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The Best and Worst of the Fighting Couple 2011

By on December 31, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

This year was a great one for the Fighting Couple!  We traveled to some amazing places and some duds!  As we bid 2011 adieu, we wanted to offer you our best and worst of the year:

Lets start with the numbers:

Nights on the road: 65

Countries visited: 7 (Italy, France, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Canada, Austria)

Pastries eaten in Paris:  15 or so!

Most expensive water:  15 euros per bottle! (Italy)

Ugly American travel moment:  Mike-Ironing his Brooks Brother shirt with Evian water while staying at a hotel on the Versailles property.

Best Fight:  So many to choose from!  One of the best was our “Sticker” fight.  As Mike drove us across the border into Slovenia, to our surprise the toll booths were unmanned.  Mike took this as there was no need to pay tolls.  (Don’t make this assumption.)  Mike drove on throwing caution to the wind despite strongly worded objections.  This decision would end up costing us big time!  We had to pay a huge fine at the border leaving the country.  You must buy a “sticker” when entering Slovenia.  In the end, “lively” discussion followed.

Bloggers that we were able to get to know in 2011:  Traveling Cannucks (Cam and Nicole), Jouneywoman (Evelyn), Bohemian Trails (Megan), Couple of Sports (Jakie and Mark), Our Tasty Travels (Erin and Brett).

Fave Location Mike:  Easy.  Bihac, Bosnia, hands down.  Did we stay in a four star hotel? Nope.  How many thought provoking tours did we take? Nada.   Luci and the other couple traveling with us really humored me on going to this border town.   Bihac was the nucleus of the war.  The first and last shots fired were in the area.  Our adventure to Bosnia began at the border.  The border agent was a little surprised to see American passports.  It took a little convincing to explain that we were tourists coming to his country.  Bosnia, what little of what we saw of it, was lush and green.  As we drove along, we saw the bullet ridden homes along the way.   We stayed at charming little hotel called the Hotel Opal.  We ate at the little riverside restaurant in the hotel.   Food was surprising good!  What made this my fave is the blatant tourist nature of Bosnia, pristine beauty, storied history, and its rough complexity.

Fave Location Luci:  Lake Bled, Slovenia!  Lake Bled is girls’ fantasy camp. It looks like a fairy tale and the Lake’s famous dessert is worth every calorie. Lake Bled is a mountain lake nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps. Slovenia is the cheap man’s Austria. While it’s on the Euro, prices are at least a third cheaper. What else could a fairy tale want? Goregous lake. Yummy cake. Cheap. For a perfect fairy tale moment, spend the day at the lake.  In the middle of the Lake Bled, is an island topped by a church.

Lake Bled

The Church on Lake Bled Island, Slovenia

Rent a row boat for less than 10E and make your spouse row you across the lake. Once you reach the island, make him carry you up the steps to the church. If your spouse makes the 99 steps, you’ll have a happy marriage. If you don’t, well, you’ll be like 1000 Fights. Ring the bell the church bell and a wish will come true. Guys, if you don’t want row, you can get in an oversized gondola called a plenta and someone will row you along with 10-12 other lazy tourists. After visiting the church, visit one of the many lakeside restaurants and dive into famous kremšnit. The cake has a layer of whipped cream followed by vanilla custard and topped with filo dough. As someone who loves, anything creamy, the cake is heaven in every bite. To see pictures and more see:

Rab Island, Croatia

Leaving Rab, Isand.

Worst Location Mike:  This is another easy one for me.  I really dislike Rab, Croatia.  Dislike perhaps is not a strong enough word.  I just want to give them a benefit of a doubt…Being the crazy planner that I am, I had everything planned out.   The first thing you need to know about Rab is that it is a desert island.  It is not attractive.   Three months prior to our arrival, we had reserved a boat to rent for the day.  It was going to be a blast.  We were going to hit a couple secluded remote beaches.  Sounds like fun huh?  Well it took an hour to find the boat dock.  We approached the proprietor, made small talk and once we asked about our boat reservation, the “gentleman” forgot English, and there was no longer a reservation, regardless of the 3 emails I had in hand to the contrary.  The day only got worse!  We decided to drive to one of the public beaches…in route we were following three cars following a tractor.  The tractor driver waved us all around.  So I passed on a flat and straight patch.  All of the sudden: Lights and Siren!  We were pulled over and ticket for passing in no passing zone!  No sign!  Following other cars!  I really dislike Rab!

Worst Location Luci: I hate Las Vegas. The food is expensive. The shows are pricey. The museums are over rated. There are ads of naked women everywhere. The free things to see in casinos are so buried deep inside you need a map to get out. I don’t drink or gamble so what is there for me to do? Nothing. I could never go back and be happy.

Big Winners!:  This year we ran two contests.  The first was our famed Hottest Travel Blogging Divas and Hunks.  We highlighted 3 gals and 3 guys that are travel bloggers.  It was a little tongue in cheek but it gave us a chance to highlight some incredible travel bloggers.  Just in case you missed it, Keith from www.traveling-savage.com was crowned King and the lovely and talented Lillie of  http://www.aroundtheworldl.com/ was crowned queen.

The Kahle's Winner of our Mistletoe Moment

Our other contest was our Mistletoe Moments during the month of December.  We asked couples to submit their best magical moment together during the year.  We were stunned by the response!  There were so many touching stories of couples finding love at home and abroad.   The response really has inspired us.  The winning moment came to us from the Kahle’s at http://www.wanderlivin.com/.  Congrats again!

TBEX-This year we decided to attend the annual travel blogger revival called TBEX.  We are so glad we did!  TBEX this year was hosted in scenic Vancouver, BC, Canada.  For those of you that have not attended, it is a two-three day affair, with travel bloggers from across the globe.  Luci was skeptical about attending at first, but it really turned into a funfest.  Presentations were given on different travel and technical topics.  It was wonderful meeting the faces behind the Facebook pages.

Waterfalls i Croatia

Waterfalls in Croatia

We want to thank each and every one of you our readers.  Thanks for your comments, thanks for your interest in our crazy fights.  Stay tuned we have some exciting stuff planned for you in 2012!  Buckle up!

Related articles

The Best Mistletoe Moment of 2011

By on December 23, 2011 in General, Slideshowable


We have a winner!

A heartfelt thanks to each of you that submitted entries.  We were totally blown away by the number and more impressivley the quality of responses!  Incredible.  This just goes to show that love is alive and well.

Luci and I want to thank you our readers for making this an amazing year.  You have shared your travel fights, crazy adventures, and tender love stories with us.  We are so grateful for each of you! We wish you all many happy miles this coming year.

 While we don’t have a “prize” for them, our judges thought these two were incredible!   The two runners up:

Chris Walker-Bush  from Aussie on the Road

“It was seconds after the ball dropped on New Year’s and my soon to be ex girlfriend and I had fled the beach party on Robinson Crusoe in Fiji to find some privacy.  With our two year relationship set to end in 24 hours when she flew back to the States, tears stood in her eyes as we listened to the distant growl of the beach and felt the warm summer air on our skin. Underneath the gaze of coconut palms and the starry skies, I kissed away her tears and thanked her for the best two years of my life.”

 Mike Howard from Honey Trek

“It wasn’t in an amazing location, or under a starry night sky, and it wasn’t at the perfect time. It was in our kitchen, when we realized we wanted to quit our jobs and travel the world together. After an amazing evening with friends (two of whom told us of their recent journey and inspired us), we sat in our kitchen, staring each others eyes, realizing we were in fact going to make this a reality. That kiss, is the kiss that sealed our RTW fate, and we can not wait for more Mistletoe moments in every country we visit over the next 16 months.”

Without further ado….our 2011 Mistletoe Moment is:

The Kahle’s from Wanderlivin

“A wedding can mean many different things to different people. To the bride it’s the most important day of her life. That’s why when I was told my hairdresser canceled on me the day before the wedding I tried to shake it off. When half of my family couldn’t come because of Hurricane Irene I tried to shake it off. When my photographer didn’t show up – I couldn’t shake it off. Walking down the isle in distress I saw my husband and the way he looked at me as I walked down the isle. When I reached him I pulled his face down for a kiss before the minister could even start as the waves of Monterrey Bay crashed around us and bridesmaids giggled at the ministers disapproval.”

1000Fights: Isn’t that a tender story!  Congrats on your marriage!  We love it.  There will be time for fighting later! Luci says that they are going to have “cute” kids…not sure what that means. We wish the Kahle’s congrats and happy travels!

Thanks again to our “Celebrity” judges!

@travelcanucks   @sarahjstorer   @VagabondQuest   @confusedjulia

Ok…2012 is just on the horizon.  Get out there and make some Mistletoe Moments!

Our list of the 5 “Most Intriguing” Churches in Europe

By on December 19, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Like most explorers of Europe, we always end up marching into a million different cathedrals and churches.  Unfortunately for us, call us unwashed heathens, they start to all blend together.  Every once in a while you enter a house of worship that is different in some dramatic way.  Something within sparks our interest.    We decided to offer you some of our favorites.  Favorites in a sense that their beauty, uniqueness and history make them worth the visit.  Enjoy our countdown to the most intriguing church in Europe:

Salisbury Cathedral

5) Salisbury Cathedral, (Salisbury, England)  

Located about an hour and a half from London, the Salisbury Cathedral offers an interesting day trip.  Its well worth the jaunt.  The church landed on on list for a whole list of reasons.  Lets start with its sheer size.  The Cathedral has the tallest spire of all the churches in England.  The spire towers at 404 feet.  You can take a tower tour that will take you up to an amazing vista.  The entire church covers a foot print of over 80 acres!  It is massive.  The church has a number of claims to fame, it has the world’s oldest working clock circa 1386.   It houses one of the four original Magna Cartas.  Take a side trip out of Londontown and see one of the most intriguing churches in Europe.

4)  The Church of Santa Maria Assunta  (Venice, Italy)

We happened upon this church by accident.  We were lost in Venice.  (We love getting lost in Venice! Highly recommended.)  To take a break we entered the church, and found one of the most exquisite displays of stonework we have ever laid eyes on.  The pillars of the church are made of inlaid marble unlike we have ever seen.  The delicacy and precision that must have been requisite to make such a masterpiece is mind blowing.  The craftsmen that created this structure, with limited tools was masters in the highest degree.  Every inch of this house of worship is a masterpiece.  Don’t miss this one next time you get “lost” in Venice.

IL Duomo Siena, Italy

3) IL Duomo (Siena, Italy)

Nestled in the hills of Tuscany is the sleepy little town of Siena.  What once was a hilltop fortress housing the township, has now turned into a haven for smart tourists that break away from their gelato in Florence.  Getting to the town is half the adventure, rent a car, make the journey.  What is remarkable about this church is the colors inside and out.  We nicknamed it the zebra church.  Builders used alternating black and white marble.  The inside of the church is equally as dramatic as the outside.  Once you enter, you are struck with sensory overload.  On the floor is the mosaic depicting the “Slaughter of the Innocents.” Then direct your eyes above and take in the painted dome that creates an optical illusion of three dimensional heavens.  It is remarkable.  Don’t miss Bernini’s St. Jerome holding the cross like a cradled violin. I remember after we had walked out, saying to each other, that was amazing.  It was.  Go see it.

The Floor of IL Duomo, Siena, Italy

 

Español: Fresco en la Capilla Sixtina.

Image via Wikipedia

2)  Sistine Chapel (Vatican City) –

Making a list like this, how can we not include the Vatican?  What makes the Sistine Chapel intriguing is its creator, we couldn’t help asking ourselves…How did he do it?  The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of the most amazing “canvases”.  What a remarkable example of human creativity.  —Warning: we are going to vent a little:  We were really disappointed in the patrons of the chapel.  In order to preserve the delicate works of art, photo’s are prohibited.  During the entire time we were viewing the art, we heard the guards incessantly chide tourists: “NO PHOTOS!”  It truly ruins the setting.  Shame on the tourists for not buying the post card, and shame on the guards for not finding another way to stop the villains.—-Back to the review.  See the Sistine Chapel once in your life.  Walk slowly.  Imagine the painstaking efforts of the artists.  Commune with a higher power.  Then go get a massage, your neck will thank you for it.

1) Our fave church in Europe is one you likely have never heard of.  It is not a masterpiece of architectural genius.  Millions of pilgrims do not make an annual trek to touch its walls.  It is one of the oldest and best preserved shrines to Christendom.   In its storied history, it served as a defense against invading forces and later serviced as a Muslim Mosque.  Chora Church in Istanbul, Turkey is our most intriguing church in Europe.

Chora Church, Istanbul, Turkey

Chora is a powerful place.  What makes Chora so special is its mosaic pageantry.  The walls of the church once plastered over to cover it’s “blasphemous” subject according to Islamic tradition, the church has been converted to a museum and the coverings have all been painstakingly removed.  What was left behind is nothing short of breathtaking.  Depictions of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the birth of the virgin Mary, and the Journey of the Magi.

Byzantine paintings in the parecclesion of the...

Chora Church, Istanbul, Turkey

Far and away our favorite depiction is of the second coming of Christ.  It is one of the most compelling pieces of artwork we have come across.  Christ the redeemer is grasping the hands of both Adam and Eve pulling them from their earthly graves.  Satan is bound with cords and chains in the distance.  Keys litter the ground, symbolic of the keys to the grave.  What draws us in on this picture are the faces of both Adam and Eve.  They have a look of joy and wonder.  You simply must see it in person.

Turkey is an extraordinary place to visit.  It continues to be one of the Fighting Couple’s favorite.

So how did we do?   Agree?  Disagree?  Did we miss you fave church in Europe?  We would love to hear from you.  Just hit the comment button below and let us know.

Please visit our Facebook Page for more pics.  If you find a intriguing church that should make the list, let us know in the comments below.

Our Day with the Gipper.

By on December 4, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

We fight about a lot of things, why not bring politics in as well?   One of our political heroes is President Ronald Reagan.  We admire his strong character and unyielding love of country.  In our recent visit to Southern California we had our day with the Gipper.  Our tribute involved riding horseback into the Ranch in the Clouds then we boarded Air Force One !

1000 Fights on horseOur day of Reagan began at the Circle B Ranch.  Located just 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, California, the Circle Bar B is nestled in the scenic hills of central California.  Finding the ranch is simple and part of the experience.  If headed north from Santa Barbara on 101 just take the Refugo Beach exit and head east through orange and lemon groves.  The Circle Bar B is perfect for families and couples alike.  They offer a number of different ride options ranging from half day rides to hour long treks.  We chose the half day ride that took us along President Reagan’s ranch.

santa barbara, caWe boarded our mounts Silver and Traveler and headed up the hill with our guide Alex.   The ranch owns an expansive tract of land up into the mountains.  The trail crosses a number of small creeks and passes a gorgeous water fall.  Once you gain some altitude you see amazing vistas of the Pacific.  The trial weaves in and out sweet smelling Eucalyptus groves.  The ride was a treat from start to finish.

It’s easy to see why President Reagan relished his time spent at the “Western Whitehouse”.  The place is so peaceful.  The vistas recharge the soul.  The next time you are in SoCal, take in a ride!

 

Ronald Reagan Museum

Official Portrait of President Ronald Reagan.

Image via Wikipedia

In our travels we have had a chance to visit a number of presidential libraries.  We love them.  It is a great way to see items attached to history.  The tribute to Ronald Reagan is truly the finest.   Ronald Reagan Library and Museum is located on a hilltop with sweeping views of Simi valley is the final resting place of the President.  As you would expect, there is a healthy dose of hero worship throughout.

The world truly changed while President Reagan occupied the White House.   As you walk around the courtyard you see a impressive display of a section of the Berlin Wall.

Key items to see in the museum:

1)Tender note from Margaret Thatcher to Nancy Reagan after his passing.

Ronald Reagan Limo2)  As is military tradition at the passing of leaders, boots are placed backward in a saddled horse’s stirrups.  Ronald Reagan, a skilled horseman,  was treated to this honor at his passing.  His actual riding boots were used in lieu of a shinny unused pair.  The boots are on display in the collection.

3)The holiday season is a unique time to visit the library.  A collection of ornate monorahs and a hall of Christmas trees are on display.

4)For you fashion gurus out there, Nancy’s famous red dress circa the first inauguration is on display.

5)  The suit that President Reagan was wearing when he was shot is on display.  You can see where the two bullets went in.  Incredible.

Air Force OneOne of the most impressive parts of the museum is the massive indoor display of Air Force One the presidential Jet used by Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and the two Bushies .   The display is so clever.  The plane appears like it is flying through the middle of the display hall and out in to the wall of windows.  It is an amazing effect.  Museum entrance fee allows you a walk through of one of the most celebrated air craft in history.

Both experiences are not to be missed regardless of your political stripes.  The majestic beauty of the first and the history lesson of the second is not to be missed.

The nearest major airport is in Los Angeles, CA.  There are a number cheap flights to Los Angeles.

Tell us your Mistletoe Moment!

By on December 3, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Our contest is now over.  Stay tuned for the winners to be announced.  

The Fighting Couple hopes that you have a Merry Christmas and many Happy Mistletoe Moments in 2012!

 

 

We are looking for the best Mistletoe Moment from 2011!  The lovely winner will be awarded a $150 Visa gift card!  Yay!  Finally it is OK to Kiss and Tell!

 

Couple Kissing in waterSo what exactly is a Mistletoe Moment (aka MM) you ask?

Simply put, it’s a moment in time when you and your special someone get taken in by your surroundings, the sights, and smells but most of all, each other!  You could be with 10,000 tourists in St. Mark’s Square in Venice or in the middle of the Amazon where you are surrounded by 1,000 bugs!  It could be anywhere/anyone?/anytime but it MUST be magical!

To get your creative juices going, here is our MM from this year:

We were visiting Paris, (great place for MMs!) we stayed in a charming little boutique hotel. Our cozy room had an ornate little balcony overlooking a sleepy little Parisian thoroughfare. There was a great little bakery in the distance and the magical scent of a 1000 flowers created an ambiance that was truly magical. We stood hand in hand taking in the backdrop of Paris in the distance. What a moment!

 

How to enter?  Just two easy steps:

 

1) In 50ish words or less, tell us about your “Mistletoe Moment” in the comments section below.

2) Give us a “like” 1000Fights on Facebook here.  Then leave a comment,: “I had a Mistletoe Moment!” Here.

 

Please meet our panel of “Celebrity Judges“.

 

The Fine Print    (sorry, but its really not that bad.)

1) Mistletoe Moment must have taken place in 2011.

2) Entries will be accepted till midnight December 20th, 2011.

3) Final selections will be made by our awesome panel of judges. (To be announced soon!)

4) We will announce the winner on our webpage on December 22nd, 2011.

5) This contest is not valid where prohibited. (What a terrible place to be!)

6) Please keep Mistletoe Moments rated (PG-13 or PG, no G’s allowed!)

7) Prize will be delivered via Paypal, or another agreeable method.

8) The last one we promise…remember its ok to Kiss and tell!

 

Please share our little contest with your friends!!!  Just click below to share on Facebook or Twitter.  (Thank you!)

 

 

 

 

The Whispers of Mt. Kilimanjaro

By on November 30, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

 

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

 

Her name, so utterly foreign yet bitterly familiar, still invokes Dickens’ ostensible opposites. To reproduce it from my lips freshens my mind with rivaling sensations of joyful enthusiasm and painful failure. Kilimanjaro. This is the story of my fight with her.

 

We met at Machame camp in Tanzania – our first date was a steep climb through lush rainforest was complete with monkeys, vines, and the two interacting in a natural manner. Though it was challenging, I was vigorous and her beauty and charm were intriguing. As our day’s journey slowed to an end, a taste of what to was to come arrived in the form of an eerie aberration – the landscape transforming from thick and green to misty and moss-strewn. Nonetheless it still had a strange allure, and camping just below the cloud layer offered a romantic sense of vulnerability. I admired her.

 

The second day brought an initial victory – plunging through a dense layer of fog, any temptation to attempt a retreat changed from the prospect of a leisurely downhill path, to a seemingly impenetrable floor of clouds. It was easier to go on. She was ruthless and uncaring as the slope sharpened. Plant life was sparse and the air thin as we crossed through 12,000 feet. I found myself out of breath – not only in awe of her splendor, but also aghast of her cruelty. By the time we arrived at Shira camp, I wasn’t interested dinner – African hot dogs and semi-fresh vegetables, preferring instead to rest. If she had embittered me with her heartless grind throughout the day, I forgot it altogether when she rewarded me with the most brilliant sunset these eyes have ever beheld. I loved her.

Given the austerity of the scenery on the third day, I should have known she would eventually break my heart. I may as well have been on the moon. There was a cold, fierce wind. Vegetation went from scarce to non-existent, along with oxygen, and my aching muscles were letting me know. My heart in particular, having to beat at twice its normal rate to oxygenate my blood, literally felt like it would beat right out of my chest. I trudged in the shadow of the peak – she, staring down on me with contempt, yet I, at her in admiration. By the time we arrived at camp it was dark – a blessing. Had I seen what the next morning would bring, I would never have awakened.

Barranco wall engulfed the entire panorama – not saying “good morning,” but saying, “I’m insurmountable.” I believed her. Lines of porters, like ants, weaved their way to its crest; identifiable only by the white bags they carried on their heads. I set out, no longer greeting fellow climbers with a cheery “Jambo,” but with a disgusted sigh. At the top of Barranco I felt no joy, only the obligation to continue. If I allowed myself, I could feel satisfaction – even a thrill, but I couldn’t. I felt anguish. It was an endless cycle of descent before inevitable ascent. Torment. The climb to Barafu, the final camp, I made only with the motivation of cursing her through clenched teeth. I hated her.

 

With only a few hours to rest before we began the summit at midnight I had little sleep. Donning arctic winter gear and headlamps for our final encounter, I set out in conquest with a shard of hope. The altitude was taking its toll and nausea set in along with muscle cramps. I wretched. Still, I pushed along for 3 hours in the dark, each footstep barely ahead of the last, progress coming at great cost. My body was revolting. When I could push no longer, at 1700 vertical feet below the summit, I stared up at the moon and collapsed. I despised her.

And though she conquered me, stole from me all that I could offer, and left me hungry and wanting… I love her still. She respects me still. And neither of us will concede that we’ve seen the last of each other.

Guest Post by Brad from World Wanderlusting.    Brad climbed Kilimanjaro in September of 2010 with friends and co-workers on the Machame Route with Zara Tours (www.climbingkilimanjaro.com). He and his brother, Sheldon, write a travel blog: www.WorldWanderlusting.com.

1000Fights: Brad is a great friend and like minded traveler.   What a great post!  Poetry!  Please check out Brad’s blog and follow him on Twitter @worldwanderlust!

 

Lake Bled: Girl’s Fantasy Camp

By on November 12, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Okay ladies-What makes your travel fantasy? For 1000Fights, it’s a vacation without a fight! But if you can’t have a fight free trip, try the next best thing-a real life fairy tale.

1000Fights visited the former Yugoslavia-for most Americans they know very little about this region. What we heard most was “Isn’t there a war going on.” No, that was 20 years ago and the former Yugoslavia is now one of safest places to visit in Europe. If you are looking a fairy tale spot then head to Lake Bled, Slovenia.

Want to see a bunch more of our Lake Bled pictures?  Just jump over to our facebook page.

Less than an hour north of the Slovene capital of  Ljubljana, Lake Bled is a glacial lake nestled in the Julian Alps. Affordable (our room was only 89E) and pristine, Lake Bled is the poor man’s Switzerland with better views and less people. The Lake is small. You can walk around it in less than 90 minutes on a beautiful walking path that takes you right to the shore of the lake in places. On our walk, we bought an artist’s rendition of the lake for 5E. Again, cheap!

But what makes Lake Bled a girls fantasy is the surroundings. In the middle of the Lake, is an island topped by a church. Rent a row boat for less than 10E and make your spouse row you across the lake. Once you reach the island, make him carry you up the steps to the church. If your spouse makes the 99 steps, you’ll have a happy marriage. If you don’t, well, you’ll be like 1000 Fights. Ring the bell the church bell and a wish will come true. Guys, if you don’t want row, you can get in an oversized gondola called a plenta and someone will row you along with 10-12 other lazy tourists.

lake bled slovenia

If the steps, wishing bell, rowing and the Lake aren’t enough to feel like you are a world away, there’s a castle perched on the granite cliffs surrounding the lake. Hike up to Lake Bled Castle or drive and enjoy the oldest castle in Slovenia.

Lake bled slovenia

Top off your visit to Lake Bled with cake! Every princess needs a cake and at Lake Bled you can enjoy the famous kremšnit. The cake has a layer of whipped cream followed by vanilla custard and topped with filo dough. As someone who loves, anything creamy, the cake is worth every calorie. But skip the filo dough on the top.

Lake Bled and Slovenia in general is simply not to be missed.   The are many cheap flights in and out of Ljubljana or there are reasonable international flights into nearby Venice, Italy.  You might want to consider one of many holiday packages that include hotel and airfare.

10 Questions to Ask Your “All Inclusive” Resort

By on October 29, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

All inclusive.  What does that really mean?  Is EVERYTHING included?  All inclusive resorts are a great travel idea for couples that don’t want to sweat all of the details.  All inclusives range from your classic sun and sand resorts to all inclusive winter skiing holidays.  We put together a little guide to help you ask the right questions before taking you first all inclusive adventure.

1)      Getting there-Believe it or not there are some all inclusive resorts that actually include airfare to and from your home!  Wow!  While this is truly a rare offering, you really need to know this upfront.  Travel to and from your destination is often the most expensive portion of your trip.

2)      Meals-This is one of the most common offering for all inclusives.  Meals are most often spelled out as breakfast, lunch and dinner.  It is critical to get a clear understanding, if one of the three is not included, ask about the on and offsite resort food options.  If you or your sweetheart have food concerns including: allergies, limited food likes, or have other food related medical/religious concerns its always best to call ahead before booking.

3)      Meals II-Another important consideration is how good the food is. If you have pre-paid all your meals, you are “locked” into limited options.  Ask questions like: how many food venues do you have on site?  What different types of food do you offer: Chinese, French, fast food?

4)      Booze-This is an important question.  Ask if beer and wine are included only with meals, just dinner, or for a short “happy” hour after dinner.  Ask if spirits and liquors are included, and if they are not, where they can be purchased.

5)      Fine Dining-Are you noticing a common thread on a number of these questions?  Food!  Another key question to ask is about the fine dining options.  When traveling, we always love to spoil ourselves a little one night.  Ask the resort of they have any fine dining options included.  If not, ask about restaurants in the vicinity.  It just might be worth it to venture off “campus” to get some really good food.  Again, know your options.

jet ski

Image via Wikipedia

6)      Fun!-Is fun included?  Sure there is unlimited use of the jet skis…but…you must rent a helmet $$$.  Ask about massages, spa treatments, access to swimming pools and saunas.  Most include the basics and then you pay for the extras.  Find out what is included before your get your final bill.

7)      Kids-Some all inclusive resorts really specialize in traveling with children.  Some resorts even have infant and toddler programs!  For a new parent, an all inclusive is truly a relationship savior.   Keep in mind, not all inclusives are family friendly.  Many such resorts cater to adults.  Everything from evening entertainments, libations, and even the dress code might shock you.  Know before you go!

8)      Sight seeing/side trips–  While sitting on a white sand beach all week sounds great, you may want to see the locations further afield.  Are these side trips included?  Do you have to pay for the guides?  Is the transportation to and from the side trip included?

9)      Taxes/Fees-We saved this one for the end, we don’t want to rain on your parade, but this is a key factor in selecting the best resort for you.  Many resorts advertise with a sexy “base” rate that looks too good to be true.  Take the time to read the fine print.  Be aware that if you are going to an offshore resort, the fees and taxes might be a true shock.

10)   Tips/gratuity-this is certainly one area where you would not expect to be included in the all inclusive, but it never hurts to ask and understand what the standard practice for the resort is.

If your are looking for a vacation from your typical vacation, an all inclusive can be a great couple travel option for you.  Regardless if you are seeking the beach or all inclusive winter skiing holidays, ask the questions.  We just want you to enjoy your hard earned vacation by asking the right questions before you go.  Have fun!

 

Leave Las Vegas!

By on October 15, 2011 in General, Slideshowable
Lower Ribbon Falls off the North Kaibab Trail ...

Image via Wikipedia

 

From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon An increasingly popular road trip with couple travelers is the trek from Las Vegas to the Mecca of road trip destinations, the Grand Canyon. There is a reason why driving to the Grand Canyon can be compared to a religious pilgrimage. It might be the only place on Earth, due to its vastness and unadulterated glimpse into our world’s geological history, that will emotionally move every person who visits it and force them to contemplate the planet and their place in it, or at the very least let out a long, but meaningful “Whoa!” There is something poetic about starting off at the home of cirque du soleil, Caesars Palace and the Mandalay Bay on the strip, whose lights can be seen at night for miles, and heading to the Grand Canyon, whose natural wonder can be seen from space.

 

With Las Vegas in your rear view and the man-made city fading in the distance, there are many smaller natural wonders to see before reaching the Canyon. The roads to the Canyon are not entirely paved which makes taking a rental car a smart idea and the trip can be done in one day but if you want to spend time at the sights along the way, it’s ideally a multi-day trip. If you haven’t seen the Hoover Dam before then you should drive up to it and appreciate man’s ingenuity and the power it provides as it cuts across the mighty Colorado River. Lake Meade is a relaxing place to visit as the peaceful lake will feel like an oasis to break up the ride through the desert roads up north to the Grand Canyon. Lake Meade is a byproduct of the Hoover Dam built in the 1930s, but the Grand Canyon was created through millions of years of geologic erosion.

 

The Valley of Fire State Park is a good place to stop on I-15 after your first 50 miles to check out the beautiful red rock sandstone formations and petrified wood that give the Mojave Desert its unique look. There are people who come here to camp and hike and it is definitely offers great sites for photo opportunities.

 

Once you reach Grand Canyon National Park and the South Rim you’ll be hitting the vantage points as you first enter the South Rim, which is the area that gets the biggest group of tourists. Overlooks at Grand Canyon Village, Hermits Rest Road and Desert View Drive offer you spectacular views of the massive nature of the Canyon. The best way to really appreciate the Grand Canyon is to peer up from it and gaze it at while taking a walk down one of the canyon’s trails. Seeing the canyon from below the rim makes the geological marvel seem more real as if you aren’t looking out at a giant postcard anymore but a real, living environment with amazing wildlife. The Tonto Trail might provide the most dramatic views of the canyon and more solitude than other trails. The Tonto Trail probably is the best choice for the serious hiker and at the section that links it with the Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails is a great introduction to the unique beauty of the inner canyon’s unique character.

A visit to the Grand Canyon will open your eyes wide to our ever-changing planet and the immense beauty of a canyon formed over time. The next time you are planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon and need a rental car, visit www.rentacarnow.com. They offer the cheapest car rental prices around on car rentals from Enterprise, Dollar, Thrifty and more.

We won! (well… kinda)

By on October 5, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

The couple travel bloggers at 1000Fights.com were recently invited to participate in the Accor Hotels City Blogging Tour.    Travel bloggers compete for a grand prize of a round the world trip.  FUN!  In additon to collecting votes (Please VOTE for us), bloggers must write four articles on different featured destination cities.  Every other week, the posts are judged and awarded bonus votes.

Our post titled:  “A love letter to Rio” won first place!  You can read the “award” winning post here.  One down three to go.  The next city is Rome!  What should we write about?

Ok 1000-Fighters, can you imagine how many fights Luci and I would have if we had to spend weeks together going around the globe?  That would make for some great fights!  Please VOTE  for us!  You can VOTE once a day per computer.  Dont make us beg.

Are you looking for cheap flights to Rio?  Look no futher.