A rigid kayak strapped to a rental car roof in Portugal cost me 47 euros in unexpected fees and a heated argument with an airport shuttle driver. That was three years ago. Last month, the same trip happened with a 35-pound bag checked as regular luggage, and by noon I was paddling the Mondego River while other tourists waited for organized boat tours. The assumption that serious paddling demands serious equipment has kept countless travelers from experiencing waterways that buses and hiking trails simply cannot reach. Inflatable kayaks have quietly […]

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Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp By Sunita Khadka The alarm went off at 4:30 AM, waking me up from a restless sleep 3,700 meters above sea level. My head hurt a little, which was a sign that the air here doesn’t have as much oxygen as I’m used to. But when I unzipped my sleeping bag in the cold, dark teahouse, the thrill of it all made any discomfort go away. I would finally get to Annapurna Base Camp today, after six days of hiking. When I first saw the […]

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Forget the summer gridlock. The real story of America’s national parks is told in September and October, during the “secret season.” This is when the crowds disappear, the weather is perfect and the landscapes transform. The post-Labor Day slump is a traveler’s dream. With schools back in session, parks like Zion, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are no longer at peak capacity. This means a more intimate and enjoyable experience. The intense summer heat subsides, making hiking and outdoor activities not just possible, but genuinely pleasant. Think crisp, cool air […]

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The Annapurna Circuit is one of the world’s most iconic trekking routes, winding through the majestic Himalayas, remote villages, and stunning landscapes of Nepal. This is our epic journey offering a unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and adventure – starting for us at Dharapani. ❓ Quick Facts About the Annapurna Circuit 🛤️ Distance: Approximately 160-230 km (100-143 miles), depending on your chosen start point and route ⏳ Duration: Typically 10-14 days, depending on trekking pace 🏔️ Highest Point: Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m (17,769 ft) 🌸 Best […]

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Holland America Line continues its long-standing commitment to celebrate Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness by expanding its partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC)—a renowned nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. As part of the 2025 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line will introduce a variety of onboard activities designed to benefit AWCC and raise awareness of Alaska wildlife among guests. This initiative launches with the debut of Harry & David’s iconic Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn on all Alaska sailings, with […]

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One of the great things about cruising is leaving the logistics to others. Certain destinations are ideally suited to cruises including Alaska, due to its vast geographical distances, remote landscapes and rugged coastal beauty. Our Alaskan Inside Passage cruise was on the Holland America Eurodam, a ship whose inaugural sail was in 2008. We first cruised on this particular ship in 2015 in the Caribbean. One certainly becomes spoiled, merely after a day or two of dining on board. With multiple options including buffet, a main dining area and several […]

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Cody, WY – Some call it glamorous camping, others call it luxury camping, but what better way to experience the Wild West? Get off the beaten path and truly get out into nature by sleeping under the stars like a true Western cowboy or cowgirl. What really makes these glamping options truly unique is that they are all all-inclusive. This means meals, lodging, horseback riding, and other activities are all included in your rate! What’s more glamorous than not having to try to keep up with your spending while on […]

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Q. When you were a toddler, your dad brought you to a museum where you fell in love immediately with the artifact display. You were 5 years old at the time, what really piqued your interest when you saw the display and made you aspire to become an archeologist from that point onwards? What do you think parents and teachers nowadays should do to help children develop a love for the pre-historical human culture? I still remember those museum visits, and the one you mentioned stands out the most memorable. The […]

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October has always been one of Cecilia’s favorite months. The sky over Longyearbyen, Norway (78.2232° N, 15.6267° E) is painted in incredible shades of blue. Wisps of thick clouds roll over the awe-inspiring mountains, putting a mysterious veil over the peaks. Her mood is immediately elevated to a new height in this picture-perfect weather. It is the last month of the year she gets to soak up the sun before the two-and-a-half-month polar night descends. A breath of chilly fresh air welcomes her the moment she opens the door to […]

The post A Little Cabin in the Arctic Wilderness: The Journey of a Girl in Pursuit of Happiness in the Northernmost Permanent Settlement on the Planet appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Norway has the last few years seen a growth in fascinating architecture and design. This has also happened with accommodation all over the country, where you now can sleep, eat, find exciting culture, history and participate in exciting adventures – or simply get away from it all and relax and contemplate, or practice the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv. Here you will find a list of some of the most recent additions. FLOKEHYTTENE The latest addition to unique accommodations in Norway is Flokehyttene – Floke cabins. Located all the way out […]

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El Fin del Mundo, or in English, the End of the World. Such is an appropriate phrase to describe the southernmost city on the entire planet. Several airlines including Aerolíneas Argentinas, TAM & LAN Airlines fly to the airport – the primary connector city is Buenos Aires. Ushuaia’s tiny airport is located only about a 10 minute drive from downtown. If you spend any amount of time here, it is helpful if you enjoy seafood! A number of restaurants serve a variety of fresh seafood – including the popular giant […]

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The plastic water bottle skidded off the granite and disappeared. It wasn’t the sound the bottle made that disturbed me. It was the silence that followed its rapid disappearance. Along with twenty to twenty-five other people I was perched on the east face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, the world-famous granite slab that John Muir called “the most beautiful and most sublime of all the wonderful Yosemite rocks.” We were climbing the cables that lead up the backside to its 8,842-foot summit. The message in the bottle needed […]

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Iceland delivers a variety of outdoor experiences across all seasons – from glacier walks, to self drive exploration including waterfalls, snow covered mountains, little villages and picturesque views of the sea. Many tour operators are located in the country offering a wide diversity of trips. Walk on a glacier, visit an ice cave, go scuba diving in a remote part of the country, visit volcanoes, or hot springs. One tour operator even offers “storm” tours – this particular tour is only offered during bad weather! Or if you have the […]

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I live in Germany so Schladming, Austria was not my first choice. It was not my second choice. I’m not even sure if it was not my third choice. I wanted to go some place where they don’t speak German but my husband wanted to go… so… okay, why not? It was a two-day drive. The first night we stopped along the autobahn at a random hotel. Our overnight stay was nothing special. The hotel served its purpose and we were all packed and ready to go the next day. […]

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