NY Times Travel Show first timer: Overview & tips

Overly exhausted, but alive! NY Times Travel Show first timer here, just returned from NYC late Sunday night. For being my very first travel conference, I feel it was a resounding success! The sessions, the networking, and the organization of the event truly impressed me. Now I can give you first timers a little overview and guide in order for you to make the most out of the next NY Times Travel Show or any other big conference of its kind.

NY Times Travel Show first timer, 2012

didn’t forget my press pass–but forgot my notepad!

Preparation and what to bring

One thing I regret is being fully prepared. If it wasn’t for Expedia’s Coast to Coast event and the little goodie bag they gave us travel bloggers, I wouldn’t have had a notepad and working pen! Seems simple, but make sure you pack more than one pen (mine ran out of ink) and a sturdy notebook with you. Some presenters can run out of business cards (or have more to say than their card), so being able to dot down details is important. Also, make sure you have a tote bag, where you can place bigger brochures or even press trip applications.

Moreover, make sure you take a look at the full exhibitor’s list prior to arrival. If you apply for and are granted a press pass, this list is typically emailed to you a few days in advance. Write down which boards/companies you would love to speak to and create a plan of action. If possible, schedule it by the day. Being this organized means you can simply go down your list and get more done faster.

NY Times Travel Show first timer, Expedia event

I’m sure my big hair won’t be forgotten…! Here, with travel bloggers @CaptainandClark @MidlifeRoadTrip @live_for_travel at #ExpediaC2C event

On the show: Network confidently and stand out

As a NY Times Travel Show first timer, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and–let’s be honest here–feel small. My travel blogs have been live for a little over 6 months only, so I do not have the traffic and clout that many others have. Thus, I had to make sure that my pitch whilst networking at the show was one that stood out for its uniqueness.

While I’m a relatively-new travel blogger, I also work as a bilingual freelance travel writer and translator. Therefore, what I had to offer to all those tourism boards was coverage of a press trip in both English and Spanish. No press trips? I offered to help them reach the Spanish-speaking market by developing their company blog in Spanish and helping to translate/localize their entire website. I pitched this very confidently, and sure got lots of positive feedback from exhibitors. In fact, more than twice I was told “I can tell that you are hard-working and confident. I’m sure you’ll go very far in your career and in life–keep it up and keep in touch!” You have no idea how great that felt! So, make sure you find a unique niche that can be connected to travel blogging. This way, you will stand out from the pack.

NY Times Travel Show first timer, Samantha Brown presenting

Samantha Brown! Click for the short video

Post-show: Follow-up

This is as important as networking confidently is. As a NY Times Travel Show first timer (or veteran!), you must touch base with everyone you spoke to or else your pitch will be forgotten. I recommend you gather all the business cards/notes from the travel show and organize all the data on an Excel spreadsheet (with a notes section!). After you transfer all the business cards to that spreadsheet, go down the list to touch base within a week of the conference. Dot down when you sent every email and follow-up accordingly. This is the only way you’ll be successful at developing an important partnership and/or making a press trip happen.

NY Times Travel Show first timer, photos

Top: Lovely woman travel session (with legendary @JourneyWoman Evelyn!). Bottom: The Asia floor with lovely ladies from Sri Lanka (left) and Thai display (right)

Final thoughts of a NY Times Travel Show first timer

First off, I must emphasize how organized it was. It was a massive pavilion, but every section was well-marked and relatively easy to find. All sessions were helpful and organized as well, with schedules given ahead of time, which allowed for prioritizing. Next time I go, I’ll make sure I prepare better in order to speak to more people in less time. The exhibitors I spoke to were very helpful and I had the opportunity to meet very important executives in the industry, pitching directly to them without the gatekeepers (yay!). Some big names include the VP/GM of Expedia and the CEO of EscapeFromTheCity — amazing, I know!

NY Times Travel Show first timer bloggers

Successful event indeed! From left: Julia @EpicAdventurer_, me @latinAbroad, Gina @live_for_travel. Photo courtesy of Gina

NY Times Travel Show first timer or veteran w/ additional advice? Comment below!

Travel bucket list compilation and photos: It’s #TravelBL time!

It’s that time of the week again: Travel Bucket List Wednesday, aka #TravelBL! Inspiring each other to discover new destinations, events, and all things TRAVEL. I’m happy to announce that I received (and found!) some travel bucket list posts around Twitter and the web, so today we’ll read about the travel dreams of others besides yours truly 😉 Hope you enjoy them!

Pinterest travel bucket list, Portugal

My favorite image off Raul's visual travel bucket list - Portugal is on my list now!

Raul’s travel bucket list

Raul (@ilivetotravel) sent me his travel bucket list via Twitter. What I love most is how he has listed his items on his blog (link above), but he also has a visual travel bucket list! Raul “pinned” the destinations he still wishes to cross off on Pinterest. His image compilation actually inspired me to add some countries and regions to my own list, such as Portugal, Spain’s Basque country, Mali, and a Hill of Crosses in Lithuania.

Tuvalu, travel bucket list

Tuvalu, 350.org campaign (Photo: Nacanieli Speigth, Flikr)

On Kel’s travel bucket list: Tuvalu

While Aussie Kel (@kelaussie29) didn’t share her full list with us, she did introduce us to an unknown country (to me anyway) until today. Her tweet was a response to a post about “15 least visited countries that tourists need to visit more often,” saying Tuvalu is not “too far away.” Would be exciting to know if she means that she will visit this year, as we will want to hear all about it! This little dot on the map is located in the South Pacific and, presumably, would be one of the very first places to be submerged (aka disappear) if sea levels keep rising due to climate change. I would love to experience that culture before it’s too late! You can reach Tuvalu via Fiji, by the way 😉

Karla's travel bucket list

Photo collage: Karla Aguilar (travellersoul76.wordpress.com)

Karla’s travel bucket list – just updated!

Just updated, Karla’s list (@Travellersoul76) has many of the usual suspects: Visit Thailand, Bali, the Taj Mahal, and Petra. My favorite item off her list, though, is to publish a photo on National Geographic For some reason, that line made me reflect and think how relatively easy it is for freelancers today to reach such high-end publications. Social media, contests, and partnerships between travel agencies and publications are some things that have made all this possible. It also reminded me that one should reach for the sky, work hard, and always put yourself out there. With the Internet, you never know who’s watching! 😉 (aaand I’m sorry I just went on a small tangent haha).

Socotra Island, travel bucket list

I'm sure Michael missed this beauty! (Socotra Island, photo by Soqotra2007, Flikr)

Michael’s (sort of) reflective travel bucket list

Tweeted as “A bucket (list) for Monsieur” by @traveldudes, Michael wrote a post about his favorite, and least favorite, destinations and experiences whilst traveling. I must admit, it kind of irked me when I read that his least favorite is the Middle East, “whose desert landscape is rather monotonous.” Unfortunately, it seems like Michael has only visited the “most common” places in the region and has not seen other hidden beauties. Socotra Island, Egypt’s oases, and Haifa (Israel) are perfect examples. Highly doubt he would have published that statement after visiting those! But to each their own though, right? 😉 On the bright side, his post was still entertaining and rather informative. I didn’t know a disposable travel toilet existed?! Yikes! I want one now 😀

What’s on your travel bucket list? Any of these items made the cut?

X-rated travel bucket list: Parte DOS (photo essay)

Due to the extreme popularity of part one of my R-rated travel bucket list, I have decided to sprinkle even more spice. Indeed, I will continue the publication of my extensive X-rated travel bucket list. Wait–X-rated!? Oh yah, because this sequel is a tad bit…raunchier…!

X-rated travel bucket list item #1: Inside the Colosseum at night

X-rated travel bucket list item: Colosseum at night

The Colosseum at night…soo tempting…

Granted, it would be way too difficult to get down with a lover inside the Colosseum among the troves of tourist that visit during its opening hours. So the only way to cross this off an X-rated travel bucket list? To break in at night. You would probably need to befriend a guard (and got some fat wallets) to achieve this, but hey…maybe the guard can be your lover. Wink wink? A girl can dream…

X-rated travel bucket list item #2: In a van under the northern lights

northern lights in Greenland

make love under the northern lights? Romantic dream of mine! (Photo: Nick Russill)

Having sex inside a car with a big sunroof under the northern lights in the middle of some remote Arctic countryside…everything about that is plain epic. If I weren’t from the tropics, I would probably just do it outside and suck it up (errm, the cold). We all know it gets too hot in the end, right? But this hypothermia-prone Latina prefers it inside a warm vehicle. By the way: Which car/van out there has the biggest sunroof to date? Anyone? Because that’s what I’m renting to cross this item off my travel bucket list in 2013, when the northern lights will be the most fired up (baha).

X-rated travel bucket list item #3: On an open vineyard, Tuscany & Napa

do it in a vineyard - on my naughty travel bucket list!

Vineyard in Tuscany…calling my body… (Photo: Addictive Picasso, Creative Commons)

There’s no doubt: Tuscany is in virtually every single romantic travel bucket list worldwide. Thus, it is only natural it made it to my X-rated list in the form of making beautiful love out in one of its open vineyards. Ahhh, becoming one with your loved one in an open field, surrounded by hundreds of grapevines: Risky, romantic, sensual — so many adjectives to describe such magic! And Napa? You know, because I want to be able to say I pulled this off on both sides of the world. I’m just kind of a princess like that 😉

X-rated travel bucket list item #4: Inside a natural pool in Pamukkale

I have previously shared with you a dream 40-day Turkish Delights itinerary that is part of my “regular” travel bucket list. What I have not mentioned, however, is how I secretly want to get busy inside one of those gorgeous natural pools. They are so inviting, aren’t they!? And given to the fact I already did it in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon…I feel, somehow, this feat is doable (quite literally). Fear not, my friends — I do not plan for him or me to finish there, it’ll be more like a tease in order to say “done! Crossed off!” just like the Blue Lagoon act. I know, still too naughty…but…but…

x-rated travel bucket list - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Blue Lagoon: Where things really went down…

Always in small doses when it comes to my X-rated travel bucket list items! 😉 I will thrive to share more of my raunchy list with you on a monthly basis. I know you will either blush, laugh, and/or be inspired. Or be grossed out. Either way, I’m gettin’ it on! Bahaha *evil grin*

Yours truly!

watch out! ‘Cause I’m coming…          to a city near you! 😉

What’s on your X-rated travel bucket list?

Best beaches of Curacao, a photo essay (part 2!)

Beach Thursday this week translates to The Best Beaches of Curacao! In the past couple of posts, you’ve learned (and seen) some of Curacao‘s exotic offerings: Eating iguana for lunch, fake beaches and nice resorts. Finally though, it is down to the best of the best. While I will be talking about gorgeous Punda center in a future post, we are beach hopping today!

Best beaches of Curacao: On the way…

Curacao beach hopping tour

beach hopping road trips are the best

Before I talk about the best of the best beaches of Curacao, I must at least mention others we found on the way. As you already know, I visited all these beaches during a Beach Hopping tour offered by Irie Tours. They were absolutely fantastic the whole way, the driver was great, and we even got free Venezuelan beer during the entire trip. Awesome double-whammy for a budget traveler like myself 😀 so! That being said, beaches we visited were Santa Cruz, Porti Mari, Kenepa Chiki, and another one I can’t quite remember the name of (Lola, please help me out!). I have included gorgeous photos below. Albeit the cloudy weather, views were great!

unknown Curacao beach

Beach I can’t remember the name of – help me out Mrs Lola!

best beaches of Curacao, unknown Curacao beach

me at the “unknown” Curacao beach – found out it’s named Westpunt!

best beaches of Curacao, Playa Santa Cruz

loved these signs to identify most beaches in Curacao

Kenepa Chiki

too bad the weather was cloudy–I’m sure these beaches are even more spectacular than my photos show!

Fortunately though, Mother Nature graced us with a bit of sunshine sprinkled throughout the day — enough to allow us to enjoy two beaches in their full gorgeous selves! 😀 Maybe, then, I am a bit bias when I describe the following as the beast beaches of Curacao IMHO. But how can you blame me after seeing these?!

Playa Kalki

best beaches of Curacao, Playa Kalki

Playa Kalki – one of the best beaches of Curacao? I think so!

Playa Kalki was the very first beach we visited during our beach hopping tour. We arrived while it was raining, but later on the clouds revealed a hot sun — and many iguanas! I took the time to snap some great photos and tell my boyfriend at home how much I missed him (story to follow soon! That’s some news I haven’t shared with you yet…).

best beaches of Curacao, Playa Kalki

look at that water!

Messages to habibi back in America…

wish you were here, Playa Kalki

I love jou!

Kalki beach, Curacao

=)

After Playa Kalki, we drove by the beaches I previously mentioned and spend a couple of minutes walking on the sand and snapping photos. We only really got to enjoy sun bathing and relaxation at about 3 beaches, as that’s what our time allowed. Still, we covered a lot in 6 hours!

Kenepa Grandi

Playa Kenepa Grandi

my favorite!

Kenepa Grandi arguably tops the list of the best beaches of Curacao by many accounts — and was definitely my favorite! The gorgeous views afforded from the cliff/terrace overlooking the Caribbean Sea in the horizon and beach below are simply breathtaking.

best beaches of Curacao, Kenepa Grandi

what a view!

best beaches of Curacao, Kenepa Grande

uff!

Playa Kenip Grande

our tour group was nothing but ladies!

That’s it for this week’s Beach Thursday! In the coming month I will unveil the last spot in my list of the Best Beaches of Curacao. The chosen one? Cas Abou beach!

Are these the best beaches of Curacao to you or not? Comment below?

Beaches of Curacao, a photo essay of my break adventures

While eating iguana was a feast indeed, hopping the beautiful beaches of Curacao was my favorite thing to do in the Dutch Caribbean. Thus, this week’s Beach Thursday feature are the magical waters of this south Caribbean island!

The Tourist Trap…

beaches of Curacao, Mambo beach sign

Unfortunately, the first beach I went to was a tourist trap called Mambo Beach. Not only is it a man-made beach, but I felt I was overcharged for everything. Moreover, I didn’t think the vibe was any special to deserve such pricing. but hey, some people are into these type of beaches, so if you are willing to fork out some money to pay for beach entrance & additional fee to sit on a chair at an artificial beach full of tourists and not real Curacaoans, be my guest 😉

beaches of Curacao, Mambo Beach

beaches of Curacao, Mambo beach

Wherever there’s water and sand though, I always find some fun. Typically in the form of posing for pictures (I wanted to be a model in a previous life, apparently)…

beaches of Curacao, Mambo modeling

beaches of Curacao, Mambo beach

beaches of Curacao, Mambo beach modeling

Bottom line: As a budget traveler, it would be counterproductive to pay for the relatively-long bus ride here to then have to pay for everything — on an artificial beach. Sorry, but I can’t stress that enough, I felt cheated… 😛

The “Passable” Resort

Blue Bay, Curacao

The second beach I visited in Curacao was Blue Bay. It is located inside a gorgeous, massive resort and the drive to the beach itself was great. Some of the houses were beautiful and seeing the mountains reminded me of home!

beaches of Curacao, Blue Bay

This trip, of course, was possible thanks to a Curacaoan young man that some Dutch-Latinos I met in Punda knew. He picked us up and took us to Blue Bay. His words are still clear in my head: “If my business keeps doing well, I am buying a house here. It is one of the most beautiful resorts in Curacao. Plus, I like to live the good life!” Funny, charming young man 🙂

Curacao beaches, Blue Bay

me with our young Curacaoan entrepreneur!

beaches of Curacao, Blue Bay view

chillaxing on a cloudy day is still done better at the beach!

Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy for most of my stay in Curacao. In turn, my photos don’t do justice to the beautiful waters! Still though, we had a great time at Blue Bay and was one of my favorite places to hang out, especially with the locals (and many visiting Latinos). Hearing Spanish frequently made me feel at home once more 🙂

smiling in Curacao

being at a beach always makes me smile

Long enough of a photo essay for today! Stay tuned though, as I will continue this Beaches of Curacao mini series next Beach Thursday. Some of the best beaches are yet to be featured, so come back next week for more eye candy! 😉

Curacao beach

Can you name this beach!? Come back for the full scope and more photos next Thursday!

Have you ever been to any of the beaches of Curacao?

Weekly travel bucket list: Unusual restaurants, tree hotels & more!

Travel bucket list Wednesdays are back! Get your wanderfix by the weird, amazing travel bucket list items fellow tweeps and I add every week. Very fortunately, this week I got some submissions of your travel bucket lists, so we get to explore what’s on those wandering minds. Additionally, I found some unusual restaurants, unique tree hotels and other interesting items that landed on my own travel bucket list. 

Marcy's travel bucket list

(C) Marcy! (tootimidandsqueamish.com)

Marcy’s travel bucket list 

Great inspiration for any adventurer: From a safari in Africa to six different places to ride in a submarine. My favorite item on her list, though? The Guinness’ “Perfect Pint” certificate – indeed, she poured a perfect pint and has a certificate to prove it. Adding that one to my list for sure.

Great Lakes Circle Tour, USA

Great Lakes Circle Tour – on Aaron’s travel bucket list (Photo: Great-lakes.net)

Aaron’s travel bucket list

My partner in crime in several sessions of the #TravelBL chat, Aaron (@elatlboy) has the ability to inspire any type of wanderer. His list has a great mix of romance, nature, foodie adventures, and even sporting events.

travel bucket list, unusual restaurants

Redwoods Treehouse Restaurant, New Zealand (Photo:RunawayJane.com)

10 unusual restaurants around the world

I love how varied RunawayJane’s restaurant travel bucket list is. From romantic to downright weird, some items on this list I happened to have on my list already (i.e. Zanzibar’s Rock Restaurant). However, some new additions are New Zealand’s Redwoods Treehouse Restaurant (pictured above) and Dans Le Noir (England), where you dine in the dark. Adventurous much? Always on me!

travel bucket list, coolest tree houses

Cool tree house in Laos (Photo: Christian Haugen, Flikr)

The coolest tree houses in the world

Speaking of tree houses, this list is…self explanatory? Sort of. While I have stumbled upon many of these lists, I am very happy to say that I had never seen any of the tree houses mentioned on Matador’s list above. Ahh, eleven new additions to my travel bucket list – nothing like fresh meat!

travel bucket list, engagement concierges

the Paparazzi Proposal package, offered by Tides Rivera Maya, has a photographer secretly stalk you, from the start of your vacay all the way to proposal, in order to perfectly document every moment. Me want! (Photo: Tripadvisor)

Hotel engagement concierges – the ultimate dream!

Like many girls around the world, I was dreaming about my future Prince Charming & his proposal by the time I hit preschool (thank you, Disney). Thus, I literally squealed when I saw this – now a few select hotels (listed in the link above) have an engagement concierge who specializes on helping my man to create the most memorable proposal ever?! And let’s be honest here: I am sure our Princes are very glad that some weight will be taken off their shoulders. Double winning!

travel bucket list, Acqualina Resort

Acqualina Resort, located in Miami FL, also offers special engagement packages (Photo:ACQUALINA RESORT)

Want to be featured next week? Then do this: Post your travel bucket list on your website, copy/paste the permanent post link on a comment below (no bit.ly’s, su.pr, etc), tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and then cc me (@latinAbroad) on it. LISTO! It’ll be RT’d to the travel twit world + be featured on next week’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday post. If there are no submissions on a given week, I’ll simply stumble the travel nets and repost the best of the best on our travel bucket list. The wanderfix doesn’t end there, though! Join the #TravelBL chat on Twitter, every Wednesday at noon & 6:15 pm EST! Next topic will be Latin America. Oi, you know that’ll be a spicy one indeed, can’t miss it! 😉

What’s on your travel bucket list?

Travel bucket list photos & #TravelBL Holidays chat recap – Dec. 21st

To learn more about #TravelBL Wednesdays, click here

Missed #TravelBL aka the Travel Bucket List chat yesterday? We got your back! Here’s a recap of what happened on both sessions so you get what you missed and write it down on your own travel bucket list. Don’t forget the #TravelBL chat happens twice every Wednesday, at noon and 6:15 pm (EST). Also, always use the #TravelBL in your tweets to share your travel bucket list items, experiences and spread the inspiration!

This week’s theme was HOLIDAYS. Grab a pen and add your favorite answers to that travel bucket list of yours! **All questions formulated by yours truly, @latinAbroad =)

travel bucket list: Christmas in Vienna

Christmas in Vienna (Photo: Manfred Werner)

Q1. What holidays do you celebrate? Where?

“It’s not really a holiday but I plan a trip every year during my birthday. Always somewhere on my #TravelBL” -@emeraldcitytooz

“All of them….haha I will celebrate the opening of a letter if I get a day off” –@Mackinnontweets

“Any excuse to celebrate & travel – I’m there!” -@LolaDiMarco

“The usual suspects- Christmas, Easter, etc. – the ones that fatten you up and leave you with a hangover!” @marktravel

Q2. What are some traditions in your country for the holidays?

“In Puerto Rico we do PARRANDAS: Spiced up version of Xmas Carols that lasts til the next morning. Blog post comin soon! ” -@latinAbroad

“In Australia, kangaroos deliver the presents in the pouches #TravelBL… or, in this case… #TravelBS :)” –@goodtravellife

“Unfortunately it seems to involve stampedes and violence in walmarts #travelbl #saynotowalmart” -@2trucks1week

 “Because the US is a ‘melting pot’ country, there is a wide array of traditions!” –@RachelChaikof

travel bucket list, Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year (Photo: Nepenthes, Wiki Commons)

Q3. What holidays have you never celebrated, but would love to someday?

“A Chinese New Year especially if its the year of the dragon!” -@goodtravellife

“Just heard about the Loi Krathong festival in Thailand. I am hoping to go to Thailand in Nov to see it :)”  -@thetravelbee

“Would love to celebrate the ‘don’t overeat or drink too much’ holiday but haven’t yet- ‘making merry'” -@marktravel

“Australia Day” -@MiraCristine

travel bucket list, Las Vegas Christmas

Christmas in Las Vegas, NV, USA (Photo: Lasvegascityguide.org)

Q4. What Christmas-related items are on your travel bucket list?

“To see the holiday tree and lights and ice skating rink in as many big cities as possible” -@elatlboy

“Do you think you could visit the North Pole on the 25th of December or would everything be shut for Christmas?” -@michaelturtle

“Wouldn’t say no to these options #vegas #Miami #stbartshttp://yfrog.com/odesruwj http://yfrog.com/hwwx3mj http://yfrog.com/mg14hfsj” -@LolaDiMarco

“A flying sled would be AWESOME”  -@HitTheRoadca

travel bucket list, Ningaloo whale shark

Whale shark, Ningaloo reef, AU (Photo: NeilsPhotography, Flikr)

Q5. If Santa could grant one wish from your #TravelBL this year, which one would it be?

“A RTW plane ticket” -@KelseyIvey

“He could just take you on his sleigh this week @kelseyivey!” –@michaelturtle

“Snorkeling with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef is at the top of my #TravelBL. So Santa if you could work on that it would be great”  -@emeraldcitytooz

“Dear Santa: I want my own show with the @travelchannel !!” -@latinAbroad

Santa travel bucket list

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!

Submit your travel bucket list, website, and topic suggestions HERE *

Fun, eh? Join the travel bucket list chats!

Wednesdays @ noon and 6:15 pm (EST), only on Twitter #TravelBL

Travel Bucket List of the Week: Holidays RTW!

To learn more about #TravelBL Wednesdays, click here

Happy #TravelBL Wednesday peeps! The items on this week’s travel bucket list are related to Christmas and the holidays. So grab a pen and keep expanding that travel bucket list of yours!

travel bucket list, Loi Krathong festival

Loi Krathong festival, Thailand (Photo: Robert Pollai)

Holiday travel bucket list item #1: Loi Krathong festival, Thailand/Laos/Burma

I had no idea of this Thai festival’s existence until I heard it was on one of my fellow tweeps’ travel bucket list yesterday at the #TravelBL chat. Happening on the full-moon night of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar (usually sometime in November), krathong rafts are released into the water as a way of “paying respects” to the spirits of this element. Fireworks and a huge party are typical of this celebration as well. Who wouldn’t want to go?!

travel bucket list, Vienna Christmas market

Christkindlmarkt in Vienna, Austria (Photo: Manfred Werner)

Holiday travel bucket list item #2: The European Christmas markets

I have heard so many things about the wonderful, magical Christmas markets in several cities across Europe. However, the one that has mostly resonated around me has been the one in Vienna! Although also Luxembourg…and Prague…but they are all close by so I’ll probably cross them all off my holiday travel bucket list at once! 😉

travel bucket list, Australia Day

Australia Day fireworks in Perth (Photo: Nachoman-au, Wikipedia)

Holiday travel bucket list item #3: Australia Day, AUS

We all know that Aussies really know how to party. Then, imagine how it would be to celebrate the first settlement in Port Jackson (nowadays, part of Sydney) with them?! A whole different story! I plan Australia Day celebrations to be top-ranked among the best parties ever experienced once I finally crossed this one off my travel bucket list. When will this happen? I was planning for 2012 or 2013, but it seems that Egypt & the Middle East are calling my name strongly once more. But behold my fellow Aussies, I shall join you soon enough!

Holiday travel bucket list item #4: Christmas in Bethlehem

Some call it West Bank; others Palestine. Tensions keep rising. Regardless of your political views, a vigil on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day celebrations in Bethlehem will definitely take your breath away. The aura and air simply smell differently; the surroundings charged with spiritual energy. I was really close to crossing this item off my travel bucket list 3 years ago, but I ended up spending Christmas in Puerto Rico instead. I, however, plan on joining the solemn vigil & celebration at the place most believe Jesus Christ was born in the future. Can’t wait for that day 🙂

Holiday travel bucket list item #5: The Chinese Lantern Festival

I have always been infatuated with this Chinese type of lanterns–they are romantic and add spice to any room’s decorations. Now, put thousands together and let them fly up into the sky, all during a traditional festival that has been celebrated for more than 2000 years — now that’s just something else! Oh btw, it is to scare the ghosts away, too 😀 it happens on the 15th lunar day of 7th lunar month, which will fall on February for the next 3 years. I wanna go in 2014, just because it falls on St Valentine’s Day — how romantic would that be?!

Want your travel bucket list items featured next week? It is simple: Post your travel bucket list items on your blog, post the blog post link in a comment below, tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and then cc @latinAbroad (moi!) on it. Y listo! I’ll RT and feature the post on next week’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday. What if you guys take a vacay and I don’t have any new blog posts and lists to feature? I simply go around the Internet browsing and reposting the best of the best for our travel bucket list. Moreover, don’t forget to join us on Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! 😀

What’s on your holiday travel bucket list?

Where to go? Get inspired by the travel bucket list of the week!

What’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday about? Click here to learn more!

Woot woot it is #TravelBL Wednesday peeps! Yaaaa, the travel bucket list! Week 8 ova here, inspiring each other to see more of the world and simply take in the beauty of this beautiful planet we were blessed to live in for a couple of decades 🙂 To join is simple: Post your travel bucket list on your blog, , comment below with the link, tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and cc @latinAbroad (moi!) on it. Then voilá! I retweet + I feature on this post. If not? I just go around the Internet trying to find the best of the best for our travel bucket list and introduce it to you! Plus don’t forget about the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! 😀

thrill travel bucket list

"Wanna race?" -Tourist2Townie

Thrill junkie travel bucket list item…!

So I don’t even know what’s the name of this thing: Downhill sledding? Just sledding? Huh say what? But I do know it is the *perfect* addition to any thrill junkie’s travel bucket list! I found it inside one of Tourist 2 Townie’s Facebook pagealbums and you can do it in Park City at the Park City Mountain Resorts in Utah, USA. Who’s in!?

travel bucket list, Bahariya Oasis

Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt! Visited in 2009 🙂 (Photo: Marine Begault)

10 Most Beautiful Oases RTW – Nature lover’s travel bucket list

I have been obsessed with oases ever since I first took a glimpse at one when watching The Mummy Returns as a tween (yes, this movie basically changed my life lol). Then, I had the privilege of seeing the oasis that actually inspired the computerized version of the movie when I lived in Egypt (Western Desert). And then, I stumbled upon this travel bucket list of oases. The amazing photos and locales all over the world simply make you go Ahhhh. Can.Not.Wait!

travel bucket list, Silk Road journeys

the EPIC Silk Road - red for overland routes and blue for sea route. AH-MAZING!

* For the epic journeys travel bucket list – Essential backpacker Trails, LP

Mention any ridiculous, seemingly-impossible-by-Western-standards journey to me and it is a guarantee that I’ll add it to my travel bucket list. There is something about that word, that adjective, epic, that I simply can’t resist! I mean seriously: The Banana Pancake Trail? Count me IN!

travel bucket list, Austria Swavroski

Giant at Swarovski Crystal World, Austria (Photo: EuropeanTravelista.com)

* Bedazzling travel bucket list – The Bizarre World of Swarovski

Ok I must admit – I actually got MAD when I first read this article because I was in Innsbruck, Austria & all over Europe when I was 17 and somehow missed this!!! I actually visited a Sawvroski store but in a different European country. UGH! So now I have a great excuse to go back to the lovely European Alps not only to learn how to skii and snowboard, but also so I can cross the Swarovski Crystal World off my travel bucket list. I mean seriously – a WATERFALL in the form of a FACE with water flowing out of the mouth AND Swarovsky-bedazzled eyes!? WHO wouldn’t want to see THAT!?

travel bucket list, Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island, located between Australia and New Zealand on the Tasman Sea

New on my travel bucket list: Lord Howe Island

Sure, it is Australia. Sure, Lord Howe may seem “just another island” to most. Oh my, but does it call my name. Any island with rugged terrain or oddly-shaped hills and mountains, bathed by lighter-than-the-sky waters, excites me…and arouses my little heart and makes me want to swim right to it. Or arrive on a seaplane. Yes yes…

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Write down that travel bucket list, publish it on your blog and then come back here to share it with us. Be part of the epic Travel Bucket List Wednesdays! Oh and I beg you, overuse the hashtag #TravelBL. Include it when you tweet about your travel dreams & cc @latinAbroad – I guarantee an RT!

“So live that your memories will be part of your happiness”
-Unknown

What’s on your travel bucket list?