A two-hour drive from San Francisco, northern California´s Sonoma County with its picturesque landscapes and wineries producing world-class wines is an utterly enchanting haven for oenophiles seeking an unforgettable getaway. There are plenty of historic sites and other fetching spots, including the 201-year old Spanish Mission San Francisco Solano; the former Russian trading post Fort Ross, founded in 1812; the ranch of iconic 20th-century writer Jack London, woodsy resort area Russian River;
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The United States is a dream destination for many travellers. With its dynamic cities, diverse landscapes, thrilling theme parks, and vast national parks the USA offers something for everyone. If you are planning a family-friendly vacation that provides a wholesome experience to the entire family – USA is just right for you. The United States of America is a destination that will be entertaining for the whole family. The country has a range of attractions designed to enchant visitors of all ages
The City of Angels boasts an exhaustive range of exciting things to see, do, and eat - to mention just a few: the La Brea Tar Pits; the Natural History Museum; funky Venice Beach; hiking towards the famous Hollywood sign; catching a performance at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater; tours past the Beverly Hills homes and to the graves of the stars; gay-popular West Hollywood; the interactive GRAMMY Museum; the Last Bookstore; and the historical Hotel Figueroa. But in our opinion, here
Sometimes, all you need for an outing is some good shoes and a small bottle of water. However, for a more serious adventure that Yosemite National Park provides, you need some more serious preparation. You don’t want to end up in a pickle, stranded in the middle of nowhere, hungry, thirsty, and afraid!
So here’s a small guide that will ensure a comfy, safe, and successful Yosemite experience for all adventurers!
1. Check the Weather and Trail Conditions
Before venturing into the vast expans
Wellness travel meets horses at a particular subset of guest ranches, which focus on eco-experiences where you will be inspired to heal yourself and the planet, activities such as "wild yoga," and of course exhilarating horseback rides powered by Mother Nature. If this appeals to you, here are ten wonderful ranches to consider in the United States and Canada:
Triple Creek Resort Ranch, Montana
This 30,000-acre Relais & Château retreat has mastered the fine art of healthy holiday hedoni
California, the land of sunshine, sprawling vineyards, and world-renowned wines, often conjures images of buttery Chardonnays and bold Cabernet Sauvignons. But what if I told you there's a whole other side to the California wine story, waiting to be explored? A side where lesser-known white grape varieties whisper tales of innovation, terroir, and unique flavor profiles? Buckle up California wine lovers, because we're diving into the exciting world of California's "underdog" white grapes!
Why
California is a state of contrasts, offering something for everyone. Whether you are looking for sunny beaches, scenic mountains, vibrant cities, or charming towns, you will find it in the Golden State. Here are some of the best places to visit in California, along with some tips on how to get there and where to stay.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, home to Hollywood, Disneyland, and countless celebrities. But there is more to LA than glitz and glamour. You
Among the many allures of the City of Angels are its beaches, serving up a Baywatch vibe of "endless summer" all year round, and here are eight choice examples, from Malibu to South Bay.
This winery is more than just a producer of fine wines in the heart of Sonoma County's picturesque landscapes. Balletto Family Vineyards is a story woven into the very fabric of this wine-rich region, and its tale is as captivating as the wines it crafts. Come along with us as we discover the secrets and stories behind Balletto Family Vineyards, a place where passion and tradition meet, and every Balletto wine bottle is a testament to the dedication of its maker. Browse our online wine store for
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Google recently released its list of its most popular searches during 2022, and when it comes to scenic spots in the United States there are some surprises. For starters, “scenic spots” in Google’s definition does not include iconic places like Vermont’s Technicolor White Mountains in fall or the yawning Grand Canyon in Arizona (and by the waym more about canyons later). Instead, Google users were primarily interested in where to see and photograph some of Moth
Carol Highsmith
Great Danes!
Nestled in Southern California's Santa Ynez Valley, a 45-minute drive north of Santa Barbara and a bit over two hours from Los Angeles, this small town of just over 6,100 offers visitors a unique blend of nature and culture. One of Solvang's top attractions is its unique Danish, which you can explore by strolling its charming streets. Founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, and its downtown remodeled in the 1940s to reflect that country's architectural heritage, Sol
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
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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.
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Welcom
In California's San Luis Obispo County, some 3½ hours north of Los Angeles, this charming small town is known for its beaches and wineries, but also has a number of other cool attractions well worth your time, from historical to cultural. Here are eight of the coolest; for a complete list of Pismo Beach attractions, click here.
Be enchanted by butterflies at the Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Enjoy the sunset at Pismo Pier.
Explore sand banks in buggies at Oceano Pismo Dune
When exploring the vast open spaces of the Western United States, millions of travelers visit iconic National Parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. For the uninitiated, Death Valley National Park may appear to simply be a wasteland with record breaking temperatures famous for frying eggs on blacktop. But dig deeper and you have one of the country’s largest National Parks with extremely comfortable daytime winter and early spring temperatures rarely climbing above 85 degrees. There are magnifi
A small city at the lower end of northern California, Paso Robles dates back to the Spanish mission era of the 18th century, and wine making may have here as early as 1797, but it wasn’t until six wineries were established throughout the 1940s that the region began developing a reputation for premium California wine.
Fast forward to today where some reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, "out Bordeaux" France's Bordeaux and rival certain internationally recognized wine regions north of San Fra
It's really hard to beat a road trip across California's Central Coast. Challenging but spectacular terrain, wine regions rivaling Napa, beach towns ranging from art enclaves to laid back surfer hangouts, and eclectic lodging at every turn drive you forward towards new discoveries. But if Mother Nature isn't cooperating and extreme weather leads to coastal mud slides over the Pacific Coast Highway, here is an alternative approach:
San Francisco Touchdown
There are other logical points of arrival
Don Ramey Logan
Northern California offers some of the USA's loveliest road tripping, with scenic views, great beaches, beach towns and state parks as well as attractions such as the Monterey Aquarium and the Carmel Mission. One particularly appealing stretch is the 122 miles (196 kilometers) between San Francisco and the town of Carmel along coastal Highway 1. You can drive it in a little over two hours, but there's so much to see and do along here that you could easily spend a week stoppi
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by Felice Hardy
Speaking to my fellow Europeans, if you’ve gone skiing or snowboarding on the Continent but not yet in North America, you’re in for a real treat. Welcome to an unexpected world in which everyone seems to be intent upon you having a good time.
Take ski school for example - in Europe, some still have the attitude “You are here to learn first, have fun second.” Whilst in North America it’s the other way around.
For this is a world where “standing in line” (queuing) has been
