International Getaways: Closer Than You Think

Maybe you assume you cannot go international for a quick weekend trip. Think again. In reality, there many places close enough to go for a long weekend. Below are spots perfect for an exceptional long weekend you won’t soon forget. Montreal, Quebec, Canada Old-world appeal is front and center in this second largest Canadian city after Toronto. Visitors always like the beautiful Vieux Montreal neighborhood with its appealing boutiques and inviting cafes and restaurants. When the weather is nice, head to the vast Mount Royal Park for a picnic, guided hike, or leisurely bike ride. If you can stand the cold weather, you can also go snowshoeing, ice skate, or do a myriad of other winter sports in the park area. Bermuda Bermuda is not only internationally-renowned for its breathtaking pink sand beaches, but this British overseas territory set in the mid-Atlantic is just a two-hour flight from lots of US cities. You don’t have to enjoy beaches to adore Bermuda; history enthusiasts will be fascinated by the old military forts complete with cannon installations, traditional colonial buildings, and enchanting cobblestone streets. If you’re daring, you can even ride a jet ski into the Bermuda Triangle. Baja California Sur, Mexico Baja California Sur, Mexico is a trendy destination easily do-able in a three-day weekend for anyone looking for fun and relaxation in a magnificent beach setting. At the southern tip of Baja California is Cabo San Lucas, famous for its exotic resorts, upscale dining, and lively bars and nightclubs. Adventurers and water sports devotees will also enjoy Lover’s Beach for its lovely blue waters, fascinating caves to explore, and spectacular rock formations. Costa Rica In Central America, Costa Rica is quite easy to get to from many U.S. airports and is well-known for its beautiful tropical rainforest and jungles. With 800 miles of fabulous coast, it offers fun in the sun, awesome beaches, relaxation or adventure, and so much more. If you like thrills, head over to the Arenal Volcano to get your heart pumping by zip-lining through the surreal rainforest, hiking in the lush jungle, rappelling down a booming waterfall, watching exotic jungle official source animals such as sloths and monkeys, and finally relaxing in a hot spring fed by the volcano itself. Cartagena, Columbia Cartagena is on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and features gorgeous beaches with white powdery sand, enticing crystal clear blue water, and famous coral reefs for you to explore. The charming old walled city takes you back in time to the Spanish colonial era with its traditional architecture and unique 500-year-old fortress built of coral. Toronto Toronto is as modern a city as they come. It is an unusual melting pot of diversity, with more than half of the current residents not born there. Seeing its various ethnic neighborhoods is like taking a quick world tour, with Koreatown, Greektown, Chinatown, and Little Italy all within the boundaries of the city. An international destination can offer a peaceful, relaxing weekend at the beach, an adventurous hike through a tropical rainforest, or whatever else you might want; the possibilities are endless. You can plan a memorable weekend full of love, adventure, history, and/or fun – the choice is yours.