Edwin

I ran into my Canadian friend Chantal at the Vancouver Airport and she was so excited about her recent adventure at an Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai. She took her entire family and they took care of elephants for a few days. She showed me photos of their family bathing the elephants in the river and I was so jealous. I didn’t know such place existed.

I was so excited that I immediately called my 10 year old nephew about this elephant farm in Thailand where we will be camping for 4 days to take care of the elephants. I explained to him that “we would wake up early to take the elephants for a walk, then bathe them in the river, and feed them before taking them for their daily exercises.” I was so excited and I knew he would be as well.

My friend Mark was celebrating a milestone birthday and to commemorate this special occasion, he rented an entire chateau in Durdogne in South of France for his 10 closest friends. He has come up with a lot of crazy ideas in the course of our 12 year friendship- but this was the best idea EVER!

The chateau is managed by the prestigious Château de la Treyne.  It is located in a very quiet part of the countryside perched on a hill overlooking Durdogne. The setting is quite extraordinary. This chateau is also the ideal base from which to set off and explore this fascinating region of France.  We rented a couple of cars and explored wineries, caves, and quaint villages in the course of 7 days.

1. 1. You don’t remember your mother’s birthday but you have your frequent flyer number memorized.
   2. Your idea of porn is Travel and Leisure Magazine
   3. Your wallet (or home drawer) has at least 5 types of currencies
   4. You have a selfie with a parrot, a monkey, a koala, an elephant and a kangaroo.
      
   5. Your profile pic is of you in an exotic country
   6. You don’t name drop celebrities at dinner parties, you name drop countries you’ve visited
   7. Your yearly goal in life is to get status with an airline (and you actually have a plan in place)
   8. You’re still in the middle of your vacation and you’re already planning the next one
   9. You can name all the restaurants at the airport
   10. You think that travel where you don’t need your passport doesn’t really count as travel
   11. You can’t name the Khardashian sisters but you can name every country in the Eastern bloc
   12. You’d pick a rainy day Argentina or a snow storm in Zurich over a sunny day at home
   13. Your credit card was issued by an airline
   14. Half of your Facebook friends are people you’ve met in a foreign country
   15. You actually enjoy seeing your friends’ vacation photos
   16. You have the double-sized 32 page passport
   17. You got more excited planning your honeymoon than planning your wedding
   18. You’ve spent more time on TripAdvisor than CNN
   19. You can name 5 Amazing Places to watch the sunset
   20. Your favorite Thai Restaurant, is actually in Thailand
   21. You’ve thought of giving up your amazing job to one that will allow you to travel for free
   22. You work extra hard so that you have more money for more trips
   23. You re-consider having pets as it may affect your ability to travel
   24. When you haven’t travelled in 3 months, you start getting antsy and think your lie is B-O-R-I-N-G!
   25. You don’t get jealous when your friends post about their new car, but you do when they post a pic of them frolicking in Greece
   26. You can’t name the 5 members of One Direction, but you have heard of countries like Myanmar, Mongolia, Morocco, Georgia, and Laos
   27. Your friends know it’s better to email you for travel tips and ideas than use Google
   28. You know that Ottawa is not a city in Japan
   29. You love your family but you will only spend Christmas vacation or Thanksgiving vacation with them. The other holiday is for traveling somewhere.
   30. You’d rather do Paris the City, than Paris Hilton
   31. When you’re deciding where to go for your vacation, it feels like Sophie’s Choice.
   32. You have ridden a horse, an elephant, and a camel
   33. Your screensaver is a gorgeous landscape photo, not of Jake Gyllenhaal.
   34. You’re most happiest when you’re on the road.
   35. You couldn’t care less that Kim Khardashian and Kanye got together, but if airlines merge …. Oh, you try to get all the facts!!!!
   36. You know what Global Entry and Priority Pass are, in fact, you’re a member
   37. You know more about a plane’s configuration than your own car
   38. You know how to say “Thank You” in more than 5 languages
   39. You learn that your friend just bought a $1,500 purse, you’re thinking “God, I’d rather use that money for a trip to Bali.”
   40. You can’t name the past 5 US presidents but can name at least 40 US states
   41. Your hottest sex experience, is with a foreigner
   42. The only time you pray is before each flight “God, I hope I get upgraded!!!! PLEASE!!!!”
   43. 90% of your junk mail are from travel-related websites
   44. You absolutely hate airline food by now
   45. You judge people who travel with super large suitcases. You think they’re crazy.
   46. At the airport, you have a favorite sitting area and you know where all the charging stations are.
   47. You know that Bellagio is not just a hotel in Vegas
   48. Given the choice, you would rather hug a koala than Hugh Jackman
   49. You may not remember where you put your car keys, but you know exactly where your passport is.
   50. You actually have a bucket list.

If you are a Travelholic, join our support group NOW! We meet at the Airport Executive Lounge every first Friday of the month! See you there! 

(Share in the comments below how you scored!)

The natural beauty of Oia’s unique stone topography, dark blue waters in combination with its traditional Greek architecture of white washed houses, gorgeous villas, winding streets, windmills and blue domed churches, make this village unique and popular among photographers. All that beauty, along with the gorgeous sunset in the afternoon, make this an unbelievable place you have to see and experience in your lifetime.

Oia is a picturesque town in Santorini, Greece beloved by artists, locals and the tourists alike. If you’re a photographer or a painter or you simply enjoy sunsets, you have to come and experience this daily phenomenon. (It’s also named one of the most romantic spots to propose to your loved one!).

During daytime, it is a busy destination for visiting cruise ship passengers. So it’s best to avoid it! It is better to arrive in the early evening, allowing plenty of time to meander, shop and take photographs, then have a relaxing meal in one of the restaurants while watching one of the most beautiful sunsets you would ever experience.

My skin is glowing, right? Hahaha That is sweat right there. Hahaha It is seriously 96 degrees and humid. He wanted to go up soooo badly, and it is our only reason we are back in Athens. So we had to do it.

I was dying because you have to hike up this long windy, path. And you’re sweating soooo badly. Hahaha I hate the heat- but I do have to admit, it was worth it once you get up there. Pretty amazing views and architecture.

Tip for you- bring bottled water with you. Hydrate hyrdrate hyrdate!

I did not have Milos on my radar but it was included in Travel and Leisure Magazine’s 25 Best Islands in the world. So I re-routed my trip to include this somewhat secluded island in Greece.

I did not disappoint. The island is a bit sleepy with a almost half of the island without roads or access. Many of its beaches are empty. You can have an entire cove to yourself. It is beautiful and unique.

The crowd here is more upscale than normal because it is not a party island. (Think Tommy Hilfiger get up). People come here to avoid the loud music and Ibiza-like crowd. There are many yacht owners whi visit the island- casual yet chic.

Hotels run the gamut from inexpensive to luxurious. (But not quite as luxurious as Santorini hotels).

If you’re looking for a “new” island that is off the beaten path- give this amazing island a try.

Upon exiting the airport, the Intercon Bora Bora’s staff took my luggage and walked me to the private boat 20 steps away. From there, they whisked me to hotel across the blue lagoon; the view was spectacular, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I have been around the world yet I have never seen islands this beautiful.

Upon arrival at the resort, two muscular men partially covered in Tahitian tattoos and wearing grass skirts welcomed us by blowing Conch Shell horn to announce my arrival. I can truly say I have never been welcomed at a hotel like that. (Wish every hotel did that. LOL).

I was on a road trip with my family across Italy when we booked Park Palace.  Upon entry to the lobby, we can’t help but be awed by the grandness of the villa. It was truly a jaw-dropping experience.

Surrounded by the Tuscan hills, Park Palace is a historic Florentine villa offering 26 lovely rooms, well-kept pool, manicured lawns and enough parking for your entourage. The place is so peaceful, you wouldn’t know that you’re just a 5 minute bus ride from central Florence (or a short 20 minute walk to Florence’s Cathedral, Uffizi Gallery, Boboli Gardens and Ponte Vecchio).

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