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| SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER |
Studies
have shown that people like to plan their trips as much as take them.
I know that I fall into that category which is probably why I love to
go to travel shows. Especially, when one of the fastest growing
Travel & Adventure Shows is being held nearby at the San Diego
Convention Center.
When you walk into a large center with over 140 exhibits surrounded by four stages featuring travel celebrities, exotic destinations, cooking demonstrations, and entertainers from around the world it can get a bit overwhelming. I quickly realized that seeing it all was impossible, so I needed to focus. I decided to concentrate on some of my favorite celebrity writers and travelers who were being featured on the main stage.
When you walk into a large center with over 140 exhibits surrounded by four stages featuring travel celebrities, exotic destinations, cooking demonstrations, and entertainers from around the world it can get a bit overwhelming. I quickly realized that seeing it all was impossible, so I needed to focus. I decided to concentrate on some of my favorite celebrity writers and travelers who were being featured on the main stage.
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| RICK STEVES - MAIN STAGE |
Rick Steeves was the first speaker of the day. The room was filled with hundreds of travel enthusiasts that were rewarded with his travel stories and advice from over 30 years of travel to Europe. He had slides on each side of the stage that helped to keep us interested for the one and one-half hour presentation. With his nationally televised travel shows and books, as well as the popular Rick Steve Tours, he still finds time to
spend four months out of the year in Europe to stay current.
spend four months out of the year in Europe to stay current.
Among
his many words of wisdom were the following:
--Personalize
the trip by doing your research and picking out things that interest
you. For example you can find a Museum of Bags & Purses in
Amsterdam or ruined castles all over Europe that are free, but hard
to find.
--Find
out what's going on and go where the locals go. Enjoy leisurely
evening strolls with them or attend their favorite sporting events.
--
His favorite place in Switzerland: Appenzel Alps and their northernmost summit, Ebenalp.
–Berlin
is the most dynamic city in Europe right now.
--In
his opinion there are two IQ s of European travelers: those who wait
in lines, and those who don't. Travelers that read his books can
learn how to avoid the lines and save precious time.
I
recommend his website: RickSteves.com. You can go there to read his
latest travel news and most importantly to view one hundred free
travel shows along with lectures and others classes. It also includes
a great forum for answers to all of your travel questions.
He also has free phone apps that can guide you on tours of many major cities. I found it interesting that his latest travel books assume that travelers in Europe are traA quote from his blog: “... each time I fly away, I know I’ll be collecting new friends and life-long memories wherever I venture...”
Another favorite is writer and publisher Pauline Frommer. She is the daughter of Arthur Frommer, who at age 85 is famous for his book series which started out in the 1960s as Europe on $5 A Day. Pauline and Arthur still appear together on a nationally syndicated two-hour radio travel show which airs every Sunday from noon to 2pm. (You can also listen to it online.)
They are also busy writing a new book series. Frommer's Easy Guide to New York City is currently a best-selling guide to the city.veling with a cell phone.
A
quote from his blog: “... each time I fly
away, I know I’ll be collecting new friends and life-long memories
wherever I venture...”
Another
favorite is writer and publisher Pauline Frommer. She is the
daughter of Arthur Frommer, who at age 85 is famous for his book
series which started out in the 1960s as Europe on $5 A Day.
Pauline and Arthur still appear together on a nationally syndicated
two-hour radio travel show which airs every Sunday from noon to 2pm.
(You can also listen to it online.)
They
are also busy writing a new book series. Frommer's Easy Guide to
New York City is currently a best-selling guide to the city.
There
are a number of significant things going on right now in the travel
industry that make for some good near term opportunities. Probably
most importantly the US dollars value has improved against most
currencies. Also, there are some real deals on safaris to Africa
(check out Smart Tours.com). Airbnb.com is providing good value on
lodging and now booking more rooms than hotels are booking. River
cruising is currently very popular—with few discounts. She also
advises to visit Cuba now before it changes. The old vintage cars
they have maintained will soon be replaced by new shiny cars that
they can now be purchased on the free market.
One of the hotspots for travel in 2015 recommended by Pauline Frommer is Belgium. They are commenorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the 100th anniversary of WW I battles. In addition, Mons, Belgium, is celebrating as the joint capital of culture with over 300 events and a major VanGogh exhibition.
One of the hotspots for travel in 2015 recommended by Pauline Frommer is Belgium. They are commenorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the 100th anniversary of WW I battles. In addition, Mons, Belgium, is celebrating as the joint capital of culture with over 300 events and a major VanGogh exhibition.
Since most of us are doing our own bookings online these
days, here are some suggested websites:
days, here are some suggested websites:
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| GIVERNEY GARDENS |
hotel
tonight (an app not a website) Best time to check: 3 pm day of arrival
Insuremytrip.com
(travel insurance)
Most
importantly go to Frommers.com for ideas on places to travel and the
best deals around. Note that Pauline Frommer does
not receive any kickbacks from the travel industry for her
recommendations.
Another
informative and entertaining speaker is Josh Gates, who stars in the
new travel channel program Expedition Unknown. The popular Thursday
night show chronicles the adventures of Josh as he investigates
mysteries and legends around the world. He is a believer in
adventurous travel that knocks you out of your comfort zone because
it affects you more and stays with you longer. He also loves to
travel in Asia and recommends a visit to one of his favorite places,
Cambodia.
I'm
headed to Europe in May—now I have to figure out how to add
some adventure to the journey so I can remember it and become a
techie so I can listen to Rick Steves while on the go. Then, of
course, always remember my dad's advice: “Go while you can.”
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