The Gift of Travel

The gift of travel is always the perfect way to celebrate the holidays or any special occasion. Travel never goes out of style and the expiration date is forever on visiting a favorite destination.

If you’re still looking for gift ideas here are four special ways to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with a trip to one of these exciting destinations in 2022.

New River Gorge – WV

Adventure, and the thrill of river rafting – it’s the perfect gift of travel for the outdoors enthusiast who is ready to explore a whitewater river which flows through deep canyons on one of the oldest rivers in the continent and it’s in one of our National Parks.  

An Unlimited Adventure Pass from Adventures On The Gorge, gives the gift of adventure for a whole season of fun. And, while you’ll definitely get your rafting in, you can also stretch your adventure side to an aerial ropes course through a wooded area on a timber trek adventure park tour, stay calm with flat water kayaking, take a walk through the air on a tree top canopy tour, or bike along the board walk on a land adventure though a maze of trees.  Rock climbing anyone?  Or brave yourself for a guided walk across the New River Gorge bridge.  

While this is truly a gift for the adventurous and someone looking to raft the rugged waters on a week long trip you can also hike trails, paddle board, or explore the park with an interpretive guide to learn more about the cultural and natural history of the area in the National Park. 

To complete your nature adventure, lodging in one of the cabins makes the experience one they’ll never forget. From deluxe cabins with 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms or a rustic cabin where you get the security of four walls, but you feel you’re camping too, or Glamping… it is your best of both worlds. And for a gift where the whole family comes along, there are vacation homes, RV sites and camping too.  

To make this dream gift come true, visit AdventuresOnTheGorge.com

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Looking for the perfect gift for the history buff.  Look no further than the Outer Banks for history that tells an American story. 

The Graveyard of the Atlantic is an area off shore of the Outer Banks.  It’s where you’ll find the Maritime Museum – a shipwreck museum with exhibits which tell the story of the Outer Banks culture – piracy, warfare, lighthouses and fishing. A treasure trove of seaworthy finds – with an estimated 3000 shipwrecks off the coast of the Outer Banks, history comes alive with a visit to the museum. The treacherous waters claimed many ships and crew.  Scuba diving and snorkeling fans can take an up close look, where they may see ship wrecks from the 1500’s to German U-boats.  

Pirates of the Caribbean have nothing on North Carolina – in the late 17th and early 18th century the colony of North Carolina was considered a place which received pirates, runaways and illegal traders. It was a lawless colony with barley any government and officials would take bribes, and collaborate with pirates.   

For the trivia lovers a visit to Kill Devil Hill today is where you’ll find the site of the Wright Brothers Monument, but it also is believed to have been named for either barrels of rum of a brand name Kill Devil or the rum from the wreckage of rum-running ships was strong enough to kill the devil. Some believed the ships were lured to the shallow shores by lanterns hung from a horse’s neck or nag’s, walking along the dunes.  (Which is where Nags Head got its name.) Once the ships wrecked along the shallow shoals, the barrels were hidden behind the hill. Another point of trivia is the story of foxes sat sunset on the same hill giving the appearance of devil horns – Kill Devil Hill.

Food lovers will have a chance to enjoy oysters, crabs, and their hand at fishing the waters off the coast, where it’s legendary to say… “I fished the shores of the Outer Banks.” It is truly a sport fisherman’s paradise. Surf and pier fishing, freshwater or fly fishing you choose; or bump up this travel gift and turn a regular fishing-trip into an inshore or off shore fishing excursion. Now, that’s truly a gift of travel and fishing. For more information – www.outerbanks.org

St. Augustine, Florida

Did someone say pirates? Well for the pirate lovers St. Augustine will not disappoint. You’ll find a city filled with Spanish history, architecture and a fort which stands today reminding us of the days the pirates ruled the seas.  

St. Augustine’s history makes a fun trip to give the whole family. Start with a visit to the Fountain Of Youth where you can take a drink and test the waters for yourself. Was Juan Ponce de Leon on to something real? Is this spring mystical or your key to eternal youth?

Walk the grounds of the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th century Spanish stone fortress with views of the St. Augustine inlet, which by the way you can take a boat tour and see the fort from the water. Just as the sailors would have back in the day. 

The city was founded in Sept. 1565 making it the oldest city in the U.S. and you’ll find historic sites all around the city. Be sure to check out the Old School House and take a look in the upstairs window.

Winter time or summer time you’ll say “this is a great gift of travel.”  However, nothing beats a great beach trip for the whole family.  Anastasia State Park and Beach gives you the complete experience. With campsites for RV’s, picnic areas for a day trip, tell the family you’re planning either of these experiences and it’s a winner for sure.  

To plan this family travel gift, visit FloridaHistoricCoast.com

Hotel Emeline – Charleston, South Carolina

Sometimes the trip is all about the accommodations! Yep, we want to explore and venture out to see the surrounding area, but staying in a place where you would like to just, hang out and hang around, is a great idea too. 

Charleston’s Hotel Emeline brings the luxury, comfort, low country flare and style too. It’s located in the perfect spot to have fun seeing the local sights, and shopping the City Market, steps outside the door and easily zipping back to the hotel.

How about the gift of a relaxing stay with discounts and dining credits. From now until March 30th I’ve got a deal for you. However, book it before Dec. 30th.

• Give the gift of 15% luxe boutique accommodations
• $15 dining credit
• A special gift from Keep

Book your reservations by the Dec. 30th 

To get this discount, visit their website –Hotel Emeline

These top ranking holiday travel gift ideas were featured on the Mornings on Maine with Bill Maine on Dec. 15th.  Click the link below to hear it all.

 

Happy Holidays and gift-giving!