Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands: Go at Least Once in a Lifetime

Published April 25, 2022 | By Clark Norton

A Galapagos iguana, best seen on a stress-free guided trip. Photo by Clark Norton

One of my favorite trips ever was to the Galapagos Islands, via a small cruise ship, much like the one contributing writer Robert Waite took in his compelling narrative below. The fellow pictured above, a marine iguana with a face only a mother (or mate) could love, is one of countless friendly creatures my wife and I encountered during our eight-island cruise. But I’ll leave it to Bob to chronicle his own experiences, which complete his trilogy on traveling to Ecuador, including visits to the colonial-era capital, Quito, and the Amazon.

By Robert Waite

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos – Want to feel young again, even if you are in your sixth or seventh decade? Head to the Santa Cruz highlands, where you will be a veritable spring chicken compared to the Galapagos giant tortoises ambling about.

Many tortoises reach 100 years of age or more, and one —… Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure travel, Baby boomer travel, Boat travel, Bucket Lists, Ecuador, South America, Wildlife | Tagged Blue-footed boobies, Charles Darwin, Ecuador travel, Galapagos, Galapagos cruise, Galapagos history, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos travel, Galapagos wildlife, Giant tortoises | 1 Comment

Where to Celebrate Milestone Birthdays

Published August 11, 2017 | By Clark Norton

We spent a recent milestone birthday on Milos, Greece. Photo by Clark Norton

Our family has long tried to celebrate milestone birthdays and anniversaries with a major trip.

I won’t specify which birthdays or anniversaries, but these celebratory trips have taken us to Paris, Alaska, Norway, Greece, and Antarctica, among other far-flung destinations.

Sometimes you just need a good excuse to travel. (Other times, not — whatever works.)

So I was intrigued to come across this list of suggested milestone birthday celebratory trips from the folks at Wilderness Travel, which has been taking adventurous travelers to remote regions of the globe since 1978. (It was named AFAR Magazine’s World’s Best Tour Operator for 2017.)

The company, known for their itineraries that delve deep into a region’s culture and cuisine, has suggestions for destinations perfect for a 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th birthday celebration.

Baby boomers have… Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure travel, Africa, Alaska, Baby boomer travel, Bucket Lists, cultural travel, Natural wonders | Tagged African safari, Antarctica, Galapagos Islands, Greece, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Tanzania, Wilderness Travel | Leave a comment

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.