Author Profile: Elizabeth Bankhead

Our first view of the port where our ship docked was nothing to write home about. It appeared very industrial, however, its Old Town while only 60 years old, mimicked old styles of...   view more

The Vasamuseet housed an impressive warship built between 1626 and 1628. There was only one problem…it was top heavy with an insufficient ballast. It traveled 4,265 feet before it capsized and sank killing 30 of the 150 people on...   view more

Tallinn, the capital and largest city of Estonia was quite enjoyable. It may have been our favorite city on the tour thus far. Perhaps it was a pleasant surprise because we hardly knew anything about Estonia or this medieval city whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage...   view more

We started the day early, crossed the canal and visited the island of Christianshavn and more specifically Christiania, an area established by squatters in 1971. It’s a commune of collective business, workshops and communal living. Colorful buildings peppered the cobblestone...   view more

We arrived at Christiansborg Slot by the opening at 10. The combo ticket for 120 was the cheapest option. This allowed us to visit several rooms in the castle, along with the ruins of the other castles upon which this one was built, and the empty...   view more

From the airport we took a 20 or 30 minute taxi ride to our hotel, The Palace Downtown Dubai which was located across the man-made lake from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the...   view more

Our tour began by taking the bus to Peter’s Square which was renamed to Decembrists Square in 1925 to commemorate the Decembrists revolt 100 years previously, and is now named Senate Square as of...   view more

Well, we travelled to Bornholm last night in four foot seas. The boat didn’t seem too rocky to me, but those who get motion sickness could feel it moving...   view more

After our breakfast of eggs, fruit, and gallo pinto, we headed out to the local market, just a few blocks off the plaza. At first glance it didn’t look that big, but soon we found ourselves following the locals through a...   view more

After lunch we hopped the metro and headed north toward Montmarte, strolled past an art festival, and visited our first attraction, Sacre-Couer, a basilica that sits atop a hill offering stunning views of the...   view more

Our second day in Paris was action packed! We hopped the metro to our first stop, the Louvre, once a medieval fortress, now the world’s largest...   view more

Construction of the Grand Palace began in 1782 and throughout successive reigns, many buildings were added. The Royal family lived at the palace until 1925. Now it is used for certain events and to house foreign...   view more

We made up our own culinary tour. First, we crossed the street and tried out The Grove, a restaurant I read about on a T&L tweet. It is known for its burrito with green chili which didn’t...   view more

The Town too Tough to Die,” Tombstone was perhaps the most renowned of Arizona’s old mining camps. When Ed Schieffelin came to Camp Huachuca with a party of soldiers and left the fort to prospect, his comrades told him that he’d find his tombstone rather than...   view more

At the plaza we admired the Christmas tree art made from scraps and stopped in the nearby Santiago Municipal Cathedral. The cathedral, built in the mid to late 1700s, is one of the largest in...   view more

The image of Fudomyoo is the main deity of the Naritasan Kongo-oin Shinshoji Temple and belongs to the Chisan Sect of Shingon. The image is valuable because Kobou Daishi, the founder of Shingon, himself carved, consecrated, and conducted a Goma rite upon the direct order of Emperor...   view more

We got into Oslo a bit later than we had hoped for after a delayed flight, but the process upon landing was pretty simple. We found the Flytoget Express Train and took it to the Nationalthetret...   view more

Well I think most people would talk about gambling and clubbing after they visit Vegas. I, on the otherhand, prefer the dining and shows in Vegas, though I think the food may be more expensive in Vegas than New...   view more

Our trip started with our plane delayed two hours which was a slight bummer as we ‘have much time to spend in Buenos Aires on our way to Antarctica...   view more

Our original plan was to visit Riomaggiore and then turn the other direction, passing Manarola to Corniglia before finally ending the day on a sunset boat ride in Levanto. This was going to take more than six hours, so we purchased individual...   view more

Oh what day again! It took me nearly 30 minutes to walk down all the stairs, around the footpath, order warm chocolate croissants and coffee, and make the trek all the way back up to our “penthouse suite.” I worked off my croissant calories before I even sat...   view more

We enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the hotel…mostly European style. We had to check out by 11, so we packed our bags and left them in the common area for Quark to pick up while we took a “taxi” tour with 13...   view more

The City of San Antonio owes its existence to the rich mission heritage. A mission was an institution used by the Spanish to transplant their culture to frontier...   view more

While Colorado may be known best internationally for being the first state to legalize marijuana, it is also very well known for its craft beers. Breweries have become very popular, and they seem to be on every...   view more

I was so excited to go to Cuba, that I had high expectations for Havana yesterday, and they weren’t quite met. I think mostly because I was tired and with all the travel challenges, I felt like we did a whole lot of...   view more

Cuba…a place I’ve wanted to go probably because it has been off limits to Americans and from what I have seen on TV, the culture seems interesting. As such, I googled a variety of trips…cruises, dive trips and...   view more

I was so excited to go to Cuba, that I had high expectations for Havana yesterday, and they weren’t quite met. I think mostly because I was tired and with all the travel challenges, I felt like we did a whole lot of...   view more

Mirta prepared our breakfast for 7am. It included a variety of fruits, eggs made to order, coffee and homemade juice. We didn’t have to leave until 9am today, so I took advantage of the late start and went for a...   view more

We ate our final breakfast at Casa Obrapía before loading on the bus to drive west for 1.5 hours to Las Terrazas, a very interesting community. A reforestation project was designed around the community which provided countless jobs and government housing to...   view more

To continue with the Valentine’s Day theme from last night, our hosts’ two-year old son picked some flowers in the courtyard and proudly presented them to me at breakfast…so...   view more

We enjoyed our breakfast on the upstairs terrace as we looked on the horse drawn taxis. From our balcony view, the large city with a population of 110,000, still seemed like a quiet ghost...   view more

It is our final day in Cuba. Our tour had a few stops planned for our drive from Trinidad to Havana for our last day in...   view more

A medina is a specific city section found in many North African cities which are typically walled with many narrow and maze-like streets. Marrakesh medina is no exception. Thick-walled, interconnecting buildings lined cobblestone streets which zigzagged in every direction. Once designed to confuse invaders, the Marrakesh medina now just confuses...   view more

So today was the first day of our Dreamtrip which was offered by our vacation club we joined. We loaded the bus at 8:30am with our new-found friends, Jimmi and Margit from Sweden and Nina and Brien, Americans who live in South Korea, among...   view more

Today we boarded the bus for a side trip to Essaouira, once Morocco’s main trading port and a stronghold of the Jewish...   view more

Now that we have been in Morocco a week, we have learned a few Arabic/Berber words. I think the ones we’ve heard the most are “Marhaba” – “Hello” and “Yallah” – “Let’s Go”. We were ready to go today. It was time for a tour of...   view more

Getting to and from Morocco from the USA wasn’t that easy. We opted for an 18 hour layover in Madrid, and enjoyed an afternoon and evening of...   view more

Today we took a trip to El Jadida, a coastal town 100km southwest of Casablanca. The town is an old Portuguese port with a medina that is a UNSECO World Heritage...   view more

A few long weekends in our Nation’s capital is all it takes to see the best sites of Washington D.C. I came to D.C. as a teenager as part of a field trip for our middle school. We saw Mt. Vernon, colonial Williamsburg, the capitol building, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian, and a few of the memorials. While it was over 30 years ago, some sites have remained the same and others have expanded. As such, I touched on some newer...   view more

Marci took us all (me, my two sisters, and my sister-in-law) to New Orleans for her birthday. What a nice treat! She made reservations for us at the Windsor Court Hotel which was just off Canal Street and walking distance to the French...   view more

On our way home from the Philippines, we had to connect through Seoul, South Korea. Neither Rootie nor I had been, so we decided on a 2.5 day layover, mostly in order to go to the DMZ which we heard was a must...   view more

Today we took a day trip from Casablanca to Rabat, the capital city. While driving the 87 km, we learned a little about Morocco. Its population is 35 million of which 40% are...   view more

We arrived in Boulder City, Nevada on Thursday morning to compete in a triathlon at Lake Mead Recreation Area on Saturday. Not leaving until Monday evening, we had time for a mini-vacation, and found a variety of attractions in Boulder City and the surrounding...   view more

This morning we managed to sleep in until about 5:30am which was pretty good. We just had to kill a little time until hour 7am buffet breakfast which included an egg station, fruit, meats and cheese, Mongolian fare, waffles, spaghetti and...   view more

I enjoyed two days in Durango after finishing the Colorado Trail. Given I had just backpacked 53 miles on the Colorado Trail, I opted for an extremely relaxing...   view more

While staying on the Tuscany/Umbria border, we took day trips to many towns of different sizes. I think Pienza may have stuck out as my favorite, though each had its own unique qualities and...   view more

If you only have three days to spend on the Amalfi Coast, I recommend staying in Sorrento as it is a very good central location for seeing the area. Having said that, if you are looking for rest and relaxation on the coast, three days is not enough...   view more

My tennis partner Ann organized a girls trip to Tuscany. Ten of us came from near and far. Some arrived in Italy early; others arrived the day we were transported to Tuscany from...   view more

While I’d rather be out in nature, I always feel obligated when I’m in a major city to at least go to a few of the famous sites. As such, we planned a day at the most famous sites in Beijing: the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Forbidden...   view more

Some of us girls who met in Italy reconnected in Las Vegas for a mini reunion as Mary had a conference following the weekend. Virginia and I got a nice deal at the Venetian which included a resort credit at its restaurants. As such, we found ourselves eating...   view more

Want to know what to do for two days in Ouray during winter? Here are a few ideas for the top things to do in Ouray. 1. Visit the ice park. 2. Go for a hike/snowshoe. 3. Visit Ironton Park...   view more

We picked Banda Dive Shop because we wanted to stay in San Andres with other things to do, but San Andres Divers seemed like another good option for those staying in quiet...   view more

So I tried some of the tourist places first and then migrated off the main drag to dine with the locals. I found the food was just as good if not better at the local restaurants. In addition, the portions were larger for a half or a third of the...   view more

San Andrés is the largest of three islands in the Colombian archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea. The islands first appeared on the Spanish map in 1527. Over the next 350-400 years, the islands were inhabited by the English, Dutch and Spanish and changed hands many...   view more

Getsemaní, a neighborhood outside the walled city, once a poor area is now a hip place to visit. I accidentally found a B&B in this area, and it turned out to be conveniently located for visiting both the walled city and the Castillo San Felipe de...   view more

Cartagena, founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, is named after Cartagena, Spain. Strategically located between the Magdalena and Sinú Rivers on Colombia’s northeastern, Caribbean coast, the city became a very important trade port for...   view more

The next destination on the tour was Central Park, officially called Plaza de la Constitucion. Its layout emulates that of Central Park in Antigua, Guatemala’s previous capital until it was destroyed in the 1776 earthquake and subsequently moved to Guate by the...   view more

Today I took a tour to Chichicastenango. It was a bit of a drive from Guatemala City and originally wasn’t in my plan, but it only cost me $15 more to do the whole tour than it did just to get to Antigua which is where I needed to be by dinner time for our volunteer project...   view more

Antigua, located in the central highlands of Guatemala, was settled as the third capital of Guatemala in 1543 by Spanish conquistadors after indigenous uprisings took place in the first capital and after a volcano destroyed the second capital over a 20 year time...   view more

Antigua has suffered from many earth quakes since its establishment in the 1500’s. The 1773 earth quake turned out to be so devastating that a few years later the capital was moved to Guatemala City. There are, however, remains of several churches and convents that are very cool to...   view more

There isn’t much exciting in Cuiabá. There is no need to book any extra time to see drab buildings or breathe the stinky air. Just leave a safety net to arrive before the tour pick up time to get to the...   view more

I would have never thought I’d say 36 hours was not enough time for visiting São Paulo. I personally am not a big city enthusiast, but always feel like I should explore for a day at the beginning or end of my wilderness...   view more

My tennis peeps and I took a weekend getaway from Denver to Buena Vista. We mixed up our time between outdoor activities and relaxation. Here are some top things to do in Buena...   view more

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and is home to one out of every six Croatians with a population of 790,000. Zagreb is the result of a merger in 1850 of two medieval towns, Gradec and...   view more

Our nine-day tour with Mt. Travel Sobek began this morning at 9am. We met our wonderful guides, Stasa who speaks five languages and loves to travel and Domen who holds an MA in Ethnology and Cultural anthropology and is also an...   view more

Motovun is an Istrian hill town home to just over 500 locals and dramatically located 1,000 feet above vineyards and forest. Parking is located atop the steep, twisty road, though to reach Old Town, visitors must take a steep 10-minute walk...   view more

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital with a population of 270,000, seems smaller than its actual size. Its central walking zone is compact and nearby the Ljubljanica River that bisects the city. Many bridges cross the river while cafes line its...   view more

Rovinj is a lovely coastal town in Istria, Croatia with a strong Venetian influence as it was part of the Republic of Venice from the 13th-18th century. In fact, all the town signs are written in Croatian and...   view more

Lake Bled is Slovenia’s leading mountain resort and deserves at minimum a day trip visit from Ljubljana. Nature lover and hikers, however, would enjoy at least a three day stay if not...   view more

The small village is now home to the Kobarid Museum, the Italian Mausoleum, and several surrounding area hikes including those mentioned below as well as the long Walk of Peace journey and the short Great Kozjak Waterfall...   view more

Vicenza is an hour drive from Venice and worth touring if time permits. The city in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features many works of Andrea Palladio, a 16th Century Renaissance architect who defined the Palladian...   view more

This was my first trip to Venice and frankly I had low expectations after I told many I was going in June. I got the “Oh it’s going to be so crowded and hot” comment over and over. Not fond of crowds, I was...   view more

Talkeetna which began in 1916 after being chosen as the district headquarters for the Alaska Railroad is located at the confluence of three rivers, the Susitna, the Chulitna, and the Talkeetna. Approximately 800 people call Talkeetna, the gateway to Denali,...   view more

I spent three days in Homer and despite somewhat crummy weather, I really liked this part of my two-week trip in Alaska. I found the best place to stay with a spectacular view and an extremely short drive to both the Homer Spit and the downtown...   view more

After a day of crummy salmon fishing in Cooper Landing (try trout fishing on the upper Kenai instead), I planned a leisurely day of driving from Cooper Landing to Homer with scenic stops along the...   view more

We spent a portion of several days in Anchorage as we explored different parts of Alaska. While there, we found a variety of places to visit and some excellent restaurants. Below are some traveling tips for...   view more

Tanya and I spent a weekend in Aspen to enjoy the fall colors. Interestingly, all the aspen at 10,000 feet and above were at their peak, while trees at a lower elevation had yet to...   view more

I went into to full on tourist mode this weekend in New York City. There are so many things to do in the Big Apple, and I just never tire of visiting...   view more

The sites are in close proximity of one another, but are shaded by junipers and pine which is nice for hot days. Each spot includes a picnic table, grill, fire ring, a generally flat area for a tent and parking area large enough for one to two...   view more

Page, Arizona was founded in 1957 as a housing community for workers and their families during the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. After the dam’s completion in 1960, it became the gateway to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake...   view more

Moab is small town in eastern Utah with close proximity to both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. It attracts many tourists to these parks. In addition, it is an extremely popular base for mountain bikers and...   view more

Budapest, population 2 million, has many places to see and things to do. The city is very walkable, and we visited many sights on our nine-mile...   view more

Bratislava, with a population of 450,000, is Slovakia’s largest city. It occupies both banks of the Danube River. The city’s lovely Old Town, that is easily walkable, is on the north side of the...   view more

Our first stop this morning, for only a few hours, was in Dürnstein, which means dry rock. Dürnstein is known for its wine and apricots, and vineyards can be seen across the...   view more

Regensburg’s medieval city center is largely preserved as it suffered little damage from bombing during World War II. As such, the Old Town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The initial view of the historic city is...   view more

Passau sits on the border of Austria in the Bavaria region at the confluence of three rivers. As such, Passau, a bishopric since 739, profited from important salt trade routes and remained independent until it was incorporated into Bavaria during the Napoleonic times of...   view more

We arrived in the morning to Nuremberg on our last day of our Danube Cruise and organized a taxi ride from port to our hotel in Old Town for around 20...   view more

When in Nuremberg, it’s worth investigating the history of the Nazi Regime and World War II. Just visiting the Documentation Center, Nazi Party Rally Grounds, and the Memorium Nuremberg Trials which includes Courtroom 600 takes an entire winter...   view more

Kutná Hora was settled in 1142 with the establishment of Sedlec Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery in Bohemia. Just over a century later, German miners began prospecting for silver in the mountain...   view more

Prague is now the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic with 1.3 million people. We arrived in the fifth most visited European city via bus from Nuremberg which was the fastest mode of public...   view more

When visiting Krakow, seeing Auschwitz is a must. Auschwitz, a complex of 48 concentration and extermination camps, was operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War...   view more

After I travel a while, I get tired of eating every meal at a restaurant, particularly in Europe where the service is slow. I recognize it is slow to allow diners to enjoy their meal, but when I am on my own, sitting around is not my first...   view more

Today I joined the tour for Krakow’s Jewish Quarter. The English-speaking tour met at in front of St. Mary’s Basilica in Old Town at 2:30pm. Given it was winter time and dark very early, the tour was two hours rather than the advertised two and half hours. That was fine with...   view more

I arrived in Krakow from Prague via a seven-hour train ride. I followed the signage from the train station to Krakow’s Old Town which took me through the mall, up to an exit through a Christmas market, down into a tunnel beneath a street and then into a lovely park dusted in a light...   view more

The Danube River originates in Germany and flows southeast 1,770 miles through ten countries and into the Black Sea. With the help of a lock system, 1,500 of those miles are navigable, thus it is an attractive river cruise...   view more

I’m going to go out on a limb and say Donde José is one of the best! Actually, I don’t even think I have to go out on a limb to say that, as it is one of the best restaurants anywhere where I’ve...   view more

I found the wonderful Latin America culture coupled with some American conveniences such as safe drinking water, easy and cheap Uber rides, excellent food, and US currency. To me, this was...   view more

Boquete affords its visitors a variety of activities including hiking, fishing, rafting, horseback riding, 4×4 off roading, visiting coffee plantations, and simply relaxing. And during the dry season, the weather in Boquete couldn’t be more...   view more

While I read the general information about a ferry transfer from St. Maarten to Anguilla, few small details still alluded...   view more

It has been a few years since I’ve been to the Caribbean, and I always like visiting a tropical destination during Colorado’s snowy months. This year I selected a combination of three nearby islands; Anguilla, Saba, and St....   view more

Saba is a Dutch island in the Caribbean Sea. Only five square miles with a population of 2,000, this small island is known as the Unspoiled Queen. With little commercialization and no cruise ships, Saba is a tropical...   view more

So, I have wanted to visit Graceland for some time now. Don’t ask me why because I’m not an Elvis fanatic nor do I know much about him. But I feel as an American, it’s my duty see what all the craze is...   view more

So, I have always felt that as an American, I needed to visit Graceland. I’m not sure why given I’m not an Elvis fanatic, but I finally decided to visit Memphis... I was pleasantly surprised by Memphis and...   view more

I’ve always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby, but have never been able to talk anyone into going with me. Either they’ve been once, and that was enough, or they weren’t interested due to the exorbitant price of a seat. Finally, I decided to go on my own...   view more

Sarlat-la-Caneda is a lovely French village in the Dordogne Valley. It is home to the highest concentration of medieval, Renaissance, and 17th-century architecture of any town in...   view more

Uzerche is a town in the Correze department of the Nouvelle-Aquitane region of France which includes the Limousin. The town is perched on a rocky outcrop above the Vezere...   view more

Oradour-sur-Glane is a village in the Haute-Vienne department of the Limousin region of France. The new Oradour-sur-Glane was rebuilt after World War II next to the original village which was destroyed by a German Waffen-SS...   view more

Perched on a rocky outcrop, Domme provides magnificent views of the Dordogne River and valley. A member of the association, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Domme is a popular tourist...   view more

Rocamadour is a picturesque village that clings to the side of a cliff overlooking the Alzou River. It has been a renowned Christian pilgrimage site since the...   view more

Getting to Africa from the United States is a trek, but once there it is a wonderful experience. Even Nairobi, the capital of Kenya with a population of 6.5 million, has a lot to...   view more

While I’ve been to many Caribbean Islands, either things have changed, or Anguilla is a little different from some of the others I’ve visited. For starters, I don’t ever remember needing so much cash! Below are some tips for traveling to...   view more

While I can’t say American Samoa caters to tourists, I can say the people on Aunu’u and Tutuila are some of the friendliest I’ve ever...   view more

With Julie and Dustin being hard core divers, we planned two days of diving and one day for a World War II tour in Honiara. Ultimately, at no fault of our own, our plans changed, but our adventures continued. We had a great time in...   view more

Samoa, once part of a larger island chain, was given to the Germans during the Tripartite Convention of 1899. At this time it became known as Western Samoa, though “Western” was dropped in...   view more

I spent much of my free time strolling the streets of the Old Town. I loved taking in the different scenes which range from ruins to restored buildings and everything else in between. Unlike many places in Europe, the churches are free to...   view more

I recently went to Panamá to study Spanish at the Casco Antiguo Spanish School. I was pleasantly surprised by Panamá. Below I’ve listed some wonderful conveniences about Panamá...   view more

Casco Viejo is the old quarter in Panama City and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hip and eclectic area features many restaurants, bars, shops, churches, and...   view more

Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and its most populated city. It was founded in 1847 by the church followers led by Brigham Young who fled the east to escape persecution. It is now home to the world headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day...   view more

Casco Viejo is a revitalized historic quarter of the city. The popular UNESCO World Heritage Site features beautiful churches, nice plazas, a variety of museums, countless stores, and hip...   view more

Muscat is a sprawling metropolis with concrete, marble and limestone buildings that reflect a traditional Arabic feel unlike other Middle Eastern cities with high-rises...   view more

If you want almost nothing to do on your arrival day, land on Friday as all the museums, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and Royal Opera House Muscat are...   view more

Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman, and it was the country’s capital in the 5th and 6th centuries. Located at the base of the Western Hajar Mountains, it is strategically located at the crossroads of routes linking the interior of Oman to Muscat and...   view more

Bethlehem is just a short 30 min drive from Jerusalem making it easy to visit in a day. It is known as the childhood home of David who was named the king of Israel and the birthplace of Jesus, thus it is an important pilgrimage...   view more

I wish there were a way to sum up the history of Jerusalem in a paragraph or two, but its 3,000 years of complicated history requires a detailed write up that I will leave to historians. Just the list of top places to visit in Jerusalem is extensive...   view more

While it does feature the city of Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv is very new, vibrant and cosmopolitan relative to many others in Israel. Though a big city, it doesn’t take more than a day to explore the...   view more

Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, is the only city in the world that straddles two continents, Europe and Asia. The city of 14 million people is the largest city in Europe and one of the most visited in the...   view more

The old city definitely features the most the sites, but Beyoĝlu also has many. Below is a list of sites to see in Beyoĝlu. Begin just north of the Beyoĝlu region on the Bosphorus Coast at the Dolmabahçe...   view more

Istanbul is an enormous city of 14 million people and is separated into three sections by water. The Golden Horn divides the European side into two while the Bosphorus Strait intersects the European and Asian side. Istanbul is the only city in the world to span two...   view more

Antalya was originally founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon around 150 BC and was called Attalia for the King. It soon became part of the Roman Empire and prospered until the fall of Constantinople. The Seljuk Turks captured the city in 1207 which fell to the Ottomans in the mid...   view more

Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which features natural travertine terraces of thermal pools. I saw a picture of the famous site in a National Geographic magazine at least 10 years ago and have wanted to visit ever...   view more

Selçuk is a very popular tourist destination. While Selçuk features a variety of restaurants and shops on lovely streets and a smattering of ruins on the hill above town, it is best known for its proximity to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage...   view more

Canakkale is a seaport on the southern coast of the Dardanelles with a population of nearly 200,000. It is a good base for those wishing to visit Troy and...   view more

Steamboat Springs, also known as Steamboat or the “boat”, is located in Routt County, Colorado and has a population of approximately 13,000. The town came by its name during early times when trappers heard a chugging noise and thought a steamboat was coming down the...   view more

I was on my way to the South Pacific via Hawaii. I spent a week on the Big Island, of which three days were on the Hilo side. Now that visitors with a COVID check may travel to Hawaii, and it is a popular winter destination, I thought I’d write about things to do in Hilo. Find the list...   view more

The City of Dalhart is located in the Northwestern portion of the Texas panhandle. It sits on the border of Dallam and Hartley Counties for which it is named and is the county seat of Dallam County. Dalhart is a small yet busy city in the Southern...   view more

Camp Verde is located 27 miles south of Sedona in Yavapai County, Arizona. The town of 11,000 is quiet, offers friendly service, and is a gateway to many tourist...   view more

Salida is located in central Colorado and is the county seat and most populous municipality of Chaffee County. It was first called South Arkansas when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad made the area a stopping point. Due to the lovely view from the train upon leaving the Arkansas River canyon, it was renamed Salida, (exit in...   view more

Coeur d’Alene was named after a Native American Tribe who lived along the rivers and lakes in the region. The city began as a fort town when Fort Sherman was constructed on the north shore of the...   view more

While NYC has much to offer, one of my favorite things to do while visiting the city is to go out to eat for dinner and to see the Broadway shows. In order to do both in the same night, it is easiest to make a dinner reservation in the Theatre District or in Hell’s Kitchen prior to the...   view more

I’ve been to NYC many times…spring, fall, summer, winter. But despite the sometimes cold temperatures, I love New York City in December. I prefer going toward the beginning of December as it is after the Thanksgiving rush and before Christmas vacation for many. Consequently, I can enjoy the shows, dinner, and Christmas decorations among slightly lighter holiday...   view more

After visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama, we continued west toward Texas, albeit slowly. We made a stop at the Mississippi Visitors Center. I asked the lady working at the counter, who was a hoot, to name her favorite small towns. Oceans Springs was the first she mentioned, and she raved about it. So, after Annie and I took our token state sign picture (dressed for a lobster boil), we made Oceans Springs our next...   view more

The quaint town of Covington, Louisiana is part of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. I only visited for a day as I made my way back from Florida to Texas and wished I had scheduled more time to stay, as the city of 11,500 is quite...   view more

On the recommendation of a friend, during my yearlong adventure 11 years ago, I visited Watercolor and Seaside in the Florida panhandle. On my shortened journey this year (due to some challenges with VANgo and changing my travel priorities to horses), I made Seaside my last stop in Florida upon my return home from...   view more

Sanibel Island is located off the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers. The 15 by 5 mile island is best known for its seashells and the “Sanibel Stoop” (bent at the waist collecting shells). Sanibel offers all the modern conveniences without all the modern high rises. Buildings may only be as tall as the highest tree, approximately three...   view more

Mount Dora is a city of 13,000 located in central Florida northwest of Orlando. Restaurants, cute shops, galleries, wineries, and more line the quaint historic downtown. Mount Dora is known for its arts and antiques and holds many...   view more

Gulf Shores is the southernmost settlement in Alabama. Located just west of Pensacola, Florida, the resort town with a population of 12,000 attracts many tourists, especially during spring break. For some reason, I expected a quainter city, so I was surprised by all high rises which lined the beach and the amusement park. That said, during the 24 hours I visited Gulf Shores, I didn’t even make it to the built-up...   view more

Lander is a small city located in West central Wyoming near the Wind River Mountain range and less than three hours from Jackson. The city of Lander is an outdoor mecca. In fact, many state and federal organizations as well as private and non-profit outdoor organizations such as National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Wyoming Outdoor Council, the Wyoming office of the Nature Conservancy, the Wyoming Wildlife Federation keep their offices in...   view more

The City of Wallace in Idaho’s panhandle might be one of the most interesting small towns I have ever visited. I later read; it is rated the Best Small Town in Idaho by...   view more

I had never heard of Pátzcuaro, Mexico until I traveled to the area to watch the monarch butterfly migration, which is a remarkable phenomenon. I didn’t know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by all that Pátzcuaro had to...   view more

I feel like I have visited mining towns all summer and Butte, Montana is another interesting one. Established in 1864 as mining camp, Butte was the first major city in Montana. It straddles the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains is located on the “richest hill on...   view more

So, I camped off the dirt road going to the Glacier Lake Trailhead for few nights while I hiked in Flathead National Forest. I had little shade, but great cell service which was a pleasant surprise in the wilderness. A car coming down from the Glacier Lake Trail stopped to warn me that a bear just ran by VANgo! Ugh, I’m so sad I missed it!! Annie growled at something, but I did not see a thing. It’s amazing how quiet they can...   view more

Have you worked up an appetite after hiking to Boiling Lake or SCUBA diving in Dominica. Fear not, there are many excellent places to eat in Dominica. The water is drinkable, the food is fresh, and there is quite a variety from local cuisine to fancy French. Just beware that most places are closed on Sunday and Monday, so plan...   view more

The small town of Buffalo, Wyoming is located nine miles east of the Big Horn National Forest in Johnson County, Wyoming. It is just large enough to provide all the amenities when exploring the area. Buffalo features a historic downtown as well as a slew necessary travel businesses on Hart St which intersects with...   view more

Óbidos, located about an hour north of Lisbon off the Silver Coast, is one of the most well preserved and picturesque medieval villages in Portugal. Its castle walls encompass a labyrinth of narrow roads which wend between whitewashed homes with red tiled...   view more

Lisbon, also known as the City of Seven Hills, is the capital city of Portugal. Located at the mouth of the Tagus River, it is also mainland Europe’s westernmost capital. It’s strategic location for seafaring and being a gateway to Europe for South America and Africa has led to its cultured...   view more

Nazaré is a popular seaside town on the Silver Coast in the Oeste region of Portugal. It is most famous for its giant waves which attract world renowned surfers during November, though the historic fishing village offers many other interesting things to...   view more

After escaping Hurricane Norma whose rains flooded the dirt streets of Cabo Pulmo, we arrived in Loreto at dusk. The drive past cacti forests with views of mountains and the ocean was pleasant, as was the weather in Loreto. We had nothing planned, but soon found out there are many things to do in...   view more

Mena, the county seat of Polk County, Arkansas was founded as a railroad town in the 19th Century. It is situated amid the mountains of Ouachita National Forest. Mena has a checkered past. It was once called the sundown town for its unacceptable treatment of African Americans. It was also in the news a lot for its role in a drug-smuggling operation and the Iran-Contra...   view more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas in NYC. Well, to be fair, any day in New York City when the Christmas lights shine bright is an amazing time to visit the Big Apple. I never tire of New York. It is my favorite city in the world. As a result, I try to visit New York City every few years. Fortunately, my friend Tina is usually...   view more

Well, I needed a getaway. I was in Dallas for almost six weeks and was starting to go stir crazy! While I was hopeful to sneak in an international hiking trip, I just couldn’t get an affordable one organized in a short time, so I retraced my steps to Safety Harbor,...   view more

Believe it or not, Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi. As a result, it offers a variety of entertainment and eateries. During our two weeks competing in horse shows at the Harrison County Fairgrounds, we tried many places to eat in Gulfport. Some of the restaurants are in downtown Gulfport while others are closer to the fairgrounds, but these are a few that made our...   view more

Dauphin Island is an Alabama town located on a barrier island of the same name. The town is part of the Mobile metropolitan area, and the island helps define the mouth of Mobile Bay. Dauphin Island is reached by the scenic, three-mile Gordon Persons...   view more

While the historic district is interesting, it is not as upscale or safe as Miraflores, a district of Lima home to many shops, fine dining, luxury hotels, and a lovely boardwalk. Thus, during our next layover, this time on our way to the Peruvian Amazon, we spent a day exploring...   view more

Cusco, a UNSECO World Heritage Site, is situated at 11,152 feet high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere. The bustling, mountain city of 500,000, features remarkable Inca stonework dating back to the 13th century as well as beautiful colonial architecture from the Spanish conquest in the 16th...   view more

Looking for a beach vacation over spring break, a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico over the summer or simply an easy get away? Look no further than Gulfport, Mississippi. With a population of roughly 73,000, Gulfport is the second largest city in the state. It takes its name from being a port on the Gulf Coast of the Mississippi Sound. Gulfport is rich with civil war history, claims six miles of sandy beaches, and is a marine enthusiast’s...   view more

Singapore is an island and city state in Maritime Southeast Asia. Ruled by England, Japan, and Malaysia before becoming an independent country in 1965, Singapore features a diverse culture. It boasts a population of nearly 6,000,000, with 43% being foreign...   view more

If you are picturing relaxing, sandy beaches for your next island vacation, Ubud is not it! Instead, Ubud is the cultural center of Bali with mopeds zipping in every direction. If you are interested in arts, markets, cafes, temples, and a few scattered rice fields and waterfalls, then you have come to the right place while visiting...   view more

Gatlinburg is a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee with a population of approximately 3,500. The popular vacation resort town is known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United...   view more

Ocala, located in North Central Florida, has a growing population of 63,000+ and counting. With hundreds of horse farms and the famous World Equestrian Center, Ocala is known as the “Horse Capital of the World.” Though Lexington, Kentucky would argue that claim. While the horse industry in the area is substantial, there are other things to do in...   view more

When I think of Florida for vacation, Sarasota doesn’t come to mind. That said, this underrated Florida city of 60,000 is low key place to visit. While in Ocala, I took a few days off from the horse shows and popped down to the west coast for a lovely 48 hours in...   view more

Once upon a time, all the castaways resided in Roosevelt Island. The island of many names was home to 26 institutions that housed prisoners, the insane, small pox and typhus patients, and more. Since the 1970’s, however, Roosevelt Island has undergone a makeover and is now the stomping ground for 12,000 residents. It’s limited vehiculer traffic, coupled with a lovely 2.5 mile trail that circumnavigates the island, gives New Yorkers and visitors a place to escape the bustle of the...   view more

Located on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, Ucluelet is smaller and the less hipster sister of its famous northern neighbor Tofino. With a population of just over 2,000 and growing, the small downtown features several coffee shops, a few retail stores, and some nice restaurants. Hiking trails and beaches surround the village whose names comes from the local Nuu-chah-nulth language and translates to people of the safe harbor. Below are a few things to do in...   view more

I recently visited Vancouver and spent most of my time adventuring on its west coast in Ucluelet and Tofino. While I prefer small towns like these, city goers should not overlook beautiful Victoria! There are many things to do in Victoria for all tourists, from families to solo travelers. I saved one day of my weeklong trip to Vancouver Island for a self-made walking tour of the...   view more