Travel, Taste and Tour

Dearest Readers, Ice cream. Sandcastles. Road trips. Some of my most cherished childhood memories stem from summer vacations. Longer days brimming with sunshine make it easy to lose ourselves in the moments that matter. The smiles on our children’s faces as they splash around in the water, the smirk our spouse gives us as they toss us another can for our koozie, the coconutty smell of sunscreen-slathered bodies – nothing says summer like those memories. These are the days for leaving your watch at home. These are the times when it’s okay to hit the snooze button. These are the minutes that a clock cannot keep track of – only your heart. Our focal feature is Soak in Summer. So, let’s really soak it in. Your beach body is ready, trust me. Let’s stop…

The chicken or the egg, Android or Iphone, you may think these are some of the hardest questions to ponder in life…but add another one to the list: Hotels vs. Airbnbs! As Airbnb has grown to prominence since its founding in 2008, more and more travelers are finding themselves asking this question, agonizing over whether to choose the traditional, safe option of a hotel, or experience something different with an Airbnb. While we can’t say for sure which option is right for you, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons to each, in our quest to shed some light on this growing debate. Let’s start with the basics: booking. When you make a reservation at a hotel, you can generally be assured that it’s a sure thing.…

Next is location. Hotels are often located in strategically placed areas such as downtown or in entertainment districts. While this can sometimes be exactly what you want, other times you may want to be in a more remote or residential setting. Airbnb definitely tends to have the upper hand here, as the accommodations on the site are often people’s actual homes, so you have a much larger selection in terms of a micro-location to stay in. Perhaps you want a more authentic, local perspective of town, you would be better suited to stay in an Airbnb in this case. The debate would not be complete without discussing the accommodations themselves. With a hotel, you are likely capped out at two to three beds per room. Maybe you find a suite that…

Keep in mind, when choosing an Airbnb, they don’t offer a full-time staff to fix things that break or serve room service at 11 PM. There are certainly some benefits to a hotel in this regard where they can move you to another room if your air conditioning isn’t working and you can order breakfast in bed! The truth is, depending on the scenario, you might be better off in one or the other, but it’s going to come down to a personal decision and what is best for you…. Alas, perhaps we can’t answer which is better after all……

IN the heart of the Midwest, discover Indiana, where you’ll come across incredible natural wonders, creative culinary experiences, thrilling adventures and genuine hospitality no matter where you go. NORTH In the early part of the 20th century, a group of conservation-minded scientists and nature lovers banned together to protect the Indiana Dunes from industry, an effort you will no doubt appreciate when strolling miles of beaches alongside Lake Michigan, ascending towering sand dunes with incredible views, hiking and biking numerous trails, and spotting migrating birds. The area, which includes a state park and a national park, encompasses thousands of acres ripe for exploring. You’ll also enjoy lounging on the beach, flying kites, visiting the nature center or renting a boat. Whiting’s quirky Mascot Hall of Fame could be the most unique museum you…

In South Bend, find your adventurous side on the rapids at East Race Waterway, meet lady luck at Four Winds Casino, head downtown to enjoy River Lights and be sure to get some sweets at South Bend Chocolate Company. AAA Four Diamond award-winning LaSalle Grill is also a must-try for contemporary fine dining and craft cocktails. A TRIP THROUGH INDIANA’S AMISH COUNTRY WILL INTRODUCE YOU TO DELICIOUS MADE-FROM-SCRATCH MEALS, AMAZING CRAFTSMANSHIP, DELIGHTFUL THEATER WORKS, TONS OF SHOPPING AND HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES. Shipshewana Trading Place Flea Market is home to the Midwest’s largest outdoor seasonal flea market, where 700 vendors cover 40 acres of land, selling everything from home decor and clothing to plants and tools. See the sights from a horse-drawn carriage before being served homestyle Amish favorites and over 29 kinds…