A resource for independent travelers
Photo credit: nealaus New England is a great place to visit year round, depending on whether the tourist is looking for beach, skiing, sightseeing, history, or whatever. Autumn, however, is the natural tour de force up here. We do it really well, in many ways, and not like anywhere else. FOLIAGE Viewing autumn foliage in [...]
After seeing the sights and attractions in Lima, Peru, many tourists head directly to the Sacred Valley. With the town of Cusco as your base, experiences such as the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman and Pisac are all within easy reach.
Your first time in the city can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to go.
Easily accessible from modern-day Bangkok, the former Siam capital of Ayutthaya, Thailand has a number of cultural locations to tour, including an historical archaeological park which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you’re planning to visit Jordan, rest assured there will be plenty there to keep you entertained. While Petra is perhaps the most well-known of all the Jordan attractions, the truth is there are a myriad of things to do in Jordan, including a collection of impressive castles, an entire Roman city preserved for exploration, [...]
One of the oldest, continuously-inhabited cities on Earth, the Jordanian capital of Amman is considered by many to be simply a stopover on their way to more famous in-country destinations such as Petra, the Dead Sea, Madaba or one of the numerous crusader castles in the kingdom. But there are several things to do in [...]
One of the New Seven Wonders, the rose-red city of Petra, Jordan has hosted the filming of Indiana Jones, countless tourists and a number of notable international celebrities.
Managing a multi-day stopover in Madaba on your way to Petra means amazing mosaics, dinner at the atmospheric Haret Jdoudna and quite possibly crossing a number of daytrips off your personal bucket list.
Chances are, if you’re heading to Siem Reap, Cambodia, you’re going to see Angkor Wat. The subject of numerous documentaries and travel articles, this ancient and massive set of Khmer ruins is on the bucket list for many travelers.
Towards the southern end of Lago di Garda lies the picture-perfect town of Sirmione, Italy. Accessible through castle walls and a foot bridge, this strollable town celebrated by the Roman poet Catullus is worth a daytrip for the discriminating tourist.
Historically a maritime rival with the likes of Venice and Genova, Pisa, Italy gets its current fame from a failed, but phenomenally beautiful architectural project. The leaning tower of Pisa is certainly the attraction that draws most foreigners to this Italian city, but there is definitely more here to explore.
The Venice carnival may be what puts this city in the international news every year, but it’s a highly sought-after tourist destination at any time.
Otavalo is more than just a fun daytrip from Quito, Ecuador. It’s the premier place in the country to purchase indigenous handicrafts, get out of the city’s hustle and bustle and a seriously scenic drive.
Quito, Ecuador is arguably one of the most impressive cultural capitals in South America. With a complete historical renovation of the downtown cultural area, exquisite antique churches, exotic ecological and cultural daytrips to places like Otavalo, Mindo, Termas de Papallacta, the Orienté, and the oldest observatory in South America, there’s lots to enjoy.
Luray Caverns, Va represents the very finest of what the Virginia caverns scene has to offer.
Before there ever was a Camp David, Rapidan Camp, otherwise known as Camp Hoover was the executive retreat of President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou.
Just outside the town of Harrisonburg, Virginia is an exquisitely-situated winery known as CrossKeys Vineyards. Aside from the quintessentially- American farmhouses dotting the surrounding countryside, the establishment’s design and rolling vineyards would have you feeling as though you had turned a corner and been transported to Tuscany.
On a recent day trip to Harrisonburg, Virginia, I had the opportunity to visit the Virginia Quilt Museum. Established in 1995, this nonprofit venue is staffed by volunteers and funded through a fiscal medley of admissions, memberships, fees, grants, fund-raising events and donations.
Tampa Bay zoo fans have lots to be proud of. Repeatedly voted the number one zoo in the country by Parents magazine, the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL provides numerous hands-on experiences and cage-free interaction opportunities for visitors.
The Field Museum of Natural History is home to countless artifacts, interesting programs and educational exhibits. From anthropology to zoology, the Field Museum Chicago has something for everyone, plus, it’s a great place to bring the entire family! Here are just five of the amazing exhibitions you can explore during your visit: Evolving Planet [...]
My sister Regina and I always spend a day together for our birthdays. Since mine is in July, the options are better for play. Hers is in January, and the best options — those involving sun and warmth — also involve substantial planning and cost. So, this year, she decided she wanted just to go [...]
If you live in the greater Orlando area and are suffering from theme park overload, you might consider taking the kids to the Orlando Science Center as an alternative family outing.
Tahoe’s early snowfall has blanketed South Lake Tahoe with nearly 4 feet of snow at lake level, and 5-6 feet on the mountains. The winter season is looking good. Snow enthusiasts anxious to visit Tahoe and book their winter trips should take a look at Zephyr Cove Resort. Unlike the hectic and almost urban ski [...]
There are several traditional Christmas events in Portland. I’ve been to all of them several times, but generally not all in the same year. They are all well done and worth the time to pursue.
This carved zebra mask caught my eye one day on a family outing. It happened to be at the entrance to the safari exhibit at the Lowry Park Zoo, but that’s not what made me pause.
Who would think that northeast Ohio is a grape haven? There are more wineries than you can shake a grapevine at. And the last weekend in September every year, in celebration of the grape harvest, is the Grape Jamboree in Geneva, Ohio. The festivities include a Miss Grapette pageant, a grape stomping contest, a pie [...]
There are several Highland Games in Northern New England. The games at Loon Mountain are a personal favorite. These are known as the most diverse games in the country! First, Loon Mountain and surrounding area is a beautiful area. Getting there is big fun. Coming from Maine or the Mt. Washington Valley, the ride must [...]
I am a sucker for a fair of any kind. This fair, however, knocks my socks off. The Common Ground Fair is sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and is always held the third weekend after Labor Day. MOFGA is the voice of organic farming in Maine, and the Common Ground [...]
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is the most amazing and odd little museum I’ve ever visited…and I’ve been to a few. First, its setting. It’s near the famous Boston Fens and within walking distance of the Museum of Fine Art. It has an inner courtyard that is always in bloom and lovely. The museum’s [...]
Sometimes, you find unusual travel photo opportunities at the most unexpected times. For example, this African mask I came across on a family visit to the Lowry Park Zoo.
Located in University Circle in Cleveland, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum houses a collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It contains historically significant automobiles (over 200 vehicles from Model T to contemporary Jaguar), bicycles, aircraft, spacecraft, motorcycles and even a boat, Tinkerbelle. It’s fascinating. If history is your thing, and even if it isn’t, a [...]
Hiking Mt. Washington is a popular thing to do for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Mt. Washington Valley. Getting to that summit is an attainable goal and the view from the summit is an apt reward. If, however, you happen not to want to execute that climb to get those views, there is an alternative. The [...]
This image called to me for the taking on a day trip we took with a friend in Ecuador. The back view of virtually identical hair braids streaming down vibrantly colored shawls is a cultural snapshot of the Andes themselves.
As a person who lives near the White Mountains, I frequently like to combine a trip to Conway/No. Conway with a ride on the Kancamagus Highway (aka “The Kanc”). There are a few ways to do this for those ‘in the know’ without backtracking. My favorite is to connect from Rte. 302 in Bartlett to [...]
This view was photographed from a castle wall near Bolzano, Italy. There are many castles in the area, as well as wineries, farm stays, ecological experiences and cultural performances. The area is also a popular destination for ski holidays in the winter.
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This Andean woman takes a break from selling her wares to socialize with tourists in Peru's Sacred Valley.
The ancient Nabatean city of Petra, Jordan provides a peek into ancient civilization and also into the local Bedouin culture, which values the social experience of drinking tea highly.
This stand of palm trees against a blue sky is located in Florida's Longboat Key, one of the islands of Sarasota. It's a popular getaway with tourists and Florida residents alike, when one wants a taste of forgotten Florida.
Exploring the world-famous archeological site of Machu Picchu takes some time. In order to make the most of your visit, it's best to arrive at Aguas Calientes an afternoon ahead of schedule and head up the mountain first thing the next morning.
This command module is part of the Saturn V rocket display at the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must-see exhibit if you only have one day at the KSC. The entire venue is right down the road from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, another fun family attraction on Florida's space coast.
This abandoned mosque in Israel lies along the shores of Lake Tiberius, otherwise known as the sea of Galilea. The view of the ancient stones and overgrown plants struck me as sort of an Indiana Jones image with a bit of Middle Eastern flair.
This resort cottage photograph was taken at the thermal hot springs resort of Papallacta, located in the mountains of Ecuador. The mist rising off of the thermal pools brings a bit of a mystical quality to the image.
