The post recounts the author’s trip to Hobbiton in New Zealand, highlighting their surprise at enjoying the experience despite being non-fans of The Lord of the Rings. They recommend the Movie Set Tour and lunch for its quality food and well-maintained property, emphasizing it as a memorable stop for all visitors.… Read More Discovering Hobbiton: A Must-Visit on Your New Zealand Trip
This post is part of my New Zealand trip series. To learn more about the trip as a whole, check out my previous post: How we Planned a Three Week Trip to New Zealand with a Five Month Old.
The Karamea region in New Zealand offers family-friendly hiking trails and unique accommodations. Despite limited options for food and lodging in the remote village, Last Resort Karamea stands out with its cozy rooms and knowledgeable owners who are passionate about the area. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, including the Heaphy Track and Fenian Caves, making a return trip highly appealing.… Read More Why Karamea Is a Perfect Vacation for Outdoorsy Families
During a New Zealand trip, we traveled from Taiphape to Wellington, then rode a 4-hour ferry to Pincton. The ferry provided scenic views and comfortable amenities. Despite limited time in Wellington, must-do activities and accommodations are highlighted. In Picton, we recommends swimming with dolphins and enjoying the stunning coastal views.… Read More Taking the ferry to South Island and driving to Murchison
This post details a day trip from Taupo to Tongariro National Park in New Zealand. We regret only spending a few hours there, as the park is stunning and offers several easy hikes. We recommend planning to spend more time exploring the various walks and enjoying activities such as rafting and skiing in the area before continuing on to Wellington. We also provide accommodation recommendations.… Read More Hiking Tongariro National Park with an Infant
Everyone’s favorite romantic holiday is only a month away! Have you and your significant other started making plans for your next romantic getaway? Thankfully, this year, Valentine’s Day falls on one of the most perfect days of the week. Sunday. For those of you with children, this allows you the perfect time to let the kids spend the weekend with their grandparents and have a romantic weekend getaway with just you and your spouse. Matt and I have done some digging on Airbnb and found some unique lofts that are within a 4 hour drive of Frisco.… Read More Uniquely Romantic Lofts for Two that are Perfect for Valentine’s Day
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The following photos were taken during my honeymoon to French Polynesia this past December. I will be writing another post talking all about this trip including itinerary and other details. But first I wanted to show you some of the incredible photos I was able to take while on the trip. In fact, these photos are so incredible that I did not even need to add any filters, presets, or other touch ups on Lightroom. … Read More Rainy Day on the Island of Tahiti Nui
Decorating my home for Christmas has always been one of my favorite activities during the Holiday Season. Currently, Matt and I are in French Polynesia celebrating a late honeymoon. So I did as much decorating as I could before leaving. But I am sure, that I will need to do some more after we get home. If you are like me, and have a tendency to continue to decorate your house for Christmas all the way up to December 24th. Also If you enjoy supporting local businesses by shopping small. There are some of the great small businesses around the area that are perfect for picking up some last minute Christmas decorations before Christmas arrives. Here is a list of some of my favorites!… Read More 5 Local Small Businesses Where You Can Buy Your Last Minute Christmas Decorations
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Mark Johanson is an American journalist based in Santiago, Chile. His stories about travel, food, design and the environment have appeared in numerous global publications, including National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, The Economist, The Financial Times, Konfekt, Robb Report, AFAR, Food & Wine, Dwell, CNN, Bloomberg and the BBC, among others. He is the coauthor of 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks to destinations across the Americas and Asia, and has contributed to a dozen more coffee table books for the iconic travel brand. His first literary work, Mars on Earth, was released in 2024 by Rocky Mountain Books and named among the best travel books of the year by National Geographic and Geographical Magazine. Click through the menu here or links below to learn more about his work.
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