Today, during the first leg of my trip to Europe, I witnessed several instances of one of the things I love about travel. No, it wasn’t an amazing new vista or historical site (though I did have several gorgeous views of Cascade mountain peaks as I flew north from Medford, Ore., to Seattle). It wasn’t a charming street scene or a meeting of two diverse cultures (though I love those, too). Instead, I saw strangers with nothing more apparently in common than that both were travelers, sharing stories of their journeys and experiences with each other.

I was one of those individuals, in an exchange in the Portland International Airport between flights. I had just fielded a call from my sister Julie, and my side of the conversation included references to London and Venice. When the call ended, a pleasant young woman seated across from me asked if I was going to Venice. Her face lit up when I said I was, and she eagerly shared what a beautiful, strange, wonderful place it is. She told me of a lovely small church near Piazza San Marco where Vivaldi had worked and his music performed. She raved about the fantastic acoustics and the concert she had attended there. (A little research revealed the name of the church, Santa Maria della Visitazone, known generally as La Pieta.) We shared a few stories about London, and then went on our separate ways, wishing each other a good journey. It was just the sort of personal tidbit I’ve been keeping an ear out for since I knew this trip was in the works — another traveler’s enthusiastic recommendation based on a positive experience in a new place.

Later, at SeaTac Airport, I overheard a conversation between two women who began sharing their separate experiences in Australia. I saw how both became animated as they recalled highlights of obviously happy and exciting trips. Still later in the evening, as I sat at a restaurant, I observed two sets of diners at adjoining tables bridge the gap between them as they swapped stories of their just-completed Alaska cruises.

In all of these cases, I saw again how those who love to travel also love to share their experiences with others. Surely part of that willingness is a chance to relive these vibrant events, but I also sense a generosity and camaraderie. They are eager to offer helpful information and steer their fellow globe trotters towards the best the world has to offer. It reminds me how much is wonderful and good out there to be enjoyed and shared with others who love to see what’s just beyond the horizon.

 Happy travels!

–Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader 

Although television documentaries try to capture what it is like near the North Pole, there is nothing like getting near it for yourself.

Following a seven day “heaven on earth” journey from Vancouver, British Columbia to Seward, Alaska (port for Anchorage), we flew from Anchorage to Barrow, Alaska with views of literally thousands of lakes, Mt. McKinley and much more after a stopover in Fairbanks.

The majestic sites along the Inside Passage aboard Celebrity Cruise Line’s Summit serve to prepare you for Barrow. Ketchikan provided a great kayaking experience in the fjords watching a mother and baby whale, awesome starfish, seals and more. The Skagway Railway was a trip back in time to the gold rush days - quite a history lesson to help one appreciate the lives lost to bring civilization to the great northwest. Juneau (the capitol) is accessible only by boat and plane and has numerous glaciers (Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau Ice Field among them). Valdez was made famous by the oil spill a number of years ago, but now you would never know it by looking because of the successful cleanup and restoration. There are plenty of bear encounter possibilities if you want them - just remember to make lots of noise and they will likely not bother you. It is when you sneak up on them or threaten them that you invite trouble.

Barrow’s airport is one of my favorite airports in the world. It is naturally air-conditioned by the blowing 20 degrees in August - their warm summertime. The land of the midnight sun was true to its name. Our hotel, the King Eider Inn (named for the abundant bird native to Barrow) was immaculate and had double window treatments to keep out the sunlight when you were trying to sleep.

Alaskan Arctic Adventures (same guide who had shown Arnold and Maria Schwarzenegger around when they visited Barrow) took us from our hotel to experience standing in the northernmost point of America (Point Barrow), stepping into the Arctic Ocean, watching for polar bears, Arctic fox, more whales, seals, walruses and countless species of birds including the King Eider, Ivory gulls, Puffins and more.

Then, I spotted the ice cap ten miles out to sea which would be closing in to land within the next few weeks (allowing the polar bears to roam freely onto the land and steal the whales which the Inuit - native Alaskans - bring in from the Arctic Sea). The Inuit use every part of the whale (by special permit from the government) for food (they actually eat whale meat raw) and clothing.

The saddest part of the trip was leaving the Top of the World - a place I highly recommend to any adventure traveler.

-Regina Kelton, Southeast, Southwest and Carribbean sales manager