by Malori

Wow!  That is the word heard by our group of 9 travelers over and over again on our heli-hiking adventure with CMH.  Since 1967, Canadian Mountain Holidays has been using helicopters to transport their guests up into the 9,000 feet elevations first for skiing, and then realizing they could fill their off-season, they invented heli-hiking as well.

After a two-hour bus ride from Banff, we arrived at a field, surrounded by local farms.  We were given a briefing on helicopter safely, including how to properly load a helicopter, buckle in and a few other safety notes.

Hearing the distant sounds of helicopter blades in the background, we became more and more excited.  The sounds became more prevalent as they moved closer to us.  Now in complete view, we realized this is our transportation for the next three days.  Excitement grew as we climbed onboard and smiles radiated from our faces.  We would soon be off!

Up in the air, climbing higher and higher over rivers, trees and then granite, glacier-filed mountains, the smiles didn’t leave our faces.  We knew we were in for the most special three days anyone can experience.

Once at our remote lodge, situated in front of a beautiful glacier, we were outfitted with jackets and pants, boots and poles.  With our equipment and a few instructions, we checked into our rooms, had a bite for lunch, packed a snack, met our guides and off we went – onto our helicopter for the first drop off point.

We spent the next two and a half days playing and hiking in the mountains.  Each morning we began our day with a stretch class for those who wanted, followed by a hearty breakfast, a packed lunch (we packed it from a variety of options set out for us each morning).  And then we were off!  One-by-one, the groups were gathered and off we’d fly, towards a different adventure spot each day.  Building on the skills we had learned the day prior, we felt ourselves becoming more confident on the mountains, participating in more technical climbs, and bring dropped off on higher and higher mountaintops, sometimes along the edges or cliffs!  But the guides were skilled, patient and friendly, and could help us through any situation.

Seeing meadows, wildflowers, streams, granite spires, lakes, snow covered mountains and some wildlife, the scenery was varied and each view amazing.  We didn’t want to leave!

The food and service at our lodge were amazing!  Our meals were creative and yummy. Prepared and shared by professionals, the quality was there in every sense of the word.

Too soon, our held-hiking adventure was coming to an end. Saying we wanted to stay was an understatement.  Most of us were already making plans for our next visit, whether with family, friends or another group of Amazing Journeys travelers in the future.  Let us know if you’d be up for a trip like this in the future – we can’t wait to share it with you!

 by Malori

 by Malori

 by Malori

Europe has chosen diplomacy over reciprocity.

For those of us who are starting to look forward to a big trip, but maybe dreading the long flight to get there, allow us to share some travel tricks. A clinical sleep educator shares the best tips in her arsenal for successful in-flight snoozing.

It is the bane of travelers getting on a plane for both business and pleasure – difficulty falling asleep in a seat, especially in coach, and the attendant horrors of jet lag after landing. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can decrease brain performance by 20 percent, so it’s crucial to anyone crossing time zones to rest as much as possible during the flight. Washington, D.C.–based clinical sleep educator and RN Terry Cralle shared her tips for powering down (and getting at least a power nap) on a flight.

1. Plan ahead. “Planning ahead, though it sounds simple, can be much harder in practice. However, it can make a huge difference in your ability to sleep well before a flight and on it,” says Cralle. If you take the time to do things like pack, plan your transportation to the airport, and organize the things that need to happen at home while you’re away in the days leading up to a flight—not the night before—you will not be nearly as stressed-out, and sleep will come more easily.

2. Meditate. “Recently, guided-meditation audio apps have been gaining a lot of popularity, and rightly so,” says Cralle. “It has been shown that these gentle talks help the brain to relax quickly, especially so when the listener is prompted to imagine they are using all of their senses. Say, if you are guided to a beach-side scene where you imagine hearing the waves, watching the sky, and smelling flowers and the salt air, it really helps you to disengage and fall asleep.”

3. Pack lavender oil. “I’m a big fan of lavender oil, it’s so calming, and is a great, simple thing to bring along on a trip,” says Cralle. “A small study was recently done that shows that people who inhaled 100 percent lavender oil before and during sleep had decreased blood pressure and deeper sleep patterns than those who didn’t.” Put a few drops onto your travel pillow, apply it to your temples and wrists once you’ve settled into your seat, and prepare to dream.

4. Ignore in-flight entertainment. No matter how much you want to see the latest blockbuster, Cralle says, “Skip the movies and TV—the end result of staring at a screen during much your flight means that light is hitting your retinas, and telling your brain and body that it’s daytime, and sleep will be much tougher to achieve.”

5. Make to-do lists. To train your brain not to race and worry when it’s time for rest, Cralle recommends a simple daily practice. “Write down your to-do list well before bed. You want to get any obligations and important tasks out of your mind and onto paper during the day so that the mind is clear at bedtime.”

6. Bring something comforting. To get great shut-eye on a plane, Cralle says, “You want the environment to be as comfortable and predictable as possible. If you have a travel pillow you love, always pack it when traveling. Its scent and familiarity will give your brain and body a behavioral cue that it’s time to relax and let go.” The same effect can be achieved by a cozy scarf or sweater.

7. Cover your eyes. “Wear a good-quality eye mask on your flight,” says Cralle. “There are many different models, so even if you think you hate them, if you shop around you’ll likely find one that’s comfortable for you. That little bit of light from a fellow passenger’s iPad two rows up can ruin your ability to fall asleep. The blue light from modern devices is very alerting to the brain, and absolute darkness prompts your body to produce melatonin.”

8. Step away from the Scotch. While a relaxing adult beverage may be tempting, Cralle advises, “Avoid alcohol. Having a drink in an airport lounge or on the plane is a reflex for many people, especially those who have anxiety around flying. However, it really messes with the quality of your sleep, so, close to bedtime, be conscious about drinking booze and caffeine, of course. Hydrate as much as possible.”

9. Decrease the decibels. “Though you’ve likely heard this before, earplugs are very important to have for your flight and your hotel stay while you’re traveling,” Cralle explains. “Make sure to pack them in your carry-on, and, again, try different brands and designs until you find the ones that feel good to you.” There is so much ambient noise on a jet—which is something airlines are working on muffling now—that you truly need to block out that sound, as well as screaming babies and unnecessary alerts from the cockpit.

10. Incorporate cardio. “The relationship between exercise and sleep is very exciting—we are finding that the connection between the two is bi-directional; i.e., if you get enough of one, the other comes much more easily to you,” says Cralle. “The reality is that 40 percent of Americans are sleep-deficient. If you work to add an extra hour of sleep at night, you’ll be much more apt to exercise, and, when you do—especially before a flight—you will be able to doze off much more easily.”

11. Bank sleep. If in-flight snoozing is simply not an option, due to your utter inability to rest on a plane or because you simply must work while traveling, Cralle points out that a little bit of prep work can help you stave off jet lag. “You actually can bank sleep,” says Cralle. “Prioritize your sleep before a flight, and spend a little extra time sleeping or napping in the week before you depart. Lack of sleep really effects your immune system—and the last thing you want on an important business trip or a long-awaited vacation is to get sick. Banking sleep beforehand will also mitigate the bad effects of jet lag.”

by Erin

Imagine sitting down at dinner and a waiter already knowing what bottle of wine you like based on past choices. Or ordering a drink on your smartphone and having it waiting at the table when you sit down to watch a show. More and more cruise ships are moving in this direction with the help of technology. Select ships on Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Disney are now offering passengers bracelets or medallions that serve multiple purposes, all aimed to make your cruise experience more enjoyable and hassle-free. Rather than using a cruise card, that has in the past served as your room key and on-board spending account, this snazzy little accessory would replace the plastic card of the past.

Each technology works a little differently depending on the cruise line and the ship, but each version offers some pretty cool options.  The most obvious feature is the ability to unlock a stateroom without digging around for your cruise card. Passengers will be able to pay for merchandise and excursions with their bracelet. They can get information on how to navigate the ship’s amenities by interacting with digital displays on the walls. On select ships, guests can make reservations at the spa or specialty dining restaurant, view photographs, learn about the destinations they will visit and more. And of course it will alleviate the confusing and sometimes stressful check-in process for a cruise. The bracelet contains a person’s sailing information, so passengers will not need to switch back and forth between printed bar codes and key cards to check in, embark, disembark or buy something on-board.

by Malori

I was walking this morning in my hometown and in the window of Lululemon on Beverly Drive, a sign caught my eye.  It said, “Where do you go to let go” and it got me thinking, where is my happy place?

Of all the places on earth, heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies is where I let go.  On my personal bucket list for over 25 years, I had a chance to experience this magical vacation spot myself a few years ago.  Then I went back the next year with a group so that others could experience this magic.  For three days, a helicopter transports me to the mountaintops where I am far away from everything.  There are literally no people except for a few others staying in the lodge.  There are no buildings, traffic lights or roads.  I spend my days hiking along the mountain ridges, overlooking the bluest lakes and come face-to-face with waterfalls.  One day we may be walking among wildflowers through a meadow, and the next on a glacier.  I’m in heaven.  I de-stress.  I’m happy.  I’m going back again this summer.  Want to join me?

by Erin

Well, we are back from India and let me just say that it was truly an amazing journey!  Personally, India has been at the top of my list for years.  This is the 4th trip that Amazing Journeys has sent and I can’t tell you how excited I was to be able to experience this country for myself.  The people are so warm and inviting, the colors are so bright and vibrant and the architecture is so intense and intricate and the food is so unique and delicious!  We had countless experiences that really let us feel the Indian culture – from a naan making class to learning how to make inlay marble and wearing saris and henna to visiting a weaving village, the things we did on a daily basis will stay with us for years to come.