OK, here it is — my dark secret. 

No, first, let’s set the scene. I’m a professional traveler. I make a substantial part of my unsubstantial living by traveling the globe and writing about it. I should be good at travel.

I am… when I travel with my wife. We serenely swan into Portland or Ponce or Pittsburgh, where we observe, write, photograph, and leave. People say, “My, what a competent couple.”

Couple. That’s the key word here.

When I travel without Effin (who should be declared my legal guardian, not my spouse), I lose everything. Everything. That’s my dark secret.

On a ski trip to Italy, when I drove on to Cortina, my right ski boot stayed behind in Val Gardena. Care to guess how much it costs to ship one ski boot across the Dolomites?

On recent trips, I’ve left my swimsuit in Miami, car keys in Montreal, camera in… I never did find where I left that camera. 

Join me on a journey into the unknown, where what you think you know melts away and is replaced by something—something “bigger.”

For decades I have been drawn to sacred sites and powerful places, drawn to go on pilgrimage across France and Spain, drawn to place my feet in the footsteps of if not my ancestors then of the ancestors of spirit who have traveled these paths before me. Like iron pulled toward a magnet, I have sought out well- and little-known places of power—ancient stone circles, half-buried dolmens, ruined Romanesque chapels, spire-topped inspiring cathedrals, thick forests, hidden holy wells, dark sacred caves. Seeking I knew not what, going I knew not why, except that I was driven by a simple but all-consuming question: “What are these places?” I think I hoped that, by going to enough of them, I would find the answer.

The first time I knew I was in a very powerful place was when I saw the alignments at Carnac in Brittany, France. My husband, Gary, and I had driven through the flat Breton maritime pine forest toward the coast. The nearly straight road reached a crossroad—and there, behind green metal fencing, were rows of large, upright stones, some as tall as a person, stretching in rows as far as the eye can see. Brakes screeching, we pulled over. I jumped out and ran across the lane, twining my fingers through the barrier to get as close as I could. What were they? Who put them here? What purpose did they serve? 

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.

     My husband Roman and I were both born in the former Soviet Union. I moved to Canada when I was still in diapers; he spent his childhood in Leningrad before moving to the States. Neither of us had been back since, but after we’d met and married, we decided to go back to the USSR (as the song goes) – though the Soviet Union no longer existed, and neither did Leningrad. We were returning to St. Petersburg in Russia, and name changes aside, that meant a return to our roots, our long-ago home.

My in-laws still had contacts in the country, and we were offered free accommodation in a private medical clinic just off of the Fontanka Canal, across from the Summer Garden and minutes away from the bustling Nevsky Prospect. The clinic was housed in a Baroque-style building decorated with reliefs and statues of winged angels. Inside, the corridor was dim and narrow, permeated by a medicinal smell. A large kindly woman showed us to the spare room in the basement. There was a modest bathroom in the hallway. The water running from the taps had a brownish tint. There was a fold-out couch to sleep on and a good-sized kitchen. It wasn’t a bad space, but it was cold. It was August, and I was freezing. 

We spent the first days of our two-week trip rambling through the city. We never took taxis or buses, but padded down the wet sidewalks and absorbed the fresh-air smell wafting from the Neva river.

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

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

The first thing I heard were sounds. Were they cymbals? Was it thunder? What did they mean? Were they supposed to mean something? But I didn’t have time to ponder before the next sensory assault -- this time different textures caressing my bare feet -- gravel to burlap, wooden slats to smooth slate to soft rug. Were the others experiencing the same thing?

And here’s the rub. We were all blindfolded, one hand on the shoulder of the person in front of us, as we moved about our mini-jungle. At first, I felt disoriented, out of control, with the added annoying question lurking in the back of my head: I am a travel writer, how am I supposed to take notes? But our Mayan guide propelled me back into the moment by explaining that when our sight -– our main sense in relating to the world around us –- is cut off, the others senses are expanded. And I had better start paying attention.

And so began our Sense Adventure Tour, part of a larger eco-oriented nature park and sustainable tourism program at the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Nothing can hurt you, we were reassured. Just trust in yourself and follow your senses. Do not talk, please – communicate only with yourself. And become one with the universe. How does one do that?

Then a baby laughed – or was it crying – followed by a clash of thunder and then the sounds stopped being a focus and just began to wash over me, as did the bucket of pebbles dumped on my head. I felt like I was being buried. Was that it? Were the baby’s cries rebirth? I had no idea. 

The only time the blindfold was removed was within a tent with constellations of stars twinkling overhead -- the universe we’re supposed to feel a part of. Blindfold back in place, the avalanche of sensory overload continued – smells, textures, taste, sounds. All the senses were challenged, often in conjunction with one another, sometimes competing, sometimes complimentary – should I pay attention to the Native American chants or focus on the pebbles pored over my body or the cinnamon under my nose or just give in to the swaying of my body being encouraged by the guides.

Two or three times a week, Jay Savsani hosts a meal on the rooftop of his Chicago apartment complex. Last week his dinner guests were two Swiss tourists, and this week he’ll be hosting some fellow Chicagoans. Jay and his fellow diners are strangers but have connected through MealSharing.com, the food-centered social networking site Jay founded last year.

MealSharing allows diners and hosts from around the world to meet and share a home-cooked meal. Hosts put a profile on the site, which lists the types of food they usually cook and displays photos of their past culinary creations. Guests can then make contact and request a meal. MealSharing is a free platform; it costs nothing to participate as a guest or a host in this “couchsurfing for foodies” social movement.

“We come from a mission where we care about bringing communities together; be it from an international standpoint or within the local area,” says Jay, who says that “MealSharing is platform that connects travelers; however people also use it as a way to eat with other meal-sharers in their hometown.”

 
 
I gasped for air as the constrictor of too much life strangled the air from me. So I took a trip to Death Valley to remove the choking beast. 

Maybe it was the funeral I attended the day prior. Or maybe I was ready to take in the nothingness filled with life that colors the 5,219 square mile Death Valley National Park.

I escaped to three days of rock and sand—like a magic, colorful, sand strata bottle—hoping the trip would restore my soul's battery. 

At the funeral, filled with native Californians, I mentioned that I planned to drive to Death Valley in the morning.

“You know, I’ve never gone there,” confessed more than one person.  

“Why Death Valley?” another old-time friend asked.

“I can use a desert retreat,” I explained, oblivious to the fact that I was leaving a Death event to go to Death Valley. 

“But you live in paradise, a few blocks from the ocean, perfect everything,” my friend countered.

“True. But sometimes I like the stripped down and naked desert. Fewer distractions.”

After a year of personal challenges, I craved a drastic change of scenery. All I wanted was two things: unearthly silence, and minimal human contact.

So I booked The Cottage at Panamint Springs Resort. Sounded like ice tea on a hot day. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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:

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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.

Why go

About the camps

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.

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.

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?” 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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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: 

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:

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.

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.  

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.

Alpine Summer Switzerland

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) invites travelers to discover India for less this year, reducing prices on its popular Heart of India adventure by up to $1100 per person for all August, September and December 2013 departures. In addition, there are no book-by dates and single supplements are free.

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

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

Cartagena, Colombia 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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:

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

THE RESULT

The bag performed brilliantly. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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…

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. 

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.

 “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.

The blue domes of the New Cathedral in Cuenca. ©Ellen Barone. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Enduro Ecuestre co-owner Gloria Castellanos. © Rachid Dahnoun

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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…

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. 

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

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  

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! 

Verizon HTC Droid IncredibleSo I did what any gadget girl would do, I peered over the poor guy’s shoulder long enough to break his concentration and compel him to ask if there was something he could help me with.

Thankfully, he proved to be as big a geek as I am and couldn’t wait to show me around his newest toy - Verizon’s HTC Droid Incredible. We talked travel tech the rest of the flight home.

I love my BlackBerry, I do. But I was enchanted enough by the Incredible’s spacious screen and iPhone-like behavior to take it for a 30-day test drive.

I found plenty to love about the Incredible, including blazing fast performance, a 3.7-inch touchscreen, eye-pleasing graphics and a super sleek design.

In side-by-side web searches and site uploads, its Google powered Android 2.2 operating system left my BlackBerry at the curb. And surfing the Net felt as easy and fast on the Incredible as it does on the computer. But I wasn’t nearly as comfortable navigating the Droid’s virtual QWERTY keyboard as I am when using the BlackBerry’s real deal.

For more than a year now, I’ve had my eye on Austin-Lehman Adventures’ Rainforests and Ruins Chiapas adventure. It’s the setting for my husband’s upcoming novel, VANISHED, so, perhaps that’s the inspiration. Or, it could be the fact that for the past decade I’ve lived part-time in Mexico, and I’m missing ‘home’. But, more than likely it’s Austin-Lehman’s reputation for crafting the perfect mix of cultural exploration, active pursuits, authentic accommodations and knowledgeable local guides that has me busy cravin’ a jungle-hop south-of-the-border. Whaddya think? They say the coffee is awesome!

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Topping my win-the-lottery travel wish list is R. Cruose & Son’s “Around the World to Legendary Places,” 23 days of rich exploration to  some of the most legendary places on earth. While circling the globe, exploring the natural and cultural wonders of the world’s most treasured and legendary places—Peru, Easter Island, Samoa, the Great Barrier Reef, Cambodia, Tibet, India, Tanzania, Egypt, and Morocco - this trip serves up a chance to see the world’s most incredible spots, unfettered by the usual rules of tourism. No boarding passes, no waiting for flight crews, no commercial routes to adhere to (but all the security measures you’d insist on). Plane. Deplane. How elegantly simple.  Sign me up! (:

So, imagine my excitement when I spotted an ad for my ultimate summer road trip. “Twenty spectacular weeks of summer in the Canadian Rocky Mountains with Horizon & Co. Three magnificent fairytale properties of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. One sleek and sexy BMW Z4 Roadster.”

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, BMW Canada and Horizon & Co have teamed up to offer the unforgettable experience of exceptional cars, grand resorts and the magnificent Rocky Mountains all together in one place. With a BMW Z4 Roadster, I could spend spend six glorious days exploring the pristine wilderness and five equally glorious nights at the area’s historic Fairmont resorts. Better yet, the itinerary for this drive allows ample time for exploring on my own.

Now all I have to do is talk an editor into assigning me the story.

Editors start your engines!

Ideally, I envision an extended stay that piggybacks a highlands & islands walking holiday with independent exploration.

My dream itinerary includes visiting the colonial churches and chromatic markets of La Paz, the sacred Lake Titicaca, the highest steam-navigable lake in the world, the famed silver city of Potosí and much more.

I dream of snorkeling amid sea turtles, penguins, and sea-lions; walking among colonies of animals and birds unfazed by my presense; observing giant torosies and exploring by sea kayak.

I envision a lodge-based adventure featuring day hikes within the granite-and-glacier world of Paine and Fitzroy, Andean wildlife and the remote wilds of Tierra del Fuego.

More than a vacation, a voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula would a life-enriching experience withopportunities for exploration found no where else on this planet.