London

The summer after my sophomore in HS my family took a trip to London followed by a train trip over to Paris. But for this blog, I'm just going to focus on London. 

Our flight arrived just in time for all those bombings to start going off. So everywhere you look you see police and/or army men with their bullet proof vests on and ginormous (and yes that is a word) weapons. It was pretty intense. It was also pretty rainy and chilly. After we got in to our hotel we were all pretty hungry and went out in the search for food. Little did we know that we arrived in the part of the afternoon when no pubs serve food, just drinks. So that is a good thing to remember when heading to another area...be mindful of how the hours of their restaurants and shops work. It's much less frustrating. Another thing to remember, they drive on the other side of the road.

We took a boat tour on the water, walked around the city, and took a ride on their monstrous Ferris wheel. Funny story time now...We saw Big Ben from land and from the water and everyone had gotten pictures with it in the background. After hours of sigh seeing my brother makes a comment along the lines of, "So when are we going to see Big Ben?"  That is my brother for ya..


It's always fun to go over seas and experience such a different culture. England is a great place for that especially since you don't have to understand a foreign language. However, if I were to go there again, I might look into when the weather isn't so rainy and cold over there. :)

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a great city to visit. Whether you spend a day or a weekend there, you'll have a great time.  Some of the highlights include

-The Inclines up to the top of Mt. Washington -- take a restored 1800s incline up to the top to find great ice cream, restaurants, and a great view of the city

-Aviary -- there is over 600 types of birds at this walk through exhibit. They actually have a pretty cool website, which can be found here!

 

-The Strip -- this is kind of like Cleveland's Warehouse district only in Pitt. Shops, restaurants, flea markets and the like.

-See the Pirates or Steelers or Penguins

-Go on a college visit to one of the cities many colleges and university

There are plenty of other things to see and do there. If you are interested in spending some time in Pitt, I encourage you to check out this site. It has further links to areas in the city and gives ideas if you're spending time there with kids, or you want to do some free things, and tons of other great web sites.

Chicago

I personally love Chicago. This is probably because I was there for a girls weekend and went to the American Girl Place there when I was younger. What is better than that when you are a little girl? Absolutely nothing. :) Now that I older, I am in love with the big city life. The hustle and bustle and everyone hurrying around in their fancy outfits just captivates me. But not everyone feels that way. However, even if you aren't really into the city life I still think experiencing it for a long weekend would be fun for anyone. And then you'll appreciate the quietness of your home a little bit more. My mama bear also lived there for a little while, which I think is pretty cool...soo mama this blog is for you! :)


Chicago is probably most known for the Navy Pier (pictured below), Sears Tower, and the John Hancock Building. Sometimes I think it's weird that going up to the top of some sort of high rise and looking out over a city never gets old. Also buying useless souvenirs also seems to make trips more exciting.  Anyway...

The Navy Pier is a top destination. There is a 15 story Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, a ropes course, mini golf, plenty of dining options, shops, gardens, and themed tour and dining cruise ships.


The Navy Pier isn't all there is though. Some of the attractions include the Brookfield or Lincoln Park Zoo, sporting events including the Cubs, White Sox, and Bears, Frank Loyd Wright Home and Studio, The American Girl Place, Magnificent Mile, Union Station, and Millennium Park.




Also, if you are in to seeing shows...Wicked and The Lion King are now in Chicago. I have seen both and highly recommend them! :)

Chicago.com is the official website of the city. They have information on visiting there and moving there. From things to see and do to links to blogs and twitters about the city, you can pretty much find any information you know.

Cleveland!

In honor of the Browns winning...but not just winning...beating the reigning Super Bowl Champs, I dedicate this blog post to good ol' Cleveland, Ohio! Going to school outside of Cleveland is great because I don't have to deal with the city all the time but there is always something going on in case I need to escape campus. So here are some highlights of Cleveland and the surrounding areas...


1. Baldwin-Wallace College. Who wouldn't want to visit me at college? If you come visit me, I can actually take you to the actual places I am about to talk about. Then you'll be able to experience them first hand and not just read about them! Also, BW is putting on Rent and our music theater program is pretty much amazing, so if you want to come with me let me know :) Shows are in February.


2. The Christmas Story House!! Okay, pleeeeasee tell me you have seen this movie!! If you haven't seen it, go rent it. NOW! The house is the actual house used in the movie and it is open the the public year round. There is also a museum that have props from the movie on display. You can even buy a lamp leg there :)  


3. Sports. Cleveland is known for its sports...because we are not so good. But hey, at least we are known for something. Right? Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, Lake Erie Monsters, whatever the season Cleveland has a sport for it. Cleveland teams might not win all the time, but the games are always a good time because Cleveland fans are fans through and through! I even went to a game on Jan. 3! (Probably one of the worst decisions of my life) 

4. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you are a cool Clevelander, you know this just as the Rock Hall. I went there for the first time with my Dad and had a great time! It was so cool being there and experiencing Rock and Roll. It's right on the lake and they have an outdoor area where you can eat over the water. They also put on concerts every now and then outside. If you are into music, going there is definitely worth it!


5. The Warehouse District. If you are going to eat and/or want to experience night life, this is the place to go. There are so many different restaurants to choose from, most of them being a little bit more upscale. Michael Symon (mom, i know you know who I'm talking about) has two restaurants in the area. They are Lola and Lolita. Lola is way more upscale and classy and Lolita is a little more reasonable but still very nice. 


6. I really could keep going on and on about things to do in Cleveland, but it would take forever to write everything. So here is a list of some more things to do without a more detailed description...
Botanical Gardens
Museum of Natural History
Museum of Art
Lolly the Trolley
Emerald Necklace
West Side Market
MELT ... an amazing restaurant!
Great Lakes Science Center
Lake Erie activities 
House of Blues


If any of you have ever done anything fun in Cleveland, comment and share your story. :)

New Zealand

 Video Detail New Zealand

Maybe it's the fact that every picture I see is beyond beautiful or the fact that bungee jumping was invented there. But whatever the reason, New Zealand is one of the places I most want to go. My grandparents have been and have nothing but good things to say about it, one of my friends went there and loved it, and I did a presentation on it and it just made me want to go there even more!

The Official Travel Site For New Zealand has a lot of good information on for anyone also wishing to travel there.

There are beaches, cities, mountains, parks, trails, and lakes. You can be adventurous or not, experience the culture and history of the Maori tribe or spend the day soaking up some sun. Bungee jumping, sky diving, a hot air balloon ride, museums, wineries, casinos, geothermal hot spots, sporting events, caving, golf, off road driving adventures, horseback riding, boat cruises, and dolphin and whale watching are just a few of the activities that NZ has to offer.  Do any of those things sound like a good time to you? No matter what you or whoever you are with want to do, there is something that meets everyone's needs.  


I'll make it there someday and fulfill my dream of going there. I hope you all have a dream about going somewhere and have the chance to make it there. :)

Colorado Springs

I decided to stick with the Colorado theme and talk about a place my mom and I visited this past summer. She flew out to drive home with me when I was moving back from Wyoming, so of course we had to make it a fun trip! :)

 Colorado Springs was our first stop on the way home and we both loved it! We stayed in a nice Marriott Hotel (thanks to my Grandma!) and had plenty of sites to see! Driving in to CO Springs you can see the Air Force Academy, which is just a really cool looking building. The next thing we did was go see the Olympic Training Center. They offer tours there, but we just went to the gift shop (where only VISA is accepted so keep that in mind if you are ever there), and then walked around by ourselves. We saw where the athletes live and practice and even saw the girls volleyball team in action! It was really neat to be on their "campus." We even saw some wrestlers!

Another thing we did was walk through the Garden of the Gods. It's so beautiful and we saw people rock climbing which was fun. The next day we got up early and headed out to take The Cog Railway  up to the top of Pikes Peak! The little town you drove through to get to the railway was also so cute with little shops and restaurants, it would be so easy to spend a day just roaming about there!


If you choose to go to Pikes Peak, the ride does take a few hours. It was also FREEZING at the top of the mountain. It was 32 degrees up at the top and like 75 degrees at the bottom. So dress in layers! My mom and I were also hoping to see some Big Horn Sheep, but we were informed that they don't really show up till Fall time...so if you want to see some sheep, go now! Taking the train up was really fun, but if you are feeling even crazier you can hike up and down it. If you choose to do that, I say good luck to you!

One thing we did was go visit 7 Falls...We climbed up to the top and I joined some Native Americans in their dancing, but overall I would say don't waste your money. The falls are really small and it's really not worth the price you pay. So save your money and enjoy the picture I post...

I highly recommend CO Springs to anyone going out that way. :) You can find out more info about the area at ColoradoSprings.com

The Wild, Wild West

So maybe the western part of the United States is not as wild as it once was, but it is definitely just as beautiful!

 One of the things that was wonderful about CO was that there was something for everyone. My family is into the outdoors so we were up early hiking up mountains and spending the rest of the day exploring the areas around where we stayed like Vail and Breckenridge. My step father's favorite place to visit was Leadville. I think he liked it so much because he ate some "Monkey Balls".  ....Have any one of you ever eaten anything interesting like that?? 

Feel free to leave an interesting or funny memory from a vacation as your comment :)

Hiking mountains (if you are physically able to do it) is must when you go out there! The views are amazing, you have chances to see animals, and it is just a great claim to fame to be able to say you hiked some of the Rocky Mountains. Even if you aren't able to do some hiking, the Ski Resorts keep their chair lifts going so you can ride up the mountain and hang out at a lodge and do some exploring and then ride back down. ... My little sister dropped her jacket off the chair though so she and her dad had to hike down some areas where no one should be hiking to get it while my ma and I went to the top of the mountain :) So BE SURE TO HANG ON TO ALL YOUR BELONGINGS!

Also keep in mind the signs and symptoms of altitude sickness. I was in fairly good shape and didn't think too much of it, and I ended up suffering from it while hiking one day. It's really important to stay hydrated and if you feel sick at all, let someone know and stop climbing any further. Another thing to keep in mind if you are going to be hiking is that it is pretty much guaranteed to storm on the top of the mountain every afternoon. So get your hikes in early! 

If hiking isn't your thing, you can white water raft (which we did and the water was FREEZING in August), or spend some time in the nicer neighborhoods and shop, take scenic drives, or find out what sort of festivals or events are going on in your area while your out there. Getting involved with things the locals are doing is fun and a great way to experience life any where that you go. :)

Some of you might not think hiking up mountains and white water rafting is much of a vacation, but let me tell you...it is! :)


The pictures below are my mom and I pointing out that we are on the top of the mountain, taking a break while hiking one of the days, and the "stable" terrain we had to hike on once you get above the tree lines of the mountains.

 

DC

Spring Break in Washington DC. Really? Spring break there? Yes, my roommate and I chose that as our destination instead of a warm beach where we could get our tan on. And, we had the greatest time!

We went early in March and stayed with my roommates aunt, uncle, and cousin. Like I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, it's always nice when you can stay with someone for free. :) It wasn't too bad of a drive to there from Columbus. We had lots of music and made sure to stop for gas and snacks and such to keep the car and ourselves fueled! The traffic got way heavy closer to the city though...bumper to bumper traffic. A lot of it. The nice part about staying with people who lived there, was they were able to drive us around a lot of the time so neither myself nor my roommate had to worry about driving through DC. 

But, if you go and don't have the privilege to stay with someone, I recommend taking the Metrorail Subway System. If Ash and I can figure it out, anyone can :) There is also buses and taxis that are available to take, or you can take your car and park somewhere and walk around. Of course being able to see all the monuments is a must, but I personally enjoyed seeing the Washington Monument light up at night. 

Like any other place you go, there is so much to see and do. I recommend checking out the official tourism site http://washington.org/ and if you are looking to save some money check out a site that lists the free or nearly free things to do while in DC at Free! DC is definitely a sightseeing type of vacation, so if you are not into doing that, this destination might not be for you.


If you are going to walk around be sure to pack comfortable shoes. Also, remember to wear layers. We went in March, and sometimes it was warm and sometimes it would be a little chilly. It never hurts to be prepared for any type of weather. :)

Israel

I hope you have your passport, because we're going overseas!

While I was living out in Wyoming this summer, I met some interesting people. One night I met a man and his wife who were retired but considered themselves "professional travelers." They had just gotten back from a trip to Israel and loved telling me about it. I had never really thought about visiting there. I never really thought that there would be anything there for me to do, especially since I never really hear about people going there or anything good going on there. But after hearing how much they loved their trip, and having Amy bring it up in the last blog, I thought I would virtually explore Israel a little more.

"Nothing underscores the variety of Israel’s attractions more than realizing that within a few hours you can go from the snowy heights of Mount Hermon to the Judean Desert and the saltiest sea on earth, the Dead Sea, while visiting ancient biblical cities, covered markets and a high-rise metropolis on the way. This is what makes Israel truly a destination with something for everyone." -GoIsrael.com

GoIsrael.com is a website that I found that helps makes a trip to Israel a little more personal. When you go to the site, you are asked if you are traveling there for general interest, Christian interest, or Jewish interest. Once, you click on the reason you are traveling there it gives you highlights of Israel that would be most interesting and/or beneficial to you.

The only thing I really know about Israel is the info I found online. I did find more helpful information if I Googled "Traveling to Israel" over just the country name. I encourage you all to check out traveling there, the pictures look beautiful there. Even if you aren't Christian or Jewish, it's ok. Being religious isn't a requirement for traveling there. But for those who are religious, a trip there seems like it would be an amazing experience. :)

Some Tips

So for this blog, I am going to go in a different direction. Instead of talking about a place I dream about going and somewhere I have already went that I loved, I'm going to offer my advice. So here are 6 of my helpful tips for you :)

1. For those of you who have a Facebook or Twitter account, I encourage you to "like" or "follow" pages or groups like The Travel Channel Facebook page or the National Geographic Twitter page A lot of companies, magazines, shows, people have a Facebook or a Twitter, so search for them and become their fan. This way you get instant tips and updates. :)


2. Find blogs. I admit, blogging is a little tedious and at times I don't even like it...but it's real. People can say what they want and are honest. Looking at travel blogs for what people like, dislike, or how they found good deals is a great way to improve your vacation.

3. Sites like Kayak, Travelocity, and Orbitz are pretty helpful and can offer you savings on hotels, flights, and attractions. However, it is my own personal experience that sometimes things can go wrong when booking through them. I still encourage you to utilize those sites, but once you find a deal actually call the hotel and see if you can get that same price by booking directly through them. This saves the hassle of going through a third party.


4. Google. Searching different places you want to go and seeing what makes each place special can help you find the perfect destination. If you are like me, there are tons of places that you want to visit. Make a list of places you really, really want to see and check around on the internet for when to go, how much each place would cost to visit, and stuff like that. Once you Google places, re-write your list so the places most feasible to visit are on top.


5. TAKE CHANCES! Go on a trip you think is out of your box and try something new. My mom and step-dad took my high school youth group on a retreat where we played paint ball, went white water rafting, and rock repelling super high above the river. Three things I normally wouldn't think about doing on a trip, but I loved every single moment of it. Being with friends and family can make any trip a great one. So be adventurous and you won't be let down!

6. Going over seas or to an exotic destination is nice and appealing, but don't forget about what is in your own back yard! If you are from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and so on...spend a weekend at one of the great Lakes. From Chicago? Take a day and pretend you are a tourist and just have some fun seeing the sights not as a resident. Take advantage of being where you are. Don't overlook things because you are near them, that's how you miss out of some of the best times. 

Lastly, I would just like to say...if you read this and think of another tip...PLEASE POST IT on your comment. This blog is meant to share ideas and tips with one another. If there is a place that you think is worth me blogging about, let me know. I'd be happy to do some research and talk about it. I am here to help myself with my life dream of traveling as well as all of you. So read and comment, I count on your feedback!
 

Kiawah,SC

A great place to take a vacation is anywhere that you have a free place to stay. Staying for free means being able to spend a little more money on attractions, shopping, going out to eat, or whatever else you want to spend money on. 

Last year over Spring Break, my roommate and I were fortunate enough to be invited down to Kiawah Island, SC to stay with some of her family friends. The place was gorgeous and had a dock right out to a river. I don't actually remember if it was technically a river, but it was salt water whatever it was called. It was great being able to stay with a family who was willing to cook for us and let us use their kayaks. One of the best memories I have is when the two of us went kayaking, a curious dolphin was out with us swimming all around us and even right underneath us!! 

Kiawah was just such a charming place to go. It's a great area especially for avid golfers. They had beautiful country clubs, a cute little town center with some shops, places to eat, a grocery store and a gas station. The beach is also right there! My roomie and I went in early March, and it was a little chilly on the beach but it was still enjoyable. I would recommend going later on in March if you really want to swim in the ocean, but don't wait too long because I hear the bugs get pretty bad in some areas down there!

Another great thing about Kiawah, is that is not too bad of a drive back into SC. You pretty much stay on one road that is lined with little houses and lots of churches. Charleston, SC, is also about a 40 minute drive away. We spent a day there and saw all the sights by way of a carriage ride. It was a great way to get to see a lot without all the walking. It confused us a little around dinner time though because a lot of places down south closer earlier than they do up here. So the shops were all closing and no one was really at the restaurants which made us think they were not open either! Some restaurants also had more than one entrance, with nobody working either of them. We walked around for a good while before finally just asking. So my travel tip for anyone who goes there, REMEMBER the shops close early and don't be afraid to just go into a restaurant and eat! 

 

Vegas, Baby!

Ahh, Las Vegas...and no I am not talking about the TV show on TNT with that handsome actor Josh Duhamel. I'm talking about one of the places I have dreamed about the most. 

Bright lights, huge buildings, shopping, gambling, shows, attractions...what's not to love about Las Vegas. ...Okay, well I'm sure there are some not so good things but I won't get into those now. 

I think about going to Vegas a lot. Especially since I had my first casino experience over the summer. I'm not a big fan of losing money though, so I could only handle going in to one Vegas casino and staying for about 7 minutes. Luckily, Vegas.com  is a website that includes information on gambling, hotels, airfare, spas, golf, dining, tours, nightlife, and everything else you need to know about going there. 


Personally, I think going there would just be such an amazing trip because you wouldn't run out of things to do. See the sights during the day and experience the nightlife when it gets dark. What is not to love about that? I've always wanted to see their Eiffel Tower Replica (since I have seen the real one) and the fountains at the Bellagio and everything else Vegas has for me to see!! I also would love to take a helicopter tour of the Hoover Dam and/or Grand Canyon.

It's easy for me to think of all the places I want to see, but with so many cool hotels though, I have no idea where I would stay! Planet Hollywood, the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Palms, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, or one of countless others. So many to choose from, I just don't know where to start! 


With so many options for attractions and where to stay and what to eat, planning a trip to Vegas can be a little stressful. And since I pretty much want to do everything, I better start saving my money now!!!


If anyone who reads this has ever been there, or wants to go with me at some point ...just let me know :)


The image is from wsradio.com

Yellowstone National Park

One of the places I have recently been is Yellowstone National Park. Up until this summer, I had never really thought twice about going there. Every time I saw myself traveling somewhere it was far away over seas. I forgot to think about all of the great places right here in my backyard. For a long weekend, I got the chance to camp out in Yellowstone and see all it had to offer. From bear encounters to seeing postcard picture scenery to trying to sleep in a tent through a storm, I experienced a lot and would recommend this vacation to anyone.  

If you have the time, go for at least a long weekend. There is just so much to see that it would be disappointing to only be able to see a little of this huge park. If you have even more time, going out the South entrance of Yellowstone and driving into Teton National Park is beyond worth it!

In Yellowstone, there are lodges if you aren't up for pitching a tent and cafeteria style restaurants in some areas of the park so you don't have to cook by campfire all the time. Although, depending on what lodge you stay at and when you go, they can be pretty pricey. The first night we camped it cost us less than $20. You can also get out and walk and do some hiking to see a little more. However, if you or someone you are with can't make a long walk or hike, there is plenty to see from your car or just a short walk away. Getting up early or being out at dusk is also the best time to see animals. Although, you'll see plenty of buffalo since they are everywhere not caring about all the people around. Just remember that buffalo are very dangerous and more people get hurt or killed by buffalo each year than bears in Yellowstone. 

Using websites can help you plan out your trip. National Park Services website and the park's website are two great websites that include maps, weather updates, photos, info on lodges, and so much more to make your trip the best ever! So be sure and check them out :)

Intro To My Blog

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -St. Augustine

I'll admit, maybe a blog about traveling is a little out of my league. I'm just a kid in college with not so much traveling experience. I did however grow up with grandparents who were fortunate enough to be able to do a lot of traveling. While I have been to some places, getting to relive their memories whether it is through pictures, home videos, or stories filled my head with so many dreams. 
Sometimes I think about all the places I want to go and all the things I want to see and do in my lifetime. Yet, that's all I ever do is think about it. Dreams of traveling are so easy to make come true and I just sit around and gaze into calendar pictures wishing I was in it. Well this blog is going to change that. Each blog I am going to write about a new place. Sometimes it will be somewhere I have been and sometimes it will be somewhere I dream of going. Either way, this blog is meant to inspire those who dream of going somewhere and help us all get there.
It's about time we all make our dreams come true. 
So stay tuned, give me your feedback, and lets go somewhere together :)