Top 5 driving holidays

Provence (photo by Robert Brink)

The price of gas is going up, and driving holidays are not as popular as they used to be, but if you have some money saved up and a car that won’t cause you any trouble on a longer trip, missing out on the experience of a true roadtrip would be a shame indeed.

A driving holiday channels a feeling of adventure and freedom that few other kinds of travel experiences can offer. And if the road is scenic, then there should be nothing to stop you from enjoying it. So fill up your tank, grab some CD’s with music for the road, and pick one of the top 5 driving holidays. …

The best camping spots in the US

Since it’s the beginning of November, one would think that the weather is not warm enough for camping in the temperate regions. But if it’s not raining and the weather is mild enough, why should you not go out in the nature for a few days at least? Besides, in the fall season you won’t have to worry about insect bites, heat rashes and dog days.

All you need is a good tent and a warm sleeping bag, a pot to heat water in, and some good humor. After all, there is no obstacle that a creative camper can’t overcome. So here are the best camping spots in the US, where you can commune with nature for a while. …

Most fascinating ghost towns in the Wild West

I’m Sure that all of us has had a phase in our childhoods when we where head over heals in love with western movies, cowboys and duels between the good guys and the bad guys. Western movies don’t seem to be as popular nowadays as during the first half f the 20th century.

Italian spaghetti westerns were in vogue in the 60’s and 70’s, but now there seem to be a painful lack of new, fresh westerns. But if you miss the feel of a good western replete with saloons, sheriffs and bank-robbers, here’s what you can do: visit a real life ghost town. With a little bit of imagination, you will feel transported back to the 19th century. …

5 Most Disastrous Oil Spills in History

The Louisiana oil spill has been officially declared as the worst oil spill in history of the United States. Unlike most such accidents, which are usually caused by an oil tank being damaged, the leak generated by the BP platform explosion seems unstoppable. And while accusations and solutions are trying to make sense out of this controversial case, thousands of birds and sea animals die suffocated by the oil layer.

Dolphins, pelicans, crabs and sea turtles are only few of the species whose existence is being jeopardized by the oil spill, not to mention the fact that some of the best Florida beaches are now covered in oil residue and tar balls. The only hope is for the Deepwater Horizon spill to be stopped before becoming the worst spill ever: and judging by its predecessors, statistics look quite gloomy: …

Five US food fairs that are hard to resist

As much as one will keep going on and on about his inspiring road trips and out of the ordinary travel experiences, now one can affirm that he/she has experienced the real America without getting to taste its food.  The United States might seem like a fast food nation, but few other countries can display such an enormous diversity of ingredients, combinations and ethnic influences.

While even the smallest town will have at least one Chinese or Mexican restaurant, bigger cities go as far as organizing annual ethnic food fests and being home to trend setting restaurants. From here and there, we managed to bundle up a brief list of USA’s most appealing food fairs. …

Fun Easter destinations: Five Ski Resorts That Rock

In the last post I was suggesting some less conventional ways to spend Easter, among which I also included toe possibility to go for a short ski vacation. Fortunately, the Rockies are still tucked under a  thick layer of snow, so, no matter whether you prefer the slopes of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado or California, you will be able to ski in the same perfect conditions (and even get some nice tan). An impromptu ski vacation won’t give you too much trouble if you have the necessary equipment and a  spacious four wheel vehicle. In case you need to take the plane, it might get a little pricier (tickets have a tendency to get really expensive near Easter).

However, in terms of skiing, April is far out of the peak season, so accommodation and equipment rental rates will have significantly reduced. Based on some recent snow reports and also on the amount of fun they are likely to provide, here are the most recommended USA ski resorts for the Easter break: …

Valentine Weekend Travel Ideas

February’s most expected event is finally here! This weekend, couples all over the world will celebrate their love for each other with flowers, candies, romantic dinners and cheesy Valentine cards. Valentine’s Day has long crossed the borders of USA and Western Europe and is now celebrated all over the world.

Despite the fact that Valentine’s Day going global has attracted a lot of criticism (many people would say that it’s just a marketing strategy), more and more people continue to celebrate it every year. After all, any occasion to show your affection for your partner is a good occasion, so, if you forgot or neglected to make some plans for the upcoming weekend, now it’s high time you figured out something. And since such short deadlines are prone to block one’s creativity, here are some ideas on where and how to spend the Valentine’s weekend: …

Disneyland@Anaheim

Anaheim’s remarkable location, right in the middle of the kingdom of oranges (or, as we know it today, Orange County, California) is a good enough reason for us to realize that Anaheim had been always predestined to become famous.

But more than a century had passed since Anaheim’s foundation by a group of German settles till one of the most creative minds of the 20^th century, Walt Disney, decided to make another one of his daring dreams cone true and create an amusement park. …

Sacramento and all that Jazz

Sacramento

Although Sacramento is California’s capital, the city has always lived in the shadow of the much acclaimed Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you happen to spend some days in the Lovely California, it is worth taking a trip to the state’s capital. Sacramento’s old district still preserves much of the Old West look, with its cobbled streets, steam locomotives and paddle boats navigating down the river.
Visiting Old Sacramento and its historic attractions will help you make an idea about how Sacramento looked like in the 19^th century, when the Gold Rush had reached its peak (you’ll find more information on Sacramento’s attraction in this Sacramento Travel Guide). …

Family-Friendly Beaches across the United States

Nothing says summer like a trip to a white-powdery sand beach rimmed by azure water just perfect for surfing, diving or near coral reefs for snorkeling or sailing in between. Long strolls on the soft sand, swimming, enjoying fresh cocktails while lazing on a lounge chair, these are the elements that make for an ideal getaway. In spite of the varied range of possibilities you can choose from when planning your summer holiday, there’s nothing more suitable for the hot season than a sun-drenched beach. Admittedly, it all depends on each traveler’s interests. Nevertheless, when travelling alongside your children, things get slightly more complicated as the priorities are way different: you search for amusement, sandcastle potential, water featuring small waves and all instead of a bustling nightlife. Hence, for those of you penciling a family vacation, here are the best five kid-friendly beaches across the United States. …