I love travel, but there are always a few things I hate to leave at home: my large non-TSA-compliant jar of lotion, my two cats, my smoothie machine and my car, a friendly little Ford that has stood me in good stead since college. The thing about a car is that it’s your ticket anywhere. I’ve ridden my fair share of subways and trams, but when I’m traveling, I want to really see the city — the off-the-beaten-path places that local transportation won’t always take you to.

Victoria’s coastal capital, Melbourne, shines brightly with its stately 19th century buildings and tree-lined boulevards. Along the Yarra River lies Federation Square, bursting with bars, restaurants, and plazas for cultural events. Pristine beaches are just a train ride away. But there’s more to explore in the surrounding areas, and it’s easy to catch a day tour that takes you to stunning vistas, towering trees, and adorable animals. Here, we offer you five amazing outdoor activities you can’t miss on your adventure Down Under.

From bustling capital cities to relaxing beaches: the world is an exciting place, and it’s impossible to explore everything. For LGBTQ individuals, settling a holiday destination can be a bit harder. Not every country in the world is accepting of non-hetero sexuality, which means that LGBTQ travelers have to be a little more cautious in choosing their destination if they don’t want to be met with ignorance when vacationing abroad. We’ve selected ten destinations that are welcoming to the LGBTQ community for your next vacation!

The 176-room Hampton Inn & Suites is one of the newest hotels to enter the Dallas scene.

There really is no better way to travel during the holidays than by car. But why put the unnecessary miles on your own car when you can travel (for cheaper than you might think) in a rental car. Besides knowing that your car is safe at home as you battle the holiday weather and other holiday drivers, the joy of seeing the landscape change (maybe even through bigger windows than your own car has) and the freedom to go wherever, whenever you want (and maybe even for less gallons to the mile!) really add to the reasons why renting a car is a much better choice to get around over the holidays. And we know what you’re thinking – “but rental cars are expensive!” Well, yes…and no. In fact, it’s so much easier to save on a rental car than you might think. Just use these five quick ways to save money and you’ll be picking up your rental car in no time.

If you are planning on taking a road trip through Canada, you have come to the right place. Below you’ll find a list of a few places to visit while road tripping the Great Circle Route that encompasses the entire Kootenay Rockies region. Explore UNESCO Rocky Mountain World Heritage Sites, learn about mining and railway history, see incredible mountain scenery, soak in rejuvenating hot springs, and experience many outdoor adventures.

Red Roof Inn is an American vacation staple, and not without reason. It has hundreds of trusted destinations, so today we decided to take a look at some of their coolest locations. Any excuse is a good one for a new trip, right? Plus, when you use VP+/Promo Code 602006 to stay at any Red Roof Inn location over the holidays (and really any time throughout the year), you’ll save 15% off your stay. Now that’s even cooler.

One of the primary characteristics of great American novels is a strong sense of place. Of course, it is impossible to contain all of the United States in one novel. From Alabama to Wyoming, there is little to connect every work located in the country except for the fact that they are, well, American. But if you’re currently sitting on your front porch, looking for an escape to anywhere in America, then worry not: we have found some of the finest works of contemporary literature this country has to offer, and placed them all on one comprehensive list (not in order).