Seattle is renowned for being the city that has constant rain! However, don’t let this put you off… There are lots of things to do here inside and out which include museums, parks and exciting attractions!
The Space Needle

This is probably the most famous Seattle icon. Take the lift up to the top to see the fabulous view of the city. You can go either at night or in the day, either time you will get a fantastic shot. What a lot of people do is stay and watch the sunset, which of course in turn adds a very romantic atmosphere!
The Original Starbucks
There is not a place in this world, so it seems, that you cannot go without seeing a Starbucks. The original opened in 1971 and since then has been a booming success. It is located near “Pike Place Market” which is also a fun place to visit if you are in the area.
Pike Place Market
This market is a fun and busy market, that sells everything from food to antiques. Famously starred in “Sleepless in Seattle”, you will notice the famous sign that is situated about the market tent.
Experience Music Project
Are you a fan of architecture at all? If yes, head towards this centre. You cannot miss it as the architecture is so unique and groovy, that makes you want to go inside. See the history of Jimi Hendrix – who was born in Seattle.

These attractions are only 4 of many in Seattle. So if this appeals to you then why not start searching for a place to stay? If you are looking for accommodation in Seattle, then why not look into top-rated vacation rentals for a weekend? This can be a great way to spend your break away in Seattle, as you have your own space and privacy with your friends and family. There is a huge selection of lodging to choose from, so you will be never be stuck without somewhere to stay.

One of these National Parks, Denali, is considered to be a prime location for family adventure holidays. The park is open for just over 110 days per year and during that time attracts thousands upon thousands of holidaymakers in search of some fun and relaxation. More and more people are choosing to take their time off in places such as this. In Alaska holidays such as this provide people with the fresh air, scenic views and thrilling activities that help them to make the most of their short amount of holiday
time.

The focal point of Denali National Park is Mt. McKinley, which is the highest peak in North America. A lot of people who visit the park set up camp near this mountain so that they can take part in mountain climbing activities, although this is more suited to groups of adults rather than families with younger children.

From November until April of each season in the park, snowmobiles are available to rent, provided there is at least 15 inches of snow on the ground. These are a very popular choice with people visiting the park, as they provide a thrilling way to get around the area when there is heavy snow. Most visitors use the snowmobiles along the Harding Icefield.

In Alaska holidays often centre on nature, as the state has so much to offer in terms of spectacular scenery and wildlife. Denali Park is no exception; visitors can take a ‘Backcountry Safari’ trip in a four-wheel drive here. The guide on these trips takes groups off road into the wilds of the park and visitors will often catch glimpses of wildlife such as bears, caribou, foxes and moose.

For families visiting the park who would prefer an aerial view of the sights of the area, there are also ‘Flight-seeing’ tours, which allow people to see the stunning landscape of the park from an entirely new perspective. From the towering peaks to the ancient glaciers, there are some beautiful sights to see during one of these trips.

In the warmer months of the year, when the waters of the park are not frozen over, white-water rafting is a hugely popular pastime with those staying in this park. There are a variety of programs to choose from, including an introductory two-hour session for beginners, as well as a family orientated program known as the McKinley Run, which offers gentler river paths.

In terms of accommodation, National Parks such as Denali offer their visitors a choice of renting cabins or camping out beneath the stars. Cabins tend to be more popular as the weather gets colder, whilst camping is the preferred choice during the summer months. The camping sites have strict guidelines in order to ensure that the presence of people does not interfere with the landscape and wildlife here.

Kate Robbins writes regularly on family adventure holidays for a range of travel websites and blogs.

There are a few Bed & Breakfast places to stay & quaint hotels. Regular hotels just outside of the downtown area close by but if you like quaint sleeping try downtown accommodations, maybe the Dora Hotel, I’m not sure if that’s the name of it.

It is an old town surrounded by many huge Oak Trees and rolling hills, slightly rolling, for Florida at least. Small town, shopping, many small restaurants, from French to Tea Rooms, to Open Bar type restaurants, really many different types of eating. Antique shopping is there calling.
I’m sure you will love it. You can Hot Air Balloon, boat down the Dora Canal. There is an Antique and or swap shop called Renegars, which is also a big weekend draw and well known throughout FL.

I think you will be a big hit if you like to stroll and window shop. Enjoy dropping in for a bite to eat or make a reservation at a 4-5 star restaurant. Look it up on the internet. Especially now during the holidays all the shops decorate and most have hot cider & cookies waiting for you once you stop in. Really cute for the holidays.. You will love it as long as that’s what your looking for.

It’s got some crime areas, but if you stay in Isla Verde, near the airport at night and don’t flash a lot of bling, don’t walk on the beach alone at night, in other words, use some common sense, you can have a great time.

There is one Hotel in Villa Mar called the Coqui Inn that I like. It’s across the freeway from Isla Verde, in a nice residential neighborhood. There is a cafe/bakery/butcher shop called Espana that has Cuban sandwiches, mofongo, Puerto Rican coffee, Medalla beer, Bacarci Rum, etc.

The El San Juan Hotel and Casino is something to see, have a meal, or spend the night but it’s pricey. The Sands next door is cheaper. The Condado area, with the Caribe Hilton is something to see, but not as protected an area for tourists.

Old San Juan and El Morro is great to explore, especially on a Sunday. Take a tour of the Bacardi factory and take a ride to El Yunque rain forest, hike to the waterfall.

My favorite thing that to do there that I recently discovered is to rent a car and drive through Pinones, near the airport, where there are dozens of little bars and food stands selling meat on a stick, plantains, fish, yucca, beer, coconuts, you name it. you can go along the ocean for miles, all the way to luquillo and beyond, way past the tourist zone, but probably safer because the people who prey on touristas will not be expecting you. There is a little marina there I didnt get a chance to explore. (Sigh) Oh well, I’ll have something to look forward to next visit.

The beaches are great. The water is much warmer than the Pacific. I went last year and I’m going back this Feb. Driving is a bit scary, but fun once you get used to it.

Take a hike along Lands End. It’s a beautiful 3-mile loop along an ocean cliff through trees and over grassy hills. Look for the remains of the shipwrecks. And visit the small maze that someone created using small rocks on the northwest corner.

Have a delicious breakfast at Howard’s Cafe on 9th and Irving.

Try the delicious Cioppino (San Francisco’s famous seafood stew) at the Anchor Oyster Bar on Castro and 19th Street. Then walk a block north and catch a movie at the Castro Theater.

Visit the Mission! Walk down Valencia Street and try some of the quirky restaurants. There’s Mission Cheese; Cha-Ya, the vegetarian Japanese sushi restaurant; and Arizmendi Bakery on 24th Street. From Arizmendi, head west for a quarter mile to Philz Coffee on 24th Street and Folsom and enjoy a delicious handmade cup of coffee. I recommend the Philtered Soul, their hazelnut blend. Then go to St. Francis Fountain and order a seitan sandwich and fries.

Visit Cordon Bleu, the Vietnamese countertop restaurant on California Street. Order their famous Five-Spiced Chicken. It’s so smokey in there you’ll end up smelling like a grill when you walk out.

Walk around the Presidio and try to find Lucasfilm. If you rent the last Star Trek movie you’ll notice that they’ve very cleverly placed one of the Starfleet Academy buildings right on top of themselves. From there, it’s a block’s walk to the Presidio Officer’s Club where you can ask them about their ghosts.

Take a jog along Crissy Field. Then have lunch or dinner at Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason. But be warned: you have to reserve at least a week in advance and it’s a little on the pricey side.

From Greens, walk to the building next door and enjoy one of the funniest improv comedy shows you’ll ever see at BATS

Went to Curacao for the day on a cruise ship. The ship’s more local excursions were costly, as usual. Instead, we walked down the cement docks where we were overrun by locals offering to drive us on tours. We hired a guy, stood by his explorer, and got 6 other ‘starry-eyed’ tourists just like us to come along.
Our driver was wonderful and his rate was cheap (at least 1/3 less than the same tour offered by the ship). He took us to the Curacao Liquer Factory, his sister’s out-of-the-way, very nice souvenier shop, and guided us all around the hills of Curacao; which otherwise we would have remembered as little more than a big sand dune. After the great driving tour we explored the usual tourist shops on foot and had drinks at a more local bar.
You can’t generally go on a ‘Pirate Ship’ excursion sans the cruiseline, but for touring an island’s countryside the Local Drivers throughout the Carribean are knowledgable, they are registered as island drivers, super friendly, and they are a much more moderate alternative to several of the expensive cruise ship tours.

The issues started out on Sunday, they went to dinner on the resort and took the trolley back to the cottage. The driver didn’t let them off in the proper place at the bottom of the stairs, he stopped the trolley close to a stone lined ditch, inevitably my wife fell in the ditch and suffered trauma which seemed to be a broken rib. That was serious enough but a couple of years ago my wife had a surgery to correct an arteriovenous malformation in the occipital lobe of her brain, if she had struck her head on one of the stones in the ditch she would not have survived. She got out of the ditch and went to bed. The next day, the girl at the reception desk asked if she was alright. She had heard about the accident.

My wife was in pain for the rest of the stay and this colored her experiences. They took some day trips as there were limited activities on the resort that she could do following the accident

The trip ended and it was actually a relief to return to Canada. My wife visited her physician and had an X ray which revealed no broken rib, just bad bruising of the bone. It still took eight weeks before she could breathe without pain. I contacted Hilton to see what their response would be to the situation. They denied any knowledge even though the front desk staff were fully aware of it, either they were lying or there were no processes in place to look out for the well being of their guests.

Since their negligence resulted in injury to my wife and ruined her vacation, I asked for a week at another resort. That was summarily rejected and they offered three days back at the resort where she had a potentially fatal accident. No I said, just refund my points. I have heard nothing since. Since they accept no responsibility, I decided to share the experience with fellow travelers.

Beaches can be private in Mexico and you may be charged to hang out on certain beaches or “beach clubs”. You will often be charged for beach amenities such as umbrellas and/or lounge chairs–although some of the bigger hotels have them as free amenities for their guests–you have to show your room key.

Go visit a few small surrounding towns; your group can commandeer a few taxis, negotiate a price, and be taken to cute towns and shopping areas. Tip your driver, he will show you some nice places. Or ask your hotel concierge, who can arrange a van or bus for a larger group at a discounted price.

Get out on the water! So much fun to kayak, snorkel, sail, whatever. It’s so much fun.

The heat there is dry, your perspiration evaporates as soon as it hits your skin so you don’t think you’re losing water–but you are. Tons! Drink lots and lots of water to avoid hangovers and heat stroke. Stay out of the midday sun.

You can buy prepaid phone cards all over, very cheap. Buy a few in case you need to call your hotel or an attraction you want to visit to make sure it’s open. The cards can be used at any public phone–they’re all over the place. Much cheaper than using your own cell phone.

Finally: go see the Mayan ruins–Tulum, Chichen Itza, etc.–you’ll be amazed at what they did.

Take a bus down to Playa Del Carmen and the ferry over to Cozumel island. The snorkeling there is much better than off Cancun or PDC, and it’s a fun day trip. Cheap. Same with Isla Mujeres. Also, you might be able to snorkel with the whale sharks off the island of Holbox (pronounced OLE-bosh) right there at the tip of the peninsula. Another great day trip.

My favorite part of Hawaii is the Big Island. It is least crowded and touristy. Go to the Volcanos. See the natural wonders of Hawaii. Take a helicopter ride over Waipio valley…

If you want to see natural beauty, you should definitely see the Big Island. Two thirds of the land of the Hawaiian Islands is the Big Island. The biggest, least populated, and most spectacular for natural beauty.

Maui is very touristy, and Honolulu/Waikiki is a big city. Go straight to the Kona coast, and see as much as you can. Rent a scooter. They are cheap. There is much exotic beauty on the Big Island.

Skip Maui if you do not want to fee like a tourist. Travelers travel, while tourists take tours.

For North Island, Coromandel is nice but some areas are touristy.

South of Coromandel, go out to East Coast route. Some great remote beaches, farm lands, etc.

I also went up to the very tip on north island.

I took ferry from Welling to top of North Island and came down west coast. Milford Sound is nice but I get that in Alaska.

For some real fun take a flight across to Stewart Island south of South Island. You can take the ferry back. quaint.

Travel along tip of south island to view the yellow eyed penguins.

New Zealand is so much fun.

Down near Hamilton on West coast of North Island is Kawhia (Kafia). It used to have hot springs right on the beach at low tide, but heard that big waters ruined a lot of it. That area of coast is quite beautiful.