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Looking for a mancation with your buddies, a guys' weekend filled with adventure and fun, or a father and son trip to bond over shared experiences? We've got you covered with a variety of exciting and unique travel ideas to suit your preferences. For those in need of some quality time with their significant other, we also provide romantic getaway ideas that will leave you and your partner feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and closer than ever before. Don't settle for a run-of-the-mill trip- browse our selection of travel ideas to make your next vacation unforgettable.

Travel ideas for mancations, guys weekends, and romantic getaways.
  • A One Night Romantic Escape to San Francisco

    Not all travel needs to be planned and sometimes the best escapes are the ones where you fly by the seat of your pants and boldly go somewhere and then figure out what to do. That's sorta what happened last week for Heather and I when we visited San Francisco. We were invited for a quick media launch event, but decided to fly in early and leave late the next day so we could see some sights and figure out if this was a destination that we wanted to come back to and spend more time in the future.

  • A Romantic Escape to a Private Casita In The Desert

    To many people, the desert is an inhospitable wasteland but to me it is an open canvas just waiting to be explored. Lucky for me, this romantic ideal is shared by others as well! For many years, vacationers have made the journey to the desert so they can bake in the hot dry sun and relax in the pool, play golf, and generally escape reality for a few days. With La Casa Del Zorro, Heather and I had the chance to spend four nights at the resort with the first two being just us (and Niki Belle) in one of their casitas with a private pool. 

  • Insider Tips from a Former Las Vegas Concierge

    Vegas can be a tricky place if you don't know what you are doing. I know my first few visits weren't nearly as fun as those that followed since I began to learn my way around but I'm in awe of Las Vegas Concierges. There is so much stuff going on in this city that is constantly changing and yet they seem to know everything about it as it happens.

  • A Dog Friendly Romantic Getaway at the Park Hyatt Aviara

    The words "pet friendly" seems to mean a lot of different things to different people in the resort industry. At the Park Hyatt Aviara is that they mean that dogs are welcome guests - like any other part of your family. This is our second time visiting and on both times all three of us were received warmly and with a sense that they were genuinely happy to see Heather, Niki and I walking through the lobby. This is a special feeling since it can be difficult to spend time together away from home without worrying about someone taking care of her.

  • Sample The Flavors Of China and Beyond in Taiwan

    Taiwan's slogan is "The Heart of Asia". There's a reason for that. It's situated pretty much dead center between China, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and it has a little bit of all of that culture. Taiwan is literally The Heart of Asia, and it shows when you visit. If you are a foodie, this is a great place to visit so you can sample the best flavors from the region without worrying about visas, finding a new hotel, or taking extra flights. Coming up in August though is an awesome opportunity to explore the region even more at the 2016 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition.

  • I Survived Electric Daisy Carnival!

     I did something I've wanted to do for a while but is completely outside my normal routine. I attended the Electric Daisy Carnival in Vegas. For those of you who know me well, it might come as a surprise that I would attend an EDM festival like this and probably more so that I had an amazing time. 

  • Golf, Seafood, and Beachfront Bonfires at Semiahmoo Resort

    Located directly south of the Canadian border, less than an hour from Vancouver is one of the most beautiful resorts that I've stayed at recently. It has that classic charm and natural beauty that money simply can't replicate and would almost distract from. Sitting at the end of a spit of land overlooking the water on three sides is a 212-room resort with a beautiful stone-lined beach and fantastic restaurants featuring imaginative menus filled with local seafood and northwestern delicacies and just minutes away are two of the top golf courses in Washington State!

  • Cruising With Holland America Line's Maasdam to Canada

    For the past few years I've watched Holland America ships sit in port here in San Diego but I've never actually pulled the trigger and cruised with them till last month when they invited us to sail with them. While the experience is dramatically different from warm-weather cruising in the Caribbean and Mexico, I found a lot of stuff to like about cruising on the Holland America Line Maasdam. 

  • Exploring North Dakota's Beer & Wine Trail

    North Dakota is a natural wonderland filled with tons of great natural as well as urban adventures to discover. After a long day exploring history sites and museums, I can't think of much better than relaxing a pint of local craft beer. Luckily, I can do that in North Dakota! It's no surprise that as one of the top wheat producers that they are experiencing a boom in micro-breweries as well. Along with small-scale wineries and a handful of distilleries, this is a region that you won't want to miss.

  • JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort

    When it comes to planning your guys weekend or mancation, the hotel is almost as important as the destination. This is going to be your home base for a few days and it will generally set the tone for the rest of your adventure. While I'm of the thought that different groups of guys can pretty much make anywhere work, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country is one of my favorites since it offers pretty much everything you'd need for the perfect escape with your friends.

  • Exploring The Majestic, Weird and Wonderful California Desert

    While most people think about the coastal California cities Los Angles, San Francisco and San Diego, the reality is that this state is enormous and most of it is really only accessible by driving. A few weeks ago, we packed up our cars and joined 9 other bloggers on a once in a lifetime adventure exploring the deserts of California. From majestic Joshua trees to weird art, post apocalyptic scenery, wonderful weather, fun roads, and amazing people, this was a trip that I recommend trying for anyone who agrees that Driving Matters!

  • Hotel Del Coronado Review

    The Hotel Del Coronado is a famous and lavish resort in San Diego, several years ago I had the chance to stay at the resort, but I recently returned with friends to check out their Roast - beach bonfire and s'mores experience. "The Del" is a classic hotel that deserves to be part of your San Diego experience, no matter where you happen to be staying or who you are with. It somehow manages to combine the charm of a century old resort with modern amenities and a sense of gracious charm that is often lacking from today's newer beach resorts.

  • Stunning Caribbean Islands You Should Visit This Year

    For many people, the Caribbean is an exotic land that is as a place for only the rich and famous. But it doesn't have to be that way and today there are many affordable ways to explore this beautiful part of the world, it's exotic islands and amazing food and friendly people. For me personally, cruising is one of my favorite ways to do this since I get a "sampler" of different islands so I know where I want to come back to in the future. Ironically, I started this way but now I really enjoy the experience of cruising itself since I never get bored and get to see somewhere new each and every day!

  • 15 Ways To Save Money On Your Next Road Trip

    With the weather warming up, a bunch of you are about to hit the open road for Spring Break and even more of you will be planning family vacation trips this year. While you are going to be saving money almost immediately by avoiding air travel, that's just the beginning. As someone who has been enjoying road trips since I was a little kid, I've learned quite a lot about this subject and look forward to sharing my best advice with you!

  • You've Asked, so Here it is: The Story of Why & How I Became a Blogger ...

    This is a question I get on a pretty regular basis after I tell people what I do now. However, it seems that I have never really shared the story publicly about what motivated me to start not just this site but blogging in general. When I look back at my history along with stories from other great including Danica Patrick, Steve Nashe, Emmitt Smith and Emmanuel Sanders, I realize that just like with my start it was about passion for doing something and that lead to a drive to ignore people saying you couldn't do it. That's at the core of my story and the realization that even small things can be mighty!

  • Learn a New Language This Year With Babbel

    Learning a new language can be a challenge for many of us and I'm certainly among that group. That's why I was excited when I was contacted by Babbel to check out their language system. There's no time like the beginning of the year to make the resolution to do new things and that makes it a great time to learn a new language. 

  • Seven Things to Do in Bonaire On a Port Day During Your Cruise

    Way south in the Caribbean Sea are a couple islands that don't get as much love as their northern sisters but for those willing to take the trek south, there's a world of awesome and unique things waiting for you. Last fall, we visited Bonaire during a port day on the Carnival Sunshine. Here's some of the cool things that await you on your next visit.

  • VIP Shooting Experience at The Range 702 in Las Vegas

    When it comes to visiting Las Vegas, you can't help but be drawn into the glitz and uber luxury resorts of the strip or the quirky fun of downtown but there's a lot more to this city than gambling resorts. Luckily, I'm here to help you explore that "other side" of Las Vegas and we're kicked it off with a visit to The Range 702, Las Vegas's largest indoor shooting range!

  • Living the Luxury Lifestyle at Viceroy Snowmass - Aspen

    I joke sometimes that I could "move into this place", but rarely could I actually do just that - till now. During our trip to Aspen for the 2016 Kia Optima launch this fall we stayed at a magnificent resort that redefined the word "luxury hotel" in my mind. The Viceroy Snowmass took an extraordinary amount of care when it designed these rooms and I'm sure even royalty from around the world that visit here probably say "wow this is nice!".

  • Beautifully Bizzarre California History Lessons at Mono Lake

    No matter how many photos or words I write, it won't do Mono Lake justice. This is a strange part of the country that is a beautiful and exotic natural wonder that you simply have to visit to understand. As a young boy growing up in California I recall science lessons in school talking about Mono Lake and the impact that man can have on nature. However it took a visit to the lake last fall to fully appreciate the landscape.

  • I Had a Ball During My Stay at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

    When I visit Disney World, one of my favorite parts is their resort hotels. While this is considered an afterthought at many attractions, Disney takes as much care and planning with where you sleep as they do with how you spend your day. Luckily, while there are some incredibly expensive hotel options at Disney World there are also plenty that are affordable and just as fun. A couple years ago I stayed at Pop Century and this year I decided to check out Disney's All Star Sports Resort during a quick stop at the park.

  • All Aboard! V&T Railroad to Virginia City, Nevada

    Allllllll aboard! It's time to take a journey into the past and explore a time when the west was barely settled and riches were sitting just below the surface of the earth simply waiting for someone to uncover them. During this time, one of the greatest mining booms in the United States happened in Virginia City, site of the 1859 Comstock Lode.

    That discovery instantly turned men into millionaires and the city exploded from just a handful of miners to 25,000 residents. With that explosive growth and the city's remote location at 6,200 feet elevation on the side of a mountain, a railway was needed. While the V&T railway isn't the exact same as what once serviced the city, it is a great way for guests to reach Virginia City from Carson City today and it provides a better perspective on Virginia City's history than simply driving up the twisty turny roads.

  • We've Found Your New Home Base: Basecamp Hotel Tahoe

    South Lake Tahoe is an interesting mixture of high-rise casino resorts, modern ski condos in the Heavenly Village, and old independent motels. There's a relatively new player in the market now and that's Basecamp Hotel. The hotel has taken over the bones of a classic motel, renovated the crap out of it and has even built some all-new buildings too. It's an interesting boutique hotel that somehow actually creates the feeling that you're part of a community when you stay there.

  • A Visit to Washington State's Columbia Crest Winery

    Columbia Crest winery has been in operation for just over 30 years and in that time it has helped transform the Columbia River area of Washington State into one of the top wine producers in the world. It's a little strange maybe that when you think of the West Coast and wine, it's typically California and specifically Napa, Sonoma, or even Santa Barbara area. No one told these guys though, but through scientific research winemakers here discovered that the soils and environmental conditions had world class potential.

  • Hotel Secrets You Need to Know To Have a Great Stay

    I stay in a lot of hotels. For better or worse it's the way I roll these days and while some are better than others - they all fundamentally work the same way. So, let's look at some of the tips and tricks to help make sure you have an awesome experience on your next trip.

  • Themed Hotel Rooms For a Romantic Getaway

    Staying at a hotel room is always a great excuse to switch up your romantic side and try something new. While we've looked at some exciting and alluring adult themed hotel rooms in the past, that's not the full story. Luckily, for those of you who want to walk on the wild side without actually crossing over and living out your caveman fantasy these rooms should be perfect for you!

  • Giant Thermometers and Alien Jerky - Yup, You're In Baker!

    It gets hot in the desert and sometimes people go a little crazy. It's ok - craziness leads to innovation and new ideas... or at least some cool road-side attractions. That's the case in Baker, California - about halfway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. As someone who drives this route regularly but never stops, it was fun to spend a bit of time checking things out here last weekend.

  • Turbocharged Guys Weekend in Milwaukee Wisconsin

    There are many places that I am sure you dream of when it comes to planning your next guys weekend, but I bet Milwaukee isn't one of them. It should be though! This city located just north of Chicago has everything that you could possibly want for the ultimate guys weekend. That made it the perfect spot for four awesome bloggers to come together for an epic adventure sponsored by Kia and featuring the Optima, Sorento, and of course - the Kia Racing team. 

  • Six Ways to Make Your Summer Getaway an Epic Adventure

    With Fourth of July behind us, it's time to focus on the remaining weeks of summer. How will you be spending these hot summer afternoons? From looking good to doing awesome things, it's up to you to make the right decisions and turn a "good idea" into an "Epic Adventure". 

  • Five Romantic Getaway Destinations I Love to Visit

    One of the few nice things about traveling for business is being able to rack up some serious reward points that I can figure out how to spend on my own. While the idea of using them to head off on a guys weekend with the boys is appealing, it's important to also take care of the homefront and spend some time with the wife as well. 

  • Exploring the Hip and Cool Toronto Nightlife and Bar Scene

    Every metropolis has the things which make it specific. If we talk about Toronto, the biggest Canadian city, there are numerous things which can be seen and experienced. Toronto is the Canadian capital of culture, technology and entertainment and truly a world-class city that you should consider visiting. From sports teams like Maple Leafs, Raptors and The Toronto Blue Jays, to the Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as fishing, kayaking, and sailing on the lake. There are tons of great activities for guys in this city just over the border.

  • Tips for Taking Care of Your Dog While Traveling This Year

    My wife and I don't have kids - so our dog, Niki Belle, is our fur baby and child in probably more ways than a couple in a similar position might understand. When we first got her, we nervously prayed that she would be ok with doing road trips and were blessed that she indeed did not get car sick and was happy to curl up and relax or sit and look out the window. As anyone knows though, that's only part of the equation when it comes to taking care of your dog on the road. 

  • Bachelor Party Idea: Group Outing to a Shooting Range

    The classic bachelor party idea is certainly strippers or a sexy restaurant like Hooters or Tilted Kilt. However, one idea that is a blast for you and the guys would be to go to a shooting range. Shooting ranges can be found in pretty much any area around the country. While most shooting ranges offer "rental" guns, we think it would make a great present for the groom if the guys chipped in and bought him an awesome gun to fire off at the range. 

  • 2015 La Jolla Concours d'Elegance

    If you haven't been before, this classic motor car extravaganza weekend gathers over 300 of the most elite car collections from around the world atop the bluffs of La Jolla Cove at the Ellen Browning Scripps Park. La Jolla means "The Jewel" in Spanish and we couldn't think of a more fitting place to experience these incredible vehicles than outdoor, overlooking the Pacific Ocean while surrounded by some of the most luxurious real estate in the world. While we know that there will be some amazing classic cars and modern luxury as well as sports cars, it's always a thrill to walk by something you've never seen before. 

  • A California Couple's Heavenly Weekend in Tahoe

    After recently spending the majority of a week in South Lake Tahoe, CA enjoying winter activities with family and friends, I find this quote below very fitting and can relate the experience we had at Heavenly Mountain Resort with the most simplistic interpretation. All the activities, amenities, and natural beauty that Heavenly Mountain Resort and surroundings have to offer is specifically designed to be an exceptional playground for adults and kids to experience and enjoy on a regular basis. Heavenly Mountain Resort will keep you coming back. It truly is a little bit of heaven on earth!

  • A Perfect Getaway in Carlsbad, CA with Kia Sorento and the Kia Classic

    You don't always need to travel somewhere far to have the perfect romantic getaway. Sometimes, you will find something great right in your backyard that is an experience you will remember for a lifetime. That's what happened for Heather and I last weekend when I got a last minute invitation to be Kia's guest at the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California. While this happened to only be 30 minutes from home it was the perfect getaway and since the Park Hyatt Aviara is pet friendly it made things that much better!

  • Great American Road Trips That You Need To Do At Least Once!

    A few months ago we got a chance to test drive the "not a minivan" Kia Sedona and while it was fun to drive around the streets of Dana Point, I couldn't help but feel that where it would really shine would be on a long road trip.  Between the peppy engine, comfortable seats, great complement of electronic gadget, and some bad-ass passenger seats that recline almost like International First Class airline seats this is the car that you would want to drive if you were wanting to see America with your best friends.

  • 10+ Awesome Mancation Ideas in North Dakota!

    North Dakota isn't the easiest state to get to, but that doesn't mean that there's nothing to do there.

    In fact, if the great outdoors is what you are looking for, North Dakota has that in spades - fishing, hiking, camping, hunting and the authentic "Wild West" experience too!

  • Easy Ways to Travel More Green This Year

    Travel isn't always the most "green" of activities. The very definition of it typically involves spending tremendous resources to get there - by car, airplane, or ship - and once you get there how often do you consider the environmental impact of the water consumed to keep that green so beautiful or where the wrapper from your burger will go once you toss it in the trash. This isn't meant to be a "downer" article, but simply an opportunity for us to look at some of the easy things we can do to travel more green this year.

  • Date Night at The Headquarters in San Diego

    Most of you guys are going to be spending tons of money this Valentine's Day on roses and romantic dinners, but for those of you in San Diego, I've got an alternative Valentine's Day Idea! Why not make it a full date night experience with a great dinner, gelato, and then grab some cheese and chocolates to share together back home. Alternatively, you can skip the restaurant entirely and make a great picnic on the grass in the park next door. Whatever your preference, this is a great San Diego date night spot!

    Heather and I tested it out earlier this week to see if we could do a date night for under $100 and we were pretty successful, follow along as we celebrate Valentine's Day early courtesy of The Headquarters!

  • Our Favorite Top 10 Hotel Pools Worth Planning a Trip to Visit

    Almost all hotels and resorts have pools, but in the ever competitive travel market, there are few resorts that take the concept of a resort pool a step further with extreme opulence or features you never even considered. The following are our top ten favorite ultimate hotel swimming pools.

  • Experience the Quieter Side of Florida's Coastline this Winter with Someone Special

    It's winter and while that might mean that your vacation plans are skewing more towards snow covered mountains than the Florida Gulf Coast, this is sill a gret time to visit Florida and experience the best that Gulf County Florida has to offer including fish, walks on the beach and even cocktail parties at the GCFL Welcome Center to give you an opportunity to meet with other winter guests and hopefully make some new friends!

  • Jewel Carnival Live Concert Experience

    Most of you probably remember Jewel from the mid/late 90s - yeah, that’s Alaskan folk singer-songwriter and many of you probably even still are aware of her for some of her later music but what I didn't realize until this week was how utterly amazing she is in concert. Jewel is a true artist and that means you are going to see and hear things you weren't expecting such as yodeling, opera, and requests by the audience that were so obscure (even to her) that she had to flip through a book the size of an encyclopedia to get the lyrics.

  • The Marble Arch Hotel In London

    Picking a hotel in Europe is tough for many Americans because the landscape is dominated by smaller boutique hotels instead of the mega chain brands you are all familiar with and frankly not everything is up to the same standards that most Americans expect. However, there are some absolute gems to be found if you do your research, suck as the Marble Arch Hotel by Montcalm.

  • Unique and Weird Shops in London to get That Ultimate Guys Gift

    Holy Cow! Christmas is just around the corner but instead of shopping for the same old crap from a mass retailer, why not take a trip to London and explore some amazing shops stocked to the rafters with awesome gift ideas for guys. Heck - this would make a great excuse to stock up on some swag for yourself too!

  • We Sailed Away with Styx & Carnival Live and it was Awesome

    In a market that is nearly saturated but at the same time working feverishly to expand its reach, the cruise lines are in a fight to find a way to fill their ships and bring in new cruisers. While other lines are building ever bigger boats with features unheard of at sea, Carnival decided to focus on entertainment and creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are surprisingly affordable. Earlier this month we had the opportunity to spend a week on the brand new Carnival Breeze and experience it for ourselves.

    Unlike "themed cruises" the band isn't actually on the ship during the voyage, so that means that you can still have a "normal" cruise experience but on concert night things turn up a notch. On this cruise, we started in Miami followed by stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, and then during our stop at Cozumel, Mexico the band loaded their equipment on the ship and we stayed in port till about 1 a.m.

  • 10 Extreme Flying, Driving and Sailing Experiences You Need to Do

    Extreme experiences like these we found, allow you to escape from your daily grind and be something awesome - even for just a few days. They are also perfect as a father's day or birthday gift and of course - any of these would make an incredible bachelor party idea too! Don't worry if you drive a minivan to work and you sip your light beer during the week, every so often it's time to take that next step and grab the wheel of something bad ass that you can brag to your friends about. That's what this list is all about!

    Are you ready? 

  • Five Reasons to visit Carmel California for a Guys Weekend

    If you aren't familiar with Carmel California, I bet you are familiar with it's cousins of Pebble Beach and Monterey. Don't worry though, there's a lot to offer in Carmel itself including a great beach, great food, unparalleled driving experiences in Big Sur, sports, and of course it is one of the most dog friendly cities in America. Oh yeah and many celebrities call Carmel home so don't be surprised if you see them walking around town including Brad Pitt and former mayor of Carmel, Clint Eastwood. 

  • A Romantic Escape to the Carmel Country Inn

    Last month, Heather and I set forth to escape the summer heat in San Diego and head north to Carmel-by-the-Sea, located just south of San Francisco. Our host on this trip was the absolutely beautiful Carmel Country Inn, a bed and breakfast that offered us a 2 bedroom suite.

  • Explore The Secrets of Tequila at CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta

    Just in case you needed another excuse to play in the sun down in Puerto Vallarta, the CasaMagna Marriott sends word that they have launched a new tequila appreciation program titled Secretos de la Familia and they are one of the few resorts in the world where agave azul is actually grown on the grounds and used for making their very own tequila.

    According to the General Manager, the resort boasts an enormous library of this spirit including 114 tequilas regularly available by the glass and a Tequila Sommelier who hosts regular tasting classes for the guests.

  • Wrigley Field South - Cubs Park Spring Training Baseball in Mesa AZ

    While the Cubs are the perennial underdogs, having not won a World Series in over 100 years, their home in Chicago is one of the most iconic sports stadiums in the whole world. In previous years, the Cubs have played at Hohokam Stadium, shared with the Oakland A's but this year they opened up the season at their very own stadium "Cubs Park", affectionately referred to as "Wrigley Field South".

    As someone who has enjoyed numerous games at Wrigley I can say that even though it is someone that should be on the bucket list for any sorts fan, the park is an absolute dump. From obstructed views to cramped bathrooms and nets installed to keep concrete from falling on people's heads it is one of those places that should probably just be shut down - if it wasn't for the antique charm and sense of history that radiates from every square inch of the facility.

  • Awesome Romantic Hotels She'll Love

    Looking for that perfect hotel to make her swoon? The folks over at Expedia's UK office worked with some of the top travel bloggers in the world to compile a list of the best hotels for a romantic getaway.

    While I can't provide a roundup of all the hotels they included, here are a few that I think you'll want to check out.

  • A Day Aboard Costa Deliziosa

    As a cruise ship junkie I was thrilled for the opportunity to spend even a few hours aboard a ship that normally doesn't operate in the United States. Costa Crociere is an Italian cruise line that while the first to operate in the Caribbean is now working to rise to the attention of the North American travel market. The Costa Deliziosa in particular does an annual around the world tour and that's why she happened to stop in San Diego and give us the opportunity to check her out.

  • Carnival Miracle Cruise Review

    While Caribbean cruising may be king, the west coast of Mexico also offers some exciting opportunities for fun as well. To explore these, we boarded the Carnival Miracle and set off on a seven-day journey with our review starting in Los Angeles (Long Beach) and included two days in Cabo San Lucas and Puerta Vallarta before heading home.

  • Lessons We Can Learn from Hollywood Road Trips

    Sure, it's winter right now but that doesn't mean that we can't think about planning our road trips for when the weather gets better. The folks over at Wish.co.uk have prepared this infographic with trivia, archetypes, and lessons that we can learn from Hollywood's most famous road trip movies.

  • A Food Tour of Ensenada Mexico

    This was my first time visiting the west coast of Mexico so I wasn't really sure what to expect - and frankly all you hear these days about the Pacific coast is about how dangerous it is. While that may be true in spots, during a recent tour of Ensenada, Mexico, I found it very fun and unusual, with more to do than I frankly was expecting.

    Unlike the Caribbean cruise ports I am used to, Ensenada is a real town with people who lead real lives and aren't just there to look pretty and offer excursions to rich American tourists. However, there is some of that, too, though it was more like visiting a regular city vs a sanitized "made for tourists" experience.

  • Golden Princess Pacific Coastal Cruise Review

    There's more to cruising than the big three - (Carnival, Royal, and NCL) and I have been wanting to try Princess for quite a while, but never had the opportunity. Last month, we took a quick weekend escape out of Los Angeles on the Golden Princess and finally got to experience what it means to "Escape Completely".

    The Golden Princess is a grand class ship, measuring 109,000 gross tons and carrying 2,600 passengers (double occupancy) plus 1,100 crew members.

    Princess launched Golden in 2001, but retrofitted the ship in 2009.

  • Myrtle Beach Mancation and Guys Weekend Adventure

    When someone says they are going to Myrtle Beach, I automatically think Golf. Wow, was I wrong. Myrtle Beach has so much more to offer than I ever thought.  Between paddle boarding, NASCAR, craft beer, sushi, steaks, and shooting lessons, Myrtle Beach is a great place for a mancation.

    It is also certainly a lot more than just a great golf destination!

  • Maison Dupuy French Quarter Hotel in New Orleans

    Maison Dupuy is located in New Orleans' French Quarter, just two blocks away from Bourbon Street and walking distance to pretty much any place you might want to visit in the French Quarter.

    While it is the newest hotel to be built in the French Quarter (1973), it manages to convey a classic elegance that its much older neighbors do - without some of the weirdness of uneven floors and crooked windows that come from being housed in buildings that are in some cases hundreds of years old.

  • Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas Review

    For this trip review, we decided to try the Freedom of the Seas. It isn't the newest or largest ship in Royal's fleet but it certainly had some fun "Designed for Wow" features that others simply don't, so let's start exploring.

  • Sandals Montego Bay Review

    Heather and I had a wonderful time at Sandals Montego Bay and heartily recommend it to anyone looking for an escape to one of the most fantastic islands in the Caribbean. Sometimes it is tough to select an all inclusive as EVERYTHING can look fantastic from a tourism brochure or website. That's why it is tough to pick a resort sometimes. However, I am THRILLED to say that Sandals is still awesome, even almost ten years after we stayed in their sister property in Ocho Rios for our honeymoon.

  • Gulf Shores Alabama Golf Guys Weekend

    New Orleans and Florida's West Coast aren't the only mancation destinations awaiting you on the Gulf Coast!

    Gulf Shores, Alabama also offers a variety of great opportunities for the ultimate mancation as well, including Golf, Seafood, and Fishing!

  • A Romantic Day at Walt Disney World!

    header-imageDisney might not be the first place you think of for romance, but surprisingly it was a fantastic romantic escape for Heather and I recently. Between "Dark Rides", "Thrill Rides", nostalgia, and just plain fun - Disney World can truly be the "Magic Kingdom" for your relationship!

  • 10 Awesome Mancation Adventures in Africa

    Are you one of those individuals, whose weekends are spent taming a rapid, climbing a mountain, wriggling through a cave or leaping off a cliff? It is very likely then that when it comes to choosing a foreign holiday you would be seeking destinations that are as action-packed and adrenaline-fuelled as they come. If you see yourself manhandling a Land Rover out of a ditch or pitching a tent in the middle of the wilderness look no further than Africa.

  • Lads Holiday Guide to Kicking it in Barcelona

    The most important word you need to know in Barcelona is siesta, because a solid afternoon nap is the only way to survive this non-stop party city that decided dusk till dawn just wasn’t enough.

    The architecturally gorgeous coastal destination is a man’s paradise; you can tan on hot beaches filled with hotter girls, navigate through two-and-a-half lifetimes worth of bars (yes, that’s statistically accurate), and grind at the notoriously hedonistic nightclubs that are packed till sunrise.

  • Carnival Glory Review - Boston 7-Day

    header-imageHaving cruised a few times in the Caribbean we wanted to do something new. A tour of New England and Maritime Canada, seemed like a great idea to explore a different area and show my wife some of the places I visited when I was younger. We had fun, the Carnival Glory is a great ship, but we learned a couple important things that will help guide us on future cruises 1) Sometimes the first trip on an itinerary is a bit rough 2) the "total cost" of a Caribbean cruise can be MUCH CHEAPER than other destinations 3) Sometimes you just need to be able to make your own fun when mother nature doesn't cooperate.

    Next year (2013), Carnival is set to bring the Glory back to Boston, but with Funship 2.0 Upgrades, and hopefully our cruise helped both Carnival and the various ports iron out any kinks that we experienced.

  • Mancationing in Egypt's Beach Resorts

    Egypt isn’t just about the crumbling ruins sprawled out across the deserts, there is plenty more than crumbling going on there. Some of the world’s most bucket-list worthy dives and water sports are in Egypt’s Red Sea, and the modern beach resorts themselves are more than enough reason to head there for your lads holiday to Egypt. 

  • A Visit to Cleveland's West Side Market

    As if Beer and Sports weren't a good enough reason to visit Cleveland, the culinary scene there is actually pretty decent these days too. As a bit of a foodie myself, I am also always open to checking out unique places to get fresh, superior quality products.

    Unfortunately on this trip I wasn't able to actually purchase anything except the sausages since I was staying at a hotel, but don't worry! In our next piece we'll share with you some spots in Cleveland where you can stay and cook up an awesome meal after your visit to the market.

  • Turtle Beach Resort Review - Barbados

    On my recent cruise on the Carnival Victory, one of my favorite stops was visiting the island of Barbados and the opportunity to check out the fantastic Turtle Beach Resort. 

    One of the tricky things about finding a good resort is finding a good balance between great staff, activities, and amenities. I have to say that I was super impressed by the island of Barbados, and I would recommend Turtle Beach Resort for a great mancation - or for our UK readers, a Lads Holiday! (Barbados is apparently very popular with UK vacationers and has regularly scheduled direct flights from London).

  • Carnival Victory Review

    Carnival Victory is now known as Carnival Radiance and has been updated with all new features.

    Cruising is one of the least tapped into mancation opportunities, but in reality to provides a great opportunity to party all day, see exciting sites, eat great food, and try things you maybe haven't tried in the past. We sailed on the Carnival Victory out of San Juan earlier this month and were absolutely impressed by what Carnival has to offer!

    With steak every night on the menu, some of the best beaches in the world, a bar around every corner, a chance to explore a new local beer and rum each day, and the opportunity to watch sports outdoors on a giant screen while waiters bring drinks right to you... can life get any better? 

  • A Southern Delaware Guys Weekend

    dogfishSouthern Delaware may not be the first place you think of when planning a mancation with your buddies, but you'd be remiss in not giving this location some serious consideration. Its central location makes it an easily accessible for from Washington, DC, New York, Philadelphia, or Norfolk, but feels like a world away.

    It offers a wide range of outdoor and action packed activities for adventure seekers, an active nightlife for the pub crawlers, and historic attraction for the culturally minded.

  • A Grand, Rapid Guys Weekend in Grand Rapids

    downtown grand rapidsPerhaps best known for its multitude of office furniture manufacturers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, might not readily come to mind as an exciting and compelling destination for weekend getaway. For despite the huge money that's been sunk into a ton of new construction in a city with a beautifully historic core, I haven't really noticed that the city has done a fantastic job of promoting itself, at least into the Chicago area.

  • Top 5 Caribbean Snorkeling Sites

    Are you dreaming of a Caribbean vacation and snorkeling in warm, turquoise-blue waters? We’ve got a list of the top 5 snorkeling spots in the Caribbean. 

  • A Romantic Weekend in Southwest Michigan

    Just a couple hours east of Chicago and almost the same distance from Detroit lies a wonder area just waiting for couples planning a romantic weekend. South West Michigan is a destination that continues to impress both Heather and I. Initially, it was the wine trail and the beach that drew us, but now we have grown to love exploring the little coastal towns like Saugatuck, Douglas, and St. Joseph.

  • Adrenalin Pumping Extreme Adventures In Australia

    Heart pounding and adrenalin flowing is what could the plan for the day when visiting seven of Australia’s most exciting adventures. From doing a nosedives in a stunt plane to swimming with sharks, there are adventures abound on  land, sea or air.

  • Asheville North Carolina - Beer, Music, and Fantastic Food

    Biltmore may be what draws many people to Asheville, NC, but it certainly isn't the only thing down here. Asheville itself is a fantastic destination for guys looking for a fun and unique way to spend a few days - drinking craft brews, listening to fantastic music, and eating some of the country's best food. Seriously, if the beer isn't enough reason to visit, the cuisine certainly is!

  • Mississippi - the Land of Elvis and Great Golf Bargins?

    Mississippi might not be first on your list when it comes to planning a golf mancation, but Visit Mississippi sent in some information about an awesome Elvis Celebration and a list of some of their great golf courses at bargain prices and I think it deserves another shot!

  • Outdoor Adventures, Wine, and History: Biltmore Mancation

    Biltmore Estate is more than just stuff for the girls. In fact, this place is a hidden gem for those of us seeking some outdoor adventure while exploring how the "other half" lived. Even better is that it is located in one of the BEST mancation destinations in the United States - Asheville, NC.

  • Boyd Mountain Cabins Review in Haywood County

    Last month, Heather and I had a chance to visit Haywood County, NC and stayed at Boyd Mountain Cabins. For those of you who have never heard of Haywood County, it is located in North Carolina's Smoky Mountains, just off of I-40 and only a few hours from all the major cities of the South East. It is also a very easy drive from most places in the Midwest. The collection of seven different cabins plucked from locations all over North Carolina, have been restored, refined, and brought up to date will all the modern conveniences you would expect for a romantic weekend together - including a full kitchen, heat and central air, comfortable beds, rocking chairs on the porches and more.

    This isn't a "luxury cabin rental", but it had everything we were looking for. If you are looking to get away from it all by relaxing in the middle of North Carolina's Smoky Mountains, there aren't many better ways to do it!

  • Carrol Valley Golf Resort a Guys Weekend Close to Home

    Are you looking for a place where guys can go to get away from all the stresses of home life - spouses, children, weekend projects etc? How about visiting a place not to far away, a place where you can sleep in, play a round of golf or two, take a nap, eat wings, drink beer and enjoy a night of poker or billiards, all while enjoying a big game on the TV.

    That's exactly what Carroll Valley Resort offers and it is located in the small Pennsylvania town of Carroll Valley, just outside of Gettysburg.