Wildlife Guide to Palau October 30th, 2023 • by Matt Holmes Palau is a world unto itself. Although located just outside of the official “Coral Triangle” (an area of pristine marine habitat covering around 2.3 million square miles between the Philippines, Timor, and Papua New Guinea), it has four times the reef diversity of the Caribbean. While there are more than 1,500 species of fish and more… Read More »
Palau: On Land and Underwater May 9th, 2023 • by Matt Snell If you think using the word “odyssey” in our Palau: Snorkeling and Kayaking Odyssey is hyperbole, you haven’t been to Palau. This Micronesian island republic punches way, way above its weight when it comes to the diversity of its marine life. In a world where reefs are constantly under threat, seeing a thriving and healthy… Read More »
The Curious Science of Ha Long Bay and the Rock Islands February 16th, 2023 • by Matt Holmes Some of the most spectacular scenery in the world is also the most unique. Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and the Rock Islands of Palau are often cited as the most beautiful, unusual, and dramatic landscapes to explore. And yet, do you notice they all look similar? Despite their distance (Palau is more than 2000 miles from… Read More »
On the Trail: Kayaking & Snorkeling in Palau December 19th, 2022 • by Kristen Bernarsky Photos I had seen of Palau made it appear far too beautiful and exotic to be an actual place on this Earth. Images of the oddly shaped Rock Islands blanketed in jungle vegetation protruding out of the blue-green sea seem otherworldly. But I was about to find out if this intriguing Micronesian archipelago was indeed… Read More »
Underwater Adventure: Palau vs Mexico April 9th, 2021 • by Matt Holmes When it comes to an epic wildlife vacation, you might first think of a safari in Africa. But for those who prefer a mix of active exploration and incredible biodiversity (and who love warm, tropical waters) an adventure to Palau or Mexico’s Baja Peninsula might be the perfect fit. Palau: Snorkeling & Kayaking OdysseyThis beautiful… Read More »
Staff Picks: Unforgettable Experiences March 14th, 2021 • by Matt Holmes While paused at the moment, our team of travel experts regularly sets out to research potential destinations and scout new trips, working to ensure that new itineraries are thoughtfully curated, field-tested, and seamlessly planned before the first tour departs! Sometimes we join a departure of an existing tour to ensure the itinerary is still as… Read More »
Endless Elbow Room February 8th, 2021 • by Karen Cleary Like Julie Andrews in the opening of the Sound of Music with arms outstretched and twirling in an open field, there’s nothing I enjoy more than having a lot of room to myself. This is one reason I always prefer to travel to lesser-known sites and regions—there’s space to explore undisturbed and enjoy unobstructed views. Blissfully, there still remain… Read More »
Countries that crushed the curve July 6th, 2020 • by Matt Holmes Throughout the last few months, we have been checking in frequently with our in-country partners and guides around the world, making sure we are staying on top of new health information and travel updates regarding Covid-19 from our local sources on the ground. Happily, as of this writing, there are many places where governments and… Read More »
Our Favorite Adventure Books 2.0 June 16th, 2020 • by Matt Holmes After our very first Temporary Armchair Traveler email with a few of our favorite books about adventure and other cultures, not only did we come up with more, but a few of our guests shared their recommendations, as well. Here’s our next round if you’ve finished the last batch or are practicing tsundoku and need a few… Read More »
Sounds of the World April 28th, 2020 • by Deborah Tobey We rarely talk about the sounds that we encounter when traveling and how they may differ by or even define a destination. We highlight the other senses—views from the trail, the tastes of cuisine, the feeling of dirt beneath our feet, and the scent of pine or the ocean, but we don’t talk about what we… Read More »