Unforgettable Travel Experiences
Destinations!
We enjoy sharing unforgettable travel experiences with fellow wanderlusters—from luxurious vacation resorts to exhilarating outdoor adventures and everything in between. Great Escapes Travel features a vibrant collection of travel stories, reviews, tourism info, vacation options, cafes, cozy hotels, souvenir shops, road trips, foreign destinations, guide services, and much more—it's not work, it's our idea of fun and leisure.
CALABRIA ITALY and Beyond: with The Stevens
Clark and Gina, our Italy Specialists. Here's just some of their favorite spots: the coast of Amantea, the hilly towns of La Piccolo Sila, enchanting Civita (further north), Paola, sunset strolls in Fiumefreddo Bruzio, popular Matera, the Feast of San Eustachio, Gen Z friendly Castellabate...
...the Ruins of Paesturn and the new airport in Salerno that allows quicker access to Amalfi. Many of their holidays are centered around parish churches, monasteries, old convents, saints, and historical apparition sites. We think that's a fascinating way to travel.
Hard to believe such solitary moments like this can still be had—sipping an espresso on an empty cobblestone street—when you compare this to the enormous crowds of Rome and Venice, you have to say Clark knows how to do Italy!
DIVING IN COZUMEL by Lisa Zhu
My Dive Trip to Cozumel was one of those rare journeys where history, culture and nature all came together effortlessy. Before even touching the water the Mayan ruins set the tone. Walking among the ancient stone structures, I felt a quiet awe while imagining a civilazation that thrived here centuries ago--not just landmarks but reminders how Cozumel has always been a place of reverence and mystery.
The cuisine was another highlight. Every meal felt like a celebration of flavor and tradition. Fresh ceviche bright with lime, slow-cooked cochinita pibil wrapped in banana leaves, handmade tortillas still warm from the griddle--simple ingredients transformed with care and history. Eating in Cozumel wasn't rushed; it was meant to be savored, shared and enjoyed.
...Cozumel scuba with Lisa continued...
Then came the diving, the true of heart of the trip. Cozumels' reefs are nothing short of spectacular. Drifting effortlessy along the colorful walls, I was surrounded by vibrant coral, graceful eagle rays, curious turtles and schools of fish moving in perfect harmony. The visibility was crystal clear and the current carried me like a slow gentle dance. Each dive felt meditative--time dissolved, replaced by breath, movement and color.
The experience was so special: balance, ancient ruins grounding me with the past, rich food nourishing my body and the ocean opening a window into a whole other world entirely. Cozumel is more than a dive destination--it is a special place that feeds the soul above and below the surface.
The Hyatt Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs is many different things to many different people. The Hyatt Palm Springs in downtown is our idea of base camp. It sits right at the northern start of the fun part of Palm Canyon Drive. Just take the 80s glass elevator down to the lobby, step out the big doors, and turn right to find yourself surrounded by a delightful array of cute remodeled shops, stores, sidewalk sweets, and dog-friendly wide sidewalks. The entire downtown area has been revamped and sparkles better than ever, creating a vibe that oozes with "dahling!" delight.
If exploring mid-century modern movie star homes is on your docket, grab the retro cruiser bikes available in the lobby for a safe scenic ride through the classy quiet neighborhoods showing off swinging Atomic Age 50s and 60s design. Pedal to Elvis & Priscilla Presley's Honeymoon House or a former Rat Packer's residence. Everyone always forgets to mention how stunning the sky-high desert mountain backdrop is and you can even smell the creosote and cactus in the air while imagining you're riding over to coffee chat with Liz Taylor.
We have to also mention the free guest breakfast menu at the Hyatt features omelets named after Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Mercury, and even Bon Jovi by golly!
PARIS on Velib'! (bicyles)
Safe bike lanes are everywhere on Paris streets now! When we saw Les Frenchies on YouTube boasting about how easy it is to peddle on Parisian boulevards, we just had to try it ourselves. The lanes are clearly marked to keep you going in the right direction and wide enough to pull aside anytime you're unsure about your next turn or simply want to snap a pic of a famous site like Notre Dame or the Arc de Triomphe. You can bike the main boulevards or turn onto streets that still seem to live in medieval times.
I plotted this stopover behind the Cluny Museum castle on our way to peddling to the Pantheon. It was a fun detour down Boulevard Saint Germain then left up toward the prestigious Sorbonne University, founded in 1257!
Unexpected stops included those famous cafes associated with the 20th Century Existentialists, The Serge Gainsbourg House and the Academy des Beaux Arts where the best Belle Epoch American designers learned to create hip structures like the Chysler Building and The Met, both in Manhattan. What a great Left Bank "Latin Quarter" bike day!
Around the Louvre, along the Seine River, under the Eiffel Tower, through colorful tunnels decorated with street art or down the Champs Elysees, how can you not want to bike wonderful Paris?!
SEDONA: Best Western Arroyo Roble
Prefer a room right on Uptown Sedona's pedestrian strip or a two-story villa condo next to the bubbling Oak Creek? It's a tough call, so we do both!
We love walking from the Arroyo Roble to the Cowboy Club and the Sedona Fudge Company, along with many other popular eateries and shops. Here, the wine choices are a'plenty, and the exotic southwestern shops beckon you to buy unique finds you can't get anywhere else.
You don't have to bike the triple black Thin White Line, there are friendly fire roads and double track green rides right out of Uptown! If you like intermediate and advanced single track MTB, Sedona boasts world-class trails set in some of the most stunning terrain you've ever ridden.
Yes, there are vortexes and Native American ruins, but without the beautiful Oak Creek, none of the other sites would exist. If you choose a room at Arroyo Villa, this is the view you'll enjoy just past your porch—the most serene spot I found in all of Sedona.
You don't need stout mountaineer's legs to see the stunning sights of Sedona, some of the best vistas are easily accessible from the parking lots where shuttles take you or with less than a mile of footwork, you can find yourself in pure wilderness wild bliss.
The best description I ever heard of Sedona came from a wandering bohemian guy who said, "oh, it's like a cool town right in the middle of a national park like Zion!" It’s a perfect spot for an unforgettable travel experiences.
Hotel San Bada, Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
Animal Lovers Paradise!
The San Bada is one of our top favorite hotels in the world! It sits right right next the entrace gate into Manuel Antonio National Park teeming with wildlife. Just a few colorful blocks away, you'll find a beach that’s perfect for surf and watersports. Imagine chattering monkeys swinging from trees next to your room balcony, toucans landing on the rooftop bar during happy hour, and giant lizards hanging around every breakfast.
Animal Lovers Paradise!
That's a rain forest national park hanging over that swim up pool bar! I can't tell you how delightful this spot is to enjoy a frothy tropical drink after the 1 mile hike back from the gorgeous national park beach, where you encounter sloths and hilarious howler monkeys and more. Makes me cry just to think about it. We need to be there now!
Animal Lovers Paradise!
Animal Lovers Paradise!
Animal Lovers Paradise!
Photo hobbyists and animal lovers flock to this Costa Rican rain forest park for one of the biggest assortments of jungle dwellers anywhere. Adorable families of Capucin monkeys scamper along the white sand beach with gentle waves and the warmest water you've ever swum.
TAHITI MAIN ISLAND
Did you know the main island of Tahiti offers unforgettable travel experiences comparable to any Hawaiian isle, yet feels like Kauai 30 years ago? The locals are sweet but also "get it." One cool option is VIHIRIA QUADS, which take you on jungle roads deep into the center of the island's lush mountains. It's 'omg' the whole time.
Experience real deal jungle hiking with or without a guide. The trails are color-rated in a French style, from beginners to advanced, like ski or mountain bike paths. No matter how wild you think you are, things can turn truly adventurous! Fortunately, similar to Hawaii, there are no poisonous snakes or large mammals to eat you as you imagine yourself on an 1800s expedition into uncharted native tribal wilderness.
Travel escaper Tony began vlogging in 1999 as The Weekend Warrior on public access TV in and around LA. He shot 26 half hour episodes typically featuring 3 destination segments per show. With very little to glean from, he pioneered selfie travel and outdoor adventure vids with only passion, a vision and a 7lb. miniDV cam. Now everybody is doing it with their phones! We love the many Youtube travel vloggers and their lighter, faster approach to creating geat travel vlogs that we once did all clunky and lonely! Here’s some of our faves:
*Karen Napoly
*The Chateau Diaries
*Sir Luxury Travel
*Mediocre Amateur
*Les Frenchies
*Mammoth Lakes, Californa
*Gorogoro Kitchen
*Tyler Karow
*Opulux
*Dave Searle
*The NYC Walking Show
*Lucas Catania
*Roma Walking Tour
*Jerry Arizona
*Train To Summit
*France Table & Voyage
*Nikolai Shirmer
*tv mountain
*Sonia Mota: Simply Slow Traveler
*Baguette Bound
*So Chateaux
*Dating Beyond Borders
*Mademoiselle Spends
*Jessica Rose Williams
*Oui In France
*So Chateaux
*Old Money Mansions
*Schmancy
*Luxury Travel Expert
If you vlog about your vacation or travel services, contact us with your show channel so we can check it out and put you on the list too!