Blogs

Landing in Portland, Maine, I quickly stopped wondering if this would be another shopping and stuff-your-face vacation. I was happy to note boats, sloughs, masts, traps, seafood signs, varnished wooden spars, and sea smells…back in my personal natural element on the Maine coast.

Fortunately, there are many things to interest my wife at the same time; great food, interesting local shops, and historic B&B offering outstanding gardens. We would soon board an historic 1871 schooner for a 3-day sail

Rockland can be a challenge to get to, but that makes it even more

Varanasi… one of the most ancient inhabited cities of the world is also the oldest living city of the world. Varanasi is considered to be India's religious and spiritual hub and derives its name from the tributaries of the Ganges, Varuna and Asi that it is located on. Its original name Kashi comes from Kasha meaning the place of sacred light. The other name Benares might have been either a corruption of Varanasi by the British or from the Pali version of the word Varanasi to Baranasi to Benares.

Through working at the Secret Garden Hostel in Quito I learned a lot about the people who make up the places and activities that Ecuador has to offer. The Galapagos is the bread winner for those who try and make a living while keeping a healthy perspective about the way they are living.

The learning curve for travellers is steep. Hostels vary in quality and commitment to those staying there. The Secret Garden is a very well regarded hostel because the owners are hands on and make the effort to tr

Jet Set Zero // How to Find Work Abroad

A few weeks ago I met a woman named Jenna who is from Los Angeles and in town for three months working for an online tv show about living and working in Quito with her three roomates. The Show, Jet Set Zero, has had five other seasons in , Seattle,USA , Saigon, Vietnam (I), Tokyo, Japan, Seoul, South Korea, Istanbul, Turkey, and Saigon,Vietnam(II).

Jenna found out about the program form an airline magazine and decided that despite having a good life in the S

"Notions of chance and fate are the preoccupation of men engaged in rash undertakings" --Cormac Mccarthy

I recently met three people travelling from Columbia that came to Ecuador with a mission. To buy a bus! After meeting them at the Secret Garden Hostal i was a little skeptical at first. They had just come from Columbia after working the season in Colorado as bartenders. They met the third in thier party in a hostel in Columbia and had hatched thier plan to buy a bus and travel around Ecuador

Fruit Wine Selection at Russell Orchards

If you’re headed up Argilla Road north of downtown Ispwich, you’ll get the distinct feeling that you’re heading into more remote surroundings of rolling farm fields, and wooded glens. One pastoral gem that you simply can’t miss is Russell Orchards. Only about 5 minutes from Crane Beach, you’ll see a wood shaked barn to your right and once inside, it’s apparent that this is the real deal…not some knock off built within the last decade to look like an antiqu

Students in the Art History program at University of Redlands, a top Southern California university, spend time exploring the classics through studying the paintings and sculptures found in museums like the Louvre in Paris, British Museum in London, or the Vatican Museum in Rome.

But art in Europe doesn’t necessarily mean

With spring in full swing and summertime in our collective sightline, I am pretty sure we’re all chomping at the bit for some time off to relax and renew. Since we're ready to go let's settle in and make plans now.

Although I am not a psychic, I get the vibe that you’re looking for warm sunny days, lush green vineyards, crisp white wines, fruit driven reds, outstanding food, happy smiles, and some wine country fun. Temecula Valley Wine Country in Southern California is the perfect complement to a

Looking for some high seas adventure with a decidedly gourmet food and wine focus? Then check out the Schooner Stephen Taber for a uniquely tactile and visual experience. This gorgeous century-old tall ship takes you from Rockland, Maine on a stunning tour of the untouched islands of Maine’s rocky coast. Think lush green inlets and islands, lighthouses, old farmhouses, seals and dolphins…and of course the ever-present lobster traps.

Captain Noah and Jane Barnes’ hospitality and gourmet galley far