Laura Zbinden

Nowadays, it seems like everyone is visiting the Amalfi Coast — and for good reason. This region of Southern Italy is full of enchanting villages and beautiful cliff-lined beaches, not to mention all the fresh seafood and a rich culture and history dating back to the Middle Ages. In fact, this romantic coastal region is so charming that it has understandably earned it's place on the travel bucket lists of many, while others have even seriously thought about

Half Dome in Yosemite is one of the most popular, sought-after hikes in the national park for a good reason. The climb is challenging and unique, as the final 400-foot section of the trail requires you to pull yourself up the side of the giant granite rock using two cables. This feat is rewarding as you are treated to sweeping views of the Yosemite Valley and Sierra Nevada mountains. However, the steep ascent and slippery granite of Half Dome also make this one of the most dangerous hikes in Yosemite. In fact, there have been at least 25 deaths at the Half Dome summit.

Heading out into nature to take in the crisp fall air and vibrant leaves is probably one of the best ways to really appreciate the autumnal season. The only problem with taking a trip to popular fall foliage viewing spots like the Kancamagus Highway in New England is that during peak fall colors, these areas can get pretty busy. Luckily, if you want to enjoy beautiful fall colors without the crowds, there's one underrated national park that fits the bill — Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Hawaii is famous for luxury beach vacations where you spend time swimming and snorkeling around the big island or enjoying outdoor adventures like hiking in Hawaii's underrated Iao Valley State Park or up to Lake Waiau, one of the highest and remote lakes in the United States. However, what you may not know about Hawaii is that its capital city of Honolulu is home to a beautiful and historic Chinatown. Hawaii is one of the most diverse states in the U.S. and its thriving Chinatown – one of the oldest in America — showcases its blend of cultures.

Missouri is one of those states that doesn't get talked about as much as it should when it comes to travel and outdoor adventures. This is especially true considering that Missouri contains an impressive 93 state parks and historic sites. In fact, the Missouri state park system is also considered to be one of the best in the country. However, in an area with so many popular and beautiful state parks, there is one that stands out for its wide variety of scenery including canyons, cliffs, creeks, and waterfalls, and that is Hawn State Park.

When travelers think about Texas, some things that probably come to mind include barbecue, country music, and ranches full of longhorn cattle; however, what a lot of people don't realize about the Lone Star State is that it contains lots of surprisingly great hiking trails and nature reserves. In fact, Texas has some of the most underrated national parks in America including the

Utah is a great vacation destination because it has so much to do and see, including a whopping five national parks that can all be visited on one road trip and some criminally-underrated state parks like Dead Horse Point

By Laura Zbinden Yellowstone is one of the most-visited national parks in America, and the sheer beauty of the park's wilderness

By Laura Zbinden Rene Frederick/Getty Images The Swiss Alps are world famous for their glaciers, hiking trails, ski resorts, and

By Laura Zbinden As such a large state with a parks and recreation system that was recognized in 2023 as the best in the country, it