Travel blog

With the windows rolled down and the breeze rushing through your hair, it’s easy to see why the Road to Hana is one of the world’s most magical drives. Dotted with lush tropical forests and dramatic waterfalls, it bends and curves through the remote countryside rewarding you with spectacular views of the sparkling blue Pacific and its dramatic black-sand beaches. This is proof that the joy is truly in the journey.

There’s a lot to see in this world -- from the Grand Canyon to the Eiffel Tower, the Sistine Chapel to the lights of Las Vegas -- but something you may have overlooked when making your bucket list is a chunk of rock known as El Arco. Perched at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, The Arch of Mexico is a massive tunnel carved from a 200-foot rock face that slides into the sea. What makes it worth the trip is the pounding force with which the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez at Land’s End, their union so strong it has literally carved through granite.

From atop a 3,000-foot zipline course, you get a bird’s eye view of Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in Southern Belize and a stop on the YMT Vacations New Orleans & Western Caribbean Cruise tour. Gathering your courage, you close your eyes and jump, falling through the sky in an experience that will forever top your personal bucket list..and that’s only the beginning. Besides tandem ziplining, free-fall jumps and soft-footed walks over dangling suspension bridges, Harvest Caye offers plenty of chances for adventure and just as many ways to relax.

It was 1905 when a dark-haired girl named Hallie Woods sat solemnly on top of a float adorned with roses. Surrounded by a group of her classmates, this serious-faced student from Pasadena High school made her way down Colorado Boulevard to the cheers of the city. It was the first time in history a Rose Queen would make the storied trip. Ms. Woods was selected as the first Queen of the Tournament of Roses from among 16 other contestants, all of whom rode alongside her on a horse-drawn wagon she decorated herself.

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is without a doubt a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the thousands of colorful orbs that paint the skies and cast shadows across the desert floor to the flaming fires of a nighttime launch, the most photographed event on the planet does not disappoint. But what’s next? As you prepare to leave the Valley of the Sun en route to the balloon fiesta, we recommend you take a bit of time to stop off at the Casa Grande Ruins.

In the Verde Valley of Central Arizona there is a 20-room “high rise” apartment carved into the soft limestone of a cliff. Created nearly a millennia ago, this ancient cave dwelling gives us a peak into the lives of the Sinagua people. Five stories and 20 rooms in total, the structure was built in the alcoves of a cliff high above Beaver Creek Canyon. Created over the course of three centuries, the apartment-style dwellings were fashioned out of weathered limestone caves and featured floors of logs, grass and branches that were covered in clay to create a surface so solid it is still in existence 1,000 years later.

Lush and green, Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands; created from a single volcano rising from the ocean floor. A tropical paradise, the island has been the backdrop for many cinematic blockbusters from Jurassic Park to King Kong. So whether you hope to hike the North Shore peaks or soar over the towering seacliffs, kayak the jungle waterways or hang-ten at Hanalei, Hawaii’s ground zero for surfing, and there’s no better escape. Here is a list of our favorite things to do in Kauai:

One of the best things about YMT Vacations’ Ultimate Hawaii Tour with the Pearl Harbor Experience is that it offers that perfect mix of organized group tours and relaxing leisure time. During your down time, there’s nothing better than hitting the beaches and diving into the crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling is an easy and enjoyable escape that lets you explore the beauty that lies beneath the surface of Hawaii’s waters. Whether it’s your first time or if you just need a refresher, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you dive in. With some basic skills, good equipment and ocean knowledge, you can avoid the common mistakes and ensure a great time exploring the sea.

The presents have all been unwrapped, the decorations are put away and the guests have returned home as quickly as the New Year has come. Now faced with the chill of a long January in the snow, perhaps you’re looking for somewhere warm to relax and recuperate from the busy holiday season. What about a Hawaiian vacation? There’s no place more beautiful and no better time to discover the Aloha State than the slow travel period that begins in January.