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BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON April 27, 2013

X is for Xi'an

terracottawarriorskevinpohflickr (450 x 338)

 Photo courtesy of kevinpoh – flickr

China holds a special place in my heart as the country where my daughter was born. But while my travels have taken me to Beijing, Nanchang, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, there’s still so much of the country I’d like to explore, including Shanghai, Guilin and Xi’an.

In 1974 a local villager digging a well in Xi’an stumbled upon what has been described as  “the eighth wonder of the world,” over 7,000 terracotta warriors and horses buried in formation, dating from the Qin Dynasty, 2,200 years ago. Since declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the archaeological discovery draws thousands of visitors annually.

Xi'anChinachinaoffseasonflickr (450 x 338)

Photo courtesy of chinaoffseason – flickr

But wait – there’s more to Xi’an than the terracotta warriors. Other popular travel experiences in the city include a soak in the Huaqing Hot Springs, a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, a stop at the Big Goose and Little Goose Pagodas in the city center,  a stroll along the ramparts of the city walls and climb to the top of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

How about you, wanderboomers? Ready for a visit to Xi’an?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, China, Destinations, Travel Experiences Tagged With: Beijing, Big Goose Pagoda, China, city walls, eighth wonder of the world, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Huaqing Hot Springs, Little Goose Pagoda, Nanchang, Qin Dynasty, Shaanxi History Mudeum, Shanghai, terracotta warriors, The Bell Tower, The Drum Tower, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Xi'an

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON April 23, 2013

T is for Turkey

With its rich history, notable architecture and unfamiliar Turkish language, Turkey has long captivated my imagination. Here’s why I’d love to pay a visit . . .

1) Hagia Sophia

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Hagia Sophia stands as a museum masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Once a church, then a mosque, the monument is characterized by its central dome, beautiful mosaics and marble door.

HagiaSophiaPaulKellerflickr (450 x 302)

Photo courtesy of Paul Keller – flickr

2) The Spice Market

An abundance of color, fragrance, saffrons and curries, fruits and nuts invites shoppers of all nationalities to experience an edible odyssey of wonder and delight.

SpiceMarketinInstanbulAlaskanDudeflickr (450 x 300)

Photo courtesy of Alaskan Dude – flickr

3) A cruise on the Bosphorous River

For a visual sweep of exotic Istanbul in a relaxing setting, a cruise offers a welcome way to enjoy the local scenery.

IstanbulGlobalJetflickr (450 x 300)

Photo courtesy of Global Jet – flickr

Would you like to travel to Turkey, wanderboomers? What would you most like to see and do on your visit?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Farmers' Markets, Travel Experiences Tagged With: Byzantine, church, color, curries, fragrance, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, mosque, saffron, The Spice Market, Turkey, Turkish language, UNESCO World Heritage Site

BY Nancy Mueller 6 Comments ON April 8, 2013

G is for Getaway to the Galápagos Islands

BlueBooby(600 x 399) (450 x 299)

The fragile, moon-like landscape of the Galápagos Islands lures more than 100,000 visitors each year despite the archipelago’s remote location 600 miles off the west coast of mainland Ecuador. Ever since Darwin‘s famed visit aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835, travelers have been enchanted by its history, exotic vegetation and wildlife.

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In order to protect the eco-system of this UNESCO World Heritage Site as much as possible, the Ecuadorian government restricts the number of cruises that can visit each island at any one time. But you don’t have to worry about missing out: each of the 13 major islands, from the oldest in the East (Española) to the most recent (Fernindina) in the west, offers unique flora and fauna diversity for an extraordinary experience.

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To plan your own escape to the Galápagos Islands, choose from among a variety of tour options, including 8-day small-ship cruises, shorter-stay lodge-based day trips, and combined land/islands packages. Visit Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism site or discovergalapagos.com for more information.

In case you missed the travelogue of my own 2011 journey to the Galápagos,  you can catch up on my stories here:

http://bit.ly/12CrGLs                 http://bit.ly/10Bvo84                   http://bit.ly/Z4pXhV                         http://bit.ly/XoJd9q

http://bit.ly/10BvTyT               http://bit.ly/XoJiK8                        http://bit.ly/Yc8o0H                        http://bit.ly/Zxc8vt 

http://bit.ly/10Bx0ia                http://bit.ly/16J79ae                     http://bit.ly/XzY4Ai

MVEvolutionGalapagosIslands (450 x 338)

What about you, wanderboomers? Have you visited the Galápagos Islands yet?

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands Tagged With: archipelago, cruises, Darwin, diversity, eco-system, Ecuador, Espanola, Fernindina, flora and fauna, HMS Beagle, landscape, small-ship cruises, the Galapagos Islands, UNESCO World Heritage Site, vegetation, wildlife

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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