Here are the Pros:

• Trains run frequently and are on time. (So don’t be late!)
• Trains run to major tourist destinations as well as small towns.
• Be spontaneous. You can jump on a train and quickly go to a new destination with ease.
• Multiple train passes to choose from. Tickets range from one that allows you to travel whenever and wherever, or get a cheaper one that lets you travel on certain days and times or you can even get one that allows multiple people to travel with it!

 

And with anything there are going to be the Cons:

• Seats are not guaranteed. You can make reservations ahead of time, but this will make spontaneity less possible.
• Can’t pass through non-participating countries. For example, you can’t travel from Paris to Dublin without purchasing a ticket in addition to your EuRail Pass.
• Not all rural areas are covered by the train. If you want to see a small town you may have to buy an additional bus pass or even rent a car to get there.
• Prices can be a bit high. A Second Class ticket for two weeks will run you about $388 dollars. If you’re traveling with a family this price will add up quickly.

 

Now that you’ve read the pros and cons of rail travel, you may be asking yourself if this mode of transportation is right for you. We’ve got you covered! Here’s our list of who is best suited for a rail pass:

• People who can, and want, to do plenty of rail travel. Do your math and see if the price of the ticket will be well worth it depending on the destinations you choose.
• People who travel light and can carry their belongings easily.
• People who are willing to be spontaneous and willing to deal with lack of seats at times.

 

The train would not be best suited for you if:

• If you’re not going to do much train travel don’t waste your money.
• If you plan to pack more than you can carry on your back then it may become too difficult lugging around all that baggage.

 

Do also be aware that theEuRail Pass does not cover sightseeing tours or luxury trains, but you can make reservations on France’s speed railway, TGV, for those tours and luxury trains. Now that you have all the information go plan your next vacation!

This beach is known as “the Jewel of San Diego” - and for good reason! This beach community offers scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing and even golf.  There is also lots of shopping and many fine dining options. This beach is ideal for an active family.


 

 

2. Malibu Lagoon, CA

This lagoon is located where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean and this magnificent beach has even inspired Beach Boys songs and beach-blanket movies. This popular surf destination has rock reef formations that are great for exploring marine life. This beach also offers natural trails to hike through and a 700 foot pier that is a favorite of locals and tourists.


 

 

3. Santa Monica Pier, CA

This must-see attraction offers fun and games for the whole family. Take a ride on the giant Ferris Wheel, or stroll along the miles of surrounding beaches and coastal mountains. This beach is located in Santa Monica, just west of Los Angeles at the end of historic Route 66. Make sure to walk further south down this beach to the Venice Boardwalk for unique arts and crafts and a lively crowd.


 

 

4. Coopers Beach, NY

This is the main beach in Southampton, New York. Off in the distance are historic mansions and fine dinning, but what draws us to this beach is the clear – and clean – water and the safety that the beach provides to its visitors is a unique feature. This family-friendly destination is great for those looking for a fashionable beach getaway.




5. Crissy Field, CA

This beach is a true marvel.  This broad, pleasant and beautiful beach was once an old military airfield, but now is the epicenter for family picnics, people-watching and offers majestic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. The East beach remains popular for windsurfers and kite surfers, and the good afternoon breeze makes for good sailing. This beach offers up so much more than just lounging around on the sand.


 

6. Waikiki Beach, Oahu

This two mile stretch of coast boasts some of the best family beach activities. Besides the clear and warm waters, this beach offers swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and surfing. This year-round destination has been a family favorite for years, and we don’t see that changing any time soon.


 

7. Wailea Beach, Maui

This beach is located on the South Shore of Maui and boasts clear blue waters and golden-sand beaches. This beach is protected on both ends by large black lava points, making these calm waters ideal for swimming. A paved walkway winds between the luxury resorts and restaurants, but as you stroll be on the look out for rare native plants. This beach is also ideal of whale watching December through April.


 

8. Easton’s Beach, RI

The beach is a favorite of tourists and locals since it is home to tournaments and events in the summer months. This long and narrow beach is ideal for walking and the boardwalk offers concession stands and a carousel.


 

 

9. Big Bay State Park, WI

This 1.5 mile beach has campgrounds, picnic areas and more than 7 miles of hiking and nature trails with incredible views of Lake Superior. These calm waters are great for swimming and fishing, too. Â


 

 

10. Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, MA

Mineral-stained sandstone cliffs rise from Lake Superior and make for extraordinary views. There is a lot to discover here and you can catch a boat tour to be sure you see all the great sights. This is also a popular camping destination, but reservations must be made in advance.

 

 

Most tours through the Egyption Sahara last between 6 and 15 days providing ample options to indulge in your desert experience.  From Cairo get whisked away to a 5 star hotel in the city.  Once you shake the jet lag the next morning get a big breakfast and head to the Giza Pyramids and marvel at some of man’s most amazing, and mysterious, works of architecture and engineering.  While in Giza enjoy the Valley temple and make a trip over to the Egyptian Museum where you will find ancient artifacts spanning 5,000 years of Egyptian history.

Maybe you fancy yourself the adventurous type and camping the Sahara is more your style.  Hit the White Desert and swim in the hot springs of the Farfra Oasis before setting up camp and enjoying dinner under the stars.  Further on hit the Siwa Oasis where you can explore the town of Siwa and the ancient tombs within the Mountain of the Dead.  Keep your eyes out for sleek gazelles and desert foxes if you make your way through to Wadi Rayan, South of Fayoum.

Find tours like these and much more at www.egypttourinfo.com

This wedding is expected to bring lucrative business to the country since its once thriving tourist industry has been crushed by civil war that ended in 2006. Nepal is also banking on the fact that choices for gay tourists in the region are limited, and practically nonexistent in China and India. The gay travel company, Pink Mountain, is offering gay-themed tours of Nepal’s major tourist sites as well as organizing wedding ceremonies for their clients.

Despite the country being deeply conservative, their progressive same-sex couple policies are opening the gates inviting many tourists- gay or not- to travel through and see the magnificent sights and enjoy the rich culture Nepal has to offer in a welcoming environment. So plan your next trip to Nepal to have guided tours, exceptional accommodations and exquisite cuisine.

Cilffs at Bull Shoals Lake

Bull Shoals Lake, Missouri/Arkansas

Set deep in the heart of the Ozarks, Bull Shoals Lake is the place to go when you want to get away from it all. Much of Bull Shoals Lake is undeveloped, though water-sports are common there. The lake is spring-fed with chilly water, making it a great place to go fishing all summer long. You can rent a houseboat or look for a hotel nearby.

 

 

 

Vermilion Lake

Vermilion Lake, Minnesota

Located in northeast Minnesota, near Minnesota’s Iron Range mountains, is the ideal vacation spot. It is one of the state’s largest lakes at 40 miles long. The scenery is excellent with rock-rimmed islands and tree-lined shores featuring the Midwest’s great trees and shrubbery. You can find a place to stay near Tower – it’s a former mining town and welcomes all visitors.

 

 

 

Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake, Ohio

Located in Southeast Ohio, Seneca Lake is the largest of the state’s 10 eastern reservoirs that were created to control the flooding of the Muskingum River. Water-skiing, jet-skiing, and canoeing are all popular activities here, and there are some great campgrounds along the western shore. Got kids? No problem! The two water slides at the beach will keep your kids occupied all day long!

 

 

 

Rend Lake

Rend Lake, Illinois

Vacationing in Rend Lake is like going to your own slice of heaven! Dock your boat next to a cabin at the 30-square mile lake near Mount Vernon (which is about 90 miles southeast of St. Louis). Fishing, water-skiing, exploring the beach, or just lazing around your shady campsite are all options for you. Look, book, and relax with www.hotelreservations.com in Rend Lake, IL.

- Ron Burgundy

America’s favorite anchorman got it right (aside from San Diego being discovered by the Germans in 1904) – San Diego is a beautiful city full of lush beaches, a vibrant city scape and world-class attractions.  A city that offers such a veritable cornucopia of destination driven excitement, adventure, class and so forth begs quite the quandary: “Where do I stay?” In order to best answer this philosophical inquiry of wanderlust the traveler must first look inward and ask themselves a tough question – “What do I want to do?”  San Diego offers such a wide spectrum of possibilities that it helps to have a solid grasp on the type of travel it is that you’ll be doing.

If your traveling with the little ones you may want to consider a hotel or resort closer to some of the more popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park, Sea World or LEGO Land.  To get the most bang for your buck find a beach resort nearby.  That way you get instant access to those relaxing beach days while being just a hop, skip and a jump from other major attractions.

If you are looking for more of the city vibe and being near the nightlife hot spots then you will want to stay in the Gaslamp Quarter.  Here is where you will find some of the top restaurants, bars and nightclubs to satisfy your classy, or possibly more debaucherous side.  There are many great hotels in this area but one you must check out is the new Marriott in Gaslamp Quarter.  With 2 lounges, the Soleil @K restaurant, rated one of the top 3 restaurants in San Diego, has gorgeous views of the harbor and unbeatable access to downtown San Diego. This hotel is a hip change of pace for a Marriott.

Hogwarts Castle Entrance

What’s not to love about theme parks? Crazy roller coasters, great food, bountiful amounts of collectibles and souvenirs and the ambiance of the well manicured shrubbery for your viewing pleasure. Despite the sometimes hefty price of admission, long lines and screaming children running around they’re still enjoyable. On June 18, 2010 Universal Studios in Orlando will unveil their newest theme park, Harry Potter Land. You can expect all the Harry Potter junkies to be there in groves, but this park is truly a work of art that needs to be seen.

Hogsmeade Village

Universal said that the park will not be based on any one book or film, but will be a collective of the entire Potter world. Just like Disneyland, there will be the Hogwarts Castle towering high in the sky as you enter the park. You’ll walk down familiar hallways to see Dumbeldore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts, the Room of Requirement and more.  The park will also have Hogsmeade Village, a snow-covered village that will be home to the Hogsmeade Express train that will transport you all across the park. 

One of the rides you must experience is the Dragon Challenge. You’ll get to choose your “dragon,” either a aggressive Hungarian Horntail or a ferocious Chinese Fireball. These dragons will twist, turn and almost collide in this intertwined roller coaster. Do be sure to ride both “dragons” though, because each is its own unique experience.   The Flight of the Hippogriff is another must-ride attraction. You’ll learn how to approach a Hippogriff and then confront one later in the ride as you spiral and dive through the pumpkin patch and swooping past Hagrid’s hut. There will be rides to satisfy the thrill-seekers as well as the non-roller coaster enthusiasts.

Ollivanders Wand Shop

Besides the rides, this park is going to boast some unique shopping. If you’re a Harry Potter fan then expect to spend tons of money on souvenirs in Filcher’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods. This shop has the usual t-shirts, sweaters, hats and bags, but it also has authentic movie prop replicas including character walking sticks, Death Eater masks and film-based chess sets. If you prefer edible souvenirs then make sure to stop at HoneyDukes for homemade sweets. You can get your hands on Acid pops, Exploding Bonbons, Fizzing Whizzbees and Chocolate Frogs, which have a unique wizard trading card in each box. Another interesting shop is Ollivanders, “Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.” This small dusty shop has countless wand boxes lining each wall and stacked high to the ceiling. This is an interactive experience as a “Wandkeeper can help a wand choose you.” You can purchase the wand that “chooses you,” or you can select from an array of other wands, as well as collectible sets.

Three Broomsticks Tavern

Another theme park staple – food. You’ll have plenty of different options for dining, but each eatery will have its own unique theme. If you visit Three Broomsticks you’ll experience a dusty tavern serving Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice as well as regular tavern staples like fish and chips, chicken fingers and Shepard’s pie. This pub also has an adults-only selection of imported and domestic beers, specialty drinks and wine.

Wondering where to stay when you visit the park? Some hotels are offering 4-Night Vacations starting from only $285* per adult. This promotion offers early park admission, breakfast at the Three Broomsticks (for one person), commemorative ticket (for one person), hotel accomodations, 3-day base ticket to both Universal Orlando theme parks (one theme park, per day) and access to live entertainment at Universal City Walk. The Quality Inn International is offering this promotion, or if you want to skip the promotion you can still find great nightly rates here. Run, don’t walk, to this amazing new theme park.

Old Town in St. Augustine

In the mood to experience a little European ambiance without straying too far from home? Take a trip down to St. Augustine Florida and explore the nation’s oldest established European city. Located in Northeast Florida just 55 miles north of Daytona Beach. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, or a thrill-seeking adventure, there is something to suit everyone’s taste in this beach town. One of the best places to stay when visiting St. Augustine is Casa Monica located in the town’s Historical District. This hotel offers old world charm with all the modern day comforts. This hotel is also ideal for romantic getaways since it is close to all the main attractions and still close enough to walk to the beach and enjoy the sunset.

You’ll find plenty to do along St. George Street, which is considered to be the heart of the city. These brick-paved streets weave through the historic district and allows guests to browse the boutiques and restaurants that line both sides of this historic street. Stop by Cafe Del Hidalgo, a French and Italian specialty shop and have some gelato, coffee and “you create” paninis. This is a spot loved, and frequented, by tourists and locals. The charm of this historical street is not something that should be overlooked on your visit.

Another popular attraction that will likely impress is the Castillo de San Marcos. Not only is this a historic site, but they also do live re-enactments! A presentation of live weapon demonstrations and performers in period dress around the fort demonstrate the life, and experiences, of the colonists years ago. Not only is there historical insight, but some of the best views of St. Augustine can be viewed from the Fort’s gun-deck.

Black Raven Pirate Ship

If you’ve experienced the historical sights before and want to have a more active visit you can go on an alligator trapping adventure. For $50 you can spend the day at Adrenaline Alligator Adventures with a real certified alligator trapper, or if you want to do the trappin’ yourself you can purchase the expanded package and snag a gator and tape his mouth. But if this is a little too adventurous for you taste you might enjoy visiting the Black Raven Pirate Ship. Sing along with the pirates, search for treasure in the gift shop, or have your favorite brew at their bar. This attraction is fun for all ages, educational, and most importantly, unforgettable.

There is much more to St. Augustine than lazy days on white sand beaches. This town is rich with culture, history, outrageous activity and immense beauty. There is something here for everyone, and best of all, you get some old European charm without having to travel too far from home to get it.

1. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

Visit Uluru and you’ll see why the rock and surrounding land have such huge spiritual significance for the Anangu Aboriginal people. According to their creation myths, ancestral spirits formed Uluru, which lies in Australia’s red centre like an enormous, moody heart. Aboriginal guides will share these ancient tales as you walk around the rock’s base. Just 32 kilometers away is another sacred site – Kata Tjuta. You’ll be awestruck by these steep, rounded, russet domes over 3,500 hectares.

2. Kimberley, Western Australia

Featuring vast horizons and ancient gorges, the Kimberley region is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. See Wandjina figures painted in caves and the mysterious Gwion Gwion paintings. Ride a camel on Broome’s breathtaking Cable Beach and 4WD the red-dirt road along the Dampier Peninsula. Learn the legend of the orange and black beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles and fly over vast Lake Argyle in Kununurra.

3. The Daintree, Queensland

More than 135 million years old, our stunning Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world. Traverse this canopy of green with traditional owners the Wujal Wujal people. Learn about bush tucker and fish for barramundi. See fresh-water crocodiles sunning themselves on the mangrove-lined river banks and rare tropical birds and animals, many of which are not found anywhere else on earth.

4. Coorong, South Australia

Become one with nature as you kayak along the lagoons and waterways of the Coorong. Your Ngarrindjeri guide will tell you about bush tucker, traditional medicines and the incredible local birdlife. As night falls, you can listen to stories unfold and smell the mouth-watering aroma of fresh damper (outback bread) as it is pulled from the embers of a campfire.

5. Gippsland, Victoria

Discover a rich Aboriginal history along Gippsland’s rugged coastline. Wander the fern gullies, sandy beaches and eucalypt forests of the sacred land now known as Wilsons Promontory National Park. Trace Aboriginal trading routes up to 18,000 years old. Watch local Aboriginal people make baskets, spears, shields and canoes in the traditional way at Bairnsdale. Or learn where the Dreamtime touched the rugged gorges, rainforest and gullies of Woolshed Creek.

6. Sydney cultural tours, New South Wales

Get a glimpse into the lives of Sydney’s original inhabitants on a harbor cruise or walking tour. You can learn the Aboriginal names and meanings of significant Sydney landmarks as you cruise the harbor with Aboriginal guides. Visit rock-carvings and old Aboriginal settlements and stop off for a traditional Aboriginal welcome on Clark Island. Off the boat, you can taste bush food and learn about Aboriginal use of plants on a walking tour through Sydney’s lush harbourside Botanical Gardens.

7. Bangarra Dance Company, National

You can’t miss a performance by one of Australia’s oldest, youngest and most innovative dance companies. Bangarra blends a living tradition stretching back 50,000 years with contemporary dance influences from across the world. See this truly Australian dance language in its home theatre in Sydney or on stages in cities across the nation.

Learn more about Australia’s vibrant, sophisticated and welcoming capital cities.  Here our relaxed outdoor lifestyle meets a melting pot of cultures and a whirlwind of theatre, restaurants, nightlife and events. Enjoy beach barbeques and ballet, open-air cinemas, jazz in the park and alfresco dining with 5-star food.  What’s more the skyscrapers and shopping strips are just a short drive from mountains, ocean, river and bush. Come, stay and celebrate, then start the rest of your Australian adventure.