explorationvacation.net

16/06/2026

Heading out to Badlands or Theodore Roosevelt national parks this summer? North Dakota's Enchanted Highway is a must-see if you are anywhere relatively nearby. And it's more or less right along the way if you plan to visit national parks in both North and South Dakota!

What is the Enchanted Highway?

It's a 32-mile route through gently rolling farmland with a collection of very, very large and generally very humorous metal sculptures. There is a table or two at each one, so bring a picnic and dine at various sculptures as you try to choose your favorite. (Mine is Fisherman's Dream.) It's a lot of fun and really worth a detour. Find out more on ExplorationVacation.

11/06/2026

Can't wait for state fair season? Back to the 50s is at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds this month. And it's a lot like the state fair, but with a vintage automotive theme. You can see cool cars of all types, learn about classic cars, listen to music from the 1950s, eat foods with a 1950s theme, and more. You can even buy a classic car or truck!

Don't miss this year's event on June 19-21.

08/06/2026

Summer is here, and that's always a great time to get out and visit a garden or two. (Doesn't everyone at least like a garden, even if they don't love them the way I do?!) And, if you are headed to Europe this summer, this is the year to visit a garden you've surely seen in many famous paintings.

In remembrance of impressionist Claude Monet's passing 100 years ago, his paintings are being featured throughout Europe. But Giverny - where where Monet lived, worked, and gardened for most of his career - is going all out. Not only will Monet's gardens be looking their finest this summer, but special exhibits of his paintings will be on display in museums in town and in Paris.

Giverny is always wonderful. This year will just be a little more wonderful.

08/06/2026

My friend Rachel has done several boat/bike tours and has some great recommendations for planning your own.

08/06/2026

Check in in one part of Boston and then take a shuttle to the airport. Remote check-in sounds great if you don't have to worry about a crash shutting down the highway in front of you (or Boston traffic in general). And it introduces one more point for your luggage to go astray. How about instead we just improve the security process at the airport for everyone?

The pilot program, currently running in one U.S. city, will let some fliers use an off-site location for screening and check-in. Read more in the comments. ⬇️

08/06/2026

Ah, to be back on Canada's east coast in summer or early fall.

30/05/2026

I'll be in Finland this summer, but I don't think I'll get back to lovely Helsinki this time. But I'm hoping to discover more beautiful places!

26/05/2026

The reason I decided against a tight connection in Copenhagen. It means getting to my final destination after midnight, but at least I know I'll get there without an overnight along the way!

EES is intended to make Europe’s border checks more efficient ... but for now, the system is creating a new bottleneck at airports across the continent. Here's what you need to know.

26/05/2026

Thinking about a Norwegian coastal cruise? Then, my friend Rachel has information you need to read!

26/05/2026

Treasures await in places you've never heard of all over the world. Even in Europe.