My fondest memories as a kid growing up in Germany typically involved hiking in green forests, visiting medieval cities, exploring roman ruins, cycling along river banks, driving through vineyards dotting the many low rolling hills, or taking daytrips to the French side of the border to gawk at life on the other side. This is Saarland, Germany’s hidden gem. If you’ve followed any of my other articles, you’ll know by now that what I enjoy most is … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2017
My 5 Favorite Caribbean Destinations
I have been fortunate to have visited all countries in the Caribbean except for Haiti and have visited nearly all of the territories. Haiti is definitely on the list for upcoming visits. I have stayed in a wide variety of accommodation in the region including a number of luxury properties. Luxury Retreats recently reached out to me; they focus on high end vacation rentals worldwide including a number of Caribbean luxury vacations. After … [Read more...]
A Family Discovery of the Natural Beauty of Jasper and Its Environs
Packing up the van as we loaded up the children and luggage from our hotel in Edmonton, we embarked on the Jasper area of the Canadian Rockies adventure hoping to find snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, raging waterfalls and animals of the area. My daughter Muna and I were travelling with my eldest grandson Laith, Maria his wife and their two inquisitive sons, Bilal and Tamer. As we left the city anxious to visit Alberta’s natural wonders … [Read more...]
Hot Springs, Arkansas – A CouchSurfer’s Slant on Immersion
A smile of contentment warms the crisp evening breeze, as my Big-Easy reality eases back to its default setting: A humbled existence devoted to saving lives, amidst the controlled chaos of a stressful clinical environment. Just a few days back, the dullness of my royal blue nursing scrubs surrendered to the brightness of my candy pink hiking suit. The travel bug took an awful bite! It is nudging this brown-eyed, fun-size wanderlust to defy … [Read more...]
Visitors Flock to Las Vegas to Commemorate Chinese New Year
The Entertainment Capital of the World Welcomes the Year of the Rooster with Special Events, Cuisine and More LAS VEGAS (January 14, 2017) - Las Vegas will celebrate the 2017 Chinese New Year with an extensive array of culinary offerings, entertainment and experiences for visitors to usher in the Year of the Rooster. Honoring the rich culture and historical importance of Spring Festival, Las Vegas will feature symbolic décor and stunning … [Read more...]
How to travel without money
Traveling without money might not be for everyone. And I totally get that! I to love my comfort zone. But often I hear people say: "I would love to travel but I don’t have enough money." Well, here’s the good news, folks: you don’t need any. Not necessarily. As long as you are willing to dedicate yourself to the challenge, grow from it, use your social skills and improve them tenfold. Here is an uncommon guide to an unconventional style of … [Read more...]
St. Kitts Eco Park
As I was driving around the southern part of the island I stumbled into 'little Taiwan', an eco park that is a joint effort between Taiwan and St. Kitts & Nevis. I was told Taiwan requires young men to put in a year of military service - and for those that don't serve in the military, a volunteer position satisfies this requirement. I was met at the entrance by such an individual who was spending his year of service on St. Kitts. Jimmy Wu is … [Read more...]
St. Lucia Jazz: The Caribbean’s Heartbeat
This must be an out of body experience...or at the very least what this experience would possibly feel like. Those were the words going through my mind as I witnessed the performance of the internationally acclaimed zouk band "Kassav' perform on my old stomping ground in my hometown of Soufriere (St. Lucia). The iconic Pitons (dramatic volcanic spires that rise sharply) in the background must have added to this feeling of the experience being … [Read more...]
Touring Europe: Why you Should Visit the Magical City of Porto
Porto: a city with a charming spirit that’s visible in its food, wine, and breathtaking views. It’s where the mesmerizing Douro River flows towards the cold waters of the Atlantic. The city is positioned on the steep riverbank, showcasing an opulent city hall and tall towers. Remains of the city’s past are apparent in the astounding architecture of the buildings. After sunset, the city flaunts a romantic setting, glowing like a honeycomb. … [Read more...]
How to Spend a Few Days in Dominica
Dominica is ideal for the independent traveler looking to getaway from crowds, to bond with nature, and to explore the country on his or her own. Aptly called "the nature isle" when one visits the country, one soon understands this description. First of all, there are not a lot of people who live in the country, some 72,000 by the last count, so it never feels crowded, the island is full of rivers, waterfalls, some freshwater lakes and dense at … [Read more...]