My heart kept beating like a tom-tom drum feverishly signaling an imminent enemy attack. It kept racing, and thudding, and pounding – not allowing me to get a wink of sleep. I recognized the symptoms. I knew what was happening. I had tried to prepare myself for it. It was oxygen deprivation, and it could lead to altitude sickness. Although I wasn’t in any immediate danger of becoming stricken with the illness, I knew that I was … [Read more...]
Onward & Upward To Machu Pichu – Part 2
The morning sun had ascended to its throne in the brilliant sky. The mist had excused itself for the day. Before us lay the grandeur of Machu Pichu swathed in golden sunlight. Everyone whipped out their cameras and started taking photos of the venerable gift that history had unwrapped for us. One by one, we captured the sight that we’d seen only in books. Angle by angle, frame by frame, we sought to imprint the majestic vista into the … [Read more...]
Mad Scientists at Raymond Winery
My first impression of Raymond Winery when I arrive for my "Winemaker for a Day" blending experience with my fiance, Tom, is that we are at a traditional Napa winery. The "Winemaker for Day" experience involves creating my own wine blend and bottling the wine to take home with my own label - which I am currently designing with a happy employee named Casey at the tasting room counter. The tasting room has beige walls and white counter-tops with a … [Read more...]
The High Life, McLeod Ganj
We are now at about 8000 feet up in the Himalayas near Mcleod Ganj just outside of town at a guest house; we will stay here 2 nights and then move further up into the Himalayas. Very very humbling to be back in the shadow of the WORLD'S GREATEST mountains, no apologies given to the Andes in this regards, as the Himalayas are in THEIR OWN CLASS and everyone should see them at least once in their life. These 5 and 6 thousand meter mountains tower … [Read more...]
Travel like you’re in First Class without breaking the Bank
Six Luxury Travel Tips From The Experts Who Brought You The "Virtual Visits" iPhone App Want to travel in style but don't have the budget? The free "Virtual Visits" app, from the luxury boutique travel provider Spirit Quest Tours, lets you live the dream from the comfort of your own home, taking you to 26 exotic locales around the world, right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. The simple, elegant app contains a mix of familiar spots, … [Read more...]
The 2011 Travelers GO/NO Go List
Los Angeles, CA - 22 December 2010 - The website has published the ultimate New Year's resolution wish list for travelers, with their '2011 Travelers GO/NO Go List' for those looking for something different. "Serious travelers want authentic, exciting and participatory adventures nowadays," says the website, "they want to visit places that seem exotic, places that are new on the horizon and that offer them a chance to get out of their comfort … [Read more...]
Mainland Ecuador: A Traveler’s Delight
The Galapagos Islands are among the most popular tourist hot spots of South America, topping the list with Peru's Machu Picchu and the shared Brazilian/Argentine wonder, Iguazu Falls. As a consequence of the islands' appeal, mainland Ecuador is often relegated to a short stopover enroute to the coastal launching point. Visitors choosing to skip the continent and tour only the islands are missing a country with some of the most diverse tourism … [Read more...]
Building Back Peru
Volun-Tourism is one of the fastest growing sects of international travel. Unfortunately, corporations profiting on this burgeoning market have become common. Those looking for travel volunteer opps should seek out groups that are well organized, accept volunteers of varying time commitments, don't charge high participation costs, and most importantly, are non-profit groups putting the majority of resources back into their assisted communities. … [Read more...]
LAN Peru, SFO-LIM, Nonstop
SAN FRANCISCO GATEWAY INAUGURATED LAN Airlines and its affiliates fourth US gateway offers the only nonstop service from San Francisco to South America Pablo Yunis of LAN Airlines and Michael McCarron, SFO Director of Community Affairs inaugurate the new San Francisco to Lima, Peru route with ribbon cutting ceremony at SFO. LAN is hosting the Golden Gateway Facebook Contest with a change to win two TR Premium Business Class tickets … [Read more...]
The Alternative to Inca Trail
It isn't lined with Inca stones, it is a rough mountain path, but in many ways it takes you to a much deeper, more real Peru. You may not see ruins three times a day but you go through two magnificent lost cities and some genuine untouched Quechua villages, not to mention the most incredible mountain views. What's more - this trail is not for everyone, it is for those who can take it. The trail takes you from Cachora village (three quarters of … [Read more...]