The anticipation was thick in the air when we arrived mid-morning for our very first peek deep into Germany’s Black Forest where Carnival comes alive! Not the Carnival you may be thinking of with drunkenness and bead-throwing like in New Orleans, but a traditional type that has been going for centuries in the forests of Germany. This carnival, deep in the Black Forest, is a
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico was named the "best city in the world" by the world-famous Condé Nast Travellers Magazine (2020) and Travel + Leisure (2017). This Mexican city sits in the eastern part of Guanajuato and is a part of the Bajio region. This fascinating city was founded in 1542 by Franciscan monk Fray Juan de San Miguel, hence the name of the city.
Have you ever thought about diving Cancun cenotes while in the Riviera Maya? The stunning Kukulkan Cenote is a 33 feet (10 meters) deep blue cavern that is part of the Chac Mool caving system in the Yucatan, Mexico. It is set in a jungle scenery with fresh and saltwater, lots of fossils, and even a few stalactites. Cancun Cenotes The main attraction though is
Like every big city, Buenos Aires has many popular tourist attractions that can be found on every website you read about the country of Argentina. Many times as tourists, we go to popular tourist attractions that are labeled “must-sees”. And so many times I have gone and come away feeling a bit misguided. This article is not to say you should visit La Boca, but
Caye Caulker is a minuscule little island off the coast of Belize. Roughly 3000 people live on this breathtaking island that sits off the Caribbean Sea. If you are one of those people who love to visit “off the beaten track” places, then I would recommend visiting Caye Caulker Belize. The island itself is less than 1 mile from east to west and 5 miles
The natural depth of a lake is a fascinating wonder that intrigues numerous people to learn more and to take time to visit some of the deepest lakes in the world. A lake is a large body of water that is surrounded by land. Lakes usually do not flow into rivers and are mostly made up of fresh water. Many of the deepest lakes of
Over the last few weeks, I was looking through and editing old photographs when I started thinking about our bucket list for families that I made. When I was in college, my friends and I used to watch a television show about these families that were traveling around the world. They were marking things off their family bucket list as they voted to do the
Founded in the 16th century, the small magical town of Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato is unique and charming. It is the perfect place to visit when staying near San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. This interesting town of Mineral de Pozos, or just Pozos as most people call it, is located roughly an hour's drive from San Miguel de Allende. When someone mentioned this place
If the prospect of running down narrow cobbled streets, being pushed and shoved by thousands of other participants, all whilst trying to avoid being trampled on by six crazed and angry bulls sound all too terrifying, then I have great news! You don’t have to travel all the way to the world-renowned Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, in the Basque region of Spain, and
Sint Maarten’s Dutch side, which is often misspelled as St Marteen is known for its casinos, jewelry-making, drinks made with guavaberry liquors (rum), and festive nightlife. The island’s French side is known for its stunning views, shopping, nude beaches, French Caribbean cuisine, and Loterie Farm. Let's visit both sides and I will tell you all about it! Things to do in St. Maarten! While the official name
Is Laos open to visitors and how has the coronavirus pandemic affected travel? Discover the entry restrictions for Laos and whether the borders are open. Is Laos Open for Travel? Brimming with old-world charm, Laos is the perfect destination for travelers looking to get off the beaten track. While other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand attract more visitors, Laos is relatively undiscovered by
Norway is absolutely beautiful and every traveler should include this country on their bucket list. With its snowy winters, interesting history, vibrant architecture, and wonderful people, the sheer beauty of this Nordic country is just too compelling to be ignored. And if that’s not enough to convince you, here’s my list of 16 amazing things to do in Norway during a Norway Winter. Norway Winter! I
Along the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico lies the beach community of Zipolite Playa or Playa Zipolite, depending on who you ask (Mexican or Gringo!) Both names are acceptable! This community is situated in the visually-stimulating state of Oaxaca, which, as you know, I can’t say enough about this region’s culturally rich charm, golden sandy beaches, and amazing beauty. I also had a chance to
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Amazon Prime Video! #ad Watch "The Pack" on Amazon Prime Video, November 20th! I have always thought that there was something indescribable about the relationship between me and my dog. Somehow, my dog just seems to understand me and I understand her. My dog’s name is… Coco Chanel Maloney and is a purebred Shiba Inu –
This year has been one like no other; the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic has been a time of extreme change for many people. Right now, everyone is beginning to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and the prospect of returning to everyday activities. As this looks more likely, many people are turning their attention to all the things that they want to do, places that they want
In the sleepy hills of Mexico lies one of the most gorgeous towns I have ever seen, San Miguel de Allende. This picturesque town is sure to give you all the “wow moments” of a big city, but with the pleasure of a small-town atmosphere. Don’t expect to find a fast-paced lifestyle in Saint Miguel, Mexico-- but rather a tranquil one. One that slowly evolves
I recently took a fascinating trip through Asia where Hong Kong was a stop. I was on a Holland America cruise ship’s “around the world” Asia Pacific Voyage. While on the ship, I would walk the deck on a regular basis. But what joy I found when I was able to step off the ship, step out of the concrete jungle of Hong Kong’s city
Road trips are slowly making their way to be the best type of vacation for 2020 since the COVID-19 pandemic. Think about it, it's much safer to travel in your own car than getting into a plane filled with strangers. Besides the safety part, a road trip is a fun adventure that allows you to visit numerous places in a short period of time. One
Ahhh! Key West and the Florida Keys islands!! Where else can you go on a "Classic American Road Trip" that has miles and miles of sunny beaches, acres of mangroves, amazing bridges with state parks scattered along the route, as well as sunsets that people stand around for and the best key lime pie in the world? The Florida Keys Islands are some of the
The Spanish Islands are known as some of the best places in the world for their natural wonders, their lavishness, and the rejuvenation they offer visitors. Travelers can now apply for the ETIAS Spain visa waiver which allows them to obtain travel authorizations online for visiting Spain. The ETIAS Spain visa waiver is sent to the travelers via email saving them a trip to the
Whistler in the Summer 13 Things to do! Over 3 million visitors flock to British Columbia’s resort town of Whistler each and every year to take advantage of the gorgeous landscapes. The dramatic snow-covered peaks, pine forests, beautiful lakes, and the charming town itself has long since been a popular Canadian vacation spot. But, although Whistler is considered by many to be one of Canada’s
This is Why Savannah Historic District is as Pretty as a Picture! Savannah's Historic District Located in Chatham County, Savannah is the oldest city in the state of Georgia. This revolutionary city was once a port city that saw its fair share of battles during the American Civil War. However, Savannah is a wonderful place to visit. Thanks to its relationship with art and design,
Hiking is a great pastime and I know many people who enjoy a day out in a state or national park. In fact, the state of Colorado has over forty state parks and thirteen National Forests in case you want to enjoy their fresh air by finding a great hiking trail. Recently I was in Denver, Colorado, and figured out that it is a great
Regarding the Pigeon Forge attractions & businesses mentioned in this blog, please check their respective websites for an update on their COVID-19 operational updates. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a vacation haven for children and adults, but in a sense, I can see that it has two faces. On one hand, since it is nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, it is a
Have you ever heard the words "Ecuador Mitad del Mundo" or "middle of the world in Ecuador"? I hadn't either until I had a chance to visit the "Mitad del Mundo" right outside of Quito. I had no idea there was an exact location where you could stand at the earth's midpoint - 0 degrees latitude, 0 minutes, 0 seconds in Ecuador! Apparently, people come from
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. This gorgeous little gem of a city in Mexico’s central highlands is known for its baroque-style of Spanish architecture and colonial buildings. Plus it has cobbled-stone streets, a thriving arts scene, and fascinating cultural festivals. Add to it an array of 84 churches and it seems quite perfect to me.
I am almost certain you have heard of Santorini and Mykonos – those famous Greek isles that everyone loves. I’ve written about both of them quite extensively and absolutely love these charming Greek islands. But these islands can sometimes feel like “a tourist island” if you catch them during a cruise ship in port. They can get a bit crowded, especially during peak season. So
The United States has several National Parks, forests, and monuments to visit including two of the most visited National Parks in Montana, which are Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. I have been to both and they are both quite spectacular with a backdrop of small mountain ranges that are a part of the Rocky Mountains. Montana prides itself on being the perfect place
Pulpit Rock, better known to Norwegians as Preikestolen in Norway is a steep cliff that rises almost 2000 feet above Lysefjorden with a flat top viewing platform. It was formed by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. I am sure you will recognize it by its famous photographs. Preikestolen attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, which makes it one of the main
Raja Ampat, Indonesia Floating up to the stunningly gorgeous jetty at the Raja Ampat Dive Resort on Waigeo Island in West Papua Indonesia, I knew I was in for a special treat. Waigeo Island is the largest of the four main islands of the Raja Ampat Island archipelago. This was THAT kind of place, the epitome of a remote, exotic beach vacation. Raja Ampat is
Desert Night Camps - Feynan Ecolodge The Feynan Ecolodge is not just another place to stay while in Jordan. It is actually an experience. Somehow placed in the middle of nowhere in Jordan, the Feynan Ecolodge offers you a stay you won't forget. Here is my account of getting there and taking part in a Bedouin experience before making it to the Lodge... We were
From volcanoes and endless beaches to rainforests, jungles, national parks, and awe-inspiring wildlife, Costa Rica really does seem to have it all. So you can imagine when I heard about a 110-foot rappel down the gorgeous King Louie Waterfall in the Osa Peninsula near where I was staying! Even though I was actually going to a yoga retreat for a bit of relaxation, I knew
Dry Tortugas National Park, you have heard of it, right? Right? Well, that's ok, as there are a huge number of Americans that have never heard of it. But if there is one thing I know about the Dry Tortugas National Park and that is that it is an absolute water paradise. It is like being in the Caribbean, only you are still in the
Since I finally put pen to paper and wrote up an extensive Ultimate Bucket List for Families, I thought, why not add in one for the teens in the family as well? When I googled “bucket list for teens”, I didn’t find very many ideas. So to make it even more specific, I decided to make a summer bucket list for teens, as that is
Going on a road trip is sure to be memorable for everyone involved. It is a great way to discover familiar places either with a large group of people or just a few. While most road trips are taken with the intent of visiting family and friends, many choose road trips for vacation purposes. If I am being completely honest, the best part about a
