Reading Time: 5 minutesIn this post we share photos from Washington D.C. including the nation’s government buildings and historical sites to neighborhoods like Georgetown. The city’s significance as a hub of political activity and historical heritage sets it apart as a truly unique metropolis.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share a trip planning template that has been a key resource for planning Engaged Abroad’s travel.
This itinerary planner has proven itself as a useful for all types of travel – from solo trips to large groups meeting up from all reaches of the world.
Though there are travel planning apps and options for preparing for a trip (TripIt and the likes), we have yet to come across a planner that highlights travel details and also provides space for long-form reading.
That’s why we use this custom-made document. Engaged Abroad relies on Google Documents as the primary tool to create, edit and store itineraries. The benefit of this approach is that this itinerary can be accessed by all travelers in the group, can be made available offline for access anytime, anywhere, and makes it easy to collaborate and share ideas to build a great trip.
This version is a basic form and is meant for travelers who would like an “at-a-glance” itinerary.
Engaged Abroad hopes to one day make available an Advanced Version for those who are interested in a more comprehensive trip outline.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share photos from Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, Palo Alto, California, United States of America.
This interactive museum is a space where children participate in hands-on learning activities to explore natural phenomena like gravity, inertia, force, motion, balance, energy, states of matter, electricity, and magnetism.
The attached zoo & netted aviary has a peacock roaming about, a climbable treehouse that overlooks the animals, an underwater tunnel and nooks to hide, and close-proximity to flamingos, macaws, meerkats and other animals. This whimsical setting makes for a wonder-filled experience.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis is a recommended itinerary for a first time visit to Vancouver & Whistler, British Columbia for someone interested in natural scapes.
The trips begins in Vancouver, a city that offers a harmonious blend of urban sophistication and breathtaking natural surrounds. After a few days visitors head north to Whistler, a special destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. From towering mountains to pristine lakes and dense forests, the natural beauty of the area is truly awe-inspiring.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we share two itineraries for first time visitors to see Northern California in all its splendor. Both itineraries begin in San Francisco, with a focus on the natural spaces.
The first itinerary emphasizes California’s natural beauty through a visit to Yosemite National Park (granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves and biological diversity), and ends on the coastline in Carmel & Monterey (pristine white beaches, rugged cliffs, and enchanting cypress trees).
The second itinerary swaps a visit to Yosemite with time in California’s wine country to highlight Sonoma and Napa Valley’s viticulture. Rolling hills surround 650+ picturesque vineyards who are ready to welcome visitors for tastings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and fine dining at the 150+ Michelin-starred restaurants.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThis is a recommended itinerary for a first time visit to the Andalucia region of Spain. For visitors who are looking to move beyond major cities like Madrid and Barcelona and find the essence of Spain, Andalucia may be the answer.
Situated on the southern band of the country, this region is rich with history between the Moors and Catholics, is known as the world’s olive oil capitol, is home to flamenco, and offers gorgeous naturescapes.
This is trip filled with UNESCO Heritage Sites including the Alcázar Palace in Seville, the Historic Centre of Cordoba and the Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín in Granada.
This itinerary assumes that travel will start and end in Seville (due to its airport with commuter flights available throughout Spain, Portugal and broader Europe) and makes use of a private rental car. There is an option to continue travels throughout Spain from Granada instead of returning back to Seville.
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn this post we share photos from Santa Barbara Zoo & Botanical Gardens, California, USA.
This 30 acre space overlooks the Pacific Ocean, Andree Clark Bird Refuge, and Santa Ynez Mountains and is only a few miles from downtown Santa Barbara’s State Street.
From its beginnings in 1935 as an estate with landscaped gardens, the property has transformed into a self-policed community, then a park, and now it exists in its current state as the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, a public space estate for children, with animals, gardens, and play areas.
Reading Time: 2 minutesThis is a recommended itinerary for a first time visit to Italy & Vatican City.
Reading Time: 4 minutesThis is a high level overview of travel throughout Switzerland over a 14-18 day period.
We present two itineraries for intra country travel – one that begins in Zurich (east side of Switzerland), and the other from Geneva/Lausanne (west side of Switzerland). Most travelers will enter the country through one of these places, either into Zurich or Geneva by way of Paris.
Switzerland is a small country that is easily navigated by fast trains to major hubs with local trains to get to precise locations. The itineraries below use a blend of train and private car to access some of smaller villages and afford the traveler increased flexibility in their plans. We provide details around options are for those who choose to use public transport only.
We also include a third itinerary that includes travel from the Swiss Alps into Northern Italy, including Lake Como and Milan.
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn this post we share a rough outline of how we organize our time day-over-day when we travel with a toddler.
As children thrive on routine and structure, this overall plan allows us to be adventurous but also be mindful that we are with a little one whose moods, behaviors and energy can change on a whim, and very much depend on a nap.
Note that we are morning-oriented and the schedule reflects this.
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn this post we outline how to spend three, four, or five days in Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexico City is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the world and its 16 alcaldías (boroughs, officially designated as demarcaciones territoriales) are home to nearly 2,000 colonias (neighborhoods) each with their own history, culture and flair. For this reason, we consider three to five days in Mexico City as the briefest of introductions to this city.
Reading Time: 5 minutesThis is a list of activity recommendations for Monterey, California, USA.
Continue your tour of California’s coast by stopping through Monterey, California, named one of Expedia’s “Most Scenic West Coast Cities” in 2018. Just two hours south of San Francisco, and five hours north of Los Angeles, the city’s National Marine Sanctuary, Spanish-era adobes and John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row are sure to delight visitors.
Reading Time: 6 minutesThis is a list of activity recommendations for three days, two nights in South Lake Tahoe, California, a resort city that is situated on Lake Tahoe, the largest Alpine lake in North America.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive visitor’s guide to Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe’s many towns that dot its shoreline and surrounds each deserve their own consideration. For this reason, we plan to highlight our recommendations for things to do in separate posts.
Reading Time: 7 minutesThis is a list of activity recommendations for three days, two nights in Ojai, California.
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