Exploring the Park on E-Bikes

Renting e-bikes turned out to be one of the best decisions of the entire trip. It was a phenomenal way to get around the park, letting us breeze along the scenic roads while taking in the towering red cliffs and peaceful stretches of forested trails. With the fresh air in our faces and the freedom to stop whenever a breathtaking view appeared—and that happened often—e-biking became both a convenient and exhilarating way to explore Zion.

The Narrows: A Hike Like No Other

Of all the unforgettable moments, hiking The Narrows stands out as something truly magical. Wading between sheer canyon walls with the river running at our feet felt like stepping into another world. We were especially impressed by the gear we rented; it kept us warm and dry the entire time, making the experience comfortable despite the chilly water. The combination of adventure, beauty, and surreal atmosphere made The Narrows one of the highlights of the trip.

Angels Landing: Worth Every Step

And then there was Angels Landing—the iconic trail that earns its reputation with every steep ascent and breathtaking overlook. The climb was challenging but entirely worth it. Reaching the summit and looking out over the sweeping views of Zion Canyon was a moment of pure awe. It’s the kind of hike that imprints itself on your memory and leaves you feeling both humbled and triumphant.

The Charm of Springdale

Just outside the park, the town of Springdale added its own special touch to the trip. We loved the welcoming atmosphere, charming shops, and especially the great places to eat after long days of exploring. Whether it was grabbing a hearty meal or simply strolling through town, Springdale provided the perfect balance of comfort and character.

A Trip to Remember

Looking back, this trip to Zion was everything we hoped for—beautiful, relaxing, and filled with incredible moments. From the scenic e-bike rides to the unforgettable hikes and the small-town charm of Springdale, every part of the journey left us grateful and inspired. It’s a destination that stays with you long after you’ve returned home, and one we’d happily revisit in a heartbeat.

Written By: Brandice Mueller

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The Outdoors are Open

• Take advantage of the warming weather and spend some time getting reacquainted with the outdoors. Reopening for the season this March, hikers and sightseers can take advantage of a shuttle system ferrying guests to the McAfee Knob trailhead, one of the most popular spots in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Hike to the Knob for sweeping views of the mountains and one of the most-photographed spots along the Appalachian Trail.
  • 2025 is the perfect year to check off this bucket list hike as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy celebrates its 100th
• Roanoke Mountain Adventures debuts two new tours this season. An immersive experience that takes you through the murals of the city, the Mural Tour of Roanoke showcases the story of the city through art and storytelling, while being guided by the local artists that created them. A new Carvins Cove e-mountain bike tour is coming as well, with miles of beginner-friendly gravel travels making this tour available for all skill levels.

Spring Celebrations in VBR

• Spend Saint Patrick’s Day in one of the 10 best St. Patrick’s Day cities in the United States at the Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, March 15. This free event includes a parade starting at 11 am, live music, and vendors, with local restaurants hosting their own block parties throughout Downtown.
• Roanoke’s premier multicultural festival, Local Colors, represents over 50 nationalities and has taken place for over 30 years. Featuring a plethora of authentic, international food and performances, this free event takes place May 17th in Downtown Roanoke’s Elmwood Park.
• Berry lovers will not want to miss the 45th annual Community School Strawberry Festival in downtown Roanoke on May 2 – 3. Over 20,000 people show up to enjoy fresh strawberries in all forms, including the ever-popular shortcake.
• The Salem Red Sox baseball team celebrates opening night on April 4th. Families can enjoy games and special promotional nights nearly every week through the spring and summer seasons.

Virginia’s “New” Ridge

• Historic Grandin Village in Roanoke, Virginia has two new restaurant concepts that have officially opened their doors. Gianni’s serves dishes inspired by the food traditions of Louisiana, Haiti, and Jamaica, in what the owner called “Southern Caribbean fusion.” Show Pony, specializing in “fine diving” features late night comfort food set in a bar-forward joint.
• For the first time ever, Virginia’s Blue Ridge comes together to unveil the vibrant culinary scene throughout the region during VBR Restaurant Week, taking place May 31 through June 8. Restaurants throughout the City of Roanoke and Salem, and the Counties of Botetourt, Roanoke, and Franklin come together to showcase all the region’s food scene has to offer.
• A new hotel is set to open in a former bank in Downtown Roanoke that will feature a concert hall, a Spanish tapas-style restaurant, and three bars within. While the name is still to be determined, it may include a nod to the old bank’s name – “First National ” It is anticipated to open in summer 2025. This boutique hotel will feature 27 rooms, with the concert hall having a capacity of 750.

About Virginia’s Blue Ridge 

Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing a metro mountain mix of exciting outdoor adventure with refined culture.  Visit VBR is the official destination marketing organization for Virginia’s Blue Ridge which includes the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke. The region is easily accessible via the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Interstate 81, and Amtrak’s northeast regional route. For more information, go to www.VisitVBR.com. 

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Hiking, Wellness and More

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The trail not only provides logistical information like length, difficulty and how to access each trail, it also highlights waterfalls with special features, including the tallest waterfall, an ADA-accessible waterfall and family-friendly falls and trails.

The Kentucky Wildlands, launched in 2020 to develop a sustainable tourism-based economy and create connectivity across the region, designed its new waterfall trail to help people access the natural wonders of the area.

With more than 14,000 square miles and 800+ waterfalls in this part of Kentucky alone, the trail makes it easy for people to explore the ancient forests, mountains and unspoiled terrain of The Kentucky Wildlands– those who do will be rewarded with breathtaking waterfall views.

“We are incredibly excited to debut this trail so that those unfamiliar with the area can better understand and navigate the diverse beauty of the Wildlands,” said Tammie Nazario, Director of The Kentucky Wildlands.

“We want to encourage people to discover the natural wonders here, which include an abundance of beautiful waterfalls, and we hope this easy-to-follow guide inspires them to plan a trip to experience some of the many we have to offer.”

No two falls are alike on The Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail. Featured waterfalls include Cumberland Falls, also known as the “Niagara of the South,” the 113-foot Yahoo Falls, and Creation Falls, which has a plunge pool great for wading.

The trail incorporates everything from wheelchair- and stroller-accessible hikes like the one to Flat Lick Falls to more challenging routes such as the rocky climb to Eagle Falls.

The waterfall trail can be found online at www.explorekywildlands.com/the-kentucky-wildlands-waterfall-trail/. The trail is displayed on an illustrated map that gives visitors a glimpse of what each of the 17 falls looks like and where it’s located within The Kentucky Wildlands. Visitors can download a waterfall guide as well as access photos of the falls, important details and insider tips on the website.

To find out more about the natural beauty and wonder of The Kentucky Wildlands, visit www.explorekywildlands.com.

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1. Yellowstone Ranch Getaway: Get away and give back during a stay at Montana’s first dude ranch, outside Gardiner and the north entrance to the park. The Yellowstone Pop-Up Ranch offers classic adventures like hiking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, archery, sport shooting, and more, as well as the comfort of cozy cabins and locally inspired cuisine. And proceeds from every stay go to preservation efforts at the National Register of Historic Places-listed site. https://trueranchcollection.com/yellowstone-pop-up/

2. Llama-Supported Trekking: Leave Yellowstone’s busy roads and boardwalks behind and get into its wildlife-rich backcountry with the support of llamas on a four-day trip with Wildland Trekking. In the northeast corner of the park, hike through the Lamar Valley and up Cache Creek, go off-trail to The Needle, then cross back over Chaw Pass to Soda Butte Creek. Most importantly, llamas carry the bulk of the gear, leaving guests with only light day packs. https://wildlandtrekking.com/trips/wild-yellowstone-llama-trek/

3. Big Sky Adventures: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for adventure near the northwest corner of Yellowstone. Guests can hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking and ski Big Sky Resort’s 5,850 acres of terrain in winter. And the west entrance to the park is a short drive away, with some trailheads closer. https://thewilsonhotel.com/

4. Yellowstone Multisport: Encounter the numerous natural attractions of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks on a six-day tour with Escape Adventures that packs in mountain biking, rafting, hiking and rock climbing. See Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Snake River, the Gros Ventre and Wind River mountains, and more on this unique multisport tour that can be arranged with camping or inn-based accommodations. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/grand-tetons-yellowstone-multi-sport-mountain-bike-tour/

5. Yellowstone Family Riding and Rafting: Families can experience the Yellowstone area like never before on a three-day horseback riding and whitewater rafting package from Flying Pig Adventures. Take in one of nature’s most iconic environments up close by tackling rough terrain near Gardiner, Montana, on horseback and running the class 3 rapids of the Yellowstone River as it flows out of the park and into the Paradise Valley. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/3-day-yellowstone-adventure

6. Glamping Yellowstone: Nestled in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Fireside Resort’s cabins blend the comfort of a luxury hotel suite with the atmosphere of a wooded campground. And while there, nature lovers will find plenty to see and do, from exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks to visiting the National Elk Refuge, relaxing in Granite Hot Springs, and touring museums filled with wildlife art and exhibits on the area’s history. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com/

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• CAMÍ DE RONDA: COASTAL PATH 
   
  Is a seaside path that crosses the abrupt sea coast of Costa Brava between the villages of Blanes and Portbou. It is a historic path that was created with the basic functions of communicating the villages, beaches and creeks.  
  Can be followed in three modes: 
  – Lineal: 27 miles (from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Begur) 
  – Circular: 87 miles (start and finish in Girona city) 
  – Freestyle: design your own path  
   
  Means of transport: On foot 
  Level of difficulty: Beginners to experts  
  Circuit distance:  
  Visiting season: All year round 

• SAINT JAMES PATH: CATALAN SECTION OF THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO 
   
  Begins at Cap de Creus (Costa Brava) and ends in Alcarràs (Lleida). Some of the points of interest that can be seen during the tour are the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes or Montserrat. The itinerary offers a natural, scenic and cultural richness that exceeds the expectations of pilgrims.
   
  Means of transport: On foot, by bike, by horse 
  Level of difficulty: Beginners 
  Circuit distance: 292 miles 
  Visiting season: All year round 

• IGNATIAN WAY: SPIRITUAL ROUTE 
   
  This path recreates the route that Ignatius of Loyola ran in 1522 from Loyola (Basque Country) to Manresa (Catalonia). This itinerary offers the opportunity to experience a pilgrimage, following the spiritual process that made the saint. 
   
  Means of transport: on foot, by bike, by car 
  Level of difficulty: Beginners to experts 
  Circuit distance: 99 miles 
  Visiting season: All year round 

• CAMÍ OLIBA: ART AND CULTURE ROUTE 
   
  The Oliba trail is a waymarked long-distance footpath through the Romanesque art which links up the counties of El Bages, Osona and El Ripollès with the common thread of this extraordinary man called Oliba who was a count and then first Abbot and then Bishop in the 13th century. 
    
  Means of transport: On foot 
  Level of difficulty: Beginners 
  Circuit distance: 150 miles 
  Visiting season: All year round 

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     In this edition of The Hotel Guide, we feature incredible beaches and top destinations. For instance, some can’t-miss stops in Texas include San Antonio,Arlington and beachgoers can revel at South Padre Island.

     Every good traveler also needs to focus on their Health and Wellness and that’s another reason we launched our Wellness Section sponsored by IDLife. Get tips to stay healthy while traveling and even utilize a new state-of-the-art teledoc via Hello, Alvin.

     Ready for some international travel? You don’t want to miss the 5-star, all-inclusive resort called Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Maya. This impeccable resort will help you make memories to last a lifetime. While in Mexico, be sure and visit the state of Campeche and learn about tons of Mexican history and culture.

     For great story ideas or to be a part of our “Experiences” section, send me a personal e-mail by clicking here. Looking for great hotel deals? Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here.

     Remember, we make travel easy.

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