Explore the Maldives through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

2021

Maldives

November 2021

We just returned from our first international trip in what seems like a long, long time. After working from home for so long, we treated ourselves to a bit of tropical paradise in the Maldives, a country of widely dispersed atolls in the Indian Ocean. Although we spent nearly two weeks on a single tiny island, we always had fun things to do — in fact, the snorkeling alone could have kept us busy the entire time. We saw something new every time we swam to the reef that encircled the island, including fish, sharks, turtles, rays, and of course, coral. Add to that the amazing food, some local culture, and relaxing massages, and we were in heaven.

Explore California, Nevada, and Oregon through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

California Nevada Oregon

April 2021

We enjoyed our last trip so much that we decided to rent a camper van again and explore more of the western United States. This time, we traveled to California, Nevada, and Oregon. We visited some of the best known national parks — Yosemite and Death Valley — as well as some less-well-known gems like Carrizo Plains National Monument in central California, Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, and Painted Hills in Oregon. We balanced our time in the wilderness with a visit to the cultured vineyards and flourishing food scene of Napa Valley.

Explore Utah through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

2020

Utah

October 2020

After months of staying at home, we finally found a way to travel that felt safe and enticing to us despite the ongoing pandemic: we rented a camper van and headed for southern Utah. It’s a part of the US that neither of us had explored before, yet it’s chock full of amazing landscapes. Join us as we squeeze through the undulating striped walls of Zebra Slot Canyon, hike to the bizarre-looking Wahweap hoodoos, and witness spectacular sunrises in Canyonlands and Arches National Park.

Explore Australia through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

2019

Australia

September 2019

Right after visiting New Zealand, we spent two weeks experiencing the contrast between the remote wilderness of the Kimberley region and the cosmopolitan aspects of Australia’s biggest cities — Sydney and Melbourne. The cities gave us excellent museums, fine dining, modern skyscrapers, and fun visits with friends and family. The Kimberley gave us gargantuan crocodiles, stunning turquoise waters, and endless red dirt roads to explore.

Explore New Zealand through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

New Zealand

August 2019

Our two-week road trip included the North Island and the South Island, so we saw a wide range of landscapes, from rolling green hills to rugged coastal cliffs, and from lush forests to barren volcanic peaks. We were amazed by the vibrant colors of the glacier-fed lakes. And we loved learning about the Maori people, not to mention creatures like kiwis and New Zealand glowworms that are unique to this part of the world.

Explore Alaska through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

Alaska

July 2019

We recently took a midsummer break to explore some of Alaska. Our absolute favorite experience was seeing huge brown bears congregating at Brooks Falls to feast on the salmon as they migrated upstream to spawn. We also enjoyed flying in a small plane over the glacier fields and around the jagged peaks of Denali National Park. And we loved driving through hundreds of miles of untouched wilderness, with gorgeous vistas of mountains, forests, swamps, and lakes.

Explore Vanuatu and Fiji through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

2018

Vanuatu & Fiji

September 2018

Our primary goal for this vacation was to relax and enjoy the tropical paradise of these Pacific islands, but we also managed to squeeze in a bit of photography while we were there. Highlights from this trip include surreal aquamarine oceans, incredible coral reefs, and beautiful sandy beaches. We kayaked, we visited local villages, and we snorkeled in a different place each day, including once with manta rays.

Explore eastern Washington, Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone National Park in winter through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

2017

Northwest Road Trip

December 2017

We hit the road for our winter holidays, making a grand tour of the northwest United States — including parts of Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon. We were treated to spectacular scenery in eastern Washington’s Palouse region, with a patchwork of snow-dusted farms subdividing the rolling hills. Inspired by thoughts of a cozy, warm cabin nestled in a snow-blanketed forest, we headed for Glacier National Park near Montana’s border with Canada. We got to enjoy a relaxing cabin life while a winter storm dumped snow around us for several days. Then on to Yellowstone National Park, with its phenomenal geothermal features and abundant wildlife. The trip included plenty of snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and just plain enjoyment of the greater northwest area.

Explore Greenland in winter through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

Greenland

March 2017

Despite its name, Greenland is not green — especially not in the middle of winter. We were treated to all-white landscapes of astounding beauty, and got to experience what it’s like to live in an isolated town. We loved seeing the icebergs as we hiked and boated to the nearby fjord, but the absolute highlight was dog sledding in the mountainous interior.

Explore Iceland in winter through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

Iceland

February 2017

Iceland is just as stunning as we heard from friends who have visited there. We decided to go in winter so that we could witness the natural beauty of snow-covered landscapes, icy waterfalls, and magical northern lights. We got all that and more (including cute Icelandic horses!) during our visit.

Explore Cuba through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

2016

Cuba

December 2016

We escaped the cold weather in Seattle this past December by spending our winter break in Cuba. Cuba appears to be stuck in time, but in many ways, it’s forward thinking. We were especially impressed by Cubans who, through creativity and ingenuity, overcome the many limitations imposed on them.

Explore the west coast of the United States through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

West Coast Road Trip

November 2016

Back in November, we decided to explore a bit of the United States. We jumped in the car for a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco and back — covering a total of 1700 miles in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. We got dramatic views of forests, cliffs, and beaches as we followed Route 101 down the Pacific coast. After enjoying cosmopolitan San Francisco, we took a different route on the way back, this time passing through the mountains and stopping to snowshoe at beautiful Crater Lake.

Explore Papua New Guinea through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

Papua New Guinea

August 2016

Papua New Guinea is a fascinating country with incredibly diverse people. More than 800 languages are spoken there, and each tribe has its own unique traditions, costumes, songs, and dances. We visited at just the right time to witness several “sing-sing” festivals where tribes gather to sing, dance, and share their culture.

Explore the British Columbia province of Canada through the photos and stories of Bea and Eric Stollnitz.

British Columbia, Canada

June 2016

We’re excited to share our recent adventure by motorcycle to the remote northern forests of British Columbia, Canada, and by boat to the pristine Haida Gwaii islands off the west coast. This trip included a great mix of impressive wildlife, stunning landscapes, and fascinating Native American culture.

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