While summer is often considered the prime road trip season, I love to explore new places all year round. Road trips in particular, are a great way to see the places between the places and experience new local cultures, traditions and more. Here are some of my favorite holiday road trip ideas from around the country.

For many of you, summer is synonymous with road trip season and under normal circumstances that can be a challenge to stay cool. However, I love adventure and sometimes that takes me on some pretty extreme trips as far as temperature goes. If you are like me then it makes sense to do what you can to keep your car in the best shape possible so it does what it is supposed to do for you. Just as important as a great road trip destination is ensuring that you stay cool and comfortable inside - even when temperatures outside might soar well above 100 degrees!

Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Taos Ski Valley combines a distinct European ambiance with local Spanish and Native American flair. Known as a powder lover’s paradise, this resort in New Mexico offers 1,294 acres of ski terrain. Since Taos Ski Valley doesn’t get overrun with traffic, powder stashes can remain untouched for hours. This makes for exceptional powder days.

In advance of the September hunting season, Brazos River Lodge is offering the ultimate outdoorsman’s getaway for all skill levels with private, world-class trophy elk hunting opportunities led by expert guides and upscale lodge accommodations situated on nearly 5,000 acres of pristine Northern New Mexico wilderness. Brazos is now offering two all-inclusive hunting packages for groups of up to five guests that deliver the ultimate outdoor adventure.

They say that New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment" and as it's capital city, you'd sort of expect to have a dynamic and unique place filled with enchantment. Guess what? It is! While I expected to find plenty of fine art galleries and good food I was surprised by just how much fun the city was and that there were other elements that drew me in and make me dream of returning again soon. For instance, along side world-class artisans and galleries of fine art - you'll also find giant sculptures of robots and dinosaurs.

This hotel was booked for us by Visit Santa Fe. One of the things that I love to see is when older properties are renovated - rather than simply leveled to create something with a cookie-cutter design conceived of without any regard for the community. It shouldn't be a surprise that this was the path that the owners of the Santa Fe Sage Inn took, considering the dynamic and unique nature of Santa Fe itself. What on the outside looks like an older motel, has been lovingly restored and updated with a low-frills but comfortable and inviting decor matching the vibe of the town.

Unless you are stuck in Lapland, Northern Canada or Siberia, you probably don't think of visiting a ski resort as a great summertime destination for your next mancation. However, these winter playgrounds can also be fantastic year-round mancation destinations offering hiking, biking, art, music, spas, and tons of other great things to do for a mancation. One of these areas that looks like a great destination for guys is the Taos Ski Valley, in Taos, New Mexico.