Has this happened to you? At the turn-around point in the hike a mountain looms behind you decorated with snowy peaks and gushing waterfalls. You’d like to take a photo with you in the scene to prove to friends that “yes, I did hike that challenging trail in Glacier National Park.” Looking around, you realize there’s no one to ask to take the picture so the opportunity is missed. Or, you pull out the QuikPod monopod that you tucked inside your backpack, extend it, attach the smartphone adapter, place the iphone or smartphone into the holder (remember you’re traveling light) and take your own photo or video. How cool is that?

QuikPod Explorer II comes with carrying bag, hiking clip, wrist strap and more

I’ve been practicing with the QuikPod EXPLORER II and Mobile – Smartphone Adapter (priced at $59.84 on Amazon) so that I can use the monopod on our upcoming road trip to Vancouver Island. Here’s what I like about it:

• Folds up into a small carrying bag making the QuikPod easy to transport
• Built-in mirror guarantees that you are in the shot
• Assembles quickly so that you don’t miss that shot (the sunset won’t stay in the same spot forever)
• Waterproof construction (we’ll be using with our waterproof camera for cool underwater shots and videos)

Let me show you how it works (if you can’t see the video, click here: QuikPod Explorer II video review)

QuikPod Explorer II and Mobile Adapter Giveaway

Post a comment to tell us where you would take photos with your QuikPod.  Please include your email address for contact purposes. Giveaway ends on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 11:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Winner will be announced as soon as possible. According to our general contest rules, the winner must be a U.S. resident and respond within 48 hours of receiving the notification email; or we chose another winner.

Disclosure: QuickPod provided a Quik Pod Mobile Adapter and  QuikPod Explorer 2 for our review and as a prize for this giveaway. The Amazon link has been included for your convenience but My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small portion of the sale. Thanks for keeping us in business.

More 5-year-anniversary giveaways:

• Pin to Win Kuru Shoes (ends May 31, 2013)
• Scottevest Travel Vest for Women (ends May 22, 2013)
• Lonely Planet Best Trips book giveaway (ends May 16, 2013)
• Kauai Trailblazer book giveway in the May newsletter (ends May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)
• $100 TownePlace Suites Marriott gift card giveaway in the May newsletter (ends (May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)

When traveling, I’m a hands free kind of gal. In other words, I don’t like brining a purse or backpack whether I’m walking the streets of Lucca or exploring on a California road trip. Wearing a Scottevest Travel Vest for Women gives me the freedom to put my gear in the pockets and explore hands free.

I was introduced to Scottevest last year at the TBEX12 conference in Colorado when the travel clothing company kindly gave every attendee one of their vests. To my surprise (I’ve know about Scottevest for years but thought all those pockets would make clothes bulky), the vest had a sleek, stylish design even though there were 17 pockets.

So now that I’ve worn the travel vest for women on my travels, what do I think? The large pocket that holds an iPad puts my mind at ease when going through airport security. I take off the vest with the iPad safely zipped in the inside pocket (along with other valuables like my wallet and passport), the vest goes into the bin to be x-rayed and everything is hidden from view—unless a would-be robber knows about Scottevest clothing.

Even though the vest is constructed out of breathable material, I find it to be a bit warm in the summer. And when the iPad is zipped into the inside pocket, the vest feels a little lopsided. Although I put items in pockets on the other side of the vest, it’s tough to get the vest balanced just right. But it’s a small price to pay for traveling hands free and especially for the reassurance that my iPad will make it through airport security without being stolen.

The vest looks great with a turtleneck—add a scarf and you’re stylin’. Want to see?

In celebration of My Itchy Travel Feet’s 5-year celebration, Scottevest is providing a Travel Vest for Women ($125) to one of our readers. Here’s how to enter:

Scottevest Travel Vest for Women Giveaway

Please leave a comment at the end of this article telling us where you would travel in your Scottevest. Remember, we are giving away a LADIES travel vest. Please include your email address for contact purposes. Giveaway ends on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 11:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Winner will be announced as soon as possible. According to our general contest rules, the winner must be a U.S. resident and respond within 48 hours of receiving the notification email; or we chose another winner.

Disclosure: Scottevest provided the Ladies travel vest for our giveaway. I also received a complimentary vest while attending TBEX12.

More 5-year-anniversary giveaways:

• Pin to Win Kuru Shoes (ends May 31, 2013)
• QuikPod Explorer II giveaway (ends May 23, 2013)
• Lonely Planet Best Trips book giveaway (ends May 16, 2013)
• Kauai Trailblazer book giveway in the May newsletter (ends May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)
• $100 TownePlace Suites Marriott gift card giveaway in the May newsletter (ends (May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)

Walking outside in nature is good for you

Walking outside on a daily basis is something that we all can do no matter our level of fitness. The practice offers numerous health benefits plus it’s good for your mental attitude as well. That’s why our One Healthy Change a Month for May is: walking outside for 30 minutes a day. And the beauty of this healthy habit is that it’s easy to incorporate into our travel schedules.

The key word in this month’s One Healthy Change Challenge is “outside.” Although walking on an indoor treadmill or at the mall offers exercise, you’ll miss the benefits of combining walking with nature. When I’m walking outside in my Montana neighborhood, all of my senses are engaged (leave the ipod at home). I hear animals scurrying about in the underbrush near the road, feel the breeze on my face, see the clouds casting shade on the pointy peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains and smell the distinct odor of sagebrush wet from morning dew. The only sense that’s missing is taste and I’m sure if I foraged around enough, I’d find something edible to try.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have the mountains of Montana as their walking scenery, but that’s no excuse not to go walking outside. If you live in a city, find the nearest park, public green space or at least a street with a few trees. Here’s how your body will benefit:

• At Real Age, Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen write about the healthy benefits of walking. Did you know that a regular walking program fends off heart attacks and strokes?
• Have you considered combining mediation with walking? In an article for Huffington Post, Dr. Andrew Weil offers advice on Breathwalking. A helpful video demonstrates the process. (I’d really like to learn how to do this.)
• In an interview at Midlife Matters, Carolyn Scott Kortge, author of Healing Walks for Hard Times, talks about the meditative benefit of walking with writer Sheryl Kraft. Korge also recommends breaking your 30-minute walk into 10-minutes sessions if lack of time is a factor. 
• And at ShareCare, Dr. Oz quotes a Japanese study that found “surrounding yourself with natural beauty can actually increase immune function.” The Japanese call it “forest bathing.”

So how do we fit this new daily routine of walking outside into our travel itineraries? I have a few ideas for you:

• At your destination, plan to get up 30 minutes early to walk outdoors.
• On road trips, schedule 10-minute walking breaks for every 90-minutes you spend in the car. Click for more healthy road trip ideas.
• Travel to a destination that’s known for natural beauty, then make sure that you take a daily walk.
• Research city parks and greenways before you leave home, especially when visiting a metropolitan area like New York City. This Travel + Leisure article lists America’s Most Popular City Parks. Another option is to inquire about city parks at the Visitor’s Bureau at your destination.
• Take advantage of the walking deck onboard ship. Sure, cruise lines usually have excellent exercise facilities, but you’ll miss all that fresh sea air by using the indoor treadmill.

Are you ready to commit to walking outside for 30-minutes a day? Post a comment to share your tips. And remember, this is more than a fitness walk— it’s also about the stress relieving benefits of connecting with nature.

It’s not too late to join our challenge. Click on One Healthy Change a Month to read more.

Disclosure: I have included an Amazon link to Healing Walks for Hard Times for your convenience, however My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small percentage for purchases made at Amazon.com.

Neptune’s hanging out in Monterosso, Italy

On the Cinque Terre coast of Italy, this statue of Neptune in Monterosso hangs from a cliff face at the end of Fegina Beach. The giant version of the Roman God of the Sea (Poseidon in Greek mythology) was built in 1910 and holds up the terrace of Villa Pastine. Il Gigante, as the sculture is called, lost his arms, trident and a seashell when the villa was bombed by Allied bombs in World War II.  The 14-meter concrete statue was damaged again by a storm in 1966.

Seated on the patio of Barabba in White, a restaurant near the end of Fegina Beach, a clear plastic covering pulled down to protect us from a slight October chill, Alan and I enjoyed a lunch of fresh seafood with a glass of local Vino Bianco as the moody-looking Il Gigante kept a watch on the sea.

On October 25, 2011, heavy rains created flash floods and landslides that devastated Monterosso. Rick Steves reports that much of the village has been rebuilt. To learn the latest news of trail openings and construction updates, check out Rebuild Monterosso.

Have you photographed Neptune in Monterosso? Post a comment to share your experience. Alan and I would like to return to Cinque Terre. Next time, we’ll spend more than just a day here.

Click on road trip in Northern Italy to read about our 10-day journey. Use our suggestions to plan your own Italian road trip!

When Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest’s Best Trips (Regional Guide) arrived at our house for me to review, can you guess why it disappeared from my desk? That’s right, Alan saw the tagline, “33 Amazing Road Trips,” and the book became a fixture on his desk because you know how much he enjoys planning our road trips. The section on Vancouver Island’s Remote North was just what Alan needed to research a May road trip to Vancouver Island.

The Pacific Northwest’s Best Trips provides road trip itineraries for Washington, Oregon and British Columbia plus a bonus selection of Classic Trips like “Up the Inside Passage,” which isn’t a road trip at all but rather a journey by ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway. Alan and I will be paying extra special attention to that section when we travel on the Alaska Marine Highway from Anchorage, AK, to Bellignham, WA, in mid-September.

When you travel Oregon’s Three Capes Loop, climb the dunes at Cape Kiwanda for this stunning view.

Each itinerary includes maps, photos plus mileage and suggested number of days for the trip. You’ll learn the best time to go, where to take the essential photo of the trip plus what’s best about the journey. For instance, Hoh Rainforest is marked as “Best for Wildlife” on the Olympic Peninsula Loop becuase of rare glimpses of Roosevelt elk.

The itineraries offer step by step directions that also include not-to-be-missed highlights to see. Of course Alan likes the fun detour suggestions that take travelers even more off-the-beaten-path. And a “Link Your Trip” box tells which itineraries to combine for longer trips. An “Eating and Sleeping” page at the end of each itinerary suggests restaurants and accommodations. It’s the weakest component of the book, so consider these pages as a place to start rather than a comprehensive selection of dining and accommodation choices.

Take photos of mountain scenery on the Circle the Canadian Rockies itinerary

The itineraries in The Pacific Northwest’s Best Trips aren’t that far from our Montana headquarters, which means that we’ll be trying out many of the road tripping ideas. In fact, we’ll be using some of the suggestions in “Circling the Rockies” for a trip into British Columbia in late June. And I like that the book is small enough to bring along for reference.

Did you know that Lonely Planet publishes a series of Best Trips books? Would you like to win one? As part of our 5-year-anniversary celebration, Lonely Planet is offering one of our lucky readers his or her choice of one of the Best Trips books.

Here’s how to enter the Lonely Planet Best Trips books giveaway

Post a comment to tell us which one of the Lonely Planet Best Trips books that you would like to win. Please include your email address for contact purposes. Giveaway ends on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 11:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Winner will be announced as soon as possible. According to our general contest rules, the winner must be a U.S. resident and respond within 48 hours of receiving the notification email; or we chose another winner.

More 5-year-anniversary giveaways:

• Pin to Win Kuru Shoes (ends May 31, 2013)
• QuikPod Explorer II giveaway (ends May 23, 2013)
• Ladies Scottevest giveaway (ends May 22, 2013)
• Kauai Trailblazer book giveway in the May newsletter (ends May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)
• $100 TownePlace Suites Marriott gift card giveaway in the May newsletter (ends (May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)

Disclosure: Lonely Planet has provided a copy of The Pacific Northwest’s Best Trips book for my review and a copy of a Best Trips book for the giveaway. I have included an Amazon link for your convenience, however My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small percentage for purchases made at Amazon.com.

From our ongoing multigenerational travel series with Grandparents.com:  John and Sally Macdonald share a creative idea on how to spark the travel bug in our grandchildren with a grandkids trip that lets them share in the travel decicion making process.

We worked at a major Seattle newspaper for more than two decades—John was travel editor, I was a reporter. We retired six years ago, but we still love to travel and write.

A few years earlier, over lunch in a Reno hamburger joint, we talked about what we could do to help our six grandchildren appreciate their place in the world. We are convinced that travel is important to that coming-of-age process.

Following 15-Year-Old’s Dreams

We decided that when each grandchild reached the age of 15—old enough to be responsible and thoughtful, but not yet heavily into boyfriends or girlfriends—we would take that child on a trip anywhere in the world he or she wanted to go on a grandkids trip. The rules are simple: no U.S. destinations, no theme parks or Caribbean cruises, no trips so expensive that we can’t afford to take the next teen.

So far, the kids have taken us on three trips abroad.

Our oldest granddaughter wanted to see dolphins and “other different animals” in their own habitat; so we went to Australia. Her brother chose China “because it has a different culture from ours” and it is becoming an international heavyweight. Our third journey took us to France, England, and Wales where a grandson wanted to get a feel for medieval life and warfare.

Each trip has stretched us all in some way.

Aussie Animals

In Australia, our shy Ashley found herself mesmerized by the wild dolphins that come to shore each evening to be fed and studied at the Tangalooma research station near Brisbane. Joining the researchers in the water one starry evening became a life-defining moment that she wrote about in her college entrance essay.

She had dreamed of communing with wild dolphins since she was very small, she wrote. The adventure proved to her that she had what it takes “to expand, to seek out more lifelong dreams and goals.” Ashley wrote, “Just stepping into the water, waiting to feed the wild dolphins, showed me that I am yet unfinished on my journey to find who I am.”

And one evening she put aside her then near-vegetarian eating habits to sample John’s grilled kangaroo steak. “Poor thing,” she said of the kangaroo. “It’s okay,” she said after a bite of the meat, “but I don’t think I can do that again.”

Beijing on a Bicycle

Her brother Max says his “biggest question” was us. What exactly would it be like to travel with us? Would we all “sit around a lot” because we needed our rest?

He quickly found he didn’t have to worry about that. He even became comfortable enough to call us “old-timers” to our faces and was relieved to find we were up to trying new things with him.

He really wanted to ride a bicycle in Beijing. At first we said no. “Too many cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians and—not enough rules,” he remembers us saying. But he begged, and—finally—we gave in.

Weaving in and out of the city’s convoluted traffic proved to be one of his fondest memories. We were still shaking when we got back to our hotel.

Max also remembers the pollution that regularly turns the sky over Beijing a sick-looking brown. An enormous new dam on the Yangtze will provide electric power to the countryside and help turn the coal-smoked sky blue again. It also will flood 570,000 acres of farmland and cities, and displace 1.5 million people.

“There are drawbacks to [building the dam],” he says, “but good things, too, if it gives them bluer sky and longer life.”

Max would like to go back to China someday. Not to the big cities, he says, but to the river to visit some of the villages we passed on our Yangtze tour boat.

From Computer Games to Medieval Castles

Ashley and Max’s cousin, Luke, had the most difficult time choosing what they’ve all taken to calling their “grandkids trip.”

He’d talked when he was younger about taking us to the Bermuda Triangle. But that was just a joke, and when it came down to it, the world seemed too big to make a choice.

We stayed up late one evening helping him think about what interested him most in school. It came down to medieval history, salted with an extracurricular knowledge of early weapons and warfare gleaned partially from computer games.

We visited France’s medieval battlefield at Agincourt and saw the tapestry at Bayeux that tells of the Norman invasion of England in the 11th century. We romped the beaches at Mont St. Michel like medieval tourists did, and—for contrast—visited the World War II D-Day beaches nearby. We tried on iron helmets in the Tower of London and stayed in a haunted castle in Wales.

Luke’s most moving moments were at the ruined castle in western Wales where historians believe Llewelyn the Great was born. Llewelyn ruled Wales in the early 13th century. He tried unsuccessfully to fend off the English, and Wales has been part of the United Kingdom since.

Luke was “looking to go back in time,” as he walked up the hill to “that decapitated castle.” He found himself imagining approaching it with his valiant steed “and my grandparents in tow, of course.”

As for us, we have loved putting ourselves into their dreams via our grandkid trips. It’s a pleasure being with each of them without their parents to run interference, discipline them, or answer their questions.

What about your grandkids trip? Do you inclue the grandchildren in your travel planning? Be sure to tell us about it. We think this sounds like a great idea for multigenerational travel.

Wearing myKuru shoes at Nalychevo Nature Park on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula

Do you remember my review of Kuru shoes? Since 2009, I’ve packed these lightweight shoes in my suitcase whenever a trip includes hiking or outdoor adventure. In honor of My Itchy Travel Feet’s 5 year anniversary, Kuru is offering a pair of shoes to one of our lucky readers. This is going to be fun because this is our very first Pinterest giveaway. That’s right, you’ll need to pin to win Kuru shoes.

How to enter Pin to Win Kuru Shoes giveaway

Follow My Itchy Travel Feet on Pinterest.

Create a board on your Pinterest account named “Traveling in my Kuru shoes.” (Don’t have an account? Click on Pinterest to start one.)

Official Pin to Win Kuru Shoes Photo

Pin this official pin to win Kuru shoes photo onto your board.

Choose 4 other pins from our articles that show where you would like to travel in your Kuru shoes. Our Active Travel, Cruise Excursions or National Park Adventures are good places to find pinnable photos.

Keep pinning and re-pinning photos (they do not have to be from our site) to your board that show where you would like to go in your Kurus. Your board must have at least 10 pins to enter the giveaway.

TO ENTER: copy and paste a link to your Traveling in My Kurus Pinterest board in the comments section of this article. Please include your email address for contact purposes.

The Pin to Win Kuru Shoes giveaway ends on May 31, 2013.

Winner will be chosen based on creativity and quality of pins. Use your imagination! Surprise us! .

The Fine Print

Please include your email address for contact purposes. Giveaway ends on Friday, May 31, 2013, at 11:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Entries will be judged by Nicole Jewell, Assistant Editor at My Itchy Travel Feet. Winner will be announced as soon as possible. According to our general contest rules, the winner must be a U.S. resident and respond within 48 hours of receiving the notification email; or we chose another winner.

More 5-year-anniversary giveaways:

• QuikPod Explorer II giveaway (ends May 23, 2013)
• Ladies Scottevest giveaway (ends May 22, 2013)
• Lonely Planet Best Trips book giveaway (ends May 16, 2013)
• Kauai Trailblazer book giveway in the May newsletter (ends May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)
• $100 TownePlace Suites Marriott gift card giveaway in the May newsletter (ends (May 31, 2013: must subscribe to our newsletter)

It’s no secret that Europe shines brightest in springtime. Thanks to the old continent’s affinity for colorful gardens and lush green parks, the brisk spring months in Europe are the time to visit. Considering Europe’s fairly harsh winter months and scorching summers,  the pre-summer months offer that perfect blend of long temperate days amidst beautiful gardens, romantic fountains and, of course, that old world ambiance that floats throughout most bustling city plazas.

Chateau Chenonceau in the Loire Valley

Whenever or wherever you go in Europe, the most important thing is to be properly prepared and organized so that you can enjoy your trip. Everyone has their own travel strategy and style. For most, this includes an extensive packing list, a security plan and maybe even a new fanny belt (no judgement!). Whatever your preparation style, these five European travel apps will make your experience overseas more organized, efficient and enjoyable.

1. Simply Declare allows you to efficiently keep up with purchases on an international trip. Not only does this app keep up with purchases that need to be declared at U.S. Customs, but it also offers real time currency exchange rates. Available for $0.99 on iTunes.

2. TripIt lets you keep your entire itinerary organized and in one place on your phone. It’s a free app that puts all your trip details together and syncs with your calendar. It also sends alerts regarding flight delays, cancellations, gate changes, etc. Fast Company says, “It’s indispensable when you’re in an unfamiliar city and need to quickly look up your hotel’s address..” Available for use on iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone. Free version, Paid Pro Version and Special Group Rates.

3. Free Wi-Fi Finder app is a true tech savvy traveler’s dream come true. While many like to disconnect on their trips abroad, maintaining contact with family and friends and bosses is often a necessity. This free app lets you stay connected without racking up roaming charges by locating Internet hotspots in your area. The app works around the world and also provides directions to the hot spot of your choice. Available free on iTunes.

4. iFly Pro let’s you search airport information such as parking, gate information, restaurant and bar locations, flight delays, etc. It also lets you navigate around hundreds of airports to find Wi-Fi hot spots, distance between gates, public transportation options, etc. Voted by Travel & Leisure magazine’s “most comprehensive airport guide,” this is clearly the app for European travel!  Available on iTunes and Androids , free or paid pro version.

5. Hotel Tonight is the perfect tool for that whimsical traveler or for those who just like a little more spontaneity in their travel itinerary. Find discounted hotels in your area available that night, with bookings available until 2 a.m. Currently available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Italy and Spain; and they’re working to bring more cities and hotels in more countries. Available Free on iTunes.

Do you have favorite European Travel Apps to add to our list? We hope you’ll share them with us in the comments.

Need an app for getting there? Don’t miss my review of the Five Best Road Trip Apps and  Five Best Outdoor Apps.

Celebrating five years on the Internet

My Itchy Travel Feet is celebrating our five year anniversary on the Internet today. Alan and I can hardly believe it! Where has the time gone? We’ve come a long way since that very first article. But rather than look back and wax nostalgic on travel stories that we’ve published, Alan and I would much rather celebrate you, our reader. That’s why we’ve filled the May editorial schedule with opportunities for you to win free travel items plus some very special offers in the May newsletter.

Five Year Anniversary Events

• Friday, May 3, 2013: We’ll be hosting our first Pinterest contest thanks to Kuru shoes. I’ve traveled in my Kuru shoes on many active trips since publishing my review in November 2009. So hurry to join Pinterest if you’re not already a member and check our site on Friday for details on how you can win a pair of Kuru shoes in our Pin to Win Kuru Shoes giveaway.
• Wednesday, May 9, 2013: I’ll be reviewing Lonely Planet’s The Pacific Northwest’s Best Trips book and Lonely Planet is offering one of our readers the chance to win their choice from the Lonely Planet’s Best Trips series of books. Warning roadtrippers, this book will make your travel feet itchy. Mark the date on your calendar so that you don’t miss the chance to enter the giveaway.
• Wednesday, May 15, 2013: This one is for the ladies. Scottevest is sponsoring a giveaway of their popular travel vest for women with 17 pockets that holds everything from your passport to an iPad. I’ll be showing you a video of how I style my vest so be sure to check back to read the review and to enter the giveaway.
• Thursday, May 16, 2013: I’ve been trying out the QuikPod Explorer II monopod and smartphone adapter. QuikPod has offered the same equipment as a giveaway to one of our readers. So come back on Thursday, May 16, 2013, to read the review and enter the giveaway.
• Thursday, May 23, 2013: Are you planning a trip to California’s Central Coast? This review and giveaway is for you. I’ll be reviewing The California Directory of Fine Wineries: Central Coast as well as giving away a copy. Do you remember when I reviewed the Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino edition?  Come back Thursday, May 23, 2013, to learn more about the book and enter the giveaway.
• Tuesday, May 28, 2013: The Snapsay picture travel app is a unique way to communicate when you don’t know the language. In my review, Snapsay will also offer the app as a giveaway plus provide a code to all readers for free photo downloads for the app. Don’t forget to check back on Tuesday, May 28,2013, to learn more and to enter the giveaway.

Newsletter subscribers, look what we have planned for you:

We wrote this just for you!

Our free e-book filled with active travel ideas (link to download in our May newsletter)

Plus…

• Win a copy of Kauai Trailblazer by Jerry and Janine Sprout. The book for active travelers to Kauai.
• Win a $100 Town Place Suites gift card from Marriott’s Travel Turning Point photo contest.
• Free $50 gift card from BedandBreafast.com with a purchase of $250 or more.

And don’t miss the subscriber-only special from Road Scholar in the June newsletter.

Do you have travel ideas that you would like for us to cover or suggestions for how to make our site better? Please leave a note in the comments section. And thanks again for all of your support. We wouldn’t be celebrating a five year anniversary without you.

I’m smiling at our good news.

Do we have news for you! My Itchy Travel Feet is literally hopping with changes, additions and fun happenings. So let’s get this show on the road:

A Change of address

Feedblitz is now handling the distribution of our RSS feed. If you keep up with us through a subscription to our feed, here’s the new address: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/myitchytravelfeet. Please make the change because we’ll be turning off our Feedburner address by the end of May.

An inbox filled with travel goodness

Would you like to receive a digest of the week’s articles that we’ve published at My Itchy Travel Feet? You can do that! Click the weekly updates button in the subscription box on our Newsletter subscription page or on the sidebar widget of our articles (you might as well subscribe to our newsletter while you’re at it.) Each Saturday, you’ll receive a digest of all the articles that we’ve published for the week—perfect for weekend reading.

A new member of the team

You might have seen Nicole Jewell’s name around here already. She’s written several guest posts for us including advice for dining in Madrid and visiting Cambridge for the day. Today, we’re officially welcoming Nicole as the Assistant Editor at My Itchy Travel Feet. Alan’s so happy. Since Nicole started taking over some of the duties around here, I’m finally cooking dinner again. And what about this coincidence—Nicole and I both attended Georgia State University.

Nicole will be working with guest authors, handling correspondence and many other duties. We’re also featuring her own series on travel apps. You’ve read Nicole’s advice on best road trip apps and outdoor travel apps, right?

A new travel partner

We’re so excited about our new relationship with Grandparents.com. We’ll be publishing selected articles on multigenerational travel from their site to share with our readers and they’ll be sharing some of our articles with their readers. But that’s not all.

Have you seen the Priceline/Grandparents.com widget in our sidebar? Now you can book hotels, flights and rental cars at a great price right from our site. Choosing a city and mode of travel will take you to a special page for booking travel. We receive a small commission when you do, which helps keep My Itchy Travel Feet in business. So be sure to book your travel here. And please let us know how you like it.

A special celebration

On May 1, 2013, My Itchy Travel Feet celebrates 5 years on the Internet. It’s an accomplishment that Alan and I are especially proud of. To celebrate, we’ll be hosting fun giveaways including a Pinterest contest, offering a free e-book to newsletter subscribers and subscriber-only specials in the May newsletter. Check back tomorrow for the details.

We wouldn’t have any news if you weren’t reading our articles, leaving comments and sharing our content on social media. So thank you for being a part of our team!