Top Ten Winter Destination In INDIA

Winters are usually the time to snuggle up with a good book in front of a fireplace, enjoying a hot cup of tea in bed every morning, lazy afternoons and more. Winters are also the time of festivities and a feel good spirit. They also make for a good time to go on a vacation with your family, or even all by yourself. In fact, any season is a good season to go on a holiday.

India is blessed with different climatic conditions in winter season in different parts of the country. Unlike most of the Western world, where cities are covered under a blanket of snow in winters, there is quite a bit to choose from when it comes to winter holiday destinations in India.
Here is a list of top 10 winter holiday destinations in India that you could get started with:

1. Rajasthan

One of the best times to visit the royal state of Rajasthan is during the winter months. Like most parts of North India, Rajasthan too experiences cold climatic conditions during the winter months, which are pleasant by western world standards.

There is something magical about visiting the different forts and palaces of Rajasthan, coupled with traditional folk dances and the famed Rajasthan hospitality. Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are must visit cities in Rajasthan during the winter months. A part of Thar Desert, these cities offer a magical experience.

2. Kerala

Some people just don’t like the idea of snuggling up in a warm blanket all day long. For people who would rather escape the chilling temperatures of winters, Kerala is ideal for winter holiday destinations in India.

[Kerala the rustic and inviting land is idle destination for honeymoon in India]

This gorgeous Indian state experienced moderate climate throughout the year. And it has loads to offer to tourists throughout the year. During a Kerala trip, you can choose to relax on tranquil beaches, stay in a treehouse in Kerala, take a backwater tour and do so much more.

3. Auli

If you are looking for a skiing holiday, one of the best destinations to be in during winter months is Auli. A part of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, this valley is home to some gorgeous skiing slopes. In fact, in a short period of time, it has fast caught up to the popularity of Manali and Shimla as skiing destinations in India.

4. Shimla

There is nothing like spending a romantic vacation with your special someone in the midst of snow. Shimla is a quintessential winter holiday destination in India. The colonial character, snow covered peaks and good accessibility makes it one of the hottest destinations for honeymooners in the winter season. However, you could enjoy a vacation in Shimla in winter months even if you are alone and looking for some adventure. Shimla is considered one of the best destinations for a skiing holiday in India.

5. Goa

Image Source: Vaibhav San

Looking to bring in the festivals this year with a lot more joi de vive? If yes, Goa can be your ultimate winter holiday destination. The place comes alive during the winter months with all night parties and some seriously crazy crowd. The atmosphere is electric especially during the time of New Year and Christmas. Just be aware of overpriced hotels and restaurants during that time of the year. Better yet, make your bookings well in advance, for the place is jam packed during the winter months.

Image Source:  Molesworth II

6. Andaman

Image Source: Binu K S

In complete contrast to the electric atmosphere of Goa is the tranquil ambience of Andaman. If you would rather spend your time some place secluded and some place relatively warm, consider having a vacation in Andaman. The winter months are one of the best times to enjoy the exotic marine life of Andaman Islands. And while on an Andaman trip, do not forget to try snorkeling with an elephant in Havelock Island.

7. Lakshadweep

Similar to Andaman are the Lakshadweep Islands, a group of 39 small islands. You can expect quintessential island temperature, which is moderate for most part of the year. There are secluded beaches to enjoy and gorgeous marine life to explore. If you would rather while away your time under the sun during winters, you should seriously consider Lakshadweep as your winter holiday destination in India.

8. Delhi

Image Source: Arian Zwegers

Much has been said about Delhi’s winters. Despite the chaos of the capital city, despite all the mayhem, the city takes on a magical air during the winter months. There are mist covered mornings, festivals to enjoy during winters and so much more. And do not forget to sample Delhi’s famous street food during the winter months. It tastes that extra bit delicious when there is chill in the air.

Image Source: Arian Zwegers

9. Nainital

Image Source: Sanjoy Ghosh

Located at the foothills of the Himalayas is the gorgeous little hill station of Nainital. It is located at an altitude of little more than 2,000 meters, which means it enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. However, if you are looking for a quintessential winter holiday amidst snow capped peaks, winter season is the best time to visit Nainital.

Just like most hill stations in India, there is romanticism in the air in the winter months here, and the streets are fairly less crowded, which adds to the experience.

Image Source: rajkumar1220

10. Corbett National Park

Located in Nainital district is Jim Corbett National Park, one of the most famous wildlife reserves of India. Anytime is a good time to visit the national park, which boasts of sizeable population of tigers and several other wild animals. However, winter time is particularly special. Foggy mornings, a slight nip in the air, and a greater probability of spotting wild animals make the experience a whole lot better.

Best 5 Summer Vacations

Going back to our elementary school days, it is the season that has always been directly associated with freedom and vacation. Of course, the ideal trip depends on the type of traveler and the type of experience that you are seeking. Here, we've compiled a list of some of the best summer vacations out there, with a little something for everyone.

1.NICE







jewel of the French Riviera, Nice beckons beachgoers to stretch out on its shores. But there's more to it than a pebbly waterfront, pastel-colored buildings and palm trees waving in the breeze. Baroque churches surprise you in the maze of the Old Town's twisted streets; modern sculptures dominate the gardens as you stroll in the Place Masséna; ancient Roman Ruins provide the backdrop the summer jazz concerts in Cimiez; and the candy-colored onion-shaped domes of the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral tower over you as you pass Avenue Nicholas-II. But Nice's cultural charms are often interwoven (and sometimes overshadowed) by its reputation for over-the-top partying. Be sure to leave a little energy for the Euro-chic and vibrant nightlife along the Riviera.

Nice Culture & Customs

It is polite to greet everyone you encounter with a friendly good day (bonjour) upon arrival, and a goodbye (au revoir) when leaving. If you're greeting an acquaintance, do shake hands upon arrival. It's also common amongst friends to double-kiss, faire un bisous, when saying hello and goodbye. Aside from bisous, the French do not interact physically in the same way Americans do. When directly addressing someone you do not know well, do so formally by referring to them as Monsieur or Madame until told otherwise.
If you're dining out in Nice, you should note the French eat with both hands on the table and always with utensils. The only time you should use your hands is when you are eating bread (which is often used to push food onto your fork). Never bite directly from a whole piece of bread; instead rip off bite-sized pieces. You should also use your bread to wipe your plate clean.
Tip is generally included in the bill, but it is customary to round the total up or add an extra five percent for extraordinary service. Ten percent is acceptable for maid service at a hotel, as well as for taxi drivers. The official currency in France is the euro, but most restaurants and hotels accept major credit cards, too

2.MYCONOS



The cube-shaped buildings and whitewashed exterior facades of Mykonos scream Mediterranean.  Winding roads twist through the main city of Chora, past expensive storefronts and beautiful churches that give the island a grounded sense of Greek tradition. But Mykonos is far from conservative, as it's known for its rowdy beach parties and crazy nightlife. In the "Ibiza of Greece," you're never far from a party at any point in the day.

3.MAUI
 
 

Maui is an attraction-filled destination that seems like a compilation of Hawaii's best qualities. Surfing beaches? Check. Volcanoes? Several. Family-friendly? Definitely. Posh resorts? Absolutely. The legions of vacationers that come back home teary-eyed and hypnotized can't be wrong -- this is where you learn Hawaii is more than a series of islands, it's also a spiritual experience. Step off the plane, take one whiff of the plumeria blooms and you'll be hooked

4.SAN FRANCISCO

 

A jumbled collage of colorful neighborhoods and picturesque views, hill-sloped and breezy San Francisco draws those free-spirited types who have an eye for edgy art, a taste for imaginative cuisine, and a zeal for adventure. Often described as Los Angeles' more refined northern cousin, cool and compact San Francisco combines the big-city buzz exuded by its southern counterpart and melds it with a sense of small-town charm.

5.PARIS

 

The city of lights, the city of love, a city of fashion—Paris draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambience. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo- and Neo-classic-design architecture, further enhanced by charming trees and glowing streetlamps.

Top five places in the world to fall in love

Falling in love can be an exciting experience and wherever you find yourself when it happens, a romantic setting can definitely help point cupid’s arrow in the right direction.
When couples look back on their past history, it is always the places and experiences they shared together that shaped their relationships.  Planning a holiday that you are hoping will be romantic can be enormous pressure.  We at Escapist Traveller are here to help.  Whether it is seclusion or adventure you are after, here are Escapist Traveller’s top five places to throw caution to the wind and fall in love.

Kefalonia

Kefalonia was featured in the Hollywood take of Louis de Bernières’ romantic novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. It was here that the young Italian officer, Captain Corelli, played by Nicholas Cage, fell in love with the beautiful Greek islander, Pelagia, played by Penelope Cruz, during the German and Italian occupation of Kefalonia in World War Two.
This breathtaking Greek Island of sparkling turquoise sea’s and picturesque villages has only around 32,000 inhabitants, so there are plenty of places for space and privacy to let love blossom.
The best beach on the Island is Myrtos Beach, spectacular, picturesque and enclosed by cliffs this beach has clear, blue water gently lapping against fine, white sand. It is the perfect suntrap and can get very hot but there is a beach bar, sun beds and umbrellas for hire. As Myrtos is in the north of Kefalonia it is set away from the more popular resorts, therefore it is more private and well worth a day trip.
Fiscardo is widely regarded as the most beautiful fishing village on the island. It was left untouched by the devastating Earthquake of 1953, which damaged many of the traditional and Venetian-style buildings of its neighbours. Beyond the rows of dainty fishing boats at Fiscardo Port, the early evening ambience is delightfully set by candle lit restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and local delicacies.
Stroll hand in hand around the many ancient monasteries and churches that pepper the island, or take a boat tour of the underground lakes and caves of Melissani and Drogarati to see incredible limestone formations. With its unique charm and magical vistas, Kefalonia is perfect for a romantic and relaxing escape.
Stay in Fiskardo Cottages a beautifully restored cottages for self-catering, set in terraced gardens with a pool, in a quiet hamlet of northern Kefalonia (sleeping 2-6)
On a west-facing hillside above Kefalonia’s rugged northern coast, the tiny hamlet of Markandonata gets stunning sunset views across fields and woodland onto the deep blue Ionian Sea. Set in pretty Mediterranean planted grounds with a pool, these charming whitewashed cottages have been lovingly to combine traditional local style with tasteful antique furniture and full modern comforts.
After spending the day at a nearby, unspoilt beach, return home for a G&T on your private terrace, then either cook a meal or eat out at one of the many local tavernas.

Rome

Rome’s past inhabitants and alumni include Romeo and Juliet, Casanova and Sophia Loren. Nicknamed the ‘Eternal City’, it is probably the most romantic place on our list; if love doesn’t blossom here, then it likely never will. The city’s beauty, history and Italian cuisine, however, are an unbeatable combination and will ensure that if you don’t fall in love with each other, then at least you will fall in love with the place.
Many of the Italian capital’s sights are close together and can be discovered and enjoyed on foot, which leaves plenty of scope for kisses on moonlit bridges over the River Tiber, where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck parted on a boat in the classic film ‘Roman Holiday’. Walk around arm-in-arm while admiring the glorious architecture that dominates each part of the city.
When The Coliseum, The Vatican and The Pantheon have all been seen, escape the crowds by wandering down one of the many Medieval lanes leading away from the busy squares around Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona.
It is said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach and Rome offers some of the best local cuisine in Italy. Tuck into pasta dishes such as tagliatelli with truffle, porcini and pork or share a delicious classic Roman dessert, crostata di ricotta (cheesecake made with ricotta and seasonal fruits). In Rome you will find everything from excellent family-run trattorias and pizza places to hip, upmarket restaurants.
Situated within the exclusive Parioli district near Villa Borghese, Lord Byron, a luxurious five star hotel, is home to Sapori del Lord Byron – a restaurant which provides a wonderful romantic ambiance day or night.  It has an elegant Art Deco design that transports guests to a bygone era where the focus is on traditional dishes as well as creative new ones. It has spectacular views and outside dinning where you can watch the sunset over a glass of prosecco.
For other ideas on where to dine under the sunset, try the website www.rooftoprestaurants.com which has excellent suggestions together with photos and addresses of places in Rome.
For the best gelato in Rome, head down to Giolitti via Uffici del Vicario 40, close to the Pantheon and Piazza Montecitorio. The established ice-cream parlour opened back in 1890’s and is still run by descendants of the original founders. It is continuously voted the best gelateria by the locals.
Be sure to visit The Trevi fountain, as throwing a coin into this magnificent stone structure is said to ensure a return visit with a true love.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do and set up camp in a refined, private apartment. A grown-up boutique hotel, Crossing Condotti gives you privacy and freedom to do as you please – and it’s right next to the Spanish Steps.

W Hotel, Courtyard

New Orleans, USA

A southern American city with balmy, sultry nights and atmospheric jazz, the slow pace of New Orleans will capture the hearts of the most reluctant lover.  With a myriad of cultural influences from African to French, ‘let the good times roll’ and enjoy the vibrant, old-school panache of a music-loving city - an exuberating miss-match of flavours and styles.
Bourbon Street is the city’s most famous address in the 80 block French Quarter and is the oldest part of New Orleans. Enjoy the bars and nightlife early on in the evening, as it can get slightly rowdy late into the night.
During the day, walk around the French quarter for a true taste of city life and visit the French market. For something a bit unusual, visit the Voodoo Spiritual temple where offered services include consultations, rituals, potions, tours, and lectures; all under the direction of Priestess Miriam since 1990.
A great place to grab dinner is on a balmy evening cruise on the top deck of the Steamboat Natchez – currently the only operating steamboat in New Orleans. The steamboat will take you on a two-hour tour down the Mississippi River and your evening will include vibrant jazz performances from some of the best local musicians. You can purchase lunch/dinner or simply do the cruise by itself (http://www.steamboatnatchez.com).
Take a cooking class together and learn the basics of Louisiana cooking by trying out The New Orleans School of Cooking (www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com). Located in a renovated molasses warehouse, it was built in the early 1800s and is in the heart of the French Quarter. Creole/Cajun experts teach New Orleans specialities such as Gumbo, Jambalaya and Pralines, seasoning them with history, trivia and tall tales.
New Orleans is universally considered to be the birthplace of Jazz, which is why the city has to be the only place for a Jazz National Historical Park. Drop by the French Market Visitor Centre to inquire about musical events around town. The park provides a setting to share the cultural history of people and places that helped to shape the development and progression of jazz in the musical city. Jazz National Historical Park - http://www.nps.gov/jazz/index.htm
Stay at the W Hotel. The W Hotel’s main selling point, apart from its design a hip beach club in the middle of a city, is the location - you are right in the centre of all the action of The French Quarter.  As you stroll down the romantic historic alleyways you will find the entrance to the W hotel in the centre in the Vieux Carre.  Refresh with one of the W hotels signature cocktails by the pool or relax in your room people watching from your balcony.

French Polynesia - Bora Bora, Four Seasons Resort

This is a collection of jaw-droopingly beautiful islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. The islands, which include Tahiti, are scattered over an area larger than Europe. One of the area’s claims to fame is that Marlon Brando fell for his Polynesian female lead when making Mutiny on the Bounty here.
For some luxury and self-indulgent pampering, head to the island of Bora Bora or for simple unadulterated seclusion slope off to enjoy the remoteness of the Austral Islands, where you can soak up the sun under a palm tree at the end of the earth and bask in your very own Robinson Crusoe romance.
Bora Bora has some very high standard luxury hotels. Four Seasons Bora Bora is one of the best. Blessed with superb views and based on an outer coral reef that encloses a turquoise lagoon, the hotel has private over-water bungalow with their own plunge pools and a ladder into the lagoon. If you can bear to tear yourself away from the privacy and beauty of your bungalow the hotel has an onsite holistic spa. In particular, it has a treatment specially designed for couples called ‘Kahaia Heaven’ - for sharing with a loved one in one of the double treatment rooms. A skin-smoothing body treatment begins with cleansing, using naturally exfoliating kahaia body scrub, legendary Tahitian black pearl powder and native fragrant vanilla. Once the skin is prepared, an exquisite massage of your choice is given. This experience concludes with a holistic and de-stressing Water and Light express facial.
You can have meals served in your bungalow or you can eat in any of the four on-site gourmet restaurants. Or as special treat, sip champagne and enjoy canapés on a private palm-lined area of the beach as you marvel at the romantic sunset. You will then be escorted down the beach to your private table for two as the candlelight shimmers on the waters of the lagoon. Surrounded by Polynesian flowers, your table is set for a three-course meal specially prepared by the hotel’s executive chef. Your personal server will provide the ultimate dining service, ensuring that this is an once-in-a-lifetime experience, which can be further enhanced with traditional Polynesian music and dancing.
If, after all that, your blissful love-in needs spicing up then arrange a organised close encounter with some of the other island inhabitants, sharks, rays and turtles. Tour guides can take you both out in a motorised canoe for a snorkel trip and picnic.

The Plitvice Lakes - Croatia

This UNESCO World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty, just a two hour drive from Zagreb in Croatia, is so beautiful that its seems other-worldly with its 16 crystalline turquoise lakes and myriad luminous waterfalls that will take your breath away. It is surrounded by mountains and forms part of the Dinaric Alps.
In a place so splendid and in touch with nature it’s hard not to find the beauty in each other and let love grow or rekindle. The area is teeming with wild life such as brown bears, wolves, eagles, boars and thousands of wild butterflies - this really is paradise!
The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from azure to green or grey. The colours change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.
There are wooden walkways across the lakes: you walk across the natural pools (created, over thousands of years, by water flowing over chalk and limestone and forming small dams. This creates stunning pools of water which in turn create waterfalls.
The park is stunning at any time of year, be it during winter when it becomes a frozen winter wonderland resembling a scene from Narnia, or in summer when the whole park comes alive in technicolor.
Go off of peak, which is June, July and August, for a quieter time at the lakes and also accommodation is cheaper then as well.
Our suggestion for accommodation is a pine lodge/ranch only 15 minutes drive from the lakes. Here you will have time after sightseeing at the lakes to explore the countryside, whether on foot or on the back of one of the ranch’s horses. Take the opportunity to try different leisure activities including cycling, fishing, canoeing, and exploring the lakes.

The world's top 10 tourist attractions

Manhattan's Times Square is the world's No. 1 tourist attraction, according to a new Travel + Leisure magazine survey.

CAPTION

By Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

What is No. 1?It's New York's Times Square, according to a just-released survey by Travel + Leisure magazine.
How was the list compiled? T+L used data from attractions, government agencies, industry reports and "reputable" media outlets. As for Times Square, The Times Square Alliance estimated that 80% of the 49 million tourists who visited New York in 2010 came to the city's bright-lights, JumboTron hub.
"Tourist attractions" were deemed to be "cultural and historical sites, natural landmarks, and officially designated spaces," the magazine says. So that's why Minnesota's Mall of America— which counted 40 million visitors a year — did not make No. 1.
The list is controversial. For one thing, 9 of the top 10 are in the USA (Niagara Falls also includes Canada). One might think tourist spots in populous China or India might have been up there, or the Champs-Elysees in popular Paris. Is Washington's Union Station really more crowded than O'Hare, Atlanta or Heathrow airports?
Anyway, here is the top-10 list.
1. Times Square (39.2 million)
2. Central Park in NYC (38 million).
3. Washington, D.C.'s Union Station (37 million)
4. Las Vegas Strip (29.5 million)
5. Niagara Falls (22.5 million)
6. NYC's Grand Central Terminal (21.6 million)
7. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston (18 million)
8. Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Orlando (about 17 million)
9. Disneyland, Anaheim, Calif. (about 16 million. Disney never gives attendance figures, so both these are estimates.)
10. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul (15 million)
What countries get the most tourists? France is No. 1, the USA No. 2, and China passed Spain last year to rank No. 3 according to T+L, based on World Tourism Organization stats.

Top 10 US travel destinations for 2013

We wanted to dig deeper and shine a light on 10 places in the US that travelers should add to their wish lists for the coming year.
1. Louisville, Kentucky
Could it be that the new Portland is in… Kentucky? Louisville has asserted itself as a lively, offbeat cultural mecca on the Ohio River. New Louisville, also known as the East Market District or NuLu, features converted warehouses used as local breweries, antique shops and the city’s coolest restaurants. On Bardstown Rd in the Highlands you’ll find a hipster strip of shops and bars, not to mention many ‘Keep Louisville Weird’ stickers. Bourbon reigns in Louisville. This is the traditional jump-off for the Bourbon Trail; with bourbon’s current wave of popularity, new upstart microdistilleries, including some in and around Louisville like the small-batch Angel’s Envy, are giving the old names in bourbon a run for their money. Try for the first Saturday in May to witness the ‘greatest two minutes in sports,’ the Kentucky Derby.
The coolest hotel in town is 21c Museum Hotel, an edgy contemporary hotel with scissor chandeliers and loft-like rooms.

 

On Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail
Photo by Marty Pearl, courtesy of Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau

2. Fairbanks, Alaska
Have you seen aurora borealis (aka the northern lights)? The sensation of seeing Arctic skies crackle with smoky blues, greens and reds has long drawn off-season travelers way north. 2013 will be big, marking the end of a fiery 11-year-cycle, when sunspots are particularly feisty, making for a big show in the Fairbanks sky 240 nights a year. Go. From May to mid-August daylight is too strong to see much, but by late summer they start to appear, and Fairbanks is the place to be. On the ground, curious foodies can sample traditional Athabascan cuisine at Taste of Alaska (call to book in advance) at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, or take part in a unique pub-crawl, The Great Fairbanks Pub Paddle. Open all year, the 414-mile Dalton Highway plies north of Fairbanks into the Arctic, and air taxis reach the pristine 800-sq-mile Gates of the Arctic National Park, but the light show will be best back in Fairbanks.
A favorite place to stay is Ah, Rose Marie B&B, a homey Dutch-built cottage that takes its breakfasts seriously.

 

A stunning display of aurora borealis over a cabin near Fairbanks, Alaska
Photo by Todd Paris, courtesy of the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau

3. San Juan Islands, Washington
Lonely Planet guidebook author Brendan Sainsbury has a new name for these dreamy islands north of Seattle: the ‘Gourmet Archipelago’. Proudly home to a decidedly un-Pacific Northwest-like 250 days of sunshine a year, the San Juan Islands have always gone for self-sufficiency. You’ll find fresh, fresh food, with local artichokes and marionberries from farmers markets, seafood plates of oysters, razor clams and freshly caught salmon, and foraged edibles like seaweed and elderflowers at places like the Doe Bay Café on Orcas Island, or Willows Inn on Lummi Island whose head chef is an alumnus of world-renowned Noma. Hop on a bike, explore the beaches and enjoy the scenery, but be sure to eat!
For more options, see Brendan’s article on the Gourmet Archipelago.

 

Friday Harbor Farmers’ Market, San Juan Island
Photo by Barbara Marrett, courtesy of San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Forget the cheesesteaks and tri-corner hat, Philadelphia is becoming known as an art capital. In addition to the world renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art, the formerly remote the Barnes Foundation, a once private collection of Matisse, Renoir and Cézanne, has a new central location. And it’s not just the big museums – Philly’s gallery scene is exploding with new venues like the Icebox garnering international attention and turning the Northern Liberties and Fishtown neighborhoods into the new hot arts hub. First Fridays, the monthly gallery open house, long a tradition in Old City, has expanded to the refurbished Loft District, where the party goes on in a host of new bars, clubs and live music venues.
For places to stay, the vintage-boutique inn Rittenhouse 1715 is around the corner from the namesake park.

 

Barnes Foundation gallery, Philadelphia
Photo by R. Kennedy courtesy of GPTMC

5. American Samoa
Did you know that a US passport can get you to an isolated South Pacific paradise without even leaving US territory? From the US mainland, American Samoa is a longer trek than Hawaii, but the distance rewards the visitor with some of the most stunning, untouched beauty of the Pacific and a national park that even the most ardent park system fans won’t have checked off their list yet. From the US, flights run from Honolulu to Pago Pago on lovely Tutuila, with waterfalls, fishing villages and spectacular beaches nearby. But press on with a quick flight on Inter Island Air to the tiny nearby Manuʻa Islands of Taʻu and Ofu, with shining, palm-fringed white sand beaches flanked by shark-tooth-shaped mountains. The best time to visit is Flag Day, April 17, when there are activities galore. This may be US territory, but it’s some of the purest Polynesia you’ll find anywhere.
It’s simple, but the family-run Vaoto Lodge can get you snorkeling within minutes of arrival.

 

Ofu Island, American Samoa
Photo courtesy of American Samoa Visitors Bureau

6. Eastern Sierra, California
This year, hop past Yosemite – just beyond lies the secret California dream: the Eastern Sierra, the overlooked flank of the Sierra Nevada range, with other-worldly natural attractions and surprises (Basque culture?), not to mention far fewer visitors. Just follow the scenic US Route 395 as it connects wonders like the Travertine hot spring in Bridgeport, the Gold Rush ghost town of Bodie, Mono Lake’s bizarre calcified tufa towers, or the surreal Devils Postpile National Monument’s 60-foot curtain of basalt columns made from rivers of molten lava. Eastward, ho!
In Lee Vining stop at perhaps the greatest wonder of all: fantastic food served out of a gas station at the Whoa Nellie Deli with live music during the warmer months

 

Tufa towers in Mono Lake, Eastern Sierra
Photo by John Lemieux, Creative Commons Attribution license

7. Northern Maine
Moose, white water rafting, epic hiking. No, not the Rockies – we’re talking about Maine. Maine isn’t only lobster rolls, lighthouses and rocky shoreline. The woodsy interior, on the top half of the Maine ‘thumb’ reaching north to the Canada border, makes for a wilderness adventure. The Appalachian Trail begins/ends atop Mt Katahdin (which literally means ‘Mt Great Mountain’) in primitive Baxter State Park, with 200,000 acres of lakes and mountains to reach by hiking boot. Nearby is Moosehead Lake, home to a 99-year-old steamboat to ride, and the source of the Kennebec River, with great rafting opportunities at the Forks. To the north in remote Aroostook County, miles of old rail beds have been transformed into bike trails, and multi-day canoe trips can paddle you right up to the Canadian border.
Baxter is camping only. A good B&B nearby is the Greenville Inn on Moosehead Lake, built from a century-old lumber baron’s home.

 

Near Chimney Pond, Mt. Katahdin
Photo by Jue Wang, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license.

8. Twin Cities, Minnesota
Lake Wobegon might be ‘the little town that time forgot, and the decades cannot improve,’ but time has been much kinder to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St Paul. Minneapolis is often called the country’s best bike city and the Nice Ride bike-share system with its web of new bike lanes proves the point. The St Anthony Falls Heritage Trail is a 2-mile path along the banks of the Mississippi River. Plan time for Uptown’s Bryant-Lake Bowl, an old bowling alley with seriously good food (think artisanal cheese plates). And pay homage to the epicenter of Twin Cities’ music scene, First Avenue & 7^th St Entry – hometown hero Prince sometimes comes by (seriously). St Paul is quieter, but key to see. Pedal over for a meal at the Hmongtown Marketplace, with authentic Lao dishes, and a show at the Fitzgerald Theater, where Garrison Keillor tapes his Prairie Home Companion.
Wales House is a cheery B&B with a fireplace lounge and frequent scholar guests working at the nearby University of Minnesota. (Go Gophers!)

 

Twin Cities Jazz Festival, St Paul
Photo by Chris McDuffie, courtesy of Visit Saint Paul.

9. Verde Valley, Arizona
Between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, the Verde Valley is taking off as Arizona’s go-to destination, and not just among the spa and crystal Sedona-fans of years past. The Verde Valley region is beautiful, with green canyons rimmed by red rocks, and towns like Cottonwood, Jerome and Sedona that have long drawn visitors for good food, art and mining lore. But the Verde boost is all about the wine. The new Verde Valley Wine Trail links four new vineyards clustered around Cornville, near Sedona. Most fun is reaching the Alcantara Vineyards… by kayak. Less fun is being the designated kayaker.
Sedona’s Cozy Cactus is a, well, cozy B&B in an adobe with easy access to local hiking trails.

 

Kayaking to Alcantara Vineyards, Verde Valley
Photo courtesy of Verde Valley Wine Trail

10. Glacier National Park, Montana
One of the countries wildest, most remote and pristine national parks, Glacier is everyone’s favorite national park who’s been. Its jagged, snow-blanketed ridges and glacier-sculpted horns tower dramatically over aquamarine lakes and meadows blanketed in wildflowers. Most visitors stick to the drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so it’s easy to escape crowds by venturing beyond it. A relatively new shuttle system offers an eco-friendly alternative. But go soon. The park’s 25 glaciers are melting – and could be gone altogether by 2030 if current climate changes continue!
The summer-only Many Glacier Hotel, built like a Swiss chalet, is a once-in-a-lifetimer hotel set on Swiftcurrent Lake like a queen on a throne.

 

Swiftcurrent Lake from at Many Glacier Hotel
Photo by Bill Weaver, Creative Commons Attribution license

Top Ten Value Destination In 2013

Best value destinations

Savour every centimetre of that shoestring with these budget-friendly boltholes, perfect for an economic downturn-busting break.

 

Rio, Brazil

If you’ve an unfulfilled plan to visit Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and iconic landmarks then this may be the year to do it. After 2013 the big events come thick and fast – the football World Cup in 2014 (also taking place in cities around Brazil), then the Olympic Games in 2016. One thing’s for sure: big-name events bring fresh development, a boost to infrastructure and, in many cases, higher prices for visitors. Come now to see a city in the process of gearing up to welcome the world, but before the costs of doing so rise. Indeed, if you visit during June you can be among the first to check out the recently upgraded Estádio do Maracanã, the world-famous venue that is slated to host not only the World Cup Final in 2014 but also the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Gothenburg, Sweden

There’s good value in Sweden if you know where to look. That said, if you don’t, even popping out for a pizza and beer can make for a pricey night by the standards of your home town. Unless, that is, you’re from Norway. Either way, the savvy traveller makes tracks for Gothenburg. Away from the glitzy main drag Kungsportsavenyn (referred to as Avenyn by everyone) are characterful neighbourhoods (hello, Haga and, a little outside town, Kvarnbyn), cheap eats and some great attractions, including edgy art space Röda Sten and picnic-friendly city views in Keillers Park. If that wasn’t enough, ferries trundling round the beautiful, car-free southern archipelago are a tram ride from the city centre. In short, this is as much Scandinavia as you can get for your money.

Namibia

Namibia beckons those in search of a good deal. While neighbouring Botswana courts the big-budget traveller, the desert state to the west welcomes all, and offers a spectacular set of attractions to boot. True, you need your own wheels or must join a tour to see some of the wonders on offer like Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast, but Namibia’s big-ticket draws remain affordable for budget and midrange visitors via locally arranged tours or self-drive car hire. Towns and cities, many offering keenly priced hostels and campsites, are linked by inexpensive buses and minivans. Some of the most fun things you can do here – sandboarding around Swakopmund and hiking Fish River Canyon, for instance – are also some of the best-value outdoor pursuits in Southern Africa.

 

Cambodia

While perhaps not the whoops-of-delight-inducing bargain it was a decade ago, Cambodia is still a great deal. This means that despite the boom in the number of midrange hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in particular, a huge amount of budget accommodation remains at much lower prices. The imaginative visitor to the country exploring less-well-visited parts will find it easy to afford that extra Angkor beer or three. A budget of US$15 is tight but achievable, provided you forgo a room with air-con and don’t dwell for too long in the headline destinations.

Bolivia

South America’s best-value option continues to delight travellers. With public transport as cheap as anywhere on the continent, filling street food (another empanada? Don’t mind if I do!), and good-for-the-money excursions, this country is more than a bridge between the east and west coasts, it is an essential journey in itself. True, things are a little more expensive in La Paz and must-visit Uyuni, but away from here set-menu meals will rarely tip over US$5, budget rooms are not much more than double that and, should those chilly Altiplano nights require a higher standard of accommodation, you may find that you still leave for a pricier neighbour with a smile on your face.

Portland, Oregon, USA

Travel writers speak with one voice when asked to nominate their fave US cheapie: Portland, OR. Cheap food! Free things to do! Forty breweries (and counting) with pints of perfectly crafted beer often costing US$4! Yes, budget-conscious but still fashionably minded travellers may have reached the promised land in Portland, Oregon. The city has been thrust into the limelight by the Portlandia TV series, but was hardly unknown before, offering as it does a progressive take on urban life in a part of the Pacific Northwest that’s best appreciated slowly.

Spain

Spain has been getting much friendlier for budget travellers in the past few years, as currency fluctuations and falling costs for many items have combined to make what was once Europe’s best bet for a cheap break a contender once again for many international travellers. Presumably if you’re reading this you’re not really the fly-and-flop type, but the wonders of Spain’s cities, wilder north coast and fabulous national parks are more affordable now than for the past few years. Anywhere in Spain, to make your money go as far as possible live without a pool, go easy on the wine and extra courses when eating out and visit outside peak season, when price hikes remain a fact of life.

Slovenia

It’s tempting to leave this as one sentence: Slovenia is as picture-perfect as Switzerland or other Alpine areas to the north, but much smaller and easier on the wallet. Yes, there’s devil in the detail – the adoption of the Euro and popularity of Ljubljana, Bled and coastal areas in summer can push prices up – but that’s hardly the point. Small distances keep travel costs down, and buses radiating out of Ljubljana are plentiful and inexpensive. Private rooms offer affordable accommodation and anyone arriving from Austria or Italy will notice the difference in hotel prices at all budgets. If you’re keen on trekking, skiing, rafting or simply taking in the scenery of one of Europe’s most attractive countries then Slovenia will not disappoint.

 

Nepal

With visitor numbers steadily rising, Nepal remains a tremendous option for budget travellers. After all, the number of countries where you can live on the price of a Starbucks latte or two are diminishing rapidly. Sure, to do that you’ll need to stay in budget accommodation somewhere other than Kathmandu and resolutely stick to simple local food, but many consider this a price worth paying for paying a low price. Though costs rise once you enter national parks, if you’re up for trekking on your own and staying in teahouses, Nepal is not only the best-value spot for Himalayan hiking, it must be a contender for offering the most astonishing rewards for the least upfront investment of anywhere in the world. In fact, this remains true even if you factor in a porter and guide and opt for an organised trek.

Georgia

Georgia is, like its Caucasian neighbours, little known to most travellers. Those who do go come back raving about a beautiful, friendly country that offers excellent, inexpensive (though potentially waist-expanding) cuisine, typified by the near-universal khachapuri (cheese pie). In recent years the country has been speeding up its tourism development, resulting in a growing number of good-value hostels and homestays, which are great ways to meet locals as well as keep costs down. Look out for August if you’re hitting Batumi or elsewhere on the Black Sea coast, but otherwise anytime is a good time to visit this up-and-coming destination where even a bus, train or marshrustka minibus ride will give jaw-dropping views worth far more than the meagre fare you’re likely to be charged.

Best Places To Go This Christmas

    New York City

       
New York City makes it onto every best destinations list here on USA Travel, but it is especially gorgeous at Christmastime, making it a favorite destination for many holiday travelers.
In addition to having superb shopping - it's a great place to find unique gifts as well as find everything on your own wish list - New York City also boasts many holiday traditions. There is the giant tree at Rockefeller Center, the lighting of which is celebrated with a special ceremony and musical performances, and the holiday-themed windows at New York's famed department stores. Another attractions that brings scores of tourists to New York City during the holidays is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a Broadway-style show put on by the famous, high-kicking Rockettes at the even more famous Radio City Music Hall.
Here is just a sampling of the many amazing activities and events going on during Christmas in New York City. If you can swing it, a trip to New York City at Christmas is well worth it at least once in your lifetime.

 Chicago

              
                        The Windy City certainly has the brisk weather conditions to deliver a White Christmas, or at least a very, very cold one. But tourists go to Chicago for Christmas for its big city activities, like viewing the millions of lights on the Magnificent Mile and enjoying Chicago's German heritage at the popular Christkindlmarkt, a German Christmas market filled with holiday crafts, traditional wooden toys, and German food and drink. Like New York City, Chicago also has a giant Christmas tree, which is set up in Daley Plaza and inaugurated each year with much fanfare.

 Colorado

                             
 A ski holiday at Christmastime makes sense for a lot of travelers, as snowy slopes and cozy chalets evoke the sights of the holidays. One of the most popular places to go for skiing in the United States is Colorado, which is home to the chic resort towns of Aspen and Vail, among other skiing centers. Santa trackers will also know that Colorado is home to NORAD, the governmental agency that tracks Santa's gift giving course on Christmas Eve.

 Florida

         

 Florida is an obvious choice for the holidays. Most of the state enjoys mild temperatures, even in December, making it ideal for those who want their white Christmases to be made of sand and not snow. In addition to beach destinations, Christmas travelers to Florida also like to visit Disney World, which is decked out in true, over-the-top Disney style, or Miami, where the holidays have a more Latin flavor. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, you can find boat parades and festive light displays in many cities throughout the state. Another great reason to visit Florida at Christmas is to visit Christmas, a little town near Orlando that has become a favorite place to get one's holiday mail postmarked.

 Puerto Rico

     















Why go to Puerto Rico at Christmastime? Besides the fact that you'll enjoy a break from the cold weather up north, Puerto Rico is a very special place to spend the holidays. As is typical of islands, Puerto Rico has its own set of Christmas traditions, ranging from decorations and storytelling to wonderful, wonderful food. While the Christmas season in Puerto Rico can begin as early as November, Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, is Puerto Rico's most anticipated holiday event.

 Alaska

        

You have to be really committed to the idea of a cold, white Christmas to want to head to Alaska for the holidays. But for some people, Alaska is the North Pole. In fact, since 1952, thousands of children who have written to Santa with their Christmas wishes have sent their letters to the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska (near Fairbanks). The Santa Claus House also writes letters back to kids, indeed a very exciting prospect for a child still moved by stories of Saint Nick. Wintertime is also prime time for catching the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, in Alaska. Indeed, if you can handle the chill and snow, Alaska provides a picture-perfect place for spending Christmas.