Discovering San Miguel de Allende

Have you ever been to a place and said to yourself, this is it! This is where I want to be! This is where I want to live? Well that is what happened to us when we spent a week, in San Miguel de Allende.

We had explored Mexico, extensively. We had traveled through Baja, Durango, Sonora, spent time on the northern beaches, lived for 7 years outside of Colima, traveled to Cancun, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacan, you name it and we had been there. We had even been to Guanajuato a few times but never to San Miguel de Allende. Read more »

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Chicago a Great City To Live and Visit

Chicago is one of the most popular cities of the United States. The largest city in Illinois, it has a population of 3 million people. It is situated in the Cook County and it is regarded as the 3rd most populous region in the United States. Chicagoland or the Chicago Metropolitan area has a population of 9.7 million or more and it is the 3rd largest metropolitan area also. It is the largest city on the Great Lakes and for its cultural and economic influence it is regarded as the alpha world city. It is a major transportation center in North America and it is the financial and the business capital of the Midwest America. Chicago has the tallest buildings and the some of best hotels in the US. Located in Illinois, it truly bedazzles its visitors with its amazing sights and skyscrapers, museums, restaurants, shopping malls and exquisite neighborhoods. Chicago actually has more in store for you than you can possibly imagine. Read more »

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I’m a long-time Californian, so come cruise with me through an ideal California Coastal Road Trip and then customize your own California Cruisin’ Dream Trip.

With California running the length of nearly 800 miles, it’s the equivalent of road tripping through nine eastern states. You’ll be amazed at the different environments you’ll find in the many cities dotting this expansive coastline. Read more »

Tags: northern california vacations

Charming Sausalito ideal for Bay area visit

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco is a place dripping with charm but lacking the Bay area traffic that is so much a part of any visit to that fascinating city – a place where you can gaze at the San Francisco skyline, but not fret about the hassles of navigating through the “Big City.”

Look up the term “bedroom community” in the dictionary and it must have a picture of Sausalito, the tiny bayside berg that basically is a narrow slice of waterfront hugging lush hillsides covered with spectacular view homes. Way back before the turn of the century, San Franciscans figured out that Sausalito — with its postcard views of the city and nearby Tiburon — was the perfect place to get away from the city, yet still never lose sight of the city. Read more »

Tags: bay area vacations, sanfrancisco bay, sausalito

Family Summer: Things To Do In New York City

There are more than just a handful summer things to do in New York City. If you are looking for fun, exciting and energy-filled activities for a family vacation, then the Big Apple is perfect for you.

One thing you can do to start your summer vacation is to get a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island), its surrounding waters and the Statue of Liberty from the Empire State Building’s Observatory. In addition, within the Empire State Building is an interesting ride that will definitely be a hit to kids of all ages – the New York Skyride, which provides a three dimensional virtual tour of the entire city.

It is best to join tours and cruises in the beginning part of your New York City summer trip to have an idea of all the things to see and do that the city has to offer. The Liberty Cruise provides an interesting introduction of New York City with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline and Ellis Island. The cruise, of course, includes an up close look at the great American icon, the Statue of Liberty, that will sure give you a renewed sense of freedom.

If you are looking for something educational and interactive for your kids to do this summer, New York City has the world’s best museums that you can take them to. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan caters to the inquisitive minds of young children which houses exhibits that will challenge their creativity. The museum features themed displays, such as Nickelodeon’s Dora The Explorer and Go Diego Go, to catch the little kids’ attention and to entice them to participate in the activities. Older kids, on the other hand, will truly enjoy roaming around historic aircrafts, particularly those used in the second World War, in the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.

Summer means lots of outdoor activities. Hit any of the New York City beaches and join all sorts of fun things to do. You can take this opportunity to teach the little ones how to swim, build sandcastles with them and look for shells that you can add to your collection. The older kids can learn how to surf and join beach games such as frisbee, volleyball and tennis. Some of the beaches hold events and festivals that you can also check out with your family to feel the New York City vibe.

One of the best things to do to enjoy the nice summer weather is spend an afternoon in Central Park. It is a great opportunity to be close to nature in the middle of a busy city. Your family can have quality time together for a little picnic. Kids (and parents) can have fun with a carousel ride and inline skating. You can also visit the Central Park Zoo for some wildlife encounter – lions, zebras, penguins, polar bears and over a hundred more different species of animals.

New York City is a shopping mecca. Whether you are looking for clothes, shoes, accessories or toys, New York City has a store waiting for you. Your kids can express their creativity by making their personal stuffed animal at the Build-A-Bear Workshop. A visit at the FAO Schwartz will definitely make your kids go wild. It is the ultimate toy store any kid could ask for. You can find everything at FAO Schwartz – from the regular Barbie dolls and Transformers collectibles to kid-sized Mercedes 500SL.

Hotel accommodations are aplenty in New York City. There are even those that are particularly family-friendly. Among the best places for your family to stay is at the Hilton Times Square. The hotel lobby holds an entertainment complex complete with restaurants, retail stores, a movie theater and even a wax museum. Hilton Times Square has programs especially made for kids and also offers babysitting services. The best thing about the hotel is that it is located right in the middle of Times Square, giving you an easy access to all the fascinating summer things to do in New York City.

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Tags: New york family vacation, USA cheap vacations

There are many options to choose from when choosing among Perdido Key rentals in Florida. In fact, the options are so many and so varied, it helps to have a very clear view of what you want to do and accomplish in the Perdido Key area before doing any research on gulf shore condos and certainly before making a reservation. Here are some things to consider:

Your Perdido Key rental decision should be influenced by who is vacationing with you. Family vacations are very different from romantic getaways, and many families prefer to stay in Perdido Key rentals near kid-friendly attractions like zoos, water parks and nature reserves.
On the other hand, if you’re taking a romantic interlude with your significant other, you may wish to reserve a Perdido Key rental that is farther away from such attractions and where fewer children are likely to be staying. Read more »

Tags: perdido key accommodations, self catering, vacation rentals

Whether you are a newly-wed, celebrating an anniversary or just plain madly in love, there is no better place for romance than the beach. And the most romantic stretch of beach in the United States is the luxurious, sandy coastline of Orange Beach, Alabama. The warm, white sand is soft and inviting ‘ perfect for lounging ‘ and the myriad of romantic activities and boundless beautiful panoramas are ideal for romantic interludes and creating treasured memories that will warm your hearts for years to come. No matter what your budget, the duration of your stay or your intentions, don’t miss the opportunity to rekindle the spark ‘ or a light a new one ‘ in Orange Beach, Alabama.

If you really want to “wow” her, try taking her on a soaring adventure into the skies. Nothing could be more beautiful or awe-inspiring than watching Orange Beach, Alabama stretch out beneath you while a powerful helicopter pulls the two of you into the air. Book a special sunrise or sunset tour for added panoramic splendor. And if you’re planning to pop “the questions,” it makes the perfect backdrop. (we promise, the pilot won’t look!) You can even take pictures of your exciting moment with entire beach as a backdrop to help you remember the moment forever. Read more »

Tags: honeymoon destinations, orange beach alabama, romantic vacation

From Memorial Day in May through to Labor Day in September, the Hamptons, at the eastern tip of Long Island, are the weekend break vacation destination for New York beautiful people. Most of America’s A-List celebrities have homes here. As a result the shops and restaurants are geared to cater for an upmarket clientele. You will find nightlife and shopping to rival the best that New York has to offer. Instead it has been placed in a rural idyll! If you drive to the Hamptons, Route 27 is your way in. As you reach East Hampton and Southampton do not forget to take a look at the farther flung but very desirable Hamptons villages of Amagansett, Sag Harbor and Montauk.

Trains and ferries can also get you there, if you prefer. The Montauk Branch of the Long Island Railroad serves the Hamptons and its environs, and there are regular ferry services from North Haven and Montauk to Shelter Island and New England. The beaches at the Hamptons get crowded at weekends, of course, but there are still some gems. There are other beaches on Long Island that are closre to the city, but none compare to those of the Hamptons, especially Main Beach.

East Hampton beach has miles of soft white sand and the nearby village has managed to retain much of its original charm for visitors. There are admission and parking charges at the main beach but on the plus side the beach is extremely clean and usually less crowded than other Long Island beaches.

Tiana beach is for you if you like to enjoy some activity other than simply soaking up the rays. There is sailing and windsurfing on offer, and this half-mile long sandy beach has its own volleyball courts. Fees at Tiana beach are lower than other local beaches, and the season ticket is an especially good buy.

Camping is allowed along the outer stretches of the beach. Cupsogue’s natural beauty is unspoiled but there are also modern services that make you stay easier.  Facilities include a cafe, lifeguards and first aid service,  showers and changing rooms. Entry is free for local residents, and visitors pay up to $35 per day.

Tags: beach vacations, beaches, hamptons vacation