Happy Friday!

Oh my! It's the last weekend in January? I'm still not over Christmas! Have a great weekend!

Top Places to Visit in 2012

The New York Times did an article on the 45 Top Places to Visit in 2012 and it's definitely a good article, so if you missed it, here is a glance at the top 5.

1. Panama: There is more than just the canal.

2. Helsinki, Finland: Design District.

3. Myanmar: Find genuine hospitality in a place not effected by tourism.

4. London: The Olympics are coming! The Olympics are coming!

5. Oakland, California: If you are from the bay area, you are probably just as shocked as I am! Since Oakland is just in my backyard, I'm planning to spend a whole day there to see what all the fuss is about and I'll share my photos, dining experiences, etc. So check back soon!

The World's Roller Coasters

If you haven't figured out yet from my Bucket List, I am some what of a thrill seeker. So I thought it would be fun to show you some of the top roller coaster in the world. The USA has the most in the top categories but Japan is not too far behind either. Here's my top ten (in no particular order):

Surf Coaster, Sea Paradise in Yokohama, Japan

This isn't in the top ten fastest or longest but the engineering is amazing! 279 feet of the coaster is under the Pacific!

Kingda Ka, Six Flags in Jackson, New Jersey

"The fierce Kingda Ka is the tallest coaster in the World, fastest in North America. The remarkable thrill ride breaks all world records for coaster speed and height, zooming from 0 to 128mph in 3.5 seconds and catapulting you 45 stories in the sky."

Formula Rossa, Ferrari World in Abu Dubai, United Arab Emirates

"Formula Rossa: Strap yourself into the F1 cockpit and hold onto your soul as you blast away on the fastest roller coaster on the planet. You'll accelerate up to 240km/h and see what 4.8 Gs really feels like."

Superman: Krypton, Six Flags in San Antonio Texas

"Flying 16 stories high at 70mph - with nothing between you and Texas. Welcome to Superman: Krypton Coaster, the largest steel roller coaster in the region - and the only one with no floor. Let it all hang out as you jet along with the pavement far below your dangling feet. Nothing feels more like true flight."

The Beast, King's Island in Mason, Ohio

"The Beast is the longest wooden roller coaster in the world at 7,400 feet (1-3/4 miles); travels at speeds up to 65 miles per hour and has a ride length of more than four minutes."

Takabisha, Fuji-Q Highland in Yamanashi, Japan

Takabisha received world recognition when it opened in July 2011, it was the steepest roller coaster in the world at the time.

Steel Dragon 2000, Nagashima Spa Land in Mie, Japan

Steel Dragon 2000 is the longest steel roller coaster in the world. It was built in the year 2000, the "Year of the Dragon," hence the name.

California Screamin, Disneyland in Anaheim, California

Although California Screamin doesn't seem to be the most thrilling coaster in the world, I am a Disney fanatic and it is one of my favorites. It is the 6th longest coaster in the world and accelerates guests from 0 to 55 mph in 4 seconds. 

Skycycle in Japan's Washuzan Highland Park

Forget the loops and the speed, this coaster in Japan is peddle-powered and the heights alone will give you a fright! But check out the views...

Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio

Very similar and second to Kingda Ka this coaster this is one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world.

Do you have the urge to go to Japan or Dubai or Texas now? Contact me here.

Happy Friday!

Disney Fantasy

Take a sneak peak at the new Disney Fantasy. The Fantasy will be alternating seven-night sailings between the western and eastern Caribbean. It's maiden voyage is March 31st, 2012.

I can help you get a cabin on board this gorgeous ship if you contact me through my profile. Just leave me your name, email or phone number, and I'll contact you for the remaining details.

Happy Friday!

Is anyone traveling over the holiday weekend? Anyone superstitious!? It's Friday the 13th!

Seattle Part 2

Planning my trips is always one of my favorite parts about traveling, of course besides being there! However, with Seattle it is  quite easy for me to do since I lived there for about five years and again, the city is my favorite in the States.

Day three in Seattle I plan on grabbing some picnic food from Pike's Place, renting bikes, and hoping on the ferry to Bainbridge Island where we'll ride around, do some hiking, and picnic on the beach. Then hit Doc's Marina Grill for drinks before we get back on the ferry to Seattle.

Tonight we'll visit Pioneer Square for dinner and to explore the many art galleries. But before dinner, we'll stop into Bill Speidel's Underground Tour. In this tour you walk beneath the sidewalks of downtown Seattle, "roam the subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of downtown." Find out more about this famous tour here.

Our final day in Seattle will be spent walking around the city picking up last minute souvenirs, taking in the gorgeous waterfront, and maybe a massage at the relaxing Elaia Spa at the Hyatt :)

Seattle Part 1

Seattle is my favorite city in the US, that I've been to so far at least, but the competition is tough! I'll be taking my boyfriend up to Seattle this coming April (it will be his first time!). We're staying at the new Hyatt Olive at 8, a AAA four diamond property, right in downtown.

Hyatt Olive at 8th

Our  first day in Seattle we are going to the Music Experience Project at the Seattle Center. The EMP has "the world's most extensive exhibition of memorabilia celebrating the music and history of Seattle grunge luminaries, Nirvana." The exhibit is only up until April 22nd, 2012. EMP also has an exhibit 

celebrating the life and music of Jimi Hendrix, with a guitar wall that is not to be missed! You can get more details on the Experience Music Project here.

After a day exploring the museum we'll head over to the Space Needle (right next door). Dinner in the 360 degree revolving restaurant, Sky City includes the normal fee of $18 per person for the observation deck, making the $50 plates more worth it.

The Space Needle was originally built for the World's Fair in 1962,
 at the time it was the tallest building.

After dinner we'll head across the street to The Funhouse, a "dive" for lack of a better term but great for cheap drinks and local music.

Our second day in Seattle I hope to head over to Pike's Place Market before today's "main event." Pike's Place has the first Starbucks, the Flying Fish Market, fresh produce, cute shops and sidewalk vendors for souvenirs, and my favorite place for seafood, Jack's Fish Spot. It is a very small, partially outdoor restaurant where you can get fresh fish to go or stay and eat on their metal bar.

The main event today will be a visit to SafeCo field to see the Athletics play the Mariners! We are huge baseball fans, plus our team is the Athletics. We actually planned this trip around when the A's were going to be there.

Find out about my last two days in Seattle in tomorrow's post :)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope everyone has a great weekened!

2012 Leap Year & Disney

Disney just announced, for the first time ever Disneyland and Walt Disney World will be open for 24 hours on February 29, 2012, leap year! From 6AM on the 29th to the following morning. Special attractions and rides will be open.

Disney is offering clients who book a 3night/ 3 day stay before January 31st a free hotel night and a free day when they stay at select hotels through February 26th - March 10th.

Top Ten Travel Destinations on My Bucket List

Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Mine is to take more pictures (with my new camera :)) and of course travel more! My bucket list is filled with nothing but destinations around the world and of course one activity that has to be done while I'm there! Here is my top ten:

10. Zorbing in New Zealand

Yes... Get in a bubble and roll yourself down a hill.

9. Bungee jump in Ticino, Switzerland off the Verzasca Dam

James Bond took the plunge in the Golden Eye

8. Take a ride on a camel to the Egyptian Pyramids

7. Surf in Victoria Bay, South Africa

After my safari of course...

6. Go shopping in Tokyo, Japan

 AND in Dubai

5. Play with the animals of the Galapagos Islands

Tortoises, Iguanas, Penguins... Oh my!

3. See Flogging Molly at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland

Flogging Molly is an Irish rock band. It's music you can really stomp your feet to!

2. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef

1. Watch the sunset in Santorini, Greece

Ride a donkey up the hill and of course, find the Lost City of Atlantis!

What destinations are on your bucket list?