How To Use Google Maps to Plan Trips

On a recent trip, I discovered the miraculous idea of using Google Maps to plan my route for my trips. I thought I should show you all how its done. It only takes a little research to know where you are going and a computer to create it.

The first step is to access Google Maps at maps.google.com. So, you click in the search bar to access the previous searches. You will notice at the bottom there is a link to "My Maps". Click it.

It will open onto a page that shows all of the maps you have created. Click the button to "Create New".

It will open to a screen that looks like the following:

The first thing to do is to search where you want to go. As I'm' writing this, my next trip is to Dublin and so I will create this map with that in mind.

It pulls up the magical city of Dublin, Ireland.

Then, you can edit the Map Title and Description. I'm creating this map for my trip around St. Patrick's Day. 

The next step is start marking landmarks. My first landmark is Temple Bar. This is a famous district in Dublin and will be a great place to go during St. Patrick's Day.

This little box pops up after I search for it. I click "Add to map".

Then, on the left side of the screen, a point is added to my "Untitled Layer". (You can name the layers by the way. I just didn't do it this time).

So there! You have a pin on a map. However, at a glance, I won't know what it is. So lets change the icon, shall we? Hover over the Name on the layer screen and you will see paint bucket button. Click it.

Then, another screen appears where you can change the color of the point, but I want to change the icon. So, I click the "More icons" button.

A whole list of icons appears. You can also add your own using the link at the bottom of the screen. I chose one in the shape of a martini glass as it is a bar. 

And now it is changed.

Next, I want to add my hotel. I search for it and click "Add to map".

Now I have two points on my map, but I want to change the hotel point as well.

I repeat the steps from above once more and choose a house shaped icon.

Now I have two points, but I need a little more.

Next, I searched for the Guinness Storehouse.

However, after creating the point, I want to add some information. I click the "Edit" button.

I added the link to the brewery, the address, and the contact number.

Now, anytime I need the information, it is just a click away.

Once you add all of the points, you have a very pretty map. The one below is the map I used for my London trip. I had all of the landmarks and some Harry Potter sightseeing as well.

I hope this helps you plan for you next trip.! Have a great day!

You may also be interested in:

Top Tips For Visiting Venice

Top Tips For Visiting Rome, Italy

European Hostel vs Hotel

Top Tips for Chile

Crazy Love: March 13, 2015

I don't think there is enough motivation in the world. Ok well, maybe there is, but I guess I mean, I don't spread enough motivation to the world. And so, every Friday, I am going to post an image that I find inspiring, motivating, wonderful, or even just down right cute (aka kitty/puppy picture). 

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I was once talking to someone about everything I achieved in my lifetime. I never really regarded it as amazing or inspiring because I did not believe at the time that I had overcome anything. I didn't become Valedictorian, solve world hunger, or win a Nobel Peace Prize. However, a lot has happened to me in the past ten years and I didn't even realize it until she responded with "WOW". I survived it all. I don't say that enough. I survived. Yes, I may have crumbled into a tiny ball some days and then on other days, I stood on the top of a mountain. The point is I was able to keep moving forward. You just have to remember that and you can overcome anything. 

Top Tips for Visiting Rome, Italy

Pantheon Rome, Italy

I recently went a trip with a couple of my co-workers to Italy. We went to Rome and Venice. Both were wonderful cities. But Rome was my favorite of the two. Here is a quick summary of what I did in Rome and some tips if you ever need to go there!

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

A Beautiful Ceiling in the Vatican Museum

School of Athens By Raphael, Vatican Museum

Sprial Stairs of Vatican Museum

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi Rome, Italy 

Colosseum

Me at the Colosseum

Tips

1) Watch out for how you say Grazie. It isn't "Gratzi". Its "Gratzia", but a soft, short "eh" sound. Pronunciation looks like "GRAHTS-YEH". That is the correct way to say "Thank you" in Italian. Follow it up with "Prego" for "Your Welcome".

2) You don't need an appointment to go to the Vatican Museum. They take walk-ins and you can walk at your own pace! There are plenty of signs and plaques to tell you about the artifacts, as well as audio tours. I wish I had gotten an audio tour. There is so much there to see and learn about.

3) They serve pizza every where! If you are wanting the best, you had better research before to find it. They all claim to be best and they are EVERYWHERE, kind of like the American Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts. There is one on every corner. 

4) If you are using the long-distance train to go somewhere in Italy, check prices for the trains that leave before and after the time your planned departure time. We ended up leaving Rome two hours earlier than planned and the price on the ticket was twice as much! We didn't want to pay that. However, we were already at the train station, so we had to buy the tickets.

5) Research the sites beforehand. A lot of famous sites that are not in a museum don't have very informative plaques or they are in Italian. I was walking around the Roman Ruins with so many questions.

6) In addition to researching the sites for facts, check if they are under construction. Almost everything had some part of the site under constructions because it was during low tourist season. I was able to get the construction out of most of the pictures, but unfortunately, two sites were completely down. The Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Here is what I saw at the Trevi Fountain:

Kind of disappointing right? The Trevi Fountain is my absolute favorite site in Rome. I was extremely upset seeing it this way. Oh well. That just means I'll have to go back again ;)

7) Watch out for pickpockets. Thankfully, none of us met one, but they are out there. Don't be flashing your money every where and they shouldn't bother you.

Notice Something New?

See anything new? I finally created my own blog design! It is very cute-sy, but I love it. I'm a big lover of  bright color. To design all of this, I had to do a lot of research. For any of my readers out there who are interested in DIY Design, I have added a tab that shows all of the links I used to create this blog design. I do not take credit for anything I used because I did not create it. I grabbed it from someone else's posts and tips. The people on that tab are super helpful. If you are trying to find something in particular, I recommend Pinterest and Google to find ideas. That is where I found most of the blogs in my DIY Blog Design tab. Go take a look.

Decorating with Your Graduation Attire

*Please note: this article has been imported from my previous blog, Organized Magnolia*

At college graduations, sometimes it makes sense to decorate your cap. And let me say, my parents new exactly where I was during my graduation ceremony. Even the graduates sitting next to me kept telling their parents "I'm next to the girl with the pink hat!".

After all of that hard work, I wanted to make sure the rest of the world got to see it. I found this shadowbox at Michael's, and now, I have this setup! I tossed my graduation cord in there too. So what do you think? It looks great next to my Grandfather's stitched Georgia Tech logo from when he was their in the fifties.

How To Create A Happiness Jar

I have made a promise to myself to become a happier person. To put aside my tendencies to be jealous, spiteful, and extremely sad. To start thinking about the happiness in my life, I have started a happiness jar. For 365 days, I will write a note about something that made me happy each and every day. Whether it is large, small, silly or personal, I vow to write a note each and every day about something that made me happy that day. Then on New Year's Eve, I will sit and go through every note to remember the good times.

I believe this will help me have a more positive attitude and just be positive about life. It gives me a moment to reflect about my day and find the happiness, even in the worst of days.

Have a happy day!