10 Things We Learned From the D.C. Travel & Adventure Show

Ashlee Tuck

March 3, 2016

Last Saturday, I got up bright and early and met my WDFT partner-in-crime, Candice, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. After getting over the initial shock of being somewhere on a Saturday well before brunch hours, we set out to explore the DC Travel & Adventure Show. Here are the top ten things we learned from the experience (besides not showing up on an empty-stomach):

1. Using a travel agent can actually save money and get you a great deal. We learned from Cathy Cusuma of @Cruisitude that booking through an agent and with a group, you could get a free room.

2. Patricia Shultz, author of 1000 Places To See Before You Die has been to at least 80% of the destinations in her book, and encourages you to venture outside of the usual all-inclusive Punta Cana vacation (no shade).

3. Belizeans are awesome! They had the most to offer at their booth and were pretty generous about it. We tasted their rum, fudge and jelly; they even gifted us a little bottle of the rum to take home. We need more of Belize in the District.

4. D.C. is apparently proud of its buses. The show featured a state-of-the-art Metrobus for patrons to tour.

5. Each country or region of the world is represented at the show. If you were specifically looking to book a trip to South Africa, you had at least five reps to speak with about comparing prices and scoring great deals.

6. If you’re looking for a food and wine tour, Italy is an amazing option; however, make sure you’re touring the southern part for the BEST food and drink (according to Italians).

7. When booking travel tours, if you can, book in a small group. When eating in local restaurants, you’ll more than likely be able to find a smaller, more authentic and intimate restaurant.

8. Only 30% of Americans have a passport, which they don’t even use frequently. Get your stamps up, people!

9. Whenever possible, travel during off peak times, even if it means pulling your children out of school, so you can get a cheaper rate. Avoid holiday travel if you can.

10. Use travel tech such as apps, not only to help you plan your trip, but to use as a guide while you’re exploring.

BONUS: Get to the travel show early to avoid crowds and get first dibs on any samples or freebies being given out.

The next stops on the Travel & Adventure show tour this year include San Francisco (March 5-6, 2016) and Philadelphia (March 19-20, 2016). For more information and tickets, visit www.Travelshows.com.

- Nyasha Chikowore

Ashlee Tuck

February 28, 2016

Africa

Photo Essay: Robben Island

Ashlee Tuck

February 28, 2016

Africa

Robben Island is most famously known for housing the prison where Nelson Mandela served 18 of his 27 years behind bars. If you're like me, when you hear this and think of Robben Island, you imagine a cold and gray fortress sitting atop a hill with nothing around it for miles, much like California's Alcatraz. However, when I visited Robben Island, I was surprised to learn that my imagination had led me astray. After setting sail from the V&A Waterfront for about 50 minutes, we packed in tour buses that gave each group a brief synopsis of the island's history.

Dutch for "Seal Island," the island has had many uses over the years including housing a Dutch prison, a place to quarantine lepers from Cape Town, a British Navy base and most famously, a place to house political prisoners in the 1960's through 1990's. The island has its own vegetation, landscape, and wildlife that includes springboks, turtles, and penguins. Employees of the island still reside there.

I learned many things I didn't know during my visit to Robben Island, especially about the other important South African political activists who also served time there. We were even able to hear directly from a former prisoner who now serves as a tour guide. He explained some of the conditions they lived in, what it was like to be a prisoner with Nelson Mandela, and how they stuck together as a band of brothers to make it through those difficult times.

I don't want to comment on my thoughts and feelings because I think the significance of visiting Robben Island will mean something different to everyone. So I thought the best way to showcase my visit was through a photo essay. You're able to see the island, its facilities and the amazing view across the water to Cape Town.

Robert Sobukwe House. Even after he was released, they made him stay on this island and built him his own house because they believe he posed a threat to South Africa.