Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 20

Free Art in Vancouver BC

We just got back from a road trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, and though it felt short, we packed a lot of things in. If it hadn't rained most of the week, we would have walked a lot more and seen more art. As it was, we walked 3-5 miles every day, because we were very close to a lot of things. We took in a lot of street art while there and would have taken more photos if we weren't in the car when we saw much of it.

If you visit Vancouver in the Spring or Summer, you're likely to have more l...

Travel Trends in 2023 Compared to 2019

It seemed like we were all traveling in 2019. We had several great trips that year, including a big trip to Edinburgh and London that we planned around a family wedding. Now, 4 years later, it appears that traveling is back in a big way. We may not be traveling as much as we were pre-pandemic, but we are going for longer and spending more than we were then. 

photo credit
I can't say for certain if we are paying more because of inflation, but I know that people are finally realizing that vacations ...

My Best Fall Staycation Tips

I know there are a lot of fantastic budget-friendly vacation destinations for Fall, but sometimes that's just not in the cards. We don't always have the extra money to spend on a getaway, even though we desperately need/want one. It's times like these that I recommend a staycation, even if it just means you're a tourist in your city for a day. 

I love to see everything there is around me. Portland and the surrounding cities are so interesting and pretty, plus there's always something goin...

Why You Need a Vacation

Travel is important for a lot of people. It gives you a chance to reset, learn, get out of your comfort zone (sometimes), feel refreshed and relaxed, and can help you reconnect with yourself and others. I don't know who I am if I'm not always planning a trip. I don't understand people who don't like or want to travel, because I never stop adding to my destination list.

I hope you have a trip coming up to help you feel better, keep you healthy, and give you a break from the daily grind.  What's nex...

10 Ways to Stay in Shape While Traveling

When you’re out and about flitting from tourist attraction to subway station to lunch, it’s hard to keep up with your diet and exercise regimen. Even though you’re out walking all day, and it may seem like you’re getting a lot of exercise, you’re probably also eating a lot of high-calorie and fatty foods that pretty much negate all the good you're doing with the walking, hiking and stair-climbing. Those extra pieces of cake and pie for dessert aren’t helping either.
Photo by Oksana Taran on Unspl...

Experiencing Haunted New Orleans

New Orleans has always claimed to have a richhistory in the occult and creepy myths, so taking a trip to indulge in thehistorical part of this city is definitely a must. The city has long beencalled one of the most haunted cities in America and for several reasons –catastrophes, violence and close quarters being among them. Everywhere youturn, you can find ghostly haunts:

The Omni Royal Hotel

Once the building for the city’s slave market andthe site of great brutality, the hotel is now...

Traveling with Halloween Costumes

It's that time again! Time to think about Fall travels. I like to travel during the holidays, and one of those holidays is Halloween. I'm an adult who will dress up for any reason. Costumes are fun. Even if you're just looking to pack a costume for the kids, they can end up taking up a big part of your carry-on, which is all priority space.  

We have visited Disney parks multiple times with costumes and still packed light and accomplished carry-on-only travel, so I think we've done it right. Here...

How Are People Traveling In 2023?

Now that we're 3/4 through 2023, it's time to look at what new travel trends have emerged. I know we've been traveling a little differently now than we did 3, 5, or even 10 years ago. Last year we threw caution to the wind and went all-in on a trip to Paris on a brand new airline and we genuinely have no regrets. We have been traveling more with family (specifically, my mom), visiting more places on those trips that are historically important to us, and we even took a trip to celebrate a wedding...

Happy Return To Hogwarts Day!

The last few months have been pretty busy, getting ready for several Potter events and visiting Hogwarts while in Universal Hollywood. Now, I'm on to planning next year's party and working on Yule Ball for our Fandom Forward chapter. So, let's have a look back at my magical year that's prepped me for Back to School time:

In June, we took a road trip to Los Angeles, since we didn't get to go earlier in the year. We hit up Super Nintendo World (in Universal) for Eric's early birthday, and I took a ...

Are You Packed for Your Fall Travel?

Fall is coming and many people, including myself, will be traveling. The most annoying part of traveling in the Autumn is figuring out what to pack for the everchanging weather. We've gone where it's been much colder than expected and also when it has felt like the middle of summer. So, what have I learned? Layering is important and necessary.

This is a staple outfit for my travels

When I travel during the fall, I choose mostly lightweight fabrics that breathe and then pack a few pieces that can b...