Inspiring Words

Here's a few of my favorite quotes that keep me inspired to travel in my life:

Photo from: http://www.worldofwanderlust.com/inspiring-travel-quotes/

This one reminds me to be adventurous.  Sometimes we forget about some of the most important things in life and focus on material possessions rather than what this world has to offer.  Take time to go explore!

Photo from: http://www.lustfortheworld.com/travel-quotes/

If someone so wise as Mark Twain said something like this, I believe there must be some truth to it.  

Photo from: http://www.summittravels.net/2013/09/travel-quote-of-day-septemer-18-2013.html

Anthony Bourdain is the host of the travel channel show "No Reservations".  I find this quote just making me want to jump onto a plane and head anywhere I could possibly think of.  I love imagining all the opportunities to learn about new places and cultures, and just waiting for me to discover them.

There's plenty more out there on the web to keep your inspiration for traveling at an all time high.  There's even another one posted just to the right of this.  Feel free to share some of your favorite quotes with me!

Playlist to the Best Vacation

When lounging in the tropical destination of your choice with toes in the warm sand, playing the appropriate music is a necessity.   It's not everyday that you can completely relax and not worry about the test you took last week or the messy room you left back at home. The best way to to do this is to play some mellow, easy going music.  The artist below are a must on your iPod or phone when traveling to a tropical get away.

Bob Marley: The best way to relax is to listen to a little Marley, pina colada in hand (virgin of course), and embrace the tropical breeze. Aahh.

Jason Mraz: Let me tell you, Mraz melts my heart a little with his love songs about laying in the sand with his sweetheart.  He's perfect to listen to when laying in the sand and tapping your toes.

John Mayer: John one by one wins woman's hearts over with his serenading songs. Click on the live edition of a song?  Listen to it anyways, he's amazing live too.

Colbie Caillat: She's perfect for a windows down stroll through the town on the unknown.  Exploring the place that you are traveling is just as important as spending as much time on the beach as possible.

Jack Johnson: You cannot go wrong with Jack Johnson, he's perfect for listening to...any time of the day.  He's just--perfect.  His mellow songs are great for a late night stroll on the beach gazing at the stars.

Jimmy Buffet: Though he is not in my time era, you'll always hear a buffet song in the heart of the summer with men in floral half buttoned tee shirts near by bobbing their head to the beat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acvIVA9-FMQ 

Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillet-Lucky 

Be Prepared For Your Next Trip

Do you ever wonder what types of things you could be doing while traveling to your destination? Hmmm, I wonder what could make your trip planning easier!  

Travel Agencies.  They can be so helpful, especially if it’s somewhere completely new.  Whether they may specialize in cheap flights or creating the ideal trip, I would recommend using one to be sure of what you’re getting yourself into.  You can also plan accordingly with how much money to bring, and what types of items you might need for certain activities.  All around, they are a great option.

Photo from: http://www.healthnowmedical.com

If you want a website that does a little bit of everything I’d recommend Travelocity, Last Minute Travel, STA Travel, Liberty Travel, Expedia.  If you’re traveling specifically to Europe Destination Europe Online would be a great one to consider.

A website like Kayak (which is very user friendly) specializes solely in transportation and hotels.  Sites you might want to check out if you’re just looking for good hotel prices may be Trivago or Priceline.  Looking for a cheap flight? Cheap-o-Air is a great website to find the best prices.

Happy traveling!

How to not go crazy before traveling:

Getting ready to travel is such an exciting time, and the time up to it a million questions can go through your head.  How to do things affordably? What to do?  What to bring?  How much money?  Safety?  There are obviously many many questions you can ask, especially if you’re like me and a little OCD about things...anyways, check out my top 10 places to see so you don’t pull your hair out ten minutes before boarding the plane wondering if you have everything under control.  

Photo From: cozybegone.wordpress.com  edited by pic monkey

 

Trying to keep under that 50lb a bag rule...so difficuilt especially for us women, gotta love shoes.

We don’t always have a partner in crime with us when we travel.

Ramen noodles every night?  Traveling on a budget can be tough, but possible.

The world is HUGE and you can’t possible go everywhere in one trip, how do you choose?

People worry about what to wear when they travel, but what about what not to wear?

Are you like me and get queezy and want to barf everytime youre on a boat or plane?

Traveling with someone especially with a significant other can be tricky.

Not everyone thinks that flying a nice relaxing adventure to their destination..

Even though I don’t relate to this at all, many families travel with children.

Everyone hears about travel rewards and the miles you receive free.

Jamaica Mon?

The island of Jamaica--we all hear about it on the travel ads-- a beautiful country located in the caribbean.  They advertise sitting on the beach sipping fruity drinks out of coconuts while getting a tan (what’s more relaxing than that?), riding horses on the sandy shores, and zip lining through the trees.  In 2012 I got the chance to go to Jamaica while I was on a cruise with my extended family.  I’d never been more excited, I’d never been anywhere so tropical and dense with forests.  

Photo from: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism

Jess sitting in the window of the ship

 Pulling into the harbor on the enormous cruise ship my older sisters and I threw on our bikinis and grabbed our bags as we watched out the rectangular window of our room.  The view was already breathtaking and we weren’t even off the boat.  I could see beautiful flowers of pinks and purples flourishing beneath the tall green trees, the turquoise water glimmered in the ninety degree sunshine.  As we waited in line to exit the boat I could see glimpses ahead through the people of the dock, and to the buses that would take us on our excursions.  What I found when we were walking off the dock was a strange thick yellow line.  What’s this line for?  Beyond the line vendors were desperately selling little beaded bracelets or Bob Marley t-shirts.  An older woman offered me a free necklace, and my sister gladly said no before I could accept.  Later I realized, that if they gave you something for “free” they would start reaching for your purse and money . . . what’s free about that?

Throughout the day I realized that this same thing kept occurring, people begging for money and begging for us to buy small miscellaneous items.  I’d never realized the poverty that overtook this country.  

The shops were no different, owners forcefully brought items to me and convinced me that I needed them, and young children ran around wildly trying to sell braided rasta bracelets.  I didn’t understand that so many people there were struggling financially so much.  I didn’t realize how good I have it in America.  If I wouldn’t have traveled to Jamaica I wouldn’t have discovered what I did.  The advertisements tell about these amazing places and they do exist, they aren’t lying.  But there is so much they don’t tell you.  Most people who travel to Jamaica stay inside the resorts and don’t experience the true culture of the people there.  And I think it’s important that everyone know and understands what it’s really like there.

Jess and her family at Dunn River Falls, Jamaica

Don’t get me wrong, I had an amazing time in Jamaica.  We went to Dunn River Falls, a waterfall and with our excursion guide.  As we climbed up my bare feet had to grip the slick rocks,  it was absolutely beautiful underneath the dark green canopy of trees climbing as the cool water rushed over my feet.  It was an experience of a lifetime.