What Is Your Best-Ever Travel Memory?

By Kaeli Conforti
July 13, 2015
Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence Italy
Courtesy willwrite4food2/myBudgetTravel

We recently asked several of our staff members to share their best-ever travel memory—here's what they said:

"The summer my wife, Michele, and I traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon, U.K., for the unveiling of her sculpture of Ophelia, which is permanently installed in Anne Hathaway's Tree Garden." —Robert Firpo-Cappiello, Executive Editor

"My first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower up close—in the evening. I rounded a corner and, suddenly, there it was, solid and looming, its delicate filigree lit in gold, more majestic than I ever imagined" —Jamie Beckman, Senior Editor

"Unleashing epic yodeling skills I never knew I had on stage at a Swiss cultural show in Lucerne." —Kaeli Conforti, Digital Editor

"Watching the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara in Morocco was unreal!" —Jennifer O'Brien, Marketing Manager

"Nothing beats feeding pigeons with my Nonna in Northern Italy." —Rosalie Tinelli, Marketing Associate

"Drinking beer with my husband (then boyfriend) in the bar car of a train in northern Spain. We happened to walk by the train station in Barcelona that morning and made a last-minute decision to get on one and see where it took us." —Amy Lundeen, Photo Director

"Being offered a place to stay by a kind stranger when I was traveling solo, lost and en route to Urbino, Italy." —Whitney Tressel, Photo Editor

"My girlfriend and I took a ferry to Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancún and ended up free roam (no guide) snorkeling around the Garrafon Reef." —Chad Harter, Lead Developer

"Touring stunning and amazing Sydney Harbour by boat on a spectacularly sunny spring day." —Maureen Kelley Stewart, Advertising Account Manager

"Laying on a beach in Puerto Rico on high school spring break, listening to Sarah McLachlan, watching the blue-green waves roll in and out—the most relaxed I've ever been in my entire life." —Michelle Craig, Digital Ad Sales Planning Manager

"First day of my first trip to Europe: Spending a picture-perfect day in the Piazza del Michelangelo, enjoying the beauty of Florence." —Elaine Alimonti, President, Publisher

"Standing atop the Arc d'Triomph in Paris at dusk with my gorgeous Dutch boyfriend, overlooking the Champs Élysées, the sights of the city, and watching the lights begin to come up." —Jeannea Spence, Southeast Advertising Manager

"A long walk on a beautiful deserted beach on Dingle Peninsula in Ireland." —Jo Neese, Neese & Lee Media

Now it's your turn: We want to know, what is your best-ever travel memory? Share it below!

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Inspiration

Want a Free Home in Sicily?

In the market for a new vacation home? How about an Italian vacation home? Well, the town of Gangi, Sicily, is offering a price that's right: Free. Does free work for you? There are, of course, a few quid pro quos and provisos. Namely, you've got to have the funds and/or the home-improvement skills to turn an empty, likely rundown Sicilian house into a thriving home, vacation rental, or hotel. You have four years to do so. Why all the empty houses? The New York Times quotes Gangi's mayor, Giuseppe Ferrarello, as noting that the town, located between Palermo and Catania, has traditionally been regarded as "too far from the sea" to be a magnet for tourists. Generations ago, thousands left Gangi for the promise of a better life in the United States or Aregentina, and these days young people pack up and leave for opportunities on the mainland more often than they stay. To date, more than 100 homes have been given away or sold at a steep discount. The town government coordinates the sale and has made significant strides in cutting through Italy's dizzying gauntlet of red tape where buying, selling, and improving real estate properties is concerned. (Still, we'd like to echo the Times's suggestion that prospective owners seek English-speaking legal counsel before signing on the dotted line.) Some Gangi houses have been successfully converted into vacation homes, rentals, and hotel units. The town is looking for future owners who have the money and know-how to elevate the dilapidated properties into vibrant entities that will contribute to the local economy. Successful "buyers" have included Sicilians, mainland Italians, other Europeans, and businesspeople from the United Arab Emirates. There are about 200 towns left, the waiting list is growing, and competition will tighten as supply dwindles. If you take the plunge, we'd love to hear about your experience acquiring and upgrading your very own home in Sicily. Talk to us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or email at info@BudgetTravel.com.

Inspiration

Three-Day Weekend: Curacao

"Are you ready? 1.. 2.. 3.. NOW!" our diving instructor shouted as the eight of us took a deep breath and swam beneath the waves that roared and crashed above our heads onto the walls of the entrance to the underwater cave. I remember thinking as I swam: How much farther until we can come up for air? What happens if I come up too soon? What if there's a shark swimming around in there? Ten seconds later, those fleeting thoughts disappeared as I spotted my fellow swimmers shooting to the surface, laughing, and saying this was one of the craziest things they'd ever done. I couldn't agree more. The sight before us was almost psychedelic. We had entered an underwater cave named the Blue Room, appropriately dubbed for the different hues that surrounded us as the light reverberated around the chamber, bounced off the walls, and illuminated the water below. We took turns snapping silly underwater photos of each other on someone's GoPro camera as we explored the cave and swam around the coral reef that lay 20 feet below. One thing I'll say about Curaçao: You're in for a real treat if you're willing to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Slightly off the beaten path and throroughly gorgeous, this Dutch Caribbean island paradise is located in the southern Caribbean safely beneath the hurricane belt, ensuring a warm, tropical climate all year long. The best part: It's super-affordable. Wander through colorful, dreamlike Willemstad The multi-hued Dutch buildings that line St. Anna Bay in Willemstad are so quaint and picturesque, they're like a 3-D postcard. Take your perfect, trip-defining photo with the giant CURAÇAO and DUSHI signs in Queen Wilhelmina Park, the Dutch Caribbean counterpart to the famous "I Amsterdam" signs in Europe. Visit the Queen Emma Bridge, a pontoon bridge that locals call the Swinging Old Lady because it swivels open and runs parallel to the land to allow boats to pass by. Watch for the flags and clear the bridge when the alarm sounds to avoid being trapped on the bridge until it closes again, or catch a free ferry nearby to get to the other side if you're suddenly stuck across the water. Eat island cuisine right alongside the locals You're bound to work up an appetite walking around downtown Willemstad. Stop by the Old Market, or Marsche Bieuw, for a taste of island cuisine with generous portions and affordable prices. Sit among the locals in this first-come-first-served cafeteria-like setting and sample local favorites like fried plantains, stobá (stew), funchi (polenta), and pumpkin pancakes, and wash it all down with a deliciously fruity batido smoothie ($7 for a plate with stobá, funchi, fried plantains, beans, and rice; three pumpkin pancakes for $1; batidos are $3 each). If you're into steak and seafood, check out The Grill King in downtown Willemstad, known for its grilled surf and turf dishes and overwater dining (entrées from $20), or for a bit of fine dining, try the St. Tropez Oceanclub in the trendy Pietermaai district, where you can feast on dishes like salmon sashimi tapas in a swanky club-like atmosphere while a lounge singer roams the crowd belting out everything from Whitney Houston to Katy Perry (tapas from $7, entrées from $29). Hang with new feathered friends When you think of the Caribbean, what comes to mind? Palm trees, sure, but how about the majestic ostrich? Curaçao is home to the largest ostrich farm outside Africa. The island's year-round warm, dry climate makes the ideal atmosphere for these birds to flourish. Spend some time touring the Curaçao Ostrich Farm on one of their hourly Safari Tours ($16 per person). You'll see other animals like emu, potbellied pigs, and Nile crocodiles, but the big birds are the main event: Hold a real ostrich egg, watch the young chicks running around in the wild, and try your hand at feeding the adults—a photo op so terrifically bizarre you'll want to make it your Facebook profile pic immediately. Swim in coral reefs and hidden underwater caves Most of the island's attractions are located in and around Willemstad, but it's worth taking a 40-minute car ride to explore the scenery along the north and west coasts. Check out awe-inspiring views from Shete Boka National Park, where you can hike to a large underground cavern and watch as the waves roll in from the top of the hill at Boka Tabla (admission is $5.50). Book a snorkeling trip with Go West Diving for a chance to visit the Black Sand Reef and Curaçao's famous Blue Room, a secret underwater cave you can only reach by holding your breath and swimming under the crashing waves at the entrance to the cavern. Don't worry; it's perfectly safe thanks to the help and direction of your trusty tour guide. Just make sure you dive down deep enough so you don't bump your head on the roof of the cave ($40 per person for a 2.5-hour tour). Go green with a visit to an herb garden and an aloe plantation Meeting Dinah Veeris, the island's legendary herbalist and healer, and touring her precious Den Paradera Herb Garden, was worth the trip in itself. Veeris, the friendly, soft-spoken owner, eagerly shows visitors around her garden, teaching the importance of preservation, explaining how to cure common ailments using plants, and occasionally bursting into songs and chants used during the healing process. She started this adorable one-acre botanical garden plant by plant in the 1990s after interviewing the island's elders about natural ways to cure ailments, and it continues to be a resource for local botanists with its 300-plus species of plants. You can purchase natural herbal teas and soaps made from the garden's ingredients in the gift shop: Try the "love tea," rumored to be the best love potion on the island ($4 for a bag of tea leaves). Beauty junkies will want to stop by the Aloe Vera Plantation in the St. Joris area to learn about the aloe plant's health and immune system benefits. For a local souvenir, the plantation's Curaloe natural beauty products—including body gel, aloe shampoo, and pure aloe vera juice—are top-sellers (from $16). Bask without guilt: Curaçao luxury is affordable luxury Stay near all the nightlife and historic sites in downtown Willemstad, like Fort Amsterdam and the Mikve Israel-Emanuel synagogue, the oldest continually used synagogue in the western hemisphere, at the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino (from $145 per night). If it's seclusion you're seeking, opt for the Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort, a lush property located on 27 acres of natural preserve on the eastern side of the island (from $229 per night, check website for more affordable packages). For the best of both worlds, the Floris Suite Hotel and Spa gives guests a taste of luxury closer to the action—the 72 sleek modern-meets-Caribbean-style suites at this adults-only, LGBT-friendly hotel come with private balconies, kitchenettes, and lots of room to spread out and relax, perfect for a girlfriend getaway or romantic escape with your S.O. (suites from $129 per night). If you're traveling from the New York City area, JetBlue's Curaçao vacation packages start at only $669 per person for a flight from JFK and three nights' accommodations at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort and Emerald Casino.  Always, always use mosquito repellent At Budget Travel, we believe it's always better to be prepared. Throughout the Caribbean and other places around the world known for their warm, tropical climates, you might encounter chikungunya, a flu-like mosquito-borne illness characterized by joint pain, fever, and a rash. The virus isn't fatal, but it is painful and can be avoided if you take the proper precautions. Pack your favorite mosquito repellent products, apply them liberally before going out at night, and slather them on again after swimming.

Inspiration

Greece 2015: What Every Traveler Must Know

In the wake of Greece's rejection of Europe's latest bailout offer, many travelers are asking if the beautiful Mediterranean nation belongs on the "to go" or the "not to go" list. The answer is a bit nuanced. First of all, crisis can mean opportunity, and in this case the opportunity comes from (a) the historically low euro-to-dollar exchange rate and (b) the fact that many Greek resorts and hotels have far fewer customers this year than usual. The crisis, of course, is that the banks have been closed for a week, lines at ATMS are long, credit cards may not be accepted, and public demonstrations (generally limited to Athens) always have the potential to turn dangerous. THE OPPORTUNITY: Lock in a great exchange rate. The euro is currently worth $1.10, which means that locking in your expenses by paying in advance will yield a great exchange rate and reduce the amount of cash you need to carry. (If Greece were to pull out of the Eurozone altogether, exchange rates are expected to fall even more, though most analysts don't expect Greece to go back to the drachma currency.) Have an awesome vacation. At the moment, hundreds of thousands of travelers are having the time of their lives visiting the Greek islands, the Acropolis in Athens, and enjoying great meals and a warm welcome from locals. Tourism is an important component of the Greek economy and your hosts will be especially interested in making your stay an uneventful one (in a good way!). Rest assured that Greece is ready for you. Anecdotal reports say that unless you're in Athens or watching TV, you'd never know there was a crisis. Tour operators report that their services are uninterrupted, and that tourism staples like food and ferry service to the islands will remain a priority. Bottom line: You won't go hungry and you won't be stranded. THE CRISIS: Avoid demonstrations. Public demonstrations always hold the potential to turn violent. Budget Travel follows the U.S. State Department's advice, which is to steer clear of demonstrations (we have a natural tendency to want to see what's going on, but demonstrations are not, after all, a spectator sport). You can follow the U.S. Embassy in Athens on Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports on public safety. To date, demonstrations have remained overwhelmingly peaceful. Bring cash. Lots of cash. Long lines at ATMs and the possibility that small hotels and restaurants may stop accepting credit cards (or, worst case, that banks will stop processing them) means you need to bring enough cash to cover all your expenses (and, as we suggest above, pay for as much of your trip in advance as possible). Know your insurance situation. If you book a trip through a tour operator, find out what kind of insurance they offer in the event of cancellations; if you're booking your trip on your own, find out what insurance your bank card offers. If you do decide to drop everything and take off to Greece this summer, we want to hear about it. Post a comment here, or share your Greece 2015 trip with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Inspiration

What Music Is On Your Ultimate Summer Road Trip Playlist?

We've got road trips on the brain this summer, especially with the re-release of our Budget Travel Ultimate Road Trips App, available now in the App store and on Google Play. Whether you're dreaming up an epic cross-country road trip this summer, gearing up for a drive through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, or touring the amazing national parks and state parks of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, here are some of your favorite tunes to jam out to along the way. "Billy Joel's Vienna, especially when he says 'Don't you know that only fools are satisfied?' Makes me reassure why I'm still not satisfied and why I'm still wandering." —Ana Raspini "Always Don't Stop Believing for everyone in the car to sing with." —Hayden Pigott "The Motown Sound (Four Tops, Temptations, Aretha Franklin, etc). Sometimes stuff like James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and John Denver. Sometimes 90's country, or stuff like Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, Barry Manilow, and Sinatra. Finally, BB King, Clapton, Stones, and Kenny Wayne Shepard. Depends on mood one which I play." —Judi Ney White "On the Road Again by Willie Nelson, of course!" —Sandy Whitney "The theme song from Top Gun." —Carol Jackson Kerton "'America by Simon & Garfunkel." —Karen Klepsteen "The Muppets: Moving Right Along." —Shari Gestson "Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen." —Tina Schlagel "Good To Be Me by Uncle Kracker, and anything by Jimmy Buffett." —Ashlie Johnston "Eastbound and Down. Always the first song I play when I hit the road." —@BarnetteJason "We listen to anything by Butch Walker and Gin Blossoms. And some Lady Gaga for good measure." —@NTDtravelcast "Yep, love busting out all the classic boy band, punk rock, and teen icons, it's great! A little Xtina, Blink 182, and Backstreet Boys." —@ThatsVy "This summer, it's definitely the new Mumford and Sons album. Otherwise, I love anything 90s for road trips." —@holly_asbach "Give me the greatest hits of Jorge Ben Jor and a convertible and I am one happy girl!" —@arandomwalkatw "Maroon 5's first album, Michael Jackson, U2, and Stevie Wonder. It's a mix of a lot of stuff." —@SwankyTravel  "Anything by the Gap Band for Mom and Dad. The kids? Who knows: Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Rob Thomas, and good old country." —@FRKMAHampton We want to know: what songs are on your playlist this summer? Sound off below!