Travel Motivation

Cheers! These 6 fabulous cocktails from around the world are sure to help you enjoy and relax into the culture from which they come. This summer is the perfect time to sip on these popular drinks from around the world.

1. Peru – Pisco Sour

So much to see and do while in Peru! After trekking up the mountainside to the ancient city of Machu Picchu you’re bound to be thirsty! The Pisco Sour is the national drink of Peru and very delicious. It is made with a base liquor of pisco, egg white, bitters, and lime juice…YUM!

2.  Italy – Campari

Ciao! This fabulous Italian drink is a must while waiting for that plate of pasta! It is a bitter aperitif that is a pretty red color, it has a strong orange flavor that makes it perfect for a night out in Italy.

3. Japan – Sake

This world-famous drink made of fermented rice is a must when visiting Japan! One of the oldest drinks in the world, Japan is known for them and can be drank warm or cold. Pull up a seat and immerse yourself in the culture with a cup of Sake!

4. Mexico – Tequila

Hola! Time to sit on a beach with the sun on your face and a margarita in your hand! This classic drink is a delicious must-have while in Mexico. Salt rim or sugar rim, it has everything you want in a summer cocktail.

5. Ireland – Guinness

If you want the luck of the Irish you gotta try this famous stout and the most consumed beer worldwide! To truly immerse yourself in an authentic Irish experience you gotta have a pint of Guinness. Take yourself to the nearest pub, grab a seat and you’ll fit in like a local.

6. Spain – Sangria

Nothing beats sitting out on the patio after a hot summer day in Spain sipping on a cold sangria. This wine punch is loaded up with fruit to provide the most delicious drink. There isn’t really a formal recipe so you’ll have to go to multiple places to try them… you know, for research!

Bottoms up! Have a fabulous summer and go try some of these must-have cocktails from around the world.

What better way to spend your sunny summer days then to travel to the best beaches in Europe? We’re talking about warm, beautiful waters and gorgeous landscapes surrounding a white sandy beach. Sound good to you? Let’s get started!

    1. Cala Mesquida – Majorca

This beautiful white sand beach is set amongst sand dunes and pines on the northeast coast of Majorca. This beach is the perfect place to settle in for a long nap in the sun and a dip in the turquoise waters.  

   2. Cala Carbó – Ibiza

This pretty little beach is private and a perfect place for a relaxing afternoon. This beach has beautiful sand leading into clear waters, you can see the little pebbles beneath your feet on your way out for a swim.

   3.  Plaka Beach Naxos Island – Greece 

This greek island has some beautiful water to swim in and relax. Have the summer of your dreams while hanging out on this long expanse of sand. This beach is big enough for everyone to come enjoy.

    4. Paloma beach – French Riviera 

This beautiful beach is on a peninsula between two towns in the south of France. This clear blue water is a must-see this summer. A little pebbly but the water and the view are worth it!

   5. Zlatni Rat Beach – Croatia 

Look at this beach! Mother nature sure did a beautiful job creating this calm oasis in Croatia. Also known as the Golden Cape, it is definitely worth the visit.

Summer is here! Time to pack your sunscreen and a beach hat, your next great adventure awaits you!

Where are you going next? 

These 5 states have some of the best parks and trails in the West and are open for your next adventure! 

Let’s start this off with Arizona! Do you want beautiful desert caves and awesome red clay mountains? This state has many trails for you to visit next. 

Check these out: Picacho Peak State Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, Red Rock State Park, or Saguaro National Park. 

Want to see some cool caverns or clear lakes? Go check out Montana’s beautiful state parks and that big open sky! Drive or take a plane ride to this beautiful state. 

Check these out: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Giant Springs State Park, Lost Creek State Park, and Salmon Lake State Park. 

Washington is known for its beautiful and lush greenery and its the perfect place to visit next for hiking, or swimming in the lakes! If you want adventure, this place has it.

Check these out: Miller Peninsula, Squak Mountain, Twanoh State Park, and Deception Pass State Park.

Beautiful lakes, lush mountains, and open landscape? Idaho definitely is the place for your next outdoor adventure. So many things to do and see, take your next trip here. 

Check These out: Ponderosa State Park, Lake Cascade State Park, Dworshak State Park, and Land of the Yankee Fork State Park.

Oregon is also a lush and beautiful landscape full of diverse views, from the sprawling and beautiful coastline to the dense green forests! There is always a beautiful landscape to see here, your adventure awaits. 

Check These out: Brian Booth State Park, Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Alderwood State Wayside, and Humbug Mountain State Park.

Take the leap! These state parks are ready for you and your next Adventure…

Why would I watch a virtual tour of a museum? 

Let me tell you why… First, it’s FREE, second, you can immerse yourself in rich history and beautiful art all in the comfort of your pj’s, and third, there are no lines! So now that I have given you three awesome points as to why virtual museums are great, let me give you my top choices to explore online. These museums offer great virtual tours. 

1. The Vatican Museums, Rome Italy 

Let yourself get lost in the vast and awe-inspiring art and sculptures that the Vatican has to offer. Explore the beauty of the Sistine Chapel and see the famous paintings of Michaelangelo. 

       2. Natural History Museum, London England 

Dive into the past with amazing archaeological finds such as dinosaurs, and learn about the findings of Charles Darwin and his theory of Evolution. This museum has hundreds of interesting and exciting collections to look at and learn about. 

      3. The Louvre, Paris France 

The Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums and of course one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. You can take a look at many exhibits such as the Egyptian antiquities or the famous remains of the Louvre’s Moat that was built in 1190. 

4. NASA, Langley Research Center, Virginia 

Take a leap into space and time while virtually visiting NASA. You can take flight into space exploration, or stay on solid ground and learn about Atmospheric Science. This virtual tour has many areas to explore and lots of interesting videos to enhance your experience. 

5. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary  Art, Seoul South Korea 

This museum aims to establish very interactive communication with society and has a four museum system that interacts organically. You can pick and choose from multiple genres, such as calligraphy and literature or photography and print. This tour will open your eyes to many fascinating pieces of art. 

Now go and learn something new today! 

When I think of a vacation, it’s not always the traveling that overcomes the thoughts in my mind. I will admit, I get caught up in the hope of adventuring too. To experience worldly ventures and live like a local may is just as much part of my plan as anything else. Sometimes it is nice to take a break from constantly searching for the best deals on travel (But look no further, you already found it), and think about how you want to experience the world. 

First thinking about Cape Town, I did not know what to expect in my research. I knew that it was going to bring some amazing opportunities- but never did I expect such results. I have always been a person to try new things, and boy am I ready to try these.

In this blog, check out 5 things to do in Cape Town, Africa. There are adventures for everyone, and each one in itself will bring on memories to cherish. Safe travels!

   1. Abseiling

Now don’t get me wrong- this is a big jump from the stereotypical vacation activity- but that’s what experiencing is all about! On this venture, you will be able to descend off of Table Mountain, 1,000 feet above sea level. You will begin abseiling into pure vertical space. But don’t forget to prepare the proper attire- and check the weather! Your adventure may be halted due to certain weather.

   2. Aerial Boardwalk

In this activity, you will walk where the birds fly. Set atop Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch Garden is a beautiful overview of Cape Town’s many indigenous plants. There are built in benches and even labels on the flora to learn more about its history. This is something you can take more time to appreciate, or even just make a quick stop to check it out. Check out the prices, they vary for certain ages.

   3. Beach Horse Rides

For a romantic night or a night out on the town, experiencing a horseback ride along Long Beach is an exquisite experience. An 8km ride along the beach, backed by National Park-Protected lands, it has a phenomenal view of Chapman’s Peak, and The Centennial. You may even be able to catch a glimpse of the Kakapo shipwreck- dating back to 1900.

   4. Kloofing… like canyoning!

If you are looking for an over the edge adventure- look no further! South Africa itself has some of the best kloofing spots, and the ones around Cape Town are magnificent. However, do not take this excursion lightly- this is a dangerous activity and should be taken very seriously with experienced guides. Some of the top routes around Cape Town are:

• Suicide Gorge, located in Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, which overall includes a 9hr hike, a waterfall, and a  14m compulsory jump. However, this is an adventure best done during the season of summer.
• Kamikaze Canyon, just 45 minutes from Cape Town to False Bay, this includes a 45-minute walk through crystal pools. Eventually, it leads you to a kloofing spot with a 23m cliff jump, and a 65m abseil across Thunder Falls. You need to have your Shark Zone guides with you however on this day trip. On the plus side if you make it through this you do get a picnic. So that’s pretty cool in itself (or maybe that’s just me).

   5. Biking

Just like any stereotypical vacation, getting a little exercise in while viewing the world is common. There are varying levels of expertise and distance offered, anywhere from 22km to 95km (don’t worry there is one only 7km), and they come on a variety of trails like hills, through the forests, and there are also a few races held in Cape Town. If I could offer any advice though, don’t forget a helmet! Safety first!

Your trip to Cape Town will be more than extraordinary when it’s customized for your wants, needs, and dreams. Discounts for almost all of these activities, and so many more, can be found using the Activities tab in your JIFU Back Office!

Imagine you grew up in a small town and you never traveled farther than a couple of hours away. Your world has only a few hundred-mile radii, but that is all you know. Everyone knows everyone, there’s a Christian church on every corner, and only one Chinese restaurant can be found within miles of the city limits. You only know the traditions your parents taught you as you grew up. You know the world is bigger than what surrounds you, but it seems strange, frightening, and foreign.

That is where travel comes in. Imagine you grew up in rural Arkansas, but then you take a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On your trip, you will see new skin colors, hear new languages, and smell new smells. Imagine you grew up on a ranch in Montana, but then you take a trip to Tokyo, Japan. You encounter new religions, taste new foods, and discover different cultures. Suddenly the world has grown bigger than what you could have ever imagined.

Traveling is exhilarating! As you adventure across different landscapes, see new monuments, and eat new delicious food, you grow as a person. However, the real benefit is the knowledge you can gain from the rest of the world. Every new interaction with another person teaches you to be more accepting. New things can no longer seem strange, just different than what you grew up with. When you travel, your world grows bigger and you become an open-minded, kind-hearted person. So what are you waiting for? Stop being scared, jump in with two feet, and take your future into your own hands. Go travel to the place you have always dreamed of. Don’t let your dream die away; live them.

The best childhood memories usually are those spent as a family. No one reminisces about punching the clock and fighting traffic. Think of your childhood memories and chances are there’s something that makes everyone in your family laugh and more than likely its related to a vacation.  Who hasn’t watched Chevy Case as Clark W. Griswold and failed to see the ironic humor?

There’s something magical about a trip as a kid. Everything is bigger, better, scarier, and much more memorable than everyday life.  Virtually everyone can remember a family trip or two that makes you laugh or cry. It’s there forever. It brings back a carefree time when imagination was bigger than life.

Plan your family trip today. Make the memories that your family will recall for years to come. Want help getting started, just let me know.

Are you an adventure nut?  Like to simply sit back and relax?  Maybe a little of both?  Whatever the case, anyone can come up with a personal Top 5 Bucket List.  Did you know that if you write a goal down you are exponentially more likely to achieve it?  A Harvard study says so therefore it must be true.  In a few years, you’ll have a collection of photos, videos, experiences and memories that are priceless.  Having a hard time getting started?  Here’s a sample of how easy it is to create your list:

1. Everest Base Camp – Base Camp at 19,000 feet would be close enough to be really cool.
2. River Raft The Grand Canyon – Class 5 rapids make most people test their comfort zone. Maybe that’s part of the thrill.
3. Hike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro – You have to go through Africa to get there which is also part of the appeal to me.
4. Swim with the Sharks – Off the Great Barrier Reef, in a cage, of course. Australia is another bonus of this trip. I love Australia.
5. Hang Glide Rio de Janeiro – Jumping off the mountain side over the city of Rio de Janeiro flying over the jungle down to the city below would be glorious.

These are mine, what are yours?