Peru’s Andes & Machu Picchu!

Live like a Local: Peru
USTOA’s Travel Together Series hosted by Kelley Ferro
Home to ancient history, local indigenous communities and so much art & culture, the Andes are a must on your visit to Peru.

Peru’s Andes & Machu Picchu

Home to ancient history, local indigenous communities, and so much art & culture, the Andes are a must on your visit to Peru.

A Guide to of Peru

Live like a Local: Peru
USTOA’s Travel Together Series hosted by Kelley Ferro
You have the vibrant city of Lima, the bright green, snow capped Andes, the desert plains of the Nazca Lines, the Amazon and of course, Machu Picchu. Peru has so many different sides, I needed more time to experience them all. Here’s a glimpse into my time in Peru.

Exploring Croatia By Bike, Boat & Foot

By bike, by foot, by boat or by car, there’s so much to explore in Croatia. Join me in our Croatia adventure

Adventure in The Outback

The Northern Territory is built for adventure and almost everything we did involved some sort of mini-adventurous activity. We hiked the mountains of Kings Canyon and 4 Wheeled through the valleys, dodging camels. We even rode domesticated camels through the bush at sunset with Uluru glowing in the background.
Not to mention, we got up-close and personal with some of the Northern Territory’s “friendly” wildlife. The Outback is not for the faint of heart. 🙂

Australia’s Northern Territory Overview

The Northern Territory is the “Red Heart” of Australia, located in the center, this landscape is ruggedly beautiful and pre-historic feeling. I take you to UNESCO World Heritage sites, like Uluru, and I camp in Kings Canyon, the most remote place I’ve ever been. From Camel treks to 4 wheeling, to walks with local Aboriginal guides, the Northern Territory is like a different planet. And it’s wonderful.

Conservation in South Africa

Environmental Consciousness on Tour with Swain Destinations
We travelers know that the reason we travel to destinations is because of the beautiful, well preserved environment. That is why it is important to travel with hotels, restaurants and tour operators that think about their footprint on the environment and do their best to help their surroundings. Swain Tours, a USTOA member, makes sure to only use hotel & activity partners that have conservation as a priority. See all the instances of conservation in South Africa.

Choose Your Own Adventure in South Africa

Freedom to have your Experience while on tour with Swain Destinations
You might think that being a tour means a strict schedule, group activities all the time and no chance to choose what you do. Well, that’s not the case on tours with United States Tour Operator Members.
My trip to South Africa with Swain Destination proved that the ultimate goal of the tour was for us to have our own best possible trip–so we added in more things, had spontaneous roadside stops and had some time for rest. It truly felt like our own trip, just a bit easier & better!

Swiss Miss for a Week: Saint Moritz

Swiss Miss in Saint Moritz Video

Swiss Miss: Skiing in Saint Moritz Video

Saint Moritz. Glitz. Glamor. Snow. Furry boots. There’s a reason “ritz” is in the name. The city is just as popular among the jetset today as it was 50 years ago. St Moritz feels like a really upscale fairytale. Softly falling snow, gourmet chocolates, bustling pastry shops which may have taken advantage of equipment from shop supplies, chic shops in whimsical buildings and grandiose 5 star hotels. No wonder the likes of Grace Kelly and George Clooney have called St Moritz their winter retreat.

Just getting off the train, I had this overwhelming sense that Saint Moritz was THE place to be “wintering.” It didn’t hurt that I was there just days before the “White Turf,” a series of equine competitions all held on top of the city’s now frozen glacial lake.

I was experiencing the city in style, staying at the oldest and one of the most famous 5 Stars, the Kulm Hotel and skiing incredible ski area. Now this is what it’s like to live luxe.

id=”attachment_220″ align=”alignright” width=”224″ caption=”The peak of Corviglia in St Moritz”

I only had two nights in the city and was quite busy filming, eating sumptuous breakfasts, checking out the spa & gym and exploring the town. To be honest, I almost didn’t really feel like going skiing–trekking up to the hill in all my gear, freezing my buns off for a few runs just to say I did it.

Wow was I wrong. My few hours skiing ended up being the best skiing of my life and probably the biggest highlight of the trip (which is saying A LOT). Not only did the Engadin Tourism board make the rental process and transport to the peak extremely easy (the funicular literally takes you from street to peak in around 10 minutes), but the mountain itself was just stunning. I still lose myself in the mental images of the incredible peaks, the perfectly groomed trails, the open spaces and lack of lift lines. When Angela forced me to stop for lunch, I had the most delicious ski resort lunch of rosti with ham. I think she thought it was pretty funny how much I raved and I’m pretty sure my actual skiing wasn’t so pretty as I was so distracted. I told her that she was so so lucky to have this in her backyard and to be able to take a few runs on her lunch break (what!?).

I indulged, as the Saint Moritz-ers do, in an apres ski gluwein at the Hauser’s lively outdoor bar before returning for a swanky evening of cocktail parties, night ice skating, a delicious dinner and a jazz concert at the Kulm. My adrenaline was still racing all evening from the amazing trails and I truly understood why St Moritz was the birthplace of the winter ski holiday.

To see more photos from the trip, take a look here: [slideshow]


Stay tuned for more St Moritz fun at the historic, and opulent, Kulm Hotel St Moritz.