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Wave Organ I'll start this list off with one of SF's hidden treasures: the "natural" wonder of the wave organ. This monstrosity of an acoustic sculpture channels the ocean's waves to create varying sounds resembling music. Check the tides before visiting, and try to go during hide tide for the best performance! Alcatraz Only a quick ferry ride away, the infamous island prison sits just off San Francisco's coast and is still chock-full of stories and history. You'll need to book your guided tour well in advance (sometimes months, depending on the time of year). The tour itself is a few hours, and a really cool experience I imagine everyone would enjoy! Ferry Building The Ferry Building sits on the edge of the Embarcadero, with an awesome view of the Bay Bridge and enough culinary... Read More

Catalina Island On Catalina Island it's enough to spend your entire weekend lounging in a cabana on the beach, but there's more to explore if you want to make the most of your time there! You can tour the Catalina Casino (actually not a casino), hike the Trans-Catalina Trail, and stroll through shops on Crescent Avenue. Ventura Set on the coast between Santa Barbara and Malibu is Ventura - the surfer's sweet spot with friendly locals, live music, great bars and even better burritos. Ventura is known to be where the "truly" outdoorsy call home, so hit the surf or take in sunset views from... Read More

This must-read Southern Utah camping guide covers everything you need to know - from the best time to go to the best campgrounds and more! Full of impressive hoodoos, canyons, rivers, and lakes, Southern Utah should be at the top of any camper's list. Southern Utah has endless places to explore and some of the most scenic campgrounds in the country. I've had the pleasure of traveling Southern Utah extensively, and every time I visit I'm blown away by the incredible scenery and quality of campgrounds. Whether you plan to camp in Southern Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks or opt for free camping, here's everything you need to know about camping in Southern Utah! Watch for Wildlife Camping in Southern Utah means being on your toes for wildlife encounters. Along with some bigger mammals,... Read More

Temperatures in Zion National Park are consistently warm, even through the winter, and many of the sites are open year round as a result. Just note that there are no shower or laundry facilities at the campgrounds within the park, so be sure to plan ahead to account for this. To beat the crowds and summer heat, I recommend camping in Zion in either early spring or late fall - you'll still see all the sites, but you'll have a better chance at nabbing a camping spot and be way more comfortable at the same time. Lava Point Campground Lava Point Campground is a first-come, first-serve site that is far away from the crowds. An hour and a half drive from the South Entrance, Lava Point is a primitive campground and is free as a result. You'll find pit toilets and trash cans here, but no water or other amenities. Definitely stock up on food and water before you set up shop. Watchman Campground If you want to make some friends, have tons of amenities, and be in the center of all the... Read More

Direct flights to Turks & Caicos' gateway island Providenciales - referred to as Provo by the locals and those in-the-know - are available from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Philadelphia, New York City, Newark and Washington, D.C. Activities To start, consider the type of honeymoon you and your betrothed will enjoy together. Are you a couple of adventure seekers looking to get your adrenaline pumping after you tie the knot? Or, do you both prefer a laid back vibe to relax and relish your newfound wedded bliss? It is easy to make a splash... Read More

Never Feed Or Touch Wildlife Both in the water and on land, please view wildlife only from afar and never feed them. Feeding wildlife makes them habituated and reliant on humans. Getting too close or feeding wildlife can lead to attacks - and in the case of marine life, many of them have a mucous covering them which is antibacterial and touching them can remove some of this protective... Read More

Renting a car will not only get you into the park, but it will allow you to explore everything the park has to offer on your own schedule. Fairmont Banff Springs Having originally opened in 1888 after Canadian Pacific Railway built a rail through the area, the Fairmont Banff Springs is a grand, historic property important to Canadian history. After a few decades in operation, the original... Read More

To get to Moorea, you'll first have to fly to Papeete, Tahiti, which is the capital city and major hub of French Polynesia. If you're coming from North America or Europe, one of the easiest ways to get to Papeete is from Los Angeles. Once you get to Papeete, there are flights that will take you to Moorea via Air Tahiti, but I personally recommend taking the ferry, which take only marginally... Read More

Appenzell Located in Northeastern Switzerland at the foot of the Alpstein Mountains, Appenzell is a rural paradise surrounded by lush rolling hills. The town is home to about 7000 people, is car-free, and is known for its traditional ways and folk festivals. In Appenzell, stroll the pretty streets, check out the Appenzell museum, take a hike in the Alps, and eat all the locally-produced Appenzell cheese. Lauterbrunnen Set in the stunning Lauterbrunnen valley, one of the largest nature conservations in Switzerland, the town of Lauterbrunnen is a must for every nature lover. Gorgeous... Read More

All That Green! Gothenburg's flair for architecture finds its way into its beautiful parks and gardens, of which there are many. Parks like Slottsskogen Park, Keillers Park, and the Gothenburg Botanical Gardens give you plenty of gorgeous pathways to walk, run, or bike while enjoying the natural lay of the land. The Islands A great way to check island-hopping off your vacation to-do list,... Read More

Tunnel View What is perhaps the most iconic photography location in all of Yosemite, Tunnel View is composed of El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the center, Cathedral Rocks (including Bridalveil Falls) on the right, and an expanse of trees below. While the spot can be crowded, getting to it is super easy with the location being just east of the tunnel on Wawona Road and lots of parking available. El Capitan Meadow El Capitan Meadow offers a softer landscape compared to some of the more dramatic locations on this list, but that's not to say it's any less worth it. With the expansive meadow, towering trees dotting the landscape, and El Capitan and Cathedral Peak hanging out in the background, El Capitan Meadow is the perfect photography location for more ethereal shots. Glacier... Read More

Maharepa A village on the northeast side of Moorea, Maharepa is a prime location due to its proximity to Cook's Bay and the Gulf of Moorea. The village is also home to an assortment of restaurants, shopping centers, grocery stores, cute souvenir shops, a bank, and even two post offices. Maharepa is where I stayed during my time on the island, and I loved that all the amenities were so close by that I only needed a car when I wanted to check out more of the island. Hauru More of a region than a town on the northwest side of Moorea, Hauru is known for its 5-kilometer tourist strip full of shops, restaurants, cafes, boutique hotels, and highly rated scuba diving centers. Additionally, it's said that the northwest of Moorea is home to some of the best beaches, such as Hauru Beach, so if you're looking for long relaxing days on the sand, Hauru is the place for you. Afareaitu Located just a few kilometers from the port of Vaiare, the village of Afareaitu is known as the... Read More

The Sea of Cortez is Baja California's own little slice of paradise, known for its crystal-clear waters, unique coastal landscapes, and exclusive - even interactive - sea life! The islands sprinkled throughout the gulf are little-known hidden gems and are home to unbelievable experiences one could only have in this beautiful corner of Mexico. Recently, I was lucky enough to take a cruise with... Read More

The best time to visit Norway completely depends on what you want to see. While the country is beautiful year round, your experience will differ greatly depending on the region, the activities, and the month. Norway is a long, large country and is diverse in weather and tourism hotspots. November through January tends to bring very intense snowy conditions and limited sun - conditions that some travelers will find harsh. Meanwhile, spring and fall are great for lower costs on accommodation, but it's important to double check if your preferred activities will be doable, as many of them are seasonal. Visiting Norway in the Winter A season that is generally shrouded in darkness due to Norway's northerly geography, winter brings with it a calm, winter-wonderland paradise feeling that is... Read More

Stop Using Plastic Cutlery Each year, billions of plastic straws, forks, spoons, and knives are used once and then thoughtlessly thrown away. Eventually, these plastic items end up in landfills and rivers, either polluting our air and soil or making their way to the world's oceans. One easy and obvious way to reduce our plastic cutlery use is to purchase reusable or biodegradable straws and cutlery. Carry a Reusable Tote Just like plastic cutlery and straws, billions of single-use plastic bags are used and discarded every single year. A great way to combat plastic bag use both at home and while traveling is to carry a reusable tote. A simple tote bag will be flexible enough to fold and carry in your purse or backpack, is inexpensive, and will save you from using plastic bags. This one will easily fit in your pocket and is washable. Ditch the Travel-Sized Bottles Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste tubes are a huge issue when it comes to eco-travel. These tiny... Read More

Booking the Ferry to Channel Islands National Park According to the National Park's website, you must book your ferry ticket before you reserve a campsite at any of the campgrounds. The ferries fill up quicker than the campsites because of day trippers, so be sure to check Island Packer's availability first. The ferry to Santa Cruz leaves from Ventura Harbor. If you are traveling from out of... Read More

“You are going to Cancun?” I hear the security checkpoint officer inquire after I hand him my passport and boarding pass. “Yes, I’ll be staying in Riviera Maya, but I stop in Phoenix first. It’s the boarding pass on top.” “You are going alone?” He asks in a concerned tone. “Yes, I travel to Mexico alone quite often.” The man still seemed a little uneasy, so I felt the need to tell him I would be meeting people there. This being my first time to Cancun, I began to wonder what was the cause for concern. I didn't get into more details since all I wanted to do was get through security and catch my 6:30AM. My guess is that his worry was not for a woman traveling solo to Cancun, (although in Cancun my biggest problem would most likely be the drunk Americans) but travel to Mexico as a whole. I found it hard to believe airport personnel would give into the media hype and instill fear into passengers about the safety of the entire country of Mexico. Frequent... Read More