Travel
Do You Need an International Data Plan for Your Trip to Europe?
Yes, you will need a data plan for your cell phone while in Europe. This is true if you are coming on a tour (such as one of mine to Ireland or France), but it is especially true if you will be traveling around on your own. While you may
How to Save Your Photos While Traveling
Protecting Your Photos Simply and Cheaply You will be taking a lot of photos on your travels. Many of these photos will be really nice and some of them are likely to be spectacular. Losing your data would be a damn shame at best, and catastrophic at worst. Let’s talk
Trekking to Mt. Everest Base Camp
The Basic Information Distance: 75 miles round trip Starting Elevation: Lukla (elevation 9,383 feet) Maximum Elevation: Kala Patthar (18,514 feet) Base Camp Elevation: 17,598 feet (5,364 meters) Time Required for Trek: 11-12 days (ours was 12 days, with 9 going up and 3 coming down) Acclimatization Days: 3-4 (4 for us). Average high temps: 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Getting to Machu Picchu
For many, going to Machu Picchu is a dream trip. It was for us. The idea of a lost city on a mountain in the clouds just seems too cool for words. And it is. But getting there is tricky. You cannot just fly there, there will be at least
The Joys of Packing Light
I take packing light fairly seriously. I never check a bag, even on trips of two weeks or more. I’ve been to Peru with nothing more than a small photo backpack. I know that sounds braggy, and I’m sorry for that, but I need to show you right up front
Making Your Dream Trip Happen
I want to give you one simple method that will take you from dreaming about a trip of a lifetime to actually making it happen. First, I want to talk about making good whiskey. Bear with me because this will actually have some application to what I just mentioned. When
Ireland
Photography Gear for Your Ireland Trip
Let’s get you set up with the right photography gear for your trip to the Wild Atlantic Way. Before we talk about that though, let me caution you against rushing out and buying a bunch of new gear for your trip. I wouldn’t do that. It is very likely that
Rainfall in Ireland: What to Expect
Here is a question you probably have about the weather in Ireland: “Is it going to rain all the time?” Everyone asks that. And, to be sure, Ireland is known for being rainy. It couldn’t be the Emerald Isle without a healthy amount of rain. But no, it isn’t going
Spotlight on Kylemore Abbey
In the remote western side of Ireland, in a wild region called Connemara, sits an abbey called Kylemore. There is a photogenic castle, and it is an easy place to get a great picture. Today I want to tell you a little bit about it so when we visit
Spotlight on Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael is a small island, often referred to as a sea crag, off the coast of the Iveragh peninsula in southwestern Ireland. You reach it by boat – usually from Portmagee – at the tip of the Ring of Kerry. It is famous for its remoteness, its scenery, and
Iconic Photos on Ireland’s West Coast
It is said that you can capture a great photo anywhere. While that may be true, there are certain places in Ireland that sure make it a lot easier to do. In this post, I want to share with you a few of the places to do that along
Things to Do in Dublin
Your Trip to Ireland Likely Starts and Ends in Dublin, So Make it Worthwhile Most Ireland trips begin and end in Dublin, if for no other reason than it is where Ireland’s main airport is. Dublin also happens to be the capital of the Republic of Ireland and its largest
France
Spotlight on Mont Saint Michel
Perhaps the most spectacular place in all of France – and perhaps one of the most spectacular in the entire world – is Mont Saint Michel. Mont Saint Michel is a an island with an abbey surrounded by a small town and large medieval walls. It is a UNESCO World
Packing for Your Paris Trip
Planning your trip to Paris is half the fun. And a big part of planning the trip is planning what to pack. So let’s talk about that. While we are at it, we can also talk about some things to leave at home to keep things light. Plan your packing
The Best Overlooks in Paris
As someone who loves creating pictures based on wide views, I have spent an inordinate amount of time looking for the best overlooks of Paris. I suppose I do that in every city, but Paris in particular. That’s partly just because I have spent a lot of time there in
Podcasts
Episode 7: Dingle
I often refer to the Dingle peninsula as “an embarrassment of riches” for tourists. In this episode I tell you why.
Episode 6: The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are some of the more impressive cliffs in the world. In this podcast, I will talk about why your should visit and give you some tips for how best to spend your time there. I will also talk about how best to photograph them.
Episode 5: Inis Mor
All about visiting the largest of the Aran Islands off the coast of County Galway: Inis Mor. It is the home of Dun Aengus, the town of Kilronan, and much more.
Episode 4: The English in Ireland
The English occupied Ireland for 800 years (well, actually they still occupy a part of it, but that is another story). Obviously, that had a huge impact on Ireland’s development. It will also impact what you see and experience on your trip to Ireland.
Photo Stories
A Walk on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way
A Drive in the Pyrenees
