Packing to please

(Web Exclusive) Spring break plans and dreams of summer getaways are some of the things helping most people get through their late-winter work weeks. With so many places to go and so many ways of getting there, certain items are mandatory to make this year’s excursion a success. Vox has outlined necessities to guarantee that travel time is not as stressful as the rest of your life. But know this first: The fanny pack is not — and will never be — included in any of these lists.

Cross-continental cuisine

(Web Exclusive) Is it possible to find the perfect meal while on the road? Probably not. But with a little help from the experts, you can cook your own dish no matter where you are. Whether it’s foil-wrapped dinners over a campfire or the sizzling New Orleans creole and cajun cooking, these foods will add a touch of tradition to any vacation.

Off the map

Few things are more exciting than when military technology trickles down for civilian use. Even though you might be hard-pressed to find a bazooka or an M-16 at your local big-box store, GPS receivers are easy to find and relatively affordable.

Rounding the bases

Baseball parks in June can be magical places

It’s more than just advice

They say travel broadens a person. But the pleasures inherent to exploration also come with a healthy dose of pain. Heading away from home requires research: You have to figure out where you want to go (no small task, given the myriad wonders of our planet), figure out how you’ll get there and what in the world you will do once you arrive.

A day of big eats on the bayou

Foodies travel miles to sample a bite of New Orleans’ legendary cuisine. European, Spanish and African flavors influence the eclectic cuisine that ranges from spicy Creole jambalaya, Cajun gumbo mixed with fresh, local seafood and sugary European pastries. Choosing just one is never an option in the Big Easy.

Lights, camera, travel

The lake might have perfectly reflected the bright blue sky, but it was probably not the only story deserving the camera’s attention. Uncle Harvey sported his polka-dot trunks and shouted “Cannonball!” But if the camcorder is turned off too early, all that’s left is the same image found on every nearby postcard display. Here are a few tips from Vox on how to bring home a vacation video that won’t collect dust on your shelf.

Building the skyline of a city

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, there’s more to Chicago than Michigan Avenue shopping, deep-dish pizza and the Cubs. Famous architectural creations make the second city a firstrate choice for architecture junkies.

Far-out festivals

Music festivals are the kind of trips that last a lifetime — or at least until the ’shrooms wear off. Festivals are not solely the dreadlocked Birkenstock stomping grounds they once were. Nowadays, there is a festival to fit every fan. These annual shows keep the audience on their toes by keeping their lineup as fresh as the herbs sold on Shakedown Street.

Race to the coast

The Summer sun is shining and heating up the tracks.

DVD and Video Releases

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White-water rush

As the waves crash into the boat, it’s easy to become distracted by the green Eden along the shore and miss the looming rock that threatens to capsize the raft during a white-water trip.

Rocking across North America

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Around the world in 80 minutes

This year, Vox tore a page out of four films’ travel guides to satisfy your wanderlust in a way that would make the Warner Bros. smile. To complete your Voxcation, we’ve outlined the average cost of each trip, using the present-day price of whatever transportation was used in the film. When the character took a plane, we averaged the price of the flight taken during spring break week from three of the most popular travel Web sites (travelocity.com, expedia.com, and orbitz.com).

Walkin' the line in Tennesse

To dance out of town with those blue suede shoes, there’s only one place to travel this spring: Tennessee, the home of country and rock ’n’ roll.

Art Mecca of the West

Stephens College Faculty Show

(Web Exclusive) Kate Gray’s watercolor painting Dancing With Light depicts her overwhelming experience as a first-time dance student in the fall of 2007.

Brooklyn, where New York starts

Brooklyn would be America’s fourth largest city if it hadn’t been consolidated into New York City in 1898. It has such distinct characteristics, more than 2.5 million residents call themselves Brooklynites. Known for its abundant historic resources, Brooklyn is now enjoying a rapid bloom. A three-day trip is a good way to start your adventure here.

Movie Travel Guide

Movies to enjoy on travels

Literary Travel Writing

Books to enjoy on travels

Montreal rendez-vous

With its beauty, history and curious cultural heritage, Europe exudes countless attractive qualities for most travelers, but vacationing there can cost an arm and a leg — not to mention a pet and your firstborn. Traveling to Montreal will give you that sort of je ne sais quoi European charm without leaving you penniless.

Colombia’s walled city

Located on the Caribbean coast at the northern tip of South America and protected by nearly 500-year-old walls, Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most iconic cities. Although the drug trafficking of Colombia has earned the country an ugly reputation over the years, the high crime rates that once plagued the country have declined. Today, Cartagena is a bustling metropolis. The city is the fifth largest urban area in Colombia, and its historic feel makes it a great destination for those looking to experience a truly legendary city.

Social Networking

When travel season rolls around, the Internet can be your best friend for booking flights, hotels and rental cars. Now it also has the resources to organize your travel companions. You can hit up friends, relatives or even strangers with travel networking sites that are popping up on the Web.

Art break: Get out and walk around

Had enough of the stuffy museum air? In a city where hiking boots are a closet staple, getting outdoors is what Denver is all about. If you’re not ready to conquer the rugged trails, head out for some sightseeing around a few of Denver’s most interesting neighborhoods.

Couchsurfing

A blowout vacation can be hard to manage without blowing the bank, and a free place to stay is invaluable when planning a trip on a limited budget. As of March, there are more than 450,000 couches in 224 countries that offer a free place to stay during a vacation.

Mid-Missouri Calendar

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Streetside Chatter

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