Vacation Destinations in Europe #1
Paris
So you've finally considered to spend a few weeks in an exotic location. Europe is a great option for your vacation, and planning holidays in France can end up being the best option.Visit tour operators and airline websites to get the best travel rates possible. As with any destination, there are peak times to travel to different locations, and be sure that your vacations in France don't end up costing you a fortune because you pick the wrong week to fly. Compare prices from airline to airline, and ask travel agencies to search for the best rates for vacations in France.When going on vacation in France, you'll find that a good chunk of the most important attractions and architectural structures there are in Paris the capital of France.The single most important attractions in Paris you must have seen:If you could see only one museum in Europe, The Louvre Museum should be it. The Venus de Milo and The Mona Lisa alone are enough reasons to brave the crowds here but the Louvre is houses priceless Egyptian, Oriental, Etruscan, Roman, and Greek artifacts.Next is The Eiffel Tower, constructed in 1889 for the International Exposition of Paris and named after Gustav Eiffel. That's the same engineer who constructed the Statue of Liberty. The Eiffel Tower stands at 317 meters. At the time of its opening it was the most marvelous construction in the world. You can find three observation platforms open to the public and each with sensational views of Paris.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Alexa Top Online Travel Sites
Top Online Travel Sites
There are a lot of great travel sites out there and if I neglected to include yours, let me know in the comments. The list below is comprised of flight aggregators, where you can find flights from multiple airlines. Single airline sites like JetBlue or SouthWest are not included, nor are sites that are focused on hotels or reviews.
1. Expedia - www.expedia.comThe big grand-daddy of online travel aggregators is Expedia. With an Alexa Rank of 351 and climbing, Expedia is cruising through the downturn with ease. With services for flights, hotels and car rentals this one-stop shop should be on your list of sites to visit when booking tickets for your Summer travel.Alexa Rank: 351
2. Trip Advisor - www.tripadvisor.comNipping at the heels of Expedia we have Trip Advisor with an Alexa Rank of 376. Historically Trip Advisor has been a site focused on travel reviews. But with the addition of flight and hotel booking, and more, Trip Advisor has grown into a serious Expedia competitor.Alexa Rank: 376
3. Travelocity - www.travelocity.comYou may know travelocity from its garden gnome mascot, seen on many television commercials. Currently at number 3 on the list of top online travel sites with a rank of 682, Travelocity is not faring as well in the downturn with traffic to the site showing a slight downturn.Alexa Rank: 682
4. Orbitz - www.orbitz.comAnother site that has done quite a bit on online advertising is Orbitz, whose commercials might be confused with Orbit gum, both of which use 50's stylizations and a blue color scheme. Orbitz at Alexa Rank of 693 is still one of the most popular online travel sites, but has seen some decline over the past two years. Like Expedia and Travelocity, Orbitz is a full-featured online travel aggregator.Alexa Rank: 693
5. Priceline - www.priceline.comYet another site with funny television commercials is Priceline, whose commercials feature William Shatner egging people on to make low bids. Priceline is quite unlike the other travel aggregators and allows people to make offers/bids on travel packages which may or may not be accepted by the provider. As you can see from the graph, Priceline has been experiencing some significant growth over the past year, which is an impressive feat in this economy.Alexa Rank: 782
6. Kayak - www.kayak.comKayak, while lesser known than many of the sites higher up in this list, has a loyal user base that continues to come back for the Kayak's innovative features such as price histories and advanced searching tools. While Kayak hasn't experienced much growth over the last 12 months, its two year growth has been impressive. This site is a must for folks who are comfortable with their advanced interface.Alexa Rank: 915
7. Travelzoo - www.travelzoo.comYou may have noted that the other sites in this list show a fair amount of seasonal variation. Travelzoo, strangely, does not. Travelzoo has been around for ages and their site looks very much like it did in 1998. Despite their old-school design, it remains a popular destination.Alexa Rank: 1,312
8. HotWire - www.hotwire.comAt number eight on our list we have HotWire with an Alexa rank of 1,519. Hotwire, which started with an odd business model, where you would book flights with vague flight times on unnamed airlines, is now very similar to the Expedia and Orbitz sites. While not as popular as the biggest players, Hotwire has been experiencing some growth over the last two years.Alexa Rank: 1,519
9. CheapTickets - www.cheaptickets.comThe economic downturn has not been kind to cheaptickets, whose traffic is off by almost 50% over the last two years. But don't let that stop you from visiting the site, which has all the features that you would expect from a travel aggregator.Alexa Rank: 2,014
10. CheapoAir - www.cheapoair.comCheapOAir is a relative newcomer whose traffic has grown significantly over the last two years and is now running neck and neck with Cheap Tickets. No special features here to recommend cheapoair, but it does have all the features that you would expect, plus it has the word "cheap" in the name, which is bound to garner a few extra clicks.Alexa Rank: 2,580
For more online travel sites give Alexa's Site Finder a try (Travel), or take a look at the Top Travel Sites in the Directory.
There are a lot of great travel sites out there and if I neglected to include yours, let me know in the comments. The list below is comprised of flight aggregators, where you can find flights from multiple airlines. Single airline sites like JetBlue or SouthWest are not included, nor are sites that are focused on hotels or reviews.
1. Expedia - www.expedia.comThe big grand-daddy of online travel aggregators is Expedia. With an Alexa Rank of 351 and climbing, Expedia is cruising through the downturn with ease. With services for flights, hotels and car rentals this one-stop shop should be on your list of sites to visit when booking tickets for your Summer travel.Alexa Rank: 351
2. Trip Advisor - www.tripadvisor.comNipping at the heels of Expedia we have Trip Advisor with an Alexa Rank of 376. Historically Trip Advisor has been a site focused on travel reviews. But with the addition of flight and hotel booking, and more, Trip Advisor has grown into a serious Expedia competitor.Alexa Rank: 376
3. Travelocity - www.travelocity.comYou may know travelocity from its garden gnome mascot, seen on many television commercials. Currently at number 3 on the list of top online travel sites with a rank of 682, Travelocity is not faring as well in the downturn with traffic to the site showing a slight downturn.Alexa Rank: 682
4. Orbitz - www.orbitz.comAnother site that has done quite a bit on online advertising is Orbitz, whose commercials might be confused with Orbit gum, both of which use 50's stylizations and a blue color scheme. Orbitz at Alexa Rank of 693 is still one of the most popular online travel sites, but has seen some decline over the past two years. Like Expedia and Travelocity, Orbitz is a full-featured online travel aggregator.Alexa Rank: 693
5. Priceline - www.priceline.comYet another site with funny television commercials is Priceline, whose commercials feature William Shatner egging people on to make low bids. Priceline is quite unlike the other travel aggregators and allows people to make offers/bids on travel packages which may or may not be accepted by the provider. As you can see from the graph, Priceline has been experiencing some significant growth over the past year, which is an impressive feat in this economy.Alexa Rank: 782
6. Kayak - www.kayak.comKayak, while lesser known than many of the sites higher up in this list, has a loyal user base that continues to come back for the Kayak's innovative features such as price histories and advanced searching tools. While Kayak hasn't experienced much growth over the last 12 months, its two year growth has been impressive. This site is a must for folks who are comfortable with their advanced interface.Alexa Rank: 915
7. Travelzoo - www.travelzoo.comYou may have noted that the other sites in this list show a fair amount of seasonal variation. Travelzoo, strangely, does not. Travelzoo has been around for ages and their site looks very much like it did in 1998. Despite their old-school design, it remains a popular destination.Alexa Rank: 1,312
8. HotWire - www.hotwire.comAt number eight on our list we have HotWire with an Alexa rank of 1,519. Hotwire, which started with an odd business model, where you would book flights with vague flight times on unnamed airlines, is now very similar to the Expedia and Orbitz sites. While not as popular as the biggest players, Hotwire has been experiencing some growth over the last two years.Alexa Rank: 1,519
9. CheapTickets - www.cheaptickets.comThe economic downturn has not been kind to cheaptickets, whose traffic is off by almost 50% over the last two years. But don't let that stop you from visiting the site, which has all the features that you would expect from a travel aggregator.Alexa Rank: 2,014
10. CheapoAir - www.cheapoair.comCheapOAir is a relative newcomer whose traffic has grown significantly over the last two years and is now running neck and neck with Cheap Tickets. No special features here to recommend cheapoair, but it does have all the features that you would expect, plus it has the word "cheap" in the name, which is bound to garner a few extra clicks.Alexa Rank: 2,580
For more online travel sites give Alexa's Site Finder a try (Travel), or take a look at the Top Travel Sites in the Directory.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
30 Best Travel Sites
Find the best deals for plane tickets, hotel rooms, vacation packages and car rentals, domestic or abroad, without leaving your desk.
By Stacy Rapacon, Reporter, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
December 2008
The bear market is putting the squeeze on the travel industry and travelers are reaping the benefits. As customers cut down their vacation budgets, airlines, hotels, and cruise lines are extending incredible deals to try and entice them back into traveling.
To help you find the best bargains, we personally surfed the torrent of travel sites flooding the Web and chose our favorites.You can satisfy your wanderlust without overspending -- and these top travel Web sites will help you find the best values in travel bargains. We've personally used each of these sites and found them superior to others.-->
For airfare, lodging and car rentals, we identify which links are best for three different types of traveler. So whether you're pressed for time, looking for the best deal or traveling internationally, you'll find a site to fit your needs. We also identify the best sources to find bargains on cruises and vacation packages.
Airfares
Lodging
Car rentals
Vacation packages
More resources
AIRFARES
Time-Pressed TravelerKayak.com fetches the best fares on the web from more than 140 sources. Click on the best deal, and Kayak.com will send you to the site where you can buy the ticket. Boost your chances of finding a deal by searching for dates up to three days before and after your ideal travel dates. Or you can use the Buzz tool to search for trips that leave within a calendar month, in the six upcoming weekends, or just anytime. And if you don’t have a specific destination in mind, Buzz lets you search by region, such as the Caribbean or Europe.
Tip: Book directly with the airline's Web site to avoid additional booking fees for buying tickets in-person, by phone, or through an online travel agent.
Best-Deal TravelerFarecast.com predicts whether fares on major domestic routes will go up or down. Enter your itinerary and the site will return a list of airfares with a recommendation to either buy a ticket now or wait for a better fare. Depending on how flexible your travel plans are, you can score the best deals using the site’s Flexible Map/Graph, which searches departures up to six months after your selected date.
Tip: Try departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday and returning on a Saturday. These less-traveled days often score the best deals.
From time to time, airlines will offer unbelievably low fares, often referred to as "fire sales," on selected flights and itineraries. In our experience, Airfare Watchdog posts these travel bargains faster than other Web sites and includes fares from Southwest, JetBlue and other small airlines that might not show up on bigger sites like Kayak or Farecast.
International TravelerEven for international flights, Kayak usually finds the best fares. But if you head overseas often, we recommend signing up with cFares. Platinum membership is $50 a year, but can be recouped in savings after a couple flights, especially on trips to Europe or Asia. Just like Kayak and Farecast, cFares aggregates travel fares sold through other providers; however, some travel deals require you to return to cFares.com after purchasing your ticket to apply for a rebate.
LODGING
Time-Pressed TravelerTripAdvisor is the most comprehensive and easy-to-use hotel review site, offering 20 million professional and amateur reviews of hotels in the U.S. and overseas. Photos and maps are provided for most property listings, adding to the usefulness of this site. TripAdvisor doesn't sell rooms but lets you compare and book rates sold by Web travel agencies, such as Expedia, Travelocity and Hotels.com.
Tip: When booking a hotel, try picking up the phone. Talking to an actual person (ask for the manager) may find you better deals, especially with the larger chains. Be sure to call the local number instead of the chain's toll-free listing. Note that calling is not advised for booking plane tickets -- airlines charge extra fees, up to $25, for processing phone orders.
Best-Deal TravelerPriceline.com offers the best bargains for luxury hotel lodging. Users specify a star class, the duration of stay and a neighborhood in a metro area, then submit a bid. (The site also sells airline tickets and rental cars this way.)
Bids less than $100 a night on luxury lodgings are often successful. There are three catches, though: Priceline doesn't disclose the name of the hotel you're booking until you buy; it doesn't refund your money if you cancel and it may place you in a hotel outside your selected neighborhood.
One more hitch: We don't recommend booking a hotel in an overseas city without knowing its precise location beforehand, so look to other sites to book a room abroad.
Priceline and TripAdvisor are most useful for booking big chain hotels. To find smaller inns and B&B's, try Bedandbreakfast.com. It lists extensive details on even the tiniest inns, plus "hot deals" in your desired location. And you can search for specific amenities, including pet- and family-friendly features.
Consider an alternative to hotels: Condo-apartment rentals. Vacation rentals generally offer more room and amenities for the same price as hotel rooms. Plus, their kitchens can spare you from having to dine out for every meal. The best selection of rental lodgings we've found is at HomeAway.com.
International TravelerVacation rentals are especially more desirable options when going abroad. Through Villas International, you can find cottages and apartments starting at as little as $25 per person per night throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and a few other places.
If you're even more adventurous, you might consider a home exchange. HomeExchange.com is the most well-known site for this type of transaction. As the name implies, you swap homes with someone else, usually for a one- to three-week vacation. Annual membership runs about $100 for unlimited transactions in the U.S. or abroad.
LateRooms.com emphasizes last-minute bargains at international hotels. The site lists retail room rates in the currency of your choice alongside discount rates charged per night. We recommend calling to book a hotel, whenever possible. LateRooms.com makes that easy by providing the number to call and a reference code for the rate it found you. The site also provides international city guides including recommendations for restaurants and activities for kids.
Another tip: When you pay your hotel room bill on checkout, beware if the clerk offers to convert your bill into U.S. dollars. Decline this offer because hotels usually charge higher exchange rates than banks charge through ATMs or credit cards. What's worse, if you're credit card issuer charges a currency conversion fee for international purchases (typically 1% of the bill), that fee may still apply -- even if the hotel provided a currency conversion. In essence, you'll be double charged.
CAR RENTALS
Time-Pressed TravelerOrbitz aggregates rental-car rates from seven of the most affordable car rental companies in the country, including Alamo and Budget. And Orbitz does not charge an extra booking fee for car rentals, though it does for plane tickets.
But beware, extra fees run rampant among rental-car retailers. Tip: if possible, avoiding renting at the airport where you can get slammed with hefty fees.
Best-Deal TravelerHotwire consistently offers lower rates because it doesn’t disclose which rental company you're working with until after you've paid. This approach might be risky for airline flights or hotels (for which Hotwire also applies this same blind-booking format), but with cars, you get the same sedan regardless of which company provides it.
International TravelerAuto Europe is a rental-car rate wholesaler that specializes in pre-paid international rentals. It returned better rates than other online booking sites (for comparable vehicles) when we recently searched for cars in England, Greece, Ireland and Spain. Plus, this company staffs its customer-service hotlines (toll-free internationally) 24-hours a day.
Be wary that the rental-car chains may, independently from Auto Europe, attempt to tack on hidden charges following your prepayment to Auto Europe. Carefully review your credit-card bill after an overseas trip. If unnecessary charges appear, Auto Europe will assist with disputing them. (You can also face this problem when you book directly with the rental-car company, particularly if the company is not headquartered in the United States.)
If it's worth paying a few extra dollars for a hassle-free trip, we recommend booking overseas car rentals with an American name-brand car company such as Avis or Hertz (through Auto Europe or direct). According to anecdotal staff experiences and reports from other media, foreign-owned car rental companies often bungle reservations for American travelers, either by not having the requested cars available or by adding undisclosed charges to the final tab.
Tip: When traveling overseas, consider renting a car with a GPS device that provides turn-by-turn driving directions using voice prompts. Hertz, for example, charges about $18 and has wide network coverage in Europe.
VACATION PACKAGES
CRUISESWith useful reviews and advice columns, CruiseMates.com explains the art of booking a cruise -- including how to select cabin type, theme and boarding port. (If you’re cruising for the first time, consider booking through a traditional travel agent who can walk you through the whole process.)
At CruiseCompete than 300 travel agents vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you're booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You provide an email address and they’ll send their best offers for you to compare. The site even staffs live agents to guide you through the process.
Quick TravelLastminute.com offers the best prices for booking an entire vacation as late as three hours before departure on domestic trips. Save time at the last minute by simultaneously booking airfare, hotel reservations, car rentals, activities and even airport parking.
Luxury Link offers discounted packages for high-end travel, including hotel nights, spa days, gourmet meals and sports activities, but usually not airfare. The site offers some "buy now" deals, but is really hailed for its auction packages (generally priced for two people). Some bidders boast savings of up to 65%. Flexible travel dates are required; vacation packages are subject to availability and black out dates apply. Luxury Link requires payment within 24 hours of an auction’s close and does not offer refunds.
Theme VacationsNational parks. For a value vacation, consider exploring a national park. You'll discover tips on how to stretch your dollars on your next stay by visiting the US Parks site.
Adventure travel. If you're looking for more thrills in your vacation, start by exploring iExplore.com. The site offers hiking and biking trips, as well as multi-sport tours. It also boasts expert advice on "experiential travel," such as a wildlife safari or culinary tour.
Green travel. Go back to BedandBreakfast.com to peruse specials for green getaways. And for a more in-depth search for eco-friendly accommodations, bookmark EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com. The site lists more than 3,600 hotels worldwide, specifying green amenities such as recycling bins or energy-efficient bulbs. Each venue receives a green score of up to seven "evergreens."
RESOURCES & TRAVEL ADVICE
Airport parking. To save money at airport parking lots, visit the aptly named AirportDiscountParking.com, which will direct you to bargain lots and offers printable coupons for additional savings.
Currency conversion. Check rates at XE.com and try to exchange your dollars at a local bank. Along with an easy-to-read conversion rates grid on the homepage, this site offers a host of tools including a travel expenses calculator, credit card charges calculator and, obviously, a conversion calculator.
Eurail. Traveling to Europe? Note that trains are often the fastest and cheapest way to travel within and between European countries. Our favorite English-language Web site for checking timetables and booking tickets on European train lines is RailEurope.
Flight information. AvoidDelays.com, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) provides online updates for flight delays; you sign up for e-mail and phone alerts, too. If you haven't booked a flight yet, you can search for the best time of day to schedule a flight from a specific airport and find out which airports to avoid for connecting flights.
Frequent flier miles. WebFlyer is the most useful site for getting the best upgrade for the miles you've earned. See how your miles convert between programs, learn about changes to your frequent flier program and discover how to max out the value of your mileage awards when you redeem them for merchandise or services.
Also try the Global Points Exchange program at Points.com to trade points and miles between rewards programs.
Packing. Pack lightly to dodge baggage fees. OneBag.com offers packing tips, including updates on banned carry-on items.
Seating. At some airlines, better seats come at a price. SeatGuru.com indicates which seats cost a fee, as well as which have the most (or least) legroom and recline.
Travel insurance. Buying travel insurance from agencies and travel providers, such as cruise lines, is usually a crummy deal because of price markups and restrictions on how the policy claims can be filed. The best value policies we've found are those sold directly by the leading travel insurance company, Travel Guard.
Editor's note: The original version of this article was written by Sean O'Neil, however, Kiplinger's Best Travel Web Sites is updated every year.
By Stacy Rapacon, Reporter, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
December 2008
The bear market is putting the squeeze on the travel industry and travelers are reaping the benefits. As customers cut down their vacation budgets, airlines, hotels, and cruise lines are extending incredible deals to try and entice them back into traveling.
To help you find the best bargains, we personally surfed the torrent of travel sites flooding the Web and chose our favorites.You can satisfy your wanderlust without overspending -- and these top travel Web sites will help you find the best values in travel bargains. We've personally used each of these sites and found them superior to others.-->
For airfare, lodging and car rentals, we identify which links are best for three different types of traveler. So whether you're pressed for time, looking for the best deal or traveling internationally, you'll find a site to fit your needs. We also identify the best sources to find bargains on cruises and vacation packages.
Airfares
Lodging
Car rentals
Vacation packages
More resources
AIRFARES
Time-Pressed TravelerKayak.com fetches the best fares on the web from more than 140 sources. Click on the best deal, and Kayak.com will send you to the site where you can buy the ticket. Boost your chances of finding a deal by searching for dates up to three days before and after your ideal travel dates. Or you can use the Buzz tool to search for trips that leave within a calendar month, in the six upcoming weekends, or just anytime. And if you don’t have a specific destination in mind, Buzz lets you search by region, such as the Caribbean or Europe.
Tip: Book directly with the airline's Web site to avoid additional booking fees for buying tickets in-person, by phone, or through an online travel agent.
Best-Deal TravelerFarecast.com predicts whether fares on major domestic routes will go up or down. Enter your itinerary and the site will return a list of airfares with a recommendation to either buy a ticket now or wait for a better fare. Depending on how flexible your travel plans are, you can score the best deals using the site’s Flexible Map/Graph, which searches departures up to six months after your selected date.
Tip: Try departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday and returning on a Saturday. These less-traveled days often score the best deals.
From time to time, airlines will offer unbelievably low fares, often referred to as "fire sales," on selected flights and itineraries. In our experience, Airfare Watchdog posts these travel bargains faster than other Web sites and includes fares from Southwest, JetBlue and other small airlines that might not show up on bigger sites like Kayak or Farecast.
International TravelerEven for international flights, Kayak usually finds the best fares. But if you head overseas often, we recommend signing up with cFares. Platinum membership is $50 a year, but can be recouped in savings after a couple flights, especially on trips to Europe or Asia. Just like Kayak and Farecast, cFares aggregates travel fares sold through other providers; however, some travel deals require you to return to cFares.com after purchasing your ticket to apply for a rebate.
LODGING
Time-Pressed TravelerTripAdvisor is the most comprehensive and easy-to-use hotel review site, offering 20 million professional and amateur reviews of hotels in the U.S. and overseas. Photos and maps are provided for most property listings, adding to the usefulness of this site. TripAdvisor doesn't sell rooms but lets you compare and book rates sold by Web travel agencies, such as Expedia, Travelocity and Hotels.com.
Tip: When booking a hotel, try picking up the phone. Talking to an actual person (ask for the manager) may find you better deals, especially with the larger chains. Be sure to call the local number instead of the chain's toll-free listing. Note that calling is not advised for booking plane tickets -- airlines charge extra fees, up to $25, for processing phone orders.
Best-Deal TravelerPriceline.com offers the best bargains for luxury hotel lodging. Users specify a star class, the duration of stay and a neighborhood in a metro area, then submit a bid. (The site also sells airline tickets and rental cars this way.)
Bids less than $100 a night on luxury lodgings are often successful. There are three catches, though: Priceline doesn't disclose the name of the hotel you're booking until you buy; it doesn't refund your money if you cancel and it may place you in a hotel outside your selected neighborhood.
One more hitch: We don't recommend booking a hotel in an overseas city without knowing its precise location beforehand, so look to other sites to book a room abroad.
Priceline and TripAdvisor are most useful for booking big chain hotels. To find smaller inns and B&B's, try Bedandbreakfast.com. It lists extensive details on even the tiniest inns, plus "hot deals" in your desired location. And you can search for specific amenities, including pet- and family-friendly features.
Consider an alternative to hotels: Condo-apartment rentals. Vacation rentals generally offer more room and amenities for the same price as hotel rooms. Plus, their kitchens can spare you from having to dine out for every meal. The best selection of rental lodgings we've found is at HomeAway.com.
International TravelerVacation rentals are especially more desirable options when going abroad. Through Villas International, you can find cottages and apartments starting at as little as $25 per person per night throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and a few other places.
If you're even more adventurous, you might consider a home exchange. HomeExchange.com is the most well-known site for this type of transaction. As the name implies, you swap homes with someone else, usually for a one- to three-week vacation. Annual membership runs about $100 for unlimited transactions in the U.S. or abroad.
LateRooms.com emphasizes last-minute bargains at international hotels. The site lists retail room rates in the currency of your choice alongside discount rates charged per night. We recommend calling to book a hotel, whenever possible. LateRooms.com makes that easy by providing the number to call and a reference code for the rate it found you. The site also provides international city guides including recommendations for restaurants and activities for kids.
Another tip: When you pay your hotel room bill on checkout, beware if the clerk offers to convert your bill into U.S. dollars. Decline this offer because hotels usually charge higher exchange rates than banks charge through ATMs or credit cards. What's worse, if you're credit card issuer charges a currency conversion fee for international purchases (typically 1% of the bill), that fee may still apply -- even if the hotel provided a currency conversion. In essence, you'll be double charged.
CAR RENTALS
Time-Pressed TravelerOrbitz aggregates rental-car rates from seven of the most affordable car rental companies in the country, including Alamo and Budget. And Orbitz does not charge an extra booking fee for car rentals, though it does for plane tickets.
But beware, extra fees run rampant among rental-car retailers. Tip: if possible, avoiding renting at the airport where you can get slammed with hefty fees.
Best-Deal TravelerHotwire consistently offers lower rates because it doesn’t disclose which rental company you're working with until after you've paid. This approach might be risky for airline flights or hotels (for which Hotwire also applies this same blind-booking format), but with cars, you get the same sedan regardless of which company provides it.
International TravelerAuto Europe is a rental-car rate wholesaler that specializes in pre-paid international rentals. It returned better rates than other online booking sites (for comparable vehicles) when we recently searched for cars in England, Greece, Ireland and Spain. Plus, this company staffs its customer-service hotlines (toll-free internationally) 24-hours a day.
Be wary that the rental-car chains may, independently from Auto Europe, attempt to tack on hidden charges following your prepayment to Auto Europe. Carefully review your credit-card bill after an overseas trip. If unnecessary charges appear, Auto Europe will assist with disputing them. (You can also face this problem when you book directly with the rental-car company, particularly if the company is not headquartered in the United States.)
If it's worth paying a few extra dollars for a hassle-free trip, we recommend booking overseas car rentals with an American name-brand car company such as Avis or Hertz (through Auto Europe or direct). According to anecdotal staff experiences and reports from other media, foreign-owned car rental companies often bungle reservations for American travelers, either by not having the requested cars available or by adding undisclosed charges to the final tab.
Tip: When traveling overseas, consider renting a car with a GPS device that provides turn-by-turn driving directions using voice prompts. Hertz, for example, charges about $18 and has wide network coverage in Europe.
VACATION PACKAGES
CRUISESWith useful reviews and advice columns, CruiseMates.com explains the art of booking a cruise -- including how to select cabin type, theme and boarding port. (If you’re cruising for the first time, consider booking through a traditional travel agent who can walk you through the whole process.)
At CruiseCompete than 300 travel agents vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you're booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You provide an email address and they’ll send their best offers for you to compare. The site even staffs live agents to guide you through the process.
Quick TravelLastminute.com offers the best prices for booking an entire vacation as late as three hours before departure on domestic trips. Save time at the last minute by simultaneously booking airfare, hotel reservations, car rentals, activities and even airport parking.
Luxury Link offers discounted packages for high-end travel, including hotel nights, spa days, gourmet meals and sports activities, but usually not airfare. The site offers some "buy now" deals, but is really hailed for its auction packages (generally priced for two people). Some bidders boast savings of up to 65%. Flexible travel dates are required; vacation packages are subject to availability and black out dates apply. Luxury Link requires payment within 24 hours of an auction’s close and does not offer refunds.
Theme VacationsNational parks. For a value vacation, consider exploring a national park. You'll discover tips on how to stretch your dollars on your next stay by visiting the US Parks site.
Adventure travel. If you're looking for more thrills in your vacation, start by exploring iExplore.com. The site offers hiking and biking trips, as well as multi-sport tours. It also boasts expert advice on "experiential travel," such as a wildlife safari or culinary tour.
Green travel. Go back to BedandBreakfast.com to peruse specials for green getaways. And for a more in-depth search for eco-friendly accommodations, bookmark EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com. The site lists more than 3,600 hotels worldwide, specifying green amenities such as recycling bins or energy-efficient bulbs. Each venue receives a green score of up to seven "evergreens."
RESOURCES & TRAVEL ADVICE
Airport parking. To save money at airport parking lots, visit the aptly named AirportDiscountParking.com, which will direct you to bargain lots and offers printable coupons for additional savings.
Currency conversion. Check rates at XE.com and try to exchange your dollars at a local bank. Along with an easy-to-read conversion rates grid on the homepage, this site offers a host of tools including a travel expenses calculator, credit card charges calculator and, obviously, a conversion calculator.
Eurail. Traveling to Europe? Note that trains are often the fastest and cheapest way to travel within and between European countries. Our favorite English-language Web site for checking timetables and booking tickets on European train lines is RailEurope.
Flight information. AvoidDelays.com, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) provides online updates for flight delays; you sign up for e-mail and phone alerts, too. If you haven't booked a flight yet, you can search for the best time of day to schedule a flight from a specific airport and find out which airports to avoid for connecting flights.
Frequent flier miles. WebFlyer is the most useful site for getting the best upgrade for the miles you've earned. See how your miles convert between programs, learn about changes to your frequent flier program and discover how to max out the value of your mileage awards when you redeem them for merchandise or services.
Also try the Global Points Exchange program at Points.com to trade points and miles between rewards programs.
Packing. Pack lightly to dodge baggage fees. OneBag.com offers packing tips, including updates on banned carry-on items.
Seating. At some airlines, better seats come at a price. SeatGuru.com indicates which seats cost a fee, as well as which have the most (or least) legroom and recline.
Travel insurance. Buying travel insurance from agencies and travel providers, such as cruise lines, is usually a crummy deal because of price markups and restrictions on how the policy claims can be filed. The best value policies we've found are those sold directly by the leading travel insurance company, Travel Guard.
Editor's note: The original version of this article was written by Sean O'Neil, however, Kiplinger's Best Travel Web Sites is updated every year.
Canadian Adventures
10 things to do in Canada that are high on fun and low on price:
All Canadians in favor of a vacation, say aye (eh! works too). Hands up if you have kids, not much money and have no idea where to go this summer. Okay, so that's just about everyone?
Canadian Travel AdventuresNo worries. GoGirlfriend has scoured the countryside and come up with 10 suggestions to get you out of the house and "somewhere else" for your much earned (and too short) vacation time. Each suggestion meets very specific criteria:
They're surrounded by nature-made wonders.
They're family-friendly.
They're within our budget - free (or nearly free).
Bay of Fundy: Where else can you see 100 billion tons of water heave into shore and 12 hours later exit with as much ferocity, leaving the ocean floor uncovered and ready to be explored? Be prepared for lots and lots of stairs - it's a long way down to the shore. Visit the Bay of Fundy for more info.
Prince Edward Island National ParkPrince Edward Island: Yup, we love the whole province. From Anne of Green Gables iconic mischievousness to Charlottetown's simple charm to rich, red roads that take you back to a simpler time. Park yourself at Prince Edward Island National Park and have fun exploring Canada's tiniest - and prettiest - province.
The Cabot Trail: The most scenic stretch is the 27-miles tract between Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, but you'll find whale watching, great lobster and camping on the bluffs throughout the entire 184 stretch. Bike or drive and enjoy centuries-old French Acadian and Scottish fishing villages, wooded valleys and bluff-top sea views. Visit Nova Scotia Tourism for more info.
Quebec City: Cobblestone streets lined with tiny boutiques and outdoor patios make Quebec City our Quebec Cityfavorite summer escape. If you're up for a little luxury on your trip, book yourself into the Chateau Frontenac and take the ghost tour - the almost-200-year-old hotel has more than her fair share of restless spirits floating around.
Algonquin Provincial Park: Loons floating across a misty lake, wolves howling at sunset and some of Canada's finest campsites - paradise in the wilderness. Think we're biased? It attracts visitors from as far away as Australia. Visit Algonquin Provincial Park to find out how you can be part of the wolf howl.
Niagara FallsNiagara Falls: You can't call yourself Canadian if you've never seen the falls. Sure, the shopping, hotels and casinos surrounding them (both in the US and Canada) are kitschy, but the falls will always be spellbinding. If you're up for a little adventure, book yourself a trip on the Maid of the Mist and see what most people miss - the underside of the falls.
Lake Louise: Banff is undeniably beautiful, but Lake Louise is the exclamation point you really come for. It sits at the base of the continental divide, in a basin left by moving glaciers. Fun in the summer, but storybook perfect in the winter. Visit Banff National Park to find out what you can do there - anytime of year.
Yoho National Park: The park takes its name from a Cathedral Mountain LodgeCree expression of awe and wonder. You'll find nature any way you like it here, but you'll also find a glorious lodge tucked in the center of it all: Cathedral Mountain Lodge. The name kind of says it all.
Stanley Park: Vancouver's true glory, Stanley Park is the third largest urban park in North America. Walk it, hike, ride it - just get out there and see it. We love that you can take it in small doses - exploring during the day and great dining and entertainment in Vancouver by night. Sweet.
Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden: Canada may be a salad bowl of multiculturalism but nowhere will you see it more celebrated than in Vancouver. Sun Yat-Sen is a re-creation of a 14th century Ming garden filled with horticultural and man-made treasures. Tours are free and a great way to give your kids some perspective. Visit Sun Yat-Sen for more info.
This land is your land. Get out there and have some fun!
All Canadians in favor of a vacation, say aye (eh! works too). Hands up if you have kids, not much money and have no idea where to go this summer. Okay, so that's just about everyone?
Canadian Travel AdventuresNo worries. GoGirlfriend has scoured the countryside and come up with 10 suggestions to get you out of the house and "somewhere else" for your much earned (and too short) vacation time. Each suggestion meets very specific criteria:
They're surrounded by nature-made wonders.
They're family-friendly.
They're within our budget - free (or nearly free).
Bay of Fundy: Where else can you see 100 billion tons of water heave into shore and 12 hours later exit with as much ferocity, leaving the ocean floor uncovered and ready to be explored? Be prepared for lots and lots of stairs - it's a long way down to the shore. Visit the Bay of Fundy for more info.
Prince Edward Island National ParkPrince Edward Island: Yup, we love the whole province. From Anne of Green Gables iconic mischievousness to Charlottetown's simple charm to rich, red roads that take you back to a simpler time. Park yourself at Prince Edward Island National Park and have fun exploring Canada's tiniest - and prettiest - province.
The Cabot Trail: The most scenic stretch is the 27-miles tract between Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, but you'll find whale watching, great lobster and camping on the bluffs throughout the entire 184 stretch. Bike or drive and enjoy centuries-old French Acadian and Scottish fishing villages, wooded valleys and bluff-top sea views. Visit Nova Scotia Tourism for more info.
Quebec City: Cobblestone streets lined with tiny boutiques and outdoor patios make Quebec City our Quebec Cityfavorite summer escape. If you're up for a little luxury on your trip, book yourself into the Chateau Frontenac and take the ghost tour - the almost-200-year-old hotel has more than her fair share of restless spirits floating around.
Algonquin Provincial Park: Loons floating across a misty lake, wolves howling at sunset and some of Canada's finest campsites - paradise in the wilderness. Think we're biased? It attracts visitors from as far away as Australia. Visit Algonquin Provincial Park to find out how you can be part of the wolf howl.
Niagara FallsNiagara Falls: You can't call yourself Canadian if you've never seen the falls. Sure, the shopping, hotels and casinos surrounding them (both in the US and Canada) are kitschy, but the falls will always be spellbinding. If you're up for a little adventure, book yourself a trip on the Maid of the Mist and see what most people miss - the underside of the falls.
Lake Louise: Banff is undeniably beautiful, but Lake Louise is the exclamation point you really come for. It sits at the base of the continental divide, in a basin left by moving glaciers. Fun in the summer, but storybook perfect in the winter. Visit Banff National Park to find out what you can do there - anytime of year.
Yoho National Park: The park takes its name from a Cathedral Mountain LodgeCree expression of awe and wonder. You'll find nature any way you like it here, but you'll also find a glorious lodge tucked in the center of it all: Cathedral Mountain Lodge. The name kind of says it all.
Stanley Park: Vancouver's true glory, Stanley Park is the third largest urban park in North America. Walk it, hike, ride it - just get out there and see it. We love that you can take it in small doses - exploring during the day and great dining and entertainment in Vancouver by night. Sweet.
Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden: Canada may be a salad bowl of multiculturalism but nowhere will you see it more celebrated than in Vancouver. Sun Yat-Sen is a re-creation of a 14th century Ming garden filled with horticultural and man-made treasures. Tours are free and a great way to give your kids some perspective. Visit Sun Yat-Sen for more info.
This land is your land. Get out there and have some fun!
Peak or Off-Season Travel - When to Go?????
Having trouble deciding what time of the year to take that much deserved vacation? Consider taking your dream vacation during off-season. While most destinations have a drastic drop in price during this time, they'll also offer better service and quality. Fewer guests mean you'll get the royal treatment.
Tourist attractions base their prices on demand during that season, so because there's less demand during off-season you can definitely find yourself a bargain. Off-Season TravelAnd looking at the bigger picture, not only does this mean it's easier on your pocket book, but you also don't have to wait in never-ending lineups, fight for the good spots on the beach or battle the spring break crowds. Sweet!
Peak season
Peak seasons can bring a lot more than just an abundance of tourists. With high season follows high prices, high temperatures, high occupancy rates and high tempers. But what they might not offer is high quality and great service. For example, Yosemite is best known for its beautiful waterfalls, deep valleys and vast wilderness, but visit during the peak season and the natural wonders of the park are obscured by the endless crowds. Looking to visit Michelangelo's David? Prepare yourself to wait in a two hour line in the scorching European heat. But save the vacation until September and you could be standing on mountain peaks or face to face with David in blissful peace. Which is the reason you came, right?
The other side of the coin - when not to visit
Depending on where you want your dream vacation, off-season may mean that tourism is completely dead. Without the surge of money brought in by tourists some oceanfront towns may decide to close their doors during off-season. Whether it is due to extreme temperatures or the upcoming hurricane season, some trips during specific seasons should simply be avoided. It's worth checking a good guidebook about your destination to find out the "When Not to Go" times.
Peak season highlights
Although a little more expensive and you may have to battle through the crowds, peak season offers an amazing beauty that you may be hard pressed to find at other times. Holland's tulip fields bring colour to life in spring, and the month of July celebrates Spain's Pamplona Running of the Bulls. If you're looking to escape to milder temperatures, Austria and New Zealand offer lower accommodation fees at with reasonable airfare costs. The Greek Islands are a must-see in October, or take pleasure in a Tuscan wine tour come fall.
While peak season means nonstop crowds and spectacular beauty, you'll also pay more and have to put up with crowds. Off-season provides some budget relief and the delight of not having to wait in lines or heard your way through crowds, but you may have less choices. No matter where you're looking to travel, both peak and off season have plenty to offer
Tourist attractions base their prices on demand during that season, so because there's less demand during off-season you can definitely find yourself a bargain. Off-Season TravelAnd looking at the bigger picture, not only does this mean it's easier on your pocket book, but you also don't have to wait in never-ending lineups, fight for the good spots on the beach or battle the spring break crowds. Sweet!
Peak season
Peak seasons can bring a lot more than just an abundance of tourists. With high season follows high prices, high temperatures, high occupancy rates and high tempers. But what they might not offer is high quality and great service. For example, Yosemite is best known for its beautiful waterfalls, deep valleys and vast wilderness, but visit during the peak season and the natural wonders of the park are obscured by the endless crowds. Looking to visit Michelangelo's David? Prepare yourself to wait in a two hour line in the scorching European heat. But save the vacation until September and you could be standing on mountain peaks or face to face with David in blissful peace. Which is the reason you came, right?
The other side of the coin - when not to visit
Depending on where you want your dream vacation, off-season may mean that tourism is completely dead. Without the surge of money brought in by tourists some oceanfront towns may decide to close their doors during off-season. Whether it is due to extreme temperatures or the upcoming hurricane season, some trips during specific seasons should simply be avoided. It's worth checking a good guidebook about your destination to find out the "When Not to Go" times.
Peak season highlights
Although a little more expensive and you may have to battle through the crowds, peak season offers an amazing beauty that you may be hard pressed to find at other times. Holland's tulip fields bring colour to life in spring, and the month of July celebrates Spain's Pamplona Running of the Bulls. If you're looking to escape to milder temperatures, Austria and New Zealand offer lower accommodation fees at with reasonable airfare costs. The Greek Islands are a must-see in October, or take pleasure in a Tuscan wine tour come fall.
While peak season means nonstop crowds and spectacular beauty, you'll also pay more and have to put up with crowds. Off-season provides some budget relief and the delight of not having to wait in lines or heard your way through crowds, but you may have less choices. No matter where you're looking to travel, both peak and off season have plenty to offer
Passport Cards for U.S. Travelers Driving to Canada, Mexico
Passport cards are now valid for land and sea travel
Confused about passport regulations? Do you need one to cruise? What about driving to Canada? A "Passport Card" may be what you need.
As boarder security continues to tighten, new passport cards are making it easier for U.S. travelers Got your Passport Card?to navigate through various U.S. borders. More than 450,000 Americans have already applied for the fast-track passport that grants them access to Canada and the Caribbean if traveling by land or sea.
You don't yet need a passport to drive to Canada, but by June 2009, you'll be asked for a passport at border crossings into Canada and at cruise ship terminals in the Caribbean. The new wallet-sized card contains a chip and random number that allows boarder officials to retrieve your data instantly - which will hopefully reduce bottlenecking.
"When you come to the border, hold your card up to your window, and on the border patrol screen, up will pop your name, your picture, the fact that you are a U.S. citizen, and the number of your card. They'll peek in to see if you're the same person, and speed you on your way," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services Brenda Sprague in a phone interview with The Associated Press.
The selling point on the card though is its price: $45 ($35 for children under 16) - half the cost of a full passport. If you already have a passport but like the convenience of the card, it's only $20 and can be ordered by mail. Even better, the card is good for a full 10 years. If you're a cruiser, regularly drive to Canada, but don't anticipate flying abroad, this may be the perfect option for you.
For info on how to get a passport card, visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/.More than 7,600 cards have been mailed to Americans who pre-ordered the cards. All existing orders are expected to be filled by Sept. 30. New applications will take about four weeks to process.
Confused about passport regulations? Do you need one to cruise? What about driving to Canada? A "Passport Card" may be what you need.
As boarder security continues to tighten, new passport cards are making it easier for U.S. travelers Got your Passport Card?to navigate through various U.S. borders. More than 450,000 Americans have already applied for the fast-track passport that grants them access to Canada and the Caribbean if traveling by land or sea.
You don't yet need a passport to drive to Canada, but by June 2009, you'll be asked for a passport at border crossings into Canada and at cruise ship terminals in the Caribbean. The new wallet-sized card contains a chip and random number that allows boarder officials to retrieve your data instantly - which will hopefully reduce bottlenecking.
"When you come to the border, hold your card up to your window, and on the border patrol screen, up will pop your name, your picture, the fact that you are a U.S. citizen, and the number of your card. They'll peek in to see if you're the same person, and speed you on your way," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services Brenda Sprague in a phone interview with The Associated Press.
The selling point on the card though is its price: $45 ($35 for children under 16) - half the cost of a full passport. If you already have a passport but like the convenience of the card, it's only $20 and can be ordered by mail. Even better, the card is good for a full 10 years. If you're a cruiser, regularly drive to Canada, but don't anticipate flying abroad, this may be the perfect option for you.
For info on how to get a passport card, visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/.More than 7,600 cards have been mailed to Americans who pre-ordered the cards. All existing orders are expected to be filled by Sept. 30. New applications will take about four weeks to process.
Top Romantic Places
Love is often difficult to express. And yet, it always has the power to bind two individuals in a perpetual bond. Fortunate are those who are able to find their soul mates and get a chance to experience one of the most powerful human emotions. But from time to time lovers also need to announce their love for each other, and it is at this point that top romantic places come into picture. The proposal to visit one of the most romantic places in the world on this Valentine’s Day can be one among the best Valentine’s Day ideas.Spending some time with your partner near the Eiffel tower in France or taking an oath together in the beautiful city of Venice can be better than all the Valentine’s Day gifts that you have received so far in your life.Therefore, top romantic places in the world can help you to give a boost to the relationship.So, imagine how fantastic a real visit to any of the romantic places would be. Given below are some of the top romantic places of the world that can help you in selecting the best romantic place where you can spend some valuable and romantic time together.
Colmar in France Colmar in France has been judged as one of the most romantic places in France where lovers can unhesitatingly exchange love vows. The major attractions of Colmar are the numerous vineyards as well as the Alsatian wine industry. Colmar has been renowned as the capital of Haut-Rhin department. The exquisite surroundings of Colmar make it an ideal place for romance.
Paris in FranceParis is appropriately known as the 'Heaven of Romance', as this is a place where you can announce your eternal love for your beloved in a beautiful way. The major attractions of Paris include places like Le Louvre, Eiffel tower, Euro Disney, Sacre Coeur, Montparnasse, Arc de Triumphe and Centre Pompidou.So, organize a trip to Paris with your beloved, and live the most exciting era of romance in the 'Heaven of romance'.
Venice in ItalyLooking for a memorable place to announce your love to the most cherished person in your life? Well, Venice in Italy is the perfect answer to your search. Venice is famous for its fantastic architecture, romantic surroundings and places like Ponte dei Sospiri, Ponte di Rialto, Piazza San Marco and Canale Grande.All these things together can create an ambience of romance exclusively for you and your beloved.
Schloss Neuschwanstein in GermanyA perfect combination of nature's beauty and human's creativity, the Schloss Neuschwanstein in Germany is not less than a heaven on earth. Surrounded by exquisite sceneries, the Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular castles located in Bavaria.
Vienna in AustriaVienna in Austria is another suitable place for the lovers. People in love with each other come to visit this beautiful place from every corner of the world. The major attractions of the city includes great architecture, fabulous art and music and fantastic places like Museum of Fine Arts, Schoenbrunn Palace, Sigmund Freud Museum, St Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace and The Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Monte Carlo in Princedom MonacoMonte Carlo is yet another romantic place where you can convey your love feelings for your loved one. Located at the base of Maritime Alps, it is counted amongst the most romantic places in the world where many love stories have taken shape. The major attractions of Monte Carlo include names like Monte Carlo Casino, Oceanographic Museum, Exotica Garden, The National Museum and Prince's Palace.
Prague in Czech RepublicAnother interesting option for the romantic place can be Prague in Czech Republic. Famous for delicious food, old and traditional castles, kindhearted people and amiable surroundings, this place has definitely made a place for itself among the top most romantic places. Popular for Kafka and Mozart, the city is also famous for providing the lovers with immense opportunities for romantic walking trails.
New York City in USANew York in USA is another alternative for lovers who are in search of a beautiful romantic place for spending some lovable moments with each other. Restaurants, shops and delightful surroundings are some of the major attractions of this city. Few other attractions of New York are Grand central terminal, Liberty Island, Central Park and Skyline.
Cairo in EgyptCairo in Egypt is also regarded to be a paradise on earth especially for the lovers. The elegance and charm, which surrounds this particular city, makes it a favorable spot among the lovers for conveying their love to each other. Pyramids in Giza are one of the many things, which make this city all the more special.
MauritiusKnown by the name of ‘Ultimate Romantic Destination’, Mauritius is no wonder so popular among the lovers. The swaying palms, exquisite surroundings, coral reefs and the blue ocean are some of the many things, which add to the beauty of the place.
Colmar in France Colmar in France has been judged as one of the most romantic places in France where lovers can unhesitatingly exchange love vows. The major attractions of Colmar are the numerous vineyards as well as the Alsatian wine industry. Colmar has been renowned as the capital of Haut-Rhin department. The exquisite surroundings of Colmar make it an ideal place for romance.
Paris in FranceParis is appropriately known as the 'Heaven of Romance', as this is a place where you can announce your eternal love for your beloved in a beautiful way. The major attractions of Paris include places like Le Louvre, Eiffel tower, Euro Disney, Sacre Coeur, Montparnasse, Arc de Triumphe and Centre Pompidou.So, organize a trip to Paris with your beloved, and live the most exciting era of romance in the 'Heaven of romance'.
Venice in ItalyLooking for a memorable place to announce your love to the most cherished person in your life? Well, Venice in Italy is the perfect answer to your search. Venice is famous for its fantastic architecture, romantic surroundings and places like Ponte dei Sospiri, Ponte di Rialto, Piazza San Marco and Canale Grande.All these things together can create an ambience of romance exclusively for you and your beloved.
Schloss Neuschwanstein in GermanyA perfect combination of nature's beauty and human's creativity, the Schloss Neuschwanstein in Germany is not less than a heaven on earth. Surrounded by exquisite sceneries, the Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular castles located in Bavaria.
Vienna in AustriaVienna in Austria is another suitable place for the lovers. People in love with each other come to visit this beautiful place from every corner of the world. The major attractions of the city includes great architecture, fabulous art and music and fantastic places like Museum of Fine Arts, Schoenbrunn Palace, Sigmund Freud Museum, St Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace and The Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Monte Carlo in Princedom MonacoMonte Carlo is yet another romantic place where you can convey your love feelings for your loved one. Located at the base of Maritime Alps, it is counted amongst the most romantic places in the world where many love stories have taken shape. The major attractions of Monte Carlo include names like Monte Carlo Casino, Oceanographic Museum, Exotica Garden, The National Museum and Prince's Palace.
Prague in Czech RepublicAnother interesting option for the romantic place can be Prague in Czech Republic. Famous for delicious food, old and traditional castles, kindhearted people and amiable surroundings, this place has definitely made a place for itself among the top most romantic places. Popular for Kafka and Mozart, the city is also famous for providing the lovers with immense opportunities for romantic walking trails.
New York City in USANew York in USA is another alternative for lovers who are in search of a beautiful romantic place for spending some lovable moments with each other. Restaurants, shops and delightful surroundings are some of the major attractions of this city. Few other attractions of New York are Grand central terminal, Liberty Island, Central Park and Skyline.
Cairo in EgyptCairo in Egypt is also regarded to be a paradise on earth especially for the lovers. The elegance and charm, which surrounds this particular city, makes it a favorable spot among the lovers for conveying their love to each other. Pyramids in Giza are one of the many things, which make this city all the more special.
MauritiusKnown by the name of ‘Ultimate Romantic Destination’, Mauritius is no wonder so popular among the lovers. The swaying palms, exquisite surroundings, coral reefs and the blue ocean are some of the many things, which add to the beauty of the place.
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Hi... i am nishanth and i would like to bring cool articles related to travel in this blog.
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