Fans cheer for fallen ski star Shane McConkey at last year’s Matchstick Productions premiere at the Boulder Theater. (courtesy Matchstick Productions) Summer’s over. There, I said it. I know it’s heresy to say that before Labor Day. And I know…  Read More →

If you’re still undecided about a vacation spot for the upcoming long Labor Day weekend (a bit of a procrastinator, are we?), I have to suggest giving Florida’s Gulf Coast some thought. I visited Sandestin, part of the Beaches of South Walton, a couple of weeks ago and was pleased to see that the beaches at one of my fave vacation spots were untarnished by the oil spill. Even more amazing was the lack of crowds on these typically uber-popular... 

The Lost Girls themselves have sent me two copies to give away to two of the most unique book club participants. Leave a comment to this post with your dream lost girls (or boys) itinerary. If you could take a year off from your life, where would you go and what would you do—tell me in 200 words or less. Authors Jennifer, Holly, and Amanda will choose their favorite two dreamers to receive books in time to begin reading with the Away Book Club  Read More →

In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, the sparkly world of Hollywood is melding with the deep dedication to history the foundation works to uphold. With the Guest Artist Program, Colonial Williamsburg is creating a draw to people who would otherwise not think to visit the historically-rich area. The changing economy and diminished travel opportunities make it hard to break out of the normal routine and explore the world. This is a prime example of... 

Great American Beer Festival, Denver, Colorado (Daniel Spiess) Their website calls it a ten-day celebration of “all things beer.” I call it the single most brilliant idea the Mile High City has ever had. Being an ex-Denverite myself, and a…  Read More →

I recently visited London with my family and spent a week based out of Greenwich, the leafy borough along the banks of the Thames River in the southeastern quadrant of the British capital. I must admit to not really expecting much from London after having lived and visited there extensively over the years: Too busy, too expensive, too many hassles when navigating with kids… Happily, our sojourn in Greenwich washed away my familiarity-breeds-contempt... 

There’s the vacation, but then there’s always the… waiting. But in a response to dealing with this dilemma in our travelers’ forum, Florida-based Courtenay O. was a fount of practical travel-planning wisdom, from making lists to getting the right gear to backing up your travel documents. She wins the first of four free flight vouchers for the best travel advice submitted by users on Away.com.  Read More →

Early signs of fall have been creeping into the lives of east coasters. In the last week I’ve grabbed an extra blanket in the middle of the night, sat comfortably without air conditioning, and noticed a slight tinge of changing colors around me. Growing up in Kentucky, “up a holler” in the Appalachian Mountains, I basked in the beauty of fall and learned to cherish the season for the feeling it brought into my home. Cuddles, fireplaces,... 

If the Great Barrier Reef is one of the Seven Wonders of the World then spending the night on a boat above it should be the eighth. Unlike other live aboard experiences being offered up and down Northeastern Australia, Fantasea Adventure Cruising is less about how many dives you can log a day, and more about having a good time. The docked pontoon is located 45 miles off the coast of Queensland and sleeps a maximum of six guests. Every booking comes... 

To hop or not to hop? That’s the question. Hopping the Greek Islands is a scensory overload of beauty and a way to experience a different atmosphere each day. A sense of freedom is felt from creating your own itinerary—you wake up each morning with the option to stay or move on. There are numerous pluses to choosing this as your next vacation, English is widely spoken, cheap rooms are easy to find, and ferries are frequent. Make sure you... 

So, you’ve booked that safari that you have been planning and plotting for years. I know from experience that the excitement can hardly be caged, as you tell everyone you meet about the destination you are soon to visit, the scenery which exists there, and the wildlife that you’re sure to spot. Take advantage of the weeks leading up to your departure to buy any last minute essentials. However, what exactly to take can be tricky if you’ve... 

Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa, is widely considered the easiest climb of the seven summits—which isn’t to say that the climb isn’t a cake walk. But now you have a chance of at least getting to the base of the famed mountain—for free—thanks to a new sweepstakes brought to you from Polarmax and Backpacker Magazine.  Read More →

For all you biking fools out there like me, bike-appropriate gear is hard to find—much less gear that serves its purpose while also serving your style. August means summer, and it’s a hot one. That doesn’t mean your beverages have to be. If you can dream it, Timbuk2 can do it—they’re keeping frosty treats chilly with the Dolores Chiller messenger bag, named after the wildly popular summer outing destination, San Fran’s... 

Those of you with a love of art history know Giverny as the home of Claude Monet. Less than an hour by train from Paris, you can make the pilgrimage to Monet’s home and his spectacular Japanese water garden inundated with day lilies, the inspiration for many of the works that hang on the walls of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and other impressive collections of Impressionism around the globe.  Read More →

Oil spill be damned, I’m heading to Florida’s gulf coast this Friday for four days of heaven on the beaches of South Walton. The leak is plugged, the beaches are beautiful, and the new airport is open (thank you, Southwest!).The Obamas are following suit, with a family vacation planned to the area this Saturday and Sunday. Check back here next week for pics of me swimming with Michelle and the girls! Right.  Read More →