IN MY EXPERIENCE, the central danger of swimming with whales in the open ocean is not that you will get smushed or chomped by a multi-ton marine mammal or somehow vanish into the deep but, rather, that you may contract a scorching case of whale-swimming fever. This is a condition for which there is no known cure: those afflicted live in a state of perpetual longing, always dreaming of returning to the water and the whales. I should know. I'm one of them.
For chronic sufferers, one of the world's most alluring destinations is Dominica (doh-min-nee-kah), a mountainous dollop of a nation in the Lesser Antilles, the Caribbean's southeasternmost arc of islands. There, a population of around 200 sperm whales resides year-round in warm and sheltered waters. Historically, a strict permit system has kept commercial whale swimming to a minimum-a good thing for both the whales and their human guests, since fewer swimmers mean less disruption and higher-quality, more ethical encounters. And in 2023, the Dominican government announced plans to establish the world's first marine protected area for sperm whales, a 300-square-mile reserve that could help secure a brighter future for these remarkable animals.
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Travel+Leisure US.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Travel+Leisure US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Come fall, the Italian region of Umbria is a lush, fertile inland oasis. Peter Terzian reaps a bounty of culinary and cultural pleasures.
RUNNER'S HIGH
Some travelers like to move at a faster clip. Alexandra Kleeman crosses the peaks and pastures of Ireland with a group of women who take life in stride.
THE WILDEST ISLE
Compared with its neighbors, the island of Hawaii is bigger, more untamed-and, at times, unpredictable. With her family in tow, Flora Stubbs finds the perfect balance between relaxation and rugged adventure.
A ticket to the top of the world
On a luxurious train tour of Peru, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu are the headline acts. But, as Monisha Rajesh discovers, witnessing everyday life from the rails can be every bit as memorable.
Bonjour la France
When an American writer retires in Brittany, she learns how to belong again.
Chills and Thrills
On an Alaskan wilderness adventure, Sarah Manguso and her son learn the elements of survival.
Wheels on Fire
With its blazing fall colors and picturesque villages, the Japanese island of Kyushu was made for cycling.
Down to Earth
Pottery runs deep in Santa Fe, from hallowed Pueblo collections to clay-throwing pubs.
Steel City Shining
A tech boom; a thriving cultural scene; destination dining. Can this be... Pittsburgh?
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
This cute Pennsylvania town is brimming with artistic and cultural energy.
