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 …
California Travel ‘Begins’ in Sacramento
The city that settled between the Sacramento and American rivers. was founded in 1849, and the historical reminders of Sacramento are everywhere, from Sutter’s Fort to Old Sacramento. The city is well known as California’s state capitol, but did you know that it is also the “Tree Capital of the World?” Fall in the Capitol …
Innsbruck’s Magical Christmas Markets
A favorite destination for those looking for a truly magical yuletide getaway, Innsbruck offers one-of-a-kind shopping experiences in these six enchanting Christmas markets. This year, a new LIGHTSHOW MAX 500 invites visitors to embark on a sparkling journey through time, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the death of Emperor Maximilian I. The audio-visual 3D light …
See Chicago in 3 Days!
Smart Destinations’ Go Chicago Card allows entry into all of the attractions listed in this suggested 3-day Chicago itinerary that allows you to do it all with one single pass. Buy one ticket instead of several to save money and make this whirlwind tour in the Windy City easy to do! DAY 1 Stop #1: …
Trick or Treat Travels? Head to Oregon!
CandyStore.com’s “Most Popular Halloween Candy by State Interactive Map” is a result of an 11- year (2007-2017) study of exclusive sales data to determine the #1 best-selling Halloween candy in each state, as well as the runners up, in pounds of candy sold. The candy experts also offer some interesting facts surrounding this candy-centric holiday: …
Underwater Pumpkin Carving in the Keys
Divers can compete to wow judges with jolly jack-o-lanterns during the anticipated “2018 Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest” on Saturday, Oct. 14 in the idyllic waters off Key Largo. Strapped with dive knives as tools and creative ideas in their heads, crafty carvers are to descend 30 feet beneath the surface in the Florida Keys National …
‘Mine’ Autumn in these Top West Spots
You can “mine” your autumnal treasure in these former gold mining destinations, brimming over in mountain-high natural beauty and recreation. Just remember to pack a warm jacket and don’t forget your camera! Lake Arrowhead Gold You may not know that Southern California’s largest gold mining boom was located close by in Holcomb Valley, about an …
Yosemite’s Back & Fall Perfect
Tenaya Lodge, recent winner of Sunset Magazine’s 2018 Travel Awards for Best Park Classic hotel, has all the makings for an ideal fall getaway. Just minutes from the newly renovated Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tenaya’s fall season includes everything from tours of Yosemite that make a stop at the giant trees to off-roading through …
5 Fun & Funky Fall Stays in Mesa Verde Country
You’ll need lots of time to take in the fall beauty and fun of Mesa Verde Country, near the entrance to glorious Mesa Verde National Park. The nearby towns of Cortez, Dolores and Mancos provide an array of accommodations, dining and outdoor recreation. Named the “Number One Historic Monument in the World” by Conde Nast …
Dinos ‘Invade’ World’s Largest Children’s Museum
Children’s museums are magical places where imagination and education go hand in hand, but it is difficult to find one that surpasses The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Founded in 1925, the museum has moved location and expanded several times since. Nearly 500,000 square feet in size, the current museum is also home to an additional …
Enjoy Scenic California for Less!
One of the best ways to enjoy America’s stunning beauty is by train. And, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight that transports passengers from Los Angeles, winding up the West Coast to Washington with spectacular views of nature, is one of country’s most beautiful train rides. It’s also a very reasonable way of catching the beauty with rates …
Discover the ‘Faraway Land’ of Nantucket
Once on the island, you’ll find remnants of Nantucket’s storied past everywhere—from the native Wampanoag peoples, the island’s original inhabitants, to early European settlements and the island’s dominance in whaling during the mid-18th century. In the downtown district, chic boutiques and art galleries line cobblestone streets while upscale restaurants occupy historic structures. Nantucket has one …