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.

Learn more at: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-diego.html

For information, booking trips, tours, vacations, hotels, resorts, air, car rentals, please write to: info@eTravelCruise.com

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.

Learn more at: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/central-america/belize.html

For booking vacation packages, air travel, tours, cruises, excursions, resorts, please write to: Info@eTravelCruise.com 

Vilnius, Lithuania: Travel, Tour Packages, Europe River Cruises, Air & Hotel Bookings, Car Rentals

Chosen as the 2009 “European Capital of Culture,” Vilnius, Lithuania, is a charming and uniquely enchanting medieval city. The mainly Baroque architecture is coupled together with Gothic and Renaissance buildings that have sprouted up over the centuries, making for a diverse and distinctive skyline. Alive with culture and romance, travelers to Vilnius will be captivated by the historical beauty and dense artistic inspiration that runs throughout the city. From the medieval stone archways above narrow, cobbled streets and beautiful towering churches, to shiny modern galleries and glowing nightclubs, Lithuania’s capital city is a sundry of old and new.

Located in southeastern Lithuania, Vilnius sits at the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers and is said to be the geographical center of Europe. A city that is steeped in rich history and in contemporary culture, Vilnius has both UNESCO World Heritage-protected buildings and churches, as well as a bronze statue of psychedelic musician Frank Zappa. A mix of traditionalists and dreaming bohemians, the city has great appeal to travelers in search of European whimsy.

One of Vilnius’ 40 breathtaking churches, St. Anne’s Church stands out in the city’s Old Town section as a beautiful Gothic church which Napoleon himself wished to take back with him to Paris. Just beyond Old Town is a section called Uzupis. Considered an independent republic, Uzupis is where artists, writers and revolutionaries came to settle and open up galleries, shops and riverside restaurants and pubs. A city unlike any other, Vilnius has an easy, soulful atmosphere and eccentric charm that travelers yearn for.

In addition to Lithuanian staples like dark rye bread, potatoes and borscht, the cuisine of Vilnius has slowly been expanding into international and fusion fare. An example of this step into international flavors is Pegasus. The restaurant’s minimalist décor allows the French, Italian and Iraqi cuisine speak for itself. For a unique treat, Tores, located in the Uzupis district, is a restaurant, wine cellar and art gallery all in one. At Zemaiciai, patrons can have their meals while sitting on thrones or giant beds as they dine in this medieval-looking restaurant with vaulted brick ceilings and hearty Lithuanian food and beer.

Vilnius International Airport (VNO) is Lithuania’s largest airport and serves several domestic and international carriers including airBaltic, Aerosvit Airlines, Lufthansa and Aer Lingus. While there is no main public transportation system in Vilnius, buses and trolleys run routes all over the city, with a single ticket costing 2 to 2.50 LTR, depending on if they're purchased at a kiosk or from the driver. There are discounts for students and the elderly. Taxis are another option for navigating throughout the city, as they are more efficient than buses but are a little more expensive. Walking is the most recommended way to travel around parts of the city like Old Town, as it is very pedestrian-friendly and can easily be explored on foot.

Vilnius has a continental, maritime climate, which means there is a vast difference between the cold winter and warm summer temperatures. In summer months, temperatures can reach as high as 86° F (30° C), though the average temperature from June through August typically remains in the low 70s. Mid-summer is the rainiest time of year, though large amounts of precipitation can fall during the winter as well, which sees an average temperature of 26° F (-3.3° C). It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach far below freezing for large stretches in winter months, bringing bitter cold winds, frozen lakes and snowfall. The best time of year to visit is in the late spring and summer, as this is the time of year when the nightlife and daytime festivities are in full swing, with outdoor bars, cafes, restaurants and concerts.

Learn more at: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/europe/lithuania/vilnius.html

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