Some aMUSEment for your 4th!

Recently, I discovered an amazing new travel site--TravelMuse. TravelMuse has so many features that it's hard to even begin to scratch the surface on all of the handy things here for the traveler. Since that would be impossible, I've chosen a few of my favorite features to share with you. Regardless of time constraints, go play with the website--you won't be disappointed!

The site is actually an online weekly magazine. Each week, you'll find a new cover section and theme. Since it's Independence Day weekend, this week's theme is "Historic America", and features articles on Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Rushmore, etc.

However, a unique and probably the coolest feature of TravelMuse is the "Inspiration Finder."

Here, you'll find a questionnaire. Just let TravelMuse know where you'd like to depart from, how many travelers there will be, what time of year you'd like to travel (or the specific dates you'd like to travel), the desired duration of your trip, your minimum hotel class, your desired budget per person, the type of trip you'd like to take (choose as many key words as you'd like) and your maximum flight time, and it'll come up with....

...this. Based on the information you provided, TravelMuse will recommend four locations. Within this screen, you'll find an estimated cost for the trip (as well as several package options) and how well each trip matches your keywords.

Cool, right? In addition to the "Inspiration Finder", TravelMuse also has some of the best free destination guides I've seen.

Be forewarned--this website is addicting. ;)

More Summer Reading!

I have another VERY cool blog to share with you. :)

This one is written by Christine, a 30-something married woman who had a successful career and a big home. That is, until her and her husband decided to sell everything they own and travel the world. Their plan is to make settlement in a new city every three months (which of course coincides with the maximum most countries will let you stay without a visa), all while he works remotely and she works as a freelance writer (she's fabulous at it, by the way). Their first settlement? Madrid.

One post that really struck home with me was "8 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 22." No, I'm not 22, but I am going to be graduating from grad school in the next year and leaving the only life I've ever know--the life of a student.

I'm not going to lie--in the brief time I have had to read the blog (i haven't made it all the way through yet), it has sparked a wanderlust in me which is triggering thoughts like "Could I do that?" and "I wonder what I could do for work?" and "I could finally learn French!"...

I know, I know. I probably need to step away from the computer...

But I really don't want to. ;)

Summer Reading. :)

I just came across this super cool blog which I fully intend to follow throughout the summer.

Matt Gross is a writer for the New York Times and is spending his summer circling Europe on less than 100 Euros a day (and yes--that's including lodging!). He's taking photos, sharing his budget tips, making videos, and finding great hotels and eateries along the way.

Watch this video to check out the video he made to explain his tour & Watch this video for the blog.
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/

Freebie (again)!

Chrissy ROCKS!

I don't know where she finds this stuff, but drop over to her blog and give her some love. ;) This is the SECOND free travel magazine subscription she's found for us!

This time, it's Caribbean Travel & Life --a one year subscription, completely free!

Click Here to get yours!

My First Issue of Sherman's Travel!

My first issue arrived in the mail yesterday, and I spent last night and this morning perusing it. I have to say--I like it! Quite a bit, actually. :)

The premise of the magazine is "smart luxury", which is right up my alley! There are off season deals, unique vacations, affordable spas, etc.

If you missed out on the free offer, click here to pick up your $9.95 yearly subscription.

Freebie!

Yaaaaa!

My dear friend, Chrissy, passed on this freebie to me b/c she thought that I would enjoy it, and I think you will too, so I’m sending it your way!

What is it?

A FREE subscription to Sherman’s Travel Magazine!

There doesn’t appear to be a gimmick or a catch—just fill out the form and voila (no credit card required)!

Regular price on the subscription is $10, so if you end up liking it, it’s a pretty affordable travel magazine. I’ve been Clicking around their website, and so far, I really like what I am seeing.

Click Here for your free subscription!

Sand In My Bra

Ladies, we've all been there, right?

But, that's not the point of my post. ;) I'm writing to tell you about a little series that started with a book entitled Sand in My Bra.

I picked up More Sand in My Bra (I like to live on the edge and read out of order, ok?!) before leaving on my honeymoon. It sat on my coffee table for a week before I left and I could not WAIT to delve into it.

It completely lived up to my expectations as a fun, lighthearted airport read. The books are collections of short stories written from a comedic standpoint about travel stories by women (with the exception of What Color is Your Jockstrap?) and are written by big names in travel writing and even big names in main stream comedy.

I had a lot of fun with this book and finished it before I even reached CUN! Absolutely worth picking up for your next airport experience & I will definitely be picking up another from the series before St. Lucia. :)

Read, Lounge, Love

That is pretty much how my honeymoon went down (with some eating, boozing, and diving thrown in).

One of the things I enjoyed most about my honeymoon was having the downtime to read for FUN. (Trust me--when you're a grad student, this is rare). So, after a recommendation from my friend Rachel, I dug into Eat, Pray, Love.

I don't want to give much of the "plot" (it's non-fiction) away, but I highly recommend picking it up. Since you read this blog, I presume you have some interest in travel, so I have a feeling you'll enjoy it. :) The three main settings of the book are Italy, India, and Bali--the rest you can gather from Amazon.com. ;) Enjoy!

Summer Reading Material

From time to time, I will post some great reading material for those interested in "my type" of travel. I don't restrict myself to casual research--I'm all about the books and magazines too. I never claimed to not be obsessed, did I? ;)

My first post re: reading material is my absolute MUST HAVE (my subscription will NEVER run out)--Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel.

This magazine has everything I could want--real travel for real people with real budgets (both international and domestic), great hotels, airline help, upgrade tips, and of course lots of "fun stuff". Subscriptions are something like $12 a year, too, so it's a VERY minor investment. It is the ONE magazine that I read cover-to-cover each and every month.

Hook yourself up with a subscription at http://www.budgettravelonline.com/. You won't be sorry--I promise!