Archive for the 'TRAVEL DESTINATIONS' Category

Dubai is one of those places in the desert that doesn’t seem to be quite real.

Its oil wealth has changed it from a serene town of pearl divers and Bedouin fisherman to one that is fun and flashy.

Shopping, sand and sun are the diversions of the day and the shiny skyscrapers that reach higher than the old wind towers and mosques of this deeply Muslim country are a sight to behold.

Jumeirah Beach

The prettiest beaches [Beach Trips] in Dubai are located on the strip of beach called Jumeirah. There are lots of lifeguards on duty and the palm trees gently sway in the balmy sea breezes.

Jumeirah Beach has special days for women where they can bask in the sun without a sign of a male in sight.

If you want to have an outdoor lunch you can scoot over to the Jumeirah Park where you can meet friends and get out of the hot sun and sand for a while.

Wild Wadi Waterpark

Located on twelve acres, with twenty four rides and slides you can find Wild Wadi Waterpark in Dubai. The design brings to mind an Arabian oasis or wadi and it is populated with characters straight out of Arabian folklore.

Montreal is a cosmopolitan city and Canada’s second largest. As close to Europe as it is to Vancouver, it combines the two continent’s cultures nicely.

Montreal also holds the distinction of being the second largest metropolis of French speakers after Paris.

The population of Montreal is a mix of West Indians, South Americans, Jews, Greeks, Italians, Chinese, Eastern Europeans and Brits as well as those of French extraction.

Biodome de Montreal

The science center and zoo is in the former home of the Olympic velodrome. There are four ecosystems featured such as the Polar worlds of the Arctic and Antarctic, The St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem, the Laurentian Forest and a lush Tropical Rainforest.

You can explore a number of interpretive panels and the Environment Place amphitheater shows films, lectures and performances that all relate to the conservation and protection of the environment.

Musee d’Art Contemporain

This museum is known for featuring exhibits that are controversial and sometimes extraordinary. Contemporary art is showcased in a welcoming and uncluttered setting. The outdoor garden presents sculpture exhibits that change with the season.

A number of temporary exhibits might include photography, artist in residence programs and sculpture. It is home to a number of Canadian artists whose works are on permanent display.

YOU could spend months exploring the five boroughs of the headquarters of the world.

But if you have only a day in New York, skip the icons and delve into some of Manhattan’s lesser known treasures to see why the natives are so besotted with this exceptional city.

SHELTER

Be prepared to open your wallet as this can be America’s most expensive city for accommodation, but there are bargains if you hunt around. Hotel Chelsea, popular with artists, musicians and other sundry celebrities at 222 West 23rd St, has doubles from $150.

MORNING

For maps, brochures and advice, begin at the tourist office NYC & Company at 810 Seventh Ave.

If you would prefer a guide, save money with a New York local volunteer guide from the Big Apple Greeter program who can show you the funkier neighbourhoods such as SoHo or TriBeCa and other insider treasures off the beaten track.

Take the subway to Spring St, SoHo, and brunch with the locals at Balthazar Brasserie on fresh-baked croissants and quiche or temptations such as brook trout with a warm spinach, walnut and lentil salad and excellent coffee out of a bowl, French style.

Sydney is the oldest city in Australia. Skyscrapers, sun drenched, white sand beaches along with blue harbors greet the visitor to Sydney.

A cosmopolitan city that still has an energy that is rough and ready, Sydney has come far from her origins as a city of convicts.

Culture and heritage are in abundance and the daring restaurants serve up some delicious fare.

Barzura Café

Located at 62 Carr Street, Barzura Café is open from 7am to 11pm. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu offers up some unique dishes. Try a bit of authentic Australian cuisine by ordering the Kangaroo Filets, try Italian Seafood Spaghetti, Sydney style or have a bit of Nasi Goreng inspired by Indonesian fare.

The view of the ocean alone is worth a visit and you know it must be good by the presence of the local population. Enjoy breakfast served until 1PM, perfect after a late night out on the town.

Doyles on the Beach

This fabulous restaurant can be found at 11 Marine Parade. Doyles is open for lunch noon until 3PM and dinner is served from 6PM to 9:30PM. Doyles has been serving up some sumptuous seafood since World War II.

Airlines and hotels in warmer locales are cutting prices to keep the tourists coming.

Winter in the city is substantially less fun than those scenic television shots of Rockefeller Center’s tree and skating rink might lead one to believe.

The icy sidewalks, skyscraper wind tunnels and crazed hordes of holiday shoppers can make December almost intolerable.

When average daily temperatures dip far below freezing, it’s time to get out of the city. But with the economy struggling, sunbathing on a private beach in Maldives may not be a financially feasible option.

Fortunately, getting warm this winter doesn’t have to break the bank. Travelers who stick close to home, select up-and-coming locations and score travel deals from financially ailing resorts and airlines can get out of the cold for an affordable price.

Central America and the Caribbean deliver a major cost-saving advantage, according to Tim Leffel, author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money Is Worth a Fortune.

“If you’re coming from the U.S., you don’t have to pay very much to get there, and there’s less jet lag, so you can really hit the ground running,” he says. Better yet, both regions contain a plethora of lesser-known destinations where the U.S. dollar is especially strong.

Belize is a beautiful place to visit and it is especially attractive to those that like their vacations active above and below the waterline.

There is much adventure to be had when one decides upon Belize as their vacation getaway.

Above the Water

Sea kayaking is at its best in Belize. You can see for at least 200 feet as you paddle the azure waters.

Take a kayak to any number of snorkel destinations or simply explore pristine beaches of white sand. Check out Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, Chetumal Bay or the Hol Chan Channel.

Bring along your snorkeling gear or just a towel and the sunscreen.

Sailing is another of Belize’s pleasures. You might rent your own Hobie Cat, Sunfish or join a catamaran tour to hop from island to island. Letting the wind be your power is an exhilarating experience.

You might stop at Turneffe Atoll in order to throw in a line to see what you can catch. For those that like to windsurf be sure to check out Caye Caulker’s and Ambergris for their flat waters ideal for launching a windsurf board.

Getting married in Hawaii is not as difficult as it can be on some other tropical islands, especially if you are a United States citizen.

Having a destination wedding is something that the bride and groom as well as their guests will not soon forget.

It is said that over 20,000 marriages take place annually in Hawaii[Hawaii Vacation] and most are performed on the island of Oahu, and that of that number just about ½ of those couples are not from Hawaii.

Planning Your Hawaiian Wedding

You can contact the governor’s office in Kona to see what recommendations they have as to where and how to go about getting married in Hawaii.

Many of the hotels in Hawaii will be more than happy to assist you in planning the perfect day for your nuptials. They often have complete packages that include all the little details along with the paperwork necessary for making your union legal.

You might also hire a wedding planner based in Hawaii if you are not worried about expense, but very often it is just as easy to do the planning yourself. As mentioned, hotels and resorts often have facilities for just that purpose. Most of the time all you need to do is make some choices and be sure you and your partner are there on the set date.

Fiji is a fascinating place though many travelers have been avoiding it since the military took over the government in 2006. That’s too bad for them but great for the rest of us.

The islands of Fiji contain over 300 islands. The locals are a mixture of cultures and races with the descendants of settlers from Europe, Indian and Melanesian-Polynesian being the dominant races.

Warm and friendly, they are happy to welcome tourists to their Pacific paradise.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort

If you are looking for a luxurious and romantic vacation destination look no further than Likuliku, the latest resort property to open on the islands. The name Likuliku means “calm waters and it is a haven from the hustle and bustle of the real world.

Tahitian style bungalows allow guests to sleep over the water or choose one of the beachfront bungalows instead. There are only 46 guest accommodations so the attention to detailed personal service is impeccable.

If you approach Likuliku Lagoon Resort by water you will think you are coming to one of the ancient villages. It is the ideal location for honeymooners who are looking for private, upscale accommodations where love can be celebrated in luxury and style.

When the winter doldrums set in, thoughts focus on tropical islands with warm sea breezes and long days spent in the sun.

With the many Islands of the Caribbean from which to choose, how do you narrow it down to just one? Of course there is always the option to take a cruise, but which itinerary will be best.

Read on to see the list of the top 10 Caribbean islands so that you may narrow your search.

1. Virgin Gorda

If you are looking for peace and tranquility, head to Virgin Gorda on your next vacation. One of the British Virgin Islands, it is a laid back place where much of the place is parkland that is protected.

It is not a simple matter to reach Virgin Gorda; you have to take a ferry or a puddle-jumper, but the extra effort is worth it when you arrive. It will feel as if you are one of the only people on the island where you can bask in the sun to your heart’s content, snorkel, scuba dive, boat or just feast on some delicious Caribbean cuisine.

L.A. is not only a destination; it is a California state of mind. Home to the rich, beautiful and shallow, it is chockfull of things to see and do.

Great dining options and fantastic shopping venues along with learning about the movie and television industry is what makes L.A. a vacation getaway that is exciting and fun to explore.

1. Take a Cruise on Sunset Boulevard- Cruising along Sunset Boulevard is something every first time visitor to Los Angeles should do. You will pass by everything that L.A. is famous for such as hotels, studios and nightclubs you’ve only read about in the magazines. This famous roadway will give you an overview of the city and its environs.
2. Spend the Day in Downtown Los Angeles- Ethnic culture is in abundance when you spend the day browsing the downtown area of L.A. Tour the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art or shop at the Grand Central Market. Check out Chinatown and munch on some dim sum or cruise Olvera Street where you can pick up some bargain handcrafts from Mexico.