Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 153

Oct News 2018 Happy Birthday to Me!

Oct  News  2018 with We Said Go Travel:
Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes! I am so proud of all I have accomplished this year. Thank you for watching my videos, reading my stories, following along on social media and asking me about booking your travels! I was LIVE on the 1pm KTLA NEWS!
Did you see me? Click here to see it AGAIN! 
Lisa Niver on an Arctic Safari with Churchill Wild finding polar bears!
Thank you to Ms. Magazine for publishing my story: “Reverse Mentoring with GenMaverick: The Five Best Lessons I Learned From Teen Feminists.” I was honored to be asked to be a mentor/catalyst for Maverick. This story is from the Maverick Live Summit in April 2018.

“At the inaugural Maverick Live Summit in Los Angeles, teens took the stage to celebrate the new app’s intent to empower young girls to use their voices—and shared honest stories about their paths to incredible accomplishments. From being on “Grown-ish” to being the first African-American woman ever to qualify for a U.S. Olympic speed skating team, the passionate young women who gathered in Los Angeles for the summit showed the crowd of teens that anything is possible and encouraged them to be creative and empowered.

Collectively and individually they told each other and the crowd: “Take risks! Dream big. Let your voice be heard!”

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ON MS. MAGAZINE

My Travel Photo Award is open until November 1, 2018. Thank you to everyone who participated in all of my writing competitions and the first photo award. Submit your photo for our current Photo Award THIS MONTH!

Did you see all of my Africa stories and videos from my trip to Tanzania and Kenya with Abercrombie and Kent?

Part 1: Where Did I Travel on My First African Safari?

Part 2: Are You Ready? Today We Are Going to the Serengeti!

Part 3: What is the Best Way to Travel from Tanzania to Kenya?

Part 4: How can you see Black Rhino, Maasai Warriors and Hula Hoops?

Part 5: Do You Love The Animals of Africa?

Thank you to Abercrombie and Kent for sharing so many of my photos from our East African safari on their Facebook page:

Travel expert and writer, Lisa Ellen Niver, recently returned from a safari in East Africa with A&K. Here she shares some of the highlights from her recent adventure.We Said Go Travel

Posted by Abercrombie & Kent USA on Thursday, October 11, 2018

 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?

Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over 826,000 views on YouTube! Thank you for your support! Are you a subscriber? I hope you will join me and subscribe!

Recent videos from walking with Polar Bears in Canada with Churchill Wild:

I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!

My fortune cookies said:  “Don’t be discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward,” and “Courtesy costs nothing.”

I hope your birthday and entire year will be filled with celebrations!

Thank you for your all of your support. Lisa

Discover more on my social media accounts:  Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and at LisaNiver.com. My social media following is now over 135,000 and I am verified on both Twitter and Facebook.

Lisa Niver at the opening summit for Maverick Live, April 2018

The post Oct News 2018 Happy Birthday to Me! appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Your San Francisco Bucket List Just Got Easier

Jill Robinson and Kimberley Lovato

Family coming to town for the holidays? Planning a long weekend in San Francisco? Dread the question, “What should we do today?”

A new guide to San Francisco has answers.

Written by veteran travel writers Jill Robinson and Kimberley Lovato, 100 Things To Do In San Francisco Before You Die is full of tips, fun facts, and advice on what do in San Francisco, whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time.

“As travel writers we recognize that we often neglect our own backyard for world travel. But how lucky are we to have a backyard like San Francisco?” say Lovato and Robinson. “For new visitors we wanted to included iconic San Francisco sites, but we also wanted to share some little known gems and ideas that we hope will encourage San Franciscans to discover more about their city.”

The intro gives a taste of what what’s inside the pages of 100 Things To Do In San Francisco Before You Die:

“How could we stop at only 100? We cheated a little bit. There are actually more than 100 addresses inside the pages of 100 Things to Do in San Francisco Before You Die. No book on San Francisco would be true to itself without mentioning landmarks like cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Presidio, the Ferry Building, and Coit Tower. But turn the pages and you’ll fall deeper into San Francisco, and even locals will find places they haven’t been.

Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl

We tell you which hotels have the hippest bar scenes, where to eat egg tarts in Chinatown, and what exactly a Mission-style burrito is. We point the way to a world-renowned tequila bar in the back of a family restaurant, and to some of the city’s best neighborhood street fairs. We’ve covered the best museums, including one that hosts a weekly cocktail party. We also tell you where to shop for tie-dye, browse for local art, listen to live music, and follow in the footsteps of the Beat Generation.”

 The easy-to-read travel guide to San Francisco is organized into five sections: Food and drink, Music and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation, Culture and History, and Shopping. There are also itineraries such as “Free Things To Do” and “Family Fun,” just to get you going.

“This is not meant to be all inclusive, and at only 130 , the book could not go into great depth about each location, unfortunately,” say the authors. “We see 100 Things San Francisco as an idea generator that prompts readers to dig deeper into the places that interests them.”

The San Francisco guidebook also includes fun facts about the City by the Bay.

*The official color of the Golden Gate Bridge is International Orange.

*The city’s infamous fog has a name, Karl. And he’s on Instagram and Twitter, too.

*The majestic dome of San Francisco’s city hall is taller than the dome on the nation’s capital building.

San Francisco’s fog has a name, Karl.

“We had a lot of fun researching and learned a ton about San Francisco,” say Lovato and Robinson. “We think it’s a great gift for new neighbors, teachers, Airbnb guests, and co-workers. Or we suggest using it as a bribe for that out-of-town relative or friend who keeps promising to visit. Just send them a copy.”

Get a copy TODAY: Click here!

 

 

 

“One day if I go to heaven … I’ll look around and say, ‘It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.’”

~Herb Caen

Sing-along at the Castro Theatre are an SF must

Take a walking tour of America’s oldest Chinatown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than 100 addresses inside!

The post Your San Francisco Bucket List Just Got Easier appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Thank You Marcie Bradley For Being My Friend

Lisa Niver and Marcie Bradley at Northstar California Resort to go Mountain Biking! May 2017

I met Marcie Bradley in Los Angeles and she and Coop convinced me to come to the Tahoe area for the Expedition Kirkwood Women’s Ski Clinic. I was worried that I was not a good enough skier for the mountain or the clinic. It turns out I was more than good enough and additionally had the bucket list experience of being snowed in at Kirkwood before I went to ski with Marcie at Northstar California Resort.

Lisa Niver and Marcie Bradley sipping champagne at TOST Northstar California Resort. March 2017

While sipping champagne on the mountain at TOST, Marcie invited me back to go to Pumps on Pedals, the women’s mountain biking clinic in summer. I said, “Maybe I will come. BUT I cannot do a bike clinic. I am afraid of biking. If you get me a private lesson with a teacher who does not mind crying, maybe I will do it.” Marcie immediately said, “I have never done it either. I will do it with you.” I said, “I am scared.” She said, “We can do it together.” And we did.

It was by far the scariest thing I did in my 50 things before 50 project but also the one I am the most proud of. And YES for me, it was scarier than jumping out of a perfectly well-maintained plane. I know that if she had not been willing to do it with me, I would never have done it.

Lisa Niver and Marcie Bradley Mountain Biking at Northstar Specialized Bikes. (Marcie has the purple shirt and Lisa has the green one!)

I loved working with Marcie. She and I had so many great conversations about other projects and trips and ideas. I will miss her. I am grateful for the times we spent together and for having a friend like her.

Want to make a donation in honor of Marcie Bradley? Here is the GoFundMe:

Marcie was a light that shined bright on all that knew her, especially her 7-year-old daughter Ellery, and husband Devin.  She was a mom, wife,  daughter, sister – and friend to so many.  Her kind heart, listening ear, helping hand and generosity of spirit were known to all.

As many of you know, she lost her 10-month fight with Gioblastoma (brain cancer) this past week, way too young at the age of 41. Besides leaving behind a beautiful legacy and many wonderful memories, her sweet family is left with many medical expenses that accumulated over her 10 months of care, and dealing with the additional financial impact of her being unable to work during this period.

Many of you – friends, colleagues and more – have asked how you can honor Marcie’s memory, and help her family. We have set up this Go Fund Me to ease her family’s financial burden while mourning their wife and mother. Any remaining funds will be set aside for her daughter Ellery’s future.

Thank you for caring about Marcie and her family, and for any generosity. We invite you to share memories and stories about Marcie here as well. Click here for more about the GoFundMe Project.

The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend.  He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars..the house…the cash.  What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change?  For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.
To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile…remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?
by Linda Ellis
Marcie is ready to BIKE!
Marcie lived her dash so well. I am honored that I was able to spend time with her on the slopes with skis and bicycles. I will miss her and I appreciate her grace, courage and friendship.

Marcie Hatch Bradley

“December 3, 1976 ~ September 29, 2018

It is with heavy hearts that we share Marcie Hatch Bradley peacefully passed away at sunrise on September 29, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Her brave and courageous battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer came to an unfortunate end at which time she was lovingly cared for by family, friends and the amazing Renown staff.

Marcie was born on December 3, 1976 in North Andover, Massachusetts. She loved growing up in her small-town community and spent her summers with her brother, Marc and cousins in Castine,Maine. She graduated from North Andover High in 1995 and the University of Maryland in 1999 with a BA in Journalism. She loved all things “New England” especially the Red Sox and steamers.

After college she ventured out west and lived in Los Angeles and then San Francisco for 7 years until she met the love of her life, Devin traveling in Bali. Together they made Truckee their home, got married on a mountain top and had their sweet daughter, Ellery. Marcie was a cherished member of the Glenshire community and has been an integral part of the Truckee community for the last 10 years through her service and contributions at NorthStar California, EpicPromise, Girls on the Run and FWDD Coalition.

Marcie also had a successful 19 year Public Relations career with management roles at Sun Microsystems, Oracle and most recently Vail Resorts.

Marcie will always be remembered for her big heart, fierce yet unassuming determination, infectious smile and welcoming nature that touched everyone she met. She was an extremely generous and thoughtful friend, sister, wife, daughter and most importantly, mother. She put her whole heart into being a fun, loving and present mother to her daughter. She approached life with integrity, honesty and a sense of humor even when faced with huge life challenges. She paid attention to the smallest details and made people feel special. Marcie, Devin and Ellery enjoyed life to the fullest and took advantage of their time together through camping, hiking and travel adventures.

Marcie is survived by her husband, Devin Bradley, daughter, Ellery Bradley, father, Steve Hatch, mother Monique Hatch and brother, Marc Hatch.

We love Marcie and she will never be forgotten.”

Skiing at Northstar California Resort with Marcie Bradley

The post Thank You Marcie Bradley For Being My Friend appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Thank you @MsMagazine for my #article: "Reverse #Mentori...

Thank you @MsMagazine for my #article: "Reverse #Mentoring with @GenMaverick: Five Best #Lessons I Learned From Teen #Feminists"#maverick #DoYourThing https://t.co/06EE6CUBCH @carmenriosss @chloexhalle @DaunnetteNeRaih @ThatHannahAlper @RubyKarp @BineyMaame @femalequotient pic.twitter.com/iIMaR2DTOA

— Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) October 22, 2018

The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Travel expert and writer, Lisa Ellen Niver, recently r...

Travel expert and writer, Lisa Ellen Niver, recently returned from a safari in East Africa with A&K. Here she shares some of the highlights from her recent adventure.We Said Go Travel

Posted by Abercrombie & Kent USA on Thursday, October 11, 2018

The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Happy Birthday and Congratulations to Lisa Niver!

Happy Birthday and Congratulations to me!

Thank you for all your support of me,
my travels and this site, We Said Go Travel.

During this last year, I went to my 100th country, Tanzania,  and on my first African safari with Abercrombie and Kent in both Tanzania and Kenya (country #101). Want to see more photos? Click here for the photo album of my pictures on Abercrombie and Kent’s Facebook page! Videos below:

Travel expert and writer, Lisa Ellen Niver, recently returned from a safari in East Africa with A&K. Here she shares some of the highlights from her recent adventure.We Said Go Travel

Posted by Abercrombie & Kent USA on Thursday, October 11, 2018

 

I walked with the polar bears and wolves with Churchill Wild at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge near Hudson Bay in Canada.

I was on KTLA TV in Los Angeles three times talking about travel in Napa, California, Ogden, Utah and Palm Springs!

I was live on the news in many states in May 2018 talking about Monterey, California! I have a few of the segments to share:

From NBC 12 News: Visit the Place Where Big Little Lies Calls Home
ABC Action News: Big Little Truths:  The Gems of Monterey County
Fox4 The Morning Blend: Spring Travel With Lisa Ellen Niver
KGUN9 ABC Tucson: Spring Travel in Monterey

I was a speaker at the HOLLYWOOD IMPROV!

I went to my first dude ranch in Tucson, Arizona and learned to throw an Axe!

My art was displayed at Artworks Park City on Main Street.

I flew in a helicopter and landed in the Grand Canyon!

I went skiing outside of the USA for the first time and loved the slopes at Lake Louise Resort and Banff Sunshine Village in Canada. I even crossed the continental divide! I went to Montreal for the first time, hula-hooped on the Rocky Mountaineer and went to my first drive-in in Toronto!

I wrote articles for AARP, Robb Report, Ski Utah, Scuba Diver Life, Wharton Magazine and the Jewish Journal.

I was nominated for three more Press Club Awards for stories for Smithsonian, Saturday Evening Post and Popsugar!

My YouTube channel has had over one million impressions so far  this year and total views is over 820,000.

 

According to Buzzoole, I have over 200,000 followers.

And on Pinterest, I have nearly 90,000 views a month!

I am verified on both Twitter and Facebook and have over 135,000 followers across social media @WeSaidGoTravel!

I have 76,000 followers on Twitter and 25,000 on Instagram.

We Said Go Travel was read in 212 countries from Oct 17, 2017 to Oct 16 2018

For more stats on We Said Go Travel, see “How Good is We Said Go Travel?”

Photo by Krysta Scott during our Churchill Wild Adventures at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

The post Happy Birthday and Congratulations to Lisa Niver! appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Where Vibrant Sydney Turns Electric: A Photo Essay

If Sydney were a movie genre, it would be a romantic comedy.

From its beach communities to the bridge and opera house; the Royal Botanical Gardens to its youthful, good natured, forwarding thinking population, everything in Sydney is a little sharper, a little more vibrant and a little better than your city.

The city explodes with color and energy from its unmistakable skyline to events like Vivid Sydney where stunning light shows project onto buildings across town for two full weeks in May. It is a charming yet sophisticated city where rather than mere birds in the trees, there are rainbow lorikeets and cockatoos.

In the evening, everyone drinks yet by 6am the whole city runs, bikes or is otherwise engaged in any number of high octane activities, all of which involve a bathing suit. It is an economically thriving city where the pies have meat and everyone have a sense of humor, a charming accent and ‘heaps” of fun against the backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful natural settings.

Not convinced? Here are a few photos from my day in Sydney and the neighboring Blue Mountains to convince you…

During Vivid Sydney, the entire city lights up but nothing is more transfixing than the Opera House. Whether you are standing in front of it or looking at it from across the harbor, as the sails animate, so too does the city.

Bondi’s beach is one of Sydney’s most famous. A twenty minute cab ride from downtown, in Bondi, you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a quaint beach town, yet you haven’t left the city. All across Australia, swim clubs build pools into the rocky shoreline and no pool is more iconic than the Bondi Icebergs. Not only is it the most picturesque pool in New South Wales, but the epic walk from Bondi to neighboring Bronte beach starts where The Icebergs end.

If you’d prefer a Mountain View to a beach sunset, a two hour drive into New South Wales’ famed Blue Mountains will provide you with not just extraordinary views but hikes and wildlife viewing.

Sydney’s bird life is on point. Many of the birds you find zipping around Sydney, you can also find in pet stores and zoos across the United States. Among the most beautiful is the rainbow lorikeet. These stunners travel in noisy flocks and can be seen anywhere from the Botanical Gardens to the countryside.

The first time I came to Sydney, I took an early morning walk through the Botanical Gardens and fell in love with Sydney. The view spans from the skyline and the Opera House across to Luna Park and beyond.

The Sydney Bridge is a flamboyant one on its worst day. On New Year’s Eve, it explodes with fireworks as the world’s first city enters another year but when it lights up for Vivid Sydney, with the Opera House in the background, it is something to behold.

Though the birds of Australia are beautiful, they are also loud and these cockatoos in Sydney’s Royal Botanical Gardens are often heard before they are seen. Though fun to watch in the air, their gymnastics in the trees as they move from branch to branch is nothing short of Olympic.

The Blue Mountains are full of Eucalyptus trees and in the summer months, the heat warms the leaves which then emit a mist giving the entire range a bluish tint.

Sydney’s Luna Park, with its old-time Ferris wheel and other carnival rides is equal parts awesome and nostalgic. During Vivid Sydney, Luna Park truly embraces its old school nature  with a dazzling show projected onto the park’s fun house.

Read more about Matt’s Australian adventures in the 405 Magazine:

A Bounty of Beaches: A selection of sandy bliss

“Sunlight reflects off the gleaming white trunks of towering spotted gum trees, giving the littoral rainforest a mystic, muted green glow as you cruise down a modest paved road toward Pebbly Beach in southern New South Wales’ Murramarang National Park. Your neck is a touch sore, because more than once in the 10 kilometers since the main road, you’ve slammed on your brakes in an attempt to identify a mysterious marsupial glimpsed fleetingly as it hops, creeps or scampers across the road. You’ve watched enough Animal Planet to know that Australia is wild, but you didn’t know exactly how wild until you pull into the parking lot of Pebbly Beach and open your car door.” Read the full article

and in Travel Age West: 

What to Do in Southern New South Wales

“Besides the squawks of a handful of mischievous cockatoos pecking around the river’s edge, the morning was quiet. New South Wales’ Clyde River estuary system was glassy as our kayaks slid into the water. The riverbanks were dotted with ramshackle oyster sheds, where old boats began sputtering to life as their owners headed toward the oyster farms for a day’s work.” Read the full article

The post Where Vibrant Sydney Turns Electric: A Photo Essay appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

What Happened At Virtuoso Travel Week?

This year I went to my first Virtuoso Travel Week in August 2018. Did you know that I am now planning and booking travel? Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!

Are you wondering what happened at the Virtuoso Travel Week conference in Las Vegas?

I made several videos to share about my experiences at the conference.

Video #1: Did I love being at Virtuoso Travel Week?

For the first two days, I went to three fantastic Professional Development seminars and to three Adventure Community Pavilions where I met the best suppliers providing experiences for our clients.

Media Matters: How to Land Yourself in the Papers (in a Good Way!)
Misty Ewing Belles
Virtuoso’s Managing Director of Global Public Relations – will share techniques for getting noticed by the media. This session includes tips for how to position yourself as a subject-matter expert and a valuable source for journalists. From pitching stories to handling interviews like a pro, Virtuoso PR will reveal best practices for landing yourself in the press. You’ll also learn what resources are available from Virtuoso as part of your membership, as well as how to translate press coverage into increased sales.



Lisa Niver and Misty Ewing Belles, Virtuoso Travel Week 2018

Six Steps to Effective, Retellable Stories by Jay Golden

The world is made up of stories. We tell stories to remember, stories to connect, and stories to persuade. But what are stories, really? And how can our own stories deliver our most critical insights, at the most essential times, to our most important audiences? Storytelling coach Jay Golden will lead a fun, highly interactive session that will take you deep into the realm of story. Largely based on Mr. Golden’s Journey Curve storytelling framework, the teachings of this course will help you find, shape, and effectively share your most important stories. Along the way, we’ll explore the science behind why stories work, explore techniques to make yours work better, and discuss various genres of stories that will help your audiences understand more deeply what you do in the world, and why it matters.

Video: Your Ticket to More Searches, More Credibility, and More Sales by Jill Schiefelbein

The way customers search for you and the services you provide has fundamentally changed. The information economy presents a new set of challenges for advisors that require you to use new techniques and personalized services to reach the minds and hearts of your buyers. To do this, you have to know how to communicate to both humans and computers. And you need to learn how to do this in the channel that gives you the most bang for your buck: video. This session outlines everything you need to know about making video a successful communication and marketing strategy for your business. From attracting new customers, gaining credibility and media exposure, and strengthening existing customer relationships, Jill Schiefelbein will provide multiple strategies, technologies, and tools that you can use and implement immediately.

The Virtuoso Adventure Travel Community focuses on partners who offer adventurous experiences that include physical activity, a connection with nature, and exploration of unique cultural experiences. Come join Adventure partners to learn about experiences for your most adventurous and active clients.

Community Globetrotting “B”

African Travel, Inc.

andBeyond

Backroads


Big Five Tours & Expeditions

Celebrity Cruises

Heritage Tours

Lima Tours

Lindblad Expeditions

Natural Habitat Adventures

PONANT

Revealed America

South African Tourism

Switzerland Tourism

The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls

Zegrahm Expeditions


Globetrotting: Virtuoso Adventure Travel C


Aqua Expeditions

Austin Adventures

Blue Parallel

Butterfield & Robinson

explora

Ladatco Tours

G Adventures

Kensington Tours


Los Cabos Tourism Board

Nomadic Expeditions

Silversea Expeditions

Southern World Australia, NZ & Fiji

Ted Turner Expeditions

Tourism Australia

UnCruise Adventures

Wilderness Safaris

Globetrotting: Virtuoso Adventure Travel A


Abercrombie & Kent

Alpine Adventures

Amankora

Australis


Cox & Kings, The Americas

Discover Holidays

Hurtigruten

International Expeditions

Micato Safaris

National Geographic Expeditions

Quark Expeditions

PROMPERU

Remote Lands, Inc.

Swain Destinations

Tourism New Zealand

Tourism Vancouver



Video #2: What happens at Virtuoso Welcome Ceremony?

Matthew Upchurch said about his father: “My father was a pioneer in this business, and I am forever grateful that he introduced me to the world and this industry at such an early age,” said Matthew Upchurch. “He had a nose for knowing what the luxury traveler wanted, and it wasn’t necessarily the traditional refinement found in five-star hotels or transatlantic cruise liners. He knew the world offered more than that. His insatiable curiosity about the unknown, his passion for other people and their cultures, and his tendency to question conventional wisdom with a simple ‘why not?’ opened the door for others to experience countries that were not considered tourism-friendly yet. He left his mark on this industry that he loved so much.”

Video #3: Did You Watch The Amazing African Children’s Choir Sing?

See more of our Vegas Adventures for Virtuoso Travel Week in PART TWO with more videos!

And remember: I am now planning and booking travel?

Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!

Where did we stay for Virtuoso Travel Week?

At ARIA!

ARIA Pool Photo by ARIA Resort & Casino

Thank you for all your support!

Lisa Niver

The post What Happened At Virtuoso Travel Week? appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

Do You Love The Animals Of Africa?

Please enjoy part 5 of my video journey through Tanzania and Kenya with Abercrombie and Kent Luxury Tailor Made Journeys.

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four and the final videos Part Five:

I loved being on my very first African safari. I filmed so much footage of the animals and I wanted to be able to share it with you. Please find videos below that are mainly of one animal. If you want to see where we stayed, what we ate, how we got from place to place please see the first 13 videos in this series here.

Video #14 Do you want to see ZEBRAS?

Please enjoy my videos of zebras from Tanzania and Kenya in Tarangire, Serengeti and Maasai Mara from my safari in July 2018.

Video #15 Do you want to see GIRAFFES?

Please enjoy my videos of giraffes from Tanzania and Kenya in Tarangire, Serengeti and Maasai Mara from my safari in July 2018.

Video #16 Do you want to see LIONS?

Please enjoy my videos of lions from Tanzania and Kenya in Tarangire, Serengeti and Maasai Mara from my safari in July 2018.

Video #17: Do you want to see ELEPHANTS?

Please enjoy my videos of elephants from Tanzania and Kenya in Tarangire, Serengeti and Maasai Mara from my safari in July 2018.

Thank you Abercrombie and Kent! I loved my safari adventures! Lisa Niver
Video #18: Do you want to see BABY ANIMALS?

My two favorite things to see on safari in Tanzania and Kenya were baby animals and animals crossing the road. I made this video of just baby animals and animals crossing the road.

Click here to see all of my African Safari videos
Click here for more information and rates!

Part 1: Where Did I Travel on My First African Safari?

Part 2: Are You Ready? Today We Are Going to the Serengeti!

Part 3: What is the Best Way to Travel from Tanzania to Kenya?

Part 4: How can you see Black Rhino, Maasai Warriors and Hula Hoops?

The post Do You Love The Animals Of Africa? appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

What do you do when you want expert travel advice? Ask A Concierge

Sarah Dandashy is an award-winning concierge and travel influencer. She won the title of Best Young Concierge in the world in 2015 from Les Clefs d’Or International–the international professional organization of concierge. Through her Ask A Concierge website, she is considered a verified source of travel information as both a local expert in Los Angeles and a through her concierge connections around the world.

1.) Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

I somewhat like to think that travel is in my DNA. I’m half-Lebanese, which means that half of my family lives in the Middle East and Europe. So although I was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, I took my first flight when I was 3 weeks old—as soon as my passport came in. We flew to Saudi Arabia, which is where I lived for the first 6 years of my life. Travel was part of my upbringing; it was what I did as a kid. I do remember being about five years old and telling my mother, mid-flight, “I could live on a plane.” It’s funny to see how things come full circle, as now I work in the travel industry and travel a fair amount myself!

2.) If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

I would create an epic around-the-world trip and create videos about dancing with strangers.

3.) What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

There are very few things I’m scared of, other than the dark and heights and the woods… at night… Man! I guess I am afraid of more things than I thought. Haha! In all seriousness, when I think of this question, I think of limitations. And I don’t believe in limitations. I believe in being present, trying your best, and being honest with yourself. That is the best way to approach a challenge or something that you might be afraid of. Most of all, I don’t let being “afraid” hold me back from trying.

4.) What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

Google Maps, The Delta App, and Blinkist. Google Maps so I can get anywhere. The Delta App is amazing—it even tracks your luggage! And Blinkist is an app that offers super condensed versions of books. I don’t have time to read, but I love to learn new things. So I like to keep it quick!

5.) What place do you wish more people have seen?

 The Seven Wonders of the World. Granted, I haven’t seen them all. But I think that physically going and experiencing those places would really put the world, history, and life into perspective.

6.) Best advice you have been given and by whom?

“Don’t focus on what you can’t control. Focus on what you can control!”

This is a big part of my life motto. My mother shared this with me at an early age. By no means am I a control freak, but it’s about being proactive. In life, so many things are thrown our way that we can’t control. Some are good, and some are not. You can’t sit there and wait for luck to strike, and you can’t sit there and mope if things don’t go your way. You focus on doing the work and making your life happen.

7.) When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

I’m surprised every time I travel. I find when I travel, I become very present. I think we all have to be. Everything is so new to our senses; we are inspired to live in the moment. It is in those moments where I notice that, in general, people are kind. From helping translate something, to communicating when you don’t speak the same language, I love connecting with strangers. Haha! I mean, this shouldn’t be a surprise since it is what I do nearly every day as a concierge—I connect with travelers, quickly learn about them, and given them genuine suggestions and advice to make the most out of their trip!

8.) What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?

I was lucky to grow up internationally, so it wasn’t ever a choice, so much as the way one lives in this world. I would 100 percent recommend everyone to spend and extended amount of time in another country. It teaches you so much about the world. Arguably, it’s the best education one can get!

9.) I travel because….

I love to live. It sounds so silly when people say “to travel is to live.” But it is true. I travel to learn, I travel to experience, I travel to broaden my mind. Travel gets people out of their comfort zone. It forces people to communicate across cultural and language barriers. Travel inspires us. It teaches us lessons, about humanity and about ourselves. So yeah, when you really think of it that way, “to travel IS to LIVE.” And I choose to live this life fully.

10.) My favorite travel or business book is…  

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

11.)  How about hotels?  What’s your favorite or one you’d recommend?

Shhhh, I have a secret. I’m not a hotel snob. I’ve worked in five-star hotels for over 15 years, but for me personally, I just like a great bed, clean sheets, and a nightstand that I can plug my phone charger into. I’m simple!

I do like to explore hotels with history like The Palace in San Francisco or The Willard in Washington DC. But my taste is more modern, so when it comes to staying at hotels, I like ones that really do something unique. I recently stayed at The Alise Hotel in San Francisco and loved their whole Pineapple theme!  To me, it’s all about the little touches that make a hotel stay… special!

Lastly, can you please recommend a resource for up-and-coming travel writers; this could be a course you know, a book, conference etc.

Attend events. You can read books, take online courses, but nothing impacts a person like attending an event. Some great ones include: Travel Massive, TBEX, and TravelCon.

Along with hotel brands, from The Peninsula, Four Seasons, and Fairmont Hotels, Sarah Dandashy also works with big brands within the travel realm, Trip Advisor, Airbnb, and American Airlines to name a few. People seek her out for her travel tips, advice, and knowledge of trends from the frontlines of travel!

Stay up-to-date on her travels at:

Website

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Our next Travel Influencer interview will be up soon, follow the series here.

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