Jan
19
2012
When considering places to vacation, Europe has got to be at the top of the list, the cultural backgrounds, gorgeous scenery, culinary delights and tranquility make Europe one of the worlds top vacation destinations. In fact, there are so many tourist destinations in Europe, both on and off the beaten path, that it is often very difficult for travelers to choose their destinations.
So where should people consider visiting when planning their highly anticipated European vacation? To start with there, are the typical tourist areas that everyone should honestly see. These include Paris France, London England, Rome Italy, Vienna Austria, Naples Italy, and Munich Germany. There is something exciting to see in everyone of these cities.
Paris France offers visitors the opportunity to go to the Louvre Museum, home of the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the code of Hammurabi, the worlds oldest known set of written laws. Additionally, visitors can take a tour of Notre Dame, ride the elevator to the top of the Eiffel tower and eat in a riverside cafe.
London England is also a wonderful European city to visit. Tourists here can tour Westminster Abbey, the marriage place of both Princess Diana and Prince William, see big Ben the clock tower, take a 30 minute ride in the London eye Ferris Wheel, visit the Tower of London, and sing songs while having a drink in a local pub.
Rome Italy is a vacationers dream destination. There is so much to do in this city that stays of at least a week long are highly recommended.Visitors can tour Saint Peters Cathedral and Vatican City, attend a worship performed by the pope, take photo at Trivi Fountain, visit the Spanish steps, the Roman Form, and the Colosseum where gladiators fought to the death. After a long day of sightseeing a person can relax at a street side cafe while enjoying an original Italian pizza or other fares.
Vienna Austria, Naples Italy, and Munich Germany all offer similar visitor experiences. You can visit the home of the sound of music, Mozart’s home, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii, and the world famous October Fest. There are so many choices why not do them all? The Euro Rail Train System offers multi-country ten day passes for a very reasonable price.
Dec
2
2011
Vacations can be expensive, and there are so many ways to overspend it seems like you have to work all year just to get to that fabulous vacation. It does not have to be that way. There are many ways to save money while on vacation. These ways are so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing it all along.
One thing that is important to remember is that planning is everything. Destinations have off seasons, where you can still do everything, but the cost is much lower. In Europe the off season is in winter. Yes it is cold, but snow covered Europe is beautiful to see, and the trains will run no matter what. If you plan a vacation during a location’s off season, you can save hundreds of dollars. A lot of online daily deal sites offer vacation packages at discounts so make sure to sign up and check constantly for deals to Fiji, Canada, Europe or other awesome vacation destinations.
You should always do your research. If the hotels cost less away from the city, but the parking and cab fare are more than what you saved, you didn’t save any money. Research also lets you know some of the major costs of an area and you can plan accordingly. It also might show you a less expensive vacation. Areas that are not well-known, will usually help save you money.
Another great way to save money is to check out the travel sites. The official tourism sites for destinations will offer deals, choice hotels, and offers that can’t be found anywhere else. Sometimes they even offer a travel card, as in free money, for staying a number of days. You never know unless you look, and it takes a few minutes out of your time.
One of the most popular pinch those pennies is plan one meal out and the rest as lite fare. Even if you are staying in a hotel that only offers a fridge, you can buy cold cuts, or other easy meals. By having one meal out, you will still get the flavor of the vacation, without spending the big price. If you don’t want to cook at all have your big meal be lunch. Lunches are usually less expensive that dinners, and you can eat at fast food chains or less expensive restaurants.
If you are willing to do a little bit of leg work you can save hundreds on your vacation. Knowing when the peak season, planning your vacation, and using smart food planning will help you save money and enjoy your vacation.
Nov
18
2011
While everyone enjoys going on vacation, not everyone enjoys renting a expensive hotel for a few days. Especially considering that the hotel is usually mediocre and a bit grossly. Renting a house would be the best option for anyone going on vacation. The houses are convenient and very family oriented. Houses tend to cost a little more than what a hotel would, but they’re also more luxurious, comfortable, and relaxing, depending on what house you’re renting, where, and when.
Rentable homes in the summer are usually equipped with a pool and outdoor activities. Homes in winter usually come with indoor activities such as pool, ping pong tables, hockey, a fireplace, hot tub or sauna. Winter homes are usually a bit more relaxing as people tend to stay indoors during the winter with their family, making hot chocolate, and sitting in front of the warm fire roasting marshmellows and telling stories. Houses are usually in town as well so you’re close to all of the shopping venues, restaurants, events, parks, and malls.
The good thing about renting homes during vacation is that they definitely are better than a hotel but they’re also a nicer way of bringing families together. On the down side, houses do tend to go up in price more during holidays as families are all searching for somewhere to stay as hotels are usually crowded and booked. But if you aren’t going on vacation during a holiday, then you are really set for a great time of fun and relaxation. Next time you go on vacation, consider this, who would ever possibly miss sleeping on a hard mattress in a smelly, dusty hotel, with horrible breakfast food and too small of a pool? Renting a home is really always a better option compared to staying in a hotel.
Oct
8
2011
My old car which has many miles on it is just barely chugging along. It needs new tires, new brakes, new muffler, and probably an oil change to say the least.
If I should decide to rent a car I will have to have a credit card or debit card. If I rent, it can be mine for a whole week or as long as I choose. I have to decide if I want a compact at a very low price, midsize, full-size, or leisurely premium car. I have to find out the difference between these different styles. While choosing the compact would give me the best deal money wise, the premium promises the most comfortable, smoother, quieter ride. The cost is very little more than the compact model. I think the premium car would be the best deal at only eight dollars per day more.
Something else to consider are gasoline prices. With gas prices being higher nowadays and knowing that larger cars use more do I still want the larger car?
I need to know ahead if it’s going to be a round trip. Should I decide to drop it off at another site, I would need to know where that site would be before hand. If I plan on visiting someone who would drive my around while I’m there then I can rent another car when I decide to come home.
While checking the internet on several sites I’m finding it to be a bit confusing. Some places advertise good deals on vacations, ski lodges, flights, hotels, and more. I checked on the “more” and it was the same as before, nothing new. There are also coupons that can be redeemed and specials on certain insurance companies. Which brings me to another question; do I need to get different insurance for this rental car or will the insurance I have now cover it? They have “limited time” offers if I decide to rent within a month. They also offer special discounts to certain age groups and to people who have excellent driving records.
Sep
22
2011
Traveling the United States will bring you in touch with deep green forests, magnificent mountain ranges, flowing plains of rolling grasses, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and streams. All will take your breath away and all can be seen in various degrees and levels of beauty in other countries. But there is no other place but the United States where you can see the commanding and heart stopping miracle of the Grand Canyon. Situated in the north part of Arizona the Canyon can be reached easily from the neighboring states and regardless of which direction the your vacation if taking you, this wonder of the world will be worth the time to visit.
Whether you decide to experience the Grand Canyon from the South or North rim, the guided tours will take you right to the edge where the sunrise will start your day in wonder or the sunset will ease your thoughts into a gentle peace. The attractions at the rims are developed to meet all demographics. The choices include, hiking and backpacking, air tours in a helicopter or mule trips through the Ponderosa Forest. With the help of state and park information a visit can be planned down to the tee. Or, if spontaneity is the mode of operandi then there is plenty to do throughout the week day and weekends at any given moment. Prices are wide ranged and are available to accommodate large or small groups and all ages.
The lodging is plentiful and the accommodations range from the standard family comfort to the unique and intimate surroundings of a cabin in the woods. If traveling in the RV is your home on the road then there are a plethora of RV park adventures that surround the canyon area. When traveling across the United States, must see locations begin and end with the Grand Canyon; of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Aug
2
2011
A vacation is one of the most anticipated and carefully planned events in a person’s life. Whether a vacation involves a couple, a family or a single individual, the most popular vacations in the world are sure to inspire relaxation and fun.
•Cancun Mexico
This village on the coast of the Yucatan is known for its miles of golden beaches and crystal clear blue waters perfect for wakeboard sessions. Cancun has been one of the most popular Spring Break spots, and is known as place to party.
•Miami, Florida
Florida has some of the hottest beaches with the softest sand that attracts millions of visitors, both young and old. Lots of tourist attractions make Miami the ultimate vacation destination in the United States.
• Paris, France
Paris has so many attractions and tourist spots, more than one trip is recommended to appreciate this beautiful city. The Eiffel Tower and numerous museums make Paris an architectural and artistic wonder. It is a great place to experience french cuisine.
• New York, New York.
Popular not just around New Year’s, New York is visited by millions year round. Vacationers can visit Central Park, see a show on Broadway or go to Times Square.
• Rome, Italy
The capital of Italy offers gorgeous architecture, including the Colosseum. Fine dining and numerous museums make Rome a popular vacation spot.
• London, England
Check out a game at Wimbledon and have tea in one of London’s many restaurants. Visitors can take pictures of Buckingham Palace and go to a London opera.
• Honolulu, Hawaii
Surf some of the most beautiful waters in the world at this gorgeous location. Hawaii is one of the most romantic getaways for couples, especially honeymooners.
The ultimate vacation is sure to be enjoyed at these most popular vacation spots in the world. Be sure to research each destination when planning the vacation of a lifetime.
Jul
19
2011
Having retired from thirty five years of world business travel, I wanted to write short stories about my most interesting experiences. The idea of a blog came later. My first goal was to reveal, to my family, those travel adventures that I most remembered. They then would have a better understanding of what their husband, father, uncle, cousin, brother was up to on those sometimes long trips.
I started with making a list of places of the most interesting experiences, and I gave a name to each. For example: I had an especially memorable trip to Dubln, Ireland. My “story name” was “Pub Fun.” My list topped out at seventeen stories. After each location and name were written down, I began making short notes under each story heading. These were remembered names, activities, surprises, tours, and sights. These words and phrases would trigger my memory and permit me to begin writing the story plot of each experience.
The first few of the more interesting story posts were sent to my family and a few close friends. The feedback was very positive. Someone told me I should create a public blog as world fellow travelers, and would-be travelers would enjoy reading about these interesting encounters I had in visiting seventy seven foreign countries.
I chose Blogger.com, a site that would help me create the blog. I followed a step by step guideline, and ended up posting all of the seventeen stories. I had taken a lot of photos during my travels, and attached many to each story post. I set up my “about me” profile and included my e-mail so I could be contacted directly with questions and comments. Each blog story post also allowed the reader to post publically if they wished. Blogger.com provided for an “anonymous” name block if the commentor did not wish to enter a name.
The blog has grown to more than eighty posts, and incudes many stories of the “this and that” of our lives. These were interesting and unique stories about any subject. The posts are true stories with some fictionalizing of names. I get many public comments about the stories, and some direct e-mails asking specific questions about particular destinations. So far I have not had any problems by having my e-mail address listed in the blog. This is a personal choice.