May 2009

Romantic Travel Destinations Where You Can Pop The Question

Hollywood has some of the best proposal stories that melted the brides’ hearts. From the top of the Alps to deep down in the Barrier Reef, the possibilities for popping the question are endless. It’s just that every good idea seems to have been done by someone else already. Out of ideas? Here are some romantic travel destinations that are perfect for popping the question:

St. Lucia. This Caribbean island melds French and British influences in a unique, tropical setting amid all of nature’s wonders. Its beaches’ azure waters are best for snorkeling, and its nature parks are perfect for laidback treks for two. We suggest: Reserve a nice, comfy hammock with a view of the coast and pop the question in between sips of a tropical cocktail.

Tahiti. Tahiti is an undiscovered paradise, so it’s highly advised that you go there now while the rest of the traveling population hasn’t caught up. Tahiti is a tropical archipelago. You can choose which island to hole up in with your partner, but we suggest Bora Bora and Moorea—where Tahiti’s natural beauty is most apparent and tangible. Like St. Lucia, Tahiti has great beach resorts that are relatively secluded, so you can have much alone time with your bride-to-be.

Italy. If you’re thinking Europe is it, then we say it has to be Italy—definitely! Italy is the natural choice for both honeymooners and couples on vacation. And why not? It isn’t called the land of amore for nothing. Places to check out after posing the question, and hopefully getting the answer that you’ve been praying for: the Northern Alps, lake country, the Almafi Coast. Rome is also not to be missed.

Aside from choosing the perfect romantic travel destination for popping the big question, there are also some other factors that make for a successful marriage proposal trip. This one is a no-brainer: you have to have some amount of certainty that she will say yes. You wouldn’t want to waste time in paradise mending a broken heart. Also, once you get there, pick a personal spot that you know she will like. Consider the activities that the two of you love doing together: stargazing, snorkeling, taking walks, etc. Finally, don’t forget to up the surprise level.

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See Italy from the Inside!
Guide by a native Italian!

Popular Travel Destinations For Adventure Lovers

Are you the type of travelers with an incessant thirst for adventure? If hanging by a thread or living on the edge sounds like your everyday life, you shouldn’t miss any of these popular travel destinations for adventure freaks:
The beaches of the Dominican Republic. This small Caribbean island is packed full of beaches that boast of white sand the fineness of hourglass sand. Not only that, there are also luxury resorts that have recently mushroomed in the area, such as Sivory on the east end of the Dominican Republic. These new attractions compete with the good old tourist sanctuaries like La Romana’s Casa de Campo.
Safari like no other in Ethiopia. If you want to experience the wild up close and first hand, Africa is the way to go. But where exactly in Africa? It seems like every nation in the African continent have their own safari shows to offer tourists, but there is nothing like Ethiopia’s. Ethiopia’s safari adventure package is relatively new, but it has been consistently rising in terms of popularity among tourists with the rise in tour operators proactively selling the adventure. The highlights include watching birds at the Rift Valley Lakes, watching crocs at the Kenyan border, and exploring the mountain flora and fauna t the Simien Mountain National Park.
Snorkel like hell in Honduras. Honduras leaves much to be desired in terms of accommodations, but its dive sites are unparalleled, perhaps because they remain to be unexploited to this day. Underwater attractions wow first-time tourists who get to see the web of colorful coral reefs, submerged caves, underwater volcanoes, and even ship wreckages. For those who want to up the adventure factor, there are also whale sharks that you can swim by. On free days, you can check out Roatan in the Bay Islands, a haven for iguanas and tropical butterflies.
The best thing about these popular travel destinations is that the dearth of structured tours leaves you much freedom to go where you want and spend your time in whatever activity you most enjoy. So pick your destination, make your itinerary, and choose your own adventure.

Two Best-Kept Secrets: Cheap Travel Destinations Off The Radar

It’s always nice to be the first to discover cheap travel destinations that have the makings of a tourist hot spot. Here are some of Asia’s fastest-rising geographical treasures. Read on, and book a flight now before the rest of the touring world beat you it.

Cambodia
Cambodia has Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider movie to thank for its rise to tourism fame. Indeed, after the movie was shown, worldwide interest in the Angkor Wat and Cambodia’s host of ancient temples glared and flared, drawing visitors to an all-time high in 2008. Statistics say last year’s number of visitors totaled two million, or ten times more than its number of tourists ten years ago. Despite the global fanfare, Cambodia is still relatively a secret waiting to be discovered among Americans. Its more famous Indo-Chinese neighbor Vietnam is said to have drawn twice as much visitors than Cambodia last year. Cambodia though is more of a backpacker’s paradise than a haven for tourists looking for the finer things in life. When it comes to lodging, your best bet are the private guesthouses dotting the major towns (no major resort or hotel chain has ventured to build yet in this part of the world).
What to see or do when you’re there? For $2 per day, you can rent a bicycle to see Angkor Wat on. The Angkor complex is definitely not to be missed. It has splendid rows of Hindu and Buddhist temples built as far back as the 9th century that will use up a full two days. You can also hit the Artisans d’Angkor shop near Siem Reap for traditional handicraft souvenirs.

Panama
Panama is the star in terms of tourism in Central and South America. In 2007 and 2008 alone, the country has posted 20- and 30-percent increases, respectively, in the number of tourists. Last year, Panama welcomed its one-millionth visitor, which can only mean it is well on its way to becoming a mainstream travel destination just like its neighbor, Costa Rica.
The main attraction of Panama is its rich flora and fauna and their well-preserved, lush habitats. Should you decide to go, don’t miss a hike up the Cerro Jefe within the Chagres National Park. At 3,000 feet above sea level, the mountain offers a breathtaking view of the Panama Canal, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean—a sight that you won’t get from the other cheap travel destinations.

Travel Destinations In Northern America: The Mexico City Escape

Mexico is undoubtedly one of the most exciting travel destinations in Northern America. Mexico City alone is a treasure chest of sights with historical, cultural or pure entertainment value that offer so many possibilities for touring individuals, couples or families. The next time you cross the border to Mexico, remember to check the following attractions:

Alameda Central: This wooded park dates back to the 16th century, as the ancient, classical fountains in distinct Baroque style would attest to. This historical park has witnessed many of Mexico City’s milestones, from wars to revolutions. The park also houses the Pinacoteca Virreinal, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the Franz Mayer Museum.

Metropolitan Cathedral: The cathedral stands proud at the center of the Zocalo or Constitution Plaza. It is, in itself, a gallery of 3D art, and a magnificent structure where Baroque meets Neoclassical in its five naves and a gorgeous side chapel. The sight is complimented by the heavenly sound of the organ during religious rites.

Coyoacan: Immerse yourself in the Mexico culture via a visit to this colonial neighborhood where the old-world charm of Mexico is very much alive. Coyoacan is also the site of several noteworthy museums, such as Frida Kahlo’s and Leon Trotsky’s museums, and the Anahucacalli Museum.

Chapultepec Park: The park is an expansive area of lush greens right smack at the center of the Mexico City, lending a stark contrast to the busy pace of its surrounding areas. Chapultepec is Mexico City’s biggest part at over 2,000 acres. Among the attractions right inside the park are: three museums, and amusement park, a true-blue castle, a zoo, and Los Pinos—which is the Mexican counterpart of the White House. There are also lakes where the kids can ride paddleboats, a pool and a hands-on museum strictly for children.

Six Flags, Mexico: For clean, familiar fun, you can opt for a day pass in this enormous theme park. Enjoy the ride of your life, try out mechanical games, and gawk at the replicas of the world’s best tourist attractions. You can also sign up with the kids for the interactive dolphin show, or the exciting river trip.

The loads of tourist attractions right inside Mexico City tell us only one thing: that you don’t have to go far for a memorable vacation trip whether alone or with your family. After living it up in Mexico, try exploring the other travel destinations in Northern America.

Travel Secrets Guide

Thanks to an upcoming trip to Shanghai, I had to check out ticket prices for a 4 day stay there.

The inflated prices of the air ticket, hotels, and even packaged deals were just ridiculously priced. I would go so far as to call it daylight robbery.

While searching online, I stumbled upon the Travel Secrets Guide.
Lets see how secret the tips are inside here then, I thought cynically.
To my utter shock, I discovered that it was so easy to save huge amounts of cash on airfare, accommodation, transportation and money spent on other expenses.

And that’s where I learnt how to avoid travel scams, getting good hotel rooms at 50% off the normal rate, getting airline vouchers for food and flights, a little trick to getting free flights, saving money on your shopping trips, taking advantage of airline pricing mistakes and much more!

I also discovered that there are places in the world where you can get lodging for only a few dollars a day, airports to avoid, what to do when stuck at an airport overnight, how to get the best seats in planes, and even grabbing discounted hotel rooms and tickets.
I also found out how the little known trade of airfare consolidators, or companies that purchase airfare in bulk from the airline and sell them at a lower cost, can help you get tickets on the cheap, maybe as much as 50% off.

There is also the cases where passengers are denied seats in flights. You should be compensated by law and you will learn how to in this guide!

Needless to say, this guide is the most comprehensive one on traveling and was the best investment I made so far this year!

I’m giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Romantic Travel Destinations For Honeymooners

You only go on a honeymoon once. So if you managed to make your wedding magical, your honeymoon should be equally flawless. A good honeymoon requires foresight and a lot of advance planning, which consists mainly of choosing where to go and what to do once you’re there. Do you pick your honeymoon getaway from among the highly rated romantic travel destinations? Or do you go some place off the beaten path, and that you can discover? Here’s an eclectic mix of honeymoon hot spots that you may want to consider.

Hang loose in Hawaii. Everything about Hawaii is so laidback that you can’t help but keep your mind off work, your family and everything you left back in the city. It’s a perfect place, too, to zone out with wife or hubby while enjoying the tropical breeze, fine sand beaches, cocktails and breathtaking coastlines—topped with the happy disposition of Hawaii natives. If you are feeling spectacularly adventurous, you can even come up close to see the active volcanoes, or bask in the shade of Hawaii’s lush virgin forests.

Live it up in Mexico. There are two main reasons why you should consider Mexico: first, it’s so near the U.S., which makes it more convenient for honeymooners that are watching their costs; and, second, it’s a great country that offers attractions for tourists of every shape, size and color. Some of the things that you can do while there: sunbathe at exclusive, five-star beach resorts lining the Baja Coast, get on board the train that can take you canyon-hopping, check out a crash course in ancient Mayan history at the valley of Oaxaca, and all the shopping that the wives can take!

Jammin’ Jamaica. What happens when rasta music meets mojito? You get Jamaica—a haven for couples who love the night life and who feel most at home in the bar circuit. But there are lots of other things to do in Jamaica that don’t have any alcohol content: you can hit the beach and bask in the sun, you can bond with nature—and your bride or groom—on board a bamboo raft and hop from cave to cave to waterfalls tucked in the midst of lush forests.

Have you decided yet? These are just three of the top romantic travel destinations where you can get your much-needed, post-wedding de-stressing. Look up other places, explore the possibilities, and always remember that planning is key.

Popular Travel Destinations For Travelers With A Purpose

It’s hard to pick out the world’s best places and put them in one list of popular travel destinations. While many of tourist’s favorite destinations are great in all respects, there are must-see places that top the rest in one or some categories. These travel destinations are ideal for tourists who know what they want to see and experience, and who seek particular adventures rather than your run-of-the-mill city tours. If you’re planning a trip with the family, or looking at the world’s cheapest travel destination, or an invigorating wine-tasting trip, we’ve identified some of the best places to help you decide on your next adventure.

Most Popular Family Destination: Namibia. Nobody knew Namibia before Brangelina plucked Shiloh from this sleepy African country to take her to Hollywood. Since then, Namibia has become a tourist spot for touring families. Especially famous tourist attractions are the Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib desert, which you’ve probably seen in various NatGeo photos and videos. The kids will definitely have a blast touring them on board a hot air balloon! Another fun thing for the kids to try is sand-boarding all the way down to the dunes at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund—two tourist hubs across the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, you can also always settle for your traditional safari tours.

Most Popular Budget Travel Destination: Oman. First off, airfare to this Middle Eastern sultanate comes really cheap, beginning at $900. Second, the luxury hotels are relatively bargain-priced compared to other more popular tourist destinations. In fact, The Chedi, a resort that offers a breathtaking, overlooking view of the Gulf of Oman, can be yours for a night at $360—a long shot from Dubai’s equally luxurious Burj Al Arab, whose rate is $1,200 per night. There are package tours for one day or two days at about $75, that can take you around the capital, Muscat, all the way to the Wahaiba Sand desert where the world-famous Bedouin tribes are, and the Nakhl coast, where you can see Oman’s centuries-old forts.

Most Popular Wine-Tasting Destination: Argentina. Napa Valley and France have given way to Argentina when it comes to the best destination for wine connoisseurs. Mendoza, which is the capital of the country’s major wine region, is located at the base of the Andes. Aside from hitting the wine cellars, you can also do side trips to skiing, trekking and horseback riding sports. If you’re going to Argentina, make sure to do it around spring, in time for the Vendimia, Mendoza’s annual wine harvest festival. Highlights include street festivities, blessing of the grapes, and endless wine-tasting sessions.

Different folks, different strokes. And the same is true even for travel. But if you’re sure about what you want to get out of your next trip, hit any of these popular travel destinations and we guarantee that you will have the time of your life!

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Travel on a Shoestring: Top Three Cheap Travel Destinations in Europe

The global recession may have caused people and companies to cut down on their unnecessary expenses and costs. But should it also dampen your wanderlust and keep you from traveling? Not if you are going to any of the following cheap travel destinations.

Budapest, Hungary: Budapest has taken on the role that Prague used to play during the 1990s: that of being the hub for expatriates. When Prague attracted too many tourists for expats’ comfort, the expats had to find some place else to set up camp. Why do we say that Budapest is one of the cheap travel destinations these days? The recent decline of the dollar had an adverse effect on Hungary’s forint, causing it to decline by about 30 percent against the US dollar. Naturally, that means that you can get 30 percent more for every dollar that you spend there than what it would have otherwise fetched. Some of the things that you should see when you’re there: the art nouveau structures that dot the city, the Museum of Applied Arts, and the Great Market Hall for your shopping needs. You can also check out what’s showing at the Hungarian State Opera House for only $2!

Reykjavic, Iceland: Iceland’s currency, the kronur, had it worse than the forint, such that its value against the dollar has declined by almost half. For example, a hotdog in downtown Reykjavik, which used to sell at about $3.50 last year is now only $2.00! The airfare rates have also nose-dived by about 22 percent. Things you can do while there: bask in any of Reykjavik’s seven outdoor thermal pools, check out the five museums, the family park and the city zoo, and the bird-watching park at Videy Island. And did we mention you can experience all this—transport by bus included—by buying that Reykjavik Welcome Card at only $11 for 24 hours?

Berlin: This year, Berlin marks the 20th year since the fall of the Berlin Wall, so that in itself is a great reason to visit Berlin this year. Despite the investment in infrastructure, Berlin remains to be a relatively cheap vacation spot, what with its four- and five-star hotels that you can get for a bargain. This year, Berlin’s calendar is packed full of concerts, exhibitions and other memorials. You can also try the Berlin Wall tour or check out the central plaza called Potsdamer Platz, or do your shopping at the Renzo Piano shopping arcade. For 2009, we can safely say that Berlin has the most to offer among the cheap travel destinations.

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See Italy from the Inside!
Guide by a native Italian!

Welcome to Special Travel Destinations!

Special Travel Destinations, a place for you to check out various spots in the world that may hold a special place in your heart.

Travelling is always something adventurous for many. Going to new places, seeing the unseen always gives us a thrill. Many fall in love with a special destination of their own.

Here at Special Travel Destinations, we want to help you find your special spot if you haven’t found one. Or, just check back on our ideas of special travel destinations!