The red, sandstone buttes of Sedona are picture perfect.

There’s no escaping the overwhelming awe one experiences during a visit to Sedona, Arizona. The majestic red sandstone buttes in contrast with a vast blue sky combined with the mystical aura of the region have been a place of wonder since the days of the Wild West.

Take in the tranquility of Sedona's landscape in a private, creek side cottage.

Today, the cowboys and Indians of the past have been replaced by throngs of tourists eager to experience one of Mother Nature’s most remarkable landscapes. Whether enjoying an exhilarating off-road adventure, exploring many of the area’s hot Vortex spots, shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts in its abundant gift shops and art galleries, or tasting the unique flavors of its many dining options, Sedona has everything necessary for an exciting family vacation.

There are many places to stay during a Sedona vacation, ranging from the small, no-frills motel to the luxury resort and spa. One of our family’s favorites is the quaint L’Auberge De Sedona Resort. Nestled at the bottom of a cliff and situated on the banks of Oak Creek, guests are invited to stay in The Lodge, The Creek House or in a one or two-bedroom private cottage. The cottages, in particular, offer an opportunity for guests to truly experience the natural beauty of the region from their private front porches.

Restaurant on Oak Creek offers an incredible fine dining experience.

L’Auberge De Sedona is also home to one of our favorite restaurants, the famous Restaurant on Oak Creek. Hugely popular with visitors and locals alike, the restaurant offers an unparallel outdoor dining experience along the trickling creek side. Its seasonal menu of French-inspired American cuisine is an outstanding epicurean treat and its vintage wine selection is superb. Wine Spectator has awarded the restaurant a “Best of Award of Excellence” for 14 years in a row. It’s a “can’t miss” during a Sedona vacation.

Tlaquepaque Village

A great place to find a variety of dining and shopping options is the nearby Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village‎. It’s always on our list of places to visit. Resembling an authentic Mexican village, Tlaquepaque is an epicenter for the Sedona experience, with eclectic live entertainment, artisans and flavors all in one beautiful, natural setting. If you love Mexican food, a “must try” is El Rincon. Their food is influenced by the Navajo and is “muy delicioso.”

Tlaquepaque is also a great starting point for an off road tour of the area’s majestic landscape. Sedona Off Road Adventures offers Hummer and Jeep tours at the Village as well as from The Adventure Store located in the Uptown Mall. Many tour options are available and the vehicles can accommodate groups of up to 12 at a time and always offer an adrenaline-filled trip. Off road tours are very popular, so reservations are encouraged. Also, don’t forget your camera as the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll want to capture the experience.

Get up close and personal with the Sedona landscape with an exhilirating jeep tour.

Sedona Off Road Adventures, as well as other tour operators, also offer wilderness horseback tours as well as mountain bikes rentals for the extreme outdoor enthusiasts.

While in Sedona, you can also hike the rugged terrain in search of the area’s many purported spiritual Vortices (Vortexes). Sedona has been labeled as a spiritual center for many generations, because power emanates from vortexes producing some of the most remarkable energy on the planet. This energy is the reason why Sedona is home to a lot of people that are “on the path” of spiritual growth. It is also the reason that a large New Age community and tourism industry has sprung up in the Sedona area, bringing with it a variety of spiritual practices and alternative healing modalities. Sedona is now often referred to as a spiritual Disneyland. Popular Vortex spots include Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Schnebly Hill. Maps of these locations can be found at all of Sedona’s New Age shops.

If you do decide to hoof it into the Sedona wilderness, as always, please take proper precautions, like packing plenty of water, a map and a cell phone. You wouldn’t want to become a permanent part of the landscape.

Finally, if the weather’s warm and you need to cool off, take the family over to the famous Slide Rock State Park. There the Oak Creek has transformed the red rocks into a natural, slippery water chute. You can take a ride down the chutes, sunbath, wade or swim in the cool waters. It’s a blast.

Getting To Sedona

Sedona is located approximately 115 miles north of Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 north to Highway 179 west. Travel time is just under two hours. Flagstaff is about 30 miles north of Sedona. The best, and most scenic route to take from there is Highway 89A south. The route will take approximately 45 minutes. And it’s a 288-mile, nearly five hour drive from Las Vegas.

The city also has a small airport (SEZ) accommodating private aircraft and offering charter flight, scenic air tours as well as car and jeep rentals.

Photos courtesy of the City of Sedona, L’Auberge De Sedona, Tlaquepaque Village and Sedona Off Road Adventures.

When planning a vacation to the North Carolina coast, Wilmington, Cape Hatteras and Nags Head are first places to come to mind. Many people often overlook the small towns and enclaves that dot the Tar Heel state’s vast coast. These hidden gems offer history, relaxation, culture and fun activities for the entire family to discover.

A great place for a coastal North Carolina vacation is New Bern. Located where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet before spilling into the Pamlico Sound, the city is the second oldest in the state. Settled by the Swiss in 1710 and named after the city of Bern, Switzerland, New Bern served as the capital of the North Carolina colonial government and later briefly as the state capital immediately following the Revolutionary War. 

New Bern’s rich history can be seen as you wander it’s old narrow streets lined with small shops and cafes. One of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat is The Chelsea, located at 335 Middle Street. The restaurant offers casual dining at a great price. Their fried green tomatoes are superb. You can follow your meal with a short walk over to Bradham’s drugstore, located at 256 Middle Street, for an ice cold beverage. It was there that pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink” in 1898, which was later renamed and marketed at Pepsi. Today, the store is owned and operated by Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company and offers Pepsi, of course, as well as variety of Pepsi souvenirs and memorabilia for sale. Afterwards, New Bern Tours offers a 90-minute trolley ride through downtown, providing a look at many of New Bern’s other historic sites. 

If you’re a fan of history and architecture, I recommend these must-see places:

Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
Tryon Palace was built under the direction of North Carolina Governor, William Tryon, and completed in 1770. The elaborate building became ”a monument of opulance and elegance extraordinary in the American colonies.” In 1775, when the Revolutionary War began, the mansion was siezed by the Patriots and converted into the North Carolina state capital building. It remained as such until Raleigh was declared the capital in 1794. Later, in 1798, the building was consumed by a fire that started in the cellar. To preserve New Bern’s colonial heritage, the massive structure was reconstructed in the 1950s and is now a state historic park. 

When visiting this historic site, wear your walking shoes. The expansive Palace gardens, which overlook the Trent River are a great place to wander and enjoy shady trees, fountains, colorful flowers and a spectacular view. And adjacent to the Palace are other historical structures, including, a house  built in the 1830s for George W. Dixon, a wealthy merchant tailor, who was also a former mayor of New Bern; the Hay House, built at the start of the 1800s; and the New Bern Academy, the first school in North Carolina established by legal mandate, in 1766. Like Tryon Palace, the original academy building was destroyed by fire. The current structure was built between 1806 and 1809.

Historic Churches
Like many colonial towns and cities, churches played a major role in New Bern’s history. Many of the old structures can be found in the city’s downtown, offering a look at some interesting architecture.

The Christ Episcopal Church celebrated its 268th anniversary in 2008 and is the oldest church in New Bern and one of the oldest in North Carolina. Located at 320 Pollock Street, the current Gothic Revival building was rebuilt in 1871–1885 after a fire gutted the c. 1821–1824 church. It’s graveyard still contains a number of eighteenth-century stone markers. King George II of England gave the church a silver communion service, a prayer book, and a Bible in 1752 that are still in use today. Another Gothic Revival church is the First Baptist Church at 239 Middle Street, built in 1847. 

First organized as a congregation in 1772, construction of the Centenary United Methodist Church was 1905. Standing at the corner of New and Middle streets. The church features rounded walls and turrets that give it a Moorish look.

The oldest continually used church building in New Bern, First Presbyterian Church was built between 1819 and 1822. Located at 412 New Street, the church is surrounded by a cast-iron fence that dates from 1903.

Celebrating the Arts
Located at 516 Hancock Street, the Masonic Theatre, which dates its beginning to 1805, was once the cultural center of New Bern. Architects described it as “the largest and most elaborate building ever built in New Bern up to its time, with the exception of Tryon Palace.”

Through its more than 200 years, the Masonic Theatre was the scene of many stage plays, talent benefits, concerts, vaudeville acts, political rallies, civic conventions, school commencements, church services and other community gatherings. During Civil War, it was used as a Confederate arsenal and later as a hospital when Union forces occupied New Bern.

After having served all this time as New Bern’s chief place for civic gatherings, it became a motion picture theatre in 1917 and remained so until 1974 when it closed. It was the nation’s oldest continually operating theatre until that time. The theatre is currently being resorted to its historical glory and offers a variety of shows and performances.

For the first three decades of the twentieth century, New Bern was known as the “Athens of North Carolina” because of its many artistic and educational endeavors. While the Great Depression put a halt to much of the activity, a rebirth occurred in the 1970s, and today locals enjoy performances and exhibits from an ever-increasing number of local and touring artists. Along with with many art galleries throughout downtown, New Bern’s main venue for arts is the Bank of the Arts, located at 317 Middle Street. It’s a great place to see the work of local painters, sculptors and other artists showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. 

Fun on the Water
There’s a saying in New Bern – “water sports are NOT a luxury in New Bern. They are ‘our thing.’” The city’s location on two rivers and close proximity to the Pamlico Sound certainly do make New Bern a great place for fun on the water. Whether cruising the rivers in a power boat, taking a leisurely sail boat ride, skimming across the water on a wake board, kayaking or canoeing a narrow, calm creek or casting a fishing line, there are plenty of water activities to suit everyone’s desire. 

If you’re not into getting in or on the water, you can enjoy a relaxing walk at the Union Point Park, a scenic six acre site located at the point of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in downtown New Bern.  The hallmark, a recently constructed Gazebo frequently used for weddings, festivals, and various special events, highlights what is a magnificent and breathtaking view.  The park complex includes a walkway bridging Union Point Park with nearby Bicentennial Park, two boat launches, restroom facilities, picnic tables, fishing pier, grills, and a small playground. 

And, don’t forget, New Bern is also just a short drive (or sail) from the beaches and marinas of the Atlantic Ocean. You can rent a car and head to nearby Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, or Atlantic Beach for a day in the sand and sun.

While in Atlantic Beach, be sure to visit the 398-acre Fort Macon state park. Built between 1826 and 1834 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the pentagon-shaped fortress was the scene of a significant Civil War Battle while occupied by Confederate troops. The fort was under a Union artillery siege from March 23 to April 26, 1862. Its fall into Union hands gave the Northern forces complete control of the entire North Carolina coast. It was re-garrisoned during the Spanish-American War and again during World War II. 

How to Get There and Where to Stay
New Bern is surprisingly easy to travel to by air with daily flights offered by U.S. Airways via Charlotte and Delta via Atlanta. The airport is located just off Highway 70, just minutes south of downtown. New Bern is only a two hour drive from Raleigh via Highway 70 and a just under two hour drive from Wilmington via Highway 17.

New Bern offers a variety of accomodations from the major hotel chains like the Sheraton New Bern Hotel & Marina and Comfort Suites Riverfront Park to the small, quaint bed and breakfasts, such as the Harmony House Inn and Meadows Inn.

As always, these are just a few of the sites and things to do. New Bern offers much more that can’t be fit into a single post. Book your vacation today and you’ll discover much, much more.

Photos by Jason Roth and VisitNewBern.com

For vacationers looking for a spring wine tasting escape full of the fun and excitement only offered in Las Vegas, the annual UNLVino wine tasting event is the answer.

Wine enthusiasts enjoy the flavors at the UNLVino Grand Tasting at Paris Las Vegas.

Celebrating its 35th year, the three-day event offers wine enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy the latest releases, the best vintages, and the finest varietals from across the globe. In 2008, more than 6,000 wine connoisseurs and novices converged at the Grand Tasting and enjoyed 2,900 bottles of wine from more than 750 wineries and 125 suppliers. It was America’s largest single day wine tasting. This year’s Grand Tasting promises to be equally exciting.

Champaign and sparkling wine will flow poolside at the Palms.

UNLVino kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 at the Palms Pool and Bungalows with “Bubble-licious,” featuring champagne and sparkling wines. If you’ve ever experienced Las Vegas in the spring you know this evening outdoor event will be spectacular. Guy Fieri, celebrity chef and Food Network television personality will co-host. Advance purchased tickets are $100 or pay $125 at the door. Located on Flamingo Road, just west of the Las Vegas Strip, the Palms is home to the Playboy Club, great restaurants and exciting nightlife. A popular hotel for celebrities, the Palms is a great place to vacation like a “rockstar” during your wine tasting vacation.

The second night of UNLVino, “Auss-Some and Then Some,” will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday April 17, at the District at Green Valley Ranch, an upscale outdoor shopping, eating and entertainment venue located just minutes east of the Las Vegas Strip off Interstate 215 at Green Valley Parkway. The event will feature extraordinary wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. Tickets for the event may be purchased for $75 in advance or $100 at the door.

Enjoy wines from the Southern Hemisphere at the District at Green Valley Ranch.

The District is adjacent to the luxurious, yet affordable Green Valley Ranch Resort offering rooms walking distance from the action. Enjoy a day at the resort’s lavish pool and spa before heading out for an evening of wine tasting.

The climax of UNLVino is the Grand Tasting from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Paris Las Vegas, offering a taste of the latest releases and the best vintages from around the world. The event also features an art and wine auction, offering an opportunity to bid on fine art, rare wines and wine country vacation packages. Registration and preview for the auction will begin at 2 p.m. with the bidding starting at 3 p.m. Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $100 for advance purchase or $125 at the door. Accommodations are available at Paris Las Vegas and Bally’s as well as nearby resorts, such as Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, or Flamingo.

Tickets for all three events are available at www.unlvtickets.com, or call (702) 739-FANS (3267). You may also purchase tickets at Guest Services at the District at Green Valley Ranch. As with most wine tasting events, attendees must be 21 years old or older to enter any of the three UNLVino events. Also, remember to drink responsibly.

All proceeds from the event benefit the University of Nevada Las Vegas, hence the name UNLVino.

Photos courtesty of UNLVino, Palms and the City of Henderson.

When the weather gets bad and the days get gray I start to look for indoor activities that involve more than eating pizza with an oversized mouse. The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia is a favorite stop.

The name Torpedo Factory is not the least bit misleading. This waterfront complex was once a working torpedo factory. Documenting its past use, there is a torpedo on display in the front lobby. After serving its time producing munitions it was abandoned and later reclaimed as a working art space for local artists. It now contains 82 artist studios, 6 galleries, two workshops, and if that wasn’t enough, it also houses the Alexandria Archeology Museum.

Many different types of fine arts and crafts are represented here. Traditional Chinese brushwork is just a short walk from modern sculpture. Oil paintings find a place by stained glass and pottery. It’s a wonderful place to introduce children to the many forms of art without the stuffiness of museums and the pressure of museum guards looking over your shoulder making sure you don’t touch the horse paintings.

It is not uncommon to find artists busy at work in their studios and they are often willing to answer questions and give impromptu demonstrations of their art. My daughter was especially fascinated with a demonstration of weaving copper wire on a loom into metal fabric.

You can pack a lunch and eat out by the waterfront or stop and pick up a bite at any of the many downtown restaurants. The noodle soup at vegan and kid-friendly Bumblefish is inexpensive and tasty on a cold day.

There is no charge to visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center but finding on-street parking might be a challenge and is usually limited to two hours, so you should be sure to have cash for the parking garage.

Don’t forget to check out the sculpture stairs and be sure to weigh the entire family on the industrial scale by the front door on the way out.

Photo Credits: Photo from the Torpedo Factory Art Center website