Location: Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia We hiked up three lakes to Middle and Upper Joffre Lake. It was a rough, rocky and steep (3 mile) mountain route. The elevation gain to Upper Joffre Lake from trailhead is approximately 400 meters. We hiked through old growth forests of hemlock and spruce on the lower elevations. As we climbed up and fianally arrived at Upper Joffre Lake we were at nearly 9000 feet. There are incredible views of rugged peaks, icefields and cold, rushing streams beneath the Matier Glacier. It was a long challenging hike. We then all took a very quick dip in the lake itself, at a temperature of just above freezing it was unbeleiveably cold but it was an amazing refresher. Then the icing on the cake, our guides Buzz and Jazz disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a silver tray full of fresh blueberries, brownies and othe treats. An amazing day.

Standing on the rocky shore of Fernandina island, snapping photos of a family of sunning sea lions, I’m amazed at how seemingly unaware these sleek mammals are of my presence. As I turn to continue on my way, I notice a pup – he must have been only a month or two old – staring at me with big, brown eyes. “Hi!” I whisper, delighted that the cutest of the lot has decided to give me his attention. The pup bobs his head and then, to my amazement, waddles towards me. I freeze, remembering our guide Pablo’s words: “Don’t touch the wildlife, let the wildlife touch you.” Should I move? Will he bite? He doesn’t look mean. I decide to stand perfectly still.

When the pup reaches my feet, he sniffs, his whiskers tickling my ankles – and then grabs hold of my shoelace between his tiny teeth! I laugh as he entertains himself with his new toy, whipping his head back and forth like a puppy playing tug of war. Luckily he’s not strong enough to pull me over, but he does manage to untie both of my sneakers. As my uncle snaps photos from a nearby ledge, Pablo joins us on our perch.“Curious little fellas, aren’t they?” he says with a smile. When the game gets old, the pup sidles his way into the surf where he splashes playfully before flopping his way back up to dry rock to resume his nap.

A favorite travel moment was arriving at lunch in a small Tuscany hill town after biking up the switchbacks. The ride was a real challenge, the views were incredible, and lunch was marvelous! Imagine arriving in this small town, on a bicycle, and finding, in the middle of a side street, your lunch set up on a table for 20! The ride offered stunning views of the surrounding countryside — fields being worked, cows grazing, and grapes growing. The lunch of local specialites, served by the cook and her husband, was the crowning touch to the morning’s climb.

Traveling to Machu Pichu, at dawn we drove to the train station to start a 2 hour journey to kilometer 104 of the Inca Trail. The anticipation of walking on the Trail overwhelms you as you stand on the platform eagerly waiting for your train. For me, it felt like being a kid a Christmas, waiting to go downstairs and see what Santa left for you under the tree. I will never forget when the train stopped at kilometer 104, you begin to de-board and the locals on the train cheer for you and wish you well as you start the journey. I remember how foggy it was that morning. The fog added a certain mystery to the feeling of exploring the unknown, it was perfect. The hike was exhilarating as we discovered restored structures and learned about the history of the road system and the Incan culture. At the end of the hike we reached Intipunku – the Sun Gate that overlooks Machu Picchu. At the end of the day, standing at the gate, you had a feeling of true accomplishment. Then you look back at the trail you hiked and the valley below, the mountains that surround you, you realize that you are in the middle of no where. Then you see Machu Pichu in the distance, the rush of adrenaline and the feeling of pride overwhelmed me as I stood where hundred of thousands stood before me. The experience was humbling. I will never forget it.

#10 Kristi Scott, Guide-Alaska

It was day 2 of our Kenai Peninsula tour. Aboard our private cruise ship, we headed to our normal whale watching spot, expecting to see an occasional pod of Orca. Instead we found ourselves in the middle of a MEGA-pod, there must have been 30 of them! We lowered a microphone into the water to hear the whales communicating and watched with amazement as they showed off for one and other or maybe for us, jumping into the air, raising fins, slapping the water’s surface. I don’t think there was a single dry eye on the ship.

#9 Carol Austin, Family Expert -Havasupai

After a few hours of hiking in the hot morning sun, our group stopped at the base of Havasu Falls, where blue-green water tumbled 100 feet from soaring red rocks into a perfect travertine pool below. We took off our shoes and waded knee deep into the cool water. Standing there a the base of the Falls in the heart of the Grand Canyon, the roar of the water vibrating the earth under our feet, mist cooling our cheeks, a clear blue sky overhead, it all came together in perfect harmony. My daughter Kasey and I looked at each other and smiled, this was Mother Nature at her best!

#8 Christy Hamill, Staff-Glacier National Park

#7 Vince and Julie Auletta, Alumni-Machu Picchu

#6 Charlie Kress, Guide-Yellowstone

#5 Paul Lehman, Owner-Africa

#4 Paul Roye, Guest-Provence

#3 Mark Francis, Staff-Okanagan Valley

#2 Ryan Sagare, Guide-Glacier National Park

#1 Dan Austin, Owner-Germany