The Olympic Flame Arrives in the UK

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Barbara

London the City to Travel to in 2012


The Olympic Flame arrived in the UK on May 18.  Her Royal Highness the Princes Royal carried  the Olympic flame  off the plane to be transferred to a cauldron . David Beckham and others were  there to be torch bearers.
I watched it on BBC. It was very exciting. People from Europe and the world will be at the London Olympics in July 2012.
Now I want to go to London and be a part of it all.  I would have a new story to share. Travel is always exciting.

Are you going to be at the Olympics. What event do you want to see. Leave a comment.

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3 Reasons to Go to London Next Year

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Barbara

Are You Planning  to Travel to London in July 2012?

This summer is going to be an exciting time to travel to London. The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is on Friday, July 27, 2012. London will welcome millions of people to the unforgettable experience of the Summer Olympics. The city will be filled with athletes and tourists. If your plans are already made, passport up to date, flights arranged, plane ticket in hand, rooms booked. Have fun!!!

3 Reasons to Go to London Next Year

1. Hotel space is very limited  and more expensive because of the influx of people for the Olympics.

2. If you want to see other any London attractions the crowds will be smaller when the Olympics are over.

3. Everything will be more expensive because of the demand during the Olympics.

There are many things to see in London and other European cities like Paris, Amsterdam or Venice no matter what year you go, so unless you are really set on going to see the Olympics I would suggest you wait a year. When ever you go you will come home with a new story to share.
Have you been to London?  Click here to leave a comment and share your most memorable experience.

 


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5 Reasons to Visit Prague in The Spring Shoulder Holiday Season

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Barbara

The spring shoulder is in the spring. June marks the end  of the spring shoulder season and the start of the high season.
Here are 5 great reason to travel in the Spring Shoulder Season 

Wenceslas Square

1.    The spring is perfect for your visit. The Prague, spring weather is mild. The gardens are in full bloom. From mid-April until May, the weather will continue to get warmer with each passing day, in the summer it can be hot and oppressive  with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius.
2.    The crowds have not arrived. You can enjoy strolling the old city without hustle and noise of the summer crowds.
3.    Hotel rooms are available and the rates still very reasonable.
4.    May marks the beginning of the festival season. May is the month of the multi week Czech Beer Continue reading →

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Delft Another Canal City

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Barbara

Royal Delft Factory

Delft is not the first city that comes to mind when you think of canal cities. It is not Amsterdam nor is it Venice. It is a more serene city, with out the big city hustle, noise and crowds. Delft is a lovely city, similar to Amsterdam with tree lined canals and bridges for pedestrians to cross over them. There are buildings in Gothic and Renaissance style side by side. In the large square you will find cozy restaurants, and street side bars. The historic center is 700 years old.

Delft is a bicycle town

Everywhere you look people are riding bikes. They are available for rent at the Tourist Information Office. The people of Delft pick the “bone shaking” Dutch built bikes. At the tourist office you can go to plan your visit to Delft.

Royal Delft pottery is world famous.

Royal Delft is the last remaining pottery factories. It has been exporting Royal Delft Ceramic for 400 years. in the mid 17th century there were 30 potteries. The Royal Delft factory is open for visitors. I enjoyed seeing how the pottery is made and seeing the artists hand painting each item. Some of the artisans paint at home. The work is taken to them and picked when it is finished. And of course you can purchase a piece of Royal Delft when you are there.

Delft is the home of Johannes Vermeer

The book., “The Girl with the Peal Earring” by Tracy Chevalier and the movie by the same name are about the painter Johannes Vermeer, the famous painter. In honor of their famous son the city of Delft has made what is called “Vermeer Cube Walk”. Your can follow the rotating cubes to learn about Vermeer his life and his works.

Experience Delft as a Pilgrim not a Tourist?

Delft or any travel can be a spiritual journey be sure to be present and enjoy every minute of it. When you return home your new story of Delft will be a wonderful addition to your travel memories.

What is place are you longing to explore? Leave a comment.

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Three Tips For Making Your Best Travel Choice

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Barbara

The Little Mermaid - Copenhagen - Denmark

How do you decide where you will travel? I have three questions I ask myself when deciding where to travel. I like to gather some information before I decide.
1.    Is it hot? Is it this the destination many travels are picking in the coming months?
2.    Do I have a connection to this place?
3.    Do I have a longing to go there?

Is it hot? If after doing some research I find that a destination am in interested in traveling to is HOT that is a negative for me. I would rather travel to places where there are fewer tourists.  I put it on hold for the present. But some places for example Paris,  Rome and Amsterdam are always hot. Then I do research  to discover which of the sites that I want to see in one of these cities are open in the spring or fall season when there are fewer travelers.

Do I have a connection to this place? One of the places I know very little about therefore have not had an interest in traveling to is Ireland. I recently learned that my ancestor came from Ireland. I now have a connection. I want to learn more about my personal history.  A trip to Ireland  will be a spiritual journey. An inner and outer trip.

Do I have a longing to go there? Many of the place I long to see are because I have read about them. I am an avid eclectic reader. I read fiction and none fiction. My imagination is triggered by what I read then I want go and see it for myself. Books I read in my childhood about  places Switzerland, the Netherlands or Denmark still call me.

When I have asked myself these 3 questions and done the research  I evaluate what I have learn and pick my next travel destination. I am prepared to embark on my next spiritual journey. All travel is a spiritual journey if you are open to it.

When I return I will have a great new story to share with family and friends.
What is your new story?  Click here to share your travel stories with us or leave a comment.

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Three Unique Ways to Travel to Change Your Life

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Barbara

Val de Nuria, Spain by Gary Arndt

“To many people travel and see nothing. To many people travel from Hilton to Hilton…The only reason to travel is to change your life.” Robert Kiyosaki.

There is no limit to the ways you can experience spiritual travel. It all depends on  having an inner experiences as well as the outer one.  It happens when you travel with an open mind and an open heart, when you are aware of what you are experiencing.
There are places which evoke spiritual travel, for example the Cathedrals of Europe, in Chartres, Paris, Avignon, Cologne, Aachen, Burgos or the standing stones of Stonehenge and Easter Island or cities like Prague, London, Rome, Venice. Spiritual travel is not limited to these places.
Here are three unique ways some individuals has chosen to be spiritual travelers:
House sitting around the world
Living a nomadic life.
Volunteering

House sitting: In her book the Gypsy in Me Teresa Roberts tells of her experiences being a house sitter for people around the world. She had the desire to travel, but she felt she didn’t have the means. She has been able to travel the world as a house sitter. She says she love her house sitting life.
Teresa Roberts, Creative Paths to Freedom, www.findingthegypsyinme.com

Living a nomadic life: Two gentlemen have made travel a life style, they live a nomadic life and love it.. They have done it in their own way. They each have a blog that gives you an insight into how they experience spiritual travel.
Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site   http://www.nomadicmatt.com/
Gary Arndt http://everything-everywhere.com/ Gary is a master photographer.
It is one of his photos at the top of the post.

Volunteering: A third way to experience spiritual travel is by volunteering. Volunteering is definitely a spiritual journey.You can volunteer in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Check these links for a few possibilities.
Cultural Solutions             www.crossculturalsolutions.org/
Teaching English in Spain  http://www.morethanenglish.com/anglos/index.asp

These are the kinds of spiritual travel that enable to write your new story when you return home.

Do you have any unusual spiritual travel experiences you would like to share?
We would love to hear from you. To leave a message click here.

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Three Travel Tips For Your Safety When You Travel to Europe

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Barbara

Arriving at Charles de Gaulle

When you travel there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe, if you are traveling across town to go shopping or traveling to Europe on a spiritual journey.
The exact things you can do to be safe are specifically not the same, but you must think about them before you leave and take actions.
There are 3 easy things you can do to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Doing these 3 things will improve you enjoyment of your spiritual travel no matter if you are in Paris, London, Chartres, Stonehenge, or Amsterdam.

3 Tips for Safe Travel

1.Travel with another person for safety comfort and enjoyment. My suggestion is to make your choice for a traveling companion, a person you know, like and trust. Select some one who shares the same interests as you, and is similar in health and physical condition. My traveling companion has been my sister. We have traveled thousands of miles together in Europe. We did all the things we wanted to do and had the safety and security of always having some one there in case of the unexpected.

2.Take care of your money. Always use a money belt to keep your cash,or travelers checks safe, credit card or debit card safe. Have a small change purse to carry in a safe pocket for day use. You don’t want to try to get into your money belt in a public place. If you know you will want to use your credit or debit card put in in your change purse too. Never leave any money in your suit case in your hotel room.

3.Always carry your pass port with you. Before you leave home make two photo copies of your passport. Leave one at home. When you are traveling leave the other copy in a safe place in your suit case. Then if your passport is stolen it will be easier to get a replacement, but not really easy!

Have fun enjoy your spiritual journey and be safe.
1.Travel with a friend.
2.Keep your money in a money belt
3.Keep your passport with you at all time and make copies.

When you return home share your new story with friends and family, a happy new story of a safe wonderful spiritual journey.
Tell us about your safe travel tips. Click here to leave a comment

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What Makes A Spiritual Journey?

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Barbara
Boats at Finesstre Spain

Spain

When we embark on a true spiritual journey we embark on a quest. We set out to discover something. On spiritual journey  we usually think of moving  physically from where we are to another place.  (It can also be a spiritual journey of learning when we travel inside without changing our physical location.) We are always in search of knowledge. But what kind of knowledge?

We may believe we want to learn about a place we have heard of or read about. We may have always wanted to travel to Paris or London or Amsterdam. We may have a desire to travel by train to meet new people. We do learn about the places and people we come in contact with but we also learn what our-self.

We learn about life. When we put our-self in unfamiliar “water”, we learn how we navigate these new and sometimes difficult situations. When we return we are better able to deal with some of the stressful things that do occur in life.

Our journey is unique. Each of us learns what we need to know even when several people take part in the same journey. You will be changed. You will want to share your experiences. You will want to share  your new story.

“Embarking on the spiritual journey is like getting into a very small boat and setting out on the ocean to search for unknown lands.”  Pema Chodron

Leave a comment to tell how you have been changed or what you have learned from your spiritual journey. Click here to leave a comment

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Do You Have a Travel “Bucket List”?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Barbara

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” –   Susan Sontag

Delft a beautiful old city

Do have a list of places you long to journey to and experience.  That is your call to a spiritual journey. Is there a European city you  long to visit? Is it Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vienna, Brussels, Amsterdam?  Have you journeyed to a city  that  is calling you back?
I traveled to  some cities for the first time that are now counted among my favorites. Delft is one of those cities.

I wrote in my travel journal about the wonders of Delft and the beautiful dishes and vases they create at the Delft factory. It is part of my new story.

What is your favorite city leave a comment. Click here.

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What Is Spiritual Travel ?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Barbara

What makes a journey a spiritual journey? Is it fun? Is it serious? Is it hard work? What can you do to make a journey a spiritual journey?
This is what Joseph Dispenza says in his book, The Way of the Traveler

“Every time we take a trip we have an opportunity to expand our awareness and thus to grow spiritually….Conscious travel elevates the process of our journey and enriches our spiritual life.”

When I was a child I loved fairy tales. As an adult and kindergarten teacher I passed my love of fairy tales to my students. The first time I travel to Europe (I was an adult) I insisted we go to see the locations of some of my favorites . I came home with a great new story.

Here is the Pide Piper of Hameln Glockenspiel in Hameln Germany

A spiritual journey is just as much fun and exciting as travel by another name the difference is to be aware of how you are experiencing it. To be mindful. To let your journey to any place, Paris, Amsterdam, London or even Hamlen  be your experience. Be aware of what you feel when you look out at the city of Paris from the Eiffel Tower. What memories does it bring to you, what feelings do you have, both emotional and physical. And write these feelings, these emotions  in your travel journey, it is your new story.

It was exciting to be in Hamlen and hear the music of the carillon. It was an inner and outer experience for me, but for others it could be just down right boring. Your spiritual experiences is your own, as is your spiritual journey.  It is very personal.

To leave a comment about your unusual spiritual journey click here

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