Looking to escape? Here are two recent trips local readers took to see the Northern Lights in Alaska and explore ancient tombs in Egypt. Check them out, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.
ALASKA: They thought they were going to Alaska to view the Northern Lights, but six Livermore residents found an exciting twist to their adventure thanks to some canine pals. Jim and Maureen Volponi took a family vacation in January with Josh Volponi, Flávia Dominelli, Jake Volponi and Emily Bolton. While the Northern Lights brought them some joy, they said a dog sledding adventure in Knik, an encounter with a moose and some hiking through the state parks were additional highlights.
TRAVEL TIPS: “Although Alaska can be cold and yield only four hours of daylight in the winter, dressing in layers with appropriate weather gear makes the outdoor adventures comfortable,” they said. “The Alaskan weather is dry so the cold does not feel as piercing as a wetter area. The best times to see the Northern Lights are during the winter months when the sky is cloudless and the moon wanes. Ask local guides for suggestions on viewing sites. Dogsledding is worth the ride and gives you an idea of how athletic these dogs are.”
EGYPT: “A trip of a lifetime” is how San Jose resident Teresa Albin described her recent adventure through Egypt. She made stops at the Abu Simbel Temples, the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings (Hatshepsut’s Temple, seen below) and Petra in Jordan.
TRAVEL TIPS: “Going with a tour group enables you to enjoy the sites instead of worrying about transportation, accommodations, security, locations of toilets, etc.,” Albin said. “Egyptian tourism is suffering right now. The U.S. dollar is strong in Egypt, so bargains are abundant. Touring in Egypt during winter can be cold, so dress in layers, but wear a hat as the sun is still nearly overhead in the Tropic of Cancer.”
Join the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to jmastrodonato@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow readers go there, too.