StoryWander Travel

10/14/2025

🌍✨ First Trip of 2026: Cradle of Life – The Calving Season on the Plains & Chimpanzees in the Jungle of Tanzania ✨🌿

Each February, life awakens across Tanzania — wildebeest and zebra give birth on the vast Serengeti plains while, deep in the forests of Gombe, chimpanzees echo our own ancient rhythms of connection and kinship.

This journey follows the arc of creation itself — from the Great Migration’s calving season, where thousands of newborns take their first trembling steps, to the leafy refuge where Jane Goodall devoted her life to understanding our closest relatives.

Join us in February 2026 for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that honors both the wild heart of Africa and the legacy of one of its greatest storytellers.

🐾 Extremely limited spaces!
https://storywandertravel.com/tanzania-2026/

“Cradle of Life: The Calving Season on the Plains & Chimpanzees in the Jungle of Tanzania” January 31st – February 9th, 2026 Each February, life bursts into motion across Tanzania....

09/18/2025

09/18/2025

Scotland Day 9 The Ghosts of Culloden

It has been a week now since visiting the battlefield of Culloden, and the words are still hard to find. We sat with our friend, Stuart, who is also a Frazier, who, at the end of his story, took us to the mass graves marked by clans. We stopped for a solemn moment at each gentle rose in the land, knowing that below our feet were approximately 1,500 Scotsmen who were killed in less than an hour, most estimates are at 40 minutes. The English forces forbade families to retrieve the dead after the battle for more than three weeks, by which time they had become unidentifiable. Only their kilt tartans gave proof of the clan, at least, but some of the dead were stripped and lay naked, so were buried in on of several mass graves marked only as “mixed clans” because there was no way to know them otherwise.
It was a series of follies that led to the disastrous end of sovereignty of these Gaelic speaking people. After the loss, the English forces forbade their entire way of life or risk ex*****on. The music of the people, their bagpipes and drums, were deemed tools of war and burned and outlawed. Their native language was outlawed, and anyone speaking it was summarily executed. The wearing of kilts was outlawed, seen as battle gear. Twenty years later, came the removals, as Crofter’s homes were set ablaze in order to claim the land for grazing of sheep for wool and industry. Left with no or few possessions and no home or place to work, few had no other options but to board ship on an arduous journey to the new world. This, this, is how so many of the Scotch Irish came to our country, the first wave of the removals of 1790, just around the time of the Scottish settlements here in Appalachia, where remnants of their outlawed culture and language and music and dancing remain.
We sat with the ghosts on the battlefield, walked across better ground than they faced, but ventured into the bogs they died in, holding sword and shield but facing musket fire. It was a quiet place, where voices didn’t carry. It was chilling to be there. So many silenced voices, silenced people. An erasure of culture which took nearly two hundred years to begin to reclaim again. During our time here, we encountered may wearing kilts, and now I realize it is an act of freedom, of pride, of culture. One of the clans, the MacGregor clan, has the motto, “Despite Them”. We are at MacGregor’s famous pub, know for their music circles on Sunday, where locals bring their instruments and play their once outlawed tunes. I celebrated their freedom of expression, tapped my feet to the music that would have had me executed for doing so in 1760. I appreciate so much more the musical roots and dancing I see in my part of Appalachian now, because I know now the sacrifice and danger the people who brought it over here endured in doing so.
This history was more than learning about another country. Learning their story made me understand my own so much more.

09/13/2025

🌞✨ Sunlit Southern Spain: The Jewels of Andalusia ✨🌞

We’re heading to Spain! 🇪🇸 Join us this November for a one-of-a-kind journey through Seville, Córdoba, Ronda, and Gibraltar. Think palaces and cathedrals, flamenco nights, whitewashed villages, olive groves, and the warmth of Andalusian sunshine.

This curated itinerary blends history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes—perfect for travelers who want more than just a vacation, but a story to carry home. 🏰💃🌿

📅 November 4–9, 2025
📍 Starting in Seville

Spots are limited, so if Spain is on your list, now is the time!
Drop a comment or message me for details. 💌

Sunlit Southern Spain: The Jewels of Andalusia From Seville’s palaces to Córdoba’s mosques and Ronda’s whitewashed villages, discover the heart of Andalusia. November 4th-9th, 2025 Day 1 – Arrival in...

09/07/2025

We stopped in Hagrid’s shop after a ride on the Hogwarts Express and picked up a bottle of Basilisk Blood. Come down to The Opossum’s Tale tomorrow night (9/8/25) for your chance to win it!

09/04/2025

Scotland Day 8 The Isle of Skye

Today we took off for the land of fairies and myths- The Isle of Skye!

Our long journey across the countryside with Lawrence was filled with stories. Our small tours are perfect for having a private van with a really knowledgeable guide who knows the area and is passionate about it. Lawrence told us stories all the way up, about the locations we visited and passed. He also stopped for us as needed when we really wanted to be up close to sites.

Our first stop was at a magnificent castle, the kind you think of when studying Shakespeare’s Scottish play. (The one that starts with Mac. ) The Dornie Castle in Kyle and s an imposing place and is reported to be quite haunted. We stopped for a brief while there, and Jules taught Lawrence what it meant to “photobomb” someone. Wearing a helmet and carrying a sword, she casually walked into some random people’s photos as they were getting group shots, with her winding up in the background. Lawrence laughed as some of them wanted Jules in their group shots and Lawrence obliged by taking the photos.

Next we were on our way toward the bridge to Skye. On the way we heard the story of when the Vikings came. As we came to the narrows where the loch opened to the sea, we heard about a Viking king who married the daughter of a Highland chief. Her name was Mary. In their castle in the water they were I. A prime place to collect a price for passage from the sea to the lich and vice versa. Once the fee was paid, it is said that Mary would stand on top of the tower and flash her bare bosom to the passing ships. She became known as “Saucy Mary.”

After crossing the bridge, we drove to the River Sligachen. We had heard the story that if you wash your face in the river for seven seconds, you will have eternal beauty. Theee of us trailed down to the river bank, laid across a large stone, and dunked our faces! Why not?!

Having beautified ourselves, we drove next to meet the Faeries! We visited the famed Faerie pools on Isle of Skye, which are also k own as a place where Selkies often go to shed their skins to sun on the rocks in human form. Not all of us were will to take the long, steep walk down the valley, but a couple of us were will to brave the climb down AND the long climb back up. The area was magical. Food’s of Heather filled the valley. Small deep river lets emptied into each other, and small circular pools swirled the right clear water, so different from the dark, peaty rivers and Koch’s every where else we saw. Waterfalls both large and small streamed all around us. It was truly storybook worthy. And the climb back up…epic.

We drove to a small village for a seafood lunch ch and then took off for the next magical spot- the Faerie Glen. This unusual land formation was filled with small little hillocks, and a large cylindrical rock formation rises above them nearly in the center. It truly looks like Daeries live in these miniature mountains. Lawrence drove us through twice, because it was such a spectacular sight.

Next we went up, up, up to the tightest point of the Isle, overlooking the sea. Here, Lawrence stopped and pulled out a bottle f 12 year old Scotch and poured us each a glass. We gave a Scottish toast to the view and to the journey.

Once we had our fill f the whiskey and the sites, we got to check out the views on the other side. There we saw Kilt Rock and a lovely waterfall. We were also the spot where dinosaur footprints were found, proving just how old this ancient landscape truly is.

The top off the this day of magic and myth, we saw a giant, wide rainbow landing right over Inverness on the way back!

09/03/2025

Scotland Day 7 The Pictish Trail

Today we drove across land and sea— on a ferry that is— and would our way to the Pictish Trail. On the way, our guide Bill, with us for another day, regaled us of the history he knew of the Pictish people as we drove through what was their home ground from 300-900 AD.

We learned so much about these enigmatic people, whose lives we know about from the standing stones found all along the countryside, telling their stories in pictures.

The Pictish people were descended from the Caledones, the indigenous group on this land before Scotland was a country. The Caledones and early Pictish were so fierce, they were the reason Hadrian’s Wall was built.

The Picts were the largest group in Scotland during the Dark Ages. They were known for their artistry, their weapons and their ferocity. In battle they painted their faces and attacked the coming armies, often naked save for their weapons. The Celts and Gauls connected with them and they interwove their cultures over several centuries. By the first century, the Pictish culture had all but disappeared, save for the standing stones that are still around today.

These stones are quite tall, flat, and several inches thick. They depict scenes of likes, such as animals like deer or fish, whichever was near them in the location, and most incorporated the Celtic knot. Some represent Bibkical scenes, shared with them from Monks who came to the islands in the Medeivalxdays. We saw two stones with scenes of David tearing the lion’s jaws apart.,

Pictured on these stones are carved on both sides, and scenes are often separated by the giant cross that takes precedent down the front of the stone.

We saw one stone preserved in an old church. The stone itself was found near where the church was built. We walked to the church through and old cemetery yard, filled with intricate gravestones. One featured three dimensional carving of a Jolly Roger! I. Some ways, through these head stones, perhaps some of the Pictish culture continues after all!

During our hunt for Pictish stones, we also went in search of Dolphins along the shore. We took a lovely walk of about a mile along the Moray Firth shore which leads to the sea. We did not see dolphins, but we found treasures in the form of sea glass, shells, and fancy rocks.

Later after lunch, on another loch, we went on a hunt for mermaids, and found one.,this time in the form of a beautiful bronze statue, perched on a giant boulder at the shore.

Filled with history and plenty of sea air, the final stop of the day was at the small-but-world-famous Anta store, where ceramics and tweed items from couches to handbags are designed and manufactured.

We ended the day at the Turkish Restaurant La Le, with some hot toddies and delicious and fresh food, which we walked off on the way home over the footbridge across the River Ness. We tried to visit Leakey’s Bookstore, but they had already retired for the night, so we decided to do the same.

09/02/2025

Scotland Day 6 Ancient Caledonian Forests and Mountain Peaks

Today was all about the natural beauty of Scotland, especially in the Highlands. We visited first and ancient forest of Caledonian Pine trees in the National Forest which runs along Loch Garten. The gentle lapping of water against the grassy banks was a distinct difference from the booming waves on the rocky shore of Loch Ness a couple days ago.

There was a tranquility here, where we walked quietly along the trail, listening for rare small birds and red squirrels. The forest was teeming with life, and possibly a few myths as well. Many of the ancient trees were covered in moss and lichen. Moss and mushrooms, ferns and small pine cones blanketed the soft floor below the canopy. So many small mounds of moss and gras rose up amping the trees, it looked like hobbit or fairy homes creating a little community.

A couple of small birds did make some appearances and stopped long enough for a rare photo. We also watched a red squirrel speed by.

Next stop was to Ben MacDui, a large mountain in the range of the highlands, near 4,000 feet. We took a funicular up to the top, where we had a warm lunch at the Ptarmigan restaurant, and then braved the strong winds, probably 50 mph today, but often over 100mph! The view was incredible at this sub- arctic tundra area. During winter this is a popular ski resort, though the winter season is becoming narrower with climate change.

We rode back down and drove some more over the historic landscape. We spotted a group of red deer which are protected, and also came across many Highland Cows and sheep. We also came across a 9 hole golf course, where the 2nd hole has an active road running right through it!

Our driver gave us an informative history of the Battle of Culloden, a site we will see in a few days.

We walked about a kilometer and a half at our final stop of the day, a recreation of a 17th century village. The thatched roof stone dwellings and barns had low entrances but pitched rooms that opened up nicely inside. While these clan members had things such as rough chairs, tables, ceramic goods, leather strap shoes, tartan blankets, I looked around at the drafty places where the cold highland winds must have found their way through, and I was very thankful to live in this century.

As we walked our way back, we visited recreated buildings leading closer to our time, including a 1930s school and early 20th century stores, as well as a nearly modern telephone booth. And the phone still works!

We finished our evening at the world famous MacGregor’s Pub. Luck was on our side as we got a table just as a party was leaving! MacGregor’s is known for its love music and is owned by a fiddle player from the MacDonald clan, whose motto is, “Despite Them.” Great food and lots of fun.

09/01/2025

Scotland Day 5 Harry Potter, The Loch Ness Monster, and Scotland Magic

Our early morning began with a drive through the countryside along Loch Ness. Our first stop was a beautiful location above the loch, where overlooking the castle on its banks. Even in the early part of this day under some rare sunshine, Loch Ness looked foreboding, its choppy dark waters colored by the rich peat in the soil. A few things poked up out of the water...was it Nessie? Boo said "That's a dang stick!" I guess not.

On through the highlands we drove, the catch a special train. 🚂 A steam engine, the in fact. The Hogwarts Express Train used in the movie! Our ride took us through tunnels, along a couple of lochs, and the over the famous Glenfinnan aqueduct where the train was stopped by the Dementors. It was an incredible experience crossing that tall, narrow bridge. Surprisingly, hundreds of people were lined up along the hillside to watch, wave, and film us as we slowly chugged past them. Yes we waved, even to the drone.

During our trip to the west coast in the Hogwarts Express, we delighted when asked, "Anything from the trolley?" The answer, yes, of course! We sipped Butterbeer Hot Cocoa and bought other little treats like chips and small souvenirs.

We made a couple of stops, the final being at Maillig, on the coast. There, we had lunch, visited the fishing village, and poked inside some shops, including Hagrid's Magic shop.

Our driver from earlier picked us up after lunch, and we toured the countryside on the others side of Loch Ness. On the way, we passed Dumbledore's Island out on the water on another loch.

Closer to Inverness, we stopped at Dores Beach on Loch Ness, a beautiful rocky beach, where "Crazy Steve" lives. Over 30 years ago, he drove his camper to the beach, parked it, and has been hunting and researching Nessie ever since. Today, we didn't see him at the camper but we did see the camper. We didn't see Nessie, but we did spot a naked man swimming, wearing nothing but a bathing cap. (I asked, but no, it wasn't Crazy Steve.) some of us even ventured into the water. (Far away from Naked Swim Cap Guy.) It was choppy today, but sometimes the waves here can get up to 6 feet!

All in all, it was a magical day spent in the Western Highlands!

09/01/2025

More RECREATED scenes! At Doune Castle, doing a little Monty Python!

08/31/2025

Scotland Day 4 High Tea, Up High
What a unique and delightful experience we had today, enjoying High Tea on the second story of a double decker British Bus!
We were greeted by our hostess who was funny and charming as could be. Boo and Martha had some fun ribbing her and she called them the "trouble making sisters."
As we took our places in our seats, we sat two facing two on either side of the bus. Already laid before us was a glass of Prosecco, and an upper tier of treats including Pavlova, jam stuffed cakes topped with cream, French Macaron, little chocolate pastries, jams and sweet cream butter. As we took off, the bottom tier was added to include cucumber sandwiches, ham and tomato, and pimento cheese, along with sun-dried tomato and balsamic goat cheese crostinis, followed by fresh warm scones, hot tea or coffee and then a bit later, fruit infused Gin drinks with fresh mint and flowers! The choices were raspberry, rhubarb, and ginger.
As we made our way through town, the day got livelier and livelier. People waved to us and we waved back. We enjoyed conversation as well as learning some history about Glasgow and its historic locations throughout the city.
When the music turned on, we sang together with everyone else in the bus and enjoyed a splendid hour and a half, making one brief stop at the museum halfway through the journey. We took the time to take some photos together and laugh some more!
After the this very fun afternoon, we were picked up by our driver, Stuart, who drove us three hours to Inverness, where we will spend time for the next few days. We enjoyed a gourmet meal at a highly recommended restaurant which we were lucky enough to have reservations for. It is a small place and very popular! The food was some of the best we have had all trip. We were happy the restaurant was next door because we easily walked home to catch some sleep for our early outing tomorrow.