I love stumbling across online articles that give me the inside scoop when it comes to the best deals in travel, or really, anything with the word “secret” in it! I feel like I am in on the inside scoop, regardless of whether this story of tips and secrets was just blasted all over the internet!

Enter the article “Nine Best Secret Hotels in the World” by Budget Travel. What makes these hotels the best? Low on price and high on charm, in some of the most loved travel locations on this planet…from Italy to Greece to Jamaica. I can’t keep the secret to myself, now, so you can find that article right here: http://bit.ly/fKClBD

But even better than the dreamy locales described to whet your travel taste buds, is this book of clues~ “The Travel Detective: How To Get The Best Service And The Best Deals From Airlines, Hotels, Cruise Ships, And Car Rental Agencies.” Count me in! Tell me everything! You can grab this book too, for cost of less than two Starbucks’ coffees: bit.ly/ej3gxl

But don’t keep these secrets to yourself. However, it is ok to wait to share them until after you’ve booked your own reservations!

Well, the sweetest thing just happened to me…Kobo just added “Reading Life” to the apps you can get for your iphone! Ok, ok, I’m sure they didn’t do it just for ME…but it sure feels like it!

Now I can read my ebook “Travel Singapore: Illustrated Guide, Phrasebook And Maps” on my iphone ~ while I travel! Does it get any better than that?

I am reading this book because Singapore was rated as one of the safest places in the world for women to travel alone, by a group of travelers on a group of mine on LinkedIn. Traveling alone overseas is something I have on my bucket list. So thanks to the advice of a great group of fellow travelers, Kobo and their available books, and Kobo’s new “Reading Life” app ~ Singapore, here I come!

Are you interested in putting “Reading Life” on your iPhone, or your iPad? You can download the free app right here: bit.ly/ezoCmt

Thank you, Kobo!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner…are you ready for it? Do you have any travel plans with your significant other?

Couples sometimes embark on vacations together in order to determine if it will make or break their relationship. More often than not, they discover the answer is, “break”! And usually, it is too late to go back and call a “do over.”

Sean Cunningham with CNNGo shares five “travel relationship killers” in his online article: http://bit.ly/hdjtz4

As Sean keenly puts it, “How we handle tough times reveals a lot more about our character than how we handle good times.” Vacationing with your love interest can certainly create a few tough times, so be aware of these pitfalls and you’ll be on your way to a happier ending.

As a photographer myself, I’m well aware of how “image is everything” when it comes to making something look good, or selling an idea. Even being aware of that, I was still surprised to learn what I learned in this revealing article on CNN, called, “‘The sexy lady’ and other hotel photo tricks.” Read it here: http://bit.ly/gL17ic

How many times have you gone on an expensive vacation only to realize it is half of what you expected? Or, you tell yourself that it must be different just this one time, because it is an especially busy weekend, or spring break (somewhere!) And, because you are embarassed, when you get home you still write it up as an amazing experience as you brag about it to your friends?

That article was an eye-opener to me, and will certainly help me keep my eyes wide open as I search online for my next fantastical vacation. One way to get a more accurate “picture” of a place you plan to visit is to search online for photos from actual vacationers. Flickr is a good place to start.

And as always, happy trails!

Have you ever found yourself wishing that you had someone to consult when it came to all the inside secrets to comfortable, exciting, or money-saving travel? Sure, we have our pals, perhaps a few friends who are well-traveled and know a thing or two about it.

Well, I did a little research for you and found some great travel-related connections for you to look in to! Here are some people who can and will send you off on amazing adventures, just by following them online!

Are you on Twitter? Here is a great posting by Lucie Hys that will introduce you to who she considers the Top Ten Travel Tweeps on Twitter: http://www.thetop10blog.com/top-10-travel-tweeple/ Follow them on Twitter, and you’ll find yourself gaining valuable information regarding travel tips, deals and quotes!

Another favorite website of mind is SmarterTravel.com. There are a ton of resources available for the enthusiastic traveler, however, you’ll also find other interesting ways to engage on the website. There are personal photo contests, tips of the days, and “how tos”. I’d like to share a recent article that is just one of many I enjoy this site: “Ten Places You Never Thought You Could Afford.” Read it here: http://bit.ly/gnjb9j

Enjoy your week!

Ok, this is just for fun. I saw a video clip today that documented how to turn one of your old books in to a handbag. While it did bother me considerably to watch someone slice the text out of a vintage book, the concept in general is very fun.

Now, you love to travel, and everyone needs a little bag of some sort. Why not take a travel book that you are ready to recycle and do something fun and crafty with it instead?

Here is the link to the website that introduced me to the concept. You’ll find a YouTube video on the page that will give you step-by-step instructions on how to get your handbag done: http://bit.ly/hfce7f

More and more people are turning to eReaders when they travel. It is much easier to carry an item like a Kobo eReader with 10 books on it, than to pack that many in your luggage. So if you’re one of the “techie” readers who owns an eReader, you now have a few old books on hand that you’ll need to find something to do with. Make a handbag for yourself, or to impress the lady in your life.

Have fun! And if you discover a less messy way to accomplish this craft, be sure to share!

Spring break isn’t too far away, and nothing beats the winter blues like a vacation somewhere new! Do you have a family to plan a vacation for? Does it seem overwhelming to plan places to go, sites to see, and to manage the expenses?

If you need some help, turn to the pros.

Lynn O’Rourke Hayes of the Dallas Morning News gives us an excellent list of ideas and links to quick family vacations in her article, “Family travel five: Ideas for quick family getaways”, which you can read here: http://bit.ly/fC0aCz

And for readers who like to have a handbook ready at any time, check out this book, “The Complete Idiots Guide to the Best Family Destinations”, readily available here: http://bit.ly/gRVgjJ

Not every vacation planning needs to be time consuming and stressful. Picking up hints and tips from well-seasoned travelers can make your trips smooth sailing…

…and just for fun…keep track of how many “are we there yet?”s you hear from the backseat riders, and see if you can break your record the next time.

I was just introduced to a fun website that has focused its efforts on making a statement toward the latest American airport security protocols…scans. The founders at 4th Amendment Wear realized that metallic ink would show up on TSA X-ray scanners at airports. So, they put together some undergarments that travelers can wear, that will make a statement on their behalf, without having to be disruptive!

You can go to http://cargocollective.com/4thamendment#799609/Home and check out their “under” wear…Tshirts, undergarments, socks…even children’s clothing! The founders at this site acknowledge the importance of security, and they do point out the professionalism of airport security and the fact that workers are just doing their jobs…but they offer up a tongue-in-cheek way of asking, “Is this really the best measure?”

Don your 4th Amendment Wear as you head to the airport…the security personnel will be treated to a gentle reminder that the 4th Amendment is intended to prevent “against unreasonable searches and seizures.” What a fun – and legal – way to use your freedom of speech!

We are 10 days in to the new year…how are you doing with your resolutions? Did you make any resolutions regarding traveling? If so, how are you doing so far?

Have you found cheaper fares? New places to visit? New challenges to try out while on the road?

Share what you’ve done, and if there is anything new you have tried that we could benefit from trying ourselves!

Happy January!

Traveling where you are at…sounds nonsensical, doesn’t it? But think about it, how often have you looked at the visitor attractions around you, or taken excursions that are off the beaten path in your state? Or checked into your state parks to see what they have to offer?

When someone says, “I love to travel” this usually conjures up images of foreign lands and exotic places. A listener might assume the speaker means they  like to travel overseas, or to another country. But sometimes when I say, “I love to travel,” I just mean I love to travel 5 hours north.

Minnesota is not known as the tourist mecca of the United States. Growing up, my classmates always took family vacations to incredible places, like “Walt Disney World” or the ocean. I used to think I lived in a ho-hum state.

As an adult I became interested in photography. One of my friends challenged me to sit in one spot, and try to find 20 different, interesting photos around me. It was hard to do at first, but once I opened my mind and eyes, I found well more than 20 photos to take!

And the same can apply to vacationing in a 1-5 hour radius of your home, depending on where you live. Open your mind and your eyes…and discover what lies right in front of you!