Nestled in the hills of Shenandoah Valley, the South River Highlands Country Retreat and Heartstone Lodge & Retreat Center are just four miles from Lexington , Virginia and two hours from Washington D.C. Tranquility and clarity of mind envelops this 250-acre rural hideaway.

From San Francisco to San Diego, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has created the California Road Trip . Eight coastal Hilton Hotels are offering amenity incentives for the traveler such as unlimited Cable Car rides in San Francisco, and 2-for-1 trolley passes at Fess Parker Resort in Santa Barbara.

Rockbridge County Virginia is steeped in history--a drive down Lexington’s main street is like stepping back in time—so much so that Hollywood has utilized downtown as a movie set for Revolutionary War, and Civil War era films. They just move the cars out and top up the roadways with dirt and they’re ready to roll.

The landscape of travel is evolving and hotels and resorts are responding to the demand for meaningful travel experiences, by individuals on holiday and corporate meeting and event planners. The Hilton San Francisco Union Square incorporates mindful meetings, mindful eating, mindful being as well as engaging guests with local non-profit opportunities.

A conversation with Sharon and Mark Oldham, owners of Dancing Bear Lodge situated in the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee. Dancing Bear features 26 rustic but elegant lodge-style accommodations, an event center where live musical performances feature regional artists, and the award-winning Appalachian Bistro. We’ll also visit with the Bistro’s star-chef Shelly Cooper.

Danny Ray Carver’s dad started Carver’s Orchard in Cosby, Tennessee back in 1942, but the Carver clan has been growing apples in Appalachia for six generations, arriving in Eastern Tennessee in the late 1700’s.

LA County’s WaterBus is and ideal way to experience Marina del Rey harbor—the second largest man- made yacht harbor in the world.

Jonathan Ball with the Rocky Top Wine Trail in Eastern Tennessee talks about the trail that includes wineries in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg .

Sugarlands Distilling Company in Gatlinburg , Tennessee uses traditional corn and rye, but infuses their “Shine” with an array of flavors, including dark chocolate, butter pecan, and apple bacon. A conversation with Kris “Tugboat” Killingsworth, Tastings Manager at Sugarlands about the trendy new world of Shine. You are invited to subscribe to the Lowell Thomas award-winning NPR Podcast travel show Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer via: iTunes NPR.ORG Podcast Directory NPR One (APP) Stitcher

The new Tennessee Whiskey Trail is made up of approximately 30 distilleries across the state. Tennessee distilleries range from small, boutique operations such as Corsair and Greenbrier in Nashville to legendary distilleries like Jack Daniels .