By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Descanso Gardens The Descanso Gardens, a 150-acre botanical garden and living museum in La Canada Flintridge, is known for its diverse plant collections. It features themed gardens, walking trails, and the “Enchanted Railroad,” a ride-on train. A year-round oasis, just 20-minutes from downtown Los Angeles, it also hosts […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate If you’re not a devoted follower of Chinese astrology, you might not realize (a) that the Horse is the seventh animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle, or (b) that February 17, 2026 is the first day of the upcoming Chinese New Year. This is a very special year, […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Now is the time to plan your summer holiday. Here are some tips to help you streamline the process. Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in shaping travel experiences. Travelers are utilizing AI-powered tools for personalized trip planning, enhancing convenience, and customizing their journeys. Expedia, Travelocity, and others […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Writer Since Covid hit our shores, travel insurance has become more important than ever. While it is true flight delays have lessened, flights are still a huge variable when you travel. Travel delays, as well as trip interruptions and cancellations, are not just frustrating and inevitable, they can be […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate I’ve just returned from the Adventure Travel Show, and am delighted to report that the travel industry is roaring back with a vengeance. Airlines are ramping up flights, training and hiring pilots, and upgrading infrastructure to keep up with the demand. Twenty-five new ships for leisure travelers will […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Just 34 miles up sweeping I 70 from Denver lies Evergreen, a popular stop for folks wanting to breathe deeply of crisp, pine-scented air. Forward-thinking Denver elders forged out huge open spaces for hikers and bikers in this area. A myriad of trail networks lace the hills surrounding […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate The only thing certain about travel in 2022 is that it is uncertain. People are chomping at the bit to travel again but need to remain flexible. Flight schedules are still in a state of flux, car rentals are at historical highs, and Covid-19 guidelines in various countries […]
By Linda Ballou NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate To start the New Year off with a bang, I am publishing a collection of my favorite outdoor days along the California Coast. It is my extreme pleasure to have visited all of these beautiful places and to share them with you in Lost Angel in Paradise. I cap […]
By Linda Ballou NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate I love travel narratives. These are a few of my favorite travel books sure to whet your wanderlust. These are not typical guidebooks, they represent well-written travel literature. Travels in a Thin Country by Sara Wheeler Sara travels in a way that I would love to do, but just don’t have the […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate No matter what your relationship with the person who brought you into this world—be it good, bad, or indifferent—it is always complicated. My mother’s passing left me with my energies low, immune system weakened, and spirits sagging. The Hawaiian Islands have always been a source of solace and […]
