Traveling USA

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Archive for February, 2008


Tulip Time in Holland Michigan

I have dreams of peddling leisurely through endless fields of blooming tulips. Windmills dot the horizon and water is always close by. Yes, I could go to Holland to satisfy this vacation fantasy or I could get a really authentic taste of tulip time in Holland, Michigan.

The settlement was established by a group of Dutch families in 1847 and hundreds followed them soon afterwards. Every fiber of Holland Michigan is steeped in Dutch heritage, so this is the real deal and not a marketing gimmick to bring in tourists.

Downtown Holland has an historic, yet vibrant feel, with street performers, art galleries, interesting shopping, plenty of great restaurants and frequent festivals. Without a doubt, the most celebrated annual event is Tulip Tme Festival!

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4 Lessons Learned From The Camino del Santiago Pilgrimage

4 Lessons Learned From The Camino del Santiago Pilgrimage

Over the past millennium, thousands of people, from all over Europe and all over the world, have made the pilgrimage to Santiago. Laurie Pickard is one of them.

One hundred miles into my two-hundred mile journey, I was seriously considering calling it quits.

I was tired and sore, and I had blisters on every single one of my toes. Even the thought of putting my pack on again in the morning filled me with dread.

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Pamper your Pooch in Hilton Head

Pamper your Pooch in Hilton Head

What better way to enjoy your next beach vacation than to take Fido or Fifi along for the ride!?  The best part about choosing Hilton Head for your next Pet Friendly vacation is the realative “dog friendly” atmosphere you’re sure to enjoy.

Sun, water and sand are a ball-doggie’s dream as you wander the beaches and parks that surround Hilton Head Island.?  Just remember, Dogs are banned from the public? beach from June 1 through Labor Day weekend - but from October 1 through March 31 - they can play off-leash to their heart’s content.?  Other time’s they’re allowed but need a 6-foot leash from 10am to 5pm.? 

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Outer Banks Adventure - Cape Hatteras Guide

Outer Banks Adventure - Cape Hatteras Guide

Cape Hatteras has a huge variety of land, sea, and air fun in the sun that is sure to keep the whole family engaged, entertained and exhausted while vacationing in the Outer Banks?

The on-island towns and villages offer so much to see and do - a week or two almost isn’t enough time to see it all. Try one, two or all of the following:

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Book Review: The Geography Of Bliss

Book Review: The Geography Of Bliss

First things first. I didn??™t actually read The Geography of Bliss.

I wanted to, and I wanted to like it; I really did. The simplicity and crisp color of the cover drew me in when I first saw it in the bookstore, as did the author??™s premise.

He would spend a year traveling to ten countries in search of something that was, for him, as elusive as the Fountain of Youth: happiness.

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How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road?

How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road?

How did the backpacker cross the road? Care, Caution and Confidence are key. Follow the tips in this traveler’s guide to pedestrian safety and you’ll get to the other side in one piece.

Crossing streets in foreign countries is often a daunting task. In big cities like Bangkok or Delhi, it can seem as if stop signs, red lights and crosswalks all mean GO FASTER!

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How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road? With These 6 Easy Tips

How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road? With These 6 Easy Tips

How did the backpacker cross the road? Care, Caution and Confidence are key. Follow the tips in this traveler’s guide to pedestrian safety and you’ll get to the other side in one piece.

Crossing streets in foreign countries is often a daunting task. In big cities like Bangkok or Delhi, it can seem as if stop signs, red lights and crosswalks all mean GO FASTER!

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Found In Translation: Why Travel As A Teenager Is The Best Education

Found In Translation: Why Travel As A Teenager Is The Best Education

When I first arrived in Tokyo, I was sick, lost, and alone. I was also fifteen years old.

This was my first of many extended trips for work (I??™m a model) and the decision to travel solo had been made at the last minute.

That evening, when I got off the bus in the wrong place after a severely delayed 13-hour flight, I had second thoughts, but ultimately traveling alone as a teenager turned out to be a seminal part of my youth.

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5 Dreams You Could Experience While Traveling (And What They Mean)

5 Dreams You Could Experience While Traveling (And What They Mean)

Your dreams on the road can offer insight into yourself and your journey. Tim Patterson shares his own experiences.

I press my tongue against a tooth in the back of my mouth. It wiggles.

“That’s weird,” I think, feeling a little anxious. After all, I’m 25 years old. My baby teeth are all gone and I’m way too young to start thinking about dentures.

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4 Lessons Learned From The Vagabond Life

4 Lessons Learned From The Vagabond Life

The last 16 months of my life have been spent wandering.

After graduating from college, like many of my peers I had no real clue as to what to do with my life. I did what anyone with an insatiable travel bug would do and took off to an exotic destination to teach English.

The exotic destination quickly turned into a mundane daily rhythm that was full of obstacles, frustrations and existential questions. At the end of my contract, the travel-bug and existential questions were still there. I kept traveling.

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