Travel in state West Virginia

Using miles and points for your next vacation can represent a great travel deal. But, what if you could travel completely free without having to use cash, miles or points? These travel sweepstakes could be your ticket to complimentary travel to exciting destinations around the world. From wellness getaways to cruise vacations, a few minutes is all it would take to be eligible for these free travel giveaways.

Family vacations are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and strengthen family bonds. One study found 40 percent of parents planned to spend more on international travel with their families this year. There is also a growing trend of multiple generations traveling together.

Strip off your sweaters; the official start of summer is coming in hot. Gear up for a long weekend where the smell of bonfires, the taste of freshly grilled hamburgers and the feel of the ocean wash all the winter blues away. Memorial Day Weekend — when millions of Americans take off for vitamin D-drenched destinations from sea to shining sea — is just around the corner.

When it comes to favorite summer vacation destinations that require a passport stamp, Americans are, well, all over the map with their preferences, according to new findings from Google. Search data breaks down the most Googled international summer vacation spots by each U.S. state, and Italy emerges as the No. 1 sought-after summer vacation in the most states, according to Google Trends. Several Caribbean hotspots as well as some Canadian destinations, like Vancouver, Whistler, and Mont-Tremblant, are also on the leaderboard.

With tax season upon us, many Americans are anxious to know what it will mean for their tax payments — and refunds. The good news is that the average tax refunds have been increasing over the past few years, and according to the IRS, that trend is still continuing as of the latest data. This means, there's the potential for even more surprise money to hit your pocket this tax season.

This week’s Current Climate , which every Monday brings you the latest news about the business of sustainability. Sign up to get it in your inbox every week.

West Virginia is a beauty queen of a state, with ragged mountains to hike or ski and white-water rapids to paddle. It’s also stuffed with Civil War history and charming small towns. To explore it all, you’ll need a home base. Here are the boutique hotels, camping compounds, and storied resorts we suggest.

West Virginia’s Blue Ridge peaks, dramatic gorges, and rushing rivers put it on the map for hikers, rafters, and rock climbers. But the Mountain State isn’t just an adventure destination—it’s also home to historic Civil War sites, old-time music venues, and some of the best stargazing in the United States. We consulted local artists, chefs, and Nat Geo staffers from the region to plot your course in the place that the classic country song calls “almost heaven.”

Towering mountains. Rushing rivers ideal for white-water rafting (one of National Geographic’s top 20 Best of the World travel adventures for 2024). America’s newest national park. Appalachian cuisine and folk music.

Obsessed with visiting national parks in the US?

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has flown under the radar since earning its designation at the end of 2020. Carved by the New River and framed by sheer sandstone canyons, rafting and climbing have propelled tourism in this part of West Virginia. Hiking, biking, fishing, and golfing are also on the table while leashed dogs are permitted on the trails. A longer trip can be supplemented by exploring the neighboring Hawks Nest and Babcock state parks.

Whether hiking a new trail through a tropical rainforest or tasting an emerging wine region, people were venturing out this year in numbers that have even exceeded pre-pandemic levels. As of November 2023, more than 61 million Americans flew to international regions, compared to more than 55 million during the same period in 2019, according to the United States International Trade Administration.

With some tweaks, the colorful minnow and feathered lures would make pretty cute earrings, I thought, or great Christmas tree ornaments.

Breeze Airways' route map is set for a major overhaul.

North America’s wilderness wealth springs from an incredibly vast, breathtakingly varied range of gorgeous destinations and encounters. Exciting. Calming. Challenging. Startling. Inspiring. Rejuvenating. Bold. Joyful. Sublime. For on-the-go vacationers as well as armchair travelers, the new oversized (10 1/2” x 13 1/2”) National Geographic: Atlas of Wild America, published this month, provides a picturesque super-dive into spectacular horizons. Written by Jon Waterman, a former park ranger and veteran guide, with a foreword by environmental historian Roderick F. Nash, this hefty tome, with 308 photos and 262 maps, applauds both well-known majestic favorites and off-the-beaten-path intimate finds, unveiling intricate details and data galore. Be awed by nature-loving secrets and surprises.

West Virginia’s beautiful nature, Appalachian food, charming small towns, epic fall foliage, and national parks have always been a magnet for travelers. But the state also emerges as one of the most popular destinations among retirees seeking a tranquil place to enjoy their golden years. 

The United States is supersized, from its sprawling big cities to its epic natural splendors. And its citizens? When it comes to friendliness and national pride, we can be a little “extra” too.

I’m standing on a steel walkway 440 feet above Sydney Harbor when a voice crackles over my headset. My guide tells me to look right and take in one of the world’s most stunning skylines.

Despite the naysayers, Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman doubled down on the ultra-low-cost carrier's long-term viability during a Q&A at the Skift Global Conference in New York City on Wednesday.

Are you happy?

Tempted to move somewhere new? Why not make some money at the same time. In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the United States, with cities and destinations offering financial incentives to attract new residents. While these incentives might have once been reserved for places trying to lure new high-profile corporations, today, the money is being given to people seeking a fresh start.

2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Bhutan to foreign travelers, and in that relatively short time it has been one of the least visited great places in the world. Bhutan has always been a true “Bucket List” destination for select niches of travelers, including romantics, nature lovers, the spiritually inclined, and that enviable group who has been “everywhere else.” But after a total pandemic shutdown, Bhutan has gone prime time, re-emerging with new hotels, activities, travel options and revamped tourism policies that make the logistically challenging destination easier to visit than ever before.