JB in the Wild E. 24

Welcome to episode 24

?

I.???????????????? Introduction

Ah summer, in my compulsory school days, there was nothing finer than summer break.? Road trips to Eastern California, hiking, camping, and canoeing.? It was what every kid needs.? Bonding with the great outdoors.

Despite the relentless mosquitoes, scary campfire stories it was a net positive.? By age 10, the remainder of my summer break was a California coastal tour.? From San Francisco to San Diego, our family dotted the coastline.

A week in Santa Barbara, the quaint Spanish mission town.

A month in Los Angeles.? Beach days and bike rides as far as we could peddle.

And some years a bonus week in San Diego with my uncle.? He introduced me to Baja Mexico.? Fine times.? All my adventures in my formative years set me up for a lifelong pursuit of exploring.

In this episode:?

We visit Europe without leaving the continental United States.? A spotlight on 3 authentic old-world charms, no passport or language lessons required.

We also share last-minute travel planning ideas when you are feeling overdue for a break from the everyday grind.

Of course, travel trivia and travel ideas – North American spotlight.

?

II.?????????????? Old World Europe in the New world

?

Helen, GA

The American South has a distinct culture all its own.? In one small corner of north Georgia is a Bavarian village.? One might think they teleported to Germany, accept the locals have a homey southern accent.

In summer, the great outdoors around the town is a nature lover’s paradise.? The town’s slogan, “Georgia’s official outdoor adventure”.? Pamper yourself with a spa day after hiking waterfalls in the local Blue Ridge mountains.

Fusing Bavarian and Appalachian cultures, Helen hosts several artisan businesses.? Throughout the year, artists open their studios for classes and demonstrations.

December, the town becomes a Christmas wonderland.? Activities for families, just for the kids and of course the big Christmas parade on December 14th.

?

Solvang, CA

A Danish village near Santa Barabara, is close to my heart.? That same uncle who shepherded me to Baja, worked at a guest ranch on the edge of town.? My grandparents let him bring me to work, helping guide tourists around town.

Despite the hot summers and picturesque mountains, it is a fine replica of a Danish country village.? And don’t forget to visit one of the half dozen Danish bakeries in town for authentic European pastry.?

I need to keep trying to find my favorite…

?

Frankenmuth, MI

A 90-minute drive north from Michigan’s biggest city, Detroit, you’ll feel transported through time.? On the town’s very impressive tourism website, “Willkommen to Michigan’s Little Bavaria”.? They don’t stop there, they have a smart toll-free phone number, 800.FUN.TOWN.

The German berg is a popular midwestern attraction.? Year round, “Little Bavaria” hosts numerous events.

The unsurprising Oktoberfest…got it.? In Spring, the very cool, “Dog Bowl”, an Olympic styled event for dogs.? In January, the Snow Fest takes over.? Got my bag packed…

?

?

III.????????????? Last minute travel hacks

Have you dreamed of waking up one morning, packing a bag and going to the airport without a ticket?

Where would you go??

Seriously, I’m interested to know.?

Share in the comments!

Imagine, walking into the airport departures level, looking up at the board and choosing a destination right then and there.

For those who couldn’t dream of operating with no plan at all, and want that thrill of picking up and just going, a few ideas:

1.???? There are so many travel booking sites, which to choose may be as simple as letting the internet decide by searching, “last minute travel”.

How to minimize the pinging insanity on your cell phone:

Be selective:

Use one, or two travel booking engines max:

·??????? save your top 5 locations

·??????? turn on alerts

Still too many notifications:

Using the customization features will help narrow down the flood of emails popping up.? The more you filter, the more likely you will have high quality results.

?

2.???? Not in a rush to jet away?? A spontaneous road trip is a great option.

?

?

Make an arc on a map, 50, 100, 200 miles and see what’s inside a 3-hour drive from you.? Again, there are plenty of road trip apps out there to use too.

In a short session, you will find plenty of adventures.? Still not sure?

Choose 3 hobbies, for example:

·??????? Sports – find minor league/semi-pro teams, buy tickets…maybe tailgate too.

·??????? History/culture – festivals, parades, art fairs…the list goes on.

·??????? Museums – fine arts, science, technology…indulge your inner nerd.

?

?

IV.???????????? Travel Ideas – North American edition

?Dunes to Dunes

New Mexico to Colorado

8 days

Arrive Albuquerque

All-terrain vehicle rental

Drive to White Sands, NM

Private guided naturalist tour

Glamping under the stars

2 days

Star gazing with an astronomer

Drive to Taos

2 days

Private rustic cottage rental

Guided historical tour and gastronomy experience

Optional horse back riding at an equine sanctuary

Drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park

2 days

Glamping near park entrance

Private or small group guided tour in the park

Optional tour of a hand-built castle

additional 2 days in Santa Fe - optional

Rustic ranch motel

explore a one of kind immersive museum

Return to car rental – Santa Fe airport

?

?

Pacific Northwest Island hopping adventure

10 days

Washington State

Arrive Seattle

2 nights boutique hotel in Seattle

Passes to the Space Needle

Guided private street tour

Fly a sea plane to San Juan Island

Rustic private home rental

3 nights

Naturalist tour of the island

Private sailing excursion around the San Juan Islands

2 nights on the water

ferry to Vancouver, BC

Luxury hotel

3 nights

Private guided tour of Vancouver

Gastronomy & wine tasting

Return from Vancouver, BC

?

Indian Summer – Fall in Florida

6 days

Arrive Pensacola, FL

Private transportation to gulf coast beach town

Beach front private home rental with swimming pool

Bicycles for up to four included

Optional golf outing or deep-sea fishing expedition

Optional private yacht day cruise

Return to Pensacola, private transportation

?

Bring your swimsuit and zinc-based sunblock!

?

?

V.?????????????? Trivia

?

What is the tallest building in Europe?

Varso Tower – Warsaw, Poland

Source:? Architectural Digest

?

New trivia question

What is the longest river in the world?

Answer in episode 25

?

?

VI.???????????? Quote

“A person susceptible to wanderlust is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation”

-??????? Pico Iyer

?

Thank you for reading!

Ready to travel?? Talk about travel?? Dream up an epic trip?

Find us online @ https://www.holidayroadadventures.com/team/josh-black

https://calendly.com/josh-black-w53w

Already planning a trip, we can help.

?

Dream.? Plan. Go!