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Wanderlust Blog

Here at Amazing Journeys, we’re lucky to have the best jobs in the world—and we think our good fortune is worth sharing. So, when your next journey seems like a distant dream, take a few minutes to explore our WANDERLUST blog—it’s chock-full of engaging tales and helpful tips from our travels around the world.

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Do you work to live…or live to work? The concluding segment on why vacations are good for your health, productivity and overall well being

Monday, August 10th, 2009

 Reason #6: Travel bolsters mental health
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Mental Health of almost 20,000 Canadians showed that leisure travel has been found to directly contribute to higher levels of physical and mental health, especially during times of stress. Vacations are best bet for throwing off work-related stress by providing you with not only a physical and mental diversion, but a lifestyle diversion. Taking time to “get away from it all” means you can redirect your thought process from corporate decision making to deciding on fun things that you want to do in the time frame that you want to do it. This change of pace can allow you to decompress, reflect, relax and slow down…providing a sense of balance to every day stresses and responsibilities.

Reason #7: Vacations make you more effective at work
According to the U.S. Travel Association’s compilation of research studies, overwork costs employers about $150 billion a year in stress-related absences, and workers get no more done when they work 50-hour work weeks than when they work 40-hour work weeks. The association notes that European workers, who are granted much more vacation time than American workers, had higher productivity growth than the United States in most years between 1981 and 2000.

 
One final bit of advice: When you return from a vacation, block out time and start planning for your next one. You should always have some kind of getaway in the works so that the “look-forward-to” factor is always present. Since you are “working to live” and not “living to work” remember to exercise that premise regularly. The look-forward-to factor is a meaningful and real approach to living…and that’s why we work, isn’t it?
 
And whenever you do take that vacation, be sure to include plenty of downtime for simply sleeping in, lounging by the pool or rekindling a romance. After all, aren’t these some of the true elements that define the word ‘vacation’?

Amazing Journeys – News That’s Fit To Print

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Some good reading: This “amazing” article was published this week in our hometown Jewish Chronicle. Check it out: http://www.thejewishchronicle.net/pages/full_story/push?article-Jews+in+Antarctica-+Amazing+Journeys+-%20&id=3054814&instance=home_news_right

Do you work to live…or live to work? Part 4

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

We continue the series on reasons why taking a vacation is not only good for your health, it’s good for your productivity, creativity and overall well being. One should not under-estimate the importance of recharging one’s physical and mental health:

 
Reason #4: Vacations Make You Smarter A study found a positive relationship between taking vacations and increased intellectual functioning. The mere act of immersing yourself in a new environment is a learning experience. You can take that benefit to the next level by signing up for a class while you’re away. Many resorts offer activities as a fun way to expand your mind and soul without taxing your brain. Culinary classes, motivational speaking engagements, health & wellness seminars…even surfing lessons, photo workshops and amateur talent shows where you can strut your stuff can be part of a vacation that enhances your–and others’-mind, body and soul.
 
Reason #5: Vacations Make You a Better Family Member and Friend A survey of steel workers who took an extended vacation found that time off had a huge impact on family and work life, with workers reporting more shared experiences as well as an increase in feelings of efficiency and interest at their jobs. The more time you can spend with your family and friends, the better…as long as it doesn’t break the break. Camping, especially at national or state parks, is a great way to spend extended time with your loved ones without maxing out your credit card. For example, you can pitch a tent at Michigan’s beach-front Grand Haven State Park for a mere $16 per night…and when you’re done enjoying nature, you can walk into the charming ‘burg in less than 15 minutes to explore the stores and restaurants.
 
To be continued….(one more blog with reasons why taking vacations should be a priority in life)

Do you work to live…or live to work? Part 3

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Our annual Amazing Journey to Alaska is always filled with excitement, adventure, unpredictability and lasting memories. This year’s 10th journey to “Mother Nature’s Showcase” however, having just ended a couple days ago, took the word “amazing” to a whole new level. I could spend a few minutes typing a generalized testamonial compiled by the many positive comments that are beginning to filter into our office, but I’ll just let the following text as received via email from one of our passengers do the talking.

Just another example as to why taking a vacation (and especially one with Amazing Journeys) is not only fun, but good for your health, productivity and creativity:
Dear Malori and Bill
…..I have just been home about a day, and cannot stop thinking about this fantastic trip. I want to thank you for the most amazing trips I have ever experienced. Talking about this Alaska trip…well, besides the fact that this state is unbelievable and beautiful, I know the whole trip could not have been this fantastic if it wasn’t for you guys. You guys went out of your way to make sure everything was perfect and beyond perfect. I thank you for that. You encourage me to stay single forever so I can always be on your trips..LOL!!

I appreciate all you did to make this trip something to talk about and to remember for a life time.

To be continued….(see the next blog for more reasons why taking vacations should be a priority in life)

Do you work to live…or live to work? Part 2

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Eagles and Whales and Bears..Oh my!

Its an exciting time at Amazing Journeys – we are heading out this week on our 10th Annual Alaska Cruise & Tour. We are excited and proud to host 74 passengers on this year’s journey; folks traveling from 16 states and three different countries will all join in Vancouver for a truly amazing journey. We wouldn’t, after all, still be taking groups to Alaska after 10 years if it wasn’t one of the greatest shows on earth.

Whale watching, hiking, wilderness adventures, glacier tours, sea kayaking and white water rafting are just a few of the adventures that await our group. We’ll even sail on our cruise ship to the face of a massive glacier, in a body of water that was created by this glacier over hundreds of years. Our group of 74 are about to embark on a vacation that will be etched in their minds forever as they experience a world that most people only dream of.

Over the past decade, Amazing Journeys has taken nearly 1000 passengers to Alaska (some of them even twice!) and we are proud to be a leader with the Jewish single population in showing off what’s known as Mother Nature’s Showcase.

We’re also proud to announce our most recent “success story” as a result of a recent Alaska cruise; Martin Katz and Nicki Berlyn, who both met on our Alaska cruise in 2007 will be married later this summer.

So, for those of you who are working to live…..there are so many reasons to plan an Amazing Journey. Missed Alaska and want to join us next year? No worries; stay tuned to our website for details on our 11th annual Alaska Cruise & Tour in August, 2010.

To be continued….(see the next blog for more reasons why taking vacations should be a priority in life)