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
There are many adorable small towns nestled in the foothills of the Azuay province near Cuenca, Ecuador. This area is the new hub for American retirees that I wrote about in my article "Should We Retire to Ecuador?" The picturesque town of Chordeleg is just one of those small quaint towns. Getting there from Cuenca was easy, the bus crested a hill and rolled down into a
The French Quarter I was with my girlfriend over on Royal Street in the French Quarter at the diamond store. She’s from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, so when I sent her a message I would be visiting New Orleans and that I was looking for the best things to do in New Orleans and luxury or boutique hotels in New Orleans, she immediately went to work and
New Orleans Jazz While in the French Quarter, I often heard this apocalyptic song being played by trumpeters in the streets. Since New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and blues, it might not be all that uncommon. Even a walk down Frenchmen Street will present you with swing, jazz, and blues music that is flowing from open-doored music saloons and bars. This is 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
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
Flea Markets in Southern France Somehow flea markets in Southern France seem to have all the flair! Pretty much the same as the French do when it comes to everything else, like food, language, and chic style. I ask myself, "How is this possible?" I have been to a few flea markets in my life, but I have never quite experienced such delight as
Barcelona Spain with its cosmopolitan feel, "old town" architecture, some of the best gastronomy around, and beachside bohemian vibe, how could any city get much better than this? Truly visitors love its Mediterranean climate, as it never really gets too hot or too cold (only muggy in June and July). Barcelona's old town is like a breath of fresh air as you walk the medieval
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
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
Cultural Tourism - Chichicastenango, Guatemala Chichicastenango is an indigenous village lying on the crest of the northern volcanoes in Guatemala. It is at an altitude of almost 2000 meters (6500 feet) and is especially busy during market days which are held every Thursday and Sunday. The market days are a hustle and bustle atmosphere, unlike anything I have ever experienced in all of my travels.
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
Santorini, Greece All over the islands of Greece, there are crisp white and sea foam blue churches, many only accessible by boat or private entrance. People say that there are over 300 churches on the more well-known islands of Santorini and Mykonos, depending on your sources. Santorini, Greece They seem to be everywhere I looked. I even heard there is
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
Cultural Tourism: Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Tourism Ecuador’s cultural attractions are beginning to get more attention these days than its pristine Galapagos Islands. They are well known for a segment of tourism known as Natural Tourism and do a great job at sustainable tourism as well. But it is high time for this country to continue to develop cultural activities and highlight the local
The Galapagos Islands are famous worldwide for the endemic Galapagos animals, in particular, their fascinating birds of origin, many found nowhere else in the world! I was enamored by the variety of birds I saw on this trip booked through a small, intimate tour booking company that handles luxury accommodations on small-ship expedition cruises, as well as wilderness adventures. And as they say "Birds of
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
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
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
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
