Fascinating Year Round Travel Destinations

Are you ready for the calm leisure and reassuring warmth of an intriguing island or seaside vacation? This favored resort area offers enhanced top-tier accommodations, restaurants, activities and entertainment—and there is truly something enjoyable for everyone here. You can spend your days basking on the sunlit golden beaches of Banderas Bay, embark on an extensive tour of the neighboring Sierra Madre jungle, swim in sync with the dolphins, and then relax with a tall beverage while riding the gentle waves, boating toward a breathtaking sunset. The kids will have a great time in the water park with its spiraling slides, and the whole family will enjoy the sea lion shows.

You will delight in the all-inclusive amenities of the luxury accommodations. The outstanding beauty of this resort facility and its beaches is enhanced further by the rapt attentions of its highly experienced and gracious staff. At Villa La Estancia on Flamingo Beach you will enjoy the heights of genuine luxury along with excellent cuisine in a completely relaxed setting with gorgeous ocean and sunset views. You will marvel at the outstanding quality of fresh seafood in the healthiest of oceanside locations. Resort rooms are large and attractive, with spacious adjoining decks revealing more amazing scenic views. All accommodations have modern appointments and amenities, and the entire locale is surprisingly quiet and peaceful, even during busy holiday seasons.

While there, you’ll want to take in Sea Life Park Vallarta by way of the 10 water toboggans. Enjoy spectacular river rides and the elegant leisure of a game of golf at the Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta Golf Course. While delighting in your stay in these superb resort accommodations stretching over greater than three miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, you will also enjoy the local average annual temperature of 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). The extensive marina development includes a 300-slip ultra-modern marina with luxurious condos for both residents and seasonal visitors. Nuevo Vallarta is also a winter residence for the Caguama. At one time on the endangered species list, it is now very carefully protected here by scientists, environmentalists, and eco-friendly visitors alike.

The Maldives (Maldive Island group), to the south of South Asia, is the smallest existing Asian country. Also having the smallest population count of all Asian countries, it has the earth’s lowest lying country terrain, with its topmost natural peak at 2.3 meters (7ft. 7 in.). Comprised of roughly 1,190 coral islands arranged in a double chain of 26 atolls, this island country stretches north-south across approximately 90,000 square kilometers (or 35,000 square miles). These atolls are formed of live coral reefs plus sand bars perched on top of a submarine ridge which inclines sharply upward from its origins deep within the Indian Ocean. Only by means of two clear passages close to the south end of this natural dual coral chain can ships safely navigate through the Maldives’ territorial waters in order to reach either side of the Indian Ocean.

A major commercial enterprise of the Maldives is its busy tuna fishery facilities. Actually, these lovely islands have an astonishing variety of sea life available, such as reef sharks, moray eels, and various types of rays including the Eagle ray, Stingray, Batfish and Barracuda. Coconut palms, as the celebrated national tree, enhance the beauty of each island.

Here the annual temperatures can vary from 24 degrees C (75 degrees F) to 33 degrees C (91 degrees F). Conveniently serving as a heat filter, the Indian Ocean gradually releases the tropical temperatures, providing a delightful and relaxing atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. The constant soothing ocean breezes also moderate humidity levels.

In Lhaviyani Atoll of the Maldives, Kanuhura offers a comprehensive water sports center for windsurfing, canoes and pedalos, along with planned excursions to the ultimate diving locations. Other available sports activities include squash, tennis, a fitness center and spa, along with a well-equipped kid’s club. You will also enjoy nearby attractive accommodations, bars, and restaurants serving both theme menus and fine Mediterranean cuisine. This island is roughly 1,000 meters in length and 200 meters in width—a unique treasure of true beauty and pure relaxation and enjoyment currently awaiting the arrival of you, your family, special guests and friends.

In the Fijian language, Mana means magic, and the intriguing ambiance and allure of this unique island resort are truly magical in every aspect. For the high-spirited traveler, there are plenty of adventures and thrills. And for those seeking the ultimate in quiet, calm, peaceful relaxation, these qualities are also equally available on Mana.

As you cruise amidst the beautiful Mamanuca Islands near the coastline of Denarau in the South Pacific, enjoy your quiet entry to Mana through the lagoon. The island is now a large, attractive resort including three beach areas on pristine, sparkling waters; an abundance of lush palm trees providing well-shaded lounging areas; and extensive modern poolside settings. The lagoon side offers snorkeling and various other water sport activities. Or, if you’re in the mood for quiet relaxation, try the North Beach for its peacefulness and breathtaking views. Later, enjoy sunbathing on gorgeous Sunset Beach. Do it all, or choose to do nothing at all. Whatever your fancy, you’ll find it and have a delightful time here.

Mana has two excellent main restaurants, South Beach Restaurant and Mamanuca Restaurant. At South Beach you can sample haute fusion cuisine, and Mamanuca has Al Fresco style dining along with spectacular ocean views.

You’ll be delighted at the large variety of activities available to you at this unusual island resort. Water sports include snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, swimming and diving. There are culture shows on the island each day which last until evening, when the nightly entertainment begins. Through taking part in the activities of the kid’s club, children will learn about Fijian history and culture while making new friends and having a great time.

Mana even offers six different designs of accommodations to visitors. So you can choose the one that best suits your stylistic tastes, practical needs and personal preferences. For couples and newlyweds, there are the modern Honeymoon bures with their own private beach areas. The spacious, duplex Oceanfront suites are decorated with handsome blends of ultra-modern and traditional décor. The Island bures are constructed of timber in Plantation Style and surrounded by tropical gardens.

For the adventurous visitor, Mana offers its celebrated ride in the Yellow Submarine amidst a spectacular array of stunning coral formations and tropical marine life. Then, if you dare, view the splendor and beauty of the Mamanuca Islands as you soar to startling heights, kept aloft by a single or tandem parasail.

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When you visit Manhattan, the vibrant center of energy and vitality in New York, your first day should include a visit to Grand Central Terminal, the city’s “Crown Jewel.” This famous landmark and transportation hub in Midtown is also a charming and enthralling dining, shopping and cultural center. Offering 60 shops, 35 restaurants and eateries, numerous places of artistic beauty and tales of intrigue, this culturally rich building and icon has been open to the public since February 1913.

In 1978, renowned architect Philip Johnson and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis led a major campaign to protect this valuable structure with landmark status to assure its long-term survival.

There are many areas, items and points of major interest within Grand Central Terminal on East 42nd Street in New York, created by the senior architect, Mark Saulnier. At the historic Information Booth with its beloved opal-faced clock, you can get information about all aspects of the history and happenings at Grand Central through the years. When selecting the first areas of the terminal to see and explore, be sure to include the following:

• Main Concourse Ceiling. – The high vaulted design of the Main Concourse displays a splendid zodiac ceiling with 12 constellations painted in elegant gold leaf and 2,500 stars. Fifty-nine of these stars have LED illumination. According to the terminal’s founder and faithful benefactor, Cornelius Vanderbilt, this zodiac was painted backwards on purpose, since it was to be seen from a divine perspective inside his transportation temple.

• Tiffany Clock. – Step outside to the corner of Park Avenue and 42nd Street to view the famed Tiffany Clock. Ornate with figures of the Greek Gods to signify virtues of the railroad, this impressive clock is the largest structure of Tiffany glass worldwide, measuring 14 feet in diameter. The gods and virtues represented in its design are: Mercury for speed; Hercules for strength; and Minerva for intellect. The 1500-ton statue reaching 48 feet skyward, “Transportation,” took seven long years to complete.

• Whispering Gallery. – Next to the terminal’s highly acclaimed Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant, there are low ceramic arches displaying Guastavino tiling that creates the setting for experiencing a rare acoustical phenomenon. You can actually converse or share secrets with a friend in the opposite corner of this area. Just put your heads in opposing corners and try it for yourself. Your deepest secrets will shout out from the corners.

It is easy to forget that, although an estimated 750,000 people pass through Grand Central Terminal every day, most of this 49-acre building of the Beaux Arts style has always been off-limits for public access. As a result, there are many curious and intriguing secrets associated with this colorful historic structure, including the following:

• Hidden Love Letters. – There are hidden love letters to be found in the Celestial Ceiling of the terminal’s Main Concourse. Artists repainted this ceiling in the 1940s after cumulative damage from tarnishing and water leakage. During the repainting, a very small rectangular space was left unfinished, exposing the original ceiling. The workmen also revised the mural slightly to include little love notes from the artists.

• Indoor Ski Slope. – There once was a ski slope to be found on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the terminal where the tennis courts are now located. Created by a Hungarian entrepreneur in the 1960s, this slope was 60 feet long and constructed out of compounded nylon. President Donald Trump, then the real estate mogul, had some of this space converted into two tennis courts (one and a half, to be exact) so his guests next door at the Grand Hyatt hotel could play tennis.

• Interior Tiffany Clock Tours. – Believe it or not, it is possible to visit the inside of the Tiffany Clock. However, doing so requires more than a little scheming and finesse. Getting inside this monumental work of art requires security clearance. Then, you must locate and enter a secret door that is located in the Operations Control Center and closely guarded. Next, you must access and successfully climb two precarious ladders to arrive inside the clock. Traditionally, anyone who succeeds in getting inside etches his or her name in the wall.

Attractive and delicious restaurants and eateries are conveniently located in the terminal for your enjoyment. Sample the delicious meals in the acclaimed Oyster Bar, then stop in a few of the friendly eateries on the lower level, like Magnolia Bakery, Hale & Hearty Soups and Shake Shack.

Take time to stroll through the many popular shops in the terminal, such as the Apple Store, Vineyard Vines and M.A.C. Cosmetics. Whether your fancy of the moment is the latest iPhone, a good bottle of wine or some bright new shades in cosmetics, you can find everything you need or desire here.

The well known commuting New Yorker’s phrase, “Meet me at the clock in Grand Central,” is alive and thriving throughout the city and beyond today. This famous opal-faced clock at the historic terminal Information Booth has been a commonly shared meeting place since the terminal was first opened. Now, it’s your turn. Come meet the energetic joy, excitement, beauty and heartbeat of the city at this celebrated terminal clock and gathering point. Join one and all in the ongoing celebration of Manhattan’s major Midtown attraction—Grand Central Terminal, truly the city’s “Crown Jewel.”

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At great destinations like Vail, Aspen, Sun Valley and Lake Tahoe, you will find the ultimate in fine skiing terrain and amenities. You’ll delight in the steep chutes and lengthy groomers. You’ll bask in the shiny, dry clouds of airborne snow powder as you glide down the breathtakingly beautiful slopes. Whether skiing or snowboarding, you and your family, or you and that special girl or guy friend can choose from a variety of silken smooth slopes or the best of bumpy rides.

The well-known destination of Aspen/Snowmass in Colorado offers the marvelous benefit of four separate skiing spots in one—Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. This spectacular resort area, stretching over more than 5,300 acres, includes myriad great opportunities for enjoying excellent food, shopping and entertainment. As a thrilling, all-encompassing winter sports resort, Aspen/Snowmass has much to offer for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels and is favored by many experts and pros.

Sun Valley, Idaho, is known as a low-key ski resort of the finest quality. Here you can enjoy the highly celebrated ski and boarding slopes, Baldy and Dollar. Many professional and celebrity skiers rate Baldy as the overall best ski mountain in the US. Dollar is considered by many skiing enthusiasts to be a great starting place for beginners, with its gently inclined slopes. Of course, staying at the famous Sun Valley Lodge, a favorite of numerous celebrities, is an additional treat.

Popular ski resorts in the northeastern region of the United States are New England’s famed Stowe and Killington, both in the state of Vermont. Stowe, now a classic skiing location, has enjoyed much popularity for the last 70+ years. Its steep, well-groomed slopes are both a challenge and a joy for fast, skillful downhill skiing. In addition, Stowe Mountain Resort’s Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak provide excellent quality skiing for all ages and levels of skill. This gorgeous mountain resort is also well-known for its cross-country skiing and romantic ambiance.

Killington offers skiers an amazing expanse of 200 runs and 33 lifts, extending over seven different mountains. Known also for its high-spirited nightlife, this exciting winter sports arena is the largest in the eastern US.

One of the most popular high quality ski resorts in Europe is France’s Les Arcs. Located in the French Alps just 110 km from Chambery airport, this very fashionable resort complex was designed and built in the late 1960s. It offers an attractive display of mountainside apartments along with “state-of-the-art” snow sports facilities. The astounding beauty of Les Arcs is further enhanced by such conveniences as covered walkways and doorstep skiing. The resort also boasts a famed flying kilometer speed skiing course on which outstanding world records have been accomplished.

There are four “Arcs,” at 1600, 1800, 1950 and 2000 meters. Arc 1600 is now the family resort, while 1800 is home to the major facilities and nightlife. Arc 2000 is best known for its comprehensive modern gym and general sports center, and Arc 1950, Le Village, is the stylish resort complex where modern creature comforts and elite quality service take precedence.

One of the largest skiing areas in the world, Les Arcs is linked to Villaroger and Vallandry. A short train ride will take you to Bourg Saint Maurice and to La Rosière, which has a link to La Thuile in Italy. By means of the Savoie Olympic Pass you can also enjoy Val d’Isère and Tignes in the Espace Killy (named for the great French skier, Jean Claude Killy).

Val d’Isère was first made famous by Jean Claude Killy and is now a favorite of many skiers worldwide. Its high altitude provides year-round snow and excellent skiing conditions. The area’s terrain, which seems limitless, hosts 90 ski lifts. In 2004, the resort became home to the prestigious Alpine Ski World Championship.

If skiing is your passion, or just a sports skill you’ve been wanting to learn and haven’t yet tried, why not choose from the best ski resorts in the world for this year’s winter vacation? You can find plenty of great destinations and travel deals to suit your own schedule, and traveling before or after major holidays can give you great discounts! Believe it or not, there are still an abundance of amazing travel steals and deals waiting just for you. Bon Voyage!