Hiking to a waterfall is likely not the first thing that comes to the mind when people are visiting Southern California. Overwhelmed by all the well-known and frequently recommended must-dos, it is easy to miss the smaller and less famous opportunities, especially when it comes to spending time in nature.

The morning mist partially obscured the peaks lining Resurrection Bay as the Coastal Explorer pulled away from Seward. A bald eagle bid us farewell from his perch and a nearby sea otter floated peacefully in the harbor. The deckhands served fresh warm cinnamon rolls as we motored toward Kenai Fjords National Park. Dressed for winter even though it was June, I boarded an eight-hour cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours with expectations of adventure. I was excited to learn that Kenai Fjords Tours, along with several other Alaskan cruise operators, promote sustainable whale watching by adhering to Whale SENSE guidelines. Kenai Fjords Tours Photo: Kirsten Harrington Whale SENSE – Champions of Responsible Whale Watching Whale SENSE is a voluntary program that highlights commercial whale-watching companies that go above and beyond in protecting marine mammals. Having whale SENSE means these boats: Stick to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) laws [...]

The Azores is somehow forgotten European tourism destination. Lost in Atlantic the archipelago is a unique place. Hundreds of volcanoes, wonderful landscape and interesting architecture make it an interesting place to visit.

I'd traveled to Greece with four friends, some of whom I’d known for more than 25 years. We had been dreaming and plotting a “swimcation” for a decade and finally signed up with the British company SwimTrek, one of several organizations that offer swimming vacations around the world, including in The Maldives, Oman, the Galapagos Islands and Scotland.

The world is brimming with exciting destinations waiting to be explored by avid adventure travelers. Whether you seek cultural immersion, natural beauty, historical landmarks, extreme or soft adventures, these eight destinations should be at the top of your travel list.

Every year, visitors flock to Page, Arizona, near the Utah border to marvel at the mesmerizing beauty of the Arizona slot canyons on the Navajo Reservation. The Southwest is known for these naturally occurring winding canyons, and the ones in Arizona are particularly magnificent.

Buffeted by ferocious winds, I stared into the abyss of an open airplane door. The bright South Carolina June sky and cotton candy clouds seemed a cruel contrast to the darkness gripping me — an innate fear of falling that has haunted me for years. I could barely hear my Skydive Carolina instructor Cathy Abelleira's words in my ear as I clenched my jaw.

Crisp, fresh air that purifies the senses. Golden aspens shimmering in the sunlight. Clean, white snow blanketing the ground.

It’s easy to imagine what Saba must have looked like two hundred years ago. Aside from the medical school and the single narrow ribbon of road, the island hasn’t changed much.

Whitewater rafting in crystal clear waters. Horseback riding through the tall prairie grass. Purple mountains as the backdrop for local craft breweries. Sounds like a dream, but it’s actually Montana.

Though it’s best known as a religious pilgrimage, walking the Camino de Santiago does not need to be a spiritual journey and people from all walks of life can and do take this adventure for different reasons.

It was a hot summer day when a friend of mine and I pulled into the parking lot of Sombrio Beach, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. We planned to be there for the day and set up a shady spot on the sand to enjoy our ocean views. We were hoping to see some wildlife — a bald eagle, a sea lion, maybe even a breaching whale.