Ultimate Hiking Gear

Some gear is just too good to pass up!

Sherpa Resham 3-Layer Jacket

Built to deflect wind and rain, the Resham Jacket is one streamlined, high-performance piece of equipment. The fabric is an ultra-light, 3-layer polyurethane laminate that’s both waterproof and breathable. Every seam is sealed for durable water repellency. And when you need to ventilate your core on the ascent, unzip the front hand pockets – they’re lined in mesh. The collar is extra tall for maximum face coverage, and the hood adjusts around the face via interior front pulls; volume control is done via a device at the back of the head ($199;http://www.sherpaadventuregear.com).

*Sherpa Adventure Gear manufacturers 80% of their products in Nepal with a local workforce to support the local economy. They also employ actual Sherpas as brand ambassadors who use and test the products in the Himalayas. In short, the great Sherpas of Nepal are directly-benefited by the success of Sherpa AG.With a flagship store in Katmandu, Sherpa AG promotes the use of their products to all climbers and locals alike — offering jobs and opportunities for Sherpas and their families. Continue reading

Go Away – All About Travel

When it comes to flights, vacations, or any form of travel, I enjoy convenient, one-stop shopping. Spur of the moment is what I’m all about; I’d love to hop on a plane and fly somewhere new and unexpected at the drop of a hat, but with a newborn I need a little bit more structure for the time being. While planning an upcoming flight, I thought I would give a travel agent a try. I was riddled with questions about traveling with newborns, but I didn’t know who to contact. Should I call the airlines? Should I search online? Where do I search for guidelines for traveling with children? Travel agents offer the one-stop shopping that saves time and provides less stress, leaving me to focus on other, more important, things like my baby girl. Travel expertise and friendly customer service make taking advantage of a travel agent worthwhile. My agent, Dortha, at All About Travel used her knowledge and expertise to ensure that all of my travel needs were met and all of my questions were answered. If you’d like to take all of the stress out of travel, try a travel agent.  Continue reading

Top 10 Favorite Cities Visited – #1 Rome, Italy

Top 10 Favorite Cities Visited

With 33 countries under my belt, I’ve experienced some of the most amazing cities that the world has to offer. From great beaches, climate, friendly people, personal interests, world-famous attractions, architecture, history, and culture, there are many different factors that make a city great, let alone top ten!

#1 Rome, Italy – One of the oldest cities in the world, there is no other place that holds the beginning of life like Rome.  Continue reading

Top 10 Favorite Cities Visited – #10 London – United Kingdom

Top 10 Favorite Cities Visited

With 33 countries under my belt, I’ve experienced some of the most amazing cities that the world has to offer. From great beaches, climate, friendly people, personal interests, world-famous attractions, architecture, history and culture, there are many different factors that make a city great, let alone top ten!

So… here goes.

#10. London – United Kingdom

Legendary fog isn’t enough to keep Londontown out of the tourist limelight. London is the 2nd most visited city in the world with estimated 14.8 million visitors a year. Continue reading

The Full Vegas Experience without Setting Foot on The Strip

In 2011, the AAA (American Automobile Association) added 15 more top-flight properties to its list of 5 Diamond Hotels, bringing the number to 124. These proprieties, all meet the highest standards for hospitality, service, and accommodations. Planning a getaway in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, or Mexico couldn’t be easier. Just choose a Five-Diamond Hotel award winner and you can guarantee a successful trip, right? I wanted to put one of the hotels to the test so I chose the largest 5 Diamond resort in the world – The Venetian & The Palazzo in Las Vegas, Nevada. With spectacular suites, top shows, exquisite dining, and an abundance of amenities, The Venetian Resort offers it all; it is a center piece, a piece de resistance, for Vegas. During our four night stay, we were able to experience all that Vegas is known for and has to offer by visiting just one resort. Continue reading

Royal Hideaway in Mexico

I felt compelled to add some photos from my favorite all-inclusive resort. The Royal Hideaway Playacar in Mexico effortlessly does all-inclusive right. Now this is a breathtaking resort that claims a spectacular beach!