Destination Tuesdays: Los Cabos

Finally I got the opportunity to share with you my recent trip to Los Cabos!
Located in Baja California South, Mexico this amazing destination is often unknown to those who live on the East Coast of the US. And it used to be hard to get there from New York due to lack of non-stop flights.
But now, when there are weekly non-stop flights from Newark Airport to Los Cabos it takes a little more than 5 hours to get there and enjoy everything this destination has to offer.
Cabo is known for beautiful people, celebrities, and lot's of activities and entertainment. It offers a unique combination of desert, mountains, and ocean. Real paradise for cacti lovers :)

There are three major areas in "Cabo":

1. San Jose del Cabo, the "Old Town", which is nearest to the airport. San Jose has old Mexico charm and some shining new resorts.
2. Cabo San Lucas, the "Main Town", which is 20-some miles southwest from the airport at the end of Baja, and the entertainment hub of Cabo. The famous arch, El Arco, is in Cabo San Lucas.
3. The Corridor, the highway which connects San Jose and Cabo San Lucas, which is now lined with golf courses, condos and resorts that hug the stunning coastline.

By night, Cabo San Lucas is one of the hottest party towns in North America with a glittering nightlife and a plethora of dining options that make energetic Cabo San Lucas an all-time favorite. Also called Cabo San “Loco” or just plain “Cabo”, the town’s reputation as the wild party center of the Baja Peninsula has brought fame and infamy to its many bars and nightclubs.

There are lots of beautiful resorts in the area. For young and active, looking for partying, good food, and nightlife - Cabo San Lucas is the place! Stay at ME Cabo with famous Nikki Beach for the ultimate experience! Oh, it has a swimable beach :) Here's my review of the hotel.

For families - Melia Cabo Real is a great place. All Inclusive, conveniently located in the Corridor. It also has a spot on the beach where you can swim, which is rare in Cabo.

For romance - Capella! I was totally blown away by this resort! Gorgeous views, excellent service. Take your love for dinner at the restaurant on the cliff and she'll be impressed!

Restaurant on the cliff at Capella

Let's plan your Cabo vacation! Go to www.noproblemtravel.org. Or e-mail travelnoproblem@gmail.com

Travel Tips: How To Save Money For Travel

Many people say that they'd like travel the world but they often come with tons of excuses not to. Lack of money is one of such excuses so here are a few tips on how you can save money for travel:

1) Set your dream. Put a picture on your wall or a map with pins and strings, make it visual. This will constantly remind you about your goal and help you save money.
2) Create a savings plan which will consist of 5 steps:

• Assessment - compare your trip plan to the reality of your financial situation. Get a general idea of your trip's overall cost, compile a spreadsheet that lists your income vs. your expenses to see how everything stacks up.
• Setting goals - have your savings plan comprise several goals, some short-term and some long. List your goals in a specific round numbers and don't be shy to aim high but not so high it kills your enthusiasm.
• Creating a plan - with details how you'll accomplish your goals. For example, removing unnecessary expenses, setting a strict spending budget or adding additional income to meet your goals.
• Implementation - put your plan in motion and maintain it.
• Monitoring and reassessment - as time passes, your plan will evolve as your spending habits change. Take a look at your progress every month and scrutinize the budget for possible adjustments.

3) Asses you expenditures. Make a spreadsheet, place it where you can find it, and list out every one of your daily/monthly expenditures. Organize them into two columns" "Needs" and "Wants". Slowly eliminate all the "wants" from you list of purchases.
4) Start a dedicated travel fund. Create a new account with your bank called "Bon Voyage" and feed it monthly, weekly?, daily! Make it easy to transfer money over from another account and every time you go online to check your balance, transfer some money. Make it fun. Make it a habit. Make it natural. Make it painless. Enjoy its growth!
5) Cut back on your lunch.
6) Cut back on coffee.
7) Eat out less.
8) Reduce or eliminate your car usage.
9) Kill the cable TV.
10) Reduce your utilities bill.
11) Quit smoking.
12) Cancel your gym membership.
13) Reduce/remove your spa treatments.
14) Get fewer haircuts.
15) Borrow your reading material.
16) Stay in at night. Going out to bars and clubs will force your account balance to go down really fast. Keep your travel goals in mind and invite your friend over for, well..., movies, game night, knitting parties, cooking, etc.!
17) Sell some stuff.
18) Earn some extra income.
19) Keep your distance from people who aren't saving for a trip. Watching your friends going out every night, buying expensive electronics, expensive cocktails and new shoes will destroy all your hard-fought motivation. They know you love them, and they'll understand and probably respect you more for saying no.

Remember,  you're going traveling! That's one of the best goals a person can have!

Credits to airtreks.com

Promo Saturday!

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Grand Oasis Viva

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Riu Paradise Island

3) Florence, Italy
Rivoli Hotel 4* from $479 for 4 nights and private hotel transfers.
FEATURES Pizza & Gelato Making Tour & buffet breakfast daily.
Travel from July 15 to September 7 '14

Rivoli Florence Hotel

Travel Tips

Packing Tips To Go To Italy

Please pack:

Umbrella: It will come handy in case of bad weather. You’ll regret having to buy one from eager street vendors who jack up the price the moment the sky opens.

Tissues: There will inevitably be places that are lacking toilet paper :)

Band Aids and moleskin: In case of foot blisters.

Travel-sized toiletries: This is the stuff that can really add weight, so bring only what you need. Hotels generally supply shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion.

Lightweight duffle bag: To fill with souvenirs for your return trip.

Bikini for warmer months: That’s right! Even if you feel like you’re past your bikini times, you’ll feel odd at Italian beaches and lakes in a one-piece. You’ll see that women of every shape and size would rather feel the sun than fret about their bodies. So go ahead and join in on the pleasure…

Cover-Ups for anything sleeveless. At Saint Peter’s in Rome, you’ll be turned away if your shoulders aren't covered, and all those many churches in Italy with the beautiful masterpieces inside would prefer that you follow the shoulder-cover modesty when you enter.

Copy of your passport, credit card numbers, and toll-free numbers to call in case of credit card loss. Give another copy and your itinerary to someone who can easily be reached, so they can be sent to you if necessary.

Pages of guidebooks: Don’t take the whole heavy book. Rip out pages that apply to your destination.

There's no need to pack:

Hairdryer: Even budget hotels have them.

Spike heels: They get stuck in the cobblestones.

Shorts: You’ll feel odd unless you’re biking or on a beach.

Sneakers: Meaning your gym shoes or white sneakers. That said, comfortable shoes are important as you’ll be doing lots of walking. Make sure you have good rubber soles, as leather slips on the slopes in the hill towns. These days Italian women sport fashionable flat-heeled boots or fancy colored sneakers for day wear.

Note:

Before you go, call your bank and credit card companies to give them a heads up, as in these days of high security, they may block your card if they aren't forewarned about your foreign spending.

Credits to journeywoman.com

Thursday Beach Fashion

Ideas for your Destination Wedding or Honeymoon 

Florencia-Inspired Wedding Dresses

Dolce&Gabbana dresses and accessories...ahhh

Trash The Dress!!!

Destination Tuesdays: Florence, Italy

The cradle of the Italian Renaissance, politically, economically, and culturally Florence was the most important city in Europe from some time before 1300 until the early 1500s. It is the capital of the region of Tuscany and is considered a cultural, artistic and architectural gem.

For first-time visitors must-see places in Florence include Il Duomo di Firenze, the main church of the city; Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous picture galleries in the world; Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River with shops on it; and Galleria dell’ Accademia which houses Michelangelo's David.

Duomo

Galleria dell' Accademia

If you want to get a feel of Florence just take a walk along the Arno River and across any of its bridges, through narrow, medieval back streets in the Santa Croce area, and in the Oltrarno - on the south side of the river.

Oltrarno

Arno & Ponte Vecchio

For those who love to shop there are superb shopping streets, such as the Via Tornabuoni, the Via del Parione, and the Via Maggio.

If you are looking for something different to do take Segway tour of Florence City Center, pizza and gelato making tour, or wine tasting and appetizers at Gustavino’s Wine Bar. Romantics at heart will absolutely enjoy horse & carriage tour of Boboli Gardens!

Segway Tour

Pizza & Gelato Making Tour

Boboli Gardens

Florence is always buzzing 

with tourists, you will find them in large groups surrounding attractions such as the Duomo di Firenze, even in the worst weather. If you are looking to visit and experience warm weather, head to Florence in early April before it becomes too hot and humid in the city. The restaurants and cafes will open up their outdoor seating when the warm weather rolls in. If you're looking to escape the crowds, January and February deter some tourists due to the cold. Try to avoid traveling to Florence in August because of the smoldering heat. Many Italians flee the city to go on holiday and because of this, most popular shops are closed for the month.

Promo Saturday!

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