A resource for independent travelers
On a recent business trip to Norfolk, I had the opportunity to spend a morning visiting an East Coast treasure I never knew existed. The Chrysler Museum of Art, a venue housing tens of thousands of works exemplifying a number of styles and artists, represents a significant cultural resource for the city of Norfolk, Virginia. [...]
Ecologically-minded travelers hoping to keep it green on the road are often concerned about a potentially out-of-control price tag. Fortunately, it’s getting more affordable than ever to maintain your environmental priorities while on vacation. Here are a few of my favorite frugal tips. Food: Breakfast is one of the most affordable meals to enjoy while [...]
This architectural image represents many such photo opportunities in Amman, Jordan. The city is home to several sets of Roman ruins, as well a handful of notable restaurants, such as the Blue Fig.
Hectic schedules and stressful careers make spa vacations a sought-after commodity for many travelers. Hot stone massages, seaweed wraps and sugar scrubs are among the more popular choices for vacationers, but facials and foot rubs receive high marks as well. With rates reaching as high as $500 or more for certain treatments however, it pays [...]
This high-altitude stream is located in the village of Ollantaytambo, in Peru. The site is home to some impressive Incan ruins and a very picturesque area of the country.
We packed up our snowshoe equipment along with our energetic Labrador, and drove off from our cabin on St. Froid Lake to enjoy the free community trails at the 10th Mountain Ski Club in Fort Kent, Maine. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas and the previous day’s snowfall was still clogging the roads. As it [...]
This horse is one of several in the riding stables of Shenandoah National Park, where visitors can go horseback riding as well as camping, hiking and stargazing.
This doorway exemplifies the typical architecture one can expect to see when touring Venice, Italy. Similar photo ops are possible along the various alleyways and canals throughout the city.
This Jordanian soldier stands guard among the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Jerash. The entire city plays host to a cultural festival every year, and is a popular destination for vacationers touring Jordan.
This man in Petra, Jordan takes a break with his donkey after taking tourists for a ride along the Siq. Petra is known around the world as the ancient rose red city in the rocks.
This antique clock tower was photographed in the seaside town of Jaffa, Israel, which has been in existence since around the time of Noah. The town is a pleasant stroll from the city of Tel Aviv, and home to several great seafood restaurants and artists’ shops.
So many titles come out in the travel genre each year, it’s difficult to keep up with them all. Here are five interesting options that you may have missed. On the Road in ’68, by Tom Leech Essentially a published travel journal accented with historical event lists from both then and now, On the Road [...]
This whimsical clown quilt was photographed at the Virginia Quilt Museum, one of many interesting things to do in Harrisonburg, Va.
This elaborately-ornate roof in Bangkok, Thailand was photographed from the platform of a temple across the river. It is typical of traditional Thai architecture.
If you’re looking for something more than your typical community pool excursions to fulfill your family fun goals this summer, consider the celebration of science. Numerous affordable options are available. These are some of my favorites. Freebies: LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in Livingston, Louisiana offers free group fieldtrips to their facility and [...]
Bicycles are a common form of transportation around Angkor Wat, and elsewhere in Cambodia. People use them to transport groceries, farm animals, family members and more.
This simple street scene was photographed on the islet of Sirmione, along the shores of Italy’s Lake Garda. It’s a popular destination for tourists to take a boat ride, go for a swim, tour ancient Roman ruins and catch a romantic Italian dinner.
This tour boat ferries visitors to Peru’s Lake Titicaca, high in the Andes Mountains. A visit to this lake provides a peek into the Uros culture, high-altitude island life and beautiful blue waters to explore.
These beachfront cabanas are located on the island of St. Kitts, and provide a relaxing and shaded way to spend the day near the water with access to rum drinks, seafood and even a day spa.
The piazza in Pisa, Italy is one of the most beautiful in the world, and a popular place for tourists to picnic while taking in a little sightseeing. There are other things to see in Pisa as well, as the city has been around for generations.
This recreated lunar orbiter is on display at the Kennedy Space Center, in Titusville. It’s part of the exhibit collection at the Saturn V Center, which makes for an excellent stop on a daytrip to KSC. People from all over the world visit this venue when visiting Orlando, as the United States’ space program is [...]
While summer is the favored season for family reunions, they can be held successfully at any time of year. While people have always searched for strategies to keep them affordable, current gas prices are making frugality an even greater family travel priority. Follow these money-saving tips to maintain tradition while enjoying affordable family-reunion fun this [...]
As spread out as things are here in the Tampa – St. Pete – Clearwater area, we do have a few foot-friendly areas suitable for exploring at your own pace. Here are three of Trek Hound’s favorites. Tarpon Springs Full of Mediterranean atmosphere with access to great Greek grub, Tarpon Springs is a great place [...]
This unexpected view of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem brings a sense of the modern to an ancient structure recognized around the world. From the plaza around the building, one can reflect upon the history that has occurred at this location over thousands of years.
Llamas are a part of everyday life in Peru’s Sacred Valley, and other rural parts of the country. This one is being led out for a stroll by his young owner.
This giraffe at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa is a classic example of the type of travel photography possible during a visit to the zoo. Exotic animal images are extremely helpful in marketing your travel writing, and just plain fun to frame and display. Other fun places to photograph animals are Peru’s Sacred Valley, [...]
This image of Angie the llama, a popular cuddle partner at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is one of my favorites. We photographed this image on one of our many trips to this particular zoo, which is a favorite spot to enjoy a leisurely afternoon with some gorgeous animals. We always enjoy seeing Angie specifically, because [...]
Few devices have gotten as much buzz lately as Amazon’s new tablet, the Kindle Fire. With full-color access to digital magazine subscriptions, streaming video, Android apps and more for just less than $200, the price point seems poised for a huge presence in this year’s holiday sales figures. What finally convinced us to dish out [...]
Known as the cigar capital of the world for many years, the century-plus-old Latin district in Tampa, Florida known as Ybor City has much to offer the urban traveler.
If you’re looking for a low-stress walking tour and a Pinellas County period experience, then Heritage Village in Largo is your go-to venue in the greater Tampa Bay area.
This image of the White Oak Lavender Farm exemplifies what agritourism is all about. A giant hay bale behind a well-maintained fence with a pasture in the background is iconic in its own right. Factor in the lavender bushes in the foreground, and you have a scene that you simply can’t resist. This charming farm [...]
Whether it’s Halloween, or time to study ancient civilizations at school, mummies are a fascinating subject for children of all ages and are worth your tourist time on any international trip.
This photo of three elder gentlemen visiting on a park bench was photographed in Quito, Ecuador shortly after a weekly changing of the guard ceremony.
Tourists and locals looking for hands-on science activities should look no further than MOSI in Tampa, Florida. This science museum features a fun array of exhibits, activities and special events, including an annual chocolate festival. Here are five fun highlights you can expect to experience during your visit there.
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.
