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Category Archives: Travel & Adventure

Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis
Elvis Presley's Graceland
Elvis Presley’s Graceland
© EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.
Elvis Presley™ © 2020 ABG EPE IP LLC

Yay! The gates of Graceland are open again! I consider Memphis my hometown. I grew up here, went to high school here then came back here again after living a few other places. And I am ashamed to say that I never visited Graceland until recently. It seemed to be a place that tourists visited, but native Memphians only went if they were hosting out of town visitors. Friends who had been in the past did not seem too impressed, so I was not motivated to go. But boy, was I missing out! Things have changed.

Thank you to David Beckwith of the Beckwith Company for the complimentary tickets in exchange for this blog post!

A few years ago Elvis Presley Enterprise completely rebuilt and enlarged the tourist area, and it is now a definite must-see if you visit Memphis. Elvis Presley is known as the King of Rock and Roll, so for many seeing Graceland is on their bucket list. Over half a million people visit Graceland each year. I wondered if it was going to be a cheesy tourist trap, but despite there being some souvenir shops it did not feel overly touristy at all.

Glady's Diner at Elvis's Graceland
Try one of Elvis’s favorite sandwiches: Peanut Butter and Banana

Living in Memphis means that I’ve heard of lots of stories about Elvis from people who knew him personally. My husband’s mother went to school with Elvis and said he was always talking about how much money he would make someday. Well, his ambition sure paid off! I have always been a fan of his music, but you will appreciate it even more when you hear the back story to his songs and success.

My friend Denise told me that her dad, Ray Harris (nicknamed Ace) owned a car dealership with Elvis’s dad. Elvis loved cars and was always hanging around the car shop. So whenever my friend would come visit her dad there, Elvis would pick her up and carry her around and play with her.

She said he would always head over to the Cats Drug Store and sit in his flatbed and sing. Her dad spent time with the Presley family in the mansion some. In fact, he was the one who provided the Cadillacs for the burial service, and he was actually with Elvis’s dad, Vernon, when Elvis died. So this put to rest the rumors that Elvis had not died but was alive and well in Hawaii. It turns out that Al Strada, who looked a lot like Elvis, was actually who people were sighting.

My friend Denise sings in the church choir with me and has a beautiful voice. Back in the day she looked a lot like one of Elvis’s singers named Cathy Westmoreland. Cathy was leaving, and my friend was told she could fill in and that the “audition” was just a formality. But then Elvis died the week before she was to audition.

She describes Elvis as a “very sweet man, very kind.” She tells the story of how one time Elvis was at the car dealer and a customer, an African American lady, was walking around and around his car looking it over. He told her, “You can’t have that one, because it’s mine. But go pick out another one you like.” He bought this total stranger a car. When word got out the car dealer was flooded with people who were hoping they would run into Elvis there so he could buy them a car too!

The gates of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
Painting of the Gates of Graceland

Elvis’s Graceland is so much more than a big old house. It was the private retreat of the true King of Rock ‘n Roll. It was where his family actually grew up and spent their time together. You can explore his life and legacy by viewing his home and estate while listening to and reading about his fascinating history in the various museum experiences.

There are several different tour options available. And you are in luck, because they are back open now and it will be less crowded due to reduced capacity (25%) during their re-opening. They are doing everything they can to protect the health and safety of their guests, and you can enjoy more space on your tour now due to social distancing protocols. However, you are highly encouraged to buy your tickets in advance, since they are allowing fewer guests in at a time.  

Elvis's pink cadillac in front of the Graceland Mansion
Pink Cadillac in Front of the Graceland Mansion
© EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.
Elvis Presley™ © 2020 ABG EPE IP LLC

Graceland Mansion

The area of town where Graceland is located has changed over the years and is now not considered a great part of town. Unfortunately like many large cities we have our fair share of crime. But I was pleasantly surprised at the secure gated parking lot. There is a fee for parking, but there is ample space. It is a very safe and secure attraction that you can feel confident visiting.

Your ticket will be for a specific tour time, and if you want to see everything you need to allow about 4 hours. We went in March right before the coronavirus lockdown, so it was unusually not crowded at all. I would imagine that the summer months and Elvis week would be the most crowded times.

Your tour starts with a short video that was really interesting. Then you will board a shuttle bus to go across the street to the Mansion. You are given an iPad and headphones (all cleaned) which allows you to explore the personal side of Elvis Presley with an interactive tour of the Graceland Mansion, hosted by John Stamos and featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie.

The mansion is not enourmous by today’s standards, but you will not be disappointed. As outlined on their website, the tour of Graceland Mansion includes the living room, his parents’ bedroom, the kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous Jungle Room, his father’s office, the newly-enhanced Trophy Building, the Racquetball Building – newly-restored to how it looked in 1977, and Meditation Garden. Elvis purchased his home when he was only 22, and every item in the home is an original from when Elvis lived there.

Dining Room at Graceland Mansion
Dining Room at Graceland Mansion
Living Room at Graceland Mansion
Living Room at Graceland Mansion
TV Room at Graceland Mansion
TV Room at Graceland Mansion
I’m not sure I’d be comfortable watching TV with that creepy little monkey in
the room, but hey that’s just me.
The Pool Room at Graceland Mansion
The Pool Room at Graceland Mansion
Look at the multi colored fabric all over the walls and ceiling. So 70’s!

One of my favorite rooms to see was the famous “Jungle Room” mentioned in Marc Cohn’s song “Walking in Memphis.” The room started out as a practical joke. Elvis bought all the strange furniture to annoy his dad. But then he decided to keep it, because the room has character. There is even green shag carpeting on the ceiling! That is one part of the 70’s I do not miss. They put shag carpet absolutely everywhere.

The Jungle Room at Graceland Mansion
Jungle Room at Graceland Mansion

The rest of the 14 acre estate is interesting as well. You see his dad’s office, the swimming pool, the horses, and what is called Meditation Garden where the family graves lie. It is all really an emotional journey through Elvis’s life, and when you get to his grave it makes you pause and think.

Vernon Presley's office at Graceland
In front of Vernon Presley’s office at Graceland
Elvis's swimming pool at Graceland
Elvis’s Swimming Pool at Graceland
Elvis built his own racquetball court at Graceland.
Elvis’s Racquetball Building is restored to how he had it when he lived at Graceland.
Meditation Garden at Graceland
Beautiful Stained Glass in Meditation Garden at Graceland
Gravesite of Elvis Presley at Graceland
Burial Place of Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley’s Memphis

Across the street from the mansion (the side the ticket office is on) lies what is called Elvis Presley’s Memphis. This state-of-the-art entertainment and exhibit complex is over 200,000-square-feet in size and allows you to chronologically follow Elvis’s life and music.

You will be surrounded by all sorts of things Elvis loved and experience the sights and sounds of the city that inspired him. Elvis’s roots are in Memphis, and it is interesting to learn about the city that influenced his life and career. There is no official tour for this part, so you can spread out and tour at your own pace however you want.

Below are some of the exhibits you will encounter:

Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum

Here you will find hundreds of artifacts and incredible photos from significant events in Elvis’s life, as you tour the extensive Graceland Archives. Included in this exhibit is his amazing collection of gold and platinum records, his spectacularly dazzling jumpsuits with his signature Elvis flare, and other clothing, memorabilia from his movies, and more! This museum is the world’s largest and most comprehensive Elvis museum in the world. There was so much to see from practically all aspects of his life. Elvis truly started a music and pop culture revolution.

Elvis's Memphis Hollywood Exhibit
Elvis made 31 films as an actor.
© EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.
Elvis Presley™ © 2020 ABG EPE IP LLC

A video on their website shows a lady putting on white gloves to pick up one of Elvis’s jeweled belts. Made of real gold and silver and covered in jewels, it weighs 20 pounds! She also introduces us to an enormous 16 carat diamond ring with the initials TCB (Taking Care of Business). And there is always his famous tiger suit. So flamboyant and extravagant. No one knew how to take care of business like Elvis did!

Elvis's Memphis Career Exhibit
Viva Las Vegas!
Elvis Presley's gold records
Some of Elvis’s Many Gold Records
There is another display in this building with a 40 foot tall wall filled with his records and awards, many of which were awarded after his death.

Presley Motors Automobile Museum

If you love cars, make sure you include this exhibit on your ticket. It is amazing! Elvis loved cars, and in this exhibit you can walk around and see some of Elvis’ favorite automobiles, including his iconic Pink Cadillac, 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, 1956 Cadillac Eldorado, 1975 Dino Ferrari, Mercedes Benz limousine, Rolls Royce sedans and more. I had no idea he was so into cars!

Elvis Presley's pink cadillac
Elvis’s Pink Cadillac
Elvis Presley motors
Elvis loved cars!
Elvis Presley's cadillacs
One of Elvis’s Famous Cadillacs
Do I make a good car model or what?
Elvis Presley's race cars
Elvis had some pretty cool race cars too.

Elvis Discovery Exhibits

There are several huge buildings with themed discovery showcase spaces that give you a peak into several important parts of Elvis’s life and what influenced him as a person and a performer.

Elvis Discovery Exhibits include:
  • Presley Cycles Exhibit
  • X’s & O’s: Elvis and His Love of Football – New!
  • Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit
  • Elvis’ Tupelo Exhibit
  • Hollywood Backlot
  • Private Presley Exhibit
  • Archives Experience
  • Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley Exhibit

X’s & O’s: Elvis and His Love of Football – NEW

Who’s ready for some football? Elvis loved football! Whenever he had the chance he was either out playing a game of touch football or watching a game on TV. This exhibit inside the Haberdashery celebrates Elvis’s favorite sport and has several items that are on display for the first time ever at Graceland. You get to see some of his handwritten plays, sports equipment, pictures, and more.

Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley

I really enjoyed this exhibit, which is located inside the Haberdashery. It is all about Lisa Marie Presley. There are personal items from her childhood including her record player, roller skates and clothing, and some interesting things from her musical career. The exhibit looks at Lisa as a daughter and mother as well as her charity work and career. It gives visitors a glimpse into how she continues to carry on her dad’s legacy at Graceland. I found it very interesting.

Lisa Marie Presley
I love this picture!

Hollywood Backlot

This is where you can see a film set. They have actual sets used in the CMT show “Sun Records.” I found this interesting, because I have a friend who got a part singing in that show which was all about the “Million Dollar Quartet.” The sets include the WHBQ set and the Sun Studio set, and you can also watch scenes from the show that were filmed in these sets. I grew up listening to DJ Rick Dees on WHBQ radio every morning before school.

Sam Phillips Recording Studio
Sam Phillips Recording Studio Set
Elvis Presley Sun Records
Sun Records as Part of Elvis Exhibit
Sun Studio Memphis, Tennessee
The Famous Sun Studio in Memphis

Presley Cycles

In addition to cars, Elvis had lots of motorcycles. In this exhibit they have his motorcycles and even his John Deere tractor on display! And for the first time on display at Graceland you can see Elvis’s ski boats.

Elvis Presley's motorcycles
Some of Elvis’s Motorcycles

Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley

This exhibit was awesome! Elvis was a true music pioneer whose influence paved the way for many of today’s artists and celebrities. This exhibit has items from 25 artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John and Dolly Parton. It was like a huge music museum from all your favorite artists. I was not aware this new exhibit existed, so it was fun for me to explore. There are so many music artists who were influenced by the music of Elvis!

Icons: the influence of Elvis Presley Dolly Parton
I love Dolly Parton.
Icons: the influence of Elvis Presley Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is from Memphis!

Elvis’s Tupelo Exhibit

Tupelo, Mississippi, not too far from Memphis, is known as the birthplace of Elvis. This exhibit has some interesting childhood photos and rare artifacts from Elvis’s early days. You can see the Presley family’s clothing, personal photos and receipts from their early days in Tupelo.

Elvis Presley Tupelo, Mississippi
From Elvis Tupelo Exhibit at Graceland

Private Presley: Elvis in the Army

Elvis served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. In this exhibit, visitors can learn more about Elvis’ service to his country as you walk through his induction and time spent in the service. I was especially interested in his time spent in Germany, because I lived and worked in Germany for four years running a youth program for U.S. children whose parents were stationed there in the Army. Some special artifacts displayed include Elvis’ Army fatigues, dress uniforms, army foot locker, suitcases and more.

Elvis Presley in the U.S. Army
Elvis sure made a handsome soldier.

There is also an artifacts section where you can see all sort of things from Elvis’s past.

Elvis’s Custom Jets

A short walk away, and you can climb aboard Elvis’ customized jet, named after his daughter Lisa Marie, that features a living room, conference room, sitting room, and private bedroom, as well as gold-plated seat belts, suede chairs, leather covered tables, 24-karat gold-flecked sinks and more. All on an airplane!

You can also look inside Elvis’ smaller Lockheed Jet Star, customized by Elvis with a yellow and green interior. He loved those 70’s colors, didn’t he?

Elvis Presley's custom jet Lisa Marie
Elvis’s custom jet named after his daughter

So have I convinced you to visit? With all of the new exhibits it really is much more than a house now. Whether you are a casual Elvis fan or fanatic or neither I encourage you to spend a day at Graceland the next time you are in Memphis.

Note: It is currently best to buy advance tickets.

From their website:

“Due to reduced tour capacities, guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tour tickets in advance to ensure they receive their preferred tour time. In addition, purchasing in advance allows you to skip the ticketing lines and proceed directly to your tour at your assigned tour time.”

Maybe you want to check out Elvis Week August 8 -16, 2020 which has lots of special activities for Elvis fans. Book early though! Christmas at Graceland is November 19, 2020 – January 8, 2021. This is another time there are extra special events planned. And of course there is always January 7-10, 2020. This will be a big Elvis Birthday Celebration.

BUY TICKETS

Where to Stay

The Guest House at Graceland

The Guest House at Graceland is very close to the property and has 450 rooms, two restaurants, spaces for meetings and special events and a 464-seat theater for live performances and movies. I have not stayed there before, but I did tour the lobby and eat at one of the restaurants. It was very nice. There are many decorative touches that are obviously uniquely Elvis.

Wherever you stay or whenever you come to Graceland, make sure to come back to this post and leave a comment below. Please share this post with others, and I just want to say, “Thank you. Thank you very much!”

Inspirational Travel Quotes

I love travel quotes. Are these some of the best travel quotes of all time? You will have to decide. These are just a few of my favorites.

Why do I love travel quotes so much?

When I read these memorable inspirational travel quotes I am reminded of experiences I had and emotions I felt on past adventures, and it fuels my wanderlust for more travel.

See, I do not believe that we were meant to live a mediocre life, and these quotes clarify what I believe to be true about living adventurously and joyfully. These quotes from famous travelers and the beautiful images that accompany them capture little moments that change us.

The thing about people who travel is that we all “get it.” We may look different from one another, but we are all beautifully connected by our love for travel and our understanding of how important new experiences are to our own personal growth.

Below you will find some of my favorite travel quotes with shareable images. You are more than welcome to share these image quotes on your own Pinterest or Instagram accounts.

Paris is always a good idea. Audrey Hepburn

Inspirational Travel Quotes Paris is always a good idea. Audrey Hepburn
Paris is magical!

When I lived in Germany some friends and I rode on a train to France. It was my first time in a sleeper train car, and I was sort of nervous. I think I slept with my bag under the cover with me, because I was worried about thieves. But I was so tired I just crashed. It was the coolest thing. I went to sleep in one country and woke up in Paris! Paris is truly a magical city.

Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been before. Dalai Lama

Inspirational Travel Quotes Dalai Lama Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park

I have friends who like to vacation in the same spot year after year. Maybe they always go to the beach right when school ends, or they have a house at the lake. Me? I like to see new places. I always learn something new about myself each time I venture out of my comfort zone.

I took that picture in the image above last summer when we visited Yellowstone National Park for the first time. There is a special excitement that is reserved only for surprises and seeing something for the first time. If you are interested in Yellowstone, check out my 7 Day Wild West Adventure series.

Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller. Ibn Battuta

Inspirational Travel Quotes Travel leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.
The mountains tell stories.

Each destination has a story, if we will train our ear to listen. The mountains have always spoken to me. One year toward the end of college I spent the summer as a backpacking guide in Colorado. I saw mountains that you can only get to by foot or horseback. It was beautiful wilderness country!

Many times our stories begin with, “Do you remember that trip….?”

You have to take the trip to tell the story. Where will you go this year?

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. Augustine of Hippo

Inspirational Travel Quotes Augustine of Hippo
Everyone should visit Europe at least once in their lives.

This is the way I feel when I am having a conversation with someone who has never left his or her hometown. There is a whole world out there just waiting for us to get off the couch and explore!

Traveling is good for our souls in so many ways. I lived in Germany for four years back when the dollar still went really far over there, so I was able to travel some around Europe. I lived four hours from where “The Sound of Music” was filmed in Austria. I could easily drive to historic castles and cathedrals, the ski slopes, and quaint little villages, and I still consider living there one of the highlights of my life.

I grew personally while there, and I learned to understand and respect people from other cultures. This led to me becoming a certified English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and attend a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic church. I would have missed all of this if I had never traveled.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER. Mark Twain

Travel Quotes Mark Twain
Have no regrets.

At the end of my life I want to look back and know that I made a difference in the world. I want to have precious memories of adventures with loved ones or even alone.

I don’t want to be that girl who sits on the pool deck afraid to get wet because it will mess up her makeup. I want to be the one who does a flip off the diving board. I want to take risks and live with abandon. I want to have no regrets!

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Travel Quotes Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Emerson
Dare to be different.

Some of the best hiking experiences my husband and I have had are when we do not follow the most traveled path. We spend our honeymoon in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Smokies are awesome!

However, the week we were scheduled to be there was during a government shut-down. So many roads and trails were closed, and there were no rangers on duty. Because of this we ended up exploring some lesser known trails.

One time we asked some locals where we could see a waterfall (always ask the locals for advice), and they directed us to a beautiful waterfall we had never seen on the map. It was actually over the border into North Carolina, and we would have never known about it had we stuck to the same trails everyone else follows.

Not all those who wander are lost. J.R.R. Tolkien

Explore just for the fun of it.

Sometimes our lives can so overly planned that we miss hidden treasures found only when we are leisurely wandering around just enjoying our surroundings.

Sometimes the ones who are lost are the ones who never wander. All who wander are not lost; some are right where they should be.

I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. Mary Anne Radmacher

Inspirational travel quotes moon Mary Anne Radmacher
The same moon shines on you and me.

I have spent many weeks nestled in a green valley surrounded by mountains in North Carolina at a fabulous youth camp called Windy Gap. It is a beautiful place, and there is a night towards the end of each week where they send everyone out to just sit by themselves in silence for about 15 minutes to talk to God or just think.

During this time they turn off all the lights except for the emergency lights, and when they do there are literally millions of bright stars visible in the night sky. Many of the kids there are from the city and have never actually seen stars like this at night.

It is awe inspiring to think that someone on the other side of the world might also be sitting out on a similar grassy hill looking at those same stars and maybe talking to God like me.

We may all be very different, but wherever we travel the same moon shines on me you as it does on me.

And then there is the most dangerous risk of all – the risk of spending your life not doing what you want, on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later. Randy Komisar

Inspirational travel quotes Randy Kosimar
The best time to travel is now.

I have found that when I think about how to afford travel there always seems to be something else pressing that requires my money. When you are working on your budget for the year always make at least one trip a priority, and then don’t dip into that saved money for anything else!

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books. John Lubbock

Get outside more!

This seems like a strange quote for a school teacher to like, but I was an outdoor recreation major in college and love being outdoors in nature. I do love books, but there are some things that you can only learn from new traveling experiences and being outdoors.

I hope you enjoyed these travel quotes and that they have fired you up a little bit more about the importance of travel and helped feed your wanderlust!

Check out some of my travel blog posts and let me know your thoughts below. I’d love to hear from you! Now go live your adventure!

Funny Travel Quotes

I love to laugh, and I really love to travel. Going on an adventure to someplace I’ve never been with family and friends is one of my favorite things to do. So why not put these two things together and give you some of my favorite funny travel quotes.

Some of these are things you might see on a travel mug or quotes from famous people or lines from movies. I hope that you get a little chuckle as you read them and that they cheer you up and make you smile.

1. If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal. – Paulo Coelho

2. Make salsa, not war! – Anonymous

3. The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist. – Russell Baker

4. Boy, those French! They have a different word for everything. – Steve Martin

Funny Travel Quotes Steve Martin
Funny Travel Quotes

5. I’ve almost been to as many places as my luggage. – Bob Hope

Funny Travel Quotes - Bob Hope
Funny Travel Quotes

6. Don’t worry about the world ending today; its already tomorrow in Australia. – Charles M. Schulz

7. Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas; take your next trip in kilometers. – George Carlin

Funny Travel quotes Kilometers are shorter.
Funny Travel Quotes

8. Spain travel tip: If bathroom genders are indicated by flamingos, the boy flamingo is the one with the hat. I learned this the hard way. – Dave Barry

Funny Travel Quotes Dave Barry
Funny Travel Quotes

9. I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list. – Susan Sontag

10. If you come to a fork in the road, take it. – Yogi Berra

11. If you are going through hell, keep going. – Winston Churchill

12. I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. – Mark Twain

Funny Travel Quotes - Mark Twain

13. If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home. – James Michener

14. I wish travel therapy was covered by health insurance. – Anonymous

15. You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy plane tickets, which is kinda the same thing. – Anonymous

16. I need some vitamin SEA. – Anonymous

Funny Travel Quotes. I need some vitamin SEA.
Ocean Therapy

17. I travel a lot. I hate having my life disrupted by routine. – Caskie Stinnett

18. I need a vacation of 6 months. Twice a year! Anonymous

19. Vacation calories don’t count. – Anonymous

20. Girls don’t wait for the prince anymore; they pack their bags and travel the world! – Anonymous

Funny Travel Quotes Girls Travel
Girls love to travel!

21. I just want to travel the world, overspend at IKEA and drink coffee while cuddling puppies. – Anonymous

22. Have you ever stopped to think, maybe travel is addicted to me? – Anonymous

23. A plane ticket is the answer. Who cares what the question is? Anonymous

24. Can we just skip to the part of my life where I travel the world? – Anonymous

25. It’s bad manners to keep a vacation waiting. – Anonymous

Funny Travel Quotes. It's bad manners to keep a vacation waiting.
Funny Travel Quotes

26. If you look like your passport photo, you probably need a trip. -Anonymous

27. Yeah, working is great….but have you tried traveling? Anonymous

28. Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. – Jerry Seinfeld

29. If you had to choose between true love or traveling the world, which country would you visit first? – Anonymous

30. When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. – Susan Heller

So did these quotes make you smile?

I hope so. We all could use a lot more smiling these days. And I know I could use some traveling for vacation. How about you? Let me know what you thought of these quotes in the comments below.

Grilled Bratwurst
Travel to Germany
A few of my souveniers from Germany

I love Germany. I lived in the Bavaria region of Germany for four years before I was married. I was working with American students who parents were stationed in the U.S. Army there, and I enjoyed being close to many tourist areas. So you will be hearing a lot more about Germany as soon as I can sort out all those pictures I took (those were the days before smart phone cameras and cloud storage).

Welcome!
Image from Unsplash

Usually when we travel one of the fun things to do is to experience some of the local cuisine. Heck, just going out to eat in general is one of the best parts of traveling. Along with weinerschnitzel and apple strudel, when I think of German food I always think of bratwurst first. There are street vendors in almost every little village selling bratwurst, and most restaurants have it on their menu as well.

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you click on those links at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Grilled Bratwurst is a great choice for summer cookouts.

Germans are very proud of their country’s many different types of sausages, and some recipes in certain areas of Germany are actually closely guarded secrets. If you travel through Germany, you’ll find that every region has their own particular style of preparing bratwurst. There are variations on size, shape, ingredients, cooking methods, and how it is served. In fact, there are over 45 different versions of bratwurst sausage in Germany! So go put on your best lederhosen and grab your beer stein. We’re going to Germany for bratwurst!

The bear actually looks good in lederhosen.

Bratwurst Trivia Question #1: Where does the name Bratwurst come from?

The German word for fry is braten, but the word Bratwurst actually comes from the word Brat. Brat refers to the meat mixture that makes up the sausage. It means finely chopped meat. Wurst in German means sausage. Now you know.

Bratwurst Trivia Question #2: Who invented the Bratwurst?

Both the people of Franconia (Franken) and the people of Thuringen claim to have invented the Bratwurst. The oldest evidence of the Bratwurst in Thuringen is in 1404, and in Franconia the oldest record is from the year 1313 in one of my favorite German cities: Nurnberg. Heinrich Hollerl, a Bratwurst Researcher (yes, it is a thing), discovered that Bratwurst actually had its origins with the Celtics and the Franconians just developed it further. Now you can impress all your friends with your vast bratwurst knowledge at your next cookout.

So What is Bratwurst?

Originating in Germany in the 14th century, bratwurst (in German the ‘w’ is pronounced like our ‘v’) and what is called Rostbratwurst is a sausage made of finely minced pork and veal or sometimes beef and seasoned with caraway, nutmeg, ginger, or other spices. It is usually grilled then served with sweet German mustard and a piece of bread or hard roll. It can also be sliced and used in various recipes.

Should I buy raw or pre-cooked bratwurst?

Some bratwurst sausages are sold pre-cooked, which means you only have to brown them in a pan or on the grill before serving. Make sure you check with the butcher at your deli to know if it is pre-cooked or not. It is important to know this before you try to prepare them for eating.

But those of us who like to channel our inner European and live on the edge go for cooking the raw ones. Raw bratwurst in the store will be pink in color. Grilling the raw ones requires some skill and care because they must be fully cooked on the inside but not burned or charred on the outside. This is not easy to do. Some people recommend cooking them in hot (but not boiling) water for a few minutes before putting them on the grill or in the pan. But we usually don’t do that.

How do you Cook Bratwurst?

Besides grilling there are lots of different ways to cook bratwurst. Bratwurst sausages can be roasted, boiled, or steamed as well. Brown them in a skillet, add a small amount of water or broth, then cover the pan to let them steam. We like to grill raw bratwurst on our charcoal grill.

On the Grill

Since my husband is the Grill Master, as I like to call him, he knows a few tricks to grill them perfectly every time. He cuts a few slits in the sausage first, taking care not to cut all the way through. Two or three slits is enough, as you don’t want to let too much juice out. He also says it is important to turn them frequently, especially if they are not over low heat. You can spritz a little water or beer on them occassionally to cool the skin and prevent burning. You will also want to make sure you do not char the outside too much, as that can pose some health risks. After you remove the bratwurst from the heat it will actually continue to cook on the inside a few minutes longer, so make sure to let it rest a few minutes before eating. You might also like my post on how to cook the perfect steak on the grill every time.

Brats With Beer and Onions

Bratwurst is not just for Oktoberfest or SuperBowl parties. It is awesome any time of the year. Another one of my favorite bratwurst recipes involves grilling the brats in a pan. It is super easy. You just slice some yellow onions in thick slices and cook them in a pan in a little butter with some caraway seeds. You can add sliced peppers too if you’d like. Add the bratwurst in and a bottle of pale ale beer or apple cider. Reduce the heat and simmer about 30 minutes, turning the brats occassionally. Add a little salt if desired.

Finish the brats by browning them in the pan with the oinions and liquid removed or on the grill. Add the onions back in and serve brats on a warm crusty bun with grainy mustard (this is the kind they always had in Germany). Some people enjoy sauerkraut with it also, but just the smell of sauerkraut turns my stomach, so I’ll pass on the kraut please. German potato salad might be a better choice.

Hobo Packet Brats

Another easy but delicious way to cook bratwurst is to slice it up and brown it in a pan a little first, then place it in a heavy duty foil bag or packet along with some sliced red potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and carrots. Sprinkle with a packet of onion soup mix (my secret weapon) and a little soy sauce. Seal it up and place it on the grill for an impressive looking cookout dish.

Bratwurst in German Culture

In Germany they have a saying: Alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei. This means “everything has an ending, but the sausage has two.” OK. Not sure I’ll be adding that to my list of proverbs, but it does show you how important sausage is to the German culture.

While reading about bratwurst sausages, I learned that brats are also a very big deal in Wisconsin. Are any of you readers from Wisconsin? I would love to read about your favorite ways to prepare bratwurst as we “travel” to Germany through our tastebuds. Leave your comments below. Prost!

The “Grill Master” of the Baker house shows us to how to grill German Bratwurst.

I Recommend: The travel book I relied on the most when I lived in Germany was called “Day Trips in Germany.” I highly recommend it.

cruise ship virtual tour
Caribbean Sunset from my cruise ship’s balcony

As the weather gets warmer and summer approaches I start dreaming about vacations, don’t you? By now I usually have solid summer travel plans in place, but as the COVID-19 pandemic contines to spread we find ourselves confined to our homes wondering when and if we can safely travel again. Our normal day-to-day lives have been turned upside down, and many of us are suffering from a bad case of cabin fever.

It seems like every few hours a news notification pops up on my phone announcing how many more positive cases of coronavirus there are in my area. It can feel unnerving. Now, more than ever, we need a lift in our spirits and an escape for our minds. Those of use who love to travel especially need to feel like we can momentarily escape our lockdown and get out and explore.

Well, we are in luck! (Sort of). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has basically halted cruising temporarily with their newly extended no-sail order, but several passenger cruise lines have developed various virtual tours and other experiences to help frequent cruisers get their cruise “fix” and assure that we are still thinking of these businesses for our future travel plans.

Carnival Cruise Line

Take a cruise ship virtual tour with Carnival.

I have been on a few Carnival cruises, and they are always fun. That ship in the picture above was my home one week in 2018. The internet has lots of virtual cruise videos on YouTube and elsewhere – some are professional and some just from passengers. But this interactive, 360-degree YouTube Video of a Carnival Caribbean cruise is pretty cool. With your mouse controlling the camera, you can experience a Virtual Caribbean Mini Cruise. Just look at that clear blue water and sunshine. We need this!

Imagine yourself strolling along the beach with the deep blue waters splashing at your feet and feel the warm sunshine on your face. Then imagine that you return to the Fun ship for a trip down its super fast waterslide, a leisurely walk on the pool deck, and a breathtaking view of the sunset off the stern.

Here is another YouTube video that gives you a virtual tour of Carnival’s ship Horizon. I love the Dr. Suess themed area for kids of all ages! Wow!

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas Photo Courtesy of Royal Caribbean

I think this is really cool. Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise director, Abe Hughes, has recently created his own imaginary vessel, the ‘Virtual of the Seas’. With this series sanctioned by the cruise line, he’s hosted several voyages and is now hosting his fourth virtual voyage. This one is to the Caribbean!

Each day, Abe Hughes puts out a Royal Caribbean Daily Compass (RCI’s newsletter), live updates on Facebook, fun RCI trivia, several signature recipes, and cruise activities that can be done at home such as quizzes, scavenger hunts, and arts-and-crafts. Daily updates are given out on Hughes’ Facebook page, and are also being tweeted out by Royal Caribbean’s chief fleet meteorologist James Van Fleet. How fun is that?

Viking

Viking Ship in Venice Photo courtesy of Viking Cruise Line

Check out this panoramic tour from Viking Cruise Line’s Star. Viking actually has a great deal of new virtual content that can be viewed on your smart TV just as easily as on tablets or mobile devices. You can explore the Viking experience through world cookbooks, photography, and connections to history, art, music, literature and film.

Friday is Downtown Day, when fans of the TV program “Downtown Abbey” can peek inside Highclere House with Lady Carnarvon. Tune in to “Tor’s Corner” for the latest coronavirus updates and important messages from Viking chairman, Torstein Hagen (Tor).

Fridays are called “Downtown Days” on Viking’s virtual tours. Photo credit: Upsplash

Viking has an interactive live stream series hosted by Viking senior vice president Karine Hagen. It is called “Conversations with Karine and Friends” and features presentations from resident experts on different topics and special guests. Viewers can ask questions in real-time during the show, which is scheduled Monday through Friday at 2:00 p.m. ET. There are also lecture series from experts and interesting discussions on the cultural aspects of the destinations where Viking sails.

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Sea’s Symphony of the Seas in Haines, Alaska Photo Courtesy of Crystal Seas

Crystal Cruise has a new online program called Crystal@Home, where you can go on a virtual voyage aboard one of its luxury vessels. Each week there is a new theme with plenty of interesting content.

Using social media channels, Crystal@Home connects with people through various theme days such as “Storyteller Monday” celebrity podcast segments, “Wellness Wednesday” with demonstrations from Crystal’s certified fitness instructors, “Thirsty Thursday” spotlighting creative cocktail recipes from the cruise line’s bars, and “Friday Nights at the Galaxy”, which are live Facebook events at 6:00 p.m. ET where the ship’s talented onboard performers give us a taste of entertainment.

There is also “Sail Away Saturday”, where guests are encouraged to share photos and videos from their past Crystal cruises using the hashtag #CrystalFamily. And on Sundays at 3 p.m. ET there are live cooking lessons from Crystal’s celebrated British chef Jon Ashton.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line (HAL) has a new online “HAL@Home” series with plenty to see for would be cruise goers. Their first release was a YouTube video in which HAL Culinary Council member, Chef Ethan Stowell, shows us how to cook one of his favorite pasta dishes: spaghetti with garlic, chili and anchovy.

In addition to more cooking lessons, The HAL@Home programming includes entertainment from HAL’s onboard talent staff, highlights of various ship itineraries, and features of different cruise destinations to keep loyal cruisers interested.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea’s Luxury Vessel, the Silver Muse in Sydney
with the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House in the Background
Photo Courtesy of SilverSea Cruises

Luxury line, Silversea Cruises has some virtual content on its social media channels called “To the Curious.” They also send this information in emails to previous customers.

There is an around-the-world journey of 60 cocktail recipes, with mixology tutorials being posted to Silversea’s YouTube channel. The cruise line also asks its previous passengers to share the current view from their windows onto the world by posting to its Facebook page with the hashtag #YearningToSailAgain. Um, I’m not sure this is helping my cabin fever.

Linblad Expeditions

Photo: Linblad Expedition to Alaska Photo by David Vargas courtesy of Linblad Expeditions; copyright David Vargas www.davidvargasphotography.com

On the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic company website and their social media channels you can experience a “Virtual Expedition.” Their tag line says, “Let’s Explore Like We Did Before. Join Us For Wildness, Wonder, and More.”

Since we can’t be out exploring the world, they say they are bridging the distance with the “tonic of wildness” from the world’s pristine places. The Virtual Expedition is an online cruise that runs Monday through Friday, with it’s program changing daily.

From the Morning Wakeup from expedition leaders to the Evening Recap this exhilarating exhibition lets you discover new exotic places, observe wildlife, and enjoy special performances and presentations. Included are photo tips, wellness moments, virtual guests, virtual music lounges, art, and more. They even provide cocktail recipes to enjoy at home together with other viewers!

Guests Exploring in the Amazon
photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions; copyright Richard Maack

Which one do you like the best? Is there a cruise you have always wanted to take? Leave some of your thoughts on cruising in the comments below.

MachuPiccho

Social distancing giving you cabin fever? It doesn’t matter how much you try to stay busy or keep active and working from home, it is still far too easy to get bored and lose focus when not traveling. Not me. Know what I did today? I had breakfast in Paris, lunch in Amsterdam and afternoon tea in London. And you can too!

You could scroll through Netflix offerings for the umpteenth time, think about all those closets you should be cleaning out, or you could add a little culture and education into your life and “go to the museum” without ever leaving your couch.

According to Fast CompanyGoogle Arts & Culture coordinated with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to create a great deal of awesome virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous science, history, and art museums around the world.

In addition to Google Arts & Culture’s selection several other museums are offering virtual tours of their own. You can virtually “walk” through some of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. These museums are great learning opportunities for students at home when schools are closed or anyone who wants to experience new things without leaving home. All you need is the Internet. What these places are offering online allows you to enjoy culture in real time from your own home.

So if you’re looking for an adventure at home and in need of a change of scenery, grab your laptop, tablet or phone, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join me on a world tour filled with art, history, science, and nature. I’ve even thrown in some bonus attractions such as aquariums, parks, and zoos. Happy Traveling!

Museums and Attractions

Athens Acropolis in Athens, Greece: A must-see destination for ancient history buffs, the Athens Acropolis includes the world-famous Parthenon and is a cultural hotspot for tourists. But you can “go” there today!

The Parthenon (image credit: Unsplash)

View the Theatre of Dionysus and enjoy in-depth videos that provide a fascinating and educational insight into ancient Greece. There are lots of stunning pictures to see and interesting facts to learn, so go get your Greek on!

Check out the Greek: Athens Acropolis

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta: We have been there in person, and the place is huge. There is one part where you walk through a glass tunnel of sorts and can see sharks swimming overhead! There is so much beauty and wonder in nature, so it’s good to know you can still get your daily dose of “wow” from the safety of your sofa.

The Georgia Aquarium has over 50 species ranging from sea lions to underwater puffins, with many available to view via webcam. There’s also a daily and weekly livestream that’s aimed at getting children interested in animals, and a great at-home educational tool for kids at home when school is closed.

Want to hang out with a Beluga Whale this afternoon? Just click on the link below and see what he’s up to.

Sea more: Georgia Aquarium

The Louvre in Paris: Want to have breakfast in Paris? Pour yourself a cup of coffee and check out some of the famous pieces in the world’s largest art museum. The famous Louvre has free online tours of three famous exhibits, including Egyptian Antiquities.

The Louvre is an attraction visited by millions of tourists in person every year, me being one of them. The Louvre Museum has also created a selection of virtual tours based on its permanent collections. You can explore Egyptian antiquities, the Remains of the Louvre’s Moat, and the decorative arts of the Galerie d’Apollon. 

Virtual tour of the Louvre in Paris (image credit: Unsplash)

The tour is easy to navigate. There is an expandable minimap that lets you highlight exhibits to view with just a couple of clicks. You can also find out more about each room in The Louvre, with detailed descriptions for each one.

Take a trip: Louvre Museum

Royal Academy of Arts in London: If you’re particularly fascinated by architecture, the Royal Academy of Arts has a virtual tour that will entertain you for hours. The Sensing Spaces exhibition uses high-quality 360-degree photography to give people a taste of its structures and extraordinary exhibitions. It really makes you feel like you are actually there. 

Each exhibition has additional information for users to read through, but you’re encouraged to come to your own conclusions and decide what each space means to you personally.

Visit the exhibition: Sensing Spaces

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York:  In Guggenheim’s Collection Online you can see the works of renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Piet MondrianJeff Koons, and Franz Marc as well as over 600 other artists.

Google’s Street View feature lets you tour the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From this vantage point, you can appreciate incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary eras.

Visit the Collection Online

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C.:  Take your time and enjoy the 360-degree room-by-room tour of every exhibit in the museum.

Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam: This was one of my favorite places to visit when I went to Amsterdam. If you are a fan of this unusual, ingenious painter you can see his works up close by virtually visiting this art museum which has the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.

Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (image credit: Unsplash)

Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains of Peru: A simply stunning UNESCO World Heritage site, Machu Picchu is something you just have to see. But you don’t have to fly all the way to Peru to see it in all its glory, because the comprehensive virtual tour is fascinating all by itself.

Machu Piccho (image credit: Unsplash)

With 360-degree views of the ruins of Inca settlements and lush green landscapes, you can visit every popular vantage point and learn more about the history of this famous site as you listen to the informative narration.

Take the tour: Machu Picchu

Musée d’Orsay in Paris: You can virtually walk through this popular art gallery located in the center of Paris. This historic museum was built in the former Orsay railway station for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, but it now houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914.

Take a walk through the extravagant hallways and appreciate artworks from Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, among others. You will not have to wait in line, and there will be no crowd to deal with. Just take your time and absorb all the art and culture you want.

Take the tour: Musée d’Orsay

J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles: Los Angeles’s esteemed gallery has two virtual tours, including “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry,” which is a closer look at food in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

You can see European artworks from as far back as the 8th Century in this poplular California art museum. Take a Street View tour to view a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.

The Vatican Museum in Italy: No need to fight the crowd of tourists in Rome. Step into the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Raphael’s Room, which are just some of the famous sites you can see on the Vatican’s virtual tour. It is definitely worth seeing, as they also have incredible artwork on display in these sites.

The Vatican (image credit: Unsplash)

The tour is compatible with WebVR, so if you want you can put on a VR headset and get an even closer look at some of these breathtaking wonders. 

Travel to Rome and visit: The Vatican

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid: Madrid’s popular art museum has the works of some of the world’s most famous artists like Rembrandt and Dali available online.

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico: There are Six virtual exhibits available online from this museum which is named for the woman known as the “Mother of American modernism.”

British Museum in London: The Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies are just a couple of things that you’re able to see on a virtual tour of this museum. This amazing museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to discover the ancient Rosetta Stone, see real Egyptian mummies, and tour the Great Court .

The British Museum in London is home to an astounding collection that spans over two million years of human history and culture. With nearly 50 online exhibits to view, you can see hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour.

For a more interactive experience, try the  the Museum of the World tour. They have a large selection of exhibits that are organized by century, continent and category – such as trade and conflict or art and design. There is an audio that explains each exhibit in more detail and gives the viewer some interesting backstories to the pieces.

Browse the exhibits: The British Museum

NASA in Virginia and in Ohio: Both Virginia’s Langley Research Center and Ohio’s Glenn Research Center offer free online tours.

You might also want to try out some “augmented reality experiences” with The Space Center Houston’s app.

National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C:. There are two online exhibits through Google for this famous American art museum. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, which includes many clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second exhibit is a collection of works from Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.

MASP, São Paulo in Brazil: Brazil’s first modern museum, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit art museum.

Because the art pieces are placed on clear perspex frames, it seems like the artwork is hovering in midair. It is so cool! Take a virtual tour to experience the spectacular display for yourself.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul: One of Korea’s most popular museums can now be seen from anywhere in the world via the Internet. Google’s virtual tour takes you through six floors of Contemporary art from Korea and others from all over the globe.

Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City: This largest art gallery in the United States, also known as the MET, is an enormous treasure house of beauty. As you may know the Met Gala was cancelled this year, but you can still experience some of it at the The Costume Institute Conversation Lab, which is one of the institution’s 26 online exhibits.

Detroit Institute of Arts in Chicago: Mexican art icon Frida Kahlo is the most well known of two of the four available online exhibits.

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam: The Golden Age of Dutch art is highlighted in this interesting art museum which includes the work of Vermeer and Rembrandt.

Google offers a Street View tour of this classic museum, so you feel like you are actually there walking down the halls and browsing the artwork.

MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) in New York: New York’s extensive collection is available for viewing online.

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston:  This is a fine art museum to see. The 16 virtual exhibits include a special section on 21st Century Designer Fashion.

America’s National Parks: And if you are tired of being “indoors in museums,” without even leaving your couch you can go “outside” with incredible virtual tours of some of America’s best national parks. This is one of my favorites.

Yellowstone National Park

Virtual Zoo Tours: The Atlanta Georgia Zoo keeps a “Panda Cam” livestream on its website. The Houston Zoo’s live cam allows you to check in on all sorts of animals. The San Diego Zoo has a large number of  live cam options, which let you switch between polar bears, tigers, and koalas.

In the afternoons The Cincinnati Zoo holds a daily Home Safari on its Facebook Live Feed. I’ve already mentioned the Georgia Aquarium sharks. Well, it is Shark Week every week thanks to live online footage of Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Habitat exhibit.

What a massive list! This should be enough to keep you busy for a while. Maybe it is not the same as actually being there, but I hope these ideas will provide some entertainment and education for you during your time at home.

Who knows? Maybe these virtual tours will spark creative ideas for your own next travel destination. Let me know which ones you like best by commenting below.

how to satisfy wanderlust

Wanderlust, originally a German word used to describe the enjoyment of roaming around, now just means a strong desire to travel and explore the world. This travel bug hit me so hard previously that I actually moved to Europe and lived there for four years! If your Spring Break plans got canceled like mine did because of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be a victim of unsatisfied wanderlust. Maybe you’ve spent hours upon hours scrolling through beautiful photographs on the internet (maybe even on my blog), but you’re stuck at home practicing social distancing and you’re sad because all of the global travel bans mean you can’t travel anytime soon.

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. Opinions are my own.

I actually have a good job. But some of you may feel trapped in yours, and the only escape you experience is when you are dreaming about your next trip. You may be sitting at your desk right now or at your home office just itching to leave your city. When you have a great vacation coming up the excitement makes it hard to keep your mind on anything else. And when your vacation is over you sometimes go through feelings of withdrawal. Maybe you are stuck in the same old routines, feeling exhausted and uninspired. You work all the time, and the most exciting thing about your weekends is sleeping in and catching up on laundry. None of us could have predicted our current stay-at-home situation caused by the coronavirus. Maybe it’s time to shake things up a little bit. With travel plans on hold it may just be time for a staycation.

Here are 10 ways to satisfy wanderlust and relieve travel withdrawal while at home:

1. Get Outside

Not an outdoorsy person? Well, now may the perfect time to become one. The weather in my city has been very rainy lately, but spring usually means warmer weather. So if weather permits in your area go ahead and get outdoors and get active. Even moderate exercise raises the endorphin levels in your brain and lifts your mood.

There is a lot you can do outdoors without getting too close to people and putting yourself at risk. My husband and I have enjoyed walking our dogs around a path at our local park. Besides walking your dog you can take a hike, go on a picnic, go to the lake, run, ride your bike, do yard work, maybe even take a nap in a hammock. Being outdoors and surrounding yourself with nature can be very therapeutic.

We love to look at this beautiful cherry tree in our backyard.

2. Explore a New Neighborhood

This one you can do without ever leaving your car. Drive down a new road you’ve never been on before. Maybe check out a new housing development you’ve been curious about. Look at the houses and yards and get ideas for your own. If you are still going to an office everyday try taking the long, scenic way home after work one day. It’s the little things sometimes that can cheer us up in surprising ways. When you get to a particularly beautiful spot, park your car, get out, and just soak it in. Listen to the sounds. Take a picture. Be a person who takes notice of your surroundings.

Take the longer scenic route home. photo from Unsplash

3. Sit and Watch the Sunset

So many times in the evenings I find myself rushing around with dinner, feeding the dogs, working, and other tasks and may occasionally glance out the window and notice a beautiful pink hue in the sky. But I am always too busy to go out and enjoy it and often am not near a good viewing point to really see it well. While you are at home more now, take the time to spend an hour or so just sitting outside, watching the sky change colors.

There’s underrated beauty in this golden hour no matter what’s going on in your life. Maybe you live near a hill or mountain where you can hike up and see an awesome view. But the cool thing about the sunset is that you can see it anywhere in the world, so you are not missing out on this simple luxury by staying at home. It doesn’t matter if you are alone or with someone you love, this often missed wonder is free of charge.

Sunset view from our front yard this fall.

4. Challenge Yourself To Try or Learn Something New

One of the reasons that travel can be so life changing is that it gets you out of your comfort zone, and that may be mostly because you are trying new things. But who says you have to travel to try new things? You can do this at home. There are so many free tutorials or lessons on YouTube and elsewhere online. You can learn anything from how to use a new computer program to photography, painting, learning a new language or how to play a musical instrument. If you have kids at home now check out my current list of 30 free educational websites here.

There are so many new things you can learn while on a staycation. photo from Unsplash

5. Make a Travel Music Playlist

Italy is one of my favorite countries. I could just eat and drink my way through the entire country. Well, maybe not now. It is on the “Essential Travel Only” list and has a high rate of coronaviris cases. I like Italy so much that once when I was single I gave myself an Italian themed birthday party. I strung little white lights all around my apartment, had special table cloths with little Chianti bottle candles, and played Andrea Bocelli Italian opera music.

Many times when we travel we hear unfamiliar music that is popular in the culture of our vacation destination. Maybe singing and dancing is an integral part of the culture as I saw when in Kenya. Have you ever fallen in love with a country and the music that is an integral part of everyday life there? If you are feeling nostalgic about your trip, you can relive the sounds and remember the good times you had there. And if you’re home alone, sing along as loudly as you can. Your dog won’t care!

Make a travel music playlist to satisfy wanderlust. photo by Unsplash

6. Try Cooking an International Dish

Trying different food is a big part of travelling for many of us. So since we are not currently travelling or even going to restaurants this is the perfect time to try new international recipes at home. You can check videos and blogs for things you’d like to try and then just go for it! It doesn’t have to be fancy – Taco Tuesday anyone? Who says you have to leave the country to experience the flavors of the world? If you are a kindred spirit and love all things Italian try my easy recipe for homemade spaghetti meat sauce.

Satisfy wanderlust with international cuisine. photo by Unsplash

7. Take a Virtual Tour

There are some awesome virtual tours on the internet that you can enjoy from home. Many museums such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History have 360 degree tours that make it feel like you are actually there. You can “walk” through tropical waters to the icy tundra in this floor-by-floor tour of the famous, Baltimore-based National Aquarium. Now you can even experience Walt Disney World from your living room virtually – even while it is closed!

Take a virtual museum tour.

8. Shop Online for Travel Needs

One of my favorite things to do when I travel to a new place is to check out all the cute little gift shops, book stores, and coffee shops in the town. Well why can’t we do that online? Pick a place you’d love to visit and search online for suggested shops there. Then check out their website and browse. Maybe order a T-shirt or souvenir from their online store.

And what about travel accessories you might need for your next trip? Whether it is a new suitcase, backpack, shoulder bag, passport holder, money holder, travel wallet, or luggage tag, I get so excited about getting new things to take on my trip. What did you wish you had with you on your last trip? Now may be the time to stock up on your travel needs by ordering them online.

Tips From a Travel Agent
Shop online for travel accessories.

9. Organize Your Photos From Past Trips

Looking through pictures and videos of past trips and adventures is a great way to satisfy your wanderlust. It will motivate you to keep saving for your next trip, and who doesn’t love remembering fun times had on vacation? Do you have boxes of old travel photos collecting dust on a top shelf in your closet or lots of unorganized files taking up space on your hard drive? Why not use this time to organize them? You can arrange them into beautiful albums or create a scrapbook. One of my favorite Christmas presents this year was a beautiful wall calendar filled with pictures from my step daughter and her husband’s trip to New Zealand. There are lots of online companies that will turn your photos into a memorable calendar or coffee table book.

Now is a great time to organize your old travel photos. image by Unsplash

And if you are really motivated, learn how to start your own money making travel blog. It may be one of the best decisions you ever make! Just want to get your feet wet? You can start with this free course Start a Blogging Business 5-Day Crash Course. Already have a blog? Maybe you already have a blog set up and are trying to get more traffic so that you can get advertisers to work with you and make money. Well, I’m going to let you in on a secret. I have discovered a secret weapon for blogging that has transformed my business, and it can for yours too. It is called SEMRush. This awesome tool shows you how to use key words to optimize your site for greater SEO. Try it out, and if you decide you don’t need to focus on SEO you can always cancel. There is no long term commitment. I dare you to try SEMRush for one month and see what a difference it can make for your blog or website!

Start a travel blog image by Unsplash

10. Research and Plan Your Next Trip

So, you’ve started saving money for travel and you have a destination (or destinations) in mind. Now it’s time to start planning your next adventure. Making actual travel plans instead of just dreaming of a vacation will definitely help satisfy wanderlust. This stay-at-home situation will not last forever. We will travel again. And when we do, you will want to be ready. Everyone may all be trying to make travel plans at the same time, so planning now can get you ahead of the game. Researching places to stay, attractions, and restaurants can be really fun. Check out my Pinterest board for ideas. Maybe you can create your own “bucket list” board

Think through all the logistics. How will you get there and how will you get around once you are there? What is your budget? Where will you stay? What attractions will you visit? Finding all these answers can take a lot of time, but as you see the plan finally come together you will get super excited. There are tons of resources online to help you plan your dream trip, so use this time at home now to do some of the background work.

Satisfy wanderlust by planning your next trip. image by Unsplash

Putting it All Together

Your wanderlust may not ever be completely cured, because great traveling experiences usually only make you want to travel more, but I hope some of these ideas will make the waiting easier. I hope you will take a few moments out of your normal routine to gain a new perspective on your surroundings. That’s what this stay-safe-at-home mandate is allowing all of us to do. Our world is filled with wonder, and even though you can’t leave your home right now to travel to a new destination, with a little creativity you can find ways to experience new things right in your own backyard.

So, tell me, what do you do when you want to travel but can’t? Do you have any other ideas? Let me know in the comments below!

AirTravelHealthTips

After posting this last week a lot has changed, so I am adding some updates. I am a teacher who is currently on Spring Break. However, since my original post my school decided to close for at least an additional week after Spring Break and move to online remote lessons. I was also originally planning to go to Nashville this week with my husband, but since so many things have closed there temporarily we had to cancel.

Like many I have questions and concerns about traveling and being in crowds or public places when traveling. It takes a lot of convincing before most of us seasoned travelers are willing to give up travel. However, most of us are putting it on hold for now. However, if you are unable to cancel your work travel plans or find that you need to fly, make sure to use common sense and be extra careful to stay healthy.

Air Travel Health Tips

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has changed air travel completely. Several airlines are cutting domestic flights and getting rid of some amenities provided onboard. Companies are restricting business travel and doing more teleconferencing and video meetings. With 52 confirmed cases now in my state of Tennessee school districts are planning how they will handle this outbreak. Coronavirus in the U.S.A. is a concern. What started as a global health crisis has now become a pandemic, and this affects travel in many ways.

Do Your Research to Understand Your Risks Before You Travel

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has a searchable COVID-19 risk assessment tool by country on its website along with other helpful information. It is a good idea to learn the status of your destination before you travel. When it comes to air travel and health do your due diligence.

Right now as a type this (March 17, 2020), the CDC has updated their travel advisories. More countries have been added to the Warning Level 3 Category. This means you should avoid all nonessential travel to: South Korea, Iran, Italy and most other European countries, United Kingdom and Ireland, and China. They have also added Venezuela because of the breakdown of the healthcare infrastructure in that country. The State Department also puts out regular travel advisories.

Health officials are asking people to self quarantine for 14 days after visiting high risk areas, so keep this in mind when making travel plans. They also suggest what is called “social distancing,” which just means to avoid very crowded places, public transportation, and staying about 6 feet from people. Talk about personal space, right?

Wash Your Hands Frequently

As a teacher I’m a pro at this one. I feel like I’m in a room full of germs all day long. I may get teased for being a germaphobe, but health experts say this is one of the best ways to protect yourself from diseases that spread on contact.

According to the CDC, hand washing can help prevent illness. Their website says that hand washing involves five simple and effective steps: Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, and Dry. Regularly washing your hands, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to conquer germs and avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It’s so easy! Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used if soap and water are not available, but it will not work as well and dries your skin out.

The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent coronavirus, so it is important to avoid touching your face and biting your fingernails.

Choose a Window Seat

This is always my preference anyway, because I like to look out the window and sit on the end of a row. But if people are the ones spreading the virus germs it makes sense to sit with less people around you. If you sit by the window you only have the persons next to you, in front of you, and behind you to worry about.

Bring Sanitizing Wipes

Take sanitary wipes and wipe off all surfaces used like the tray table, arm rests, and any other common places you use on the airplane. It has not been proven that coronavirus can live on surfaces, but it has not been ruled out either. It is interesting to note that FAA studies have shown that the back of the tray tables have more germs than the top. Ewh! The EPA released their list of approved disinfectants to kill coronavirus. You can find the list here.

Airlines are doing extra cleaning in light of this virus. I have read that airplane cabin air is cleaner than an office building, because the air filtration system on airplanes refreshes the air more often. Commercial jets have High Efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA), and according to International Air Transport Association they capture over 99.9% of airborne microbes.

Delta Airlines claims to have taken proactive and voluntary steps including a high-grade EPA registered disinfectant used on all flights, more hand sanitizer, more gloves for flight attendants, and several other additional sanitation procedures.

American Airlines says they are enhancing their cleaning procedures on international flights and aircraft that remain overnight at an airport. This includes a more thorough cleaning of all hard surfaces, including tray tables and armrests. All catering equipment on key international flights will undergo additional sanitation and disinfection procedures.

Southwest Airlines spends more than six hours cleaning aircraft every night in addition to cleaning in between flights. They say that since March 4, 2020 they have enhanced their overnight cleaning procedures as well.

Other Tips for Healthy Travel

No need to panic and go out and stock up on surgical masks. Health experts at the CDC say that you do not need to walk around wearing a mask over your face unless you are sick and might infect others.

Before you travel make sure you boost your own immune system by getting good sleep, controlling stress, eating vitamins, and of course washing your hands.

Consider getting the best travel insurance you can in case you need to cancel your trip. Check into travel health insurance as well.

According to ABC News today the CEO’s of major U.S. Airlines met at the White House last week to reassure passengers that air travel is safe. So go ahead and enjoy your trip if you must go, but take safety precautions and use common sense. And save me some toilet paper when you get back!

What are your thoughts? Do you have any additional advice? I’d love to hear from frequent travelers. Please leave your comments below.

Saving Money For Travel

You don’t have to be rich to travel! You just have to be smart and maybe a little disciplined. Becoming financially responsible just involves creating good habits and having the right mindset. It doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated, but it will take motivation and maybe sacrifice.

Here are the steps to save money fast:

It is amazing how eye opening it can be to write down where every dollar goes. Little things add up. This means that little savings here and there also add up to a nice vacation stash!

1. Start by Tracking Your Spending

Set aside an hour one night or weekend and carefully go through all of your accounts.

Write It Down

Find out exactly what you spend, and write it ALL down. What gets me is the miscellaneous stuff or unexpected expenses that I forgot about. The little things add up. At my school there is a drink machine in the teacher’s lounge, but the drinks cost about 4 times what they do in the store. So I usually bring my own from home. When we buy little things like snacks, coffee, bottled water, and impulse-buy splurges most people don’t write this stuff down.

Before you can really save enough for a nice vacation you have to be aware of exactly what you have, what you spend, what you owe, and what you need to save. That may sound like a lot of work, but it will eventually become second nature. It is actually more stressful not knowing how much money you have. Be in control of your money or it will control you.

Little Things Add Up!

Be aware of all your spending. The little things can creep up and become a big deal when added together. It may take a while to build a new habit, but you will get so excited about your upcoming trip that it will be worth it! Put a picture of your vacation destination on your refrigerator to remind you of your goal.

Tracking your spending lets you see where you are today and where you need to be. If you are digitally inclined, get one of the many free tracking apps such as Mint  https://www.mint.com. But do something. Find a way that works for you, and stay disciplined with knowing where your money goes.

2. Work Out a Strict Budget

How much will your trip cost? Decide upfront exactly how much you will spend on your vacation. Be realistic and specific. Think about plane tickets, checked baggage fees, gas, rental car, hotel, meals, tips, parking fees, tickets or admission fees to attractions, souvenirs, everything. Total it all up. Now pick yourself up off the floor. Naw, just kidding! If you need to cut expenses a little, do that. But be realistic. You want to have fun on your trip, so plan for it.

Track Everything.

Now that you know how much your trip will cost, decide how much you will need to save each month to get you to your goal. Then keep a running budget. What are your fixed expenses like mortgage or rent? What are your flexible expenses like going out to eat? When shopping use the calculator on your phone to keep track of what you are spending. Keep a ledger in your purse or wallet.

Budgeting effectively and living within your means gives you power and control over your life. Not having enough money to pay the bills is very stressful, and no one likes a vacation where a lack of money is always on your mind. Budgeting well and ruthlessly sticking to your budget gives you peace of mind when you travel and helps you to truly relax and unwind.

3. Reduce Unnecessary Spending

OK people, it’s time to get real. I’m saying this as a friend because I know how much you need that vacation. Stop buying stuff you don’t need! There, I said it. And I’m talking to myself too. I mean I can feel the money just drop out of my purse as I merely drive into the parking lot of Target. I might go there for one thing, but I come out with ten. Can you relate?

This is where you have to ask yourself the hard questions. Is this something I need? Is this something I can afford? Will it add value to my life? Do I want this thing more than a paid for vacation? Ouch! That last question hurt, didn’t it? It all comes down to needs versus wants. To me travel is worth spending money on, because I am creating an experience, having adventures, making a memory, and growing as a person and in my relationship with my husband. What is it worth to you?

Think about how much money you could save by cooking at home instead of going out to eat. I bring my lunch to work everyday, and most days I pack my husband a lunch as well. This saves us a lot of money and makes going out to eat much more special since we don’t do it all the time.

Other ways to save money that you might consider: cut the cable and just watch your shows online, have a garage sale or sell things on resale sites online, get rid of your landline and just use your cell phone, skip your normal grocery run one week and just eat what’s in your pantry, turn the heat or air back when you are gone for the day, use a credit card that gives you rewards or points that you can use to purchase air fare or hotel rooms, get a part-time job or start an online business. If you want to know how to make money online at home by starting your own blog shoot me an e-mail and I’ll connect you with the free 5 day course that got me started.

The point is you may have to sacrifice now to save for fun and adventure later. I teach middle school, and delayed gratification is definitely not their thing. But hey, we are adults! We can do this! You might even want to have a special savings account just for your vacation fund.

If you love to travel as much as I do take these steps and start saving now. Remember you don’t have to be rich to travel. You just have to be smart and disciplined. You can do this! Now go live your adventure!

Lake Tekapo in New Zealand

Recently my wonderful oldest step daughter and her talented engineer/photographer husband traveled for three weeks in New Zealand. One of their Christmas gifts to us was a calendar they had made with some of Cole’s photography. I was so impressed! I have never had the opportunity to travel there myself, but anyone I’ve known who has vacationed in New Zealand had nothing but good things to say about this beautiful country.

There are two larger islands (North and South) and about 600 much smaller islands. Mountains, beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, rolling green hills – the landscape is breathtakingly spectacular! In fact, you might even find a crew in New Zealand shooting a movie. You might recognize the setting of “Lord of the Rings” or “The Hobbit” as you view these scenes. Even though New Zealand time is way ahead of us, when I look at these pictures it looks like time stands still. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

New Zealand Sheep Paths
Cole said that most of New Zealand’s landscape is rolling green pastures full of sheep and cows. The animals walk on the sides of the hills so much that they eventually form paths.
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Rainbow Falls
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand KiteKite Falls
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Piha Beach
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Hot Water Beach
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Cathedral Cove
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Hobbiton
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com

Fun fact: The Hobbiton set was built out of foam and other temporary materials at first then taken down after filming the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. But when they were preparing to film the “Hobbit” trilogy, so many people came to see the landscape at the filming location that they decided to rebuild the set out of permanent materials. It took over two years!

New Zealand Huka Falls
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Lake Taupo
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Tongariro Alpine Crossing
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
The peak on the right was used as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings!
New Zealand – Wellington from Mount Victoria
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Marlborough Valley Wine Tour
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand has such beautiful scenery!
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Devil’s Punchbowl Falls
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Punakaiki Rocks
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Isthmus Peak
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Isthmus Peak
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Lavender Farm
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Lake Tekapo
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Kawarau Gorge
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
Lord of the Rings Filming Location
New Zealand Mirror Lakes
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Lake Marian
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Key Summit
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Key Summit
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Milford Sound
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Matai Falls
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Roaring Bay
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com
New Zealand Hike to Lover’s Leap
photo credit: www.colemcdaniel.com