April 11, 2018
About a one hour drive from Cusco, Pisac is the city used as the starting point to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The better-known Inca ruins at Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo are spectacular, for sure. But Pisac itself is one of the most colorful and diverse cities in Peru. And with far fewer tourists. […]
April 9, 2018
Many people fly into Lima solely as a stop-over for getting to more sought-after destinations in Peru, like Machu Picchu or the Amazon. But with a history predating Colonial occupation, Lima itself is worthy of spending an extra day or two. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Lima is the third-largest city in the Americas and the […]
March 26, 2018
Dating back to the 15th century, Ollantaytambo was established as the royal estate of Inca Emperor Pachacuti and is one of the best-preserved Inca sites and example of Inca urban planning. History The Inca emperor Pachacuti conquered and ruled this part of the Sacred Valley, including Ollantaytambo. He built a fortress, agricultural terraces, an irrigation […]
March 19, 2018
On my recent trip to Peru, I was determined to try cuy (guinea pig), a local delicacy. But not just anywhere. I wanted the best, so I went to Pachapapa – considered one of the finest restaurants in Cusco. Location: Pachapapa is in the artsy San Blas neighborhood, directly in front of the San Blas […]
February 27, 2018
The magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is nestled high in the rugged Andes Mountains. When people think of traveling there, the famous Inca Trail comes to mind. The Inca Trail is a multi-day trek through mountain passes at elevations up to 14,500 feet. Sure, the scenery is beautiful and some operators even provide porters […]
February 20, 2018
The year was 1985. I was in my 20’s, and my sense of wanderlust had already firmly taken hold, particularly when it came to exploring ancient civilizations. I’d had a blast traveling throughout Mexico and Central America, visiting and climbing (yes, you could do that back in the day) Mayan and Aztec pyramids and ruins. […]
February 12, 2018
The first dog started yelping, barking and jumping wildly on his hind legs, instigating the others to join in the commotion. “They’re really excited,” grinned Jerry Scdoris, sled dog trainer and racer. “This cold, clear weather is exactly what they like, and they can’t wait to run!” I was excited, too. I clambered into the […]
February 6, 2018
This igloo on the beach will melt…..your heart. The unique curved structures – referred to as igloos, shells, or domes – are constructed in the most unlikely place, directly across from Trinity Beach in Australia’s tropical northeastern Queensland. “It looks like an igloo, but we call it a dome,” said Georgia. Georgia and her husband […]
January 1, 2018
Baby boomers are the darling of the travel industry. And why not? Most are empty nesters and have the time, desire, and expendable income to travel. According to AARP’s Baby Boomer Travel Trends, most Boomers (99%) will take at least one leisure trip in 2017, with an average of five or more trips expected throughout […]
December 18, 2017
The Republic of Moldova is a fairly unfamiliar landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It has a long history of land fragmentation, including stints at being part of the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Romania, and the Ukrainian SSR. Per capita, Moldova has the poorest economy in Europe and is also the least visited country in […]