Beach Vacations for the Active Traveler

Almost everyone loves a beach vacation, but some people want to do more than just veg out in the sun all day.  Here are three beach destinations for the active traveler.

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world, literally spewing adventure. The Big Island also has beaches, rolling hills, a rainforest, and two mountains that top out near 14,000 feet! With roughly 266 miles of coastline and an area twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands put together, you could visit the Big Island for months and not get bored.

Santa Monica, California, combines the beach, shopping, eating, and exercising all into one.  Some 400 restaurants and nearly 500 shops are packed into the city’s 8 square miles.  And a 22-mile ride on the South Bay Bike Trail leads you past the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, letting you experience the laid-back Cali vibe.

Florida’s Everglades National Park has nearly 100 miles of wilderness waterways that can be paddled on a weeklong foray. Overnight trips in the backcountry require permits, but these campsites offer the best window into the diverse Everglades ecosystem. It’s also a great area to catch some fresh or saltwater fish.  Just be sure to take your bug spray!

So fill your days with fun in the sun and enjoy some adventure on your next beach vacation!

Honeymoon Destinations on a Budget

After stressing out over the location, the food, the guest list, the dress, the hair, the colors, the mother-of-the-bride, the chairs, the music, the crazy uncle, the lighting, the flowers…. Your reward is to steal away for the best vacation of your life with your new bride or groom.

 Barbados

The most eastern island in the Caribbean, which is only 21 miles long and a smile wide (as the locals say), Barbados can offer luxury at a low cost.  With maximum daily temperatures between 75-85*F, Barbados can be a beach getaway destination anytime of the year, which is a major plus for honeymooners. If you are looking for endless white sand beaches stay on the west & south coasts of the island, from St. Lucy to Christ Church.  But if you crave adventure, explore the caves of Harrison’s Cave in St. Thomas or surf the waves on the Eastern side of the island. Don’t forget to try the rum punch, which the Bajan’s say no visit to Barbados is complete without.

Canadian Rockies

Nestled between British Columbia and Alberta, the mountain air in the Canadian Rockies will clear your senses and snuggling up on a crisp night will be just perfect. If you are honeymooning in the summer, plan on hiking Banff National Park and canoeing on Lake Louise.  Also consider taking a train ride from Vancouver with panoramic views of the mountains, meadows, and wildlife.  Alistair also recommends heading to Banff & Lake Louise in the off-season. “If you go in the winter, you’ll have access to three world-class ski resorts within minutes of Banff and be sure to take a drive on the famous Icefields Parkway that runs between Lake Louise and Jasper, the beauty will amaze you,” he says.

Riviera Maya

Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a sure bet for great deals.  With the largest hotel infrastructure in Mexico, newlyweds can certainly find the beach honeymoon they always dreamed of.  The plethora of all-inclusive resorts will allow you to forget all responsibilities and focus on each other, while enjoying the amenities like swimming in the magnificent pools, catching rays on the white sand beaches, or getting a massage while the waves roll in.  The Riviera Maya also boast the largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere, so plan a snorkeling or scuba diving trip to this underwater world.

Go On A Cruise

Want a cheaper vacation where you travel to a few different destinations, but you don’t have to pack and unpack your suitcase five times? Then book a cruise for your honeymoon.  You’ll have a few days to relax while the ship is at sea and then a few days to explore the different ports your ship pulls into.  If you want to go all out, you can book couples massages, special dinners, and on-shore excursions, but you can still have a wonderful time without all the extras too.  Like any vacation, do some research to find out the culture of a cruise line or ship; if you want a quiet, romantic honeymoon, stray from the ships that focus on families and the kiddos.

Great Travel Destinations

There are two kinds of travelers out there: those who plan and those who wing it. But what they have in common is a love of travel and exploring new destinations. Whether you take two-day weekend trips or 10-day vacations, here are some must-see destinations.

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England
Now that the London Summer Olympics have passed, 2013 is the perfect year to visit England. The permanent venues like the aquatics center and stadium, along with the Olympic park, are being converted for public use and will open as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by midsummer. Olympic Village, the former athlete basecamp, was converted into an apartment and condo complex, which is now called East Village. But don’t spend all your time looking at Olympic venues. London, and England as a whole, is famous for so much more, such as literature, history, architecture, and even fish and chips.

Birmingham, Ala.
If you’re into history and like the idea of a southern road trip, then check out Birmingham. 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of pivotal events that led to the civil rights movement that ultimately ended segregation in the 1950s and 60s. Birmingham plans to celebrate all year with special exhibitions, symphonies concerts, plays and commemorative historic tours. To make it a true road trip, tack on the journey from Selma to Montgomery, which is a National Historic Trail.

Finger Lakes, N.Y.
If visiting wine country is on your bucket list, you might think a trip to California is your only domestic option. But if you want to skip the massive crowds of Napa or happen to live closer to the East Coast, the Finger Lakes region in New York State is the place to go. The area is the largest wine producer east of California, yielding more than 40,000 tons of grapes a year. Not only is wine a highlight, there are two newly created self-guided trails that highlight cheese and sweets. The two trails feature around 15 artisan cheese makers and sweet creators. Once you’re full, check out the 87-mile Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway and the Corning Museum of Glass, home to the largest glass collection in the world.

Mississippi River steamboat cruise
In 2012 the American Queen Steamboat Company started running the largest steamboat ever built up the Mississippi River. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you rediscover the history and beauty of America’s heartland. Shore excursions at destinations such as New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and Minneapolis are included, depending on which cruise you take, and the dining, headed by famed American chef Regina Charboneau, focuses on regional favorites.

Alaska Marine Highway System
Alaska stretches out over 656,000 square miles of space, so exploring the state is a once-in-a-lifetime memorable trip. And 2013 is the year to do it, as Alaska’s Marine Highway celebrates its founding 50 years ago. Today, 11 ferries travel over 3,500 miles on the “marine highway” between Washington State and Alaska’s Aleutian islands. Visitors who take this route will come away with a deep understanding of Alaska’s diverse and scenic coastline and communities.

Destinations for Family Vacations

If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination that goes beyond kiddie rides and water slides, here are three hot-spots that parents will enjoy just as much as the kids.

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Mackinac Island, Michigan, happily sits at the meeting point of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron near the Canadian border.  This historic island has been a family-vacation destination since the mid-1800’s, and it banned motorized vehicles more than 100 years ago.  The result is a laid-back destination that has safe and easy access to shopping, food, history, and nature.

Amelia Island is a quaint beach destination just 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Florida.  On this barrier island, you and the children will find 13 miles of beautiful beaches to play on; but break away from the surf to check out the 117 holes of world-class golf and two luxurious spas.

Salem, Massachusetts, is a great destination for families who enjoy being among history.  You can choose different self-guided walking tours that wind through the beautiful streets, past the historic cemeteries, and down by the harbor.  Also, get a hands-on learning experience at the homes and mansions that were built and lived in by many notable Colonial figures.

So make this the year to branch out and visit a timeless destination, where you’re sure to create some long-lasting memories.

International Travel Tips

Whether you’re going to see the great sights of Europe or visit a tiny village in the South Pacific, international travel takes some planning. Here are four key tips to make sure things go smoothly.

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First, get passports and visas.  About 2 to 3 months before your departure, make sure that everyone in your group, including newborns, has a valid passport.  Also, find out if your travel will require you to carry a visa.  Some countries require them and others don’t, but don’t procrastinate, because some application processes can take weeks.

Second, tee up your cell phones and credit cards.  If you plan on making phone calls or searching the web while overseas, find out how much it will cost you. You might decide to add an international roaming plan or use video chat instead.  Also, notify your bank and ask about surcharges for credit card purchases while abroad.

Third, learn the roads.  Before you rent a car, get familiar with the local driving conditions, laws, and customs. Country-specific information can be found on the U.S. State Department’s International Travel site.

Fourth, familiarize yourself with the destination’s culture.  Learn basic phrases like hello, yes, and no. Also, find out if there are any customs, such as appropriate attire, that might be different from your own culture.

Traveling internationally can seem overwhelming, but with a little planning, you’ll be on your way!

Girlfriend Getaways

Girlfriend getaways have become more and more popular, and planning a girls-only trip can be a blast with so many options out there.  I’ve selected three vacation ideas to help you and your girlfriends escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

First on the list, plan a shopping spree! Places like New York City’s 5th Avenue and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile are perfect destinations; and considering that women make the overwhelming majority of household purchasing decisions, most of them are very familiar with the word “shop.” Imagine a weekend focused solely around this concept… toss in a few of your favorite girlfriends and a department store itinerary, and you have a shopping spree getaway.

Love to be pampered? Consider doing a spa and wellness weekend with the girls.  Destination spas around the U.S. and Mexico offer an enticing menu of spa treatments and exercise classes. A girls’ getaway to a spa resort will leave you feeling relaxed and renewed by the end of your stay.

Cruises are an easy, and relatively cheap, way to escape with the ladies.  You can book with a cruise line or even charter your own yacht in the Caribbean.  The best thing about cruises is that food, entertainment, and sometimes even drinks are included, and you can do as few or as many activities as you want.

So grab your best girlfriends and leave your everyday stresses at home, at least for a long weekend anyway.

Highlights of Charleston, South Carolina

Every year, nearly four million tourists flock to Charleston, South Carolina, originally called Charles Town when it was settled in the 1600s. Charleston’s entire downtown is considered a National Historic Landmark, and it’s here where the visitors can take in a bit of history, as well as a plethora of dining, shopping, and cultural options. And that’s not to say anything of the nearby beaches. If you’re planning a trip to this charming southern gem, there are certain things to do/see/eat that are very Charleston and worthy of any traveler’s “must” list. In no particular order, here are some of the highlights…

Take a picnic dinner and watch the sunset on Sullivan’s Island
About 10 miles east of Charleston, you’ll find the wide and relatively quiet beach of Sullivan’s Island. Author Edgar Allan Poe called this island home while he was stationed here in the army for 13 months. If you don’t want to pack a picnic, stop in at Poe’s Tavern, named after the author and known for its burgers and fish tacos. Be warned, this establishment has no wait list… it’s a hover-and-grab-a-table-when-you-can kind of place.

Take a carriage ride through historic downtown
Five carriage companies operate in the district, and many can be found lining North Market Street near their stables on Anson Street. In an effort to cut down on too much carriage traffic, the city instituted a lottery system to determine which neighborhoods and historic buildings a particular carriage ride will cover. So you may need to take a few rides to see everything on your list. Reservations are usually not needed.

Have a drink and appetizer at The Gin Joint on East Bay Street
You’ll find a pre-Prohibition menu, so vodka is not behind the small bar, but locals say you won’t even miss it. I recommend trying the Gin and Basil Smash drink with an order (or two!) of the homemade soft pretzels with sriracha cheese. Both of these items are delicious and addictive, so be careful!

Visit Folly Beach
Folly is a laid-back surfer town about 11 miles south of downtown Charleston. This is the only beach that allows consumption of alcohol on the beach itself, but make sure it is in a plastic cup. No visible bottles or cans are allowed.

Have shrimp and grits at Poogan’s Porch on Queen Street
Housed in a grand Victorian home, this is one of the oldest, independent culinary establishments in Charleston, and the menu is all things lowcountry, from buttermilk biscuits to fried chicken. If you like ghost stories, ask about the upstairs bathroom, and if you do not, don’t go alone.

Go shopping on King Street
This is Charleston’s own Magnificent Mile. Along this street, stores range from high-end fashion to local southern boutiques where you can get the latest in seersucker. If you like antiquing, check out the stores closer to the Broad Street end.

Have grilled banana bread for breakfast at Hominy Grill
Hominy Grill sits at the intersection of Cannon Street and Rutledge Avenue, north of the main downtown area. There is a small parking lot attached, and customers can park in the neighborhoods for one hour. The key here is to go early, and preferably during the week, to avoid a long wait.

Walk the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
The bridge is also known as the Cooper River Bridge, and each year around the beginning of April, close to 50,000 people gather for the Cooper River Bridge Run, which starts in Mount Pleasant, crosses over the bridge, and finishes in Marion Square downtown. If you don’t feel like joining the hordes, park at one end and walk part or all of the bridge for some beautiful views of the harbor and downtown.

Have lunch at Husk
Chef Sean Brock, a James Beard Award-winner, has put this all-southern restaurant on the map. Inside you’ll find a chalkboard that lists the origin of all of the menu’s ingredients, the definition of farm-to-fork. Lunch is your best best, as the prices are about half of those on the dinner menu and you might actually get a reservation. Yes, you must make reservations, even for lunch in the middle of the week.

Visit a Piggly Wiggly supermarket
This is an odd one to put on here, but having moved away from the South a few years ago, I love walking into this store and seeing the T-shirts that exclaim “I’m Big On The Pig!”

Have some fresh seafood, an order of fried chicken, and a shot of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
When seafood comes off the boats and on to your plate, there is probably nothing tastier. Places like Bowen’s Island, Fleet Landing, and others have great seafood menus. Fried chicken, or really anything fried, is so very southern and delicious. Everyday, customers line the block to experience the southern charm and fried goodness at Jestine’s Kitchen downtown. Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka is made about 45 minutes west of Charleston, and you’ll find it in almost every restaurant. It is good by itself, or try it in an Arnold Palmer.

If you have extra time, here are some more ideas…
Have a drink on one of the rooftop bars. Visit Fort Sumter, or at least spot it from Battery Park. Walk by Rainbow Row on East Bay Street. Visit a plantation. Visit some of the historical churches and graveyards in downtown. Take a ghost tour.