When 80-year-old Herb Hiller hops onto his bright blue, 18-speed Trek touring bike, he’s in heaven. And when he pedals through a place that screams Old Florida, well, that’s downright magical, he says. In fact, since moving to Florida in 1958, he’s covered more than 30,000 miles on his bicycle. Why? The thing is, while many have forgotten Florida’s past, Hiller has not. And, for him, two-wheeling it is an excellent way to connect with the Florida that once was.
Oftentimes a vacation offers a chance to climb out of your comfort zone and plunge right in to something you might not try at home—something out of the ordinary and maybe even a bit bizarre. Let’s say, for example, tumbling head over heels in a vertical wind tunnel or gliding through Central Florida’s bluebird skies at about 2,000 feet. Of course these activities come guaranteed with intense thrills and, not to mention, priceless photo ops.
To spend a day soaking up all the quiet respites that Central Florida has to offer, first put on your most comfortable footwear. Then sneak away for a fun-filled trip through Mother Nature’s vast offerings in Central Florida. The natural parks here are just as plentiful as the theme parks.
If your Memorial Day plans involve seeing The Hangover: Part II, chances are you’re the party-going type. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of destinations that sport a slew of bars. Will Cockrell, Men’s Journal articles editor, shares with Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY a list of watering holes, from super-swanky to lowdown dives.
If snoozing aboard a submarine or waking up next to a lion sound far-fetched, think again. Themed sleepovers across the USA provide offbeat slumber soirées tailored to adventurous kids and their families. Jodi Butler, FamilyFun Magazine contributing editor, narrows down the choices and shares the coolest of the cool with Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY.
It was supposed to be a purposeful trip, going far beyond the Bollywood glitz and the Taj Mahal’s magical allure to discover the burdens of a developing country. It was all of that (and then some).
If you’re intrigued by the Iditarod, but aren’t ready for more than 1,150 grueling miles of frozen tundra, ease into the dog-powered sport with a lesson or two. Whether you are a newbie or a mushing master, there are plenty of places to play in the powder and perfect your dog-driving skills. Outside magazine editor Chris Keyes recommends places to caravan with canines and shares them with Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY.
If you’re in Hollywood for the Oscars on Sunday, you’ll spot plenty of A-listers. However, you also can track them down in less obvious places, too, if you know where to look. That’s where Jen Garcia, People magazine’s assistant editor, comes in. She tells Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY some glitterati-favored locales that will have you seeing stars in no time.
Wednesday might be St. Patrick’s Day, but you don’t have to be Irish to be favored by fortune. Whether you smooch them, tickle them or jitterbug around them, good-luck monuments can leave you feeling, well, lucky. Frank Nelson, world traveler and author of All You Need is Luck (iUniverse, $13.95), shares some auspicious getaways with Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY.
Although many spots in the wildly popular Harry Potter films are make-believe, there are plenty of real-life locations that any die-hard Potter fan will recognize and appreciate. With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 opening in theaters today, Andrea Spain, editor of Britain magazine, shares with Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY locales worthy of putting on your spectacles and picking up your wand.
The best thing about the Caribbean is there’s always a carnival happening somewhere. Here’s a look at the 2011 carnival events. From the wild Grand Kadooment of Barbados to the boat races in Anguilla, you have plenty of choices for limin’ away with friends from dawn to dusk and dusk to dawn. In fact, you could virtually party all year long.
He’s jammed with the Beastie Boys and watched in awe as crowds welcomed Richard Gere on several occasions. Judging by the caliber of his celebrity encounters, you’d think he was an A-lister himself. Far from it. He is a Tibetan monk. And he did not ask to meet any of these mega stars. In fact, he had no idea who they were prior to each encounter. Unlike movie stars and musicians, his life is one of purposeful humility and simplicity.
