After embarking on hundreds of travel adventures, I know that experiences sometimes fall short of my expectations. Luckily, the exact opposite can also occur. Some journeys include a “wow” moment that changes my outlook. Here are ten travel experiences that met that definition and may help you plan your next vacation.
Costa Rica
While planning a Costa Rica trip, I learned that a two-week comprehensive itinerary is affordable. Not only would I be visiting accessible volcanoes and rainforests, but I could also learn more about the production of coffee, pineapple, and one of my favorite foods—chocolate. Where else could I paddle down rivers, horseback ride, zip-line over a rainforest canopy, visit an active volcanic crater, and hike along the shoreline of a national park?
However, I never anticipated my response to daily wildlife encounters. I had seen plenty of monkeys while teaching in Bangalore, India. This was different. The spider and howler monkeys in their jungle environment were intriguing. Colorful birds were ubiquitous. On river trips, I unexpectedly became an avid birdwatcher while simultaneously snapping digital images of caimans, crocodiles, and sloths. I followed enormous lizards that devoured sand crabs on Pacific Coast beaches. After spending two weeks in Costa Rica, zoos dropped to the bottom of my “to do” list. I love wildlife in their natural habitat and can’t wait to book my next animal adventure.
For More Information:
Five of My Favorite Outdoor Adventures in Costa Rica
Zip-lining in Costa Rica—exhilarating
Six Amazing Volcanic Treks From Around the World
Chorotega Pottery: a dwindling Costa Rican art
Hidden Gems: Discovering the National Theatre of Costa Rica
Galapagos Islands
If you love animals, it’s hard not to be taken in by video advertisements promoting wildlife adventures in the Galapagos Islands. Like so many other travelers, this pristine region has been on my bucket list for decades. Until I chose to accept the hefty price tag of a cruise adventure, my dream could not be turned into reality. After taking the plunge, I can confidently say that this trip was worth every single penny.
The seven-day adventure aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Xpedition offered an informative introduction to the ecosystems and the wildlife that thrives in this region. I have yet to experience a hike or a snorkeling excursion with so many incredible opportunities to see animals. Usually, animal outings can be disappointing when wildlife plays hide and seek. In the Galapagos Islands, each day included encounters with well-known animals— sea lions, crabs, flamingos— and previously unknown species—blue-footed booby, flightless cormorant, hybrid iguanas, and Galapagos tortoises. Our knowledgeable guides, certified by the government, not only provided useful background information but also helped describe unique habits like the waved albatross mating ritual. While my earlier Costa Rica adventure opened the door to wildlife adventures, the Galapagos Islands made it imperative to schedule future nature trips.
For More Information:
Isolated Galapagos Archipelago Offers Spectacular Adventure
India
For decades, I tended to avoid places that made me feel uneasy. My top choices included cities where I could easily communicate in English, eat familiar foods, and feel comfortable in my surroundings. While I was eager to learn about unique locations, I constructed an artificial boundary that I rarely crossed. Had I not chosen to challenge my irrational fears, I would never have become an international traveler.
In India, I stepped far outside of my comfort zone. Initially, I was in panic mode. I resisted eating ethnic foods and traveling solo by auto rickshaw. After overcoming culture shock, I experimented with northern and southern Indian foods. But poverty-stricken streets frequently caught me off balance. My first solo trip to Belur and Halebidu, two 12th century Hoysala temples, provided a confidence boost. Traveling with teaching colleagues to Kerala introduced me to the coastal city of Cochin and the pristine hilltops of Munnar. My understanding of Indian history and culture was further enhanced while visiting the Golden Triangle. After stepping outside my comfort zone in India, exotic places have become center stage.
For More Information:
Off the beaten track—12th century Hoysala temples in India
Golden Triangle is a Must-Drive Road Trip
9 Things to Know About India Before You Go
Intergenerational Travel is a Great Adventure!
Exploring Mumbai During the Monsoon Season
Remembering the Jews of Kerala
Israel
My family’s Jewish heritage offered the impetus for my first visit in 1993. At one of Masada’s small sanctuaries, my eldest son celebrated his bar mitzvah. Standing by his side, I simultaneously had an adult bat mitzvah. Several festive events acknowledging this milestone were intertwined into our comprehensive two-week itinerary. History came alive as we visited sites illustrating Jewish perseverance throughout the centuries. Our understanding of the socio-political situation was enhanced as we traversed the country and stood near the borders of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Everything previously read took on more significance as we came face-to-face with history.
Two subsequent visits brought me back to Israel. Favorite places were revisited, and new adventures were added to the list. Along the way, our taste buds were treated to culinary extravaganzas made possible by a variety of cultures in a Mediterranean environment known for its bountiful produce. Periodically, I return to Israel to reinvigorate my Jewish spirit and connect with the land of my ancestors.
For More Information:
Digging Deep Into the Past: Take a Catacomb Tour
Unearthing Israel: Important Archeological Sites You Should Know
Naharayim—a Paradigm of the Mideast Conflict
Bet She’arim— Important Necropolis From the Talmud Era
How to Maximize a Brief Cruise Stop in Israel
Japan
Exploring a country by ship is best accomplished when the destination either has an extensive coastline or is an island. A fourteen-day intensive cruise around Japan offered a sampling of Japan’s diverse climate and terrain. Other than my trip around Cape Horn, I cannot remember a time when I had to pack clothing for such a wide range of temperatures.
Visits to temples and shrines offered an avenue to understand Asian culture. Knowledgeable guides explained some of the fundamental practices that are foreign to most westerners. Learning about other cultures is a conduit for tolerance. Like parts of Europe, many of the historical sites were destroyed during World War II. But the essence of history remains wherever the locals chose to keep it alive. The restaurants in port served photogenic and tasty foods filled with many unknown ingredients. This knockout culinary extravaganza reinforced my view as to the importance of sampling local cuisine.
For More Information:
Trip Report: Tour Tokyo in Comfort and Style
Road Trip
Road trips are designed for people who can sit for extended periods. While I adore exploring the western part of America, I lose interest after too many hours in my car.
With careful planning, I can witness the majesty of the West with minimal driving. I locate state and national parks, popular attractions, restaurants, and accommodations that are near to one another— Moab, Utah, being a perfect example. From Moab, it is an easy drive to Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Little Horse Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Park. During my Utah road trip, I was able to see the best of the West in bite-sized chunks without being stressed.
For More Information:
Western Road Trip: Colorado and Utah
Exploring Southeast Utah—Little Wild Horse Canyon
Exploring Southeast Utah—Goblin Valley State Park
South American Cruise Rounding Cape Horn
I’ve always wanted to take a South American cruise that rounded Cape Horn. After receiving a quote, I had second thoughts. Did I really want to break open the piggy bank for this adventure?
Had my husband not been eager to go, I’m sure the idea would have been dismissed. His desire to take the cruise reinforced my inner voice. I knew at some point in our lives, we had to go.
My gut feeling was correct. As I traveled from warm climates to freezing temperatures and then back to summerlike weather, I knew the money was well spent. I had a one-on-one encounter with Magellanic penguins, gawked at marine wildlife during a Beagle Channel boat ride, and trekked in Argentinian and Chilean national parks. Going around Cape Horn and sailing through the glacier fields, straits, channels, and fjords offered a once in a lifetime experience. After a rocky ride in a mega cruise ship outfitted with modern technology, I will forever appreciate Darwin, Magellan, and the other explorers who braved this treacherous journey.
For More Information
Uruguay: The Overlooked Beachy Paradise of South America
Sample Patagonia’s Remarkable Terrain During a South American Cruise
A Walk Through Buenos Aires Tough Jewish History
The Day at the End of the World: visiting the City of Ushuaia, Argentina
Cruising Tips: Picking the Right Shore Excursions
4 Reasons You Need to Head to Patagonia for a Penguin Adventure
US National Parks
I’m grateful to the 19th-century writers who wrote about America’s beauty, the naturalists who recorded flora and fauna images, and the politicians who recognized the importance of protecting America’s open space. Without their foresight, our national treasures would have been lost.
When I enter a national park, my senses are on hyperdrive. Time becomes my enemy because it’s impossible to see everything. Instead of rushing here and there, I’ve chosen to concentrate my attention on a shorter list and embrace what is feasible during the allotted time. Secretly, I always hope that I’ll return.
After a college visit to Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road, I was hooked. Decades later, I returned to hear the elks bugling. Like hundreds of other visitors who lined the road, I stood in awe with my young grandson while recording this extraordinary moment. There’s nothing finer than sharing mother nature with one’s grandchildren.
For More Information
Expat Grandson’s First Encounter with American Wildlife
History Comes Alive at the Great Sand Dunes
Trekking to Find Ancestral Culture at Mesa Verde
A Snapshot of Bar Harbor, Maine
Colorado National Monument—Near the Colorado and Utah Border
What You Need to Know About National Park Deaths
Must-See Animals in America’s National Parks
History Comes Alive at Chimney Rock National Monument
Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
Every now and then, I search for a romantic destination. Islands naturally fall into this category. While others search for tropical islands with notable beachfront, my husband and I prefer temperate climates that promote active lifestyles. On Vancouver Island, we explored some of Victoria’s main attractions, walked hand in hand along the shoreline, headed north to trek through rainforests and parts of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, and also set aside special time back in our boutique hotel room.
After decades of marriage, I know that it’s wise to periodically step away from daily routines and spend time together. Our getaway to Vancouver Island was an ideal distraction from the stresses of everyday life. From sipping wine at a local winery in the Cowichan Valley to tasting farm to table entrees at Victorian restaurants, we rebooted. Our favorite morning was spent giggling as we sloshed through muddy puddles on the Cathedral Trail in the magnificent MacMillan Provincial Park. By the time we returned home, our commitment to one another had been recharged.
For More Information:
An Adventurer’s Guide to 72 Hours in Victoria, British Columbia
Vietnam
Vague recollections of Vietnam protesters and the impact of the war on US soldiers are part of what I recall from my youth. With such negative sentiments associated with this destination, I didn’t consider a trip until recently. Not knowing what to expect, I arrived with an open mind. While it was troubling to crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the booby traps that destroyed American lives, I loved the opportunity to bicycle 18 miles through the countryside and be treated to a Vietnamese luncheon. This outing revealed the contrast between the war years and the present. Spending time on a small boat in Ha Long Bay offered more opportunities to explore the local culture, cuisine, and ecosystems. By remaining open to exploring places once considered taboo, I was able to enjoy modern Vietnam.
For More Information:
3 Reasons why Vietnam is becoming a mecca for cultural travelers
An Asian Immersion Cruise Aboard Celebrity Millennium
Domestic and international journeys have changed my life in unexpected ways. Each time I experience a magical, life-changing moment, my desire to travel intensifies, and my choices expand. Within no time, I’m weighing my future travel options and selecting itineraries that take me to places both near and far.
Can you take the time to comment on a journey that included a wow moment?
BIO
When Sandy isn’t trekking or writing in the Colorado Rockies, she is traveling. She has visited more than 40 countries and lived as an international teacher in Bangalore, India. Sandy’s award-winning book, May This Be the Best Year of Your Life, is a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle and living outside their comfort zone.
Sandy shares her lifestyle and travel experiences with international and domestic online sites and print media. Her stories have appeared in Hemispheres, Destinations Magazine, KUHL’s Born in the Mountain blog, Grand Magazine, Wandering Educators, Golden Living, One Travel, Miles Away, Canadian Jewish News, Getting On Travel, Far and Wide, Colorado Parent, Traveler Confidential, Family Circle- Momster, and others.
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