I have been looking for unique or unusual bucket list ideas since staying home from traveling because of COVID19. After the initial shock wore off of social distancing, I started redecorating my home. But after a few months, I was done with that and was looking for more fun things to do at home in the evenings. Of course, no traveling was required until things
As a travel lover, there is no better feeling than exploring a new city. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in sightseeing during the day, that our night activities revolve around eating and then either going out for a nightcap or just going to bed. However, that should change when you visit Portland, Oregon, as there are plenty of things to do in Portland Oregon
Is there anything kids love more than playing with toys? Most, if not all, kids enjoy playing with a range of different toys. So leave it to me to introduce you to some of the best toy museums in the world. With toys such as Legos, dolls, Barbie and Ken, Micky Mouse, Lion King, stuffed animals, robots, trains, and Hot Wheels. These are just a
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico was named the "best city in the world" by the world-famous Condé Nast Travellers Magazine (2020) and Travel + Leisure (2017). This Mexican city sits in the eastern part of Guanajuato and is a part of the Bajio region. This fascinating city was founded in 1542 by Franciscan monk Fray Juan de San Miguel, hence the name of the city.
Caye Caulker is a minuscule little island off the coast of Belize. Roughly 3000 people live on this breathtaking island that sits off the Caribbean Sea. If you are one of those people who love to visit “off the beaten track” places, then I would recommend visiting Caye Caulker Belize. The island itself is less than 1 mile from east to west and 5 miles
Over the last few weeks, I was looking through and editing old photographs when I started thinking about our bucket list for families that I made. When I was in college, my friends and I used to watch a television show about these families that were traveling around the world. They were marking things off their family bucket list as they voted to do the
Along the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico lies the beach community of Zipolite Playa or Playa Zipolite, depending on who you ask (Mexican or Gringo!) Both names are acceptable! This community is situated in the visually-stimulating state of Oaxaca, which, as you know, I can’t say enough about this region’s culturally rich charm, golden sandy beaches, and amazing beauty. I also had a chance to
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Amazon Prime Video! #ad Watch "The Pack" on Amazon Prime Video, November 20th! I have always thought that there was something indescribable about the relationship between me and my dog. Somehow, my dog just seems to understand me and I understand her. My dog’s name is… Coco Chanel Maloney and is a purebred Shiba Inu –
This year has been one like no other; the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic has been a time of extreme change for many people. Right now, everyone is beginning to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and the prospect of returning to everyday activities. As this looks more likely, many people are turning their attention to all the things that they want to do, places that they want
With so many fun things to see and do in San Miguel de Allende, you may be forgiven for wanting to step back and take a breather from all the non-stop exploring, in order to rest and re-charge. Thankfully, the natural hot springs San Miguel de Allende is only a stone’s throw away from San Miguel. And set in gorgeous lush gardens, La Gruta Spa
Dare we say that Christmas is just around the corner? We’re now in mid-November and you may be thinking about beginning your Christmas shopping, but what exactly can you buy for those in your life that love to travel and explore the world? Aside from taking them on vacation, there are a plethora of other gifts you could consider buying for the adventure seekers in
Disclosure: As is common in the travel industry, Dr. Maloney was provided with compensation for the purposes of review for this article by Identity Guard. While it has not influenced her review, PointsandTravel.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. All Photos are by the author or are mentioned below the photo. There may be affiliate links in this article. Identity Guard®
Since I finally put pen to paper and wrote up an extensive Ultimate Bucket List for Families, I thought, why not add in one for the teens in the family as well? When I googled “bucket list for teens”, I didn’t find very many ideas. So to make it even more specific, I decided to make a summer bucket list for teens, as that is
When people hear the word “Road Trip”, they either jump up for joy or dread hearing those words. To be honest, going on any trip is always a blast, but it is especially fun when you are going on a road trip! So pack your bags, we are going on a road trip! A huge plus of a road trip is that you can organize
As we search for our “new normal” in life with COVID-19, we most likely have a lot of free time on our hands. Spending time with family (and pets) is super special and it is not lost on this Mom. I now have two sons home from college during this pandemic. But when the boys are working online or playing with PlayStation and the husband
During these crazy COVID-19 times, having enough sleep is essential for your health and wellbeing. It helps your body function properly and boosts your overall mood. If you are having trouble sleeping naturally, this can be incredibly frustrating. There’s good news! Medication is not always the solution to your problems, and there are many more natural options you can take. Some of these methods you
For just a moment, close your eyes and imagine the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Northwestern Florida, Panama City Beach is a hotspot for travelers and it is easy to see why! It is a hot spot for vacationers. With its cute little cottages painted in pastel colors along the long stretch of sugar-white sand beaches, you can see it is thriving
What a whirlwind trip I had to Helsinki, which is a world away from the USA. I suddenly got transplanted into a winter wonderland from the heat of the desert of my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona! One thing I immediately noticed upon my arrival in Helsinki was how Scandinavian design has spread throughout the city with a ton of design stores, workshops, and galleries. The
Honestly, people tell me all the time “you have the best job in the world” and “do you need an assistant?” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard those words. And it is true, I love to travel and I love my job. And I do have the best job in the world, but do you want to know why? I earned
If you have always had a penchant for travel like me, the chances are that you may have already done the slumming style of backpacking when you were younger. I never did, but you may have. I knew plenty of people in their early twenties who made their way to Mexico, Thailand, India, or Malaysia and ventured across different terrains, backpacking along the way. Hostels were
In my opinion, there’s no such thing as bad travel. Any opportunity to get away and immerse ourselves in the sights and sounds, scents and tastes of another culture is a proposition that should be embraced. However, there are some occasions when a getaway demands a little extra luxury, a little extra romance and a little something extra special. If you’re thinking of popping the
What is holding you back from traveling this year? If you are like my kids, then the cost associated with traveling is a huge factor. Maybe you need to get your spend in order or maybe you have a lot of mouths to feed. It does cost money to travel, but maybe not as much as you think it does. Here are some tips to
Photo by: Kendra Lee Photography Sometimes you just need to get away. So why not make it a local event? Here in Arizona, we call those “Staycations”. We have such an array of resorts and hotels in Phoenix and Scottsdale that it is worth it to just give yourself a break and do a “Staycation AZ”. Recently I had a chance to get
Whether you are planning a short vacation abroad or something much more extensive like a tour of the world, you need to make sure that you are fully prepared. One of the major parts of being prepared is to make sure that you have all of the clothes that you are likely to need for the trip you are taking. Which is something that can actually
Have you ever wanted to feel like being a part of a community while on vacation? That is one thing I loved about the community of Quivira Los Cabos in Los Cabos, Mexico. It is a luxury residential resort community that has a lot to offer including the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort, The Towers at Pacifica, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Montecristo Estates Luxury Villas, and a
Visiting St Simons Island Georgia is well known for its southern-style seen in Savannah, GA’s stately squares, with their distinct southern twang sound. And most people know about its peach pies, pecans, and one famous peanut farmer (who happens to be my cousin). But did you know that the Barrier Islands located right off the coast are full of unspoiled beaches, live oak trees dripping
Whatever your quest is in your health, things like anti-aging, detoxification, slimming down, or deep relaxation, then this Monaco spa known as the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo is the exact place for you. It lies somewhere between technological worlds and a few islands of tranquility but either way, it is perfection. Read on for one amazing experience! Thermes de Spa ceiling, Monaco Photo courtesy of
Amita Thai Cooking Class, Bangkok, Thailand ✦ Cooking Class Bangkok When traveling, honestly, I never really think about taking a cooking class. I mean, I like to eat as much as the next guy, but just generally don't think of cooking it myself. Well, that all changed when the Tourism Authority of Thailand invited me to a special Thai cooking class. And
Costa Rica is the kind of place where you can commune with nature. It provides the perfect backdrop with its hidden beaches, volcanic mountains, hiking trails, and lush tropical rainforests. In fact, 25% of Costa Rica is dedicated to wildlife and nature, in the form of wildlife preserves and jungles. Making it the perfect place... to retreat to. For many - including me - that
Holiday Road Trip Tips: Take a Trip, Travel Locally This year I had already decided that not all holiday shopping had to be stressful. So when the guys over at DriveShopUSA offered to give me a 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring vehicle to try out around town for my Christmas shopping, I couldn’t resist. Here is what I did to make my dream of a
Have you ever wanted an escape? A place you can go to relax, unwind, and forget about life for a while. I found that at the Cosa Rican Yoga Retreat Blue Osa Retreat & Spa Beach Resort. At Blue Osa, they offer tailor-made experiences for just you, your group, or even for leaders of a retreat/group. Their smart luxurious packages include yoga, spa therapies outside
Groupon Travel Deals - I am constantly being asked about how I get such great deals for travel. Traveling every 6 weeks of my life for over 22 years BEFORE I got into the TRAVEL business, I can assure you that I have tried my share of trial & error, tricks, and off-season purchasing. There are countless ways to get great deals for travel, but
How will you be celebrating Día del Niño this year? I love to cook with my Ninos - Diego and Christian, to help celebrate them and in a small way, pass down some authentic Mexican traditions, even though they are not Mexican, but Chilean. Since we live in Arizona and have such a close connection to the Mexicans and the Mexicans traditions, this holiday means so
It’s that time of year again. The New Year has begun. I shared with you that formula I learned about how to achieve your goals. I applied the formula for your travel New Year’s Resolutions and so now let’s apply it to something else: Weight! (Weight is B from the formula above) You need to get a desired clear state about what you want if you
All of us have felt like we’ve lost control over our lives at some point. Last year, USA Today reported that 35% of Americans feel their lives have become more stressful than the previous year. Whether it’s from work, relationships, or changing family life, taking some time away from your cares is a tonic for us all, and if you’re looking to give yourself some real self-care, a
