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Been there once (June 2007) and want to go back! The nature is awesome, the people wonderful, the entire atmosphere very laid back. And don’t get me started on the Islay whiskies & distilleries…

This city is amazing – always lots to do. There are always festivals on weekends, events at the the Goldnen Gate park and a huge nix of bars etc to pick from. There is something for everyone!

I´ve been in San Jose and then passed a week in the atlantic ocean side, in a small village of rastafari people called Puerto Viejo. Is a place really worthwhile to be seen.

I stayed hosted in such a pictoresque place : Cabinas Verdes. Totally recommed.

We went to Cancun on our honeymoon and it was GREAT. We drunk a little too much tequila on the first day, which put a little bit of a damper on day two but it was party city from then on! The food was wonderful and the cost of .925 silver was a steal. We stayed at an all inclusive resort which had a great beach. The daily activities were so fun, we even got kidnapped by pirates!

Be sure to go to the Shrimp Shack – a great place for lunch on the North Shore…and was even featured on the Food Network at one time!

A unique winery that also is an art gallery. This is part of the Benziger Family Winery. Each bottle of wine has it’s own unique label which is a copy of one of the works of art in the gallery.

When in San Antonio, take some time to visit Gruene County where you will find the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall. ... the same dance hall that John Travolta did the dance scene in the 1996 movie Michael. A great place – the holes in the original wooden dance floor are actually covered up with license plates!! The town is very quiant and has a lot of unique shops – great for those who like to antique shop!

I was visiting a friend for Riverfest 08, and hope to be back for Octoberfest!

Great tasting room and gift shop – but go early!

If you want to find a place to retreat from the millions of people who visit the Rocky Mountain National Park each summer, the Baldpate Inn is the place to go. Built into the Twin Sisters Peak about 9,000 feet up, the views are breathtaking and the history amazing. On the National Historic Register, the Baldpate Inn has almost 100 years of history and stories to tell. On a clear day, you might just see the top of Long’s Peak, the highest peak in the park and just a few miles up the road from the Inn. Or you can hike across the road (and it is a hike) to visit Bear Lake. Of course, it is also likely that you will meet one of mother nature’s pets as there is a family of black bear that live near the Inn and they love to give the guests a show each day while they are dining in the rustic dining room.
You can stay in one of the quiant rooms in the Inn or you can rent one of the 4 cabins. Each morning you can enjoy one of the homemade quiches (for Inn guests only) and don’t forget to come back at lunch to re-energize after hiking one of the many trails around the inn. Lunch is open to the public, so be sure to make a reservation and it is a very popular spot!

When in Tucson, be sure to visit one of the many parks where you will find some great hiking, as well as, be able to view the famous Saguaro cactus!

Everytime we visit NYC, we go to this restaurant in Little Italy. Best time to go is in the summer when you can get a table outside on the street. The service, food and overall environment is wonderful and you are sure to have a great time taking in all the sights and sounds on a warm summer evening over a nice cold glass of sangria!

If you have the chance and the time, be sure to take an excursion and go dog sledding! The best tour company for this is Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours. They are the real deal – a family operated group that truly have a love for the dogs. The scenery is amazing!

Not one of my favourite places to visit. Overall, it is not a very clean island and the locals are not very friendly. Everything is overpriced and beware of the local drivers!

When visiting the Grand Tetons I highly recommend staying at the Jackson Lake Lodge. The location is great – right in the middle of everything with easy access to the highway that leads you right into Yellowstone National Park. Also, when you visit, be sure to go to Jenny Lake Lodge for dinner one night. It is beautiful and the food is fabulous. A little pricy, but worth it. After dinner – walk over to the lake for some breathtaking scenery and a great Kodak moment!

You MUST go swimming with the Sting Rays – it is an amazing experience!

There are so many wonderful sites, places to visit and of course, hiking spots that mustn’t be missed including:

Conkle’s Hollow: After a steep climb of a hundred or so rugged stairs, you will be about 200ft up looking over the trees. You may get dizzy if you look over the cliff and you will want to watch your step as the entire hike is rugged but very beautiful on a clear day! Of course, although relatively easy, you won’t want to miss the quick jaunt into the “hollow” of Conkle’s Hollow – it is breathtaking how green it is even in the dead of winter – the ground is covered with ferns and other unique plant life that survives in the Hocking Hills Winter. Total mileage is about 3.5 if you do the rim trail and the hollow trail. Best time of year to hike for scenery: FALL.

Old Man’s Cave/Cedar Falls/Ash Cave: The winter is truly the best time to visit this trail because it is the only time of year that it isn’t crowded (unless there is a beautiful snow fall!). It is an intermediate hike with some climbing of stairs and crossing over hairy bridges, but overall a beautiful and scenic hike. It is what Hocking Hills is known for! There is the lower gorge hike and the upper rim hike. Both will lead you to Cedar Falls – another “must-see” of Hocking Hills. Cedar Falls then takes you to Ash Cave – an old Indian cave that will amaze you not only with the scenery but also with its history! All 3 stops are part of the Buckeye Trail, as well as, Grandma Gatewood’s Trail, and from Old Mans Cave to Ash Cave it is 6 miles. Although one of the most populated hikes in the “hills”, it is a beautiful hike if you have never done it and one you should not miss! Best time of year to hike for scenery: WINTER. (see attached photo).

Rose Lake: A great little fishing hole that is rarely populated. A great place to bring your dogs, especially if they like to swim! The hike is relatively easy with a ½ mile trek through a hemlock forest to get to the lake, which at that point is about a 2 mile loop around the lake. It is a beautiful lake no matter what time of year! Best time of year for that “Kodak moment”: FALL. When the crystal clear lake is still the reflection of the trees on the lake is amazing. (see attached photo).

The Rockhouse: Known more for the cave than the actual hike, it is the only “true” cave in the state park. I am not sure how long the hike is, but it does have some “hairy” spots and a lot of stairs. History says that this “house” was used by native Americans as a stopping point in their travels. It is breathtaking and amazing that this cave has withstood all the time and visitors. Not the most strenuous of hikes, but very cool landmark. Best time of year to hike: SUMMER. Winter could be tricky with the ice on the rocks that is so common to the “hills”

Cantwell Cliffs: Another one of Hocking Hills most beautiful places to hike. They claim that it is the least visited park; however, each time I am there and there are plenty of people – although, once you get down into the lower gorge trail, it is usually a little more quiet! The trail is about 2.5 miles and is relatively easy once you get down into the gorge – it is the climbing back up that will make you feel the burn in your legs! It is a great hike and worth every bit of muscle burn! Best time of year to hike: ALL YEAR.

Clear Creek: Although part of Ohio’s great Metropark system, this one is probably one the most beautiful. There are several trails throughout the park including the Hemlock Trail (really challenging) and the Lake Trail and Tulip Trail. There are about 20 trails there I believe and even a few “pet friendly” trails, jogging trails, and great look-out points. Best time of year to hike: ALL YEAR.

Of course, after a long day of hiking, what better way to unwind than over a fabulous dinner and glass of fine wine at one of Hocking Hills most famed restaurants and inns! The Inn at Cedar Falls is an amazing place tucked away in the State Forest. The restaurant is in one of the most unique settings and the food is superb!

There are so many places to rest your head after your all day hiking excursions and fabulous dinner. Of course, you could stay at the Inn at Cedar Falls, or you can rent one of the hundreds of cabins available throughout the Hocking Hills Region. Some of our favourites include:

www.oldmanscavechalets.com
www.oldmanshaven.com
www.jubachloghomes.com/rentals
www.blackjackcrossing.com

No matter where you hike, where you sleep, or what time of year you visit the Hocking Hills region, you are sure to be surprised by the breathtaking scenery, the warmth of the locals, and the array of activities available to make you come back to the area year after year!

everyone there is welcoming. the water is beautiful and the food is amazing. i would go back again and again and again

marked the days beginning togetherness.

My friends and I hiked to Cheakamus lake and thought it was gorgeous. We continued along the trail and ended up on another trail and reached Singing Creek. Beautiful area, we were the only ones there and a nice open rocky beach was our resting place for a couple hours. We tested the water and it was freezing – considering the glacier runoff of the creek entered the lake 10 meters from where we were swimming. But it felt great and the views of the snowy mountain tops and turquoise waters were spectacular. An easy hike with not much incline. The only downfall for us was that we had to walk the Forest Service Road (7km) because we had no car. Would not suggest that at all, the mosquitos were absolutely lethal.

...was in 2004. I was 18 and it was my first trip overseas sans parent.

I’m going again for 2 days in early September, after my exam results but before I go up to University. Despite this being a post-break-up trip,I’ll be somewhat well behaved, and I’ll be staying at the Flying Pig again!

My friend and I took a ferry to Bowen Island and stayed with her parents’ friends. The community is amazing, everyone knows everyone. The scenery is breathtaking.

We were taken out on a speedboat around the island, and nearly drowned. We were greeted with “Oh, so you’re a flatlander, eh?” every time we told someone where we were from (Saskatchewan).

It was beautiful and I would love to go back.

A dear friend just sent me a description of this area and an invitation to visit. It sounds absolutely beautiful. I am looking forward to the trip hopefully this fall …

I love the veggie grill! My favorite thing to order is the Don’t be a Chik’n sandwich. I also love to get their sweet potatoe fries! It’s a little pricier than you might think, but its sooooo good!

Located directly on the beach on the boardwalk and next to the Hilton. Something for everyone including 10 movie theaters, surf shop, coffee shop and hamburgers joint, chicken wing restaurant and ice cream shop. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a cool family oriented restaurant. I like Mai Tai’s. Awesome tropical drinks. Great view of the beach. Adobe Gila’s is a casual place to meet friends also.