Visit My Adventures to read about our trip to Bermuda and check out pictures on my Photos page or by clicking into the album through one of the images posted.

One of my favorite travel books is 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. It’s not a perfect list, but it does give you a lot of great ideas for things to do all over the world. Whenever I am planning a trip, I always look up my destination in the book for suggestions. A big problem with travel books is that they quickly become outdated and this book, written in 2003, is no exception. That’s why I was thrilled to find out that Patrica Schultz has released a new, updated version. I’ve already put in an order for mine and I can’t wait to see what’s been changed and what the 200 new entries include.

$12.46 Amazon

UPDATE: My book arrived and I am loving the new edition!

Love traveling but hate planning? American Express Travel will do the work for you with their new Nextpedition program. Here’s how it works: First, you take a quiz to identify your interests and travel style. Next, you speak to a travel specialist to iron out more of your preferences like trip length and budget. Finally you receive a quote for a trip…without the details. A week before your departure, you’ll receive packing instructions, vouchers and a special electronic console which will reveal your itinerary day by day. Currently, mystery trips could send you anywhere in the U.S., Canada or Europe.

Personally, I kind of like planning but I can see the appeal. I’m not sure I could stand not knowing what I’d be doing each day but it’s definitely an interesting concept.

Nextpedition from American Express Travel

Most large airlines are members of an alliance which means you can earn and redeem miles for one airline on any of the other carriers in its group. Star Alliance, Skyteam and oneworld are the main alliance groups. My advice is to pick one in each and only earn on those three airlines. Every time you fly check which group you will be flying with and request to earn miles on your chosen airline. When you accrue enough miles for free travel, you can redeem with your choice or any of its partners.

For example, I choose American as my airline in the oneworld alliance. When I fly Lan, another oneworld member, I tell them I’d like to earn American miles. When I have enough miles for a free ticket, I can redeem them on American, Lan or any of the other oneworld carriers.

Here are the airlines included in each alliance:

Star Alliance:

Adria, Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, BMI, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss, TAM, TAP Portugal, Thai, Turkish Airlines, United, US Airways

Skyteam:

Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Alitalia, Air France, KLM, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Korean Air, Czech Airlines, Air Europa, Kenya Airways, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines

oneworld:

American Airlines, British Airways, Lan, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, Finnair, Iberia, Malev, Mexicana, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, S7 Airlines

Skypak has taken the airline cart and turned it into a high end piece of furniture. The price tag is steep, but you have to admit that they do look cool and some of them are even decorated with 24 carat gold and Swarovski crystals.

From $1,830 Skypak

Next month we’ll visit Belgium. Will tells me they have the best food in Europe so I’m eager to get there and eat!

If you’re a New Englander like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time driving on Interstate 95 and you know how boring it is. Will and I were in the middle of one such tedious drive a few weeks ago when we came across a new sign for the PEZ Visitors Center in Orange, CT. The candy company has been located in Orange since 1973 but the new public venue only just opened in late December 2011. Of course we had to check it out! The complex is relatively small, but it’s packed with PEZ history and memorabilia. You can see the world’s largest PEZ dispenser, many limited edition dispensers and probably the one you had as a kid….no matter how old you are. During the week, you can even watch the PEZ production and shipping process! Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children & seniors (kids under 3 are free) and each ticket includes a $2 coupon for the PEZ store. It’s a fun little stop if you’re in the area.

PEZ Visitors Center

I made a couple of small updates to Alena’s Favorites. Some of the sites I use have changed a little so I corrected the information on how to use them. Also, I added Frequent Flyer Bonuses to my list of favorite miles/points websites. Collecting miles and points has become a big focus for me in dealing with expensive airfares…plus I love upgrades!

Visit My Adventures to read about our trip to Vienna, Austria and check out pictures on my Photos page or by clicking into the album through one of the images posted.

Travelling with kids can be challenging so anything that makes them more comfortable is a good investment. This cuddly fleece blanket folds up into a bear for cute, easy transport and the bear doubles as an inflatable pillow when it’s open.

$26.93 Amazon.com