Tag Archives | couple blog

Best places to Kiss in Venice

By The Fighting Couple on September 29, 2013 in General

Thy sun-illumined spires, thy crown and crest!
White phantom city, whose untrodden streets
Are rivers, and whose pavements are the shifting
Shadows of palaces and strips of sky;

–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Venice”

For traveling couples, visiting Venice, Italy is a dream come true. There are few places that rival the magic that Venice works on lovers. You have your tickets purchased. Now what? How can you make your visit to the City of Bridges match your romantic expectations? The Fighting Couple is ready and here to help. The following our some of our best couple travel ideas for your Venice adventure.

Gondola Driver in Venice

Venice Gondola ride—

Ok…lets get the easy one out of the way. As you likely know, the Fighting Couple hates spending money on really touristy type things. Couple travel is expensive! Taking a gondola ride in Venice is just that. With that said…shell out the Euros and take your sweetie on a ride. (The official cost for a 40-minute gondola ride is €80 and €100 after 7pm). It’s just money. Isn’t your lover worth it? You don’t need a reservation. Just show up, agree on price and time you want, and bon voyage!

La Fenice Opera House, Venice, Italy

La Fenice during Intermission—

Located in the heart of Venice is the wonderful Fenice Opera House. The Fenice or Phoenix is appropriately named, it has been built and burnt down twice. Today’s version is a result of a 90 million euro renovation. It is stunning. Enjoy the first two acts of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Take your lover by the hand, look into each other’s eyes and capture a kiss. (Don’t wait till the opera ends….it doesn’t end well. Sorry to ruin it.) Tickets and info: www.teatrolafenice.it/site/index.php

Slow Dance on St. Mark’s Square at sunset—

This one is our fave! The square is lined by restaurants that waft their culinary delights into the salty air. The lights dim. The notes of a lonely accordion linger in the distance. The perfect recipe for love!

If you need some advice on how to kiss…please read our instructions: How to Kiss Correctly.

Find a lonely alley in the Dorsoduro district-—

Next to the Grand Canal is a wonderful section of Venice, the Dorsoduro district. There are a number of meandering alleys with wonderful shops and coffee stands. Spend a warm afternoon going from shop to shop. Take your camera as there are some wonderful mansions and Palazzos to take in. This area of Venice is often called the “real” Venice. It is home to the Galleria Dell’ Academia and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Both of these sites are must sees for anyone venturing to Venice.

Stroll across the Rialto Bridge—

Find your own Casanova and then follow the original Casanova’s footsteps across the Rialto Bridge. The Bridge is one of the most recognizable icons of the water city. Climb to the apex and watch the boats below. It can be a bit crowded at times, it is best to get your pictures early.

St. Mark’s Bell tower

St Mark’s Campanile Bell Tower—

One of the best ways to take in the grand city is atop the bell tower of St. Marks. Perched 99 metres above the square, you can look over the red roofs of the entire city. Pull you lover close as the cool ocean breezes tussle your hair. The views offered from the top are truly breathtaking. Taking the stairs will help you burn off some of that wonderful Italian gelato. For more info on St. Marks.

A yummy creation at Harry’s. Venice, Italy

Harry’s Dolci—

Are you looking for a romantic restaurant away from the hustle and bustle? We have the perfect place for you and you sweet heart. Take the water bus across the bay to the Hilton. Turn left after walking off the boat and head to Harry’s Dolci. This is a Fighting Couple’s fave haunt. The last time we were in Venice we went there twice for dinner! What to order you ask? If it’s on the menu, it is going to be good. Don’t miss their bruschetta. YUM! Of course eating is the second best thing you can do with your lips at Harry’s. It’s Amore!

Ok, now go and book your tickets to Venice. Pack your Brics Luggage, don’t forget to include a warm sweater. Then follow our simple recipe for making the perfect romantic visit to Venice! Send us your pictures!

Did we miss your favorite place in Venice? Sorry. Shoot us a quick comment below. Enjoy Venice!

7 Couple Travel Profiles: Which One Are You?

By The Fighting Couple on September 10, 2013 in General

I hate to be the bearer of bad news…

But stereotypes do exist, especially in travelers.

After spending nine months in South East Asia and a year in Central and South America, I can’t tell you how many times my husband and I were approached with this scenario:

Stranger: So are you guys [Australian/Canadian/British]?
Us: No. We’re from the United States.
Stranger: Oh, cause most the Americans I meet are [overweight, rude, or only travel on the tourist trail].

Ouch, right?

But the good news is…

During my time abroad I met and saw countless couples (some cool and some not) who all seemed to fit a profile.

Now, this is just my opinion and I understand not everyone fits into a mold. So, I’m happy for you to let me know if I hit the mark or totally missed in the comments below.

But first, let’s take a look at these seven traveling couple profiles…

Budget Backpacker Couple

These couples know how to stretch their pennies (not just dollars) as far as their money will take them. They chose inexpensive travel destinations (such as South East Asia and Central America) and scavenge for the cheapest accommodations: hostels, guest houses, camping, or couches (e.g. couchsurfing.org). Heck, even the really smart budget backpackers book overnight flights and buses so they don’t have to pay for accommodations at all! Budget couples aren’t afraid to haggle or eat street food daily.

Adventurous (Get Me Off This Tourist-Trail) Couple

These couples avoid overly tourist destinations and activities (such as big European cities, resort beach towns, or bus tours) at all costs and wouldn’t be caught dead on a cruise. They’re in search of the new, undiscovered destination that only the “cool” people know about (The Beach, anyone?). Adventurous couples love the great outdoors and solitude.

Are you an adventurous couple?

Honeymoon Couple

Whether they’re on a honeymoon, still in the honeymoon phase, or just met a few hours ago at the bar, honeymoon couples have no problem showing public displays of affection like holding hands or stealing a kiss. While it can be cute and acceptable in some areas such as the Americas, in Asia and Africa body contact is offensive.

Are you a lovey honeymoon couple?

Long-term (We’ve Seen It All) Couple

There’s no shortage of seasoned couple travelers. They have a level of maturity, experience and confidence in who they are (individually and as a couple) and where they’re going. Why? Because they’ve been around the block and have learned some hard lessons along the way. These couples always dress appropriately for the country and situation, are fluent with the necessary words to get by, and never seem to get lost.

Elderly (but Still Kicking) Couple

Perhaps one of my favorite traveling couples is the elderly who love to strike up a conversation with anyone willing to chat and always have smiles on their faces, even when the going gets rough. Life’s too short after all. These couples are in no rush and appreciate the smaller things such as a beautiful sunset, manicured garden or warm handshake. While normally fugal, they splurge on the good stuff and often ties buy a younger traveler a meal or beer.

Are you a baby boomer traveling couple?

Green (Keep the Peace) Couple

These couples are on a mission to educate the world on recycling water bottles (a big problem with traveling), minimize waste, and volunteer to give back to local communities. Whether they’re on a church mission, working for a Non-Government Organization (NGO) or volunteering at an elephant zoo in Thailand, they want to make a different and minimize their global footprint while encouraging others to do the same along the way.

Are you a “green” couple traveler?

Luxury Couple

We see celebrities on their yachts in Nice, beach lounging in Rio, and smoking cigars in Cuba (Jay-Z and Beyonce, anyone?), but there’s also less famous jet-setting couples that don’t make the magazines but still know how to travel in luxury. They have money to burn and know how to party, but probably couldn’t survive one day on the streets of India or use a public WC in Europe. These couples travel in comfort being shuttled around in first-class cabins and limos.

So, how does this list of couples compare to the real travelers you’ve met on the road? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks!

About the author: Darcie Connell is the founder of Trekity – a daily newsletter and website inspiring women to travel. She most closely relates to the Budget Backpacker, Adventurous, and Long-term traveler… but is well on her way to the elderly. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

A Grecco Aussie Adventure?

By The Fighting Couple on August 30, 2013 in General

In our never ending quest to introduce you to traveling couples that make the whole: relationship + work+ travel thing work, we want to introduce you to Bell and Alex of Wanderlust marriage.com. Have you ever just wanted to pick the brain of a traveling couple, find out how they make it work? Hear some great couple travel fights? Now is your chance!

Here is how to follow them:

Blog: WanderlustMarriage.com

Twitter: @WndlustMarriage

Facebook: Wanderlust Marriage

Alex and Bell of Wanderlust Marriage

1000Fights: Ok, start off by tell us how you two met?

We met over a decade ago (ouch!) in a dingy hostel in Brugges, we were bunk mates in a mixed dorm. Alex’s favorite line… “we were thrown into the same bed, it was meant to be!”

1000Fights: Wow! Ok….enough info…..

1) How many countries visited between the two of you?

We have been to 43 Countries! This travel thing is addictive isn’t it?

2) If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner, who would it be? (this person can be living, historical or mythical?.)

He Said: The Pope. I would love to ride in the Pope Mobile and get a keen insight into the Vatican’s wonderful fashion sense ;)

She Said: My dad, he passed away 20 years ago, but before that he loved to travel, camp, and take us kids with him into the Australian outback.

3)What has been your favorite destination in your wanderings?

He said: Probably Thailand. Such great food, scenery, shopping and great value. Thailand holds a special place in our hearts because Bell and I met up there again after not seeing each other for 2 and 1/2 years. We got engaged 8 days later on the island of Ko Phangang, a day after the full moon party!

She said: Such a difficult question, probably Vietnam, such a beautiful country and just crazy, crossing the road there is truly a “leap of faith!”

4) Looks like you guys have spent some time in Greece. Many couple travelers have Greece on top of their list. Tell us about your suggestions for couples.

He said: Over the years I’ve spent more time in Greece than Bell because my Dad is originally from there (born in Pyrgos, near Olympia) and through him I also have Greek citizenship, along with American. Greece can be one of the most hospitable countries in the world. It is a great trip for couples! If you’re courteous when you’re out in restaurants and bars, you’ll surely get a few free coffees and spirits in your travels from staff or fellow patrons :) Particularly for couples: In Athens- find a nice roof top bar with a view of the acropolis lit up at night and enjoy some nice food, wine and traditional Greek music. I’ve seen a lot of Greece and there are loads of romantic spots on the islands and main land. Santorini is really quiet during the off-season but it’s so beautiful that couples can rent a car and feel they practically have the island to themselves, which is really special if you don’t care about swimming and lounging in the unique black sand beaches.

She said: It is really romantic to visit Syros in the off-season and rent a little apartment. We only had a few nights there, but I could have spent a week there relaxing and enjoying great food, wine and hanging with just Alex. Syros is a great island because along with being gorgeous, it’s the capital of the Cyclades, so a lot of Greeks continue living there year round and there is FAR more happening in the off-season than Mykonos.

Alex and Bell the creative couple behind Wandlust Marriage.com

5) You guys have some great posts about how to live and travel abroad. What are the keys to surviving as a couple abroad?

He said: We’ve been living in Europe 5 and 1/2 years now and I kinda feel like the 5 year point is where the term “expat” really sunk in for me. I currently find myself in a strange place ideologically…Couples should make sure to keep the adventure alive. Try and have a nice short trip booked semi regularly because when westerners move countries it’s often for adventure. If that dies the whole ship can sink.

She said: It’s a miracle we’ve not killed each other on a couple of occasions! It’s tough, we love our families and friends, so we both get some sort of “homesick” and can feel a little isolated at times and take that out on each other… The key, not sure, but trying to find some good friends in your new home helps a lot, and have a balance of people who are locals and expats. Expats are easy to get in with, but they are more likely to move and perhaps be unhappy about the country you’re in… try not to get caught up with that group, it’s too easy to blame small annoyances on *insert country* when the reality is there are similar problems everywhere.

6) If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

He said: At the risk of sounding like a ditzy beauty pageant contestant world hunger. There’s too much discrepancy of wealth in this world. The first world lives off the backs of the 3rd world. Programs like the World Bank and IMF are meant to help bring people out of poverty but first and foremost they cater to Western interests, so often programs to 3rd world countries that provide loans have stipulations for poorer governments to actually cut programs for their people in order to re-pay the loans. It’s a tricky problem but it’s one that wealthy countries can do a better job at if they want.

She said: Education for everyone, if people are educated it helps to empower them, and while it isn’t a quick fix solution to world problems, I believe we have to stop thinking about issues with a short-term, quick fix mentality.

7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?

She said: We look sweet, but we can argue! Especially if Alex is tired and I am hungry, this is a recipe for disaster! We actually had to discuss which fight to talk about, but I decided upon a recent one on our last trip to Australia, my home country. We’d flown direct from a few days in Dubai with friends. Between the 2 of us I think we’d clocked about 3 hours sleep. Alex was drunk and I was tired, hungry and my usual emotional self when going back to Aus. It started when I woke Alex for breakfast (he’d asked me to). He was still drunk and now really tired and it started small, but by the time we arrived at immigration we were being horrid to each other, names were involved and this is all while standing in line for immigration. I’d actually filled in Alex’s slip because he wasn’t really able to and had accidentally left “job” blank, so when we arrived at the immigration desk after a scene in the line, the lady processing us was less than kind… we totally deserved it though and at least we did not get pulled aside! Advice -> take sleeping pills on long haul flights!!

1000Fights: Great Story!

He said: The Aussie one was good! Another one was early in our marriage when Bell first moved to the US 8 years ago. We went to Las Vegas and we realized we could score truly free drinks by sitting at the hotel casino bars and putting a $10 note in the video machines on the bar. We would slowly play 25 cent hands and since we had 10 bucks in, we would get free drinks easily because the bartender is right there! But Bell hates gambling and when she went down only $5 after an hour she was complaining about it. I didn’t get it because that was paying for the drinks so she wasn’t even down. And it was only $5 anyways! We kept drinking and the annoyance built up on both ends. We eventually got into a huge shouting match on Las Vegas Bouvelard at 3am. Luckily there weren’t many people around because it was not very nice!

1000Fights: Something tells me it wasn’t the first couple fight on the boulevard at 3am in Vegas?

We want to thank Alex and Bell for sharing a little about their traveling style and a couple of great fights! Give their blog a look!

Are you a traveling couple? Wanna be featured? Share your best travel fights? Send us an note.

Feeding the Addiction with the Travel Addicts

By The Fighting Couple on June 1, 2013 in General

Traveling is an addiction! So says our latest featured traveling couple Laura and Lance of http://www.traveladdicts.net. We totally agree! This week’s installment of 7 questions with a traveling couple, are two wanderers that have found a way to make couple travel work for them. What impresses us most about Lance and Laura’s story is that like us, they started wandering a couple locally. You don’t need to start with some huge international adventure. Get in a car and go explore together. Ok…without further ado… lets get to know these two:

Blog: Travel Addicts

https://twitter.com/TravelerAddicts

https://www.facebook.com/TravelerAddicts

http://pinterest.com/traveleraddicts/

First off, tell us a little about the two of you. How did you meet? How long have you been blogging?

Lance and Laura of Travel Addicts.net

In 1999, Laura moved from Texas to New York for college, and Lance moved there from Colorado just after graduating from college. We met on an October night at a concert in the city and went for ice cream after the show, and that was that. We were broke, so for several years, all our travel was in the United States—Washington, D.C., Boston, Dallas, Denver, Maine, and San Francisco. For our wedding, all our guests would have to travel, so we decided to have a destination wedding in the Bahamas. Since then (2006) we’ve been in full travel mode while working to support our travel habit. We’ve been writing Travel Addicts since 2008.

1) How many countries visited between the two of you?We’ve been to 43 between the two of us, and 33 of those were together on 5 continents (just Australia and Antarctica to go). We also still travel around the U.S. as much as possible, especially for work. Highlights for us have been Italy (our first overseas trip together), Egypt (it was a trip of a lifetime right after the revolution and we could see the country going through tremendous change) and Peru (Machu Picchu left us speechless).

2) If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner, who would it be? (this person can be living, historical or mythical?.)

She Said: My sister. We have a ridiculous amount of fun together. Plus, she’s six years younger and hasn’t had as many opportunities to travel (yet), so it’s really cool to see her experience certain things for the first time. There’s nothing like travel to blow your world right open, and watching that happen for someone else is amazing. Our Egypt trip was a family trip, and for months leading up to it she was trying to prepare herself for the experience. She just kept saying, “You don’t understand—I’m going to Africa.”

He Said: Laura’s sister. (But, Anthony Bourdain would be a close second – he’s done amazing things and I appreciate his snarky wit and attitude.)

3) What has been your favorite destination in your wanderings?

He said: In our experience, there are things we absolutely love about every place we’ve ever been. But, if I had to pick only one place, I’d say Italy. It is a place I could keep going back to over and over and over again. It has a rich history, an amazing culinary tradition and some of the best wine on the planet.

She said: Italy is hands down my favorite, but Egypt probably had the biggest impact on me.

4) Lance, sounds like you parents took you to all 50 states before you graduated high school! Holy cow! Is that your inspiration to travel now? Why is it important that parents travel with their children?

He said: My parents strongly believed in guiding my education with real-world experiences. For example, when I studied the Civil War, they took me nearly 3,000 miles (by car) to see the battlefields and learn about the war in person. While I was not home schooled, my most important educational learnings were on those trips. My mother made sure I made it to every state by the time I graduated high school (it happened by 8th grade). Since then, I’ve visited every one of the lower 48 at least twice. Travel is a way for parents to connect with their kids on a whole different level and teach them things that no school could ever provide. Using travel as educational enrichment is something I’m really passionate about.

5) We understand that you guys visited Turkey. It is one of our fave destinations. Tell us, what was your honest impressions?

He said: I hadn’t really known what to expect with Turkey. It was not our first Islamic country (we’d been UAE, Oman, Morocco and Egypt previously), but it was our most memorable for the beautiful mosques. The natural beauty of Cappadocia was the highlight of the trip. Taking a hot air balloon ride over the region is one of the greatest bucket list achievements. But, on the downside, I nicknamed Turkey as The Land of Bland – the food was good and flavorful, but I like a lot of spice and I found it lacking.

She said: I didn’t really know what to expect either. It’s not like when you say, “I’m going to Paris,” and immediately have visions of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees and WINE. But I loved it—the remarkable history of the land and the buildings (particularly in Istanbul), the beautiful tile work, the drama of the antique pool at Pamukkale, the stunning landscape of Cappadocia. There’s so much we didn’t get to see, so I really hope we have the chance to go back.

6) If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?
He said: Cow farts. Seriously, they’re awful. In addition to nearly incapacitating anyone within a 50 foot radius, they are also comprised of methane, which significantly contributes to our global warming problem. If I could do anything, I’d tackle the cow fart problem.

She said: I really don’t think I can follow that…

1000Fights: Um…..yuck.

7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?
She said: When we were driving around Iceland, it seemed like we stopped every 10 minutes to look at a waterfall. Don’t get me wrong, they’re beautiful and impressive, but after number 20, I had had enough, at least for a little while. Lance decided he wanted to stop at “one more” (Hengifoss) which happened to involve a hike of several kilometers. It was no more than 40 degrees (in August), it was pouring rain, and the wind was whipping. I realized I was spending my vacation time being miserable, hiking up to something I didn’t want to see anyway when I could be in our warm car. Lance wasn’t too pleased when I decided to turn around.

He said: Laura is a saint. Our biggest travel disagreements always seem to occur when I’m driving in a foreign country. There can be times when it is very stressful – you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t speak the language, can’t read the street signs. The biggest disagreement was in France – we were driving from Dinan to Paris, and stopping in Chartres. I was pulling out of the parking garage and stalled it on a really steep incline, cars were honking at me, and we didn’t know where we were going. Our patience was short and we started to get on each other’s nerves. But we got through it – and every trip since with a smile on our face.

A huge thanks to our friends Laura and Lance! Give their blog a look-see: http://www.traveladdicts.net/

Rafting the Macocha Abyss

By The Fighting Couple on April 14, 2013 in General

What do you get when you combine cave exploring and white water rafting?

Located in the rural countryside of the Czech Republic is the region called the Moravian Karst. The word karst is Slavic for caves or holes. Our destination was indeed a cave, but not just any cave. We were seeking out an adventure at the Macocha Abyss.

The Fighting Couple is always on the lookout for those off the beaten path destinations that offer something truly unique. Sometimes this takes us to a restaurant that is 600 years old, an ancient Roman library, or a back street bakery that makes the best eclairs We aren’t what you might call adrenaline junkies, but when our research led us to our latest find, we knew we had to check it out.

The Macocha Abyss plunges 450 feet from the thick forest that surrounds it. The Abyss lives up to its daunting name. The view from the platform above down into this monster abyss is breathtaking.

Getting to the Macocha Abyss

Getting to the Abyss is half the fun. Is is located in rural Czech Republic, an hour or so north east outside of Brno. Just take route 373 north out of town and head toward the little town of Jedovnice. Turn left once you get to Jedovnice and follow the signs up the hill. The hike down the hill to the actual cave is part of the adventure!

As you arrive in the parking lot of the caves, you have three options for getting down to the entry of the cave. There is a aerial tram that can take you down the slope. The tram only works in the high season during the summer. The other option is a small train shuttle that runs year round. The last and best option is to take the short hike down the slope. There are steps and railing that makes the decent moderately easy. Bring cash(Czech Crowns) because credit cards are not accepted at the cave ticket office at the bottom of the hill. Take our word for it, it can be a hike back out to hit the ATM.

Enter the Darkness

Once you have your ticket, the tour of the caves is led by a guide speaking your chosen language. You queue up behind a heavy green door. The guide pulls it open and you enter single file into a cavernous tunnel carved into the stone. It is difficult to describe just how dark the caves really are. At one of the first stops, the guide cuts the lights and you are completely enveloped by darkness. Fear not, they do turn them back on! Besides this one stop, the rest of the tour is surprisingly well lit.

The path that you follow is single file and every 20 meters or so the guide stops and uses a torch to point out the different geologic highlights of the cave system. On the tour you see stalactites, stalagmites, ponds, rivers and other limestone formations. The guide also points out the significant explorations that have taken place in the caves during the past 125 years since the caves were first discovered. One other interesting tidbit on the tour, they point out markers for the water level in the cave during years that the cave flooded.

Each of the major formations in the cave have names attached including: angel hair, white roots, the kissing couple, elephant and many more. There were a number of references to Czech history that we really didn’t get…but you get the picture. Roughly half way through the walking tour, the cave comes to the Abyss section where you can look up and out of the cave. A river runs into the cave at this point and makes for some amazing pictures. A major challenge is taking good pictures of the caves.

Once we were roughly 75% through the adventure we came to the boats. This was so cool! It really made the tour for us. The group was dived into two, each being assigned a boat with a master boat driver. Gliding through the caves almost felt like a Disney ride! Only this was for real. Each turn in the cave brought a new view of a formation or water fall. As we came around the last bend and saw daylight, we were a little disappointed as we wished it wouldn’t end!

We must offer this word of warning. Do mind your head during the boat ride section. There are a number of low ceilings and passageways that are not very forgiving on your head. Our guide didn’t ride in the boat with us, so I tend to think the boat driver didn’t speak English. We would have expected the guide to warn us. Anyway, we are warning you, mind you noggin!

Visiting the Abyss is a great year round adventure. As the temperature is constant underground. We happened to visit during a particularly cold spring, and we shed our coats a few steps into the caves. It felt great. During a hot summer, the cave overs a nice respite from the heat as well.

Definitely take in the Abyss the next time you pass through the Czech Republic. It is truly a grand adventure.

We are giving away a lovingly handmade, leather bound, Italian paper Journal

By The Fighting Couple on April 13, 2013 in General

That has to be the longest blog post title ever! But we want to put it all out there and let everyone know just how amazing this giveaway really is! For all of you traveling couples out there, this is a MUST have.

It is no secret that both Luci and I are journalists. Not in the pencil behind the ear, newspaper sense, but in the personal “diary” sense of the word. Both of us have kept journals for years. This blog is kind of an outgrowth of our journals. We have found it a great way to track the ups and downs of life and bring back great material to FIGHT with!

For all of you fighting couples out there, we have partnered with our fave journal crafter Jenni Bick to give away one of the most beautiful books you will ever own. Up for grabs is your very own Santa Fe Leather Journal!

Yours wont have Mike and Luci embossed on it….sorry.

Entering this giveaway is super simple. Just three easy steps:

1) Give The Fighting Couple a like on Facebook (here) or on twitter (here)

2) Give Jenni Bick a Like on Facebook (here)

3) Leave us a comment in the comment section below and say: Send me a Bick!

Easy huh?

So what’s the big deal with Jenni Bick? Why do we use their journals? Because they are beautiful and tough. Kind of like us (hah!). We had a chance to catch up with Sean from Jenni Bick and asked a few questions about journaling, life, and Jenni Bick.

So how did Jenni Bick get started?

Jenni and her husband Robby spent years working in various bookstores around the country, which gave them a fond appreciation not just of literature, but of glue-bound books composed of parchment and ink (which probably means a lot more in this digitized age of Nooks and Kindles). After they moved to Martha’s Vineyard, Jenni began to craft handmade books in her garage, showcasing them at the local artisan’s fair. The business grew along with the interest people had in her wares. Now, we not only sell Jenni’s handmade items, but a large collection of notebooks, journals, and photo albums from several different quality companies.

How long does it take to hand bind each journal/book?

It depends. It’s a very patient process. Some items require sewing, some items require glue. A set of Santa Fe journals, for instance, can take several hours. For most of the other one-of-a-kind items, it can take several hours just to make one alone.

We are seeing resurgence in journaling. In this digital age, what value do you see in writing things down by hand?

SO MUCH VALUE! Sorry, but this has always been a pet issue of mine. First, there is strong and unwavering evidence that handwriting boosts brain power, learning function, and cognitive ability. I won’t get into the scientific details, but I will provide links [wink]:

Handwriting Trains the Brain

Research: Handwriting spurs brain activity typing doesn’t

Why handwriting makes you smarter

More importantly, many writers (myself included) consider writing a form of meditation. Staring at a blank screen does not foster the same creative impulses as writing things down on paper. In the past, I have found that the best cure for writer’s block is to put pen to paper and to start writing. Stream-of-consciousness: It can be total gibberish, or just different words that have no seeming connection. Before you know it, as you’re writing, a thought will form and that thought will take on a life of its own. All of a sudden, you will have a few pages and several ideas that weren’t there before, and that, before you started writing, you were struggling to even find.

Mike trying to capture in words the sights of Krakow

“The journal is completely handcrafted, with lovingly hand-torn papers in a coordinated array of artist papers. …hundreds of hand-torn pages of assorted artist papers and reclaimed offcuts. Sturdy stitching along the spine holds the papers in place. Papers include Nepalese lokta, Indian handmade, metallic papers, Italian Amalfi paper, thin tissues, heavy cardstock, watercolor paper, patterned and speckled papers, and more.”

Do you have any interesting stories of your clients using their journals/sketch books?

A notable and very famous Hollywood director who is a repeat customer of ours recently bought an item we sell called the Colossal Handmade Leather Journal (http://www.jennibick.com/colossal-journal.html). It’s handmade in Italy and we sell one once in a blue moon. In an email correspondence, he said that he plans to have his guests (particularly famous artists, celebrities, and musicians) write/draw various things — even giving lipstick prints — then sign and date them. He said that over time, he planned to have every page filled with something special — some lasting impression of all those celebrities collected in one tome. Pretty amazing.

Mike capturing a few thoughts in Budapest

What advice could you offer to someone who has never journal-ed before? What should I write about?

Write about everything. Keep a dream journal in the morning. It doesn’t even have to leave your bedside. When you travel, take a minute to record everything that each of your senses experience. If I’m in a foreign place, I try to write about what I’m hearing, what I’m smelling… Is the sand fine or coarse? What’s different about the sounds of where you are? Does the coffee taste especially weird? (see: Athens). Those are the things you can’t capture in a photograph.

In everyday life, though, keeping a journal is just the best way of learning about yourself. Keep a tiny notebook in your pocket. If a guy at work tells an especially funny joke, write it down. You’ll be glad you did later.

How do we care for our Jenni Bick Handmade Journal? Heaven forbid…but what if we spill on the leather?

The best part of the journals is that they are durable. They are meant to go places, stretched a bit or crammed in a bag. There are worse things than spilling water on leather. We use several different kinds of leather, and most of them can withstand a certain amount of water. If you spill on it, just dry it out for a little while. It won’t necessarily look exactly the same, but at least it will have character. It’s the paper — and more specifically — what is written on the paper that you should be worried about ruining.

The fine print (sorry, gotta do it):

1) To enter, you must be a resident of USA or Canada. That’s the only places we really want to ship to.

2) Void where prohibited. (that doesn’t sound like a very fun place to be….sorry.)

3) Just so you know, Jenni Bick was kind enough to provide a journal for us to review, and one for us to give away to one of our fabulous readers. Does this affect our love of our journal? Nope. Not one bit.

4) Contest rules are subject to change. (They probably won’t.)

5) Contest ends on April 30th, 2013 at midnight MST. (All good things must come to an end.)

5.5) 18 years old and above only to win. (This is the most fun adults get to have…no kids allowed.)

6) We will then pick a winner via random.org. (There are no rules against crossing your fingers.)

How to Kiss Correctly

By The Fighting Couple on March 8, 2013 in General

The Fighting Couple’s instructions for perform the perfect kiss!

Now that we have your attention, we want to offer you a cultural primer to correct kissing. Each county that we have traveled to has its own social kissing customs. We hope that you have the whole romantic kissing down. We want to offer some of the other social setting in which kissing is appropriate.

French Kiss:

How could we not start with the French? While they likely didn’t invent the kiss, they came up with an interesting version. Parisian social kissing is reserved for family, friends and known acquaintances. The double cheek kiss is very common in French culture. Both persons lean slightly forward and lightly touch cheek to cheek or lip to cheek. Male-female and female-female cheek kissing is very common. Male to male is less common. A failure to offer a kiss-kiss is often a sign that two people do not get along. The kiss is initiated on the left, what else would we expect? Public displays of affections are a national pastime.

German Kuss:

German’s are much more reserved in their expressions of affection. The double kiss is common amongst family and the closest of friends. A warm handshake is appropriate for friends and acquaintances. Hugs or embraces are also frowned upon in a business social setting.

Italian Bacio:

The Italians follow the French model. The double kiss-kiss is appropriate for friends and family. Male-male kisses are also more common. The Italians have turned the kiss-kiss into an art form. Public displays of affection between couples is also very prevalent.

Aussies Smooch:

The Aussies are a melting pot of Europe with a heady dose of Limeyness. The single cheek kiss male to female is fairly commonplace between close friends and family. Before you book your flight down under, brush up on your kissing!

Spain/Portugal Beso:

Spaniards in particular actively practice the kiss-kiss approach with friends and family. They do make one deviation from the two kissing countries identified above, they start on the right and move left.

Middle East Peck:

Cheek kissing in the Middle East is very commonplace. It is typically reserved for expressions between friends and relatives. Cheek kissing male-male is very common. However, cheek kissing between a male and female is usually considered inappropriate, unless within the same family. “Involved” public displays of affection are forbidden and in some locals illegal.

UK Snogging:

The Brits are firmly planted in the nod and shake camp. A nod in the general direction of a friend or an associate indicates a kind acknowledgement. A firm handshake and a back slap are also very typical. For the females, a typical embrace is the elbow grab. Both parties extend arms and place hands lightly on each other’s elbows.

USA: North–

The US has a different set of rules depending on where you are. For the north eastern part of the US, see UK above.

USA: South

The refined south is likely the most liberal in allowed affection between friends and associates. The kiss-kiss is still practiced in much of the south on a female-female and male-female basis.

USA: West

Westerners are a combination of north and south. Much like the northerners, a handshake works fine in most settings. Westerners do like to hug close friends and family, especially the male-female variety. It is not uncommon for two close male friends to hug with a back slap.

Some Hints for Kissing:

Regardless of where you are off to, it is best to “follow the leader” in your selection of affection. Watch your guide and or those around you for the level of affection required. Don’t feel that you must kiss someone. Just because you Italian taxi driver gets you to your destination in time, a kiss is certainly never expected (unless is he is extremely handsome!) Lip to lip contact is reserved for husband or wife or couples in all the locations that we have traveled.

Now it is time to practice! Gold luck! Mwah! Kiss, Kiss!

Keep Calm and Carry on: Taking the Stress out of Your Spring Break

By The Fighting Couple on March 1, 2013 in General

Keep calm and carry on: How to take the stress out of your spring break

Travelling over spring break can be fraught with delays, hiccups and mishaps. Whether you’re a seasoned or occasional traveler make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality to guarantee a stress-free journey. We thought we would put together some helpful tips to aid you in your spring break travel.

Here’s a quick reminder of the most typical scrapes, how to get out of them and most importantly, how to keep calm and carry on travelling.

“Um I think that might be my plane taking off…”

Airports are usually vast buildings filled with thousands of travelers and trip-inducing wheelie suitcases. Avoiding them and the numerous shopping opportunities as you attempt to get from A to B can be time consuming. Boarding the plane late and enduring the walk of shame to your seat may be bad enough, but missing your flight altogether is worse. We recommend that you get to your gate first. Check first hand what your flight status is, and then do some window shopping.

What to do if you miss your flight?: head for your airline’s helpdesk. Ideally they will be able to sort another flight as soon as possible. However, if it’s deemed you are at fault rather than the airline, you may have to pay for the additional flight or pay those pesky fees. Check your travel insurance and the airline’s missed flight policy before you leave.

“Tickets, money, passport…where’s my passport?!”

Not only are passports expensive, they are also your ticket to travel. Without one most of the world is inaccessible, so it’s a complete pain when you discover it’s lost or stolen.

What to do: trying to get home without a passport is a little tricky and will take extensive knowledge of the movie, The Bourne Supremacy. So firstly you need to report your lost or stolen passport to the police and get a police report. Then inform the local Embassy, Consulate or High Commission and they will provide a lost passport form for you to complete, plus emergency travel documentation.

“Where’s my Louis Vuitton?!”

It can be tedious waiting and jostling with fellow passengers to retrieve your luggage on landing. However it becomes a whole lot more stressful when you realize your precious luggage is not one of the four unloved, battered cases left on the baggage carousel. Then what?

What to do: make a beeline for your airline’s helpdesk. They are all too familiar with lost luggage reports as literally thousands of bags are misplaced on a daily basis. You’ll be asked to fill out a lost luggage report/claim and in the meantime your airline will set about tracking your prized possessions. Most stories of wayward luggage have a happy ending and find owner and suitcase reunited within 72 hours. If your luggage has headed to destinations unknown and taken a permanent break, you can always file a claim with your homeowners insurance.

Venice for Couples

By The Fighting Couple on February 23, 2013 in General

1000Fights had a fight about Venice (big surprise). The fight wasn’t while we were there, but if we should go there. Mike said, yes. Luci said, no. Mike won. Luci is glad he did. Venice is one of those locations you can’t miss. It’s on the bucket list. It’s like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. Once a world super power, now one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Venice is a perfect place for couples to get lost in its history, ambiance, food, and extravagance. To ensure your trip is fight free and memorable, follow the following 10 tips.

Venice at dusk.

1. Accept Venice for what it is. Venice is trapped in the past. There is no industry there. Some of Europe’s great cities couple history and the present for a modern-day experience. Venice does not. Venice is historical Disneyland. More than 20 million people visit Venice; only 250,000 people actually live there. It’s a tourist trap. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t splendid and worth the visit. Just know when you go that 90 percent of the people you see are just like you, tourists.

2. Stay away from the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal is well, Grand. You’ll see a parade of historical sites, but it’s not the best location to stay. It’s crowded and overpriced. We suggest staying on Isola Della Guidecca. It’s Venice’s southern district and home to several independent B&B’s and the massive Hilton Molino Stucky. By staying on Isola Della Guidecca, you’ll get away from the majority of tourists and wake up overlooking Venice. It’s easy to get there. Take the vaporetto (water bus).

3. Get lost and buy a pop-up map. Remember, Venice is an island. You can walk and walk and you won’t fall off the edge of the earth. Take it in and just walk around. By walking around, we found places we didn’t read about in any travel book or website. See #10. From personal experience, it was hard to find our bearings in Venice. Take our advice, find a good map. It was a life saver. You might be tempted to use your smart phone. Buy the map before you go. On Amazon, it’s only $6.95 and the size of a 3 X 5 card. It also has the vaporetto route. By buying the map, you don’t have to worry about finding Wi-Fi on your phone. Just stuff the map in your back pocket. No fuss and no fight!

A view from one of the many bridges.

4. Kiss at St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco.) Supposedly Napoleon called it the “drawing room of Europe.” The piazza hosts St. Marks Bacillia, the famous Clock Tower, and pigeons of course. But that’s not all; you’ll hear live music in the form of string quartets and grand pianos, and opera singers, serenading the guests of the restaurants that line the square. This is when you know Venice is for lovers!

5. Watch your pocketbook at Murano. It’s easy to go trinket and souvenir shopping in Venice. Glass! Jewelry! Masks! Gondolier shirts! Handbags! There is no shortage of stores wanting your money and that’s appropriate considering Venice’s merchant history. But mind your pennies. One of the easiest ways for your romantic time to crash and burn is fighting over souvenirs. We know; we’ve fought over them a lot. So, decide before you ever set first on the island, develop a budget. Decide how much each of you gets to spend on souvenirs. 1000Fights spent the day in Murano to spend our cash. Murano is a short boat ride away from Venice and it’s where the majority of the glass is made. Buy your glass directly from the factory to avoid buying overpriced Chinese glass. While we are on the topic to price…don’t overpay for a trip to Venice.

Hot gondolier. Yes, please.

6. Swoon over hot gondoliers, but don’t waste your money by riding in a gondola. 1000Fights has an eye for beauty and that includes in the form of hot gondoliers. They are everywhere in Venice. You’d think riding in a gondola would be the ultimate romantic experience. It’s really not. It’s crowded on the canals and riding in a gondola is expensive. Expect to pay at least 75 Euros for a gondola ride. For a better romantic experience, spend your money on going to the opera at the Fenice or a candle light dinner.

7. Be prepared to be seasick. The streets are flooded in Venice. LOL. Seriously, there is only one way to get around the city: by boat. There is a comprehensive waterbus system called vaporetto. But the bus stops float. And rock. And sway. If you get seasick, like the female half of 1000Fights, know that you could get sick riding the vaporetto as well as waiting for them. Take precautions and have sympathy for your queasy stomached spouse. Nothing says I love you more than puking on vacation.

8. Read the book, and then Visit the Fenice. 1000Fights picked up the book, “The City of Falling Angels” by John Berendt on clearance long before they decided to go to Venice. The book details the devastating fire of Venice’s opera house, the Fenice, and its subsequent rebirth. You’ll get a taste of the people of Venice and its historic landmark. The book is fascinating and it makes a visit to the beautiful Fenice even more meaningful.

The Santa Maria Assunta Church

9. Eat bruschetta and drink wine. The food in Venice is fantastic, if you avoid the typical tourist restaurants. We found a restaurant in Venice on Isola Della Guidecca that we went to twice it was that good! Trattoria al Cacciatori overlooks the canal and the service is terrific. The bruschetta was the best we’d ever eaten. We’d go back to Venice just for the bruschetta. No trip to Italy would be complete without Italian wine. Drink up.

10. Find This Church. When 1000Fights was getting lost, we stumbled upon a church we never read about in any travel book. The Santa Maria Assunta Church or known as Gesuiti I is almost 300 years old. Its outside is ostentatious baroque with statutes, columns, and a gigantic door that would fit the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. The inside is washed in black and white inlaid marble that is breathtaking. Even the balcony’s draperies are actually marble cut to look like curtains. Do not miss this historic and over the top ornate church.

Venice is the perfect place for a honeymoon or for pretending that you are on one! Take in all the food, the sights, and of course the wonderful experience that is Venice.

Bon Voyage!

1000Fights says don’t fight about Venice. Go and enjoy Historical Disneyland!

Discovering the Seven Secrets of Rome

By The Fighting Couple on February 14, 2013 in General

We understand that there will be something happening in Rome in the coming weeks? The focus will be on one of our favorite fighting destinations, Rome. Home to gladiators, Popes (including a new one,) painters, and poets, a stroll around the Eternal City of Rome is an adventure in itself. We want to offer you some of our secrets, and some of the off the beaten path sights to take in while in Rome.

Santa Maria Del Priorato

Secret Rome Keyhole

For our first secret of Rome, head to the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, wander around to the back side of the square, there you will find the church of Santa Maria Del Priorato. Find the door leading into the church. Peer through the small bronze keyhole in the gate. Spoiler alert! As you gaze through the small hole you will see perfectly framed by trees and scrubs, the Basilica of St. Peter. It is truly a sight to behold. It is difficult to fully describe just how beautiful and unexpected this view is. We highly recommend!

The Holy Fun House

Our next stop on our adventure is the Rooms of St. Ignatius, located at Piazza del Gesu 45. This is the former home and monastery of St. Ignatius. He actually designed and built the rooms and corridor. This honored Jesuit had his important vision of service to God and Church in these hallowed halls. Don’t miss seeing the patron saint’s shoes in the display case!

Sometimes called The Holy Fun House, the entire complex holds wonderful examples of perspective painting and distortion in art. Flat walls seem to transfigure into flying buttresses! As you walk down the corridor the walls truly seem to come alive!

Protestant Cemetery

Not all of the holy sites in Rome are related to the Catholic Church. In one of the most well-kept cemeteries in the city, the Protestant Cemetery, you will find a couple of interesting internees. Both John Keats and Percy Shelley are buried here! The walls of the cemetery are actually the walls of the “old” city. They held out fierce attacks from the barbarians for more than 100 years.

Trevi fountain

The Secret Perch

Our next adventure takes us to the Vatican. It is a little known fact that you can actually go up in the dome of St. Peters! The trek is not for the faint of heart. You must climb 200 stairs to the elevator that takes you to the top. For those wanting the further challenge, they can skip the elevator and take on another 300 steps to the top! The vista is truly one of the best in all of Rome!

The Underground Wonderland

Just like peeling the layers of an onion, the deeper you journey into the bowels of the Basilica of San Clemente, the more you learn. The “new” part of the church was constructed in the late 12^th century. It includes beautiful art and mosaics. Take the stairs down and you enter what was a 4^th century church! As you wander around this subterranean church, take in the amazing art etched into the walls. Continue your quest by going one level lower, into the deep. In the very depths of the building, you will find a 2^nd century Mithraic Temple, complete with altar! The entire structure exudes history. The Basilica is still undergoing excavation.

What will they find next?

Rome-The Italian Hollywood?

It’s no secret that Rome has been captured on film over the years. What is stunning is the sheer number of films and genres that feature the city. For those of you that want to retrace some cinematic magic, we tracked down some of the locations from a few films. Of course you want to travel like a Hollywood Starlette but dont have the budget?

Oceans 12: Airport scenes were filmed in Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

Eat, Pray, Love: Piazza Nabona

The Gladiator: Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix were filmed in Coliseum.

The Talented Mr. Ripley: Cafe Dinelli: The terrace cafe, where Ripley arranges for Meredith, Marge and Peter Smith-Kingsley to meet up was filmed in Piazza di Spagna.

And of course how could we leave out:

Roman Holiday, a separate category on its own.

Joe Bradley’s apartment was filmed in Via Margutta 51.

The bench where Bradley finds the Princess asleep was filmed in Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Mouth of Truth was filmed in Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

The Final Secret

This one is up to you! You must find your own secret in the city of secrets! Enjoy Rome. It is truly one of the most amazing cities we have visited. The city is a perfect blend of history, architecture and of course adventure. Enjoy Rome!

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