How has travel improved relationships with the most important people in your life? I would like to hear from you. Click on “Add Comment” below or email me at theidealtrip@gmail.com to tell me about it. I look forward to your comments!
In preparation for our upcoming trip to New York, I have finalized a solid itinerary of sights and activities. But, I have been doing more than just itinerary planning—I have been strengthening my relationship with my mother. How have I done this? First, I have encouraged my mother to start walking more each day in preparation for our NYC sightseeing (which will include a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and a tour through Central Park). Second, I have also been filling her in on the itinerary developments as tickets are purchased and reservations are made. How do these strengthen our relationship? I feel that these actions are important relationship-builders and achieve several things: 1) She has a new goal to work toward; 2) she has something pleasant to think about for the future; 3) she can look forward to our time together; and, 4) It gives us an opportunity to communicate more and connect in new ways. She can anticipate a fun trip and I can enjoy conversations with her about our upcoming trip. Try this yourself if you are planning a trip or considering a trip to help strengthen a relationship. I think you will find that travel is not only about the time you spend together during the trip, it is also about bonding and communicating more long before the trip takes place.
How has travel improved relationships with the most important people in your life? I would like to hear from you. Click on “Add Comment” below or email me at theidealtrip@gmail.com to tell me about it. I look forward to your comments!
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I will be taking my mother for her first trip to the Big Apple. I have developed a special itinerary just for the two of us that includes some of the iconic must-see sites in New York along with some less-visited locales. The itinerary also includes a balance of active outdoor activities and casual indoor activities each day. My mother is in her 60s now, so I want to make sure we keep a sane pace throughout our visit. I always try to create itineraries that are appropriate to the travelers with me. When traveling with kids, I plan plenty of short activities and lots of breaks. When traveling with my parents, I try to accommodate any mobility or health issues. Our one week NYC trip will take us through many Manhattan neighborhoods, over to Brooklyn, into New Jersey, and include a tour of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. To balance such a busy schedule of sightseeing each day, I have also made sure to include low-key activities such as a leisurely picnic in Central Park, live theater performances, and dining with a view. I find that almost any trip is made better by a mix of scheduled activities and more casual moments. Sitting at a sidewalk café where the locals gather to watch the world go by can be a highlight in any city, and, often tells you as much about a place as the local history museum. Keep this in mind the next time you are planning a trip. I am always seeking a healthy balance in my life and it is no different when traveling. Strike that right balance and you are sure to experience the ideal trip wherever you are in the world.
How do you stay balanced while traveling? Do you have some great tips, tricks, or techniques to share? Click on “Add Comment” below or email me at theidealtrip@gmail.com to tell me about it. I look forward to your comments! I just booked my next trip! I am off to New York City in the early fall. I am already looking forward to the week's activities in NYC. Researching a destination and the "best of" that destination are part of the fun for me, long before the trip begins. The list of must-see sites in New York is already long and growing daily. My first steps in planning the trip: 1. Set a reasonable itinerary (planning the major sights to see on specific days when lines are shorter and crowds are minimized); 2. Make reservations to maximize efficiency and ensure availability (booking Broadway theater tickets and Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty tour tickets in advance); and, 3. Collect all of the details into one helpful document (including flight information, hotel reservation, tour times, addresses, subway lines, etc.). Planning the details early helps me just relax and go with the flow once I get there. I am excited to return to New York City and plan to take a big bite out of the Big Apple while I am there. Are you looking for travel ideas, something fun to do this weekend, a unique activity at your next destination, an easy way to meet locals in a particular city, or just want to find travel inspiration? Consider joining a Meetup group somewhere new at Meetup.com. There are more than 100,000 Meetup groups to choose from around the world. You could choose to meetup with theater lovers in New York City, surfers in California, hikers in Alaska, or photographers in Hawaii. And now through July 15th, you can enter to win a trip up to $5,000 to attend a Meetup event anywhere in the world by RSVPing your attendance at an upcoming Meetup. I have attended several meetup activities in the past and found it a great way to meet new people and enjoy the activities I love. I just signed up for an art class for women and am looking forward to trying my hand at a new activity. I encourage you to check it out, get inspired, and have fun!
1. Beaches- head for a lake, river, or ocean
2. Staycations- explore your own city or state as a tourist and take advantage of locals-only deals 3. Sports- look into a surfing camp or pro baseball game 4. Resorts- check out resorts that cater specifically to your interests or family 5. Hot Spots- see how hot it can get in the desert 6. Cool Spots- head for the highest mountain peaks 7. Quiet- think about getting away from it all in an RV 8. All Inclusive- compare prices for destinations with everything-is-included-fun 9. National or State Parks- always a great idea for getaways 10. Cruises – perfect for unique destinations and simplified trip planning Barcelona has been wonderful as a pre-cruise destination. Three days of touring has allowed us to see many of the major city sites. The schedule has included Parc Guell, La Sagrada Familia, Montjuic, Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria, a flamenco performance, and wonderful food. This itinerary of highlights has definitely allowed us to see some of the city’s top spots. I prefer having a few days in an embarkation city prior to a cruise, rather than at the end of a cruise, and this pre-cruise schedule has been ideal. We have maximized our time in the city and enjoyed the many delights of Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain. Here is a recommended itinerary for first-time visitors to Barcelona:
Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona Visit to Parc Guell Stroll down Las Ramblas Dining: Cafè De L'Opera Day 2: Guided City Tour (including a Skip-the-Line tour of La Sagrada Familia and a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter) Flamenco Dance Performance Dining: Santa Caterina Day 3: Waterfront Walk (from the statue of Christopher Columbus) Embark on Cruise Up next: Reports on our cruise ports! |
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