Located 100 miles southwest of the capital city of Santiago, you’ll find the gem of a retreat known as Vik Chile. Founded by Alex and Carrie Vik in 2006, Chile’s Millahue Valley is the backdrop for this scenic winery and retreat. The valley, named the “Golden Place” by the native Mapuche people, boasts over 10,000 Read more…
June 18, 2021
Phuket is set to open to tourists in July and it couldn’t be a more perfect time to visit. The past year has given this region of Thailand the opportunity to both rejuvenate itself and return to its traditional roots, making Phuket an ideal destination for those looking to head back to Southeast Asia. Wildlife Read more…
June 16, 2021
In March of 2020 I had planned to visit Peru on my first educational trip with Travel Beyond. I’d spent a summer in Cusco sixteen years earlier and couldn’t wait to return to my old stomping grounds. But then, just two days before my departure, everything changed. The COVID-19 virus we’d been hearing about in Read more…
June 14, 2021
The dust from the airplane settled as we disembarked the plane. Immediately, we are greeted by a tall man beaming from ear to ear, exclaiming warmly, “Welcome to the Salt Pans!!” The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (pronounced ma-KHAD-ik-KHAD-ee) stretch across a huge area of Botswana’s semi-arid Kalahari Desert. They are the remnants of an enormous lake that Read more…
June 9, 2021
When you think of safari, what comes to mind? For most it is riding in a 4×4 land cruiser across a vast landscape. This is certainly a common way to view the wildlife of Africa, but it is by no means the only. I recently returned from a two-week trip to the Okavango Delta, located Read more…
May 27, 2021
While safaris tend to be the focus of most trips we plan to Africa, I knew that a return to the beautiful city of Cape Town and the Cape Winelands was a non-negotiable for my honeymoon. Since my first visit to Cape Town many years ago, it has made its way to the top of Read more…
May 18, 2021
Whether you are an avid photographer or you just like to dabble, you are likely to going to want a snap at least a few photos during your travel. There are countless options for cameras, lenses and more and we address those in our blog post focusing on cameras and binoculars. No matter your camera Read more…
May 16, 2021
Comparing the Masai Mara National Reserve and Mara Conservancies If you have ever thought about a Kenya safari, you have likely considered a stay in the Mara area. Deciding whether or not to go to the Mara is pretty easy – it is one of the country’s must-see destinations, after all! However, given the many Read more…
April 26, 2021
It’s hard to put into words how meaningful it was to return to Africa after almost two years away from the bush. About once a year for over a decade, I’ve been lucky enough to explore many incredible destinations throughout southern and east Africa. But what made this trip even more special was this time Read more…
April 24, 2021
This past spring, Shelly Riera and Todd Giadrosich traveled to Panama on an epic week-long trip planned by Dianna Upton, one of Travel Beyond’s outstanding consultants. Upon returning to the United States, the couple shared some photos and a few reflections about their adventure. What was the best part about traveling to Panama? Panama is a Read more…
April 15, 2021
As a history major in college, I’d always been fascinated by Panama: The arrival of the Spaniards. The creation of (and multiple failed attempts at constructing) the Canal. The United States’ subsequent presence. I’d heard so much about the country and was eager to see the sights of which I’d learned and the ways in Read more…