We actually weren’t planning to walk to the Sun Gate on our free morning at Machu Picchu. Most trekkers come in through the Sun Gate, as it is the end of the Inca Trail. But for those of us who didn’t trek, the Sun Gate is about a mile up from the main site of Machu Picchu.

In August, the sun rises at about 7am, and the line into Machu Picchu was no joke either the afternoon we arrived or the next morning. In order to get to the top of the Sun Gate, we would have had to line up well before 6am in order to hopefully get in the gate as quickly as possible and make it to the Sun Gate. Instead, we decided to hike to one of the upper points of the ruins, and enjoyed the sunrise from there.  We were concerned that the Sun Gate would be really crowded, and that we might not make it up to the Sun Gate anyway, because the line just to get in was really long. The view from here was fantastic, and most visitors stay farther below so it wasn’t crowded at all.  After watching the sunrise, we decided that it would be fun to walk to the Sun Gate anyway, so off we went!

Sun Creeping Over Machu Picchu

How long it takes you to hike to the Sun Gate depends on two things: how fit you are (and how you handle altitude) as well as how much time you spend on the way up taking pictures of the beautiful view below.  Most guides suggest that it will take 1 to 1.5 hours up and about 40 minutes on the way down. It took us about 1.5 hours or a little bit more roundtrip and we spent probably 20 minutes or so at the top. If you have problems with altitude, it will definitely take longer–we passed many people who were having a really hard time walking uphill at 9,000 feet.

View On The Trail to the Sungate

The Sun Gate was to be the main entrance for the Incas to Machu Picchu, and does provide a stunning view of the entire site. But as our guides said, if you are looking for the “best view ever” you might be disappointed–Machu Picchu does look really small from there.  If you are just interested in getting a fun hike in and some good views, the Sun Gate is absolutely worth it.

That said, I think whether or not you walk to the Sun Gate really depends on how much time you have at the site: if you are there just for a few hours or half-day in the morning, I’m not really sure–that unless you just want a fun hike–that the Sun Gate is worth it. Because we were able to spend the entire afternoon prior exploring the site, until Machu Picchu closed, the next day there wasn’t a ton more that we really wanted to see, and the extra bit of exercise definitely sounded nice (marathon training, remember?).

Overall, here is my verdict on the Sun Gate:

Hike: Uphill, but easy path with some stairs.

Length: 45 minutes up if you are fit/not having altitude issues; 1.5 hours if you are having a hard time.

View: Excellent, just to take in the expanse of Machu Picchu and the surrounding areas, but there are lots of fantastic views throughout the site as well. Can be hazy/foggy, and depending on you camera and skills, lighting can be tough. So if you are going up just to get a good photo, you may be disappointed.

Overall: If you have time and want exercise, it’s definitely a fun hike. If you are doing it just to say you did (come on, we all know people like that), or for the one and only perfect shot of Machu Picchu, well, you might be disappointed.

Machu Picchu Nestled into the Andes, from the Sun Gate

Besides these problems, the Canon Powershot was/is amazing–I love it dearly and it was the perfect step up from a normal point and shoot as it allowed me to play with shutter speed and aperture in a non-frightening way.  Don’t worry, it became my husband’s camera, as he was still using a point and shoot, and his 1500 photos of our 10 days in Kenya suggest, to me, that he was grateful for the upgrade.

So I started looking for a decent body–not quite the lowest entry level, but definitely not something that expensive. I did consider a mirrorless option, but those with good reviews were already running $700+, and I wasn’t ready to spend that on something that I needed to learn how to use. I’m sort of partial to Canon, mainly because I’m familiar with their setup and when I knew I had SO much to learn about using a DSLR, also learning all new menu functions/controls was not something I wanted to do. I have a stubborn opposition to user manuals/instruction books for all they are worth and I don’t think I’ve ever read one successfully in my life.

After much debate and deliberation, I ended up with an advanced entry level DSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR. This wasn’t a decision I took lightly–while I buy things like clothes, shoes, and bags, with minimal debate–I have a really hard time buying electronics.To say I “know how” to use this camera and all its functions is probably overstating my skills. But I have definitely enjoyed playing and learning.

Here’s what I think so far:

Prettiness

Never said I wasn’t vain…check out this puppy…it’s WHITE. And it is SO pretty. I’ve gotten so many compliments on my white camera, and I love that it’s different. No, no, no, I didn’t buy it just because it was white, but it is pretty exciting. My macro lens it came with is also white, just to add to the fun.

Quality

I can say, for reproductions, the quality and resolution of photos from this camera are significantly improved even when shooting in JPEG and not RAW. I also think it takes better photos in low light situations. Obviously, and to my delight, it also takes amazing macros with my 18-55mm lens. I also ordered a 55-250mm lens. Both have image stabilization, and have been really fantastic so far. I do miss the crazy digital zoom power of the Powershot, but a telephoto lens just is NOT in the cards!

Ease of Use

While I know I’m not getting all I could be out of this camera, it is not significantly more difficult to use than my old Powershot on manual settings. And it has a nifty spifty touchscreen which can be fun for swiping through photos or a quick and easy auto-focus.

Ergonomics

Critically important for packing, this thing is LIGHT. So much lighter than my old camera, and the one of or the smallest DSLR on the market according to the specs at purchase, at only .9 lbs. This was a huge draw for me, as I use it mostly for trips. It fits into little purses and even with 2 lenses, it’s easy to throw into one of my carry-on personal items (just reviewed last week).

Verdict (So Far)

While I still have so much to learn about photography, using a DSLR, photo editing (and shooting in RAW), I am really enjoying my new DSLR and don’t regret the purchase one bit.  Hopefully as the summer comes to an end, I’ll have more time to continue learning how to use it better. But as for a step up from the Powershot, it’s been a fantastic choice.

Photos courtesy of my mother (aka dogsitter extraordinaire) since I can’t take pictures of myself taking photos (she uses a Canon Powershot, too, FWIW).

My United loyalty started when I lived in Wyoming, with a teensy airport that had commuter flights that partnered with United. Back in the day, it was much more difficult to book flights on unconnected airlines, so we ended up flying United.

I stuck with United, more or less, across the years as they consistently had service where I needed to go. Including Wyoming. But as I traveled to Wyoming less and less, I realized my loyalty was habit rather than function. Plus, I’m still feeling the nostalgia for the amazing McDonald’s happy meals, complete with awesome airline-themed toys, they used to serve. Those were the days.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was the US Air and American merger. Living in DC, and flying frequently out of DCA, we almost always were on US Air, so it’s switch from Star Alliance to OneWorld made me really reconsider our Star Alliance loyalty.

While flying based on “which carrier I like better” is nice in theory, I’ve had SO many problems over the years on SO many different carriers, that I really am not convinced one is OMGsomuchworse than all the rest. So there is no reason to favor a specific domestic carrier based on quality alone.

Yup, most legacy American carriers are inferior to their international counterparts. I can’t change that, and I can’t fly international carriers all of the time. [However, if you tell me to fly Southwest/AirTran (which I suggest you do not), I will tell you our horror story with them that made me hate them (mainly AirTran) forever.] Anyhoo…

Fast forward to 2015, when United changes mileage accrual to a revenue based system. Barf. Cringe. Gag. Sorry United, but my loyalty to you has come to a close.

But I don’t think I’m all about OneWorld, either. Sure, US Air is awesome for domestic flights from DCA. But I’m not ready to be totally loyal to a single alliance again. Maybe ever.  I mean, seriously…what’s the point? I can’t ever seem to fly enough on a single airline to get meaningful status, particularly as the lowest rung of airline status is pretty (pretty? who am I kidding…) totally useless these days anyway. Particularly out of DCA.

So I’m a free agent. I’m ready to be lured by cushy credit card offers for 80,000 miles and lounge passes. I’m ready to hop on the cheapest flights I can find, and know that my credit card offers me early boarding regardless of fare class or status. I’m ready to go with convenience rather than some nostalgic feeling of silly loyalty. I’m ready to fly on airlines where I can actually redeem those miles I’ve earned for good flights, hopefully in business class (not 10 leggers with sh*tty connection times).

Bye bye, loyalty. Hello, flexibility.

Are you still loyal to a single alliance, particularly if you fly <50,000 miles a year?

Long answer: I was betttterrrr. Right DH?

I claim there are a number of important complicating/compounding factors.

First, how many of you have gone to Thailand for the first time and not purchased anything? If this is you, I want to know how you did it. While I actually thought the markets in Cambodia in 2013 were better, I still couldn’t resist picking up something in Thailand.Second, will we ever return to Bhutan? I do not know. I’d love to, but it’s a long way and we have a lot of other bucket list priorities in the meantime. I wanted something to remember Bhutan by when I strolled through our condo, which is already overflowing with travel memorabilia.

Third, what, exactly constitutes a knick-knack? I contend I did better on the knick-knack front this time. I did not bring home any wooden phalluses (from one inch to three feet, you can find them in Bhutan), Buddhas, prayer wheels, or elephants. Success!

So the real question…what did we buy?  Well, we purchased some gifts for others, handmade in Bhutan. We bought stamps in both countries (that seems like a legit collectors item…not a knick knack).  We also bought DH a t-shirt in Thailand, and I got a tuk tuk charm for my charm bracelet. Yes, I did get another scarf, which coincidentally matches perfectly with my newly acquired teal better sweater. And no, I didn’t need either item. But they’re pretty.

And we bought one “big” item from Bhutan. I say “big” because it was about $35 (1800 ngultrum). It’s a carved, wooden mask, similar to those the Bhutanese use in the huge festivals they hold each year (called Tshechus). It’s a deer, and DH spotted it in the market after saying no to the scary ones I pointed out that had skulls as headdresses. He is easily spooked, so we had to get something that let him sleep at night. It’s awesome, and we both love it. We also purchased a wood carving at the national school that teaches Bhutanese crafts in Thimpu. It was not expensive, and is a flat wall hanging of a snow leopard. I think it’s cool!

I even turned down Tin Tin paraphernalia in Bhutan. Why would you only make Tin Tin embroidered shirts in child sizes?! And I’m not talking American child sizes that I can fit into, I’m talking like toddler sized shirts. I guess I could have purchased one for Toasty, but DH pulled/dragged (kicking and screaming?) me away from the Tin Tin table before I could really get a better look. All the more reason to move Brussels up on our bucket list…hehehe.

So all in all, incremental progress, right? I seem to be collecting less on every trip.  Maybe my hypothesis was right after all–that the more you travel, the less you want to purchase? I do admit that more and more of it looks similar after awhile. Though both DH and I had our eye on a beautiful, huge, elephant painting in Chiang Mai. It’s a good thing we are out of wall space more or less. And there will be no upsizing our condo just for the sake of fitting more travel “memorabilia”, that’s for sure!

What did you buy in Southeast Asia? Did you find anything in Bhutan you just had to bring home?

Some people reveal the sex of their baby…I reveal our first destination for 2015!  I’m scheduling this post for when we are away in Bhutan and Thailand, as I have a feeling that the internet may be a bit slow for blogging in Bhutan.  But I could be wrong…in which case, you might get Bhutan updates, too.You may remember the destination triage post from a few months ago…the first reveal is….

Vamos a Costa Rica!  January 2015.

Costa Rica was an easy choice for us to start off our year. It’s relatively easy and close to get to (about 6 hours with one stop), no significant time is lost due to time changes, and it’s relatively inexpensive–even when we (well…I) don’t really try to travel inexpensively. Now, I can hear people out there groaning already, but we opted for the Caribbean coast rather than Arenal or Guanacaste.  I know, I know. I am aware how popular those places are and how much there is to see. But…

We are interested in seeing cool tropical wildlife and hopefully finding some decent snorkeling around Cahuita.  We realize snorkeling can be hit or miss, but that’s ok. We know it’s not like Belize or other reefs, but it is supposed to be decent around the National Park. I also reallyreallyreally want to see a sloth; DH really wants to see tree frogs and other jungle fun. We didn’t want a resort–we wanted a more glamp-like environment. We might do some rafting, but are going to focus on wildlife on land and in the ocean. Have I mentioned I think zip-lines are borrrinnngggg? There I said it. I’d much rather watch animals.

I’m happy to report we’ve planned two trips, already–one in January, and one in June.  Both destinations were on the original list, too, which considering my ever-persistent capriciousness, is refreshing.

I’m writing about this as a normal person (with a perhaps overly analytic personality), with other obligations, a husband, a dog, working within time and budget constraints, and trying to maximize miles, points, and good travel deals. I also like to avoid things like typhoon season, disease outbreaks, super crowded beaches, and overly busy museums. When it really comes down to it, choosing where to go next is as much about practicality as it is about emotions.

So, here are the five things I (we) really consider when deciding where to go for our next trip.

1. Travel time to destination: We need to factor in how much time we are able to take off and be away from home. If it’s only 5 days, flying to Africa or Asia isn’t going to work for that period of time. If it’s 2 weeks, it’s definitely doable.

2. Current interests: DH and I have become really, really interested in snorkeling. And we both love wildlife. But DH also really likes the beach and blue drinks, and I really like war history and beer.  All of these things matter to us when we agree on where to go next. That doesn’t mean that they don’t change, though!

3. Airfare: This is simple. While we can afford an expensive flight probably once a year (I’m talking $1800+), the other destinations need to be cheaper or we need to burn some miles.  This isn’t particularly limiting, but it requires advanced planning to be sure we can find cheap tickets or redeem our miles.

4. Season: When we can schedule a trip impacts where we decide to go. This year we took international trips in January, March, and September. All of these trips were pretty solidly shoulder season.  For example, we avoid the Mexico/Caribbean over spring break, and we avoid Europe in summer.

5. The elusive bucket list: We have a virtual bucket list, split in “doable” and “dream” destinations. I.e. a doable destination is Belgium. A dream destination is the Maldives.  When the opportunity arises, we definitely prioritize bucket list trips over other trips (though usually only one dream destination a year, until we win the lottery). Many of our bucket list trips include animals or destinations which could change drastically in the next 50 years; so we don’t want to wait.

How do you decide where you want to go next, when you don’t have unlimited time or money? Do you take advice from family or friends? Are you spontaneous (unlike us)?  Leave a comment!

Sure it’s far, but I want to go!

Why travel, particularly long distances, with only a limited amount of time?  I’m under no illusion that traveling this way is like long-term or perpetual traveling, and I definitely feel like we are missing out on things. But think of all you can see and experience, even in just a few days or a week!

Here are just some of the reasons why I think you should still travel wherever you damn well please, even if you have just a short period of time to spend there.

Wildlife. Many of the world’s most interesting creatures are not in North America. Yes, I do realize that some people actually don’t like animals, but if you do like animals, you’ll probably understand the draw. Trust me, seeing a cheetah in a zoo–no matter how nice the zoo–is never the same after you have seen a cheetah in the wild. If you love animals, and have the ability and the opportunity to go see them in their natural habitat for even a single day, do it.

Natural Wonders. Some don’t require a long visit, but are located a very long way away. For example, the Serengeti. Table Mountain. The Great Barrier Reef. Mount Everest. Iguazu Falls. The list just goes on and on. Many natural wonders can be seen in just a few days, if that’s what you have! Three days can enable you to see some of the coolest things on the planet.  I totally think that this is worth a long flight.

Perspective. Getting away from home sweet/safe home is important, even if its just for a few days or weeks. A destination that is totally foreign in culture, in language, in food, and in history can provide you with a new or added perspective. After even a few days probably realize that your favorite latte isn’t that important, and are also be able to return to work and home with added appreciation or interest in the challenges that others face in their day-to-day lives.

Food. I don’t think this requires much explanation!  Food is one of the easiest things to experience in a short trip.  While we live within walking distance of nearly any type of food you could imagine, we all know that the Americanized version isn’t what you will probably get abroad. While food may not be the only reason you visit a location (or it may be…depending on your foodie interest), it is still a great one!

History. You may not be able to fully grasp the complexities of a country’s or a population’s past, but you can certainly learn an incredible amount in a short period of time. Additionally, there are so many fantastic museums around the world that can easily be visited in a few hours or a day. While we all can google (well, not all of us, as I learned), I think history is still something that is best learned in the place where it occurred. And well, sometimes this isn’t close to home.

Ditching the Comfort Zone. Traveling for a few days or a two weeks is still likely to push you out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s being nervous about the total lack of English signage, the weird foods you may eat, or awkward cultural interactions, travel is a great avenue for pushing us all out of our comfort zone. I think saying something is “too far” often means “eh, I don’t want to leave my comfort zone” more than anything else.

Adventure.  So much can happen in two weeks. While your experiences will certainly depend on your travel style in a new country, adventures are a great reason to fly for 24 hours to visit somewhere new. Whether this is skiing in the Andes, visiting Everest Base Camp, taking the Trans-Siberian railway, or scuba-diving in the Maldives, even shorter trips can be filled with so much adventure.

Cultural Exposure/Experiences. Sure, you can have cultural experiences at home–but it’s a bit different having these experiences when you are actually in another country. Again, your immersion will depend on you, but you can still have wonderful cultural interactions during shorter trips. With a good attitude and some effort, you can learn a great deal about cultures different from your own.

Let’s call a spade a spade: “too far” is an excuse.  That’s the excuse you use when you don’t want to go see family more frequently. It’s the excuse you use when you are too lazy to walk and instead take a cab.  It’s what you say when you order takeout instead of going to get groceries.

Ninety percent of the time, it’s only “too far” or “too short a time” to travel when you don’t really want to travel.

We have a very high maintenance jackapoo who we love to absolute pieces. We take her happiness a bit too seriously, but we also take seriously the personal responsibility that comes with dog ownership. So…let’s talk about traveling and the dog. I think this is a touchy subject for a lot of people, as it is for me. There is no easy way around it: having a pet and traveling are often two conflicting priorities. Sure, some people can take their pet on some trips with them–if they are small enough to fit in an under the seat carrier–but even this gets complicated, or impossible, for trips to remote areas and countries with strict quarantine requirements (not to mention quarantine requirements for re-entry). Most of the time, except for roadtrips, taking a pet on international travel just isn’t feasible or appropriate.So what do you do, if you have a pet and want to travel?  There seem to be the extremes, including those that refuse to do any traveling without their pet, limiting their trips to only those in which they can take Fido. Then there are those that put their dogs in a kennel for a month and say goodbye. But, to each his/her own, right? (I’m not talking animal abuse or neglect here, at all.)

DH and I are definitely somewhere in the middle. I do think that with pet ownership needs to be a level of personal responsibility. You chose to get a pet, and you need to do the best you can. That doesn’t mean a $300/night pet resort (unless you can afford that, I suppose), but it does mean ensuring that they are healthy, that they are safe, and that they are cared for if you are away. In particular, if you can’t afford proper care for your pet when you go on vacation–I’d suggest you rethink taking your trip in the first place.

Sometimes we don’t travel together. In particular, we usually don’t go on each others work trips “for fun”, so that someone can be with the dog. Because we do travel together on vacation, there are already a few times of the year when she’s going to be without both of us, and we really prefer that one of us stays home rather than put her in a kennel for a few days. Sure, we’d like to go to San Diego or Seattle with each other, but she’s far happier with this arrangement. Plus, it saves us money. And we get extra one-on-one cuddling time with our little dinosaur. Time apart probably is good for us, too!

If possible, we keep her in our home with someone she knows. This by far is the best situation, and one we really strive for when we are gone for more than 4-5 days. Sure, she’s a little bit bummed that we are away, but she’s with someone that hangs out with her a ton. Plus, she keeps her routine, gets to go on her same walks, bark at the same door, and eat out of the same bowls. Our dog is super dramatic, so she might go on a hunger strike for a day just to prove she can, but she always has fresh food, fresh water, and a human for long belly rubs pretty much on command.  No, she usually won’t hang out with us for a day after we come home because she’s pouting, but it’s a small price to pay for knowing she’s completely cared for.  For easy-going, laid-back dogs (ours is not), they might be just as happy in someone else’s home, too, which can be a great solution if you know a good dog-sitter.

We use common sense to figure out when she’s happy and when she’s not. When we can’t find someone to stay with our dog, we do take her to the kennel. Horror!  Yes, we do. She’s incredibly sensitive, and it’s pretty easy to tell if she’s happy or not. When she wants to go into the kennel–like cartwheeling in the car when we drive into the parking lot–we figure she’s had an o.k. time. Sure, I bet she misses us like we miss her, but if she really hated it, we truly believe that we could tell. I mean, this is the dog that hears the word “bath” during a walk, and hides under the bed immediately when you return home for 3 hours. Each pet is different, with different needs. Figure out what suits them best: for example, what type of kennel experience and activities they prefer.

We think about the bigger picture. I’m a total worrier over the dog. When I’m gone, I pretty much worry about her every day. My stomach knots when I drop her off at the kennel, even though she can’t wait for some playtime with friends. I’ll be honest, I always feel–perhaps irrationally–guilty. Yes, she’s “a dog”, but she’s also a cornerstone of our family. DH is great at reminding me that’s she’s fine, and she doesn’t mind a few days without us. And she really doesn’t. In the last year, DH and I, together, have spent approximately 20 days away from her, and she’s spent 11 nights at the kennel, where she is happy and well taken care of. That’s 20 out of 365. While a dog can be a big part of your life, I do think having some balance is important. We are with her 95% of the year, and during this time she is so unbelievably spoiled that it’s too embarrassing to discuss here.

In the grand scheme of things, I think we are doing ok. But it doesn’t get any easier to kiss her goodbye.

Do you have a dog and love to travel? Do you feel guilty dropping them off at the kennel, or walking out the door with your bags? 

With this knowledge, I started my long, windy road to finding a pot of gold and (I hope) what will be a great operator for us.

The fee structure for visiting Bhutan, as of Summer 2014, is as follows:

For a group of 3 or more:  $250 per person, per night traveling in March-May and Sept-Nov (all other times $200 per person per night).

For a group of 2:  An additional $30 per person, per night.

For a single: An additional $40 per night.

This ‘tariff’ includes: All internal taxes and charges, a sustainable tourism royalty, internal ground transport, meals, a licensed tour guide, and a minimum 3 star accommodation.

First, per my usually weirdness, I had already created a short-list of hotels that I wanted to stay at in Bhutan. Let’s just say I’m a bit selective/particular when it comes to accommodations and leave it at that…On my short-list was the Taj Tashi, Uma Paro, the Aman properties (as if these were in our budget..hahahahaha), Uma Punakha, Zhiwa Ling, and a few others.

Second, I looked at itineraries for U.S. companies with whom I have previously traveled (or was familiar with), but most of the trips were 9++ days.  We were a bit constricted on time, particularly given the extra days we needed to build in a cushion for any possible delays.  A 9-day trip was rapidly looking like at least 13 days, and that didn’t even count spending some quality time in Bangkok, which we knew we wanted to do. I also wasn’t totally convinced I wanted to spend 9 days just in Bhutan (commitment issues?). So this wasn’t going to work.

Side note: Had I known there were red pandas in the remote regions, I probably would have done anything possible for a red panda sighting. Alas, another time.

Third, I had read on the TripAdvisor forums that booking through a local operator reduced the cost (obviously), so I started sorting through local operators to create a customized tour. The daily rate only includes 3* accommodations, so I knew I’d have to pay more for the luxury properties I wanted. Even without hotel upgrades, we were looking at $560 per day, and operators rarely (ever?) start at the minimum tariff in the first place. And after a few quotes topping an additional $350 per person per night or more for the hotels I wanted, I was questioning whether I really wanted luxury accommodations after all. Daily fee+supplement for only 2 ppl+operator surcharge+ $700 extra per night=not going to happen.

Fourth, I whined a bit to DH how I really wanted to go to Bhutan but things were just looking really expensive and I really wanted to stay in nice places (I told you I had accommodation issues, and Bhutan is my 30th birthday present to myself, too).

Then, I stumbled upon Uma Paro’s (by COMO Hotels) packages when looking at their rack rates.  Yup, they were expensive, but they already included the “extra” for upgrading the accommodations. Plus, they threw in some luxury extras like massages for two and a free night in Bangkok (awesomesauce!). There were no additional fees.  I was intrigued! Now–the packages weren’t ‘cheap’ enough that I booked the same day….no, no they very much weren’t.

Instead, I spent hours emailing Uma Paro’s wonderful reservation managers, who answered all of my questions to my satisfaction and in an extremely timely manner. I also preferred Uma Paro as some (not all) of the local tour operators requested wire transfers. I won’t go into why this is a huge pain in the ass for me, but it is and I get uncomfortable wiring thousands of dollars; I feel more protected with a credit card transaction (+ pointtsssss!!). So that was a plus.

After playing date roulette more than I would have liked, we finally took the plunge and put down a deposit. As our departure date draws closer, I’m beyond excited to have our entire trip through COMO Hotels, staying at the two Uma properties in Bhutan.  Time will tell if the choice was a good one, but I am pretty confident that–for what we wanted (luxury, relaxation, and an awesome cultural experience)–it will be an excellent choice.

Tiger’s Nest…here we come!

Do you choose hotels before you choose anything else for a trip? Have you been to Bhutan and have advice for us? I’d love to hear from you!