The American side of Niagara Falls got shafted: we don’t have the same full-frontal views of the waterfalls that Canada boasts. Everything is either a partial view or a side glance…except we do have one major advantage because we have Cave of the Winds, which is the best falls experience on either side of the …
Cave of the Winds is the Best Winter View of Niagara Falls Read More »
I’ve had mixed success when using Instagram as inspiration for travel. Sometimes it leads to unbelievable, mind-blowing views. Other times, it presents a contrived look at an experience that doesn’t represent reality. Because of this, I wasn’t sure what to expect at the New Hampshire Ice Castles. The photographs were certainly beautiful…but would they live …
Was Visiting the New Hampshire Ice Castles a Mistake? Read More »
I made a pact this year to embrace the cold. I’ve never outright disliked winter, but it’s far too easy to stay cozy inside unless you put in a special effort. Turns out, some places are even more beautiful in the snow. Franconia Notch State Park, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is one …
4 Gorgeous Winter Hikes in Franconia Notch State Park Read More »
Everyone says winter is the worst time to visit China — unless you’re heading to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, that is. Before my visit, I found plenty of inspirational articles and photographs but I couldn’t pinpoint a recent Harbin ice festival guide to walk me through the logistics. I had zero desire …
Comprehensive Harbin Ice Festival Guide & Winter Harbin Itinerary Read More »
I first published this post in 2014 when I had a winter full of chilly travel: Iceland, Spokane, and Quebec. It was fabulous and I didn’t let the cold bother me — so I added more cold destinations to my list in 2019 and tweaked my recommendations a bit. Here’s how to dress for cold weather …
How to Dress For Winter Trips (Plus Packing Tips!) Read More »
Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular hikes at Shenandoah National Park, if not #1. It’s a well-deserved ranking and in fact, it’s so much fun I named it one of the top 5 hikes in Virginia. Despite being one of my favorite trails, I had never made the circuit in winter. With …
Winter is a great time to visit Europe: prices dip while the temperatures do, with airfares at rock-bottom prices and promotional rates at hotels throughout the continent. However, travelers seeking warm places to visit in Europe during winter sometimes get stumped. Where do you go if you don’t want to pack your parka and get blasted …
Snow is underrated. While everyone else is racing to warm and tropical destinations on their winter getaways, I layer up my long underwear, hide some hand warmers inside my mittens, and embrace the cold. Vieux Quebec (“Old Quebec”) oozes charm all year-round, but a layer of snow transforms it into something magical. The cobblestone streets …
I tend to fall victim to the mindset that travel has to be far away to “count”, forgetting that sometimes there are wonderful attractions right in my own backyard. However, when life got in the way of my existing travel plans for last weekend, a “near-cation” became an incredible back-up plan. For this particular experience, …
Add the Williamsburg Grand Illumination to Your Bucket List Read More »
