Travel Blog

Photo Credit: www.italianvisits.com

The Villa d’Este Hotel in Florence, Italy, was voted as the top hotel in the world by Forbes Traveler in 2009. It’s hard to deny that this is, indeed, one very spectacular hotel.

The hotel sits on Lake Como, and is actually a converted residence from the 16th century. To say it’s palatial is to diminish its grandeur. It sits on around 300 acres of space, groomed and planned to inspire the senses. There are fountains galore, including the Fountain of Neptune and Fountain of Tivoli, and the row of 100 fountains. As a matter of fact, there are over 500 fountains on the premises. There are also many statues and gardens, mosaics, and multiple spas on its grounds.

Discount Hotels in Florence, Italy Book Between December 18, 2009 and January 3, 2010 for Only $99 per Night!

There are nearly 160 rooms available in the hotel, ranging from double rooms to suites. Most of the rooms have their own Jacuzzi, which is a nice touch. There are three restaurants in the hotel, one of which is supposed to have the best Japanese food in the nation. The residence has been a hotel for around 130 years, and is known for high marble ceilings, columns, and multiple staircases.

If you’re lucky to arrive at certain times of the year, there are even tours planned through the hotel that will let you see other areas of Italy during an extended stay at the hotel. You’re already on the shores of Lake Como, but there are other sites to see along the lake, including other old villas. There are also tours to Florence, Tuscany, and Chianti. Whether or not you like wine, taking an Italian wine tour is something you just can’t experience anywhere else. Also, we all know that Italy has a rich history, so there will be tours of historic buildings and sites, including the ruins of Rocca di Tentennano and its art museum in Tuscany.

The hotel has boats for going out on the water, and still employs horse drawn carriages for guests who just want to saunter around a bit. There’s also an 18-hole golf course on its grounds, considered one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in Europe.

And, if you’re in the need for something a bit more modern, Rome is only 30 minutes away. But the Villa d’Este is meant to take you away from all of that, offering your senses enough to help you relax and replenish your mind so that, when you go back to your daily grind, you’ll be more mentally prepared than when you left.

See more:
Florence, Italy Restaurant Guide (Where to Eat)
Florence, Italy Weather
Sights to See in Florence

Chinatown in the New York City area is in the lower part of Manhattan. It was a thriving and growing area of the city until the Twin Towers disaster in September 2001. Now, though it still has a vibrancy to it, its not what it was because many businesses moved out of the area, and that’s left a number of empty buildings that no one has moved back into.

Take that out of the mix, though, and Chinatown is a fascinating area of the city. You have to start with the street front vendors because, well, you just can’t miss them. Many of the remaining stores put out some of their wares to entice you to go inside to see what else they have. You can get anything from watches to purses to jewelry to electronics, all at discount prices that you couldn’t get anywhere else. How good are the items? Well, that’s another story.

Here’s the other side of it all. If you don’t see what you want, you can indicate that to someone, and probably within minutes you’ll be escorted to places where you might not have ever thought you’d go, but there’s just something compelling about it all. Chinatown has many secret nooks. One minute you’re standing in the middle of a store, and in another minute you’re in a secret, probably cramped room surrounded by all sorts of things. In some stores, you mention what you want, and they’ll get it for you. Some of these stores have catalogs of items such as Rolex watches or Gucci purses, and they’ll give them to you at major league discount prices.

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Like what? Well, I decided to buy a few things for myself and my wife. I bought a gold Rolex with a black face and diamonds not only on each number, but diamonds signifying each minute on the watch face. In the catalog, that Rolex goes for $27,000; I bought it for $45. I bought two more watches for myself, two for my wife, and it came to less than $200. I then went to another store and bought 3 Gucci bags and a Coach bag for my wife and mother; those all came in under $200 also. If you believe retail prices, I spent more than $90,000 in one day; I came home with dollars still in my pocket.

Chinatown is more than just stores, though. You just can’t get real Chinese food without going into Chinese areas. One restaurant I went into had two menus, one for Chinese, and one for everyone else. It’s not the same food either; I know because I saw something being eaten and asked the man to point it out on my menu; he said it wasn’t on my menu. You need to be warned, though; you will get things in your food that you won’t get in most suburban Chinese restaurants. But everything smells great, and you’ll enjoy it.

You’ll have a good time in Chinatown because there’s a lot to see. Make sure you’re careful, though. Never go by yourself, and always keep an eye on your bags. You won’t know the language, and though you should be safe, don’t take any unnecessary chances with your safety. It’s a lot of fun overall.

See more:
Best Restaurants in Chinatown
Chinatown-online.com
Top 25 New York Sightseeing Destinations

Photo Credit: www.antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov

If you’re looking for an adventure in the north that you can’t get anywhere else in the United States, yet aren’t ready to quite rough it, you might want to consider a visit to Fairbanks, Alaska. It’s the largest most northern city in the country with a population of around 35,000 people, and what it offers is the opportunity to go an entire day without the sun setting.

Discount Hotels in Fairbanks Book Between December 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 for Only $67 per Night!

Every year on the summer solstice, which is usually June 21st, all types of events are planned on the day the sun never sets. Fairbanks is just under the border where the sun won’t set for multiple days at a time, yet on this one day it never quite drops below the horizon. On the days leading up to it and just after it, the skies stay brighter than normal, but the sun isn’t seen from the city.

One of the main attractions of the city on that day is baseball, where many midnight games are set up at the same time. At least you’ll be lucky to not expect any snow, which sometimes occurs in early June. And the temperatures will probably be in the 70′s or 80′s at that time also, which is much different than if you’re thinking about visiting in the winter, where temperatures often get into the -40F range or colder. Some months in the winter never get above zero; you won’t have to worry about that in the summer.

What Fairbanks is also known for is its relative proximity to Denali National Park, which contains Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in the United States at more than 20,000 feet. It’s great for mountain climbers, and people love hiking and exploring the park, which is home to many animals including grizzly and black bears. As a matter of fact, it’s home to many animals not seen in other areas of the country, as it’s a protected national park.

Not being a large city, there isn’t the type of nightlife you’ll be used to seeing in other places. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other things to do in the area. There’s the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival which draws visitors from all around the country. They have a symphony and a ballet, and even a small opera theater. There’s the botanical gardens and lots of Native American exhibits all around town. There’s even the 36,000 year old bison mummy that’s on display at the University of Alaska Museum; you won’t see that just anywhere.

Fairbanks would be an interesting place to visit if you go at the right times of the year. Yes, they do also have skiing, but unless you’re hearty, skiing in below zero weather, especially in extremely cold weather, might not be your cup of tea.

See more:
Fairbanks Summer Attractions
Fairbanks Attractions & Sights
Fairbanks Restaurant Guide & Dining Reviews

Photo Credit: www.unitedplanet.org

If you’re looking for a modern vacation with lots of fancy clubs and shops, Costa Rica may not be the place for you.  But if you’re looking for a place with lots of natural beauty, beaches, quiet times for relaxation, and a bit of adventure, then you might just enjoy what Costa Rica has to offer.

Right off the bat, you might feel fairly safe in Costa Rica.  It’s one of the few countries that doesn’t have a military, which means it’s pretty peaceful.  The weather’s usually pretty good, although it can change quickly depending on the winds and where you’re located.  It has many different altitudes for such a small country, which also helps to explain the diverse types of weather.  It’s one of the “greeniest” countries in the world, and we’re not just talking flora and fauna.  They hope to be the first carbon neutral country in the world by 2021, and already rank number one on what’s known as the Happy Planet Index as the greeniest country in the world.

What do you want to see?  If you want beaches, how about the opportunity for not only swimming and sitting around improving your tan, but also scuba and surfing.  If you want mountains, you can view volcanoes such as Irazu, and even climb a few or go on a bike tour.  Of course, you won’t want to be climbing the Arenal Volcano, which is almost always erupting, but if you’re fascinated with lava then you’ll want to see it.  If you want rain forests, you can find them.  If you want caves, you can find them.  If you want to tour coffee plantations, you’re in the right place.

Of course, where there are beaches you’ll find a lot of nice resort hotels, so it’s not as primitive as one might imagine everywhere else.  But it’s not considered as a modern paradise, more of a natural one.  And with nature, there come a few dangers.  In some parts of the country, you do run the risk of catching malaria.  It does have its share of dangerous animals as well, including jaguar, mountain lions, and boa constrictors.  So, if you’re looking to commune with nature, be cautious and protect yourself.

But for many, Costa Rica is a nice little getaway from the rat race of one’s normal life.  The people are friendly, and the costs aren’t all that high.

See more:
The Rainforests of Costa Rica
Costa Rican Travel Guide
Discount Beach Vacations

Photo Credit : www.nobc.org

Chicago is the home of the Oprah Winfrey Show.  It was also the home of talk shows such as Jenny Jones, Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos, and of course the original talker, Phil Donahue.  What is it about Chicago that’s inspired so many people to set up shop there to talk to others?

Chicago, situated on the border of Lake Michigan, is the third largest city in the United States, behind New York City and Los Angeles, and also the third densest, behind the same two cities.  In a strange way, it’s a city with an inferiority complex that it’s proud of.  It’s in the Midwest, rather than on the East or West Coast.  Even as its size, it’s not considered a power city.  Though its sports teams have won some major championships, they’ve had more losers than winners.  That, and it’s monicker “The Windy City” doesn’t necessarily conjure up feelings of superiority.

But Chicago is a great and wonderful city with its own unique culture.  Remember, Chicago is a city that basically lost a third of itself back in the Great Fire of 1871, and had to start all over in those areas.  Chicago is the home of Al Capone, the most notorious gangster this country has ever known.  It’s also the home of the very first nuclear reaction test, which led to the Manhattan Project.

It’s also known for having its own style of pizza, which uses chunky tomatoes along with traditional tomato paste.  It’s known for its comedy clubs, which have fed entertainment such as Saturday Night Live, Fridays, and Mad TV.  It’s the home of Wrigley Field, one of the oldest baseball stadiums still being used today for the city’s hapless but lovable Cubs.

One of its top attractions is called Millennium Park, which was established in 1844 and has grown into a 24 acre area of modern achievement, highlighted by the Cloud Gate, a 12-foot shiny structure that’s got a hollowed out inner chamber and the Crown Fountain, with two 50-foot towards surrounding a reflecting pool.  There are also gargoyles, fountains, and other statues that highlight the structure.

And Chicago is known for jazz, as all the top jazz musicians in the country feel that, if they can’t make it in either Chicago or New Orleans, they’re just pretending to be musicians.  This gives Chicago an interesting nightlife, as many establishments also make their own beer in downtown areas.

And overall, that’s probably what separates Chicago from a city like Chicago.  People tend to go places in New York City to be seen.  People in Chicago go places to have fun and be entertained.  And that’s probably why people in Chicago like to talk; they’re a bit more open to strangers, which is taboo in NYC and Los Angeles.

Just don’t criticize the Bears or the Cubs!

See more:
Chicago Discount Hotels
Chicago Traveler – Maps & Sightseeing
Chicago Tours & Attractions

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Some specialty hotels become the focal point of a vacation because of their distinct qualities. Here are four unusual European hotels. More details and photos are available at travel.azcentral.com.

Netherlands

In the harbor at Harlingen, a town full of interesting hotels about a 75 minute ride from Amsterdam, stands Harlingen Lighthouse, last used to guide ships 11 years ago. Alterations to the harbor rendered the lighthouse unnecessary, and it’s now a luxury hotel for two people at a time (staying together), an aerie about 80 steps up, where three floors of round-walled living space serve as accommodations.

The lantern room on the highest level, opens onto a balcony; binoculars are provided, but guest say there is plenty to see without them.

Details:

Harlingen Lighthouse, Havenweg 1, Harlingen Netherlands, 011-31-517-414-410.

France

Once a Roman fortress carved from a rocky mountainside, Le Prince Noir in Provence in a rarefied B&B. In the village of Les Baux-de-Provence, about a half hour drive from Aries, the convereted fortress has three accommodations: a double-bed room ($125 a night), a family suite (about $285) and a small apartment with a private terrace (about$340). Guest like the breakfast, panoramic views and comfort. There’s a two-night minimum stay.

Details:

Le Prince Noir, Rue de Lorme, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence, France, 011-33-6-2007-8267, leprincenoir.com

Sweden

The last convict left Stockholm’s Crown Prison in 1975. Fourteen years later, the jail became Lengholmen Hotel. The early 19th- Century building, on an island, has 89 single and 13 double cells-yes, cells-with private doors and showers.

The is also an atrium, a 24 hour cafeteria in the old prison entrance, an adjoining full restaurant and museum, Free Internet, parking within the prison walls, and jogging paths outside for a little prison rec. “A captivating experience,” warns the management, which does not promise to give you a key. Singles run about $135

Perconviction, er, Night: doubles, $195.

Details:

Lengholmen Hotel, Lengholmuren 20, 10272, Stockholm, 011-468-720-8500, langholmen.com/En/Hotel/AboutHotel.aspx.

Italy

Atop a hill in a 14th century village just a few min-

European Hotels (Cont)

Splendid sprawl of a house, then abandoned, it’s now an art gallery-hotel, rich with fireplaces, old stone walls, and rooms with with panoramic views of the village, Torrita dedi Siena.

The management, through the community, offers massage therapy, painting and cooking classes, cultural and wine tours of Tuscany, horseback riding and mountain bike trips. Or you can just relax, or shop, 45 minutes away at an outlet center that offers Gucci, Fendi and others for enough of a discount to make the euro bearable. Now, in low season, junior rooms at the hotel run about $190 per night; superior rooms, $250, and a suite, $330.

Details:

Residenza D’Arte, Poggio Maddona Dell’Olivio, 53049, Torrita di Siena, Italy, 011-39-338-481-4384.

See more:
Top Hotel Deals in Amsterdam
Top Hotel Deals in Florence
Europe Travel Hotspots

Photo Credit: www.fashionisthebestmedicine.blogspot.com

If you’re looking to get away to a relaxing holiday paradise, it’s possible that Guam might not be at the top of your list. For most people, it’s a small island in the South Pacific that has a military base where many enlisted people have spent at least a little bit of time. However, Guam may offer just what you need if your need is to get away from it all.

The first thing you need to know is that Guam is a long trip, no matter where you leave from. At best, you’re talking a 16 hour plane trip from Los Angeles. So, if you don’t have at least a week to enjoy yourself, it’s best to find someplace closer.

The second is that it is a relatively tiny island, less than 213 square miles, part of the Mariana Islands, the largest island in the chain. At its longest point, it’s 30 miles long, and at its widest 12 miles wide. So, it’s not a large island where you can get lost. It is, however, large enough so that you’ll have to rent a car to get around. And, because it’s a small island, there’s not a lot of things to do.

Having said that, there are things you can do. For one, the beaches are spectacular, and are the biggest draw. Guam has some of the most unique species of fish in the world, and it’s quite close to the Mariana Trench, the deepest spot in the world. Scuba diving is very popular here, as people love going to see these exotic fish, as well as their coral reefs.

There are also the grasslands and a forest, as well as a few volcanic peaks. The coral reef surrounds the entire island. This means there’s a lot to explore. However, the ecosystem is somewhat delicate, so people have to be careful not to disturb too much of the natural surroundings. Also, there are 17 different villages, each with its own culture, but since Guam’s main income comes from tourism, all of the villages are welcoming of visitors.

Guam is warm throughout the year, although there are peak times to visit like any other. For instance, November and December are months where there are more typhoons to deal with than at any other time of the year, so you might not want to go at that time. The dry season is considered to be from February to June, and during that time there are sometimes wildfires, which tourists don’t have to deal with.

In essence, Guam would be a great vacation if you want to rest and do nothing else.

See more:
Guam History and Culture
How to find Guam’s Best Tourist Spots
Guam Restaurant Directory

Photo Credit: www.rehobothbeachde.net

My bet is that, when you were thinking of places to travel, Delaware wasn’t even on your long list.  Delaware has an identity issue.  It’s a small state with an uncommon name that’s tucked in between some powerful states, and thus gets overlooked at a place to visit.  Yet Delaware has its own charm and some things that are worth giving it a look.

Delaware is the second smallest state in the nation; Rhode Island holds the smallest distinction.  It’s tucked in between Maryland, New Jersey, and a sliver of Pennsylvania.  It’s only 96 miles long, and at its widest is only 35 miles, it’s shortest only 6 miles.

Strangely enough, Delaware has one of the largest beach fronts on the East Coast, over six miles worth of beachfront property.  Rehoboth Beach, located in Delaware Seashore State Park, is a very popular beach that’s crowded most of the summer.  The park itself is over 2,800 acres of sun and sand.  Most people love to just sit in the sun or go swimming, but there’s also a lot of boating and some fishing, since it’s on the ocean, as well as surfing and sailboating.  There’s also the Thompson Island Preserve, though visits there are restricted since it’s protected.

Delaware doesn’t have any state taxes, so more than 50% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware, and many of them have some sort of physical presence in the state because of that.  It also doesn’t have any sales taxes, though there are some county taxes and, of course, property taxes.  Therefore, something else Delaware is great for are shopping trips to its many malls.

And there are some of the standard things that people love to see in cities, or in the state in this case.  There’s the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington, which is the largest city in the state.  It’s known for its dinosaur exhibits and its butterfly garden.  There’s Fort Delaware State Park, which at one time housed more than 30,000 Confederate soldiers after the Civil War.  In the capital city, Dover, there are the annual stock car races at Dover International Speedway, as well as the Schwartz Center for the Arts, which hosts both the symphony and ballet.

And, if you’re looking for luxury, Wilmington is also home to one of the top luxury hotels in the country, the Hotel De Pont, which has been open since 1913 and has had some of the top names in history stay there, including President John Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Charles Lindbergh, and includes a 1,200 seat theater which hosts Broadway plays.

See more:
Top Travel Destinations
Delaware Tourist Attractions
Delaware Beaches

Photo Credit: www.liveworldtours.com

Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with just over 28 million people. There’s almost 10 million more people in Tokyo than the next city, Mexico City. With a metropolitan area this large, it’s easy to see why there’s more than one culture within the city.

Large cities are complex, and Tokyo is no exception. It’s one of the most modern cities in the world. Skyscrapers don’t begin to show the futuristic vision of this city. They had multi-colored bullet trains in the 1960′s, and now they’re much faster. They have both lavish hotels and hotels where visitors say in a cubby that’s barely bigger than their circumference.

In Tokyo, you can go from a large, metropolitan mall to a flea market of foods and gifts within minutes. You will feel like fainting from the wonderful smells of foods being cooked by people who have decided they don’t necessarily want to live the modern life, but will accept money for services. You don’t see begging all that often in Japan; whether that’s because of pride or the police is up for discussion. You can get great deals in these flea markets if you’re not looking for flashy; it helps if you can learn a little bit of Japanese also.

Through all of this you can see Mount Fuji standing proudly in its vista, and it’s a wondrous site. You’re not all that far away, and you can take tours that will take you not only to the base of the mountain, but a little ways up, where you’ll see pools of water with large goldfish, and at certain times of the year it’s even warm enough for you to go into the water.

And, when you decide it’s time to do some real sightseeing, there are obviously many places you could decide to start from. The most sacred place is the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the home of the royal family of Japan. If you’ve never had the pleasure of not only being close to a lot of cherry blossoms, but taking in their scent, you don’t know what you’ve missed.

You’ll also want to visit Olympic Stadium, where the 1964 Olympics were held, and where they’re hoping they’ll be able to hold the 2016 Olympics as well. This has been home to many concerts and sporting events over the years and can hold a little over 57,000 people.

And there’s the Tokyo National Museum, the largest museum in the country, which exhibits traditional Japanese art. It’s one of four museums in what’s known as Ueno Park. And the oldest and largest zoo is in Tokyo, with over 400 different animal species.

There’s just so much to see that you’ll have to take a trip and be amazed at what you’ll see.

See more:
Discount Hotels in Tokyo
Tokyo Travel Destinations
New York Times – Tokyo Travel Tips
Japan Travel Guide – About.com

Photo Credit: www.inetours.com

For more than 120 years, the legendary Hotel Del Coronado has been paradise for children of all ages.

The 28 acre resort, Southern California‘s only ocean front hotel, offers an expansive white sand beach, lush gardens, a nearby marina, several pools and a full-time Recreation Department to cater to families.

The Del introduces two all new activities centers and programming for children and teenagers. Kidtopia and Vibz will make this a summer to remember at the world-renowned resort.

Kidtopia is the Del’s new facility for children ages 4-12 that will feature bright and fun colors, underwater murals and separate beach-themed rooms for crafts and playtime.

Vibz, the new year-round hangout dedicated to teens ages 13-17, is the perfect escape for those looking for a break from the family. During summer months, The Del offers an extended schedule of activities for families including bingo tournaments on the pool deck, familys’ mores night at the beach and “Flick and Float” movie night where guests watch films while floating in an inner tube in the pool. Travel + Leisure Family magazine named The Del one of the top 20 family resorts in the United States.

While in San Diego, visit these destinations: Consistency rated one of the top family destinations in North America, San Diego is ideal for children of all ages as it offers a variety of family friendly activities and world class attractions throughout the year.

The San Diego Zoo is a 100 acre tropical garden that houses 4,000 animals of 800 rare and exotic spieces. For information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515.

Thirty miles northeast of downtown Sand Diego, the Sand Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is a 1,800-acre preserve where wild animals roam free. For information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org or call 760-747-8702

Located on Mission Bay, Sea-World San Diego features shows, attractions and dozens of exhibits.

For information, visit www.seaworld.com or call 800-257-4268.

See more:
Hotel Deals in San Diego
San Diego Vacation and Tourist Info
Fodor’s San Diego Travel Guide