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The view from the Christo
Known as "the marvelous city," Rio de Janeiro is one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, and the most visited city in all of the southern hemisphere. Nature lovers and city slickers alike can find something to enjoy in the various terrains Rio has to offer, from its mountains and rain forests to the beaches and concrete playground of the city center. With the Summer Olympics quickly approaching, the costs to visit Rio de Janeiro are expected to skyrocket.
Niagara Falls
On a Sunday in late July, I set off for the trip of a lifetime with my boyfriend, Shane, and his friend, Patrick, from Germany. We were going to be on the road for about a month, making our way through destinations in the U.S. and Canada. The route was roughly planned, and we were going to be joined by Patrick’s friend, Helena, partway through, but the rest of it was a serendipitous adventure. We had no idea who we might meet or what oddities we would come across, but we were prepped and ready for life on the road.
Vivid Sydney started in 2009 to promote energy efficiency and now is the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas and attracts over 1.7 million visitors. This festival is also one of the world’s most important creative industry forums, mesmerizing free public exhibitions of outdoor lighting sculptures and installations as well as a cutting-edge contemporary music program.
Great Ocean Road, Victoria (Tourism Australia)
Australia is a destination that abounds with iconic sights, both natural and man-made. See the stunning Sydney Opera House, gaze at the changing color of Uluru Ayers Rock at sunrise and sunset and dive in and explore the Great Barrier Reef. Go beyond the iconic sights and discover a myriad of experiences to include during your Australian vacation.
Round Pond, Maine
We all have that place—a family home, neighborhood, or vacation spot—that is filled to the brim with the childhood memories of summertime.
The crystal waters at Agios Ioannes
Almost immediately I grabbed my beach towel and walked down to the beach. The unfortunate events of the day could not keep me from it any longer.
The stunning Cook Islands lie some 4,700 miles south west of Los Angeles, a mix of coral atolls and volcanic islands. Consisting of 15 islands, scattered across the Pacific, the Cook Islands offers an unspoiled playground for those wanting to escape the daily grind of city living.
The view from Mount Snowdon
It was mostly on a whim that I decided to climb the three highest peaks in the U.K. while visiting there last summer. Mount Snowdon (3,560 ft.), Scafell Pike (3,209 ft.), and Ben Nevis (4,409 ft.) are scattered throughout Wales, England, and Scotland. Completing the U.K. 3 Peaks Challenge ended up being one of the most incredible travel experiences I’ve had to date. Maybe it’s because I went into it with little to no training and still succeeded (which means you can too), or maybe it’s because I got to feast my eyes upon truly incredible and one of a kind views.
Cruise ships: you either love ‘em or hate ‘em… or, if you’re like me, you call ‘em home. For almost three years I lived and worked onboard luxury cruise ships, and that statement alone never fails to elicit dozens of questions from land folk. Here are a few answers to some of the most common ones.
Thorang-La Pass, Nepal
Despite the sense of wonder and adventure associated with a trek through the Himalayas, the journey does not have to be as rough as you would think. Surprisingly, trekking in Nepal does not have to involve any camping. Due to the frequency of small villages and "tea houses" along many popular hiking paths, most visitors and trekkers stay the night in small hotels or guest houses which provide a comfortable stay, meals, and even toilets.
So, if we're not camping, then what do we need? Some basic outdoor equipment is necessary, as are good shoes and clothing for multiple climates. We're talking about the Himalayas, where high altitudes can mean cold weather and rain (but not always). Food and water are also readily available, but a reusable water bottle and water purifiers can save you some cash along the way, too.
