Thursday, May 31, 2012

5 Spot Where The $ Buys A Great Vacation

Five spots where the dollar buys a great vacation

Reuters – Tue, May 29, 2012 9:20 AM EDT

By Eileen Gunn

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Here's a nice surprise: the dollar isn't quite the disaster it's been for the last few vacation seasons. Even Europe might be on sale for folks holding greenbacks, as economic troubles in Greece and Spain have pushed down the value of the euro.
In May 2011, a dollar bought only 0.68 euros; today it's at 0.78 and rising. So pack your money into a suitcase and take it abroad this summer.
Here are five countries where the dollar is stretching especially well this year. Some are bargains, and there should be something to suit just about any vacation style.
1. NICARAGUA
For a beach vacation with a little more character and authenticity than your typical Caribbean all-inclusive, head to San Juan del Sur, a quaint beach town on the Southwest coast known for its laid-back beaches, brightly colored buildings and sea turtle sanctuaries. The currency has crept down more than 4 percent in the last year to about 23 cordobas to the dollar. So staying here is an even better value than usual.
Where to stay: Rent a two- to three-bedroom house on the beach for $850 or so a week, based on listings on Homeaway.com and VRBO.com. A room at a boutique resort with yoga, pools, ocean views and spa can be had for $180/night.
What to eat: A seafood platter for two with lobster, squid, octopus, clams, shrimp and sides can be had for about $25, says a representative from the Nicaragua Tourist Board. Washing it down with a local beer will only set you back another $3 or so.
What to do: A surfboard rental and lesson will cost about $35, according to Ryan Croft. Go deep-sea fishing for about $16. If you're in relaxation mode, a one-hour massage in town costs about $40.
2. ARGENTINA
Americans have been flocking to sophisticated Buenos Aires for a few years now. But with the Argentine peso down 10 percent since last May, the values are even better.
Where to stay: Book a sleek room at a boutique hotel in the Palermo district, known for its cafés and nightlife, for no more than $200 a night. A room at 5-star hotel fit for Eva Perón can cost well under $500.
What to eat: Enjoy a parilla, which features cuts of Argentina's famous steak with side dishes, for $30 to $35 per person, including a bottle of red from Mendoza.
What to do: Admission to a tango club with a lesson starts at less than $10 (plus drinks). Do some shopping while you're in town. Bargain-hunters will find well-made men's leather belts for $35 and stylish women's leather tote bags starting at $135.
3. ICELAND
Iceland will never be a bargain destination. But financial troubles and a falling currency (down 9 percent from last year to about 126 kroner to the dollar) have turned it from a pricey splurge to a remarkable value relative to the rest of Nordic Europe.
Where to Stay: A room at one the best hotels in the center of Reykjavik will run $250 to $350, or less if you catch a sale, according to recent listings on Expedia.
What to eat: Indulge in an upscale sushi dinner (featuring local fish) or haute interpretations of indigenous ingredients like lamb for $20 to $30 an entrée. Alcohol is still pricey in restaurants, but a beer can be had for $5 to $7 in the many lively bars Reykjavik is known for. (Look for late-night happy hour specials.)
What to do: A day tour outside Reykjavik that includes a visit to Thingvellir national park and Gulfloss waterfall runs about $75. Spend the day lounging at the famous Blue Lagoon thermal baths for $45. For $65, you can get the use of a bathrobe, a drink and face mask at the Lagoon Bar.
4. POLAND
The dollar has risen against the Polish Zloty by more than 20 percent in the last year to 3.36 zloty to the dollar. You can visit a charming old-world city like Krakow and pay what could seem like wallet-friendly old-world prices.
Where to stay: Live like royalty in room at one of the city's top hotels for about $175, according to Expedia.
What to eat: Entrees top out at about $15 (a real splurge) at restaurants known for the homemade polish specialties like roast venison with wild mushrooms. A local beer is less than $3.
What to Do: See a portion of the splendidly preserved Wawel castle for $6. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art for $3; a guided tour is about $24.
5. LOMBOK, INDONESIA
Bargains are getting harder to find in Bali since readers of "Eat Pray Love" began flocking to it. But they still abound in Lombok, a more laid-back island with great beaches and good sightseeing and shopping. And it's only a 25-minute flight from Bali.
Where to stay: Kick back at a 4-star resort on Senggigi beach for less than $100.
What to eat: Barbecued fish and satays at local market stalls will cost a few dollars. Look at about $25 per person for upscale drinks and dinner.
What to do: Hire a boat to take you to the Gili Islands for a day of snorkeling for about $10 per person (plus lunch). Hire a car and driver for a day of sightseeing for $45. Be sure to stop in the craft villages for handmade blankets, baskets and pottery far more unique than what you'll see at Pier 1 and at a small fraction of the cost.

Best Hotel 2012

It List: The best new hotels 2012

From a Caribbean rustic-chic retreat to New Zealand’s Minaret Station (accessible only by helicopter), these are the year’s best new hotels.

By Travel and Leisure Staff | Travel+Leisure – Wed, May 9, 2012 5:45 PM EDT

MORE AT TRAVEL+LEISURE

After a day at the beach, you wander back to your villa and, right on cue, a personal chef stops by to grill lobster tails—and do the dishes afterward. That’s the kind of above-and-beyond service to expect at Secret Bay, a stylish newcomer on the Caribbean island of Dominica.

You know the markers of a lousy hotel (poor service, snooze-inducing design, mediocre food), so what makes a hotel one of the best—not just recommendable, but groundbreaking? For our seventh annual It List, T+L editors traveled the globe to test out new and renovated hotels. The results are in, and our favorite 50 hotels showcase the best the hotel industry has to offer this year.

Whatever your definition of a great hotel, you’re sure to find it in T+L’s 2012 It List. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans

Mandarin Oriental Paris (Photo: George Apostolidis / Mandarin Oriental)Design: Mandarin Oriental Paris

If we were to choose one word to describe this 138-room property, which opened in 2011, it would be whimsical. There are butterfly-centric design touches throughout: purple winged clusters line the moody hallways, and the gastronomic restaurant Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, designed by Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku and a T+L Design Award winner this year, feels like an ivory cocoon. Jewel-hued rooms, many with images by photographer Man Ray, start at more than 400 square feet—some of the most expansive in Paris. Though courtyard-view rooms are blissfully quiet, they lack the sense of place of street-facing suites (by far our preferred option), which look onto Rue St.-Honoré. The trump card? The city’s most dialed-in concierge staff awaits in the soaring atrium lobby. mandarinoriental.com. $$$$$

—Sarah B Spagnolo

Hôtel Americano (Photo: Jim Franco / Hotel Americano)City: Hôtel Americano, New York

Who would stock a Manhattan mini-bar with a harmonica and furnish a bathroom with denim bathrobes? The answer: cult-favorite Grupo Habita, the inventive Mexican company behind Hotel Boca Chica (It List 2010), in Acapulco. The steel-and-glass aesthetic of the 56-room hotel matches the creative vibe of Chelsea’s burgeoning gallery scene. The High Line is a stone’s throw away; contemporary-art dealer Paul Kasmin has a new annex across the street. Americano frequently hosts exhibition opening after-parties, and the tapas restaurant has become the de facto canteen for the city’s art insiders. While the property could use better door service for 10th Avenue taxi pickups, we love that New York’s of-the-moment neighborhood finally has a stylish hotel to call its own. hotel-americano.com. $$

—Shane Mitchell

Hotel Chocolat (Photo: Just Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, Saint Lucia)Beach: Hotel Chocolat, Soufrière, St. Lucia

Make no mistake: St. Lucia’s sexy new retreat, on a working cacao plantation in the island’s jungly Soufrière area, is one of the most exciting new Caribbean hideaways—for foodies and beachgoers alike. The property and farm are the passion project of a pair of British entrepreneurs who bought the derelict 140-acre estate in an effort to restore the island’s once-thriving chocolate industry. The 14 rustic-chic cottages, with their stone walls, polished granite bathrooms, and open-to-the-sky showers, are especially inviting during the occasional tropical downpour (we curled up with a novel and a glass of Cabernet). The sweetest surprise? Innovative chocolate-infused dishes—cacao gazpacho; yellowfin tuna with chocolate pesto; slow-cooked lamb with chiles and cocoa—all served in an open-sided pavilion with postcard-perfect views of the rain forest and the iconic Petit Piton beyond. thehotelchocolat.com. $$$$

—Richard Alleman

Corinthia Hotel London (Photo: Corinthia Hotel London)City: Corinthia Hotel London

A staggering $488 million went into the purchase and restoration of this former Ministry of Defense headquarters south of Trafalgar Square. The 294-room hotel is an ode to grand living: it’s filled with extravagant gestures, such as seven two-story penthouse suites (the Royal Penthouse has a walk-in wine cellar and even a private cinema), and megawatt designer David Collins is behind the gilded accents at Bassoon bar and the vast seafood-focused restaurant, Massimo. Newsworthy, sure, but worth the price tag, even in a city flush with Olympic glory and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee? The power-breakfast crowd surely thinks so. Meanwhile, we were impressed by the subtler touches: Northall, the smaller English restaurant, for its all-local, organic ingredients; the über-private sleep “pods” in the four-story spa; even the straightforward in-room light and temperature controls (blessedly no mind-boggling touch-screen wizardry here). $$$$

—T+L Staff

Washington School House (Photo: Michael Spengler)Rustic: Washington School House, Park City, Utah

Park City’s recent splashy openings—the Waldorf Astoria Park City (It List 2010), St. Regis Deer Valley, and Montage Deer Valley (It List 2011)—have some competition from a tiny off-mountain gem. Complete with creamy white wainscoting, vintage chandeliers, and French and Swedish antiques, the 1889 schoolhouse, renovated to the studs, is more Alpine chic than Rocky Mountain rustic. Staffers offer spot-on recommendations for restaurants and boutiques and instantly coordinate transportation to your mountain of choice (though Park City’s Town Lift is steps away). Add in the 12 unique rooms and suites—some quirkily configured to respect the original architecture—and the heated pool, and Utah’s adventure-and-entertainment capital has a new home base. washingtonschoolhouse.com. $$$$

—Laura M Teusink

Lords South Beach (Photo: Lords South Beach)Beach: Lords South Beach, Miami Beach

Take an Art Deco building in the center of South Beach, add bright bursts of lemon and cerulean as well as campy details (oversize Cleopatra prints; a lobby sculpture of a giant polar bear holding a beach ball) to the 54 rooms, and you’ve got the first outpost of a new, gay-friendly hotel brand and already one of the city’s most talked-about properties. Sure, the design is exaggerated—the hotel’s gold-tiled Cha Cha Rooster bar channels King Midas—but it’s not all brazenly over-the-top. We found the daytime scene around the three pools subdued, and our 285-square-foot Cabana room was thankfully quiet. Come evening, the hotel’s informative iPhone app came in handy on our quest for Miami’s best martini. lordssouthbeach.com. $

—Joshua Pramis

Hotel Bel-Air (Photo: Hotel Bel-Air)Renovation: Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles

It took a dream team to pull off the renovation of Los Angeles’s classic canyon estate, mere minutes but a world away from Rodeo Drive. Guest rooms underwent a Hollywood Regency–inspired makeover by Alexandra Champalimaud: where there was formerly wood, chintz, and white tile, now there’s marble, limestone, and oversize botanical prints that reference the leafy grounds; and California cuisine king Wolfgang Puck reigns in the David Rockwell–updated bar and restaurant. The L.A. landmark, part of the Dorchester Collection hotel group, also added an airy new lobby, a La Prairie spa, 12 suites with canyon views, and state-of-the-art technology (iPads; cutting-edge fitness equipment). Classicists shouldn’t fret: the Bel-Air has preserved its signature touches, including the resident swans and burbling fountains on the 12-acre property. Proof that the hotel is attracting the who’s who? Scan the restaurant’s coveted alcove booths, and you just might see Justin Timberlake nibbling on white-truffle risotto. $$$$

—Michael Gross

St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort (Photo: The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Residences)Beach: St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Florida

At the northern tip of Miami Beach, the tony enclave of Bal Harbour has long been known for its wide, white-sand beaches, lavish residences, and high-end shopping mall. Yet the area lacked a true luxury hotel. Enter Starwood, which poured $700 million into a three-tower development with a new 243-room St. Regis. Celeb chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is behind the restaurant and poolside grill, and the Yabu Pushelberg–designed interiors include the eye-catching entrance hall—a very chic take on a house of mirrors. In the guest quarters, tiled walls in muted tones put the emphasis on the view (a coup: every room overlooks the ocean). Less impressive is the overly ambitious in-room technology, including a lighting system so confusing that, as one staffer admitted, the hotel has considered penning an instruction booklet. stregis.com. $$$$

—Laura Begley Bloom

Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Photo: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts)Renovation: Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver

If you think the ornate wall clock, 30-foot chandelier, and fedora-clad doormen hint at the past, you’re right: the Hotel Georgia originally opened in 1927, and after an extensive overhaul, unveiled a new look in this past summer. Rather than adding rooms to compete with the city’s gleaming high-rises, Rosewood Hotel Georgia instead retains the same intimate scale that drew both Elvis Presley and the Beatles to this spot when they toured British Columbia. There are just 156 high-tech rooms and suites, and the attentive staff anticipated our needs, often before we thought of them. The chauffeured hotel Bentley was available when we wanted to explore the city; our reading glasses were wiped clean at turndown; and, on our final evening, a U.S. customs form was slipped under our door—making for a seamless trip back across the border. rosewoodhotels.com. $$$

—Sarah A Khan

The Saint (Photo: Carter Rose)City: The Saint, New Orleans

On a lively edge of the French Quarter, the Saint exhibits a crisp, highly stylized fantasia. Texas-based owner D. Mark Wyant, an American Airlines pilot, and his mother are behind the restoration of the landmark 1909 Audubon Building on Canal Street. Wyant looked to his travels as inspiration for the interiors, where dark-blue hallways open onto 166 rooms with Art Deco touches, such as all-white lacquered furnishings and indigo ceilings. A sign that Wyant’s Southern roots worked their charms? Sweet Olive Restaurant has been embraced by finicky locals. On weekends, the communal table fills with New Orleanians ordering classic Louisiana crab cakes and ice-cold Abita beers. thesainthotelneworleans.com. $$

—Thomas Beller

See more of the It List: The Best New Hotels of 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Space Tourism

Space tourism: the final frontier?

By Kelly O'Mara | Yahoo! Travel – 16 hours ago

The Spacex Falcon 9 lifts off from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday (Photo: Reuters)This week, SpaceX launched the first private spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft was hired by NASA to carry cargo to the station. But, the plan is to soon be carrying people into orbit.

“This mission heralds the dawn of a new era of space exploration, one in which there is a significant commercial space element,” said SpaceX CEO and PayPal co-founder Elon Musk in a press statement. “For us, it is like winning the Super Bowl.”

A number of companies are right behind SpaceX, preparing to send tourists out of the atmosphere or even to space hotels orbiting in the sky. Bigelow Aerospace of Nevada has designed an inflatable space station that would serve as a “hotel” for astronauts or tourists.

With at least eight major companies getting into the space business, the galaxy could soon get a little crowded. And that means, without regulations on space travel, it could get a little dangerous out there.
“Anyone can go into space,” said Alex Bronstein-Moffly of First Street Research Group, which has studied the commercial space industry. “Space is sort of one of these uncharted territories.”

The Federal Aviation Administration, Congress, NASA, and the Air Force regulate the spacecraft that take off from U.S. soil, but no one regulates space. Ultimately, space tourists could leave from less controlled or less well-run countries – in much the same way other industries operate offshore – creating a space jam of disorganized and poorly maintained shuttles.

Right now, the eight space launch pads in the U.S. are licensed in order to certify their safety and verify that crafts meet regular maintenance requirements and standards. Additionally, there are training requirements for crew members and medical qualifications that have to be met by all passengers.
“You can’t just build a launch pad in your backyard,” said Bronstein-Moffly.

But, once those rockets and spacecraft, at some point, leave the U.S. and carry tourists into space, there’s little oversight. The Air Force and NASA currently serve as space air traffic control, using telescopes and radar to ensure that satellites don’t hit each other. But they may not be able to do that for private spacecraft.

Too many satellites and too much junk littering space already poses a safety hazard. If too many private shuttles eventually join them, there will need to be a control system in place to stop accidents from occurring, said Bronstein-Moffly. But, we’re more than a few years away from that problem.

Richard Branson with the VMS Eve, a "mothership" designed to launch spacecraft with tourists aboard into space. (Photo: Virgin Galactic)

Richard Branson with the VMS Eve, a "mothership" designed to launch spacecraft with tourists aboard into space. …Virgin Galactic is widely considered the most likely to be the first to send customers into orbit from its terminal in southern New Mexico. Richard Branson, Virgin CEO, has predicted that will be within the year.
In March, Ashton Kutcher became the 500th person to register for a space trip with Virgin Galactic. Other celebrities have also signed up for their own astronaut trip with Virgin, including Stephen Hawking and former Dallas star Victoria Principal.

All that money to be made in space means that a lot of money is being spent right now to lobby Congress over maintenance regulations and medical clearance requirements. The First Street Research Group released a study last month on the lobbying and regulatory efforts involved in commercial space travel. SpaceX, according to the report, tops the space tourism spending list, doling out $2.9 million on lobbying efforts. SpaceX, in turn, has been awarded NASA contracts and seed funding to develop crafts like the Dragon.

SpaceX has been joined in its space tourism lobbying by the Orbital Space Corporation, Boeing, Sierra Nevada Corporation, XCOR Aerospace, and Virgin Galactic.

Lobbying efforts are focused on three things, said Bronstein-Moffly: writing regulatory laws, petitioning governing agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and winning government contracts and grants.

“Because all of this is so new, it’s still being hashed out,” he said.

These private companies have an incentive to make sure the new tourism frontier is safe enough to encourage high-paying customers. While off-brand, un-regulated space travel may end up a problem if the industry becomes over-crowded, there is an obvious deterrent to getting your space travel on the cheap.

“If you’re going into space, do you really want to take off from a spaceship that hasn’t been inspected?” he asked.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Best National Parks

The Best of America's National Parks

By Melissa Burdick Harmon | Yahoo! Travel – Mon, May 21, 2012 6:10 PM EDT

Bass Harbor Lighthouse at Arcadia National Park (Getty Images)

Spot a manatee... hike down a canyon... see how early Native Americans lived... go deep inside a vast cave... just plain get away from it all, with great adventures in 10 of America’s best national parks.

Acadia National Park, Maine
Best for watching wild waves and serene sunsets

Toward sunset, a long line of cars roll up to the summit of 1,530-feet-high Cadillac Mountain in Maine’s coast-hugging Acadia National Park, where visitors traditionally gather to toast the setting sun (champagne preferred). Acadia is a gracious, gentlemanly national park, created on land donated by John D. Rockefeller, who also paid for construction of more than 50 miles of carriage roads, part of a larger network of 125 miles of park paths. If you have to pick one, the six-mile bike trail around Eagle Lake, dotted with colorful canoes and kayaks, is lovely. Save time for lunch at pretty Jordan Pond House, circa 1870, and famous for its creamy lobster stew and popovers. Book a park-ranger-narrated boat cruise. Head to Bass Harbor, also part of the park, on Mount Desert (the locals pronounce it “dessert”) Island’s southwest shore, for great lighthouse photos. Watch the lobster boats roll in. Campsites sell out far in advance, but Bar Harbor, the island’s biggest town, offers rooms at a wide range of prices. The Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina ranks high for luxury.

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Monday, May 28, 2012

Out Door Hotel Suites

Nine amazing outdoor hotel suites

By Molly Fergus | Conde Nast Traveler – Thu, May 17, 2012 2:14 PM EDT

Amangiri Resort (Photo: Stephen Wilkes)

MORE AT CONDE NAST TRAVELER

Sheets, quilts, pillows may seem strange bedfellows for the open air, but these are cozy sleeping platforms that referee civilization and nature. Here are nine of the most spectacular hotel suites in the world.

Amangiri Resort
Lake Powell, Canyon Point, Utah

A full moon showcases the mesas against the sky. At night the occasional coyote yips, and at dawn bighorn sheep may troop by. Welcome to Amangiri, the extravagant 600-acre resort near the Navajo Nation in Utah as it cuts in near Page, Arizona. This is one of the best places in the United States for star-gazing: The air is clear and dry, and there's very little ambient light. If you'd like less exposure but a more focused relationship with the starry pitch above, six Amangiri suites have "Sky Terraces" – three protecting walls with the open sky above and a pool below you. With summer nights in the 60s and January nights in the mid-30s or lower, there's appropriate bedding – from silk and wool throws to plumped down quilts. Cocoa with a shot of brandy? Coffee at 5:30 a.m.? This is Amangiri (435-675-3999; suites, $1,500–$3,500).

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Worst Traffic In USA

The worst traffic In America? It's not Los Angeles

By Suzanne Kane | The Car Connection – 14 hours ago

MORE AT THE CAR CONNECTION

Los Angeles might seem to be the nation's capital for gridlock, but according to Inrix, a provider of traffic data and information, the City Of Angels doesn't have the worst traffic in the United States.

Inrix says that the city of Honolulu wins that dubious honor, with drivers wasting 58 hours a year on average on congested roads.

The Inrix study shows that drivers in other major cities are still spending a fair number of hours stuck in traffic, too. While Los Angeles ranked a close second to Honolulu, those in San Francisco spent almost 48 additional hours in the car because of traffic.

The news wasn't all bad, though. Inrix says overall congestion was down 30 percent in 2011 from the year before, and notes that of the 100 cities it surveyed, 70 of them logged lower rates of congestion year over year.

These cities had the worst traffic in 2011, according to Inrix, which lists the average hours wasted per driver after each city:

10)      Chicago – 32.8 hours
9)         Boston - 35 hours
8)         Austin – 30 hours
7)         Seattle – 33 hours
6)         Washington, D.C. – 45 hours
5)         Bridgeport, CT – 42 hours
4)         New York – 57 hours
3)         San Francisco – 48 hours
2)         Los Angeles – 56 hours
1)         Honolulu – 58 hours

The study also finds that, nationally, the worst morning commute occurs on Tuesday, while the worst evening commute is on Friday.

Inrix also says some of the worst traffic corridors in the country include the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, from the 105 to Getty Center; a 16-mile stretch of the Long Island Expressway in New York; and three miles of the Penn Lincoln Parkway in Pittsburgh.

For more information and complete results of the survey, see the Inrix report card and methodology.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Best Destinations for Solo Vacationers

8 of the Best Destinations for Solo Vacationers

Posted on Jun 09, 2011 | Comments 0

Traveling is a great way to share experiences with family and friends. However, some people prefer to meet new friends by traveling alone. These are some of the best destinations in the world for solo travelers.

1. Amsterdam, Holland

Amsterdam used to be well known as a weekend getaway for single people. However, it’s now an ideal location for men and women of all ages. The red light district is still there and still popular, but it’s a safe and interesting area.
The beauty, history and ambiance of the city are drawing more people to it each year. You’ll be able to spend your time walking along the many canals, viewing the historical sites, and being amazed at the fantastic architecture. There are 400 bridges in Amsterdam that connect to the city’s 90 small islands.

2. Santiago, Chile

Santiago’s a very modern city that’s easy to explore. It’s filled with excellent restaurants and shops and comes with a great entertainment scene and business district.
There are many historical sites to see and you can get a great view of the beautiful city from the air by taking a cable car across it. There are wonderful parks and art galleries and you can share a bottle of fine wine with the friendly residents.

3. New York City, New York, USA

You can find just about anything in New York City. It’s filled with historical sites, galleries, museums, libraries, theaters, bars, restaurants, and clubs. If you’d like to explore further than Manhattan, just take the subway to the
Brooklyn Bridge, where you can walk over to Brooklyn. There are many other interesting areas to visit, such as the Bronx, Spanish Harlem, and Queens.

4. Rome, Italy

Rome is another city that has it all, including excellent food, wine, and sites. There are numerous historical attractions and ruins to visit and you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you visit some of them. It’s a lively and friendly place, making it ideal for solo travellers. Some of the most popular sites are the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain.

5. Bhutan

This magnificent country is snuggled in between India, Tibet, and China. It sits in the Himalayan foothills and offers some of the most amazing views of the region. You’ll be able to witness some interesting festivals and sacred fortresses as well as go on hikes with local guides. It’s a hidden gem and a great place for solo travellers who’d like to explore somewhere a little different.

6. Reykjavik, Iceland

This is an excellent destination that’s off the beaten track. There’s so much natural beauty here that you’ll be tempted to spend hours exploring and hiking in the wilderness. The city center also has enough attractions to keep you busy. The most popular site is the Blue Lagoon, which is a 10,000-square-foot bath which offers spectacular views of the countryside.

7. Paris, France

The City of Lights is known as a romantic spot, but it’s just as interesting for those travelling on their own. It can be explored by day and night as every avenue seems to lead to something just as interesting as the last. It’s filled with history, culture, museums, galleries, theaters, and exceptional architecture. The shopping’s great, as are the cafés, restaurants, wine, and clubs.

8. San Francisco, California, USA

San Francisco has a happening art and music scene along with a lot of natural beauty. You’ll find some excellent seafood at the restaurants and some trendy cafes. Some of the most popular attractions are Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Take the streetcars as you explore the sites in this beautiful hilly city.

15 Travel Tip

15 Simple Travel Tips

By Nomadic Matt | Published August 3rd, 2009

August is a big month for travel. People from around the world use the end of summer as an excuse to take last-minute vacations with their families before the school season begins and the cold weather returns. Europe practically shuts down as people take the month off to travel. So there is no better way to start August with some great travel tips to make your vacation go a bit easier, more enjoyable, and a lot cheaper:
Flying
1. When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly into airports other than your final destination, and then take a train or bus. This is especially true during peak travel season or festivals. For my recent flight to Valencia, the cheapest flight was $700 (with 2 stops) as everyone is traveling there for La Tomatina. Even Ryanair was $200 to fly just from London. However, it was only $550 to fly into Madrid and then another $50 to take the train. i saved myself $100 USD and a 6 hours in layover time getting to Valencia before I would have otherwise.
2. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines. Families have more stuff and move much slower. Frequent fliers know exactly how to move through that line quick and have everything ready even before they grab the x-ray machine tray. I also try to avoid to older travelers because they always seem to forget the liquid rule.
3. Always find out what type of plane you are flying on so you know how nice the seats and amenities are as not all planes are created equal. For example, American Airlines MD-80s have wi-fi installed, but as of right now, smaller Boeing planes do not. Newer versions of planes also tend to have more leg room and nicer seats. Not all aircraft have personal TV screens either. When booking your flight, the airlines will tell you what kind of plane you are flying on and you can check its quality at the site Seat Guru, which let’s you know the amenities and configurations of every plane out there. No one wants to be on a long flight in an old plane.
Find out more about airline tickets at my in depth article on how to get a cheap flight.
Accommodation
4. If you like hotels, last-minute deals on Priceline or Hotwire can get you rooms over 60% off the normal price. You can bid for your rooms and if you decide to do this, use the website Better Bidding to see what others have bided on recently so you don’t overbid. I got a room in Times Square during the Christmas season for $90 USD per night this way. That is a steal. You don’t need to be a member of the forums in order to see the bids other people placed but you do need to be a member to post on the forum.
5. When you check in to the hotel, ask for an upgrade. Tourism is very bad right now and you are much more likely to get free upgrades and goodies just by asking. They want to keep customers happy and have them go home recommending them to others. Use that to your advantage.
6. If you are traveling with 3-4 people, consider getting a suite. Couches usually fold out into beds making that Priceline/Hotwire negotiated room even cheaper. Four of us split a king suite in a 4 star hotel in Chicago for $50 each per night.
7. If you are in a city for a week or more, renting a furnished apartment can cheaper than a hotel. You can find a lot of great rented apartments through websites like AirBnB, Wimdu, Home Away, and 9Flats. You’ll be renting out people’s apartments and they are always cheaper than a Hilton plus come with a kitchen so you can cook your food and lower your expenses more. I’ve written more about this style of travel here.
8. You can also use sites like Couchsurfing and Hospitality Club to stay with locals for free. I love these sites. I’ve used Couchsurfing close to a dozen times and have had nothing but good interactions on the sites. Not only is a great site for getting an inexpensive place to stay but you get to hang out with locals and learn about the city in a way no guidebook could ever teach you.
9. Most hostels offer private rooms that are cheaper than hotels. You will have your own bathroom, new sheets each day, free Wi-Fi, and sometimes even a T.V. In New York, my private hostel room was $80 per night. The closest one star hotel in the area (Central Park) cost $120 and did not include wi-fi (but probably some bed bugs).
You can find get more information at my article on how to pick the best hostel and how to get free and cheap accommodation.
Tourism
10. Always visit the local tourist office and get a tourism card. Local tourism offices (think London Tourism, Paris Tourism, New York Tourism, etc) issue cards for all their attractions, tours, and some restaurants. This card gives you free entry or substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants. By buying the Paris museum pass, I saved $85 USD off the normal price of the museums. Most major cities around the world offer these.
11. Libraries, Starbucks, and most cafes have free wi-fi or internet if you are stuck having to pay for it somewhere.
12. Lunch time is the best time to visit historical sites. Tour groups always head to places in the early morning or late afternoon, but around 1 pm, they break for lunch, leaving much shorter lines for major attractions. Conversely, if you are an early riser, you can be the first one in line and beat the wait time.
Eating
13. Never eat in a tourist area – the food will be half as good and twice the price. This is a simple enough tip, but one often forgotten by people. Just walk three blocks in any direction and you’ll find cheaper and more local restaurants. Getting off La Ramblas in Barcelona, my friends and I found this tapas restaurant where we ate like kings for 7 Euros each, about half as much as it would have cost on La Ramblas.
14. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you. Visit the local supermarket to see what the local palate is like and cook yourself a nice dinner. If you don’t have a kitchen where you are staying, hit the markets and make yourself some sandwiches for a picnic in the park.
15. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. Most restaurant offer lunch specials much cheaper than those on the normal dinner menu. This is especially prevalent in Europe. I’ve also found great lunch deals in restaurants in Singapore and Australia. You get a set menu but what you lack in choice, you make up in savings. Don’t know where to go? Don’t look in the guidebook. Ask your hostel or hotel staff.
Check out my article on how to eat cheap food when you travel for more tips.
When you plan your next holiday, remember some of these tips. Traveling doesn’t have to be a time consuming and expensive process. It should be easy, cheap, and, most importantly, fun.
Want to save even more money when you travel? Check out my book on world travel and receive discounts on accommodation, flights, transportation, and tours for a total worth over $1000 USD!!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Top 10 Destination for 2011

10 Top Destinations for 2011

Posted on May 28, 2011 | Comments 0

There’s still plenty of time left in 2011 to take a vacation to some of the world’s hottest spots. These are some of the most popular destinations to hit in 2011.

1. Prague, the Czech Republic

Prague is becoming more popular year after year and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and features some excellent architecture. It’s ideal for travellers of all ages with plenty to see and do and a diverse and plentiful nightlife including classy wine bars, cellar bars, and trendy clubs.

2. New York city, New York, USA

The Big Apple is still one of the most exciting places in the world to visit with so much to see and do. There are plenty of sites to see such as Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Central Park, and the Met.
However, you can also explore the streets and get inside of the city in its various neighbourhoods, from Chinatown, to Little Italy, the queens, and the Bronx. You won’t be disappointed.

3. Queensland, New Zealand

The beautiful region of Queenstown offers scores of outdoors activities to enjoy such as bungee jumping, kayaking, jet boating, skiing, hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting. The countryside is spectacular and there are plenty of cruises to explore the region and wineries to visit.

4. St Petersburg, Russia

This magnificent city was once Europe’s cultural center, and in a way it still is. St. Petersburg is filled with numerous art galleries, architectural wonders, and museums. There is plenty of nightlife, art, cultural destinations, and fine dining to last for weeks on end.

5. Buenos Aires, Argentina

This is a bustling city that’s seductive and bustling with energy. It may be located in South America, but you’ll easily notice its European influences and heritage, especially in the parks, boulevards, and architecture. It’s the shopping capital of South America and has a wonderful entertainment scene.

6. Barcelona, Spain

There’s always something happening in Barcelona. There’s tons to see and do, including a wonderful beach in the middle of the city. The city has an excellent combination of European and Gothic history with a bustling nightlife. The Gothic Quarter is famous and the La Sagrada Familia is a masterpiece. The tapas and wine are also out of this world.

7. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is famous for its breathtaking skyline, but there’s lot more to the city than looks. There are plenty of beaches to visit, such as Manly, and Bondi, as well as several ethnic neighbourhoods. You can climb up Harbour Bridge or Sydney Tower to get a view of the city and take in a show at the famous Sydney Opera House.

8. London, England

London’s always been one of the world’s most popular cities and especially so this year after the recent Royal Wedding was held there. You’ll be able to visit an endless stream of sites such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the Tate Modern, and the National Gallery, to name a few.

9. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town has an excellent mixture of outdoor activities and amazing vistas to keep you busy at all times. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve offers some spectacular scenery as well as wildlife and hiking trails. The beaches are among the best in the world for watersports.

10. Paris, France

It’d be hard to make a list without the City of Lights on it. Paris is an excellent city to explore on foot. The history and architecture is something to behold and the sites just don’t stop coming, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and River Seine. The city’s filled with cafes, brassieres, restaurants, and grand boulevards.