Not your average family vacation—taking in the stunning sights of Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands
by Evan Goldfischer; Pleasant Valley, NY
Ruins and Archaeology
Mayan Triangle
Nine-day/eight-night tour of Mayan areas. Highlights: In GUATEMALA, colonial city of Antigua/Chichicastenango market/Lake Atitlán/Mayan ruins in Copan, HONDURAS/Mayan city of Joya de Cerén in EL SALVADOR/in San Salvador, Devil’s Door, National Palace, handcraft market/beaches on the Costa del Sol. First class, land, $1,450; single supp., $585. Deluxe, land, $1,650; single supp., $810. SITA World Tours (Encino, CA; 800/421-5643, www.sitatours.com).
Best Ice Cream: Petra, Jordan
When my wife and I were at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, Jordan, in September ’10, we were told that we should try the ice cream at the hotel Mövenpick Resort Petra, (Box 214, 71810, Petra, Jordan; phone +962 3 215 71 11), located just outside the site.
Roman Barcino
by Julie Skurdenis
Syria’s remarkable ruins
Syria isn’t often visited by Americans. My wife, Arlene, and I first traveled there in 1999 and were so impressed with the country’s historical, archaeological and biblical treasures that we decided on a repeat visit in February 2010.
Norway: A Viking chieftain’s home
Around the year AD 500, long before the Viking era began in the second half of the eighth century, a chieftain on the island of Vestvågøy, in Norway’s Lofoten Islands above the Arctic Circle, built himself a house worthy of his status.
Discovering the archaeological and culinary delights of Sicily
Sicily was an easy country to navigate. The drivers were aggressive but no worse than those elsewhere in Europe. Driving in the large cities was not much fun, but the freedom of having a rental car everywhere else made up for it.
Jordan beauty
The week-long independent tour of Jordan that my son, Eirik, and I took, July 1-7, 2010, was very enjoyable due to the kind cooperation of Ali Al-Hasanat, who runs Jordan Beauty Tours (Box 8, Petra 71810, Jordan; phone/fax +962 3 215 4 999, www.jordanbeauty.com).
Tunisian odyssey: Finale
by Julie Skurdenis (Third of three parts)
Tunisian Odyssey: The Middle
by Julie Skurdenis (Second of three parts)