Travel With United Military Travel

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

California - The Golden State - Part 1 of 3

- - - - - I Left My Heart In California - - - - -

What is there not to love about California?!!?

Both visits out there I have literally been dragged to the airport kicking and screaming the whole way because I didn't want to leave! The state is so huge that for a visitor you would need a whole two months to do everything...if you did it all in one visit. Personally, I like breaking up my "to do list" that way it creates more opportunities for me to visit.

Because of the states size and the different "regions" I am going to refer to them as "north, central, and south". It just makes it easier for me :)

I could go on and on and make this post ten pages long but for time sake I am going to highlight my favorite memories in each "region" starting in the north.

And please, keep in mind that I need to visit a billion more times to do everything I want to do.... or just suck it up and move out there!

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First things first: How we got there...

United Military Travel booked the travel loan for our airfare and car rental all at once and in one phone call and about a month in advance. Our car was literally $24 a day...and so we booked it for the entire week and it will stay that cheap if you do not upgrade ANYTHING at the pick up counter.

***Also, you have to be 25 years of age to rent a car and have to a credit card with a balance to cover the rental even if you are paying some other way. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Now the fun stuff...

Oh and by the way, we camped everywhere we went...

Napa Valley

You know when I said that I left my heart in California...it is in Napa Valley to be exact. But I have to let you know that Josh and I did not have the most "normal" Wine Country experience. For starters my best friend was living there at the time and was staying on about an acre of land that I consider a mini "hippie commune". It was nestled in between two vineyards that were a part of Winery (cannot disclose the specific name). The family that owned that small parcel of land refused to sell and is now occupied by the two daughters and a few other artist who they "ok" to live there in tents. What they made out of the property was unbelievable...something out of a dream almost. The main area was built under a huge tree that provided shelter and shade from the hot California sun and the only other "structures" was a studio for creating art, two houses for each of the daughters, and a gypsy wagon that my bestie lived in.

I am about to get real annoying with pictures...

Our rental car at a winery

The following photos are of the "hippie commune"

Taking a break from the sun :)

Bar Decor...

Lindsey's home and our home for the night

The peaceful feeling this photo evokes is exactly how you feel when you are there

Their studio

The art table under the tree :)

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Now onto Bennet Lane Winery for the best cabernet sauvignon we have ever had!

*Tip - Bennet Lane is actually in Calistoga which is right outside of Napa Valley.

Would Josh and I have chosen Bennet Lane on our own? Probably not. But one of the guys Lindsey lived with on the property worked there and she swore up and down that we would fall in LOVE with the cabernet and have the best time. Well, she was right. We spent the entire afternoon nestled between vineyards, colorful flowers, and rolling mountains watching hummingbirds dance and treating our taste buds to more alcohol than probably should have been permitted. We received the royal treatment - a free tasting, heavy pours, a free tour of the facility, and half price bottles. Needless to say Josh and I left with six :)

This is our experience...

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Back at the property we grilled steaks and bacon wrapped scallops underneath the safety of the beloved tree and drank wine under the stars; we told stories, made art, danced, and sang. This one night trip to Napa Valley was one of the most memorable and life inspiring trips we have taken yet! The following photos conclude our stay in Napa and then we are onto Big Sur!

My handsome hubby!

Inside the gypsy wagon

That concludes part 1 of 3 - check back in tomorrow for Big Sur and Yosemite!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Military Friendly Vacation Destinations

Take Advantage Of Your Job Perks!!!

Whether you live by the sea or not, the quote above perfectly describes my family's view on life. "Today is a holiday, as was yesterday and will be tomorrow..." - we should live everyday as if it were special and treat ourselves often because we work to hard to not enjoy life to the fullest.

Being in the Military not only do you get to use awesome companies like United Military Travel for travel loans but there are a ton of fun destinations out there that cater to people in the service. Trust me, it is definitely something we think about when we travel domestically. The service that you provide to our country does not go without recognition and many companies want to show their appreciation one way or the other...you just have to know where to look to get the deals.

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Here are a few "must see" domestic destinations...

Orlando, Florida

What family doesn't want to go to Disney World to let their kids meets all the Disney characters....it has become a staple of growing up. Orlando is the mecca for amusement parks and for good reason; you have Disney World, Universal Studios, Seaworld, and Busch Gardens plus smaller attractions like NASA Space Center all within an hour of each other. Talk about keeping the whole family entertained! I would sign up for email updates or check the Orlando Chamber of Commerce's website while planning your vacation to take advantage of any promotions they may be selling for military families. It is a good way to possibly get free one day passes to Busch Gardens etc. Also, UMT has negotiated hundreds of contracts with major consolidators to bring you discounted hotel rates so make sure you call them before booking anything on your own at 866-582-9579. If you are looking for a rental home, UMT offers private pool homes and condos to finance as well!

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Hawaii

Hawaii is a state that really knows how to say "thank you" to our armed forces and many of their websites have a military discount section to provide the most information as possible. Getting there can be a little more pricey than staying on the "mainland" but once you are there you can take advantage of MWR's discounts and if you booked through United Military Travel you probably have already saved big accommodations and airfare. Check out this trip advisor post highlighting vacation information for US Military here. So before you decide that Hawaii is to far and to expensive do your homework on UMT and check out websites like Hawaii Active.

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Southern California and beyond

Breathe in the Pacific Ocean....

San Diego welcomes service members and families and offers many websites to help you navigate through the discounts. Whether you are looking for California theme parks or just an overview of what San Diego offers, you will be pleasantly surprise at how cheaply you can enjoy sunny SoCal. I would definitely recommend renting a car because more than likely you will need to drive from destination to destination...it is not like Florida where you can stay on the resort and never have to leave. You will want to get out and explore because southern California is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. While booking trips I always research what I should book on my own and what I should have UMT book and from past experiences UMT always has gotten me the best car rental rate.

Along with San Diego being military friendly the rest of the state should not be ignored.

On our vacation there we took our rental car all the way from San Diego to Big Sur > Big Sur to San Francisco > San Francisco to Napa > Napa to Yosemite > Yosemite to Santa Cruz > Santa Cruz back to San Francisco where we returned our rental car and flew home.

For more information on that trip in the future keep following me this week!

Our rental car in Yosemite National Park

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Washington, DC

Washington, DC has more great free attractions than any city its size in the country. Between the Smithsonian complex, the many things to see in the government buildings, tours, memorials, and cemeteries, if you can stay and eat cheaply you can have a very full vacation on very little money. You also have the option of either staying in the city or outside of it - my favorite is staying IN the city and just taking the Metro everywhere for transportation. That saves you on having to rent a car, making this vacation even more affordable!!

Such a fun, family vacation!!!

Friday, May 16, 2014

~ How To Make The Best of Military Life ~

...When Life Separates You - Close The Gaps...

Traveling makes the heart grow fonder

Every person across the globe knows that being a part of a military family is not easy but only a few understand it. Many families are separated months out of the year...year after year, mommies or daddies miss major milestone events in the children's lives, anniversary celebrations are post-poned, and even holidays are sometimes spent alone.

Trust me when I say that it doesn't have to be like that. The one thing that I love the most about traveling through United Military Travel is that when I cannot bear to go one more day not seeing my husband, I can call my favorite travel consultant and book a quick trip to see him. When I chat with my girlfriends about how they are holding up they always ask me, " Do you think I could afford to take a quick trip to see my loved one?" Of course they can! The trips do not have to be outlandish, just a simple plane ticket, maybe a car rental and hotel....and it all comes out to be less than your phone bill for a payment each month.

I think that Military families are amazing and I admire each and every one of them for being strong enough to endure the separation. What everyone needs to learn is that they are "loop holes" to take in order to make your life easier. Most people just settle and accept the fact that you will not see each other for eight months....but why? Yes, distance makes the heart grow fonder but so does being with each other. It is always fun to be in a different city, to explore new things, and try fun restaurants.

Traveling is good for the soul and it teaches you many things in the process. Especially for kids...having your children travel starting at a young age is one of the most important things you can do for them. And when it is going to see their mom or dad just makes it even better!

United Military Travel has AMAZING customer reviews - check them out to see for yourself why my family travels with them:

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Call them at 866-582-9579

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Croatia to Madagascar - My Top 8 drool worthy dream vacations

Travel Loans = Windows of Opportunity

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Ok - So all of my post thus far have been about places I have ALREADY been to. Well, the wanderlust bug has bitten me and so I need a way to "release" a little bit so I am going to list my top 8 drool worthy vacation destinations. And since I have champagne taste on a beer budget, I do believe I see a new travel loan in my future!

These are in no particular order - I am just picking them as they pop in my head.

1. Croatia - Jewel of the Adriatic

Time needed: 2 weeks

Areas to visit: Pakleni Islands for crystal clear sea, hidden beaches, and deserted lagoons.

Dalmatian Coast to explore Dubrovnik and island hop through the Elefitian Islands.

2. Indonesia - Bali

Time needed: 3 weeks

Areas to visit: Bukit Peninsula for world class surfing and beaches, Nusa Penida for the most off-beaten path of Indo as possible. Then West Bali National Park for hiking, bird watching and diving.