Month: March 2023

WEEKENDER: Florida Gulf Beaches

WEEKENDER: Florida Gulf Beaches

As businesses reopen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, residents just south of Tampa remain hopeful that tourists will visit the Florida Gulf this holiday season. Popular spots like Clearwater and St. Petersburg weren’t directly hit, and their beaches will continue to be tourist destinations. If you’d rather spend […]

WEEKENDER: New Bern

WEEKENDER: New Bern

If you drive toward the coast, about 4.5 hours east of Charlotte, you’ll find the waterfront town of New Bern, North Carolina. Nestled where the Neuse and Trent rivers converge, this small city is the state’s former colonial capital and has a rich history. Tour Tryon […]

WEEKENDER: Mount Airy

WEEKENDER: Mount Airy

It’s easy to zoom past Mount Airy, North Carolina as you drive up I-77 on your way to hit the ski slopes in West Virginia or view the autumn leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But consider pumping the brakes about two hours north of Charlotte at exit 100. Just eight miles off the interstate, you’ll find a destination that feels frozen in time. Mount Airy is the birthplace of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the town of “Mayberry” in his iconic television series. To honor that history, Mount Airy has preserved many of the sites made famous on The Andy Griffith Show. But the town has many modern-day attractions for families as well. Take some time to explore it for yourself and be sure to capture some unforgettable family footage of your own.

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Overseas and Overjoyed

Overseas and Overjoyed

Many people are itching to fly overseas after more than a year of being careful and staying close to home. Guidelines are constantly changing, though, and you will need some preparation to ensure a safe, smooth journey. As of press time, countries like Switzerland, Denmark, […]

Inside “The Death Star”

Inside “The Death Star”

There is a new attraction in Sin City, and in true Vegas form, it’s a big one. Owner Mark Davis fondly nicknamed the latest National Football League stadium and concert venue “The Death Star.” Its futuristic outside belies its nostalgic inside. The new home of […]

The Maldives: A Dream Destination

The Maldives: A Dream Destination

In the past, travelers may have visited dream destinations only when celebrating a milestone — an anniversary, big birthday or graduation. After living through two years of a pandemic, however, some feel there is no need to wait for a special occasion to go to a special place.

Vacation-starved travelers are clamoring to see corners of the world they’ve dreamed about for so long. One of those destinations is the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

According to the World Bank, 1.3 million tourists visited the Maldives in 2021, doubling since the year before. Its first resort opened in 1972, and the Maldives quickly became a popular luxury destination. It reopened its borders in July 2020, following a rapid immunization campaign. Today, visitors don’t need proof of vaccination to enter the country.

The Maldives is attractive to visitors from all over the world, with the islands’ remote location, pristine waters, fantastic dive sites, white-sand beaches and eco-friendly resorts.

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Willful wandering

Willful wandering

According to the U.S. Travel Association, each year more than half of Americans leave vacation time on the table — hundreds of millions of unused days. Another study published in Nature found that people who change their scenery regularly tend to be happier. Despite the emotional benefits, […]