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Religious travel to the Near Middle East has been a part of the fabric of faith for thousands of years. It is a region that encompasses countries such as Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Greece, and Italy. These lands are steeped in spirituality and religious history. A pilgrimage to this area can be an extraordinarily uplifting experience for Christians, Muslims, and Judaism as it provides an opportunity to become connected with one’s spiritual roots in …

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you may be wondering how to surprise your traveling special someone with a gift that will take their breath away as they pack their suitcase. Or, perhaps you want to treat yourself to your very own fun getaway this year, but either way, the rolling, olive tree-dotted hills of central Italy have a trip in store for you that’s bespoke just for the day of love.

Beyond the usual amorous …

From the Bahamas to the southeastern points of the Caribbean, small museums dedicated to special interests, people or significant events can become an engaging stop even on a busy itinerary. If your own interests at home include one of these categories, then consider including one of these noteworthy, smaller museums during your own local time in the destination. While some are off the beaten track or a drive out of town, others just as often …

Clothing-optional vacations are like all other vacations, except many of your companions will not be wearing clothing. Stripped down to its essentials, clothing optional means just that: clothing may or may not be worn at an individual’s discretion. The related term “nudist” has a somewhat different meaning. At nudist resorts, the expectation is that everyone will be unclothed most of the time. The more commonly accepted term is “naturist”, which is the practice of being …

If you don’t know any better, Iceland may seem like little more than a layover on the way the mainland Europe. But the rewards are great for those who dare to venture beyond Reykjavik’s Keflavik airport, even if only for a few hours. The small island nation’s tourism industry is in high gear—ready for the onslaught of eco-tourists and adrenaline junkies who have already made landfall— but the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa just a …

Lately, I’ve had a lot of bad luck with my luggage while traveling on long-haul flights. My bags were delayed three trips in a row – reaching my destination only 1 to 3 days after I had arrived. After these three consecutive luggage mishaps, I was confident the airlines could not mess up a fourth time.

They didn’t – but my bout of bad luck did not end with that fourth flight. Arriving at Paris …

Australia shows up on more people’s bucket lists than most other destinations and for good reason.  This continent-nation offers an amazingly wide mixture of landscapes, wildlife, and adventure, providing a veritable palate of opportunities for anyone wishing to enjoy an exhilarating travel experience in ever-changing locales: there is no single “Australian itinerary.” With that said, and knowing Australia has so much to offer, here are my five top reasons to visit Australia.

The variety of …

There may be no more diverse destination on the planet than Hawaii.  Not only is the terrain amazingly varied – deserts, beaches and lush rainforests, mountains and oceans, deep valleys, and soaring volcanoes – but the climates there range from sub-arctic to tropical.  The available activities are almost without end. The culture is a mix of Polynesian, Asian, European, and American.  But perhaps the most varied aspect of the Islands is the way that this …

Whales are one of the Earth’s largest mammals, the beauty of which is best seen in the open waters of the ocean. There are numerous destinations around the world where you can observe these gentle creatures swim, thrash, and play in the water. All that is needed is a quiet boat or even a motor-less sailboat to venture out to sea to experience whale watching at its best. And, with a little patience and …

As Ireland’s national holiday approaches, visions of all things green will sweep over the island, as well as fill the minds of Irish descendants spread across the globe, many of whom make pilgrimages back to their motherland on the ever-popular St. Patrick’s Day. Green everything in all shades is usually the order of the day, especially for those visitors looking to make their visit to the Emerald Isle, well, extremely emerald. Green beer, green clothing …

Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, has a wealth of colorful neighborhoods to explore. The city bursts with history, and its narrow-cobbled streets are a delight to lose yourself in. Known as the City of Seven Hills, locals gather in the squares to shoot the breeze, and trams clatter up and down the hilly streets. Tiny cafes serve traditional dishes such as grilled sardines and Portuguese Codfish. The haunting sound of Fado music drifts from the bars. …

One of the fabulous things about traveling is the quirky cast of characters you meet. The rogues and the gentlemen, the heroes and the rascals. But it takes a magical place like Antigua in Guatemala to conjure up a character like Alexander Ferrar.

Walk with me through these ancient, cobbled streets past endless churches left in ruins by the earthquakes. Admire the squat little houses painted in jaunty pinks and yellows. Now pass through a …

Brrr, it’s getting cold outside! The temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and keeping warm inside the house has become a top priority. But fortunately for travelers who are seeking a winter vacation, there are destinations where temperatures are well above freezing. 

So, where can you go? Well, there are five continents to choose from that can easily fulfill the two essential components of a good winter getaway: sun and beautiful beaches. Here …