Linda Terrill and her mother, Marguerite Oberg, both of Atlanta, seek out adventures:

"Without a doubt, the Galapagos Islands top the list of places less traveled.

Linda Terrill/Special (ENLARGE)
Linda Terrill and her mother, Marguerite Oberg, learned about many species on the Galapagos Islands, including the giant tortoise, which can sleep 16 hours a day.
Linda Terrill/Special (ENLARGE)
Marguerite Oberg, 83, of Atlanta, visited the Galapagos Islands with her daughter, Linda Terrill, 50.
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"Over the past four years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to accompany my 83-year-old mother on a number of trips that many consider off the beaten path: the Galapagos Islands, China, the Baltic states, Scandinavia, Russia, Tahiti and most recently Antarctica.

"Our most recent trip [in January] was to Antarctica via Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a side trip to Iguaçu Falls. Touring the glaciers of Antarctica on Zodiacs and experiencing a wild trip through Drake's Passage (tolerated with the help of Dramamine) provided an almost overload of beautiful, amazing and extraordinary vistas and sights that a photograph could never truly capture.

"Our adventure to the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador, remains the most wondrous trip of all. The small ship carried only 90 passengers, who toured the islands in groups of 14 so that no more than 20 to 30 people were ever on an island at one time (very strict environmental laws to protect the islands and animals).

"We were transported from ship to shore on Zodiacs escorted by certified naturalists who educated us on the many species, history, science and environmental aspects of each of our two daily island excursions. Our group — named the Cormorants — was made up of individuals from six different countries, and we all became fast friends.

"Until actually visiting the islands, it was hard to comprehend what it would be like to step around hundreds of giant iguanas to get down a path or come within a few feet of sea lions and their pups or inches from thousands of Sally Lightfoot crabs or witness the dance of mating albatrosses. It is impossible to fully describe the wonders of the islands and its animals. The Galapagos Islands should be a must-do trip for anyone looking to wander off the beaten path."