The Sonoran Desert in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. This Arizona travel destination is filled with adventurous activities and cultural hotspots to make your romantic vacation memorable. By Judy Wade.
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Warmly tucked inside our heated high-speed gondola, my son and I take in the spectacular scenery as we soar up Mont Tremblant (www.monttremblant.ca), the highest peak in Quebec, Canada. The resort’s European-style village appears underneath. Looking as if they have been airlifted straight from the French Alps, the buildings are painted brilliant shades of pastel, cream or orange, and capped by red and silver roofs.

At the 2,871-foot-high summit, towering trees pierce the bright blue sky like a skier’s stairway to heaven. A crisp cold wall of fresh air, scented with pine, greets us as the doors swing open. Clicking into our skis, we make our first run down P’tit Bonheur, a carved green (beginner) run through fresh snow. Schussing on a perfectly groomed white carpet, we are flanked by snow-laden trees on either side.

At the first lift, a regular lets us in on the local secret to avoiding long lines: Ski the more remote North Side and Edge area in the morning, and in the afternoon, when the uninitiated discover that the easier runs are on the North, head to the sunny South Side and Versant Soleil. With 49 miles of trails cutting through 654 acres of varied terrain, there are plenty of options here for skiers of all levels. I surprise my son—and myself—with a daredevil routine on the six-meter-high half-pipe in Tremblant’s snow park, rated one of the best snow parks in North America by Ski Magazine (www.skinet.com). 

We venture to Versant Soleil in the afternoon. The rugged landscape is heart stopping. Contoured trails hug the natural terrain with undulating troughs and sharp rising mounds. I careen down the roller-coaster-like slope. Total freedom! Later, drawn by the smell of burning wood and maple syrup, we stumble on a voyager’s log cabin, where a roaring fire and hot refreshments beckon us inside. Weathered wooden snowshoes hanging on a wall remind me it’s time for the “walk on the wild side” part of our winter adventure.

We head up the mountain again, this time on the back of a snowmobile and outfitted with rented high-tech snowshoes—only our tracks mark the pristine snow. Early dusk is the ideal time to observe area wildlife. Barely 25 yards along the trail, a mother doe keeps three young fawns in tow. Feeding on a thicket of trees and shrubs, they pay no attention to us. After a perfect winter day, I have a translation for the resort’s slogan, “joie de vivre”: Anyone coming to Tremblant had better be prepared to have a good time.

 John W. Yan is the founding publisher of the Canadian Tourism Commission’s TOURISM magazine. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Facing each other across Tampa Bay, the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg offer differing views on paella and palm trees, cigars and surrealism, and the cultural heritage of Florida.
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Sunglasses are a necessity on a drive along the Southern California coast, where the rays blanket the blue Pacific with shimmering flecks of light. Skip the air conditioning, though. Just roll down a window, stick out your hand and feel those balmy breezes rush between your fingers. The year-round Mediterranean climate sparks romance, just one of the reasons why cheerful San Diegans are always boasting about the weather.

On Saturday, experience San Diego’s beach culture at Mission Beach. Start the day early with the sound of breaking waves in the background while you enjoy a breakfast of eggs and bagels at North Shore Café for $7 to $10. It’s right on a boardwalk that parallels the ocean and is a great spot to watch the parade of swimmers, skaters and beach bums passing by. The café is adjacent to the Belmont Park amusement park, and you can choose to rent bicycles and cruise the boardwalk, or, if you dare, cuddle close and scream on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, one of two original oceanfront roller coasters operating on the West Coast ($6 per person).

Spend the afternoon at SeaWorld (admission $69, $59 children 3–9 and children under 3 free; parking $12), just 15 minutes away, and feed fun-loving bottle-nosed dolphins or slide your hands over the slick surface of a California bat ray. Be sure to see “Believe,” a show in which trainers interact with magnificent killer whales.

At the end of the day, the two of you can sip margaritas and watch the sun set from the Ocean Terrace at George’s at the Cove. This romantic La Jolla restaurant is famous for specialties such as garlic roasted shrimp and Asian marinated skirt steak with garlic spinach and buttermilk onion rings (entrees $16.50–$25). Stroll down tree-lined Prospect Street after dinner and explore the fine art galleries and specialty shops that stay open late.

Start Sunday downtown at homey Hob Nob Hill. Locals have enjoyed hearty breakfasts here since 1944. Mimosas are made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, and the made-on-the-premises cinnamon rolls are a sweet start before a corned beef omelet or a waffle sprinkled with pecans ($1.95–$15.25).

After breakfast, head for Balboa Park, where the San Diego Zoo ($26–$35) and more than a dozen museums are situated on 1,200 verdant acres abundant with floral gardens, and towering palm and eucalyptus trees.

The zoo houses approximately 4,000 animals, and besides lions, tigers and bears (oh, my!), you’ll find many endangered species and the largest number of giant pandas in the United States. Steal a kiss on the Skyfari Aerial Tram, an airborne shortcut that sails over the whole park ($4 each way). Once you’ve toured the zoo, head over to Balboa Park’s Botanical Building to view the exotic orchids before a light lunch at The Prado. Sample the tortilla soup ($6.95) and chopped salad with mango and grilled chicken ($9.95-$14.95), then drive down Broadway to the Gaslamp Quarter.

Don’t miss Westfield Horton Plaza, an open-air shopping complex that looks like a fantasyland, with turrets, domes and twisting stairways in sherbet shades of strawberry, grape and orange. Use the handy parking garage, then search for souvenirs at the kiosks, where you’ll find everything from shell necklaces to straw hats. Dine at Beach City Market, a gourmet market specializing in fresh and healthy food that is owned by Culinary Institute of America graduate, Brian Jackson. Afterward, walk a few blocks to Croce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar and end the evening with a sweet, slow dance.

If you have another day, stop by Old Town San Diego, the first European settlement in California. The nine-square-block area has historic buildings, and plenty of shopping and fine dining.

 Though romance may come and go, Marcia Manna is happy to report that her secret love affair with San Diego and all of its hot spots remains an enduring passion.

Baltimore’s waterfront offers dining, shopping, history and fun. By land or sea, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor reveals the allure of maritime life. By Susan Weissman
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Photo caption: At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls is taller than Niagara Falls.

New York’s Finger Lakes region is filled with waterfalls and wine trails waiting to be explored. 

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More than two hundred years ago, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark followed the Missouri River into current Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota—today, you can too.Follow the trail of explorers Lewis and Clark  in an ascent of the Missouri River through Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

A River Runs Through It

Fort Atkinson, Nebraska
Lewis and Clark set up camp here, not far north of Omaha, for their first official council with American Indians. The parties gave speeches and exchanged gifts.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska
Just north of Atkinson, passersby can see much of the flora and fauna Lewis and Clark recorded 200 years ago.

 
Lewis and Clark State Park, Iowa.  There’s rest for the weary at this trail spot in Onawa, where visitors picnic, camp, swim and fish.

Sergeant Floyd Monument, Iowa
Pay your respects in Sioux City to the only member of the Corps of Discovery to die on the journey.

Spirit Mound, South Dakota
Just north of Vermillion, Lewis and Clark boldly hiked to the top of this mound once feared by the Indians. On the other side, they beheld beautiful and seemingly unending plains filled with bison.

Road Rules
If you’re from a country other than the United States and plan to operate a motor vehicle in Nebraska, Iowa or South Dakota, you will need an international driver’s license and the insurance card of the vehicle owner at all times. South Dakota http://www.state/sd.us/DRR2/motorvehicle/index.htm requires drivers to have a Resident Alien Card (green card). Nebraska http://www.dmv.state.ne.us requires a valid passport. And Iowa http://www.iamvd.com requires a vehicle registration card.

Map: Laszlo Kubinyi

The magic of Orlando, Florida, doesn’t stop at the gates to its well-known theme parks. From art and history to incredibly diverse ecological refuges, Orlando offers numerous opportunities to explore a wonderful world. Apart from thrill rides at Disney and Universal Studios, Orlando is its own wonderland of art, theater, gators, orchids, and national and state parks.  By Chelle Koster Walton
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You can learn a lot about America from these vintage roadside attractions. There’s something for everyone, from the world’s largest ball of paint to the smallest recreation of Elvis’ Graceland home, from bats and alligators to Western shootouts and the world’s largest six-pack of beer.

By Jeff Faust and Sheri Masters
Illustrations by Albert Lorenz 

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It’s Wednesday and you know what that means — Weekly Offers!  Check out our discounted rates at select locations throughout the US and Canada — there’s still time to plan a weekend getaway to your favorite Country. 

If you’re in a need of a sweet deal, you still have time to take advantage of our summer promotion — book 2 or more consecutive nights and save 15%!  Need destination ideas?  Be sure to check out our I love this Country roadtrip itineraries before you head out to Hit The Road Country!

Happy travels!
~Emily