The variety of choices available for nature and wildlife enthusiasts are as vast as the continents around the globe. Where to begin? Well, start in your own backyard. Example: it's amazing how many people who live in Los Angeles have never been to Yosemite or visited the Redwoods to the north. Here are some inspiring ideas stateside:
- Visit a US National Park
- Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are super popular in the summer time. Try seeing it off season in the winter - looks so amazingly beautiful covered in snow.
- Glacier National Park is the jewel to the north and not the easiest to get to, with one of the shortest seasons for visitors - as late opening as July and usually closed by October. Going-to-the-sun road is as scenic as taking to Road to Hana is in Hawaii.
- Denali National Park can be reached by car, RV, and train. The ever elusive mountain creates its own weather but plenty of wildlife is around its 6 million acres. See bullet below on Alaska
- Yellowstone is the first national park ever created and full of wildlife and natural phenomena like geysers and hot springs. For camping enthusiasts, its a must do. Don't want to rough it? There are park lodges located inside the park that go from rustic cabins to presidential suites.
- Congrats to Indiana Dunes for becoming the 61st national park! Easy roadtrip from Chicago with towering dunes, forests, prairies, and miles of ocean. Only took 100 years to finally make it a national treasure that it already was.
- Alaska
- If you can afford it, see Alaska via cruiseline one way from Vancouver. The shoreline only gets more majestic and you'll get to see so much more wildlife and glaciers than if you just took one of the round trip options.
- Did you know that Fairbanks is only 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle? Important if you want to see those gorgeous Northern Lights. Skies are amazingly clear, but aim to go when there is a new moon so the night sky is darkest. Best time is after cruise season - Sept/Oct and Feb/Mar.
- If cruising is not your thing, flying to Anchorage is a possibility. Easy to get to with its international airport. Many options to get to Denali and cruise around the sound looking for whales and more glaciers. Also, in the winter, the Aleyska Ski Resort is over the top with Christmas and New Year special events/dinners.
- Fishing brings most people to the Kenai peninsula, with sockeye in the Russian River and King Salmon in the Kenai River. Charters from Kodiak Island go deep sea fishing for halibut.
- The biggest fish in the sea - whales - migrate from Mexico and Hawaii to feed in the upper portion of Alaska from June to November. Humpbacks are usually seen from May to June.
- Click on the link above to see sample itineraries.
- Hawaii
- Every island is unique and has an authentic Aloha signature and history.
- Maui is best known for its sandy beaches (actually 80% of the island is usable and can walk straight into the ocean); Don't miss the pineapple wine tour or the awesome sunrise/sunsets of Haleakala. Maui also turns out to be one of the best spots in Hawaii for whale watching, usually from January to March.
- Kauai just has that x-factor for adventure: zipline thru rainforests, ATV where Jurassic World was filmed, go tubing thru caves, or take a scenic flight tour.
- Oahu is the most visited island - between the tours of Pearl Harbor, famous surfing hubs on the North Shore, and all the Polynesian Cultural sites, it's no surprise that the people visit here first.
- Click on the link above to see sample itineraries and a cool video of #LetHawaiiHappen.
For the international globetrotters with passports ready, here is our list:
- South America
- Peru is home to more than just Inca ruins. It is home to lush rainforest, mountainous peaks, and desert to the south. See everything from Pink River dolphins, penguins, and llamas in terms of wildlife. Latest popular trend is to go sandboarding in the desert.
- You will feel like you have walked into a National Geographic documentary once you step onto the Galapagos Islands. Situated off the equator near Ecuador, the temperatures are moderate all year round, with only two distinct seasons - wet/hot and dry. Such a diverse ecosystem even Darwin had visited to see for himself.
- Patagonia is as far south as you can get and is a nature lovers paradise. Feeling elusively isolated, it is a vast landscape of rainforest, glaciers, and windswept meadows just begging to be explored.
- Antarctica
- Literally the coolest place on the planet, it is the last wilderness that can be explored. Make your own trail on an polar kayak, go whale watching, or take a zodiac out to see ice that is older than anything else on earth. Not easy to get to, but many tour companies offer a small group experience.
- Europe
- Spectacular alpine scenery will envelope you in Chamonix France. Here you can see the highest peak in Western Europe in addition to the Swiss and Italian alps. Gondola rides will take your breath away and your camera may not do it justice.
- The Scottish Highlands look like a land that time forgot with its majestic castles, waterfalls, lochs, and heathered covered mountains. Its a fascinating blend of history, culture, and architecture with plenty of hospitality.
- Iceland is starting to grow in popularity with its geophysical contrasts of glaciers and lavabeds. The power of nature comes across effectively when you see geothermal pools, crushing waterfalls, and erupting geysers. Take advantage of this great deal HERE.
- One of the quintessential journeys to take in Europe is by train. So much fascinating scenery with choices from the Black Forest line in Germany, Bernina Express in Switzerland, and Cinque Terry along Italy's coast. Eurail passes aren't necessarily for everyone, especially if you plan to be there less than 2 weeks or if travelling eastern Europe.
- The other mode of transportation becoming more popular is river cruising. One of the oldest forms of transportation between cities is also scenic and slow paced with fine cuisine thrown in. How active you want to be and luxury amenities will depend on which line you choose.
- Asia-Pacific
- The Yellow Mountains have been immortalized by many poets and is what you think of when you've seen Chinese paintings. Between the twisted pines, oddly shaped rocks, and perpetually in a sea of clouds from November to May, it is easily a photographer's paradise. With all the hiking you'll do to catch a beautiful sunrise/sunset, take a dip in the hot springs made famous by the Yellow Emperor himself.
- The Philippines is home to 7000 islands where one is perfect for visiting. Visit world famous beaches of Borocay or take an underground river tour in Palawan, see the UNESCO Heritage site of Batad Rice Terraces, or do a dive to a Japanese wreck in Coron.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living ecosystem on earth. Spectacular colorful fish, coral, turtles and other sea life can be captured with the proper underwater camera. Highly recommend that you don't do it as your first snorkel trip as the average depth is 30 meters (hawaii comes to mind). Also highly recommend taking a helicopter excursion so you can see the deep blue water depths of where the Continental Shelf ends in a precipitous drop off.
- Africa
- A lot of people go to Africa to go on safari which can be done on a budget or in luxury accommodations. Kenya and Tasmania is the most popular and also expensive. Zambia can be done with a trip to Victoria Falls.
- South Africa is home to some of the best wines around the world. Tours and wine tastings just a half hour away from Cape Town. Verdant vineyards are nestled in between towering mountain peaks, making great picture taking.
- Morocco is the gateway to Africa with landscapes ranging from sandy beaches along the Med to high mountain peaks and painted deserts. The Dades Valley's red cliffs are spectacular and offers the opportunity to stay in a luxury kasbah (fort). The High Atlas Mountains are Africa's largest mountain range with plenty of opportunity to hike, bike, and rock climb to see fertile valleys and waterfalls.
