Julia@travelthefourcorners, Author at Travel The Four Corners

Travel Quiz June 2025

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 04:08:36 +0000

🌍 Travel The Four Corners: Current Affairs & Destinations Quiz Are you up-to-date on travel news? Take our 5-question Travel Quiz, and see how you fare. The Quiz 1. 🌋 Which country recently reopened its famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa after temporary closure due to volcanic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula? A) Iceland B) […]

The post Travel Quiz June 2025 appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Lost in Scotland: Castles, Whisky, and the Art of the Roundabout

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In July 2023, Chris and I bid farewell to sunny Prague (where the beer is cheaper than water and the sun always shines… at least it did for us) and swapped it for Scotland, renowned for its whisky, castles, and complete lack of sunshine. We joined our Californian friends, Molly and Kevin, for a week […]

The post Lost in Scotland: Castles, Whisky, and the Art of the Roundabout appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

The Way of Wanderlust: The Best Travel Writing of Don George

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Why do we travel? Don George knows why he travels—it’s why he became a travel writer. Each of his short stories reveals a part of himself, and his experiences feed his insatiable curiosity about other lands and peoples, their customs and beliefs. He views travel as a classroom and believes it “paves the pathway to […]

The post The Way of Wanderlust: The Best Travel Writing of Don George appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Rick Steves On the Hippie Trail

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 02:00:58 +0000

Renowned travel writer and guidebook publisher Rick Steves packed the house at Dominican University in San Rafael, CA, with his two-hour talk on On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer*. The event sold out weeks in advance, a testament to Steves’ enduring appeal. When my writer friend Marcy and […]

The post Rick Steves On the Hippie Trail appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Czech, Please! 6 Fun Days in Prague

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 01:16:16 +0000

Prague was the perfect spot to get together with my husband’s Australian cousins and their spouses. This beautiful city in the Czech Republic (formerly part of Czechoslovakia until its peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992, and officially renamed Czechia in 2016—a name that hasn’t quite caught on) offers something for everyone. […]

The post Czech, Please! 6 Fun Days in Prague appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Seattle: Pike Place Market Culinary Tour

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:55:23 +0000

The bomb cyclone hit the Seattle area the day before we arrived, but at the moment our plane touched down at 9 a.m., a sliver of sun shone over the Emerald City. We had to pick up a rental car, so I was cutting it close for my culinary food tour of Pike Place Market […]

The post Seattle: Pike Place Market Culinary Tour appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Dubrovnik’s Timeless Beauty

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:14:04 +0000

If you can squeeze in only two seaside overnights in Croatia, make them the breathtaking coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split in the southern historical region of Dalmatia. A mere 127 miles apart, each offers stunning vistas with time capsule-like “Old Cities.” And, if you can overlook the hordes of tourists, which lately seems to […]

The post Dubrovnik’s Timeless Beauty appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Wine Country USA: A Perfect Day in Sonoma’s Vineyards

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:52:21 +0000

Updated November 9, 2024 Based on my European travel focus, you’d be hard-pressed to guess I live in one of the world’s most beautiful spots, near San Francisco and the famous Napa and Sonoma wine regions. I’m within driving distance of the snow-capped peaks of Tahoe and the granite monoliths and waterfalls of Yosemite National […]

The post Wine Country USA: A Perfect Day in Sonoma’s Vineyards appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Travel Quiz October 2024

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:04:03 +0000

Are you up-to-date on travel news? Take our 5-question Travel Quiz, and see how you fare.

The post Travel Quiz October 2024 appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Rediscovering the Soul of Travel Writing & Photography

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 22:45:27 +0000

Insights from the Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference

The post Rediscovering the Soul of Travel Writing & Photography appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Pass The Butterworms: Remote Journey’s Oddly Rendered

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:57:02 +0000

Paddling Peru’s Maraňón River, a source of the Amazon, I dodged boat-swallowing whirlpools and kept an eye out for danger lurking in the thick brush. On another expedition to count gorillas, elephants, and leopards, I bushwhacked with pygmy guides through the steamy Congo jungle. On that trek, swarms of bees made life a living hell. […]

The post Pass The Butterworms: Remote Journey’s Oddly Rendered appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Overtourism: Tourists Go Home!

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:15:50 +0000

How much would you pay for a selfie in front of an erupting Icelandic volcano? Do you enjoy navigating through crowded Roman passageways in Europe? What would you do if a resident squirted water from a toy gun at you while you relaxed in a Barcelona cafe? Unfortunately, we live in the Age of Overtourism, […]

The post Overtourism: Tourists Go Home! appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Stonehenge Sprayed Orange in Activist Attack

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 00:37:51 +0000

Two protestors with the British Just Stop Oil organization made headlines again this week when they used fire extinguishers to spray orange powder on England’s venerable Stonehenge monoliths. Fortunately, this recent attack did not cause lasting damage to Stonehenge. But British Indie rockstar Liam Gallagher said it best: “Don’t f**k with the stones man, they […]

The post Stonehenge Sprayed Orange in Activist Attack appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Perast and Kotor: Exploring Montenegro In One Day

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 22:09:25 +0000

Nestled along the Bay of Kotor, the charming towns of Perast and Kotor in Montenegro offer a perfect blend of history, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Just a short drive from Dubrovnik, this day trip will take you through picturesque medieval streets, past Venetian baroque palaces, and to a legendary islet chapel that draws pilgrims […]

The post Perast and Kotor: Exploring Montenegro In One Day appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Rediscovering Saudi Arabia: A Journey Through Time

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 02:22:49 +0000

What a difference a few years can make in a country like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which opened its doors to tourism on September 19, 2019. NYT Article on Saudi Arabia The Saudi Arabia described by New York Times travel editor and photojournalist Stephen Hiltner in his excellent article Surprising, Unsettling, Surreal: Roaming Through […]

The post Rediscovering Saudi Arabia: A Journey Through Time appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Say What? Crazy Travel News

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 01:56:49 +0000

Is the world getting crazier and crazier, or is it just me? Today, several odd travel news stories flashed across Travel The Four Corners’ Travel News Bulletins feed in Travel Resources, with one slightly more believable news item from ABC News reporting airfare costs are rising: Japanese town erects a black screen to prevent tourists […]

The post Say What? Crazy Travel News appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Ston, Croatia: Medieval Walls, Salt Pans and Oysters

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:58:42 +0000

We weren’t planning to stop in Ston, Croatia, but we stumbled upon this hidden gem thanks to Ivo, our thoughtful driver. He suggested a quick detour when we were leaving Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina en route to our final destination, Dubrovnik. The detour turned into an hour of delightful exploration, and here’s why you […]

The post Ston, Croatia: Medieval Walls, Salt Pans and Oysters appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

A Bridge Between Worlds: Unveiling Bosnia’s Allure in One Day

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 02:21:27 +0000

Bosnia & Herzegovina, a fascinating Balkan nation, beckons. This mountainous country shares a sliver of the Adriatic Sea with Croatia, but the real beauty lies inland. Chris and I journeyed to the charming town of Mostar, a few hours by car from the touristy beachfront cities of Split and Dubrovnik on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Bosnia […]

The post A Bridge Between Worlds: Unveiling Bosnia’s Allure in One Day appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Flying The Crowded Skies

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 19:38:48 +0000

To fully comprehend how crowded our skies are, click to open up the real-time map from Flightradar24 below. It will give you an idea of why our favorite destinations are so packed even now in the off-season. Instantly, you’ll track worldwide air traffic as little yellow airplanes move across the screen. These are all the […]

The post Flying The Crowded Skies appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 22:15:47 +0000

Who would think a hike across the wintry Appalachian Trail with two grumpy, middle-aged men could be so entertaining? And yet, A Walk In the Woods by Bill Bryson is one of the most amusing books I have read in years. This mismatched hiking duo is a recipe for laughter. Bryson’s out-of-shape Little Debbie cake-loving […]

The post A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Game of Thrones in Real Life? Split’s Secrets Revealed

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:15:54 +0000

While Croatia’s Dubrovnik steals the spotlight with its Game of Thrones grandeur, Split is where a Roman emperor lounged in an opulent palace, a medieval bishop preached defiance, and gladiatorial roars once echoed in a nearby arena. Wander cobbled streets where history hums from beneath your feet, from the whispers of Diocletian’s mausoleum to the […]

The post Game of Thrones in Real Life? Split’s Secrets Revealed appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Flying Large Dogs

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:26:50 +0000

Don’t underestimate the difficulty of flying large dogs. Consider yourself lucky if your dog is small enough to fit into an airline-approved pet carrier under your seat. Unfortunately, unless you have a service dog, canines over 20 lbs (9 kg) must go in the aircraft hold with checked luggage (a human traveling companion must be […]

The post Flying Large Dogs appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

ETIAS Travel Authorization for US, UK, and AU Citizens: What You Need to Know

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:26:48 +0000

This article was updated March 16, 2025 Europe’s ETIAS Travel Restrictions were postponed until late 2026. When the regulation goes into effect, travelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and 55 other countries that currently don’t need visas to visit France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and 26 different European countries will be required to […]

The post ETIAS Travel Authorization for US, UK, and AU Citizens: What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

GPS Spoofing: A Growing Threat to Aviation Safety

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:26:47 +0000

Updated June 12, 2024 Many people have irrational fears 30,000 ft up in the friendly skies. Now, here’s a new worry: jamming and spoofing. Commercial airline pilots’ reliance on GPS navigation systems is being put to the test more than ever before. The war in Ukraine and heightened military alert in the Middle East are […]

The post GPS Spoofing: A Growing Threat to Aviation Safety appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Croatia’s Hvar Island: A James Bond Vibe

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 22:39:51 +0000

Hvar island is well worth the 50-minute ferry ride from Split. There are two main ports of entry: Hvar town and Stari Grad. Date of Visit: September 24, 2022 As my husband, Chris, and I pulled into Hvar town’s sun-baked harbor, my mind flashed back to the first time I glimpsed a jet-setting lifestyle. It […]

The post Croatia’s Hvar Island: A James Bond Vibe appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:08:46 +0000

The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise Pico Iyer was one of the marquee writers who drew me to Book Passage’s four-day travel conference in June. Months after he signed my copy of The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise, I began reading this thought-provoking book chronicling his visits to the places we […]

The post The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Lonely Planet: How to be a Travel Writer

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:58:45 +0000

I can’t think of a better book to kick off Journeys in Travel Literature than Lonely Planet: How to be a Travel Writer by Don George and Janine Eberle. If you love to travel, there’s a good chance you keep a travel journal, publish a blog, or are thinking of starting one. There are now over 30 million […]

The post Lonely Planet: How to be a Travel Writer appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Zadar, Croatia: A Dance of Time and Tide

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:45:30 +0000

Were Zadar’s city planners chasing the “Bilbao Effect” when they hired Nikola Bašić to build two contemporary art installations near the historical old town? Most likely. But there’s more to these works of art than meets the eye. The Croatian-born architect completed The Sea Organ and The Monument to the Sun nearly 20 years ago. […]

The post Zadar, Croatia: A Dance of Time and Tide appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

Lost in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 21:54:17 +0000

There’s one thing you should never do in Croatia’s stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park. And no, it’s not refraining from feeding the wildlife. However, it would be best if you didn’t do that either. The correct answer, or perhaps the most important if you value life and limb, is to stay on the well-marked trails […]

The post Lost in Plitvice Lakes National Park appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.

I Had a Fling in Croatia

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:54:00 +0000

Did my title pull you in? Sorry to disappoint if you thought I meant an extra-marital fling—in fact, I was literally thrown by a panicking Haflinger pony during a horseback ride in Croatia. That unexpected tumble was my wake-up call to the importance of travel insurance. My travel fairy godmother was watching over me that […]

The post I Had a Fling in Croatia appeared first on Travel The Four Corners.