07/29/2024

Have you visited St. Thomas yet?

A weekend with friends, a family adventure, or a romantic escape off the grid—whatever your reason to get away, let’s help with some new vacation ideas!

A Clearwater Beach sunset

Family Vacation: Tampa / Clearwater / St. Petersburg, Florida Destin and Orlando have always been solid destinations for families, but if you’re looking for a change of scenery, consider flying to Tampa.

Thrills await at Busch Gardens Tampa

What to do:

• Find coasters and family fun at Busch Gardens
• Hop on a streetcar and visit The Florida Aquarium
• Take in a Tampa Bay Lighting, Rays, or Buccaneers game
• See the animals at Zoo Tampa
• Head down to Clearwater Beach and soak up some sun
• On a rainy day, visit the Glazer Children's Museum

The 250,000 square foot Florida Aquarium is perfect on rainy days

How to get there: Daily non-stop flights to TPA on Frontier and Delta are about two hours long. St. Petersburg-Clearwater airport (PIE) is also an option with daily non-stop flights from Frontier.

Many great hikes await in Colorado Springs

Outdoor Enthusiasts: Colorado Springs, Colorado You’ll love hiking throughout this area and visiting one of two dozen trails with spectacular views and varying difficulty levels. There are also a variety of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hotels to charming short-term rentals. Since it is around 6,000 feet above sea level, consider staying a day or two at the start of your trip to help acclimate to the elevation before heading up into the mountains.

Garden of the Gods National Park

What to do:

• Garden of the Gods Park with miles of trails to explore
• Red Rock Canyon offers more spots to scope out
• Join a four-wheel drive group tour

Let’s head off-road!

• Spend a day and check out the outdoor arcade in nearby Manitou Springs, CO
• Visit Helen Hunt Falls or Palmer Park

Helen Hunt Falls

How to get there: Go nonstop to Denver (DEN) on one of five daily flights of your choice offered by Southwest, Frontier, Delta, or United. Snag a rental car and make the scenic one-hour drive to Colorado Springs.

A time-lapse along the Thames River

First Time across the Atlantic: London, England If you’ve always wanted to visit Europe but aren’t sure where to begin, London is a great first-time trip. With a nonstop flight from CVG to Heathrow (LHR) via British Airways, getting there is easy; incredible cuisine and historic sights await so it’s an ideal trip.

Westminster Abbey

What to do:

• See hundreds of years of history at The British Museum (bonus: it’s free!)
• Visit Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• Take a guided tour of the Tower of London
• Step inside historic Westminster Abbey
• Relax in Hyde Park (the other one)
• Stroll through the shops and restaurants of Covent Garden

Covent Garden is spectacular during the holidays.

How to get there: Fly nonstop from CVG on British Airways and be in London in under eight hours! There are five flights a week in the summer. There are also one-stop flight options on American, Delta, and United.

Amazing views are everywhere in St. Thomas

Caribbean without a passport: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Visiting the Caribbean is a favorite for Cincinnati-area travelers, especially in the colder months. But for those looking for a last-minute vacation without enough time to get a passport, the U.S. Virgin Islands are an excellent choice. St. Thomas offers amazing beaches, snorkeling, diving, mountain views, and tasty cuisine.

The top-rated beaches of Magens Bay

What to do:

• Spend some time relaxing on the beach at Magens Bay
• Get up close with dolphins at Coral World Ocean Park
• Snorkel at Coki Point Beach
• Take a boat ride to nearby St. John
• Enjoy breathtaking views on the Skyride to Paradise Point
• Rent an ATV and explore the Island

Abundant sea life surrounds you while snorkeling in St. Thomas.

How to get there: Multiple daily one-stop flight options are available year-round on American, Delta, and United. Consider a trip in January or February for nice weather, fewer crowds, and better deals. This is a popular spring break destination, and prices can jump in April. Also, good deals can be found in the summer, but keep in mind that is the rainy/hurricane season.

Hello Savannah!

Romantic Getaway: Savannah, Georgia Any destination with that special person can be romantic, right? But some destinations are made for a romantic vacation, and Savannah fits the bill. From late-night strolls through historic streets to a short 20-minute trip to Tybee Island for some beach time, Savannah is perfect for a long weekend or week-long stay.

The live oaks of Savannah create the perfect shady canopy.

What to do:

• Utilize one of the hop-on / hop-off trolleys of Old Town Trolley Tours or Old Savannah Tours and see the city at your own pace
• Go on one of the popular ghost tours
• Bring your walking shoes and check out the famous historic district
• Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
• See the live oaks at the Wormsloe Historic Site
• Enjoy water views along Riverfront Plaza

Riverfront Plaza is a perfect place to take an evening walk.

How to get there: It’s only a one hour and 40 minute flight, and Allegiant offers nonstop service to SAV five times per week. They’re timed nicely; you can leave on a Thursday after work and return home on a Sunday evening. There are also many one-stop flight options on American, Southwest, Delta, and United.

The Tybee Island lighthouse

Need some inspiration for your next adventure? Visit the Jay’s Deals page to find low fares for any occasion!

Have any suggestions for a trip? Find me at @JayKruzOfficial on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), and let me know!

I’ll see you on a hiking trail in Colorado! -Jay