Off-Beat Couple's Travel Blog
Crisp autumn air. Crunchy leaves. Brightly colored foliage. Pumpkins, apples and spooky season – I love EVERYTHING about fall! Just one problem: we live in California, where October is obnoxiously hot and sunny. Thankfully, over the last decade I’ve learned where to find fall in California (and to ignore the fact that it’s also tarantula mating season). So here’s the ultimate guide to where to go for fall foliage, pumpkin picking, apple orchards, and a California specialty – grape stomping!
Encircled by two looming mountain ranges, Salt Lake City is an outdoor paradise. Just minutes outside of the bustling city center, you can find peace, quiet, and absolutely stunning wilderness. In the winter, these mountains are one of the best places to go skiing and snowboarding in Utah; but in the spring, summer, and fall, they’re a hikers paradise. From gushing waterfalls, to gurgling streams, to mirrored lakes, to to rock formations that resemble furniture and snacks, to sweeping views of the city, the valley, and even the Great Salt Lake itself – these 8 hikes near Salt Lake City showcase the best that SLC has to offer!
Grand mountains. Rustling plains. Towering sand dunes. Spectacular lakes. Nope, we’re not talking about the entire United States: you can find absolutely all of this stunning scenery right in Colorado! From the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park to the winding roads of the Million Dollar Highway and the breathtaking expanse of the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado is a stunning outdoor playground. And the best way to get to know its vast expanses of wilderness is to go camping! Whether you’re a casual camper or a seasoned backcountry lover, there are limitless opportunities for camping spots in Colorado. Which is, honestly, a little overwhelming. So, we’ve teamed up with a Colorado native to create this list of the 8 best places to camp in Colorado, plus all the tips you need to plan a fun, safe camping trip!
Snow-covered mountains. Rushing waterfalls. Secluded beaches. Otherwordly desert landscapes. If this description of Southern California surprises you, it’s time to head out and explore! Whether you’re looking for good views at the top of a mountain, cacti explorations, or breezy coastal walks next to the ocean, the hiking in Southern California is diverse, scenic, and one-of-a-kind. This guide to the best hikes in Southern California was contributed by a SoCal local.
Live music. Smoky BBQ. Colorful murals. Millions of fuzzy, flying little bats. Uhh, what was that last bit? Austin, Texas is one of the most beloved cities in the USA. It’s a city that defies expectations and is totally and wonderfully weird! From breakfast tacos to live music, here’s the perfect weekend in Austin itinerary.
Ancient ruins from a magnificent kingdom. Mountains rising over a lush, fertile valley. Colorfully dressed llamas. Welcome to tiny Ollantaytambo, Peru, a mouthful of a town with its own enormous archaeological site, but forever overlooked next to nearby Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo offers ancient culture and fascinating history that dates back to the pre-Columbian era, a place to respectfully learn about and support the lives of the local Quechua Indigenous people, and a jumping-off point to explore the Sacred Valley. Here are all the best things to do in Ollantaytambo!
