U.S. Top Honeymoon Destination

Where do people go to celebrate their nuptials? Apparently, no where. Well, not no where, but they certainly are staying close to home. According to a study done by the wedding site, the Knot, the U.S. is the most popular destination for Americans last year. Of the 12,000 couples surveyed, 30% honeymooned in the continental U.S., the most popular locations were Orlando and Las Vegas. The Caribbean came in a close second with 28% venturing to the tropical islands.

Other popular destinations included Hawaii, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Italy, St. Lucia, France, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic and Greece.

So why did more couples decide to stay nearby for their honeymoons? The main reason was money. It is a lot cheaper to take a trip to Florida or Nevada than it is to go to Europe or the South Pacific. Another reason was time. Many couples had to take shorter vacations because they did not have the time off work.

If and when I get married, you can be sure I'm leaving the continental U.S. I'll make sure I save up enough money and vacation days to get a honeymoon abroad.

The Appeal of Small Town Travel

I'm a city girl, always have been, and always will be (given job, relationship and financial status). And while I may not want to live in a smaller town, I am not opposed to visiting them. In fact, they can be a nice escape from the whirlwind of city life. As I was reading through GQ Magazine--yes, I'm broadening my horizons--I came across an article in their travel section about what makes small towns so great to visit. They also profiled a few small towns around the US that have some noteworthy characteristics and attractions for tourists to enjoy. After reading through the article, I got to thinking about what makes a small town special, and what it really boils down to is the overall feel.

Small towns have a homey, welcoming quality to them that is difficult to find in big cities. The sheer size makes large cities seem commercial and flashy, while small towns provide a more personal, intimate environment. And while there may be more to see and do in a city, there is plenty to keep a person busy in smaller towns. And sometimes the less there is to do, the better. I mean, the idea behind a vacation is to relax, right?

Some of the towns mentioned in the article included Charleston, South Carolina; Portland, Maine; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have never been to any of these locations, but I have written about Charleston for my freelance travel writing job. I know that I was interested in visiting after researching it for that article, but after hearing more about it, I want to go even more now. Apart from the world-class dining and elite accommodations, it is also incredibly easy to get around the city via bicycle or walking. You can see practically everything in one day, but why would you want to? It's a better idea to stretch things out and dedicate one day to a single attraction, simplifying the whole vacation and allowing you to really absorb everything Charleston has to offer.

Portland and Santa Fe also seemed to have many of the same appealing factors: good food, nice hotels, interesting attractions, all wrapped up in a convenient package. There are plenty of other small towns worth mentioning, including Providence, Rhode Island; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Little Rock, Arkansas. I know there are a lot more that I'm not mentioning, and even more that I don't know anything about. So tell me about some that you know of, or perhaps your own home town. I'd love to hear about places I should visit.

An Adventure in Your Own Backyard

I realize I have been absent from my blog this past week, and I want to apologize. Life has been very hectic with work and finishing up final papers for classes. But I am officially on my spring break now, so I should have more time to post.

One thing I have realized from all the work I've been given is that there are incredible places to visit right outside our door. Yes, right here in the U.S., there are plenty of places to go.

I know I talk a lot about heading overseas to exotic destinations and far-off countries. But anything that differs from our everyday lives can be considered exotic. Maybe not in the contectual sense of the word, seeing as most of us consider rainforests and rare animals and primitive cultures exotic, but a dictionary definition states: of a uniquely new or experimental nature; strikingly unusual or strange in effect or appearance. I can say with confidence that many places in this country seem very odd at first glance, because, let's face it, we're not accustomed to them.

Through my research for my travel writing internship, I have discovered fascinating facts about cities I never even thought to visit. Now, I really want to go to Boise, Idaho. Yep, never thought I would ever say that. But the city of trees--yes, that's it's nickname--looks like a great place for a long weekend. The city is a recreational paradise, with rafting, hiking, skiing and biking. It has fascinating museums and impressive historical landmarks. It's home to the largest concentration of Basque people in the United States. And did I mention they serve the best fingersteaks anywhere? That's because no one else makes them!

A couple other cities I am adding to my list of destinations are Albuquerque and San Antonio. Both have an air of the old west combined with the vibrant culture of Mexico. And they have some great attractions. Who wouldn't want to see the Alamo? Or ride the longest tram up a mountain? If nothing else, the food is spectacular, I'm sure. I plan on trying both red and green chile on my food in Albuquerque, and I will definitely get a tamale in San Antonio, along with some pan de dulce!

Of course I want to see the world, but part of that is venturing to cities in my own country. So let the journey begin!

The Four Corners of the United States

Once again, a conversation with my boyfriend has sparked an idea. We were chatting on a drive back to Chicago from Milwaukee about the places in the United States we have visited or would like to visit. This may not sound all that exciting, but usually when we talk about travel we discuss exotic locations around the world we hope to go one day. But it occurred to me there are plenty of places in my own country that I have not visited and would like to. Steve said he wants to go to every corner the of the country: the Northwest--Seattle; the Northeast--Maine; the Southwest--Arizona/California; and the Southeast--Florida. (He has already made it to Key West, the southern most point of the U.S.--apparently.) Of those, I have only been to California and Florida, so I have a lot more ground to cover in my life.

There are fifty states in our country, and I have been to twenty-seven. Twenty-three to go. At the top of my priority list: Washington and Oregon. Ever since I went to Vancouver this summer, I have been dying to go back to that North Pacific environment. After that, I'd love to go to Louisiana and see New Orleans. It will be a nice change from the frigid cold that has finally hit Chicago.

As much as I long to travel the globe and see all the world has to offer, there are regions around America that foster culture, history, and entertainment worth visiting. So maybe in the next few years I can make it around this country and see all the cities on my list. It just keeps growing the more I think about it. Looking forward to the road ahead...