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Where the Wild Things Are:

The Galapagos Islands

by Lisa Spiller, Luxury Travel Advisor
affiliated with Preferred Travel & Company.
farms in the highlands, to the most famous offer a smoother ride due to their modern
Lisa@PreferredNaples.com place to see Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos, stabilizers, and the larger size of the vessel
www.preferrednaples.com the Charles Darwin Research Station in means more public spaces with modern
Puerto Ayora. Walking within arms-length cruise comforts like a spa, fitness center and
t matters when you travel, how you of hundreds of gigantic Galapagos Tortoise, plush suites, water toys like stand-up paddle
travel, and who you travel with to the observing their behavior and taking photos boards, room service and butler service. More
I Galapagos Islands. This wondrous was a genuine highlight! From the highlands, my style, but not everyone’s style, so there is
volcanic archipelago off the coast of South we traveled back to the marina and climbed something for everyone in the Galapagos.
America appeals to everyone with a sense of into a Panga rib boat which transferred us Who you travel with matters too! I had
adventure, a desire to connect with nature and to our floating accommodations, the 47 the joy of traveling with six other American
an interest in seeing wildlife in their authentic passenger yacht La Pinta. Travel Advisors who shared my curiosity and
habitat. Unlike several island destinations, How you travel the islands matters, quest for soft adventure. On La Pinta, there
a vacation to the Galapagos Islands is not a and this boat is one of many options, but was a large group from South America and
beach vacation. The experience is expedition- it's not for everyone. If you like the idea of a group from Germany. These groups stuck
style travel including trekking magnificent camping, and enjoy the sensation of rocking together, thick as thieves and did not socialize
coastlines, snorkeling, kayaking and exploring and bobbing in the water and the sound of with us, which was an interesting observation.
via rib-boat. the anchor, this may suit you. I had the great The reason to travel to the Galapagos is
I have longed to visit the Galapagos pleasure of being assigned the most forward to get up close and personal with the unique
Islands for over 25 years and finally realized cabin adjacent to the anchor. I experienced endemic wildlife. The Galapagos is famous
my dream in September. I flew to Quito, the anchor chains, winching and cranking for the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, the Blue
Ecuador direct from Miami and enjoyed a noises and full force of rough waters hitting Footed Boobies, the Galapagos Penguins,
day with my small group and private guide the bow in order to provide you with this the Sea Lions, and the Red-Footed Boobies,
exploring this 491 year-old Unesco Centre hot travel tip: Avoid La Pinta cabin 302. If all endemic to the Galapagos, and not found
before hopping on a connecting flight you appreciate more posh accommodation anywhere else in the world. These animals live
through Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos. and pampering, Silversea and Celebrity and reign supreme on these protected habitats
From Baltra, we crossed the channel via bus cruises offer purpose-built luxury ships that and are more curious than afraid of humans,
to Santa Cruz Island where we drove past accommodate 100 guests. These larger ships providing an unforgettable experience.
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