Summer is upon us and the warming temperatures bring out the need to wander. Here are a few bright spots that give you ample opportunity to soak up the sunshine, see more of nature and pack for a little adventure.
Charleston
This charming city is a mix of rich history, colourful architecture, fine restaurants and friendly folks. Awash in old-world charm, Charleston reveals a beautiful new discovery around every corner. Take a horse-drawn carriage past palatial homes—the unhurried pace is contagious here. Stroll along historic buildings and stop to have a superb meal on a veranda. The chefs in Charleston are repeated James Beard award winners. With culinary roots coming from the Caribbean, Europe and West Africa, there’s everything from proper fish and chips to chorizo and pumpkin pizza to be found among Charleston’s impressive dining scene.
Napa Wine Tour
While there are many sun-drenched spots to sip a chardonnay or peruse a pinot, Tamber Bey Winery, at Sundance Ranch equestrian facility in Calistoga, California is unlike all of them. The tasting room is the original barn clubhouse and you get to roam with the estate’s horses in the central courtyard. Your ticket also includes a tour of the ranch and the custom crush facility, barrel rooms and resident horses. The taster’s choice is a 2012 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon awarded 90 points by Wine Advocate.
Sayulita, Mexico
Not far from Puerto Vallarta as the parrot flies is this hipster surf town, which was formerly a sleepy fishing village in the late 1990s. Peak season, November through May, finds the tiny streets crowded with throngs of tourists drawn to the beautiful beaches, restaurants with fresh and surprisingly affordable seafood and one-of-a-kind boutiques. The main beach is a magnet for surfers of all levels and you can rent a char and umbrella for the day and watch from the sandy sidelines.
Glacier National Park
Where Canada and the United States meet is this favorite park to hikers and explorers alike. The park is packed with 700 lakes, a myriad of waterfalls and two mountain ranges spread across one million acres filled with wildlife. The area is also richly steeped in history. The Going-To-The-Sun-Road is a historic landmark and scenic 52-mile-drive through the park, offering stunning views and access to numerous hiking trails. There’s a reason Glacier National Park is called the Crown of the Continent.
Now that summer is here get out there and check a must-visit destination off your bucket list. Pro tip: keep a travel diary of the trip’s highlights and revisit it often to relive those magical memories.
