ReeHart – Blogging from the Heart

Posts Tagged ‘Vacation’

Many people think that vacationing in Chicago is prohibitively expensive. While it is true that there are many expensive hotels, restaurants, and attractions in downtown Chicago, there are also some that deliver high quality, without the high prices. With a little help, you can see the best of what Chicago has to offer without breaking the bank.

Let’s start from the start : Accommodations. The vast majority of Chicago’s cultural and tourist destinations are located in or near downtown Chicago. Not coincidentally, most hotels are also located in or near downtown. This leaves you without about 80 downtown hotel options to choose from.

Being a very densely populated area, parking spaces downtown are at a premium. The average nightly cost to park a car in downtown Chicago is around $35; and that is in addition to your room rate. The only downtown Chicago hotel that offers free parking is the Best Western River North. Located in Chicago’s vibrant River North neighborhood, this Chicago hotel is a quick walk to the shopping of Michigan Avenue, as well as the architecture of the Loop. The accommodations are clean and modern, and the staff is friendly. In particular, Wallace, the bell captain, can give you directions anywhere in the city you may want to go. In addition to free parking, this 7 story hotel also offers an indoor rooftop pool, fitness center, and free wireless Internet access. This hotel is truly a hidden gem in the big city.

Next, we will move on to dining. Once you are parked at the Best Western River North, you are surrounded by the best and most varied dining that Chicago has to offer. The River North neighborhood has offerings from virtually all over the globe, and at every price level. For our purposes, there are few options that stand out.

Pizzeria Ora is located in the lobby level of the Best Western River North. Here, they specialize in Chicago-style deep dish pizza. There are many Chicago-style pizza offerings downtown, but this one delivers delicious pizza at a better price and without the long waits of the tourist-oriented pizza restaurants in the neighborhood.

Just 1 block north of the Best Western River North is another Chicago favorite, Portillo’s. The prices are reasonable, and the menu includes everything from hot dogs to Italian beef to pasta and salads. Also in close proximity is Al’s Italian Beef, a restaurant that is heavy on locals, as well as flavor.

And finally, let’s talk about attractions. There are numerous activities for visitors to Chicago that can be enjoyed for little or no cost. To get a taste of culture, try the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, or the Adler Planetarium. There are many days throughout the year, in particular during the winter season, that admission is free to all of the world class institutions. During the busier summer season, you can save money by purchasing tickets from the Best Western River North.

Millennium Park is Chicago’s newest world class facility, and is completely free to the public. Completed in 2006, the $475 million required to build it was provided nearly entirely by donations from Chicagoans. Millennium Park covers 24.5 acres in the heart of downtown Chicago, and is the home to architecture and art work by Frank Gehry and Anish Kapoor, as well as the largest rooftop garden in the world.

While it is possible to spend a lot of money on a Chicago vacation, there are many ways to experience the city without breaking the bank.

Family vacation time is right around the corner and you need some travel tips to save you money? No problem, here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Consider buying your ticket through a consolidator. This is something not a great many people know about, and those that do don’t often exercise this option. A consolidator is a type of travel broker and you can save quite a bit off the regular price.

2. Purchase an Entertainment Guide for the city you plan to visit. These books are filled to the brim with coupons for money off and freebies for restaurants, shows, and all sorts of activities in the city of your choice. They are cheap and you can recoup your money tenfold easily.

3. Here’s a little tip for reserving your airline seats. It won’t actually save you any money bit it could save you space! If there are two of you traveling, and there are 3 seats together, reserve an aisle and window seat, leaving the middle seat empty. Unless the plane is completely filled, that middle seat will usually not be filled, and you’ll have the whole row to yourself. If someone does sit there, you can easily ask them to move to the aisle or window so that you can sit with your mate.

4. Even if you don’t think you travel often enough to earn any rewards through frequent flyer miles, go ahead and sign up anyway. There is no cost, and these programs offer a lot of bargains and perks.

5. Take along a kit of medications you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription meds. You may also want to include such things as aspirin, antacid tablets, diarrhea meds, and motion sickness medication just in case. That way you won’t be stuck buying these things in the airport or hotel gift shops where you will pay extra.

6. If you are traveling out of the country be sure and update your immunizations if needed. Not doing so will cost you in both time and money.

7. Before visiting a city, check online to see if you can obtain free information and coupons. Usually you can be mailed a packet of visitor information that will include free maps of the city, brochures, discount tickets and passes, as well as general information about the city itself.

8. If you are considering a beach vacation, don’t rule out Alabama’s miles and miles of white sandy beaches. It is much cheaper and less crowded than such places as Florida or California, rates are cheaper, and many restaurants offer meals at budget prices.

9. Off-season scheduling of your vacation is the key to bargain prices in hotel rates, theme park tickets, rental car rates, airfares, and also you will have less crowds and spend less time standing in lines.

10. Use city transportation whenever possible to avoid having to rent a car. You can usually take a shuttle from the airport to your hotel for a small fee, and then use buses, cable cars, trolleys, or subways to navigate around the town. You’ll have more fun this way and save money on rental car fees.

What comes to mind when you think about the perfect holiday travel? Most of us would think right away about traveling and visiting loved ones – friends and family – for Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. These holidays are some of the most common ones; however, these are not the only holidays that we have. For instance, during the summer months, some families would travel and plan a getaway either on the Fourth of July or on Labor Day.

If you plan to travel around during the summer, we encourage you to consider some factors before you make final arrangements for your vacation spot. First of all, think about the bulk of travelers on the road. Note that just like you, there are probably hundreds of other groups who will hit the road and head off to the most popular travel locations. If you plan to make reservations on a famous spot, get yourself ready about the possible big crowd.

In other parts of the world, summer us usually associated with the sun, the sand and the beach. Given this, majority of the travelers traveling on Labor Day and on the Fourth Of July got the beach for a destination. In Europe and America, you can find a variety of beautiful beaches which you may want to consider. America takes pride of Daytona Beach, Virginia Beach and the South Beach while Europe has got St. Tropez, Cannes, Costa, Costa Smeralda and Marbella.

Before you pick your destination, make sure that you keep in mind what you want and what you need from your vacation. For instance, if you are looking for a romantic getaway, maybe you delete “the beach” from your target list. Large crowds and your lack of privacy might just ruin your mood and your entire vacation.

The beach can easily be considered as a popular destination; however, bear in mind that they are not your only options for the summer holiday. Other eager travelers also love the idea of picnics and barbecue parties. And because of this, public campgrounds and parks have been a popular summer spot as well. If you want to camp out, engage in outdoor activities and enjoy grilling, you might consider camping for your getaway.

Many people enjoy outdoor camping for the privacy that it offers. You can find campgrounds in largely landscaped areas. Large bushes and trees also help in giving you the privacy you need. You can also found campgrounds in secluded beaches and mountains. Some state or national parks allow camping as well. They also offer you a variety of camping equipments and facilities like laundromats, general stores and even game rooms!

Outdoor camping is usually perceived as sleeping overnight and outdoors in a tent. Tents have been a common camping equipment for so long; however, RVs are starting to grow popularity. If you do not own an RV, all you have to do is rent one. Most locations have RVs available for rental.

Beaches and campgrounds maybe very famous destinations for the summer. However, in order for you to fully enjoy the season, it is highly encouraged that you think very creatively and try something new. Other options would include an amusement park, the zoo or a museum.

A lot of eager tourists and travelers hit the skies and the roads every year. Some of them headed for the beautiful country of Mexico. So what Mexico the perfect choice? Why make it your choice of destination?

There are several reasons why Mexico remains a common vacation spot for tourists. Perhaps the biggest of which would be about the different activities that the country has to offer. Mexico is well known for their beaches, the rich history and their culture.

If you wish to travel to Mexico with your family and friends, you might want to consider checking of the country’s beautiful past. This can be made possible through education activities and facilitues. You will find a variety of educational centers throughout Mexico City. You and your family can also head off to a museum nearby,

Museums are all over Mexico. Some of these are espacially geared towards children while some are exclusive for adults.Having explored these opportunities for knowledge, you and your family are sure to walk away with valuable information. This knowledge will also be very helpful for your kids, not just so they can understand the Mexican culture but for the improvement of their knowledge in general.

Another way to know more about the country is through some fun and exciting oceanside facilities and and activities which you will find along Mexico’s coast line. These activities include ocean museums and aquatic shows. Kids and even adults are sure to have a blast!

A Mexico vacation also allows you and your family to spend quality time together. This, perhaps, can be considered as the greatest benefit of scheduling a getaway in Mexico. Because of hectic schedules, most families find it very impossible to bond with each other. A Mexico travel escape will give your wonderful opportunity of an uninnterrupted bonding.

Mexico is not only perfect for families. It is also an ideal romantic destination for lovers. A romantic getaway between a couple, no matter and when and where it held makes the relationship healthier. Mexico has its ways of making it even more exciting and meaningful.

One common romantic spot in Mexico are its beautiful beaches and resorts. These locations provide a very romantic atmosphere. You and your partner are sure to have a good and private time with each other. If you want to have privacy, you can consider going to a private beach resort where it is more quiet and relaxing.

Contrary to what most people believe in, vacationing in Mexico is not really as expensive. All you need is a little creativity and you are sure to find brilliant ways to spend your vacation fun and worthwhile without having to spend too much. You can find famous spa resorts, beach resorts and gold courses which offer to those who are traveling on a tight budget. A quick research will give you a good idea of finding out Mexico’s best deals.

Mexico always makes a good vacation spot. You will just have to see it for yourself.

There are additional enhancements you can add to your camping equipment and the canopy tent is one of the best. It offers additional protection from the elements of nature. Two types are available. One is the open sided canopy, just a top and the other has a screen sided canopy. This is also known as a screen tent or house

Tents with open sided canopies are great for table cover or perhaps as a cook station. This is especially convenient on rainy days and allows cooking and dining out of the rain. These tents (canopy) are free standing, making them versatile to any location of your choice.

There are no restrictions for a canopy tent such as a camping site. They can be used as a backyard camper, the beach, the park or wherever you find you may need shelter. These tents are also great for social events held outdoors.

The canopy tent with sides, also known as a screen tent, is a must have if your outdoor adventure takes you to those places where bug infestation is out-of-control. Those pesky bugs can wipe-out any sanity you have making your outdoor adventure less enjoyable.

There are two styles of screen tents. The first with a floor covering of the same material as the tent and the other has no floor, but with screened walls. Both of these tents offer good protection for natures pests. The choice is your personal preference.

A screen tent makes a good place for storage. This allows you the benefit of more room for you in your tent for relaxing or sleeping. These tents come in ten by ten feet or twelve by twelve feet. Allowing you an additional 100/144 square feet of sheltered area.

Both the canopy and screen tents are lightweight, simple to set up, portable and take one to two people to set them up. This depends, of course, on the type of tent that you purchase. A tent can be completely set up in about five minutes.

Now, however you enjoy your outdoor adventures, adding a canopy tent or a screen tent can and will increase your feelings of relaxation and enjoyment. You will feel more relaxed and at-ease knowing you have a place of refuge from those unexpected elements of nature that come your way. Giving you more enjoyment from your outdoor adventures, you just might find yourself spend more time in the great outdoors.

My family and I would go to Jekkyl Island during a period when it was not hot enough for my comfort anyway. This is one place to plan for summer holidays, or at least closer to the summer such as May for turtle watching, or June.

Originally an island get-away for rich vacationers, Jekkyl Island’s former patrons left lingering real estate of their lifestyle, as seen by the Victorian mansions, known as summer homes. To experience a taste of that life, the Jekkyl Club Hotel is an example of this bygone era. The hotel rates in the top 500 resorts in the world, not bad for an island in Georgia. With comparable rates, you might want to consider this hotel.

Jekkyl Island might have been named Sea Turtle Island, due to the female sea turtles arriving from the sea each May to crawl up on shore and lay eggs in nests they dig. This protected species is monitored by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and guided walks to observe this yearly ritual are available. This is a good time to keep younger or hyper children away from the turtles, as they cannot be disturbed during their period of egg laying.

For speed lovers who need another diversion, check out the Golden Isle speedway, 25 minutes away from Jekkyl Island, in the town of Waynesville. They have a website for race dates and prices.

Driftwood Beach is known for the successful shelling, better some say then beaches in Florida. There is the Villa By the Sea hotel with comparable rates, a pool, playground, and horseback riding available at Victoria’s Carriages nearby. Watching dolphins swimming in the water will only make this experience more enjoyable.

Summer Waves Waterpark can be an excellent diversion for families when wanting to leave the beach for a while. The rates are very good and the Pirates Passage ride is an experience very popular for children and adults. Enjoy the wave pool here, and other activities that can be seen on their website.

Bike riding – there are 20 miles of winding trail to ride on, and bikes can be rented for approximately 11.00 per day at Mini Bike and Golf Rentals.

To top off the day, enjoy the Low Country Boil Buffet on the harbor, with enormous meals catered by SeaJay’s Waterfront Cafe. Adults are 15.00 and children are 7.50 for ages 10 and under.

Sightseeing in Portugal is a boundless adventure. From ancient castles to elegant cathedrals, this sunny land contains an unending supply of diverse cultural influences. Its natural geographical advantages make it the perfect vacation spot for golfing, water sports and hiking.

To discover Portugal, Lisbon, the capitol and largest city, is the natural place to begin. Touring millennium-old castles, exploring legendary cafes and art nouveau shops, and relaxing on the fabulous sunny beaches are wonderful ways to experience the flavor of this unique European country. But don’t stop there. Be sure to include a few side trips to areas with quaint villages and stunning historic monuments and monasteries.

Karen Brown, the well-known author of dozens of informative travel guides, understands the need for a well-rounded plan when traveling. On her website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has listed a comprehensive collection of regional itineraries that include maps, attractions and wonderful inns and hotels specific to Portugal. Her readers have rated the following inns and hotels as exceptional places to stay:

If it’s romance you seek, you will surely find plenty of it in Portugal. This is especially true at the Quinta das Sequoias in Sintra, which rests in the hills above Lisbon. The spectacular views and amazing grounds are just one reason why a visit here is magical. Guests can stroll amongst the 40 acres and enjoy gardens and sea views or take a relaxing swim in the hotel’s pool. With just a half-dozen rooms so there is plenty of privacy and peace. The rooms are richly furnished and all offer a pleasing view. Guests can take part in a photography workshop, hike or mountain bike, or even enjoy an astronomy lesson. The inn was named by Karen Brown readers as Portugal’s “Most Romantic” lodging choice.

At Casa de Casal, exceptional hospitality is the order of the day. The charming boutique inn was the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Portugal’s “Warmest Welcome.” Spectacular mountain and Douro River views add to the charm of a stay at this family-owned inn, which dates to the mid-17th century. Guest rooms are tastefully furnished with French doors that lead outside where you can enjoy the view. The inn is located on the outskirts of the small village of Pinhao, part of the Porto wine country.

The inn chosen as offering the “Greatest Value” in Portugal by Karen Brown readers is the charming Albergaria Vila Lido, snugly seated in the middle of craggy cliffs with immediate access to the cerulean blue sea. The guest rooms offer a stunning sea view or contain private patios with access to the gardens. Nearby, you will find very good restaurants, quaint shops and a casino as well as a golf course for the sports minded visitor. Breakfasts are luscious, served in an European atmosphere with carved ceilings, a fantastic fireplace and hand painted tiles.

The Bussaco Palace, nestled in a woodland reserve, is the place to stay when desiring luxury, great amenities and fabulous dining. Designated as the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Portugal’s best “Splendid Splurge,” this ornate palace was built in the 19th century by a Portuguese king. Rooms are tastefully decorated and the paintings and stuccoes in the lobby are unbelievable. The details that define the Bussaco Palace are meant to spoil and please its guests. The fabulous gardens offer the opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Dining on the outdoor patio, which offers stunning views of the surrounding woodlands, is a treat in itself.

Australia truly epitomizes diversity. From the Outback, to the beaches, to the almost surreal scenery, one is astounded at the breadth of experiences available in Australia.. One reason to visit is to enjoy nature and sports. Australia offers everything from skiing to surfing and diving. Another reason is for the cultural richness from urban Sydney to Aboriginal adventures. There is something for everyone in Australia.

When is the best time to go? It can be very warm in the summer (winter for those of us in North America) but there is always the beach. Australia is so vast that you can almost always find something in the climate you most prefer.

Sydney is Australia’s largest city, and one of the images of Australia familiar to us is the famous Sydney Opera House sitting in its Harbour. Sydney is the ideal spot to start your Australian adventure.

All of Sydney’s attractions lie within easy reach of the city center. Sydney’s harbour is its playground, and a prominent factor in so much of what the city has to offer. The city has a dynamic cultural life, vibrant food scene and a colorful cityscape of outstanding contemporary and colonial architecture. Stunning beaches and accessible national parks deliver unforgettable experiences.

Getting Around Sydney is easy

1)Ferries: Ferries are the most unique form of public transportation for the visitor. Every errand is a harbour cruise. There is regular service to over 37 wharves, including Manly, Parramatta, Balmain, Watsons Bay and Taronga Zoo.

2)Buses: Buses service is frequent, inexpensive and easy to use.

3)Trains: The CityRail network is a quick and convenient.

4)Monorail: Sydney’s Metro Monorail an above-ground rail systems. The route goes around Darling Harbour.

5)Light Rail: The Light Rail is environmentally friendly way, and travels all over the city. Just hop aboard.

Where to Stay

1) The Four Seasons Sydney is an elegant hotel with contemporary styling. The rooms and suites overlook Darling Harbour and offer views of the Opera House.

2)Park Hyatt Sydney – Elegant hotel built on the harbour directly under the Harbour Bridge. Offers spacious rooms, outstanding service, and spectacular views.

3)The Observatory Hotel- 100 room hotel located in the fashionable Rocks district. Easy access to the Kings Street Wharf, restaurants, bars and the Opera House. A long-time Sydney favorite, the Observatory Hotel offers luxurious, beautifully appointed, and spacious rooms and suites.

Great food, plenty of things to do, energy, enthusiasm, and exuberance mark Sydney as a city worth visiting at any time, any season.

When a person is deciding to take a trip to a place like Tulum, they will be pleasantly surprised at the feeling of serenity they will feel from the moment they arrive. They will find that it has so many great places to find relaxation and they will love going to this small town on vacation.

Tulum offers visitors a wide range of vacation activities. Among these you will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of its many gorgeous and popular parks such as the Xel-Ha, X caret and Sian Ka’an. Each has a natural beauty that is unrivaled anywhere in the world.

You can enjoy hours of swimming or learning snorkeling on the beautiful beaches available in Tulum Mexico. You can even slow down and take a nap on any number of the Yucatecan hammocks that are found hung on one of the coconut trees. The comfort you will feel in these parks and on the beaches gives this small and popular town on the Rivera Maya, a place that is an allure to everything from lovers to families.

When you are there in Tulum Mexico you will notice that this place seems to be stopped in time, though you will have the advantages of having modern conveniences such as internet service and telephones. In addition, you will find inexpensive and comfortable hotel rooms and delicious food at one of the many restaurants.

In addition, to enjoying the hotels that they offer; a person can stay in one of the luxury Cabanas, Condos, and apartments that are beautiful and well maintained. There are many places to stay that offer you ocean front, close to the beach living, where you and your lover can take long, romantic walks along the many beaches that will be close to you.

Another attraction of Tulum is that it is located on a cliff which gives you an outstanding view of the Caribbean Ocean. One of the features is the El Castillo, which is one of the highest buildings and one of the many places to study the past.

Because Tulum features many important historically profound buildings created by the Maya, it is a popular place for archeology. Many will come to enjoy the peace and serenity of the ruins, and the natural beauty of the town. A visit to Tulum is a great place to experience old world history in a comfortable, relaxing environment.

The best way to get to Tulum whenever you go to Mexico is to arrive in Cancun International Airport, from there you still have about an hour and 30 minutes drive, it is about 84 miles south of Cancun, so you can take a cab or rent a car. Take the main highway from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, it is a four lane highway, and once you get to Playa del Carmen only two lanes will continue to Tulum. The highways are nice and well kept.

Whenever you go along your own, you are able to trip in a minor group from friends or family, or only a couple on your own. Biking is the ideal group activity, since humans can keep apart themselves once need a bit time solely by awheel a little lazier or quicker than the rest from the grouping, then return the group once they are available for company once again.

Time decelerates when you are on the place of a bike. You get the experiencing of gratification that arrives from experiencing you’re getting your own vitality as an alternative of wasting fossil fuel, and that you’re burning kilo calories and fat and building muscle since you bike. On a French biking vacation, you are able to get around all the incredible French food and wine-color you are able to consume, without acquiring free weight.

Where To start

Among the most difficult decisions to take about your French biking vacation is choosing which urban center to begin from. One of the finest cities in which to consider a French cycling vacation is Provence. Provence is famed for its unbelievable weather condition; the sun beams more than 3,000 hrs a year — so put on plenty of sun blocker when you traveling. Even whenever you’ve found Provence by car, you have not lived until you’ve looked Provence of the seat of a cycle on a French biking vacation.

You will get to exercise those legs in the hills from Mont Ventous, the Vaucluse, and Cote du Rhone River. Get to experience the locals in captivating settlements and ready to be blown out by the astonishing cultural landscape painting that divine big artists like Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, and Vincent van Gogh.

Nothing is more colorful than a body of water, and a French biking vacation in Provence can let in the ocean and the Rhone and it is 1000s of channels.

Whenever you prefer to bypass Provence, a French bicycling vacation in Pyrenees of Southern France could concern you. Ingeniously projected roots make it conceivable for you to delight the Pyrenees alps as biking at ocean level, so bikers of every ages and feel levels can love the ride.

Bicycle and Boat?

On all the rivers, ducts, and extra watercourses in France, French biking vacations that aggregate cycles with boats or flatboats are exploding in fame.

One of the commonest French biking vacations is a Burgundy cycle And Barge circuit, from Dijon to Tournus. Smack unbelievable Burgundy wine in the vineyards where they’re grown; sail the Steile Bank on the Saone, and visit castlings, museums or abbeys.

The cordial reception of the local French folks will blast you away; the people of Bourgogne go deep out of their way to induce guests experience at home on their French biking vacations.

Read more articles about bike tours in France available here at this web.