Articles written by Karen Berger
All 162 articles written by Karen Berger
Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general)
Tropical travelers face high temperatures, high humidity, fierce sun, biting bugs, and food and water borne illnesses. Some travel gear and common sense prevent problems. more...
Category: Music Education
Strategies for practicing piano include using a metronome, dividing difficult sections into smaller chunks, playing with hands apart, and playing at different tempos. more...
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: Guerrilla/Viral Marketing
Viral marketing is all the rage these days, but it's hardly something new. One of the most popular pieces of music of all time shows what works to spread the news. more...
Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general)
Over Christmas, most travelers are with families, not on trails. So It may be easier for adventure travelers to get on popular but hard-to-book adventure travel tours. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
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...
Category: Hiking & Trails
On the A.T.., P.C.T., and C.D.T. hikers cross most ecosystems in the contiguous United States. Here's how the three major north-south national scenic trails compare. more...
Category: Horse/Ranch Travel
There are two basic styles of horseback riding: English and western. Both are based on historical traditions of horsemanship, and both are common on equestrian vacations. 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
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...
Hiking America's Triple Crown Trails: The Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails
Category: Hiking & Trails
America's "Triple Crown" trails run 8,000 miles through the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide mountains. Fewer than 100 hikers have completed all three. more...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
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...
Piano Lessons Practice Guidelines: How Much Practice is Required to Learn Piano at Different Levels?
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: SW U.S./Hawaii Travel (general)
Southwestern turquoise jewelry, Navajo rugs, Pueblo pottery and kachinas head the list of hand-made Indian arts and crafts to be found in New Mexico and Arizona. more...
Montreux Christmas Market in Switzerland: Traditional European Christmas Market on Lake Geneva
Category: Historical Travel (general)
Visitors to the traditional Montreux Christmas market can shop on the shores of Lake Geneva, and visit to the medieval fair at the historic Château de Chillon. more...
Category: Historical Travel (general)
Geneva, Montreux, and Lausanne are all within an hour's train ride. They host three different traditional European Christmas markets with historic and cultural programs more...
Category: Peru Travel
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...
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
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...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
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...
Category: Tennessee Travel
Nashville, Tennessee is called America's "Music City." That means all kinds of music, not just country. In October, indie rock rules at city-wide "Next Big Nashville." more...
Setting Fees for Article Reprints: How Much Charge for Reprints of Freelance Articles
Category: Freelance Writing (general)
Freelancer writers can get more "bang for the buck" by selling reprint rights of old articles. Prices for reprints depend on the writer, the story, and the market. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
For adventure travelers who need cell phone access in multiple countries, Mobal's one-SIM international cell phone offers mutli-national phone service and text messaging. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
An adventure travel tour in Uganda combines the traditional East African safari with wild adventures such as gorilla tracking, Nile rafting, and tropical mountaineering. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Scree and talus are two kinds of rock rubble common to high-country hiking. To traverse the fine, powdery scree and the chunky talus require some practice and technique. more...
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: Music Education
Programs such as Kindermusik, Musicgarten, Music for Young Children, and others offer group music classes for school children, preschoolers, toddlers, and even infants. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. offers mountaineering courses for climbers aiming to climb Mt. Rainier, Washington's highest peak, and for high-altitude trekkers worldwide. more...
Cooking and Eating Gear for Hikers and Campers: The Right Camping Cookware Helps Backpackers Feast
Category: Backpacking Gear
Outdoor cookware doesn't have to be fancy to make a great meal. Just combine combine a little creativity, some outdoor cooking equipment, a hiker's appetite and a view. more...
Category: Keyboard (Music)
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...
Category: International Volunteering
Volunteer doctors of the Himalayan Rescue Association educate trekkers about altitude sickness, and treat villagers in the Annapurna and Mt. Everest trekking regions. more...
Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general)
A few carefully thought-out first aid items, toilette articles, and comfort supplies can help with health and comfort for travelers in less developed countries. more...
Category: Safaris/Jungle Travel
South Africa's Addo Elephant National Park has the largest concentration of elephants of any park worldwide, as well as lion, black rhinoceros, leopard, and Cape buffalo more...
Category: Adventure Travel
Aerial adventure parks and ziplines are popping up all over the world. Most are safe, and accidents are rare. A few techniques help ensure safety on a high ropes course. more...
Category: Oceania Island Travel
In French Polynesia, black pearls (and purple, green, and pink pearls, too) can be purchased everywhere from Papeete's Pearl Museum to a working pearl farm. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
East Africa has more than wildllife. Popular add-ons to the traditional East Africa safari are Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, and the Swahili Coast towns of Zanzibar and Lamu. more...
PacSafe Bag Keeps Valuables Safe for Travelers: Product Review of Camera Carrying Case from PacSafe
Category: Adventure Travel
PacSafe's CamSafe shoulder bag solves security problems for adventure travelers, whether carrying an SLR digital camera, a small digital camera or other valuiables. more...
How to Buy Hiking Boots That Fit: Strategies for Choosing and Fitting Boots for Backpacking
Category: Backpacking Gear
The most important criterion for choosing boots is how well they fit. Start by checking foot length and width but also look at foot volume, arch, and toe and heel space. more...
Category: Environmentally Responsible Travel
In Berkshire County in western Massachusetts, restaurants and farmers' markets offer tourists and locavores the chance to enjoy local produce and other farm products. more...
Gear for Climbing Mt. Kenya: What to Take on a Climb of Africa's Second Highest Mountain
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
It snows on the equator! A trek on Mt. Kenya requires three-season hiking gear, including warm clothes, rain gear, and sturdy trekking shoes or hiking boots. more...
Climbing Mt. Kenya via the Naro Moru Route: The Fastest and Most Popular Route up Mount Kenya
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
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: Africa's Second-Highest Peak Offers First-Rate Challenge
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
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...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
The Maui Ocean Center shows visitors Hawaii's sea life, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles, as well as tiny creatures such as seahorses and sea snakes. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
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...
Category: Adventure Travel
Taking a group of friends or family members on a group adventure can be the trip of a lifetime if the destination, resort and activities meet the group's needs. more...
Category: Hiking & Trails
Backpackers starting a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike face environmental challenges including several hundred miles of drylands and desert. These tips will ease the start. more...
Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general)
A passion for wilderness and an interest in teaching backcountry skills can lead to a career as an adventure travel guide for hikers, mountaineers, bikers, and paddlers. more...
Category: Jamaica Travel
Jamaica's resort areas offer different experiences: sophisticated resorts, uninhibited parties, eco-tourism, and secluded beaches are just some of the choices. more...
Category: Solo Travel
Solo hiking isn't for everyone, but for those with the appropriate gear and experience, it can be a rewarding and intense experience. Here's how to stay safe. more...
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...
Category: Hiking & Trails
Three major trails traverse the Pyrenees in France and Spain: The Grand Randonnee 10 (GR-10), the Grand Randonnee 11 (GR-11) and the Haute Route Pyrennean (HRP). more...
Food Drops on an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike: How to Resupply When Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Category: Hiking & Trails
Hikers on the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail prepare food drops in order to resupply. These boxes are sent to post offices, for pick-up in towns near the trail. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
For Appalachian Trail backpackers, a vareity of freeze-foods, supermarket staples, and fresh foods provide energy, variety, and flavor on a long-distance hike. more...
Category: International Volunteering
International volunteers might spend a couple of weeks, several months, or even longer, abroad. Coping with culture shock requires flexibility, sensitivity, and humor. more...
Category: Hiking & Trails
Thru-hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail is a life-list dream trip. It requires planning, fitness, the right gear, a positive attitude, and a love of backpacking. more...
Egypt Tours Lower Risk in Travel to Egypt: Group Tours are Key to Safe Travel in Egypt
Category: Egypt Travel
A recent bombing in the Khan el-Khalili Market raises questions about the safety of tourists traveling in Egypt. Group tours to Egypt can help minimize the risks. more...
Category: Egypt Travel
Near Alexandria, Egypt, El-Alamein was the turning point of World War II's North African campaign. Visit the El- Alamein Museum and the Brritish military cemetery. more...
Category: Horse/Ranch Travel
Whether horseback riding on a hunter course at an English manor or at a dude ranch out west, a few preparations can make for a smoother equestrian vacation. more...
Hiking and Backpacking in France: French Long-distance, Regional, and Local HIking Trails
Category: Hiking & Trails
Hiking in France on the Grandes Randonees offers backpackers the chance to explore a wide variety of stunning outdoor terrain while enjoying French culture and history. more...
Choosing a Horseback Riding Vacation: How to Select an Equestrian Vacation in the U.S. or Abroad
Category: Horse/Ranch Travel
Equestrian vacations range from dude ranches to horsepacking trips to formal lessons while staying in in European castles. Here's how to choose the right riding trip. more...
Category: Environmentally Responsible Travel
Some hotels work hard to reduce their impact and carbon footprint, using solar energy, creative recylcling programs. Here's what to look for in an eco-hotel. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
The Annapurna Circuit and the Everest Trek are iconic names. Thousands of trekkers each year impact the fragile environment and subsistence culture. Here's how to help. more...
Category: Egypt Travel
A new library in Alexandria, Egypt stands on the site of the city's original great library, which once housed a treasure trove of ancient scrolls and manuscripts. more...
Category: Egypt Travel
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...
Category: Egypt Travel
Egyptians are welcoming to western tourists. But visitors can find the different culture, language, and environment a challenge. Some simple tips can help travelers cope. more...
Hiking Boots Versus Trekking Shoes: How to Choose Footwear for a Hiking or Backpacking Trip
Category: Backpacking Gear
Choosing hiking boots or trekking shoes can mean the difference between agony and ecstacy on the trail. Selecting outdoor footwear is a matter of fit, function, and feel. more...
Category: Tanzania Travel
Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, 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...
Category: Washington DC Travel
Washington's monuments include memorials to presidents like Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson, and moving memorials to the Vietnam War, World War II, and others. more...
Beginner's Guide to Snowshoeing: How to Get Started and Enjoy America's Fastest-Growing Snow Sport
Category: Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is America's fastest growing winter sport. It's great aerobic exercise, it's cheap, and it puts all of the winter wilderness at the snowshoer's footsteps. more...
Category: Cross-Country Skiing
Winter accessories like hats, gloves, waist packs, chemical hand warmers, insulated water bottles, hydration systems, gaiters, and sunglasses make cold treks safer. more...
Category: Scuba Diving
Once certified, SCUBA divers can explore different underwater environments. Specialty SCUBA courses teach safety skills for wreck, deep, night, and drift diving. more...
Category: Scuba Diving
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...
Category: Alaska Travel
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...
Category: Winter Sports (general)
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...
Category: Hiking & Trails
The Grand Canyon is a glorious landscape, but it can also be deadly. Rangers recommend the major "corridor" trails as the best place for beginners to get their bearings. more...
Category: Alaska Travel
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...
Category: Maine Travel
Visitors call it "camping on the open water" or the "most relaxation they've ever had." Sail the Maine Coast for lobster-boils, quaint towns, and the ultimate get-away. more...
Category: Belize Travel
"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...
Critter Diving in St. Vincent: Dive St. Vincent Offers Nature Dives to Explore Undersea Life
Category: Scuba Diving
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...
Category: Scuba Diving
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...
Category: Belize Travel
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...
Category: Adventure Travel
Specialty outdoor equipment stores have a cornucopia of holiday gifts for outdoor travelers. Good outdoor gear gifts include headlamps, hats, and outdoor cooking gear. more...
Category: Vacations & Leisure (general)
In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday mans full airplanes and clogged roads. A few tips can help travelers avoid the major pitfalls of holiday travel. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
Grand Canyon National Park in winter has fewer tourists. Once in the canyon, temperatures are mild and campsites are quiet, enabling visitors to take in the.grandeur. more...
Category: Music Education
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...
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: Water Adventure Travel
St. Lucia's combination of mountain, rainforest, and ocean adventure tours offers something for everyone. SCUBA, snorkeling, and sailing are top water activities. more...
Category: Water Adventure Travel
Feluccas are traditional boats used in the Middle East, and especially, on the Nile. Tourists can experience a traditional Nile river cruise in Cairo at dawn. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
Winter outdoor activities in Alaska include skiing and snowshoeing, along with opportunities to try ice climbing, dogsledding, ice fishing, and ice carving. 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: Horse/Ranch Travel
Basic horseback riding techniques, such as mounting, correct seat position, and using the reins properly, help beginning riders confidently enjoy an equestrian vacation. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
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...
Category: Adventure Travel
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...
Category: Music Education
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...
The Lausanne Christmas Market, Switzerland: Traditional European Christmas Market on Lake Geneva
Category: Historical Travel (general)
The Lausanne Christmas market features 50 miniature Swiss chalets stalls in the historic town center, with concerts, a nativity play, and a visit from Father Christmas. more...
Souvenir Shopping in Switzerland: Watches, Army Knives, Cuckoo Clocks, and Food are Swiss Souvenirs
Category: Switzerland Travel
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...
Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general)
Adventure travelers cope with uncomfortable conditions and sleeping problems. Natural sleep aids, sleeping medications, travel pillows, hydration, and common sense help. more...
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
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...
Category: Adventure Travel
Walking is an effective, fast weight loss and exercise strategy. Using a treadmill or a stair climber can help walkers and adventure travelers get fit before a trip. more...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
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...
Category: Freelance Writing (general)
An organization might be "not-for-proft" but still pay freelance writers a fair fee. Freelancers should consider these issues when pricing or discounting for non-profits. more...
Category: Nature/Wildlife Tours
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...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Mount Kilimanjaro may be the biggest, but Mounts Kenya, Meru, and Elgon all offer different trekking and climbing experiences. Here's how they compare. more...
Category: Environmentally Responsible Travel
Uganda hiking trips include Mt. Elgon, a mountain threatened by illegal farming and poaching. A conservation project unites foreign hikers, local guides, and managers. more...
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Learn when and how to cross the High Sierra: When is the high country snow free? When are the streams crossable? When are the mosquitoes hungriest? When is it crowded? more...
Category: Music Education
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...
Category: Adventure Travel
Three new aerial adventure parks opened in the Berkshires in 2009. Each is different; together, these canopy tours add to a wealth of family activities in the Berkshires. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
A backpacking trip doesn't require a lot of gear; it requires the right gear. A basic backpacking checklist of essential hiking equipment ensures nothing is forgotten. more...
Category: Keyboard (Music)
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...
Category: Adventure Travel
Zoar Outdoors, an outdoor adventure resort east of Berkshire County and south of the Vermont border, has opened a year-round zipline facility in western Massachusetts. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
A new zipline park iin Charlemont, Massachusetts offers two courses. A planned third course is slated to be one of the longest and highest in the United States. more...
Gear List for Beginning Backpackers: A Basic List of Equipment Needed to Overnight on a Hiking Trail
Category: Backpacking Gear
The "barrier to entry" that can stop day hikers from becoming backpackers is the amount of gear needed. Here's a gear list, and some recommendations for how to acquire it more...
External Versus Internal Frame Backpacks: How to Choose a Backpack For A Wilderness Trip
Category: Backpacking Gear
Backpacks come in two basic "flavors," internal frame backpacks and external frame backpacks. While internal frames are most popular, external frames have their fans. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Choices of route, adding a training climb, and taking time to acclimate help climbers get to the top of Kilimanjaro without A.M.S. more...
Category: Historical Travel (general)
Three newly restored and reopened theatres in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and northern Connecticut offer a cornucopia of musical and theatrical performances. more...
Category: International Volunteering
Preventative measures can help minimize the chance of contracting diseases such as malaria, swine flu, dysentery, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid, and others. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
A seemingly innocuous blister can ruin a hike. Backpackers can prevent blisters with boots or shoes that fit, pre-hike training walks, and attention on the trail. more...
Buying a Vacation Home in the Country: What to Know and Ask Before Investing in a Second Home
Category: Buying/Selling a Home
When real estate prices are low, vacation homes can be good investments for those who qualify for mortgages, and who know how to avoid pitfalls inherent in second homes. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Mt. Kenya 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...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
Mt. Kenya's lesser known Chogoria Route boasts fantastic Afro-Alpine scenery. This longer but spectacularly scenic route up Mt. Kenya is one of Africa's finest hikes. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
Catamount Ski Area, on the New York-Massachusetts border, has opened North America's largest forest adventure park, with a four-acre aerial ropes and zipline course. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
The Hana Highway hugs Maui's northeast coast, offering a road adventure for drivers who can handle blind curves, one-lane bridges, and precipitous cliffs. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
Adventure travel trips can be easy excursions or grueling challenges. Evaluate fitness and goals, and prepare adequately to ensure a good match between traveler and trip. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
Port Antonio, Jamaica offers an unique opportunity to enjoy uncrowded Caribbean beaches and to also explore the ecology and culture of the nearby Blue Mountains. more...
Category: Hiking & Trails
Blazing deserts, snow-blocked mountain passes, raging rivers, and early winters are some of the issues long-distance hikers must consider when planning a PCT thru-hike. more...
Category: Hiking & Trails
An Appalachian Trail thru-hike is tough with long miles, steep climbs and descents, mud, rain, rocks, and cold. A few strategies make the start of a thru-hike easier. more...
Category: Environmentally Responsible Travel
A few simple, environmentally responsible techniques can help scuba divers and snorkelers protect fragile coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems when they dive. more...
Sleeping Bags for the Appalachian Trail: Choosing the Right Sleeping Gear for an A.T. Thru-Hike
Category: Backpacking Gear
Sleeping bags come in varied designs, temperature ratings, and materials. Choosing one for the Appalachian Trail depends on the season. Weight and warmth are priorities. more...
Category: Hiking & Trails
A variety of maps and guidebooks, some in English, help hikers plan a hike in the Pyrenees. Hikers can order this information, or find it in shops along the route. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
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...
Souvenir Shopping in Nepal: Buying Carpets, Beads, Paintings in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Category: Nepal Travel
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...
Souvenir Shopping in East Africa: Buying Carvings, Textiles, and Baskets in Kenya and Tanzania
Category: Sub-Sahara Africa Travel (general)
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...
Category: Backpacking Gear
Choosing gear for an Appalachian Trail thru-hike involves balancing the need for comfort and safety with the need for a lightweight pack that can be carried with ease. more...
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
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
Category: Alpine Adventure Travel
In the remote mountains of British Columbia, Canadian Mountain Holidays helicopters bring hikers to one of the world's most beautiful and inaccessible wildernesses. more...
Windjammer Cruises Along Maine's Coastline: Maine's Historic Tall-Masted Windjammers Sail the Coast
Category: Water Adventure Travel
The 12 tall ships of the Maine Windjammers Fleet sail the Maine Coast on trips ranging from a weekend to a six-day sail. 7 of the ships are National Historical Landmarks more...
Category: Hiking & Trails
The multi-national GR-5 starts at the North Sea in Holland, and crosses parts of six European countries before ending at the Mediterranean Sea in Nice, France. more...
Category: Safaris/Jungle Travel
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...
A Woman's Guide to Solo Adventure Travel: Safety Concerns and Strategies for Women Traveling Alone
Category: Solo Travel
To be safe when traveling, solo women adventure travelers should pay attention to who is around them. A few tricks can minimize problems and prevent misunderstandings. more...
Category: Volunteer & Eco Adventures (general)
A volunteer vacation combines working in the outdoors, hiking, and meeting other trail enthusiasts. Opportunities abound on America's hiking trails, parks and forests. more...
Category: Adventure Travel
South Africa's Tsitsikamma offers everything from bird watching to bungee jumping. This ecotourism mecca appeals to green travelers and adrenaline junkies alike. more...
Souvenir Shopping in Egypt: Buying Egyptian Souvenirs, Carpets, Alabaster, Papyrus, and Jewelry
Category: Egypt Travel
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...
Category: Egypt Travel
Hot air balloon flights s show guests the vast Sahara Desert. Floating 1000 feet in the air, tourists look down at the Theban Necropolis and the West Bank of the Nile. more...
Category: Backpacking Gear
Call them trekking poles or walking sticks, use one or two: This handy piece of equipment can do everything from hold up a tent to save knees on a steep descent. more...
Ten Essentials for Outdoor Survival: Essential Emergency Gear for Hikers and Outdoorspeople
Category: Wilderness Backpacking
Knowing what emergency equipment to carry when hiking or backpacking can save the day when conditions turn inclement, the terrain gets tricky, or the unexpected happens. more...
Renting Versus Buying SCUBA Gear: Which SCUBA Equipment to Buy, Whiich to Rent, and How to Decide
Category: Scuba Diving
Deciding when to buy SCUBA gear means evaluating diving needs. Start with personal gear like wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, and work up to the big-ticket items. more...
Category: Washington DC Travel
Washington D.C. is a living history lesson. Smithsonian museums and monuments commemorate America's past with educational exhibits on everything from espionage to space more...
Category: Skiing
Catamount Ski Area is just over two hours from the New York metropolitan area. It offers night skiing, a terrain park, and the steepest and longest Berkshires trails. more...
Category: Cross-Country Skiing
Once a skier can glide, the next task is controlling climbs, descents, and turns. The herringbone ascent, using skins, and side-stepping help tame killer ski trails. more...
Cross Country Skiing Basic Skills: The Diagonal Stride and other Nordic Techniques Help Skiers Glide
Category: Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing techniques seem counterintuitive at first. Mastering the diagonal stride is the first step to gliding through the winter wilderness on Nordic skis. more...
Category: Jamaica Travel
Dramatic black cliffs contrast with brilliant white sand and turquoise sea. Negril tourists have a choice of B and Bs, villas, all-inclusives, and everything in between. more...
Alaskan Bunny Boots Give Warmth to Frigid Feet: Boots Keep Military and Alaskan Outdoor Workers Warm
Category: Winter Sports (general)
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...
Desert Hiking Tips and Techniques: How to Hike and Backpack in Desert and Dryland Environments
Category: Wilderness Backpacking
Hiking in places like the Grand Canyon and Sonoran Desert can be beautiful, but surviving in and (even) enjoying the desert requires acclimating and preparation. more...
Category: Latin Am/Caribbean Travel (general)
Palm Island Resort is a private island with a brilliant white-sand beach, a variety of watersports, and a chance to view beautiful coral reef paintings by a local artist. more...
Category: Italy Travel
Starwood's Sheraton Roma is located in the heart of Rome's business district, between the historic city center and Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. more...
Category: Oceania Island Travel
The Pacific Princess sails to legendary islands like Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea, and to lesser-known idylls such as Raiatea and Huahine. more...
Category: Latin Am/Caribbean Travel (general)
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...
St. Vincent's Young Island Resort: Private Island Offers Tranquility, Authentic Caribbean Feel
Category: Latin Am/Caribbean Travel (general)
Located across a narrow strait from St. Vincent, 35-acre Young Island features 29 private cottages, a spa, pool, tennis courts, watersports, and access to SCUBA diving. more...
Category: Latin Am/Caribbean Travel (general)
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...
Category: Skiing
Berkshire County ski areas offer Northeast skiers a variety of winter fun, from traditional downhill trails to cross-country paths, tubing, and snowboard parks. more...
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