By Laima Rastikis ITWPA Member Need a break from the sun and sand while visiting south Florida? Whether you’re staying in the Naples area or Miami/Fort Lauderdale, you have a vast natural wonder less than an hour’s drive away. The 729,000-acre Big Cypress National Preserve and western everglades are a fascinating ecosystem that’s home to hundreds of animal and plant … [Read more...] about Go See the ’Gators
Destinations
A New Life for an Old School
By Robert L. Archibald As you climb the 20-some steps leading to the main entrance you almost expect to hear school bells and the sound of children on the playground. Today the historic Ivywild Elementary School, constructed in 1916, is a repurposed building with new life bustling through the halls. The Colorado Springs school district closed Ivywild in 2009 due to … [Read more...] about A New Life for an Old School
Chobe National Park — The Ageless Traveler
By Marylou Phillips The magnificent herd of Kalahari elephants wades across the Chobe River, head to tail, providing a spectacular video shoot for the passengers on the cruise boats. As the herd moves on to gradually disappear in the distance, a lone bull elephant suddenly realizes his friends have gone, leaving him all on his own on the wrong side of the river. He’s headed … [Read more...] about Chobe National Park — The Ageless Traveler
One Day in Baños, Ecuador
By Maggie Abernathy Known as “The Adventure Capital of Ecuador,” Baños has plenty to keep you busy for several days. However, if you have just one day to spend, here’s how to make the most of it. Start early in the morning and rent a bike for the 16 kilometer ride (about 9 miles) to Pailón del Diablo, or Devil’s Cauldron, waterfall. Your mostly-downhill ride will wind … [Read more...] about One Day in Baños, Ecuador
Tamales and Tequila in Mezcales — Say It Isn’t So
By Tina Guidry Patterson ITWPA Member With seven hours before our flight, tequila tasting just seemed like a good use of our time -- right? We had spent eight sun-filled days visiting Puerto Vallarta on our annual trip to Mexico, but had not purchased tequila before heading back home. Several residents told us that Mama Lucia Tequila was a local distillery that would be … [Read more...] about Tamales and Tequila in Mezcales — Say It Isn’t So