Watch Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes on KTLA on January 13, 2018 from 2 to 4pm live or on livestream and you can WIN an award winning giveaway curated by We Said Go Travel.
What will you win?
2 nights at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
“Perfectly located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills exemplifies the very best of the California good life. From the moment you step inside, you’ll know you’ve arrived at the center of extraordinary.”
Glamsquad is a must-have for award season. Whether you are on the red carpet or watching from home, Glamsquad’s beauty pro’s will get you ready. Winner will receive :“one month of glam” 2 blowouts + 2 makeup applications (Valued at $300)
What is GlamSquad? Glamsquad is a beauty services company that offers hair, makeup and nails in NYC, LA, Miami, DC, Boston and San Francisco/Bay Area. Glamsquad services are easily booked through the Glamsquad app or website. Their mission as a next generation beauty and lifestyle brand is to connect like-minded beauty enthusiasts through personalized in-home experiences. Glamsquad’s talented and trusted beauty professionals are hand-selected and rigorously vetted to guarantee consistent, high quality results. Using our intelligent, data-driven technology, we expertly match our professionals and clients to ensure an elevated and customized experience with every appointment.
Thank you to Kimberly, Jason and the entire KTLA team!
Thank you to Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and GlamSquad.KImb
https://jewishjournal.com/blogs/wesaidgotravel/292204/award-winning-giveaway-for-critics-choice-on-ktla/Up Next
DEMA is the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association show which is the largest trade-only event in the world for companies doing business in the scuba diving, ocean water sports and adventure/dive travel industries. It attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of dive and travel industry professionals from around the world each year. The next show will be in Orlando on November 13-16, 2019.
During the show, I saw Wyland who I had met earlier in 2018 on the NCL Bliss. I love learning from Jean Michel Cousteau! He spoke with Scuba Radio and gave a talk about underwater wonders.
Did you know Bonaire is a blue destination? I loved my trips there and to the Solomon Islands.
Have you heard singing in Fiji? Enjoy the music in my video.
Where do you want to dive next? I want to go to the Galapagos and PNG for my first visits.
I learned about diving in Oman at the Aggressor talk.
Thank you to everyone who is working together to deal with invasive lion fish. I cannot wait to learn to spear lion fish and take the new specialty class.
Happy December and festivals of light. I hope you are bringing light to your corner of the darkness!
Where did I wander in 2018? What happened this year? I was on TV, I went traveling, my YouTube channel grew and grew and I went to so many different conferences. Read all about it here: Where were Lisa’s Wonderful Wanderings in 2018?
Thank you to Ms. Magazine for publishing my story about empathy:
Read all of my Ms. Magazine stories here. I am honored to write for this incredible magazine. My first print story for Ms. Magazine will be in the Winter issue in January 2019.
We Said Go Travel was read in 212 countries in 2018.
Thank you to Artworks PC on Main Street in Park City, Utah! I am so excited to have my art on exhibit in your gallery! Read more about my art here.
Thank you to Erin from Explore with Erin for including me in her Travelocity article on where to celebrate Christmas.
In December, I traveled to Las Vegas for the DEMA Scuba show and I enjoyed London with friends before ILTM Cannes 2018. I will share photos and stories next month.
Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over 857,133 views on YouTube! Thank you for your support! Are you a subscriber? I hope you will join me and subscribe!
Thank you! I am so proud of all I have accomplished this year. Thank you for watching my videos, reading my stories, following along on social media and asking me about booking your travels!
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookies said:
“Your keen sense of humor will make you many good friends.”
“Your laugh and enthusiasm pleases those around you.”
“Cheerful company and a merry time are ahead for you.”
I hope you have enjoyed many festivals of light this holiday season and that you feel you have accomplished many of your 2018 goals. I cannot wait for 2019 so I can have more exciting adventures and share great stories.
Thank you for your all of your support. Lisa
“I went to my very first European Christmas markets and tasted my first Gluhwein. I highly recommend the Budapest Christmas market as well as the Central market of Pest. On our morning Vienna bus tour, we saw the sights of the city and a few of the sixteen Christmas markets. We walked around the historic city, St. Stephen’s Church and explored the largest Christmas market.”
Stayed: “I sailed on the Danube River to see dozens of Christmas markets with Viking Cruises. My home for the voyage was the Viking Atla from Budapest to Nurenberg. I absolutely loved that the floors of the bathroom were heated! It felt amazing on chilly mornings!”
Favorite Activity: “My favorite thing on the ship was learning to make Apple Strudel and then getting to taste it warm with vanilla ice cream. One day, we went to an incredible gingerbread shop. There were so many holiday tastes and so many ornaments to buy! I loved sailing during the holidays.”
Christmas is coming! Which means now is your chance to escape the winter or embrace the snow. If you’re ready to leave behind Christmas in the burbs this year and head out somewhere really special, Erin Holmes of Explore With Erin has you covered. Having celebrated Christmases all over the world, here are her picks for the best Christmas destinations.
I love Christmas. I love presents and family and friends and all the food. But sometimes Christmas can be overwhelming. Sometimes there is just so much to do and so much to plan that somewhere along the way Christmas lost a little bit of its magic.
So one year the kids and I up and left. We jumped on board a Christmas cruise and spent Christmas day in the middle of the ocean in the South Pacific somewhere. It was magical.
Wharton Magazine: How to Succeed in Hollywood Wharton students met with alumni in show business through the Wharton Industry Exploration Program
ScubaDiverLife: A Visit to SharkSchool in Playa del Carmen: When a shark attack occurs, it’s often the animal who gets the blame. SharkSchool in Playa del Carmen aims to change that perception through research and education.
I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday and time with the people who are important to you. My aunt and uncle hosted 48 family members for a wonderful dinner with not one, not two but three turkeys! Thank you to everyone who has asked about my mother, she continues to recover amazingly quickly from her fall and has a great attitude!
Thank you to Ms. Magazine for publishing two more of my stories:
Dr. Stephen Petersen, head of conservation and research at Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, has only one word of advice for the environmentally conscious this week: “Vote.” …. Polar bears are at the top trophic level of the food chain, and climate change is having a massive impact on their lives. As their environments evolve, Petersen is calling for more marine protected areas and doing work to protect the denning areas where polar bears have their babies. But there are many species that need to be protected—birds in Papua New Guinea, orangutans in Indonesia and polar bears in the Arctic among them.
I have been told that I am too sensitive or too emotional. I’ve been told that I use too many capital letters. I have been told repeatedly that my emails scared someone, that I should tone it down to appear professional. (I was even named “Most Likely to Clap Her Hands for No Reason” in my high school yearbook.)
Thank you to Mike Wreyford for having me on his radio show, The Good Life, for my 3rd visit. Listen to us here: Talking Travel on The Good Life.
Thank you to everyone who entered our 2018 Travel Photo Award. As soon as my tech wizard gives me the okay, I will start publishing the fantastic photos!
Walking with Polar Bears by Lisa Niver with Churchill Wild near Hudson Bay
Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over 842,627 views on YouTube! Thank you for your support! Are you a subscriber? I hope you will join me and subscribe!
Recent video from Nashuva Band: Happy almost Chanukah! May your holiday season be filled with music and light.
Thank you! I am so proud of all I have accomplished this year. Thank you for watching my videos, reading my stories, following along on social media and asking me about booking your travels!
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookies said:
“Don’t be afraid to take that big step.” And
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fall.”
I hope your entire year will be filled with celebrations!
Thank you for your all of your support. Lisa
I went to Winnipeg in order to get to Churchill to walk with the Polar Bears. Click here to see my articles and videos about that bucket list experience. I was not expecting to discover a city full of treasures! It is located in the center of Canada with a population of 800,000 and was the third largest city during the height of the Railroad. What did I see and do? Watch my video: Exploring Wonderful Winnipeg
What to see and do in Winnipeg?
International Polar Bear Research Centre is located at Assiniboine Park Zoo and houses rescued polar bear cubs from Churchill. I met with Dr. Stephen Petersen to talk about the Polar Bears and how we can help the environment. Read about what he told me in Ms. Magazine.
A post shared by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Nov 6, 2018 at 11:15am PST
The Inuit Art Centre will open its own new building at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in 2020 and will have the world’s largest collection of public Inuit art to share with the world.
A post shared by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Oct 23, 2018 at 11:38am PDT
Where to relax?
I had my first Scandinavian Spa experience at Thermëa – Winnipeg. It is very close to the city but feels 1000s of miles away. As they say, “Discover Thermëa: The ultimate relaxation experience!” There are 4 outdoor baths, 4 saunas including one with Eucalyptus and an indoor/outdoor restaurant. You can make s’mores and relax in a hammock.
Churchill Wild Adventure Begins…September 2018
At Churchill Wild, you can walk with the polar bears.
I flew from Los Angeles to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Winnipeg and stayed overnight at The Grand Hotel across from the terminal. My first night I had dinner with another writer, Shel at the Blue Marble.
I met my group at the hotel the next day. We had an orientation meeting and dinner at the hotel and in the morning woke up and walked back across theto the airport.
We flew from Winnipeg to Churchill and then took a Cessna flight up to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge by York Factory and Hudson Bay.
I was so excited to glimpse our home from the air and we saw polar bears too.
There are 8 rooms at the lodge.
We put out bags in our rooms and went to get our boots and jackets to get ready for our first ride on the arctic rhinos and go exploring.
Walking with Polar Bears September 2018 with Lisa Niver.
Please enjoy my videos of polar bears from my trip to Nanuk Polar Bears Lodge.
I traveled with Churchill Wild. I decided to make a video of only the polar bear footage for you to enjoy. Please see the other videos for wolves and everything else that happened! Safe Travels! Lisa
Walking with Wolves September 2018 with Lisa Niver.
Please enjoy my video of wolves from my trip to Nanuk Polar Bears Lodge.
I traveled with Churchill Wild. I decided to make a video of only the wolf footage for you to enjoy. Please see the other videos for polar bears and everything else that happened! Safe Travels! Lisa
This is Part Two of my adventures walking with Polar Bears with Churchill Wild at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Click here to read Part One. When are you going to touch the Arctic?
I absolutely loved this experience. Please enjoy my videos to see what our days were like riding the Arctic Rhino and walking with wild animals.
Lisa Niver’s selfie with a Polar Bear with Churchill Wild
Today (September 3, 2018) was another day of polar bears and wolves and wolves and polar bears! I might rename it Nanuk Polar Bear and Wolf lodge because we have seen so many wolves. Churchill Wild has been here for 25 years and we are wondering when are you coming to see the polar bears and the wolves!
Enjoy my videos to see what a day is like exploring with Churchill Wild!
I was glad that they lent us rubber boats and rain pants and coats. We walked in some very muddy conditions. They also had walking sticks that you could borrow! I especially liked the blankets that we could use in the Arctic Rhino. You can make friends, be in nature and see amazing creatures! I loved it!
Churchill Wild Arctic Safaris: Getting ready to see Polar Bears
Video from Sept 5, 2018 Our last day at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Churchill Wild and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge I have had the most incredible time! I cannot wait
to come back. How cold was it? I wore all my clothes! Make sure to check the weather for York
Factory and not Churchill!
Thank you for watching my videos with wolves and polar bears! When are you going to touch the Arctic?
Is it on your bucket list to see the Northern Lights?
Come to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge where we saw the Aurora Borealis for more than an hour.
We saw all different colors and the lights were dancing all across the sky.
It was truly one of the most magical things I have ever seen.
I wrote about the Polar Bears from my visit with Dr. Petersen at the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, Winnipeg, Canada for Ms. Magazine. Click here to read: “Polar Bears Can’t Vote, So You Have To!”
https://jewishjournal.com/blogs/wesaidgotravel/241897/ready-adventure-walk-polar-bears/Up Next
Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes! I am so proud of all I have accomplished this year. Thank you for watching my videos, reading my stories, following along on social media and asking me about booking your travels! I was LIVE on the 1pm KTLA NEWS!
Lisa Niver on an Arctic Safari with Churchill Wild finding polar bears!
Thank you to Ms. Magazine for publishing my story: “Reverse Mentoring with GenMaverick: The Five Best Lessons I Learned From Teen Feminists.” I was honored to be asked to be a mentor/catalyst for Maverick. This story is from the Maverick Live Summit in April 2018.
“At the inaugural Maverick Live Summit in Los Angeles, teens took the stage to celebrate the new app’s intent to empower young girls to use their voices—and shared honest stories about their paths to incredible accomplishments. From being on “Grown-ish” to being the first African-American woman ever to qualify for a U.S. Olympic speed skating team, the passionate young women who gathered in Los Angeles for the summit showed the crowd of teens that anything is possible and encouraged them to be creative and empowered.
Collectively and individually they told each other and the crowd: “Take risks! Dream big. Let your voice be heard!”
My Travel Photo Award is open until November 1, 2018. Thank you to everyone who participated in all of my writing competitions and the first photo award. Submit your photo for our current Photo Award THIS MONTH!
Did you see all of my Africa stories and videos from my trip to Tanzania and Kenya with Abercrombie and Kent?
Thank you to Abercrombie and Kent for sharing so many of my photos from our East African safari on their Facebook page:
Travel expert and writer, Lisa Ellen Niver, recently returned from a safari in East Africa with A&K. Here she shares some of the highlights from her recent adventure.We Said Go Travel
Here is the link to my video channel on YouTube where I have over 826,000 views on YouTube! Thank you for your support! Are you a subscriber? I hope you will join me and subscribe!
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookies said: “Don’t be discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward,” and “Courtesy costs nothing.”
I hope your birthday and entire year will be filled with celebrations!
Thank you for your all of your support. Lisa
I loved being on my very first African safari. I filmed so much footage of the animals and I wanted to be able to share it with you. Please find videos below that are mainly of one animal. If you want to see where we stayed, what we ate, how we got from place to place please see the first 13 videos in this series here.
My two favorite things to see on safari in Tanzania and Kenya were baby animals and animals crossing the road. I made this video of just baby animals and animals crossing the road.
#9 Safari in Mara Triangle July 14 2018 and staying at Sanctuary Olonana with Sanctuary Retreats
Staying at Sanctuary Olonana in the Maasai Mara: the rooms are gorgeous, breakfast is fabulous and they even have challah in Kenya. They have everything at Sanctuary Retreats. Cross your fingers we see a rhino today. We have seen 4 of the Big 5 so far.
For our game drive with Duncan, we saw a large family of olive baboons and zebras. We went through Oloololo Gate and explored. We saw elephants, zebras, a lion and a lioness, a water buck, another large male lion, spotted hyena, another lioness, grey crowned cranes, warthog, kingfisher and many many more elephants. At the end of this video playlist are movies of several animals who we spent a lot of time watching: See more footage of elephants, giraffe, lions and baby animals.
In the afternoon after lunch at Sanctuary Olonana, we visited a Maasai village. Chief Richard said I could bring my hula-hoop. See the next movie for more of our adventures with the men, women and children of the village.
I went to see the Sanctuary Olonana Spa which has outdoor treatment rooms so you can hear the sounds of the river and hippos as you relax. Remember your bathing suit because you can go for a swim or sit by the pool.
Watch my video from July 15, our final game drive when we did see the black rhino.
Happy Travels! Lisa
From Sanctuary Olonana, we went to visit Chef Richard’s village.
He told us—“ As you know, there is Big 5. Do you know what is the Big 6?” Maasai Warriors!”
He was talking to us about polygamy.
You can marry more wives if you have enough cows. 10 cows for 1 wife, 20 cows for 2 wives.
We watched the Maasai Warriors do their jumping dance.I taught them to hula-hoop.
One warrior laughed so hard—he fell down!
We took photos with the men and then went to visit the women and children in the village.
I danced with the women and shared my hula hoop with them.
I loved learning Maasai: Supa means HELLO!
The children came to watch the women of the village dance and sing.
We were invited into the men’s meeting house and learned how they make fire.
I bought several beaded bracelets from the craft marketplace.
Thank you to the village for sharing their time with us and inviting us into their homes.
#11 We saw a Black Rhino on Our Final Game Drive July 15 2018
We woke up at Sanctuary Olonana and I wandered among the beautiful trees on property.
Sanctuary Retreats, Abercrombie and Kent, AK Philanthropy and Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy have a commitment to the communities where they are building and working. They use local staff, have an organic garden and involve the community to pick their projects. We were able to visit the school that was built by the teams in Africa. The Maasai village owns the land where Sanctuary Olonana is located and receives money for each room night.
On our safari game drives, we saw the great migration of the wildebeest, hundreds of elephants and so many lions.
Sanctuary Olonana has recently been completely renovated and reopened. I have been learning to speak Swahili and Maasai. The staff has been teaching me new words and I can say THANK YOU! Asante Sana. I loved eating breakfast with a view of the river with hippos!
Duncan took us on our final game drive and we saw Maasai with their cattle and then we found the elusive black rhino! We saw all of the Big 5 during our adventures in Tanzania and Kenya. I loved being on safari with Abercrombie and Kent. I cannot wait for your to come on your bucket list trip and enjoy the amazing animals, friendly people and the vast landscape.
#12 Did we visit a Maasai Village in Kenya?
YES!
Watch the Maasai Warrior Performance with Hula Hooping Olonana, Kenya.
Did I teach Maasai Warriors to Hula Hoop?
Yes I did! What an amazing Abercrombie and Kent Small Group Journey!
We were invited to visit a Maasai Village while we were staying at Sanctuary Olonana.
I wanted to share the complete footage of the warriors.
#13 Did we visit a Maasai Village in Kenya?
YES!
Watch the Maasai Women sing and dance!
Did I teach Maasai Women and children to Hula Hoop?
Yes I did! What an amazing Abercrombie and Kent Luxury Tailor Made Journey we had in Tanzania and Kenya.
We were invited to visit a Maasai Village while we were staying at Sanctuary Olonana. I wanted to share the complete footage of the women dancing.
Hello from Sanctuary Kichakani! While on safari in Tanzania, I tried to learn to speak Swahili:
Jambo: Hello
Hakuna Matata: No Worries
Simba: Lion
Thank you: Asante Sana
Good Night: Lala Salama
The men of Sanctuary Kichakani broke into song while we were talking about Swahili. I loved this mobile tent camp and all of the friendly team. We saw all of the Big 5 on our adventures together!
How did I travel from Tanzania to Kenya?Where did I stay in Tanzania and Kenya?Did I learn to speak Swahili?
Did I love going on my first safari?
I hula hooped at sunrise outside my tent at Sanctuary Kichakani
I learned more new words! Thank you to everyone for teaching me Swahili.
Jambo means hello!Want to listen to the men singing? Listen to the entire song in the video before this one.
We left our mobile tent camp and flew from Seronera Airstrip to Tarime Airstrip which is also in Tanzania. At the airstrip, I met a group of students who are studying about tourism and hospitality. They asked me: What were the challenges to visit Tanzania? My group answered: vaccines, visas and flight distance.
We traveled overland and crossed out of Tanzania and into Kenya but there were no photos or video allowed at the border crossing. Next we traveled to Migori Airstrip.
Are there “services” at the airstrip and border? There was a bathroom at Tarime but not at Migori. There was a bathroom at the border. Remember if there is not running water in the bathroom, take the bucket, fill it with water and use that to flush the toilet.
We flew on many small planes. I loved being able to sit in the front and watch the pilot fly.
In the morning, we left Sanctuary Kichakani and Tanzania and after our flights and border crossing, we arrived at Sanctuary Olonana in Maasai Mara, Kenya.
We saw many giraffes and of course I took more photos with the animals. How close are the animals on safari? So close you can take a selfie!
In the Mara, we saw cattle because the Maasai warriors have herds of them. We were staying near a Maasai village that we would visit and also near a school built with philanthropy from Abercrombie and Kent as well as Sanctuary Retreats. See the next videos for more about the school and the village where I taught the Maasai warriors to hula-hoop.
Sanctuary Olonana was completely renovated and reopened in July 2018 just before we went to visit. I loved our welcome into the village with an escort and music. The property is on the Mara River and you can see hippos from the restaurant and all the villas.
Maurice Simiyu, Camp Manager, and his entire team invite you to come enjoy this beautiful property.
We visited Enkereri Primary School as part of our Abercrombie and Kent Small Group journey in Tanzania and Kenya. The Enkereri school is part of the Masai Mara Conservation Program for Abercrombie and Kent Philanthropy (AKP). To donate to the school: click here and under the donate page, select Kenya-Masai Mara Conservation Program; then under “Message”, specify that the gift is for Enkereri School and 100% of your donation will go directly to the school. Thank you to Matt Payne for the photos of me with the schoolchildren.
Enkereri school children in Maasai Mara. Photo by Matt Payne
Join us as we fly from Arusha to the Serengeti, Tanzania.
There were zebra on the airstrip.
We saw three of the Big 3 in Tarangire.
What will we see in the Serengeti?
I cannot wait to explore!
Minutes from the airport we saw TOPI, they look like they are wearing blue jeans. We saw a lion in the distance, then an elephant, I even took selfies with the elephants. Next we saw another LEOPARD! It was incredible to walk it move.
We saw animals crossing the road! One of my favorite things.
We saw our first olive baboons— there was a group of all sizes even babies! We saw banded mongoose and gorgeous scenery with a crocodile.
Our new home would be Sanctuary Kichakani for two nights which moves three times a year to follow the great migration. We ate lunch which was so great I even had seconds!
My luxury canvas tent was incredible and I love the bucket shower.
Join us for the next video to see our surprise!
We saw a lion, leopard, elephants, crocodile and olive baboons?
What will we see next?
It is time to go to the hippo pool which is only about 7 minutes from Sanctuary Kichakani! I spotted a bee-eater bird, we saw water buffalo, zebra and we were allowed to get out of the safari vehicle and watch the hippos at sunset.
Should you go on safari in Africa? YES!
How close are the animals in the Serengeti? Very close! We saw wildebeest!
What will happen next?
I love the Serengeti! More animals on safari in the next video!
After sunrise we went on our game drive.
We were searching for big cats: lions, leopards and cheetahs!
We saw baby olive baboons, giraffes, zebra, warthog, wildebeest, hartebeest, dwarf mongoose and gazelles.
Our incredible guide, Filbert, brought us to an area where we saw four lions! We saw two lioness and two cubs playing. One of the lioness made a kill of a Thompson’s gazelle! It was truly amazing! We then saw a leopard bring a kill of a gazelle up into the tree tops! We went on to see four more lions during the day.
We also saw vultures, elands and more birds.
We had a picnic in the Serengeti under a tree.
Yes I did take selfies with the animals! I did hula hoop around the campfire too!
Asante Sana! Thank you to Filbert for the most amazing day!
Who did you travel with? I was on an Abercrombie and Kent Tailor Made Small Group Journey to Tanzania, my 100th country, and Kenya.
Lisa Ellen Niver of We Said Go Travel loved scuba diving, but she couldn’t afford to dive on her salary at the time. So on a friend’s suggestion, she applied to work at Club Med as a G.O. (an activity organizer).
“I had never heard of it before but sent in a resume and paid to fly to Florida for a group interview. They offered me the job but in Colorado. I wanted to go scuba diving but they needed a person in the kids club who could ski. She promised that if I went to the snow, next I would get underwater. I decided to go for it. I ended up at Club Med for a year and on ships for nearly seven! It was the most amazing way to travel, see the world and save money. I absolutely loved it.”
This smart travel move launched Lisa’s ongoing career as an award-winning travel expert who is featured around the world. To this day, she’s glad she took a chance and went to Club Med to ski when she wanted to go scuba diving. “You never know what can happen if you just begin.”
More interviews with Lisa Niver from Business Insider, The Penny Hoarder and more on One Page
Lisa Niver Live on KTLA with Lu Parker, Mark Mester, Kaj Goldberg.
I really believe what Lindsey Vonn said: “Follow your dreams. If you have a goal, and you want to achieve it, then work hard and do everything you can to get there, and one day it will come true.”
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?
Here are links to my video channels on YouTube, Amazon Fire Tv, and Roku Player. My views on Roku are now over 1.2 million and I have over 800,000 views on YouTube! My total video views across all platforms is now over two million! Thank you for your support!
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookies said: “A day without smiling is a day wasted.” and “It is not only important to add years to your life but to add life to your years.”
Shana Tova! I hope as the new year of 5779 begins you are filling your life with what is most important to you. I read this quote in the Stephen Wise Temple Yom Kippur Prayerbook:
“As civilization advances, the sense of wonder declines. Such decline is an alarming symptom of our state of mind. Mankind will not perish for want of information; but only for want of appreciation. The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding that life without wonder is not worth living. What we lack is not a will to believe but a will to wonder.”
by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel from “As Civilization Advances” in “God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism”
I hope your new year will be filled with wonder and wander!
Thank you for your all of your support. Lisa
Join me on my first safari with Abercrombie and Kent in Africa.
I have this and quite a few more videos to share of my Tailor Made Small Group Journey to Tanzania, my 100th country, and Kenya.
I am so excited to share all of our experiences with you.
I flew from Los Angeles, California to Amsterdam, Netherlands and then Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. We stayed one night in Arusha at Mount Meru Hotel before beginning our safari adventures.
From Arusha airport, we flew to our first safari camp, Sanctuary Swala.
We saw animals from the short plane ride to Kuro Airstrip where we were picked up by Sigi from Sanctuary Retreats to start our first game drive. What animals did we see? Watch the next video to find out!
Within minutes of setting out on our first safari game drive, we saw a family of elephants. A group of elephants is called a herd or a parade. I loved seeing the baby elephant. If the baby can fit under the mother, it is usually less than six months old. African Bush Elephants can live 60 to 70 years and elephants are born after a two year pregnancy.
I was thrilled to realize we were close enough to the elephants to take selfies! I had hoped we would see many animals on my safari but I was not sure if they would mainly be far away from us. We saw many birds including Southern White Crowned Strike, Lilac Breasted Roller, white-bellied bustard, crown hornbill, gray crowned crane, ostrich, marsh eagle, African vulture, and Western Red-billed hornbill.
I loved seeing a zeal of zebras. I was shocked when four of them rolled in the grass and dirt. I felt like we were in a scene from a movie. I just could not believe how many animals there were. I also loved seeing different types of animals together.
Watching giraffes walk makes me happy. I love how majestic they look. A tower (or kaleidoscope) of giraffes is formed when two or more giraffes stand with necks together on safari. When we saw a warthog and someone said, “Pumba,” I felt like the movie The Lion King was coming to life.
Observing the animals while they were walking, drinking and moving was mesmerizing. I made separate videos of each of the animals that we watched for long periods of time so you can enjoy them too. You can find them at the end of this playlist.
My two favorite things on safari where watching animals cross the road and seeing the baby animals. I made a separate video of those two things together.
We saw black faced monkeys and later in our trip we would see Olive Baboons!
We saw all of the animals mentioned here before noon on our very first game drive.
After our picnic lunch under the Acacia trees, we saw another parade of elephants and a leopard! On our first day we saw two of the Big 5! At 5pm as we were headed to our camp, we saw African Buffalo which made 3 of the Big 5 on our first day.
Sanctuary Swala would be our home for the night and it had recently re-opened. Our stunning luxury canvas tents had every amenity including both an indoor and outdoor shower. We were taught about how to call for someone to walk us to the dining area after dark. You take a flashlight and shine it into the trees. It is like asking for your own superhero to accompany you and a Maasai warrior with a spear will walk you safely to the main area. There are no fences at Sanctuary Swala so there are animals all over the camp. I loved the meals with a view, pretty pathways, the animals close by and my very comfortable bed.
Here is my August News 2018 FOR We Said Go Travel:
For my 50 New Things Before I am 50 project, I went to my 96, 97, 98, 99th countries and in July 2018, I went to TANZANIA which was my country #100! It was so exciting to travel with Abercrombie and Kent Tailor-Made Small Group Journeys on Safari! I have been posting photos to my social media and have many videos to share with you. Thank you for all of your support for We Said Go Travel and me.
We anticipate announcing the winners from our 2017 Photo Award in September 2018. Thank you for your participation and patience!
Our 2018 photo award is open! Our four judges look forward to seeing your best shots! Learn more here!
On Safari in Africa! Baby Elephant Crossing the Road
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?
Here are links to my video channels on YouTube, Amazon Fire Tv, and Roku Player. My views on Roku are now over 1.2 million and I have nearly 800,000 views on YouTube! My total video views across all platforms is now over two million! Thank you for your support!
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookies said “Dreams are extremely important. You can’t do it unless you imagine it,” and “A mile walked with a friend contains only a hundred steps.” I hope you are actively imagining your next dream destination and goal. I am!
The Power of Positivity: How Did One Teenager Handle Having Multiple Concussions?
AN INTERVIEW WITH KOBY BERNSTEIN
We are pleased to introduce Koby Bernstein, a 17-year old student at the Dalton School in New York City. Koby is this year’s youth honoree of the Brain Injury Association of New York and his team is raising funds for The March On-Long Island 5K. Koby takes us through his experiences with a traumatic brain injury, how he stayed positive and is an amazing example of how one person can change the world!
Q —Can you tell us about your brain injury and how it happened?
A —My first concussion happened in the middle of 9th grade. I was playing high school basketball. I was driving the ball and collided with an opposing player. I thought I was fine but during my last class I had a headache, was nauseous, felt dizzy and most of all I just did not feel“right.” Some of my symptoms lasted for over 3 weeks. I was fully back at school and sports after about 4 weeks. My second concussion happened in 10th grade. I was trying out for the varsity basketball team and was at a practice in the gym. The back of my head collided with a taller player’s chin. I don’t think it was a harder jolt than my first concussion, but this time my symptoms were much worse and I was out for the entire basketball season. It took me 3 months to fully return to school and sports. I have had a few other bumps since then, like the time a friend threw a football in the park to the back of my head, that would ordinarily not be anything to think too much about, but when these bumps have happened to me following my other concussions, I am much more sensitive and I experience concussion symptoms that someone else would not have.
Koby Bernstein volunteering with the Brain Injury Association of New York August 2017
Q —Can you describe to us how you are doing now? Have you fully recovered from your injuries?
A— Even though I have recovered, I am not the same as before. I have chronic pressure in my sinuses and head. After trying different medications, having a cat scan and nasal endoscopy, the doctors cannot relieve the pressure. I now see a chiropractor regularly and also started acupuncture treatments.
Q —What was it like to be sidelined from school and sports for extended periods of time?
A— It was honestly very isolating and depressing. My whole identity has been wrapped up in my athletic persona and team sports, so not being able to play was very challenging. Not only because I enjoy playing and am so passionate about it, but also not getting to do what I love was hard, yet it was much more than that – I missed seeing my friends and teammates everyday. I also experienced a withdrawal of endorphins. I went from several hours of exercise per day to nothing. On top of all of that, there was very little I could do at home. I could not watch television or play on my phone- I was staying away from all digital screens because my eyes were sensitive to light and loud sounds bothered me too. I had to get up from chairs or beds slowly so I didn’t get dizzy. My whole system was completely off. Missing school may sound great to someone who is healthy, but it was really tough. I hated getting more and more behind every day. I slowly got back to school. Some days I could go for one class or two. It took a long time before I could handle an entire day, keep up with homework, and be fully functional. I also have to point out that when you have a health issue that people cannot see, it makes it that much harder for people to understand your issue and accept it. When you see someone with a physical disability, you recognize that they may need accommodations. It was very different with traumatic brain injury as there was no outward signs like a cast or crutches. In my experience, some teachers were more understanding than others.
A— I had found that some things helped me like a particular ice pack that wrapped around my head, blue light blocking glasses, and some supplements that I was taking. These were not necessarily things that are on a typical treatment plan and they are not things that your neurologist or pediatrician tell you about. I wanted to share with others what helped me. I also needed to connect with others to see if I could find anything else that might help me. Without regular contact with my friends and teammates, I needed a community to connect with that understood what I was going through. Concussions are all unique, but people who have experienced them were much more understanding than others.
Q —What inspired you to work with the Brain Injury Association?
A— I wanted to find a way to raise concussion awareness and I discovered that the Brain Injury Association had a chapter in New York, which is a non-profit entity that advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injuries and their families. I started out volunteering at their Long Island Walk. From there, I got more involved. It helped me turn around my negative feelings. By doing something good, I started to feel more hopeful and positive.
I also wanted to raise concussion awareness in my community and raise funds for the Brain Injury Association. During March, which is March Madness for basketball fans and also Brain Injury Awareness Month – I created and organized a fundraiser, “Basketball for a Cause.” I was fortunate to have a lot of help from friends at the New York City High School Leadership Academy, a non-profit leadership development program where I am the president. Together we invited kids of all ages to shoot hoops, compete in contests, learn about concussions. I partnered with Dr. Elizabeth Barchi and the NYU Concussion Center; Dr. Barchi helped take some of the confusion out of concussions. I also connected through instagram with an organization called Protect Your Skull; two former football players created a lifestyle clothing brand all around concussion awareness, and they generously donated clothing to help our fundraising efforts. I learned a lot about organizing an event, building a community wide effort, and more importantly, how to turn my individual nightmare from playing basketball into something positive for the greater good.
Koby Bernstein with Dr. Elizabeth Barchi, NYC Concussion Center, March 4, 2018
Q —What has been the best part of your experience?
A— I had a great opportunity this past Spring to participate in a Concussion Roundtable at Mount Sinai.That was an incredible experience. I was the only student in a room filled with doctors, nurses, clinicians, athletic trainers and more. The Roundtable was focused on discussing best practices for concussion treatment. We collaborated on protocols that work and don’t work. I was able to provide the student perspective and share the challenges that I faced in returning to school and sports. There is so much emphasis in schools on the protocols to return to play, but very little procedures exist on best practices and support to return to school. There needs to be more focus on returning to life too. Being able to advocate for changes in the system was empowering. I found that I have a voice and, even as a teenager, I can help effect real change and do something meaningful through advocacy. I got so much out of my time participating in the roundtable.
“I found that I have a voice and can help effect change.”
–Koby Bernstein
Koby Bernstein speaking at the Concussion Roundtable at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 12, 2018
Q — What is your message to others with traumatic brain injuries?
A—I had to stop thinking about all of the things I could not do and was missing out on.I realized I had no alternative but figure out how to move forward.I learned to appreciate Nelson Mandel’s message that “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” My greatest discovery was learning to be positive and resilient in the face of setbacks. My message to others with traumatic brain injuries is to not give up; whatever you can do on a given day is just enough for that day. You are stronger than you think and happiness is a choice you get to make for yourself. I call my formula the 4 P’s: positivity, persistence, perseverance and perspective.
Q — Last question – What is next?
A— Right now, I am raising funds for the Brain Injury Association of New York’s 5K Walk on Long Island. It takes place on Saturday, September 15th at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. I am appreciative of being the youth honoree and I am building a team to raise funds. I am grateful that I have recovered from my concussions,but also for how the tough times have shaped me. I am lucky that I can now help others. The money raised will go towards the Brain Injury Association of New York’s mission, which includes providing education, advocacy, and community support services that lead to improved outcomes for children and adults with brain injuries and their families. The Association offers a toll-free family helpline, chapters and support groups throughout the state, prevention programs, and publications library. And, BIANYS plays a central role in the development of public policy on the federal, state and local level.
Koby Bernstein with BIANYS Executive Director, Eileen Reardon, April 12, 2018
Note: We Said Go Travel is honored to share this story. Koby Bernstein is the nephew of Lisa Niver, founder of We Said Go Travel. We hope to see you on September 15 at the The March On-Long Island 5K.
https://jewishjournal.com/blogs/wesaidgotravel/237430/the-power-of-positivity-how-did-one-teenager-handle-having-multiple-concussions/Up Next
Lisa Niver, Diana Ljungaeus and Susan Bejeckian Photo by Gary McCarthy
Thank you to the Los Angeles Press Club for the 2018 Southern California Journalism Awards at the Millennium Biltmore. It was a night full of the all-stars of journalism. “The Southern California Journalism Awards, now celebrating 59 years of recognizing high-caliber journalism, continues to call attention to the Los Angeles area’s fine journalists while promoting excellence in new and emerging media.”
I loved hearing Dolly Parton speak about her Imagination Library which has given over 100 million books to children. She also raised over $12.5 million for My People Fund supported people who lost their homes in the deadly Tennessee fires last year.
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.” She was honored with the Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award.
Robert Kovacik, Lisa Niver and Cher Calvin
I was honored to be a 2018 Finalist in three categories for the awards. These are the three articles I was nominated for:
The KTLA team including my producer, Kimberly Cornell, took home two awards. I worked with her to create travel segments on Napa, California and Ogden, Utah. Congratulations to everyone on their hard working team!
Lisa Niver and Kimberly Cornell
Thank you to the leaders of the Los Angeles Press Club, Diana Ljungaeus, Chris Palmeri and the entire board for all your efforts to create and continue the Southern California Journalism Awards. I am already looking forward to the next one!
“The Southern California Journalism Awards were born during the Cold War, when Los Angeles journalism was dominated by the city’s many newspapers. Television was in its infancy. Developments like all-news radio were still years away. Women journalists were rare in mainstream media. Minorities, even rarer.
Today we see greater diversity in the newsroom and in the ways we provide information. The Press Club has been striving to embrace Internet journalists and bloggers–clearly the wave of the future.
The Southern California Journalism Awards, now celebrating 59 years of recognizing high-caliber journalism, continues to call attention to the Los Angeles area’s fine journalists while promoting excellence in new and emerging media.”
2018 Honorees:
* LESTER HOLT – The Joseph M. Quinn Award for Lifetime Achievement
*KIM YOSHINO – The Presidents Award for Impact on Media
*RAIF BADAWI – The Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism
*DOLLY PARTON – The Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award for Contributions to Civic Life
“The 60th SoCal Journalism Awards Contest is the largest and most impressive in our Los Angeles Press Club’s recent history. Our judges sorted through nearly 1,400 entries. Our finalists represent the most talented and hardworking journalists in Southern California! ”
For our 2018 Best in Travel Photo Award, share your favorite shot! Why do you love it? How did you create it? Submit a photo taken in the last two years.
Thank you for your participation!
Lisa Niver, We Said Go Travel
Winners will be selected by our judges and We Said Go Travel Team. Cash prizes will be paid through PayPal in United States Dollars. All winning entries will be promoted on We Said Go Travel.
See all of the 2017 entries here. We are announcing the finalists for the 2017 award in August 2018 and will announce the winners shortly.
RULES
Photos will be published with the accompanying information given with the entry dependent on appropriateness and being family friendly (G rated). If your photo information is written in a language other than English, please also send an English translation.
Travelers of all ages and from all countries are encouraged to participate. You may submit up to three photos for our 2018 photo competition.
We are looking for an inspiring travel-oriented image that shows us your experience in the world with great subject, composition, lighting, perspective and storytelling. It must be your original photo that shares the people, places or cultures you have encountered. Do not submit studio or commercial photos.
All photos, which meet the requirements, will be published on this site, WeSaidGoTravel.com. Void where prohibited.
Eve Boissonnault has been a leader in the international sports and travel industry for over 15 years. She started her career as a journalist at Ski Presse Magazine in Canada for which she became Editor-in-Chief. During her 10-year tenure, she was one of the very few female Editor-in-Chiefs in the North American snow sports industry. She travelled the globe reporting on luxury travel and world-class skiing events such as the Olympics. Starting 2012, she traded the mountain for the beach and set out to write a series of eight travel books about California. Her articles have been published in ELLE Magazine, BMW Experience Magazine and Air Canada’s award-winning publication EnRoute. Eve has received international recognition as one of the Top Sports Writers in the world by the Laureus Sports Organization. Since 2007, she has been acting as jury member for the Laureus World Sports Awards. Eve holds a Master’s Degree in Communication and Semiotics and is currently participating in a Continuing Learning program at Stanford University.
Travel / Lifestyle Blogger | Geeky Mom (the cool kind, of course)
North American Travel Journalists Association
International Travel Writers Alliance
Huffington Post / Surf and Sunshine
Research lab rat turned travel mom, Jeana writes about fashion, beauty, gadgets, food, entertainment, crafts and of course, travel at her lifestyle blogazine SurfandSunshine.com. Recently named by Social Media Week asone of eight people who have more social influence than some large travel brands, Jeana is also consistently listed in Klout’s top 10 Travel influencers as well as the top 5 of Rise Global’s Top 1000 Travel Blogs. When she’s not using her powers for social good, she enjoys photography, cooking and building LEGOs with her son. On occasion, you may also find her crocheting cute things to hide in her husband’s underwear drawer.
Matt Payne is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, an award-winning travel photographer and writer, public speaker and adventurer. He is the travel editor for 405 Magazine, the producer of the television show Mosaic Oklahoma and is a contributing writer and photographer to Travel Age West, themanual.com, vagabondish.com, Communities Digital News and many other travel publications. Matt is an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City University and travels the Midwest, inspiring audiences with talks covering a range of topics from travel writing and photography to screenwriting. Matt, his wife, his daughter and two dogs live on a farm outside Oklahoma City along with several horses, two donkeys, three chickens and a temperamental rooster named Wayne.
Are you looking for “The World’s Most Exclusive Conferences for Professional Travel Writers and Editors?”
I was honored to participate in Travel Classics conferences in Scottsdale, Ireland, Tucson and Montreal. I am looking forward to the next conference in Scottsdale from Nov 29 to December 2, 2018.
Thank you to Maren Rudolph for creating these wonderful conferences to meet in person with top travel magazine editors and network with other journalists in fantastic destinations.
“There’s no better way to stay in the loop of major magazine markets, as you enhance your career with great writing assignments. Travel Classics is unlike any other conference on Earth.”
There’s no better way to stay in the loop of major magazine markets, as you enhance your career with great writing assignments. Travel Classics is unlike any other conference on Earth.
Conference and Accommodations fees include:
3 nights accommodations with breakfast and gratuities
3 scheduled breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
Refreshments during 4 scheduled breaks
All evening activities (including transportation to and from offsite events)
Editor presentations and one-on-one consultations with 7 or more editors
Exposure on TravelClassics.com in Alumni News and TC Authors Section
Thank you for all of your support for We Said Go Travel and me. VERY SOON I will have two million views on my videos! I appreciate all of your views, comments and likes. Thank you so much!
All of the entries from the 2017 Photo Award are now published. You can view them here. Our 2018 photo award will start NEXT MONTH! Get ready to share your great shots! We will have four judges for the next award.
Lisa Niver doing full body motion capture at AT&T Shape 2018
I went to Warner Brothers to be part of the future with the AT&T Shape Event again this year. I cannot wait for all of these 5G innovations to be widely available.
Lisa Niver at VidCon 2018
At my very first VIDCON (YouTube conference), I learned from the very best in the business. I will be using my new knowledge in future videos. Here is my conference in video: VidCon Conference, VidCon Expo Hall and VidCon Conference.
Lisa Niver with Miss SCUBA International and SCUBA Queen USA
Going to the Scuba Show is a highlight every year for me. It feels a bit like an adult candy store! I want to try every flavor. I cannot wait to get back underwater.
Lisa Niver and Wyland on the NCL BLISS
Sailing with Wyland on the NCL Bliss was a real treat. His commitment to protecting our oceans is really making a difference for our planet. I hope you get involved with his foundation.
I am just back from COUNTRY #100! I cannot wait to tell you all about it and show you the photos and video. YAY!
WHERE CAN YOU FIND MY TRAVEL VIDEOS?
Here are links to my video channels on YouTube, Amazon Fire Tv, and Roku Player. My views on Roku alone are now over one million! My total video views across all platforms is now over 1,977,357 (1.9Million)! ! Thank you for your support! What should I do to celebrate when I get to 2 MILLION views?
Recent videos from my Adventures Across Canada: to see them all CLICK HERE !
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookie said “You will live long and enjoy life.” Wishing you good health and grand adventures!
All of the entries from our first Travel Photo award have now been published. I hope to announce the winners next month. Thank you to everyone who participated and to our judges, Gary Arndt from Everything Everywhere and Jeana from Surf and Sunshine. We hope you will submit a photo in our next award starting in August.
TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS:
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our 13 We Said Go Travel Competitions! Find the winners for all of them here.
The sunny view at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in May 2018
For our pre-conference experience, I stayed at Monville Hotel which had literally just opened its doors and was centrally located so we could walk to many attractions or for our dinner! I loved meeting their resident robot.
*HA with Francisco Randez: They have two locations and great food
*Studio 16 and the Street Art Festival
*Pointe A Calliere
From my USA TODAY 10best article: “Most people don’t know that Montreal is one of the oldest cities in Canada, let alone North America. So, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum showcases Canadian history through both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions provide insight on how Montreal began, how it was built and how archaeologists uncovered what the city was like before human settlement.”
*Cite Memoire for Montreal at Night definitely see as many of the 60 projections as you can!
*Escondite! I loved this Mexican restaurant! Thank you to Bernardo and the entire team Vive Mexico!
From cosmopolitan city centres to the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountaineer’s rail routes offer you the most jaw-dropping sights Western Canada has to offer.
If “see everything” is on your list, you’re in luck. Plan to start and end your journey from the same place and then get ready to take it all in. Combining two or more of our routes in a Circle Journey gives you the most days onboard the train. Lucky you!
Add an Alaska Cruise
With Rocky Mountaineer, adding an Alaska cruise to the beginning or end of your rail journey is a breeze. More specifically, an ocean breeze blowing over glittering seascapes.
Unparalleled Experiences
Over the years, we’ve been perfecting the very fine craft of creating life-changing experiences. Our secret recipe is not-so-secret and has earned us eight world travel awards, but hey, who’s counting?
https://jewishjournal.com/blogs/wesaidgotravel/236231/rocky-mountaineer-please-lisa-virtuoso-life-magazine/Up Next
Discover the Jewish Heritage of Montreal with Mélissa Simard
Lisa and Melissa at Lesters Deli Photo by Paul Shiro
*Lester’s Deli
Cheskie Bakery has the best Rugelach in Montreal! Photo by Paul Shiro
*Cheski Bakery
My favorite bagel on the planet is from St. Viateur Bagel! Photo by Paul Shiro
*St. Viateur Bagel Shop
*Home of Mordechai Richler
*Former B’nai Jacob synagogue
*Fairmont Bagel Factory
Sharon Wilensky is the third generation to run Wilensky’s Light Lunch! Photo by Paul Shiro
*Wilensky’s Light Lunch
*Hof Kelstein Bakery
*Steinberg’s Grocery
*Leonard Cohen’s home
*Globe Theater (now Cinema L’Amore)
*Cooper Building
Schwartz’s Deli: World famous smoked meat in Montreal. Photo by Paul Shiro
*Schwartz’s Deli
*Bagg Street Shul
and don’t miss the Shalom Montreal exhibit at McCord Museum.
Musée McCord Shalom Montreal Exhibit. Photo by Paul Shiro
Thank you again to Mélissa Simard for making the Jewish heritage of Montreal come to life. My grandfather was born here and this was my 1st visit to this marvelous city.
‘Round Table Tours offers a guided exploration of Montreal’s diverse neighbourhoods, cultures and food establishments. Your adventure will bring you beyond cheap clichés normally destined for tourists.
Weave together the tasting of culinary delights with the stories of the chefs and entrepreneurs that create those dishes
Discover flourishing communities, their histories and interesting and diverse people from the past and present
Explore emerging styles of cuisine and business models that are eco-responsible, including urban farms, restaurants, food trucks and food production sites
I was in Montreal to participation in “The World’s Most Exclusive Conferences for Professional Travel Writers and Editors.” I am honored to be able to participate. Want to know more about it? Watch this video: Why Go to Travel Classics? Ask the Editors:
“Traveling’s not something you’re good at. It’s something you do. Like Breathing.” Gayle Foreman
After graduating college, I went on a road trip with my boyfriend through Canada. I loved our brief stay in Québec City and have always wanted to return. When Travel Classics Montreal offered a pre-conference trip to Québec City, I knew I would be going. Although my grandfather was born in Montreal, the conference would be my first visit to that city.
Where did we stay in Québec City?
For our visit, we stayed at the family owned museum boutique hotel, Auberge Saint Antoine which is located in the historic and charming lower town of Québec City.
I loved walking on the ancient Wall of Québec City, which is a UNESCO and National Historic Site. The walls surround Upper Town of Old Québec and were built between 1608 and 1871 under both British and French regimes. Thank you to our fantastic guide, Sharon Frenette and Québec Original.
*Albert Gilles Copper Art Studio: At the Copper Art Studio just after Montmorency Falls, you can discover the Museum Albert Gilles. We had a guided tour from copper ore to copper art and a «Repoussé» demonstration about the Art of Copper. I loved making my own copper art and learning about the art we would see at the Basilique de Ste -Anne de Beaupré. Make sure to see the exhibit of Christorama: The Life of Christ told in 50 silver panels. Do not miss Tea Time with their special canelé cake which is made in copper pans.
*Canyon Sainte-Anne and Air Canon: Would you fly over a waterfall in the Air Canyon? It is the first of its kind in Canada.
*Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré with the art of Mr. Gilles
I loved the rooftop view from the Penthouse of Hotel 71, in Old Quebec City. The building used to be the National Bank of Canada’s first head office in Quebec City. The penthouse kitchen is in the old vault! I loved the art in the lobby and Italian dinner at Il Matto Restaurant.
June News 2018 Jumping for Joy with We Said Go Travel:
Thank you for all of your support for We Said Go Travel and me.
Thank you to AARP for sharing my story: “How to Stay Fit on Vacation: 6 easy exercises you can do when you’re away from home.” Thank you to my three fitness experts, Beth Kageyama, Bryant Johnson and Phong Tran, for making time to talk to me!
If you are in the Los Angeles area, please join me at my art studio for our Summer Show: Hooked on Clay June 29 and 30.
Thank you to Rise Boarders for their list! Out of over 1000+ travel blogs, I was listed as the top female travel blogger and We Said Go Travel was #4!
Thank you to Scuba Diver Life for publishing my story about swimming with the Jellyfish!
I absolutely LOVED my adventures in May in Canada!
Read and watch here:
All the Things You Wanted to Know about Rocky Mountaineer Bucket List Train Travel
Here are links to my video channels on YouTube, Amazon Fire Tv, and Roku Player. My views on Roku alone are now over one million! My total video views across all platforms is now over 1,913,089 (1.9Million)! ! Thank you for your support! What should I do to celebrate when I get to 2 MILLION views?
Recent videos from my Adventures Across Canada: to see them all CLICK HERE !
I am now planning and booking travel! Where do you want to wander? Find more information about me and my luxury travel advising as an independent affiliate of CRUISE and RESORT, Inc with Virtuoso Luxury Travel Network on my new microsite!
My fortune cookies said “Failure is the tuition you pay for success” and “It’s not only important to add years to your life but to add life to your years!”
All of the entries from our first Travel Photo award have now been scheduled. After July, when all the entries are published, we will announce the winners. Thank you to everyone who participated and to our judges, Gary Arndt from Everything Everywhere and Jeana from Surf and Sunshine. We hope you will submit a photo in our next award starting SOON!
TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS:
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our 13 We Said Go Travel Competitions! Find the winners for all of them here.
The sunny view at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in May 2018
After seeing the photos of the gorgeous blue waters of Lake Louise, I knew I needed to visit the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada but I did not realize my first visit would be to see snow in May! I traveled by Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff National Park and stayed at the historic and stunning Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. I skied, hiked and relaxed in this UNESCO World Heritage Area. Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest national park established in 1885 and it was declared a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site as well as a Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site in 1984.
This area has had many names. First called Ho-run-num-nay by The Stoney meaning “lake of the little fishes,” in 1882 a Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) workman, Tom Wilson, named it Emerald Lake, but in 1884 the name became Lake Louise in honor of Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. The area was a station for the railway called Laggan when they were building the train through Kicking Horse Pass.
Lisa Niver skiing at Lake Louise with Serge Metikosh
I loved traveling to this area by train and it was my first time in Alberta, my first time on Rocky Mountaineer and my first time skiing outside of the United States.
I spent a day at Lake Louise Resort and Gondola skiing with top instructor and guide, Serge Metikosh. He has been an instructor for over 43 years and has spent two decades skiing here. I fell in love with the long runs, stunning views and being able to ski in Banff National Park. If you want to disconnect from your busy life and connect with nature, this is one of the last wild places and has snow from November to May. Skiing Summit and Paradise Bowl was tremendously great skiing.
My ski gear including my clothes was rented from SkiBig3. You can travel here knowing that they have top quality equipment including the Blizzard Black Pearl’s that I loved using all over this mountain. I literally skied in every season as it briefly snowed on us, we had sunshine as well as spring skiing conditions.
After one of my favorite ski days ever, I stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise which was developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway along with Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Château Frontenac. My well appointed room had a stunning view of the frozen lake and inspired me to get outside and explore.
I borrowed snow cleats from the concierge and walked to the frozen waterfall around the lake. In the afternoon, I joined a guided hike led by Mike Vincent, who was a park ranger for 10 years and walked with a group up to Fairview Lookout. I used snow cleats and my ski pools and was rewarded with a spectacular view of the Lake and the Fairmont hotel.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is family and pet friendly and ready to assist you in enjoying this beautiful national park. There are mindfulness walks, yoga and seven different dining options including Fairview, Lakeview Lounge, The Wallister Stube, The Chateau Deli, Poppy Brasserie, the Alpine Social (formerly the Glacier Saloon), and the seasonal Italian cuisine kitchen Lago. Do you want to have a ski experience, a family vacation a girls’ powder retreat?
Remember, Will and Kate honeymooned in the backcountry of The Lake Louise Resort and Gondola at Skoki. Don’t feel FOMA (the Fear of Missing Out), decide to come and visit! The Royals did it and the Men’s downhill world cup happens in Lake Louise too.
is the oldest high fire ceramics studio on the Westside. The unassuming storefront on Santa Monica Blvd. displays some of the work of the many talented Clayhouse members. In the back is a large studio with tables, potter’s wheels, glazes, gas-fired kilns and pottery in various stages of production. Group classes and private lessons are offered during the day and evening, as well as studio memberships. For over 4 decades, potters of all ages and abilities have been coming here to learn, develop their creativity and have fun.
Take art class with David Stone. Photo by Mark Dektor
Take a Class:
Wheel classes
Students will learn how to use the potter’s wheel to “throw” functional items such as mugs, bowls, vases and more. Glaze instruction is also included.
The class fee is $280 which includes a 25-lb. bag of clay and tools, access to the studio anytime, plus the firing. An advance deposit is required to hold a space in class.
All classes last six weeks and include clay, tools
firing, glazing and access to the studio.
Classes are small to allow individual attention.
Call soon to reserve a spot in a class!
Advance deposit required.
call 310-828-7071 for more info or to sign up
Store hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm
As Henry Moore said, “To be an artist is to believe in life.”
https://jewishjournal.com/blogs/wesaidgotravel/235294/hooked-clay-clayhouse-summer-sale-2018/Up Next
All the Things You Wanted to Ask About Rocky Mountaineer
Having worked for years on a cruise ship, when I started to think about my first Canadian Rockies train journey, I realized I had many “dumb” questions. I thought you might appreciate the answers:
No! You do not sleep on the Rocky Mountaineer train. You will enjoy breakfast, lunch and snacks on the train but you will sleep in hotels.
2. How do I find the train and get to the station?
You will meet the train representatives in the lobby of your hotel and be transferred to the train station by motor coach. You will receive information and timing the night before your train journey begins.
In your packet of information, you will have a boarding pass for the train with your seat number as well as luggage tags and square boarding card. It will tell you what time to be in the lobby and when your luggage will get picked up from your room. You do not need to bring your luggage to the lobby, however, you do need to bring whatever you need during the day. If you need medications, bring them with you. I recommend you bring a portable charger for your phone or camera so you can keep taking photos all day long!
When you arrive at your hotel in Kamloops, your luggage will already be in your room. You also will already be checked in. The train hosts will give you your keys and you can go directly to your room, no waiting in line!
4. Do I eat breakfast in the hotel?
Absolutely not! Do not eat at the hotel! You will have a lovely made-to-order breakfast on the train. There will be coffee in your hotel lobby if you need that for your short route on the motorcoach. There will also be coffee in the train station. If your route begins in Vancouver, notice that tall windows at the station which used to be the locomotive garage.
5. Where do I eat? What will I eat?
If you are traveling in Goldleaf, you will sit upstairs and watch the beautiful scenery and then go downstairs for your carefully prepared meals. There are two seatings for meals in Goldleaf and if you are second seating for breakfast, you will have freshly baked scones and coffee until your turn for breakfast. The following day you will be first seating. If you have second seating lunch, you will have wine and cheese before you go down to eat.
If you are traveling in SilverLeaf, your food will be brought you in your seat. The menu onboard changes each day and is full of local and regional specialities like salmon and Alberta short ribs beef. The fruit and vegetables are locally sourced.
85% of the food you will eat is cooked on the train. If you need a special menu like halal, kosher or gluten free, please let the Rocky Mountaineer team know in advance. They can also do kid’s menu, ketogenic and all of the sauces onboard are gluten-free. Make sure to look for the recipe book, it even has the cinnamon scone recipe!
Please wear flat shoes for the train. You only need casual comfortable clothes for your bucket list journey. There are stairs in Goldleaf and they do have a wheelchair lift. When moving around the train especially on the stairs, please hold the handrails.
7. Should I come early to Vancouver? What should I do?
YES! Wherever your journey begins or ends, I recommend you spend extra days and enjoy Canada. In Vancouver, I recommend Grouse Mountain, Capillano suspension bridge, Granville Island and so much more. My train journey was from Vancouver to Banff. During my days in Banff, I went skiing for my first time in Canada at Lake Louise Resort and Gondola and at Banff Sunshine Village. I also stayed at both the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
This is a great question! Feel free to call the team at Rocky Mountaineer to discuss the 65 different options and packages you can choose. I cannot wait to travel again and visit Jasper and see the icefields. I loved my journey aboard Rocky Mountaineer. The host team on board helped us to see osprey nests, eagles, big horn sheep and five bears were sighted. I learned about the history and the environment around us. I loved going through the spiral tunnels and seeing Hells Gate.
9. Where do you take photos?
I took photos from every window upstairs in Goldleaf, during meals through the window and outside on the vestibule. Please enjoy my videos taken from my journey, Classics West. Remember to keep your eyes peeled and listen to the team on board, during my journey there were five bear sightings from our train.
10. Are the seats comfortable?
I loved my chair on the train. Not only is there a table where you can have your wine and cheese, but also there are many ways to move your chair and raise the footrest. The seats are also heated so you can enjoy a “spa” for your lower back while you have your hot towel to cleanse your hands before your meal.
Yes! Every journey on the Rocky Mountaineer might feel like a party with the wine, cheese and new friends you make! However, you can book the lounge car and have a wedding reception or company meeting. You can also go on a cruise and then take the train before or after your sailing.
12. Is there shopping on board?
Yes! There is a souvenir catalog of Rocky Mountaineer products. You order on Day 1 and it will appear on your seat when you arrive on Day 2.
13. What is a good meet? Learn to talk like a train engineer
A good meet is when a train goes by in the opposite direction and you do not have to stop. Often when a freight train is passing a passenger train, the smaller train (passenger train) pulls to a side rail to allow the larger train to pass.
Our Train manager Wendy McMichael told us that our train was 17 pieces of equipment with 50 crew members and 273 guests onboard on Day 1. From Kamloops, our train split and we went to Banff with 11 pieces of equipment and 156 guests. The other guests went to Jasper.
Freight trains are generally 50 to 300 pieces of equipment and Rocky Mountaineer is typically 11 to 25.
14. What is unique about this trip to only Rocky Mountaineer?
Traveling on the historic Canadian rail line you can see where the final spike was placed on Nov 7, 1885 at Craigellichie. Rocky Mountaineer is the only passenger train that runs between Kamloops and Banff. If you want to see the engineer marvel of the Spiral tunnels, as well as the historic location of the final spike you will need to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer. This is also the section of the track were you are more likely to see bears.
Rocky Mountaineer began in 1990 and has traveled 8 million kilometers or 150 times around the globe. They have received 67 Awards, planted 8436 trees planted for Employees’ anniversaries and carried over two million guests through seven awe-inspiring mountain ranges. The top 5 wildlife sightings from the train are bear, elk, big horn sheep, bald eagle and osprey.
Are you ready to book your first Rocky Mountaineer Journey?
