Sherman's Travel

Last spring, we picked the Top 10 Cities for Cycling, those U.S. locales where bike lanes, cycler safety, and easy access to two-wheeled transportation all rank high for residents and visitors alike. Four of those cities – Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and St. Petersburg, Florida – were set to launch ambitious bike share programs this summer. Unfortunately, the start dates have passed for each of those places, and we’re still waiting on those cycle rentals. So what happened, and when can you expect to see bike shares in your city?

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For American travelers contending with a cutthroat dollar-to-kroner conversion rate, budget Norway travel may read somewhat as an oxymoron. Happily, a bit of budget-savvy planning can help you to tuck a few kroner away during your Norwegian stay.

Fresh off the boat (and train, bus, and ferry) from the country’s popular Norway in a Nutshell tour, which weaves together transportation, lodging, and activities for an unforgettable trip through western Norway’s breathtaking fjord, mountain, and coastal countryside, herewith the full report on how to best crunch those kroner and maximize your wow-factor stopovers when plotting your route.

Granted, a Norway in a Nutshell excursion won’t exactly cost you peanuts, but these money-saving travel tips can help ensure that what you do shell out for won’t leave you plain nuts. Read more

Want to feel like a pro cyclist for a few hours – no pricey bike or ridiculously low body fat required? Check out a gran fondo, or great ride, as they’re known in Italy, where these mass-start events originated. Hugely popular in Europe, gran fondos, which are a combination of recreational bike riding and competitive race, are popping up everywhere in the States and are an excellent way to cruise through beautiful scenery, partake in vibrant post-race party and maybe even rub elbows with a pro along the way.

Gran fondos can be pricey – around $100, depending on the length of the route – but registration costs usually cover a great swag bag, discounts on gear, and a meal ticket for some gourmet grub (and maybe even a beer). Spring is the unofficial kickoff for gran fondo season, which continues through the fall. Here, some beginner-friendly rides to get in the saddle for.

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Since moving to San Francisco in July, I’ve traveled to wine country roughly once a month. This exquisite part of the world is a perfect combination of two of my absolute favorite things: outdoor activities and drinking good wine.

I’m more familiar with Sonoma Valley, but from the likes of the following recently announced happenings in Napa Valley, it’s time to pack up the bike and hiking shoes for some outdoor exploring there, too. Here, some great ways to ring in the spring in Northern California, from two-wheeled excursions to hikes in stunning wilderness that most people will never get to see. Whatever your pick, make sure to toast your effort with a big, fat glass of Napa Valley Cabernet.

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Last year, a record number of tourists – 4,047,880 to be exact – visited Yosemite National Park in California. But as they come and go, there’s a lucky community who call this 747,956-acre outdoor paradise home. In the high season, approximately 3,000 employees of the National Park Service and Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts (or DNC), which is the contracted concessionaire for the park, live on park grounds in various housing complexes. Among them is Lisa Cesaro, public relations manager for DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite. Cesaro, a transplant from Southern California who has lived in Yosemite Valley for a little more than a year, shares what it’s like to be a resident of a place so cherished by outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, as well as some top travel tips for an optimized visit. Read more

I like camping as much as the next outdoor enthusiast, but sometimes I’m looking for something more noteworthy than hiking by day and a wienie roast at night. That’s why these great fall weekend getaways and festivals caught my eye: They’re all about enjoying the great outdoors, but bring a little something extra to the mix, like great food, music and adult beverages, to boot. Read more

If you have yet to experience Costa Rica, the Central American country that’s one of the most world’s most enviable outdoor adventure playgrounds, here’s a can’t-miss deal to consider: a four-day, three-night package that includes hotel, transport within the country, most meals, and adrenaline-packed activities such as canyoneering, zip lining, rafting and horseback riding – all for just $599 (based on double occupancy).

That stellar price represents a savings of 33 percent offered by the outfitter, Tropical Adventures, along with its re-launch. The nonprofit organization, which was founded by Scott Pralinsky, an American adventure travel enthusiast who’s called Costa Rica his home since 2004, also has received plenty of praise for its authentic, volunteer-based programs, including a nod from National Geographic Adventure magazine as a Top 100 Volunteer Vacation in 2009.

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The Tour de France, the top cycling event of the year, recently rolled over the finish line, and the collective reaction from viewers elicited barely more than a ho-hum. Even so, it’s hard to deny the draw of the saddle while you’re watching riders cruise through enchanting French towns and flower-filled countryside.

To that end, here are several bike-centric getaways for travelers who prefer sightseeing on two wheels, whether your desired exertion level is straight up a ski resort in Utah or a simple cruise through the rolling hills of New England.

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My parents didn’t explicitly forbid me from riding a motorcycle. There was never a “Not while you’re living under my roof!” response to pleas for my very own Harley Davidson, because, well, I never asked. That’s because I knew what the answer would be before I tried (my father’s rants about how motor bikes were so dangerous, difficult to see at night, and unsteady at high speeds were big hints).

Now, it’s time for my confession: I still have dreams of two-wheeled cruising down the open road, hair blowing back in the wind as I road-trip through the less-traveled routes in the heartlands. Best part is, it’s possible for me and for other adventure travelers who fantasize about a stint as a hard-core biker to make that dream a reality. Here’s a round-up of three all-inclusive, guided tour companies that provide a sampler of life on the road – but you’ll have to take care of the leather jacket and tough tattoos on your own.

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For a brief few months each year, warm weather, long days, and generous vacation time conspire to open up a world of travel possibilities. From climbing the top of remote mountains to exploring breathtaking river gorges to biking quiet back-country roads, Smart Luxury Travel has selected 10 spectacular outdoor adventures. And to make sure there’s a trip to suit every taste, we’ve included a splurge option (for those who absolutely must have the most exotic and/or pampered voyage) as well as a great value (for those who don’t mind roughing it). Read on to discover our top picks – think kayaking through arctic waters, horseback riding in the Rockies, and catching waves in Costa Rica.

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