Find Cheap Flights Plus Hotel Discounts

Today, I invite you to visit Wonderland.  Yes, that same place Alice went on a trip.  Well, at least this is my version of Wonderland. Before you guys start to roll your eyes (even if you are already rolling them), let me explain. The real name of the Wonderland I am referring to is Paraty.  This Portuguese colonial town is located in the biggest country of South America, no other than Brazil. It is sandwiched between the bay of Paraty (part of the Costa Verde) and the Serra do Mare mountains. Therefore, the town is not only graced with human created exquisiteness but is also surrounded by natural lure. Paraty (which means “river of fish” in the Tupi language) was once an important gold port.  It was the end of the infamous “Gold Trail”.  At the end of the 1600s, gold was discovered in what is today the Minas Gerais state.  A road was built to connect the town of Diamantina (in Minas Gerias) with Paraty. After arriving to Paraty, the gold was later transported to Rio de Janeiro or P...

Dear Readers: If you come across a contest takes little effort to enter and has no repercussions afterward, there’s no reason not to enter.  Play your cards right and you could win a nice dinner out.  Or a car. OR you could win a trip to Stockholm. At World Travel Market last year, I dropped my business card into a fishbowl at the Visit Sweden table.  I knew there was a prize, but I didn’t look at it closely.  My card was the one picked, and to my great shock, I had won a free trip to Stockholm! And so this October, I made it to my 34th country, setting foot in Sweden for the first time.  Though my visit was brief, I enjoyed Stockholm greatly. Stockholm is BEAUTIFUL. After visiting Stockholm, I can confirm that it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.  The first thing that you notice about the city is just what a spectacular natural setting it has, set on hundreds of islands in a lagoon.  Stockholm’s old town, the Gamla Stan, is where you find the most ...

Some of my proudest moments have come from traveling to unusual destinations — the Faroe Islands, southern Laos, Shetland, Liechtenstein. But what about the destinations that I really should have visited by now, but haven’t?  Obvious places.  Places that I really should have hit considering where I’ve been already (like much of North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia), but for some reason, I’ve never actually visited. Here are my most egregious travel oversights (so far!): Amsterdam It’s one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe — but not only have I never been to Amsterdam, I’ve never been to the Netherlands! Amsterdam is just one of those places that has never happened for me.  I haven’t prioritized it, thinking that an opportunity to visit would pop up in the near future.  And while those opportunities do pop up, they also tend to disappear quickly, so I still haven’t made it here. Maybe a trip to Amsterdam paire...

Tioga Pass, California, USA. An impressive road in the Sierra Nevada mountains stretches in a 3 031 m (9 943 ft) elevation. Numerous trails into Yosemite National Park begins at the sections of Tioga Road, which can be called one of the most scenic drives in the state. Due to the very high altitude, the road provides many panoramic views, with an abyss opening below. This is in fact the highest pass in California and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Gorges, lakes, canyons, valleys, centuries old Giant Sequoias are just a few attractions among numerous others. Why to go there? If you are heading to Yosemite National Park, this road will take you there directly. Even if you are just passing by, it will provide an unforgettable scenic ride. When to go there? From May to November – the road is closed during winter. However, always check before going, because the opening and closing dates may vary depending on weather. How to get there? By car get there from Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, ...