Because of this new relationship, Burma is a hot ticket for travelers these days!

Decades long sanctions have been lifted against Burma –  so travelers are clamoring to visit the region before it is overrun with American fast food chains. (Warning though – some don’t agree with the sanctions being lifted and argue that Burma still has a lot to do in the way of human rights and preventing ethnic violence.)

American businesses are dying to get a piece of the 60 million Burmese…. and change is coming fast. In the two years that the civilian govt has been in place and some sanctions lifted, Ford is opening a car dealership this summer, Coca-Cola will be on the streets, and Hilton is working on a hotel among other things

From travelindochina.com

So now is a good time to go if you want to see it while still pure. But – just know, the infrastructure is pretty primitive compared to other Asian countries.

I visited last year…. and blogged about it. But Burma is still a hot topic and I wanted to post again, because you will surely be hearing more and more about it – especially with the president of Burma in the US today.

I was lucky enough to travel around Burma by sailboat along the coast and through islands.

Burma

I never saw another tourist, and there are very few hotels.

Burma

The water was beautiful…

and we encountered many local villages on the water…

and local fisherman to whom we brought gifts.

It was a trip of many water sports.

Burma

But you can also visit by land. It is a spiritual place, with many temples.

Burma is not the cleanest of countries… and hotels aren’t four star by any means. But strangely enough, you are still required to take off your shoes upon entering some temples.

The markets revealed the low standard of living.

From ancientwonders.com

Most tourists visit the magical town of Bagan in the Mandalay region…. known for its more than 2000 spiritual temples. I’d like to go there some day. And, if possible, before there is a Starbucks on every street corner. But change is a coming… and fast!

I wouldn’t bring my kids because I can’t say I would feel comfortable in a medical emergency. I’d highly recommend an organized tour if you want to go. They are more and more available – another sign of the times in Burma.

My latest example is from a friend who recently visited Borrego Springs in Southern California….

I am a California girl through and through… raised here, been there done that in the Golden State. But I had never heard of this off -the-beaten-path desert town just northeast of San Diego and south of Palm Springs.

Sure, Borrego offers the typical desert activities – golf, biking, hiking…

Courtesy of Diane Salerno

But what really captivated me is Galleta Meadows – a privately owned piece of land open to the public. On this stark desert landscape are 130 exotic-looking steel sculptures by artist and welder Ricardo Breceda.

From artistsandthieves.com

A round trip of about 20 miles around the area and you can see them all.

From desertusa.com

Many of the earlier works were inspired by the animals that lived millions of years ago in the area…

From sierralara.com

and some are just pure fantasy!

Borrego might be a fun 1-2 day stop on a road trip – you can camp or stay at a local hotel. It is surrounded by the largest state park – Anza-Borrego. If you do stay the night, look into the many public astronomy events that take place there – Borrego Springs was the first “Dark Sky Community” – being 55 miles from the super lit up coast, the dark night sky is a perfect place to star gaze.

From theabf.com

It is so inspiring to learn about new, whimsical places….I hope you think so too.

http://www.borregosprings.org/

From singleswarehouse.co.uk

According to a study by travel website Expedia, couples who vacation three or more times a year are more likely to be satisfied with their love lives than those who travel two times or less a year. The survey was conducted with more than 2,000 adults.

That may not be such a surprise….. However, now that you have incentive to pack those bags more frequently, which romantic destination would you choose? Fiji? Paris? Rome? Well…. according to the Expedia survey,the top city for intimate vacations is: ….Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Didn’t see that one coming – you?

Have a great day.

Travel With Family

When I was a young girl, my mom made family trips a priority. Many years later…  and with  three young children of my own, she and her husband were able to come with us to France for the price of airfare only.

Provence, France

See… we did a home exchange in France for one glorious month. The beautiful thing about a home exchanges is that unlike getting separate hotel rooms, you can swap your home for a villa with multiple bedrooms so your family and your parents can all stay together for …. FREE. Yes, no money is exchanged. It is a wonderful way to travel with extended family.

There are many pluses to this….

Our Home Exchange in the French Riviera

And…not only are the accommodations free, but you have the option of eating meals at home, saving money there too. And you don’t have to sacrifice culture – if you’ve ever shopped in the Parisian markets or grocery stores for a home cooked meal, you know the experience of which I am talking.

Secondly – bringing along Grandma and Grandpa can work out fabulously for some adult time! You have willing and happy built in babysitters for a night out with your partner.

Winetasting in Chateauneuf du Pape

Or, they can be company in fun activities! Since my mom and her husband like wine tasting, they were my company in the world class Chateauneuf du Pape region!

Then there are the benefits for the kids…. they get to share a rare experience with their grandparents… and if you travel to a region of your heritage, grandparents can also provide illuminating facts about your family history.

Home swapping isn’t for everyone, I admit. The most common question I got was – “What did you do with all the stuff in your house” “Did it bother you to have other people stay in your house?” You have to be comfortable with people you don’t know living in your home. I talked to our exchange  family on the phone before hand, and one member even was in LA for business and we had him over for dinner, so I felt comfortable. I looked at it as company was staying at our house.

Truth be told, I talked to so many different potential Europeans about staying in our house, and discovered that most of them just want to use your home as a base to travel around, and quite possibly wouldn’t be there most of the time anyway.

There are many different companies that offer home exchange opportunities – usually you have to pay a nominal  yearly membership to have access to the listings. A couple that I have tried,or know someone who has tried are: www.homeexchange.com and www.intervac-homeexchnage.com

Two bits of advice: Plan ahead – many of the better houses started making plans 10-12  months before the trip. Also – get traveler’s insurance. I did have one house cancel on me… luckily, I had enough time to find a replacement, but had it been closer to the travel time, it would have been much more difficult.

It is more work than simply booking a hotel – but worth it. I know my mom would say so

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Good news my patriotic travelers! The Statues of Liberty re-opens July 4 after having been closed due to Superstorm Sandy damage last October.

Tickets to visit Liberty Island can be purchased online or by phone with Statue Cruises- www.statuecruises.com. Reservations are strongly recommended.

If for some reason you can’t get tickets, the Staten Island Ferry is free, and cruises right by Lady Liberty. Not the same as visiting the island, but still an option when tickets are sold out.