Cruising is back open in Europe and while most people associate European cruises with the Mediterranean, there's more than one sea south of Europe that makes for a great cruise destination. Today, we're going to be looking at The Adriatic Sea since it is one of the fastest growing areas big ship cruises as well as small ship and even charter yachts as well.

At this point it unfortunately appears that cruising isn't going to happen this year, at least not for the big ship from Holland America Line, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival. However, that isn't the end of the story. There are a surprising number of ways that you can still make Alaska your summer destination and maybe even make it better than other years when the ports and waterways are filled with cruise ship visitors. Luckily, there are small ship cruises like UnCruise Adventures, airline discounts from Alaskan Airlines, and some great lodges and rail tours to try. Or, you can just go and rent a Jeep and explore on your own! Here's why Alaska still makes a great choice to visit this year.

Alaska is a pretty distinct place with it's own unique native culture that often blends with a heritage of miners, gold seekers, and other colorful folks seeking a future in America's Last Frontier. For folks from the "lower 48" these words can be confusing to say and challenging to understand. We love to explore and share fun and unique ways to experience new cultures, so we're excited to share this list of words and cultural vocabulary provided by the folks at Visit Anchorage.

Camping is a wonderful way to spend your vacation and connect with nature. On the surface, simply the act of heading outdoors seems like it would be good for the environment. However, all too often I see people simply treat camping as an outdoor party and it is anything but an ecologically sound alternative to heading to a fancy resort. When done properly though, this family-friendly style of vacation can easily be a great way to spend time exploring a new area and connecting with nature as well as your companions in meaningful ways.

One of the things I absolutely love about Joshua Tree National Park is that it is a near perfect spot for people to learn how to drive off road vehicles. You can dip your toes in the sand rolling along Geology Trail or get the adrenaline going in the Old Dale Mining District and still have a great time. This park is your place to advance skills at a pace that you are comfortable with and that matches personal experience and technical abilities of your vehicle. Over the years I've done exactly that, first having explored trails with a Jeep Cherokee and now, earlier this month I returned with the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. 

Oceanside California is located right between San Diego and Los Angeles making it the perfect staycation destination to get away from the city and enjoy some fresh air and a fun surf town vibe. Over the past few years the city has seen a tremendous amount of new tourism development now it is the training grounds for the USA Olympic Surf Team. 

A few weeks ago I came across two brothers that are living the dream. They are completely consumed with promoting Canadian travel and tourism to the point where the guys bought an RV and traveled from coast to coast sharing what they discovered. Now, in addition to blogging and speaking, they run an amazing video podcast travel show where I was a guest recently. I'm sure we're going to be talking more with them in the next few months as we start to recover from the Pandemic and I know I have my sights set on a fishing trip and maybe some off-roading or even just a laid back wine trip in the Okanogan Valley as soon as it is safe to go out again!

Malaysia is a wonderful destination that should not be missed, and one way of making it an even more spectacular adventure is to make the sizzling capital of Kuala Lumpur your base. This incredible city is a treasure chest filled to the brim with exciting nightlife, delicious food and cool architecture. Travel alone, with a friend or even with your family, no one will be disappointed and there will be plenty to see and do for everyone. 

What happens in winter to the wide-open lands that are so good to go hiking and off-road driving? Does it simply go to sleep, only to be woken up again in the spring? NO! It turns into a winter playground ready for snowmobiling. One of the best places in the United States for the ultimate snowmobile adventure is Montana. Let’s take a look at what you can expect here!

Here's our picks for the best lad's holiday destinations from around the world. When you are picking a place to go, it's important to pick something fun and exciting with "just the right amount" of debauchery to have fun - but not get arrested!

Going on a safari is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience since you’re presented with the opportunity to see some of the world’s most impressive wildlife in their natural surroundings, experience local African culture and visit some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Unlike other types of trips, planning a safari presents its own unique set of challenges, since there’s so much to see and do, and only a limited amount of time to squeeze it all in. Equally challenging is deciding where you want to go and when, as well as what to pack.

In good times, the cruise industry booms. In 2019, thirty million people traveled on cruise ships, according to the industry’s largest trade organization, the Cruise Lines International Association (CILA). Since 2009, the industry has witnessed an annual growth rate of 5.4% of passengers, and the revenue from the cruise industry has grown from 15.7 billion in 2010 to a projected 31.5 billion in 2020.

Ever considered heading to Europe for a mancation? There's an array of fantastic cities that offer just the right blend of culture and the opportunity for guys of all ages to really relax and enjoy themselves.

California is known as the Golden State for a reason and luckily there is still gold left for lucky and hardworking prospectors to find. While the gold rush is long over, that doesn't mean you can't re-live the golden days where men were men and wealth was there under your feet just waiting to be liberated from the Earth. While there are many places made famous by gold in California, we think Tuolumne County right outside Yosemite might just be the perfect spot.

We've talked in the past about how great of a city Chicago is to visit for a guys weekend getaway, but it is also a fantastic city for a romantic getaway too. From fantastic museums to some of the world's best and most creative food, Chicago is a great city to share with someone special. 

Some vacations are meant to see something specific and others are meant to escape from it all. At one of the more than 100 Montana guest ranches, you can do both. While it's easy to be cynical and think of these properties as nothing more than "guest ranches" where you can go and sip scotch on the porch while watching people pretend to be cowboys for your benefit - this state has a vibrant ranching industry beyond tourism too.

Planning a trip can turn into a full-time job when it comes to getting all the boxes checked. Picking a destination is only the first step, then comes the real work of planning everything from transportation and accommodations to dining and excursions. For anyone that thinks picking the location and packing a bag is enough work to put into vacation planning, an all in one cruise experience is the perfect way to get all the best elements of the trip from accommodations to dining arranged for you. Now all that is left to do is decide which spectacular cruise to pick for your first voyage!

Much attention is paid to the dangers that women face while traveling but men face danger too, especially when traveling alone in new places. These range from environmental dangers related to traveling in physically dangerous places to societal risks created by unscrupulous people looking to prey on naive American travelers. Let's take a look at some of these risks that men might encounter while traveling, as well as what you can do to avoid them.

The possibilities seem endless when it comes to planning the ultimate outdoor adventure and there are plenty of reasons to do it. As we look back on the craziness of the past year though, sometimes you only need one reason - to celebrate simply being alive. I know that as things begin to return to normal again, I'll be seeking out opportunities to see friends again and while big fancy dinners in our favorite cities might be nice... I honestly can't wait to simply get back out on a trail and see some amazing terrain that I haven't been able to do alone this year.

While picking up the phone or even video chat has been something we’ve been able to do for a few years now, this year has seen an explosion in “Virtual Travel” out of necessity to stay connected with our families, friends, and frankly to escape from daily news and explore destinations we one day hope to visit in person. Here’s how I’ve been traveling virtually this year instead of my normal globe trotting lifestyle.