Friday, April 25, 2008

10 Fabulous Days in Spain

Last summer my husband and I flew from Stansted airport on a sunny June morning. It was my birthday treat to go and visit my lovely Sister in Villa Martin. We flew into Murcia airport where as a surprise my husband has a great convertible car booked for the duration of our holiday. Air-conditioning for when the top was up and a great breeze in the hot air with the top down (thank goodness I packed my baseball cap)! We drove the short journey to Villa Martin past the vineyards, farms, old Spanish tractors onto the new motorway and within 20 minutes rocked up at my Sisters apartment. Angie has a great Spanish dinner 'on the go' when we arrived and true to form Michael Jackson playing with a glass of wine waiting for us! We chilled on the veranda and caught up, a very relaxing day considering it was spent mostly travelling. For the following 3 days we chatted, swam in her pool, sunbathed, read books, and ate her new Spanish recipes. All of which were heaven (apart from the Michael Jackson music)!

On day four we started our adventure across the Costa Blanca and Costa Almeria. With the roof down and baseball cap on we set off to cover quite a distance, only stopping for the loos and to grab a sandwich from the roadside cafes. Unlike back home motorway or main road cafes sell good fresh sandwiches at a competitive price so here is no need to worry about making up a picnic. Plus in the heat a sandwich wouldn't be at its 'best' by lunchtime. We hadn't booked any accommodation and decided this would make things interesting and add to the adventure of it all.

The journey was fun on the way we fresh peppers fields mountains in the distance and plenty of green houses. We would stop and buy a watermelon from a van at the side of the road, or homemade olive oil off an old Spanish lady.

On our first night we stayed in Cartagena a fantastic city with tall historical buildings narrow streets and museums, art galleries and shops in abundance there is also the world's oldest submarine on the port of Cartagena. We found a rustic and friendly hotel, had dinner, and crammed as much sightseeing in the next day as possible. And of course visiting any Spanish city wouldn't be complete without popping into El Corte Ingles!

The next day we headed south down the AP7 motorway towards Mojacar through Mazarron, Vera, and Garrucha. We would often stop to stretch our legs and have a quick drink in a local tapas bar. With each drink we would receive a free plate of tapas bar, sometimes sardines, sometimes olives, always bread, a little salad, or on occasion's meatballs. Enjoying the relaxing ambience, and people watching. Often next to the tapas bar there would be an authentic ceramic pottery shop. I picked up quite a few souvenirs in these shops, which have great memories.

No holiday to the Costa Almeria is complete without visiting Texas Hollywood. A film set where the famous cowboy films such as a "Fistful of Dollars" and "the Good the Bad and the Ugly" were filmed. Now I expected it to have a feel of Disney where you were very well aware of being on a film set but Texas Hollywood was so rustic and real you could almost forget you were on a film set! There is a cowboy bar with swing door where you can order yourself a drink and the cowboys come running in a surprisingly shoot their guns and the scare the life out of you if you aren't expecting it. The there is the photography studio where you can dress up as a cowboy and have a memento of the day. I wore white linen which I wouldn't recommend as part of the authenticity of this day is a huge amount of dust!

One day we found a hotel in Roquetas de Mar which is a typical Spanish commercialized Spanish seaside resort with high rise Hotels, water sports, and fine white sand. It is a bit more upmarket than your usual resort and we quite enjoyed chilling on the beach.

On our last night we were in Mojacar and unexpectedly there was a fiesta which finished the holiday off with a bang. Mojacar is a developing city situated on a little estuary. We wandered down to the exclusive port for a drink then back up the steep hillside to a little restaurant with the windows wide open to be apart of the fiesta. Outside there was dancing, stands, bands, and people everywhere. There were a really array of people the super chic Spanish women and the local hippies. After dinner we watched the parades, and headed back to the hotel to pack for our flights the following morning. We flew home from Almeria, simply dropping the rental car that we had collected from Murcia at the Almeria airport. I had a fabulous vacation and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Visiting Popular Summer Vacation Destinations While on a Budget

If you are like most other individuals and families, your finances may be tight. There are many families who are just scraping by and others are the on the border of debt. If this situation sounds all too familiar, a summer vacation may be the last thing on your mind. If you and your family are interested in taking a summer vacation, you can, no matter what your financial situation.

When selecting a summer vacation destination on a budget, it is important that you do not limit yourself. There are too many individuals who search for a vacation destination solely based on price. Instead of first searching for low-cost vacations, you are encouraged to find the vacation destination of your dreams. Once you closely examine the hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, or beaches that your selected destination has to offer, you can easily learn how and where to save money.

If the beach sounds like the perfect summer vacation destination, you have a number of options. Popular beaches, that are designed for those on a budget in the United States may include, but are not limited to, Virginia Beach, Pensacola Beach, and Long Beach. You can plan a beach vacation in the Caribbean or overseas; however, the cost of travel will likely increase the cost of your vacation.

Virginia Beach, Long Beach, Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Long Beach are all known as vacation “hotspots.” Many individuals automatically assume that the most popular beach destinations are too expensive. While some facilities and activities may be high priced, there are ways for you to vacation there on a budget. Instead of staying at an ocean-side resort, you could save a large amount of money by booking an inland hotel. The same can be said for restaurants, bars, and event centers. Almost everything is more expensive on the shoreline.

If you are more interested in spending your vacation golfing, you may want to examine the golf resorts in and around the Untied States. Many popular golf courses are located in Myrtle Beach, Newport Beach, and Scottsdale. If you are on a budget, you can easily benefit from purchasing a resort package. Many popular golf resorts, in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean offer packages that offer accommodations that may include travel, hotel stays, golf course visits, and dining.

Golf resorts are popular vacation destinations for many individuals, but many can be expensive. If you are unable to obtain a discount vacation package, but you still want to your vacation to have a focus on golf, you have a number of options. Many golf resorts allow vacationers to play on their courses, even if they are not staying at the resort. It is also possible to golf at well-known golf courses that are not considered resorts. As with a beach vacation, you may be able to save a large amount of money by staying at a hotel or dinning away from a golf resort.

Theme parks and amusement parks are popular vacation destinations, especially for those with children. If you and your family are interested in vacationing at a United States theme park, you have a number of options. Theme park resorts are similar to, the above mentioned, golf resorts. A large number of well-known theme park resorts, including Orlando Studios, Disneyland, and Disney World can be selected, even if you are on a budget. Many of these resorts offer vacation packages that include hotel stays, theme park use, onsite dinning, and much more.

Theme park resort packages are a great way to save money, but you could save even more by not paying for services that you will not use. If you do not have to fly to reach your destination you should not have to have travel accommodations included in your package. You may also be able to find cheaper hotel accommodations that are located a short distance away from the theme park of your choice. In addition to theme park resorts, you can find days of fun at smaller parks, such as Six Flags, Sea World, and Bush Gardens.
You may recognize many of the above mentioned summer vacation destinations. Popular vacation destinations do not have to be financially out of your reach. Simply by cutting a few corners, you could be vacationing along side the rest of America, even while on a budget.

Summer Vacation Destinations for Holiday Travelers

When you think of holiday travel, what comes to your mind first? When thinking of holiday travel, many individuals automatically think of traveling to visit with family and friends for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. While these may be the most well-known holidays, they are not the only ones. In the summer months, many individuals and families make the decision to vacation on or around Labor Day or the Forth of July.

If you are interested in vacationing on or around Labor Day weekend or the Forth of July weekend, there are a number of important factors that you should first consider. Perhaps, the most important factor is number of other travelers on the road. As previously mentioned, a large number of individuals and families make the decision to travel on a summer holiday weekend. If you are interested in vacationing at a popular destination, you may want to take this into consideration.

In most of the world, summer is associated with sun, sand, and beaches. The majority of families that travel on Labor Day weekend or the Forth of July weekend are heading to the beach. There are a number of popular beaches that can be found in the United States and Europe. Popular beaches in the United States include Daytona Beach, Virginia Beach, and South Beach. St. Tropez, Cannes, Costa Smeralda, and Marbella are popular summer beach destinations in Europe.

When selecting a summer holiday vacation destination, it is important to keep what you need and want out of your vacation in mind. If you are looking for a romantic, but private getaway, you may want to avoid the above mentioned beaches. If large crowds and a lack of privacy will not have a negative impact on your vacation then you select just about any destination in the world.

Beaches can easily be considered the most popular summer vacation destinations, but they are not your only options when vacationing during a summer holiday. To many, Labor Day and the Forth of July mean outdoor barbeques and picnics. For this reason, public campgrounds and parks are popular summer vacation destinations. If you are interested in camping outdoors, grilling, and participating in outdoor activities, camping may be a great vacation for you and your family.

Outdoor camping is enjoyed by many. Its allure is privacy. Most campgrounds are founded in largely landscaped areas. Trees and large bushes often create private retreats. In addition to being found in wooded areas, public campgrounds can also be found along secluded beaches and in the mountains. State or national parks, which allow camping, and public campgrounds are often filled with a number of facilities. These facilities often include onsite laundromats, general stores, and game rooms.

Outdoor camping is most often perceived as sleeping outdoors in a tent. Tents are often the most used piece of camping equipment, but RVs are gaining popularity. If you do not own an RV, you can easily rent one from a number of locations. There are many individuals and families who enjoy taking a road trip throughout the United States or Europe.

Beaches and campgrounds are popular vacation destinations for summer holiday travelers. However, it is important to note that you should not limit yourself to the vacationing at the beach or camping. Additional fun-filled activities may include visiting a museum, zoo, or amusement park. When it comes to summer holiday travel, just about anything is possible.

Selecting Your Summer Vacation Destination

Have you and your family made the decision to plan a summer vacation this year? If you have, you are not alone. Each year, a large number of families decide to vacation in the summer months. If you have already selected your summer vacation destination, you are one step ahead of most families. If you have yet to choose a vacation destination, you will have to do so.

Planning a summer vacation can be an easy task, but at the same time it can be difficult. It all depends on what you need and want to get out of your summer vacation. The first step in planning your summer vacation is not necessarily to choose a destination, but to choose a scenery. Would you like to go camping in the woods, sailing on the water, or be relaxing at the beach? The things that you want to do on your vacation are vital to the selecting the perfect summer vacation destination.

Does riding a rollercoaster, sailing on the water, or relaxing at the beach all sound exciting? If each of these activities offers you excitement, you may have a difficult time narrowing down your search to just one destination. To decide on the perfect vacation destination, you are encouraged to research a number of popular vacation “hotspots.”

Information and travel brochures can easily be found or ordered online. Brochures can be ordered from most large cities and popular vacation destinations in the United States or overseas. A large number of these brochures are free and are filled with valuable information. If you want to take the time to research a number of popular summer vacation destinations, you are encouraged to request these brochures well in advance.

Researching a collection of summer vacation destinations is a great way to plan your own vacation; however, it can become a long and difficult process. This process becomes even more difficult if you searching for a unique vacation destination. To save time and money, you may want to consider researching the most popular destinations in the United States.

It is likely that you already know a number of popular summer vacation destinations off the top of your head. You are encouraged to perform a standard internet search on each of these destinations. You may also want to order a number of travel brochures. It is important to remember that it may take a few weeks for your travel packets to arrive.

As previously mentioned, it is likely that you may know of a number of popular vacation destinations. If you are only able to remember a limited number of locations, you may want to rely on suggestions from others. These suggestions should be closely examined before booking a vacation. You never know what vacation ideas you could get just by speaking to friend, family member, or co-worker.

If you and your family are interested in a simple vacation, you could vacation at an amusement park. There are a large number of amusement parks located all across the United States. You could visit a local amusement park or you could travel across the country to find one; your options are literally unlimited. Some of the well-known amusement parks in the United States include Six Flags, Bush Gardens, and Sea World.

If a vacation on a beach is more your style, you have a number of options to choose from. There are a large number of beaches located along the Untied States coasts and overseas. It is also important to note that beach vacations do not have to be limited to the coast. There are a number of popular beach resorts located inland too. These inland resorts are often located on large lakes. Popular beaches that you may recognize include Myrtle Beach, Daytona Beach, South Beach, Panama City Beach, and Santa Barbara Beach.
It is easy to see that you have an unlimited number of options when it comes to choosing a summer vacation destination. Taking the time to seriously consider each destination may result in the vacation of your dreams.

Popular Summer Vacation Destinations for Seniors

Senior travel is growing in popularity. Instead of relaxing at home, a large number of senior citizens are making the decision to get out and travel. If you are a senior citizen and you are interested in taking a summer vacation, you may be wondering which summer vacation destination is best.

All around the world, there are millions of vacation destinations. With a large selection of destinations, attractions, and activities, you may be wondering how you could ever narrow your choice down to just one place. The first step in deciding on a destination is by determining which activities you would like to participate in while on vacation.

Senior citizens enjoy a wide variety of different activities. If you enjoy golfing, a golf resort may be an ideal location for your next vacation. If relaxing by the beach is more your style, you have a large number of beaches to choose from. In addition to on land vacations, you may enjoy taking a summer vacation cruise. Deciding what you would like to do while on vacation is the best way to find the perfect summer vacation destination.

While the activities that you’d like to participate in on your vacation are important, so are the activities that you’d like to avoid. Unfortunately, a large number of popular summer vacation destinations are targeted towards the younger crowd. If excess loud music, late night partying, and excess drinking is not on your “to do list,” then you may want to consider avoiding destinations that promote these activities.

Due to their price, domestic vacations are often the most sought after for seniors. If you are able to afford the cost of overseas travel, you may want to consider an overseas vacation. These vacations are ideal for seniors who want to see the world, but have never had the opportunity to before. The preparation and travel required to have an overseas vacation is often long and large. You may want to examine your health and ability to withstand a long journey before booking an overseas vacation.

If an overseas vacation is possible and sounds ideal, you have an unlimited number of destinations to choose from. Popular destinations include France, Italy, and Spain. Many of these destinations are famous for their rich history. While vacationing overseas, you can visit a number of well-known tourist attractions. You can explore many of these attractions by yourself or with a tour guide.

If domestic vacations are more your style, you can often find fun, but relaxing vacations at, the above mentioned, beach and golf resorts. Myrtle Beach, located in South Carolina, is a well-known beach that caters to visitors of all ages. In addition to sunbathing and swimming, you may find a number of activities designed for individuals of your age.

Most of the golf resorts found in the United States cater to mature crowds. While children may be allowed to stay, there are a limited number of golf resorts that have onsite activities for children. The lack of onsite activities for children often provides a fun, safe, and relaxing environment for seniors. In addition to golfing, golf resorts are often equipment with private cottage rentals, fine dining restaurants, and onsite spas.

Once you have found the vacation destination of your choice, you may want to book your reservations right away. Before making a reservation, you are encouraged to search for travel discounts. If you are a member of Triple A or AARP, you may be able to receive valuable discounts on your next summer vacation.
With a large number of vacation destinations designed with seniors in mind, you are sure to find the perfect location for your next vacation. Whether you choose to spend your vacation at the beach, travel overseas, or stay at a well-known golf resort, you are sure to make an unlimited number of memories.

Popular Summer Vacation Destinations for Couples

Each year, millions of families take a summer vacation together. Vacationing with your family is nice; however, there are times when you and your partner may just need to be alone. If you are interested in scheduling a romantic getaway with your spouse, you have a number of different options to choose form.

When selecting a romantic summer vacation destination, you will need to consider what romance means to you. For many individuals, there are certain activities, settings, or events that may ruin the mood. To find the perfect romantic getaway destination, you are encouraged to examine what you need and want to get out of your trip.

If you are looking for a romantic vacation that offers a beautiful tropical climate, you are encouraged to examine Barbados. Barbados is an island located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is an eastern Caribbean island. Barbados is well-known for its amazing coastal vacations. These coastal vacations are ideal for romantic summer vacations. In addition to its beautiful coast, Barbados has a collection of unique shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Tahiti is often referred to as “the most beautiful island in the world.” Located in the Pacific Ocean, just below the Equator, Tahiti offers romantic summer vacation getaways like no other. The environment in Tahiti is almost always warm, inviting, and romantic. With a large number of romantic resorts, restaurants, and themed activities just for couples, you are sure to enjoy a romantic getaway in Tahiti.

The Pocono Mountains, located in Pennsylvania, is another popular summer vacation destination for couples looking to escape their daily activities. Pocono resorts are most often known for their wintertime activities; however, the resorts are open all year long. While the temperature may not be tropical, Pocono resorts are ideal for those looking for privacy.

Similar to the, above mentioned, Pocono resorts, Paris, France is not considered a tropical destination. Despite Paris’s weather variations, it is often considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. Once you arrive in Paris, you will see that romance is in the air. In addition to hotels with a romantic theme, you will find a number of amazing tourist attractions. The Eiffel Tower is a place where many couples reconnect and reaffirm their love for each other.

Tahiti, the Pocono’s, Paris, and Barbados are just a few of the many popular summer vacation destinations that are designed for lovers. In addition to visiting a specific destination, you can schedule a romantic cruise. A large number of popular cruise lines offer cruise ships that are designed specifically for couples. Aboard a cruise ship you are likely to find a number of exciting, relaxing, and romantic activities.

In addition to onboard activities, cruise ships often dock in a number of ports. A cruise ship with a romantic theme is likely to select ports with romantic settings. Depending on the cruise ship in question, you are often allowed a few hours or a whole day to explore the port. For many couples, this exploration often feels like a whole separate experience.
The above mentioned locations are popular summer vacation destinations for couples. If these locations are out of your reach, do not worry. There are thousands, if not millions, of other summer vacation destinations for you to choose from.

Online Coupons: Saving You Money on Your Next Summer Vacation

While shopping for food and other household products, how often do you use coupons? Grocery store coupons are used by a large number of shoppers. Unfortunately, when it comes to coupons, there are many individuals who feel that grocery items are as far as they go. The reality is that you can find a large number of coupons for just about anything you want, including your next summer vacation.

If you are planning on taking a summer vacation, you are encouraged to search for vacation coupons. These coupons can easily be found online. The type of online coupon that you find will all depend on the vacation destination in question. Many vacation destinations allow internet users to print their own coupons. It is also possible that you could request a free coupon booklet. To have these coupons mailed directly to your door, you will have to call a toll free number or fill out an online request form.

As all other coupons, you may be unable to use multiple coupons at one vacation destination. The value of each coupon is likely to vary. Most vacation destinations will develop their own unique offers. If you are obtaining a coupon for a beach resort, you may find that if you stay a week, you may be eligible to receive an additional night free. Online amusement park coupons often allow one member of your family to get in free with another paying member.

The above mentioned vacation destination coupons are just a few of the many. There are an unlimited number of deals and discounts that could be obtained by using an online coupon. If you are interested in searching for online vacation destination coupons, you have a number of options. If you already know your anticipated vacation destination, finding online coupons should be a fairly easy process.

When searching for online vacation destination coupons, you are encouraged to visit the online websites of hotels, restaurants, resorts, and parks that you intend on visiting. If a particular business offers vacation coupons, these coupons will likely be found on their online website. To find the website of a popular restaurant, resort, hotel, or park near your vacation destination, you can perform a standard internet search.

Searching for and viewing the online websites of businesses and attractions located in or around your vacation destination can be a time consuming process. If you still want to find vacation destination coupons, but you don’t want to spend time searching for them, you can examine online coupon websites. Online coupon websites are websites that offer a wide range of free, printable coupons. Not all online coupon websites carry vacation destination coupons, but it is possible that you may find a number of websites that do.

When searching for vacation destination coupons, you will see that many of the destinations and attractions that offer coupons are well-known and often considered vacation “hotspots.” It is important to remember that not all vacation destinations offer online coupons to travelers. Just because coupons may not exist for the destination of your choice, does not mean that you shouldn’t at least look for them. You may end up being surprised with what you find.

Some of the many theme parks and amusement parks offering online vacation destination coupons include, but are not limited to, Six Flags, Disneyland, Disney World, and Sea World. In addition to amusement parks, many large city zoos offer valuable saving for the whole family. Oftentimes, specialty or nationally known hotels and restaurants will also offer online coupons for internet users.
It is amazing what you can find online. With internet access and a little bit of time, you can easily find online coupons that may be able to be used at the vacation destination of your choice.