Photo: William A. Franklin

[Editor's note: This post is sponsored by our friends at REI.]

Last winter a pair of blizzards came through Seattle one right after the other. Since nobody could get to work, everyone in our neighborhood seemed to gravitate toward Green Lake. People brought their families on sleds and cross country skis. They let their dogs off the leash. Kids built trails and jumps. I strapped on my snowboard and carved a few turns down 80th St.

For that short time it was like everyone was having spontaneous adventures. All you had to do was go outside. It was one of the best moments we’ve had so far as a family.

Normally though, once you have kids, it usually takes a lot work and planning to get everyone “out there.” With babies and toddlers especially, all the extra preparation and gear can make a trip seem more difficult than it’s worth.

Once you’re there though, seeing your kids excited about the outdoors, watching them play in the snow or see new wildlife for the first time, you remember: it’s always worth it.

Photo: Josephers

The following 8 winter adventures cover a broad geography. They can either be set up as destinations in and of themselves, or simply used as ideas / inspiration for adventures if you have access to similar terrain nearby.

Overall they’re meant to get people started on adventures not just for fun, but as ways to build skills which, as you progress, will allow deeper and more exciting access to wilderness over time.

Remember to stay safe, warm, hydrated, and don’t let not having all the gear stop you from a new adventure or activity. It’s easy and surprisingly affordable to just rent extra gear at REI or a local gear shop.

Snowshoeing in the Front Range, Rocky Mountains

Snowshoeing is the easiest way to get off-trail and have the woods to yourself, even when you pull into a popular recreation area with a full parking lot.

My family and I love snowshoeing in the Front Range of Colorado (basically any National Forest Area along the Peak to Peak Hwy). Part of it is because of the quality of the snow itself. It’s so light and fluffy it feels like you’re walking through clouds.

Tips: Don’t forget to bring goggles (winds can kick up anytime); pack a thermos full of hot chocolate; always bring a map and compass and /or GPS. Sudden snowstorms can bury your tracks — don’t rely on them alone to make it back. Stay on marked trails until you’re familiar with an area. Here’s a great article on snowshoeing tips.

Canoe Camping in Everglades

After the wet season ends in November, winter months are the ideal time for exploring Everglades National Park.

Families with school-age children might consider renting or bringing a canoe for a backcountry adventure through water trails. This allows you to explore the mangrove tunnels, bright sawgrass prairies, and coastlines, then camp at night on safe, elevated platforms.

If this sounds like something you need to transition into, or if you have young kids, there are plenty of other options including dry-land camping, hiking trails, and excellent guided wildlife tours by boat. When we went there were a pair of dolphins surfing the boat wake, launching four and five feet out of the water.

Check out the paddling vid at right for a solid 3-minute guide to paddling with kids. There’s also a good link for camping by water here.

Winter Hiking in the Southern Appalachians

Early winter is actually one of the most overlooked times for exploring and camping in the Southeastern U.S. There are no insects, the forest floor is still piled with heavy, sweet-smelling leaf cover, and you’ll have trails, campgrounds, and shelters (along the Appalachian Trail) to yourself.

Temperatures in the day can be surprisingly mild, but if you’re camping, make sure everyone in your crew has a really good winter sleeping bag and that you’re in solid tents.

Photo: OakleyOriginals

A good introductory option, or option for families with young children, would be car-camping in places such as Linville Gorge, or basing your adventure around day hikes, but sleeping at night in a cabin such as Peaks of Otter Lodge in Virginia.

If your family already has experience hiking and camping together, the next step is a backpacking adventure. My favorite choice in the Eastern U.S. is Linville Gorge. A less strenuous option (the trails into the gorge are extremely steep) would be backpacking along the Chatooga River trail.

Winter hiking, and especially camping, really centers around staying warm and comfortable. Even if you’re not camping, simply hiking with a lightweight stove and cookset, so you can quickly boil up some hot chocolate in the middle of a hike, makes a huge difference. Overall, if planned and done well, winter exploration in this part of world can the give you and your family a total sense of accomplishment, of working together as a team.

Rails to Trails Rides (nationwide)

In many ways, bicycling with your kids is the single easiest way to get them excited about the outdoors. One reason is simply the amount of great gear that allows you to transition your kids from passengers to riders, to let them essentially grow up on a bike. A second is that you can have lots of adventures riding right at home, exploring the city or surrounding areas, seeing them in new ways. After everyone feels comfortable having ‘trained’ locally, you can then, as a family, plan special rides everyone can look forward to.

Photo: MoBikeFed

Where my parents live in Florida is a recently opened Legacy Trail. It’s a little over a dozen miles with several rest stops (parking, shade, bathroom facilities) along the way. This is part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, a nationwide network of trails created from former rail lines.

As the rail lines were exceptionally flat and straight, they make fantastic family bike rides, often passing through wilderness corridors in unexpected places, often just on the edge of major urban areas. Some trails pass over long trestles or traverse deep tunnels (bring a headlamp). Your kids will be stoked. Click here here for trails around the country.

Bouldering in Hueco Tanks

Bouldering is another easy and inexpensive way to get the whole family fired up about exploring outside in the winter. Gear requirements are really only climbing shoes, a chalk bag, and a crash pad.

Even with winter temperatures, as long as it’s a dry day, you can still get good bouldering all around the country. Stone Crusade details spots nationwide. If your family really gets into it, a natural progression would be to plan out a trip to a classic spot like Hueco Tanks.

Tubing in Snoqualmie (or your local hill)

This is the winter family classic. Just get an innertube and/or other sliding craft — boards, skis, sleds — find a good sliding hill, and go for it.

Some ski areas like The Summit at Snoqualmie have tubing areas set up with rentals and perfect terrain. But probably the most fun of all is just finding your own local hill.

Photo: lepiaf.geo

This is also a gentle way to introduce snow and sliding sports to really young children, even babies. The only real problem is keeping babies’ hands warm. Suits like these, with overflaps that cover hands and feet, work really well with a breathable shell and pants (or snowsuit) over top.

Snowboarding / Skiing Your Local Mountain

Becoming a “ski-family” gives you a lifelong activity to center trips around during the winter. The key is for everyone to have a good experience. Budget and time depending, there are two different options.

The first is starting small, finding your closest hill, then progressing from there. If you don’t live near skiable terrain, this doesn’t have to begin with a big trip to the Rockies. There are a surprising number of small local ski areas all over the country, from Wisconsin to New York to Georgia. Try out the place closest to you this winter and see how it goes, then progress from there.

Or, if you’re ready for everyone to get stoked (and spoiled) right away on incredible terrain and winter conditions, head towards the center of the country, to one of the major ski areas such as Keystone or Steamboat.

For people ready to follow fresh snow in different places around the country, check out this free REI Snow Report iPhone App, which makes it easy to check snow conditions, the weather, and lift status at up to 12 of your favorite resorts.

Photo: Tara Kelly Photography

Backcountry Hut Trip in New Hampshire

Hut trips are probably the single most fun kind of winter trip. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about not going to a parking lot at the end of the day, but continuing staying out in the wilderness.

Huts enable you to do this comfortably and safely with the whole family in the winter.

There are various hut trips you can set up around the country, but for those looking for a great ‘out of the box’ winter adventure, this hut to hut trip in the White Mountains is among the most affordable ($300 per person for 3 days, 2 nights food / lodging + all equipment) for people who don’t already have equipment and live close to hut systems.

REI has an extensive catalog of winter adventures definitely worth checking out.

Community Connection

For more on getting your family fired up this winter, please check out the 10 Fundamentals when Packing for a Fun Family Ski Trip.

Photo: Larsz / Feature photo: Mike Willis

1. Spearfish Canyon National Scenic Byway

This is a fantastic drive in any season, where you’ll find granite walls specked with Black Hills spruce and aspen, tumbling waterfalls, and rolling creeks cascading over rocky beds.

The hike to Roughlock Falls is the perfect way to connect with nature. In the fall months the reds, oranges, and yellows of the trees, combined with the deep canyon walls and surging falls, provide plenty of visual and aural stimulation.

Photo: allygirl520

2. Deadwood

This restored gold-mining town is a national historic landmark, with architecture dating from the late nineteenth century. Gambling is legal here, so if you enjoy the slots, or just like bantering with witty bartenders, head to one of the numerous casinos.

If history is what you’re after, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried at the Mount Moriah Cemetery. The Adam’s House Museum provides an educational perspective on Deadwood and the Black Hills.

There are also some great events in town. My favorite, the Deadwood Jam in mid-September, is an eclectic music festival showcasing blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll, and reggae. You can line up lawn chairs at the outdoor venue, crack open some drinks, and enjoy the local company.

3. Mount Rushmore

Visiting Mount Rushmore renews my patriotic spirit no matter how many times I’ve seen it. National pride swells as your eyes wander over the 60ft carvings by Gutzon Borglum and his 400 helpers. The nightly lighting ceremony, accompanied by patriotic music, is a reminder to be thankful for the privileges we enjoy as Americans.

4. Keystone

Two miles from Mount Rushmore, Keystone is an entertaining stop. Dip into the shops and restaurants, fly down the alpine slide, or watch a wood carver transform a tree stump into a proud bald eagle or bulky bison. You can also ride a tram, pan for gold, relax on the verandas, and visit the Presidential Wax Museum.

Big Time Pizza in the Roosevelt Inn has the best pies in the region. Ask for my favorite, the Super Supreme.

5. Hill City

This hospitable town has a quaint Main Street lined with art galleries and shops full of gifts and antiques. Hill City is also home to the 1880 steam train, which winds it’s way from here to Keystone.

Near Rapid City — the gateway to the Black Hills — visit the Circle B Ranch for an authentic western experience. Eat a proper cowboy meal, bob your head to twangy country music, watch a gun fight, and go horseback riding. The Flying T Chuckwagon Supper & Show or the Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show can also satisfy the little cowboy in you.

6. Crazy Horse Memorial

My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes, also.

- Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear to Korczak Ziolkowski

Photo: Jennifer L. Sovanski

These words set in motion the building of the Crazy Horse Memorial, 17 miles from Mount Rushmore. The head alone is planned to exceed the size of the presidents’ heads by over 20 feet.

Although Mr. Ziolkowski was twice offered $10 million from the U.S. government to fund the project, he declined it on the principle that his broader educational vision would be compromised by federal involvement.

Mr. Ziolkowski died in 1982 but his wife, Ruth, and most of their 10 children have continued the work.

7. Harney Peak

Hiking to the top of Harney Peak — the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains at 7,244 feet — is well worth the sweat. On my first attempt I was unable to make it to the top, despite encouragement from hikers coming down.

However, I vowed to make it the next time — and I did. On a clear day, you have panoramic views of South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Montana from the fire lookout tower.

On the way down, this time it was I who encouraged others to keep going.

8. Needles Highway

Located in Custer State Park, the Needles Highway is a road worth traveling for views of the 20-40ft granite spires reaching to the sky, backdropped by thick forest. Drive carefully — the single-lane tunnel is a little harrowing.

9. Caves

There are eight caves to tour in the Black Hills, two being part of national parks and six owned privately. Inside one of the largest cave systems in the world, you can expect to see unique calcite crystals, arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern, embedded in the limestone walls.

As the temperatures in the caves stay consistently in the 50s F, they’re great for cooling off when it’s too hot up top.

Photo: IndigoValley

10. Custer State Park

At 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is a great place for wildlife viewing. You can spot hordes of buffalo grazing on the green grass from Wildlife Loop Road.

Every time I see them, I’m amazed by their size and presence and am reminded of their connection to the Lakota Nation, who relied on buffalo for survival.

I giggle at the wild burros in the park, who stick their snouts into car windows looking for food. Mountain goats, antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and wild turkeys are other animals you might be able to glimpse during a visit.

Looking for some relaxation? The lakes here are the perfect prescription for stress. Swim or fish, or simply wade around for some therapeutic calming.

More information

Make sure you visit the South Dakota Tourism website for more on the area’s history, events, and things to do.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

If you’re looking for more great itineraries and ideas in the States, check out Gateway to Pristine America: 12 Towns on the Edge of Spectacular Wilderness and Bike Touring Montana: Classic Big Sky Rides.

Why not save some money while you’re at it? Have a read of 8 Ways to Save Money on a U.S. Cross-Country Road Trip.

Photo: ashley serra

Graeter’s – Cincinnati, OH

Since 1870, Graeter’s has churned out ice cream the old-fashioned way using a spinning French pot. Its signature chip flavors, like black raspberry chip and peanut butter chip, are specked with its infamous mammoth chocolate chips.

Toscanini’s – Cambridge, MA

Toscanini’s was declared “Best Ice Cream in the World” by the New York Times and has won over a diverse array of fans, including Yo-Yo Ma and the Dalai Lama.

Those who enjoy sampling inventive flavors will appreciate its extensive selection, which features offerings such as pepper bourbon, black bottom, cardamom pistachio, and saffron.

Photo: ashley serra

Bi-Rite Creamery – San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Bay Area has no shortage of ice cream shops utilizing organic local ingredients.

Bi-Rite Creamery specializes in whipping up batches of unique flavors with dairy from the nearby Strauss Family Creamery.

Even the mix-ins are made in-house to ensure high quality.

McConnell’s Ice Cream – Santa Barbara, CA

Gordon F. McConnell came up with his ice cream recipes and production techniques while recovering from World War II injuries. After 60 years, the family-run parlor continues to make rich, dense ice cream from the finest ingredients, including cream from local dairies.

Sibby’s Organic Zone Ice Cream Parlor – Viroqua, WI

This list wouldn’t be complete without an entry from “America’s Dairyland.” All ice creams and waffle cones from Sibby’s Organic Zone Ice Cream Parlor are hand-crafted in owner Sue Sebion’s red barn using only organic local ingredients (aside from the vanilla).

Sebion refers to the dessert as “the official planet peace food” because of its ability to overwhelm you with positive memories.

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory – Brooklyn, NY

When New Yorkers are willing to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and stand line at a shop that sells only six flavors, you know it’s got to be good.

Fans of the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory think so, as its ice cream is made from the “finest, purest, natural ingredients,” and the view of Manhattan from its waterfront location adds a nice touch.

Photo: scaredy_kat

Capogiro Gelato – Philadelphia, PA

Who needs the cheesesteak? Capogiro Gelato brings Italian-style ice cream to the City of Brotherly Love, following tradition by making small, fresh batches of gelato each morning using ingredients from Pennsylvania farms.

In addition to old favorites like stracciatella and pistachio, Capogiro serves up innovative flavors that change daily, such as lemon opal basil and green mango with chili.

Margie’s Candies – Chicago, IL

Don’t be fooled by the name. This old-fashioned candy store/ice cream parlor with two locations is widely regarded for its homemade ice creams as well as its confectioneries.

Offering more than 50 varieties of sundaes, banana splits, ice cream sodas, and milkshakes, Margie’s has been a Chicago landmark since it opened in the 1920s, over the years attracting the likes of Al Capone and the Beatles.

Community Connection

What’s your favorite ice cream, and where do you go for a scoop? Get in the spirit of National Ice Cream Day by telling us in the comments!

Photo above: gruntzooki, Feature photo: mborowick

Beirut

Did you know Democrats Abroad had a branch in Lebanon? Neither did we, but the Bekaa Valley Wine Tour they have planned for Independence Day sounds pretty sweet.

Tickets are $65 in advance or $75 day of, and naturally, all proceeds benefit Democrats Abroad Lebanon.

The American touch in Milan / Photo: Tavallai

Milan

Visiting Milan? You’re invited to a red, white, and blue event at the design museum La Triennale di Milano, taking place from 4-10pm on the Fourth.

We’re talking hamburgers and beer combined with a free English-language museum tour and children’s workshops, topped off with an American Airlines ticket giveaway.

Doors are open to all, and admission is free. For more info, click here.

Photo: laura padgett

Shanghai

Shanghai is home to a large expat population, and the local American Chamber of Commerce is putting on a July 4th shindig at the 5-star Le Meridien She Shan resort. Family activities, catered food, and live music and dancing will be on offer.

You can view the event flyer here.

The Netherlands

Seems like America’s political parties are competing for the hearts and minds of U.S. expats in Holland.

This July 4th, you can choose between a Democrats Abroad picnic in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark or a BBQ in Rotterdam organized by their counterparts at Republicans Abroad. How to decide!?

London

Fireworks fans, this one’s for you. In addition to “upscale and affordable BBQ” and “two fully stocked bars,” this event in Battersea Park features pyrotechnics.

Over 900 partiers were in attendance last year, and more than half that number have already RSVP-ed for this Saturday’s event. No charge for admission.

Singapore

Bouncy castles, soccer and tennis schools, and live music are just some of what’s going on at the strangely named Terror Club Sports Complex in Singapore this July 4th.

Admission is free — just remember to bring ID. And, as in London, the sky will be lit up with an Independence Day fireworks display.

Tokyo Disneyland / Photo: gwaar

Click here for details.

Prague

A lot of little celebrations are slated for Eastern Europe’s U.S. expat capital. Any place where Americans typically congregate will likely have something going on.

This page lists three options to check out.

Japan

Democrats Abroad is throwing down some Fourth love all over Japan.

There’s the “Barack BBQ” in Osaka’s Ogimachi Park, a celebration at the Pink Cow art bar in Tokyo, and a beach party in Kanagawa.

For info on these three events, click here.

Community Connection

Do you have info on a Fourth of July event taking place in a different corner of the world? Share it with your fellow travelers by leaving a comment.

For all you American expats out there, Brave New Traveler has some reading material you might find of interest. Check out What Can Travel Teach You About The American Dream? and How I Made Peace With My American Identity.

Staying closer to home this Saturday? Don’t miss Fourth of July Events around the U.S.

Photo above: iChaz, Feature photo: Bondseye

Go 4th on the River, New Orleans

Celebrate the Stars and Stripes in Dixie. The Big Easy puts on quite the show along the banks of the Mississippi, including a generous offering of free events and — naturally — lots of great music.

The finale comes at 9pm with the Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza. Twin river barges shoot off an insane amount of firepower in one of the country’s best displays.

Details: www.go4thontheriver.com

Taste of Chicago

The Windy City’s biggest festival is about a lot more than patriotism.

Photo: spatulated

Every year, Taste of Chicago draws loads of food vendors serving up the best of classic Chicago cuisine (think deep-dish pizza, Polish sausage, and BBQ) and crowds numbering in the millions.

The best part? You don’t have to wait — the festivities have already begun, and they’ll last until July 5.

Make sure to catch the superb pyrotechnics that’ll light up the shores of Lake Michigan at 9pm, July 3.

Small Town 4th of July, Williams, AZ

America’s small towns know how to throw down just as well as its cities. The highlight of the day in Williams will be the Arizona Skyhawks, a parachuting team that plans to skydive in formation and land smack in the middle of the July 4th parade on Main Street.

Also on the program are a barbecue, corn roast, ice cream social, and the “railhead shooting competition.”

Details: www.williamschamber.com

Boston Harborfest

With over 200 events scheduled between Tuesday, June 30 and Sunday, July 5, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dull moment at the 2009 Boston Harborfest.

Where else can you hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, participate in a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, and be a judge in a chowder competition?

Avery Tomato Festival, Avery, TX

Forget fireworks and freedom. Folks in Avery know what the Fourth is all about: tomatoes.

Photo: The Ewan

Contests seem to be the name of the game at this festival. Standouts include competitions to determine the Best Tomato Hat and Ugliest Tomato, a Horseshoe Tournament, the Tomato Festival Queen Pageant…the list goes on.

And don’t worry, you’ll get your fireworks too.

Details: http://cityofavery.com

Family 4th, Seattle

Seattle does it up right for the kiddos.

Bring your children to Gas Works Park and set them loose in the Playfield, which features giant inflatable slides, kite flying, circus workshops, and something called a “Monkey Motion Quad Pod.” The event website provides lots of safety info as well.

Adults will enjoy the beer garden and pub trivia, and the fireworks encore at 10pm is one of the best in the U.S.

Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, Freeport, ME

Celebrate the Fourth in Freeport, the well-touristed home of L.L. Bean, and you can get in on the fun run, clambake, and 9pm fireworks display.

Photo: rjs1322

But we know what you really came for — the blueberry pancakes. Grab a stack downtown at St. Jude Hall.

Details: www.freeportmaine.com

National Independence Day Parade, Washington, D.C.

Fans of the traditional July 4th parade need look no farther than D.C. The National Independence Day Parade takes place at 11:45am along Constitution Ave. (between the National Mall and the White House).

Marching bands from around the country, decorative floats, military drill teams, and VIP appearances make up this official holiday event.

Community Connection

Planning to spend the Fourth in the Big Apple? You might want to reread this post: Statue of Liberty’s Crown to Reopen.

What are you doing for the Fourth? Trips wants to hear from you — leave a comment!

Photo above: star5112 / Feature photo: HamdanZakaria

Hot air ballooning is one of the purest forms of air travel. The activity is a literal interpretation of the traveler’s creed “go where the wind takes you.” While the pilots can control the altitude of the balloon, the air currents decide where you’ll end up and how fast you’ll get there.

Perhaps one of its draws is its simplicity. You inject some hot air into the nylon material and away you go. No need to mess with complicated jet engines and spinning rotor blades. It’s certainly the oldest form of air travel; the first manned balloon flight took place in 1783 in France.

Below are 10 balloon festivals around the world launching in the next few months. Whether you’re a passenger, a spectator, or if you want to get your hands dirty helping get one off the ground, these events all have something for you.

1. 15th Velikie Luki International Balloon Meet

When: June 6-13
Where: Velikie Luki, Russia

Don’t miss your chance to witness the crowning of the 2009 Russian champion at the Velikie Luki International Balloon Meet. Event organizers and officials are putting together social events for guests to acquaint themselves with Velikie Luki and the Pskov region.

The city is situated about 450 km west of Moscow, 600 from St. Petersburg, and 100 from the country’s western border. It can be reached easily by car or train from Moscow, St. Pete, Riga, Pskov, and Minsk.

Photo: _e.t

2. Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic

When: June 13-14
Where: Windsor, California

If you’ve always wanted to try ballooning but are scared to go all out, or hesitant to cough up the dough, the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic is offering up tethered balloon rides to the public.

To view the main launch of colourful and unique balloons you’ll need to get up at the crack of dawn, but what a sight to behold.

3. 2009 Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally

When: June 26-28
Where: Panguitch City, Utah

The Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally is touted as southern Utah’s premier hot air balloon event. The National History District of Panguich not only plays host, but also claims to offer the highest concentration of scenic natural wonders in America. Visitors to the balloon rally are invited to the launch field every morning to help the pilots lift off.

It’s a true family event that includes a Poker Walk, parade, karaoke contest, dunking booth, and children’s crafts and activites.

Photo: Randy Wick

4. Great Texas Balloon Race

When: July 10-12
Where: Longview, Texas (East Texas Regional Airport)

This world-class event is considered by many competing pilots to be the best-run event on the circuit.

Watch close up how the balloons are inflated and how they work.

Lots of entertainment is on hand as local and regional bands play during the day, making way in the evening for the headliners. Arts and crafts will also be on display and Kids Land offers a safe place for the kiddies to play.

5. Montgolfiades de Dole

When: July 11-13
Where: Dole, France

Along with the night glow of the balloons, you can feast your eyes and ears on a spectacular choreographed fireworks display for the finale of this festival. The event is also tied to a benefit for children with serious illnesses.

To view the Montgolfiades de Dole website in English, use the Google website translator.

6. Magic City Hot Air Balloon Rally

When: July 23-26
Where: Billings, Montana

Photo: Elite PhotoArt

This free event is put on by the nonprofit organization Magic City Hot Air Balloon Rally to keep interest in this unique activity alive in the area. For $175 per person you can purchase a morning balloon ride; but be quick, these are limited.

7. Saxony International Balloon Fiesta

When: July 30-Aug 2
Where: Leipzig, Germany

And you thought all Germany had to offer was beer. Now, that’s not to say there won’t be beer there, but the Saxony International Balloon Fiesta is about so much more. Watch as up to 70 balloons take to the sky and light up the night.

A parade, concerts, circus, and VIP lounge are also on offer at this event.

8. Balloon Classic Invitational

When: July 31-Aug 2
Where: North Canton, Ohio

The Balloon Classic Invitational, which began in 1985, merged with the Jackson-Belden Food Fest & Fireworks in 1995 to create a balloon/food/fireworks extravaganza.

With over 70 balloons now participating in great events like team racing, target drops, and pole grabs — where the pilot tries to navigate close to a pole to grab a flag — there’s no shortage of entertainment.

As if that weren’t enough, specially shaped balloons like “Piggles” (a piggy bank), “Touchdown” (a flying American football), and “The American Rocketship” are sure to inspire the imagination.

9. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

When: Aug 6-9
Where: Bristol, UK

The daddy of the balloon festivals in this list, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest, attracting over 100 balloons and half a million spectators. The Special Shapes Rodeo promises popular returning balloons like Scottish Piper, Churchill Dog, and Swindon House in addition to new surprises.

The RAF Red Arrows — Britain’s famous aerobatic display team — will also be there dazzling visitors with loops, rolls, bends, and twists, and the EXIT parachute team will be jumping out of a plane and performing maneuvers and formations that are sure to be heart-stopping.

Photo: AtomicPope

10. Colorado Balloon Classic

When: Sept 5-7
Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado

At 33 years old, the Colorado Balloon Classic is the longest continuous hot air balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain region. In 2008 it was even voted into the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association.

This organization has also been selected to coordinate BalloonaPalooza IV, held in the city of North Las Vegas from Sept 18-20. No more info on the event just yet, but stay tuned here.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

If the idea of taking in great views from above tickles your fancy, be sure to check out 10 Places to Catch Insane City Views and The World’s 10 Best Rooftop Bars.

For more family fun, Trips’ recent photo essay has some gorgeous shots of family vacation destinations.

Photo: *Solar ikon*

Tokyo, Japan

Spring is practically defined by the cherry blossom. Many cities around the globe pride themselves on the beauty of their sakura trees—D.C., Vancouver, and Seoul all hold dedicated festivals—but why not head to the source?

Petals drift down in surreal snowfalls that cover the wide, black paths of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace complex. From here, you can walk along a carpet of softest pink to Yasukuni Shrine, where the combination of spiritual tranquility and seasonal beauty invites visitors to linger longer than they planned.

Of course, the capital is one among hundreds of venues for sakura sightseeing in Japan. The imperial charm of Kyoto’s parks and shrines provide an excellent backdrop for the blossoms, while Nagoya, Kamakura, and Osaka are also popular destinations.

When the flowers appear depends on the latitude, climate, and recent weather of each location. As of now, recommended 2009 viewing times for Tokyo and Kyoto run from the end of March through the first week in April.

Schedules for these and other regions can be found here.

Photo: Zest-pk

Lisse, Holland

The Dutch tulip is another spring specimen of world-class renown.

Amsterdam’s floating flower market of Bloemenmarkt is good for a splash of fragrance and color in any season, and flower history buffs can tour the city’s tulip museum.

But it’s Lisse, a town 40 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam and well-served by public transport, that’s home to the world’s largest flower garden, the Keukenhof.

Open from March 19 to May 21, 2009, the vast grounds of the Keukenhof feature over 7 million flower bulbs, many of them tulips. In addition, boat tours, workshops, and bicycle rentals are available, ensuring an overdose of springtime fun.

The Lake District, England

Photo: ginnerobot

A cradle of bucolic scenery year round, England’s Lake District reveals something special each spring, when daffodils erupt across the hills and dales.

This is where Wordsworth “wandered lonely as a cloud.” If you’re seeking poetic inspiration, or just a pleasant stroll through the golden daffodils, fit Lake District National Park into your itinerary.

The town of Ambleside hosts its Daffodil and Spring Flower Show this March 28 and 29, but the blooms will be going off throughout April as well.

Chappell Hill, TX, USA

Photo: robholland

There’s a species of lupine so beloved by Texans that they named it their state flower back in 1901. Each spring, the bluebonnet carpets the plains and Hill Country of eastern and central Texas.

These blossoms are at their peak in April, and the Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival is held mid-month accordingly. Ask the locals and they’ll be happy to tell you this is the only “official” bluebonnet festival in Texas.

Yet, it’s just as easy to spot blue-hued meadows along state highways, thanks to a wildflower seeding project prompted by former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson.

If the flowers on their own aren’t enough for you, consider an outing along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail. This network of East Texas roads traverses prime bluebonnet country while connecting you to more than half a dozen local wineries.

Photo: g-hat

Perth, Australia

Travel budgets are tight these days. If you simply can’t manage a trip to watch the buds bloom this spring, don’t despair. Keep in mind—one hemisphere’s summer is another’s winter.

When September rolls around, head to Western Australia for a second-chance spring.

Perth is the place to be, where the annual Kings Park Festival lasts all month. Live music, art installations, and cultural performances add to the attraction of the flowers blooming throughout the park and botanical gardens.

For the flower obsessed (there’s one in every group), the tourism board of Western Australia suggests a three-day itinerary heading north out of Perth. Thousands of species bloom in this region of the country, making it the ideal destination for enjoying spring Down Under.

Community Connection

Do you suffer a touch of flora-mania? What are your favorite places to take in spring blooms? Let us know in the comments.

Sakura got a mention in our 8 Cities That Burn Through Your Money, while Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt landed among the Top 10 Free Things to Do in Europe. Check out what else made these lists!

Photo: SilentObserver

Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Canada was named after the whistling sounds made by the marmots who inhabit its slopes. They use this call to warn their fellow brethren of impending danger.

Originally called London Mountain due to the regularly occurring fog and rain, the moniker was changed in 1965 as a promotion to attract more visitors. Good call.

If you’re keen to see these cute, furry animals, visit in the summer and take a walk on one of the numerous hiking trails. You’re bound to spot some marmots darting over the rocks and, if you listen carefully enough, you might just hear how Whistler got its name.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Marmots not turning your crank? How about Black Bears? For a chance to see these and other wildlife in Whistler, take an eco-tour.

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.

Feature photo by kevinandersson Photo by pizzodisevo

In this guide you’ll find advice for both a bare-bones budget trip of 30 euros per day and a more comfortable but still frugal budget of 100 euros per day.

Shelter

Lodging is where you’re going to spend the most money in Italy.

30E / day

If you’re an adventurer, Couchsurf. Besides bringing the cost of your stay down to $0, you will meet people who will undoubtedly be willing to host you next time you find yourself in Italy.

Couchsurfing is more popular and mainstream than you think. Rome alone has over 1,400 registered Couch Surf members.

100E/day

If you’re not so trusting or have a family, HI Youth Hostels are ample in Italy and are some of the most clean and beautiful hostels in the world.

For 10-20E / person / night you can stay in a renovated church, villa or a converted castle. Most offer family rooms for a higher fee.

Photo by travellingtamas

Food

Food is the heart of Italian life. Even in my poorest backpacking days, I existed on good bread topped with tomatoes, garlic and whatever cheese I could find for 2E per meal.

It is not customary to tip in Italy, so don’t feel bad and waste your money- the service charge has already been added to the bill.

30E / day

If you’re willing to buy and cook your own food, you should be looking at 10E or less per day for food.

Some saving tips:

Eat at the bar, don’t sit down. You could get charged as much as 5x the amount for an espresso if you sit down.

Shop the markets and don’t look down your nose at supermarket boxed wines; I’ve had good table wine for as little as .65E in Italy!

100E / day

If you spend a little more on food, you won’t be disappointed.

More saving tips:

Beware of tourist trap restaurants near major monuments.

Look for trattorias, which are cheaper than ristorante, and order only primi (first courses). This is usually a pasta dish and will fill you up.

Soda is expensive in Italy – order the house table wine instead. Wine is often even cheaper than water!

Photo by wtlphotos

Getting Around

There is an array of bus and train options to take you around Italy.

Once in town, you can walk anywhere that you need to go. There is absolutely no reason to take a cab anywhere unless you are in an extreme hurry.

30E / day

Get ready for this, don’t buy a ticket. That’s right- get on the train/bus and hope for the best.

Italy’s train and bus personnel only conduct random checks for tickets and because schedules are often crazy, you are allowed to purchase when you get on. If the conductor doesn’t come by, you’re in the clear.

Worst case scenario, you have to buy a ticket when the conductor comes by – so have money ready and pretend that you didn’t know any better.

100E / day

Metros, trains and buses are all relatively inexpensive. If there is more than 1 person in your group, you can save by purchasing a Saver Rail Pass at Tenitalia.

The Pass is for 2-5 people traveling together, and costs significantly less than purchasing individual tickets for each leg of the trip.

Sights

Why else would you come to Italy? The sheer volume of architecture and artwork is enough to keep you busy for months.

The things to beware of are extras tacked on expenses – 2E to see this part of the monument, 5E to climb it, etc.

30E / day

Thankfully, most sites are free if you don’t enter. The leaning tower of Pisa, the Roman forum, the outside of the Coloseum, Florence’s Grand piazza, the Trevi Fountain and the beautiful countryside all are sights you can visit without paying a cent.

100E / day

You can choose to visit a few major monuments for under 20E per day. Most cities offer a discounted multi-pass, granting you entrance to all listed sites for one price.

Inquire for these at the tourist information centers, generally located in the train station in the center of town.

Happy Travels!

Community Connection!

For more insider tips on travel in Italy, get in touch with travelers from the Matador community.

RollingStone is an expert on Rome. VitaSogno knows the locals in Assisi. Ghino studied and worked in Italy for two years.

Suz (or diastro americano, as her Italian cousins call her), speaks fluent Italian and has lived in Florence and Rome.

The Matador travel community is blossoming. Join us today.

Beautiful Bottom Bay, Photo by Eva Holland

One of the most popular and heavily-touristed islands in the Eastern Caribbean, Barbados certainly offers its share of generic resort experiences. In fact, the peaceful west coast, sheltered from the open Atlantic, is devoted almost entirely to high-end, gated resorts, duty-free shopping, and over-priced daiquiris.

Fine, if that’s what you came for.

But in spite of the heavy development in some areas, Barbados retains a distinct personality, a regional cuisine, some stunning natural areas and plenty of local traditions and culture.

If you’d like to experience the best that the island has to offer, this guide is the place to start.

Oistins Fish Fry

Friday nights mean one thing to locals, tourists and ex-pats alike: fish fry time. Head down to the waterfront in the village of Oistins (on the south coast, east of Dover and Maxwell) anytime after sundown for a delicious, filling plate of the day’s fresh catch.

A double row of shacks serve the crowds, and everyone has their own favorite. Offerings vary from week to week, but red snapper, dolphin (the Bajan term for mahi mahi), swordfish and tuna are all common.

Try Annie’s, on the eastern end of the row facing the road, for the best selection of typically Bajan sidedishes, like peas’n’rice, grilled sweet potatoes, or macaroni pie. For an appetizer, check out the “Hot Legendary Fishcakes” booth, in the middle of the row.

After you’ve eaten, grab a bottle of island-brewed Banks beer and stick around; a DJ will be spinning the latest soca and dancehall reggae until at least midnight. Shake a leg with the locals if you dare.

Bathsheba, on the rugged east coast. Photo by Eva Holland

Bottom Bay

Just before the south coast turns a sharp corner and becomes the east coast at Ragged Point, you’ll find Bottom Bay, and it’s as perfect a tropical beach as I’ve ever seen.

Though there are some new suburb-style housing developments going up in the area, the nearest hotel is miles away and the beach – tucked between rocky cliffs, and reachable by a narrow dirt path – is almost totally undeveloped.

I say “almost” because no trip to Bottom Bay is complete without meeting the beach’s resident “coconut guy,” a young local who calls himself Dr. Mongoose.

For a small fee, Dr. Mongoose will shimmy up a 30-foot palm tree, bring down a fresh young coconut, and hack it open for you to enjoy the refreshing water inside. He also rents a couple of lounge chairs.

Dr. Mongoose in action at Bottom Bay. Eva

Bottom Bay is a little out of the way, and the waves are too heavy for swimming most days, but if you’re looking for a stunning dose of icing-sugar sand, swaying palms, and colors worthy of a Corona ad, don’t miss it.

Bathsheba

Because the Atlantic surf on the island’s rugged east coast is heavy at best, and legitimately dangerous at worst, this side of Barbados has been largely ignored by developers.

The sole exception is the ragged, laid-back little resort town of Bathsheba, which caters to surfers – local and foreign alike – who want to test themselves in “the soupbowl”.

The waves here are not for beginners, but even if you’re not a serious surfer it’s a gorgeous spot to while away an afternoon, watching the show.

Try the Roundhouse Inn for a beer and a bite to eat (budget tip: listed as a sidedish, the macaroni pie is nearly a meal in itself), or even stay for a night to fully savor the vibe. The Roundhouse, the Atlantis Hotel , and the Sea-U Guesthouse all offer rooms in the area at varying rates.

Beautiful Bottom Bay, Photo by Eva Holland

North Point

The jagged cliffs and frothy, pounding surf at the island’s northernmost point feel worlds away from the sedate beaches further south. Bring a picnic and enjoy the waves and the wind; wander a couple hundred yards east from the main point to see water being forced out and up into the air through a nauseatingly-deep blowhole.

Don’t let any handicraft vendors convince you that you need to pay to visit the point; there is no admission fee, and the parking and washrooms are also free of charge.

Waves crash at North Point. Photo by Eva Holland

Carlisle Bay

If you’re going to do fun in the sun you might as well do it right. And Carlisle Bay, on the south coast just east of the capital city, Bridgetown, is the place to go for beachy hedonism: think banana boats, jet ski rides, water trampolines, and more.

The action is concentrated at the beach’s western end; rent an umbrella and sip a daiquiri, join the beautiful people already splashing flirtatiously in the water, or pay the cover charge to gain access to The Boatyard, a beachfront club where a sound system blasting reggae-lite (Shaggy, Maxi Priest) keep an all-day dance party going.

The best part about Carlisle Bay, though, is that it’s a massive strip of sand: start walking east from the heart of the hedonism, and you’ll quickly find yourself on an undeveloped stretch populated mainly by a sprinkling of local residents.

On a Sunday, you might even see a born-again baptism taking place in the shallow, calm water.

Oistins Fish Fry. Photo by Eva Holland

Practicalities

The Barbados dollar (B$) is fixed at a rate of 2 to 1 with the US dollar; hotels generally quote prices in greenbacks, but Barbados dollars are used most everywhere else.

Barbados receives daily direct flights from Toronto, New York, Miami and London, to name a few. Grantley Adams International Airport is one of the best facilities in the Caribbean; it’s also a hub for smaller carriers serving the other islands.

Most of the mid-range and budget accommodation in Barbados is scattered along the south coast, in areas like Rockley, Dover, and the St. Lawrence Gap. Here’s a list of the island’s guesthouses organized by rate – note that costs will vary according to the season.

There’s not always a lot to choose from between these budget places, but The Dolphin Inn is recommended, clean and friendly.

In high season (roughly mid-December to early April) you may want to book all your accommodation in advance; from late March on, though, vacancy rates will start to rise, and you could probably just book the first couple of nights and then shop around.

(You’ll need to provide an initial hotel’s address to Barbadian customs, so you have to at least book your first night.)

There are also a number of Couchsurfers based in Barbados.

Public transit is pretty good in Barbados, and particularly along the south coast, where large government buses and smaller vans rush up and down the coastal road between Bridgetown and Sam Lord’s Castle. A single fare costs B$1.50.

These south coast buses will take you to Oistins and Carlisle Bay; Bottom Bay is not far past their terminus at Sam Lord’s, and is clearly signposted from the road. Bathsheba is also served by buses from Bridgetown; ask around for the routes headed up the east coast.

North Point is not on a bus route, and you’ll need a rental car or a taxi to get there.

Taxis are plentiful, safe, and reasonably priced; agree on a rate for your destination before you set off.

Community Connection!

Do you want to escape to a beautiful Caribbean island where you can hang with locals instead of scarfing down the travel equivalent of an Extra Value Meal at Club Med?

Check out our series on chill Caribbean islands by browsing related posts below, or get in touch with the remarkable individuals who wrote them -

Anna, who speaks French and Swedish and knows the lush jungles and romantic waterfall plunge pools of Dominica.

Tony, who eats rainbows and lives in the Virgin Islands with his wife and new baby.

Eva, a Canadian travel writer who can hold her own drinking beer with a New Zealand rugby team.

Matador is a community of aware travelers who are working together for a better world.

Join Us.

Photo by Jon Brandt

With the price of the euro continuing to climb, American travelers to Europe have found that their savings – which used to get them a lot of bang for the buck – are now leaving them with few options.

As a result, the savvy traveler should know some important facts and tips on how to stretch their dollars, as well as how to get some freebies while traveling. Whether you’re backpacking or staying in hotels, these tips can keep you from hitting up the ATM every other day.

Oh, Where Do Those Dollars Go?

Paris is one of the most popular cities in Europe, and for good reason. With a long list of famous museums, unique quarters, and cool cafes, you can literally spend a week in the city without running out of things to do.

You need to keep track of your expenses, however, because Paris is also one of the most expensive cities in the world.

If you’re a student, you’re in luck, because the museums of Europe love to give discounts to academia. Even if you’re a year or two out of college and still have your old student ID, take it with you.

At the Louvre, for example, every first Sunday of the month and July 14 (Bastille Day), admission for students is free.

If you won’t be there at that time, there’s no need to stress. Every Friday between 6 pm and 9:45 pm, admission is free to all visitors under the age of 26. Valid ID is required.

photo by Jon Brandt

If you won’t be able to spend a whole lot of time in Paris, but you wanted to see as much as possible, the best thing you can do is a free walking tour of the city.

Every day at different times and locations, Fat Tire Bike Tours offers guided tours. These tours differ in the places they go and things they focus on, but will usually go to the same general locations that most visitors would want to see.

Walking tours can go for about 3 1/2 hours and take you over a good portion of the city. If you’re staying in a hostel, there should be a brochure for the tour at the front desk, and if not, ask the staff. Some of the tours do cost money, but you should also ask about the free tours.

All the guides ask is that if you enjoyed the experience, you give a tip at the end.

Versailles: A Day On Its Own

If you want to visit Versailles, be prepared to spend a lot of money. First, you’ll need to jump on the Metro to get to the train station, where you’ll have to buy a roundtrip ticket to Versailles.

When you get to the palace, you’ll need to pay 13.50-15 euro to get into the grounds, which won’t include everything. For an all inclusive pass, you need to dish out 20 euro.

photo by Jon Brandt

Unless you’re a die-hard French history buff, it’s best to get the lowest entry ticket and walk around. You still gain access to the more popular areas and can walk all over the grounds. Versailles is huge, and you can spend hours just walking around.

After the Museums, What Next?

Being in Paris, you might be tempted to sit at a café and try some coffee or enjoy some wine. You should indulge a bit, but keep in mind that a cup of coffee can cost about 3-4 euro. Wine, on the other hand, can be bought very cheaply at a store.

Drinking outside in Paris is acceptable, so you can simply buy a bottle of wine and sit in a park and enjoy. This will save you a lot of money later on, especially if you’re traveling with friends and can share the cost.

Some people like to buy a few bottles of wine and sit by the Eiffel Tower at night to watch the light show every hour. That’s just one suggestion, but you can do the same anywhere else in the city.

Drinking outside is great a way to cut down on costs at bars and clubs, and you might get to actually interact with some of the locals while doing so.

Who’s Hungry?

Food in Paris is delicious, but extremely expensive. If you really want to cut your costs, you should just shop at a local food market.

This works better in groups of 2 or 3, but if you can pitch in and buy bread, deli, and whatever else you need, you can survive off of sandwiches for a few days, drastically cutting down on the costs.

At one pizza shop in the 15th Arrondissement, a neighborhood that isn’t known for tourism or high prices, one individual-sized pizza at a restaurant cost 14 euro. In the long run, it just makes more sense to self-cater and eat cheaply.

Where Are We Sleeping Tonight?

A big factor in the daily expenses is your lodging. If you’re trying to get by on $100 a day, a hotel is out of the question. The cheapest hostel you’ll find will cost you 20 euro a day.

Some of these places will include breakfast, which can help on the food situation, but you need to think about the area in which you’re staying.

photo by Jon Brandt

If you get a hostel in the heart of the city, chances are that the markets around you will be more expensive. You should also be prepared for bare-bones accommodation in these cheap hostels. They won’t be absolute dumps, but you won’t be getting as many services for 20 euro as you would in other cities.

There are two options to try to avoid extra expensive hostels. One of them is called Couchsurfing. This is a unique platform for connecting travelers who need a place to stay, but can’t afford to pay for it.

Couchsurfing will not only save you money, but will get you away from hostels for a few days and get you in touch with some locals, who can point out their favorite spots.

The second option is looking in the classifieds before you go for an apartment to rent. Often, on Web sites like Craigslist, people will be looking for someone to rent their apartment while they are away for a few days.

If you’re traveling with a few people, a short-term rental will save you money on hostels and can be a good way to see non-touristy parts of the city.

If You Have Time, Don’t Rush!

Part of the thrill of Paris is simply being there. Since Paris is a city with so much energy and history, you can keep yourself occupied just by walking around and exploring.

Don’t forget to take the time to sit in a garden or park and take in the atmosphere. Activities like that are always free and can often be most memorable.

Community Connection!

Matador is packed with experts who can give you an insider’s perspective on France. Anna Brones explored French wine country and wrote an article about her trip for Traverse – A Weekend on the Route de Vins.

Chris de Paris is (shocker) a native of Paris – currently bound for Mozambique.

Matador is blossoming. Join the community today.

Malbec and Mountains. Photo by Nicole Heyman

After a week in Buenos Aires dancing the tango and discovering just how delicious a malbec can be, it’s time to head to Mendoza to visit Argentina wine country.

Mendoza produces what is widely considered the best malbec in the world. Even though tons of foreign investment has poured in over the last few years, the commercialization of wine tourism has not yet caught up with the newfound popularity.

Visiting wineries in Mendoza is still an adventure, with the possibility of getting up close and personal with the winemaking process. Walk through the madness of crush during the peak of the harvest and you can see, touch, and taste the grapes as they make their transformation into wine.

Arriving In Wine Country

An overnight bus or quick 1 1/2 hour plane ride from B.A. will leave you face to face with the dramatic snow capped Andes. This towering mountain range protects the vines, while the runoff from its peaks irrigates the arid land.

Head straight to Aristedes Villanueva, the nexus of happening hostels and outdoor restaurants. Damajuana Hostel is a good pick for its clean, bright rooms; nice sized pool with adjoining ping pong table; attentive and friendly staff; and overall festive atmosphere (50 pesos/ $15 USD per night). Other guesthouses to consider are Break Point and Itaka House.

Wine Tasting Time

Start your wine education at Vines of Mendoza in the center of town, where you can sample a selection of the region’s best. The tasting room here gives a solid introduction to the Mendoza wine scene through guided pours.

I opted for ¨Los Malbec,¨ (45 pesos) a side-by-side tasting of the region’s infamous grape produced in 5 different styles. Continue tasting at Winery, a cooperative chain wine store, started in Buenos Aires.

Located just off the main plaza in a charming colonial building, one of the few that survived the devastating 1861 earthquake, Winery has a hip restaurant and a new center called ¨wine point¨ which focuses on tastings and seminars.

Further Afield

Photo by longhorndave

The route around Mendoza to visit wineries can be large and overwhelming, but with the right map and a bit of planning, it is easily navigable.

Splurge on the wine map, ¨caminos de las bodegas,¨ (30 pesos) found at any main wine store to begin planning your tour. You´ll find a set of 3 maps conveniently breaking down the three main wine destination areas: Lujan de Cuyo, Maipu, and Valle de Uco.

Plan on fitting 3 to 4 wineries into a day’s visit, since each bodega tour lasts an hour to an hour and a half. Many wineries are open to the public without reservation, but it’s best to call at least a day ahead to secure a booking.

You don´t want to make the same mistake I did, showing up to a winery ready for a day of fun only to be rejected by a gun-toting guard at the front gate.

Lujan de Cuyo

Begin your wine tour in Lujan, the closest region to Mendoza city, and the one with the highest concentration of quality wineries, not to mention the sunniest climate.

Wake up early to watch the clouds part over your first vineyard stop of the day, perhaps a traditional style adobe winery like Hacienda de la Plata or Lagarde. These historic buildings are rare since most were demolished in the earthquake, and new regulations don´t permit building with adobe.

For a stellar tour make your way to the larger production Tapiz winery. After a horse-drawn carriage ride through the vines, veteran tour guide Caroline will bring you into the vineyard to taste the difference between the ripe berries of malbec, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and merlot; show you how their leaves vary in shape and color.

The tour ends with tank samples of juice that is in the process of being fermented into wine.

After two wine tours and an early morning buzz, it’s time for lunch, and several bodegas offer a sumptuous feast. My favorite, Ruça Malen, serves a 5 course gourmet interpretation of traditional fare, paired with their line of malbec, in the middle of the vineyards. Only a glass wall separates diners from the surrounding vines (90 pesos).

The Best Wine In Mendoza?

The author working in a Mendoza winery. Nicole Heyman

Achaval Ferrer produces the region’s highest scoring wine, and is also regarded by tourists and locals alike as the crème de la crème.

Here you will see the specially selected grapes gravity-fed into all-cement tanks. Their philosophy is that cement gives the most consistent temperature control, where open fermentation is conducted to bring out all of the flavors of the wine.

Even though they are in the heart of an area subject to hailstorms, the Achaval Ferrer team would rather risk losing all of their crop one year, than reduce the amount of sunshine — and therefore potentially the quality of the grape — by installing protective netting.

High standards and an excellent tour complete with barrel tasting of their exclusive wines make this winery an absolute must visit.

Round off the day with another version of ultra modern at Pulenta Estate. Here they employ all three methods of fermentation–barrel, tank, and cement—depending on the desired style and vintage.

Although once inside you might feel like you are on a space ship surrounded by aliens instead of in a tasting room surrounded by barrels, a sip of their ripe and clean sauvignon blanc will bring you right back down to earth.

Alta Vista, Vistalba, and Catena Zapata are other noteworthy wineries to visit in Lujan de Cuyo for their architecture and tasting rooms.

Maipu

For day two of wine touring, change the pace by throwing a bicycle into the equation. This is easy in Maipu where vendors have created bike and wine tours.

Since the wineries in Maipu are fewer and the area to cover less vast, biking is an ideal way to get around. The roads are scenic, especially those just off the main drag of Urquiza, lined with trees that once acted as a shady cover for the grapes being transported to and from the winery.

The streets can get a bit dusty — after all this is the desert — so go prepared with lots of water, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

A smart plan of attack for the day is to rent your bikes at the beginning of town where the bus lets you off (a 45 minute ride on #10 from city center), then head straight to the far end of Maipu. This way you limit your mileage the more you drink.

Start at Carinae, a quaint boutique winery owned by a French couple, and named after a constellation only visible during grape harvest. From here, it’s only a short journey down the road to Tempus Alba, where you can sit outside and enjoy some artisanal cheese and wine perched atop the vines at their outdoor terrace wine bar.

Many bikers dine at the gourmet Almacen del Sur, conveniently located in the middle of the bike route. I opted for Casa de Campo, a small country style restaurant serving home-made local fare like wild rabbit and suckling pig.

If you´re thirsting for more, La Rural is a grand old winery back at the beginning of Maipu with an extensive wine museum, where you can witness the revolution in technology and winemaking from a century ago.

Valle de Uco

Photo by ANOXLOU

Valle de Uco is about an hour south of Mendoza by direct bus, and is considered the up and coming wine region. The valley is known for greater temperature variation between day and night, creating thicker grape skins and in turn more complexity in the wine.

Many wineries have vineyards in all three regions, as a sort of security against hail and poor vintages. It’s common to create a blend from the different regions, although estate-single vineyard wines are also coming into fashion, catering to a discerning clientele.

Three state of the art wineries worth visiting for their striking architecture and wine are Andeluna, O´Fournier, and Salentein. Keep in mind that the distances between these wineries are great, so you´ll need a car or taxi to get around even if you bus it down to the Valle.

The perfect marriage between food and wine always discussed in culinary circles is brought to life at O´Fournier where the owner of the bodega is married to the chef of the restaurant. Needless to say, the food and wine pairing here is harmonious.

Salentein also boasts an excellent restaurant. Once you’ve completed a day in the Valle de Uco, you’ve covered the best of Mendoza wine country. You can return to wherever you came from full and buzzed, with back vintages of wine that would never show up at a wine store back home.

Community Connection!

For more on sipping vino in Mendoza, check out Christian Denes’ article on MatadorTravel, Mendoza’s Secret or for a comical take on Maipu’s ‘wine and bike’ tours, check out this blog. Mendoza is also the jump-off place for big adventures such as rapelling, climbing Mt. Aconcagua or skiing in nearby Las Leñas.

For the very latest on Matador in Argentina, check out our Destinations section.

Lift tickets at Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, and the other top-name resorts are approaching $100. It’s enough to make you wonder whether it’s possible to ski Colorado without taking out a second mortgage.

But fear not. If you’re able to venture south, away from the over-developed I-70 corridor and beyond the glitzy boundaries of the mega-resorts, Colorado’s endless mountains hold some real gems.

Two of the best under-the-radar CO ski areas are Wolf Creek and Monarch Mountain. Neither is terribly large. Nor do they offer faux-alpine condo blocks, five-star restaurant chains, or opera houses. In fact, each has little more than a base lodge, rental shop, and a few eating establishments.

What they do have, though, is what counts most for a killer ski vacation: incredible natural snow, lift lines that are manageable on weekends and holidays and practically nonexistent during the week, and ticket prices you won’t kick yourself for paying.

photo courtesy of Hal Amen

In addition, both Wolf Creek and Monarch rank high on the environmental scorecard of the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition, which coincidentally places several of the state’s better-known mountains towards the bottom of its low-impact list.

So let’s wrap up. You get dreamy snow, relative seclusion, extra money in your wallet, and a genuine Rocky Mountain experience, minus boutiques selling fur coats and $275 sunglasses.

Wolf Creek

“The Most Snow in Colorado.” Enough said. But not only does Wolf Creek consistently rack up the most inches in the state (450 on average and up to 600), the light, soft quality of its powder is truly something to be experienced. And at $48 a day, it’s a steal to do so.

Another unique aspect of Wolf Creek is its relatively open trails. Whereas runs on other mountains may be hemmed in by thick woods, trees are more sparsely situated at Wolf Creek, giving you the freedom to cut lines across the mountain however you please.

photo courtesy of Hal Amen

In 1999, the Alberta quad lift was added, increasing Wolf Creek’s lift-serviced acres from 600 to 1,600. The new terrain is primarily gladed, with numerous powder chutes and bowls.

Wolf Creek’s location, while prime for snowfall, also keeps the crowds of wealthy Texans and Denver day-trippers away.

Seated just east of the summit of the formidable Wolf Creek Pass, it can be difficult to reach when the snow really starts dropping.

In fact, during the 2007-08 season alone the pass was closed more than a dozen times.

Accommodation in the town of South Fork, also on the eastern side of the pass, provides both the shortest and least intense drive to the mountain.

However, if you’re staying for more than a couple days, you’ll probably want to head over the pass to the livelier population center of Pagosa Springs.

Reasonably priced motels can be found here, and after a long day of cutting through the powder, you can relax in the hot springs in the center of town.

(Note: Just how long Wolf Creek will remain a down-to-earth ski mountain is uncertain. See the Friends of Wolf Creek website to learn about a development proposal being fought both by locals and the ski area management itself.)

Monarch Mountain

Monarch can’t compete with Wolf Creek in the snowfall race, but its high elevation ensures that it gets hit with the good stuff pretty often (averaging 350” annually). What’s more, the unassuming charm of this mid-state mountain is sure to win you over.

Your fellow skiers and riders are as likely to be sporting blue jeans as the latest Spyder gear, while the views from the top of the peak will leave you breathless.

You won’t find as much in the way of technical challenges at Monarch either; nearly every run can be tackled with intermediate skills. However, the opening of the 130-acre Mirkwood Basin in 2005 has added some much-appreciated double-black terrain. A 15-minute hike is required to access this hidden stash, but its chutes, rock cliffs, and tree skiing are worth the effort.

Monarch’s lift tickets come in at $52 a day, and this price drops to $42 if you buy at least one day in advance online. As if this weren’t good enough, even bigger deals have become available in recent years.

This season, Ski Free Colorado has partnered with Philips 66 to offer a buy-one-get-one-free voucher whenever you purchase 10 gallons of gas from a participating station. That’s $26 a lift ticket! The vouchers are valid at Crested Butte, Winter Park, and Copper Mountain as well.

Monarch is also more accommodation-friendly than Wolf Creek. The small city of Salida, brimming with motels, lies 20 miles east of the mountain on Highway 50. Even more conveniently located is the Monarch Mountain Lodge, just 3 miles away. The adjacent village, Garfield, has several vacation homes available for rent.

Practical Info

The closest major airport to Pagosa Springs (Wolf Creek) is in Albuquerque, a 4-hour drive to the south. Alternatively, the tiny airport of Durango is just 60 miles away.

It takes a little over 3 hours to reach Salida (Monarch Mountain) from the Denver International Airport, and about an hour less from Colorado Springs.

Community Connection!

Chris Weiss is a powder hound living in Colorado who has written some sweet blogs about ski areas in Vermont. Chris is fired up on big whiteouts, beautiful rolling singletrack and writing about his experiences .

Snowloon also knows a thing or two about secret Colorado powder stashes.