Travel By Design: Experiences
“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”
―
Travel is one of the best teachers and the lessons we learn from journeys undertaken provide the richest travel experiences.
When we interact with our friends and our near and dear ones who are just back from one or other trip, there is so much excitement in the room as they share their travel stories. There is a long list of activities they might have taken like diving, sight seeing, tasting delicious food, some adventure trip up the hills, finding some off the beaten path spot, some warm interactions with local people, and so on. Each travel journey has some good and bad parts , yet they all are memorable ones.
The stories in this section reflect the range of emotional, spiritual and physical experiences one can have from a travel opportunity. Some travel experiences are deep, some are lighthearted and some are “adventurous” (referencing the night in jail story). All of the experiences shared here are impactful.
Create your experience vicariously through these stories.
Shooting Stars and Shay in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve
By Christina NewberryLying on stacked cushions on the roof of a lodge in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve, I watch a beam of green light shoot into the sky as our guide circles a constellation with the most powerful laser pointer I’ve ever seen. “That orange star, that’s the womanizer,” Ali says. “He’s … Read more Read more
Middle East Experiences
Meet the Manatees of Crystal River, Florida
By Cara SieraThe Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge shelters solitary manatees year-round, but their numbers increase to around 600 individuals from mid-November through March, when they retreat to the Three Sisters and other natural hot springs as ocean temperatures drop. Read more
United States Experiences Social Responsibility
Slow Tourism in Morocco: My 5-Day Trek up Mount Toubkal
By Sara PerilloStanding at 4167 metres, Mount Toubkal is the tallest peak in Northern Africa. As prominent as it is (the highest mountain for over 2000 kilometres), Toubkal is a popular, relatively safe and non-technical destination for hikers. In fact, Toubkal National Park attracts roughly 40 000 tourists per year! Read more
Africa Adventure Experiences
Climbing A Stairway to Heaven in The Philippines
By Len CristobalGrowing up in the Philippines, an intensely Catholic country, I have seen the extremes that people sometimes go to in the name of religion. “Stairway to Heaven,” a giant, outdoor stairway leading to a breathtaking replica of heaven, or how heaven looks according to traditional beliefs. Read more
Asia Experiences Religious Travel
5 Ways to have a more cultural experience in Cambodia
By Derek CullenWhen you think of Cambodia, first impressions can come with some very negative connotations. Read more
Asia Experiences
Defying Gravity at the Dead Sea in Israel
By Thomas SpäterIt was a hot summer day when I left Jerusalem to travel south towards the Dead Sea, an indescribably beautiful salt lake, sitting peacefully landlocked between the countries of Israel and Jordan. Although visiting Israel had been on my bucket list since forever, the Dead Sea had always fascinated me … Read more Read more
Middle East Experiences
An African School for the Deaf
By Breana JohnsonThere are only two schools exclusively for the Deaf in Burundi (the other, also founded by my husband’s family, is five hours away). Without the chance to go to school and learn sign language, these kids would never have the chance to learn any language at all, a situation that … Read more Read more
Africa Accessible Experiences
Vue Orleans: A Love Letter to New Orleans
See New Orleans like you’ve never seen her before atop a 34th floor observation deck and experience the richness of New Orleans history as cutting-edge technology immerses visitors into the spirit and soul of the city. Experience a love letter to New Orleans inside the new Vue Orleans. Read more
New Orleans Experiences History
5 Places to See Dinosaur Fossils in the U.S.
By Breana JohnsonOn your next trip, bring natural history to life with a dinosaur encounter! The U.S. offers many attractions where you can view dinosaur fossils—or even participate in a dino dig. Read more
United States Accessible Experiences History
Longing for isolation: A demanding journey through Mongolia
By Thomas SpäterWhen I was desperately searching for a new place to explore without hundreds and thousands of other tourists around me, I came across a mysterious and equally attractive country called Mongolia. Read more
Asia Experiences
One Night on the Great Wall of China
By Thomas SpäterI have already traveled most of Asia, but never really had the chance to see the Great Wall of China. It was the end of May, when I touched down in Beijing after traveling both Japan and Mongolia for 8 days each. Using Beijing as a 3-day layover on the … Read more Read more
Asia Experiences
The Falkland Island | A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
By Tonya FitzpatrickSo let’s discover why the Falkland Islands are an excellent place to visit and how you can have a unique birdwatching experience. Read more
Central and South America United Kingdom Adventure Experiences
Ultimate Road Trip to Tofino
By Sara PerilloTofino is a funky surfer town on the West Coast that has earned its reputation as Canada’s top adventure playground. With its sprawling beaches, wild inlets, and ancient rainforests, it’s easy to see why Tofino has become such a popular destination. Read more
Canada Nature & Outdoors Rail & Road Travel
No Boundaries: Women Explorers and Scientists who are Changing the World
On this World Footprints episode, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick speak to National Geographic Explorer and conservation photographer, Gabby Salazar, to hear about some inspiring stories of women change-makers profiled in her new book, No Boundaries. Read more
The World Experiences
The Perfect Introductory Activities to Solo Travel
By Cara SieraI never thought solo travel was for me. I spent my childhood adventuring with my parents and other family members. When I got married, I relished the thought of a lifetime travel companion. How often we have regaled with stories of road trips with friends. Read more
The World Experiences