Great Travel Destinations for Kids

Vacations are great time to bond with your little ones, burn out their energy and take them to explore the world as they have seen it in their text books.
There are several cities that cater to kids superbly offering them everything they need.
So get cheap airline tickets to these wonderful destinations.

New York City

New York City is great place when it comes to spending the weekend or a long vacation with kids. With plethora of things to do and see the city promises to be a complete package.

1. Explore the Mott and Canal Streets, the center of Chinatown. Area is filled with shops and restaurants and is a great place for kids having fun shopping for jade jewelry, Chinese embroidered clothes, toys, zodiac animals. To conclude the exploration you can feast on some unusual flavored ice creams at Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
2. View the skyscrapers from the Empire State Building and check-out the Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History
3. Shop with your kid’s at the most popular toy store in New York, FAO Schwarz. The store has been a massive hit with kids in New York since 1870.
4. New Yorkers love their food and there’s food everywhere you look. Feast on hot dogs and soft New York pretzels, while walking down any street at blue and yellow Sabrett umbrellas.

San Francisco

San Francisco is an ocean city and you’re never far from the San Francisco Bay when you spending your vacation with your kids. The city once considered an adults’ playground, now has an excess of attractions for you and your little one.

1. Visit the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. The museum includes a superb aquarium, planetarium, natural history exhibits, live rainforest and living roof.
2. Ride San Francisco’s famous cable cars. From the city center, pick up the streetcars on Market Street and ride down Market to the Ferry Building to Fisherman’s Wharf.
3. Cruise out to “The Rock,” site of Alcatraz prison and home of gangsters such as Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly.
4. Eat at Mo’s Gourmet Hamburgers located in North Beach, just a few blocks away from Chinatown. It’s named after one of the Three Stooges and offers burgers, featuring a seven-ounce patty and a wide selection of toppings, freshly cut fries and milkshakes.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city of neighborhoods. So rent a car, and explore the neighborhoods as you go on a mission of unveiling the hidden treasures of each and every neighborhood.

1. Taste the adventures of Jurassic Park and Shrek at Universal Studios Hollywood which claims to be the world’s largest movie studio and theme park.
2. Get a multi day pass to visit one the happiest places on earth – The Disneyland. Your kids surely won’t let you skip that.
3. Visit the Page Museum; it’s a treasure trove, filled with skeletons of saber tooth tigers, bison, ground sloths, mastodons, eagles, California condors and over 400 Dire wolf skulls.
4. Eat at Farmers Market located close to the museum. The joint has been popular with local families since the 1930’s. There’s a wide variety of restaurants and casual eats for breakfast, lunch or dinner – hot dogs, crepes, burritos, Chinese, barbeque, hamburgers, sushi, sandwiches, fish and chips, pizza you name and they have it.

So get a travel deal to the place and do share your experience with us.

Great Offbeat Islands of America

America is full of gorgeous unexplored islands, some can only be accessed by plane or boat and others are just in the neighborhood. Some, where human are still to dwell and some where little communities are thriving.
We explore some beautiful offbeat islands of America through this post.

So it’s time you found some cheap airline tickets and take a nice weekend break or a long vacation on one of these paradises.

Kodiak Island, Alaska

Kodiak Island is a large island on the south coast of the U.S. state of Alaska, separated from the Alaska mainland by the Shelikof Strait. The island has many deep, ice-free bays that provide sheltered anchorages for boats. The Kodiak bear and the king crab are native to the island. So in case you are interested in sports fishing and wildlife watching, in particular the Kodiak bears hunting salmons for food, Kodiak Island is the perfect spot for you.

Sapelo Island, Georgia

Sapelo Island is a state-protected island located in McIntosh County, Georgia. The island is only reachable by boat, with the primary ferry coming from the Sapelo Island Visitors Center in McIntosh County. The visitors to this place would be treated to natural community, forested uplands, vast salt marshes and the complex beach and dunes systems. The Geechee communities of Hog Hammock are the natives of the land.

Orcas Island, Washington

Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands which are located in the northwestern corner of Washington state in San Juan County. Orcas is home to an eclectic community of artisans and small cottage businesses. Its diverse landscape of mountains, wooded countryside and spectacular vistas make it a popular destination for both day trips and extended vacations. Orcas Island can be reached from the mainland via a leisurely ferry ride from Anacortes or by seaplane from Seattle or Portland.

Isle Royale, Michigan

Isle Royale is an island of the Great Lakes located in the northwest of Lake Superior. The island is primarily known for hiking, fishing, boating, sailing and observing nature. Accessible only by private boat, seaplane, National Park Service ferry service from Houghton. It’s covered in wilderness trails, some of which are quite challenging with steep grades. There are numerous campgrounds many of which are only accessible by water.

Block Island, Rhode Island

The island was named by the The Nature Conservancy as one of twelve sites in its list of “The Last Great Places” in the Western Hemisphere. The island is a popular summer tourist destination and is known for its excellent bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing and beaches. Two historic lighthouses are present on the most remote of the offshore isles between Boston and New York City.

Hope you have found a travel deal to enjoy these beautiful islands.

Images Sourced from: www.wikipedia.com

Great Travel Getaways for Seniors

Age should not be a deciding factor and never stop you especially when it comes to traveling and exploring the beautiful destinations. Those with a passion for travel and are seniors should still be able to travel with zest, comfort and safety.
Senior travel has seen a lot of increase in traffic in the recent years and we are not talking about traveling to meet your grand children, but exploring the beauty of beaches, hiking and road trips.

So pack your bags and find some cheap airline tickets as we explore some great getaways for Senior Travel.

Soaking the Sun in Bahamas

The Bahamas is a tropical island chain in the Caribbean. The Bahamas is blessed with clear, turquoise waters that are home to ancient shipwrecks and a rainbow of coral reefs teeming with fish. The islands offers the senior travels with a wide array of options ranging from the islands’ bustling straw markets to haggle over spices, ceramics, handicrafts and local art to experiencing the experience the age-old traditions and legends of the islands at local cultural celebrations amidst costumes, food and song.

Recreation in a RV

In North America the term recreational vehicle, and its acronym RV, are generally used to refer to a vehicle equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.  The RV trips each year venture into regions such as southeastern California’s deserts, spectacular mountains on the Lewis and Clark route and Southern Texas’s Big Bend in the winter where wildlife and hot springs are abound.

Cruising the Rockies in a BMW

The Rocky Mountains of Canada are a vast land – filled with inspiring scenery, wildlife, a multitude of recreational activities for all ages and a lot of unique opportunities. There is no better way to explore the panoramic Canadian Rockies then from behind the wheels of a BMW.
The experience offers you an opportunity to witness the extravagantly beautiful vista of neighboring peaks stretching off into the endless blue sky and glimpses of picturesque Alpine lakes and grassy meadows.

Fishing at the Azores Islands

Situated at some distance from Lisbon and the European west coast the archipelago of the Azores was discovered during the first half of the 15th-century by Portuguese navigators.
The visitors to this place are spell bound by the sapphire blue and emerald green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic cones and craters, colorful hydrangeas and azaleas, 15th century churches and majestic manor houses. The area is far less expensive than most European vacations, so it’s a perfect option for budget travelers as well. Fishing is a big industry here for locals and tourists you have the luxury to trawl, jig, do bottom fishing or live bait fishing.

Hope we have been able to give you some reasons to start celebrating your senior years.
Bon Voyage!!

Great Travel getaways for Yoga and Meditation

With increasing number of tourists every year new avenues of travel are coming into existence. One such popular avenue is Spiritual Travel i.e travelling for spiritual activities like yoga and meditation.
From yoga sessions to stay in ashrams spiritual travel has opened new avenues for the discerning traveler looking for peace and relaxation.
So pack your bags, get some cheap airline tickets as we explore some of the best getaways offering this opportunity.

Maya Spa Wellness Center, Mexico

Its located one and a half hours south of Cancun. The center is a perfect tropical retreat to stimulate your senses and immerse yourself in explorations of your body’s wisdom. The setting of the holistic spa and its idyllic surroundings offer the perfect antidote to high stressed city life. The properties of earth, wind, fire and water are combined to purify the mind, body and soul.
Its also offers yoga lessons in private or group ensuring that you have the perfect start your day.

Shoshoni Yoga Retreat, Colorado

Shoshoni Yoga Retreat is a premier yoga teacher training school. The yoga retreat center and residential ashram is located in the Colorado Rockies near Boulder, Colorado. The Retreat aims at assisting people in understanding and experiencing their true nature through the practice of yoga and immersion in a yogic lifestyle.
Located amidst the mountains of Colorado Rockies, Shoshoni is an ashram run by a resident staff of dedicated yogis who lend their skills in vegetarian cooking, yoga, meditation and music.

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, California

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, also known as Green Dragon Temple, is a Buddhist practice center in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition offering training in Zen meditation.
In addition to meditation retreats, offerings include classes and workshops on the Japanese tea ceremony and gardening.
Conveniently located in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, in a valley that opens out onto the Pacific Ocean besides the program of zen and study, it includes an organic farm and garden, as well as a guest house and conference center.

COMO Shambhala Retreat, Turks and Caicos

The Como Shambhala Retreat believes strongly in the policy of healthy eating, exercise and self-development. Shambhala, a Sanskrit word for ‘the sacred place of bliss’ offers a full range of experiences designed to challenge and inspire us to greater wellbeing.
The idyllic setting gives you a perfect opportunity to explore your body, mind and soul.

These getaways offer you with a perfect opportunity to uplift your mind and soul through yoga and meditation sessions.

Travel to off-beat destinations

With the increase in stress levels due to work and hectic life, many are packing off to lesser known destinations. The offbeat destination promises to fulfill your craving for a vacation that would take you along a path less known and would help you discover a new realm altogether.
We have handpicked some of these lesser know travel destinations.
So get your back-packs, find some cheap airline tickets and get ready to explore.

Bolivia

This landlocked country boasts of the soaring peaks of Cordillera Real around Sorata, the hallucinogenic salt flats of Uyuni, the steamy jungles of the Amazon Basin and wildlife-rich grasslands of the Southeast. Bolivia is slowly emerging on travel radar, though it now has upscale hotels and international-standard restaurants. But to a large extent once here you would encounter long bus journeys along mountain passes, rough-and-tumble jeep trips across empty landscapes and chilly nights in low-frills hotels.

Paraguay

Paraguay is a country of fascinating contrasts and boasts of exotic natural reserves and massive man-made dams. Paraguay really is the forgotten country of Latin America, as very few people live there and very few people go there. Most of its architecture dates back to the nineteenth century, when some charismatic dictators established the Paraguayan identity. The country’s main sights are the countless waterfalls that are really worth a visit, but also some impressive Jesuit missions, several national parks and of course the plains, swamps and forests of the Gran Chaco.

Chile

Chile can be described as land of extremes. As a traveler you would be really spoilt for choices ranging from climbing an active volcano to running white-water rapids or paddling through ice-carved fjords. Hitchhiking in Chile is a common adventure, given enough time and patience. It is seen as a common form of travel for tourists or young. The main attractions for tourists are places of natural beauty situated in the extreme zones of the country: San Pedro de Atacama, in the north, is very popular with foreign tourists who arrive to admire the Incaic architecture, lakes and the Valley of the Moon.

These lesser known destination offer nice and a quiet place to get away. Do share your experiences with us!

Image sourced from: www.wikipedia.com

Great Destinations for Voluntourism

Travelling industry’s evolving nature has seen new brands of travelling coming up and the one climbing the popularity charts rapidly is voluntourism.

A perfect way to contribute to the society while travelling and the opportunities are endless – being part of an archaeological digs or teaching, you would be spoilt for options.

Basics of the Travel:

Skills: Voluntourism is a way to contribute to the society as well as great opportunity to develop your skill set. Make sure that you choose a program that gives you an opportunity to do both.

Location: Most of the opportunities are in developing countries. So it’s necessary to set your expectations accordingly. Carefully scan about the options that would be available in terms of food and lodging.

The Differences: Voluntourism exposes you to different cultures it goes without saying that you need to be open minded enough to accept and respect these differences.

Here is my choice list for Voluntourism

Archeological Digs in Inca

If history is what interests you, an archaeological dig at Inca would be a perfect choice. Its a great learning oppurtunity where you get to discover and learn about the pre-Hispanic, Incan agricultural terraces, roads and ancient walls.

Conserve the nature at Alaska

The wilderness of Alaska is home to thriving populations of North American wildlife. Voluntourism would help save animals and ecosystems of the area and could vary from trail maintenance, research, plant conservation etc.

Teaching at Orphanages

Teaching as part of voluntourism is good opportunity to impart to the society and people. You would have numerous options to do so in developing countries like Cambodia, Brazil etc. Teaching English, play sports or generally educating them about the world the options are endless.

Spreading Awareness

You can choose to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS through educational projects that teach about safe sex and HIV prevention, and provide care and support specially areas which are badly impacted by it. The option might lead you to developing countries in Africa like Ghana.

So it’s time that we pack our bags find a good travel deal and contribute to a cause.

Image sourced from: www.wikipedia.com

Airlines Want You to Fly with Them!

Airlines are now pulling all stops to get your business. They are coming up with creative marketing campaigns to get your business and create some buzz.

A few weeks ago we had Ryanair announce that they were considering charging passengers for using restrooms on their planes. It definitely got people talking. In the end it turned out that it was a ‘joke’ and Ryanair launched a competition via their website offering people 1000 euros for the most creative ‘extra charge.’ So far people have suggested charging for toilet paper and charging people for the luxury of reading safety cards.

Another Irish airline Aer Lingus created some buzz about it’s no hidden extras by offering 999 people two free flights if they were willing to bare all. Another sign of the times they promoted this via Twitter and Facebook on a first come, first served basis. Over 2000 people registered.

Asian carrier AirAsia have launched So You Wanna be a Pilot? campaign. They are offering a wannabe pilot the chance to work for them. All you have to do is log onto their blog and write about why you should be given the opportunity to work for them.  The aim of these campaigns is to get people talking and this is what it is doing! Check out this blog entry! that talks about the Air Asia campaign.

Well it certainly got us talking! Mission accomplished airlines! I wonder what they will come up with next. Better keep my eye on the latest airline news!

2009 Travel Trends and Predictions

The year 2008 has not been such a good year for travel. The slows and downs made travelers to rethink or scale down our vacation plans. But, what’s in store for 2009? Will traveling resume its earlier shape or its time for travelers to take an alternate route. What’s going to happen? Nobody really knows.  But, concluding all that what happened in 2008, traveling will be somewhat different next year. Here are some of the predicted travel trends for 2009:

Taking the Road Less Traveled

Visiting smaller, lesser-known destinations can be more affordable, though offering equally enriching, vacation experience. For instance, taking a trip to Birmingham, England instead of London; or vacationing in Calgary, Canada instead of Toronto.

Staying Closer to Home

With rising travel costs more travelers are expected to stay closer to home. This means that travel to domestic destinations is expected to increase in the upcoming year.

Package Travel Likely to Rise

It seems that package travel is undergoing a mini-renaissance, specially the all-inclusive category. More and more travelers want to cut back the risks involved with booking packages with additional taxes and don’t want the uncertainty of a mounting extras bill, not to mention meals and eating out. Cruises are likely to o well in such a situation.

Tried and Trusted Destinations

In the coming year, travelers are expected to return to destinations they had already enjoyed. Not only its risk free but will allow travelers to plan their trip more thoughtfully. In case of hotels too, loyalty will be the trend of the coming year.

Vacation Rentals and House Swaps

Vacation home rentals, villas and house swaps will continue to gain popularity in the coming year. These alternate lodging options offer a good value for money alongside making you feel more at home.

Solo Travel

Due to advantages of Solo travel, it is expected that solo travel will be another travel trend in the coming year.

Less Americans Heading out this Labor Day

Less Americans Traveling this Labor Day

Labor Day, for most of Americans is a chance to head out while the weather is still hot. But because of the rising fuel prices and weakening economy, many of the American’s won’t be heading out anywhere over the Labor Day weekend. According to AAA, the number of people traveling 50 miles or more will drop considerably by 0.9 percent, the biggest drop in the last eight years.

That’s not all! A similar decline is also observed in the number of Americans taking a road trip. Other modes of travel, such as train and bus, are expected to get a 12.5 percent boost with 1.8 million travelers, AAA said. Get the full story…