Travel Pin Maps!

Our own travel pin map

What, you don’t have a pin map? Well, let’s fix that…

If you love travel, keeping a travel pin map is a great way to keep track of where you’ve been while also a fantastic decorating accent. We started ours years ago and even today it is a fantastic conversation piece.

Years ago we started getting requests from family and friends to make one for them. It became a favorite gift item and after a few dozen maps we decided we’d try selling them online.

We started selling on Etsy with a few world map color versions and added a United States map. We offered a selection of titles and provided personalization included (all our friends and relatives wanted theirs personalized). Within a couple of months sales took off and soon I was spending hours printing and shipping maps. A few dozen a week wasn’t going to make me rich but it was eating up a lot of my week. After about six months I shut it down because it was just too much work…

After a lot of prodding we’ve decided to put in some more time exploring our travel pin maps again. After talking to a number of friends about the process and discussing options we’ve started developing a plan.

This time we’re using a do-it-yourself approach and if you follow our steps you’ll have a decorating accent to be proud of!

Making Your Custom Travel Pin Map

Here’s how to create your very own custom 16×20″ pin map for under US$50 in five simple steps:

  • Get our pin map at Etsy HERE
  • Print it up to 16×20″ At Walmart or Office Depot
  • Pick out a standard 16×20 frame
  • Remove glass in frame and back up with a sheet of foam board
  • Get a set of map push pins

Do It Yourself  Instructions For Our Travel Pin Map

Download Our Map And Make It Your Own

Customizing Your Map

Microsoft

Microsoft offers several software tools and services that can be used for annotating our JPG map file that include:

Our files are formatted in a 4:5 ratio that will produce prints from 4×5” through 16×20” and are provided in an open jpg file format that can be customized using many standard applications in computers using MS, Apple and Google operating systems by following the steps outlined here.

• Microsoft Paint: A basic image editing program included with Windows that allows users to add simple annotations such as text, lines, and shapes to images.

• Microsoft Office Picture Manager: A more advanced image editing program that comes with Microsoft Office and provides more features for annotating images, including the ability to add captions, watermarks, and other effects.

• Microsoft OneNote: A digital note-taking application that allows users to insert and annotate images, including JPG files.

• Microsoft SharePoint: A cloud-based collaboration platform that allows users to store, share, and annotate images, in JPG files.

Apple Macintosh

Using the Preview application:

• Open the JPG image in Preview.

• Click the “Markup Toolbar” button in the toolbar.

• Select the annotation tool you want to use, such as the “Text” tool, “Shape” tool, or “Arrow” tool.

• Click and drag on the image to create your annotation.

• Adjust the properties of the annotation, such as font, color, and size, using the options in the Markup Toolbar.

• Save the finished file for printing.

Google Operating Systems

With a Google computer using Google Cloud, This system offers a comprehensive platform for image annotation. It provides a suite of tools and services that enable users to annotate JPG images efficiently and accurately providing powerful image editing tools that facilitate the annotation process. Users can easily draw bounding boxes around objects, add polygons, or even create 3D annotations. These tools ensure precise and consistent annotation, which is essential for high-quality machine learning models.

Printing Your Map

If you have access to a printer that can print to a sheet size of 13×19 you can print your map yourself at either 11×14 (standard frame size) or use 13×19 paper trimmed to 13×16.

Large prints can be ordered from a number of sites including Office Depot and Walmart. If you have a wide format (13×19) you can of course print it yourself.

Print yours with Walmart Custom Prints. The 16×20” print is the best format at under $14.00 and the order can be placed with your local Walmart online at the web page below.

Click Walmart Link HERE

Framing Your Map

Our maps when printed can be formatted to fit a 16×20” standard size frame, or 11×14”, 8.5×11” and 8×10”that are available nationwide from many stores like Michaels or Walmart as well as online. In order to convert the frame to a pin map all need to do is to remove the plastic or glass front, back up the map with a sheet of foam board and reassemble. See a good choice from Michaels HERE.

Pushpins

Hopefully you’ll be adding a lot of pins to your map and while you can find push pins in most office supply departments we recommend a smaller headed shorter pin made for that purpose and recommend Yalis Push Pins 600-count Map Tacks available from Amazon HERE.

Todays Image • There Will Always Be Paris!

In surveys about travel bucket lists Paris still reigns. Of all the world’s cities Paris has inspired more notable personalities to praise it than virtually any other…

“We will always have Paris” is one of the movies most memorable lines. Spoken by Rick (Humphrey Bogart) to Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) in the movie classic Casablanca.

“Paris is so very beautiful that it satisfies something in you that is always hungry in America.” — Ernest Hemingway

“The shopping, the food, the views! Paris is a city that entrances us all—and I’m no exception.” —Michael Kors

”Paris is always a good idea.” — Audrey Hepburn

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” — Ernest Hemingway

Join us as we explore historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities all set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually interesting.

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Todays Image • A French Steam Train

Mastrou, or Ardèche Train, on the Vivarais railway line is a metre gauge railway excursion line, over 20 miles long, connecting Lamastre and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, near Tournon-sur-Rhône. The steam train and engine, both listed Historic Monuments, offer a chance to explore the rugged canyon while experiencing a bygone steam era.

The Ardèche is a French department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France. It is named after the Ardèche River, known for its natural beauty, including the Gorges de l’Ardèche, a canyon carved by the river.

Join us as we explore historic treasures, natural wonders and amazing cities all set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually interesting.

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Port Of Call Honolulu, Hawaii

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head

Cruise Port Honolulu.

Honolulu is a frequent stop for cruise ships repositioning in the Pacific, cruises going out of the west coast of the U.S. and Canada as well as cruising the Hawaiian Islands. It is the largest city in the islands, the states Capital and gateway to Hawaii’s most developed island Oahu.

Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu with a number of areas to visit and sights to see. Nearby the cruise dock is Pearl Harbor with the museums and memorials and in the other direction is world famous Waikiki Beach with the hotels and shopping. This island and city are major tourist destinations and to get a feel for Oahu you need a number of days.

Where The Ships Dock

The cruise piers are located on the northwest side of Honolulu between Waikiki Beach and the International Airport. Cruise ships dock at either the Aloha Tower (pier 11) or Pier 2 about a quarter mile more to the south (primarily used by NCL for Hawaiian cruises). Aloha Tower is conveniently located not far from the downtown area and the Aloha Tower Marketplace. There are facilities located at the cruise terminal and you can walk out without much difficulty. “Downtown” with its shopping and “Waikiki Beach” are not the same location so if you want to visit this famous beach area you will need transportation.

Cruise Ship Piers Oahu
Transportation

For a short port visit we would recommend sharing a cab with others if you only want to go to Waikiki Beach. Local public transportation is with TheBus and the ride to the beach doesn’t take very long. If you want to use TheBus a 1-Day Pass is $5.50. Ask the bus operator for the 1-Day Pass before placing your money in the farebox. It’s valid 12:01 a.m. To 2:59 a.m. the next day, for up to 27 hours of unlimited rides..

Our preference to really see the island is to rent a car. Rates are usually very reasonable and since you are in the United States your insurance covers the rental car. Oahu is a pretty big island with 3 major highways (H-1, H-2 and H-3) and we would strongly suggest that you use GPS navigation or navigate by your phone. The street names are difficult to pronounce and remember and the roads tend to wind around.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Embarking/Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with in both locations. From the pier it is several miles into downtown.

Port City Characteristics – This port has a well developed wheelchair friendly infrastructure. The port area is flat or has few inclines. Intersection crosswalks have few issues with curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.

Currency

This is the 50th state and the US Dollar is currency. Most major credit cards are welcome and you will find plenty of ATM machines.

Transportation

The primary comment on the Waikiki Trolley is it’s way overpriced for what you get to see. Again “TheBUS” Day Pass is much less expensive and covers the same routes. To see more of the island you’ll need to rent a car and there are several rental agencies near the pier. A short taxi ride into the center of Waikiki Beach is also good investment. If it’s going to be a first trip don’t miss a visit to Pearl Harbor with the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri.

Attractions

In Honolulu there are almost too many attractions to count, from shows to an aquarium and zoo. The best view on the island requires a car for a drive up to Hawaii Puu Ualakaa State Park with an overlook above Honolulu on Mount Tantalus.

Pearl Harbor

A must visit is Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. It is a popular tourist destination and is visited by millions of people each year. It is a powerful reminder of the attack on Pearl Harbor with its Visitor Center and museum.

If you have the time and a car the North Shore with the surf at the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay, a number of great small towns to explore (look for the food trucks) and Waimea Falls Park are great destinations. There is also The Dole Plantation (don’t miss having a Dole Whip) in mid-island and a couple of beautiful gardens to check out. Above all is the ocean and the beaches and the reefs. Snorkeling and diving opportunities abound and depending on the season you can go out on a tour boat for whale watching.

Click above to download a pdf of this map

Todays Image • Evening In Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, an incredible city steeped in history and culture. The Vltava River is a prominent feature of the city’s landscape and plays a significant role in its history and culture. It divides the city into two main parts: the Old Town and the Lesser Town, which are connected by several bridges, including the famous Charles Bridge. The river is a popular place for recreation in Prague with weekends filled with boating and along the riverbank are numerous parks. The Vltava River is also lined with historical buildings, churches, and palaces, making it a popular destination.

Major Sites In Prague Include:

Prague Castle: This is the largest ancient castle in the world, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to the Czech crown jewels, and it offers stunning views of the city.
Charles Bridge: This is a beautiful bridge that crosses the Vltava River. It is lined with statues, and it is a great place to take a walk and enjoy the views.
Old Town Square: This is the main square in Prague, and it is home to many historical buildings, including the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock.
Jewish Quarter: This is a historic neighborhood that is home to many synagogues and other Jewish landmarks.
Vyšehrad: This is a hilltop park that offers stunning views of the city. It is also home to the Vyšehrad Castle, which is a popular tourist destination.

I’ve always thought that black and white photographs simplify images and draw you deeper into the actual image depicted. This forces us to pay special attention to the underlying composition and significance of the subject being presented. I recently visited a gallery showing of historic images that mostly were sepias that seemed to add an additional weight to the images displayed.

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The Port of Call Tenerife, Canary Islands

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

Santa Cruz de Tenerife: The capital city of Tenerife is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a rich history and culture and cruise ships dock in the center of town.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

West of southern Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean sits a cluster of volcanic islands called The Canaries. The Canary Islands feature a rugged volcanic landscape known for the black and white sand beaches. Tenerife, the largest island, is dominated by an active volcano Mt. Teide, which has its own astronomical observatory and is part of Teide National Park. Tenerife hosts a huge pre-Lent Carnival each year in the capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Where Your Ship Docks

Most cruise ships will dock at the piers in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. There are no cruise terminals or readily available public facilities at the pier. While docked in the city it is still a good walk to reach the central business district. At times there can be shuttles available to get out of the port area.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. The xxx pier disembarks right into downtown. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with in both locations.

Port City Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of European cities. The port area has good walking sidewalks to get out of the port. In town the city slopes up from the waterfront with some uneven sidewalk pavers and intersection crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.

Transportation

The island does have a good bus system (CLICK HERE) that uses a pass card, the Ten+ Travel Card. It can be used on most all bus routes. The plastic card itself can be purchased at various outlets around the island for €2 plus a €5 minimum charge amount. The island of Tenerife is a large island covering almost 100 square miles with a trip from one end to the other being about fifty miles.

Because of the distances that you need to cover to see the island on a short visit it’s recommended that you rent a car or take a tour.

Currency

The Canary Islands belong to Spain and are part of the EU making the local currency the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted but you will need to use the Euro for cash transactions. ATM machines are also common.

Attractions

African Market

Don’t miss an opportunity to just stroll the streets of Santa Cruz just a short walk up from the cruise docks. There are a number of good cafes and restaurants and shopping. There is also a city market called the African Market featuring its own restaurants, cafes, along with stalls of produce and crafts well worth a visit.

The Canary Islands are a favorite holiday destination for Europeans, particularly the British. It features a good selection of fine restaurants along with a thriving wine industry with a number of vineyards of note.

Because of the volcanic nature of the island there are a number of interesting sights focused on the geology. Visit the Cueva De Los Verdes, lava-formed tunnel which features guided tours. Also the Jameos del Agua, a volcanic cave system with dining & music that opens each day at 10 am.

Blessed with a near perfect climate, Tenerife has a number of good beaches like Playa de Amadores, a busy beach for swimming and sunbathing. There is also Palmitos Park, a botanic park with an aviary & dolphinarium or Siam Park a Thai-themed adventure water park.

Around The Island Of Tenerife

Mount Teide National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain and the third-tallest volcano in the world. Visitors can take a cable car to the summit for breathtaking views of the island.

Loro Parque: This world-renowned animal park is home to a diverse collection of animals, including parrots, dolphins, whales, and gorillas. Visitors can enjoy live shows and educational exhibits.

Siam Park: This water park is one of the largest in Europe and features a variety of thrilling rides, slides, and attractions. It is a great place to cool off on a hot day.

The “Tenerife, Canary Islands Black Jesus” refers to a venerated wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ located in the Basilica of Candelaria, in the town of Candelaria on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, Spain. The sculpture, known as the “Black Christ of Candelaria” or “Cristo Negro de Candelaria,” holds significant religious and cultural importance for the people of the Canary Islands and beyond.

Playa de las Américas (Pictured above): This popular resort town is known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and a wide range of shops and restaurants.