Add to Technorati Favorites

Tuesday

Sights of London: It Takes More Than One Visit To See Them All

Are you taking a trip to Europe? If so, don’t forget to stop by London. This fast paced city has wonderful sights that are a must to do and see. While you can only see so much in a short time, there are some highlights you should definitely check out. Some are active sights, others pure relaxation.

London Action

Are you the type of person who likes fast cars or boats? Then see the city by way of a high-speed cruise on the Thames River. You leave the Waterloo Millennium Pier and can see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and St. Pauls Cathedral’s dome.

Britain’s History

You can also visit the Westminister Cathedral if you like learning about history… specifically the history of Britain. Nearly all the British monarchs are buried in the cathedral. The chair that is used for coronation ceremonies is also located here. Another highlight of the Westminister Cathedral is the Poet’s Corner. Shakespeare among many other well known British writers and poets are buried here.

Want to see Buckingham Palace and the changing of the Guard? You’ll have to go in early. Buckingham Palace is the home of the Royal Family and is, in itself, a wonder. Nearby is St. James Park where you can spend an afternoon in the sun, taking in the sights of the palace.

London’s Times Square


If you want to see the city lit up, check out the Piccadilly Circus. It’s often seen as Times Square in London with a ton of shops and restaurants to see. It’s next to the West End Theatre District so it’s the best place to go and eat if you plan to see a big show.

Near the Piccadilly Circus is the archway of the Royal Academy. Here, you can find the first red telephone box now an icon of London’s past. It’s listed as a historical building.

You’ll have plenty of places to stay when you visit this bustling city of Britain. London has so much to offer its visitors that you’ll have to come back and see more because you won’t be able to see it all in one visit.

Sunday

Why We Celebrate Halloween

Children enjoy dressing up in costumes, while houses stock candy for the trick-or-treaters. Parties are held and those who want to be frightened tour haunted houses. If you ask the average person where Halloween came from, you might receive a blank expression. Why do we celebrate Halloween?

Halloween’s history is shrouded in the mists of time. Some believe that the Celtic festival of Samhain is the foundation for Halloween. The Celts, (who lived in the UK, Ireland, and Northern France), celebrated their New Year on November first and Samhain was celebrated the night before.

The Celts believed that the New Year marked the end of summer. It signified harvest time and the start of the cold, dark winter months. Winter represented death to the Celts. They also believed that on the night before, the ghosts of the deceased returned to earth during the transition night.

Trick-or-Treating has several possible origins. The most likely is the English All Souls Day parades. It was traditional to feed the poor who asked for them pastries called soul cakes. The other possible source was from a tradition of leaving food on the doorstep to keep wandering ghosts from entering the dwelling.

Costumes also have several possible beginnings. European people, as well as Celtic people, saw that winter was a frightening time. Running out of food and starvation were very real dangers. The dark and cold were dangers that could invite death. When they reached the start of this season, many believe that the dead returned as ghosts. By wearing masks and costumes, it was believed that the dead would not recognize the living.

Scottish and Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the United States in the early 1800s. Most of the spookiness and scariness of the holiday was forgotten and a sense of fun and community was added. While costumes and scary scenes are still involved, it is now done out of fun rather than actual fright.

Friday

Planning your Fall Getaway

As we move from summer to fall, there are a number of travel opportunities well worth considering. Here are a number of ways to celebrate the season with a vacation getaway:

Autumn Foliage Tours

There is nothing quite as spectacular in the northern part of the United States as watching the beautiful colors of the trees as the weather begins to cool and the daylight hours begin to shorten. Some states are famous for the spectacular color displays of their foliage. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been rated as having the most spectacular fall foliage. Scenic tours are available, as are self directed driving tours. One of the more famous drives is New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Scenic Byway.

Other areas with spectacular fall colors include the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, The Ozarks, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and the Lost Maples Natural Area in Texas.

Halloween Festivities

Halloween used to be a holiday mostly for children. That has changed! Now, Haloween has become an adult holiday as well. New York City, Las Vegas and West Hollywood have become must-see hotspots for Halloween parties.

New York City

New York’s Village Halloween Parade is by far the largest parade open to anyone in a costume. Watch bands, puppets and dancers parade through Greenwich Village. Events International has chosen this Halloween parade as the “greatest event on earth” for October 31. Citysearch ranked this event as the third most popular event in New York City.

Las Vegas

While Las Vegas is always fun, Halloween brings out the partying in everybody. While the “Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball” is not for the family, The Travel Channel has listed it as one of the top ten events in the world. And Maxim Magazine has listed it as ‘one of the five events to see before you die’.

Many of the casinos take part in the Haunted Vegas Tour. The tour starts at the Greek Islands Hotel and Casino.

West Hollywood

Santa Monica Boulevard is the focus point of the Halloween celebration in West Hollywood. The large gay and lesbian population dresses up for the occasion with events like the “Drag Race” (in high heels), a “doggy costume” contest for your pet dog, and a costume party over Halloween. West Hollywood markets the event as the largest outdoor Halloween event in the world.

Thanksgiving

While Thanksgiving is still the number one travel holiday in the United States, with families traveling to their home towns to meet and celebrate with friends and family, it is also becoming a more popular vacation time. Some areas to consider are:

Plymouth Massachusetts:

Plymouth, the site of the first celebrated Thanksgiving, is a natural place to consider for your Thanksgiving travels. During the week before Thanksgiving, Plymouth holds a parade titled “America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade”. At the same time, don’t miss the New England Food Festival.

New York City

Every Thanksgiving, Macys’ hosts the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Join the two million people who stand on the sidewalks to watch the floats and balloons pass by. If you plan early, you may find a hotel room with a view of the parade. There’s nothing like seeing these amazing balloons at eye level!

San Francisco

The main reason to come to San Francisco for Thanksgiving is actually the Friday following Thanksgiving – sales and shopping! If you want to see some truly unique gift ideas, then travel to Union Square, where blocks of stores provide an unparalleled shopping experience. Stay in one of the nearby hotels to unload from your last expedition.

Tuesday

Ways to Best Travel Around the World

There are many different and modern transpiration systems to deliver us anywhere that we want to travel to in the world, and the options are limitless as far as world travel are concerned. Depending on what kind of travel and vacation you want to have, there are truly a wide array of options to meet your needs. If you are looking to spend most of your destination in one spot and want to travel there and back as quickly as possible, then air travel is the way to go. If you prefer to spend your vacation sightseeing and enjoying the scenery, a trip by train is a good option.

Different Options in World Travel

Air travel is one of the most popular methods of travel in these modern times, and many people find that it suits their needs the best for arriving at their destinations quickly and it allows them to spend the most time there instead of travelling back and forth. But for other travelers, they prefer to take in the sights and sounds of many different places along the journey. For these kinds of tourists, traveling by car or train is most appealing. There are numerous choices as far as railways are concerned, and you are bound to find the one that best suits you and your vacation needs.

You also have a lot of options available with air travel, and it basically comes down to how much your travel budget allows, and how you want to expend that budget. If you prefer to arrive and return from your destination as quickly as possible for the least amount of money, you can usually find budget airfare that allows you to do that. If you would rather use a larger amount of your budget to allow yourself to travel in comfort and even luxury, there are flights and air travels that allow you to enjoy the luxury of quality travel for spending a little more money.

How to Find the Best Deals in World Travel

The best thing you can do to make sure that you are staying within your budget no matter what travel choice you select is to start early and plan ahead. You can do your research online at the many travel websites that are available, or you can talk to a local travel agent who knows what your travel needs are and will work with you to find the best package and travel accommodations available.

Monday

Consider Traveling to Spain on Your Next European Holiday

Are you considering taking a holiday vacation to Europe? Have you considered spending your next European vacation in Spain? Spain has a world of wonder to offer to anyone who comes to visit there and spend their holiday vacation. If you are traveling to Europe for your next holiday destination vacation and don’t have a lot of time to spend there, you should consider spending your time in Spain. With all of the sights and activities that are there to do and see, you may find it to be your best European holiday ever.

How to Make Spain your Best Holiday Vacation

Before you travel to Spain, you should be sure to do your research and plan out exactly what you want to do and see when you travel there. You should be familiar with the different attractions that you can find there and researching the different areas of Spain and the geography and topography of the country will help you plan the best European holiday trip ever. Spain has a lot to offer in the way of mountain retreats and exotic beaches, so no matter what kind of vacation you are planning, you are sure to find what you are looking for in Spain.

You can find all kinds of adventure and excitement whether you are planning a trip by yourself, or with friends and family. From exotic beaches to fabulous golf courses, there are packages and vacations available for everyone. The climate in Spain is very temperate so you can enjoy outdoor activities and your vacation there no matter what time of the year you go. Even if you venture there during the cooler months, you are sure to be met with many fun things to do indoors at the many museums, theatres, art exhibits and other exciting indoor activities.

You should be sure to research early and find your best travel deals, and one of the easiest ways to do that is on the Internet. You can find all kinds of travel specials and deals no matter what time of year you travel. There are a number of websites that you can find the exact locations that you want to travel to, and make the necessary bookings and arrangements to make sure that your trip there is the best holiday vacation you have ever experienced. Next time you want to spend a holiday in Europe, you should consider Spain as your destination.

Wednesday

What you Can Do and See While in Paphos

If you are traveling to the exotic and beautiful area of the island of Cyrpus, you will encounter the wonderful region of Paphos. Paphos is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess who is well known and believed to be the goddess of love and beauty. If you have a craving for a beautiful and exotic beach but also have flair of Roman architecture, Paphos is the place for you.

What is Available in Paphos

The history and heritage of Paphos is well known for its archaeological sites and many people travel to Paphos to see many of the historical sites that it is known for. Some of the many sites in Paphos that you need to explore when you travel to the area include the Baths of Aphrodite where many mythical stories are told that the fresh water pool was where the goddess Aphrodite used to bathe. There is also the Rocks of Aphrodite which is located only a few kilometers west of the village of Pissouri. The legends tell of the being the place where the goddess of love and beauty would rise from the waves on this beautiful location.

Historical Sites and Attractions in Paphos

There are other sites that you should visit when you are traveling to Paphos which include the king of the tombs. This location calls for a good walk and plenty of exploration. The underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC and are carved out of solid rock. The mosaics of Paphos are another beautiful site to visit and have been known for being excellent tourist attractions. The house of Dionysos, the house of Theseus and the house of Aion are also great places to see for their beautiful mosaic floors. The museums in Paphos are another great place to stop and see and learn about the rich heritage and culture of this land.

The temple of Aphrodite has a beautiful marble statue of the goddess and is placed in a Doric temple. The Paphos fort displays a colorful past of Paphos and is a definite eye-catcher on your travels. The beaches and water parks in Paphos are a wonderful place to stop and relax, or play a little bit in the sun. There is plenty of fun, sun and excitement for anyone who travels to Paphos. Paphos is a great destination vacation for all who are looking for a place to learn about a great heritage and enjoy the beautiful and sandy beaches

Friday

Tips for a Great Travel Experience in China

If you are booking and planning your next trip to China, there are some tips that can help you make sure that you get the most out of your trip and that you don’t miss a single thing on your journey to China. For a lot of business travelers, they may miss out on the essence of what is truly China because they may only get to travel to Shanghai. If you are one of these business travelers, you may want to consider taking a weekend trip to visit Beijing to get a feel for what China is really all about. Some of the great landmarks that you do not want to miss in Beijing include the Royal Gardens, the Forbidden City and the Great wall.

Know the Language

Although it is not necessary to speak fluently in Chinese, you should make sure that you are familiar with some basic words to be able to communicate what you need when you arrive and travel there. Being able to talk to the local people of China can make your trip a lot more friendly and more of a positive experience. You can also ask for help a lot easier and get to see a lot more of the interesting parts of China by being able to communicate effectively while you are there. You should also remember to initiate the roaming international feature on your phone before you enter China. If you do not do this, it can be hard to communicate and figure out how to fix it while you are there and hard to understand how to use the other phone systems.

Relax and Enjoy Yourself

Try to remember that you are on vacation, so don’t spend your time stressing and worrying about your travels there. If you familiarize yourself before you go to China about the different languages, customs and cities in China that you will be traveling to, it can really help to ease your mind while you are there and make your vacation a lot more enjoyable and relaxing for you. You should also have a good idea of what is offered and what you want to see and do on your trip to China before you arrive. If there are certain landmarks and places that you want to be sure to see, you should have a good timeline and plan for your vacation so that you do not miss out on anything.