I'm generally not a big fan of Halloween fright fests. To be completely honest, my preferred level of scary is closer to Disney than McKamey Manor. So when my wife suggested we head up to Knott's Scary Farm I went along thinking this was simply a fun, laidback excuse to visit the park in the dark. After all, the name was "not scary"... right? What I found though was a truly awesome experience that was extremely fun on multiple levels and while an adult-only experience, didn't make me wet myself in fear.

Paris City Vision offers thrill-seekers and history buffs a chance to explore the legendary Paris Catacombs where more than six million bodies are buried. This one-mile tour that includes areas generally off-limits to guests and a skip-the-line ticket so you can avoid waiting to get inside.

The first time I visited Loreto Mexico, I absolutely fell in love. I had the opportunity to stay at a fabulous resort and virtually the entire experience revolved around that one place. As nice as resorts can be, the amenities, service, and convenience all comes at a price. When I talked with friends that visit Loreto for their annual fishing trips though, it became clear that there's more to visiting Loreto than just luxury hotels. On my most recent trip, I had the chance to visit several properties and all of them would make a great basecamp for a Loreto getaway depending on what you are looking for. Let's take a look...

For most guys that have heard of Wicomico County, Maryland it's just a quick stopping off point while headed to the beaches of Ocean City. However, I got a chance to spend a few days here last week and like a lot of "stopping off points" there's some cool stuff to explore and fun people to meet. Here's seven things guys won't want to miss in Wicomico County!

There are some destinations that are on your bucket list because of how far away and exotic they are. Others are limited by temperature and timing. While there's no shortage of tours designed to showcase the Northern Lights, I like this one since it's about more than just going there. Instead, The folks at Gondwana Ecotours are working to create a unique experience that focuses as much on the destination as the people and their personal stories.

Prior to last week I hadn't really thought about visiting Temecula - but after two nights at Carter Estate Winery and Resort, I can't wait to go back. Temecula is one of the many wine California wine regions and is located about an hour north of San Diego and two hours south of Los Angeles. It's nestled right in a fabulous part of California that is similar to the Rhone Valley and the Mediterranean. That means you're in for a treat here since it's more than just grapes. You've got olives and a big chef's garden used to prepare meals from over at the Vineyard Rose restaurant at their sister property, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa.

The first time I considered the idea of flying a Mexican airline, all sorts of thoughts went through my head. Would it be safe? Would I be able to communicate with the crew? And yeah... negative stereotypes popped in my head too. Last week though, Volaris invited me to join them to celebrate their new service to Loreto, Mexico from San Diego / Tijuana and it was a great experience. Sure, nothing is perfect - this is a budget airline but the price is right, the flight felt safe, the plane was very clean, and each of the staff that I met was friendly. Beyond that, there's not much more to ask for an airline... and frankly, I often find less from American airlines.

While conventional history suggests that the wine industry in California is relatively new - the truth is thanks to the Spanish Jesuit missionaries we've been growing grapes in California for more than 300 years! While most Americans think of "California" as a US state, "California" is actually the stretch of land that includes Alta California, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. National boundaries and centuries of politics can make things complicated when it comes to a heritage like this. However, the role that the Catholic church's Mission System played is clear. So let's grab a glass of "missionary wine" and explore some history of wine in California and indeed that of wine production in the New World itself.

The end of summer is marked by the end of Little League Baseball. The final games are played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania at Little League headquarters. These finals, which draw more television spectators than most Major League games, are a grand finale for kids who’ve been playing ball all summer.

For cyclists looking for something new and exotic, Taiwan offers an extraordinary opportunity to see parts of the country and experience the culture in way tourists who only visit the city simply can’t. Let’s take a look at some of the cool destinations you can explore on bike when you visit Taiwan.

So you've thought about getting a recreational vehicle but are confused by the different types out there. To help simplify things, I'm going to divide them into two different categories - self-contained RV classes and trailers such as popup campers and fifth-wheel units. Thinking of things on the most basic level, RV classes are as simple as A, B, or C. Let's take a look at the differences in those classes what which one might be right for your lifestyle.

Taking an epic road trip is my favorite way to experience what it means to be an American. While flying to a great destination is a quick way to get to a destination, with a road trip the journey is the destination. Along the way you get a chance to meet new people, taste new foods, savor new drinks, and spend time discussing various topics with your traveling companions. Last year I got a chance to do a short road trip in California for the launch of the all-new 2019 Toyota Rav4, a vehicle that quickly became one of our favorites. Now we've had the opportunity to spend some quality time with the 2019 Rav4 Hybrid, which aside from one frustrating item is about the perfect mid-sized SUV for a long road trip.

Northern Sonoma County's Wine Road has a fabulous assortment of hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts available but the Geyserville Inn combined all of the best aspects of each type of property. The rooms were modern like a hotel, it was small and personal like an inn, and the restaurant on-site had the personality of a home-cooked breakfast that you might find in a bed and breakfast property. Whether you are looking for a place to stay on a guys weekend, romantic getaway, or even a wedding or vow renewal, this place is near perfect.

Ok, so that's a bit of a click-bait title since the reality is that almost every winery is unique and brings with it a personality and decor that is special in its own way. However, for guys who are looking for the "experience" of doing a Sonoma wine tour rather than the connoisseur looking only to visit their favorite, most technically excellent wineries, there are some vineyards and tasting rooms that are better than others. The sweet spot is when winemakers are able to blend excellent wines with a fun unique experience that guys of all levels will enjoy visiting. Thanks to the folks at the Sonoma Wine Road, for helping put this awesome itinerary together for us. 

In the past few years, it seems like virtually every casino in Southern California has transformed from a gambling hall to a full-on "Vegas-style Resort". Ironically, one of the largest casinos in the country, San Manuel Casino is among the last to embrace this trend (though they have their own hotel resort opening next year). Instead, they have what superficially seems like just another business hotel set in a commercial development. Looks can be deceiving though and Bear Springs Hotel is a fabulous property for anyone looking for a guy weekend getaway where they can do off-roading during the day and hit the tables at night. 

Travel experts Off the Map Travel have arranged an exclusive new “Seven Nights Seven Rooms” itinerary that is certain to entice adventure, culture and architecture lovers. In seven nights, travelers will experience seven different treetop accommodations, each notable for their distinctive design and placement. Each accommodation will be ‘paired’ with activities and eating experiences linked to each room to complete this new Arctic adventure.

When most guys think of a guys weekend in Baja they probably think of the glitzy resorts of Cabo but increasingly there are other destinations along the Sea of Cortez that are rising as well. One hidden gem is Loreto, Mexico - located about a third of the way up the eastern side peninsula but less than two hours by plane from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

I absolutely love Alaska Airlines. They somehow have managed to maintain the small town friendly attitude that has made them an essential part of life for thousands of people on the west coast. They have now started expanding service at Sonoma County / Santa Rosa airport to and from a variety of west coast destinations and a huge perk about flying with Alaska is that wine flies free! That's right, you can check a full case of wine like you would any other bag - except there's no fee if you are a Mileage Plan member (free signup).

When most people think of a "guys' trip," New York City does not come to mind. However, sometimes if you want to go outside the box, you have to think within it. Not that NYC is much for conventions, but because it's a popular tourist destination, it's hard for individuals to imagine having a truly fun and unique experience there. Yet, the Big Apple has so much more to offer than the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. If it's your turn to plan guys' weekend, impress your friends with these great guy weekend trip ideas in NYC.  

It’s a perfect time to be planning a summer or fall getaway to the beautiful California Central Coast wine country and the folks at Bianchi Winery sent over some images to entice me to visit. What do you think? Are you ready to head out to Paso Robles for a romantic wine weekend with great views, hot days, and cool nights sipping some of the best wines in California?