2024-04-03 23:04
It may not be the main reason to visit the famous archaeological site, but encounters with wildlife in Tikal are an added benefit of the experience. First and foremost known as an ancient Ma… Read More
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Wanderer Writes is a site bringing you travel stories, tips and personal opinion pieces about destinations around the world. Learn about out-of-the-way or little-known places, or taking the less traveled road through popular destinations. Read about different cultures, history, and nature in protected areas around the world.
2024-03-28 21:06
It is mainly the pyramids of Tikal that make the ancient Maya city famous. They stand above the dense jungle canopy like ancient skyscrapers, built for the elite of the ancient civilization… Read More
2024-03-19 20:24
Over the years I visited are some great Maya archaeological sites, but nothing compares to my experience in Tikal. I knew it was spectacular. I knew it was the best of the best of the Maya s… Read More
2024-02-15 19:31
La Ruta Puuc, or the Puuc route, is a short, 40 km (about 25 miles) stretch of the road through the Puuc region of the Yucatan, showcasing several spectacular Maya ruins. Broadly, the term a… Read More
2023-11-15 20:40
As the holidays are approaching, you might be planning on buying gifts for travelers in your life. I’m a minimalist when I travel, trying to be a sustainable traveler, and a responsibl… Read More
2023-10-30 21:31
To experience a huge variety of landforms and urban developments, embark on the following Arizona road trip adventure. Known as the Grand Canyon State for its famous landmark, Arizona is a l… Read More
2023-10-04 18:09
Preserving the largest concentration of large-scale ancient structures in the Four Corners built by the Ancestral Puebloans, Chaco Canyon is one of the most studied archaeological sites in t… Read More
2023-09-11 18:39
Autumn in Arizona is one of the best times to be outdoors, no matter where you are. In the desert, temperatures drop and vegetation comes back to life, making it perfect for an outing. On th… Read More
2023-07-27 18:02
In the hot Sumer months one of the best road trips you can take is driving through Colorado from Phoenix. This trip will take you through gorgeous desert and mountain scenery you can hardly… Read More
2023-06-30 05:12
Surrounded on all sides by forest-filled mountains, featuring well-preserved medieval architecture, Brasov seems a city from fairy-tales. One of the most beautiful destinations in Eastern Eu… Read More
2023-05-18 16:57
National parks and monuments in Arizona showcase and protect a variety of unique landscapes and historical sites. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon State after one of its parks, Arizona is home to… Read More
2023-04-22 21:45
It might be easier to live a low waste lifestyle at home, at least once we get used to it, but a low waste road trip might require a little planning. Although, once you get used to it, it is… Read More
2023-04-14 14:31
The theme for Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet”. Each year we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, focusing everyone’s attention to things we need to do to save our ea… Read More
2023-04-11 15:03
Since we live in the desert, visiting another desert environment like White Sands National Park has never been a priority on our bucket list. However, when we made it there this spring, we r… Read More
2023-03-24 15:30
Cliff dwellings are relatively common in the Southwest, but few offer an inside look as clear as the Gila Cliff Dwellings in Southern New Mexico. Not as extensive and spectacular as Mesa Ve… Read More
2023-03-24 04:13
Living in the desert for decades made me more aware of our water needs and the need to save water than I’ve been before. And I’m proud to say that since it is a talked-about iss… Read More
2023-03-21 21:09
Held every year since 1999 on March 21st, World Poetry Day celebrates the oldest way of expression that people from all cultures can identify with. We find poetry in the history of every cu… Read More
2023-02-12 17:47
Balázs Orbán, writer and ethnographer, traveler and travel writer, is regarded in Transylvania and Hungary as the “greatest Székely”. Best known for his mon… Read More
2023-01-27 17:33
The largest city of Arizona, and the capital of the state, Phoenix has grown from a tiny desert town into a vast metropolis in less than a century. Even since I first moved here thirty year… Read More
2023-01-24 17:15
If you visit a Hungarian-inhabited area anywhere in the world in the beginning of February, you are most likely to see some form of Farsang celebration. Farsang is basically the Hungarian C… Read More
2023-01-12 20:41
The first time I visited Zion National Park, we shared it with few people. We drove everywhere within the park’s boundaries, stayed at the Lodge, since we didn’t have many other… Read More
2023-01-11 23:51
One of the best-known Hungarian poet (and revolutionary), Sándor Petőfi, was born 200 years ago on New Year’s Eve. Considered Hungary’s national poet, he was on… Read More
2022-12-30 20:06
Communicating in the Yucatan with locals is always fun, no matter how well you know Spanish. Easier than in other parts of Mexico – at least for me -, it is also an adventure and lear… Read More
2022-12-13 00:04
The changing colors of the rocks combined with their sharp edges, along thousands of formations as far as you can see, will leave you in awe.
The post How To Visit The Grand Canyon From Pho… Read More
2022-10-26 15:17
If you love exploring interesting and unique far-away destinations, and you also like nightlife or Caribbean beaches, architecture, history, great restaurants, and maybe even dancing, three… Read More
2022-10-21 16:52
Living in Phoenix, we are usually aware of the dangers of the Sonoran Desert. But no matter how aware of prepared we think we are, we can’t always avoid all the dangers. Scorpion enco… Read More
2022-10-18 15:26
California is a fantastic place to take a trip. While it’s not without its flaws, the state is a diverse region that almost feels like its own country. You’ll find stunning lake… Read More
2022-10-02 13:42
To round up the series of best National Parks to visit each season, here is the list for the ones best in the fall. Similar to the best National Parks to visit in winter, in spring, and in… Read More
2022-08-25 20:06
Showcasing natural geologic wonders and an archaeological site, Natural Bridges National Monument is also a dark sky place and a model for sustainability.
The post Natural Bridges: Explore… Read More
2022-08-05 15:03
Monsoon weather has returned to Arizona. The last few days of July brought much needed rain – torrential rain, with flash-floods – to our arid desert. We weren’t home when… Read More
2022-07-28 17:44
Today is World Nature Conservation Day. Although we most likely think of conservation every day, designating a day for it brings the issue to the forefront. In my household, it is an import… Read More
2022-07-27 17:19
Most of the world is trying to cope with extreme heat this summer. No matter where I look, I read and hear stories of extreme heat, especially in places that are not used to triple digit (i… Read More
2022-07-17 20:17
Traveling I can be a challenge this summer for most of us, no matter where we go. Between frequent flight cancellations, road closure due to natural disasters, it is hard not to get discour… Read More
2022-07-08 16:11
Another Chacoan outlier, Chimney Rock archaeological site, is one of the most remarkable ancient site in the Four Corners area. It lies on the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains… Read More
2022-07-02 22:11
The name Edge of the Cedars does not conjure images of an Ancestral Puebloans archaeological site, or that of a museum of ancient artifacts. And yet, this is what you’ll find at this… Read More
2022-06-18 01:38
The best way to experience a drastic change in scenery in the US Southwest on a long weekend is a road trip from Phoenix to Durango. Though it makes a perfect trip any time of the year, it… Read More
2022-06-08 16:27
Thousands of ancient ruins are scattered all over the US Southwest, especially in the Four Corners area. The high deserts of the Colorado Plateau where New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizon… Read More
2022-06-03 14:10
The best day trip destinations from Phoenix can take you from gorgeous desert areas to one of the best-known wonder of the natural world, pine-covered mountains, lava fields, and petrified… Read More
2022-05-20 14:40
Summer is high season for travel in most places in the US, and National Parks have become some of the most popular destinations. This means it might be a challenge to visit the most popular… Read More
2022-05-13 19:42
During my family’s latest trip to Austin, Texas, we visited the Inner Space Caverns, among other places. Besides spending time outdoors, in both state and city parks in Austin and exp… Read More
2022-05-06 23:50
Though missions are not my favorite places to visit, they are intriguing. So, when my family visited San Antonio, I suggested a visit to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. M… Read More
2022-04-28 23:56
Years ago, in 1993, we drove through Texas on the way from New Jersey to our new home in Phoenix, Arizona. During that trip, all I noticed of the state was a flat and boring landscape fille… Read More
2022-04-22 18:43
It’s Earth Day today. It’s not a day as any other day we celebrate something; It is a movement, the largest environmental movement on our planet. Earth Day started in 1970. That… Read More
2022-04-21 22:11
Just in time for Earth Day, I read Kings of a Lonely Kingdom by David Mahood, a compilation of the author’s Earth Day Essays, Poems, and Musings on Nature. Nature and ecology author D… Read More
2022-04-15 19:35
Saturday, the 16th, marks the beginning of National Park Week in the US, which lasts til April 24th. Every year I mention National Park Week… but it occurred to me (not for the first… Read More
2022-04-08 16:56
World traveler, and author of the first Tibetan-English dictionary, Csoma Sándor from Kőrös, Transylvania, gave Europeans a glimpse into the world of Tibet and its surround… Read More
2022-04-03 00:50
Spring celebrations are common around the world, in every culture. Many of these celebrations have their roots in ancient times, and kept the traditions in one way or another throughout cen… Read More
2022-03-20 23:33
The vernal or spring equinox marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, where I live. What does this actually mean? The day marks the moment when the sun crosses the eq… Read More
2022-03-11 22:45
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Interactive Van Gogh Exhibit, but as a long-time fan of his art, I felt the need to experience it. I’ve heard and read about it often befor… Read More
2022-03-09 01:32
March 8th is International Women’s Day, the day we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women all over the world. The day also marks a call to actio… Read More
2022-02-18 17:20
Outdoors destinations, and thus most of US National Parks are the most beautiful in spring, when nature comes back to life and wildflowers bloom. Still, they are most popular in the summer… Read More
2022-02-13 22:00
A quiet reflection of a world seen from the point of view of a six-year-old boy, Joel Agee’s first novel The Stone World, uncovers the lives of an expat family in Mexico, and the worl… Read More
2022-01-29 21:18
Showcasing and protecting its namesake cactus, symbol of the American Southwest, Saguaro National Park it is one of the best-known National Parks in Arizona besides the Grand Canyon. It is… Read More
2022-01-23 20:45
One of the roads that left me in awe in our early days of living in Arizona was the Apache Trail. Passing through the mysterious and gorgeous Superstition Mountains, driving the narrow and… Read More
2022-01-19 22:11
The night sky in 2022 offers spectacular astronomy events, visible to everyone who looks up into the sky at the right time. From two total lunar eclipses to bright meteor showers on moonles… Read More
2022-01-14 18:35
The National Parks free entrance days during the year helps to make visiting them easier for everyone. Offering entry for those who otherwise could not afford it, these days also help raise… Read More
2022-01-07 16:38
This year I realized that that the Phoenix Zoo started its Zoolights just a few years before I moved here. However, the first time I went was when my oldest kids were toddlers. Over the yea… Read More
2022-01-06 23:03
Each January the world celebrates International Creativity Month. And while we can all be creative every day of the year, it helps to bring this treat into focus. Also, it gives me an oppor… Read More
2022-01-05 23:18
New Year traditions mark the turning of another year. As we just celebrated the turn of another year, I thought it would be a good time to look at several traditions associated with this ti… Read More
2021-12-09 22:52
Though one of the largest metropolitan areas, as soon as the temperatures drop, Phoenix becomes a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Home to several mountain and desert preserves, the city feat… Read More
2021-11-05 16:11
I learned about the Salt River Wild Horses several years ago, in 2015. I’ve seen wild horses in the Four Corners area by then, in Mesa Verde, but I didn’t know about the herds n… Read More
2021-10-22 16:15
The US National Parks protect and showcase some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes of the country. They are all great to visit, no matter the season. However, some of them offer a… Read More
2021-10-05 18:25
One of the least visited National Park Service units of Arizona, Coronado National Memorial is in southeastern Arizona. A wilderness area near the Mexican border, Coronado features pinion a… Read More
2021-09-28 22:53
Autumn brings a change all over the world, in all regions. In the desert it brings cooler weather, allowing us to enjoy a bit of outdoor time. However, changes are more obvious in other par… Read More
2021-09-11 22:28
Though I’ve lived in Phoenix for close to three decades, it never occurred to me to visit the West side of the Grand Canyon until recently. I love the Grand Canyon, though the crowds… Read More
2021-08-30 00:33
Known for its contribution for space exploration, Houston is one of America’s largest cities with a cosmopolitan vibe. However, it isn’t a city I normally would consider visitin… Read More
2021-08-16 13:51
Home to the tallest pyramid on the Yucatan peninsula, Cobá ruins is one of the oldest and largest Maya archaeological site in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
The post Cobá Ruins: Explo… Read More
2021-08-06 20:23
The most popular and probably best-known meteor shower of the year, the Perseid Meteor Shower lights up the sky in August. Though active through most of the month, the celestial spectacle p… Read More
2021-07-30 17:00
When you live in the desert and wake up to the sound of thunder and rain, you smile. You listen for a few seconds in this half-awake state, to make sure you’re not imagining it. Then… Read More
2021-07-24 13:18
During our latest road trip through California, besides Yosemite, we also visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Home to some of the oldest and largest trees on the planet, they w… Read More
2021-07-19 17:22
When we think of traveling across the US, we usually picture hiking through lush nature parks or enjoying the hustle of metropolitan cities. But, did you know that you can find mysterious a… Read More
2021-07-15 00:35
Every year, the plastic-free July campaign offers an opportunity to evaluate our use of plastic that harms the environment. I will start by admitting that our household is still not fully p… Read More
2021-06-25 15:55
As I walk in Yosemite Valley, I can’t help but think of its stories. Stories of glaciers and rushing rivers, granite rocks and ancient forests, animals and humans inhabiting it. I thi… Read More
2021-06-18 19:06
Everyone who visits Yosemite National Park in the summer of 2021 needs a reservation.
The post How to Visit Yosemite In the Summer of 2021 appeared first on Wanderer Writes Read More
2021-06-11 20:16
Covering over 2,000 miles if starting in Phoenix, a road trip to Yosemite offers opportunities to enjoy some of the most famous outdoors scenery in the US.
The post 7 Famous Landmarks on a… Read More
2021-05-14 22:08
The Sears-Kay Ruins just off the road towards Seven Springs from Phoenix is not a site you normally set off to visit. Unless you are on a mission to see every ancient site you ever heard ab… Read More
2021-05-07 17:14
Beehive-like shapes, rainbow valleys, multicolored rocks with strips in wavelike patterns, Valley of Fire State Park showcases striking rock formations. In fact, the Nevada state park gets… Read More
2021-04-24 01:24
April 23rd is World Book Day, celebrated across the globe. The reference to the Globe Theater also stands, since UNESCO picked the day of the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Howeve… Read More
2021-04-23 16:02
National Parks are some of the best places to visit, no matter where you live, no matter your interests. Most countries have National Parks, protecting and preserving special natural, histor… Read More
2021-04-20 15:21
The theme for Earth Day 2021 is “Restore Our Earth”, and this is what we should all strive to do now. It is no longer enough to protect it, we’v damaged it over the years t… Read More
2021-04-16 19:00
Each year in April we celebrate National Park Week, which usually starts with a fee free day. This year, in 2021, the Free Fee Day on Saturday, April 17, coincides with ParkRx Day, the Inter… Read More
2021-04-09 20:55
Red Rock Canyon was the highlight of my day in Las Vegas, a city I had no previous desire to ever visit. On our road trip to Death Valley, we knew we would stop in Vegas. It was the fastest… Read More
2021-04-08 16:03
The annual Lyrid Meteor Shower lights up the night sky in April, following the International Dark Sky Week, seemingly to prove its importance. Visible between April 16 and 25 in 2021 in the… Read More
2021-04-05 17:22
Today marks the first day of the International Dark Sky Week this year, designated for April 5-12, bringing the importance of dark skies into focus and trying to educate people about the imp… Read More
2021-03-28 22:44
Sand dunes, salt flats, and desolate areas filled with rocks in the pastel colors of an artist's palette are the highlights of a day trip through Death Valley National Park Read More
2021-03-25 01:32
A road trip through three deserts is the perfect trip during a pandemic, with social distancing opportunities. A desert is a desert, you might think. And maybe only desert dwellers notice th… Read More
2021-03-08 15:59
One of the first Hungarian woman travel writers, Mária Fáy, also known by her married name, Mocsáry Béláné (Mrs. Mocsáry Béla: the -n… Read More
2021-03-05 21:54
As Quintana Roo is opening up, loosening its Covid restrictions, I’m sure many of us are looking forward to travel there once again. For me, I’ve been missing the Yucatan Peninsu… Read More
2021-02-22 19:15
One of the most desolate places even in the Arizona desert, Petrified Forest is a place we rarely visit any more. But the first time I’ve been there, camping within the park, left me i… Read More
2021-01-29 20:11
Dark sky places are the best for stargazing, for watching the stars, constellations, galaxies, nebulae, and as much as possible from our planet. As we live in brighter and brighter environme… Read More
2021-01-22 22:17
In the desert of Southern Arizona stand the ruins of Tumacacori, a Spanish mission dating from the 1820s. It seems so out of place in this land, but with some of its structures built in the… Read More
2021-01-08 22:17
Accessible even as a day-trip destination from Phoenix, Organ Pipe National Monument is one of the most unique areas of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. An International Biosphere Preserve, th… Read More
2021-01-05 21:09
As 2020 ended and I got to be a year older (on the last day of the year), I found myself reflecting upon the past year, a year of general uncertainties, considered one of the worst in recent… Read More
2020-12-21 15:32
This year we have quite a few celestial events, but none as rare as the Jupiter and Saturn Great Conjunction on the solstice, December 21st. The last time the two planets were this close was… Read More
2020-12-19 14:42
We don’t usually travel during the winter Holidays because weather is perfect where we are. Over the years, we started our own family traditions in the Sonoran Desert that include outd… Read More
2020-12-14 23:24
Last night was the peak of the Geminid meteor shower, the brightest one of the year. Although the peak has just passed, it is still going to be spectacular for a few nights, and since tonigh… Read More
2020-12-08 18:00
Like in other parts of the world, many of the Hungarian Holiday traditions are celebrated in December. Though these days Christmas is the major Hungarian holiday this time of the year, it is… Read More
2020-12-04 18:00
The Winter Holidays are the best in the Sonoran Desert. We don’t get the white winter wonderland we tend to associate with this time of the year, but we are surrounded by an environmen… Read More
2020-11-23 18:00
The best day trip destinations from Phoenix can take you from gorgeous desert areas to one of the best-known wonder of the natural world, pine-covered mountains, lava fields, and petrified f… Read More
2020-11-14 01:30
Visible every November, the Leonid meteor shower is considered a major one, with about 15 meteors visible per hour. The Leonids, meteors visible in the constellation Leo, are some of the fas… Read More
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