Anne Keery, Author at Travel Blue Book

About Anne Keery

Anne Keery dreams of traveling everywhere and anywhere. By the age of 21, she had lived independently in three different countries and has many stories to tell. She and her spouse plot weekend adventures while they pass the months between overseas trips. One day, she’s going to go to Antarctica. Until then, she writes at Unique Gifter, about all things gifts.

Visit the White and Blue of Santorini, Greece

December 15, 2015 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

When you think of Greece, what comes to mind? Likely not the comforting ache of muscles that have worked hard to take you up and down the little streets that waltz up and down and back and forth across the hillsides. No.

You probably think of glimmering, pure white buildings, reflecting the bright sun to a point of blinding, generously sprinkled by the hundreds along the cliff-like coast. The coast, where the brilliant blue water stretches away from the red and green cliffs, providing a home for sailboats and ships of all colors.

That is Santorini, Greece. [Read more…]

4 Must-Try Portland Food Carts

May 21, 2015 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

Portland, Oregon is home to a plethora of food carts, hundreds of them, in fact. Thanks to progressive regulations, the food cart scene has been able to flourish in Portland, unlike most major cities in North America.

Portland food carts can be found all over the city, primarily in groupings known as pods. Food Carts Portland produces a very convenient map and even has an app for iPhones and Androids that shows current locations!

With so many food cart choices, things can get a little bit overwhelming. Here are 5 must-try Portland food carts, to get a taste of the city. [Read more…]

Discovering Things to Do in Florence, Italy

September 8, 2014 By Anne Keery 3 Comments

By MarcusObal (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

When I was traveling in Europe, my friend and I liked to say “a steeple a day keeps the doctor away,” due to the great number of steeples available to climb and the large number of stairs in those steeples. We climbed them for the exercise, the architecture, and the fantastic views of the cities we were visiting. When you are looking for things to do in Florence, Italy, you will want to climb the 414 steps of Giotto’s Campanile, a part of the Florence Cathedral and home to seven bells.

Having taken a look at the city of Florence and fit in your exercise for the day, you could consider some of these other top things to do in Florence, Italy. [Read more…]

The Distillery District: Toronto, Ontario

September 4, 2014 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

The Distilliery District Toronto Ontario

By mark.watmough [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Tall red brick buildings, expansive red brick sidewalks, wood, brass, and green trim, these are the features of the Distillery District. Toronto once had a blight on itself in this neighborhood, but revitalization projects have led to the Distillery District being a trendy, urban part of town. [Read more…]

Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast

August 20, 2014 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

Green Turtle I, Sea Turtle Suite (Image courtesy of Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast)

One of the greatest draws of traveling is the different experiences that you gain. There are new and exciting things, different cultures, different people to meet, and things that are just plain different from what you are used to every day.

Different is what the Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast provides

In your quest for new and different experiences, have you sought out a floating place to sleep? The Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast offers up not one, not two, but three different vessels to call home for a night. While you stay there, safely docked in the historic Charleston Navy Yard, you can fall asleep to the calming rock of the ocean and awake to salty air and a view across the bay to the Boston skyline. [Read more…]

Rowley: The Town that Grows 3650 Percent

August 15, 2014 By Anne Keery 8 Comments

Rowley grain elevators, prior to restoration. (Photo Credit: By Kappakapa (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Rowley, Alberta is a ghost town. Today, there are eight residents who live “in-town” plus a few on the outskirts, across farmers’ fields. While there are only eight residents, including two kids, there are more than a dozen buildings that make up the little town. The locals have dolled them up and preserved them, including adding artifacts, plaques and in the case of the garage, completely tearing it down and rebuilding it in the same style.

There are manicured lawns, public washrooms, picnic tables and camping to be found. On the little main street, each building has a distinct name and purpose. However, looking past the building facades tells a different story. [Read more…]

Picnicking at Ten Spoon Winery

August 6, 2014 By Anne Keery 1 Comment

Ten Spoon Winery is a short ten minute drive up a canyon from downtown Missoula. The winery sits just off of Rattlesnake Drive, which leaves downtown as N. Van Buren Street and heads straight north. At one point, there is a sharp right turn to stay on the main road, however it is very clear which direction you ought to head! The winery pops up on the left hand side, as you are heading north, with a few dozen vines appearing first and a one way driveway shortly after.

Pulling off the road, you drive past the main building and have your choice of parking in a rather large gravel lot. If you are lucky, you will spy a songbird poking its head out from one of the several bird feeders along the fence line.

I hope you remembered to bring a picnic! [Read more…]

Free Camping Near Drumheller, Alberta

July 24, 2014 By Anne Keery 3 Comments

Drumheller, Alberta is home to dinosaurs, cute shops, art galleries and still more dinosaurs. If you are looking to go camping in the general area but feel the prices are a bit more than you can stomach, never fear! There is free camping near Drumheller and the town of Rowley will not disappoint.

Rowley is officially a ghost town, having once had a lot more residents than it currently does. Today, there are eight who call the one block town home – a huge spike up from the previous six which occurred when two little boys showed up! On the weekend, the old ball field turned camping ground has more residents than the town does. Located just on the edge of town, the old ball field is a gigantic grassy camp site. [Read more…]

Tips for Driving in St. Maarten

July 10, 2014 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: By M 93 via flickr and Creative Commons

Don’t take taxis, rent a car

Renting a car and driving in St. Maarten is a great and inexpensive way to see the island. Taxis in Sint Maarten are relatively expensive compared to renting your own car. A taxi trip to the other side of the island will set you back in the neighborhood of $40, with surcharges for luggage on top. Alternatively, a rental car will run you $30-40 per day and give you unlimited access to the island. Though there are larger vehicles, like Jeeps, available, most rental cars are tiny sub-compacts which fit on the narrow roads quite well. Additionally, they do not burn through very much gasoline, keeping your transportation costs minimal.

When you arrive in the airport, there are many rental car booths jostling for your attention, calling to you and offering to undercut each others’ prices. Negotiate for what you would like, especially if [Read more…]

First Friday in Missoula, MT

July 8, 2014 By Anne Keery 2 Comments

Photo Credit: By functoruser via flickr and Creative Commons

On the first Friday of the month, every single month, regardless of if it is January 1^st or not, the art galleries and shops in downtown Missoula, Montana are open. More than open, they are open late and celebrating!

Missoula’s First Friday is a decentralized event, with lots of different galleries, businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and retailers participating by featuring artists. Galleries change-up their features and coordinate show openings to fall on these evenings. Then, from 5 until 8 PM, or sometimes later, they are open. Different places have a variety of snacks, drinks and free wine on offer. You can sip on a drink while you wander through. Several galleries have musicians, from one person acts, to harpists, to multi-person bands. In June 2014, there was a wandering brass band downtown! [Read more…]