Legion of Angels News Archive

It’s hard not to love summer. With some of the longest days of the year, temperatures warm enough to spend all day outside, and the laid-back vibe that comes along with the season, it’s no wonder kids and adults alike count late-June through early September as their favorite time of year. Whether cities, beaches, or quiet country lanes are your idea of an ideal vacation, nothing says “summer Friday” like a weekend away. We’ve rounded up 10 places just a quick flight from many U.S. cities and even included information on how to get there to make your summer weekend getaway as easy as possible

1. Azores
For dramatic scenery and Portuguese flair, skip the long flight to Lisbon and head to the Azores islands off the coast instead. This archipelago of nine volcanic islands is ripe for relaxation, but São Miguel — the largest and most populated atoll — is the easiest of the lot to visit, given direct flights from the U.S. land here, first. Nicknamed the Green Island, São Miguel’s glistening lakes and lush mountainsides are just as enticing as its sandy beaches, so you can spend your days exploring — there’s hiking, diving, whale-watching, sailing, and swimming with dolphins to keep you busy — or simply lazing away on Atlantic shores. When evening falls, head to Punta Delgada, the island’s most cosmopolitan town, where turn-of-the-century architecture, cobblestone streets, restaurants, and bars await.

How: Fly direct to São Miguel (PDL) from Boston and Providence (Azores Express; about 5 hours).

2. Bermuda
If you think Bermuda is an island in the Caribbean — a common misconception — you’ve probably been overlooking it as a summer getaway destination. Look again, as this Atlantic isle’s location — on par with Savannah, Georgia — means its weather is ideal from June to September (not January to March!). Pink-sand beaches and warm waters beckon, but there’s also plenty to do off the sand on this British-flavored island. Pick from great duty-free shopping or lush golf courses, and keep an eye out for postcard-perfect pastel-hued houses, swaying palmettos, and men in Bermuda shorts. And though the island is known for being ultra-luxe, don’t worry about going broke — there’s plenty of places to bunk down with breaking the bank.

How: Fly direct to Bermuda (BDA) from Atlanta (Delta; 3 hours), Baltimore (USA 3000; 2.5 hours), Boston (Delta, JetBlue, US Airways; 2.5 hours), Charlotte (US Airways; 2.5 hours), Miami (American; 2.5 hours), New York (American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue; 2.5 hours), Orlando (US Airways; 3 hours), Philadelphia (US Airways; 2.5 hours), and Washington, D.C. (US Airways; 2.5 hours).

3. Bucks County
If antique shops, covered bridges, and historic B&Bs are your idea of a charming way to spend a summer weekend, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is tailor-made for you. Throw in some truly divine restaurants, abundant outdoor activities, and a winery or two and you’ve got a getaway almost anyone can enjoy. If you’ve got the kids in tow, head to Sesame Place in Langhorne or take them tubing on the Delaware River; be sure to grab a bite at the River Hot Dog Man for a memorable lunch at an in-the-water picnic table. For more adult fun, discover the art galleries, specialty stores, and upscale restaurants of New Hope, or take a bike or driving tour of the county’s many covered bridges — a sure way to inspire romance.

How: Bucks County is less than a one-hour drive from Philadelphia, 2.5 hours from Baltimore, and 1.5 hours from New York. If you’re not coming by car, fly to Philadelphia (PHL) from dozens of cities across the U.S.

4. Cape Breton Island
Nova Scotia’s northernmost landmass of Cape Breton Island brims with rustic scenery, history, and abundant wildlife. And with summer comes the perfect weather to enjoy all the adventure and beauty for which this colorful, cultural bit of the Maritimes is known. You can camp out in Cape Breton Highlands National Park after hiking one of its 27 trails; drive along the famed 185-mile Cabot Trail; stop at Ingonish Beach for a swim in the Atlantic; charter a boat for up-close-and-personal views of whales and Atlantic Puffins; and get in touch with the area’s Gaelic roots by trekking along the Ceilidh Trail (pronounced KAY-lee). However you choose to spend your summer weekend in Cape Breton, you’ll feel miles away from the day-to-day back home.

How: Book a flight into Halifax International Airport (YHZ) with a connecting flight to Cape Breton’s Sydney Airport (YQY): fly to Halifax from Atlanta (Delta; 2.5 hours), Boston (Air Canada, Delta; 1.5 hours), Chicago (Air Canada, United; 3 hours), Detroit (NWA; 3 hours), New York (Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta; 2 hours), Washington, D.C. (Air Canada, United: 2.5 hours); the connecting flight to Sydney on Air Canada (or its affiliate, Air Canada Jazz) is just 60 minutes.

5. Chicago
Chicago’s our kind of town all year long, but the city really comes into its own in the summer months, when visitors and residents alike shed their jackets and their inhibitions to enjoy the city’s finest season. Besides the legendary jazz and blues clubs, 7000+ restaurants, and world-class museums, the onset of summer means enjoying Chicago dogs at Wrigley Field (or, if you’re a White Sox fan, at U.S. Cellular Field), sunning yourself on man-made Oak Street beach, taking in concerts in Highland Park during the Ravinia Festival (May 31 through September 14, 2008), and getting your groove on at SummerDance in Grant Park (June 12 through August 24, 2008). The Windy City may not cool you off (as its moniker suggests) in July or August, but it sure will keep you entertained!

How: Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway Airport (MDW) handle non-stop flights from numerous U.S. cities; flights average about three hours from East Coast cities and four hours from West Coast locales.

6. Jackson Hole
Located at the doorstep of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Jackson Hole is better known for its proximity to wide-open spaces than for its gallery spaces — but this Wyoming resort town’s chic wild-west reputation is getting a major boost from a new multidisciplinary Center for the Arts, an up-and-coming international film festival, and a 500-seat performing arts center that opened last year. Not that you can’t still dust off your chaps and saddle up, either at the celebrated Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (the barstools are made from saddles) or by horseback riding at the nearby National Elk Refuge. Yeehaw!

How: Fly direct to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) from Atlanta (Delta; 4 hours), Chicago (American, United; 3 hours), Dallas/Ft. Worth (American; 2.5 hours), Denver (United, Frontier; 1.5 hours), Minneapolis (Northwest; 2.5 hours), and Salt Lake City (Delta; 1 hour). Set at the base of the Grand Teton Mountains, the airport is only 10 minutes from town.

7. Juneau
It may be the 49th state, but Alaska’s natural scenery, awesome outdoor adventures, and rich cultural heritage are second to none. Juneau, the state’s capital, is a metropolitan hub with a small-town feel: a quirky place where politicians hob knob with fishermen and colorful Victorian houses speckle the streets. But if you’ve come to Juneau in search of the great outdoors, it’s always close at hand. Early summer, with some 18 hours of daylight, is the best time to visit and explore the temperate rainforest, towering mountain peaks, glistening glaciers, and beaches teeming with marine life. Can’t get enough? Just 60 miles away is striking Glacier Bay National Park, one of Alaska’s premier spots for whale-watching and glacier viewing.

How: Non-stop flights to Juneau (JNU) from the continental United States are exclusively available from Seattle (Alaska; 2.5-hours); factor in additional flight time to Seattle from all other cities.

8. Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is enchanting all year long, but this quaint southern Ontario waterfront town really ripens come summer, when abundant wineries open for tastings and tours, premier theater troupes take to the stage during the much-anticipated Shaw Festival (through November 2 in 2008), and the annual Niagara Peach Festival comes to town (in August). Outdoor enthusiasts delight in mild temperatures — perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming — while history buffs relish touring Fort George, a restored late-1700s redoubt complete with costumed guides. Plus, it’s all within easy reach of thundering Niagara Falls.

How: Fly direct to Toronto (YYZ) from more than 40 U.S. cities; Niagara-on-the-Lake is 1.5 hours by car from the airport. You can also drive from Buffalo, New York (1 hour). Niagara Falls is just 20 minutes away.

9. Ojai
On the run from summer’s triple-threat of smog, traffic, and hundred-degree heat, Angelenos have long escaped to southern California’s idyllic Ojai Valley for its cool collection of New Age spirituality centers and luxe spa facilities (highlighted by the famed 31,000-square-foot spa village at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa). Factor in sparkling white Spanish architecture, fragrant citrus groves, and a heavenly Mediterranean climate (the ocean is only 20 minutes away) and you have the perfect recipe for a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat. Fire up your pocket lighter in July for the Ojai Classic Rock Festival, with tributes to such legends as the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and the Grateful Dead.

How: Fly direct to Los Angeles (LAX) from major cities across the U.S.; it’s an 80-mile drive from L.A. to Ojai.

10. Reykjavik
If you’re always saying that there just aren’t enough hours in the day, head to Iceland this summer, when the sun shines at midnight — you’ll have no excuse but to get out and explore Reykjavik and its unique natural surroundings. Once you’ve arrived in this Nordic capital, spend the weekend discovering hot springs, spouting geysers, waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers —plan on teeing off at midnight and taking a dip in the fabled Blue Lagoon. If you’re more of a city-slicker than nature-lover, Reykjavik itself is equally dynamic, with cultural institutions that showcase the island’s Viking culture and a legendary nightlife scene rife with trendy pubs and clubs.

How: Direct flights to Reykjavik, Iceland (REK) are available on Icelandair from Boston (5 hours) and New York (5.5 hours).

Source — MSNBC

The national average for gasoline prices recently edged over $4 a gallon, airlines are cutting flights, temperatures are climbing, storms are disrupting travel and the airport is as brutal a place as it’s ever been. It makes you think about just staying home this year — and why not? These days, folks “think local,” “buy local,” even “bike local.” It’s not set in stone that you must venture far afield to have a great vacation; done correctly, a local vacation can rival any far-flung international trip you’ve ever taken.

Don’t buy the local angle? Ask yourself what most people do on vacation. A high-grade summer vacation might include a few good restaurants, a nice hotel room with clean sheets every day, sleeping in, a long hike, maybe some horseback riding, lounging by a pool, a boat ride, maybe a night in a tent and some visits to funky stores. Chances are, you can do many of these activities less than 25 miles from where you live; I’ve been to all but four or five states in America, and nowhere did I find a place where there was absolutely nothing entertaining to do very nearby.

Money saved globally is money well spent locally
Perhaps the most compelling reason to give local travel a shot is to get the most from your vacation budget. One critical upside of staying near home is that you save on the actual traveling part of travel — airfare, rental cars and, of course, gasoline. These are almost always going to be among your biggest expenses. Say you save a modest $800 on airfare for two people, or $1,600 for a family of four. Then there’s another hundred or two for a rental car, and up to another $200 for gasoline.

So let’s agree for argument’s sake that by not leaving town you can save $1,200 for a couple or $2,000 for a family; that’s a lot of money to divert to making a local vacation a great vacation. If you’re willing to spend some of that money upgrading everything else you do considerably from your normal standards, you can afford a much more luxurious experience than you could otherwise.

The corner suite at the hotel around the corner
For example, say you typically budget $100-$150 per night for lodging. If you upgrade to the corner penthouse suite at the best hotel in town for $300 a night, it will take you a week or more to burn off all the money you saved on airfares alone.

Thus, I have essential one recommendation on lodging near home: Get the best room in town. The best room with the best view right in the center of things, or attached to a spa or golf course, or right on the water, or whatever makes you happiest, is the best money you will spend in the entire project, and it will still end up being less than what you would have shelled out to an airline.

There’s plenty to do within range of a gallon of gas
I live in anything but a national hot spot, but I did some research this week, and within eight miles of my front porch is a horse ranch that is open to the public, a network of trails that a bloodhound could get lost on, a historic hotel surrounded by a great little village, five or six canoe/kayak rental outfits, a famous fictional movie location, at least four Zagat-rated restaurants (and probably more, I didn’t look that hard), a vineyard with free tasting hours, a family-friendly orchard, an outdoor amateur theater, an Olympic-sized outdoor pool, a parachuting company, a waterskiing school, countless running and other participatory athletic events, two small oddball museums, a local arts center featuring regular concerts, a golf course, a skate park, a year-round ice rink, and three killer ice cream joints, one of them one of those all-natural buy-local places that people drive dozens of miles to visit. Within 15 miles, there is also a minor league baseball stadium, a revered concert hall, a rock quarry open to swimming with slides and rope swings, a bunch of decent nightclub bars, and a full-on spa.

If truly local turned out not to be good or varied enough for you, it’s about 35-40 miles to the nearest beach town, where two gallons of gas from here I could pull into the valet parking drive of a famous oceanfront hotel. If we expand out to 50 or 60 miles, we arrive at major international destinations, which isn’t the point of this column, but you probably get the point. I can take a $13 train to what is arguably the greatest city on the planet. Not everyone can do this, I understand, but I’d bet that within 50 miles of the front door of almost anyone in America is something people would pay good money to see, do or visit.

A big part of the allure of travel is novelty; new sights, sounds and smells stimulate the senses in ways that your “own backyard” does not. This is the only possible reason a street festival in some other town is somehow better than one in your own town. The trick is to make the familiar seem novel, and this can be as simple as merely stopping at places you’ve seen so many times you barely notice them anymore. There’s a small farm near here that we drive past all the time; a recent unplanned stop with our boy ended up with him feeding carrots to horses, watching them get new horseshoes, helping to milk cows, jumping on top of hay bales and “driving” an old tractor. Who needs to trek all the way to Amish country or some “authentic towne” or recreated village when the locals do the same stuff every day?

Research
How did I find all this great stuff to do? It was almost too easy — the Yellow Pages, the local weekly newspaper, the local tourist office and, of course, the Web. It took me about a total of two hours to find maybe a month’s worth of attractions, interesting lodging options, eating establishments, and activities I had never seen, tried, visited or even known about. Compare that to the time it takes to research and book some flights, find a hotel, reserve a rental car and pick a few restaurants, and it’s pretty much a wash. And I can do all of them for less money than I would spend just getting somewhere else to do all the same stuff at some distant destination.

Slow travel, volunteer vacations and other recent trends
Slow travel, educational travel, and volunteer vacations are among the trendiest approaches to theme travel in this century, but none of them require going far away. For instance, scrambling through airports and jetting at extraordinarily high speeds across an ocean and six countries only to slow down for six nights in a villa in southern Italy seems more like a slow travel sandwich on hyper-speed white bread to me. What could be more slow than never venturing more than five or six miles from your home? This is a big part of what slow travel is all about, after all — going somewhere to live like the locals. You have a pretty good head start in your own home town.

I’m not trying to denigrate the “international” version of slow travel that has gained considerable currency lately, of course; I think it is a really neat idea, and I’d done my fair share before it had a name and a Web site. Similarly, while I find volunteer vacations to be an admirable use of your time and money, there’s no reason why you can’t take a volunteer vacation in your own community. Sure, it’s more exotic to travel farther for your volunteering opportunity, but it’s not necessarily more needed than delivering meals to homebound or disadvantaged folks nearby. Spending Thanksgiving Day serving meals to poverty-stricken people near your own home is no less transformative than doing the same in Ecuador. And the same goes for educational travel — why not take a cooking class or learn to play a musical instrument in your own community?

Go the distance (without going the distance)
Do everything you would do on a regular trip before you leave home — stop the paper delivery, hold the mail, change your voice mail, turn on your vacation e-mail auto-responder. When you are 10 miles from home, behave just like you would if you were 1,000 miles away.

The gravitational pull of your daily routine can be every bit as strong as the centrifugal force that makes you want to escape it; both are balancing evils to avoid. What you are going for is stability. As the saying goes, wherever you go, there you are — take care to make sure of it.

How are high gas prices, increasing airfares and crowded planes and roads affecting your summer plans? Have you canceled a trip due to costs? Was your vacation budget slammed by high prices?

Source — MSNBC