Traditional Christmas in Europe

Of the many things Europe does well, it’s the continent’s magnificent Christmas festivities that can charm this cynical traveler every time. From Scotland to Switzerland an extraordinary spirit of festivity, connecting this generations to others long since passed, can be felt in the wintertime air. The traditions of the season are still strong in this thoroughly modern part of the world, where bustling Christmas markets fill the main square of big cities and bucolic, half-timbered … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Traditional Christmas in Europe  | December 14, 2014
Category: Europe, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Writing, Vagabonding Field Reports

Being vegetarian on the road

VEGGIE BURGER AT GRILL'D (AUSTRALIA)Always travel with snacks. Eat local. Taste the street food. Try the cuisine specific to this culture. Have you ever had something so delicious? These are all things travelers hear when heading to a new destination. But for me, some places are harder while others make my taste buds soar with delight. I’ve been … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Being vegetarian on the road  | December 13, 2014
Category: General, Notes from the collective travel mind

Veterans Day and historic military sites

Veterans’ Day in the US and the UK is replete with ceremonies (concerts and parades in the US, red poppies in the UK) to commemorate those who served their country in uniform. Aside from a great opportunity to thank those that fought in foreign lands, it’s a great opportunity to remember some of the historic sites that can give testament to the events they witnessed.

While some sites are now little more than quiet fields … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | November 16, 2014
Category: Europe, Notes from the collective travel mind, On The Road, Travel Writing

When is it ever ‘the right time’?

Blyde River Canyon, South Africa“Last night while I lay thinking here, some WHAT IFS crawled inside my ear and pranced and partied all night long and sang their same old WHAT IF song: WHAT IF I’m dumb in school? WHAT IF they’ve closed the swimming pool? WHAT IF I get beat up? WHAT IF there’s poison in … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on When is it ever ‘the right time’?  | November 1, 2014
Category: General, Notes from the collective travel mind

Why leap?

Male to Colombo to Dubai to Milan and finally landing in New York forty hours later was the route we took home from the Maldives last week. The jet lag has been palpable but we’d both say it has been worth it for the perfection we experienced in our beach bungalow island paradise for six magical days. But for most of the people we talked to, the look of disbelief in their eyes when we … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Why leap?  | September 20, 2014
Category: Notes from the collective travel mind

Finding new perspectives on familiar places

It can be difficult to find new angles through which to view places you already know well. Human nature being what is, it takes a conscious effort to see anything through new eyes. We tend to see only what we’re familiar with, and what strikes our vision on the most surface levels: the old buildings, the people, the streets, the here-and-now bustle that is so easy to get caught up in. But shifting our approach … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | September 14, 2014
Category: Europe, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Writing

A New Yorker goes to the Minnesota State Fair

It was December of 2004 when I took my first Contiki trip for two weeks in Australia. On the first night I met two girls from Minnesota and that’s where the love affair with the State Fair began. For years Cara has been teaching this New Yorker about all things Minneapolis and although I’ve now been many times I was never able to hit it at the right time to take part in … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on A New Yorker goes to the Minnesota State Fair  | September 6, 2014
Category: General, Notes from the collective travel mind

The power of nostalgia for travel

Travelers are curious. Why else would they put up with the more uncomfortable bits that make up “travel”? Squatting toilets for instance or anything that has anything to do with an airline.

Many of us are so curious that we want to see it all. The whole world. At the very least, a sample of each region from the world. That “see it all” curiosity is especially true for my husband. His initial thoughts on … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (2)  | August 28, 2014
Category: Notes from the collective travel mind

Just go!

Why travel far and wide you ask What will you perhaps find? There’s so much here to see and do Why go far to unwind?

So much to say – the words are hard They make so much sense to me Stay here to find the everyday Or go … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Just go!  | August 23, 2014
Category: Notes from the collective travel mind