Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear that travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves. Travel pros say there is plenty you can do ahead of time to make for a happier and less-stressful...

Whether you’re day tripping with family, taking a week-long vacation with gal pals, or doing a cross-country solo drive, summer road trips of all kinds can be long and exhausting. The good news? There are plenty of ways to improve the experience. Here are a few: Great snacks Road trip snacks are non-negotiable. They make...

It’s the season for family vacations. Here are five ideas to consider: Beaches Resorts (Ocho Rios or Negril, Jamaica) Access your slice of sun-filled fun during a family vacation at one of two Beaches Resorts in Jamaica. Both all-inclusive options provide an endless list of activities and adventures to keep every member of your family...

82% of adults in the United States are planning to travel this summer. Among these travelers, 42% plan to embark on multiple trips. 52% plan to fly at least once this summer. 25% of Americans are ready to stamp their passports, with adults between 18 and 29 being the most likely to travel aboard. In...

The tri-state area is gearing up for a summer season of visitors, with tourism officials noting that the wealth of attractions appeals to visitors and residents alike. “There’s a lot of things throughout the season for people to see and do,” said Keith Rahe, president and CEO of Travel Dubuque. Summer serves as the peak...

Within the next month, I will travel internationally to Australia, Papua New Guinea and Cancun. One business trip will take me to another continent, where I am advised to pack light. I don’t know how to do this. It is an 11-day trip, and the food might not always agree with my American stomach. Besides...

Carolyn Rauen has a fondness for photography and nature, specifically when it comes to national parks. Those passions provided a much-needed outlet during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic for Rauen, who works as an occupational therapist at UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque. “At that time, all that I was treating at work was COVID...

If you’re taking a stroll in downtown Dubuque, it doesn’t take long for bold splashes of color to capture the wandering eye. Love it or hate it, street art has emerged as a popular form of public expression, taking the once-blank canvases of city buildings and transforming them into large-scale works of art. The Dubuque...

For tri-state residents, the prime season for outdoor fun has arrived. The area is home to all manner of opportunities to get outdoors, with dozens of county and state parks offering opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, camping and other activities. Those opportunities include some of the area’s most well-known natural areas, such as Mines of...

Vacations are a time for adventures, relaxation and capturing every moment so that you can relive the excitement after the trip is over. I have captured holiday memories with pictures, videos and journals through the years. Not all of these memory souvenirs were created with today’s high-tech options. Homemade scrapbooks were created in vintage, self-adhesive...

Whether you love to dig in dirt or simply admire the work of those who do, an opportunity to view the fruits of that labor, as well as learn a few tricks of the trade, are planned this month. Presented in conjunction with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardeners and Dubuque County...

We are nearly through 2022, and so many of us are ready for a vacation. The idea of vacation means something different to everyone. Vacations can range from a home staycation or a quick, overnight visit to someone’s home or a local attraction. You might have a camper, a plan to relax at your reserved...

Traveling can be unsettling for animals, and there are things to think about before setting off. Whether traveling by car, air, rail or sea, it’s vital to make sure pets can be accommodated. Where they can be kept is another fundamental thing to think about. Here is what to consider: Suitability of the breed If...

For tri-state residents, the prime season for outdoor fun has arrived. The area is home to all manner of opportunities to get outdoors, with dozens of county and state parks offering opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, camping and other activities. Those opportunities include some of the area’s most well-known natural areas, such as Mines of...

It’s not even the busiest time of year for travel yet, and 2021 already has been chaotic, even for the most seasoned travelers. And so, as you book 2021 holiday travel, don’t overlook the best type of plan you can make: A backup plan. Here are some ways to build one: Be flexible and pack...

There’s something about autumn. Even the words we associate with the season hold a special magic: Cornucopia, harvest moon, crisp apples, cool breezes, pumpkin spice and cozy nights. A visit to an apple orchard is an annual ritual for many families, and creating in the kitchen with what you bring home always is a fun...

Summer is coming to an end. You’re ready for the kids to go back to school and, if you’re very lucky, they’re ready to go back, too. But there are a few weeks left before backpacks and buses become part of your daily routine and before the first chilly breaths of autumn make you want...

In June 2019, my handsome husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Europe. On this adventure, we visited England, Sweden, Germany and Portugal. All these countries were beautiful and educational; however, my favorite were Sweden and Germany because we had tour guides. Our family members live in these countries, so they showed us...

Our four-legged companions have been enjoying their version of paradise for the past year, finding their owners at home more with an abundance of extra time to play, walk and hang out with them. At the same time, pet owners have come to rely on their pets as anxiety relievers, stress reducers and work-at-home buddies...

It’s summertime, and the living is getting to be easier again. While long-distance vacations might not be the way to go for a lot of people, short day trips and local excursions have a lot to offer. For your wine- and beer-loving pleasure, we’ve compiled a guide to wineries and breweries in the tri-states. The...

Excited about traveling again this summer? Many of us are looking forward to life getting back to normal after social distancing and staying close to home for so long due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it always is exciting to explore a new vacation spot, there can be added worry and stress on your adventure....

LA MOTTE, Iowa — After canceling a trip to Canada last year when the border shut, Libby Burkhart hopes to take another shot at canoeing 460 miles down the Yukon River. During the past year, she has, like many people, experienced the stress of hunkering through the COVID-19 pandemic and forgoing visits to loved ones....

For more than a year, travel outfits probably were the last thing on your mind. But now that traveling is becoming an option again, you might find yourself needing a refresher on what to wear that is stylish and comfortable. Whether you find yourself on a plane or a fun road trip, here are five...

Oh, what a year we’ve had. In an industry hit had by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a local travel consultant immersed in the changes that have taken place within the industry, it has been my job to make sure clients understand the new ways of travel. Gone are the days of simply picking out...

At airports across the country, security checkpoints are newly abuzz. Car rentals are selling out. Gas prices are rising as road trips rev up. Travel search website Kayak is seeing a steady rise in queries for summer travel. As more Americans get fully vaccinated, they are casting aside cabin fever, and for the first time...

We’ve rounded up six awesome mother-daughter getaway ideas, from braving the great outdoors in California to a yoga retreat in Riviera Maya to glamping in Santa Barbara. Some services and amenities at these locations might be halted/altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Save these ideas for when it’s safe to travel again, and always follow...

It’s summertime, and the living is getting to be easier again. While long-distance vacations might not be the way to go for a lot of people, short day trips and local excursions have a lot to offer. For your wine- and beer-loving pleasure, we’ve compiled a guide to wineries and breweries in the tri-states. The...

1 Make a backyard staycation plan. Put together a schedule with a mixture of activities that your family will enjoy like dining, camping and games. Add a theme for the week, day or evening. A luau theme can be carried through with costumes, food and activities. A sports theme can have everyone in team jerseys...

Melody Dosanjh has always enjoyed backpacking, trail running and other activities that get her out among nature. Dosanjh, originally from New Mexico, was looking for some new hobbies when she moved to Dubuque about four years ago. She quickly found Tri-State Mountain Bike Riders and found both a new passion and new friends. “As a...

Summer will soon be upon us. Usually, that means vacations, festivals, barbecues and a myriad of outdoor events centered around food, family and warm weather. It’s a safe bet that this won’t be a usual summer, but for volkssporters, there will be no shortage of outdoor recreation opportunities. Volkssporting is the art of walking. Also...

Spa weekends, concerts and vacation getaways don’t seem realistic quite yet due to people opting to stay at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.But not to fret. There are ways you can enjoy a fun-filled staycation at home with your partner, your family or, simply, just you. Here are a few ideas: ‘Me’ time If you’re...

When it comes to summertime, vacations and weekend excursions often are in the picture. Whether you are spending a weekend in Chicago, a month backpacking around Europe or relaxing on a two-week Caribbean cruise, packing your suitcase for the trip can be the biggest headache of all. There are many logistics to think about when...

School is out and summer is in full swing. It’s easy to get caught up in sunny days and backyard barbecues, but don’t let the season pass you by without planning a memorable summer vacation. Whether it’s a day trip to a nearby city or a lavish once-in-a-lifetime international extravaganza, summertime is the perfect time to...

For some of us, vacationing is about taking respite from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. For others, it can be about more. Last fall, three local longtime friends decided to take a trip to Thailand. But it wasn’t just any excursion. It found Cally Burkle, Jaime Ellerie and Lea Droessler fasting, getting...

School is out and summer is in full swing. It’s easy to get caught up in sunny days and backyard barbecues, but don’t let the season pass you by without planning a memorable summer vacation. Whether it’s a day trip to a nearby city or a lavish once-in-a-lifetime international extravaganza, summertime is the perfect time...

We don’t need science to tell us that spending time with our girlfriends is good for us. But just in case … Plenty of research confirms that notion — including a pair of Michigan State University studies involving nearly 280,000 people. The studies found that friendships become increasingly important to one’s happiness and health. “Not...

For some of us, vacationing is about taking respite from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. For others, it can be about more. Last fall, three local longtime friends decided to take a trip to Thailand. But it wasn’t just any excursion. It found Cally Burkle, Jaime Ellerie and Lea Droessler fasting, getting...

When it comes to summertime, vacations and weekend excursions often are in the picture. Whether you are spending a weekend in Chicago, a month backpacking around Europe or relaxing on a two-week Caribbean cruise, packing your suitcase for the trip can be the biggest headache of all. There are many logistics to think about when...

Thinking about a destination wedding? Whether your choice is to get married alongside the ocean in Hawaii or the Florida Keys; atop a ski hill in Aspen, Colo.; in a California vineyard; in a Las Vegas wedding chapel; somewhere in Mexico, such as Cancun, Rivera Maya, Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta; Jamaica; Punta Cana in...