Photo by Gillian Marsh Photo by Gillian Marsh That moment that I got invited to go to Galapagos scuba diving by the live-aboard Galapagos Sky is solidly engrained in my mind. Honestly, I was ecstatic, scared, and overjoyed all at the same time. I had dreams of Galapagos scuba diving pretty much as soon as I was able to learn how to dive.
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. And if you are like me, and sometimes
Montana, one of the least populated states in the USA has wide open valleys and rising mountains that really give credit to the Big Sky State. As one of the most-lively and bustling cities in the wider tri-state area, Bozeman is a great place to visit. From the Montana State University to the Museum of the Rockies, plus the natural beauty of the state, the
I believe that Krakow is the #1 most underrated city in Europe. I won't go into the details of the lavender growing along the old city walls or the shapes of the trees that blow in the wind or even the cobblestone central square, but I do want to tell you about this unusual place found deep within its crevices: the Krakow Salt Mine. Krakow Salt
The Galapagos Islands are some of the most unique islands on the planet and it is no wonder that people want to visit these gorgeous lands owned by Ecuador. So many animal lovers and birders can’t wait to see the flood of animals that flock to this place. As I mentioned in my Galapagos Islands By Cruise: A Complete Guide article, many of these animals
Written by: Donnie Sexton With my first visit to the Galapagos Islands, I was anxious to experience first-hand what so many of my photographer friends rave about this unique destination off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos can be explored in two ways. Land-based trips start on one of four islands that offer accommodations, then you can hook up with local tour companies for day
The Islands of the Galapagos in Ecuador, South America are considered one of the top 10 bucket list items in the world. If you read as many travel articles as I do, you will see it listed over and over again. With its blue-green waters and white sandy beaches as well as the incredible variety of unique and endemic animals on the lands and sea,
With soaring mountaintops and unbridled natural beauty, Colorado is one of North America's finest territories. Heading southwest from Denver, the sleepy colonial town of Telluride, boasting some of the finest views in the San Juan Mountains, is a summer getaway like a dream. I’ve been to Telluride a few times myself, and from the gorgeous landscapes to the friendly locals, it’s got something to offer
What is a trip on Ecoventura's Letty Ship Like? Moist, breezy air flows thru my Michael Kors bathing suit cover-up made of an animal print design, as I squint my eyes looking at the sky on the yacht’s top deck. I am lying here trying to decide what to tell you first about what a wonderful adventure I went on for an entire week
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
Choo-Choo! All aboard the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train! For almost 30 years, the Rocky Mountaineer has been providing extraordinary services to those who want to take train travel to the next level. Those who travel on this train are a wide range in demographics; from singles, couples, retired, and families. Between the seasonally months from mid-April to mid-October, this luxury Canadian train will take you
One of the best-kept secrets in Venice used to be the island of Burano, maybe it is not so secret anymore. But it is definitely worth a visit, even if you just have 2 days in Venice it’s well worth visiting this colorful island! This island is best known for its rainbow-painted houses. Don't worry, once you get there, there is plenty to do
The beautiful countries of Georgia and Armenia are nestled in between the continents of Europe and Asia. And lying on the banks of the Kura River is Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi. This cobblestoned "Old Town" area reflects its complicated history as Georgia has been ruled under different global powers throughout its history. This is because of its location and proximity to the lucrative Silk
Santorini is just one of the Cyclades Islands in Greece that literally has everything I want in an island – hidden and blue-domed churches, stunning sunsets, volcanoes rising out of the Aegean Sea, cave houses you can stay in, and whitewashed stone buildings that dot the landscape. Know that your Santorini holidays will be one you'll remember for a very long time, as I still
A Safari Outfit to Pack Once I knew I was going on an African safari trip with a Tanzania itinerary, I started to evaluate my wardrobe and decided I really didn’t have the proper attire for such an adventurous trip. I did have clothes that I bought for my trip to Guyana down the Amazon River Basin, but still, I knew I need to add
As you guys know, I recently returned from a trip from North Lake Tahoe and will soon be going again for a ski trip there with my husband, so I wanted to write a complete list of what to pack for a ski trip (or snowboarder trip)! You not only need to remember to bring all of your ski or snowboard gear, but you also need to
When it comes to traveling, there are endless possibilities in the world. There are thousands of stunning landmarks to see and hundreds of countries to visit. I should know, I have been to 89 countries so far! Most of the modes of transportation to get from point A to point B are planes, trains, cars, boats, or even buses. On this trip across about one-quarter
There's this petite village - really a settlement, that lies just off the scenic road to Amalfi just above the coastline. It is called Furore, Italy. 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
Have you ever heard the words "Mitad del Mundo" or "middle of the world"? I hadn't either until I had a chance to visit the "Mitad del Mundo" right outside of Quito Ecuador. 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 all over
After my trip of a lifetime and luxury safari with Shadows of Africa and their school visits, tribe discovery, and all-day game drives, I was off to visit the Serengeti. The Serengeti is one of the seven Natural Wonders of Africa and is located in the northern part of Tanzania. It has a landmass of approximately 12,000 square miles, so there is a lot of
The Science Behind the Island The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 650 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. They are isolated from any other land formation or island group. About half the size of New Jersey, you may ask yourself, according to geographical size, why are there are more unique species in the Galapagos Islands than any other
I have always wanted to go on an African Safari, but for some reason, Africa has always escaped me. With all my travels, you would think I would have booked my Tanzania itinerary by now, but alas, it never happened. Every time I hear about someone's African itinerary, they always come back and say the same thing – “It was the best travel experience I
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
I’ve been just about everywhere, well not everywhere, but it is on my bucket list. Actually, it's not. I never set out to travel to all the countries and continents in the world, but I am glad that I have come this far. My last country count was 88 countries before Africa, and I have been to many countries multiple times. Before becoming a travel
If you have always had a penchant for travel like me, the chances are that you may have already done the slumming style of backpacking when you were younger. I never did, but you may have. I knew plenty of people in their early twenties who made their way to Mexico, Thailand, India, or Malaysia and ventured across different terrains, backpacking along the way. Hostels were
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
Aqaba, Jordan and the Red Sea Directions: Aqaba, Jordan A bit off the beaten path... We arrived into Amman at 10:45 pm at night. Damn Crazy Americans! By the time we made to the car rental place, it was almost 11:15 pm. The plan was to drive from Amman to Aqaba, a three-hour drive, in the middle of the night in the middle
How Cool is Oslo? It is Arctic Cool! It is totally cool! And it doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, it just has that flair about it that not all European capital cities do. Sure it is cooler in the winter, but the summer is grand as well! I love Oslo and here are a few reasons why: First of all, it
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer Dr. Cacinda Maloney’s exclusive guide to the Rocky Mountaineer Train features a wealth of insider tips for your trip on the famous Canadian Rockies train. It includes researching, planning, booking, and finally, embarking through Canada on the rail journey that dreams are made! Since Dr. Maloney is a Rocky Mountaineer Ambassador, she has seen and been on multiple trips and
A gorgeous place to visit for the perfect 72-hour itinerary is North Lake Tahoe in the USA. I had the fortunate opportunity to visit North Lake Tahoe recently and enjoyed my time there just before the winter weather had arrived. Some say the best time to visit North Lake Tahoe is during the spring, but honestly, I thought my timing was pretty perfect for engaging
Did you know you could charter the Adriatic Breeze, a luxury yacht that cruises the Croatian Islands? Where you will enjoy a luxurious cruise around Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline and experience the Adriatic Coast as you’ve never seen it before! You can even pick the Croatian itinerary that you want. This was my third visit to Croatia, and honestly, I had never seen Croatia as I
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.
When you think about road trips, you might imagine zooming along the highway with the windows down. The wind blowing in your hair and the sun is shining high in the sky. Road trips have and will always be one of the most popular getaways in the summertime. They’re cheap, adventurous, and cool, and the warm summer sun is the perfect backdrop for an adventure.
Overshadowed by its geological neighbors, Horseshoe Bend does not receive the attention it deserves as a nature lover’s dream. Less than two hours away is the magnificent Grand Canyon while just 15 minutes away is the world’s most famous slot canyon, Antelope Canyon. If you are in the area, don’t stop your visit to Arizona at these locations. Take a trip to Horseshoe Bend, the
Tanzania Safari: Seduced by the Serengeti When I sign on for the photo safari of the Serengeti in Tanzania with Popular Photographer's E Mentor Series, I picture myself a bit like Meryl Streep in the movie “Out of Africa”, dressed in khaki-colored safari clothing surveying those sweeping plains with lions and leopards roaming in the tall tawny-colored grass. As it turns out, my impressions aren’t too
