If you travel to Kyrgyzstan, it’s almost impossible to miss Issyk-Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world (after Bolivia’s Lake Titicaca). But Issyk-Kul is large with two long shores, each a different personality. So where to focus your effort? … [Read more...]
Beginners Guides: Practical travel guides to regions, countries and cities.
An Experiential Travel Guide to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan: 25 Ideas to Get You Started
When readers ask, “I’m traveling to Karakol. Is there anything to do there? Where should I go?” We have a raft of ideas, often surprising them. … [Read more...]
What Are the World Nomad Games? An Experiential Guide
What do you get when you combine competitive goat carcass polo, hunting with eagles, wrestling on horseback, sheep bone-throwing, stick wrestling — and an opening ceremony complete with hearkenings of Genghis Khan, men ablaze on horseback, and a ceremonious appearance by Steven Seagal?The World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, of course! … [Read more...]
From Wildlife to Village Life: An Experiential Guide to Chobe, Botswana
Late afternoon to an approaching sunset on Botswana’s Chobe River. As I leaned back in one of the director’s chairs on the deck of our boat, I had what I might refer to as a “Pale Blue Dot" … [Read more...]
Australia in Two Weeks: An Experiential Guide
Australia offers the perfect storm for those who tend towards the fear of missing out (FOMO). It’s a huge country. It’s far away for many of us (that’s also part of its draw). And it fills a bucket list all its own of iconic experiences and destinations: the Outback, Aboriginal culture, cities, beaches, coral reefs, and wineries, just to mention a few. … [Read more...]
St. Maarten Experiential Travel Guide: Connecting With & On The Island
We explored the island of St. Maarten as part of the #ChoiceCaribbean campaign. … [Read more...]
Puglia Road Trip: 25 Experiences to Get You Started
Puglia (or Apulia), the southern Italian province referred to as “the heel of the boot” first entered my consciousness more than ten years ago when a friend from San Francisco up and moved there on the initial leg of his retirement.In an email now deep in the archives, Will wrote: “Puglia is excellent. And by the way, not too expensive, my friend [...] I have a … [Read more...]
An Experiential Travel Guide to Colombia: 25 Ideas to Get You Started
When readers ask, “I’m traveling to Colombia. What should I do? Where should I go?” We’re left wondering how we’ll keep it short.Because the country is so huge and diverse and serves so many different styles of travel, the answer is: it really depends on what you’re after. … [Read more...]
Peaks of the Balkans Trek: A Beginners Guide
Each year we like to go on a long trek, one that takes us to a new region somewhere in the mountains. It’s an exercise for the body and also for the mind. To disconnect with our day-to-day and also to reconnect with a region once unknown to us and learn about it through its nature and people.This year’s trek of 200 km / 125 miles through the mountains of Albania, … [Read more...]
The Lost City Trek, Colombia: All You Need to Know
We were out of breath, having just climbed 1,200 stone steps when Celso, our indigenous guide, called for us to join him around a group of stones arranged in a circle in a clearing. In the middle of the circle stood another square stone on top of which lay a pile of coca leaves placed as an offering. Celso explained with trademark calm in a slow, deliberate voice, … [Read more...]