Posted by Nancy D. Brown

I feel like the football player who won the Superbowl only I'm not going to Disneyland, I'm going to Chicago, Illinois to speak about Travel Blogging at the BlogHer conference! Our track is about passion and travel bloggers as boundary breakers. I'm not sure about breaking any boundaries, but I can tell you, without a doubt that I'm passionate about travel!

I Heart San FranciscoLast year was my first time attending the BlogHer conference as it was held in my hometown of San Francisco. I was only able to attend the Friday session because I had a travel event the next day. My favorite part about the day was attending the travel blogger meetup led by former BlogHer Travel Writer Suzanne Reisman. Our meetup could have gone on for days.

I was absolutely floored that BlogHer didn't offer a travel session at the 2008 conference. However, I was very happy that the BlogHer leaders listened to member feedback and acted on our reqest for a travel blogger panel in 2009.

TRAVEL BLOGGING PANELISTS

I'm very excited to be sharing center stage on Saturday, July 25 from 10:45-12:00 p.m. with the following travel bloggers:

BlogHer Travel Writer Pam Mandel:Pam writes at Nerdseyeview,she is also the Hawaii blogger at WorldHum.

Rosalind Cummings-Yeates: Rosalind writes Farsighted Fly Girl

A. L. Venable: Venable writes a place blogging site for Portland, Oregon and blogs at Dimple and a Smirk.

EARLY BIRD PRICING AND HOTEL INFORMATION

If you are a budget traveler, as I am, you'll want to sign up for the BlogHer conference before the early bird pricing ends on February 28. The conference will take place at the Sheraton Towers in downtown Chicago. BlogHer attendees receive special pricing and complimentary internet access.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

@Nancydbrown

@Nerdseyeview

@FarsightedGirl

Chicago photo credit: Kevin Dooley Flickr

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

It's the first day of the New Year, 2009, and I've already visited the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit in San Jose's Tech Museum, toured several cities and stopped by southern Spain for a brief update, all before getting out of bed. It's true what they say at BlogHer, "travel bloggers bring the world to us."

I hope to be in Chicago, Illinois, July 24-26 for BlogHer's annual conference.  I went to my first BlogHer conference in 2008 because it took place in San Francisco, a BART ride away. I met a lot of wonderful contacts at the conference and as a new blogger at the time, the seminars were very helpful.  If you live in the Chicago area or are wondering what to do with all those frequent flier miles, I highly recommend you attend.  For those of you watching your budget, the early bird on-line pricing ends on February 28.

Travel Bloggers as Boundary Breaking Evangelists

According to BlogHer, "we are inspired by the idea that Travel Bloggers can truly “flatten” the earth, bringing us closer to cultures and people that seem completely different. We are also inspired by the idea that TravelBloggers can revitalize and revive parts of the world that need it most…from visiting Phuket post-Tsunami to singing New Orleans' praises, to uncovering what’s great about Detroit. We’ll talk to TravelBloggers on a Mission."

I'm proud to say that I played a very small role in helping fellow Travel Bloggers Michelle Duffy, Debbie Dubrow, Pam Mandel and Beth Whitman raise $7,420 for Heifer International via the Passports with Purpose raffle. While the raffle is closed, the travel bloggers on a mission plan to repeat the raffle in 2009.

It's not too early to consider how you can be involved in the 2009 Passports with Purpose raffle. Please contact me directly if you would like to sponsor a raffle prize. I want to do my part in revitalizing and reviving parts of the world that need it most.

Chicago photo credit: Kevin Dooley Flickr

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

As many travelers know, Swiss trains run like clock work. In fact, travel by rail in Europe is a much different experience than in the United States, for a variety of reasons. Eurail is finding itself in competition with low cost airlines for the travel dollar. I interviewed a northern California couple about their recent European train trip for the Contra Costa Times and wrote about my train trip from Seville to Madrid, Spain.

Berlin to Budapest

"When I was 5 years old, my dad and I watched the trains go by in Northbrook, Ill.," said Andy Schnur. "It was a moment I still remember."

Madrid's Penthouse Rooftop Night Club

There's something special about traveling by train. Passengers take a step back in time to a more civilized form of transportation.

Lafayette's Ellen and Andy Schnur traveled by Eurail with a first class pass for three weeks. The pair explored Berlin for its interesting architecture — the Jewish Memorial, Jewish Museum, Reichstag, Sony Center; Checkpoint Charlie museum and East Side Gallery.

"Because things are closer together in Europe, all the trains run on time," added Andy Schnur.

They took the high speed, non-stop train from Nuremberg to Munich in about a hour, traveling at speeds of 150 mph. They planned the trip themselves starting in the north, selecting the cities with the shortest train trips.

"We traveled strictly by train or foot; all public transportation, said Schnur. "Driving in any city in Europe is a challenge."

His favorite hotel was the Berlin Westin, with Salzburg's Hotel Goldener Hirsch a close second.

"The Hirsch was very expensive and very old," noted Andy. It's also George Clooney's hotel when he visits.

Ellen remembered the Berlin train station for its modern architecture and multiple level shopping malls. The charming old town of Nuremberg was a favorite with high end shopping and "the best gelato ever," laughed Ellen.

Seville to Madrid by train

On a recent trip from Seville to Madrid, I traveled by train using the Eurail pass. I stayed in the Intercontinental Madrid,a lovely hotel in Spain within walking distance to boutique shopping. Fancy a palace stay, I recommend AC Palacio Retiro, a gorgeous five-star Grand Luxe hotel with Retiro park views. General Manager Fernado Bodelon will take care of you.

For the jetsetters, check out the penthouse inside the Midnight Rose at Plaza de Santa Ana. This hip hotel is part of the Gerber Group.

The private Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza on Paseo del prado is worthy of a morning, as is the Prado Museum and the new wing opened in 2007.

A visit to Madrid wouldn't be complete without a stop to the Debod Temple or the Royal Palace with its African influenced ceilings. After a day of sightseeing, stop by the Taberna Alabardero for a tapas lunch. The restaurant Grupo Lezama also has Taberna del Alabardero locations in Washington, DC and Seattle, Washington. If you enjoy wine, have dinner at the Dominio de Antargu. You'll be surrounded by an extensive collection of wines at this Bodega.

2009 Travel Trends

As 2008 comes to a close, I'd like to share what the experts at Luxury Travel Expo had to say about travel trends and hot places to visit in 2009.I wrote about the luxury traveler. I agree with the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau that the luxury traveler is an avid vacationer. If the "On the Road with the Sun" pictures represent a typical Lamorinda resident, we are, indeed, an active group.

According to Luxury Travel Expo panelists, some of the top travel destinations for 2009 will be Greece, Spain, Ireland and Egypt. I'd like to fly Ireland's Aer Lingus non-stop from SFO to Dublin.

Maybe we should add Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve to this list. Norway and Switzerland are on my wish list for 2009.

Closer to home, the Resort at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast is getting rave reviews. Ocean-view suites on 504 acres with spa and golf … what's not to like?

Where are you headed next year? Will the economy affect your travel plans? What are your top travel picks for 2009? I look forward to hearing from you. 

Photo credit: Nancy D. Brown