How To See Lava on Hawaii’s Big Island: Kilauea Volcano
If you’re traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii, then you won’t want to miss the mesmerizing opportunity to see lava as it flows across a lava field and pours into the ocean. We weren’t really sure what to expect before our most recent trip, but seeing lava on the Big Island turned out to be one of our favorite things we did! Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, has been continuously erupting since 1983. Most often, the lava flow is slow and gentle; if you follow proper precautions and regulations, it’s safe and fascinating to get up-close to the show! That said, there are definitely a few tips and tricks to follow to ensure you make the most of seeing lava on the Big Island. Here’s what we learned from our latest lava adventure in Hawaii: How To See Lava on the Big Island: Kilauea Volcano There are numerous tours that will take you to see Kilauea’s lava flow, but it’s also easy to go the DIY-route. To start the adventure, head to the popular Kalapana Viewing Site, about 45-minutes from Hilo. Here, you’ll have the option to hike 9-miles roundtrip down a hot gravel road, or rent a somewhat uncomfortable bike from one of the many vendors in the parking lot. We opted to bike, which we highly recommend. You’ll find heaps of bike rental stations around the parking area, and it makes the trek to and from the lava viewing area much more manageable. Insider Tip: Expect to pay $15 for a bike, a headlamp, a lock...
Kalymnos Travel Guide: What To Do On Our Favorite Greek Island
Greece is one of those magical destinations where we feel like you can’t really go wrong no matter which island you choose. Santorini is as romantic as can be, with its iconic whitewashed buildings and dramatic caldera. Rhodes has a rich history, beautiful beaches and one of the best-preserved fortresses in the world. Then, of course, there’s the mainland and Athens—a city a bit rough around the edges but which we thoroughly enjoyed exploring. Yet of all the spots we visited in Greece, our favorite was without a doubt the small but beautiful island of Kalymnos. Kalymnos is a relatively off-the-beaten-track destination in Greece. Both Greeks and tourists seemed a bit surprised when we said Kalymnos was on our Dodecanese island hopping itinerary—and even more so when we said we fell completely in love with it. If you’re looking for raving nightlife and fancy clubs, then Kalymnos isn’t for you. But if you’re after a unique Greek experience that offers plenty of adventure, cuisine and beauty, then we think you’ll love Kalymnos just as much as we did. Here’s everything you need to know to start exploring this fascinating spot. Your Ultimate Kalymnos Travel Guide An Introduction To Kalymnos The first thing you’ll notice about Kalymnos is its striking beauty, with dramatic crags and mountains, dazzling deep blue water, and a much greener landscape than its neighboring islands. It’s the ideal setting for adventure—and as a result is a popular destination for rock climbing, hiking and more (which we go into detail about below.) When arriving at Kalymnos, you’ll likely dock at Pothia, the main port...
7 Must-Visit National Parks In Costa Rica
This post is brought to you by Luxury Resorts. One of the top reasons to visit Costa Rica is to witness the country’s diverse flora and fauna. And with some 5% of the world’s biodiversity, often all it takes to experience Costa Rica’s natural abundance is looking out your window. No matter how many times we spot toucans in our garden or hear howler monkeys calling out in the distance, the wildlife in Costa Rica just never gets old. And one of the best ways to appreciate the country’s natural beauty is with a visit to any one of its National Parks. An astonishing 25% of Costa Rica is protected in wildlife parks or reserves. That means that whatever region of Costa Rica you’re planning to visit, there is more than likely a great National Park nearby. We’ve yet to visit each of the country’s 27 National Parks, but we are doing our best to cross them all off our Costa Rica bucket list. In the meantime, here are our favorite seven spots we have visited—it should be enough to get you started on your own adventures through Costa Rica’s National Parks! Pro Traveler Tip: Luckily, there are plenty of stylish accommodation options nearby most of the parks. We prefer luxury accommodation or glamping to sleeping bags any day. These Costa Rica luxury resorts look particularly awesome. 7 Must-Visit National Parks In Costa Rica 1. Arenal Volcano National Park While it no longer smokes, Arenal Volcano is still a site to behold—especially if you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear, sunny day....
Your Complete Guide To Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
When we were first backpacking around Costa Rica (long before we ever imagined calling the country home), one of the stops we found particularly striking was Cahuita National Park. With palm-fringed beaches, abundant wildlife and powder white sand, it was everything we had first imaged Costa Rica would be. Fast-forward a few years, and we’re happy to say our return visit to Cahuita National Park proved just as wonderful as the first. If you’re wondering if the park is worth the adventure to Costa Rica’s Caribbean, then this post is for you! Your Guide To Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park First, check out our video we put together after our most recent visit to the park! This will give you a sense of what the area is like: Arriving At The National Park The national park gets its name from the laid-back town of Cahuita, known for its unique Afro-Caribbean culture and long sandy beaches. While the nearby town of Puerto Viejo continues to grow in popularity, attracting a large mix of backpackers and mid-range travelers alike, Cahuita has managed to maintain its sleepy charm. The “downtown” is a smattering of colorful wooden houses and restaurants. And while it doesn’t look like much on the surface, a bit of exploration around Cahuita and down the gravel road that lines the coast reveals lovely bed and breakfasts, retreat centers, and a surprisingly diverse array of cuisine. Most travelers opt to base themselves in Puerto Viejo, about 45 minutes or so from the park. However, if you’ve got the time, we recommend at least...
White Water Rafting The Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica: An Epic Two-Day Adventure
It was 5:00 am on a Friday morning, and I was terrified. I was on my way to the Rios Tropicales operation center to begin a two-day white water rafting adventure down the Pacuare River—considered by National Geographic to be one of the best destinations for rafting in the world. While normally this kind of travel experience would be right up my alley, this time around I had some hesitations… Last time we went white water rafting, while I admittedly had a blast, there was also a bit of a scare. Basically, rocks shifted in the river, our raft unexpectedly flipped and everyone got catapulted from their seats. I somehow ended up underneath the raft, in the water, pinned near a rock. When Dan came up and saw everyone from our raft floating down the river except for me, he immediately came and lifted the raft off me. It all happened extremely quickly and thankfully without injury, but it was enough to put me on edge the rest of the way. Particularly as it had been Dan (not our guides) who noticed I was missing from the group (and likely underwater.) This time around, I would be setting out for our white water rafting adventure with a different (and extremely reputable) tour agency, as well as our friends My Tan Feet. However, Dan wasn’t coming along for this one. As a result, I was a bit on edge about the entire idea of white water rafting down world-renowned rapids that very well could send me flailing into the water once more—without the very person who...
Hiking the Royal Arch Trail In Boulder Colorado
Living in Costa Rica, we’ve noticed that the country attracts a lot of native Coloradans—both tourists and expats. It seems the love of the outdoors and adventure activities aligns well with residents of both areas. So it’s hardly any surprise that Colorado immediately caught our attention as a place where we might want to spend extended time in the future. In particular, we love Boulder for its excellent restaurants and bars along with easy access to outstanding hiking and climbing. During our last visit to Boulder, we trekked up to South Boulder Peak, which was absolutely stunning. This time around, we thought we would tackle the Flatirons Trail. While we admittedly didn’t make it to the peak we had originally set out for, we did make it to the top of the Royal Arch Trail, which was pretty epic in its own right. Hiking the Royal Arch Trail In Boulder Colorado We started out from our Airbnb, just steps away from the start of Bear Canyon trail. This leads to the Mesa trail which runs parallel to the Flatirons and overlooks the town of Boulder below. If you aren’t keen on a super steep hike, this is a relatively flat alternative to hiking up to the summit. After about 2 miles, the Mesa Trail eventually runs into signs for the Royal Arch trail. This is where the going gets steep and rocky. After about a mile of uphill climbing on rock stairs, you’ll reach the Royal Arch. Pass under the arch and you’ll arrive at the end of the trail, with a rewarding view looking back over Boulder and the...Hi! We’re Dan and Casey!
Lovebirds, world travelers, and adventurers extraordinaire.
A Cruising Couple is for those seeking adventure travel with a dash of class.
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