We loved our stay so much at the Retrome in Rome, Italy that we were pretty excited to try out the Retrome Barcelona property. The day that we were to check in to the hotel we had just stepped off our Mediterranean cruise and were a little bummed that part of our trip had just come to an end, but we perked up once we checked in to the retro digs we were to stay in for the next couple of days.

I loved that not only was it a bed and breakfast but that it also felt like you were renting an apartment in a nice part of Barcelona. The common area was stocked full of books about Barcelona and the different styles of architecture and we really appreciated that. It was also very close by to a number of attractions and shopping areas.

Even though it was a smaller property, and some of the rooms are nearby I thought we might have to deal with noise and maybe even some city noise, but it was quiet and we were able to get a really good nights sleep on the comfortable and plush bed.

Breakfast was served at a nearby cafe and it was delicious and easy. Also another nice perk to staying here was it was easy to get a transfer bus to the airport. Just a couple blocks away and the busses leave every five minutes for a painless and easy ride. That helped us out a lot since we were catching a very early flight.

Overall we were very pleased with our stay at Retrome Barcelona and definitely recommend to any travelers who may be making their way to the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona anytime soon.

*Retrome Barcelona hosted our stay, but our opinions are our own

There are so many excuses on why you would like to travel but just “can’t.” Here is a post designed to inspire you to set a plan in motion so you can have some of these moments for yourself. Because well, you deserve to grow and to open your mind to new sights and experiences.

1. See History Come Alive

Hilarye and the girls look out over the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor

You can read about it in books, you can watch about it on TV, but until you actually visit the places where things happen, it feels almost fictional. Goosebumps, a further sense of understanding and even reverence will be found when you witness it for yourself.

2. Immerse yourself in a different culture

Tokyo, Japan

Forget who you are, where you came from and where you are going for just a minute and embrace the idea that there are billions of other people on this planet who although they may have different customs and culture are in many ways very similar to you. You will learn more about yourself than in months of therapy.

3. Be a kid again

Dancing at an outdoor concert in Whistler, British Columbia

Nothing is more healing and calming then letting go of your inhibitions and fears and letting your inner child rise out.

4. Eat, drink and be merry

Grimaldi’s pizza in Brooklyn

Trying new foods and having the best excuse to indulge is definitely at the top reasons to travel for us. Pasta in Italy, pizza in New York City, sushi in Japan… the possibilities are endless!

5. Gather inspiration

Beautiful lake of ice located between Anchorage and Seward, Alaska

Nothing inspires me or gives me more peace than experiencing God’s creations firsthand. Especially the most breathtaking and unexpected ones.

Sometimes what we are missing in our lives is a little zest for life. The best thing we can do is understand that, for some of us, travel is necessary for our state of being and an important aspect of our learning and development. It is said that travel is the only thing you can spend money on that makes you richer, and I fully believe it.

Majorca, or Mallorca as it is also spelled, is well known for being a popular destination for package holidays to the seaside. Tall hotels stand close to beaches which are generally well covered with a mixture of sun-reddening and already-tanned bodies, while fleets of coaches ferry sightseers from popular venue to popular venue. The pleasant climate, beautiful blue sea and fabulous friendly locals combine with the lovely sandy beaches to make Majorca an excellent seaside destination.

However, there is so much more to Majorca than just beaches and sea and sun – in the capital city Palma there is a magnificent Gothic cathedral which offers a wonderful insight into the history of this beautiful island. The cathedral took four hundred years to build, with the first stone laid in 1229 and the last placed in 1601. Many visitors do find their way to the Cathedral, but there are many more who shop and sightsee in Palma without realising its wonderful history.

Well away from the hustle and bustle of Palma and the other traditional package tour destinations is the small village of Deya which is also spelled Deia. Robert Graves had a home here, where the houses cling to the sides of the cliffs that overlook the tranquil waters below. This beautiful and peaceful place has not yet been discovered by hordes of tourists, but there are some holiday-makers who have found it, and they hope that it remains the peaceful haven they love. Many celebrities holiday here, with some even purchasing holiday homes in the village.

The exquisite mountain range, the Serra de Tramuntaras forms the backbone of the island, running along a northeast-southwest axis. The entire area has recently been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status as an area of Physical and Cultural significance. The high cliffs have prevented the mountains from being overrun with visitors, leaving an untouched wealth of flora and fauna. It is possible to explore the area by hire car, on foot or by bicycle. However, please do be aware that there are pockets where visitors are not permitted, as well as some privately owned land where trespassers are not welcomed, sadly, at the moment this includes the highest point of the range, Puig Major, which otherwise offers fabulous views.

The villages of Sonner and Bunyalbufar welcome visitors, but are sufficiently off the beaten track to still retain much of their original Spanish charm and authenticity. Visitors are tempted by local delicacies and warm friendly hotel staff, and it is quite possible to make lifelong friends with the people of the mountains. The charming village Valldemossa is an excellent base for walking tours of the island, being situated a mere 20 minutes from Palma and yet giving access to luxuriant greenery and lush foliage.

By all means, enjoy the thriving beach resorts and fabulous retail opportunities presented by commercial Majorca – Majorca’s weather is perfect for a day at the beach; just remember to explore a little further a field to make sure that you get to see the best of everything that the island has to offer.

scoreboard at Camel Back Ranch

A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to take a baseball lover’s fantasy spring training trip to Phoenix, AZ. For those of you who are not familiar with the cactus league, March and April make great months to visit the warm Arizona climate to catch up with your favorite baseball teams as they train for the upcoming season in a more intimate minor league setting. With all teams and games training within 40 minutes within each other, spring training is a lot more accessible in AZ then any other location.

A few tips for those traveling to the Phoenix area this spring:

Dining- There are so many great options for dining. And the Phoenix and Scottsdale are a bustle of fine dining and up-and coming chefs and restaurateurs. Check out this post for a collection of our favorite places to eat before and after the games.

Things to do- Baseball games are not for everyone, or you may be looking for some things to do in between games. There are a plethora of amazing shopping and spas located in and around the area. Last time I was there I got an amazing massage at the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale. There is also a great amount of culture to explore at the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art, which is a great way to learn about Native American history and culture and there are some interactive stations kids will love. Also the only museum dedicated solely to musical instruments is located in Phoenix and includes instruments from over 200 hundred countries. MIM is fun for the music lover in all of us.

Where to stay- There are many options for where to stay for everyone’s particular needs or budgets. There are world class resorts located all throughout the Phoenix and Scottsdale area, chain hotels, budget motels and of course our all time favorite locations are the Scottsdale timeshare condos. Make sure to do your research and book early, because spring is the most popular time for tourism in the Phoenix area.

Rome, Italy Dream Destination 2012

Okay, I admit it- the title of this post may sound a bit confusing but I promise to explain myself. First let me preface this post by admitting that I am a dreamer. I day-dream, I wish and whine, I may even pine a little from time to time. But in most cases that’s where it ends in a dream and it doesn’t become reality.

Oahu Dream Destination 2012

Now is the time I should also admit I am a huge planner. I do have a spontaneous side to me but for the most part I spend a great deal of time planning out my year, months, weeks and days. I am a compulsive list maker (we are talking notebooks and notebooks full of random lists), because when I write something down I feel a personal obligation to get it done. In fact it even stresses me out a little to not get it done.

Tokyo, Japan Dream Destination 2010

So this is where the alternate title to this post comes into play: Why You should plan to travel rather than dream of traveling. If you plan to do it, you will be ten times more likely to accomplish it. If you actually take the time to decide on a “dream” destination and make it as a goal, and map out the steps and work on simple tasks to help make it a reality. How do I know this works? Because it’s how we have gone to amazing places these last five years including Jamaica, Hawaii, Ireland, Tokyo, Italy and many more!

Jamaica, Dream Destination 2011

For example I have been wanting to go to Costa Rica with my little family for a long time. But it just seemed so unattainable. So this year, instead of wishing and pining I decided to set forth a plan to make it happen. I started by setting a reasonable goal date: February 2014. Then I set quarterly goals to start preparing which include research the best way to take kids, find airlines that fly there and which may have the best rates, and start selling more blog ads to save money.

Alaska, Dream Destination 2010

Totally simple and doable goals. And you know what? I truly believe this will become something we actually end up doing. It may seem so far off- but by planning ahead I know theres enough time to save up for it, and do everything that needs to be accomplished to make it happen. So yes, I do think you should dream but I also think you should plan. Life’s too short!

What are some places that you are going to start PLANNING on going to?