Every year 140,000 tourists voyage to the Galapagos Islands, and it is not hard to see why. The islands that were the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution are nothing short of incredible. The islands give us a glimpse at what natural beauty looks like when undisrupted by the human touch.

What makes the Galapagos Islands special is the restrictions that the government has put in place, including protection policies that date back to the 1930s. Rules and laws dictate that you must travel with a guide when visiting the islands – but it is worth it. Around every corner you might see a giant tortoise, Galapagos sea lion, Darwin’s Finches or the incredible marine iguana – all of which are unique to the island chain.

Beneath the waters of Galapagos Islands lies a world just as astounding as above the waters. Signing up for a Galapagos diving tour will get you the closest to the fascinating underwater sea life. Seals, sea turtles, hundreds of fish species, hammerhead sharks and even penguins are native to the islands and beneath the clear waters. Snorkeling is another way to see your favorite marine animals up-close and nearly every cruise ship offers a snorkeling package. Just walking by the ocean is an occasion to see a large diversity of what divers call “big animals.” It is very common to spot whales, dolphins, and sharks while visiting the Galapagos Islands.

Being relatively undamaged by humans, the awe-inspiring landscapes and unique wildlife of Galapagos Islands is like nothing else on Earth. For information on visiting the islands, I recommend checking out Adventure Associates, an environmentally-friendly tour company which can create a custom Galapagos Islands tour for you.

While so many people think that traveling abroad is the only way to go as far as traveling is concerned, these same folks – people who so often extol the virtues of seeing new and different sights – discount just how much this great country of ours has to offer. From sandy beaches to even sandier deserts; from mountains to rivers to deep wavy fields and valleys filled with wild flowers and grasses, and from quite literally one ocean to another, the United States of America offers something for everyone and its landscape is as vast and varied as any country on the globe.

Even though I certainly pride myself on having visited several foreign countries, nations, and other locales abroad I firmly believe that someone should first explore their own country before moving on to visit the rest of the world. As someone who has been to 46 of 50 states as well as several territories (I’m missing just Alaska, Hawaii, Michigan, and Louisiana) I feel that I am in the proper position to give this sort of advice. In fact, before you set out to leave this nation ask yourself, what am I looking to find?

More often than not you will find that you can find what you are looking for, and then some, right here at home. If you are thinking of a visit to the deserts of Egypt look no further than our very own Death Valley in Nevada and California; the Painted Desert of New Mexico; or any other number of deserts throughout Texas, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and even Oregon! If you are more into beaches and ocean play than states such as Florida, Rhode Island, California, and most obviously Hawaii might be more your speed and the states of Alaska and Texas, almost small countries in their own right offer more to explore than many of the international destinations so many Americans are eager to visit.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with international travel and keeping in mind that I don’t want to come off as one of those ignorant Americans who ignores the world at large, I am just saying that, while travel abroad might have its place, we should not be so quick as to overlook the amazing people and beauty that our own country can offer us right here at home. All I’m saying is that before we go abroad, we should travel at home first.

On a trip to Australia, not long ago, I visited the fabled Outback and the infamous Ayer’s Rock and was truly amazed by this most marvelous and yet desolate space. Aside from being remote, I was amazed at the interesting wildlife found throughout. The nearest major population center to Ayer’s Rock is Alice Springs, famous for its historic importation of camels from the Middle East and North Africa for use in intercontinental transport of goods and people. When the use of modern technology transplanted the camel, the thousands of dromedaries and their decedents were released or escaped into the wild and today, the area surrounding Ayer’s Rock and Alice Springs is home to the world’s only surviving population of feral (formally domesticated or descended from domesticated ancestors) camels. In addition to the camels, other introduced species in the area include the cat, dog, mouse, fox, and rabbit.

However, the area in and around the Uluru – Kate Tjuta National Park is home not only to imported animals but is also home to a host of exotic and varied native species as well. Perhaps most notorious and iconic is the kangaroo. Similar to the North American white tail deer in terms of their continental distribution, the kangaroo is found throughout central Australia (as well as the whole of the continent) and also lives within close proximity to its smaller but similarly built cousins the wallaroo and the wallaby.

In addition, to the animal life, this part of Australia is known for its isolation and remoteness and, as I said, I was struck as to just how alone we really were out there. The native aboriginal peoples often spoke of the “walkabout” a solitary journey into the bush of the outback in order to find one’s self. Today, modern travelers from the west often attempt to emulate this ancient ritual in an attempt to connect with nature and to leave the rat race fully behind them. Whether you make the journey alone, like the natives once did, or whether you choose to bring along your friends or loved ones, you are sure to find an excursion into the outback rewarding and therapeutic. I know that for me, my trip to Australia – and to the Outback in particular – was a memorable time and destination and one that I long to return to.

During my senior year of college I took a semester abroad in London where I not only went to school but interned as well. My placement was with the UK’s Court Service. In the complete opposite of American efficiency, the Court Service exists a giant and useless organization. While people call the agency for legal advice they do not staff lawyers and are therefore not allowed to actually give such advice. I know, I know….it doesn’t make much sense. But enough bloviating on that subject, as despite my objections, the internship afforded me an amazing opportunity as I was given direct access to the infamous Old Bailey. The Bailey is England’s largest criminal court and is the final stop for all the country’s biggest criminal cases. During my time there I was able to see countless high profile cases, including the gruesome slaying of two young girls: a huge story by London standards during my time there.

In addition, I was able to travel the country and participate in “charter mark” award ceremonies. Basically, in yet another display of the UK’s propensity to waste tax payer’s money, we traveled the country congratulating various court districts for a job well done and put on shows featuring motivational speakers as well as hosting luncheons. While the award ceremonies themselves were, bluntly, something of a joke the opportunity to travel England and Scotland by train was pretty darn cool and allowed me enjoy the country in a way many of my fellow travel abroad students could not. I saw green hills and the picturesque British country side, small farms and villages, and even enjoyed my first taste of haggis on a train speeding toward Edinburgh. Even more cool than the things I saw were the people I met. Traveling by train brings with it a certain level of intimacy not offered in other forms of travel and I was quick to converse with those on the train and was able to make a few friends along the way – of course, the fact that the train sold wine in abundance helped this cause immensely. Finally, the last really neat thing about traveling the country was that I was put up in fancy hotels as I traveled. Considering I was only 21 at the time, working for the Court Service might just have been one of the more interesting experiences of my young life thus far.