Destination Archives - Page 40 of 44

December 13, 2012 by jfalbelda

Christmas Time in Edinburgh!

While some people might opt for a beach vacation during Christmas time to avoid the cold, many prefer to swirl themselves into the winter cheer. Europe offers many great destinations for Christmas time to get into the spirit, even for a lonely Jew like me! One such place is the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh with it’s majestic city center. It will make for a great city break from November to January when the city gears up to try and attract winter-loving tourists. Check out some cool things Edinburgh offers!

Edinburgh Wheel

lit up Ferris Wheel

Formally the Wheel of Manchester…because that’s where it was, the Edinburgh Wheel is a new attraction in the capital city that you can enjoy day and night. It overlooks Princes Street and the beautiful gardens beyond.

Reindeer in St Andrew Square

Kid petting a reindeer

If you’ve got the kiddos in tow, then make their Christmas come true with the chance to pet a real reindeer at Christmas in St Andrew Square. They will be there select dates in 2012, December 9th, 14-16th and the 21-23rd.

Edinburgh Ice Rink

One of the city’s most popular attractions during the winter time, the outdoor, Edinburgh Ice Rink is fun for the whole family. It’s located right near the Edinburgh Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens and only costs a few pound to enjoy.

December 11, 2012 by jfalbelda

An Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise: Icmeler, Turkey

View of the mountains and ocean in Icmeler, Turkey.

If you’ve never heard of Icmeler in Turkey (pronounced each-mell-er), then don’t worry, most people haven’t! Located in the far southwest, it enjoys much better weather than the rest of the country and has become an ever-popular resort area over the past 20 years.

What makes Icmeler special is its beautiful location, comfortably hugged between green hills covered with pine trees which offer some of the best hiking in the country. The closest airport is about 100 km away so things haven’t been over developed like some other seaside resort areas in Turkey, namely Marmaris across the bay.

There are plenty of affordable hotels and restaurants to enjoy, but nightlife isn’t based around a throbbing club scene like in Bodrum. You can relax with some live music at the local pubs and manage an early rise to enjoy great diving in Icmeler and the surrounding area which is full of caverns to explore. There are also a lot of other water sports available like waterskiing and banana boating.

All around, Icmeler is a great place for a beachside vacation in Turkey that offers great options for both budget minded and luxury travelers. It also offers a much more authentic experience than some of the other options nearby. Bon Voyage!

December 7, 2012 by jfalbelda

Shake Your Bon Bon in Bodrum!

The Mediterranean is no stranger to fun, beachfront resort towns, but while destinations just rely on booze and bikinis to lure tourist in, Bodrum offers much more for the traveler looking for both fun in the sun and a little culture at the same time. If the best of both worlds is what you seek then look to Bodrum in Turkey for holidays you can truly write (or email) home about!

Bodrum is located in the far southwest of Turkey on the Bodrum Peninsula about 500 miles south of Istanbul. Its weather is pleasant all year round (February is the best). It’s pretty easy to reach via Bus from the big cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, etc) or via plane at Milas-Bodrum international airport 35 km from the city. Many low-cost airlines fly there from western Europe including The UK and The Netherlands.

Bodrum is very popular with boaters with its large marina and yacht club. Many seafarers spend a night or two there to refuel, have a good meal, shop at the high-end supermarkets right off the dock and shake it at night at one of the many nightlife venues. The Marina is located on the west side of town.

The east side of town is more known for the nicely maintained beach, bars and clubs that thump right on the waterfront all night long. One of the biggest clubs in Europe is located in Bodrum as well, Halikarnas.

If you’ve had enough sun, then check out the ancient city and explore thousands of years of history. One of the most popular sites in town is Bodrum Castle founded by the Knights of Hospitaller who originated in Jerusalem and were originally in charge of running a hospital for Christians on pilgrimages there. They then became a military order after the first crusade and were tasked with protecting the Holy Land. Bodrum Castle also now serves as Museum of Underwater Archaeology which houses an impressive collection of artifacts found beneath the water’s surface from shipwrecks and fallen cities.

One other historical place in Bodrum that is especially famous is the former site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Tomb of Mausolus). It is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world and was created for the Persian governor Mausolus, and both his wife and sister, Artemisia II of Caria. The structure stood 45 meters high (148 ft) but fell down during an earthquake. Now you can visit the remains of the tomb and learn a bit more of the interesting history. The word Mausoleum actually comes from Mausolus which literally means a grave above ground.

As you can see Bodrum has some cool things to see and do in addition to good sun and good fun!

December 6, 2012 by jfalbelda

Great Family Holiday Getaway Destinations!

If you want to get away this holiday season, you may want to try a place that will help you to get into the holiday spirit. A place with snow and Santa is ideal. Consider these popular locations for your next family holiday getaway!

Rothenberg, Germany’s Winter Wonderland

Rothenberg Christmas Market

The city of Rothenberg, Germany is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. The Rothenberg Christmas Market attracts visitors from all over the world and is the key contributor to the city being the most visited Christmas Destination in Germany. This walled city offers a beautiful ambiance for visitors and a number of elegant German Hostels for an affordable place to stay with the kiddos in tow. The 20 foot tall rotating Christmas tree decorated with shiny bright lights leaves all in astonishment. The comforting feel of the city is only enhanced with the enticing smells of Lebkuchen and other sweets. Rothenberg is without a doubt a memorable Christmas destination for all.

Walt Disney World in Florida

Mickey Mouse

Disney World is a magical place to go during the holiday season, and while they’re might not be any natural snow, there will be plenty of other holiday spirit to make up for it! Epcot Center’s Holidays Around the World is one spectacular performance. You’ll get to see how Christmas is celebrated in other countries, and if you venture over to Disney, you will get to engage in holiday festivities with Mickey and the gang.

While you are watching Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Cinderella dance around festively, you can eagerly wait for the incredible fireworks show. The resorts near the Disney properties are great, but renting villas near the property is better for families. Disney is pleasant holiday for the whole family.

Magical Santa’s Lapland in Finland

Reindeer in Finland

Santa is often spotted in this cold northern location where the reindeer roam free with the hare and the Artic fox. People can engage in snowmobiling and toboggan-racing near Lapland, Finland. Reindeer lassoing and snow hockey are also common outdoor activities in Finland. The Elf School and Santa’s Control Center are coveted by the children that visit. An Ice Gallery and snowball range are also a lot of fun as well. The cabins and villas in Finland are not as luxurious as some places, but the outdoor activities may be worth roughing it with modern amenities for a couple of days.

The above was a guest post from Ken Torrino who is a frequent traveler and works doing web relations for Elliman, brokers for NYC, Long Island and Hamptons Real Estate.

December 2, 2012 by jfalbelda

The Quest for the Perfect Guitar in The Philippines

When I travel to the emerging world, (more often than not on my sojourns), I like to take advantage of my “spending power”. While I’m not buying diamond rings and Louis Vuitton neckties (stuff like that costs more in third world countries anyways), I do try and purchase other things that I would normally shell out for in America like eye glasses, custom-made clothes and instruments.

Hand-made, custom shirts I got made in Thailand for $45 total!

I really discovered this truth when I was in Mexico last year for a Radiohead concert. I had been recently disappointed when I headed to a LensCrafters in Miami (chain glasses store in America) and found out my new pair would come out to over $400 with the upgraded lenses. I decided that was just too much for what I was getting and left disheartened and still blind.

Well, the next week when I was strolling the streets of Mexico City and saw a whole strip of eyeglasses stores, I popped into one, found two pairs I liked more than anything I saw in the states, got a free eye exam and upgraded lenses for $90 total, Bam! Read More »