By interesting you mean generic?

In my search to find inspiration for today's blog, I did a search of fascinating places. The search engines all pulled up the same old same old. I agree that yes, Rome, Paris, and New York are all wonderful places that everyone should visit, but interesting thinking outside the box travel locations... No not really. It's like going somewhere and looking for the best kept secret of burgers in the big apple and being referred to Corner Bistro. It's a magnificent restaurant with some of the most mouth watering burgers ever created, but cutting edge? the newest thing?.... No.

 I want to challenge my clients I want to show them a whole new world of excitement they didn't realize existed, not send them somewhere they saw in a romantic comedy. Instead of doing the usual trek around Rome, why not go to Puglia? Puglia is this gorgeous part of Italy filled with olive trees, houses called Trulli's you'll never see anywhere else, and cliffs that are strikingly breathe taking. But I worry that rather than experience something so exotic, people would fixate on the fact that Rome is their comfort zone and never step outside the box. Cruises are the same way. The huge ocean liners that only troll a certain set of ports is far more popular than the Orion that takes you on an adventure around South Pacific.

There is so much to see in the world, I'm going to set a challenge. For your next vacation, step away from what you usually do and seek out an adventure. Don't go do something dumb and dangerous, but try something new, go somewhere you have never been before. If you need an idea, I know some pretty excellent people who can help you.

More like wide bottom'd traveler.

I have a confession, I'm not happy with how wide my stomach is. I am one of those sad american's who didn't get the right talking to, when it came to portion control. With me studying all about the world's most scrumptious food and wine's, it's hard to think about dialing down the "I can eat this amazing meal and consider it research". I will one day be traveling with groups on beer tours of Prague and if I'm wheezing and panting after a mile because I am so out of shape then I doubt my clients will want to book with me again.... Unless I find a place for us to stop and give them life changing beer each time. Plus what about if I take a group to some exotic sexy island. No one is going to want an Experience Director to lay out next to them if I look like their great aunt who thinks spandex is a privileged.

No, they want the super model to come lay next to them and tell them about the tantalizing cuisine the cabana boy is about to bring them, and sip some fruity drink with an umbrella! They want this chick! Who wouldn't want to have drinks with her and learn about Caribbean cuisine. I don't even know who she is and I would book any trip she tossed my way.

I want to be the best Travel consultant I can, At first I thought that meant just knowing a lot and being able to explain the world's treasures to those who are so happy to listen. But as I keep learning, I realize (like I have about a lot when it comes to my new job) my assumptions are wrong. I can't just know, I have to show. I have to be able to walk for days teaching and opening the eyes of my clients to worlds and cultures they never knew about. Which means I can't be out of shape any longer, I have to whip my wide bottom into shape and be ready to walk all over the world. Because the day is coming when I get to take a group to Prague, and show them the Augustine that I dream about. And when I do, I will be ready to walk all over the city not worrying if I'm sweaty and winded... Plus I'll look good doing it. Perhaps I will move it, I'll go from being the Wide Eyed Traveler, to the Chic Styled Hot Traveler.

When I grow up I want to be a Brewery Guide.

I mean look at the lodging alone.

I was given a list of the top six hotel locations in the world that specialize in breweries. Now I would never take something the wise and brilliant Harold Partain gave me lightly, but I must admit on this day I was a tad sleepy.

It only took a second, a blink of an eye for me to wake up and stare at the first hotel in awe, in total amazement of it's fascinating beauty. The Augustine, the majestic structure that haunts my dreams, I loved it the moment my eyes saw it. It's got this fantastic gothic design with a clean and homey interior. It brings together the feel of a mystical castle, and a hip new culture only Prague can bring to your life.