5 Classic Summer Travel Adventures
May 25, 2012; 11:30 AM
Shermanstravel.com
Though the solstice is right around the corner, Memorial Day Weekend heralds the onset of summer travel fun. Bask on a Caribbean beach, hike within a Hawaiian cloud forest, or sip a cool cocktail on a rooftop bar overlooking Chicago the experts at ShermansTravel.com have five quintessential summer activities.
Photo by TheDigitel Myrtle Beach (flickr)
1. Visit a Seaside Boardwalk:Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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In 2010 Myrtle Beach completed its new 1.2-mile boardwalk and promenade, a traditional plank-built strip lined with beach shops, cafes, and an oceanfront park. For a bird's-eye view of the entire beach, board the new 187-foot Sky Wheel, the tallest Ferris wheel east of the Mississippi. More than 10 million people, from bikers to Spring Breakers to retirees, flock to Myrtle Beach every year to shop, swim, eat, and dance.
2. Go Hiking in a National Park:Maui, Hawaii
Maui's Haleakala National Park, named for its showpiece 10,000-foot Haleakala "crater," comprises five different climate zones and contrasting landscapes of lush coastal jungle and stark subalpine desert mountains. The upper Kipahulu Valley is home to Waikomoi Preserve, where rainforests shelter some of the world's rarest species of plants, insects, and birds. Only a guided hike led by the park staff will get you there.
3. Sip Cool Cocktails on a Rooftop Bar:Chicago
The Raffaello Hotel takes the speakeasy concept to new heights with the opening of Drumbar on June 8. Perched on the 18th floor of the 1925 building, the bar's outdoor terrace affords jaw-dropping views of Lake Michigan and the Hancock Building. Whether you come earlier in the day to catch some rays, show up for sublime skyline-framed sunsets, or linger well into the balmy night, a bourbon or whiskey just tastes better a few stories up.
3. Hit the Road:San Francisco to Mendocino Wine Country
You might be paying more at the pump this summer, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice those summer road trip plans. Burn less than a single tank of gas (and still take the scenic route) with a trip from San Francisco to Mendocino via Sonoma County. Stop in Healdsburg, known for its abundance of wineries, before continuing on through the giant redwoods in Hendy Woods State Park en route to Mendocino, where lodging is a bit more affordable than in Napa or Sonoma.
4. Bask on the Beach:Montego Bay, Jamaica
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Known as MoBay, Jamaica's second-largest city is the premier tourist destination on the northwest coast, offering travelers everything from picture-perfect white-sand beaches to river rafting; from spicy jerk chicken to some of the best golf in the West Indies. Head to the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa's private beach, 15 minutes away, to take advantage of beachside dining and water sports.
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From the Experts at ShermansTravel.com