Tag Archives: destination

Five Alternative Things to do in New York for Couples

New York, travel tips, destination, travel

Are you thinking of a holiday with your partner in the US? New York City is the perfect travel destination. Flights are inexpensive, leaving you with more spending money in your pocket for accommodations, attractions and dining. New York City is a very cool and trendy place for young travelers  There is so much to see and do, so much excitement at all hours of the day and night. You will be a part of the culture, enjoying the shopping, the nightlife, the theater  and the dining experiences. Everyone has heard of the best tourist destinations in New York City such as Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Macy’s and Central Park. Go ahead and visit all of these wonderful and famous spots. But if you are looking for some alternative things to do, below are five spots that couples will enjoy while on holiday in New York City.

While in Central Park, why not stop for a concert? The Summer Stage has free performances with all different types of music like reggae, salsa, opera and rock. The Summer Stage is located at Rumsey Playfield. If you love classical music, visit the Naumberg Bandshell, a venue which hosts classical as well as popular music performances.

Visit the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden for an aesthetic attraction and capture beautiful photos to remember your visit. There are several gardens to stroll through, then why not stop for a picnic. Admission to the Park and Garden is free, except for the Chinese Scholar’s Garden. The Cultural Center is home to a Performing Arts Program, bringing you live theater  dance, film and music events throughout the year. Venues include the Music Hall, Veterans Memorial Hall and open air South Meadow Stage.

Couples can also enjoy a romantic dinner cruise while on holiday in New York City. Take a three hour cruise along the Hudson River. The evening cruise includes a five course meal and a dance. Also available is a romantic three hour cruise from Pier 81. The World Yacht dinner cruise includes a four course dinner and a DJ dance. Travel is down the Hudson River, around the edge of Manhattan, up through the East River, under the Brooklyn Bridge, heads for the Statue of Liberty, then back up the Hudson River.

Be a kid again and take a trip over to Coney Island amusement area. This famous seasonal destination is home to more than 50 rides and attractions, a beach, boardwalk, and aquarium. You’ll both have a blast riding the Cyclone Roller Coaster, driving the bumper cars, playing at the arcade, seeing the circus sideshow, visiting the museum, watching the fireworks show, and eating hot dogs, bagels, pizza, or spumoni. Coney Island is located in the southern part of Brooklyn.

The Bronx Zoo is another attraction that will delight couples of all ages. The Zoo offers many activities such as camel rides, penguin and sea lion feedings, a 4-D Theater, and exhibits like Himalayan Highlands, Jungle World, Tiger Mountain, and World of Reptiles. Admission is only $29.95-$33.95, which will get you in to all the attractions, exhibits and activities. Stop for a snack at the many cafes and food stands in the park.

Looking to plan a holiday for you and your partner, consider travelling to the Big Apple, New York City, the city that never sleeps. With three major airports to fly into, why not use a flight comparison tool like momondo to find the best deal on flights to New York.

Author Bio: David Bell is a freelance writer and blogs about travel, interior design, online marketing, telecoms and small business solutions. Follow him on Twitter @DavidBellWriter

5 Countries You Need a Car to Travel

travel, travel tips, destination

When you are traveling, there is no substitute for the freedom that having your own car will bring. Having your own car allows you to quickly get to anywhere you need to go. It frees you from the restrictiveness and schedule conflicts that using public transportation brings with it. There are some countries that it will really benefit a traveler to be able to drive in. Here are the top five countries where travelers should drive a luxury suv.

1. United States

Of all the counties in the world, no place is it more desirable to have a car than the United States. This country was designed for people who drive. The public transportation system is a joke. It is very inefficient and expensive. It is so much cheaper to drive your own car. The fuel prices are very low and it is very cheap to rent a car. The wide expanses of this beautiful country allow drivers to enjoy some of the most spectacular road trips imaginable.

2. Canada

It is much the same story for visitors to Canada. Canada is just as vast a country as the United States, and travelers will find it much more convenient to drive themselves where they need to go instead of relying on public transportation. The highways are very well maintained, and it is easy to get anywhere that you need to go by driving.

3. China

Although China does have a huge public transportation system, it is not a very comfortable means of travel. The Chinese seem to rejoice in packing their passengers in trains like cattle, meaning that tourists will often feel like their trains are on the way to a death camp instead of a tourist destination. It is much more comfortable and convenient to drive your own car in China, and it will allow you to get to destinations that public transportation simply don’t reach.

4. South Africa

There are a lot of beautiful things to see and fun things to do in South Africa, but much of it is located deep in the bush. There is no other way to get to most of these attractions than driving there. Visitors to South Africa will really appreciate the freedom that having their own 4×4 vehicle will give them. It is a wonderful feeling to head out into the bush behind the wheel of your own vehicle. Just remember that it helps to have along someone with some mechanical aptitude to fix the vehicle if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

5. Germany

While you can get around very easily with Germany’s efficient public transportation system, you will be missing one of the most enjoyable things about the country. Taking a fast car out on the German Autobahn is one of the most delightful travel experiences that you will ever have. The incredible thrills of rushing down a highway at 200 kilometers an hour cannot be oversold. If you go to Germany, don’t pass this opportunity up. Rent a fast car and put the petal to the floor.

Author Bio: Jack has been a mechanic for 10 years and is a complete rev head. He has 5 cars to his name, and his past time hobbies include redoing old cars, travelling, going to car shows and writing blogs about cars.

3 Ways to See Australia for Families

travel, travel tips, destination, Australia

Travelling with your family is one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences that you can undertake together. The memories that you create while you travel will last a lifetime, however it can sometimes be a challenge to try and plan a trip that everyone will enjoy. Here are 3 of the best family friendly ways to see Australia.

Outback Adventure

When many people visualise Australia, the spectacular Outback is one of the first things that springs to mind. There’s simply nowhere else in the world like it, and the ancient spiritual atmosphere of the place is something truly magical to behold. The Outback provides the perfect way to explore with the family, with everything from a safari on camel back to 4WD adventures all on offer.

See the legendary natural wonder that is Uluru, and discover through a range of Dreamtime stories why the area is so scared to its indigenous owners. The red centre of Australia will leave a distinct impression upon the whole family, from memories of its unique and startling scenery to the spirit of adventure you have experienced while exploring this amazing destination together.

Coastal Cruising

Australia has a range of ports that offer high quality cruising adventures. Whether you’re looking for a short day cruise or something that will last a week, there’s a cruise in Australia to suit every travel plan and budget. Some of the best Australian cruises will let you experience the subtle decadence of a luxurious liner and take you for an unforgettable coastal holiday that the whole family will love.

Based around the spectacular coastline, you can choose where you cruise and how many days you will be away. Explore the magnificent tropical shores of North Queensland, snorkel during your shore adventures and relax amongst the very best in comfort and entertainment while on board. Kids of all ages will love the activities and entertainment provided by the ship, giving parents a little bit of time to relax and soak in the sights. Cruising is a fantastic way to see the very best that coastal Australia has to offer.

The Drive of a Lifetime

Australia was made for road trips, and provides some of the most stunning scenery in the world to explore by car. From the magnificent coastal adventure of the Great Ocean Road to the lush tropical paradise of Cairns, the journey itself will become one of the most exciting parts of your holiday.

Simply hire a car of campervan, pick your ideal destination and enjoy the fun and diverse experience of exploring Australia on a road trip like no other. Great for families of all ages, road tripping is a popular way to see Australia’s best attractions at your own pace.

Take the stress out of your next family trip with one of these great holiday ideas. Discover the unique and diverse range of Australian wildlife, and explore the breathtaking landscape as you and your family travel around this incredibly special continent. A truly unforgettable experience, your Australian holiday will be a family trip that everyone will always treasure.

After a long year of traveling overseas Emma Jane is currently travelling down the coast of Queensland with her family. She plans on traveling more of Australia with her family.

top 5 things to do in baguio: go to bell church

Top 5 things to do in baguio, travel, destination, Baguio

It was rather serendipitous that we made it to Bell Church. See it was not even included in our Baguio travel itinerary. What happened was the friendly taxi driver we flagged down at the Strawberry Farm to bring us to back to Baguio City suggested the place. The moment we set foot in it, I was delighted that we heed his advice.

Top 5 things to do in baguio, travel, destination, Baguio

Bell Church reminds me so much of the Taoist Temple in Cebu {was not able to see this one for real, but I received a beautiful postcard featuring this site not long ago}, and the surroundings conjure images of China, thanks to the pagodas and the dragons.

Baguio, destination, top 5 places to visit in Baguio, travel destination,

#fmsphotoaday: water

It was a little before lunch time when we arrived, but unfortunately the temple closed for lunch break and we were not able to explore inside and see the monks. But the view outside is just as beautiful and we took those many steps to get to the top-most part of the Church and view the rest of the city from there, with my little man, in tow.

Baguio, destination, top 5 places to visit in Baguio, travel destination

I love the landscape, but most especially, we love the lotus pond + the one with koi fish in it. Jared developed this special fondness for them, too, and threw a few coins onto the water. I just hope he’s old enough to whisper a wish or two. 🙂

Baguio, destination, top 5 places to visit in Baguio, travel destination

This place is so tranquil + if only we’re not starving + not pressed for time, we could’ve lingered much longer and wait until the temple reopens. Nevertheless, I am just glad we made a quick stop to this place, otherwise, I would’ve really regretted it!

Am sharing the lovely water photos with Blog Photo Challenge {entry#11} + #fmsphotoaday

images are taken by my sister, Isabel, unless otherwise stated.