The Best Beach Towns On The Outer Banks

North Carolina’s Outer Banks are known for many things. Kitty Hawk is the birthplace of aviation. Cape Hatteras has perhaps the East Coast’s most famous lighthouse. All in all, the Outer Banks extend more than 120 miles from one end to the other, with hundreds of different attractions in between.

Many who haven’t visited the Outer Banks think that it’s similar to areas like Miami Beach, Florida, where the string of islands is perhaps a mile off the mainland at the most, easily visible across the inner waterway. But some islands of the Outer Banks are more than 30 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean; many aren’t even visible from the mainland.

The beach towns of the Outer Banks have long been some of the top beach destinations on the East Coast. If you’ve ever tried to drive across the Wright Memorial Bridge on a Saturday in the summer, you know this. Cars with license plates from as far north as New York line up to take the bridge across to the Outer Banks.

If you’re planning a trip to the area, here are six great beach towns to enjoy.

A wild horse on Carova Beach. — BHamms / Shutterstock

Corolla

Corolla is the beach town at the far north end of the Outer Banks. The name might remind you of Toyota’s popular sedan, but it’s actually pronounced Coh-RAH-luh. If you say it wrong in town, expect the locals to correct you.

Perhaps the best-known part of Corolla is Carova Beach. At a point immediately north of Corolla, Highway 12 simply ends, and access to all points north of there requires a drive down the beach. There are many vacation homes in the area, but all of them can be accessed by driving down the beach. This is also the area where the wild horses can be found. Spanish Mustangs have roamed Carova Beach for centuries, but don’t approach them — these are wild horses in every sense of the word.

The town itself has many unique shops and restaurants. Some of our friends own a vacation home in Corolla, so this has quickly become our favorite spot. Because you’re so far north of the busier beach towns on the Outer Banks, Corolla feels like a different experience. If you’re looking for a slower pace on your beach vacation, Corolla is your spot.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial. — Sherry V Smith / Shutterstock

Kill Devil Hills

If you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of a busy beach town, on the other hand, then you’ll love Kill Devil Hills. This is the heart of the Outer Banks and the type of experience you would expect from an Atlantic Ocean beach town: a main drag lined with T-shirt shops and knick-knack stores, tall hotels and resorts lining the oceanside, and as many restaurants and bars as anyone could ever need.

Kill Devil Hills is also home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which marks the spot where the brothers attempted their first flight. They chose the spot because of the way the winds swept up the large sand dunes (the “Kill Devil Hills”). At the time, there was no town of Kill Devil Hills (and wouldn’t be for more than half a century), so the Wright brothers traveled to and from Kitty Hawk while they were attempting their flights. For that reason, most people believe that their first flight happened in Kitty Hawk, even though Kitty Hawk is 3 miles north of the actual spot. The memorial is worth a visit, since the history of modern aviation can be traced to this one spot next to a massive sand dune on the Outer Banks.

But Kill Devil Hills isn’t just about the Wright Brothers National Memorial. If you’re interested in the classic beach resort experience, this is your spot. In the southern section of Kill Devil Hills, you’ll find multistory hotels and resorts lining the beach. You can wake up, leave your hotel, walk 30 steps to the beach, and then walk to lunch and dinner before doing it all over again the next day.

Ocracoke

Ocracoke Island is perhaps the exact opposite of Kill Devil Hills. If you’re looking for a quiet and secluded place to relax, you should head to Ocracoke.

Now, obviously, if you’re looking for someplace secluded on the Outer Banks, it’s going to take a lot to get there. If you’re coming from the north (across the Wright Memorial Bridge along with seemingly everyone else), then you’ll have to drive 100 more miles to get to Ocracoke, which is located at the far southern end of the Outer Banks.

What’s more, there’s not a road to get there. Once you pass Cape Hatteras, you’ll have to take a ferry the rest of the way to Ocracoke. The water is shallow there and nearly capable of supporting a roadway (you’ll notice that when your ferry boat goes far out into Pamlico Sound in order to turn south and head to Ocracoke — you’ll feel like you’re traveling in the opposite direction for a while), but the ferry is necessary to access the island. Ferries travel to Ocracoke from both directions, and many who travel to the island do so from the southern part of North Carolina, taking a ferry from Cedar Island to the south.

You’ll immediately notice how different Ocracoke is from the rest of the Outer Banks islands when you arrive in the harbor and get off the ferry. Instead of cars everywhere, you’ll see people walking and biking. And with all the pedestrians and bikers, the very tight streets of Ocracoke can only be navigated by car at about 5 miles per hour.

That basically describes the entire scene. The beach is a short drive away (there are public parking lots, but many people bike to the beach), and you’ll find only 10 percent of the people you’d find at Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. Everything on Ocracoke Island moves slowly, from your day at the beach to your stroll to a local restaurant. If it’s a quiet beach vacation you’re after, check out Ocracoke.

Duck

Once you cross the Wright Memorial Bridge, you’ll come to an intersection where you’ll travel north toward Corolla or south toward Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Ocracoke Island. If you travel to the north, you’ll soon come upon the quaint beach community of Duck.

To stay in Duck, you’ll likely need to rent a home or condo on Vrbo or Airbnb. This is not a resort community — it’s where the locals on the mainland have made their beach homes. And that’s part of the charm of Duck. A drive up the highway will reveal some of the greatest beach homes you’ve ever seen, massive five-story houses on stilts that will make you dream of bringing your entire extended family and renting out a house for the weekend.

Duck is also home to the world-famous Duck Donuts. There are now more than 200 franchise locations across the United States, but the original Duck Donuts is in Duck, North Carolina. They serve warm, made-to-order donuts and great coffee, the perfect combination for a beach breakfast. Whenever my wife and I visit the Outer Banks, we make a point to stop by Duck Donuts.

There are also great shops and restaurants in Duck — in our opinion, some of the best restaurants on the Outer Banks. The locals are very friendly, so we often ask them for restaurant recommendations. Last time we were there, they recommended The Paper Canoe, where we enjoyed an amazing meal and excellent wine.

Kitty Hawk

Because of the Wright brothers, when people think of the Outer Banks, they think of Kitty Hawk. The settlement dates back to the 1700s, when it was known as Chickenhauk. Eventually, the name became Kitty Hawk, and with the establishment of the Kitty Hawk Lifesaving Station in 1874 (the Coast Guard before there was a Coast Guard), the town became the center of development on the Outer Banks. And when the Wright brothers conducted their aviation experiments there in the early 1900s, the town became famous all over the world.

Kitty Hawk is very much like Kill Devil Hills — it features miles of development along the beach — but it centers more on beach houses than on resorts and hotels. There’s a historic vibe here, not a modern beach city vibe, and many of the houses appear to date back to the time of the Wright brothers.

Looking at a map, you can see why Kitty Hawk was the original development on the Outer Banks. It’s one of the widest areas of land on the Outer Banks as well as the closest access point to the mainland. This is why the Wright Memorial Bridge was built there, and why Kitty Hawk remains the central access point for all beach towns listed here.

If you rent a beach house in Kitty Hawk, you can do so either on the busy Atlantic Ocean side or the more secluded, marshy Kitty Hawk Woods side. If you’re looking to rent a house on a secluded canal where you’re still on the water yet far from the noise of the beach, Kitty Hawk is your spot.

Avon

At the north end of the Outer Banks, you’ll find development after development from Corolla to Kitty Hawk to Nags Head. At the south end, you’ll find Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Right in the middle, you’ll find the town of Avon.

The towns at the center of the Outer Banks — Rodanthe, Salvo, and Buxton — are much quieter than the towns to the north. In fact, if you’re driving south, once you leave Salvo, you’ll almost wonder if you’re reaching the end of the Outer Banks, since there are very few houses. You’re basically driving down a highway on a skinny strip of sand out in the ocean, almost like the bridges you’d drive in the Florida Keys.

But then you’ll come upon the town of Avon. Avon feels like — and this is a good thing — a beach town in the middle of nowhere. There are plenty of amenities in town — restaurants, grocery stores, beach shops — so you won’t want for anything. But you will feel isolated. It’ll just be you, your family, and the ocean, for the most part.

The beaches seem to stretch on forever in Avon. While it can be tough to find a spot on the beach in Kill Devil Hills on a summer weekend, that’s never a problem in Avon. And if the experience in a place like Nags Head is walking past high-rise after high-rise, the experience in Avon consists of beach houses as far as you can see.

That’s the best part about the Outer Banks: It’s basically one long beach! Whatever your vacation speed, the area has something for you.

The Best Things To Do Around The Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region stands out when planning a vacation in Upstate New York. The roads meander through the area, tours are available, and many visitors fly in. There are several airlines servicing Elmira, the closest airport to Corning, but other airports include Finger Lakes, Ithaca Tompkins, and Penn Yan. Consider beginning your itinerary around the region by renting a car, or take a pleasant bus ride into the town of Corning, largest in the Finger Lakes area.

The Corning Museum of Glass. — Elaine Masters

Corning Village

Rand McNally named Corning the most fun small town in America for a multitude of reasons. There’s beautiful architecture, a world class glass museum, and trails that satellite out into the region from there.

Corning Museum Of Glass

Historically, Corning has been at the forefront of glass-making technology and science for generations. Many think it’s famous just for the cooking dishes, Corningware, made popular in the 1950s, but glance at a cell phone for evidence of how relevant the Corning company’s work is today. Gorilla Glass has gone far to make cell phones more impervious to cracking and has even been used in the Space Program. The Corning Foundation has gone far to highlight the historical and cultural significance of glass in the world-class museum, originally opened in 1951 and renovated and repaired over the decades. In 2001 the newest wing, designed for contemporary glass, opened to wide acclaim.

Plan on spending a full day at the museum. Walk the contemporary art galleries packed with international and commissioned pieces set in the new wing. The history of glassmaking displays reach back to the Egyptians and the historical displays highlight everything since. Attend glass-blowing demonstrations or sign up to blow your own glassware. Leave room to peruse the cavernous gift shop and, when ready to leave, take the shuttle downtown.

The Rockwell Museum

The only Smithsonian Affiliate in Upstate New York, the Rockwell Museum fills Corning’s former City Hall building with three floors of art that exemplify America’s push westward. There are masterpieces by Remington, traditional bronze sculptures, and Native American artwork. Kids can play in the Art Lab and teens can participate in Art Hunts. Anyone under 17 can enter the museum for free.

The Downtown Gaffer District

Corning’s downtown is packed with small stores and restaurants for both casual and fine dining as well as breweries and wine shops. Top choices for dining include The Cellar, Hand + Foot, Sorge’s Restaurant, Three Birds, and Market Street Brewing Company. Festivals and music fill the streets on weekends in the summer season. Visit Little Joe Tower, which was built in 1912 as a monument to Corning’s technological innovations. The tower was recently renovated with a bronze sculpture of a gaffer and his glass-blowing equipment. The West End Gallery has been showcasing art for over 40 years. The galleries house rotating exhibits from over 60 artists with selections from contemporary to classic. All are available for purchase.

Watkins Glen International Racetrack

Wrap a visit around nearby Watkins Glen International Racetrack, which hosts famous races, wine and beer festivals, a vintage grand prix, and concert weekends. Sign up to “Drive the Glen” in your own car. Take two laps with a guide and stop at the Finish Line for photos. You can also consider spending a few nights glamping or register for a campsite on the property.

Watkins Glen State Park in New York. — MH Anderson Photography / Shutterstock

Countryside Adventures

Outside of Corning, visitors will find memory-making adventures for the whole family. Here are a few of the top attractions in the area.

Parks, Lakes, And Waterfalls

Of all the waterfalls and parks nearby, Watkins Glen State Park leaves visitors spellbound. The Glen Trail passes 19 waterfalls as it meanders beneath 200-foot-high cliffs. Step cautiously as spray often leaves parts of the route slippery. Experienced trekkers often start at the top level of the Glen for an easier hike. Leave your car, walk down, and then take the $5 shuttle bus back to the parking lot. Definitely bring a camera.

Venture to Green Lakes State Park. The park won National Natural Landmark recognition for its “significant examples of the nation’s biological and/or geological features.” The rare Round Lake is meromictic, meaning the bottom and surface waters don’t completely mix. Head to Robert H. Treman State Park where most park swimmers and rock-divers gather at Lucifer Falls to float in the shadow of trees or lounge under the waterfall. Lifeguards are on watch during the summer season.

A Multitude Of Finger Lakes Experiences

Reisinger’s Apple Country is open during harvest months for U-Pick fun between August and November. The tasting room offers an array of ciders and preserves from Reisinger’s peach, apple, and plum orchards.

Located in Corning, Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes is a living history museum and the site of numerous original 18th- an 19th-century structures, including Benjamin Patterson Inn, original to the site and first known as Jenning’s Tavern, which was built in 1796. There is a schoolhouse, an 1850s log cabin, a blacksmith shop, and one recreated structure: the Starr Barn. Depending on the season, there are heritage gardens full of herbs and vegetables. The 90-minute guided tours are very popular. Check online for availability. Heritage Village is affordable and kid friendly.

Go Soaring at Harris Hill, where pilots take ticketed visitors aloft for quiet and smooth glider rides. There are Soaring Contests in July during which glider pilots from the region compete. Not flying? There’s no charge to drive to the ridgetop and watch the gliders soar above. Some benches are available, but consider bringing a blanket so you can watch and relax.

Connect with a pioneer aviator, Glenn H. Curtiss. The museum in Hammondsport is dedicated to his memory and packed with a priceless collection of early aviation artifacts as well as antique tools, toys, motorcycles, and fire equipment. In 1907, Curtiss became famous as the “fastest man on earth” when he built and raced his V8-powered motorcycle over 136 miles per hour. The next year he flew his flying machine, named the June Bug, over 5,000 feet to win a Scientific American Trophy. His historic aircraft is on display in the museum.

Stay on or tour the Farm Sanctuary near Watkins Glen. The sanctuary rescues abused farm animals who then live out their lives on a 271-acre estate. Walk the land on an hour-long tour, peruse the visitor center gift shop, and have a snack on the deck overlooking the sanctuary’s fields. Reserve a few nights in one of the tiny houses or cabins and enjoy a vegan breakfast in the morning. Guests and visitors can get hands on with the animals, walk the pens, and meet many of the over 800 rescued residents.

Lakewood Vineyards in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. — PQK / Shutterstock.com

Have a Fine Wine Time In The Seneca Lake Region

The Finger Lakes was named the Best Wine Region in the country by USA Today readers in 2015 and continues collecting accolades. If you’re not sure where to start, consider the Seneca Lake Wine Trail created by a non-profit collaborative dedicated to local winemakers. Pick up their seasonal Passport Program booklet for significant wine tasting discounts at participating wineries.

You can order a Passport online or pick one up when you arrive. Once the Passport is in hand, enjoy a complimentary, standard flight of wines at each of the participating wineries. Non-passport holders pay between $3 and $6 per winery. Plan on visiting 8 to 10 wineries and the savings are significant. The wineries are relatively close and you won’t have to travel more than 20 minutes between tastings. Seneca Lake stretches more than 35 miles with over 50 wineries in the area.

One significant vineyard has been family run for over seven decades. Generations of grape growers have been producing award-winning wines at Lakewood Vineyards. Chosen as Wine Family of the Year by Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine in 1997, Lakewood Vineyards’ the wines have garnered over 650 awards.

Belhurst Historic Castle. — Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Stay In A Historic Castle

Belhurst has been named a World’s Best Wine Hotel by Wine Enthusiast and is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties. The estate features a renowned winery and several historic lodging options, from a castle to a manor and cottages. The 1880s stone Belhurst Castle overlooks Seneca Lake. Rooms are furnished in antiques with choices of soaking tubs, fireplaces, and lake views. The Georgian-style mansion, White Springs Manor, also on the Belhurst property, is more secluded with vineyard views and a spring-fed pond. Vinifera Inn has luxuriously modern accommodations on the Belhurst grounds. Every room has a fireplace, jacuzzi, and a two-person shower. Very romantic!

Cayuga Lake Discoveries

Running adjacent and east of Seneca Lake, the southern Cayuga Lake area has dozens of roadside attractions and the Museum of the Earth is sure to delight children of all ages. There are hands-on exhibits and a massive collection of fossils including one of the most complete Mastodon skeletons ever found.

The Cornell Botanic Gardens include an arboretum and natural areas tours. A vast rail-trail system is underway to link the Cornell, Varna, Etna, Freeville, and Dryden communities with over 20 miles of motorized and off-street pathways.

The Finger Lake region overflows with vacation options. Be forewarned: First time visitors often become regulars!

Want to visit other beautiful places in New York state? Meet Eternal Flame Falls: an eerily beautiful spot in Western New York.

The Best Gelaterias In Italy (And What To Order When You Visit)

Few people travel across the world for a scoop of ice cream, but then again, gelato isn’t just ice cream.

True Italian gelaterias make their product with less cream and more milk than American ice cream, which results in a denser, more flavorful dessert. The differences don’t stop there. Italians take gelato very seriously, and established gelaterias take pride in using high-quality, fresh ingredients. That means that if you stop into a gelateria in May, you might see a completely different menu than you’d see in December.

If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in Italy, you’ll want to experience real gelato for yourself. Here are a few excellent gelaterias to visit throughout the country. But be warned: Once you try Italian gelato, it’ll be hard to go back to that big pint of Rocky Road that’s sitting in your freezer!

II Massimo del Gelato in Milan. — Mate Karoly / Shutterstock

Il Massimo Del Gelato, Milan

Italian gelato is made with a simple set of ingredients, but they produce a taste that’s almost overwhelming for the uninitiated. The goal isn’t to create entirely new flavors, but to highlight the features of the natural ingredients.

Il Massimo del Gelato in Milan is a gelateria that stays faithful to those ideals. Each of its gelatos brings out the strength of the raw ingredients while maintaining an elegant balance. This shop is slightly off the beaten path, but it’s worth a lengthy taxi ride, particularly if you like chocolate (the store carries more than 10 distinct chocolates, all of which are outstanding).

Fatamorgana Gelato, Rome

If you’re craving variety, you can’t do much better than Fatamorgana. This world-famous gelateria recently opened locations in California, but its original shop in Rome remains its most iconic.

Choose from dozens of sweet and savory flavors, meticulously designed with natural chocolates, mints, nuts, and spices. Fatamorgana is known for its pistachio gelato, so if you’re overcome by the options, that’s a safe place to start.

Sorbetteria Castiglione, Bologna

As you walk up to Sorbetteria Castiglione, the first things you’ll notice are the gorgeous arches that line the storefront, which dates to the year 1000. The gelateria itself features unpretentious modern decor, but the masterful gelatos and ice cream cakes will certainly catch your eye.

Like many of the other establishments on this list, Sorbetteria Castiglione doesn’t skimp on ingredients, so every flavor tastes fresh and balanced. Consider a scoop (or two — or three) of the Piedmont hazelnut.

Gelatoteca Suso, Venice

Be prepared to wait at Gelatoteca Suso, since it’s one of Venice’s busiest dessert shops (and that’s saying something). While this is one of the trendier options on this list, Venice is a trendy city — and hey, great-tasting gelato is going to draw crowds.

The flavor options here are fairly simple, but the menu changes regularly. While you can’t go wrong with classic vanilla or chocolate, look for a seasonal sorbet.

Award-winning pistachio gelato from Gelateria Crispini. — Gelateria Crispini

Gelateria Crispini, Spoleto

With a variety of flavors and a true dedication to Old World techniques, Gelateria Crispini draws travelers from around the world to Spoleto, a historic city with some incredible architecture.

Gelateria Crispini’s pistachio flavor won the top prize in the 2017 Gelato World Tour, so if you’re a fan of pistachio, that’s an easy recommendation. Its tiramisu flavor also gets high marks from visitors.

RivaReno

RivaReno is a chain of gelaterias, but chains aren’t always a bad thing, especially if you’re looking for a quick bite while you’re out exploring Italy. Each location carries a fantastic array of gelatos, including dairy-free options. The traditional products are rich, intense, and, shockingly enough, comparable to some of the more gourmet options on this list.

If you’re in the mood for something refreshing, try the mint flavor, and if you’d prefer something decadent, the dark chocolate fudge should suffice. That said, any of the shop’s many specialties should satisfy travelers.

Gelateria I Caruso, Rome

Look for reviews on Gelateria I Caruso, and you’ll read the same words over and over again: “old school,” “classic,” “authentic.” I Caruso doesn’t try to do too much, since they’re already experts at their craft. Here, you’ll find excellent gelato in a traditional setting, served at a fair price.

There’s a reason that I Caruso is one of the most famous gelaterias in Rome, and there’s a reason that the business remains in a humble, unassuming storefront: This isn’t a place for innovation — it’s a place for perfection. The pistachio gelato is especially popular, but you’ll probably want to make a few visits to explore the menu. After all, this is where locals head for their gelato, and, well, when in Rome… ah, you know the rest.

Craving more Italian specialties? Here are 15 delicious types of pasta to try in Italy.

Planning A Golf Trip To Pinehurst: What To Know

Pinehurst is the original golf resort. It has been open for more than 125 years and yet the idea is still being copied around the world: Find a great piece of land, develop lodging around multiple golf courses, and welcome visitors who want to experience a golf getaway.

The concept worked in other locations 100 years ago (like The Greenbrier in West Virginia, built in 1913) and it works today (like Bandon Dunes in Oregon, developed in the last 20 years). The original, though, is Pinehurst in North Carolina.

James Walker Tufts purchased nearly 6,000 acres in south-central North Carolina back in 1895, where he built an inn first and then started to develop golf courses. What was originally one golf course grew to nine courses on the property. The most famous, and the site of so much golf history, is the famed Pinehurst No. 2.

Designed by Donald Ross, Pinehurst No. 2 remains one of the greatest golf courses in the world. The 1999 U.S. Open, staged at Pinehurst, remains one of golf’s greatest moments, with Payne Stewart sinking a putt on the 18th hole to defeat Phil Mickelson. Stewart would tragically die in an airplane accident only months later, and a statue of Stewart’s celebration on the 18th green after sinking the putt is now one of the most well-known attractions at Pinehurst.

But Pinehurst is so much more than just its most famous course. Here’s what you need to know before you visit Pinehurst.

Fly Into Raleigh-Durham

Pinehurst is located in a fairly remote area of North Carolina. As a result, it’s not within an hour of any major airports. Drive-wise, Pinehurst is 100 miles from Charlotte, 125 miles from Wilmington, and 75 miles from Raleigh-Durham.

If flying in for your trip to Pinehurst, Raleigh-Durham is by far the best choice, not only because it’s the closest airport, but also because the resort has a shuttle service that will provide transportation to and from the airport. If you’re staying at the resort (and you should), ask about the shuttle timing when you make your reservation. If the times can be aligned, it’s possible you won’t need a rental car for your trip. All transportation to and from the airport (and to and from the golf courses) can be provided by the resort.

Now, it’s possible you’ll want to explore other parts of the state on your visit, and if that’s the case, you’ll want a rental car. But if it’s just a quick trip to get in a few rounds, let the resort provide all of your ground transportation.

Stay At The Carolina Hotel

There are four places to stay on the property. There’s the original hotel, the Holly Inn, built in 1895. The recently renovated Manor Inn is a smaller, more secluded property. And then there are two- and three-bedroom condos available if you have a larger group.

But the crown jewel of the property is the Carolina Hotel. The hotel is closing in on 120 years in operation, so you’re stepping into history when you exit your vehicle under the porte cochere. The hotel has 240 guest rooms, ranging from a single bed to massive suites, so you’re certain to find the room type that will fit your needs.

The main reason to stay at the Carolina Hotel, however, is the experience. Pinehurst isn’t just a golf trip — it’s a journey back in time. Sitting on the veranda of the hotel with a drink after your round, much like someone might have done in 1920, connects you to all the history at Pinehurst. Or visit the Ryder Cup Room and take in the history of the 1951 Ryder Cup, which was held at Pinehurst. So much of golfing history is found right here.

Pinehurst No. 2 Has Been Restored To Its Original Design

Many golfers have visited Pinehurst several times. And most of them have played the world-famous No. 2 course. But some might not know that it underwent a major renovation in 2011 and has been returned to its original Donald Ross design.

Pinehurst No. 2 hosted the 2014 U.S. Open, and in anticipation of that event, the resort decided to undergo a major renovation to the course. Over the years, design changes to No. 2 had taken it away from Donald Ross’s original vision. So Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw were hired to return the course to a design as close to the original as possible. Sandy “waste areas” that had been removed over the years were put back in, returning the course to its pine-trees-and-sand roots.

If you watched the 2014 U.S. Open on TV, you know how radical the changes were. The course looked nothing like the famous 1999 U.S. Open also hosted there. And golfers who have played it since the renovation have stated the same. It’s still Pinehurst No. 2 — now it’s simply better.

The BMW Guest Drive program at Pinehurst. — Pinehurst.com

Explore The Area In A Complimentary BMW

As mentioned above, a rental car isn’t required for your Pinehurst trip. You can take the shuttle from RDU airport and use the local shuttles from your hotel to the courses. If you’re wanting to explore central North Carolina, then yes, you should rent a car. But if you just want to get out and explore for an afternoon, there’s a third option: the BMW Guest Drive program.

This program allows guests and members at Pinehurst to use a complimentary BMW for three hours. You more or less get a three-hour BMW test drive, free of charge. So if you took the shuttle from the airport but you want to drive into Southern Pines for dinner one night, the BMW Guest Drive program is your solution.

Vehicles are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so talk to Resort Services at the hotel about the times when you would need the vehicle.

It’s Best To Book A Package

The best way to book your trip is to book your lodging, golf, and other resort services as part of a package. There are multiple packages available on the Pinehurst website for you to peruse. Some examples:

The Bed And Breakfast Package can be booked for just one night or as many nights as you want. Each night purchase includes your room, breakfast, and a round of golf. Stay three nights and it’s three rounds of golf and three breakfasts (plus three nights at the hotel).

The Donald Ross Package includes three rounds of golf and two nights. A common itinerary for this package would be to arrive in the morning and play one course, spend the night, play a second course the next day, spend a second night, and play a third course before departing the following afternoon. Both breakfast and dinner are provided with this package as well, so all you’ll have to worry about is lunch out on the course.

Pinehurst Now Has A Putting Course

In 2012, Pinehurst added an 18-hole putting course called Thistle Dhu (meant to sound like “this’ll do”). So if your group only includes a few golfers, but everyone wants to try something golf-related, this is the perfect opportunity.

Thistle Dhu is not a mini-golf course. You won’t find windmills or astroturf. It’s a massive putting green with hills and valleys and 18 holes laid out in succession. Much like a typical golf course, some holes are short and some are long. So you’ll get a variety of “hit a slow putt down the hill” and “hit the putt as hard as you can over that next hill over there.”

Pinehurst No. 4 Is The Newest Gem

One of the biggest questions asked when visiting Pinehurst: “I know that No. 2 is the course that everyone has to play when they’re there, but I’m planning to play two rounds, so which course should be the second round?” Since the recent overhaul, the answer is likely No. 4.

World-famous golf course architect Gil Hanse was hired to redesign the course. In 2018, Pinehurst No. 4 reopened with a design very similar to the redesign of No. 2. Many say that what Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw did for Donald Ross’s design of No. 2, Hanse did for Ross’s No. 4.

The original character of the course has been restored with many of the similar sandy “waste areas” around the course. So much like No. 2, the sand-and-pine-trees feel that has been the history of Pinehurst has been brought back to No. 4 as well.

The swimming pool at Pinehurst Resort. — Pinehurst.com

It’s Not Just Golf

Pinehurst is a fully functioning resort, so even though golf is at the center of it all, golf isn’t the only activity on the table when you’re staying at the resort.

For starters, Pinehurst’s spa is almost as famous as the golf. There are spa packages just like there are hotel packages, so many couples put together a package where one person spends the day golfing while their partner spends the day at the spa and they meet up for dinner (also included in the package) after their separate activities.

There are many activities beyond the spa and golf packages as well. Pinehurst has competition croquet and lawn bowling courts, tennis courts, a shopping village, pools, bicycle rentals — you name it, they have it. You can review all of the activities at Pinehurst here.

As you can see, Pinehurst has everything you need for an amazing getaway. Even if they don’t golf, bring the whole family; there’s something for everyone.

Want to golf further north? Read our planning tips for a Nova Scotia golf adventure at Cabot Links.

Planning a North Carolina getaway? Don’t miss the five best ways to spend a day in Charlotte, NC.

18 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Visiting Madagascar

For many, Madagascar is a bucket-list destination. An island isolated off the east coast of Africa, 90 percent of its wildlife is found nowhere else on earth. But it’s the cherub-faced lemurs that beckon most tourists to this far-flung destination.

With tourism up 19 percent in the first half of 2019 over the previous year, I thought planning my recent trip would be relatively easy.

However, I was overwhelmed by the many options. Initially, I went through a few of the international tour companies, but I found their non-transparent pricing and communication delays quite frustrating.

Next, I went straight to the on-the-ground guides to avoid the middle-man costs. I scoured Trip Advisor for recommendations and found four guides, all of whom responded to my emails within 24 hours. I chose Arsene from Tour Guide Lovemada, as he responded the fastest and adjusted his proposed itinerary to my interests.

Here’s what I learned are important considerations.

The writer with her tour guide in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

1. Choose Your Guide Wisely

You will need a driver, even if you rent a car. (Car rental companies require you to hire a driver — and you will be glad you did once you see the roads!) Choose a guide who speaks your native language well, is comfortable with translating, is certified as a guide by the Malagasy government, has first aid training, reflects your stated limitations and interests in his recommendations, responds quickly and thoroughly to your emails, has transparent pricing, and drives well!

2. Realize Madagascar Is A Huge Country

It looks tiny perched there in the Indian Ocean next to Africa, but Madagascar is as big as Texas, and much longer from north to south. Compounding that, it’s a volcanic island with dramatic peaks and very winding roads, so getting from destination to destination involves long, arduous drives. And the roads aren’t great: Less than 20 percent of the country’s roads are paved. Let your tour operator know ahead of time if you are prone to car sickness. You might want to confine your trip to one region. Madagascar has much to offer in every part!

Locals the writer met on her trip. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

3. Communicate Your Interests To Your Tour Operator

Many tours involve moving tourists from national park to national park to hike and spot lemurs. This type of itinerary may involve 6- or 7-hour car rides. I wanted to avoid that — and I also wanted to spend more time in villages meeting people than in forests hiking and lemur-searching. I was rewarded: My guide arranged two overnights in small villages, which were definite highlights!

4. Recognize Your Limits

Madagascar is a challenging country and can offer a variety of boundary-pushing experiences, both physical and cultural. For example, I was scheduled to hike down a high volcanic mountain to a remote village and spend the night. While I was excited about the cultural opportunity, I couldn’t handle the physical climbing and had to beg off. (I was a bit embarrassed, as a 68-year-old village woman followed me, wearing only flip-flops, and scampered over the rocky path like a mountain goat! I was practically on my hands and knees.)

On the other hand, spending the night in a village with no running water or electricity and communicating with the local women provided a welcome challenge: What common references could I find with women who had never seen a movie or read a book and knew almost nothing about the United States? With my guide translating, I asked about their children and their dreams for their daughters. I asked about their impressions of America and what questions they had for me. They wanted to know how I intend to care for myself as I age, since I have no husband or children. They sincerely invited me to live with them in their village, where I’d be cared for in my senior years.

Beautiful Madagascar landscape. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

5. Schedule A Trip To A Major Grocery Store Your First Morning

Big grocery stores are found only in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital. Stock up on bottled water from a major company (not the national water company, Jirama, which bottles water that is unsafe for foreigners). Pick up wine, if that’s what you drink. (Beer, rum, and vodka are available throughout the countryside.) You might also stock up on shampoo and conditioner, as many of the hotels don’t offer these amenities, munchies for the car rides, and toilet paper for pit stops.

6. Don’t Schedule Your Departing International Flight On The Heels Of A Local Flight

The domestic airlines, Air Madagascar, known as “Air Maybe” by the locals, and Tsradia, its new spin-off, have notorious reputations. My Tsaradia flight time was changed to depart two hours later than scheduled, then took off two hours later than that! Avoid a lot of internal flying if you want to avoid losing travel days to flight delays.

The local currency in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

7. Carry A Lot Of Small Bills

Nearly every place you visit will require you to hire a local guide in addition to paying the entrance fee for the park or attraction. The local guides cost 20,000 to 80,000 Ariary. (20,000 Ariary is about $5 or €5). They don’t give change. You can break larger bills in restaurants or at the hotels.

8. Calculate The ATM Limitations

I used my ATM card in the larger cities to get local currency. But be careful! Banks charge a fee for every transaction, regardless of amount withdrawn. BNI Bank limits withdrawals to 400,000 Ariary, whereas BFV Bank’s limit is twice that for roughly the same fee. Credit cards are not widely accepted. Euros are accepted for payments at many hotels.

A chameleon in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

9. Bring Anti-Diarrheal Medications

Although you can get Flagyl and a few other antibiotics in pharmacies in larger cities, the rural areas have few clinics and pharmacies. Also bring a laxative! Every meal is served with rice and that can wreak havoc on intestines used to a more Western diet.

10. Prepare To Pick Up After Yourself

Note that hotel rooms are not necessarily cleaned daily (unless you specifically request it) when you stay multiple nights.

Dinner in a small village in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

11. Check Temperatures Of Your Specific Destinations

During my 10-day guided trip, I went from hot-hot to sleeping in my sweats under two heavy quilts. Madagascar’s coasts have a tropical climate, its mountains and high plateaus are chillier and more temperate, and its south has an arid climate.

12. Check Altitudes If You Are Prone To Altitude Sickness

The average elevation is higher than 2,000 feet above sea level, with its highest point ascending to 9,500 feet at Maromokotro in the northern part of the country. Prepare for altitude sickness by packing appropriate medication.

A landscape in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

13. Ask Your Tour Guide For Hotel Recommendations

I wanted to book my own hotels through Booking.com, and I’m glad I read the reviews and consulted my guide before booking. The hotels the guides recommend are safe and up to Western-style standards. They also offer free rooms and meals for the guides, which keeps your costs down. I was quite comfortable in hotels in the $20 to $30 USD a night range. They were clean and had strong, plentiful hot water, Western-style toilets, Wi-Fi and good, on-site restaurants. I thought I was saving money booking my own hotels. But had I asked, my guide would have booked all my rooms at no extra charge.

14. Stay Connected!

Check your data plan before you leave and increase it if necessary. I had telephone connection throughout my trip, so I was able to use my data allowance to post on Facebook during the long car rides. Every hotel I stayed in had decent Wi-Fi. Everyone uses WhatsApp. Be sure to bring all the types of phone chargers you have so you can recharge in the car, as well as at the hotel. You’ll need your phone as a flashlight, too, in some of the villages where there is no electricity.

Lemurs in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

15. Research Your Anti-Malaria Medication Carefully…

And don’t wait until the last minute! Some areas of Africa, including Madagascar, have mosquitoes that are resistant to chloroquine, one of the more common antimalarial medications. Mefloquine, a formerly common antimalarial, has been linked to hallucinations and is difficult to find. Additionally, not all antimalarials are available everywhere. Your pharmacy might need a few weeks to order your desired medication, and you may have to start taking the medication a week or two before you arrive in Madagascar.

16. Budget For Gifts

Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries, with 75 percent of its people living on less than $2 per day according to the World Bank. My tour guide recommended that I bring small gifts, such as volleyballs, to the villages where I stayed. These gifts were inexpensive and available, but I was glad I had extra cash, too. And the smiles on the children’s faces were priceless!

Villagers the writer met in Madagascar. — Kelly Hayes-Raitt

17. Consider Volunteering

There are many inspiring opportunities to volunteer in Madagascar. I spent my first week helping Nosy Be Conservation regenerate corals on an island in the northwest corner of Madagascar. My volunteer assignment took me into the water nearly every day to clean the artificial reefs or to gather broken coral that could be transplanted onto existing coral. It was a challenging and soul-satisfying way to give back to this amazing country!

18. Most Importantly, Pack Your Sense Of Humor And Flexibility

Part of the excitement of traveling in Madagascar is the last-minute opportunity to experience the rare and unexpected. My guide, knowing of my interest in seeing an exhumation celebration, scrapped our scheduled itinerary one afternoon so we could join a local community’s exhumation ceremony. What we didn’t realize is that it would take us over an hour of driving over some very rutted and dusty roads to reach the celebration. It took a lot of patience and perseverance to get there, but it was worth it!

Want more bucket-list trip advice? How about planning a girls trip to Machu Picchu: what to know before you go?

8 Tips For Planning A Memorable Golf Trip To Pebble Beach

If Augusta National is the best-known golf course in the United States — and I don’t think anyone disputes that, since all 18 holes are on display every April — then Pebble Beach is certainly second. There’s no major annual golf tournament at Pebble Beach like there is at Augusta National (although Pebble Beach does host the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am every year on the PGA Tour), but Pebble Beach does have one thing that Augusta does not: access to the public.

When it comes to well-known golf courses in the United States, public access is a rarity. The most famous courses are generally the most exclusive courses. It’s a big deal when the U.S. Open is played at Bethpage Black or Pebble Beach, since the contest is typically held at a private club like Winged Foot in New York, Oakmont in Pittsburgh, or Congressional Country Club in D.C.

Not only is Pebble Beach the second-best-known golf course in the country, but it’s also a place where you can get a tee time. The famous 18th hole along the ocean? The most difficult short par 3 in existence? The less-than-100-yard 7th hole? You can play there.

But before you book your trip, be sure to keep these things in mind.

The Lodge at Pebble Beach. — Pebble Beach Company

1. Be Prepared For Sticker Shock

We might as well get this one out of the way. Getting a tee time at Pebble Beach is possible, but it’s not cheap. As of this writing, a round of golf costs $550, and that doesn’t include cart or caddy fees, whichever direction you choose to go. If you’re planning on playing Pebble Beach, plan on it costing you $700 a day.

Even at that cost, Pebble Beach tee times still book weeks in advance. So if you’re planning a trip, you’ll need to book your tee times at least a month before you go. If you’re planning to play on a Saturday, consider booking two months in advance. Check this page for tee-time availability.

2. Know That Staying At The Resort Doesn’t Get You A Discount

While you might want to stay at the resort (prepare your wallet if you do — rooms at The Lodge at Pebble Beach cost between $900 and $7,000 per night), staying at the resort doesn’t guarantee cheaper golf fees. Golf doesn’t come with a stay at any of the Pebble Beach properties, and on-site guests don’t receive discounts. Guests pay the same as members of the public. The only discount for resort guests is that cart fees are complimentary, so you save $45.

That’s not to say that staying on the property isn’t spectacular. If you want your experience to be as special as possible, a stay at the Lodge can put your trip over the top. The spa is incredible, the restaurants are fantastic, and the views of the course and the ocean can’t be beat. Just know that a stay is wholly separate from the golf experience and won’t get you a tee-time discount.

Pebble Beach Golf Club. — Pebble Beach Company

3. Prepare For Rain Or Fog

This is the Monterey Peninsula, so the weather is constantly changing. There are times when the oceanfront is caked in fog but a mile inland there’s not a cloud in the sky. And there are times when a sunny day yields to heavy winds coming in off the ocean. If you’ve ever watched the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on television, you know that the PGA Tour players can be in short sleeves one minute and rain gear the next.

So if you’re playing Pebble Beach, it’s best to pack all of your rain gear. You’ll have your golf bag, so you don’t necessarily have to dress in layers, but make sure you pack for every weather occasion. I recommend packing a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, rain pants that can be pulled on quickly, and several hats/visors.

Sometimes you’ll be gifted with a sunny day. Other times you’ll start in the sun, play through the rain and the wind, and arrive at the 18th in the sun. Just be prepared for anything.

4. Hire A Caddy

When playing Pebble Beach, you can choose a golf cart or hire a caddy. As of this writing, carts cost $45 per person ($90 for a two-person cart) and the caddy fee is $95 plus tip. If you don’t want to walk the entire course, get a cart. But if you don’t mind walking, I recommend getting a caddy.

For many people, Pebble Beach will be the most difficult course they play in their lives. It’s known for impossible shots over ocean cliffs and tiny greens. It’s also known for wind, and hiring a caddy can make your round much better. The caddy will be familiar with the winds around the course and how they can affect your shot, so when they tell you to hit a 6 iron instead of the 9 iron you’d normally hit from 125 yards, listen to them. Think of the caddy as your concierge for the entire round.

The Tap Room at Pebble Beach. — Pebble Beach Company

5. Don’t Try To Be A Hero On Holes 6, 7, And 8

Pebble Beach is known for its famous 18th hole along the ocean, but the golfers who play it come away talking about holes 6, 7, and 8. There’s a tiny peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, and holes 6, 7, and 8 take you around the entire peninsula. Many golfers have watched PGA professionals on these holes make heroic shots across the ocean cliffs, trying to cut down the angle and go for the green. And when they try to do the same, well… let’s just say they don’t get the same results.

This is especially true of the 6th and 8th holes. The 6th hole features a second shot well uphill with the ocean cliffs on the right. Because of Tiger Woods’s famous shot at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, many golfers who should pitch back toward the fairway will attempt the same shot over the same tree. But, of course, they’re not Tiger Woods. The same is true of the 8th hole, where the second shot goes directly over the ocean. If your drive is not far enough forward, you won’t be able to reach the green over the cavernous divide. Many golfers go for it and fail.

So take a deep breath and listen to your playing partners or your caddy. When it comes to holes 6, 7, and 8, take it easy and play the correct shot. (And enjoy the view, of course!)

6. Eat At The Tap Room Afterward

You’ll want to soak in the experience once you walk off the 18th green — there’s so much golf history in this one place — so a post-round meal at The Tap Room is the way to go. It’s referred to as “the trophy room” and contains memorabilia related to the famous golfers who’ve played Pebble Beach over the years.

The food is great as well. It’s pricey — after all, it’s a steakhouse near the 18th green at one of the most famous golf courses in the world — but it’s worth it. A meal there is the perfect way to finish off your day.

Spyglass Hill golf course. — Pebble Beach Company

7. Sneak In A Twilight Round At Spyglass Hill

The entire Monterey Peninsula is known for golf, and the famous 17-Mile Drive connects many of the best-known courses in the country. Some, like Cypress Point, remain private and impossible to play. Others, like The Links at Spanish Bay, are open to the public and can be played at half the fee of Pebble Beach.

Perhaps the best deal on golf in Monterey is twilight golf at Spyglass Hill. Spyglass is one of the courses used for the early rounds of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, so you’ll be playing a PGA Tour course. But the course also offers twilight rates (as many holes as you can play after a certain time). Regular tee-time rates at Spyglass are $395 per round, but twilight rates are $225.

So if you have a morning tee time at Pebble Beach and are looking to play 36 holes that day, taking advantage of the twilight rates is a great way to do that. Finish your morning round at Pebble Beach, have lunch, and then play Spyglass in the afternoon at half the regular rate.

Twilight times vary throughout the year based on when the sun goes down, so when you call to set up your tee time, check for the current start of twilight rates. Tee-time information for Spyglass Hill can be found here.

8. Enjoy The Rest Of What The Monterey Peninsula Has To Offer

If you’re spending a few days in the area, you should get out and explore everything Monterey and Carmel have to offer. There are wineries to try, quaint downtown shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and dozens of other places to explore.

Perhaps the most well-known attraction in the area (besides, you know, Pebble Beach) is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you could spend an entire day. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is at the end of what is known as Cannery Row, which features shops and restaurants that were once part of the fishing operations in the area. If you’re a literature buff, you’ll want to check out Cannery Row as well as the many other John Steinbeck-related literary landmarks in the area.

And wherever you are — the beach in Carmel, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the 18th green at Pebble Beach — you’ll have a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a backdrop you’ll never forget.

Love golf? Here are seven of the most scenic courses in the world.