"Travel Guide" for Bloggers

I like blogging - telling you about where we travel, what we're doing, and finding out about your lives as well. But I'm not always sure how to do it well, so I decided to look at some of the blog trainings available online.

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I think it's a bit like a travel guide. I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

It can't hurt. We'll learn something new together.

Panama Cruisin'

I haven’t seen cruise prices like this in … forever! Maybe since I was a travel agent in the 70’s. An email arrived in my inbox from Princess Cruises offering – and I quote - a "10-day Panama Canal cruises from $599*". Brochure rates start at over $1,000.

Of course, that’s plus tips, taxes, surcharges and airfare to Ft. Lauderdale/ Acapulco. (air add-ons are available from $399.) And it’s an inside cabin. But bargain hunter/cruisers should check this out quick! Departures are Mar. 23 and April 2.

Cruise 51 miles from Atlantic to Pacific through the jungles of Central America. The Canal celebrates it’s 95th birthday this August. Ports of call include Puntarenas, Costa Rica (visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve); Fuerte Amador (Panama City’s port) on the Pacific side of the canal; Ocho Rios, Jamaica (and famous Dunn’s River Falls); and Puerto Quetzal, Guatamala (tour the capital or Lake Azitlan’s volcanoes).

Bon voyage!

My Two Favorite Little Words: Let's Go!

To get away from one's work environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.

~ Charles Horton Cooley

Wow! Ed just turned a normal week into an exciting one. He said, “Let’s go!” So, we’ve decided to take off after Thursday’s business meeting for a long weekend. The anticipation bubbled up in the middle of cleaning and laundry this weekend like fizz in my favorite cola. Mini-vacations do that … add an element of excitement, anticipation, and joy before we leave. Then there’s the relaxation and joy of the trip. We’ll see family and friends, plus we’re going to get our one-year-old Japanese Chin a brother: Bojo’s birthday Buddy. And when we get back, we’ll have photos, memories and be recharged for next week.

Where are you going next? Why not plan a mini-vacation as a surprise for your spouse, kids or significant other? Maybe get a group of friends together for a weekend away. And if you’d like some planning tips and destination ideas, go to www.magicalminivacations.com It’s a great resource and dream-builder. Go ahead! Short trips save you time and money. And there are some great bargains out there. Most travel venues are discounting prices right now to stimulate their economies.

Let us know where you decide to go. We’d love to hear about your travels! And as always – remember, LIFE is a journey, travel first class!