The 10 best holiday destinations in 2011
1. London, England
This is definitely the year to visit London, England as there is going to be a royal wedding soon. Of course, most tourists won’t make it in time for the happy occasion, but if the story is true, the whole country will be festive all year long. In fact, it would be hard to count the number of tourists who actually visit London simply because there is a royal queen, a palace, and plenty of food for the imagination in a land where literary greats like Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, and Lewis Carroll walked the earth. With its famous Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster which is home to Big Ben and the two Houses of Parliament, London is the perfect combination of history and fantasy. Take a tour on one of London’s famous double-decker buses or take a ferry across the Thames for a historic view of this magical city, but always leave time for a day of shopping at the century-old open-air market on Petticoat Lane in East London.
2. Paris, France
Who in the world could hear the name ‘Paris’ without remembering the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral? Even such famous monuments as the Eiffel Tower are not enough to attract a large number of tourists to the City of Lights every year. In spring, love blossoms in Paris and romance takes on new meaning. A place where there is an artist on every corner and a quiet café where lovers can share an intimate embrace. Rumor has it that a trip to Paris can reignite the burning flames of love with reinvigorated passion. Perhaps that is why this beautiful city is always at or near the top of the list of favorite vacation destinations around the world! There’s plenty to see and do in Paris, but one “souvenir” tourists always take home is dining at the world’s center of epicurean delights. Nowhere in the world is it possible to find such a variety of award-winning chefs and restaurants in one city!
3. Hawaii, United States
Another top ten vacation destination, Hawaii is best known as the number one destination for honeymooners. Actually, there’s much, much more to draw visitors than luaus on white-sand beaches and honeymoon suites overlooking azure ocean waters. The temperature in Hawaii is mild year-round as cool ocean breezes waft over the islands in the heat of summer, keeping this island paradise generally between 75 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the higher elevations of the volcanic islands can see their fair share of snow in the winter, further adding to the enchanting scenery that surrounds you. Throughout the year you will see surfers riding the waves and if you want to try your hand at this exciting water sport there are even a number of surf academies for the purpose.
4. Cancun, Mexico
Although Cancun has long been a favorite port of call for all the major cruise lines, the year 2012 is fast approaching, fueling a great desire to visit ancient Mayan ruins. There is much interest in the prophecies predicted in the Mayan calendar cycle that many believe indicates the end of the world as we know it today. As a result, many tourists flock to Cancun to see such architectural wonders in nearby places like the mysterious capital of the ancient Mayans, Chichén Itzá. Watching the traditional folkloric dancers while you sample Mayan cuisine is a must when visiting Cancun. You should also be prepared to take a dip in the magical Ikil, a sacred cenote. Immerse yourself in Mayan culture so you can truly appreciate this ancient people who were way ahead of their time. Anyone looking for a travel destination that adds layers of fun to a truly educational experience should seriously consider a trip to Cancun.
5. Orlando, Florida
There is probably no other city in the world that can boast as many theme parks as Orlando, Florida. While everyone knows Orlando is home to Disneyworld, not everyone can say they danced with Snow White or dined with the Seven Dwarfs. Maybe that’s the stuff dreams are made of, but anything is possible when you wish on a star. In fact, with the Kennedy Space Center just an hour’s drive away, budding young astronauts might one day truly visit the stars! On the other hand, if you are looking for theme parks, there are always:
epcot center
Universal Studies
sea World
Busch Gardens
islands of adventure
But those are just a few of the alluring attractions that keep Orlando in the top 10 vacation destinations. You can also tour the nearby orange groves to see where Florida orange juice comes from or take part in a mystery dinner show at Sleuths. Then, if you’re a basketball fan, you can catch a Magic game live if you happen to be in town during the season.
6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
One of the newer cities in the top ten vacation destinations is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While this city has always been a favorite among South Floridians in the hot summer months, it is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination due to its award-winning festivals throughout the year. In the summer, the annual Canadian American Days festival, basically known as ‘CanAm’, takes place. However, the festival that actually kicks off the summer season is the Sun Fun Festival followed by the Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival and a unique South Carolina-style rodeo, the Grand Stand Fishing Rodeo that takes place throughout summer from April to October. If you happen to be in the area over the holidays, you won’t want to miss the Christmas Towne Holiday Festival. It gets a little cool in South Carolina during the winter, but Myrtle Beach, on the Atlantic Ocean, doesn’t see the extremes that might be in evidence further inland. That is why it is also a favorite winter residence for northern Canadian snowbirds.
7.Miami, Florida
Miami will probably never be out of the top 10 vacation destinations in the world simply because it is Miami! As a major US seaport with an international airport, millions of tourists arrive each year to visit the Sunshine State or to embark from there to other points of interest. Of course, there’s always plenty to see and do in Miami, like spending a night on the town in South Beach or taking a casino cruise off the coast, but one of the main attractions will always be the miles of sandy beaches that They are open 12 months. of the year. There are literally hundreds of stores that stay open 24 hours a day and some of the best food in the world can be found at Miami’s award-winning restaurants, like the iconic Joe’s Stone Crabs. Don’t forget that other popular tourist destinations like Key West and Fort Lauderdale are just a short drive from Miami, making it an ideal vacation “home base.”
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
Believe it or not, there is much more to Las Vegas, Nevada than the myriad of casinos that have always been the biggest draws to this southwestern desert city. Thousands of the biggest names in entertainment can be found at dinner theaters across the city on any given night and there are dozens of activities to fill your days. While most of the nightly entertainment can be found on the Strip, there are an incredible number of attractions off the Strip as well. To name a few of the exciting places to visit in and around Las Vegas include:
Fiesta Ice Arena – NHL regulation size ice rink
Old Mormon Fort – Learn how a settlement by 29 Mormon settlers led to the development of Las Vegas
Atomic Testing Museum – Leading US Atomic Testing Center from 1951 to 1992
Sky Zone – 3D drop zone located in a renovated warehouse; Fun for all the ages
Sunset Stampede: animated water, laser and light show to relive the past
From museums to zip-lining over the desert, there’s always something to do in “The City That Never Sleeps.” If you happen to have nothing to do, take one of hundreds of Las Vegas tours to see what else is on!
9. Rome, Italy
Many people dream of visiting Rome only once in their life, sometimes for religious reasons and other times for the rich history that is part of the very fabric of the city. Tourists flock to Rome to visit ancient sites like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Arch of Constantine. Others are drawn to all the historical works of art to be seen, such as the priceless treasures found in the Vatican museums. In fact, millions upon thousands of visitors flock to Vatican City each year both to hear the Pope preside over Mass in St. Peter’s Square and to tour the world’s smallest state that is completely surrounded by Rome. While the most popular vacation destinations in Rome are closely associated with Christianity, there are a host of other tourist attractions that also attract significant numbers of visitors. There is no other city on earth that has such a wealth of preserved ancient architecture, but Rome also has a modern side and there are plenty of dance clubs, cafes and some of the best food in the world. Needless to say, you will never leave Rome hungry!
10. San Francisco, Calif.
Perhaps best known for its famous Golden Gate Bridge and historic cable cars, San Francisco is an all-time favorite travel destination because there’s always something going on. Actually, San Francisco quickly rose to “fame” in the 1960s during the flower power days and Haight Ashbury remains a haven for artists and a host of underground subcultures to this day. However, one of the things that many visitors comment on is the incredible number of family attractions in and around San Francisco, such as:
Children’s Fairyland where talking tales come to life with a ‘magic key’
Near the Oakland Zoo – 500+ acres with over 300 native and exotic animals
Raging Waters theme park with interactive family rides
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium – On Friday nights history comes alive
Winchester Mystery House: Guided tours of an architecturally bizarre Victorian mansion with 160 rooms
Tech Museum: Over 250 high-tech hands-on exhibits to inspire the techie in you
From the serene and meditative Hakone Japanese Gardens to the bustling seaside shopping district of Jack London Square, San Francisco has so much to offer, which is why it has earned its place among the top 10 vacation destinations in the world. Don’t forget to catch a live game as San Francisco also has several professional sports teams including the Giants, 49ers, A’s and Golden State Warriors!
Some people travel to these incredible destinations as part of a tour group, while others go on a family vacation or romantic getaway, but all come back with fond memories that hold them back again and again. Whether you spend a week or a month in any of these favorite tourist vacation spots, you’ll see why they stay in the top 10 year after year. No matter the destination, you can find vacation rentals off the beaten track and stay in great, comfortable places—and maybe even save money by avoiding hotels.