The hiking in Daisetsuzan National Park on the island of Hokkaido is sublime, featuring bubbling hot springs, steaming, otherworldly fumaroles, dramatic volcanic landscapes, wildflowers, and thick forests. During our time in Hokkaido, we visited Sapporo and spent two days in Daisetsuzan National Park, taking public transportation to get around. We were able to do three …
After a few days dodging protests and pickpockets in Santiago, it was a relief to land in the peaceful township of Bariloche, Argentina. I hoped that a week exploring the Lake District of Northern Patagonia around Bariloche, Argentina would be enough, but after a quick look at potential hiking trails, I knew I’d be wanting …
Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world, are nothing short of spectacular. It’s a place that, no matter how many photos or videos you see, is stunning in person when you can hear the roar and experience the mist on your face. If you’re in Argentina or Brazil, don’t miss Iguazu Falls, even …
The idea of going to Morocco took hold slowly, in small, incremental steps. Our October trip was going to be just Spain and Portugal, but every time I looked at the map, the land below the blue strip of the Mediterranean called to me. I was intrigued by way the curve of land in Spain …
The idea of being able to stay in a kasbah (castle) in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco was a temptation I couldn’t resist. I booked a stay at the Kasbah du Toubkal under the shadow of Mt. Toubkal in Imlil before I even knew how or when we would get there. I thought that …
On a whim, we threw in a three-day tour to a Berber camp in the Sahara Desert in Morocco with Berber Camp Merzouga. On a five-week trip of independent travel, you wouldn’t think that the happiest surprise be the only tour we took, but that’s what happened. My husband and I were traveling through Spain, …
Peru has an abundance of cultural riches, starting with the crown jewel of the Inca empire, Machu Picchu. Add Cusco, the historic capital of the Incas, the blue waters of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable body in the world, and the vast Amazon jungle and it’s no wonder that Peru’s treasures of the forgotten north …
My husband and I usually travel independently and, despite decades of international travel, had never been to the African continent. When planning a road trip to Portugal and western Spain, my eyes kept sliding south to Morocco. The more I looked at the map, the more I wanted to at least dip a toe into …
Traveling from Southern Spain to Morocco by ferry was one of the shortest connections we had in five weeks of travel through Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, but seemed to take the longest to sort out the options. Now that I’ve done it, I can see that many websites and blogs didn’t have accurate or up-to-date …
Morocco stole my heart. I was on a five-week journey with my husband, Steve, touring Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. The European part was all enjoyable, but when I arrived in Tangier (Tanger in French), something changed. I felt more alive, my senses blazing with the sights, smells, flavors, and ambiance of the place. My introduction …