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Travel Ideas

Lonely Planet's top 10 spots to feel like a celebrity

Star-studded A-List destinations

photo courtesy of VisitTelluride.com

Lock up that backpack, throw the sneakers to the back of the closet – you won’t be needing them in any of these glittering destinations. Follow Lonely Planet on a red carpet ride through the top 10 swanky spots the celebrities love – and you just might too.  

Check out Lonely Planet’s Top 10 glamorous A-list destinations

 

Source: Lonely Planet



Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Portugal - Choose Your Adventure

There’s a Portuguese party going on over on our sister site, YourLifeIsATrip.com, where each day this week we’re celebrating and sharing some very cool places to eat and drink, stay, visit and explore, focusing the YourLifeIsATrip.com spotlight on the “undiscovered” nature of the country.

Helping us help you launch your own Portugal adventure is our favorite travel search engine - TravelDragon.com.

To whet your appetite here are just a few of their Portugal recommendations:

Portugal Biking: From Ancient Towns to Douro Valley Vineyards

Departs May, August-October

 

Peel back layers of history and tradition as you journey through this captivating corner of northern Portugal. Pedal along pastoral lanes from the ancient market town of Ponte de Lima to Guimarães, a World Heritage site and the birthplace of Portugal. Spin into the stunning Douro Valley, where wine has been produced for nearly two millennia. Explore historic landmarks, climb pine-covered mountains, and encounter friendly locals on horse-drawn carts. Along the way, sample delectable port wine and fresh seafood, and… more


Portugal: Lisbon and the Silver Coast

Departs June

 

The journey to Portugal offers magical landscapes of sandy beaches rimmed by burnished-gold cliffs, fantastic Manueline architecture, fairytale walled towns, hilltop windmills and Moorish castles. The dramatic history of the Knights Templar and of the Portuguese discoveries is softened by the coral-colored hibiscus flowers and purple wisteria wrapping around centuries old stone walls, elegantly painted ceramic tiles and soulful fado music.

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Combine a kidcation with a fab inn in Hershey, PA

The Inn at Westwynd Farm was the sweetest part of my recent trip to Hershey, PA. Photo by Jumping Rocks.

a guest blog by Marti Mayne

My recent trip to the Inn at Westwynd Farm was combined with a “kidcation” to Hershey Park, and while the roller coasters were the high point for my girls, the highlight for me was the chance to stay at this fabulous farm and inn.  The Inn at Westwynd Farm had been on my “B&B Bucket List” for awhile, so when planning our end-of-school trip, there was some method to my madness in taking the kids to Hershey Park, just three miles from the inn.

Take a big dose of romance, combine it with a gorgeous horse farm, add a kid-friendly attitude, and you begin to understand the Inn at Westwynd Farm.  Now imagine huge helpings of extra amenities like a guest fridge filled with wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, popcorn, Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, plus four or five different offerings for afternoon refreshments, and you’ll begin to understand the haute hospitality and extra value here.  Gorgeous rolling hills with horses grazing, manicured gardens and lilies popping open everywhere complete the picture. Click here for more.

 

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

CMH Summer Adventures: photography workshop, yoga retreat and more

Are you looking for a little adventure this summer? From Family Vacationsto Yoga Retreats, Girlfriend Getaways to Via Ferrate, Canadian Mountain Holiday’s summer adventures are sure to invigorate, educate, and revitalize. CMH vacation planners can customize the perfect trip just for you. But to get you started, here are just a few ideas:

Photography Workshop - Join acclaimed Canadian nature photographer John E. Marriott at Bugaboo Lodge. Shutterbugs will have the opportunity to learn from John in one of Canada’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. And, you will come away with new skills and beautiful photos! More info

Short Escapes - These 3-day Heli-Hiking trips at the Bobbie Burns and Bugaboo Lodges are laden with exploring, indulgence, excitement or peaceful journeying. Short Escapes will quickly unwind you and spellbind you…leaving you wanting more! More info  

Yoga Retreat - Led by Anne Douglas, Senior Level Yoga Instructor. The 3-day retreat at Bobbie Burns Lodge is designed to make you stop and find you again. Alpine exploring, tranquil yoga, gourmet food and never-ending serenity await you. More info

 High Flying Adventures - Pack some extra adrenaline: you’ll need it! True mountaineering, and designed to challenge, fulfill, entice and downright thrill, this is Heli-Hiking at its best. Zip-lines, via ferrate, glacier travel and other options available. More info

For information and booking, call 1.800.661.0252, send an email or visit www.cmhsummer.com

Source: Canadian Mountain Holidays

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Give Him A New York City Pass for Father's Day

Coming up with the perfect Father’s Day gift is never an easy task. But if Dad’s been looking for an excuse to hit the Big Apple, the New York Pass grants access to more than 55 of the top sites and attractions across the city for a single price, many with exclusive “fast-track” entry privileges, allowing card holders to whiz past long lines.

Some of the 55 New York Pass attractions include Top of the Rock; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; The Guggenheim; The Whitney; The Museum of Natural History; the Museum of Television and Radio; Bodies…the Exhibition, and MOMA. Behind-the-scenes tours at Madison Square Garden; NBC studios; Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. Free entry to zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens, and places of interest like Madam Tussaud’s; The Empire State Building Observation Deck; New York Skyride, the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island ferry. The New York Pass also includes shopping discounts at stores like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s-it even includes discounts on New York City helicopter rides. 

New York Pass offers single-day passes regularly priced at $75 for adults, $55 for children; two-day passes, $120 for adults, $100 for children; three-day passes, $150 for adults, $130 for children; and seven-day passes, $190 for adults and $150 for children.

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Fly-Fishing Two Ways and Horseback & Cattle Drive Adventures at Triple Creek Ranch

TRIPLE CREEK RANCH INVITES ANGLERS AND WOULD-BE COWBOYS TO TEST THEIR FLY-FISHING AND HORSEBACK RIDING SKILLS WITH TWO NEW PACKAGES

Guests to Triple Creek Ranch in Montana have new ways to hone or show off their fishing and riding skills: the new Selway/Bitterroot Fly-Fishing Package and the Horseback Adventure Package. In the fly-fishing package, wilderness fly-fishing along the wild Selway River, accessible only by plane, and float fishing the Bitterroot River and its famous tributaries offer unforgettable angling opportunities.

For adventurers on horseback a day will be spent fine-tuning riding and roping skills while exploring the ridges and canyons of the vast CB Ranch, another day spent working and moving the herds on a real cattle drive, and capping it all off, the third day will be spent flying into the Selway Wilderness then riding among the pristine mountains and rivers of northern Idaho. Whether fishing or riding, all essential gear is provided; and all meals, beverages, house wines and spirits are included.

Accommodations are in newly remodeled log cabins, designed with Western luxury in mind. At the end of each day, guests return to the privacy of their cabin to unwind in front of the fireplace, enjoy a couple’s massage and sip champagne in their hot tub. Guests also enjoy a nightly candlelit dinner in the Lodge’s award-winning dining room, featuring Executive Chef Jacob Leatherman’s inspired regional and seasonal cuisine selections.

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".