The best way to explore an off-beat destination

Planning a Vermont vacation and want to include some fabulous waterfalls and swimming holes in your itinerary? You have come to the right place! Vermont is probably more well known for its beer and ice cream than its waterfalls, but just because they aren’t famous, doesn’t mean they aren’t beautiful. We’ve explored dozens of Vermont waterfalls since we moved here 13 years ago, and we’d love to share our favorites with you. A Brief Overview of Vermont Waterfalls The beautiful waterfalls in Vermont may not win any awards for being the biggest or the most extraordinary, but I promise that every one of the waterfalls I’ve listed here is worth visiting. If you are looking for a long, exhilarating hike to massive falls, head to our neighbors, New Hampshire and Maine. If you want easy-to-access waterfalls with awesome swimming, come to Vermont!  I think that Vermont has some of the very best swimming holes in the whole country, and I...

As the Amacerto , AmaWaterways’ newest ship, slipped through a lock on the Main-Danube Canal connecting Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers, passengers standing on the top deck watched the process in awe. Massive walls, mere inches from the boat, rose up around us as water drained from the chamber of the lock (used to manage water levels and make rivers navigable), slowly lowering us 20 feet or more so that the 82-cabin ship could pass through and continue its journey. Such a spectacular feat of engineering – both the canal locks and the ship’s precise design to sail them – would impress anyone.

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a bustling mountain town that is known for its outdoor opportunities, quaint dining and shopping, and beautiful scenery. It’s also one of the most dog-friendly towns we’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Blowing Rock, NC is affectionately called the “Crown of the Blue Ridge,” and is a must-stop destination if you’re traveling on the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway. Ready to take a little tour of this storybook village in the mountains? Here’s an overview of some of our favorite things to do in Blowing Rock, NC, as well as some tips for visiting with dogs. Outdoor Adventures, Parks, and Hiking near Blowing Rock, NC Blowing Rock and the Blue Ridge Mountains provide numerous activities for outdoor recreation. The following parks, hikes, and activities are dog-friendly and perfect for families: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Flat Top Manor in Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Located rig...