John Cox

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Tagged travel · everything

www.islands.com

Between Asheville And Greensboro Is North Carolina's Charming City With A Lovely Downtown And Tasty Eats

Newton, North Carolina, is a small historic town of 13,500 people located midway between Asheville and Greensboro that offers carefully preserved downtown architecture, community-driven events, and local dining and shopping concentrated along its Main Avenue and surrounding streets. The downtown's National Register–listed buildings from the 1920s–1930s house businesses alongside cultural institutions like the Catawba County Museum of History, while the community maintains an active social calendar featuring theater productions, festivals, and concerts at the Frank and Sue Jones Amphitheatre. Its location makes it accessible as either an overnight destination with charming bed-and-breakfast inns or a day trip from larger nearby cities.

Permalink historynorth carolinarestaurantstravel

www.themanual.com

A Michelin-recommended culinary tour of North Carolina

The Michelin Guide's 2025 expansion into the American South includes North Carolina, which earned significant recognition with one Michelin star, seven Bib Gourmand awards, and 39 recommended restaurants. The author toured four major North Carolina cities—Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham—to sample standout restaurants ranging from casual seafood counters and wine bars to fine-dining establishments, highlighting how the state offers diverse cuisines from Southern comfort food and Italian to Indian, Croatian, and Louisiana cooking. The restaurants showcase local Appalachian and Carolina ingredients while blending regional traditions with innovative techniques and international influences.

Permalink foodsustainabilitynorth carolinarestaurants

www.zdnet.com

The 5 best RVs of 2022: Top motorhomes and campers

This ZDNET buyer's guide reviews five RVs across different categories and price points—from the budget-friendly Jay Feather Micro travel trailer at $20,663 to the luxury Newmar Ventana Class A motorhome at $431,709—each selected to suit specific needs like family camping, full-time living, or weekend getaways. The article explains the three motorized RV classes (A, B, and C) plus towable options, then breaks down each vehicle's key features, pros, and cons to help readers match their priorities to the right model. It also addresses common questions about RV lifespan, cost of living, depreciation, and maintenance concerns like water damage.

Permalink campingtravelrvvan life

www.vacationstravel.com

Eight of the best places to see the Northern Lights

The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with nitrogen and oxygen in Earth's upper atmosphere, creating the dancing green and blue light displays visible from high northern latitudes between September and March. The article identifies eight prime viewing locations—Norway, Greenland, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, and Scotland—and recommends watching during new moon nights with clear skies, particularly between 9pm and 2am when activity peaks. While sightings cannot be guaranteed due to the phenomenon's unpredictability, communities with minimal light pollution offer the best chances of witnessing this celestial phenomenon.

Permalink canadatravelnaturenorthern lights

www.travelwith2ofus.com

8 Top Car Gadgets For An Awesome Stress-Free Family Road Trip

This article recommends essential car gadgets for road trips, including tire inflators, jump starters, electric coolers, phone chargers, dashboard mounts, and dash cams, with product descriptions highlighting features like fast inflation speeds, high amp capacity, temperature control, and 4K recording capability. The piece serves as a buyer's guide to help travelers avoid breakdowns and stay comfortable during long journeys by equipping their vehicles with practical accessories for emergencies and convenience.

Permalink geartravelroad tripsgadgets

www.travelawaits.com

10 Things Solo Travelers Should Know Before Going To South America

A first-time solo traveler recounts her 2019 journey across seven South American countries, challenging her preconceived fears about the region with practical advice for future visitors. She covers essential logistics like bus travel safety, altitude sickness management, and language preparation, while also addressing cultural expectations around social interactions and local customs that differ from North American norms. The piece emphasizes that despite South America's negative reputation in Western media, the continent offers welcoming communities and unforgettable experiences for those who approach it with respect and an open mind.

Permalink safetyculturetraveladvice

www.travelandleisure.com

www.travelandleisure.com

The 15 Least-visited National Parks in the US for Beautiful Views and Adventure Without the Crowds

The article profiles the least-visited U.S. national parks, explaining why remote parks receive far fewer visitors and offering practical context for would-be travelers. It highlights remote Alaska entries such as [[Gates of the Arctic]], [[Kobuk Valley]], and [[Lake Clark]] alongside island and mainland outliers like [[Isle Royale]], [[Dry Tortugas]], and [[American Samoa]], and links low visitation to factors including limited access, seasonal weather, high travel cost, and deliberate preservation policies. The piece summarizes visitation statistics, terrain and wildlife characteristics, access logistics, and recommended planning tips including permits, transportation, safety, and leave-no-trace practices so readers can understand trade-offs between solitude and infrastructure and decide whether an adventurous, less-crowded national park experience is right for them. It also offers suggestions for timing visits to maximize wildlife viewing and photography opportunities while minimizing environmental impact.

Permalink hikingtraveladventurenational parks

www.travelandleisure.com

3 Incredible Itineraries for Travelers Heading to Greece This Year

Planning a trip to [[Greece]] means balancing ancient history, island life, and logistics: start in [[Athens]] for a day or two to see the [[Acropolis]] and local neighborhoods, then hop to islands like [[Santorini]], [[Mykonos]], [[Naxos]] or [[Paros]] depending on whether you want sunsets, nightlife, or quieter beaches. Travel during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) to avoid crowds; book popular ferries and inter-island flights in advance and reserve accommodations early in summer. Rent a car on larger islands such as [[Crete]] for inland exploration, savor tavernas and regional cuisine, and leave room for unplanned discoveries along the [[Aegean Sea]]. Practical tips include checking ferry timetables, packing sun protection, budgeting for peak-season prices, and allowing extra travel time between islands for a relaxed, well-paced itinerary, while being mindful of local customs and seasonal festivals.

Permalink foodtraveleuropearchaeology

www.travelandleisure.com

10 Eating and Drinking Rules Italians Live By

Travel + Leisure's guide to eating and drinking rules Italians live by outlines the informal but firm customs that shape meals across [[Italy]], from when to order [[espresso]] to how to treat [[pasta]] and [[pizza]]. It explains mealtime structure—antipasti, primi, secondi—plus the role of the [[aperitivo]] hour, bread etiquette, and why regional pride determines ingredients and portioning. The piece covers social rules like declining offers politely, tipping norms, and the importance of savoring rather than rushing food, and it highlights gestures, seasonal produce, and local specialties such as [[prosciutto]] and [[olive oil]]. Practical tips help travelers respect traditions, find authentic experiences, and understand why certain behaviors that seem rude elsewhere are normal in Italian dining culture. It also advises on when to order wine versus water and how to approach markets and neighborhood trattorie to better connect with locals.

Permalink foodcultureitalytravel

www.thrillist.com

Here's a List of 20,000 Remote Jobs If You're Eager to Leave the Country

A Reddit user compiled 20,000 remote job listings into a freely shared spreadsheet organized by expertise level, internships, visa sponsorship opportunities, and location, addressing the difficulty of finding work that enables digital nomad lifestyles as countries increasingly offer nomad visas. The post emphasizes that remote work offers an escape route for Americans dissatisfied with work-life balance compared to European standards, with the spreadsheet regularly updated to provide ongoing opportunities for those seeking to relocate internationally.

Permalink redditcanadaremote worktravel

www.thetravel.com

Train From Denver To Moab: How To Take This Scenic, Bucket-List Journey

The Rocky Mountaineer's Denver-to-Moab route is a two-day luxury train journey through Colorado and Utah that traverses iconic landmarks including the Moffat Tunnel, Byers Canyon, and Ruby Canyon before ending in Moab near Arches National Park. The trip includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs with hot springs access, world-class dining and service in glass-domed coaches, and costs between $1,599 and $2,159 per guest depending on service level. The train operates April through October on Wednesdays and Sundays, offering an alternative to typical American car travel with dramatic southwestern scenery.

Permalink utahtravelnational parkscolorado

www.tastingtable.com

The 20 Best Tiki Bars In The US

Tiki bars represent a distinctly American form of escapism rooted in 19th-century fascination with the South Pacific, evolving from kitschy nautical themes at pioneer spots like Trader Vic's into dynamic contemporary establishments that blend classic cocktails with inventive riffs and immersive theming. The article profiles over 20 tiki bars across the U.S.—from Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco to Wusong Road in Boston—each offering unique interpretations of tropical escapism, from wine-based tiki cocktails in California wine country to robot-fueled tiki in Nashville. Modern tiki bars remain temples of rum and vacation fantasy while constantly adapting their aesthetics, menus, and experiences to contemporary tastes and local cultures.

Permalink cocktailsrestaurantstravelbars

www.outsideonline.com

The Best Trails Around Asheville, According to a Local Hiker

Sandra Aguirre founded Latinos Aventureros, a 7,000-member bilingual hiking group in western North Carolina, after discovering that mountain hiking helped her recover from depression following her divorce. What began as personal hikes with her three children evolved into weekly group outings focused on introducing the BIPOC community to outdoor recreation across the Blue Ridge Mountains region. The piece includes Aguirre's personalized guide to Asheville, featuring her favorite spots for coffee, swimming holes, sunsets, restaurants, and breweries.

Permalink hikingnorth carolinatravelwaterfalls

www.outsideonline.com

The Best Hike in Every State

This is a state-by-state guide to the best single hike in each of the 50 United States, selected by the publication's writers and editors based on considerations like scenic beauty, terrain variety, and distinctive features. Each entry includes a brief description of the hike's route, elevation gain, length, and what makes it noteworthy—whether that's waterfalls, alpine views, cultural landmarks, or wildlife encounters. The selections range from accessible short walks like Michigan's Pyramid Point (easy family-friendly dune views) to challenging multi-day backpacking routes like Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness and the John Muir Trail in California.

Permalink hikingtraveladventurenational parks

www.nytimes.com

How to Fold a Suit, According to King Charles’s Former Suit Maker

Frequent travelers should choose suits made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics like hopsack or high-twist wool rather than delicate linens, and fold them carefully using soft garments like rolled socks and sweaters for padding to maintain structure. The proper packing technique involves laying the suit flat, positioning padded items at stress points like shoulders and the jacket waist, and folding methodically to create a compact parcel. Contrary to popular travel advice, steaming or hanging suits in humid bathrooms damages the internal construction and finish; instead, simply hanging a suit in a dry, warm room for 12 hours should allow wrinkles to fall out naturally.

Permalink travelclothingpackingtips

www.nytimes.com

The Best Gear for a Walking Vacation

This New York Times gear guide recommends specific shoes, packs, clothing, and accessories tailored to four types of walking activities: casual city strolls, trail running, day hikes, and multiday pilgrimages. Each section lists 3-7 products with prices and explains how their features—like weight, waterproofing, cushioning, or compression—suit that particular activity's demands. The article emphasizes practical considerations like packability for travel, quick-drying fabrics for extended treks, and the importance of proper footwear and sun protection across all walking pursuits.

Permalink hikinggearfootwearrunning

www.nationalparkstraveler.org

RVing The Parks | Top Tips For National Parks With RV Hookup Campsites

Only 13 of the National Park System's 130 camping destinations offer RV hookups, with just five parks providing full hookups (water, sewer, and electric), making these sites highly competitive and requiring advance reservations six months or more ahead. Full hookups in national parks offer practical advantages like climate control for vulnerable populations, reliable power for medical devices, and reduced generator noise, while allowing visitors to spend more time actually exploring the parks rather than traveling to distant private campgrounds. Success requires knowing your RV's exact dimensions, understanding each park's different reservation system, and carrying proper supplies like water filters and surge protectors to protect both your equipment and the parks' infrastructure.

Permalink campingaccessibilitytravelnational parks

www.mentalfloss.com

51 Must-Visit National Park Properties Across America

This is a state-by-state guide to over 400 National Park Service sites across the United States, highlighting one notable property in each state plus Washington, D.C. Each entry provides a brief description of the site's distinctive features—whether geological formations like the Grand Canyon, historical landmarks like Valley Forge, or cultural heritage sites like the Freedom Riders National Monument—along with specific activities and attractions visitors can expect to find there. The guide serves as a practical reference for planning road trips or identifying NPS destinations within driving distance regardless of location.

Permalink hikingwildlifehistorytravel

www.lonelyplanet.com

The ultimate guide to BBQ in Texas

Texas barbecue tradition emphasizes slow-cooking beef over low wood heat for 12-16 hours, with regional variations in wood type (hickory or pecan in the east, oak in central Texas, mesquite in the west) creating distinct flavor profiles. The guide covers the importance of rubs—both wet and dry—as seasoning foundations that are equally crucial to sauce, though sauce itself is regionally debated; authentic joints are identified by their smoke-blackened simplicity, meat sold by the pound, and an ethos that the meat's natural quality should speak for itself. Dining etiquette demands embracing the mess, wearing stain-forgiving clothing, and eating with hands or fork depending on the cut, with some legendary establishments like Kreuz Market refusing to provide forks entirely.

Permalink foodtraveltexasbarbecue