Tourists Scams // How to Avoid

When traveling you MUST be careful and observant of your surroundings, because you may fall victim to one of the many tourist scams.

Fake Police: A street merchant may put something on your wrist or around your neck, then when you try to give it back, they complain that you are trying to steal it. A uniform policeman-- who is fake–happens to be passing and threatens to arrest you if you do not pay. Be very careful when shopping on the streets of foreign countries, because this happens more than you would think!

Fake Valuables: A vendor may try to sell you a "designer purse" or a "diamond necklace" at a fraction of the going price. These are all scams. While many people will travel JUST to buy the knock-off products, just be careful.

Distraction Theft: Someone may distract you (ask you for directions, help with map...) while an accomplice picks your pocket or goes through your bags. There are dozens of variations of this so be cautious.

Taxi Tricks: When you jump in a cab and ask to go to a specific location, the driver tells you that it is "closed" but offers to take you to a "better" one. At best, the new place is a long trip and will cost you more money.

The Fake "Gift": A street musician hands you what appears to be a "free" CD, asking yo to listen to their music, and after you have it in your hands and are walking away, demands payments even after you try to return it.

Photo Finagling: Someone will offer to take a picture of you and your family with YOUR camera. They then run off with your camera. Be very careful with people walking up and offering to do this!

Fake Friends: You meet a group of friendly locals at a bar or cafe and join them. After a while they leave to use restroom or make a phone call and never return. You are stuck with their bill.


While there are many people who could actually be wanting to help you take a picture and there may be that street musician who wants to give out free music for FREE with no strings attached. But you have to be careful no matter where you travel!

All-American Vacations // Best of 2014

Want to get a true taste of America and marvel at the nation's natural wonders?

Well here are some all-American vacation destinations just in time for the Fourth of July!

Black Hills, Dakotas

Want remote, rugged beauty with a heaping helping of Americana? Then heading to the Dakotas should be on your summer schedule! Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorials are some of the largest mountain carvings in the world. You may see buffalo, prairie dogs, deer, and maybe even wild horses! This is a great trip to explore these historic sites!

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Looking for a gorgeous body of water and a great place to hike? Crater Lake National Park is the place to go. You will not see a body of water this blue at many places. The lake is surrounded by cliffs and craters. You can try your hand at fishing or enjoy a picnic with a gorgeous view!

Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

Nantucket is just off the coast of Cape Cod and is full of New England charm. You will find great restaurants, eclectic shops, and stunning beaches. Find a quaint inn to stay in and you will feel right at home in Nantucket!

Everglades National Park, Florida

Going to the Everglades is a very unique experience. You will encounter subtropical plants, birds, and rare wildlife. You may even see a manatee. Take an airboat tour and make sure to keep an eye out for alligators and crocodiles. This is a must to add to your bucket list!

U.S. Summer Getaways // The Hot List

Summer for me always means getting to go to the beach or the lake. I count down the days to when the pools open and I can finally relax in the sun. Nothing brings in warm, sun-soaked memories like a classic summer destinations. Whether it is under a swaying desert palm or a bustling boardwalk in a costal town, summer is here! 

Find your place in the sun at these four great iconic summer destinations!

Adirondacks, New York

This is a perfect escape for the nature lovers. There is everything from kayaking to bird-watching and even whitewater rafting! Summer is the time time for new adventures such as rafting on the Hudson River, wind surfing on Lake Champlain, and mountain biking on rugged trails. The Adirondacks are a place for adventure and discovery and summer is the season for road trips! This is your gateway to endless outdoor recreation! 

Clearwater Beach, Florida

While everyone is jetting off to beaches along the famous Scenic 30A Highway, Clearwater Beach is a nice change.  It is home to some of the best beaches in the country. It is home to an emerging downtown area plus a bustling Beachwalk. This makes for endless activities! Clearwater in known for the pink sunsets and crystal-clear waters all summer long! 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Seafood shacks galore fill the seaside towns and coastal trails. You can get your fill of lobster rolls and fried clams. Cape Cope is home to the Kennedy compound and artsy fishing villages. Of course Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket offer nautical charm! These is a wide range of lodging options to suit every budget! 

Ocean City, Maryland

This is a very family-friendly summer destination. Packed with flat beaches, boardwalks, and of course Chesapeake Bay crabs! There are countless free or cheap activities such as putt-putt, Go Karts and outdoor movies! Every night of the week there is a free family fun event! These include laser light shows, concerts, beach olympics and much more!

Have a wonderful fun-filled summer!

Experience Brazil

With thousands of people flocking to Brazil for the World Cup this year, it is hard to remember all the OTHER things Brazil has to offer while vacationing there. And yes, I am just as thrilled about our win of Ghana as the next person, but get out and explore! There is so much you may miss out on!

While Brazil is known for the sun and sand, there is so much more to see! 

While I know the Amazon is on many travelers' bucket list, it is actually the Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater swamp, that is the best place in Brazil to encounter South American wildlife! You can drive the 90-mile Transpantaneira Highway and experience so much beauty. From the exotic flowers to the colorful macaws flying through the tree tops. If you do not want to drive yourself, they offer a great guided tour!  This is something you do not want to pass up!

Brazil is known for delicious, unforgettable food. So why not take a cooking class and learn how to recreate these amazing meals when you are back home? Take a four-hour cooking class brought to you by Cook in Rio and in no time you will be a pro cooking cultural Brazilian recipes! The classes are 100% hands on and English spoken! The best part is you get to eat your work! Yum!

Bonito means "beautiful" in Portuguese and that is exactly what this destination entails. Travel to Bonito and see the aquarium-like clear water and swim with the fish, float the waters, and experience an unforgettable excursion. You will see thousands of exotic fish while you swim along! Bring your underwater camera!

From January-June, a special project on the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha protects and monitors the nests of threatened green sea turtles. Around March the public is allowed to witness supervised nest openings about once a week. This is one of the coolest natural phenomenons you will ever witness. 

Get out and experience all that Brazil has to offer. Call your local travel agency for more information on traveling to Brazil!

Traveling with Teens // Where to Go

There is no doubt that traveling with teenagers who may prefer staying at home with their friends or stuck playing on their smart phones can be challenging. Choosing the right destination is key. These ten locations are very rewarding and fun for families with teens!

Oahu, HI

Waikiki is one of the best places to learn how to surf with its long breaks, sunshine and gorgeous beaches. In between lounging and people watching, teens can shop or head to the North Shore for a glimpse of the famous massive waves.

Wisconsin Dells, WI

It's no surprise that the "Water Park Capital of the World" is a hit with the teen set. We're talking 50ft slides with launch capsules plunging riders straight down, 4-D movie theaters watched from pools and all sorts of mind-boggling thrills for the entire family.

 New York City, NY

Between shopping 5th Avenue, giant slices of pizza, landmarks and even visiting sites from famous TV shows like Gossip Girl, the excitement of NYC is a teen dream.

 Jackson Hole, WY

The outdoorsy teen will love being near two of the most scenic national parks: Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Hike, bike, go fly-fishing, stand-up paddle board and catch a glimpse of Old Faithful. There's just so much to do here.

Park City, UT

Snowboarding and skiing draw teen interest in the winter, however, Park City is a four season destination. Go hot air ballooning, river rafting, golfing, mountain biking and more after the snow melts. Mom will love the spas and Dad should pack his golf clubs.

 Maui, HI

Some of the nation's most beautiful beaches await in Kaanapali. Lounging on them in between water sports is a must as is a breathtaking sunrise at Haleakala volcano, even for a sleepy teen.

 Chicago, IL

The excitement of a big city is alive and well in Chicago, a city full of teen food favorites like big hot dogs and deep dish pizza. Not to mention there are seven sports teams to watch live.

 San Diego, CA

 This city by the ocean makes and excellent teen vacation any time of the year. Beaches offer plenty of opportunities to learn how to surf, kayak caves and relax in Southern California sunshine. Mix in some culture at the Balboa Park museums. Their close proximity to each other are perfect for short attention spans.

Orlando, FL

Teens will probably love Hollywood Studios most out of the Disney parks for thrill rides like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Universal Studios is another favorite with its roller coasters and City Walk entertainment, dining and shopping area. Or, hop over to water parks like Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or Wet-n-Wild. Orlando is definitely not just for little kids.

 Gatlinburg, TN

Your teen will love soaring over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a zipline or paddling the thrilling white water rapids below. Ride the Aerial Tramway to the summit and even ski in the winter at this scenic mountain resort destination that's also affordable.