Speak Her Love Language When You Travel

February 12, 2018February 22, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 11 Comments

Valentine’s Day is a couple days away and it is the time people express their undying love and devotion to each other. Couples give gifts of: chocolates, flowers, jewelry, and other tokens that may be cherished and enjoyed for the moment or for a very long time. Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the book “The Five Love Languages” revolutionized the way we view loving associations. He identified: acts of service, gifts, physical touch, words of affirmation, and quality time as motivators for building happy relationships. A person may have one distinct language that makes them truly happy or may have a combination of these languages that makes them feel loved and appreciated. If you know which language(s) you or your partner speaks, then you are already ahead of the game, and can daily nurture your connection for a happy relationship.

In two days you may be on your way to enjoy a romantic vacation. Maybe you are heading to an exotic location like Barbados, Bora Bora, Maui, Santorini, Tahiti, or some other island that wreaks romance. You want this vacation to be indelibly written on her mind and be remembered as the best everrr for the rest of your lives. So, I propose you spend this vacation with the girl of your dreams discovering what love language she speaks. You can practice a motivator each day to see which one(s) she responds to the best. Don’t know what to do? Here are some easy suggestions to start you off. Bear in mind, you can practice all the love languages in one day, but if you are on a five-day holiday why not assimilate one each day.

Acts of service – Plan a bespoke itinerary for each day of the vacation that says you put some thought into it. To avoid any objections, take care of household chores that you know she may be concerned about in your absence. Handle all the scheduling details for an evening of dinner, dance and entertainment. As much as you can, pre-arrange to have her commitments resolved before leaving on the trip. Consort with her work supervisors for the time off and surprise her at the job with tickets neatly tucked into a bouquet of flowers. Last but certainly not least, select her favorite clothes, pack her bags and have them waiting by the door ready for your departure.

Gifts – After a day of exploring the island, she may feel exhausted but a gift of one or all of the items listed will surely perk her up. You would be surprised to see how fast the exhaustion disappears into thin air: a bouquet of flowers, a box of the finest Belgium chocolates, or a beautiful piece of jewelry in the signature baby-blue colored box you know she has been eyeing for a long time. She may squeal with delight, I would, and by this reaction or even the lack there of, you may know whether you are on to discovering gifts as one of her love languages. Giving her a gift when she least expects it may warrant a reaction that is priceless. After all, everyone loves a good gift and if it is given in a unique way, the story will be retold for weeks, months and years to come.

Physical touch – On your down times take a leisurely stroll on the beach or along a garden path. Walking hand in hand will speak volumes of tenderness to her mind. A light touch on the back or on the shoulder may be interpreted to mean, I support you, or we are connected. These physical touches transmit a sense of loving appreciation. Show her you are attentive by occasionally holding her hand, recline against her shoulder, or lay your head on her lap.

Words of affirmation – Believe it or not but this is one of the most difficult of the languages to express. If you spout words of love too much you may run the risk of making it sound trite. If you express sentiment grudgingly you may come across as cold and your words forced. Therefore, choosing your words, delivery and timing are key to making sure your person feels loved and respected. Use a candlelight dinner in a cozy restaurant to talk of all the qualities that you find fascinating about her. You don’t have to be untruthful, you only need to be sincere. Let her know you appreciate the little things she may think are mundane but that means the world to you. Let her know how well she does them and because of that you have learned to stay in your lane when it comes to certain areas where, in your book, she’s the expert.

Quality time – This time is probably the best love language of all. Just my opinion, hehehe. You can either lay on the beach, sip a mocktail, listen to the sound of the waves lapping in the ebb and flow, feel the gentle breezes as they rustle through the palm trees, enjoy the glow of the evening’s sunset, or you can set an appointment to receive a full body massage for two and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the deep kneading that often lulls you to sleep. No words are necessary. Being there and quietly sharing the moment is the perfect finale to a five-day trip.

There you have it folks a romantic vacation to remember. You have learned how to speak her love language and have fun doing it while on vacation. Thank you for reading and viewing my site from time to time. Feel free to add your comments in the box below. As usual, I encourage you to follow, like, and share with your family and friends. Happy Valentine’s y’all.

More times,

Itinerary Planner

Enchanting Peru

January 30, 2018January 30, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 10 Comments

Spending the first part of our vacation in Ecuador, more precisely Quito, prepared us for our journeys in Cuzco, Sacred Valley of the Inkas, Machu Picchu and Lima.

Cuzco – We arrived in Cuzco on a high note – read of the experience here. We stayed in the San Blas Barrio and settled in comfortably into our accommodations. Conveniently located in front of our hostel was the San Blas Market where we found a variety of food stalls, fruit and vegetable vendors, and all-natural juice bars to choose from.

Plaza de Armas de Cuzco (Traveltinerary)

Peru’s Indigenous People (Traveltinerary)

Street in Cuzco (Traveltinerary)

Plaza de Armas de Cuzco – Sacsayhuaman on the hill (Traveltinerary)

Cuzco – Plaza de Armas de Cuzco by night (Traveltinerary)

Peru’s Indigenous People (Traveltinerary)

Cuzco – Street Vendors (Traveltinerary)

No sooner had we left the produce market and entered Plaza de Armas of Cuzco than we were approached by street vendors peddling their ware of clothing, handicrafts, art, jewelry and trinkets. Every nook and cranny of this hillside town is geared towards the many tourists who leisurely roam the narrow streets and avenues in search of bargains and attractions. Plaza de Armas of Cuzco was a beehive of activity. In the landmark square are two baroque-styled buildings you cannot miss: La Cathedral and Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Christ).

Cuzco – Handicraft Shop (Traveltinerary)

Our number one priority after arriving in Cuzco was to arrange a next-day travel tour to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas. Tip #1 – Compare prices of tours before choosing to book with your hotel. Shop around. It is best to compare prices in a place where bargaining is an acceptable business practice and to stay within your budget limits. Plaza de Armas de Cuzco was not short of options. I am happy to report we settled on a tour within our budget and that fulfilled the must-see sites on our list.

With some direction, we found the office where we could purchase the entrance tickets into Machu Picchu. The ticket office was the scene of the crime. My sister and I got into a heated argument about which tickets to buy. My sister (Overly Cautious) wanted to purchase a ticket for Machu Picchu, and yours truly (Radically Impulsive) a ticket for Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. To my mind we came so very far it only made perfect sense to explore both places. Lesson learned? Certainly. Tip #2 – If traveling with a partner, decide beforehand the sites and attractions you want to visit together to avoid any conflict. Even though the mansuetude afternoon was fractured by harsh words, we somehow managed to contritely spend the rest of the evening talking of how we could better handle situations in the future.

Sacred Valley of the Inkas

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To give a blow-by-blow account of the Sacred Valley of the Inkas tour would mean a few more postings (I can hear you sigh and say, enough already). Suffice it then to say, the tour was phenomenal. You must visit and see for yourself. I will let the photos in the slide show speak for themselves.

Aguas Calientes – After spending a couple of days in Cuzco, we departed the Poroy station onboard PeruRail for Aguas Calientes, otherwise known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. The three-hour journey was uneventful as we rambled along the scenic countryside, through rural communities, past flowing rivers, and at times, flank by mountainous terrain on either side.

Cuzco – All Aboard PeruRail (Traveltinerary)

Cuzco – Rumbling Rivers (Traveltinerary)

Cuzco – PeruRail (Traveltinerary)

Cuzco – PeruRail Stewards (Traveltinerary)

After disembarking the train, we trudged with our bags uphill to our hostel. Thankfully, our housing was not too far up the incline. We were near to the main square, and within easy access to the plethora of restaurants, vendors, and handicraft shops. That same day we purchased bus tickets for the ride up the mountain to the ruins. Machu Picchu Pueblo is a quaint town but there is not much to see or do there, except eat, relax or go to the hot springs for a therapeutic dip. I discovered a map highlighting more than 20 stone sculptures around the town. To pass the time I decided to use the map as a treasure hunt guide and photograph as many of the carvings as I could. This activity took us some time to accomplish.

Machu Picchu – Sculptures (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Pachamama Sculpture (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Sculptures (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu – Of all the talk about Machu Picchu, you would think that the revered site is within walking distance. It is not. Of course, hardcore hikers could probably make the trek in a couple of hours, but it took the bus approximately half hour winding up the mountainside to arrive at the gated entrance. There we stood in line, excited and eager to enter the grounds.

Machu Picchu – Entrance to MP (Traveltinerary)

Hikers to Wayna Picchu get an hour head-start so they have enough time to cover both ruins sites before the afternoon tourists arrive. Only 400 hundred persons are allowed to climb each day. I was among that group. Tip #3 – It is best to train before your trip if you plan to incorporate strenuous activities such as mountain climbing on your itinerary. Assured by the authorities that the average time to scale Wayna Picchu is approximately two hours roundtrip, I started out in high spirits on the steep climb. As I got closer to the top, navigating the tiny steps upward necessitated crawling on my hands and knees. At first the clouds were thick and obstructing, but as the temperature rose and the sun’s rays became stronger, the clouds dissipated, revealing the crown jewel below – Machu Picchu in all her splendor. The view of the surrounding valley as far as the eye could see was also a bonus and was worth the trek. I came, I saw, and I conquered was the feeling I had as I surveyed the view, inhaled the cool fresh air and soaked up the tranquil surroundings along with fellow-hikers. The decision to climb Wayna Picchu was a good one.

Waiyna Picchu – View of Machu Picchu from Waiyna Picchu (Traveltinerary)

Waiyna Picchu – Clear view of Machu Picchu from Waiyna Picchu (Traveltinerary)

Waiyna Picchu – Almost there (Traveltinerary)

Waiyna Picchu – Climbing up the mountain (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Ruins (Traveltinerary)

Waiyna Picchu – I made it! (Traveltinerary)

Whoever said going downhill is easier that climbing uphill probably never climbed down the slopes of Wayna Picchu. The descent was more tedious and strenuous than anticipated. I was anxious to rejoin my sister (maybe it was guilt) seeing that I was running late on the time we were supposed to meet. She had been patiently waiting for me so we could begin to explore Machu Picchu together. Of course, she was well rested, but by now my feet and leg muscles were aching, and I felt as though I was walking on stumps. However, this was our moment of truth and we were resolute on covering every inch of the ruins. To cap off a day well spent, we splurged on a sumptuous meal, and tried to relax before catching the train back to Cuzco.

Machu Picchu – MP and WP in the background (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Ruins (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Wayna Picchu in the background (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Llamas roam free on the grounds (Traveltinerary)

Machu Pichu – Ruins (Traveltinerary)

Machu Picchu – Ruins (Traveltinerary)

Weary and tired we boarded our train retracing our travel footprint back to Cuzco en-route to Lima. Unlike our initial ride into Machu Picchu Pueblo, this time entertainment was provided in the form of a fashion show by Felipe, Nichy and Gabriel of PeruRail. They showcased Peruvian wear as they strutted up and down the aisle sporting reversible scarves, hooded/collared sweaters and stylish jackets that were versatile, trendy and made from the very soft but expensive alpaca wool.

Lima – La Basilica (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Governor’s Palace (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Plaza Mayor (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Church (Traveltinerary)

Lima – China Town (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Musical Performance (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Senior dancing (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Street Mimes (Traveltinerary)

Lima – With just a four days left to expend on the itinerary we looked forward to discovering the cosmopolitan city of Lima and to see what it had to offer. We were not disappointed. On arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport we negotiated the fare for our taxi ride and was quickly dispatched to the Jesus Maria district to our Airbnb residence. We spent much of our time scouting the areas in and around Plaza Mayor. We witnessed: street mimes who would only move after receiving a monetary donation; musicians and locals dancing to the vibrant salsa beats; demonstrators marching in support of a cause; a formal Christmas event for society’s crème-de-la-crème hosted at the Governor’s Palace. The last event which took place on the steps of the Cathedral was organized by the Catholic Church in support of the expected Papal visit early in 2018.

Lima – Miraflores (Traveltinerary)

Lima – Barranco Street Art (Traveltinerary)

Lima – San Isidro (Traveltinerary)

Lima – A view from Barranco to the city of Lima (Traveltinerary)

Our last to-do in Lima was a tour to the other districts. Tip #4 – Ride the Hop-on-Hop-off bus as a last-minute option to capture sites you may have missed. On the bus we visited the touristy areas of: Barranco, Chorillos, Miraflores, Lima Central, Pueblo Libre, San Isidro and San Miguel. There is something worth discovering at every location. The history is rich and interesting. We did not experience one dull moment. Hands-down, this has been one of the best vacations I have had irrespective of the arguments, differences of opinions, likes and dislikes. My sister and I definitely agree that it was worth every penny, actually, every sol. In-spite-of our character flaws, we continue to remain best friends, and each other’s biggest supporter.

My concluding post on this epic adventure will talk of: our observations of each country – good or bad, the budget – bust or win, and the gastronomy culture. If you have experienced similar travel challenges with a family member, please share. Comment in the box below. Click the follow or like buttons if you enjoy these posts. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for reading. Stay tuned.

More times,

Itinerary Planner

Sprightly Quito

January 18, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 17 Comments

We arrived at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport just after 10:00 p.m. tired and hungry. On our way to the exit we were stopped by an official (customs I believe) and politely asked to follow her into a side room. My sister and I looked quizzically at each other but obeyed. The officer immediately asked us how much money we were carrying. She looked at me in particular and asked me to empty my pockets, purse, money wallet and loose-change bag on the table. I was puzzled, but complied, all the while keeping an eye on the money (which included a few Barbados dollars). She counted the US dollars and after a little explanation on the exchange rate for the Barbadian currency we were told we could leave. I hurriedly stuffed the bills back into their hiding places and went through the door. Was that sinister or what? No explanations were given and I did not wait around to ask questions in my Spanglish. I was only too happy to leave, with every red cent.

Our driver was anxiously waiting outside holding a sign with my name and we quickly followed him to his vehicle. The ride into Quito felt like an hour, but probably was no more than 45 minutes. For a city the size of Quito, the roads were strangely clear of traffic at that time. I turned and asked the driver where was everybody. I do not think he understood me, or if he did, I did not understand his response. We arrived at our lodging, checked-in and settled down for the night. By now, our total travel time was more than 16 hours, and we were dead tired. We immediately fell asleep. Not even the loud party buses (traveling discotheques) on the outside disturbed our sleep.

Quito, Ecuador – View from El Panecillo (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – More Views from El Panecillo (Traveltinerary)

Ecuador – Cotapaxi in the distance (Traveltinerary)

Ecuador – Cotapaxi in the distance – Travel Itinerary (Traveltinerary)

On our first day we awoke early, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and ready for adventure. Our accommodation in the old city of Quito was practically next door to the Basilica, which became our very first stop on the sightseeing trail. Armed with map, cameras and in my case, binoculars too, we peregrinated the city in tourist like fashion, ooh-ing and ahh-ing as we viewed the historical sites with interest. One real concern we had for this trip was how well we would adjust to the high altitude, but while that was a factor, the “little” hills proved to be our undoing. It turned out those “little” hills (to us) were steep climbs. As we walked, it seemed as if we were moving in slow motion, while everyone strode up and down those streets with ease. I am not being melodramatic when I tell you there was a hill to climb where ever we went. Nevertheless, from every vantage point the views, as far as we could see, were simply amazing.

Quito, Ecuador – Basilica and it’s Neo-Gothic design (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Plaza Grande (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – San Francisco (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Inside the Basilica (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – The cupola of the Basilica (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Smaller Chapel in the Basilica. Look at the design (Traveltinerary)

We managed to visit all the major sites highlighted on the map. Many of them were churches. After a while, my sister became tired of seeing one church after another and had had enough. She did not want to see or enter another church door. I, on the other hand, found the historical buildings interesting and the architecture fascinating. As we traversed the calles y avenidas (streets and avenues) teeming with street vendors of every kind , we got lost, we crisscrossed, we back-tracked until street names eventually became familiar and we could maneuver around the neighborhood with ease.

Quito, Ecuador – Party bus (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Mitad del Mundo monument at night (Traveltinerary)

Ecuador – Standing on the center of the world (Traveltinerary)

Ecuador – On the line (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Mitad del Mundo (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Check out our GPS location at Mitad del Mundo (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Walking a fine line at Mitad del Mundo (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – El Panecillo (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – El Panecillo Monument (Traveltinerary)

The following day we headed to the GPS location: 0° 0′ 0″ – the center of the world. We were not disappointed. From every geographical location: north, east, south and west, people were busy taking photos standing on the line making sure to capture the symbolic Mitad del Mundo monument in the background. The monument sits in the middle of a square surrounded by cultural exhibitions of beer making, cacao/chocolate processing, Andean products and boutique galleries selling art, ethnic clothing and jewelry, soaps, treats, teas, etc. It was an educational experience at Mitad’s ethnographic museum where several interesting scientific experiments are showcased. The scientific demonstrations are a big hit with children and adults. I had to give up my experiment attempt (causing a magnet to float in mid-air) in order to keep the lines moving. I did not try “standing an egg on a nail” experiment either, but was satisfied to see someone else accomplish the feat. It actually works. We also perused the Intiñan museum where we learned about Ecuador’s early natives, tribes and culture. In the afternoon we headed over to El Panecillo – another monument, set way up on a hill, towering over the old city as if watching over her. From walking around the base of the statue, you can see commanding views of the city. However, it is still worthwhile to visit the museum within the statue and climb to the very top for a panorama of Quito from any angle.

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We took a day trip away from Quito in the Pichincha province to the Cotopaxi province. We would tour: an indigenous farmer’s market at Saquisili, hike down and up the Quilotoa Crater – a portion of the Quilotoa Loop, visit Toachi Canyon, and finally meet a Quechua family. For more than five hours we traveled by tour bus along a scenic route which took us through small Quechua communities, over rolling hills, down into valleys and on occasion often spotting mountains like Antisana, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Chimborazo, and other names I cannot pronounce. At the first stop – Saquisili, our guide told us the market opens once a week for local farmers to sell their vegetables and other ware. We were impressed with the amount, variety and freshness of the produce. Being so far away from a major community like Quito, I wondered what would happen to the unsold perishables, but I am sure they have a system to manage the excess.

Our second stop on the tour was the Quilotoa volcanic crater. Quick facts: elevation – 3,914m, location – Pujili Canton, Cotopaxi Province, Parent range – Andes, Mountain type – Caldera, last eruption – 1280) – Wikipedia

Quilotoa, Ecuador – The lagoon (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – Arrow shows the destination of the hike from the viewpoint. (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – On the trail (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – View of the lagoon from the top (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – Dipping in the sulphur water (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – I climbed all the way to the top (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – Mules for ride uphill (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – Quilotoa Guide (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – Lagoon hiking trail legend (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – Alpaca or Llama? Alpaca. (Traveltinerary)

Quilotoa, Ecuador – Community (Traveltinerary)

When we pulled up to the quaint Quilotoa community, not many people where around since it was still very early in the morning. We walked the few meters to the landing vista where you could see clear across the aquamarine lagoon below. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Weather conditions at Quilotoa can be unpredictable and we were advised to dress warmly and be prepared for rain. The day turned out to be clear, windy and chilly. I was excited to begin the hike, but my sister had other plans. She took one look at the crater below and decided she was not going down that trail. She opted to sit in the bus with the driver. I was disappointed and had to cut short our subdued argument so as to not delay the group. Again, I am learning two things about her – the overly cautious: how stubborn and how wise she is, and me – the radical impulsive: how competitive and impulsive. Four of us managed to hike down to the caldera in less than 25 minutes, normal descent time is 30 minutes. Unadmitted, I was a little nervous about the climb to the top (280m vertical ascent) so I started back up the steep trail ahead of the younger, more agile folks in our group. Of course, there was an option to take a $10 mule ride to the top. Let me tell you, many times on that trail I considered the ride, but once I am committed to a task I have to complete it (go big or go home). I prayed a lot. I thanked God that my sister had the commonsense not to come. I gave myself pep talks, prayed some more. It took me more than one hour and a half to reach the top. I can only thank God who gave me the strength not to faint, but to complete the hike with a half hour to spare. Yaaay, I did it!

Toachi, Ecuador – Toachi Canyon (Traveltinerary)

Toachi, Ecuador – More canyon view (Traveltinerary)

The hike into the Quilotoa crater was the highlight of the day after which we had a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant. Our third stop would be the Toachi Canyons. The wide, open crevasses are similar to canyons in Nevada and Utah but on a much smaller scale. However, there depth and grandeur are nonetheless just as awesome.

The last stop to visit with a Quechua family was vetoed. By now, everyone on the bus were too tired (except my sister, lol) to fraternize and endure the daunting five-hour drive back to Quito.

Quito, Ecuador – And so we say goodbye Ecuador (Traveltinerary)

Quito, Ecuador – At the airport (Traveltinerary)

Before the cat could lick his ear, it was time for us to leave sprightly Quito. We had a blast and would like to go again, because there is so much to discover there. I am not a good photographer by any means, and since pictures can say a thousand words, I will let those I have sprinkled throughout this post speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy my recollections. Indicate with a comment in the box below, like or follow. To find out what other dramas happened as we moved on to Peru stay tuned for subsequent postings. If you have gotten this far, thanks for reading.

More times,

Itinerary Planner

Vacation Ultimatum

January 14, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 14 Comments

Understand this, is your vacation adrift?

Love tantrums, hissy fits or rifts?

Today or tomorrow it is all the same

If you keep your head in the game.

Many couples use Travel Itineraries to rekindle,

A dwindling love which is abysmal.

Together they plan of how to succeed

Until an ugly argument impedes,

Mostly because of an ultimatum.

Stats a Big Deal

January 9, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 10 Comments

I reached 100+ followers! Stats a big deal.

Talking about my accomplishments is something I have never felt comfortable doing, even when I had to recite all that I did or did not achieve for my annual job review. On one hand I understand the premise being, there is no one more capable of highlighting my successes better than me. Also on the other hand, to talk of how well one may have done is a lot like blowing one’s own trumpet. Is this a dilemma or what? Look, there are no plans afoot to solve this conundrum. The two main reasons for posting my stats are to encourage first-time bloggers to keep going, and to give thanks to my followers for their endorsement.

Travel Itinerary blog and website was created for the sole purpose to offer travel assistance in itinerary planning, talk of travel experiences, spur travel interest with informative tips, and relay timely travel news. In 2017 TI started and 21 posts later the website has achieved, wait for it (drum roll please), the following:

Views = 2,517 (highest views in one day = 177)

Visitors = 867

Countries that visited website = 64

Most likes = 275 (most recorded in one day = 13)

Comments = 84

These statistics are small potatoes when compared to other blog sites and given the fact that I do not use FB or tweet, tweet for added leverage. To beginner bloggers who will read this post, here are a few tips for you. If blogging is your passion as this is mine, then keep on writing. Check your stats daily because the data gives you a benchmark to improve on. Stats are important and give you some validation. They tell you who your audience is, what peaks their interest and where they come from. All in all, remember even though you want to increase your numbers it is not a race. Greatness takes time. If you build it they will come and the sky is the limit are clichés that express perfectly what I truly believe in order to raise the bar.

I thank God for all the progress made on this site. All I can say to my followers, friends, well-wishers and supporters who encourage me – my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Without your interest I would still be at square one. You have been great.

Now you know what to do. Comment in the box below, click follow, like, thumbs up or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

More times,

Itinerary Planner

Travel Alerts

January 2, 2018September 26, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 4 Comments

Are you wondering how you should approach your travel plans for 2018? Are you asking yourself, how can I get out ahead of the maddening crowd and get the best deals on airfares, hotels, attractions, destinations and such like? The answer is simple. Sign up to receive email travel alerts.

Man travel companies for leisure and business are busy touting all the best deals, steals and to-dos for this year: cheapest destinations, best hotels, must-see attractions, most beautiful this or that, exotic places, rare finds, and the list goes on. Now is the perfect time to sign up to receive their alerts. In almost every case it will cost you nothing, so why not sign up, you have nothing to lose. It is only wise for you to take full advantage of their expertise, dedication and hard work to bring you the best chances at affordable travel, and to be the first one to receive their well researched information. Besides getting an early heads-up, when you sign up with more than one travel alert website you will be able to use their information to compare prices against airline websites and other travel search engines, you can track price changes, and recognize best times to make bookings.

A travel alert will give you the chance to act swiftly if you see a fare that falls within your projected budget, or that appeals to you and you simply cannot turn it down. Generally, the travel industry’s recommendation to book travel are four to six weeks for domestic and eight to 12 weeks for international. Barring those travel schedules, if you have a destination in mind, I recommend keeping a lookout as early as six months. As it gets closer to the industry’s standard time-frame, start a daily search until you come within the ballpark of your budget. Timing is everything.

With only your email address and a few clicks you can set up your alerts. Here are some fare alert sites you may find useful:

To travel 4 less you will need a great itinerary. You have found an affordable fare and now you need help with the day-to-day plans. No problem. Leave it to me. I am happy to assist you in pulling the details together. Click on the consultation request below to get started.

First Stop – Bogota

December 31, 2017 / Itinerary Planner / 8 Comments

Recent travels to South America has whet my appetite for more experiences of the same. My statement sounds as though I am not accustomed to travelling. On the contrary, all I am saying is this trip was phenomenal and I feel as though I have barely scratched the surface of things to do, places to go or people to see. Ecuador and Peru were the focus of my trip but I managed to see a little bit of Colombia too, with Bogotá being the first stop on the many legs of the travel itinerary. There is so much to tell I will have to give you the highlights with photos in three or four posting segments.

On this vacation I had a travel companion (my elder sister). The night before we left we hardly slept so we could be up in time for our flight which was in the wee hours of the morning. On December 4th, we begin an amazing journey that neither of us will ever forget any time soon.

The first stop on our trip was at the El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá, Colombia. Since we had to spend quite a few hours before our connection to Quito, Ecuador, I had the bright idea to scout out the area instead of sitting around the airport. We asked the information booth representative for suggestions of nearby places of interests where we could go with consideration to our limited time in Colombia, and the directions to get there. Armed with all the information that we needed, we boarded the local bus from the airport and headed to Plaza de Bolivar, a square of historical worth.

En route to and from Plaza de Bolívar my sister was nervous. She was uncomfortable not knowing where we were going, how long it would take for us to get there and back given the traffic conditions at the time, and not being able to communicate. She did not understand a lick of Spanish. Yo creo que mi español es muy malo también (I think my Spanish is very bad also) and since I didn’t have any recent practice, it was with good reason that she was not liking our first deviation from our planned itinerary.

You should have seen the look on her face when I wanted to go further away. Big sister was not having it when I tried to convince her to relax and that we would make it back in time for our connecting flight. She was so afraid that she did not realize the buses had their designated lanes and were not hindered by the jammed traffic in the neighboring lanes. When I pointed this out to her, it brought her some relief, but she was still adamant that we should stick to the plan. Obviously, disagreeing so soon after our eager start to our vacation together was not a good way to begin for our travels I thought, so I listened to the voice of reason (hers), urging me to return to the airport with enough time to spare. The ride would take approximately 90 minutes round-trip.

Now don’t get me wrong, it isn’t that I like to live dangerously, or flirt with missing my flight (more to come on that in the next post), but when I travel I always want to know what lies beyond the bend, around the corner, further down the road. You get what I mean. The adage says, “curiosity killed the cat,” well not this time, thanks to my sis we made it to a little square outside of Aguros Bus Station and back.

Here are our first pictures of Bogotá, Colombia.

Bogotá is known for its street art

On the bus but not in the traffic jam

At the airport

Statute at Aguros Station Plaza

We made it to a square outside of the Aguros bus station. I don’t know the name of the statute but it is not the Plaza de Bolívar I wanted to see. Even though our little detour was short, it was very interesting. We met people along the way who were eager to show us true Colombian hospitality. They were more than willing to help whenever I asked in my halting Spanish for directions and in a few instances they did not hesitate to stop and offer their assistance to us.

To sum it all up, I realized a couple of interesting facts on the first day of our trip. Generally speaking, people are more willing to help than to harm. Two worlds collided (mine and my sister’s) – the radically impulsive and the overly cautious. If we were going to have a great trip then I would have to reign in my independent solo-traveler nature and make it work so that we can both enjoy ourselves for the duration of the trip.

More to come on Ecuador and Peru and traveling with my sister in tow in subsequent postings.

Dear followers and visitors to my website, 2017 was simply an awesome year. Thanks to you who followed, supported, viewed, or read my blog. You made it worthwhile. I look forward to bringing you a lot more travel related information, and experiences in 2018. I am eager to see how God will lead me and the level He will take this site to in 2018.

I love hearing from you so don’t forget to click follow, like or please comment in the section below. I wish you God’s choicest blessings and pray that you travel safely as you broaden your horizons in 2018.

Much love and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Itinerary Planner

A Bajan Christmas

December 22, 2017 / Itinerary Planner / 3 Comments

It is too late for me to jet off to Barbados (ticket prices are a budget buster) in time for the holidays. Below are pictures of Bajan foods I like and will miss diving into during this season. For certain, some, if not all, will be served as part of the cuisine in every household for Christmas. Check out the links and try some of the recipes. You are bound to get a taste of Barbados if you do.

Pigeon Peas and Rice and Macaroni Pie

Fish Cakes and Steamed Pudding

Black cake

Sorrel

Soca vibe Maizie by Calypsonian Red Plastic Bag (Stedson Wiltshire)

Besides the foods, I will miss the warm weather, the hustle and bustle of Bridgetown, watching the fashion parade in Queens Park, and listening to the Royal Barbados Police Force Band’s performance. If you are like me and cannot make a quick getaway for the holidays, then I hope these few pictures of traditional Bajan foods at Christmas time, and the links demonstrating how to make them, as well as, listening to the local Soca vibe that is most likely being played on the airwaves there now, would be enough to encourage you to add this destination to your bucket list for 2018. It is never too early to plan ahead. Need help with your itinerary? Let me know, I am here to help you.

In three days we will celebrate Christmas and I want to wish my blog community, viewership and supporters a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

Itinerary Planner

First Blog Award

December 21, 2017 / Itinerary Planner / 3 Comments

Hooray, hooray, hooray! I received a nomination for my first blog award.

Since entering blogosphere, I realized blog awards are quite common and are given by other bloggers who enjoy reading your blog and are willing to recommend it to their blog community and viewership. This indeed is an awesome validation. Ospreyshire nominated me for the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’ and I cannot be more humble and thankful for the honor.

Naturally, I should explain how the award nomination process works. Here are the rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog
2) Add the One Lovely Blog Award to your post
3) Share 7 things about yourself
4) Pass this on to as many people as you like (max 15)
5) Include this set of rules
6) Inform your nominees

Let’s get started on the things I want you to know about me.

I love to travel. Exploring foreign lands, sampling exotic foods, meeting interesting and indigenous people, and experiencing different cultures are some of the reasons travel is important to me. There are many facets to making the travel experience perfect. The biggest reasons most people cite for not traveling are affordability and time. Well, I have found ways to make travel affordable, not only for me, but for others too. Timing is totally up to the traveler. My goal is to seek out and enjoy the beauty that still exists and share my experiences as well as my expertise with others, after all, the world is my oyster.

Planner and Organizer. These are two of the most important tools I use in prepping for a travel itinerary. I love to research destinations, read current news of the travel industry, follow travel forums, listen to the opinions of work colleagues, friends and family members who travel often. The process of gathering information relative to the travel industry is never-ending but interesting, nevertheless. Social events, parties, weddings, cruises, you name it and I have a plan for it. Local events that I have planned and organized include: community health fairs, women’s ministries retreats, weddings, tea parties, showers (baby and wedding), Thanksgiving community dinners and church outings just to name a few.

Wild Flower by Skylark is my favorite song. I am probably dating myself here but if you hear or know this song you will know why I like it and you might like it too.

Hiking or going for an early morning walk is therapeutic for me, if not only for the exercise, it is one of the ways I relax. Whenever I go for long walks I am more impressed with the discoveries I find in nature. Even listening to the thump of my own heartbeat during a strenuous climb can be exhilarating. As I hike trails or walk the streets of my community, the further I go the more I use the alone time to meditate and pray. Typically, on these kinds of walks I can get much inspiration for my blog.

I tell stories via my scrapbook hobby. This is a great way to recount my travel adventures. A picture does tell a thousand words and says it best of all.

Reading has always been a love of mine from a child. Pouring over books, magazines, and anything I could put my hands on to read. The best and only book that I never tire of reading is the Bible – the Holy Word of God. It holds wisdom and instructions concerning practical, right living. It forms part of my daily devotion. It is the source of strength, inspiration, wisdom and the joy of my life.

I used to be a closet Trekkie. Yes, I loved the TV series – Star Trek. Actually, I find sci-fi films fascinating. Don’t ask me why. Maybe they appeal to my wanderlust nature to explore the unknown and to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Nuff said.

There are many sites I find interesting along with travel. However, rule number four limits me from listing all of them. Therefore, here are my nominations for the One Lovely Blog Award:

Living and Writing in Mexico

lifeisacelebration

There is no pressure to take part in this nomination, but I sincerely hope that all my nominees do. Recommending blogs I follow and/or like certainly have been my favorite to-do on the list of award rules mentioned above. Let me know in the comment section below your thoughts on blog awards and what they mean to you.

Don’t forget to select follow, like, thumbs-up or comment whenever you can. Many thanks to my followers, viewership and overall supporters for reading this post.

More times.

Itinerary Planner

Par Excellence

December 13, 2017September 26, 2018 / Itinerary Planner / 8 Comments

Flying can be an ordeal at times, especially when you have a hectic itinerary to fulfill as I have on my Ecuador and Peru travels. I chose to fly with Avianca, and I am glad I did. Here are some reasons why.

Their service is world-class. As far as I have witnessed, they approach their jobs with a level of professionalism that is commendable. They handle customers respectfully and patiently. So far on each leg of my travel itinerary, I received patient attention, answers to my questions and helpful directions to where I wanted to go. What happened next is a testimony of an airline crew par excellence.

I recently celebrated a special day, you know, the kind of date that rolls around once a year, and what we call a birthday. I boarded Avianca flight 807 bound for Cusco from Lima, Peru. Little did I know that my day would go in an unexpected direction. Captain Luis Palacin, First Officer Christian Crosby, Cabin Pursers Ursula Zegarra, James Ysimura and Claudia Gonzales all played a part in changing the course my day would take.

Captain Palacin directed his crew to invite me and my traveling companion to sit in row 1 of first class. I practically jumped out of my seat and ran up front. As soon as we sat down we were given our drinks (that’s a sure sign that you are in first class). I am sure other passengers may have wondered why we were taken to first class, but they would find out a little later in the flight.

The flight to Cusco from Lima is just a mere 55 minutes flying time. In less than an hour Cabin Pursers Zegarra, Ysimura and Gonzales, respectively, showered me with attention. Captain Palacin and First Officer Crosby may not have known this but I was already flying on cloud nine even while they were navigating the aircraft high over mountains that made up a part of the Andes Mountain range.

It is not often you will hear your name announced on the aircraft’s intercom by the captain wishing you a happy birthday on behalf of himself and his crew members. It is also not on every flight you will receive a cupcake with your birthdate and a note saying “Happy Birthday” from AV Crew 807. These sentiments were not lost on me. This team went above and beyond what I could ever have imagined for myself that day. It was not a part of my plan or theirs, I am sure, as we certainly did not know each other before then. However, upon learning that it was my birthday, they all jumped into action to ensure the little time I had in their presence would be memorable and lasting. Even fellow passengers joined in offering their wishes of a happy birthday to me as they exited the aircraft.

I am not shy about birthdays and have welcomed them each year since I do not relish the alternative. I want to thank God for blessing me in such a wonderful way and allowing my travels to cross the flight path of Avianca 807 crew members. May God bless, keep and watch over them on all their journeys. I say thanks to them from the depths of my heart for making my day extra special. I want them to know, it will never be forgotten.

Blog followers and viewers, if you have had a similar experience on this airline or any other, please share in the comment section below. I like to read your comments, receive your likes or thumbs up, or you may select the follow button to be the first to know what I’m up to. More of my travel experiences throughout Ecuador and Peru will be posted this month. Thanks for reading my blog.

Stay tuned.

Itinerary Planner

Travel Itineraries

Travel the World 4 Less

Author: Itinerary Planner

Speak Her Love Language When You Travel

Enchanting Peru

Sprightly Quito

Vacation Ultimatum

Stats a Big Deal

Travel Alerts

First Stop – Bogota

A Bajan Christmas

First Blog Award

Par Excellence

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