Central Asia is a
unique destination that is opening up more and more to travelers. Exotic and
unique countries that will tax the sturdiest of traveler such as Kurdistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan, and others known collectively as "the five Stans" are
becoming popular and affordable destinations that create a sense adventure in
just the planning. This part of the world, known as the Silk Road because of
the ancient silk trading routes that led from various Asian and Mediterranean
countries to China, is beginning to see more and more Western tourists in
search of a new destination.
Travel off the Beaten Path to Caral, Peru
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| Jann Segal |
If
you want to travel off the beaten path in Peru, book a day trip to Caral. The 4 hour drive from Lima is
long, but you get to see a different part of Peru that not many get to see. Tours typically
start at 6am and end at 6pm, with a stop in a nice little town for lunch on the
way back that is also not frequented much by tourists.
Visit the Beach Boy's Monument in a Los Angeles Suburb
The
recent movie about Brian Wilson's life, "Love and Mercy, " has
garnered renewed interest in the Beach Boys especially with the 50th anniversary of
the legendary album "Pet Sounds" coming up next year. Every form of
media related to Brian Wilson, including the DVD on the Wrecking Crew (the name
given the session musicians who performed for him and just about everybody else
in the 60's) is now difficult to find, severely backlogged, or at least
currently very popular.
Enjoy Bali and the Highlights of a Fire Dance
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| Jann Segal |
Bali
is not a destination most Americans visit. In fact, the majority of English
speaking foreigners there are from Australia. Americans should give this
destination a second thought. On an airline like Taiwanese carrier EVA, it is
easy to fly there with one change of planes, and from the West Coast there is
literally no jet lag in spite of the time difference. The food is wonderful,
the beaches among the most scenic in the world, and the authentic Asian Pacific
island culture is second to none. Where else do you get to see the traditional
fire dances like the one pictured above?
Do personal and cultural interactions make a difference in travel? Yeah, yeah, yeah….
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
Visit the Adriatic in the Autumn and Winter to see Stunning Colors and Sights
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| Photo by Tomaz Zavrl |
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
For
travelers who do not get to experience autumn colors in the fall or holiday
markets in the winter, one great way to do this is to visit the former
Yugoslavia in Central Europe in October or November. The beauty of Croatia,
Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia is breathtaking in the fall, and the
winter Christmas markets are on display in Slovenia in Ljubljana.
Experience the Peruvian Amazon at Night
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
A
trip to the the Peruvian Amazon is a trip of quiet riverboat luxury,
adventure, and unexpectedly delightful sights and sounds. This author traveled
with OverseasAdventure Travel on
their Amazon River Cruise and Rainforest trip in July of 2014. As with any OAT
trip, there are always wonderful surprises lurking. On this trip, it was at the
end of a long day aboard a skiff when we took a night time excursion into the
depths of an Amazon tributary in the Pacaya-Simiria National Reserve.
The Savvy Traveler: Ways to Avoid Blood Clots While Flying
The Savvy Traveler: Ways to Avoid Blood Clots While Flying
A blood clot is a serious condition
that can be caused from flights over 5 hours in duration, and when the plane
reaches 30,000 feet or more. It is also referred to as DVT, or deep vein
thrombosis. If you’re worried about getting a blood clot on a long light, or
have ever had one, here are some tips to help you avoid getting one on your
next flight. Please note only a few of these tips are written in the fine print
in in-flight magazines, but some of the international carriers are now starting
to include some as part of their in-flight safety instructions.
Turkey and the Cats of Ephesus
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| Jann Segal |
Turkey has many magical wonders to visit, many fascinating
sights to behold. One of the most mysterious however, is when visiting the
ruins at Ephesus. One
thing that will astonish visitors in addition the biblical history and the
astounding library on the premises, are the cats! So many cats at
Ephesus! What is the story behind all those cats? This was after all, the
political, religious and cultural center after it was originally established in
the 10th century BC. Today it has been overrun by tourists – and those pesky
cats!
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