Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

St. Augustine: Home of The Fountain of Youth

October 3, 2008 - 3:10 am 1 Comment

St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the United States.  During the course of its history, it has been through the hands of the Spanish, British, and more recently the Americans.  At present, it’s not only a city rich in background, but it is also one of the best places to go to if you’re searching for a good time.  

The gentle coastline of the northern part of Florida, where St. Augustine is located, features white sand and alluring sunsets.  Enjoy just about anything you can think of doing at the beach while being blanketed with the ambiance of America’s oldest city.

If ever you have wondered where exactly the fountain of youth is, then you should look no further.  It’s only fitting to find it in the oldest city in the country (maybe that’s their secret).  Nevertheless, there definitely is an air of mystique which surrounds The Fountain of Youth National Archeological Park.  Many travelers of the ancient world have searched in vain for the legendary spring which grants those who drink its waters everlasting vitality.  Among these famous explorers is Ponce de Leon, who searched exhaustively for it.  Now, the place is advertised and is open to anyone who loves a good experience.  You may not get to live forever if you go there, but rest assured you’ll feel much younger by just enjoying yourself during your visit.

For those laid back travelers who want to get a closer look at the city without that much physical activity, then you can ride the Old Town Trolley and become transfixed with attractions and sights which date back hundreds of years.  The rides also have a competent conductor, there to take and show you around as they feed your curious minds with fun facts about good old St. Augustine.

 

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Visit Old America

September 29, 2008 - 12:00 am 1 Comment

A truly enriching travel involves delving into a foreign place’s history and local culture. You may get the impression that high rises and McDonald’s are all that there is in America, but most states actually have well-preserved and vibrant old neighborhoods where you can get a taste of American history and culture. So the next time you’re visiting the States; explore the old neighborhoods and experience something new!

French Quarter, New Orleans. This neighborhood proves that being old is not synonymous to being boring. The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, but it is also the most expensive area with a booming real estate market. Hundreds of thousands of tourists also travel to this neighborhood annually, particularly for the famous Mardi Gras celebration. There is also the famous ghost and voodoo tours! You are bound to be in awe of this place’s flamboyant culture, beautiful historic architecture, and interesting traditions!

Pioneer Square, Seattle. This old neighborhood, founded in 1852, is today Seattle’s major historic site. A simple stroll on Pioneer Square’s sidewalks will take you on a time travel with its antique street lamps and Victorian structures. You’ll have an array of interesting art galleries to choose from where you can indulge in Seattle’s prided local art.

Georgetown, Washington DC. Before there was even the District of Columbia, there already was Georgetown. This neighborhood in Washington D.C. was founded in 1751. Today, it cradles centuries-old structures. Like in most old neighborhoods, take a walk in Georgetown and you’ll get a good glimpse of old America. The well-preserved buildings and countless galleries will introduce you to Washington D.C.’s history and culture.

Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco. Haight-Ashbury is actually not the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco, but it is one of the most interesting districts in the city so it is a must visit. Haight-Ashbury is historic in a way that it was the center of the hippie culture in the 60’s. Visit this district today and you’ll still find a bohemian atmosphere distinct of its interesting past. You’ll find Victorian houses, walls creatively painted by graffiti artists, and shops that define the city’s free-spirited character.

Not all old neighborhoods are as well-preserved as the ones mentioned above. There are those that have been transformed into business districts crammed with skyscrapers. But there are still neighborhoods that kept its old façade and culture. Explore these places and you’ll surely have a wonderful time.

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Vancouver: A Blend of Nature and Urban Culture

September 25, 2008 - 10:17 pm 1 Comment

Visit Vancouver Canada and you’ll get the best of both worlds. Hit the streets of this global city and delve into its booming metropolitan culture. Explore Vancouver a little more and you’ll find yourself in awe of its natural beauty. Vancouver’s vibrant urbanity is surrounded by soothing natural sceneries. Whether you’re on vacation to party or you aim to have a relaxing getaway, Vancouver is the perfect place to visit.

Exhilarating City
Art lovers will marvel at Vancouver’s architecture, quaint antique artifacts, and extensive art collections in various galleries. Walk around Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, and you’ll find authentic antiques and beautiful old buildings. Head over to Granville Island and you’ll find plenty of art galleries and shops. If you’re more into the performing arts, the city has an Entertainment District that embraces numerous theaters which serve home to local talents.

As mentioned, Vancouver also suits travelers who wish spend their vacation partying at night. Ironically, this city used to have the title “No Fun City” because bars and restaurants used to have early closing hours. Today, Vancouver is far from being a “No Fun City” as adjustments were made to make the city’s nightlife more vibrant! Granville Street, part of the city’s Entertainment District, is a stretch of bars and clubs where you can drink the night away! But Vancouver nightlife is not all about the booze; there are theaters that stand proof of the city’s value for the arts.

Peaceful Nature
As a global city, Vancouver has plenty of high rises, but this does not mean that there is no longer space for some serenity. Actually, Vancouver is home to the world’s vastest urban park! Stanley Park welcomes travelers to a wide range of activities with nature. Rent a bike to go around this park, or you can give your legs some exercise and hike the park’s trails. This park cradles rainforests and give a good view of the seascape.

Another peaceful spot amidst the busy Vancouver city is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden. Let the lush green grass and Chinese structures soothe your restless spirit.

A Challenge to Get Active
Surrounding Vancouver and the rest of Canada are beautiful mountain ranges. Come winter, these mountains draw extreme sports enthusiasts because of the challenging slopes. Skiers love Canada as soon as snow sets in. When the ice melts during summer, the mountains are still a big draw for tourists who want to bike and climb.

Vancouver is a city that suits all interests. Whether you’re the type who cannot live without the urban air, or you are the nature-loving tourist, you’ll find Vancouver most amusing. Explore this global city now! Fly to Vancouver Canada for free!

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How Do You Say ‘I Love You’ in Paris?

September 25, 2008 - 1:41 am No Comments

 

The city of lights, the city of love, the city of pleasure and amusement, the epicenter of taste and culture, call it what you want and you will still run out of things to say about how wonderful Paris is.  Situated on the river Seine in the north of France, Paris is one of the most well known places in world.

Most people believe that love is a once in a lifetime occurrence, obviously these people haven’t been to Paris.  The city provides more than just attractions or places of interest.  When you step onto the city streets, you will surely be blanketed by a distinct ambiance of romance not found anywhere else.

Sometimes, just sitting idly in one of the hundreds of cafes is enough to be overwhelmed by the city’s grandeur.  But, if by any chance you manage to shake off the feeling of paralyzing amazement, then you can start visiting the cities most important places, those which makes Paris what it is and what it has been.

Making your way to these historic venues should be considered as sights and activities in itself.  You’ll be treated to an inspiring journey the minute you exit your hotel room.  Paris offers more than 750 hotels ranging from the affordable (Hôtel le Parisien Saint-Lazare) to the ritzy (Maurice Belle Etoile Suite).

While walking is considered to be the most scenic way to see Paris there are rail systems, called the Metro, and cabs to help you rest your feet while on your way to more far off places.

Museums are a dime a dozen in Paris, but the crème de la crème is surely the Musee du Louvre.  Here you can take guided tours, or be brave enough to venture around its seemingly endless halls by yourself, and see firsthand the most seminal pieces of art (by the thousands) ever produced by Western culture.

Of course, there’s also one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a little thing called the Eiffel Tower.  Engineered by Gustave Eiffel, it is the tallest building in all of Paris.  200,000,000 people have visited it since 1889, and you owe to yourself to be number 200,000,001.  Seeing Paris from its peak should be on anyone’s bucket list.

No trip to a foreign country would be complete without tasting the local delicacy.  Fortunately, French cuisine just happens to provide some of the best dishes.  Tickle your palette while eating at the many local restaurants scattered throughout the city.  If ever you get full to the brim with escargot and baguettes, you can also try restaurants specializing in African, American, Belgian, British & Irish, Central European, Chinese, East European, French, German & Austrian, Greek, Indian, Indonesian, Italian, and Japanese to name few.

There are many more things to do and see in Paris such as Notre Dame, Centre Pompidou, Cite de Sciences at de l’Industrie, and the Arc de Triomphe.  But whatever these are, no description would ever give them justice, for they should be experienced.

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Dealing With The Dreaded Overnight Flight

September 24, 2008 - 2:58 am 1 Comment

Some people look forward to traveling by plane. But it you’re on an overnight flight, you are bound to get bored at some point. Unless you’re traveling first class, you have to sleep in a seat you can hardly recline with a cramped leg room. But flying shouldn’t be that bad. With a few preparations, you can get a little comfort and some entertainment even as a coach passenger. Here are a few tips that might help:

1.    Neck pillow. You will be surprised how much comfort this little cushion can give you. It’s difficult to sleep with the limited space airplane seats have. But sleep and rest is much easier with this pillow.

2.    Music. You can never go wrong with music, thus it is a must. It can create good vibes and soothe the mind. So don’t forget to stuff your iPod with as much as you can!

3.    Laptop. Yes, laptops can be used in the plane, but not during takeoff and landing. Before you board the plane, download movies and games. These are great ways to pass the time. There’s so much you can do when you have your laptop with you, even without internet connection. If you’re lucky, you might board an aircraft with available WiFi connection. But cannot be expected from most airlines.

4.    Books. Not everyone is a reader. But if you are, bring a few books with you and you’ll be fine even with an overnight flight. For those who are not much fans of reading text, bring comic books, magazines or even crossword puzzles. Simply bring whatever can keep you interested for a couple of hours and the flight won’t seem that long.

5.    Notebook and pen. For some people, traveling gives them time to think and contemplate on things. If you’re an artist, a blank notebook and a pen are enough to keep your mind from being bored.

6.    Snacks. Airplane food is far from the best meal you can have. If one serving is not enough to fill you up, better be ready and pack some snacks and chips for your flight!

7.    Video Games. Not everyone is a fan of video games. But you have to admit, if you’ve tried it, you can get caught up in it. Even a simple Rubik’s cube can be so absorbing. Video games can even be more engrossing. This is a great way to pass the time.

There are plenty of ways to keep you from getting bored in a plane. Just know what interests you and bring it with you in the plane.

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