The island paradise of Bali exerts a marvelous, almost magnetic aesthetic appeal for western visitors. Much of that allure is due to the island’s richly diverse artistic culture. Among the many splendid forms, I think Balinese dance is the most compelling. Perhaps it is better called dance-drama as it is an art that cannot be separated from theater.

A cremation day is characterized more by fun and laughter than mourning. The community is helping to achieve their sacred duty: liberating the soul of the departed and freeing them to reincarnate. In Bali’s unique form of Hinduism, the body is only a shell—the vessel of the soul.  After death, the soul lingers near the body until being liberated by fire. Through cremation, the soul is released to be reborn.

Pushkar attracts Rajasthanis from far and wide, all of them wearing their best, brightest saris, turbans, and traditional costumes, creating a festive energy and a surging sea of visual splendor. There are carnival rides, food booths, and plenty of entertainment. It’s a busker’s paradise.

One of the most interesting and alluring aspects of Bali is the authentic place of magic in Balinese life. The root of this reality is found in their Hindu-Animist religion. Stone age Balinese Animism—the worship of the spirits of nature and ancestors - has changed little even down to the present day.

There are things in the world to fear and things that require a prudent approach. But the relentless messages of our culture are telling us to be unnecessarily afraid. I am grateful that travel has exposed me to a world not driven by fear.

After a lifetime of travel, one starts to think a new destination will not hold any unique surprises. Such was the case for Morocco - my expectations for Imprint’s first Morocco tour were way too low. This is an amazing travel destination. And perhaps more importantly, it is a country where Western travelers can experience a democratic, moderate Muslim culture.

In 2016 the Accademia had a special exhibit of the Flemish painter Hieronymus Bosch, who apparently spent some time in Venice. He was a successful late 15th-century Flemish artist. That success seems to defy all reason for me. It’s not that his art is not fascinating, arresting, and thought provoking (all good things in art), but rather that it was successful 500 years ago.

As a guide for Rick Steves’ Europe, I have been through Florence Italy quite regularly over the years.  I had noticed the funny artistic additions to Florence's street signs over the years without really taking a close look. In 2016, I started to get the joke. Clet Abraham, a street artist, had been secretly adding clever images to the street signs in Florence for the previous half decade or so.

Recently, I received a newsletter from Lonely Planet that featured an article titled, “Six Bucket List Destinations at Risk of Disappearing Due to Climate Change.” The list included the Galapagos Islands, a proposed destination for my tour company, Imprint Tours. Once again, I was reminded how a cherished travel goal can be yanked away, sometimes never to return.