Headed to the Dominican Republic! Follow Along Live!

Making a Difference in the Dominican Republic - Follow Along Live!

When we heard there's a cruise that focuses on making a positive impact in the community it visits, we immediately thought, "where do we sign up?"

Join us LIVE as we train -- while sailing -- for our volunteer activities aboard our ship, plant trees in an ongoing reforestation project, construct water filters with a clean water initiative, and pour concrete floors in homes in the community.

But all work and no play make your GypsyNesters dull boys - so we're going to show you the beauty of the Dominican Republic - and give power snorkeling a go!.. FOLLOW US LIVE! >>

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See our full schedule of events, where you can meet up with us, and where we'll be taking you next! 

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

A Dose of Dos Cancúns in Mexico

Just over forty years ago, there was nothing but jungle and sand along this isolated stretch of Caribbean shoreline. 

You may equate Cancun with beaches, relaxation, and high-rise resorts -- and you'd be right -- but there is another side of Cancun that we discovered... CONTINUE READING >>

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

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How Street Performers Enhance Travel: A Look at our All-time Favorites

We LOVE street performers! 

Much in the same way that the food of a region can tell a story, we often learn about the culture of destinations we have visited through the art of the busker.

Join us on a journey through the world, through the very talented "man on the street"... CONTINUE READING >>

We are over-the-moon excited about the release of our new book, Going Gypsy, and to celebrate...

We want to see how YOU are #GoingGypsy!

Post your best #GoingGypsy moments on Facebook and Twitter and be automatically entered to win an autographed first edition of Going Gypsy! 

We want to see YOU in a favorite travel moment, celebrating a milestone, hugging your loved ones, conquering a fear, or posing with the cover of Going Gypsy!

We'll be sharing your fun on Facebook and Twitter - and you could even be featured here on GypsyNester.com!.. Click here to see how easy it is to share your #GoingGypsy moments!

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Available from Skyhorse Publishing! Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

Follow us here too!: Facebook - Twitter - YouTube - Google+ - Pinterest - Instagram - GoodReads - StumbleUpon - RSS

Livingston (Guatemala), I Presume

When we heard about Livingston, a tiny outpost on the Guatemalan coast with an intriguing history and only accessible by boat, we knew we had to go.

So from the busy port of Puerto Barrios, we sought passage north.

After some difficulty trying to decipher the schedule and ticketing procedure for the trip... CONTINUE READING >>

We're just FIVE DAYS away from the launch of Going Gypsy!

And to celebrate, we're giving some signed first editions away!

Are you ready to find out how you can win?... I WANT TO WIN GOING GYPSY!

Going Gypsy One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Coming on February 3rd from Skyhorse Publishing! Pre-Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold! Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

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When Hurricanes Blow

Our daughter, Decibel, spent a whopping twenty minutes at the college of her choice, Tulane University.

She never attended a single class. It has to be the shortest college career in history.

There was a storm a brewin‘. And it was a whopper... CONTINUE READING >>

Also on GypsyNester.com this week:

Picture This: The Petrified Forest
 

When we heard forest, we expected large groups of upright trees. We felt kind of dumb. The petrified trees are all laying on the ground - alive with vibrant color - left there about 225 million years ago during the Late Triassic... CONTINUE READING >>

How to Help the People of the Philippines

Our hearts are breaking for the people of the Philippines.

We felt the need to do what little we could, and also share the ways we found that can help.

 If you would like to join us, here are three suggestions... CONTINUE READING to find out how you can give moral and/or financial support >>

Indie Travel has chosen the Top Ten Travel Couples from across the web and around the globe!

Every one of these couples should be on your radar if you are a travel fan - this list truly contains the cream of the crop.

 AND, we are honored to be among them! As a matter of fact, we are flat-out shocked to see where we ranked - and why.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST!

A Rip-Roarin' Rafting Ride in Newfoundland!

Click here to see our full adventure in Central Newfoundland

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12 Things We Told Our NYC Girls to Prepare for Frankenstorm

We have two daughters living on Manhattan, right in the path of Frankenstorm. After years of living in the Caribbean we have some valuable tips to give them. Though being over-prepared may make them feel stupid, it can also save their lives.
Please share these with your urban loved ones in the path of the Hurricane Sandy.

1. Fill up your bathtub... CONTINUE READING >> 

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Livingston (Guatemala), I Presume

When we heard about Livingston, a tiny outpost on the Guatemalan coast with an intriguing history and only accessible by boat, we knew we had to go. So from the busy port of Puerto Barrios we sought passage north.

After some difficulty trying to decipher the... CONTINUE READING >>

It's Un-Belize-able!

While Belize is certainly geographically very Central American, its long history as a British colony gives it a feel that we found more similar to some Caribbean islands than its Latin neighbors.

The Creole tinged... CONTINUE READING >>

The Ancient Mayan Ruins at Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is not the kind of place that even the most wandering GypsyNesting-type will stumble upon by accident. It's not on the way to anywhere. But since we found ourselves on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, what's known as the Riviera Maya, we hopped on a bus to the ancient Mayan site.

Our itinerary was set up to capture both... CONTINUE READING >>

9 Things We Told Our Girls in the Event of the Manhattan Hurricane

We have two daughters planning to ride out Hurricane Irene on Manhattan. Having lived in the Caribbean, here is the advice we gave them. Please share this with loved ones as being over prepared can make you feel stupid, it can also save your life.

1. Fill up your bathtub with water. Water supplies get contaminated with flooding. You will want to bathe and cook. If you don't have a bathtub, buckets, pots & pans work as well.

2. Buy food. I called it "The Week of Living Amishly." Canned food, canned food, canned food.


3. It's gross, but your toilet will only... CONTINUE READING >>

7 Night Cruise Live-Blog, Part Two

We've got you covered! We delivered on (almost) everything our readers asked for!

The beautiful destinations of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Key West. We have video on our stateroom, the entertainment (wow!), the food, the chocolate (this video will send you reeling!), our fabulous (and talented) crew and a helicopter chasing down a speeding boat!

We cavorted with spring-breakers, met incredible people, starred in a game show, got sunburnt. And, there is a complete breakdown of what we spent, how to cruise cheaply, tips on everything from proper attire to how to get a quick start on your vacation.  We are exhausted, had WAY too much fun, are going to sleep for a few days.  In the meantime, enjoy... CONTINUE READING >>

7 Night Cruise Live-Blog, Part One

Heck yeah! It's another GypsyNester flat-out, no-plans, on-the-cheap, get-on-a-mode-of-transportation-and-go live-blog!  This time we're storming a 7 night cruise - neither of us have ever been on a cruise before, so we have no idea what we're in for.

We asked our readers to let us know what they wanted us to report on, and we're going to cover as much of their suggestions as humanly possible.

Make sure you check in often this week - don't miss a... CONTINUE READING >>

The LIAT Airlines Experience

Traveling is certainly made easier when you heed the warnings of those who have gone before you. Especially when your path winds through the tangled Second World jungle that is “island time.” Laid back charm aside, island time can sometimes make the simplest plan mind-bogglingly complex. With the hope that you may avoid a major pitfall, the GypsyNesters relay this tale:

We arrived at the LIAT Airlines counter in the St. Croix airport the proper two hours early for a 30 minute flight eagerly anticipating our whirlwind 25th anniversary trip to St. Martin. Perhaps, in hindsight, we should have seen the possibility of things going awry when... read more

25 in St. Martin

Sometimes a split personality isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In the case of St. Martin, the schizophrenia can be crazy, but hey, crazy can be good. Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is the smallest island in the world that is governed by dual sovereign states, divided nearly equally... read more

Under Sea St. Croix

Like an iceberg in the tropics, only the tip of St. Croix is visible above the surface. To truly experience what the island has to offer one must look below the water line.

We returned to the island during the holidays and from previous trips were prepared to be flexible as the Christmas Winds are usually ablowin’. These annual “Jesus Breezes” produce high seas that make the water murky and boat rides stomach churning. Patience will pay. Just wait a day or two, there is there is always perfect water weather within any week’s span.

Buck Island National Park with... read more

Jump Up! St. Croix

Four times each year the people of St. Croix take to the streets of Christiansted for Jump Up, a Caribbean flavored festival showcasing music, art, food and dancing.

The town is packed with revelers on the oceanfront boardwalk and throughout the narrow, 18th century Danish streets as native and tourist alike "jump up" and celebrate all things Cruzan.

Traffic is closed to vehicles as pedestrians visit the shops, drink in the bars and streets, eat local dishes and, at every turn... read more

St. Croix Appy Crawl #2

For this evening's Appy Crawl, we have decided to hit three of Christiansted's most established eateries. To make the crawl more lively, we are hitting the town in the teeth of tourist season—the people watching/meeting was SPECTACULAR! We meet a couple on their honeymoon, escaping the cold of Philly with an interesting toasting style (Cheers, Big Ears). Then, a woman who worked for Frank Zappa in the 70s—a true Gypsy Nester—she has just finished raising... read more

Fredriksted at San Tropez

 The city of Fredriksted is an oft overlooked spot on St. Croix as it is the designated cruise ship stop on an island with a non existent cruise ship trade. Sadly, Fredriksted has suffered a terrific blow tourism-wise. This once quaint little tourist town has lovely beaches, shops, eateries and a really nice pier that is a blast to jump off of!

Restaurant Le St Tropez is a favorite is a favorite with the people that live on the island of St. Croix. Imagine a Caribbean style open air European bistro ala St. Maartin or St. Barts without the unattractive nude people frolicking about. This is the stuff... read more

St. Croix Appy Crawl #1

We take making meals out of appetizers very seriously. Having them at multiple eateries is even better. For one thing, it forces us to walk off some of the food between stops, for another, we get to try several different places without destroying our credit rating. We decided to hit three brand new restaurants on the evening of the St. Croix Christmas Parade in Christiansted... read more