Barbara & Stu's Excellent Vacations Great trips we have taken

Bhutan – Bhutan is still totally unspoiled and heartbreakingly beautiful.  We won’t attempt to summarize its splendors – have a look at the trip notes and photos.

New Zealand – Bats are the only indigenous mammals in New Zealand, but what it lacks in wildlife, it amply makes up for in scenery.  Don’t miss the fascinating geothermal sights on the North Island in addition to the majestic mountains and fjords on the South Island.  Auckland is enchanting, and typically underrated in our view. To see our New Zealand notes click here.  To see our New Zealand photos click here.

Tasmania, Australia – Tasmania offers an astonishing amount of scenic diversity for such a relatively small island – gorgeous beaches, craggy mountains, tranquil forests, and charming villages.  To see our Tasmania trip notes click here.  To see our Tasmania photos click here.

American Southwest – The four corners area of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado abound with sensational rock formations, gorges, national parks plus Native American ancient cliff dwellings and pueblos.  Don’t miss Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Sedona, Capitol Reef National Park and Zion, and there is much, much more.  To see the trip notes click here.  To see the photos click here.

The Kimberly, Western Australia – The cities are pretty but the real excitement in Australia is the wild and wooly outback.  To see our Western Australia trip notes click here.  To see our Western Australia photos click here.

Namibia is largely desert, but various kinds of desert, and nearly all stunningly beautiful.  You’ll see many interesting animals too, such as desert adapted elephants and both white and black rhino, but the scenery is breathtaking.  Have a look at our photos.  To see photos click here.

Nepal – Kathmandu is among our least favorite cities in the world, but the scenery in the Himalayas is spectacular.  If you’re hardy enough for extended hiking, you’re in for a major treat, but even if you prefer day hikes from comfortable lodges, you’ll be thrilled.  To see our Nepal trip notes click here.  To see our Nepal photos click here.

Iguassu/Iguacu Falls, Brazil and Argentina – A must for waterfall lovers and our favorite of the big three (Niagara, Victoria, Iguassu).  The surrounding rainforest is filled with birds, animals, butterflies and flowers and the falls are breathtaking.  To see our "falls" photos click here.

Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate, Argentina - We've seen lots of glaciers but
this Patagonian one stops our heart with its grandeur.  To see our photos click here.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile - One of the most superb terrains we've
trodden, an unforgettable location.  To see our photos click here.

Guilin, China - It's a not-to-be-missed experience peacefully floating down the
Li River admiring a landscape that has inspired Chinese painting for
millennia. To see our China trip notes click here.  To see our China photos click here.

Cappadocia, Turkey - Fantastical tufa spires dot the scenic valleys. The
Turkish coast is also gorgeous but Cappadocia is out of this world. To see our
Turkey trip notes click here.  To see our Turkey photos click here.

Bora Bora - The lushly vegetated, jagged volcanic peaks framing the crystalline
lagoon are an exquisite sight to behold. There was only one, or maybe two,
places to stay on Bora Bora when we visited - additional development since then
might have marred its untouched beauty. 

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