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Disney Unveils New Star Wars Hotel Experience, New Attractions Centered Around Avengers, Moana and More Travel Pulse

To build excitement and anticipation for this weekend’s D23 Expo 2019, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared several pieces of exciting news from Anaheim Thursday.

The biggest announcement was there would be a new Star Wars vacation experience coming to Walt Disney World Resort, dubbed Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. The attraction will allow guests to check-in for a two-night adventure aboard what Disney is calling a “glamorous starship” and enjoy interactions with characters from the franchise and involvement in the ever-evolving story.

  Canceled flights, wrecked vacations and leaky planes: Passenger frustrations rise as American Airlines struggles Dallas News

Delays, cancellations and angry passengers peaked this summer as American Airlines saw its fleet squeezed by the grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets and a dispute with union mechanics that a federal judge said was responsible for taking more planes out of service. Passenger horror stories spread through angry Twitter rants and distressing posts on Facebook.

And as summer winds down, another stress test awaits American and other U.S. carriers. Trade group Airlines for America expects a record 17.5 million U.S. passengers to fly over the upcoming Labor Day weekend — a 4% increase over last year. Friday (Aug. 30) is expected to be the busiest day leading into the three-day holiday.

  Tourism hotspot Barcelona alarmed by crime surge International Business Times

A surge in muggings and burglaries in Barcelona, mainly targeting tourists, has sparked alarm in Spain’s second-largest city, leading local residents to form their own crime-fighting patrols.

The US consulate in Barcelona on Wednesday warned its nationals of “an increase in violent crime in the city” and urged them not to “display signs of wealth such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches”.

The alert came just days after Afghanistan’s ambassador to Spain was lightly injured in a group mugging to steal his watch in the city centre, and a 91-year-old French woman was hospitalised after thieves yanked her necklace, causing her to fall.

  Grocery store featured in ‘Stranger Things’ has become a tourist attraction, sells more Eggos than ever before Fox News

Soon after Netflix released “Stranger Things,” fans of all ages came into Bradley’s Big Buy grocery store in Palmetto, Ga., dressed like characters from the show, and wandered toward the Eggo waffles aisle, cameras in hand.

They sought out the exact spot where “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown filmed a scene as the character Eleven, and they’re still coming three years later, even after the store changed its name and became part of the Piggly Wiggly franchise.

The post Travel News: August 26, 2019 appeared first on LandLopers.

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Located in the southwestern part of the state, Virginia’s Blue Ridge is now one of the trendiest tourist destinations in the country. It’s also where I’m from, so please join us as we discover what makes the Blue Ridge so much fun to visit.

You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher.

In 1999 I finished up graduate school and moved to the Washington, DC region, a part of the world that I still call home. Even at that point I hadn’t lived full time in Southwestern Virginia for more than five years, and calling it home was a stretch. Moving around a lot as a kid I’ve lived in 12 states and Roanoke, Virginia was my home city for a scant three years before graduating high school and leaving for college. And yet I consider it to be my hometown, a spiritual connection to a place we all experience but in my case it was a tenuous one. I recently had the chance to revisit this beautiful part of Virginia and wasn’t just reminded why I enjoy it so much, but how it’s changed in recent years. In this week’s podcast I share my travel experiences and chat with several Roanoke locals who are working to make the region a fun place to live and visit.

Featured Guests

Taylor Spellman began working for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge in 2015 to promote the region she loves to the world. As the Director of Public Relations, Taylor works with travel writers and journalists to showcase Virginia’s Blue Ridge as a must see mountain destination. Taylor is a co-founder of Experience, a young professional organization attracting and retaining talent in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and also serves on the board for the Virginia Recreational Facility Authority for Virginia’s Explore Park.

Larry Landolt is the founder of Tour Roanoke and as such, has never enjoyed work more than he does now. His professional life has been quite varied, entertaining and successful. A New Jersey native, finishing his BA in Miami, Florida, at St. Thomas University (than Biscayne College). Larry began his career in advertising/marketing in South and Central Florida. Then a shift in focus brought marketing/sales positions for the Orlando Predators (Arena Football), Youth Basketball of America and Rebound Sports. After a move to Roanoke, VA, Larry became the Executive Director for the non- profit organization that organized and grew many events and festivals in downtown Roanoke. It’s this background which he now uses in his business Tour Roanoke.

Scott Ramsburg is responsible for all aspects of marketing, branding and public relations for Roanoke County’s department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. In that capacity he works regularly developing strategy and content for print, video, web and social media in support of properties including Green Ridge Recreation Center, Splash Valley Water Park, Explore Park and Camp Roanoke. He also oversees the business and technology components that support a large recreation operation.

  The post ETW Visiting Virginia’s Blue Ridge appeared first on LandLopers.

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Tourism to Cuba plunges after tightening of travel ban Reuters

Tourist arrivals to Cuba plunged 23.6% on the year in July, official data showed on Wednesday, confirming the blow dealt to the sector by the Trump administration’s tightening of U.S. restrictions on travel to the Caribbean island.

Data from the Statistics Office had already shown a 20% drop in arrivals in June, after Washington that same month banned cruises to Cuba and made it harder for U.S. citizens to get an exemption from the ban on travel there.

  MGM Getting Into Boutique Hotel Business With New Acquisition Wall Street Journal

MGM Resorts International acquired a 50% stake in the lodging company that operates the boutique NoMad hotels and five other brands, as it seeks to diversify and attract a younger crowd.

  Qantas to Give World’s Longest Flight a Test Run Travel Pulse

Qantas Airways plans to test of a pair of proposed nonstop 19-hour flights – the world’s longest – that are set to operate beginning in 2022.

The flights go from Sydney to New York and Sydney to London, respectively.

The objective of the test runs?

Simple. Can passengers and crew withstand that many hours in the air?

  Trump’s Greenland pitch sparks tourism interest Travel Weekly

All the recent publicity about President’s Trump’s desire to buy Greenland could spell good news for its still developing tourism industry.

Adventure travel operators Intrepid and G Adventures both say that traffic to their pages with Greenland itineraries is up more than 200% this week, and Visit Greenland says it saw traffic to its site pike 10-fold after Trump last weekend said he wanted to talk with the Danish prime minister about buying Greenland.

The post Travel News: August 23, 2019 appeared first on LandLopers.

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I’m an active traveler, so while I don’t usually spend a lot of time lazing around a beach I always love visiting them. No matter where they are, a shoreline to me just seems exotic and of course gorgeous. It’s a naturally relaxing atmosphere which is one reason why today I want to share some of my favorite beaches around the world.

What would you add to this list?

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Nice, France

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Aruba

Western Australia

Lanai, Hawaii

Virginia Beach

Nevis

Koh Samui, Thailand

Bora Bora

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Northern Ireland

Santa Monica, California

Positano, Italy

Nova Scotia, Canada

Antarctica

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US Extends Ban on Americans Traveling to North Korea Travel Pulse

United States President Donald Trump and his administration have extended the ban on passports for travel to North Korea for another year.

According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Department of State said Monday the ban would remain in place until Aug. 31, 2020, unless Secretary of State Mike Pompeo decides before then to revoke the extension.

  American Airlines Will Make First Class Classier on Some Jets Yahoo! Finance

American Airlines will tweak first class to add more leg space, extra in-seat power, and other amenities after passengers complained about the product on some retrofitted short-haul aircraft, but the carrier will keep economy as it is, the airline’s Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr said Tuesday in an interview.

“We are modifying certain things in the first class of that aircraft that, when we originally rolled it out, were not done properly,” Kerr said.

American introduced what it called its”Project Oasis” configuration in late 2017 when it received its first Boeing 737 Max aircraft, and then began rolling it out to other aircraft, including Airbus A321s and older 737s. In first class and economy class, American reduced legroom and removed personal televisions, arguing they cost too much and quickly would become obsolete. It also shrunk the size of some bathrooms, allowing to add more seats, mainly in economy class.

  Gorilla Tour Fare No Obstacle as U.S. Tourism to Rwanda Doubles Bloomberg

Rwanda saw a 114% jump in tourists from the U.S. last year despite doubling gorilla-tracking permit prices to $1,500 each, the country’s top tourism official said.

The East African nation famed for its endangered mountain gorillas sold tickets for $19.2 million last year, compared with $15 million in 2016, when it doubled the cost of a permit, according to the Rwanda Development Board. The number of permits issued fell by almost a third last year, compared to 2016.

  A ‘hard Brexit’ could have massive consequences for global air travel Business Insider

As the threat of a no-deal “hard Brexit” looms over the United Kingdom and the European Union, a major shake-up in European and global commercial aviation seems increasingly inevitable.

Fortunately for travelers, the worst immediate possibilities have been largely avoided. Still, consequences seem unavoidable for both passengers and the overall industry.

The post Travel News: August 22, 2019 appeared first on LandLopers.

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The post Live Oaks at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina appeared first on LandLopers.

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A few months ago, I had the great opportunity to visit the Mighty Five National Parks of Utah, which includes Zion National Park. The trip was part of an ongoing project with Marriott International, The Americas, to highlight some incredible places around the country, including our national parks. Few would disagree that there is something almost magical about America’s National Parks. Often called America’s Best Idea, each park is the result of years of tireless work on behalf of concerned citizens who wanted lands they felt to be unique and undeniably special to be protected forever. The National Park System represents the North American model of conservation, which itself was a hard concept to introduce to the general public more than a century ago but today is the standard by which similar parks around the world are judged. Reserving lands for posterity was not a popular idea at the time, but thanks to a handful of forward-thinking individuals, we as a country have now saved some of the planet’s most incredible natural and cultural wonders, including Zion. To help inspire you to visit or just better plan your own trip, here are a few things you should know about Zion National Park.

Zion National Park & Getting There

Exploring the Park in a Day

One of the many reasons why I love visiting the National Parks is how accessible they are even if you don’t have a lot of time to visit. Sure, you could spend many days exploring Zion but that’s not a luxury everyone can afford. Just because you don’t have a lot of time doesn’t mean you can’t see the best of the parks. Decades ago a concerted effort was made to create driving loops in almost every National Park to allow visitors to easily and quickly see the best or most popular features of each park. So, if you just have two or three hours yes, you can still experience the best of Zion with ease. One thing to keep in mind about the National Parks of the West though is just how big they are. Even though driving loops exist, the vast size of the parks themselves means you still have a lot of driving to do even if only to see the highlights. Before the trip I purchased a National Parks Annual Pass, which is honestly a smart thing to do if you plan on visiting two or more parks in a year. Not only did it save me money, but it made getting in and out of the parks easier as well. Before exploring the park though, I stopped off at the visitor’s center to learn more about Zion and which stops along the route I thought made the most sense for me to see.

Zion is the most popular of the Mighty Five parks, and its location is a key reason why. Just about two-hours from Las Vegas, Zion can be visited on a day trip; although that’s certainly not recommended. It’s also close to St. George, Utah, which is a popular outdoor recreation hub, and still other visitors include it on their circuit of the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Since it is so popular – about 4.5 million people journey there every year – the process of visiting is a little different from the other Mighty Five National Parks, but the majesty of the scenery is no less impressive.

Like most of the Parks in this part of the country, Zion is massive but is set up in such a way that makes it very easy to explore even if you’re light on time. Zion National Park is unlike any place I’ve ever been, a feeling that has been common among visitors since the time of the Native Americans. Zion first became popularized in the early 20th century when paintings and magazine articles about this natural wonder began to circulate around the country. In 1909 it was named a National Monument and in 1919 it became Utah’s first National Park. What makes it so special has to be felt in order to be properly understood, but at the heart of the experience is Zion Canyon. Here you’ll find a sandstone canyon etched by the Virgin River, creating not only a number of natural formations along the way, but different life zones that have in turn created a sort of Eden through the millennia.

There’s a lot to love about exploring Zion National Park, but some of my favorite activities include:

The Shuttle System

Over the decades, the small town of Springdale has grown up around Zion as the park’s popularity grew. There you’ll find everything you need to spend a few days or longer including hotels, restaurants, shops, cafes and associated services. There’s also a free shuttle system connecting the hotels with the National Park, so you don’t have to worry about finding a spot in the park itself. If you’re not staying in Springdale, you’ll need to arrive at the park early in the day as the free parking at Zion tends to fill up fast and early. Signs are posted throughout Springdale with the current parking status. Another byproduct of the park’s popularity is the fact that visitors can’t self-drive around the scenic driving route. Instead they must use the complimentary shuttle system that starts at the Visitor’s Center and continues through the Canyon, featuring many stops along the way. This is actually a great way to get around Zion and the shuttles run with such regularity that I never waited for longer than a few minutes. If you’re like me, then you’ll want to stop at almost every spot to admire the beauty of the park, including some of my favorite features:

Zion Human History Museum – This is an interesting stop to learn more about the park’s history but it’s also a good spot to find restrooms and has access to the Pa’rus Trail.

Weeping Rock – This is an easy walk up to dripping springs that have created hanging gardens over the years. You also have views of Angels Landing and Big Bend, as well as access to the Hidden Canyon and Observation Point Trails.

Canyon Junction – Most people stop here to access the Pa’rus Trail, but you can also enjoy sweeping views of the Virgin River and Zion Canyon.

Court of the Patriarchs – This may be a minor stop, but the rock formations known as the Patriarchs have been important to visitors since the beginning of human history here. At this stop you can make the short walk up to enjoy views of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Peaks, Mount Moroni and The Sentinel.

The Grotto – If you’re one of the many intrepid souls looking to tackle the infamous Angels Landing Trail, this is your starting point. There are also views of the Virgin River and Angels Landing itself. There’s a shaded picnic area here, making it a nice spot for a leisurely break.

Big Bend – This is a sweeping bend in the Virgin River with massive cliffs towering above. You can enjoy views of the river along with Angels Landing and The Great White Throne rock formation.

Temple of Sinawava – This is the last stop on the shuttle system and also where hikers can access The Narrows. It’s a well-maintained paved walk down to the Narrows, which makes this a popular and incredibly scenic short hike.

Day Hikes

Zion Canyon is the most visited part of Zion National Park and a big reason for that are the many day hikes available to all skill levels. Just because they’re popular though doesn’t mean they’re not without risk or effort. Be sure to check with the Visitor’s Center before embarking on any hike to see what the current conditions are like and any obstacles that may have been reported. Some favorite hikes include these notable walks through the park.

Pa’rus Trail – This is an easy hike and was one of my favorites from my time in Zion. It starts at either shuttle stop 1 or 3 and is 3.5 miles round trip, although I just did it one way from the Human History Museum back to the Visitor’s Center. It’s a paved trail that follows the Virgin River and is the only trail in the park that allows bikes and leashed dogs. It also features some incredible views, especially of The Watchman, and I strongly recommend adding this one to your to-do list.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail – This is a popular trail, but was partly closed when I visited due to rockfall. This really emphasizes the importance of checking trail conditions before setting out for the day – you just never know what will happen. The trail itself is paved and has minor drop-offs as it leads to the Lower Emerald Pool and waterfalls. It also connects to the Kayenta and Upper Emerald Pools Trails.

Grotto Trail – This is a short half-mile trail that starts at Zion Lodge and ends at the Grotto trailhead. Rather than take the shuttle between stops, I hiked this completely level trail as it followed the canyon floor through a beautiful meadow. It’s a nice stroll and a great introduction to the park.

Riverside Walk – This is one of the most popular hikes in Zion, and with good reason – it’s amazing. It starts at the Temple of Sinawava stop and is a 2.2-mile round trip paved hike along the Virgin River. Along the way you’ll see the best of Zion as you follow the path of river, ending at the entrance to the more strenuous (and wet) Narrows hike.

Angels Landing via West Rim Trail – Although this is a very popular hike, it’s also one of the most strenuous in the park. Zion defines strenuous not only in terms of length (it’s 5.4 miles round trip) or climbing, but mentally difficult as well. A trail like this one requires planning and ensuring you have everything you need, like water, before starting. Angels Landing though is so popular thanks to the incredible views at the end. The trail follows the narrow spine to the final viewpoint roughly 1500 feet above the canyon floor. Given the long drops, this is not recommended for kids or anyone with a fear of heights, which is one reason of many why I didn’t even try this one.

The Narrows via Riverside Walk – Another strenuous hike, this one does interest me but when I visited the high water levels meant no one was allowed to even attempt it. Starting at the Temple of Sinawava, you follow the Riverside Walk and then continue up through the river itself to see the best narrows sections of the river. You must be prepared though. It’s 9.4 miles round trip and much of it is spent wading, walking and sometimes even swimming in the river. Getting through it is rough and conditions are cold and slippery. You must do your research in advance and spend some time chatting with rangers before attempting it.

Springdale

A travel editor once told me to never use the word “cute” when writing, and yet that’s all that comes to mind when I think about Springdale. It was originally founded in the 19th century by Mormon farmers, but today it exists for one reason – to cater to the millions who visit Zion National Park every year. Just 500 people call this their permanent home, meaning it’s a strange place to spend time, but a fun one. As I mentioned, there are any number of places to eat, sleep and relax, but there are other experiences to enjoy aside from the restaurants, art galleries and National Park.

There are a number of local adventure outfitters who can set you up for hikes or even tubing on the Virgin River. There’s also the ghost town of Grafton, which shares a different side to the region’s history. If you use Springdale as a home base, you can also visit other impressive natural wonders like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Red Cliffs Recreation Area, Snow Canyon State Park and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument.

Where to Stay

Springdale, and even neighboring towns, are chock full of places to stay but from my experience, these are some notable properties to patronize when you visit Zion National Park.

SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park

Designed to blend in with the red rocks of the area, the SpringHill Suites in Springdale is the ideal home for your visit to Zion. It’s in the heart of Springdale, which means almost everything is walkable and there’s even a shuttle stop for Zion right in front. Add in the spacious rooms and incredible service for which SpringHill Suites are so well known, and this is a hotel that’s hard to beat.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin Zion National Park

When visiting Zion, I actually stayed in nearby Virgin, Utah at a very brand new Fairfield Inn & Suites. When I say brand new, I mean it – you can practically still smell the paint and I loved it. Since it was just opened, this property has all of the modern conveniences in a setting that is peaceful and breathtaking. The common areas are large and comfortable and there’s even a pool area so you can relax after a long day of adventuring. This was a welcome haven for me and I loved every second of staying there.

Zion National Park is one of the country’s great natural treasures and it should be a place everyone has on their travel bucket list. No matter how you choose to experience the park, just make sure you take the time to experience its grandeur in person for a trip you’ll never forget.

To learn more about Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks, please be sure to listen to the episode of the Explore the World Travel Podcast I devoted to them.

The post Zion National Park: What to Know & Why Everyone Should Visit appeared first on LandLopers.

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Lufthansa Launches Groundbreaking Carbon Offset Program Travel Pulse

Lufthansa is making it even easier for globetrotters to offset the climate impact of their travels.

The German airline has just announced via a statement on its website that it is launching a groundbreaking new sustainability platform known as “Compensaid” that will be focused on allowing customers to purchase CO2 neutral aviation fuels. Travelers can use the platform to replace the fossil fuel of their flights with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

  U.S. airlines expect record crowds over Labor Day weekend Travel Weekly

Airlines expect record crowds over the week-long Labor Day period, continuing a rise in travel that has boosted the their profits all year.

The trade group Airlines for America forecast Tuesday that 17.5 million passengers will fly on U.S. carriers between Aug. 28 and Sept. 3. That would be 2.5 million passengers a day and a 4% increase over the same week last year.

The busiest day is expected to be Friday, Aug. 30, when the group forecasts just under 3 million people will board a U.S. airline.

  N.Y.C. Is on Pace to Draw a Record 67 Million Tourists This Year New York Times

This summer, New York is on pace for its highest annual tally of tourists — nearly 67 million, according to the latest estimate from NYC & Company, the city’s tourism marketing agency. That would be close to two million more visitors than the city claimed in 2018 and would be its 10th consecutive year of rising tourism, said Fred Dixon, the agency’s chief executive.

  Tour operators join fight to ease overtourism by redirecting travelers Travel Weekly

While governments and destination marketing organizations are revamping policies and promotions to tackle overtourism, private travel companies are launching new destinations that take clients away from the crowds and help spread tourism wealth.

Intrepid Travel, for one, has launched several tours designed to redistribute its guests. Leigh Barnes, Intrepid’s chief purpose officer, said that as travel becomes “more affordable, accessible and more sought-after than ever before, new product innovation is crucial to the prevention of overtourism.”

The post Travel News: August 21, 2019 appeared first on LandLopers.

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It’s hard to believe, but the end of August is nigh and, with it, the de facto end of summer. For many folks summer has already effectively ended since kids in some parts of the country have gone back to school. The calendar says otherwise though, and it’s still a great time to plan one last summer getaway, even if it’s just a weekend away. To help plan that last minute trip, I’ve put together some of my favorite spots around the country to enjoy a few days of downtime and to revel in the spirit of summer one final time. This year I’m working with Allianz Travel Insurance to share my thoughts about travel, what makes me happy when I explore the world and why I even travel in the first place. This post is done in partnership with them and I’m excited for the opportunity to share some amazing places to visit one last time this summer. Remember though, no matter where you go travel insurance is always a good idea, as I discuss in this post.

Virginia

Even though I’m originally from Virginia and I live about 10 minutes from the state border, it’s not a place I often explore – until this year. Over the course of two different trips I became reacquainted with the Commonwealth and found myself falling back in love. There’s a lot, I mean a lot, to see and do all around the state from the beaches to the mountains and everything in between. On my first trip I traveled down to Virginia Beach where I found, yes, a great beach community but also a city that is about so much more than its shoreline. From art to amazing food, there’s a lot to see and do in Virginia’s largest city and I immediately wished I had spent more time exploring it. Richmond, the capital of Virginia, also makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Thanks to a lot of changes in recent years, the downtown is as vibrant and lively as ever and there’s a lot to love, from its restaurants and museums to waterside walking trails. For a more adventurous getaway, then Virginia’s Blue Ridge is for you. Using Roanoke as a home base, this is the state’s de facto outdoor adventure capital from biking and hiking to kayaking and tubing. There’s also a vibrant foodie scene, making it a delicious place to spend the weekend as well.

Boston

A few months ago I found myself back in Boston after an absence of more than a decade. Since it had been so long, I tackled the city as a first time tourist and I’m so glad that I did. What I discovered was a fun city but I especially loved experiencing it by walking the entirety of the Freedom Trail. Sixteen different locations dot the Freedom Trail, all of which are integral to the history of the United States. Organized in the 1950s, the Trail is a very easy to follow and manage pedestrian trail that not only shares the history of the country, but offers a look into modern Boston as well. My hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston, couldn’t have been better situated to take advantage of the Freedom Trail. Located next to Boston Common, as soon as I walked out the front door I had already and unwittingly began my exploration of the Trail. If you take advantage of the many museums and other spots of interest along the way, tackling the entirety of the Freedom Trail should ideally take the full day, giving visitors the opportunity to not be hurried and to appreciate the stories at each stop.

Denver

If you’ve never been to Denver before, absolutely spend some time visiting the well-known spots in and around the city. It’s a gorgeous place that’s popular for a reason. But then, try to delver a little deeper and get to know its neighborhoods as well. Denver has seen incredible population growth in recent years, thanks to the famously sunny weather, great natural escapes and a whole host of other factors. This means that the city I visited just a few years ago looks nothing like the Denver of today. Entirely new neighborhoods have popped up out of nowhere, reclaiming areas of town long neglected and forgotten. One of these in particular was a highlight of my visit, the River North Art District or RiNo. Driving around, the shops and cafes were quirky and eclectic; artisanal everything, record stores and taco trucks. It was hipster heaven, and the center of this reclamation is the market known simply as The Source. Housed in an iconic 1880s ironworks building, the goal of The Source was to create for residents of Denver what folks in Seattle or San Francisco enjoy; namely a world class food hall. One stop shopping for the best meats, cheeses, breads, coffees, beers and more was the idea, but the industrial RiNo location at first drew a lot of skepticism. No one knew if the concept would work, but visiting on a busy weekend afternoon I could tell immediately that not only was The Source succeeding, it was flourishing.

San Antonio

I’d long heard about San Antonio’s River Walk, but nothing quite prepared me for the actual experience of strolling alongside it. Created over time in what can only be called a brilliant act of urban planning, today it’s a 15-mile stretch of parks and walkways following the San Antonio River. Set a story below the rest of the city, as soon you as you climb the steps down to the River Walk, the change is immediate. Surrounded by blooming flowers, cooler temperatures and almost irrationally happy people, I soon found myself one of those oddly ebullient visitors, all mesmerized by the city almost instantly. It’s a great treasure for San Antonio, and I best enjoyed it while on a 35-minute cruise along it with the company Go Rio. With equally happy guides – I soon learned there’s no reason not to be happy in San Antonio – the cruise was informative but also relaxing, and a fun and easy way to see the best stretches of the River Walk. The city though is so much more than the river, and throughout my time in San Antonio I was constantly surprised by how laid back and easy everything was. It’s a large city, but downtown isn’t chaotic and thanks to a culture of preservation, the city has a lot more character than most. Art deco facades blend in seamlessly with newer buildings, creating a rich architectural tapestry that frankly is hard to find.

Detroit

In recent years, Detroit has become famous around the world as the city that went bankrupt. The city where entire neighborhoods were left in ruin, neglected and teeming with blight. That’s honestly all I knew about the Motor City before my first visit, and that’s part of the problem. Almost everything we see on the news, in magazines or even on travel blogs is obsessed with Detroit’s so-called ruin porn. Sharing the photos of these houses and city blocks that have been left to rot has been all the rage. Because of that, not many people know the real story of Detroit. That no, the city is not a burning pile of rubble. That Detroit is actually a great place to visit and I imagine to live, and that fact more than anything else surprised me the most. Great museums, delicious food and other fun diversions all come together to make Detroit a fun and, I think, an important city to visit.

Seattle

Sandwiched between lakes and mountains, Seattle’s climate is famously temperate. With a moderate temperature and a vibrant atmosphere, Seattle is one of the best places in the country to escape the summer heat. The city is full of fun things to do like visiting the iconic Space Needle, towering over the city, and exploring the massive Pike Place Market where visitors and locals alike indulge their taste buds with delicious foods and shop for odd gifts. For those who would rather take advantage of the cooler temperatures of Seattle to venture into the great outdoors, the city is a good home base. Washington State has some of the most gorgeous and untouched forests in the country and are perfect for some light day hikes.

Santa Fe

Spending extra time in the idyllic community of Santa Fe was one of the best decisions I made long Route 66, and my time there was just as incredible as I had hoped. Staying at the incomparable La Posada de Santa Fe, the luxury hotel’s service and location in the city made exploration easy and fun. With a history that goes back more than 400 years, Santa Fe is totally unlike any other city I’ve visited. Every building seems to be made out of adobe and there’s a certain international flair that shines just out of sight. It’s a famously artistic and liberal enclave in the state, most of which is rural and somewhat disconnected. Santa Fe though felt more like an expat community in Mexico or elsewhere, its Spanish heritage also embraced and on full display. Walking through the center of town, the weather was perfect and the crowds of people out and about reflected that. A small stage was set up in the town square, and scores of people were camped out with picnic baskets enjoying the afternoon. This ease of living is what I remember most about Santa Fe, and I immediately saw it as a place where I could spend a lot more time and even live.

Myrtle Beach

This is another beach destination that is about much more than the water. I was surprised by almost everything I discovered about the city, but nothing more so than its food scene. There are few things I enjoy more than great Southern soul food, which is one reason why it was my first stop in Myrtle Beach. Pulling up a chair at the locally famous institution Big Mike’s Soul Food, it was just the kind of low-key restaurant I love. I was quickly overwhelmed by choice though, finally deciding on a new-to-me plate of chicken bog. Made with rice, sausage, chicken and special seasonings, it was the perfect foodie introduction to the Low-Country. As I alluded to though, there are plenty of chefs flexing their culinary muscles whether it’s with a unique cocktail at The Chemist, or a meal you’ll never forget at Hook & Barrel, I haven’t eaten so well in a very long time.

Any National Park

America’s best idea, I don’t think anyone would disagree that our National Parks are perhaps our greatest societal asset. I’m also proud to say that America started the modern conservation movement in the 19th century when it created the first National Park. Since then we have added 60 more and many other national monuments and sites forming a vast web of areas so important, that we have deemed they must be forever protected. The so-called North American model of conservation is now the norm around the world, but to really appreciate its importance a visit to a few American parks is in order. From Yellowstone to Yosemite and Volcanoes National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains, we have a lot of options and no one should ever miss the opportunity to visit a few.

What else would you add to this list?

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