Archive for the ‘Travel Destinations’ Category
The world’s best stargazing destinations
It’s one of the most sublime sights in nature: a dark sky filled with thousands of glittering stars. Our ancestors were well acquainted with this spectacle, and most nights they could even gaze up to see a gallery of shooting stars and a visible Milky Way galaxy. Today, unfortunately, light pollution in populated areas tends [...]
What are the seven wonders of the natural world?
In 2007, there was much hullabaloo over voting for the seven wonders of the world. It was a well-conceived campaign by the New 7 Wonders organization, which wanted a contemporary list to replace the fabled seven wonders of the ancient world, of which the Egyptian Pyramids are the only survivor. I then wrote in January that there [...]
Best ways to experience a sunrise or sunset
Where in the world would you go to see the most spectacular sunset or sunrise? Better yet, where could you have an incredible travel experience while at the same time watching the sun rise or set in the sky? I just published an article on Matador Trips that reviews eight of the best places in [...]
Underappreciated destinations
Anyone can visit New York or Paris, lounge on the beach in Miami, or marvel at the ancient wonders of the Egyptian Pyramids. But there is also a secret joy to be found from having a wonderful vacation in a lesser known, less crowded, more tranquil destination. What would be on your list on underappreciated destinations around the world? Sara [...]
Consider the Pacific islands as a travel destination
You’re gearing up to do some extensive traveling. You’ve got the time and the money. Where to go? Europe, Asia, Latin America? What about the islands of the Pacific? It’s a region that many people never really consider, but Gary Arndt wasn’t one of them. As he explains in a recent story he wrote for Indie Travel [...]
Tourism in Afghanistan?
Yes, it’s true. It’s not an easy sell at the moment, but the Afghanistan government is looking to the future. It is training people to work in the tourism industry and is taking steps to try to lure travelers back to Afghanistan, which at one point was actually a popular stop on a tourist trail [...]
Street food around the world
Street food both entices and terrifies travelers. To sample the food that is sold by vendors on street corners is surely one of the quickest ways to delve into the tastes and yearnings of a culture. But pick the wrong vendor and it can also be the quickest way into several days worth of stomach cramps [...]
Geek getaways
If you’re looking for a getaway that will also satisfy your inner scientist, then Popular Science has just the solution. Proving that there are travel destinations out there for every taste and interest, the magazine recently came up with a list of eight “geek getaways” in the United States. Such as: Vacation with Martian Experts [...]
Old Town districts around the world
Well preserved Old Town districts are a favorite destination for both travelers and preservationists. There is something special about feeling as though you’ve not only landed in a new country, but have also stepped back in time a bit. The Sydney Herald in Australia recently published a nice article about some of the best Old Towns around the [...]
Cathedrals, monasteries and other sacred destinations
Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world are religious sites. But you don’t have to be a pilgrim or a spiritual seeker in order to appreciate a sacred place. I’ve recently come across several articles that approach religious tourism from a variety of angles. Take a look. For starters, the world’s most visited religious destinations. [...]
Yes, botanical gardens in the desert
It’s difficult to shake the popular image of the desert as a barren, lifeless place, coated in sand and scorched by an unrelenting sun. Well, perhaps the part about the sun is true, at least during the summer months, but the desert of the American Southwest actually abounds with a surprising variety of plant life. [...]
National Geographic’s “Tours of a Lifetime”
I’ve always been more of a fan of independent travel. I’m not one for tour groups, except for the occasional day tour when you can get a lot out of being with a local guide. That said, a lot of people do enjoy traveling as part of a group and there are benefits to having the [...]
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Bob Riel is a writer and a traveler. Go here to read more about Bob, his work and the Travels in the Riel World blog.
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My travel memoir - Two Laps Around the World: Tales and Insights from a Life Sabbatical - is about two round-the-world journeys with my wife.
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