Mike Shubic

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Author: Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day nine

Mike Shubic July 31st, 2015 1 Comment

Tea is highly coveted in Hangzhou, from its cultivation, to the art of making the perfect cup. Today we enjoyed a tea ceremony at one of the most exclusive teahouses in all of Hangzhou, Hu Pan Ju (or Lakeside Teahouse). The Hu Pan Ju Teahouse is located right on the...

Five Interesting Facts about Utah

Mike Shubic July 31st, 2015 Comments Off

Utah is a land of contrasts—seasonally, geographically and geologically...making it a fantastic destination for year-round travel. The Wasatch Mountains run north to south through Northern and Central Utah and cradle 12 of Utah’s 14 ski resorts. The range is the backdrop to the Wasatch Front cities of Salt Lake, Ogden,...

Wyndham Grand in Hangzhou

Mike Shubic July 31st, 2015 Comments Off

When I arrived in Hangzhou, China for the start of the 2015 Hangzhou Global Tour, I was simply thrilled to be staying at the Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale. The Wyndham Grand properties are the finest and highest level within the Wyndham System. The lobby and the accommodations are best described...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day eight

Mike Shubic July 30th, 2015 Comments Off

Alibaba is one of the fastest growing technology companies in the world, and we learned they are based here in Hangzhou. We got an exclusive opportunity to visit the sprawling campus in the outskirts of town. The Alibaba headquarters is quite impressive, with building after building peppering the property, employing...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day seven

Mike Shubic July 29th, 2015 Comments Off

Tea is such an integral part of Chinese culture that it flows as abundantly as the waters of the Grand Canal. It is said that the hotter the tea, the more the person serving it likes you, because you’ll be forced to stay longer while it cools to a temperate...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day six

Mike Shubic July 29th, 2015 Comments Off

Silk has a deep history in China that dates back thousands of years. The alluring fabric is woven into the lives of the people of Hangzhou (both literally and figuratively). From the cultivation, processing to its use in so many applications, silk is highly coveted and valued. To illustrate this...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day five

Mike Shubic July 27th, 2015 6 Comments

It dawned on me the other day that one of the reasons West Lake in Hangzhou is so special is that it is an urban lake…an oasis right in the middle of a major city. I can think of only a few places I’ve been to where I can recall...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day four

Mike Shubic July 26th, 2015 Comments Off

My fourth day in Hangzhou started out with a very early morning walk around West Lake. On this day the light was perfect, accentuating the details of the scene and providing an opportunity to capture some lovely photos of the famed body of urban water. I was surprised by how...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day three

Mike Shubic July 25th, 2015 Comments Off

My third day in Hangzhou started off with a tour of a popular market where many merchants sell handcrafted items. One highlight included two gentleman pounding sesame seeds with large wooden mallets while humming a rhythmic tune in order to stay in sync with one another. The malleable form was...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day two

Mike Shubic July 24th, 2015 Comments Off

It was a whirlwind of a second day in Hangzhou that started with a steep and windy drive to the top of Yuhuang Mountain—there we visited a Taoist Temple and met with a very friendly monk who was eager to show us around and answer our deluge of questions. Our...

Hangzhou Global Tour: Day one

Mike Shubic July 23rd, 2015 5 Comments

For those of you who follow me regularly, you know that I was selected to participate in the 2015 Hangzhou, China Global Tour. Click here for earlier post. As I typically try and do during my trips, I will be posting to the "Road Diary" to keep my regular readers...

Random Facts about the Florida Keys

Mike Shubic July 17th, 2015 19 Comments

Just south of the Florida mainland lies the Florida Keys, a necklace of islands surrounded by emerald-green harbors, turquoise seas, nodding palms and olive-green mangroves. Since first settled in the early 1800s, the islands have been seasoned by the rich American and Cuban culture, sweetened by the unabashed romantic appeal...

Local Travel Blogger Wins RTW Trip

Mike Shubic July 14th, 2015 3 Comments

PHOENIX, ARIZ — Mike Shubic, publisher of the award-winning travel blog, MikesRoadTrip.com, adds to his accomplishments. Out of 10s of thousands of entries, Mike was selected to be the 2015 Hangzhou China Global Storyteller. Mike will set off for a round-the-world journey that begins in Hangzhou, China, following the Silk...

Fabulous Four Seasons in Scottsdale, AZ

Mike Shubic July 10th, 2015 Comments Off

It was way back in 1940 when cosmetics mogul Elizabeth Arden opened the doors to Maine Chance Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, which set the stage for the city east of Phoenix to become well-known for its high-end spas, resorts and retreats. The Maine Chance Spa was a sanctuary for local...

Random facts about Walla Walla, Washington

Mike Shubic July 10th, 2015 14 Comments

Walla Walla is the capital of Washington wine country and is home to more than 120 wineries. Located in the southeastern part of Washington state, Walla Walla is fast becoming nationally recognized for its culinary scene, thanks in part to the robust wine industry. The area also has an abundance...