Chena Hot Springs Alaska (pronounced "Cheena") is located about 1 hour 20 minutes outside of Fairbanks Alaska at the end of a 56 mile long paved road. This is a year round resort with many activities for all types of interests. There are two highlights - the large outdoor "rock lake" which is an excellent place to sooth off any aches and pains in the natural hot water. There is a pipe shooting out water which provides a great back massage and … [Read more...]
The Land of Fire and Ice
I don't know how many times I have flown between Europe and North America and each time, about halfway over the North Atlantic, glanced down on a mysterious and rugged looking island. Big swaths seemed covered in glaciers. But not everything. It looked largely empty, but I could still make out clear imprints of humanity from thirty five thousand feet in the air. Mostly along the coastal lowlands, where the fields had a fresh green color. Just … [Read more...]
AFS Peaks of Patagonia & Chilean Vineyards
Dramatic landscapes provided us a continual Kodak moment throughout. It is late spring in the region and the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. This however is a land where the unexpected is the norm, so we came prepared for occasional wind and rain. After a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour in Santiago, we flew south to Punta Arenas. There we transferred 2 hours by coach to Puerto Natales at the Patagonia steppe. We … [Read more...]
Polar Dreams Iceland
I land with jet lag after a simple 4 hour flight. Too short for sleep and too long to stay awake. There quarters of Iceland is covered in ice yet when we arrive to sparkling Reykjavik, there is no snow. Surely global warming is a reality if there's not even a flake in mid-February! We embark on a city tour to see the famous sites followed by hotel check in and grateful that we are in the heart of town. Everyone enjoys the Viking style … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – Seattle
Seattle is a young, vibrant and modern city. It boasts the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It is a city of coffee shops (not just Starbucks), twenty and thirty "somethings", parks, an intimate relationship with water, and mountaineering & high tech companies. Due to its proximity to the Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, Seattle is a city that loves to be outdoors. Numerous outdoor destinations are within a … [Read more...]
The G.A.P Top 5: Travel Memories
This was enormously difficult for me. First of all, choosing a top five is never easy. Ranking was totally out of the question! And then condensing days and days of vivid and rich experiences into a little summarized blurb was near impossible. I could go on and on but here are 5 of my fondest travel experiences. Montezuma, Costa Rica Body-surfed for breakfast after having watched the spectacular sunrise through my tattered tent door then … [Read more...]
Huaraz, Peru – Day Trips & Activities
As the gateway to this part of the Andes, most travelers will make travel arrangements through a variety of tour operators headquartered in Huaraz. It is helpful to communicate with agencies in advance of your trip - but we have found that trips can often be arranged last minute. Regardless, shop around, services and prices vary between each company. We have been to or participated in the following area activities. Read on! Bike Riding A … [Read more...]
Istanbul, Turkey – Around Istanbul
A drive to the towns of Polonezkoy, Sile and Agva (all mentioned below) makes a fun day trip, including a stop at the Black Sea. The road to these towns and back to Istanbul is a small narrow windy road that passes through rolling hills - mostly natural landscapes. The author visited all of the locations below. Agva is one of the main weekend getaways for citizens of Istanbul. It is located directly on the Black Sea. As with many of the other … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru – Other Activities
Ruins - purchasing a Boleto Turistico (ticket) provides one-time only admission to any of 16 different tourist attractions in the region including Incan ruins and historical buildings and museums in Cuzco. One of the most popular ruins outside of Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, is located just above Cuzco. A bloody battle was fought here between the Spanish and the Incas. It is amazing the size of the huge stone walls that surround these ruins. … [Read more...]
Arequipa, Peru – Colca Canyon
For those who are in decent shape, a trek in Colca Canyon is one of the highlights of visiting Arequipa. Choose from a variety of trekking itineraries ranging from 1 to 2 to 3+ days. The actual canyon is about 4-5 hours by bus from Arequipa (depending on which trailhead you use). We do not recommend doing this as a day trip - as the distances are to great, with very limited time at the canyon and extremely early departure and late arrival times. … [Read more...]
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