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The Doors and Windows of Paraty, Rio de Janeiro

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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

Introducing the Beautiful City of Stockholm

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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 beautiful archite

My Most Egregious Travel Oversights

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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 paired with a side tour to Luxembourg would be nice… Koh

Tioga Pass – a Wild Ride in California, USA

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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,

5 Tips for Carpooling to the Airport

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Between the expensive cab fares and dragging your bags onto the bus or subway, finding a ride to the airport can be an absolute nightmare. Obviously the most convenient and economical way of traveling to and from and airport is having a family member or friend drop you off and pick you up at the end of your trip, but when you’re traveling with a bigger group, there might not be enough room in the car. Instead of bothering others with your travel plans, the best solution for you and the people you’re flying with is to carpool. Other than reducing your carbon footprint, Planet Save adds that you’re also minimizing traffic congestion and saving money, so there’s really no reason why you can’t drive yourselves to the airport and then have your car ready for you when you return. So how can you best prepare for your group travel adventure together in the car? Like with anything else in life, carpooling is easier said than done, but with the following tips, you should be arriving at the air

2015 International Traveler Gift Guide

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    Boarding a plane, passport in hand, headed on an incredible adventure – there might be no better feeling in the world. And when we’re home, we love to have beautiful things that remind us of the unforgettable experiences we’ve been lucky enough to have across the globe. Jabra Sport Coach Wireless Headset Tangled earbuds are the bane of any global traveler’s existence. I used to have several pairs shoved in the bottom of my bag that were barely salvageable when I’d try to yank them up in a heaped mess. Not to mention, the cheap ones always have horrible sound quality and rarely stay securely in the ears. Investing in this headset was a fantastic way to truly enjoy my time spent walking around London, taking flights and all the down time in between. With Bluetooth technology, weather-resistant design and Dolby sound tech, It’s been a definite game changer for traveling. But really the best part is how well it stays put in my ears even as I wiggle around for a nap or pound the pa

Where Are The World’s Top Destinations for Luxury Travelers?

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Italy, among the world’s top destinations, reigned atop three categories: favorite global, honeymoon and family destination Where are upscale travelers in the know heading for their getaways? The Virtuoso Luxe Report has the inside scoop on the world’s top destinations for the year ahead. Published each year, the report surveys Virtuoso’s expert travel advisors around the globe on the hottest trends they see for the year to come. Read on to discover where everyone from families to adventure-seekers to honeymooners are off to in the coming year.