Karen Berger's Blog
Posted by Karen Berger
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula bordering Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is an eco-tourism destination offering adventures ranging from scuba diving the meso-American barrier reef to tagging crocodiles in a jungle swamp.
More than 600 Mayan sites have been identified in Belize. Visitors can climb to the top of ancient Mayan pyramids, and explore the jungle-covered remains of ruined cities more...
Nov 22, 2009
Belize's Lamanai Outpost Lodge, on the New River near the Lamanai Mayan archaeological site, offers a unique eco-adventure: tagging and researching endangered crocodiles more...
In tiny Belize, visitors can explore one of the world's most impressive coral reefs, along with Mayan ruins, jungle farms, crocodile swamps, and rainforest trails. more...
San Pedro, Belize is Gateway to Ambergris Caye: Former Fishing Village San Pedro Has Craft Shopping, Diving, Fishing
"No shoes, no shirt, no problem," is the motto in laid-back San Pedro on Amebergris Caye Enjoy quaint local restaurants, local crafts and world-class diving and fishing. more...
At the tip-tale end of Ambergris Caye, Tranquility Bay features a spectacular white-sand beach, diverse watersports, barefoot informality, and attentive customer care. more...
The barrier reef off Ambergris Caye is part of the world's longest reef. Divers can visit two marine reserves, which protect sea turtles and a healthy reef system. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
In adventure travel, clothing is all about function, not fashion. The following articles cover various aspects of a clothing layering system appropriate for active travelers.i na wide range of environments and conditions.
Category: Adventure Travel
Adventure travelers often find themselves outside in unsettled weather. When full-fledged water-proof rain-gear is too hot, weather-resistant shells provide protection. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
Layers of insulating clothing are a hiker's key defense against the cold. Synthetic and natural fabrics such as wool and down have a place on a backpacker's gear list. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
Backpackers and hikers who exercise hard in the outdoors need clothing that wicks sweat away from their skin. Fabrics like wool, polypropylene, and Capilene do the trick. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
Staying warm and dry can make the difference between comfort, misery, and safety. Water-proof breathable outerwear such as Gore-tex keeps water out and lets sweat escape. more...
More more information on backpacking and hiking gear, please see the list of articles at:
Posted by Karen Berger
The land of the midnight sun is also the land of midwinter adventure. Dogsledding, ice carving, watching the Northern Lights, ice climbing, and all things snowy are Alaska specialties. I had the opportunity to do all of these activities and more -- curling, ice bowling, cross country skiing. These articles provide more information, and also a few tips about staying warm.
Winter outdoor activities in Alaska include skiing and snowshoeing, along with opportunities to try ice climbing, dogsledding, ice fishing, and ice carving. more...
North of the Arctic Circle, Bettles, Alaska, has one road, an airstrip, a lodge, and lots of adventure, including bush plane trips, dogsledding, and the Aurora Borealis. more...
Sled dog teams and mushers race 1150 miles across a remote and dangerous winter landscape to celebrate Alaska and the Iditarod National Historic Trail. more...
Hypothermia, called the "killer of the unprepared," is better prevented than treated. Cold weather gear, staying warm and recognizing early symptoms are the best defense. more...
Alaskan Bunny Boots Give Warmth to Frigid Feet: Boots Keep Military and Alaskan Outdoor Workers Warm
These white rubber boots don't look high-tech. But when temperatures drop below zero, savvy Alaskans wear military-issue "Bunny Boots" to stay warm. more...
In the last week of February, Fairbanks's Ice Park becomes home to some of the world's finest ice sculptors, and turns into a winter wonderland of ice-fueled imagination. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
What to do in St. Lucia? The Caribbean island boasts adventure travel tours for the whole family. Here's a round-up of top adventure activities in St. Lucia. more...
St. Lucia's rainforest, adventure, and nature tours include the Diamond Botanical Garden, a miniature zoo of endemic species, and waterfall and birdwatching hikes. more...
St. Lucia's combination of mountain, rainforest, and ocean adventure tours offers something for everyone. SCUBA, snorkeling, and sailing are top water activities. more...
An adventure travel tour in St. Lucia would not be complete without a zip-line tour through the rainforest. Two outfitters offer different courses and activities. more...
Sep 19, 2009
In addition to watersports and rainforests, St. Lucia has unique mountain landscapes. Adventure travelers can climb the famous Pitons or drive into the Soufriere Volcano. more...
Jan 5, 2009
Coconut Bay is a two-sided resort, with a spa, hot tubs, and quiet pools for adults, and (on the other side) a water park and activities for families. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
Northern New England is the classic autumn foliage destination, but New York, southern New England, the Appalachian Mountains, and even the western mountains have lovely fall colors, too.
New York fall foliage tours go from mountains to the ocean, farms to vineyards. Peak autumn foliage begins in September and lasts into November, depending on location more...
Southern New England offers autumn foliage get-aways within a two- or three-hour drive of New York and Boston. Highlights are Berkshire and Litchfield Counties. more...
They're not as well known as East Coast foliage, but western autumns shine with golden aspen, crimson huckleberries, blazing willows. Here are three western fall trips. more...
Sep 1, 2009
Peak foliage in Northern New England depends on latitude, elevation, and distance from the Atlantic. Best autumn color occurs between late September and mid October. more...
Aug 24, 2009
Hikers, backpackers, drivers, and cyclsts can all revel in the East Coast's famed autumn foliage from September till November. The Appalachian Mountains are a highlight. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
"I came, I saw, I got the souvenir." I admit it, I'm a shopacholic -- as long as I'm in another country. I love wandering the local markets, and finding the perfect gift for someone back home. Or for me. My own particular obsession is musical instruments, but I also like to collect masks, necklaces, scarves or wraps, and interesting fabrics.
Whatever your shopping interest, learn what's available in various countries - -and, just as important -- how to bargain for it. The following articles talk about souvenirs to buy in different destinations, and give hints for bargaining strategies.
Souvenir Shopping in Switzerland: Watches, Army Knives, Cuckoo Clocks, and Food are Swiss Souvenirs
From watches to army knives, Swiss fondue to Swiss wine, and crafts ranging from beer steins to cuckoo clocks Switzerland offers interesting shopping to souvenir hunters. more...
Sep 3, 2009
Trips to Machu Picchu offer opportunities to buy colorful Quechua crafts from street vendors. In Lima, Peru, travel to upscale Miraflores for fine silverware. more...
Feb 15, 2009
Bargaining in an Egyptian marketplace takes some getting used to for western visitors. Some clever strategies can lower prices for souvenirs from rugs to cheap beads. more...
Mar 3, 2009
Souvenir Shopping in Nepal: Buying Carpets, Beads, Paintings in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Travelers in Nepal can buy souvenirs such as Tibetan carpets, beaded jewelry, prayer wheels, and painted masks. Bargaining is expected in the marketplaces of Kathmandu. more...
Mar 1, 2009
Souvenir Shopping in East Africa: Buying Carvings, Textiles, and Baskets in Kenya and Tanzania
The markets of Kenya and Tanzania are filled with woodwork, beads, textiles, baskets, and other souvenirs. When on safari, be prepared to bargain. And bring an extra bag more...
Feb 15, 2009
Souvenir Shopping in Egypt: Buying Egyptian Souvenirs, Carpets, Alabaster, Papyrus, and Jewelry
An Egyptian souk is a cacophony of sights, sounds and smells. Egyptian souvenirs make nice mementos and gifts, but tourists should bargain and check for authenticity. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
Thinking about music lessons for you or your child? Wondering whether to buy a piano or a digital keyboard? The following articles give you straight talk from a music teacher (that would be me).
Coping With Stage Fright and Performance Anxiety: Overcoming the Fear of Performing Music in Public
Stage fright and performance anxiety are part of performing music, but they can be overcome. Adequate practice, rehearsals and experience help musicians cope with nerves. more...
Strategies for practicing piano include using a metronome, dividing difficult sections into smaller chunks, playing with hands apart, and playing at different tempos. more...
How much to practice is only part of successful piano lessons. As important is knowing how to practice. Learning piano requires developing mindful practice skills. more...
By communicating with teachers and listening, even parents who known nothing about music can help their children learn piano and develop good practice habits. more...
Piano Lessons Practice Guidelines: How Much Practice is Required to Learn Piano at Different Levels?
Different amounts of practice time are required to learn piano at various ages and levels. Recommendations also depend on the student's ambition and repertoire. more...
Sep 17, 2009
A regular practice routine and following the teacher's practice time requirements help students learn a musical instrument. Variables include age, level, and instrument. more...
Not all parents can teach music to homeschoolers, but they can help. Work with music teachers to design a creative music education curriculum with other families. more...
The real work of learning piano takes plaice at home. The right digital keyboard or acoustic piano and an uninterrupted practice space lead to successful piano lessons. more...
Aug 13, 2009
Parents of young children can choose between group and private piano lessons. Group lessons focus on fun and ensemble skills; private lessons offer individual attention. more...
Aug 5, 2009
If a child has interest and aptitude, if a piano teacher has enthusiasm, and if parents buy the right piano or keyboard, even a pre-schooler can begin to learn piano. more...
Jul 19, 2009
The traditional acoustic piano offers touch and tone unmatched by any digital keyboard. The electronic piano is less expensive, portable and versatile. Which is better? more...
Group lessons in piano can offer an enjoyable introduction to children who are not yet old enough to take private music lessons. Here's what makes group lessons work. more...
Aug 7, 2009
Programs such as Kindermusik, Musicgarten, Music for Young Children, and others offer group music classes for school children, preschoolers, toddlers, and even infants. more...
Jul 20, 2009
Digital pianos give classical pianists and piano students the ability to practice in the middle of the night, experiment with sound, compose, and record themselves. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
Posted by Karen Berger
Berkshire County in western Massachusetts is three hours from Boston, New York, and many of the populated Northeastern U.S. suburbs. A popular area for second-home owners, the Bkershires offer a four-season weekend getaway.
Jun 6, 2009 Farmers' Markets in Berkshire County, Massachusetts: Buying Locally-Grown Produce Helps Preserve Local Farms, Rural LandPosted by Karen Berger
Preventative measures can help minimize the chance of contracting diseases such as malaria, swine flu, dysentery, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid, and others. more...
Preventing and Treating Blisters: Avoid Painful Blisters by Boot Choice and Pre-Hike Preparation
A seemingly innocuous blister can ruin a hike. Prevent blisters with proper footwear choice, boots or shoes that fit, pre-hike training walks, and attention on the trail. more...
Apr 21, 2009
Altitude Sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a risk on alpine adventures. It is easily prevented by acclimating and responding to early symptoms. more...
Jan 16, 2009
Hypothermia, called the "killer of the unprepared," is better prevented than treated. Cold weather gear, staying warm and recognizing early symptoms are the best defense. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
Climbing Mt. Kenya via the Naro Moru Route: The Fastest and Most Popular Route up Mount Kenya
The popular, and reputedly easy, Naro Moru Route up Mt. Kenya starts at the lovely Naro Moru River Lodge, which offers accommodations, food, and climbing services. more...
Climbing Mt. Kenya: Afrcia's Second-Highest Peak Offers First-Rate Challenge
Mt. Kenya boasts some of the finest mountain scenery in the world, including three summits, dramatic geologic formations, wildlife, and fantastical Afro-alpine plants. more...
Mt. Keyna is one of the world's most spectacular peaks. The High Peaks Circuit and the Chogoria -- Naro Moru Traverse help trekkers see as much of it as possible. more...
Mr. Kenya's lesser known Chogoria Route boasts fantasitc Afro-Alpine scenery. This longer but spectacularly scenic route up Mt. Kenya is one of Africa's finest hikes. more...
Souvenir Shopping in East Africa: Buying Carvings, Textiles, and Baskets in Kenya and Tanzania
The markets of Kenya and Tanzania are filled with woodwork, beads, textiles, baskets, and other souvenirs. When on safari, be prepared to bargain. And bring an extra bag more...
Feb 20, 2009
Tourists in Uganda's Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks can see the rare mountain gorilla. Their fees contribute to education, preservation, and the economy. more...
Zanzibar's Chumbe Island preserves one of the Indian Ocean's most spectacular shallow coral reefs, with 370 species of fish and corals found nowhere else in the world. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
The following articles cover places that are great destinations for groups who love adventure. All kinds: heli-hiking, sailing, Caribbean island, arctic circle, and more.....
Apr 1, 2009
Port
North of the Arctic Circle, Bettles, Alaska, has one road, an airstrip, a lodge, and lots of adventure, including bush plane trips, dogsledding, and the Aurora Borealis. more...
At CMH's Bobbie Burns Lodge, guests have a choice of mountaineering adventure activities, or a challenging three-day "High Flying Adventure" Program. more...
Heli-Hiking in British Columbia: Canadian Mountain Holidays Helicopter Hikng in Adamants, Bugaboos
In the remote mountains of
Windjammer Cruises Along Maine's Coastline: Maine's Historic Tall-Masted Windjammers Sail the Coast
The 12 tall ships of the Maine Windjammers Fleet sail the
Built by hand in the style of a traditional cargo vessel, but outfiitted for tourists, the Jambalaya plies some of the best sailing waters in the world. more...
Visitors call it "camping on the open water" or the "most relaxation they've ever had." Sail the
At the tip-tale end of Ambergris Caye,
Posted by Karen Berger
Karen Beger is the author of Scuba Diving: A Trailside Guide (W.W. Norton), a basic guide to diving, which is used as an instructional text in some of the YMCA's scuba certification programs. Her Suite 101 articles cover dive and snorkeling destinations and dive techniques, with an emphasis on understanding and preserving the undersea environment.
March 19, 2009
A few simple, environmentally responsible techniques can help scuba divers and snorkelers protect fragile coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems when they dive. more...
Zanzibar's Chumbe Island preserves one of the Indian Ocean's most spectacular shallow coral reefs, with 370 species of fish and corals found nowhere else in the world. more...
Once certified, SCUBA divers can explore different underwater environments. Specialty SCUBA courses teach safety skills for wreck, deep, night, and drift diving. more...
Learning to SCUBA dive introduces students to the underwater world, the diving gear needed to breathe underwater, and the wonderful environment they will be visiting. more...
Critter Diving in St. Vincent: Dive St. Vincent Offers Nature Dives to Explore Undersea Life
St. Vincent has become known as the "Critter Capital of the Caribbean" thanks to Bill Tewes, who takes SCUBA divers on a tour of weird and wonderful tropical sea-life. more...
The barrier reef off Ambergris Caye is part of the world's longest reef. Divers can visit two marine reserves, which protect sea turtles and a healthy reef system. more...
At the tip-tale end of Ambergris Caye, Tranquility Bay features a spectacular white-sand beach, diverse watersports, barefoot informality, and attentive customer care. more...
Posted by Karen Berger
Posted by Karen Berger
Solo Backpacking and Hiking on Long Trails: How to Enjoy and Stay Safe in the Outdoors When Hiking Alone
Posted by Karen Berger
Category: Backpacking Gear
A Pyrenees trek runs from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, spending much of its time in high mountains. Gear requirements will depend on the season and the route. more...