Catalan Cuisine: Why Barcelona Has the Best Dishes

It’s no doubt that Spain offers the best mouth-watering cuisine out of all the Spanish-speaking countries. In fact, you don’t even have to be Spanish to find something that’s close to home for you. Barcelona is a melting pot of people and that means dishes spread wide and far across many cultures. For all those culture-junkies, one of Spain’s largest cities offers a variety of unique cuisines from Catalan to Italian to French and Asian dishes.

Five Maine Festivals You Won't Want to Miss This Summer

You probably didn't know that the most northeastern state of the U.S. was so diverse in its summer festivals. Well, it's true. Maine is home to several unique festivals during the warmer months and it's no wonder Mainers have so much fun. Here are five unique festivals you won't want to miss out east this summer.

Maine Fare
June 26 - 27
Beginning late June, this two day festival is all about good food. It is located on the waterfront in Belfast and brings in many vendors, including farmers, fishermen, foodies, food businesses, eaters and more! While some tastings and classes require tickets, the general admission to the festival is free. Watch chef demos, take classes and try new recipes right on the east coast of Maine.

Teeth: America vs. Britain

 A longtime stereotype has been that British people have horrible, crooked teeth, while Americans are known for their straight, pearly whites. However, where did this cliche come from and is it really true that American teeth beat out British teeth in both looks and health?

Five Of The World's Most Remote Destinations

Planes, trains, and automobiles, and even some sea travel is involved when it comes to these super remote vacation destinations. Each spot has a long, convoluted set of travel instructions but are totally worth it when you arrive!

Things to Do in Napa This Spring and Summer

Despite its reputation as one of the finest wine destinations in the world, there are lots of awesome things to do in Napa that doesn’t involve a glass of wine. If you’ve crossed off drinking for the rest of your life or traveling as a family with kids, you can still find a lot of great wine-free activities to enjoy Napa Valley. 

What to Do in Niagara Falls

While naturally the main reason to visit Niagara Falls is to see the falls, there are plenty of other sights and attractions in the area that are definitely worth your time while you visit as well. Whether you choose to stay on the American side or the Canada side, Niagara Falls offers visitors with breathtaking views and plenty of things to do. 

Hidden Travel Gems In Michigan

Michigan's known for a variety of things to the common traveler. These include:

• The Great Lakes
• The Motor City
• Mackinac Island

Not bad things to be known for, as the beaches of the Great Lakes and the shorelines are oftentimes spectacular and are enjoyed by travelers year round. Detroit, for all of its struggles, is still one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the United States and has some exciting things going on downtown and in the surrounding suburbs. Mackinac Island is known for its ability to take us back to yesteryear, a time when life was simpler (and gives you a weekend without having to deal with a car...what a concept!)

But outside of those three items, Michigan is often referred to as "fly over country" to many. Without sounding like a tourism guide, I have to say that Michigan brings much more to the table whether it's for a romantic weekend getaway or a fun family trip. Here are a few gems that travelers would find well worth their time on a visit to Michigan.

1.  Traverse City.
   
   Home of the Cherry Festival, Traverse City is well known throughout Michigan and in surrounding areas like Chicago. Locals have certainly found that the place is quickly gaining a reputation as a hot tourist spot, as the influx of people throughout the summer and into the Fall season. Traverse is home to countless wineries, an amazing shoreline, award winning breweries like Right Brain Brewery, and some of the country's finest bed and breakfasts. There is a local airport, but it tends to get pricey to fly into. So, if you want to make the trip, extend it a few days and fly into Grand Rapids' bigger airport and then make the 2.5 hour drive North. There's a good reason for this as well...
   
   
   
2. Grand Rapids.
   
   If you think of Michigan as a state with one city, you'd be surprised to find out what the state's second biggest city, Grand Rapids, has to offer. As an acquaintance of mind remarked driving into the city once, "Hey, it has a skyline and everything!" On top of the skyline, Grand Rapids boasts some luxurious hotels in the downtown JW Marriott and Amway Grand. Highlights of a trip to Grand Rapids should include the local museums as well as breweries like Founders and Brewery Vivant, a couple of the reasons the city has been named Beer City USA for the past two years.
   
   
   
3. Saugatuck.
   
   If you love quaint ocean side cities, you might want to try Saugatuck, which replaces the ocean with the freshwater equivalent of Lake Michigan. If you have never experienced the Great Lakes, and you'd like a relaxing or romantic weekend getaway in the summer, you'd be hard pressed to beat Saugatuck, Michigan. Located only a couple hours around the lake from Chicago, Saugatuck boasts a burgeoning little art community, fine dining, an amazing beach, a breathtaking state park (Saugatuck Dunes) and enough luxurious lodging to keep you coming back year after year. 

 

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Seen enough yet? Ready to book your next getaway to Michigan? That's what I thought!