As the southernmost part of an island that separates the Atlantic Ocean with Biscayne Bay, South Beach, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida, features all of the qualities that make Miami such an appealing city. It has plenty of characteristics that make it its own place as well.

South Beach was originally farmland until it was purchased in 1870 by Henry and Charles Lum for coconut farming. When the brothers left the area in 1886, they ceded the land to John Collins, who would continue their efforts, expanding the amount of land on their parcel. In 1912, Miami businessmen purchased 400 acres of the land with hopes to build single family residences.

Investments by a wealthy businessman allowed Collins to create a bridge between Miami and Miami Beach. This marked the beginning of the area’s development, which continued during the land boom in the 1920s and the architectural revolution of the 1930s. The area became a popular destination for retired people in the 1970s, and then base of operations for the “cocaine cowboys”, drug dealers dabbling in illicit activities. While the area had long been considered a poor area with a lot of crime, attention from the media dispelled the image, and it is now considered one of the most wealthy and commercial areas on the beach.

Today, the area is a major entertainment district, containing many famous nightclubs, restaurants, and boutique hotels, all of which are geared toward the more wealthy tourists. The nightlife can be especially difficult to break into for non-locals and those who do not plan ahead, because it tends to be expensive and exclusive.

One can usually find something to do, though, given the large number of clubs and restaurants spread throughout the city. A large amount of European tourism accounts for a unique multiculturalism; German is the third most spoken language, behind English and Spanish. The area is also uniquely popular for fashion shoots, with more than 1500 models living in the area.

Located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos or just Cabo as it is known by starry-eyed vacationers, is a popular tourist destination among the wealthy who can afford the increasingly high-end resorts and timeshare clubs. Whether one comes to visit The Corridor, complete with parties and golf courses, or the laidback colonial style of neighboring San Jose, there is much to do in the area.

The first humans came to the southern tip of the peninsula around 14,000 years ago, but the first documented experiences in the area by the Europeans included observations of the native peoples living a subsistence lifestyle. These peoples did not use metals and they gathered roots, fruits, seeds, and shellfish to survive. Many American authors have claimed that the city was founded by Thomas Ritchie who was said to have been in the area from 1828 to 1874, when he supposedly passed away. By the turn of the 20th century, a fishing village had developed, and 1917 marked the arrival of an American country that built a floating tuna platform. Their efforts marked the beginning of development in the city.

Tourism is an important part of the local economy, with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy the sights as well as the high-end resorts, timeshares, and social scenes. As far as the sights go, many tourists visit Lands End, a stunning rock formation located off the coast of Cabo, which many have argued looks like a Triceratops drinking water from the ocean. The waters off of Cabo are also home to whales in the wintertime, where mothers bear their calves in the warmer water.

Cabo San Lucas is also notorious for its nightlife and vibrant party scene. Places like Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina remain popular spots for the bustling nightlife that often features out-of-control celebrations and revelry. The Corridor is the most popular of these types of tourist destinations, a twenty mile strip resorts, clubs, and residences of Hollywood’s most famous stars. Because of all the wealth in the area, tourist destinations are aimed toward those who have plenty of money to spend.

A small island nation, Singapore is well-known for its status as the only remaining city-state in the entire world. As a primarily English-speaking country, Singapore is a popular tourist destination among Americans and others alike, who visit the country for various reasons.

After juggling back and forth between several different countries as a colony, Singapore finally gained independence in 1963, and ongoing efforts since then have raised the standard of living, curbed unemployment, developed the economic infrastructure, and reduced racial tension. Today, Singapore focuses on building up the economy; for example, the current prime minister decided to open casinos that would attract tourists to the country.

Singapore is composed of 63 islands covering a comparatively small area, but ongoing land reclamation processes promise to increase land area as well as to fuse together separate islands to create larger, more functional areas. A tropical rainforest climate classification means that Singapore has no distinct seasons, a uniform temperature usually around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and high humidity. June and July are the hottest months, while November and December make up the rainy monsoon season.

With an economy focused heavily on trade, business, and tourism, Singapore is a financially successful country with a good standard of living. The majority religion is Buddhism, with a strong Christian, Islamic, and Taoist minority. While the national language of Singapore is Malay, it is mostly for historical reasons, and the most frequently used language is English. As far as dialects are concerned, Singaporean English mixes local language influences and English to produce a distinct variety of the language.

Singaporeans are active sportsmen and sportswomen, participating in a variety of physical activities, ranging from football to cricket. Golf continues to gain popularity in Singapore as well.

Golf Courses in Singapore

The most populous city in Australia, Sydney is an important cultural, economic, and historical hub for the country. As an entertainment center and a popular tourist destination, Sydney sees frequent visitors, Australian and foreign, who come to enjoy the world-class atmosphere that Sydney provides.

As far as Western colonization goes, Sydney was originally a convict colony for British criminals. The immigrants from Great Britain brought diseases that decimated the native populations, while initiatives were set in place to Christianize the rest. By 1842, Sydney was declared the first city in Australia, after undergoing a period of urban development. Economically, the city fared well until the Great Depression, which hit Sydney hard. After it, though, Sydney continued to expand, becoming one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

To the east of Sydney is the Pacific Ocean, and to the west the Hawkesbury River. The topography of the area upon which Sydney stands makes for several submerged valleys, one of which is the famous Sydney Harbor. Spread over the Cumberland Plain and the North Shore, Sydney only came together as a major metropolis after the completion of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate that features warm summers and mild winters. There is a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year, divided pretty evenly throughout the year. El Niño plays a significant role in shaping Sydney’s weather, allowing oscillations back and forth between drought and flooding.

The city is home to some of Australia’s largest cultural and social events. Musical festivals and parades are a few of the many events held in the city, while fixtures like the Sydney Opera House and Luna Park provide year-round entertainment. Sydney also has a very active nightlife, including such popular hotspots as Kings Cross and Oxford Street.

Hotels in Sydney

Situated on the coast of Southern California, San Diego enjoys an ideal climate, its location right on the beach, an advanced economy, and rich multiculturalism. With an economy that is dependant on a vast variety of many different sectors, San Diego is a burgeoning metropolis and a popular tourist destination.

As with many cities throughout the country, San Diego began as a European claim staked because of an advantageous natural location—in this case, it was the defensible natural harbor. It later was the sight of a Christian mission, evolving into a city in the 1850s after the Mexican-American war and the gold rush of 1848. Today, San Diego is in touch with its historical roots and actively maintains many of the buildings that the city was composed of many years ago.

Several deep canyons created a low-density, segmented area that necessitates the use of cars. Downtown San Diego sits on the bay and Balboa Park on a mesa to the northeast, surrounded by dense urban communities. The Point Loma and Coronado Peninsulas separate San Diego from the ocean. To the east of the city are mountains, and beyond the mountains, desert areas. The Mediterranean climate is mild and dry throughout the year. Rainfall is rare, mostly concentrated on the cooler part of the year.

San Diego is about half white, with large minority groups, such as Hispanics and African Americans. The largest age group is those from 25 to 44 years old, composing 34% of San Diego’s population.

Defense, manufacturing, and tourism are the largest components of San Diego’s economy. Tourism is especially popular because of the many historical sites, national parks, museums, world-class dining spots, resorts, and beaches. The climate has much to do with this, allowing people to escape from their undesirable climates.

Attractions in San Diego

Spread out over an archipelago consisting of 322 islands and 522 islets, Fiji is regardless a rather small country with a population of almost one million people. Highly dependent on tourism, Fiji offers beautiful islands scenery and rich culture.

Out of all the islands that Fiji contains, only 106 are inhabited, and 87% of the population is contained the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Leva. The two main islands are mountainous, with peaks rising to almost 4,500 feet. These peaks protect the tropical forests and create a dry season on the lowlands, allowing sugarcane to grow more favorably.

A tropical climate creates a warm climate all year round, allowing for consistent growing season and crops that favor that type of weather. There is only a slight seasonal variation in temperature, but nothing drastic enough to separate the times of the year into different categories.

The economy takes advantage of high mineral, fish, and forest resources in order to create a more developed system, but there is still subsistence living. Growing steadily and cautiously, the economy today is dependant on the sugar crop and tourism. Fiji exports sugar and the number of yearly tourists continues to grow, which are two ways that the nation interacts with foreign countries.

Most of the population of Fiji is native to the islands. Native Fijians are overwhelmingly Christian, while Indo-Fijians are Hindu and Muslim. Fiji’s culture is made up of rich indigenous traditions that influence daily life for the majority of the residents. Indian, Chinese, and European traditions also influence Fiji, creating a mosaic of the different cultures. The official language is English, but plenty of other dialects and languages exist.

Rugby is the national sport of Fiji, with a rugby union and a rugby league. Given the size of the country, the rugby team is actually very successful. The European influence also brings minor attention to other sports.

It used to be that everyone wanted and welcomed the American dollar, but our U.S. economy has taken a turn for the worse in recent years.  Now, if you want to go on vacation to another country it can be a financial drain on your pocket.  The trick in planning a vacation is finding a place where the American dollar is still strong.

You’ll find a lot of articles on this topic, suggesting different countries that you can still go to where the American dollar has worth, but many of the articles you’ll find mention the same locations.  I’ve done some research to find 5 countries that most people wouldn’t think about for vacation, but are great if you’re looking for something new, different, and low on cost.

New Zealand – This is a beautiful country off the North East side of Australia, with rolling green hills and beautiful beaches.  This is a great place to go for a romantic getaway or as a family trip.  Many of you already have a taste for what New Zealand looks like if you’ve watched Lord of the Rings or Narnia since that’s where they did their filming. 

There are so many things to do if you visit New Zealand.  On land, you can go hiking or climbing in the mountains, there are even some great skiing places; and on water, there’s plenty of rafting, whale watching, and deep sea fishing to go around.

If you decide you want to go, you’ll fly into Auckland International Airport (AKL).  During the peak season of our summer months I found airline tickets as high as $11,000, but if you go during the school year, you can find cheap airline tickets for under $2,500.  The price is about the same no matter what side of the U.S. you’re flying from.

The New Zealand dollar is only 76 cents in American money; and cheap hotel price can be found at under $70.  If you’re ever in the area, you should check out Cape Palliser where you can find a beach full of Seals.  Aside from the seals there are only 4,000,000 people in New Zealand, so you don’t have to worry about it being too crowded.

Hungary – Hungary is a beautiful country that is rich with history.  They have great food and great wine.  You’ll find all the luxuries of western Europe at a fraction of the cost.  I had to double check when I found the equivalency of the Hungarian Forint to the American dollar; it’s less than half a cent.

The old architecture, the many cultural traditions, and the food are all parts that make Hungary a great place to go and see some unique sites and build special memories.  You’d start seeing this beautiful country after flying into the Budapest Airport (BUD) which would cost you around $1,500 from Los Angelos and $1,200 from New York.

Make sure to visit Statue Park where you’ll find a bizarre array of different statues that were erected during the communist era.  If you love architecture, you need to visit Matthias Church.  This building has been around for 700 years! 

Try to visit Hungary in the summer because any other time of the month you’ll find that many of the attractions are shut down.  Plus, it gets rather cold any time outside of summer.  If you do decide to go during a colder season, make sure to get a good hotel like the Balatonfured Resort.

Guatemala – This country is relatively closer, and borders the southern part of Mexico.  Guatemala is a very mountainous region.  So, if you enjoy hiking or backpacking, you’re sure to find many opportunities on this trip.  This is the Mayan center of South America, and many ruins are sure to be found everywhere you go.

So, if you’re looking for something amazing to see, make sure to visit a Mayan ruin like the Las Capuchinas and be prepared to be awed at the extraordinary magnitude of some of these structures and the thoughtful intellect that went into them.  You can see some of the many volcanoes.  These volcanoes are some of the highest and most active.

Flying to the Guatemala Airport (GUA) is just under $500 from New York and from Los Angeles you’re looking at just a little over $600.  Those are actually pretty cheap airfares considering you pay more than that sometimes to fly domestically.  You might want to try visiting in the Fall, though, when it’s a little cooler. 

Everything about Guatemala is still very traditional.  You can still find many villages that wear their native garments, and the people are still very diverse with 23 languages that are still spoken.  If you’re looking for some authentic culture, then look into going to Chichicastenango.  One of the biggest markets where people come from all over to trade and have been doing so for centuries.  Be mindful of their culture as these people are suspicious of foreigners.

Greece – Now we take a look at a country in the Mediterranean.  Greece has a rugged beauty to it.  A country filled with ancient structures stemmed from the Roman and Hellenists. The American dollar is only half a cent in Greece, and communication among the 10,000,000 occupants is no problem because most Greeks speak English.

If you want to bring back a cool travel story to your envious friends, then you need to go visit Delphi.  There you’ll find the belly button of the cosmos – or so the ancients used to believe.  Make sure to visit the many famous sites such as: Acropolis, Olympia, Mount Olympus, and if you’re Catholic, you’ll want to check out Patmos which is considered an official pilgrimage among many Catholics.

Any two months on either side of July and August are ideal times to visit.  You beat the heat and the crowds.  You’ll most likely fly into Athens International Airport (ATH), and you’re looking to pay around $1,200-1,400 depending on what time you fly, and there is about a $2,000 increase if you’re flying from the West coast.

A great place to find Los Angeles Wedding Planning Services

You can find cheap hotel prices in Athens for under $40/night at places like Aristotle’s Hotel.  Greece has its traditional food, obviously, but they have become a very modern country.  So, finding “normal” food that you’re used to won’t be a problem. 

Guam – If you want an exotic island in the Pacific other than Hawaii, then you might want to check out Guam.  This island is a US territory, so you don’t need a passport and they use the American dollar.  It’s also home to a large naval base which makes the island a cosmopolitan area.  It’s just as beautiful as Hawaii, but there aren’t as many tourists; and the grand total of locals is 170,000 people. 

Guam has some beautiful coral reefs that you can explore by snorkeling or diving.  One of the most popular recreational areas on the island is Ipao Beach Park which has all the facilities you and your family need for a great day at the beach.  We’re talking about picnic tables, showers, a playground, stretched beach chairs, and more.

To get to Guam, you’re most likely going to make a connection in either Japan or the Phillipines, and from there you’ll take an international airline to Antonio B Won Pat International Guam Airport (GUM).  The only domestic airline that flies out there is North West Airlines.  If you go in the summer, you can expect to pay $1,500 from the West and $2,000 from the East; and if you go during the school year, the price drops about $500.

When you arrive, you will have no problem making friends with the locals.  They are very kind and laid back.  Their food has a very oriental flare to it, and one of their favorite simple dishes is sticky rice with spam.  If you’re wondering what to pack, plan on leaving your jacket behind because it’s warm weather all year round, but if you’re planning on going in the fall you might want a rain jacket for their rainy season.

I hope this helps you in the planning of your next vacation.  Be sure to check out sites like lowfares.com for discounts and great prices on cheap hotels and cheap airline tickets. Whether you’re going with your spouse, your family, or just some friends, it’s all about saving money nowadays; but who says you can’t save money and not lose quality. Happy travels!

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The largest and most populous of the islands of the state of Hawaii, Oahu is a very popular tourist destination, taking on a connotation of the dream destination for a vacation.

The island has historically been the center of Hawaiian culture. The Iolani Palace, the only palace on American soil, still stands as a testament to the culture that has been there for centuries. As the location for the attack on Pearl Harbor, the entire area has a certain patriotic aura about it because of the events that transpired on its soil.

Honolulu, the state capital of Hawaii, is located on the southeastern part of Oahu. As the largest city in Hawaii and the main deepwater marine port for the area, it is a very important part of the state’s activities. Traditionally, Oahu has been known as “The Gathering Place”, the phrase stemming from the name’s meaning in the original tongue. That is reflected by the fact that Oahu is the center of population for Hawaii.

Although Oahu is located in the tropics, its location and the California Current are responsible for cooling it off, compared to other tropical areas. The temperature rarely breaks 90 degrees Fahrenheit, hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for much of the summer. The winter cools things off slightly, reducing the average temperature several degrees.

Over five million visitors flock to Oahu every year to enjoy the climate as well as the entire holiday experience, with hospitality and accommodations of legendary proportions. Some of the most important sights on the island are Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and the North Shore.

Water sports, including surfing, kayaking, and boating, are all very popular. Beach sports are similarly enjoyed by the visitors. Other tourists enjoy shopping and fine dining in Honolulu. If you are coming to Hawaii on vacation and can only visit one island, make it Oahu.

Despite the name of its famed football team, Dallas is not a city of cowboys.  You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in a cowboy hat unless you went to a country music concert.  Dallas is, and always has been, a center of business and cosmopolitan culture.  The city has some characteristics that are typically Texan but others that are quite unique.

Downtown Dallas has a glut of museums and activities. Dallas World Aquarium is probably one of the more interesting zoos in the country.  It features aquatic life, but also plenty of animals that live above the waves and even in the air. Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture is an exhibit that traces the history of the area from ancient times to present day.  The name might brand this as a tourist trap, but it is quite informative and gives some good insights into Dallas’ founding and where the unique, rather brash, culture of the area came from.  Dallas has a highbrow side as well. Nasher Sculpture Center features both indoor and outdoor galleries.  It is one of the most spectacular collections in the country. 

There is a surprising array of eateries and nightspots in the Dallas area.  Whether you are looking for typical Tex-Mex fare or something a little edgier, Dallas has it covered.  Greenville Avenue is one of the best places to drink the night away.  The revelry spills out onto the streets, especially on weekends. 

Dallas sprawls out in every direction; suburbs are their own microcosms.  Arlington features amusement parks, while Irving is home to the Dallas Cowboys.  The city itself is packed with residential areas, many with strips of restaurants and bars.  To explain all that Dallas has to offer would take an entire guidebook.  I’ll just have to say that, whatever you might have heard about it before, Dallas is definitely worth a closer look.  

Tex-Mex Restaurants in Dallas

Sydney gets a majority share of the press when it comes to Australia’s tourist industry, but it is not the only city Down Under that is worth the price of admission.  Melbourne boasts a number of attractions and a vibrant, cosmopolitan culture.  Sports are a major draw.  National games like Rugby are popular, and the sporting world focuses on the city for the Formula One auto race and the Melbourne Cup horse race.  Melbourne is also the birthplace of the rugby, soccer, basketball hybrid known as Australian Rules Football.  Cricket and Soccer also draw large groups of spectators. 

Melbourne is also well known in Australia for its urban culture.  Foodies will love the array of restaurants.  Cutting edge kitchens serve the best in haute cuisine while authentic ethnic eateries abound and laid back cafes line the scenic Yarra River.  The river has one of the most scenic urban waterfronts in the world.   

Melbourne is also a very pleasant city.  Public transit makes getting around without a car easy.  There are a large number of bike trails and public parks.  Unlike many major cities, Melbourne also has a wide variety of budget accommodations.  The backpacker vibe of St. Kilda is bolstered by the good chance of finding cheap rooms, cheaper eats, and plenty of nightlife. 

Highbrow nightlife is also part of the equation.  Whether that means enjoying a taste of Australia’s finest at one of the city’s many wine bars or taking in an opera performance, the finer elements of culture in Melbourne can be considered world class. 

Melbourne is a pleasant, generally safe and easy to visit place.  There is enough to do to warrant a week or (even) a month long trip.