Enjoy the Seasons in the Pocono Mountains

Sicily is undoubtedly one of the most popular and desirable holiday destinations in Europe, and indeed the world. A brief glance over any holiday brochure or travel guide concerned with the island’s rich and varied culture, dramatic landscapes and idyllic climate will no doubt explain why. Owing to its position at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, and its history as one of the major meeting points between the Eastern and Western worlds, Sicily is a place where multiple towering cultural traditions meet and intertwine on a sun-drenched island encircled by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

 

If you’re currently looking for holiday villas in Sicily and hoping to spend your next holiday on this enchanting Mediterranean island, you can count on an experience full of beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and friendly people. For food lovers, Sicily is also the ideal place to sample the great diversity of Mediterranean flavours: Sicilian cuisine is of course majorly influenced by the culinary traditions of Italy, but it also draws upon the traditions of Greece, Spain, the south of France, and even the Arab world. Perhaps the island’s most celebrated dish, pasta alla Norma, is prepared with fresh tomatoes, aubergines and basil – a more authentic taste of the Mediterranean is hard to find!

 

Choosing your Location

 

When it comes to deciding where to stay during your holiday, there is plenty to consider. Of course, you’ll want to look into your various options when it comes to your base location, and this decision will ultimately be majorly effected by what kind of holiday you’re looking for. If you want a quiet time relaxing in peaceful and picturesque town set amongst beautiful scenery then Taormina, with its famous ancient amphitheatre, could be the perfect place. Lounging on the terrace of one of the many Sicily villas with pool facilities in the area, you’ll undoubtedly get a real sense of the Italian dolce vita.

 

If you’re looking for a more fast-paced and explorative holiday experience, basing yourself in a villa, hotel or apartment in one of Sicily’s major urban centers is perhaps your best option. In the capital, Palermo, you’ll be able to explore the impressive cathedral which is in fact a converted mosque, the many galleries and museums, and the beautiful Palazzo dei Normanni. In Syracuse, you can experience Sicily at its ancient best, with the city boasting countless historical sites set amongst luscious orchards, baroque piazzas and sprawling cobbled lanes. From both famous and historic cities, you’ll be able to enjoy easy access by car or public transport to the rest of the island and all of its most captivating spots.

 

So regardless of whether you want a city break full of incredible cultural experiences, a fun but relaxing family holiday in a private villa, or a romantic long weekend in an ancient, charming and entirely beautiful setting, Sicily’s eclectic range of holiday possibilities makes it a versatile and exciting destination. From slick modern apartments in bustling cities to luxurious rustic villas in the iconic countryside, there’s bound to be something for everyone on this vibrant and beautiful island.

We all want to travel more. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, it may not be feasible to go on more than one trip every once in a blue moon. Here are some handy tips on how to really make that money stretch and ensure your vacations, no matter their frequency, are as budget friendly and fun as can be.

 

• Get a Travel Credit Card

 

I’m not saying get a credit card and get into debt. You want to be able to pay off your card in a timely manner. That’s just good financial sense. But travel credit cards come with points that will help you on your next vacation.  Each time you make a purchase, you’ll earn rewards points and travel miles.

Which means you should stop using cash or debit, and put everything onto your travel credit card.  Groceries, gas, meals, everything needs to go on this card. Some travel cards turn those points into actual dollars, while others will give you airline credits so you can travel for free.

Most of these cards do come with an annual fee, however. So you’ll want to do some research on how quickly you can accumulate points, how often you’ll be able to spend them, and if it’s feasible for you to pay that fee on top of keeping your balance low.

 

• Stay Flexible

 

The cheapest times to travel are not going to be during normal school breaks and holidays. You will need to go on vacation during off-peak times. While this might not be ideal, you’ll also enjoy the benefit of smaller crowds. Take into account that if you’re traveling with children, they will need to be taken out of school. You’ll want to work with their teachers to ensure all their homework gets done and they don’t miss any important tests.

This also means that you don’t need to stay at the most expensive hotel. What do you need a fancy room for anyway? Are you planning on spending all your time in it? For those who love to travel, the whole point is getting out of the hotel room and seeing the sights. Get a clean room with a decent bed, and you should be just fine.

 

• Budget, Budget, Budget

 

Use coupons when you’re grocery shopping, only buy things on sale or in bulk, do whatever you can to cut corners off your at-home spending so you have more money to play with on vacation. If that means you have to cut out Friday night pizza, so be it. You’ll be happier in the long run.

When you’ve reached your destination, take a few moments before deciding on that souvenir.  Do you really need another snow globe? If so, maybe you can skip the tour bus and go for a walk around the sites instead. Some of the best things are off the beaten path. You never know what you’ll discover when you get lost.

Finally, be sure to take advantage of sites like allworld.com to learn travel tips and tricks from those who have really been there and done that. Experience counts when it comes to the ins and outs of traveling.

Traveling is always an exciting experience, but it definitely requires a lot of thought in the planning stages. Although there may be a part of you that wants to live spontaneously, book in somewhere, pack a few clothes and run, it just isn’t practical. For a trip to be successful, a lot of planning usually has to be involved.

If you’re about to go on a holiday in Brisbane and you’re searching for suitable Brisbane accommodation, some fun things to do and good places to eat, there are some measures you need to take before you set off. First and foremost, you need to pay attention to the Brisbane accommodation you book, as you really don’t want to get this wrong. Before you make a booking, here are some questions you should ask yourself.

What Do You Want?

This is a pretty important part of the process, as many travellers book Brisbane accommodation that they haven’t put enough thought into. It pays to identify exactly what you want from your trip and start from there.

If you’re looking for a week of partying, opt for a hostel. If you’re going on a romantic getaway with your partner, look into luxury hotel suites. The options for Brisbane accommodation are truly endless, and it’s important to realise that what you choose can have a big effect on your trip.

Does It Tick the Boxes?

Make sure that you’re happy with the services provided by your Brisbane accommodation. Here are a few things you don’t want to forget to look into:

 

• How’s the bathroom? You don’t want to turn up to your Brisbane accommodation and realise that the bathroom is tiny or unhygienic. You’ll be surprised how satisfying a good bathroom can be throughout a trip.

• Does it have an internet connection? You don’t want to be completely disconnected from reality on your trip, especially if you have work to get done. For this reason, it’s recommended that you choose Brisbane accommodation with Wi-Fi access.

• Are there any additional services? Look for added perks like included breakfast, food preparation areas, swimming pools and anything else you’ll enjoy on your trip.

 

Where Is It Located?

This is very important, as a poor choice of location can lead to a lot of disappointment. It’s best to choose Brisbane accommodation that’s centrally located and close to the types of places you want to visit. After all, it’ll save you time and money if you opt for Brisbane accommodation that’s easy and quick to travel from. Make a list of the places you want to visit and then find local accommodation accordingly.

Likewise, if you’re travelling for business purposes, make sure you’re close to the conference or seminar you need to attend. It’ll make your life a whole lot easier when you’re not wasting time and money on taxis or public transport.

Is It Highly Regarded?

Do your research and look for reviews online before making a booking. The easiest way to ensure that you’re choosing the right Brisbane accommodation is by choosing an option that has plenty of positive reviews. You’ll thank yourself when you end up staying at Brisbane accommodation that lives up to your standards.

When you think of Florida, Miami is probably the first places that come to mind.  

 

But insiders know that Florida’s best beaches are actually found in northwest Florida’s Walton County along scenic State Highway 30A.  A narrow, 26-mile stretch of road running from Rosemary Beach to Dune Allen Beach, 30A is home to sugar-white beaches and a relaxed, old-Florida feel.  

 

Here you won’t fine miles of high-rise condo developments, massive resort hotels or tacky theme parks.  This part of Florida is about beaches and family time.  

 

30A features a dozen small waterfront communities, but one stands out from the rest: Seaside, Florida.  

 

The Seaside Experience

There’s no place quite like Seaside.  The original 30A beach community, the town is an architectural landmark that has influenced city planners far beyond Florida.  

 

While many beachfront towns are sprawling, unplanned developments that grow randomly along a stretch of highway, Seaside is a compact, planned community with a cohesive look and feel.  It was one of America’s first mixed-use communities, with its white picket fence homes clustered around a core of shops, restaurants and art galleries.

 

The result might just be the perfect beach town: a casual mix of old and new, a place where you can easily walk to the beach or a boutique in a pair of flip flops, a place with a sense of community that you can experience as a guest or a resident.

 

Where To Stay

You won’t find many hotels along Highway 30A, and you won’t find any within Seaside proper. This is vacation rental country, with guests staying in Seaside’s beachfront cottages.  It’s a chance to live like a local Seaside’s white picket fence community. Book a Seaside vacation rental from The Homeowner’s Collection, a local collective that manages over 65 of Seaside’s cottages.

 

What To Do

The best way to discover Seaside is by taking a stroll around its central square, which is less than a 5 minute walk from anywhere in Seaside.  Explore the town’s unique, locally-owned boutiques, starting La Vie Est Belle at the west end of the square.  Designer Wendy Mignot, who has created custom jewelry for Hollywood’s A-List celebrities, owns this jewelry shop.

 

Turn left at Seaside Kids, cross Quincy Circle and explore the boutiques along the alleyway.  You’ll stumble onto a charming garden space that feels like something from antebellum New Orleans.  Here you’ll find hidden treasures like the Red Bird Gallery.

 

Return to the square and continue to Central Square Records. You remember record stores, don’t you?  Pop into local favorite Sundog Books, the perfect place to buy a great beach read.  

 

For a quick bite of lunch, walk into Modica Market for gourmet groceries, or stroll over to one of the food trucks along the south side of the amphitheater.

 

At nighttime the Seaside Amphitheater hosts music, plays and other events.  Spread a blanket in the amphitheater’s greenspace and have a picnic.  

 

For a sit-down meal, walk across two-lane Highway 30A to Bud & Alleys Restaurant. One of Seaside’s original restaurants, ask for a table on the upstairs porch so you get views of the Gulf of Mexico.   

 

Continue past the restaurant, pass the Seaside Pavilion and you’ll come to the main attraction: the beach.

 

Seaside has the largest private beachfront along the Highway 30A corridor. It’s one of the best reasons to stay directly in town.

 

Ask Cabana Man to setup beach chairs and one of Seaside’s signature blue umbrellas for you.  If you’re feeling active, Cabana Man also offer kayaks, boogie boards and standup paddle boards to get out on the water.  Or just take it easy and watch the waves come and go.  

 

How To Get Here

The nearest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches Airport (ECP).  Delta, Southwest and United Airlines all offer flights to ECP.

 

ECP is 35 miles from Seaside. You can rent a car to get to Seaside, but you won’t use it once you get to town.  Beachside Express offers shuttle service from the airport to Seaside. A $70 fee will transport a group of three people.

 

If arriving by car, Seaside is a five-hour drive from Atlanta, and five hours from New Orleans.

Planning for your vacation has been long overdue. The hard core work hours and unending meeting is getting on your nerves and you need to get some relief from that. A proper vacation with your family or friends can do the trick and let you enjoy some time away from work and hassle of daily lifestyle. In fact, it is must for every family to go on a vacation once in a year or maybe two, if you have that opportunity. So, you have decided for a short trip and have already chosen the place. Now, the next question is about hotel. The tourist attraction places have so many hotels that choosing the bet one seems difficult. There are some points, which might help you to select the best hotel in town, without even wasting more than your set rates on that.

Tips to consider:

Always remember to jot these points down before you finally book a room in your selected hotel. It is better to start early, maybe 6 months minimum, if you are planning to go for a trip during season. When it comes to off-season, you might get some discounts on hotels too and won’t find it difficult to book a room.

 

• Be sure of the mattresses:

 

After a long day at tourist attraction sites, you will come back to your hotel for a good night sleep. You need to gain energy for the next day’s trip. Unless you have a proper bed and soft mattresses, it becomes rather difficult to get a good sleep. Too hard or soft mattress won’t do it good. Your hotel mattress should be of the accurate software, which can take the shape of your body when you sleep on it. Once the mattress takes shape of your body, you won’t feel any pain and can drift into deep slumber. Foamy mattresses are the best ones to choose.

 

• Location of the hotel:

 

Once you have sorted out the mattresses related issue, you have to check more on the location of the hotel. Depending on the surrounding environment you want, the location is subject to change. Always remember that your hotel needs to be just perfectly located in proper green surrounding. If you want to stay closer to entertainment spots, be sure to check the surrounding of the hotel accordingly, and then go for the booking.

 

• Dining options to check in:

 

Sometimes you are so tired after a long day that you don’t like moving out of your room to visit a restaurant for dinner. Always look for the hotels with on-site dining option. It means that hotel has its own restaurant, which can cook and even deliver the food to your room. You can even try to get to the restaurant located adjacent to the main building for dinner time. Or else, you can just have your spaghetti and meat balls at your room, watching your favorite game.

 

• Childcare options are to be noted:

 

Are you traveling with a family and have children in the trip? If so, then be sure to double up your services more. You need to choose a hotel with childcare options. So, whenever you face any difficulty with your children or want some emergency help, you can get that immediately. Now, this option is a bit optional and not needed if you are traveling with friends or don’t have a child in your trip.

 

• Breakfast included in the list:

 

Some 5-star hotels will offer you with complimentary breakfast with your stay. That means you don’t have to pay for your breakfast and get that incorporated with your staying bill. If you can come across any such hotel, that will be great for you. Moreover, you will come across continental, inter-continental and regional dishes in the breakfast menu. Choose whichever one you want to try and can get that associated with your breakfast menu. Some hotels can even deliver the breakfast at your room, if asked for.

Be sure of the price:

These are few of the many points to consider while choosing a hotel for your family or friend trip. Just be sure of the price of the hotels and each night stay, before you can finalize the deal with the hotels.