Video Of The Day: Traveler Lets People Leave Mark On His Shoes

by Libby Zay on

“I’ve been to some beautiful places and done some awesome things, but the best part has been meeting all kinds of amazing people,” said the filmmaker of the above video. He had learned the valuable lesson while living in Asia for three years, but when he took a six-month trip through the Philippines, China and Mongolia he decided he’d like to visually demonstrate how the people he met left their mark on him. Using markers, he let people draw on his shoes, which took him through desert landscapes and cascading waterfalls. Watch above to see him walk through sand, snow, mud and more.

Has anyone – a helpful local, another traveler or even a stranger – ever left their mark on you while traveling? Whether literally or figuratively, feel free to share your stories below.

Overnight Stays In Port A Popular Cruise Option

by Chris Owen on

Cruise ship overnight stays in port are becoming more popular all the time. Breaking away from port-intensive itineraries, long-time cruise ship travelers appreciate the extra time at iconic destinations. Those new to cruise vacations like being able to explore strange, new worlds but have the convenience and security of that cruise ship waiting for them at the end of the day.

Azamara Club Cruises features voyages with overnight stays at events such as Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, the Monaco Grand Prix and the British Open. The focus towards events brings what Azamara calls a “destination-immersive” travel experience.

“We continue to offer more late-night and overnight stays in ports than any cruise operator to offer guests the chance to savor a destination’s nightlife, oftentimes after the other cruise ships have departed,” said Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises in a Breaking Travel News report.

Azamara is not alone. Overnight stays are fairly common among luxury cruise lines. Dialing back the price a bit, mainstream cruise lines are getting into overnights as well.

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean sail to Bermuda, bringing multiple full days in port to explore the pink sand paradise. Carnival Cruise Lines and others do the same sort of thing in the Bahamas, overnighting in Nassau to allow late-night party time but no drive home.

But other ships, going to areas where they could easily sail to a different port each day and keep moving, are stopping to allow more time in dream destinations.

Disney Cruise Lines will sail Disney Wonder from Los Angeles round trip with an overnight in San Francisco. Costa Cruises has Costa Favolosa with an overnight stay at Dubai.

It’s all part of a focus on delivering what travelers want, a game cruise lines have had nailed for decades. Today, a maturing cruise industry is seeing a different kind of prospective passenger. Travelers now want more time in port, less touristy experiences and more destination immersion.

Cruise lines are setting up to deliver.



[Flickr photo by joiseyshowaa]

Summer Road Trip With Kids Made Easy

by Chris Owen on

A summer road trip sounds like a lot of fun. Planning where we might drive to, what we will see and do along the way, and even packing the car are all fun parts of the experience. Heading out on the open road with friends can make for a legendary trip. Traveling with children, however, can make the road seem awfully long, especially when patience and attention spans grow short. What we do to deal with long periods of time with seemingly nothing to do becomes of primary importance.

There are multiple apps available that can be helpful for distracting children while on the road. Admittedly, I have this picture in my head of mom and/or dad in the front seat and the kid(s) in the back seat, buried in a iPhone, missing everything that is passing by.

Not so with some interactive apps.

Funny Road Trip– Turn it on and select one of the four included virtual “hitchhikers,” and meet the characters from different parts of the world. Each character will introduce themselves then give your child 50 things to do such as, “Find 8 horses then clap your hands.”

License Plate Travel Game– Simple: compete against the others on your next road trip to see who can find the most license plates during your drive.

Roadside America– Older kids might like the Roadside America app that shows upcoming oddball monuments, quirky museums and tourist attractions. It even keeps track sights seen and wonders visited.

Making frequent stops, planning when to eat, sleep or just get out of the car to move around are also commonly suggested tips for having a good road trip.

Allowing a kid to be the “navigator” and decide where the road will lead and talking to one another along the way are also ways to kill time in the car. Oddly, those cost the least amount of money but can reap the best return later, long after the electronic device is gone.




Flickr photo by Stuck in Customs

Video Of The Day: India From A Traveler’s Perspective

by Libby Zay on

“India is amazing,” writes filmmaker Stanislas Giroux in the description of the above video. It’s a simple statement, but it really captures the essence of what this short film is all about. Shot while on a two-week trip to India, the video was entirely filmed from his point of view. From the people he met walking the streets to dancers in thumping nightclubs, this video is a rare glimpse into one traveler’s experiences while exploring the country. It might just inspire you to see India with your very own eyes!

Themed Cruise Vacations Heat Up With More Choices

by Chris Owen on

Themed cruise vacations are special sailings when groups or organizations charter a ship, bringing like-minded travelers together to share their passion. Themed cruises appeal to groups of people varying from very broad interests like motorcycles and rock music to smaller, more specific interests like Harley-Davidson motorcycles or the Beatles. These events at sea are so popular that several repeat each year.

The Cruise for Beatles Fans (formerly known as the Beatles Tribute Cruises) is bringing back their star-studded cast of Beatles friends and musicians on a sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.

During the seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing, guests will be enjoying private concerts, Question and Answer sessions, and picture and autograph sessions with the special Beatles guests. In addition, passengers can enjoy Beatles Trivia and Name That Tune contests.

The fourth annual Cruise for Beatles Fans sails March 3, 2013, and stops in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, Phillipsburg, St Martin and the Nassau, Bahamas. See Music In M’Ocean for details.

The Rock Boat sails for the thirteenth time as the longest running music festival at sea on February 24, 2013. The Rock Boat host Sister Hazel will be joined by Alternate Routes, Bronze Radio Return, Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers, Good Old War, Will Hoge, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ponderosa, Ben Rector, Red Wanting Blue, Rusted Root, Saints of Victory, DJ Soulman, Yacht Rock Revue and many more artists to be announced.Featuring non-stop music and two days on Norwegian’s private destination island in the Bahamas, this musical marathon will showcase both fan favorites and emerging talent across multiple stages around the ship as well as intimate activities with artists and collaborations between musicians that won’t be seen anywhere else but onboard this ocean-based traveling circus.

“We had no idea that The Rock Boat would become the family of guests and artists that it has become when began in 2001. We are fortunate to be able to host some of the most promising new artists each year and are so excited to have NEEDTOBREATHE back for an encore performance,” said Sixthman CEO Andy Levine.

The Rock Boat sails on Norwegian Pearl February 24 – March 1, 2013, from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Themed cruises are not just about music either. Sailings are planned that focus on food and wine, history, intellectual pursuits, photography, film and sports. ThemeCruiseFinder has details on these and more.


[Photo: Sixthman]



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