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Travel Inspiration

Travel inspires us to open our minds and hearts to other cultures and ways of living. It destroys narrow-mindedness and prejudice and it changes us. When you need some inspiration, read a travel story. It’s almost as good as being there and hopefully it will inspire you to seek out your own adventures. As Henry Miller said: “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

Articles, Travel Inspiration

Meaningful Quotes About Nature

Our Favorite Images of Nature with Meaningful Quotes The sound of a bubbling stream, the scent of a pine forest, the rugged beauty of the mountains – these things bring peace to the soul. Being in nature eases stress and restores and refreshes the body and spirit. Poets, writers and philosophers have tried to describe the beauty of nature and what it means to them. Here’s a collection of some of the most meaningful quotes about nature along with some of our favorite nature photographs. May they inspire you to discover the beauty of our natural world. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of two craft vendors at the Lincoln Christmas market in Lincolnshire, England - best Christmas markets
Ourchasing handmade crafts is part of the fun of attending a Christmas market. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Europe’s Best Christmas Markets

Spirit of Christmas Festival Fun Christmas markets date back for centuries and it’s difficult to pinpoint the oldest Christmas market in Europe, because some of the best Christmas markets in Austria and Germany both lay claim to that title. Though Vienna had a December market as early as 1297, it was more of a general market that wasn’t specifically Christmas-focused. Dresden, Germany had a true Christmas Market called Strietzelmarkt as early as 1434, so they also lay claim to being the oldest. In recent years, Christmas Markets have expanded to include many cities around the world. Here’s a list of a few of the best Christmas markets in Europe. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of two vendors at the Lincoln Christmas Market in Lincolnshire, England
Visiting the Lincoln Christmas Market can get you into the holiday spirit. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Lincoln Christmas Market

How to Make the Holidays Happy A court jester on stilts was wandering around the wooden stalls at the Lincoln Christmas Market in Lincolnshire, England. Every so often he blasted a small horn and made the formal announcement: “nothing is about to happen.” The square was packed with people, because contrary to the jester’s announcement, something was about to happen. The Dean of Lincoln Cathedral was about to offer a seasonal blessing on the Lincoln Christmas Market following which the Mayor of Lincoln would officially declare the market to be open. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of an iceberg in the fog near Ilulissat, Greenland
Iceberg in the fog. Photo by GREG OLSEN
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Ilulissat, Greenland – Birthplace of Icebergs

Taken by Surprise in Ilulissat, Greenland Our ship slid through the fog on the morning we arrived in Ilulissat, Greenland. It was difficult to see anything through the dense vapor, but we boarded a zodiac and headed into town. As we entered the harbor, the fog lifted and the first iceberg came into view. Minutes later we saw more icebergs and colorful houses. These were our first hints that this remote spot was someplace special. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.   Exploring a UNESCO World Heritage Site Just outside the town of …

Greg Olsen
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An image of two kids paddleboarding of Yelapa Beach - Jalisco, Mexico
Yelapa is a quiet village when the tour boats aren’t there. Photo by DEBBIE OLSEN
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Yelapa Beach – Where no Roads Go

It’s 9 am on a Sunday morning and as I make my way along the uneven cement sidewalks and little backstreets of the Mexican village of Yelapa, there isn’t a soul in sight. The only sign of life comes when I pass a small convenience store, which is just opening its doors for the day. Even the beautiful golden sand of Yelapa Beach is completely deserted. Surrounded by mountains, there are no roads into Yelapa and the only way to reach the village is by boat from nearby Puerto Vallarta and the first boats haven’t yet arrived. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a group of people participating in a yoga class at Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica - Yoga Retreat Costa Rica
Morning yoga at Anamaya Resort
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Anamaya Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica – Resort Review

My husband had never really done yoga before our visit to Anamaya Yoga Retreat Costa Rica and if he ever felt that yoga was for sissies, he doesn’t feel that way anymore. On the first day of our one-week holiday, I looked over to see him shaking as he strained to hold a pose. His heels were almost touching his head – a position he hadn’t experienced since his time in the womb. He was doing better than I was, since I had already rolled out of the position and was watching him. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at …

Debbie Olsen
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There is something incredibly intrepid about the notion of driving yourself across Africa watching an ever-changing landscape filled with elephants, giraffes, lions and other wildlife roll past your window.
elephants in Etosha National Park in Namibia.
Articles, Travel Inspiration

African Adventures on a Self Drive Safari

There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.   Self Drive Safari in Namibia There is something incredibly intrepid about the notion of driving yourself across Africa watching an ever-changing landscape filled with elephants, giraffes, lions and other wildlife roll past your window. It’s an epic road trip that is only possible in a few of Africa’s safest countries. Related: If you like articles and pictures of wildlife, check out our post about the Top Ten Galapagos Islands Animals. Namibia’s Etosha National Park Etosha National Park spans an area of more than 22,200 square km …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a polar bear resting on the shores of the Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba
When slushy ice starts to form in Hudson Bay, polar bears begin to gather near Churchill, Manitoba.
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Churchill Polar Bear Tours

October to November is the prime time for Churchill polar bear tours. A stay at Churchill Northern Studies Centre  (CNSC) is a great way to see and learn about polar bears and other Arctic species. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.   Why is Churchill the Polar Bear Capital of the World? When slushy ice starts to form in Hudson Bay, polar bears begin to gather near Churchill, Manitoba. It’s a phenomenon that’s been occurring for centuries. The bears gather here because ice forms sooner than it does in other places in the …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of an orange sunrise over the bird-filled lagoon at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize
Sunrise is the best time to explore the lagoon at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize.
Articles, Travel Inspiration

Best Bird Watching Holidays – Birding in Belize

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary If you want to see birds, sometimes you have to get up with them. That’s why the most popular birding tour at the Bird’s Eye View Lodge is the one that happens at first light. Our boat was completely full of passengers when we pulled away from the dock at 545 am. The 16,400 acres of lagoons, creeks and wetlands in Audubon-protected Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary were teeming with wildlife and most importantly bird life. That’s what makes this special place one of the best spots for birding in Belize and one of the world’s best destinations for bird watching holidays. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one …

Debbie Olsen
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Articles, Travel Inspiration

Bird Watching in San Blas, Nayarit

How to have a Big Day in Mexico There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Birding is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world and some of the best bird watching in Mexico is near the tiny fishing village of San Blas, Nayarit. San Blas is located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico about a three-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. Competitive birders have long known that birding in San Blas is a good way to score a big day or a big year record. For a big day record, a birder …

Debbie Olsen
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