Broadcaster and Travel Pro, Ja'Vonne Harley Launches New Show

Traveling Culturati (kəlCHəˈrädē)

People who travel in search of an immersive and cultural experience.






This week, broadcaster and travel pro, Ja'Vonne launched her new show on H.U.R. Voices, "Traveling Culturati". In addition to delivering the latest in travel news and tips for the business and leisure traveler with her signature feature "Ja'Vonne's Travel Minute", the new show features segments designed to give the listeners a more immersive experience:

What new?

• "The Culture Report"; Ja'Vonne takes you to a new culture each week, where you'll discover more about an individual, a place or even an object that's significant to that culture.
• Ja'Vonne Investigates: There are a lot of travel-related questions that you probably have, but might not know the answer to. No problem. Turn it over to the travel pro. She'll find it for you.
• Recurring Guests: Do you find it challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling? You're not alone. Tune in to hear from healthcare professional and fellow travel culturati Yalanda Comeaux, who will periodically join Ja'Vonne in the studio. Fellow travel professional Morell Howard will also be a frequent guest on the show, providing a deeper dive into travel topics that traveling culturati want to know about.
• Be a part of the show! Ja'Vonne invites listeners to share their experiences, cultures or travel styles.

Tune in as we take off on this new and cultural adventure!

H.U.R. Voices Sirius XM Channel 141. Saturdays at noon ET, with encore shows Mondays at 6 p.m. ET, Wednesdays at 0 a.m. ET and Thursdays at 8 a.m. ET 

TRIP OF A LIFETIME

In a recent issue of Travel & Leisure there was an article titled "A Trip of A Lifetime". I love the very first line. "What is it that elevates a humble vacation to that romantic, lofty-sounding thing, a trip of a lifetime?"

It got me thinking that too often we romanticize the notion of a trip of a lifetime and will often let it not happen or slip away into wishful thinking. We wait and wait until we can get it just right with all the bells and whistles until it becomes a regret. A trip of a lifetime that never happened.

Reading the article and the destinations T&L listed as a trip of a lifetime made me realize what wonderful trips I've taken. I've been to many on their list and it took me on a trip down memory lane. You see sometimes that trip of a lifetime unfolds before your very eyes. It happens without you even knowing. I thought about each destination and what I remembered most about my trip. Often, it was an experience with other people, be it from the group or a local, it was tasting something, enjoying a moment of solitude or something that took me out of my comfort zone.

On my recent trip to Zimbabwe, one of our group members walked with lions and before you knew we had all signed up for it.  It was definitely something I will forever remember and cherish. To not only pose and take pictures with lions but to walk alongside them.

Another experience I always look forward to whenever I go on safari in Africa is to have a local beer at the outdoor bar or restaurant in the middle of the afternoon and look out into wilderness to watch nature and be present in nature. It's something I like to do alone and it's a quiet meditative time for me.  I was able to do this in Zimbabwe on my recent trip. The outdoor bar at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is perched high above the plains and perfectly positioned before a watering hole that draws animals. I spotted warthogs, elephants, hyenas, vultures and other animals I can't remember, pay it a visit.

What I took from the article and what I'm saying to you is to go, go anywhere, explore your wanderlust and don't plan a "trip of a lifetime", have a "trip of a lifetime"

Yours truly,

Ja'Vonne

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page" St. Augustine.

HISTORY AT THE MUSEUM

Let's start with history is fun! This week on our show we explored major events in the US and followed them to museums that tell the story. Here they are:

The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. On April 15, 1865 the president was shot in the back of the head while at the Ford Theatre. You can find the full life story of Abraham Lincoln at his museum in Springfield, IL

• Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. This museum is the epitome of "history is fun". There are holographic images, audio that depict the feeling of the people during campaigning and a modern day take with modern day journalist and media covering the campaign.
• Visit www.alplm.org for the official site and www.lincolnlibraryandmuseum.com for a more visitor-friendly site.

The Civil War: Fought between the Northern and Southern states between 1861 - 1865. The War Between The States, as it was called was due to 11 Southern States succeeding from the union in 1860 and 1861 in an effort to hold on to slavery and forming their own country The Confederate States of America. The Confederate States of America lost the war in 1865 and slavery was abolished.

• Museums
• The Civil War Museum in Kenosha, WI, Visit www.kenosha.org/wp-civilwar
• Rosehill Cemetary and Civil War Museum in Chicago, www.civilwar.org 
• Missouri Civil War Museum in St. Louis, MO, www.mcwm.org
• DuSable Museum in Chicago, IL, www.dusablemuseum.org
• Confederate Memorial Hall Museum in New Orleans, LA, www.confederatemuseum.com
• African American Civil War Museum in Washington, DC, www.afroamcivilwar.org

Civil Rights Movement: After the Supreme Courts 1954 decision to strike down the "separate but equal" doctrine and state-sanctioned discrimination African Americans began a non-violent movement for equality on several fronts that would continue for more than a decade.

• Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, www.civilrightsmuseum.org
• Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, AL,  www.alabama360.com/rosaparks/tw_rosaparks
• www.visitmontgomery.com for other Civil Rights locations, museums and memorials

Apollo 11: July 20, 1969 America landed on the moon with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin becoming the first humans to land on the moon.

• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, www.airandspace.si.edu, you can not only see and get the history of Apollo 11 but all of air and space history. Again, history is fun!

9/11: On September 11, 2001 U.S. commercial airlines planes were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Centers in New York city and the Pentagon in Washington, DC as a terrorist act against America.

• 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York, NY www.911memorial.org/museum

The Alamo: For more than 300 years the Alamo was fought over and instrumental in the formation of Texas and American History, from the French, to the Spaniards, the Mexicans who gained their independence from Spain and the Americans, who finally won the battle and thereby winning the Alamo.

• The Alamo Museum in San Antonio, TX, www.thealamo.org

Ellis Island: The place where a great deal of Americans can trace their heritage to their first family member who came to America. In 1982 President Ronald Regan together with Lee Iacocca started a restoration project to reestablish the Ellis Island Museum. The efforts were more than successful raising more than $600 million dollars, opening ahead of schedule and not needing or getting financial aid from the US Government.

• Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York, NY, www.libertyellisfoundation.org

Another fantastic museum that allows you to experience major events that occurred around the world through the eyes of media is the Newseum located in Washington, DC. www.newseum.org

History is Fun!

Ja'Vonne

BEWARE OF THE PHONY WEB SITE

One of the worst travelers nightmares is to arrive at a hotel only to discover you don't have a reservation.

I'm not talking about a computer glitch or a mistake, I'm talking about a fake reservation from a phony site.

These sites are displayed in search engines as advertisements, sometimes appear to be the hotel or related to the hotel. These are rogue sites with the intent to steal travelers' money. These sites will often appear as the hotel name or a similar variation.

It's estimated that 2.5 million false bookings occur each year costing the hotel industry and the consumer millions of dollars. The hotel industry works hard to shut them down only to have them resurface under a new name.

To avoid getting caught with a fake booking:

• Book directly with the hotel and make sure it says "official site"
• Use an airline or familiar OTA (Online Travel Agency) site.
• Call the hotel in advance to verify your reservation.
• Only pay with a credit card that will protect your purchases

Ja'Vonne

MAKE YOUR HOTEL ROOM YOUR GYM

Staying fit while you travel is often a task. Some hotels don’t have a gym, some charge for the gym and other times it’s just difficult to get the time to go to the gym.

Bring your workout to your hotel room.  All you need is you and a routine.

I’ve learned a quick and effective workout you can do in your room. Starting with one-minute jumping jacks. Using the timer on your cell phone, do as many jumping jacks as you can in one minute.

Next do a full Sun Salutation Sequence. I like the one I've linked here. Just click it and follow along. These are nine core yoga moves that will give you a good stretch and toning. I also like to do the full Sun Saltation sequence before I go to bed.

I've also learned from a good friend and health and wellness expert Norma Rixter to use the furniture. A dresser can be

used to do push offs. I find they are easier than push ups and just as effective. Your chair can be used for dips and squats.

Your bed can be used in place of a ball to do easy sit ups and, of course, the floor is your playground!

Ja'Vonne

THE WEEKEND GETAWAY

The weekend getaway is a great way to rejuvenate. 48 hours of down time. A mini sabbatical if you will.

The best ones are just a drive away, 3 hours or less. After all you don’t have time to waste on transportation.

If you’re a city guy or gal like me go to a fab hotel in an urban oasis. If you’re a country guy or gal find a country hideaway, resort or retreat.

Workout clothes, a bathing suit, sunglasses, one outfit for the evening and your toiletries are all you need to pack the perfect weekend bag.

For rejuvenation - disconnect electronically, make sure the hotel has a day spa, is near a park or path for long walks and has full service. Bring your favorite music, books or e-reader and reconnect with yourself.

48 hours is all you need and the weekend getaway could be just the ticket for a new you!

Ja'Vonne

THE INTROVERTS GUIDE TO TRAVEL

There are different travel personalities and an introvert is one of them.This is someone who is comfortable with limited social interaction.

Proper planning can assure that the introvert and their travel companion will have a fantastic travel experience. Starting with the person you might travel with.

• Have a discussion and vet their travel personality so there are no surprises or harsh feelings.
• Opt for single rooms rather than sharing a room.
• Limit your social interactions to half days and spend the other half to yourself.
• Plan activities that you can do together but still have some alone time like a spa day or go to a museum where you can both explore on your own.
• Do a self-guided tour instead of a group tour.

Introverts like social situations but not as much as the average person and certainly not as much as an extrovert so pick and choose when these moments are right for you and be honest with the person you’re traveling with so they won’t think your distance is a reflection on them.

Happy Travels

Ja'Vonne