Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 159
July 25, 2018
Why does Matt Meltzer enjoy off-the-beaten path journeys?
Miami-based Matt Meltzer stays busy writing about journeys both at home and abroad as a writer for the Matador Network and the Globe and Mail. The journalist, athlete, veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp and former pageant judge in the Miss Florida America system enjoys covering off-the-beaten path destinations and all things fun in South Florida.
1.)Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)
Had to be the Grand Canyon when I was like 15 or 16. We rafted the whole thing with this grizzled old guide named Shane, and everything there just seemed so other worldly. I’d never seen red rocks before, or tropical waterfalls in the middle of a canyon. And hearing the guides insane stories about the canyon helped. We also were in a group with this plastic surgeon from Florida who’s wife had clearly utilized his services a time or 6, and a Mormon family who got really embarrassed every time my family cursed. So traveling with them was an education, too.
2.)If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?
Antarctica almost feels like a cliché answer at this point because, like, EVERYONE wants to go to Antarctica. And I mean they’re probably three years from opening their first Starbucks, but I’d still like to go because, I mean…ANTARCTICA. I guess I’d look at penguins for a while, say “Welp, I’m in Antarctica,” then get back on whatever luxury cruiseliner I came there on and eat a nice dinner. Because unless you’re monitoring glacial melt or animal populations (both exhilarating I’m sure) I’ve heard there ain’t tons to do. So maybe I’d see if I could open that first Starbucks franchise there. I dunno.
3.)What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?
I have a weird phobia of animals with exoskeletons. Seriously.
4.)What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?
GasBuddy is helpful when returning rental cars so you don’t end up driving around “transitioning” areas near an airport looking for gas stations at 4am. Also a big fan of airline apps for ease of check-in etc. Otherwise, honestly, I’m not big on them. Two I NEVER use: Yelp! because they extort small businesses and promote bad reviews if you don’t buy their ads. True story. And Waze, because making five right turns to go a block is never faster, I don’t care what your algorithm is.
5.)What place do you wish more people have seen?
Big answer, but I’d say the Muslim world. I was in Pakistan last year at a wedding and the more you meet people in that part of the world the more you realize, hey, they’re just like us with eccentric uncles and pain in the neck in-laws and kids who don’t stop screaming, and the vast majority of the people actually like Americans. I think if everyone here spent a month in an Arab country we’d settle our differences within a week.
6.)Best advice you have been given and by whom?
My dad who said don’t be in a hurry to settle down and have kids, you got your whole life for that. Tied is my mom, who said the secret to a happy life is low expectations. This is why I find myself saying stuff like “I enjoyed Branson Missouri exponentially more than Paris.”
7.)When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?
Buffalo, New York has the nicest people on the planet. My first night there this married couple just started chatting me up and buying me drinks. And you know in Florida, where I’m from, that happens and you’re just waiting for them to lure you into some weird dungeon full of whips and goats. These people were just so genuinely nice, and literally every night I’ve ever gone out in that city I end up meeting people who buy me drinks and just wanna tell me how great the city is. And that just doesn’t happen other place.
8.)What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?
Man, you really oughta be charging $250 an hour if you want the REAL answer to those kinds of questions. Travel writers have issues. Bigtime. All of us. But since your readers aren’t therapists I’m just gonna give the pat answer we all give and say “A passion for new experiences and cultures and a yearning to try something new and a greater understanding of the realms of the universe” are leave it at that.
9.)I travel because….
See my answer to #8. Also because people invite me places and I’m like “Hmmm…well when am I gonna get THAT chance again?” And it gives you something to talk about with people.
10.) My favorite travel or business book is…
Hmmm….I don’t read much of either of those genres but I read a little bit of “What I was doing while you were breeding” a while back and it was pretty hilarious.
11.) How about hotels? What’s your favorite or one you’d recommend?
I mean my FAVORITE is probably Jade Mountain in St. Lucia. Although really for $2,500 a night you’d think they’d give you a fourth wall and a TV. I mean the infinity pool is nice and all, but sometimes a guy just wants to watch a little Big Bang Theory before bed, ya know?
In terms of places normal people could actually afford, ALofts are nice, I liked the new TRU by Hilton. If I’m traveling by myself and not for work, nothing beats Motel 6, I’m not kidding. They’re consistently clean and bright and you know what you’re getting. And I don’t need to be spending money on hotels in Tucumcari, New Mexico, ya know?
Lastly, can you please recommend a resource for up-and-coming travel writers; this could be a course you know, a book, conference etc.
Honestly, I know no resources. Be good at what you do, make deadlines, write copy editors don’t have to do much with, and make deadlines. Did I mention making deadlines? Do that and you’re already in the top 5% of travel writers so you won’t need a whole lot of help.
Matt Meltzer writes about all things fun in South Florida as well as about travels outside the Sunshine State. He’s a former editor of Thrillist.com and Senior Editor of MiamiBeach411.com
Stay up-to-date on his travels through:
And Matt interviewed Lisa Niver, founder of We Said Go Travel, for Thrillist about Southwest Airlines!
Our next Travel Influencer interview will be up in a week, follow the series here.
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July 23, 2018
Wondering Where to Wander in Montreal?
I explored Montreal for the first time during the Travel Classics Montreal conference in May 2018 during Montreal’s birthday (17 May 1642).Last summer for Canada’s 150 birthday, I wrote several articles for USA Today 10 Best about 10 unique places to visit, 10 places for an outdoor adventure and 10 sites to explore the history of Canada. These three articles were part of a group that created 150 things for Canada’s 150th! I have been working my way through all of these incredible things to do in Canada.
For our pre-conference experience, I stayed at Monville Hotel which had literally just opened its doors and was centrally located so we could walk to many attractions or for our dinner! I loved meeting their resident robot.
VIDEO: Staying in the brand new Monville Hotel in Montreal
We arrived into Montreal by Rail after several days in Québec City.
VIDEO: Traveling on Via 1 from Quebec City to Montreal
Where did we go? What did we see?
*Museum of Fine Art
*Mount Royal
*HA with Francisco Randez: They have two locations and great food
*Studio 16 and the Street Art Festival
*Pointe A Calliere
From my USA TODAY 10best article: “Most people don’t know that Montreal is one of the oldest cities in Canada, let alone North America. So, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum showcases Canadian history through both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions provide insight on how Montreal began, how it was built and how archaeologists uncovered what the city was like before human settlement.”
*Cite Memoire for Montreal at Night definitely see as many of the 60 projections as you can!
*Escondite! I loved this Mexican restaurant! Thank you to Bernardo and the entire team Vive Mexico!
VIDEO: I Loved Exploring Montreal with Travel Classics
A highlight of my trip was discovering Jewish Montreal with Mélissa Simard on her Jewish food tour.
VIDEO: Want to Discover the Jewish Heritage of Montreal with Food?
I tried something new: AERIAL YOGA. My instructor, Veronique´ Jalbert, at Club Sportif Maa was fantastic! I cannot wait to find my 2nd class.
Video: Club Sportiff MAA Aerial Yoga with Veronique´ Jalbert
Thank you to Maren and #TravelClassicsMontreal! See my next article about the conference and look at my Canada videos from Vancouver to Montreal Summer 2018:
Lisa Niver at Escondite in Montreal
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July 20, 2018
July 19, 2018
Journey by Train in Bangladesh
Photo took with DSLR and post processing with Lightroom
The post Journey by Train in Bangladesh appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
More Rocky Mountaineer please! Lisa is in Virtuoso Life Magazine
Thank you to Virtuoso Life Magazine for including me in your Rocky Mountaineer article.
I loved my experience on the train!
Read the full article:
My articles about Rocky Mountaineer, Banff and Lake Louise:
All the Things You Wanted to Ask about Rocky Mountaineer
Secret Spring Skiing In The Canadian Rockies
Banff Sunshine Village: Tackling My Fears
Are you ready to book your Rocky Mountaineer Journey?
For rates and more information, click here.
Watch my videos from Rocky Mountaineer:
Where can you go on the train?Dazzling Destinations
From cosmopolitan city centres to the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountaineer’s rail routes offer you the most jaw-dropping sights Western Canada has to offer.
Seattle – Vancouver – Banff
Lake Louise – Jasper – Calgary
Circle Journeys
If “see everything” is on your list, you’re in luck. Plan to start and end your journey from the same place and then get ready to take it all in. Combining two or more of our routes in a Circle Journey gives you the most days onboard the train. Lucky you!
Add an Alaska Cruise
With Rocky Mountaineer, adding an Alaska cruise to the beginning or end of your rail journey is a breeze. More specifically, an ocean breeze blowing over glittering seascapes.
Unparalleled Experiences
Over the years, we’ve been perfecting the very fine craft of creating life-changing experiences. Our secret recipe is not-so-secret and has earned us eight world travel awards, but hey, who’s counting?
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The Green Waters in Croatia
It was exursion to KRKA waterfalls. I took a moment and made a shoot while the river was with no people inside.
The post The Green Waters in Croatia appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
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