Tag: magazine

Travel Dream”

“allowing the Travel Dream”

The travel business is incredible. It is filled with multiple opportunities for investigation online. Look at the sites dedicated to travel on the web; in magazines; ads on television and radio. Advertisers bombard us with their “Best Price, Exotic Locations and the Hottest Deals”.

When you travel, what are your main concerns? Is it costs; or types of accommodations; or what can we do with the kids? Just to be in a financial position to actually get away for short trips just may be a perk. The internet allows us to DREAM of TRIPS to take!

Todays economy dictates so much of the details a person must consider when planning to travel. Businesses are re-thinking the associated costs of sending associates or sales teams out of the office vs. using new technology to conduct office web-conferences. I want to discuss personal vacations for this article. So my question then is, “Does the internet provide all of the necessary options that will allow us to dream of traveling?”

Searching the web, destinations are bountiful. Where in the United States can we go? Just a click of the mouse can send us skiing in Colorado or Utah; or golfing in Arizona or Florida; or the many parks or natural treasures throughout the states, granting our minds invigorating stimulation. Maybe you want site-see in South America or Australia; run on the Great Wall; tour the vinery’s of Portugal. Now that would be one fabulous trip to take. With technology today, one can ‘see’ any one of these areas in the internet. The mind is unlimited for these trips, your mind.

The volatility of oil prices this year and today due to the supply being greater than demand, provides cost effective options to allow some sort of trip. If you reside in the western portion of the United States, traveling to the Rocky Mountains for skiing is viable. The amount of snow at many resorts has been ahead of years past that powdered eyebrows and ice cycles dangling from one’s nose are truly in reach. Availability at most lodges can still be found even though it may take some researching. But that what makes the internet so impressive. Look on the web for your skiing trip?

Or maybe your idea of getting away would be a warmer climate. I know the older I get, the more warmth I can be surrounded by, the less snappy them ol’ bones become. Weather in the Phoenix/Scottsdale (not to mention the current excitement for their beloved football team) area is perfect for swinging those metal implements of frustration. Or Florida would be more practical due to your proximity. Can you imagine lounging on the beaches along the coast of Florida? With winter weather, imagining can be such a powerful mental exercise. Feeling the comfortable breezes crossing the tops of the ears, the grainy sands captivating your toes and umbrella drinks that color the tongue. Can you just feel it?

Decisions, decisions.

Take a moment to dream of YOUR travel destination. Every site I clicked had many interesting destinations to wander about. One of the places I would love to get to is Portugal. Watching the European Golf Tour, which has a few events there, has tingled my desire to visit. This area of the world just intrigues me. I ‘went’ to Portugal online. What a trip! The scenes of traditional villages; narrow streets winding through vibrant cities; the expanse of vineyards scattered in the country; the views along the Atlantic with dramatic windswept cliffs and sun-drenched backdrops; it is one dream that I am aspiring for.

See how simple the mental imagery and the power of the internet can supplement your actually making a TRIP? No, it’s not like the real thing however; it does provide me the visionary motivation needed to plan my visit, say within two years.

Could a vision of a sunrise conjure serenity within by watching the unwrapping of those brilliant red rock vortexes that reach up from around Sedona, Arizona? The reflection of the reddish cliffs from the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing can mysteriously energize the soul. And stimulate the brain. This area truly has mystical sources of energy that could only be found on the prairies after enjoying peyote around the campfire.

Just a few mental exercises like these can plant the seed to plan your vacation whether it is simple or outlandishly exotic. We are not getting any younger. Many places we want to visit and experience before you begin to fill out a ‘Bucket List’ can be within reach. The internet can provide a plan and the mental exercise can be formulated. Now could be a great time to begin that process by getting on-line to start researching ideas. This is the early stages of the planning process and provides us the best time to fantasize about the exotic locations before wandering back to the practical.

Look at a trip you possibly thought of. The web can provide this type of entertainment as we deluge the fantasy of being at that far away place. Maybe our own little “Lost” adventure, only with umbrella drinks, doting pool boys or bikini-clad maidens, clean beaches and those gentle ocean breezes with waves seducing us to sleep. Oh the dreamy thoughts one can conjure up now. Allow your mind to wander. Go to places, mentally, that you have always dreamed about visiting. By taking this first step, the mental vacation, the coming weeks may create a happier time. Because this is all about relaxing.

Now let us look at the coming year. Could there be a short trip in say, your near future. Or maybe a four day outing early in the summer. The ideas may be abundant. Treating ourselves from time to time is necessary when most of what we hear or read is negative. Now with the ‘hope’ that has been touted for nearly two years and put in place this past January 20th, why not hope a vacation is in your future. Some would say that if we all spend a little more money by pumping it in to our economy, things just could get going again. “Hope springs eternal”.

Most people believe they may not be able to participate. Possibly they are choosing to hold out for a period of time till things improve. I say that time may be on your side to plan a vacation. Time may be on your side to save and/or make the money needed to do so. If a second income could encourage a trip; a travel goal within reach; investigate this opportunity and achieve that goal. If your dream trip would be an ultimate goal, it could behoove you to research this opportunity, and you may reach that dream much sooner.

Travel Article – January 2009

Comfy Comfort Travel Pillows

Comfy Comfort Travel Pillows

There is a plethora of comfort travel pillows on the market these days but some are quite unique and worth a look if you find yourself on long daily commutes by train, frequent flying on long-haul flights, wheelchair bound, highway warrior, or simply a couch potato. There is a pillow now for every physical ailment, achy muscle or curvature needing support. And if you’ve ever found yourself weather bound for the floor of an airport lounge or train terminal without a comfort travel pillow, you’ll never make that mistake again.
Travel pillows have come a long way from the tiny little poly-filled squares the airlines used to provide which have disappeared along the way with basics such as food and water. Face it, the only “pampering” you’re likely to get from any transportation provider is that which we pack and lug around for ourselves. Gas is at a premium, of course. On board amenities are shrinking faster than you can say “first class please.”
And even though their little tiny poly-filled pillows were small and probably not too hygienic, at least it was a bit of cushion between your head and the cold steel side of the plane. So suffice it to say, there are just a few things that one must keep in their carry on luggage at all times. Just don’t unpack them trip after trip, leave them in there because you will want it next time. No, not want it; you will NEED it next time. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Your Comfort Travel Pillow – a necessity, take my word for it – just get one
2. Your headphones, ear buds or whatever, just in case the movie is decent and you haven’t already seen it (they charge at least two bucks now days)
3. A clean pair of socks – you know how cold it is on most planes, don’t suffer
4. Your own blanket – IF you are one of the lucky 10 people to grab a blanket, you know it has  been used and stepped on by lord-who-knows-who, so again, it’s cold on those planes- bring your own
5. Snacks – $5.00 for a can of chips is a little outrageous, with a little advance planning you can toss in a few little boxes of raisins, crackers, fruit, anything you bring will save you money and a growling stomach
6. Reading material – Right, they haven’t had that nice selection on board for a decade now so don’t forget to bring a magazine or book to entertain yourself. For many of us, it’s the only time we’re able to catch up on our reading – take advantage of the spare time
Shopping around for a comfort travel pillow online will take awhile. As mentioned before, there are a lot of options out there. You’ll find buckwheat, poly filled, down filled, water filled, inflatable air filled, tempurpedic, memory foam and the list goes on. Find the one that’s right for you and it will save a lot of traveling headaches.