Welcome to Life in Another World
Andrew j. travels
Who Loves to See the WOrld?
If I had it my way, I would be in a different country every week. As it is, I get to work with clients to help build their dream itineraries and also work with PR firms and local businesses to write about and promote their offerings.
How cool is that?
Scroll around below for some travel tips, tricks, personal stories, and the occasional piece of travel news.
Looking to build your dream itinerary? Be sure to visit the Services page to learn more about what I do, how I can help, and ways we can make your dream vacation come true.
Travel Tips
Rhythms of the Night is the best thing you can do in Puerto Vallarta.
Listen.
I was excited about this show before I even saw it. I came here as part of a press trip for RAGE Magazine. As soon as I saw this on the itinerary, I was ready.
New Zealand is known for its incredible landscapes and outdoor adventure opportunities. One of the best ways four outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the natural beauty of this country is by hiking the Great Walks.
The New Zealand Great Walks are a series of premier hiking tracks that showcase some of the most breathtaking scenery in New Zealand, established in 1993 as part of a government initiative to promote hiking tourism in New Zealand.
California is known for its unbeatable beaches, picturesque mountain ranges, and bustling cities. People flock from all over the world to experience the Golden State in all of its wonders to see what the fuss is all about for themselves.
However, many people get trapped in the popular attractions and tourist hotspots, but there are many hidden gems that offer an equally thrilling experience. Let’s take a look at the top 10 underrated places to visit in California that are totally worth exploring.
California is one of the most visited places in the United States, and as a born and bred Californian, I think it’s easy to see why. It has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, deserts, cities, or any combination in between, here are 15 must-visit places for anyone coming out to the Golden State.
It’s no secret that being gay isn’t the easiest thing in life. That said, fortunately, the world is becoming increasingly more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. Nowadays, plenty of cities are now known for being particularly gay-friendly. These cities offer a welcoming atmosphere, a vibrant nightlife, and a diverse range of activities that make them perfect tourist destinations for gay travelers.
Every year, U.S. News releases Best Countries rankings in various categories. This year, the Adventure subranking weighs an equal average of scores based on friendly, fun, good for tourism, pleasant climate, scenic and sexy categories.
Let's take a look at their list of the Top 10 Most Adventurous Countries of 2022.
Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World. Its activities and attractions span from world-class casinos and luxury shopping malls to an unmatchable and vibrant nightlife. Because of this, millions of tourists visit the region every year. In fact, Las Vegas welcomed around 32 million visitors in 2021 alone. If you’re planning a visit, here are some of the best places to eat in Las Vegas.
Backpacking combines hiking, camping, and sightseeing into one activity. The idea is that you pack up all of your essential items, then embark on an on-foot journey of epic proportions. You can certainly bring your devices with you, but backpacking is all about reducing your screen time, not increasing it. A lot of veteran backpackers trek through mountains and forests. However, pedestrian-friendly cities with wide streets and rolling hills will also do nicely.
Athens, Greece certainly fits that bill.
The Cross Border Xpress, or CBX, is the most convenient way to fly into Mexico from Southern California.
This 390-foot walkway takes fliers from San Diego directly into the Tijuana airport. From there, get through customs first before your flight. This allows the opportunity to deboard and leave the airport immediately once you land at your destination.
Located just eight miles from LAX and 13 miles from Downtown LA, Santa Monica offers an entire lifetime’s worth of experiences with various attractions, shops, restaurants, and events. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know you're making the right choice?
Let's talk about 10 things you can do to make the most of your Santa Monica adventure.
I was nervous the first time I sat down to try out a bike from Pedego. I’d never ridden an electric bike before, and I hardly even ride bikes at all anymore. Regardless, you can never pass up an opportunity to ride around the harbor area of San Diego.
The nerves disappeared quickly as I rode away. The throttle is easy to use and the ride just as smooth as promised.
San Diego Urban Adventure Quest took us on a ride none of us expected. I can’t remember the last time I’ve done a scavenger hunt. When the opportunity to try this one came about, I jumped on it. I gathered a few friends for some team building and bonding, and we all had a great time.
Even though it completely fried our brains by the end.
If you’re looking for an epic way to see San Diego, look no further than San Diego GoCar Tours. Seriously, as a newbie to America’s Finest, I’m overwhelmed at the options of things to do here. As a small-town kid, I’m not used to having so many options around every corner.
Fortunately, I stumbled upon San Diego GoCar Tours and saw an opportunity to dig a little deeper into the city.
Palm trees lining the highways. Sun almost always shining. Big city vibes in a small city space. Smiles and laughter heard from every corner.
Welcome to Oceanside, California.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love Oceanside. I wasn’t expecting to be as enthralled with this city as I have become over my various day trips out here from San Diego.
Looking for something to do for Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego? Listen, we’re all excited to get our vaccinations and move forward to normal life, and San Diego is ready to party.
Although social distancing and mask mandates are still happening through June 15, here’s a few things for you to enjoy for Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego.
Looking for some places to eat in San Diego? As a recent transplant to SoCal, I’ve been on the hunt for the best places to eat in San Diego. Nothing here disappoints. There’s so much culture, so much life, and so much food here that I hardly even know where to start. I thought Monterey had some good choices, but out here, every turn is a surprise.
As of now, here's a small list of places I've had the fortune of taste testing so far.
The Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California, is an awesome deep dive into California's history. As a native Californian, I never thought too much about our history until recently. In fact, as a kid, history was my least favorite subject. We visited a few missions in elementary school, but I never cared too much about them as I moved into my adult life.
Things changed as I got older.
Got a minute? Or an afternoon? Consider spending it in the fabulous Oceanside, California. Oceanside — often overshadowed by its bigger brother down the beach known as San Diego — is the ultimate California Surf Town.
Seriously.
The Museum of Man — now renamed to “The Museum of Us” — is an absolute must-visit in San Diego’sBalboa Park. Across a slew of exhibits and artifacts, travel through time and cultures to witness the evolution of mankind as we know it.
And no, I’m not talking about the evolution of man from monkeys. I’m talking about man as a society, as a culture, as a race.
So, you’ve got a weekend in San Diego. You may notice there’s more than one thing to do here. Every corner opens up the opportunity for another experience, and it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to go and what to do. Well, as someone who came here to “visit” and decided not to leave for that very purpose, let me tell you:
I feel you.
Remnants of trees once bursting with life line Oregon Highway 138 — more affectionately known as “The Highway of Waterfalls.” The tree’s carcasses may provide a less disrupted view of the roaring tides found in the Umpqua River rushing between them, but the abundance of deadened trees stripped clean of their natural beauty draws the eye even more.
In the middle of it all, caught between the flames but not destroyed by them, sits The Steamboat Inn.
The Element Bend was among the nicest hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying. And for only being open five weeks at the time of my stay, I think it’s only a matter of time before they become one of the most sold-out hotels in Bend.
The moment the sliding doors opened into the expansive and welcoming lobby, a friendly receptionist gave me a genuinely warm welcome.
Most people immediately associate Oregon wines with the Willamette Valley. I know I did. That was all I was familiar with when it came to Oregon wines during my bartending days. This is why seeing the sheer amount of wineries while driving through the Rogue Valley intrigued me so much.
One stop landed me along the Upper Rogue Wine Trail at an incredible Southern Oregon wine tasting room called Kriselle Cellars.
Southern Oregon may not be your first choice for Mexican food, but Shady Cove’s Miguel’s Family Mexican Restaurant is authentic as it gets.
COVID-19 has damaged a lot of restaurants, but Miguel’s continues to thrive. That may be in part to having dinner with a view sitting next to the river.
But the views aside, let’s talk about what we’re really here for: The food.
Anyone who loves anything outdoors should never sleep on an opportunity to explore Southern Oregon. I have visited my family in Medford many a time. However, every trip was usually for a birthday or a holiday. I hardly ever had time to actually go out and explore.
Well, a recent change in life events has given me the opportunity to spend some time here and do some proper exploring.
Located about 45 minutes northeast of Medford equidistant southeast to Crater Lake, the Joseph H. Stewart Recreation area is ideal for anyone looking for a quiet place to picnic or ride their boats.
The lake spills into the Rogue River, which trails across the entire state of Oregon until it births into the ocean at Wedderburn.
If you’ve ever wondered about ways to roast your own coffee at home, Dan Gorman and his wife, Donna, of Punto Fino Coffee Company have an awesome class in Fairfax, California that will teach you everything you need to know! Don’t worry, any method of roasting coffee won’t cost you more than $40! Through Dan’s Roast Your Own Coffee AirBNB experience, you can learn all the tricks of the trade.
Trudging through the lists of Monterey Bay eateries is a job within itself, and picking the right food options can make or break a vacation or night out. Most people stick to review sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp to make their assumptions based on customer reviews. However, a mix-and-match of customer voices can make the right choices harder to come by.
Thankfully, people out there like Casey Aguilar of Monterey Bay Food Tours take it upon themselves to show you your options.
Do you want wide, open skies and mountains that put even New Zealand to shame? Move Montana to the top of your must-go places. Why, you may ask? Because it will be one of the most serene experiences you’ll ever have…
Travel Blog
When Visit San Antonio first sent me the invite by way of Out Traveler to join them for their third annual River Pride Parade hosted by Bud Light, I had a number of reservations.
That said, however, I found that none of that actually applied. Don’t get me wrong, Texas is still full of anti-LGBTQ+ people. San Antonio, however, is full of queer representation and is a welcoming space cloaked in a hip, upbeat, and very clean city.
Keep reading to hear a little more about my experience.
When I went to Puerto Vallarta a few years ago, I knew there was a lot more to Mexico than what I experienced there. I loved Puerto Vallarta, especially with its LGBTQ+ focus, but I had a long list of other places I wanted to visit that I hoped I got to one day.
Among those was the country’s capital, Mexico City. In Spanish, it’s called Ciudad de Mexico and is often abbreviated as CDMX.
Puerto Vallarta should easily be on everyone's "must visit at least once" bucket list.
As for me, I headed there for a visit thanks to a press trip hosted by the Cross Border Xpress. I've been writing for RAGE Magazine in San Diego since August 2021, so when they offered me the trip, I couldn't say no!
The Bend Ale Trail is a no-joke way to check out the city’s incredible, famous beer scene. This trail comes with its own “passport” including 22 breweries with a little reward after you visit five.
I knew there was no way I’d make it to 22, so I ventured out with a goal of seven breweries, putting my maximum goal at 10 beers on the Bend Ale Trail.
After beer two, a friend bet I wouldn’t make it past number four.
I cannot get enough of the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon.
I’ll be honest, I usually struggle a bit in zoo-like environments. As an adult, with some of the places I’ve visited, I’ve felt that the animals were sad. Sometimes malnourished. Other times seemingly mistreated.
Not here, under any circumstance, in any case.
Everyone told me I was crazy for wanting to travel with a dog. If I had thought traveling alone was hard, how was it going to be when I had a pet? How often would I stop? Where was I going to stay? What if I couldn’t find anything dog-friendly?The questions were endless, but I was determined.
I knew America was big. A sideways glance at a map can show it’s one of the largest countries in the world. I never expected this to be a small journey, but there’s one lesson I’ve picked up that has put a lot of things into perspective for me: When it comes to traveling, there’s a big difference between traveling for pleasure and traveling for business.
I’d chosen the Travelodge in the city center of Sacramento for two nights. One night was meant to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with my friend, Megan. The other was to see the capitol building and meet up with my friend Morgan to take our dogs on a walk.
Imagine a valley tucked inside of the mountains that stretches as far as your eyes can see. Inside that valley, everywhere you look, thin trails of water stream down rocky cliffsides. As your eyes wander across those rocks, they find a dome that’s cut in half, facing one of the largest rock walls on the planet. Welcome to Yosemite Valley
It’s no secret that California has had a rough time the last few years.Between the drought, the fires, and the fact that everyone in the world wans to be here, I’ll admit, I started looking at California with jaded eyes.As someone who grew up just outside of the perfection that is Yosemite, I always had an appreciation for nature.
No matter where I go in life, a part of me will always remain in Monterey, California.After Josh and I finished up in San Francisco, we made our way down the 101 to my second hometown.I first came here in 2007 after I’d graduated Yosemite High School. When I finished California State University Monterey Bay in 2011, I couldn’t leave.
Santa Cruz lays at the tip of the Monterey Bay, hidden inside of the Santa Cruz Redwood Mountains. Known for its beachy-meets-mountain feel, tourists come here for a mixture of both relaxation and adrenaline.
Eager to continue on with our sense of mystery, Josh and I headed out to the Santa Cruz Mystery Spot.
There, our perception of the natural changed forever.
Most people associate San Francisco with the vast array of skyscrapers and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Tucked into the hills just north of the city center, however, lies a forest better known as Muir Woods. Located inside of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, visitors travel from all corners of the globe to catch glimpses of the redwoods harbored in its depths.
While I prepared for my trip from California, I thought the mere celebration of my birthday in a foreign country was excitement enough. I didn’t think too much about what I wanted to do, for I thought I’d never be without activity. At that, wherever I would be was better than where I was, so why worry?
I had three WWOOFing experiences during my time in Aotearoa, but I must admit, Gilly's involvement in the third one made it the best.
All three experiences occurred in close quarters with each other, but I’d arranged the final one before I left California.
I was initially contacted by Ruth, who I’m insistent is one of the kindest souls I’ve ever encountered. After my week with her, she arranged for me to help out at the Stubbs’ farm.
When I told my bus driver I was hopping off in Waitomo, he responded, “Why? The only thing to do there is Blackwater Rafting. You’ll be bored out of your mind, but good luck.”
I didn’t let his negativity sway me. He didn’t know about the connections I had in Waitomo who assured my lack of boredom.
To my surprise, hardly anyone else knew this was a filming location for Narnia. I didn’t realize I’d be the only one excited about that aspect, but no matter. The mind of the fantasy author is not one to be questioned or tampered with, and just as I did as a child through the forests of Yosemite, my mind took me into the world of Narnia.
A week wasn’t a week in New Zealand unless accompanied by at least one major mental breakdown. Each meltdown came in waves, and fear always acted as its driving force. I’d suffered through Auckland and feared I wouldn’t enjoy the trip — only to find the Williams. I then got comfortable at their residence until it came time to face the fears again.
During my research about ways to save money in New Zealand, I found Willing Workers on Organic Farms, or “WWOOFing.”
Part of the comfort zone I stepped out of coming to New Zealand revolved around my work life. I knew how to do what I was familiar with, but I wanted to learn what else was out there.
My original plan upon arrival in New Zealand was to check into the hostel, buy a ticket for the Sky Tower, and jump off of it.
I even booked my hostel right next to the Sky Tower so I wouldn’t get lost.
People didn’t think I could survived this trip, and I wanted to make a statement, start bold and do something that evoked adrenaline and proved I could do whatever I wanted.
The day I left for New Zealand, I woke to the sound of my mother vomiting.
My eyes snapped open.
Oh no… She won’t be able to see me off at the airport with Dad!
I detangled myself from my sheets and sprinted into the living room.
That problem intensified when I found Dad vomiting over the sink, as my mom had claimed the bathroom.
The night I changed my life, I turned out all the lights. I embraced the darkness that fought to keep me bound in chains, circled candles around me, and summoned forth enough light to be bathed, but not enough to be consumed. I sat with a beating heart, my mind alight with an unfathomable number of questions. How can I make a change to my life? How can I make the best of this broken heart? Why can’t I seem to find any happiness?
Travel News
The holiday season at The Conrad promises a delightful sequence of events presented by the La Jolla Music Society (LJMS). Mark your calendar for a series of enchanting performances and festivities for all ages!
Here’s a look at what you can expect:
Las Vegas is about to get a whole lot gayer with the grand opening of Queen Las Vegas, an extravagant boutique hotel, restaurant, gaming lounge, and nightclub, situated on the famous Las Vegas Boulevard.
This concept is the brainchild of LGBTQ+ nightlife impresario Eduardo Cordova, the visionary behind other notable venues such as The Garden.
Tuolumne County, which covers areas of Sonora and Yosemite National Park, has just debuted a Tuolumne County Burger Trail to showcase some of the most delicious burgers in the area.
The way it works is simple — you sign up for your pass, which is a mobile exclusive passport, that will then be sent to you via text. From there, you simply redeem the 4-digit PIN code provided by a staff member at each location to check in and collect points toward prizes.
Delta Sky Club had a stellar year of openings and expansions across Delta's network in 2022. According to the airline, this resulted in a record number of visits. This has prompted the airline to change certain ways customers can access Clubs starting next year.
The Delta Sky Club has opened four new Clubs since April. This included the two largest in New York's LaGuardia and Los Angeles International. It also included the only International Club at Tokyo's Haneda, as well as a 22,000 square-foot space at Chicago O'Hare.
ResortPass, a company that offers guests day access to luxury hotel experiences, has appointed Michael Wolf as CEO and landed $26 million in Series B funding.
New investors include Venture Capital firm 14W, celebrities Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, and Brian Kelly, also known as The Points Guy.
LGBTQ+ travelers have a lot to think about when they decide to go abroad. Although the security environment for LGBTQ+ community members as a whole as generally improved in 2022, there are still unique challenges provided during international travel or long-term deployments.
HX Global, the U.S. division of Healix International, posted a press release on Globe Newswire addressing these concerns.
Rising inflation has become a headache for everyone across the board.
In the United Kingdom (UK), food inflation rose 12.4% up from 11.6% in October, according to the British Retail Consortium in a report posted by the BBC.
The next victim on inflation's list? Coffee.
Sylvia Earle, the second purpose-built small ship in Aurora Expeditions, will set sail on December 10, 2022. Her inaugural voyage will kick off in Ushuaia, Argentina and head to Antarctica, according to a press release.
"We are beyond thrilled to announce our newest ship, Sylvia Earle, is in the water and on her way to Antarctica," said Aurora's CEO, Michael Heath, in the release.
Yosemite National Park has maintained its status as one of the most popular destinations in the United States. The National Park Service (NPS) announced that in the summer of 2023, the park will no longer require a Temporary Peak Hours vehicle reservation.
The reservation system has been in place for three years and was originally implemented to prevent the spread of COVID. The lift, however, makes planning a trip to Yosemite much easier.
British Airways is trying out biometric technology for international flights, making them the first UK airline to do so.
The technology enables fliers within the trial to "smartly" travel through the airport without having to show their passport, according to reporting from Travel Industry Wire.
While many people focus on the best places to visit in 2023, Fodor's Travel released their "No List" for regions people should reconsider in 2023.
Part of the reason, they say, is that the world may be trying to tell us to slow down, considering the 29 climate-related disasters in 2022 that have each caused more than a billion dollars in damage.
Neal Family Vineyards, a Howell Mountain estate winery, has gained Regenerative Organic Certification as recognized by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA).
Wine Industry Advisor reported that only five vineyard estates hold the certification worldwide. Neal Family Vineyards now represents the first vineyard in Napa Valley to receive this award. The ROA is also considered the highest level of certification.
Crumbs Bakeshop, a former New York City favorite, is hitting the markets again. This time, however, the bakery chain -- who once held around 50 stores nationwide -- won't have a physical bakery.
Modern Retail reported that the Crumbs Bakeshop will implement a digital-first strategy. Former fan favorites like the squiggle and cream cupcakes will hit several grocery chains in the Northeast later in November 2022.
One-day business trips have seen a massive shift in interest, according to recent reporting from Reuters. As more travelers prefer taking "bleisure" trips with their partners, airlines are scrapping one-day business trips in place of longer stays.
Industry data also indicated business travelers started favoring longer trips before the COVID pandemic. In the wake of global isolation, remote "single-day trips" have become an easier option
Element Hotels, which are among the Marriott Hotel's impressive portfolio of brands, announced a partnership with Lettuce Grow to start including hydroponic gardens at their hotels.
The Element Hotels brand itself takes on a wellness-first mindset that promises a commitment to sustainability. Healthy, active travelers already made use of the fully equipped kitchens. Now, the new partnership makes eating healthier an even easier option on the road.
Travelzoo, a media company that provides exclusive offers and experiences for its members, won Travel Weekly's 2022 Magellan Award for Diversity Initiatives.
In a press release issued on PR Newsire, Travelzoo said they took the award in the online travel category for their "In The Spotlight" content series that highlights Black, indigenous and people of color(BIPOC)-owned hospitality companies and entrepreneurs.
Double beds on business class flights are growing in popularity, especially as airlines continue to change in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to CNN Travel, airlines hope that these days, more business travelers will bring along their partners to take a blended business-leisure -- or "bleisure" -- trip.
National Geographic explores the world through every possible lens. As consumers continue to favor travel experiences over material objects, people flock to the most Instagrammable spots to both create lasting memories and make social media followers gluttonous with envy.
This year, National Geographic released their top 25 destinations for 2023. These destinations are meant to be "under the radar, ahead of the curve, and ready for you to start exploring.
Travel trends change daily, and wanderlust is a bug that bites you when you least expect it. This year, more people are hitting the skies, filling the hotels, and flooding the theme parks.
More so, even amongst inflation rates, consumers are showing a willingness to spend a little more on their trips.
The Hopper travel app has taken a $96 million follow-on investment from Capital One Financial Corp.Reporting from Reuters said that partial funds go toward building the social commerce business and aiming it at younger travelers.
Hopper also said the investment would grow its business-to-business unit. This includes creating fintech products and travel portals for Capital One and similar partners.
Business travel leaders are favoring green hotels in their corporate booking tools. HRS, a payment technology platform that leads global corporate travel, and GBTA, the largest business travel association in the world, released results from a survey that showcased sustainability becoming an increasingly key factor in influencing where business travelers lay their heads when they're away from home.
Airbnb released a report about the impacts of their flexible search features supporting more sustainable travel trends in Europe.
The 16-page report, called "How Airnbnb Supports Sustainable Travel in Europe," shows that they are diverting bookings away from Europe's more saturated spots to support more sustainable options.
Azamara, an upmarket cruise line and Destination Immersion experiences leader, had great success to their 2024 Wonders of the World Voyage. The tickets are sold out and there's currently a wait list. To help with the demand, the cruise line announced via PRNewsire they're ready to set sail for a 2025 World Voyage.
Frontier Airlines, a low-cost airline headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has plans to offer unlimited airfare in 2023.
As of now, there's no set price for the GoWild! Pass. You can sign up for details on the page Frontier Airlines set up for the program, where they state only a limited number of passes will be available for a discounted price.
Tiny airline seats are a common complaint among travelers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to open the conversation to the general public back in August. On the FAA website, they stated they would seek public comment on the minimum seat dimensions necessary for passenger safety.
The document was then published to the Federal Register, with the comment period lasting from August 3 to November 1, 2022.
Pink food looks pretty when it hits a plate, but it's more than just an Instagram-worthy picture. The rosy color in food is actually a sign of healthy antioxidants. With more health consciousness on the mind, rosy pink food is set to increase trends in 2023.
Restaurant Business reported on the trend this week. Results for the pink food predictions came from their sister company, Technomic, in their "What We Foresee for 2023" report.
As sustainable travel is on the rise, businesses like Minneapolis' Forever Ware are on the forefront with sustainable practices.
Twin Cities Business reported on Forever Ware's use of reusable takeout containers. Software engineers Nolan Singroy and Natasha Gaffer sell the reusable to go containers to local coffee shops and restaurants in the Twin Cities and more.
Carnival Cruises ruffled some nerves when they capped their Cheers! beverage package to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. Now, a new change to their onboard drinking policy could have a negative impact on them moving forward.
Fly Ontario, located at the Ontario International Airport outside of Los Angeles, California, is taking things back to the old days.
The airline operators at Fly Ontario recently announced their ONT+ program, which effectively allows anyone to get through TSA checkpoints after they apply for a pass.
When I found out the Fleet Science Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park was launching a Color in a New Light exhibit, I knew I had to go and see what it was all about. The science center itself is one of the 18 museums in the park, and one I had not had the privilege of going to and experiencing for myself yet.
Not only am I glad I got to check out the museum itself, I’m stoked my first experience got to be with this exhibit.