The Intentional Traveler

15/07/2024

There is an odd looking aircraft sitting in a park in Normandy, France. It's a large aircraft and the first thing that strikes you is it doesn't have any engines or propellors. It sits just 25 yards from a bridge over the Caen Canal and it turns out that it has a remarkable story. Pegasus Bridge is a bridge that spans the Caen Canal in Normandy, France....

There is an odd looking aircraft sitting in a park in Normandy, France. It’s a large aircraft and the first thing that strikes you is it doesn’t have any engines or propellors. It sits …

14/07/2024

It's difficult to understand why this Spanish port isn't on more cruise itineraries. Just up the coast west of Barcelona it is Spain's third largest city and features over two thousand years of history. A remarkably modern, clean and vibrant city, Valencia's history goes back to the Romans and features a number of 13th and 14th century building along with a dozen miles of white sand beaches....

It’s difficult to understand why this Spanish port isn’t on more cruise itineraries. Just up the coast west of Barcelona it is Spain’s third largest city and features over two tho…

13/07/2024

Vukovar, Croatia Not long ago we spent a day walking around the beautiful town of Vukovar, Croatia. Walking its streets we came across a number of odd structures that seem to have suffered a calamity. A riverside hotel closed and riddled with what looked like bullet holes. The towns water tower looking like it had been used for artillery practice and the building pictured here with flowers in its windows....

Vukovar, Croatia Not long ago we spent a day walking around the beautiful town of Vukovar, Croatia. Walking its streets we came across a number of odd structures that seem to have suffered a calami…

12/07/2024

On Resurrection Bay Several years ago, while in Alaska, we went out on a boat to explore Resurrection Bay. While we've taken boat trips from the Beagle Channel in South America to the Bay of Mumbai in India to offshore of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, and nothing has come close to that amazing day on Resurrection Bay. As we cleared the harbor heading out into Resurrection Bay there was a bald eagle sitting up in a nest in a tall pine tree....

On Resurrection Bay Several years ago, while in Alaska, we went out on a boat to explore Resurrection Bay. While we’ve taken boat trips from the Beagle Channel in South America to the Bay of …

10/07/2024

Yachts sitting out at anchor, quant restaurants lining the waterfront, side streets filled with upscale shops, welcome to the French Riviera. Villefranche on the French Riviera is a remarkable seaside town situated between Monte Carlo and Nice and one of the Mediterranean's more popular cruise ship ports of call. It is actually a quite seaside town with it's full name being Villefranche-sur-Mer and it is only a fifteen minute train ride away from the gambling and glamour of Monaco.

Yachts sitting out at anchor, quant restaurants lining the waterfront, side streets filled with upscale shops, welcome to the French Riviera. Villefranche on the French Riviera is a remarkable seas…

09/07/2024

Circle B Bar Ranch in Lakeland Repurposed The Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,265-acre Florida nature preserve occupying land that was once the Circle B Bar Ranch in Lakeland, Florida. It is home to a large mix of wildlife and is a popular destination for hiking, biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and fishing. Common wildlife include alligators, deer, wild turkeys, sandhill cranes, bobcats, and a wide variety of wading birds....

Circle B Bar Ranch in Lakeland Repurposed The Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,265-acre Florida nature preserve occupying land that was once the Circle B Bar Ranch in Lakeland, Florida. It is home to a …

08/07/2024

King's Park Perth, Australia King's Park in Perth is a remarkable place for hiking with several miles of trails. Hike and stroll past ponds, war memorials, great overlooks with spectacular city views and across one incredible foot bridge. The Lotterywest Federation Treetop Walkway allows you to walk high above the park to explore the ecosystem high above the ground. Great for bird watching Treetop Walkway

King’s Park Perth, Australia King’s Park in Perth is a remarkable place for hiking with several miles of trails. Hike and stroll past ponds, war memorials, great overlooks with spectacu…

07/07/2024

There's a lot to like about the cruising life, but the idea of getting a glass of wine, finding a comfortable seat and sitting back while watching the world go by has no equal. From Iceland to Antarctica, Bora Bora to Kotor and everywhere in between cruising can take you there in style!

There’s a lot to like about the cruising life, but the idea of getting a glass of wine, finding a comfortable seat and sitting back while watching the world go by has no equal. From Iceland t…

06/07/2024

06/07/2024

The End Of A Hollywood Fairy Tale In an alcove in Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco known as the Chapel of the Princes, is the casket of the American actress, Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly was a highly acclaimed Hollywood actress in the 1950s. She starred in several classic films such as Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, and The Country Girl, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress....

The End Of A Hollywood Fairy Tale In an alcove in Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco known as the Chapel of the Princes, is the casket of the American actress, Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly was a highly…

05/07/2024

Deep in Argentina's Amazon rain forest is one of Nature's Seven Wonders Of The World, Iguazú Falls Located on the border of Argentina and Brazil, it is a stunning waterfall system that consists of 275 individual fall sections in the Iguazú River. It is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site....

Deep in Argentina’s Amazon rain forest is one of Nature’s Seven Wonders Of The World, Iguazú Falls Located on the border of Argentina and Brazil, it is a stunning waterfall system that …

04/07/2024

Independence Day In Winter Garden, Florida John Denver wrote a lyric that talked about 'coming home to a place he'd never been before' and that expresses exactly how we feel about our adopted home town. There is no place we'd rather be on the 4th of July. Happy Independence Day 2024

Independence Day In Winter Garden, Florida John Denver wrote a lyric that talked about ‘coming home to a place he’d never been before’ and that expresses exactly how we feel about…

03/07/2024

An Island Created By An Ancient Fisherman's Pledge Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island located in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It was built by the local seamen who keep an ancient oath by local fishermen who found an icon of Madonna and Child while fishing in the bay. The tradition of throwing rocks into the sea continues to this day....

An Island Created By An Ancient Fisherman’s Pledge Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island located in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. It was built by the local seamen who keep an ancient oat…

02/07/2024

As we spent two days on safari in South Africa's Kruger National Park it was amazing the number of elephants we encountered. Sole bull elephants, large herds moving through the bush and families coming to watering holes to drink and bathe. Twice we had bull elephants challenge our truck for getting to near the herd. If you are looking to experience African wildlife without question it's Kruger.

As we spent two days on safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park it was amazing the number of elephants we encountered. Sole bull elephants, large herds moving through the bush and famil…

01/07/2024

The Caribbean is the number one cruise destination in the world for good reason. It's easily accessible from American cruise ports. It offers a wide range of interesting ports of call and it provides great winter beach escapes. A favorite cruise port of call is Castries, St. Lucia where you can bask in the tropical Sun, sail the coast by catamaran or hike to the peaks of the soaring twin Pitons....

The Caribbean is the number one cruise destination in the world for good reason. It’s easily accessible from American cruise ports. It offers a wide range of interesting ports of call and it …

30/06/2024

For thousands of people each year seeing this Canadian lighthouse means they are on their way to Alaska. Most north bound Alaska cruise ships from both Vancouver and Seattle will cruise through this stretch of Canada's Inside Passage bound for Alaskan waters. The Alaskan coast at sunset The Point Atkinson Lighthouse was built in 1888 on the western tip of Point Atkinson in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada....

For thousands of people each year seeing this Canadian lighthouse means they are on their way to Alaska. Most north bound Alaska cruise ships from both Vancouver and Seattle will cruise through thi…

29/06/2024

Traveling Again With Exoticca To South Africa After our experience traveling with friends to South America using Exoticca we booked another trip with them. This time we went to South Africa for almost three weeks, just the two of us. Our View Of Packaged Travel Tours We've always been skeptical of packaged travel tours and if we're really saving money and will we get to see the things we're really interested in?...

Traveling Again With Exoticca To South Africa After our experience traveling with friends to South America using Exoticca we booked another trip with them. This time we went to South Africa for alm…

28/06/2024

Taking a hike...

28/06/2024

Frank Lloyd Wright designed campus

28/06/2024

A Short Story Those signs are everywhere, but apparently the monkeys can't read. In a picnic area in South Africa's Kruger Park the trees are filled with monkeys and if you don't hold onto your bag lunch they'll drop down, grab it and be back in the trees before you can blink. Two girls sharing our table had just taken out their two bananas and were rummaging around in the bags when the bananas just disappeared....

A Short Story Those signs are everywhere, but apparently the monkeys can’t read. In a picnic area in South Africa’s Kruger Park the trees are filled with monkeys and if you don’t …

27/06/2024

Booking a cruise? We've plenty of information on several hundred ports of call on The Intentional Travelers. It's a great place to help you make plans for that day in port. To access information on cruise ports click on any image below or to find a specific port enter the name below in the Search window: More Recent Posts From The Intentional Travelers

Booking a cruise? We’ve plenty of information on several hundred ports of call on The Intentional Travelers. It’s a great place to help you make plans for that day in port. To access in…

26/06/2024

Summer in Budapest is normally a great time and what better way to take advantage of the fantastic weather than to dine el fresco. Budapest is famous for its restaurants and you'll find opportunities for outdoors dining in dozens of locations. Bon Appétit! Mathyas Church stands behind chef Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant in the Buda Castle area of Budapest. The unique menu is packed with Italian classics, all prepared with that famous Jamie-twist....

Summer in Budapest is normally a great time and what better way to take advantage of the fantastic weather than to dine el fresco. Budapest is famous for its restaurants and you’ll find oppor…

25/06/2024

While you're here take a moment and explore more of The Intentional Travelers. Cruise ports of call, amazing destinations, helpful travel tips, interesting stories and more. It's Free Just in time for Mediterranean cruising season! If you're thinking about booking a Med cruise, you need this guide and for a while it's FREE. Download your copy today (link below)....

While you’re here take a moment and explore more of The Intentional Travelers. Cruise ports of call, amazing destinations, helpful travel tips, interesting stories and more. It’s Free J…

24/06/2024

The Infamous Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Sydney harbor has two of the most iconic structures in Australia, the famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For the adventurous the views of Sydney from the top of the harbour bridge are amazing. Experience this popular activity that allows Aussies and visitors alike to climb to the top of the iconic bridge and enjoy stunning views of the city and harbor....

The Infamous Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Sydney harbor has two of the most iconic structures in Australia, the famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For the adventurous the views…

23/06/2024

On a Stop in Wertheim am Main, Germany and walking through the historic town we encountered this youngster shopping on what appeared to be his own. There were frequent showers that morning and while he was well prepared for the weather it turned out that his mother was only a few yards away picking out some vegetables at the market....

On a Stop in Wertheim am Main, Germany and walking through the historic town we encountered this youngster shopping on what appeared to be his own. There were frequent showers that morning and whil…

22/06/2024

The stretch of rugged coast dotted with beautiful beaches and backed up by rugged mountain peaks at Cape Town is considered South Africa's most amazing landscape. Driving the coastal road you'd be hard pressed to find anything that compares anywhere else in the world. This string of ragged peaks stretching from Cape Town's Table Mountain along the coast almost to Hout Bay is locally called The Twelve Apostles and are geologically part of the Table Mountain complex above Camps Bay....

The stretch of rugged coast dotted with beautiful beaches and backed up by rugged mountain peaks at Cape Town is considered South Africa’s most amazing landscape. Driving the coastal road you…

21/06/2024

Okay, it's just a dandelion - so what? Well the problem is, you weren't there and I must admit I did a bad job of making it obvious why I took this photograph. What's special about this clump of dandelions is that they are 18"+ tall. If you're going to Alaska keep a look out for the monster dandelions (oh, and the rhubarb too!)....

Okay, it’s just a dandelion – so what? Well the problem is, you weren’t there and I must admit I did a bad job of making it obvious why I took this photograph. What’s specia…

20/06/2024

A Short Story While hiking up to Skagway Falls in Alaska we passed through the Gold Rush Cemetery where there are numerous headstones and markers with many well over a hundred years old. The cemetery is located on a slope with graves spaced at random, many markers are difficult to read and some contain little information. One marker caught our interest because it is a plain slab with a painted inscription and very little information....

A Short Story While hiking up to Skagway Falls in Alaska we passed through the Gold Rush Cemetery where there are numerous headstones and markers with many well over a hundred years old. The cemete…

19/06/2024

The train approaches the Maeklong market In Thailand the water market is famous with its vendors and shoppers in boats but perhaps more interesting is Maeklong's railway market located next to the Maeklong station One of Thailand's famous water markets The Maeklong market is a typical Asian market that sells everything from fruit and vegetables to fresh caught fish (stingrays and eels are very popular)....

The train approaches the Maeklong market In Thailand the water market is famous with its vendors and shoppers in boats but perhaps more interesting is Maeklong’s railway market located next t…

18/06/2024

Spending Time In Incredible Lima Lima, a city filled with colonial history, is the only capital in South America that touches the sea, and is hailed by many as the gastronomic capital of Latin America. The city boasts world-renowned chefs like Gastón Acurio and Virgilio Martínez. Making Lima the only city with two restaurants ranking in the top 10 of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Central and Maido....

Spending Time In Incredible Lima Lima, a city filled with colonial history, is the only capital in South America that touches the sea, and is hailed by many as the gastronomic capital of Latin Amer…

17/06/2024

Unexpected Whale Watching In Alaska A whale at Icy Straight Point A Short Story A few years ago while on an early season Alaska cruise our ship stopped at Icy Straight Point. For a number of reasons we had decided to take it easy that day. The ship was anchored out and we had gone ashore early in the morning and took a nice hike thru the forest....

Unexpected Whale Watching In Alaska A whale at Icy Straight Point A Short Story A few years ago while on an early season Alaska cruise our ship stopped at Icy Straight Point. For a number of reason…

16/06/2024

The Character And Nature Of Every Day Buddhism I've always been fascinated with Buddhism as a faith and philosophy and while I've read a bit about the Buddha's teachings I'll admit there's much I don't understand. We've traveled a fair amount through Asia and I've had a lot of conversations with Buddhists about their beliefs and I've learned how many relate to their religion....

The Character And Nature Of Every Day Buddhism I’ve always been fascinated with Buddhism as a faith and philosophy and while I’ve read a bit about the Buddha’s teachings I’l…

15/06/2024

On the waterfront in the Irish city of Cobh stands a statue of a young seventeen-year-old girl and her two brothers. Waterfront Cobh, Ireland This statue celebrates Anna "Annie" Moore an Irish émigré who was the first immigrant to the United States to pass through federal immigrant inspection at the Ellis Island station in New York Harbor when it opened in 1892....

On the waterfront in the Irish city of Cobh stands a statue of a young seventeen-year-old girl and her two brothers. Waterfront Cobh, Ireland This statue celebrates Anna “Annie” Moore a…

14/06/2024

A guide to seeing Rome (Roma) from the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. Travel by bus tours or the Rome Express train.....

A guide to seeing Rome (Roma) from the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. Travel by bus tours or the Rome Express train..

13/06/2024

Tenerife is the largest and most populated island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is known for its volcanic landscapes, including Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. This island is enjoying a growing reputation for producing some excellent and unique wines. Any visit should take advantage of sampling some local wines. Alvaro Wine is one renowned Tenerife wine producer, known for its high-quality wines made from indigenous grape varieties....

Tenerife is the largest and most populated island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is known for its volcanic landscapes, including Mount Teide, the hig…

12/06/2024

Please Note: For Our Guide To Buying Alaska Salmon Click HERE A Short Story Recently (pre Covid) we were on an end of season cruise in Alaska that was to be followed by a cruise down the California coast. Near the end of the Alaska itinerary the cruise ship was liquidating all the smoked and canned salmon in their gift shop....

Please Note: For Our Guide To Buying Alaska Salmon Click HERE A Short Story Recently (pre Covid) we were on an end of season cruise in Alaska that was to be followed by a cruise down the California…

11/06/2024

The Acropolis Museum The view of the Acropolis from inside the Acropolis Museum. The museum is one of the most important museums in the world, houses the findings of only one archaeological site, the Athenian Acropolis and its surrounds. The masterpieces that form its collection offer a comprehensive overview of the one of the worlds most historical sites. The Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC during the Golden Age of Athens....

The Acropolis Museum The view of the Acropolis from inside the Acropolis Museum. The museum is one of the most important museums in the world, houses the findings of only one archaeological site, t…

10/06/2024

I love being at sea, with the best time of day being sunset. While I should also say sunrise, but I won't, because you have to get out of bed to see a sunrise and oddly, sunsets often coincide with happy hour. Coincidence? I think not! Next to being at sea and seeing sunsets, two of my other favorite things are hot tubs and enjoying a glass of wine....

I love being at sea, with the best time of day being sunset. While I should also say sunrise, but I won’t, because you have to get out of bed to see a sunrise and oddly, sunsets often coincid…

09/06/2024

Our Guide To Making A Cruise Packing List It can be difficult to know exactly what to bring on a cruise, making packing a challenge, especially for first-timers. When you’re out in the middle of the ocean, you can’t just run to the convenance store to pick up an item you forgot. Before you start planning your wardrobe you should visit your cruise company's web site and find out what their dress code is....

Our Guide To Making A Cruise Packing List It can be difficult to know exactly what to bring on a cruise, making packing a challenge, especially for first-timers. When you’re out in the middle of th…

08/06/2024

My father and his family are from the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and growing up I spent a lot of time there. While things today seem to change quickly, mountain time still runs slower than most places and so does the pace of this featured short clip...

My father and his family are from the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and growing up I spent a lot of time there. While things today seem to change quickly, mountain time still runs slower t…