There are a lot of places in the world that should be on every traveler’s list of things to see. Some are more famous than others, and some are more off the beaten track as well. Some of my personal favorites can be classified in all of these categories.

The Iguazu Falls, from the Argentina and Brazil sides, are one of the top places on any list. I am a sucker for natural wonders so I could have spent more time there than the couple of days that I did, but they are truly spectacular. Since I am on the natural wonders track, I would also not miss the Grand Canyon. Although I have been there on dozens of occasions I still stand in awe every time. Now, from canyons to mountains, the sight of the Himalayas with the naked eye gives me shivers and not from the cold. However, I must admit that I prefer them from a bit of a distance and am not about to do any climbing! I am adventurous, not suicidal.

The next two are combined natural and man-made wonders. On this part of my list are the amazing Nile and Yangtze rivers in Egypt and China respectively. It may sound corny and touristy, but taking a cruise up or down both of these rivers is absolutely memorable. The natural aspect is breathtaking, but to combine that with the historical structures in the banks of both rivers just can’t be beat if you are trying to add a little culture to your trip. Despite never having been a major fan of cruising, this is the best way to experience Egypt from Aswan to Luxor and everything in between.

The last on my list for this edition is going to be my absolute favorite – a safari anywhere in Africa. There is just something so special about being close to creatures in their natural habitats that we spend our childhoods dreaming about, and yes, hyenas do really laugh. I always say the best way to get me out of bed before dawn is to put me in a safari camp, which if you knew me well would really be a testament to the excitement of being on safari.

There you have it. More to come next time.

Reprinted from my blog at a national travel magazine

I will start off by telling you that I am most definitely a city girl. I love the city, almost any city. The hustle and bustle, sounds, smells and sights are all things I want assaulting my senses. I have the innate need to be able to find life at the oddest hours of the night, and good or bad it makes me feel part of the human race. I have a lot of favorite cities, but even my less preferred ones are still more desirable to me than spending time camping or trekking in vast wastelands where humans are rarely seen. Not that I haven’t done a lot of that, but it just is not my top choice when traveling for pleasure. In fact, one memorable experience many years ago had me in the outback of Australia being offered an item to eat that was still crawling, which, of course, I politely declined.

All this being said, I do recommend getting out of town at least one day if not more during city romps. Although I am not a fan of watching grass grow, which is my impression of what people do in vast wilderness areas, I do enjoy seeing unique parts of nature.

This may seem a little contradictory to you all, but taking short trips out of town to view wildlife or see unique natural or manmade wonders is something very enjoyable. Some of the top sights on my list are Iguaçu Falls in Brazil or Argentina, the Great Wall of China, any safari somewhere in Africa, Stonehenge, Denali Park in Alaska and the list goes on. As you can see, most of these sights are not all that far away from a city. However, I have broken my own rules for a few days at a time to experience these beautiful places.

Last week I was reacquainted with Muir Woods in California and was reminded just how beautiful nature can be. It was remarkable to stand next to these towering redwood trees that average between 400-800 years old and imagine what they could tell us if only they could speak. Now I know this may not seem old in comparison to sights all over the world that have been around for thousands of years, but I must remind you that very little in California is especially old. In fact, we consider anything 100 years old and still standing to be extraordinary.

So, get out of town. Even if you are just on business, take some time to venture out for even a half-day excursion. You won’t be required to watch grass grow or eat still-living creatures, but you will see a different side of life.

Reprinted from my blog at a national travel magazine