In the heart of the fast-paced Silicon Valley, Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve offers a refreshing escape from the daily grind. With its lush green meadows, scenic rolling hills, and dense wooded forests, Rancho San Antonio is perfect for anyone who enjoys just “getting away” now and then, without having to travel very far. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountain range, this park is a local favorite destination for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. Rancho San Antonio is easily accessible from anywhere in the Bay Area, and is quite extensive. The 165-acre Park combined with the 3,988-acre Preserve, has plenty of hiking…
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Iceland — Hawaii of the North
Wearing ski jackets in the middle of Icelandic summer isn’t necessary associated with Hawaii. We understand. However, bear with us just for a minute, and we’ll show you the 7 reasons why our first trip to Iceland made us think of Hawaii! 1. Water Activities Iceland has lots to offer to water enthusiasts: from erupting geysers and majestic waterfalls, to chilling (or warming) in the thermal spas, or even snorkeling. Yes, snorkeling. In Iceland. A first trip to Iceland would not be complete without visiting the Blue Lagoon! Actually, we recommend doing that right after landing. There is nothing better than soaking in warm healing thermal waters after a long…
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Reykjavik — The Chill Capital of Iceland (Part 2)
So, you are finally in Reykjavik, and you’ve booked your tours and highlighted all the sights you want to see. What about where to eat, where to shop, and where to sleep in Reykjavik? During your visit you’ll probably want to grab a bite, pick up some souvenirs, and have a nice place to sleep at the end of the day. Here are a few spots we’ve personally enjoyed, and hope you might consider them for yourself. Where to Eat In Reykjavik With all the cool things Reykjavik has to offer, trying the local cuisine is one of the best ways to get a true sense of where you are.…
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Reykjavik — The Chill Capital of Iceland (Part 1)
Reykjavik will have you at “Halló”! The city is a pure blend of poetry, quirkiness and friendliness. Some say that the capital city of Iceland is so compact, that one can explore Reykjavik in just half a day. Not true! There is much more to Reykjavik than one might think. This seaside city is a wonderful destination for solo travelers, couples and families alike. The site of the original settlement is believed to be founded by Vikings around A.D. 874 and named Reykjavik, meaning “Smokey Bay”, because of the thermal springs abundant in the area. The actual town and trading post was established only in the 18th century. Today, approximately…
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How to Be a Bad Tourist: A Practical Guide
This very useful article will cover several key areas, providing novice Bad Tourists ample opportunities to bring bad tourist behavior to the next level of mastery. Full Disclosure: Some might find the following information to be slightly offensive. Sorry!? 😊 Appearance Language Cellphone Time Management Places to Visit Local Cuisine Local Traditions Air Travel Attitude 1. Appearance Traveling to another country generally means a long flight. Grab that pair of dirty old sweat pants from the hamper, and wear those. They are much more comfortable, and you won’t wrinkle up your good clothes during flight. Bare feet are also welcome on the plane. You can even put them on the…
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Paso Robles, CA — Small Town, Big Heart
Somewhere between Los Angeles and San Francisco, there lies an enchanted land of wine and honey, lavender fields and olive groves. Every time we visit, we admire the views of the beautiful rolling hills covered with almond orchards and centuries old oak trees, and enjoy conversations with super friendly residents. Claiming the #6 Spot on the New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2020”, Paso Robles is only 2.5 hours from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley and just 3 hours from Hollywood glamour. Wine, Beer and Spirits Now boasting almost 300 wineries with a wide variety of excellent wines produced in the area (the region is known…
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100 Things We Want to Do in 2019 — Fun Templates to Share
In one of our recent Twitter chats about Holiday Traditions, we’ve mentioned our New Year’s tradition of making a list of 100 things to do for the next year to the #traveltribe, and received multiple questions on how it works. Here is our answer, and the templates for you to use! A few years ago, on a New Year Day, we created our first list of “100 Things We Want to Do this Year” and really enjoyed it. So now, on December 31st of every year we review our accomplishments of the past year, and on January 1st create a new goal list for the year ahead. It’s fun to…