Huffington Post: 10 Places Every American Needs To See

Huffington Post has an article on 10 Places Every American Needs to See. The list is of only American attractions. 

Time For Kids

Unfortunately, I have only been to two of the ten. The list got me thinking that I need to explore the United States more. I know it sexy to jaunt off to international destinations, but the United States has amazing attractions as well.

Now the list: 

Highway 1, Calif.

Considering that the United States has more miles of paved roads (over 2.7 million) than any other country on earth, is it any wonder that road trips are practically a rite of passage here? One of the most meditative -- and celebrated -- drives you can take in the States is the 145-mile stretch of California's Pacific Highway 1 between San Luis Obispo and Monterey. Expect view after astonishing view of land meeting sea, as the road snakes and swerves high above the Pacific, past bright-green grasslands and redwood-forested canyons.

French Quarter, New Orleans, La.

http://www.fqfi.org/

No other American neighborhood provides as much eye candy as the cobblestone streets of New Orleans' French Quarter -- known as "the Quarters" to locals -- and we're not referring to the annual Mardi Gras parades, with their thousands of taffeta-draped harlequins strutting to funk, R&B, and Dixie. No, it's the architecture that's intriguing. Stroll this district, which is bounded by the Mississippi River, Rampart Street and Canal and Esplanade, and you'll glimpse nightclubs lit up in neon, French colonial townhouses draped in ivy, Creole cottages built on stilts, and antebellum mansions whose balconies are laced with intricate ironwork.

National Mall, Washington, D.C.

There's no place in America where you get more historical bang for your buck than the National Mall -- fitting, since two of its most famous memorials (to Lincoln and Jefferson) are stamped on our smallest coinage. This less-than-two-mile stretch of our capital city packs in those memorials, plus the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, among others, and it's lined with Smithsonian Institution museums -- none of which cost a dime to enter. Even if politics leaves you cold, there's sure to be something at one of the Smithsonian branches to get you going, whether it's the astronaut ice cream sold in the gift shop at the National Air and Space Museum, the inaugural gowns of First Ladies on display in the National Museum of American History, or the 45-carat Hope Diamond gleaming in the Natural History Museum.

Civil Rights District, Atlanta, Ga.

Atlanta's Sweet Auburn neighborhood draws thousands of visitors each year to pay respects to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the renowned African American preacher and civil rights leader who was born here and whose messages on dignified protest still resonate worldwide. Popular locations include King's gravesite, the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was baptized and ordained and where his funeral was held, and the King Birth Home, a Queen Anne-style house where he lived for the first dozen years of his life. A visitor's center at the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site displays many artifacts, such as the photographs from the bus boycott that King organized to fight segregation 

Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, Nev.

http://nevadamagazine.com/

Glass pyramids. Faux Venetian canals. The 1,148-foot tall Stratosphere Tower. A couple of $100 million daredevil circuses called Cirque du Soleil. They're all part of this neon-lit desert outpost 300 miles from Los Angeles -- with a magnetic pull like no other. Every American ends up on the Strip sooner or later, whether for a bachelor party, a girlfriend getaway, a trade show, or simply lured by a shockingly cheap hotel-and-airfare deal. It's the place Americans go to let their hair down (and, okay, gamble). Aside from its new $2.4 billion airport terminal, Vegas's latest attraction is the Mob Museum (a.k.a., the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement), a tribute to the mafia in real life and in pop culture that opened in February 2012. 

Yellowstone National Park, Wyo.

Wide-open space is a unique inheritance for every American, and Yellowstone is the most dramatic example of what "wide-open space" really means. In 1872, two-million-acre Yellowstone debuted as America's first national park, and visitors began flocking to soak in its hot springs, see elk and bison roam its grasslands, gawk at its geyser known as Old Faithful, and hear gray wolves sound chill-inducing howls at dawn. Amazingly, visitors can get the same thrills today for nearly no cost. For the fullest experience, stay the night. The lack of light pollution in northwest Wyoming's Big Sky country reveals an astonishing canopy of stars that is virtually unchanged from the time of native tribes, fur trappers, and pioneer explorers.

Nashville, Tenn.

Soaking up country music in its native habitat is an American music experience like no other. Leafy, laid-back Nashville, Tenn., deserves its nickname Music City U.S.A.: It's dotted with twang-accented institutions, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium (with its famous acoustics), and the Grand Ole Opry, a weekly live-audience radio show that has been continuously broadcast since 1925. Go boot-scootin' at one of the countless honky-tonks lining Broadway, where the line dancing is first-rate 

Grand Canyon, Ariz.

www.grandcanyonwest.com

Many American landmarks inspire people to think big, but none can match the leviathan scale of the Grand Canyon (nps.gov/grca). As with anything worthwhile, a mind-melting view of the fire-hued, half-mile-long rock faces at the Grand Canyon must be earned. Take a half-day or overnight mule trip, which involves a guided ride along the canyon rim and down to the Colorado River. 

Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, Calif.

In 2013, Helen Mirren, James Franco, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Ron Howard, and another 19 actors and musicians will be added to the more than 2,400 celebrities who've left their handprints and bronze-engraved names in the pavement along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street since 1958. (We imagine tourists have been posing with their hands in their favorite stars' prints for about that long, too.) 

Pearl Harbor, O'ahu, Hawaii

This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the USS Arizona Memorial (nps.gov/usar), which honors the men who died on the famous battleship sunk in 1941's Pearl Harbor air raid. A scale model of the ship inside the monument's museum gives a sense of what it must have been like to be on the vessel while it was under attack, and public tours include a 22-minute movie presentation, followed by a visit to the Memorial itself. Nearby, a nonprofit group maintains the Battleship Missouri Memorial, which was the site of the formal Japanese surrender, while a preserved World War II submarine can be explored at the adjacent USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, run by another independent group.

The Huffington Post article has some insider tips that I did not include.

How many have you been to? 

Are there any missing?

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Huffington Post: Cures for the Travel Hangover

One of the biggest downsides of traveling is coming home. Yes, we all know the feeling. You get home from an amazing trip and you feel that you need a vacation from the vacation.

National Lampoon's Vacation

Huffington Post and Smarter Travel is here to the rescue with ten tips on how to Cure the Travel Hangover.

Unpack

Do this, if nothing else: Unpack your bags as soon as possible. While you might tell yourself that tomorrow is just as good as today to begin the annoying (and potentially heartbreaking) process of removing all signs of your recent trip, you're really just fooling yourself. 

This is so so so important. Get the hardest part down with quickly. Unpack and put away the suitcase until later.

Do Laundry

Leaving a mountain of dirty vacation clothes in your hamper is almost as bad as leaving it in your suitcase. Take some time out of your schedule to launder, fold, and put away the bathing suits and shorts that are only serving as painful midwinter reminders of the 80-degree weather you were basking in just a few days ago.

The first tip and this one go hand and hand. Unpack, wash the clothing and put them away ASAP. Failure to do this will only result in sadness. 

Go Grocery Shopping

Your fridge is most likely empty -- or funky-smelling from that spinach you forgot to throw away before you left -- so clean it out, then head to the grocery store and stock up on your regular essentials.

This is one thing I totally fail at. I tend not to go shopping for a week after returning. This results in me eating out for lunch and dinner, only resulting in me spending more money.

Detox From Vacation Food

One of the best parts of traveling is trying out new foods and savoring every last special treat. But when you get back, your body will probably be craving fruits and veggies, so give it what it needs. Take a break from rich, heavy feasts by avoiding takeout and preparing a few healthy dinners yourself.

As I stated above, I tend not to go grocery shopping for a week after returning.  Therefore, I continue not to eat healthy for quite sometime. This is something I need to change in my travel lifestyle. 

Get Some Exercise

Beat the post-travel blues by releasing some endorphins via physical activity, whether it's getting back into the swing of your yoga-class schedule or going on a run. The disappointment you might feel as a result of your vacation's end can lead to the feeling that nothing -- aside from getting on a plane and heading straight back -- can bring about that same energy again. Blast those thoughts away with a good workout session and remind yourself that there are many ways to get that feel-good boost.

I tend to try to exercise on vacation. I don't like to break-up the flow. Most hotels have gyms, so I tend to back gym clothes and hit the gym once or twice will on vacation. When I get home, I can get back to the gym without a problem. 

Balance Your Budget

Make sure to check your bank-account balance as soon as you get home, if you weren't already keeping up with it while you were away. Not only will your travel spending inform your budget decisions for the immediate future, but you'll want to take a close look at your statement -- while the recent charges are still fresh in your mind -- to make sure there is nothing you need to take up with the bank.

As stated, very important to check your bank account and credit cards for fraudulent charges. You need to continue to check for a few weeks. Traveling overseas opens you and your bank account to fraud. Be proactive and check your account constantly.  

Organize Your Photos

Wait too long to unload, edit, and share your travel photos, and you'll run the risk of forgetting the rich details of your trip. Don't let your camera collect dust: Block out a few hours and organize your snaps. Instead of mourning the loss of those scenic vistas, relive your vacation by making a photo album that serves as a reminder of why you love to travel.

I am guilty of this. I tend to take 1,000 to 2,000 photos on a given trip. However, I never organize them or print the ones I like. They sit on an SD card in my camera. 

Beat the Jet Lag

On your first Monday back in the office, don't give in to that urge to crawl under your desk and take a nap at 2 p.m. Instead, fight your jet lag by going to bed at the normal hour for your current location (taking melatonin or sleeping aids if necessary) and staying hydrated. 

I don't get Jet Lag often. The only time it hit me hard was coming home from my trip to Tokyo. I was screwed up for four days after arriving home. Awake in the middle of night and super tired at work.

Nurse Your Reverse Culture Shock

To beat that "What am I doing in [insert boring place] when I could be back in [insert fabulous vacation destination]?" feeling, try to remind yourself of the things that you love about your hometown. What that means is entirely subjective, but it could be anything from taking a walk through the park near your house to catching up with friends at your favorite neighborhood bar. 

I love coming home from trips and sharing with friends and colleagues my adventures. By doing this, I get to extend my vacation bubble a little longer.

Plan the Next One

In the midst of this thrust to readjust to regular life, make sure you take time to reflect on your trip and share the details of your getaway with friends and family. Think about everything you learned and what you most want to take away from the experience. And then start planning again! There's no better way to cure a travel hangover than to pull out a map, do some research, and get excited about the amazing adventures to come.

Amen! Get right back on the horse and plan the next trip.

10 Tips to Cure the Travel Hangover. If your like me, you also have a real hangover to nurse after your trip. I have you cover there to with Hangover Cures from Around The World.
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Huffington Post: 7 Ways Travel Makes You Healthier

Huffington Post has put out a list of 7 Ways Travel Makes Your Healthier.

I have always believed that travel has immense benefits. After trips, I always feel so much better, but mental health is only one of the benefits of travel.

Improve Your Social Skills

 www.positivityblog.com 

Meeting new people is one of the great upsides of traveling. Whether it's chatting up your hostel roommate, making small talk with your seat-mate on a train or having a lively discussion at a local bar, you will be forced to improve your social skills. If new situations tend to make you anxious, traveling is a sure way to take steps toward reducing that anxiety.

Reduce Stress

http://www.redorbit.com

But while staying home and resting is a worthy use of your time off, traveling removes you from your everyday life and lets you truly escape. Traveling lets you put aside your daily responsibilities and focus on yourself for a moment. When you return home you'll feel refreshed and have the motivation you felt drained of before you left.

Accomplish Goals

Having a travel "to-do" list and slowly crossing things off that list keeps you motivated and positive. That list can include things like visiting certain locations or accomplishing a feat such as climbing a mountain or becoming conversational in the language of your next destination. Achieving those goals also increases confidence and gives a sense of success.

Stay Fit

Let's say while traveling you get lured into taking a hike with beautiful panoramic views. You go, it's not too strenuous and the experience takes your breath away. Now you want more -- harder hikes with even better pay off. While home, you exercise and prepare for more challenging hikes. You're healthier and fitter than ever and you get to look forward to accomplishing new goals.

Become More Flexible

Sometimes things don't go according to plan while traveling. Maybe your flight is cancelled or it rains the day you're scheduled to go on an epic outdoor adventure. It's okay -- there are other flights to take (or trains, or buses) and maybe on that rainy day you'll discover a hidden bookstore to explore or an adorable cafe to experience. Traveling helps you be more flexible and open-minded, making you more zen in your everyday life.

Become More Patient

Travel can involve a lot of waiting. You'll wait in lines. You'll wait for flights. You'll wait at restaurants. Learning how to cope with those waits, how to make conversation with those you're waiting with and how to stay calm in frustratingly slow situations will teach you how to remain patient and calm in all situations.

Have Better Relationships

http://www.traveldailynews.com

Surveys have shown that couples who travel together report more intimate relationships and better sex lives. While travel can't make you have a good relationship, it can strengthen it. Being free of responsibilities like doing the dishes and walking the dog helps you relax together and focus on each other.

I am a big big fan of travel. For weeks before a trip, I am so excited to go. And when I return, I am so relaxed and energized. Travel is an amazing thing that produces so many benefits.
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Using American Credit Cards In Europe

Huffington Post has an article about using American credit cards in Europe. Written by Tom Meyers, founder and editor of Eurocheapo.com, Using American Credit Cards In Europe? Get Ready For Rejection argues should expect to have trouble buying things through machines.

From Singh Around The World

Meyer describes a situation that many American tourists experience:

"Here's a typical situation: You're ready to buy your RER ticket to get in from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. You line up behind your fellow travelers at the boxy ticket machines and watch them effortlessly touch-screen their way through their purchases. You step up, follow the onscreen instructions in English, insert your credit card and...

"CARTE NON LUE"

Hmmm. It didn't read the card? The machine spits the card back out (in slowmo). You reach for another card and...

"CARTE NON LUE"

(pause for suspense, and then, in red letters)

"TRANSACTION ANNULÉ"

No matter how many times you try, it won't work. Hopefully you have cash (and coins, too, if your machine doesn't accept bills). If not, you'll probably be spending the next hour waiting in a line in the ticket office behind travelers hearing about all of their TGV options.

Ironically, your card will work in the ticket office. So why the rejection?"

The reason for the "rejection" is that Europe switched to a Chip & Pin system. A Chip & Pin card has a small computer chip in the card and requires a pin to complete the purchase. Why can you use your magnetic card in stores, but not at machines? The reason can be simplified that the "PIN" becomes the verification in absence of the signature.

Meyers suggestion is less than be desirable:

"My advice is to be prepared for your card to be declined anytime you try to pay at a kiosk or machine. Bring cash. Have coins ready. And be prepared to wait." 

Really? Use cash and coins? That's not really a solution.

Here's my solution, get a Chip and Pin credit card. And don't believe what Meyer's says:

"While there are a few American credit cards that now offer the chip-and-PIN technology, most seem to be for high rolling corporate business travelers, and the banks charge dearly for it."

American chip and pin credit cards are becoming more and more available for all and not just rich corporate business travelers. However, you need to do some research before getting chip and pin card. At the moment, there are two types of chip credit cards floating around: 1) Chip and Pin  and 2) Chip and Signature. Credit card companies are advertising the cards as one in the same.

The two are not the same. Chip and Signature credit cards have been reported to not to work in machines in Europe. The reason for them not working is the card has no pin to authorize the transaction. Therefore, when you must ask if the card is a "chip and pin" card.

Two years ago, the hottest credit card was the Chase British Airways Visa. The card was one of the first offered widely to Americans with a chip offered to it.

However, as Million Miles Secret writes the card was actually a Chip and Signature card. Not a Chip and Pin card.

What does this mean for Americans?

First, call your credit card company to see if any of your current credit cards can be upgrade to one with Chip and Pin technology. Many of the major credit card companies offer this service upon request.

Next, if applying for a credit advertising "Pin" technology, ask questions about which type of "pin" technology the card offers: chip & signature or chip & pin.

Finally, do research online about which credit card is best for traveling abroad. For instance, when we went to Canada, Cash Back Boy tried to use his Discover Card only to be turned down at every restaurant, bar, and attraction. A quick search online would have turned up that Discover's foot print in Canada is very small. He should have brought a different card.

A little bit of preparation before your trip to Europe, can allow you to catch that train!

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Tablets During Takeoff ???

All of us frequent flyers know the drill:  Airplane door closes, all electronic devices must be turned off. Doesn't matter how the flight attendant says it, the same result happens. Well, the head of the FCC disagrees with this policy and is pushing the FAA to make the change.

In this Huffington Post article, the author cites a letter from FCC Chairmen Genachowski to acting administrator of the FAA Michael Huerta, urging the change to the tablet policy:

Dear Administrator Huerta:

I write to urge the FAA to enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable electronic devices during flight, consistent with public safety. I support the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) initiative to review the polices, guidance, and procedures regarding the use of such devices. 

This review comes at a time of tremendous innovation, as mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives. They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost U.S. competitiveness.

Only in Washington, DC, can you make the argument that restricting tablet access, during the beginning and end of the flight, is hurting the US economy. 

I don't fly for business, so I can refute the Chairmen's economic argument. All I can say is I like the restriction. It gives me time to relax and read a paper book. Am I in the minority on this?

I have no problems about tablets and eReaders on airplanes, but cell phone use crosses the line. An airplane is one of the few cell phone free areas. Can you imagine sitting next to Mr. or Mrs. Chatty on a four hour flight? I can't...