Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. & Canada

Driving can be both the most stressful and the most relaxing of activities. While there are few things more frustrating than sitting in traffic on your daily commute, a relaxing scenic drive down winding coastal roads can be truly therapeutic. HuffingtonPost.com offers a list of the most relaxing coastal drives around the country and Canada with breathtaking views and an experience you will never forget.

17-Mile Drive, California: Winding along the coast of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, the historic 17-mile drive is a perfect way to explore the beautiful Northern California coast. Be sure to stop at beaches for wildlife sightings, enjoy lunch or shopping at the Lodge at Pebble Beach, and snap a few photos of the famous “Lone Cypress.”

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia: he Cabot Trail, a loop road through the Cape Breton Highlands. Stop for hikes around St. Ann’s bay, enjoy a whale-watching outing and take a break for shopping and dining at some of the small towns of Cape Breton Island.

Hana Highway, Hawaii: While you’re vacationing in Maui, rent a car for a day to explore the coastal Hana Highway, one of National Geographic’s “Drives of a Lifetime.” The Hana Coast offers 52 miles of tropical forests and waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and breathtaking vistas on Maui’s Eastern shore.

Acadia National Park Loop Road, Maine: Located on Mount Desert Island, the drive navigates through mountains, forests, lakes and rocky coastline. Stop off at the many observation points for photo opps, take a break at Sand Beach, and try some fresh seafood in the town of Bar Harbor when you’ve finished the loop.

Cape Cod Scenic Drive, Massachusetts: This 63-mile scenic drive along the southern coast of Cape Cod Bay — which follows Massachusetts Highway 6A to U.S. Highway 6 at Orleans – stops off at such destinations as Cape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown, and the Three Sisters Lighthouse.

Cape Cod Scenic Drive, Massachusetts

Churchill has short-term corporate housing available Nationwide. Please contact us at 866-255-0593 or National@FurnishedHousing.com for more information.

The Best Places to Visit in 2013

LonelyPlanet.com compiled their list of the ten best places to visit in 2013. If you’re looking into planning your next vacation, check out these places and see what all the fuss is about!

1. Louisville, Kentucky– Considered a “lively, offbeat cultural mecca on the Ohio River.”
2. Fairbanks, Alaska-The place to be to see the unique & exquisite Northern Lights.
3. San Juan Islands, Washington– Home to 250 days of sunshine each year plus tons of fresh food and locally grown produce, seafood, and more.
4. Philadelphia, PA– Philly is quickly becoming the art capital of the world with the renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art and amazing galleries.
5. American Samoa– Has some of the most stunning & untouched beaches of the Pacific and an awesome national park. It’s US territory too!
6. Eastern Sierra, CA– An overlooked part of the Sierra Nevada range with other great natural attractions like the Travertine hot spring, the Gold Rush ghost town of Bodie, and more.
7. Northern Maine-Besides lobster, lighthouses, and a rocky shoreline, Maine’s top half which reaches to the Canada border makes for a true wilderness adventure with moose, white water rafting, and hiking.
8. Twin Cities, Minnesota-Minneapolis is often called the country’s best bike city. St. Paul is quitter but has an awesome must-see marketplace and the Fitzgerald Theater.
9. Verde Valley, Arizona-Located between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, Verde Valley is taking off as Arizona’s go-top location. Food, art, and mining lore combine with beautiful green canyons rimmed by red rocks.
10. Glacier National Park, Montana– One of the country’s wildest, most remote and pristine national parks. Jagged, snow-topped ridges and glacier sculpted horns loom over aquamarine lakes and meadows that are blanketed with wildflowers.

Which one of these places are you most likely to visit? They all sound fantastic to us!

Churchill has short-term corporate housing available Nationwide. Please contact us at 866-255-0593 or National@FurnishedHousing.com for more information.

Best French Fries in the United States

Come on admit it, there is nothing better than a crispy, golden brown, salted French fry. Right?

CNN Travel‘s article, lists where to get the “Best French fries in the United States.”

1. Boise Fry Company, Idaho: Their slogan is “Burgers on the Side” and with Idaho being known for their potatoes, this place was destined to have killer fries. Customers can choose from six varieties of potato, then the cut, then the dressing. What could be better than a fry customized to your craving?!

2. The Breslin Bar & Dining Room, NYC:This hip place is known for their thrice-cooked chips. Long, medium-thick slices of Idaho russet potatoes are first boiled, then fried twice in a sunflower/canola oil blend. Then they get a pinch of salt. Try them with the restaurant’s Cuban mayo.

3. The Original Hot Dog Shop, Pittsburgh:Known for dishing out fries piled a mile high, The Original Hot Dog Shop makes their fries using hand-cut, and peeled Idaho potatoes which are friend twice in peanut oil. Served perfectly golden and crunch on a cafeteria tray, this place will bring back the nostalgia of the good old days.

4. Duckfat, Maine:Duckfat uses locally grown potatoes for their famous fries which are fried twice in duck fat allowing the outside to get super crisp while the inside remains tender. Served in a paper cone alongside specially made dips like mussel mayo and chopped egg and caper mayo, these fries are unusually made but delicious.

5. Jasper’s Corner Tap, San Francisco: With a menu devoted specifically to fries, this place has to be a winner! Choose your fry, thin, thick, or sweet potato, then your seasoning. Folks say that the smoked cheese fondue that is served as a side for dipping is “to die for.”

6. Pike Street Fish, Seattle: Known for Seattle’s best fish and chips, this place serves hand-sliced fries that are fried to “perfection,” along with delectable dipping sauces. The tangy chili mayo is a favorite. Even better, fries are FREE every third Friday of the month from 5PM to 7PM.

7. The Green Room, South Carolina: The Chef here, Patrick Long, specializes in Parmesan truffle fries, shoestring cut, and immediately tossed in truffle oil after being taken from the fryer. He then finishes them with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

8. Bourbon Steak, Miami: Celeb chef Michael Mina offers mid-thick cuts of potato that are dunked in duck fat for the ultimate flavor and crispiness. An order covers three seasonings and sauce combos including rosemary herb with spicy ketchup, onion-dusted with sour cream sauce, and smoked paprika with smoked BBQ sauce. YUM!

9. Jonesy’s EatBar, Denver: Continually voted as Denver’s best fries, these thick-cut, extra crispy spuds are out of this world. They also come in four “World Famous” and original varieties like Buffalo (loaded in wing sauve and blue cheese crumbles with a side of dressing) and Bacon Mac & Cheese.

10. Thrasher’s, Maryland: Simply put, these are the ultimate “Boardwalk Fry.” These hand-cut fries are freid in peanut oil with the skins still on and served with salk & vineagar in a big bucket. The smallest bucket is 16oz and the largest weighs in at 53oz!

Churchill has short-term corporate housing available Nationwide. Please contact us at 866-255-0593 or National@FurnishedHousing.com for more information.

10 Healthiest and Safest Metro Areas

Livescience.com reveals the 10 Healthiest and Safest Metro Areas. The survey included 187 metro areas, and was based on responses from 353,000 American adults interviewed by telephone in 2009. The survey included questions about safe places to exercise, easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, money for food and shelter, access to clean water and to health care. The top 10 cities are:

1. Holland-Grand Haven, Mich. – 89.3
2. Madison, Wis. – 88.0
3. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa – 87.7
4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa – 87.3
5. Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine – 87.0
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wis. – 86.7
7. Lancaster, Pa. – 86.7
8. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.-N.H.
9. Honolulu, Hawaii – 86.4
10. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn. – 86.4

Churchill has short-term, corporate housing nationwide. Please contact us at 866-255-0593 or email National@FurnishedHousing.com for more information.

Best Snow Trips in the East

Nationalgeographic.com has picked this season’s best snow trips in the eastern United States. The article highlights Vermont’s Jay Peak Resort, New Hampshire’s Cannon Mountain, and Maine’s Saddleback.

Churchill offers temporary housing in these states. Call us at 866-255-0593 for more infomation about short-term apartment rentals in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.