The excitement of New York City, the long history of Rome, the rugged landscape of Nova Scotia - on the surface it seems that none of these locations have much in common. But they do, they are all popular vacation destinations. Unless you plan a sleeping vacation you can be sure that you will do a lot of walking on you your vacation.

It is important to get in shape for your vacation. I never walk as much as when I am on vacation so it is important that I get in walking shape before I go.

When you plan to do a lot of walking your vacation planning should always include getting in shape. Most tourists do a lot more walking when they are traveling than they do at home so you need to practice before your trip. Walking works different muscles than jogging, biking, swimming or aerobics. So if you are planning a trip start walking now.

Mark Fenton and Dr. Andrew Weil help you look and feel younger, what could be better than that?

Mark Fenton, a walking expert and Andrew Weil, MD a holistic-health expert have teamed up for a new two-disc workout set. The first part contains information and research on walking while the second part has warm-up options and five guided walking sessions of different intensities.

Most of us enjoy walking, but not everyone knows how to turn walking into one of the most powerful self-healing tools known to medicine.

On Walking: The Ultimate Exercise for Optimum Health, Dr. Andrew Weil joins Mark Fenton, the nation's foremost expert on walking, for an invigorating 2-CD program that gives listeners all the tools needed to begin a daily walking practice.

On Part One, Dr. Weil and Mark Fenton explain the proven ways in which walking helps you look and feel younger, reduce stress, improve immune function, achieve your ideal weight, and more. On Part Two, listeners get walking with a fully programmable workout that features two warm-up options and five intensifying sessions, paced by cadence cues and motivating tips for each phase.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has announced a new marathon to be run through downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The marathon will begin and end on Peachtree Street just north of Underground Atlanta. Atlanta is known for its expansive suburbs and expensive suburban real estate. Fewer know of the quaint and historic neighborhoods that are located in the city.

The new ING Georgia marathon will go through Sweet Auburn, Inman Park, Decatur, Druid Hills, Virginia-Highlands, Midtown and downtown Atlanta.

The exact route has not been published but runners will likely see Martin Luther King's birth home in Sweet Auburn, the eclectic city of Decatur and the funky stores and homes of Virgina-Higlands as well as the revitalized mid-town area.

Organizers are hoping that the Georgia Marathon will attract 15,000 participants for the marathon, half-marathon, wheelchair events and kids fun run.

With it's wide long beach of white sand Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina is made for walkers. The walk from Masonboro Inlet to the tip of Shell Island is about 7 miles long. Two piers separate the beach and can serve as markers so you can measure how far you have walked.

You can break up your beach walk by taking a walk out to the end of Johnny Mercer's pier. This sturdy Wrightsville Beach pier is made of concrete to withstand storms. From the end of the pier you can look back and see the beach or look out to sea and watch the boats, birds and with a little luck some porpoise.

A beautiful restaurant, the Oceanic, is located at Crystal Pier, the second pier at Wrightsville Beach. The pier has been damaged by a number of storms and is not open to either walkers or fishermen. If you eat at the Oceanic make sure you ask for local shellfish and seafood.