On the train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, thinking about my upcoming climb up the picture-postcard peak of nearby citadel Huayna Picchu, known as “the young mountain,” I realized I'd left my hiking shoes behind! But I'd traveled great distances to climb Machu Picchu’s highest peak, so even a lack of proper footgear wasn't going to stop me. Perhaps I would be the first person to hike this majestic peak in Hugo Boss loafers - maybe I could get Hugo to pay me for bringing his brand to the top of an
adventure travel (195)
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN 2013, WITH THE BEST SITE TO BE IN KENYA
Lake Turkana solar hybrid safaris. In November 3, 2013, a total solar eclipse will pass over equatorial Gabon in Western Africa, Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and finally Ethiopia. Lodwar in Kenya reports a very encouraging “percent of possible sunshine” of 74 percent, strong confirmation of a pronounced decline in cloudiness toward the eastern end of the eclipse track, though the value is so high as to invite a little suspicion which result
“Our Team Travels” (OTT) by Voyages Groupe Ideal
Welcome to the very first in our series of “Our Team Travels” where we share our team members travel experiences from across the globe.
The following is an account of our team member Rona Cukier’s Antarctica Adventure.
A Cruise Expedition in Antarctica
Do you ever want to get away from everything and take a vacation that is experiential in nature; something different and enriching to somewhere you’ve never been?
Well that is what Rona and Ed Cukier set
After a near panic-attack—or maybe it was claustrophobia, I’m not sure—from being in rooms without windows for six days straight, I get on the bus from Baguio to Sagada resolving to do better. I even find banana bread. That’s a good sign. “You ever have before?” the lady behind the smile asks. I smile back. Does a hippie live in the woods? “I’ve had it all my life.”
That’s probably the first thing I ever cooked.
The Philippines really are nice; they just respond better to an old-fashioned
Lounging on a tropical beach is probably one of the all-time most popular daydreams.
Picture it … soft, cushy white sand, rhythmic deep blue waves rolling onto shore, soft breezes wafting playfully over you as you lounge in the shade of palm trees, sipping cold coconut juice and snacking on chilled, juicy, sweet pineapple. Surfers bounce, flip and skim through the cobalt water and white froth. The warm yellow sun throws a zillion sparkles across the water. There is nothing to do, and nowhere to g
Santa Teresa beach has become a very popular place during the past years. As it has been mentioned several times, beautiful beaches, great surf conditions, wide variety of yoga services, tropical gardens and nice vibe make it a favorite among the off the beaten path destinations.
Santa Teresa Beach
Even though, the trip to this area is quite long, after all, truly worths the time. The options to visit Santa Teresa beach are varied, and could take from 45 minutes to 6 hours depending on the transpo
Costa Rica offers to its visitors a wide range of activities and attractions, spread out all over the country; from coast to coast our visitors can find lots of options and destinations to explore in our country.
Tortuguero is one of the highlights, very popular among the nature lovers; this national park offers wide biodiversity of flora and fauna species. Nestled in the north part of the Costa Rican Caribbean Coast, this area offers unique characteristics to its visitors.
Turtle-nesting is one o
Yes, Costa Rica is fast becoming one of the world’s top destinations for cycling and mountain biking.
The annual Vuelta Ciclista a Costa Rica (Tour of Costa Rica) just finished in December. The 12-day-long stage race is Costa Rica’s own version of the world-famous Tour de France, and has been steadily attracting international competitors over the past 40 years. The race crisscrosses the country across towering mountain ranges from sea level to more than 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet high).
One
Turrialba Valley is located in east side of Cartago Province, just one hour and thirty minutes away from San Jose. During the past few years, the wealth and beauty of this area has been discovered by the increasing number of visitors every year.
Here you can find a unique charm and essence, very different to the popular and regular touristic places in other parts of the country. A special combination of distinctive elements made of this valley a one of a kind; the tropical forest, world class con
So you are in Tuscany and you've had enough food and wine. What to do?
Well, there is several companies in the region that offer balloon rides. If you need a little more excitement, it's a pretty good time. I visited Tuscany in September, which is the end of ballooning season (apparently) due to the conditions. Its not way too expensive, but its not exactly cheap. Its priced about right, and offers a great view of the tuscany landscape. Its romantic for you lovers out there, and pretty exciti
La Fortuna, home of the very popular and stunning Arenal Volcano. I arrived on a Thursday and left the next day, even though it was a quick trip, I truly enjoyed it.
I left San Jose in the early morning, going straight to Ciudad Quesada, A few hours later, I arrived at One Hotel, where I not only enjoyed a delicious lunch, but also had the chance to explore their facilities. This hotel offers natural thermal waters flowing directly from the rainforest surrounding the property. The restaurant is
Getting High in Jamaica
I was pretty terrified.
Weak knees, breath-holding terrified.
I was standing on the edge of small tree platform high above the Jamaican rain forest, looking down at all the treetops. About eye level with the birds!
With the forest canopy beneath me, the guides from Chukka Tours expertly snapped all the hooks and cables in place and I could feel myself about to shout out, “I don’t want to do this, Man” !
Thankfully before I could, one of the women leaders placed a reassuring
Iceland: Life on the Brink
Icelanders live on the edge.
In 1783 the Laki Volcano in this glacier-covered country erupted in a violent and prolonged paroxysm, killing a fifth of the country's population.
For 10 months 30 billion tons of lava and sulfuric acid belched forth, creating a noxious haze that killed crops and livestock in Europe as it wound its deadly way west.
Some experts say it was this eruption that led to crop failures in distant France, setting the stage for the French Revolution
| by Emily Guilmette |
| One of our all-time favorite hotels in the entirety of South America is Inkaterra's La Casona! I recently had the pleasure of spending an evening there and wanted to take this opportunity to tell you why it's so special. First, you come upon La Casona, tucked away in one of Cusco's prettiest plazas, up the hill from the Plaza de Armas. Bounded by low blue-shuttered buildings and a dusty red colonial cathedral, you find yourself in an oasis of calm. In the distance - shadowy blu |
Canyoning, also known as canyoneering in some parts of the world, is the adventurous act of traveling through steep and narrow canyons using a variety of techniques that can include walking, scrambling, jumping, abseiling, wading, or swimming and climbing waterfalls through steep canyon walls to deep pools.. Canyoneers usually differentiate between technical and nontechnical canyoneering. Where nontechnical canyoneering generally refers to simple canyon hiking, technical canyoneering requires sp
The Worldwide Rafting Championship 2011 is just around the corner. International teams have been arriving since last week and are already training at the renowned Pacuare River.
For the third time, Costa Rica will be hosting this important event; the first was back in 1991 for the first World Rafting Championship, then again in 1998. The International Rafting Federation (IRF), main body of the sport chose Pacuare River commemorating the first championship that took place 20 years ago and also to
A 40-minute drive east of Puerto Plata, Cabarete’s a phenom that started blossoming as a destination in the mid-1980s, as foreign visitors discovered the water, wind conditions, and nearly four miles of beach that have given this single-street town of some 37,000 a rep as one of the world’s top meccas for windsurfing, kitesurfing, just plain ol’ surfing, and sailing. That’s not to say you can’t have fun here if you don’t do any of these sports, but it sure does help.
Today, more than 20 years la
On the lovely morning of September 11, 2001, I was working as usual in my 7th Avenue Manhattan office as executive editor of Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, when thanks to somebody over on the publishing side with a dinky in-office TV came word that a plane had hit the north tower of the World Trade Center. As we sat there increasingly nervous yet numbed, trying to continue to work with one eye on the news, one editorial assistant admitted to me at one point, "people here are scared, they don't
The summer has almost finished and many memories were left behind. For some people it was the perfect time to relax at the poolside, enjoy the sun and warm weather, for some others was the chance to experience some new adventures and when I said ¨adventures¨ I really mean it.
Summer vacations are one of the most expected times of the year by teenagers and kids, because of so many reasons; great weather, leisure times and fun activities almost everywhere. The fact is; being off school is an exce
