Earlier this summer, I embarked on a journey that would complete my goal of visiting all 50 states. Alaska is a bucket list destination for many and Norwegian Cruise Line was kind enough to host me on this journey. Aside from a quick two-day preview on Norwegian Bliss (their newest ship at the time), I'd never sailed on Norwegian. Compared to other lines who have dominated Alaska for the past several decades, NCL isn't the first name that comes to mind when it comes to Alaska. However, that's all changing now that they have made Alaska a key destination by positioning two of their newest ships there - NCL Bliss and NCL Joy. When planning an Alaskan cruise it's important to examine what sort of experience you are looking for. Based on our experience cruising through Alaska's Inside Passage, you can't go wrong sailing Freestyle on Norwegian!

Although it's only 90 miles from Florida, Cuba had severe travel restrictions for more than 60 years and despite moves almost a decade ago to open things back up so that Americans could fully enjoy the diverse music, food, and drinks that this island is known for, it remains off-limits to Americans with United States passports. Canadians, Europeans, and others though can enjoy this relatively unspoiled tropical destination.

When it comes to fruity tropical drinks, the classic Mai Tai is among the most iconic. It's the Pacific Islands version of the classic Caribbean Daiquiri... or is it? Ironically this classic drink actually originated in California during the tiki bar craze and while two men lay claim to having created it - I DON'T CARE - because the ones found at Don The Beachcomber are the best I've had. It's a more complex recipe and the time and effort is worth it. Here's the recipe so you can make it at home.

Exploring New York City is a fantastic opportunity for a father and son to bond while exploring new cultures, seeing amazing sites, learning some history, and eating some iconic foods. Here's some of the best places to explore on a Father and Son getaway in New York.

Hawaii has a reputation of being a destination for a romantic getaway or a family vacation - and it would be great for that of course. However, on our adventure road tripping around the Big Island of Hawaii, I found a lot that guys would enjoy here too. Unfortunately, I was only here for a few days, so I didn't get a chance to do everything that I saw - amazing golf, off road adventures, and laval boat tours to see the molten rock oozing from the earth into the ocean. However, based on what we did see... I'm HOOKED! Hawaii would be an amazing destination to explore with some guys looking for great beer, history, beaches, golf, and awesome food.

My history with the Chevy Equinox goes back to the very beginning... Heather and I saw one of the very first ones available during a road trip and knew THAT was the car we needed to buy. A few days later, our local dealership got their shipment and we got the second one off the truck. Flash forward a decade and the Equinox is one of Chevrolet's top sellers and here we are enjoying their latest version while flying around mountain roads exploring the Rockies in Colorado. This vehicle has always had a special place in my heart and I'm thrilled to say that Chevy has taken it from a "good car" to one that I would consider buying again.

For those looking for a weekend of gambling, partying, and fun in the sun, look no further than Atlantic City. A closer alternative to Vegas for those on the East Coast; Atlantic City provides fine dining, great nightlife, beach and boardwalk, and of course lots of casinos.

Vancouver is the gem of Canada's west coast, with tons of unique experiences to offer any travelers who come through. There's the beauty of the coast and the mountains, and the big city life, but there are also a lot of local subcultures and communities that are more unique to Vancouver. If unique local experiences are more your flavor, you absolutely have to seek out these lesser-known charms of Vancouver.

Wine lovers will find that a stay at the Bernardus Lodge will warm their hearts in a special way. It's a fabulous property surrounded by vineyards and horse ranches but still close enough to the Bay Area that it makes for an easy weekend getaway. For those who have never visited, Carmel Valley is a true hidden gem. The area is sometimes overshadowed by other California wine regions and missed by travelers seeking golf in Pebble Beach or beaches in Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, for those that do visit, they are in for a fabulous experience that you will dream of going back to.

Owning a cabin in the woods is a sort of romantic notion when you think about it. Images of everything from rugged frontiersmen to authors like Henry David Thoreau come to mind. Unlike a hotel or condo, your cabin can be an escape where you don't have to see another person for days if you don't want to. Our lives today keep getting faster and faster, so being able to have that retreat spot in mind can help keep us centered and when it comes time to head out into the woods you can fully decompress and enjoy the benefits fully. While that simple ability to escape is good enough for most people, it can actually make a lot of financial sense to buy a cabin too.

For those that have never visited Missouri, you might be shocked that I'm such a fan of the state. In fact, while Missouri might be simply dismissed by many as, "just another flyover state", the reality is that they've got a fantastic mixture of urban and rural things to do and see here. This includes great food and wine, an opportunity to travel back in time while traveling along Historic Route 66, or taking a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River.

The challenge with "undiscovered areas" is that well, you don't know how awesome it is till you go there. Then, once you do visit, there's almost a feeling that you should keep it secret so that it doesn't become more expensive, more crowded, and less awesome. That's how I felt when I visited Punta Gorda Florida last fall, but don't worry - I'm ready to share with you why it's is a perfect mancation destination for guys.

Asking a chef or cook what their secret recipe is one of those things that I generally try to avoid. After all, there's always more to a great meal than simply a set of directions. That being said, after trying some of the famous Gator Gumbo at Peace River Seafood in Punta Gorda, Florida I just had to ask for the chance to share it with you guys. It's THAT good... and what's even better is that they even have a pet alligator in the pond out back... because of course they do, It's Florida!

Puerto Vallarta was popularized in the 1960's as a top destination for the Hollywood elite but, over the years faded a bit as it was eclipsed by other parts of Mexico where fancy mega resorts were built (including Riviera Nayarit... just a few miles north). My visit was hosted by Puerto Vallarta Tourism and Casa Velas resort, but after spending a week here and exploring it a bit, I was impressed since unlike other "tourist towns". Unlike other places that I've visited in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is more than just mega resorts with all-inclusive packages designed for rich Americans. Instead, it's a real city with great culture and tons of opportunities for guys to have fun. Here are some of the top reasons why it makes a fantastic destination for your next guys getaway.

So, you have been tasked with planning your friend’s bachelor party? A lot of people assume that bachelor parties are easier to plan. After all, all you need is alcohol and strippers, right? Wrong! In fact, very, very wrong if your friend is not the sort of person that would appreciate a stripper! They are only going to get one bachelor party, and so you need to make sure it is one to remember for all of the right reasons. With that in mind, read on to discover everything that you need to achieve bachelor party success.

Honestly, even though I was with a tour group I was a bit afraid to tour Puerto Vallarta at night. Unfortunately, Mexico doesn't have the best reputation these days but thankfully, I ignored those concerns because I had an awesome experience that was safe, clean and tourist-friendly. While I'm sure that most of you could wander around and explore the Puerto Vallarta food scene on your own - it was so much easier to do with the folks at Vallarta Food Tours who guided us and made everything easy.

Planning a father and son guys getaway vacation can be a challenge.  On one hand, you have to pick a destination that will hold the attention of an active boy. On the other hand, you need to find a spot that also appeals to you. But lounging in a hammock while sipping margaritas on some tropical island isn’t much of a comprise.   

Disney World is a great middle-ground because it offers a variety of activities that you and your son will both enjoy and plenty of opportunities to bond. There are thrilling theme park rides, giant water parks, mouth-watering cuisine, sports, boats, monorails, swimming pools, and the list goes on. While it may sound like a kid’s destination on the surface, trust me, grown men have just as much fun as the kids! With that said, let’s take a look at how to plan a father/son Disney World adventure.

Whether travelling with a group of your mates for a lads holiday or or a more reserved mancation getaway, Gozo is a destination you may not have thought of, but should. It’s ideally suited for guys because while it has all the activities you might want - hiking, fishing, diving, surfing, snorkeling, biking, etc. but it's a bit off the beaten path. Because of this, you're going to find more personal attention, lower costs and more opportunity to relax on the idea, the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago.

I learned more about the dynamics of a performance automobile in three hours at the BMW Performance Center than I think I have in the past 20 years of simply driving on my own. Once you pass "drivers ed" in high school, most guys simply learn from trial and error. Unfortunately, that can be a very expensive and painful way to learn - and most likely you still will not have proper techniques. I am on a mission to break that pattern, so BMW invited me out to their school for the day. What I discovered there was far more than just the "driving experience" that I expected.

While most casinos want to keep you trapped inside their giant resorts, there's much much more to Las Vegas than the modern glitz and glam. While these air conditioned resorts might be the perfect spot to hang out in the summer, come fall, late winter and early spring Las Vegas has a wealth of outdoor adventures that are perfect for a guys trip. Let's purge a bit of the glitz and glamour and head off strip to see what we can find.