The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a symbol of Italy, as well recognized as the Colosseum in Rome. I'd been to the latter on my first backpacking trip to Italy twenty years ago, so after attending the 2018 Adventure Travel World Summit in Montecatini Terme, I spent my last day in Tuscany visiting Pisa. The train ride took a little over an hour. I was able to get off at the Pisa … [Read more...] about Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
unesco world heritage site
One Day in Milan: A Quick List of Things to Do
"One day in Milan is enough," my Italian Airbnb host shared, as I peppered her with questions upon check-in. I was excited to hit the ground running having spent the last two days at airports and up in the air with Norwegian Air and another budget carrier. It was a friend's wife who'd given Milan a positive plug when I mentioned I was heading back to Italy for the fourth … [Read more...] about One Day in Milan: A Quick List of Things to Do
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
he clock was ticking on my time along Mexico's Riviera Maya. After my day trip to Cozumel, I headed south to Tulum for a night. While it's only an hour south of Playa del Carmen by bus, there was too much to see and do down there for me to squeeze it into a single day. Upon arriving, and checking into the cheapest bungalow I could find ($32/night), I hopped a local bus … [Read more...] about Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Uxmal: Ancient Mayan Ruins South of Merida
ixty two kilometers south of Merida is the Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal. According to UNESCO: The Mayan town of Uxmal, in Yucatán, was founded c. A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between 700 and 1000, reveals a knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, as the Spaniards called it, dominates the ceremonial … [Read more...] about Uxmal: Ancient Mayan Ruins South of Merida
Palenque: Ruins of a Pre-Hispanic Mayan City
uring my trip through Mexico, I visited the sites of many major ruins from Mexico City to Tulum on the Maya Riviera. Myself, along with the whole G Adventures group, agreed that Palenque was our favorite, beating out the famed Chichen Itza. Why did Palenque strike a chord with us? I believe it was the setting. Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum are … [Read more...] about Palenque: Ruins of a Pre-Hispanic Mayan City
