StruxTravel

I was relaxing at a beach resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on the final leg of my FAM trip when it dawned on me; Nicaragua is less than an hour away, this would be the perfect opportunity to check out a new country. I’d always wanted to visit the colonial city of Granada after…

Do you know where your morning cup of coffee came from? If you’ve ever had any from Pete’s Coffee, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts or brewed your own Maxwell House, then you’ve likely enjoyed coffee grown at the Doka Estate. Located on the verdant slopes of the Poás Volcano in central Costa…

As you may know, I just returned from a 9-day trip to spectacular Costa Rica. I was there for what’s called a “FAM” in the travel industry. This is short for “familiarization tour” in which travel agents visit a number of properties to learn more about the destinations they sell. During my time…

After a very long hiatus, it’s time for another “Where in the world am I?” photo challenge! Do you know where I took this picture? Like in weeks past, I’ll give no clues up front, but will periodically tweet and post clues on my Facebook and Google+ pages to help you out. So,…

Since ancient times lighthouses have offered protection, their glowing lenses providing a guiding light to the weary traveler. They meant a safe haven from the tumultuous sea, a warning of dangerous rocks or reefs. And after a long voyage, the first sight of a lighthouse gave hope and relief that home…

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I opened my own travel agency!  Everyone knows I love to travel. When I started my blog, I was hoping to inspire others to go out and see the world for themselves too. Then, a year ago, I teamed up with…

I can’t believe that in just a few short weeks I’ll be going to Costa Rica! One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, Costa Rica is renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty and breathtaking scenery. Tucked between Nicaragua and Panama on the Central American isthmus, Costa Rica also…

I knew when I visited Key West for the first time two-and-a-half years ago that I would return someday. Between the unforgettable 127-mile drive on the Overseas Highway, the colorful and quaint architecture, and the overall relaxed vibe of the island, I instantly fell in love with the “Conch Republic.”…

Why didn’t anyone ever tell me what a beautiful city San Antonio was before? That was my first thought when my “epic road trip” took me to this city of 1.4 million people located in south-central Texas. A meandering river, lots of open green spaces and plenty of public art,…

The Getty Center—the famed, world-class museum complex perched high in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking West Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean—is one of the top attractions for visitors to L.A. But people shouldn’t forget about the original Getty Museum, now known as the Getty Villa, which is absolutely worth…

Only have a brief stop in Nassau while on a Caribbean cruise? No problem! Here are a few of the “must see” sights. If you plan your day out well you should be able to hit most, if not all, of these. Nassau is the capital and largest city of…

I’ve always wanted to take a cross-country road trip, but never had the opportunity to do so until this year. Three thousand miles by car is a long way, requiring a fair amount of time to do properly. I’ve heard of people driving straight through, in shifts, and making it…

Ever since my 8th grade Spanish teacher taught our class about Lake Titicaca (to titters, naturally), I’ve been intrigued by the place. At thirteen, my conception of the world was still pretty limited; I never thought I’d actually go to this far-off place with the funny sounding name. Well, I…

Called “A Cidade Branca” (“The White City”) for how the sunlight illuminates its aged limestone walls, Portugal’s capital enjoys a warm, Mediterranean climate and idyllic waterfront location. While not as popular a tourist destination as Paris or Rome, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) offers its own brand of captivating Old World charm….

San Diego has been like a second home to me for pretty much my entire life. With a population of 1.3 million, it’s the second largest city in California and attracts more than 30 million visitors every year. Renowned for its idyllic Mediterranean climate, pristine sandy beaches and first-class attractions,…