#columbus-tubing

#columbus-tubing

Our ride was down Venice's Grand Canal, the most famous one in the city, and I knew that was a mistake almost right away. Pulling away from the dock alongside several other boats reminded me of rush hour. Our gondola was sandwiched between two other boats, and I was worried about getting bumped the entire time.

Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction, Colo., is an awe-inspiring canyon boasting scenery any traveler would be lucky to soak in. It's also, bafflingly, crowd-free. "People tend to head straight for the Grand Canyon, or maybe Arches or Zion national parks," says Adam Kinsey, owner and founder of Grand Junction's Handlebar Tap House as well as the new WestCo Brewing. The canyon boasts a serenity you simply won't find at the Grand Canyon, with its steady flow of tourists.

While the phrase "hidden gem" is wildly overused in food and travel writing, the cliche rings true for Cincinnati, Ohio, an under-the-radar Midwestern dining destination that many people can't spell, much less find on a map. Typically, if someone does have an opinion about the city's cuisine, it's a hot take on how freaky Cincinnati chili is. But there's much more to eat here than cinnamon-infused meat sauce and cheddar cheese on spaghetti (although, respectfully, you should try that, too).