A hot air balloon safari taking you high over the plains of the Maasai Mara in Kenya is a bucket list adventure. You will see animals and the landscape at sunrise in a way you never would otherwise.
We're Michael & Therese
Award-winning Photographers & JournalistsWe are Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian, the husband-and-wife team behind the HI Travel Tales curtain – and, yes, despite travel’s occasional travails, we remain happily married and always look forward to the next trip together. We are veteran travel journalists and photographers — not Instagram bikini influencers (no one wants to see Michael in a bikini anyway!)
HI Travel Tales is dedicated to inspiring meaningful travel adventures around the world with a focus on immersive travel experiences. We discover the unexpected and extraordinary even in the most common of destinations. Our award-winning writing and photography guides travelers and non-travelers alike on a journey of discovery and wonder.
We love sharing stories from other travelers, too, and have a growing slate of wonderful contributors. We are also surrogate parents to a rather large and still growing family of stuffed animals who all have names and invariably fight over who gets to go on the next trip (Michael sometimes insists two go, hiding one in Therese’s carry-on.)
Featured in a podcast
Want to know what it’s like to work with your spouse – and stay married? Then listen in to two CoupleCo podcasts featuring Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian below.
U.S. States
Countries
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We’ve won a number of travel writing and photography awards along the way.
Recent Travel Posts
We are travelers. Always have been. We engage. We explore. We immerse ourselves everywhere we go. We are both uber-curious and enthusiastic about sharing our experiences. Here are a few of our latest travel stories.
Best vacation travel tips: Stay healthy, stress-free and safe
Traveling by airplane, train, car, or bus can be stressful, especially if plans must shift or change due to cancellations, delays, or illness. Our vacation travel tips will help you minimize the stress!
Packing for a safari: What not to forget on a safari packing list
Putting together a packing list for a safari in Africa starts months in advance. Here are a few expert tips to help you begin packing for a safari in Africa.
Palm Springs outdoor art scene – Palm Springs public art and art walks
While Palm Springs may be famous for its celebrity lifestyle and Hollywood elite residences, it is becoming even more famous for its public outdoor art and murals. The Palm Springs outdoor art scene, with art walks and publicly supported art, is alive and vibrant.
Packing tips for sustainable travel – be an eco-conscious traveler
For the sustainable traveler, being eco-conscious is a lifestyle that drives all day-to-day choices. And packing for a vacation is no exception. Here are some suggestions for what to pack, and what not to pack, to ensure that you’re traveling with environmental and cultural sensitivity top of mind.
Visit Camano Island Washington through the eyes of locals
Camano Island may be a stone’s throw from the mainland and just across the water from its sister island Whidbey, but when you visit Camano Island Washington, you will find a relaxed outdoorsy island feel.
Sea Mist Waterfront Inn: Camano Island B&B with a personal touch
Looking for a luxury bed-and-breakfast escape on Camano Island? Then look no further than the charming Sea Mist Waterfront Inn with amazing sunset water views that will set your bar high on what a relaxing getaway can be.
Photo Safari Tips: Make the most of your African photo safari
10 essential photo safari tips to ensure you get great photos on your African photo safari. It’s less about the camera than you may think.
Visit Winters: California wines, cuisine, and a side of adventure
You may not have heard of Winters, but you do need to visit Winters, located just 40 minutes from Sacramento. It’s a quaint farming town that will delight anyone interested in wine, world-class cuisine, and fun adventures such as hot air ballooning.
HI Travel Tales Guest Blogging Guidelines
How to submit a guest blogging pitch for HI Travel Tales. Be original. Be inspiring. Be authentic. Be professional. You must have your own website. Read this if you want to write for us. We’re very selective. Being up front, we don’t accept link exchanges or sponsored posts – period.
Solo road trip: How I fell in love with solo car travel
When the world came to a grinding halt in March 2020, the days began to melt one into the other. Until I discovered the joy of a solo road trip. This is the story of solo car travel as transformative travel and how it opened my mind and soul.
Why I Love Kenya – For 43 years I dreamed of returning
I fell in love with Kenya in 1978. It took me until 2021 to return. Despite the years between visits, it didn’t take long for me to remember why I love Kenya so much. Kenya still had much to teach me and so much love to give after all these years.
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