Ara > Travel
Saturday, January 11, 2014
(BPT) - A flurry of congratulatory phone calls, social media announcements and sparkling ring pictures all mean one thing: engagement season has arrived. With approximately 39 percent of marriage proposals taking place between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, engaged couples are taking note of one of the fastest-growing nuptial trends – destination weddings.
When you think of a European vacation, do your thoughts wander to Italy, France or even the United Kingdom? While those destinations all have their appeal, you can find every bit as much adventure, history, glorious scenery and fabulous cuisine in one of Europe's most-often-overlooked travel destinations: Spain.
(BPT) - Looking to take a road trip but dread hearing the infamous "Are we there yet?" or "Can we please, please stop for fast food?" questions.
(NAPSI)—More Americans are getting on board with public transportation, according to the latest national America THINKS survey, as the cost to own and operate a vehicle rises and consumers look for ways to save money.
(NAPSI)—When temperatures drop, many find their interest in hitting the ski slopes begins to climb. To help you choose the destination for your next trip, here are some tips on this year's top ski destinations in the Western U.S., as reported by SKI magazine.
(BPT) - With the Olympics right around the corner, skiing is on a lot of people's minds. While ski trips can get pricey quickly, there are ways to give your budget a lift.
(StatePoint) Traveling this season? You'll be in good company. Of the 43.4 million estimated Thanksgiving travelers who journeyed 50 miles or more, 90 percent were expected to do so by automobile, according to 2013 AAA projections. But if your budget is tight, you're probably looking for ways to cut back on travel expenses.
Kids love dinosaurs, and with the new 3-D motion picture "Walking With Dinosaurs" in theaters nationwide for the holidays, parents of precocious paleontologists everywhere are scrambling to find the perfect dino-themed gift to put under the Christmas tree.
Winter's dark nights are for more than just regular dreaming: They're for conjuring up pleasant images of that satisfying cold-weather escape we all envision. But just where are Americans' winter travel dreams landing these days?
(NAPSI)—Indonesia will choose its next president in a few months and the historic presidential race is heating up. The strategically important archipelago nation of 17,000 islands in the heart of Asia shuttered a dictatorial system in the late 1990s and continues to build its fledgling democracy. Home to the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia maintains its moderate Islamic views as it chooses to focus its attention on emerging as a potent economic player on the global stage—and this focus is paying off. Indonesia has the world's fourth largest population and boasts an economy currently ranked 16th but is projected to move up past Germany and the United Kingdom and to seventh by 2030. With a respectable 6 percent growth in 2012, the country's longer-term economic outlook remains strong. So with this type of potential, who leads this rising star matters to the world, and one candidate is emerging as the odds- on favori te: Prabowo Subianto.
(NAPSI)—Here's a look at three of the most popular ideas moving travelers today:
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "the Earth laughs in flowers," and there's a good chance this thought came to him while he was touring England, a country filled with spectacular gardens. London itself has many beautiful gardens, from royal parks surrounding the palaces to small green spaces maintained by volunteer groups. These gardens help to bring out the beauty of the city's landscaping.
Visiting Europe in the weeks before Christmas adds a whole new character to the holiday season, one that's quite different from what is celebrated in the United States. Decorated to the hilt with greenery and lights, the towns and villages in Austria, Germany and France will delight visitors with traditional Christmas markets that each year overflow with unique holiday gifts, decadent Christmas goodies, and endearing holiday customs.
(NAPSI)—For over 200 years, the U.S. has experienced the benefits of decentralized government. Such an approach keeps control over many local matters in the hands of locally elected officials.
(BPT) - As many Americans get ready for holiday travel, one of the biggest decisions beyond the destination is deciding how to get there: to fly or drive. Factors like fuel or flight prices, dependability of the family vehicle, room for gifts and luggage as well as distance, inevitably come into play.
(NAPSI)—Many Americans have a warm spot in their hearts for a warm spot on the map—the Caribbean island of Aruba—especially during wintertime.
(BPT) - Traveling Europe may seem like a distant dream; tourists inundate cities during peak season, driving prices up. But your European dreams are attainable – if you travel during winter months. Europe can be much more affordable in winter and the quiet cities offer a more intimate and authentic experience.
Understanding the past can help us better appreciate the present and look toward the future. If you want a more meaningful vacation, an excursion to one of America's most significant sites can be a step straight into history. Why not celebrate the Gettysburg Address' and Yosemite National Park's 150th anniversaries by delving into the rich landscape that hosted each monumental achievement?
No traveler can truly say they know Europe if they haven't thoroughly explored two of its classic cities London and Florence. Between exploring everything royal and Renaissance, eating delectable foods at little cafes tucked on every corner, and touring the museums, these two world cities have so many sights to see, you'll want to immerse yourself fully in the culture, history and "off-the-beaten-path" delights of each.
If there is one specific feature that can make or break a vacation destination, it's the weather. While it's typically rare for a town to look just as beautiful under a thick layer of snow as it does during warmer months, there are a few places on the map that can make any season look magical. Take a look below and you'll see that come snow or sunshine, these alpine towns will make you feel as though you are peeking into a storybook.
Grindelwald, Switzerland | Peacefully set in Switzerland's Bernese Alps you'll find the sleepy village of Grindelwald. This Neolithic era mountain town earned its reputation as a picturesque tourist destination more than 200 years ago. The scenic Jungfraubahn Mountain Rai lway runs through Kleine Scheidegg pass and connects Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen.
Grindelwald, Switzerland | Peacefully set in Switzerland's Bernese Alps you'll find the sleepy village of Grindelwald. This Neolithic era mountain town earned its reputation as a picturesque tourist destination more than 200 years ago. The scenic Jungfraubahn Mountain Rai lway runs through Kleine Scheidegg pass and connects Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen.
Kitzbühel, Austria | The medieval town of Kitzbühel is one of Austria's (and the world's) renowned ski resort towns. Sitting on the Kitzbüheler Ache river in the Kitzbühel Alps, it features the dramatic St. Catherine's Church; its spire pierces the sky and serves as the town's most recognizable landmark.
Shirakawa-go, Japan | The thatch, slanting roofs resembling "prayer hands" are signature to the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go in the Ryohaku Mountains. These Gassho-zukuri-style buildings dot the Gokoyama area and have been listed as one of Japan 's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This type of traditional architecture can only be found in the secluded villages of the Shogawa river valley.
Val di Funes, Italy | The portrait-perfect Church of Saint Magdalena (Santa Maddalena) is a captivating symbol of Val di Funes (Villnoss Valley) in Italy's Dolomites Mountain range. During the winter, outdoor enthusiasts travel to this German-speaking area for downhill and cross-country skiing.
Idrija, Slovenia | It's no surprise that Idrija was the recipient of the 2011 Alpine Town of the Year Award. This 15th-century mining town is known as one of the only places where mercury was found both in liquid and solid form. You can find this charming western Slovenian town in the Julian Alps.
Banff, Canada | One of Canada's most beautiful mountainous landscapes can be found in Banff National Park. The small town of Banff is set more than 4,500 feet above sea level in the Alberta Rockies. Here, you can enjoy the powdered peaks by ski or gaze at the panorama from natural hot springs.
Aspen, Colorado, U.S. | This Rocky Mountains locale grew from a small silver boom mining camp to one of America's beloved ski resort towns. At approximately 8,000 feet above sea level, Aspen is only 11 miles from the Continental Divide. Since the 1970s, the town has grown to be a snowy playground for celebrities and wealthy jetsetters.
When it comes to traveling with family members, you really want to get it right. When done properly, family travel can bring different generations together and leave everyone with memories they'll treasure for the rest of their lives. Given that potential, and considering the fact that family travel can involve substantial expense, it's a smart idea to rely on experts in the field to make your family travel plans a reality.
(StatePoint) Traveling this holiday season? Even if you aren't in the comfort of your own home, you can make the experience special for your family. From decorating your hotel room to welcoming Santa, there are ways you can still enjoy those holiday traditions that are near and dear to you.
While time alone can be refreshing and liberating, more often, people crave company. That's especially true when it comes to traveling. In addition to providing the comfort and assurance of numbers, traveling with others can be deeply enriching, as we share experiences and view new sights through others' perspectives.
Only a handful of people around the world are old enough to remember World War I, yet as the 100th anniversary of the first truly global war approaches, its impact on the world can still be felt today. In many ways, WWI set the stage for all world-wide conflicts to come; it was the first war that truly affected almost all the world, the first in which aircraft played a role, and the first conflict in which modern weapons created casualties in the millions.
Legends in Major League Baseball are born in October. From riveting seven-game series to late-inning heroics, unforgettable moments in baseball history happen during the playoffs culminating in the most prestigious baseball event, the World Series.
Exploring cultures, witnessing majestic landscapes and tasting exotic foods – there's so much to experience when traveling the world. And while a group tour is a great, hassle-free way to experience many of the world's most desirable destinations, for some, the idea of traveling in a large group may be a bit daunting. Thankfully, many top tour operators are now offering trips with smaller group sizes, providing all the benefits of group travel (ease of planning, all-inclusiveness, high levels of service, guided sightseeing, value, etc.) with the more personalized feel of fewer traveling companions.
(BPT) - Moving from one home, one city and even one state to another is a great opportunity to clean house and start fresh. Instead of packing all belongings – even those that haven't been used in years – moving gives families a chance to reduce their material goods so that what ends up being unpacked in the new house is immediately used.
(NAPSI)—For a boatload of enjoyment, people from all over the world will be flowing into the site of the Centennial Festival of Riverboats, October 14 through 19, 2014, on the Ohio River and its banks at Louisville, Kentucky's internationally acclaimed Waterfront Park.
(NAPSI)—When Orville and Wilbur Wright's plane lifted off from its famous spot in Kitty Hawk, N.C. in 1903, aviation changed the world forever.
(BPT) - With the cooler temperatures of autumn flowing in, many Americans will be hitting the road to discover the natural beauty that the season brings. Whether they crave adventure, want to see the fall foliage or are just getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, families need to be prepared to ensure they are getting the most out of this travel season.
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