Dream Destinations – Collaboration Part 2

If you were able to read Part 1 of our Dream Destinations – Collaboration series, you will have seen a variety of bloggers highlighing some of their favorite locations around the world that they aspire to visit.

We are continuing this featured series with another collection of great destinations that I am sure many of you will also dream of visiting one day!

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the travelers that have shared their dreams with us and we hope that you all get to fulfil these some day soon!

Afghanistan – The Crowded Planet

Marghe Train_small

People always think I’m weird when I tell them my dream destination is Afghanistan. When I was a child, I used to own a book of flags that listed all the countries in alphabetical order, and Afghanistan was always at the top of the list.

On top of that, one of my favourite books is Rudyard Kipling’s Kim, and I love the passage about the Khyber Pass. As a child, I was convinced I would stand on it one day, and it still is one of my ultimate travel ambitions.

I would love to visit Afghanistan for two reasons; to explore the mountains and learn about the country’s culture. The first time I saw a picture of the Hindu Kush mountain range I couldn’t believe my eyes; I thought it was the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen.

I wanted to go to Afghanistan so much that I very nearly accepted a job there, backing out only when I was told that for security reasons it would have been impossible for me to walk around without military escort. For the time being, visiting Afghanistan will continue to be my dream.

Follow Margherita on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Bora Bora – Carmen’s Travel Tips

carmen

Since I live in South Florida with a tropical climate, many people would be surprised to hear that my dream destination is Bora Bora. There is something really appealing to me about being able to jump right off the deck of my bungalow and plunge into totally still turquoise waters.

The island’s isolation in the South Pacific makes for both a serene and stunning vacation. It’s one of the most picturesque destinations in the world. Bora Bora has an even tropical climate and ridiculously crystal clear waters. They have lush mountain peaks with views that go on forever. There are unbelievable sunsets that people say have to be seen to be believed.

Finally, there’s that dreamy name: Bora Bora. It just sounds so relaxed and exotic. This is why Bora Bora sits at the top of my list of dream destinations.

I’m looking forward to the day I can go. I’m hopeful that my husband will surprise me for my 50th (hint, hint).

Follow Carmen on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Iceland – The Trusted Traveller

The Trusted Traveller
I don’t even need to think about my number one dream destination. It’s without a doubt Iceland. I’ve been pining over Iceland for years now and even had myself booked to go there two years ago but it fell through due to personal reasons.

From the pictures I have seen and what I have read about it, it’s landscapes and attractions are out of this world and unlike anything I have ever seen before. I’d love to do a road trip around the ring road that circles the island, stopping whenever I see something amazing which I imagine that will be a lot!

Visiting during the colder months is a must for me. It’s always been a dream of mine to see the Northern Lights and Iceland is one of the best places to see them. Plus coming from Sydney where it never gets even close to being cold enough for snow, it’s a novelty I love to indulged in whenever I get the chance.

Follow Jen on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Maldives – Green With Renvy

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A dream destination means something different to everyone. For me, it conjures up the notion of a place I’ve always wanted to visit but perhaps will never get the chance. Something I can experience only in a dream.

Located in the Indian Ocean, you can choose an island from the more than 1200 square miles that make up this location. Many of the resorts are eco-friendly and sustainable. Soothing spa treatments, overwater bungalows and dining on ocean to table seafood make for a serene dreamy journey’s end. I can almost taste the lime, coconut and fresh tuna served with a thin Nan like bread-oh my!

Nighttime brings a beat on the body beri drums creating rhythms from the Dhivehi culture. And then gentle lapping waves are the only sounds you hear as you drift off to sleep. White, coral sand beaches and glorious underwater reefs, yes, this is the Maldives, my dream destination.

Follow Alison on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Orient Express – Adventures of a Carry On

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I’ve always loved train travel; the convenience and the possibility of booking a ticket at the last minute, or changing your mind and staying an extra day or two with no penalties. Therefore, my dream destination is not so much about a place as an experience. I want to travel in the lap of luxury on the famous Orient Express.

I’d start in Paris and travel to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest. I’ve never been to any of the cities on this route and they are all on my bucket list. With beautiful art deco details throughout the train and five star dining, the Orient Express is, to me, the epitome of romance and adventure. And that’s what travel is all about.

Follow Penny on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


We have yet again been privileged to feature a number of awesome Dream Destinations.

Do you want to feature?  If so, send us an e-mail to admin@abritandasoutherner and we would be delighted to feature you among a variety of other great travelers!

Interview – Raphael Zoren (A Journey of Wonders)

Throughout the last few months we have been fortunate to get to know many new friends in the travel world. Today is no different as we are delighted to speak with Raphael Zoren from A Journey of Wonders.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with Raphael using his various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Raphael for taking time to interview with us!

A Journey of Wonders in Chile

Intro: My name is Raphael Alexander Zoren, writer/photographer of A Journey of Wonders, the best travel guide to Mexico and the World. I’m a Mexican born and raised in Acapulco. My life was pretty much normal until I took my first trip overseas to Canada in 2010 to study for one semester, once I came back, I knew that I had to explore every corner of the world. Now, a few years later, I’ve managed to travel to 35 countries across 5 continents, something not that common from people of my country.

Am I wealthy? Not at all! Part of the reason why I started A Journey of Wonders is to dispel the myth that exists within developing countries about the costs of traveling abroad. Trust me, not only wealthy people can afford to travel. In fact, I believe that with the right motivation (and some sacrifices), anyone can travel abroad!

Website: A Journey of Wonders

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

In hindsight, my life as a travel blogger started when I was looking for things to do for my trip to Asia in 2013. I came across a travel blog and out of curiosity, I clicked the about section of the blogger, leading me to find out about this unique lifestyle.

I’ve traveled extensively ever since 2012 and it was until recently (October 2013) that I started to chronicle my travels, in hopes that they might be used by people who want to get inspired and find ways to travel more for less.

A Journey of Wonders in Mexico

I wasn’t really expecting thousands of readers to visit and comment on my posts so the sudden success of A Journey of Wonders really took by surprise, to be honest! Every day, I get encouraged by all the positive feedback that I get from my amazing readers that I’m planning on hosting a big give-away next month so stay tuned for more 😉

How many continents have you visited? 

Five

How many countries have you visited? 

30+

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

I know this will sound cliched but Mexico is, in my opinion, the most diverse country in terms of natural landscapes, wildlife and cultural diversity (seriously, there’s no such thing as one stereotypical Mexican since there’s actually many of them depending on the city/region). It’s big enough to keep you entertained for months and yes, the food is amazing!!!

The best part? You can easily live with less than 20 USD a day!

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

If money, time and visa issues were not important, I would like to explore all of Sub-Saharan Africa at a very slow pace. Ever since I saw the Lion King, I knew I had to visit the Pride Lands! Plus, it’s been a dream of mine to see the two biggest migrations on the planet: The mammals migration at the Serengeti and the sardine run in South Africa (seriously, Google it and you’ll be amazed seeing a whale eating an entire bank of sardines!).

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Camera, Phone,  Laptop and a Tripod so I can take artistic selfies of myself!

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Walk

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

A museum. Haha, I’m a big fan of culture and I believe that a museum is the best way to get educated in the ancient (and sometime modern) customs of the individuals that now inhabit said country/region/city.

A Journey of Wonders in India

Also, I try to visit each and every archeological site that I can find, specially temples and pyramids. I’m lucky that here in Mexico we have a lot of them!

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

In the end, I would like to encourage people to take a good look at their material possessions and the bills they pay each month for their services. As I said before, you don’t need to be rich to travel abroad, you just need to make some sacrifices. If I can do it, you can do it!

Remember to visit A Journey of Wonders to find your daily dose of inspiration and wanderlust, as well as to learn more about the many wonders that Mexico has to offer! Safe travels and keep on following your dream!

Dream Destinations – Collaboration Part 1

After sharing a series of our very own Dream Destinations from around the world, we decided to open this up to many of our travel blogging friends to share their opinions on the ultimate dream location. Even though we are all unique and have very different opinions on what we truly classify as a ‘Dream Destination’, its interesting to see such a widespread variety of locations.

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We would like to thank each and every traveler for sharing their thoughts with us.

Antarctica – Anna Everywhere

Anna Everywhere

If someones asks me about my dream destination I don’t need to hesitate for a second to answer: it’s Antarctica! A lot of people wouldn’t understand why I want to go there. Some would say that it’s just a pile of ice with no attractions at all, others would claim I want to tick Antarctica on my travel list just to say that I’ve have been to all 7 continents.

Why do I want to go there then? My honest answer is because I’m in love with penguins. Ever since I saw those awesome creatures for the first time I knew I wanted to visit their natural environment and observe the behavior of all 17 types of penguins out there. Moreover, while researching Antarctica I came across plenty of gorgeous photos of different ice formations, such as frozen tsunami and ice ‘bridge’.

I know I need to wait for at least few more years to finally get to see Antarctica, because the cruise costs are high, but I’m confident that one day my dream will come true.

Follow Anna on FacebookTwitterGoogle+


Canadian Rockies & Barbados – Family Travel Times

Family Travel Times

As we write our family blog together and are mother and daughter, we have more than one dream destination!

Mine (Sarah’s) is the Canadian Rockies, which I have always wanted to travel to, particularly on a train through the mountains. I love mountains and spectacular views and don’t think I would be disappointed. I am holding onto this as something to be done when the children leave home, which probably means another decade before we actually get to do it. However, I am sure it will still be absolutely beautiful.

Jessica’s dream destination is to travel to Barbados, because the weather would be hot and, in her words (remember she’s 12!) it would be “cool and exotic.” Of course a nearly teenager needs to relax, and as she points out, as a family we never go to places like this….

Follow Sarah and Jess on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Finland – Latitude 34

Latitude 34

Scandinavia had always been a black hole for us on the map, an entire region we had yet to discover, but our luck changed when we planned the trip of a lifetime to Finland this last March. While most tourists head straight for Helsinki, we made our first stop the far northern Lapland region, above the Arctic Circle, to a small town called Salla. We have never been somewhere as magical as Finland in the winter months, it was truly stunning.

Of course seeing pictures of a dream destination is nothing compared to actually being there and we were constantly faced with more and more beautiful landscapes and terrains. We rode reindeer, hiked with snowshoes, camped in the deep, dark woods and even tried our hand at ice swimming.

We then took the overnight train almost 1,000km south to Helsinki and spent an amazing few days exploring one of the cleanest, unique and special cities in all of Europe.

Being able to see the world is gift enough, but being able to explore a country or region that has been a complete mystery to us for years is absolutely incredible. Finland was a true dream destination for us and will be for years to come. The cities, food, scenery and lifestyle were all amazing and not to mention the amazingly warm and kind Finnish people, among the most welcoming we have ever met. While we only left Finland a few weeks ago we are already eager to plan our next trip back.

Follow Jeff and Marina on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


France – MyTanFeet

MyTanFeet

My dream destination is France. I’d love to visit as many places as possible in France like Paris and the Eiffel Tower but one city I definitely don’t want to miss is Marseille. I’ve always been in love with the French language which I studied for four years and France was the country I had planned on going to when I studied abroad in college which unfortunately didn’t happen. I’ve always been fascinated by their culture and history and it looks like such an amazing place to visit with something for everyone.

I want to go to Marseille especially because it is port so it’s on the water which I love and they have the Opera of Marseille, an opera house that I’d love to visit and watch an opera there one day. They also have a huge music festival, the Fête de la Musique which I want to attend, it’s also free! Another reason is I want to try the famous bouillabaisse (fish stew) being a huge seafood fan. France just seems like it has this magical aura about it and I can’t wait to visit one day.

Follow Samantha on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Greenland – Have Blog Will Travel

Have Blog Will Travel

Most people’s ideal travel destinations include white sand beaches and drinks with little paper umbrellas. However for us the term “dream destination” immediately conjures thoughts of dramatic landscapes, jagged terrain, and haunting bodies of waters – specifically those found in Greenland.

Kayaking among monstrous icebergs, Polar Bear watching, and snuggling under a blanket to take in the Northern Lights sound like the perfect travel experience, and a quick image search online has us ready to book a flight and charge the camera battery. Greenland’s landscape looks stunning and we would love to explore the island, photographing as much of its natural beauty as our camera’s memory card will allow. Even the sections of Greenland touched by man are beautiful – a colourful array of wooden buildings painted in bright primary hues.

This is our perfect dream destination.

Follow Calli on Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest


Machu Picchu, Peru – eTramping

Agness Walewinder

I have been travelling full-time for more than 3 years now, discovering places I have always wanted to explore and doing things I’ve always dreamed about. My travel bucket list is way too long already, but it does not stop me from adding new stuff to it.

What’s my next bigger travel dream? Since I was a little girl, I have been dreaming of visiting Machu Picchu – the mysterious ruins in Peru. I was blown away to read that they are located 7,000 feet above sea level and nestled on a small hilltop which makes the panorama from above so breath-taking. I would love to hike the mountains with my best friends and take some snapshots of the stunning scenery. I’ve heard that being on top is a magical experience.

Let’s hope I can make it to this seamless and elegant green paradise soon!

Follow Agness on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


Republic of the Philippines – Chasing the Donkey

 Chasing the Donkey

I am dreaming about Southeast Asia, and not one of the usual places that is typically at the top of peoples lists. I have the Republic of the Philippines in my sights.

Having friends who are from the Philippines, and with a husband who has been there many times for work, I need to see it for myself. Taste the food and experience the craziness of the streets of Manilla, which I am told is complete and utter chaos.

More than anything I want to see our friends fish farms, which are set in a crater lake, and see how they make their livelihoods.

Follow Sarah Jane on Facebook – Twitter – Google+


What an amazing collection of Dream Destinations from our travel blogging friends. And the fun doesn’t stop here, as we have several more to bring you very soon!

Would you like to feature in a Dream Destinations post? If so, send us an e-mail to admin@abritandasoutherner and we would be delighted to feature you among a variety of other great travelers!

Acure Facial Mask – Product Review

Have you ever been on your travels and wished you could have a face mask that was easy to transport and actually worked? Well, look no further because I have found a product that works great!

I have looked around for a trial size face mask to take with me on trips that are not time consuming nor would it involve a lot of mess. The Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask is a 1.75oz tube of magic that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to keep their face feeling fresh throughout their travels around the world! This is particularly useful when you go somewhere that cosmetics and other beauty products are difficult to find.Acure Facial Mask

I have used several face masks that I would consider to have worked but either they leave you with seaweed falling all over the place or you have difficulty maneuvering your face after using the mask. With this Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask you immediately feel it working and despite having a slight tingle factor, it is well worth the $16.00 price tag that may initially seem a little pricey for this product size!

Even the directions on the back of the tube read “Apply evenly over the face until you look like a green sea-monster!” I am evidently a sucker for good humor! When you read something like this, you know you are in for a real treat.

Another positive aspect of the Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask is that it is eco-friendly as it is made from all organic ingredients which are great for all skin types to draw out impurities leaving your skin feeling fresh and smooth.

The Pros

  • USA made Product
  • Green Monster look (only last for 5 Minutes)
  • Easy on, Easy off
  • Travel size that makes this easy to take with you anywhere in the world

The Cons

  • The scent is Argan Stem Cell + Chlorella which probably means nothing to many of you but let me tell you the initial stench is a little rough (it quickly passes but the initial smell can make your nose turn up)

Conclusion

Realistically this product is expensive for the size but not for the results that you get out of it (small things pack a big punch). We all know that most face masks require you to use at least once a week and of course leads to you using a lot of the product. However, with the Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask I have used this only once and have no need to use again anytime soon due to the durability and quality of this product.

This is a great product that has a big pay off if you are willing to pay the extra cost up front! For more information on this face mask and other available options, visit http://www.rodales.com

*Disclosure of Material Connection: A Brit & A Southerner was not financially compensated for this post. We received free samples from Rodales for consideration of review purposes only. This is solely our personal opinion/experience*