In the Philippine mountaineering community, there is a notorious concept known as the budol climb. It usually starts with a friend messaging you: “Let’s hike this weekend! It’s just a minor climb, rated 4/9. We’ll be down by lunch.” For thousands of unsuspecting beginners, that budol happens at Mt. Daraitan. Sitting on the windward edge of the Sierra Madre range in Tanay, Rizal, Mt. Daraitan has built a reputation that heavily contradicts its paper specifications. While its elevation peaks at a modest 739 Meters Above Sea Level (MASL), the reality […]

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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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Most visitors to Japan follow a well-worn path: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, maybe a day trip to Nara. And for good reason — those cities are extraordinary. But across the Seto Inland Sea, on the southern coast of Shikoku island, sits a prefecture that barely registers on most travel itineraries: Kochi.   That’s exactly what makes it worth visiting.   Kochi Prefecture occupies the entire Pacific-facing coast of Shikoku, Japan’s smallest main island. It has no bullet train and no major international gateway. No Instagram-famous shrine gates. What it does have […]

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Montego Bay is more than just a picturesque spot on Jamaica’s north coast. This vibrant city actually breathes life into your vacation with its endless white-sand beaches, lush hills, and a local culture that’s genuinely inviting. It’s the sort of place where you’re as likely to hear reggae rhythms drifting on the breeze as you are to watch the sun dipping behind palm trees. If you crave a mixture of serene days by the sea and bursts of excitement, you’ve already found the right starting point. Now, before you race […]

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I have spent nearly 6 months in Australia over the past 20 years of traveling in this part of that world. I keep returning because of its geographic landscape, history, food, wine scene, and incredible diversity of experiences. And the fact that it never feels over crowded. But the one destination that has eluded me so far has been Tasmania. Recently I began thinking about exploring this island and began doing some research in preparation for a possible visit. First, I’ll start with the basics: Tasmania is not a country, […]

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Lake Rio Cuarto is the deepest lake in Costa Rica and truly a hidden gem. I haven’t seen pictures or heard of this place prior to me visiting. Most tourists never end up here, unless they stay at the exact same eco lodge I stayed at, Hotel Del Bosque. They arrange all the tours on this lake and carry people to and from the hotel and the lake. We already rented a car for the duration of our trip and we just drove there ourselves. If you’d like to plan […]

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The morning mist clung to the steep rice terraces as our jeepney wound its way through the mountain roads of Kalinga province. We had departed Tabuk City, the provincial capital, before dawn, aiming to reach the remote village of Buscalan by midday. The journey was as much a destination as the village itself—every hairpin turn revealed breathtaking vistas of emerald terraces carved into mountainsides, a testament to the agricultural ingenuity that has sustained life here for centuries. Kalinga, one of the six provinces that make up the Cordillera Administrative Region […]

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This is one of the more picturesque towns along Western Sweden – located about a 90 minutes drive north of Gothenburg. Colorful buildings line the harbor – and on a clear and warm day this is the perfect spot to enjoy an ice cream or duck into any of a number of specialty shops here. Fjällbacka is also well known among Swedes because the country’s top selling crime novel author, Camilla Lackberg sets her novels here. She is most known for her crime stories but she also writes cookbooks based […]

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Mario Rigby is an eco-explorer, author, speaker, and former professional track and field athlete. Born in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, he was raised in Germany before moving to Canada. In 2015, Rigby embarked on his epic “Crossing Africa” expedition, traveling from Cape Town to Cairo entirely by foot and kayak. Over two years, he covered more than 12,000 kilometers across 8 African countries. Q. Growing up in the Turks and Caicos Islands, did you feel any connection to Africa? I grew up moving between very different worlds, Turks […]

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Cradled in the heart of the Rockies, Vail is a high-altitude playground, an alpine escape where mountain adventure meets refined mountain charm. Within a long weekend, the temptation to do as much as possible is great, so I opted to find the right balance between adrenaline and après; this included indulging in a diversity of wonderful restaurants, outdoor experiences and time for relaxation. You will want to fly fish, do a bit of hiking, explore Vail Mountain, slowly walk the streets of Vail Village while both shopping and people watching, […]

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Halifax, Nova Scotia (April 1, 2025) – This summer, Nova Scotia invites visitors to discover a wide range of new and unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s cozying up in a geodesic dome under the stars, savoring the flavors of Lunenburg on a guided tasting tour, or paddling through glowing bioluminescent waters, travelers will find plenty of fresh ways to explore the province’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. Getting to Nova Scotia is easier this summer, with daily flights to Halifax from New York’s LaGuardia, Philadelphia, and a new daily seasonal flight […]

The post Stay, Savor, and Explore: Nova Scotia’s Newest Accomodations, Dining and Outdoor Experiences for 2025 appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Cedar Rapids is often associated with corn, the great flood of 2008, The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and perhaps the film, Cedar Rapids staring Ed Helms and a few other funny actors. But it is also is home to the much lesser-known Flying Wienie. Originally a Shell Oil Station, this restaurant was founded in 1999 by chef John Martin. When one drives by, its hard not to miss spotting this homey restaurant. First of all its name is catchy – but how many restaurants have a real […]

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Explore Exciting Attractions, Outdoor Adventures, and Unforgettable Memories in the Heart of Missouri BRANSON, Mo. – (March, 2025) – Branson, Mo. consistently ranks as one of the top family-friendly destinations in America. Besides being filled with fun and memorable things for families to do, it is also considered to be within a day’s drive for nearly half of the country. Those who want to take a road trip must look no further than Branson to experience plenty of family fun opportunities. “We are thrilled to be a part of all […]

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Fredericton, New Brunswick (February, 2025) – Home to four designated dark sky preserves recognized by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, New Brunswick, Canada, offers an unparalleled after-dark escape for stargazers and beyond to experience the breathtaking beauty of night. In 2025, visitors to this Atlantic Canadian province can embark on a variety of noctourism adventures from dark sky parties and illuminated paddleboarding on the Saint John River, to night kayaking at the famous Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy. Cliff Valley Astronomy As the only astrotourism consultant in […]

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Intro What better way to spend a vacation than to be relaxing on a beautiful beach in St. Thomas in the U.S Virgin Islands (USVI.) I can’t think of a better trip than by the beautiful Caribbean Sea where swimming, snorkeling and breathtaking sunsets are just waiting for you to observe with your own eyes. Whether you’re visiting St. Thomas for relaxation or to get into some water activities, there are plenty of beaches to suit your needs. Here are five St. Thomas beaches and what they offer. 1. Brewers Bay […]

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