Sherman's Travel

Lisa Ling, Rick Steves, and Adam Richman are just a few of the globe-trotting celebs who will be appearing at this weekend’s Los Angeles Times Travel Show, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s the 14th year for the award-winning travel extravaganza, which, with its hundreds of exhibitors from exotic countries and hands-on activities, is almost like a whirlwind round-the-world trip in and of itself.

The show, which costs $10 per day and is open to the public on January 28 and January 29, promises to once again spark wanderlust while providing access to some of the top travel experts in the industry. Countries represented include the adventure meccas of Belize, South Africa, Ecuador, and Morocco, and other exhibitors include a variety of tour operators and travel organizations, including the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Serengeti Pride Safaris, and Extreme Tornado Tours. Read more

Climbing enthusiasts have yet another reason to consider the South for their next adventure: a 140-foot climbing wall in Historic Banning Mills Adventure Park (about 45 minutes west of Atlanta) that was recently certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest freestanding climbing wall.

The 14-story structure, which received its Guinness certification on December 10, is the newest addition to the nonprofit adventure park. The professionally designed wall, which required about six months of construction, offers challenging routes (all belayed, no free climbing) for climbers of all skill levels, with nine lanes, including two 95-foot rappel walls, four overhangs, a traversing overhang, and a chimney. Read more

Looking for a unique and adventurous way to zip into the holidays and new year? Check out the newly opened Night Zip Line experience in Santa Catalina Island, California, which spans five zip lines over three-quarters of a mile and reaches speeds of nearly 45 miles per hour.

The zip line, which is offered by tour operator Catalina Expeditions and was featured in an episode of The Bachelor Pad, opened last spring and has since become a popular attraction for thrill-seeking travelers in Southern California. The nighttime setting ratchets up the adrenaline factor even more: Imagine stepping off a platform into pitch darkness, with just a harness holding you in. Read more

In the wee hours before a ski resort opens, while you’re deep in dreams of fresh powder, plenty of hardy souls are already out on the slopes, making sure they’re safe. For 17 seasons, Will Paden has been an avalanche forecaster at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe. During ski season, Paden and his coworkers scrutinize weather reports, scope out the mountains for hazards, and use careful and time-tested techniques, including explosives, to mitigate avalanche risks long before the resort opens. Here, we spoke to Paden, who’s also on Squaw Valley’s Ski Patrol, about what his job is like – and what everybody who ventures into the backcountry on skis should know about avalanches. Read more

While it is currently rainy and wet on the East Coast, California’s Mammoth Mountain has great ski conditions; so great, in fact, that they’re letting you enjoy the mountain and ski free. On Friday, December 9, the generous folks at Mammoth are giving away lift tickets to MyMammoth members (lift passes are usually priced at $86 for MyMammoth members).

It is free to join MyMammoth, and the membership allows you to save on lift tickets, snag insider information, get direct lift access, and score free Wi-Fi at the lodges and in the Village. Mammoth Mountain has more than 150 marked trails and 28 lifts, with an elevation of 11,053 feet.

Be sure to check out our Mammoth travel guide, and the use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and more travel deals.

The sport of climbing has gained remarkable momentum as of late, with young stars like Chris Sharma and Alex Honnold sparking unprecedented participation, especially among wide-eyed newbies. If you’re among them (I sure am, after being mesmerized watching climbers scale Yosemite’s world-renowned El Capitan), then why not take your next trip to new heights by visiting one of these great climbing towns?

The following destinations are great picks for climbing enthusiasts of all levels, whether you’re an aspiring novice or expert rock hound.

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Space tourism is one step – and $8 million – closer to reality, with the completion this week of a massive production plant in California’s Mojave Desert that houses the first passenger aircraft that will fly into space.

According to Virgin Galactic, which is owned by British billionaire Richard Branson and has joint ventured on the project, more than 430 customers have already signed up, at an out-of-this-world cost of $200,000 per ticket. Read more

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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Intrigued by the mythos of Mount Everest, but not quite ready to commit to the monumental challenge of climbing the world’s highest peak? A hike to Base Camp could be just the ticket for your next bucket-list adventure. A growing number of companies lead excursions to the world-famous Base Camp, and one is offering an exclusive discount off an already incredible price to ShermansTravel readers.

Nepal-based guide Ace the Himalaya recently announced its 16-day trip from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp, situated at a (literally) breathtaking 17,500 feet in the Himalayas in Nepal (one of our Top 10 Ecotourism Destinations), has been reduced from $1,720 to $1,600, including accommodations, transfers, and most meals. ShermansTravel readers can snag the trip for $1,200; just mention us when you’re booking.

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I finally saw 127 Hours last night, and, just as I expected, I was blown away.

Actor James Franco as solo hiker Aron Ralston, whose incredible survival story culminated in the amputation of his  forearm after he was trapped by a boulder, was outstanding. As were the movie’s script and cinematography, a mix of rock-and-roll headiness and emotional reflection. And the setting – Utah’s breathtaking rock formations and clausto-inducing canyons – had me itching to book a flight.

Which is exactly what the folks at Utah’s Office of Tourism have been hoping for, with promotional trips in place to capitalize on all the buzz.

Shortly after the film’s release, Travel Utah announced five 127 Hours-themed excursions to the state (visit www.travel.utah.gov/127hours), whose stunning landscape plays its own starring role in the film. Says Tracie Cayford, spokesperson for the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, “The premise is if you had 127 hours to spend in Utah, what would you do?”

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