Known only perhaps for its 19-th century war with the English, Crimea remains largely unknown to the traveller. Yet there can't be that many places on the planet that are so multi-dimensional it makes your head spin. Populated by the mysterious Scythians, settled by the Greeks, taken over by the Roman Empire, overrun by the Goths, the Huns, the Khazars, expanded into by the first tzar of Kievan Rus, lost to the Byzantines, swept through by the … [Read more...]
Exploring Mallorca: From Wine Tasting to Luxury Hotels
After travelling half an hour through wooded mountains and lush valleys, we reached the winery of Santa Catarina in the area of Andratx - located in one of the most beautiful valleys of northwest Mallorca. Nestled in the southern foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains, the winery, part of a larger company (Macia Batle), is a real paradise for those who love fine wine. Wine production has been known for hundreds of years in Mallorca. The … [Read more...]
Exploring the World as Paying Crew
Unlike chartering which requires experience, and that you start and finish from a charter base, you usually don't need any sailing experience and you have many more choices of where in the world your trip will start. This is exactly what I did during August 2006. I had briefly tried the "paying crew" option in Thailand several years ago, and after having a great experience there, was ready to try it again. Since I would be traveling alone on … [Read more...]
South Africa, Surf and Safari – 2006
Here we are more a traveler than a tourist as we set out on safari changing hotels each night. We follow the Garden Route, the premier tour route preferred by locals. I (Adventures for Solo Travelers, 770-432-8225, $1824 land) bring in a way-cool group of 45 singles which includes a fighter pilot, 2 physicians, 2 psychoanalysts (who came in handy for me), mother/daughter, father/son, the uncle of Julia Roberts and one of my favorite clients whose … [Read more...]
Chocolates, Beer, Bikes & Barges: Adventures for Singles, Belgium & Holland 2006
We arrived to cosmopolitan Brussels with 3 lost bags and 1 missing person. One suitcase went to Moscow but all caught up eventually. Janice and I are led a perfect size group of 39, not too big to get lost in or too small for comfort. Each July trip draws school teachers who have loyally followed me around the world and they do love Europe. We began with a light orientation tour in the historic heart of this capital, followed by a tour of the … [Read more...]
Asian Affair: Sizzling Singapore and Vibrant Vietnam
I've always loved aircrafts and long haul flights. We boarded award winning Singapore Airlines in LAX with about 30 hours of travel time ahead of us. With 8 magazines, 6 movies, 4 meals and a sleeping pill, the time went quickly and I arrived relaxed and ready to explore. American airports are not very people friendly. Singapore's ultra-modern airport invites you to linger with free internet terminals, a cinema, rooftop swimming pool, … [Read more...]
AFS Taj & Tigers of Incredible India with Pushkar Camel Festival
We arrive with our Adventures For Solo Travelers - $1198 land) to the land of 1000 languages and 1000 gods. At the Intercontinental, the women in my group are welcomed with marigolds and branded with the typical red dot on our foreheads. This hotel is an oasis of luxury in a polluted city of 14 million people. Two days are spent touring Delhi. The obligatory sites include Gandhi's Tomb and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. No where else have … [Read more...]
Spectacular 5 Country Scandinavian Cruise – Costa’s Atlantica
I've cruised dozens of ships on various lines and in my opinion this is as good as it gets on a mega-liner of 2200+ passengers with 920 crew. Costa's Atlantica was a floating palace of art deco furnishings, marble inlaid floors and millions of dollars invested in original works of art. It exceeded my expectations. Also I normally loose weight on cruises shunning the ships artificial fare. This time I over indulged on varied menus of fresh food. I … [Read more...]
El Salvador, Part 2: The Thoughts
The end of 1970s was a turbulent period in Salvadorian politics. Various juntas formed and collapsed, tension soon spilled indo an epidemic of underground political violence and murders, until at some point a war against the government was declared by a leftist coalition (FMLN). After a 12-year carnage peace was finally struck in 1992, with the government taking necessary reforms to stay in power, and the FMLN re-organising into a political … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – The Climb
Introduction We stayed one night at Camp Muir, then crossed the Cowlitz Glacier to Cathedral Gap (10,640 ft) and continued along the rock and scree ridge to Ingraham Glacier and Ingraham Flats at 11,100 ft. We spent the rest of the day here, caught some Z's until just past midnight - then left for the summit, reached the top and returned to Ingraham Flats. At this point due to exhaustion we caught some more Z's and then packed up the tent and … [Read more...]
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