Travel and Leisure News

Little Valley Mountain Resort in Pigeon Forge will put you in the middle of Tennessee's mountainous beauty.  Our cabins are situated on a mountain resort whose amenities go above and beyond a simple cabin rental. All cabins are on private lots at the Resort! Our cabins go from 1-4 bedrooms, so whether you're traveling with a friend, loved one, or an entire family, Little Valley Mountain Resort has a cabin that will suit your needs. We even offer pet-friendly cabins and wheelchair-accessible cabin rentals so you can bring the entire family! These Pigeon Forge rental cabins have everything to offer. Miniature Golf, Heated Swimming Pool, Stocked Fishing Ponds, Hiking, and more! Our Smoky Mountain resort is so peaceful and relaxing and our on-site amenities save you money! Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer plenty of additional options for your entertainment nearby. Luxury vacation homes await you near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Hot Tubs, Pool Tables, Air Hockey, and jacuzzies are available in many of our log cabins. The Little Valley Mountain Resort also has an authentic log Wedding Chapel so you can have your wedding in the Smoky Mountains. Our Wedding Chapel will accommodate up to 30 guests or you can even get married in your log cabin. We have luxurious honeymoon cabins so you can get married right here at the resort and stay for your honeymoon!  We’re also nearby Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, or you can enjoy a great dinner show at the Dixie Stampede also in Pigeon Forge. And ladies, don't forget the hundreds of name brand outlet stores along the parkway in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.  A must visit is Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, the most visited aquarium in America and is a great place to get an up-close view of the sharks and stingrays. So, whatever your vacation calls for, Little Valley Mountain Resort has it all and is nearby all the attractions the area offers, making our resort a must stay when visiting the Smokey Mountains!  https://littlevalleymountainresort.com/  1-800-581-7225      

Timber Tops Cabin Rentals in Sevierville, TN offers top-of-the-line amenities and views that can’t be topped! Our Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg cabins are popular places to stay in the Smokies due to their seclusion and beauty. Surrounded by mountains with high ridges rising up on all sides, our Smoky Mountain cabins provide you with privacy, allowing you to fully enjoy the majestic beauty of nature, while keeping you just a short drive from all the action. Choose an affordable cabin for a budget-friendly getaway, or go all out with a Timber Tops Signature Series cabin offering top-of-the-line amenities. Each of our cabins provides an unforgettable stay in the Smokies. Some of the outstanding and top-of-the-line amenities offered are hot tubs, Jacuzzis, saunas, spas, private indoor heated pools, pool tables, arcade games, internet access, and an extensive range of entertainment options, such as home theater systems, flatscreen TVs, game consoles, and media rooms. You'll have everything you need and more for a memorable vacation when you stay in our Smoky Mountain cabins. So please check us out today for your next or first class vacation in the heart of the Smokies!  https://www.yourcabin.com/  

GarLyn Zoo located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is in Naubinway, which is in Mackinac County. GarLyn is a small, privately-owned zoo that offers visitors a chance to see a variety of animals, including bears, wolves, big cats, and more. The zoo is known for its focus on education and conservation efforts, providing a chance for visitors and especially families to learn about these animals and their habitats. Many people spend as much time as they like enjoying their favorite animals. You are welcome to purchase feed in the gift shop to feed many of the animals including Sika Deer, Whitetail Deer, Goats, Alpaca and more. Apples can also be purchased to feed Hutch our Grizzly Bear our two black bears Jiggs and Sweet Pee. We're located on US-2 about 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. About 6 miles east of the town of Naubinway. Right across from Lake Michigan. There are miles and miles of sandy public beaches along the way. So, enjoy the pleasant drive and the lake and all the Upper Peninsula has to offer on on your way and while visiting. GarLyn has something for everyone! We look forward to seeing you soon! 906-477-1085. https://www.garlynzoo.com/index.htm  

Welcome to Chateau Fontaine, in Lake Leelanau, MI, where Dan and Lucie Matthies, together with their son Doug, began winemaking in 1989! It first started when horticulture expert Dr. G Stanley Howell from MSU visited their land and was impressed by the topography, slope and aspect of the land. Southern-facing slopes, temperature buffering from the lakes, and perfect soil pH combined for excellent grape-growing conditions. Planting their first vineyard by hand, those Chardonnay grapes became the anchor of the vineyards and the shoulder on which the rest of the farm rested. Followed quickly by Pinot Gris and Riesling, they rounded out their plantings with an additional 13 varietals, including Viognier, Auxerrois, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Their farm now includes three distinct vineyards across 75 acres, each with its own carefully selected varietals to maximize the potential of each variety. In 2000, they opened their tasting room. Accolades quickly followed from wine competitions across the US, including Best of Class, Best White Wine and innumerable Double Golds and Golds, a tradition that continues today. The Leelanau Peninsula AVA is known for creating unique, delicious wines of all varieties, and Chateau Fontaine is proud to have been a part of the community of Leelanau County winemakers for over 20 years. Come visit us and experience what Chateau Fontaine and the Leelanau Peninsula have to offer. We offer both wine tastings and wine by the glass, as well as a variety of charcuterie and accompaniments, including our famous Garlic, Herb and Chardonnay Cheeseball. Sit and have a glass while you enjoy views of our original vineyard, planted almost 30 years ago. We look forward to welcoming you!   https://www.chateaufontaine.com/    

The Bentley House Bed & Breakfast in Vermont, is elegantly poised along the outskirts of Poultney, VT. Bentley House Bed & Breakfast has graciously extended its hospitality as a bed and breakfast since 1980. Guests are invited to commence each day with a hearty breakfast before venturing out to explore the abundant outdoor activities the region has to offer. Whether seeking the thrills of winter sports at nearby ski resorts, the serenity of scenic lakes for fishing and boating or the invigorating experience of biking or hiking trails and local parks, our storied residence provides the perfect base for year-round adventure. If you desire a tranquil respite, Bentley House offers refinement, repose, and the dandy comforts of a bygone era. We offer a variety of amenities including private bathrooms in each of our five rooms, free cable and WiFi, air conditioning during the summer months, blow-dryer, and iron. We also offer a varied breakfast menu including fruit, pastries, cereal, and a selection of hot drinks as well as a main entree prepared by owner. The front parlor and upstairs lounge are available for guests to relax with a good book or the local paper; tea and coffee are available 24/7.  Since 1980, we have provided our home and hospitality to all who walk through our doors. Our elegant and well-appointed rooms are cozy and comfortable! We want you to feel safe, comfortable, and right at home. Planning a longer stay? Get 10% off when you book seven nights in a row. When you are ready for a relaxing, quiet vacation this year in Vermont contact the Bentley House Bed & Breakfast for your next stay! 802-287-4004 - Look at us online:  https://thebentleyhouse.com/

Looking for Estes Park lodging? A stay at Aspen Winds on Fall River provides you the opportunity to experience the splendor of the Rockies as you have only imagined possible. Conveniently located 3 miles west of central downtown Estes Park and 1½ miles from the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen Winds provides a comfortable lodging experience with many amenities and outdoor activities including excellent fishing on Fall River right behind our property!  We offer spa suites and one or two-bedroom condominium suites on the river that appeal to every vacationer. The rushing waters of Fall River, full of rainbow trout, provide frontage to Aspen Winds where elk, deer, and other wildlife wander freely through a lush setting of willows and mature aspen, spruce, fir, and pine trees, which can be seen from your condo and deck. From the deep greens of summer, luminescent golds of autumn, and glittering whites and crystal blues of winter and spring, Aspen Winds’ lodging on Fall River is beautiful year-round. At Estes Park, there are many things to do each season throughout the year. Numerous attractions and activities are just waiting to be enjoyed. Rocky Mountain National Park is open 365 days a year. In winter, Bear Lake Road is plowed as is Trail Ridge Road to Many Parks Curve. All other major park roads and all roads in Estes Park are open. Most of the nearby scenic byways are plowed all winter. Enjoy experiencing travel inside a snow globe landscape. Winter, spring, and fall are the best times to view wildlife in their natural habitat. There are all-season hiking trails in the Estes Park area while others become snowshoe trails. Snowshoes are inexpensive to rent, and the sport requires no special skill or prior experience. Closed side roads and both Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park are perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or “walking in a winter wonderland.” Golfing, horseback riding, biking, fishing, and rock climbing are some of the Estes Park attractions and activities that know no season. Downhill skiing and snowboarding near Estes Park are about an hour away at Eldora Mountain. There is plenty to see and do at Aspen Winds and Estes Park, come check us out and make Aspen Winds your next vacation spot any time of the season! https://www.aspenwinds.com/    

The Natchez Pilgrimage Tours (NPT) in Natchez, MS is your best source for planning a perfect trip to Natchez.  We assist individuals and groups of all sizes in planning a Natchez visit, including historic mansion tours, private guides, special events, and more. Natchez Pilgrimage Tours — an arm of the Pilgrimage Garden Club — is the only full-service receptive tour operator in Natchez. We customize your trip, free of mark-ups or fees for our direction and expertise. Let us guide you to the perfect Natchez experience! Founded in 1716, Natchez is the oldest city on the Mississippi River. The first route into Natchez was the Natchez Trace, originally a buffalo trail and later used by Native Americans and early settlers. With the advent of steamboat travel in the early 19th century, the Trace fell into disuse. But now the trail is administered by the National Park Service, it runs 450 miles between Nashville and Natchez, a green and peaceful route dotted with interpretive exhibits, 18th-century inns, and picnic sites. Natchez is also home to dozens of African-American heritage sites, including historic churches, neighborhoods established by freedom after the Civil War, the boyhood home of internationally acclaimed author Richard Wright, and the Forks of the Road, site of the second-largest slave market in the South. While here explore downtown Natchez, which offers great shopping — antiques, unique gifts, and bookstores — plus an exceptional number of casual and fine dining restaurants and a cooking school. In Natchez, where Native American, African-American and European cultures have blended to make Natchez a unique place, we’re proud that progress is a neighbor of the past. We’re easy to find at the lower end of the Trace on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. To capture the full extent and feeling of Natchez, MS visit us soon for an unforgettable experience taking you back in history to experiencing today’s southern charm! Our Upcoming FALL PILGRIMAGE 2026: September 17-19, 24-26, and October 1-3. 601-653-0919 -  https://natchezpilgrimage.com/  

A1 Gypsy Resort in Eagle River, WI welcomes you to a Resort that is different, unusual, unique, in fact we are “An Adventure!” We are located on a chain of 28 connected, navigable lakes between the town of Three Lakes and the city of Eagle River. The main part of the resort is located on Cranberry Island (100 acres). There are 12,000 acres of water in the gateway to the Nicolet National Forest, known for its scenic beauty and having an elevation of almost 2000 feet! Each of our lakefront vacation island villas have approximately 200 feet of their own water front each with a private pier. You can swim in front of each Villa. We also have a sandy beach with a slide, raft, teeter-totter, swings etc. Our Villas also include, a screen porch, living room, color TV, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, full bath tub, shower, automatic gas heat and hot water. Electric is furnished 24 hrs. per day. Many of the villas also come with a pontoon float boat with electrics start motor. These boats are like floating patios whether you are fishing and cruising the 28 lakes or parked at your pier. The island includes great activities for all ages and families - recreation room, Laundromat, fish cleaning house, tennis and shuffle board courts, several basketball hoops and horseshoes. Don’t have a boat – we do! We have pontoons to rent. Check it online our inquire when making your reservations!  https://www.a1gypsyvilla.com/boats.php In the winter, there is cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh-riding, ice-skating, snowshoeing, hunting, ice-fishing (with or without a guide) and sightseeing. Come and enjoy the WHITE SNOW! There are wonderful places to dine and shops in which to browse. The area is almost 2000 ft. above sea level and is pure and invigorating. GOOD ROADS – EASY TO FIND: Take Hwy. 45 to Evergreen or Meta Lake Road (5 miles North of Three Lakes); East turn onto Evergreen or Meta Lake Road and follow our signs. (About 2 miles). We look for ward to welcoming you this year for any season as we are open year-round! https://www.a1gypsyvilla.com/index.php  

At Olympic Game Farm, indulge in the thrill of coming face-to-face with animals like yaks, bison, brown bears, and llamas, all from the comfort of your own vehicle. Our Veteran family-owned farm in Sequim, WA, has been delighting visitors for over 50 years with its self-guided drive-through safari, offering a fun and educational day out for families and tourists alike. Stepping into this adventure, guests are guaranteed an unforgettable encounter and maybe some slime, slobber, and kisses! Visit a well-loved destination where the joy of a traditional petting farm meets the wonder of a drive-through safari. With a rich history that includes a long-standing partnership with Walt Disney Studios, Olympic Game Farm transitioned from a historical site of animal acting to a sanctuary focused on in-need wildlife, maintaining its commitment to conservation and care for over 200 animals on-site. See animals and experience their world through education and observation. The majority of our animals are wildlife native to the Northwest region. We also have a gift shop and seasonal concessions. Come spend the whole day with us at our farm in Sequim whether it’s by yourself or with family or friends. We are dedicated to the welfare and well-being of all animals and ensure that they receive the highest standard of care while they are with us. You can also feed them right from your vehicle. So, check us out online for more information and make sure when you come to bring the whole family! https://olygamefarm.com/  360-683-4295.      

Just a hour drive from Miami, is Key Largo Cottages. Our romantic beach cottage getaway is a great place to relax in the slow, rustic, and friendly atmosphere of Old Florida Keys. Our vacation cottages are just a few feet away from the beach and you can enjoy the beautiful Florida sunset view as you open up the curtains of our glass paneled windows by your bedside. Romantic for couples yet family friendly, Tropical Florida Keys dock and beach front resort accommodations. A great place to relax, a slow rustic atmosphere of Old Florida Keys. The Best Florida sunsets plus so much more, our water front Sunset tiki hut await you. We’re located near most Key Largo activities. Sailing Florida Keys, Swimming pool park, fishing charters, scuba diving, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Glass Bottom Boat, Dolphins Plus / Dolphin Cove, Snorkeling the Coral reef on a glass-bottom Pirate Ship, Parasailing, Kayak to night life, bars and restaurants. Our safari Mangrove Jungle, Sailboats, Sailing Lessons, and Boat rentals on Property.  Forget all your worries and get your feet wet on your Florida Keys vacation as Key Largo Cottages delivers tons of water fun to our dear guests and friends right inside our property! Book one of  four our cottages for as low as $175 a night or stay in fully furnished 2 bedroom house and get to use our kayaks, sailboat, dinghies, paddle boards, snorkel gear, bicycles, and fishing gear! All these at no extra charge - check out our accomadations online: https://keylargocottages.com/cottages/!! Key Largo Cottages is also part of Key Lime Sailing Club. https://keylargocottages.com/learn-sail/ The American Sailing Academy, is located at the Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages, where you will learn from experienced professionals who provide the most comprehensive, safety first training available. We are a professional certification facility affiliated with the American Sailing Association, the world’s foremost organization dedicated to training, teaching and certifying schools, sailing instructors, and sailing enthusiasts.  We will provide you with the local knowledge that you will find useful while exploring Key Largo and the Florida Keys! Take to the water! It’s the Keys way of life! Family or couple, sailor or non-sailor, as long as you want to mix your vacation with relaxation and adventure, you will feel at home right here! It’s great fun, and a big part of the reason why Key Largo Cottages and Key Lime Sailing Club remains so popular with our guests. Find out for yourself and SEE YAH IN THE FLORIDA KEYS! (For reservations and inquiries Contact us or call 1-305-451-3438) https://keylargocottages.com/