Los Angeles Stars Homes – Travel around Los Angeles visiting the homes of great movie and pop stars such as Nicholas Cage and Britney Spears. You will see some of the finest houses in Beverley Hills and Holmby Hills that belong to all your favourite celebrities. You may even catch a glimpse of one of the A-list stars.

Hollywood Walk of Fame – Take a trip down the Hollywood Walk of Fame to find the stars of all your favourite celebrities, old and new.

Universal Studios – Visit Universal Studios and experience some of the scariest and fun rides in Los Angeles, all of which are based on your favourite movies and television shows. Ride through Jurassic Park and get attacked by a T-Rex, travel back in time in the DeLorean from Back to the Future and then go forward to The Terminators timeline and battle armies of robots.

Helicopter Tour – Take to the skies of Los Angeles in a helicopter tour which will show you the city from a whole new perspective. See all the attractions including downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and the Sunset Strip, soaking up the breathtaking views from the sky.

Venice Beach – Take a stroll down Venice Beach Boardwalk, a 3 mile stretch of beach full of shops, street entertainers and tourists alike.

Shopping – Los Angeles provides some of the best shopping in all of America and while you’re there you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to shop in stores like Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger. Go spending on Rodeo Drive where all your favourite celebrities shop, head to Muscle Beach and Marina del Rey and you are guaranteed to be satisfied with your purchases.

Getty Center – See some of the finest art known to human kind in the Getty Center, a complex which was built purely to house J. Paul Getty Trust’s collection of European art. Even if you are not interested in the art, the Getty Center is worth a visit simply for the beautiful gardens and scenery, though the quality of the art will no doubt touch you in some way.

Warner Bros. studio tour – A tour around Warner Brothers Studio is a tour through some of your favourite shows. Visit the sets of shows like ER and Lois & Clark and see costumes and even scripts from the shows on your tour.

La Brea Tar Pits – A trip to Hancock Park will steer you to the La Brea Tar Pits, which boasts the greatest number of prehistoric fossils excavated in the world. A great collection of these fossils can be found in the Page Museum located at the tar pits. If you are lucky, when you visit you may be able to see actual excavations being carried out, though this is only normally during the summer months.

Los Angeles Zoo – Visit Los Angeles Zoo all year round and see over 1200 animals from around the world. Open for over 40 years and boasting 1.4 million visitors a year, Los Angeles Zoo is a must visit as a fun thing to do while in LA.

The weather patterns in Alaska can be extreme and quite unpredictable. You may be bathing in the sunlight for weeks before being blown out into the Pacific. The temperatures vary from a high of 100 degrees to a low of negative 80 degrees. Make sure you know what to expect depending on the month you choose to travel in.

June – August
The summer months are perhaps the most exciting time of the year. The sun shines nearly all day long here making for some very short nights. The sun energizes people as it refuses to go down. June 21st is the longest day of the year and it shines for 21 hours in Alaska that day. Even throughout the summer, you can expect some longer than normal daylight hours. June is the driest and the best month in the summer to travel. Alaska is generally warm depending on where you go. In the Arctic it is of course cooler than in the southern region. In the Artic, the snow could stick around until mid-June making for a cold and muddy experience up through the trails in the mountains. July is warmer than June is but not nearly as wet as in August. August is the rainiest time of the year so make sure to pack a raincoat and umbrella.

Summer does have one drawback while all the tourists flood to Alaska, high prices. The tourist industry has but 90 days to make all of the money they can to live on for that year. Working 3 months and having 9 months off pushes them to make as much money as possible and the higher the prices the better for them. July is the busiest travel month and this is where they make most of their money. From mid-June to mid-August is where the bulk of the tourists come to experience Alaska and it really drops off before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Cruises are very popular from May to October.

May & September
These 2 months are still particularly good for travel. May is when the earlier tourists start flying in or coming in on cruises. By September, things are calming down and the remaining tourists are hoping to steal the last good deal of the year. May is warmer than September but this can vary. It depends greatly on where you travel. The farther north you go and the earlier in May you decide to travel; you will experience more chilly weather along with snow and mud. Alaska does not have a spring, they have a “breakup” where the snow and ice start to melt and cover everything with mud.

September can be a hit or miss month. You could experience warm and dry weather but the opposite is very true too. September can throw a foot and a half of rain on you while the sun barely peeks out. The weather patterns can be unpredictable but the sights could be the best if you catch it just right. The lights reflected from the snowy tundra and the boreal forest prompt an amazing display of bright, vivid colors in the sky.

October, November & April
These transition months take us from the busy summer months to the colder months in the winter. Tourists find little to do during this time. October is very wet and November is the start of winter however there is still not enough snow to ski or enjoy other winter activities. April is the end of winter when the snow melts and the mud forces many places to close.

December – March
The winter is the most exciting time of the year when anything that can be done with snow and ice is. February though mid-March is the peak of the winter where the sun gives you longer days. Many activities happen including skiing, snowmobile races, ice carving, snowshoeing, dog mushing and more. Winter is also the time for Anchorage’s Fur Rendezvous in February and Iditarod Dog Sled race in March.

Washington DC is the place to go if you want to have fun yet you don’t want to put your mind on idle the whole trip. Or if you want your kids to learn something, not just ride roller coasters and eat cotton candy. And you don’t want to max out all your credit cards to do it.

Best Time to Go
If your schedule permits, the best time to visit Washington is either the spring or the fall. Springtime is especially inviting as you may get to experience the annual Cherry Blossom Festival an April tradition which draws thousands of happy tourists in often beautiful weather.

Things to Do
From the Capitol to the White House to the Supreme Court to the Smithsonian there’s all kinds of ways to stimulate your mind and help your kids learn things the could never learn in a classroom. From the National Zoo to the International Spy Museum there are more fun things for both adults and children to do than it seems possible to pack into just one city.

First stop, the National Mall. You won’t find a Gap or an overpriced cookie store in this Mall. This is where all of Washington’s famous monuments reside such The Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial and The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.

Not to mention the nearby Smithsonian Institute. You could spend weeks just browsing through it’s various museums. I almost forgot the best part. Most of this stuff you can see for free. Gratis. No charge. Complimentary. In other words, you ain’t gotta pay nothing.

For after dark fun you can see a show at the Kennedy Center, check out some basketball, hockey, or music at the MCI Center, or dance the night away at one or more of Washington’s many sizzling nightspots.

Others
For more ideas on hotels and restaurants in Washington DC, check out Last-Minute-Vacation-Guide.com for more ideas and deals on last minute getaways for the weekend!

If you are considering a helicopter tour but don’t know where, then here these article can help you make up your mind and start phoning your travel agent and book for a tour. Here are the 5 best places where you can experience one of the best outdoor experiences you can have in a lifetime:

Grand Canyon – Be at the edge of your seat at your helicopter takes you to the natural wonder of the world. Grand Canyon has been one of chosen places in the country to held helicopter tour. Surely, no one can resist the charms of earth that is seen from several hundreds of feet above the ground.

New York City – If flying between skyscrapers and bridges is what you like, then New York City is the place to be. Helicopter tours offered in New York City would take you in and around the city. Plus, see the Liberty face to face. The Big Apple tour would surely be incomplete if not with the helicopter tour.

Las Vegas – Of course the neon lights, casinos, and several nightspots are the best tourist magnets of Las Vegas. But what could be more than all these? Behold, because Las Vegas helicopter tour beats all the usual Las Vegas experience. See the city from above and be marveled how beautiful the Las Vegas is. And don’t forget to fly over Hoover Dam, a must see attraction in Las Vegas.

Hawaii – Exploring the islands of Hawaii by foot and by sea would let you discover some of the most spectacular sites the world has to offer. But you have more to discover if you take those feet off the ground and see Hawaii from above. Hawaii helicopter tour would take you to the different islands of Hawaii and would let you view how diverse they are. From mountains to volcanoes, and white sand beaches to sparkling sea, Hawaii helicopter tour lets you experience all these.

Hollywood, California – If you want to make sure you have the best time in California, then you must consider booking for a helicopter tour. It would take you a stone throw away from the Hollywood sign and see the Universal Studios from above. You can see mansions of some of the most famous people living in California. And at nighttime, see the city lights as the helicopter takes you to the most breathtaking seen you can ever experience.

It’s a city where a 5 year old boy and an 86 year old grandmother will be wearing the same Boston Red Sox hat on the T and asking the same question each and every morning- how did the Sox do last night? Baseball is not just another sport in Boston, it’s part of the culture…it is Boston. That “Fever Pitch” movie was no joke. Just get used to it and leave your opposing team jerseys at home unless you want to get hit in the head with a bottle. Seriously, especially you Yankees fans.

Boston is a great city that blends its future into its storied Boston Tea Party past. Walk The Freedom Trail to step back in time for some Revolutionary history. And then you have the cosmopolitan new architecture right next to Paul Revere. Think charming New England with those lovely brownstones.

Faneuil Hall is a must. Explore the North End for “to die for” Italian… just like grandma makes.

Here are our journeyPod picks for your viewing pleasure:

Restaurants

1. Anna’s Taqueria: Yes, there is always a line out the door, but it is well worth the short wait. Stick with their world famous Chicken, Pork, or Beef Burrito. Anna’s has become a Boston icon, and has two locations:in Brookline and in Cambridge.

2. Red Bones: Barbecue in the North must have been created here. Great selection of every style of ribs. Fantastic beer menu as well. Walk in very hungry. Red Bones is located in Cambridge.

3. Ginza: The best Sushi in Boston. If you are hungry, try ordering the full Boat. You will float out of there. The staff and SAKE are fantastic. Ginza is located next to the St. Mary’s stop in Brookline.

4. Fiore: There is simply not enough room on this list to mention all of the North End Italian Restaurants, so we picked one of our favorites, Fiore. If you have never been to Italy, the North End is the next best thing. A walk down Hanover Street is like a moment in Italy.

5. Tasca:The best Spanish Tapas restaurant in Boston. Fantastic Sangria and a huge selection of tasty Tapas. Located in Brighton on Commonwealth Ave.

6. Sunset Grill:Menu is very diverse with something for everyone. If you have room, you must order the Mud Slide Pie for dessert. For the Beer Fanatic, Sunset has the most beers on tap or in the bottle in all of Boston. They must just have every beer ever made. Located in Allston on Brighton Ave.

7. Figs: When he is not cooking for the TV audiences, our boy Todd English turns out a nice thin crust pizza. There are only 13 tables in Figs, so be prepared to wait. Figs is located Beacon Hill, Boston, and Charlestown.

8. JP Licks: Keeping with the dessert theme, JP Licks has some of the best home made ice cream (and yogurt) on the planet. We highly recommend the Peanut Butter low fat yogurt. JP Licks is located in Coolidge Corner in Brookline, Jamaica Plain, and Newbury Street.

9. Mike’s Pastries: No trip is complete without a stop for Mike’s famous canoli. They should put Mike’s on the Freedom Trail it has become so popular. Again, there is always a line for late night dessert, but it moves quickly and is worth it. Mike’s is the perfect finish after you have stuffed yourself in the North End.

10. Davios: High end Italian American food. The menu is very diverse, and we highly recommend their steak or seafood. Located on Arlington Ave.

You don’t have to be a poet to see metaphors and similes wherever you look in Destin, Florida. The panhandle is a treasure trove of activities, the water is emerald green and the sand is like so many heaping tablespoons of sweet sugar. You?ll surprise yourself at how you learn to think a little differently here, and hopefully if all goes well, you?ll start behaving differently as well. Leave your routine responsibilities behind, stop checking your watch and your email, and prepare to let Destin take you away.

Destin is located on the coast of Florida’s sweeping right arm, and it’s probably safe to assume that a visit here will include plenty of lazing, lounging and lolling on the beach. This is a diversion that most people place at the top of their lists, and thanks to the aforementioned beauty that tends to get the creative juices flowing, it rarely, if ever, disappoints. Sitting back and taking it all in will get you started, but you?ll soon want to jump right in as well.

Do this by any means you see fit; rent a pontoon boat for a low-key affair that will come to resemble a personalized party boat. Pump up the adrenaline factor by opting for a speed boat, taking it up one more notch by trying your hand at parasailing. Skip the boats altogether and go snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, or for the old fashioned types, just plain swimming in the sea. Let the saltwater keep you afloat, and relish the fact that your laptop is nowhere to be seen, the temperature is just right, and your mood is as buoyant as the sky is blue.

Dolphin excursions will take you out for a look at the gulf, the shore, and most likely a glimpse or two of the frolicking, friendly dolphins that call this their home. Glass-bottomed boats will also fill you in on the wildlife scene, so book a cruise if the family has a taste for undersea adventure. On dry land you?ll find plenty to explore as well, including Grayton Beach State Recreation Area. This is where you?ll find salt marshes, nature trails, and fishing opportunities on Western Lake. It’s perfect for swimming and picnicking in a slightly different setting (not that you?ll ever grow tired of the immaculate beaches) and the scenery is of course lovely.

Get silly at the Track Recreation Center, where go karts, roller coasters, miniature golf, and other age-defying activities will bring everyone together for a few hours of laughs and running around. This will probably lead to working up an appetite, so hit one of Destin’s many restaurants for a cold drink and a bucket of steamers. Enjoying seafood as fresh as can be will be one of the perks of this vacation, as most people don’t usually have this privilege. One of the best parts about dining in Destin is the view that can be taken advantage of each evening. As you make your way to the table, be sure to request one that faces the sunset so that you may enjoy the stunning display along with your meal, savoring each bite and each brilliant hue simultaneously.

Your list of things to do has not yet been exhausted. In addition to plenty of time spent reading on the beach and dozing in the shade, you?ll want to save room in your schedule for a few more high-priority events. Destin is known for great shopping, especially if you?re a bargain hunter. Outlet malls will let you bring home some rave-worthy souvenirs, or if you want something unique, check into the art galleries and local crafts for a Florida-style trinket. Continuing on, like in other parts of the state, golf is hot here. Attractive courses and a welcoming atmosphere will make you feel instantly at home if you?re into this sport, so bring your clubs and plan for a top-notch experience.

Take your Destin trip all the way by booking a vacation rental. If you?ve never done this before, you?re in for a pleasant surprise. Hotels can get the job done, but if you?re seeking a little more room, a few extra comforts, and a one-of-a-kind quality, then definitely consider a condo or beach house that will give you all of this and more. Destin has loads of properties to choose from, each one a little different, that will add an extra punch to what already has the potential to be a sublime vacation.

If you can already feel the flowing descriptions and emotional responses surfacing within you, it sounds like Destin should be the spot for your next vacation. Realize your inner lyric leanings by heading south for a bit, and don’t be surprised to uncover some wonderful talents that you never knew you had. Start investigating Destin Vacation Rentals online, book a flight, and prepare to unleash your inner poet.

Vegas, baby. Vegas! They weren’t lying: what happens in Vegas… stays in Vegas!

How many times have you heard those catch phrases? Well, we agree – they are both very overstated. But, they really do sum up your Vegas experience. Bottom line: Las Vegas is about checking your husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. at the door and cutting yourself loose from any morals, worries, conscience. This is the place where everyone seems to think that “anything goes” – and it usually does! People actually do enjoy pretending they are somebody else. Even the most conservative woman in your office will let her hair down and give in to that one night stand – she is in Vegas, after all!

With all those poker faces and bluffs at the casino scene, everyone thinks they are somebody else long after they leave the tables.

Vegas is a place to act like that friend that always tells the best stories. It’s a place to stay up way past your bedtime, gamble away your entire paycheck, act a bit crazy, or do the things you are always too scared to do in the “real world.” It’s a place where you’re supposed to get into trouble and mix things up. It’s a town of bling-bling and dreams – cause you never know when your luck is going to catch fire.

Somehow, despite all this crazy single silliness, Vegas is still a big enough town to offer plenty of options for the alterna-yuppie couples too. They can get all cleaned up and enjoy an exquisite meal or glitzy show. They can run the tables with the best of ‘em and waste the afternoon away at the pool or spa. Things getting boring in the bedroom? Try one-part champagne, one-part swanky hotel room, one-part Vegas, and you’ll be at it like jackrabbits again. Just don’t get too liquored up, cause you might just wake up the next morning and learn you were married by Elvis in that tiny white chapel, complete with plastic flowers. Classy, ey? Bet the parents will love hearing that one!

Yes, Vegas has a lot of adrenaline and you’ll feel the rush in everything you do here. In a town where people have $10,000 riding on one card, even the mundane everyday tasks like eating and drinking take on more excitement. And if eating and drinking is your thing, you’ve come to the right place. Top restaurants and chefs from around the world have dropped into town and opened up for business. Now, you too can enjoy the highest quality of cuisine on The Strip. Here then, are our journeyPod Picks for dining, wining and dancing Las Vegas style:

Restaurants

Bradley Ogden (Caesars Palace) – Famous California chef Bradley Ogden recently opened this sleek and modern Caesars Palace restaurant, his first outside of the Bay Area. In addition to a 60-seat lounge, the eatery boasts a patio dining area that faces Caesars Coliseum and a faux patio with torch-like fixtures and waterfall. The emphasis is on farm-fresh, regional and creative American fare – try the “opah” and the “halibut”, and you’ll realize why this restaurant is such a prize. Everything here seems to be perfect, and judging by the looks on the folks around the place, everything really is! Hint: try to get a seat in the rear dining room near the fireplace – it’s the most romantic spot here.

Delmonico Steakhouse (Venetian) – Chef Emeril Lagasse has done it again – this time on the Las Vegas strip! Located in The Venetian, his newest Creole-influenced Old Tuscan monastery-style establishment take its name from the legendary, century-old New Orleans institution. Remember the time when lunch was a full-fledged event and cocktail hour was never to be missed? Delmonico Steakhouse remembers! Though beef is the main draw here, you won’t be disappointed with all the other choices on this menu. And make sure you save room for the fresh blueberry bread pudding with lemon ice cream and caramel sauce. Psst… if you want the “ultimate” dining experience, try and reserve the chef’s kitchen table and enjoy a six-course tasting menu.

Il Mulino (Caesars Palace) – Perfect for prime people-watching (ask for a seat on the 40-seat patio that overlooks the Forum Shops Strip) and decadent fare, Il Mulino is sure to please. Diners sit in a sumptuous room with wrought-iron chandeliers and a floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed wine rack. All the meals here begin with a slew of delectable and complimentary appetizers and the menu choices are impressive. But you won’t just be impressed with the food, the team of tuxedo-clad waiters and rich specialties will surely make this one your most luxurious dining experiences while in town.

Daniel Boulud Brasserie (Wynn Las Vegas) – Who would want to pay $40 for a burger & fries? We would and we did and we loved it. Of course the beef was the finest in town and this was no ordinary burger. Boulud’s other signature dishes like the beefsteak tomato, tarte pissaladi?re, crispy pork belly and the fricassee of Dover sole are…how should we say, “kick ass.” If you’re looking for upscale French cuisine that’s served in a sumptuous-country themed setting – this brasserie is the perfect choice (overlooking the Wynn lagoon).

Andre’s (Monte Carlo) – Repeatedly voted among the best restaurants in the city, Andre’s is essentially located in a 1930′s era Las Vegas home that’s been converted into a charming and comfortable French Countryside chateau. Serving decadent French cuisine – everyone who leaves here is wowed. There are three private dining rooms and even a Louis XVI room, where diners can enjoy cognac and cigars. Tables are topped with Versace china, candlelight and fresh flowers. The menu is seasonal, and always features a bounty of fresh seafood, fowl and meats – try the duck wrapped in hazelnut crust.

Sushi Roku (Caesars Palace) – L.A.’s wildly popular sushi hotspot is now available in Sin City. With its critically acclaimed Modern Japanese fare and Zen-like atmosphere, Sushi Roku is not just a favorite among the hip, young visitors – the locals flock here too! And not only is the scene fabulous, but the food is to die for. Specialties include seared yellowtail sashimi with ponzu and diced chilies, and baked lobster roll with creamy spicy sauce. Signature cocktails are awesome; try the “Cantaloupe Martini” or the “Tokyo Cooler”. And if you’re in the mood for a view, booths 603 & 604 are elevated and allow you to gaze out at the Strip.

Piero’s Italian Cuisine If you’re looking to relive the days of the Rat Pack, head on over to this retro-styled Vegas mainstay that’s outside the casino strip (located at 355 Convention Center Drive). Piero’s boasts leather booths and an attitude-infused setting. Don’t be surprised if you see a few familiar famous faces here – they too can’t stay away from the Roman-style stuffed artichokes and the restaurant’s signature spumoni.

Prime (Bellagio) – For gorgeous views of Bellagio’s dancing fountains, pop into Prime. Steaks come with six types of mustard and five sauces – all of which add sophistication to any cut. The restaurant’s signature steak is the veal porterhouse with kumquat-pineapple chutney and caramelized cauliflower. And the dessert-of-choice, the chocolate cake with warm gooey center, ain’t too shabby either! Note: If you’ve had a good day at the tables, treat yourself to a $1,050 shot of Chivas Royal Salute (bottled and launched in 1953 in honor of the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II).

Fleur De Lys (Mandalay Bay) – Prix-fixe French contemporary cuisine (with Mediterranean touch) is presented like artwork in this romantic and elegant enclave. Named as one of “the nation’s Hot 50 Restaurants” of 2005, this is for many discriminating palates, hands down, the best food in Vegas. However, the food isn’t the only thing impressive here, Fleur De Lys boasts a floral arrangement of 3,500 fresh ice-pink rosebuds, the theater-style curtains at the small tables and the hand-painted china at each table just exudes grace and style. If you’re a vegetarian, don’t fret: the chef has been known to whip up something unique just for you.

Olives (Bellagio) – A Mediterranean gem with a lakeside view (Bellagio’s dancing fountains), Olive’s is the less-expensive relative of The Mirage’s Onda (as well as a branch of our boy Todd English’s original Boston-based eatery). Don’t miss their signature wood-oven flatbreads with imaginative toppings and the little dumplings of goat-cheese in black-olive-flavored wrapping. Just make sure you save room for the vanilla-bean souffl? – it’s so good, it should actually be outlawed!

Michael’s Steakhouse (Barbary Coast Hotel) – A culinary masterpiece for over 20 years, this intimate gourmet eatery is known for its epicurean delights! Exquisitely furnished in rich red velvet, the restaurant features a 40-panel stained glass-domed ceiling, oversized wingback chairs and imported Italian marble. When dining here, try the signature dishes that include the Chateaubriand Bouquetierre or Rack of Lamb. And, you must (we say: must!) save room for dessert – like the Bananas Foster, Cherries Jubilee or the famous chocolate-dipped fruit selection.

(more…)