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Summer vacation ideas while there's still time: Here are 6 smart spots to consider
There’s still plenty of time this summer to make topnotch travel getaway plans.
Sure, a road trip to the mountains or a week at the beach is ideal for a well-deserved summer vacation — but if you’re looking for some suggestions that are an airplane away, read on.
Fox News Digital spoke to several travel experts to find out how to pursue your wanderlust, whether it’s a solo trip, a couple’s escape, a friends’ getaway or a special family vacation.
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Check out these six intriguing options, each with plenty to offer.
1. Ireland
Whether you want to explore your (or a friend’s or family member’s) Irish heritage, play golf or immerse yourself in the food and drink scene, the Emerald Isle is a place to consider.
The Emerald Isle offers a unique blend of bustling cities such as Dublin and Belfast, charming coastal cities like Cork and Galway, and rolling countryside towns throughout the spectacular island. (iStock)
It offers a unique blend of bustling cities such as Dublin and Belfast, charming coastal cities like Cork and Galway, and rolling countryside towns throughout the spectacular island.
Getting there is a cinch, as there are direct flights from Midwest and East Coast airports — making it easy for the young and the young at heart.
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While in Ireland, be sure to visit the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, which offers a “brewery experience” while sharing tales of “Ireland’s famous beer” with tastings and a rooftop bar, according to its website; and consider a visit to the whiskey distilleries of Jameson, Teeling and Pearse Lyons.
Afterward, consider the centrally located Grafton Hotel for a peaceful night’s rest.
The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a “must” visit to add to your itinerary if you’re in the area, according to travel experts. The brewery experience offers tales of “Ireland’s famous beer” plus tastings and a rooftop bar. (iStock)
The summer months are considered the best time to travel to Ireland, according to Intrepid Travel, an agency based in Canada.
While you might enjoy nice weather, summer is also peak season — so you can expect crowds at popular destinations.
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If you want to avoid the crowds, look into traveling during the “shoulder” season in autumn, according to Tourism Ireland.
2. Catalina Island, California
Another destination to consider as a summer escape is Catalina Island, which is about 50 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. It’s roughly an hour’s ferry ride.
Catalina Island is only an hour’s ferry ride from the coast of Los Angeles. (iStock)
Offering something for almost every type of traveler, the versatile destination has fine dining and luxury hotels. Visitors can also camp within the island’s wild terrain.
Other highlights are water activities like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or paddleboarding.
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While on land, consider touring the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Gardens, plus savor the natural beauty of more than 100 hiking trails on the island.
“Catalina Island provides a Mediterranean-style escape closer to the West Coast and is a good alternative to Capri, Italy,” said Christie Hudson, travel expert at Expedia in Seattle.
Catalina Island will feel like a Mediterranean-style getaway, but without the price tag, according to travel experts. (iStock)
“Both destinations offer breathtaking coastal views, clear waters ideal for snorkeling and a relaxed island atmosphere.”
Yet the price difference is huge.
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A flight from Austin, Texas, to Los Angeles is $310 compared to a flight from Austin to Naples, Italy — which averages $1,870, said Hudson.
3. The Dolomites in northern Italy
If you dream of a splurge-worthy dream trip to Italy but don’t want to face the crowds this summer — consider an alternate Italian trip.
If you envision an Italian summer trip but without the massive crowds, take a look at this northern Italian getaway in the Dolomites. (iStock)
Zicasso CEO Brian Tan, based in Mountain View, California, said that while Italy remains a high-demand destination for Zicasso travelers, the travel company is seeing a rise in slightly lesser-known regions, such as the Dolomites in northern Italy.
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“It’s off-the-beaten path from the usual Rome/Florence/Venice crowds, has cooler temperatures, amazing mountain vistas, lush valleys, memorable drives, and charming towns, including Cortina D’Ampezzo, host of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games,” said Tan.
Furthermore, a region like the Dolomites can be paired easily with traditionally popular major gateway cities like Rome, he said.
4. Denmark
Copenhagen is likely the most visited city in Denmark.
This Scandinavian country offers endless opportunities for culture, history and foodie experiences, plus coastal benefits.
While Denmark may not be top of mind when thinking of a beach holiday, it has over 4,500 miles of coastline, with uncrowded, white, sandy beaches. (iStock)
“Denmark is a surprisingly good place for a beach holiday in peak summer, with over 4,500 miles of coastline and uncrowded, white, sandy beaches,” said Daniel Burnham, senior flight expert with Going.com.
“Within the past 10 days we’ve seen nonstop fares to Copenhagen from $375 nonstop out of Boston, New York, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles for travel from July-November 2024,” he also said.
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In addition, a Denmark trip can be a launching point for seeing other European countries,c such as Finland, Norway, Sweden or the United Kingdom.
5. Saint Vincent
If you’re a Caribbean enthusiast but don’t want the same “been there, done that” island experience, it might be time to consider Saint Vincent — where the “Pirates of the Caribbean” was filmed.
Check out Saint Vincent if you’re in the mood for a Caribbean escape but want to avoid the crowds. (iStock)
“There’s a new Sandals there now, and it’s a sweet property,” said Kelley Connor, a travel adviser with AAA Club Alliance in Marlton, New Jersey.
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“It’s the first all-inclusive [offering] on the island, located on 50 lush acres with a beautiful beach and surrounded by mountains and rainforest.”
Saint Vincent is south of St. Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean.
Visit Saint Vincent while it’s still “pure and undisturbed, providing a relaxing vacation that offers the best of all beach vacations without the hordes of tourists,” said one travel expert. (iStock)
“Right now, it’s pure and undisturbed, providing a relaxing vacation that offers the best of all beach vacations without the hordes of tourists,” Connor said.
“The rainforest is filled with tropical birds and cascading waterfalls, and the snorkeling and scuba diving is sublime, due to the exotic beauty beneath the quiet turquoise waters.”
6. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Alabama is gaining popularity among travelers who are seeking a blend of pristine beaches, outdoor activities and southern hospitality, according to Booking.com information shared with Fox News Digital.
It’s a quintessential beach escape — with 32 miles of white, sandy beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing and water sports.
Take a look at six vacation destinations described in this article that are true gems with lots to offer, as recommended by travel experts. (iStock)
Be sure to make time for Gulf State Park, a must-visit for nature enthusiasts — plus it offers kayaking, fishing and hiking.
Also, a dolphin cruise showcases the region’s scenic beauty of the Gulf while offering the chance to spot these adorable mammals.
This destination is very family-friendly and ideal for a multi-generational trip.
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Giants honor Willie Mays with highway designation on what would have been his 95th birthday
The San Francisco Giants announced a fitting tribute to one of the best players in the history of Major League Baseball on Wednesday afternoon.
Willie Mays, the legendary center fielder and Hall of Famer, would have turned 95 on Wednesday. And the Giants, in conjunction with Mays’ Say Hey Foundation, along with several other sponsoring parties, will be designating a portion of a local freeway as the Willie Mays Highway.
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Hall of Famer Willie Mays tips his cap during introductions for Game 1 of the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers in San Francisco on Oct. 24, 2012. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/AP)
This designation will cover a portion of Interstate 80 where the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge reaches the city near Oracle Park, the Giants’ home stadium. Signs on I-80 have already been installed with the new designation, a way for Mays to become a permanent part of the San Francisco Bay Area and his home franchise.
Giants personnel spoke about the honor and what it meant to have a “reminder” of his infectious spirit and personality next to the stadium.
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“What an incredibly special way to honor Willie’s legacy,” said Larry Baer, Giants president and CEO according to MLB.com “For generations, this portion of I-80 on the Bay Bridge has carried Giants fans into San Francisco, and now it will forever carry Willie’s name—a lasting reminder of the joy and inspiration he brought to this city. It is also fitting that this same span of the bridge is named after former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr., two great San Franciscans.”
San Francisco Giants players Orlando Cepeda and Willie Mays stand at the Polo Grounds in New York on Sept. 11, 1963, during a game against the New York Mets. (Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images)
Mays came to the Bay with the Giants in 1958, and has a list of accomplishments to rival any other player in MLB history. A 24-time All-Star, two-time MVP, 12-time Gold Glove winner and 660 home runs, the sixth-highest number by an individual player.
Jeff Idelson, the executive director of the Say Hey Foundation, also issued a statement celebrating the announcement.
“Wille was more than a baseball great, he was a part of the fabric that helped define San Francisco culture for more than a half century,” said Idelson. “Not only is this a fitting way to recognize his lasting contribution to the community, but it furthers Willie’s legacy as a national icon.”
Willie Mays visits PS 46 in Harlem, next to the site of the former Polo Grounds where the New York Giants played before moving to San Francisco in 1958, on Jan. 21, 2011, in New York City. (Michael Nagle/Getty Images)
One of the state senators who introduced the bill paving the way for this designation was Bill Dodd from nearby Napa, who also added, “I cannot think of anyone better to welcome people traveling across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco than Willie Mays. He was an inspiration to so many of us growing up. I was so pleased to have had a part in making this happen.”
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The combination of speed, power, defense and joy Mays played the game with is incredibly rare, which is why his legacy is still viewed with such importance today, nearly 53 years after he retired. Hopefully, the next generation of baseball fans will stay familiar with his career thanks to this reminder.
DENVER — Denver leaders say the city is ready to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention.
Local and state leaders came together Wednesday to show off the city, giving the Democratic National Committee its third of five site tours across the country.
Among the finalists are Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Denver.
“In 2028 Democrats will gather at the national convention to reaffirm the core principles of our party and nominate the next President of the United States of America,” Ken Martin, chair for the Democratic National Committee, said.
READ MORE: Denver selected as finalist to host Democratic National Convention in 2028
He said the process of selecting the host city is a “serious and deliberative one.”
The selection will be based on factors including hotel space, transit and airport access, venues, restaurants and bars, and culture, among other things.
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib made the case for what Denver brings to the table.
“Denver offers a town square, a place to debate, place to energize and a place to organize around the ideals that have always propelled this country forward with fairness, justice and the pursuit of happiness, and that’s what the West has always provided,” Murib said.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also joined in the pitch. Johnston acknowledged it has been 18 years since Denver last hosted the DNC in 2008, but said he believes the event could bring in half a billion dollars in economic activity to the city.
► Watch Veronica Acosta’s report in the player below:
Denver leaders pitch city as host for 2028 Democratic National Convention
“It’s four consecutive days of prime-time national television of 50,000 or more people in the city, hosting parties, events, gatherings, and so it’s a huge economic impact for us,” Johnston said.
Hosting the convention comes with a significant cost to the city as well. Johnston said Denver has a plan in place to cover it.
“That is certainly part of the question the convention will have, is each city’s ability to fundraise for the convention,” Johnston said. “We’ve built a very detailed financial plan to lay out our path to raise the resources that we would need to do and we’re prepared to do that.”
Denver Democrats are hoping to recreate the success of the 2008 DNC, nearly two decades later.
“Hosting a national convention, of course, can be a great economic boon for any city with over 35,000 delegates, guests and members of the press in attendance; the Democratic National Convention helps showcase its host city as a world class destination,” Martin said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Bryan Woo was the best pitcher the Seattle Mariners had in 2025 as they made their run to the playoffs.
He looked like that guy again on Wednesday afternoon.
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Woo shook off a pair of recent shaky outings to go six scoreless, one-hit innings to lead the Mariners to a 3-1 win that clinched a series victory over the MLB-leading Atlanta Braves.
The 26-year-old right-hander worked around a pair of walks while tying his season-high with nine strikeouts.
Woo had a 2.25 ERA through his first five starts of the season, but he ran into trouble on Seattle’s last road trip, allowing seven runs on nine hits including four home runs at St. Louis on April 25. He struggled again last Friday, giving up four runs in the first inning and six runs total over six frames in a loss at home to Kansas City.
Those two outings pushed Woo’s ERA up to 4.61, but he lowered it to 4.02 on the year with his start Wednesday.
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With Woo dominant on the mound, the Mariners’ offense didn’t need to do too much to build a lead against the Braves. Seattle went up 1-0 when designated hitter Cal Raleigh came up with no outs and hit into a bases-loaded double play in the third inning, scoring catcher Jhonny Pereda.
Julio Rodríguez contributed with a little more volume in the sixth inning, blasting a 436-foot solo home run to center off of Braves starter Martín Pérez to put the M’s up 2-0. And after the Braves scored one in the eighth, team RBI leader Cole Young added some insurance by bringing home Josh Naylor home with his second double of the game.
The Mariners came back to beat Atlanta 5-4 on Monday, then had to bounce back Wednesday after falling 3-2 Tuesday night following Braves slugger Matt Olson’s go-ahead homer off of closer Andrés Muñoz in the ninth inning.
Seattle improved to 18-20 with the win, while the Braves dropped to 26-12. It was the first series loss of 2026 for Atlanta.
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The M’s are off Thursday, then begin a seven-game road trip at 4:40 p.m. Friday against the White Sox in Chicago. Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports of that series opener will begin at 3:30 with the pregame show.
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