Historic hotels are perfect places for creating lifelong memories, making a visit to one an ideal location for a romantic proposal. You could say that every day is Valentine’s Day at a historic hotel. In fact, many of these romantic destinations have a special spot or package especially designed for proposals. Here is a listing …
5 Top ‘Solomoon’ Adventures that Celebrate YOU!
We’ve all heard of honeymoons, of course. Also, babymoons for couples pre-birth. But how about taking a solomoon? It’s all about practicing self-love through new, exciting experiences, whether you are taking one last solo trip before tying the knot or just enjoying the fun benefits of going as one. This month of love consider making …
Get creative, Valentine
It’s not that we dislike red roses, champagne and chocolates. But a truly creative way to celebrate the day of love is worth a whole year of cupid points. Here are some unique outing ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day in SoCal, from stargazing and desert cruises to sexy jazz. Cruise to Valentine Bliss At …
Orcas Island: A Foodie & Nature-Lover’s Retreat
It seems that tiny Orcas Island in Washington’s San Juans is gaining big-time notoriety. And, it’s well deserved. In fact, the island with a growing foodie reputation was recently included on the New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Go in 2019.” Make this the year you discover the delights of Orcas Island! The …
Find Quirky Events & Mining History in Virginia City
Virginia City, Nevada, is known for two things: mining history and quirky, off-the-wall events. In 2019, those two things come together with the announcement of the historic town’s annual special events lineup. The town’s major fan-favorite and long-running events return, including the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, Chili on the Comstock and Fourth of July, along …
Clearwater Beach – Sand, Sea and Surprises!
Story and photos by Barbara Beckley Look! It’s Hulk Hogan! Well… almost. It was a life-like statue of Hogan outside his boutique, Hogan’s Beach Shop, on Mandalay Avenue in Clearwater Beach, Florida. But it could have been him. “Hogan frequents the Sandpearl Resort across the street,” the store manager told me, as I perused his …
11 ‘Pin-Worthy’ Trips for 2019
Pinterest has released its top travel trends for 2019 and among the most popular searches on the site are bike tours, out-of-the-way towns, less-traveled islands and divine, derelict and dilapidated castles. Here are 11 trips that will help you turn these oft-pinned ideas into reality. Bike the Orient Express Cycle in the tracks of Europe’s …
Explore Galapagos on a Luxury Yacht
Make 2019 the year you visit the wonders of the Galapagos Islands. Better yet, make this a dream trip on a luxury yacht outfitted for 16 lucky passengers! This 8-day/7-night Galapagos Islands cruise with Surtrek takes guests in style to Santa Cruz, Santiago, Isabela, Rabida and San Cristobal islands for closse-up views of the unique …
The West’s Best Polar Express Trips
It is already magical when you have the opportunity to travel aboard one of the West’s historic rails with steam locomotives tracing some of the nation’s most beautiful scenic valleys and mountain ridges. Combine such a journey with a holiday tradition that makes little ones wide-eyed and you have pure holiday magic. Just hop aboard …
Treat Yourself to a Uniquely Greater Palm Springs Tour
See Windmills (Really) Close Up Not long after the dinosaurs “welcome” you to the Coachella Valley along Interstate 10, another landmark signals your arrival in Greater Palm Springs. You are soon greeted by the more than 2,000 towering “ambassadors” that make up the wind-powered energy farms of the region. Even if you’ve never been to …
Soar (backwards) over Snowy Big Bear
Skiers and snowboarders at Big Bear Mountain Resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, may or may not be in for the record snowfalls, but that’s not a problem. Although the most recent storm dropped a respectable amount of snow, the $12 million investment in snowmaking equipment a few years ago guarantees snow buffs non-stop powdery …
Lots to Love in Lompoc
For wine-lovers like me, Lompoc’s stellar location – at the base of the award-winning Santa Rita Hills wine region – makes it a perfect base of operations for wine tasting. It is also a great place to find a few secrets to discover! I arrived on a recent weekend, checked into the year-old Hilton Garden …