Travel

Imagine yourself lounging on a patio, a chilled glass of Pacheca Branco Grande Reserve in your hand, overlooking the vineyards of a lush 18th-century estate and vineyard in the Douro Valley in Portugal.

My needs are quite specific when it comes to a suitcase. It must be expandable, have a front zippered section large enough for my laptop, be lightweight and in any color other than black. Oh, and it has to have four wheels.

While you may think of camping sites, lodges and cabins for park accommodations, some offer lodging a bit more out-of-the box. We recently stayed in a 1970s barrel cabin in Unicoi State Park in North Georgia, so named because it’s shaped like a giant barrel.

For three years, I’ve written the same words on Airbnb’s reservation field that says “tell your host why you’re in town.”

Last Monday, Sara Meaney, Governor Evers’ nominee to lead the Department of Tourism, issued a challenge to Wisconsinites. Before zipping off to some exotic foreign locale, visit one place in Wisconsin you’ve never explored.

Here are our favorite apps to make travel easier, more affordable and more fun.

Several state parks have some portions of the park open during the winter for those hardy souls who like to camp in frigid temperatures. Here are a few tips for winter camping from Travel Wisconsin:

We zipped along on our green scooters, passing the impossibly white sand dunes of the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Santa Rosa Sound on the other, enjoying the unspoiled beauty of Gulf Islands National Seashore in Navarre Beach.

If you need a vacation away from the capital, head out west. Prairie du Chien has been Wisconsin’s hidden gem for centuries.

Located in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, Spring Green is an agricultural hub with an artsy flair. Just over two hours from Milwaukee, this eclectic community has much to offer, including the following:

Enjoy a road trip by bicycle through the Northwoods on a 100-mile loop through the northern half of Vilas County. Begin and end at the Discovery Center, located just north of downtown Manitowish Waters, then ride over paved bike trails, county highways and country roads as you make your way past lake-lined roads, rolling hills and dense forests.

With more than 66 state parks, the thought of planning a camping trip can be overwhelming, so we’ve highlighted some of the best parks by activity.

Any water in the Crivitz area equals summer, but Lake Noquebay is a great example. – Griffin

Asheville is known for its beautiful landscape, rich history, amazing food, local breweries, and its local and innovative musicians. National Geographic listed the top 10 music cities in the U.S. in its May 2018 Traveler edition. Coming in at number nine, Asheville was described as “America’s greatest undiscovered musical city.”

Water slides, roller coasters and other entertainment venues still dominate the Wisconsin Dells, but youth sports is a growing niche for the kitschy tourist destination.

Meet Millie, the Canine Concierge greeting guests and helping make the Hilton Milwaukee City Center feel like home for business travelers.

As a global communications VP for Johnson Controls, Betty Arndt logged lots of frequent flyer miles — nearly 30 trips a year, a third of those international. Now retired, she continues her world travels with husband, Tom.