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2/20/2025
Exploring the Sea of Cortez North America’s Galapagos, the Sea of Cortez, is described by Jacque Cousteau as the world’s aquarium. With over 900 fish species, six different whale species, rays, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, and whale sharks, these protected waters draw an array of sea and wildlife.
A small ship exploration-style cruise is an incredible way to experience the region's 9/29/2024
Top African Safari Destinations Africa offers a range of incredible safari experiences, and several countries stand out as top destinations due to their rich wildlife, diverse landscapes and well-established safari infrastructure. Here are some of the best countries for an African safari:
 When going on safari in Africa, you have choices between visiting or staying in a national park, a private reserve or conservancy.
What are the differences?  Slovenia is increasingly recognized as an "elbowroom" inspired destination, characterized by its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and lesser-known attractions that provide travelers with a sense of space and tranquility away from crowded tourist hotspots.
 The Patagonia region in South America is vast, basically covering the entire southern tip of the continent. The region, governed by both Argentina and Chile,
2/29/2024
My Journey to Antarctica I recently made it to my 7th continent, Antarctica – a destination that has been on my “must experience” list for over 30 years. I knew it would be exciting, mind boggling, full of surprises - this trip did not disappoint.
12/14/2023 Expedition Cruises Expedition style cruises - where a lot of WOW happens. Extraordinary opportunities for curious and adventurous learners and explorers, whether you are well traveled or new to travel onboard a ship. What is an expedition cruise? A small ship experience (generally under 200 guests on purpose built ships) focused on the nature, wildlife, history and culture of the areas they visit. Ships are very comfortable with plenty of amenities to suit all tastes - premium to ultra-luxury (long gone are the days of roughing it on an old ice breaker). Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions
11/30/2023
Sea of Cortez and Kangaroo Island Without a doubt, the Galapagos Islands are one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I have often said that certain trips are life changing - this was one of them.
That said, there are a number of places around the world to venture to for amazing wildlife experiences. Two in particular are often compared to the Galapagos in terms of unique and abundant wildlife – one in North America and one Down Under. 11/2/2023
Six Must See Cities in Norway Norway is a beautiful Scandinavian country known for its historical landmarks, Viking heritage, and abundance of natural beauty. There is so much to discover, from large metropolitan cities to charming fishing villages and picturesque fjords.
Whether you are coming for the culture or to spend time outdoors, here are six must-see cities in the country. 10/25/2023
Argentina: Tango, Wine and Nature Argentina - a fascinating country.
Distinctly South American style and culture with a strong European influence. Not a surprise given the number of people who immigrated here in the 1800 and 1900's - many from Spain and Italy but also France, Germany and Great Britain. 9/14/2023
Rwanda – Land of a Thousand Hills A mountainous and landlocked country south of Uganda and east of Tanzania, Rwanda, one of Africa’s smallest countries, is a gem waiting to be fully discovered. While the star attractions are the silverback mountain gorillas, Rwanda has so much more to experience beyond these magnificent animals.
Incredible wildlife, montane rainforests, sweeping plains, history, culture and welcoming people can all be discovered on a journey to Rwanda. 6/28/2023
The Galapagos Islands - Wildlife Without a doubt, the biggest draw of the Galapagos Islands is the wildlife.
The islands are home to the highest percentage of endemic species anywhere in the world. According to the Galapagos Conservancy, about 80% of the land birds, 97% of the reptiles and mammals, 30%+ of the plants and 20% of the marine species are only found in these islands. Favorites include the Galapagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, the flightless cormorant and the Galapagos penguins, the only penguin found in the Northern Hemisphere. Of course there are also other non-endemic favorites, like the blue footed boobie, fur and sea lions.  Seeing wildlife in their natural habitats can be a life changing, soul stirring experience, especially for lovers of "wild things" but equally so for travelers who are simply curious and seeking a bit of adventure.
Wildlife themed itineraries should be experienced in small group settings – whether they be on small expedition and adventure ship cruises or private and small group land tours. Small groups and ships lend themselves perfectly to a better learning and observing environment and offer access to areas that bigger groups and ships just can't. Smaller groups also contribute to the conservation and protection of species. Sustainable tourism - the best way. Following are 9 top itinerary picks – one (or two) on every continent. Photo credit above: Lindblad Expeditions  South Africa is Africa's 9th largest country according to its landmass. The reasons to visit this vast and culturally diverse nation are seemingly endless, and that's why it makes it on so many people's bucket lists.
To encourage you a little more and to further enhance your excitement, here are five reasons you should make it to South Africa at last once in your life. 8/25/2022
Galapagos Islands Wildlife Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions Visiting the Galapagos Islands is unlike any other travel experience. This remote archipelago of volcanic islands west of mainland Ecuador has long attracted travelers interested in Darwin, evolution, volcanoes, nature and wildlife. The biodiversity of the region is incredible.
The biggest draw by far are the unique and iconic species of this protected UNESCO World Heritage site. The animals are completely unafraid of humans, which makes them easier to find and observe. Encountering fur seals on the beach or snorkeling with the frisky sea lions can be especially fun! 7/20/2022
Quokkas - The Happiest Animals On Earth I can't wait to meet these little fellas! They always look like they are smiling, and apparently love to take selfies with anyone who is game. How fun is that!
This is the quokka - the world's happiest animal! About the size of a cat, quokkas are marsupials found only in Western Australia, almost exclusively on the beautiful Rottnest Island, just off the coast from Perth. 5/2/2022
The Aurora: Borealis And Australis Photo courtesy of Kakslauttanen Simply put, the Aurora Borealis and Australis are the Northern and Southern Lights. These mesmerizing, beautiful green, blue, red and purple lights that flash over the polar skies. As we move into the winter months, they become more and more visible in the polar regions.
Have you ever wondered what these "lights" really are? I never put a lot of thought into it until I listened to a presentation by a photographer who was taking a group to Norway on a winter cruise. Not being a scientist, the discussions around solar flares, magnetic fields, electrons and who knows what else could have made my brain go blurry. I appreciated his simple presentation in layman's terms, and found all of it to be quite fascinating. I'm certain you will too.  Photo courtesy of New Zealand Tourism (Lake-Wakatipu Queenstown) I know if you were to ask a Kiwi or anyone who has experienced the wonderfulness of New Zealand, they would give way more reasons why you'll fall in love with the country. Wonderful, proud, friendly people, stunning scenery, unique flora, fauna and wildlife, the land of Bilbo Baggins and the Shire, caves lit up by glow worms, delicious food and wine - these just a few.
Top reasons why you'll love a visit to Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud: 2/24/2022
7 Top Reasons to Explore Australia The land Down Under is a destination on many a bucket list. It’s consistently voted as one of the top 10 most desired destinations in the world. So much to see. So much to experience.
Having been there, I know it’s truly a great place to explore. But Australia is a big country – about the same size as the lower 48 states. The distance between Sydney and Perth is about the same as New York to Los Angeles. When planning a trip here, especially your first visit, one of the hardest parts is deciding where to start, what cities and regions to include. Much of this depends on what experiences you want to have, what stories you want to bring home. Following are top experiences you can build your memories around. 2/9/2022
Tahiti and the Society Islands Photo courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises A destination on many a bucket list are the islands of the South Pacific. The Cook Islands, Fiji, Tahiti - all ultimate dream vacations of a lifetime. Beautiful islands, crystal blue waters, above and below water adventures, relaxation, and of course romance!
I have been fortunate to visit Tahiti, and I must admit, it truly is a dreamy place. All that and then some! Beyond the sheer beauty of the islands, here are some fun facts about Tahiti: 11/23/2021
Adventure Style Cruises You want more access, more intimate environments, fewer crowds, a quieter experience, a higher level of service and personalization. Private or small group land tours, river and small ship cruises provide all of these things for you.
River, luxury and expedition cruises are ones I share with you regularly, but these are just three of a number of different small ship styles. This week I'm sharing a few of the Adventure style experiences you can have on the water. Adventure cruises are not your typical cruise experience. No, not crazy and wild, but perfect experiences for those who are seeking something a little different. I know travelers who really enjoy these experiences, especially with their families, then also take time to be spoiled on the luxury ships too. 11/15/2021
9 Reasons To Visit Chile When thinking of South America, Peru, Brazil and Argentina often get the most attention. But don't overlook Chile, a country with a diverse landscape north to south and ample things to see and experience.
It's no secret. I fell in love with this country over 10 years ago when I visited via a cruise from Valparaiso to Rio de Janeiro. Warm and friendly people, great food, wine, interesting history. The absolute best for me was the amazing scenic beauty and wildlife. There is no doubt I'll be returning. My top 9 reasons to visit:  For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, Costa Rica is a perfect destination. The landscapes are ecologically diverse, filled with rainforests, lakes, volcanoes, cloud forests and a wide array of plant, bird and wildlife, from chattering howler monkeys and slow-moving sloths to scarlet macaws, toucans and blue morpho butterflies, one of the largest butterfly in the world. With some luck you may even spot an elusive jaguar or rare tapir.
Stunning, tropical, an amazing experience for sure. And popular. To get away from the crowds (and additional reasons), I recommend visiting on a small ship cruise: luxury yacht, clipper ship, adventure or expedition style, you have a number of great choices. 9/14/2020
9 Reasons To Visit Greenland On flights from Europe back to the US I have had the opportunity to see Greenland numerous times from above. It’s amazing to see this massive landscape, especially on very clear days. The largest island in the world, bigger than France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium combined. Imagine what you’ll experience being there in person. Here are my top 9 reasons to visit. Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions
8/20/2020 Unforgettable Bavaria Bavaria, Germany's largest state, is home to spectacular events, great cities, fairy tale castles, two national parks and 8 UNESCO world heritage sites. And that's just the beginning.
Bavaria is a breath-taking region, and a perfect journey to add before or after a Danube river cruise. Take a look at a few of Bavaria's highlights along with several tour ideas. |
Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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