These towns didn鈥檛 make the final cut in our Best Towns 2015 bracket. But that doesn鈥檛 mean there鈥檚 not a lot to love about them鈥攚e think they鈥檙e worth a second look!

Bainbridge Island, WA

Population: 23,196

It鈥檚 only a half-hour ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, but stepping off the ferry feels like you鈥檝e left the mainland a world away. All good things come at a price, and housing costs are steep, but homes usually include either gorgeous views of 听or tranquil wooded seclusion. Hikers and cyclists have access to 30 miles of multi-use trails that wind past nature preserves, vineyards and farms. Work up an appetite kayaking, canoeing, or SUPing on the sound鈥攖he cafes and wine bars on 听will fuel you when you鈥檙e done.

Whitefish, MT

Population: 6,649

Little Whitefish has more going for it than most towns ten times its size. In the winter, skiers head to 's 90 runs and 6 terrain parks; come summer, try SUPing at , or rafting a fork of the . There are a dozen or so galleries, but make some art of your own at , open seven days a week for walk-ins who want to try glass-fusing or ceramics. If you still have energy at the end of the day, kick back with a jalapeno margarita and live music at the .

Santa Fe, NM

Population: 69,976

Santa Fe might bring to mind green chile and retirees, but the city鈥檚 year-round sunshine and all-weather sports have made it a darling of the outdoor crowd, as well. The town is cradled by the , meaning that in only a matter of minutes you can go from finishing your latte at to bombing down on the 听or setting off to conquer 's 12,600 feet. New Mexico鈥檚 snow is low in water content, which means good skiing, and there鈥檚 always a crowd skinning up before the lifts open on powder days at Ski Santa Fe.听

Hilo, HI

Population: 44,276

Tourists overwhelmingly favor the 听on the drier side of the Big Island, leaving quiet, lush Hilo to the generations of families who鈥檝e made it their home. The twice-weekly farmers market is a community gathering spot, where vendors proffer everything from strawberry papayas to orchid leis, koa carvings, and handmade jewelry. Hilo鈥檚 also a convenient base for exploring the mountain bike trails at , 45 minutes away. Closer to town, there are several surf spots (, , ), and numerous rain-forested canyons, waterfalls, and pocket beaches to entice hikers.

Providence, RI

Population: 177,994

For decades the Providence river was paved over downtown,听 giving the city the ignoble distinction of having the world鈥檚 widest bridge. But now the river is uncovered, and downtown has been similarly revitalized. In summer, the waterways are dotted with boats, cyclists and walkers cruise the riverside trails, and is packed with kite fliers and fishermen. The city has always had great food鈥攅ven oft-indicted former mayor 听sells his own brand of pasta sauce. For classic Italian, it doesn鈥檛 get better than . For something a little more of-the-moment, head for oysters and country ham at on the West Side.

Brattleboro, VT

Population: 11,798

In wintertime, skiers and snowboarders flock to Brattleboro, usually bound for one of the two nearby ski resorts. In town, you can do the Nordic combined: the 听is the only Olympic-size ski jump in New England, and 20 miles of groomed cross-country trails are open 24/7 during the season. The town sits at the confluence of two rivers, which means kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are big-time draws in warmer months鈥攁s are the river views afterward at the .

Northampton, MA

Population: 28,495

Northampton, set amid a cluster of highly regarded liberal-arts colleges, is considered one of the most politically liberal and gay-friendly communities in the country. Tucked alongside the winding, wooded Connecticut River, the town is packed with art galleries, restaurants, caf茅s, and theaters鈥攏ot to mention home to four roller derby teams.听It鈥檚 the hub of a couple of rail-trail systems鈥攐ne that heads east toward Boston and another that heads south to New Haven, Connecticut. Post-ride, grab a table for a cocktail and some people-watching at , overlooking the local .

Portsmouth, NH

Population: 21,440

Historic Portsmouth鈥檚 charm is its contrasts: Spendy shops, hip eateries and yoga studios surrounding share foot traffic with tattoo parlors and barber shops; the well-heeled sip cocktails waterside at 鈥渢ugboat alley,鈥� a working harbor on the Piscataqua river; historic buildings-turned-performance venues showcase the newest touring acts (, ). Explore the trails at the , or charter a deep-sea fishing or whale-watching trip. When it鈥檚 time to chill, kick back at one of the beaches at .

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On the totem of simple听summer getaways, car camping is at the top鈥攁lmost all the gear you need can be culled from your garage, you don鈥檛 have to go very听far, and there鈥檚 no need to give up too many creature comforts. Chances are there鈥檚 an easy-access spot near you, but here are some of the country鈥檚 best to get you inspired.

Best for: Wilderness with a Hint of Civilization

Lake Powhatan Recreation Area, North Carolina

Amenities:听Picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, hot showers, flush toilets, ice and firewood, and inner tube rentals.
Price: $22 per听night.
Reservations:听(877)听444-6777

is only 15 minutes from Asheville, yet it鈥檚 location in the听 makes it feel far removed. There are 44 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers; for kids, there鈥檚 a beach and swimming in Lake Powhatan. Not far away: (natural waterslide), , and the (popular with anglers looking to hook white bass, skip jack shad, and striper). When civilization beckons, head to Asheville for some savory听Southern cooking at .听

Best for: Island Life

Big Bay State Park, Wisconsin

Amenities:听Picnic tables, fire rings, hot showers, and flush toilets.听
Price: $15 per听night for Wisconsin residents, $17 per night for nonresidents. All vehicles must听have a parking permit: $7 per day or $25 annual sticker for Wisconsin residents,听$10 per听day or $35 annual sticker听for nonresidents.
Reservations: (715) 747-6425

It鈥檚 worth the to the 2,350-acre on Madeline Island听(the only one of the 22 Apostle Islands that isn鈥檛 included in Lake Superior鈥檚 National Lakeshore) because the 60 just off the sandy beach are extremely quiet. to explore the coastal bluffs, or from Bayfield to paddle the calm lagoon. On land, the best way to explore the 14-mile-long, three-mile-wide island is by . Take a break from camp cooking and pedal to for fresh trout or whitefish at the Beach Club.

Best for: Groups with Kids

Whiteface Mountain KOA, New York

Amenities:听Hot showers, flush toilets, heated pool, game room, bike rentals, mini-golf, tennis, laundry, store, Wi-Fi, and breakfast dining room.
Price: $31 to听$38 per听night.
Reservations:听(800)听562-0368

This pet-friendly, 听in the Adirondack Mountains is like summer camp鈥攑acked with organized activities for kids like hayrides, movie nights, and DJ dances. From camp, a trail leads to impressive views of the , or walk about a half-mile from the campground to and its popular swimming hole. This is also a convenient base for exploring nearby Lake Placid, where you have your pick of adventure sports: rock听climbing, mountain听biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, SUPing, and .

Best for: Solitude听

Cascadia State Park, Oregon

Amenities:听Picnic tables, flush toilets, and communal fire pit.
Price: $17 per听night.
Reservations: (800) 452-5687; the 25 individual tent sites are first听come, first served, so call ahead for availability.

Surrounded by Douglas firs and听cedars deep in the , feels more remote than it is. Take an easy walk along the creek to 听or to the , where you can swim and fish. If you鈥檙e feeling like a serious hike with some Native American history, the 7.5-hour departs from the in 听and takes you to the site of 8,000-year-old petroglyphs. Mountain bike trails and whitewater rafting are also nearby.

Best for: Friends or Couples

D.L. Bliss State Park, California

Amenities: Restrooms, hot showers, fire pit with grill, picnic table, and bear locker.
Price: $45 per听night for beach campsites, $35 for all others.
Reservations: (800) 444-7175; books up quickly, so plan ahead.

A rarity on the shores of Lake Tahoe,听this campsite is far enough from Highway 89 to mask the traffic noise. Leave the kids at home and bring your toys: bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and beer. Mountain bike on either the 14-mile Flume Trail or parts of the 165-mile .听Put in at .听Hike the 6.5听miles from to Emerald Bay. Hungry? in is a quick trip.

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While retirees account for the largest share of RV owners, increasing numbers of听young people and families nowhere near their golden years are purchasing motorhomes. Instead of opting for cookie-cutter, Winnebago-style behemoths, millennials and Gen Xers are going for sleeker units that pack modern, adventure-ready amenities into smaller, more ductile spaces. Thinking about making the jump? Start here.

Trailers vs. Campers and Motorhomes

Let鈥檚 start with the basics. There are two general categories to consider: towable trailers and motorhomes. (We said this was 101, didn鈥檛 we?)听

First, learn your ABCs. Class A motorhomes are the McMansions of motorhomes; Class B is Latin for camper vans; Class C motorhomes look like Class As that have been shrunk to fit on the back of a truck with a nook over the cab space.

Trailers, as the name implies, are hitched to the back of a (reliable) towing vehicle. They tend to be cheaper than motorhomes and are more popular. They contain fewer systems听that could potentially break down听and can be easily unhitched for unfettered driving鈥攂ut they tend to be less stable on the road. You may also need a special license in some states if your trailer weighs more than a certain amount. 听

Campers can be taken onto steeper, dirtier, and/or windier roads听but afford less space. Class A and C motorhomes give you more storage room but lose maneuverability on anything but highways.

Select a vehicle according to how you travel.

Weekend Warriors

Your best bet for a quick, uncomplicated getaway is a camper van, like the iconic VW camper, which was discontinued in 2003 but still does the trick (Volkswagen announced that it鈥檚 working on an electric-powered reboot). You can buy any cheap van and retrofit it yourself. A company called outfits camper vans to suit your traveling style for a sum (it also sells new,听customizable vans). The Chinook, which looks like it drove out of an ironic 1980s T-shirt, is also a good idea. It was discontinued in 2005, but the company says听it will be back this December, rebuilt for adventurers who like a few extra 21st-century amenities.听

Romance in a Tiny Home听

Keep in mind: The smaller the space, the more real things are going to get. Look at bigger camper vans with pop-top roofs (perfect for alone time or as a guest bedroom). If you have cash to burn, import the available-only-in-Germany (for now) Mercedes听Marco Polo Explorer. It gets 39 mpg and comes with a double bed, kitchenette, and pop-top roof. You can also throw it back with the 2015 Winnebago Travato, which, despite the name, is actually a spacious camper van.

Also, consider a Class C motorhome or teardrop trailer. You may end up towing your home (if you pick a trailer) or adventure vehicle (if you pick听a Class C), but you鈥檒l be happy with the option for privacy if children are in your near future.

Explorers

Campgrounds are for everyone else.听You want to get off the beaten path, if not the road itself. Boondocking鈥攃amping for free, without hookups, in remote places like land鈥攊s more your style.

Camper vans are the easiest to squirrel along the back roads, and there is听no shortage of models to pick from, but (also called slide-ins) are a smart and versatile choice. They mount on the bed of a pickup truck, so the camper can go anywhere your truck can go. They are also relatively easy to unhitch in case you want to use the truck a little more aggressively.听

罢别苍迟濒颈办别听 break down the easiest and quickest. are insulated and more comfortable in the elements. , which听makes some of our favorite adventure vehicles, will release its first slide-in before 2016.听

Family Life

When you bring the family along, you bring everything that comes with it: the toys, the dog, even your kids鈥� friends.听

Class C motorhomes let you snag some privacy and have all of the comforts and amenities of a Class A home鈥攋ust think 听rather than interior living spaces.听Thanks to the step-up area over the truck cab, these models can have the same sleeping space as a Class A.

Also look into travel trailers like the . These听usually offer as many beds as Class Cs and come with most of the same amenities but for a little less money. (You鈥檒l still need a sturdy vehicle to tow it.)听

What About Class A?

Forget about Class A. They guzzle gas and听go slow, and you鈥檙e on the road to explore, not spread out on the couch. That said, if you have more than three kids听or are traveling with 15 of your friends, you might want to reconsider.

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Anyone who鈥檚听driven California's Pacific Coast听Highway听knows that the Golden State鈥檚 shoreline is a breathtaking jewel. If you鈥檝e ever imagined听Cali's oceanfront听as a thru-hike, you鈥檙e not alone鈥攖he state has been trying to carve out the 1,200-mile or so听听ever听since a听 sanctioned a听public walking path听connecting听the Oregon border to the听Mexico border,听at all times within 鈥渟ight, sound, or smell of the ocean.鈥�

But 14 years later, a little more than half of the CCT听has been completed, with noncontiguous听parts freckling the state鈥檚 coastline.听

Here's the issue: The CCT isn鈥檛 a singular pathway鈥攊n some places听it can be a stretch of beach, a paved bike trail, or听a boardwalk. Connecting the听trail would mean听crossing over large swatches of privately owned land. The law does not require private land owners听make听their property available听for the trail.

In comparison, the Pacific Crest Trail听a couple hundred miles inland听was carved out of what was mostly public land听through parks and Bureau of Land Management property (200 miles of the 2,650-mile trail are on ).

鈥淭o make [the CCT] happen means getting more than 100听government agencies and a large number of听private interests听to work together,鈥� says Una Glass, executive director of听, a nonprofit that organizes day hikes and weeklong treks along听parts of听the CCT听and brings public and private stakeholders together to implement plans for the trail鈥檚 completion.听

Without cooperation,听the CCT completion date remains听TBD. But听that鈥檚 not stopping groups from trying to get the public behind the trail听and pushing the myriad entities to figure out a plan forward.

鈥淥ne of our biggest challenges is to get the public to 鈥榞et it,鈥欌�� says Glass, who remarked听that many听people regularly use parts of the CCT and don鈥檛 even know it.听For example,听the听听in Los Angeles,听the听听in Humboldt County, and some of the trails in听听补苍诲听听are all officially听parts of the CCT.

This summer, Los Angeles鈥揵ased public TV station KCET is helping put the CCT into locals鈥櫶齝onversations. It is rolling out an听听that听explores various CCT trails in the state鈥檚 six southernmost counties. The station is听also releasing detailed field guides to help hikers navigate the motley assortment of pathways.

Congressman Sam Farr, a Democrat who has represented a coastal district that includes Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Cruz for more than 20 years, hopes increased public attention will result in more funds to push the project forward.听鈥淩ight now, trails are low priority鈥攖hey usually get tacked onto other projects as a condition of development,鈥� he says. According to Farr, building the CCT along Monterey Bay will cost up to $120 million dollars. He's not counting on the California legislature to make any funding available.听To get it, Farr says,听鈥淲e need donations, grants, and things like development offsets.鈥澨�

And so听the CCT remains a big California dream, but one you can still drift in and out of.

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When last year鈥檚 polar vortex froze the shoreline of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin into one giant ice block, it was the first time in five years that the park鈥檚 caves鈥攗sually visited in warmer weather by kayak or canoe鈥攚ere accessible on foot. The park as it scrambled to find more personnel (and toilets) to handle the crowds.

Hoping to be better听prepared this year, Apostle Islands implemented a first-ever听$5 entrance fee to the ice caves (in addition to the regular park entrance fee) for visitors age 16 and older. The huge number of tourists didn鈥檛 materialize. The caves were open for just nine days, compared with eight and half weeks last year, and only 37,800 visitors turned up. But the , including hiring seasonal employees and buying equipment like a 鈥渟nowbulance.鈥�

With next year鈥檚 NPS centennial expected to draw a record 295 million visitors to its properties, the National Park Service听is also struggling with how to deal with deferred maintenance鈥攔oads, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure鈥攖hat . Even though 听this year at many parks after a six-year moratorium, they听will cover just a fraction of the funding gap.

So why not follow Apostle Islands鈥� lead听and charge a small fee to see the parks鈥櫶齧ost-visited areas听to help generate badly听needed revenue?听

It鈥檚 not quite that simple, says Kathy Kupper, a spokesperson with the NPS. Before any fee can be increased, the park is required to solicit public input, including inviting comments and feedback. Then the request goes all the way to the NPS director, who must personally approve it.

But in the case of the Apostles Islands, this task was made easier because of the circumstances. The ice听cave fee will be collected only when the weather cooperates, and people can hike in to see the caves. And the $5 increase isn鈥檛 technically cost increase,听but a cost-recovery fee, a special听ongoing charge听that pays for specific听services or activities like hiring climbing rangers and flying out trash from the mountain. 鈥淐ost-recovery fees don鈥檛 cover all of it, but it helps supplement them,鈥� says Kupper.听

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Buying something we want听but don鈥檛 necessarily need听brings an听undeniable rush. Our overflowing closets, attics, and garages testify to the powerful allure of new toys听补苍诲听gadgets. But what do you think would bring more happiness in the long run:听that new curved-screen HDTV听or an African safari?

According to that still keep popping up in the headlines, it鈥檚 human nature to equate happiness with tangible stuff. After all, why spend your hard-earned money on a two-week trip to Bhutan听when that designer living听room set you bought instead will be around for years, reminding you day after day of its fabulousness?听

Because all those awesome objects will never make you a happy person. The human mind has a perverse 鈥攅ven pricey things like electronics, clothing, furniture, wedding rings, you name it. On the other hand, even the anticipation of an experience, whether it鈥檚 going to a concert, fishing with friends, or planning a bucket-list trip, contributes to the overall happiness associated with the actual event.听Even years later, being able to casually mention that you once went skydiving in Spain wears much better than name-dropping your car or television in a conversation. Bottom line: While a trip lasts only a set amount of days, its effect on your happiness lasts a lifetime. It鈥檚 a case of the clich茅 actually being true.

To drive home the point, we鈥檝e done some quick comparison shopping:听five memorable experiences for you to ponder versus five undeniably awesome objects.

Starbucks vs. New Zealand

A large mocha听will not only set you back $4.25, it鈥檒l also generously contribute, at 听(depending), about a quarter of the calories you should consume in a day. That $4.25 adds up; so will the pounds.

The real thing:听For the price of 100听calorie bombs ($425), you can stay for a week in a big, sunny room at a highly rated , with access to the villa鈥檚 solar hot tub and just a short stroll to the city center. Nelson is one of New Zealand鈥檚 loveliest (and warmest) coastal towns, just across Tasman Bay from spectacular , with pristine golden beaches that are accessible only by hiking or water taxi.

Televisions听vs. Jordan

Stream movies and TV shows instantly! Watch high-def images so 鈥渦ltra,鈥� you can see the pores on a porpoise! Sit back and feel your mind slipping into automatic pilot! Sure, that looks impressive, but after a month you鈥檒l hardly notice the difference anymore.

The real thing:听For the same money, unleash your inner Lawrence of Arabia and book a , sleeping in desert camps and with a Bedouin as your guide. The valley鈥檚 vast shifting sands give way to sandstone mountains鈥攕ome with petroglyphs dating back thousands of years鈥攖hat are popular with rock climbers. You鈥檒l spend your last day at the 鈥淩ose City鈥� of Petra, a UNESCO Heritage Site whose breathtaking carved-from-sandstone architecture is unlike anything else, anywhere.

Clothing vs. Whitewater Rafting

Who really needs one more pair of shoes, one more handbag, one more sweater destined to disappear in the back of your chest of drawers? There are a lot of good ways to spend a hundred bucks, but buying more closet compost isn鈥檛 one of them.

The real thing:听For a Benjamin and change ($115), thrill听seekers can fasten their lifejackets and hang on for 10 miles through the in Maryland. This section of the Yough is one of the last remaining wilderness canyons in the eastern United States, with continuous Class IV鈥揤 rapids running for five miles.听

Latest Tech vs. Antarctica

There were plenty of people who bought the when it became available or pre-sale. For $15,000.听

The real thing:听For the same price, the trip of a lifetime awaits鈥攁 . Depart from Ushuaia, Argentina,听the southernmost city in the world, and head听through Drake鈥檚 Passage, past the Antarctic Circle, to the continent that鈥檚 nearly 98 percent听covered听by ice听and home to seals and penguins with no natural fear of humans.听

Pricey Drinks vs. Road-Tripping

We love our bourbon-grapefruit-tamarind-lemon-with-poppyseed-tincture concoction as much as the next working stiff with a craft-cocktail palate and a PBR budget. But at $12 or $13 a pop, blowing off steam on the weekend can add up quickly.

The real thing:听Discover听some of the Southwest鈥檚 premier national parks鈥攊ncluding Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, and Canyonlands鈥攐n a road trip.听Set aside at least 10 days, and plan on covering about 1,200 miles.听With the 听and a 23 mpg average for a typical minivan, you can cover fill-ups for less than the cost of a dozen artisan cocktails.听

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The Northeast is just emerging from one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record:听Boston saw more snow than ever before鈥攁lmost 110 inches鈥攁nd at Vermont鈥檚 , 200 inches of the white stuff fell in January and February alone, ensuring the ski resort will operate daily until the end of April.

It would stand to reason, then, that once the snowpack starts melting, all that accumulated precipitation should make for some pretty epic whitewater rafting in New England, right? As it turns out, not necessarily.

鈥淲e had a lot of snow, , and we鈥檝e had a dry March and April,鈥� says , associate professor of hydrogeology at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. Not all snowpacks are hydrated equally. So, despite the generous snowfall, the lack of spring rain means rivers are running at just about normal levels. Davis says that if the springtime rains fail to appear, the area could even be facing drought-like conditions.

On the other hand, it鈥檚 a little too early to gauge how high the rivers will be running in Vermont听because colder听than听usual spring weather has kept most of the snow from melting. 鈥淯sually there would have been a significant runoff, but this year it鈥檚 been cold, and there鈥檚 still a significant snowpack that water is locked up in,鈥� says Andres Torizzo, principal hydrologist with in Burlington. But he cautions that a heavy rainfall鈥攃ommon in spring鈥攚ould cause the snow to melt quickly and, along with the rain, could trigger flooding.

Basically, it鈥檚 a wait-and-see game.

In the meantime, there are outfitters who are enjoying pretty much optimal conditions for this time of year, with water levels that are neither too nigh nor too low.

In Massachusetts, most of that historic snowfall has nearly melted, says Brian Pytko, whitewater rafting manager at in Charlemont. Most of the rivers are even a little below normal level, except for the Concord River, just north of Boston, which is running at about normal.

鈥淭his is nice because it鈥檚 consistent and reliable,鈥� says Pytko. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not breaking any records, but I know it鈥檚 going to run, and we don鈥檛 have to worry about safety issues from flooding.鈥�

Meanwhile, the Adirondacks are enjoying warm, sunny weather that鈥檚 melting snow and filling the rivers. 鈥淭his is the 鈥榩erfect spring,鈥欌�� says Bones Bayse, co-owner of in Wevertown, New听York. 鈥淧eople going out this week or next (on the Hudson and Moose Rivers) will have the highest water of the season. The warm weather has the rivers right where we want them. It鈥檚 got everyone in town in a good mood.鈥�

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Europe is the birthplace of the bicycle, though exactly where it was first invented is up for debate (the French contend the inventor听was a Frenchman, the English say he听was one of theirs, and the Scots throw in a claim, too). Cycling culture runs deep in Europe, making it one of the best destinations for a two-wheeled tour.听The locals will not only respect you on the road, they鈥檒l also embrace you in the pub,听taverna, or听caf茅 for taking the time to explore their countries听in such a civilized manner.

The trips listed below are fully supported, meaning they include vehicles en route to pick you up if you need help and听mechanics to fix your bike if it breaks. The tour guides have extensive听knowledge of the area and can,听if necessary, offer encouragement during听a long day. Here are six trips to put on your calendar.

The Napoleon Expedition听

Paris to Moscow:听Ride & Seek Bicycle 国产吃瓜黑料s

This epic from Ride & Seek Bicycle 国产吃瓜黑料s听roughly traces Napoleon鈥檚 1812 Russian Campaign.听It begins in Paris with a spin down the Champs-脡lys茅es, followed by aperitifs under the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe听before departing for Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia鈥攖hrough rolling vineyards, deep forests, medieval villages, and historic cities. As you enter Moscow on the last day, know that you鈥檙e guaranteed a much warmer welcome than the diminutive Corsican received when he triumphantly ended his march听in Red Square. Note: If 45 days are more than you can commit to, the tour is composed of six one-week stages, so you can do as many (or as few) as you like.

Details: $14,745 for entire tour, $2,605 for each stage;听prices based on double occupancy. Fully supported/guided. Includes breakfasts, some lunches, and most dinners.

l鈥橢tape du Tour

France:听Trek Travel

Each year since 1993, more than 10,000 cyclists have registered for l鈥橢tape du Tour, a one-day event that allows amateurs to ride one of the mountain stages of that year鈥檚 Tour de France while the pros have a rest day. On this five- or seven-day guided tour from , each day features routes that were stages in previous Tours, culminating in a guaranteed spot in l鈥橢tape du Tour, which in 2015 will be a 87-mile day听climbing Col de Chaussy, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Mollard, and a summit finish at La Toussuire. This year, Trek team rider and 2010 Tour de France winner Andy Schleck will ride along with guests for the entire week.

Details: $4,699 for seven听days, $4,199 for five days per person; prices听based on double occupancy. Fully supported/guided. Includes breakfasts, some lunches, and most dinners.

Land鈥檚 End to John O鈥橤roats听

United Kingdom:听Peak Tours

Starting from the very southwest tip of England and ending almost 1,000 miles away in the northeast reaches of Scotland, this 14-day ride from听听rolls through patchwork-quilt farmlands in the south, craggy mountains and pristine lakes of the Lake District, and the barren moors of northern Scotland. Whenever possible, the route avoids main roads in favor of lovely flowered country lanes and quiet back roads that lead to out-of-the-way听villages and centuries-old inns.

Details:听$2,400 to $3,486, depending on choice of听accommodations. Fully supported. Includes all breakfasts and lunches; dinners are on your own.

The Danube听

Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary:听Experience Plus

There鈥檚 a good reason the Danube River听is one of听the most popular rides听in Europe: Almost anyone can do it. There are no hills to speak of, and most of the riding is on a network of paved paths that follow听the river as it passes through the Eastern European countryside and two of Europe鈥檚 most storied capitals, Vienna and Budapest (there鈥檚 a rest day in Vienna). This 13-day, 526-mile ride (named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the 鈥�50 Tours of a Lifetime鈥�) from 听begins in Germany and winds past impressive Bavarian monasteries, verdant Austrian vineyards, and pristine Hungarian villages before ending in the imperial gem that is Budapest.

Details:听$5,500. Fully supported/guided. Includes use of a 27- to 30-gear titanium bike or an听aluminum tandem with e-bike option, all breakfasts, and half of your dinners.

Sacred Sites of Greece听

Peloponnese:听Cycle Greece

鈥檚 eight-day tour (one of Bicycling magazine鈥檚 鈥渂est tours鈥� in 2009) travels through arguably the most beautiful part of mainland Greece听and offers听both long (358 miles) and short (237 miles) options. Stretches in the saddle are broken up by stops at some of the Greek鈥檚 most famous sites, including the Olympic grounds where the first games commenced in 796 B.C. Also included are tours of Epidavros, the most famous healing center in the classical world, and the ancient city of Mycenae.

Details: $2,340, based on double occupancy. Fully supported/guided. Includes use of a Specialized 27-gear road bike,听entrance fees and private tours of several sites, and听all dinners (with house wine).

Dalmation Coast听

颁谤辞补迟颈补:听Backroads

鈥淭he Mediterranean as It Once Was鈥� has been Croatia鈥檚 tagline for years. The country听touts its beautiful beaches, lavender and olive groves, and mashup of Roman, Byzantine, French, Ottoman, and Slavic architecture. 鈥� six-day tour island听hops from Brac to Hvar (the Cannes of Croatia) to Korcula.听The leisurely length (106- or 192-mile options) means there鈥檚 plenty of time at the end of the day for a dip in the gorgeous blue-green sea. The final day is spent in historic Dubrovnik, the 鈥淧earl of the Adriatic.鈥�

Details: $3,998 to $4,598, depending on dates;听based on double occupancy. Fully supported/guided. Includes all meals except two lunches and one dinner.

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If all goes according to schedule, the four-seater plane鈥攚hich will be made of no less than 75 percent hemp, and will run on hemp-based bio-fuel鈥攚ill make its maiden flight sometime this fall or next spring from Kitty Hawk, N.C., site of the Wright Brothers鈥� historic take off. It鈥檚 the first part of Derek Kesek鈥檚 broader vision to help get industrial-hemp use off the ground and why he chose to make a plane rather than, say, a hemp motorcycle: It鈥檒l get noticed.

鈥淭here are many advantages to using hemp,鈥� says Kesek, a former organic-restaurant owner in Ontario who founded , a company focused on developing hemp products for mass use. 鈥淭his plane project is just our first experiment with industrial hemp, and we plan to explore many uses. Once we establish structural testing and information from the hemp project, we will take that and work on the next best implication. The sky may not be the limit.鈥澨�

It is Kesek’s belief, that hemp can be used to replace the fiberglass currently used to build aircraft. This matters because hemp production is carbon neutral, while the process of creating , specifically releasing something called styrene into the atmosphere.

Hemp has been used for centuries for making things like rope and fabric, and records of the Chinese using hemp for paper-making go back a couple thousand years. Today you can buy myriad products made from industrial hemp: clothing, soaps, oil, omega-rich seeds used for food supplements and animal feed, even . A large share of the hemp products consumed in the U.S. come from Canada, which legalized industrial hemp production in 1992.

But it has been the victim of bad press in the U.S., ever since -induced fear gripped the nation, and the Marihuana(cq) Tax Act of 1937 effectively shut down production of hemp in the U.S. despite the fact that industrial hemp contains merely a fraction of the psychoactive compound THC than Cannabis used for medicinal or recreational purposes. Chemical companies, too, had a stake in banning hemp, which they saw as competing with their plastics and synthetic fabrics. (The regulations were relaxed in 1942 so hemp could be grown to help in the war effort, but in 1957 production was again banned.)

[quote]Plant-based composites and plastics (including hemp) make a vehicle lighter, therefore more fuel efficient. Because of hemp鈥檚 versatility, the commercial applications are almost limitless.[/quote]

Then last year, President Obama signed a that removed hemp grown for research purposes from the Controlled Substances act, allowing states to decide for themselves how to manage production; currently 19 states allow for regulated production of industrial hemp.

That鈥檚 great news for Kesek and a growing number of entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and hemp advocates who鈥檝e embraced the plant as a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative that incurs a much smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional manufacturing materials like steel, aluminum, or fiberglass. It鈥檚 even becoming somewhat mainstream: Lotus鈥� and some Mercedes models use hemp-fiber door panels. BMW鈥檚 i3 electric car incorporates hemp-reinforced plastics in its interior. Not to mention that plant-based composites and plastics (including hemp) make a vehicle lighter, therefore more fuel efficient. Because of hemp鈥檚 versatility, the commercial applications are almost limitless.

Last fall Kesek signed a contract with a U.S. small-plane manufacturer to build the plane, using their designs but building components from hemp-and-resin panels instead of fiberglass. The project is still in its earliest phaese鈥擧e鈥檚 launched a crowd-sourced funding campaign and says he鈥檚 well on his way to reaching the $500,000 required for the project. And he鈥檚 looking around for a company that will reliably produce the hemp bio-fuel the plane will use, possibly even investing in one.

Then, says Kesek, who cites Richard Branson and Elon Musk as huge influences, he intends to 鈥渒eep the patents open,鈥� much the way that Musk released the patents on the Tesla, to encourage growth in the industry.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a company that, once we have the money, we鈥檒l do good things with it. We want to truly give back.鈥�

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When an unexpected delay caused Neil Saiki, a bicycle designer based in Santa Cruz, California, to miss his Delta flight from Zurich to San Francisco, he had no choice but to fork over $250 to change his ticket to the next morning鈥攏ot to mention another $500 or so to cover the difference for the new fare.

Saiki鈥檚 experience is typical. The fee that domestic carriers levy just to change an international flight can run as high as $750 (). But a passengers’ rights group has to the Department of Transportation to cap the change fee that U.S. airlines can charge on an international flight at $100.

When the , the DOT lost its authority to regulate fees and fares,听but the agency鈥檚 ability to regulate in the foreign market remained intact.

International change fees, according to president Paul Hudson, the group that submitted the proposal, typically don鈥檛 reflect a 鈥渞easonable鈥� cost associated with changing the ticket. According to aviation law that Congress , every airline is required to maintain 鈥渞easonable prices,鈥� including fares and charges for air transportation. Hudson says that based on the actual time and effort involved in changing a ticket, a reasonable fee is more like $40.

The carriers鈥� stance is that if passengers want to avoid change fees, they should purchase a refundable ticket. 鈥淎irline pricing is extremely transparent and customers are aware of what they are purchasing and at what price before they buy their air transportation,鈥� says Victoria Day, spokesperson for , the industry鈥檚 largest trade organization.

Except that refundable tickets usually cost three times as much as a non-refundable ticket, putting them out of reach for many, especially families. And travel insurance, says Hudson, is so restrictive that most people鈥檚 circumstances for changing a ticket are very rarely covered.

Day says that the change fees are 鈥渙pportunity costs that airlines seek to recover. When someone books a reservation, the airline removes that seat from the inventory, and when that passenger seeks to change his reservation, the airline has to take into consideration both the ability to sell his original seat and calculate the impact and risk of potential revenue loss for that new seat.鈥�

Hudson, however, says exorbitant change fees are nothing more than another revenue stream. Not only that, but when a flight is changed, carriers are able to double-dip on fares: The passenger who rebooks his flight, in addition to paying the change fee, will almost always have to pay the difference for a much higher last-minute fare on the new flight. And the seat he vacates? It gets sold to the next guy for, you guessed it, a much higher rate.听

History isn鈥檛 on the side of consumers on this issue: In 2012 the DOT听 in response to a complaint brought by air-travel consumers rights advocate Donald Pevsner. (A DOT spokesperson declined to comment听on the pending petition by .)

鈥淐ould the government step in? It could. Will it? No, and here鈥檚 why,鈥� says Mary Schiavo, who served an embattled tenure as inspector general at the DOT from 1990 to 1996, and is now an aviation attorney. 鈥淭he FAA has been extremely reluctant to regulate anything related to fares and amenities鈥攍ook at how long it took to get the three-hour tarmac rule,鈥� referring to the 2009 policy that bars tarmac delays of .

Schiavo, whose 1997 book harshly criticized the FAA and airline industry, says that, like the tarmac rule (enacted after a series of incidents in which passengers were trapped inside planes on the tarmac for up to nine hours), change fees will only be regulated if enough egregious cases come to light.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good idea, but there鈥檚 a lot more needed than that. There have been so many things over the years that people have thought it was time for the FAA to do partial re-regulation,鈥� says Schiavo. 鈥淚 wish the FAA would act, but I doubt they will.鈥�

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