This post has been updated after my recent return from Galapagos! Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed Back in my early days of writing as a traveler, I loved every second of my new adventures. My eyes were wide and my love for travel grew exponentially. Today, I laugh as I re-read old articles I had written, as I was such a novice. But that is
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
When we hear the word New York, our minds automatically think of the “Big Apple” or “New York City”. It is common for many people to forget that New York is actually a large state that has different regions and counties. Upstate NY has a lot of land area, but the population is relatively low compared to other parts of the state. When visiting Upstate
Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can be. The cold winter weather is finally stripped away and people can finally feel like life's alive in everything. Spring is a great time to take a vacation to Europe and visit wonderful places. There are plenty of festivals to go to and blooming flowers to see that you shouldn't miss out on a European
Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe and has a population of 81 million people. It shares borders with 9 European countries and has 16 states, each with their own constitution! Who knew it was that large? I certainly didn’t when I had a chance to visit Germany on my historic Germany tour. But I can say that I learned a lot about Germany on
From its world-class art museums to its floating flower markets, the city of Amsterdam is reinventing itself from its hedonistic side to now focusing on its rich artistic heritage. Culturally, it’s one of Europe’s most diverse and eclectic destinations. With its fascinating history that spans seven centuries, today it is a charming mix of shopping, museums, coffee houses, restaurants, and flower markets. I put together
The magnificent city of Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan, India. Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” due to the terracotta pink that was painted on the buildings. The pink color of the city was done as a makeover in 1876 to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales. In Indian culture, the color pink represents hospitality and one way
No visit to Germany is complete unless you get a chance to visit a few of its famous German Landmarks. Germany has such an abundance of age-old landmarks thanks to its rich history dating back more than two millenniums. I have created a list of must-see palaces, cathedrals, castles, ruins, medieval towns, walls, forests, bridges, and even a Christmas markets to visit. Being filled with a
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
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 is
There are so many things to love about Mexico. It is one of my favorite countries in the world to visit. I bring you ten popular Mexican destinations to visit in this article that you may not even know existed. Mexico has such a deep heart and soul that it wants to show you. It is also a diverse a country that is filled with friendly
From Berlin to Frankfurt, I made my way through Germany via train, planes, and automobiles! Why? So that I could get a chance to visit the gorgeous historical cities of Potsdam, Erfurt, Wurzburg, and Heidelberg and learn their historical significance, as well as experience their culture and food. I have traveled throughout Germany many times but had never made my way through this historic route
With more than 10 million international visitors per year, Taiwan is one of the best places to go to find incredible waterfalls, beautiful mountains, and sparkling rivers. If you are ready to get out of the big cities and look for nature to soothe your soul, then have I got a few places for you to visit in Taiwan. Outstanding Waterfalls That People Love in
Above photo by: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en People from around the world visit Germany for its historical significance, delicious food, and, of course, in late November and all of December for its Christmas Markets. The famous tradition of hosting Christmas Markets originated in Germany during the 14th century, so this country is inundated with wonderful Christmas Markets. I would say that almost every major city in Germany has
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
Isn’t it marvelous how food and drinks bring people together? How the locals want to share the way their grandparents taught them how to cook, how a certain style of cooking is popular in an area of the world, or even how a certain type of beverage is particularly well connected to the land and its people? How having the proper soil that produces that
Surely you have heard of the country of Jordan? You know, Indiana Jones, right? Raiders of the Lost Ark? Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? I don't know about you, but I grew up watching this series of movies. And of course, I daydreamed about going to some of
On my last night in Dubrovnik, I wanted to do something extraordinary for dinner to top off the fantastic vacation I was having with my husband in Croatia. He and I vacation together regularly, but honestly, this was the best trip we have taken together in a very long time. Authentic Culinary Experiences I remembered reading a National Geographic article about a family that cooks
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,
By Cacinda Maloney Berlin Graffiti I have a hard time with the city of Berlin and have expressed my views quite frequently, but that does not mean that I do not want to go back, in fact, I do. After looking over some photographs of Berlin Wall graffiti, I thought I would share a photo collage of this complex city. Just like people can be
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
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,
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
I recently visited Budapest, Hungary with Avalon Waterways to check out their new “Active and Discovery” excursion tours that are offered on their European River cruises. Since I have been on my share of European river cruises along the Rhine, Main, and the Danube, I was excited to try out their new style of excursions. One of my choices for a "Discovery" excursion was called
Positano, Italy is a gorgeous slice of Heaven, ok, I mean "beach town" in Italy along the Amalfi Coast. It is famous for its colorful buildings, excellent restaurants, and perfect location for honeymooners, and really anyone who wants to enjoy the Italian sun! With its winding roads that lead down to the sea, there are plenty of cafes, shops, and boutique hotels to stay at.
While it may sound creepy to visit a local cemetery while on vacation, but this cemetery is simply one NOT TO MISS when you visit the enchanting city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In fact, it is my number one recommendation of things to do when visiting Buenos Aires! Of course, there are so many things to see and do in Buenos Aires, but this is
Strasbourg, France The wind was whirling around as I stepped off the bus, cold air striking my cheeks causing me to take a deep breath. I buttoned up my jacket around my neck and tucked in my scarf. Even though it was freezing cold, it was a day I had looked forward to my whole adult life, as I had always dreamed
India is a unique place to visit and honestly, I never thought I would make it there. I think everyone should experience this country at least once in their lifetime. It is like going on a journey through your wildest imagination. India is a massive country that is home to more than a billion people with huge cultural wealth, diverse religions, and a history that
Buenos Aires - A Comprehensive Guide on What To Do! Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and currently home to more than 40 million people! It is also the capital of Argentina and known as the “Paris of South America!” I can honestly attest to that, as this city is absolutely gorgeous with its European-style buildings and architecture. It is as if you
I stepped onto the shores of the Normandy Beaches where I couldn't stop thinking about how World War II had finally ended in 1945. The end would have never happened if it was not for the bravery of the Allied Forces who landed on the beaches of Normandy in June of 1944, Codename Operation Overload. American, British, and Canadian soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for
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
✦ How to Plan An Adventure Trip to Bora Bora ✦ 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
