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Monday, 30 November 2015
Saturday, 28 November 2015
"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." - John Barrymore _ Exploring historic churches on the island of Anguilla. ⛪🌴 _ A little #doorporn to add to your Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you experience true happiness during this festive season. _ Who would you take with you on a luxury tropical holiday to Anguilla? Go ahead and tag them! _ #door #anguilla
Wish you were here? _ This sensibly named piece of sand is called Sandy Island. Sitting in the Caribbean, the only structure on this island is the restaurant pictured. 🌴 _ And the only way to get here is from the main island of Anguilla via an aptly named boat shuttle... "Happiness". 🚤 _ I couldn't think of a better name myself. _ Is this your idea of happiness?
Friday, 27 November 2015
Living The Dream: Own Your Days
I heard about Michael on Twitter and knew he would make a great addition to our Living The Dream series. They have been making their way around the US in an RV since 2010 and own their days in a way not many people do.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing." - Baltasar Gracian _ Caribbean view. 🌴 _ At the Anacaona Boutique Hotel in Anguilla. _ Erin recently took a solo trip to the island nation of Anguilla in the East Caribbean. The next few pics will he from that trip. _ Hopefully these tropical scenes will warm the cockles of your heart. _ And for my US followers, I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving today. Every day is a gift. _ #myanguilla
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Where Royalty Sleeps When They Visit Montreal
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is a beautiful, historic hotel in the centre of Montreal, Canada which has housed royalty, rock stars and everyone in between.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"I want Dubai to be a place where everybody from all over the world meets each other, don't think of fighting or hate, just love it, enjoy their sport, and that's it." - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum _ Stretching for the sky in Jumeriah Bay, Dubai, UAE. (14 of 14) _ We visited Dubai for a few days in 2013. The scale of development in this city is nothing short of breathtaking. From desolate desert to buzzing metropolis in a couple decades. Nothing quite compares. - #dubailife
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Photography Tour Around The Redwoods & Oregon Coast
The Redwoods in Northern California and Southern Oregon’s coast are 2 natural treasures that have to seen to be believed. On our recent Pacific Northwest road trip we stopped at the Redwood National and State Parks. And while we were in the region we spent an afternoon relaxing on a secret beach with friends in Southern Oregon. Come along for a journey with us.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"You may have the universe if I may have Italy." - Giuseppe Verdi _ Te Palace in Mantua, Italy. (13 of 14) _ Constructed in 1524–34 for Federico II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua. The intricate frescos inside are amongst the most impressive anywhere in the world. But I found an utterly gorgeous view of the courtyard as well, shaded by a passing cloud. What do you think? #italy
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
31 Weird Things About the US
How can another English-speaking country be so different? Like Santa, I’ve been keeping a list of naughty, nice and weird things that may freak out fellow Australians. Hopefully this cultural education can prevent other Aussies from looking like fools or even getting themselves into trouble. Or you could just have a laugh.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Monday, 23 November 2015
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward _ Iconic windmills in Zaanse Schans, The Netherlands. (12 of 14) _ This cute tourist town about 45 minutes from central Amsterdam has everything you could want in one spot on a holiday to Holland - windmills, clogs, farm animals, cheese and chocolate. So gorgeous. _ On a different note, with Black Friday coming up this week check out how to score a $5 gift certificate for @Walgreens. Take a look at travelwithbender.com > product reviews, for our review on the new Infinitive range of electronic accessories. #infinitiveatwalgreens _ #holland #netherlands
Sunday, 22 November 2015
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas A. Edison _ Canals in Milano, Italy at night. (11 of 14) _ An opportunity came up for a solo trip to Northern Italy in September 2014. We were in Austria at the time, about to leave for Croatia. The advanced notice? 48 hours. _ Within 2 days I was on a train to Milano. _ Sometimes life throws open doors for a very limited time and you need to make a snap judgement. I chose "yes" and this turned into a wonderful journey through an absolutely gorgeous region... Both day and night. #blogville #ig_italy
"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett _ Reflections of Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada. _ Interrupting my current series of 14 favourite photos with this shot taken with my LG G4 smartphone near Lake Okanagan in Kelowna. Hopefully the IG purists will appreciate it 😉 _ #britishcolumbia #okanagan
Saturday, 21 November 2015
"Even if a unity of faith is not possible, a unity of love is." - Hans Urs von Balthasar _ View over Jerusalem's Old City and the Al Aqsa mosque. (10 of 14) _ I took a last-minute solo trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories in December 2013. While there, I ran into good friends @42ndclass and we visited Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. A night to remember. _ If you'd like to read about that journey check out Destinations > Palestinian Territories on our travel blog, travelwithbender.com.
"If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in Water." – Loren Eiseley _ Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. (9 of 14) _ We visited what many call the most beautiful waterfalls in the world with our good friends @notesofnomads in October 2014. We spent 2 hours walking along the dusty pathways and wooden boardwalks admiring the views. Only 1 oversight - we didn't know the particular day we visited was a national public holiday and it seemed like every person in Croatia was there too! _ This secluded photo tells another story. That's what I love about photography. _ #croatia #plitvice
Thursday, 19 November 2015
"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions." - Chanakya _ Brussels Town Hall with its spectacular 96 metre (310 ft) Gothic style tower is the backdrop to the 2-yearly Flower Carpet in Grand-Place. (8 of 14) _ First started in 1971, this event draws thousands of visitors to Belgium's capital to take in this scents, sounds and sights. _ The Flower Carpet is 74m x 24m with over 600,000 flowers. It takes over 100 volunteers 4 hours to assemble this carpet. _ If you are in Europe during August 2016 save the date now.
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
"The imagination is the golden pathway to everywhere." - Terence McKenna _ Walking through the quaint town of Lefkes on the island of Paros, Greece. _ We visited 5 Greek islands in April 2014 - Kythnos, Sifnos, Milos, Ios and Paros. This region is very high on my list of favourite destinations anywhere in the world. I can't put my finger on what creates the magnetic attraction and captivates the imagination - rich history, delicious food, friendly locals or rustic charm. But I love the Greek islands. If you get the chance, I highly recommend it. _ 👉 If you'd like to read more about our tips for visiting these islands check out travelwithbender.com and click on Destinations > Greece. 👈
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Søren Kierkegaard _ Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary. (6 of 14) _ Night time reflections on the shores of the Danube River. To truly appreciate Budapest, it requires the sun to go down. Absolutely gorgeous! _ #budapest
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson _ Known as "Uchisar Castle", this imposing carved rock structure is located at the highest point in Cappadocia, Turkey. (5 of 14) _ Our visit to central Turkey in September 2013 was one of our favourite regions up until that point and it still holds special memories. From living in caves to hot air ballooning at sunrise to exploring the "fairy chimneys" (rock formations) - Cappadocia was filled with fascinating history and raw natural beauty. - #cappadocia
Where To Eat In Alberta
Alberta’s culinary scene has evolved a unique flair of it’s own. From its delicious AAA Albertan steaks to green onion cakes - there’s so much delicious food to discover in Alberta, Canada. Follow our food journey in photos. Saliva glands… start your engines!
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul." - Victor Hugo _ Breaking sky above Brighton Pier, England. (4 of 14) _ Brighton was at the tail of our November 2014 road trip around Wales - a detour before returning our rental car to London. Brighton will remain particularly memorable... As we walked along the pebble beach a large wave caught us by surprise. I was recording a video by chance and captured the moment our son was wiped out. A funny clip in hindsight. If you'd like to take a peek check our YouTube channel "travelwithbender". _ #brightonpier
Monday, 16 November 2015
"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all." - George Washington _ Camels in front of The Treasury in Petra, Jordan. (3 of 14) _ When we visited in 2013 it was a sizzling 40C day. My 3-year-old son had broken his arm the day before so I was carrying him (complete with plaster cast) the whole 3-mile walk. I won't forget that day any time soon. But this spellbinding view of camels in front of one of the most famous pieces of architecture from the ancient world was worth every bead of sweat. _ #jordan #petra
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Amwell: When Getting To A Doctor Is Just Too Hard
Who has time to go to the doctor when they travel? I put Amwell, the largest telehealth company in the United States, to the test. I was blown away by how easy and convenient it was. And check out how you can get your first physician consultation for free.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Chichen Itza, Mexico - May 2013 (2 of 14) _ Stairway to heaven. _ "Life is a series of steps. Things are done gradually. Once in a while there is a giant step, but most of the time we are taking small, seemingly insignificant steps on the stairway of life." - Ralph Ransom _ #mexico #yucatan #7wonders
Infinitive At Walgreens Review: Cables To The Rescue
There are few things that travel with me (excluding family) that are more important than electronics – cameras, laptops, tablets, and phones. I could survive a month with 1 pair of clothes, but if my phone goes flat, I’ll be lost. Quite literally. We took 9 electronics accessories from the Infinitive range from Walgreens on the road to test them out. Find out how they fared.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Friday, 13 November 2015
Walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. - September 2014 (#1 of 14) _ For something a bit different over the next 2 weeks I'll share a few of my favourite photos from the last 3 years of nomadic travel. A 4-page article about us was recently published in Forbes and it's given me the chance to reflect on our adventure (so far). Here's an excerpt: "Caius and Mia Bender are some of the most well-traveled young children in the world." _ It's hard to believe we've covered over 150,000 kilometres... That's enough distance to go around the world more than 10 times! Add to that hundreds of cities and thousands of special moments, it will be a tough job to narrow down my favourite shots. _ I hope you enjoy the upcoming collection and look forward to your feedback. #throwbackthursday
Thursday, 12 November 2015
"Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work." - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam _ #throwbackthursday On top of Panichishte in southwest Bulgaria we discovered this stunning scenery. It was my kids first proper mountain hike and I was so proud of them even as I gasped in the thin mountain air. _ Special memories from our Summer in Europe 2014. If you'd like to read more, take a look at travelwithbender.com and click on "Bulgaria" under "destinations". _ #bulgaria
The Ultimate Alberta Road Trip Guide: How To See Alberta In 14 days
The most scenic drive in the world… glaciers, lakes and the majestic Rocky Mountains. Follow us as we discovered Alberta on this epic 2-week road trip covering Jasper, Edmonton, Drumheller, Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise. We’ve covered everything you need to know for your own road trip: accomodation, attractions, sightseeing and food.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
"I have my own views about Nature's methods, though I feel that it is rather like a beetle giving his opinions upon the Milky Way." - Sherlock Holmes _ Walking through the stunning wetlands along Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, BC, Canada. _ The late Autumn sun is setting earlier each day. It feels like midnight by 5pm. Is it just me, or does it make you want to curl up on the couch and watch a movie? _ #canada #britishcolumbia #autumn
Alberta Road Trip Guide: 7 Things You Need To Know
As part of our #motherofallroadtrips we were excited to include a 2-week road trip around Alberta, Canada. We soon discovered our lack of preparation for a few important factors. So before you take that jaw-dropping, gorgeous road trip around Alberta, make sure you read our essential road trip guide.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Icefields Parkway: The Most Scenic Drive On Earth
Inspired by our recent road trip along Alberta’s Icefield Parkway, we’ve compiled the 9 best stops. You’ll find jaw-dropping landscapes, breathtaking mountains, serene lakes, majestic glaciers and whimsical waterfalls. Get your daily dose of travel inspiration right here.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Monday, 9 November 2015
Win A 2-Piece Hard-Shell Luggage Set Giveaway
Crazy Sales are giving away 2 sets of 2-Piece Hard-Shell Luggage. Each set includes a 28" and a 20" suitcase with 4 smooth 360-degree swivel wheels and retractable handle.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
£200 of Free WiFi Hotspot Rental + Unlimited Internet
Tep Wireless are giving away 2 handy WiFi Hotspots for 2 weeks bundled with unlimited wireless internet anywhere in the world. That's will definitely make your next holiday much more memorable (and less stressful).
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson _ South of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada along Kalamalka Lake. _ Stopped on the side of the road to capture this scene when driving from Kelowna, BC to Jasper, AB. The colours of Fall in Canada are gorgeous. _ #britishcolumbia #explorecanada
11 Things To Do In Montreal With Kids (In Summer)
Montreal needs no introduction. It’s Canada’s second largest city and consistently ranked as once of the most liveable cities in the world for good reason. There’s no shortage of culture, arts, food, sport and entertainment. The toughest part of our visit was narrowing down the endless list of attractions and eateries.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Sunday, 8 November 2015
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha _ Life and death. _ The mining town of Bankhead, Alberta is a few minutes drive from Banff. In 1903 it was a buzzing town with 1000 residents, with the first anthracite mine in Canada. In July 1922 the mine suddenly closed and it was a ghost town almost overnight. _ Now all that's left is a few building foundations and these trees. The dry, leaf-less trees remind me of the fragility of our society. It's a quiet and sombre place. But fascinating, nonetheless. _ @banff_lakelouise #mybanff #explorealberta @travelalberta
Saturday, 7 November 2015
"We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw _ At TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. _ Not only educational, but fun too. The outdoor playground has a huge climbing tower with only 1 way down... A massive metallic slippery dip. _ I learned the value of not rubbing wool clothing on steel after receiving enough electric shocks to make my hair stand on end! 😆 _ #capturecalgary @tourismcalgary @travelalberta #explorealberta
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." - Maya Angelou _ We hiked the trail to the top of Bow Summit in Jasper National Park, Alberta, which rewarded us with a splendid view over Peyto Lake. _ The blue hue of the lake is unlike anything else I've seen. It looks like a colour straight off an artist's palette. _ #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper #myjasper
Thursday, 5 November 2015
#throwbackthursday Back in May 2014 we were walking along the Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria. The tourist town of Sunny Beach may not have had the best food or much culture, but it sure knew how to put on a gorgeous sunset. _ This is my favourite shot from our 6-week stay in Sunny Beach, looking down the jetty and onto Flower Street in the centre of town. _ If you'd like to find out more about Bulgaria, check out our blog posts at: http://ift.tt/1LQLtyi #sunnybeach #bulgaria #sunset_madness
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." - Martin Buber _ Wild Grizzly Bear staring at me considering his options. _ We were driving along Bow Valley Parkway near Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada and I spotted this furry fella ambling near the side of the road. I slowly got out of the car and used my 200mm lens to get closer while still keeping a safe distance. _ @banff_lakelouise #mybanff #explorealberta @travelalberta
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
"Without deep reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people." - Albert Einstein _ This shot of the mirror-smooth Bow Lake in Alberta, Canada is a little late for #mondayblues - but hopefully it will inspire you for the coming week. _ Out of all the beautiful places we saw in Alberta, this would have to be my favourite. We pulled the car over on the side of the road and I slipped and slid down a steep snowy embankment to the water's edge to get as close as possible to this spectacular lake. And now it's my privilege to share it with you. _ #mybanff @banff_lakelouise @travelalberta #explorealberta
Monday, 2 November 2015
6 Tips For Visiting Crater Lake, Oregon + 14 Amazing Photos
Returning for our second visit to one of the most beautiful places on earth, Oregon’s Crater Lake blew us away again. The sheer natural beauty, utter serenity and jaw-dropping landscapes must be seen to be believed.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
10 Things To Do in Chicago With Kids
We barely scratched the surface of Chicago. This is truely an amazing city - it’s easy to see why visitors fall in love so easily. Our recommendations for Chicago include theatre, pizza, museums, and baseball just to name a few.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Sunday, 1 November 2015
"We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started." - Henry Ward Beecher _ Peak peekaboo with Mount Ishbel, Alberta, Canada. _ Driving from Banff to Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway. _ When we left Banff, the sky was grey and visibility was low. As we drove away the wispy clouds started to part and blue sky broke through. So glad we didn't miss this spectacular scenery. _ #mybanff @banff_lakelouise @travelalberta #explorealberta
"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars." - Og Mandino _ Gazing at the vast, starry sky at Baker Creek Chalets near Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Being so remote there's relatively little light pollution, making the stars twinkle even brighter. _ The stars remind me of my place in the universe... The unfathomable scale of nature... And incomparable beauty. I feel small and large at the same time. _ #astrophotography #explorealberta @travelalberta #mybanff @banff_lakelouise
"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars." - Og Mandino _ Gazing at the vast, starry sky at Baker Creek Chalets near Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Being so remote there's relatively little light pollution, making the stars twinkle even brighter. _ The stars remind me of my place in the universe... The unfathomable scale of nature... And incomparable beauty. I feel small and large at the same time. _ #astrophotography #explorealberta @travelalberta #mybanff @banff_lakelouise
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