Indulging in New York City

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Written in cooperation with the Hipmunk Boutique hotels campaign.

NEW YORK CITY. The name is ubiquitous with luxury, nightlife, shopping, and being in the center of the action. To do this great city up right, finding a well located hotel that will pamper your body and soul after a full day sightseeing is essential.

In travel, as in real estate, location is king and midtown allows the traveler to take in MOMA, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and Radio City Music Hall, to name just a few must see sites.

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Time for a Little Magic

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The 83 Pueblo Magico towns of Mexico may very well be enough of a reason for a visit to the country. We have previously visited several, including Alamos, El Fuerte, and Creel just last year. Recently we relished our time in Loreto and Todos Santos, finding ourselves completely intrigued and enchanted by stepping back into time to experience hand formed cobblestone streets and woodbeamed ceilings. Wanting to escape the city, it was time for a little magic.

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Basking in Brooklyn

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Written in cooperation with the Hipmunk Boutique Hotel campaign

Brooklyn. The name conjures up images of Ellis Island, Brighton Beach and Coney Island. New York City’s second borough is breaking out of Manhattan’s shadow with increasing velocity. Boutique hotels are all the rage, the art scene is thriving, and more and more travelers are embracing the diverse ethnic neighborhoods.

For those wanting to enjoy the true “melting pot” of New York, Brooklyn is the perfect location featuring many of the cities top museums, attractions, and flea markets all with cultural influences from around the world. Brooklyn is also home to a large number of free attractions such as Coney Island and an abundance of parks.

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Hipmunk Hotels: Adventures in Alabama and Arkansas (the Gulf Shores, Mobile, Huntsville, and more)

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This post is in cooperation with Hipmunk and was originally published on MappingMegan.com 

Arkansas and Alabama are two of the most naturally beautiful States in America, so it comes as no surprise that outdoor adventurers flock here from every corner of the globe.

With plenty of adventure on offer in the sky, on the water, and on land, you’ll never be bored with a trip to one of the following southern destinations. This is a list of epic adventures in Alabama and Arkansas: the Gulf Shores, Mobile, Huntsville, and more.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

There are plenty of options for adventure in Alabama’s Gulf Shores, and those who love spending time on the water are in for a treat. Adventure here ranges from dolphin cruises to chartered fishing trips, and there are boat rentals available for those excited about exploring the Gulf of Mexico and the back bays.

Prefer a land-based adventure? Try the Historic Fort Morgan or the zipline course at Gulf State Park. Gulf Shores is a resort community, so hotels here are very close to each of the above attractions.

Photo CC by The Pug Father

Mobile, Alabama

Mobile was selected by National Geographic as one of America’s 100 best adventure towns, and the options here won’t disappoint. This is a historic port city that serious fishers and shipwreck explorers will absolutely love. Kayakers and hikers revel in old Native American shell mounts, and many travel here to charter sailboats in the Gulf of Mexico for deep-sea fishing.

The best part about an adventure holiday in Mobile is the cheap lodging. Book at the Hampton Inn Mobile/Bellingrath Gardens for rooms starting at $100 per night.

Huntsville, Alabama

Hunstville is a fantastic destination for outdoor adventure, offering Alabama’s very best trails for hiking, cycling, trail running, climbing, mountain biking, paddling, and more. Whether you’re aiming for a quick excursion or a multi-day adventure, Huntsville has a lot to offer.

For the best climbing, head to Jamestown. For the best paddling, head to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Head to Monte Sano State Park for scenic trail running.

Huntsville is a picturesque place, so be sure to book a hotel with a good view.

Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

While known for its naturally hot springs, Hot Springs Village is a great opportunity to try ziplining in Arkansas, and many different packages are available, from the original canopy zip tour to a full moon zip and even a haunted forest tour.

The full moon tour is particularly adventurous. Once a month, travelers gather for the thrill of zipping through a dark forest! Arriving at dusk, you will harness up and get ready to soar through the night-time sky.

Photo CC by edwardotis

Little Rock, Arkansas

For those looking for some extreme adventure, Little Rock has you covered. If you enjoy the sensation of free-falling, try skydiving, parachuting, hang gliding, or a range of other aerial sports. There is no better way to take in the breathtaking panoramic view of Arkansas than with a bird’s-eye view.

A great place for hang gliding is at Mount Magazine. At 2.753 feet high, this is the state’s tallest mountain. You can also hang glide at Mount Nebo or the Ouachita Mountains.

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About Meg

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Pinterest and Instagram.

 

Carry On with Bravo TV’s Tour Group Host Brandon Presser

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This post is in cooperation with Hipmunk and was originally published on Hipmunk’s Tailwind Blog by The Hipmunk on March 4, 2016

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As a travel expert, TV host, and writer, Brandon Presser is no stranger to life on the go. Presser, who has visited more than 100 countries, has penned over 50 travel books, and is a regular contributor for such publications as Afar, Travel + Leisure, The Daily Beast, and National Geographic Traveler. And while he may be well known in the travel industry, he’s about to experience a whole new level of recognition: Presser is the lead host of Bravo TV’s new travel-based reality show, “Tour Group“, which tags along as 11 travelers search for the ultimate vacation. (10 p.m. EST/PST on Bravo.)  We got Presser to stay in one place long enough to give us his best travel advice, his favorite places to go, and the items he can’t leave home without.  

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Searching for Spirit of Sedona

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Written in cooperation with the Hipmunk Boutique hotel 2016 campaign.

Sedona, Arizona can surely be regarded as one of the most scenic small cities in the United States. Part spectacular scenery, part spiritual vortex, part resort town, Sedona offers up something for any interest. Challenge yourself to a hike in the majestic Red Rock Mountains. Explore the over 40 art galleries. Or possibly spend your time luxuriating in one of the many spas after a delicious lunch. It can all be yours in Sedona.

image via Flickr by zen!

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Choosing Convenience in the City by the Bay

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This post is in cooperation with the Hipmunk Boutique 2016 campaign

San Francisco; the City by the Bay, the Gateway to the Pacific. There are many titles given to this amazing West Coast city, all of them worthy of such magnificent surroundings. Set on San Francisco Bay, home to San Francisco Sourdough, Alcatraz Island, and the curviest street in the country, this city of around 900,000 residents continues to charm.

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Coming Home

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We are, of course, always “home”. When you live in a tiny house on wheels, home is, literally, wherever you park it. However, among all of the amazing places we have visited around the world, Puerto Vallarta is our most often visited, and one place we really feel like we are coming home to.

Well, I’m going home, back to the place where I belong
And where your love has always been enough for me
I’m not running from, no, I think you got me all wrong
I don’t regret this life I chose for me
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I’m going home, well I’m going home

Chris Daughtry – Home

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Taking it Easy in Salt Lake City

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This post is in cooperation with the Hipmunk Boutique hotel 2016 campaign

Salt Lake City, the high-elevation capital of Utah, draws visitors from around the world. With its close proximity to both snow for skiing and the Great Salt Lake for water sports, this Western city’s scenic setting is matched with world class activities. Whether you are interested in hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in person or taking in a Utah Jazz game, there is much to see and do at 4300 feet. Temple Square, the most visited sight in the state, is front and center on every travelers list but the Natural History Museum of Utah and Red Butte Gardens will also draw attention.

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The Reality

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Yesterday someone commented on a blog post I did, telling me, in effect, that I was a whiner. I spammed his comment, not even bothering to engage in any sort of dialogue with such nonsense,  but it was actually a perfect setup for this post, which I’ve had in mind for sometime. The fact of the matter is, life on the road is just that. LIFE. There are good days and bad days and cranky days and ecstatic days. As we have gone along we have shared so many stories of wonderful times and pictures of magical beaches and exciting adventures. While all we’ve shared is absolutely accurate, there is another side to overlanding…. the other reality.

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