Travelrific® Travel Journal
A blog for travel enthusiasts. Listen to our podcasts at Travelrific® Radio, and visit our Wanderful Places® Travel Shop!Archive for adventure travel
A Whale of a Time in Washington
By Linda Tancs
Orca whales are seen the most in San Juan Island between May and October when the salmon runs are strongest. Only 90 miles north of Seattle, San Juan Island provides visitors with an array of boating and kayaking excursions to observe these highly social oceanic dolphins. Learn more about the killer whale at the museum in Friday Harbor, the main city on San Juan Island. You can get there via the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes.
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The Switzerland of Central America
By Linda Tancs
For decades Costa Rica has been referred to as the Switzerland of Central America, owing to peace, prosperity and stability. But let’s not forget the other Swiss-like attributes, like gorgeous mountains offering sweeping panoramic views and hiking opportunities galore. And, like Switzerland, thrill seekers will love rafting. Costa Rica offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the world thanks to its mountainous terrain and rain produced by the rainforests. It’s available year-round, but white-knuckle enthusiasts should wait until May through October to get wet and wild.
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A Haven of Peace
By Linda Tancs
Amongst the hustle and bustle of cruise ships negotiating exotic ports of call in Tanzania, it’s easy to forget that its largest city, Dar es Salaam, means “haven of peace.” You’ll likely experience that in the city centre at the botanical gardens. Or perhaps during a stroll through the adjacent National Museum, home to antique tribal artefacts and World War One memorabilia. And what better time to go than January and February, the short dry season. Your haven is waiting.
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Your Own Private Idaho
By Linda Tancs
The idllyic surroundings of Musha Cay and the Islands of Copperfield Bay may seem like an illusion but that first step into the natural nirvana of the monkey jungle assures you that it’s all very real. The jungle is only one of several hidden exotic locations on Musha Cay and the surrounding islands, a Bahamas retreat owned and designed by magician and entertainer David Copperfield. Hosting up to only 24 guests at any given time (at a rate of $37,500 per day with a four-night minimum), this ultra-luxe experience delivers the kind of magical moments only the likes of Copperfield could provide. Are you ready for a wonder-full experience?
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A Titanic Cruise Fare
By Linda Tancs
Following the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic in April next year, Horizon & Co. will mark the occasion with a series of space-limited excursions to her final resting place. In July and August, the company will offer three opportunities to visit the wreck site and dive down in a deep sea submersible unit to explore the vessel close up on the ocean floor. For an experience like that, expect to pay a titanic sum–that is, from $66,257 for submarine divers or $12,498 for non-submarine divers. If those numbers give you pause, consider the effects of inflation. In 1912, a first class suite on Titanic was around $4300; that’s $50,000 or so in today’s money.
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A Mexican Summit
By Linda Tancs
At 18,491 feet, Pico de Orizaba is the highest summit in Mexico and the third highest in North America. Known as Star Mountain by the Aztecs, its permanent mane of snow and ice attracts novice and professional mountaineers the world over. Fly into Mexico City, Pueblo or Veracruz. From there you can take a taxi, private driver or bus to Tlachachuca, a village at the base of the mountain, and begin your adventure.
Workers on Wheels
By Linda Tancs
How’s this for a spin on seasonal employment: you hop in your RV and head for the hills to volunteer or work for pay at a nature center or resort. That’s the life of a workamper, a seasonal employee or volunteer often granted exclusive access to areas of national parks or refuges in exchange for assistance with programs often suffering from reduced employment necessitated by budget cuts. If you’ve got a love of the great outdoors, this might be the gig for you.
The Giants of Montenegro
By Linda Tancs
Bordered by Serbia, Croatia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro may be earning stripes for its sparkling yacht-infused harbor, but its inland majesty is equally compelling. Just a few hours’ drive inland from the pomp of Porto Montenegro is Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO nature reserve in Žabljak featuring the massif Mount Durmitor. A year-round attraction, the massif of 50 peaks and 18 glacial lakes is a mecca for mountain tourism, sporting a canyon second only to Arizona’s famed Grand Canyon. You can get there via two international airports, Podgorica or Tivat–or by bus from Podgorica to Žabljak for less than 10 euros. The clime (or climb, as the case may be) is typically alpine, so dress accordingly.
Putting the Glam in Camp
By Linda Tancs
For many of us, camping likely conjures up memories of pup tents, oversized sleeping bags and roasted marshmallows on a stick. Oh, how times have changed. Camping has gone glam. Glamping, or glamorous camping, is outdoors life taken to a luxe level, featuring luxury tents, fine wines, gourmet food and, of course, outdoor adventure. Are you ready for some glam in your camp?
Carefree in Arizona
By Linda Tancs
Most spa resorts assert bragging rights over their gastronomy. At Arizona’s Carefree Resort and Conference Center, they encourage you to eat some dust. As in offroading. Or maybe trailriding. How about cattle driving? Of course, there’s always the desert and hummer trail tours. You get the idea.
