Sharing Travel Experiences

Inspiring Travel Monthly Roundup – July Edition

by Andy Hayes

I know last week I said I would continue the list of travel alternatives theme today but I forgot all about the monthly roundup! We’ll pick back up next Sunday.

Wow, the roundup continues to be quite popular with more and more interesting posts every month. I never cease to wonder how these different themes emerge. This month is the “off the beaten path” edition. I’m sure you’ll see why.

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Oour first post is from Shannon who regales us with her efforts to find nirvana during an intense meditation course in Nepal. Serious and hysterical at the same time – nice work, Shannon.

Surfer Sam drops in this month with a very comprehensive review of Japanese culture. Great stuff – if you’re planning on visiting Japan or just intrigued by its customs, this is a must read.

Tim sent in a quick note to tell us about all the fun going on at Indiana Beach. As the resort’s slogan says, “There’s more than corn in Indiana.”

I just love it when we get these types of entries. Dan wrote in to tell us about his plan to drive a Jeep 50,000kms on the Pan American Highway from The Arctic Ocean in Northern Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego, the southernmost point of South America. Bloody hell, that’s a long drive. But how fun!

Liz over at Travelogged writes up a great trip report about her off beat adventure to The Temple of Demeter in Greece. It’s an interesting looking temple – I can’t decide if I like it or not. Must be one of those places you have to go see for yourself and decide.

Leave it to my good friend Rachel to come up with another angle on Boulder Colorado that I’ve not seen. Her Boulder Safari is basically a photo essay of the city’s cutest residents (my favourites are the chipmunks).

Whether you’ve been on many a cruise or are a cruise virgin like myself, these tips before boarding your cruise ship are a must-read. Quite interesting stuff – hands up for free room service everyone!

Once you’ve read that, then head over and check out the Mediterranean Cruise for Two review and travel offer from Savings with Sadie. Hey, if I was to cruise anywhere, the Med would be a top choice.

My mum and Nancy Brown would get along pretty well – they both love Lucerne, Switzerland. While Nancy is impartial to a fresh plate of Roesti, I must say that I would rather opt for fondue and a cold beer. But either one will do.

Whenever I want to head somewhere offbeat, I’ll check in Kim, who this month takes us to Zanzibar. Never a dull moment, is there Kim? I must get out there – this is the 2nd carnival where this remote place has made an appearance.

Santa Fe shows off its cosmopolitan colors with this post from Fiona over at Year in America about the arts district on Canyon Road. Nice one! Looks like you’re making the most of your 365 days.

Naomi at Diary From England wanted to make sure we saw this advertisement for Blackpool – and dare I say it – they’re calling it the Paris of the North. Hilarious. (See – I told you we would continue last week’s theme this week!)

Another off beat stop courtesy of Gary at Handcrafted UK is Sergiev Posad – Home of the Russian Dolls. It looks gorgeous and I love the story about those dolls – they’re an iconic gift but I’ve never quite understood their meaning.

The Q Family Adventures is a great blog, there’s never a dull moment with those folks. Amy (she’s the mum) wrote in to mention their recent stop in Thailand.

And if that wasn’t enough, have a look at this fabulous photo essay from Krabi, Thailand at Medan Kota. Gorgeous!

One of my most favourite wines is chianti, so I was well impressed to see a tour of Chianti in this my email. I’ve been dying to go to an agritourismo there, so perhaps this is my motivation – and yours too!

We have great blog with us this month I’ve never heard of – A.M. Postscript. Check out this postcard from South Africa.

Could you do me a favour and vote for our friend GrrlScientist – she’s in the running to be a blogger in Antarctica for one month – and we’ll make her be a guest here and tell us all about it.

We close with a very poignant entry. Kilroy writes in to tell us about his trek to find a spot to spread his friend’s ashes. What a noteworthy journey, Kilroy – our apologies for your loss and best wishes for finding that inspirational, respectable spot. I’m sure you’ll find it.

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Amazing stuff. Be sure to get your best articles in by the 31st of July for next month’s edition. Here’s the submission form.

Photos courtesy of respective bloggers with the exception of Japan Culture by Le Petit Pouallier, Blackpool Tower by Henry Brett, Antartica by Jorval.

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