Accommodations:
Options abound for where to lay your head in London. Our choice is hostels as most are centrally located, inexpensive and offer good resources to budget minded travelers. They also give you the option to save on food costs by offering breakfast and/or kitchen facilities.

Our favorite: International Students House, 229 Great Portland St., London. This place is hard to beat as it is right across the street from the Great Portland Tube station, offers free breakfast and an inexpensive cafeteria, lounge with Internet access and a secured entrance. This hostel also has female only rooms, an increasingly rare offer amongst hostels. Price is about 18.50 pounds (about 33 US Dollars).

If hostels don’t work for you, consider one of London’s budget hotels. We like the Andrews House Hotel, near Lancaster Gate and Hyde Park. Continental breakfast is given from 8-9:30am and prices start at 25 pounds (about 48 US Dollars).

Free Things To Do:
While London can easily break your bank in some respects, there is so much to do there that is FREE. It doesn’t get more “On The Cheap” than that. Here are some our favorite free things to do in London:

- Natural History Museum
- Museum of London
- British Museum
- Victoria and Albert Museum (our favorite!)
- National Gallery
- Tate Britain and Modern Galleries
- National Portrait Gallery
- Serpentine Gallery
- Lunchtime Concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (M, T, F @ 1:05pm.)
- Notting Hill Farmer’s Market (Saturday mornings, get off at Notting Hill tube.)
- Covent Garden Market (M-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6, Tube: Leicester Square.)
- Portabello Road Market/Shops (Market open Saturdays, Tube: Notting Hill.)

Getting Around London
London is fairly easy to navigate via public transportation with a little research. Try to avoid cabs as the clogged traffic will almost certainly make it an expensive ride.

The Tube is London’s underground subway network. It was the world’s first subway system and some of the station platforms were used as air raid shelters in WWII. It is usually the fastest way to get around town and Travelcards (available in 1 or 3 day lengths) will allow you to travel as much as you’d like for one set price. Also, children under 11 travel free after 9:30am on weekdays and all day on weekends.

London is famous for it’s double decker buses. Although much slower than the Tube, it is a very inexpensive way to see the city. One popular route is number 11, which will take you by St. Paul’s Church, Fleet St, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Rd, and Chelsea. A one-way fare is just 1.50 pounds…compare that to the 20-30 pounds for the pricey tourist buses that will take you by the same sights!

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The Caribbean Islands are regarded as a North American sub region. They are a collective group of islands that have unique topographical features. The Caribbean Islands are home to virgin white beaches, forests, mountains and sea kissing skylines. Popular amongst travelers, they are reputed to be a seat of cultural diversity that offers plenty of avenues for adventure, fun and frolic. The luxury of Caribbean travel can be experienced to its full capacity over three or four weeks of vacation. Others who opt for shorter holidays need to plan their holidays with the help of luxury travel professionals. They help tourist organize a vacation and experience the islands within a limited amount of time.

Caribbean luxury travel is an established travel deal offered by multiple vendors. Travel forums, guides, reviews and reputed travel agents can help find a Caribbean luxury travel source. Expert guides can help organize group travels and single-family luxury trips to the various Caribbean destinations that enjoy a continuous inflow of tourists. Caribbean luxury travel deals can be all inclusive, custom made or regular holiday packages. Apart from the actual travel from people’s hometown to the Caribbean, luxury travel deals include various other features. This includes hotel and resort rentals, car rentals, airfare, cruises and tour itineraries.

Caribbean luxury travel plans boast of lavish accommodations and lodgings, discount rates and special offers. Such hotels offer countless in house facilities, prompt services, spas, recreational rooms, exotic cuisines, elite dining facilities and elaborate living arrangements. Caribbean luxury travel deals tend to be higher priced packages, because they tend to offer first class accommodations and amenities. They include star cruises, first class air tickets, prompt airport shuttles and guaranteed reservations and bookings. These high priced arrangements are categorized as luxurious by a significant panel of official organizations that can authenticate a luxurious status. These travel options are graded on various criteria and are subject to numerous and continuous inspections. This includes checking facilities, hygiene, travel options, cuisines and lodging options.

Ireland is a popular tourist destination. This country offers unrivalled tourist attractions. This is what makes people come back time and again to Ireland. What makes Ireland as popular as it is now among tourists? What is its charisma that makes people want to go back?

Ireland is an 84,412 km land area with a total coastline distance of 3,172. It is considered as the “emerald isle” because of its prominent greens. Its capital city is Dublin, known for its cosmopolitan and chic mood.

Ireland’s Tourist Attractions
Ireland is the home of the Irish race. The Irish contributes to the appeal of this country. They are the people who will welcome anyone with a smile. Hospitality and amiability are traits common to the Irish. These people are nurtured by culture and strengthened by history. Their ways are guided by Irish principles that have guided their ancestors.

Ireland offers an exquisite view and experience of nature at its best. There are several gardens to explore. The St. Stephen’s Green is one of the most visited garden attractions in Ireland. There are several more nature attractions in Ireland. It is in Ireland where you can take a walk surrounded by the unspoiled beauty of nature.

Ireland is a land of culture and history. This is evident in the many festivals celebrated in this country. Tourists can join in the fun and festive spirit of this country. There are festivals commemorating music and arts, films, children, literature, nature, youth and history. These fares and festivals are proofs to how the Irish revere their rich culture.

There are also several historical sites and heritage castles to visit in Ireland. Tourists can relive the earliest years of this country with the several museums. The national museum of Ireland can be visited in Dublin. There are museums celebrating literature, arts, and even transportation. The old castles, which used to serve as residences or fortresses, now serve as historical tourist attractions.

Staying In Ireland Made Easy
Getting to Ireland is easy with all the transportation modes in this country. There are land, water and air transportations operating in Ireland. Staying in Ireland is also a burden off the shoulders of tourists. There is a wide array of hotels and accommodations in Ireland. These hotels suit any type of budget and needs. They range from economy to luxury.

Indeed, there are countless reasons why tourists simply love Ireland. With all the attractions and complete comfort, there is no better “home away from home” destination than Ireland.

Miami Beach is one of the picturesque beaches in the state of Florida. The beach is famous for great fishing, sailing and even cruising. The beach is located in the heart of South Beach and acts as a gateway to the Caribbean.

Miami Beach is popular for a number of tourist attractions. The area is always buzzing with nightlife, entertainment and sports. Some of the must see places include the Ancient Spanish Monastery, one of the oldest buildings in the area. The Art Deco Welcome Center and the Art Museum at FIU are must see places for art enthusiasts. The Biscayne National Park is popular picnic area where you can rent kayaks and canoe, fishing or camping.

There are a number of world class hotels near the Miami Beach. Stay at some of the finest hotels in area that offer world class guest amenities and services. Some of these hotels include Miami Beach Resort and Spa, Atlantic Beach Hotel, Best Western Oceanfront Hotel, Deauville Beach Resort and many more. There are number of budget hotels as well for the budget traveler.

Activities on the Miami Beach are aplenty. You could go on a shopping spree at the numerous shopping stores. Also pamper your taste buds by dining at some of the popular restaurants beside the Miami Beach. There are a number of outdoor sporting activities which you could indulge in. Some of these include golf, swimming, scuba diving, tennis, water sports, surfing and many more. Or simply enjoy yourself at the numerous entertainment centers at night.

Miami Beach is known for its entertainment. You will find numerous entertainment centers, bars and discos near to the Beach. These entertainment joints are always brimming with activity. Activity include live shows, rock concerts, live bands, theaters, comedy shows etc. So walk into any of them and have your share of fun.

Miami Beach Vacations
Miami Beach Vacations have been exciting and adventurous for most travelers around the world. Miami Beach offers a number of attractions and activities to make your vacation exciting and memorable.

There are a number of attractions near the Miami Beach that will make your holiday more enjoyable. Some of the must see places include the Ancient Spanish Monastery, one of the oldest buildings in the area. The Art Deco Welcome Center and the Art Museum at FIU are must see places for art enthusiasts. The Biscayne National Park is popular picnic area where you can rent kayaks and canoe, fishing or camping.

Some of the activities that you could indulge in include taking a stroll on the South Beach, Miami Beach. You will find numerous people in swimming gear enjoying themselves. The area is large with white sand covered beaches and is a popular area for photography, hip clubs and nightlife. You could also take a stroll in the Haulover Beach Park known for its scenic beauty and sandy beaches. The Lincoln Road is a pedestrian walk way and features entertainment, shopping malls and shows.
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Orlando is located in central Florida 75 miles northeast of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. It is 50 miles due west of Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. Best known as the home of Disney World, this city is also the center of the largest concentration of family entertainment attractions in the world.

The Climate is semi-tropical
The climate in central Florida is semi-tropical. Summers are oppressively hot and humid with almost daily afternoon Thunderstorms. Winters are pleasantly mild with sunny weather and comfortable temperatures. Hurricane season, between August and December, can produce some unpleasant weather on the rare occasion when a tropical storm chances to veer inland in the immediate vicinity. Many US families brave the heat and flock to Orlando during the summer school holidays from the beginning of June until the end of August. They invariably fill the hotels, amusement parks and restaurants with hordes of raucous children. Adult vacationers and retired folks usually choose the winter months of December through March to visit Orlando. The off seasons in the fall and spring are often the best times to visit.

Two major airports serve the Orlando area. Orlando International Airport is located 8 miles southeast of downtown. It has numerous daily fights to major cities throughout the USA. Orlando Sanford Airport is situated about 15 miles north of downtown. It serves numerous charter airlines from overseas destinations. The Tampa St. – Petersburg airport is less than two-hour drive to the west and the Melbourne airport is a bit over an hour to the east.

Airport buses provide convenient, inexpensive transportation to downtown Orlando and an airport van service provides quick transport to the International Drive area hotels.

Major attractions are along route 4 southwest of downtown
Most of the major attractions in the Orlando area are located along a ten-mile stretch of Route 4 southwest of the city. The Disney Resort Complex is situated along Route 4 ten miles southwest of downtown. Disney World Tickets can be procured at a discount by using an authorized and contracted ticket broker. Universal Studios is located just 5 miles southwest of downtown. Sea World, Wet and Wild, plus many other attractions, numerous hotels, hundreds of restaurants and several shopping malls are all located along route 4 between those two giant theme parks. Check our Orlando Attraction Map to view the locations.Keep in mind, an Orlando Car Rental makes visiting each of these attractions quick and convenient.

The Disney Resort Complex is immense. With over 40 square miles (100 square km.) of land, it is the size of a small country or at least a province. It contains four major theme parks. Each of them is equivalent in size to the Disney parks located in California, France or Japan. The complex also contains three water parks, eight golf courses, twenty-five themed hotels, hundreds of restaurants, several shopping centers and a wide variety of additional entertainment and recreational sports facilities.

Universal Studios Great Escape contains two major theme parks, a luxury hotel and an assortment of restaurants and shopping facilities. Sea World has a marine theme park and will soon be adding a water park with a dolphin encounter experience. Wet and Wild is a major water park. There are dozens of other attractions in this area and along route 192 in Kissimmee, 5 miles east of Disney World.

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Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Eastern California. You can drive there by following the Central Valley south from San Francisco or north from Los Angeles. Take Route 99 until you reach the cities of Modesto, Merced or Fresno then turn east into the foothills of the mountains. Yosemite is 50 to 75 miles east of those cities, but it can take two or more hours to drive to the park entrance. The roads are good but they are mountainous secondary roads that require some slower speed driving. In the winter, heavy snowfalls can make them trecherous and you may be required to use tire chains.

There are several small villages in the mountains near the entrances to the park. Most of them offer some limited facilities providing food, fuel, groceries or accommodations. Within Yosemite Valley, the park service offers a good variety of restaurants, groceries and accommodations.

Accommodations in Yosemite Valley
The finest accommodations in or near Yosemite National Park are at the historic Ahwahnee Lodge in Yellowstone Valley. This grand hotel offers beautiful architecture and outstanding service set in the midst of some spectacular scenery. The price for accommodations is about $350 per night but it is a first class luxurious hotel.

Ahwahnee Lodge Reservations
The National Park Service offers a wide selection of other accommodations within Yosemite Valley at more modest prices. Yosemite Lodge is a more traditional motel with nice rooms at a price of $100 to $140 per night. Curry Village has a variety of accommodations ranging from canvas tent cabins at $50 per night and wooden cabins from $75 per night to standard hotel rooms at $100 per night. Additional tent-like accommodations are located at Housekeeping Camp for around $56 per night.

The Park Service also supports some accommodations within the park but outside of Yosemite Valley. Wawona Lodge is a fine old historic inn located within the park near the South Entrance. It offers spacious accommodations for around $100 with shared bath or $150 with private bath. For the more adventuresome, the Tuolome Meadows Lodge and White Wolf Lodge are located in the high country along the road to Tioga Pass. They offer tent cabins for about $55 and some cabins with baths for near $88.

Accommodations fill up early
You can book reservations on-line at the web site of the National Park Service Yosemite Concessioner: Yosemite Lodging. Unfortunately, most of these facilities are fully booked many months in advance and some summer dates are reserved as much as one year ahead. The most popular times for tourists to visit Yosemite are during the months of June, July and August or on weekends throughout the year. If you can avoid these dates, your chances of reserving a choice accommodation will be much better.
Private Accommodation in or near Yosemite Park
Apple Tree Inn is a motel located just outside of the South Entrance to Yosemite Park near the village of Fish Camp. Rooms with private bath and fireplace are in the $100 – $150 per night range. You can book reservations here: Apple Tree Inn Reservations

Tenaya Lodge is a first class mountain resort located just two miles from Yosemite south entrance near the village of Fish Camp. It features three restaurants, two swimming pools, a fitness center any many other amenities. Rooms average $169 to $300 per night. You can book reservations here: Tenaya Lodge Reservations

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