The most crooked street in the world... _ It can only be the famous Lombard Street in San Francisco. The shot was taken from the top of Coit Tower - what I consider the best lookout in San Francisco. Would you agree? _ Have you been here before? _ #dreambig #alwaysSF

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"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir _ Wrapping up my Memorial Day weekend theme of the Pacific Northwest with one place that I can never get enough of… Crater Lake, Oregon. We first drove through here the first week the park opened in June after the winter closure – it was magical. One of those moments you can never forget. _ This shot was from my most recent visit last year in early summer. No snow, but still just as beautiful as ever. In fact, the lake has some of the most pure fresh water anywhere in the world. _ If you want more PNW gorgeousness skip over to @Travelocity – today’s your last chance! _ #GnomadTakeover

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“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” – Lao Tzu _ Here’s a Pacific Northwest #flashback from 2013 when we visited Multnomah Falls just a short drive east of Portland, Oregon. _ What’s your favourite place in the Pacific Northwest? _ I’m currently sharing a few of my favourites on @Travelocity with a #GnomadTakeover – check them out!

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"Keep looking up! I learn from the past, dream about the future and look up." – Rachel Boston _ Ah, the majestic Redwoods. Nothing makes you feel so small, like staring up at ancient trees several hundred feet tall. _ And no road trip to the Pacific Northwest would be complete without the Redwoods. _ To celebrate Memorial Day weekend, I’ve taken over the Instagram account for @Travelocity. Help me out and head over there now, share your comments and tag your friends so we can spread the long weekend love. _ #GnomadTakeover

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How To Introduce Your Kids To The Real New Orleans (It’s Not What You’re Thinking)

Bringing our kids to The Big Easy meant we skipped the activities most people associate with a vaycay in this city. But we had the chance to discover a side of New Orleans that was not only G-rated, but our whole family genuinely loved.
Read more at our travel blog.

"Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts." - Paramahansa Yogananda _ With a view of Crater Lake in Oregon like this, you can’t help but smile. _ We’ve driven all over the Pacific Northwest and I’ll be sharing some of my favourite destinations this Memorial Day weekend over at @Travelocity. Go ahead and follow them to ensure you don’t miss out. _ What PNW destinations do you think will make the list? _ #gnomadtakeover

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"Don't fight darkness - bring the light, and darkness will disappear." - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi _ Stars over San Francisco from Pier 14. _ We only had 2 days in stunning San Francisco this week and stayed in the gorgeous @hotelgriffon. But we loved every minute in the city. We'll definitely have to go back later this year. _ This is one of my favourite shots from that trip. We spent 6 days exploring northern California and I'll have more pics to share over the coming week. _ #dreambig #AlwaysSF

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Are you scared of heights? _ Meditating on the edge of the Horseshoe Bend lookout. Dangling toes over the cliff edge 1000 feet above the winding Colorado River below. Doesn’t this look serene? _ I captured this shot with a Samsung S7 equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 – tough enough for even the roughest terrain and everything we get up to on our crazy adventures. _ Corning Incorporated is running a giveaway right now. Check us out on Twitter (@travelwitbender) for more details or comment here using #InspiredByTough #gorillaglass4sweeps

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"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." - Robert Brault _ One of my favourite moments from our #BenderGoRVing trip around Utah and Arizona... _ Watching the sunrise from our balcony at The View cabins overlooking Monument Valley on the border of Utah/Arizona. _ The quietness in that moment is hard to describe - not a single breeze or sound could be heard. Most guests were asleep, apart from a few others sitting silently on their balconies too soaking up this spectacular scenery. It felt like time was frozen. I wished that sunrise could have lasted longer. _ Anyone you want to share this sunrise with? Tag them in the comments below. 👈... _ @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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"Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity." - Henri Nouwen _ Look twice. _ This is something you've seen before... But not from this angle. _ Horseshoe Bend at sunrise... from above. To get a feel for the scale of this landmark, you need a microscope to see the tiny people at the bottom left of the photo at the overlook. The light coloured walking trail can be seen but die-hard photographers catching first light are almost invisible. _ There's nothing quite like flying over the Grand Canyon and Glen Canyon to give oneself a better sense of importance in the bigger picture. This planet doesn't need us, but we must look after this one-of-a-kind blue marble that we call home... It's all we've got. _ #travelstoke #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein _ The luminescent landscape in Sand Hollow State Park in Utah was something I could never forget. _ We took a half-day ATV tour with atvadventures.com and stopped to soak up this view. I could look at it all day and still not get enough. _ The vibrant green shrubs most looked like they emitted light. Burnt orange sand dunes and overcast otherworldly skies. _ Beautiful! #😍

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"There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures." - Josiah Gilbert Holland _ Scenic flight over the Grand Canyon at sunrise. _ This was one of my favourite experiences this year (so far). This flight a couple weeks ago was part of a combo tour from @viatortravel that included Antelope Canyon and a rafting tour through Glen Canyon. Ticked off 3 bucket list items in 1 day 😃✔️✔️✔️ _ #travelstoke #grandcanyon

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"However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at." - Stephen Hawking _ Alleyway in Placerville, CA. _ Live: tonight we're in beautiful Placerville, California. Day 3 of 6 on our Northern California road trip. _ Today we visited Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park near Coloma, CA which was the genesis of the great Gold Rush in the mid 1800s. Caused by folks with gold fever, this migration was the largest in human history! _ We tried panning for gold and even found a few flakes 🎉😀💰 I asked my son what he'd do with the money if he struck gold... And his answer: buy a sticky hand. What would you do? _ #BenderGoCali @visitcalifornia

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"There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder." - Ronald Reagan _ Zion National Park in Utah. _ We visited a couple weeks ago for just the afternoon - it's a very pretty region. Did you know: most times during the day you can't drive your car through and must use the free bus that stops at designated areas. That's due to over 3.6 million visitors who flock here each year. _ Distinctive layers in the Navajo Sandstone give this park a special golden glow. Even on a cloudy day. _ #utahphotographer #zionnationalpark #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." - Buddha _ Rising moon over the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas. _ What does the moon remind you of? I think about Buddha's quote, and wherever we go, the moon is always there first. _ Did you know: I receive questions every week from readers about our travels and my photography. Most of the answers can be found on the link within my bio @travelwithbender. Check it out. You might find out something new you didn't know before. 😀👈 _ A special thanks to @tepwireless who help us stay online with our portable wireless hotspot.

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"If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears." - Cesare Paves _ Cruising the canals. Warm and cool reflections on our gondola at @venetianvegas. Do you think this outdoors or indoors? #lasvegas

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Soaking up the view over Sand Hollow State Park in Utah from the aptly named rock formation “The Diving Board.” The only way to reach this spot is via an adventurous ATV journey. _ I’ve got more shots just like this from Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, so stay tuned. _ This shot was taken with a Samsung S7 equipped with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 - perfect for these tough situations. _ Corning Incorporated is running a giveaway at the moment. For more details, follow us on Twitter (@travelwitbender) or check out these hashtags: #InspiredByTough #gorillaglass4sweeps

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"I'm just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that's the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective." - Tim Tebow _ Ah, Paris in the springtime. _ #lasvegas #longexposureoftheday

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Sunset over the canals of Venice... ... In Las Vegas. _ Wish you were here too? _ #thevenetian #sunsetlovers

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"Colours are the smiles of nature" - James Henry Leigh Hunt _ Upper Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona. One of the many highlights from our #BenderGoRVing trip in Arizona. _ @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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Gentlemen... Start your engines! _ I took this Ferrari F430 Scuderia for 5 laps at @dreamracing in Las Vegas today. 🏎️ Wow! What an adrenalin rush! I wasn't sure if I'd fit my 6'9" frame into this car, but fortunately I did. 😄 I came back in 1 piece so I'll consider that a win. _ If you love fast cars or just want to try something new, check these guys out. _ #fastcar #amazingplacestovisit

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"Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward." - Drew Houston _ Living life in the edge. 800 feet above the valley below. _ In Sand Hollow State Park near Hurricane, Utah. We took a fabulous ATV tour with atvadventures.com. It's the only way to see this gorgeous corner of the world. _ We wrapped up our 1-week #BenderGoRVing trip around Nevada, Utah and Arizona yesterday, but I've still got a bunch of fab photos to share so stay tuned. _ @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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Eye of the Dragon. _ Smooth lines and bouncing warm light against sandstone walls. The one and only Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona. _ From this unique angle, I can see the fiery eye of a winged beast. Can you see it too? _ #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing #travelstoke

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"For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver." - Martin Luther (1483-1546) _ Golden sun setting on The Mittens in Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona. _ These geological features are amongst the most popular in the world after being featured in Western films made in the 1930s. The barren, dry landscape captivated the imagination of the world and continues to draw visitors over 80 years later. _ #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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"I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path and I will leave a trail." - Muriel Strode _ Walking towards "Ear of the Wind" in Monument Valley, Utah. _ This part of the valley is only accessible with a local guide. We booked ours on @viatortravel and saw an incredibly stunning side of this well-known, landscape that you might not have seen before. _ Our kids favourite part? Rolling down this sand hill, of course! _ #travelstoke #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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Standing in this spot left me speechless. What word would you use to describe this scene? _ Sunrise over Mitchell Butte in Monument Valley, Utah. _ The burnt orange tones from this stunning rock formation contrasted perfectly with the pale blue sky and puffy clouds that looked so perfect you'd think they were hand drawn. _ Does this make you want to visit Monument Valley? _ #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing @visitutah

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"Every day I feel is a blessing from God. And I consider it a new beginning. Yeah, everything is beautiful." - Prince _ Sunrise over Monument Valley in Utah. _ This was my view yesterday morning... One if the best sunrises I've witnessed anywhere in the world. This scene reminds me that every sunrise is a new beginning and a fresh start, holding promise and hope. _ Who do you want to share this with? _ #BenderGoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav @GoRVing

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Last night's sky at midnight from Monument Valley in Utah. _ Under a crystal clear sky I felt like I could see every star in the universe with my naked eye. It was a spectacular moment that I'll never forget. _ This sacred area is managed by the Navajo Native Americans who have called it home for hundreds of years. Before these famous buttes, mesas and rock formations became popularised by films in the 1930s very few non-natives ever saw them. _ The silhouette of the 2 "mittens" at the bottom of this frame are probably the most well recognised natural landmarks identifying the American West. _ #BenderGoRVing @GoRVing @elmonterv @TMSfamtrav

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Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona. _ Finally... Today I reached one of my most anticipated stops on our #motherofallroadtrips around the US & Canada. _ No doubt you've seen this famous landmark on Instagram before. But in person, it was even more impressive. _ Right now we're on day #3 of our 1-week #BenderGoRVing RV trip around Utah, Arizona and Nevada. This part of the US is not as gorgeous as the photos suggest... It's even better! _ #arizona #horseshoebend

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"Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled." – Mohammed _ Cracking clouds over snowy peaks. _ View from Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. _ We stayed in nearby in @visitdurango at @straterhotel. _ Today we spent the day at Sand Hollow State Park, Utah on an awesome ATV adventure followed by Zion National Park. Can't wait to share those photos. 😁

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"The earth, like the sun, like the air, belongs to everyone and to no one." - Edward Abbey _ Queens Garden Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. _ This route descends 320 feet (98m) from the starting point at Sunrise Point. It was named after a rock formation that looks like Queen Victoria (I'm not sure of that's meant to be flattering). It seemed so easy as we descended... Until we had to climb back up at Sunset Point. Damn, that was hard! Especially when carrying a backpack full if photography gear and tripod. _ But the memory of the view will linger long after the sore muscles have recuperated. _ #utahphotographer #beautifuldestinations

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"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." - Confucius _ Cruising the scenic canals of Amsterdam. _ One of the highlights of our stay in Amsterdam in Summer 2014 was sleeping on a house boat. If you get the chance, it's the best way to get a taste of the waterways that make up this iconic city. _ Where are we now? 📌Today we arrived in Las Vegas to kick off a 7-night RV trip across Nevada, Arizona and south Utah. There'll be so many amazing places to see. I can wait to share them with you. _ If you want to catch up with us on Snapchat 👻 travelwitbender _ #iamsterdam

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This week is a momentous milestone... _ It's our 4th anniversary of nomadic travel. Yep, 4 years ago we stepped onto a plane in Perth, Australia heading to Bali. 68 countries, 40 US states and 7 Canadian provinces later... Here we are!... And still going. _ Thank you to all the wonderful people we've met along the way who've helped make this journey possible. And thank you for following us. 😊🙏 _ This scene is from our hike around Bryce Canyon National Park yesterday. And where are we going today?... Las Vegas! _ #anniversary #milestone

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"Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else." — Lawrence Block _ Natural Bridge in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. _ We took a hike around Queen's Garden trail for a few hours today. Incredible views, but by the end of it all our legs were like jelly. By the time I caught my breath I lost it again at Natural Bridge, pictured here.

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The Lazy Mom’s Guide To Dominating Universal Studios Orlando

Does the idea of taking your family to Universal Studios Orlando sound too hard? There's flights, transport, a hotel, theme park tickets, research restaurants, plus other activities in the area. Don’t get stressed, just use my ultimate guide for Universal Studios Orlando that is perfect for any mom… even if you’re super duper lazy. It includes all the essential info you need to know to make smart decisions without wasting half a day of research. Your family will think you’re a rock star. Take my word for it.
Read more at our travel blog.

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again - to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more." ― Pico Iyer _ Sunset tonight at Inspiration Point in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. _ Spectacular landscapes, spectacular colours. Absolutely magical. _ We've just arrived this afternoon at Bryce Canyon and I took a quick drive with my daughter to watch the sunset. Tomorrow we'll explore the national park more thoroughly. _ If you've been before to Bryce Canyon what's your favourite area? _ Our hotel tonight doesn't have wifi (hey, it's 2016!) but thanks to @tepwireless I'm still uploading this photo 😊 #utahspots #gorgeous_shot

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Where To Eat In New Orleans – 7 Restaurants You Have To Try

3 years ago we were on culinary cloud nine. During an incredible 2-week visit, New Orleans never served up one bad meal. So we went back to this food-lovers’ paradise we had high expectations. Would The Big Easy be able to once again satisfy our avaricious appetites and delight our increasingly proficient palate?
Read more at our travel blog.

"To move, to breathe, to fly, to float; to gain all while you give; to roam the roads of lands remote; to travel is to live." - Hans Christian Andersen _ Sunset at @intercontinentalbaliresort in Jimbaran, Bali. _ White sand beach, palm trees, hammocks, and cocktails at happy hour. Tropical bliss. _ We were here in Bali about 1 year ago. But this Thursday we mark a very special milestone... 4 years of non-stop nomadic travel. That's hundreds of hotels, dozens of countries and countless heart-warming stories. Thank you for following along and being a part of it. 😁🙏i really appreciate you. _ #bali #beautifulhotels

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"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." - E. E. Cummings _ This beautiful grand baroque fountain named 'Residenzbrunnen' stands in the middle of Residenzplatz in Salzburg, Austria. _ The fountain was built by Tomasso di Garona between 1656 to 1661. Made of marble, it is considered the largest baroque fountain in Middle Europe. _ You might recognise it from film, The Sound Of Music, when Maria splashes in the fountain while singing "I Have Confidence". _ #austria #salzburg

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