RomanceEverAfter

Travel

Travel Adventures with Rita

Rita Cook enjoys traveling and experiencing the adventure.  Check out her interview at Rita Cook to find out more about our interesting Travel columnist!

Pamper Yourself: Best Spas Around the World
Before I ever visited a spa I had no idea what a deep tissue massage was and how it compared to a body wrap, a Thai massage or a bath therapy, now you can’t tear me away.  

Rita shares her experience at various spas in the United States (Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Virginia), Jamaica, Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Anguilla
I was originally invited to Anguilla for the Moonsplash Reggae Festival. Moonsplash is an annual celebration hosted each year during the March full moon, by Anguilla's favorite Reggae king, Bankie Banx.

Canada
As I drove from Calgary to Edmonton by way of Banff and Jasper I not only discovered that it felt like a piece of Texas, but that this wonderful province also offered some of the greatest outdoors I had ever experienced.

Chattanooga Tennesee
Chattanooga has been a tourist destination for many years with the likes of Ruby Falls, Rock City and the Incline Railway. However, more recently Chattanooga has undergone a $120 million waterfront revitalization and with it visitors can now expect not only family fun, but also a romantic look at the past.

Honeymoon in Baltimore
If you find yourself honeymooning on the East Coast then by all means take the time to discover Baltimore, Maryland. Often referred to as Crabtown USA, Baltimore is small and intimate, but has that big city feel.

Barbados
If you are looking for a hip little island in the Caribbean where celebrities such as Mick Jagger hang out and unwind, then look no further than the pear-shaped coral island of Barbados. 

Borneo
Borneo Adventures will be your place to begin a journey to the rare world of this creature, but along the way there are even more adventures to discover. 

Budapest, Hungary
It had been about eight years since I had visited the once communist city of Budapest, Hungary. Nowadays, Budapest is a much happier place and while my Burger King combo meal has gone from a dollar to about $3 instead, the changes are worth the price tourists have to pay.

Cayo Espanto & Belize
If you are looking for a destination that still promises days full of tranquility with little or no interruption, a limited number of tourists and no overrun cities then Belize is the place for you. 

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Dominican Republic
Being half of the second largest island in the Caribbean known as Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is the perfect destination to enjoy everything from relaxing with a good book to extreme sports such as canyoning or windsurfing to taking a step back in time in the capital of Santo Domingo or Santiago.

India
I knew that traveling India’s countryside from Mumbai to Goa would be a journey of the mind as much as the body. The sights and sounds that this ancient country offers is breathtaking, complete with century old forts and an enigmatic culture steeped in time.

Germany: (Once Upon A Time In Germany) Once upon a time in Germany the past was still alive, as evidenced by the seemingly unending number of castles, secluded palaces and magnificent royal residences, still standing and awaiting visitors. 

Guatemala (Traveling to Guatemala to Find the Perfect Orchid)
Guatemala, or as the natives call it, the land of the Eternal Spring, is a place that offers a unique treasurer from nature.  Rita shares a marvelous history and informative details regarding the Orchid.

Jamaica:  First time to Jamaica - it's a state of mind as much as a destination. Sure, I knew it for many of the preconceived notions I already had. You know, things like rasta, reggae music, dreadlocks and lazing' on the beach under a sky that is perpetually sunny.

Malta:  Tell three people you're visiting Malta and at least two of them will say "Where or what is that?" and the other one will be jealous knowing the 7000 years of history that Malta boasts.  It's certain, if you want an out-of-the-way vacation where you are not likely to run into Uncle George or anyone from your neighborhood, then Malta is the perfect destination.

Manchester, England
Manchester is a city of contrasts.  In fact, the city has been in quotes since the early nineteenth century with Mark Twain saying, "I would like to live in Manchester. The transition between Manchester and death would be unnoticeable."

McKinney, Texas
McKinney, Texas is only located a mere 30 miles north of Dallas and 60 miles from Fort Worth, but the lifestyle and charm found here couldn’t be more different. Still holding a small town charm even as suburbia creeps in, McKinney’s little courthouse square will remind you of bygone days and remind you of hot summer evenings spent during childhood.

Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde, which means "Green Table," has been chosen by travelers from around the world as the number one historic monument destination in the world. 

Munich - 24 Hours in Munich
The magic of Munich.  If you only have 24 hours to visit, there are a few things that you can’t miss no matter how you have to fit it in.  Check out Rita's whirlwind visit and discover how much you can experience in 24 hours!

Niagara-on-the-Falls
Niagara Falls has long been synonymous with honeymoons American style. The many activities have made this destination a wonderland no matter the time of year, but there is more.  Niagara-on-the-Lake is a whole different world when you arrive.  

North Carolina
When I visited North Carolina’s Outer Banks I kept thinking hurricanes. I would hate to be stuck on the Outer Banks during a hurricane...but after my host promised me that the hurricanes are not as devastating as I was imagining, I breathed a bit easier and took a good look around.

Rio de Janiero:  I couldn't help but constantly hum the 1960's song "Girl From Ipanema" as I walked down the streets of Rio de Janeiro experiencing a city - a culture - that a person must definitely become one with and not just read about.

Seattle, Washington
What could be more fun than a trip to Seattle with thoughts of coffee, grunge, computer genius protégés and of course, the Seattle Seahawks. On a recent trip to this popular Pacific Northwest town, however, I found there was a whole lot more, and yes you can do it in 24 hours. 

Scotland
I had dreamed of visiting Scotland my entire life. In fact, I have been known to tell strangers that I am certain to be 100% Scottish. Last month with an imagination ready for anything I decided to visit Scotland in search of ghosts. 


South Africa
The effect that South Africa has on each individual can only be described as magical. After all, what is it about South Africa that holds that special charm and mystique that other countries on that continent can’t compare to? 

Spain
I was told that the Castilla y Leon Region is not normally the ideal place to visit on a first trip to Spain. However, after discovering the romance in the region, as well as getting to know the people, I can only say I beg to differ.

Rita's beautifully written article provides an intimate look into the country and its history.  

Sweden
Down a quiet little street just off one of Stockholm's main thoroughfares is a hip hotel called Nordic Sea. Very chic, very Scandinavia, but it's really what is inside that's currently all the rage.  It's the world's first ice bar opened in June 2002. 

Switzerland
The thing that strikes me the most about Switzerland when I arrived at the airport in Zurich is how calm and orderly everything is, or at least it seems so.

Tahiti
There’s a lot to remember about the Marquesas Islands!  However, even now the Marquesas Islands are but a fond memory as I think back on the experience at home. You can expect a multitude of memories tied together and more unforgettable in the retelling.