Plan a NorCal escape to Winters: sip at Berryessa Gap & Turkovich, float with Yolo Ballooning, tour Park Winters, taste at Patio 29, and refuel at Putah Creek Café or Buckhorn Steakhouse. 

Planning a Maine lighthouse trip? This photo-forward guide covers six MidCoast classics—Pemaquid Point, Marshall Point, Owl’s Head, Rockland Breakwater, Ram Island (Ocean Point Walk), and Cuckolds (view from Newagen/Land’s End)—with when to go (sunrise, sunset, even Milky Way), viewpoints, and practical notes (e.g., Owl’s Head State Park closes at sunset; Rockland’s breakwater is nearly a mile long).

Base in Winters at Hotel Winters—78 roomy suites, ZenTerra Spa, Carboni’s Italian eats, a rooftop bar, and a chill courtyard—minutes from Lake Berryessa and Yolo wine tasting. 

Chase sunrise over Yolo County: book a Winters hot-air-balloon ride with Yolo Ballooning Adventures and celebrate post-flight at Turkovich Family Wines. 

Ride two-seat railbikes from West Sacramento through Yolo’s countryside on a 10-mile round trip (~1–1.5 hrs). Arrive 30 minutes early to check in at 18095 County Rd 117; helmets & water provided, and parking is on-site. This guide covers what to pack, how booking works, and simple photo tips.

From lighthouse hops and harbor strolls to lobster rolls and small-town scoops, this guide rounds up 48 things to do in MidCoast Maine—including favorites around Camden, Rockland, Boothbay and Pemaquid Beach—so you can mix outdoors, history and classic coastal flavors in one trip. 

Ride Skunk Train railbikes in Fort Bragg for a unique Mendocino adventure. This guide explains how the tours work, differences between the shorter Pudding Creek and longer Noyo River routes, what to pack (closed-toe shoes, layers, water), basic fitness/safety notes, and simple photo tips to capture the redwoods and trestles.

Looking for the best hotel in Boothbay Harbor? Our Topside Inn review covers the hilltop setting with panoramic ocean views, stylish rooms and suites, generous breakfasts, and a walk-to-everything location—perfect for lighthouse trips, gardens, and sunset harbor strolls.

Step inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone through an on-the-ground 2020 photo story: Pripyat’s empty streets and mosaics, the Duga (“Woodpecker”) complex, and the still-staffed nuclear plant as decommissioning continues—powerful images that show what remains today. 

Ready for Coastal Maine? Use this MidCoast Maine travel planner to pick your base town, plan lighthouse loops and harbor strolls, time your trip for great weather and lighter crowds, and build an easy 3–5-day itinerary—lobster rolls and sunset views included.

Looking for a quiet stay steps from classic Maine scenery? The Bradley Inn in Bristol sits just minutes from Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, with cozy rooms, garden spaces, generous three-course breakfasts, and convenient access to MidCoast favorites like Damariscotta and Camden. 

Hunting for the best Maine souvenirs? Go Maine-Made: blueberry jams and sweets, handcrafted wood pieces (yes, even the Maine State Prison Showroom), iconic North Country Wind Bells, and small-batch finds like Odd Alewives—with tips on where to buy and how to ship gifts home

Ready for sky-high Berlin views? Book the Reichstag Dome—free with advance registration—to climb the spiral ramps, peek into the Bundestag chamber, and take in 360° city panoramas. Tips on booking and timing inside.  

Trade the hectic Christmas markets for a shining winter escape at Christmas at the Tierpark in Berlin. Wander a glowing trail of light installations, pause at the illuminated Schloss Friedrichsfelde, skate under the stars and warm up with mulled wine, gingerbread and fire rings in this magical Christmas wonderland. 

Step into Christmas Garden Berlin at the Botanic Garden, where millions of lights, gentle Christmas music, and steaming glühwein turn a 2-kilometer trail into a tranquil winter wonderland – a magical Berlin Christmas experience beyond the usual markets.

North of the Golden Gate, Novato makes a smart NorCal base: Cheese Trail tastings, Heidrun mead, Novato wineries, Petaluma history, Marin Civic Center—and a quick ferry into SF. 

Step into the vast stillness of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This photo-rich, first-person essay explores tundra hikes, midnight-sun moments, encounters with wildlife, and the inner shift that only true wilderness can spark—plus practical, low-impact notes for traveling and photographing responsibly.

Curious about rail biking? Ride Revolution Rail’s two- or four-seat pedal carts along scenic, disused tracks in the Adirondacks with guides, a safety briefing, and plenty of photo stops. This story explains how the tours work (out-and-back), and what to bring (water, layers, closed-toe shoes).