Catapulting yourself to new places for a vacation is a great way to start the New Year. Winter seems to be slowly creeping away and going on a spring vacation to underrated places is just what you need. Forget about the same old boring places like Cancun, Hawaii, or Florida for a spring vacation. Instead, take yourself on a new adventure to places like Ruidoso,
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
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
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
There are so many interesting and fun things to do in Ecuador. This small coastal country offers travelers a wealth of outdoor adventures - you can explore the vibrant Amazonian rainforest, discover the rich wildlife of Galapagos Islands, or simply soak in the scenic views of the Andes. Since it’s filled with a wide array of wonders squeezed into one tiny country, narrowing a list
Get the Most Out of Local Products Ecuador is famous for its colorful indigenous markets. The most famous of them is in Otavalo, northwest of Quito. The Otavalo Market takes place every Saturday. The market has hundreds of stalls where locals sell their goods. This indigenous market is well known for weaving, thus selling scarves, hats, and sweaters. However, there are many indigenous markets in
An important part of any tourist experience visiting a new country for the very first time is the food. Guyana is one place where you can dive deep into the culture when searching for and tasting the local Guyanese food. In fact, in Guyana, the food appears to be a melting pot of age-old cultures, traditions, and flavors - many coming from Africa, Britain, the
In South America, there is a tiny sliver of a country nestled between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean known as the Republic of Chile. There are many legends as to why this country was named Chile including a derivation from the Mapuche word that means “where the land ends”. Others might think it has to do with Chilean food or the red chili. However,
Cuenca, Ecuador is a UNESCO World Heritage city and the charming, colonial capital city of Ecuador. Going there is like stepping back in time, to another world, quite different from my own world. But, "o what a world it is!" Filled with over 52 churches and picturesque views of the Cajas Mountains, it will charm you. Cuenca is the third-largest city in Ecuador and lies at around
I not only like to travel, but I love to travel. So imagine my surprise ,when even for me, I end up out of my comfort zone! Where on earth could this be? Where was I when I felt this was? It happened to be Montañita, Ecuador. It was just one of those places that made me feel a little uneasy. Montañita is a small
Well, there is a first time for everything. And on the agenda for this day that I was in Guayana was this: Pirana Fishing, it was staring me in the face, as I fumbled through the itinerary. I have been out of my comfort zone before, so here we go...Pirana fish are known to quickly devour any small morsel that falls into its muddy water
Let me be the first to admit that this travel experience was a little out of my comfort zone. But nonetheless, at a jungle lodge in Guyana is where the simple rugged life of the Amazon River Basin and South American Rainforest began for me. From the hustle and bustle of Georgetown, the capital city of Guyana, to the howling of the Guyanese Red Howler
A little-known gem hiding in the South American Rainforest is Kaieteur Falls. It ranks towards the top of the list for waterfalls around the world in a number of categories. It is the tallest single drop waterfall in the world at 741 feet. When combined with the steep cascades to the bedrock below, the total height of the waterfalls comes out to 822 feet. Although
What is it really like on an Ecoventura yacht in the Galapagos? Moist, breezy air flows thru my Michael Kors bathing suit cover-up made of an animal print design, as I am 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 an amazing adventure I went on for
Chile is one of the most unique countries in the world because of its shape and topography. Its long thin shape leads to many attributes that are not seen in most places of the world, including a diverse climate, from deserts in the northern region to glaciers in the south. Apart from the mainland, Chile also claims a few outlying islands including Easter Island and
South American food was one of my favorite types of food, especially Chilean food until I had a chance to try some delicious Ecuadorian food! Having a husband from Chile, I loved those handmade meat and cheese empanadas that are so easy to pack in a lunch or to eat by hand. Pastel de chocolo, a beef/meat corn pie is also one of my favorite meals. So
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 one of those small quaint towns. Getting there from Cuenca was easy, the bus crested a hill and rolled down into a lush
Eclipse Yacht, AdventureSmith Explorations, Photo by PointsandTravel.com The Galapagos Islands Holidays: 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
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 AdventureSmith Explorations, a small, intimate tour booking company that handles luxury accommodations on small ship expedition cruises, as well as wilderness adventures. And as they say
I wanted to let you guys know about some exciting news in my upcoming travels… I will be returning to a place that is near and dear to my heart this month, in fact, I leave in just a few days. I am thrilled to announce that I am returning to the Galapagos Islands. I went last year and I cannot tell you what an
Best Places to Visit in the World 2016 Written for Expedia By Dr. Cacinda Maloney “For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.” - Leonardo da Vinci As a world traveler, I am constantly asked: “Where are the best places to visit in the world?” I have
Maybe it is just an urban legend to spook tourist from visiting this tiny island in the center of Galapagos, far out in the Pacific Ocean. But from the look in the deckhand’s eyes, it was as real as if he saw her himself. The way his dark brown eyebrows raised up as he told me the story made even me believe him. He
Post Office Bay, Floreana, Galapagos By Cacinda Maloney Post Office Bay, Floreana, Galapagos - Literally hundreds of stories start and end right here at the Galapagos Post Office. Written by those who have experienced the Galapagos Islands, there is a tiny spot on Floreana Island, where since the 19th century, whalers have kept a wooden barrel for mail at Post Office Bay. This
Tropical Flower at Balsa Surf Camp, Montañita, Ecuador Tropical Flower at Balsa Surf Camp, Montañita, Ecuador So here I am, expecting a "hidden treasure" with "perfect waves" and "golden sand" and a "tropical paradise", taken directly from Wikipedia. I don't know who writes this wiki stuff, but we have different ideas about what paradise is!! Road to Montanita, Ecuador
Cultural Tourism: Quito, Ecuador Ecuador Tourism (Turismo) 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
By Cacinda Maloney Something about graffiti always catches my eye. I usually photograph it in almost every city I go to. Here is Graffiti #1 post and I am sure there will be many more to follow. Which is your favorite? Train station in Italy Cuenca, Ecuador Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, Spain
Sergio Castillo Sergio Castillo (13 May 1925 – 19 August 2010) You never really know who you will meet on your travels. Looking at him, I never would have dreamed that he had created such a mass amount of great work that was stunning and thought provoking. I loved the smoothness of his metal art pieces. The pieces were heavy, cool to the touch, and
I'm not sure what it is, but graffiti to me is interesting in non USA cities. In the US, it seems so destructive and a violation of personal property. But in other countries, for some reason, it almost seems like an art form. Like real art. Like the artist are struggling to get their fame. Here are some great graffiti photos I have taken:
Mainstream guidebooks don’t do Lima, Peru justice. It is a city that should be on every traveler's list, known as the City of Kings, or “Los Cuidad de los Reyes”. It extends outward from the rugged cliffs of the Pacific coastline with a mix of Spanish Colonial and the Peruvian Andes culture all rolled into one. The energy, as well as the historic sites, the
