Author: Heather Anne

Please visit my YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/HeatherAnneUltimateTravelAdventures, where I post new travel videos every Saturday! Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, I now reside in St. Petersburg, Florida, London, Ontario - and the world.

Travel Tips

Plan a Staycation! (Part 2)

by Heather Anne • September 29, 2020

Summary of Staycation Part 1

Need to get away, but can’t? Plan a Staycation! In the first installment of this two-part Staycation series, I covered virtual travel experiences available on the web. You can read that post here. This time I’m going to share ideas to transform your home into an oasis replicating, as much as possible, the atmosphere or location you wish you could visit. Think of it as a way of staging your home to give you the feeling you’re somewhere else. (This post contains affiliate links for which I may earn a commission to help support this blog so I can keep it running. There is absolutely no cost to you. I never promote companies I don’t endorse and personally use. Not all links are affiliate links.)

Option 1: Cultural Immersion

Cultural immersion is a great way to “travel” while staying home. Make a pact with yourself that you’re going to surround yourself in the culture of the place you want to visit for the entire day, or weekend! A great starting point, you can take a language lesson for your chosen culture. Learn one on one with a native on iTalki. Your first session will only cost a few dollars. Or try out my favorite language program, Fluenz.

Watch a movie or some TV shows from the country you wanted to visit. If it’s in the native language with subtitles, even better. The Rakuten Viki app has great shows from Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan. And Arte offers European programming in 6 languages. Netflix also carries a lot of foreign movies and shows. Or watch travel shows exploring your country of choice, like “Rick Steves’ Europe” on Hulu or PBS.

For dinner, cook a meal using recipes of the culture in question, which you can find on Food Network or Pinterest, or your favorite ethnic cookbook. The Food Network Kitchen app even has live and pre-recorded cooking classes as well as show videos. Or if you’re not in the mood to cook, order takeout or dine-in from your preferred local ethnic restaurant.

I’ll offer an example of the “cultural immersion” method. Set the scene with an India backdrop like this one: https://amzn.to/3mPtb81. Drape some marigold garlands https://amzn.to/3lPbg06 around the house. Why not try a Hindi lesson on iTalki? Then watch some Bollywood movies with a free trial of the Eros Now app, or stream the amazing Jewel in the Crown series from Amazon https://amzn.to/36Qq5LM or iTunes. Cook dinner with Aarti Sequeira on Food Network. What to wear? Pick up my custom “India” t-shirt on Etsy! Not into India? Substitute this plan with the country and cultural traditions you want to immerse yourself in!

Option 2: Take a Spa Day

What could be more relaxing than a luxurious spa day? It’s possible to replicate the experience at home, to an extent. Start your morning with some avocado toast with one of Bobby Flay’s “avocado toast three ways.” Visit the nail salon for a mani-pedi, or hire a nail technician to come to you on a house call.

When you get back home, grab your yoga mat https://amzn.to/2VMS3kY and do some yoga with the Daily Burn app (free trial available), or search for a Yoga lesson on YouTube. The PBS Living app also has some yoga lessons for people with arthritis and other disabilities. Water’s critical when you work out, so whip up some of Giada DiLaurentiis’ Spa Water.

Then unwind immersed in a soothing bath with your favorite bath bombs https://amzn.to/3lPVkuC or bubble bath, or some rose petals. Make sure to use a luxurious exfoliation scrub https://amzn.to/3lRhlcp to get your skin so soft and smooth. Have your scented candle https://amzn.to/2VRq1Vr going for aromatherapy, and bring your smartphone and turn on some spa music. Dim the lights and let yourself relax.

After your bath, give yourself a facial with a facial steaming session https://amzn.to/39MHxT6 followed by a luxurious sheet mask. https://amzn.to/2Iodsy2. Next, treat yourself to a massage with a personal massager gadget. And wrap yourself in an electric blanket cocoon https://amzn.to/2VRqpTT for a few minutes and let the spa music slow your heart rate. Make yourself a healthy and refreshing smoothie. Food Network suggests these recipes. For dinner, take a cue from Giada DiLaurentiis’ “Spa Weekend Brought Home.”

Option 3: Camp… Inside Your House!

You can turn your living room into the ultimate campground! Starting with a nature backdrop like this one https://amzn.to/39QFSfg of the woods is a nice touch. Then start setting up your campsite with a great pop-up tent that’s suitable for indoors like this one https://amzn.to/2JSYb8I. Next, add your sleeping bags https://amzn.to/2JUWuHQ. A mock campfire with a hearth like like this one https://amzn.to/3lQV12q will enhance the atmosphere. Check out a local place to go for a hike during the day. Just Google “hiking near me,” and get your fresh air and activity in.

After dark and back home, dim the lights, and set up a camping lantern https://amzn.to/33QEW6N or two. Make a simple camping-inspired dinner on the grill. Put a video of the Aurora lights on your TV screen, like this YouTube video. Light a pine scented candle like “Balsam and Cedar” from Yankee Candle https://amzn.to/3ggmIkj. It smells just like the real thing, and carries throughout the whole home. It’ll transport you to the forest! For the piece de resistance, make s’mores with an electric s’mores maker https://amzn.to/2JSZ1Co. If you have a device that can make sound effects (like a smartphone app, or an Echo Dot “Alexa” https://amzn.to/33MQDeK), cue up the crickets or bonfire sound effects. Play some cards by the campfire, or play a fishing video game! How about placing some glow in the dark stars https://amzn.to/2JFQDGF on the ceiling?

Option 4: Tour Your Hometown

Whether you live in a major city or out in the country, it’s likely there’s a lot of cool things to see and fun things to do right in your back yard! There may even be some you didn’t even realize were there. State and Provincial parks are some of the most underrated attractions around. One of my favorite ways to tour a place is to pick up a City Pass you can order on this site, or do a Viator tour you can reserve here. Get introduced to a side of your city you may not have known!

Getting a City Pass allows you entry to multiple attractions in a city, often with the ability to skip-the-lines, for a much lower price than if you purchased the attraction tickets individually. They often include transportation modes like double decker buses or harbor cruises too. I tend to see a lot more, cheaper and more efficiently, when I have one of these passes. They’re available for most major cities. And Viator is great for those all-inclusive tours, including ones that get you out into the country for more distant attractions. At the end of the day, try a new restaurant. You may even want to book a local hotel. Remember to check out your local tourism agency’s official website. Act like a tourist! You may find you have a completely different perspective of your city in this context!

Option 5: Recreate Your Cruise

Have any souvenir shirts from your cruise? Good wardrobe choice for today! Make your bed, and then head over to YouTube and search “towel animal tutorial” and find a video with instructions for your favorite animal. (There are many videos on this, and of different animals.) Place on your bed for tonight. If you’re really hardcore, you may want to create and print yourself out a “cruise” newsletter with the activities for the day to place there too.

Then start your “cruise” by putting your TV on ocean or cruise-view scenes. For example, you could put on this Port of Miami live webcam YouTube channel. There’s a second one here. Or an idea I really like, get my cruise ship tours playlist going here! If you have a smartphone, Echo, or similar device with an ambient sounds app installed, bring it out to your patio, turn on ocean sounds, and sunbathe outside (assuming good weather!) Just close your eyes and imagine you’re shipboard. (BONUS: You won’t have to fight for a lounger with people that got up at 6:00, left their towel on the lounger to reserve it, and went back to bed!)

Another thing that will help? Make your favorite cruise line drinks! Royal Caribbean has posted several of their recipes on their blog here. And Carnival Cruise Line has several of their recipes here. Planning dinner? Cruise Critic has posted several cruise line recipes in this article. Take some time to set your table up nicely, using your memories of the Main Dining Room table settings as a guide. Or go out to a restaurant that reminds you of your favorite cruise ship specialty restaurant, like a steakhouse or Italian place.

At the end of the night, put something on your TV that will bring back cruise memories, like a soccer or tennis game (which always seem to be on TV on the cruise ships!), or a concert or Broadway show, like “Hamilton” now streaming on Disney+. I like to order cookies and cocoa room service at the end of the night when I sail on Carnival, so I’d cap off the night with those. When you’re ready for bed, your towel animal will be there to greet you. Remember to sleep in for your “sea day” tomorrow, OR get up and take an “excursion” in your hometown on a tour from a site like Viator here!

Option 6: Have a Casino Night

There are many ways to transform your home for a casino night. Set up the card table for a poker session, and “comp” your guests with great cocktails, a delicious buffet, and/or a night in your guest room. Don’t forget a chocolate on the pillow! Cue up some pro or college sports or horse racing on the big screen TV, and hand out betting slips. (What you’re betting for is up to you…!) Gather up all the iPads or other tablets you can get your hands on (ask guests to bring theirs). And then line them up in a row on stands along a long table or counter, and place a chair in front of each. Then install and and open up a different slot machine app on each one. (Most of these slot apps are free downloads.)

Get some table games going, like this Bingo game https://amzn.to/33Pm6wQ (come up with fun prizes!), Blackjack, or Roulette https://amzn.to/3gmvTQ3. Make sure you have plenty of poker chips and playing cards https://amzn.to/36MfMrO and someone who’ll be designated the dealer. Keep the “comped” drinks flowing! Go old-school and play some smooth jazz music in the background, or go modern and play the same pop music the casinos play these days.

For dinner, consider your favorite casino celebrity chef restaurant, and visit Food Network to recreate that chef’s recipes. Or head out to a fancy restaurant that reminds you of your casino favorite. Browse ideas for casino-themed cakes on Pinterest, and have your baker whip one up for you, or, if you’re crafty in the kitchen, bake one up yourself! To cap off your evening, watch some old videos of the show “Las Vegas” with James Caan. Alternatively, enjoy a casino movie like “Casino” or “Casino Royale.” Another great idea would be to digitally downloaded a concert or magic show, just like you’d see in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Sequence of a Race Horse Galloping – Public Domain

Option 7: Host a Film Festival

Can’t go to Cannes? Why not host your own film festival? Start with a tour of Cannes with Rick Steves in this video. Then get in front of the big screen (TV) for a marathon of great films. The theme is up to you – whether it’s “Classic Hollywood” or “Brand New Blockbuster.” You can now stream movies that are still in theaters at home these days. While the $20 rental cost is steep, if you’re having several people over it’s a bargain compared to buying tickets at the theater. Or let your guests browse your film collection and each choose one.

If you want to go glamorous, you can ask people to dress up, serve champagne, and give out gift bags to “attendees.” You can include goodies like Netflix gift cards, 3-D glasses, movie-themed card decks or mugs, and those boxes of candy you can get in grocery stores that look like the ones you get in theaters. Dim the lights like the real theater, and offer all-you-can-eat popcorn in old-school popcorn containers https://amzn.to/2VIoYY7. Surprise your guests with a variety of flavor shaker https://amzn.to/3n1W15a choices. You can decorate your living room with movie themed pillow covers https://amzn.to/36PIeJs and a decorative backdrop. At the end of the night, hand out ballots and vote for the Palme d’Or (or best movie!)

Option 8: Plan for the Next Real Trip

If you don’t want to plan a staycation, plan the next REAL trip! I have to admit, while all of these options are a lot of fun, they don’t replace the feeling of embarking on a REAL trip. But sometimes planning your real trip is part of the fun of travel. And if you haven’t been traveling much (like in the case of a pandemic lockdown), you may have set aside a budget to finally tackle that bucket list that’s been collecting dust. Exploring your options for the next trip can be exciting, appealing to your natural desire for anticipation. Better yet, once you can travel again, you’ll be ready to go right away!

Don’t suffer from cabin fever. Plan a staycation today, and get away! With a little imagination and a few inspiring resources, you can replicate a vacation in a fun, convincing way! Remember, if you missed Part 1, you can read that post here. Caring is sharing, so please share this post on Twitter and Facebook to help others out of their lockdown funk!

Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review

by Heather Anne • September 22, 2020

Lots to see in Jacksonville, Florida

Before I get to the Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review, I want to mention that Jacksonville, Florida is a great home base for exploring the coast of North Florida. There’s a lot to do in town. You could head for the city’s pristine beaches. Another option would be to take a walk on the wild side and visit Catty Shack Ranch, a conservation ranch for tigers and other big cats. Or immerse yourself in culture at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, with its masterful nature art collection and European-inspired gardens.

St. Augustine Day Trip

In the mood for a little road trip? Whisk off to St. Augustine for the day to tour the “oldest city in the U.S.” The oldest masonry fort in the States is here, along with a historic lighthouse, pirate and treasure museum, and old town abundant with colonial architecture. And one of the biggest draws is a chance to get revived and renewed at the fountain of youth! St. Augustine is a 45 minute drive from Jacksonville and ideal day trip.

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville JTB/Deerwood Park

The Hilton Garden Inn, Jacksonville at Deerwood Park is not very convenient to downtown, and you’ll probably want to have a car to get around. It’s a nice, peaceful residential neighborhood, though, in the University district. It’s a comfortable and inviting hotel, and I look forward to returning again and again. This is a great place to stop on a road trip from more northern states into Florida, here on I-95 in Jacksonville, not too far from the Georgia border. Please note: this post is NOT sponsored by Hilton, and includes my honest opinions.

The Opulent Lobby

The first thing you notice about the Hilton Garden Inn, Jacksonville is the opulent lobby. It has very high ceilings, lots of plush, cozy furniture, plenty of plants, and the scent of warm, fresh-baked cookies! Water infused with citrus fruits, tea, and coffee are available in the lobby at certain times of day, too. The breakfast area is here, where you can partake in delicious, made-to-order breakfast specialties. (There is a charge unless you are a Hilton Honors Gold member, who can enjoy a free breakfast for themselves and a guest.)

Pool and other Public Areas

The Pool area is a great place to lounge out and relax! In addition to many lounge chairs and table seating, theres a jacuzzi to indulge in. Due to its northern location in Florida, Jacksonville does tend to get a little chilly in the Spring and Fall, and this is a great option when the pool is a little too cool! In addition to the beautiful lobby and pool area, there’s also a large gym. You can use both cardio machines, like treadmills and cycles, and strength training equipment, like benches and weights. Finally, also good for those chillier Fall evenings, there’s a fire pit patio with comfy couches. This also serves as the smoking area, and there are a couple of tables if you prefer to have your breakfast alfresco.

Comfortable Guest Rooms

Consistent with the Hilton Garden Inn brand, the room was very nicely furnished and well-decorated. The bed was very comfortable. A Keurig coffee machine, microwave, and refrigerator were available in the room. (These particularly came in handy with our delectable leftovers from the brewery next door – which I’ll delve into next!) The photo above shows a room with two beds; rooms with one king bed are also available. The room was modern and trendy, and the big, flat-screen TV was nice for chilling out after a long day of exhausting exploring!

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery

Probably my favorite feature of this particular hotel is something off-property. The Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville JTB/Deerwood Park shares a parking lot with the Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery. When I noticed how popular the place was with locals, I had a feeling it was going to be great. And it is! They brew their own beer on-site, and it’s outstanding! I ordered a flight of beers so I could find my favorite to follow-up with. And then my plate arrived – with a very generous portion of chiles relleno, one of the many excellent options on the menu. Most of their offerings fall into the bar food and tex mex categories. The quality was excellent, and I’ve longed to return ever since. I keep hoping they will open another location closer to my neck of the woods in Tampa!

Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review

If you want to see more of this Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review, I filmed a complete video tour that you can view on the Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube channel here:

And if you’re touring around North Florida, you may want to check out my blog post on Cocoa Beach here:

https://atomic-temporary-140334132.wpcomstaging.com/2019/01/21/winter-in-cocoa-beach-florida/

And if you’re interested in learning more about this hotel, you can view their official site here (this is NOT an affiliate link):

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/jaxdpgi-hilton-garden-inn-jacksonville-jtb-deerwood-park/

Podcast

Ultimate Casino Updates Podcast 4

by Heather Anne • September 16, 2020

Online sports betting on the rise in New Jersey

New Jersey breaks the record for online sports bets, and more!

There have been a lot of news updates for the casino industry in the United States and Canada recently. Get the full scoop here on the fourth installment of the Ultimate Casino Updates podcast! On this podcast, I give you all the latest news around the casino gaming and resort industry. The focus of this podcast is on the United States and Canada, but I’ll cover major news stories from around the rest of the world too from time to time. New podcasts are uploaded bi-weekly on Wednesdays. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast source! Sharing is also very much appreciated! Thank you for listening!

Be sure to check out the Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube channel for more great travel content, including your favorite destinations for casino gaming!

Travel Tips

Staycation Ideas: Survive the Lockdowns!

by Heather Anne • September 15, 2020

Still in lockdown? Escape with a staycation!

Do you need some staycation ideas to survive the lockdowns? More and more people are venturing out of their homes at this point of the pandemic. But some areas are experiencing spikes, and lockdowns are still in place and resuming in some places. And at-risk people who are still quarantined deserve a little vacation too. As a travel writer, I’m the first to admit that a virtual vacation can’t do the real thing justice. But it’s better than nothing. With a little imagination and a few resources, you can make your escape! Luckily there are many online resources that make an inspiring staycation possible!

Tour a new city

Taking a virtual tour of an exciting new city can help pull you out of those cabin fever doldrums. Even better, they can help you imagine and plan your next trip when freedom returns. There are many great shows on various streaming apps that will take you away. Some of my favorites include “Rick Steves’ Europe” on Hulu, “Aerial America” on the Smithsonian Channel, and the “Visions” series on PBS Living. All of these apps have free trials available if you’re not already subscribed, and all can stream on an Apple TV, Roku, or Fire Stick device. YouTube is also a great destination for satisfying your travel fix. I recommend starting with the “Travel Destinations” playlist on Ultimate Travel Adventures! Visit the playlist by clicking this link or watch the full playlist below! (Hunker down with with a fresh glass of wine or mug of tea and a serious supply of snacks – there’s a lot to explore!)

Travel Destinations playlist on Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube channel

Experience theme park thrills

If a theme park is more your speed, you’re in luck! There are many good first-person views of theme park rides available online. Hershey Theme Park has a page dedicated to virtual roller coaster rides you can visit by clicking here. And you can check out every Cedar Point roller coaster on this site. Finally, this site has many Disney and Universal Studios coasters to hop on, and a Disney fireworks show to watch. So skip the nausea, leave your hat on, and go for a wild ride! Added bonus: no screaming toddlers, handrails stuck with gum, painful sunburns, overpriced food stalls, and getting caught in the rain without an umbrella!

Hershey Park virtual roller coaster rides

Your virtual cruise is calling

A mega-ship cruise out of the U.S. and Canada is impossible right now, but out of your virtual port they’re not! Prepare to set sail with Carnival’s 360 degree interactive video on YouTube here! Remember to click on the screen to turn the image for a full 360 degree view around you! Another option, take a virtual tour of several different cruise ships. These tours show the complete ships – virtually every venue (pun intended!) It’s all on the Ultimate Travel Adventures “Cruise Ship Tours” playlist. You can visit the playlist here or watch the full playlist below!

Ultimate Travel Adventures Cruise Ship Tours playlist

Virtually tour a museum

Many museums deliver a dose of culture with virtual tours and access to their vast collections online. Some of the best virtual visits include the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia here, the Vatican Museum here, the Louvre museum here, or the MET here. You can also get multimedia tours, with audio, of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for your mobile device. Details can be found on their website here! I know, the masterpieces hanging on your fridge from your third-grader’s art class are adorable… but when you’r ready for something more…. grown up these options should satisfy!

Tour a national park

Is the great outdoors calling you? You can answer the call from the comfort of your couch! There’s an excellent virtual tour of Yosemite National Park here. Or get to the Grand Canyon with the National Park Service’s virtual tour on this site. And leave the crowds and traffic behind! Dust off your favorite pine-scented candle to enhance the experience!

Want wildlife? Visit the zoo, or go on a live safari!

The San Diego Zoo posts live webcam streams of many of their residents on their website here. You can view the day-to-day activities of animals such as a panda, elephant, koala, ape, polar bear, and more! And for more live action, go on a live safari online at Wild Earth’s Safari Live. This is the safest safari you’ll ever take!

Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall

Take in a concert

Click on the Berlin Philharmonic’s Digital Concert Hall to watch free virtual concerts. Both live and pre-recorded concerts are available. Open to opera? The MET offers a free, nightly opera performance stream on their website. Music makes everything better…. including quarantine! Close your eyes and pretend you’re there. Hopefully soon you will be, but this will have to do in the meantime.

Visit a vineyard, and taste the grapes

Are you getting tired of looking at the same four walls? The Castello di Amorosa in the Napa Valley of California, with its world-famous wineries, has both a virtual and video tour on their site here. It’s a castle and a vineyard – the ultimate virtual getaway for wine lovers. So unleash your inner royal, and have a bottle of bubbly handy to add the sense of taste into the equation. How about a virtual tasting? Food and Wine magazine has provided a list of virtual tasting options on their site. A wine tasting shouldn’t be a spectator sport.

Craving the casino?

Yes, there is a socially distanced casino option! Monte Carlo, Monaco offers a virtual tour, including their world-renown casino and other attractions. You can find them on Monte Carlo’s website here. The casino is dripping with opulence from wall-to-wall, and on this visit, the House won’t win! Prefer to watch the gaming in action? Check out the live poker feeds on Twitch here. Another option? Check out the many free, downloadable slot apps for your tablet or phone on Apple’s App Store and Google Play for Android devices.

Other attractions

There are many other attractions you can explore online. You can take a hike on the Great Wall of China here, explore the Acropolis in Athens here, or get lost traversing the world with Google Arts and Culture here. The possibilities are endless! Practically anywhere you want to go is within your reach, as long as you can reach your computer keyboard. No passport required!

Transform your home

Finally, you can immerse yourself in foreign cultures, experience a luxurious spa day, or bring the great outdoors indoors, right in your own home. In the second part of this two-part staycation series, I’ll give you tips on how to transform your current surroundings without going anywhere. Follow this blog to be updated! In the meantime, how about checking out some of my other blog posts on travel, like my Kusadasi, Turkey tour, or explore New York City here!

Thanks for stopping by!

cruising

Cruise Ship Behind-the-Scenes TOUR!

by Heather Anne • September 8, 2020

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship Behind-the-Scenes Tour

During my most recent cruise on the Norwegian Breakaway, I took the cruise ship behind the scenes tour for a peek below decks. Norwegian Cruise Line offers these tours on most of their ships. Platinum tier level guests are invited to take the tours for free, and should sign up at the Rewards desk on the day of sailing. All others may sign up for a tour at the Excursions desk. Last I checked, the charge was $75 for this tour excursion. Unfortunately, the tours no longer visit the Bridge due to security concerns. But the tour is a very interesting and worthwhile experience nonetheless. And be sure to wear comfortable shoes – especially if you’re touring one of the mega-ships! You’re going to cover a lot of ground and get a good workout in for the day!

Backstage at the Show Hall

To start off, the first stop on my tour was backstage at the show hall, where the dressing rooms are and costumes are maintained. The first room we entered had sewing machines and many tailoring supplies, as well as wigs and equipment used to keep the wigs in pristine condition. Before this tour, I had no idea how much attention was required to keep the costumes for these shows in good condition. And the second room was, in my opinion, the highlight of the tour. Because here the dazzling costumes were stored, including brilliantly colored and sequined clothing, footwear, and accessories. I recognized all of the costumes from the shows. For the show “Six,” there were two sets of boots: identical except that one set had higher heels than the other. The tour guide explained that the shorter heels are for use as a safety precaution when seas are rougher!

The Shipboard Laundry Facilities

I was very impressed by the massive laundry facilities! There were long rows of huge washer and dryer machines. And stacks and stacks of crisp, clean folded sheets and towels. Meanwhile, piles of laundry were gathered, waiting to be washed. And there were many employees taking care of customer clothes by hand. I found one machine particularly interesting that steamed articles of clothing, puffing them out to a giant size and then deflating them. Two friendly employees worked the sheet-folding machine, while the towel folding machines were completely automated. It’s a huge undertaking to manage laundry for thousands of people, and I was amazed at what an efficient system they had on the ship!

Cruise Ship Kitchen

Like the laundry facilities, the kitchen was massive! Huge sections were dedicated to gigantic dishwashing and storage systems. Delectable menus were hung on the walls, planning service for the many restaurant options on the ship. And gigantic, shiny metal pots simmered on a multitude of stovetops. The counter space was abundant, and there were too many commercial ovens to count. We were able to watch several employees preparing for lunch service. The area was immaculately clean. After proceeding through the kitchen, we emerged to a hallway where blueprints of the ship were hung on the walls. Disappointingly, photography was not allowed in this area for security reasons, so I cannot share that with you here.

More Cruise Ship Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Of course, my descriptions can’t do the scale of these facilities justice – so I highly recommend you watch my video tour below!

Ultimate Travel Adventures on YouTube

Also check out my blog post on the Breakaway cruise ship here!

https://atomic-temporary-140334132.wpcomstaging.com/2018/09/03/breakaway-to-the-baltic-norwegian-breakaway-cruise-through-the-baltic-sea/

Podcast

Ultimate Casino Update Podcast 3

by Heather Anne • September 2, 2020

The latest casino industry news!

Welcome to the third installment in my Ultimate Casino Update podcast series! On this podcast, I give you all the latest news updates from the casino gaming and resort industry! Podcasts are uploaded bi-weekly, but I may increase the frequency to weekly when my subscriber count increases. I’ll share with you news from the U.S., Canada, and around the world! As I always say, winners make their own luck. And one of the ways to do that is to stay well informed about what’s going on around the industry! If you like this podcast, remember to subscribe and share! It’s available on Apple, Spotify, and many more podcast streaming services. Thanks for listening!

After listening to the podcast (at the top of this post), check out my video tour of Harrah’s Casino and Resort in New Orleans!:

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This site contains affiliate links from which I may earn a commission at no cost to you. ALL proceeds are used to support this blog, and I NEVER endorse products and companies I do not personally use and love!

Travelogue

Red Sea Egypt Aquascope Submarine TOUR

by Heather Anne • September 1, 2020

Red Sea Egypt Aquascope Submarine Adventure

Egypt may be most famous for the Pyramids of Giza and Valley of the Kings, but there’s another fascinating sight that you should consider. See the Red Sea Egypt, both above and under the water! Tours are available on semi-submarines. Semi-submarines feature an above-water deck for cruising and viewing the sights above ground, and a below deck underwater pod with large viewing windows to enjoy the underwater sights without getting wet! Whether you’re above or below the water, the perspective is perfectly pleasant!

Above-deck Cruising

The first part of the tour consists of a cruise around the harbor, viewed from the upper deck of the boat. The guides give commentary while you glide past beautiful resorts and give the many kitesurfers a wide berth. There is a nice breeze, making this an excellent location for kitesurfing. I enjoyed the rainbow of brightly colored kites and daredevils doing a variety of breathtaking tricks followed by smooth landings. I’ve never seen so many kitesurfers before – and I live in Florida! The hospitable guides provide free bottled water and soda for further comfort on the tour. The warmth of the Egyptian sun was soothing. The highlight of the tour may be the underwater portion, but don’t count out the pleasure above sea level!

Underwater Exploration

The second portion of the tour involves going down below and taking your window seat to enjoy the underwater action. The guides provided a colorful brochure identifying the many types of fish and coral that are native to the Red Sea. The water here is not deep, and you get a great view of the sea floor. Coral covers practically every square inch of the sea floor here, and it comes in seemingly endless varieties. According to the National Ocean Service, “Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents.” (oceanservice.noaa.gov.) After taking an Aquascope submarine tour three times in different parts of the world, I found the Red Sea to have the most interesting and abundant corals. They carpet the entire sea floor!

Different Experience

This kind of tour is a very different experience. Not only are you visiting an area you don’t usually experience (underwater), but each Aquascope submarine experience is different in different parts of the world. So far I’ve taken one in Egypt, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. All three times the views both above and below the water were different. So if you’ve already taken one somewhere else and are wondering if it’s worth doing one again, I’d say a resounding “yes!” While this one had the most interesting coral, for example, my Bermuda tour was the best for the sheer variety of colorful fish. So “once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all” does not apply here!

Fascinating Fish

While this tour featured far fewer fish than the one I experienced in Bermuda, it was still interesting to see how different, and, in some cases, how similar, the fish were here. Don’t expect the fish to swarm the sub, but you can expect to see several different varieties. I also saw a few turtles! Guides identify the different types of fish and corals for you. When the crew announces it’s time to go below deck, make a bee-line for the stairs. It’s first come, first served for the seats below deck. There are enough seats for everyone, but if you want to sit next to your traveling companion and get a pristinely-clean window you’ll want a good selection.

More Red Sea Egypt

Thanks for coming along on my Red Sea tour! Ready to take your own tour and see for yourself? Viator has great aqua scope submarine tours in the Red Sea! Visit Sharm El Sheikh Semi-Submarine for more information. (This is an affiliate link and I may earn a commission at no cost to you if you book a tour. All proceeds will got to the maintenance of this blog.) And if you’d like to read about my trip to Turkey, check out Kusadasi, Turkey Tour!

View the complete video tour!

Digital Nomad

Digital Nomad Lifestyle

by Heather Anne • August 25, 2020

The Digital Nomad Lifestyle

What is a digital nomad? It’s someone who is location-independent, and can work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Many digital nomads travel internationally, staying weeks or months in each place. Some others take their work with them on shorter trips, or domestic trips. Chart your own path and choose the itinerary and schedule that best suit you!

Is this lifestyle right for you?

To determine whether this lifestyle is right for you, take an inventory on yourself. If you do, not only will you be determining if this way of life is right for you, you will be able to determine what TYPE of digital nomad is right for you. There are many different ways to embark on this journey!

It may be right for you if:

You have a good work ethic
You’re open minded
You’re open to risk
You’re adaptable
You have a tolerance for being alone
You can succeed without structure

It may not be right for you if:

You have an aversion to hard work
You’re not open minded
You have an aversion to risk
You’re rigid or don’t like change
You crave a strong connection to family and friends
You need a structured environment to succeed

Digital nomad planning pre-trip

Plan for success! To succeed as a digital nomad, there are several considerations you need to address before taking the leap. Sure – you could just “wing it,” and some do. But to maximize the chance that you will be a happy, successful, well-adjusted digital nomad, you should consider the checklist I have outlined below!

You need access to a remote, sustainable income. That income could take many forms, which I will cover later in this post. And multiple income streams will give you even more financial security.
And 3-6 months’ cost of living in savings, OR a pre-paid return ticket, pre-paid accommodations, AND a place to return to. Things happen. It’s a fact of life. So be prepared. Three months’ worth of living expenses can help you ride things out if work is slow or clients are slow paying you. And if your return ticket and accommodations are pre-paid, the panic won’t set in if, for whatever reason, you run out of money. A “home base” to return to could be a home you own or rent, or family you can rely on. This will offer you a secure way out if you need to bail on your trip, or if you decide the lifestyle is not for you.
If you’re in a relationship your partner should be on-board with your plan. Ideally that would mean accompanying you. But it could also mean they are willing to maintain a long-distance relationship. If you opt to enter into a long-distance relationship, be prepared to face major challenges. While apps like Skype can keep people connected, with physical contact limited you lose a lot of the intimacy that relationships thrive on. Of course, if you’re single, you’re good to go!
Do you have kids? It may not be impossible to do this with kids in tow, but I wouldn’t advise it. Children have more difficulty adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings, and pulling them out of schools and away from their friends and family can be extremely hard on them. Absolutely the best case scenario here is: no kids, or your kids are over eighteen.

You also need a plan for any pets you may have. Whether or not it’s impossible to bring your pet with you depends on where you’re going and that country’s rules. Make sure you do your research if you want to do this. Another option is to hire a pet-sitter, or leave them with willing friends or family. There’s also some businesses popping up where people exchange use of their home to travelers in exchange for watching their pet. Of course, if you have no pets, there’s no problem!
Personality is important. Take an inventory of your feelings about adapting to foreign cultures. For example, it’s a lot cheaper to get your food at locals’ establishments abroad than foreign or “Western” (assuming you’re not in the West) restaurants. And getting around and conducting your daily routine is definitely easier if you’re willing to pick up some of the language. There’s also manners and routines in the culture to consider. Your success depends on being adaptable!
Consider your health needs. Your first consideration will be whether you need any vaccines before traveling, depending on where in the world you’re going. The second consideration will be your health insurance strategy. This may mean checking to see what any plan you currently have covers abroad. Or thinking about whether you want to obtain health insurance for travel if you don’t currently have a plan. And if you decide to purchase coverage, you’ll want to shop around for the combination of coverage and price that best meet your needs. Don’t forget to read the fine print!

Pros of being a digital nomad

There are many amazing experiences to be had as a digital nomad that will be cherished for a lifetime. And who wouldn’t want to make friends world-wide? Check out some of my pros:

Location freedom
Lower cost of living (depending on where you go)
Cultural worldliness
Sense of adventure
Scheduling freedom (to an extent – consider your clients/employer and the time zone!)

Cons of being a digital nomad

There’s also some pitfalls and myths about being a digital nomad that should not be overlooked. Consider the cons:

Away from familiar social circle for long periods of time
Border and immigration hassles
Hard work and hustle
Possible infrastructure issues (such as potentially slow internet)
Unfamiliar culture and language (although, may be a plus!)
Financial risk (unless you’re living on some kind of guaranteed income or savings)

Immigration considerations

You’ll need to do your research on immigration requirements. Different countries have vastly different requirements for foreign nationals on extended stays. What the requirements are in a place should factor into your decision whether to go there. For some countries, citizens of the United States, Canada, and Britain can stay for a very long time with no visa. The countries of Georgia and Barbados, for example, allow stays for up to a whole year with no visa. In the case of other countries, you do need to leave after a smaller length of time. Often you can stay without interruption between one and six months. But some countries allow you to return after a “visa run.” This is when you leave the country overnight and come back, re-setting the length of time you’re allowed to stay. Then there’s other countries where you’re allowed a fixed amount of time per year, whether you leave and come back or not. You’ll want to have a clear grasp of these regulations for wherever you’re going. Otherwise you may be leaving in the worst way possible – being kicked out!

Digital nomad sources of remote income

Digital nomads have many options when it comes to ways to earn an income remotely. I’ll go through an abbreviated list here!

A lifetime of hard work may earn you retirement. Whether you’re living on a pension, government retirement program, or savings, this is clearly the best option. You’ll have the most time to enjoy your new destination, and your finances will be predictable and stable.
Remote work for a land-based employer. These jobs are tougher to score, but becoming more mainstream. I had success proving myself to an employer in-person at headquarters for a year before requesting the option to work remotely. If you take this route you can prove to your employer you’re indispensable, that you can work without supervision, and that you can be trusted.
Freelancing can be done in a variety of fields. Think about what marketable skills you have, and contract them out to different clients. This is a great opportunity for people from high-demand fields. Some of these include information technology professionals, accountants, language teachers, recruiters, and virtual assistants. You could contract your services out on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr, or market yourself on your own website.
Got a LOT of patience? Blogging or social media influencing may work for you. I can tell you from first hand experience this is a long, tough road. It’s advisable this not be your sole income until you’re well-established. Get grounded before hitting the road. Otherwise, you may find it takes a lot longer to curate a following, and make money from it, than you thought! This is best utilized as a backup stream of income.

Passive income is ideal for nomads. Passive income, like retirement, can give you a lot more time to explore and soak in the sights and sounds of your new home! Passive income can be achieved through investment in the stock and commodities market. Or by investing in real estate – either by buying and flipping properties, renting them out to tenants, or renting them out through agencies like Airbnb.
You could start an online business. This can be done through selling products on a Woo Commerce storefront, through drop shipping, selling products on a site like Etsy, or offering your services through an online business presence. Many of the skills that are good for freelancing are also good for opening an online business. You could also buy an established, existing business to take the helm and run.
Contractor or gig work may be an option… Companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Skip the Dishes are jobs you can take with you, but often only domestically unless you have a work permit for the foreign country you’re headed to. Just like regular employees, contractors also need to be eligible to work in a country to get hired. Be advised, with some of these companies, you need to contact them to switch your home base, and there may be a waiting period. There’s also gig jobs on sites like Craigslist, or through people you meet on the road. Since these jobs are more informal, you may not need to provide documentation that you’re eligible to work. But be aware that if you are outside your home country it’s likely a violation of the law to engage in this type of work, since you’re taking a potential job away from a citizen or resident with a work permit…

More of the digital nomad lifestyle

Thank you for reading! I’ll have more digital nomad content coming soon! Please leave a comment if you’re a digital nomad, or considering becoming a digital nomad! I’d like to hear about your experiences and why you decided to pursue this way of life! And check out my YouTube video on becoming a digital nomad here!

Digital Nomad Overview on YouTube

Want to hit the road right now… virtually…? Check out my blog post on Kusadasi, Turkey! https://ultimatetraveladventures.wordpress.com/2020/07/28/kusadasi-turkey-tour/

And you can view more video tours on the Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube channel at!

https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherAnneUltimateTravelAdventures

Podcast

Ultimate Casino Update Podcast Episode 2

by Heather Anne • August 19, 2020

Amuesment Park at Steel Pier Atlantic City, NJ

News from Atlantic City, Las Vegas, New York, and More!

Welcome to Episode 2 of the brand new Ultimate Casino Updates podcast! Tune in for the latest news going on around the casino resort and gaming industry! For the time being, the podcasts will be uploaded bi-weekly, BUT once our subscriber count goes up we’ll switch to weekly! So if you enjoy the podcast be sure to subscribe and share with your tribe! The podcast is available here on the blog every other Wednesday, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more! I scour the internet regularly to gather all the biggest casino updates from around the U.S., Canada, and around the world, to provide to you what you need to know all in one place! Thanks for listening!

Travelogue

Spectacular Travel in Paphos Cyprus

by Heather Anne • August 18, 2020

The Promenade in Paphos

Travel in Paphos Cyprus

Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said “Big results require big ambitions.” These big results by the ancient world are evident all over the island of Cyprus. The Cyprus of today is culturally split. Much of the west and south are culturally Greek. And much of the east and north are culturally Turkish. The capital of Limassol has been a point of contention over history, and remains influenced by both. Despite the conflict over history, Cyprus is a peaceful, safe, and friendly place today. I will be exploring Pathos and the surrounding areas in this post. Pathos is on the west coast of the island.

Black Sand Beach

Black Sand Beaches

Visiting a black sand beach has always been high on my bucket list of travel experiences. And Cyprus was happy to oblige! According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “Black sand comes from eroded volcanic material such as lava, basalt rocks, and other dark-colored rocks and minerals, and is typically found on beaches near volcanic activity.” (NOAA. How Does Sand Form. National Ocean Service website, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov.) Meanwhile, iron oxide is responsible for the tan color common to many beaches around the world. This area of the mediterranean is notorious for volcanic activity, hence the brilliant black color of many of Cyprus’ beautiful beaches.

Aphrodite’s Rock… and more Black Sand

Aphrodite’s Rock

Petra tou Romiou, or “Rock of the Roman,” is most commonly referred to as “Aphrodite’s Rock.” This is the birthplace of Aphrodite in Greek mythology. The “Roman” referred to in the name cites Basil, a Christian who supposedly stood upon a mountaintop and threw the rock to interfere with an assault by the Saracens, an invading Arabian peoples. There’s no reference to Aphrodite here on the beach. Her presence today is in spirit only. And in kitschy souvenirs lining the shelves in the shop by the parking lot… This is a peaceful location, ideal for reflecting on the wisdom of Greek mythology. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore is ideal for this kind of meditation.

Promenade Shops and Restaurants

Strolling Along the Promenade

The town of Paphos is scenic and inviting. A stroll along the lengthy promenade treats you to the ocean breeze. Meanwhile, you enjoy beautiful scenes of the sea, and an abundance of shops and restaurants to explore. I found this area spotlessly clean and well-maintained. It’s a great place for leisurely people-watching. There are numerous gelato stands with many mouth-watering varieties to help you beat the heat if you’re here in the hot months. Feast on your favorite on a nearby bench and watch the tide come in.

Roman Theatre in Paphos

The Incredible Ancient Roman Theater

The ancient Roman theater in Paphos sits way up on a high perch. It has a commanding view of the ocean below. The theater was built around 300 B.C. It boasts some impressive civil engineering feats! For one thing, the acoustics are amazing! You can stand on the stage and project your voice for the whole of the stands to hear, and beyond. And, the location high up on the cliff is a sight to behold. Visit the site and imagine a Roman drama under the stars. The University of Sydney is conducting research on the site. You can visit their website here if you are interested in reading about their work on the site.

Mosaics in Paphos Archeological Park

Paphos Archaeological Park

The ancient Roman ruins don’t end with the theater. There’s a whole museum site to explore, the “Paphos Archaeological Park.” Here you’ll find yet another theater and several other structures. The highlight of a visit to the park, however, is the main complex, which houses numerous brilliantly preserved ancient Roman mosaics. Let the Romans tell you their story through their art, here in the park. The park is most famous for the elaborate villas of the Roman elites. These include the Houses of Dionysos, Aion, Theseus, and Orpheus. The aristocracy in Rome took every opportunity to flaunt their wealth through magnificent art in their private residences, including these magnificent mosaics. The Cypriots have done an outstanding job of preserving these treasures, and excavation continues as there is even more to be uncovered. These were the best Roman mosaics I’ve seen anywhere.

More Travel in Paphos Cyprus

When you travel to Paphos, Cyprus you’ll find so much to explore. The written word alone can’t do this incredible island justice. You can view my full video tour here: