Contributions
Welcome to Detroit's Motown
Created on December 07, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterWelcome to Detroit's Motown, where you can't mention the one without the other. The term "Motown" originates from the record label, which was started in Detroit in 1960. Those first records developed in the small studio of Motown, beginning what has become one of the most recognizable music genres in the world. Fifty years later, and Detroit still stands as the R&B capital of the world. While the Motown Record Label no longer calls Detroit home, its history and sounds can still be felt throughout the Motor City. This is most evidenced by the Motown Museum in Detroit, affectionately referred to as "Hitsville U.S.A.” The Motown Museum isn't your typical grandiose museum, and you could easily drive right by it. Formerly a photographers' studio, the ...
Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore Estate
Created on December 07, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterTucked away in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville is a hidden gem of the east coast. One of the most culturally diverse, and yet scenic cities in the south, it's a cross between the culture of New York City and the scenery of Denver. Nonetheless, despite its location in the deep south, Asheville marches to its own beat. While it has much of the ambiance of a large metro, Asheville maintains a cozy mountain-town charm. The main attraction of Asheville is the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest, privately-owned mansion in the U.S. Pair this with the spirited decor and ambiance of the Biltmore at Christmas time, and you've got one of the best holiday attractions in America. While Biltmore is beautiful ...
The Savannah Film Festival, Georgia
Created on December 07, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterFilm has become an integral part of life in America and throughout the world. Video stores, IMAX, movie theaters and Netflix have given new meaning to entertainment. Film festivals are a growing trend in the entertainment industry, and give actors, producers and writers a chance to show off their work before it hits theaters. While the Sundance Film Festival has long been the premier film event in the U.S., there are many others that pack a powerful punch. One of which takes place in one of the best travel destinations on the east coast: Savannah, Georgia. Although unknown to many, the Savannah Film Festival is growing in popularity, and with each passing year it brings in bigger films and celebrities. Taking place in what many ...
Ziplining Through the St. Lucia Rainforest
Created on December 07, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterWhat was once an activity reserved for summer camps and water parks, ziplining is quickly becoming one of the most popular tropical attractions in the world. While you can now find zipline tours in many countries, some of these are just through sparse forests or open fields. There's a novelty that comes from your first ziplining experience, but there's nothing like ziplining through a thick rainforest in the Caribbean. As one of the best Caribbean destinations in the world, St. Lucia offers the ideal spot for ziplining, whether it is as a first-timer or an experienced zipliner. St. Lucia is popular among travellers to the Caribbean for many reasons. It's most popular among honeymooners, but is also frequented by families, older adults, and everything in ...
Asheville's Bele Chere Outdoor Festival
Created on December 07, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterTucked deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is the eclectic city of Asheville, host to the annual Bele Chere Outdoor Festival. Though small in size, Asheville makes up with a diverse culture that draws comparisons to the likes of New York City and San Francisco. While it offers unique cultural experiences anytime of the year, there's no better time to experience Asheville than in July when it hosts the annual Bele Chere Festival. Surrounded by rolling hills in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it may be surprising to many to find such a diverse metro situated in a valley in western North Carolina. Live music, tapas bars, wine lounges, microbreweries and nightclubs abound in Asheville, making it one of the most vibrant cities ...
Visit the Heart and Soul of America at the Country Music Hall of Fame
Created on December 07, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterWhile music in the United States has taken on many forms, much of its roots can be traced back to Nashville, Tennessee. The mid 1900s birthed one of the most popular forms of music, which is still popular today: country. While the country music style has changed, its popularity hasn't; and you can hear much of its influence in many other genres of music. As the birthplace of country music, visitors can enjoy a day or weekend at Mecca: the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. You could easily spend an entire day at least, if not a whole weekend, visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The full country music experience begins with the studio row tour, which takes visitors ...
All you can Art at the Charleston Spoleto Festival
Created on May 26, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterEvery year around Memorial Day Weekend, crowds flock to Charleston, South Carolina. Yes, for the beach; but more importantly, for one of the largest art festivals in the U.S., known as Spoleto Festival U.S.A. The 17-day Charleston festival that kicks off Memorial Day Weekend features two and a half weeks of the best theater, art and music the world has to offer. Started in 1977 by Pulitzer Prize composer Gian Carlo Menotti, the Charleston festival is the U.S. version of the "Festival of Two Worlds", which incidentally takes place in Spoleto, Italy. Why Charleston? Organizers wanted a U.S. city that would best embody the charm and ambiance that made the Festival of Two Worlds such a success in Italy. The cobblestone streets, antebellum homes and ...
The 9-day Iditarod Dog Race in Alaska
Created on April 13, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterIn many ways, the Iditarod is for winter what the Tour de France is for summer. Representing one of the cruellest and most challenging sporting events in the world, the dog race tests the will and strength of racers to the very limit. Not for the faint of heart, this sports event is certainly not just a snow day. Beginning in the early ‘70s, the Iditarod is a world-renowned race, pushing both humans and their dogs to the limit. Though the Iditarod race only dates back a few decades, dog sledding has a long history in Alaska. Named after the small Alaskan town of Iditarod, the race was originally meant to end there; however, races finished up in Nome, Alaska. The proper term for the ...
Get Carried Away at the U.S. National Toboggan Championships
Created on April 13, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterNo, this is certainly not the Winter Olympics, but it might be the closest thing to it that locals and travellers to Maine will experience. The U.S. National Toboggan Championships provides some of the same excitement and adrenaline that you may typically find at the Olympics. Better yet, the championships take place each year, occurring on the first weekend in February during the middle of Maine's blustery winter. The annual event that takes place in Camden, Maine at the Camden Snow Bowl is a unique winter event like none other. The Snow Bowl is a popular and renowned northeastern U.S. venue for recreational activities that include hiking, bicycling, fishing, boating, swimming and tennis; although the recreation area is mostly known for its snow activities. Thousands ...
Learn the Art of French Cuisine in Paris, France
Created on February 25, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterIf there's one thing that we know and understand about France, above all else, it's that not only do they love their food and wine, but they're great at making it. The soft touch of freshly baked bread for an evening meal, the mouth-watering taste of Crème Brûlée and the smell of freshly cooked chocolate Crêpes, all awaken the senses to what's becoming a universal love for French food. As French chefs have taken their cooking beyond French borders to extend to countries around the world, the taste of French cuisine now comes closer to home for many people. You no longer have to travel to the back country roads and small towns of France to enjoy authentic French dishes. In fact, with the rise ...
Get Out of Your Element and into Mammoth Cave
Created on February 25, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterThere's really only one way to describe Mammoth Cave: it's a mammoth cave! So large in fact, that the cave is the longest recorded cave system in the entire world. Located in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky this landmark certainly doesn't lack the element of adventure. This is the kind of cave that as a child watching adventure movies like The Goonies, you dreamt of exploring, but never had the opportunity to. That is until now, unfortunately you won't have the company of Chunk and the gang, but you will have an expert guide. Since Mammoth Cave is so expansive, it's split up into multiple areas where guided tours are conducted. Of course because of its size, there are simply areas where visitors cannot explore. ...
Get Back to the Land Helping an Organic Farm with WWOOF
Created on February 25, 2010 by Spencer Spellman, WriterOver the last couple years, volunteer travel has become extremely popular among college grads and young travelers. Much of this has stemmed from the dissemination of information the Internet provides, making people aware of the volunteer needs and opportunities in other cultures. Such as the case, many people have quickly jumped at the opportunity to travel the world, while also volunteering. One of the most well-known organizations is the World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF); also known as Willing Workers on Organic Farms. Although volunteerism has only gained significant momentum in the last few years, WWOOF has actually been around for almost 40 years, being established in England in 1971. It began on a small tract of land with just one woman who wanted to ...
Feel the Gentle Mist of Multnomah Falls
Created on December 03, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterThe great northwest United States is known for its grandiose natural landmarks that inspire awe, attracting visitors from around the world. Many of the most photographed outdoor landmarks in the United States can be found in the northwest. Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainer are but two of those awe-inspiring landmarks. Due to the many great attractions of the northwest, many others get overlooked, including Multnomah Falls, Oregon, which just happens to be the tallest waterfall in the state. Straddling the Washington and Oregon border, Multnomah Falls sits at the feet of one of the largest mountains in the United States, Mt. Hood. Located right outside of Portland, you can get to Multnomah Falls from both Portland and Mt. Hood in no time. It is one ...
Bet to Win at the Kentucky Derby Race
Created on October 20, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterIt's hard to imagine the time and effort that goes into planning an event like the Kentucky Derby, for it to only last two minutes. One of the greatest sports events in the world, the main event culminates in an energetic horse race that is often described as "the greatest two minutes in sports." With its first run in 1875, the Kentucky Derby in Louisville Kentucky is one of the oldest horse races in the world. What started then as a simple horse race among the best breeds in the world, has now grown into one of the largest festivals in the U.S. The festivities go much further than just the race, with the opening event of the Kentucky Derby Festival occuring a few weeks ...
Mountain Bike The Red Rock Terrain of Moab, Utah
Created on October 20, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterThe terms "mountain biking" and "Moab" are almost synonymous, and it's difficult picturing the one without the other. This wasn’t always the case in the Utah city of Moab, in Grand County, U.S., which is now known for its adventurous mountain biking trails. It's only in the last couple of decades that the western U.S. city of Moab has become such a hotbed for outdoor enthusiasts. Quickly becoming one of the best mountain biking areas in the world, Moab offers more the just incredible off roading, it puts visitors right in the middle of beautiful red rock mesas and buttes. Comprised of versatile terrain that spans the likes of Arches and Canyonland National Parks, it's not hard to see why Moab has become so popular ...
Be Dazzled with Whimsy at Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas
Created on September 07, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterTranslated "circus of the sun", it's only natural that Cirque du Soleil would find such popularity in the city that never sleeps. Just as you'll find a little something of everything in Sin City, you'll also find something of everything at a Vegas Cirque du Soleil show. Part circus and part performance art, in any given show you'll find a mixture of fairytale animals, outrageous acrobatics, dancing and musical performance. All this fused together in one mind-boggling show that captivates Vegas visitors. Similarly to the many themed hotels in Las Vegas, from European to Egyptian, so you'll find similar allure with the Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows, as they feature several different styles of shows to choose from. The innovative Beatles Cirque du Soleil show ...
Tee it up at The Devil's Golf Course
Created on July 30, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterVisitors that tote their golf clubs and equipment to what's known as the Devil's Golf Course, are going to be in for a little bit of an awakening. That's because the Death Valley attraction isn't what most people would call a playable golf course. The place has taken on its name because its said that only the devil could play golf on the rough surface of the land. Devil's Golf Course is located in the Badwater Basin of Death Valley National Park. Situated near the California/Nevada border, the Badwater Basin is known as the lowest point in the U.S., at almost 300 feet below sea level. Years ago, nearby streams ran from the nearby mountains into what is today known as the Devil's Golf Course. ...
Journey Through the Kenyan Bush to Lake Turkana
Created on July 21, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterNot only is Kenya home to one of the most well-known mountainous landmarks in the world, it's also home to one of the most renowned lakes in the world—Lake Turkana. Lake Turkana is both the world's largest desert lake and largest alkaline lake, and is found in the north of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes, with the Lake’s northern side stretching into Ethiopia. It has a deeply-rooted history stretching back thousands of years, and many parts of the Lake and surrounding area have been the location for excavation expeditions to uncover fossils. Located 400 miles north of Nairobi, Lake Turkana isn't exactly in the midst of everything. Visitors aren't typically going to come across it unless they are on a long safari. The Lake is about ...
Witness the "Boiling Lake" of Prismatic Spring
Created on July 21, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterIf you're only able to visit a single U.S. national park, then Yellowstone should be your choice. Spanning several states, this U.S. park is the oldest in the country, opening in 1872. Yellowstone is well known for its geysers and hot springs. While Old Faithful often takes the spotlight regarding the park's geysers, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the park's most notorious hot spring, located along the Midwest Geyser Basin near the Firehole River. Prismatic Spring, in Wyoming, is the largest spring in the U.S., and third largest in the world. Only New Zealand has hot springs that are larger. It's located in the Midwest Geyser Basin, which oddly enough is smaller than many of Yellowstone's other basins. The spring is 300 fee in diameter, ...
Live Life on the Edge by Climbing Mount Kenya
Created on July 12, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterWith its highest peak standing at 17,057 feet, climbing Mount Kenya is no walk in the park by any means. Located in Mount Kenya National Park, it is the second highest peak in Africa, behind Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands at 19,334 feet. Though it may not carry the same status as some of its cohorts, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest, climbing Mount Kenya is still one of the top summits in the world to ascend. Men and women from around the world travel to Kenya each year for the sole task of trying to conquer this great mountain and make it to the peak. Mount Kenya is one of the most unique peaks in the world, and is unlike many mountain peaks that come ...
Base Jump in the Cave of Swallows, Mexico
Created on July 04, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterThere's adventure travel and then there's the Cave of Swallows, which takes adventure travel to a whole other level. As the deepest cave shaft in the world, there's only one way to see the Cave of Swallows, and that's down. This is the Mount Everest of caves, and adventure travellers and groups of outdoor enthusiasts make the trek each year to the pit cave that is deep in the Mexican forest. Located in the small town of Aquismón in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, the Cave of Swallows is certainly off the beaten path, away from the town in a heavily wooded area. The pit cave doesn't have the same history as many of Mexico's landmarks, as it was only found a little ...
Cool Off at Jamaica's Dunn's River Falls
Created on May 28, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterDunn's River Falls in Jamaica is a Caribbean treasure, and one of the island's most popular attractions. Up there with Jamaica's reggae music and white sandy beaches—is Dunn's River Falls: a hallmark of Jamaica. You may recognize the Dunn's Falls in pop culture, as these Jamaican waters were filmed in famous movies, including Cocktail with Tom Cruise, and James Bond's Dr. No. Dunn's River Falls in Ochos Rios, attract thousands of locals and tourists each year, offering an alternative way to cool off than heading to the beach. Formerly a small fishing village, Ochos Rios is located on the north coast of Jamaica, and is a highly populated tourist area. Ochos Rios is also a port of call for cruise ships. Although Jamaica is known ...
Go Deep Inside the Devil's Den
Created on February 28, 2009 by Spencer Spellman, WriterDevil's Den State Park in the Arkansas Ozarks certainly isn't a typical U.S state park. The 2,500-acre park, built in the 1930s, contains the largest sandstone crevice in the U.S. Sandstone caves, crevices, bluffs and ravines are found throughout the Park, which is unlike any other state or national park in America. A staple among U.S. state parks, Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas was one of the earliest. Since then, and to this day, it has drawn outdoor enthusiasts of all types to trek through its landscape. Devil's Den is a Midwest gem. Situated in Lee Creek Valley, Devil's Den State Park is a perfect getaway for travellers who want to get away from it all. With 143 campsites, the Park features a wide-variety ...
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