Thursday, August 29, 2013

List of World's Most and Least Livable Cities

The results are out for the world's most and least livable cities. 
Topping the list: #1 Melbourne, #2 Vienna, #3 Vancouver, #4 Toronto, #5 Calgary & Adelaide.  
The least livable rated #140 is Damascus.  
I agree, Vienna and Vancouver would be at the top of my list.  Any thoughts out there about your fav cities? For the rest of this Forbes' story, go here.
Vienna, Austria
Photo by Cynthia Dial

#travel #cities #mostlivablecities #leastlivablecities #melbourne#vienna #vancouver #toronto #calgary #adelaide #damascus

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Around-the-World Luxury Suites Showcase Everything

Wow, this is luxury. What's the most luxurious of your hotel accommodations? Mine included a butler and I was too embarrassed to ask him to do anything (that admission in itself is embarrassing).

Check out this Wall Street Journal article, "Hotels Race to Create the Best Suites," and get the scoop on these around-the-world suites.



IN THE QUARTERS at the top of a Victorian-era building overlooking London's Thames River, no detail has been overlooked. The two-bedroom, duplex space has bathrooms clad in honey-colored onyx and Skyros marble, with shelves lined in leather. There is a semicircular living room, a walk-in wine cellar and a spa suite. If stairs are not your thing, an elevator will gently lift you to the upper level.


For details on these luxury suites, go here.

#luxury #travel #luxurytravel #hotel #hotelsuites

Monday, August 26, 2013

Insider's San Diego

Big crowd at La Jolla's Roppongi for the press preview to Fashion Week San Diego. Most noticed fashion statements amongst crowd: high, high, high platform shoes and leather attire. #fashionweeksandiego #fashionweek #fashion #apparel #sandiego

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Insider's California

Fans of 'The Cisco Kid' attend summer movie nights at the Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad,CA. Note: Leo Carrillo is the actor who played Pancho.
#leocarrillo #leocarrilloranch #ciscokid #carlsbad #california #tvshows #travel #traveltips

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

San Diego

Years ago San Diego's Convention & Visitors' Bureau presented this ad campaign which aptly described my city:

"If San Diego were a pair of shoes, we’d be flip flops.
If San Diego were a car, we’d be a convertible.
If San Diego were a dog, we’d be a golden retriever."

Along these lines, how would you describe your city?

Friday, August 16, 2013

Fitness on the Road

I love everything about travel but I will admit that staying in shape when away from home and away from regular routines (whether exercise or eating) presents challenges.  So, when I came across these tips shared in an interview on NomadicMatt.com I wanted to pass it on.
Following you will find tips and advice from Steve Kamb, a top health blogger, of Nerd Fitness telling Matt how to stay in shape and healthy while you are traveling.
hiking, eating healthy, healthy, travel, nature
Photo by Cynthia Dial
1) Make healthy living on the road a priority! Yes, you DO have time to exercise, you just need to make time for it. You can complete a workout in 20 minutes in your hotel room.
2) Walking for the win. Do everything you can to walk as often as possible. There’s no better way to explore a city than on foot: you get to exercise and
3) Playgrounds and parks are everywhere: use them. Check google maps for that green patch of ground and walk over there for your workouts; you can do pull ups on swing sets or tree branches.
4) Remember that your diet is 80% of the battle. Consider upping your food budget, so you can eat healthier. Don’t forget to incorporate protein into your diet.
5) Do the best you can. If you only have 10 minutes to exercise, exercise for 10 minutes! Every little bit adds up, and 10 minutes is WAYYY better than nothing. If you have to eat poorly at train station, make up for it the next day.
6) Employ the “Never 2″ rule. If you miss a day of exercise for whatever reason, don’t allow yourself to miss two days in a row. If you eat one bad meal, that next meal should be healthy. Never two in a row.
7) Have fun. Don’t be afraid to have late nights with friends or say yes to crazy adventures. Just make sure you get right back on track as soon as possible after so you don’t lose the momentum you’ve built up.

NomadicMatt.com

#travel #worldtraveler #health #healthytraveler #healthyeating #ontheroadeating #ontheroadexercise #walking #ontheroadwalking

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Travia - La Paz - Bolivia - World's Highest Capital

Travia: 
La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital, is the world's highest capital, at 12,001 ft above sea level -- and it sits in a valley amid the Andes.

#travia #travel #travelwriter #worldtraveler #lapaz #bolivia #worldshighestcapital #andes

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Travel Quote - Erma Bombeck - Luggage - Airport

“Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” 
Erma Bombeck 

#travel #travelquote #travelwriter #ermabombeck #airport #luggage 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Travel Quote

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."
Mary Anne Radmacher
Photo by Cynthia Dial

#travel #travelquote #travelwriter #travelphotography #burma #myanmar #mandalay

Travia - London - Big Ben

Travia: The name "Big Ben" does not refer to the big clock tower attached to London's Parliament Building but its 13-ton bell inside the tower (9 ft in diameter and 7 1/2 ft tall), which was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works.

#travia #travel #travelquote #worldtraveler #travelwriter #london #bigben

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Travel - Labor Day - Best Deals

Bob Diener, Co-founder of Getaroom.com and Hotels.com, offers tips and tricks for booking the perfect Labor Day getaway.
 
1.     Book a great deal in New York over Labor Day – best deals are Sunday and Monday night. Book the Wellington with an amazing location near central park and Broadway from $157/night.
2.      For best deals book early – thousands of hotels now offering lower rates for purchasing 21 days in advance.
3.      Atlantic City now a top destination for labor day – rooms selling out fast.
4.     Other top destinations for Labor day include Las Vegas, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Orlando, London, san Diego, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach San Francisco  and Miami.
5.     Book the Harrison Hotel Miami  South Beach form $94/night and enjoy the beach, restaurants, shops and non-stop entertainment of South Beach.
6.     Book a 4 Diamond deluxe suite for the entire family at the Caribe Royale near Disney for close to $100 a night – and free transportation to Disney!
7.     New Orleans is a great bargain over labor day weekend. Stay at the charming first Class St. James hotels from $99/night!
8.     Take advantage of Southwest airlines nationwide sales with fares from $59 to many destinations.
9.     Snag a deal at the first class Quad on the Las Vegas strip from $32 a night!
10.   Save an extra 10-20% and up to 70% off the lowest online rate by calling getaroom.com ( 1-800-468-3578) and asking for the “Unpublished rates”.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Insider's Utah - Provo - Heber - Deer Valley

Provo to Deer Valley. . . Beautiful country.









UT San Diego's dog-gone headline is good for canine lovers: SD Airport Has Nation's First Dog Bathroom


Lindbergh Field's billion-dollar expansion includes the nation's only "Pet Relief" airport comfort station, located between Gates 46 and 47 in Terminal 2 West.  Details: Fake grass, a hydrant, two deodorizers, a hand-washing station and complimentary baggies. Maintenance workers clean the restroom twice a day.

UT San Diego

Insider's California - Sacramento - El Dorado Hills

Insider's California:
El Dorado Hills on Sunday

Insider's Sacramento

Sampling Sacramento summer.

Insider's Utah: Montage Deer Valley - Olympic Park - Park City

Montage Deer Valley and Park City highlights: archery, Olympic Park, Main Street, riding ski lift to mountain view and unparalleled scenery.



















Insider's Deer Valley - Vista Bar - Montage Deer Valley

Montage Deer Valley's Vista bar has everything: a view, wine and s'mores.