Crystal Sibson

The Pantheon is one of the best preserved buildings from ancient Rome famous for its large circular domed cella.  Since the Renaissance, there have been several important burials here, including Raphael the famous painter. Many relics and priceless pieces of art are on display to visitors.  The Pantheon receives millions of tourists every year. An earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa s...

The Pacuare River flows 67 miles through the jungles of Costa Rica into the Caribbean Sea.  The river is popular for white water rafting, kayaking and river boating.  It is considered by National Geographic to be one of the best and most scenic rivers in the world for rafting.  The lush jungles surrounding the river are home to many exotic animal species such as the jaguar, monkeys, ocelots, an...

Located just outside of Zion National Park's boundaries, Lamb's Knoll is a popular destination among adventure seekers. This area is unique as it offers routes for both climbing and canyoneering. Perfect for beginners, the canyoneering routes at Lamb's Knoll are half day routes that takes you through a slot canyon after a series of rappels.  Lamb's Knoll is a popular canyoneering site for many ...

No trip to Italy is complete without exploring the heart of ancient Rome.  The ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill contain many of the most important structures and buildings of the ancient city. For centuries, the forum was the center for day to day life.  There were important government buildings, a marketplace, monuments, statues and so much more.  The standard admission ticket covers...

Largo di Torre is an open air archaeological site that was excavated in the 1920's by the dictator Benito Musslini.  The site features the remains of four temples and Pompey's Curia.  The different temples date between the 3rd century BC and 4th century AD.  For more than 2,000 years, the site of Largo di Torre Argentina has been known as the site of Julius Caesar's assassination. On March 15 4...

The Florence Cathedral, formally known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, is an iconic basilica in the city of Florence, Italy.  The cathedral has the third largest dome of any structure in the world and is one if Italy's largest structures drawing millions of visitors each year.     Work on this enormous cathedral began in 1296 but wasn't structurally completed until 1436. The dome wa...

The Lost Canyon Canyoneering tour is full day of adventure.  The day starts with a shuttle pickup from your lodging  in the La Fortuna area.  After a ride through the rural community and up to the canyon ops center, your adventure guide will fit you with canyoneering gear and give a brief tutorial.  As soon as the instructional course is complete your group will make its way toward the canyon. ...

The Zapatillas Islands fall inside the boundaries of the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. The marine park covers an area of more than 13,000 hectares including the Zapatilla Islands and several other small islands in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. To get to the island there are many different tour operators in the province of Bocas del Toro that can arrange a boat to Zapatilla Island. Mo...

While traveling through the Italian Dolomite's, be sure to plan a stop at Castel Belfort.  Though partially in ruin, the castle adorns a large tower, wide rectangular outer walls and spectacular views.  The ruins are open to the public to explore and photograph at your own leisure.   The Medieval castle was built in 1311 by concession from Count Heinrich of Tyrol.  Though dating back to medieva...

Pahreah was a townsite established along the Escalante River in 1870's. The town grew to include a general store, church, and enough homes to house 47 families at its peak. Due to the close proximity to the Escalante River, the town was flooded every year from 1883 to 1888, washing away crops and buildings. The devastation forced many families to move away, leaving only 8 families by 1892. That...

Tahquitz Peak via Devils Slide Trail is a moderately trafficked 8+ mile out and back trail located near Idyllwild, California. This trail is one of the most popular hikes in the San Jacinto area that features a fire lookout tower at the peak and amazing views of the valley below.  At an elevation of 8,846 feet, the lookout tower on Tahquitz Peak is the highest lookout in the San Bernadino Natio...

The walk to Punta Manzanillo from Manzanillo Beach is absolutely beautiful. This is the most southern beach accessible near Puerto Viejo.  You can park your car under the palm trees near the beach, just be aware of falling coconuts!! At Manzanillo Beach the jungle grows right to the waters edge and stretches for as far as the eye can see. There is an easy trail that takes you through the jungle...

See Canyon Trail #184 is a 7.6 mile trail in the Tonto National Forest that features a creek and spring.  This trail is most popular during the fall when the leaves begin to change color and fall along the creek. The trail runs from the parking lot up to FS 300 above the rim.  The trail starts off easy going with very little elevation gain.  It doesn't become difficult until the last mile going...

Lake Fulmor is a small lake in the San Jacinto Wilderness near Idyllwild, CA.  The trail loops around the lake offering spectacular views and is good for all skill levels.  There are picnic tables, grills, and a small dock where you can peer out over the lake or cast a line.  To fish in Lake Fulmor you must posses a valid California fishing license.  The lake is easily accessed from the parking...

Much like the city of Pompeii, Herculaneum was devastated by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The site is located to the West of the Volcano in the modern town of Ercolano. Easily reachable by car or a short walk from the train station. Prior to the eruption of Mt Vesuvius, Herculaneum was a thriving metropolis founded in the 6th-7th century BC. After being inhabited for centuries, the c...

The Million Dollar Highway in Southern Colorado is a scenic mountain drive with many beautiful sights.  Pinkerton hot springs is located on the side of the highway just outside of Durango, Colorado.  There is a small pullout area for parking with a plaque explaining the history of the area and the Pinkerton Ranch and hot springs.  The minerals from the spring have created quite a unique rock fo...

The Tuscan countryside is famous for its vineyards, rolling hills, and amazing wine, but what you probably didn't know, is that it's also home to some of Italy's best hot springs. In an area known as Bagni San Filippo, a stream littered with hot springs flows through the woods on the edge of a small town, Castiglione d'Orcia a munucipality in the Province of Siena. To access the pools, park alo...

The pools at the Verde Hot springs are the remnants from an old resort built in the 1920's.  The resort was a once thriving tourist attraction and also rumored to be one of Al Capone's hideouts.  In the 1960's a fire destroyed the resort only leaving behind the foundation and the thermal pools along the Verde River. To get to the hot springs, a high clearance vehicle is recommended to drive th...