Open Arizona Highway / Photo: Wolfgang Staudt

Transportation. Food. Lodging. These are the three key elements of any road trip. Well, and music, too, but we’ll get to that later. First things first: the logistics.

Transportation

Classic American ride / Photo: Stevo Arnold

1. GETTING WHEELS:

Despite all the recession travel deals currently being hawked by the tourism industry, rental car companies haven’t taken notice.

If you’re without your own wheels, you won’t want to go the rental route.

An “economy” car from Hertz, picked up on June 1 at JFK in New York and dropped off on June 14 at SFO in San Francisco would have run you $164.99 a day.

That’s $2,309.86…before insurance, gas, tolls, and other hidden costs, like extra driver or “age differential” fees if you’re under 25. For that amount of money you could go to the other side of the world in style.

But a road trip does require a vehicle, so to cut down on costs, you’ve got to get creative.

Would you share a ride with this gentleman? / Photo: JFL

The Beauty Of Ride-Shares

Consider ride-shares (glorified long-distance carpooling) or contract arrangements.

People are always looking for someone to drive their car across the country.

You can search for possibilities on Craigslist or advertise an arrangement yourself on Matador’s Forum.

Be sure to get all details in writing, and don’t forget to check with your insurance company or the owner’s insurance company to make sure you’re covered.

Pumping gas in Wyoming / Photo: TCP

2. GASSING UP:

While gas prices are a lot lower than they were this time last year, filling up a dozen or more times is still a painful proposition for your wallet.

You’re not likely to get around this expense (unless you’re driving a veggie oil powered vehicle), so plan smart.

Websites like GasBuddy help you map your route around the gas stations where prices are lowest. Its database, updated daily, lets you search by state or zip code to find specific stations with the cheapest gas.

You can also look up lowest prices by state and city. (Currently, Tucson, AZ looks like a good stop: It’s got the cheapest gas in the country.)

Food

3. SNACK:

Snacks are an indispensable part of any real road trip.

Golden apple / Photo: morning rumtea

Stock up before you hit the road. Mix up some perennial favorites, like trail mix, or bring along a cooler with sandwich fixings that can be replenished at local grocery stores along the way.

4. FORAGE:

If you’re taking the back roads, there’s no better time than summer to sample some tasty roadside grub.

But unless you’re already a foraging expert, be sure to check out David DeFranza’s guide first.

5. SAMPLE TRUE AMERICANA:

Louisiana eatery / Photo: Laffy4k

Local cheese in Vermont. Grits in the Carolinas. Gumbo on the Gulf Coast.

America doesn’t really have a single defining dish because every region offers something delicious and unique.

Pull into the most podunk town you can find and sample their specialty — you’re sure to get a lot of local flavor, and we’re not just talking about the food!

Lodging

6. CAMP:

Camping is one of the cheapest sleeps you’ll ever enjoy (and one of the most adventurous and romantic, too).

Possible view from your tent / Photo: Fred

The U.S. offers some incredible and affordable overnight camping options in every single state.

National parks will guarantee you the most beautiful surroundings. Options and requirements (advance permits, for example) vary, so be sure to check the NPS website for information about the parks along your route.

If you don’t have the gear or the budget to buy the basics — tent, sleeping bag, and camp stove, minimum — now’s not the time to make that investment. You have at least two other comfortable and affordable options…

7. COUCHSURF:

You’ve probably heard about Couchsurfing already; if not, you can read all about the wonders of sharing a couch.

If you’re traveling solo (which is completely antithetical to the road trip vibe), then Couchsurfing your way across America is ideal…and it’s free.

If you’re traveling with a full car, though, or just want some privacy, don’t forget to consider…

Hotel room / Photo: TheoGeo

8. HOTELS:

You get a lot of bang for your buck in some hotels these days — including privacy, your own bathroom, continental breakfast, and the morning paper.

Sign up for a rewards program before your trip and plan to stay at the same hotel at each stop along the journey; you’ll be able to rack up free nights, gift cards, and many other rewards — your choice — and get a head start on your next trip.

Join a rewards program from a hotel group that offers lots of lodging options.

We recommend Choice Hotels, which includes Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotels and eight other affordable and convenient hotel brands.

If you’re concerned about staying connected, many of these hotels offer free Wi-Fi. And though you may think hotel stays are expensive, they often offer deals that can help you earn points towards free nights on your next trip.

Now about that music…

Check out the Greatest Roadtrip Soundtrack Ever.

Community Connection

Get fired up for your road trip by taking in the The 5 Best Roadtrip Scenes Of All Time or reading this essay about the great American tradition of roadtripping..

Edmund from King Lear / Photo: Anthony Topper, Feature photo: Randy OHC

1. Shakespeare by the Sea
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

[Editor's Note: This festival recommendation comes to us from blogger Kimberly Walsh.]

Set within Halifax’s historic Point Pleasant Park, Shakespeare by the Sea offers a unique extension to the cultural scene in the city. Now in its sixteenth season, the troupe has been performing the bard’s tales among historic military buildings. All the shows take place at the Cambridge Battery, the ruins of which make for a fine backdrop for the productions.

Although located in the downtown core, Point Pleasant is the largest forested park on the peninsula and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the 15-minute walk through the forest before settling down for the show. Later in the season, performances finish after sunset, so come prepared with a light sweater and a flashlight.

The 2009 season features “Love’s Labours Lost” (opens July 5), starring Amos Crawley, Caitlin Stewart, and the award-winning local actor Jeremy Webb, as well as “Macbeth” (opens August 15), with David Flemming and Genevieve Steele.

2. Shakespeare in the Park
New York City, New York, United States

New York City’s Shakespeare in the Park has been a summer tradition for more than 50 years.

Photo: chadmiller

City dwellers and visitors alike brave hours-long lines for their chance to pick up free tickets, but even if they’re not among the lucky folks who will get to see A-list stars interpreting the bard underneath the stars, the camaraderie of the wait has become an event in its own right (bring a lawn chair and a picnic or a phone number for pizza delivery).

This year’s festival features Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” with Raul Esparza and Anne Hathaway among the cast’s big names (June 10-July 12), and Euripides’ “The Bacchae,” starring Andre De Shields and original music composed by Philip Glass (August 11-30).

Both plays are staged in the Delacorte Theatre, a semicircular outdoor venue that’s so insulated from the city noise that you’ll forget where you are.

3. Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Boulder, Colorado, United States

TIME Magazine ranks the Colorado Shakespeare Festival as one of the best in the U.S. Performed by a professional troupe based out of the University of Colorado at Boulder, the university’s outdoor theater could hardly be a more inspiring setting for the series of plays offered each summer.

Photo: turtlemom4bacon

Like New York’s Shakespeare in the Park, the CSF has a tradition of putting on plays for over 50 years. Yet it may be even more fun than the NYC festival; check out all these pre-play activities, including picnics and backstage tours.

This year’s festival starts on June 15 and runs through mid-August. Featured plays include “Hamlet,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “The Two Gentleman of Verona.”

4. Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Ashland, Oregon, United States

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of the oldest Shakespeare festivals in the United States.

Beyond its exceptional reputation — drawing accomplished Shakespearean actors who view performing in this series as a feather in their cap — a visit to the 2009 Shakespeare Festival can kick off a longer trip: Ashland is the gateway to Oregon’s Rogue Valley, home to Crater Lake National Park.

For a full list of this year’s plays, click here.

5. Bard on the Beach
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Bard+beach+BBQ. Sounds like a winning combination to us. Add fireworks and a mountainous backdrop on top of all that, and we’re sold on Vancouver’s Bard on the Beach.

It may not have the longevity of some of these other festivals, but it sure sounds like fun. Plus, we love the nonprofit theater company’s mission: to make all of Shakespeare’s plays, performed in non-traditional stagings, affordable and accessible to a diverse audience.

Community Connection

Matador’s giving away two tickets to another fantastic Shakespeare festival!

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, held in New York’s Hudson River Valley, will be providing two tickets (AND a picnic dinner!) to see “Pericles,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” or “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare {Abridged}” to one Matador reader.

If you’d like to win the tickets, leave a comment below telling us the best place you’ve ever seen a Shakespeare play OR the place where you’d most like to see a Shakespeare play (and which play, and why!).

Submit your response by midnight EST on June 20. A winner will be selected at random by the Matador staff. Good luck!

From the Atacama Desert of northern Chile–some parts of which have not received rain in 200 or more years– to the massive glaciers of the south, where visitors are likely to experience weather that takes them through four seasons in a single day, Chile delivers on its promise.

Here are 8 natural wonders that should move Chile to the top of your trip list:

Photos: Julie Schwietert (Matador Travel)

1. The sand dunes of the Atacama Desert.

Photo: clearlycool (Flickr creative commons)

2. The massive glaciers of Tierra del Fuego.

Photo: angela7dreams (Flickr creative commons)

3. The 6000 ft. tall granite walls of Torres del Paine.

Photo: winkyintheuk (Flickr creative commons)

4. The penguins of Punta de Arenas.

Photo: Steve Deger (Flickr creative commons)

5. The active Volcán Villarica, just outside of Pucón.

Photo: philliecasablanca (Flickr creative commons)

6. The surreal world of the Atacama Desert.

Photo: magical-world (Flickr creative commons)

7. The pristine beaches of Easter Island.

Photo: magical-world (Flickr creative commons)

8. The quiet bays of Chiloe.

Photo: velazsolano (Flickr creative commons)

Photo: SFmatador (Flickr creative commons)

Community Connection: Have you been to Chile? Thinking about going? Share your favorite natural wonders or questions about Chile below. Read Matador member VickiElizabeth’s blog, “10 Things I Have Learned in Chile.” Check out Matador organization Patagonia Volunteer, which offers numerous opportunities for travelers to volunteer in the Southern Cone.

Unlike many other Latin American countries, Puerto Rico has a limited transportation system. While publicos (collective vans) can move you from one city to another, getting to the departure point is often difficult and time-consuming, and pinning down a schedule is next to impossible.

Driving the island is the best way to get to know Puerto Rico. At just 100×39 miles, it’s easy to discover almost all that Puerto Rico has to offer in a short period of time.

And what the island offers is extraordinary, especially considering its size. These five best drives will take you from the coast to the island’s interior, showing you the diversity of Puerto Rico’s geography:

• the turbulent waves of the Atlantic north coast
• the smooth as a plate waters of the Caribbean south coast
• the curious karst limestone formations
• the extensive underground cave system
• the dense and lush rainforest
• the desert

The itineraries include starting and destination points, with must-see sites along the route. Some lodging recommendations are also included.

Itinerary One: San Juan-Loiza-Rio Grande

If you want to hang out in the capital for a day or two before renting a car, Old San Juan is a compact, walkable historic center with plenty to see and do.

For an impressive view of the bay, climb to the top of either of the old city’s forts: Fuerte San Cristobal or Fuerte San Felipe (referred to as El Morro). Pass through the only remaining gate of the walled city and stroll along the waterfront “Paseo de la Princesa,” particularly inviting in the evening.

On weekend nights you’ll happen along arts and crafts vendors and musicians on this path. But if it’s daytime and you’re in the mood for art, check out Museo de las Americas, located in the Cuartel de Ballaja building.

And if you’re a late night music lover, no stop to San Juan is complete without a visit to the seedy but perennially popular Nuyorican Café. Celebrity sightings here have included Benicio del Toro and Scarlett Johansson…though not together.

This itinerary takes you to one of the island’s favorite beaches, but if you’re already jonesing for sand and surf, throw a towel down at Escambron (aka “La Ocho”), a small but worthy stretch of beach wedged between Old San Juan and “New” San Juan.

My own favorite though, is Ocean Park, a cleaner and typically less crowded beach in an upscale neighborhood just a couple miles away from the airport. If you decide to overnight before pressing on, check out lodging at Tres Palmas Inn, which is just across the street from the beach.

Photo by Oquendo

Once you’ve got wheels, head out of the city towards Loiza and Rio Grande. You could take the new toll highway, but you’d miss out on some spectacular driving. Instead, turn left on Road 187 before the airport and head through the beachside town of Pinones.

The road is lined with ramshackle kiosks where fried treats are cooked up on wood-burning fires, and if you’re thirsty, look for a man scaling a coconut tree with his machete; he’ll be happy to hack off the coconut’s cap and hand you a refreshing pick-me-up for a couple bucks.

This two lane road is ideal for rolling down the windows and turning up the tunes. Pull off the pavement, though, and you’re in for a real treat: a well worn track runs through the sand dunes overlooking the water and despite the rampant problem of litter, there’s some camera-worthy scenery and plenty of places to pull over to enjoy it.

Back on the pavement and leaving Pinones behind, you’ll cross the Rio Grande and head into the predominantly Afro-Puerto Rican town of Loiza, which has a rich and interesting history. The bridge that brings you into Loiza was constructed in the 1970s; before that, Loiza was geographically isolated and residents had to cross the river on a makeshift ferry.

If you stop here for a couple hours you’ll still get a sense that Loiza is on the geographic and social margins. Check out the small but beautiful church, named for Loiza’s patron saint, Saint Patrick (and ask a local to tell you why).

Ask around for the artist Samuel Lind and visit his studio, which is located in the home he’s been building for years. Lind is a famous painter, sculptor, and lithograph artist.

Head out of Loiza, still on 187, and follow the signs to Rio Grande. After some road that looks pulled straight out of a romantic movie, you’ll break back out onto the highway and find yourself just outside the town that’s home to North America’s only rainforest, El Yunque.

Check out Hal Amen’s The Best Hikes in Puerto Rico Guide for advice about best trails to visit in the park.

Rio Grande’s a good place to call it a day; head up into the hills for Villa Sevilla, a guest house owned and run by proprietors Marina and Wally Lawson. The grounds are rife with plantain, mango, passion fruit, and dozens of other fruits and vegetables, and when you hear the hens clucking you’ll know a fresh egg has just been laid.

Enjoy the salt-water pool and the views from the porch of the Chalet, which is perfect for a small group of friends. The smaller Casita is good for singles and couples. Marina and Wally are attentive proprietors and have been ranked #1 of all 97 B&B lodgings in Puerto Rico for the past two years on TripAdvisor.

Be sure to ask Wally if you can try his homebrew: beer made with passionfruit straight from the vine.

Photo by Coast Guard BM

Itinerary Two: Rio Grande-Fajardo-Guavate-Ponce

From Rio Grande, make your way southeast on Route 3 to Luquillo Beach, consistently ranked by guidebooks as one of Puerto Rico’s best. Luquillo’s waters are typically calm, and the expanse of beach is long, giving people plenty of room to stretch out.

If the afternoon sun has you burned out, drive Route 3 on over to Fajardo and visit Las Cabezas de San Juan, a nature reserve that contains seven ecosystems in a single park. The guides are knowledgeable and while securing entry to the park is onerous (see practical tips), the effort is worth it.

Stick around until dusk and then head out for Fajardo’s bay for a guided kayak trip through the bioluminescent mangroves. Puerto Rico has three of the world’s handful of bio bays, and Fajardo is the best on the main island. You can find a dozen or more operators trying to sell you a trip in the bay’s main parking lot.

Overnight in Fajardo and wake up with an appetite: you’re headed for Guavate, THE place to experience Puerto Rico’s favorite culinary delight: pig on a spit. Take 30 west to 52 south; exit at the sign for Guavate.

The road up to Guavate is lined with kiosks and open-air patios packed with people hungry to chow down on roasted or fried pork and tostones (fried plantains). Cars are parked every which way wherever drivers can find a space; be bold and follow suit.

Head back down the hill and hit the highway, headed southwest on 52 for Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second largest city and the so-called “pearl of the South.” This drive will take you through the mountains, and you’ll notice a drastic change in landscape—from moist and lush to dry and cactus-marked—once you start your descent towards Ponce.

Once in the pearl of the South, take a turn around the main plaza, stopping to see the old fire house, the cathedral, and—my favorite—King’s Cream ice cream (try the coconut and almond—together—they can’t be beat). Tuck in for the night at the historic, family-run and locally owned Hotel Melia (and be sure to enjoy breakfast the next morning on the rooftop terrace).

In the morning, scale the hill with the cross of La Vigia in your sights. If the elevator’s working, ascend to the top of the cross for a sweeping view of the Caribbean; if it’s not, check out the house.

If you’re wondering what else to do in Ponce, check with Quique at the Melia; he’s a friendly person who will go out of this way to help his guests.

Photo by bitshaker

Itinerary Three: Ponce-Guanica-Sabana Grande-Cabo Rojo

Ponce could keep you busy for a couple of days (did you take the trolley tour around town yet?), but head on out to the hills for another Fideicomiso property, Hacienda Buena Vista.

A former coffee plantation, Buena Vista is tucked into a densely forested mountainside just off Road 501, and offers an informative tour of the carefully restored house and the grounds. If you time your visit right, you might just get to try some of the locally made chocolate.

From Ponce, head west on Highway 2 towards Guanica. It was in this town’s bay where the US launched its invasion in 1898. Today, the town has become a little-visited but worthwhile stop for visitors to Puerto Rico’s southwest coast. Guanica is also noteworthy for its dry forest.

Somewhat out of the way, but worth the detour for the religious or simply curious, is the Virgen del Pozo (Virgin of the Well) sanctuary in Sabana Grande. Located on Highway 364, Km 2.4, the sanctuary attracts faithful Catholics asking or thanking the Virgin for miracles.

An entire room is filled with evidence of miracles, including photographs, crutches, medallions, and letters written by people grateful for the Virgin’s intervention.

From here Sabana Grande, make your way southwest, picking up Highway 102. One of the few roads in Puerto Rico that can truly be called an oceanfront drive, 102 winds through old pineapple and sugarcane farms, leaving you on a stretch of two lane road where you’re driving almost level with the ocean.

Cabo Rojo has dozens of roadside kiosks where you can pull over and sample all kinds of seafood treats. Be sure to save this stretch of the drive for the sunset.

Itinerary Four: Cabo Rojo-Rincon

Highway 102 leads you north all the way up the western coast. Take it to Highway 429, which will lead you straight into the popular surfing town of Rincon. While you could spend a day or two just lounging on beaches here, don’t skip the lighthouse at Punta Gorda or the monument to the discovery of Puerto Rico, just north of Rincon in the town of Aguado.

Photo by Oquendo

Itinerary Five: Ponce-Corozal-San Juan

If you’ve had enough of the beach, choose north on Highway 10 instead of west when leaving Ponce, and head into the Puerto Rican interior. The road north will take you through the mountains, near the coffee lands of Jayuya.

You’ll skim the edge of the Rio Abajo State Forest before ending up in Arecibo, home to the famous observatory. While I’d only recommend a stop at the observatory if you’re really into astronomy, Playa Sardinera and the Natural Reserve of Cueva del Indio (Indian’s Cave) are both worth a visit before you head east towards San Juan.

Although you could take the slower, more scenic route, patching together a drive through some back roads between Arecibo and San Juan, Highway 22 might be a better option. If you want one more stop before arriving in San Juan and trying out some of the activities mentioned in Itinerary 1, be sure to swing by the Bacardi factory in Catano. Tours—and two drinks—are free.

After trying out these routes, you’re likely to see why Puerto Rico’s nickname is the “Island of Enchantment.” Sappy? Sure. But it’s also true.

Practical Tips:

*Several airports receive daily flights from the mainland US. The main international airport is located in the capital, San Juan (SJU). Other airports include Ponce and Mayaguez.

*Car Rental: You will need a driver’s license and a valid credit card. Debit cards are not accepted by all rental agencies, so if you’re planning on paying with debit, check with the local rental office before you arrive. A reliable and affordable local company is Charlie Car. With locations throughout the island, Charlie is a locally owned operation that has excellent service.

*Speed limit, distance, and gas: Don’t let the seemingly low prices at the gas pump fool you. Pull out your calculator; gas is measured in liters.

*Tolls: Have some cash on hand while driving; there are some tolls along these routes. For more information about tolls and driving in general, visit the Department of Transportation’s website. The site also has excellent detailed maps.

*Fideicomiso properties: Open only Wednesday-Sunday and rarely answering the phone, the Fideicomiso properties are difficult to get into, but are worth the effort. Call in advance for a reservation and be persistent.

Photo: Hessam

Travelers who are also wine enthusiasts know that California is their North American mecca. With more than 2,000 vineyards and wineries, California produces over 90% of the wine made in the U.S. An entire segment of the tourism industry has grown up around wine-based itineraries.

Photo: coba

Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast offer the oeno-traveler the most wineries per square mile, and became only more popular after the release of the 2004 film, “Sideways.” Capitalizing on travelers’ interest, vineyards and wineries opened up their operations like never before.

In addition to the usual field and cellar tours, all sorts of new experiences were offered to tourists: wine hikes, bird’s eye vineyard tours from the perspective of a hot air balloon, and tours by train and bike.

The wide range of offerings paid off: 14.2 million international travelers visited California in 2006, and at least 11% enjoyed activities that were specifically geared to California’s wine and food industries.

Not all the fun’s in Napa, Sonoma, or the Central Coast, though. In fact, some of California’s most interesting destinations for wine-loving travelers are in totally unexpected places… like Los Angeles.

Photo: Rob

A bit off the well-beaten path of California’s wine trail is the San Antonio Winery, located in the heart of the city. San Antonio, named for Saint Anthony, was established in 1917 by Santo Cambianica, an Italian immigrant who was but one of many vintners in L.A. at that time.

Just three years later, though, the majority of his competitors had shuttered their wineries in the wake of Prohibition. Cambianica wasn’t one to give up. He worked his way around Prohibition by seeking permission to make wine of religious services rather than general consumption, and it was this creative intervention that kept his business afloat.

Today, the San Antonio Winery continues to make sacramental wine but also makes wine for the public, and it’s the only working winery in L.A. Guests can tour the cellar, participate in a wine seminar, sample wines during an artisan tasting, or enjoy Italian-inspired meals at the winery’s own restaurant, which was built in what was formerly the fermentation cellar.

Located five minutes from downtown, the San Antonio Winery is an ideal option for wine enthusiasts who don’t want to stray into the countryside or have no plans to make it to the coast.

The fact that the winery is family owned and has been for four generations will guarantee the personal touch of some of the more remote wineries, and the fact that it’s tucked into the city means that you’re likely to enjoy a winery that’s not overrun with wine trail tourists.

Community Connection

Matador member and frequent contributor Craig Martin is a traveling wine aficionado. Read more about his recommendations in How to Drink Wine Like a Pro.

Feature photo by jacoulter Photo by Editor B

10. Because New Orleans needs your money.

As a city whose economy has always been largely dependent upon tourism, the losses caused by Hurricane Katrina were not only of lives and physical structures, but also of the city’s economic infrastructure. One of the reasons why rebuilding progress has been so slow is due to the fact that tourism has declined sharply and this traditional source of revenue—which includes everything from hotel taxes to parking taxes—has largely dried up. New Orleans needs your tourist dollars perhaps more than anywhere else in the United States.

9. Because lodging is a deal.

Because New Orleans needs your tourist dollars, you can find some great deals, especially for lodging. Decent hotel rooms in the Warehouse/Arts District can be had for as little as $60/night. The city has several hostels for the ultra-budget conscious, and couchsurfing is popular here, too.

Photo by chuckp

8. Because this city always has a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.

Though you’ve missed this year’s Jazz Fest, the city’s just gearing up for a batch of fun summer festivals. From the Beer Drinking Festival and the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival to the Creole Tomato Festival and the Satchmo Summerfest, there’s a party for every interest.

7. Because New Orleans is a walkable city.

You can explore the best of New Orleans on foot (and it’s a flat city!) or grab a streetcar or city bus if you get tired. The city has great walking paths along the Mississippi River. Biking is also popular.

6. Because New Orleans is romantic.

Is there any other city in the country that has as many gas lamps per capita as New Orleans? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, that’s reason enough to come visit. Trust me, New Orleans is for lovers.

Photo by bobjagendorf

5. Because New Orleans is easy to get to.

Fly in to Louis Armstrong International Airport, ride in on Amtrak, or take the long haul into town via Greyhound. Don’t forget—New Orleans is a port city, so check out Anna Brones’s great article, How To Travel by Cargo Ship.

Photo by treyevan

4. Because New Orleans is a fantastic jumping off point for day trips.

It’s less than an hour to the Mississippi border and minutes to bayou and swamp country. Fun excursions less than 200 miles away include the Tabasco factory out on Avery Island.

3. Because New Orleans isn’t just about all that jazz…

The city also has an amazing arts scene. Visit galleries, check out the monthly art market (last Saturday of every month, year-round, in Palmer Park) or get creative yourself by checking out the glass blowing workshops at New Orleans ArtWorks.

Photo by babasteve

2. Because your vacation can make a difference.

If you’re interested in voluntourism or learning tours, New Orleans is the place for you. From Habitat to Humanity (which needs 500 volunteers a week) to Share Our Strength, your visit can make a difference. Stay tuned to Matador’s Volunteer blog, where we’ll soon be sharing the 6 best volunteer experiences in New Orleans.

1. Because we need to let New Orleanians know we haven’t forgotten about them.

New Orleanians would rather talk about the future than dwell on the past, but they still need to know the rest of the country and world cares about them. Your visit signals that you’re not afraid to look at devastation and that you’re visionary enough to see a hopeful future.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION!

Matador member Olivebeard knows New Orleans well and has blogged about the city. Gypsygrl is our resident New Orleans expert. A recent Pulse piece featured Julie’s four favorite businesses in New Orleans. Matador is a community of passionate travelers who want to make a positive difference in the places they travel. Check out the people of Matador and make your own profile today!

Feature photo by brunotessa Photo above by PBoGS

New York City is consistently ranked among America’s favorite travel destinations, but few visitors know that an entirely different yet equally interesting world lies less than an hour outside the urban bustle of Manhattan’s concrete canyon.

Photo by Randy OHC

This guide to the five best Hudson River Valley day trips gives you itineraries that are new even to locals.

These peaceful escapes are far enough off the beaten path not to be overrun, but close enough to public transport for you to easily get back to the city.

The itineraries are intended to be flexible. Some offer lodging options and can easily be extended into weekend trips. For the ambitious traveler, the itineraries can also be combined into a single journey.

No Car? No Problem!

The Hudson River Valley is serviced by Metro North trains, which run to and from New York City. All of the sites listed in these itineraries are located within 20 minutes of a train station; taxis at each depot are available to help you reach them.

Here are the top 5 peaceful escapes in the Hudson Valley.

Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

Just off Highway 9, the main road taking you out of Manhattan and into the Hudson River Valley, is the “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” town of Garrison, which is where you’ll find Graymoor, a spiritual center staffed by Franciscan friars.

One of the main functions of the center is to host one-day and weekend retreats, and there are at least two every month, except June.

Graymoor also has rooms available (singles and doubles) for visitors who would like to engage in self-directed reflection; for $65 a night, you will be provided with basic but comfortable and private accommodations and three meals.

If you won’t be staying over, there’s still plenty to see and do. The grounds are extensive and beautiful, and there are many quiet places for reflection, writing, or enjoying nature.

Be sure to check out the sweeping view of the valley from the cliff just to the right of the old friary.

There’s also a bookstore, gift shop, and thrift store on the grounds. The proceeds from the latter go to the St. Christopher’s Inn, which is a rehab facility.

Photo by tonythemisfit

*Tip: The Appalachian Trail cuts through Graymoor’s property; in fact, until 1994, Graymoor provided lodging and meals to tired hikers. (They now permit hikers to set up tents on their ball field).

If you plan to explore the Valley on foot, consider combining the itineraries by using the AT as your thoroughfare.

Headed north from Graymoor, you can follow the AT over to Highway 301 East, which will lead you to the Stonecrop Gardens, Fahnestock State Park, the Taconic State Outdoor Education Center, and the Chuang Yen Monastery.

Stonecrop Gardens

A few miles past Graymoor, further north on Highway 9, you’ll come to a stop light marking the junction of 9 and Highway 301. Turn right (east) and you’ll come, more or less in succession, across each of the remaining itinerary sites.

The first of these destinations is Stonecrop Gardens, a tucked off-the-road secret garden. Actually, Stonecrop is several gardens: woodland, water, grass, alpine stone, cliff rock, and English, to be exact.

Open from the beginning of April until the end of October, Stonecrop is a plant lover’s dream. Be sure to visit the picturesque pond-side conservatory.

If you want to know what plants will be flowering during your visit, check the bloom calendar. If you’re a gardener, ask about Stonecrop’s seminum and rarium programs, which provide native and rare seeds at a reasonable price.

*Tip: Be sure to check days and hours of operation in advance. At the time of this writing, a $5 admission fee is charged to each visitor.

Photo by bucketwater

Fahnestock State Park

The 14,000+ acre Clarence Fahnestock State Park is a multi-use site that is equally welcoming to the hard-core outdoor enthusiast and the passive recreationalist.

Depending on the season, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails, fishing, and hiking. Go as deep into the park as you like, but there’s plenty to keep you busy just off the shoulder of Highway 301.

Going east, you’ll come across a small lake. You can enjoy a picnic on the shore or rent a rowboat by the hour or by the day.

A bit further up the road, just past Canopus Lake, you’ll find the entrance for “the beach,” a lakeside shore built in the 1970s with sand trucked in from Long Island.

For information about activities, permits, and hours visit the park’s website; maps and additional information can be found here.

Photo by christinahope

Taconic Outdoor Education Center

Taconic Outdoor Education Center is actually a part of Fahnestock State Park, but the Center is worth its own listing because it offers some special experiences, including maple sugaring (the process of tapping maples for the sap that will become syrup).

The TOEC is especially great for families, hosting occasional recreation festivals during which kayaking, orienteering (finding your way around in the woods), and other sports and skills are taught.

The TOEC also offers affordable lodging, camping, and retreat options.

Chuang Yen Buddhist Monastery

Just past the “Town of Kent” sign on the north side of Highway 301 is the unassuming entrance for the Chuang Yen Monastery.

As you enter the wooded property and the road yields to a view of the massive temple, you’ll be amazed to learn that such a tiny, out of the way town is home to the Buddhist Association of the United States.

Enter the Great Buddha Hall or Kuan-Yin Hall and engage in meditation. Walk around the Seven Jewels Lake and watch fish and turtles going about their business.

Visit the Woo-Ju Memorial Library to see one of the best collections of Tibetan Buddhist literature in the United States.

If you happen to visit on the weekend, free vegetarian meals are offered to guests between noon and 1 PM. If you like Chuang Yen so much you’d like to stay a bit longer, modest lodging and meals are provided for just $15 a night. Retreats are also offered periodically.

Community Connection!

Matador members (heart) NY.

Lola recently wrote a fun blog about the Hudson Valley town of Peekskill.

Veronica, an expert on NY art museums, writes:

“One of the best things about living in NY is the embarrassment of cultural riches–and particularly the amazing museums.”

For info on the hottest bars and clubs in the Big Apple, check out Kyle’s guide to the Top 10 Nightlife Spots In NYC.