Part 1 of 25 (Travel is my other hobby...)
St. Marten The Ugly, but with a good explanation: Royal Caribbean left us behind and we were stuck on the island for two days. I arrived back in the US in the middle of a cold spring, dressed in the very same outfit I had left the boat in, on that hot, sunny day in St. Martin three days prior: skimpy bikini, covered by a short tie up shirt & sheer beach skirt. Joy!
San Francisco Quite a favorite of mine. It has so many different cultures and nuances, such beauty and uniqueness. You can find everything here: lots of art, fashion, natural beauty, architecture, great food. I highly recommend the JW Marriott at Union Square. It is in the heart of it all, yet it is tranquil and has great views. The bathroom is all marble with a plasma TV you can watch from your Jacuzzi tub. If you have a retail license (very easy to get in your own hometown), you can shop at the mart for some amazing deals on jewelry. I almost bought a $ 16,000 ring for $ 4,000, but since I'm not big on jewelry, I opted to almost buy a $ 5,000 fur coat for only $ 1,600. Alas, I ended up with some hundred dollar scarf I bought for $ 20! Whatever you do, don't miss the Golden Gate Park, the Modern Art Museum and Botanical Gardens within it.
Barcelona: Gaudy is only a word in English, but in Barcelona, Gaudi is a legend, a movement, a culture,
and Barcelona is imbibed with it. From the famous La Sagrada Familia, to the many structures created by the artist, "Gaudism" is alive and well and oh, so obvious in Barcelona. The building resembling a particular body part (in the picture) is home to the city's "Water Department"; pretty adequate, don't you think? Barcelona simply vibrates with life and activity at all times. LaRambla, the famous street is a must, but there are so many amazing places to visit, you'll never run out of options, even if you spend a month there.
Venice All the travel books advised against visiting Venice in July, but we had a perfect 
day in what I consider to be one of the most enchanting cities in the World. The streets are so-o-o narrow (made only for walking). Nothing but beauty imbibed by lovely melodies played by various street artists. Every building (with the exception of churches and museums) has some kind of business downstairs, and residences on the upper levels. We stayed till after midnight and I was surprised to find out that most of the structures were inhabited by local residents. With the windows wide open to make the most of the light breeze, they were having lively chats during very late dinners. Ah... Venice!
Myrtle Beach Obviously, my most favorite, since I live here. Don't envy me; instead, join me!
For some instant gratification, join our new AR Travel Group: TravelingRainers !
Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection, Mirela Monte
Good News: We now have our very own traveling group, where you can post and read about AR members' travels. Just go to: http://activerain.com/groups/TravelingRainers , join us and tell us all about your travel mishaps or adventures.
Gene: Please join me as a group member! I'm trying to get things off the ground and I could sure use your help! A few blogs from you, and we could have a few hundred members in no time!
To include the link: When you make a comment, or insert a blog, notice the icons right above the square we're allowed to type in. Highlight the word you want to link, then click on the symbol with the chain (the 5-the one from the right), and a dialogue will pop up asking you for the http address. I usually erase that, then go back into my word page where I have saved all the links I want to introduce, (I usually just go on the website I want to make the link to and highlight the address at the top of the page, then copy & paste into my word document) highlight the one you want, click insert, and there it is. I hope this was clear enough. If not, you can call me and I'll walk you through it.
I am so looking forwar to your help on the new TravelingRainers Group!
Brian,
Thank you for your comment! Do you care to share your travels with us? I hope so! Come join our Traveling Rainers group and post there!
Wow! Please, please, please post a blog with lots of pictures of Dubai to our new travel group (please see above for link to TravelingRainers).
Dubai I have not been to, but I've read so much about it and I am fascinated by it. Please, Marti, do share!
Dubai... I am so excited to hear about it!
Cool! I know there is a story behind why you were left behind on ST Martin, can't wait to hear it! I'm happy to join the group and share my travel adventures.
Stay tuned! It's coming... That story along with the story of our adventure or mis-adventure when we disembarked the "not so fun" Carnival cruise-ship in Belize.
Thanks for joining, Michelle! I look forward to your Paris story!
Please join me!
TravelingRainers
Gene Wunderlich just posted a great blog there.