We loved Croatia! Let me say that again! We LOVED Croatia and I would go back in a heartbeat! No wonder it is the hottest destination for Europeans and Americans alike these days! After visiting Dubrovnik and Mostar, Bosnia, we made our way down to the stunning city of Split by rental car. Split lies in the central and southern part of Croatia and is
Let me introduce you to a corner of the world that daily transforms lives by delivering an emotional travel experience related to nature that you didn’t even know existed. Flanked by the Arabian Sea, Kerala, India has been known as a spice exporter to the world since 3000 BC! It is dotted with tea plantations, spice gardens, dense green forests, and mystic nature. And I
Can you imagine the influence that a river has on the people living along its path? As I left a classical concert in the Parliament Building in Vienna, I was humming to myself The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss. It is so crazy to think of the influences that a river can have on those living around it! And the famous river he wrote
Have you ever heard of the small Balkan country known as Bosnia & Herzegovina? I hadn't really either, as it wasn't even really on my bucket list! But while visiting Croatia, my husband and I decided to take a day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar. And we were certainly glad we did. Mostar is considered the cultural and economic capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Oh,
During my trip to Oaxaca City, Mexico, I had a chance to visit a petrified waterfall not too far from Oaxaca called Hierve el Agua in the state of Oaxaca. This waterfall in the small municipality of San Lorenzo Albarradas, about a 2-hour drive from Oaxaca City and a 6 -hour drive from Mexico City. The views of this natural infinity pool and petrified waterfall
Leaving the post-modern and futuristic city of Tokyo behind, one might feel the entire country would be paved with unique technologies and cyberpunk innovation, but heading north to the Tochigi region of Japan might also make you think you’ve entered a brand new country. It doesn’t take long to travel out of the city by train. You can head to Nikko Japan, located in the
Traveling to the most beautiful places in the world is a luxury that I believe most of my readers can afford. You may have seen places like Budapest and Vienna on television and thought, “How will I ever be able to visit these gorgeous cities?” But to be honest, once you are able to book a plane ticket, the rest of your trip can be
Ultimate Guide to Iguazu Falls Cascading down into the Iguazu River are the stunningly gorgeous Iguazu Falls between the border of Argentina and Brazil. These spectacular waterfalls are a UNESCO world heritage site and were originally inhabited by the Eldoradense people more than 10,000 years ago! Today this waterfall’s strength serves as a power source to both Argentina and Brazil. With more than 40 percent
Ahhh! Key West and the Florida Keys!! 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 are some of the most beautiful
French Polynesia is known to have a rich artistic culture and the Marquesas Islands group is no exception. The main island of Nuku Hiva houses some ancient, as well as modern, structures associated with a Polynesian culture that includes the famous tiki and even a moai statue. Everywhere you go on Nuku Hiva you can see large stone structures unlike anywhere else in French Polynesia.
When Travelocity heard I was taking a 24-Day Polynesian Crossing with Holland America they couldn't wait for me to write an article about scuba diving in French Polynesia. I couldn't wait to actually take the trip and scuba dive around French Polynesia with my college-aged son Diego. And truth be told, we had a blast! There is nothing quite like diving in this area of
Comprised of more than 160 islands, the Kingdom of Tonga is a stunning country to visit in the South Pacific. It is located about 500 miles south of Samoa and 500 southeast of Fiji, so somewhere in the middle of nowhere! At least 36 of the country’s islands are inhabited. I had a chance to visit Nuku 'alofa, Tonga on my Polynesian Crossing with the
Ruidoso New Mexico is a great escape for outdoor and adventure-filled vacations that not that many people know about outside of the state of New Mexico. This makes it more pristine and less crowded which makes Ruidoso an even more desirable place to visit! It is unique and an "off-the-beaten-path" for explorers, hikers, and nature lovers alike. Discovering it tucked away in the Sacramento Mountains
✦ Bora Bora Guide ✦ Spring and Summer vacations are right around the corner and the perfect time to get away to a sunny holiday. I think a vacation should include adventure, a lot of relaxation, some exploration, and a few fun and scheduled activities. Places like Savannah, New Orleans, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and the Caribbean are a few of the most common places for
Holland America is one of many cruise liners that make a global voyage every year anchoring in ports on every continent on Earth. Despite the fact that so many ocean liners make the same trek, I consider myself lucky to have done it with the Holland America Line. My Mom and I had the pleasure of hopping on the MS Maasdam in Auckland, New Zealand
Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, going "Wild on the Water!" As an American, I had never even heard of Schramberg, Germany much less any of the shenanigans going on during their famous Carnival river raft races. What on earth had I missed? Apparentlly people come from all over Europe just to see and experience such a fun carnival river raft race known as the Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race. Literally
Guide to celebrating Carnival in Schramberg, Germany 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
Vacationing in the splendid Riviera Maya in Mexico can be a dream come true for many people. Tourists and natives of Riviera Maya can soak up the sun, go swimming, scuba diving, and be snorkeling along the stunning blue waters of the area. There are also some amazing cenotoes (limestone underwater caves or caverns) to explore such as Kukulcan (typically a private scuba dive) and
Along the Southern 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. For instance, a visit to the city of Oaxaca, trying the local smoky
Polar Bear Pictures on a Photo Safari: Churchill, Manitoba, Canada I knew I could get some great polar bear pictures on my photo safari expedition. Gliding in on the charter plane near Churchill Manitoba, I was in for a treat of nature. The area was full of polar bears and beluga whales during its Arctic Summer in Canada's Great White North. With over 3,000 Beluga whales
Doha, Qatar is located within a tiny Arab nation that has unbelievable architecture, a huge expatriate population, and the highest per capita income in the world! As the smallest country in the Middle East, it has grown in population super fast over the last 40 years. Back then it was a desolate desert with virtually little going on other than a lonely Sheraton Grand Hotel
Walking the city streets and along the St. Lawrence River of old Quebec City, I felt as if I could hear the sounds of the past from the old shipping boats that came into the harbor. In fact, Old Quebec City was built upon the St. Lawrence River, where the French merchants brought in goods from far away lands. Along with the stunning visual surroundings,
Montego Bay is Jamaica's fourth largest city, located on the northwestern end of the island. Primarily a resort town, Montego Bay is home to many all-inclusive hotels and exclusive beaches. This often gives visitors a distorted view of the island's culture and its people. Beyond the resort's gates lies a pulsating city and a myriad of activities for just about every taste-- water activities, adventure
The Caribbean boasts some of the world's most beautiful waterfalls and lagoons, and I should know, as I have visited Kaieteur Falls in Guayana, Iguazu Falls in Argentina, Niagara Falls in Canada, a 100-foot waterfall in Costa Rica, Havasu Falls in Arizona, USA and even a petrified waterfall in Mexico called Hierve el Agua. I know a great waterfall when I see them! Many of
Pay a visit to this small Caribbean island and you will be sure to be amazed. St. Martin is a Caribbean island whose administrative bodies have split the sun-soaked area right down the middle. The northern side of the island is owned by the French and is called St.-Martin. Meanwhile, the southern side is Dutch owned and operated and officially known as Sint Maarten. This
Sometimes at night, I have these vivid dreams about whales. Many times I have wondered what the meaning is and why they flash through my unconscious mind. Some say that whales are symbols of strength, others say they are a sign of darkness or loss in our lives. For me, I am not sure what the meaning of the dreams about whales are, but I
Landing in Colombo, I had no idea what riches lie in front of me. Sri Lanka sounded to this American Girl like an exotic, far-off land. This trip for me was intriguing and mysterious all at the same time. Any country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites are always of interest to me, so I was ecstatic to learn I would take a visit to an ancient
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. I never
There's this petite village - really a settlement, that lies just off the scenic road to Amalfi just above the coastline. At one time, it was a fisherman's village, full of tiny boat houses that clung to the side of the mountain along the gorge. Many people admired the cluster of houses and the view overlooking the village, but no one stopped. This is how
On your next Caribbean vacation, hop on over to the petite island of St. Maarten or St. Martin, depending on which side you are on. It is also known as “The Friendly Island”. The famous explorer, Christopher Columbus, who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 made the discovery of St. Maarten in 1493 during his second voyage to the Americas. This island is named St.
There are a lot of different reasons that people like to travel. For some people, it’s all about relaxation and they’re never happier than when they’re lying on a beach, soaking up the sun and sipping on cocktails. Other people relish the chance to immerse themselves in a completely new culture and explore all of their customs or sample their cuisine. But one of the
Every year since I started this blog about world travel in 2012, I have written a travel year-end review showcasing world travel. I guess this year will be no different, although I do seem to get lazier and lazier about writing it and putting it off to the last minute! 2018 was a wonderful year of change, as I continued working with well-known travel brands
The Northern California peninsula known as the Monterey Peninsula is nothing short of spectacular and is home to the beautiful Monterey beach. With its stunning natural beauty, charming, tourist atmosphere and coastline, I am sure you can easily spend 3-4 days enjoying the outdoor activities and exploring the area. Trying to whittle my list down to 10 of the BEST things to do in Monterey CA
Puerto Vallarta beaches are among the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. This coastal city used to be a small fishing village and was transformed into a popular beach holiday destination in the 1960s when popular Hollywood celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton came for a visit. Today, the beaches in Puerto Vallarta are dotted with world-class hotels and resorts, although what attracts
Crowded in the back of a forest green jeep with the top down, I was hanging onto the metal bars of the truck. A slight breeze touched my face in the muggy weather when suddenly light droplets began to fall from the sky. Crouching down into the vinyl black seat below the metal racks, I covered my head, iPhone and DSLR camera with my scarf.
