Travel Updates from EllenBarone.com

LAST MINUTE TRAVEL: Winter Packages and Deals in Estes Park, Colorado

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:01:28 +0000

Spring may be right around the corner, but in Estes Park, CO., located adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, winter is far from over. And unlike pricey, hard to access ski towns, in Estes Park, an easy 90-minute drive from Denver, off-peak prices make for some of the best winter deals in the Rocky Mountains.

Here are 4 discounted winter sport packages still available for a last minute winter getaway:

Snowcat Overnight Package

Estes Park Outfitters offers private, customizable snowcat adventures with accommodations at the exclusive, luxurious High Mountain Cabin – inaccessible outside of the package.

Snowcat Overnight Package, Estes Park, CO

DEAL (Save $350): A private two-hour snowcat adventure, a chef-prepared dinner, a one night stay and breakfast. Adventures can be customized to include private cross-country or back-country skiing.The package is available while weather permits. Rates start at $695 a night for up to four people.

EARLY BIRD ACCESS: Book €1 Beds in Barcelona with 24-Hour Flash Sale

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:19:08 +0000

Heads-up budget travelers…Generator, the world’s fastest-growing hostel brand, is celebrating the first anniversary of Generator Barcelona with a €1 flash sale* and early bird access now available.

From March 18^th at 8 a.m. EST to March 19^that 8 a.m. EST, travelers will be able to book as many beds as they want online for the incredibly low rate. Travel is valid for stays between March 18, 2014 to March 17, 2015.

Click here to claim the offer early.

In addition, all guests who book a bed for €1 a night will be automatically entered to win a free upgrade to the Penthouse Suite where rates start at €250/$344 per night. *Based on availability, city tax of €0.72 per night per person not included.

WEARABLE SECURITY: Pick-Pocket Proof Travel Pants

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 14:24:20 +0000

The more I travel, the less I carry. And the less I carry, the more I wear what I need and enjoy. As I approach my third year of slow travel in Latin America, dressing myself has become a bit of an art form.

Like the ancient nomadic cultures, my clothing choices are inspired by practicality, movement, environmental appropriateness and protection, with personal style taking the form of adornment with regional accessories. It’s actually a pretty good system.

These P^cubed Pick-Pocket Proof Pants™ by Clothing Arts, with an ingenious design for surreptitiously carrying passport, credit cards, mobile phone, etc., are perfect for modern day nomads like me. Cold weather or warm they go well with sweaters or T-shirts, boots or sandals. Better still, they’re durable and lightweight.

P^cubed - Pick-Pocket Proof Pants - Women’s Travel Pants by Clothing Arts

Decorate your Desktop with Free Travel Photography Screensavers

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:23:32 +0000

I’m excited to partner with family ecotourism experts Greenloons on a fun new Facebook campaign beginning today, March 4, 2014.

Each month, for the next six months, the Greenloons Facebook page will offer one of my photographs as a free, downloadable screensaver. Additionally, you’ll discover the story behind each photograph and learn more about the part of the world where it was taken.

I invite you to join the fun. It’s free and easy. Click here to get started today

Unpacking Fear, Grief and Multiple Personalities.

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:10:34 +0000

I was remembering a T-shirt my husband, Hank, bought me years ago that read “I used to be schizophrenic, but we’re just fine now.”

We like to joke about the crazy woman he married. The unconventional wife who reinvents herself every decade or so and still doesn’t know who she wants to be when she grows up. And, as the shirt suggests, there’s more than one of me in this marriage.

There’s Ellen the Student who spends her days reading, learning, studying and gathering information. Ellen the Fearful who lurches between flailing and failing, afraid to trust in her natural abilities. And Ellen the Observer, who watches it all from the sidelines and sometimes offers guidance, reassurance and encouragement with great sweetness. Other times her words are vicious, filled with paralyzing shame and blame.

Then there’s good Ellen, bad Ellen, repressed Ellen, defensive Ellen, vain Ellen, kind Ellen and Ellen the Big Bitch. Perhaps you know her. We’re one big happy family.

A few months ago I’d been asked by event planners at an educational travel conference to present a session on storytelling and travel: to talk about why story matters, how to become better storytellers and how narrative deepens and enriches the travel experience. I was delighted because travel and storytelling have transformed the way I live, work and view the world.

So Ellen the Student dug in; researching, data collecting and studying the intricacies and characteristics of the world’s best storytellers. I dissected my favorite books, surfed the Web for how-to articles and watched TED talks by gifted raconteurs like author Isabelle Allende, Pixar filmmaker Andrew Stanton, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie and many others.

I got lost in other people’s stories and a period of excitement followed, leading me to believe that I too could tell stories that would inspire and inform.

And then the time came. I boarded the plane, checked into the hotel, collected my blue presenter’s name badge and fell immediately ill with a malaise of uncertainty whose main symptom was self-sabotage.

EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEYS: Kenya Yoga Safari

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:04:49 +0000

Do you wish you could bring your yoga instructor on vacation? Have you vowed to continue your practice when you travel only to find that you don’t? Then check out this new Kenya Yoga Safari with my friend Whitney Bushnell, a private yoga instructor and travel professional.

This spring (May 16 - 24, 2014) Africa safari specialists Extraordinary Journeys and Whitney have teamed up in Kenya to offer a unique safari experience featuring exciting wildlife, bespoke luxury, breathtaking landscapes, authentic cultural engagement and exclusive yoga instruction.

Private yoga instructor Whitney Bushnell in Botswana. Photo by Ellen Barone.

The epic adventure traverses East Africa’s hub of Nairobi, the wild African Bush including the renowned Maasai Mara and vast Samburu, and includes a community class and educational gathering with Africa Yoga Project. For nine days, you will experience excellent wildlife viewing from foot and by 4x4 safari vehicle, personalized yoga and meditation classes tailored to fit your needs and healthy, delicious meals prepared specifically to fit your tastes.

BINOCULARS: What's Best for Adventure Travel?

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 21:33:54 +0000

Imagine bobbing in the icy waters of Alaska on an expedition cruise expectantly waiting for a brief turn at the naturalist’s binoculars to get a closer look at a mama grizzly and her cubs on the distant shoreline. Or sitting frustrated in the safari vehicle squinting to see a tiny spec across the landscape as those with binoculars gleefully describe every detail of a rare yellow-billed stork. Not fun.

So you vow to purchase binoculars before your next adventure. But how to choose? How do you know what pair will best fit your needs?

To help take the mystery out of buying, here are a few expert tips by Heidi Krajewsky, a naturalist at wildlife cruise outfitter Maple Leaf Adventures.

ANCESTRAL TRAVEL: Are You Curious About Your Family Story?

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:13:55 +0000

What do you do if you possess an unquenchable curiosity? What if your deepest desire was to discover a story no one wanted told? If you’re Judith Fein, you become a journalist, you ask a lot of questions and you never, ever, stop searching for answers.

Earlier this month, Judith Fein, my co-founder over at YourLifeIsATrip.com, announced the release of her new book, The Spoon from Minkowitz: A Bittersweet Roots Journey to Ancestral Lands, an insightful and engaging story of heritage travel.

After decades of dead-end searches and stonewalling by relatives, in The Spoon from Minkowitz Judie sets out to recover her grandmother’s story and in the process discovers her own.

Expertly weaving heritage, history, and anecdote into a compelling memoir, Judie takes us on the trip she made in 2012 to Minkowitz, the obscure Russian (now Ukrainian) village that her Jewish grandmother left behind for a new life in America.

Full of mysterious coincidences and told with unfettered honesty, the book chronicles a lifelong quest for understanding in a rich tale that is equal parts detective story and spiritual revelation.

I encourage you to visit us at YourLifeIsATrip.com and read a recent author interview with Judie, purchase a copy of the book, download a free sample, or read what others have to say.

ALASKA CRUISE DEAL: $600 Savings On New Heritage Adventure Cruises

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 19:12:44 +0000

Here’s a new small ship Alaska cruise with wallet-friendly savings from one of my favorite travel companies…

Book a 2014 Alaska voyage with Un-Cruise Adventures aboard their new 88-guest S.S. Legacy by February 28, 2014 and receive adventure savings up to $600 per couple.

S.S. Legacy, Un-Cruise Adventures.

Un-Cruise Adventures’ new replica coastal steamer S.S. Legacy sails back through history bringing alive the stories and characters from Alaska’s Gold Rush. The S.S. Legacy sails with crew in period costume and a team of Heritage guides charged with bringing characters and events from history alive through skits, impromptu vignettes, presentations and strolls on deck. Shoreside tours to points of historical interest are included. On board, guests enjoy the ambiance of an elegant coastal steamer with modern conveniences. Public spaces include an elegant Klondike Dining Room, Grand Salon with dance floor, wine bar and rollicking Pesky Barnacle Saloon. Wellness amenities include two hot tubs, sauna, massage room, fitness equipment and yoga on deck.

From June 15 through August 17, 2014 ten departures of a new Alaska’s Golden History cruise bring the Klondike Gold Rush alive. The weeklong cruise visits Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines and Skagway; Frederick Sound and Icy Strait are prime whale watching territory. An 11-night Gold Rush Legacy cruise between Seattle and Juneau (and reverse) will be offered in June and August.

Highlights include guided tours in port, whale watching, viewing glaciers in Glacier Bay, discovering native Tlingit culture and exploring scenic waterways by coastal steamer.

JUST IN: 6 New Active Adventures into the Cultural Heart of Peru

Sat, 11 Jan 2014 15:00:43 +0000

The world’s only earthquake-themed festival, fireworks, horseraces, dances, parades, parties, Machu Picchu and more, are among the highlights of six new active adventures into the cultural heart of Peru with tour company Culture Xplorers. Focused on the culture, heritage and living traditions of Peru, each small group departure takes in a range of activities and coincides with a vibrant local festival.

Why go:

“Whereas museums offer curated snapshots of a culture’s past, local festivals offer a vibrant, visceral connection to regional customs in their most colorful incarnations” says Jim Kane, founder/owner of Culture Xplorers.. “Our mission is to change the way people travel; to make the experience of travel more engaged, more connected and more reciprocal for both the travelers and the local communities with which we come into contact and that so generously enrich our understanding of the world.”

Trip highlights include:

After shopping for seasonal produce at the open-air market, roll-up your sleeves with a local chef at his home kitchen for a delicious, hands-on workshop focused on fresh Andean cuisine.
Whether enjoying a hearty home-hosted meal, playing a boisterous coin-toss game at a rustic Andean pub, participating in an ancient earth offering ceremony or engaging in an art project with students in the Andes, CX travelers experience life at ground level.
Meet National Geographic grantees, Slow Food award winners, museum directors, curators and festival organizers in exclusive, behind-the-scenes visits.

GET SMART: 10 Clever Travel Apps and Gadgets for 2014

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 01:31:52 +0000

How can you use GPS to track a lost passport? What is the best way to make free phone calls, video calls or send text messages anywhere in the world? Why is a water bottle that turns local tap water into safe drinking water one of the most valuable things you can pack? Learn how to travel smarter in 2014 with these 10 travel app and gadget recommendations by technology expert Melissa Thompson.

Viber App + (friend with) Viber App = Free Calls (Seriously)

The Viber app allows users to make free phone calls, video calls or send text messages, over 4G or WiFi, anywhere in the world, free of charge (as long as both users are connecting through the Viber application). The app is available on all mobile devices and with 200 million active global users, has become one of the largest disruptors in the online global communication space.

(Free; runs on: Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone)

GPS for your passport

Despite the finger scanners and facial recognition currently in use, travelers cannot travel internationally without that antiquated booklet. Avoid the last minute, “I can’t find my passport!” craze with a DIY digitization. Tile, one of Kickstarter’s hottest projects of the year, is a matchbook-sized, thin, white plastic square. This self-adhesive device, equipped with GPS, allows any item to be tracked using the owners smartphone app and Tile’s low-Bluetooth technology. Can’t find your passport? If prepared and equipped with a Tile affixed to the passport’s back or case, the owner can located the passport on a map and remotely send the device a signal to emit a sound, hopefully putting an end to the search-and-rescue. This simple device is the “find my iPhone,” for all physical items. Tile, which does not require battery changes or charging, can be pre-ordered for summer 2014 delivery. Tile for travel could keep your passport and checked-luggage always in your pocket. ($19.95 for one Tile, $59.85 for four Tiles, thetileapp.com)

Rove hands-free, with your automated travel diary

The next time relatives ask to hear all about your trip? Just “Share” from the Rove app and email a link to the trip’s timeline. This free app is an automated timeline, which tracks users’ movements through GPS, estimates the method of travel, and inserts pictures, maps and locations into a timeline. The result is a beautiful visual travel journal– no inputs required. Want to keep Rove personal? The app is 100% private unless users choose to share. (Free in the iTunes store)

Stay hydrated and healthy with TSA approved LifeStraw by Vestergaard

Described as “one of the ten things that will change the way we live” by Forbes, take this (empty!) water bottle on the road, mitigate the risk of illness, and turn local tap water anywhere in the world into safe drinking water. The filtration technology integrated into the LifeStraw Go water bottle reduces the risk of bacterial and parasitic water-borne disease transmission. Through advanced filtration technology, water is forced through fibers that only allow the clean water to pass through, keeping contaminants away from consumption. ($34.95,buylifestraw.com or at select retail stores)

Bring extra juice

There are many options on the market to pack power for on-the-go charging. Dark Reservoir’s sleekly designed device is on the higher end of the price rage, but with the pocket-sized device you can quadruple the power of your portable device and charge anything with a micro-USB charger.

NEW YEAR, NEW CHAPTER: 20 Quotes About Life, Creativity and Travel

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 20:35:32 +0000

It’s the first day of 2014 and I’m spending it defining my intentions for living a better life, being a better person and traveling to greater creative expression in the new year.

Are you using the holiday to write the story of your new 365-day life chapter? Here are 20 of my favorite quotes to help inspire the journey.

1. LIFE:

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. CHANGE:

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” ~ Lao Tzu

3. PURPOSE:

“Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on Earth to do with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

4. TRAVEL:

“Travel brings power and love back to your life. ” - Rumi

5. WRITING:

“One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places and explore.” - Anne Lamott

A Nomad’s Reflections On Home, Meaning and Happiness.

Sun, 29 Dec 2013 19:21:15 +0000

Who has time to think about the meaning of life, happiness and fulfillment when there are iPads, Facebook and jobs to fill the days? These are big concepts. Deep questions. Topics that for much of my life I rarely contemplated.

Like most people of the world, I was busy doing my best to hang on and enjoy the ride as life whizzed by. I’d been raised to view life and its certain pains and pleasures, struggles and triumphs, beginnings and endings as something to endure with grace. So I tried to be a good sport, to stifle anxiety and confusion with the usual American distractions: working hard, trying to appear normal and going to the gym.

The miracle is that despite a formidable capacity for denial and great gaps in knowledge of myself and the world around me, important questions still accumulated: Who am I? Where do I find meaning? What is my purpose?

So now, with streaks of gray in my blonde hair and fifty years on this planet, these are questions I’m finally getting around to asking. And the answers are not what I expected.

Perhaps you already know the peace that lives within one’s own heart and the deep pleasure of pristine happiness that is at home within each of us, but until recently I had no idea I could live there.

I really didn’t have a clue.

But of the many blessings in my life—the love of a good man, creative work, and the providence to be born in a place and time of possibility—perhaps it was the very absence of introspection that enabled me to find something inside myself that I didn’t know was there.

I hadn’t known I was embarking on an inner journey when my husband Hank and I set off for Latin America with no real plans for our future. Nor did I have any idea of the solace and power that resides inside me and that to seek it is to discover a profound source of wellbeing.

I write this in Mexico as we approach three years of living abroad and I’m not the same person I was when we left. How exactly I traveled from homelessness to the quiet satisfaction of feeling at home almost anywhere is a story particular to me, and one that I am writing. But the theme of finding oneself in the world might be a universal one that resonates with anyone who has experienced the inner clarity that imbues such a journey.

New Winter Photo Tours, Wildlife Excursions and Shuttle Services for Cross Country Skiers at Yellowstone National Park

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:23:26 +0000

Winter is here and Yellowstone National Park has some exciting new adventures designed to introduce you to its snowy magic.

Can I Be A Photographer Who Doesn’t Want To Photograph? A Writer Who Is Afraid to Write?

Sun, 22 Dec 2013 15:03:50 +0000

It was a golden November afternoon. I strolled across the bustling Mexican plaza in the Jalisco village where my husband Hank and I live part time. Photogenic scenes were everywhere.

Green, white and red Papel Picado (cut tissue paper streamers) fluttered overhead in the breeze and cast a dazzling display of light and shadow across the stone tiles.

Graceful couples danced the danzón around the base of the plaza bandstand as elegant strains of orchestra music wafted from an ancient, crackling public address system.

A fiesta was in full swing and a giant ferris wheel, covered in neon lights, whirled above as peals of children’s laughter rained down.

Multi-colored vendor stalls ringed the lively square. I was drawn to the sweet aroma of simmering ponche. A smiling woman lifted an enormous copper lid to reveal a bubbling caldron of apples, mangos, guavas, raisins, tamarind, walnuts and dried hibiscus flowers. We exchanged greetings, chatted briefly and wished each other well, as is the local custom.

I immersed myself in the jubilant celebrations and felt the strength of community in the vibrant Mexican village. Absent, however, was an urge to photograph. The goodwill that surrounded me felt too precious for a bystander’s camera.

I sat at a cafe table and reflected on my decision; the fact that the more I see travelers point their cameras into strangers lives and faces, the less I want to use my own.

I thought of the camera that rested unused in my purse and chided myself for a lack of creative drive. It was the nagging guilt I experience when what I think I should do contradicts with what feels honest.

I wondered, not for the first time, if I was doing the right work. I like being a travel photographer but I want my work to be respectful and genuine. There is a curiosity, a sense of wonder and an enthusiasm that seem to stifle when I shift from observer to photographer.

EUROPE TRAVEL DEAL: Winter Wipeout Deals at Generator Hostels Starting at $7 Per Night

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 17:07:55 +0000

Generator, the world’s fastest-growing hostel brand, is offering incredible winter wipeout deals available brand-wide at their eight locations throughout Europe’s best destinations starting as low as $7 per person, per night.

Winter Wipeout offers are available through December 31, 2013 for travel until February 28, 2014. Starting rates for each property are:

Barcelona - $13 per person per bed
Berlin Mitte - $13 per person per bed
Berlin Prenzlauer Berg - $7 per person per bed
Copenhagen – $21 per person per bed
Dublin - $7 per person per bed
Hamburg - $13 per person per bed
London - $16 per person per bed
Venice - $21 per person per bed

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Cheetah and Cubs, Namibia

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 23:49:32 +0000

Ours was the only vehicle on the remote dirt track when Kathryn stopped to pull out her binoculars. I searched the empty landscape, having already learned that where I saw an expanse of parched grasslands, she saw life.

All was silent save the ping of the diesel engine. I closed my eyes and pulled my neck scarf close. There was still a chill in the early November morning.

Kathryn killed the engine. I opened my eyes to the shimmering mirage of the vast Etosha salt pan as it emptied into the wide grasslands and followed her line of vision to a singular figure. Patterning the golden scrub grass, a spotted head, barely discernible, turned our way.

Cheetah, Kathryn said, confirming my unspoken hope.

The word alone hardly attested to the magnificence of the moment nor conveyed the excitement it produced as one solitary figure morphed into two, then three, four and five.

Cubs, Kathryn whispered, her voice tinged with anticipation and delight as the wild cat and her young cautiously approached and closed the distance to within a few feet of the Land Cruiser.

The sight generated an urge I struggled to make sense of. How could I communicate nature’s camouflaged brilliance, the elegance of movement, or the providence that had delivered the moment?

My photographer’s instinct kicked in as I attempted to capture the scene. But as time passed, I came to experience a different desire, a cameraless one that required more awareness than documentation. My flurry of shutter clicks soon dissipated into an elaborate sense of awe and wonder.

Foil Digital Thieves With New Blackout Pocket From SCOTTEVEST

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 19:35:17 +0000

I’m a longtime user and fan of SCOTTEVEST tech-enabled clothing as a stylish and convenient way to carry gadgets.

Today (December 10, 2013), the company released their new Blackout Pocket, a standalone pocket made to keep your most sensitive information private using a technology similar to that which law enforcement and the military utilize to preserve electronic evidence.

An ideal stocking-stuffer for the gadget loving traveler on your list, the pocket is designed to protect your cell phone, credit cards, passport, and mobile devices from the nefarious efforts of identity thieves, RFID (radio-frequency identification) skimmers or NSA surveillance.

Available in three levels of protection, and offered at a discounted introductory price, the Blackout Pocket is lined with proprietary RFID Armor material to protect your digital valuables.

LUXURY SAFARI: Unplugged in Botswana

Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:34:35 +0000

Can you remember a time when your days were spent marveling at the world around you? When afternoon naps were a daily occurrence and evenings were passed beside the flickering amber flames of a camp fire? When playtime was so all consuming that time seemed to disappear?

How long ago was it? Days? Months? Decades? Since childhood? Never?

For me, it was less than a month ago on safari in Botswana.

For eight blissful days, I viewed leopards, lions and zebra instead of television. I napped in the afternoon sun beside a private plunge pool in lieu of answering e-mails and dined al fresco beneath a dazzling night sky in the convivial company of new friends rather than surfing Facebook. Each night I fell asleep cocooned in tented comfort listening to the orchestral sounds of crickets instead of my iPod.

I was unplugged, carefree and immersed in the present moment. And as if that wasn’t luxury enough, there was Botswana itself, one of the richest natural habitats on earth.

From the sandy savannahs of the Kalahari Desert to the wide grassy floodplains of the Okavango Delta and the vast drylands of the Savute, Botswana is home to some of Africa’s most exclusive safari experiences.

With the ease of chartered flights, the trip hopped from camp to camp, habitat to habitat, and one unforgettable experience to another on a custom tour handcrafted by Africa safari specialists, Extraordinary Journeys.

CYBER MONDAY TRAVEL DEALS: Save Big With 24-Hour Special Rates

Sun, 01 Dec 2013 16:37:24 +0000

I’m not a fan of consumer holidays. I am a fan of affordable travel, however. So, if a Colorado ski break, an Italian hiking holiday, or an all-inclusive Mexico beach escape is on your travel wish list, here are four Cyber Monday travel deals to help you save big.

COLORADO SKI BREAK

The deal: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, located in the heart of Beaver Creek at the base of one of Colorado’s most celebrated mountain resorts, is offering Cyber Monday savvy-shoppers a free night stay and a free day of skiing! Those who book the Ski Free, Stay Free offer can enjoy an extra night as well as an extra day on the slopes. In addition, those who book on December 2 will receive a slope side view upgrade based on availability. This deal represents a 20% savings on accommodations and savings of $200 for skiing.

How to save: To make reservations for this four-night stay, visit http://beavercreek.hyatt.com/en/hotel/offers/offer-detail.html?offerId=52910544 and use promo code CYBER. Offer is valid for stays between December 3-20 and throughout select dates in 2014. Please check the terms and conditions for availability.

To make reservations for this four-night stay, please visit http://beavercreek.hyatt.com/en/hotel/offers/offer-detail.html?offerId=52910544 and use promo code CYBER. Offer is valid for stays between December 3-20 and throughout select dates in 2014. Please check the terms and conditions for availability.

ITALIAN HIKING HOLIDAY

The deal: REI Adventures, a leading adventure tour company, is offering a Cyber Monday deal on its classic Cinque Terre Hiking trip in Italy. Guests who book this trip on December 2, 2013 will receive $700 off any 2014 departure of the trip, a 20% discount. The trip is a stunning tour by foot through the five picturesque fishing villages dotting the Mediterranean Coast of Italy. Guests will hike along dramatic views of the coastline, through chestnut and pine forests and past a 16th century naval fortress – all the while enjoying the region’s renowned wines, gastronomy and relaxed seaside culture.

How to save: Trips can be booked at www.rei.com/adventures (FYI the last time REI Adventures offered a discount was for their 25th anniversary, which was in April 2012.)

MEXICO ALL-INCLUSIVE BEACH ESCAPE

Barceló Hotels & Resorts

The deal: Barceló Hotels & Resorts specializes in all-inclusive resort experiences found in the world’s most desirable locales. The brand’s two multi-resort mega complexes, Barceló Bávaro and Barceló Maya, are characteristic of Barceló’s high quality service and endless entertainment options. Catering to online travel consumers, the brand is offering a 40% discount on stays with a three-night minimum.

How to save: Reservations must be made on Monday, December 2 though the savings is valid for travel throughout 2014, blackout dates may apply. To book, visit http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en_GB/offers/cybermonday-deals.aspx.

Sandos Hotels & Resorts

The deal: Sandos Hotels & Resorts is offering up to 50% off at one of Sandos’ four all-inclusive Mexico resorts. The brand’s Mexico collection includes: Sandos Caracol Eco Experience Resort and Sandos Playacar Beach Experience Resort, both in Riviera Maya; and Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort in Cancun. Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos is the fourth and newest Mexico property in the collection, which opened May 2013. Only available for booking on Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013. Valid for travel in 2014; blackout dates may apply.

How to save: To book, visit www.sandos.com, select the Sandos Mexico hotel of choice and then click on the special offers tab at the top of the hotel landing page.

WINTER ADVENTURE: Women's Ski Camps at Alta Lodge

Sat, 30 Nov 2013 17:30:59 +0000

I’m loving life in sunny Mexico, but these women-only ski camps at Utah’s legendary Alta Lodge have me craving a little slope time. What about you?

Why go

An annual favorite, these ski camps are ideal for busy women seeking an active winter getaway that doesn’t require a lot of planning. All-inclusive convenience—lodging, meals, skis, instruction, and lift tickets—make the camps an easy ski vacation choice for solo female travelers and women traveling together.

About the camps

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Okavango Delta, Botswana

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 16:44:51 +0000

It was my fiftieth birthday. A boatman silently propelled the mokoro boat through a labyrinth of hippo-carved channels. The liquid beauty of the vast Okavango Delta shimmered beneath the setting African sun. Gin and tonic sundowners were on ice. I was among friends. “Does it get much better than this?,” I thought as my heart swelled in gratitude.

When I unravel the thread of planning involved in crafting unforgettable travel memories like this one, I see the handiwork of trusted professionals—a network of travel insiders with firsthand experience and local connections—whose specialized knowledge and expertise informed and inspired them.

Fifteen years of working with travel specialists and tour operators for articles and photo assignments has given me a well-vetted network of people who know the best places for spotting wildlife, experiencing culture, or luxuriating in awe-inspiring settings. And I love to share these insider contacts with travelers.

In this case, it was thanks to the referral of luxury adventure travel advisor, Susan Kelly, that I came to celebrate half a century of life in Botswana. And, it was the expert planning of Africa safari specialists, Extraordinary Journeys, that led to the mokoro experience at &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp on this very special day.

Is Africa on your bucket list? Do you have a life event coming up that you’d like to celebrate somewhere special? Use the comments below to let me know. I’d love to put you in contact with a trusted insider to help you create your dream trip and get the most value for your dollar.

Click here to view more photography from &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp.

LAST MINUTE TRAVEL Literary Rajasthan: Books, Elephants and Artisans

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:57:50 +0000

I’ve been itching for an excuse to visit India. I’m also a gluttonous bookworm. So when travel professional Marta Rabins told me about this January trip centered around the Jaipur Literary Festival, I was instantly tempted.

There’s space still available. Should we go? Read on for details…

Diggi Palace, Jaipur, India.

When?

January 11 - 26, 2014.

Why go?

While the annual Jaipur Literary Festival attracts world renowned speakers like author Gary Shteyngart and the Dalai Lama, it’s still a virtually unknown to U.S. travelers. The largest literary festival in the Asia-Pacific region, it’s held in the beautiful heritage Diggi Palace in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, one of the most colorful states in India. The festival draws authors, journalists, scholars and visitors from all over the world. While there, you can meet interesting people devoted to literature. You can also find fantastic new authors to follow, like Kota Neelima and Ashok Ferrey, a fabulous opportunity for anyone who enjoys discovering the world through books.

About the trip.

This journey with Ponte Travels begins in New Delhi, the nation’s thriving capital and a microcosm for the rest of India, and then takes you to Rajasthan to attend the annual Jaipur Literary Festival. Once the festival concludes, you’ll be off to Pushkar, Jodhpur and Udaipur, exploring and meeting village artisans along the way.

NAMIBIA PHOTO SAFARI: Insider Secrets to Photographing Wildlife in Etosha National Park

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 13:51:24 +0000

As dream jobs go, to spend your days photographing lions, cheetahs, and leopards in the wilds of Africa could possibly be the ultimate gig for a wildlife photographer. For Kathryn Haylett, co-author of The Photographer’s Guide to Etosha National Park, it is a daily reality. And as one of four participants on a photo safari with Haylett last month, it was my reality, too.

I’m just back from Namibia as part of the 2013 Adventure Travel World Summit, a global gathering of 650 adventure travel professionals, and was blown away at the extraordinary opportunities for photography there.

The secret to photographing in Etosha, a vast protected reserve in northern Namibia with huge herds of big game, is to sit and wait and watch at the watering holes where animals — lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, ostrich, zebra, black rhino, giraffe, antelope and much more— all come to drink.

If you go, make the most your photography with these top ten tips for photographing wildlife in Etosha National Park.

10 Travel Tech Tools for Better Trip Planning

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:43:30 +0000

Depending on your temperament, trip planning is a process nearly as much fun as the vacation itself, or it’s a daunting task better left to professionals. If you’re like me, it involves a bit of both.

But no matter where you stand on the topic, here’s the truth: modern trip planning = technology.

From booking flights and finding the best places to eat and drink, to staying informed with mobile alerts for flight changes or delays, technology is changing the way we travel.

And with new apps and digital travel tools being released daily.

How can travelers keep up with it all?

Discover my recommendations for 10 Travel Technology Tools for Easier Trip Planning now online at TheWayfarers.com.

WHAT TO PACK for an African Safari.

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 00:50:13 +0000

“What to pack?” is the number one question I hear from friends, family and travelers who are setting off on a new adventure.

So, as I prepare for dual safaris in Namibia and Botswana as part of the 2013 Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), an annual meetup of 650 adventure travel professionals from around the globe, here are my 10 packing essentials for an African safari.

UNCONVENTIONAL TRAVEL: Discover Iceland's Best Kept Travel Secret - Winter.

Sat, 05 Oct 2013 17:27:53 +0000

Winter escapes don’t have to involve tropical beaches and sunshine or swishing down ski slopes. Check out this new for 2014 Iceland Winter Adventure from REI Adventures.

Why go:

The people of Iceland make the most of all seasons, and winter is no exception. REI Adventures’ new Iceland Winter Adventure explores stunning countryside while the country is embraced by winter’s icy—and beautiful—grip. Hike the rugged coast, snowshoe across ice-covered lava fields, and walk on crystal-blue glaciers. Along the way be mesmerized by frozen waterfalls, burbling hot springs, and ethereal Northern Lights before retiring to a cozy hotel each night.

A multicolored display of Iceland’s Northern Lights. Photo courtesy of REI Adventures.

What to expect:

When Icelanders hear “winter is coming,” hibernation is the furthest thing from their minds. The inhabitants of this dramatically-beautiful North Atlantic island have learned how to fill all seasons with outdoor activity. This tour makes the most of a wintertime getaway with a week of unexpectedly abundant activities fit for the season.

AFFORDABLE BEACH ESCAPES: Last Minute Fall Travel Deals in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 18:55:01 +0000

Does the end of summer have you yearning for one last beach fling before the chill of autumn settles in?

I’m in the midst of writing about the Dominican Republic and Mexico this week and have stumbled upon some amazing last-minute travel deals in the process.

Here are three affordable hotel deals in Punta Cana and the Riviera Maya offering exceptional last-minute savings that just might tempt you to hop a flight.

The Travel Partner From Hell. Could It Be Me?

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:51:00 +0000

The plan was to meet in Rome and then spend the following three weeks circumnavigating Italy’s hot spots creating lifestyle photography for a travel tour company. I would be the photographer and my beautiful German friend, the model. The client was footing the bill for expenses and a generous day rate. Dream assignment, right? It should have been.

I am sorry to confess, however, that I was a terrible travel companion. Even worse, I was the last person to know it. Stressed and controlling, I spent much of the trip attempting to dodge a bitter tsunami of inner irritability. If she could just learn to read a map, keep pace with the 16-hour days the shot list required, and understand that this wasn’t a vacation, I told myself, then I could shed my foul mood and return to my charming self. Ha! More than a decade later, I’m able to see the insanity of my thoughts. And it is a testament to my friend’s loving nature that we remain friends and can even share a laugh over the good times (yes, there were plenty) and the bad.

Then there was an outing in the Bahamas that I spoiled because I couldn’t relax and let go of control. As part of a vacation, we’d rented a power boat with some friends for a day of snorkeling and exploration in the Abacos, a sparkling archipelago of remote islands and cays. For some insane reason, I seemed to think it was my job to direct (read: micro manage) my husband, the designated driver. My backseat driving was, in hindsight, not only appallingly disrespectful but it cast a cloud of tension on what should have been a carefree day in paradise.

And dare I admit that my sister probably spent a very expensive holiday in France with me walking on egg-shells in an attempt to avoid pushing my hair-trigger buttons?

Control issues seem to be a common theme in my worst moments. But with nearly fifty years behind me, I’ve learned enough from life’s experiences to understand that our most shameful moments can serve as invitations to look within and confront our misperceptions. Being self-aware matters to me now, and matters only more as I ease into middle age.

It has slowly dawned on me that perhaps it would be wise if I began to unravel the mystery of myself. To learn from my past so that I can move forward with understanding and grace.

So that is what I’ve been doing.

THIS JUST IN: Save up to 30% on Chilean Patagonia with BikeHike Adventures

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:29:16 +0000

If you’re like me, always on the lookout for last minute travel savings, this 30% off deal in Chilean Patagonia might be just the ticket for an October adventure.

Why go:

With high season officially beginning in November, the month of October is an ideal time to travel to Patagonia in order to avoid the crowds, but take advantage of the improving weather.

Trip highlights include hiking along the world famous W Route in Torres del Paine National Park, witnessing the birth of icebergs as they calve away from the Grey Glacier, encountering guanacos, pink flamingos, and condors in their natural habitat, and sleeping in tented domes at a luxury eco-camp.

photo courtesy BikeHike Adventures.

The Offer:

All October 2013 departures for BikeHike Adventures’ On the Trail of Chile’s Patagonia are discounted to $1,799 USD, a savings of up to 30%. The 7-day itinerary offers travelers the chance to hike the famous W Route in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights include the Grey Glacier, the French Valley, the Italian Valley, and the Torres del Paine themselves. Accommodations are in an Eco-Camp with comfortable dome tents that have solar showers and flush toilets as well as in cozy mountain refuges.

LAST MINUTE TRAVEL: Save up to $3100 with Free International Airfare with Grand Circle Cruise Line

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 13:59:58 +0000

Is Russia on your travel wish list for 2013?

Check out this new last-minute booking offer from Grand Circle Cruise Line’s for free round-trip international air fare from 22 U.S. gateway cities on 3 Fall 2013 departures on their 16-day Russia Revealed: Moscow to St. Petersburg river cruise. Offer ends August 27, 2013.

Cruise Russia for less with Grand Circle Cruise Lines

This Russia river cruise is among GCCL travelers’ top 3 most popular river cruises for 2013. In addition, two GCCL Russia ships, the M/S Tikhi Don and the M/S Rossia, were the highest ranked Russian river ships in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World.

Here are the details:

Russia Revealed: Moscow to St. Petersburg River Cruise
Explores Moscow, Uglich, Goritsy, Kizhi, Petrozayodsk, Svir Stroi, and St. Petersburg
16 days from $3195 per person (or $200 per day)

SAVE up to $3100 per couple on three fall 2013 departures: Free round-trip international air fare from 22 U.S. gateway cities includes airport transfers and government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. (Please note: visa costs are not included).

Departure Dates & Prices:

TRAVEL FAVORITE: Eagle Creek Packable Daypack

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 23:29:09 +0000

Magicians pull rabbits from a hat to impress. Savvy travelers pull out Eagle Creek’s packable daypack.

At least I feel like a magician each time I arrive at a destination and take out this lightweight pack that transforms from a compact pocket-pouch into a full-size daypack. No matter where I’m going, this handy extra is in my luggage.

Favorite feature: Perfect for sightseeing or day hikes, it takes up little room in my luggage. Better yet, it weighs only 6.5 ounces and is made from a durable, water-resistant ripstop nylon fabric that stretches easily and resists puncturing.

Not-so-favorite feature:

The Anonymity of Travel

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 19:57:17 +0000

I’ve learned a lot from travel and living abroad. I’ve learned about my own ignorance, arrogance, and resistance, but also about kindness and compassion.

One of the most liberating lessons of being a foreigner, however, has been learning to love the feeling of anonymity that comes from hanging out in places where no one knows me.

Sure, there are times when being away from home feels lonely or frustrating. When, for example, I crave the company of a cherished friend or advisor. Or when an unfamiliar language prevents me from connecting at a deeper level. But mostly it feels like freedom.

As a traveler, by the very nature of my foreignness I am granted a reprieve from constricting social norms. And as a visitor, I am free (even expected) to spend my days playing.

There’s a quote by author William Watson Purkey that has made its way into the public lexicon: “dance like there’s nobody watching.” When I travel I get to live like there’s nobody watching.

Strangers don’t care that my Spanish isn’t perfect, that I’m curvy instead of slim, or that I’ve reached middle age without amassing a fortune. Or if they do, I’m blissfully immune to their disapproval. I don’t know them, they don’t know me. There’s no need to impress, no requirement to conform.

Peru: Fly LAN to Lima from $549

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 01:18:39 +0000

Why Go:

It’s no secret that Peru is one of South America’s hottest destinations with Amazon adventures, the Sacred Valley of the the Incas and Machu Picchu, plus some of the best cuisine on the planet. But the price of getting there isn’t always wallet-friendly.

Move quickly and you can fly for less with LAN Airline’s BIG DEAL Summer Sale on flights to and within Peru. Fly from the U.S. to Lima, Peru with fares starting at $549* and see more of Peru when you visit an additional domestic destination for $14 or LESS. Tickets must be booked together before August 5, 2013 for travel between August 15 and December 5, 2013.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Myanmar/Burma

Fri, 26 Jul 2013 19:36:11 +0000

I captured this photograph in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, while traveling aboard the river cruiser, Road to Mandalay by Orient-Express, on assignment for a luxury magazine in 2001.

Then, as now, the Southeast Asia country was a complicated place with the paradoxes common in places with painful pasts and uncertain futures. Kindness and fear, beauty and poverty, spirituality and brutality coexisted in such fierce contrast that it boggled my mind and filled my heart with an intensity that left me vowing to return.

Burmese boatman, Irrawaddy river, Amarapura, Myanmar. Photo by Ellen Barone.

A year later, my husband and I did go back, this time for an inaugural Road to Mandalay voyage up the remote Chindwin River*. And once more we experienced a warmth and grace that belied the cruel reality of life under a Taliban-like military regime.

In those days, tourists were rare and the people we met were as curious about us as we were about them. Gaggles of children, innocent of the political repercussions that interaction with foreigners could bring, trailed behind us Pied-Piper-style to see pictures of themselves in the LCD displays of our cameras. Babies cried at the sight of my blue eyes, women reached out to touch my blond hair and throngs of people lined the river banks to wave and greet the river boat.

As we explored isolated communities, visited sacred pagodas, and delivered donated books and much needed supplies to a remote school, we were often joined by the Burmese boat staff, many of whom were seeing a region of their country for the first time.

Feeling the weight of our responsibility as foreigners, we listened and learned and relied on our guides to advise and translate as we navigated a society still strictly monitored by an often inhumane and fickle military junta.

"I Need": Shattering the Illusion

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:25:48 +0000

I need quiet to sleep well. I need high-speed Internet to work. I need to live in a natural setting to feel at peace.

Until two-and-a-half years ago I believed unequivocally in the truth of these “needs.”

At the time, I lived in a place so quiet I could hear the whoosh, whoosh, whoosh of a raven’s wings. I had a well-equipped home office with a high-speed Internet connection that served as the headquarters of my freelance travel writing and photography business. And I spent my afternoons hiking in the dense ponderosa pine forests and white barked aspen groves that blanketed the steep flanks of the southern Rocky Mountains that surrounded the six spacious acres we called home.

Today, as I write this from a rented house in Mexico with extended stays in four Latin American countries behind me, I can get a good night’s sleep amidst a cacophony of barking dogs, exploding fireworks, and blaring music.

I have learned, too, how to work around the slow, intermittent Internet connections that are common in Latin America. In Nicaragua, for example, I adapted to a weak WiFi signal during three months of luxurious hotel living by FedEx’ing photo shoots on external hard drives in lieu of uploading images to online galleries, my usual method of delivery.

I also learned to alert clients to the possibility of delayed e-mail responses by using automated messages like, “I am currently living and working in Ecuador. If needed, I will reply to your message as soon as Internet connectivity allows.” That particular out-of-office reply resulted in new work and a Galapagos Island cruise, when the sender, an adventure travel provider, learned I was “in the neighborhood.”

And as part of our experiment in nomadic living, my husband, Hank, and I - rural people at heart - have transformed into adept urban dwellers. Not only have we learned to appreciate the convenience of having shops, restaurants, cafés and coffee houses on our doorstep, but we’ve also discovered how easy it is to get to know people - neighbors, merchants, restaurateurs, fellow coffee house and cafe regulars - in the course of running our daily errands. Without a car, we’re more likely to stop and chat or say ‘yes’ to the spontaneous invitations and opportunities that come our way.

Perhaps the greatest gift of our nomadic wanderings has been discovering just how adaptable we really are once we let go of our “needs.”

Had we not been willing to consciously choose a mindset that shattered the illusion, however, our experience might have been one of perpetual frustration and suffering.

How To Shatter The Illusion

What can you do when you believe that you need certain conditions to be happy or productive?

Our solution is to question the validity of the “need” and to open ourselves up to other possibilities.

That’s not always easy because when you believe in the illusion it can feel so real that it keeps you stuck. Maybe it keeps you in a job that’s no longer fulfilling, in a house that’s no longer practical for your current life situation, or from traveling and experiencing new places.

iPhoneography: How to Capture, Edit and Share your Travels with a Smartphone

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:21:48 +0000

“Hey, how’d you do that?”

I get asked this question a lot from friends, family and travelers who want to know more about the camera apps and processing tricks I use to capture, edit and share iPhone photographs.

I’m enamored with every aspect of mobile photography - the creative apps, the shoot-and-share convenience, the pocket size ease - and it’s changing the way I shoot, edit and deliver images, both personally and professionally, on a daily basis.

But technology comes naturally to me. I’m geeky enough to enjoy figuring things out and creative enough to appreciate the freedom and ease of mobile devices. For many, however, this trial-and-error method of learning is about as much fun as a root canal.

So when the walking tour company, The Wayfarers, asked me to share a few photo tips, editing tricks and favorite apps on their blog, I was happy to do so.

For my insider tips and tricks on how to turn your mobile travel photography into compelling images and videos, READ MORE

What about you? What are your recommendations and favorite apps for better cameraphone photographs? Share a comment below, on my Facebook page, or tag me on twitter to continue the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

$700 Travel Credit on New Hawaii Itinerary from Un-Cruise Adventures

Fri, 12 Jul 2013 04:41:00 +0000

Explore Four Islands by Yacht with Un-Cruise Adventures.

My husband and I have sailed with Un-Cruise Adventures (formerly American Safari Cruises) in Alaska and Baja California and we are huge fans of their laid-back style of luxury adventure. With the addition of this new Hawaiian Island itinerary and early-booking savings (read on), I’m very tempted to set sail again. What about you?

What’s New:

Moloka’i takes center stage as the start or end point of Un-Cruise Adventures’ new Hawaii itinerary. A quieter, less-visited island, exclusive cultural activities are included for guests on Moloka’i with the vessel spending an evening at dock to allow for a full day of activities and cultural immersion.

“Moloka’i is like stepping back in time to the Hawaii of yesteryear,” said Dan Blanchard, CEO and principal for Un-Cruise Adventures. “It’s incredibly scenic and values its culture and heritage which we’re proud to be able to share with our guests.”

From November 2013 to April 2014, Un-Cruise Adventures’ 36-guest yacht Safari Explorer explores the Hawaiian islands on a new itinerary sailing one-way between Moloka’i and Hawaii, the Big Island or reverse. Weeklong Luxury Adventure cruises in Hawaii include activities and tours while exploring four islands—Moloka’i, Lana’i, Maui and Hawaii, the Big Island.

SWISS BLISS: 5 Last Minute Ways to Save in Switzerland this Summer

Thu, 04 Jul 2013 19:06:38 +0000

Switzerland ranks as one of the prettiest places on the planet. It’s also one of the most expensive. But that doesn’t mean budget travelers have to steer clear. Here are five wallet-friendly summer deals to help you stretch your dollars and expand your fun.

Alpine Summer Switzerland

Better still, discover how you can win a free one-week Swiss summer holiday.

TRANSFORMATIVE TRAVEL: Learning to See with Fresh Eyes at a School for the Blind in India

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 17:26:45 +0000

My niece, Madeleine, has worn a lot of labels in her twenty-one years. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Student. Hockey player. But for the last five weeks she’s been known as the red-headed foreign girl who’s creating computer code for an electronic braille tool at the Mathru School for the Blind in Bangalore, India.

Technology development is ostensibly the reason why Madeleine, a cognative and computer science major, is spending ten weeks this summer in India. It turns out however, that as one of eight Carnegie Mellon University innovative Student Technology ExPerience (iSTEP) interns, she’s learning much more than how to write code.

From discovering “how incredibly colorful everything is” to the realization that she “grew up thinking that America was about the safest place you could be, but now, it seems more sterile than anything else,” Madeleine may be at a school for the blind but she’s learning to see herself and the world around her with fresh eyes.

It warms my traveler’s heart to read in her weekly blog posts that “every day presents a new set of challenges, and I’m always learning and being exposed to new things.” This, in my humble opinion, is the great elixir of travel and the reason my husband, Hank, and I have spent the better part of the past two years living abroad.

IT'S OFFICIAL! Betrayed, A New Novel by Hank Barone, On Sale Now in Print and eBook

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:58:02 +0000

There were no Facebook posts. No progress-tracking tweets. No self-promoting Instagrams on Pinterest. That’s how it is with quiet types like my husband, Hank. While the rest of us were busy chattering away online, he’s been getting on with the business of writing.

Yesterday (March 27, 2013), Hank published his third action-adventure novel, Betrayed, a fast-paced survival tale with surprises and thrills galore. The same day, he submitted the manuscript of his fourth book, Bloodlines, for editing. An admirable accomplishment.

As his wife, I’m obviously a biased admirer of his work. But as a writer currently struggling to write my first book, I’m truly impressed.

Action-adventure fiction is not my usual reading, but Betrayed kept me up reading well past my bedtime. Like Hank’s previous books, it hooked me right from the start and didn’t let up until the last page.

What’s it about? Here’s a blurb:

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Hummingbird Nest, Nicaragua

Mon, 27 May 2013 03:28:14 +0000

It’s rare to see a hummingbird’s nest. Even rarer, I think, to spot one in a hotel pool patio.

But that’s exactly the uncommon spectacle my husband, Hank, and I encountered during a three-month stay at Hotel La Bocona, an elegantly restored colonial mansion in Granada, Nicaragua.

Hummingbird in nest. © Ellen Barone.

The hummingbird in this photograph patiently incubated her eggs in a nest which, unlikely as it sounds, was perched atop the delicate frond of the potted palm that sat beside our poolside breakfast table.

Each morning, we drank our fresh carrot or beet juice and ate our beans, plantains, yogurt or eggs, while the devoted mama bird roosted beside us.

Like proud relatives we awaited the birth of the baby hummingbirds with eager anticipation.

For weeks, day after day, hour upon hour, the mother bird tucked her wings and sat and sat and sat. No matter what time of day or night it was when we inspected the potted palm, there she was.

Until she wasn’t.

My heart sank the day my morning examination revealed two Jelly-Belly-sized white eggs in the miniature nest— but no mama hummer.

An Argument for Silence

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:53:04 +0000

Much of my work is spent traveling with people on vacation, and if there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it is that travelers love to talk— talk, talk, talk.

It’s natural, of course, this inclination to verbalize the wonder and awe of being somewhere foreign, experiencing exciting adventures, and meeting new and interesting people.

I wonder, though, how much potential joy, insight and observation is lost amid the cacophony of the nonstop chatter.

I was once on a trekking vacation in one of the wildest, most pristine and remote places on earth with a small group of adventure travelers including three young Manhattan housewives who marched past delicate wild orchids, primeval forests, and turquoise ribbons of glacial rivers consumed in a conversation about private schools and yoga instructors.

On a train in France I sat behind a gaggle of gap year Brits who jabbered nonstop from Paris to Avignon while pinging text messages and snapping iPhone pictures of themselves.

At an island eco-lodge in Nicaragua, I overheard a young American couple, presumably honeymooners by the look of their shiny new wedding bands, ask the manager if they could get a refund and check out early because it was “a bit too quiet.”

I’ve never considered myself an apologist for quiet, but there’s a lot to be said for silence.

Hip New Generator Barcelona Hostel & Hotel Opens with Nightly Rates from 13 Euros

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:28:07 +0000

Latest & Greatest: The newest property from Generator, Europe’s fastest-growing hostel brand, opened this week (14 May, 2013) in Barcelona with beds starting from just €13 per person, per night.

Located in the fashionable Gràcia district, smack dab in the middle of Barcelona’s two main Metro stations of Diagonal and Verdaguer, and as little as 15 minutes away from la playa, this hip new hostel hotel is as wallet-friendly as it is gorgeous and amenity packed.

With free Wi-Fi, a stylish bar and chill-out areas, 24-hour security plus a free walking tour of the city, this cool new hostel is definitely bookmark worthy.

Book Early and Save Big on Summer Vacation Packages with Destination Hotels & Resorts

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:10:51 +0000

Are you looking for a summer getaway? To help you start planning, and save some money while you’re at it, Destination Hotels & Resorts is offering big saving to those who book early with its Countdown to Summer promotion.

The collection-wide promotion offers special discounts on summer lodging throughout Destination’s portfolio of hotels, resorts, condominiums and vacation rentals with discounts, upgrades, and added-value packages.

In Search Of A Dream: Can You Help?

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:23:14 +0000

I’m busy scheming and dreaming again and I hope you can help point me in the right direction.

OK, here’s my vision: A residential writers’ community where my husband, Hank, and I can hunker down for a few months to finish our books while embedded in an affordable, supportive, interactive environment of like-minded creatives.

A resort, of sorts, for writers. Separate residences with communal living spaces where we can toss around ideas, listen and share, feed body, mind and book. We’ve been going at it alone for some time now and are at the stage in our books that we’re ready for feedback. We thought moving into a writing community might be just the ticket.

Google searches reveal plenty of 7 to 14 day retreats and single writer-in-residency programs, but nothing communal or for extended stays of, lets say, three or four months.

Do you know of such a place? I’d love to hear about it. Share a comment below, on my Facebook page, tag me on twitter to continue the conversation, or use the ‘share’ link and pass this along to anyone you think might be able to help. As always, THANK YOU. I look forward to hearing from you.

SOLO TRAVEL TALES In 25 Words Or Less.

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:16:32 +0000

We’re celebrating traveling alone over at our sister site, YourLifeIsAtrip.com, with a new collection of very very short stories. Packing a pithy punch, this unique short-form collection of solo travel tales, told with humor, passion and 25 words or less, will leave you laughing, crying, wishing you were there, or glad that you weren’t.

Travel along with YourLifeIsATrip.com writers on their solo explorations in this brief collection of very very short stories. Sometimes it’s crazy, funny, scary, surprising, meaningful, or disastrous, but never more than 25 words.

Click here to read the collection

Being Rebellious: Living Life On My Terms

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 01:09:05 +0000

I don’t consider myself a rebel. Rebels are brave and bold. They fight for social justice, world peace and environmental awareness. Rebels protest, raise money, build schools, and produce meaningful documentaries. They are charismatic leaders who make the world a better place.

Me? It’s all I can do to love and be loved; to live with courage in a world of fear.

Sure, I’ve done some brave things in my life, but this might be the boldest yet. At the age of 49, I am learning self-acceptance.

I’ve squandered too many of the approximately 432,890 hours of my life silencing intuition and desire in lieu of social acceptance and the expectations of others — and I will not do it anymore. OK, who am I kidding, I might have a bit of rebellion in me.

The thing is, I have a good life with little to complain about — a beloved spouse, an independent and creative profession, a traveler’s lifestyle, time to dream, a generally supportive family and a global network of cherished friends.

So sometimes in the idle noodling of my mind, I wonder if I’m just being self-indulgent and return to worrying about things like why I don’t spend my travel time in the pursuit of enlightenment at museums and art galleries and old churches, instead of scribbling in cafés and coffee houses or daydreaming on sun-drenched park benches. Or perhaps, for the umpteenth time, I will try to convince myself that I should apply for a job with a steady paycheck.

And then I remember how it feels when I try to be someone I’m not. How it exhausts and depletes me, and leaves me feeling angry and resentful.

National Park Trips On Sale At Holiday River Expeditions

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:54:24 +0000

In Celebration of National Parks Week 2013 adventure travel outfitter, Holiday River Expeditions, is offering great deals on several of their National Park biking and rafting trips.

Holiday River Expeditions/Canyonlands National Park.

Book space on select Cataract Canyon Rafting or Combo Cataract Rafting & White Rim Trail Mountain Biking trips by April 26, 2013 and save $200 OFF the Adult Fare.

Or, for the ultimate mountain biking adventure, save $100 OFF the Adult Rate on their White Rim Trail Mountain Biking trip.

PHOTO ESSAY: Exploring Baja's Sea of Cortés With Un-Cruise Adventures

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:43:36 +0000

Snorkeling with sea lions, beach bonfires, cocktails to celebrate the full moon, stand up paddle boarding on glassy blue water, desert mule rides and not a port of call in sight. This is not a cruise. It’s an Un-Cruise. Unhurried. Unconventional. Unbelievable.

When one of my favorite adventure travel providers, American Safari Cruises, changed their name recently to Un-Cruise Adventures, I wasn’t sure if I liked the new moniker. And, when they added an 86-passenger ship (Safari Endeavour) to their fleet of small luxury yachts, I wasn’t so sure about that either. I needn’t have worried.

I’m back from 7-days aboard the Endeavour in Baja California’s nature-rich Sea of Cortés, and while the name is different and the ship is bigger, the all-inclusive ease, attentive service, adventurous spirit, and unforgettable experience remain at the forefront of the voyage.

I’ll be posting more about the trip soon. In the meantime, here’s a selection of images and descriptions of ten trip highlights, including a few short video clips, which I hope captures the essence of Baja’s magic and the Un-Cruise experience.

Noise? What Noise? Travel Apps to Fall Asleep To

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:09:31 +0000

Barking dogs, tolling church bells, blaring music, parading bands, exploding fireworks, police whistles, sirens, and crowing roosters are among the many noises that make up the soundtrack of life in Latin America, our home-away-from-home for nearly two years now.

Like many visitors, we have a love/hate relationship with the auditory vibrancy of the Latin American lifestyle. Most of the time, the crazy cacophony charms and amuses us. At 3AM, not so much.

Parade band, Ajijic, Mexico.

Not to worry: There’s an app for that.

From ocean waves and chirping tree frogs to ambient white noise and brain wave technology, here are three apps we keep by the bedside to block out the noise and help us get a good night’s sleep.

Tax Refund Travel Deal in St. Maarten

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:53:17 +0000

Make the most of your tax refund dollars with St Maarten’s Sonesta Resorts’ new, “Tax Back? You Bet!” promotion, a 46% savings on any all-inclusive vacation booked during the entire month for travel the entire year.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, St. Maarten. Photo: Peter Wesley Brown

The resort is offering an additional 21% off (symbolizing the amount of tax & service) on Sonesta’s already low “advance purchase rate” - for a total of 46% savings off published rates.

Is It Just Me?

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 02:10:45 +0000

I opened my email this morning in Mexico to a blog article written by a self-described ‘award-winning’ travel writer whining about how ‘good writing’ was largely absent in travel blogs.

Next, I read a piece by a personal finance writer challenging professional travel bloggers to publish their financials and provide ‘real numbers’ for how they budget for their future, because at a certain point “they’ll have to resume a ‘normal’ life, right?.”

I’d bristled reading both and my prickly reactions prompted me to stop and think about why.

Was it the not-so-subtle tone of superiority that had me so deeply annoyed? Or, perhaps that they had attacked the fundamental goal (and challenge) of every freelance writer—to produce quality work and financial independence—that had left me feeling so cranky?

Comedian George Carlin once quipped: “Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”

Is it human nature to assume we’ve nailed it —how to drive, how to write, how to budget—and that everyone else has it wrong?

Sunny England? The Capricious Ways of Mother Nature

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:21:30 +0000

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.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: The Plaza At Night, Ajijic, Mexico

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:13:55 +0000

The heart and soul of village life in Ajijic, a lakeside community in Jalisco, Mexico, is the central plaza—a communal living room where camaraderie, a meal, and a smile can almost always be found.

Ajijic Plaza at Night by Ellen Barone.

For me, the plaza evokes the easy congeniality of the Mexican people and culture. There, vendors sell their wares, music fills the air, dogs roam freely, families gather and children chase and play—at loose in their world in a manner no longer trusted North-of-the-Border.

Early evening in Ajijic, where we are living temporarily, is when the plaza really starts to buzz: School is out, the heat of the day has passed, and people arrive with the time and inclination to socialize, grab a bite, and catch up on the day’s news.

What about you? What aspect of life in Mexico, or any favorite destination, do you love most? Share a comment below, on my Facebook page, or tag me on twitter to continue the conversation.

View more Ajijic photos

EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES: Where Will 2013 Take You?

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:55:42 +0000

Can’t stop searching for the next mind-blowing destination or exciting new adventure? Me neither. From once-in-a-lifetime dream trips to absolutely doable, here are 10 extraordinary adventures currently topping my Wanderlist —and why I want to go.

What about you? What places and experiences do you dream of? Where will 2013 take you?

Cartagena, Colombia

COLD WEATHER FAVORITES: Stylish Winter Essentials

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 00:40:00 +0000

Winter: It’s cold. It’s snowy. It’s wet. So what.

It may not be the easiest season to pack for. But with a few chic essentials, it’s not as difficult as you think to stay warm and stylish, no matter how frosty it gets or how small your suitcase.

I should know. It’s been a nomadic year for my husband and me as we experiment in living abroad with extended stays in Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Peru, and professional and personal visits within Latin America, Europe and the United States.

As you may imagine, one of the biggest challenges of leading such a mobile lifestyle has been learning to pack smart. Here are four cold weather favorites from my suitcase that are currently seeing me comfortably, and stylishly, through the season.

Icebreaker Athena Wrap

Teamed with leggings, skinny jeans or my favorite little black travel dress, this snug and stylish wrap, made from New Zealand merino wool, layers easily, breathes well and is silky smooth without the itch of traditional wool. A new winter favorite that wears well indoors and out, dressed up or worn casually. Love it.

GALS ON THE GO: El Naturalista Yggdrasil Clog

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:42:18 +0000

That these clogs are stylish and comfortable, that much I knew. What I didn’t know was the story behind their manufacture and the El Naturalista brand - an environmentally and socially responsible footwear company.

I saw a shoe that looked different yet functional, sturdy and well-balanced. A shoe that once I put it on, I didn’t want to take it off. Footwear that was made for traveling with perfect slide-on-and-off ease for airport security and long-haul flights.

Who knew they were crafted in Morocco by a Spanish company with social projects in Peru and that Nordic mythology was the inspiration behind its unusual name?

Perhaps it takes a dreamer and a traveler, like myself, to fall for a shoe inspired by legend and carefully crafted by a planet-loving global company.

Anyone, however, can appreciate the features of this supple and fun clog with its handstitched swirls and walkin’-on-air feeling.

Passports with Purpose 2012: Help Build Clean Water Wells in Haiti

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 01:59:23 +0000

Travelers Unite with Water.org to Help Build Clean Wells in Haiti.

In a world overwelmed by need, it’s exciting to see travelers come together with the concentrated purpose to help fill a global void and be the change they wish to see in the world. Better still, it’s working.

In 2011, Passports with Purpose (PwP), an annual philanthropic project where travel bloggers and travel enthusiasts come together to make a difference, joined with Room to Read to raise $90,000 for libraries in Zambia. The year before that, in partnership with LAFTI (Land for Tillers’ Freedom), PwP built an entire village in India’s Tamil Nadu region.

For 2012 they’ve set out to raise $100,000 for Water.org and build five clean water wells in Haiti and you can be a part of it.

Water.org, co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, is a nonprofit organization that has focused on hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation.

Originally known as WaterPartners International in 1990, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa in 2009, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org also has a microfinance-based venture called The WaterCredit Initiative.

For each $10 donation, you get to bid on a prize of your choice, ranging from hotel stays, travel packages and gear to tours, gift certificates and electronics. Your donation will help fund the wells that will bring clean water and so much opportunity to Haiti. Learn how you can help.

DIGITAL TRAVELER: Lowepro Photo Hatchback AW Camera Daypack

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 01:52:16 +0000

WANTED: A versatile daypack to keep camera gear and other daily essentials secure, accessible and protected while I’m out actively exploring the world.

FOUND: Lowepro Photo Hatchback AW.

I’ve been scaling back lately on the amount of stuff I lug around. But whether I’m headed off for a day of adventure at home or an extended trip, there are certain items I carry with me: camera gear, a jacket, water bottle, small notebook, sunglasses and a mobile phone, for example.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Lake Moiry, Valais, Switzerland

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:35:28 +0000

“I can fit five in the Land Rover for a quick photo op. Who wants to go?”

Lake Moiry, Grimentz, Sierre, Valais, Switzerland.

I was mid-bite into a hearty lunch of paper-thin dried meats, savory Swiss cheeses and a superb regional Pinot Noir when Martin Hannart, our guide for the week, made his announcement.

Clouds had obscured the view all morning. But glancing out the restaurant window, I spotted what had prompted Martin’s spontaneous change of plans—sunshine: a glorious pocket of stormy light.

We were in Switzerland as part of the 2012 Adventure Travel World Summit and had a train to catch. But the shutterbugs among us had put down our forks, gulped down our wine, grabbed our cameras and claimed a seat in the Land Rover - plus one on the rear bumper - without question. Photogs know the drill.

WHEN WEIGHT MATTERS: Osprey Packs Ozone 22"

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:22:13 +0000

It’s not often I mistake a suitcase for shoes. But at only 4-pounds, 7-ounces the über-light Ozone 22-inch rollaboard had me fooled.

At a glance, the delivery box waiting for me on the front porch looked to be about the right size for the new Osprey Packs carry-on I’d ordered for an upcoming trip to Europe. But once I picked up the box, I quickly changed my mind: guessing instead that it contained the new pair of hiking boots I was also expecting. Wrong.

It’s tough to find a wheeled carry-on to fit clothes and shoes enough for extended travel that’s lightweight enough to schelp up staircases and into overhead compartments. But Osprey Packs’ Ozone 22”, one of the lightest fully featured rolling luggage on the market, looked up to the job.

THE CHALLENGE

I needed one carry-on bag to serve three very different back-to-back trips:

An 8-night luxury Mediterranean cruise.
One week of active adventure in the Swiss Alps.
A professional gathering and presentation in Lucerne, Switzerland.

THE RESULT

The bag performed brilliantly.

SWITZERLAND: Exploring with the Adventure Tribe

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:04:29 +0000

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.

JOIN ME in Baja for a Photo Expedition Cruise

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 23:37:52 +0000

Wildlife, whales and wonder make Mexico’s Sea of Cortés an ideal location for a photography expedition.

SPECIAL PLACES: Inkaterra Hotels, Peru

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 18:21:58 +0000

At Inkaterra, they’d never leave us stranded on a muddy riverbank for more than an hour waiting for a wayward boat.

At Inkaterra, they provide complimentary flashlights and organic bug repellant.

At Inkaterra, the kerosene lanterns were clean and gleaming, not coated with black soot so thick they barely illuminate the room…

The comparisons kept surfacing. I couldn’t seem to help myself. That’s the problem with great service; you’re forever doomed to compare everything else to that standard. Once spoiled by five-star treatment, every inefficiency and oversight in the competition becomes glaringly obvious.

Such was the case for me recently after two separate stays with Peruvian luxury hotelier, Inkaterra.

My first introduction to Inkaterra’s gracious hospitality and exquisite service was a stay at their exclusive 11-suite Cusco hotel, La Casona, as part of a Peru walking tour with luxury adventure travel outfitter, Butterfield & Robinson.

It was easy to be seduced by the warm welcome, spacious suite, elegant bathroom, handcrafted Peruvian textiles, rich colors, historic patinas, lovely antiques, delicious breakfast and free Wi-Fi. But even more impressive was the way the reception staff recognized and welcomed me as a former guest each time I returned over the next three months for a massage appointment or to purchase another bottle of their handcrafted Palo Santo lotion while my husband and I were living in Cusco.

TRAVEL TECH SECRET: How to Use VPN to Get Around Annoying Internet Boundaries

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 18:15:34 +0000

I admit it. I’m feeling clever these days as my husband and I view UK-only BBC Olympics coverage on our laptops in Peru. I also beam with geeky pride each time my yoga instructor here in Cusco asks to use my iPod to stream Pandora’s Krishna Das station during class. And yes, I’ve been known to indulge in a free episode of Modern Family, or a movie, on Hulu during the past year while we’ve been living in Latin America.

Truth told, however, I’m not really all that clever. Any Gadget Girl worth her iPad is already using my secret solution - a Virtual Private Network (VPN) - to get around annoying Internet boundaries when traveling abroad.

Access geo-restricted media

Some of my favorite communication resources, like Skype, and social networking platforms, such as facebook and twitter, are blocked in countries whose governments wish to censor access to information or by greedy telecommunication giants intent on keeping revenues in their own pockets.

JUNGLE ADVENTURE: Exploring Peru’s Amazon Rainforest

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:05:04 +0000

It was 4AM. The kerosene lanterns used to illuminate our open-air room flickered to life, a subtle reminder to get moving. I crawled out from under the mosquito netting, shuffled down the hall to the communal bathrooms and fifteen minutes later was tromping down a dark jungle trail in mud boots and a headlamp to board a boat.

Groggy and grumpy, I wished I’d stayed in bed as the motorized canoe puttered upriver in damp obscurity to deliver us to the sandy islet that would serve as our birding blind. The sky was still ink black as we settled in to wait. Perched upon folding canvas campstools we clutched cameras and tin cups of tea in anticipation of the morning’s Big Event –the world’s largest macaw claylick.

Soon, an iridescent sunrise painted the canopy treetops and steep cliffside a dazzling ruby red, casting shimmering reflections in the muddy river below. Not long afterwards, pairs of blue-and-gold and scarlet macaws started circling overhead, squawking their boisterous arrival. Catching the luminous sun beneath their wings, the huge, flamboyant parrots flashed blazing glimpses of yellow and crimson as they swooped in to eat the mineral-rich clay soil they need to stay healthy.

How could I have ever thought of sleeping in? This was Pachamama (Mother Earth) in fiery surround sound splendor.

That’s the thing about wild places: one minute you’re cursing Mother Nature, the next you’re blown away by her genius.

PAMPERED PASSENGER: Five Top Luxury Cruise Holidays

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:49:25 +0000

From breathtaking voyages through the icy waters of Antarctica and an incredible wildlife cruise through the Galapagos islands, to sailing through the beautiful remote islands of the Indonesian archipelago and touring the African bush aboard your own floating hotel, traveling by boat is a great way to take the stress out of a vacation and to explore some of our planet’s last frontiers.

Looking for ideas for your next vacation? Here’s an A-list of luxury cruises handpicked by the travel specialists at Exsus Luxury Holidays.

1. Cruise the Amazon aboard the purpose built luxury cruise ship the M/V Aqua. Able to take a maximum of 24 guests the M/V Aqua’s 12 spacious suites including four grand suites feature picture-windows for unsurpassed views of the Amazon jungle where you will see the endangered pink dolphin, three toed sloth, and a jungle canopy filled with monkeys, and macaws. Dining aboard the M/V Aqua is an experience in itself with award winning Chef Pedro Miguel serving up gourmet Peruvian food served with the very best South American wines. Various cruises are available between three and seven night durations. If you had ever wanted to see the Amazon this has to be one of the best ways to do it.

SPA GETAWAY: Finding Peace in Peru's Sacred Valley

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:42:37 +0000

There’s something lavishly indulgent about checking in to a luxurious hotel with the singular intent to settle in and relax. No early morning wake up calls. No planned excursions. No returning home more exhausted than you arrived.

Such was the case recently when my husband and I checked in to Peru’s Aranwa Sacred Valley spa hotel for a peaceful getaway.

Based in Cusco for a three-month stay, we’d already explored the nearby ruins at Machu Picchu and the surrounding Sacred Valley of the Incas as part of a Peru walking vacation. So, unlike most of our fellow guests who set off early each morning on various sightseeing excursions, we stayed put: pampering ourselves with soothing spa treatments, gourmet meals, poolside naps and Pisco Sours.

Walking Peru - Luxury Latin America

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:00:22 +0000

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.

Photo of the Month: Machu Picchu, Peru

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:24:31 +0000

It’s one thing to ogle other people’s photos of the mythical Inca city of Machu Picchu. It’s another, I discovered, to huff and puff your way up Andean mountainsides and steep Inca staircases to take your own. That’s the glory of a Peru walking vacation: Each step reveals a new vista more impressive than the last.

The ancient Inca citadel as viewed from Machu Picchu Mountain.

While hundreds of visitors queue up before dawn each morning to climb Huayna Picchu (the distinctive horn-shaped mountain that appears in the background of many Machu Picchu photos, including this one), we wisely opted to make the the steep sixteen hundred foot ascent up the lesser known Machu Picchu Mountain to capture this bird’s eye view of the ancient metropolis, the iconic Huayna Picchu pinnacle, and snaking below, the silvery streak of the Urubamba River.

Cozy Warm in Cusco: KEEN Prescott Boot

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:20:11 +0000

As a North American, June has always been flip flop and sunshine weather. But June is wintertime in South America and the coldest month of the year in the ancient Inca city of Cusco, Peru, where we’re spending the next few months. So, in place of my usual sandals and flip flops, this June it’s alpaca socks and KEEN’s Prescott Boot keeping me warm and comfortable in cold Cusco.

Fifteen months ago when we packed our bags for extended travel in Latin America I knew my KEEN Targhee II day hikers would come in handy and they’ve already seen a lot of action on the trip: Hiking the hillside trails above Ajijic, Mexico, climbing volcanoes in Nicaragua, scrambling along island cliffs in the Galapagos, hiking across glaciers in Chilean Patagonia, and, most recently, trekking to Machu Picchu.

After a summer in Mexico and three balmy months in Granada, Nicaragua, it was a chilly autumn in Cuenca, Ecuador, and tracking daily low temperatures (avg. June low, 36F) in Cusco on the iPod, that sent me in search of a warm and comfortable city shoe. Sure, there were plenty of shoes more stylish and less expensive than Keen’s Prescott Boot available. But here’s why KEEN, once again, won me over…

PERU PERFECTION: Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel

Sat, 26 May 2012 00:06:02 +0000

Arriving to eleven thousand feet in elevation during a Cusco winter requires certain indulgences: oxygen-infused air, heated floors, relaxing spa treatments, late mornings and long afternoon naps.

Lodgings are scattered up and down the steep streets of the ancient Inca city. But we selected the 43-room Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel, stylishly converted from a 16^th century mansion, as much for its modern conveniences –oxygen-enriched rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi,and heated flooring–as its sophisticated aesthetic and ideal downtown address.

Like many visitors headed to Machu Picchu, we were spending a few days in Cusco to acclimatize before setting off for a walking tour of the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and the mythical Inca citadel. Boasting spacious bedrooms, luxuriant bathrooms, and a museum worthy art collection, the Aranwa (a Quechua word for Story or Legend) sits at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city, just two blocks off the Plaza de Aramas, providing a superb base from which to explore the Inca’s holiest city.

GREEN DREAM: Jicaro Island Ecolodge, Granada, Nicaragua

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:37:43 +0000

There are a few places so special, so unique, so dreamy that I can’t help but recommend them to everyone and anyone: Jicaro Island Ecolodge, a tropical private island hideaway in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, is one of those places.

It’s been a few months since we left Nicaragua behind for continued travel in Latin America and extended stays in Ecuador and, now, Peru. Yet I frequently find my thoughts traveling back to our time at Jicaro - awakening to the roar of howler monkeys, morning cups of coffee enjoyed on our casita’s private deck, daily massages at the lakeside spa, sunset paddles in the shadow of sleeping Volcán Mambacho, and delicious meals of innovative organic Nicaraguan cuisine.

What makes Jicaro so special? That’s easy…

Valle California, Chilean Patagonia

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:26:02 +0000

A gaucho works his horse at Valle California, Patagonia Sur.

There are many reasons to travel: relaxation, escape, service, adventure, learning, etc. For me, the perfect trip is simple - it immerses me in the world’s natural beauty while providing the opportunity to observe and engage in the daily lives of its people.

In Valle California, a remote conservation property in Chilean Patagonia, not only was I smack dab in the middle of one of the most majestic landscapes on the planet, but also introduced to the region’s rich cultural customs by the people who live and work there: My dream combo.

Framed by the snow-capped Andes, a Valle California wilderness lodge vacation offers guests extensive hiking and horseback riding trails, opportunities for river kayaking and float trips, mountain biking, bird watching, fly fishing, and a five-star experience with an environmental sensibility.

In the above photograph, Valle California gaucho, Gustavo Neumann, works a horse in the estancia corral.

See more Patagonia Sur pictures

Read about Patagonia Sur at National Geographic Travel Favorites

Learn about getting back to basics at a Leica/Patagonia Sur photography workshop

Plan a visit

GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE: Reptiles, Preservation and Paparazzi

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:50:57 +0000

I admit it. Reptiles creep me out. I find them as cute and cuddly as Hannibal Lecter. But there I was, face to scaly face, happily snapping photo after photo of iguanas: self-appointed paparazzi of the Galapagos Islands.

Mother Nature can do that to me. One day I’m going about my rich yet ordinary life–work, hang out with Hank, read, nap, eat, walk, meet up with friends, eat again, read some more. The next, I’m stalking lizards like a star struck groupie at the Oscars.

Ecuador’s famed archipelago is home to some of the most unusual reptiles on the planet: giant lumbering tortoises, beady-eyed iguanas, graceful sea turtles, and piggybacking lava lizards. And, unlike Sean Penn, they couldn’t care less if I took their picture.

GETTING BACK TO BASICS with the Leica M9

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:54:05 +0000

Here’s the truth. Anyone can take a beautiful photograph. The advanced technology in today’s cameras, even the most basic point-and-shoot, makes it easier than ever. And with a few artsy apps and a creative eye, even an iPhone can deliver gallery worthy images. Seriously.

But what if you want to do more than make a pretty picture? What if you want to slow down the experience of preserving a moment, a place? Or distill the creative process of photography down to its essence?

Enter the Leica M9.

Until recently, I thought I knew a thing or two about photography. After a week with the M9 in hand, as part of a Seedlight photography workshop, I realize I want to know more, that I’m ready to dig deeper.

Taking place in remote Chilean Patagonia, the Leica sponsored workshop, led by Conservation Photojournalist Bridget Besaw, and hosted by Patagonia Sur, provided the ideal setting to learn and record the story of Patagonia conservation in legendary Leica style.

CURIOUS ABOUT CUENCA: How We Prepared for Expat Living in Ecuador

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:11:44 +0000

“Why Cuenca?”

“Do you need to be fluent in Spanish?”

“Is it affordable?”

“What’s the weather like?”

These were questions I asked my husband more than a year ago when he first suggested we try out expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Now that we’re here, these are the same questions we hear from friends and family who are curious about Cuenca.

Why Cuenca? Originally, because…

• It kept showing up in our research as an attractive, friendly and affordable place to live or retire.

• Its narrow cobblestone streets, red tile roofs, whitewashed churches and flowerfilled plazas sounded alluring.

• As Ecuador’s third-largest city, it boasts a sophisticated urban lifestyle, inviting café culture and a vibrant university community.

Beyond that, however, we knew very little about what life in Cuenca would really be like.

HOTEL LIVING: Granada, Nicaragua

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:53:24 +0000

“How long are you staying?”

It’s a common question among hotel guests in foreign lands.

“Three months,” however, is not a common response.

We fielded this question often during our recent three-month stay at Hotel la Bocona, the intimate six guest room boutique hotel in Granada, Nicaragua, we called home this winter.

Hotel living wasn’t the original plan, but when finding a vacation rental got complicated, we decided to get creative. Even for gypsy travelers like us, though, committing to an extended hotel stay, sight unseen, was a bit of a leap.

We liked the fact that the hotel was set in a private beautifully restored colonial mansion and that half our room rate would go towards the support of a local educational and charitable organization. We liked that it was situated two blocks off Granada’s bustling Central Park in one of the city’s most historic and fashionable residential neighborhoods, putting the city at our doorstep. And, we liked that the room was a palatial 1,400 square-feet with soaring ceilings, hand-painted tile floors and two king sized beds.

Truth told, however, beyond a few pretty pictures and details gleaned through emails with hotel director, Nadene Holmes, we were riding on intuition – which told us it was a fit.

But, from the moment we stepped foot inside, we were hooked. Our instincts were spot on. Never once in three months did we wish we’d chosen differently. In fact, we couldn’t have felt more at home.

Was it the daily housekeeping? The bilingual concierge to handle everything from telephone calls to procuring a Spanish tutor or hair stylist? The courtyard swimming pool and in-house spa? Yes, of course. The perks of hotel living are just as dreamy as they sound.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:38:07 +0000

I could read about it forever. Look at other people’s photos. Dream about going. But until I personally came face-to-face with the extraordinary wildlife that inhabit this special part of the world, it was impossible to fully wrap my head around what an amazing vacation a trip to the Galapagos really is.

What makes the experience so unique is the opportunity to get up close and personal with the unusual creatures that define the famed archipelago where animals have no instinctive fear of humans. For wildlife lovers and photographers, the Galapagos Islands are as good as it gets.

Crouching down inches from this colorful marine iguana on Isla Española, I was able to capture this tight portrait during a recent week long voyage with Ecoventura, a leader in responsible tourism to the Galapagos Islands since 1990.

Click here to view more Galapagos photos or here, to read my recent article ‘GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE: Reptiles, Preservation and Paparazzi, featuring the voyage.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE: Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Eco-Spa, Nicaragua.

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:59:03 +0000

Exploding fireworks. Tolling bells. High volume music. Tooting car horns. Sound is omnipresent in Latin America; the vibrant soundtrack of every day life. But from the cozy sling of a hammock on the veranda of a private casita at Hacienda Puerta del Cielo Ecolodge & Spa, it felt as if Nicaragua had gone silent.

It was early December, mid-way through a three-month stay in the nearby Colonial city of Granada where the town had been rocking for days in boisterous preparation of the upcoming Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebration. At the Hacienda, however, perched atop a remote hillside with unimpeded views of tangled jungle, smoldering volcano and glistening lake, there wasn’t even a whiff of noise on the balmy breeze. As if to make the point, soundless butterflies the size of dessert plates fluttered about the resort gardens.

GEEKS ON THE GO: How To Use An iPod Touch As A Global Smartphone

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:42:57 +0000

Say goodbye to hefty monthly contracts and global roaming fees with a $199 Apple iPod Touch.

When my husband and I made the decision to put our life in New Mexico on hold and set off for an extended romp through Latin America, it wasn’t where we’d live, how we’d get there, or even what we’d take that worried me. The Internet, vacation rentals, hotels, airplanes, and local shops offered easy solutions to those problems.

What did present a challenge, however, was a question on the minds of many Americans traveling abroad: How can I avoid the global roaming fees of my U.S. based mobile phone provider and still stay connected?

Nearly eighteen months into the adventure, we’ve said goodbye to hefty monthly contracts and global roaming fees, in large part thanks to the simple convenience of a $199 Apple iPod Touch.

Basically an iPhone without a monthly contract, the iPod Touch is proving to be an essential pocket-sized travel tool and budget-friendly communications alternative.

Here are 3 key ways I use the iPod Touch in lieu of a global smartphone.

Las Isletas, Lake Nicaragua

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:19:36 +0000

One of the most memorable features of a visit to the lakefront colonial-era city of Granada, Nicaragua, is Las Isletas, the miniature archipelago of 365 tiny islands situated in bordering Lake Nicaragua.

Only minutes away from the city center, a short boat ride transports you into a rich natural landscape eons removed from bustling Granada.

I captured this photo of a local family out fishing late one afternoon during a stay at Jicaro Island Ecolodge, a tranquil island retreat situated on one of the Isletas. More Photos

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of EllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.

Perfect for Hot Climates: Horny Toad Travel Skirt

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:51:06 +0000

With the right clothes, hot and sticky is easy breezy.

It’s 88ºF with 71% humidity right now in Granada, Nicaragua, where my husband, Hank, and I are spending the winter.

With weather forecasts back home showing snow and freezing temps, I couldn’t be happier to be hanging out in a hot place.

It’s been a month since we arrived and I’d looked forward to supplementing my travel wardrobe here, but clothing choices in Nicaragua are surprisingly limited. So, I’m grateful to have packed the Horny Toad Oblique Skirt, which has turned out to be perfect for daily wear.

HORSE SENSE: Learning To Trust On A Mexico Equestrian Adventure

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:36:18 +0000

“Don’t worry, Elena,” said our host, Juan Rabasa, co-owner of Enduro Ecuestre, an equestrian outfitter based in San Cristobal de las Casas in the highlands of southwestern Mexico. “Palomo is the perfect horse for you. You can trust him.”

But could Palomo trust me? Everyone knows you can’t fool a horse. But fooling yourself? That’s easy.

How easy it was to forget that the ‘me’ that is seduced by exotic adventures, is only a distant cousin to the ‘me’ reflected in the morning mirror, and - here’s the rub - a complete stranger to the nervous ‘me’ perched atop an Arabian horse in the wilds of Chiapas, Mexico.

As we introduced ourselves – Ryan from British Columbia, Andres from Ecuador, and Rachid from Lake Tahoe - it became obvious that I was not only the sole female guest rider but also the least experienced. The voice in my head that parroted ‘Don’t worry, Elena,’ seemed oblivious to the self-doubt that surged within me. The thought of navigating an English saddle for four days atop raw equine power across challenging terrain had me feeling more than a little intimidated.

TRAVEL TECH: A Gadget Girl's Guide To Packing

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:40:04 +0000

As a journalist specializing in travel, I pack and unpack for dozens of trips a year. As a result, I’ve learned a thing or two about packing smarter, packing less, and traveling with travel technology.

Clothes are easy: Two pants. Two shoes. Four shirts. Something dressy. Fleece for cold. Layers for hot. Outerwear for wet. Quick-dry everything. A wrap for the airplane.

Toiletries, too, are a no-brainer: Travel-sized liquids refilled or still packed from the last trip. Nothing over 3-ounces. Nothing sharp. Done.

But when it comes to gadgets, things get more complicated. Cords. Cables. Batteries. Back-ups. Hard drives. iPod. Smartphone. Laptop. Memory cards. More memory cards. It’s too easy, and so frustrating, to head off without the essential bits that make the gizmos go.

For Gadget Girls (and guys) on the go, here are a few techie travel tips and must-pack recommendations.

1. A SMARTPHONE. How the heck did we manage before smartphones? Seriously.

From essential contacts, flight itineraries, confirmation numbers, and access to online check-in and banking, to alarm clock reminders, currency conversion, language translation, and GPS navigation…on the road or at home, a smartphone (or contract-free iPod Touch) is every geek’s best friend.

But without a charge, it’s useless. Don’t forget your phone’s charge cord. And if you’re traveling internationally, be sure to purchase, and pack, the foreign outlet adapter kit for your smartphone model.

*Techie travel tip #1: To help me remember not to leave essential cords plugged into hotel room outlets, I carry an index card with the reminder ‘DON’T FORGET TO CHECK FOR CHARGE CORDS’ written on it. This simple, low-tech solution has saved me more times than I should admit.

2. PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT. While increasing numbers of travelers are electing to use their smartphone cameras for vacation photos, there are a few of us still toting some serious hardware.

NAVIGATING NATURE: Mexico Yacht Cruise

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:22:17 +0000

A movie trailer of experiences – snorkeling with rollicking sea lions, hiking among giant cacti, photographing leaping dolphins, and whales so close you can hear them breathe– replays often in my mind’s eye as high-definition and heart-pounding as any Hollywood production.

It’s been months since our yacht adventure in Mexico’s nature-rich Sea of Cortés, but the mind-movies surface often– triggered by conversation, photographs, or the sheer joy of conjuring up images of one of our planet’s most amazing places.

There’s something soul-soothing about a vacation where Mother Nature takes center stage. Where, amidst the wind, clouds, sunrises and unrestrained land and seascapes, the daily drama and media headlines take a backseat to wonder and awe. American Safari Cruises’ voyage through one of the world’s richest marine environments brings Nature up-close-and-personal.

FAVORITE PLACES: Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico.

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:34:31 +0000

We all have our favorite places. Maybe it’s the place we call home, or where we grew up. Perhaps it’s a vacation spot we return to often. A place we know inside and out; where to find the best cup of coffee, who to ask for information, and the businesses best avoided.

For me, one of those places is Ajijic, a quirky lakeside village in the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico, an hour’s drive from Guadalajara. For the past fifteen years, my husband, Hank, and I have called Ajijic home for extended stays in every season.

Like many of the Canadian, European and American expats that populate the region, we come for the idyllic climate, the scenic Laguna de Chapala, Mexico’s largest inland lake, and the friendly, easy-going village vibe that seems to make problems disappear.

But beyond the lush gardens, vibrant creative community, easy-access mountain hiking, lake views, and daily sunshine, our brains switch into a different mode when we’re there. It has a strong and immediate effect, being on Ajijic time.

Walking everywhere, running into friends at the plaza, shopping at the corner markets, tuning in to the village soundtrack, and joing the fun at the ubiquitous fiestas —it all makes us breathe easier, smile more, and fall into the rhythm of a kinder, gentler, way of life.

PAMPERED PASSENGER: Hacienda Hopping in Ecuador

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 19:32:00 +0000

Discover the Pampered Side of Ecuador At Exclusive Haciendas

World-class spas. Healing hot springs. Glamorous hacienda accommodations. Just because you’re eager to discover Ecuador’s rich and colorful past, doesn’t mean you have to forfeit contemporary service, cuisine and comfort. Well, that’s what Judy Carvalhal, founder of Ecuador travel outfitter, Enchanted Expeditions, believes.

Luxury travelers can now discover the Pampered Side of Ecuador on Enchanted Expeditions’ new hacienda hopping package.

TRAVEL IPHONEOGRAPHY: Getting Easier By The App

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:49:18 +0000

Thanks to an ever-evolving selection of innovative iPhone photo applications, creative mobile photography is only an app away. That’s good news for iPhone packing travelers.

Once-upon-a-time I thought mobile photography was only good enough for documenting and sharing my life on the run. Until I discovered iPhone photo apps.

Now I’m addicted to the creative spontaneity and visual experimentation that mobile photo apps offer. I love how seamlessly iPhoneography fits into my traveler’s toolkit, providing a convenient, mobile method of creating and sharing experiences and images as I move about the world.

What are some of my favorite apps?

Continue reading my latest Intelligent Travel article ‘ARTSY VACATION PHOTOS? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT’ now online at National Geographic Traveler…

Hats Are Forever: The Helen Kaminski Raffia Classic 5

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:52:44 +0000

Nineteen years ago, during a summer stay in Santa Fe, my husband surprised me with the surreptitious purchase of a hat I’d admired in a storefront window. It was a case of love at first sight (hat & husband) and has been ever since.

Aside from one Russian-style faux-fur cap that I’m rarely feeling cheeky enough to wear, unless it’s raining or snowing I’m not much of a hat wear kind of girl. But, I’m forever thankful to that strong Santa Fe sun for providing the inspiration behind what’s now my number-one, hot-weather travel essential - the Helen Kaminski Raffia Classic 5 braided hat.

Favorite feature: Whether I’m hiking windy mountaintop trails or sailing the high seas, thanks to built-in adjustable string sizing, this hat stays snug.

Not-so-favorite feature: The Classic 5 comes with a black-and-white polka dot hatband that’s just a little too prim for my not-so-proper taste. So I jazz it up a bit by purchasing fun, colorful hatbands wherever my travels take me.

Bottom line: Handcrafted from 100% Raffia that lasts forever and can be rolled for easy packing, this is the perfect hat for any sunny getaway.

Part of the Helen Kaminski Raffia Braid collection, the Classic 5 is available for purchase at www.HelenKaminski.com. Suggested retail price; $165.

Walking England with The Wayfarers

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:58:06 +0000

There are few places in the world with a better network of public footpaths than Britain. And there are few companies better at sharing their passion for walking in the English countryside than The Wayfarers.

In early June, I headed to South West England for a picture-perfect, eight-day walking vacation across Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. We were a small convivial group: Four of us, all repeat walkers. It is my fifth walk. Longtime friends, Pat Renucci and Wendy Kersman had joined up for their sixth. And Glen Sullivan, a retired San Diego lawyer, boasted an impressive 14, soon to be 15, Wayfarers’ walks beneath his boots.

Our days on the trail settled into a comfortable routine. Early each morning, we’d congregate in the hotel dining room for breakfast. By 9AM we were traipsing over Hill and Dale, ambling alongside chattering rivers, across ancient footpaths, and through thatched hamlets and deep valleys eons in the making.

Must Love Travel: The hunt for the perfect camera bag

Fri, 20 May 2011 15:14:04 +0000

Nearly every traveling photographer I know lusts after the ‘perfect’ camera bag. I am, perhaps, the biggest romantic of them all. No matter how many alternatives fill my closets and clutter my office shelves, the dream of finding that ‘perfect’ multi-purpose bag remains alluring.

Problem is, I ask a lot of a camera bag, especially for air travel. It needs to provide travel-tough protection, be carry-on sized and not only transport a full arsenal of camera bodies, lenses and digital accessories, but a laptop too.

Enter the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D650 AW. Created for photojournalists and news photographers, the Stealth fits all that I need for a professional photoshoot or trip: 1 DSLR with 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached; 1 additional body; 2 lenses; and 15” Macbook Pro; plus, up to 12 memory cards; flash; chargers and cords.

Built to go the distance, the Stealth delivers typical Lowepro quality; it’s sturdy, well-thought out with plenty of room and cushioning, and has pockets for everything.

Favorite feature: The convenient quick-access zip top is brilliant. Unlike a backpack or standard shoulder bag, everything I need is only a zip away.

Not-so-favorite feature: I wish the Stealth had a top grab handle in addition to the sturdy shoulder strap.

GEEK CHIC: Hide Your MacBook in Plain Sight with BookBook

Sun, 08 May 2011 19:22:43 +0000

The Genius swarm was unexpected. Who knew that carrying my MacBook Pro into the Apple Store in a BookBook laptop case would inspire such a flurry of questions: “Is that really a lapbook case?” “Where did you get it?” “Who makes it?” “Do they make one for the iPad?” “Can I look inside?” “Wow, cool!” I felt like a rock star.

I didn’t buy the cleverly disguised laptop case that looks like an antique book to be the chicest geek at the Genius Bar. Rather, I’d bought it to reduce the risk of having my MacBook Pro stolen.

But based on the number of blue-shirted Genius admirers, it looks like innovative Mac accessory designer, Twelve South, has tapped into the collective desire for originality that’s core among true Mac fans.

Designed exclusively for MacBook Pro (and now iPad 2), not only does the vintage book design conceal my most essential travel tool, but the hardback leather cover, reinforced spine and padded interior provide serious protection from the rigors of the road.

My favorite feature: Who says you can’t judge a book by its cover? The handcrafted BookBook turned out to be as sturdy and functional as it is stylishly good looking.

Mother's Day Gadget Gift Guide

Sun, 01 May 2011 20:22:13 +0000

Great Gifts for the Gadget Loving Mom on Your List

Being a Gadget Girl is about a lot more than buying stuff — but, truth told, we do love our toys. From e-readers and cameras, to global smartphones and techno-friendly clothes, not sure what to get? Don’t fret. I’ve got you covered. Here are some gift ideas guaranteed to please the gadget loving mom on your list.

MEXICO HIDEAWAY: Costa Baja Resort & Spa

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Just outside La Paz, Mexico, Costa Baja Resort & Spa has upped the luxury ante in a region of Baja California still delightfully undiscovered.

Costa Baja Resort. ©Ellen Barone.I’d been running full throttle for months when my husband, Hank, and I booked a pre-cruise stay at Costa Baja Resort & Spa in La Paz, Mexico. Somewhere between preparations for a year (or more) of nomadic wandering in Central and South America (more soon!) and looming deadlines, I decided that a pre-adventure respite in a luxurious resort would be the perfect place to kick back for a few days.

There are many who mock a resort stay (too mainstream, not for serious travelers)…for the very seclusion I was hoping to find. There’s something about exquisite service, tranquility and gracious hospitality that soothes a life-exhausted soul.

BEST IN ROMANCE: King Pacific Lodge

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:02:07 +0000

Hot on the heels of being voted No. 1 in Canada on the Condé Nast Traveler 2011 Gold List, King Pacific Lodge, A Rosewood Resort, has announced a romantic summer getaway for couples, epitomising the very ‘best of the best’ at this floating wilderness lodge. Their new ‘Treat Them Like Royalty’ romance package celebrates the sublime experiences that King Pacific Lodge is lauded for: an inspirational environment, high-octane adventures and lavish accommodations.

King Pacific LodgeThe adventure begins with arrival by floatplane right to the dock, and continues with a heli-picnic on a private island with white sand beaches, bounded by turquoise waters. Couples are treated to a private dinner, created by a dedicated chef who customizes every dish; an in-room couples massage; and a private wilderness concierge to assist with planning adventures from kayaking to whale watching. Digs for the stay - 1750 sq ft and two floors of luxury - will be the heavenly Princess Royal Suite, with panoramic views of the ocean, the rainforest and the nearby waterfall.

To reinforce the Lodge’s commitment to its world-renown back yard, the Great Bear Rainforest, each couple will receive an exclusive print from the charitable fund ‘Guarding the Gifts,’ in exchange for a donation of $400 made on their behalf by King Pacific Lodge.

‘Treat Them Like Royalty’ is a three-night package available from $14,745 per couple. King Pacific Lodge operates from June 3rd to September 23rd, 2011. To secure your spot as royalty this summer, or for more information, visit www.kingpacificlodge.com or call (604) 987-5452 or toll-free (888) 592-5464.

About King Pacific Lodge:

King Pacific, A Rosewood Resort is a 17-room floating, luxury, wilderness lodge located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest in Gitga’at territory along the central coast of British Columbia.

WINTER GIRLS' GETAWAY: Grand County, Colorado

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:27:14 +0000

Don’t let cold, snowy weather keep you from getting away. Say goodbye to the winter blues, gather the gang and head for Grand County, Colorado.

When a friend, who’d landed in Grand County twenty-five years ago and stayed, called to invite me to join her there for a winter girl’s getaway, I jumped at the chance.

Situated only 67 miles from Denver’s highlife, come-as-you-are Grand County bundles a world class ski resort, spas, yoga, alpine pursuits, and stunning mountain scenery into one of Colorado’s hometown favorites.

Take a little inspiration from these Grand County discoveries and launch your own escape.

WINTER PARK

Local knowledge

For 30 years, Winter Park residents have fueled up on hot coffee and breakfast at Carvers Bakery Cafe. Rustic and relaxed, the homey eatery boasts the convivial sounds and baked-goods aroma of a small town favorite. Try the sumptuous cinnamon rolls and homemade bagels. 93 Cooper Creek Way.

Home sweet vacation home

Buying a vacation home might be out of the question (damn the recession), but renting someone else’s luxury mountain house, is not only budget friendly, it’s fun! You may think you’ll be missing out on hotel services. Not true. From arranging welcome meals and in-home grocery stocking, to lift tickets and rental equipment, The Grand Concierge service by Destinations West will coordinate your transportation, plan special activities, and customize an all-inclusive vacation that IS all about you. www.mtnlodging.com

5 Ways to Share and Store Your Vacation Photos

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:49:05 +0000

Picture this: you’re celebrating your 50th birthday at the summit of Kilimanjaro. Or perhaps you’ve awakened early to watch the rising sun paint the Grand Canyon orange and gold. Maybe you’re snorkeling with playful sea lions and quirky penguins on a Galapagos expedition, or exploring the vibrant ethnic neighborhoods and historic parks of New York City.

Some of the most unforgettable travel experiences are best told through photography and today’s pocket-sized digital technology makes it easier than ever to gobble up memory cards with your travel memories. But then what?

Whether you want to share your vacation photos with a neighbor down the street, your grandmother in Florida, or the friends you met along the way, there’s a photo sharing service to help you do it.

For ideas on how to easily send, share and save your travel adventures, check out my recent article: 5 Fun Ways to Share and Save Your Vacation Photos

Packing Essential: Skooba Protective Wraps

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 19:04:42 +0000

At home or on the go, Skooba wraps are one of the most versatile, lightweight protective packing solutions I’ve found. Whether I’m protecting an extra camera lens in my daypack on the trail in Costa Rica, toting a bottle of wine in my purse to a friend’s party, or bringing home a ceramic bowl from Morocco in my carry-on luggage, the wraps are perfect for adding extra protection without a lot of bulk.

Available in three padded square sizes, the Velcro fasteners on all four corners make it easy to wrap around any shape, virtually eliminating the need to buy custom-sized cases for every gadget. Buy once. Use forever. Nice!