Sherman's Travel

Plenty of people plan trips around fascinating, inspiring, or just plain weird sites. But what if the enthralling attraction is your hotel itself? While almost every hotel adheres to themes like “simplicity” or “elegance,” there are many hotels that incorporate bizarre and beautiful elements into their designs, making guests’ stays a bit more fun. The most recent venture is the new Legoland Hotel at California’s Legoland theme park. While it’s not constructed entirely of Legos, the hotel boasts rooms of varying motifs – such as “adventure,” “pirate,” and “kingdom” – that are outfitted with decorations and props of their respective themes. Plus, scattered throughout the hotel are elaborate Lego sculptures, blocks to create works of your own, as well as those friendly block-headed Lego people. But, themed hotels aren’t just for beloved childhood artifacts. Here are nine more of our favorites. Read more

My very first sampling of the South Pacific wasn’t in Fiji or Tahiti or one of those other blockbuster palm-fringed access points we’ve come to associate with this idyllic region of endless turquoise seas, verdant isles, and friendly locals. I was looking for something a bit more off-the-beaten-path, for an island destination where an on-arrival Facebook update would leave my friends back home scratching their heads. With my finger dangling on a map over the South Pacific, it fell, rather impulsively, on the island nation of Vanuatu, and so the journey began. Read more

Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner. You may be sniffling from spring allergies now, but Memorial Day will be here before you know it, bringing warm temperatures, shortened work days, and summer vacations. Don’t let the season sneak up on you; take advantage of the many early bird specials out there and book your summer travel now. Read more

St. Petersburg, Florida (or St. Pete Beach) is chock-full of casual eateries and bars that cater to fun-loving beach bums and frozen beverage aficionados. But beware of less-than-local seafood and often underwhelming bites. Here are three of my favorites in the area that serve good grub in a stellar location. Read more

If you’re looking to take an exotic vacation this season, we’ve got deals for you from all over the world; from Africa to Europe to the Caribbean islands. Stray outside of your comfort zone and take the journey you’ve always dreamed of; with these fantastic deals, you’ve got few excuses not to. Read more

Upon arrival in Cartagena, you’re immediately struck by the Caribbean feel of the city. The pastel colored low-rise buildings, high humidity, and infectious salsa music reminds you that this coastal enclave is very much part of the Caribbean. The old town of Cartagena, a walled city, is charming and designed for casual strolls with its small shops, cafés, bars, and several inviting squares. Stop by the Charleston Santa Teresa around sunset for a rooftop ron punch (rum punch) or mojito and enjoy the sunset over the sea. Read more

Oh, how I love New York in the spring! Well, maybe not so much this year: Like many areas in the U.S. and beyond, New York’s been hit by some extended cold weather, with a handful of luke-warm days thrown into the mix. The erratic weather has left me (and plenty of others), for lack of a better term, under the weather. While chugging gallons of orange juice to power through the workday can be frustrating, it’s not nearly as bad as being sick on vacation. Even the best vacation plans can go awry if you’re forced to spend the trip cooped up in your hotel room, hacking up a lung. But being sick while away doesn’t have to put an immediate damper on your journey. If you’ve got the energy, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy while ill.

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If you haven’t heard, TripAdvisor came out with it’s top 10 list of family-friendly hotels! Voted on by you, the website reports on some of the year’s best hotels for various things like romance, beaches, and families. See the results below. Read more

With spring breaks and warmer temperatures ahead (we hope), April and May make perfect months for quick weekend jaunts. Whether you live on the East Coast, the West Coast, or somewhere in between, we’ve rounded up a number of great hotel deals – from New England to California – that make it easy for you to escape and relax, even for just a few days. Read more

The Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem is incredibly rich, and even though you might not be, it’s a world wonder simply not to be missed. Undoubtedly, you’re in for a splurge on the airfare to get Down Under, but, happily, once you touch down, there are plenty of value Great Barrier Reef activities that won’t break the bank. Base your stay, like I recently did, in the well-serviced tourist center of Cairns or on Fitzroy Island, just offshore, and look out for these great ways to encounter the reef on the cheap, along with a couple of budget-friendly lodging options. Read more