Quarter Miles Travel With Annita Podcast By Travel With Annita and Friends cover art

Quarter Miles Travel With Annita

Quarter Miles Travel With Annita

By: Travel With Annita and Friends
Listen for free

About this listen

 The Adventure begins when you reach into your pocket. Each U.S. Mint Commemorative Quarter design tells a unique story. Each quarter is filled with pride, from hometown heroes to iconic landmarks; wildlife and nature to music and culture. Reach into your pocket and let Quarter Miles Travel take it from there, we’ll turn that quarter into an adventure.Copyright Quarter Miles Travel 2021 Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Destination: AVA Resort Cancun, Mexico

    Destination: AVA Resort Cancun, Mexico
    Jun 14 2025
    AVA Resort Cancun All inclusive and all about the time of your life During a recent trip to AVA Resort Cancun I had an amazing time filled with all the things I enjoy and most especially - an all inclusive experience. This property is ultra-luxury set along a secluded stretch of Cancún’s Hotel Zone, just a 10-minute drive from the airport. It is one of the largest new resorts in Cancún (1,600+ oceanfront suites), built around a dramatic, sail-inspired "let's dive in" pools and lagoon. Just standing on your room balcony you feel the call to come and relax by the pool or glide along the lagoon on a paddle board. Every room, suite, and villa boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces overlooking the Caribbean and standard rooms have a spacious layouts (~463 sq ft interior + 108 sq ft terrace), smart TVs, Nespresso machines, spa tubs, and plush robes. Are you feeling the luxury. If you'd like to extend your luxury experience, you may choose suites and villas ranging from Family & Friends Suites with living zones, daybeds, and plunge pools, to grand Panoramic Villas with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, spa tubs, and butler service. There is something for everyone to say, "yes, please!" Cuisine - oh, yes. When I travel I want to try the local cuisine and I especially like finding the creative and inspiring options where chefs have taken their local specialities a "creative step" further. At AVA Resort Cancun there are 17 bars and restaurants each with a global flair - from modern Mexican at Copal and hand-rolled tacos to Mediterranean (Livo), Peruvian (Aji), Italian (Veranda), French (Chez Moi), teppanyaki (Kita & Minami), and gourmet buffet markets. Something for your the tastes you have been craving and also finding something new and delicious. Any nighttime entertainment must be filled with the unique and special AVA Resort vibe and you'll find just that around the property - the sleek digital-art display at Digit NFT Bar, swanky Cocktail Bar, lively swim-up bars, a whiskey lounge, speakeasy, and nighttime club life - it's all there. When talking about cuisine, I can't leave off spots where a simple relaxing bite becomes an extra-special moment in your day with a gourmet ice cream cone at Konos and freshly baked pastries options at Aroma coffee shop. All good, all delicious. Fill the day with water activities right on property. A 2.8-acre sustainable saltwater lagoon for paddleboarding, kayaking, floating cabanas—and uses 50× less energy and 100× fewer chemicals than typical pools. How's that for conservation. Your choice of pools includes adult-only, family-friendly, swim-up bar pools, and a vibrant waterpark for younger guests. While were on the subject of family and bringing along the kids, the Kid's Club with crafts and water fun; Teen Lounge with bowling, AR games means kids are free (and safe) to have their own fun while mom and dad have their day too. One day I spent most of the day in the luxe spa having an experience that could only be topped by doing it all over again. A full hydrotherapy circuit, sauna, mud room, facials, and indulgent treatments in VIP cabins. Yes, please. And, for those of you who like to workout on vacation, the state-of-the-art fitness center has everything you need from group classes like yoga, Pilates, spin and more. It's your day, work at making it the best. I can't leave off shopping. It there for more than souvenirs. Did you forget an important item - you'll find it in one of the shops. Everything for swimwear to fine jewelry. AVA Resort Cancun offers a stunningly modern, fully oceanfront all-inclusive experience with luxe accommodations, an upscale culinary scene, an eco-lagoon centerpiece, and entertainment for all ages. It's your ideal spot for your next family getaway, girlfriends gathering, guy trip or with your special someone.
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Destination: Fleeting Moments – Pan Am Memories

    Destination: Fleeting Moments – Pan Am Memories
    May 4 2025
    Fleeting Moments Pan Am Memories Here's a story that will capture your heart and definitely your interest. Fleeting Moments of Pan Am Memories written by Michelle da Silva Richmond captures her story torn between two lovers with Pan Am as your backdrop. On this show I’m taking a walk down memory lane and going back to not only my days as a Pan American World Airways flight attendant, but my guest Michelle de Silva Richmond will share her memories too. I’ve been asked what was it like working for Pan Am…. The airline is known for so many aviation firsts and the legendary airline is often used in movies, photos of stewardess and stewards during earlier days. But the question what was working for Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) like? Well, that was glamour on wings. It was the golden age of jet travel, and Pan Am wasn’t just an airline—it was a cultural icon. Think: tailored uniforms, five-course meals, multiple meals services, even in coach, and stewardesses fluent in multiple languages, gliding down the aisles like airborne ambassadors. And for those of us working as stewardess, Stewards and flight attendants - Appearance mattered—big time. Height, weight, age - especially in the earlier years was a determining factor in not only being hired, but also how long you worked. In the earlier Pan Am days, stewardess resigned once they were married. Being poised was all part of the job description. But, it wasn’t just about the glamour, make no mistake, we were well trained in safety and emergency procedures. Michelle and I lived a dream life, filled with adventure, meeting extraordinary people, learning about different cultures and food - and of course there was love. Michelle shares her story. Michelle has been a freelance travel writer for many years. Travel has always been in her blood. She was raised in different countries from the age of two. Her father’s career took them to many countries. Travel was in her blood for sure. She was always interested in writing. She worked for Pan Am starting in 1970’s and worked with the airline traveling to South & Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. After Pan Am she wanted to keep traveling and write about experiences. She has co-authored and contributed to guidebooks. She was the travel editor of an English language paper in Mexico City where she lived for 20 years. She also writes for several online and print publications as a freelancer. Next she is off to Cancun to update hotels details and later in the year she is taking a Viking cruise and venturing off to Portugal. Here's a little more about Pan Am: Training was intense. Flight attendants learned emergency procedures, but also fine wine service, etiquette, and international customs. Travel perks? Unreal. Wr globe-trotted to exotic places—Tokyo, Rome, Nairobi—on a company pass. It was freedom with a paycheck and a ticket to see the world. Culture of prestige. Being a Pan Am stewardess was so iconic that Hollywood and Madison Avenue practically made us celebrities. And, we were welcomed around the world, Pilots, were called Gods of the sky. In the book Skygods: The Fall of Pan Am by Robert Gandt, he shares how Pan Am pilots were admired. His book delves into the history and decline of Pan American World Airways. The term "Skygods" in the title refers to the airline's pilots, who were often regarded with a near-mythical status during the golden age of aviation. Pan Am captains were among the best-trained and best-paid in the world, and they were very often military veterans. They flew glamorous long-haul international routes on the cutting-edge Boeing 747—the “Queen of the Skies,” which Pan Am introduced in 1970. Headquarters in the Pan Am Building in New York was not just a based of international activity, the building was a landmark, sitting at 200 Park Avenue, directly above Grand Central Terminal, right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
  • Destination: Off The Beaten Path Islands

    Destination: Off The Beaten Path Islands
    May 4 2025
    Off The Beaten Path Islands With over tourism becoming a trendy topic, now is the time to explore off the beaten path islands for your next trip. Here's Travel With Annita's list of four islands, ready for your special trip - are you going solo, family, couples or with a group of friends. These four places—Little Corn Island (Nicaragua), Holbox (Mexico), Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile), and Edisto Island (South Carolina, USA)—are all off-the-radar gems with wildly different personalities. Here's a quick rundown of each: Get ready for your adventure with these off the beaten path islands. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua Vibe: Rustic Caribbean castaway fantasy No cars—you get around on foot or bicycle. Blissfully quiet. Pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and killer snorkeling/diving (especially at Blowing Rock). Electricity used to be spotty—still minimal but reliable enough for travelers now. Fresh lobster for under $10? Yes, please. Stay: Yemaya Reefs (luxury); Grace's Cool Spot (budget charm). Eat: Café Desideri (Italian/seafood fusion), Tranquilo Café (cocktails + chill vibe). Isla Holbox, Mexico Vibe: Boho beach with Instagram flair Famous for bioluminescent waters and swimming with whale sharks (May–September). No paved roads—golf carts and bikes only. Stunning murals, hammocks in the sea, and laid-back charm. Stay: Casa Las Tortugas (boutique luxe), Hotel Mawimbi (beachfront quiet). Eat: Roots for lobster pizza, Painapol for smoothie bowls. Heads-up: Sargassum seaweed rarely affects Holbox, unlike Cancun or Tulum. Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile Vibe: Wild, remote, and dramatic Part of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, 400 miles off the Chilean coast. Real-life inspiration for the Daniel Defoe novel, after sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned there. Amazing hiking, endemic wildlife, and diving (especially shipwrecks). Only accessible by charter flight or boat—true off-grid adventure. Stay: Crusoe Island Lodge (eco-luxury), locals also offer homestays. Eat: Expect simple Chilean fare—fresh fish, goat cheese, and rustic island stews. Edisto Island, South Carolina Vibe: Southern charm meets coastal calm A quiet Lowcountry treasure—no chain restaurants, no crowds. Known for Loggerhead turtle nesting, live oaks, and moss-draped history. Visit Botany Bay Plantation, a surreal boneyard beach + historic preserve. Stay: The Club at Edisto (condos); VRBO beach houses are popular. Eat: Whaley’s (seafood shack charm), The SeaCow Eatery (Southern breakfast heaven). Ideal for kayaking, biking, beach combing, and pure unplugged peace. Each island gives you a different kind of escape—Holbox is trendy and photogenic, Little Corn is barefoot bohemian, Robinson Crusoe is an adventure novel come to life, and Edisto is southern soul with sea air. Take a listen to the show to hear how you can visit each one and make it your off the beaten path island adventure.
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
No reviews yet