Places to Visit in France

It can be argued that France is the most romantic country in the world, or at least in Europe; what is certain is that it is a beautiful place, filled with history and culture, unsurpassed cuisine and home of the best wines in the world, including the unmistakable champagne from the region of Champagne. In what follows we are going to take a short look at some of the best places to visit in France, because it would be impossible to see all this country has to offer in just one vacation.

We cannot present any places to visit in France before mentioning Paris, the capital, where some of the country's best attractions can be found, including that romantic air tourists are hunting for when they come here. The city is filled with wonderful destinations such as the Eiffel Tower, the Pere-Lachaise cemetery where important authors and personalities are buried, including famous singer Jim Morrison, from The Doors. The Louvre, one of the most impressive art museums in the world, also hosts the legendary Mona Lisa painting, by Leonardo da Vinci. We are now just going to skip ahead otherwise this article could be filled only with information about Paris.

One of the most beautiful and romantic places to visit in France, the Loire Valley seems taken out of a fairytale; this magical natural landscape is considered to be the garden of France, yet there you will not only enjoy the luxurious and impressive vegetation, but the countless chateaus and mansions as well. Mont Saint-Michel is another French landmark that shouldn't be missed, especially the Benedictine abbey reigning over it. Furthermore, if you like to see how people lived hundreds of years ago, you will definitely enjoy taking a stroll through the small medieval village surrounding the abbey.

The sites we mentioned before are situated in the region of Normandy, an attraction in itself that could turn into a standalone holiday if you would like. Nevertheless, let us move on with our places to visit in France. If you prefer the seaside, warm temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere, take your vacation to Cȏte d'Azur; it can be a bit expensive and VIP-oriented, but the landscapes make it worthwhile.

The French are well-known for their eye for beauty and the spectacular, and their infamous queen, Marie Antoinette was no exception, having built one of the most impressive castles, the Versailles. With its lush, symmetrical gardens, its sumptuous chambers and rich tapestries, this testimony of times' past is truly a wonder of the world. France is also famous for its sparkling wine produced in the area of Champagne, so if you are interested in how and where they are made, don't miss sampling it.

There are numerous beautiful places to visit in France because this country has a long and rich history and a unique, special culture that can only be experienced if you visit other places besides Paris, such as the wonderful Versailles palace.

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Places To Visit Around San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport is the second busiest airport in the State of California, next to Los Angeles's. The former is hailed the 20th biggest airport across the globe. It has great public amenities, which include public showers, shops, restaurants, and more.

One can expect a lot of people arriving and leaving San Francisco, virtually any time of day. Merchants in the establishments located in and out of the airport typically have customers 24/7. Since there are many travelers, one can expect hotels and taxis to be abundant around the area.

There are also spots to visit around the airport. Even those who have connecting flights can still enjoy a glimpse of the world renowned city without leaving the vicinity. Mission Station and 24th Street are only around 20 minutes away from the airport. This is where the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts is located, and visitors can feast their eyes on Chicano, South American, Central American, and Caribbean traditional art pieces.

Along Mission Street is the Cartoon Art Museum. This is the only preservation and cartoon art exhibition in the country where visitors can expect to see them in all forms and sizes. The museum has around 6,000 cartoon art pieces on display.

The area also boasts of top hotels. Visitors need not go farther for a lovely bath and much needed sleep, as hotels like the Hampton Inn, Hilton, Four Points by Sheraton, and Embassy Suites are all located minutes away from the San Francisco international airport.

Those who are ready to shop can drop by Crocker Galleria Shopping Center in Montgomery Street Station. There are over forty shops, restaurants, and boutiques that await travelers. Chinatown is also located along Bush Street and Grant Avenue, where one can indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine. Colorful shops also line the streets, which is why it is considered one of the city's classic towns.

The Embarcadero waterfront offers great photo opportunities to tourists. It is located just a few minutes from the station. Great photos of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge areas are the best way to top off a short visit to the city. Tourists do not have to worry about transportation, as there are many SFO cab and car rental services. They can book for the services before they arrive in San Francisco or they can choose to hail a cab to go to nearby tourist spots or hotel.

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Best Places in the Philippines to Travel for 2013

Why Travel Philippines?

That "it's more fun in the Philippines" is more than just a campaign mantra by the government, it is an authentic depiction of the Philippines reflected by the fact that Filipinos are one of the happiest people in the world. With its rich natural treasures, vibrant culture, scrumptious foods, feisty festivals, value for money and welcoming people across the country, it is without a doubt that the Philippines is one of the best places to visit. In fact, the fun in the Philippines is so irresistible and habit forming that many foreigners have not only chosen to travel but live and stay here for good for which the country was recently named one of the world's top retirement destinations.

10 Best Places in the Philippines to Travel in 2013

1. Palawan - Palawan is the home to the longest subterranean river in the world that lies beneath a limestone karst, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the seven "New Natural Wonders of the World". It also has best diving spot in the world namely the Tubbataha Reef and is a haven for the world's most beautiful resorts such as the Coral Bay, Rio Playa, El Nido and Dos Palmas resorts.

2. Baguio - The "Summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio is popular for its cool climate within this tropical country. It serves as a cool vacation retreat and is famous for its parks such as Burnham Park, Camp John Hay and Botanical Gardens.

3. Bohol - Currently the country's no. 1 tourist destination in the country, Bohol is known for its beautiful beaches as well as diving and snorkeling sites. It is also famous for Chocolate Hills and the tarsier, the world's smallest primate exclusively found in Bohol.

4. Cebu - The Queen City of the South, Cebu is also a top tourist destination in the country which practically has all what the country offers from pristine beaches, adventurous activities, vivacious cultures to first class accommodations.

5. Camarines Sur - The latest addition in the Philippines top tourist destinations with the biggest jump, Camsur is the popular venue for water sports activities such as wakeboarding, summer surfing, Triathlon and Dragon Boat Competition.

6. Tagaytay - The second summer capital of the country, Tagaytay is equally famous for its cool climate and several retreat and vacations spots such as the Tagaytay Highlands, the Picnic Grovea and People's Park in the Sky. It is also where the world famous Taal Volcano can be found.

7. Camiguin - One of the smallest provinces yet richest in natural splendors, Camiguin is one enchanting paradise that has numerous scenic spots in its every nook including the Katibawasan and Tuasan Falls, hot and cold springs and most exquisite lagoon and white islands.

8. Vigan - A travel back to time, Vigan is the home for many historical heritages of the country featuring the 18th century Spanish colonial era.

9. Subic - Formerly the largest US overseas naval base, Subic had been transformed as destination for sea sports like sailing and yachting as well as many outdoor activities.

10. Davao - The largest city in the world, Davao is home to the tallest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Apo and the home for the largest eagle in the world, the monkey-eating Philippine eagle.

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Unique Attractions of the USVI

When it comes to sightseeing pleasures, the United States Virgin Islands has more in store in addition to pristine beaches and protected bays. The tropical island paradise also has an array of interesting destinations that take the island's natural beauty up a notch to provide you with a one-of-a-kind experience.

Coral World Ocean Park

Coral World Ocean Park, at Coki Point Beach in St. Thomas, is a unique marine park showcasing the richness of the Caribbean ocean life. Among the wide range of attractions, is a three-story observation tower that is located in the middle of a living and breathing coral reef that is 100 feet offshore. The walk towards the tower is through a foot bridge with a clear view of the colonies of corals, and an array of fishes and other aquatic animals down below.

The tower's top-level offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands and cays. At the middle level is a very huge circular tank filled with deep-sea predators. The tank treats with you a face-to-face encounter with the fearsome creatures that are otherwise only seen in pictures. Among the tank's residents are different specifies of the sharks, moray eels, sting rays, and barracuda. The tower's base is an underwater observatory with a 360-degree glass enclosed viewing area that gives you an idea of the life in and around an active coral reef.

Apart from the Tower, Coral World Ocean Park also features exciting and educational attractions like, the Caribbean Reef Encounter, Marine Gardens, the Turtle Pool, Touch Pool, Sting Rays Pool, Sharks Pool, Iguana Alley and many more.

The Atlantis Submarine and Harbor Cruise

Atlantis Submarine, a recreational submarine company in St. Thomas, offers the world's first fleets of submarines that cater to tourists and guests. The expedition begins with a 20-minute scenic ride from St. Thomas to Turtle Cove, where guests are transferred to the high-tech Atlantis-15 submarine. The 40- to 50- minute and one-and-a-half-mile underwater adventure features going through a canyon area called Snapper Valley. Marvel at the rich and swarming sea-life like, the brain corals, stag horn and pillar corals, an array of tropical fishes and perhaps catch a glimpse of a shark.

The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts

The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts that sits across the beautiful waterfront in Frederiksted, St. Croix, is the only Museum Center in the Virgin Islands. The small museum is home to exciting and almost changing roster of exhibits. Many are cutting-edge multimedia creations that might come as a surprise given its out-of-the-way location.

The United States Virgin Islands is teeming with fun and adventure. With pristine beaches and protected bays, and along with the unique attractions listed above, there so much more that the USVI has in store for you on your Virgin Islands vacation.

Greg Hunt is a wanderer who has the knack for writing. Upon a trip to the Virgin Islands, fell in love with its hum and vibration. He currently resides in St. Thomas and works as a skipper for a St Thomas boat rental company, Pirates Paradise Adventures.

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Places to Visit in California

Taking a vacation is, for most of us, the best part of a year because it only happens once or twice a year, and it is the only time when we can truly rest and spend an enjoyable time. This is why it is good to choose your vacation destination carefully, and plan with care in order to have no worries. In this article we are going to talk about places to visit in California, one of the most spectacular states in America. California is the most populous state in the United States, and it is also the third largest, so it is natural that there are numerous attractions. Moreover, it is the home of Hollywood, and it has a warm climate all year, which means you can visit it any time you like.

There are countless beautiful places to visit in California, but we are only going to mention some of the more important ones here. For example, a longer stay in this sunny state shouldn't be deprived of a visit at the San Simeon State Park where you can enjoy the stupendous gardens and a lovely view of the sea. If you are also interested in culture and history, don't miss the California State Capitol Museum, which is open daily. Many tourists also find it interesting to visit the Queen Mary, a wonderful old ship docked at Long Beach. After all this serious culture, perhaps you would like to take a break and have some fun at the Knotts Berry Farm Theme Park.

If you are also looking for more exotic places to visit in California, you might be surprised to know that in the past few decades this state has gained a respectable, if not admirable name in the wine-making industry, competing with the best European wines. If you are interested in all that, you need to visit Napa Valley and the Vineyards where you can admire the beautiful landscape and learn how the wine is made there.

Among the many places to visit in California, there are numerous outdoor destinations that you are sure to enjoy, such as the Larson Volcanic National Park, Newport Beach, Lake Tahoe or Death Valley National Park. The latter should be visited together with Mount Whitney, because the two represent the lowest and the highest points of the coterminous United States.

You were probably waiting for the following destination to be mentioned from the beginning of the article, but we thought it best to leave the best for last. We are, of course, talking about the Universal Studios in Hollywood, where you can see how and where the biggest movies are made. Regardless, you shouldn't miss Disneyland or Yosemite, if you are in California.

Seeing how it is the third largest state in the United States and the most populous, it is perhaps normal that there are countless amazing places to visit in California, this warm, sunny and welcoming state where good wine and good movies are made.

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