If you’re visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in its centennial year — as I was recently — or making a road trip that extends as far as Wyoming or Utah, it’s easy to consider breezing through southern Idaho en route to your destination.

Instead, take the scenic route through this corner of the Gem State, which offers some real diamonds in the rough. There are immaculate hot springs, delightfully odd museums, occasional good eats, hikes with uninterrupted summit views and a breathtaking canyon to explore.

Along the way, you’ll never be too far from the Snake River, which defines this part of Idaho as it winds a whopping 1,080 miles from its headwaters in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks until it merges with the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities. The Snake carves canyons through a swath of southern Idaho that offers big sky vistas of mountain peaks towering over plains and deserts.

Dotting the rural landscape of small towns and farmland, meanwhile, are some decidedly quirky roadside attractions befitting the region that served as the setting for 2004 cult comedy “Napoleon Dynamite.”

Pocatello: Eat, climb, soak

Among southern Idaho’s small cities, I made a detour to Pocatello, curious to check out the college town home to Idaho State University which also claims to be the “U.S. Smile Capital.” I didn’t stick around long enough to vet the friendliness of the locals, but two attractions made me smile.

First was a hearty breakfast at Elmer’s, the midcentury greasy spoon diner of my dreams. The Pocatello location is one of only two in Idaho for this Oregon-based mini-chain (there are also locations in Tacoma and Vancouver, Wash.). The “looking for sun” omelet ($15) laden with cheese, salsa, avocado and sour cream started my day on a decidedly bright note.

Second was the plethora of hiking trails that rise right out of this college town nestled in the mountains. I found plenty of sun, and vistas across the Bannock Range, on the 8-mile round-trip, nearly 2,000 vertical feet climb to the summit of Scout Mountain.

Nothing beats a posthike hot springs soak, a combination Idaho offers in spades. Pocatello was also attractive because it’s just 35 miles from Lava Hot Springs, a small but bustling resort town centered on a clutch of hot mineral pools.

The hot springs facility, beautifully set against a rocky outcropping, was clean and uncrowded on my visit — a solid value at just $3-$12 per session depending on the day of the week and your age.

The waters range from 102 to 112 degrees and, a rare treat, have no sulfurous odor. Try the gravel-bottom pools for a gentle foot massage, or take a break from the mineral baths and stroll through the adjacent sunken garden. With summer hours until 11 p.m. nightly through Sept. 30, a soak under the stars comes highly recommended.

Peckish or thirsty? Lava Hot Springs welcomed Eruption Brewery & Bistro in October, a solid choice for a meal before a soak and a beer for after. (Alcohol consumption before entering a geothermal pool is not recommended.)

Small-town hotels

I’m a sucker for a touch of luxury in an unexpected setting, so I swooned at the prospect of staying at The Harkness Hotel, a bank built in 1906 and converted to a boutique hotel 10 years ago (rooms $134-$279 per night). It’s likely the only reason you’ll stop in McCammon, a speck of a town halfway between Pocatello and Lava Hot Springs.

While the rooms, each with a distinctive decorative style, looked dreamy in photos, I was less enamored upon arrival with the quality of the furniture and finishings in The Ebony. The spartan amenities — an airport lounge-style coffee machine in the lobby and a gift shop in the former bank vault — didn’t encourage me to linger. But in this sparsely populated part of the country, The Harkness is still a cut above a chain motel. On my next swing through the region, I hope to check in at The Drift Inn in Rupert.

Offbeat museums

Antique mops, vintage washing machines and the world’s largest collection of vacuum cleaners are among the exhibition highlights at the Museum of Clean in Pocatello ($5-$10 admission).

Cleaning magnate Don Aslett collected thousands of artifacts in his career preaching the gospel of cleanliness, like these vintage vacuum cleaners on display at the Museum of Clean. The museum claims to have the world’s largest collection of vacuums — nearly 1,000, the oldest dating to 1869. (Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times)

The haphazardly curated museum is the bizarre brainchild of Don Aslett, who while a student at Idaho State University started a cleaning company in 1957 that he turned into a national brand. Along the way he authored dozens of books on housecleaning — all of which are on prominent display near a larger-than-life statue of a janitor nicknamed “Big Don.”

Evergreen State science and history buffs surely know of our state’s role in the Manhattan Project at the Hanford site in Eastern Washington. But did you know that southern Idaho is arguably the birthplace of atomic energy, the world’s first nuclear power plant to produce in-house electricity?

Experimental Breeder Reactor-I (EBR-I) was erected at the Idaho National Laboratory along a lonesome stretch of highway. The facility lasted for a decade before it was replaced by a more advanced reactor. Today it operates as a free museum that feels like an “Oppenheimer” film set, with tours led by national lab docents. Twenty more miles west on Highway 26 and you’ll end up in Arco, the world’s first city powered by nuclear energy.

Views and brews

Daredevil Evel Knievel tried and failed to jump the majestic Snake River Canyon in 1974 (stuntman Eddie Braun pulled it off in 2016). There’s a monument to Knievel’s legendary attempt at the foot of the Perrine Memorial Bridge, which crosses the canyon just outside of Twin Falls, another of southern Idaho’s bigger (albeit still quite small) cities — but well worth the detour off I-84.

The bridge is open to pedestrians on both sides and offers sweeping upriver and downriver views. The middle is a popular site for BASE jumpers to launch into the abyss 486 feet above the Snake River (tandem jumps $250). For a river-level view, hike the steep Pillar Falls Trail — just remember, never swim near the falls, where dangerous undercurrents lurk — or rent a kayak or paddleboard from AWOL Adventures and paddle as far as 8 miles upriver from Centennial Park to Shoshone Falls ($40-$45 for six-hour rental).

After ogling the canyon high and low, retreat to downtown Twin Falls for a well-earned refreshment at Koto Brewing Co. A roomy, inviting gathering space with a steady roster of live music and events, the brewery also serves up tasty food and drink. Order an Easy Rider Pilsner done up michelada-style ($6) and tuck into a koto steak sando with housemade miso vinaigrette ($17).

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If you go

Lava Hot Springs; 430 E. Main, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho; 208-776-5221; lavahotsprings.com; $3 for ages 2 and under, $7.50-$10 for ages 3-11, $8-$12 for ages 12-59, $7.50-$10 for ages 60-plus

The Harkness Hotel; 206 Center St., McCammon, Idaho; 208-254-4340; theharknesshotel.com; room with queen bed from $134

Elmer’s Restaurant; 851 S. Fifth Ave., Pocatello, Idaho; 208-232-9114; eatatelmers.com; breakfast items from $10-$20

Koto Brewing Co.; 156 Main Ave. N., Twin Falls, Idaho; 208-933-2570; koto.beer; 16-ounce beer $5.50-$7, appetizers $10-$18, burgers and sandwiches $13-$17

Museum of Clean; 711 S. Second Ave., Pocatello, Idaho; 208-236-6906; museumofclean.com; $5 for age 1, $8 for ages 2-15, $10 for ages 16-plus

Experimental Breeder Reactor-I Atomic Museum; Highway 20/26, 18 miles southeast of Arco, Idaho; 208-526-0050; inl.gov/ebr; free

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©2024 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Reefs and trails await underwater explorers just beneath the surface of the ocean’s warm, blue waters off the shoreline in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Need an escape from the daily stresses of life? Grab a snorkel and mask, wade into the surf and submerge yourself in a world in which the only traffic you’ll encounter is a vibrant school of fish swimming by, or a graceful sea turtle crossing your path.

Of course, before you dive in, there are several things to figure out: the right location for your skill level, the necessary equipment, access points, cost, safety factors, and parking and other amenities.

We’ve taken all of this into account when compiling our list of must-snorkel spots that are easily accessible right from the beach — no boat required — and are either free or, in some cases, involve only parking or park fees.

SAFETY FIRST

Before anything else, let’s talk safety. Here are some important tips for snorkelers, courtesy of the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation department’s website:

• Know your personal swimming limitations and snorkeling abilities.
• Always snorkel with a buddy so you can share your experiences and have somebody to help if needed.
• Check the ocean conditions, including waves, currents, wind, water visibility and weather.
• Decide on entry and exit points.
• Keep in mind that the best time to snorkel is within two hours before or after high tide.

“If unsure of skills, stay within lifeguarded areas,” Fine said. “Look but don’t touch is the slogan to follow with snorkeling, and keep feet and hands off coral and marine life.”

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

Next, we asked marine biologist and Master Scuba Instructor John Christopher Fine — who calls Boynton Beach home when he’s not traveling around the world exploring shipwrecks and studying ocean pollution — about the equipment first-time snorkelers need before heading out into the water.

He said to start with the basics: a mask, snorkel and pair of fins (or swim shoes). Also, “wear a dive skin or nylon tights and top to protect from sun as well as stings,” he added. “Skins are inexpensive online, last a long time and are far less expensive than coral-killing sunscreens.”

A dive flag and float are required for safety and to comply with Florida law, he said.

“For beginners, I suggest a car inner tube on a yellow (polypropylene) line with a weight at the end, so the line can be dropped and the tube not float away,” he said, adding that a dive flag can be tied to it or secured with a special device.

“A tube is great to rest, holding on to it,” but it should be made of strong materials, not a typical pool float.

PLACES TO SNORKEL

Ready to jump in? We’ve gathered six snorkeling spots where you can meet marine life and experience the serenity of the sea.

And if you want a snorkeling sneak peek beforehand, just search YouTube.com for underwater videos by divers and snorkelers featuring the locations on our list below.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Phil Foster Memorial Park Snorkel Trail 900 E. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach

HOURS: Sunrise to sunset

PARKING: Free

INFORMATION: discover.pbcgov.org/parks

An underwater paradise awaits snorkelers of all levels on the south side of the Blue Heron Bridge, just beyond a guarded swimming area. Venture out about 200 feet to explore submerged structures and shark sculptures while keeping an eye out for some of the trail’s residents, including squid, octopuses, spotted rays and starfish. Six hundred tons of rock were used to build the artificial reef, made of limestone boulders and prefabricated reef modules that span 2 acres in 6 to 10 feet of water, according to the county. Need to take a break? Cool off in the shade on the beach under the bridge. To the south, you’ll see Peanut Island, another popular snorkeling location accessible by boat or ferry.

Ocean Inlet Park/Lofthus shipwreck6990 N. Ocean Blvd., Boynton Beach

HOURS: Sunrise to sunset

PARKING: Free

INFORMATION: discover.pbcgov.org

Whether you park and walk across Ocean Boulevard or under the road by the jetty, when you see the shoreline rocks along the guarded beach on the south side of the inlet, you’ve found the entry point to another popular snorkeling spot. Suit up with your equipment and wade into the ocean. Sea turtles, nurse sharks, reef fish and corals have all been spotted in the waters. For intermediate to advanced snorkelers who swim beyond the guarded area, be aware of boat traffic.

For those looking for a challenge, the Lofthus shipwreck is 1.1 miles north of the inlet, about 150 yards offshore in about 10 to 18 feet of water, Fine said. Park at Ocean Inlet Park and make the trek along the beach before the high-tide mark. He has seen guitar fish, a nurse shark and spiny lobsters hanging around the wreckage.

“Watch the weather. When the ocean is rough, waves break in shore and the shipwreck remains are not safe to dive,” he said. “Calm ocean and little wind make it a fun place to explore.”

Red Reef Park Snorkel Trail 1400 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

PARKING: $35 on weekdays and $50 on weekends/holidays (day pass); $3 per hour at metered lot across State Road A1A

INFORMATION: myboca.us

Twenty artificial reefs just offshore and a jetty that extends from the beach into the water make up the snorkel trail. Walk directly into the ocean from the guarded beach and be on the lookout for sergeant major, parrotfish, bar jack and spottail pinfish. Snorkelers also have reported seeing a small reef shark, eels, lobsters, crabs, stingrays, barracuda and a sea turtle on their adventures.

Fourteen of the reefs were installed in late 2021, which extended the snorkeling trail. They are constructed from native limestone boulders sourced from a quarry near Fort Pierce, according to the city.

“Creating an artificial-reef snorkel trail offers residents and visitors another unparalleled outdoor experience in the city,” said recreation services director Greg Stevens. “This unique attraction not only provides a stunning adventure for snorkelers but also fosters a thriving and sustainable habitat for local marine life.”

It’s the ideal location for children to learn to snorkel and get up close with ocean life as well.

“I was able to view beautiful sea life such as turtles, colorful and bigger fish,” said 12-year-old Boca Raton resident Shea Ferris, who snorkels there. “It’s a safe and peaceful place for them, and I was able to enjoy everything around me.”

BROWARD COUNTY

Shipwreck Snorkel TrailDatura Avenue and El Mar Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

HOURS: Sunrise to sunset

PARKING: Metered parking on side streets or at South Ocean Lot, 4324 State Road A1A

INFORMATION: discoverlbts.com/diving-snorkeling

Just south of Anglin’s Fishing Pier, one of Broward County’s most popular dive and snorkeling areas provides a trail in 10 feet of water and three coral reefs just off the beach.

“Recognized as ‘Florida’s Beach Diving Capital,’ Lauderdale-by-the-Sea’s quaint Florida town is teeming with beautiful marine life in the calm, clear waters less than 100 yards off the white sand beaches, making it one of the best beaches in Florida to go snorkeling or diving with the little ones,” said town spokeswoman Aimee Adler Cooke. “The whole family can enjoy snorkeling, diving, kayaking and paddleboarding right off the beach.”

She said the town is a designated Blue Wave beach, a distinction given by the Clean Beaches Coalition to clean and environmentally responsible beach communities.

The Shipwreck Snorkel Trail, which includes an anchor, five concrete cannons and a ballast pile, was dedicated in 2002 by explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau (Jacques Cousteau’s son), according to the town.

The waters also are home to the SS Copenhagen, a British shipwreck in a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve, that is reachable by boat.

Vista Park Reef2851 N. Atlantic Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

HOURS: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

PARKING: Metered parking lot open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

INFORMATION: parks.fortlauderdale.gov

Just steps from the parking lot at Vista Park, a hidden gem among snorkeling enthusiasts is bustling beneath the blue ocean waters. The reef line starts about 300 feet out from shore and extends past the buoys. The area is the midway point of the reef that runs north and south. More advanced snorkelers can head out to the deeper depths of the reef. What will you see? Hard and soft corals, tropical fish and sea fans. Go early when water clarity is at its best.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park/Erojacks6503 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood

HOURS: 8 a.m. to sunset

ADMISSION: $6 per vehicle (up to eight people); $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle; $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass

INFORMATION: floridastateparks.org/mizell

There are various places to snorkel along the 2.5 miles of beach in the park, but one of the unique areas is the Dania Beach Erojacks, an artificial reef that runs east to west made up of concrete jacks structures. To find it, drive north to parking lot #1, walk across the bridge and to the right, follow the service trail signs in the sand heading south. You will enter the beach area at the spot where the reef is less than 600 feet offshore. The Dania Beach Pier is visible just to the south. Put your dive flag out and look for eels, fish, coral, slipper and spiny lobsters, stingrays, puffer fish and starfish. Keep in mind that the northern end of the state park, including the jetty parking lot, Jetty Pier and beach access, is closed to the public for construction.

But this time, he was seeking to benefit others, too.

“In these last 10 years, I went through a divorce, I moved, and just had a lot of personal stuff that I went through,” Scott said. “So turning 50 feels kind of more reflective. I wanted to do something big, but I wanted to do it in a way where I could give back.”

So now, Scott is riding his bicycle 588 miles across Virginia — and raising money for charity — to celebrate his 50 years.

It all began in early 2023, when Scott — a former college English teacher who now runs a fledgling business called Fennario Coffee Roasters — began talking to one of his new customers at the Farmer’s Market in Hilton Village.

That customer, Caroline Dutle, is the director of development at THRIVE Peninsula, a nonprofit that provides food and financial, housing and utilities assistance for those in need.

When THRIVE received a large whole-bean coffee donation a few months later, Dutle thought of her “coffee guy” and asked Scott if he’d be willing to grind the beans down before it’s given away.

“Most of our clients can’t afford coffee, let alone a coffee grinder,” Dutle said. “So a donation isn’t too helpful if it’s in bean form.”

Scott immediately said yes.

“He came to check out our facility, and has been really active and involved in supporting us ever since,” Dutle said. “So it all started with coffee beans.”

Scott took the beans home, ground them up and returned them in packages, ready for distribution. Though most consider coffee a staple, she said, for others it’s a “luxury item.”

“Any time we can provide things beyond the necessities, it’s a real treat for our clients,” Dutle said.

THRIVE Peninsula was founded 50 years ago by several churches in Newport News’ Denbigh section, and still considers itself a Christian-based organization. But Scott said he was drawn to the fact that the nonprofit helps people of all faiths — or no faith.

“I am sensitive to people telling me what to do or trying to evangelize me,” Scott said. “But (faith) doesn’t affect who gets help or who doesn’t get help. The only thing that you have to do is qualify financially.”

“And once I saw how selfless and giving these people are, the volunteers, I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to be involved in this somehow.’ ”

THRIVE has a pantry where people can come once a month by appointment and get about a week’s worth of groceries. It also offers financial assistance and coaching.

So when it came time for Scott to mark his 50th birthday, he decided he wanted THRIVE to be the recipient of a charity event. He came to Dutle with a concept: He’d bike 500 miles to raise $5,000 and 500 pounds of food — all multiples of 50 — to benefit the organization.

Dutle liked the idea, and helped him put the plan — and the fundraising mechanisms — into action.

It began Saturday morning at Breaks Interstate Park near the Kentucky and Virginia border. Scott will then trek the Virginia portion of the TransAmerica Trail — 588 miles — over nine days. That’s about 65 miles a day.

The route will take him south to Damascus, then northeast to Radford, Christiansburg and Lexington. He will hit the Blue Ridge Parkway, then Charlottesville, Ashland and Richmond before heading back to Hampton Roads.

Scott can be followed online in real time — at www.tinyurl.com/heathwatch — as he makes his way through the commonwealth.

Though Scott has done lengthy rides in the past, this will be the longest. He said the first several days — where the route is most mountainous — will be the most challenging.

Luckily, Scott is no stranger to physical exertion. He has been an ultra distance runner in the past. And over the past couple years, his coffee business includes a guarantee to deliver the java the next day anywhere in Newport News by bike. That also ensures he’s getting in his daily rides.

“Rain and snow doesn’t stop me,” he said. “I had a broken rib last year, and was out delivering on the bike … so it’s gonna take a lot to stop me.”

THRIVE, for one, is appreciative.

“I think it’s just such a superhuman feat that Heath is taking on, and this is just an amazing opportunity for us to be recognized in this way,” Dutle said Friday. “He’s really garnered a lot of support within the community, and it’s been very helpful to THRIVE.”

Scott will carry a tent and sleeping bag, and plans to camp on his route. It’ll be a mixture of “stealth camping” — finding a spot in wooded areas along the way — and campgrounds, and a hotel for his night in Richmond.

He’ll bring a couple days’ worth of trail food with plans to replenish in small towns along the way.

“It’s all back roads, and you’re never more than an hour or two ride from any kind of convenience store,” Scott explained.

A friend plans to meet him Thursday at the Blue Ridge Parkway to help him resupply and offer moral support. Scott’s wife, Woodside High School art teacher Heidi Compton, will meet him in the evenings starting that same night.

He plans to be back on or about Sept. 15 — his 50th birthday.

Road construction on the Capital Trail will prevent Scott from finishing at the end of the cross-country TransAmerica trail in Yorktown. So he plans to end the route at the THRIVE building on Nettles Drive in Newport News, likely arriving by way of Warwick Boulevard.

Scott has already surpassed his initial $5,000 fundraising goal. That’s in large part because of Priority Bicycles, the New York-based company that makes the bike he’s riding, a belt-driven Priority 600.

“I’ve seen them do charitable work, on everything from suicide prevention to getting kids on bikes,” Scott said of the company. “I sent them a letter explaining what I was doing, and they didn’t hesitate. They got back to me within 24 hours and said, ‘We’d love to help out.’ ”

Scott asked Priority to donate a less expensive bicycle than the $2,500 one that Scott will be riding. “And they came right back and said, ‘No, let’s do the Priority 600,’ They completely donated it, no strings attached.'”

The bike will be raffled off as part of the fundraising effort. Tickets are selling for $25 apiece or five for $100, with all proceeds counting toward the $5,000 goal. And last week, an anonymous local family kicked in $2,630 — at the time just enough to hit the $5,000 mark.

“Their anonymity will be respected, but we can assure you that they are one of the most wonderful families we’ve had had the honor to get to know,” Scott wrote on his coffee company’s Instagram page. “They are true models of how to be a good human.”

The fundraiser is now up to $5,370 and counting, with 100% of the proceeds going to THRIVE.

Canned goods and other non-perishables are being collected at THRIVE (12749 Nettles Drive) or Village Bicycles (9913 Warwick Blvd.). Both are in Newport News.

“I’m just really excited,” he said Friday before leaving for the Kentucky border. “I’m pretty humbled by the outpouring of support from folks and the interest from folks. I was doing this as a kind of a small way to help try and raise some money, and the swell of support that I’ve gotten from the community, it’s just been unbelievable.”

THRIVE will host a community day Sept. 22 with Scott, featuring refreshments, a mobile coffee bar and an opportunity to learn more about the organization’s mission. That’s also when the donated bicycle will be raffled off.

To contribute or buy a raffle ticket for the bike, go to the donation website, “50 to 5000: Heath’s Trans-Virginia Birthday Ride for THRIVE,” at givebutter.com/HeathsRide4THRIVE.

“Trading river views for mountains tomorrow,” Scott wrote Thursday on Instagram, with a picture of his bicycle near the James River. “Who knows what adventures lay ahead?”

Peter Dujardin, 757-897-2062, pdujardin@dailypress.com

He has published two novels, “Strange Victims” and “Ramifications,” but coming out Aug. 20 from Catapult is the English language translation of his first essay collection, “Planes Flying Over a Monster.” Through 10 personal essays, Saldaña París takes readers through Havana, Montreal, Madrid and other cities, reflecting not only on the character of each place but also on the memories we form and how writing and reading in the process can transform our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. He talked to SCNG Premium through an email correspondence about his reflections on travel:

Do different places allow us to discover, or rediscover, parts of ourselves that would remain dormant if we stayed in familiar locales?

Yes, absolutely. Visiting a new city, a new culture, opens up a whole new set of possibilities for oneself. There’s an alertness in traveling that sharpens the senses, forcing us to pay attention to details that we would otherwise overlook. Even if we carry our own memories, our personal history, the novelty of a different city creates a break in the routine.

Cities across the world of course all have their different characters, but what for you makes a city great, someplace worth returning to?

I like to think of cities as palimpsests: layers upon layers of history, individual stories, and meanings assigned by the fictional representations of that city (movies, books) as well as by its inhabitants. For me, a great city is one in which all those layers are more or less legible or apparent to an attentive visitor. A city that, instead of imposing a monolithic image of itself, invites you to create a personal relationship with it. Thus, a great city, to me, doesn’t hide its contradictions, no matter how uncomfortable these may be.

What is a hack you have learned for navigating a strange place?

Even if I’m in a place for only a few days, I like finding a place to return to — a café, a park, an intersection. Humans also find meaning in repetition, and sometimes it’s worth going back a few times to the same space to create a meaningful relationship with it instead of running around trying to see as much as possible. I also practice walking a block or two at an unusually slow speed, paying attention to the signs offered by the city: its stores, graffiti, architecture and even its trash. I love getting a sense of a place by overhearing conversations and writing them down in my notebook.

“If, as Plato believed, knowing is remembering, then I’ve been remembering Cuba forever…” you write in a memorable essay on visiting Havana. That city is central to your own origin story, and yet you’d never been there, at least as an adult. Is it fair to say that the places we traveled to become part of our personal mythology?

Some of them do, and sometimes it’s hard to say why. I spent 10 days in Port of Spain, Trinidad, some 15 years ago, and I still think of that trip as a defining one for no particular reason. I also think that literature enhances the experience of visiting a place: if you have read books by local authors, you perceive a different, deeper reality, more nuanced. I will always choose literature in translation over tourism.

What are some travel writings that have influenced your own, and that you think any traveler must know?

I love the diaries of filmmaker Jonas Mekas, his sense of place and intimacy. I love the journalistic work of Jon Lee Anderson, the way he can talk to anybody and get something important out of the conversation. I also recommend the travel writings of Belgian explorer Alexandra David-Néel. “Stranger on a Train,” by Jenny Diski, is another favorite of mine.

Do we have to leave home to fall in love with it again?

I often have the feeling that there is no such thing as returning: the person that leaves is never exactly the same as the one that comes back, and the place we come back to has often changed as well. Yet, the distance allows us to look at our home with fresh eyes, to rediscover details of it that we take for granted. We find the exotic in the domestic and vice versa. Love can definitely grow out of that estrangement.

Traveling during peak season can be a drag. Visiting Europe in the summer, for example, means contending with higher prices, tight availability and throngs of fellow travelers.

That’s why many savvy travelers choose to vacation during “shoulder seasons” that lie between peak season and low season — spring and autumn for many destinations. Yet remote work and overcrowded peak seasons have increased the popularity of these shoulder seasons.

Take the Jersey Shore, a popular seaside destination in New Jersey, for example. This coastal region has seen a significant increase in visitors during the fall months, with October through December occupancy rates in 2023 up by as much as 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to a 2024 report from AirDNA, a short-term rental analytics firm. And it’s not the only place that’s getting more visitors outside of peak season.

As many destinations see more tourists spill into the shoulders, what’s the best way to avoid these offseason crowds?

Avoid trendy destinations

If everyone is zagging their travel plans, maybe it’s a good time to zig.

For example, Japan saw a huge influx of travelers this spring. The number of U.S. citizens departing for Japan in March through May of 2024 rose 17% compared with the same months in 2023, and jumped a whopping 41% compared with the same months in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration. Similarly, Greece saw nearly three times as many U.S. visitors from March through May in 2024 compared to the same period in 2019.

Closer to home, popular national parks have seen a surge in shoulder season crowds.

In Maine, “Acadia National Park, which was once highly seasonal with peak demand only in July and August, now sees high demand stretching from June through October,” Chloé Garlaschi, a communications manager for AirDNA, said in an email. “This trend is part of a broader shift where national park destinations are attracting visitors outside of their traditional peak periods.”

If everyone you know is talking about visiting Tokyo or Athens, Greece, maybe it’s worth researching locales that have seen fewer tourists in recent years. For example, Australia saw 27% fewer U.S. visitors in the spring months of 2024 compared with the same months in 2019. China, which has seen much less U.S. tourism since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, had 78% fewer U.S. visitors this spring compared with 2019.

Embrace the offbeat

Even within popular destinations, it’s possible to venture to offbeat locales with far fewer tourists. Most travelers to Japan visit the Eastern cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, but fewer venture inland to mountain towns such as Takayama, which boasts impressive temples and a quiet, quaint atmosphere. And few foreign tourists visit the island prefecture of Okinawa in Japan’s south, despite its warm weather and distinct culture from the mainland.

In the U.S., well-known national parks like Acadia (in Maine) and Yosemite (in California) may be popular during shoulder season. But lesser-known parks such as Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado or California’s Channel Islands National Park may see smaller crowds.

Avoid high prices

When demand for travel to a destination peaks, so do prices for airfare, accommodations and ground transportation. So looking for deals can save you money and help you avoid the most crowded spots.

According to data provided by Hopper, a travel booking platform, these destinations in the U.S. are seeing the biggest spike in flight booking demand this autumn:

• Seattle.
• Portland, Ore.
• Salt Lake City.
• San Jose, Calif.
• Hawaii Island, Hawaii.
• Spokane, Washington.
• Lihue, Hawaii.
• Indianapolis.
• Portland, Maine.
• Asheville, N.C.

Meanwhile, these international destinations are seeing the biggest price spikes:

• Seoul, South Korea.
• Shanghai.
• Athens, Greece.
• Frankfurt, Germany.
• Venice, Italy.
• Zurich.
• Lima, Peru.
• Brussels.
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Bangalore, India.

Of course, just because a flight is expensive doesn’t mean the destination will be crowded, but it does provide a proxy for demand. These lists give a sense of which spots are hot even when the weather isn’t.

Know thy shoulder

Not all shoulder seasons follow the same pattern, so knowing the right time to travel to avoid crowds means more than just leaving in the spring or fall.

“In Phoenix and Scottsdale, [Arizona], we see an unconventional seasonal pattern,” Garlaschi said. “The peak season actually falls in February and March due to the mild winter climate.”

And keep in mind that, even though travel data show shoulder seasons getting more popular, crowds (and prices) will still be much lower during these off-peak periods. You don’t have to travel to the North Pole in winter to avoid overtourism.

Sam Kemmis writes for NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @samsambutdif.

The article How to Avoid the New ‘Shoulder Season’ Crowds originally appeared on NerdWallet.

The new trend at luxury hotels draws inspiration from the least luxurious accommodations on Earth: dorm rooms.

At a time when consumers are looking for better value and hotels are dealing with unprecedented demand, the bunk bed has emerged a win-win design solution.

“In markets with really high room rates and really high occupancies, adding a few more beds to a room means you can fit more people in it and charge more,” says Alastair Thomann, chief executive officer of the hip hostel brand Generator, where custom bunks now stretch three high in some locations. “Suddenly, a little villa which used to sleep two or three can sleep five because they’re doubling up. The space allows it. So that’s the game, really — that’s the economics behind it.”

But it isn’t just well-designed hostels that are thinking vertically: It’s luxury and lifestyle brands that range from JW Marriott to Montage and Moxy. And the demand isn’t coming from budget travelers but from parents who want a luxe vibe without paying for multiple rooms. In these cases, bunk beds provide a glorious and rare compromise. They allow families to room together without getting in one another’s way.

Thomann, who got in early on the bunk bed trend, says the uptick in demand has been so sharp — from hoteliers and consumers alike — that it’s driven up purchasing costs and created a supply chain crisis. As a result, he says he now spends 40% more per bunk bed than he did five years ago. And there are so many orders that factories can’t keep up the production, leaving hotels waiting two to three times longer for their orders. Thomann says it’s like witnessing the emergence of a new cottage industry. “The companies that manufacture for us are producing fantastic numbers,” he says. “Their sales guys are really happy.”

With luxury bedding and cozy accommodations, these posh hotel bunks are a far cry from your teenage backpacking days. Here are some high-capacity alternatives for your next family getaway.

Tourists, North Adams, Massachusetts

This Berkshires weekend escape — a 48-room converted motel whose owners include the former bassist of Wilco — is all about comfortable minimalism, with a white-and-blond-wood look that’s full of clean lines and rustic accents. For a particularly smart use of space, book into the Caravan rooms: They have a lofted wooden bunk tucked between the king bed and the wall. Sure, it’s meant as a sleeping nook, but the boxy design feels almost like a fort or play area for kids who need a break from all the hikes, art classes and activities on offer. The bunks are such a hit that when Tourists designed a new cluster of rental homes near the main hotel earlier this year, they included a five-bedroom option with its very own bunked room. Caravan rooms from $196 per night.

Moxy Hotels, New York, New York

“There is something about bunk beds that is inherently playful and camplike,” says Mitchell Hochberg, president of real estate group Lightstone and developer of Moxy Hotels in New York City. He thought the quad bunk accommodations at the 612-room Times Square property, which opened in 2017, would appeal to young travelers who’d also enjoy the nightly DJs at the rooftop bar. But the rooms, outfitted with two sets of twin bunks, have been a hit with a much wider demographic. “Much to our surprise, they’ve been embraced by a broader array of guests — everyone from families with small children to bachelorette parties,” he says.

The bunks were added as a riff on Yabu Pushelberg’s initial design for the hotel, which had an urban camping theme—think pegboard closets, retro phones and metal-framed tray tables with ceramic campfire mugs. They’ve proved so successful that the brand has added them to several other locations around the city, including the Moxy Hotels in the Lower East Side, Chelsea, the East Village and Williamsburg. “The rooms become a win-win to both travelers and hotel owners, notes Hochberg. “They afford a lower rate to the individual traveler [in cases where multiple friends are splitting the nightly rate] and, in the aggregate, a higher rate to the hotel.” Twin bunk rooms from $264.

Beaverbrook, Surrey Hills, UK

Just 20 miles outside London is this family-friendly manor with 470 acres in the scenic Surrey Hills. Since December 2023, it’s also been home to the Village, a collection of cottages inspired by literary and artistic giants, including C.S. Lewis and the Brontë sisters. Of the 21 rooms, a half-dozen are whimsically outfitted suites that feature bunks: pastel-colored beds adorned with sweet checkered blankets and seersucker privacy curtains.

The elevated design of the bunks proves that Beaverbrook is a place that knows how to play to fancy kids—or perhaps fancy parents. On any given week there are G-rated film screenings in a private cinema, mini bento box lunches in the dining room and a full slate of camplike weekend activities, such as survival skills training and beekeeping. That means parents get to explore the grounds on their own, whether that means enjoying an afternoon spritz at Sit Frank’s Bar, which is lined floor to ceiling in botanical paintings, or taking a jaunt to the checkerboard-tiled pool at the Coach House Spa. Village Suites from $1,512.

JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida

Bunk suites have proved so popular among theme-park-bound families in central Florida that the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes doubled its inventory just two years after first introducing them in 2022. “As we continue to see the rise of multigenerational travel, the need and desire for this style of room continues to grow,” says Michael Scioscia, the hotel’s general manager. Guests in the hotel’s two-bedroom suites — which have a king bed and twin bunks in one bedroom and a king bed in the other — get a dedicated hospitality team and VIP check-in experience. (Consider it a leg up on the chaos of Disney and Universal.) The newly renovated on-site water park is another perk: Its three waterslides, lazy river and aquatic ropes course rival the options at its theme-park neighbors. Two-bedroom suites from $1,741.

Montage Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The two- and three-bedroom residences at this Baja Peninsula getaway take bunk beds to another level — a wider one. Here, three sets of bunks contain a total of six queen-size mattresses — no twins — which may be the plushest way to sleep a half-dozen cousins under one roof.

“It’s a great way to turn a room into a fun, larger sleepover experience,” says Azadeh Hawkins, global creative director for Montage International, which has also installed bunks at its Big Sky, Montana location. In Cabo, it takes an already kid-friendly resort over the edge. When larger broods aren’t splashing in the villa’s private plunge pool or running on the white sand beaches of Santa Marina Bay, their younger members can partake of activities such as paintball, mountain biking and archery. As for the adults, the hotel has a focus on mezcal, using it for “renewal” massages at the spa, putting it into Benedicts at breakfast and offering classes on mixing the spirit into cocktails. Three-bedroom residences with bunks from $4,370.

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©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Austria, Hungary, Greece and Italy have been especially vulnerable to Mother Nature of late.

A heatwave, wildfires and even a volcanic eruption are threatening to make things difficult for residents and to cause chaos for tourists.

These are unprecedented conditions that even forced the brief closure of the Parthenon earlier this year.

At times, the temperature across Europe has risen to 104 degrees. Austria and Hungary have been especially hard-hit, with residents and tourists alike being advised to stay indoors between noon and 4 p.m. Cities such as Vienna and Budapest have set up outdoor cooling stations.

The situation has been compounded by wildfires in some places in Greece and Italy. The heat and dry conditions have forced evacuations in southern Greece, including some tourist spots in the popular Greek islands. Some attractions and lodgings have already closed, making it advisable for travelers to check ahead. People have already been warned to use masks for the smoke and ash from the fires.

And there’s nothing anybody can do about Europe’s most active volcano.

Mount Etna in Italy erupted on August 14 and forced the closure of Catania International Airport in Sicily. It has since reopened, but tourists are urged to check with their airlines about any further disruptions. Tourists are also advised to invest in travel insurance.

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The beauty of Hawaii is in its diversity. Each island has a different flavor and culture. Getting to and from those islands for both residents and tourists can sometimes be difficult, however.

Some government officials are looking to change that.

Hawaii is exploring ferry service that would connect Maui, Molokai and Lanai. There is inter-island transportation right now via air, but presumably a ferry would be less expensive and not bound to such a rigid schedule as the airlines.

There is a current ferry service, but it only connects two of the islands and is losing money because of the wildfires. This proposed ferry service promises more accessibility.

“The ferry is a lifeline for the residents of Lanai City,” Lanai Councilmember Gabe Johnson said. “Many of us travel for important medical and professional services not offered on Lanai or to buy food and essential goods that are much cheaper.”

He says the ferry also is vital because it connects students to the state school system.

One concern is whether it would lead to overtourism, which has been an issue in Europe. It’s a delicate issue in a state that is heavily reliant on tourism and has seen its vacation rental market plummet.

A feasibility study has been proposed, and the county of Maui is thinking of purchasing the existing ferry service and expanding it.

“If the county buys (the existing service), we will have all the necessary permits and vessels that are proven reliable in the sea channels. It will also allow us to apply for federal grants and to purchase more ferries, upgrade our harbors and even electrify our fleet,” Johnson said.

Residents of Molokai say a ferry would give them more opportunities for work and access doctor appointments and shopping. But the potential impact from tourism is on people’s minds.

“We need to prioritize our local essential travel,” Zhan Lindo, a Molokai resident, said. “This will serve no good to us if it’s filled with nonessential travelers.”

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Can’t believe summer is coming to an end!

Will you be traveling solo with kids or grandkids in the year ahead? If so, here are five ideas to consider.

Join an organized tour

Feed your junior explorer’s natural curiosity on a memory-filled trip. Do they yearn to learn more about art, history or science? Is there a burgeoning chef, musician or engineer in your midst? How about a language-immersion class? Are your kids curious about other religions, cultures or lifestyles? Whether you opt for magnificent cities, nature’s classroom or immersive experiences, expand their knowledge (and your own) by exploring new ideas together. An organized tour can provide the opportunity for kids to connect and share the experience with others in their own age group and for adults to enjoy their own camaraderie.

For more: www.RoadScholars.com | www.Familyadventures.com.

Choose an all-inclusive resort

With so much to do at a resort like the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, it will be a breeze to keep everyone happy and active. Ride a banana boat, play on the floating trampoline or clamber on the inflatable climbing wall. Learn to snorkel or try a guided “Snuba” experience, a kid-size first step toward learning to scuba dive. Sail on a catamaran, then visit a volcano or tour in a rainforest. Take an adult break at the spa while the kids take a tennis lesson or take part in the VIP kids sports activities. Traveling with a baby? Certified nanny services are available as well as essential amenities including car seats, cribs and highchairs.

For more: www.windjammer-landing.com

Board a cruise ship

Whether you choose a small sailing ship or a city-size vessel, there will be plenty to engage the younger set, plus a multitude of ways to carve out “me time.” On the bigger ships expect water parks, ropes courses, rock-climbing walls. multiple pools, theaters, ice-skating rinks, surf simulators, a zipline and character parades. Companies like Royal Caribbean have made families a priority and have dedicated large portions of their ships to putting smiles on young faces. Many lines offer separate areas for toddlers, kids and teens and provide free daytime and early evening access to their kids’ clubs. With nursery care and after-hours fun in kids’ clubs, it’s easy to book grown up time in the evenings.

For more: www.UnCruise.com | www.RoyalCaribbean.com | www.Disneycruise.com.

Opt for a guest ranch

With an authentic and scenic setting as backdrop, you and your junior adventurers can enjoy beautiful places and learn horsemanship from experienced hands who will tailor the instruction to your skill and interest level. Opt to ride in open meadows, on mountain trails or in the desert Southwest. Will your family members choose to participate in a real cattle drive? Are you up for a horse pack trip into the back country? Will your youngsters be eager to learn the skills required for team penning and other arena games? Or will you be happy to relax during daily trail rides. The options are yours at working dude ranches and guest ranches across the country. Furthermore, you’ll easily meet other families and share stories on the trail, around a campfire or across the breakfast and dinner tables.

For more: www.duderanch.org

Before the adventure begins

Sure, you know your kids or grandkids. But make sure you are up to speed on any new food allergies and preferences, anxieties about travel, the need for a certain stuffed animal at bedtime or a teen’s recent breakup. Will the kids have their own money to spend and should it be monitored? Cover the final itinerary with the adults in the picture to uncover any additional insights they might have for making the trip as stellar as possible.

Consider discussing the itinerary and the rules of the road before departure. If the children are old enough, talk about bedtime, dining decisions and safety measures so it will be clear who is in charge. If you’ll be traveling with older children, get clarity on guidelines regarding social media, phone and computer time and options for independent outings.

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(Lynn O’Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer.  Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com)

©2024 FamilyTravel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

I lived in the area until I was 18 and colonial history became second nature for me and my friends. Anytime we saw a person dressed in colonial clothes or bearing a musket, we thought, “Oh, just another Colonial Williamsburg employee” — if we even thought twice about them.

I went to Lafayette High School, one of the area’s three medium-sized secondary schools. But after leaving to attend college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I noticed something for the first time: what it was like to not be surrounded by old-style buildings or see 18th-century blacksmiths while shopping at Trader Joe’s. Chapel Hill had history, but it was written on plaques or printed in books. It wasn’t all around you every day.

This realization made me curious about my hometown’s roots. I wondered what it would be like to really appreciate the significance of the place I lived in for almost two decades.

Tom Savage, 67, understands. He lives in the middle of Colonial Williamsburg, the re-created capital that is essentially stuck in the late 1700s.

Every morning, Savage wakes up in the 18th-century Palmer House in the middle of Colonial Williamsburg. In the evening, he sits on the front steps with a glass of wine and talks to visitors who have come from all over the country — and sometimes the world — to experience 89 colonial-style buildings and 301 acres of American history.

Savage, who is Colonial Williamsburg’s director of educational travel and conferences, said living here is his 12-year-old self’s ultimate fantasy. He grew up in Virginia and visited the historical city as a child, which influenced his career and decision to attend the adjacent College of William and Mary.

“Having a house in the historic area, which I use to entertain both personally and on behalf of Colonial Williamsburg, gives me a real showcase to highlight the historic area, the craftsmanship,” he said.

Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, putting it front and center as Americans’ struggle for independence ignited into a revolution. In addition to Colonial Williamsburg, the area is home to the Jamestown Settlement, a 17th-century living history museum of the first permanent English settlement, and the Yorktown Battlefield, where the United States won its independence and ended the Revolutionary War.

I visited these places numerous times on field trips in elementary school, and the Jamestown Settlement was less than 10 minutes from my house. I remember boarding the Susan Constant, a reproduction of the flagship sent from London to establish Jamestown in 1606, and being incredibly excited.

Since I was an energetic kid, I spent a lot of time ignoring the tour guides and darting around the deck, pretending I was on a maritime adventure. This experience may have been one of my inspirations to join the sailing club in college.

“It’s a really unique place to live,” said Chas Ritinski, training and development manager for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, which oversees both the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

“Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in North America and so there are just museums everywhere of all different topics,” Ritinski said. “It’s a really neat area to live in.”

The City of Williamsburg’s Economic Development Department lists Colonial Williamsburg as a “major tourist attraction,” with 533,700 admission tickets sold in 2019. The number of visitors has been slowly rising since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

Many of these tourists come to see employees working as 18th-century tradesmen in Colonial Williamsburg. Over 20 pre-industrial trades are practiced on a daily basis throughout the historic district. Savage refers to the area as a “living Diderot encyclopedia,” after French philosopher Denis Diderot, one of the originators of the Enlightenment.

Tradesmen who work in Colonial Williamsburg go through years-long apprenticeships to learn how to be blacksmiths, tailors, wigmakers and make these items just like they did over 200 years ago, said Ritinski, who also attended William and Mary and volunteered at the museums as a student.

“While I’m into history, I know a lot of people aren’t. And what’s neat about the living history museums in the region is they really make history accessible,” Ritinski said. “You can go to Jamestown and climb aboard a ship. You can go to Yorktown and hear a cannon fire. There’s a lot of really unique things you can see to make history come alive.”

The Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Battlefield felt like a different world entirely to me when I was young. I went to the local elementary and middle school. My mom took me to the grocery store in an old strip mall. I would beg my parents to take me to GameStop to get the new Legend of Zelda game every time Nintendo announced a new release.

The historical district and the rest of the city were divided, but I think that’s what made it so special.

One of the best parts about living in the area is its modern versatility, Savage said. While the colonial part of the city is considered downtown by many locals, Williamsburg also boasts New Town, a 365-acre mixed-use “new urbanism” community.

With a slew of homes and offices, New Town is where many of Williamsburg’s upscale shops, fine dining and professional businesses reside. The destination has always been a hot spot for locals, tourists and 15-year-old me, when I and my friends wanted to see a movie or get ice cream.

“I think you get the best of both worlds,” Savage said. “All the modern conveniences are available.

“Williamsburg has expanded vastly since my student days, and I’m certainly in New Town once if not twice a week. Either to go out to dinner or go to a shop or perhaps a movie with friends.”

When I visited my parents a few months ago, I also noticed new apartments, restaurants and shops between New Town and Colonial Williamsburg. It calls itself “Midtown Row,” but everyone seems to shorten that to “Midtown.” The recently built development replaced a section of an old strip mall.

Williamsburg is developing at a fast enough pace to give me mixed feelings. I was nostalgic for those old stores, but expansion shows the economy is thriving. Maybe the city will even have an Apple Store soon.

The largest industry in Williamsburg is lodging and food services, according to the Department of Economic Development. Restaurants are rampant across commercial and historical areas, and cater to the 6 million area visitors each year.

“Some people complain about tourists, but at the end of the day, they play an important role in the economy,” Ritinski said. “They’re coming here, there’s tourist dollars, and more importantly, people are coming who want to learn stuff.”

And everyone who lives and visits Williamsburg gets to experience its breadth of history.

“You see that history everywhere. You can get off work and go to a grocery store and you see a colonial guy buying his groceries,” Ritinski said.

“You go to run another errand and you see another colonial person. You run a 5K Thanksgiving morning and you see colonial people in Nikes running before they go to work. The history is everywhere.”

While I was living there I had a hard time viewing this as significant because I was so used to it. I even wondered why anybody would want to come to Williamsburg as a tourist.

I understand much more now that I’m gone. Oh, and I forgot to mention, we also had Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, which we would visit a few times every year. Just a minor thing, but they were really awesome, too.

©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.