As a kid, Epcot is never your first choice to spend a fun filled theme park day. As an adult, it’s a very different story. I typically try to visit 4-5 times for the fall Food & Wine Festival and again 2-3 times during the Holidays Around the World for the Candlelight Processional. Both are unforgettable experiences.
Which route is your fav? Starting in Australia 🇦🇺 via Ireland 🇮🇪 & France 🇫🇷 ending in Mexico 🇲🇽 for margaritas? Or starting in Brazil 🇧🇷 via Norway 🇳🇴 & Germany 🇩🇪 finishing in Greece 🇬🇷 with gyros? Tough decisions…….
I absolutely love live music of the 80s/90s and the atmosphere along the theme park promenade is so inviting. I would prioritize seeing Gin Blossoms, Toad, Richard Marx, Nelson, Starship and others that became regulars. Besides the variety of bands scheduled to perform nightly, it is fascinating to sample authentic foods and drinks from countries that I may never get to visit. My all time favs are the Italian ravioli, nitro truffle, Brazilian cheese puff, German pretzel dog, empanadas, Ireland lava cake…. I’m sure I’m still missing a few too. And I would grab a large Coke Zero in Germany half way around to quench my thirst, plus be on the lookout for my fav local Titusville Playalinda beers to be featured.
Hopefully 2020 was a fluke and we can all return to enjoying our fav fall indulgences next year.
P. S. – don’t even think about sharing my nitro truffle because I’m ordering 2!
This is one of my happy places and as of March 1st it celebrated its 25th anniversary. Most people aren’t even aware that Disney owns off property resorts in Vero Beach & Hilton Head plus now Aulani in Hawaii.
For 4 years straight, my ex and I would purposely book the first long weekend in January to hit up this hidden gem. It was just after peak season pricing, completely empty and following my ridiculous December all hands on deck events work season, so there was always a countdown to this necessary getaway. We typically got an upgraded room too and it was the perfect retreat.
I had some of my best runs through these docks, boardwalks and swamplands. Weather could be mild, but winters could be brutally cold too. But that didn’t stop us taking advantage of the hot tub nightly, bike riding on the beach, crabbing off the piers, conquering the shuffleboard & horseshoe pits, battling in the ball court, roasting marshmallows over the fire pit, hitting the outlet malls and claiming my fav hammock while reading a good book under 2 blankets.
One year we even stumbled upon the annual Hilton Head 5k road race and promised to run the next day if it wasn’t raining when we woke up. We hit that start line and the downpour started 5 mins into this spontaneous decision. I ended up winning 2nd place and had to hang around for the awards ceremony; however, I had promised him that we all got participation medals BUT I was mistaken and that ended badly. Hmmm.
Another year I got food poisoning from a seafood shack and spent 2 days puking my guts out. Maybe that was a sign, as that was our last year. Hmmm.
I can’t find these crazy deals anymore and it was our special place, so I haven’t been back since. BUT everyone has those perfect memories that can always make you smile and be genuinely thankful for.
This trip boasts such variety in experiences – the perfect mix of adventure & chill time!
Touring through Buenos Aires was a whirlwind and culturally so diverse. Equally Rio was overwhelming and a had me a little on edge, being that every phone pole had signs of gun free zones and emphasizing not to walk alone EVER.
The highlight was easily Iguazzu Falls, which has collectively over 160 waterfalls bordering both Argentina and Brazil, via air, boat and foot. I went for broke booking the helicopter tour for a priceless view of this force of nature. Being that I’m severely afraid of helicopters, it was a huge feat in itself. It was truly breathtaking! A speed boat took us right up to the falls so we could feel the power of this behemoth. Then we finished hiking the boardwalks around all the falls, which were literally within hands reach of pounding us into oblivion. What a rush!
I thoroughly enjoyed the colorful small towns and walking the stone streets. Then hopping on a party boat for a day of cruising the waterways, jumping off the upper deck, snorkeling crystal clear coves, indulging in local cuisines and witnessing the perfect sunset.
We climbed to Christ the Redeemer and reveled in this Natural Wonder of the World that overlooks Rio de Janeiro far below.
From the funicular, we witnessed one of my top 10 sunsets of all time over the famous Rio bay.
The colorful steps in Rio were over the top impressive, as there was an indivisible tile from every country and every state in the world. A feat that took the artist over ten years to complete.
Next was a speed boat to an island stay for 2 days of bliss on Ilha Grand – no cars allowed, log cabins, dining waterfront, hiking to deserted beaches – just heavenly. Plus I was the only one from my group to wake up at 2:30am for a hike in the dark straight uphill to catch sunrise from the island peak. Just wow – another top 10 blow your mind experience!
Never stop exploring or getting out of your comfort zone, as you just might learn your old limits are a thing of the past and you will yearn to book that next adventure ASAP.
I never had much of an interest in riding motorcycles growing up or going super fast. But my friend Heather bought a Suzuki Boulevard when I bought a Seadoo jetski in 2006, so why not learn and have another hobby that I can enjoy even into my older years.
The rider safety course was super fun and gave us the tools to drive defensively. I was originally a little apprehensive to sign up for a dangerous activity but my innate sense of adventure overruled. YOLO. Control what you can control and minimize the risk in others. Still to this day, I have no desire to go over 55 mph or go anywhere near a major highway.
One of my fav things to do on a FL spring or fall weekend off would be to take off on the country backroads and just cruise. I would find a Firehouse Subs and order to go (my sandwich of choice was always the Engineer with grilled mushrooms) so that I could enjoy a picnic in a local park reading a book for pleasure. It was my release to just escape all the noise and pressure.
Another recent highlight was renting a small moped on my 2019 trip to Bali’s island of Nusa Penida. I wasn’t comfortable driving in the mainland traffic chaos but the island was quiet & stress free. And since the airline lost my big luggage, I travelled for a week in this tropical paradise light & free. I negotiated $10 per day upon jumping off the ferry and was off to explore for 72 hours. Hugging the frequent turns and letting it loose on the jungle backroads was just the release I needed to end my 3 week vacation before a notoriously busy upcoming January work schedule. I only got lost a few times and was within a couple of miles of running out of gas, but those are just minor details….
I don’t ride often anymore, but always game to have the wind blowing through my hair and feeling that freedom that only a bike ride can accomplish.
Update April 2021 – on my upper north road trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North & South Dakota’s and Iowa, what a thrill it was to take a detour through the town of Sturgis which hosts the massive, annual biker rally!!
I woke up at 5:30am to drive the coast from Kona to the southernmost point on the Big Island (and in the US), since I had a full day of adventures scoped out.
My rental wasn’t 4 wheel drive so I parked about 2 blocks from the rugged coastline, as the potholes were deeper than the car itself. Then began the 2.4 mi journey to find the rare green sands beach. And I should mention that I saw 2 SUVS but never saw any form of life for 2 hours. I felt like I had landed on Mars with the massive gulleys carved into the crisp green landscape. (This is ironic because the day prior NASA had landed a rover on the red planet)
Luckily my phone GPS still worked and I could see my progress along the trail and knew I was getting close to this elusive beach. And suddenly along a dramatic cliffside, I got my first look at the green sands. The sharp lava rocks are no joke to traverse so I took my time climbing down. The access point is via a mini slot canyon and adds to the excitement. And sure enough, the sand had a green tint tucked into a beautiful bay between towering cliffs.
Worth the extra effort? Absolutely! How many people can say they have had grainy, green sand between their toes?
Mid 2010-20 decade, Iceland was still emerging as a tourist destination. And when I found a $99 one way flight deal on now defunct WOW airlines, I booked it on the spot. I love any beach vaca but I equally love an adventure into the unknown especially in the “land of waterfalls”.
Hiking in waist deep snow to frozen waterfalls, seeing my 1st geysers explode, soaking in natural hot springs, exploring the countryside on ATVs, climbing inside lava caves, indulging in the freshest seafood I have ever eaten….. it was a fabulous adventure! Albeit it was below freezing most days, this hidden world was downright fascinating. I would go back in a heartbeat if my darn bucket list would just stop growing.
I stayed a day after the rest of the group departed in my first ever hostel (and I was fortunate to have the 16 bunk bed room to myself since it was the start of off season) and finished it all with a dip in the iconic Blue Lagoon. I opted for the earliest bus because, of course, there was the infamous sunrise that I just had to experience while swimming with a drink in hand. And it didn’t disappoint…..absolutely BRILLIANT!!
You are spoiled with an extra thick bathrobe and slippers. BUT you still have to dig deep to take it all off and run like hell (without falling) the last 20 steps between the door of the bitter cold temps outside to the bubbling water. After you recover & your heartbeat returns to a manageable level, it was time to explore. From hidden waterfalls to a sauna room to waterside bars to massages poolside, it was an over the top touristy experience. The best (and weirdest) part was the swim up mud bar where you could pick your poison and then smear it all over your face and arms. The perfect ending to an Icelandic experience.
On a whim in the Outer Banks in the late 2000s, my lifelong friend Tracy & I first tried hang gliding off the sand dunes at Jockey State Park. It was such a rush. Ten feet off the ground amongst the ever changing dunes and we were literally flying.
Fast forward a decade and Wallaby Ranch just a few miles from my house hosted the real deal. My friends Steven & Les challenged me to join them for a “ride that will blow your mind”. My parents joined in the watch party just a few days after Christmas, as this was my leap of faith jumping into a new year with new goals and higher expectations. Go for it.
Fog delayed our jump twice, so we dug into our buffet breakfast and I was silently freaking myself out. But the clouds parted and it finally was go time. After a quick safety briefing & lesson that I don’t remember due to nerves, the small plane we (my experienced guide is tucked in behind me tandem) are attached to is speeding down the grass runway. OMG.
I blinked, we were airborne, the cable released and we are literally gliding alone above the FL farms. It is truly indescribable. The dead silence. The calm in the air. The extreme peace is unforgettable. The next 15-20 mins I alone am controlling our speed and descent. Every slight bloody movement tugs us in a different direction. I have NEVER felt so carefree and completely in awe. Stunned to my core. It was magical and you couldn’t wipe the ginormous smile off my face for days.
The landing was smooth and without incident, but my known limits had been forever changed. If you get up the courage to try, let me know, as I would come support just as my 2 friends & parents did for me.
If you are not a Duke men’s basketball fan, you will probably want to stop reading now.
Visiting Cameron Indoor Stadium is top on the list of any college basketball fan. I have been fortunate to visit numerous times and it never gets old. Thanks to a friend of a friend of a friend from Disney & a second acquaintance from the Y, I have had the thrill of attending one game every season since 2005. I usually make a long weekend of it – stay in the same hotel 1 mile from campus, eat the same local Buffalo chicken pizza, run the campus trail, raid Bojangles and spend $100+ at the bookstore. If it was an early game during preseason, I would also bookend a trip to my alma mater or family close by for auntie time.
That first visit……we walked all throughout campus & even though I had graduated 10 yrs prior, could pass for an eager student. And I’m embarrassed as a fan to not being able to find Cameron. Yep we got lost. And I certainly wasn’t going to be the bozo that asked where it was. Besides one Krzyzewskiville sign, it is a small, old brick building. So we naturally clued in when everyone was taking pictures in front of this iconic place.
Inside has serious old school vibes and smaller than you would ever expect. But the energy is larger than life. Over the years the lobby has slowly expanded and new innovative displays have been added, but the seats and floor still remain the same.
Our seats…….gates only open 1 hr prior & my main objective was to see it all! You have to climb the stairs to get to the main concourse and after making a loop to see all the memorabilia from past legends, we still couldn’t find our seats. Hmmmm. One more loop than I asked an usher. “You are downstairs”. Hmmmm. Another usher confirmed – “yeah just walk on the court in front of the Duke bench & then you will just have to hop over the press box desk”. Speechless. One row behind the announcers at dead center court looking straight across at the Cameron Crazies and I cried the entire game of pure elation. I can only remember 2 times in my life so far that my tears were uncontrollable. One of the highlights of my life.
Our seats were never that good again, but in my book, anywhere inside was a treat that I still don’t take for granted. Every year I tried to take a different friend & diehard Duke fans so they could also share in this crazy, over the top experience. From seeing JJ Reddick’s jersey retirement to Zion’s monstrous dunks to my alma mater men’s team playing on Coach K court, to watching the women’s games from media row & many more, those 3 hours I was mesmerized.
The stadium has been sold out since who knows when & tickets are almost impossible to find. A few years I even got relegated to the rafters joining media row. Say what??!! We had to go to the top row of seats then climb a rickety old ladder to the “crow’s nest” and I even mistakenly sat in Dicky Vs seat. Oops. What a crazy vantage point from high above all the madness – an unobstructed, perfect spot. It was so hot we were dripping (the temp is purposely kept scorching adding to the home court advantage but that high I’m surprised we didn’t get nose bleeds too).
Another memorable yearly sight is always tent city, which usually pops up about a month prior to the UNC game. Students will camp out in below freezing weather for weeks (not days but WEEKS) to get their shot at front row to the best rivalry in all of sports. Truly CRAZY!
We will just pretend Covid year didn’t happen, so my last experience was extra special….. as I got to take my niece Olivia to her first basketball game. Now granted, she had no idea what she was getting into or the trance that her favorite aunt can’t help but get swept up in. But to see her wear a blue devil shirt (which my brother swears he burned as soon as we got home – a true Hokie household), plus start cheering and dancing like a maniac, was truly priceless!
To end each visit……if you wait long enough after the end of the game, it is such a thrill to walk onto this historic court to take pictures. I’m not a big autograph seeker, but I love just seeing the players interact with young fans. And then I typically just sit on the bench and take a few moments to myself.
Down in the bottom tip of South America lies a beautiful, untouched wilderness that is worth the extra effort to find. I booked a birthday trip to Chile to trek the famous W trek and get lost for a few days. I knew I was in for something extra special, as upon arrival after an unexpected travel delay, I was surprised with a MASSIVE chocolate cake the local owner made just for me & a HUGE knife sticking out of the top for that WOW factor!
It wasn’t easy, as I had to fly into Santiago then catch a bus for a few hours on the “road to the end of the world”. Our home base was the quaint, coastal town of Puentas Arenas. It seemed semi-insane to be camping in close to 0 degrees weather with the wind howling, but the special tents and sleeping bags were actually quite toasty.
The day we were to trek to the elusive 3 spires that this area is known for, the weather was sleeting & the fog was thick so we had to forego this treasured spot. You win some and lose others.
I even think I broke 2 poles along the way, having gotten stuck in the mud so many times that I lost count. Our ultimate goal was to see the glaciers that were abundant this far down from the equator and sadly all receding at alarming rates every year due to global warming. Small icebergs bobbed everywhere. The glaciers & “bergs” were fascinating and my new obsession, just as impactful as sunsets and waterfalls.
I vividly remember the aqua blue water of the glacial lakes sparkling beneath the snow capped mountain tops. Breathtaking. And we had some fierce sunsets peeking out from behind the hills. I also will never forget pitching our tents at the base of the mountain we had just traversed and thinking “who really gets to do this & have seen this magnificent slice of nature?” We ended our multi day trek with a boat ride across the channel and the peaks reflecting back to us. What a wild ride and tremendous sense of accomplishment.
I stayed 2 extra days after the group left to take in the local culture, but I believe I was so exhausted on the first day that I slept for almost 20 hrs straight. I do remember this was during my running craze & being on the tail end of my trip, I only had shorts left that were clean. So I was the crazy blonde haired American traipsing along the shoreline in 2 degrees weather (I couldn’t feel my legs for days after) trying to catch the cargo ships that were constantly leaving port to head towards the untamed continent of Antarctica. I also squeezed in a ferry ride to see the ice caves and more glaciers, which was the perfect wind down to close out this tremendous experience. 🇨🇱
And had a new destination (continent) to add to my ever growing bucket list…….
I had almost forgotten that I spent one summer in the early 2000s chasing hot air balloons for some extra cash. Wake up call was typically 430am since the best time to fly was at sunrise with the wind patterns and views. (Being a night owl, this was definitely a struggle, especially on my days off on sporadic weekends between working events)
Being in Central FL, the tourist capital of the world, there are always waves of tourists ready to spend money and book an unforgettable vacation experience. Flying over Disney World would definitely qualify.
My role was to carefully lay out all the tie down ropes prior to the guests arriving, then use my body weight (along with others) to hold the ballon down while the gas pumped it up. It was truly fascinating to see the power of helium and the glow in the darkness of the sea of balloons getting ready for flight.
As the balloons glided skyward, us runners loaded into the follow van to be staged at the end drop point an hour later. Routes were fairly consistent but with the unpredictability of wind, we would be pulled over on the side of the road watching the balloons soar far above.
Upon descent, we would catch the bucket and help offload all the smiling passengers. They would also be rewarded with champagne and fruit to celebrate their feat. Then it was time to catch the balloon being deflated and carefully roll it up for storage until the next flight. These apparatuses were extremely fragile and any holes could obviously be detrimental.
To this day, I still haven’t taken my own flight as for many years I was scared of heights. Through my numerous crazy hiking and climbing treks, I have now outgrown that fear but my dream has always been to take my leap in the one and only Cappadocia, Turkey. If you’ve never heard of this amazing location, do yourself a favor & put it on your travel bucket list.
FearlessAdventures 