Taking this Nile River Cruise in Egypt marked my first cruise experience. I had always vehemently protested being trapped on a boat with a bunch of people and unable to explore a foreign land at my own pace. However, cruising the Nile River had piqued my interest. It held a novelty factor, being the highway of the Ancient Egyptians and all…and everything I had read about it was quite positive. It seemed this wasn’t “a normal cruise experience.” So, after… Read more »
Guest Post by Russell Emmental Planning where to go and what to see on your next vacation is always one of the most exciting parts of the entire pre-trip process! If your list of things to see seems daunting, I have some suggestions on the most inexpensive and efficient ways to get to every destination you’re eager to visit. Here are choices for every type of traveler, picked to accommodate your travel schedule perfectly! Let’s begin! The Best Ways to… Read more »
Guest post by Stuart Cooke It’s a wonderful sense of liberation to know that everything you have is packed in one bag, and that’s it for the next however many weeks or months… and you may not know exactly where you’re going or what you’ll be doing. However, packing for a backpacking trip can be as much about mental preparation as it is about packing absolutely the right stuff. I once knew an eccentric who set off on a long-distance… Read more »
Egypt is one of the first countries I’ve visited that I was REALLY interested in purchasing souvenirs from. This has a bit to do with the fact that it’s been at the top of my bucket list for decades, but mostly because I actually have a home to put souvenirs in, now. (Yay, for no longer being homeless!) The vast majority of these souvenirs are easy to pack, though! That being said, I didn’t purchase all 10 of these while… Read more »
When it comes to traveling, comfort is the name of the game. Jeans do not normally fall into comfortable travel attire for me. They’re too restricting and don’t breathe well enough for my preference. So, when Aviator reached out to me with a pair of jeans that are designed specifically for traveling – I was very intrigued, but also a little skeptical. Jeans are just not my go-to travel bottoms. But, they certainly look nicer than my old hiking pants!… Read more »
When it comes to accessories for traveling, I am all about versatility. If it’s something that is comfortable to wear on a plane but also looks nice enough to wear to a fancy dinner that night – you can bet it’s coming along on my adventures! The Timex Variety Watch for Women plays into this requirement perfectly for me. It is not only comfortable to wear, but it also looks great for a variety of events! And, as its name… Read more »
The Great Pyramids of Giza are always what comes to mind when we think of pyramids near Cairo, Egypt. However, these aren’t the only pyramids near Cairo. In fact, the world’s oldest pyramid is located not far from Cairo! (And no, it isn’t the Great Pyramid of Giza.) This post will explain, plus I’ll share a little bit about the Ancient City of Memphis and how you can tour all of these places in less than a day! More Pyramids… Read more »
Living in a world of expertly cropped photos and Instagram filters can sometimes make a place look a little more glamorous and perfect than it actually is. And after the feedback I received on my “behind the scenes” post from Cappadocia, I thought it would be a good idea to continue doing posts like this for each place I visit. Now, don’t get me wrong, seeing the Pyramids of Giza is absolutely amazing and a dream come true to me,… Read more »
I debated for a long time about what to wear to the Pyramids of Giza. I wanted to be both comfortable and stylish for this adventure, as well as modest (Egypt is a predominately Muslim country). I also knew there was a chance I’d be riding a camel before the day was over… Now, this outfit was by no means perfect for this day! However, I am happy enough with how it worked out. The Dress I ended up liking… Read more »
Visiting the Pyramids of Giza has been at the top of my bucket list since I was old enough to read. Needless to say, this experience had some pretty high expectations for me! Of course, with something you have been dreaming about for 20ish years, it’s hard to not be a bit disappointed when it finally happens. (These were some pretty impossible standards to live up to!) The day of my pyramids adventure started off disastrously and never fully recovered…. Read more »
Written by Pauline Davis Affordable fashion and cheaper clothing is something of a marvel in the modern age, and there are so many ways to make clothes even cheaper that it’s no wonder we are often spoiled for choice. However, in its present form (globally speaking) the fashion industry isn’t sustainable, and unless we start thinking about it now, we won’t be able to keep living this way. The numbers speak for themselves. Cotton, the backbone of the fabric world,… Read more »
Ah, Maui…The Valley Isle. From its lush bamboo rainforests and waterfalls that line the Road to Hana, to the barren moon-scapes at 10,000-feet atop Haleakala volcanic crater – there is no shortage of beautiful landscapes here. Shaped by these landscapes, the rich culture and history – Maui is a fantastic vacation destination. There are many different activities for every type of visitor to Maui’s shores, and this list of the best things to do on Maui will not disappoint! 9… Read more »
The Garden Island of Kauai is the oldest of the main inhabited Hawaiian Islands in the chain. There is no shortage of adventurous activities for the whole family to partake in across the unique and incredible natural environments that this island has to offer! From flying above the precipice of the 4,000-foot cliffs of the lush Na’Pali Coast to mountain tubing down waterways fed from the wettest place on the planet to hiking into Waimea Canyon that is known as… Read more »
Ah, the Big Island. Where does one even begin with Hawaii’s namesake island? Perhaps with the two active volcanoes and the incredible stargazing conditions—or maybe its crystal blue waters and proud cowboy culture. When it comes to the Big Island, the list of things to see and do could go on and on. It’s easy to see how this beautiful island could overwhelm a first-time visitor. Fear not! That’s where I come in. I’ve rounded up a list of my… Read more »
Aloha! This week I’m taking a little break from the blog to head back to the US and spend some time with my family. While I’m away, Veronica and Keslie are taking the reigns and sharing some of the best things to do on the main islands of Hawaii. I hope you enjoy all of their awesome tips for visiting this beautiful state! Guest Post by Veronica Bean Top Things to Do in Oahu Oahu is one of those rare… Read more »
Wondering what to wear for visiting Abu Simbel? This post explains! If you’ve been following along with my Egypt outfit posts, you’ll know the formula for dressing for these sights. However, Abu Simbel does have an extra element to take into account. You’ll be in the hot sun, like anywhere else in Egypt, and, as a woman, it’s a good idea to dress modestly. For a trip to Abu Simbel, though, you’ll like be riding in a car for around… Read more »
Abu Simbel is an absolute must-do if you are traveling to Egypt. This was honestly cooler for me than seeing the pyramids, and I have been dreaming about visiting the pyramids since I was 8. (That’s how incredible Abu Simbel is!) Part of this had to do with not having hardly any expectations for Abu Simbel (whereas, the pyramids had quite a lot riding on them). Abu Simbel is also a location that photos simply do not do justice, as… Read more »
Wondering if the Nubian Village in Aswan is an authentic cultural experience or a tourist trap? This post explains Cultural tour experiences tend to be very hit and miss no matter where you’re traveling. They are either incredibly educational and enlightening, or they’re masquerading as an educational experience… when in reality they are just a way to get you to spend money and buy souvenirs you don’t need. So, which is the Nubian Village? This post will explain. Who are… Read more »
Wondering what to wear for your trip to Aswan, Egypt? This post will explain! Aswan, like most cities in Egypt, is incredibly HOT and filled with amazing places to see. The only difference in Aswan is, thankfully, it is a bit breezier here. (How else are you supposed to sail the feluccas?) So, as you’ve probably noticed by now – the theme of dressing in Egypt is to be comfortable but also covered. Again, Egypt’s population is mainly Muslim, so… Read more »
Aswan is a beautiful city located along the Nile River, and it is home to some very interesting places to visit! Out of all the cities we visited in Egypt, Aswan was, perhaps, my favorite. It was quite clean and modern and traffic was not as horrifically crazy as it was in most of Egypt. I really enjoyed the 2 days we had here! This list is not a complete list of EVERYTHING you can possibly do in Aswan, this… Read more »
This is my full, unbiased review of Standard’s Daily Backpack. This isn’t the first time you’ve seen a Standard Luggage backpack on my website. My husband and I are both big fans of their Carry-on Backpack. So, when I heard they had a new “Daily Backpack,” I jumped at the opportunity to check it out. This is something I was particularly interested in (more so than my husband this time) because it has an area for my DSLR camera. (Whereas… Read more »
It has taken me 6 years of nearly nonstop traveling to finally find the perfect travel dress! (That’s ridiculous, I am well aware.) However, good things come to those who wait. Am I right? This dress is wrinkle resistant, comfortable, incredibly versatile and can be easily packed into whatever kind of luggage you are using! It is also quite a classic cut and print, in my opinion. Oh, and it’s made in the USA! I am SO hooked. The Perfect… Read more »
Wondering what to wear when visiting Edfu & Kom Ombo in Egypt? This post will explain! Dress | Hat (Similar here & here) | Sandals | Scarf | Sunglasses | Watch This was my outfit for a day of exploring temples in Edfu and Kom Ombo. These particular photos were taken in Kom Ombo, though. Both of these destinations required some walking (and there was a few hours of riding on our Nile River cruise in between them), and both… Read more »
Edfu and Kom Ombo are towns along the Nile River in Egypt that are home to 2 famous temples. Now, neither of these places are going to rank as high as say Cairo, Luxor or Aswan on peoples’ itineraries. However, does that mean they aren’t worth adding to your Egypt itinerary? In this post, I’ll explain what each location has to offer, and my opinion of whether or not they’re worth visiting. The Temple of Horus at Edfu Now, the… Read more »
Spending 2 days in Luxor, Egypt is just the right amount of time to see the highlights, in my opinion. This will include visiting both the East and West bank (you can actually do that all in one day if you fancy)! I’ll give a couple of different suggestions of how you can break this itinerary up to meet your schedule, and how we spent our 2 days in Luxor. How to Spend 2 Days in Luxor, Egypt – Itinerary… Read more »
Embarking on a Nile Cruise in Egypt and not sure what to wear? Here is one Nile River Cruise outfit idea! Dress | Sandals | Necklace | Sunglasses During our Egyptian adventure, we had booked 4 nights on a Nile Cruise out of Luxor that sailed to Aswan. I have never been on a cruise until this point. And that being said, I do understand this cruise is not what cruises are typically like. This was a small boat that… Read more »
If you’re starting to plan your trip to Egypt, (or just love Ancient Egyptian history) you’ve likely heard about the Valley of the Kings. This is where for nearly 500 years (from the 16th to 11th century BC) the tombs for the pharaohs and nobles were made. They are all located underground in this valley so they would be hidden from looters. (A pyramid is a pretty big target for a looter, and they knew that by this period.) And… Read more »
