Leaf-peeping by bicycle in Reno-TahoeGetting your children to sit stil—no matter the season—is a tall order. So while you and your partner may subscribe to the idea of lounging, hand-in-hand, on a deck while you overlook the mountains, your kiddos might go stir-crazy in approximately five whole minutes. One idea that is stimulating and adventurous, without requiring too much effort, is cycling. When you visit the Tahoe area, you can rent bikes to make your way along the Truckee River. Here, you&

Oktoberfest in Munich, GermanyVisitors at Oktoberfest need not go far to reach the Four Points by Sheraton Munich Central, which is the closest hotel to the main fairgrounds. Its rooms book up quickly—often nearly a year in advance—thanks to its excellent location. A recent renovation touched up all corners of the hotel including in the Wanderbar, where you can enjoy even more beer surrounded by photos of iconic Munich locations. Any of the fifth-floor studio rooms, like 508, overlook the fairgr

The LouvreThis Parisian staple took the top spot as the world’s most popular museum in 2017’s Theme Index and Museum Index, a collaboration between Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM. The Louvre, the biggest museum in the world, is home to 380,000 pieces of art in total. It would be humanly impossible to see all of the museum in one visit…or even 100! Surely one of the biggest draws at this former castle is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Did you know that the Mona

When you’re searching for the most dependable cars, one of the best places to start is with J.D. Power and Associates. For almost 30 years, they have been putting out their U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and this year is no exception.This time, the 2018 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study has surveyed 36,896 original owners of 2015 model-year cars after three years of ownership. Many cars were awarded top honors in dependability in this year’s study and our focus is on the top nine. As a gr

Are you safe during your daily commute?We spend nearly thousands upon thousands of hours commuting over the course of our lifetimes. But in some states, getting behind the wheel is riskier than in others. Using 2016 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), job site Zippia.com ranked all 50 states based on commuter safety. These are the highlights, starting with the safest states for commuters and ending with the most dangerous. (The complete ranking can be found here

Smoking a cigaretteAccording to Brenda Thomas, a Georgia-based fire prevention chief, smoking poses the biggest risk of a fire while pumping gas. One loose piece of cigarette ash can ignite gasoline vapors in the air, setting anything nearby (including your car) on fire. “If a fire starts, do not remove the [gas pump’s] nozzle,” Thomas says. “Back away immediately and alert the store attendant” so they can shut off the fuel.RELATED: 13 Garage Mistakes That Could Put

The official reasons for getting pulled overThere are a handful of things that a cop can pull you over for—which is when you better know the best way to talk yourself out of a ticket. You’ve likely committed a moving violation, which means you could end up with points on your license, an increase in your rates, or depending on your recent behavior, a license suspension, warns insurance advisor, Bradley Hamburger.According to Edmunds.com, which conducted a poll of three separate police agen

An evening with Colbie Caillat and Chef Cat Cora in Santa BarbaraThis Marriott Rewards Moments Live experience at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara is so dazzling, you might need sunglasses just to look at it. First, you’ll be entertained by Grammy Award-winning artist Colbie Caillat as she headlines an acoustic set following a performance by singer/songwriter/actress Clare Bowen from the hit TV series Nashville. Then Iron Chef Cat Cora will serve up an indulgent multi-course meal t

1 / 10The sizeThe 43-square-mile Disney World is vastly bigger than Universal Studios, and you’d need several days to hit all six parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and two water parks. Universal is a bit smaller, using 840 acres for its three parks: Universal Studios (which includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water park. Make sure you know these 23 secrets Disney employees won’t tell you.ⓘ 2 / 10The age g

Sturgeon Bay, WisconsinA favorite vacation spot for Chicagoans, Sturgeon Bay, a manufacturing mecca for yachts and boats, and home to Wisconsin Maritime Museum, is the gateway city to the Door County peninsula, wedged between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Downtown’s cute cafés, vintage B&Bs, and eclectic boutiques are nearly as pretty as the stunning shoreline in nearby Whitefish Dunes State Park. Make it a romantic getaway with a stay at the 18-room White Lace Inn, a Victorian-era B&am

January: Sao Miguel Island, PortugalEven seasoned travelers are surprised to learn about the Azores, a collection of mountainous islands in the Atlantic, a mere two hours away from Lisbon, Portugal. Inma Gregori, travel blogger, suggests making the trek to San Miguel, the largest island, during the winter season, where you might experience more rainfall but less foot traffic. “We traveled there last January and were blown away by its otherworldly landscapes and lack of tourists. A rain jac

Book a window seatSo you can’t afford first class (who can?)—what’s the next-best option for sleeping arrangements? Even though flying coach doesn’t allow for the luxury of a fully-reclining seat 10,000 feet above the ground, Greg Geronemus, the co-CEO of smarTours says a window seat is a great option. Why? It’s easier to fall asleep because you can rest your head on the window, either with or without a pillow, you won’t be woken up by a fellow passenger looking to

Colmar, FranceAlso known as the “Little Venice,” this small town is situated in Alsace, a historical region in northeastern France along the Rhine River on the German border. The picturesque old town dazzles, with cobblestone streets running alongside canals and half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings stacked above. Check out the Unterlinden Museum in a former 13th-century Dominican convent building for local art and history, and enjoy an aperitif of local white wine a

The 2,000-year old menorahHidden treasures often carry much historical significance. Almost 1,950 years ago, in the year 70 AD, the Romans sacked the Temple of Jerusalem and absconded with the temple’s prized Menorah. “We know they brought it to Rome,” Colgate University classics professor Professor Robert Garland tells Reader’s Digest, because it’s “depicted on the frieze on the Arch of Titus in the Forum.” Some claim the menorah was housed at Rome̵

Power up with chargersTraveling with a phone, laptop, or tablet? If it needs power and you’ll be using it during your travels, be sure to keep your power cords in your carry-on, not in checked bags. Also take along a small portable power pack (they start at about $20) so if your phone is on 2 percent and there’s not a plug in site (though you’ll find them under your seat on most airplanes these days) you can still listen to your tunes in-flight or use a taxi app when you land.B

Southern Maine, first stop: PortlandMaine is known for its superb summertime beauty. Everything is alive and thriving, from the people to the lobsters, so no wonder the state is nicknamed “Vacationland.” Start in Portland, Maine. (It’s just an hour flight from New York City, so you can rent a car and be on your way.) The state’s largest metropolis, Portland is set on a peninsula extending into Casco Bay.Where to stay: Check into the trendy Press Hotel, an Autograph Collec

Pink sand beaches of BermudaBermuda’s typically warm weather, stunning views, a long list of water activities like diving into shipwrecks, and pink sand beaches put it high on our list of bucket list vacation spots. The pink sand is actually caused by tiny red organisms that grow beneath the coral reefs just off Bermuda’s shores, and those organisms manage to mingle with bits of crushed coral before making their way to land to cast a distinctive bright pink hue. Don’t miss thes

Coast to coastWe traveled throughout the United States on a budget without sacrificing anything. Our secret: we learned the least expensive times to visit each state. Sure, we made some missteps (going to Orlando during Spring Break wasn’t our wisest decision), but we learned along the way. It’s all about understanding the state’s peak season to visit—and avoiding that time. Here are the cheapest months of the year to visit all 50 states—and the best spring break crowds where y

AlabamaState fairs originated in the 1800s as a sort of trade show for local farmers. Over the decades, they’ve evolved into great big, boisterous grassroots celebrations highlighting each state’s unique culture, traditions, and quirks. Inevitably, those quirks involve wonderfully greasy food as well as amusement park rides, carnival games, arts and crafts shows, auto- and motorcycle racing, and large scale musical concerts. Still, scratch the surface of any state fair, and you’

Scottish haggisScotland is known for its famous haggis dish, which contains sheep’s organs with spices and minced onion stuffed inside the casing of the animal’s stomach. Fear not; if you really want that experience (and not everyone does), there’s a vegetarian version served at the Carlton George Hotel in Glasgow that features beans, lentils, oats, and vegetables topped with a poached egg and gravy. The best way to find veggie haggis (among other local dishes) in Scottish citi