As much as I enjoy a great cocktail or sipping a fine spirit, it's the people, culture, and history behind the product that I enjoy even more. I think that's generally why I haven't been as big of a vodka fan as I am passionate about Whiskey and Tequila. That changed recently though when I was invited by Khortytsa Vodka to tour Ukraine with them and learn more about the people and culture behind their vodka.

While the reality is far more complex, there's few warriors that are more iconic than the Vikings. While the days of murder and pillaging of villages are long since gone, there are many ways to still celebrate this amazing culture who's descendants today offer some great adventures for guys looking to experience the ferocious glory of being a viking warrior! 

Prior to my trip to Ukraine last week, I was extremely nervous - the question in my mind for weeks was, "how bad will Ukrainian International Airlines be?" There's no getting around the facts that this is a small national airline with fairly old aircraft and budget prices. At least in terms of flights to New York from Kiev, it is a "cheaper" way for people to go home to see family and for a handful of business people that want to avoid connections in Europe on the major carriers. If you want a cheap direct flight from New York to Kiev this is your only option and depending on which cabin you happen to have selected seats in you will have a dramatically different perspective on the flight.

I tend to be a major advocate for a cruise lifestyle. Simply put, I LOVE the experience of being on a boat, but I know a lot of guys who aren't convinced that a cruise is for them and not every line or itinerary is. However, last fall I had the chance to explore the Rhine thanks to Viking Cruises and I still can't believe how many opportunities there are for guys to have an amazing time on this route!

I've enjoyed my share of ocean cruises on a few different lines to different hot and cold destinations so I consider myself a pretty experienced cruiser. However, despite this I found river cruising a completely unique and wonderful experience that I wish more people would consider. After being hosted on an amazing experience by Viking River Cruises, I wanted to share my thoughts so you can better understand the experience.

Ever dream of sleeping under the Northern Lights? Unfortunately that will never be a possibility for most of us since it is DAMN COLD. Even with someone to snuggle up with, it's something that hasn't been a reality until recently because it requires organization and planning. We love what Off the Map Travel is offering now with their Aurora Bubble Sleds!

While the UK in general might not be the manliest place in Europe, Wales would certainly qualify. After all, this is a land of more than 600 castles, steam trains, beer, golf, and a fiercely independent people. In fact, while it is a relatively small part of the overall United Kingdom, this nation is so important as to even give the title Prince of Wales to the heir apparent to the British Monarchy.

Right now, FC Barcelona is the best football team in the world just behind Real Madrid. No team in the major European leagues scores more goals than Barca, it has the most accurate passers in the League and it's home to a certain trio with the names Messi, Neymar and Suarez. While you're in the capital of Catalonia, your ideal Barcelona city breaks should include watching a match, or at least taking a tour around the Camp Nou stadium, going out for good food and beer then getting up the next day to see what else this winning city has to offer.

There are many options for sunny holiday breaks in Europe but there are few places you can go that still have the local and seemingly undeveloped feel of Lanzarote in the Canary Island. What was once considered a booming surf and sun vacation spot 80km off the coast of western Africa has staved off many developers thanks to a famous local artist named César Manrique. The island currently holds UNESCO preservation status, which has the fortunate consequence of maintaining an island full of stunning landscapes.

Why should island-hopping be confined to the Greek or even Caribbean Islands, when Scotland, one of the world's great destinations for adventure, has such beautiful isles?

The more remote the island, the more beautiful the landscape, and this year Wilderness Scotland introduces a trio of wild island-hopping adventures that would be difficult to do without the tour operator's expertise.

The new journeys include exploring the four islands which hug the western coastline off the beautiful Argyll Peninsula; a journey to the little-known southern Hebrides including the abandoned island of Mingulay; and a new road cycling trip, ideal for virgin cycle tourers, that explores the Inner Hebridean islands of Arran, Jura and whisky-soaked Islay. A highlight of two of the trips is a voyage to the spectacular Corryvreckan whirlpool – the third largest in the world.

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!

Visiting the "South of France" is sort of the epitome of the ultimate romantic getaway, but what about a getaway with the guys? Recently we had the chance to meet with some folks from the France Tourism Development Agency and we were impressed by just how much stuff there is to do year round in Nice and within a quick drive of downtown.

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.

With so many men touring the country, visiting the top stag party locations in major cities such as London and Manchester; maybe it is time that we broadened our horizons and embarked on something altogether new and refreshing.

With their white-sand beaches, stunning mountainous interior and all-year-round balmy temperatures, the Canary Islands are the perfect choice for a relaxing holiday in the sun. Play your cards right and you could enjoy a trip to this Mediterranean paradise for a fraction of what you might expect. Here are our top tips for seeing the Canaries on a budget.

Guest Post from a Man Tripping reader: Getting married last year enabled me to go on an epic stag do to Edinburgh that will long in the memory. Why? Check out the itinerary to see what me and my three closest buddies got up to in the Scottish capital, where he stayed in one of many spacious Edinburgh cottages ideal for small groups.

While I like to focus most of our articles on the great guys weekends and mancation ideas right here at home, there are of course plenty of super cool places to go and things to do outside of the US as well.

One of our readers, Roger LaPlante of Leesburg, Virginia sent this awesome account of his father and son (Joshua LaPlante) mancation trip to Bunol Spain for the Valencia region's annual "tomato party" known as the La Tomatina Festival.