They fly, crawl, swim and (rarely ever) bite. Heck, some even sneeze salt. What are we talking about? These are just a few of the incredible animals of the Galapagos Islands. And right now they’re offering their hangout time at a discounted rate. Nowhere in the world can you experience the same level of diversity […]
Our tour guide points out the window toward a smooth-barked tree towering in the distance. “A ceiba tree, sacred to the ancient Mayans, was believed to be a bridge between the planes of existence: heaven, earth, and Xibalba, ‘place of fright’, where we are going today.” Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the the ATM caves, are […]
Everyone knows about the sheep, “Lord of the Rings” locations, and the many hot spots for adrenaline junkies. Did you know New Zealand is also one of the hottest places on Earth? Steaming hot, thanks to its perch on the edges of the Pacific and Australian Plates. With geothermal resources rivalled only by Yellowstone National […]
The relatively small and unknown Uruguay has had a tough time. Often overlooked by travellers in favour of its larger, louder neighbour Argentina, or seen as an extension of their own country by the Argentines, this diverse and friendly country is finally coming into the limelight. Punta del Este has held international acclaim for some […]
The best word to describe Iceland is ‘mythical’. It does exist (and has its own airline, so wardrobe or fireplace transit is thankfully not required), but its landscape feels like a faraway planet. It’s the perfect place to let the imagination—and outdoor activities—run wild. Whether you have kids, or you just enjoy acting like them […]
It’s tough to satisfy the interests of multiple generations at the same time, let alone while on the move around a new country. Italians embrace the family, however—both their own, and yours. I recently asked Rudston (our expert in all things Italiano) why the country is such a great one for families to visit together. […]
Greg has been to Africa approximately 3,872,438 times (give or take a few). How do you teach a man some valuable new lessons about the continent where he already seems to know everything? Send him there with kids. If you don’t already know Greg Sacks, he is our resident African expert, planning all trips big and […]
First time visitors to Rio de Janeiro undoubtedly head to the famed Sugarloaf Mountain at the end of Copacabana. While the easy way to reach the summit is by cable car, there’s a more adventurous and exciting way to do it: by climbing the mountain with a specialized instructor. Generally you will be taken to […]
My friend ignored my first nine emails suggesting we visit the Norwegian wilderness in December. But then she remembered who she was dealing with, and I—like a dog with a bone—was unlikely to give up on northern lights, dog sledding and sleeping in a heated tent. She had reason to be concerned. The weather website […]
Paying to volunteer abroad may seem like a backwards notion, but the experience outweighs the cost when it’s an opportunity to meet the love of your life. At Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, I fell for a pachyderm. Elephant Nature Park is a small elephant sanctuary that specializes in the rehabilitation of abused elephants. These giants […]
Swakopmund is: a) a quaint coastal town in Namibia, b) the adrenaline capital of Namibia, c) a tribal word meaning “excrement opening” or d) all of the above? The correct answer is d) all of the above. Swakop, as it’s called by the locals, is a charming little town set on the northwest coast of […]
Chances are your New Year’s resolutions include experiencing new things, or shedding those holiday pounds and getting fit. Roll them into one master plan with five hikes around the world that will jump start you toward your goals. The views aren’t bad either. Everest Base Camp, Nepal This 12 day hike takes you into the […]
As we approached the Mendenhall Glacier, I could see several tiny black specks in the distance. The helicopter landed, and I took my first shaky steps onto the glacier. I was greeted by the overwhelming sound of nearly 200 barking sled dogs, letting me know they were ready to run. I recently went on an […]
It’s official: I’m a Sicilian junkie. The Aeolian Islands have cast their seductive spell on me. I am now suffering from acute Summer Withdrawal Syndome, and have been salivating over Salina ever since the day I left. I keep going back to the bewitching Aeolians. The stark volcanic landscape is stunning, the sea sparkling, the […]
I’ve come to Easter Island for a week away, and I’m determined to do something other than see the moai. I mean them no disrespect. But it seems ludicrous to travel five hours by plane from the nearest significant speck of land (continental Chile) to do nothing but stare at statues. I am greeted at […]
Growing up I used to think it might be cool to have a pet chimpanzee—kinda like Michael Jackson and Bubbles. Many years later, an enlightening visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (NICS) made me glad my parents settled on a cat instead. NICS was established in 1998 to care for confiscated chimps that could not be […]