Arriving in Venice, Italy is no small task; by plane, train, or car, one must reach the edges of a more familiar modern landscape, and then step onto a boat that will draw one into a world both foreign and familiar. I was immediately entranced by the narrow passages, absence of cars, and sunlight cascadingContinue reading “Love at First Light | Venice, Italy”
Tag Archives: explore
Pukekura Park | New Plymouth, New Zealand
Over the years travelling has taught me a few important lessons; I will always pack more than I end up needing, the journey is usually just as remarkable as the destination, and never, ever pass up the chance to spend a few hours in a local botanical garden. Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, on theContinue reading “Pukekura Park | New Plymouth, New Zealand”
Corinaldo, Italy
Corinaldo, Itay is a quintessential, charming, enchanting hilltop village in the Province of Ancona. Surrounded by well-preserved 15th century walls, the maze of quiet, narrow cobblestone streets are a welcome escape from more crowded Italian destinations. The views are remarkable, from the ramparts and even from the heart of the town, from which one canContinue reading “Corinaldo, Italy”
Te Hoiere / Pelorus River, New Zealand
On the last day of our New Zealand adventures, we had a short drive to the ferry in Picton at the northern end of the South Island, and wanted one last taste of the amazing wilderness we’d encountered across the country during our two week ramble. Perusing the map and a guidebook that pointed usContinue reading “Te Hoiere / Pelorus River, New Zealand”
Welchman Hall Gully, Barbados
Nestled in the upland, interior mountains of Barbados, Welchman Hall Gully is a remarkable place to see both native and exotic jungle plants, observe a troop of green monkeys, and explore the dramatic geologic formations which are actually the remnants of an enormous collapsed cave system. Arriving at the trailhead, a table of fruits, seeds,Continue reading “Welchman Hall Gully, Barbados”
Wellington, New Zealand
Vibrant, friendly, artsy and laid-back – not words usually associated with a sizeable capital city, but Wellington, New Zealand offers all of this and more. Wellington is set in the forested hills of the southern tip of New Zealand’s North island, and encompasses sandy beaches, a busy waterfront, and a beautiful, windy harbor. A greatContinue reading “Wellington, New Zealand”
Desert Spring
Spring in the desert is a gorgeous display of contrasts, with lush vegetation and colorful flowers blooming against the hard edges of a rocky landscape, punctuated by the sharp spines of cacti in a seemingly endless array of shapes and sizes. One of the best places to see this display of natural springtime exuberance isContinue reading “Desert Spring”
St. Nicholas Abbey, Barbados
In the lush highlands of the Caribbean island of Barbados is a beautifully preserved slice of history; St. Nicholas Abbey is a sugar plantation and rum distillery, boasting a Jacobean mansion built in 1658, beautiful gardens, and a richly preserved historical and cultural context that is expertly conveyed during tours of the house and property. EnteringContinue reading “St. Nicholas Abbey, Barbados”
Fort Ross, California
On the wild, rugged coast of Northern California sits an unexpected historic site, a fort and trading outpost founded by Russian settlers in the early 1800’s. At a time when the colonial and enterprising interests of the Spanish, British and American nations were converging on the region, and Mexico also laid claim to Alta California,Continue reading “Fort Ross, California”
Moss Landing, California
Tucked between Highway 1 and the broad horizon of Monterey Bay on the California coast is the quaint, colorful, seaside fishing town of Moss Landing. On a whim one early spring day, I decided to explore the quiet streets and old storefronts of this weathered hamlet. Tucked along the edges of Moss Landing Harbor andContinue reading “Moss Landing, California”
Glass Beach, Mendocino
I was hoping the rumors were true; a quiet, wild, little stretch of beach on the Mendocino coast near the city of Fort Bragg, strewn with colorful pebbles of sea-glass. As it turns out, this spot is definitely not a secret, as signs will lead the curious traveler from Highway 1 to the sizeable parkingContinue reading “Glass Beach, Mendocino”
Oakura Beach, New Zealand
Tucked between quiet beach towns on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Oakura Beach is a windswept, black sand slice of paradise. The beach access is casual, a short walk through flowering flax, and down into low, soft dunes. My friend chose to cross the creek along a piece of driftwood, while IContinue reading “Oakura Beach, New Zealand”
