I know it has been a while since I last posted, and that is mainly due to two things: Not a lot of Internet available in the Cook Islands and a lot of relaxation taking the place of the Internet. One could say that both of these things are ideal for a vacation yet torturous for a travel blogger. It has actually felt pretty great to unplug and just enjoy my surroundings. I … [Read more...] about Greetings from the Cook Islands
Destinations
Friday Photo: Don Cesar Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida
I was in St. Petersburg for a wedding in April of 2011, but I didn't have any responsibility to play in the event. While everyone I knew was getting ready for the wedding, I decided to walk the beach and enjoy the 90 degree Florida weather. While walking the beach I noticed the beauty of the Don Cesar hotel, the location of the wedding later that evening. As I walked deeper … [Read more...] about Friday Photo: Don Cesar Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida
Friday Photo: Sand Sculptures in Viña Del Mar, Chile
When I visited Chile in 2010, I randomly ended up in a town called Viña Del Mar for a night. While I didn't know much about the town, I knew that it was on the beach. I also know that when I visit a city that has a beach, I need to get to the water as quickly as possible. By the time I made it down to the Pacific Ocean beaches, I wasn't sure what to expect. The city of Viña … [Read more...] about Friday Photo: Sand Sculptures in Viña Del Mar, Chile
Friday Photo: Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand (via Helicopter)
Two weeks before I visited New Zealand in 2011, a major tragedy hit the area when an Earthquake devastated the town of Christchurch. Our travel plans had us staying three nights in Christchurch, so we needed to be diverted away from the city in order to have a place to stay (our original hotel was not operational). This unfortunate tragedy brought us to a hotel near the Franz … [Read more...] about Friday Photo: Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand (via Helicopter)
Friday Photo: Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, DC
In honor of Memorial Day earlier this week, I wanted to post a photo from my travels to honor the occasion. I chose to write about what Memorial Day Means to Me earlier this week, and today I am introducing the Friday Photo. This Friday's photo was taken in August of 2012 at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, DC. While my wife lived in Washington, DC for nearly 3 years, … [Read more...] about Friday Photo: Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, DC
Holland: The Original Cool – A Bold Claim by KLM
Alright, KLM, I took the bait. I saw the above email come into my inbox yesterday and I couldn't help but be intrigued by such a bold claim. I have never really thought about Holland and cool in the same sentence. That same thought doubles for the Dutch. Nay for the Netherlands. It's not that I think Holland is not cool. It seems like a very nice place and I know many people … [Read more...] about Holland: The Original Cool – A Bold Claim by KLM
An Action-Packed Weekend in Colorado Springs and Denver
You may have noticed that posting on Jeffsetter has been a little light recently. That is for good reason. I sacrificed short term post writing for the good of the long term stability of this blog, attending a travel blogger conference in Colorado Springs this past weekend. I built new relationships, found new friends and crammed so much information into my brain that I needed … [Read more...] about An Action-Packed Weekend in Colorado Springs and Denver
Istanbul and Athens: New Hotel Athens Review
Trip Summary: In January, 2013 Delta was offering very reasonable fairs from Minneapolis to Istanbul. My dad, brother and I decided to go to Istanbul when tickets were available under $800. Part mileage run, part tourism, part amateur archaeologist and part bonding experience, this trip involves 3 nights in Istanbul and 2 nights in Athens. Stay tuned as I review Delta’s economy … [Read more...] about Istanbul and Athens: New Hotel Athens Review
TripAdvisor Offers Free Kiva Loans After Posting Reviews in Countries of Need
I'm starting to think I love Trip Advisor. Not long after posting a review of the Hilton Istanbul on Trip Advisor, I received a triggered email asking me to donate a free $25 loan to an entrepreneur in Turkey. While I recently signed up for Kiva and funded my account and funded it with my American Express Gold Card to help entrepreneurs across the globe, I never turn down … [Read more...] about TripAdvisor Offers Free Kiva Loans After Posting Reviews in Countries of Need
Istanbul and Athens: Istanbul Walking Tour
Trip Summary: In January, 2013 Delta was offering very reasonable fairs from Minneapolis to Istanbul. My dad, brother and I decided to go to Istanbul when tickets were available under $800. Part mileage run, part tourism, part amateur archaeologist and part bonding experience, this trip involves 3 nights in Istanbul and 2 nights in Athens. Stay tuned as I review … [Read more...] about Istanbul and Athens: Istanbul Walking Tour