The Holbrook Explorer
Where we travel
Photo of the Month: December 2022
As a Peruvian Group Leader for Holbrook, I have always admired the curiosity, courage and passion of Road Scholar participants. But this trip to Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley will always stand out for me. We were one of the first groups there after the country reopened to travelers in...
Photo of the Month: November 2022
After postponing all of our travels for a year due to COVID-19, we decided it was time to re-start our traveling agenda this year. At first the process seemed daunting and complicated, but soon it became almost seamless, and it was the right thing to do. Kenya is one of my favorite destinations...
Photo of the Month: October 2022
Our Galápagos trip in July 2021 was truly extraordinary! With our amazing naturalist guide who grew up in Galápagos, Lourdes Pesantes (Lulu), and the fantastic crew of the Bonita, we were fortunate to be one of the few visitors here as a result of the decrease in travel due to COVID. It felt like...
Photo of the Month: September 2022
To be able to travel again was so exciting; even the airport didn’t bother me! With my mother alongside, we joined a really amazing group of nature enthusiasts, photographers, teachers and birders for a stay on Audubon’s Hog Island Camp in Maine. We had the place all to ourselves—an amazing 330...
Photo of the Month: August 2022
Everywhere we went in Kenya, I was afforded many "firsts"—or "lifers," as we birders (photographers) call them. Lake Naivasha was no exception. We were on small boats slowly moving our way up the shoreline when we came across these hippos lying on the bank. The babies were so adorable, and to see...
Photo of the Month: July 2022
Living most of my life in the South, I am always drawn to the complete opposite landscapes that the West offers. Having the chance to visit two bucket-list places, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, after the COVID shutdown was a dream come true, and I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. Once...
Rainforests: Four Facts about Earth's Oldest Living Ecosystem
Rainforests only occupy 6% of Earth’s land surface, yet their impact extends to every corner and all creatures across the globe. This fragile ecosystem, once covering 14% in land mass, serves as a life force for our planet, providing air, water, medicine, food, and shelter to a host of living...
Photo of the Month: June 2022
I got lucky and found this golden eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) while out hiking near Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica. It is a venomous snake known locally as an “oropel.” They are a nocturnal small snake which preys mostly on lizards and frogs. This is my favorite animal to see there...
Photo of the Month: May 2022
We were walking at Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island and heading back to our panga as the sun was slowly setting. Lots of sea lions on shore were lounging around, sleeping, enjoying their beach—but then I noticed this little girl looking right at me as she was asking for her photo to be taken. The...
Photo of the Month: April 2022
We weren’t really sure about traveling when we did our Costa Rica Osa Peninsula birding tour. A good friend was leading the trip to the Osa Peninsula for Grand Valley Audubon, and other good friends had joined in. We went back and forth but finally decided to take the risk. As it turned out, Costa...
Photo of the Month: March 2022
My Holbrook group was among the first back into Costa Rica after the pandemic. My eight birders and guide Erick Guzman had the lodges and trip virtually to ourselves. With Costa Rica closed for a year, the birds and other wildlife had rest from people and carried on their natural routine. We found...
Planning International Travel Again? 5 Reasons Why Costa Rica Tops the List
Around the U.S., as Americans are increasingly vaccinated, activities and events are resuming once again. But what’s the outlook for international travel? Certain countries are more prepared for visitors, and Costa Rica is one of them. Costa Rica’s strict safety protocols, growing vaccination rate...