Three years ago I married my best friend.  He is a wonderful man and we love to travel and see the world together.  He is also an avid golfer.  That means that a lot of our travels happen to be golf-centric.  When we choose a place to visit the question usually comes up about the surrounding golf course facilities.

At first I was confused.  Why would anyone care whether or not there are golf courses in the Bahamas or within an hour of our hotel in California?  But now I get it.  Golf courses are beautifully kept and well maintained facilities where no two are exactly the same.  They even take on a different look depending on the location.  Just seeing the impressive scenery around a course is enough for me to want to see more and more.

Now I just accept (and kind of embrace) the fact that golfing and traveling go hand in hand.  If we are going to travel anywhere, there has got to be some golf involved.  Packing up golf equipment  and remembering those essentials is just like remembering to bring your toothbrush.

If you are new to packing up for a getaway involving golf, here are some golf packing tips that are sure to be useful!

If you are reading this blog, I guess it is pretty safe to say that you have an interest in travel.  Traveling is a wonderful thing, and one of my favorite places to travel is actually my home state of North Carolina.  North Carolina is a pretty special place.  Obviously I think it is special because that is where I grew up, but is is also special because of its beauty, the beaches, the mountains, and everything in between.  There is truly something for everybody.  So if you are looking for a place that can welcome you with a little Southern hospitality and a whole lot of charm, North Carolina might be the place for you.

The Beaches – North Carolina’s coast boasts some incredible beaches.  If you like to head to the beach for a relaxing and low key time, there are beaches like Topsail Island and Emerald Isle.  If you are looking for night life, tons of restaurants along with the beach, Wilmington has all you could want.  Maybe history is your thing.  Well, the Outer Banks and Kitty Hawk have the Wright Brothers Memorial and the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

The Mountains – The Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina are not just beautiful, they are so full of amazing people and history.  From the quirky and fun town of Asheville to the laid back vibe of Boone, you will definitely love all that you can see and do in the mountains.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is well known for the scenic drive, Asheville is the place of the largest privately owned home in the World, the Biltmore House, and there is more than that.

The Cities – Maybe you want some great night life, sporting events, and fun…then North Carolina has that too in the cities.  The capital city, Raleigh is home to the Carolina Hurricanes NHL team.  You will also find three colleges in the nearby area which usually means good eats and fun nearby too.  Charlotte is home to the Charlotte Bobcats, the NBA team and the Carolina Panthers, the NFL team.

If you are looking for something different and amzing, give North Carolina a try.  You are going to love it.

There are many people out there who absolutely love the winter months.  Snow, ice, cold temperatures, and grey skies might be fun for these people to go out and play, sled, ski, and more.  But for me, I am not a fan of dreary wintery days.  Not at all.  Give me sunshine and warm weather and only then will I be happy.  Unfortunately I do not live in a land where sun and warmth are permanent fixtures.  I have to deal with the yucky weather that winter brings along with it for a few months out of the year.  Luckily I do get to take a vacation for a week during those trying months.

If you are like me and want nothing to do with blustery cold days and you want to get in the sun for a bit this winter, there are a plenty of destinations all over the world that can give you the sunshine and heat that you want.  Get your bikini out of your aspenstoragecenters.com storage unit right now!! You don’t even have to leave the country to find summertime weather either.  Check out the infographic below with some popular destinations for winter travel.  Some of my favorites are:

• Jekyll Island, Georgia
• Belize in Central America
• Ibiza, Spain

Have you ever dreamed of spending an enchanting evening in a beautifully lit hotel in Quebec that is constructed entirely out of pure, pristine ice?  If so, you’re not alone.  Each year, thousands of people flock to the Hotel de Glace, or Ice Hotel, in Quebec, Canada to do precisely that.  Located about 10 minutes from downtown Québec City, the Hôtel de Glace is a stunning and gorgeous attraction to discover each winter. Unique in North America, the Hôtel de Glace has drawn more than half a million people from all around the world since its opening in 2001. Filled with vaulted ceilinged rooms of snow and sculpted ice, the Hôtel de Glace impresses everyone who visits with a most dazzling decor.

You can tour the hotel from January 2012 until March.  It is an experience most travelers never forget, though it can be rather expensive to actually stay there overnight.  There are several packages vacationers can choose from, and booking online can often save you substantial costs.  Contact your travel agent for more details.  And when you travel anywhere away from home, don’t forget to have adt set up and running.

It does not matter where you are, what you do for a living, or how often you like to travel or have to travel, there is certainly no escaping social media.  Maybe you have to use it on a daily basis for your job, or maybe you just really, really like to constantly be connected to the entire outside world.  Whatever your reason, you can certainly do it thanks to awesome technology and mobile options for social media.

Social media and mobile technology are even changing how travel sites and travel advisers are doing business.  For more information on how that is so, take a look at the below infographic.  You will find out some pretty interesting facts, like:

• 42% of United States mobile users will research and look up travel options and choices on their mobile device.
• 70% of people in the hospitality industry believe that TripAdvisor is the site that influence travelers the most.
• Unfortunately 37% of travel agents do not think that Facebook is beneficial for their business.
• 78% of travel agents actually have websites.  Sadly, only 20% of those have updated the site in the past 5 years.
• Over half of luxury vacations that are booked are done so online.

If you have little ones, then you know about Disney World in Florida.  You probably also know all about other places like Universal Studios and Busch Gardens too.  Theme parks are not only places for kids to enjoy though, they are fun for the whole gang.  Mom, Dad, Auntie, Uncle, and whoever else you can get to go along with your children are sure to find things that will help make memories that will last a lifetime.  If you and your dear family have yet to take a trip to a theme and amusement park, then there is no better time than now to pack up the car and head off to Florida.  In Florida your family has access to basically any kind of theme and/or amusement park.  Seriously, this state has it all, and did I mention that most of the parks are in the same location?   See for yourself.

Disney World, Orlando, Florida

“A dream is a wish your heart makes…”  Disney World features kids favorite characters, amazing rides for all ages, and tons of fun for anyone.  The one theme park is actually broken up into many different parks.  MGM, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and more!  Each of the parks operates on its own theme obviously.  Magic Kingdom is a must see and for smaller visitors, I recommend Animal Kingdom.  They will absolutely love walking into the huge tree to get into the park.

Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida

I am not sure if I need to say anything more than the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is here!  Sure there are many other things to see and do at Universal Studios in Orlando, but walking through Hogwarts, enjoying a butterbeer, and shopping in Hogsmeade is all that me and my family need.  Whatever fun you like to have though, you can surely find it at Universal Studios.

Seaworld, Orlando, Florida

You do not have to take a bumpy deep sea trip out in the ocean to see all the wonders of the sea, you can just go to Orlando, Florida to Seaworld.  Here you and your family will have an adventure that will never be forgotten.  Porpoises, whales, dolphins and the like are there to show you what sea life is all about.  Anyone will enjoy this gem of a park.

Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay, Florida

Venture about an hour away from Orlando to Tampa Bay, Florida and you will discover an African adventure awaits.  Amazing animals, thrilling roller coasters, and tons of entertainment make this Busch Gardens surely worth the visit.

Take a trip to Florida to get your kicks, whatever those kicks may be.

Missouri is a fun and all around great place to visit.  Despite what many may think, there are actually a lot of activities and things for families and visitors to take part in.  For example, you can find out about the roel that Missouri played during the Civil War or enjoy the outdoors thanks to the large about of state parks and hunting and fishing locations.  What about listening to live music or seeing a show in Branson?  It would seem that the possibilities of having a  great time in Missouri are limitless.  So, pack up and head to Missouri to enjoy some really interesting and sweet visitation.

Connect With Mark Twain

Hannibal, Missouri is the home of Samuel Clemens, or better known as Mark Twain.  Twain is considered still today to be one of the most impressive literary contributors in the United States.  Just before turning 18, he took off to St. Louis to become a river pilot.  First he was an apprentice, and then became a pilot.  That is from where he gained the name Mark Twain.  It was in 1865 when Twain gained recognition for his writing because his short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County” was printed in the New York Saturday Press.  When visiting the Hannibal area, you can tour Twain’s childhood home, take a ride on a riverboat, or go play in the Mark Twain Lake.

See A Show

Branson, Missouri has been incredibly well known for its offering of live shows for over fifty long years.  The city features over fifty theaters with more than one hundred different shows.  It doesn’t matter the time of day, Branson has got a live show for you to enjoy.  And it doesn’t matter what type of entertainment you like best, Branson has that covered too.  All that’s missing is you!

Connect With Your Kids

Your kids are sure to enjoy the Kansas City Zoo or the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.  No matter the city you choose to travel to in Missouri, your kids will have plenty of ideas for fun to be able to choose from.

Have Some Throwed Rolls

In both Ozark and Sikeston, Missouri you can find Lambert’s Cafe.  This place is pretty much a landmark in Missouri thanks to their specialty, “throwed rolls.”  Whenever you want another delicious Lambert’s roll, they literally toss them to you.  This place is not only tasty, but fun for everyone.

And More!

Typically when my family and I are choosing a place to travel to, one of our first thoughts is the food.  While that may sound strange to many people, we believe that food has a lot to do with the area to where we are traveling, and even has to do with the history.  So, it is an important thing to consider.  Maryland was on our to travel list for quite some time thanks to their unique location and their crabs.  The crabs in Maryland are some of the best eats that you can possibly get, and that is what made us choose Maryland.  So, if you are looking for somewhere to take an adventure to, find out what sort of fun you can get into when you take a trip to Maryland.

Golfing.  We are a family of eaters and golfers.  Our clubs go everywhere we do, usually.  Maryland was no exception, as our clubs took precedence over some of our luggage.  Maryland has a great deal of golf courses all over the state.  There are some very prestigious ones too.  The US Open was jsut recently played at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, and TPC Potomac in Potomac, Maryland is quite excellent.  Whether you are beginning or have played golf for too many years to remember, you will love all that Maryland can offer.

Fishing.  Fishing and crabbing are very important in the great state of Maryland.  In fact one thing that is very fun and enjoyable for those who are visiting are fishing charters and guides.  You and your family can take a guiding fishing tour at numerous trout filled ponds, or take an excursion out on the Chesapeake.  Whatever fishing adventure you choose, you will be glad you chose it.  It really is too much fun to pass up.

Water Sports.  If you are ready for some adventure and excitement, look no further than Maryland.  There is everything water sports related from extreme kayaking to sailing instruction, and everyone will find something fun to do.  ASCI, Adventure Sports Center International can help you to have a thrilling whitewater experience or enjoying mountain biking, rock climbing, and more.  Our family enjoyed the hiking trails and took sailing instruction.  It was a great deal of family fun.

Dining.  Last, but certainly not least, the dining in Maryland is exquisite.  Cantler’s Riverside Inn has some of the best and freshest seafood that you can possibly imagine.  All of the restaurants that we ate at seemed to have one thing in common, fresh.  We did not go to a single place that did not offer some type of fresh seafood.

Maryland turned out to be a wonderful trip for the whole family.  We would definitely do it all again!

If looking in magazines and watching documentaries are not enough for you then you should go to this great state. New Mexico has a lot for a land locked state in the mid-west. They are the gate to the rockies and because of that they boast some of the largest differences in terrain and entertainment out there. You can go from sweltering heat to frigid mountains to temperate foot hills. The combination is truly breathtaking. While you are there you will surely want something to do. Some of the best places that I have found are:

Radisson Water Park

The water park has a ton of thrills for anybody. Miles of water slides, lazy rivers, and kiddy pools makes the park a great place for all ages and adventure seekers. The biggest feature for the adventure nuts out there is the perfect simulated wave. Pushing 35 miles per hour this aimed geyser lets you surf and do infinite tricks without having to paddle and is in the middle of a completely land locked state.

Ruidoso Winter Park

Ruidoso is in the rockies part of New Mexico and is fun for the whole family. They are mainly known for their tubing and have varying hills for all skill levels and trill seekers. If you are filling really daring you can even race others down the hill and score major air over some of the jumps while you are at it.

Angel Fire Resort

Angel Fire is a ski resort like no other. When we went we saw all kinds fun and interesting things that you don’t normally see at a large mountain resort. The most interesting thing that I saw was the shovel races. That’s right, you read correctly; shovel races! They set speed records faster than you drive most days and the speed to beat right now is 73mph. That is pretty fast for just going downhill on a shovel. The rooms were extremely comfortable with amenities like comfy couches and the option to buy Direct TV

What comes to mind when you think Vermont?  Do you perhaps think of maple syrup or even Canada for that matter?  Maybe you think of the fabulous cheddar cheese that is made from the Vermont cow.  While you may think of all of the aforementioned items, did you know that there is much more to this small in size state?  It’s so true!  There is a multitude of activities that you and your family can take part in and enjoy when you decide to head to Vermont for a fun-filled and thrilling adventure.  Take a look into the wonderful world of Vermont outdoor activities, and you will surely be ready to pack up and head there as soon as you get the chance.

Fishing

You will find that in the great state of Vermont the people act on traditions that have long been around since the founding of the state.  This holds true in the aspects of both fishing and hunting in the area.  In Vermont, the fishing in freshwater is some of the best fishing that you will be able to find in all of the United States.  The streams and creeks provide a haven for various amounts of trouts, and in the lakes you can find large mouth bass and other fish types.  Because of Vermont’s long winter, come spring, the fish are ready to get hooked.  It is a fact that you and the fishermen in your family will get hooked as well.

Dog Sledding

If you’re looking for a unique way to see the surrounding and beautiful countryside of the glorious Vermont, then dog sledding is just the ticket for you and your family.  You can take part with specially trained teams that know how to give you the best of dog sledding.  If the snow is long gone, then you can have dog scooter tours.  With your scooter and helmet let the highly intelligent and very trained dogs pull you along for a tour.

Cross Country Skiing

When you think about cross country skiing, then one of the main places you should even consider is Vermont.  History of cross country skiing in the United States rests in Vermont.  Numerous gold medal Olympians hail from the Vermont area, and you can take part in this fabulous tradition too.  There are even numerous areas set up specifically for snowshoeing also.

Whatever you choose to do in Vermont, you will surely enjoy your stay.  Be sure to take some delicious maple syrup home so you can have it and reminisce about your beloved time in the wonderful land of Vermont. Also, be sure to not spend your whole vacation watching Direct TV.