United States

5 Exciting Group Weekend Escapes Near San Diego

San Diego County has several beautiful cities, all of which are along its Coast. They include La Jolla, Solano Beach, Coronado, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar and Cardiff by the Sea .Each of these beautiful smallest cities have abundant sunshine and lots of great beaches to visit.

San Diego County in California is the southwestern most county in the United States.  With a fast-growing population of more than 3 million, it is currently California’s second most populous County. With a good rainfall and lots of sunshine, San Diego County is one of those beautiful counties in the United States. The city boasts a mild climate along its coast and a nearly year-round gentle breezes and cooler evenings.

San Diego’s also great City for families. There are many Great Schools, and fun activities for families to do, and it is home to the World Famous San Diego Zoo.

Nestled along the coast of Southern California, San Diego is just short drive from countless spas, resorts, and beaches that are perfect for a group getaway. This post will highlight 5 of the best. In fact San Diego has more than 70 miles of coastline, making water activities a primary pastime.

Because of its many wonderful attributes San Diego attracts many tourist groups throughout the year. They rent a charter bus or minibus and come to the city to partake in its abundance of amenities and activities. San Diego County has several beautiful cities, all of which are along its Coast. They include La Jolla, Solano Beach, Coronado, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar and Cardiff by the Sea .Each of these beautiful smallest cities have abundant sunshine and lots of great beaches.

Here are some of the best San Diego weekend escapes.

Lake Arrowhead

Two hours North of San Diego, High up in the San Bernardino Mountains is Lake Arrowhead that is a year-round vacation destination. During the winter it is one of California’s most popular skiing destinations. Each week hundreds of thousands of people come the ski and Snowboard the trails of Lake Arrowhead and nearby Big Bear. During the summer months, Lake Arrowhead is filled with hikers And bikers on its hundreds a Mountain trails. Lake Arrowhead is a large beautiful Lake and the town of Lake Arrowhead has a wonderful selection of art galleries, small restaurants, and quaint hotels. There’s also a large and luxurious Lakeside Resort call the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, it is always ready to pamper guests.

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is the home of the largest trees in the world, the Redwoods.  The Redwood trees in the park or is oldest 3500 years and represent some of the oldest living things on the planet. Mini of the trees are 300 ft tall and some eyes wide is 30 ft in diameter. Some trees are uses tunnels through which cars can drive. The park also has campgrounds, and for lodges with visitors can stay as long as they wish.

The park is located in central California which is about a five-hour drive from San Diego. The park receives visitors from all around the world because of its beauty and also there is another national park called Kings Canyon National Park right next door.

Palm Springs

Only about three hours from San Diego is the oasis in the desert, Palm Springs. Palm Springs County includes the cities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta and each is a great place to spend some time. The area has more than 100 golf courses of all levels and so it can be considered a golfer’s paradise. Palm Springs is also known for its great spas. With hundreds of top end resorts you can be pampered and pleased during your entire stay here.

Rosarito Beach, Mexico

San Diego is only 30 minutes from the Mexican border camisole it is convenient to take a trip to Mexico from the county. For those interested in a real Mexican weekend getaway, Rosarito Beach provides the perfect location. This small City offers beautiful beaches, lots of fresh seafood, and Mexican music played by mariachi bands that strolled along the sand. Your group can find lots of exciting things to do in the city because it is designed to accommodate American tourists. One popular activity is to go fishing for everything from tuna to sailfish whatever fish you catch, can be cooked and served at many of the restaurants in Rosarito Beach. There’s also a very vibrant nightlife in the city with bars, nightclubs, and discotheques that open till the early morning hours.

Catalina Island

To get a view of island life in Southern Catalina, take a visit to beautiful Catalina Island. Catalina sits about 26 miles off the coast of California and is easy to get to from San Diego. Visitors drive north from San Diego to Dana Point which is about 30 minutes and then take the Catalina Express catamaran service to the island.. The boat ride is about 90 minutes. Catalina boasts an abundance of beautiful small hotels, fantastic restaurants, lovely beaches, and lots of outdoor activities including hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, in water skiing. It also hosts a world-renowned jazz festival in the month of October. Finally, this great fishing off the Catalina Coast.

05 Jan 2019

Max’s Holiday in Hawaii

Summer holidays were approaching and Max made sure that this was the best vacation of his life. He had planned to go to Hawaii with his best friend, Archie. Hawaii was no strange place for Max because he loved the place and had been there several times. But this vacation was going to be the wildest for him because Hawaii had an age limit of 21 for vaping and he was also turning 21 this summer and he wanted to party hardest for its celebration.

Last year, when Max went to celebrate his birthday in Hawaii, he couldn’t enjoy his party to the fullest because of the limitations that came with his age. Actually Max had started smoking at a small age of 14. He liked how the cigarettes could leave his anxiety so quickly. But when his mother found out about him falling prey to the sick habit, he instantly took him to the narcotics specialist who then suggested him to resort to vape until he can completely give up the habit. Since then Max has been using vape for the last one year.

Max liked vaping because it was not only helping him quit smoking but also creating less detriments to his health as compared to the actual cigarettes. As the day approached when he was to leave for Hawaii, his mother reminded him to carry his ID so that he could use vape responsibly and legally. The hotel that they were staying had a view of luxurious beach. They reached the hotel in the evening. Max sat on the beach chair and looked into the sunset and proudly took his e-cigarette or vape out and took a puff. He was not afraid to do so this time. It was okay for him to vape now in Hawaii.

The next day, they had planned to go see the volcanic mountains. All geared up, Max and his friends went on to hike the mountains. Max was really scared because the last time when he came to Hawaii and went to the mountains, Max couldn’t breathe well and they had to cancel their plan. Max had just started using vape then. Amidst the mountains, enjoying the scenic beauty, Max almost forgot that he had problems with breathing last time. This year he was able to complete his hike. He realised that vape that helped him regain his stamina and was causing less effects to his health. Moreover, Max was happy that vape was helping him quit the awful habit of smoking completely.

The following day, they had planned to go snorkelling. Max was so happy to snorkel around the sea and not have the urge to smoke like he had before. Using vape had been helping him a lot. He was more confident and vaping was also helping him with his social life. He was less scared and was even more confident talking to girls. And now at Hawaii, Max was having the best day of his life. He was at the place he loved most in the world and was with his best friends and celebrating finishing another milestone in his life.

As Max was about to return the day, he sat by the balcony of his hotel, vaping and thinking about his life. He was glad that he had chosen to quit the awful habit of smoking and resorting to vaping for the betterment of his life.

25 Sep 2018

Avoid Airports During Your Upcoming Vacation Time and Drive Instead

Road TripWhen pondering vacation plans, most of us involuntarily recall disastrous and stressful experiences flying and nearly missing flights. If you are trying to steer clear of stressful travel this summer, there are many “staycation” options or destinations that your family mobile can easily get you to. Don’t forget to take it into your local autozone for a good spruce before you hit the open road, because there’s nothing worse than a sweet summer day turned sour and getting stuck waiting for your AAA guy to show up.

If you reside on the West Coast region of the county and are pining to reconnect with the great outdoors, a great option for you and your family is Yosemite National Park. From most places in California, you can reach this destination in less than a day by car and, if you’re feeling adventurous, camping in this beautiful park is the experience of a lifetime. For those who need their shut eye indoors, the Yosemite Valley Lodge is quaint and cozy, as well as located just a short walk from the Yosemite Falls trail. In order to get the full experience, I recommend staying for at least 4 or 5 days and if your schedule allows, even a week, giving yourself sufficient time and flexibility to enjoy relaxing breaks in the valley in between hikes.

Some tips for your upcoming road trip can really help it to go over as ideally as possible. First off, clean and check your car before departing. Even if you clean your car before, try cleaning it out when you stop at gas stations in order to avoid an uncomfortable environment. Second, pack light so that you can save some room for souvenir shopping and any other treasures your travels may place in your path. Third, take a real map and a sharpie on board. Though it is extremely easy and practical nowadays to just type the destination into google maps, track your trail on a big traditional map and when it’s all said and done, you’ll have a cool keepsake to hang up on your wall. Additionally, consider getting a gas card so that you can reap the benefits of all the gas guzzling you’ll be doing on your trip, accumulating points you can use in hotel stays and the like. Last but not least, plan but don’t over plan. It’s important to have an idea of what stops you will make and of course your key destinations, but the awesome thing about road trips is that you are allowed the flexibility to make your itinerary as you go. Be spontaneous and don’t forget to take pictures of even the unexpected moments as they come.

Take into account the pros and cons of traveling on four wheels this summer and look into unique and famous sights across the country that can help you check off a few bucket list items and have a summer that will go down as a memorable one.

26 May 2017

The most popular holiday destinations in the USA

New York City is one of the best holiday destinations in the USA ... photo by CC user Francisco Diez on Flickr

Seeking to get away on an exciting holiday in the near future? Across the pond, the most popular holiday destinations in the USA contain a variety of experiences that are certain to fulfill you, as each of the places mentioned below will appeal to a certain sort of person.

So, what are you waiting for, take advantage of these unbeatable American Holiday offers, and get overseas to see any one of the following holiday destinations in the USA…

1) New York City

If there is any one city you visit in America, be sure to make it the Big Apple. Easily the most cosmopolitan city in the United States, the challenge won’t be finding things to do, it will be determining what attractions and sights to cut and which ones to keep during your time in this dynamic place.

If you love food, then visiting Chinatown and Williamsburg in Brooklyn will yield good finds.

Culture hunters will have a multitude of museums to jump between, and shows on Broadway to take in.
Those that are fans of landmarks will be busy checking out the view of the top of the Empire State Building, scoping out the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry, and strolling through the relative peace of Central Park.

Long story short, you won’t have a hard time keeping busy in NYC.

2) Miami

Seeking some sun on your American holiday? If you are looking to insert a little rest and relaxation into your itinerary, then stopping in Miami is a must.

With miles of beach lying along the subtropical Atlantic or on Biscayne Bay, you’ll have your pick of what type of experience that you are looking to have, from quiet and serene to lively and youthful.

Once the sun sets, Miami really comes into its own, with nightclubs boasting a scene that is the stuff of legends.

When you aren’t looking to veg out on a sun lounger, the Miami area offers much in the way of culture, as it has Cuban and Haitian neighborhoods that are brimming with restaurants and shops that are indicative of their nationality.

3) Las Vegas

Looking to really let loose on your time off in America? If this is your goal when heading to the USA, there is no better place to go than Las Vegas.

Billed as being the Entertainment Capital of the World, this shining city in the desert has resorts that cater to kids, and shows featuring entertainers from Penn and Teller to Celine Dion.

Of course, this says nothing of this city’s gaming options, which allow those that are inclined to do so to employ their money in a variety of ways in the hope of winning more at the end of the night.

21 Nov 2015

How we travel differently: Daytona Beach for dogs

In the past, if you had a dog and you loved to travel, you faced two agonizing choices: Drop Fido at a kennel or leave him in an empty house with daily visits from a pet sitter. Now, however, more hotels and businesses recognize that for many, a dog is a cherished family member and travel companion. Daytona Beach, as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, is ahead of the curve. There are pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, beaches, and parks. If you’re headed for Daytona with your canine in tow, here are some tips to make it a blast.

Where to Stay

While there are plenty of pet-friendly hotels in Daytona Beach, some charge exorbitant pet fees or impose strict size limitations. The La Quinta Inn & Suites Oceanfront Daytona Beach allows pets of all size and lets them stay for free. The tile floors are easy to sweep up after a day at the beach and the kitchenette makes it easy to keep food dishes clean and water bowls filled. If you love the homey feel of a B&B, the Coquina Inn has a liberal pet policy and even includes a “bed and biscuit” welcome basket for your dog.

Where to Play

Read below to learn more about Daytona Beach for dogs

Image by Amy Fox via Trover.com

Daytona Beach has some of the best dog parks in the south — there’s even a dog beach! The Lighthouse Point Park and Ponce Inlet Dog Beach is just a few minutes south of Daytona Beach and gives you and your dog plenty of space to enjoy the sun and sand. The Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park is a four-acre dog park with plenty of benches, watering stations, and separate small and large dog areas. The Manatee Island Park also has a separate dog park so you and Fido can enjoy an afternoon of manatee watching.

Where to Eat

One of the advantages of vacationing in a pet-friendly city is having lunch with your dog. At the Blue Grotto, you can even go dancing. This beachfront bistro offers a full menu of lunch and dinner delicacies, cozy waterfront gliders for admiring the view, and a huge dog-friendly deck. Cool off with a cup of frozen yogurt at Rhokkoh’s, a pet haven on historic Beach Street. There’s plenty of water bowls outside, free treats inside, and magazines for dog lovers scattered about. Heli-Hogs is a fun barbecue joint with dog-friendly seating and smells that will have your dog drooling. They also offer helicopter rides.

Where to Get Help

If you’re in town for a wedding or a business event and need a hand with your dog, Rover.com can hook you up with a dog walker, pet sitter, or even an overnight stay. If your dog sprains an ankle swimming in the surf, there’s a Banfield Pet Hospital right near the beach. Go Vet Go is a mobile vet service that will come right to your door in a pinch.

Why not plan a Daytona Beach vacation with Fido this year? You and your dog will have a ball.

20 May 2015

Ultimate petrol head vacations!

There are more vacations than ever designed to attract specific groups of people. For petrol heads, depending on your budget, you could drive a dune buggy in Dubai or drive a high performance car around the Nürburgring in Germany. Let’s take a closer look at what’s available, how to get there and where to stay.

NASCARNEXTELCupFieldTexasMotorSpeedway

NASCAR driving

Why not get a group of friends together and spend a day driving a NASCAR stock car at one of 13 of the country’s major speedways?

A number of options are available, such as Ride Along, which includes three laps at racing speed, driven by a professional; a Three Hour Experience driving a NASCAR car for a five minute timed racing session; and the Premium Drive 8 Minute Timed Racing Session – this three hour driving experience includes either one eight minute timed session or multiple, back-to-back sessions.

The three-hour sessions feature a driver’s meeting with the Crew Chief, instruction and training, followed by timed laps on the speedway. In-car radio enables an instructor to offer advice as you drive, but there are no restrictions; overtaking is allowed and you drive yourself. At the end of the session you receive a souvenir racing license and a graduate certificate.

As all the speedways hold major events there will be plenty of nearby hotels/motels to choose from, not to mention eateries and entertainment.

Drive the Nürburgring, Germany

One of the most challenging and by far the longest racetrack in the world, the 12.944 mile Nördschleife or North Loop is used as a test track by numerous motor manufacturers. Home of the German Formula 1 Grand Prix until 1976, the F1 record of 6min 58.6secs, is held by Niki Lauda in a Ferrari 312T.

The Nördschleife is open for tourist drives throughout the year. Tickets are available for one, four, nine and 25 laps of the circuit, each limited to 15 minutes. There are campsites within minutes of the circuit and a number of nearby hotels.

If you are flying into Germany with Delta Air Lines, the nearest international airports are Frankfurt-Main (100 miles), Frankfurt-Hahn (80 miles) or Cologne-Bonn (60 miles). All the major car rental companies have desks at these airports, but if you are looking for a seriously rapid vehicle for your laps of the Nürburgring, you are advised to carry out a search of specialist car rentals at the circuit. Cars range from Renault Clio RS200s and Porsche GT3 991 PDKs to full race Lotus Exige S V6s

While in Germany, why not pay a visit to BMW, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi or Porsche? All offer factory-tours and have their own museums.

Road trip from Pikes Peak to Bonneville Salt Flats

Start by taking a drive up the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course, around ten miles west of Colorado Springs. The 12.42-mile, 156 turn course winds its way to an elevation of 14,110ft, a height gain of 4,720ft.

There is a good cross section of accommodations to be had in Colorado Springs, along with a choice of restaurants and shopping.

Pikes Peak to the Bonneville Salt Flats is a drive of around 720 miles through Wyoming and into Utah. Take a couple of days for the trip and book yourself into a motel at one of the small towns along the I80 between Cheyenne and Salt Lake City. The nearest town to the salt flats is Wendover, a distance of around 87 miles; there are several accommodations to choose from, along with casinos and bars.

The only safe time to take to the salt is July. At all other times of the year there is a real risk of water on the surface, making driving hazardous. Make sure you sort out your visa to the states before attempting to enter as they are pretty strict.

Dune buggy driving in Dubai

For something a little different, search online for dune buggies in Dubai and book yourself a flight; Flights.com has some great prices.

Each rental company in Dubai offers its own packages; they typically last for between three and four hours and involve fully equipped buggies featuring roll cages, helmets, bucket seats, seat belts, night lights, fire extinguisher and back-up vehicle to minimize mechanical delays. Convoys are usually headed by a qualified safari driver. Minimum driver age is 18 and a valid international manual-driving license is required.

Whether you decide to stay close to home or take a trip to the other side of the world, there is sure to be a vacation to suit your pocket. What are you waiting for? Get online and start planning your next petrol head inspired trip.

09 Oct 2014

Best Destinations to Travel for a Gap Year Job

Being a summer camp counselor in the USA is an example of a sought after gap year job!

Your ticket to seeing the world on a gap year obviously comes much cheaper if you are able to spend some time working! A job in an exotic location is a fantastic opportunity to meet interesting people, really get to know the area, learn new skills, acquire CV-enhancing work experience, and perhaps even fund a trip-extension. Here are three great gap-year destinations you should consider:

Australia

Australia is a beautiful country and a wildly popular backpacking destination. With a culture very similar to the UK’s, living and working far away can still feel reassuringly familiar. This is a land of sunshine and spectacular natural wonders where most people live on the coast within reach of multicultural cities and enjoy the beach and active outdoor lifestyles.

Work opportunities and jobs in Australia include harvest work, bar work and catering, and office temping. Ranch work can offer more adventure – working on an outback cattle station, for example – but may require some farming experience.

As recruitment consultant Daniel Lucas confirms, UK job-seekers will be warmly welcomed: ‘Any Brits with a sales background, farming background, au-pair or nanny experience, horse-riding skills or nursing, care experience need to buy a ticket and get over here ASAP.’

USA

Working in the USA could be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to put aside your media-driven expectations and explore the reality of this dynamic country which exerts a truly global influence. Diverse landscapes and cultural experiences abound though you will find many echoes of home too.

Working at an American summer camp is a well-established paid-work option which entails inspiring and educating young people during their summer vacation. You will meet many friends and get plenty of free time to explore the country.

Au pair work with host families is another established employment route which offers the chance to experience the American way of life, yet also allows you plenty of time off to socialise. Those with special skills can often take advantage of niche opportunities, working, for example, as ski or snowboard instructors in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain resorts. As with similar ‘dream’ jobs, the pay may not be top drawer, but you will get to spend as much time as you choose on the slopes.

New Zealand

New Zealand, ‘the adventure capital of the world’, is another all-action destination for sports and outdoor enthusiasts that is also crammed full of truly stunning natural landscapes and amazing wildlife. Kiwi society and lifestyles will seem very familiar to UK travellers, as will New Zealand’s climate.

There are a variety of jobs open to ‘gappers’ in hospitality, promotions, IT, finance and similar industries. Outdoor options range from fruit-picking and construction to more specialised work for those with expertise, or willing to undergo training. For example, a white-water rafting company in Rotorua is willing to hire instructors who successfully complete a five-week training course.

Earn as you travel

For pay-as-you-go travel opportunities, a gap year working abroad is hard to beat. You are bound to meet new friends and gain ‘inside track’ knowledge about your chosen destination, both of which could prove invaluable if you are considering a career move overseas. Whatever your plans, the trip will enrich your life and future job prospects in equal measure.

11 Feb 2014

Top Five Things to do in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has long captured the imagination of Americans and others vacationers for its excitement and many fun offerings. Known as a mecca all over the world for the best quality casinos and resorts that can be found along with one of a kind gambling and entertainment, Las Vegas is a destination not to miss. Visiting Las Vegas promises to be the vacation of lifetime. Not only are the downtown casinos rated best in class, but the Las Vegas strip incorporates the nearby communities of Paradise and Winchester providing tourists with significant variety and satisfaction. When in Las Vegas, tourists should always make sure to capture the excitement and novelty of America’s most desirable vacation destination by taking part in the following must see and do attractions.

Best Things To Do In Las Vegas

Las Vegas shows are legendary for a multitude of reasons including having the highest quality performers and incredible variety amongst the many offerings. Major productions include performances by the likes of David Copperfield, musicals such as the “Jersey Boys” and “Rock of Ages”, and fabulous concerts by leading bands and soloists. When These productions are definitely among the things to do in Las Vegas that will deliver memories for a lifetime for you and your family.

Equally entertaining are the one of a kind museums including the super popular Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement and the one of a kind Neon Museum. While at the Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, referred to by locals as the “Mob Museum,” visitors can learn about the exciting history of organized crime in America. At the Neon Museum visitors can see the exciting past of Las Vegas through actual signs and other architectural marketing wonders from the actual resorts and casinos that have become so legendary in American history. Whatever your interests, Las Vegas offers a unique array of exciting museums that you will not find the likes of anywhere else.

All visitors should also check out the famous Bellagio Fountains to see a one of kind highly choreographed water show done to specially choreographed music. The shows are unique and are another one of the many things to do in Las Vegas.

A fourth treat for all visitors is the fine dining Las Vegas offers. Whatever your favorite cosines, Las Vegas offers world class restaurants and eating venues that you must take advantage of. The restaurant scene is in fact a staple on everyone’s list of favorite things to do in Las Vegas.

Lastly, you should take advantage of the world’s nicest and best gambling experience. The casinos that call Las Vegas their home are unequaled by those anywhere else. You can choose from a diverse array of options either downtown or on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Casinos such as the Bellagio, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, and Caesars Palace are legendary attractions that are must see and do experiences for your visit. Other fine casinos such as Binion’s Gambling Hall and Casino and Tropicana Las Vegas offer even more variety and even more world class gambling.

The next time you plan a trip, remember that a Las Vegas holidays provide memories for a lifetime and offers several must see and do adventures for everyone.

07 Nov 2013