Paris, France

This week I will be informing everybody about Paris, France, “the City of Lights.”  Paris is the largest city and the capital of France.  Its population is ridiculously high; probably because it’s so beautiful and romantic.  Plus, there is so much to see!  Paris is split into twenty different arrondissements (districts) – first starting in the very center of the city and spreading outward in a clockwise spiral. 

Paris has plenty of things to do to occupy free time.  When Paris comes to mind, the first thing thought of is the Eiffel Tower.  That’s probably because it is the most popular attraction in the city.  It stands 984 feet and over looks the entire city!  It is Paris’s most visited structure and was once the tallest in the world.  The Notre Dame, “the Cradle of the Paris” is also a good place to visit.  The Notre Dame is a cathedral that can be found in the heart of city (a small island in the center.)  The Versailles Palace is only about twenty kilometers outside of the actual city of Paris but it isn’t something one would want to miss.  It is now a formal garden but at one point in time it served as a village and of course a home for royalty.  The property is filled with gorgeous things including magnificent hallways and fountains, huge gardens, and unbelievable landscaping.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to visit Paris and now that I have done research, my trip to Paris is a definite!  The sites are breathtaking and not to mention how romantic it would be.  Anyone who would choose to not visit Paris would be crazy; there’s a variety of things to do.  No matter what someone enjoys, Paris would exceed their expectations. 

Galway, Ireland

Hello this is Andrea again.  This week I am going to be informing everyone about Galway which is on the coast of Ireland.  Anthony Bourdain says,  “The 'City of the Tribes' is the heartland of the Irish language and the home of a creative and diverse cultural scene. It is also the gateway to the beautiful landscape of Connemara, the Aran Islands and the West of Ireland.”  Galway has a population of 67,200 – so it’s not totally claustrophobic like some of the other places I’ve described.  Also, in comparison to the other destinations, Galway is probably my favorite because it is filled with natural beauty and no article ever written about Ireland will do it justice! 

Galway is a very historical town filled with many things to occupy time.  For example, Lynch’s Castle, the Cathedral, and the Spanish Arch.  If someone liked sight seeing and history, they could hop aboard the “Olde Galway Bus” for a tour that gets down right serious with facts.  Eyre Square Shopping Center is also a must;  get all the shopping done in one trip!

Although this city is absolutely beautiful, the climate might be a deal breaker.  Not a big fan of rain and chilly weather?  If so, this destination probably wouldn't be too enjoyable.  Rain is the most common form of precipitation there.  It usually never gets any warmer than sixty degrees, yet snow is very unlikely.

Basically, Galway offers natural beauty and scenery, sight seeing opportunities, and history. So if someone took interest in these things, this would be a great vacation spot!  No matter what this person is looking for, (a family vacation, a quick getaway with the friends, or a trip alone away from a hectic life) it's idealic.

Majorca (Mallorca), Spain

Hey everyone!  It’s Andrea again!  Last week I told everyone about Las Vegas and this week my topic is Majorca (Mallorca), Spain.  Majorca is the largest of all the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea.  The island accommodates about ten million visitors a year and there are nearly 800,000 residents of the island.  So what makes this island so busy?

Majorca is known for its three s’s – sun, sand, and sea!  The beaches in this area are absolutely amazing and the mountain ranges are break taking.  The site of the island is actually what keeps Majorca going, financially.  The most popular area on the island is the capital, Palma.  Palma is located in the central zone of the island.  The city is seafront and filled with many eye catching things, for example the Cathedral and an old watercourse that once served as a moat.  The newer part of Palma is relatively easy to maneuver through but the older part is a cluster of alleys going in all sorts of different directions.  Keep in mind when planning to visit the older part of the city, always have a map handy. 

The weather in Majorca is pretty self explanatory – in the winter it is dull and dreary, in the summer there is a blazing sun and it’s extremely hot.  This climate is known as the “Mediterranean climate.”  A vacation during the spring would be a great idea if it is for the family since it gets so hot during the summer.  Nobody would want to ruin their vacation with a heat stroke, now would they? 

To sum up this amazing destination: Majorca would be a great destination (if not claustrophobic) for a getaway vacation with amazing sites!  Just be sure to book the trip during spring or fall and always carry a map!       

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hey everybody, It’s Andrea again!  Last week I talked about the relaxing Florida Keys, so this week I will be blabbing about Sin City!  Las Vegas is the most populated city in Nevada, and the 28^th most populated in the United States.  This city is known for the its extraordinary dining experience, gambling opportunities, and shopping.  Vegas is also popular for Las Vegas Boulevard, which is also known as the “Vegas Strip.”  This strip stretches for approximately 4 miles and will be sure to impress anybody!  Within the strip there are some of the world’s largest hotels by room count, some reaching up to 67,000 rooms.  When visiting Vegas, one thing that should not weigh on someone's thoughts is finding vacancy. 

Vegas has a bad reputation, so most people do not trust to take their children here.  Whether it is a thrilling roller coaster or a relaxing day by the pool, the city offers many children’s attractions.  By going to Las Vegas, a person will be receiving the best of both worlds.  MGM Grand is the largest casino-entertainment hotel in the world.  It offers many themed rooms, including Hollywood and Emerald City and while recuperating from the night before, take the kids to the thirty-three acre theme park that the hotel offers. 

Las Vegas is for sure a "Vacation Hot Spot."  Don't believe me?

Well believe it or not but the expression “coyote ugly” comes to life in this city, seriously.  The city offers an amazing night life including a famous bar everyone's heard of from a hit movie about ten year back, Coyote Ugly! 

The opportunities in Las Vegas are unlimited.  No matter what someone is looking for- a quick getaway with friends or a family vacation, I recommend “Sin City” all the way!

The Florida Keys, Florida

Hello everyone!  This is Andrea here to help figure out where everybody's next destination vacation will be.  I really enjoy researching places with the hope that I will one day visit them.  Travelling is one of my biggest interests.

Today I will introduce the Florida Keys, which are obviously located in Florida.  The keys begin just below Miami and extend west towards the Gulf of Mexico, this area is known was the peninsula.  It stretches for 137.3 miles and whether believe it or not, 1,700 islands make up the Florida Keys (although some most of them are extremely small and unpopulated.)

From personal experience, I can assure everyone that the Florida Keys would make a sensational vacation, whether it is a family getaway or a romantic weekend with the significant other.  If a person is looking for a more private area, I would suggest staying in the Marathon Key or Key Largo – steer clear of Key West unless feeling smothered and being in bumper to bumper traffic is completely okay.  Although if the plan is to go during spring break with a group of friends to have a good time, Key West would definitely be the right destination.  This place is party central. 

The food on the islands is also spectacular, in my opinion.  Although I found it rather odd that none of the restaurants served fresh crab legs, so if someone is a sea food lover –  they will not be too impressed with the variety.  Another thing to watch out for is that most of the dining is outdoors and they are not guarded from wildlife at all.  I remember being in a restaurant on Duval Street in Key West and having a rooster pecking at my foot, nasty right?

It depends on which perspective is taken, but if the only interest in going to Florida is for the beaches and scenery, this is the place but if someone has a “pet” peeve, I suggest staying away!