New Zealand’s South Island gets all the glory. And its reputation is well-deserved. From heli-hiking a glacier to an overnight wilderness cruise, our South Island adventures were memorable. But I’m so glad we also included a New Zealand North Island itinerary in our trip. This is a stunning area of the country and deserves your […]
Destinations
Hiking the Rob Roy Glacier Track
New Zealand is a hiker’s paradise. If you’re wondering about things to do in Wanaka, this is it! Rob Roy Glacier Track is a phenomenal hike. With an extensive network of well-maintained tracks throughout the country, it’s all about “tramping” in New Zealand…multi-day backpack trips between strategically located alpine huts. You’re not a hardcore backpacker? […]
Review: Real Journeys’ Magical Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Kia Ora from New Zealand! Have you ever truly experienced the sound of silence? It’s just one of the experiences that made our Doubtful Sound overnight cruise so magical and memorable. The vast, pristine wilderness is another. Read on for a complete review of our epic adventure with Real Journeys… Cruise Doubtful Sound We met […]
Riomaggiore or Bust!
A bit of backstory… Steve and I first met back in 1985 when he was my teaching assistant for a biology class I was taking at UC Santa Barbara. I was a lowly undergrad and he was working on his PhD in molecular biology. (What a catch, huh?) We connected over travel. I’d just returned […]
The PERFECT Big Island Itinerary for 2023: 7 Days in Paradise
If you’re looking for Hawaii vacation ideas, head to the Big Island! With just seven days, you’ll want to make every day on your Big Island itinerary count! It’s one of the best places to vacation in Hawaii. While Maui feels fancy with its resorts and Kauai feels wild and undeveloped, Big Island, Hawaii offers […]