Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 32

Happy Birthday, Harry!

It's that time again! The time you get a bunch of Harry Potter party pictures, because we are all celebrating The Boy Who Lived over here. We have formally detached ourselves from She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and taken the fandom for ourselves, because, first and foremost, we are the fandom, and we own it. Anyway, let's start with some pictures from our local tea house:

We've only missed this annual tea in 2020, because the tea house was closed, but we've also drawn friends into this tradition with...

Staying Safe While Traveling

Traveling during a pandemic and traveling by yourself can be tricky to navigate, especially when rules are always changing or you don't speak the language. Generally, when I travel alone, I don't really go out after dark unless I take a rideshare or I'm in a place I know well. Here are some great tips for prepping for your next trip:

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Now's a great time to make sure you think about getting travel insurance. 
How do you stay safe during your trips?

Summer At The Bellagio Conservatory

By now you know that I love Las Vegas and so many of the free things it offers. It's a great way to spend less on activities, so you can spend more on food (or, more likely, on airfare). One of the things I always get to on any trip to Vegas is the Bellagio Conservatory.

Each season, the magical horticulturalists of the Bellagio create an awe-inspiring tribute to flowers and plants with a different theme. The Bellagio Conservatory is large and bright and totally free. It's open 24-hours a day and...

The Future of Transportation and Travel

There has been a lot of talk about new travel, like space hotels and flying cars and hyperloop trains, and it looks like many people believe in futuristic travel coming soon. I love seeing this, but I also remember we thought we'd have flying cars by 2022. Let's look at some of the things travelers are expecting:

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Considering airfare is skyrocketing and I can't even fly across the country for less than $900 right now, what I hope we'll get sooner rather than later is high speed trains....

A Bookstore, a coffeeshop, and...Artificial Bird Sanctuary?

We have come back from our (mostly) annual trip from Las Vegas and we found some really cool stuff on this visit. One such place is The Writer's Block, a gorgeous bookstore that also has a coffee shop, because books and coffee just go together. What sets this shop apart from all other bookstores is the decor. It's like stepping into the outside, but better.

I already knew that I wanted to support this unique bookstore before ever setting foot in it. Here's the book I decided was going to be inter...

Disney + Other Theme Parks On A Budget

Being on a budget can sometimes make theme park vacations challenging, since everything seems to cost an arm and a leg. As fun as theme parks are, it’s not all that fun when you know you are quickly draining your bank account and spending way more time in line than you need to be. With some strategic planning you can get a better value for your dollars and still have a great time at the parks. Here are my top tips for doing Disney and other theme parks on a budget:

Get to the parks earlyMy number...

Let's Go On a Road Trip!

A huge percentage of people take vacations in the summer, including myself. If you'll be doing this as well, here are some cool facts about road trip planning. 

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I know gas is expensive, and literally, everything costs more right now with inflation, but that doesn't mean that you can't take a great road trip. Save by bringing your own food, or check out these other money-saving tips, and don't forget to get your car checked out before you leave home. Plan a lot of stops along the way,...

Tips On Packing Light for Summer

Summer travel is here, but with it comes a lot of frustration: long lines, delays and cancellations, lost baggage, and high prices on airfare. Your trips are going to require a lot of patience. Hundreds of checked bags are not getting to their final destination. If you've ever been on a trip where your bag doesn't arrive, you'll know the stress that comes with that. Let's talk about how to pack light for summer.

Unless I'm on my way home and have purchased more items than I have room for, I don't...

5 Tips to Prepare for Your Next Vacation: Get Ready to Explore the World

Are you ready to explore the world and take your next vacation? Vacation time is meant for exploring new places and finding inspiration from the world around us. Whether you’re a city-dweller planning your next vacation or an outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking and camping, there is something for everyone. The key to unlocking the door to your next adventure is preparation.

Preparing for your upcoming trip can feel like a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The right tools and infor...

My 2022 Las Vegas Wish List

Covid has changed a lot of things, and travel is no different. Many places have closed and other places are thriving. The NBA Summer League is back for the summer in Las Vegas, which means we'll be traveling there to watch games and do some sightseeing...and eating. It's going to be pretty hot out, so we'll probably limit our time outside to the evening. 

While you know we've been to Vegas a lot, each trip is unique, because things change so frequently. Here's my list of things I want to do while...