Cheapest Places to Visit this Summer

Here's an interesting little article I stumbled across this morning - it gives a nice summary of 7 of the Best Places to Visit, right now while summer is still here. And the kicker is these places are cheap! Exactly what everyone wants to hear as the stick market continues its wild ride. For me! I think it's time to say good bye to Mr. Toad for a little while and step off that crazy ride for a cheap mini vacation.

So, what does Yahoo travel say is Hot and cheap right now?

How about -

Cheap Hotels in Orlando Florida

Chicago Illinois

The Mexican Riviera Maya

Aspen Colorado

Phoenix Arizona

Victoria British Columbia (yeah Canada!)

and

Atlanta Georgia

Now, out of those Top 7 Places what does one have that none of the other six do? Can you guess? It's pleasant weather! Yes, isn't it interesting that six of the seven cheap places to visit right now are smokin' hot and I'm not taking a great deal or smokin' hot popular no they're plain old smokin' hot! That leaves but one option on the list for escaping the heat of the south and that's Victoria in beautiful British Columbia Canada!

Here's a bit about what Yahoo! says is the reason Victoria is a good place to visit with good deals right now -

The Canadian Dollar - not sure if you are aware of this, many Americans are clueless, but as the green back plumets the the Canadian Dollar has been soaring high since the spring. That means a lot of Canadians are heading south across the U.S. border to enjoy deep recession discounts that are even sweeter because their dollar is worth more than the U.S. dollar. With less British Columbian's and other Canadians visting their own home town of Victoria hoteliers have been offering deals and keeping prices down. Hotwire reports room rates in Victoria are actually 10 percent lower than they were last year.

Of course bargain room prices are one of the last things to consider when thinking of a visit to Victoria. This city has so much to see and do. Many say, if you want to visit England but can't afford the fare, just pop up to Victoria and you'll get all the British fanfare you can handle. The city also has some of the finest restaurants and dining options on the west coast of North America, beautiful beaches, theatre, music, wildlife... oh, and did I mention the flowers?  The list goes on and on.

So, if you're looking for a cheap place to escape to before summer ends - check out Victoria, British Colombia Canada!

You can read more about the 7 Cheapest Places to Visit here -

Yahoo Travel - Places that are Cheap Now!

Best Places to Visit this Summer - Italy

WE all know what it feels like when we the time for our annual summer vacation gets close. It's always exciting! And it's extra special when that vacation permits us the opportunity to see and experience other parts of our amazing world. I always say, 'So many countries - so little time!' And speaking of time one thing I have learned is that a proper trip to a foreign country requires extra time to plan. Not only time to plan but for most it takes a long period of time just to save up the funds for an exotic treat to a foreign country. Of course there are some people are fortunate and have enough wealth to explore a different country every year.

Best Places to Vacation

Normally the initial stage for planning any vacation begins with the question, Where? Your choice for the best vacation spot is one of the most important parts of your vacation plan. Take your time and research thoroughly. For North Americans and Brittons one of the best places to holiday in the summer is somewhere in Europe. For those who are able to take extra leave of work in the neighborhood of 4 to 6 weeks, a European tour is certainly possible. But for many who only have a week or two its best to concentrate on just one country. France, Germany and Italy are probably the most popular destinations as they are larger countries whereby a week is barely enough to take in all the wonderful sights. This summer may I suggest a well planned visit to Italy?

Vacation in Italy

Yes, it is one of the most popular places to visit in the summer and for good reason, it's simply a fantastic country to go on holiday. For anyone traveling to Europe Italy is normally one of their top places to visit.

It's a challenge not to get excited about the idea of vacationing in Italy. This is one country that has ti all - you can visit great historical sites; travel easily and comfortably throughout the country by car or train; and explore numerous regions to sample their unique cuisine and fines wines. Some of the best foods and wines in the world come from Italy and it's difficult to leave without sampling them all. Also, Italian art is world renowned for its beauty and character. The bottom line here is that visiting this part of Europe will satisfy pretty much every taste and interest.

For those looking for a romantic place to honeymoon you will certainly find marital bliss in Italy. Take Venice for example, nothing can beat the incredible floating city for beauty, scenery and entertainment. Rome is another city with an incredibly romantic ambiance. There just something about Roman history that brings a blend of romance and eroticism sure to make any honeymoon sizzle.

Many people also regard Tuscany as a very romantic and glamorous destination. What Rome creates in raw appeal Tuscany delivers in terms of class and sophistication. Florence is another historical Italian city where scenery alone can inspire the budding artist in anyone.

If you are concerned about planning to go to the best places in Italy you may want to consider the idea of purchasing a package. Good package tours will insure you don't miss a thing as they include tours of the most famous sites; your accommodations and usually your airfare and transfers. When it comes to booked a package deal for your Italian vacation you can take it easy and spend your time learning more about the places you will be visting rather than sweating over all the tiny details of planning your whole vacation a la carte. Professional tour firms will do take care of rest. And with the internet it's easy to read reviews and make sure you are going with the best. most reputable companies. Just a bit of research guarantees your satisfaction.

Although we've talked at length about the romantic nature of Italy for couples and honeymoons in particular you may not know that a holiday in Italy is also excellent for families. It can give your children a great introduction to European history and learning about all of the other cultures of Europe. Plus they will see and experience some of the most beautiful scenery and architecture in Europe. Not only that but vacation home rentals or home exchanges are quiet common here and make for very reasonable family accommodations.

Still not convinced Italy is your best place to holiday this summer? Well, I suggest the best thing you can do is make a list of all the things you wish to enjoy on your European vacation this summer. Before long you'll discover Italy captures your heart and your logical brain!

Best Places to visit in San Francisco California

The list of things to see and do in San Francisco could be as long and as detailed as any of the most popular cities in the world. As with any famous city there are a few "must see" points of interest and if you're visiting SF for the first time it can becoming overwhelming. If you're interested in keeping your  stress levels down I encourage you to perform your own research and be sure to visit the chat boards where you can get a lot of varied opinions. The reality is some sights will be of interest to you and others won't. The most important part of any plan is to weigh the time you've got available with your list of "must see places'. Think of it as your own personal 'best of list'. Now all of that said here is my very biased list of -

The Best Places to Visit in San Francisco

1. First up it's pretty much a non-negotiable - if you're visiting San Francisco you just have to experience  Pier 39.  This wonderful open air market is full of sights sounds and shops for for any age. Pier 39 is also a favorite San Francisco attraction where you can also watch the seals and sea lions basking in the sun; go shopping in numerous unique shops; and enjoy a distinctive dining experience - be sure to make it seafood, something Pier 39 is also world renowned for. Remarkably Californian, the Pier is an enjoyable atmosphere no matter what you're age or interest.
2. The cable cars of San Francisco are an iconic image of this great city.  Regardless you jump on for a few minutes or a few blocks the experience is one you'll remember forever. Not only that but traveling by cable car is a green and cheap way to move around the key parts of the city.  They're quick, safe and give you a glimpse into the cities unique historical past.
3. Any place to visit while in San Francisco is the California Academy of Sciences. This Academy may be the only place where you will actually find a natural history museum, a planetarium, an aquarium and a reproduced jungle are in one place. Adults and children will both get pleasure and learn something new with this experience.  At the California Academy of Sciences you can watch short movies and then 'wine and dine' after hours. You can watch penguins and learn about our natural environment. In the four story jungle, you will find bats, chameleons, butterflies and birds The catfish aquarium is a special treat as you walk through it inside an acrylic tunnel. This is also a great place to visit if the weather is inclement.
4. The San Francisco Exploratorium is another interesting place for all ages. This science museum is made for people who don't normally like science (like my wife!). What makes it unique is the interaction you get with science. You can do your own experiments and learn all about natural phenomena in an interesting and self guided manner. The Exploratorium mingles art and science which generate new ideas for igniting interest and give fresh insights about our planet.

Pier 39, the Cable Cars, Exploratorium, the California Academy of Sciences and everything else you discover in wonderful San Francisco California is ideal for a weekend getaway or a week long vacation.

Best Places to Stay in Sydney Australia

Oprah just finished her whirlwind tour of Australia witha grand gala show at the Sydney Opera House. I thought this Guest post By Fraser Brown was perfect to celebrate one of the best places in Australia and to commemorate Oprah's farewell show from Australia. Thanks for sharing Fraser!

One of my most favorite places to visit in Sydney Australia is Bondi Beach. This is the closest beach to   the centre of Sydney, and is a very popular spot. Bondi beach gives true holiday pleasure with its stunningly blue transparent water, beach front residences places and hip restaurants. This place is the just the best place as a holiday destination for students, family and large groups. Here are my Sydney Accommodation reviews for Bondi beach and area:

Bondi Beach has a huge number of residential places which are equipped with all the modern luxuries. It is situated in south Wales which is in the heart of Sydney. The usual season of popular congregation is summertime, which is an obvious guess, as its quite hot in that time so students and other people of Sydney gather around at this destination - as this is not only a beach. This place is known to have all types of water sports, markets to shop around in, bars and restaurants to dine in, and some cultural programs are also organized, along with some events and other celebrations.

This hotel is a mixture of cozy and luxurious atmospheres, which are decorated by oil paintings, antique sculptures and tapestries which add to the overall ambiance of the structure. Here you will get to see blend of two things: the traditional setup, along with latest amenities. That is what anyone will look for in a good place to spend a few memorable days.

One of the most ideal things about a great tourist destination like The Rocks is that when you visit, you can stay at the town favorite hotels and residential places. Sydney offers tons of luxury hotels, and five start establishments. One of the most well-known is the Amora Hotel, which is a popular spot for business travelers to stay at. Families on holiday also enjoy visiting this hotel as well. Staying at the Amora will place you right in the center of all town festivities.

Another hotel that you will likely enjoy staying at during your visit to The Rocks is the Park Hyatt. This hotel is also located in the heart of Sydney. It's location is especially beautiful, as it's located on the shoreline, nestled along the water. In your room you will have a lovely full view of the harbor, and you can walk to the Opera House whenever you would like to take in a show. These are two of the things that make this trip a five star destination for so many individuals.

If you are interested in staying in house, and enjoying your stay, then there are various facilities available such as a wireless internet to surf on while enjoying wine in the bar, along with listening to classic music. There is also a martini club known for its colorful history. You can also enjoy running around throughout the day shopping, or enjoying the gaming zone.

If you think that you're going to be bored, then you are sadly mistaken. You will find all sorts of activities that you can participate in. The Rocks offers museums, art galleries, theaters, and historical tours. It also has brilliant shopping available at it's local market - which is huge. You can shop in a calm and pleasant marketplace, and buy anything your heart desires. You might want to follow your shopping trip with a walk along the bridge, or a bicycle ride along the quaint bike routes. Most people visit The Rocks, and travel throughout the area by foot. They walk from the nearest railway station, and sometimes they will also take the circular quay on foot as well. Bus service is also available from and to many locations. Common buses taken are the 431 or 432. Wynard is another location that is very location, that can be reached by bus or on foot.

If you wish to reach the Bondi Beach, then the options available for you, are either train or bus. You can take a train to reach the Bondi junction, and then take a bus, which will go straight to the beach. And if you're coming by plane, then the beach is about 25 minutes away from the Sydney airport. From there, you can take a bus directly or hire any private vehicle to reach the beach. So when you have a chance, do not wait to get drenched in the beautiful water of Bondi Beach in the hot summer and chill, as your spirit cheers!

Editors Note - this year Australia once again appears prominently on our Best Places for Quality of Life.

About the Author:

Fraser Brown is actually a seasoned author that is actually a Sydney Accommodation specialist and is principally recognised for working away at Sydney travel and information initiatives

Remember last year when Australia rocked as one of our Best Places to Live?