Over the years, we’ve traveled millions of miles around the globe. And we’re still traveling. In our Destinations section, you will find stories and resources written exclusively from our personal experiences. And in every story, our award-winning photography is certain to inspire your travel dreams. If like us you seek off-the-beaten-track destinations and more meaningful experiences, we’ll help you discover the unexpected and extraordinary wherever you go.
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Over the years, we’ve traveled millions of miles around the globe. And we’re still traveling. In our Destinations section, you will find stories and resources written exclusively from our personal experiences. And in every story, our award-winning photography is certain to inspire your travel dreams. If like us you seek off-the-beaten-track destinations and more meaningful experiences, we’ll help you discover the unexpected and extraordinary wherever you go.
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Stollen 1930 in Kufstein, Austria, boasts one of the largest collections of gins in the world, deep inside an historic cave carved into the rocks beneath the fortress walls. It’s a remarkable place to visit, even for those who don’t love or even like gin.
The Deutschlandmuseum Berlin is like no other museum we have ever experienced. You get 2000 years of German history presented interactively and educationally as 12 epochs. You leave feeling as if you’ve truly lived the history.
Dresden Germany prides itself on its Christmas markets, holiday cheer, bright lights, and festive spirit. And well it should as the Striezelmarkt is thought to be the oldest Christmas market in the world. These are eight of what we think are the best Dresden Christmas markets to help you plan your European Christmas market visits.
Wild horses of the Outer Banks of North Carolina can be seen near Corolla in the north or Shackleford Banks near Beaufort in the south. Enjoy this gallery of wild horse photos.
There are so many things to do in Dresden, a weekend is hardly enough. Food, wine, river views, art galleries, WWII history, and architecture, Dresden should be a must-visit for anyone traveling to Germany.
Staying at Grindelwald First Mountain Inn in Switzerland feels a bit like staying in your own private chalet, one with spectacular views of the Eiger.
Funiculars are cable mountain railways, originally built to help people get up and down steep slopes. Find out more about some of the world’s best funiculars in this guide.
For two weeks, I was a citizen scientist in Kenya with Biosphere Expeditions. Being a citizen scientist is not for everyone. It is not a wildlife safari. But the experience will change you and likely become remembered as an adventure of a lifetime.
Looking for the best place to stay in Mendocino? Take a look at our guide to the Northern California coast. We help you get to know Mendocino County’s 90 miles of coastline and 20 towns that offer a huge variety of climates, personality, and travel experiences so you end up in the best place to stay.
Whoever thought an oft-overlooked city like Basel Switzerland could be jammed with so much jaw-dropping modern architecture? Angles, curves, crazy lines, modernist, and art nouveau, the styles are all-encompassing and will not leave architecture fans visiting Basel wanting.
Raleigh, North Carolina, is known as the “Smithsonian of the South,” a nod to its proliferation of museums celebrating art, culture, and history. Get a taste of its history and museums as well as its art on a walking tour of downtown Raleigh.
Elk Cove Inn & Spa in Mendocino is a lovely bed and breakfast where the sounds of Pacific Ocean waves lull you to sleep at night, and the innkeeper awakens you in the morning with a knock and a sumptuous breakfast tray left at the door.
Little did I know that a last-minute trip to Kyiv and Ukraine in early 2020 would be followed by a pandemic and then a horrific war, effectively closing the borders of the country I hoped to return to. View photos of this beautiful Ukrainian city – Kyiv before the war.
A day at Jungfraujoch and the Top of Europe is an unrivaled adventure. Take in sweeping Alpine vistas after traveling there on the new, super fast Eiger Express gondola and the old, quaint 110-year-old cogwheel train.
Ride custom-built electric railbikes along historic railway tracks deep into the heart of a Mendocino redwood forest on the Skunk Train’s Railbikes on the Noyo experience.
Cary, North Carolina, offers a small-town vibe with all the benefits of a big city – culture, arts, entertainment, world-class restaurants, amid acres upon acres of greenways. Its proximity to Raleigh and RDU International Airport makes Cary a perfect stopover for any traveler.
Historic Hotel Au Violon in Basel offers a French twist on a centrally located bed and breakfast. Once a monastery, then a prison, this superb old town Basel hotel invites you stay in a remodeled former cell.
Just a skip southeast of Raleigh, the things to do in Johnston County North Carolina are numerous. Tour Civil War history, visit local farms, learn about native daughter Ava Gardner, explore local woods and parks, or just hang out and relax. And don’t forget the delicious barbecue, red hot dogs, and whiskey.
Basel is a very bike-friendly city. We took an e-bike tour through forests, along rivers, on city roads and bike paths, and in and out of three countries. Plan your own Basel bike tour in Switzerland’s three-country triangle.
Christmas markets in Germany offer warmth and good cheer during the holiday season. Dreaming of visiting some of the best Christmas markets in Germany on a winter holiday? Here are a few of the top ones to add to your travel list.
The Inn at Newport Ranch is a special Mendocino destination. A luxury boutique hotel on the Northern California coastline, the inn is perfect for anyone seeking a natural sanctuary, a personal paradise, and a sustainable coastal escape.
Germany’s capital city of Berlin is not lacking in high places for great views of the Berlin skyline. 17 places top our ultimate list of scenic Berlin views for you to enjoy.
When it comes to Christmas in Berlin, there are dozens of Christmas markets – so many that it can be difficult to choose the best Christmas markets in Berlin. Here are our top picks to experience among the best Berlin Christmas markets.
The Eiger is an iconic mountain to climbers, artists, writers, musicians, and hikers. The Eiger Express, Jungfraujoch, and the Eiger Trail each provide travelers a unique way to experience the Eiger from many sides without having to be an alpinist.
Consistently ranked as a top place to live and work, Raleigh exudes a Southern charm topped with a cool factor and infused with culture, arts, diversity, and openness. When it comes to Southern cities, you should visit Raleigh now.
Built in 1899, Hotel Rochat in Basel manages to maintain its historic charm while catering to the needs of a modern traveler with air conditioning and supremely comfortable rooms all walkable to so many Basel sights.
Racing along Interstate 95 in North Carolina, you cut right through Johnston County, southeast of Raleigh. This is not just a gas and bathroom stop: Get ready for award-winning BBQ, one awesome local distillery and, yes, the home of North Carolina’s famous red hot dogs.
Perhaps the most famous of the wild horse herds, the Corolla wild horses number approximately 100 and can be seen on a wild horse tour into the 8,000-acre sanctuary protecting them north of Corolla in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Tucked into the glorious Jungfrau mountains, the fourth-generation family-run Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald rises from the center of town to offer the best views in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Casual luxury and refined cuisine are tended by a superbly trained staff and meticulous hands-on owners.
The Outer Banks barrier islands off the mainland of North Carolina remain a dangerous sliver of land for seafarers. These five historic lighthouses have guided ships safely for 150-200 years. Get inspired with these photos for your own lighthouse tour.
Descendants of horses cast off from Spanish galleons, the wild horses of Shackleford Banks can be seen running in the surf, wandering through the trees of a maritime forest, or grazing with the Cape Lookout Lighthouse as a backdrop.
A former Civil War-era mansion has been recast as the Heights House Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in the historic Boylan Heights neighborhood overlooking downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.
Grindelwald-First, above the town of Grindelwald in the Swiss Alps Jungfrau region, offers a taste of adventure for everyone — you don’t have to be a climber or paraglider to enjoy it all.
Imagine staying up all night going in and out of any number of Berlin museums. When the annual Long Night of Museums in Berlin rolled around, we joined in the fun — wandering through museums until 2 a.m. It is a great way to explore some of the best Berlin museums.
Potsdam Palace Night lets you stay out late with your friends in Park Sanssouci enjoying artists, illuminations, food, and drink – sans curfew – just fun in the dark at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are plenty of things to do and see in New Bern, North Carolina, which should not come as a surprise since the city’s tagline is “We’ve spent over 300 years preparing for your visit.”
New Bern, North Carolina, is a darling city worthy of a stopover to experience small town charm on the Neuse River. We’d recommend you stay at the luxurious Benjamin Ellis House, a spectacular historic inn that gives travelers comfortable, centrally located lodging for a walkable visit.
Traveling through Nevada there are a lot of very weird things to see, do and experience. It is a weird state that touts its weirdness with pride. Discover weird Nevada with me as I show you a few odd things you too will want to discover.
When you visit California’s capital city of Sacramento consider staying at the Hyatt Centric, a superbly located upscale boutique hotel that shows off the building’s history.
The Berlin TV Tower’s distinctive needle and giant sphere is visible throughout Berlin, and it is still the tallest building in Germany. From the panoramic floor or restaurant inside the sphere high above Berlin, visitors enjoy some of the best views in Berlin.
Foodies on a California road trip don’t have to hunger for great eats along Highway 99. Stop into Modesto to discover a growing, creative, global scene for delicious food and drink in the Central Valley.
A one-hour historic sightseeing cruise along the Spree River is a perfect introduction to some of the most important historic sites and buildings in Berlin.
Travel around the world in under a day at Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg – the world’s largest model railway. Stride like Gulliver through an ever-expanding miniature world that includes Europe, the United States, and soon South America.
Yolo County wines are an insider secret, hidden in plain view just west of Sacramento in the California wine country. Discover a rural atmosphere and tasty, award-winning wines with a howdy kind of welcome.
The Danube cycle path from Regensburg, Germany to Vienna, Austria, is a very popular and classic cycling route for a reason – mostly flat bike paths beside a very scenic section of the Danube River.
Nestling into the Henri Hotel in Hamburg, Germany, just feels warm and cozy. The Henri Hotel is truly one of the best boutique hotels in Hamburg – casual luxury with a touch of attitude and humor.
Take a Berlin gasometer tour to experience what could arguably be one of the best views of Berlin, sunrise to sunset. View a photo gallery and video of our gasometer tour to get a look at the adventure of a lifetime you could have. The 360-degree views of Berlin from the top of the gasometer are stunning, night or day.
Visiting Maine like a local means more than art galleries or brewery hopping. Head to coastlines, blueberry farms, and lighthouses while experiencing the tastes, smells and sounds of Maine.
The Hotel Boulderado has been a Boulder, Colorado centerpiece and landmark since 1909. Experience living history and modern amenities with a stay at this historic luxury Boulder hotel.
Don’t miss a side trip to Rhyolite ghost town in Nevada on a road trip that takes in Death Valley National Park. No tourist haven, just an authentic decaying ghost town. Visit the spooky Goldwell Open Air Museum with its otherworldly sculptures.
Bath Maine has an authentic heart and soul, from a cute downtown to a working waterfront – plus the amazing Middle Street Inn, a small Bath Maine inn that is intimate, charming, serene, and oh so friendly.
A truly dark sky can bring out the brilliance of the stars, moon, and Milky Way. But you must get out of urban areas to find dark skies for breathtaking stargazing. Find the best places with our guide to Dark Sky tourism.
When you visit Modesto, you need to jump in your car and really cruise Modesto to understand the city’s wealth of agriculture, adventure, history, and food. An audio tour provides a perfect guide to the highlights.
The Great Migration is considered the world’s largest migration of wildlife with over 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles moving from Tanzania to Kenya each year. Nearly 250,000 wildebeest die during the migration, many to drowning and crocodile attack.
For travelers heading to Kenya on a photo safari, getting a glimpse of the “Big Five” animals tops many photography bucket lists. Being able to photograph the Big Five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard – requires skill, timing and patience.
San Francisco’s InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel is a must-see in the city. Whether you stay in its historic luxury, take in views from the Top of The Mark sky bar, or just enjoy the Mark Hopkins’ history exhibits, travelers to San Francisco should make the trek to Nob Hill.
A visit to a Maasai Village in Kenya offers a unique insight into the Maasai culture and way of life, as well as providing fantastic photo opportunities. But you need to know what to expect and what the Maasai will expect of you.
The St Nikolai Kirche has been a part of the Hamburg skyline since the 12th century. In ruins since World War II, just its spire remains standing. The spire and restored crypt below serve as a haunting and moving memorial to the horror of war’s devastation.
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel offers affordable boutique luxury with amazing San Francisco views and location. Renovated in 2020, the historic Clift Hotel rates as a top hotel in San Francisco for comfort, ambiance, and service.
The beloved Christmas Garden Berlin, closed due to the pandemic in 2020, returned in 2021, for its magical, illuminated journey through the Botanical Garden Berlin. Enjoy a photo and video tour of the 2021 trail of lights and music.
Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a thrill any traveler to the California city by the bay can enjoy. A mostly bike flat ride along the water takes you across the iconic Golden Gate into Sausalito. Hop the Blue & Gold Ferry back into San Francisco after your bike tour.
Captain Nickel’s Inn had fallen into disrepair until mother and daughter innkeepers arrived in 2019 to revive its former historic glory. Nestled on a sprawling six-acre waterfront parcel, Victorian charm and room to roam await guests at this historic Maine inn.
Bike the Golden Gate Bridge with us! Ride with us as we pedal eBikes from Blazing Saddles bike rentals along San Francisco’s stunning waterfront, across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito, and take the Blue & Gold ferry back.
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.
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.
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. Our guide to the Palm Springs outdoor art scene details art walks and publicly supported art in a vibrant public art scene.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lighthouses are a key part of any visit to Maine, with 65 up and down the long coastline. Find out more about six of the best MidCoast Maine lighthouses in this photo tour as you plan your own visit, or just want to enjoy these Maine lighthouses from afar.
Picturesque Whidbey Island Washington offers a great getaway, either as a day trip from the bustle of Seattle or, even better, as a visit of several days to enjoy the restaurants, wineries, outdoor parks, and beaches. Visit Whidbey Island for a nearby “island escape.”
Hotel Winters in Yolo County, California, opened in 2019. It offers a taste of casual luxury in the small, charming farm town of Winters and is a perfect base for exploring nearby wineries, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
Flying in a hot air balloon over Yolo County in Winters, California with Yolo Ballooning Adventures is spectacular and fun. Finish off the sunrise balloon flight with a bubbly rosé at Turkovich Family Wines.
The perfect way to really experience and explore the San Francisco Waterfront — and the Presidio park — is on an electric bike or e-bike. Some of the best overlooks and views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen when biking the Presidio and the waterfront.
The Presidio of San Francisco was once a military base and is now a 1,500-acre urban park. The Presidio is now a major recreation destination with miles of hiking trails, bike routes, and numerous scenic overlooks. Crissy Field, Fort Point, Baker Beach and numerous historic buildings housing restaurants, businesses and museums make a visit to the Presidio a must.
When visiting San Francisco, go for historic charm in one of the best San Francisco boutique hotels. The Cornell Hotel de France is a centrally located gem of a Nob Hill Hotel that will transport you to France with its whimsical paintings and charming French décor.
One of the very best views in San Francisco can only be had from the deck of a sailboat. Jump on an Adventure Cat sunset sail to see the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Pier 39 remains one of the top San Francisco attractions, from the barking sea lions on a back dock to family-run restaurants with some of the best San Francisco waterfront views. Step into a number of the Pier 39 restaurants and enjoy excellent dining with an unbeatable sunset view.
Everyone loves sunflowers. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty and adoration in the Western world. In China, they symbolize long life and good fortune. To Native Americans the sunflower represents harvest and bounty. Enjoy a gallery of our best sunflower photos and fun sunflower facts.
Yolo County has some of the best sunflower fields in California – and early summer is the best time to see Yolo County sunflowers. Our viewing and experiencing guide will help you respectfully enjoy these sunflower fields on a summer tour.
Riding historic train tracks on a railbiking adventure with River Fox Railbikes near Sacramento, California. Pairs of riders pedal two-seat, motor-assisted railbikes along relatively flat railroad tracks.
POPOS may sound like a funny name for something you’d munch on during happy hour, but that is so wrong. POPOS stands for “Privately Owned Public Open Spaces,” a.k.a. San Francisco secret gardens, urban parks, and city open spaces. Whether you as a traveler call them POPOS, secret gardens, or rooftop parks, they are ideal respites and secluded open spaces when wandering and touring cities for anyone who just needs to rest weary feet or simply take in the surroundings or do a little people-watching – for free, and often in a really pleasant venue.
California’s desert mecca of Palm Springs is a modernism architecture lovers delight. Be it during its annual Modernism Week or on your own modernist architecture tours, you will not be disappointed by the sweeping, clean lines of Palm Springs modernism buildings.
The SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm provides an ideal Mendocino coast escape. Located a short stroll from Van Damme State Park and Beach, and only a few minutes’ drive from historic Mendocino, the Inn and Farm bed and breakfast hotel impresses in every way.
After being freed from slavery, some former slaves went on to establish all-Black towns around the country. In California, the only “Freedmen’s Town” founded and governed by African Americans was Allensworth in the state’s Central Valley, now a California State Historic Park worth a visit.
The historic town of Oregon City, located near Oroville, California, was founded by Peter Burnett during the California gold rush in 1848. The infamous Burnett became the first governor of California.
A fun Northern California road trip stop in Oroville, just off Highway 70, east of Highway 99, is the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Oroville Dam.
The Hilton Palm Springs Resort is an ideal place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of The Vineyard Shopping Center, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and downtown Palm Springs.
Every two years, Desert X coordinates an outdoor art exhibit like none other. Huge, thought-provoking art statements dot the desert and cities around Greater Palm Springs in Coachella Valley, complementing all the other outdoor art in the area.
At the BMW Performance Driving School in Thermal, California, anyone can get behind the wheel of a high-performance BMW and drive faster than ever imagined, all under the watchful eyes and guidance of a professional race car driver.
The Coastal Maine area may be only a tiny slice of a small state but the things to do in MidCoast Maine could fill a book. From getting outdoors to eating lobster or slurping ice cream, and visiting historic lighthouses, all the typical Maine activities await you.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg is a hidden and magical destination located on the California Mendocino coast. World-class rhododendrons draw many visitors, as does birding, whale watching, and peaceful garden trails.
There is nothing quite like a Mendocino Coast road trip in Northern California. Think picturesque villages, stunning coastline, deep redwood forests, outdoor adventure galore, gourmet food, amazing wineries, lots of history and plenty of art galleries.
Expanses of almond orchards blooming in Modesto make for the perfect California road trip in the Central Valley. Time it just right on a February-March almond blossom cruise for a sensory overload of white and pink almond blossoms, buzzing bees, and the most intoxicating scent you can imagine.
No road trip to Mendocino County is complete without sipping a few of the best Anderson Valley wines. From casual newcomers to expansive long timers, here are a few down-to-earth Anderson Valley wineries you must visit on your next California road trip.
Tucked onto a bluff overlooking Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California, the Noyo Harbor Inn offers a secluded escape with a surprisingly accessible location along Highway 1.
Venturing to the southernmost continent of Antarctica is a bucket-list adventure for many with its endless ice, beautiful blue waters, and wildlife like penguins and whales. In March of 2018, we joined a Polar Latitudes expedition to Antarctica and have assembled here a collection of some of our favorite Antarctica photos shared on Instagram.
Virginia City, Nevada, was the site of the richest silver strike in the world in 1859. Today, Virginia City still looks much like it did during its rough-and-tumble mining beginnings. We’ll guide you on a perfect 24 hours in Virginia City adventure itinerary with saloons and Cemetery Gin included of course.
Located just south of Reno in the Carson Valley, and tucked up against the Eastern Sierra Nevada on US 395 in Nevada, historic Genoa is worth even a brief stopover. Dating back to 1850, the quaint village promises history, hikes and great food and drinks.
An historic Gold Country California hotel, the Holbrooke Hotel has been the grande dame on Main Street for nearly 170 years. After a meticulous renovation, the Grass Valley hotel now exudes simple elegance with its historic charm for a truly top-notch experience.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Mendocino County, California, the historic Little River Inn has 65 rooms, and features a spa, a health club and a restaurant on site. People stay here for the views and keep coming back because of the hospitality.
A Noyo River kayak tour with Liquid Fusion Kayaks is a slow-paced 1½-hour easy kayak tour designed for all ages and abilities. Expect to see river otters, sea lions, seals, osprey, loons and a host of other wildlife, not to mention enjoy a peaceful outing on the water.
Oak Alley Plantation is an historic plantation country site that sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in Louisiana along the Great River Road. It is owned and operated by the Oak Alley Foundation. The plantation is named for the 28 oak trees that form a magnificent alley up to the main entrance of the estate.
If Mendocino is on your Northern California road trip itinerary, then who could ask for a better place to stay than the Brewery Gulch Inn. Arguably one of the best Mendocino hotels with an ocean view, Brewery Gulch Inn offers simple, casual elegance, in a peaceful setting.
On a Skunk Train Railbikes on Pudding Creek adventure, pairs of riders pedal a two-seat, motor-assisted railbike along historic railroad tracks beside Pudding Creek and up into majestic redwood groves. The roundtrip railbike tours depart from the Skunk Train depot in Fort Bragg, Calif.
If you want a luxurious, yet laid-back hotel in Boothbay Harbor Maine, then head straight to historic, romantic Topside Inn. Set at the highest point in town, you also get great ocean views from your deck, the lawn, or your window on your visit to Boothbay Harbor.
What does apocalypse look like? To see what Chernobyl looks like today, I visited the Chernobyl disaster zone in early 2020, nearly 34 years after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine exploded. The disaster forced tens of thousands to leave their homes, many more to perish from radiation exposure, and countless others to suffer from disease.
Houmas House estate is a New Orleans area attraction located in Louisiana’s River Parishes. Once one of the biggest and richest plantations in Louisiana’s plantation country, it’s now a destination for lovers of architecture, gardens and fine dining, as well as an entertainment venue.
In California Gold Country you can follow in the footsteps of Gold Rush pioneers, try your hand at gold panning, enjoy cute little towns, get outdoors, and eat at amazing restaurants. We’ll help you plan a road trip to Grass Valley, Nevada City, Placer County, Auburn, and Placerville.
Explore MidCoast Maine on a coastal Maine road trip. Sit in a classic Adirondack chair and enjoy coastal breezes, eat fresh lobster while taking in ocean views, visit with local craftsmen, and explore back roads winding through quaint Maine towns. Our MidCoast Maine travel planner will help you organize your vacation.
Explore New Orleans Plantation Country along the Great River Road following the Mississippi River. Discover wild bayous, vast plantation gardens, luxurious antebellum mansions, stories of folklore and slavery, and innumerable culinary delights. Plantation Country will delight.
Your search for a cozy centrally located Maine hotel can stop with The Bradley Inn. Located a couple of minutes from the scenic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, The Bradley Inn offers comfy rooms on a family-run garden oasis, as well as great Maine food at its MidCoast Maine location.
For the best Maine souvenirs or travel gifts think Maine Made products. You can find them across the state, from art and food, to woodworking and décor. Check out the authentic wind bells we love, gifts made by Maine State prisoners, and more.
Rich in culture, diverse in its people, and steeped in tradition, there are so many things to do in Jefferson Parish. And its only minutes away from New Orleans. Think swamps and bayous to quaint historic districts, a trendy art scene, and contemporary restaurants. Jefferson Parish is the quiet neighbor to the Big Easy, one you definitely want to meet.
Looking for a great MidCoast Maine waterfront hotel? We’d recommend the Craignair Inn on the Maine coast, ideally located on the St. George peninsula, historic, cozy, secluded and yet so close to great sights.
The goal at Whitney Plantation Museum in Plantation Country near New Orleans is “to tell the truth.” Whitney is the only plantation that actually tells the true story of slavery and focuses on the lives of the enslaved rather than the lives of the rich owners or a shared tale.
Located along Highway 99 in the Central Valley, Fresno doesn’t immediately grab you as a place worth spending much more than a night. But appearances can be deceiving. There are quite a few historical, cultural and culinary gems waiting to be explored in California’s fifth-largest city. Read on to know what to do in Fresno.
Traveling to tour the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is on a lot of travel bucket lists these days. That’s where the nuclear plant exploded in 1986. I had the chance to visit Kyiv and the Chernobyl area in Ukraine on a winter photography trip.
The Icefields Parkway, linking Banff and Jasper in the Western Canada’s Rocky Mountains, is considered one of the most scenic highways in the world. Here are 10 things not to miss as the road passes by glaciers, icefields, rivers, lakes and waterfalls.
The Mauthausen Memorial in Austria offers a sobering look at Nazi terror during World War II. The former Mauthausen concentration camp, located not far from the Danube River, was one of the Nazis most notorious camps. It is estimated that of the 190,000 prisoners held at Mauthausen during the seven years the camp operated, at least 90,000 died.
Whether served hot in the winter or cold in summer, this Ukrainian-style ginger tea recipe with lemon, mint and cloves is sure to make you smile. Subscriber Club members can download the ginger tea recipe for free.
In the last days of World War II, the Battle of the Seelow Heights to the east of Berlin was a bloody massacre. The small Seelow Heights museum and memorial features exhibits, artifacts, and graves documenting the Battle of Berlin and the tens of thousands of lives lost in just three days.
From exotic villas to ecolodges to family-owned boutique hotels, make sure your stay in Morocco will be nothing short of amazing with our pick of the best hotels in Morocco. If it makes our list of a top Morocco hotel, it is because we have stayed there and personally recommend it.
In the hills above Imlil, where there once were kasbah ruins, you find a grand mountain retreat called Kasbah du Toubkal hotel, carefully curated to maintain its historic flavor and local connection with an emphasis on sustainable operations. But Kasbah du Toubkal is much more than a glorious historic hotel on a hilltop. Read on to learn why you WILL want to stay here on your next Morocco visit.
Morocco is a country that fills your senses to overflowing. Morocco is a country that will get inside your soul. It is both exotic and gritty and that, in part, is the attraction. The best of our Morocco Instagram photos will help inspire your next visit, or fondly remember your last.
Ostannya Barykada restaurant, also known as the Last Barricade restaurant, is a hidden secret worth discovering in Kyiv. It is not just a restaurant with historic décor and astounding, creative, all-Ukrainian food and drink. Think of Ostannya Barykada as a gastronomic space in a museum that gives a huge bear hug to the essence of Ukraine.
The spectacular Adirondack Coast snugs up to the shore of Lake Champlain in New York. There is so much to do and see in the Adirondack Coast you could spend months here and not experience it all. But don’t fret. I’ve put together a best of the Adirondack Coast sampler for you.
Berlin is endlessly fascinating and remains one of our favorite cities in the world to photograph and explore. We’ve included a few of our top Berlin photos in this Best Berlin Photos – Our favorite Berlin Instagram photos post. Scroll through to discover what to see on your Berlin visit.
Point Au Roche Lodge is a delightful place to base out of when exploring the Adirondack Coast, a very beautiful part of New York situated along the western shore of Lake Champlain and in the shadows of the High Peaks, New York’s tallest mountains. Point Au Roche Lodge is a luxurious bed and breakfast without being pretentious. Read our review here.
We love street art, and seek it out where ever we travel. Here are some awesome photos of our favorite street art around the world that have appeared in our Instagram feed.
Skiing in the famed Hahnenkamm downhill ski race on the Streif in Kitzbuhel, Austria is considered a lifetime accomplishment for professional skiers. Hiking the Streif is something anyone can do in the late spring, summer and early fall. We explain the ski race while showing you how to go about hiking the Streif yourself.
If you are planning a trip to Berlin, then visiting the Reichstag dome is an absolute must, not only for the Berlin views, but for the amazing history. The Reichstag dome and the Reichstag building along with the celebrated TV tower have become iconic symbols of Germany’s capital, Berlin.
When you visit Kitzbuhel, look beyond the glitz and tourists with furs and diamonds, and you’ll discover the Kitzbuhel locals love so much. The real Kitzbuhel has gorgeous, soaring peaks, great trails, and everything picturesque, quaint and historic like the best Alpine villages you dream about.
Bab el Oued Ecolodge in Tamnougalt village, Morocco, offers a garden retreat with winding paths, a pool, separate cottages and excellent dinners. It is a lush world filled with plants and seductive scents from jasmine and roses. Read our review of our stay at Bab el Oued Ecolodge here.
While we can’t promise falling snow, Christmas at the Tierpark in Berlin (also known as Christmas at the Zoo and Weihnachten im Tierpark) comes as close as you can get to a perfectly illuminated Christmas wonderland.
German Christmas market drinks, options and choices. Having a Gluhwein at a German Christmas market seems an easy choice: hot mulled red wine in mug. But do you want a shot with that? Or a different flavor? German Christmas market drinks have become big business. So many choices. We’ll help you decide and know how to ask for what you want.
There is something very magical about Christmas lights at the Christmas Garden Berlin. Add in equal parts of Christmas music and servings of hot glühwein (German spiced mulled wine), and you have the recipe for an enchanting evening at the Berlin Botanic Garten.
When wondering what to do in Northern California think Novato as your base. Here you will find less expensive lodging and convenient access to premier agritourism, great eats, outstanding wine, California history, outdoor adventures and even San Francisco.
We were following the Louisiana Oyster Trail in the town of Metairie just outside New Orleans. Our first stop was at the door of Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, home of the charbroiled oyster. Oysters were on the menu, and Michael was eagerly looking forward to sampling the promised charbroiled oyster dish. Drago’s offers so much more than oysters though, as we were to discover.
Berlin commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall with a 30th anniversary celebration in 2019. We have complete Berlin Wall links and information for your next visit to Berlin.
If you’re planning on spending a night or two in Helena, Montana why not stay at the best hotel in Helena while you’re at it – the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel.
Asilah Morocco is an oft-neglected coastal city that offers a quieter, less frenetic medina, plus a beach, fishing port, street art, and great sunsets too. Here are all the things to do in Asilah Morocco.
When you intend to spend time in the sensory-intense souk markets and medina of Fes Morocco, having a quiet, restful, clean escape is a must. Do not hesitate to select the Riad Laaroussa, the best luxury hotel in Fes.
There’s a lot about Helena, Montana, that deserves a closer look. Plan a visit to Helena, and not just as a quick pass-through on your way to somewhere else. Trust me on this – you need 48 hours in Helena, Montana to fully appreciate all this town has to offer.
Our What to do in Bergen city guide will help you make the most of your upcoming visit. It is so very easy to fall in love with Bergen. Visit Bryggen a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Theta Museum, the Bergen Maritime Museum, Bergenhus Festning, and ride the Fløibanen funicular for starters.
Dar Manara is a cozy riad in Asilah Morocco, a small, artsy town that offers a restful medina where you won’t get lost. Read our review of Dar Manara, located in the Asilah medina.
The trip from Madrid Spain to Tangier Morocco is not difficult and not that expensive, using the Spanish train system called Renfe and the ferry company called FRS. And you get to pass across the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow body of water that is the only entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic.
Albania, more known for beaches than mountains, is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. We loved our hiking vacation in the mountains of Theth Albania. With Albania poised to join the European Union a hiking in Albania holiday should be on your list now.
Our Oslo city guide will help you make the most of your visit. Central Oslo is compact, cozy, walkable and enjoyable, especially with our Ultimate City Guide to Oslo. You’ll see Norway’s Resistance Museum, Akershus Fortress, The Viking Ship Museum, the Royal Palace, Vigeland Park and so much more.
The Festival of Lights in Berlin and Berlin Leuchtet (Berlin Illuminated) provide a delightful bright diversion for anyone visiting Berlin in October. The two light festivals illuminate hundreds of Berlin buildings, parks, monuments and facades with dancing lights, often moving to music.
To visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is like stepping into a real-life Jurassic Park. The Gwich’in people call the Arctic Refuge, “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.” You have to see the Arctic Refuge for yourself to believe it. This story was awarded a Silver Medal for travel writing by the North American Travel Journalists Association.
You can’t choose your weather when you travel to Kitzbuhel or other mountain towns, but you can make the best of things by knowing rainy day options. Here are our tips for touring Kitzbuhel in the rain.
There are numerous fantastic hotel options in Kitzbuhel, Austria. However, if you are arriving by train, or looking for a hotel that will also provide amazing food for breakfast and dinner, consider booking your stay at the Q! Resort in Kitzbuhel.
Botanical Nights in the Botanical Garden Berlin make visiting a botanical garden something full of mystery, magic, intrigue, musicians, lightshows and fun. Plants, trees, greenhouses and ponds come alive during Berlin’s Botanical Nights. The cover photo for this story was awarded a Gold Medal by the North American Travel Journalists Association for travel photography.
Wondering what to do in Salta, Argentina? We suggest you think broadly since you cannot really separate the city of Salta from the province of Salta. Visit 9th of July Square, Cathedral of Salta, Church of San Francisco, Museum of High Altitude Archeology and more, including Cafayate for wine tasting.
From amazing views of Manhattan (night and day), to historic memorials, beautifully developed waterfront walks, expansive parks, the best access to the Statue of Liberty, and really laid-back downtown areas with street art and pedestrian zones, there are so many things to do in New Jersey!
It’s all smiles when railbiking with Revolution Rail during on a railbike tour near Lake George, New York. Using a specially designed pedal-powered railbike, we glided through the beautiful Adirondack forest along the banks of the Hudson River.
Think there is not much to do in Albany? Think again. Despite what many may think, there are absolutely a LOT of fun and interesting things to do and see in Albany, the state capital of New York. You just have to know where to look, which we do. 24 hours flies by!
Regensburg is Germany’s “best-preserved” with plenty do do and see. Things to do in Regensburg include wandering along medieval streets in Old Town (Altstadt), walk across the Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge) spanning the Danube, and see Roman walls, tour churches, towers and even a torture chamber.
Munich is more than Oktoberfest, and we’ll tell you what the city offers: Englischer Garten, Marienplatz city square, museums, architectural gems, amazing food, and even surfing. Our ultimate Munich city guide will inspire you.
If you are visiting the city of Niagara Falls its quite likely you are there to at least see Niagara Falls itself. And while there are a number of hotels one could stay in, there is nowhere quite like The Giacomo hotel – billed as a luxury boutique hotel and within easy walking distance of Niagara Falls.
In June 2019, the Wakamatsu Farm celebrated its 150th anniversary in an event that also celebrated Japanese culture, traditions, arts, music, history and culture. The Wakamatsu Farm is well worth a visit anytime the American River Conservancy land trust offers tours.
Looking for things to do in Hamburg? Hamburg is one of the must-see destinations in Europe. Our Hamburg city guide highlights nightlife, the Elbphilharmonie, restaurants, and historic sites.
The Inn on Broadway bed and breakfast boutique hotel offers historic, charming accommodations smack in the middle of Rochester, New York.
While a visit to the Niagara waterfalls is a must, there is so much more to do in and around Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. We’ll show you the seven best things to do in Niagara Falls (American side) plus recommendations on where to eat and stay.
Wondering what to do in Budapest? Our Budapest City Guide will help you visit the Jewish Quarter, City Park and Heroes’ Square plus Castle Hill, Hospital in the Rock, Cave Church, an array of museums, and glorious buildings that crown the Budapest hillside.
I was excited to stay at the retro-themed new TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in the former TWA Flight Center. I really was looking forward to the promised awesomeness. What I got was a night at a not-quite-ready TWA Hotel in room 666 – really.
Wondering what to do in Berlin? Berlin is cosmopolitan, worldly, quirky, exotic, bohemian, evolving, vibrant, alive. Watch a sunset from the TV Tower, visit the Reichstag, the Berliner Dom, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall Memorial, the East Side Gallery, or simply walk along the Spree.
The Repose in the Salé medina area, one of the best riads in Rabat, Morocco, blends Moroccan tradition with subtle nods to modern Western comforts with the result being a centrally located hotel with never-ending hospitality. Review updated January 6, 2020.
Is Morocco safe to travel in? Many people wonder. We talked with Open Doors Morocco to get traveling tips on travel safety in Morocco. Morocco is an African country with French roots, a conservative culture and Muslim religion, and it intrigues travelers with its culture and landscape certainly, but travelers still wonder about safety. We can tell you that Morocco is very safe if you travel smart. The cover photo won a Silver Medal from the North American Travel Journalists Association for travel photography.
If you are seeking one of the best places to travel north of Boston along the coast, one that promises history, spectacular coastal views, and wonderful places to eat, historic Marblehead should make the list. Here are our top picks of things to do in Marblehead.
Looking for the best things to do in Doha? Now one of the fastest growing cities in the world, Doha, in the tiny country of Qatar, is worthy of a best place to travel nod. Know what to do in Doha with our 7 top tips including the Souq Waqif, The Pearl Qatar, the Doha Corniche, and the Museum of Islamic Art.
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is renown as one of the top in the world. Meaning there are a lot of people turning out along the 1.3-mile route. Take a look at these spectator tips for the Chinese New Year Parade to have an even better experience.
Wondering what to do on your next layover in Boston Logan Airport? While hanging out for hours at an airport usually does not top a traveler’s list of favorite things to do, our guide will show you how to pass the time you have in as relaxed and happy a mood as is possible.
The Harbor Court Hotel San Francisco, with its location across the street from the waterfront, a quarter-mile from the Ferry Building and steps from public transportation, is certainly worthy of our nod for being one of the best San Francisco hotels with a view.
Known in the United States as Mardi Gras (actually French for “Fat Tuesday), the traditions of excessive celebrations and outrageous carnival parades prior to the pre-Easter fasting during Lent date back many centuries in Europe. But you don’t have to head to the crowd-filled streets of big towns like Germany’s Cologne or Dusseldorf, France’s Nice, or Switzerland’s Basel to experience some great carnival parades in Europe. And you don’t even have to indulge in excess!
In the weeks leading up to Easter each year, cultures around the world celebrate with their own versions of Mardi Gras, also known as Fasching, Fasnacht, Carnival or Carnaval — and that means, of course, lots of carnival parades.
Only one thing could get me to agree to plan an extended visit to Phoenix in (no, really) July – an all-inclusive package deal offer to stay at the historic Arizona Biltmore.
No visit to Berlin should be without a closer look at history – specifically the horrific history of East Germany’s former secret police, the Stasi. These Stasi sights in Berlin should find a place on your to-do list.
The Arakur Resort is a spectacular hotel that overlooks the city of Ushuaia, Argentina, and specializes in comfort, quiet and pampering … which is exactly what you want after making your way to the southernmost tip of South America appropriately dubbed “the end of the world.”
As a part of the developing “Campus for Democracy” at the former headquarters of East Germany’s state security or Stasi in Berlin, an open-air exhibit details the fall of the Berlin Wall and the peaceful revolution Berlin that helped bring about German unity.
For more than three decades, the dreaded state police (Stasi) in East Germany kept reams of secret files on its citizens. As of 2018, the Stasi archives Berlin are now open for public tours.
Located just 16 miles north of Boston the historic 14-room Hotel Marblehead is a delightful base from which to explore the picturesque seaside town of Marblehead as well as the nearby villages of Salem and Rockport.
Whether you are a history enthusiast, news and politics buff, or a student or fan of media and first-amendment rights, the Newseum is a must-go museum in Washington, D.C. Even though the spectacular Newseum is not free, it offers an insider look at all things news, current events, past history and First Amendment. There is something for everyone, not to mention great lessons for students visiting Washington, D.C.
We know dinner shows are all the rage, but who needs dinner AND a show when dinner IS the show. At The Kitchen in Sacramento, Calif., a Michelin star restaurant, the chefs, servers, wine and ingredients all work together to put on a culinary performance that will keep you coming back, time and again – we promise.
It was a cool, windy, November day when we scrambled across a narrow isthmus at low tide to visit the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, Calif. Our first view of the lighthouse came the day before, illuminated by a stunning sunset.
The Stasi Museum Leipzig in “Runde Ecke,” or “round corner,” is where the Stasi had its headquarters in one of former East Germany’s important industrial cities. It is one of a number of Stasi museums and sights that are scattered across former East Germany.
After being open just a year, the Urban Nation Berlin street art museum re-opened with a reinvention that truly speaks to its roots. A new street art exhibit, redesigned interior with an authentic street feel, and a number of street artists residences make this museum in Berlin a must to visit for art lovers of all kinds.
Don’t miss the best hike and views in Carmel on the Monterey Peninsula of California – Palo Corona Regional Park. In the spring, wildflowers are thick and amazing. The rest of the year, Carmel’s Palo Corona Regional Park is just peaceful and spectacular.
Many hundreds died in the Hohenschönhausen Stasi memorial prison in Berlin during its operation, with several hundred thousand spending time there as prisoners over its 40+ years. You can only visit Hohenschönhausen with a guide, many of whom were former prisoners.
The Stasi Museum Berlin brings alive the terror lived by GDR’s residents for 41 years before the Berlin Wall fell. Inside the Stasi museum walls a visitor is reminded why the Stasi secret police force of former East Germany was one of the most feared agencies in Europe.
Teufelsberg Berlin is at once bizarre, haunting, edgy, eerie, beautiful, inspiring, and unnerving. Which makes the ruins of the former National Security Agency listening post a perfect haven for street and urban artists.
Believe it or not, there are amazing Florida adventures to be had that do not involve theme parks. You just have to know where to look, and it’s in the water. Guest writers Ed and Jennifer Coleman of Coleman Concierge provide insider tips on kayaking, airboats, scuba diving, swimming with manatees and more.
Dutch Flat 4th of July celebration is a parade with water hijinks and loads of fun! Historic Dutch Flat in California boasts a population today of about 200 (“If everybody’s home,” a local adds) but the numbers swell on July 4 for good reason — the town is FUN!!!
Northern California foothills are dotted with tiny California history museums, many telling the story of Gold Country settlers. What a beautiful surprise it was to stumble upon the Placer County Heritage Trail and free museums to visit all summer long from Roseville to Tahoe!
Over the years, we have enjoyed outstanding adventures along the first section of the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Napali Coast. Sadly, the trail and the adjoining Ke’e State Beach in Ha’ena State Park remain shut down after Spring 2018 floods.
It was the slap of kayak paddles that snapped my head around. We were floating on a Zodiac, engine silenced, in the middle of Paradise Harbor. At the behest of our boat driver, everybody on our raft with 10 people was doing his or her level best to sit still, listening to the Antarctic silence.
Chicago airport layovers are the pits – loud, people rushing, and no place comfortable to sit – unless you have our insider tips about what to do at Chicago airport.
Urban Nation museum showcases street art in Berlin is like no other, uniting not only the nation but also the world as it turns the German capital into a giant international open-air street art gallery. Opened in September 2017, Urban Nation is just the beginning of your tour for great street art.
Historian and adventurer Seb Coulthard talks about the history of the Wordie House in Antarctica as part of our visit during a Polar Latitudes guided trip.
On a trip to the Antarctica with Polar Latitudes in March 2018, we filmed a happy feet penguin, juvenile gentoo, splashing about in slush at Port Charcot.
The Prenzlauer Berg Wasserturm, an eye-catching round tower in the middle of Berlin, is for most simply a city park with a couple of nice-looking structures. If your timing is good, travelers can time-travel with area experts to the cisterns underground, plus learn more about Berlin’s water supply history.
From the practical to the downright odd, superstitions in different Asian countries are not only very common and diverse; they are also something to take into account when exploring Asia. Here are 8 superstitions you need to be aware of before your next trip to Asia.
The East-West Peace Church is hidden in a grove of trees in Munich’s busy Olympic Park. Most visitors will walk right past the little forest, but you should in fact make a beeline for the historic homestead.
The key to knowing how to stay warm in Antarctica is understanding how to combine the right fabrics and fit for apparel and outwear. Head to toe, the key is layering. Here are five simple tips to help you keep warm when it is very cold.
Not all museums are pretty, happy places. The NS Documentation Center in Munich takes a hard, sometimes painful, often horrifying look at the rise of Hitler’s National Socialist party (NS), the Nazi terror, and indeed how this relates to today’s world events.
Next time you are in Munich, be sure to plan a visit to the White Rose museum. Given the Nazi terror and influence in Munich during World War II, it is not surprising that the White Rose resistance group and the likes of Sophie Scholl came from the university in Munich.
It’s an eerie feeling to be told you need to wear shoes you can run in when you visit Panmunjom on a DMZ Tour Korea, just outside of Seoul. Go inside the Panmunjom Joint Security Area on our DMZ Tour. Hopefully, no running will be needed.
The diversity in the scenery in the Puna High Plateau of Argentina is astounding, making it a traveler’s and photographer’s bucket list destination. The Puna de Atacama or Atacama Plateau is an arid high plateau, stretching from northern Chile into Argentina with the Andes as a spectacular backdrop.
At a promontory on the Elbe River in Hamburg the glistening Elbphilharmonie concert hall is a distinct landmark in HafenCity since its opening in January 2017, becoming a Hamburg city icon in the process.
Buenos Aires parks, gardens and green spaces allow you to feel as if you are in a huge, green, forested park and not a densely packed urban city. Here are five of the best parks and gardens in Buenos Aires.
El Impenetrable National Park in Argentina is a mystical, wonderful place full of secrets revealed to the traveler willing to listen quietly and look with patient eyes. This story won a silver medal for illustrated travel writing from the North American Travel Journalists Association.
The soaring crags of Fitz Roy are renown for playing hide-and-seek with those who trek in Patagonia, due to swirling clouds from the region’s unpredictable weather. I was on a trek that would take me in the shadow of Fitz Roy’s magnificent 11,020-foot summit.
Trying to name the best of Patagonia for a short trip to that southernmost region in Argentina isn’t an easy task. The region covers a great expanse – nearly 2,300 miles north to south — with a diverse climate that takes you from sea level to Fitzroy.
Street art can be found all over Argentina but street art in Salta has a long-standing tradition of producing some incredible pieces. Learn more in our photo diary.
There is something spooky, breathtaking and awe-inspiring all at the same time about cemeteries around the world that offer fantastic, mythical, memorable architecture. Here are 4 must-see cemeteries on three continents: La Recoleta Cemetery (Cimenterio de la...
As a traveler, navigating the maze of restaurants, foods, potential language differences can be a daunting task in Argentina. Taking a parrilla food tour in Buenos Aires can help. Choripan, empanada, parrilla, and helado head the tasty travel experience on a parrilla food tour.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture is a tribute to not letting a dream die. On a visit to Washington, D.C., it remains a museum that is a must-see. But plan ahead to get tickets, and read up about the museum so you can make the most of your visit to its all-encompassing exhibits.
While no bike tour company is exactly alike — and no two tours will likely ever be identical, there is common ground when bike touring in Europe. Follow along with us as we give you an idea through photographs and quick tips what a day in the life bike touring in Europe is like.
Don’t miss Jazz in the Garden: Annual free jazz concerts in the stupendous Sculpture Garden that is part of the National Gallery of Art on the National Mall. Free jazz concerts in Washington D.C.? Yes!
A Nevada County favorite since 1987 The Draft Horse Classic, held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Northern California every September since 1987, is recognized as the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States among perhaps hundreds around the world.
The fruit grown in Croatia and the farmlands reminded me of my childhood. When I happened across this woman dressed in traditional garb sitting quietly at the side of the road beside her tray of drying figs, I had to stop.
We have experienced coffee culture around Europe. And we’ve sampled the many various ways of serving the caffinated elixer, from nearly syrupy dark tablespoons of caffeine in doll-sized cups to huge bowls of espresso and frothy milk. It’s what you do as a traveler – enjoy a cup of local coffee as the locals enjoy it.
In December 2016, Robyn McLellan, Aljoscha Adam, Robert Caruana Dingli, and I set off on a four-month adventure to Chilean Patagonia to film a feature documentary highlighting the beauty of the country, the culture and the people, and to draw attention to the...
Otter Island and its historic lighthouse, part of Pukaskwa National Park, is located on a very remote section of Canada’s Lake Superior shoreline. The lighthouse, built in 1903, sits on the northwest tip of Otter Island.
Cheryl K. of New York chose this particular trip in December 2016 to travel to Ethiopia to see how Ethiopians celebrate Orthodox Christmas, which is called Genna, and “Timkat,” which is the baptism of Jesus. What she discovered was so much more – stone churches, bull jumping, baboons, culture. She shared her story with us.
Trekking Patagonia. Whatever guidebook you read about trekking in Patagonia, this South American region most certainly is on the “to-do list” of any mountain or outdoor person. Arthur Kudelka, director of the service department for outdoor footwear brand LOWA, headed to Argentina in 2017 and shares his journal and amazing photos with us.
The Rocky Mountaineer train trips across Western Canada are spectacular. But getting in a walk or run on the Rocky Mountaineer stops is essential. We’ll give you tips on where to get in a quick bit of exercise that will leave you fit and smiling. And ready for that next amazing Rocky Mountaineer meal!
The Blessing of the Grapes Ceremony still takes place at Armenian churches all around the world in mid-August. For curious travelers, it remains a worthwhile tradition to visit and will feel as if you are in a different country.
The Underground Gardens tourist destination offers an intriguing tale for all ages that is well worth a stop. The Underground Gardens is what it sounds like: A weaving labyrinth of caverns, rooms and passages all dug underground and filled with fruit trees, vines and plants in spaces that open to the sky. This oddity was built – or shall we say, dug – by Italian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere for about 38 years starting in 1906.
We were getting closer to our destination for the evening in Whistler and passing glorious high-mountain lakes. But instead of shooting up and out at the mountains, I decided to shoot down at the unimaginably beautiful cloud reflections.
The Rocky Mountaineer website is detailed and the staff helpful. However, it can still be a bit baffling to decide what route to take. Turns out the “most popular” one may not be the “best,” depending on your definition. And you also can “have it your way” with any Rocky Mountaineer luxury train vacation you choose. Just ask! We did – and we’re sharing a few Rocky Mountaineer tips to help you get the most out of your luxury train holiday in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
On our entire trip through the Yunnan province in China, monks were irresistible subjects. Mostly they were quick to get out of the way of photos, and you had to be quick at stealing a snap. These two, though, were casually strolling down the street in Dali old town.
The Rocky Mountaineer train trip through the Canadian Rocky Mountains is an adventure of a lifetime, remaining for many a bit of a luxury indulgence. Before you book your Rocky Mountaineer train trip, read our insider tips detailing which class of service is the best for you – gold, gold plus, or silver. Choices are so important in making the most of what for many is a bucket list item.
I was entranced by the light. Honningsvag is of course beautiful in a simple way, but mid-day in November in northern Norway the sun is already pretending to set. This time of year there is only twilight for a few hours mid-day. The light sparkles off the windows of the homes and paints the hills with a red glow.
Depending on who’s talking, the Louvre Museum in Paris is the second-most-visited site in the French city. And the world’s most-visited museum, with nearly 10 million people touring the grand halls in 2016 (although that number slides up and down a bit from different sources). This, for example, is where the Mona Lisa resides.
Jill and Dan Pavlat wanted to see a tiger. To help make that dream come true, they signed up for a Journeys international trip to India that included took them on safari in India twice. You double down on your opportunities when your goal is to see such an elusive creature.
The Amazon. No, we’re not talking about the Internet retail giant that somehow co-opted the name of a magical, mystical geographic destination. We’re talking the Brazil Amazon and Pantanal with jungle and waterways and wetlands — a destination so steeped in legend and exotic wildlife that it promises adventure and bucket list experiences to anyone lucky enough to visit.
As the burgeoning and bustling capital of Germany, Berlin offers an addicting restaurant scene with any international or trendy cuisine you may desire. But in keeping with its gritty, artistic ways, Berlin has a superior street food market scene. We show you 5 great Berlin street food markets you won’t want to miss.
A beautiful stream of reflected light fell across the river from Old Sacramento and its lights. I was standing on the opposite side of the bridge from Old Town. Now, if only that goose would swim over into the right place….
There were a great many unknowns leading into our 14-day Papua New Guinea adventure with Journeys International. Safety in Port Moresby was a concern as was hygiene, malaria, the quality of food and drink, and transport reliability. Although there were a few minor glitches, everything went to plan and it was easy to enjoy the friendly people in Papua New Guinea, a seldom-visited part of the world.
Germany’s capital of Berlin offers every international food imaginable, in restaurants, street markets or, in the case of the most authentic Thai food in the city, spread across a park. Thai Wiese (Thai Park) comes alive every weekend with arguably the best Thai food in Berlin.
Travel naturally inspires individuals to experience new cultures, food, adventures, and activities. Traveling with MS (multiple sclerosis), especially to exotic locations such as Costa Rica, adds an additional challenge that demands careful planning and flexibility.
When thoughts start to turn to spring and flowers, the question arises, where to find wildflowers and perhaps butterflies and ladybugs too?
New Orleans isn’t just a Mardi Gras party town. Think jazz music everywhere you look! On street corners, in parks, on balconies and, of course, in clubs. Then there is the jazz highlight of the year, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest in late April, a.k.a. just New Orleans Jazz Fest.
South Yuba River State Park’s Bridgeport wildflowers are fantastic in spring. Although anytime is a perfect time to visit the Bridgeport Historic Covered Bridge and enjoy a guided walk.
When our student group passed through Moscow in 1984, St. Basil’s Cathedral was a spectacular sight, yes indeed. But brightly Disneyland-esque and just as polished as a Mouseketeer would have it? Hardly.
Key West can leave a dent in your wallet. But there are a few things to do in Key West that are both free and amazing. The Mallory Square sunset is one.
Once a renowned theater and movie palace in the 1920s and ’30s, the site of the Alhambra Theater represents a bit of lost history in Sacramento that is fun to find. We’ll show you where to look.
Antarctica. That one word for many inspires dreams of fulfilling a traveler’s bucket list to visit Antarctica. Antarctica’s siren call has become the stuff of legend, pulling mariners and explorers toward her shores for decades. Read what keeps pulling Ellen Schwab back to travel to Antarctica.
Carneval (a.k.a. Fasching, Mardi Gras, etc) is a time for debauchery in many locales where it is grandly celebrated. But in some small towns there are several days of parades, including ones just for kids – like this Swiss carnival parade I photographed.
Wondering what to do in Lijiang? Lijiang earned its UNESCO listing because, until an earthquake in 1996, it was a perfect example of a traditional Naxi village. We’ll guide you to the best things to do and see in Lijiang China.
It was while wandering old town Lijiang with iPad in hand that I became fascinated with the colors and textures of an old restaurant with the word “whiskey” emblazoned over its windows. I am not really sure what street I was on as I had been happily wandering for several hours in this tangled world of artistic inspiration.
Dr. Ho Shi Xiu turned himself into a Baisha Village destination. Dr. Ho, a legendary herbalist, welcomed visitors into his office until he passed away in late 2018. He was in his late 90s when he died.
The first time I visited Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., was when my Uncle Ara Mooradian, MIA in the Korean War, received a memorial service in 2004 with full military honors – horse-drawn caisson, soldiers on horses, 21-gun salute, Missing Man Formation, the whole deal. I have a tie to Arlington that may be different than many, but that doesn’t mean your visit to Arlington National Cemetery will be any less memorable.
We experienced 4 hours of blissful retreat at the Villagio Spa in Napa that was more about discovering a relaxing oasis than the bounty of wine and food of Napa Valley. Outdoor fireplace, steam shower, sauna, massage, outdoor soaking tub, and yes, not to worry, plenty of food and wine too.
Most tourists end up on the Shangri-la main square where the huge golden Prayer Wheel and glittering Golden temple sit. Amazing, yes. But I had been eyeing a small temple I could not quite make out on a low hill on the edge of town. “What is that?” I kept asking and never quite got a satisfactory reply. Michael and I headed up and out of town on our break, thinking we’d just explore a little bit. And what a fantastic temple it was.
If you have a trip to Washington, DC, coming up soon, the Smithsonian Museums are a standard to fill time. How about a change of pace? Here are six things to do in DC that many visitors overlook – including The George Mason Memorial, The National Gallery of Art free concerts, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Air Force Memorial, and the National Archives.
The C&O Canal trail in Washington DC is part of a recreational wonder that threads 184.5 miles through cities and greenways along the Potomac River in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. Find time to walk the C&O Canal trail.
Kirkenes is quite literally an Arctic frontier at road’s end, located as far northeast as possible in Norway, close to the Varangerfjord. It is both the endpoint for the northbound Hurtigruten ferry and the northern terminus of the E6, the main road that runs north-south between Kirkenes and Oslo.
On a few hour break from our Hurtigruten ship, the Midnatsol before it would depart the dock to head back south along the Norwegian coast toward Oslo, we took a little walk through Kirkenes. Although mid-day, it felt more like twilight and everything was icy and snow-covered. We ended up along the banks of an inlet with Nordic skiing tracks.
At only about 20,000 square miles, Costa Rica is a country that is packed with a vast variety of climates and landscapes, and the country remains a big ecotourism destination, as well as a goal for those seeking nothing but resort pampering or those seeking off-the-charts adventure. Beaches? Check. Volcanoes? Check. Biodiversity? Absolutely.
Kirkenes is located in the farthest (and iciest and darkest) reaches of northeastern Norway, a stone’s throw from the Russian border. It is approximately 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle off the Barents Sea. The small town serves as the northernmost port for the Hurtigruten coastal ferry and the northern terminus of the E6, the main road that runs north-south between Kirkenes and Oslo.
The San Francisco Bay Area hills are spotted with numerous parks where one can hike or picnic, often with great views of the rolling countryside or even the ocean. Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve east of San Francisco has another secret worth a traveler’s exploration: the Rose Hill Cemetery dating back to the Gold Rush.
Open since 2016, this remarkable Deutsche Bank branch in Berlin has been called “Q110 Bank” or “Bank of the Future.” Now just known as Quartier Zukunft, we remain enthralled by the unique banking space with a cafe, greenhouse, meeting spaces and, of course, banking.
A photographer finds endless charm in Roros, Norway and, in the winter, plenty of dark days and snow! Roros is a historic mining town and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This door caught her eye.
When our luxury travel experts recommend Asian luxury hotels, it’s not just because the hotel boasts 5-star status. They personally check out each hotel. Here are the Asian luxury hotels that stood out in 2016 – Phum Baitang, Amanemu, Jamtara Wilderness Camp, Villa Mahabhirom, The Upper House, and Jawai Leopard Camp.
Here are two amazing European luxury hotels that stand out above the rest among all the hotels where our expert travel team stayed in 2016 — plus three more. Hotels include Killiehuntly Farmhouse, Cotton House Hotel, Kinloch Lodge, The Pig, and Aman.
Passing near the river and looking across at the stone walls of Peter and Paul Fortress, I suddenly spied all these semi-naked people. What the heck were they doing there in the middle of the winter, sunbathing? It was, dare I say, freezing!
Mousehole has retained much of its charm with narrow streets, art galleries, quaint shops and half-timber cottages. The harbor wall and two breakwaters are there to shield the Mousehole village from winter gales and pounding waves as well as to create a peaceful shelter for visitors to sit and stroll.
Mozzeria pizzeria on 16th Street in San Francisco’s Mission District seems like any other pizza joint from the outside looking in. Unassuming sign, simple door, narrow long room, tables full, a line of patrons waiting to be seated, and wait staff bustling about. The noise-level inside is subdued, but unless one is very observant, you may not even notice the out-of-the-ordinary experience provided by dining at Mozzeria. Not until the hostess greets you do you begin to realize this is not your everyday pizza joint.
Memorials to the 9/11 terrorist attacks attract attention, visits and bring up many emotions. New York, Pennsylvania, the Pentagon. But did you know there is also a very moving 9/11 memorial at Boston Logan Airport tucked away next to traffic-filled arrival roads.
Trondheim is a colorful city, and while it is the third largest city in Norway, it feels much more intimate than its size might imply. The Nidelva river runs through the city, beside the Nidaros Cathedral and past an historical area called Bakklandet situated on its banks north of the Old Town Bridge.
If travel to Bolivia is not on your current dream destination list, it needs to be. The fifth-largest country in South America, it is land-locked and bordered by Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Paraguay. Two ranges of the Andes, as well as the Amazon basin, split Bolivia, creating a uniquely diverse mix of cultural, scenic and natural wonders. But it is the stark contrasts in climates and experiences – from legendary sunsets on the shores of Lake Titicaca to the modern and hip tropical vibe of Santa Cruz to the expansive salt flats near La Paz. Bolivia magically weaves heritage, architecture, culture and natural wonders into an experience that relatively few tourists experience even today.
Cartagena, Colombia, promises an exotic taste of Latin America even if you only have a week or less of vacation time. What you’ll discover: some of the best seafood of your life (so good, Anthony Bourdain counted it among his top picks); colorful streets that ooze Spanish-colonial charm and beg to be photographed; regionally made, artisan keepsakes such as wide-brimmed straw hats and iconic mochila bags; boutique properties so sumptuous and inviting they feel more like a stay at your friend’s historical mansion than a hotel; and day trips to remote islands for snorkeling and seafood straight from the ocean to the grill.
Colombia, the northernmost country in South America, borders on Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Today, travel to Colombia offers renewed possibilities for adventure and tourism fun that many countries do not. Its darker days of crime and drug lords are past, and the people want you to come to their country, offering a warm welcome with a growing tourist infrastructure. We had the chance to talk to first-time Journeys International travelers Judith and Clive Kamins about their February 2016 trip to Colombia. Although Journeys newbies, the retired seniors from Chicago have in fact “touched every continent except Antarctica, as our grandchildren remind us.”
On our daylong adventure to get to Dragon Gate, we climbed steep stairs and ventured into caves and small temples – what a worthwhile trek! At our last stop at the end of the day at Huating Temple, I ambled silently around the pond. It was very quiet, I felt peaceful, and no tourists were in sight since it was only minutes before 5 p.m. when the gates would close.
A UNESCO World Heritage site in part since 2007, the Stone Forest (“Shilin” in Chinese) in the Yunnan province of China is considered to be a unique natural wonder and represents one of the best examples of karst rock formations in the world. Simply put, it is magical, mystical place where culture, legend, and natural history share the stage with limestone rock formations that will delight visitors of any age.
If a visit to China takes you to the Yunnan province, you will most likely end up passing through Kunming, the region’s large and quite bustling metropolitan area. Here are six top things to do in Kunming on a stopover, whether you are traveling there to visit the city itself, or need a few days to acclimatize to jet travel or altitude (Don’t forget that Kunming is 6,200 feet elevation).
Since HI Travel Tales is based in California’s so-called Gold Country, we naively thought that this was the center of the panning for gold world. You know, Sierra Nevada gold rush, gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill, gold miners, ‘49ers, and all that jazz. Boy did we learn a thing or two, like gold panning is a world-wide pursuit and there is even a world championships each year.
A good number of flights to and from various Asian cities experience a Hong Kong airport layover — for a few hours or even much longer, like our layover of 17 hours. No need to hunker down in the airport, though. Hong Kong has made taking a quick trip into town such child’s play. So go ahead, pop into Hong Kong for a meal, a walk, the famous Hong Kong waterfront light show, or even a night’s sleep.
It’s difficult to not be impressed with the twisting and turning koi with their mouths gaping open at Thanksgiving Point Gardens. Their yellow, oranges and browns mix up with lily pads, causing a bright eye-catcher.
Driving north on State Route 99 through California’s Central Valley isn’t always a travel bright spot. But keep your eyes open and pioneering history may pop out at you – such as the Liberty Cemetery from the 1850s.
While my wife and I were wandering along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade during a 17-hour layover in Hong Kong (we were on our way home to San Francisco following an adventure in mainland China), I became entranced. I, like most others out that night, could not tear my gaze from the colorful and dramatic skyline of Hong Kong Island across the busy waters of Victoria Harbor.
Paris is a city that is filled with parks – more than 400 — from postage stamp size ones on street corners to sprawling green spaces, like the Jardin des Plantes with its 28 hectares (69 acres) that were first planted in 1626. The most beautiful thing about this plant-filled wonderland for visitors? It’s free.
When you’re driving along Interstate 80 across frequently spectacular yet periodically desolate Nevada desert, eatery choices can be, well, less than inviting. So when we first found this amazing deli in Elko – now called Basque Ogi Deli, but it was “2 Dames and a Deli” when we discovered it – we were utterly delighted.
Situated at about the halfway point of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Michigan Bluff is a California Gold Rush town so tiny nobody even bothers to count how many people live there. Could be about 20. Give or take. An old mining hamlet that once teemed with thousands of gold-seeking pioneers, this is what they call in true Old West cowboy slang a “one-horse town.” No, there’s not much there, but that’s what makes it charming and worth a stop for a hike or a walk when in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country.
Underground city tours always seemed to be a tourist come-on to me, but then I discovered Berlin Underground tours. Not a for-profit business, not a tour that drops you off in a gift shop, not a tour that starts in a bar and highlights raucous partying, this is the real deal in Berlin’s Underground.
One of our favorite areas in Berlin is the artsy cool Prenzlauer Berg. Our Prenzlauer Berg travel guide will point you to the top things to do in this Berlin hot spot. Kollwitzplatz and Kastanienallee are particularly beautiful Prenzlauer Berg streets. Farmers markets, street festivals and more are regular occurrences.
As we sat at dinner at Café Anne Blume sipping wine on the patio on a warm summer evening, I became entranced by the colors of a small market across the street. I just had to “paint and draw” the scene using my iPad for this watercolor view from Café Anna Blume.
The memorial on the Berlin Bethlehemkirchplatz (Bethlehem Church Square) is actually the work of Spanish artist Juan Garaizabel to commemorate the Bohemian Bethlehem Church. This small church was built for Bohemian evangelical refugees in about 1735 and was a center of the community. It was destroyed by bombing in 1943.
Not every must-see travel destination is so easy to get to. And that can make the journey even more of an adventure. Dragon Gate in the Western Hills Xishan Park on the outskirts of Kunming, China, is one of those. The reasons we can list are many – green hills with forested walking paths, a breather from the sensory chaos of the city, temples and pavilions dating back to the 11th century, views of the region from about 8,200 feet (2,000 feet above the city itself), winding stone staircases, strolling monks…
A visit to the Planten un Blomen Garden on your Hamburg tour is a must, whether you are a flower and garden lover, adore open spaces, enjoy dancing water fountains, or just want a nice place for a stroll or picnic. Now, not many non-Germans head there – obvious in the fact that the official Hamburg tourism website doesn’t have the garden’s page translated into English!
President Barack Obama made a history-making national parks trip with his family to Yosemite in June 2016 – just ahead of the National Park Service’s centennial anniversary that was celebrated on Aug. 25, 2016. As children and teens, the team at HI Travel Tales had...
Taking the Rocky Mountaineer train across Canada means early starts and, sometimes, long days too. But what better way to experience the morning than slithering out of Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer train on a unique scenic journey along the Thompson River.
Think of travel to Panama, and if you are like most, visiting the great big Panama Canal comes to mind. Take a minute, though to give Panama a closer look. Aside from the Panama Canal, the country boasts equal parts lush rainforest, exotic wildlife and pristine ocean beaches — without the Costa Rica crowds. And it is an ideal destination for traveling families.
Considered one of the most important and famous Buddhist temples in the Yunnan province of China, the grand Yuantong Temple in Kunming delights the senses. It was as I leaned against a wall gazing at the pavilion, mesmerized by the peacefulness and subtle magic that I was inspired to create the watercolor of the Yuantong Temple.
New Caledonia’s Signal Island (Ilot Signal) sits within what Conservation International lists as the world’s largest marine park. Within this park and nestled a mere 20 kilometers (just under 12.5 miles and 8 nautical miles) from New Caledonia’s capital city of Noumea, Signal Island is a unique marine reserve that offers its visitors unprecedented snorkeling in close proximity to a diversity of coral and tropical fish as well as hiking among sea birds and flora that is not easily replicated anywhere else in the world.
Widely celebrated in many Asian countries, Buddha’s birthday festival in Seoul, South Korea, was one of the highlights of our visit there. We took part in temple celebrations, Buddha blessings and washings, were awed by colorful lanterns and candles, and attended parades. Here are our insider tips to make the most of your Seoul visit and enjoy Buddha’s birthday festival celebrations during your visit.
You’ve booked your dream Hurtigruten cruise up the coast of Norway. Time to get ready for the onboard experience. Of course, a key part of this experience is food and drink on the Hurtigruten cruises in Norway. We learned by doing, and we hope you can also learn about Hurtigruten food choices and Hurtigruten drink options from our personal experiences.
Table Mountain reserve boasts one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California and an amazing display of California wildflowers in the spring, yet the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve (just “Table Mountain” reserve to locals) is surprisingly unknown. If you want blankets of colorful wildflowers, including periodic super blooms, Table Mountain delivers.
There are plenty quiet and magical places sans crowds in Florida if you know where to look — places we like to refer to as Florida’s hidden gems. Rest assured that when Ponce de León first arrived in Florida in 1513 he wasn’t greeted by Walt Disney or Mickey Mouse. You too can get to Florida and not just find theme parks or senior citizens’ specials. The Sunshine State has hidden gems that whisk you way beyond the expected.
The Hurtigruten video tour. Take a room tour of the Hurtigruten MS Midnatsol; Go on a facilities tour of the Midnatsol; and walk through the kitchen and dining room of the Hurtigruten Midnatsol. Plan your Hurtigruten cruise better.
How many reasons do you need to visit Trondheim, Norway? Trondheim is one of Norway’s oldest cities and also boasts a vibrant cultural life. Despite its size, its historic city center still feels intimate. Visit Bakklandet, Old Town Bridge, Nidaros Cathedral and walk the Nidelva River.
So you have a layover in Seoul’s Incheon Airport, South Korea. If you know you have four or six or even nine hours in the Seoul airport, what can you do other than walk past the same trinket shop six times?
Alesund is indeed a beautiful Norwegian city. Known for perhaps the greatest concentration of Art Nouveau style buildings in all of Europe, Alesund is nestled into the classically rocky fjords of Norway with the Sunnmore Mountains serving as a spectacular backdrop.
Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida is one of the most isolated parks in the national park system. Near Key West, Florida, Dry Tortugas is accessible only by boat or seaplane. Here’s how to visit.
Bigger is not always better. Sometime small, like a historic Munich chapel, can be a travel must-see. The Marienklause Chapel in Munich is worth a close look.
A concierge? A gift and trinket store? A bar and coffeehouse? Waiters and fine décor? This is a bank? Yes, this is Germany’s “Deutsche Bank” — the so-called “Bank of the Future” in central Berlin, the company’s one-and-only concept bank where it tests ideas for the world.
Key West Florida has a reputation for visitors finding themselves sucked into one attraction or tourist kitsch shop after another. And that can leave a dent in the wallet. How about six free things to do in Key West that are totally cool and fun?
Roros is somewhat off-the-beaten-path of many tourists visiting Norway. Roros, a former mining town, earned a UNESCO World Heritage site designation for its rare collection of timber homes and buildings. Check out Tynset Church, Slegghaugan, and Smelthytta museum.
Roll your eyes if you must, but I’ve always dreamed of holding a koala. Not sure why that has been so important to me … perhaps the stuff of childhood fantasy. But I got my wish to cuddle with a koala in October 2013 during our stay in Brisbane, Australia at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, located a few kilometers away from Brisbane City Center.
It takes dedication to answer children’s letters to Santa Claus, whether he’s known as St. Nick, Father Christmas or Kris Kringle. But a few namesake towns around the world do just that – letters by the many thousands every year, year after year. There is one special town that answers letters to Santa Claus: Nikolausdorf (Nicholas village) in Lower Saxony in Northern Germany. With a population that barely brushes 1,000, it has its work cut out for it to answer nearly 8,000 letters each year.
When in Norway, go dog sledding! But forget all of those ride-along experiences if you want a little adventure with your dog sledding in Norway. You really can mush your own team of huskies as you dog sled through a snow-covered Norwegian forest.
Prepping and planning for your Hurtigruten voyage can be a challenge, especially when it comes to picking the best cabin class for you among the many Hurtigruten cabins since there are 14-plus different types and shapes, although not all are available on all ships. Still, weighing out your ROI (Return on Investment!) is key. Do not just pick the cheapest Hurtigruten cabin OR the most expensive OR leave it to the Hurtigruten staff to necessarily steer you straight.
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza was opened in 2014 in Seoul, South Korea and serves as a multi-cultural center housing exhibitions, fashion shows, product launch shows, forums, conferences and various cultural events. It is also an amazing tourist attraction thanks to its LED rose garden and incredible architecture.
High above Seoul, nestled among the rocky crags of the city’s western mountain peak sits a shamanist shrine that remains off the typical tourist track of South Korea’s capital. The Guksadang shrine and the surrounding complex on Mt. Inwang-san offers the best view of Seoul — if you are willing to be a little adventurous.
“Off to the cellar” is what you’ll hear from Forchheim locals when they disappear into the forest on trails (“auf die Keller”). What that means in local slang is that they are headed to a beehive of popular beer gardens — the Kellerwald Forchheim beer gardens — nestled deep in the Upper Bavarian forest dubbed Franconian Switzerland.
I visited the Berlin Turkish Market for the first time when you bumped into the graffiti-covered Berlin Wall after walking its length, and the Kreuzberg area of town was one of the few where Turkish guest workers were allowed to live.
If there is “slow food,” then consider trying out “slow touring.” Touring Loire Valley by bike allows you to stop, ponder, photograph and enjoy while not missing a bit. Forget whizzing past to get to the next castle or winery. You’ll still get there. It’ll just be a bit slower and a whole lot more fun.
Berlin is one of our favorite cities in the world. And we want to lead you on a walking tour of its top sites. Follow along as we send you on a self-guided walk of some of the top sights in Berlin.
Covering several hundred square miles with hundreds of wineries, Loire Valley wine tasting opportunities are numerous. This French region may be one of the world’s most well-known wine-producing areas – but HOLY COW how do you get to experience it all on a short visit? The wine trail (“La route des vignobles”) is nearly 500 miles! The Loire Valley tourist and wine experts have figured that out for you, so take a breath and get ready to take a sip (or two, or three…).
Tours, France, in the heart of the Loire Valley may be well known for its castles but don’t forget the music, the wine and, of course, the food.
The Englischer Garten in Munich, Germany, is one of the largest city parks in the world. It provides for a magical escape from Munich’s busy urban streets.
The Pacific Grove Museum is a little place with a huge heart that invites visitors – adults and kids alike – to not just look but to touch, hear, play and feel. Dang amazing really for a museum that opened in 1883 and still, in part, exists in one of its original historic buildings on a side street in Pacific Grove.
Wildflowers are everywhere in the spring and summer in California, from mountains to the coast. With a love of all things that bloom, we found our way to the Pacific Grove Museum to see Monterey wildflowers.
The Sophie Scholl memorial in Munich looks like loose pieces of paper scattered on the ground in front of the University of Munich building. In actuality, the Sophie Scholl papers are attached permanently to the ground in front of the main entrance on the “Geschwister Scholl Platz.” A fitting tribute to the White Rose Movement.
With springtime comes the search for California wildflower walks to enjoy the multicolored beauty of sometimes fleeting blooms. Sierra foothills wildflowers are everywhere as are relatively easy hikes to view them – you just have to know where since you often can’t see the blooms from a road. This short hike showcases some amazing wildflowers such as lupine and poppies.
Alongside the roar of Interstate 80 connecting the San Francisco Bay Area to Lake Tahoe is an award-winning botanical garden that beckons plant-lovers, gardeners or anyone looking for a relaxing park setting – the UC Davis Arboretum. The park-like arboretum itself beckons with winding paths, benches and plant collections with different themes.
Travel with us by photograph as we guide you to a few of our favorite Cornwall destinations including Mevagissey, Penzance, Mousehole, and Pentewan (including the Lost Gardens of Heligan).
Instead of saving for years to follow the Tour de France in Europe, try a regional stage race. Such as the Amgen Tour of California.
Near the town of Paihia and located approximately 60 kilometers north of Whangarei in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Any visit to New Zealand’s northern reaches should include a trip to see this significant historical landmark and memorial site.
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is an amazing destination adults often pass by, assuming it is only for kids. Really, it’s for the kids in all of us. And you will enjoy yourself so much more if you follow our 17 important Disney World travel tips for adults.
Walt Disney World is a wonderful adult getaway – one that we highly recommend. But as (alleged) grown-ups, going toe-to-toe jostling for space with battalions of 6-year-old pirates and princesses and their weary parents is not high on our “favorite things about Disney” list. You need some Disney World tips.
The HI Travel Tales team has driven by the California Trail Interpretive Center near Elko, Nevada, more times than we can count in the last decade, heading to and from destinations east. Finally, we made the time and found out, wow, were we ever missing out on an educational treat!
Immediately adjacent to Interstate 80, between San Francisco and Sacramento or Lake Tahoe, California, there is a quiet and wonderful park that isn’t commonly known– Lynch Canyon Open Space, a part of the Solano Land Trust.
We all know Switzerland is known for its chocolate … amazing, rich, yummy, decadent chocolate. In this “Postcard Zurich” the female half of HI Travel Tales remembers when she got off the train in a small suburb of Zurich and, as she walked to her hotel, she thought to herself, “This place smells like chocolate.”
A few years ago, HI Travel Tales’ female travel pro was in Shanghai, China, and couldn’t stand being stuck in a hotel workout room when the streets were buzzing with activity. So the alarm was set for 5 a.m. and out the door she went, a map clutched in her sweaty hand as she searched for Shanghai city parks.
Christmas can be magical. And nowhere is that magic more easily felt than at some of the best and largest Christmas markets in Europe.
It was a secret room then and, for many, it remains a secret museum and hidden room today. It is the itty-bitty Theta Museum, a minute 170-square-foot (16 square meters) low-ceiling room hidden away on an upper floor of the Bryggen wharf area in Bergen. The museum was the headquarters of the Theta Group, an important part of the Norwegian Resistance during WWII. Fascinating in its story, the room was reconstructed exactly how it looked when it operated with a few young men and one woman from 1940-1942 as their secret headquarters.
Enjoying a Hurtigruten cruise along the coast of Norway is a incredible. But knowing a few travel tips in advance helps make going on any one of the Hurtigruten cruises an amazing experience.
Hunting the northern lights is, for many, a lifetime dream – viewing a night sky ablaze in phosphorescent green light that seems to move and swirl like luminescent smoke. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that through the centuries has inspired legend, mystery, fear and awe.
Plan a Norway in a Nutshell DIY tour easily – and save hundreds of kroner. We’ll give you the traveling tips you need to experience the Flåm Railway and the Norwegian fjord landscape via a Norway in a Nutshell tour, but on a budget.
Paris is a marvelous, invigorating city with many corners to explore but sometimes you have to make like a Parisian and go to the park to escape it all. The Jardin du Luxembourg in the 6th arrondissement near the Sorbonne and only about a mile from St. Michel and the Seine River is just right for that.
Apple Hill. The name conjures up images of crunchy apples and juicy pies on crisp fall days. All of that – and more – is true. But the Apple Hill region in California’s Sierra foothills not even an hour east of Sacramento has much to offer most of the summer, fall and winter too.
It’s been 25 years since the Berlin Wall came tumbling down … suddenly, surprisingly, peacefully. Memories of the wall’s horrors seem like yesterday to those of us old enough to remember it and to have personally seen the wall and its “death zone.” The Berlin Wall 25th Anniversary remembrance reminds us to never forget.
We could not have imagined what French culinary delight we were about to experience as we walked to the front door of Allez! Located just a few minutes from Placerville in the California Gold Country not far from Sacramento, Allez French restaurant is an intimate bistro owned and operated by Christian and Jennifer Masse. Christian is as French as they come — and Allez’s chef. It had just enough “quaint” to offer a casual European bistro feel.
No visit to the Harz Mountains in Germany should be considered complete without riding on the historic and thoroughly magical “Brockenbahn” railway. The Brocken narrow gauge Harz Mountain train is powered by steam engines and winds its way to the peak of the Brocken, the highest point in the Harz.
A view from Le Comptoir du Pantheon. Sitting in front of the Pantheon in Paris on a hot summer day, nothing tastes better than a cool glass of light Rose wine while watching the world drift along.
Salt Lake City — home of murky salt lakes, vast salt flats and towering mountain peaks – isn’t the first place you think of when conjuring up images of lush gardens. But Thanksgiving Point Gardens, just 30 minutes south in Lehi, is a beautiful respite that leaves you gaping in awe as you stroll the grounds.
Bregenz, Austria, nestles at the foot of Pfander Mountain, on the shores of lovely Lake Constance. The town is well-known for its summer opera festival, Bregenzer Festspiele, but it is the quaint feel of this small town of 27,000 that attract tourists from around the...
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is mysterious and magical. The Cornwall estate disappeared beneath thorns before the outbreak of WW1 but was rediscovered in 1990 to become Europe’s largest garden restoration project. The 200 acre paradise attracts wildlife, garden lovers, and anyone who just loves a good mystery.
More than two decades after the Berlin Wall fell, walking the wall and its remains are a haunting reminder of an era that is as frightening as it is unbelievable.
This contribution comes from HI Travel Tales close friend Cynci Calvin, who returned to the Boston Marathon this year after being one of the runners stopped after the 2013 bombing closed the course. At the 2013 Boston Marathon, due to the bombs that exploded shortly...
Settled in the tiny village of Matakana for nearly a week in New Zealand’s early spring time, HI Travel Tales relaxed, walked, ran, explored, tasted wine – and took a day to visit the amazing Tāwharanui Regional Park. Hardly much more than a skip north of downtown Auckland at 85 kilometers (53 miles), this area east of Warkworth is worth much more than a slam-bang day trip. The Tāwharanui (“taff-raw-new-ee”) Regional Park alone demands an entire day for hiking, picnicking and wildlife education.
The Quedlinburg Old Watch Tower (“Altenburgwarte”) is located approximately 0.5 miles from the southwest edge of Quedlinburg in the Harz mountains. Nearby there are wonderful views over Quedlinburg and the surrounding area.
Who woulda thunk that New Orleans is the musical home to a U.S. National Park. But it is, under the auspices of the National Park Service, called the “New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.” It is surprising how so many visitors and even locals we encountered had no idea a national park music program exists right in the French Quarter, even though its concerts are always listed on music calendars.
Bullet’s Sports Bar is so local that many long-time New Orleans residents don’t know about it. This is perhaps a good thing since the venue where Kermit Ruffins frequently plays is so cool and so small.
While we will admit to being fans of visiting botanical gardens anywhere in the world, Fiji’s Garden of the Sleeping Giant is one that is truly special. Yes, really. Even non-flower lovers and non-botanical garden enthusiasts – and there was one among us – should put this on their visit Fiji bucketlist.
Visit Fiji’s Koroyanitu National Heritage Park. There are so many wonderful places to see in Fiji. On the western side of Viti Levu, Lautoka may be the second largest city on Fiji’s largest island, but don’t just stay in town. To help plan a perfect adventure escape, scroll down through slides featuring some of our favorite moments during a visit we made to the village of Abaca and Koroyanitu National Heritage Park in Fiji.
There are six villages within Koroyanitu National Park that cooperate as part of an ecotourism project funded by The New Zealand Official Development Assistance Programme (NZODA) and Japan National Official Committee of the Pacific Economic Co-operation (JANPEC). The villagers maintain the landscape and tracks, and subsequently earn tourist dollars through overnights in the villages, guided walks, and selling souvenirs and official pamphlets describing the villages and park. So pay your admission happily since it supports the park and the people.
There are so many wonderful places to see in Fiji. And snorkeling in Fiji along the many coral reefs are but one. Click on any photo to enlarge it. Scroll through each slide to enjoy and read the captions full of useful information to help guide your next visit Fiji snorkeling exploration.
Folks usually end up in Heidelberg, Germany, in awe of the medieval castle looming over the city, but we’re writing about a Packaging Museum? Yep, its worth a visit!
Once you get your Hurtigruten cruise along the coast of Norway booked, it’s time to start thinking about what Hurtigruten cruise excursions you may want to add on – or if you can do some on your own. Like a regular cruise line, the Hurtigruten cruise ferries do have shore and city excursions that cover everything from city walking tours and bus trips to museums to a dinner at a Viking museum or dog sledding.
Even many Germans haven’t heard of Quedlinburg in the Harz Mountains when we first visited in 2013. Yet we found Quedlinburg to be beyond-cute, chock full of history, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and wonderful for wandering or simply hanging out over cafe and cheesecake.
Photos of England -- Our Favorite Destinations In our Photos of England slide show, showcasing some of our favorite destinations in England from our travels, you will be able to find hidden and wonderful places you will want to put onto your own travel list next time...
Mevagissey is a picturesque, unique 14th Century fishing village located on the South Cornwall Coast. St Peter’s church, dating to the 10th century, offers quiet respite from the often busy harbor and is located on the northern edge of the town.
It is easy to lose yourself for a few days when visiting Penzance and surrounding areas along the eastern coastline of Cornwall, England. A few of our favorite places to visit in Cornwall include Mevagissey and Pentewan (including the Lost Gardens of Heligan), down to Penzance, St Michaels Mount (where the above image was quickly painted into my journal), and Mousehole.
Penzance, located in picturesque Cornwall, is in Mounts Bay, in the far south of England. It is a village full of artists, history, seaside charm.
The Loire Valley, about an hour south of Paris, is known for its wines – mostly a softer, lighter rosé or white but also some vibrant reds – as well as for its castles. You could spend weeks visiting all the wineries and castles – or longer. But be sure to stop in to see the Villandry castle gardens.
When visiting Berlin, live like a local … with an apartment in the trendy “Mitte” area on the edge of the rather cool, somewhat gritty, but fascinating “Prenzlauer Berg” area (former East).
I stood at the bottom of the cliffs, staring up at my first Dolomites via ferrata, or “road with irons,” — the Via Ferrata Tridentina. It was to be, I hoped, an ultimate Dolomites adventure.
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