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10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Travel

March 7, 2017 by

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Do you want to see the world?

Or are you traveling because of your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend makes you? Maybe they say something like, “If you love me, you’ll travel with me.” That’s called manipulation, and you may want to reevaluate your relationship and decide if it’s worth it.

Many people, and you may be one of them, think that they have to visit as many countries as they can. The truth is you don’t have to become a savvy world traveler. You can stay in “your own backyard” and live a happy and healthy life.

If the thought of packing for a vacation makes you want to throw up, don’ do it. Just stay home!

Read on to learn why you shouldn’t travel. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, Arizona, Escorted Coach Tour, Europe, Family, Group, Travel, Vacation

Holiday Travel with Your Pets Doesn’t Have to Cause Chaos

November 9, 2016 by
Holiday Travel with Pets-Blackwell Travel

When Benny Met Harriet. Christmas 2009. Sadly, Harriet was put to sleep in May 2014 because she was sick. Benny is still going strong!

According to a national survey of pet owners, nearly 40 percent take their dogs on vacation with them. Ten years ago, it was only 20 percent. And keep in mind that many airlines won’t allow you to ship your dog in cargo.

Ah, the holidays.

If you live away from your family, you may be traveling across the U.S. or to another country to spend time with them. But if you have pets, you may not want to leave them at home, especially if they suffer from separation anxiety.

I remember the first time I flew home for Christmas.

It was 2009, and I was living in Chandler, Arizona and decided to fly home to Parma, Ohio (southwest of Cleveland) for Christmas. I had two cats (still do) and decided that Benny (highly attached to me) would travel with me. CeCe, my other cat, is the epitome of “independent cat” and would stay home.

I took Benny to his veterinarian and secured the proper health documentation along with tranquilizers. Not for me, for him. Ha!

Benny needed a travel regulated carrier, so I bought one. He’s since outgrown it. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, Arizona, Family, Pets, Travel

Want to Start Traveling? Explore Your Own Backyard

September 25, 2016 by

When you think of traveling, you probably have visions of exotic countries dancing in your head.

Maybe you see India, or perhaps Cambodia.

You may imagine yourself on a Kenyan safari where you see lions, elephants, zebras, and other magnificent wildlife against the incredible backdrop of the African sky. The sounds and sights penetrate your body, mind and soul.

Travel has no limit. After all, there are several continents to explore and experience, each with a unique culture and history that has had a hand in shaping the world today.

And yet, you still haven’t begun to travel. Why not? Maybe you believe you have to jet off to a faraway country in order to gain your traveler’s legs or even be considered a legitimate traveler. Think again. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Escorted Coach Tour, Europe, Group, Travel, Vacation

These Travel Quotes Will Motivate You to Travel More

September 6, 2016 by

How long has it been since you’ve traveled? If it’s been some time, you may have slipped into a travel rut and need a boost to motivate you to plan your next adventure with some of my favorite travel quotes.

I understand that life happens and traveling may not be a priority at the moment. But this doesn’t mean you can’t think about planning a vacation, even if it’s for next year.

Don’t give up on exploring the world because you may regret it. Even if you went away for the weekend, it’s better than doing nothing at all.

Life’s too short to not follow your dreams and heart. Besides, you never know what you may discover when you’re halfway across your country, or the world.

I hope the following travel quotes inspire you to start thinking about and planning your next adventure. Isn’t it time to explore a part of the world, even a part of your soul, that’s been dying for you to visit and get to know?

Read the following words when you need inspiration, a reminder about why it’s important for you to travel. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Escorted Coach Tour, Europe, Group, Travel, Vacation

How to Improve Your Travel Experiences [And Actually Enjoy Trips]

August 16, 2016 by

Admit it. You may be a cranky traveler or one that has super high expectations that not even God himself or herself could meet. Does this sound like you? If it does, you’re sabotaging your travel experiences.

The only person you control is YOU. For example, Mother Nature who may dump tons of snow in your area, making it impossible for your plane to take-off to the Caribbean. You can’t control the weather! But you could be prepared to wait it out by reading a magazine, listening to music, etc.

Instead of getting upset at the slightest issue and ruining your vacations, learn to rise above travel challenges.

Fortunately, you can learn how to improve your travel experiences and actually enjoy your trips. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Escorted Coach Tour, Europe, Family, Group, Travel, Vacation

8 Adventurous and Family Things to do in Arizona

August 2, 2016 by

Have you taken a family vacation to Arizona? If not, you may consider traveling to the Valley of the Sun and participating in the adventurous activities. Some of them are not for the faint of heart, so make sure you choose things to do that everyone will enjoy.

You’ll find that Phoenix has a pleasant climate all year round. However, temperatures can soar past 100 during the summer. If this is too hot for you and your kids to handle, you may want to visit during the fall, winter and spring months.

Keep reading to learn about the eight adventurous and family things to do in Arizona. Bring lots of sunscreen! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Family, Travel, Vacation

Why Do You Solo Travel?

July 26, 2016 by

Why do you solo travel?

I do it because I can; I’m not afraid to grab my backpack or suitcase and take-off somewhere.

Whether or not you consider yourself to be pretty or handsome has nothing to do with solo travel as it can be an awesome experience for anyone, if you’re open to it.

From boosting your confidence to learning how to speak a different language quickly, traveling solo can push you beyond your comfort zone.

So, why do you solo travel?

Maybe you do so for the following reasons. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Escorted Coach Tour, Europe, Group, Travel, Vacation

Hiking Safety: Stay Safe on the Trails in the Phoenix Heat

July 2, 2016 by

When I lived in Chandler, Arizona, I took advantage of every outdoor activity possible, including hiking. Why? Because the temperatures were warm and hot – I could be outside 7-days a week. Since I was new to Arizona, I didn’t pay much attention to hiking safety. I was too focused on exploring my new surroundings.

My favorite mountain park was and still is South Mountain Park. Thanks to the challenging Javalina Trail and sun, I’d work up a sweat and feel the burn in my legs, hips, butt, and thighs.

I admit that I hiked in 100+ degree temperatures. Why? Because most people wouldn’t hike in hot temperatures, so it felt as if I had the entire mountain to myself. Was it smart to hike when it was 114 degrees? Probably not – I got heatstroke. But it was my fault because I didn’t bring enough water, a rookie hiker’s mistake.

Please don’t be like me and get heatstroke, or worse die while on a hiking trail. Read on to learn hiking safety tips when you’re in the Phoenix, Arizona heat. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Travel, Vacation

10 Reasons to Experience Adventure Travel Vacations

June 28, 2016 by

?Your next vacation could be out-of-this-world, if you would embrace adventure travel vacations. Let’s face it; taking the same vacation year after year can get old. Why not try something different, like a hiking trip to Costa Rica? Or maybe you’ll zoom off to New Zealand where you can try bungee jumping for the first time. Life is too short! Here are 10 reasons to experience adventure travel vacations right now. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Group, Travel, Vacation

I Like to Travel Because

June 24, 2016 by

I was bit by the travel bug at Maple Heights High School, in Maple Heights, Ohio (southeast of Cleveland). I was enrolled in the Junior Business Career Cluster Course, known to us students as BLOCK. Why? Because the accounting, administrative assistant, and word processing (it was the late 1980s) programs were in a section of the school that looked like a block.

I enrolled in accounting for two reasons:

  • My dad told me to follow a ‘secure’ career path.
  • I was (still am) good with numbers.

Like most high schools, we had competitions. And this was not limited to sports. Those of us in BLOCK had our own local, state and national comps for accounting, administrative assisting, and word processing.

Long story short, I placed fourth in the local competition and it made it to the state competition in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania. I admit that I liked the idea of being away from dad, mom and sister. This was my opportunity to not only be with my friends, but to meet other kids from around the U.S.

I had a great time, even though I didn’t place high enough for nationals. I had know idea that my trip to Seven Springs would impact me in more ways than one. I only wish that I would have pushed myself more in school so that I could have applied to colleges in Columbus, Cincinnati, or even out-of-state.

Oh well. Hindsight is 20/20. But one thing that’s still constant in my life is my love of traveling.

Here are the top reasons why I like to travel. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Adventure, All, Arizona, Escorted Coach Tour, Europe, Travel, Vacation
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