The past few blog posts have focused on travel – and my attempts to organize and chronicle my travels on this blog. In my research for resources and ways to organize everything, I came across The Traveler’s Century Club List of Countries. The Traveler’s Century Club is a club for travelers who have visited more than 100 countries. From the website: Membership in the Travelers’ Century Club (TCC) is limited to those travelers who have visited one hundred or more countries of the world. It was first organized in Los Angeles in 1954 by a group of the world’s most widely traveled people. The idea has attracted the interest of the world travelers everywhere and we now have members throughout the world, as well as the United States. Sounds good – CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Since my progress through the list is constantly evolving, I’ve moved the main body of information on my progress to its own project page.

Some friends and relatives keep asking me about how all three of us flew first class and business class on Cathay to Hong Kong and Bali, when we scarcely fly at all domestically, apart from the occasional trip to Hawaii. Many other families are in a similar boat, if their families live close by or if they typically drive or take the train to visit them. Mileage running is not only not appealing to me, it's really not an option with a young child at home. What is appealing? Flying international first class for business and family vacations, without any mileage running or lackluster domestic flights. Most readers are very familiar with the cards and strategies in this post, but I thought it would be helpful to lay it out, along with the sequence in which I'd apply for these cards, for the sake of friends and family that are new to miles and points and trying to figure out how to accrue enough for international business and first class travel. So here we go! Step 1: Make Sure You Have a High Credit Score and Won't Need a Mortgage, Refinancing or Major Loan in the Next Year You'll want to have a credit score in the mid-high 700s, no credit card debt, and pay all of your credit cards off in full each month. If you anticipate taking out a mortgage or doing a refinancing or taking out another major loan within the next year, it's best to refrain from credit card applications until you complete the process, to ensure you're getting the absolute best rate with your lender. Update: There has been a BankDirect Devaluation, so I no longer recommend keeping more than $50, 000 in an account, for 60, 000 AA miles per year

There is someone who listens to absolute radio , there is someone who likes to look at life in distant lands, it would seem how these two are connected? Traveling like music heals the soul. Your soul is healed faster with every song and with every new place. Traveling benefits everyone. The impressions you get on travels are like wood for the stove, prepared for the winter. In difficult moments of a harsh winter or off-season slush under a gray sky, impressions precisely save us. Beautiful pictures pop up in memory and help to survive a difficult and joyless time...

Still, the legislation has little chance of passage within the next year. “In a normal setting, something like this that doesn’t have a strong variant opposition, you could just put in [the transportation reauthorization bill], and it’s going to pass because it’s a reauthorization and it just sails through and everything is fine, ” says California Republican Rep. John Campbell, the bill’s co-sponsor. Campbell, along with three other congressmen, pushed the legislation as a mutually beneficial measure for pet owners and Amtrak. Owners would have the option of traveling with their pets aboard specially designated train cars and financially challenged Amtrak would be able to increase revenue by charging a fee for the service. Animals that could fit in a pet carrier and be stowed according to train guidelines would be eligible for travel. “Some people only travel with their pets and wouldn’t think about not being with them, ” said Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, another bill co-sponsor. “I think the bill will increase train traffic and I think it will make it easier for travelers. I think it’s a win-win.” The Humane Society of the United States is an advocate for the legislation. They argue that any measure that makes it easier for a pet owner to care for their pet, benefits an animal’s well being. “Worst-case scenario is having that animal become a burden and having to have a person give up that pet, ” says Michael Markarian, chief program and policy officer at the Humane Society. “There are many people for whom Amtrak is the most cost-effective or convenient mode of transportation and currently they are not allowed to travel with their pets. We think it’s an outdated policy because you can travel with your pet on an airplane and stay with them in most hotels.” Owners would have the option of traveling with their pets aboard specially designated train cars. Financially challenged Amtrak would be able to increase revenue by charging a fee.

Christine Gilbert loves her dogs so much so that she brings them (almost) everywhere she goes. She’s currently perfecting her Spanish in Central America. You can follow her blog, Almost Fearless, to see what she’s up to. When my husband and I adopted our two large, slobbery Labrador retrievers (Molly and Jack), everyone told us that would be the end of our carefree travel days. Each one of them weighs 80 lbs, loves to run around, and has more chew toys than your average teething infant. Last summer, we brought them to Madrid with us. They flew on Iberia Air, stayed with us in our apartment, and got to know the locals very well (“Que Bonitas!” the locals would say). We learned that traveling with your pets, no matter how big they are, is completely possible. All it takes is a little planning, patience, and jumping through the right hoops. With a microchip and vet certificate, we were clear to travel to most places in the world. Here are ten tips for taking your pet overseas: 1. Plan ahead. Some countries like the UK require special tests 4 months before you arrive. The site Pet Travel lists the entry requirements by country. Even for Europe, all pets must be microchipped. The Vet Cert has to be signed by a USDA vet. The steps aren’t complicated, but waiting times can vary. 2. What’s in a breed? If you have a pug or other short-nosed breed, many airlines will not allow them due to increased difficulties they may have breathing on the plane. I’ve heard lots of folks who bring their short-nosed dogs with them overseas, though, so check with the carrier to make sure they’ll let you. 3. Check or Carry? Determine if you are going to check your pet as cargo or bring them on the flight with you. If your pet is less than 25 lbs, it’s up to you. If your pet is over 25 lbs, then they must be checked in the cargo area. If you’re checking your dog, then you need the correct sized carrier. See #6 below. 4. Call ahead. Some airlines require you to call and make a reservation for your pet; others do not. To avoid confusion, call ahead and find out their policy. You’ll also want to inquire about any temperature requirements — there are times when it’s just too hot or cold to fly with a pet in cargo. 5. Calculate total cost. In our case, the cheapest flight at $2000 roundtrip charged a whopping $1600 in fees for our dogs (Total: $3200). A more expensive flight at $2500 roundtrip was with an airline that only charged $200 for the dogs (Total: $2700). Note: Go non-stop if you can. 6. Make sure Fido Fits. When buying a pet carrier, we brought our dogs with us into PetSmart and had them test out sizes. Your pet should be able to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably. Note: The carrier label should say “Airline Approved”. 7. Get your shots. For most of Europe, you just need to have a USDA certified vet fill out a form stating your pet has had the appropriate rabies shots. In many places, you also need up-to-date rabies vaccines at least 30 days before departure.

On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) unveiled a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. Since its dedication, The Wall That Heals has visited more than 400 cities and towns throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial's healing legacy to millions. Bringing The Wall home to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin. The main components of The Wall That Heals are The Wall replica and the mobile Education Center. THE WALL REPLICA The Wall That Heals exhibition features a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It is approximately 250 feet in length, and like the original Memorial is erected in a chevron-shape. The replica is constructed of powder-coated aluminum, supported by an aluminum frame, and is made up of 24 individual panels As on The Wall, the names on The Wall That Heals are listed by day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing, picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and working their way back in to the center/apex, joining the beginning and end of the conflict at the center. THE MOBILE EDUCATION CENTER The exterior sides of the trailer that carries The Wall That Heals open to become a mobile Education Center. Information cases display photos of service members whose names are found on The Wall, along with letters and memorabilia left at The Wall in D.C. The Museum also includes a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the conflict in Vietnam.

Packing your suitcases before the trip, you always want to take everything you need, but also not to overload the suitcase. Finding a middle ground between the abundance of unnecessary things on the trip and the most necessary is not easy, the process of packing a suitcase or backpack requires either considerable skill, or careful, advance preparation. Before packing a suitcase, it is better to write (not only have in your head) a detailed list of what you plan to take on a trip. Everything should be included in the list, down to the smallest detail, be sure to indicate the quantity: in a hurry it is easy to miss out on necessary items that, it would seem, are impossible

If you’re new to the world of recreational vehicles, you are probably lost when you hear motorhome enthusiasts discussing the merits of Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes. Whether you are interested in finding the right motorhome for your entry point into the RV lifestyle or you’re just interested in learning more about the different types of available motorhomes, here you’ll learn about three different types of RVs and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. And if you’re looking to buy your first recreational vehicle – or upgrade to a higher-end motor coach – this guide may be a helpful starting point for you. What is a...

For all the millions of ways that companies try to leverage the power of the Internet, there also seem to be millions of ways it can backfire. For a case study in the problems that the Web can cause, one need look no further than Travelocity, which finds itself in a dust-up over discounts this week. The company has canceled the trips for some customers who used a promotion code intended for the roughly 3, 000 attendees of the National Federation of the Blind's convention, held earlier this summer...

TRAVELSPAN ANNOUNCES A NEW BLOCK SEAT AGREEMENT WITH DYNAMIC AIRWAYS. Queen’s NY, October 20, 2014- TravelSpan’s is pleased to announce that a Block Seat Agreement to service the Guyana Markets from the United States has been reached with Dynamic Airways. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted government approval for Dynamic Airways LLC, a US Carrier based in Greensboro, NC, to operate services to a variety of destinations in South America, the company said in a statement. Flights are schedule to operate on Tuesday, Fridays, and Saturday with additional flights in peak season. “T...