There are many books devoted to any number of things to do before you die (at least as compared to the number of books devoted to things to do after).  When it comes to travel, many of us have vague notions that we’d like to visit a destination (Hawaii, Japan, Turkey, Australia, etc.).

What most of us don’t have figured out is what to do when you get there.  Sure, there are the obvious things (ride a gondola in Venice), but where can you go for mind-expanding, life-altering experiences?  Check out Lonely Planet’s Cooks, Clowns and Cowboys, 101 Skills and Experiences to Discover on your Travels.  This book, published in December, 2012, is a colorful and interesting source of ideas.

Browsing the Table of Contents we see entries such as: Grapple with Gladiators in Rome; Graduate from Gelato Uni in Bologna; Master Brazilian Cooking in Rio, Keep a Poker Face in Las Vegas Card School.  There is something to appeal to everyone.

The contents are color-coded and broken down into 7 main categories—Music & Dance, Active, Culture & Languages, Flora & Fauna, Food & Drink, Mind & Body, and Arts & Crafts.

The nice thing is that each entry is summarized in two pages.  Each entry displays:

In the coming weeks, we’ll explore some of these, but in the meantime, run to your library or your book-seller and get yourself a copy.  We enthusiastically recommend it. 

Let GoStayFun book your extraordinary adventure. 
You may come back from your vacation having Roasted Your Own Coffee Beans in Guatemala.  Go for the gusto.  You deserve it.

Time NewsFeed recently reported on a travel firm in Japan that will send your “stressed” stuffed animals on vacation for less than  $60. (http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/10/22/now-you-can-pay-to-have-your-stuffed-animals-go-on-vacation/).  So, if you have nothing better to do with your hard earned money or trust fund, making sure your Teddy gets to travel the world is de rigueur.

You might think we would scoff at this enterprise. 
Not true!  We don’t think it goes far enough!  Here are three new enterprises that you should consider:

Bridge cruise.  How many decks of cards do you have lying around the house?  Never being used.  Some
missing a few, but allowed to live hoping for the return of the missing pips. Now brighten up their day by sending your decks on a bridge cruise. 
Imagine the pictures of your cards being shuffled, dealt and held closely by people. Some of these people may be famous bridge players, like Omar Sharif.  Each deck will receive its own special
deck plan and an invitation to meet the captain on the bridge.

Culinary adventure. 
You know that drawer of unused utensils?  Gadgets you now have no idea what they do?  That stock pot you swore you were going to use someday? They are bored and stressed.  Send them on a tour of the Amalfi Coast where they can be used by Michelin-starred chefs.  Let your mixing bowls experience the ultimate relaxation as fresh, authentic ingredients are whisked within.  Invigorating.  Your knives will know chopping, slicing and yes, even julienning as never
before.  A once in a knife-time adventure.

American Girlventure.  Yes, your American Girl doll has a life—why not let her live it! If your doll can have a day of beauty, why not a week at a resort?  Send your doll where she can have fun and sun with other American Girls.  It’s a veritable Girls week out.  What will your doll do with her stuffed animals while she’s gone?  I hear there’s a Japanese firm that will send them on their own vacation.

The next thing I’m going to do is call American Girl to see if I can set up a kiosk in their store. 
Why should they have to go online? 

And since you may have some extra discretionary funds, give us a call.  We should be able to find a vacation for you—that’s what we do best.  You deserve it.

Fathom Away (www.fathomaway.com) published a list of the top 24 travel apps for 2013.  Here are the best of the best (IMHO):

For those apps that are not free, let me recommend a good way to get them for free.  Periodically, as a promotion, app writers let their apps go free for a limited period of time.  One app that finds these is the app AppsGoneFree.  Every day AppsGoneFree list several apps that are free for a short time.  For example, I downloaded CityMaps2Go for free when it was listed on AppsGoneFree.

Make your travel yours.   You deserve it!

Death.  You can’t schedule it; it’s hard to plan. When my mother-in-law passed away on October 2, we had to make quick arrangements to get to Dallas.  Airlines (some of them) have an active bereavement or compassion fare program.  Here’s what they will require:

Tickets under these programs are issued with no penalty for changes (although fare differences will apply) because you may not be sure how long you will stay.  While short notice travel is expensive, we received an approximate 40% discount from American.  That helps.

People will be coming in from out of town for the funeral.  Why force everyone to make their own arrangements?  I called sales manager Amy Kennedy at Hyatt House in Richardson, TX (a Dallas suburb, near the family home) who offered a great special rate.  This way, family can all stay together, plus it’s a convenient property with a hot breakfast included.  I called to make the arrangements and sent an email out to the family.  I can’t tell you how grateful everyone was both that arrangements were made.

When the unspeakable occurs, it’s good to have a plan.  You deserve it.

If your car broke down in the boonies and there was no cell service and you were stranded for a time waiting for a part, would you ever have a car again?  What a stupid question.

Talking heads couldn't get the passengers of the ill-fated Carnival Triumph on the air fast enough to ask, "After your experience, would you ever take a cruise again?"

Why would that be a consideration?  Unpleasant things happen, even while having fun.  Is that a deal killer?  I would hope not.  Yes, Carnival did what it could to make the best of a bad situation and even then, it was very unpleasant.  I get that.

George Stephanopoulos asked a family, "We've heard Carnival apologize.  They're going to give everybody a refund--$500.  Is that enough for you or do you want more?"  [family comments that $500 amounts to a hundred dollars a day and that doesn't cover the emotional trauma]  "So you'll be seeking legal action?"

Really?  Way to bait and exploit the situation, George.  Passengers received a refund of their cruise, a refund of their transportation, a voucher for another free cruise plus $500.

How do I feel?  I would certainly go on more cruises.  I would certainly cruise on Carnival.  I would certainly get a balcony.  If my car breaks down, I would certainly have another car.  In all likelihood, after repairs, I'll probably be driving the same car.

Each of you is a unique individual.  Some like brussel sprouts; some like sweet potatoes.  Myself, I don't like either of those, but I don't judge you. When it comes to meals, sometimes you want to dine, other times you just want to eat.

Vacations are the same way.  Some of you like adventure--the more exciting, risky, and strenuous, the better.  Others prefer laying on a beach, drinking a Mai Tai and if someone were to come roll them over occasionally--that would be perfect.  Some of you like to go to a destination, stay there for the duration, and return.  Others like to keep on the move.  Many like something in between, or both, or neither.

My mission is to help you have your perfect vacation.  There is no little pill that will help you achieve a vacation, it takes a bit of research and
work.  That's where I come in.  I will listen to you and discover what you are looking for.  Then, I will help you find it.

When I was in law school (yes, this lawyer is a vacation planner), I was known as Mr. Research.  If it could be found, I would find it.  That is the same tenacity and dedication I bring to you.  If something is out there, I will find it.  If I can't find it, it isn't there.

Here's the thing--it costs you nothing for me to help you and it could possibly cost you less.  In today's connected era, in truth, you can find the same things I can find, but you don't have the time, resources or inclination to find them.  That's OK, that's why I exist.

As a fellow traveler, I have learned a thing or two and am happy to share the blunt truth with you.  You'll find my insights interesting, perhaps outside-the-box.  If I know a given attraction is over-rated, I'll let you know.  If I don't know--I'll let you know also.  In school I learned that being ignorant is different from being stupid.  Ignorance can be overcome by learning; stupidity is not being able to learn.

I am a creative problem solver--I'm outside of the box, but I know that some problems can be solved directly without special creativity.  Those solutions may be the most elegant.  Tell me what you want and I will help you find it.  If you want to dine; then you shall dine.  If you want to eat; then you will eat.  Either way, I will be your vacation chef.

Bon appetit!  Bonne vacances!