Tag - the traveling wizard

The Three Coolest Places to Sleep and Shoot Photographs in Houston.

We’ve all rented an Airbnb that has us scratching our heads of how we ended up there. There’s few things that are as depressing as being stuck in a room with a non-working AC, bare walls, and bedspreads that look like they came from someone’s Grandma’s garage sale. I try not to book such places, but on those occasions where I’ve rented a...

Trip from Austin to Okinawa

I’m now putting together cheap flights and travel suggestions for my clients. Here’s my latest post for my friend Joy…. September temperatures are 75-86 degrees in Okinawa, October about 5 degrees less, so either month is a good time to travel. The prices change constantly, so below are the lowest sample prices: GETTING THERE: The least expensive...

How Santorini Can be Your Next Vacay

Who hasn’t seen the Instagram photos of the ivory white and cobalt blue Cyclade homes spilling over a cliff? Santorini has a personality unlike any other place in the universe and just about anyone who’s ever seen a photo of this magical European island has dreamed of going there someday.  Church at Oia Photo: Bill Wiatrak You could book it today.  Maybe...

Sloths, Mermaids and Things That Slither.

What’s the Deal With Houston’s New Zoo? Times have changed. As the world has shifted to accommodate our obsession with social media, entertainment for many of us has become less about just observing, and more about selfies, hands on and interaction.. We can watch practically anything we want instantly and virtually on YouTube, so why visit a zoo or museum full of...

Things Not To Do in an Irish Pub

One thing about Irish Pubs; they kinda look the same no matter where you go. However, in Ireland, they don’t FEEL the same. There’s a different commitment to the drink than you’ll find in their doppelgängers elsewhere. Where else are you going find a bar that has a basement below the tap so the beer keg is the shortest possible distance from it? Outside Temple...

Chilling at the Snow Hotel

As i looked upward, the clouds slowly parted. An iridescent green ribbon suddenly appeared in the night sky and danced above my snow covered cabin. Its’s my last night at the Snow Hotel Kirkenes and Mother Nature put on the ultimate finale send off, a vivid display of the Aurora Borealis.  A Themed Room at the Snow Hotel Kirkenes Photo: Bill Wiatrak The Northern...

Getting into The Kingdom

Visiting Saudi Arabia Four years ago it was nearly impossible to get a tourist visa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). However, with sweeping new changes from the new king, women are now allowed to drive (woohoo!) and tourist visas can be had online in less than 15 minutes. The floodgates are now officially open.  The two most visited cities, Jeddah and...

The Most Awesome Airbnb in Texas!

HOUSTON’S MOST UNIQUE AIRBNB Airbnb has changed the world. There’s no doubt about that. All the things your mom told you not to do: Don’t get into a stranger’s car (Uber), don’t go to people’s houses you don’t know (AIRBNB) and don’t chew gum with your mouth open (okay, she was right about that) turned out to be wrong...

Sneaking into Saudi Arabia

I had a premonition before I even arrived at the airport. Saudi Arabia has never been an easy country to visit. I rechecked the airline’s website just to be sure I had every document I might be asked to produce. Five security checks and one shuttle bus later, I found myself in front of the counter amidst piles of giant plastic wrapped suitcases and robed figures...

My Date With An Egyptian Princess

Women can be expensive, but $100 for 10 minutes is too much to spend for just about anything. Spas and lawyers don’t even charge that much. Why should a 3000 year old princess get that kind of cash?  Nefertari is raking it in.  I’m not talking about Nefertiti, the goddess with a similar name and the Grace Jones haircut. Nefertari was Ramses II’s favorite...