Travel blog

It appeared the small town of Nome, Alaska was doomed. Isolated by bad weather and miles of frozen tundra, the diphtheria outbreak of 1925 would surely mean certain death for the men, women, and children trapped in this remote corner of Alaska. Racing against time, teams of heroic sled dogs tore across 700 miles of harsh, unforgiving terrain to deliver the medicine that would stem the outbreak and save the town.

If you’ve been watching the news, you know the centennial for our National Parks Service created a rush of visitors to the country’s favorite outdoor treasures. The good news is that a new generation of Americans got to experience these amazing landmarks; the bad news is that many were turned away at the gate. To avoid the rush of visitors to the most popular National Parks this summer, here are some tips to consider before you travel:

The musical story of Nashville began in the late 1700s when early settlers buck-danced along the shores of the Cumberland River.

By the 1800s, this frontier was scored by the fiddle playing of Davy Crockett and the local Fisk Jubilee Singers embarked on the first around-the-world tour. The group caught the attention of the Queen of England who famously claimed the talented singers must come from the “Music City.”

Like stepping stones leading to the sea, the hexagonal pillars of Giant’s Causeway are like nothing you’ve ever seen. A honeycomb of 40,000 columns poking up along the shore, these formations were created 60 million years ago by molten lava that crystallized into basalt pillars as it hit the frigid waters. If you plan to visit Ireland, this other-worldy attraction is a must. However, here are five tips you’ll need to keep in mind when traveling to Giant’s Causeway:

The nostalgia of rail travel is giving way to the rebirth of train-based tourism. From Europe to Alaska, the romance of riding the rails is attracting a whole new crop of train enthusiasts, and movies like Murder on the Orient Express are reigniting the allure. In fact, vintage train travel is one of the travel trends to watch in the upcoming year. Here are three unforgettable train excursions you can enjoy on a YMT Vacations package tour:

Erecting a column of more than 25 tons is no easy task, especially when the only tools at your disposal are made of stone, wood, and bone. Such was the inconceivable task facing the prehistoric builders of Stonehenge.

The labor involved in quarrying, transporting, and erecting the massive columns points to a vast amount of resources and huge numbers of people. The fact that the entire operation took place over a millennium is evidence of the people’s intense commitment to the task.

It was 40 years ago when the music died at Graceland. The home that Elvis Presley bought in 1957 so that he and his mamma and dad could “stretch out in,” would never be the same. Following a $137 million expansion project this year, the famous home is welcoming visitors once again. In addition, the campus features two museums, a performance sound stage, and multiple shops and restaurants -- all honoring the life and legacy of Memphis’ famous son. Here’s what to see and do at Graceland:

The top travel trends for 2018 are out and they are good news for thrifty, budget-conscious travelers and those on fixed incomes. According to the list created by DailyMail.com, one of the things we can expect in 2018 is a move away from lavish escapes in favor of more authentic experiences found off-the-beaten-path. One of the main trends we can expect to see is a rise in grassroots, local dining where refinement is measured by the quality of the experience -- not the thread count of the linens or the number of stars the restaurant holds.

The small Italian town of Orvieto seems to have somehow escaped the temptation to give into progress. While other tourist destinations have a Starbucks on every corner and four-lane highways rush past ancient monuments, it’s still possible to close your eyes and imagine this place the way it was centuries ago. Visiting here is a welcome change of pace from the hustle and bustle, a chance to pause in the midst of your Italian travels.

When Prince Harry weds the American-born actress Meghan Markle, it will be in the oldest and largest occupied palace in Europe. Nearly a millennium old, Windsor Castle is a country estate in England’s grassy hill country nearly an hour’s drive from London. While a favorite weekend retreat of Queen Elizabeth II, chock full of bucolic charm and English luxury, it is also ground zero for some of the country’s most notorious historical moments.