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Credit Cards

30/5/2017

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I have been able to travel to numerous different cities in the USA, and a multitude of different countries. Most of my traveling I have been able to do for free by using points to book the travel. When I tell people how much I have been able to travel, many times they will say, "I wish I could do that." The truth is, many of the people I talk to would be able to travel much more than they realize. One of the tools that significantly helps me to travel is my use of credit cards. I have earned points through sign up bonuses and through everyday spending.

Sign up bonuses-
Sign up bonuses are where I have earned the bulk of the points I have used for travel. Credit card companies will offer sign up bonuses for using their cards. Typically, the sign up bonus will be awarded after meeting a minimum spending requirement. A common sign up bonus requirement is spending 3-5k over three months. Now, $3,000 may seem like a lot, but it is much more manageable when broken down. For example, $600/month for rent/utilities, $150/month for phone/internet/cable, and $300/month for groceries/food would be $3,150 when spread out over three months. This bonus could earn $625 to use for travel, without having to buy anything you would not normally buy anyway.

Everyday spend-
While I have earned the bulk of my points through sign up bonuses, points can also be earned on credit cards after receiving a bonus. Some credit cards will have targeted categories such as business costs, cable bills, groceries, or travel. Using targeted categories can earn 3, 4, or 5 points per dollar spent on the card. Also, many credit card companies have "portals" on their websites that you can use to purchase items online. I have earned as much as 20 points per dollar spent by using these portals.

Organization and Self-control-
Organization and self-control are incredibly important when using credit cards to accumulate travel points. If you start spending money you do not normally spend or buying more things than you can afford, you will end up worse off than when you started. Also, it is important to remember to pay all of your bills on time. A late electric bill could get your electricity shut off, and a late credit card payment could eliminate the benefit and make it harder to get new credit cards in the future. One useful tool to help stay organized is auto-pay. Most credit card companies allow you to link your bank account and schedule the money to be paid automatically. As long as the proper planning, organization, and self-control are used, many more people can see their traveling dreams realized.

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London

23/5/2017

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What I Did:
Tower of London and Beefeater Tour-
Once inside the Tower of London, Beefeater Tours are offered for free. The Beefeater tour guide gives a nice background on the history of the Tower of London with a good bit of humor mixed in.


Sandemans Free Walking Tour-
After going on my first (amazing) tour in Barcelona, I have enjoyed going on Sandemans tours everywhere they are available. They give a feel for the city and give some interesting history in an enjoyable, comical fashion.


Changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace-
Buckingham Palace is the ceremonial home of the royal family of the United Kingdom. In front of the palace the iconic Changing of the Guard takes place. It is definitely worth seeing once, but I don't plan on watching it again anytime soon.

Walked past some of the famous sites-
I walked throughout different areas of London and saw some of the famous areas such as Piccadilly Circus, the "Times Square" of London. I also walked past the outside of the iconic Big Ben and Palace of Westminster. I walked past the famous London Eye, but chose to take in the views from St. Paul's Cathedral and Primrose Hill rather than pay and wait to go on the London Eye.

Trafalgar Square and National Art Gallery-
I watched some of the street performers at Trafalgar Square, where statues of British military figures are set up to honor the Battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon Bonaparte, among other things. The National Art Gallery is one of the many art galleries in London with free admission.

St. Paul's Cathedral-
St. Paul's is a massive, historic cathedral. Also, after taking the 528 steps to the top of the cathedral I was rewarded with amazing views of the city.

Covent Garden-
Covent Garden is an area surrounding an old fruit and vegetable market that has now been converted into various shops and restaurants. Street performers regularly put on shows for the public in the area (some better than others).

Camden-
Camden town is a cool area of London that was fun to explore. The local market sells all types of goods, including some items you won't find in many other places. Camden town was the home to the Cratchit family in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It was also a hangout spot for the late, great Amy Winehouse. Also located in Camden is Primrose Hill, which provides great views of London (especially at night).

Baker Street-
As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, it was cool to be able to walk down Baker Street. There is a museum you can pay to enter as well as a gift shop, but I was able to walk up to the door of "221B" without having to pay any sort of fee.

British Museum-
The British Museum is another one of London's free museums. It has an immense amount of history, and it is incredibly large. Any history buff could easily spend days exploring the museum.

Hackney-
Hackney feels like an up and coming area. It has some cool breweries and street art throughout the area.
What I ate:
Dishoom-
Dishoom is a small chain of Indian restaurants in the London area. Normally when I visit a city for less than a week, I try to avoid going to the same place twice. After going to Dishoom, I ended up going three times during the week I was in London-- it was that good. I got something different every time I went, and all of it was amazing. They offer bottomless Chai Tea at lunch, and even gave me free Chai when I had to wait in line for a table.

The Spread Eagle-
This craft pub and eating house in Camden was a nice place to grab a pint and a bite to eat. One of the things I love about London is the quality of their stouts, and The Spread Eagle had a nice selection. The food was also very good.

New Row Coffee-
New Row is a great craft coffee place in the Covent Garden area. It has a nice selection of roasts and brew styles to satisfy coffee aficionados.

CRATE Craft Brewery & Pizzeria-
This was a great brewery and pizza place. The hipster location serves uncommon yet delicious pizzas like "sweet potato, stilton, & walnut" and "middle eastern lamb."

Borough Market-
Rivaling Barcelona's Boqueria, London's Borough Market is one of the best markets I have been to. There is a large selection of great food to satisfy many different tastes.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese-
Although it had to be rebuilt after the great fire of 1666, this pub has been at the same location since 1538. Iconic historical figures such as Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, and G.K. Chesterton are all reported to have been frequent visitors. It was a cool place to enjoy meat pie and chips with a Sam Smith stout.

Chin Chin Labs-
The ice cream at Chin Chin is made right in front of you using liquid nitrogen. It is worth a stop if you are in the Camden area.
How I Got Around-
The London Underground or "Tube" is the best public transportation I have used so far. While it is not the cheapest, it is still decently priced and very easy and convenient to use. I also walked throughout much of the city.
Picture
Where I stayed:
Safestay Holland Park Hostel-
This hostel was in a cool, historic building in Holland Park. The dorm beds were triple bunks as opposed to the standard double bunks, but each bunk had a privacy curtain. Despite the large number of people in the rooms, it lacked the environment of some other hostels I have stayed in. That being said, everything was very clean and it was a nice place to stay for a few days.

St. Christopher's Inn Village London Bridge-
St. Christopher's is a multinational hostel chain with multiple locations in London. The London Bridge location was a nice place to stay and was an average hostel compared to some of the others I have stayed in.

BLOC Hotel Gatwick-
I stayed here before an early morning flight out of Gatwick Airport. The hotel is inside the airport and is very convenient for someone arriving late or departing early. While it is not very spacious, it is modern and very clean.
Favorite Thing:
The tube was super easy to use and is the best public transportation system I have used. Also, the Indian food I had in London was amazing (although I heard it is even better in Birmingham).
Least Favorite Thing-
My least favorite thing about London is the weather. London is a great city, but the weather is horrendous. It rained almost the entire time I was there, and was relatively cold even in the summer. If London had decent weather, it would be one of my favorite cities, but it has a severe lack of sunshine.
For Next Time:
Next time I am in London I would like to grab a bite and a pint from The Old Bank of England, and I would like to try the Indian Buttered Chicken from Punjab. I would also like to go just outside of London to Oxford to check out the old stomping grounds of the "Inklings" such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Tampa

16/5/2017

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What I did:

Lightning game-
I've been to many different sporting events over my lifetime, and while some may be more exciting on television, none have eclipsed the in-person experience of a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game. Also, tickets for Lightning games are fairly inexpensive when compared to other major sporting events.

Bucs game-
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the local NFL team in Tampa. It is a fun experience to see them play in person at least once, but watching on TV can be a much more comfortable experience with better views (in addition to being significantly cheaper).

Explore Ybor-
From the late 1800's through the early 1900's Tampa was the "Cigar Capital of the World." The local brewing company is even called Cigar City Brewing. Ybor city contains many old cigar factories that have been converted into other uses such as apartment buildings. The Ybor City Museum State Park details some of the influence Cuban immigrants have had on the history of the city of Tampa. I was able to walk through a restored cigar worker's house and see what life would have been like during the Cuban Cigar era in Tampa.

Where I stayed:

I lived close enough to Tampa, so I was able to drive there and did not stay overnight.

What I ate:

The Columbia-
Some of my favorite restaurants in the world are in Tampa, and the Columbia is at or near the top of the list. Located in Ybor city, it is the oldest restaurant in Florida. It is a fusion of Spanish and Cuban food. I have been able to go there multiple times, and everything I have eaten there has been amazing.

Ciro's Speakeasy and Supper Club-
What Ciro's loses in price and quality, they more than make up for in quality and environment. After making a reservation I was given a password to use upon arrival. After using the password I was welcomed into a cool location with amazing food and drink. Ciro's even has a secret room behind a set of bookshelves where you can also sit, but is typically used for group gatherings.

Texas de Brazil-
I made sure to be hungry when I went to Texas de Brazil. The all-you-can-eat restaurant has dishes such as Filet Mignon and Bacon Wrapped Chicken. When I went, I was given a green and red card. When I turned the card to the green side, servers brought different meats to slice for me at my table, and I could flip the card to the red side to take a break. While not the cheapest, it is definitely the best all-you-can-eat restaurant I have been to.

Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern's-
Bern's is an iconic steakhouse in Tampa, and has a dessert room connected to the steakhouse. While I could have made a reservation for dinner at the steakhouse, Bern's does not take reservations for the dessert room, it is only first come first serve. However, there was a nice lounge area to use while I waited. Once my table was ready, I was given a card and ushered down a brick hallway past the kitchen (feeling somewhat like being in a mafia movie) and up a set of stairs where I was taken to my table. The tables are sectioned off to provide each group their privacy. I have been to the dessert room a few times and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have tried, but the Banana's Foster made tableside is definitely one of the highlights.

4 Rivers Smokehouse-
Awesome BBQ place. I've been there a few times and have enjoyed everything I have ordered.
Picture

How I got around:

The public transportation system in Tampa is not very good, so when I have been to Tampa I have driven, ridden with friends, or used rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber.

Favorite thing:

Being from Florida, I enjoy the moderate climate in the Tampa area. The weather is relatively warm year-round, but usually has a nice breeze due to the proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. My favorite sports teams (Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) both play in Tampa, so it is a treat to watch them play whenever I can. Also, some of my favorite restaurants are located in Tampa.

Least favorite thing:

Tampa lacks a good public transportation system, especially when compared to other major cities.

For next time:

It have not been to Busch Gardens since I was a kid, so it would be nice to go there again.  Even though the presentation value may not be as high as its neighbors in Orlando (Universal Studios and Walt DisneyWorld), Busch Gardens does have bigger rides.  Also, I would like to have dinner at Bern's Steakhouse sometime.  Although it would be expensive, if it is half as good as its dessert room or its reputation, it would be amazing.
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Barcelona (1st trip)

9/5/2017

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What I did:

Looked at Gaudi's works-
Antonio Gaudi has had a significant influence on the city of Barcelona. His unique signature style can be seen in many different locations throughout the city.

La Sagrada Familia-
The most famous of Gaudi's work, La Sagrada Familia Cathedral is the most impressive building I have been in. It has been in construction since 1882, and is scheduled for completion in 2026 (144 years after breaking ground, and 100 years after Gaudi's death). However, many jokes are made about the likelihood the Cathedral will be completed on schedule.

Sandemans free walking tour-
Sandemans is a company that offers free walking tours through many major cities, mostly in Europe. The tour is a great way to get an overview of the city and add historical context. Also, the tour guides will give recommendations for your time in the city. I would recommend doing a Sandemans free walking tour in any city they are offered, and the tour in Barcelona has been one of my favorites. Also, the only charge is the amount you decide to pay at the end of the tour.

Beach-
La Barceloneta Beach is a nice place to sit and relax by the ocean. However, be prepared for extremely heavy summertime crowds.

La Rambla-
La Rambla is a Main Street that runs through Barcelona. There are many street performers and vendors along the street. There have been reports of pickpockets along the street, but I did not experience any difficulty myself.

La Boqueria-
La Boqueria is the market located off La Rambla. It is one of the best markets I have ever been to. There is an immense amount of great food to eat on the spot, as well as a great selection to purchase to take home/AirBnB/hostel and cook.

Parc Guell-
Parc Guell is another one of Gaudi's works, and it also offers great views of the city.

Where I stayed:

I stayed at St. Christopher's Barcelona Hostel and Kabul Party Hostel Barcelona. St. Christopher's was very nice, but did not have the same community feel I have felt at other hostels. Kabul is a "party hostel," and even though I'm not a huge party person I decided to stay there due to its high ratings and awesome location right off La Rambla. I wasn't a huge fan, but if you are going to Barcelona to party, Kabul might be a good fit for you.

What I ate:

Restaurante Salamanca-
Located across the street from the beach, it offers traditional Spanish dishes such as paella. However, due to the proximity to the beach, be prepared for higher prices.

Brunch and Cake-
Possibly the best breakfast place I have ever been to. While not a traditional Spanish breakfast spot, I highly recommend Brunch and Cake to anyone visiting Barcelona. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, but the food is well worth it.

Bodega Biarritz 1881-
Great tapas place not too far off La Rambla that is over 100 years old. It is a small place so I had to wait to get in, but it was well worth the wait. I was able to order wine while waiting, as well as meet and chat with some interesting people that were also waiting in line. I let the chef choose my food for me, and I was not disappointed.

Al Passatore-
I went on a recommendation from my Sandeman's tour guide. Al Passatore, like many other restaurants in Spain, has a lunch "Menu del día." For around ten Euros you can get a full three course meal including a drink.

Picture

How I got around:

While in Barcelona I got around by walking and taking public transportation. The metro system in Barcelona is very good and fairly inexpensive.

Favorite thing:

My favorite part of Barcelona is simple the all around depth of the city. It is a city with amazing culture, a comfortable climate, interesting history, good transportion/walkability, and Mediterranean beaches. There are not many cities in the world where you can be a five minute walk from a beach, a gothic cathedral, an amazing historic site, and a great meal. Overall, Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world.

Least favorite thing:

I have been to numerous beaches in my lifetime, but La Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona is the most crowded beach I have ever been to. In the summer it can be a challenge to even find a place to sit down or lay out without bumping into someone.

For next time:

Due to the crowds at La Barceloneta, I would like to check out some of the beaches outside the city. I have heard they are significantly less crowded than La Barceloneta. I would also like to buy some food from La Boqueria that I can cook. Last time I was in Barcelona I was not staying in accommodation with a kitchen, so I was unable to take full advantage of the amazing market. I would also like to visit Montjuic next time, which I have heard good things about.
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    About Me

    Welcome to the Healthy Explorer Blog.  If you like travel stories have a look around my blog and check out my podcast— maybe you'll find an extra spark for your own adventures.

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