From the top of a Maya pyramid the view of the jungle and other pyramids was something I imagined other adventure travelers witnessing; not me. But I was here with the help of a manmade staircase alongside the ancient structure and encouraging guides. It was from this vantage point George Lucas filmed scenes for his first Star Wars movie in
Discovering Art and History at Göttweig Abbey
On a cold windswept day I visited Göttweig Abbey with fellow Viking River Cruises passengers as part of the Danube Christmas Market Cruise. Founded in Austria as a monastery and dedicated in 1072 AD, its presence atop a hill overlooking the river was a dramatic scene as the tour bus approached. We gathered with our guide and he began his
Jamaican mansion is a hauntingly beautiful destination
Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica first came to my attention when I was going through my ghost-hunting television show phase several years ago. Both Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters International reported on the thought-to-be-haunted house. When I was selecting shore excursions while sailing on the Carnival Breeze, I decided to pay a visit to the plantation myself. Of course
Regensburg, Germany, offers medieval holiday magic
There’s more to a Viking River Cruises Christmas Market Cruise along the Danube River than shopping. Before each visit to the famous European markets, passengers take bus or walking tours of grand cities in Germany, Austria and Hungary. While visiting Regensburg, Germany, the oldest city on the Danube, we walked from the Viking Longship Njord along the waterfront to the
Celebrating Christmas Galveston-Style
It was a balmy 75 degrees in Galveston, Texas, but once I donned the bright blue parka and entered ICE LAND: Ice Sculptures, A Caribbean Christmas! at Moody Gardens, the thermometer plunged to a brisk nine degrees. In addition to the sudden chill, I was also surrounded by an underwater fantasy of “The North Pole meets the Caribbean” created by
Gifts for the traveler on your Christmas list
Ho, ho, ho…it’s that time of year again! The big question is always what to give friends and family. Well, if someone is an active or armchair traveler, here are a few ideas. Gifts Packing cubes, organizers and luggage: I think one of the most stressful parts of planning any trip is packing. Over the years it has helped me
Charleston Harbor Cruise offers Insight into City’s Rich History
There are two things I like to do when I visit a city if they are available. First is a tour. This may be a walking tour, carriage tour or bus tour. It helps me get my bearings before I set off on my own. The second activity I think is important is a cruise; river, harbor or ocean. The
Vicksburg House Offers History and Ghost Sightings
Hidden away at the end of Harrison Street in a wooded area is McRaven Tour Home. Said to be the most haunted house in Mississippi, the Vicksburg historic landmark is open for tours and is a popular attraction in the city. Vicksburg, one of the state’s most haunted cities, is the site of the famous Civil War battle
Newly released book celebrates Yellowstone and National Park Centennial
Before the internet, I almost always bought books when I traveled to refer back to. Whether on a guided tour or exploring on my own, I wanted the facts about what I learned and to understand better what I experienced. From 20-page pamphlets to massive hardback books, I was always loaded down with reference material when I returned home. As
Relax and Renew at Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil
When I traveled to Ecuador to visit the Galapagos Islands, my tour coordinator AdventureSmith Explorations arranged my pre- and post-hotel accommodations in Guayaquil. The reason this is a suggested part of the entire package is to ensure a buffer in case there is a delay in the flight into Ecuador so that visitors can make the flight from Guayaquil to