While camping has been considered one of the more economical ways to travel, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) recently asked campers why they camp, and, surprisingly, the top answers weren’t about money at all. The top responses were reconnecting with nature, getting away from the stress of our lives and spending more time with loved …
Top Starry Skies in the West
Borrego Springs after Dark The small community of Borrego Springs is aptly designated one of only two International Dark Sky Communities in the world. “USA Today” rated Borrego as one of the top ten stargazing locations in the nation. The quiet of the area combined with the dark, star-filled sky make Borrego Springs a …
11 ‘Secret’ Orlando Theme Park Experiences
Think you know everything about Orlando theme parks? Maybe not. Orlando is without doubt one of the most visited destinations in the country, but there is always something new to discover within its top theme park experiences. Here are 11 off-the-beaten-path ways to have fun from Disney World and Universal to Sea World! Find more …
‘Moon-Seekers’ Head to Hawaii
We have full moons, harvest moons, blood moons and blue moons, however, your favorite moon might best be found—not in the sky–but in a tropical, ocean-front destination. For this kind of moon-seeker, Marriott’s prestigious Hawaii Resort Collection has rolled out a half dozen “moon” packages sure to elate any moonchild. Hawaii-goers can choose their ultimate …
Your Ultimate Guide to Arizona’s Spring Training
Roasted peanuts washed down with ice cold beers and the sounds of cracking bats means just one thing in Arizona: Spring Training. Nearly 2 million baseball fans headed to the greater Phoenix area last year to get an advance peek at their favorite teams. This year is a real home run with some delicious new …
More Aulani this Spring Means More Disney Magic
Stepping into the voluminous resort lobby brimming over in Hawaiian legend and art is all it takes to realize that Aulani is unlike any other Disney property you have visited. The resort, a perfect marriage of Disney pixie dust and Hawaiian lore, is a haven of beauty and magic for families and couples alike. And, …
Five Shining Stars: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs likes to call itself the “heart of the American West,” and with good cause. It claims an old west history that is visible today in sprawling cattle ranches, pioneer museums, Gold Rush-era architecture and saddle-in-the-seat adventures from rodeos to horseback riding and mine exploring. And a gold nugget that combines the best of …
Your SoCal ‘Tiki’ Getaway Just a Hula Away
Wouldn’t a Polynesian escape be great about now? Visualize yourself sipping exotic rum drinks while sarong-clad dancers sway to the beat of drums. Flower leis, Tiki torches and white- sand beaches are all part of a “South Pacific state of mind.” If time and budget makes a trip to the islands impossible, don’t worry. It …
Bucket List ‘Must’: Mitchell Caverns off Route 66
The Providence Mountains nestled within the state-run recreation area, in a region otherwise surrounded by National Preserve land, is its own unique desert destination, distinguished by a range of mountains that bring cooler air and a botanic garden of cacti and pinyon. The bright red rhyolite in the higher elevations is home to Bighorn sheep …
Board your ‘Fantasy Flight’ on the Pan Am Experience
If you long for the nostalgic days of flying when passengers dressed up, wined and dined and enjoyed plenty of personal service, then now you can take a “fantasy flight” to relive a romantic era when flying was one of the best parts of your vacation. Before the long security lines, cramped seats and packaged …
Hooray for Hollywood!
In the golden days of glitz and movie-dom glamour, hopeful starlets arrived by the busload to find fame in Hollywood where red-carpet excitement filled the nights, and dreams of stardom could come true while sipping a soda at the corner drugstore. Today, when people refer to Hollywood as the heart of movie-making and celebrity sightings, …
Explore ‘Hidden’ La Jolla
La Jolla’s nickname, the Jeweled City, says it all. It sparkles like a multifaceted gem, from its seven miles of curving beachfront with glittering surf to its hillside estates and bistro- and boutique-filled Village. People come to explore nature at wondrous Torrey Pines State Reserve and play golf on fabled Torrey Pines Golf Course …