As 2015 comes to a close, I am reflecting upon what a wonderful year it was. I was able to explore new places and share with you my recommendations on locations, restaurants, and experiences.
To close out the year, I am writing a year in review. Below you will find summaries of each blog post and its benefit to you. If you missed an entry, and the description provided sounds like something you would like to read, click the “read it here” link to be redirected to that post.
A Look Back…
- New Hampshire
What: Hiking
Where: Falling Waters Trail, Lincoln, New Hampshire
Snapshot: This blog post reviews Falling Waters hiking trail in the White Mountains. Suggestions on timing your trip and trail options are considered.
What You Get:
- Hiking trail recommendation
- Photographs of the hike
- British Virgin Islands
What: Sailing
Where: Caribbean
Snapshot: The experience of sailing from island to island on a catamaran with a group of people I just met is detailed. Recommendations and descriptions of the islands of Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Virgin Gorda, Saba Rock, Scrub Island, Beef Island, Sandy Spit, St. John, and St. Thomas are reviewed.
What You Get:
- Recommendations on islands to explore
- Photographs of sailing the islands
- Suggestions on activities to do and places to visit
- Connection Between Art and Travel
What: Creating Art
Where: Everywhere
Snapshot: This post explores the connection between travel and art. The process of creating art is described.
What You Get:
- Perspective on art and travel
- Photographs of my artwork
- Description of a personal process in creating art
- Venice
What: Sight-seeing
Where: Italy
Snapshot: This blog post reviews Venice, Italy. A guesthouse and tourist attractions are assessed.
What You Get:
- Photography of tourist attractions in Venice
- Suggestions on what to see
- History
- Las Vegas
What: Business trips/Sight-seeing
Where: Nevada
Snapshot: Having visited Las Vegas twice this past year for business and pleasure, I describe the overall experience of the city. Aria and MGM Grand hotels are reviewed. Restaurants and nearby attraction recommendations are provided.
What You Get:
- Photography of Las Vegas
- Suggestions on sight-seeing
- Hotel and nightlife recommendations
- Heidelberg
What: Sight-seeing
Where: Germany
Snapshot: This article details living in Germany for a semester abroad. It takes you on a walk through Heidelberg up to an amphitheater built by Nazi’s during the “Thing” movement.
What You Get:
- Views around the city of Heidelberg
- History
- Learning some German vocabulary
- Tips on what to see in Heidelberg
- First Travel Memories
What: Why This Blog Exists
Where: Alaska/Florida
Snapshot: This short blog entry details my first travel experiences and is the “About Me” page of my blog. I ask you to join me in discovering different cultures, exploring interesting cities, and marveling at nature’s wonders.
What You Get:
- Understand why I write this blog
- Get to know me a little better
- Paris
What: Nightlife
Where: France
Snapshot: The process of putting together a video of photographs I took in Paris and finding music to accompany the video is detailed in this blog post. The experience of ending a great trip with locals is described.
What You Get:
- A video of Paris
- Perspective on approaching sight-seeing
- Music recommendations
- Points of interest
- Montreal and Burlington
What: Sight-seeing
Where: Canada/Vermont
Snapshot: Places to see in Montreal and Burlington are reviewed, such as Tam-Tam Jam, Mount Royal, Furco, and Lake Champlain.
What You Get:
- Restaurant reviews
- Suggestions on activities
- Photography of the areas
- History
- Connections Between Health, Nature, and Happiness
What: Wellness
Where: Massachusetts
Snapshot: Studies have shown a link between being in nature, gratitude, and improved mental and physical health. A quote by Calvin Coolidge is analyzed through a personal experience and from reviewing articles written on the subject.
What You Get:
- Nature photography
- Understanding the connection of nature and health
- Links to studies on cardiac health, happiness, and nature
- Wellfleet
What: Beach
Where: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Snapshot: Recommendations on beaches to visit in Wellfleet, Massachusetts is provided. Each beach is described to help you decide on where to go depending on the experience you are looking for.
What You Get:
- An overview of the history of Wellfleet
- Photographs of the beaches
- Suggestions on restaurants and nightlife
- Link to an article on one of Wellfleet’s notable resident’s, Noam Chomsky
- Martha’s Vineyard
What: Sight-seeing
Where: Massachusetts
Snapshot: In this article, I discuss different highlights of each town on Martha’s Vineyard. A list of the best beaches for particular experiences is included.
What You Get:
- Suggestions on what to see in each town
- List of beaches to check out
- Photography of the island
- Edward Gorey Museum
What: Author, Illustrator, and Set Designer
Where: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Snapshot: This blog post profiles the Edward Gorey House on Cape Cod.
What You Get:
- A recommendation for reading Edward Gorey’s books and exploring his artwork
- Photography of a spectacular tree
- Idea of a place to visit on Cape Cod
- Maine
What: Sight-seeing
Where: Acadia National Park
Snapshot: Hikes, walks, and bicycle rides around Acadia National Park are provided.
What You Get:
- Suggestions on places to go in Acadia National Park
- Photography of the area
- Recommendations for shopping in Bar Harbor and an ice cream shop to visit in Ellsworth
- Vermont
What: Sight-seeing
Where: Burlington, Grand Isle, Montpelier, and Stowe
Snapshot: Burlington’s Farmers Market, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Down Home Kitchen Restaurant, Bingham Falls, Boyden Valley Winery, The Farm House Tap & Grill, and Red Onion are reviewed.
What You Get:
- Photographs of Lake Champlain, Bingham Falls, and the Farmer’s Market
- Suggestions on restaurants and things to do in Vermont
- New York City
What: CMJ Music Marathon
Where: Lower East Side/Brooklyn
Snapshot: Tracks from up and coming musicians are selected for your listening pleasure in the blog post. Nightlife venues in the Lower East Side and Brooklyn are listed.
What You Get:
- New music to listen to
- History of the Lower East Side
- Links to music venues in New York City
- New Hampshire
What: Hiking
Where: Mt. Pemigewasset Trail and Artist’s Bluff, White Mountains
Snapshot: Two hiking trails, the town of Woodstock, and Surowiec Farm are reviewed in this article.
What You Get:
- Photographs of each hike
- Information on the area
- A wine recommendation
- Airbnb review
- Link to information on free entry to U.S. National Parks
- Cambridge
What: Graffiti Walking Tour
Where: Massachusetts
Snapshot: This is a self-guided walking tour you can follow when you visit Cambridge, Massachusetts. It helps orient you to the city and view public art.
What You Get:
- Guided walking tour to follow
- Restaurant suggestions
- Photographs of graffiti
- Boston
What: Recreation
Where: Charles River
Snapshot: This article lists twenty-one activities you can do around the Charles River in Boston. There is also a list of events organized by month.
What you get:
- Photographs of the city
- Ideas for new activities
Looking Ahead
In 2016, I will begin the year by posting itineraries and travel stories about Cambodia. I will be visiting the temples of Angkor Wat, the capital of Phnom Penh, and the beaches and islands on the South Coast. My travel guide has advised me not to book any hotels and “go with the flow” so I will also be reporting on that experience.
I hope the New Year brings you learning experiences, good health, and interesting travels.
Travels With Alison 