morning and the kids will love petting them.  

The Hilton also hosts a great Kids Club for those five and older – this includes half and full-day programs that keep your kids entertained while you relax.  A word of warning- it’s not free and you get what you pay for. A morning or afternoon without the kids is worth every penny.

What I did do while “planning “ this trip was to book one very exciting and fun event that will make the entire family happy – including ironman Scot.  That was swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest. I must confess – I had done this before and it was, and still is, one of my favorite life-time experiences.  The kids were guaranteed to love it and it fit into ironman’s criteria for something new and exciting to do.  I went on-line and booked the whole experience. Dolphin Quest is located at the Kahala Hotel – a fifteen minutes taxi ride from downtown Waikiki. This hotel alone is worth seeing even if you don’t “book” Dolphin Quest. Visit the hotel and watch the trainers work with the dolphins. It’s a beautiful place to sit and have a cocktail while the kids watch the action.

Don’t forget to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center with the kids too – plenty of interesting things to see and lots of interactive Hawaiian culture.  Though I have not done this – I have heard over and over again to make sure to visit the Market at the Stadium. This is an open-air market and is chock full of bargains where  you will definitely save money on souvenirs.

So, take my advice – throw the budget away and give yourself a vacation to remember. Waikiki has something for everyone! Have fun.

guest blog kindly written by Liz Sanborn.

Hotel Review – The Post Hotel Lake Louise

April 14, 2010

A recent drive between Calgary and Vancouver was modestly shortened to include a night at the Post Hotel Lake Louise in Banff National Park. The Post Hotel is a member of the Relais and Châteaux group which bills itself as a collection of the ”world’s finest hotels and restaurants.” Members of the Relais and Chateaux group are supposed to uphold the 5C’s -- courtesy, charm, character, calm and cuisine.

Courtesy was definitely in abundance. Energetic twenty somethings from around the world were employed in a variety of positions but were especially noticeable as doormen and dining servers. All were engaging,  friendly and courteous. Sometimes the level of service is a bit over the top but I suspect that the majority of  guests staying in this sort of hotel expect it. The two Swiss brothers who run the place were in evidence and were quick to engage in conversation.

The Post Hotel itself certainly exudes charm. Upon entering you find yourself in a bright and airy lobby.  Comfortable chairs look out to the mountains and are set up so you can enjoy private conversations with your partner or friend. If it’s mid to late afternoon you can watch the comings and goings of guests while you enjoy tea, coffee and delicious pastries. There is a full service spa which according to my friend who visits often, is wonderful. There is a library and a bar area too with more reasonably priced food. Look for a pool and a decent sized exercise room for people who want to maintain their workout regime.

Our room was a standard king. It was well appointed in a European style with white duvets, good pillows and a small seating area in front of a fireplace. The bathroom was fine, but not over the top in its size and it seemed a tad dated. Aveda bath products were provided. Robes were also available. A small balcony overlooked the parking lot but it’s not a place I would want to spend much time; views of the mountains from the balcony though were excellent.

Calm is the one word I would take issue with and  full disclosure on the part of the hotel is in order. Nowhere on the website did I see mention of the frequent passing of trains, and hence the noise associated with their passing. I booked the hotel via a real person and she also didn’t mention trains. My husband and I were both woken many times during the night by the trains. All standard rooms facing the parking lot are going to be subject to train noise. Disclose and provide earplugs.

Our calm was also interrupted at 6:20am by the bloody alarm clock. Although turndown service was provided (complete with a decent sized Easter bunny -- thank you) I and the people doing the turn down neglected to check the alarm clock which had obviously been preset. Perhaps a note by the side of the bed asking if one would like the alarm set or turned off would be worthwhile in a hotel of this caliber.

The Post Hotel is known for its fine dining and it lived up to its name.  The menu was interesting though not inexpensive …the sort of place that’s an occasional treat. The wine list was the size of a small book and was fun to read. A few interesting wines could be ordered by the glass as well as an assortment of half bottles.  I would have loved to try many of the wines on the list but they were out of our price range. Dinner was excellent and very filling since portion sizes are large. You really don’t need a full appetizer or salad unless you’ve burned about 4000 calories.  I found the dining room to be very accommodating with friends who were late because of road delays due to avalanche blasting. Breakfast was also very good and daylight views from the table were particularly lovely.

The Post Hotel is in Lake Louise but not on Lake Louise. It doesn’t enjoy the amazing setting of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. They are about 5 kilometers apart -- just so you know.

Would I go again? Yes, but probably in summer if I planned to do a lot of day hikes and for a real splurge I’d pick one of the cabins on the river so I wouldn’t have to deal with train noise. If you’re a skier though you’re only minutes away from the Lake Louise ski area and so it’s winter time location for some is first rate. At any time if you’re not traveling on a budget and you are planning to visit Banff National Park, then it would be a real treat to spend a few nights in a room on the quieter side of the Post Hotel.

Leigh McAdam

www.hikebiketravel.com

Tucson Area Loop Bike Ride and Exploration – Newest Free Guide Just Published

April 12, 2010

The Tucson area is a superb fall, winter and spring destination for a loop bike ride. If you’re not a cyclist there’s plenty more to keep you actively engaged for well over a week too.

Accommodation choices are wide ranging. In Tucson choose from B&B’s to full scale resorts. In Sasabe try Rancho de la Osa, a National Geographic recommended hotel. Tubac also offers the resort experience or simpler B&B’s.

Try Tucson, Arizona. You won’t be disappointed.

Great, Useful and Not To Be Missed Reads From Travel Blogs Around The World

April 8, 2010

Enjoy this weeks not to be missed articles from travel blogs and other sources around the world. Your blood pressure may be on the way up by the time you get to the airline news.

The First Night  Anyone who’s endured a long flight and landing in a strange city, especially at night, will be able to relate to this article.

What all the Books Failed to Mention About Korean Culture I’m not sure anyone is going to want to teach English in Korea for a year after reading this post.

All Glass Art, All the Time in Tacoma Put this hotel and city on your radar screen when you head to the Pacific Northwest.

ATM Skimmers: What They Are, How to Spot Them, How to Protect Yourself  Read this article so you can tell if an ATM machine is a skimmer.

Mexico – Riding the Famous El Chepe Train This journey is high on my wish list!

Ryanair to Charge for Airport Lavatory Use  It’s going to cost you either 1 pound or 1 Euro in a few months and the number of washrooms on board is going to be reduced from 3 to1!

US Air Carrier Spirit Air Announces $45 carry-on Baggage Fee What’s next?

Next Page »

• •  Comments
  •  Subscribe to RSS
  • Subscribe to Blog

• Recent Posts

  • What’s Happening in and near Vancouver, British Columbia in August?
  • The ‘Best of’ List for the Cumbria & West Highland Ways
  • How to Pick an Energy Bar
  • Bike Myra Canyon on the amazing Kettle Valley Railway
  • 5 Places to Sea Kayak Within 90 Minutes of Vancouver
  • A Distillery Tour on the West Highland Way
  • Crossing the Zambezi River on the Kazungula Ferry
  • Hiking Tips for England & Scotland
  • Hiking Highlights on the 2nd Half of the West Highland Way, Scotland
  • Highlights of Scotland’s West Highland Way – Milngavie to Tyndrum

• Categories

  • Accommodation Reviews and Tips
  • Adventure Travel Tours and Tips
  • Africa
  • Airlines, airports and air ticket info
  • Biking in Europe- tours and tips
  • Biking in North America – tips and tours
  • Book suggestions – travel & otherwise
  • Canada
  • Canoeing/kayaking trips
  • Downloadable Guides
  • Europe
  • Garden related travel
  • Gear reviews and tips
  • Green Travel
  • Guest Post
  • Hiking, backpacking and walking tips and tours
  • Miscellaneous travel tips
  • Other
  • Restaurant Tips
  • Safety Tips
  • Skiing Info and Tips
  • Spain
  • Travel Blogs from around the World
  • United States
  • Wine Tours and Tips

• Archives

  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009

• Links

  • 501 Places - Read Andy’s musings on his adventures to 70+ countries.
  • A Little Adrift - A well written blog with great photos by a 20 something woman who has done a RTW trip.
  • A Pair of Panties and Boxers - She use to want the corner office. Now she wants the world. Monica blogs about her travels around the world & her travels through life. Either way she travel, it’s food for her soul.
  • A Travel Around the World - Marta ‘n Chris travel the world and share their tips, stories and excitement of the venture.
  • Abandon the Cube - Ever thought of Abandoning your cubical to travel around the world? We are two travelers who did just that. Join us as we travel, mostly by ground transport and sea, across the globe at Abandon the Cube.”
  • About Airport Parking - Covers parking information at every major airport in the US.
  • Alice's Garden Travel Buzz - Look for great articles on gardens around the world, plus spas, foodie havens and cooking schools.
  • Art of Backpacking - Mike and Teresa have a well written, extremely useful website geared to the international backapacker.
  • Australia - Australia travel guide. Find the best of Australia.
  • Beers and Beans - Follow a California couple as they wander the world. Excellent photography.
  • Best Beaches in Asia - This website will lead you to some of the best beaches in Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia and Hong Kong.
  • Brooke vs The World - Well written blog tracing Brooke’s journey around the world with some interesting longer term stops for work.
  • Brooklyn Nomad - A Noo Yawka with a bad case of wanderlust – great quotes, great photography.
  • Candice does the World - Get a Newfoundler’s point of view about Newfoundland, life and world travel.
  • Carolina Nomad - Spencer is your one stop travel source if you’re travleing to the Carolinas.
  • Currency Converter - Get exchange rates for world currencies.
  • Dave's Travel Corner - The go to website for all things related to travel – blogs, message boards, resoucres, photos, clasiifieds, travel news…
  • Enlighten Travels - A multi year journey around the world is recorded with insight.
  • Ever the Nomad - Anja is a Lonely Planet author who travels and a traveler who writes.
  • Everything Everywhere - Gary is a VERY well traveled guy who writes and takes great HD photos.
  • foXnoMad - Great blog with lots of tips on tech, money,lodging, culture…
  • Gabriola Cycle and Kayak - Guided cycling trips to Mexico, Spain and France for adventuresome travelers at very reasonable prices.
  • Gap Year Escape - Follow Amar’s backpacking travels in the southern hemisphere.
  • Gourmantic - A well written food and travel blog.
  • Guy and Girl Travels - Get both perspectives on travel from this team. Great stories from all the travel angles – food, happenings, haunts.
  • Happy Time Blog - Follow Aaron & Georgie as they have alot of fun traveling/backpacking the world.
  • Health Conscious Travel - A blog on health, travel and green living.
  • Hole in the Donut Travels - Read about Barbara’s travels from the perspective of a 50 something female with a serious case of wanderlust.
  • Hop and Jaunt - Check out the website of this pair of traveling designers.
  • Hoseasons Log Cabins - Luxury log cabins throughout the beautiful UK countryside.
  • How to Travel with Pets - This is your go to website if you’re a pet owner and you love to travel with pets including birds, fish and reptiles.
  • i Backpack Canada - Corbin provides you with lots of advice and tips for hitting the road with a backpack in Canada.
  • Ian and Wendy - Follow this well traveled Canadian couple on their worldwide travel adventures.
  • Inside the Travel Lab - A well written blog on the art and science of unusual travels.
  • Janes Guide to Scotland - Look for travel tips and information from someone who calls Scotland home.
  • Jet Set Citizen - John and his wife are jet set citizens – a group of people living the lifestyle they choose involving travel, technology and social media.
  • Lonely Planet Author: Joshua Samuel Brown - Read the musings of Josh, an expat living in Asia.
  • Monna McD - Follow the writings of this Canadian woman living in Bangkok.
  • My Several Worlds - Carrie writes about photography, lifestyle, travel and teaching ESL in Asia.
  • No Debt World Travel - Learn Brian’s tricks of traveling around the world cheaply.
  • Nomadic Chick - Jeannie is joining a long line of former cubicle dwellers and is about to embark on a RTW trip. Her stories are great as so is her writing style.
  • Otts World - Follow Sherry on her travels and enjoy inspiring photos and video.
  • Paddy in Buenos Asia - A very funny blog on everyday life of an Irish expat now living in Hong Kong. Warning – may contain nudity, bad language and Irish humour.
  • Quiver Tree Family Expeditions - Let this company help you plan a unique trip for your family to some of the world’s great places. Kid and parent tested itineraries.
  • Riverville House B&B, Kenmare, Ireland - If you are walking or touring the Kerry Way in Ireland then add this B&B to your must stay list. You will find lovely rooms and welcoming hosts at reasonable prices.
  • Rome Hotels - Looking for a hotel in Rome??
  • Runaway Jane - A lovely website by this fulltime travel writer and freelance illustrator.
  • Snarky Tofu - Check out the videos.
  • Start Backpacking - Get info on the steps to start backpacking, backpacking medicine, cheap flights and more.
  • Sunmaster Holidays - Find holidays, all inclusive holidays and package holidays with Sunmaster.co.uk
  • Tech Guide for Travel - Reviews of tech products used by travelers and all sorts of useful techie info in easy to understand terms.
  • The 9 to 5 Alternative - Peruse well written articles about travel, lifestyle and entrepreneurship.
  • The Caffeinated Traveller - Insights into world travel with colourful images – perfect with a cup of coffee.
  • The Planet D - Read about and watch videos on the ongoing adventure travels of Canada’s Dave Bouskill and Deb Corbeil.
  • The Professional Hobo - Adventures of a girl with no fixed address.
  • The Travel Expert(a) - Marina blogs about traveling in Central America AND plans and organizes trips in Costa Rica.
  • The World Effect - Excellent photography and writing are the hallmarks of Beau and Meggan’s round the world blog.
  • Trail of Ants - Check out this Brit’s excellent writing. He’s traveled on the Trans-Mongolian railway!
  • Travel Blissful - Follow Erica’s stories, tips, musings, video and photography as they relate to travel.
  • Travel Wonders of the World - Mark blogs about his travels to over 80 countries.
  • Travel Yourself - Follow Cailin as she travels the world one country at a time. Nice photography. Upcoming TV.
  • Traveling Canucks - Nicole and Cameron are a couple and a well traveled one at that with over 47 countries under their belt. Their photography is a treat for the eyes.
  • Traveling Greener - Sonya provides green travel news, trends and information.
  • Traveling Savage - Keith is a wonderful travel writer who tackles a wide range of off the beaten travel path topics.
  • Traveling the World by the Seat of our Pants - Follow the good, the bad and the nasty as this couple travels the world.
  • Travels with Phillip - Phillip writes about sharing his love of travel with his three kids. Lucky kids. Great adventures.
  • Travels with Two - Great website with lots of useful information for trip planning – especially for couples.
  • TravMonkey - Paul gives you detailed info for backpacking around the world.
  • Tuscany Tours - Offers full day and half day tours in Florence and Tuscany, Italy.
  • Uncornered Market - Look for human stories, photography, street food reporting and personal growth stories.
  • Vacation Rentals by Owner, Homes, Beach House, Condo rentals, Cabin rentals, Cottage, Beach rentals and Lake rentals. - Worldwide Leader – vacation property rentals that specializes in connecting property rental owners with travelers.
  • Vagabonding Life - Greg writes thought provoking articles about travel since escaping from the cubicles of corporate America.
  • Velvet Escape - Read about Keith’s escapes and adventure travels to some of the world’s most interesting places.
  • Wild Junket - Follow Nellie’s wild ride around the world. She’ll teach you how to swear in Spanish and get you up to speed on odd Asian habits!
  • World Clock - Find out what time it is anywhere in the world + get international dailing information.
  • World Electric Guide - Provides information on plug types and voltages in every country around the world.
  • Worldwide Airlines - You’ll find both the major and some of the obscure airlines in countries around the world.
  • Worldwide Weather - Get weather forecasts for most countires.