SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW - GOING PLACES THAT CHANGE YOU

Somewhere Over The Rainbow 

This was the first post and official launch of my erudite Travel Blog on March 5, 2011with some updated revisions from

THE NOMAD ARCHITECT

Stop the World, I do NOT want to get off. I am not exactly a techno-geek, so I am sure I have made many technical mistakes putting this thing out there. But, I boldy went where I had never gone before - the blogosphere. The real idea behind this blog is actually twofold: 1) We have done a fair amount of traveling and will be sharing our experiences past, present and future and 2) Here's what makes this blog different - Some people think that where they stay when they travel isn't important, as long as it's clean, has a good bed and good water pressure. Well, if you subscribe to that philosophy, then this blog is probably not for you. I believe that where you stay, the uniqueness of a place and the quality of the environment can actually change your mindset, even your reality of a country, its people and its culture. And I am not just talking about 300 count Egyptian cotton bedsheets! I am talking about places that have a unique architectural and even artistic quality that make traveling transcend the idea of a vacation.

In the interest of full disclosure and in deference to my wife and best friend who has been married to this architect for fifty-two years, I invite you to think about and consider that travel with any architect can be enlightening, interesting and, at times, weird. I have obsessive interest in how things are designed and built. Those obsessions can create raised eyebrows and wrinkle forehead questions from my bride - What are you talking about? when I comment on the uniqueness of a doorknob or some other detail that is really not that interesting to others. 

IMHO - If you want to see the world of great art, architecture, amazing food, and a culture full of friendly people and ancient and then GO TO ITALY! And, if you play your cards right you can enjoy an enlightening trip that won't break the bank. More on other places, including the good old USA will come later.

Planning Takes Time and Patience

For those Nomads that need a little help finding places to stay, here are three sites you can peruse for cool places with cool prices. Check out The Nomad Architect Blog for more planning references.

• I-Escape. I love this 
  
  site. It is so easy to use and provides great details,
  good and bad, for each property. If you are planning to go to Italy, I highly recommend a few days in Tuscany. The hotel in the photo is where we stayed for about three days. It was the perfect place to enjoy this part of Italy. In the castle-hamlet Castello di Tornano you will find comfortable beds, huge showers, great food, amazing architecture, great staff and great views. And the price is a sweet $185 a night.

• Tablet Hotels. This is one of the best hotel/B&B sites around. It lists both professional and guest reviews. It has multiple filters including location and price. One example - Check out the Marina Di Petrol O Hotel & Spa in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, a quick hour from Palermo. At this waterfront boutique you can enjoy a beachfront room with balcony, a huge stand-up shower, an infinity pool and a world class spa. And the price? Around $110 a night! Just one example of a cool place for a cool price.

• 
  Airbnb. This site, started in 2007 by a Rhode Island
  School of Design alumnus, is the leading player in the search engine world for travelers who want something different. The site has built up an impressive lineup of rooms, homes, villas, apartments and even private islands at all price levels.  Check out a very cool Entire Rental Unit in Valencia, Spain for four at $177 a night. That leaves a lot of euros to spend on tapas and sherry. I can attest, after staying in many AIRBNB's, to the quality and pleasure of staying in places with helpful owners who will show you all the places to eat and see.

Please sign up for E-Mail Updates and feel free to comment and offer suggestions for the blog or places you have found in your travels.  I have included a Video of The Week with either a favorite artist that I never go anywhere without or a video relevant to this blog. Here is one of the funniest stand-up comics today - Jim Gaffigan on Travel.

Travel Quote of the Day:

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries - Aldous Huxley

Ciao    DLS

thenomadARCHITECT