What makes secluded getaways so special is the sense of privacy and discovery. You can spend the morning sipping coffee with only the sound of nature around you, enjoy afternoons exploring hidden trails or quiet shorelines, and end the evening with starlit skies and total peace.

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Beach Near Orlando, Florida

Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida

Orlando may be famous for its theme parks, but it’s also surrounded by some of the best beaches in Florida. Just a short drive away, you’ll find sandy shores, rolling waves, and the best mix of relaxation and fun.

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Beach near Chicago

Best Weekend Getaways from Chicago

For me, weekend getaways from Chicago are some of the best and most unique escapes, underrated favorites that always deliver a memorable break.

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North Carolina Beaches

Best Beaches in North Carolina

From the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast and down to the southern beaches near Wilmington, the state has some of the best shoreline you’ll find anywhere on the East Coast.

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Lake Allatoona at Red Top Mountain State Park

Best Places to Visit in Georgia, USA

Georgia is one of the best states to visit in the South, and it’s become one of my favorite destinations for history, culture, and natural beauty.

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I took this photo of a romantic waterfall in Ohio

Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in Ohio

For me, Ohio’s romantic escapes are some of the best in the Midwest. We've discovered unique destinations, favorite experiences, and underrated gems that are easy to love.

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]I took this photo on the edge of the ocean one one of our weekend trips

Best Places to Visit in Connecticut

I love how Connecticut offers the best blend of coastal towns, scenic countryside, and vibrant cultural attractions. It feels quieter than other New England states, but that’s exactly what makes exploring here so refreshing.

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I took this photo of river landscape in Arkansas

10 Best Places to Visit in Arkansas

Arkansas offers beautiful rivers, some of the best hot springs on the country, mountains, and caves, crisscrossed by numerous hiking and biking trails.

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Blue lagoon in Reikjavik

Cool Green Adventure Vacations

I think that green trips are some of the best ways to travel because they combine unique adventures, eco-conscious choices, and unforgettable memories that I know are good for both me and the planet.

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Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Romantic Weekend Destinations on the West Coast

When I’m dreaming of a quick romantic escape, the West Coast is always one of my favorite regions to explore. For me, it’s one of the best places for couples because it offers such a unique mix of coastal towns, wine country retreats, mountain getaways, and vibrant cities

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I took this photo while hiking in the Texas Hill Country

Best Places to Visit in the Southern USA

From vibrant cities to charming coastal towns, the South delivers the best mix of food, music, and scenery, often in unique and sometimes underrated spots that feel unforgettable.

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Sandy Beach in Delaware

Best Places to Visit in Delaware

With just under 30 miles of Atlantic coastline, you may not think of Delaware when planning a vacation, but, trust me, it's worth your time. Plus...Delaware's super easy to get to by car or train from major cities.

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I took this photo at Hapuna Beach in Hawaii from under a wave

Best Tropical Island Vacations

The best tropical island vacations are some of the most unique and unforgettable escapes you can take. They’re some of my favorite kinds of trips because they combine relaxation, beauty, and adventure.

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My photo of summer landscape in Idaho

Best Places to Visit in Idaho

The best part about visiting Idaho is the variety: hot springs, mountain adventures, and charming downtowns.

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My photo of fall foliage over water, Texas Hill Country where I live

10 Best Places to Visit in October in the USA

Whether you’re looking for cozy small-town charm, city festivals, or peaceful escapes in nature, October offers a little bit of everything, making it one of my favorite times to plan special trips and seasonal fun.

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Ema Bio
Hi, We are Ema and Chris and we've spent years on the road. While our website VacationIdea.com is small with under 200 pages and all the content written by just the two of us, you'll find a host of diverse and hidden vacation ideas for weekend getaways, day trips, and longer vacations, based on our personal travels. Keeping this website small allows us to keep it up to date with our latest discoveries and photos while we travel. We hope that reading this inspires you to travel to our favorite hidden gems. Why trust us? We founded this site decades ago and not only are we expert road trippers, but we also work with tourism agencies to stay pluggend into the latest openings and what's new and unique in travel. Chris is an award-winning photographer and designer, giving our contant a visually stunning polish. We've received many awards and media mentions for our work. More about us.