The Galapagos Islands are home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. The islands are a hot spot for snorkeling and diving, as well as a premier destination for photographers intent on capturing the plethora of wildlife and birds that call these islands home. Individuals focused on underwater photography need underwater camera gear and the ability to snorkel and dive as part
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
If you ask me how I like to travel, I would say “solo.” As a photographer, I find it’s easier to wander alone and take my time to get exactly the right shot that I want. So on my third visit exploring Venice, I found a few of the best things to do in Venice, Italy. I was totally prepared to take in a day
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
Sometimes it’s a single photo that moves me to seek out a destination. When I came across a shot of Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against a setting sun in Fort Kochi, a city in the southern state of Kerala, India, I knew I needed to be there. I admit to having a love affair with India, so it was with boundless enthusiasm that I
It was very late into the wee hours of a rainy morning when my plane landed at the Jiangbei Airport near Chongqing, China. After gathering my luggage, I handed the non-English speaking taxi driver the address to Tongjing Hot Springs Resort. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say he had no idea where to go, then plugged the address into his GPS. Some 45
Photo by Donnie Sexton Hands down, the most spectacular event I’ve ever witnessed has to be the Carnival of Venice. I didn’t rent a costume or pay to attend any of the masquerade balls, but I had the time of my life wandering this historical city and being utterly bedazzled by the continual parade of costumed people there to celebrate the Venice Carnival.
I will admit to being slightly disappointed when we rounded a hill that overlooks Chefchaouen. I was expecting to see an entire city awash in blue, which this northern Moroccan town is renowned for. What I saw was a mix of blue and lots of white clustered together down in a valley. But by the time I left "Chaouen," as the locals call it, I
If you would have asked me a month ago what I know about Dutch food, I would have answered in 4 words...Black licorice!n Gouda cheese! Thankfully, my curiosity is always at peak levels, so when the opportunity came up to get the skinny on what’s cooking in this region with Eating Amsterdam Tours, I was all over that. This specific tour, the Jordaan Food and
It was a photo of some old buildings reflected in a canal labeled “China water town” that caught my eye on Pinterest. I did a bit of sleuthing on the web and found out there are eight ancient water towns about 1-2 hours from Shanghai. When a trip to Thailand was materializing for me, I decided on a stopover in Shanghai to check them out.
Chico Hot Springs, a quintessential Montana resort sits in Paradise Valley, midway between the historic railroad town of Livingston, Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Chico is flanked by the Absaroka Mountains to the south and the almighty Yellowstone River to the north which is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states. Not too far from Pray, Montana, the ambiance of Chico is a
Located in the northwest corner of Big Sky country, Whitefish sits along the Amtrak Empire Builder route, as well as being just 11 miles from Glacier International Airport. Whitefish is a “come as you are” town, where a pair of Carhartts with muck boots work just as well as designer label jeans and Gucci boots. The locals are a mix of cowboys, die-hard outdoor enthusiasts,
When I found myself with the better part of a day to explore the medieval city of Perugia, I stumbled across a Perugia food tour. It was offered by Via Del Vino Food & Wine Tours. This four-hour tour, created by Susan Guerra, seemed just the ticket for the perfect places to eat in Italy. Now I confess to not being a connoisseur of great
There are many reasons to pay a visit to Big Sky Resort in southwest Montana, but if you’re a champion of great food and wine, their Vine & Dine weekender is a must. This annual 4-day extravaganza takes place mid-August, bringing together sommeliers, winemakers, regional and celebrity chefs, live music by local bands and local producers of Montana grown products all under the shadow of
It was my good fortune to take a tour of the Lucchese Bootmaker facility in El Paso. You are probably thinking I would see how handcrafted boots are made from start to finish. And you are right. But I walked away from there with some insights into life that can be a meaningful byproduct of traveling. As these boots are made for walking. Read on
In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t be spending three nights at The Ranch at Rock Creek, located off the Pintler Veteran’s Memorial Scenic Highway 1 in southwest Montana. Don’t get me wrong, being treated like the most important person to ever walk through their front door and being delightfully pampered is out of this world. Problem is, I don’t want to leave. Not now. Not
I’m a collector of masks. On display in my home are over 30 masks carefully carted back as my treasures from visits to faraway lands. So naturally, heading to Venice, I was keen on picking up a few Venice masks to add to my collection. I timed my visit to be there during the last three days of the Carnival of Venice so as
Myanmar Burma Travelers to Myanmar are there to explore the thousands of pagodas and temples that characterize this country (formerly known as Burma). That’s a given. But not to be missed is the surreal watery world of Inle Lake, famous for its natural beauty, glassy waters, and inhabited by Inthas, the native lake-dwellers known as the Myanmar' Water Dwellers of Inle Lake. Photo by
"I'm going without expectations."- Donnie Sexton Photo by Donnie Sexton Myanmar Pagoda Photo That was my mantra when I stepped off the plane in Yangon, Myanmar. To be honest, I had googled a few images from this Southeast Asia destination to get a sense of what kind of photos I could come home with since I was traveling with a group of photographers
