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101). Italy – Naples and Sorrento Italy is really two countries in one with the wealthy, historic north dominating. To get a taste of the south, Naples and Sorrento are your destinations. Naples If ever there was a city with a reputation, it is Naples. Dirty, nasty, crime infested and fanatical are all words thrown around when describing. In this case, th... 102). Fly Fishing in Russia A few years back, I spent a year living in Siberia and had a chance to head out to a town called Tinda. Much to my surprise, a couple of the locals had fly fishing on the menu. The Siberian Surprise Mention the word “Siberia” and most people think of bleak, frozen tundra stretching for hundreds of miles. Well, this is mor... 103). France – Paris and Nice From beaches to the alps, France has a little of something for everyone. In this article, we take a look at Paris and the beach city of Nice. Paris It is hard to know where to start when discussing Paris. Take a boat down the Seine River and you will pass Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and so many other notable spots it is ... 104). Fly Fishing – Catch and Release Yourself When fly fishing, many anglers prefer to catch and release their fly fishing prizes. Still, what should you do when you’re the prize? That’s Gotta Hurt If you become a fly fishing fanatic, you will inevitably hook yourself one day. Of course, this has never happened to me, but my “friends” have done it repeatedly. Being a ... 105). Gift Ideas for Dad Coming up with gift ideas for dad can be a bit of a challenge. One always starts looking at tools, but there are better choices. Gift Ideas for Dad You can find the following gift ideas for dad online by simply search for the product name on any search engine. 1. LED Grill Light – What is a man if he isn’t th... 106). Impressions of Russia Whenever you travel to a country, it is important to avoid the tourist traps and get to know the locals. Here are my impressions of Russia. Created in the 12th century, Russia was originally a much smaller country. Known as Muscovy, the country was formed in the golden ring area surrounding present day Moscow. After being dominated by ... 107). Athens Taxi Ride – Extreme Sports Athens is a huge, congested city and the local taxis are your main means of getting around. The average Athens tax ride is inexpensive, just bring your helmet. Living on the Edge I had just arrived in Athens with a couple who’ll remain nameless. [He’s now a respectable doctor and married to someone else.] My buddy, “John”... 108). Giant Sequoias – Hiking Boole Tree Loop The Giant Sequoia trees of California are a site to see. Despite heavy logging efforts, you can still hike through these massive trees on the Boole Tree Loop. Giant Sequoia National Monument The park system in central California is incredible. You have Sequoia National Park, the first national park ever designated in the c... 109). Journal – Rock Climbs Rock climbing is a great way to challenge yourself and get a heck of a view. Alas, your experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a journal for rock climbs. Journal – Rock Climbs Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent rock climbing experience. What sticks out in your mind... 110). Athens, Greece – A Whirlwind of History Athens is the pre-eminent city of Greece and the main arrival destination. No city mixes history and a chaotic energy better than Athens. Athens Athens is city with stunning archeological sites, colorful neighbors, overcrowding and smog like you’ve never seen it. For many travelers, the general impression is one of a poet... 111). Impressions of Siberia Mention the word “Siberia,” and images of gulags, frozen tundra and wastelands may come to mind. While there is some truth to these, my impressions of Siberia included more. Siberia comprises more than 75 percent of modern Russia. Unless you visit, there is simply no way to describe the total landmass of this much-maligned area of the... 112). Sihanoukville, Cambodia – Mother Nature Playing Nightly Sihanoukville is a sleepy beach town in Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand. In December, the beach is a great place to watch Mother Nature do her thing in spectacular fashion. Sihanoukville Named after a Cambodian King, Sihanoukville isn’t easy to get to, but it is worth the hassle. If you’re coming from Thailand, the best ... 113). Travel to Italy – Rome and Venice Where does one begin to start when discussing Italy. Well, if you intend to travel there, Rome and Venice are good places to start. Rome Perhaps you’ve heard of it? It goes without saying that Rome has a rather prominent past. Lets see, in Rome you will find…[deep breath]…the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Ch... 114). Siberia, Russia, Part 9 – Chita After deciding to move to Siberia for a year to teach at the Chita State Technical University, I embarked on a travel odyssey unlike any other. In this entry, we pick up the last stage of the seven-day trip to get there. Siberia As Seen From A Train In preparing for my trip, I had actually done some preparation. As a comm... 115). Playing Chess in Russia – The Agony of Victory Russians have a thing for chess and, frankly, are very good at it. Being from San Diego, I thought chess was something you put photo albums in. Playing Chess Playing chess requires thinking ten or twelve steps ahead. If I wanted to understand the Russian mind, I had to learn to play chess. If nothing else, it would be a g... 116). Siberia, Russia, Part 8 – The Slow Train After deciding to move to Siberia for a year to teach at the Chita State Technical University, I embarked on a travel odyssey unlike any other. In this entry, we pick up the trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Horror As my new Russian friend walked down the hall, I reflected on the information he had provided me with ... 117). Staying in Barcelona for Extended Periods If you have every visited Barcelona, you know it is a place best experienced over a few months instead of a few days. Fortunately, the people of Barcelona know it as well. Staying in Barcelona for Extended Periods Like a fine wine, drinking in Barcelona shouldn’t be rushed. Visit the city for two or three days and you will... 118). Travel to Romantic Asian Locations Asia is one the more visually stunning areas in the world. If you are looking for romance, here are some top-notch destinations. Asia is hot and sticky, much like romance. More importantly, it tends to be fairly cheap due to a currency disaster in the late 1990s. Although luxury resorts can be very pricey, you can find a romantic locat... 119). World Series In Russia – Huh? What? As we watch the Astros choke or White Sox perform valiantly depending on your point of view, I am reminded of my baseball experience in Russia. World Series I always find it interesting that most of our professional sports call the championship round the World Series or some similar variation. Clearly, there are games bei... 120). The Ultimate Traveler’s Day Dream Come True More than a few times, I’ve caught myself sitting at work day dreaming about dropping everything and just jumping on a plane. In October of 2003, I did just that. Life can grind you down when you get in a rut. In my case, I had a particularly bad case of the blues in October 2003. My girlfriend and I had apparently come to an agreemen... 121). Travel Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat, Sihanoukville and Roads From Hell Cambodia is a land on the mend. From 1977 through 1980, the Khmer Rouge ruled the country, fanatics bent on genocide. Millions were killed and the period was put to film in the movie, “The Killing Fields.” Fortunately, those days are over and the country is becoming a tourist destination. Cambodia is a land of incredible contrast. Thic... 122). Monte Carlo – Paradise of a Different Sort Monte Carlo is the city of glitz and over the top indulgence. I had to see it for at least a day trip and ended up finding my food paradise. Monte Carlo Surprise Monte Carlo is the where you go to see the pretty people. Well, maybe not pretty, but definitely wealthy. I was loafing in Nice for a few days and decided to joi... 123). Unique Camping Gift Ideas for Christmas As November passes quickly, it is time to start thinking about buying Christmas gifts. Here’s a primer on unique Christmas gift ideas for people who like to go camping. Unique Camping Gifts Camping enthusiasts love to get away from the rat race and just take in the majesty of Mother Nature. If you’re shopping for a person... 124). New Requirements for Travelers Entering the United States Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere. This new requirement will... 125). The Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival – Bird Watching Alaska Style Held in Cordova, Alaska, the Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival is a bird watcher’s dream come true. Hundreds of thousands birds migrate to the delta for your sighting pleasure. Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival Held every May, the Copper River Delta Shorebirds Festival is the place to be if you want to view shor... 126). The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival in Utah Coming up on its eighth year, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is good get away for birders. Of course, a chance to visit Salt Lake City isn’t so bad either. Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is both a mouthful and a great event. Close to Salt Lake City, but actual... 127). San Diego Beach Hikes – Cardiff to Carlsbad San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the average home price being around $500,000, they better be interesting! To unwind, I typically stop on my way home from work to hike from Cardiff to Carlsbad on the beach. For picturesque sunsets and “tasty waves”, the beach between Cardiff to Carlsbad can’t be beat. Car... 128). Rafting The River of No Return Whitewater rafting is simply a blast, pun intended. This brings us to the river of no return, an excellent challenge in Idaho. Rafting The River of No Return Idaho is an incredibly beautiful state, a place with no massive cities or the resulting urban sprawl that comes with them. It is a Rock Mountains state sitting on th... 129). National Parks – Get Out of Your Car! The national park system in the United States is full of beauty and surprises. Still, you’ll be wondering if they’re worth it when you run into the crowds of other visitors. Road Side Viewing Sure, millions of people visit our national parks each year, miles of cars creep through at a painfully slow pace, parking lots are... 130). Unique Gifts Unique gifts can be hard to come by regardless of whether you’re buying for the holidays, birthdays or special occasions. Here’s a list of unique gifts for all occasions. Unique Gifts Practical gifts are always appreciated, but giving unique gifts really set you apart from others. You can find all of the following unique ... 131). Peter the Great’s Summer Palace – St. Petersburg, Russia During the communist reign in Russia, architectural styles could best be described as bland. Fortunately, the summer palace of Peter the Great wasn’t affected. Peterhof Known as Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great is a very impressive area. The palace is arranged with a central rectangle format over roughly two... 132). Riviera Maya, Mexico – Paradise Defined The Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast was a secret getaway to paradise for many years. No longer. Now it is considered one of the finest beach areas in the world. Riviera Maya Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, the Riviera Maya is jaw dropping beautiful. Although the area was only known to a s... 133). Thailand Rock Climbing Mention Thailand and images of beaches, elephants and Bangkok come to mind. Less known is the fact Thailand rock climbing is some of the best in the world. Thailand Rock Climbing Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is bordered by Cambodia, Burma and Laos in the north and Malaysia in the south. The shape of the country is ... 134). Unique Gifts for Her Ah, what to buy her for Christmas. Here’s a list of unique gifts for her that are sure to make her smile. Unique Gifts for Her She is probably already dreading getting a massive load of bubble bath. This year, you need to go unique. Here’s a list of unique gifts for her that you can find online by just searching for them i... 135). Unique Backpacking Christmas Gift Ideas for Backpackers Christmas gift ideas can be hard to come by. If you’re buying for a backpacker, here are a few unique backpacking gift ideas. Okay, I’ll be the first one to admit publicly that buying gifts for the holidays can be a pain in derriere. When it comes right down to it, who knows if a gift will be a hit or a dud. If you’re shopping for a b... 136). Ya Mule! Backpacking in Siena, Italy Ah, the glamour of backpacking through Europe. Of course, the glamour comes with a price as I found in Siena, Italy. Siena Siena is located an hour or so outside of Florence, Italy. My handy dandy guidebook suggested it was a side trip that just had to be made. A medieval structure located behind protective walls on the t... 137). Romania – Bucharest, Dracula and Transylvania Mention Romania and people immediately think of Dracula and a mid-evil country. Recovering from years of economic misery, Romania is quickly becoming the hidden jewel of Eastern Europe. Dracula v. Ceausescu In pop culture, Romania is always equated with Count Dracula, Bran Castle and Transylvania. These assumptions are wr... 138). Monaco – The Wealthy Conclave of Europe Perched over the Mediterranean Ocean, Monaco is a picturesque country. With very high prices, most travelers can only afford to spend one day in this conclave for the rich. Monaco The principality of Monaco is a bizarre little place. Situated to the east of the French Riviera, the country is very small and dominated by th... 139). Mexico Beaches – Playa del Carmen and Cozumel Mexico has beautiful beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean. In this article, we look at two hot spots on the east coast – Playa del Carmen and Cozumel Playa del Carmen With one of the prettiest beaches on the Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen was the hidden gem of Mexico for years and years. About 10 years ago, ... 140). Nearly Broke in Nice, France I had been backpacking for three months around Europe and had reached my final destination of Nice. Too bad I had 10 days till my flight home and I was nearly broke! As I sat in the Gar de Nice, the train station, I started giving serious thought to how I was going to survive for 10 days on $150.00. I had just arrived from two weeks in... 141). Travel Journals – How To Keep A Travel Journal It goes without saying that memories of trips and vacations fade with time. If you learn how to keep a travel journal, this need not be the case. Traveling tends to be a schizophrenic event. On one hand, there is the trip you intended to take and may have even organized down to the tiniest detail. Then there is reality. Reality, of co... 142). Russia Travel Visa – Vodka and Old Friends If you think getting a visa to travel to Russia is difficult, you should try getting one to travel around the country. Living in Russia, I needed just such a Russia travel visa. Russia Travel Visa Unlike many countries, foreigners in Russia must declare on their travel visa where they will travel in the country. If they w... 143). Mexico Beaches – Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco Mexico beaches come in all shapes and sizes. Two of the most famous areas are Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco. Acapulco You’re probably already familiar with Acapulco if you ever watched the Wild World of Sports on ABC. Acapulco was exhibited frequently as the location of those sketchy cliff diving competitions. You know, the... 144). North Spain – Santander, Zaragoza and Vigo Madrid and the attractions of southern Spain tend to get all of the attention. In the northern part of the country, Santander, Zargoza and Vigo are hidden gems. Santander Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Santander is a city going about its business. Squeezed between mountains and the harbor, the city is narrow ... 145). Siberia, Russia Part 6 – When Stairs Attack in the Khabarovsk Train Station In this continuing series, we cover my move from San Diego to Chita, Siberia to be a professor at Chita State Technical University. We pick up the story going to the train station in Khabarovsk to catch the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Day 4! If you’ve been reading this series on NomadJournalTrips.com, you know my original tra... 146). Tying Fly Fishing Flies – The Frankenstein Fly You can buy flies for fly fishing, but you’ll want to tie your own at some point. Undoubtedly, your first fly will be the Frankenstein Fly. Of Flies… There is a particular fly for every fish, location and situation. There are basic flies like the Woolly Bugger and millions of exotic ones. You can buy thousands of them, bu... 147). Unique Gifts Online The holidays are quickly approaching, which means it’s time to buy gifts. Thanks to the Internet, you can find unique gifts online. Unique Gifts Online Gift giving can be a challenge. You don’t want to give a person just anything. Here’s a list of unique gifts you can find online. Just search for the name on any search eng... 148). The Basics of Rafting The River Rapids Rafting the river rapids is a major adrenaline rush. If you are going to hit the rapids, you need to know some of the basic language thrown around in the sport. The Basics of Rafting The River Rapids As with any sport, it helps to have a basic understanding of the tools of the trade, techniques and such. Not only does this... 149). Portugal – Lisbon, Algarve and Lagos On the southwestern tip of continental Europe, Portugal is an old school country. In this article, we take a look at Lisbon, Lagos and the Algarve. Lisbon Lisbon is the biggest city in Portugal and is located on the Atlantic coast in middle of the country. I’ve been to Lisbon three times, but only for a few days each time.... 150). Rock Climbing – Preserve Your Experiences Rock climbing is a great way to escape the rat race, live on the edge and get a heck of a view. Alas, your rock climbing experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a rock climbing journal. Rock climbing Journals Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent rock climbing experien... Browse Pages: [1] [2] 3 [4]