Travel blog

Somewhere off the beaten path, in a scenic sight not mentioned in the guidebooks, there’s an old picnic table at the edge of nowhere where you can enjoy a picnic lunch in the closest you’ll ever get to the Garden of Eden. The site is just one of the many unexpected treasures along the Hana Highway, a remote stretch of road that connects Kahului to Hana and then snakes its way up the mountain pass to the desert side of Maui.

New England is known for its many flavors. From cranberry bogs to fresh-harvested apples, creamy chowder to a heaping mound of whole-belly clams, there is much to savor. But just ask any respectable Yankee about his favorite place to eat and chances are you’ll get an earful about an out-of-the-way seafood shack and the perfection of a fresh-steamed lobster. So the next time you find yourself down east, order one up for yourself. But before you do, make sure you know how it’s done. Here are a few easy steps that will have you cracking lobster like a native:

Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle is perhaps the most famous castle in all the world. Perched high above the Bavarian hills, this former royal retreat of King Ludwig II is so romantic and picturesque it served as the archetype for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Unfortunately, King Ludwig himself only slept in the palatial home 11 nights before dying unexpectedly.

Besides being the most photographed castle on the planet, “New Swan Stone” is also one of the most visited. With more than 1.3 million guests per year, here are the top 5 tips you’ll need to know when visiting Neuschwanstein.

In 1832, an artist by the name of George Catlin traveled to the northern Great Plains of the United States. He was awestruck by the majestic beauty of the rugged frontier and the scenic views that peppered the remote landscape. But Catlin was also troubled by the destruction of the Indian civilization, wildlife, and wilderness that the westward expansion threatened. He proposed a “nation’s park, containing man and beast, in all the wild[ness] and freshness of their nature’s beauty!”

There’s nothing quite like the sound of an Irish brogue rolling off the tongue of a silver-headed Dubliner. Before you make your way to the Emerald Isle, here are 13 Irish phrases you’ll need to acquaint yourself with before your Ireland tour:

Snow and ice blanket nearly 60 percent of Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park, one of the nation’s most fascinating and impenetrable wildernesses. The area evolved over time by glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean tempests that shaped and reshaped the fjords, constantly shifting the Earth’s topography. Intensely wild and somewhat foreboding, the area’s otherworldly landscape is as desolate as it is beautiful and a must-see for any visit to Alaska.

Wineries are fast becoming one of the most charming vacation options around. With picturesque scenery, tempting tastes, and a bevy of interesting proprietors, why wouldn’t you go? Here are our tips on wine etiquette, winery visits and other need-to-know info.

The black sands that cover some of Hawaii’s most spectacular beaches are the result of volcanic activity. As hot, molten lava hits the water it instantly cools and hardens. Then, the waves continue to pound the lava until it begins to shatter into tiny pieces of volcanic ash which eventually becomes sand.

Since only the islands with the most recent volcanic activity have these ebony-tainted beaches, you find them on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, or the Big Island.

When it comes to packing for your travels there’s a saying that goes, “pack half of what you think you need and take twice as much money!” That couldn’t be more true than in Ireland with its shifting climate and unpredictable temperatures. To make the most of your limited weight allowance, here are our tips on what to pack for traveling to Ireland:

Climbing up from Horseshoe Bay through the rainforests and coastal mountains of British Columbia is one of the Canada’s most breathtaking drives, the Sea to Sky Highway. Rich with wildlife and jaw-dropping views, Highway 99 follows an ancient trade route used by aboriginal coastal tribes and inland people groups. And while the name implies a journey of ascent, there’s no accounting for the views as you make your way down from the mountaintop village of Whistler. With the sea spread out before you, the descent toward Vancouver affords you spectacular glimpses of the coast blanketed out below you.