Everyone says winter is the worst time to visit China — unless you’re heading to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, that is. Before my visit, I found plenty of inspirational articles and photographs but I couldn’t pinpoint a recent Harbin ice festival guide to walk me through the logistics. I had zero desire […]
Comprehensive Harbin Ice Festival Guide & Winter Harbin Itinerary Read More »
In the Grand Tetons, you either need two days or your whole life. During summer, this part of Wyoming is easily toured by car. Most park roads run through the valley, looking up at the imposing mountains. Drive from one overlook to the next, snap some photos, take a walk. You’ll find wildlife, watch a
Live Vicariously Through This Photo Tour of the Grand Tetons Read More »
I still remember how long it took to plan a trip to Alaska the first time. The options were overwhelming and I wasn’t an experienced traveler. My first thought was to look into package cruisetours — but I had no interest in joining a busload of tourists in exchange for thousands of dollars. I wanted
Best 2 Week Alaska Itinerary: Plan a Trip to Alaska by Land & Sea Read More »
I’ve been a long-time advocate for shoulder season travel. More often than not, you get smaller crowds and lower prices with only minor trade-offs. Visiting Yellowstone in September is no exception and in fact, fall might be the best time of year to go. Not only will you get traditional shoulder-season benefits, but there are
Pros and Cons of Visiting Yellowstone in September Read More »
I was headed happily downhill when I felt the palm of my husband’s hand firmly against my belly. I stopped dead in my tracks, not daring to take another step. I’ve hiked often enough to know that this was his signal to stop — now — without a word being said. My eyes darted every
“I feel like we’re in a scene from The Land Before Time,” I commented. My husband and I were walking through clouds, the fog obscuring our view past twenty feet or so. In front of us, I could make out one of Yellowstone’s mud craters, a hideous gray pool frothing away. My right ear was
Everyone Loves Yellowstone, Except (Apparently) Me Read More »
In June, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring a 14-day quarantine period for people traveling to New York from states with “significant community spread” or residents returning home after travel. UPDATE: New York now has two options for visitors (or residents returning after travel):1) Quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in New York2) Take
New York is Not Messing Around With Travel Quarantines Read More »
As an avid hiker, I was surprised by the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek in Nepal. I envisioned dirt trails with scenic mountain vistas in all directions. I expected pathways surrounded by goats and sheep but not many people. I thought I’d sleep on thin mats on teahouse floors and pantomime conversations with locals who didn’t speak English. I
If you only go to one place in South Dakota, you better make it Custer. Somehow this park manages to pack in epic scenic drives, wildlife sightings so easy it’s practically guaranteed, and hikes that take you through the best of the black Hills. Of course, squeezing it all into one day in Custer State
One Day in Custer State Park for Travelers Who Want to See it All Read More »
Four months ago, I announced my travel plans for the rest of 2020. The world was still closed, but I was optimistic. Surely, things would turn around? Turns out, I was wrong. We ended up postponing (and later cancelling) a summer trip to Minnesota because the U.S. still hasn’t gotten their act together. Overnight getaways
