Tagged: usa travel

America’s Cool Destinations

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The Coolest, Most Overlooked U.S. Summer Vacation Destinations. Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/MyWeather.com.

Need travel ideas for a U.S. summer vacation?  Take a look at MyWeather.com’s list of “The Coolest, Most Overlooked Vacation Destinations for the Summer.”

This summer, MyWeather.com says the Hamptons, South Beach and Long Beach are out and Breckenridge, CO, Upper Peninsula, MI and Portland, ME are in.

Launched in May 2011, the MyWeather.com website offers free apps for the iPhone and Android devices and personalized weather reports.

Here are MyWeather.com’s Coolest, Most Overlooked Vacation Destinations in the U.S.:

  • Breckenridge, Colorado – Average July High: 73 Degrees F. “This winter wonderland is more than just a ski town boasting 300 days of sunshine annually with activities to keep you busy all year long.”
  • Upper Peninsula, Michigan – Average July High: 73 Degrees F. “With more than 150 waterfalls, 40 lighthouses, and a terrain that’s perfect for camping, boating, fishing and other outdoor activities, Upper Peninsula boasts 1,700 miles of shoreline along three of the nation’s five Great Lakes.”
  • San Francisco, California – Average July High: 68 Degrees F.  “Besides being home to Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Ghirardelli Chocolate Co., San Francisco has the coolest daily summer temperatures among major U.S. cities.”
  • Jackson Hole, Wyoming – Average July High: 81 Degrees F. “Breathtaking views, national park access and a whitewater rafting mecca – that’s Jackson Hole.”
  • Portland, Maine – Average July High: 79 Degrees F. “With the Atlantic coast and Appalachian Mountains only a 45-minute drive apart, Portland has the best of both worlds.”
  • Olympic National Park, Washington – Average July High: 73 Degrees F. “Located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, this million-acre national park encompasses three major ecosystems ranging from rain forest to snow-topped mountain peaks.”
  • Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska – Average July High: 73 Degrees F. “Located 60 miles from Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs features legendary healing mineral waters, a renewable energy tour, and a working dog mushing kennel.”

Glamp Sites In California

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Safari tent at El Capitan. Photo credit: Steven Lam/El Capitan Canyon.

Abby Jeffords, of Glamping Hub, wrote this guest post on glamping in California.

Every year, over 3,000,000 travelers visit California from all corners of the world.

California is home to some of the most popular tourist destinations (e.g. San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego) and the third largest landmass in the United States.

CaliforniaElCapitanHappyCamper Glamp Sites In California

Happy Camper Chardonnay at El Capitan Canyon. Photo credit: El Capitan Canyon.

California has rugged mountains, miles upon miles of pristine beaches, soaring cliffs, massive redwoods, fertile valleys, wide rivers, sprawling vineyards and steaming hot springs.

It boasts some of the finest national parks including Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Death Valley.

Whether you are pining for sun, aching for snow, longing for the spray of the ocean, or craving the cool shade of the forest, California can satisfy you.

California has an endless variety of glamp sites that will make you want to get up and go glamping.

Here are a few California glamp sites:

  • Treebones Resort is located in Big Sur, California, about sixty-five miles south of Monterey off of Highway 1. An eco-conscious glamping retreat, Treebones offers 16 luxury yurts, five secluded campsites, and an unique human nest, all with spectacular views of either the Pacific Ocean or the surrounding mountains. Their cozy lodge provides guests with access to a refreshing pool and spa and a first-class restaurant that serves delicious, locally grown and organic food.
  • Big Basin Tent Cabins is located in Big Basin Redwoods Park in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains. A perfectly casual, family-style getaway, Big Basin offers dozens of cabins along a winding forest road, each with it’s own driveway, fire pit and picnic table. Inside the cabins, you will find at least two large beds and a wood stove to keep you warm on chilly California nights. You will need to bring your own bedding and food, but there’s no better place to explore the redwoods, hiking or strolling among some of the tallest, broadest and oldest trees in the country.
  • El Capitan Canyon is located about 20 miles north of Santa Barbara along the Pacific shoreline. Quaint and luxurious cabins provide guests with cozy quarters and access to the wild landscape of the coast. Find harmony with nature while relaxing in style. Hike along the beaches, explore the canyon, charter a whale-watching boat, pamper yourself with a massage, or visit some of the state’s finest wineries.

For more California glamping getaways, visit Glamping Hub.

This is a Guest Post.

3 Yurt Holidays

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Lakeside yurt at Canvas Hotel, Norway.  Photo courtesy of Canvas Hotel.

Abby Jeffords, of Glamping Hub, wrote this guest post on finding the perfect yurt holiday.

The most amazing thing about yurts is that they are completely versatile.

Yurts are cozy in the winter, cool in the summer and flexible and strong in inclement weather.

They are adaptable to design, sustainably manufactured and easy to assemble.

Virtually any landowner with a spare patch of grass and a killer view can set up a yurt glamping site.

Glamping Hub has found yurt retreats in almost all corners of the globe, with wide ranging amenities, prices and outdoor adventure activities.

Finding the perfect yurt holiday spot can be a daunting task.

Here are 3 Yurt Holidays to start you on the right path:

Family Holiday Yurt

  • Cortijo Vadillo, Spain: Cortijo Vadillo is located in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Sur in the Andalucian region of southern Spain. Surrounded by lush valleys, winding rivers and limestone mountain cliffs, this yurt retreat is perfect for a family or group holiday any time of the year. Nestled in an olive tree grove, Cortijo Vadillo’s two, hand-painted Mongolian yurts can comfortably accommodate up to six people.

Adventure Yurt

  • Canvas Hotel, Norway (above): Canvas Hotel is situated on a small island in southern Norway. An adventurer’s dream, Canvas Hotel combines a mountain biking atmosphere with rest and relaxation. From May to November, guests can stay in one of seven yurts which are equipped with up to four beds and a wood stove.  After a day of biking, guests can indulge in a professional massage, lounge in a steamy sauna, or hop into a hot, private tub that can be placed anywhere on the property.

Tropical Yurt

  • Luana Spa, USA:  Luana Spa is located on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The warm waters of Hana bay, the green rainforests and the spirit of the native Hawaiian culture make this yurt destination an exotic experience. The Luana Spa’s secluded and spacious, hilltop yurt is furnished with a queen-sized bed, kitchenette, propane grill and a washroom.  This yurt is absolutely perfect for a romantic getaway year-round.

For more glamping getaways and yurt holiday info, visit Glamping Hub.

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New USA Road Atlas

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The 2012 Edition of Rand McNally’s Road Atlas. Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Rand McNally.

Rand McNally has launched the 2012 edition of its USA Road Atlas.

The new edition features smartphone tags with mobile web links with enhanced road trip content for atlas users.

Says Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally:

“Americans rely on the Road Atlas each year to help them plan their travels and to keep as a just-in-case back up in their car. The new 2012 Road Atlas has some extras that travelers will find even more useful.”

The way the Road Atlas smartphone tags (also called QR codes) work is users scan them for destination content.

These tags show images, text and videos of attractions and activities.  Smartphone users can find out more and access to the free app at www.RandMcNally.com/QR.

Back in 1924, the first annual edition of Road Atlas was published.

This year’s Best of the Road trips are:

  • A Shore Thing: Michigan’s Lake Michigan shore;
  • From Pacific to Palms: A slice of Southern California;
  • Head for Hill Country: The lush Hill Country of Texas;
  • Cultivating New York: Canandaigua to Cooperstown, New York;
  • Simply Sonoma: The backroads of Sonoma County, California;
  • Seaside to Summit: Manchester to Bretton Woods, New Hampshire;
  • Southern Charm: Rock Hill to Greenwood, South Carolina;
  • Snow on the Eastern Shore: Ocean City to Baltimore, Maryland and
  • A Pacific Northwest Passage: Portland and down the coast of Oregon.

Rand McNally is a popular source for for maps, directions and travel content.

The company’s products and services include: Interactive travel service, Tripology; America’s #1 Road Atlas; IntelliRoute truck routing software and GPS devices; TruckPC mobile communications solutions for the transportation industry; and the geography-based educational resources for the classroom.

Weather Radio iPhone App

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iMapWeather Radio app.  Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Weather Decision Technologies, Inc.

Planning a U.S. trip?  If you’re an iPhone user, then you might want to check out the new iMapWeather Radio App for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

The app is designed as a weather warning tool to help users prepare for the storm season with early, location-based text and voice alerts.

Weather Decision Technologies, Inc., which provides state-of-the-science weather detection, alerting and forecasting systems, created the app.

This warning system provides information on life-threatening weather (tornadoes to floods to hurricanes) on mobile devices with advanced features, such as instant voice and text alerts and real-time video.

Says Mike Eilts, president and CEO of WDT:

“Think of the iMapWeather Radio app as a highly advanced weather radio right on your mobile device – a key tool to being prepared for dangerous weather. With iMapWeather Radio, users receive precise location-based alerts of severe weather coming their way, acting as an early warning to help individuals and families seek safety. And, because the app is available on 3G capable devices like the iPhone and iPad, users still receive vital information when the power goes out and TV and radios can’t be turned on.”

Features of the app include:

  • Precise Alerts: The app sends alerts only if the device or saved locations fall inside a watch/warning polygon.
  • Follow Me: Users automatically receive an alert if they move into an area under a watch/warning.
  • Friends and Family: Users can pinpoint up to five locations for the app to follow so they can ensure friends and family are safe.
  • Battery Life: The app conserves battery life even while using GPS.
  • Audio: Audio alerts are in the form of beeps followed by a description of the alert type – 24 hours a day.
  • Video: In select media markets, users can get streaming video of severe weather coverage.

The iMapWeather Radio app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is available at the App Store.

Top 20 B&B Summer Destinations

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BedandBreakfast.com logo.  Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/HomeAway.

Staying at B&Bs can make adventure travel more affordable.  One of the best places to find B&Bs in the U.S. is the website BedandBreakfast.com.

The website says almost nine out of 10 B&B travelers are planning leisure trips this summer compared to 2010.

BedandBreakfast.com recently announced its Top 20 Summer Destinations for B&B Travelers.

The travel trends for American B&B travelers are destinations including New York, Boston, Washington, DC and San Francisco,and smaller U.S. destinations for their B&B weekend getaways.

When traveling in Europe, travelers frequently choose B&Bs when visiting major city destinations.

Here are the Top 20 B&B Summer Destinations for 2011:

  1. Manhattan – 78 properties
  2. London – 31 properties
  3. Charleston, SC – 44 properties
  4. Cape Cod, MA – 154 properties
  5. New Orleans – 53 properties
  6. Savannah, GA – 37 properties
  7. Boston – 53 properties
  8. Saint Augustine, FL – 37 properties
  9. Washington, DC – 36 properties
  10. Rome – 225 properties
  11. Key West, FL – 42 properties
  12. Barcelona – 39 properties
  13. Cape May, NJ – 44 properties
  14. San Francisco – 33 properties
  15. Napa, CA – 44 properties
  16. Amsterdam – 97 properties
  17. Asheville, NC – 60 properties
  18. Newport, RI – 55 properties
  19. Carmel, CA –32 properties
  20. Montreal– 45 properties

Four out of the top 20 destinations for Americans’ summer travel are in European – London, Amsterdam, Rome, and Barcelona.

Martin Slagter, spokesperson for BedandBreakfast.com, says B&B travelers typically travel by car to destinations between 100-250 miles away.

They choose B&Bs primarily to enjoy more “intimate, interesting accommodations”, home-cooked breakfast and refreshments and free amenities such as Internet and on-site parking.

For more info, visit BedandBreakfast.com.

AAA eTourBook Guides

AAA LOGO n069 1290191552MR AAA eTourBook GuidesAAA Logo. Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/AAA.

Planning a North American road trip adventure?  If you’re an AAA member, think about downloading new eTourBook Guides from AAA.

The new guides are designed for e-reader devices and smartphones including Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Barnes and Noble Nook and Sony Reader.

These 30 new eTourBook guides focus on top North American travel destinations with listings for AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants and AAA Editor’s Picks for attractions, events and nightlife.

AAA publishes 26 regional TourBook guides covering the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

A team of travel editors and professional inspectors gather AAA travel information and complete in-person evaluations of AAA Approved lodgings and restaurants.

The AAA listings range 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants; 17,000 attractions; 23,000 events and 7,000 destinations.

AAA members can access the printed AAA TourBook guides and maps free through AAA offices or online at AAA.com/travel or CAA.ca.

Best Beach Town In The South?

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Florida’s Emerald Coast was voted No. 1 Beach in the South. Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Florida’s Emerald Coasthas been voted the “Best Beach Town in the South” by the readers of Southern Living magazine.

If you’re planning a family vacation in Florida, the region’s beach towns of Destin – Fort Walton Beach – Okaloosa Island offer affordable accommodations and events.

Some of the popular attractions are sandcastles on white sandy beaches; dolphins dance at Florida’s Gulfarium; fishing off Okaloosa Pier and playing at Big Kahuna’s Water Park.

The year-round accommodation options range from beachfront hotels to a bed and breakfast, to condominiums and vacation homes.

Here are some upcoming Emerald Coast 2011 events:

  • HarborWalk Marina Destin Cobia Tournament – April 1-30;
  • Beach Kite Festival – April 3-5;
  • Helen Back Golf Classic – May 20;
  • Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival – June 2-6;
  • July 4th Extravaganza – July 2-3 and
  • Rock the Docks – Live music on Saturdays.

For more info, visit the Emerald Coast site.

7 Car Care Tips

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Spring is the time for vehicle maintenance. Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Chrysler Group LLC.

Planning your next adventure road or camping trip?  Then you’ll want to get your car in shape for summer travel.

April is National Car Care Month in the United States and Mopar has released 7 smart car care tips.

Says Jim Sassorossi, spokesperson for Mopar, Chrysler Group’s brand:

“Now is the time to get your vehicle into shape for the summer travel season. Performing preventative maintenance is critical for maintaining the safety and performance of your vehicle.”

Here are 7 Car Maintenance Tips:

  • Check Tires. “Check tire wear and air pressure on all tires, including the spare. Tread and sidewall areas should be inspected for uneven or irregular wear and should be replaced if worn or damaged.”
  • Check Brakes. “Pads, shoes, rotors, calipers, fittings, brake hardware and parking brake should be checked for the summer driving season.”
  • Check Fluid Levels. “Engine oil should be changed or replenished, and all vehicle fluids and lubricants should be checked and changed at factory-recommended intervals to make sure they’re fresh and filled to the recommended levels.”
  • Check Engine Belts, Hoses and Fuel Filter. “Prevent a breakdown or serious engine damage by replacing belts and hoses at recommended intervals.”
  • Change Air Filter. “A new air filter allows clean, unrestricted air flow into the engine and helps to ensure proper performance and longer life.”
  • Check Battery. “Test your battery and replace it if necessary to make sure you have the cranking power to start your vehicle and keep it running.”
  • Check Wiper Blades. “Worn wiper blades can affect your vision and ability to see the road and vehicles in front of you.”

Dog iPhone/iPad App

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Travel with your dog in the U.S.?  If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, then you’ll want to check out the new app My Dog.

The app is designed to be your all-in-one dog’s ID, medical info, insurance card, social life and travel guide.

MyDogInfoiPhoneapp Dog iPhone/iPad App

The My Dog app will enable dog owners to create and share a personalized dog profile including photos of medical and vaccination records.

It features a U.S. pet service directory including dog trainers, pet stores, groomers, pet photographers, daycare and boarding facilities, rescue organizations and shelters, dog parks and beaches.

Dog travel guide listings include services like dog-friendly hotels; U.S.-based airlines and rail services pet rules and tips for traveling with your dog.

The dog profile features: a picture; description; dog owner and emergency contact information and vaccinations and medical history with iCal integration.

It can be emailed from the app to a dog trainer, daycare and boarding facility, vet and local rescue organizations and shelters.

California-based Holger Laufenberg designed the app after his terrier mix, Dax, went missing.

“A panic struck me, and I first ran around the neighborhood, than started Googling and calling all the vets and shelters nearby. Over and over again, I was asked the same questions about what breed Dax is, whether he is taking any medications, has allergies, what he looked like, in case someone would bring him in,” says Laufenberg.

“We wanted to create something that allows any dog owner to have all the information needed at their fingertips at all times.”

Image courtesy of DogInfoUsa.com.