North America Archive

  • Mt Norquay Snow Tubing

    Flying Down a Mountain – Banff Snow Tubing Adventure and Video

    I don’t ski, not at all. I don’t even try anymore lest I further cause injury to myself and others. That’s why I was a little dubious as we drove up to the Mount Norquay Ski Resort in Banff, Canada. After all, they’re kind of...

    Full Story

  • Amman, Jordan

    Five Surprisingly Romantic Cities

    Some cities you expect to be romantic; Paris has made billions of dollars on that premise alone. Other cities surprise you though with their ability to charm and to help create those special romantic moments between you and your loved one. Here are some of...

    Full Story

  • Banff, Canada

    True or False – A Look at Six Stereotypes About Canada

    I admit, in the past I may have made some jokes at the expense of our friends to the north. I seem to remember a quip involving America’s hat in particular. But those days are gone, I’m now an avowed lover of Canada and her...

    Full Story

  • Kingmik dogsled tours

    My Birthday and Dogsledding Through Two Provinces

    Tomorrow is my birthday and for the 8th year in a row I’m 29, amazing feat really. Since it’s my birthday, I thought I’d write about two things I love: dogs and travel. No, it’s not a story about some strange traveling dog or how...

    Full Story

  • Banff

    Five (non-ski) Reasons to Visit Banff in the Winter

    1. Tons of activities - Banff is one of the top ski destinations in the world, but if you’re like me and don’t ski (I just fall) there’s still a lot to do in and around this mountain town. We spent a long weekend in...

    Full Story

  • Middle Island Church St Kitts

    Four Reasons to Visit St. Kitts in 2012

    1. Lunch on a volcano – Although this may not have been my favorite activity, (please refer to my post Paying the Price for Lunch on a Volcano in St. Kitts) in retrospect, and after some intense psychotherapy, I have come to the realization that...

    Full Story

  • Kingmik Dogsled Tours

    Importance of Supporting Local Communities When You Travel

    A few weeks ago I published an informative guest post by Amanda Williams all about Sustainable Tourism. I particularly enjoyed the post because while it’s easy to bandy about the term ‘sustainable,’ very few people actually understand what it means to practice sustainable travel. I...

    Full Story

  • Kingmik Dogsled

    Best of Banff in Photos

    I spent a long weekend exploring the winter playground of Banff, Alberta, Canada at the invitation of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. Since I had never been to this part of Canada before, the goal was to both explore the region and to highlight some of...

    Full Story

  • Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Paul Zizka

    Follow Me to Banff, Banff, Banff

    I’m a big fan of the old (is 80/90s old?) comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. When Bill Watterson was still writing, I read every strip and bought every book. One of my favorite strips was a Sunday color version featuring Calvin and Hobbes having a...

    Full Story

  • Dreams resort

    The No-Holds Barred Review of Dreams Resorts

    Last year I was approached by AMResorts, the provider of sales, marketing and brand management services to five brands of exclusive resort properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, to work together in a partnership to help promote their properties. I researched the brands and...

    Full Story

  • Lanai

    The Last Post of 2011 Travel Bests and Worsts I Will Ever Write

    I know what you’re thinking, yet another “Best of 2011″ post? I realize that I did a whole series on the topic as did every mainstream paper, magazine, TV show and of course blogger. That being said, I was tagged by a fellow travel blogger...

    Full Story

  • Puerto Vallarta tourist

    Going Beyond the Tourist Zone in Puerto Vallarta

    Maria’s storefront is only a couple of blocks from the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, but her proximity to the main tourist zone in this vacation wonderland didn’t detract from the flavors of the tacos. Made to order, she creates hundreds of delicious tacos in every...

    Full Story

  • Mexico turtles

    Turtle Power – How Resorts in Mexico are Conserving a Species

    When I arrived at the Dreams Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico I thought I knew what to expect. Tropical views with swaying palms were a given, as was a pina colada with a sweet cherry to accompany me to the pool. What I didn’t expect...

    Full Story

  • San Juan, Puerto Rico

    Five Reasons to Visit Puerto Rico in 2012

    1. Caribbean – For the most populated American territory, Puerto Rico has done a masterful job of retaining its unique, Caribbean culture. Yes, there are McDonalds and large retail stores, but there are also beaches, restaurants and bars that are quintessentially Caribbean. If you’re looking...

    Full Story

  • LA

    The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Los Angeles

    I had the great pleasure of meeting the author of today’s piece, Jade Broadus, earlier this year and knew right away that I had met a fellow foodie. In spite of the hectic schedule with her own site Vagabond3, Jade graciously agreed to share some...

    Full Story

  • World Trade Center Memorial

    Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the World Trade Center Memorial in NYC

    Today I am very pleased to present a guest post by travel blogger and fellow Washingtonian, Christina Saull. Her full bio follows the piece, but be sure to check out her site My View from the Middle Seat for the best in D.I.N.K. travel. Every...

    Full Story

  • Dreams Resort Puerto Vallarta

    Puerto Vallarta Dreams – Photos From Paradise

    A few weeks ago I was approached by the fine folks over at AMResorts to partner together on a pretty exciting initiative. AMResorts is the provider of sales, marketing and brand management services to five brands of exclusive resort properties in Mexico and the Dominican...

    Full Story

  • Old San Juan

    Dancing the Night Away – Salsa Culture in Puerto Rico

    We weren’t quite sure what we were looking for, a bar or after-hours lounge of some sort probably. All I wanted to find was a place in Old San Juan where a few friends could sit and chat over a glass of wine or a...

    Full Story

  • Bio Bay Puerto Rico

    Kayaking in a Sea of Light – The Bio Bay of Puerto Rico

    Puerto Rico surprised me in a lot of ways. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting exactly, but whatever my expectations were they were instantly surpassed. I was a guest of the San Juan Marriott Resort, a gorgeous property with a prime oceanfront location, and...

    Full Story

  • Dreams

    Exciting New Partnership Announcement

    An important part of my work on LandLopers is partnering with destinations and like-minded companies in order to bring you, the reader, interesting and helpful information. Whenever I decide to work with a company or destination, I always weigh the benefits to the site and...

    Full Story

  • Beach Shacks St Kitts

    Exploring the Beach Shacks of St. Kitts

    As a guest of the St. Kitts Marriott, I had a lot of great food. Unlike a lot of other resorts, the property features a variety of culinary options that are reasonably priced and delicious, a feat which many other resorts can’t seem to achieve....

    Full Story

  • Puerto Rico Adventure

    Adventure Bogging and Zipping in Puerto Rico’s Rainforests

    Adventure travel seems to be a hot travel label for places as diverse as Vancouver to Israel. In some cases the term is well matched but other times it’s just a stretch. I love adventure travel experiences and was thrilled to discover that it’s also...

    Full Story

  • St Kitts Volcano Climb

    Paying the Price for Lunch on a Volcano in St. Kitts

    I’m an active traveler, but I have never claimed to be in the best shape. My lack of fitness stamina never usually limits my adventures though and I’m almost always willing to try anything once. I’ve hiked Kings Canyon, the Koloiki Trail and countless other...

    Full Story

  • San Juan, Puerto Rico

    Five Reasons I Wish I Had Visited Puerto Rico Sooner

    I was recently on a media trip to Puerto Rico to explore the amazing San Juan Marriott. The resort wasn’t the only new place for me to explore, it was also my first time in Puerto Rico and I was hooked right away. I was...

    Full Story

  • San Juan Marriott

    Experiencing Modern Caribbean Comfort at the San Juan Marriott

    I’m a little embarrassed to say that I had never been to Puerto Rico before accepting the invitation of the San Juan Marriott to visit for a few days to explore the property and the city itself. I’m embarrassed because Puerto Rico is extremely easy...

    Full Story

  • St. Kitts

    Brimstone – A Visit to St. Kitts’ Only UNESCO World Heritage Site

    The Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis are fairly small. St. Kitts is only 18 miles long and little Nevis even smaller. In spite of their size, the islands have had a dynamic history and St Kitts in particular at one time played a...

    Full Story

  • Voodoo

    Three Spooky Cities to Explore This Halloween

    It’s that time of year again, Halloween and the ensuing scary stories and ghost tours are almost upon us. There are scores of haunted cities that aren’t just scary on Halloween, but every day. Here are three of my favorite spooky cities. photo credit: Silentmind8...

    Full Story

  • Grand Bahama Island Dolphin

    Dolphin Love on Grand Bahama Island

    Located across the street from the Grand Lucayan Resort on Grand Bahama Island is the Port Lucaya Marina, home to UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorers Society. UNEXSO is a full service dive shop and marine experience company, the highlight of which is their famous dolphin encounter....

    Full Story

  • Puerto Rico

    Adventure and Old World Splendor in San Juan – A Photo Series

    Yesterday I shared some of the highlights from my few days spent in St. Kitts at the invitation of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. Today I want to give a sneak peek of my time spent exploring San Juan, which was at the equally kind...

    Full Story

  • St. Kitts

    St. Kitts in Photos – Welcome to the Real Caribbean

    I was invited to St. Kitts by the gorgeous St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino to explore both the hotel and of course the island. I will have a lot to share about this remarkable resort and indeed the entire country in...

    Full Story

  • The Rotunda at the University of Virginia

    Overlooked UNESCO Sites – A Visit to Mr. Jefferson’s Virginia

      There are currently 936 UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world in more than 153 countries. Of these, only 21 are in the United States and the majority of those are natural wonders. One of the few man-made American sites on the UNESCO list...

    Full Story

  • Junkanoo Bahamas

    Life in the Bahamas – A Look at Junkanoo

    After two trips to the Bahamas, I have come to realize that the islands can be a strange place. It’s a decidedly good kind of strange though, the sort which makes you smile and shake your head. Even though I’ve never been there during Junkanoo...

    Full Story

  • family friendly washington dc

    Getting the Most Out of Washington, DC – Four Family Friendly Activities

    Labor Day is quickly approaching and with it the unofficial end to summer vacation. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great time to visit Washington, DC, in fact the fall is one of the best times to visit our nation’s capital. After you’ve done...

    Full Story

  • Capilano Cliffwalk

    The Dizzying Capilano Cliffwalk Experience in Vancouver

    The Capilano Cliffwalk is the newest addition to the Capilano Suspension Bridge experience in Vancouver. Just like the bridge, the cliff walk brings visitors closer to the fantastic views by becoming part of them. Cliffwalk is a series of walkways perched 70 meters over the...

    Full Story

  • Frankfurt Altstadt

    Three Interesting Cities That Surprised Me

    There are few places in the world to which I don’t want to travel. Afghanistan, Somalia and Iran pretty much top that list. But then there’s another tier of cities that while I don’t have a problem visiting, they don’t really get me excited to...

    Full Story

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge

    Travel Spotlight – Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver

    The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of Vancouver’s oldest tourist attractions. The original bridge was completed in 1889 and was a modest effort made of hemp rope and wood planks set perilously high over the Capilano River. The bridge was replaced with a more sturdy...

    Full Story

  • Kentucky Rushmore

    Kentucky Rushmore – Massive Project to Honor Colonel Sanders, Hunter S. Thompson, others

    I have a lot of ties to the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, so seeing news about the Bluegrass state pop up on my Facebook timeline isn’t unusual. What was unusual was a web site someone shared touting the impending Kentucky Rushmore. That’s right, a larger...

    Full Story

  • Sandy Toes, Rose Island - Bahamas

    Dreaming of the Island Life – It’s All Buffett’s Fault

    Addicts feel certain compulsions, it’s the nature of the beast. As a travel addict I go through bouts of longing, that’s really the best term. My schedule usually assuages this primal urge to be in motion, but sometimes it doesn’t satisfy the itch. It’s not...

    Full Story

  • Harpers-Ferry

    Summer Getaways in the Mid-Atlantic

    The Mid-Atlantic region of the United States is a treasure trove of great weekend summer getaways. Whether you live in the region, or are just visiting, these are fun, budget friendly travel adventures that every member of the family will love. Eastern Shore, Maryland One...

    Full Story

  • Zip line travel word

    Zip Lining in the Snow – How I Lost My Zip Line Virginity

    I recently attended a conference in Vancouver that was, in part, sponsored by Tourism Vancouver. They were also good enough to offer a variety of complimentary day tours before the start of the conference, including the one I chose, the North Shore Combo with the...

    Full Story

  • Olympic Torch Vancouver

    Four Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Vancouver

      I recently spent a few days exploring the great city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. I instantly fell in love with the beauty of it all, the harbor on which the city rests and the snow covered mountains in the distance. As I...

    Full Story

  • Inside the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

    Celebrating Memorial Day – Favorite War Memorials From Around the Country

    Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day to reflect upon and honor all those who lost their lives in service to their country. While many simply use the day as time off from work and the official start of the summer vacation...

    Full Story

  • Tequila

    Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Art of Tequila Tasting in the Yucatan

    I have a rocky relationship with tequila, it’s not a potent potable known for engendering long friendships. In college I found a bottle of Dos Dedos: Two Fingers Tequila at a party (retail value: $1.99) and for a long time that ended my friendship with...

    Full Story

  • New York Times Square

    Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in New York City

    A regular feature on LandLopers is the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the best tips not...

    Full Story

  • Graycliff Cigars

    Rolling Cigars Badly in the Bahamas

    I sat in the elaborately decorated great room in the Graycliff Hotel in Nassau, playing with my iPhone and glancing at my watch. Even though we were in the heart of the Bahamian port city, the only sound was a bird in the distance and...

    Full Story

  • Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

    Travel and the U.S. Federal Government Shutdown

    Tension on Capitol Hill has been increasing all year, and it looks like we may see the peak this weekend if Congress fails to pass a new budget or continuing resolution by Friday, April 8. The differences between the Republicans and Democrats may be ideological...

    Full Story

  • Creative Commons License photo credit: zawtowers

    Three Ways to See the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossoms and Avoid the Crowds

    It’s that time of year again. The days are longer, the birds are chirping and the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival is almost upon us. This is a favorite season for almost all Washingtonians, but it’s also the beginning of a busy tourist season. The...

    Full Story

  • Liberty Memorial

    Travel Discoveries and the National World War I Museum

    I travel fairly often for work, and usually not to the most glamorous of locales. Business travel though can be a great opportunity for exploration and I’m always surprised at some of the amazing things I find in the least likely of places. Such was...

    Full Story

  • the island life

    Palm Tree, Happy Tree

    When people are asked to name a dream travel destination, a majority usually select fantastic tropical locales featuring swaying palms. Work, family obligations and the general routine of normal life makes many of us dream about exotic travel; windy beaches, margaritas by the pool and...

    Full Story

  • Vegas

    Las Vegas on a Budget – Fun and Affordable

    Today I am thrilled to share with you a guest post from a great travel writer and blogger, Gray Cargill of the site Solo Friendly. Gray’s expertise doesn’t stop at solo travel, she is also an expert on all things Vegas, as she proves on...

    Full Story