travel

In early 2018 The Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID Act was put into motion, requiring states to adopt better security measures for driver’s licenses and other identification cards. Before flying, make sure your driver’s license has been updated to the REAL ID, or bring an acceptable alternative form of identification, like a passport.

In the North Carolina mountain towns, there are many Instagram-worthy scenic views.

From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina offers quite a few beautiful drives.

During a recent Palm Beach getaway we took a fascinating island tour where we heard tales of the rich and dysfunctional while viewing their mega-mansions, dined on superb sushi and took the best food tour I’ve ever been on where I was introduced to the charming custom of fika in Sweden.

North Carolina’s mountain towns are known for their abundance of natural beauty. Some of the best-kept waterfall secrets are hidden along the trails of Cashiers, Cherokee, Sylva and Dillsboro. The nearby American Continental Divide is where water flows in two directions, creating serene, cascading falls and deep lagoons.

North Carolina’s coast is composed of more than 300 miles of barrier island beaches, coastal towns, national seashores and lighthouses. USA Today surveyed North Carolinians on their favorite beach spots and released a list of the top 10.

It’s a game changer for travel around south Florida. Brightline began express train service in January between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and added service to Miami last week.

Leave the phone and email behind and embrace nature’s majesty in Western North Carolina.

Spring is a great time to vacation. So whether you’re taking off with friends, a significant other or the whole family, consider these destinations for your getaway:

Airbnb introduced “experiences” as an extension of its rental-booking business. According to airbnbcitizen.com, “Experiences include things like immersive experiences for travelers, from a podcast-production lesson in Chicago, to honey making in Malibu and a bike tour through Los Angeles with a landscape architect. The options are never-ending.”

From a small courtroom in Sumner, Mississippi, where the Emmett Till murder trial was held, to the United States Supreme Court building, the location of the decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the new U.S. Civil Rights Trail covers more than 100 landmarks that played a role in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

Asheville, a city located in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, is well known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture.

Boutique hotels have been popping up across North Carolina. They are perfect for travelers with an appreciation for design or locals seeking a cozy staycation. Many hotels are close to popular attractions and feature their own unique style, architecture or a special piece of history.

With the recent snow hitting North Carolina, Beech Mountain Ski Resort is a statewide destination for winter sports.

For the perfect way to warm up from winter temperatures, bundle up and get your adrenaline pumping with a hike to one of Jackson County’s many waterfalls.

Hit the slopes at Sapphire Valley Resort with skiing and snowboarding on the 1,600-foot main run with a vertical drop of 200 feet. Ideal for a day of family fun, take a lesson from the mountain’s professional instructors.

Bordering 45 miles of Jackson County, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-see scenic drive in the fall with an explosion of color.

Jeremy Norris’ family members were bootleggers and farmers. He carries on their legacy with Broadslab Distillery, located on the family farm, producing moonshine, whisky and rum in a still he designed with his grandfather using his recipe. “We handle the entire process from dirt to bottle,” he said on the one-hour tour that includes a shot glass and tasting.

City dwellers have been flocking to the Roanoke River Paddle Trail since 1997. This peaceful setting offers urbanites close encounters with wildlife and the quaint, small-town experiences found throughout the region. Here you can find great Eastern North Carolina BBQ as well as a host of other Southern culinary traditions, including time-honored offerings like fried herring and steamed oysters.

I went to check in for a flight recently and located my confirmation number on my calendar. Then I hit a snag: I didn’t remember which airline I was on. But my days of searching for flight confirmations are over.

A wild gem in northeastern North Carolina, the Roanoke River Paddle Trail offers a unique outdoor experience.

North Carolina’s ferry system has been in place for 70 years and has become the second largest behind Washington.

Labor Day weekend is an unofficial end of summer, and the lure of a getaway can be strong. Luckily, our state has diverse options. Here are a few non-beach ideas to consider:

Visit Childress Vineyards for a fun-filled day of wine tasting, savory food and gorgeous sights.

Coming soon to Wilson is a public park and outdoor museum where visitors can gather around the wind-powered sculptures, known as whirligigs, of world-renowned artist and engineer Vollis Simpson.

Traveling with a baby has turned parents into sherpas, transporting mountains of gear for their little ones. Lighten that load when you stay with a Destination Hotels property. This collection of independently owned hotels and resorts in the US and Caribbean has partnered with Babierge to offer parents the option of renting baby gear instead.

Take an inside look at the life of William Sydney Porter, known as O. Henry – who wrote witty, often ironic tales – at his birthplace of Greensboro in one of the several free literary tours created by North Carolina Literary Map.

Taking a road trip this summer? You’re not alone. According to the AAA, 79 percent of families traveling this summer plan to road trip for vacation, a 10 percent increase from last year.

Try your hand at the pottery wheel, watch the dramatic raku firing technique, and see professional potters demonstrate the art of wheel throwing, carving techniques and more, during the second annual Stepping Into the Craft: Saturdays in Seagrove.

Love the beach? If you have yet to explore the beaches of Currituck County’s Outer Banks, here are a few ideas for your getaway there.