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Any Kiwi will recommend you try New Zealand’s famous green-lipped mussel (or sometimes simply called the New Zealand mussel). That’s because you can only find them here in New Zealand and everyone’s proud of them.

While on the water taxi to my hotel in Raetihi, I asked the driver what makes them so famous and he offered to take a detour to take me to his very own mussel farm. “You should have a taste,” Pete insisted.

After our short adventure, he gave me all the mussels and told me I can give it to the hotel chef at Raetihi Lodge and they can prepare it for me in time for lunch.

WHAT AN AMAZING DAY! I had an amazing lunch and met an amazing guy- thank you Pete! (Kiwi hospitality at its finest).

Cruised the majestic Marlborough Sounds aboard E-Ko Tours’ vessel on a scenic journey to Mortuara Island. Their catamaran boat was so comfortable and their staff were so knowledgeable and friendly (they even made us hot chocolate, tea and shortbread cookies for the trip- YUM!). We saw some dusky dolphins, fur seals, penguins, king shag (one of the rarest birds in the world), yellow crown kakkariki, saddleback and numerous sea birds from the deck of the boat- what a great experience!

As part of the tour, we hiked up Mortuara Island where the view was spectacular! This tour is a MUST! To book, go to www.e-ko.nz

You won’t regret it! It’s a life changing experience!

 

While my American friends were celebrating a peaceful Thanksgiving in the US, I’ve decided to sign up for “Dart River Cruise.” I thought- “Wow, how relaxing.” Little did I know that this is what Dart River Cruise is.

The ride lasts for about an hour and 15 minutes at a speed of 50 miles per hour (I’m pretty sure it can go even faster). The river is quite shallow and has lots of twists and turns, with massive boulders at each turn. Dart River is in a very windy valley, and the boat has no protective glass or seatbelt.  As you can see, I was very calm. (NOT!)

To experience this, visit www.dartriver.co.nz/ and live on the edge.

 

I was walking across a bridge in Frankfurt so I can photograph the financial district of the city when I started noticing that the tourists were taking photos of the bridge railing instead of the city skyline.

There were thousands of padlocks all along the bridge from people all over the world telling their story of why they were there; to announce an engagement, profess their love, celebrate an anniversary, announce the birth of a child, or to remember a loved one. Eiserner Steg have become a symbol of ever lasting love for romantic couples.

The bridge also offers amazing views of the city’s skyscrapers on one side and historic buildings on other side.

Someday I will profess my love to my future husband on this bridge … after all, fairy tales do come true (And it can happen to me!).

 

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!)

What are you looking to do on your vacation? Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, adventure, beach & sun, casinos, fabulous resort, family trip, relaxation, spas, architectural wonders, ancient cities, skiing, food tripping or shopping, there are many amazing options for all interests and budgets.

Perhaps one of these images I took from around the world can help you decide where to spend your vacation. (Not in any particular order)

 

1) ROME, ITALY: Pilgrimage, museums and great food

 

2) BALI, INDONESIA: Fabulous (and inexpensive) hotels/villas, spas, family getaway and relaxing vacation

 

3) VENICE, ITALY: Romantic getaway and great food

 

4) LAKE LOUISE, CANADA: Picturesque landscape, road trip, hiking and majestic mountains

 

5) NAPA, CALIFORNIA: Great wine and cuisine and beautiful scenery

 

6) PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES: Beaches, snorkeling, family trip, and diving

7) LONDON, ENGLAND: Architecture, history and art

 

8) MARRAKESH, MORROCO, : Adventure, fabulous hotels and landscape

 

9) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA : Wonderful shopping, cool restaurants and landmarks

 

10) RONDA, SPAIN: Great weather, architecture, and breathtaking mountains and beaches

 

11) CARMEL, CALIFORNIA: Dramatic shoreline, world-famous golf, and spas

 

12) CANCUN. MEXICO : Adventure, parties, beautiful beaches and pyramids

 

13) LAKE COMO, ITALY : Outlet shopping, picturesque lakes and alps, wonderful architecture

 

14) ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: Picturesque city, great people watching and beautiful lakes

 

15) SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Hot surfers, great beaches and party town!

 

16) SALZBURG, AUSTRIA: Beautiful town, quaint shops, charming architecture and history

 

17) BEIJING, CHINA: Great Wall of China and Olympic Village, and culture

 

18) GRAND CANYON, NEVADA : Nature, landscape, road trip and family trip

 

19) SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA: Adventure, cultural immersion, religious trip and relaxation

 

 

20) OIA, GREECE: Breathtaking landscape, beach, sailing, food trip and relaxation

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.

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I’ve stayed at a lot of hotel rooms and Bungalow 232 at the

intercontinental Hotel Thalasso Bora Bora is by far the most beautiful one!

While prices vary depending on the season, it averages at $700-$1,500/night.

Is it worth it? Most definitely! Let me show you around my room!

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.

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The El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore located at 1860 Sante Fe Ave, Buenos Aires, Argentina is not your ordinary bookstore. It has been voted one of the most beautiful bookshop in the world.

What makes this bookstore unique? It opened as a theater called Teatro Gran Splendid in May 1919 and in February 2000, the building was renovated and converted into a book and music shop. With 21,000 square feet of retail space, it welcomes over a million guests each year from all over the world.

The cinema seating was removed and in its place book shelves were installed. The stage is now a coffee shop (You have to try their meat empanadas! They are to die for!). The box office is now a cashier.

Upon entry, you step up into what used to be a large performing arts venue. The main floor is split wide open by the staircase down to the music and children’s section. The upper levels have a smaller rotunda and then an open section facing the main stage.

Despite the renovation, the architect was able to maintain the grand elements of the theater – The frescoes on the ceiling, the ornate carvings, the grand staircase, the crimson stage curtains, the auditorium lighting and many architectural details remain. The building still retains the feeling of the grand theatre it once was.

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