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One of the pure, unadultered joys of travel is the freedom to explore a new land. Not from the tinted window of a tour bus mind you, but from behind the wheel of your very own vehicle. Few exploits in life can surpass the sensation felt as you cruise down a foreign highway for the first time, unsure of what to expect behind the next curve. Every mile you travel unveils a new discovery.

The locations that follow provide just that. Vistas that take your breath away and scenery that necessitates you pull over and savour the moment. Here then, are the best scenic drives in the world.

High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

From north to south, the High Atlas Mountains offer a diverse range of conditions and dramatic scenery for drivers. Start in exquisite Marrakech and meander up the massif through rock, snow and desert.

Continue reading Best Scenic Drives in the World »

The time has come for another installment of Weird and Wacky Signs Around the World. The people demanded it and so, after much deliberation, we had to deliver. We held out as long as we could but the onslaught of requests was too much to bear. Not to mention the endless trove of inane pictograms and stick figures in peril from the four corners of the globe in dire need of annotation.

The signs in question may incite derision and laughter but again, these articles are as much public service announcement as comic relief. Readers of past installments have escaped the devious thievery of the Silver Surfer on a remote Thai beach, knew better than to pack heat in a Skopje strip mall and avoided serious seesaw disfigurement in the streets of Manhattan.

So we implore you. Enjoy these signs as kitsch but beware the lethal message they brandish.

With that out of the way, time to get wacky. Sign wacky.

Safety Precaution on the USS Midway, San Diego, California

This is an actual sign from a U.S. military sub. You have to admit, the optimism of the U.S. government is adorable. Not only do they exhort personnel not to stare into the proverbial atomic bomb blast - because really, who could avoid the temptation? - they actually have a post-bomb plan in place. Unfortunately for the poor souls who just braved the impact of this atomic bomb, the plan does not include Jack Daniel’s and Marlboros.

Continue reading Weird and Wacky Signs Around the World Part III »

Our countdown of the best festivals in the world resumes with an eclectic mix of music, film, nudity and deadly bull attacks. Here are five more great reasons to plan your next vacation around a festival.

5. International Jazz Festival - Montreal, Canada

Montreal has a legendary love affair with jazz. The appreciation harkens back to the days of segregation in the United States when many artists would venture north to the city to play. For over twenty years now, this most European North American city has hosted the best jazz festival in the world. No coincidence that in terms of artist and audience participation, it is also the biggest.

Continue reading Top 10 Festivals in the World Part II »

Sometimes we travel to decompress and get away from the stress of daily life. Sometimes we travel for a family occasion. And sometimes we travel with a real purpose in mind: a festival.

These trips can be the most memorable vacations we ever take. To center travel plans around a specific event provides intention to your time away from home and a solid foundation for fun.

So whether you love raves, samba or beer, these famous festivals are a good place to start.
Continue reading Top 10 Festivals in the World Part I »

Big cities, with their bright lights and endless skylines, get all the love. With their iconic edifices and frenetic pace, they exude urban sex appeal and draw tourists in like moths to flame. Think New York City, Tokyo, London, Moscow, Shanghai. All wonderful places to visit to be sure, but for all their accomplishments, there’s one thing they can never offer: small town allure.

So if you want to immerse yourself in the madness of a world metropolis like Sao Paulo, Cairo or Mexico City, go ahead. But this list right here, is all about the best small city vacation destinations. These gems of less than a million residents marry big city creature comforts with the quaint charm of a cozy hamlet. With less claustrophobic streets, thinner crowds and impressive sights, these destinations are worth a closer look.

Quebec City, Canada

Continue reading Best Small City Vacation Destinations »

Where in the name of Benjamin Siegel did Dubai come from? The slain gangster known as Bugsy who had a dream to build a city oasis in the middle of the Nevada desert would feel right at home in the United Arab Emirates today. The Las Vegas pioneer would simply marvel at the hubristic ambition of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. For better or for worse, and he certainly has his detractors, the Prince has helped engineer a veritable urban playland out of sand and procure billions of dollars in foreign investment.

Dubai is now the foremost expat city in the world and daily, thousands apply for countless jobs to aid in the development of this new megalopolis. It boggles the mind to see how far Dubai has come in so short a time. From skyscrapers that smash records, hotels that redefine luxury and manmade islands in the shape of continents, the city is a strange and seductive amusement park. Which is where our countdown comes in. Here are the top 10 things to do in Dubai.
Continue reading Top 10 Things To Do in Dubai »

Our nation’s wine countries are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. Sipping wine is a lovely past-time, but can only be truly enjoyed if you have the time to visit the source. Here are a few of the best places in the U.S. to visit for a weekend of wine tasting and romance.

California’s Mendocino County

Continue reading Weekends in Wine Country »

As wine appreciation has seen a major uptick around the world in the past decade, vineyard excursions have become a popular brand of tourism. While major wine houses garner the lion’s share of visitors, boutique producers spur exceptional interest among collectors and more knowledgeable oenophiles. One constant however is that most of wine tourism is concentrated in the same predictable areas. While regions like Bordeaux, Champagne and Napa Valley receive hordes of tourists, other niche districts that cultivate beautiful wines get the cold shoulder.

Here then, are 10 hidden gem wine regions that fly under the radar and deserve some belated attention.

5. Oregon, United States

Continue reading 5 Hidden Gem Wine Regions »

Everyone wishes he or she could fly first class. Visions of extra leg space, sparkling glasses of champagne, and extra blankets and pillows dance through the dreams of every passenger who has ever flown in coach. The first class experience seems out of reach for many, but there are a few things you can do to make your in-flight experience enjoyable, whether you actually make it into a first class seat or not.

1. Check your airport for a first class lounge. Many airports are providing special lounges that customers can use to relax, have a cup of coffee, or even surf the Internet before flight. Admittance to the lounge might cost a small fee, but you’ll feel as though you’re in first class even before you get on the plane.

   

   Continue reading A First Class Experience without the First Class Price-tag »

   Jennifer Gregory

What could possibly be more entertaining than hopping in the car and jetting to your favorite weekend bed and breakfast or entertainment destination? Hopping in the car and exploring the unknown, of course! My husband and I used to jump in the car and just drive, turning down winding back roads and searching for the perfect destination. We found plenty, and the fun we had satisfied our senses of curiosity while at the same time reigniting our romance.

There are wonderfully beautiful weekend getaways scattered throughout the country. Here are just a handful of my favorites:

California Route 1

Also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, the 123 mile long Route 1 to provide a breathtaking view of the cost. Watch the mountains dive into the surf, visit the gray whales at Point Lobos State Reserve, or take in the sunset at Big Sur. The highway is home to quaint restaurants and inns as well, providing a relaxing and romantic end to a weekend spent taking in the sights. Continue reading Romantic Weekend Road Trips in the U.S. »