Why did I name this website called Try Something Fun? In a nutshell, I’ve learned first-hand why it’s so important to step out of one’s bubble. To some degree we are shaped by our surroundings and so when we meet people from other cultures, religions and ideologies our understanding grows. Travel is great because it keeps us continually learning and expanding our perspective. Possibly even more importantly, it is important to get inspired not just for yourself but for everyone around you!
Through this website I share the best experiences from my travels which are typically off the beaten path. If you are in search of a unique travel experience, check out my blog posts. From quiet gardens to pristine beaches or night time cityscapes, I’m always on the lookout for great photo opportunities and memorable experiences. I put a lot of time and effort into making sure that you have a great time when you travel so I am always happy to hear from those who found something helpful on this blog. I’d love to hear your recommendations too, so don’t be shy!
Where I’ve Traveled
Born and raised in Los Angeles, I adore all things California.
How am I able to travel so often? Having spent many years honing my craft in film post-production, I’ve built a successful freelance career as a visual effects artist and travel photographer. Freelancing gives me the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world and I’ve made the most of it by living in places like Paris, south Italy, the Philippines, Vancouver and Kauai. If you’re interested in something like this, check out these lists of remote jobs. Here are some places I’ve spent some quality time in (seen on a map here): South Africa, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Patagonia, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Bali, Hawaii, Amsterdam, England, Scotland, Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca, British Columbia, Quebec, Paris, Bordeaux and many parts of France. Recently, I’ve been exploring the beauty in the US, specifically in Wyoming,Vermont, Virginia, and the Carolinas.
My Travel Preferences
On my first visit to any place I typically spend a couple days seeing the obligatory sights while asking the locals about lesser known areas. I avoid crowds and wander in the direction of nature such as gardens, any place with animals or the ocean. I also enjoy great food and wine, live music and outdoor markets—I’ll never get tired of those! I’ve made friends all over the world and happily, that has given me the chance to travel with some excellent company and sometimes a guest room. Whenever possible I leave the last chunk of my trip unplanned so that I can spend the last bit of time in the place I enjoyed most; it’s my solution for needing a vacation after a vacation.
As for accommodations, I find the best deals for nice hotels or B&Bs without sacrificing location, comfort or safety. It is fun to splurge at a spa or luxury hotel for a night or two though… I did that in Thailand at the Santhiya Resort and I felt like royalty.
How I Find the Best Travel Deals
When traveling within the US, I usually call the hotel of my choice and ask what their AAA Member discounted rate is to compare with the prices on Kayak. Almost every time, the winner is Expedia who now have a ‘Best Price Guarantee’. Agoda.com and Booking.com seem to have the best hotel rates in Asia and have worked out great for me. Some people have success with this strategy for getting a getting a free room upgrade, you might as well give it a shot. As for flights, I have some tricks for saving money on flights to Hawaii which you probably have never heard of. Activities and excursions I usually book through Groupon for 40-60% off, and events / entertainment I usually book with Goldstar who sell tickets for a fraction of the normal price.
With my Merrill Lynch Travel Rewards credit card from Bank of America, I’ve used my points to score free airline tickets to Costa Rica and Japan. I also get discounts on Hertz car rentals and a whole stream of international hotels. Travel perks include no foreign transaction fees, smart chip card for non-US, trip protection up to $2,500 for any unexpected trip cancellations, travel and emergency assistance, travel accident insurance, auto rental damage insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and complimentary club membership lounge Airport Lounge Access (which I have yet to use).
Favorite Place to Visit
Collioure, France. Located on the Mediterranean in the far south of France just near Spain, is the culture rich Catalan town of Collioure. This small seaside artist community has small cobblestone paths filled with art galleries that I never tire of. Artists including Picasso, Derain, Chagall and Matisse found great inspiration here from the special light, the light tower and Catalan harbor. The locals of Collioure make their own wines, and their food is fantastic. Other favorite places are Chiang Mai Thailand, Santa Ynez Valley in California and Florence, Italy.
Sharing My Content
If you see something here you like please feel free to share the links to my articles. Please credit me and link back to my website; I am grateful for the exposure. But please don’t copy my content and post it on your website or anywhere else. Beyond that, I kindly insist that none of my photos be used without my permission. If you are interested in using one of my images don’t hesitate to contact me. Much appreciated!
Guest Posts
Sometimes I do guests posts so if you have a travel website or blog and are interested in exchanging articles, please get in touch.