As water sports go, I’ve done most of them. But none have given me as great an adrenaline rush as jetpacking. In a nutshell, you are flying with a bad-ass marine engine strapped to your back and 420 pounds of water-propelled thrust shooting you high into the air. Sounds scary at first, but the ultra professional, ultra skilled flight team at St. Thomas Jetriders in the U.S. Virgin Islands, made me feel right at ease in this week’s Travelocity Let’s Roam episode: Read more
The Travelocity Roaming Gnome attended his second annual TBEX Travel Blogger Exchange conference in Toronto, Canada this weekend. As I watched him work the room it made me realize, travel bloggers can learn a lot from the Roaming Gnome. Here are my six travel blogging tips from spending three whole days at TBEX with the gnome, the myth, the legend. Read more
This week I’m happy to share our first guest blog post from our 2013 Disney Parks Moms Panel blogger, Amanda Ficili.
So, you’ve decided to visit Walt Disney World but you’re not quite sure where to begin when planning such a magical vacation since there’s so much to see and do. Well, lodging is a great place to start, but many families worry that staying on property will not fit their budget. But with more than 25 unique Walt Disney World Resort hotels to choose from there is an option to suit almost every taste and budget. From affordable value resorts to luxurious deluxe resorts, there’s truly something for everyone at the Walt Disney World Resort and the benefits of selecting an “on property” hotel are innumerable. The value and moderate level resorts were designed with the budget-minded family in mind but no expense was spared in ensuring each guest has a purely magical experience that only Disney can provide! Read more
I’m a sucker for a good summer picnic, especially an urban picnic in the heart of a city. Here’s my guide to the perfect urban picnic in Dallas, Texas.
Step 1: Load up your basket. Preparing for your picnic is as easy as making a stop at the Dallas Farmers Market where farmers come from miles around to proudly present the fruits of their labor. Essentials for my picnic — a little wine, a little fresh fruit, some meat and cheese. Be sure to visit The Old World Sausage Company and the Cheese Peddlers in Shed 2.
Step 2: Stake out your spot at Klyde Warren Park, a five-acre grassy park built over an eight-lane freeway. It’s only been on the Dallas scene for less than a year, and locals are already flocking to it’s wide open space and grassy green parks. Blanket. check. snacks, check. Now bring on the sun.
Step 3: Finish your day with a moment of zen in the garden at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Here, the Nasher family has put their extensive art collection on exhibit for all of Dallas to enjoy. It’s the quietest moment you will find in the center of a big city – a true sanctuary.
Travel is a gift, and it comes with the responsibility of giving back along the way. So every place that I travel with the “Let’s Roam” show I’ll be spending the day with one organization and in this episode it’s Bideawee, home to some of the cutest and most well-cared-for pets, just waiting to be adopted by you.
Like its people, New York’s animal inhabitants come in all colors, shapes and personalities. They are 100% part of the family. And while thousands of pets have found a loving home in New York, the ones that haven’t turn to Bideawee, the cupid of canines and cats. For over 100 years, Bideawee has made New York’s pet welfare their number one mission, finding life-long homes for thousands of animals in need.
For animal lovers, Bideawee is a dream voluntourism experience. The cats, well, they oversee your cleaning duties and make sure to let you know you’re doing a good job. While the puppies, they will give you a run for your money.
And play time – it’s an essential piece in making sure these precious pets are prepared for their new homes. But pairing pets and people isn’t an easy task. So, what’s the secret to Bideawee’s match-making success? Their team knows the ins and outs of every cat and dog. So the only risk of a volunteer day at Bideawee is coming home with a few new friends!
For more information on volunteering at Bideawee go to www.bideawee.org.
