Tag Archives | couple fighting

The Fighting Couple’s 10 Best in Barcelona

By The Fighting Couple on January 10, 2013 in General

If you spend much time on our blog you know we write a ton about Barcelona, Spain. Why? There are so many layers to Barcelona. The wonderful city has so much it wants to tell you. For us, it is one of those places that around every corner is something new. As we walked down the Las Ramblas, retracing the steps of Orwell and Hemingway you can’t help be feel a connection to the history of this place. As you stare in wonder at one of Gaudi’s playful architectural creations you begin to understand the city and it becomes a part of you.

Those of you that have yet to visit this incredible city, here are our top picks:

Camp Nou

For you football fans Camp Nou is one of the world’s great cathedral’s of sport. It is the home of the mighty FC Barcelona. The sheer size of the venue is what is so unbelievable Even if you are not super interested in athletics, you must tip your hat at the impressive expanse of facility. Take a tour of the storied FC Barcelona museum. It is a bit over priced, but for the exuberant fan, it is a must.

Tram to the top

Montserrat

Our next recommendation is not in even in Barcelona…It is the must see day trip outside of the city: The monastery at Montserrat. Pack a lunch for you and your loved one and board the train for the hour long trip north of the city. We did a post recently about visiting the benedictine monastery check it out here. Go for the views and the tram ride up and down the mountain.

The Opera House

We have a tiny confession We have never been into the opera house. We have stood in line for tickets twice, took pictures from the lobby, and dreamed about what it looks like on the inside. But due to circumstance beyond our control we have never made it in. That is why it is on this list. We want to see it too! If you do go, please let us know what you think. Should we keep it on the list of must sees in Barcelona?

Sagrada Familia Exterior

Sagrada Familia

We exited the underground right in front of the grand cathedral, walked out into the sunshine and there towering over me was one of the most interesting structures I have ever seen. I stood looking at the exterior for nearly 30 mins! It is a collage of biblical proportions in more ways than one! The detail, the stories, the cast of characters just on the exterior of the church is impressive. Then we walked inside! I couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by the soaring ceilings inside. This is one of those places that the pictures simply does not do it justice. It is a must see on any visit to Barcelona.

Park Guell

Park Guell Barcelona

We have done a couple of posts on this famous park. It is a bit of a hike to get to the park but it is so worth it. The views from the plaza of all of Barcelona is breathtaking. The park is another creation from the mind of Gaudi. It is one of those iconic places that is on every tourist map for the city. But there is so much more than meets the eye. Gaudi outdid himself on the design and function of the park. The serpentine benches that line the upper plaza are a work of art. The lower plaza has unique little design details that make it fun. The columns that support the upper plaza are actually hollow and are used to collect rainwater from above! The beauty of the park is that a visit any time of day delivers a great experience.

Magic Fountain Barcelona

Monjuic

We are lumping a bunch of different sites under this one heading. There is a good reason for this. We want to you see it all! A great primer for seeing the mountain is to start at the Olympic museum atop the hill. Wander around the many displays. Get your bearings on where and what events were held. Your next stop is of course the Olympic stadium. Take you pictures and move on not much to see there. Take in the views of the swimming and diving centers. Walk through the parks and gardens.

The Magic Fountain

A great evening attraction is the magic fountain of Barcelona. The mix of water, lights and if you time your visit right… music is highly entertaining. On most evenings you can watch as water is launched into the air in a choreographed display that is memorizing A word of caution, watch you belongings. This is a favorite spot for the el pickpocket-itos.

La Padrara

We could of filled this list with just Gaudi related locations. He is that good. And there are enough Gaudi locations to fill many a list. We are offering our recommendations for the best. La Padrara is a wonderland. There really is no other word to describe the feeling of wandering the bends and bumps within the apartment complex. Being there reminds us the power of the mind to create beauty. At every turn during your tour you are going to smile and be amazed at the level of creativity that Gaudi possessed. Our hint, look for the details, they will amaze you.

People watching in an anarchist bookstore

If you know us well, you know we love to people watch. There is no place better in Barcelona than in one of the many revolutionary bookstores. This is where the red-blooded revolutionaries come to get more….. revolutionary. Sip your beverage, read some Hemingway. Take it all in at your own pace.

Barceloneta Restaurant

Calle L’Escar, 22, 08039 Barcelona, Spain (La Barceloneta)

Our last recommendation involves food. The perfect ending to any visit to the inviting city of Barcelona is a dinner at the Barceloneta. You are going to have to save up your Euros to splurge on this one but the return on the investment is huge. Located on the city’s harbor, this seafood out of this world.

That is it. Our quick recommendations for Barcelona. Getting to Spain is easy. There are direct Barcelona flights from all of the major hubs in the states and Europe. Barcelona also has one of the most user-friendly airports. Enjoy your stay in Barcelona! Send us pictures!

Painted Ladies: A San Francisco Walk About

By The Fighting Couple on January 6, 2013 in General, Slideshowable

Its time to fall in love with some painted Ladies in San Francisco. The Fighting Couple has been on lots of tours and by tours we mean, academic, informative, open-ended questions, catered to a small group, kind of tours. We don’t follow umbrellas. We learn so much on “good” tours that we like to go on tours even when it’s a city we have been to many times.

There are three types of Victorian homes: Italiantes, Queen Anne and Stick.

There are three types of Victorian homes: Italianate, Queen Anne and Stick.

So on a recent couple’s trip to San Francisco;I jumped at the chance to go on a Victorian Home Walk. Enter our guide, Jay. Jay gave one of the best tours I’ve ever been on. I’ve always had a fascination with Victorian homes. I find them beautiful and after going on the walk with Jay, I adore them even more.

Painted Ladies Tour

I met Jay with a few other folks at Union Square. As an introduction to what we would be seeing, he explained how the area once was full of single family housing prior to the 1906 earthquake. Standing there looking at a crowed shopping center and the sea of humanity milling around, it’s hard to imagine the now commercialized area was once home to thousands before the fire associated with the earthquake leveled the wooden homes. Jay was very knowledgeable about the housing patterns before and after the earthquake and fire changed the city. I have a mid-blog post confession. I am curious. (Mike would say nosey!) You know when you are on a “good” tour when the tour guide can actually answer your questions!

Pacific Heights

Our exploration of the antique homes took us to the Pacific Heights area. Going on the Victorian Home Walk is just that: a walking tour. Our first stop was the gorgeous Queen Anne Hotel. How I want to stay there! Before we went inside, Jay trained us to spot the three types of Victorian homes: Italianate, Queen Anne, and Stick. Then we ventured inside the splendid hotel and had free rein to look around. It’s gorgeous! The former girl’s school is a Victorian’s dream hotel. Its plush interior and ornate furnishings represent classic Victorian style, and like Jay said, “No one could stuff a room like a Victorian.”

Gorgeous example of craftsmanship, but the paint is far from authentic.

As we walked down Pine Street to Webster and over to Broadway, Jay pointed out how Victorian homes changed over time. As technology improved, the outside of homes became more decorative. But then it wasn’t hip anymore to look ostentatious. For instance, during the 30s and 40s any ornate fixtures on the outside of the homes were replaced to make it look more modern or in my humble opinion: plain. The exteriors were painted stucco or replaced with dull siding. The first floor gardens of the Italianates were removed to make room for the automobile. The boxed shaped livery stables are now condos.

My favorite home on the tour. It’s so delicate.

One of my biggest fascinations was the change in color of Victorian homes. Painted Lady, anyone? No, that’s not a Yuppie drink at your favorite bar. It’s the term originated in San Francisco for Victorians painted with three or more colors. Most Victorian homes weren’t painted that way to begin with; in fact, painting your restored Victorian multiple colors to accent the trim and gingerbread didn’t become popular until the 1960s. Originally, Victorians were painted with three colors: the window trim was painted black or very dark green, highlights were white and the overall house color was one color, usually an earth tone that would not fade or show the dirt like brown or dark green. If you see a beautiful home today with a rainbow of colors (yellow, green, blue, red), it’s fun and makes the house pop, but it’s following the pop culture of 40 years ago, not the original color schemes.

Another classic Italianate style Victorian. Note how there is now a garage where a garden once grew.

The pace of the tour was steady, but not like a race. I never felt at any time that I was rushed. It was also casual enough that there was appropriate downtime to quiz our guide on the things we were seeing. “Why does this house have three doors? Why does this house have a bay window but the one next door doesn’t? When was this built?” You get the gist. I’m sure Jay was glad when I stopped asking questions! This tour tops our things to do in San Francisco list.

Did you know that you can “Ask the Fighting Couple Anything?”

Celebrity Mansions

The tour lasted roughly two and a half hours. We ended the tour in the she-she-la-la area of celebrity mansions overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Jay pointed out Jessica McClintock mansion-painted all white like her designer wedding gowns. We saw the house from Mrs. Doubtfire and the house a few doors down where Robin Williams lived. Jay was full of celebrity gossip from those who live or lived in the area. But you’ll have to go on the tour; I won’t dish any here.

What struck me most about this tour was Jay’s unique knowledge about the individual homes we saw. It’s wasn’t the kind of stuff you could find in a history book. It was the type of information he personally gathered from living in the city and doing tours for 20 years. Most of all, I never felt like I was on parade. In fact, I felt like a local being shown around by a local. I wasn’t on tour bus with a bored driver reading an approved script over a microphone. I was shown a local side of San Francisco, a place where people live.

Jay the Victorian home fountain of knowledge.

And just like a local, when we ended the tour at the Union Street Shops, Jay showed us which restaurants to the get the best sandwich, the best pasta and the best seafood. I treated myself to a to a pumpkin spice cream puff at Pacific Puffs.

The next time you are in San Francisco; don’t miss the Victorian Home Walk. It will be the best $25 you spend in the city.

A special thank you goes out to our friends at Victorian Home Walk who provided this experience. Check some gorgeous painted ladies out next time you are in San Francisco.

2012 The Year of the Dragon

By The Fighting Couple on January 1, 2013 in General

According to Chinese tradition: “The dragon is a legendary creature in Chinese folklore. The image of dragon is blurred, strong, mystic, noble and untouchable. It is the symbol of power. Chinese emperors wore imperial robes adorned with dragon symbols.”

2012 truly was a “Dragon” of a year for us on many levels. It brought us Luci’s first trip to Asia. It was Mike’s first attack by leeches. So here it is, our Dragon year in a nutshell:

Key Stats:

Biggest month in traffic: June 2012: 19,604 unique visitors

Biggest day in traffic: June 5, 2012: 1,921 unique visits (Thank you Google!)

Countries visited: 4 (Thailand, Cambodia, Canada and Spain)

The Royal Palace in Bangkok.

Number of posts written: 64

New Twitter followers: 2127

Number of travel photos taken: 1,653

Movie Stars spotted: Jon Hamm (AKA Don Draper from Mad Men), Mathew Broderick, Ben Stein (No it wasn’t a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off convention.)

Number of blood sucking leaches removed: 1

Sponsored blog outings:

Prince Edward Island, Canada

San Francisco Weekend

Most rustic accommodation: Our treehouse in the Thai jungle.

Most elegant accommodation: It’s a tie between the Waldorf Astoria in NYC and Hilton Millennium Bangkok Hotel.

Favorite Meal: This one is easy. It was our first taste of Cambodian Amuk Soup in Siam Reap, Cambodia. It is a mix of ginger, mint, and other spices. Soooo good. The entire meal cost us $5 USD.

Most popular Google search terms: Fontainebleau and Travel Ideas for Couples

Strangest Google search term: Ways to meet Korean women (good luck finding that on our site whoever you are in Internetland.)

COWS Ice Cream in Prince Edward Island

Best dessert: COWS Ice Cream in Prince Edward Island. We may or may not have went back 7 times during our three day visit. Thanks to Cailin for turning us onto the delicacy.

Scariest moment: It takes a lot to unnerve us whist we are traveling. But while we were in Barcelona, we got boxed in during a protest clash between police and an angry mob with drums and chipmunk signs. Not really sure what it was all about. But both sides were fired up.

What books we read in 2012:

Mike: The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel, Stand for Something by Gordon Hinckley, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy by Stieg Larsson, A Journey by Tony Blair, A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Drive by Dan Pink, Built to Last by Jim Collins, Great by Choice by Jim Collins

Luci: Ghost Solders by Hampton Sides, Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox, 1776 by David McCullough, Year of Wonders: A Novel about the Plaque by Geraldine Brooks, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson, Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

Travel Blogging Conference attended: 1 TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange) in Colorado. This was our second year attending TBEX. We were not disappointed. Candidly, we thought that it was even better than the first. Both TBEX and 1000 Fights were a lot more organized this go around. We made some great connections. We also were finally able to meet in person two of our blogging buds: Overyonderlust and Worldlillie. We have decided NOT to go to TBEX 13. We want to try a different blogging convention. Any ideas?

Most popular Post: This one surprised us a little. 50 Ways to Say I Love You.

Luci’s fave post of 2012: My favorite post for the year is “Our Day of Decadence.” It was one of the best days of my life! My day of chocolate.

Mike’s fave post of 2012: I would have to say that our post on the Traveling Innkeepers is my favorite. Dan and Becky were so gracious to us. We loved our time in Prince Edward Island.

We are jumping for joy that 2012 is done. Now onto 2013!

We rarely give a peek into our “non-travel” lives on this blog (way too boring.)…but this year was a whopper for us. Luci’s work was dominated by several pieces of legislation that she worked on tirelessly for two years to pass, only to be placed on a statewide referendum and repealed. Major bummer. Mike’s boss left the company early in the year and was replaced by two new bosses. Despite the challenges we have faced, travel continues to be an escape for us. Escape is not the right word, more like an old friend that we only get to see once a year, someone that strengthens and encourages you when you are with them. Something like that.

Of course we had our fair share of good fights this year as featured in our many posts.

To all of those couple travelers out there, we wish you the very best in 2013. Stay tuned to 1000 Fights, we have some pretty amazing plans for 2013!

Paradise in Plitvice

By The Fighting Couple on December 22, 2012 in General

Two Turkish Delights

By The Fighting Couple on December 15, 2012 in General, Slideshowable

One of the great under-discovered locations we have visited is Turkey. We want to take you to two of the most interesting places to visit on your holiday in Turkey.

Pamukkale-The Cotton Castle

Have you ever wanted to walk on clouds? A visit to Pamukkale will give you that chance. Located in central Turkey is one of the world’s geological wonders. Pamukkale in Turkish or Cotton Castle in English was formed by the 17 hot springs in the area. Water coming from the springs ranges from 95 °F (35 °C ) to 212 °F (100 °C)! The water carries calcium carbonate that creates white deposits called travertine. The creation is so striking. As we drove into the area the stark white cliffs took our breath away. The entire side of the cliffs are made up of small pools that drip down to the next. It almost looks like the entire side of the mountain is covered in snow.

What to do?

How does soaking in natural hot springs and swimming around the ruins of a Greek Temple of Hierapolis sound? Drive up the back side of the mountain to the large parking area. There you have two options. You can head for yourself and go from pool to pool along the cliff. The water is not “hot” but the pools are lukewarm. They are not very deep, not even close for any kind of swimming, but more suited for sitting and soaking. This is an extremely popular place for both Turks and visitors from abroad. This has been the case for the past 2000+ years! The best part of taking in the pools is the view of the valley in the distance. Beautiful!

The second option is to take in the Pamukkale resort. It is a facility that surrounds the pools with the Greek ruins. There is a nominal charge to go swimming. There are facilities for food, clothing change as well as lounging and people watching.

In addition to enjoying the hot springs, the Pamukkale area is surrounded by archaeological and cultural historic sites. One of the seven churches of Revelation is located a short distance away. Check out our recent post on visiting all seven of the locations.

The Best of Bodrum

Our next stop on our Turkish adventure is the beach resort city of Bodrum. If you’re looking for a Turkish escape that will stir your senses, a holiday to Bodrum will be perfect for you. This picture perfect resort hums with the hustle and bustle of locals and holiday makers alike enjoying the sunshine in the beautiful Bodrum bay.

Situated on the south western side of Turkey, Bodrum commands a stunning coastline that marries with the Aegean Sea. Enjoy long, lazy days relaxing on Bodrum’s golden beaches, not forgetting to dabble in some fun water sports to ensure you have a holiday to remember. Bodrum is perfect for families with small children, thanks to the warm, shallow waters that gently lap the soft sands – perfect for paddling and building sandcastles with the kids! There’s a lot for the grownups to enjoy too, such as a romantic sunset stroll along the shore sinking your toes into the soft sand. Highly recommended!

Romantic Bodrum

If you fancy exploring on holiday, you won’t be disappointed with the sights and sounds of this picture perfect location. The breathtaking Bodrum Castle is a must see, as well as the cosmopolitan marina dotted with colorful boats creating a contrast of the traditional and modern. The castle hosts several fabulous festivals every year, creating a party atmosphere not to be missed – it’s definitely worth trying to tie your holiday date in with one of these events if you love to dance the night away. Take a stroll through the old town, barter with the locals for fine handmade goods or get lost in a bustling bazaar for an hour or two. There’s no shortage of new sights to discover in Bodrum, so you’re guaranteed a new experience every day of your holiday.

One of the best ways to visit this wonderful corner of the world is to join a tour operator. You can book Thomas Cook packages to Bodrum at any time of year, as the Mediterranean climate ensures hot, sunny, summer days and mild, balmy winters.

Add these two wonderful Turkish destinations to your travel plans.

Tell us your Mistletoe Moment and Win $150

By The Fighting Couple on December 15, 2012 in General, Slideshowable

We are looking for the best Mistletoe Moment from 2012! The lovely winner will be awarded a $150 Visa gift card! Wow! Finally it is OK to Kiss and Tell!

So what exactly is a Mistletoe Moment 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 10,000 bugs! It could be anywhere/anyone?/anytime but it MUST be magical!

The holidays are a wonderful time to remind us the importance of one another. Here at 1000Fights we believe that the greatest gift we give is each other. We celebrate all of you couples, especially those of you that get out and explore the world together.

The Kahles our 2011 Winners

To get your creative juices going, here is the winner from 2011 :

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 aisle in distress I saw my husband and the way he looked at me as I walked down the aisle. 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.”

You can read the other great entries from last year HERE.

How to enter? Just two easy steps:

1) In 50-ish words or less, tell us about your “Mistletoe Moment” in the comments section below. We want all the details: when, where and why.

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

Stay tuned we will soon announce our celebrity Judges.

The Fine Print (sorry, but it’s really not that bad.)

1) Mistletoe Moment must have taken place in 2012.

2) Entries will be accepted till midnight December 24th, 2012.

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 26th, 2012.

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!)

Passports with Purpose

By The Fighting Couple on November 27, 2012 in General

How would you like to get yourself a $100 shopping spree and support a great cause?

If you had to make a list of things you could not live without, what would it include? Wifi? Iphone? Diet Coke? Those are all worthy and necessary. But how long could you live without clean water? Not long. That’s why we the Fighting Couple have teamed up with a community of travel bloggers called Passports with Purpose. This year the group has elected to support Water.org.

For more than two decades, water.org has been at the forefront of discovering and delivering solutions to the global water crisis. As a part of these efforts, Passports with Purpose has selected Water.org’s certified local partner: Haiti Outreach to build and rehabilitate wells in Boucan Carre and Mirebalais, serving more than 7,400 people with clean water, sanitary toilets and hygiene education. Passports with a Purpose’s goal is to build five wells as a part of an 18 month program. We can do it!

How would you like to win a prize AND help out a cause?: Win a $100 Shopping Spree.

So we thought long and hard on what we would contribute as a prize to our loyal readers that support the effort. What do couples want most??? What brings them together?…. Yep. That’s what we thought. So we are offering up a lovely $100 shopping spree. Buy yourself or your sweetie something wonderful.

A $10 donation will allow you to put your name in the drawing to win one of the awesome prizes our fellow bloggers have pulled together for this year. For every $10 donation, you get to nominate one prize to win (or put it all into one prize should you wish – every $10 gives you another chance). Please give.

What to Do Next

Visit the Passports With Purpose donation page.
Choose the prizes you’d love to win and enter your donation amount. Remember, for every $10 you donate you get to pick another prize or gain multiple entries for your most coveted prize. It’s up to you! Cool huh? Please contact us if you have questions.

Other ways to support the cause

Follow Passports with Purpose on Facebook.
If you’re a fellow blogger with ad space to spare, host the Passports With Purpose widget on your site. It looks great and will help spread the word to your readers about this awesome fundraiser and all the fabulous prizes they can win with a small donation.
Promote the #PWP hashtag on Twitter and use the buttons for your Twitter avatar and in any free 125×125 space you have free on your site.

Disclaimer: 1000 Places to Fight Before You Die is not affiliated with Water.org nor Passports with Purpose (They are super cool.) Our site is the sole provider of described winning prize, which will be delivered as an online gift certificate.

Putting the Boom! in Boomer Travel

By The Fighting Couple on November 17, 2012 in General, Slideshowable

We are excited to introduce you to the next traveling couple in our 7 Questions series. Meet the traveling “Baby Boomers” Wayne and Pat of Unhook now. Wayne and Pat truly but the “Boom!” in Boomer travel. So here’s their story: after owning a business, teaching at the university level, they rented out their home and are spending two years visiting 100 countries! They invite you come along and see the world through their eyes! Candidly, Luci and want to be like them when we grow up.

How to follow these two:

Blog: www.UnhookNow.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/PlanYourEscapeNow
Twitter: @wdunlap

Lets get to the questions:

1) Over 100 countries visited? Wow! How has travel brought you together as a couple?

Wayne said: “Travel has greatly improved our lives together with a renewed outlook on life. Traveling with only a suitcase has shown us that we do not need stuff to be happy. Now we find much more important the people, friends, and new experiences in our lives. Our travel experience has changed our life. Together we love to have more adventures, romance, learning, having fun, laughing, and waking up excited about the day.”

Pat Said: “Choosing to run away with my husband and best friend has been the most rewarding lifestyle change one can make. Life without routines is inspiring and renews your playful spirit and love of life. It’s brought us closer together.”

1000Fights: You two are incredible!

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)

Wayne Said: “Marco Polo – He was amazing traveling to an unknown world returning 24 years later. He met Kublai Khan and inspired Christopher Columbus and others. As a travel writer, I am impressed that his book about his journeys became one of the most popular books in medieval Europe and had great impact.”

Pat Said: “Besides my husband, hum… I guess it would be my long time friend, Diane, who is a great artist and sees the beauty everywhere we go. She is so much fun and we laugh.”

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

Wayne said: “We do a lot of research before we take off so we have been pretty lucky in having most places have something special. With so many wonderful places in the world with such diversity of customs, food, history, beliefs, and architecture, it is difficult to pick just one favorite. So here are some favorites – Italy with its amazing culture, beautiful cities, history, cuisine, and diverse scenery; the Greek Islands for the people, astounding beauty of the ocean and white architecture, winding stone streets of the old towns, trellis-covered tavernas, and food; New Zealand with the amazing beauty and laid-back people; and Thailand for its warm people of Buddhist faith, amazing food, and architecture.”

Pat said: “I also loved China’s canal city of Suzhou and the very modern city of Shanghai in China blow us away. Uruguay is wonderful for its natural beauty.”

4) If you had to eat one last meal, what/where would you eat?

Wayne said: “With the large diversity of great food around the world, best is hard to pick. Here are favorites that come to mind: food and cheese in France, free-range beef in Buenos Aires, fish head curry and chili crab in Singapore, sukiyaki and okonomiyaki in Japan, and the authentic version of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper in an English pub.”

Pat said: “I would add lobster from U.S.’s New England and lobster pizza in Bequia in the Caribbean Grenadines, real pasta in Italy, Greek food in the Greek Islands, and padang curry in Thailand. This has made me hungry.”

1000Fights: Ok…we are hungry!

5) Looks like you have taken a number of cruises. What appeals to you both about cruises? Is there a line that you prefer?

Pat said: “As soon as I step on a cruise ship I get a sense of immediately being on vacation and leaving worries and routines at home. The experience is a playground for adults and a fantasy. Cruises can take you to many interesting places, you can do as little or as much as you like, and there is no need to move luggage around, wait in airports, or worry about finding accommodations and transportation. We like Holland American Line for its value-price cruises, good destination itineraries, and great service and food.”

Wayne said: “What surprises many people is that cruising can be an economical way to travel. Especially during less popular weeks, many cruises can be a bargain when you consider they are all inclusive including lodging, transportation, great food (and more food), entertainment, shows, movies, lectures, shopping, activities, dancing, swimming, work out and other recreational facilities, and a relaxing enjoyable travel experience.

We include cruises on our travel adventures for many reasons. First, we like to have some downtime to relax and plan our future travel. Also, we will take a cruise that goes to a unique area we are not sure we would be interested in spending a lot of time exploring. On one of our trips through Asia, we included a cruise out of Singapore to see some of Indonesia and Malaysia. Sometimes a cruise to a unique area will entice us to go back. Our passion for the Greek Islands was sparked by a cruise (on our honeymoon).”

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

Wayne said: “We try not to live with regret or dislike. When it comes to world travel, we wish our government and news media would make less use of fear of the world when attempting to control people and sell media. You do need to use common sense and always be aware of your security but we learned that the world and the people you meet can be wonderful, generous, and lovely.”

Pat said: “I keep thinking about world peace. Everywhere we go people are kind, generous, and have the same problems we have. If people travel more, they will see that people around the world have more similarities than differences and hatred and war is not necessary.”

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

Pat said: “My intuitive sense of danger comes up once in a while that at first annoyed Wayne. We have never had any safety issues after traveling 100 countries together and he now appreciates the early warning system.”

1000Fights: Pat, you can travel with us anytime! We need your talent!

Wayne said: “Spending all your time together for weeks can at times be overwhelming. I used to get disturbed when we would go to another shopping opportunity. So, we now occasionally split up and go your separate ways for a few hours or a whole day. This is great advice for couples. One might want to be active and explore while the other needs a rest and wants to read a book. One partner may want to go shopping while the other explores another museum or has a drink with friends. You can meet up later at lunch or dinner and will find your conversations lively as you share your adventures with each other.”

1000Fights: Wayne, you and Mike are cut from the same cloth.

Wayne and Pat Dunlap are travel TV hosts (Plan Your Escape™) on the CW network and travel columnist for the Huffington Post. They have been fortunate to live their dreams and are members of the exclusive Travelers’ Century Club. In total, they have visited 100 countries and island groups on 6 continents as well as 44 U.S. states.

Thanks again to Wayne and Pat for sharing. Please check out their blog at www.unhooknow.com.

On the Road Less Traveled

By The Fighting Couple on October 27, 2012 in General, Slideshowable

We took turn after turn on dusty lonely dirt trails, passing thick plantations of tall lush trees and seemingly deserted shanty towns. The setting sun was casting a red hue on the trees that matched the color of the road. We finally reached our appointed destination, a small bed and breakfast located on a small rise overlooking forest and meadow.

Beautiful Swaziland

Our travel weariness must have been written on our faces. The welcoming attendant at the front desk dispatched two young women to mind our luggage and settle us comfortably in our assigned abode. The service offered by this small establishment rivaled any 5 star hotel. The proprietors were a lovely Dutch couple and was completely staffed by young women. Our short stay at this little outpost of hospitality has forever changed Luci and I. Our hearts were struck by the hospitality, generosity and sheer beauty of the place. The paradise we have described is Swaziland.

“You are going where??!!” is usually the typically response we get when we tell friends and family about our next adventure destination. “Why would you want to go to (insert remote location)?” The answer is in the paragraph above. Now the rest of the story from the portrait above. Swaziland suffers from a number of challenges, poverty, hunger, disease epidemics and numerous social ills. They don’t tend to put those on the glossy tourist websites. As a traveler, you can choose to let this scare you off, or you can dig deeper and find a treasure as we did in Swaziland.

In addition to Swaziland, we want to introduce you to some off the beaten travel destinations that might change your life. Strap on your walking shoes, its time for adventure!

Bosnia

We are often asked which has been our favorite location out of the travels, Luci will always say Turkey (stay tuned!). Mine would be Bosnia. Bosnia is frankly one of the most beautiful, intriguing, and difficult places we have been. Our trip, which wasn’t an extended one by any stretch, gave me a taste for a land filled with lush forests, dramatic waterfalls, towering mosques, and war hardened residents. Bosnia offer travelers historical insights, out of door adventures including hiking, rafting and camping.

Turkey

As a kid, I always dreamt of being teleported back in time. I wanted to live history. I wanted to see, taste, smell, and interact with the scenes of great literature. Turkey has made this boyhood dream a living reality. The characters of the bible walked the same streets as I did. We drank from the same springs. I ate wonderful olives, savory meats from a roadside kabab, and partook of the most amazing Baklava! Turkey brings history to life.

Read about our Open Love Letter to Istanbul.

Turkey was a surprise to both Luci and I. We were discussing where we might want to go in Eastern Europe. Turkey came up and we both said, yea….Turkey. We started our in-depth research about the country, began our quest to learn everything we could about the history, culture and language. Turkey offers great shopping in the Grand Bazaar, delicious cuisine, ultra friendly natives, and a window into history that has no rival.

Maldives

“Where exactly are the Maldives?” Ask most people, and they might have a challenge pointing the country out on a map. The collection of roughly 1000 islands is located due south of India and west of the African Continent. The island country is bathed in the Indian ocean. The temperature ranges from 75 to 90 degrees year round, making it a wonderful year round destination. It offer travelers seclusion that rivaled by few places.

Lovely Maldives

The most difficult choice is which island and resort to pick! There are so many options for holidays to Maldives. Lodging offerings range from Spartan shacks on the beach to five-star full service resorts. The warm clear waters offer great snorkeling and diving. Rent a boat and go island hopping.

A few words of warning about traveling off the beaten path. First, be prepared. Do your homework. Then be completely flexible. Things including hotels, roads, and people that were to be there for you might not exist. This is truly the beauty of traveling where few do. One of our tricks to traveling well is humility and openness. You must be willing to try new food, smell new smells?, and be completely removed from your comfort zone. In return the dividends of off the beaten path travel will greatly enrich your life.

Tell us, where have you traveled off the beaten path? What lessons have you learned? Where would you like to go?

Fontainebleau: France’s Finest

By The Fighting Couple on October 14, 2012 in General, Slideshowable

France is known for its high style and cultural avant-garde….one of the most overlooked masterpieces in Paris is hands down Napoleon Bonaparte’s Fontainebleau. It seems like Fontainebleau must always live in the shadow of its big sister the Palais de Versailles. Located just an hour south of old Paris is one of the most captivating royal residences in all of Europe.

The official site of Fountianebleau.

Like its former occupant Napoleon, who was always one for over the top self-promotion and flash: as you arrive at the property you are welcomed by a broad courtyard with a dramatic stairway leading to the entrance. Once inside you can stroll around the palace in awe at the nearly 1500 rooms!

A Quick History Lesson

Fontainebleau has been appropriately called, “the Home of Kings.” It has played host for more than 700 years to the French monarchy and later to the French Emperor. The area first welcomed the eye of Louis VII in 1137 and continued welcoming blue bloods and potentates till the end of the second empire in 1870. Walking the halls of Fontainebleau you can’t help but feel that you are in the midst of history.

The mansion has always had a close connection with religion. In 1169 the Archbishop of Canterbury, in exile in France at the time dedicated the chapel of the castle. In 1812 Napoleon held Pope Pius VII prisoner in the cozy confines of the castle’s apartments for nearly two years.

Fontainebleau’s development has been classified into two distinct eras: the first (from the 1530’s) and second school (From the 1590’s) of Fontainebleau. These eras not only decorated and designed the palace, they are decorated the halls of the French elite. The first was created by Francis I partnering with famed architect Gilles le Breton. Italians Sebastiano Serlio and Leonardo da Vinci also were involved in the design and layout of the villa, gardens and water features. Leonardo also has another interesting connection with the palace. One of his lost master pieces (Leda and the Swan) was las seen in the palace in 1625. It has since been lost.

The second school of Fontainebleau was lead by Flemish artist Ambroise Dubois, Toussaint Dubreiul and Martin Freminet. At the turn of the 17^th century, the word of interior design, originated from the heart of Fontainebleau.

Key rooms to visit

Library

The highlight for the entire tour was for us the Library and map room. Unfortunately you are prevented from ascending the four stairs to the elevated library. You can only lean over the red velvet ropes and look into one of the most interesting rooms in the world.

Napoleons study

Napoleon, besides being a detailed oriented military general, was a city planner, inventor, cartographer, lawyer. He worked 24/7 on his many various endeavors. To assist in his workaholic nature, he attached his own personal bedroom to his office.

Cathedral

Our next favorite room if you can call it that is the cathedral inside the mansion. It actually has two areas, the viewing balcony which the master of the home would view, as well as the nave proper. The art, woodwork and the sculptures within the cathedral are stunning.

Gardens and Lake

The gardens and forests of Fontainebleau rival Versailles. We actually prefer the wonderful “backyard” of the palace. A small lake with a wonderful gazebo type structure an island is an idyllic setting.

Getting there

The short journey from Paris to Fontainebleau is defiantly part of the adventure. The train takes you through the south gate of Paris, past the sleepy town of Saint Genevieve de Bois and gives you some fleeting moments to capture some views of the wandering Seine River. Sounds wonderful huh? Just wait!

You will need to purchase the billet Ile-de-France ticket as this is well outside the metro range of Paris.

Take the Transilien (http://www.transilien.com/web/site) Train from Gare de Lyon Station in Paris.

Board one of the many trains that make a stop at the Fontainebleau-Avon stop, these can include: Laroche-Migennes, Montargis, Montereau, and Sens. You can confirm that you are on the right train, by checking the monitors along the train’s boarding lane. It should list Fontainebleau-Avon. (The journey from Paris to your stop should take 35 mins.)

Once you disembark at the station, descend at the rear of the station, walk a short ways to the well marked bus stop. There are three different bus routes for the area. You will want to take Bus 12 A.

Cant get enough of Fontainebleau? Check out our post: Fountainebleau: The Better Versailles

Paris and its surrounds is truly one of the Fighting Couple’s very favorite destinations. Paris proper offers a lifetime of exploration and learning. Fontainebleau is one of those perfect day trips from Paris. Have you been to Fontainebleau? We want to hear from you!

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