23 Amazing Photos On Glacier Bay Alaska Cruise Ships – Is Glacier Bay On Your Bucket List?

In June 2019 we took an epic Alaska cruise that you’ll want to add to your bucket list & here are the highlights of our Glacier Bay Alaska Cruise.

alaska cruise

glacier bay cruise ship

What is Glacier Bay Famous For?

As you may have guessed, Glacier Bay is famous for…. glaciers!

glacier bay alaska things to do

Glacier Bay is one of the world’s largest protected natural areas with 3.3 million acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and waterways.

glacier bay national park alaska

They also have some of the most incredible wildlife I’ve ever seen with bears playing on rocky beaches & bald eagles soaring above.

glacier bay alaska usa

If you’re a fan of nature and wildlife but aren’t into camping, a cruise through Glacier Bay should be on your bucket list.

How do you get to Glacier Bay Alaska?

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is only accessible by boat or plane.

Permits are required for boats & cruise ships to enter Glacier Bay National Park, so reservations are recommended.

glacier bay alaska photography

Do cruise ships stop at Glacier Bay?

Cruise ships do not actually stop in Glacier Bay, but don’t worry.

glacier bay national park alaska bucket lists

Your cruise will spend a full day getting up close to the glaciers to give you the best views.

glacier bay national park

What glaciers are in Glacier Bay Alaska?

There are literally over 1,000 glaciers in Glacier Bay Alaska! 

glacier bay alasak destinations

Different areas close throughout the year because of:

  • Nesting birds, such as eagles
  • Humpback whale migration
  • Harbor seal breeding

You can find out more about the specific glaciers in Glacier Bay here.

glacier bay travel photography

Which Glacier is best in Alaska?

With over 1,000 glaciers in Glacier Bay, which glacier is the best in Alaska?

If you’re on a cruise ship heading to Glacier Bay, you don’t even have to worry about being disappointed.

glacier bay alaska trips

When you arrive in Glacier Bay on a cruise ship, local pilots & rangers board the ship with complete knowledge of the local area.

If you really want to study up, you can find out more about glaciers in Alaska here.

These are pictures of our visit to Margerie Glacier.

glacier bay alaska cruise ships

What can you do in Glacier Bay?

If you’re going by cruise, you’ll have the best of both worlds – the luxury of your cruise ship with the beauty of the park.

We had the most amazing deck chairs outside to use as our home-base for the day.

glacier bay alaska travel

There is plenty of wildlife to see in Glacier Bay.

You’ll want to bring binoculars (we forgot ours, but they were selling them on the boat) to see everything close up.

glacier bay national park alaska america adventure

Is Glacier Bay National Park worth visiting? 

We visited Glacier Bay National Park in June & had the most incredible weather.

glacier bay alaska national parks

This made the views even more spectacular, with green mountains, blue seas & white ice.

Not to mention the cool air & warm sun – if you can get weather half this good, you’ll have a perfect trip.

glacier bay national park alaska travel

What is special about Glacier Bay National Park? 

Pictures don’t even begin to show how incredible the views are in Glacier Bay National Park.

And seeing powerful bright blue glaciers up close should definitely be on your bucket list.

glacier bay alaska cruise

Here are a few more photos from our trips to this USA national park.

glacier bay national park cruise

We passed alongside another Holland America cruise ship heading up to tour Glacier Bay.

glacier bay alaska national parks

You will see dozens of glaciers during your tour of Glacier Bay. 

glacier bay alaska adventure

You’ll hear the glaciers cracking & see harbor seals & puffins sun tanning out on the ice chunks that fall from the glaciers.

glacier bay national park alaska beautiful

And the water color is changing all the time – from bright turquoise to deep navy to sea green.

glacier bay national park alaska boats

Depending on the time of year, some of the glaciers may even have dried up. 

glacier bay alaska america

What questions do you still have about a Glacier Bay Alaska cruise?

Leave them in the comments below.

We hope you enjoy your Glacier Bay Alaska cruise as much as we did.

JSD glacier bay alaska

cruise alaska

Loire Valley – Centre Val De Loire – Things To Do

Centre Val de Loire

If Centre Val De Loire isn’t on your bucket list yet, it’s about to be.

Chateau de Villandry

After living in Paris, France for almost 3 years, one of the best perks was being able to spend time in the French countryside.

In May 2012 we visited the Centre Val De Loire when my aunt came to visit us from Brazil.

She wanted to take a road trip in France, so we ended up right in the middle of Northern France for a weekend.

Centre Val De Loire valley france

What is Centre Val de Loire Known for?

The Centre Val De Loire is basically a winery paradise, because it produces… you guessed it – WINE.

Lots of wine!

Centre Val De Loire winery

Farmland covers the region & many of these farms are active wineries.

If you’re looking for something other than wine, the architecture alone will take your breath away.

The Centre Val de Loire also has an impressive, gothic cathedral & magnificent castles.

Would you believe we actually stayed in this castle?

Centre Val De Loire chateaux

Yes, a castle that’s been turned into a B&B hotel.

But bring your allergy meds – it’s an authentic experience.

They owners give you a tour after breakfast, which is both relaxing & creepy (see the hand on the table??).

Here’s our room & yes it did feel a little haunted.

The rest of the room just shows the amount of junk you have to bring when traveling with a baby for a weekend.

Back to the Centre Val de Loire.

It’s a big area, so there are many things to do.

We didn’t make it to the Pays de la Loire region, but it’s on the top of our list of things to do for next time.

It’s a region on the coast of the Bay of Biscay with a medieval fort called Château de Saumur.

We did visit a few other castles along the way.

Château de Villandry 

The garden at the Chateau de Villandry was incredibly maintained & these pictures don’t do it justice.

And it was practically EMPTY, so we had the entire place to ourselves.

Château de Chenonceau 

There is no scale in these pictures, so you can’t see just how massive the Chateau de Chenonceau really is.

It’s so well kept outside that it’s even more stunning in person.

So here’s a little more about the Centre Val de Loire for your trip.

What language is spoken in Centre Val de Loire?

Of course, since it’s located in France, French is the primary language.

However, this is an area of France where they say the purest French is spoken.

Meaning, unlike Paris, there are no accents present. 

Centre Val De Loire winery

It’s like stepping into a time machine where you’ve gone back into French history.

What city is Loire Valley in?

So the Loire Valley isn’t just one town.

It’s a long stretch of multiple towns and areas.

Every single one of these towns has stunning castles, bridges, and history to offer.

Some of the more popular towns are:

  • Orléans
  • Blois
  • Amboise
  • Tours
  • Angers
  • Saumur
  • Nantes
  • Saint-Nazaire

Since the train from Paris arrives in Tours, it’s a bustling little town & a tourist favorite.

How do I get from Paris to Loire Valley by Train?

The Loire Valley makes a great day trip from Paris.

Since we were living in Paris, we had a car & drove to the Loire Valley.

loire castle

If you plan to visit by train, go to the Montparnasse train station.

This connects you to the Tours station which is a great spot to explore Loire Valley from.

Depending on where you’re going in the Loire Valley, it can take anywhere from 35 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Why is the Loire River important?

The Loire River is the longest river in France.

It begins in south-central France and runs for 634 miles until it connects to the Atlantic Ocean.

loire river

Now what do you think?

Is the Centre Val De Loire going on your bucket list?

If you’re ever in France, it’s worth booking a night or two in a castle.

It’s a quick and easy day trip from Paris that will thrill both the grandparents & the kids.

You’ll leave feeling like you stepped back in time.

5 Things NOT To Do In Cenotes Caves Mexico

Visiting any cenotes caves Mexico can definitely be a big adventure.

The Cenotes in Mexico are amazing, but you want to be prepared for your visit so can enjoy it in the best way.

What are Cenotes?

They are natural pools of water that are below ground – sometimes inside caves – most of which are swimming holes.

Planning a Cenotes Mexico adventure? Here’s what NOT to do! A day in the beautiful Cenote water is a bucket list trip where you will see natural beauty at it’s finest. With under water caves, these natural swimming holes are beautiful places. But make sure you’re prepared or you may just get sent away. Here are 5 things NOT to do on your Cenotes Mexico adventure.

Since they are not artificial, locals take great care to make sure the grounds are well-kept.

Because of this, there are a few things you need to do – and NOT do – before going to the Cenotes.

Even though there are thousands of Cenotes in Mexico, these rules apply to every destination.

Earlier this year we visited a few Cenotes during our vacation in Mexico.

Here’s what we learned the hard way, so you have an awesome visit & don’t make the same mistakes.

Planning a Cenotes Mexico adventure? Here’s what NOT to do! A day in the beautiful Cenote water is a bucket list trip where you will see natural beauty at it’s finest. With under water caves, these natural swimming holes are beautiful places. But make sure you’re prepared or you may just get sent away. Here are 5 things NOT to do on your Cenotes Mexico adventure.

5 Things NOT To Do On Your Cenotes Mexico Adventure

Mexican Cenotes are some of the most beautiful places you will ever see.

The pictures below don’t even tell the real story.

So, what is the BEST cenote in Mexico?

You’ll have to look around & decide for yourself!

Planning a Cenotes Mexico adventure? Here’s what NOT to do! A day in the beautiful Cenote water is a bucket list trip where you will see natural beauty at it’s finest. With under water caves, these natural swimming holes are beautiful places. But make sure you’re prepared or you may just get sent away. Here are 5 things NOT to do on your Cenotes Mexico adventure.

Don’t Arrive At This Time

Cenotes are popular with the tourists & the locals. 

The later you arrive, the more crowded they will be.

If your even a little bit claustrophobic, you’ll want to arrive as early as possible.

Because cenotes are below the ground, they can feel closed in.

Add in a crowd to navigate past & people taking pictures everywhere, and the experience completely changes.

Arrive early & you’ll have the place to yourself – at least for a little while.

Plus, you’ll get the best pictures (no photo bombers) & lighting.

Don’t Wear This

Because they are full of chemicals, sunscreens & lotions are not allowed in the cenotes.

When you arrive, they will ask you to shower outside before going in.

Why?

Cenotes are naturally occurring freshwater wells that connect to the ocean by underground freshwater rivers. 

This means they’re often full of turtles, fish & other marine life.Planning a Cenotes Mexico adventure? Here’s what NOT to do! A day in the beautiful Cenote water is a bucket list trip where you will see natural beauty at it’s finest. With under water caves, these natural swimming holes are beautiful places. But make sure you’re prepared or you may just get sent away. Here are 5 things NOT to do on your Cenotes Mexico adventure.

The chemicals are dangerous – even poisonous – to the animals.

So, either leave your sunscreen at home or bring this biodegradable kind.

Don’t Come Without This

Many cenotes only accept cash, so make sure you bring enough with you.

You may need to bring money for:

  • Entrance fees 
  • Locker rental 
  • Equipment rental (snorkels, life jackets, etc)

If you only bring a credit card, you run the risk of being tuned away.

You’ll also want to check whether they accept only Mexican Pesos or US Dollars as well ahead of time.

The last thing you want is to arrive & get turned away.

Most cenotes are in rural locations, so don’t expect to find a 7-Eleven or ATM nearby.

Don’t Forget To Bring These

Cenotes are incredible natural swimming holes full of underwater life.

You won’t need flippers, but you will want to bring your snorkeling gear.

Some cenotes offer snorkels for rent, but it won’t be cheap & there are no guarantees.

If you have nothing else, you’ll at least want to pack your goggles.

Planning a Cenotes Mexico adventure? Here’s what NOT to do! A day in the beautiful Cenote water is a bucket list trip where you will see natural beauty at it’s finest. With under water caves, these natural swimming holes are beautiful places. But make sure you’re prepared or you may just get sent away. Here are 5 things NOT to do on your Cenotes Mexico adventure.

This kind of gear is better for your adventure.

My wife also recommends packing swim shoes because she hates feeling the slimy moss on her feet.

Don’t Forget To Take These

Because you’re going to want to take lots of pictures, you’ll want to bring some kind of waterproof or underwater camera.

Remember this is an adventure & you want want to go all that way without having a camera that can go in the water with you.

If you don’t already have an underwater camera that you can use in the cenotes, it’s a good time to invest.

Here is one of the most popular portable, underwater cameras – it’s a good price & has great reviews.

Want to know more about visiting Cenotes in Mexico? 

Leave a comment below.

Ecuador Equator – What You’ll See At The Mitad Del Mundo

On a recent business trip to Ecuador I made time to visit the Mitad Del Mundo Ecuador Equator.

When I’m on business trips I usually have zero time for sightseeing, but when I have a few hours free I like to see the local famous monuments & sights.

In Ecuador a huge draw is the Mitad Del Mundo – aka “Half The World” – on the equator separating the northern & southern hemispheres.

The Ecuador Equator is home to the Mitad Del Mundo - aka "Half The World". Here are recent photos from the Mitad Del Mundo Ecuador Equator, so you know what to expect to see at the Ecuador Equator. #equator #traveldestinations #ecuador #traveldad #travelingdad

I got there just before sunset, so had to quickly have a look around & take some pictures before the sun set.

Here are a few pictures from the Ecuador Equator to give you an idea of what you’ll see there.

Ecuador Equator – Mitad Del Mundo

This is a popular picture on the Ecuador Equator right in front of the Mitad Del Mundo Monument.

ecuador mitad del mundo

Up close in front of the Mitad Del Mundo.

mitad del mundo 

In case you weren’t convinced, they want to make sure you know this really is the Ecuador Equator.

equator ecuador

The Mitad Del Mundo monument and the surrounding park – all very nicely kept.

ecuador equator

Yes another obligatory picture straddling the northern & southern hemispheres.

mitad del mundo ecuador

 

Heading out after the visit. Until next time.

 mitad del mundo equator ecuador

Do you have questions about the Mitad Del Mundo?

Leave a comment below & let me know.

Pictures of Greenland

Even though I’ve been to 68 countries, these pictures of Greenland are unlike anything I’ve seen before.

greenland in pictures

If you ever fly from London to Seattle, your route will probably take you over Greenland.

My wife recently took this flight while I stayed in London with the kids.

These aerial pictures of Greenland were taken from her Virgin Atlantic flight.

greenland

Approaching the coast of Greenland.

No beach towns here!

pictures of greenland

These frozen rivers and glaciers are fantastic.

The pictures were taken in June, so there’s a lot of melting happening.

greenland pictures

You can just make out a lake in the middle of these mountains and frozen rivers.

greenland in pictures

These glaciers remind me of our trip to Patagonia.

More about that trip coming soon!

This is more of what I expected Greenland to look like – white & snow.

It’s impossible to tell where the clouds end & the snow begins.

greenland in pictures

Who know pictures of Greenland from the air could be so interesting?

You can learn more about Greenland here.

My New Travel Plan For Better Omega-3s

This post is sponsored by iWi but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

As a business traveler, I am constantly on the go.

I have been in Miami, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Mexico & Brazil – just in the last 2 weeks!

With all this travel, it’s not always easy to stay healthy – airport fast food & dinner meetings don’t help.

I never eat fish anymore, so my wife worries about my Omega-3 levels.

She says better Omega 3s are important for my health because they prevent heart disease, stroke, cancers & all sorts of other terrible things.

Basically Omega-3s are important in keeping us healthy as we age.

When I think of Omega-3s I think of fish, but she told me I actually don’t have to eat fish at all now that there’s an easy way to get better Omega-3s.

All I need is this.

best omega3

Sounds good to me!

Better Omega-3s

I had no idea that it the FISH were NOT the source of the Omega-3s.

Omega-3s actually come from the algae eaten by the fish.

So, do we have to eat the fish to get the benefits of the Omega-3?

Nope. We can skip the fish & go right to the source thanks to iWi.

iWi offers the highest bioavailability in the Omega3 market (higher than fish and Krill…) source of Omega-3.

They have full traceability and control of the product.

omega3

AND they were born in the USA.

They use the sun as our main source of energy and are 100% Sustainable & Scalable.

iWi has 150 acres in production – that’s equal to 45,000 acres of peas in terms of production of essential amino acids.

They use non-arable land & brackish water.

Best of all they are socially sustainable because they create jobs in rural areas.

So there you go – an excellent way to get better Omega-3s into your diet even with the busiest schedule.

sams club

You can find the product at your local Sam’s Club – just look for a Freeosk!

omega 3

What do you do for a balanced, healthy lifestyle while you’re on the go?

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Havana Cuba – Everything You Need To Know

Looking to visit Havana Cuba?

Last year we traveled to Havana without doing much research ahead of time.

What a mistake!

When you think of Havana, you might only thing of retro cars and live music.

But visiting Cuba can be a culture shock.

Even though it’s only 106 miles from the US Coast, basic places & products we take for granted are impossible to find.

Why?

There are no supermarkets or pharmacies!

It’s safe to assume that if you don’t bring it, you won’t be able to get it.

Changing money isn’t easy either & it’s difficult to find internet access.

Before you travel to Havana Cuba, here is everything you need to know.

 

Havana Cuba - everything you need to know before you travel on vacation. Last year we traveled to Havana Cuba without doing much research ahead of time. What a mistake! Visiting Havana Cuba can be a culture shock. Basic places & products we take for granted are impossible to find. Before you travel to Havana Cuba, here is EVERYTHING you need to know.

Havana Cuba – Everything You Need To Know

Looking for something that isn’t here?

Leave a comment below & let me know what questions you have about Cuba & I’ll find answers for you.

Pictures of Havana Cuba

havana cuba pictures of cuba today

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7 Things NOT To Do When Visiting Havana Cuba

Planning a trip to Havana Cuba?

Wondering if it’s really possible to travel there from the USA?

At the beginning of this year my wife & I took a kid-free trip to Havana Cuba (thank you grandparents).

Below is what we learned during our time in Havana Cuba – specifically what NOT to do.

When you’re done with this, here is everything you need to know about Havana Cuba including:

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

You might be wondering HOW we were able to visit Havana Cuba from the USA.

Obama created 12 legal reasons US citizens can travel to Cuba.

Many of them are very abstract, such as “support for the Cuban people” (not sure how long these rules will apply under Trump.)

You just have to pick one and fill a form for the airline, but that’s it.

When you come back they may or may not ask in the airport where you just came from.

As bloggers, my wife & I simply visited as journalists.

We bought this travel guide & you want to buy it ahead of time (there are NO STORES there – more about that below).

This map is a life-saver too. 

You can view all our trip pictures are here: Havana Cuba pictures.

What NOT To Do When Visiting Havana Cuba

It’s easy enough to get there, but what we found when we arrived was TOTALLY different than we expected.

Here are 7 things you should NOT do when you visit Havana Cuba.

Don’t Check Your Luggage

I highly recommend NOT checking your luggage.

Why?

Our luggage didn’t arrive on our plane…

It arrived 36 hours later!

This is a BIG deal in Havana Cuba because there are NO shops – NONE.

Want to buy toothpaste? Sorry.

Forgot your deodorant? Too bad.

If you must check your luggage, at least pack a few toiletries & change of clothes in a backpack…

Whatever you can’t survive the trip without should be in your carryon.

Bring basics like these handiwipes and tissue packs.

You will thank me later!

Don’t Take Where You Stay For Granted

We stayed in an Airbnb in Havana Cuba – and Airbnb didn’t let us down at all.

They were fantastic actually.

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

Here’s a picture of our street.

The reality of life in Cuba means you might need a little extra support & our Airbnb host gave us a cell phone to use to contact him during our stay.

Now, he wasn’t able to help us with the missing toothpaste or deodorant, but I’m sure he would have if they actually had stores.

Don’t Forget –  You’re In A Communist Country

The propaganda was ridiculous.

In a beautiful square they played COPS-style videos to the crowds.

Related: Travel Photo Album – Havana Cuba Pictures

Meanwhile, the public infrastructure has been sadly neglected leading to falling down buildings & insufficient sanitation.

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

Some buildings being held up by sticks while families still live in them (notice the laundry!).

Others collapsing completely.

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

How beautiful these buildings would be if they’d been properly maintained.

Here’s hoping one day they will be restored to their full glory.

Don’t Assume There Are Stores

OK I know I told you earlier that there are NO stores in Havana Cuba.

Actually, we saw 1 store.

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

This is a picture of their version of a CVS pharmacy.

This strange shop (likely owned & operated by the Cuban government) had no essentials.

If you forget to pack your toothpaste, you’ll have to find someone willing to share (lucky for us, the family staying in the other room of our apartment had some to spare!).

There is no CSV or Walgreens or Cuban version of a convenience store.

The locals have to wait for their rations, so they don’t have any left to sell or share with you.

Don’t Skip A Classic Cars Tour

It’s a fun way to see Havana Cuba & if your driver/tour guide is half as friendly as ours, you’ll be all set.

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

You can book them for short or long tours & have them drop you off somewhere convenient for you.

Don’t Pass Up A Drink In Each Famous Bar

Yes, they’re packed full of tourists, but they’re also full of great music & serious bartending.

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

La Bodeguita Del Medio – Havana, Cuba

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.
 
 
The show & the prize!
 
Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.
 

El Floridita – Havana, Cuba

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

 

Crowds again, but so worth it!

Havana Cuba: looking to travel to Havana Cuba? Here’s what NOT to do along with tips & photography from our 2017 trip to this vintage destination. There are lots of things to do on your trip to Havana Cuba. Here’s everything from architecture to photography to hotel to food to decor. If Havana Cuba is your destination, here’s what NOT to do.

Don’t Worry Be Happy

This seems to be the motto of the people in Havana Cuba.

One good thing about visiting a communist country is that there is virtually no crime, so we felt very safe walking everywhere at night.

It’s a massive cultural shock to American consumers used to having “stuff”.

But WOW were we impressed with the resilient Cuban spirit.

More About Cuba

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Havana Cuba Pictures

Looking for recent Havana Cuba pictures?

I went to Havana Cuba in 2017 and all of the pictures below are from that trip.

Looking for Havana Cuba pictures? These are my unfiltered Havana Cuba pictures & travel photos from a trip to Cuba in 2017. Havana Cuba pictures show classic cars, military demonstrations, tanks, guns, architecture, and daily Cuban life in the streets.

Havana is just 106 miles from Key West in the USA, but it feels like suddenly we’ve gone back in time.

Some things I expected to see – like the beautiful classic cars & building that have been perfectly maintained.

Other views are less stunning – like crumbling buildings & dirty city streets.

There is a constant pull between feelings of nostalgia & realization of oppression.

The purposeful & visible government displays of weapons & tanks are a jarring reminder that a communist government still controls its people.

It’s hard to say whether it’s despite of all of this or because of all of this, but the Cuban people have a quiet strength & pride that rises above the oppression.

As a tourist in Havana Cuba, don’t let the pictures fool you.

There are things you need to know before visiting Cuba.

Such as, when our luggage didn’t arrive on the plane, we were 100% unable to buy basic necessities like deodorant & toothpaste because there are NO STORES!

Hint: don’t check your luggage when traveling to Cuba.

Here’s more about my trip to Havana Cuba in 2017.

Despite all of this, the people of Cuba are resilient & optimistic.

Havana Cuba Pictures

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Just click on the album above to see nearly 100 Havana Cuba pictures.

What else did I learn during my visit to Cuba?

Here are 7 things NOT to do when visiting Cuba.

10 Disney World Tips For Parents – The Perfect Day

We’ve been to Disney World with toddlers four times now, and these are our 10 best Disney World tips 2018 for parents.

We wish we knew these Disney World tips the first time around.

Honestly, we’re still figuring out how everything works.

But these are the Disney World tips you need to know to have the perfect day with your kids.

disney world tips and secrets

Click here to save this post now, so you can find it easily later!

10 Disney World Tips For The Perfect Day With Kids

If you’re bringing older kids to Disney World, you have much more flexibility.

These Disney World tips are meant for parents bringing toddlers and little ones.

Why?

Disney World really is the happiest place on Earth if you know these simple, insider tips!

1. Arrive Early

I don’t mean 9:00am or 10:00am early – I mean a few minutes BEFORE the park opens.

We only just figured out how important this is.

Not that our kids are a little older (ages 3 & 7) it’s finally easier to get up & out the door early.

In the past, we arrived around 10:00am or 11:00am, and here is what you can expect if you arrive at that time.

This makes a massive difference in your entire day – especially when going to Disney’s Magic Kingdom which takes extra effort to from the parking lot.

We breezed through security and straight onto the monorail – zero lines!

We arrived at Magic Kingdom & the park was nearly empty – zero lines!

While everyone else is stuck queueing up for the monorail, you have 1-2 hours of prime Disney World time.

2. Pre-Book Early Fast Passes

As soon as you buy your tickets, you’ll want to create & link your tickets on the Disney World website.

Then select 3 FastPasses, meaning you can skip the long line & get in the fast lane.

BUT, the real tip here is to select 3 MORNING FastPass tickets.

 

You want to use up your FastPasses as early in the day as possible.

Why?

Once you finish your 3 pre-booked FastPasses, you can keep rebooking FastPasses one at a time.

All. Day. Long.

You first have to finish your 3 initial FastPasses before you can start rebooking.

Make sure you don’t have a FastPass scheduled for later in the day or that’s it – you’ll be waiting in line all day for everything else.

Worst of all, don’t wait until the last minute to make your FastPass reservations.

Otherwise, there will be nothing left.

3. Keep Booking FastPass Tickets

This is the SECRET SAUCE to your magical day & a trick so many Disney World visitors don’t seem to know about yet.

Once you use up your 3 pre-booked FastPasses you can keep rebooking your FastPass one at a time.

Until recently, you had to walk around the park & then queue up for a FastPass Kiosk to rebook.

While these kiosks are still around, you can now book fast passes directly from your smart phone!

Literally, as soon as we enter a FastPass line, one of us is on the phone booking the next FastPass ride.

If the next ride is farther away or we have time to spare in between rides, we will line up to do something with a shorter wait time in between.

So, how do you book these FastPasses & check the most up-to-date wait times?

See #4 below – download the app!

4. Download the App

It’s 100% worth taking a minute to download the Disney app on your phone before going to Disney World.

Not only can you keep track of the FastPass tickets that you pre-booked (#2 above), you can book your next FastPass tickets directly from your phone too (#3 above).

You’ll get interactive park maps, and up-t0-date wait times on all the rides & attractions.

We still love using the Disney World paper maps, but the app is the perfect way to plan your day.

5. What To Do When You Need Break

You can & should be having breaks throughout the day – it will save your sanity.

There are plenty of easy ways to work this into your schedule… go to the shows!

Orlando is hot – shows offer air conditioning.

You’ll be on your feet most of the day – shows offer comfy seats.

If you time it right, you can eat & watch the parades go by.

There are SO MANY SHOWS.

6. Rider Swap

With a toddler and an older child, there will be rides your toddler won’t be tall enough to ride.

The first few times we went to Disney World, we thought one adult would have to sit out on every ride so the other adult could take the older child.

Yes & no.

Disney World makes it easy for adults to take turns riding while someone stays to watch the younger kid.

Here’s how you do it.

When the first adult goes to ride with the older child, have them tell the ride worker that you would like a Rider Swap.

This frees up the second adult to take the younger kid on a smaller ride.

 

Disney World Tips rider swap

Once the adult & older kid return, just take the Rider Swap pass back to the entrance.

The other adult can go right in again… and the older kid can ride again!

The Rider Swap option is a fantastic option for parents.

You can learn more about Rider Swap here.

7. Take Your Own Photos

If you’re on a “no expenses spared” trip to Disney World, I totally get that.

But you don’t have to spend $199 on the Disney Photo Pass if you don’t want to.

Whenever your kids are taking pictures with characters in the park, Disney World very kindly allows you to take your own photos too.

Disney World photo pass

They will step aside give you a chance to quickly take a few of your own pictures.

It’s a great way to capture the moment without spending a fortune.

And they’re really nice about it, so you don’t feel like a cheapskate. 

8. Dining In the Park – Pros & Cons

Here are my best Disney World tips about dining inside the park so far.

Believe it or not, there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to dining in Disney World.

Some restaurants are first-come, first-serve while others require reservations and get fully booked in advance. 

We’ve eaten in Liberty Tree Tavern & Mama Melrose’s with a reservation and Harbour House without reservations. 

Disney World restaurants

This past visit we booked a table at the Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace to have the character dining experience.

There was plenty of choice in the Crystal Palace buffet, and the kids loved having Winnie The Pooh and friends visit our table during the meal.

 

 

We’ve found only two possible problems with dining in Disney World:

  1. The price – make sure you review the menu before you book, so you realize what you will be spending.
  2. The commitment – you can cancel up until 24 hours ahead of time without a penalty, but if you cancel on the day they will charge you per person.

We ended up leaving the park one day & returning a few hours later for our dinner reservations because the weather was bad & the kids were tired.

Upside: you won’t need to pay for parking again & the park at night is a totally different place!

9. Bringing Your Stroller – Pros & Cons

If you have kids under 7 years old, a stroller in Disney World is a must-have.

You have a few options here.

1. Bring your current stroller. This is ONLY an option if you have a stroller that is BOTH very compact and easy to quickly collapse! There are a few times during the day that you will have to quickly break that stroller down in order to keep moving.

2. Rent a stroller in Disney World. This is a nice option if you want to rent a double stroller or avoid the hassle of dragging a stroller on & off the tram just to get into the park. The downside of course is the price – you will have to rent for each day you are in the park.

3. Bring an umbrella stroller. These are designed to break down fast & have a low profile.

Disney World stroller

For the price of just one day stroller rental in Disney World you can buy an umbrella stroller to use for your entire visit & then bring home!

10. Bring Your Own Water & Snacks

After a long day at Disney World we returned to our hotel & another dad asked me in the elevator how our day was because he was bringing his kids the next day for their first visit.

I told him to bring lots of water & he was shocked that we could bring our own into the park!

YES, Disney World allows you to bring your own water & snacks with you.

We always bring 2 bags – one packed with water & snacks that we can leave tied to the stroller using this clip (it doesn’t lock, but the clip just adds a little security – although the park always feels VERY safe).

The second bag is small like this one & contains just a few valuables for the day – cash, phone, camera, etc.

We didn’t worry about the price of eating nice dinners in Disney World, because we bought a grand total of ZERO water bottles during the day.

We splurged on a few Mickey Mouse ice cream treats, but how can you not!

More Disney World Tips

Get more Disney World tips from Traveling Dads here:

El Chalten Patagonia: TOP 12 Sites For Tourists

My wife & I recently spent a few kid-free days hiking & trekking around incredible El Chalten Patagonia.

We read a lot about El Chalten before we visited, but getting there left us with an entirely different perspective.

Patagonia is even more amazing that I expected, and I definitely plan to visit again.

el chalten argentina

From secluded picnics in front of glaciers to watching glacier calving to trekking around Fitz Roy, El Chalten is an awe-inspiring place.

If you’re thinking of one day visiting El Chalten Patagonia, pin & save this post to keep it handy.

El Chalten Patagonia is even more amazing in person than you think it will be. We bought the guide books, but these TOP 12 El Chalten sites were more helpful for trekking & touring than the travel guides.

El Chalten Patagonia: TOP 12 Sites For Tourists

Before & after we visited El Chalten we traveled to other parts of Argentina.

This guide book for Argentina is fantastic as is this guide to Patagonia, but for El Chalten specifically we found the best tips always came from other travel bloggers.

Here are the top X resources I found useful for our recent trip to El Chalten Patagonia in Argetina:

These are the websites we found most helpful when we visited El Chalten.

I’ll do my part to update you soon with a few more posted related not only to El Chalten but to other parts of Patagonia & Argentina.

If there is something specific you want to know, just leave me a comment below.

Until my new posts are ready, here are a few more pictures from our trip.

 

el chalten trekking

Even the drive to El Chalten had fantastic views… and lots of guanaco (wild llamas).

A glacier & lake view for our picnic lunch.

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Niagara Falls Video

We were in nearby Buffalo for a wedding earlier this year & couldn’t miss a few trips over to Niagara Falls.

niagara-falls-videos

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Niagara Falls Video

It was September, which is a perfect time of year to visit Niagara Falls.

First we saw it from the USA side.

niagara falls video usa side niagara-falls-video

Then we had to get down into the falls.

And get closer still!


It’s a terrific view even as the boat leaves Niagara Falls!

A few days later we passed back by from the Niagara Falls Canada side.

This is one fantastic waterfall!

It was cool to watch the boats try to approach the falls!

5 Travel Hacks For International Travel With Baby

 

If you’re new to international travel with baby in tow, it’s easier than you probably think.

Our daughter’s first overseas trip was from our home in Paris, France to my visit my wife’s family in Dallas, Texas.

She was just 4 months old.

I know it’s annoying when people tell you how easy it is to have international travel with baby, but once your baby turns in to a toddler, you will realize it’s true.

Follow these 5 simple tips to make your international travel with baby a more comfortable experience for you, your baby & everyone else traveling around you.

New to international travel with baby? Don't worry - we've got you covered with these 5 Travel Hack tips & ideas for trips with infants on planes. http://www.jetsetdaddy.com/international-travel-with-baby

5 Travel Hacks For International Travel With Baby

Here are the best 5 hacks I have found that have made international travel with baby a piece of cake.

Leave Early

As a corporate traveler, I know exactly when I need to leave to get to the airport at just the right time.

As a dad, I’ve learned it’s important to head to the airport much earlier because if something can go wrong – it will go wrong.

More than once, we’ve had major diaper blowouts while waiting in line to go through security.

Give yourself that extra time, so your stress level stays low & your baby can feel relaxed.

Carry On Comfort

Speaking of major diaper blowouts, plan to bring at least 2 changes of clothes in your carry on & more diapers than you think you will need.

Pack them in a ziplock back that you can re-use to seal up the dirty clothes.

Forget fancy baby clothes, make your baby as comfortable as possible – even bring along pajamas.

Baby clothes are tiny, and you could really regret it if you don’t have a clean change of clothes handy.

New to international travel with baby? Don't worry - we've got you covered with these 5 Travel Hack tips & ideas for trips with infants on planes. http://www.jetsetdaddy.com/international-travel-with-baby

Prevention Is Key

International travel with baby means less time available to change & clean baby exactly when you would like to.

It’s much harder to change diapers during travel, but there’s an easy way to avoid irritating baby’s skin & mood!

To baby comfortable & clean throughout your trip, just pack Desitin Maximum Strength cream in your carry on.

Desitin helps keep a barrier between the diaper and your baby.

New to international travel with baby? Don't worry - we've got you covered with these 5 Travel Hack tips & ideas for trips with infants on planes. http://www.jetsetdaddy.com/international-travel-with-baby

This will ensure they wouldn’t get a heat rash or irritated – especially during long trips.

It’s one of those products you will keep on hand for years because older children too can get relief from this protection.

 

Pack Their Favorites

Once your baby is old enough, bring along their favorite snacks & toys.

You are allowed to bring whatever milk, water & baby food your child needs for the flight.

If you’re bringing jarred food, just pack it in an easy-to-access place in your carry on & present it with the milk you are bringing.

Snacks & toys are a great way to keep baby entertained & satisfied with full bellies.

Deep Breaths

I know this one might sound silly, but plan to feel overwhelmed at some point during the trip.

A fellow traveler might be rude or your flight may get delayed.

It’s going to happen.

Remember to enjoy the experience…

New to international travel with baby? Don't worry - we've got you covered with these 5 Travel Hack tips & ideas for trips with infants on planes. http://www.jetsetdaddy.com/international-travel-with-baby

Hey, even if it’s terrible – those make the best stories later!

Have your own tips for international travel with baby?

Leave your questions & comments below.

Highlights Of Our “Hurrication”

 

We spent this past week on a “hurrication” (the “vacation” you take while running away from a hurricane!).

Here are some highlights of our 2017 “hurrication”, thanks to Hurricane Irma.

2017 Hurrication Highlights

Living in South Florida is mostly fantastic, despite the hurricane scares.

This year was a little different.

Predictions of a direct hit from Hurricane Irma freaked us out enough to pack everything into our mini-van & make a run for it.

We stayed in a number of hotels along the way, but we kept moving as Irma’s path changed.

We made it all the way up to Alabama before we finally felt able to relax – safely out of the storm’s path.

our hurrication story

Spending days on the road meant eating out more than we would like!

Once we checked into our hurrication hotel in Alabama, we hit the local Publix in search of our favorite snacks.

My wife loves that Liberté is an organic snack & I love the adventurous flavors!

I always pickup the coconut flavor for myself, but we usually grab a few of the mango flavors too.

We settled back into our hotel to watch the storm from a video camera in front of our house.

The power stayed on almost all of the time, so we were able to see the wind & the rain.

our hurrication story

Once the worst was over, I attempted to catch up on a few work emails missed during the last few days…. which wasn’t easy to do with the kids going stir-crazy!

We needed to get outside ASAP!

our hurrication story

Luckily there was a park right next to our hurrication hotel, so we spent a few hours exploring Alabama’s great outdoors.

our hurrication story

FINALLY, after a week, it was safe to drive through Florida & go back home.

We drove to Georgia in heavy traffic & spent the night.

The plan was to sleep early & wake up early to hit the road & beat traffic.

Believe it or not, the highways were packed ALL NIGHT.

This is a picture we took at 4am!

our hurrication story

Our 6 hour drive turned into an 11.5 hour drive, but the kids were fantastic.

our hurrication story

While the hurrication itself was stressful, it was replaced by the RELIEF to be back home to a house fully intact with AC, water & electricity.

Our only “damage” was a blown-over fence.

WE WERE LUCKY & grateful to be home.

Thank you to Liberté for sponsoring this post & helping cover some of our hurrication costs.

our hurrication story