Mini-vacations in top US cities: New York, Las Vegas or San Francisco

I travel a lot;
I hate having my life
disrupted by routine.
~Caskie Stinnett

I saw a list the other day
of the ten most popular
tourist destinations in the world.
Interestingly, three are right here in the US:
New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Now, we don't gamble much,
but we do like the shows (and the weather!)
in Las Vegas.
Even the 'cheap' ones are pretty good!
When we go, we try to do one or two
'big ticket' events, like Cirque Du Soleil,
then we stretch our travel budget farther
by hitting the smaller productions.

San Francisco is exciting for its history
and for its reputation as an
avant guarde culture and art center.
It's also close to Muir Woods and the giant redwoods.
From Alcatraz to the famed streetcars
(the only moving National Historic Monument!)
'Frisco has something for everyone.
Tour the USS Pampanito, a WWII sub,
anchored on Fisherman's Wharf.

New York City is another 'has-it-all' mecca.
Broadway shows.
Historic neighborhoods.
Shopping!
I've always been fascinated with
Grand Central Station.
And Ellis Island requires a day to soak up the history.
Ed's grandparents came through
that famous immigration center
from Sweden and Denmark.

Any of these exciting cities
would make a great mini-vacation!
So, which would you most like to see?
Or what one do you visit most often?
We'd love to hear your comments …

The Good Life: Add Joy; Mix with Gratitude

Don't minimize the power of
small things to add joy to your life.
~ Joyce Meyer

I had a lady in my office today
(yes, I have an office and a 'real' job)
who was complaining about her job.
She says she hates it,
but doesn't want to give up
the benefits or her hourly rate.

So often, when we're not happy,
we complain, making ourselves miserable
with our own thoughts, words and attitudes.

How much better off we all would be
if we focused on the positive things in our lives.
Let's be grateful instead of complaining.

Find things that you enjoy;
and plan ativities you look forward to.
Make time for small 'vacations'.

Webster says a vacation is a respite,
a rest, a time of recreation,
or freedom from any activity.

So … give your mind and emotions a break –
a mini-vacation.
Relax, and rejuvenate.
Often, the anticipation is as valuable –
and full of joy – as the actual activity.

Give yourself something to look forward to,
something to anticipate and get excited about.

Take control of your attitude with gratitude.
And plan 'small things' that add joy to your life.
What's your next 'mini-vacation' going to be?

Add a comment and tell us about
your favorite stress-reducing,
joy-bringing, happiness-sharing
thankful-heart activities.
We’re all looking for new ideas!

And remember, life is a journey …
travel first class!

What did YOU do last weekend?

"All work and no play,
makes Jack a dull boy."
Old English Nursery Rhyme

Hello, dear reader,

What did you do over the weekend?
It's the proverbial question on Mondays …
from your co-workers, friends, store clerks
and folks you meet.

Isn't it time you gave them a great answer?

Quick trips – mini-vacations –
help keep balance in your life.
You need to regularly get away
from yard work, laundry,
and all the myriad demands on your life
and just … get away!

Mini-trips give you three times the fun.
First, there's the anticipation,
expectation and planning,
knowing that you'll be going someplace fun …
next week or next month.

Then there's the actual trip!
How great is it to explore and enjoy new places?
To get away from your usual routine?

Finally, there's the photos to share,
reliving the fun, savoring the memories.

It's enough to make you start planning that next
mini-vacation getaway!

What are you waiting for?

Wishful Thinking - Beaches in my Mind

Today's our 32nd anniversary.
And it snowed!
Someone asked me last week
what two things I could do without.
My answer – winter and cold weather!

Winter in northwestern Pennsylvania
almost requires a get-away
for sun and relaxation.

One favorite spot – Virginia Beach.
It's a one-day drive,
it's a LOT warmer than home,
and we've gone so many times
that we know just where to shop and eat.

If you'd like to tag along, check out
Virginia Beach - An Off-Season Love Affair

If you're at the beach right now … enjoy.
If you're not, start planning
for some R&R in the sun!
… Or a mini-vacation to anywhere.

Watch for our new ebook on mini-vacations.
It'll be out soon and
it's loaded with ideas and information for
you to use in planning your next weekend away.

Remember,
Life is a journey … travel first class.

Saving Money on Your Travel Budget

Spending a week or more on vacation is wonderful!
It can also be expensive: transportation,
lodging, meals and entertainment.

Spread your travel budget out by including
multiple mini-vacations during the year
instead of - or in additional to – your one big trip.

Planning a day or weekend that's closer to home
will save money on gasoline or airline tickets.
Mini-vacations also break up your day-by-day
schedule with something on your calendar
to really look forward to!

We're within driving distance (three hours)
of three major cities,
Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Cleveland.
That means we can get two days of adventure
with one overnight – and we're home
at a reasonable time on Sunday evening.

Here's a quick tip:
For a day of sightseeing, or a 2-day weekend,
Pick a destination that's less than 3-4 hours away
(about 300 miles) so you'll have plenty of time
for stops along the way.

A little advance planning can give you
a memorable mini-vacation
without a lot of cost and worry.

So go! Have a grand time.

And remember,
Life in a journey … travel first class!

Adding A Mini-Vacation in Miami Beach

Greetings, fellow traveler,

It's Saturday night, a great time to start
dreaming about your next trip.

This time of year, lots of us head to Miami
to board a cruise ship
or fly on to an island destination.
You might consider
adding a mini-vacation in Miami,
either before or after your scheduled plans.

We arrived in Miami two days
before our cruise ship sailed
and stayed on the northern end
of South Beach.

All the atmosphere and amenities
of the Art Deco resort area:
within walking distance of
famed Lincoln Road …

fashionably-late dining
at scrumptious outdoor restaurants …

and the reasonably-priced
Continental Hotel.
Basic accommodations,
but right on the beach.

It was great fun,
and a wonderful way
to start a vacation.
We had two extra days to unwind
and enjoy all the amenities
that Miami Beach has to offer.

Arriving early also guaranteed
we didn't get snowed in
or had to deal with a delayed flight
right before our cruise.

So … think about the possibilities
of adding a mini-vacation onto your next trip!

Remember, life is a journey
… travel first class!
(And add a few days extra!)

Identity Theft: Staying Safe While You Travel

Imagine the anticipation of
heading out on an adventure!
You've made your plans;
your bags are packed.
What else should you think about?

What's in Your Wallet?

Take only the credit card you'll need
and leave the rest safely at home.
If you're taking two cards
(one for back-up),
don't keep them in the same place.

Make a copy – front and back –
of any identification you're taking,
including your passport,
and leave it with someone back home.

Remove your 'extra' credit cards
and all unnecessary identification.
Do NOT take your social security card!

If you need a 'store' card for a special sale,
they can look up your account at the store.

Leave extra cash in the hotel safe.
I lost my wallet in Las Vegas.
It cost me about $100 in cash,
but it didn't ruin the trip because
I had more locked in my room.

For more information on identity theft,
sign up for our newsletter.
You'll receive a series of travel trips,
including more ideas on travel safety.

Remember, life is a journey …
Travel first class!
(and stay safe!)

Anticipation … Anticipation ...

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
~ Carly Simon

It's a great song.
It's also a great way to live your life.
Having something to expect in the days to come …
something to look forward to.

Don't you find that just thinking about
and anticipating a trip
helps you cope with what's
happening in your life?

Knowing that you'll be able to
'get away' in a few days or a few weeks
somehow makes life a bit brighter
and easier to handle.

That's one reason why
we'd like to encourage you
to plan mini-vacations into your life.
They can be great stress-relievers
… just by thinking about getting away.

So, where's your favorite place to go?
Where would you like to go next?

Comment here or drop us an email.
Maybe we'll feature your favorite
vacation spot in a future blog.

And watch for the soon to be released
multi-media ebook, Magical Mini-Vacations.
"A convenient guide to weekend pleasures."