There is a beauty that is universal. The beauty of eyes opened: cultures explored, and eternity grasped. Someone once asked me, “Of the man waking from a dream, and the man still in one, who is happier?” I would dare to suggest that a man might not have to choose one over the other. I would dare to suggest that it is more than possible to awake from the unconscious dreamland, and step into the conscious dreamland – I have recently done it. I have lived the fairytale, and experienced the adventure, the danger, the excitement, the love and the happily ever after, beginning and ending without respite, in the time of one month.
It was a piece out of any good fantasy. Rolling hills, craggy boulders, harsh winds and unrelenting rain, ancient trees that stretch, bend and twist – beautiful trees. It was four seasons in one day; it was long, winding rivers; it was fairytale names like Kilmarnock and Cumbernauld and the Firth of Forth; it was the greatest accent on the face of the earth; it was Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street and Bellahousten Park; it was the most extraordinary thirty days of my entire life. Pubs, bookstores, cobblestone streets, castles whose only lasting opponents are time and tourists – every town, every city, was a piece of a young boy’s bedtime story cut out and placed in perfect proportions across the green paradise of Scotland.
Beyond the external awe burned the internal awakening. For the high school student who has never been off the west coast of his native United States – who has obsessed over his 25% Scottish heritage since his country report in the sixth grade – for this high school student, stepping into the Glasgow airport fifteen hours after leaving family, friends, and all familiarity behind, completely alone and completely thrilled…this was a different planet. This was my fantasyland, in my head, in my heart and my soul, having grown and bubbled and broiled in my mind for nearly six years. It was all that I had imagined – no more, and no less, so that I was dumbstruck from the first day to the last: I was living inside my own dream, and to my total and utter shock, it was perfect.
I lived among distant relatives whom I had never before met. They took me across the country, to all the famous must-sees and all the unpublicized Edens; they explained everything and told me wonderful stories; they set up train times and bought tickets and paid for meals, and never asked for anything in return. For an entire month, this family treated me like a Scottish king of old. I had VIP access to that every-day life that few tourists have the chance to experience, in the one country I have always dreamt of exploring, yet never expected to actually visit.
With this family I sat over tea in philosophical discussion, I hiked up a mountain called Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran – known as “Scotland in miniature” – I got lost for hours looking for a friend I had never met, and I sat in a dark room watching the Ardrossan ferry port in the evening. I ate all manner of peasant foods, and met Scots, Irish, English and the rare American. These people exploded my thoughts. I returned with fresh vision and rejuvenated imagination, appreciating all of life much more.
To anyone who has yet to travel, who is perhaps hesitant or perhaps doubting of its worth, I have this advice.
Never say never to living your dream.
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Grt place to visit.. This place is located after entering the Ranthambore National Park.. However, to visit this place u can evn get your own vehicle…
John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
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It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
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You always share to the world with something new and different destinations. Thank you so much for sharing.
The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
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Wow, what a nice article. Makes you feel like you should pack up and go immediately. It seems Linblad runs a good operation and trips are kid friendly. Is there a list of particular dates that are family friendly or are there kid activities year round on board the boats. Any other advice on travling with kids to Ecuador and Galapagos would be really welcome.
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Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
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Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
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For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
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very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
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Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]