There’s nothing quite like disconnecting in a place surrounded by miles and miles of pristine nature. Forests, lakes, rivers- they all have a way of replacing my stress with relaxation, worry with peace. For that reason, I ventured to the Mauricie region of Quebec, an area known for its vast natural spaces. With over 17,500…
A few years ago I wanted to do a trip to Yellowstone National Park, as it’s one of the most geologically interesting and wildlife-rich areas in the United States. The problem was, Yellowstone is extremely popular and trying to plan a trip a few months in advance meant that accommodations and campsites were all booked…
My main reason for visiting Nagano was to do a day trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japan’s famous hot spring loving, wild snow monkeys. I was inspired to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park by all the adorable photos I was seeing of snow monkeys soaking contentedly in the hot pools. As an animal lover,…
A trip to Alberta wouldn’t be complete without doing a road trip in the Canadian Rockies. The drive from Calgary to Jasper is one of the finest road trips in Canada, a route that passes by Alberta’s most inspiring scenery as it makes its way through the mountains and into the heart of Banff and…
That really depends on the year. Sometimes we have snow that sticks around by October, but sometimes not. In general, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, especially on the Icefields Parkway. I would make sure I come prepared with blankets, food etc. just in case. I think if road conditions get really bad they close the highway but I’ve never seen that in October/early November.November 18, 2018 – 5:54 pmReplyCancel
Hello! You’re article has inspired me to take this trip and try out your itinerary. I am curious if you have any thoughts on doing it by Campervan. We did the Ring Rd in Iceland by camper last year and really enjoyed it but I don’t see it as widely recommended for Banff and Jasper. Thoughts?August 8, 2019 – 7:21 pmReplyCancel
Hey guys. First of all, thank you for creating this blog. It has helped me tremendously in planning and organizing our first trip to Canada. I had saved this blog in my bookmarks last year and just last month, I and my wife did a ditto road trip to the Canadian Rockies. The only difference was, we did a 7-day trip but we loved it. We did Calgary – Canmore – Banff – Lake Louise – Icefield Parkways – Jasper and flew back to San Francisco from Calgary. Thank you again for the great work on this blog and for inspiring me to visit Canada. August 29, 2019 – 10:56 amReplyCancel
Yes, you can do this trip in the middle of May. Be aware though that the Moraine Lake road may still be closed for the season. It usually opens around mid-late May, but depends on the amount of snow. There might also still be some snow on the trails at higher elevations (if you plan on doing some hikes) and the glacier lakes could also still be frozen. But the best part of visiting during shoulder season is that the parks won’t be so crowded with tourists!December 5, 2019 – 12:10 pmReplyCancel
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s top destinations and the best way to experience this natural wonder is by doing the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk is a 13 km trail that runs along top the cliffs from Doolin to Hags Head,…
When I was visiting Killarney, I kept thinking how nice it must be to have such a beautiful national park right at your doorstep. Just steps away from the centre of town, Killarney National Park encompasses some of the best scenery in Ireland. Killarney National Park is a sublime collection of lakes, mountains, woodlands, and…
My favourite memory of my 2 week trip to Ireland is my day in Killarney, where I did a boat and bike trip to the Gap of Dunloe. A boat tour of the Lakes of Killarney, followed by a bike ride through the Gap of Dunloe, showcases the very best of Killarney National Park and…
Standing at the trailhead into Burren National Park, fascination sets in as I gaze off into the remote, rocky landscape. This is not what I expected to see in Ireland. The land here is harsh, grey. The Burren most certainly is not the rolling green fields I’d come to associate with Ireland. Instead, I find…
On my solo trip to Ireland I was looking to visit places that combined my two favourite travel activities- exploring nature and visiting archaeological sites. Inishmore (Inis Mór) fit the bill perfectly! As one of the Aran Islands, Inishmore was a place that I could feel far away from everything while still being connected to…
As my helicopter lifted off from the outskirts of Dawson City, I had no idea what to expect from my flightseeing tour of Tombstone Territorial Park. The scenery around Dawson City was nice- big hills, forests, and rivers- but the name Tombstone hinted at something far more dramatic. Staring out the window, I watched as…
My canoe trip on the Yukon River, from Whitehorse to the Takhini River bridge, took only 3 hours but left me with a wealth of lasting emotions. It was an experience that I can only describe as perfect. The weather couldn’t have been better for canoeing- not too hot or too cold, with a partially…
The Call of the North. It’s not some cute marketing slogan but rather a true, deep-rooted feeling that’s impossible to shake after visiting the Yukon. The Yukon’s had a hold on me since my first visit in the 1990’s. It was one of my favourite family summer road trips and even now, in my mid-thirties, I vividly remember how…
Take a name like Moon Valley, combine it with a penchant for unique landscapes, and you can bet I was intrigued to visit Valle de la Luna in La Paz, Bolivia. In a city surrounded by dramatic terrain, Moon Valley is a showpiece of the region. Tall, tan-coloured pinnacles rise up from the eroded hillside,…
Riding my bike from Quebec City towards Montmorency Falls, I excitedly anticipated doing my first via ferrata route. My enthusiasm was oblivious to the fact that I didn’t have a clear idea what exactly via ferrata was, only that it sounded like a fun adventure. So with no preconceived notions or expectations, I readied myself…
“I’m sandboarding in Peru!” I yell at my GoPro as I proudly surf down the wind-sculpted dunes of Huacachina. This is my first time sandboarding and I’ve got to admit- I’m better than I thought I would be. Maybe it’s because I have a good teacher, Victor “Dito” Chavez, a professional sandboarder and snowboarder who…
Awesome post! I really wanted to go sandboarding so I just tried it in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Like you, I was really surprised how good I was at it compared to sports like snowboarding. I would do it again in a heart beat! We plan to head through parts of Peru so maybe I’ll go to Huacachina :)May 14, 2017 – 2:11 pmReplyCancel
“Coming up on the right, whale,” one of the pilots announces over the speaker as we approach the first geoglyph on our Nazca Lines flight. Palms sweating with excitement, I stare intently out the window, camera in hand and ready to shoot as soon as I spot the whale. The pilot banks the plane, angling…
Albertans love to complain about our long winters, but rather than dreading Canada’s coldest season, we think it’s the perfect time to have a romantic weekend away. Covered in a blanket of white, Alberta’s landscapes couldn’t be more romantic. There’s a peacefulness to the surroundings. It feels as though each place, each moment exists just…
Bolivia was never on our radar as a place to visit until I started seeing photos of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni). I was drawn to its simplistic beauty- crusty white salt covering miles and miles of land so flat there was no end in sight. Then of course there were those funny,…
Of all the things we did and places we saw during our 3 weeks in South America, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru is our favourite memory. It even climbed the ranks as one of our all-time cherished travel experiences. And to think, I was a little hesitant to do it. I’d heard so much…
Wow, massive post and some great photos. I’ve previously read about it and it always sounded to me like there would be lots and lots of people on the trail. But you’ve made me curious with your experience and fantastic photos…
Never fun getting sick, glad it didn’t last more than a day. You’re tough!
Stumbled upon your site off Pinterest & so glad I did- thank you for all the helpful information for the famous Macchu Picchu. My friend & I are heading there in November & we are so excited to embark on this amazing journey!
May I ask what company you booked with? There are so many options online and it sounds like yours was wonderful.
What a beautifully photographed and thoughtfully (and candidly!) narrated account of the Inca Trail! Your photos of the ruins along the way are spectacular, and, for someone too old to contemplate such an arduous trip, certainly some compensation for being unable to see them in person. Am just sorry I had not found your website earlier in our Peru trip planning but am grateful for what you have shared and thankful for your terrific photographer’s eye! chSeptember 23, 2019 – 10:25 amReplyCancel
“We’re most looking forward to spending 4 days in Easter Island,” I’d say when friends asked about our upcoming trip to South America. “What’s Easter Island?” some would ask, a quizzical look on their face. “You know, the place with all the stone heads,” I replied, trying to hide my shock that they didn’t know…
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Maude Lirette - Mon père, Gérard Lirette, a été le dernier gardien du Club Triton. J’ai plusieurs photos. 1946-1981.November 29, 2018 – 5:59 am