Guest Blogged by Brooke, travel writer &  fearless world explorer.

When I was still in high school back in 2000, Nina Gordon released an album with a song titled, “2003″.

The lyrics read:   I want to meet in 2003.  I want to see what the future can bring to me.

Honestly, I always thought the lyrics read, “I want to leave in 2003,” so I would sing along to this song thinking that it was exactly what was going to happen to me.  I would leave in 2003 for study abroad in Italy and sing the song in my head the entire journey.  

However, I didn’t quite make it abroad in 2003 like I always dreamed, but I did end up leaving in 2004, an event that took a lot of planning and forethought on my part to make one the best experiences of my life become a reality.  

Even today, being the veteran traveler that I am, I find that reaching travel goals doesn’t happen overnight.  I often spend time planning months, or even a year, in advance so I can make sure to take all necessary steps in the process.  Still, I find people amazed and bewildered at how I am able to travel to the places I have traveled to - such comments often followed with wishes that they could do it, too.   

Well they CAN do it, too.  At this point, my motivational speaker side kicks into full gear, and I repeatedly find myself explaining that it is just a matter of taking that simple, first step of stating when and where.  Having a specific goal is the most important part because, usually, comments such as, “Africa might be nice someday,” and, “Kenya is my dream vacation destination,” are not going to get you on that safari photo session ride you have always dreamed about.  

So, with the New Year upon us, what better time than now to start making those travel resolutions?  Come on, it will only take a few minutes to get started, and even if the lyrics to your song end up reading something like, “I want to leave in 2011,” at least you know that some day your travel dreams will become a reality.

Viscape’s guest author, Brooke, author and editor of Brooke vs. The World is fulfilling her dream of traveling the world, one phase at a time.  She is currently living in Kiev, Ukraine teaching English while desperately trying to learn Russian.
 

Brooke backpacking her way around the world! Photo taken in Ukraine.

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In this video tutorial, Caroline Allison, founder and president of Viscape, walks you through the how-tos of finding a short-term, last minute bargain rental for the upcoming presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.  Watch Video.

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You can Hang Too - Sundance Celebs, Joseph Fiennes, Winona Ryder and Wilmer Valderrama

Viscape Tip # 1

Attend film premieres and look for celebrities. Premieres are the place where all the stars go to see the Festival’s films. The premieres take place throughout the festival and the Independent Feature Film Premieres are attended by the highest profile celebrities.

Viscape Tip #2

Frequent the trendy restaurants. Sundance has many great places to eat and everyone needs to eat! Most often, celebs dine at the more upscale places but don’t discount the local diners and dives - nostalgia (burgers, hot coco and milkshakes) goes along way.

Viscape Tip #3

VOLUNTEER at the Sundance Festival.  This is sure to get a ringside seat next to a visiting movie star. According to the Sundance folks, a wide variety of volunteer positions are available (WARNING: volunteers have to endure long hours and difficult weather conditions).

Viscape Tip #4

Dig deep into your piggy bank and spring for a “Festival Pass.”  The pass allows visitors to pick and choose from nearly all Sundance events. BUT, for you perpetually late people (who are notorious for sleeping in and missing  flights), be sure to arrive an hour early for the more talked about events…Yes, Dan - we are talking to you here (inside joke)!

Viscape Tip #5

Bring your Flip Camera and pose as a video blogger at Panel Discussions.  Panels are held all throughout the Festival and most have celebrity panelists. The discussions can be lively and many celebrities will sit in the audience of the more high profile or controversial panels (just keep your mouth shut - rumor has it that if you overstep with crazy questions you could run the risk of  losing your “Festival Pass”).

Do you know anymore Sundance celeb sighting tips?  Share them with the Viscape community and get your party on!

Sundance Regulars, Jane Krakowski and Evan Rachel Wood

• From Kate, author of  Living the Frugal Life , a blog devoted to getting the most out of every penny ~ I’ve already talked about adding another species to our budding homestead. I think what I’ve settled on is to add a worm bin, because it’s a no-brainer, and also to work on adding rabbits for meat. 

• From Ean Jackson, author of Club Fat Ass, an oddball blog about outdoor endurance sports and a healthy travel lifestyle ~ Last year was one of false starts and injuries. 2009 is going to be a year of getting back on the program, lots of fun runs with old pals and new, and hopefully, the year I complete my 100th ultramarathon run. 

• From Joel Schwartzberg, humorist over at  Huffington Post ~ I haven’t been so good to my own body lately. I’d like to blame the French toast, the mocha lattes, the pizza, and what I call the vast buffalo wing conspiracy. But the blame really lies within myself. I’ve developed an eat-it-if-it’s-there approach to food that has my bathroom scale answering back: “Well, what did you THINK I would say?”

• From Jessica, famous mom and blogger, creator of  Jessica Knows ~ This year I’m calling it Fight the Frump because I don’t think the focus should be on just losing weight. It should be about having confidence, introducing a little more glamour and fashion into our lives, and looking healthy because we’re living a healthy lifestyle. This year my goal is to rock a bikini at the beach (same Resolution as last year) and to look fab for my 15th high school reunion. 

• From Frenchkys, contributor to Imperfections at Its Finest, where everything that doesn’t make sense…Does! ~ Be nicer. To people who deserve it.

While scouring the Web, Viscape kept wondering, “Where are all the travel resolutions?”  We were shocked, because we searched far and wide and came up with NOTHING!!!  Not one single travel resolution.  So, we need your help!  Do you have TRAVEL resolutions for 2009?  Must see places, faces, attractions and destination for this year?  We want to hear from you!  Join the discussion here:  http://www.viscape.com/forums/1/topics/175 or comment below!  Cheers!

After the fireworks fizzle and the celebration is over, what are your big plans for 2009? 
Tell Us, because we can help you get there!

Partied in New York plenty and want to avoid the crowds?  We know you’ll always love your city, but take a break from the scene and rent or swap your condo or home for a New Years in the country or on a ski slope.  Trade in your bubbles for a glass of smooth red near wine country, Santa Barbara, or warm up and salsa into 2009 in colorful Miami.  Wherever you chose to ring in the New Year Viscape will be there!

The Scariest Santa!

1. National Geographic Intelligent Travel - National Geographic is already known for their in-depth reporting, great photographs and world renowned magazines. Here, they use those already extensive resources to create an entertaining and very informative blog about the known and unknown places of the world.

2. Traveling Mammas - Cajon, Mudslide, Desert and Mountain Mamma share their adventures with the world. Find great tips on great (and not so great) places to visit with children and how to have the best family vacations. These four ladies are a true traveling inspiration!

3. Brooke vs. the World -  Brooke is a 25-year-old traveler from central Illinois on an extended journey to see the world. On her first trip overseas to Italy in 2000,  she made a promise to spend a large part of her life experiencing cultures other than her own.

4. Everything-everywhere - Gary Arndt has been traveling around the world with one goal in mind: see everything there is to behold. Follow his adventures, and see what he sees through both words and photographs.

5. Travel Babel - Claire Walter is a travel writer and began blogging in 2006. Now, she shares with her readers the latest news and trends of the travel industry.

6. Olga the Traveling Bra - Want a good laugh, but still be informed? Well, Olga the Traveling Bra is just the place to go. Specializing in travel adventures that won’t disappoint!

7. Killing Batteries - Leif Petterson’s blogs are more than just fun and educational to read; they’re hilarious as well. Follow his adventures and his struggles from places like Romania, Rome and Belfast.

8. The Perrin Post - Travel tips from Conde Naste Traveler Magazine’s Wendy Perrin. Wendy is Condé Nast Traveler’s consumer news editor. She writes a practical advice column called “The Perrin Report,” as well as features on a wide variety of travel topics.

9. The Lost Girls - Three twenty-something New Yorkers who ditched their media jobs to embark on a yearlong, round-the-world journey in search of adventure and inspiration.

10. LA times Daily Travel Deals Blog - Hand-picked advice about travel deals and steals from some of the most comprehensive globe trotters on this side of the equator!

11. Gas.tron.o.my - If trying new food dishes is one of the sole reasons for visiting new places, then you should be reading Gas.tron.o.my. Cathy has sampled almost all there is to sample in Vietnam, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and the list goes on and on and on!

12. Travel Betty - All about fearless travel for women! Travel Betty is a woman in love and lust with travel. From pampering to roughing it, she’s an experience collector. Travel Betty desires to be the old woman with the good stories. To her, travel is freedom.

13. Candy from Strangers - Join the ever-lasting search for the best piece of chocolate or perhaps lollipop. Malena, a candy lover (like us) travels all around the world searching for the next best piece of candy. Can you say, “Sugar High!”

14. Delicious Baby - Your kids need to have fun too. Take advice from Debbie, someone who can help make travel with your kids exciting (she has two delicious children of her own) and more enjoyable for everyone.

15. Viscape - Are you visualizing your escape this minute? Well, Viscape can help you find the perfect place to stay or go on your next vacation. Read all about the latest trends in the real estate and the travel markets.

So, for all those that are making resolutions to blog or even just read more, these writers should provide you every bit of inspiration without all the perspiration.

Do you think that we unfairly left someone out?  This list is dynamic, so, give us a shout.  Make a comment below and nominate your favorite travel blog!

When people used to hear “travel with pets,” they would think of taking “Max” down the road to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.  But these days, Boxers are going bicoastal and cats are clearing through customs on a daily basis.  Below are the top three things to keep in mind as a pet owner moving or traveling with pets.

1.) Make Friends with the Travel Crate - Whether you travel by car or by air, the crate your pet travels in will be his “home” during the trip and it’s crucial that he feels comfortable in it ahead of time.  Many pet stores offer crate training classes or try feeding your pet in his crate on a daily basis.

2.) Pick a Frequent Fido Flier - Why should you get extra leg room but not your pet?  Select an airline that offers first-class accommodations for pets traveling in the cabin or under the plane.  Continental and Northwest are both known for their superior pet-safe cargo programs in the US, and JetBlue just introduced their new JetPaws program, which caters to pets traveling in-cabin.

3.) Arrange a Jet-Setter Check Up with your Vet - If you’re making a trip across state lines or international borders, you’ll need a health certificate issued the week before the flight.  Most states require pets to be current on their rabies shots, and for international trips, the documentation for importing or exporting pets can be even more complex.  Planning ahead and consulting a professional pet relocation company can ensure that your trip goes smoothly.

Have more questions about traveling with pets?  Post them for Rachel in Viscape’s Traveling with Pets discussion forum!

Rachel Farris and her beloved Golden!

Who is Rachel Farris? Rachel Farris has coordinated hundreds of trips for pets big and small - gerbils from Zurich to New York, fourteen horses from California to Honduras, and one very large collection of house-cats (twenty three, to be exact!) to the Philippines.  After serving as the Team Leader for the Asia-Pacific department, Farris is now the Director of PR & New Media at PetRelocation.com.

Stay tuned for a Viscape University dedicated to Pet Travel.  Time and date to be announced!

To make it easy for you, Viscape has compiled a list of the top vacation real estate twitterers out there.  So, without further ado, here are the top real estate twitterers that you should be following:

Do you think that we unfairly left someone out?  This list is dynamic, so, give us a shout in the comments below.

Follow Viscape on Twitter at : http://twitter.com/Viscape

Viscape University Announcement: Weary of potential downfalls of landlord ship and real estate management?  Viscape University will host a more in-depth virtual seminar on the topic on Monday, January 12 at 7:30pm EST. Experience management and real estate professionals will be on hand to answer all of your questions.  Space is limited, so RSVP now to reserve your spot: RSVP@viscape.com.

Brand - http://shortyawards.com/category/brand

Start-Up - http://shortyawards.com/category/startups

Design - http://shortyawards.com/category

Humor - http://shortyawards.com/humor

The shorty awards honor the world’s top twitterers. Over here at Viscape, we would really appreciate your vote for @Viscape.