Cruise Vacations

Looking for a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day? Cruises offer the opportunity to share the excitement of traveling to exotic ports of call aboard a luxurious "floating hotel." Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers cruises to destinations that are perfect for romance (and especially enjoyable as a balmy escape from February's icy clutches!). Imagine you and your sweetheart exploring sandy beaches in the Caribbean, splashing together in the blue waters off of Bermuda, walking hand-in-hand while enjoying the heady perfumes of colorful native flowers, or sipping frosty drinks under the palm trees in the Bahamas. Any of these destinations would be perfect for a Valentine holiday vacation.

Royal Caribbean also offers other destinations that are more out-of-the-ordinary for travelers who want something unique in a cruise vacation. Other popular destinations include Alaska and Europe. One of the features that make Royal Caribbean outstanding are the cruise ships themselves. Imagine yourself enjoying gourmet dinners in a formal atmosphere, dancing, movies and Broadway shows, extreme sports, cultural events and much more in extravagant 5-star surroundings while being transported to your destinations.

If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere that allows you to enjoy your meals at you leisure, lounge on the deck in more casual clothing, and set your own pace, Norwegian Cruise Line is for you. The Norwegian cruise fleet offers a wide variety of choice destinations, just as Royal Caribbean does, allowing you to tailor your entire vacation experience to your own preferences.

To book your cruise vacation, check with a travel agent. Travel agents can offer special deals and packages to travelers by purchasing blocks of highly desired vacations at a discount and passing the savings along to their clients, who not only save money on their vacation package but also benefit from the expertise offered by their travel agent on their behalf. Agents offer packages that include not only hotel-and-airline packages but also complete cruise vacation packages, allowing you to create the vacation of your dreams for less cost than you might expect.

Land of the Midnight Sun

Land of the Midnight Sun, Scandanavia experiences daylight for almost all of the time in June and July. Being so close to the poles, summertime means being bathed in sunlight all of the time. The opposite is true in winter, when the region experiences Polar Nights ... a couple of months in midwinter when the sun barely shines at all. Full of natural wonders and beauty, there is plenty to attract visitors to the two major Scandanavian countries of Norway and Sweden year-round.

One of the things put on your "don't miss" list if you are visiting Norway is the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. They are not always visible, but one of the best places for viewing in Scandanivia is Tromso, Norway. Another major reason to visit Norway is the skiing ... there are a number of major ski resorts in Norway that are considered among some of the best in the world. Whether downhill, cross-country, or any other kind, Norway is a great country for skiing enthusiasts! Whale watching offshore is another popular draw for tourists to visit Norway. There are even a few that allow the more adventursome visitors to actually swim with the whales.

One of the most outstanding features of Oslo, Norway, is its collection of wonderful parks. The TusenFryd Amusement Park, modeled after Copenhagen's Tivoli park, boasts wild rollercoaster rides, a waterpark, a spaceshot, carousel, other rides, restaurants, souvenir shops, entertainment features, and Vikinglandent, an educational area featuring Viking history. Slottsparken is the park surrounding the Royal Palace, and is open to the public. Visitors can watch the changing of the guard, which is accompanied by the Royal Guard Band if the King is in residence. Another major Oslo attraction is Tøyenbadet Water Park, which includes a swimming hall, waterslide, a number of open-air pools, children's pool, and sauna as well as an indoor climbing wall.

Sweden is unique in that citizens have voted on and named the "Seven Wonders of Sweden" ... their own version of the Seven Wonders of the World. Among these are the 150-mile long Göta Canal, the 13th century wall erected around the entire city of Visby, the Vasa warship (more details below), the world famous Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel in Lappland, which melts every year, the 54-story Turning Torso skyscraper in Malmö, the 8-kilometer Oresund bridge connecting Denmark with Sweden, and Stockholm's Globe arena, the largest round building in the world.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a popular destination for world travelers. If you're planning to visit, don't miss one of Stockholm's major attractions, Djurgården, which translated into English means "Game Park." With over 10 million visitors per year, Djurgården is an island located in the center of Stockholm with many parks, events, tourist attractions, and interesting sights. One of these is the Vasa, a warship which sank in 1628 and is now on display as a museum allowing visitors to view from six levels. If you visit in winter, join other fun-loving people and go ice skating -- it's free at the popular Kungsträdgården Park.

Save money by making your reservations in advance, and try these links to take advantage of last minute deals as well as year round special prices that may be booked up to a year in advance. Check here for Cheap Hotels in Norway, or for a list relating to Oslo only, visit Cheap Hotels in Oslo. If you are planning to visit Stockholm, check here for Cheap Hotels in Stockholm, or, for a list of dicounted accommodations throughout Sweden, Cheap Hotels in Sweden

Turn college into a travel destination!

Going away to college? If you're reading this blog, you must love to travel. So we want to encourage you to have a little fun along with your education. When you're done checking out your college's website (like http://www.sbphilly.com/ if you're going to Sanford Brown in Philadelphia), take a little detour and search for fun things to do in your college town.

Sometimes the colleges themselves have lots of programs and fun. We have attended art exhibits, theater presentations, musical concerts, planetarium programs, and nature hikes at the colleges and universities near our own town.

Don't forget to check tourist websites wherever you are going. If you're planning to go to Philadelphia as we mentioned above, you can find lots of fun things to do in that city at Philadelphia.com. Home of the Harlem Globetrotters, Philly also boasts a number of unparalleled historical sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, Society Hill, Penn's Landing and more. Sightseeing tours via a double-decker bus are available, and the city has an outstanding zoo. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest museums in the United States. We'll leave it to you this time to discover all the other wonderful resources Philly has to offer, including museums devoted to everything from Norman Rockwell to contemporary art to Rodin, and the Insectarium, and many, many more, depending upon what most interests you. There is something for everyone.

Our point is that wherever you go, do your research and find fun and interesting things to do there!

Romantic Italy

Italy's charming old-world architecture and history, world-famous artistic offerings, sunny seaside beaches, sprawling vineyards, delicious food and romantic music all combine to produce a wonderfully alluring atmosphere. Whether enjoyed from a secluded spot in a local cafe, strolling along the avenues, or even from the vantage of a canal boat, Italy is one of the world's most romantic destinations, perfect for a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary trip, or just a quiet getaway.

Rome is home to the Vatican (principal of the Roman Catholic Church). Remnants of the Etruscan civilization can be visited at Cerveteri, Vulci, Veio, and Tarquinia. The National Museum is home to some of the world's primary archaeological treasures. Other museums house artifacts from ancient Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt, while Christian relics also abound. No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Roman Colosseum. The cathedral of St. Peter is also an important architectural masterpiece.


Florence is the capital of Tuscany, famous not only for its vineyards but also a treasure trove for art aficionados. Etruscan pieces, Roman ruins and monuments, Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance masters and more can be found in the museums and architecture of this area. The Uffizi Gallery is an absolute must, housing the world's most important painting collection. Michaelangelo's "Pieta" may be viewed in the Museum of the Opera del Duomo. The beaches of the area are varied, and nature lovers can visit the Isola of Elba and the National Park of the Argentario. The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is also located in Tuscany.



Milan is likewise home to striking examples of architecture, such as the Gothic Cathedral of Milan and the palaces from the Renaissance. Art museums abound in Milan as well, including those in the Sforza Castle, which are varied. The Brera Gallery, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum house works by the great masters. The National Museum of Science and Technology is an interesting place to visit, while the Stradivariano Museum includes the finest craftsmanship of violins.

Venice, a jewel among Italian cities, offers not only the Guggenheim, but many other outstanding museums as well, including the Academy Galleries, the G. Franchetti Gallery, and quite a few others. In the surrounding area, Byzantine architecture is displayed at St. Mark and the Cathedral of Torcello. Travelers should take time to visit the local islands, including Murano, Burano, and Torcello. The scenery of the Dolomites should not be missed. But ... Venice is a city that always evokes mental images of the canals with the canal boats traveling slowly along. A visit to the city would not be complete without enjoying this famous treat.

Travelers to Italy should check out last minute deals and year round specials offered on accommodations. A search for hotels in Rome (Roma Hotel) turned up a great bargain on a 3-star hotel at only EUR 38.00 when we visited. Hotels in Florence (Firenze Hotel) found a 3-star hotel offered at EUR 35.00 with an upgrade to a more luxurious 4-star accommodation for only EUR 49.00. Milan hotels (Milano Hotel) offered similar discounts with a 3-star at only EUR 35.00 and a 4-star for only EUR 45.00. Venice hotels (Venezia Hotel) offered better accommodations for still-reasonable prices with a 4-star hotel at EUR 46.00 and a very luxurious 5-star at only EUR 109.00 (what a great city to splurge on sumptuous hotel room and enjoy canal boat rides with your amore!

Visit Germany & Austria

Germany continues to be one of the finest travel destinations we can recommend, for a number of reasons. Walking down the quiet cobbled roads of quaint villages make you feel as though you just stepped into a Brothers Grimm fairy tale (less the evil witch!). The deep, dark forests - such as the famous Black Forest - bring to mind more exciting tales. Fairy tale castles are fun to visit as well ... the countryside makes a wonderful backdrop for family travel photos that could be set to a medieval or fairy-tale theme in your scrapbooks. For those who like beer, Germany is of course famous for that, as well as for a wide range of sausages, chocolate, and other foods. As for me personally, I love German Shepherd dogs and would be thrilled to visit kennels housing some of the most outstanding dogs in the world. For that matter Germans love their dogs and believe in training them well and bringing them along as companions.


Germany and Austria are also home to a number of large cities that offer a full range of activities of modern interest as well. Some destinations to consider include Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Vienna. Berlin boasts the Bradenburg Gate, the fascinating architecture of the dome of the Reichstag, and a treasure trove of museums, among other attractions. Munich offers some of the most charming and dream-like architecture ranging from minarets to castles fit for any princess, as well as a number of museums with focuses ranging from beer to art to to paleontology to festivals to BMWs. Frankfurt is home to more modern architecture but no less a museum mecca with world-famous dinosaur and natural history exhibits, Jewish and Bible museums, museums dedicated to money, art, history, architecture, and even one dedicated to letting visitors experience the world through senses without seeing. Vienna boasts Belvedere Palace, the Burgtheater (National Theatre), the Karlskirche cathedral, and the Hofburg, which was built as a magnificent castle. View the city from above in the Danube Tower, enjoy thrilling rides at the Prater Fun Fair, visit the Schönbrunn Zoo, shop Naschmarkt. There is much to enjoy in any of these cities, and many others of Germany and Austria.

If you are planning to visit Germany, check hotel rates for Germany Hotels (or in German, Wien Hotels). Specific pages for the cities may be searched, for example, to narrow your search to only Berlin Hotels (or in German, Berlin Hotels). Be sure to check the "Today's Special" as well as "Last Minute Deals" along with all year deals offered at this site. By offering you the best rates from many different hotels, everything from budget accommodations to luxury 5-star hotels, you are able to select the hotel that most appeals to your tastes as well as your budget, and get a better rate than if you had contacted the hotel directly.

Serviced apartments - Australia

Serviced apartments are another option for travel accommodations, and are especially well suited for families on vacation or for travelers who plan to stay in an area for a greater length of time. Serviced apartments offer some of the conveniences of hotels, such as provided linens, etc. and maid servicing (on variable schedules), and of course the ability to choose any duration of stay at the destination of your choice. Some additional benefits of serviced apartments are the spaciousness of the accommodations compared to hotels. The cost is usually less as well, giving the traveler the most value for your vacation dollar. When staying for longer periods of time, travelers will appreciate the home-like amenities, allowing for more independence and the ability to take care of a variety of basic necessities conveniently (such as cooking and laundry facilities).

Serviced apartments offered for travelers are typically conveniently located within walking distance of shopping, dining, and other establishments. Frequently amenities include pool and sauna access, as well as other luxurious benefits. Travelers seeking accommodations for either pleasure or business would do well to check into serviced apartments as one option.


Travelers to Australia should check for last minute as well as year-round deals offered on serviced apartments from CheaperThanHotels. If you are seeking Melbourne accommodation, we found some good deals on 3-star accommodations from AUD 50.00 and 4-star from only AUD 69.00. If it is Perth accommodation you will be needing, we found 3-star rates from AUD 60.00 and 4-star from only AUD 67.00. Perth also had the lowest 5-star rates at AUD 120.00. Adelaide accommodation was offered from AUD 69.00 for a 3-star and only AUD 84.00 for a 4-star accommodation, with 5-star being offered at a very reasonable AUD 135.00. And Brisbane accommodation is offered for AUD 78.00 for a 3-star, with an upgrade to 4-star from only AUD 79.00. Five-star Brisbane accommodations were also quite reasonable from AUD 139.00.

Whether you choose to stay in a traditional hotel or a serviced apartment, we hope you enjoy your travels and your stay!

The City of Light

Paris, welcoming over 30 million foreign visitors per year, is recognized as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and no wonder. Besides its claim to being among the most beautiful cities in all Europe, and having the reputation of being the most romantic of cities, there are many other reasons to recommend it to tourists. Those interested in historical places will not be disappointed. Paris is home to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, and other examples of grand architecture. The cultural impact of Paris is undeniable as well, particularly in the areas of fashion, art, and food, and design. Tourists have the opportunity to visit a number institutions that enjoy worldwide fame.

Not only is Paris a top destination for tourists, but business travelers are frequent guests as well. France's top economic center, the Paris region was responsible for more than 25% of the nation's GDP in 2006, generating €500.8 billion (equivalent to 628.9 billion in US dollars). Thirty-six Fortune Global 500 companies are headquartered in Paris, which has a number of business districts including La Défense, which is Europe's largest planned business district. Many international organizations call Paris their home as well, including UNESCO, the ICC, the OECD and the Paris Club. Paris' importance in the economic fiber of Europe is one of the reasons it is such a popular destination for English, German, and Spanish travelers.


Travelers wishing to make reservations for Paris Hotels can find great deals and last minute specials with guaranteed lowest rates. On the day of our visit, we found 2-star accommodations available for EUR 30.00 and more luxurious 4-star accommodations from only EUR 80.00. For the convenience of travelers speaking French, Spanish, or German, these pages have been translated. Seeking Paris Hôtels en Francais? Or París Hoteles en Espanol? Or Paris Hotels Deutsche? Be sure to check out the special rates and last minute deals for the best hotel rates.