retiretoexplore

Mayan Ruins

Tikal National Park Gran Plaza Highlights Visited the Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha National Parks.  These two are the most accessible parks in Northeastern Guatemala.  There are many more that are remote and require 4×4 transportation (see pdf brochure by scanning QR code below). Time of Visit: April 2024 Duration of Visit: Three Nights …

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Lake Atitlan

Mirador Kaqasiiwaan in the village of San Juan Highlights Lake Atitlan after Holy Week.  Stayed in Panajachel.  Visited the villages of San Juan and San Pedro.  Did a day trip to Chichicastenago by riding the public buses (chicken bus) from Panajachel. Time of Visit:  April 2024 Duration of Visit:  Three Nights Description After Antigua, Lake …

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French Riviera

Pastel colored buidings and restaurants line the water’s edge at Villefranche-Sur-Mer Highlights Visited the towns/cities of Antibes, Cannes, Eze, Juan de Pins, Menton, Monaco/Monte Carlo, Nice and Villfranche Sur Mer while basing ourselves at Cagnes Sur Mer.  Time of Visit: October 2023 Length of Visit: Five Nights Description The French Riviera is the coastline in …

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Corsica

San Giovanni Beach in Southwestern Corsica Highlights Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea.  It is just north of the island of Sardinia. Corsica is a wonderful destination because there are many things to do and see.  There are numerous beaches, old towns and mountain ranges.  The infamous GR20 hiking trail runs almost …

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Italian Riviera Sampling

Looking at Riomaggiore from the marina HIghlights Time of Visit:  September – October 2023 Duration of Visit: Nine Days  Cinque Terre Description Cinque Terre is one of the well known destinations in Italy.  “Cinque” translates to five and “terre” translates to lands.  In reality, these are five villages or communities that are located within the …

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Tuscany Sampling

The city of Florence viewed from Michelangelo Plaza. The large structure in the middle is the Duomo. Highlights Time of Visit:  September 2023 Duration of Visit:  Nine nights Florence Florence is the capital of Tuscany.  Surprisingly, the sites to see are all within walking distance.  The place to start is at the tourist office not …

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Purmamarca

The Seven Colored Hills of Pumamarca Highlights Time of Visit:  January 2024 Duration of Visit:  Three nights PuRmamarca Seven Colored Hills and Paseo de los Colorados People flock to Purmamarca primarily to see the seven colored hills.  The town is basically built at the base of the hills.   Behind the town is the Paseo de …

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Bariloche

On top of Cerro Catedral reachable by teleferico (cable car). The base of Cerro Catedral is a short 30 minute bus ride from Bariloche. Highlights Bariloche is one of the popular destinations in Argentina.  Another place to visit but less known is San Martin de los Andes.  Between the two towns is the scenic Siete …

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Cafayate

Los Colorados or colorful mountains and hills in Quebrada de las Conchas on Ruta 68, less than 30 minutes from Cafayate Highlights Cafayate is a small town in Salta Province, Northern Argentina.  We included Cafayate in our explorations because of Los Colorados.  Los Colorados are the eroded sandstone formations that are similarly found in the …

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