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How to swim with great white sharks… (and live)

I swear, I hear the Jaws “da na da na da na” theme song in all bodies of water, from oceans to bath tubs. That’s why it was particularly out of character for me to sign up for a great white shark cage-diving adventure off the coast of South Africa… and so can you. This day activity (also offered in parts of California) allows swimmers to snorkel with sharks from the safety of a metal cage. A boat trip takes you out to the middle of the ocean, dragging a trail of chum (a delicious stew of fish guts and blood) behind it. The great whites catch the scent and are lured towards the curious swimmers bobbing inside a protective contraption. Crazy? Yes, but if you’re looking for a deeper understanding of these deep-sea creatures, it’s an awe-inspiring way to spend an afternoon.

How to swim with great white sharks… (and live)2017-08-03T16:13:45+00:00

My 5 gotta-have travel gadgets

So what does the launch of the new (some say brutally-named) iPad mean to travelers? I’m eager to get my hands on one to official test it out, but according to Apple’s marketing madness machine, the tablet computer joins the list of helpful devices tourists can use when traveling abroad. Light weight and small enough to fit in your carry-on bag, the iPad means portable wi-fi access for instant flight bookings, the ability to download restaurant reviews, guidebooks, ibooks and general country info. It’s another step in the growing ‘electronification’ of travel, where gadget geeks, such as myself, take a backpack full of plug-in products to help them on the road.

My 5 gotta-have travel gadgets2010-02-03T19:05:29+00:00

Eating guinea pig in Ecuador

With their big innocent eyes, cat-like whiskers and soft fluffy fur, guinea pigs make for great family pets.  But here, in the Andean mountains of Ecuador, guinea pigs aren’t treated as cuddly companions; they’re bred, boiled and deep-fried for dinner. Guinea pig or Cuy as it is called in South America is a local delicacy [...]

Eating guinea pig in Ecuador2017-08-03T16:12:16+00:00

Camel safari in the Moroccan Sahara

Sitting atop camels with knobby knees and yellow choppers, our group of young travelers trekked single file into Eastern Morocco’s Sahara desert. The scene was very Lawrence of Arabia: camel caravans, white gossamer head scarves and a setting apricot sun casting shadow puppets onto nearby sand dunes. This was day one of a two-day camel [...]

Camel safari in the Moroccan Sahara2017-08-03T16:17:16+00:00

Heli-Yoga in the Rockies

The best part about starting a new year is the chance to wipe the slate clean and achieve a fitter, slimmer, richer, smarter you. If fitness, natural beauty and all-round relaxation are on your resolution “to-do list” for 2010, consider a trip to Canadian Rockies’ snow-capped mountains. While they boast some of the world’s best skiing and wildlife viewing, this region is also home to an unusual tourist activity called heli-yoga, a practice that combines the meditative properties of yoga with a traditional helicopter sightseeing tour.

Heli-Yoga in the Rockies2017-08-03T16:11:21+00:00

Is the cold weather getting to you? Try a GPS tour of South Beach, Miami

Cruising the palm-tree lined strip of South Beach Miami, I felt a little like David Hasselhoff from Knight Rider. Like his crime-fighting car companion Kitt, my ride also talked, cracked the occasional joke and advised me about where turn left. But unlike Hasselholf' s pimp Pontiac Trans Am, my car came in the form of a three-wheeled yellow GoCar. A GoCar is a two passenger, "storytelling" car that offers tours of famous South Beach, home of luxury lifestyles, reality-TV tattoo shops and the no-carb diet. Complete with GPS, it's both navigator and audio guide for visitors who want to drive through Miami's hot spots.

Is the cold weather getting to you? Try a GPS tour of South Beach, Miami2010-01-10T22:22:35+00:00

When in Rome… Fight Like a Gladiator

Smash. Our swords collide with a colossal metal clang. Lifting my shield above my head, I manage to avoid a lethal blow before narrowly dodging a trident aimed for my stomach.

When in Rome… Fight Like a Gladiator2017-08-03T16:18:58+00:00

Quirky Things to Do in NYC This Thanksgiving Weekend

Succulent roasted turkeys, buttery pumpkin pies and Rockwell family portraits may be how most people aim to experience Thanksgiving, but when visiting the Big Apple this weekend, there are some travelers who crave something a little more... alternative.

Quirky Things to Do in NYC This Thanksgiving Weekend2009-11-24T21:14:11+00:00

A How-To Guide to Volunteer Vacations

Thanksgiving is a holiday that inspires generosity, charity and kindness. For the traveler, this festive feast may also stir altruistic desires to give back and help those who are less fortunate. Volunteering abroad is a great way to help local communities, learn about the country and gain some major karma credits. But where do you start?

A How-To Guide to Volunteer Vacations2017-07-26T20:01:08+00:00