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Ambling Around St. Ives

We couldn’t very well have a walking tour without walking, so we set out on foot from our base of explorations in Carbis Bay toward the quaint English seaside resort town of St. Ives. CONTINUE READING >> 

We couldn’t very well have a walking tour without walking, so we set out on foot from our base of explorations in Carbis Bay toward the quaint English seaside resort town of St. Ives.

The name comes from St Ia’s cove, and the legend that is so intertwined with this region in Cornwall.

Many of the historic fourth and fifth century Cornish saints came from Ireland, and the story is that Ia was planning to join some of them on that voyage across the sea, but was left behind. As she prayed for a way to make the journey, a leaf floating up to shore and as she watched it began to grow bigger and bigger. Finally she climbed aboard the leaf and floated to this cove.

As we approached the city, we certainly saw that she had picked an ideal spot. The village is nestled around the little bay with several golden beaches that have led it to be twice named Best UK Seaside Town by the British Travel Awards.

Entering on the high road, for a better view, we came to the first of many encounters we would have with the works of Barbara Hepworth. Her bronze sculpture, Epidauros II, adorns the Malakoff overlooking the harbor, so we stopped for a look at both the art and the panorama.

Heading down to the waterfront, we made the church dedicated to St. Ia our first stop. The church was built during the reign of King Henry V from 1410 and 1434 as a chapel of ease, so parishioners would not have to travel several miles to Lelant for services.

It’s eighty-foot high tower served as a landmark for our finding our way around, and inside we found another Barbara Hepworth sculpture, her 1954 Madonna and Child, Bianco del Mare. The stark statue was her dedication to her son Paul who was killed while flying with the Royal Air Force in 1953.

Leaving Saint Ia’s we made a loop around the town, beginning and ending at the waterfront. Among the myriad of shops, inns, and restaurants along the water, The Sloop Inn stood out. Dating back to 1312, this classic fisherman’s pub lays claim to being one of the oldest inns in Cornwall.

From there we walked along the coast of what the locals refer to as The Island, but it is really a peninsula. The point is crowned by the St Nicholas Chapel, which is thought to predate St. Ia’s, but no records survive giving the history of the old stone church. What is known is that it was often used to keep watch for smugglers and for storage by the War Office over the.

Our circular route took us onward to Porthmeor Beach along the way to the Tate Gallery. As a hub for artists form more than a century, St Ives seemed the perfect location for second of the Tate’s regional galleries. Opening in 1993, now nearly half a million people visit each year.

For us, the building, built on the site of an old gasworks, was nearly as interesting as the artwork within it. And the view out over the beach back toward the chapel was even better.

A few blocks through the narrow streets we stopped off for one more encounter with Barbara Hepworth’s work at her Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The pioneer in modern sculpture lived and worked here from 1949 until she passed away in 1975 and it was always her wish that it would become a museum.

Barbara Hepworth’s workshop.

The small house and garden is managed by the Tate, but has been left very much as it was during her life. She chose most of the positions for the artwork displays and her workshop remains basically untouched.

By the time we completed our leisurely stroll through the grounds we had put a good ten or twelve miles on our feet for the day, so after an ice cream back at the waterfront we opted to take the train back to Cardis Bay.

Cheating? Maybe, but we easily talked ourselves out of that foolish notion.

We felt like we were simply keeping the self in our self-guided tour.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See more from our Cornwall walking tour here.

See all of our adventures in England.

A big thank you to Country Walkers for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

Your Dream New Zealand Holiday—Designed Just for You

Whether you’re fully retired or simply making the most of your holiday time, we’ll help you experience New Zealand in a way that feels effortless and enriching…
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At Amazing New Zealand Itineraries, we specialise in creating personalised holidays for mature international travellers—including those who are retired or approaching retirement—who want to explore New Zealand in comfort, at their own pace, and without the hassle of planning it all themselves.

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, ticking off a long-held bucket-list adventure, or simply seeking a relaxing escape, we’ll craft a trip that reflects your interests, travel style, and desired level of activity. From coastal charm and alpine beauty to cultural gems and wildlife encounters, we make New Zealand easy and unforgettable.

You choose the pace. You choose the style. We take care of the rest

Why Mature Travellers Choose Us

 Tailor-Made Itineraries
No one-size-fits-all packages. Every journey is created from scratch based on your pace, interests, mobility, and preferred level of activity.

  Premium Accommodation
Stay in a handpicked selection of 4-star and luxury hotels, boutique lodges, or self-contained apartments. We match comfort and charm with your individual preferences.

  Self-Drive or Chauffeur-Driven
Want the freedom of the open road or the ease of a private driver? We offer both—and can blend the two to suit different regions or stages of your journey.

  Enriching Experiences
Think wine tasting, scenic flights, cultural tours, glowworm caves, wildlife cruises, art galleries, gardens, or even relaxing spa stops. We’ll include experiences that suit your style.

  Locally Based Support
We’re based right here in New Zealand. You’ll benefit from local insight, trusted contacts, and reliable support while you’re travelling—giving you peace of mind throughout your trip.


Travel at Your Own Pace

Many of our clients tell us they’re not interested in group tours. They want something more personal and more comfortable—something thoughtfully designed just for them. That’s exactly what we offer.

Whether you’re fully retired or simply making the most of your holiday time, we’ll help you experience New Zealand in a way that feels effortless and enriching.

See an example: 21-day itinerary created for mature travellers

It’s just one of the many bespoke journeys we can create.

If you’re dreaming of a personalised New Zealand holiday that blends scenery, culture, comfort, and flexibility—we’d love to help.

Learn more: www.amazingnz.com

Enquire here: www.amazingnz.com/contact-us

E: info@amazingnz.com

Jane Coutts
Travel Specialist
We know New Zealand – We live here!

Cornish Cuisine is Ready for Its Close-up

As always in our travels, food plays an integral role in our explorations. That was even more important on our recent trip to Cornwall because it was a walking tour, so needless to say we needed all of the energy we could get… CONTINUE READING >> 

As always in our travels, food plays an integral role in our explorations. That was even more important on our recent trip to Cornwall because it was a walking tour, so needless to say we needed all of the energy we could get.

A traditional Cornish breakfast  starts out similar to our American version with eggs,  fried potatoes, bacon, and sausage, but then veers off our usual fare by adding tomato, mushrooms, and black or hog’s pudding, which is a spicy mixture of pork, suet, bread, and oatmeal or pearl barley.

Odd as some of that sounds, we grew to love it, and unlike the rest of England, it did not include beans. That was a plus in our book.

We also found that fish dishes were often offered as an alternative morning meal, and in an attempt to avoid getting bogged down with the same breakfast every day we tried a couple of them. Often it was as simple as baked cod or salmon, but an Indian style curry dish of haddock, rice, parsley, hard-boiled eggs, and butter or cream called kedgeree was a happy discovery. Still, in our minds this may have fit better as a lunch.

Speaking of lunch, a pasty, pronounced pass-tee, is the go to fast food in Cornwall, so much so that they have been given Protected Geographical Indication status. Traditional pasties consist of a sturdy crust filled with beef, potato, swede (also known as turnip in Cornwall) and onion. They are designed to be hand-held, as in hand to mouth.

We first encountered these delicious pies in the U.P. of Michigan several years ago, and learned that they were brought there by Cornish miners back in the 1800s. The origins of the pasty in Europe are unclear, but there are many mentions of similar turnovers going back centuries. No doubt Cornish bakers were not the first to think of stuffing meat and potatoes into a crust, but they certainly perfected it.

Another quick bite is the classic pork pie. If it sounds like we’re saying we’d eat our hat it’s because the shape of these little meat pies is how the chapeau got its name. They are generally served cold, like revenge, and not particularly unique to Cornwall, but we had to try one.

For an afternoon pick me up, cream tea is just the ticket. This is true across the U.K., but in the Cornish version the scone is first slathered with strawberry jam, then topped with clotted cream, which is backwards from the process that originated in Devon.

Not knowing any better, we applied our cream and jam backwards.

Although the debate about the order of application for the jam and clotted cream on a scone may never be resolved, cream teas are served and enjoyed both cream first and jam first throughout the kingdom.

Ice cream is also an enormously popular afternoon snack, especially near the beach. Cornwall is renowned for its dairy products and with one lick of a cone we knew why. The secret is that the confection is created using Cornish clotted cream, which makes for a much richer flavor and creamier consistency. We may never look at ice cream the same way again.

A Cornish dinner is a varied affair, as with most everywhere, but seafood is often the star of the show. We were lucky enough to experience this at one of the premier restaurants in the region, Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, feasting on fresh scallops and lobster.

Afterwards we were treated to spectacular desserts featuring fresh berries, chocolate, and more of the incredible cream that Cornwall is famous for.

In addition to the bounty from the sea, Cornish food directly reflects the area’s agriculture, so lamb, potatoes, barley, peas, and cabbage are all quite common, and on our last evening we found them all together in a sumptuous stew.

Certainly nothing fancy, but perhaps the best meal of the trip and a great way to finish.

See more from our Cornwall walking tour here.

See all of our adventures in England.

A big thank you to Country Walkers for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

The Angelic Aura of St Michael’s Mount

When is an island not an island?

Perhaps when there is a cobblestone path leading to it.

The thought was so intriguing, and the castle topped hill so inviting, that we could hardly wait. However, the tide… CONTINUE READING >> 

When is an island not an island?

Perhaps when there is a cobblestone path leading to it.

Considering our first view of St Michael’s Mount at the end of our coast to coast trek over St. Michael’s Way, it was hard to imagine that we would be able to walk to the mountain we saw rising out of the sea about a half mile offshore.

The thought was so intriguing, and the castle topped hill so inviting, that we could hardly wait. However, the tide, which can run as high as twenty feet in Cornwall, insisted that we wait until the morning.

The mount has been the site of legends and lore, as well as a prized piece of real estate, for thousands of years.

There is evidence of inhabitants as far back as 5000 BC, and by the time of Christ this may have already been a major port for shipping tin from nearby mines.

Around the year 500 AD it is said that the Archangel Michael appeared sitting upon the summit to guide boats through a storm, giving the mount its name. A few hundred years later monks laid claim to it and a series of monasteries followed.

Somewhere between Michael and the monastery, the giant Cormoran was said to rule the mountain. The monster terrorized the region, stealing livestock and eating children until a young man named Jack had had enough.

Sneaking up the hill one night, Jack dug a pit, lured Cormoran into it, and disposed of the menace with a pickaxe to the head. Gruesome and effective!

The feat earned him the name Jack the Giant Killer. While very similar stories, we learned that this was not the same Jack that climbed the beanstalk.

For centuries St Michael’s Mount was sought as a stronghold by a string of various British royals and nobility, until around 1650 when the St Aubyn family moved in. Now it is managed by the National Trust, but the family continues to hold forth in the castle.

Marazion Town Hall

With our history lesson learned, and a good night’s rest in the picturesque town of Marazion behind us, we were ready to walk on water. But alas, no need. The tide had receded and a granite causeway had appeared.

Arriving at the fortified entrance to the village by the mount’s harbor, we were met with an unhappy revelation. It was Saturday, and the castle is always closed on Saturdays in order to give the St Aubyns a day away from the crowds.

Disappointed that we would not be able to climb to the top, we made the best of it and found that there was a lot to be discovered down at the base of the hill.

Our exploration began by walking around the port, which was bone dry because of the huge tide. Even though we had seen this at several places around Cornwall, it still seemed strange to see boats sitting on the dry bottom of the bay.

The lack of water made the stone sea walls look more like a fort than a breakwater. At the stairway up to the entrance we looked down and found a bronze footprint of Queen Victoria commemorating her visit in 1846.

Up near the walkway entrance we discovered that Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip, as well as Prince Charles & Camilla, also have their footprints immortalized in metal.

A little village is clustered around the waterfront, so we walked the cobblestone streets up and down… both of them. It didn’t take long, especially since it was Saturday and none of the island’s handful of shops or cafes were open.

Undaunted, we poked around and found some interesting features.

The mount actually has a subway built to haul things up to the castle. It’s not something they advertise to tourists, but by standing on our tiptoes we could see it hidden behind a fence.

The single car looks a bit like a coffin on wheels and dates back to Victorian times. For some reason, they chose to dig a tunnel instead of going overland, so it makes the entire trip underground.

Passing a row of homes, obviously inhabited, aroused our curiosity as to who lived here. We speculated that they must be people who work up in the castle, or perhaps own the businesses.

At the end of the road we found a lychgate leading to the parish cemetery. The misty gray day seemed perfectly fitting for the scene of moss covered headstones and Cornish Crosses.

Perhaps it was a day like this that inspired director John Badham to use St Michael’s Mount as the setting for his 1979 movie version of Dracula.

On our way out we were surprised to see an unexpected car pulling through the entrance gate of the causeway. The gatekeeper was standing by so we inquired and he filled us in on a few interesting tidbits and confirmed some of our theories.

Cars and small trucks are permitted to drive across the walkway, but only for delivering items to the homes and shops, and only for boat owners or people who live on the island.

The population is currently about thirty five people, in addition to the St Aubyn family, and he was quick to add that he was not one of them. Normally he works on the mainland and was just filling in.

Residents must work on the island, no vacation homes or getaways here and, not that we were in the market, out of curiosity we asked if there are any rentals. No Air B&B allowed, there is no way a tourist can stay the night.

Even though our timing was bad for seeing the castle, and the weather didn’t really cooperate as far as getting good shots of the mountain, we walked back to Marazion ahead of the tide happy that we had made the pilgrimage.

On the train to London the next day we met Matt Thatcher, a student who is also a photographer. When he showed us his shot of the mountain crowned by the Milky Way we were blown away and had to ask if we could share it. He was happy to oblige.

Matt Thatcher Photography

Seeing his shot we could tell why people felt there was an angelic presence on the mount.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See more from our Cornwall walking tour here.

A big thank you to Country Walkers for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

From Sea to Shining Sea on St. Michael’s Way

It’s not every day that we can walk from coast to coast so the prospect was pretty exciting to us. The feat could be accomplished by following St. Michael’s Way traversing England’s South West Peninsula. In addition to allowing us to cover an entire landmass, the trail afforded us the opportunity to… CONTINUE READING  

It’s not every day that we can walk from coast to coast. Granted, traversing England’s South West Peninsula isn’t exactly like crossing a continent, but the prospect was pretty exciting to us.

The feat could be accomplished by following St. Michael’s Way from St. Ives to St Michael’s Mount.

In addition to allowing us to cover an entire landmass, the trail afforded us the opportunity to revisit the Camino de Santiago. The Way became a section of the trans-European pilgrimage path because pilgrims coming from Ireland chose to walk across Cornwall rather than brave the treacherous waters that faced them by sailing around Land’s End at the far western end of England.

We set out from Cardis Bay and climbed about a mile to the first landmark along the way, Knill’s Steeple.  This 50ft granite obelisk is a self-styled tribute that John Knill, the eccentric mayor of St Ives, built to himself back in 1782.

His idea was to be buried beneath it, but he messed up the memorial by going off and dying in London, so he is interred there.

Yet this didn’t keep his legacy from living on at the monument, because he left an endowment in his will to fund an odd celebration every five years, which continues to this day.

Every fifth St James Day, on 25th of July, the current mayor of St. Ives, a vicar, two widows in black, a fiddler, and ten young girls dressed in white dance their way up to the shrine, followed by a gala dinner.

We missed the big doings, but the next one is set for 2021. One thing we didn’t miss was the celebratory view of the Cornish coast from the summit of Worvas hill.

We continued upward on our way to the top of Cornwall, Trencrom Hill, the only place in the county where both coasts are visible, the Celtic Sea on our north to the English Channel on the south.

This apex was used as a hillfort in the Iron Age, and it is easy to see why. There is no way any intruders could sneak up.

The hill was also said to home to the giant Trecobben, which explains the preponderance of boulders strewn about the area.

Supposedly, he and his giant pal Cormoran, who resided on St Michael’s Mount, liked to toss huge rocks back and forth to each other in a giant game of catch.

Descending, we dodged rocks until we entered a stretch of farm fields, then made our way along stone fences and hedges before crossing a brook and into some woods.

Breaking out of the thick forest, we came to the town of Ludgvan and its church dedicated to Saint Ludowanus.

Like pilgrims going back to the 15th century, we had been following its tower for the last few miles. There is even an ancient carving above the doorway that may or may not be of an early traveler.

After looking inside and wandering through the graveyard, we stopped in next door at the White Hart Inn. This old roadhouse has hundreds of years of history and bills itself as a classic Cornish pub.

As the only place providing sustenance along the twelve miles we would walk of the Way, we could hardly pass it up. Charmed by the quaint interior, and refreshed by a quick bite and a pint, we’d say it lived up to its billing.

All that lay between us and our destination at that point was the Marazion Marsh, so we waded in.  This nature reserve has one of Cornwall’s largest reed beds and is an important refuge for breeding and migrating birds.

For us it was yet another interesting change of scenery before we reached the shore and came face to face with St Michael’s Mount.

As we walked along the beach in the town of Marazion, the mountain stood as an island about a half a mile offshore, yet we could walk there to finish our journey.

That is because the tides in this area can run as much as twenty feet, and when it is out the mount sits on dry land, easily accessible by a cobblestone foot path.

We had seen it in pictures, but with the sun going down we would have to wait until morning to make the last few hundred yards of our trek.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See more from our Cornwall walking tour here.

A big thank you to Country Walkers for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

Fear Conquering and Whitewater Rafting

In my never-ending quest to push the envelope, I figured my next challenge would be to tackle whitewater rafting.

My trepidation wasn’t what most people would expect. I love to swim, I love being out on the water and am generally fearless when boating. What I was frightfully anxious about was the coldness of the water.

I like my water warm. When I use the word “bracing” it is always in a negative context. Never the one to just dive into a pool — no — I… CONTINUE READING >>

In my never-ending quest to push the envelope, I figured my next challenge would be to tackle whitewater rafting.

My trepidation wasn’t what most people would expect. I love to swim, I love being out on the water and am generally fearless when boating.

What I was frightfully anxious about was the coldness of the water. I like my water warm. When I use the word “bracing” it is always in a negative context.

Never the one to just dive into a pool — no — I use the stairs or a ladder to lower myself inch by careful inch.

No use in shocking the goods — that kind of jolt can’t be good for the old cardiovascular system.

The idea of capsizing into an icy Montana river, as one can imagine, was not my idea of a good time. I’m fully convinced that hypothermia can happen in the dead of summer — especially when the water was Montana snow about fifteen minutes ago.

Heading in to be outfitted for our excursion, the fact that a helmet was issued didn’t faze me. I was sure that rafting companies have to be careful for insurance reasons and no one wants to play rock-paper-knoggin out on the river.

I was completely calm, in fact, as the three guides — who could only be described as your quintessential Dudes — were handing out the gear.

Surely we couldn’t be doing anything hazardous with these young whippersnappers at the helm.

I happily donned the ray-o-sunshine yellow helmet, the deliciously day-glow orange vest and the darling little waterproof booties. To top off the ensemble, I chose a bright blue pair of David’s swimming trunks.

I was a near-radioactive thing of beauty.

Feeling my fashion-forward oats, I boarded the van that hauled us to the launching site.

During the ride as we laughed and kidded with The Dudes — I was completely convinced that this was going to be a cakewalk — sitting back, dragging my hand in the water while the Dudes paddled me down a lazy river with spectacular scenery.

This was, after all, where the film A River Runs Though It was shot and Brad Pitt seemed to like it. Hey! I could work on my tan! Maybe they served drinks with little umbrellas! This was going to be fun!

Things took underwent an abrupt turn for the real once we reached our destination. The Dudes got all professional on us. Uh-oh. Listening to the rapid-fire instructions I suddenly was made aware of several things:

1) The river was full of crazy big rocks that had to be dodged.

2) Even if I wasn’t tossed overboard, I was going to be drenched in freezing cold water.

3) The darling booties weren’t for decorative purposes — they were actually protective gear.

4) I was expected to row (I found this out as a Dude handed me an oar).

5) The reason my garments were so bright was so I could be easily located after being dashed upon the rocks.

In addition, I learned how to respond when I was tossed overboard, that I was to board a raft with only one Dude and five other people that had never rafted before and that I was suddenly terrified. Great.

Still, I was here on a fear-conquering mission and – by golly – I was going in. I held fast to my oar, strode purposefully to the raft and situated myself on the bench. Our Dude sat at the rear and we were on our way.

Initially, it wasn’t so rough. The serene beauty of the canyon was overwhelming. I actually COULD drag my hand along the water. Dude was once again relaxed and dude-like and we were yucking it up again. It was quite nice.

Then came the first big bend of the river. Like a flume ride at an amusement park (that you could drown on) we were set into action. The floor of the raft quickly took on freezing cold water.

Dude was suddenly shouting out commands — like a stoned drill sergeant — and we scurried to follow.

The in-case-of-emergency talk was NOT just for insurance purposes! We were oaring for our lives — and I was pretty darn sure not a single person in our raft knew what they were doing. It was exhilarating!

There’s a beauty to being scared witless. My mind held only the task at hand.

I had completely put my trust in Dude — the same Dude who was bragging on his drinking antics just moments before in the van — because I had no other choice.

My clueless comrades-in-oars were doing the same.

After those initial rapids, the river became peaceful again and the cheers of victory went up as oars were double-pumped overhead. Tales of bravado were excitedly tossed around. I felt as though I was aboard a vessel with my only friends in the world.

We were a team that, together, conquered the wild river — and our fears. Collectively, we couldn’t wait for the next rapids.

Bring it on!

Veronica, GypsyNester.com

The Best Treks Around Cusco To Escape The Crowds

Full of striking Andean peaks, a charming colonial center and almost unlimited day trips to head on, Cusco is a great all-rounder to add to your itinerary around Peru…
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One of the most popular destinations to visit in all of South America, Cusco has really made a name for itself in the past few decades.

Full of striking Andean peaks, a charming colonial centre and almost unlimited day trips to head on, Cusco is a great all-rounder to add to your itinerary around Peru. Between visiting ancient ruins and trying local foods, we can also experience breathtaking treks in this region – which both have less tourists around and are great for really connecting with the local nature

In this article we’ll explore some of the very best treks around Cusco, which are perfect for escaping the crowds. We’ll also list our top tips for how you can best prepare for these hikes too.

The Best Treks Around Cusco To Escape The Crowds

Starting in no particular order, let’s take a look at some of the best multi-day hiking circuits that you can enjoy when in the Peruvian region of Cusco.

The Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

One of the more famous treks on this list, the Inca Trail is a very special hike to head on. Paved by the ancient Inca civilization, this route was once the only way to get to Machu Picchu which was safely hidden within the Andean highlands (and which was why the Spanish never discovered this site). During the full Four Day Inca Trail Hike, we will visit lesser-visited ruins such as those of Wiñay Wayna, Sayacmarca and Intipata, whilst also camping in some breathtaking mountainous settings. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for nature too, as the more remote parts of the trail can attract endemic wildlife such as Spectacled Bears and the Giant Hummingbird.

The Ausangate Trek

If you love snow-capped mountains and otherworldly terrains, then the Four Day Ausangate Trek will be an incredible choice for you. Located south of Cusco in the Vilcanota Mountain Range, here we will see various multi-coloured lakes and mountains on the route, before culminating the trek at the picturesque Rainbow Mountain. This one is much less popular than the Inca Trail, so even the peak tourist months (between June and September) will have few crowds. As well as camping under starlit skies, we can also see wild Viscachas hop between rocks on the mountain passes, and enjoy a swim in the various stone-laden jacuzzis at the campsite.

The Salkantay Trek

Winding around the giant 6271m Salkantay Mountain, this trek is definitely one of the more difficult ones in Cusco – and is perfect for those who want a challenging yet rewarding experience. On the Four Day Salkantay Trek we will hike at high altitudes around giant glaciers and snow-capped mountains, where we will also make a stop-off at the legendary bright-blue Humantay Lake before ending the trek at Machu Picchu. It’s important to prepare properly for this trek given the altitude and cooler weather conditions, so be sure to acclimate properly in Cusco beforehand, and also to pack everything that you will need for this incredible hike.

The Lares Trek

Out of all of the different multi-day hikes mentioned in this article, the Lares Trek is more of an all-rounder and is ideal for those who want a bit of everything. Here we will meet local indigenous communities in the mountains, see beautiful waterfalls as well as various remote lakes along the route. During the Four Day Lares Trek we will also get to visit Machu Picchu on our final day to round-off what will be an unforgettable experience. Given its unique location in the Peruvian Andes, the weather here is great year-round – making it an ideal trek choice even if you are heading to Cusco during the wet season.

Tips To Prepare For Your Treks Around Cusco

Pack Properly For Your Hike

The mountains around Cusco can have wildly varying weather patterns, often with hot days and freezing nights. This means you’ll need to pack a range of clothes for both occasions ready during your trek, as well as a high SPF sunscreen given the sun is much more intense up at these higher altitudes in the Peruvian Andes. You’ll also want to bring hiking poles and high quality hiking boots for a more comfortable hiking experience.

Take The Altitudes Seriously

Many of the hikes mentioned in this post often pass above 4000m in altitude, with some even going over the dizzying 5000m mark. It’s common for these altitudes to bring unwanted side effects, such as headaches, nausea and difficulty breathing. The best way to prevent symptoms is to acclimate properly in Cusco beforehand, by spending 2-3 days in the city to allow your body to automatically adjust before your trek. Local remedies such as Coca Leaves and Soroche Pills are also great ways to prevent you from getting altitude sickness, and alternatively you can also take Diamox pills if your doctor agrees that it’s safe for you to do so.

Hike During The Dry Season

The great thing about these treks is that even during the busy season, they will still be much quieter and remote compared to Cusco and its nearby attractions. The dry season is by far the most popular time to head to this region, where clear blue skies and perfect trekking conditions will allow us to enjoy the trails more. As a bonus, you can head in April, May, September or October (shoulder season months) for even less hikers on these routes.

Book Your Treks Well In Advance

Although these treks remain off the beaten path and aren’t tightly congested, some are still popular and can have limits on capacity (such as the Inca Trail with only 500 entries allowed per day). We highly suggest booking your treks at least 4 months in advance if possible to guarantee your space, and closer to 6 months if heading during the peak dry season months. This will also allow you to confirm your ideal camping locations too, which can make your experience even more memorable along the routes.

Summer Travel Idea: Escape to Breathtaking Newfoundland

Breathtaking vistas, natural wonders, and fabulous people combine to make the island of Newfoundland one of our favorite places on earth.

Here’s why we think Newfoundland should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list… CONTINUE READING >>

Stunning sea cliffs on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland

Breathtaking vistas, natural wonders, and fabulous people (so nice, we actually felt guilty at times!) combine to make the island of Newfoundland one of our favorite places on earth. Here’s why we think Newfoundland should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list:

The Beauty is Unmatched

Waterfall view while zip lining in Newfoundland with Marble Zip Tours

Find yourself fording fjords, ziplining over waterfalls, gazing at (and over) sea cliffs, watching whales, playing with puffins and that’s just the tip of the… oh, yes, iceberg. Best of all, you can “drive” your own car or RV onto this island province.

It’s One of the Few Places that You Can Walk on the Earth’s Mantle

The Tablelands - step on to the Earth's Mantle in Newfoundland!

Of Newfoundland’s many wonders, Gros Morne National Park is the heavyweight champ. It is one of the only places in the world where humans can set foot upon rocks that have risen from deep within the Earth’s mantle. But barren outer space landscapes are only a small part of Gros Morne’s championship qualities – there are other are textbook examples of the forces of nature. Fjords, glacial valleys, and cirques are the definitive features throughout most of the park.

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See Where America was Actually Discovered

The L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, NewfoundlandSome five hundred years before Columbus “discovered” America, the Vikings landed at The L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site on the northwestern tip of Newfoundland. Through displays, replicas of housing and ships, Viking reenactors, and exploring the original foundations of their buildings, the lives of those ancient intrepid Norse explorers come alive to modern visitors.

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Kayak with Humpback Whales & Icebergs

Kayaking with Icebergs in Newfoundland

Turn yourself loose to kayak in whale-infested waters outside of the picturesque town of Twillingate. The area is known as Iceberg Alley and, when the sun is bright, the sea dances with light, sea animals, and more shades of blue than a mind can process.

WATCH: Seriously, one of the best days of our lives! We were right in amongst a serious amount of sea creatures – and icebergs!

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See the Birds of St. Mary’s

Bird Rock at Cape St. Marys in Newfoundland

On the far southern tip of the island, smack dab in the middle of nowhere, is Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. The free-standing island mountain in the middle of the park, known as Bird Rock, rises thirty stories straight up from the sea and is completely covered by gannets. The cliffs on either side of Bird Rock are covered black-legged kittiwakes and common murres. All in all, well over fifty thousand birds.

WATCH: SOOOO many birds!

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Get “Screeched In” to Become an Honorary Newfoundlander

Veronica kisses the cod as she gets Screeched In in Newfoundland

If you happen to be what the locals call “Come From Away,” then you face the prospect of becoming honorary Newfoundlanders by getting Screeched In. But beware, there are rules. The ceremony must be performed properly by a certified Screecher. (Spoiler: It involves kissing a cod!)

Watch us get Screeched In

Take a Spin in a Traditional Newfoundland Dory

A traditional Newfoundland dory! We took a took of Bay of Islands in it!

On Newfoundland’s west coast, in the Bay of Islands, a dory tour is an excellent way to see nature the way God intended it. Spot nesting eagles, jig a cod, admire wild land and seascapes, visit old timey fish cabins and eat mussels collected along the way.

See our dory tour!

Raft Down the Exploits River

Whitewater rafting on the Exploits River in Grand Falls - Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada

Take an exhilarating run down the gorgeous countryside of The Exploits Valley in Central Newfoundland. Best part? You get to say Exploits a lot.

See more about our rafting experience

Visit Dildo Run…

Dildo Run in Newfoundland, Canada

…and Virgin Arm. And Main Tickle. And Blow Me Down. And Come by Chance. And Pothead.

And, our favorite, Heart’s Content.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

We are so grateful to Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism for making this adventure possible. As always, all opinions are our own.

See all of our adventures in Newfoundland!

Or continue exploring Newfoundland through her exciting food!