United States (107)
With a population of just over 32,000, in Upstate's Finger Lakes region on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, a 3½-hour drive from capital Albany and a bit over four hours from New York City, Ithaca is a prominent college town but also a a “gorges” city. I say that because it's surrounded by rocky gorges, many of them with waterfalls - more than 150 within a ten-mile radius. Within the city limi
Wallpaper Flare
The Golden State is a bonanza for lovers of nature and the great outdoors, and in addition to natural beauty, its most stunning freshwater reservoir lakes usually offer a plethora of activities and amenities - swimming, boating, fishing, and various other pursuits on the lands surrounding them. And here's a round-up of some of the state's most popular with visitors from near and far:
Located at an altitude of more than 6,700 feet In the 824,000-acre San Bernardi
The Outer Banks, a 200-mile-long string of barrier islands along the North Carolina coast, are a beach-driving paradise, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, covering some 70 miles of it, is a great place to park your RV for an amazing vacation. Where exactly you choose to do so will depend on your budget and your choice of camping style.
Currently there is no admission fee to the National Seashore if you just wish to walk the beaches, swim, picnic, and play water sports such as kayaking,
Attracting more than 120 million holidaymakers annually, the Sunshine State is famously home to many beautiful beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and is known for its bright sunshine, tall palm trees, crystal clear turquoise waters, expansive beaches, theme parks; and resorts. And here's our list of picks (obviously by no means exhaustive) of a dozen of the best resorts - from very affordable to very exclusive, and intimate to enormous - across
Founded by Mormons in 1847 in the Salt Lake Valley amid the Wasatch Mountains, the capital and largest city of Utah (population around 200,000, metro area 1.3 million) is a singular place indeed, and visitors flock to see Salt Lake City's impressive landmarks as well as enjoy its culture and nearby nature and outdoor activities.
Splorticus
Top landmarks not to miss include Temple Square, the heart of the city, a walled, 35-acre district which is home to some 20 spots related to the Church
Whether you want to catch the glimpse of awe-inspiring sunrise at Haleakala National Park; take to the water on a whale-watching adventure; snorkel around Molokini; or taste some of the Hawaiian Islands' best pineapples, there's is a tour in this list that fits well with your interests. Analyzing both expert opinion and traveller sentiment, we've determined more than a dozen of the best, which all feature trained veteran guides keen to share their insights about the Valley Isle’s astonishing
Still one of the planet’s top destinations, this flashy vision in the USA's Nevada desert is of course world-famous for its world-class casinos, shopping, shows, dining, nightlife, and attractions. But most of us wouldn’t necessarily think of “Sin City” as a place for museum mavens and culture vultures. And yet, in my visits to Las Vegas I’ve come across some pretty impressive museums indeed, along both traditional and also definitely untraditional lines. Sadly, the Liberace Mu
“You want me to go where?” I shouted in my mind as I barreled down a harrowingly steep embankment leading into a wall of mud -- and gravel-encased woods. I was driving – or more accurately surviving – an ATV excursion at the Primland Resort in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. near the North Carolina border and an hour and a half south of the city of Roanoke.
On the hourlong ride, when I was willing to unclutch the steering wheel long enough to wave at an occasional wild turkey, pheasant, or d
When I encountered my first giant sequoia in Mariposa Grove, my head did not tilt back far enough to see the top. Walking around the trunk practically required a GPS. Leaving noise and civilization behind to walk among these ancient trees brought us to the famous "Grizzly Giant," the grove’s elder statesman, which rivals the Statue of Liberty in height and sports a branch extending outward that is larger than the trunks of most trees.
Welcom
"Nature's Grace" along the Maine Sculpture Trail. Photo by Alan Stubbs
Some people are traipsing through lovely landscapes as others explore history from days of North America's earliest tribal peoples to the present. Avid birders use binoculars to spot colorful feathered friends in flight while canoers and kayakers dip paddles into the water. At the end of the day, many of these visitors to Panama City, Florida, belly up to an oyster bar to enjoy freshly shucked bivalves prepared in a variety
Library of Congress
The USA's 19th largest city (pop. 693,000, metro area 3.1 million), and at 5,280 feet (1,609 meters) its highest-altitude, has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1859 as a gold-rush mining town. Sleepy at first, much of the "Mile-High City's" growth didn't pick up steam until the 1890s, with the real boom not kicking in till after World War II. Today, this dynamic, high-tech bastion is a major business, cultural, and sports power which trends young and cosmopolita
There are a lot of things to love about the city of Denver Colorado. It's setting alone is an awe-inspiring one. The city sits in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Your first time seeing the city in the distance as you approach it is one that you will never forget. There is also a lot to see and do once you get to the Mile High City. The nightlife in the city is legendary and there is an endless array of bars, pubs, clubs, and music venues to check out. It is also a hub for sports fans. Wheth
William Byrd III was a man of great stature in colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. His vast estate included mills, warehouses and ships, and he owned hundreds of slaves. However due to his lavish lifestyle and gambling addiction, he could not live within his income, lost his wealth and died - it’s believed by suicide - in 1760.
Christiana Campbell operated one of Williamsburg’s most successful taverns, where she hosted the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
How would you like to spend a night or more at a hotel once frequented by Clark Gable, Ingrid Berman, Marilyn Monroe and a long list of other Tinseltown luminaries? Or snuggle down under the sheets at a former stagecoach stop along the famous Chisolm Trail which played host to George Custer, the cavalry commander in the Civil and American Indian Wars, and Jesse James, who needs no introduction? If luxury and elegance are your preference, how about the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington,
Hilton Head Island, off South Carolina's Low Country coast, has been a resort destination for 65 years now, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, world-class beaches, and golf courses. The island's hub is Forest Beach, dubbed its "unofficial dowtown," it includes Coligny Plaza, the best place to go shopping or dining, along with a duck pond in the middle of the plaza. On summer nights the area is especially active, with live music, magic shows, and concerts on every corner (also, hea
Commonly known as the Grand Canyon State, Arizona is and for the many deserts that cover large masses of the state that are filled with the famous saguaro cacti as well as prickly pears. Fewer people, though, realize that a quarter of the state is covered in lush forests -including the biggest virgin Ponderosa pine forest in the USA.
With sunshine around 85 percent of the year, southern Arizona has been giving Florida and California a run for their money as a holiday destination. a perfect
Vidu Gunaratna
by Marita Acosta
Some time ago I happened to run across that toothy old classic Jaws online, and as I watched, the impossibly picturesque maritime settings and endless beaches awakened in me a nostalgia for the light, colours, sounds, and tastes of summertime holidays. It was then I discovered that the film's fictional Amity Island is actually ritzy Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, a 45-minute to hourlong ferry ride from Cape Cod.
Come summer, one of the USA's most exclusive (and