Language schools are present in tens or even hundreds depending on the chosen destinations. Faced with this plethoric offer, how to choose the school that best suits your needs? Several criteria must be taken into account during your prospection, starting with your own expectations before any research. Indeed, they will guide you before evaluating the schools you have chosen. Once your expectations are clear, it's time to look at the other … [Read more...]
Ian Cumming, Entrepreneur & Founder Travel Massive
I have attended select Travel Massive events in Los Angeles for several years now (Los Angeles has a healthy community of such startups) and was pleasantly surprised to meet the founder, Ian Cumming in Bangkok earlier this year. I highly respect Ian's work in creating this organization and what it now offers for those in the travel industry holding monthly meetups in more then 70 cities world wide. Their events are excellent opportunities for … [Read more...]
Travel Meetup Bangkok, In Search of Sanuk
Sitting in an apartment in some random location in Bangkok surrounded by a diversity of travelers listening to a Congolese refugee tell his riveting story and sad struggles of how he came to be in Thailand, I realized how an event such as this one can help enrich one's time on the road. The diversity of experiences in a single room from those who cumulatively spend some significant time traveling was certainly inspiring. It also felt very good to … [Read more...]
An Insiders Perspective: Night tour of Bahrain
In doing some research prior to my travel to Bahrain I stumbled upon a website advertising private tours. I emailed the owner, Hanan (she no longer offers tours) but she kindly agreed to meetup after work. This was a real insiders tour from someone who grew up in Bahrain and knows the island extremely well. Her diversity of interests, local knowledge and passion for both travel and for Bahrain were clearly evident. We immediately drove to some … [Read more...]
Travel Massive Meetup, Los Angeles
Travel Massive events are excellent venues for meeting other travelers and or those working in the travel industry. Mary Ann of JetSetExtra recently started these Los Angeles based events up again in January - a talk by someone in the travel industry is given followed by networking. These meetups are held in cities around the world - visit www.travelmassive.com for more details. The venue was the Roof on Wilshire … [Read more...]
How to Barter for Paradise
How to Barter for Paradise by Michael Wigge Michael Wigge, the man from Germany who pushes the boundaries when he travels is back at it again! This time he's bartering his way around the world with the hopes of securing a home in Hawaii. Owning a home in Hawaii has long been one of his dreams - ever since he was a child when he hung up a poster in his room with images of the Hawaiian Islands. He gives himself 200 days to complete this … [Read more...]
Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom
I first met Emily at a travel meetup in Los Angeles several years ago - I was impressed by how easily public speaking comes to her and also by the fact that she has been doing something she loves for so long (she started her website way back in 1996). She continues to be the go to person for travel tips as well as a valuable resource for family related travel questions. She is much sought after as a travel expert -regularly making appearances … [Read more...]
LACOT Meetup, Luxe Hotel, Los Angeles
I made the mistake of trying to go south towards the Sawtelle district (craving Ramen) around 5pm on a weekday. Barrington was backed up as far as I could see in the northbound direction - after turning around at some point, it took me 30 minutes to go 1/3 of a mile on surface streets and then on Sunset before pulling into the Luxe Hotel entance. Traffic is so intense in this part of town (combined with the major 405 construction project … [Read more...]
LACOT October Meetup – Los Angeles
Our latest LACOT meetup was at Hotel Wilshire conveniently located on "Miracle Mile" next to "Museum Row" and minutes from the popular Grove Shopping Center. Capitalizing on the often pleasant weather year round, Hotel Wilshire has turned their roof into the centerpiece of their hotel. Appropriately named, the "Roof on Wilshire" is located here, along with a bar, plenty of views and a small pool. The night was remarkably windy and … [Read more...]
Hanging out in Los Angeles
It is always a thrill to be able to see how fast one can get around town on the freeways in Los Angeles. I love freeway hopping especially when the traffic is light. The mission of this latest trip to town was to find my great great grandfather's grave in Forest Lawn. In that regard, I failed miserably. Ran out of time to search the hundreds of graves in the section that I had previously pinpointed. Will be back. For those who have never been … [Read more...]