As a company that sends millions of people to destinations near and far, we've accomplished our biggest project yet: Local Secrets, Big Finds 2005. This was something of a marathon, our own personal quest to climb Mt. Everest--or perhaps a more befitting description would be a journey around all of North America taken on foot. At the end of this journey, our task was to deliver back information about the people we met and the authentic, local places we saw along the way--and that is precisely what we have done with our Local Secrets, Big Finds. Each and every Local Secret, Big Find embodies a step of our journey and hopefully yours. They celebrate North America in its rugged beauty and its quiet sunsets, in fabulous food and fun festivals. They are the fabric of these countries, and some may even be found your own backyard.
Travelocity's Local Secrets, Big Finds are a cache of American and Canadian discoveries that will prove particularly handy if you're hitting the road sometime soon, or even if you're just looking for a way to spend a relaxing day within driving distance. As a travel pro, I understand the need to be pointed in the right direction. Our Local Secrets, Big Finds were compiled with exactly that intention. You're sure to find new sites to explore wherever you live or are headed. These places range from beautiful to downright wacky, but they all share the magic of what makes a place unique. They remind us more than anything that life is not just about the destination, but more importantly, it is about the journey. These spots can't be found in any other guidebook, and they’re largely places that tourists would otherwise overlook.
You might wonder how in the world we came up with these places. The answer is that we put our most knowledgeable field workers to work–YOU! Our frequent and fun-loving, information seeking travelers were an integral part of this project! Your suggestions resulted in thousands of hidden gems. You'll notice we described our Local Secrets in your own words (we did this to provide the most authentic, local voice), so many of these colorful descriptions are just as you wrote them to us.
Preparing this content was a labor of love. The task was ambitious and the original submission list was enormous. Even after looking at them endlessly, I must admit, these places are all still extraordinary--even if they're ordinary. Ranging from ostrich racing to alligator eating, this comprehensive collection of local hot spots promises to pique the interest of every traveler. After two years in the making, I’m proud to present Travelocity's “Local Secrets, Big Finds 2005.”
Read about my Top Editor’s Picks for North America, which contain a few of my very favorite selections from the U.S. and Canada. But don't just consider mine--check them all out for yourself. I hope you will be equally awed, amused, and inspired by many of our Local Secrets, Big Finds.
April 15, 2005