India: My Dream

My dream destination: India

The food (oooh the food!), the history, the scenery, the architecture, the transportation, the people, the markets, the beaches, the madness. I want to see and feel it all.

It is part of my 5 Year Goals ... 2016, fingers crossed!

10 Ways to Experience India Now

Where the Heck is the TP?

That may be one of many questions you ask yourself when you start off on your first adventure outside of the comforts of your Western world. I asked myself that while in the bathroom of my first night train in Thailand, squatting over a hole open to the tracks. But as soon as I thought it I laughed to myself, grabbed the bathroom hose and finished up.

Nope, I was not in Kansan anymore Toto.

Learning how to squat, eat, wash , find & arrange transport and communicate are all shots of culture shock that even some of the most seasoned travellers may encounter while venturing off the beaten path. And while things may seem crazy and strange at first glance, these are the elements that make venturing outside of your comfort zone all the more exciting and create the memories and adventures of a lifetime.

The Art of Traveling in Developing Countries | BootsnAll Travel Articles

2011 - Year of the VACATION

Its back! The idea of a vacation has been brushed aside over the last few year, with 2010 being deemed the Year of the STAYcation.

But 2011 is bringing it back and if you are game, as mentioned in the blog below, this could be the year to take the trip of a lifetime.

No more `staycations` | Adventure Travel Company Blog

Have I ever mentioned that Beach Travellers go to Bali, Brazil, Costa Rica and Thailand?

Sabre Plays Hard Ball with AA

In the on going battle between airlines and distributors, it looks like Sabre is calling American Airlines bluff ... and its working.

Sabre Holdings, a major distributor of airline tickets to coveted business travellers, said it would immediately make American fares harder to find in its displays. It's also dropping a discount on the fees the airline pays when its tickets are sold. Sabre plans to end its contract with American in August, although it expects the parties to discuss an agreement between now and then.

American got the attention of the travel business last month by pulling flight listings from online travel site Orbitz when they couldn't agree on a new contract. Expedia then dropped American flight listings. The two competitors were on the same side in resisting American's attempts to force them to get flight and fare information directly from it instead of through so-called global distribution services like Sabre.

The spat highlights how airlines want more control over what travellers see when they search for a ticket and who gets paid when they click "Buy." Airlines want travellers to be able to buy more add-ons such as seat upgrades, baggage, and internet access when they buy their ticket. Online sellers have said they're working to make that possible.

Read the full article here: Metro - Sabre ramps up online travel battle with American

Have Kids, Will Travel

I have always thought that when I become a Momma my travel style would have to change and it would be a bit more difficult to travel to exotic and interesting places with kids. Fears of being stuck with Wally World type vacations and endless road trips filled my head.

And while I realize travelling with kids is not impossible (I travelled when I was 6 months old. My parents loaded me up and flew me over the Atlantic to the Mother Land (England & Scotland) for a summer, but this was a family vacay, a meet and greet with the new addition, not an overly adventurous European tour or any sort), I just assumed that it would a bit different and a bit more complicated.

But after reading this my concerns have been washed away and I cannot wait to backpack with a mini-me ... or two

South America, East Africa, India, Nepal, Tibet, nothing is off the list any more.

Traveling in Southeast Asia With a Rock-Star Baby - NYTimes.com