View of City of Angels from Griffith Observatory. _ You might recognize this location from numerous movie scenes including the most recent remake of Charlie's Angels, The Terminator, Transformers, The Rocketeer, Jurassic Park, Rebel Without a Cause, and more. But I just love the view. _ Did you know that the original name for Los Angeles was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora Reina de los Angeles sobre el Rio Porciuncula". And if Los Angeles were its own country, its economy would be bigger than Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Sweden’s. _ But LA is best known as the world's capital of film. But how did the film industry end up in LA? To get away from Thomas Edison. Edison—who lived in New Jersey—held most of the country’s film patents. Filmmakers fled westward to avoid Edison’s intellectual property claims. Amazing! _ #losangeles @visitcalifornia

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"Man must rise above the Earth — to the top of the atmosphere and beyond — for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives." - Socrates _ Flying high over Knott's Berry Farm near Los Angeles. @knottsberryfarm _ If you're looking for Christmas shopping inspiration, check out our most recent article on travelwithbender.com with 29 gift ideas for travel addicts. ◀️◀️◀️🎄🎀🎁

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Opened in 2003, this building designed by Frank Gehry, is now synonymous with downtown Los Angeles. _ The project was initially funded by Lillian Disney, Walt Disney's widow, as a tribute to her husband's devotion to the arts and to the city. _ Did you know: the iconic stainless steel exterior was only used after the original planned stone cladding was deemed to be too expensive and a ballooning budget was causing construction delays. _ Gehry is one of my favorite architects of all time, and I'm not alone. Vanity Fair labeled him as "the most important architect of our age". Even though his father didn't support his creativity as a child, his mother believed in him. And when I look at this building its a powerful reminder of what happens when talent, belief and perseverance collide. _ @visitcalifornia #archilovers

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"The Lorax: Which way does a tree fall? The Once-ler: Uh, down? The Lorax: A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean." - Dr. Seuss, The Lorax _ Very LA. _ Tall leaning palm trees at Knotts Berry Farm near Los Angeles. _ I don't know if it's just me, but these things remind me of Truffula Trees. Do you agree? _ While in LA we stayed at @omnihotels Downtown Los Angeles.

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"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." – Thomas Edison _ View of famous Hollywood sign atop Mount Lee from the equally iconic Griffith Observatory. _ I had the bright idea of checking out Griffith Observatory on Thursday which happened to be Thanksgiving. I think everyone else in Los Angeles had the same idea. 😉😂 _ We also enjoyed a fabulous Thanksgiving brunch in @omnihotels Downtown Los Angeles, complete with roast turkey, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes. Yum! _ And while in Los Angeles we've been driving around in a new Mazda CX-9. But today we say goodbye to the city of angels and hello to @carnival and a cruise to Hawaii. Keep following along on IG Stories. _ #drivemazda #cruisingcarnival

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"Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away." - Arthur Helps _ Part of Seven Mile Bridge - an engineering marvel that connects several islands that make up the Florida Keys. _ The original bridge near this location was opened in 1912 for train usage but was damaged during a hurricane. The current concrete bridge was opened in 1982. _ It's easy to take for granted the ground beneath our feet. But this epic bridge reminds me every step we take is a miracle, if our eyes are open to see it. - @thefloridakeys @visitflorida

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29 Christmas Gifts For Travel Addicts In 2016

It’s that time of year again. Retail sale season is about to hit the Internet and the Christmas shopping binge begins. But if you know an avid traveller you will recognise they are the hardest to buy for. They don’t want stuff taking up precious room in their suitcase, they don’t need homewares from Ikea and an Amazon gift card just feels to impersonal. So what you can you get that travel lover?
Read more at our travel blog.

HotelsCombined Review: Find The Best Hotel Faster Than Ever Before

If you’re looking to save money on your next hotel booking, look no further. Search multiple popular hotel websites from a single, powerful site, and dig up the best bargains that will even make your friends jealous.
Read more at our travel blog.

"Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads you to wisdom." - Buddha _ Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! 🍻 I hope you have a wonderful day filled with happiness. _ This shot was taken just 2 nights ago at Sunset Pier in Key West, Florida. As the sun sank into the ocean the sky glowed with the most beautiful golden hues. It's easy to see why the Florida Keys are now one of my favorite destinations in the US - so chilled and relaxing. _ And of course an endless supply of delicious key lime pie... What more could you want? _ @thefloridakeys @visitflorida #loveFL

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"Using words to describe magic is like using a screwdriver to cut roast beef." - Tom Robbins _ If you think this place looks a bit like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory then you've got an idea of what's inside this amazing restaurant. _ Located at Universal Orlando, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen is a whimsical combination of monster milkshakes and deliciously unrepeatable main courses. But the desserts take the cake. _ It's only been open around 3 months so if you haven't been before I highly recommend checking out this magical place. _ #universalorlando #foodporn

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"Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt _ Yep, that's me swimming in a giant aquarium. At RumFish Grill in St Pete, Florida. _ Twice per day this popular restaurant provides guided swims in their mammoth aquarium, home to over 150 fish, 2 sting rays and 1 Moray eel. The restaurant was featured on TV show "Tanked". Definitely worth trying when you're in St Pete. _ #liveamplified @vspc

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"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." - James Matthew Barrie _ Pool time at Omni Amelia Island Resort in northern Florida. @omni_aip _ We stayed here for a few days last week while at a travel conference. Do you need a little sunshine 🌞 this weekend? _ Today is another sunny day on our north-to-south Florida road trip and we'll be finally reaching Florida Keys. Can't wait to get a big slice of key lime pie 😃🍰🍹 _ #lovefl #florida

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I made a new friend this week? You want to meet them? _ Checked out @gatorland_orlando a couple days ago. A really wonderful wildlife park and easy alternative to the big well known theme parks. My other favorite feature here was the Screamin Gator Zip Line - yep, flying through the sky above a pond full of gators... And I survived to yell the tale. 🐊🐊🐊🐊 _ Would you do it? _ Keep following our Florida road trip on Instagram Stories (tap my IG username then tap my bio pic) for each day's crazy adventures & fun. #lovefl #florida #🐊 @leathermanusa

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"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." - Theodore Roosevelt _ Trippy roller coaster in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida. _ We spent the afternoon here today and our kids had a fabulous time. Do you love roller coasters? Or do you prefer to keep your feet on the ground? _ @visittampabay #rollercoaster

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"You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination." - Ralph Marston _ Part of the famous Asakusa Temple - Tokyo's biggest. #japan _ But this shot is different to every other shot I've taken in the last 3 years... This was my final photo. 🙊 Seconds after taking this shot, my trusty Canon 70D DSLR suffered a failed shutter mechanism. After almost 80,000 shots and travelling over 150,000 kilometers, my camera finally gave up. It's currently being repaired (which is costing half as much as a brand new unit) and we shall be joyfully reunited in just a couple days. How am I continuing to take photos on our current Florida road trip? A handy rental camera. _ Have you ever experienced the frustration of your travel gear letting you down? Share your thoughts in the comments. _ #igersjapan

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"I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth I will apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy." - Og Mandino _ Breathtaking view of Klosters in Eastern Switzerland. _ This is the ski vacation destination of choice for British royalty for very good reason. But it's just as beautiful in the summer too. _ #graubuenden #switzerland

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9 Reasons Why I Fell For Marival Residences Luxury Resort

When you need a rejuvenating break, sometimes a mini getaway fits the bill. We took a 3-day trip to Mexico’s west coast for the first time and discovered a luxury all-inclusive resort in Riviera Nayarit a cut above the rest. Find out why.
Read more at our travel blog.

Sleeping on a houseboat in Amsterdam, Netherlands. _ If you ever visit Amsterdam, you have to try this. @iamsterdam _ Check out my Instagram Stories now - today we're at an Alligator Farm in St Augustine, Florida. Help me decide if I should feed my kids to the crocs!

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"I think fearless is having fears but jumping anyway." - Taylor Swift _ The cow may have jumped over the moon, but I jumped over Mount Fuji in 🇯🇵 Japan. _ Caught a spectacular sunset over Lake Kawaguchi, Japan a couple weeks ago. One thing is certain from my visit, one time is never enough. There's something luring about this magical country... It leaves you wanting more. Beautiful! _ In #Japan I was always online with the help of my trusty @tepwireless portable hotspot. Check them out.

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"We always see our worst selves. Our most vulnerable selves. We need someone else to get close enough to tell us we’re wrong. Someone we trust." - David Levithan _ Sunset reflections in the water outside Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida. _ Jacksonville is not short on delicious dining options. We are really getting used to America's free ketchup, mayonnaise, tartar sauce and other condiments. Did you know: in Australia most restaurants (especially fish & chips) charge anywhere from $0.50 to $1.50 for each sauce? Crazy, hey! _ #onlyinjax @visit_jax

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"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." - Satchel Paige _ Watching tigers at Jacksonville Zoo in Florida, USA. @visit_jax _ Regularly rated as one of the top 20 zoos in the US, this 102-year-old zoo is home to over 1900 animals including this particular big cat who had his eye on me. _ We've spent the last couple days checking out Jacksonville. What an amazing city! If you haven't been following along, check out my Instagram Stories. _ #onlyinjax #florida

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"Strength does not come from winning, your struggles develop your strength. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender that is strength." - Anonymous _ Tower Bridge in London, UK at sunset. _ I see a lot of distressed and frustrated American friends on Facebook today. I'm reminded of this quote when things don't go my way. Remember you have far more power than you give yourself credit for. Only you hold the keys to your destiny... Not a politician or political party. _ Tag a friend who needs to hear this. _ #peaceofmind

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"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any." – Alice Walker _ Chillin' at the Blue Hole this week in Georgetown, Texas. This town is home to the most beautiful town square in Texas. You have to check out this place located about half an hour north of Austin. _ If you're following us on Facebook or Instagram Stories and having trouble keeping up where we are, don't worry. So are we! _ I was in Japan just over a week ago, then in BC Canada, Erin took a short trip to Mexico while I drove to Seattle, flew to Georgetown Texas and yesterday landed in Jacksonville Florida. Phew! And now we're kicking off a 2 week road trip from the north of Florida to the south. Follow along on Instagram Stories (tap my face in my bio). Today kicked off with the strangest breakfast I've had in a while here in Jacksonville, FL. Take a look at IG Stories. I'll let that pic do that talking. _ And if you have any questions about what we do and how we do it, check out the link in my bio. _ #familytravel @visitgeorgetowntx #texas

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"Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer." - William S. Burroughs _ After all that hard work voting today in the US you deserve a break. Time to put your feet up. _ Erin was at @liveaquacancun last weekend with @travelocity for #gnomadsummit16 I have to admit I'm a little jealous. How about you? _ #mexico

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Life's a beach. _ View of infinity pool at @liveaquacancun in Cancun, Mexico. _ There's not many things better than the beach... Other than a day at the pool looking at the beach. _ Photo by Erin. _ #livelife #gnomads #gnomadsummit16

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"When you are looking in the mirror, you are looking at the problem. But, remember, you are also looking at the solution." - Anonymous _ Kawazu Seven Falls in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. _ Quietly reflecting on my whirlwind trip through Japan last week. It's still hard to believe it's over. A combination of amazing locations, delicious food, rich culture and new friends. What more could you want out of travel? _ #amazingplacestovisit #japan

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