I spent a few wonderful days in Iceland in 2004. I returned to Iceland in 2010 and I will combine the trips in this post. I don’t usually repeat destinations, because there are so many new places to visit, but there was a special reason to return to Iceland – the Northern lights. I heard quite a bit about Northern Lights when I visited Finland and considered returning there in winter.  However, after a bit of research, I realized that Iceland is a great deal warmer (but not warm) in winter than Finland. It is also not in total darkness, which … Continue reading 26. Iceland – 2004 & 2010

The Amazon, that great river and jungle in South America, was next on my list.  The travel choices were an Amazon River cruise, a group tour with a company like Oversees Adventure Travel (OAT) or to create my own itinerary (with the help of a tour company).  The cruise sounded inviting, but I realized that I would only see the area near the river.  A group tour is usually limited as to time and only gets surface deep in an area. I decided to go inland and have an in-depth experience. In order to accomplish this, I researched and found a company called Explorama, … Continue reading 25. The Amazon – 2009

The Dordogne region in Southern France is heavenly! I had gotten spoiled having a guide/driver on earlier trips, and decided to try to also see the Dordogne region that way. But Europe is more expensive than Morocco or SE Asia. Therefore, it made sense to share costs by inviting our friends, Barbara and Harvey Hellering, to join us on this trip. We had traveled with them before and knew that we would enjoy another trip together. We hired Connie Wilson, an American living in France, to arrange the trip and to drive the 4 of us for 10 days in May, 2008.   … Continue reading 24. Dordogne, France – 2008

I wanted to go somewhere warm in the middle of the winter. Jaguar Lodge, Belize, which combined adventure in the form of about a dozen day trips to Mayan ruins and interesting hikes with beach time was perfect. The resort was wonderful. The dining room was large and airy.  The patio doors were open and it was warm and lovely. While eating I felt like I was still on the beach. On the sand there were comfortable beach chairs and hammocks available. The cabins were comfortable and right on the beach. Our first excursion was to Mayan ruins in Xunantunich and … Continue reading 23. Belize – 2008

Jews had also been in Morocco for centuries.  Many arrived with the Roman conquests of Northern Africa.  Some Berber tribes had converted to Judaism and intermingled with the Hebrews.  But the largest influx came during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition.  Recently, most of the Jews in Morocco have immigrated to Israel. In Morocco my focus, again, was Jewish heritage.  Since we had 18 days we did not limit ourselves just to the main tourist sites such as: Rabat, Fez, Marrakesh. We could go farther and take our time in each place. For instance, driving between Rabat and Fez we stopped at Volubilis, an ancient Roman town with … Continue reading 22. Morocco – 2007

Heritage Tour company, which runs Jewish heritage tours in Portugal and Morocco was my choice for the next adventure. I contacted them and asked them to create a tour for us in Portugal where we travel independently by car but they provide the itinerary, the hotels and local day guides. I also asked to have at least 2 days in any one location, and stay in interesting hotels (or pousadas) rather than modern hotels. In Morocco, we asked for a guide for the entire trip as well as the stops and hotels.   This post will be about the Portugal trip, … Continue reading 21. Portugal – 2007

Antarctica trip could not have been more different from Bhutan, but just as spectacular. This is why I am always tongue tied when I am asked to name my favorite country or trip.  They are all so different. I chose to go to Antarctica with Galapagos Travels.  They had done such a wonderful job arranging the Galapagos trip and I trusted them to set us up with a good cruise for Antarctica.  I also asked them for a pre-trip adventure, which was a side trip to Iguazu Falls from Buenos Aires.  Argentina/Brazil: Iguana Falls 80% of Iguazu Falls are on the Argentine side … Continue reading 20. Antarctica – 2007

I am always asked if I have a favorite country among those that I visited. It is difficult to choose, but if I had to, Bhutan would be it. Bhutan was the most special trip for many reasons; the culture, the terrain and the architecture. In addition, we had three amazing experiences; climbing to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, crashing a “rainy day” private party and meeting the Queen. Read on. A year after our last SE Asian trip, we again visited our son, Stefan and daughter-in-law, Rachel, this time in Malaysia.  We took the opportunity to also go to Thailand, Laos and Bhutan.  Each of … Continue reading 19. Bhutan – 2006

Canyonland National Park Moab was home base for Canyonland and Arches. We took a beautiful 6-mile hike to look at red and white spires that are artistically placed in the mountains.  Cactus flowers were blooming and added to the beauty of the surroundings.   It was hot – 95 and very, very sunny during our hike.  When we returned to the motel – we went into the whirlpool to loosen up.  It felt great. Arches National Park It was Memorial Day weekend and since we expected a crowd, we started early – 7:45 AM. The park was crowded but fabulous with … Continue reading 18. Utah National Parks- 2006

In 2005 my son, Stefan and his wife, Rachel decided that they would like to live for a while outside of the U.S. Stefan found a job at a Vietnamese company in Hanoi and Rachel found a job in the international school teaching English.  We now had a great excuse to go to SE Asia. The trip included time in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Vietnam: Stefan and Rachel decided to go “local” and rent a house in a neighborhood without ex-pats.  It was an odd mixture of beautiful charming buildings and others that looked like slum houses.  Stefan was very friendly with his … Continue reading 17. S.E. Asia – October 2005

This trip was a pilgrimage to visit L.M. Montgomery’s (LMM) Prince Edward Island (PEI), the setting of so many of her books. Knowing my love of the “Anne” books, my wonderful husband, Jerry planned the whole trip. A dream come true. I first read Anne of Green Gables (AGG) when I was 9 or 10, in Hebrew, while living in Israel. My mom gave me the book, which in Hebrew was called “The Orphan”.  She read it in Poland (in Polish) when she was 10 years old in 1925. (It was first translated into Polish in 1918). I just loved this … Continue reading 16. Prince Edward Isl – September 2005

Budapest  Budapest is a larger and not as beautiful as Prague. It suffered much from Soviet Russian neglect. Nevertheless, I had wonderful unexpected experiences there, as well. The Great Synagogue (above) is the second largest synagogue in the world, second only to the one in Jerusalem.  It is shaped like a Basilica and feels more like a church than a synagogue, not only in the shape but in the decorations as well. It has an organ, which only Christians play during services (religious Jews are not allowed to play musical instruments on the Sabbath).  Liszt and Saint Sans played it in the 19th … Continue reading 15. Central Europe: Part II- April 2005

It was time to head back to Europe, this time visiting four Central European cities: Krakow, Prague, Budapest and Vienna. These four cities have interesting histories and amazing architecture.  They have similarities, but also are different enough to make visiting all four very satisfying. We went on our own, rather than on a tour and consequently had a wonderful adventure, a Passover Seder in Krakow. See below. Krakow, Poland Krakow is a small city with a lovely market square in the center of town.  There are shops and restaurants all around the square.  It is a lively place, full of street musicians and fun. … Continue reading 14. Central Europe: Part I- April 2005

I was always meant to go to Egypt.  I received my undergraduate degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago.  I married an Egyptologist, who put together the Temple of Dendur, at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. He also brought King Tut exhibit to the museum.  He made frequent trips to Egypt but I was barred from entering the country – I had been born in Israel and my U.S. passport had my birthplace on it. In 1979 the Egypt- Israel Peace was signed, which would have allowed me to travel to Egypt, but I had children and work responsibilities.  However, … Continue reading 13. Egypt – January 2005

Carmen Festival that Wasn’t or How to make Lemonade out of Lemons Jerry & I saw an ad by the tour company, AESU for a tour called “Carmen in Seville,” offering Bizet’s opera in three locations including the bull ring (the scene in the final act of the actual opera).  We had never been to Spain, therefore this was going to be a wonderful opportunity.  To make the trip even better, we added three nights in Barcelona at the end of the tour.  But not all travel plans go as expected. Snafu one:  Three weeks before the trip, the conductor, Loren Mazel, had an … Continue reading 12. Spain – September 2004