The name Cozumel means “land of the swallows” but it should mean “land of the laid back vibe.”  The tiny island is just 30 miles wide and 10 miles long but it’s filled with a quiet beauty that encourages you to linger.

I was invited on a Cozumel media trip by Royal Holiday Resorts a few months ago and I enjoyed a soothing and colorful stay. Cozumel was settled by the Maya over 2,000 years ago and the lush grounds of the Park Royal Hotel where I stayed boasted many tributes to Mayan culture like the towering statue and serene fountain below. Read More »

There really is nothing to do in the towns of Santa Paula and Ojai – and that’s exactly why we went. We could have driven 3 hours to Joshua Tree, sure, or gone down to Tijuana simply so we could write ‘…is in Mexico!’ on our Facebook profile and then hightail it back to San Diego – there’s enough to do outside of Los Angeles, but it all seemed so – goal orientated.

If you go to a National Park, you feel the need to hike and that’s just silly and in no way relaxing. If we went to a museum, I’d have to act like I know what my girlfriend was talking about all the while wondering if the café would give me a beer.

See – too many road trips out of town come with immense amounts of pressure. So when I asked ‘what’s there to do there?’ when she suggested it, she came back with ‘not a lot – there are some shops in Santa Paula and a cool little Mexican restaurant’, I was sold. Shops meant she had something to do and tequila meant I did as well. Read More »

Travel to exciting destinations while receiving expert instruction to expand your photography skills!

Y Explore offers custom photography tours/workshops of Yosemite National Park. Learn techniques from expert photography instructors in the dramatic scenery that Yosemite is famous for. Photographic subjects during the tour include granite monoliths and domes, waterfalls, wildflowers, black bears, and other wildlife. All levels of photography experience are welcome. Prices range from $250 to $600 per person, depending on the workshop.

Combine your photography vacation to Northern California with Shasta Cascade regional destinations, such as exploring Historic Highway 99, taking a trip on the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train, or indulging in a luxury houseboat rental from Silverthorn Resort.

Read More »

As a Florida transplant, I’m biased towards spring break destinations in Florida.  But even I have to admit, it’s been a long time since Daytona Beach was the only place to find a spring break party.  Now you can choose from hot spring break spots all over the country – and some of the hottest parties happen beyond our borders (where the drinking age just happens to be under 21).

Where should you go for Spring Break 2009?  You’re guaranteed to find the vacation of a lifetime at any of the locations on this list.

13 Top Spring Break Destinations

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Grab your passport and head to Mexico and the beaches of Puerto Vallarta!  Between luxury yachts to oggle, beachfront restaurants and deep sea fishing, Puerto Vallarta offers much more than a great place to party.  Spend the week in an all-inclusive resort like Canto Del Sol, or pinch your pennies at a budget hotel like Vallartasol.  (For what it’s worth, if there is anyway to get it into your budget, you’re almost always better off going the all-inclusive route.)

Of course, there’s no shortage of nightlife, especially during Spring Break!

The most notorious nightclub in Puerto Vallarta is Christine.  They bring in “celebrity DJs” from New York City and Miami just for the spring break crowds.  Of course, that means techno music and a true disco club atmosphere.  Mandala is also a favorite party spot for young tourists.  Want to spend your spring break nights in a cage?  Who doesn’t? It’s Spring Break!  Head to The Zoo for a chance to do things on the dance floor you wouldn’t be caught dead doing at home.

Before you book your flights for this spring break destination, remember passports are required for travel to Mexico!

Miami, Florida

Yeah, I know.  I said there was more to Spring Break than Florida.  But there’s no denying that there’s a party to be had in this southern Florida city.

Miami is known for it’s high end shopping, beautiful people and glamorous nightlife – which makes it perfect for college students looking to blow $3,000 on a week’s vacation.  This is the spring break city where you’re most likely to stumble across a fashion photo shoot in the middle of the night while you’re walking to dinner.

Where should you stay if you’re heading to Miami for Spring Break?  Of course you can cut costs and stay closer to the airport than the beach – but you don’t go on Spring Break to hear the planes fly overhead.  You can get a reasonably priced hotel and stay closer to the beach at River Park Hotel & Suites.  Or you can go for broke and enjoy the luxury of the Mandarin Oriental – and spend your afternoons at their bar on the water.

And what about the spring break nightlife?  Without a doubt, the “it” club to hit when you’re in Miami is The Clevelander.  Known locally as “The Cleve,” this South Beach hotel, restaurant and bar is the center of every major tourist event that hits town.  Some spring breakers will complain that Miami is too upscale for a truly wild time.  But The Clevelander is the one bar where you can be sure that rule does not apply.

Mazatlan, Mexico

It’s back to Mexico for the next spring break destination on our list.  Do you suppose it has something to do with Tequila?  Nah, of course not!

If you’re a true beach lover, move Mazatlan to the top of your list.  Here you’ll find one of the longest stretches of beach in Mexico – which means really, really long walks on the beach with the soul mate you met on the plane.  Of course, while you’re enjoying your romantic stroll, prepare to be accosted by local vendors peddling all kinds of hand made crafts.  Looking for an authentic souvenir that may or may not fall apart before you get home?  Look no further than your friendly beach peddler!

Mazatlan is also a great spring break destination for college students looking to get the most bang for their buck.  When looking for hotels in Mazatlan, try to concentrate on “the Golden Zone”.   This will provide you with the safest and most centrally located hotels.

When the sun goes down, make sure you schedule a stop for the world’s first Senor Frog’s.  It doesn’t get more authentic spring break than a night at Senor Frog’s.  Where do you go next?  Fiesta Land offers one stop.. uh… partying.  It’s a major complex that features more entertainment than you could hope to pack into one night, including Valentino’s, Bora Bora and Sambawa.

Bahamas

Yet another international destination for spring breakers and an excuse to get your passport up to date.  (Seriously, spring break requires a lot more planning and organizational skills than it did when I was that age.)  If you can get it done in time, the Bahamas is absolutely worth the paperwork.

If you’re looking for a spring break that involves more than a beach and a bar, than the Bahamas is the perfect destination.  Of course you can spend your days on the gorgeous beaches, but there’s much more to do here than get a tan.  Snorkel, scuba dive or go horseback riding on the sand.  You can also take a tour to many of the historic sites.  (Did you know the Bahamas has a navy and forts!?!)

Not to go all cliche female on you, but the shopping in the Bahamas is truly to die for.  You can wander through a local market and pick up beautiful, unique souvenirs.  Or bring your credit card and take advantage of some of the best gold the world has to offer.

When it is time to cut loose a little, the Bahamas offers something many other spring break locations can’t – LEGAL GAMBLING!  In Paradise Island, Bahamas you’ll find one of the world’s premier casinos, The Atlantis.  This monstrous pink resort offers luxury and a very, very small chance you can win back the cost of your spring break vacation!  You can’t get that in a beach front bar.

Daytona Beach

It’s back to Florida for the original king of Spring Break.  MTV used to do all of their spring break parties here, but in recent years the local businesses have done their best to run corporate spring break parties out of town.

The locals can only do so much to keep the college students away.

Daytona Beach remains a favorite destination for spring break.  The notoriety and warm weather are enough to keep the tradition alive.  And, much to the Chamber of Commerce’s dismay, Girls Gone Wild has even set up shop here in recent years.

Daytona Beach is a relatively small town, so the bulk of your spring break entertainment will be found on the beach or in a nightclub.

One of my favorite things about the beaches here is that, for a small fee, you can actually drive on the beach.  If you rented a car or drove down, do not miss this unique opportunity.  Do, however, be aware that there is no alcohol allowed on the beach and the law is strictly enforced.  Even during Spring Break.

Another big draw for spring breakers is the wide range in the price of hotels available in Daytona Beach.  You can book anything from a room at the Holiday Inn to a suite at the Wyndham Ocean Walk.

Cancun, Mexico

This Mexican spring break haven has a special place in my heart as the first place I went on spring break back in the day.

My first tip is to book a week at one Cancun’s many all-inclusive resorts.  The pool bars, on site restaurants with meals included and hotel activities catering to spring breakers will ensure you enjoy every minute of your spring break.  Many of the resorts also offer amenities like massages on the beach – a heavenly luxury I recommend everyone partake in at least once in their life.

When it’s time to go out, step outside the door of your hotel and catch the bus that runs up and down the main strip.  You don’t have to know where you’re going – just hop off the bus when it stops in front of your destination (or something that looks like it could be a fun destination).  When it’s time to go home, get back on the bus and wait for the driver to announce the name of your hotel.  Can’t remember the name of your hotel?  Check your bracelet!

Yes, Cancun is made for spring breakers and everything that goes along with it.  (On that note, it is illegal to… um… be on the beach in a compromising position at night.  Stay off the beach or prepare to fork over bribe money.  A friend told me that.)

Acapulco, Mexico

If your main reason for heading to Spring Break is the chance to enjoy a party you just can’t get back home, than Acapulco may be the spring break destination for you.

Acapulco boasts one of the hottest nightlife’s in the world.  It offers more than 10 night clubs considered “world class”.

Of course, you may want to start small.  Acapulco does have both a Senor Frog’s and Carlos ‘n’ Charlies location.  These laid back bars bring their own brand of notoriety and spring back lore in a less intimidating atmosphere.  And you don’t have to pass a dress code test.

When you’re ready for the big time, ditch the sandals and jeans and get in line at ZUCCA.  Actually, before you get in line, you’ll want to call ahead and make reservations.  And only both with reservations if you have money, are over 25, or are a beautiful woman.  Yeah, it’s that kind of club.  Getting in may prove to be an impossible feat – but if you can manage it, you’re guaranteed a night to remember.

Somewhere between the t-shirts of Senor Frogs an the exclusivity of ZUCCA, you’ll find the most popular place to party at Palladium.  The dance club is located on the side of a cliff, with monstrous 160ft glass windows overlooking the water.  This disco caters to the spring break crowd with drink specials (which means slightly less expensive, not cheap) and celebrity DJs brought in for the season.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

And now for something completely different!  I fell in love with the idea of Myrtle Beach as a spring break destination the first time I saw the movie Shag.  Of course, that movie was set in 1963 and spring break has grown up a lot in the last 45 years.  But the southern charm and carefree feeling of a spring break in Myrtle Beach remains the same.

Skip the hotels and look for a beach house along Ocean Drive to share with your friends.  It’s a unique vacation experience that you won’t find available in many other spring break cities.  The houses will include multiple bedrooms, your own kitchen and – if you’re lucky – a balcony overlooking the beach.  Sticking to the Ocean Drive area ensures you’re just a short walk away from many of the clubs.

The nightlife in Myrtle Beach is definitely sandal friendly.  You can “hang out” here at chain establishments like Senor Frog’s or Ron Jon’s (notable surf shop by day) or local bars with names like Pirate’s Cove.  You’re more likely to see a pool champion here than a world class DJ, and you can probably afford the beer without having to break out the plastic.

Myrtle Beach is the perfect spring break destination if you’re planning a trip with a big group of friends.  You can enjoy each other’s company and maybe make friends with the large group of friends in the house next door – but you don’t need a large crowd of strangers to find something to do.

Key West, Florida

Listen, I don’t put all the fabulous spring break locations in Florida – I just write about them.  We can’t help that it’s warm here!

And it doesn’t get much warmer than Key West.  If you like the laid back party vibe of a place like Myrtle Beach, but need something a little more tropical – then head all the way south to Key West, Florida.  The locals here take the philosophy of beach life to heart and enjoy sun, sand and fun all year round.  Throw in a few thousand college students eager to escape a lingering winter up north, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect Spring Break.

Key West has grown in popularity as a spring break destination in recent years, in part because it’s about as far south as you can go without a passport.

Don’t bother trying to book a room at one of the nicer hotels or BnBs if you’re heading to Key West for spring break.  They’re not interested in having their fancy rooms trashed by drunk college students, and they aren’t afraid to tell you.  And really, who wants to stay at a bed and breakfast over spring break?  Instead, head closer to Smathers Beach for a more affordable room at Sheraton Suites or the Holiday Inn.

You’ll find the beach scene pretty active in Key West.  While there is definitely time for laying out and working on your tan, water sports of all kind are very popular here.  Rent a kayak or try surfing while you’re far enough away from anyone who can make fun of you if you look ridiculous.

When the beach closes at 11pm (and they mean it – stay off!), get directions to Duval Street.  There you’ll find everyone else who is in Key West for Spring Break and looking for a good time.  Spend your beer money at places like Fat Tuesday’s, Sloppy Joe’s or Hog’s Breath.  Needless to say, shorts and sandals are more than welcome here.

South Padre Island, TX

If your spring break falls between March 10th and March 26th, you’ll definitely want to consider South Padre Island.  Here they boast the “largest spring break venue in the nation”, based on attendance estimates from spring break 2008.

Specifically, head to Coca Cola Beach behind the Island Grand Beach Resort.  From 11am to 5pm daily, they actually host party games for spring breakers here.  A huge stereo system pumps music and prizes are handed out constantly.  Last year, as many as 18,000 people a day showed up for this coordinated birthday-like party for big kids.

If your spring break happens to fall over March 20th, you might also want to check out the Akon concert in town that night as well.  Tickets are only $30 and are available at ez-tixx.com (I am not making these names up).

Palm Springs, California

Looking for a more upscale spring break week with a lot less nudity than other spring break locations?  Are your parents footing the bill and concerned about how you’re spending their money?  Are you really just looking to “go somewhere warm and relax with the girls”?  Then take a closer look at spending spring break in Palm Springs, California.

About 100 miles east of LA, Palm Springs has been working hard to clean up its image and its tourism over the last 10 years.  Thongs are illegal, as well as billboards – although the anti-thong legislation has probably had a more direct effect on spring break parties than attempts to clean up the skyline.

These days, Palm Springs prides itself on catering to high end golfers, retirees and the young Hollywood elite.  You’re less likely to find a wet t-shirt contest and more likely to find a word class golf course.  This is also the place where you’re most likely to spot a real life celebrity while you’re working on your tennis game.

Lake Havasu, Arizona

Lake Havasu bills itself as the “premier West Coast spring break destination”.  If Palm Springs is too mild for you, Lake Havasu may have exactly what you’re looking for west of the Mississippi.  While it’s not exactly the beach, it does provide plenty of sunshine, natural attractions and vibrant nightlife.  And, most importantly, other vacationers looking for the exact same thing you are – a great party!

Beyond the water, Lake Havasu offers the natural beauty of the Sonorun desert, the Mohave Mountains and the Chemehuevi Mountains.  You can spend the days hiking or mountain biking in among the unique western scenery.  Of course the lake itself, combined with the Colorado River, provides plenty of water for swimming, fishing, boating and white water rafting.

Besides the scenery, one of the draws that is helping to make Lake Havasu an up and coming spring break destination is affordability.  Sure, you can stay in a high end resort or rent a houseboat with 6 of your closest friends for the weekend.  Or you can book a room at a cheap hotel in Lake Havasu for less than $50 a night – and still enjoy the warmth and the scenery.

Panama City, Florida

If you want to be on TV, you need to get your butt to Panama City.  This is where MTV is shooting their spring break specials and it is, without a doubt, home to the biggest spring break party in the country.

This year mtvU is heading to Panama City Beach and bringing a full lineup of live entertainment, including Asher Roth on March 11th and Lil’ Wayne on March 12th.  Panama City Beach will host mtvU from March 8th to March 21st.

What about when the cameras aren’t rolling and you don’t have free access to live music?

The entire town of Panama City opens their arms to spring break visitors during March and April.  You’ll find specials on Panama City hotels, special activities for spring breakers at the Panama City bars, and no anti-thong laws here.  At Panama City the message is clear – come for the party, and leave your money!

Wherever you go for Spring Break 2009, remember to be safe.  Don’t wander off alone, avoid alcohol poisoning and never drink and drive.  Have a good time – but be smart.

And don’t forget to wear sunscreen.

Photos:

Back in the BK (before kids) days, my husband and I roadtripped to Baja California every winter.  That was also back in the days before rampant rumors of activity by dangerous drug cartels at the Mexican-American border, but mostly it’s the kids that keep us from continuing the tradition.  One of our favorite things to do was scout for gray whales.  Every winter these beautiful animals migrate along the Pacific Coast en route to the salty lagoons of Baja California where they give birth to their calves.  If you ever have the occasion to visit Guerrero Negro in Mexico, it is the number one thing you must do before you leave – hop on a panga, or small boat, and go out into the waters where some days the waters are so thick with whales that you can actually touch them.

Gray whale in Mexico, courtesy of Wikimedia.

For the toddler-laden landlubber, however, there are other opportunities to view the gray whales on their past Southern California.  The most popular way to do it is to take a whale watching cruise and there are several companies that operate out of the various SoCal harbors.  Don’t be fooled by our lovely sunny weather:  out on the water it can get chilly and wet so bring the proper gear.  And if you’ve never been out on a boat, remember your sea legs.  If you or your children feel seasick, there is no shame in it.  You are out there to have a good time.  If watercraft are not for you, there are places to see the whales from shore, like at Point Dume beach in Malibu.  You have to scan the horizon and look for the telltale signs: spouting water or glistening black skin.  If you see those things you have most likely happened upon a pod.  They will probably be swimming south.

If you are okay with being out on the water, here are some places to go:

Newport Beach Harbor:  Newport Landing Sportfishing runs excursions Monday through Friday and they also have trips to Catalina.

Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach:  a 2.5 hour cruise on a double decker boat, hosted by Cruise Long Beach Harbor.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for children under 12, and free for children under 2.

Marina del Rey Sportfishing runs a grittier tour on a smaller boat, that much better to get closer to the whales without being obnoxious?

Whale Watching in Los Angeles is a great site that aggregates and reviews many of the whale watching tours available in the area.  Now is a great time to look into this kind of activity if you are visiting the area with your family.  A whale sighting feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you are lucky enough to spot one up close.

Whether you see a whale or several or none, you can also see other ocean life, like the dolphins and sea lions below who joined us on a sailing trip from Marina del Rey to Redondo Beach one day.  (Photos by Tim Clark.)

Walt Disney World wasn’t the final destination of the winter vacation that I wrote about earlier this month. After two days at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney transportation picked us up and drove us to Port Canaveral. There, we boarded the Disney Magic, one of two ships on the Disney Cruise Line, and sailed to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Disney’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, and back to Port Canaveral.

Before I go into details, I’ll warn you—I’m going to sound like I was paid by Disney to write this. I wish I were. I’m just a huge fan of Disney vacations, and especially their cruises.

My family and I took our first Disney cruise in January 2006. Over four days, we sailed to Nassau, to Castaway Cay, and back to Florida on the Disney Wonder. Just like the corporate bigwigs must have planned in their meetings, we were hooked. Before we even left the ship, we booked another cruise.

In January 2007, we took our first seven-night Disney cruise. This one brought us to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Castaway Cay. Before we disembarked, we fell for their evil plan again—we booked a third cruise. Our third cruise would dock at the same ports, but this would be a holiday cruise over New Year’s Eve 2008.

The almost two-year wait between cruises was tough. I think we started counting down about nine months before leaving. My daughter was packed at least six months early. I do have to say that the timing might not have been the best choice. It was pretty amazing to see Disney World and the Disney Magic decked out for the holidays, but leaving for a vacation on Christmas Day was a little hectic when you still try to work in all the family traditions. From the look of things on the ship, some people took their entire extended families on the cruise. There were groups of ten or twenty family members at some tables at dinner. Sometimes, we thought that our small family of three got a little lost in the shuffle. Before the end of the cruise though, I think that some of the crew realized this too and tried to make up for it. That Disney. Say what you want about them, but in my experience they always respond to their guests, and most cast members go out of their way to make vacations special for everyone.

If you’ve cruised before but not with Disney, you’ll notices a few differences. First is the price. I won’t lie—a Disney cruise is expensive. For the same price, you could take three cruises on some other lines. But for anyone with kids, a Disney cruise may be the best choice. On board are three different clubs for kids—one for three to seven year-olds, one for eight to twelve, and one for teens. And by club, I don’t mean a place where they can have a juice and dance to Mickey Mouse Club hits for a couple of hours—I mean a place where they can actually hang out for about fifteen hours each day with a full team of trained counselors. My wife and I never left our daughter there all day long, but she would have stayed there if we let her—they make it that much fun. There are games, activities, parties with Disney princesses and other characters, “lab” experiments with Stitch, movies with Goofy, and tons of other stuff. They even take the kids to meals and outside on deck for fresh air and exercise. Another great feature of the Disney cruises is that the characters are so much more accessible than they are in the parks. One night on this recent cruise, we ran into Alice (from Wonderland) and Wendy (from Peter Pan) in the hallway and the lot of us stood chatting and taking pictures for a few minutes.

With all the time that kids want to spend in their clubs, the adults must be bored, right? Wrong. There’s a full-service spa and health club, an adults-only pool, an adults-only restaurant, a dance club, a sports bar, a piano bar, poolside bars, a coffee bar…and there’s also just going back to the cabin for some time without the kids.

Other amenities onboard include a family pool, a kids-only pool, three formal family restaurants, a buffet restaurant, and several quick-service food stops. For entertainment, there’s a first-run movie theater (we saw Bedtime Stories just days after it opened, and could have seen about a dozen other movies) and there’s a live theater where each cruise you can see several different shows produced by the same team as Broadway’s Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.  And all of this food and entertainment is free—well, free with the exuberant cost of the cruise itself. The only extras are spa services and alcohol.

From what Disney reports (I just know what I’m told) their cabins are a little larger than those on many other cruise ships. Each of them also has a split bathroom which can speed up the time it takes to shower and dress for dinner. Cabins range from inside rooms with no ocean view to the huge Walt Disney Suite—which I’ll probably never see in person.

I won’t go into writing about the ports that we visited other than to say that there are chickens on the street in Key West, there’s money in Grand Cayman, and there’s tequila in Cozumel. But there was one more stop and it’s the best of all. Like a few cruise lines, Disney owns its own island in the Bahamas. Disney’s is Castaway Cay and it’s always the final port of call on every cruise. For a full day, guests can hang out on the beach (where the ship’s crew become beachside waiters), try out lots of activities both in the water and on the land, eat at an island buffet with food served all afternoon, and shop at some of those ever-present Disney gift shops or at unique Bahamian shops that Disney doesn’t own. There’s also both a kids club and a teen club on the island for more of that alone adult time—which can be at one of several bars or at the adults-only part of the beach far, far away from the kids. (In emergencies—or just if the kids are having a bad day—parents are always reachable with pagers that Disney provides.)

There’s so much to see and do on a Disney cruise, that one week isn’t enough. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been on a seven-day vacation where time flies as quickly as it does at sea with Disney. So are we going back? You bet we are. But I have to wait two years again. I think I’ll start counting down now.

Tucson, Arizona (and the surrounding towns of Marana, Oro Valley, Green Valley and Sauharita) is an area of over a million people and even more cacti.  It is an oasis in the desert where saguaros grow on golf courses and margaritas are served with lunch.

Although the winter nights can be quite chilly the days are relatively warm and almost always sunny.  The same can be said for the spring and fall.

During the summer it tends to get a tad bit warmer (think hell-like), however, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable night than a summer evening in Tucson- especially if a monsoon has been by (they usually clear out fairly early).

There are plenty of things to do in and around the city.  Some may require a drive of an hour or two, but all are worth it.  Here are some favorites:

Sabino Canyon- You can’t beat the beauty of this hiking area, but you can see it without the walk- tram service is available.  Bring a swimsuit (and a camera)!

Old Tucson Studios – It’s twelve miles and 100 years from town.  It’s an interactive and working studio specializing in your favorite westerns,  Shoot out to Old Tucson!

Tombstone, AZ – If the real thing is more your style take a day trip to the home of the OK Corral.  From Boot Hill to Big Nose Kate’s you can’t go wrong.  While you’re in the area visit nearby Bisbee and tour the mine and/or check out the local art scene.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – It’s a zoo.  It’s a museum.  It’s a botanical garden.  It’s world-famous.  It’s also very close to Old Tucson Studios.

Mount Lemon – You can drive it, hike it or ski it.  Or all of the above.

Kitt Peak Observatory – Kitt Peak is to astronomers what Graceland is to Elvis fans.  The views are fantastic.

San Xavier Mission – “The White Dove of the Desert” is a must-see for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  In a nutshell, it’s beautiful.

Tubac – If you like golf and galleries then you’ll enjoy a trip to Tubac.  Also, if you like hiking the beautiful Madera Canyon is just a short drive away.

Nogales, Sonora (Mexico) – About two hours south of Tucson is this gateway to Mexico.  It’s a great day trip for shopping, dining and culture.  It can get a little rough in the evening as it fills up with drunken teens from the United States (drinking age is only 18 and rarely enforced), so you may want to get an early start on the drive back to Tucson.  Depending on when you read this post a passport may be required to cross the border.

The University of Arizona – Home of the Wildcats, the University of Arizona is part of the Pac-10 confrence and a leader in all kinds of stuff.  The campus is filled with museums, activities, and bikini-clad coeds (if you’re into that sort of thing, which I am).  Notable alumni and staff include: Bob Dole, Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (creator of Sesame Street), Jerry Bruckheimer, Ted DeGrazia, Barbara Kingsolver, Greg Kinnear, Linda McCartney, Linda Ronstadt, Ruchard Russo, David Foster Wallace, Kristen Wiig, Gilbert Arenas, Lance Briggs, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Bibby, Terry Francona, Amanda Beard, Kurt Busch, Jennie Finch, Trevor Hoffman, Steve Kerr, Kenny Lofton, Annika Sorenstam, Jason Terry, Luke Walton, Mike Candrea, Lute Olson, Andrew Weil, and me.

However, the best thing to do in Tucson might be the easiest (and cheapest).  Just find a place to sit and look at this:

Related:

Dillinger Days in Tucson, AZ

Winterhaven – Tucson’s Holiday Treat

Tucson Revealed- A Local’s Perspective

Let’s face it, there are those people you hear about who just have really bad luck. They have true experiences of ‘travel nightmares’ but those aren’t what I’m talking about. This week it’s 13 recurring nightmares that I have about travel every time I’m on the road.

# 1. Getting lost, horribly lost.

I mean, can’t tell North from South kind of lost. In the nightmare I wander aimlessly (usually in London) looking for something and just getting more and more lost. I can’t tell you how excited I am about GPS…

#2. Finding out my ‘cool’ foreign-language shirt says something embarrassing.

I especially have this fear about a French shirt I have, which I’ve insisted on having translated several times. I’m pretty sure it says “love” but I dream I get to Paris one of these days and it will end up being some variation on ‘love’ that means something *cough* more.

#3. The one worse than #2 : Arriving without any clothes on.

A recurring theme on the old High School nightmare perhaps. I have this nightmare where I show up at the airport without any clothes on. Being me, I act as if I’m wearing the emperor’s new clothes and proceed to check in to my flight. Only bonus? TSA screening is much less complicated, even if it is a bit more uncomfortable for TSA. I, of course, have a new suit on that they simply can’t see so I’m fine.

#4. Getting sick in Mexico.

This is a very specific dream, based on a childhood experience that was rather traumatizing at a Rosarito doctor’s office when my sister was sick. The inability to relay your illness in a foreign language sparks this dream every time I travel to a foreign country where I don’t speak the language. Including, of all places, when we went to Quebec, Canada!

#5. Getting left behind.

This nightmare is perhaps the reason I don’t take cruises or travel with tours. I dream that I’m in some place without a map, transportation or language and I get left behind by the tour I’m with. Without anyway to contact them, I must learn to live off the land… Ok, perhaps too many episodes of LOST.

#6. Speaking of which, I don’t have a fear of flying but I do have a recurring dream of being in a plane crash.

This is due entirely to the first season of LOST where they showed that vivid plane crash sequence so many times that I developed PTSD from it.

#7. Being purse-snatched and ending up without any money.

It’s never happened because I’ve invested in, perhaps, every single ‘hide your money on your person’ invention that has ever come along. Never the less, I still dream that it happens regularly. It happened to Dave from gobackpacking.com and his tale on that blog about the experience allayed some of my fears, but I’m still taking my belt pouch with me wherever I go.

#8. Having a traveling companion die while in a foreign country.

As if having someone you love enough to travel with pass away unexpectedly isn’t bad enough, add to that trying to figure out how to get them home. I mean, that sort of thing just doesn’t fit in a carry-on…

#9. Throwing up on the Queen (or really, any head of state).

In this dream, I’m granted an audience with a head of state, usually the Queen of England or the President of the United States. I get to her, and as I’m about to kneel, I projectile vomit all over her white ermine (or his $3,000 suit).

#10. Being chased by a camel.

Through the pyramids and streets of Geza. And I can’t get away. Like something from Indiana Jones, but with a camel instead of bad guys with guns. Really, I think I need to get some better movie selections.

#11(points for figuring out the classic movie reference) I’m traveling between towns in Europe and every town I come to seems to be over run with the plague.

And everything is in black and white…

#12. Getting to a foreign country to discover, much to my amazement, that I’m an international idol there.

I get off the plane to screaming fans and am chased through the streets in my car. Now this is a nightmare to me because I have ABSOLUTELY NO MUSICAL TALENT and they expect me to put on a concert. Ok, that’s it… no more Rock Band video game for me…

#13. Ending up in the middle of a war zone.

Mind you, I’m planning a trip this winter to see my friends while they’re stationed in Kuwait for a book I’m working on, but that’s a planned trip to a war zone.  And my friends each have their own armories.  In the dream, I’m in some neutral place like Switzerland or Canada or Australia and suddenly war breaks out and I’m in the middle of a war zone unexpectedly. And usually I’m without any writing insturiments, which is the worst part.

So what are your (hopefully unfounded) travel nightmares?

** Thanks to Hsin Ho for the particularly scarry nightmare photo!