Tag Archives | couple

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!

Do I Need an International Driver’s Licence?

By The Fighting Couple on February 18, 2013 in General

One thing that the Fighting Couple loves… international driving. We get asked lots of questions about the infamous “International Driving License.” What is that? Do we need one? Do I have to pass a driving test? Do I have to own a Ferrari? What if we get pulled over and don’t have one? Will we spend a month in a Russian Gulag if we don’t get one? Where does one get an International Drivers License?

Do I Really Need an International Drivers License?

First off, Lets define what this is and isn’t. First off, you cannot buy an International Drivers License. You can buy an International Drivers Permit. This is an important difference. Candidly, an International Driving Permit is a collection of your driving and identification information translated into ten languages. It must be accompanied by your government issued driver’s license to be valid.

How did the International Diving Permit come to be?

The whole International Driving Permit movement came into being on Nov. 8, 1968 with the signing of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The treaty outlined the duties of drivers from foreign lands visiting their respective counties. It spelled out what is contained on the permit. Over 70 counties signed on to the treaty. Notable counties that did not agree to the treaty: Japan, China, Israel, and the Holy See (forget driving that Pope-mobile.) Each of these countries have special requirements for foreign drivers. Please confirm the regulations before you book a trip to Japan or other non-signatory countries.

How do you get one?

Getting an International Drivers Permit….It’s really pretty easy. Each participating country has their own procedures to acquire a permit. We will give the low down on both the USA and the UK. If you know the procedure for another country, would you give us the process in the comments section below? In the states, there are two non-governmental agencies that issue the permits: the American Automobile Association or AAA (http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html) and the National Automobile Club NAC (http://www.thenac.com/idp_faqs.htm) . Both of their websites offer helpful info on the ins and out of acquiring a permit. For our good friends across the pond in the UK, you can visit your local AA (http://www.theaa.com/index.html). (That acronym has a little different meaning here in the states.) You are required to have passport style picture fixed to the permit. A driving test is not required. A current and valid driver’s license issued by the state is required.

Speaking of international driving….Have you checked out our Couple Road Trip Survival Guide?

Car Hires

So do I need a permit to rent a car? Probably not. We cannot definitively say no, you will never, ever need one. We can tell you in our extensive travels in Europe, North & South America, South Africa, and South East Asia, we have never been asked for one. In visiting with the major car rental companies, all recommended the permit. Should you get one? Probably yes. It also gives you one more form of identification.

Should you get a permit? Mike says yes.

What if I get pulled over?

This is where the value of the permit really shines through. You can’t select the language ability of the law enforcement that pulls you over. Trust us, you definitely want that conversation to go smoothly. Having an international permit can be the difference between a ticket or not. Most permits cost $20ish USD. Why not have one? The Fighting Couple has had two run ins with the law whilst traveling. We admit it. One was passing in an “unmarked” passing zone (Mike still thinks he was in the right one that one) and on another occasion we did not have the appropriate sticker on our car (again Mike’s fault.) Both of these occurrences happened in non-English speaking Euro zone countries. We were not asked for the permit. We of course had to provide our insurance and USA issued driver’s license. During the entire experience…not once were we asked for an International Driver ID. Crazy huh?

So that’s the skinny on international driving permits. Avoid the hassle, and buy one before you head out. We would love to hear from you on this topic. Have you been pulled over abroad? Have you been turned away from renting a car? Leave us a comment below. Do you have any questions about an international drivers license?

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!

A Couple’s Survival Guide To Long-Term Travel

By The Fighting Couple on January 30, 2013 in General

Guest Post by Sofia von Porat: Sofia writes forAsWeTravel, a travel blog sharing travel tips, videos, guides and inspiration from around the world – you can follow her at www.aswetravel.com.

Before you consider getting married, starting a business or moving in together – there is a way to find out how all that will work out: go traveling!

Traveling together on a round the world trip is the most effective way to figure out if you’re suited for each other – when you take your first long-term trip together, you will either break up, or grow stronger as a couple. Nothing puts as much pressure on a relationship than the uncertainty and stress of traveling, which tends to bring out the worst in people. But there are ways and secrets to make traveling with each other easier.

After years of full-time travel and running a business together, these are the 5 things that have helped us the most…

If I Like You Today, I Want To See You Tomorrow

We believe that one of the things that have made staying together so much easier is a simple mindset about our relationship. Every rule you have is like planting a landmine on the road in front of you, and laying out too many of them increases the risk of stepping on one and blowing up the whole thing. The fewer rules you have – the fewer rules you will break.

When we first met, Nathan explained his thoughts on relationships in a simple sentence, one that we have lived by ever since: I like you today, and I want to see you tomorrow. If a day comes when we no longer feel that way about each other, we know it’s time to go our separate ways.

Play On Each Others Strengths

We try to stick to what each of us does best, and play on each other’s strengths.

I usually do the travel planning, while Nathan keeps track of our budget – same goes for work, one of us usually does the writing, the other does the coding and so forth.

K.I.S.S.

Knowing and being strict about your core values is important, but make sure you get rid of the “fluff” and keep it simple. One thing many solo travelers say they enjoy is that they can choose what they want to do and where they want to go without having to discuss it with someone else first. We’ve found that when we keep it simple and don’t get attached to everything those kind of discussions become less and less frequent.

One thing we try to always live by in every aspect of life – especially in relationships, is K.I.S.S – keep it simple stupid. ;)

Don’t Expect Anything In Return

Doing something that you might not enjoy for the sake of your partner is crucial in a relationship – but only if you don’t expect anything in return. Compromising by saying “I’ll do this for you if you do that for me” might work in the short run but will build up resentment and create unnecessary fights.

Knowing that you make the other person happy is enough, besides, you’ll often find that you get more in return when you don’t expect anything back.

Ask Yourself “What Else Could This Mean?”

Anyone can be the most amazing person in the world when they’re relaxed and happy, but when we’re stressed, hungry and tired, the worst in us gets brought into the spotlight. We do and say terrible things that we don’t really mean. Something which has helped us solve fights faster is to ask ourselves “what else could this mean?”. When people get angry they tend to let the anger out on those they love the most, or sometimes whoever is closest to them at that moment. For example, if a waiter is rude to you, it’s usually not about you at all but about something completely different – the same goes for your partner.

Try not to take anything personally, from each other or anyone else.

When All Else Fails…

… a handhold and a kiss will be worth more than a thousand words.

Sometimes, when the world is upside down and chaos surrounds you, it’s nice to let each other know that no matter what happens, you will be there to hold each other’s hands.

The best thing about traveling as a couple is that all your experiences are magnified when you get to share them with the person you love the most, and that handhold can make all the difference in the world.

1000Fights: A sincere thanks to Sofia. We especially like the last suggestion. Sometimes a little tenderness goes a long way. Please give their blog a look: www.aswetravel.com . Not sure we could survive traveling together long term…

A Ticket to South Africa

By The Fighting Couple on January 22, 2013 in General, Slideshowable

“All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it yet, but when I would wake in the night, I would lie, listening, homesick for it already.”—Ernest Hemingway

They say that you shouldn’t start blog posts with a quote. They say that it some how takes away from rest of the post. I think that is bunk. Hemingway was onto something. His thoughtful comment completely captures how we feel about Africa. While our visit to South Africa was short, it changed us forever. We want to take you along on our discovery.

A view of Soweto

The Soweto

Our African experience began in Johannesburg, South Africa, affectionately known as Jo’Burg. We endured the long flight from the States. It continues to amaze us that you can board a flying tin can and travel half way around the world in less than a day. Once we got our feet underneath us, we joined up with our guide Henry and headed for the Soweto. Soweto is short for “South Western Township.” The sprawling shanty metropolis is the home to 1.3 million people. It has a rough and difficult history that we won’t dive into here; needless to say, we felt that it was important to see and attempt to understand first hand. Our guide drove us around the Soweto, pointing out the hospital, when electricity came to the area, and how all the city functioned. Our guide took us into a couple of homes. We met the families that lived there. Our “abundance guilt” bubbled up in our hearts. A visit to the township was powerfully instructive. We ended our tour at Nelson Mandela’s house and mentally exhausted.

The next morning we hired our rental car for our adventure. You would think that we would engage a Range Rover for the self-guided safari that we were embarking on? No, we went cheap. We opted for the four-cylinder Chevy Aveo. Bad decision. But we will save that story for a little later. We headed north on highway one. Our destination: Zimbabwe.

Crossing the border into Zimbabwe

Destination Zimbabwe

One of Luci’s lifetime goals is to visit Zimbabwe. Why would an Idaho farm girl set a crazy goal like that? We do not know. The journey took a little over 5 hours. As we approached the border crossing, we began to have second thoughts. Zimbabwe does not have the friendliest relations with our fair country. We parked at the South African checkpoint on the south bank of the Limpopo River. We went in and were greeted by a grim-faced bureaucrat. We explained our intent to cross into Zimbabwe, get our Passport stamped and return. We both saw the blood kind of drain out of his face.

“Why are you doing this thing?” He politely asked. We smiled and tried to explain. Rather than attempt to counter our stupidity, he instructed us to do a number of things for our safety. “Pull your car around to the front of the building, it will likely be stolen or broken into. Go there, come back quickly and see me when you return so I know that you have returned safely.”

Welcome to Zimbabwe

At this point, both of us were having second thoughts. If our rental car company didn’t want us to drive across this river into this country, why in the world are we going across? Like walking the plank, we bravely marched across the baboon ridden bridge. We were headed by foot to Zimbabwe. We were obviously tourists. Luci had her camera around her neck. We didn’t have our belongings wrapped in a sheet or carrying grocery sacks across the bridge on our heads like others crossing. As we approached, we were welcomed by camo-clad militia men with AK-47s strapped to their backs. Each in turn looked at us with healthy suspicion. We nervously whispered back and forth to each other…”keep walking, keep walking.” We entered the run down custom’s house. It was sheer craziness. Crowds pushed forward to face the three to four border agents that were behind bars.

The heat that day was blistering. Humidity was off the charts. The air was close in the steamy small room. We were unsure of ourselves. Our naivety was written on our faces. A couple of different agents came from one of the back rooms and pulled us aside and suggested that we pay them to make the process go faster. We declined. The price was adjusted. Again we opted out. In the developing situation, it soon became clear that the likelihood that we were going to make it out of the experience without our wallets being lightened significantly was highly unlikely. Was it worth it for the Passport stamp? I said, “Let’s go.” We walked out. We dashed back across the bridge to check back with our caring friend and find our car unmolested. We had accomplished our goal. We had set foot in Zimbabwe. The adventure was just beginning.

The view from the veranda of the lodge.

A peaceful outpost

We made our way back into the savanna of South Africa. We had done our research and found a quaint bed and breakfast on a small reservoir, the Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge. This was our first taste of the night sounds of Africa. It was wonderful. We had our dinner on the veranda overlooking the water and listened. We recounted our brave adventures that day and started to connect with the place that we had traveled so far to see.

The next morning we would head out on our self-serve safari to see some of the most incredible animals in the world.

Africa was truly a grand adventure!

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7 Questions with Getting Stamped

By The Fighting Couple on January 18, 2013 in General

The new year is a great time to ask yourself…What if? What if I could travel anywhere that I wanted to go? What if….I could travel with the person that I love indefinitely What if….I sold everything that I owned and just left. If you want to follow a couple that didn’t just think about the what if…they are actually are going to live it, you must follow Hannah and Adam of www.GettingStamped.com.

Blog: www.gettingstamped.com

Twitter: Getting Stamped

Facebook: Getting Stamped

Pinterest: Hannah and Adam

So lets get to know this daring couple a little better.

Hannah and Adam of Getting Stamped

1.) Tell us a little about yourselves. How long have you been together? How did you meet? Whats this we hear about a Lady’s Night?

We actually just celebrated 7 years together last week at one of new favorite Thai restaurants. We have owned a house together for the last 4 years, and married just under a year 2.12.12. So we are used to not following the normal rules.

We met while Hannah had one of the best jobs a college student could ever have, she was paid to hand out free beer! The night we met happen to be a Monday night, and yes also a ladies night. Hannah was handing out free beer, Adam’s Friends wanted free beer and Adam wanted to talk more with Hannah. So Adam and his friends follow Hannah around to 3 different bars where she was promoting and handing out beer. 7 years and a lot of beers later, we are still together and getting ready to be with each other 24/7 for over a year straight!

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: It would probably have to be my friend Matt, it was with him that I think I caught my travel bug initially. My first trip out of the country came with Matt on our spring break trips and other adventures. No matter where we go we have a good time, and we always seem to come back with a story or two.

She said: I wish I could say my best friend Rachel, but she would never be able to leave her family for the duration that we are planning. I would travel with anyone who has the same passion for travel as I do! It could be a life long friend, or another backpacker I just met. If we have similar travel habits/wants/needs we could make it happen!

3.) A tax auditor and a mechanical engineer, you guys are up and coming professionals. What made you guys want to sell everything and travel?

He said: Up and coming comes at a cost, 60-70 hour work weeks are a regular occurrence. Sure the money is good, but its not worth it if you don’t even have time to enjoy it. Basically my life balance is pretty far out of whack.

She said: We realized we are working and working and for what…we have a bunch of “stuff” but there was a lot more to life than “stuff & work”. It came apparent it was now or never to take this trip.

4.) With adventures are sure to come incidents, and we have had our fair share already. We have only let a few of our Travel Fails out of the bag on our website so far. Our much worse ones will be coming out soon (and some of those resulted in some real fights).

He said: I was actually kinda surprised that Hannah volunteered to go on our deep sea fishing trip, that sort of stuff isn’t really her thing. I am pretty sure I will never get her to go on another trip like that again after nearly going under while 2 miles off shore in the Dominican Republic. We didn’t catch any fish on our short expedition, but Hannah did get to feed them, if you know what I mean.

She said: I ended up on the boat only because I didn’t want to be stranded on the beach by myself, for who knows how many hours…..I would have never gone had I know how far out we were going or how rough the seas were. This trip is where I learned that I get sea sick!

5.) What is the hardest part about leaving your “home” for so long?

He said: The hardest part of being gone for me is going to be missing the people in our lives. I will miss the months of April, June-September at home, the rest of the year I will be more than glad to be gone. I will miss the baseball games with friends, the beer festivals, and all the good summer time fun.

She said: Can I say my cat, Tinkerbell? Everyone knows I love her to death, and I would do anything for my baby…. Besides my cat, I am really going to miss my friends & family. Almost every weekend we have some sort of get together with friends or family. We are going to miss 2 baseball seasons, 2 summers, friends 30th birthdays, weddings, and maybe some babies too…

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

He said: The great inequalities between classes of people that always seem to exist in developing countries. We have planned for a few volunteering opportunities along with our world tour, in Laos and Kenya, we are hoping to find something in Central America as well.

She said: Adam nailed it, and I have an issue seeing hungry children. I will stop and buy some food for a hungry children and not even think twice.

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

He said: If we fight it is usually toward the end of a trip, and the stress of returning home makes us cranky. One of the biggest I can remember is an old one, where I let Hannah’s 18 year old brother borrow our rental car during a family wedding in Hawaii. Several hours later we are stranded without a car, I’m getting yelled at, and Hannah is so mad she is crying.

She said: Currently we have the ongoing packing fight. I have a slight clothing/bikini issue, and we cannot agree on the amount of clothing I am allowed to bring. I may have to sneak a few more things in! (Don’t tell Adam)

1000Fights: Adam we are with you. It is always at the end of a long trip that things get a little dicey. Any you guys are going to be gone how long? Ha! Keep in touch. We always need more material for our “Fights” section. Thank again you two. We look forward to meeting you guys out there on your grand adventure.

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!

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