Albuquerque, New MexicoWith 310 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder Albuquerque is a hotbed of outdoor activities—among them some innovative culinary-and-fitness fusion programs. While you’re probably familiar with its desert climate and candy-colored sunsets, what you might not realize is that Albuquerque also has a number of small vineyards, including Casa Rondeña, which hosts a weekly pilates and wine class. And the best way to start Sunday Funday? YogaRitas (yoga + margaritas

MazatlánMazatlán exudes colonial charisma and the lively atmosphere you’ve come to expect from Mexico. The cobblestone streets of Centro Histórico (Old Mazatlán) are lined with 19th-century buildings, while the modern district of Zona Dorada is where you’ll find most of the bars and nightlife. The boardwalk, which stretches across 13 miles of soft sand, is another major draw. Adding to its allure are warm hospitality, year-round bikini weather, beachfront resorts including Vidanta Ma

Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos is famed for its stunning shores, but none more so than Grace Bay Beach. Located on the northeast coast of Providenciales and renowned for its pristine white sand and turquoise waters, it’s consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world (these are the top beach spots in the U.S.) and is the crown jewel of the island. Other notable spots to catch some rays and enjoy the sea are Bright Beach, Smith’s Reef, and Turtle Cove. If you̵

FridayRelive a key moment in the Revolutionary WarToday the banks of the Delaware River at Washington Crossing Historic Park are a peaceful scene, with sunlight dappling the calm water and lush grass and trees. But if you close your eyes, you can imagine the war that took place here, on this very spot, during the cold winter of 1776. General George Washington led his men across the icy river under cover of darkness and, marching to Trenton, attacked the Hessians to turn the tide of the Revolutio

DO choose a bag with wheelsIt’s easier for you, it’s easier for the baggage handlers, and it’s safer for your stuff. “If a bag has four wheels, we can push it down the length of the plane when we load it,” a former ramp agent and baggage handler told Reader’s Digest. “If it doesn’t roll, it most likely gets thrown.” That’s not because agents want to harm your bag, either—it’s simply the most efficient way to load the bags and get your f

There’s no question that layovers and delays are awful—and sometimes happen for the strangest reasons. Fortunately, these 12 airports won’t let you get bored. In fact, you can even squeeze some exercise into your long wait by going for a swim (after all, it’s the best exercise in the world). Yes, really. Going for a swim while you wait for your flight is now a reality.  Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel, Philadelphia, PAPer their website, every Renaissance hotel is “

SloveniaEveryone seems to be discovering this affordable gem in Eastern Europe at the same time: Recently Lonely Planet named the Julian Alps one of the top 10 regions to visit. The New York Times featured the charming medieval capital city of Ljubljana in its 36-hour destinations (we also found an amazing tree house there). National Geographic awarded the capital is Legacy Award, and local chef Ana Ros was named the World’s Best Female Chef in Pellegrino’s “The World’s 5

Cutesy construction barriersConstruction can be unpleasant to look at, so might as well make it a little cuter. The unsightly orange and white striped barriers you’d find in America might catch drivers’ eyes, but the cartoon-shaped ones in Japan will make you want to keep looking. Blue traffic lightsAlmost universally, red means stop and green means go. If you’re in Japan, though, you’d have to wait a long time waiting for the traffic light to turn green. In that country, the “go” lights are mor

Bird Island, Placencia, BelizeNestled at the center of a pristine coral reef (snorkeling, anyone?), Bird Island in Placencia, Belize is a private-island paradise perfect for lazy days in the sun, kayaking, and fishing. The crystal clear waters lend for refreshing mid-day dips, while the sprawling outdoor living space calls for plenty of wave watching. And when you’re finally ready to explore civilization, the village of Placencia is only a short 20-minute boat ride away. It can accommodate

Great Society & Mead, Long Beach, CaliforniaThis gastropub, Great Society & Mead located in Long Beach’s East Village Arts District, is a husband and wife collaboration of a love of hard cider and fine casual food—the duo spending most of their time working with staff and talking to customers to keep things running smoothly. With 20-plus taps to choose from, the attentive crew behind the bar will educate you to your heart’s desire. This time of year, the seasonals sell out qu

Castello di Casole, A Timbers Resort—Casole d’Elsa, ItalySitting on a hill overlooking the breathtaking Tuscan countryside, Castello di Casole‘s infinity pool practically blends into the vineyards stretching across the seemingly endless hills. Spending hours admiring the scenery is not unusual for Castello di Casole guests. With easy access to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti, the winery tours and cultural activities are limitless. After all, a glass of wine a day keeps th

A terrible year for damageThis year’s hurricane season has wreaked unimaginable havoc on some of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world for serious R&R on white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Barbuda, Dominica, Turks and Caicos, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, and St. Barts are among the most affected destinations, with many facing humanitarian and public health crises. You can take action for those affecte

Give up control to experience more of life’s pleasant surprisesControl is a big thing in my family, but traveling doesn’t really allow for it, and neither does the Italian culture. When I arrived in Venice, I pictured a sparkling city situated atop a shimmering Adriatic Sea. But it was raining sideways, and the public water taxi from the airport to my hotel was so slow I thought about swimming there. Upon arriving at one of the most gorgeous hotels I’d ever seen, the Hilton Mol

My pow wow invitationGrowing up a student of literature, I’ve been reading Sherman Alexie for a long time. He’s the Native American poet all teachers of the genre teach, giving outsiders a glimpse of what his sliver of the reservation was like as well as the deterioration of his culture. But while I know such deterioration exists, and that I can’t fully understand what it feels like, deterioration is not what I felt when I attended a pow wow nestled under the great humps of New

MinnesotaTo crown a state the happiest of all is a tall order, but several surveys and polls have done the work for us. We rounded up the top 10 happiest states, five according to a 2017 large-scale study and five from a 2016 poll of over 170,000 people across the U.S. First up, in the 2017 Wallethub study, analysts looked at emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment in all 50 states. Their pick for the happiest state: Minnesota. While Minnesota didn̵

Vienna, AustriaAs Billy Joel sings in his hit song, “Vienna waits for you…” This magical city in all its historical elegance and youthful energy makes for the ideal honeymoon trip to Europe (be sure to check out these tips for stress-free travel before you book). The city takes a lot of pride in its musical heritage, as home to Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, and many other famous composers and musicians. It also has a rich history, including a monarchy that ended in 1918 following

Know that it’s worse for them—especially on the way back downYour baby isn’t being a baby when she’s screaming as you land—what you’re experiencing as a mild muffling may be excruciating pain for your kids. That’s just one of the 21 secrets to flying with kids that flight attendants and pilots want you to know. In fact, a 2007 study found that 22 percent of kids may experience ear drum damage due to the pressure changes on a flight, compared to only 10 percent of ad

Flat-screen TVsScan pictures of the rooms on the hotel’s website for potential dangers before you book, suggests child safety expert Debra Holtzman, author of The Safe Baby. One thing to look at? The television. Unless a flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall, it could be easy for kids to knock the device over and hurt themselves. “If it’s older, make sure it’s all the way on [its surface] and pushed all the way back,” says Holtzman. If you’re stuck with an unstable flat-screen, ask the front des

​Wear the right shoesWhat do shoes have to do with apple picking, you’re wondering? First, you want to make sure you protect your footwear properly for the damp fall conditions. And, according to Peter Hull of Apple Dave’s Orchards, “Apple trees are out in a field with tall, six inch grass. Warm, dry shoes make for happy picking!” He adds that dressing in layers is a good idea, too, because a day that starts out chilly may end up sunny and warm. Keep your skin coveredWear

A hidden gemOK, we know what you’re thinking (because we thought it ourselves first, too): The YMCA is not a vacation spot. And it’s true, the workout room at your local Y is not where you want to spend a family vacation. But Colorado’s YMCA of the Rockies is different—a hidden gem on 86 private acres right in the shadow of the Rockies. Here’s another reason to make the trip: The Rockies and Estes Park are one of our 30 must see places around the U.S. before your kids fly