Friday, January 27, 2012

NICARAGUA & COSTA RICA 2012


After much thought and consideration (and research!) I really fell in love with Granada, Nicaragua and Costa Rica's Rainforests & Beaches.
July 2012 I will be there with my son having an amazing time! We are so excited and cannot wait!
In the mean time, as you all know me, I've been doing massive amounts of research for this upcoming adventure... and I'll leave you with some of my favorite places:


SAMARA BEACH
Of course you cannot go to Costa Rica without a few days in Beach Paradise, right? ... Samara Beach is a beautiful little town on the Pacific side.  And the Samara Tree House Inn is truly the only place I want to stay! They have "tree houses located "on" the beach.  Its kind of a rustic paradise.  Next to the tree houses there is a nice surf shop and school where we hope (or at least I hope) to be able to stand up on one of those boards!

Your Own Private Hammocks

Samara Tree House Inn-Out Door Dining under your personal tree house

Samara Tree House Inn-Living Room with View of the Beach

ARENAL NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA

the Arenal Observatory Lodge is the only lodging within the Arenal National Park.  From my research I know the food is sub-par and thus being the foodie that I am, I had to think about this one, but in the end a very wise person said: "When will you ever have a chance to stay in the middle of the Rainforest?"
Ok, I'm sold! That is very true, besides this place has amazing views, lots of hiking trails through the rainforest, a bar open until 10pm, pool and jacuzzi and a game room... who cares about food?  Ok, only for these 2 nights!

Arenal Observatory Lodge-Pool area overlooking the Rainforest

Rio Celeste-All day tour from Arenal

Arenal Observatory Lodge-Nearby Hanging Bridges through the Rainforest


Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua-Town Center

Granada, Nicaragua
Masaya Volcano-Nicaragua

Friday, January 6, 2012

SURVIVING LONG HAUL FLIGHTS, 2012 PREDICTIONS & THE PERFECT CARRY-ON

Hello there!
Happy 2012... As we prepare for a new year of adventures, here are some articles I found most helpful in preparing for all my 2012 travel.
Independent Travel is one of my favorite sites for travel news, so naturally I wanted to share it with you!

Enjoy!

10 Simple Tips for a Smoother Trip Independent Traveler.com

The Perfect Carry-On

2012 Predictions

10 Ways to Survive Long Haul Flights

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE TRAVEL PHOTOS??

For a long time, I would have to carry around my notebook or laptop in order to show my photos to friends & family... because lets face it, who prints out pictures anymore,right?

I came across this fabulous blog about photo books called Photobookgirl... not the ones you slide in your 4x6's, but the ones you design online and a photo book publishing company print it and mail it to you.  You end up with an amazing photo book that looks like something you bought as a coffee table photo book.

I am currently waiting to receive my 1st photo book and I'll be sure to let you all know the results.
I chose My Publisher for my Spain & Portugal photos which you can have a sneak peak  HERE

***I just received an offer from MYPUBLISHER... which is an amazing price...  A Classic Hardcover Photobook with up to 100 Pages for only $35!!

Use Code: PAGES4FREE at checkout... Offer expires January 9th... that means you must be done with your book and submitted by this day.. hurry! get those travel photos!