There are a lot of people who enjoy traveling, like me.  Then again there are many people who do not prefer it, or do not feel like they have enough money to travel as often as they wish that they could.  Of course traveling and tourism are things that can affect many economies in the United States.  Some cities and areas depend mostly on tourism to make money and when that tourism is not happening, it can hurt.

Luckily for those who depend on tourism to make their means, the President is trying to get people into our country.  That’s right, a few days ago President Obama was in Disney World making a speech about promoting travel and tourism.  Apparently the United States has the best product to sell.  While I agree that we have some pretty fantastic places to visit in this country, I’m not too sure how I feel about Disney World being the “best.”

Anyway, take a look at the speech yourself and see if it makes you want to travel some more or not.

Ringing in the New Year just would not be the same for me without me making a huge list of goals and resolutions.  Sadly, most of these ideas that I have for my new year to make it better and more fun typically fall to the wayside as work and life get in the way.  I am convinced, though, that this year will be different.  In fact, I made a goal that this year would be different.  So I can’t very well just go breaking that goal.  

My main goal for this year is to travel more.  Sure, I travel a good bit already, but it is usually to the same destinations over and over.  This year I want adventure.  I want to do things that I have never done before, see things that I have never seen before, and I want to eat delicious foods that I would have never considered trying before.  Now some people might think that this will be a fairly easy New Year’s resolution to keep, but I have tried it in the past.  I would always find myself going right back to my traveling comfort zone.  This year I am setting up my travels in advance so I don’t have time to back out and go to the same destinations.

I already have a room booked in a hotel in Costa Rica.  I plan on eating nothing but the local food and going zip lining.  One, I’m picky and terrified of new foods.  Two, I’m so scared of heights I don’t know what to do with myself.  But I am going to eat the cuisine and zip line across the sky, oh yes!

For my second and third trips I am still in the planning phases.  They will be equally as exciting as Costa Rica, but I just haven’t chosen.

Do you have any great places where you travel to that can get me out of my traveling comfort zone?

Changes to airline security in the wake of the September 11 attacks by Muslim extremists on various civilian targets within the United States of America have been at time comforting and also disturbing in how they have affected airline traveler’s senses of safety and personal freedom.  Security companies like adt that specialize in home security are different from the kinds that provide airline security services, so that means a lot of people who do know a thing or two about domestic safety find themselves at a loss to explain how the airline industry became so transformed.  

The following infographic traces airline security back to the way it was just before 9/11, and lets us see the ways in which security has evolved since then to thwart further foreign threats to America’s national safety.  This can help you understand what measures were implemented and when they were put into place, in a year by year fashion covering the past decade.

This time of year seems to send a lot of people into a frenzy.  Yes, the holidays are a crazy, hectic time that most of us welcome at first, but by the end of it all we just want to soak in a big bath filled with bubbles to try to relax.  One of the hardest things for me during the holidays is finding and getting gifts to give.  I sit on my couch each year and make a list of all the people I need to buy gifts for and gifts that I would like to get them that fit into my budget.  By the time this is done, it is usually a couple days before Christmas.  That means I have to venture out into the madness that is the shopping mall to get the gifts too.  Not fun at all.  Each year I promise myself that I will get started much earlier, but I have not stuck to that promise ever.  If you’re like me, then you still have some blanks in that “what to give” column, so I thought I could help you out while I am getting my list filled.  If there are any travelers on your holiday gift list this year, here are some fun gifts to consider.

For the traveling woman:

• A faux fur throw is perfect for those chilly flights, plus they give an instant luxurious feel whether you are in coach or first class.  RestorationHardware.com
• Leather travel flats are ideal for getting through security with great ease.  They slip on and off simply and come with a matching bag.  DelmanShoes.com
• Travelers like to read…often about traveling.  The book Hints to Lady Travelers is a unique look at how women’s traveling has changed over the years.

For the traveling man:

• Noise isolating headphones are great gifts for all travelers, but men especially.  Check out BestBuy.com for options.
• Men don’t seem to spend a lot of time bothering to buy pajamas.  So, buy some for the traveling man in your life.

If you are still at a loss, think about luggage, bags, and things like that.  Or you can just plan a trip for yourself and disappear during Christmas so you won’t have to give gifts from flowland.

When you decide to travel to a place you have never been before that is usually because you want to see or experience something that you have never seen or experienced before.  That’s why some places tend to be more touristy than others if they can offer the people what they want.  I know that when my family and I pick a spot to travel to, we are looking for the whole shebang.  We want all the tourist attractions, eat at great restaurants, and spend some time relaxing.

I think that is what most people look for when taking a trip somewhere, right?  So where are the most visited places in the world?  I think you might find some of them quite surprising.  The infographic below shows the most popular tourist destinations.  Some of the top one included:

1. Times Square, New York, New York with 35 million tourists each year.
2. Washington D.C. with 25 million tourists each year.
3. Disney World, Orlando, Florida with 16.6 million.
4. Trafalgar Square, U.K. with 15 million tourists a year.
5. Disneyland Park, California with 14.7 million visitors each year.

Three of the top 5 destinations are all landmarks, while the two recreational tourist sites are both theme parks operated by Disney.  What do you think of the top destinations?

People travel for many different reasons.  Some hit the road for business, and others might jet set just for fun, and then there is everything in between:  family, medical, job change, etc.  No matter why most people travel, there are five cities in the United States that seem to be travel hubs and bring in the most travelers each year.  Let’s take a look at those cities and why they are just so popular.

Las Vegas, Nevada – What happens in Vegas actually stays with you forever.  This town has got it all.  Family fun, shows, and incredible nightlife are some main attractions in Vegas, along with incredible shopping and the beautiful sunshine.  Las Vegas is not just a party town, although if you are looking to party I definitely recommend it.  You will find things to do at any age in this city.

New York, New York – “The city so nice they named it twice.  The other name is Manhatten.”  The Office character Michael Scott was completely accurate in that statement.  New York is amazing.  This city should be visited often, in my opinion.  There are amazing shows, the shopping is fabulous, and I’m going to be a bit cheesy and say there are phenomenal sites to see.  The first trip you take to New York must include some corny site seeing.  Once that’s out of the way, then eat at great restaurants and shop, shop, shop!

San Francisco, California – Even if you were not a huge Full House fan like I was growing up, you will still appreciate San Francisco.  It’s here where hippies once flocked to Haight and Ashbury Streets, many movies shot footage on Lombard Street, and people from all over the world come to see the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.  Don’t forget about Pier 39, Alcatraz, and trolley rides too.  Even if you only get the chance to go to this city for one day, do it because it is truly a can’t miss destination.

Everyone needs the occasional break from work, responsibility, and other obligations.  Why else would there be such a thing as vacation days?  When stresses pile up and there is way too much going on for you to keep up with, it is probably time for a vacation.  There are other signs too that a vacation is required.  If you experience any of the following, then it is time for you to put in for your days off and head to a relaxing beach or mountain cabin somewhere to get away from it all. Of course once you return you might have some issues to deal with it, but you will be more than ready to take it all on.

You wore two different shoes to work…for the third day in a row.  It happens to the best of us.  You are in such a rush to get ready for work and get your kids off to school that you don’t even think to look before you throw on shoes, therefore you end up rocking the two different show look.  (Not a good look, by the way) What’s worse is that it is not your first offense, so doing it more than once lands you an automatic need for a vacation.

You spend more time under your desk crying about all of the work you have to get done than actually doing it.  Holding a job means that you get to deal with stress at work on top of your stresses at home.  Isn’t that fun?  Stress builds and builds and sometimes you just crack under all of the pressure.  If this sounds like where you are, then take a break, please.  You will feel much better upon returning and likely crank out all that work in no time.

To get around in your house you have developed a series of paths to wade through the clutter.  Maybe not everyone has done this, but I have used this technique in my bedroom on several occasions.  When laundry, both clean and dirty, seem to keep piling up my approach is too strategically lay it around my bedroom until it eventually overtakes the room.  If you are at the point where something has taken over your whole house, then escape.  Quickly escape before you suffocate!