Near and far, there is an entire world to discover. In this section, we'll be traveling all over the world to bring some of our global adventures to you! From the Dominican Republic to an American Conservation Experience, from hiking the Continental Divide to taking an eco tour in Ecuador, our faculty, students, and staff clearly show that Temple Owls are excited to explore anywhere!
A Visit to the Dominican Republic
Welcome to Baní in the Dominican Republic! The city of Baní is the capital of the Peravia province; its residents also know it as the home of poets. Baní is the commercial and manufacturing center in the region, producing bananas and coffee. This is a tightly knit community with families and neighborhoods dating back several centuries. Coming join us on the journey!
An American Conservation Experience
Prior to arriving at Temple University, Mary Cortese - a Research Assistant with the Freestone Lab and the Temple Ambler Field Station and a Biology Phd candidate - spent three months with the American Conservation Experience (ACE) as a conservation corps member. During that time, she traveled around the Southeastern United States working on a variety of conservation projects. This video was taken during her last project, building a trail for Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. She shares some of her reflections about the experience. With ACE, Mary got to camp and explore outdoor spaces in her own backyard (of North Carolina). She travelled to five states and discovered so many places that she otherwise wouldn't have.
Completing the Triple Crown of Hiking — The Continental Divide
It is a feat that few hikers accomplish — the Triple Crown of Hiking. In 2006 Jason Henschen, an adjunct instructor who teaches camping and hiking courses for Temple's Kinesiology Department in the College of Public Health, thru-hiked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail; a 2,175 mile trail stretching from Maine to Georgia. In 2008 he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans from the Mexican Border to the Canadian through the states of California, Oregon and Washington. In 2010 he finished the "Triple Crown" by hiking the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada along the country's backbone of the Rocky Mountain Range. In this video, Jason invites you to come along on his trek along the Continental Divide! (Advisory: Mild Language. Parental Guidance Suggested.)
We'll Always Have Paris
We are traveling to Paris, France, the City of Lights! It is the world's most visited capital. The city is proud of its many monuments from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the lofty Notre-Dame Cathedral (which will triumph again) and the majestic Arc de Triomphe. No doubt this is one of Europe's most enchanting capitals! Before we head home, we'll make a litle stop in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands (just a bit over three hours by high-speed train from Paris). Amsterdam is known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age.
An Ecuador Eco Tour
The thick humid air of the Amazon rainforest draped Michael Bavas, Sr., Technical Specialist at Temple Ambler, and his wife Janet like a weighted blanket settling a slippery surface on the jungle floor. The stillness of the jungle deceptively hides a combined thousands of species of birds, fish and insects in this fertile basin in Ecuador. Why spend a sweaty vacation wandering through a rainforest? Reconnecting with nature is a mystical experience that stretches our scope of the world.
Making Memories in Maui
We are heading to Maui (and who wouldn't want to do that)! The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Native Hawaiian tradition gives the origin of the island's name in the legend of Hawaiʻiloa, the navigator credited with discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiʻiloa named the island after his son, who in turn was named for the demigod Māui. The earlier name of Maui was "Ihikapalaumaewa." The Island of Maui is also called the "Valley Isle."
Spin the Globe
As we share some of our own adventures, we thought we’d provided a little fuel for your own travel dreams and plans. We’re going to take a look around the globe, amazing places to visit virtual at any time and in person (be sure to thoroughly research current travel restrictions and health advisories). We’ll start our travels right here in the U.S.
A Route 66 Road Trip
You can’t really talk about adventures in the U.S. without a little shoutout to the iconic and historic Route 66! Route 66 is the United Statess historic highway that was established in 1926. It is over 2,400 miles, and it goes from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois. The route was used by many who migrated west during the 1900s and it was popularized in songs, TV series and The Grapes of Wrath. Join Through My Lens for a 14-day road trip through history! Want more? Make 20 Great Stops on Route 66!
Explore Wild Places in the U.S.
The United States has a host of awe-inspiring landscapes that support people and wildlife alike. From the Alaskan Arctic and the Everglades to the Great Lakes and the Red Desert, the National Wildlife Federation (which created the Great American Campout) is working to protect these extraordinary places that are critical to the survival of America's wildlife. View videos from the National Wildlife Federation here.
Touring Latin America — Parts I, II and III
Starting in Ecuador and ending in Cuba, the Latin American Alliance takes us on a journey through seven countries in Latin America! Part II wends its way from Mexico to Panama while Part III begins in Brazil and wraps up our journey in Peru. There’s also an additional video that looks at holiday traditions in 23 Latin American countries!
Heading to South America
South America is a continent of superlatives: the highest lake, the driest desert, the largest waterfall. Environmentalists will enjoy the amazing fauna in the Amazon or the colorful markets of Andean villages. You can explore lost cities of ancient civilizations, feast your eyes on stunning scenery almost everywhere you go or you can try out the local cuisine. This visit from touropia takes a look at 21 places to visit in South America.
Top 100 Places to Visit in Europe
Why settle for just a few recommendations when you can get a full 100 places to visit in Europe! From the countless medieval cities, to the jaw dropping landscapes of the Alps, Europe has it all! Traveler and videographer Ryan Shirley spent the last few years traveling Europe and is sharing his favorite places. He also has several other travel lists from the Pacific Northwest to the U.S. to Greece and Turkey. He’s even got a “Top 25 Medieval Places” to check out!
Visiting the Largest Continent
The largest continent on Earth, Asia stretches from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Its vast landmass encompasses everything from epic mountain ranges such as the Himalayas to the dry and desolate Arabian and Gobi deserts. Steamy jungle can also be found in Southeast Asia, as well as paradise islands and beautiful beaches. In addition to its colossal size, Asia is remarkably home to more than half of the world’s population. With so many different cultures and languages, the continent’s dazzling diversity defies definition. As each country has its own unique history and heritage, Asia’s many hidden treasures could take a lifetime to unravel. Video by touropia.
Explore the South Pacific & French Polynesia
From the verdant crags of Tahiti to the teeming reefs of Fiji, embark on a sweeping voyage with NatGeoExpeditions to the western reaches of Polynesia, encountering tropical islands and reefs that few others will ever see.
Learn About Every Country in Africa
Risen Africa provides an informative and comprehensive multipart guide to Africa and every African country. The video series seeks to reverse sweeping generalizations that regard Africa as a monolithic country. In fact, Africa is a continent, the second biggest continent in the world, with 54 individual countries. This is the first of a 6-part series where 10 countries are covered in each video. Continue your journey in Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V and Part VI!
A Guide to Australia
Australia is a wild and beautiful place, a land whose color palette of red outback sands and Technicolor reefs frames sophisticated cities and soulful Indigenous stories. This guide to Australia created by Misk Travel Guide explores locations including Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, Blue Mountains National Park, the Great Barrier Reef, Kangaroo Island, Fraser Island, Bondi Beach and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Storming Antarctica
We mentioned all the other continents so we had to make a stop in Antarctica! In this video from National Geographic, six teams of scientists and their survival experts are dispatched to Antarctica, the least understood, harshest continent on Earth.
25 Greatest Natural Wonders of the World
Massive glaciers, staggering mountains, plains dotted with wild animals: We live in a big, beautiful world. While pinpointing all of Mother Nature's greatest hits could take a lifetime, touropia thinks these out-of-this-world landscapes and awe-inspiring wonders, from Arizona to Antarctica, need to move to the very top of your travel list. Looking for some amazing man-made wonders? Check out touropia video highlighting amazing ancient ruins!