Sunshine in Mexico. Freezing cold in Alaska. Rain in England. Weather stereotypes don’t always hold true. Sometimes Mother Nature has her own ideas.
If you like your vacations to behave as expected, or want to know exactly what you’re getting into when you sign up for a holiday, check out my recent blog article Stepping Out in South West England - and learn what happens when Mother Nature decided to surprise me on an English walking holiday.
It might surprise you, too.
Click here to read the article
About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel journalist Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher ofTravelUpdatesbyEllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. She’s currently at work on her first book - I COULD LIVE HERE.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
I’m in Switzerland this week as part of the 2012 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), an annual meet up of 650 like-minded adventure travel professionals (a.k.a. the tribe) from around the globe who gather to reconnect, forge new partnerships and share strategies for success.
The official summit agenda begins tomorrow, but conference organizers and Switzerland Tourism have put together a sampling of pre-summit adventures custom designed to get us out exploring and discovering together with our fellow delegates.
For the past week I’ve been busy soaking up Swiss sunshine, hospitality, food and drink while exploring the traditional villages and history of the stunning Valais region, starting in the most famous Swiss mountain resort, Zermatt, at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn.
Here are a few special places and memorable experiences in case you’re itching to launch your own Swiss adventure.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Wildlife, whales and wonder make Mexico’s Sea of Cortés an ideal location for a photography expedition.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
A visit to the enigmatic ruins at Machu Picchu had been top of the Wanderlist for years now; as has traveling with luxury outfitter, Butterfield & Robinson. So when a last-minute opportunity to join B&R’s Peru walking tour coincided with our arrival in Cusco, my husband and I jumped at the chance.
The 6-day trip - which included a two-night stay at the exclusive Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, the only lodging located at the ancient Inca citadel - was all that I’d dreamed of, and more.
To learn more about the adventure, read Walking Peru with Butterfield & Robinson, now online at LuxuryLatinAmerica.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
For eight days, from June 5 - 12, 2011, join me and The Wayfarers for a photo-themed walking vacation across the dramatic open spaces of Dartmoor and Exmoor in the South West of England. Together we’ll walk meadow-paths and narrow lanes, crossing rivers and passing through thatched hamlets, stopping for hearty pub lunches and a traditional Devon Cream Tea, meeting the locals and enjoying first-class accommodations.
I’ll be on the trail to answer your questions and offer practical advice on how to return home with memorable vacation photographs that will have your friends and family feeling like they went along for the fun!
For walk highlights, pricing and other trip details, visit www.TheWayfarers.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Wildlife, whales and wonder make Mexico’s Sea of Cortés an ideal location for a photography expedition.
Safari Quest, Sea of Cortez, ©Ellen Barone.Join me and my husband, Hank, aboard American Safari Cruises’ 22-passenger Safari Quest, March 19 - 26, 2011, for a photography-themed cruise and learn tips and techniques as you capture images of cactus, whales and dolphins, sea birds and the remarkable scenery of the islands.
Trip Highlights:
- By luxury yacht, kayak, motorized inflatable boat and on foot, encounter flora and fauna that are found nowhere else in the world.
- In this World Heritage biosphere reserve, experience pods of dolphins numbering in the thousands and view many whale species including the largest living being on earth — the blue whale.
- Enjoy exclusive cultural experiences including a visit to tiny Isla Coyote where fishermen and their families live in the only permanent settlement in the islands.
- Along the way enjoy snorkeling with juvenile sea lions and myriad forms of sea life, a burro ride into the arroyos, and plenty of time for kayaking, sailing, water skiing and beachcombing.
FYI: There is a $500 per person value added savings in place that applied to bookings under deposit before January 14, 2011. TELL A FRIEND!
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
I’m thrilled to be joining The Wayfarers for a photo-themed walking vacation through the Cotswolds, one of England’s prettiest regions. For six days, from May 22- 28, 2011, we’ll walk along historic footpaths, Roman roads and winding lanes through picture-perfect villages, meeting locals and enjoying first-class accommodations and gourmet meals.
I’ll be on the trail to answer your questions and offer practical advice on how to return home with memorable vacation photographs that will have your friends and family feeling like they went along for the fun!
To learn more, click to play my YouTube video invitation below.
For walk highlights and other trip details, visit www.TheWayfarers.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Pack up your hiking boots, your appetite for world-renowned cuisine, your sense of adventure and your camera and join me in New Mexico.
For six-days in September, I will join a walk in New Mexico with The Wayfarers, the premier walking vacation company since 1984 and personal favorite. From September 12 - 17, 2010, we’ll be walking through some of the most inspiring landscapes on the planet during this magical walk through Georgia O’Keefe country.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Come along! September 27 – October 3, 20-9 with a day or two on each end for time in Paris or kayaking on the Dordogne.
You may remember that last May I went walking with The Wayfarers in Provence, France, and wrote about my experiences for their gorgeous new 2009 brochure. You can read the full article, here.
In September, I’ll be packing my bags (and cameras) again for France and another walking trip withThe Wayfarers, this time to the historic Dordogne region.
This beautiful area is known for its river and castles and although I’m not exactly going for the prehistoric caves and 15,000 year old rock art, I WILL BE going for the quaint villages, black truffles, wine & foie gras!
This isn’t a photo-themed tour, but I’ll be shooting plenty and happy to answer your questions while we walk and talk. The walks are not too challenging and we’ll visit artists, eat outside and have time to relax in lovely country house hotels.
Not sure? Read this New York Times front page article on The Dordogne.
Currency bonus $400 off per person – net cost $3,395. Airfares are down and the dollar is UP!
Think it over and let your friends know - this trip is not limited to females.
I hope to see you in FRANCE.
CLICK HERE or call (800) 249- 4620 for walk details.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Adventure.travel partners with The Wild Pair (a.k.a. travel journalists Ellen Barone and Judith Fein)
You can now read travel tips and articles by The Wild Pair at adventure.travel, an online hub of physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel and consumer guide to finding high quality, trusted Adventure Travel tour operators from around the globe.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
AMERICAN SAFARI YACHT CRUISE: MEXICO’S SEA OF CORTEZ
(MARCH 8 - 15, 2009)
Come join me aboard American Safari Cruises’ 22-guest luxury yacht, Safari Quest, March 8 - 15, 2009, where I’ll be hosting a photo-theme cruise and learn how to create memorable images of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, rightfully labeled one of the richest marine environments on the globe. Click here to learn more.
Hope to see you there!
BTW: There is a $250 per person travel credit in place that applied to bookings under deposit before December 31, 2008.
For more information contact American Safari Cruises toll free at (888) 862-8881, or visit them at www.amsafari.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
In January I hosted a photo-theme cruise on Mexico’s Sea of Cortés aboard American Safari Cruises’ 22-guest luxury yacht, Safari Quest. Now you can view the adventure and my photographs in this YouTube video slideshow!
A video slideshow from Mexico’s Sea of Cortes.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Adventurous travelers can now wander the world with Ellen's exciting new online adventure travel column, THE WILD PAIR.
A collaborative effort with award-winning travel journalist, Judith Fein, and respected adventure travel consortium, Trusted Adventures, THE WILD PAIR is filled with timely and practical advice and insights to help inspire and inform your next adventure.
Have a question about adventure travel? Want the scoop on the latest travel regulations? Looking for the hottest destinations? Need help solving a travel problem? Send your questions to the Wild Pair, and look for your answers online.
Every month, the Wild Pair will be asking you questions about your experiences away from home. Some questions are specific, and others are more general and reflect the state of the world around us. Let's hear from you!
Click Here for WILD PAIR TRAVEL TIPS
Click Here for ASK THE WILD PAIR
Click Here for WILD PAIR SURVEY QUESTIONS.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".