Faraway Places
Is that PTO burning a whole in your passport? Sometimes the hardest part of taking a trip is figuring out where to go. Luckily, we’re here to help.
We checked in with some world (class) travelers about to find their favorite places. Maybe you’ll find yours!
Lauren Artino
Cincinnati People
Sólheimajökull Glacier, Vik, Iceland
What makes it unforgettable to you?
This was my first International trip and first time hiking a glacier?!?!!!
I went with a travel group and this was our last full day. What an adventure it was! This was NOT easy, with 40 mph winds and windchill temps of -10.
We hiked this as a group and it's a memory I'll never forget!
Alphonso Cornejo,
Hispanic Chamber of commerce
Hilton Head vacations will my kids
and grandchildren!
Jill Dunne
ArtWorks
Lunken Airport Bike Path and Armleder Park Trail
What makes it unforgettable?
I love riding my bike along the Lunken Airport Bike Path and Armleder Park Trail because it offers the perfect mix of shade and sun, mostly flat terrain, and a scenic connector where you can see the river, cross a bridge, and enjoy a water fountain and benches for breaks. The 10-mile loop is my go-to distance for most of my rides.
The view is great because you can see planes taking off and landing and it's great for people-watching walkers, runners, fellow bikers, and even roller skaters.
Even better, now that the Lunken Trail connects to the Little Miami Trail, you have an awesome option for a longer ride.
Any tips?
Since it’s popular, starting early morning or late evening is best for a quieter ride. I usually kick off in the mornings from the Farmers Market Trailhead Parking Lot and grab some fresh produce after my ride.
Pam Kravetz
Artist
Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
What makes it unforgettable to you?
I don’t want to sound braggadocio, but I am a Junior Ranger in 23 National Parks. Yes, it’s true I excel at the coloring book portion of the workbook intended for 4-12 year olds! Katmai is one of those NP we have visited, twice! It’s hard to get to get a pass and then once in Alaska you take a plane to King Salmon, then a bush pilot takes you to Brooks Lodge in Katmai. We camp there, the brown bears do too!
It’s incredible! Bears are free to be bears, and after a Bear 101 Class taught by an amazing Park Ranger, visitors safely hang with the bears. I know – Crazy cool! The Grizzlies bellies are so full of delicious salmon from Brooks Falls they have little interest in humans. You’ve seen photos from Brooks Falls, they are the ones where you see bears catching salmon as they head upstream. It’s a beautiful and unique place, where the bears are king!
Any tips?
If you like to camp, definitely try for a campsite at Katmai! But, if not no worries – There is a small lodge. Passes are hard to come by, but worth it. Get up early and stay up late – bears are out all day long. In July it barely gets dark at night.
Oh, and stay out of their way! Especially if you see a mama and her cubs, she is very protective. And when a Ranger tell you to move, get off the trail, hide behind a tree, do it. Go to all the Ranger talks, and I love getting the Junior Ranger Badges. I learn so much and have fun doing it and (you get) sworn in to protect the parks.
Jennifer Loechle
Game Day communications
Muskegon, Michigan
What makes it unforgettable?
Gorgeous beach along Lake Michigan. A lot of beautiful hiking and outdoor activity options. Laid back, small town with a cute and vibrant downtown.
Any tips?
Hike PJ Hoffmaster State Park along the beautiful Lake Michigan. Visit the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park to try out their summer luge, zip line, rock climbing or hiking trails. Grab a frozen cocktail at The Deck while relaxing at Pere Marquette Beach. Take the Lake Express high speed ferry for a day trip to Milwaukee. Shop at the chalets downtown while enjoying a social district beer from their local brewery, Pigeon Hill.
Evans Mirageas
Cincinnati opera
Metamorphsis in Laconia, Greece
What makes it unforgettable?
It’s the village where my maternal grandparents were born. There I feel connected to my ancestry – and it's five miles in either direction to the sea!
Any tips?
Travelers can get a flavor by staying in the nearby fortress town of Monemvasia.
Pam McFarland
Game Day communications
Scottsdale, Arizona
What makes it unforgettable to you?
47 years of family memories.
Any tips?
Old Town, Az88 restaurant. Art Walk in downtown Scottsdale, Sedona, Hotel Valley Ho, Mid Century neighborhood in downtown, the weather in the winter, Grand Canyon, shopping, In and Out Burger, family, Houstons Restaurant and so much more.
Krista Katona Pille
Children’s theatre of cincinnati
My favorite place to visit?
Walt Disney World in Florida – of course!
This photo is from Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – the only time grown-ups can wear costumes in the park! It truly was magical!
Jackie Reau
Game Day communications
Palm Island, Florida
What makes it unforgettable to you?
Palm Island, Florida is nestled smack dab between Sarasota and Fort Myers on the beautiful Gulf Coast. In just about three hours, you can fly from CVG on Allegiant Air to Punta Gorda, stop at Publix for supplies and be on the beach. To access Palm Island, you take a short ferry ride over and travel about a mile to Palm Island Resort. There are many amenities at the Resort including the pool, tennis courts, the restaurant, Rum Bay (ask for Debbie), a gift shop and island store for provisionals. The beach is unspoiled and ideal for Class A shelling. It’s old Florida, beautiful and relaxing.
Any tips?
You can stay on Palm Island in this beautiful beachfront condo. Get the details!
Tricia Suit
Cincinnati People
Nice, France
What makes it unforgettable to you?
As a somewhat obsessive 1920s literature fan, the South of France has always loomed large in my imagination. Visiting Nice, and exploring other towns, was a wish fulfilled.
The area is steeped in history, from the ancient (the Mediterranean Sea features prominently in ancient mythology!) to medieval churches and art nouveau and art deco design (Hotel Negresco!).
Any tips?
The beach at Nice is rocky – not pebbles, rocks! If you want a sandy beach, make a trip to Antibes. The train ride along the coast illustrated to me why so many Americans flocked there after WWI – with more shades of blue than you could imagine, the whole place is wonderfully calming.
Courtney Tomasetti
Game Day communications
Pointe au Baril, Ontario
What makes it unforgettable to you?
Pointe au Baril is a tranquil little village in Ontario. My best friend's family owns a house there and we'd travel there every summer for to spend 2 weeks. It's only accessible by boat and most of the homes/lodging are on tiny, separate little islands so it's incredibly peaceful. There's very little cell service so trips are all about water sports, fishing, card games, having drinks on the dock and just getting back to basics. It's perfect trip for tuning out the rest of the world for a while. It's truly like being in your own little secluded world. It's about a 10 hour drive from Cincinnati.
Any tips?
You'll need a boat! There's a general store to stock up on food/drinks/miscellaneous needed items before you head to your lodging destination.
Jayne Utter
Summerfair
My favorite place is where my next trip will be. Followed by coming home to Cincinnati.
What makes it unforgettable to you?
Ireland with just my mom and me, 1999/2000 Phuket on the beach just in case the world ended, The Great Barrier Reef snorkeling, Tucson and the gem and mineral show, all my Tall Club adventures and I could go on and on…
Any tips?
Know what you want to see and do on each trip. Make a list and see how much you can do. You can rest when you get home!!