Let's say you are visiting a national park or landmark in a country not your own. First and foremost and for the record, all the signs are awesome. I barely passed many a foreign language class, so I seriously appreciate help any way I can get it. That said, here's my question: Which country's signs … Continue reading Sign Off: International Parks
International Parks
Sanity & Thankfulness
Our ability to travel is a privilege. But it is also a choice. Money is time. Where do we spend our time? Wilderness is not my leisure or my recreation. It is my sanity. ~ Terry Tempest Williams, The Hour of Land Here is the beginning of my day. I try to spend a minute … Continue reading Sanity & Thankfulness
Spain: Barcelona Checklist
Last night I was lucky enough to attend a trade show and dinner for free. The speaker kept lovingly referencing his home country of Spain, and then during dinner we were entertained by a Flamenco dancer and live music. I thought, "I wish I could blog about Barcelona again, but I already covered all that." … Continue reading Spain: Barcelona Checklist
Slovenia: Cave & Castle & Cake
I like it here in this beautiful place! ~ Small Boy on Cave Tour Get me out of this creepy place! ~ Grown Woman on Cave Tour "This place" might not be for everyone. If you like the idea of riding a train deep into the earth and touring one of the largest known cave … Continue reading Slovenia: Cave & Castle & Cake
Plitvice Lakes: Waterfall Wanderland
The tour guide – let’s call her Jezera, so she doesn’t lose her job, okay? – spotted Mike and me as she started a head count on the bus. “Where have you two been?” she asked, flipping the apology we’d been expecting into an accusation: She hadn’t ditched us; we’d wandered away. “We got held … Continue reading Plitvice Lakes: Waterfall Wanderland
Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Founded in 1949, Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia USED to be a well-kept secret, but the park has seen a boom in tourism over the past 20 years. (An increase of more than a million visitors a year over the last 16 years? Yikety-yikes!) Had you heard of Plitvice before this post? I only … Continue reading Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Cinque Terre: Sunset Cruise
If you’re browsing for a quick introduction to Italy’s Cinque Terre, you might try the previous post, which also includes a link to that national park’s official site. Wondering how to travel between villages via train, ferry or hiking trails? Want more info on the villages themselves, what to do and what to see? Start … Continue reading Cinque Terre: Sunset Cruise
Italy: Cinque Terre National Park
Cinque Terre National Park, inducted by Italy in 1999, doesn't protect only the landscape (a section of the Ligurian coastline) or only the five, historical medieval cliff-side towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso) within its boundaries. I love this concept: establishing a park to preserve (no, more than that; to sustain, to improve) the … Continue reading Italy: Cinque Terre National Park
Where You Want to Go
If a race car driver focuses on the wall, he’s going to hit the wall. Focus on where you want to go. ~ Julianne Hough, advising a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Apparently, a rule that applies to race car drivers and ballroom dancers also applies to writing this blog. Thanks to Campfire Tales … Continue reading Where You Want to Go
Campfire Tales 