“Mars on Earth: Wanderings in the World’s Driest Desert” – An Interview with Mark Johanson About His New Book on Chile’s Atacama Desert
Home to the oldest mummies on Earth as well as where NASA conducts rover trial runs for the red planet – would you like to know more about Chile’s otherworldly Atacama Desert? I recently sat down with esteemed travel writer and dear friend Mark Johanson, who has a new book, Mars on Earth – Wanderings… Read Full Post
How to Visit Halong Bay
Designated a World Heritage site in 1994 for its natural beauty and geologic significance, it’s no surprise that the ethereal landscape of Halong Bay is one of northern Vietnam’s most visited sites. The question we get most from travelers is whether it’s still worth a visit or if the bay has been loved to death…. Read Full Post
Varanasi: How to Explore this Enigmatic City
Varanasi is not for everyone. In a country known for its sensory overload, Varanasi may be its peak. Its streets are crumbling and often lined with trash, cows wander the same lanes as millions of humans, and burning bodies are an everyday sight. Yet, a visit to this complex, chaotic, and eccentric city will leave… Read Full Post
Experiencing Japanese Food
There are many reasons to travel to Japan but Japanese food often tops the list for our travelers. With a focus on fresh & seasonal ingredients, beautiful plated designs, and a fusion of innovative and traditional cooking styles, meals in Japan can, and should be, a highlight of your trip. Japan offers a diverse range… Read Full Post
The Best Worst Way to Visit Versailles
On a trip to Europe in 2022, my route took an unplanned detour to Paris. At the last minute, I decided to visit the Palace of Versailles, in a way that ended up being embarrassingly poorly planned (especially for an experienced traveler like myself). Even so, the adventure I had turned out to be one… Read Full Post
Exploring the Brazilian Amazon on the Riverboat Tucano
When the call of the wild comes to you, what do you envision? Are you a hardcore adventurer that wants to go to the woods and sleep in a hammock with arachnids running amok? Or are you like me, where you want a bug-free comfortable bed, delicious food, and a crew of expert locals to… Read Full Post
Napo Wildlife Center: A Must Stop in Ecuador
Nestled deep in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest lies the Napo Wildlife Center, an eco-lodge that offers an unparalleled experience of one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. The Napo Wildlife Center is located in Yasuni National Park; “Yasuni” means Sacred Land in the local language of Kichwa. Created and managed by the… Read Full Post
Discovering Ecuador through Hacienda Zuleta
High in the Ecuadorian Andes sits Hacienda Zuleta, a historical treasure that is well known by Ecuadorians across the country. It exuberates charm and taste from the locally grown food to the stylish suites. Located two hours north of Quito, this colonial farm has 4,000 acres of land which includes Caranqui pyramids that date back… Read Full Post
My Favorite 10 Things to Do and See in the Azores
The Azores are made up of nine major islands all having so much beauty and culture. Sao Miguel was the island I chose to visit as my great-great grandfather was born there and I wanted to see where my family is from. There was so much to see and do in Sao Miguel that I… Read Full Post
Chile’s Aysén Region and Patagonia National Park
When you think of Patagonia what comes to mind? Dramatic, wind-swept landscapes, jagged peaks next to soaring glaciers, uninhabited and raw nature? Likely you have heard of a few famous areas such as Torres del Paine National Park, Los Glaciares National Park and Tierra del Fuego. These areas are justifiably famous and incredibly beautiful. They… Read Full Post