Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Beautiful Canyonlands National Park in Utah - Photo Credit Flickr jphilipg

Spring has sprung! It’s time to say farewell to the beloved winter couch and hello to the fresh air  as this weekend begins National Park Week. From April 21st – April 29th you can visit any of the 397 national park areas in the US for FREE. Admire the abundant wildlife that roam the wide open ranges, sweat out your worries on a hike through the forest, or heck if you’re tired, just go for a drive and appreciate the beauty of the park through the car window. It’s estimated that just under 300 million people from around the world visit US National Parks each year, and with those kind of numbers, you know there must be a reason. To find out which of the participating parks tickle your outdoor fancy, click here.

If you’re a rock geek, make your way to Utah to see the natural red rock formations that make up much of the landscape at Bryce Canyon or Arches National Park. Believe me, it’s loads of fun to spend a couple of minutes contemplating whether the rock in front of you looks more like Abe Lincoln or George Washington.

In the Southeast, visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the most visited national park in the US with approximately 6-7 million visitors a year. Spanning from North Carolina to Tennessee, explore the 800 miles of maintained trails in this land of wildflowers and majestic rolling hills.

Out West lie two of the most beloved and well-known parks in the US – Yosemite and Yellowstone, as they are host to some of the most stunning views of nature in America. At Yosemite, east of San Francisco in the High Sierras, visit Yosemite Falls, North America’s tallest waterfall. Yellowstone, spanning through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including herds of bison and elk, wolves, moose, and grizzly bears. The oldest national park in the US, Yellowstone, also contains the majority of the world’s geysers, including the famous (and still erupting) Old Faithful.

The opportunities to explore are literally endless. And what better time to do it than now during National Park Week?  Grab your water bottle, your backpack, your hiking boots and a map, and go see what America has to offer!

What’s your favorite National Park? If you can’t view Facebook comments, go here for the full National Park Week Blog Post!

Image by Kristal Kraft

When many people think of my hometown of Denver, they think of a cowboy boot wearin’, steak and potatoes eatin’, gone skiin’ or gone fishin’ kind of city. If you’re one of those people, you’re in for a surprise because Denver has a lot to offer culturally. We have an ever evolving, diverse and exciting downtown area. We also have a great art scene with several art districts and the impressive Denver Art Museum, or “DAM”. Architecturally inspiring, DAM also houses a wide variety of unique exhibits. We also have some pretty great things do in the great outdoors (gasp!). With places like Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Boulder Flat Irons and Hanging Lake to name a few, it’s not hard to understand why Denver is consistently rated one of the happiest and healthiest cities in America.

Click here to read the full story featured on Gotsaga.com

Every morning this past week I have woken up with a smile on my face. If you know me personally you know that this is a very rare thing. Typically, I awake with a grumble and a frown. Why the sudden change? No, I’m not on drugs. I am waking up a happy woman because spring is making her debut! Spring, the season for barbeques, camping, hiking etc! I have compiled a hiking bucket list of sorts. It is short, is in no particular order, but I think it’s a great start. . .

• The Zion Narrows, Utah, United States – If you love red walled canyons and don’t mind getting wet, this hike sounds amazing! This hike is great for both the extreme and the timid. For an easier time, start at the bottom and turn back when you’ve reached your limit. If you’re looking for high adventure, do the entire 16-mile trek with the option of making it an overnight trip. Here’s more information on hiking the Zion Narrows.
• Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile – Want a variation in landscape? This is the hike for you! Be prepared for climate extremes but don’t be afraid of them. Think of it as an indicator that you are going to experience something incredible! Go here for the full scoop on hiking the Torres del Paine Circuit, Chile.
• Machu Picchu, Peru – Do I really need to give you a reason why this is on my list? Yeah, didn’t think so. This would be my ideal way to hike to Machu Picchu, you get to ride horseback, zip line, and climb your way from Cusco to Machu Picchu! Done, sold, who’s buying my ticket . . . ?
• Kalalau Trail, Kauai, Hawaii – This hike along the Na Pali coastline is so lush that you’re going to want to take your time, and you should. Just because this trail is gorgeous doesn’t mean it is for the timid, it has moments when it leans on the treacherous side. That being said, are you really going to allow a few inclines dissuade you from experiencing this feast for your eyes? Yes, I just said a feast for your eyes. Follow this link to find out more about hiking the Kalalau Trail.

If mountain trails aren’t your thing, here’s a list of “8 of the Most Unique Walking Paths in the World” from our friends at bootsnall.com. Don’t want to stop at trails and paths? Here’s a list of countries you can walk across! And finally, for an incredible list of trails around the world, including many in your own back yard, check out the incredible search tool at www.trails.com.

Tell us about your favorite hiking trail or travel story in the comments below! (click here to see Facebook comments if you can’t already)

Sunset in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Hold on to your hat, because I’m about to make a bold statement. ‘Costa Rica is home to the best sunsets in the world’. Don’t believe me? Well then check out these pictures I snapped on my last trip to Costa Rica.

To preface, my friend and I had just wrapped up an invigorating day of hiking and monkey-spotting in Manuel Antonio National Park. We decided to make our way over to the public beach in the heart of Manuel Antonio, with a cold Imperial (or 2) in hand, to catch the sunset. In my 33 years on Earth, and some 12,093 sunsets, this still goes down as one of the most awe-inspiring acts of nature that I’ve ever seen. We were so mesmerized that we stood on the beach, watching the evening surfers carry their boards in and out of the water under the purple sky, for over 2 hours.

Sunburned and Satisfied

Next time you’re in Costa Rica, allow Gray Line to show you around this amazing country.  Visit Tabacon Hot Springs in Arenal, zip line through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, or go white water rafting in Guanacaste.  The things to do in Costa Rica are as endless as the horizon!

Where do you think the best sunsets in the world are found? Share in the comments below! (click here if you can’t see Facebook comments)

South Africa’s Garden Route is a stretch of tarmac that snakes through the southern tip of Africa and stands in stark contrast to the office-bound sameness of our working lives. It is a place where the rotation of our tires leaves behind more than melted traces of burnt rubber – anxiety, angst and doldrum-monotony are all discarded in equal proportions. It is a place where the trumpet of an elephant serves as the soundtrack to a rugged landscape –where the warm fingers of the Indian Ocean are interlinked with those of the mighty Atlantic – and, where intermittent stops, not destinations, matter most.

Flying to South Africa

Getting to South Africa isn’t difficult, but it can be expensive. For a garden route trip, you’ll want to get to Durban on the east coast and start from there. To save money, you should book a flight to Johannesburg. If you set Durban as your final destination on Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz, the price of the ticket will be much steeper. From Johannesburg, you can pick up a ticket to Durban for under US$100 with one of the country’s low cost airlines: Kulula, Mango, Fly Velvet and 1time all offer cheaper rates than traditional carriers. Regional low cost airlines do not feature in the search engines of online travel agents, so always ensure to check each website separately.

Getting wheels

To start your African adventure, you are going to need a car. Rentals can be arranged online before you arrive, or at the airport. Online car reservations are a much better idea, because you will be able to compare prices and find a cheaper deal. Airport stands are more expensive and they come with the additional risk of an unscrupulous clerk, who might charge you a higher rate. The South African roads are good enough for any small vehicle, so you won’t have to fork out extra Rands for an SUV or some monstrous gas-chugging behemoth.

Accommodation

Camp. It’s cheap and there are a multitude of camp sites strewn throughout the Garden Route. If camping isn’t really your thing, then you could also look into a Bed and Breakfast along the coast. Many older South African couples are willing to rent out a room to travelers passing through. Most of these establishments aren’t listed on the net, but there are often sign posts along the road indicating their presence.

Things to Remember

If you need a reminder of the dangers of living in South Africa, then visit a local news website and read a few headlines. Murders, robberies, car-jackings and kidnappings are common occurrences, which can only be avoided if you are lucky or vigilant. This does not mean that you need to approach every South African with trepidation – you just need to trust your gut when it tells you to walk away.

Places to Stop

Transkei – As you leave Durban you enter the Transkei – a rugged landscape comprising natural beauty and iconic African images in equal parts. Here you will stand on the grainy sands of the Wild Coast and see friendly locals going about their business in the subtropical heat. It is imperative to be cautious when driving here, because various hazards – including trucks, cows and makeshift vehicles – make these windy roads very dangerous.

Addo Elephant Park – This small reserve, home to over 300 elephant, is one of the few places where you are guaranteed to see wild animals from the comfort of your car. There is no need for a Safari, because the old dirt roads that wind though the park will take you within in touching distance of these mammalian giants.

Bloukrans Bungee – When it was opened in 1998, Bloukrans Bridge, with a height of 216m (708ft), became the world’s highest commercially operated bungee jump – a position held until it was usurped by Maccau Tower. If you prefer not to jump off bridges, then you can stop here to admire the Tsitsikamma Mountain region, which is renowned for its greenery.

Cape Agulhas – Although it would be impossible to calculate an exact point, Cape Agulhas is often accepted as the place where Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The area is speckled with small restaurants that offer excellent seafood for dirt cheap.

Gaansbaai – In recent years, this small town has grown notorious as the place where people come to see great white sharks. Daily cage-diving cruises are organized for the crazy few who want to swim with these great beasts. The price of a cage-dive normally depends on the tour company that you choose, but the rate is often negotiable.

Knysna – Knysna is unquestionably the highlight of a garden route road trip. From the Knysna Heads to the Outeniqua Mountains, it seems unfair that one place should be adorned with so much natural beauty. When you see Knysna, it comes as no surprise why so many writers, poets and artists call this place home.

Cape Town – Although Cape Town isn’t officially a part of the Garden Route, a trip to South Africa would be incomplete without a visit to the Mother City. Table Mountain, the V&A waterfront, Camp’s Bay and Boulder’s Beach are just some of the fantastic tourist attractions, which you will find here.

The rapidly expanding Uturuncu volcano in Bolivia.

I’ve only lived in South America for a few months, but one thing I’m quickly getting used to is having to check out the geological forecast along with the local news and weather. Living in proximity to the planet’s Ring of Fire will do that to you …

For example, last week a family member came for a visit to Buenos Aires and we found ourselves tracking the daily activity of the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle in nearby Chile. As it is wont to do, Puyehue (roughly pronounced “poo-shay-WAY”) belched a bit of volcanic ash miles into the stratosphere, shutting down flights across the continent from Chile to Brazil for a time. In truth, our guest was hoping to be forced into an extended stay … “volcanic eruption” must surely fall under the umbrella of acceptable excuses for missing work back home, right?

But there is something even bigger brewing in neighboring Bolivia. And it has the potential to produce something that modern human civilization has never seen – a possible supervolcano that likely will one day spew more magma than the equivalent of 1,000 eruptions of Mount St. Helens. The last supervolcano eruption happened in Indonesia more than 74,000 years ago, but one may be in the offing today in Bolivia.

Uturuncu is one of the highest points in Bolivia at more than 20,000 feet, and scientists say the broad base of the mountain is expanding at an incredible rate. New studies recently reported that magma is filling in all around the base of the peak by 1 to 2 centimeters every year.

It’s essentially inflating, and building and building to what scientists say could be the most explosive volcano any of us will ever be around for.

The rapid inflation has been happening for at least the last 20 years, when satellite images first became available. Scientists say that other supervolcanoes in the immediate area – the region is one of the densest collections of dormant supervolcanoes anywhere – collect sub-surface magma at an average of 300,000 years before blowing their considerable tops.

Uturuncu last exploded … 300,000 years ago. And when it does go off again, not only will flights from Bariloche to Buenos Aires be canceled, but probably more like Australia to Austria.

'Wonderful' Iguazu Falls

Back in Hellenic days, Greek historians sought to catalog what were then the world’s greatest creations, compiling the original list of the “Seven Wonders of the World.” Of course, back then, the “world” consisted of a pretty limited area surrounding the rim of the Mediterranean Sea.

Today, people for some reason are still compelled to boil down all of the planet’s wonders – both natural and man-made – into neat little lists reflective of that original concept. As if it was possible …

But, in an effort to contribute to this continued fruitlessness, we’ll bring you the results of the most recent attempt. Some group called the New Open World Corporation (this just sounds like something George Soros dreamed up) announced their compilation of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, after a round of online voting that ended 11-11-11 at 11:11 and 11 seconds.

I’m writing from Argentina, and the list was (relatively) big news in Buenos Aires because the insane Iguazu Falls area that straddles the border with Brazil made the cut. The truly awesome site is made up of some 275 waterfalls cascading more than 80 meters. It is certainly worthy of “wonder” status. You can book a great tour of the Argentina side HERE, and check out an offer from a Brazilian tour operator HERE.

Also on the, er, complete list is, um, is the Amazon Rainforest … the entire region, apparently. It spans nine countries and almost 2 billion acres. We’re sure it is “wonderful” but in terms of specific natural sites of interest across the globe, this one seems a bit of a stretch.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

That’s not to say it’s not worth exploring, though. You can book an adventurous tour near the headwaters in the Peruvian city of Iquitos. Of course, you’ll need to fly in or travel by boat to get there, as roads don’t reach this remote jungle outpost.

Rounding out the new list are some pretty amazing places in and of themselves: Halong Bay, Vietnam; Jeju Island, Korea; Komodo, Indonesia; Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines; and Table Mountain, South Africa.

Conspicuously absent? The Grand Canyon. And the Dead Sea. Mount Everest, anyone? Great Barrier Reef, perhaps?

We’re sure you have your own favorite places that could be on the list, which further demonstrates how nearly impossible the task is of narrowing the planet’s great treasures into short lists.

Instead, UNESCO has compiled a comprehensive list of world sites deemed to have “outstanding universal value.” You can find it HERE. We suggest checking out as many of these as you can during the course of your travels. And not limit yourself to some small, arbitrary number.

Yes, this is a hot tub.

From the beginning of time, folks have enjoyed a good soak.

And for travelers, spending days shuffling from site to site — or canned in planes, trains, buses and cars in transit to all the spots on their itineraries – there is perhaps no sweeter relief than relaxing in a therapeutic thermal pool after a long day’s travels.

Lucky for us, our planet is stocked with geothermal energy, and it bubbles up to the surface in hot spots all around the globe. Through the centuries, kings have built palaces around thermal springs, lords have constructed massive bath structures for themselves and their concubines, and more recently man has carved countless pools and parks into volcanic hillsides to tap into the trapped heat just below.

Make these destinations part of your travel plans, and at many of these spots you can still soak your travel stiffness away.

Other-worldly Pamukkale

Pamukkale, Turkey – Some off the most ancient natural hot springs in which soaking is still part of the visiting experience can be found in southwestern Turkey, in Pamukkale. An area literally translated as “cotton castle,” the mix of hot springs and thermal pools are interspersed among carbonate terraces that have been naturally formed over thousands of years. New protections have kept recent development at bay, and you can still wade in the waters that date to Greco-Roman and Byzantine eras, when the city was known as Hierapolis.

Take a tour of the ruins and experience for yourself the thermal therapeutic pools by clicking HERE.

Hua Qing Hot Springs, Xi’an, China – This is a popular stop-off for folks checking out the extremely popular Terracotta Warriors, though you won’t get a chance to soak your bones here. The lush gardens at Hua Qing, however, surround one of the most tranquil spots in the province, and date to the Tang Dynasty. Hop a tour by clicking HERE.

Chilean respite at Huife

Huife Hot Springs, Chile – How’s this for a big day: Wake up early in the spectacular Andean city of Pucon, trek up a live volcano spitting rings of smoke into the skies, have a ski down sugary powder, and finish with a soak in the natural mineral-rich thermal pools at Huife. Book this awesome day HERE.

Bath, England – Roman ruins on the English mainland? Check. See the elaborate Georgian architecture that dates to the 15 century, which surrounds the famous waters of the Bath Abbey west of London. THIS great tour combines the pools at Bath with the mystery of Stonehenge, and has you back in London by dinner time.

Tabacon alight

Tabacon, Costa Rica – This is Disneyland for hot tub hounds! Carved right into the side of the towering, grumbling Arenal volcano is the Tabacon Spa, an incredible complex of thermal pools naturally heated by the area’s volcanic energy. Dozens and dozens of individual pools are hidden among jungled nooks and pathways, each of varying degrees of heat. Rivers of thermal waters connect them all. After a quick trip down a thermal water slide, you can swim up to a poolside bar for a cold Imperial. The facility is first-class in terms of food, accommodations and service, too. Thus the big, well-worth-it, price tag.

Book a day tour away from busy San Jose by clicking HERE … and enjoy the dreams of your Tabecon soak from every day forward.

Costa Rica is truly wild. It is a nature-lover’s paradise, and one of the world’s great destinations for travelers in search of an up-close-and-personal interaction with the outer, exotic end of nature’s spectrum. Its biological diversity is nothing short of stunning. Hundreds of species of birds, scores of the world’s most exotic and unusual mammals and reptiles, thousands of strange and extraordinary insects, and countless tree and plant species are spread across the country’s diverse ecosystems.

Dense and flourishing jungles, pristine sand beaches, explosive volcanic ranges, dry seaside landscapes dot the nation. Rainforests, mangroves, reefs, cloud forests are all easily accessible to tourists because of the country’s unique geography. Living elusively among all of these dynamic ecosystems are human beings’ closest evolutionary cousins, monkeys. They are often at the very top of tourists’ wish lists when it comes to spotting natural wonders in the Costa Rican wild. Here are some hypothetical sighting possibilities:

Possible simian encounter #1: You’re hiking a trail in a dry, tropical forest near one of the beautiful beach towns that dot the Guanacaste coast. In the trees above, you hear a rustle, a rumble, and then some of the strangest, most haunting bellows you can imagine. Calming your nerves, your eyes then follow your ears in the direction of the eerie calls, and you catch a glimpse of Costa Rica’s largest, and loudest, monkey species, the Howler Monkey. Scary as they sound, Howlers’ aggressive calls belie the fact that they are, for the most part, docile and strict vegetarians.

Possible simian encounter #2: From a seemingly suspended volcano observation deck, your gaze turns lower to the rustling tree tops below. Swinging tree to tree, the distinctive white-streaked fur of a colony of White-throated Capuchin Monkeys catches your eye, albeit briefly because they move so quickly from treetop to treetop. Alternately curious and aggressive, the cute but conniving Capuchins are often the face of Costa Rica’s wildlife. But try to retrieve a banana one has co-opted from your fruit basket, and you’re likely to see their sharp teeth and sometimes obnoxious behavior on full display.

Possible simian encounter #3: Along the edge of one of Tortuguero’s jungle canals, the fast-paced arm-over-arm swinging of a long, slender Spider Monkey is hard to miss. They’re especially eye-popping when they take to the air in spectacular fashion, crashing noisily through the canopy, or when they dangle delicately with their prehensile tails. Their intelligence is unmistakable, but their numbers are diminishing because of their value to poachers.

So where can you turn these possible encounters into the realm of the probable?

You’ve got a good shot at seeing any of these species at Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations for wildlife travelers. White sands meet the Pacific Ocean just south of Quepos, and a lush rainforest backs right up against a series of spectacular beaches and bays, offering visitors lots of different things to do in Manuel Antonio. Another one of the more popular activities is sightseeing in Arenal due to the towering active volcano with sprawling rainforest surrounding its base. Monkeys can be found in abundance.

Other Costa Rican destinations with known monkey populations: Barra Honda National Park, the Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge and Guanacaste National Park.