Located on the Mississippi River, New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana.

New Orleans

The city is renowned for its music (it is the birthplace of jazz), celebrations and festivals (Mardi Gras) and its cuisine.

Things to Do and Places to Visit

Music and Dining
There are many clubs and eateries here in New Orleans where you can relax and listen to some Jazz, enjoy some authentic dining and even try your hand at a spot of Cajun dancing. The following are just a few of the many establishments worth visiting Tipitinas (live performances), Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (live music and regional cusine), Club 300 Jazz Bistro (jazz and gourmet cusine), Melange (jazz and fine dining), House of Blues (live music and gospel brunch on Sundays), Michaul’s Live Cajun Music Restaurant (Cajun and Zydeco music, Cajun food and dancing), The Funky Pirate 727 Bourbon (Blues Club).

Visit The French Quarter
Here you will find many restaurants serving traditional New Orleans dishes. You will also find the St Louis Cathedral, art galleries, magnificent architecture, street artists, antique shops and boutiques, and a vibrant nightlife. The most relaxing way to tour the area is by a horse-drawn carriage.

Mardi Gras

Blain Kern’s Mardi Gras World
Here you can see how the floats for the world’s largest carnival are made by the artists and sculptors.

The Presbytere State Museum
The museum displays the history of Mardi Gras, from its origins up to the present, including everything that happens behind the scenes.

You can also visiting the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium and Insectarium, take in a basketball match at the New Orleans Arena, ride the St Charles Avenue Street Car for fantastic views of the city, take a relaxing riverboat ride on the Mississippi, take a ride through the swamps. There is so much to do and see in this vibrant city, far too many to mention!

Mississippi river boat

Climate

New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and mild winters. In January daytime temperatures average 17C and in July they average 33C.
Rain is common in New Orleans, with a monthly average of 5 inches.

To enjoy the rich culture of New Orleans why not book one of the many holiday packages to America that are always available on the internet.

Look out for, and take advantage of the great late deals that are always on offer.

The Best Friends Pet Resort is due to open on August 27th.

Located on Bonnet Creek Parkway within the Disney World complex, the resort will be able to accommodate 270 dogs, 30 cats and other animals including birds and small mammals.

The luxury facilities available here for dogs will include standard accommodation with bedroom area and small patio, vacation villas with a television and luxury VIP suites with a television a large private outdoor play area, all located in the Doggy Village.
For cats there will be 2 and 4 storey condos which are located in the Kitty City Pavilion.

The whole luxury resort covers an area of over 50,000 sq ft both indoors and outdoors, 17,000 sq ft of which is an air conditioned indoor area. The resort has a waterpark( just for the dogs), a 3,300 sq ft play area with artificial turf and a 4,500 sq ft play area complete with trees.

The resort even offers a ‘bedtime stories’ service where they read a story to the dog before it goes to sleep!

Owners can leave their pets here just for the day or they can be left for longer periods and they can visit whenever they wish.

There are lots of travel deals to America available throughout the internet.

When on your bargain holidays to Florida why not book your animals into this great pet resort and enjoy your day without having to worry about your loved ones, remember you can visit them whenever you like.

San Francisco doesn’t have any beaches but it does have some fantastic scenery. Famous for its Golden Gate Bridge and its historic cable cars there is plenty to do and see in San Francisco.
The hilly streets here are lined with Victorian houses which overlook the huge blue bay surrounded by mountains. This bay area is home to the famous crooked street and a Chinatown.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

The Golden Gate Bridge is a magnificent 1.7 mile long suspension bridge that links San Francisco to Marin County. There are parking and viewing areas at each end of the bridge which can be crossed by car, cycle or on foot. Views from the Marin Headlands stretch from Golden Gate Park and Twin Peaks to

Golden Gate Bridge

 The Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island and beyond.

Golden Gate Park covers an area of 1,013 acres and is San Francisco’s largest park, bigger than New York’s Central Park. The park has over a million trees, nine lakes, fly casting pools and a lily pond. It is also home to the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Garden, The Conservatory of Flowers and some museums.

CABLE CARS

The San Francisco cable car system is the only transportation system listed on The National Register of Historic Places. It is the last of the world’s permanently operated, manually operated cable car systems.
The cable cars operate on three routes, two from Union Square to Fishermans Wharf and one which runs along California Street.

ALCATRAZ ISLAND (The Rock)

Located in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz island lies 1.5 miles from the mainland. This historic island has been home to a lighthouse, a military fort, a military prison and a federal prison. In 1972 the island became a national recreation area and can be reached by ferry from Fishermans Wharf.

Alcatraz Island

CLIMATE

San Francisco is surrounded on three sides by water, hence the weather here is influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean.
It has a mild climate that varies very little with seasons. From May to October it is dry with mild to warm temperatures, reaching 18-21C and with lows of 11-13C. November to April is the rainy period with temperatures of 14-18C and lows of 8-11c.

If you are thinking about visiting San Francisco, you won’t be disappointed. There are many holiday websites offering holiday packages to America to help you on your way.

For more information on America and to view my latest articles please visit my America Blog.
Happy Holidays.

When planning your vacation to America, why not take in some of the natural wonders of this fascinating country. The following are a few that i have visited but there are still plenty more that i need to visit!

Niagara Falls – between New York and Ontario,Canada

For pure romance a visit to Niagara Falls is a must. Consisting of three waterfalls (one in Canada) you will be astounded by the power and sound of the water as it falls. Six million cubic feet of water flows over these falls every minute during high flow!

Ruby Falls – Chattanooga, Tennessee

Ruby Falls was the first American attraction to gain the Green Globe/Green Certification. It is Americas deepest commercial cave and has the largest underground waterfall that is open to the public. The 145ft waterfall is found 1,120ft beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga.

Yosemite National Park – California

This national park covers 3,081 sq kms with an elevation range from 2,000ft to 13,114ft. Full of rivers, waterfalls, valleys and animals this is a very beautiful park.

Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming

Americas first national park, established in 1872, covering 3,468 sq miles. Yellowstone has more than 10,000 hot springs and geysers. Here you can swim in hot pools, watch bison roaming in their natural habitat and even watch bears frollicking amongst the trees (from a safe distance!). By far my favourite national park.

Everglades National Park – South Florida

The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in America, covering 6,100 sq kms of marshland, and is home to more than 40 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles, 300 species of fish and 350 species of birds.

Redwood National Park – Northern California

The Redwood Nation Park covers 535sq kms along 37 miles of coastline. The redwood trees here are over 1,000 years old. These trees can live up to 2,000 years and grow to over 340ft.

So don’t forget, when you visit America for your holidays try to visit some of these amazing places, you won’t be disappointed.

There are plenty of inexpensive family holidays to America available throughout the internet.

For more information on America and to view my latest articles please visit my America Blog.

Have just come across this travel guide for New York and found it very interesting and informative.

The guide includes info on sightseeing, shopping, eating, nightlife and beaches. I have visited New York many times, usually on last minute holidays ( I am a very busy person), and found that after reading this guide there are still places i need to visit and things i need to do!

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened its doors temporarily to visitors of Orlando International’s Pow Wow convention last week.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Most of the park has been completed including the Hogsmeade Village, shops, restaurants, Hogwarts Castle and the Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff roller coasters. Work is currently being completed on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride inside the castle, which is a 360 degree experience.

The park is due to open on 18th June.

If you are looking for great summer holidays to Orlando and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there are always plenty throughout the internet.

The striking white towers of the newly updated Hyatt Regency Miami overlook Biscayne Bay and connect to the Convention Centre.
Located in downtown Miami, the Hyatt is conveniently located seven miles from Miami International Airport and less than two miles from the Port of Miami. The hotel is just a 15 minute drive from South Beach, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.

Accommodation

612 renovated guestrooms, deluxe bath amenities, hairdryer, separate work area, flat screen tv, clock radio, dual line phones, dataport, T-Mobile high speed wireless internet access, iron and board, in-room safe, video checkout.

Guest Services

Concierge service, valet service and parking, In-room dining service, business centre, T-Mobile wireless T1 high speed internet access in all public areas.

Activities

Heated swimming pool (outdoor), excercise facilites (including weights, excercise cycles, stair climbers), tennis courts, beaches, water sports.
The hotel is close to the Bayshore Golf Course and the Miami Beach Golf Course.

Dining and Entertainment

Riverwalk Cafe, Riverwalk Deli, Pure Verde.

Meetings and Events

100,000 sq ft of function space (including 12,000 sq ft Regency Ballroom and 28,000 sq ft of exhibit space).
27 meeting/function rooms.
444 fixed seat Ashe Auditorium.
Exhibit Hall.

Locally

Miami Metro Zoo, Miami Beaches, Gardens Seaquarium, Parrot Jungle, Mary Brickell Village, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Bayside Marketplace.

What more could you want when on your holidays or on a business trip to Miami, the Hyatt Regency Miami has it all!

Disney Parks has just announced their plans for a new resort at Walt Disney World Resort which will be located adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort Florida.

The new resort is being designed to be family orientated, with themed rooms and amazing sights to see around the resort, including a 35ft tall model of King Triton (from The Little Mermaid).

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will feature suites designed around four themes. These themes will be The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

The new units will include 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wing. All rooms will have themed interiors.

Direct holidays to Florida – you just have to experience them yourself!

Martha’s Vineyard (which includes the smaller Chappaquiddick Island) is an island off the south of Cape Cod in New England, in the state of Massachusetts. The island consists of six towns and is only accessible by boat and by air.

The island has good summer weather and beautiful beaches, hence it is fast becoming a popular tourist destination.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Vineyard Haven (Tisbury)

Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard
Steamship Authority Wharf
Owen Park & Legion Field
Lake Tashmoo, which includes Tashmoo Overlook & Tashmoo Opening
The Lagoon
The Black Dog
The Capawock Theatre
West Chop, which includes the West Chop Lighthouse & West Chop Woods

Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs Harbour
The Flying Horses Carousel
The Island & Strand Theatres
The Wesleyan Grove, which includes 350 gingerbread cottages
Ocean Park, Hiawatha Park & Viera Park
Farm Neck Golf Course
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
East Chop, which includes East Chop Lighthouse
Eastville

Edgartown – An old whaling town where the movie Jaws was filmed, the town was called Amity in the film.

Edgartown Harbour & Lighthouse
The Whaling Church
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Chappaquiddick

West Tisbury

Martha’s Vineyard Airport
Christiantown, which includes Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary & Mayhew Chapel
The Grange Hall
North Tisbury,which includes Makonikey

Chilmark

Menemsha Harbour, Menemsha Pond & ‘Squid Row’
Tiasquam River
Menemsha Hills Reservation
Beetlebung Corner

Aquinnah

Gay Head Cliffs
Gay Head Lighthouse

BEST BEACHES
Cape Pogue – Chappaquiddick
The Inkwell – Oak Bluffs
Lambert’s Cove Beach – North Tisbury
Lobsterville Town Beach – Chilmark
Lucy Vincent Beach – Chilmark
South Beach at Katama – Edgartown
State Beach – Oak Bluffs
Harthaven Beach – Oak Bluffs
Menemsha Beach – Chilmark

For something a bit different, why not visit Martha’s Vineyard for your summer holidays.

With lots of holiday deals on offer at the moment you will be spoilt for choice.

For more information on America and to view my latest articles please visit my America Blog.

Location

This beautiful tropical lakeside paradise is located on the 45 acre Barefoot Bay, near Epcot Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park and Disney’s BoardWalk Area. This is an ideal resort for all the family to enjoy their summer holidays.

Accommodation

The guest rooms are spread over 200 acres of landscaped greenery, consisting of six villages – Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Martinique, Barbados, Aruba and Jamaica. Each village has 2-storey pastel coloured

Guest room

buildings which are located around a heated swimming pool. Accommodation here includes pirate themed rooms which have pirate ship beds and buccaneer accessories.

Facilities

The Custom House is designed to look like the reception area of a Caribbean retreat. Here you will find the resort’s lobby where guests can register.

The hub of the resort is Old Port Royale. Here you will find dining venues from quick snacks to a full service restaurant, a lounge, shops and a concierge desk.

Recreation and Activities

Relax on one of the resorts white-sand beaches. Swimming is prohibited in Barefoot Bay but there are lots of watercraft available for hire.

At The Marina you can rent a variety of watercraft, including sailboats, pontoon boats, canoes and pedal boats.

Enjoy the main pool complex, Fuentes del Morro Fort, which is themed like

Fuentes del Morro Fort

 an old Spanish Fortress with two waterslides, two 12-person spas and antique water cannons.

Join a game of beach volleyball at the lakeside court.

Take a jog around the 1.4 mile scenic run.

Take a bike ride around the resort.

For children there is Parrot Cay Island, complete with a playground, nature trail and birds in cages.
There is a water play area with three water slides and squirting hoses.
For the older children there is an arcade, inside the Old Port Royale complex, with video and pinball games.

Food court

Dining Options

Shutter’s at Old Port Royale – a Caribbean inspired restaurant.
Old Port Royale Food Court – here you will find four different food outlets.
Grab N Go Market – for freshly baked pastries, fresh fruit and ice cream.
Montegos Deli – for pancakes, cheesecake, soups, deli-style sandwiches and Philly cheese steaks.