Hanakapi’ai Valley in Kauai Hawaii

Sharon and I did this trail on our honeymoon in June of 2005. That was actually 3 years ago from today. We loved this hike! Although I would recommend being prepared for rain (it poured the first 2 hours of our hike and we contemplated whether to finish it or not as the trail got pretty slick). If I recall, we were told that Kauai has the most rainfall in the world. How fitting that we are from Tampa, FL which is the lightning capital of the world. The beach is excellent, so definitely try to go this far (it is about 2 miles one way).

Our goal at first was to reach the waterfall and the beach. After awhile, we just slowed down to cherish the view from above. It was very quiet and serene watching the mountain to our left and the ocean to our right. I’m pretty sure we accidently wound up on some side trails at times, so definitely give yourself plenty of time in case Read the story »

Enjoy an All-Inclusive Cruise Vacation

While going away for relaxation is necessary and important, it can become expensive. This is specially true if you are on a limited budget.  This expense is often associated with additional costs, such as food, beverages and entertainment.

Traveling is a pastime that is enjoyed by many. One of the best ways to spend a vacation is on an all-inclusive cruise ship vacation.  This means that almost everything is included. The cost of the drinks, food and entertainment are often served. If you are wondering whether or not you must book reservations traditionally or via an all-inclusive cruise ships, you are not alone. There are good reasons why you would put pick one or the other.

When it comes to all-inclusive cruise ships, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages.

The biggest advantage of all-inclusive cruise is that most of their needs are attended. As mentioned earlier, most of all sectors cruises cover food, beverage and entertainment. If you are interested in taking a large amount of alcohol or feast on the incredible food on board, may be able to do this for free. Read the story »

How to Prepare Your Vacation to Mexico

Before leaving to Mexico, you should find out as much as you can about the location of your trip, the culture, and customs.  Another important to-do list when preparing for your trip is to check with the Consular Information Sheets.  Consular Information Sheets are great resources that all travelers should take.  It will provide you with data that will give you all of the details that are applicable to traveling in Mexico.  The sheets will give you local emergency contact information, and describe up-to-date conditions within the country.

Preparation is vital to your safety when traveling to Mexico.  You should begin your travel with a careful and well thought-out plan from start to finish.  Your goal should include how much you are willing to spend for the entire time, where you will be lodging, as well as important contact information just in case there is an emergency. 

You should be current with your immunizations before leaving the country and follow all safety precautions while in Mexico.  You should also register with the United States Embassy and make sure that you leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member, close friend, co-worker, or neighbor.  You may also want to consider registering with the United States Travel Registration, for added convenience. This can easily be done online.  This is an important precautionary step to take.  It helps to notify the United States Government Read the story »

Visit to Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco

San Francisco is one of our favorite places to travel. The food. The people. The homes. The trolley. And did I mention food? Lots of seafood. One of the areas we kept visiting was the Fisherman’s Wharf. 

This is San Francisco’s most popular destination and features the Pier 39 with many restaurants and shopping areas. It has a long row of seafood restaurants which extends out to the street along with many souvenir stores and food vendors.

We pretty much ditched the car rental and was able to go around by cable car from Union Square. One of the decisions we had to make was what to wear. Being from Florida, I took a chance with just a shirt and jeans, for a nice relaxing day. After a while, Sharon and I eventually had to buy San Francisco embroidered jackets since it got a little bit chilly and windy… Read the story »

Why You Need a TSA Approved Lock

Nowadays, we all know that airports have heightened security due to past circumstances.  Remember the day when you can securely lock your luggage?  I’ve realized that whenever we travel, our luggage has to be unlocked so the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can inspect our luggage at certain times.

The best way to feel secure is to get a TSA approved lock, which is a type of lock that can be opened with a master key.  This enables the TSA to gain access to your luggage without cutting the lock. This is more convenient to everyone involved.

When opening TSA standard luggage with the master key, a small red dot is triggered, and this shows you that the lock has been opened and the suitcases have been inspected.

A TSA lock should be your first choice if you have concerns about keeping your suitcase safe from thieves when traveling. They will save you from the inconvenience of have the TSA cut off a standard lock if they want to take a look inside your suit case. This will save you time and money.

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