1000 Places to See Before You Die: The Ultimate Guidebook

I was recently watching a show on the travel channel about this just-married couple that decided they wanted to travel the world. They chose to do this following the book by Patricia Schultz, 1000 Places to See Before You Die. Well, I can't say I've read the book, but my dad bought it a while ago and he read bits of it. During this episode of the show (titled the same as the book), the couple was headed towards Hawaii. I had never really been interested in Hawaii, I hadn't even thought it would be a good place to visit. It never crossed my mind that such a faraway archipelago would amuse me in any way... How wrong I was! Once the show was over I was glad it had taught me something: never underestimate any destination. If you are a teenager, like me, don't ever doubt your parents' decision for a vacation. It may sound lame or uncool at first, but once you're already there it WILL be worth it and you will learn something while you experience a different environment, culture and routine. We are very fortunate to have a world this big so that we don't run out of places.

This book gives you 1000 different locations over the globe that are worth going to. Doing everything in this book is definitely part of my to-do list before I die. The title is very appropriate for the book's content. Given that I like to read but I lack enough time to do so, I also have some books on my to-read list related to travel that I'll be sure to include on a post soon. I enjoy traveling and living the experience and I think that books like these encourage you and make you fonder of your world. So, I haven't read the book, nor have I been to as many places, yet I saw that episode of the show. There's not much I can tell you other what I already have, but I do recommend you take a look at the book and give it your own judgment. I personally think it is a fun guide-book or at least it gives you ideas. I hope I can give you a more accurate review soon on it, in the meantime, if you have a chance, stop by a book shop and look at it!

To be honest, the real reason to why I'm actually giving it a space on this blog is because I think it is one of most creative guidebooks ever written. Actually, more than a guidebook, its like an idea book. If you know what I mean, yes, like a little kid's craft book. Just like that. Anyways, it gives you many options to chose from. Maybe even one of them is a couple of hours away from you. Well, this ended up being a book review on something I haven't even read which is quite sad. So yes, as I said before, I'll read it!

Oh, and by the way, there are new releases that are part of the same book collection. Now there's many byproducts relating to this book. For more information on those, take a look at the link below.
http://www.1000beforeyoudie.com/

The Travel Blog

For anyone who loves to travel, needs suggestions, destinations, likes to read blogs or just wants something to do with their time, check out the Travel Blog. It is complete with information about the destinations on all seven continents! I just discovered it and I'm already reading everything it says!

London Calling!

So for my first post I decided I would start off with one of my favorite cities in the world(that I've been to at least). Almost three years ago I went to London with family. Actually, it was my first time ever to Europe so I guess that it meant a lot more than it would if it was my third time there. So, London. It's just a fantastic place. From the wonderful parks, to the amazing feats of architecture, London is simply the place to be.

With some of the most incredible landmarks and museums, London excels in having some of the most varied restaurants. Although England is not famous for its boiled food, the many cultures that have immigrated to the UK have brought some of the world's best recipes with them. From India to Japan to fusion food, London has a great selection of restaurants to chose from. However, if you're on the go, and you're not in the mood for any formalities, fish n' chips would be a great choice. You can find fish n' chips on almost any corner. Also, don't forget the pubs! Oh yeah the pubs and the carveries are some of the greatest places to have a taste of well known roast beef with gravy. Finally, the beautiful victorian tea rooms with their delicious scones are a great alternative if you wish to dine lightly.

London is one of the world's busiest cities, nevertheless it holds plenty of historical sights and buildings were people still find the time to visit. Beginning with the Beautiful Westminster Abbey, built around 1045-50, being the burial sight for renowned British politicians, authors, poets and royalty. Including the tombs of William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, and Winston Churchill, it has also been the setting for almost every coronation in British history. Another important landmark is the tower of London. The "tower" is note really a tower. It is a building with a courtyard and several rooms. One of its many uses was a prison for royal prisoners. Today, it holds the crown jewels. A sight worth seeing. It also holds an ample display of medieval armor, from a knight's armor, to Henry the VII's horse's armor and the huge jousting equipment. Both Westminster and the Tower of London are beautiful landmarks that really give London historical credit.

Another place worth visiting is Harrod's. I was never actually inside this gigantic department store, but I've seen pictures and I've been told how splendid it is. I guess I'll have to go back to London some time soon and give you an eye-witness review of the place. There were also other places I could not go to that are just another excuse to persuade my parents to take me there one more time. I missed Shakespeare's globe theater, and Abbey Rd. Imagine actually standing were famous English muscians have stood! Abbey Road is definitely on my list for places to go to. Specially being such a Beatle fan! Well at least, I can tell you about one place that I did go to. Hamley's. It is the coolest toy store ever. If you have any little kids around you, Hamley's is sure to blow their minds away.

If you are looking for a peaceful outing to a park it is easy. Go to the nearest Tesco, get yourself some bread, salad and drinks. After you are all ready, pack your party and go to a park for a picnic. While I was there, I visited Kensington, the old home of a famous slavery abolitionist. After his death, his home is now a museum and the rest of his land was made into a park. With live music and beautiful fields, it is the perfect setting for calm and relaxed family-time.

So, although I had a great time outdoors, there were a couple of musical shows that left me singing and dancing all the way back to the hotel. The Phantom of the Opera and The Sound of Music. These two theatrical acts with the fantastic Andrew Loyd Webber and Roger and Hammerstein music were experiences that reminded me of the beauty of musical theater. It is shows like these that remind you of the value of theater and all the hard work put into it.

I suppose these are all good reasons and justification as to why London is the way it is. I guess that my one-time visited tourist experience has a very limited perception of what London is really like. In any case, it is safe to say that London has a vibrating pace that I fell in love with. For the past three years, every time I have traveled, I always come back to London as one of my top cities. Well, if I missed anything, I'll be sure to post it later.

Technical Delays

Hello again! Sorry for the late posts. I'm still gathering some pictures I want to include and some music. The next posts will be up as soon as I have this ready! (hopefully soon)

About This Blog

For those of you who are not familiar with what globe trotting is, this blog may result as a very interesting source of information. For a start this is the dictionary definition for a globe trotter: a person who travels widely. Now, this is my definition: a person who gets to experience the world first hand and expands their knowledge about this planet's natural and cultural worlds. I'm very much in love with traveling and going to new places. There's places I've been to that I will never forget and I'll share some of my own experiences with you later on. My list of places to go to is infinite and I'm sure there are more than 20 places I would like to visit in all of the continents. Since I'm busy with high school, I'm still saving up some money for my next trip, and I have some age constraints, I have to limit my traveling for now to pictures and things I've heard. So, I already gave you an idea of what this blog will contain, now I want to let you know that it would be great if I could hear from your own experiences as well! If you share my love for travel, please comment and let me know what you think. My next posts will be up soon!