During a recent trip to the South Island of New Zealand, I was struck by its vibrant waters and lakes tucked within a mountainous terrain. These photos celebrate the scenery and were taken while hiking or driving around the Banks Peninsula, Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook National Park, Wānaka, Queenstown, and Lake Wakatipu. I’ve also included some captures from a scenic flight over Queenstown, Mt Aspiring National Park, and Fiordlands.
While visiting Porto, I rented a car and explored the Douro Valley for a few days. The roads may be curvy and death-defying, but the views are splendid. I also enjoyed my morning and evening valley views from a stay at the Quinta Barqueiros d’Ouro in the small village of Barqueiros.
And, of course, the wine is very tasty too. I could sit forever and watch that river valley with a glass of wine.
These photos take me back to the lights, street food, and energy of Dotonbori in Osaka, Japan. Osaka often gets overshadowed by neighboring Kyoto on the tourist scene, but its streets offer a lively experience in Japanese urban culture.
Plitvice Lakes National Park should probably be on any Croatia itinerary. Featuring 16 connected lakes and numerous waterfalls, it’s a truly unique experience. When I visited, I reserved an early hour entry ticket to journey among the waterfalls with a smaller crowd – and glad I did so. The tourist crowds were massive later in the day.
During the Everest Base Camp Trek, one of my favorite spots was in and around Pheriche located amidst some inspiring Himalayan views. The day after reaching Base Camp, we descended from Gorak Shep to Pheriche in a bit of fog and snow that later opened to clear mountain views. These photos capture scenes over two days while trekking in the area.
An overnight stay on Mt. Koya, a large mountain Buddhist temple settlement near Osaka, was one of my favorite moments during my trip to Japan. A notable highlight photographed here: the Okunoin Cemetery. Dating back to 835, the large cemetery contains over 200,000 tombstones amidst towering cedar trees. A walk through this site feels sacred, peaceful, and visually stunning. Jizo statues throughout the cemetery are believed to watch over children who have passed and are often adorned with red hats and bibs – a protective color against evil and illness.
Okunoin was certainly the most unique and atmospheric cemetery I’ve ever visited.
I’m not religious, but love church architecture when I travel – and the rich gold that adorns churches in Portugal is beautiful. To celebrate the architecture, here are a variety of photos that highlight church architecture in Porto, Coimbra, Faro, and Lagos.
Over a week ago I completed the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal that traverses some of the best culture and scenery in the Everest region. I wouldn’t have had the perceived confidence and fitness to complete this journey at age 25….so I did it at 45 – proof that I’m aging like a fine wine.
I’ve just begun to edit the (many) photos of the trek, but here are a few from the most epic day: a hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep to the base camp at 5364 meters (or 17,598 feet). I was exhausted that day, but the sunny weather and surreal Himalayan views kept me moving.
And I couldn’t have asked for a better travel group to share both the challenges and memories.
It would be a mistake to skip Bern during a trip to Switzerland. I loved walking these streets, especially in morning before the crowds. And a journey up to Rosengarten Park offers the best view above the city.
Most people visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto during daytime, but I found it most beautiful at night. A walk through the labyrinth of Tori gates is serene as a warm glow radiates from every corner. At times, I felt like I almost had the place to myself.
When I visited the Algarve in Portugal, my best moments were spent walking the trails along the rocky coast and exploring the amazing beaches. Every inch of this coast is stunning.
Scenes from hot and colorful Cartagena, Colombia. It’s a must visit.
I always take photos when I travel but don’t often grab my camera when close to home. It was beautiful this weekend in DC with warm weather, peak cherry blossoms, and spring beginning to bloom. So I took the camera for a walk.
Away from the tourist crowds, the Capitol Hill neighborhood’s residential streets are a favorite place to enjoy spring in DC just a short walk from home. Here’s a few photos from a quiet stroll on Saturday afternoon.
The W Trek in Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park does not disappoint. For four days and three nights, I joined a hiking group that traversed the famous route through some of Patagonia’s most iconic landscapes of mountains, valleys, glaciers, and vibrant blue waters. These photos capture a few scenes along the way in (mostly) chronological order of our trek.
I couldn’t celebrate St Patrick’s day without some Irish pics. While the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula are both stunning, the nearby Beara Peninsula is equally stunning…and less touristy. I stayed a few days there in a small Airbnb cottage tucked away in a valley (first photo). These photos capture my exploration of the valley and the rest of the peninsula.
Watching Season 3 of White Lotus makes me reminisce about the tropical islands of Thailand. Here’s a few photos from my visit to Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands, and the Phang Nga Bay that celebrate their beauty and culture.
Built over multiple time periods and in different states of restoration, temples are everywhere in Angkor Archeological Park near Siem Reap, Cambodia. I explored on bike Angkor’s historic structures for two full days (with variable weather) and feel like I barely scratched the surface of this majestic place.
On a cloudy morning, I descended on a hike from Wengen to the iconic Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. Fog soon gave way to aerial views and a walk through the valley amidst swirling clouds. Sometimes cloudy days are the best days.
A throwback to photos from walks around London. There’s so much history and architecture in those streets.
Scenes of life around the Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto. It’s one of the best places in Europe for an ambient stroll – particularly in early evening as the sun fades away.
Who doesn’t love Paris? A photo tribute to a photogenic city.
I really love Mexico City — the food, architecture, history, street life, and culture. Here’s a photo tribute.
Exploring Shinjuku at night is one of Tokyo’s highlights. These photos showcase my strolls through the bright lights and street scenes – often hunting for a cool place to eat or drink sake.
The Istrian Peninsula in Croatia may be overshadowed by Split or Dubrovnik, but it offers a beautiful blend of seaside towns, hilltop villages, Roman ruins, and charm. Here are some photos taken during my stay there.
These photos highlight the scenes and spirit of a multi-day road trip on the so-called Garden Route along the South African coast through Knysna and Wilderness ➡️ Klein Karoo with a stay in Oudtshoorn at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge ➡️ Struisbaai and the southernmost tip of Africa. It was a diverse mix of coastlines, beaches, rolling hills, dusty roads, iconic landmarks, safaris, and ostriches.
Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia is a showcase of mountain scenery, glacial lakes, and long hikes. These photos were taken on a full-day hike to Elfin Lakes. The mountain backdrop was majestic and the lakes were very cold.
These photos were captured on a trip through the Guna Yala Islands – a semiautonomous territory in Panama filled with small beautiful islands and blue Caribbean waters. It offers a Robinson Crusoe vibe, and I wish I spent more time there.
A throwback to photos from the streets of Cusco, Peru. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are truly special places.
These photos take me back to the sights, sounds, and food of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. There’s magic in the chaos of those streets.
Picture-perfect views of the Matterhorn on a sunny day in July. The photos were captured on two hikes near Zermatt: (1) Riffelsee Lake to Riffelberg (after a visit to Gornergrat) and (2) the Five Lakes Trail
Strasbourg, France is a charmer with its quaint architecture, imposing cathedral, and interesting mix of French and German culture. It was especially magical when I visited during its famed Christmas market season
These photos highlight the iconic shapes of the mountain terrain in the Ha Giang region in northern Vietnam and were taken on a misty motorbike ride along the Ha Giang Loop.
Bath in England is known for its historic baths dating back to Roman times. But there’s more: great architecture, beautiful parks, and a charming vibe. It’s definitely worthy of a visit. These photos were taken on a day trip from London.
When climbing the hills of Porto, the intricate landscape of orange roofs greeted me at multiple viewpoints. I’ve always loved these aerial views of city buildings and roofs.
These photos take me back to the charming streets, old architecture (both crumbling and restored), trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, and colorful life of the Casco Viejo in Panama City. For good reason, it’s a World Heritage Site.
It was a cloudy morning when I traveled on Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to Weggis to take the the cable car up Mr. Rigi. But clouds opened up to glorious views on a hike from Rigi Kaltbald to Rigi Scheidegg (and back). 🇨🇭
Here are a few photos that showcase views early in the hike when the clouds began to part. I loved the mixture of sun and swirling clouds that highlighted the lake and mountain terrain.
The Spice Bazaar, or Mısır Çarşısı, in Istanbul is a feast for the senses. Go early to avoid the crowds and explore all its treats and spices.
When in Quito, Ecuador, a trip up the TelefériQo cable car is a must visit. I definitely felt the elevation as I ascended to commanding 360 degree views of the surrounding city and mountain landscape. The scene was a bit moody that day.
Starting with grand entrances, the wine estates in the Western Cape of South Africa offer a splendid combination of architecture, art, landscapes, and tasty wine unmatched elsewhere.
Grande Provence near Franschhoek is one fine example. Here are a few of my photos that prove the point.
When staying in Phuket, Thailand, I joined a bike tour to explore for a day Koh Yao Noi Island at the edge of Phang Nga Bay. Offering a mix of beautiful views and low-key local life, it’s but under the radar compared to other places nearby – and that’s what makes it special.
Attaching a few of the photos taken during the bike journey.
I think that Slovenia is an underrated destination. Here are some shots from a scenic drive through Triglav National Park and the Soca Valley. The weather was a bit misty that day, but it added to the atmosphere of the Julian Alps, waterfalls, and river valleys (with an emerald hue from the area’s limestone).
The Boka Waterfall is pictured first. Captures from a beautiful Soca Valley gorge are featured last.
While in Vietnam, I journeyed through the northern Ha Giang region as part of a three day motorbike tour that included unique scenery, culture, and homestays. Here is a photo of an expansive view on the so-called Ha Giang Loop – captured shortly before a downpour (have your rain gear).
I captured a variety of red hues from the streets and markets of Hong Kong during my short stay. And lots of meat at the market.
Salamanca, Spain houses one of the world’s oldest universities and is filled with beautiful architecture. The university town glows at night as spotlights shine on the buildings constructed from a unique local sandstone – making it optimal for an overnight stay to enjoy the views. These are some photos I took during an evening stroll in town.
Top activities: wandering the streets to explore the architecture (both day and night), visiting the historic university, and sipping local wine in the large plaza mayor (where the server may correct your poor Spanish, like he did mine).
Vibrant blue tiles, or azulejos, give life to the historic architecture of Porto, Portugal.
A very curvy road in the Douro Valley of Portugal leads to a commanding view. Photo taken near the small village of Barqueiros where I stayed for a few days to enjoy the scenery.
The house in the distance is owned by a rich family in Porto, and they rarely visit it (according to my local Airbnb host).
Outside of Medellín, Colombia, the small pueblo of Jardín sits in a coffee growing region with verdant hills and valleys. Its postcard perfect streets offer a slow pace of life – a great place to take in local culture, relax a bit, sip some coffee, and explore the many views. A gondola transports visitors above the town.
From Medellín, I took a scenic and meandering bus ride there. And Hospedaje Rural La Boira at the edge of town is a bed and breakfast that offered a quaint overnight stay (last photo).
Table Mountin in Cape Town, South Africa is famed for its frequent cloud cover – sometimes referred to as the tablecloth. On a morning hike to the top, I captured the approaching clouds before they overwhelmed the summit and erased my views.
The glorious blue Patagonia waters greeted me at many turns along the W Trek in Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park. I took this photo on the third day of the hike before our hiking group ventured into the French Valley.
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