Paris: A City Immersed in History

Paris:

Much more than just the Eiffel Tower and picture-perfect sidewalk cafes, Paris, France is a city immersed in history, literature and swirling romance. The cosmopolitan capital is influential in cuisine, art, high fashion and design, and has the reputation for being one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, Paris brims with a certain magic and charm that intoxicates all of its guests.

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San Diego, California, Travel, Tour, Vacation Packages, Cruises, Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts

When describing San Diego, California, one word comes to mind -- pleasant. And that’s a great thing. With arguably the best weather in the U.S., picture-perfect waves, a steady stream of tourists, economic boom and some of the friendliest people around, visiting this sunny SoCal locale is nothing if not unrelentingly pleasant. San Diego’s downtown area may have skyscrapers and countless rows of bars and restaurants, but the majority of the city is made up of beautiful outdoor parks and sandy beaches. From Balboa Park to endless stretches of boardwalk, San Diego is both a good-time hotspot and a beach lover’s paradise.

Beaches in San Diego like Coronado, La Jolla, Mission Bay and Encinitas are considered among the best in the country. With the majority of tourism focused on the waterfronts, the city has a resort-like feel to it most of the year. The world-famous San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world, with over 4,000 animals calling it home. For a little culture amidst the sunshine, check out the San Diego Museum of Art or the Museum of Man located in Balboa Park. At night, check out the best bar scenes in the Pacific Beach and Gaslamp Quarter located downtown.

With gastronomic influence coming from the city’s geography, ethnic mix and sustainable ingredients, San Diego cuisine is just as diverse as it is fresh.  For a French, Mediterranean and Californian-style fusion restaurant located beachside at La Jolla Shores, The Marine Room is famous for its high-end dishes and dramatic ocean views. El Agave Tequileria is an authentic Mexican restaurant situated in Old Town, and famous for its Mexican nouvelle cuisine and tequila list of over 100 brands. A trendy hotspot in town is the Quarter Kitchen. Located at the Ivy Hotel, the restaurant receives rave reviews for the Kobe beef pot pie and caviar tacos.

Located less than 10 minutes from downtown, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the area’s largest passenger airport, serving most major domestic and international carriers. McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD), located in Carlsbad, Calif., is the other commercial passenger airport in San Diego County, and is used more for domestic commutes. The public transit system in San Diego includes the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which is a series of bus routes that operate throughout all parts of the region, as well as the San Diego Trolley. The trolley serves mainly the eastern, southeastern and downtown sections of the city. The best and most efficient way to get around sprawling San Diego is by car, as it’s a large metropolis and easily navigable.

Characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, San Diego is split between a Mediterranean and semi-arid climate. Summer temperatures are generally warm, with average highs ranging from 71° F (22° C) to 77.7° F (24.6° C). Average winter temperatures are usually anywhere from 66° F (18.8° C) to 70° F (21.1° C). Because the city receives an average of over 200 days of sunshine and just nine to 13 inches of rain annually, San Diego is a perfect year-round vacation destination.

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Travel to Belize: Vacations, Tour Packages, Resorts, Barrier Reef, Great Blue Hole, Mayan Culture, Rain-Forests

Though best known as a world-class snorkeling and diving location, Belize also offers spectacular natural attractions and the authenticity of a genuine Caribbean getaway. Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize is one of the few remaining unspoiled places on earth.

Off shore, Belize offers the longest barrier reef in this hemisphere, home to the Great Blue Hole, as well as hundreds of islands, and snorkel and dive locations. On land, Belize has hundreds of ancient Maya sites -- both excavated and jungle-covered -- as well as lush tropical rainforests with many species of birds, and exotic tropical flora and fauna.

If you’re looking for an adventurous vacation, Belize has it all, from soft to extreme play, from an adrenaline-charged experience zip-lining though jungle canopies, to exploring a mysterious cave or Mayan ruins, to lazily canoeing down a peaceful jungle river observing nature. Marine adventures are suited for all ages and activity levels, including scuba diving, snorkeling, wind or kite surfing, para-sailing or cruising on a catamaran. The breathtaking colors of Belize’s waters are an invitation to immerse yourself in nature for a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Belize’s history from ancient Maya to recent events are presented in museums, galleries, visitor centers and street-side stalls, offering insight into the friendly Belizeans you will meet. And while you may not find the sophisticated nightlife of other vacation destinations, Belize’s varied cultures, love of music and many holidays and celebrations give ample opportunity to relax your inhibitions and be one with the people of Belize.

Belize is known for its simple yet flavorful cuisine. Most meals include rice and beans (usually red beans, not the black beans which are more common elsewhere in Latin America) and peppers -- the hotter, the better. The menus also include fresh seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables from local markets. One of the newer notable restaurants is El Fogon, in San Pedro, which features a menu dedicated to the home-style cooking of Belizean Creole and mestizo food, all prepared in an open-fire hearth. For breakfast, try Cindy’s Café, on Caye Caulker, where you can browse the collection of books while enjoying bagels with jam or creamy cheese, yogurt with fresh tropical fruit and granola, a gorgeous chocolate brownie and a wide selection of coffee or tea. For more upscale dining, the Blue Lotus, in San Pedro, offers a mouthwatering blend of Caribbean cuisines, including chicken tikka masala and Bombay saffron shrimp curry, in an elegant beachfront setting.

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, about 10 miles from Belize City, serves American, Continental, Delta and US Airways, and is a two-hour flight from Miami, Houston and New Orleans. The best way to get from the airport is by taxi; although an airport bus service exists, it is infrequent and unreliable. Once in Belize City, arrangements can be made for a car rental or other transportation options. Belize City Airport also offers regional service to other cities in the country, as well as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

Belize has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons, although there are significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures vary according to elevation, proximity to the coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from 75º in January to 81º in July. Temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the southern highland plateaus, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, where it is noticeably cooler year round. Overall, the seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature.

Average rainfall varies considerably, ranging from 53 inches in the north and west to over 177 inches in the extreme south. The dry season is shorter in the south, normally only lasting from February to April. A shorter, less rainy period, known locally as the "little dry," usually occurs in late July or August, after the initial onset of the rainy season.

The busier time of the year for travelers to Belize is November to May, which are the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere. Still, many visitors prefer the more quiet days of the summer months from June to October for their vacation in Belize. Both times of the year have their own unique attractions and the choice of when to visit is totally up to you, your budget and the adventure you crave.

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Japan: Travel, Tours, Cruises, Tour Packages, Air, Hotel, Rail, Sightseeing, Mount Fuji, Tokyo

It’s hard to find another country with a culture as singular as Japan’s. Art, literature, food, architecture and even Japanese Buddhism are as distinct from the rest of the world as a fully armored samurai is from one of King Arthur’s knights. It seems like all travel to Japan is time travel; the trouble is that a traveler has to divide himself in two as half will wander through an elegant past, while the other half speeds into the future.

Traditionally, first-time travelers to Japan combine Tokyo and Kyoto with a call at Mount Fuji, but more and more of the country is opening up its smaller, nuanced destinations. At night, Tokyo’s Ginza district, fully juiced with neons, feels like a stroll through the future. A more traditional Japan can be found in Ueno-Onshi Park, where the Tokyo National Museum, dedicated to thousands of years of Japanese Art, is surrounded by several shrines, temples, museums, a five-story pagoda, a symphony hall and more. A new wave of younger American travelers, raised on Japanese animation is seeking out such Anime sites as the Ghibli Museum which was created by Hayao Miyazaki who made such Anime classics as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. With one of the world’s most user-friendly subway systems, Tokyo is an easy city to explore from the Tsukiji Market to the Imperial Palace.

Not even Vivaldi could celebrate the four seasons as well as Kyoto does. Kyoto is the 1,300-year-old capital of Japan, where the beauty of the country's feudal period is on full display. But you don’t have to go as far as Kyoto to find that feudal spirit. Just a short train ride from downtown Tokyo, Kawagoe feels like it lies centuries away. A quiet country town, Kawagoe became prominent when the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, perhaps the most towering figure in Japan’s history, made it his northern military bulwark and gateway into his new national capital of Edo, which we now call Tokyo. Kawagoe’s Kitain Temple, originally built in 830, was rebuilt in 1638 after a fire. It’s also home to Kawagoe Castle, built in 1457 at roughly the same time that Edo Castle was being built in Tokyo. Other wonders of Japan include the Inland Sea, Hokkaido and the city of Hiroshima to name just a few.

Japanese food rode to popularity with the sushi craze of the 1980s and it continues in popularity today along with other kinds of Japanese cuisine. In Tokyo, be sure to catch an early morning meal of sushi at Tsukiji Market. Both Tokyo and Osaka serve as important gateways into Japan and the rest of Asia as well.

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Panama Canal, Connecting Atlantic Ocean & Pacific Ocean: Travel, Tour Packages, Cruises, Boat Tour

“Honoring the past by building the future” is the idea that the Panama Canal was created on, and it continues to uphold this belief.  The vision of this heroic achievement was brought to life in 1914, after years of dreaming, planning and constructing what would eventually lead to Panama’s independence and become one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  
The Panama Canal is a waterway that was created to provide a connection from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.  At 48 miles long, this global landmark reduces a 14,000 mile journey from California to New York into a mere 8,000 miles, allowing large vessels to navigate across the Isthmus of Panama. By looking to the future, the Panama Canal has become one of the planet’s greatest milestones; bringing worlds together by the diligence of the French and later the United States, who completed the mission of transforming a small dream into a great reality.   With more than 14,000 ships passing through the famous canal annually and a myriad of shipping possibilities, the Panama Canal continues to make a grand splash across the seven seas. 

Located in the vibrant country of Panama, there are several ways to experience this iconic symbol of hope, which took 34 years in the making.  The Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama (Panama Canal Museum) transports its guests to the origins of the canal through eventful stories and exhibitions.  The Visitor Center at Miraflores Locks is also a must-see. It is decorated with exhibits demonstrating the technical improvements of the canal; you may even see a ship passing by from the museum’s viewing deck.  The Canal Administration Building depicts its past with an impressive mural; however, what better way to experience this historic journey than by cruising through its magnificent realm on a boat tour.  

The Panama Canal bridged the gap between cultures, brought insight to advancements in architecture, and forever changed the navigation of the inter-oceanic passage.

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Travel to Baden Baden, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany: Travel, Tour, Cruises, Air, Hotel, Car Rental, Packages

 Baden Baden is the true definition of a paradise where picturesque parks, gardens, the Black Forest, and exquisite architecture offer an amazing backdrop, which intensify the need to relax and indulge in such splendor. With such a tranquil atmosphere, this emerald town is a unique and lavish destination, whose aim is to fulfill your heart’s desires.

The old town is a peaceful spa retreat that is known to provide its visitors with the luxuries of life and cultural adventures. From thermal baths and springs resembling ancient Roman baths to massages, caviar treatments, and body scrubs, you will feel completely at peace and stress free from the hassles of everyday life.

Overflowing with manicured green pastures, refreshing thermal baths, and ancient attractions, Baden Baden is the perfect destination if you are in need of relaxation and fun. The old town is a peaceful spa retreat that is known to provide its visitors with the luxuries of life and cultural adventures. From thermal baths and springs resembling ancient Roman baths to massages, caviar treatments, and body scrubs, you will feel completely at peace and stress free from the hassles of everyday life. Baden Baden is the true definition of a paradise where picturesque parks, gardens, the Black Forest, and exquisite architecture offer an amazing backdrop, which intensify the need to relax and indulge in such splendor. With such a tranquil atmosphere, this emerald town is a unique and lavish destination, whose aim is to fulfill your heart’s desires.

Situated on the banks of the Oos River, Baden Baden is a resort town in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany.  Baden, meaning baths, dates back to the Roman period when baths were first introduced to the town.  However, Baden Baden did not fully become a spa resort until the 19^th century.  Since then, the establishments of many spas and springs have dominated the town.  Elaborately decorated with marble, brass columns, and lily pads, the nude bathhouse Friedrichsbad, was a popular retreat for the rich and famous. However, tourists are invited to unwind inside the steamy saunas and massage rooms. The Baths of Caracalla are also enticing to visitors with its indoor and outdoor swimming pools, waterfalls, and Jacuzzis.  Baden Baden is also filled with cultural sites.  The Museum Frieder Burda invites visitors on an extraordinary exploration of modern architecture through paintings and sculptures. The neo-classical style Festspielhau is where the town’s locals go to watch classical music concerts performed by international artists. Try your luck at a game of Poker or marvel at the elegant décor of Germany’s oldest casino.  History lovers would appreciate the lavish ancient churches and castles that can be found throughout the narrow streets.

Along with the many attractions, you cannot visit the town without shopping in the trendy markets. The paved roads are painted with boutiques and stores that offer some of the best souvenirs and designer merchandise that Germany has to offer.  Take a break from shopping and head to the cafés and bars, which offer scenic views, lively music, and great European wines and treats.

Baden Baden offers a unique dining experience with delightful sceneries of pictorial gardens. Chefs are culinary masters at preparing traditional specialties influenced by their European neighbors.  The sweet aromas from veal, black forest ham, union and black forest cake, and potato salad fill the atmosphere of the charming restaurants.  Also, feast your senses on red and white wines from the local vineyards.  The gastronomy of Baden Baden will satisfy any food connoisseur with its endless supply of mouthwatering delicacies.

During the course of a year, Baden Baden experiences a moderate humid climate, with typically warm summers. During the warm season (May-September) the temperature averages from the high 50s to high 70s.  In the cold season (November- March) the temperature fluctuates between the 30s and 40s.

Baden Baden’s pleasant landscape is best enjoyed by walking or on a horse-drawn carriage.  From the town’s center there are a number of buses that provide transportation and tours to various attractions and locations in Baden Baden.  To reach other major German cities, catching a train is the best way to travel.  In addition taxis are also available to take you to your desired location and renting a car is accessible but expensive.

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San Francisco, California, USA: Travel, Tourism, Cruises, Air, Hotel, City Passes,Tour, Excursion Packages

At the very source of San Francisco’s charm is a bevy of eccentric neighborhoods and people so diverse that everyone fits in. As the gem of the Bay Area, San Francisco, California, is well known for its Victorian architecture, hilly terrain, fusion cuisine and rich cultural dynamism. A veritable United Nations of people, sights, and experiences to be had; the city will leave its quirky appeal lingering in your memories long after you’ve left.

This seven-by-seven mile peninsula is made up of eleven official neighborhoods that each offers something unique. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular area on the bay that boasts a plethora of fresh seafood restaurants, attracting not only hungry tourists, but corpulent, lazy sea lions who like to sunbathe on the pier. Hang out in Haight: a once-bohemian area that is known as the birthplace of the hippie movement and which still has eclectic boutiques and small Dead Head coffee shops. Whether stopping for dim sum in Chinatown, shopping in Union Square, taking a cable car ride throughout ritzy Knob Hill or letting it all hang out in the Castro, San Fran remains a wonderfully inexplicable microcosm of the world.

Consistently voted one of the best cities in the United States, San Francisco is the perfect place to indulge in the rich essence of a west coast boomtown. With passes like the CityPass, Go San Francisco Card and the Wharf Pass, visitors gain admission (at a lower cost) to some of the city’s finest museums, like the Museum of Modern Art, California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum, as well as ferry rides, tours and transportation. While landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Transamerica Pyramid and infamous Alcatraz Island never fail as tourist magnets, it’s attractions like Ghirardelli Square, the authentic eateries of Chinatown, cable cars of Union Square and Pier 39 that keep them coming back.

An epicurean city in every sense of the word; San Fran boils over with new and inventive cuisine, from sustainable and organic to intricate fusion and wine-plate pairings. With trendy restaurants like Greens and Millenium, not only will vegetarians never go hungry in this town; they’ll eat really well. With a seemingly unlimited surplus of great seafood restaurants, visitors need only to walk into the likes of Sotto Mare, Swan Oyster Depot or Hyde Street Seafood House and have their pick of some of the freshest selections in the Pacific Northwest. As the nation’s largest Chinatown, it becomes an absolute treat to (yet a daunting task) to pick from the bevy of authentic rice houses and tea rooms. House of Nanking, Lichee Garden and Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food are all touted as some of the very best in the city.

Located 14 miles south of the city, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the region’s major domestic and international gateway. The airport is connected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which transports passengers throughout the San Francisco and the neighboring communities. The other forms of public transit are the San Francisco Municipal Railway, which has street and cable cars, buses and metro, as well as the Caltrain which is a regional rail to San Jose. Besides walking, there is no better way to see the city than on the world-famous cable cars, which run north-south between Market Street and Fisherman’s Wharf.

San Francisco has a mild Mediterranean climate which is heavily influenced by the cool Pacific currents and gives the city year-round mild temperatures. May through October is considered the dry period and is relatively warm, with average temperatures in the low 70° F (21° C). The rainy season tends to last from November to April, when temperatures get a bit cooler and remain around 58-64° F (14-18° C). There is no best time to visit the city, as the weather remains consistently mild and whether it be an attraction or festival or cultural event; there’s always something going on in San Francisco.

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Travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the Picture Perfect Paradise

Completely surrounded by beauty, Playa del Carmen is a small city with a big heart.  Spend your days with sand at your feet and the wind in your hair, as the multicolored ocean gently brushes against your skin.  This picture-perfect paradise is a golden treasure charming its guests with serene ambiance.  What better way to recharge your batteries than on a Spanish getaway, where your most sacred fantasies are brought to life.  So grab your swimsuit and your favorite book and visit Playa del Carmen, Mexico to experience the true definition of heaven on earth.

This pleasant town is stretched along the Caribbean Sea and comfortably nestled in the country of Mexico.  Affectionately known as Playa by its inhabitants, Playa del Carmen is mixed with locals and passing tourists in search of an exotic adventure.  Retrace the footprints of its Mayan ancestors, who have shaped this town into becoming one of Mexico’s most cultural destinations.  Whether you are diving among the tropical fish or touring its vibrant Zocalo (plaza), the highlights of Playa del Carmen are insightful passages into its rich traditions.  Take a tour of Playa del Carmen’s beachfront, Playcar and watch backdrops of the sun as it fades behind the Riviera Maya, while its archeological gems glisten in the near distance.  If you are a sports lover, Playa del Carmen’s verdant golf courses are ready for you to score a birdie; also the city’s colorful maritime is a host to a plethora of water sports.

Shake the sand off your feet and head to Playa del Carmen’s shopping districts.  Mostly located on 5th Avenue (locally known as Quinta Avenida), this pedestrian-filled street is painted with stores bursting at the seams with Mexican treasures.  Playcar is also known for its vivacious stores, offering a wide spectrum of Spanish and international goods.  By dusk, this lazy town transforms into an adrenaline pumping social event.  Hotspots like Root n' Fire and Blue Parrot Beach Club light up the night with their pulsating music, delicious cocktails, and picturesque backdrops.

Eat, drink and be merry as you take part in Playa del Carmen’s dining experience.  For a taste of the Mayan culture the façade of 5^th Avenue as well as other streets in the town are speckled with restaurants filled with the aromas of seafood, tacos, empanadas, tostados, and Spanish tapas.   Its culinary masterpieces are cooked to perfection with authentic Mexican ingredients.  However, if you are craving something different, the gastronomy is also speckled with an array of multicultural dishes as well. 

Playa del Carmen experiences a subtropical climate with high humidity.  During the months of September to June (warm season) the temperature averages around a high of 89 °F.   From November to February (cold season) the weather cools to an average high of 80 °F.

Navigating around Playa del Carmen is relatively simple.  Since it is so small, it is quite easy to walk to its different highlights. To venture outside of the town, there are buses available and they are located on 5^th   and Juarez Avenues.  Taxis are also accessible and can be hailed from the streets.

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(Photo credits: Photos taken from google images. If any of them is copyrighted, please let me know so that we can remove them. Thanks.)