2012 – Our Big Year of Travel

Chris Boothman
-
0
2012 – Our Big Year of Travel

2012 was probably our first year of serious traveling. We were fortunate to visit several different locations together and we certainly expanded our knowledge of different regions of the world. This was also our debut year for “Tourist Guide Central” which originated from our constant traveling that gave us the inspiration to begin sharing our experiences with the world. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and of course looking back there are always opportunities missed but rather than looking back on those, I would rather cherish the moments that we did experience and the wonderful cities/locations we visited throughout the world.

Unlike many “experienced” travel bloggers who are fortunate enough (yes, we are both very envious of you guys out there that can travel all year round) to constantly travel, we have to juggle between travel, full-time jobs and day to day living. We all have expenses so trying to budget short term travel plans and long term travels is something we are learning and 2012 was a great year for helping us with this.

Our home is currently Jonesboro, AR. Heather is from here and I moved to Jonesboro in 2008 and unfortunately this town (sorry Heather but I think she will agree!) encourages traveling given that there is very little to do here and the surrounding vicinity. We make frequent trips to Memphis, TN (at least twice a month, in the summer months we were visiting Memphis weekly) which I am not going to include in the month by month travels. Memphis offers plenty for travel gurus and there is still so much there that we are yet to experience….just more material for future blogs though right!

So, here are our main travels from 2012:

January 2012

001

Nashville, Tennessee – We visited Nashville for a weekend in the middle part of January. It’s about a 4 hour drive for us along I-40 so we would leave after work on Friday and come back Sunday evening. Nashville is increasingly becoming a popular weekend spot for us especially as are we becoming more and more familiar with the neighborhoods and what is on offer in this vibrant city. From a personal perspective, before I visited Nashville for the first time I was under the impression of the good old stereotype of “country and western” feeling and this is how I envisioned Nashville to look. You know when you watch those John Wayne movies, that’s what I thought about…ok pardon my ignorance but coming from England, I really had no idea about the Mid-West or Nashville in particular. How wrong am I!! Trust me, I am delighted to be proved wrong and enjoy visiting Nashville.

February 2012

Destin, Florida – Our wedding anniversary on February 25 was celebrated with a long weekend trip to Destin, Florida. This takes about 10-12 hours by car from Jonesboro depending on which route you take. The quickest is to go directly through Mississippi to Mobile, Alabama and then across the Florida Panhandle peninsula to Destin. However, we opted for the more picturesque drive across to Birmingham, Alabama and then south via Montgomery and on to Destin. Although Destin is probably not one of the first tourist spots you think of when you consider a Florida vacation, for us it is a perfect getaway and really one of the nearest “beach” locations in proximity to Jonesboro. Destin has so many advantages over fellow Florida locations, primarily it is much cheaper yet still has plenty to offer in terms of golden, sandy beaches as well as great cuisine and entertainment options.

March 2012

Nashville, Tennessee – We were back to Nashville again for another weekend vacation. The early part of 2012 really saw us traveling around Tennessee a lot to Memphis, Nashville and Jackson.

Las Vegas, Nevada – At the end of February, I visited Las Vegas for 5 days with my job. Staying at Mandelay Bay for a conference, I really was able to experience both the “Strip” and also my favorite, Old Downtown Vegas. Fremont Street really is a cool experience and for anyone traveling to Vegas I would recommend heading down here whenever you can. Of course the highlights along the Strip including the Bellagio fountains and seeing the infamous Caesar’s Palace and other leading casinos are impressive, but for the best deals and from my experience, best chance of taking away money, Old Vegas is the way to go! Plus we had out best meal there when staying for a buffet lunch which was only $12 for as much as you can eat!! I am always looking for a bargain but as travelers we have to right? I am really looking forward to going there again this time with Heather so that we can experience this city together!

April 2012

DSCN0913

New York City, New York – The first week in March (the week after I returned from Las Vegas), we headed to the Big Apple. Flying from Memphis to Atlanta and then to Newark, we spent four days in NYC. I have been fortunate to visit New York City on several occasions and sampled the “big” tourist attractions, but this was Heather’s first trip to NYC so of course the majority of our long weekend was spent visiting the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park etc. I love NYC – simple as that! Would I live there? Probably not, simply because it would probably take away the thrill of visiting a truly 24 hour global metropolis. It took Heather a little time to adjust there, I think coming from Jonesboro it was rather a culture shock with the bustling lifestyle adopted by everyone there. By the end of the trip, we were both enjoying the multi-cultural communities that are present throughout the city.

May 2012

Little Rock, Arkansas – May was a relatively quiet travel month for us. We were trying to recuperate funds and also plan vacations later in the year. Aside from a couple of trips to Memphis, our other notable trip was Little Rock in our home state of Arkansas. For many readers out there, Little Rock or Arkansas in general, is probably not at the top of your list but if you are interested in learning more about former President Bill Clinton’s hometown, then LR is certainly worth a visit. The riverside market district is one of the key highlights of LR and worth a wander.

Nashville, Tennessee – Another trip to Nashville at the end of the month (you may wonder why we keep going back to Nashville). Well if you take a look on Google Maps at the location of Jonesboro, AR, there really is very little in terms of “places to go” within a 4 hour radius so when you have full time jobs and you want spur of the moment weekend trip, Nashville is one of the best options available to you.

June 2012

Birmingham, Alabama – Our trip to Destin earlier in the year saw us swing by Birmingham which gave us the incentive to visit here again. Another weekend trip (it’s about 5 hours from Jonesboro) which unfortunately was the most disappointing of all our travels in 2012. I am usually not negative about places we travel to and we usually look to make the most of wherever we are but  there was just a dull sense or feeling about our trip here. Our highlight was probably on the final day when we were leaving we drove downtown along their original cobbled streets which provided some old-town feelings which were pretty cool. Disappointing overall but no regrets as you have to visit places to experience everything about them.

July and August 2012

Tunica, Mississippi – Both July and August saw us travel less as I was concentrating on playing as much golf as possible. Our trips  saw us head to Tunica frequently to play at River Bend Links Course (It has a really Scottish Links feel to it probably one of the reasons why I enjoy playing there!) and also Memphis but apart from that there was very little in terms of travel.

September 2012

Miami, Florida – Despite July and August being quiet, we definitely made up for this in September. Our first trip saw us fly to Miami from Memphis via Dallas, Texas. We didn’t rent a car so used the Miami-Dade public transportation system which is a great way of getting around and seeing some of the lesser areas that are not renowned as tourist attractions. We enjoyed spending time at the Bayside Marketplace and even took a day trip to Fort Lauderdale using the direct train and bus service from Miami. There is a lot to do in Miami but if I had to give any drawbacks, I would suggest being careful about hotel location especially if you want beaches as they are not always the best!

Atlanta, Georgia – Our second trip of the month saw us head to Atlanta for the TOUR Championship, end of year PGA Tour golf tournament. This was a great experience at East Lake GC and I think both of us appreciated the quality of golf on offer. We both visited Atlanta for the first time in November 2011 flying from Memphis, but this time we opted for the 6-7 hour drive which actually turned out to be a nice drive! Driving back we opted for a different route via Nashville and visited Chattanooga, Tennessee along the way (read our post on Ruby Falls which was a great attraction). 

DSCN0565

Chicago, Illinois – This was probably the most random trip of 2012 but for me the most enjoyable! Driving back from Atlanta the week before, I mentioned to Heather that I had been researching on Stubhub the price of Ryder Cup 2012 tickets. On average they were $200 per person per day which was well above face value but potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity. We made the plunge midweek to purchase the tickets (after a few issues with the seller not sending them and Stubhub’s customer service being particularly helpful in locating alterates, we received them on Thursday).

We left after work on Friday afternoon and headed on the 9 hour drive north to Chicago. We had our route planned that we would drive to Springfield, IL and stay Friday night (that was about 6 hours) and then get up early on Saturday and head on to the Windy City. We arrived in Chicago around 9:30AM Saturday morning and spent the day downtown enjoying the sights and our particular highlight was ascending the Willis Tower Skydeck. Sunday was Ryder Cup day and what a day to remember!!!! I will let you read our post on Ryder Cup 2012 for all the details (I am probably biased being from UK but what an experience). We drove back that night after leaving Chicago at 8:00PM and arrived back in Jonesboro at 3:45AM before heading to work at 8:00AM! That’s devotion to golf for you.

October 2012

Another quiet month for us after such a hectic travel schedule in September and with our big travel plans in the final two months, it was important for us to rest!

November 2012

DSCN0629

England – Our annual trip to England was the week of Thanksgiving. Every time I return to England, I appreciate something more about this wonderful country. Living there for the first 23 years of my life, you take things for granted but when I return now with Heather we experience so much more than what I ever did when I lived there. The beauty that is present throughout the English countryside is astonishing. Heather’s favorite spot in the world is Haworth, Yorkshire so we always make a trip back there. It is so quaint and idyllic in the Yorkshire Dales, no wonder the Bronte sisters found this to be the perfect spot for their novel writing.

December 2012

Australia – We certainly saved the best until last! Our ‘belated’ honeymoon trip was to Australia. Earlier in the year I had planned to surprise Heather with our honeymoon trip but at the last minute we decided to work together on our destination. Both of us had a desire to head to Australia so this was our trip. The most difficult aspect of the trip was actually getting there. We left from Little Rock on Christmas Day and unfortunately the elements were against us as pretty much the first snow of the year arrived. Now the southern half of the States are not used to snow and ice so whenever it arrives, airports generally grind to a halt.

We arrived in Dallas after our first connection but were then unable to get out of there to get to Los Angeles. Fortunately there was a direct flight from DFW to Brisbane leaving that evening and that was one of the only flights that managed to depart. Our stay in Australia comprised of 5 days in Brisbane and 5 days on the Gold Coast (including a day trip to Sydney in between). It was a wonderful experience and great way to finish 2012 and begin the New Year.

Best trip of 2012 – Australia

Worst trip of 2012 – Birmingham, Alabama

So that brings an end to 2012 and a nice way to start 2013. Just writing this blog brought back many wonderful memories and gave me inspiration to begin thinking about possible trips in the coming 12 months. I will get my thinking cap on and will put together a blog on possible trips in 2013! What were your favorite trips of 2012 and why?

SaveSave

The Idyllic Landscapes in the Lake District

Chris Boothman
-
22
The Idyllic Landscapes in the Lake District

It’s been several years since I had visited the Lakes and yet again I was left astonished by the true beauty that surrounds the English countryside when we visited here during our trip to England in November 2012. This was Heather’s first trip to the Lake District and I don’t think she left disappointed with what she saw.

DSCN0689

Bowness and Lake Windermere

To put the Lakes into context, it is a large national park with many small towns and hamlets spotted around the flora and fauna present in the vast countryside. The landscape is rolling hills with several challenging mountains for those interested in hiking and rock climbing. The Lake District is really not a part of England that can be visited in one day, though I wanted to show Heather a glimpse of what was on offer in just a few hours.

The Lakes really are easy to access via the M6 motorway and then several junctions available to take dependent upon exactly where in the Lake District you intend on heading. We took the first exit and headed on the winding ‘A’ roads to Lake Windermere which is the largest of all the lakes on offer and the nearby town of Bowness.

This is a great spot to get out and spend several hours investigating the quaint shops whilst at the same time having spectacular views over the lake and far beyond to the snow capped mountains in the distance. The first and probably only negative aspect that we noticed was the pricing of all the car parks. For only 2 hours you are looking at about £3.50.

With limited parking available around the town, the local council can obviously raise the prices especially given the number of tourists that visit this region annually. We walked along the front of the lake passing several local gift shops and also noticing the ferry cruises on offer around Lake Windermere. We continued walking up the street looking in various establishments and picking up a few memories along the way.

large_2081645686

Bowness is famous for being the home of Beatrix Potter, the infamous author of Peter Rabbit. A museum dedicated to Potter is available for viewing at a price for tourists interested in this. We opted against this given our time constraints and headed back down the street to the ferry where there are three options available.

The most expensive option is a pass that allows for three different routes to be taken over a 48 hour period, so if you are staying in the region this may be the most beneficial option for you. Priced at around £18 this is certainly the best value for money.

Another interesting option is the 90 minute cruise around the lake stopping at Ambleside where visitors can walk around and then catch a later ferry back to Bowness. The most basic option, at £7.50 per person, provides a 40 minute cruise of the lake taking in the history and also gorgeous scenic views around the area. We pursued this option and were left delighted with this choice. ‘Miss Cumbria’ as the cruise ship is named offers two levels of seating, one undercover with a bar and cafe and the other on the top leaving visitors exposed to the elements but better seated to take in those breathtaking views of the surrounding fells.

A word of warning here, in the winter months it can be very chilly in the Lake District and this is only enhanced when you take one of these cruises. Be prepared and dress appropriately!! The cruise has a tour guide that provides commentary of the surrounding area so visitors learn more about the history of the town and lake. Windermere stretches over 15 miles in length and is over 220 ft deep in certain parts. We disembarked from the highly enjoyable cruise and headed back to the car to warm up.

Ambleside and Keswick

As we left Bowness we headed north through the village of Ambleside, which although we didn’t stop to look around appeared to offer less options than Bowness but may be worth visiting especially if you take the cruise mentioned earlier. Driving around the Lakes offers you the opportunity to stop on the side of the road to take some great pictures such as the snow capped mountains, natural waterfalls that flow down the mountainside or maybe just a wandering, stray sheep that is near the roadside.

DSCN0827

Our final stop in the lakes saw us head even further north to Keswick which geographically is located in the northern part of the Lake District. Parking was cheaper and we were able to park on Booth’s supermarket for 2 hours (£2 with the option of receiving £1 back if you spend a fiver in the shop).

For anyone interested in the great outdoors such as fell walking and rock climbing, this town is your perfect location to get kitted out in preparation for your adventures. Many of the shops are Nordic outfitters but there is also a nice mix of restaurants and other quirky little stores that can catch your eye. A great little town to relax and enjoy a cup of tea and scone in the late afternoon, peering out into the main street as the Christmas lights are turned on.

Why Visit the Lake District?

The Lake District is such a calming spot enhancing England’s stereotype of offering true beauty in the natural landscape. Gorgeous views are everywhere and you can certainly spend days here experiencing the inner beauties that lie within those mysterious fells.

The cruises at Bowness may be a little pricy, but they are certainly informative and give tourists the perfect opportunity to snap a few memorable pictures of the Lake District scenery.

Keswick is the northernmost part of the Lakes so is a great location to end as you are able to drive through the winding roads taking in the beautiful scenery. Once in Keswick, you are not left disappointed as there are plenty of things to keep you busy.

Parking can be difficult and also expensive so our advice is to get there early to take advantage of the premium spots. Be prepared to walk as you can get better deals on parking if you are not concerned with how far you have to walk. In the Winter months especially, many of the shops close early in some cases around 4:30 in the afternoon. For British folks this is the norm but for many overseas visitors this may seem strange. Plan accordingly and you will be fine.

The weather in the Lakes can be very unpredictable so take plenty of clothing to be prepared. The beauty of this part of England is only fully experienced when you are willing to walk and be adventurous. This is only possible if you are wearing appropriate attire.

Spectacular Ruby Falls in Chattanooga

Chris Boothman
-
3
Spectacular Ruby Falls in Chattanooga

After traveling to Atlanta, GA for the weekend of the TOUR Championship in September 2012, we made a spur of the moment decision to head back home on Sunday using an alternative route. After researching a route that would take us back home through Nashville, we noticed that on the way about half way from Atlanta to Nashville was Chattanooga, TN.

Researching this city gave little to suggest there would be much to do there until we came across a website advertising an underground waterfall, namely Ruby Falls. We decided to pay this a visit though I think both of us thought it would probably be a bit of a letdown given the random location in the heart of Tennessee, not the stereotypical spot for an apparently gorgeous waterfall. The fact that this was underground also made this a little unusual and probably encouraged us to see this with our own eyes.

After about a 10 minute wait we entered the elevator and began our descent underground. Only after the doors closed and we began rapidly descending did we realize just how far down we were going. The doors opened and reality set in as we were encapsulated among the sedimentary rock and limestone. The tour guide began the tour indicating that we would be walking for at least 1/2 mile to the final destination, the sight everyone was waiting for – Ruby Falls!
ruby falls

Heather and I were given the task of being the tail of the tour group, the “folks from Arkansas/England” as we were referred to would be called upon to let the guide know that everyone was in front of and we didn’t have any stragglers. This worked out well for us because although we slipped behind on several occasions, it gave us the opportunity to take the best photographs and also examine the rock formations throughout the trek down the mountain.

To put this into perspective, by the time you reach Ruby Falls, you have traveled the height of the Empire State Building underground (over 1000 ft), so for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia, this may not be the trip for you. The majority of the trip allows you to stand up though there are parts (maybe a few more for Heather and I given our height) you have to crouch down or walk single file through the cracks and crevices!

ruby falls 2

There are a number of cool rock formations along the way, each has unique names and references. But the real treat awaits at the end of the tour down the mountain and it really is worth the wait. The tour guides increase the drama because on arrival at the waterfall you are in complete darkness. The lights are turned on and you see the amazing sight of the largest and deepest waterfall underground in the United States. You are able to get close to the waterfall and have your photograph taken in front of the amazing sight. The sound of the gushing water simply enhances the experience and it truly is a worthwhile attraction to visit.

The walk back up the mountain seems to be much shorter, maybe because you are now under the realization that you are walking away from the main attraction. However, after taking the elevator back to the gift shop and further upstairs, you are given the opportunity to stand on the “Lookout” which provides breathtaking views over Chattanooga and the Tennessee landscape. This really does provide an opportunity to see the beauty that is present within the eastern side of the state of Tennessee, much of which is not apparent in the Memphis and western regions.

Positives

  • A breathtaking experience well worth the $18 admission fee. The tour is detailed, the views are amazing and the guide is knowledgeable and informative.
  • Easy location to find and ample parking makes this a great attraction to visit.
  • Photograph opportunities are a must at attractions like this and Ruby Falls certainly offers plenty of these.

Negatives

  • Anyone suffering from claustrophobia should probably consider how they would feel 1200 ft underground before venturing on the tour. Once in the elevator, there really is no turning back!
  • The gift shop is rather expensive but it does provide a vast array of mementos.
  • There really doesn’t seem to be much else to do within the Chattanooga area so unless you are traveling specifically there to see Ruby Falls, you may be left disappointed (the views and waterfalls within the area do make up for the lack of attractions).

How to Enjoy an Action-Packed 4 Day Trip to Miami, Florida?

Chris Boothman
-
3
How to Enjoy an Action-Packed 4 Day Trip to Miami, Florida?

For Heather’s birthday, we decided to head on an action-packed 4 day trip to Miami, Florida for the holiday weekend. Given that we usually rent a car for such trips, this was a more unique experience for us especially Heather, as we knew that this was going to be a trip of relaxation and full use of the Miami public transportation system.

How to Get from the Airport to Miami Beach?

Arriving at Miami International Airport, we first realized that the walk from the arrival terminal to the bus station to catch the Airport Flyer express bus to Miami Beach was certainly a fair workout for even the fittest of folks! Arriving at the bus station we purchased our tickets at the machine, later realizing that it would have been more beneficial to load a more substantial amount on the card given the amount of trips we would make!

Miami Beach

The trip from the airport to Miami Beach was a little sketchy at first but became more picturesque as you crossed over the causeway and down into the Miami Beach region. I had determined that we could get off the bus on Collins Avenue and walk 1/2 mile to our hotel, the Grand Beach Hotel! We went ahead and did this but what we didn’t realize is that in 90+ degree weather, walking 1/2 mile dragging suitcases seems to be a much longer distance than it really is.

Where to Stay in Miami?

We finally arrived at the Grand Beach Hotel and were certainly not disappointed. The views over the Miami Beach causeway were amazing and the size of the houses and boats were certainly fitting for the location. The entrance and hallway to this hotel is truly spectacular with marble floors and a very modern architecture noticeable throughout the interior.

Entering our room was a real treat, the views over the Atlantic Ocean were spectacular and the balcony and space we had throughout our suite was amazing! Everything inside our room was bright colors and modern to meet the rest of the hotel’s decor.

The first evening saw us venture back on the bus, which we realized there was a bus stop right outside our hotel, and head back to downtown South Beach, Miami. We got off at the American Airlines arena stop which was hosting the Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez concert so as you can imagine it was overcrowded to say the least. We headed past the arena and to the Bayside Marketplace where we were treated to some great Cuban entertainment and also a variety of dining options.

Miami Arena

Where to Eat in Miami?

The first night we decided to sample the Hard Rock Cafe cuisine though later in the trip we sampled some local Italian food at Lombardi’s Ristorante which was truly exceptional and a must for anyone in the region!!

There is so much to do at the marketplace including tours around the Miami bay and also a cool opportunity to take a water taxi from one part of Miami to another if you want to avoid the extortionate taxi costs or time consuming bus services. We wandered around the local shops and every other store appeared to be a bar offering cut-price beer or customized daiquiri’s to meet your personal preference.

Things to Do in Miami

We spent much of our mornings at the hotel and either on the beach or by the two amazing pools! One of the great aspects of the Grand Beach Hotel was that there were loungers and personal umbrellas surrounding the pools that were already included in the hotel cost which was a nice surprise given that there are usually surcharges. Wifi was also included which is another great incentive.

Miami truly is a vibrant city with a host of attractions, dining opportunities and shopping! We visited two malls while in the Miami area including a worthwhile day trip to Fort Lauderdale to visit the largest outlet mall in Florida, the Sawgrass Mills mall. This allowed us to experience both the bus and the train from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale which was another great experience and first for both of us.

The mall is literally massive, encompassing a vast area and offering hundreds of discount stores yet leading name brands. There are a variety of restaurants available also that are reasonably priced although I would conservatively recommend spending at least 5-6 hours here (really a full day experience with all the traveling involved if you don’t have a rental car available!) to visit all of the shops available.

One word of warning is that the bus trip from the Grand Beach Hotel to the train station is both rather lengthy and also travels through probably parts of Miami’s worst areas though during the day, it really is not too bad. Returning from Ft. Lauderdale we opted to take the subway transit system to head back to the Bayside Marketplace to sample more of their excellent cuisine options.

The Aventura Mall is another great mall but is more expensive but a better location for anyone not looking to travel too far from the heart of Miami. I would certainly recommend taking one of the bayside tours especially those that offer the opportunity to view the spectacular multi-million dollar mansions host to some of the world’ most famous superstars in music, sport and movies.

If you are ready to really go “off the beaten path,” check out this collection of offbeat Miami attractions for a more authentic experience.

Summary

Our four day adventure to Miami was an awesome experience and we are already raring to go back to explore further. Here is a quick breakdown of the positives and negative aspects that we experienced during this visit:

Positives

  • There are a variety of great hotels available, especially the Grand Beach Hotel where we stayed.
  • The Bayside Marketplace is a perfect, relaxing hub for dining and entertainment throughout the day and well into the evening! In particular if you enjoy Italian food, sample the Lombardi Ristorante!
  • Sawgrass Mills Outlet mall is huge and offers a great shopping experience. Although it is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL it gives you the opportunity to sample the Miami-Dade public transportation system and also venture out to see more of Florida’s landscape

Negatives

  • Many of the beaches, especially at the Grand Beach Hotel are a little disappointing. Not only is there a lot of seaweed, the beaches were very rocky. Certainly not the stereotypical golden beaches that you think of when considering Florida for a vacation. On a positive note, the beaches in South Beach Miami are apparently better.
  • Traveling on the bus is time consuming and can get expensive if you don’t pre-purchase a travel card. Make sure you have correct change at all times because the bus drivers DO NOT carry any change.
  • In the heart of Miami Beach, there are very few dining options and you are almost forced into traveling further downtown to South Beach or north to the Aventura Mall.

What are your experiences in Miami?

1...180181182183Page 181 of 183