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ALBERTO'S TRAVEL NOTES

Naturally Curious

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PREVIOUS DESTINATIONS

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NEW ZEALAND

2020

New Zealand is an anomaly in the South Pacific. While its North Island does have indeed a tropical feel, the South Island is more reminiscent of Norway than it resembles a tropical paradise. Our visit only included the South island. This is an incredible destination, complete with majestic mountains, glaciers, and fjords. But the essence of the place lies also in its pastoral scene away from the coast. You will spot more sheep and cows in New Zealand than possibly anywhere else. The country impressed us to no end. Do put it on your list of must visit places.

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AUSTRALIA

2020

While Australia in many ways reminded us of the Western United States, its flora and fauna are exceptionally unique and will leave you amazed. We were lucky to spend several weeks there and explored much of this unique country. It's a place I could visit over and over again.

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VIETNAM

2019

So many years have passed since the war that the country has had an exceptional rebirth. Alluring tourists from the world over, Vietnam is Southeast Asia at its best.


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LAOS

2019

Laos is a newcomer to international tourism, and that's a plus. The country is mostly rural and its people are genuine. Vientiane, its capital still has many years of catching up to do to match the hustle and bustle of places like Hanoi and Bangkok.


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THAILAND

2019

The Kingdom of Thailand (formerly Siam) is a country made up of several geographic regions, ranging from world-famous tropical beaches to spectacular rain forests. Bangkok, its capital, is a city of towering skyscrapers yet retains much of the charms of a simpler way of life.


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ENGLAND

2019

Easily-accessible, historical, English-speaking. England needs no introduction. This country within a country (U.K) has London as its capital and the former capital of the greatest empire ever amassed. But there's also the quaint English countryside, that will leave you charmed to no end.


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NORWAY

2019

Awed and overwhelmed. This is the way most visitors describe feeling when visiting this precious gem of a country. Had it been blessed with warmer weather, it would no doubt rank among the most visited countries of the world.


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TUSCANY

2018

People used to say "I want to go to Italy", now many say "I want to go to Tuscany". With good reason. Tuscany is synonymous with Art (with a Capital A) and some of the loveliest lanscapes in the world. If you haven't been there, what are you waiting for?

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HOMETOWN STROLL

Genova, Italy - 2018

Nestled between sea and mountains, Genova is not on most travelers' itinerary, but it ought to be. This birthplace of Christopher Columbus and mine, boasts Europe's largest medieval center.

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ALBANIA

2018

Albania is a small country that for many years was closed to access from the outside world. It is rebounding from years of isolation and well worth visiting.

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NORTH MACEDONIA

2018

If you think that North Macedonia just has a nice flag, you are in for a surprise. The country has beautiful mountain scenery and a capital city where no money has been spared to beautify it.

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KOSOVO

2018

Kosovo, of course, is the territory of the ex-Jugoslavia that is still under protection by U.N troops, which are easily spotted throughout its area. Kosovo does not lack in beauty and appeal; if anything it lacks in identity, having been disputed between Serbia and Bosnia, but seeking unification with Albania.

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MONTENEGRO

2018

Trust me, you want to go to Montenegro, undoubtedly the most spectacular country of the Balkans. This place is heaven for photographers and winter-sports enthusiasts. I so wish I could have explored it longer.

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TANZANIA

2018

If you are new to Africa, Tanzania is a great place to start. The country offers superb scenery, dependable weather, fluent use of English and an amazing array of wildlife. Tanzania is a large country, so allow plenty of time to take it all in.


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ZANZIBAR

2018

Although it is part of the nation of Tanzania, the island of Zanzibar, also known as Spice Island, has a completely different feel. Here beaches and Islam reign supreme. Europeans have discovered this vacation destination long ago, and with good reason they keep flocking here.

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NOVA SCOTIA

2017

Nova Scotia, a Maritime province of Canada, was home to the first French settlers on North American soil, and was allegedly visited by Vikings several years before then. Quaint, peaceful, historical and wild, N.S. is certainly worthy of a visit.

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ECUADOR

2017

Aptly situated along the Equator, Ecuador is a country small in size but large for the senses. It offers spectacular mountain scenery, beaches, jungle, very welcoming people and a capital city ready for you to discover. Highly recommended.

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GALAPAGOS

2017

On many travelers' bucket list, the Galapagos are not an inexpensive destination, but the uniqueness of its fauna, which caused Darwin to write his "On the origin of Species", make it a destination not to be missed.

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CHINA

2017

China; huge, exotic, sensory and safe. The new China is fast moving, business oriented and seemingly ready to conquer the world. If you are planning to visit, now is the time, while much of the old still exists to complement all the conveniences of the 21st century.

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CAMBODIA

2017

My favorite country in South-East Asia. The wonder of Angkor Wat is not what places it at the top of my list, rather it is the incredible warmth of its people. So many amputees wander the streets as a result of the war and the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime, yet you will always be greeted with a sincere smile, whereever you go.

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COLOMBIA

2016

Colombia is awesome. A surprisingly great destination. If you've been afraid to venture to this part of the world, fear no more; the specter of the drug cartels and civil war are in the past, and Colombia is ready to welcome you with open arms. Do it!

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COSTA RICA

2016

Costa Rica has been getting a lot of press lately, and for good reason. C.R. is an outdoors-man's paradise, offering rain-forest activities, wildlife spotting, superb beaches, active volcanoes and more. This was a return trip for us, so photos are limited.

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COLORADO

2015

The welcome sign reads "Welcome to colorful Colorado" and that it is. This Rocky Mountain progressive U.S. state, nearly as large as Italy, has it all except for an ocean. Deserts, tall mountains, wildlife, big skies, Native American history and exciting towns such as Denver and Boulder make this an exciting destination.

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IRELAND

2015

A return trip to the Emerald Isle, this time on the eastern side, particularly the area around Dublin. While I much prefer the more rugged and picturesque Atlantic side and the southwest of the island, Dublin remains a great destination for those who love the pub scene and a youth-oriented atmosphere.

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ITALY - CROATIA

2015

Whenever I travel to Italy, the primary purpose is to visit family and friends, however I always strive to include places I haven't seen. This selection includes family moments, but also some not so familiar sites in the regions of Veneto and Romagna.

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EASTERN AND WESTERN CARIBBEAN

2014

Customarily, we are not "cruise people", but if we are talking about relatively small islands and you want to see a certain number of them, unless you are a millionaire, cruising might be your best bet. We took not one, but two Caribbean cruises in 2014, and covered a lot of ground (hmm, ocean). On most we rented a car and set out to explore on our own.

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BRAZIL

2014

Unfortunately, I am missing many pictures, taken in Rio's favelas and in the Amazon. Still, there are plenty of snapshots to make the viewer realize that Brazil is a superb destination, with something for every palate; and what you see is but a very small sample of what this huge country has to offer.

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SOUTH AFRICA

2013

Probably the most manageable African country for Americans, South Africa offers unlimited activities. From the beaches of Durban and Cape Town to safaris in such places as Kruger National Park, to the recent history of Apartheid, South Africa is interesting, exciting and special in many ways.

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NAMIBIA

2013

One of my most favorite destinations. Namibia is not on most people's itineraries. Truth be told, many have surprisingly never even heard of it, but this country, home to the great Kalahari desert, will leave you awe-struck. Called South-West Africa before independence, Namibia retains much of the German colonization  period flavor.

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WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

2013

Massachusetts is but a sliver of land in New England, yet this historical area, famous for its beaches, islands, fishing grounds and the magnificent city of Boston, offers travel enthusiasts cool mountains, picturesque villages and museums galore, as well. Western Mass characterizes quaint New England and is a delight for the visitor

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ALASKA 2013

2013

I will never, ever tire of visiting Alaska. This was my third trip there, and I was as awestruck by its amazing beauty as the first time, although it can no longer be considered a real "wild frontier".
Yes, cruise ships now abound, and climate change has taken a toll on the majesty of many glaciers, but don't let Alaska slip away from your travel plans. Make it your next vacation, indeed!

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BLOCK ISLAND, R.I

2012

Sometimes, travel destinations are but minutes away from home. Block Island is one of these places. It's a wonderful place where to spend a few days, in serene tranquility and with beaches to rival those of Cape Cod. When in New England, make sure to visit.

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THE LOWER 48 IN 23 DAYS

2012

Possibly the most epic journey we ever took. 11,000 miles, and we touched every one of the continental states, plus a good chunk of Canada. Enjoy the pics, obviously the most copious amount of any other gallery on this site.

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PANAMA

2011

Regretfully I was only able to spend time in the capital city and at the very interesting canal. Panama City reminded me, surprisingly, of Miami. I believe Panama deserves a much longer visit.

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EL SALVADOR

2021

A lovely destination for those seeking a relaxing experience and a "real" environment. No tourist meccas here, nor hawkers trying to get you to buy trinkets. What you will find are genuinely lovely people, simple villages, lots of nature. I would encourage anyone to visit El Salvador, in spite of the bad reputation the country endured during the recent past. Stay away from the capital city and you will love every day spent in beautiful El Salvador.       Please click on the first image below to open gallery.

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