smart travel tips, vacation rentals news


Travel & Tourism: The World’s Happiest Countries


Oct 08

Posted: under Adventure Holiday News.
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If you are trying to decide where you would like to go on your next vacation, consider one of the world’s five happiest countries. Following is a list of how the five happiest countries rank.

Denmark

Denmark takes the position as the happiest country in the world. They feast on comfort foods and the average Dane works 37 hours per week. There are two reasons to be happy!

Finland

Second on the list of happiest countries is Finland. The country of Finland has much to appreciate including the countryside made up of lakesides and steep peaks. During seasons outside of summer, Finland weather is freezing!

Netherlands

Amsterdam is the world’s playground for people of all ages.

Sweden

This country undoubtedly gained its position on the list of happiest countries due to its shopping culture. There is much to do in terms of shopping including the choice of top brands.

Ireland

The Irish are probably a happy bunch thanks to Guinness. Dublin, the capital, is filled to the rim with pubs and makes for a good destination for a wild weekend.

 

If you are looking to spend an even better time at any of these five happiest countries for vacation, look into renting vacation rentals. Vacation rentals are an affordable and spacious alternative to hotels.

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Travel & Tourism:Tourism Growth and Trends


Oct 05

Posted: under Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Everyday our planet seems to be getting smaller as we make advances in technology. We are globalizing, which means that tourism is becoming increasingly important. Tourism is not only defined as recreational or for leisure purposes but business purposes are also accounted for. People have many reasons and motivations to move around, that’s where travel tips and vacation rentals come in handy.

The actual definition of a tourist from the World Tourism Organization is persons who  “travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.”

So what are the latest tourism trends?

Well, 2008 provided for 922 million international tourist arrivals (growth of 1.9% compared to 2007). Also in 2008, International tourism receipts grew to US$ 944 billion at about the same rate (1.8% from 2007). Those signs of growth have not been strong enough, however, to counteract the effects of the global recession.

The first four months of 2009 saw a decrease of international tourist arrivals of 8%. The outbreak of the Swine flu has also has some effect on slowing down tourism. Despite some bumps in the road, the World tourism organization is predicting growth at an average annual rate of 4%. In 25 years, who knows, maybe space tourism will start becoming a reality.

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New York Travel: The Most Visited Attractions


Oct 05

Posted: under New York, Sights and Attractions.
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Tourists flock to world renowned attractions as if magical spells were attracting them. People from around the world cannot get enough of these various types of attractions, whether man-made or natural.

In this day and age, people are as well-informed as ever as they gather travel tips on the internet. They are able to see pictures and gather facts on the most amazing attractions out there that will personally touch them. The United States, Europe, and East Asia fare well in the amount of awe-inspire attraction sites they feature.

times-square-new-york

Entire vacations are planned around these wonders as people often elect to stay in vacation rentals in order to soak in as much as they can. Here is a list of some of the top 20 most visited attractions in the world, according to Forbes.

-Times Square, New York City, NY:
35 million

-National Mall & Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C. (Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the war memorials):
About 25 million

-Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.:
16.6 million

-Trafalgar Square, London, England:
15 million

- Disneyland Park, Anaheim, Calif.:
14.7 million

- Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York
14 million

- Fisherman’s Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, Calif.:
13 million

-Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Paris, France:
8 million

-The Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China:
At least 7 million

-Eiffel Tower, Paris, France:
6.7 million

-Empire State Building, New York, NY:
4 million

-The London Eye, London, England:
3.5 million

-Palace of Versailles, France:
3.45 million

-Pyramids of Giza, Egypt:
3 million

-Pompeii, Italy:
2.5 million


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Travel & Tourism - The Top Spenders (by nationality)


Oct 05

Posted: under Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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Tourists who embark on vacations know that they are going to be spending their money. There are some who constantly look for bargains and the most travel tips, while others care a little less about the financial aspects.

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Germans and Americans are the two of the biggest spenders according to the World Tourism Organization. Tourists opting for vacation rentals in the destinations of their choice often find the experience rewarding and the money well-spent. Here is a list of the top 10 biggest spenders by nationality, as provided by the World Tourism Organization. It should not come as a surprise that Americans are among the top 5; the number “$76.2 billion” does seem pretty high.

1. Germany: $ 83.1 billion (in 2007)

2. United States:$ 76.2 billion (in 2007)

3. United Kingdom: $71.4 billion (in 2007)

4. France:$ 36.7 billion (in 2007)

5. China: $ 29.8 billion (in 2007) (in 2007)

6. Italy: $27.3 billion  (in 2007)  (in 2007)

7. Japan: $26.5 billion  (in 2007)

8. Canada: $24.8 billion (in 2007)

9. Russia: $22.3 billion (in 2007)

10. South Korea: $22  billion (in 2007)

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Travel & Tourism - The Most Visited Countries


Oct 05

Posted: under Useful Tips and Gadgets.
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The World Tourism Organization is in charge of following travels around the globe.  According to the WTO, a tourist is simply someone staying outside of their usual location for a period of more than 24 hours. Boundaries between countries are becoming easier to travel through. Certain countries, like France (France vacation rentals) and Spain (Spain vacation rentals) , are the main beneficiaries as their cultures are very appealing to visitors.

People love travelling, staying in vacation rentals or hotels, and exploring new boundaries. The Unification of the European Union has made Europe a great continent for traveling since European citizens no longer need visas.

barcelona-spain-attractions

Countries like France, Spain, Italy (Italy vacation rentals) and Germany (Germany vacation rentals) are among the most visited in Europe and in the world. Travel tips are numerous on the internet and tourists can get as much information to find the destinations they enjoy.

Can you guess what the 10 most visited countries are?

1. France (81.9 million in 2007)

2. Spain (59.2 million in 2007)

3. United States (56.0 million in 2007)

4. China ( 54.7 million in 2007)

5. Italy ( 43.7 million in 2007)

6. United Kingdom (30.7 million in 2007)

7. Germany (24.4 million in 2007)

8. Ukraine (23.1 million in 2007)

9. Turkey (22.2 million in 2007)

10. Mexico (21.4 million in 2007)

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Los Angeles Vacations: All About Vacations in Malibu, Los Angeles


Jul 22

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Los Angeles, United States.
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Malibu Los Angeles Holiday Rental Guide - Malibu Vacation Villas

Malibu is an iconic district of Los Angeles about 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles. This celebrity-filled, seaside town is a must-see or a must-stay, if you have the time. This adorable town has around 14,000 full-time residents. You have to be quite rich to live in this upscale neighborhood. Use a Malibu Los Angeles holiday rental guide to get the scoop on the city. Malibu is a 21-mile strip stretching across the Pacific Coast and offering breathtaking views. Malibu is all about nature, views and, of course, its residents. Vacationers stay in hotels or Malibu vacation villas.

Malibu is also known as BU by locals. It is a laid back seaside town with many wealthy celebrities. Malibu is known, first and foremost, for its breathtaking pacific coast. Malibu does not have a real center, per say. Vacationers go there with a Malibu Los Angeles holiday rental guide in hand, in attempts to see or mingle with stars or just to relax before breathtaking oceanfront views from the wonderful Malibu vacation villas found in the Malibu Los Angeles holiday rental guide. The beauty of the mountains plunging into the sea is magnificent. The beaches of Malibu are renowned but Malibu is much more than that. It offers a world class museum, plenty of gourmet restaurants and shops where you will be happy to spend your money.

Observe Breathtaking Views
Drive along the highway to see the incredible beauty of the seascape. Whether you are visiting Malibu just for the day or are staying in Malibu vacation villas, you must visit Point Dune Preserve (www.parks.ca.gov). Take a short walk around and witness the gratifying breathtaking view of Santa Monica Bay. If the day is clear enough, you will be able to see the Catalina Islands.

Dine on the Beach at Sunset
Contrary to what we may think, dining in a beach restaurant with a view of the sunset is not an easy task. While it is easy to find restaurants on the beach, the problem is in that Malibu faces south, not west, therefore, making sunsets hard to see. You will need to find a restaurant facing west. The Malibu Los Angeles holiday rental guide recommends the Sunset Restaurant (6800 Westward Beach Road, 310-589-10 07, Thesunsetrestaurant.com. Sure, the food is good and affordable, but the view is extraordinary!

Dining and Spotting Celebrities in Malibu
Vacationers in Malibu appreciate the natural beauty but they also enjoy Malibu’s great restaurants. If you like Sushi, are not on a tight budget and would like to catch a glimpse of a celebrity, head to the famous NOBU Malibu. NOBU is an upscale Japanese restaurant featured in the Malibu Los Angeles holiday rental guide with other locations such as New York and Miami Beach. NOBU Malibu is located at 3835 Cross Creek Road, 310-589-1007, Nobumatsuhisa.com). Expect to pay around $60 per person, not including alcohol.


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Florida Keys Travel: Visit and Stay in the Florida Keys


Jul 22

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Florida, Key West, South Florida, United States.
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The Florida Keys Vacation Rentals - Holiday Rentals in The Florida Keys

Key West and the Keys attract visitors that long for clear ocean waters, fishing and a laid back atmosphere. Everything is just better in the Florida Keys and in the Florida Keys vacation rentals. Nature is at its best, the sea is around every corner and the magnificent Frigates (sea birds) patrol the blue Florida sky.

Whether you stay in holiday rentals in the Florida Keys or a hotel, you will be delighted by your surroundings. Key West offers unparalleled colors of nature with an ocean that shifts from a deep blue to a light green and skies that changes between blue, pink and purple. If it is not paradise, it sure does resemble it. The Keys are a chain of small islands that stretch south of Miami. Visitors come here and stay in the Florida Keys vacation rentals or holiday rentals in the Florida Keys in search of paradise. The beautiful highway links Miami to Key Largo and all the way through to Key West.

Key West is a paradise for:

  • Nature lovers
  • Bird watchers
  • For photographers and painters
  • Fishermen
  • Scuba divers
  • People that like a slow and laid back life

We strongly suggest that if you will be visiting South Florida, you should take a trip to the Keys for a few days. Rent adorable the Florida Keys vacation rentals or holiday rentals in the Florida Keys to enjoy an unforgettable holiday.


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The Journey to Key West - Traveling to Key West


Jul 22

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Florida, Key West, South Florida, United States.
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Key West Vacation Villa - Traveling to Key West

The name ‘Key West’ brings to mind pictures of islands surrounded by clear waters, a genuine little town, incredible sunsets and a paradise for nature lovers. Key West can be reached from Miami by car, motorcycle, boat or plane. The distance between Miami and Key West is 150 miles and will take around 3.5 hours to get there by car. If you decide to drive from Miami, you may want to spend a little extra in securing an exotic car rental in Miami, preferably a convertible, to be part of the extraordinary surroundings on this road trip while traveling to Key West. If you have a motorcycle license, rent a Harley Davidson in Miami and start traveling to Key West via US1 from Miami.

The trip, itself, is an extraordinary experience. Take your time and stop in any of the multiple outdoor Tiki bars that pave the way traveling to Key West. Stop to have your lunch and sip a cocktail. For the speediest journey, take a plane from Miami to Key West. A flight from Miami will take a little less than 30 minutes and the cost is affordable.

Another great way to get to Key West is to set aside some money to rent a boat or a yacht in Miami. The journey traveling to Key West is absolutely gorgeous. Be sure to do your homework and study your trip before hand. The Keys can be delicate to sail. Depending on your boat, you will spend between 5 and 12 hours traveling to Key West.

Visitors have several lodging options in Key West. Stay in a hotel, a Bed and Breakfast in Key West or in a Key West vacation villa. We recommend the Key West vacation villa because it allows you to experience the real Key West lifestyle. Key West Key West vacation villas are mostly affordable and provide plenty of comfort. The sunshine state can be easily enjoyed with a stay in Florida vacation rentals from Orlando holiday rentals, Miami Beach vacation rentals or Key West vacation villas.

Interesting video on the development of the highway connecting the Florida Keys with inland Florida.

Now, see it like it is today!



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Local British Holidays - British Holiday Rentals


Jul 22

Posted: under Destinations and Places, United Kingdom.
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British holiday rentals -  British holiday ideas

During these tough times travelers are changing their British holiday ideas and their vacationing habits by reducing the number of holidays they take, shortening the length of time and staying in British holiday rentals closer to home. Vacationers are opting for other lodging options in attempts to reduce costs. British holiday rentals are rising in popularity. The 2009 tourism season is challenging and vacationers are more careful than ever.

It is time for English vacationers to discover local destinations where they may spend affordable holidays. England is a wonderful country. Although not very gifted with sun, England was blessed with wonderful locations. Get creative with British holiday ideas for holidays in England hotels or British holiday rentals. Cornwall is a great local destination and a great British holiday ideas option. The seaside vacation destination town of St Ives is the place to be with its adorable old harbour and cobbled streets. The town of St Ives is paved with trendy galleries, cafes and restaurants. Shopping has its place in St Ives.


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Visiting the City of Los Angeles


Jun 24

Posted: under Destinations and Places, Lodging and Hotel News.
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Los Angeles vacation villas, Los Angeles guide

Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami are must see U.S. destinations. Visitors in these cities can choose to stay in American hotels or American vacation rentals such as Los Angeles vacation villas. Los Angeles is a fairy-tale city with iconic neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Malibu that are mentioned in the Los Angeles guide. Los Angeles is a very large city with plenty to see and many Los Angeles vacation villas. Use a Los Angeles guide to get around. A week of holidays in Los Angeles with a Los Angeles guide will give you a taste of this truly iconic city. Malibu is a place to visit or stay amongst the stars in a hotel or wonderful Los Angeles vacation villas.

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