Archives 2024

Share The Article

Last Updated 3 years ago

As the world reopens, restrictions vanish, and attractions fully reopen—Americans are visiting their favorite destinations despite rising gas costs and increased flight prices.

And according to Google, these destinations are the top-searched destinations in summer 2022 for Americans: 

1. Yellowstone National Park 

Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park and is perhaps America’s most splendid. It was the most searched destination among Americans this summer.

Yellowstone National Park stretches over 3,472 square miles—with the highest peak at 11,358 feet. The park is so vast it’s bigger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. In 2019, over 4 million tourists visited the national park.

Yellowstone National Park is also home to 67 species of mammals, 285 species of birds, 5 species of amphibians, and 16 species of fish. 

Best Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park

• Hike to the Old Faithful Observation Point 
• Visit the Upper Geyser Basin and Geyser Hill
• Marvel at the Fairy Falls 

Opening Times:

Entry Fees:

• Private non-commercial vehicle – $35 (valid for 7 days)
• Motorcycle – $30 (valid for 7 days)
• Single entry – $20 (valid for 7 days)
• Annual pass – $70 (valid for 365 days)

2. The Glacier National Park 

The second most searched destination for Americans in the summer of 2022 is the Glacier National Park. Located within the incredible Rocky Mountains—often referred to as The Rockies—the Glacier National Park spans 1,583 square miles. 

Furthermore, the Glacier National Park is notorious for its incredible hiking trails. Popular trails include the Grinnell Glacier Trail, Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars, Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet, the Hidden Lake Trail, and the Iceberg Lake Trail. 

There are currently—although the number is decreasing—26 glaciers in the Glacier National Park. The largest glacier is the Blackfoot Glacier. However, the 25 other glaciers are stunning. The national park remains incredibly popular; it attracted 3.05 million visitors in 2019. 

Best Things To Do In Glacier National Park 

• Visit Grinnell Glacier 
• Walk around Lake McDonald 
• Drive down Going-to-the-Sun Road

Opening Times:

Entry Fees:

• Private vehicle entrance fee – $35
• Individual entrance fee – $20 
• Motorcycle entrance fee – $30
• Annual pass – $70

3. Disney World 

After two years of COVID-19 restrictions, Disney World is open without restrictions.

Disney had a mask mandate at its theme parks for almost two years. But masks are now optional at Disney World. In addition, travelers don’t need to be fully vaccinated to enter Disney World. 

However, Disney World suggests travelers presenting symptoms of COVID-19—such as fever, chills, fatigue, aches, shortness of breath, and congestion—should not enter the theme park. 

Best Things To Do At Disney World 

• Ride on Space Mountain
• Enjoy views on Thunder Mountain
• Go on the Pirates of the Caribbean indoor cruise

Opening Times:

• Magic Kingdom Park – 9 am to 11 pm
• EPCOT – 8 am to 8 pm
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 8.30 am to 9 pm
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – 8 am to 8 pm
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – 10 am to 6 pm

Entry Fees:

• 1 Park Per Day Ticket – $109 per ticket
• Park Hopper Option – $169 per ticket
• Park Hopper Plus Option – $194 per ticket

4. Lake Tahoe 

Americans seeking a peaceful summer vacation should look no further than Lake Tahoe. The extensive freshwater lake is within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake is over 2 million years old, and experts have tested the water as 99.994% pure. 

If you’re looking for gorgeous beaches but don’t fancy heading to Florida, California, or Mexico, Lake Tahoe is an excellent spot.

The lake receives around 15 million visitors yearly, making it one of the most popular destinations in the United States. It’s not hard to see why!

Best Things To Do At Lake Tahoe 

• Visit Emerald Bay 
• Hike at South Lake Tahoe 
• Enjoy the Lake Tahoe Boat Cruise 

Opening Times:

• Sand Harbor – open 365 days a year between 7:00 AM and one hour after sunset.
• Spooner Lake – open from sunrise to sunset each day.
• Cave Rock – open from sunrise to sunset each day.

Entry Fees:

• Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake, and Cave Rock – $10.00 for Nevadans and $15.00 for everyone else.

5. Hershey Park

Last but not least, Hershey Park is the 5th most searched destination in the United States in the summer of 2022. Situated in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Hershey Park is a family theme park 95 miles west of Philadelphia. 

In addition, the theme park includes an impressive 121 acres of outdoor activities mixed with green spaces, shady trees, and gorgeous summer sunshine.

The park also has a zoo, museum, 13 roller coasters, 15 water attractions, and 26 children’s rides. 

Best Things To Do At Hershey Park 

• Explore the Hershey Gardens
• Visit Chocolate World
• Ride on Laff Trakk

Opening Times:

• 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays or 11 am to 8 pm on weekends

Entry Fees:

• 1-Day Ticket (Ages 9 – 61) – $56.95
• 1-Day Ticket (Ages 3-8 / 62+) – $54.95
• 2-Day Ticket (Ages 9 – 61) – $49 per day
• 2-Day Ticket Junior & Senior (Ages 3-8 / 62+) – $48 per day

Read More:

On A Budget? These New Cheap Flight Deals Will Make Your Day

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Italy Removes All Covid Entry Requirements June 1

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

If you thought New Orleans was the only Bayou beaut filled with European flair, you’d be mistaken!

The timeless streets of Louisiana’s oldest city are illuminated by its very own vibrant “French Quarter”, with its color-wheel facades, wrought-iron balconies, and old-timey inns for a glimpse into the past.

With less hustle and bustle and a calmer atmosphere void of thumping nightclubs and impromptu jazz performances, this quaint town of 17,000 has all the charm of New Orleans’ most popular district without the headaches.

Enjoy scrumptious Cajun cuisine, comfortable stays, and picturesque streets all packed into a tight squeeze without the Bourbon Street chaos or safety concerns, as New Orleans is ranked #6 in the latest report of the ‘Most Dangerous Places in the U.S’.

You can swap the city grind for small-town charm in Natchitoches, an affordable escape with a name that’s harder to spell than it is to pronounce (“nack-a-tish”).

The City ‘Where History Lives’

Natchitoches’ slogan is ‘Where History Lives,’ and it fits the bill.

Established in 1714 (beating New Orleans by four years), it is Louisiana’s oldest city.

The original ‘French Quarter’, founded by French explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, is right here.

There may be no such thing as a time machine (yet), but visiting Natchcitoches is as close as it gets for Louisiana.

Visitors can peruse the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District for free, so make your camera roll has plenty of space to snap all the French and Spanish Creole architecture.

While it’s easy to compare this historic town to Europe, it’s truly a down-sized New Orleans a dupe in terms of what many tourists come to experience: stunning architecture, savory Creole cuisine, and yes, even Mardi Gras!

Except in Natchitoches, things don’t tend to get too out of hand; they are more of a cultural delight than an all-night rager.

More seasonably relevant, however, is the town’s nearly century-old Christmas Festival taking place now through January 6th.

To deep dive into Natchotoches fascinating timeline, the most informative experience may be the Northwest Louisiana History Museum, touching on Native American history to modern times.

Ultimately, you’ll want to venture away from the French flair to the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, a flawless replica of the 1716 French fort and drawing rave reviews, where one patron said, ‘All I can say is wow! Highly worth the stop. Only $4 per person and worth every penny.’

Step Back in Time: Enjoy A Nice Stay At A Historic Inn

Despite the temptation of posting selfies from a 5-star resort in a “pics or didn’t happen” world, there’s nothing wrong with stepping back in time to enjoy a nice stay in an old-timey inn.

Just because there’s no swim-up bar or plush robes and slippers doesn’t mean you won’t have an unforgettable trip.

In fact, in today’s information age, you can enjoy the irony of something old being something new. Dotted through town are a variety of historic inns and bed and breakfasts, all receiving positive accolades.

These 5 historic inns/bed and breakfasts are postcard-worthy and hold impressive Google ratings of 4.6 and up:

• Sweet Cane Inn
• Judge Porter House Bed & Breakfast
• Andrew Morris House Bed & Breakfast
• Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast
• Church Street Inn

You could also test your fate at the (allegedly) haunted Chateau Saint Denis Hotel, a conveniently located downtown boutique hotel.

But many bed and breakfasts are set in revamped century-old homes, providing a comfy stay and a unique, historical experience with or without spooky ghost stories.

Fun fact: The popular movie Steel Magnolias was filmed in Natchitoches. You can stay at the Steel Magnolia House, where many of the iconic scenes were filmed.

Phenomenal Cajun Cuisine (Including An Overlooked Local Favorite!)

We all know New Orleans is the mecca for Louisiana cuisine, but don’t sleep on the food scene here.

You can delight your tastebuds with many, if not all, the same famous dishes, but there’s one local favorite that doesn’t get enough hype.

Despite being closer to Texas’ mainland than the Gulf coast, seafood here is still phenomenal, but it’s meat pies that locals and visitors rave about.

Known for their flaky crust and savory filling, you can’t have enough of these handheld treats. Check out Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant for this local delicacy consisting of beef and pork.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

Last Updated 4 months ago

Asia has long been a popular destination for digital nomads watching their budgets. It’s a great place to stretch your buck as far as possible.  

And now there’s a new budget-friendly hot spot to look out for.  

The Global Intelligence Unit has created a comprehensive report of the world’s best digital nomad destinations.  

The top-ranked Asian country where digital nomads live and work is officially Taiwan.  

Taiwan also came in 12th place overall in the global arena, meaning that it’s a destination well worth considering for digital nomads, especially for those who don’t want to flash the cash.  

Here’s why:  

Why Digital Nomads Should Consider Taiwan 

Taiwan is an incredibly beautiful country that ticks so many boxes.  

A subtropical climate, outstanding natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and modern vibrant cities too. Check, check, check, check!  

On top of all of this, living here won’t break the bank.  

On average, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Taipei is between NT$8,000.00 and NT$25,000.00 ($263–$823).

However, if you choose an off-the-beaten-path destination outside of the city, your rent will be considerably lower.  

Eating out here is cheap too, and the street food is delicious.

Less than $5 will fill your tummy with a street food meal and some good company at the same time.  

Locals are friendly and welcoming to foreigners and digital nomads: there are no anti-tourism protests here!  

Taiwan was also one of the first countries in the region to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2019 and has robust anti-discrimination legislation in place, making it a safe country for LGBTQ+ nomads to explore.  

Taiwan Is Small But Perfectly Formed  

From a practical point of view, it’s worth mentioning Taiwan’s small size.

The country is around half the size of Scotland for Brits like me. Or ever so slightly bigger than Maryland for U.S. readers.  

Rather than being a drawback, this could actually work to the advantage of a savvy digital nomad!  

You can explore absolutely everything the island has to offer with relative ease.

The capital of Taipei tends to be the most popular spot for digital nomads, boasts incredibly high internet speeds, and has the largest number of coworking spaces.  

But you aren’t welded to city life. Taipei is just 30 minutes away from the lush green nature of the Yangmingshan National Park.

There is no entry fee to explore this park, so if you’re on a budget, this is a great place to visit.  

And getting around Taiwan is a breeze, too, as the country has a reliable high-speed rail network.

In real terms, this makes what is already a small country feel even smaller and easier to explore.  

Public transport is affordable. The Metro (known as the Mass Rapid Transit or MRT) costs NT $20 (61 cents) – NT $65 ($1.96) a ticket in Taipei.  

If you want to take the high-speed rail and explore the length and breadth of the country then you’ll pay between NT $35 and NT $2,500 ($1 – $76) depending on the journey you want to take and the class you choose with non-reserved tickets being the cheapest option.  

A New Digital Nomad Visa For Taiwan? 

Although full details of the scheme have yet to be released, Taiwan announced last month that it intends to launch a dedicated digital nomad visa.

This is great news as, up until now, there hasn’t been an official digital nomad visa in the country.  

The new visa will make Taiwan an even more appealing option for digital nomads.  

Taiwan will be the 4^th country in the region this year, after Japan, Thailand, and South Korea, to launch a digital nomad scheme.  

So far, we know that the visa will have a 6-month validity period and that the Minister for the National Development Council in Taiwan, Paul Liu, hopes it will attract new talent to the country.  

Though this new digital nomad visa scheme has been proposed, it will not come into effect until it is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

In the meantime, prospective nomads can apply for an Employment Gold Card.

This is a work permit, residency permit and re-entry permit in one handy document that is relatively easy to apply for and allows professionals to live and work in Taiwan for up to 3 years.  

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Share The Article

Last Updated 2 days ago

The value of a dollar isn’t what it used to be, and perhaps no traveler knows this better than digital nomads.

$1000 lifestyles are few and far between, but believe it or not, it is still quite feasible in certain parts of the world.

Digital nomads’ jobs range from customer service agents to million-dollar business owners, but no matter your income, budgets are always on the mind when roaming the world.

This winter as more travelers of all types seek out warm getaways, digital nomads can strike gold saving huge amounts of money all while enjoying multiple sunny cultural destinations of Latin America.

Put the big names aside and embrace the lesser-known as these 3 cities researched by Journée Mondiale are exactly what digital nomads will be looking for this winter.

Cuenca: Ecuador’s Historic Town In The Andes

Don’t let “Ecuador” be a trigger word. Like just about anywhere else in the world, there’s good that comes with the bad.

In this case, the bad obviously being a state of emergency was recently issued alerting tourists visiting Ecuador as a crime wave took over popular areas of the country.

Good news for you is the historic town of Cuenca isn’t one of them and is actually regarded as being quite safe attracting both retired expats and digital nomads alike.

Immerse yourself in the UNESCO-listed city center and enjoy a slower pace rather than the hustle and bustle of major Latin American cities like Mexico City or Buenos Aires.

Here you can start your day by fueling up on stout local coffee at numerous delightful cafes, which you don’t have to bat an eye at spending since apartments are only $400 per month.

Factor in cheap eats, plentiful outdoor activities, and how walkable this mountain town is rather than Uber-ing around, your pockets may feel heavy with all the money you’re saving living on $1000 or less.

Arequipa: Peru’s ‘White City’

Who needs the chaos of Lima when you can wake up amongst gleaming white architecture derived of volcanic stones?

You may have never heard of Arequipa, but it’s well worth a winter stay at such affordable prices and immense beauty.

Only downside being you may want to start hitting the treadmill as Arequipa sits 7500 feet high in the sky surrounded by volcanoes.

Often overshadowed by icons such as Macchu Picchu, Arequipa has flown under the radar, but it’s time for that to change.

If $300 apartments don’t catch your eye, perhaps the phenomenal cuisine, like spicy rocoto relleno, or the eye-popping architecture will suffice as your daily base.

There ample numerous intriguing museums to visit in this elevated city of nearly 1 million residents, so don’t think this is a sleepy town – it’s quite large with traditional markets, delicious restaurants, and liveley bars to frequent with disposable income you’ll have.

Not to mention, there are great cafes to visit as Peru is known worldwide for coffee, plentiful centrally located co-working spaces, and even digital nomad favorite hostel, Selina.

Granada: Nicaragua’s Vibrant Colonial Gem

Nicaragua is arguably the most beautiful country in Central America, but you wouldn’t know it due to the government’s off-putting politics and treatment of their own people.

However, Granada is the exception to the rule if you can get past the invasive customs procedure where you may be asked a bazillion questions why you’re entering Nicaragua.

Once you’re through, you’ll be welcomed into a haven for expats and digital nomads in Granada, a vibrant colonial town nestled along scenic lakes, where you can explore volcanic islands like Ometepe.

This laid-back town is located an hour from Nicaragua’s capital of Managua, which is likely your gateway into the country, so it’s an easy trek and well worth it.

You can rent apartments in historic buildings as low as $300, but keep in mind if booking on Airbnb, the owner may try to tack on utilities; something I had to deal with when booking here.

Exploring the town is captivating with its timeless cobbled streets, charming cafes, and traditional markets to peruse.

It’s well-equipped for digital nomads with numerous hostels and co-working spaces, or sometimes both are packed into one like Casa Bloom (and there’s also a Selina here, too).

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.