Travel blog

Portland, Oregon is a city that offers plenty of things for travelers to see and do. In a perfect world you’d have a week to explore and uncover all the secrets of this Pacific Northwest gem, but what if you’re just passing through? What can you discover in a single day in Portland?

When readers of Travel + Leisure ranked the World’s Best Awards for 2018, several YMT Vacations destinations topped the list. From culinary hot spots to old-world villages and cosmopolitan cities, there’s plenty to choose from. Take a look at these winning destinations sure to make your bucket list, and inspire some serious wanderlust:

In the 19th century, more than half a million settlers hitched their wagons and made the long journey from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean on the Oregon Trail. During what would become the country’s most famous migration, nearly 10 percent of the pioneers died of hardships ranging from starvation to dysentery. Over a rough landscape that stretched more than 2,000 miles they pushed on through cities like Independence and Kansas City. For roughly 5 months they walked, making the brutal journey toward their new homes.

History comes alive when you walk in the steps of the past. From our nation’s capital to the battlefields of Gettysburg, there are plenty of sites to explore. Learn the facts behind America’s storied past, or visit its iconic monuments. Here are just a few of the great historic destinations you’ll want to explore on your upcoming travels:

There are places around the world where you want to hit the ground running, soaking up the culture and visiting all the must-see sights as quickly as you can. Cartagena, Colombia is not like that. This is the type of place where the most memorable sights are not the ones you read about in a guide book, but the ones you stumble across unknowingly. Take in Old Town’s vibrant buildings on an afternoon stroll, fall asleep on the warm Caribbean sand, or see what’s on the menu at a tiny mom-and-pop restaurant. Here are five things we love about Cartagena and why you should visit now:

When westward expansion threatened America’s wildlife and wilderness, a “nation’s park, containing man and beast in all the wild and freshness of their nature’s beauty” was proposed. A century later, the National Parks System now encompasses nearly 400 parks and monuments. These natural wonders, which were set aside for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, are among America’s greatest treasures—bucket list travel destinations you won’t want to miss.

When the air turns crisp and the trees come alive with color it’s a sure sign fall has arrived. Head outdoors with the leaf peepers looking for brilliant foliage, or visit a harvest festival for cider donuts and pumpkin pie. Stop by a you-pick-it-farm or get lost in a corn maze. Now that school’s back in session, you can avoid crowds and pay less, as well. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out and experience the season. Here are a few of our favorite fall destinations:

Mothers come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. Some express their love quietly, while others shout it out for everyone to hear. All of them love us, and on Mother’s Day, we get to remind them we love them right back. 

This Mother’s Day, why confine yourself to gifts of flowers and brunch? Show the mom in our life you really care by giving her the trip of a lifetime. Perhaps she’d like a romantic cruise for two, or maybe a land adventure. It all depends on what type of mom you have.

While we can’t say for sure which trip your mom would like best, we do know a little about what certain types of moms like. So, here’s a list of the most common moms we see on our tours, and the type of tours we most often see them on.

Cinco de Mayo is more than just sombreros, mariachi bands and bottomless margaritas. In fact, the holiday has as much to do with the Latin experience during the American Civil War as it does with Mexico itself.

While the idea of visiting 7 states and 2 countries in just 14 days can sound daunting, the trip is as easy as a warm September breeze on YMT Vacations’ Autumn Leaves Tour. The secret to making such a journey manageable is pace and timing. Group tours are notorious for hurrying guests onto waiting buses and rushing from stop to stop with little time to appreciate the experience—but that’s not the case on this YMT itinerary.  Our tours are designed specifically so that you can experience the destinations at a pace that allows you to take in the amazing places we visit, and to return home refreshed, invigorated, and full of wonderful new memories, stories, and friendships.