Travelers with an interest in history will have their hands full exploring the cities of Malta. This small Mediterranean island has an incredible number of cathedrals, palaces, and museums that are all worth your time. Yet off the beaten path, there are several other attractions that will reveal a different side of Malta’s history. The island also offers fascinating prehistoric sites. If you can tear yourself away from the golden beaches and oceanfront cafes, there are ancient caves and temples to explore too. Here are three unusual historic attractions in Malta, perfect to work into a 3 days in Malta itinerary. Ghar Dalam Caves Translated from Maltese as “cave of darkness” this site is where several discoveries were made about the island of Malta dating back to the ice age. In these caves, the remains of dwarf elephant and hippopotamus […]
Read MoreAlcatraz: The Rock in the San Francisco Bay
Channel your inner Al Capone or “Machine Gun” Kelly with a visit to Alcatraz Island on your next stay in San Francisco. Located in the San Francisco Bay, about a mile offshore, the island served as a lighthouse and military site before becoming a Federal prison in 1963. Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary for 29 years, and during that time housed prisoners who had been problems at other locations. Some of the most infamous criminals in history were housed there, and it is claimed that no prisoner ever successfully escaped. Both Capone and Kelly were imprisoned on The Rock, which today is a historic site under the auspices of the National Park Service, and just like then, there is only one way on and off the island. Alcatraz Cruises is the only company authorized by the National Parks Service […]
Read MoreThe Powerscourt Estate: A Daytrip from Dublin
Many first time visitors to Dublin don’t know that the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – County Wicklow – is only 30 minutes south of the city center. No trip to Ireland would be complete without leaving the capital city to see the countryside that the Emerald Isle is so famous for. While there are many destinations worthy of a Dublin daytrip, one of my favorites is the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. Unlike other destinations outside of Dublin that are on the train line, you will need to rent a car or join a tour to visit Powerscourt. Reaching the estate in a rental car is half the fun – passing through quaint villages and following rickety old signs will give the daytrip an adventurous quality. The estate is famous for being home to the five-star Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and […]
Read MorePre-Columbian Archaeology in Chan Chan, Peru
When it comes to Pre-Columbian artifacts, Peru is awash in them, and probably nowhere more so than Chan Chan, the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America. The archaeological site, locate near Trujillo, dates back to the 9th century when it was built by the Chimu as the imperial capital. At one time over 30,000 people lived in the adobe city of Chan Chan, before being conquered by the Incas. Later, Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro, took over. Today the adobe city of Chan Chan is a UNESCO world heritage site, added to the list in 1986. Although much is being done to preserve the area, it is still threatened by the occasional tornadoes, earthquakes, rain and erosion, as well as the odd looter that thinks stealing precious artifacts is a good idea. There are also several other ruin […]
Read More9 Tips for Waterfall Cascading
Waterfall cascading is an adventure activity that involves climbing up waterfalls and then jumping or sliding your way back down. While some consider it more “freestyle” than canyoneering (which is navigating a river canyon) if you find a good tour company, this can be a safe and enjoyable activity. While a good tour outfitter will take care of the safety aspect by providing helmets, life jackets, and guides, there are some other tips that one might want to consider before going on an adventure like this! Do not wear your sneakers unless you don’t mind getting them soaked. For our waterfall trip, we hiked along trails, through a stream, and finally arrived in a water pool. I wore my Vibram Fivefingers and they worked great and dried out quickly. The rubber on the bottom helped grip the rock when I […]
Read MoreLuxury Vacation Experiences in Bali
If you are tired of cold and gloomy weather, maybe it is time to stop daydreaming about scuba diving, sandy beaches, palm trees and warm sunshine, and do something about it. You can start with making plans to visit some place exotic like Bali. Bali beckons travelers from around the world each year, with its unbelievable warm breezes and beautiful scenery. Imagine yourself on a luxury holidays in Bali, enjoying the crystal clear water and beautiful warm sandy beaches with their exquisite hotels. And don’t forget those relaxing spa treatments that the island is famous for. When planning your holiday, keep in mind the best time to visit is between April and October. During this period, there will be less rainfall and humidity, and your practically guaranteed to have days filled with warm breezes and sunshine. No matter how beautiful […]
Read MoreCuracao: A Caribbean Island with a European Edge
It’s hard not to fall in love with a tropical island. Even more so when that tropical island has the kind of energy that makes you want to stay on your Caribbean holidays indefinitely. Try Curacao; it’s the perfect Caribbean island (a part of the Netherland Antilles) about 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela and it’s Dutch, still Dutch after all these years. The island is also part of what is commonly referred to as the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Another plus, Curacao is out of the hurricane belt, which means no hurricanes during hurricane season translating into the fact that your vacation won’t be ruined if you visit from June to October. Curacao is not your typical island in the Caribbean either since it feels very European and, for lack of a better word, magical. A […]
Read MoreVenturing Beyond the Main Attractions in Malta
A trip to the Mediterranean island of Malta is sure to include many of the must-see attractions. There are stunning paintings by Caravaggio in St John’s Co-Cathedral, the fantastic view of the harbor in Valletta from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the medieval walled city of Mdina. While these attractions are more than enough to keep visitors occupied for several days, there are also some off the beaten path attractions that are worth a visit for travelers who want to scratch beneath the surface. Here are three of my favorite ways to get to know Malta beyond its most famous sites: Visit Local Wineries Travelers might not be aware that Malta has a developing reputation for its wines. Remember, Malta is located very close to Sicily, an island that has a great reputation for wines. This close proximity alone reveals […]
Read MoreTravel Makes Me Smile
May is National Smile month, and it made me think about the things that make me happy, that warm the cockles of my heart, that make me smile. It was no surprise to discover that most of them are related in some way to travel. Here are 50 things that make me smile: A fully packed (and organized) bag Watching an airplane take off and and wondering where it’s going The Coliseum in Rome (the first time I saw it I had to wipe away the tears) A well-used passport Maps, the paper kind that you can pour over and plot out where you want to go UNESCO World Heritage Sites (although a few make me cry) Guidebooks, I have some favorites, but I like reading them all Fresh lemons picked off the tree in Sicily and used to make […]
Read MoreUnderstand the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey
For many travelers to Turkey, sampling the Turkish cuisine rates at the top of the to-experience list. After all the basic sightseeing is finished, and visitors move to some of the cultural experiences that the country has to offer, watching the whirling dervishes usually ranks high on the list. Often erroneously considered a folk dance troupe or some sort of trance inducing dance, the dervishes are more aligned with religion and philosophy than with entertainment. The ritual dancing is based on the teaching of the Persian philosopher and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi who, along with his son, founded the Sufi Order. Sufis are part of the Sunni sect of Islam, and Mevlana Rumi’s teachings emphasized tolerance and patience, not revolutionaries, and their belief is that unification with God will occur through the constant movement of the universe. Okay, we […]
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