Category: USA

Top 10 attractions in Vegas (other than gambling)

Reading Time: 8 minutes

When most people think of Las Vegas, the obvious thing that comes to mind is gambling. But there is so much more to Vegas!

I have been there five times now and whilst I confess to have played on the odd slot machine, it is certainly not the gambling that brings me back.  It’s the numerous other activities and the bright neon seduction of this ostentatious town surrounded by scenic desert landscape.

Most visits have been as a couple, with my hubby, but we have also taken our children: once our son when he was only 1 year old and then 10 years later, we took the two children, when they were aged 11 and 7 years – we never had any problem finding kid friendly activities to enjoy.

These are my top ten things to do in Vegas: Continue reading “Top 10 attractions in Vegas (other than gambling)”

A work conference in Chicago

Reading Time: 6 minutes
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. (Feb 2016)

In 2016, I was invited through work to attend a conference in Chicago.  My Hubby (Steve) decided to tag along and we added some time before and afterwards to venture to some other cities (San Fran, Palm Springs and LA). Although there wasn’t a lot of time for sight-seeing in Chicago due to a fairly full conference schedule, I did manage to experience a few things outside our hotel, both as part of the conference and also during some free time with Steve.   Continue reading “A work conference in Chicago”

Our 25th anniversary in California & Nevada

Reading Time: 12 minutes
California & Nevada, USA (April/May 2017)

After seeing an airfare sale we decided at short notice to take a trip to the USA to mark our 25th anniversary of being together (we left our children at home with their grandparents since it was during school term).

We have been to the USA a few times so planned our itinerary with a combination of places we have been before which we enjoyed (like Universal Studios and Venice Beach in L.A.) and also added in some new places we wanted to experience for the first time around Las Vegas and Palm Springs. We had a really enjoyable time and fortunately everything went smoothly, thanks to some good planning and resources such as the TripHobo app.

People travelling: Two (me and Steve)

Trip duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Total cost A$5,250 (Flights, accommodation & rental car) plus spending money Continue reading “Our 25th anniversary in California & Nevada”

The appeal of Venice, California

Reading Time: 10 minutes
Venice, California, U.S.A.
Venice Beach, Los Angeles (Feb 2016)

Venice Beach is only 25 minutes drive from LAX and is walking distance from Santa Monica.  It has always been famous for its boardwalk, canals and beautiful beach and now also offers a shopper’s paradise on Abbot Kinney Blvd.

The beachside community was founded in 1905 and developed by an eccentric millionaire named Abbot Kinney. He modelled the town after his favourite Italian city of the same name, complete with canals and plenty of pizza stands.

It has had its share of rough times with gangs in the past and has a massive homeless problem (like many places in the USA) however we love Venice for its character and down to earth vibe. We have visited eight times over the past 25 years and each time it feels like not a lot has changed since our first visit in 1993. Continue reading “The appeal of Venice, California”