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If you’ve never been to Boston then you might not know that one of the favorite things for tourists to do at this destination is to go shopping. Yes, people go here to see the historic landmarks and to take tours of the campuses in nearby Cambridge. They also make it a point to enjoy the many restaurants, museums and nightlife options that Boston has to offer. But right smack dab in the middle of most Boston travelers’ lists of things to do is the word “SHOP”.

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A trip to Los Angeles will include many different experiences. It will include time spent enjoying the surf and sand at some of the most interesting beaches in Southern California. It will include shopping and celebrity sightings and nights out at comedy clubs or dance clubs. The specifics of what it will include will vary greatly from person to person since so many different interests can be explored in different parts of Los Angeles. But no matter what you’re doing during the bulk of your Los Angeles vacation, you’re going to need to stop and eat. Why just grab a quick bite when you’re spending time in a city that has some of the hottest restaurants in the entire nation? Make an experience out of it by choosing to dine at the trendiest places there are.

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San Diego is one of the best cities on the Pacific Coast to go for a beach vacation. The weather is almost always perfect for spending time on the beach. It’s hot enough to enjoy the relatively warm Pacific Coast ocean water with activities like surfing and swimming. And yet it’s not excessively hot so you’ll also be comfortable just lounging in the sun with a good book and a few snacks. For people seeking specific kinds of beaches, such as dog beaches or clothing-optional beaches, San Diego has its niches. And for those who are just looking for a great beach near their accommodations, there are many to choose from. Following you’ll find more information about some of the top beaches in San Diego.

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There will be two major landmark attractions that you will be intent on seeing if you get the opportunity to visit San Antonio, Texas. The first is the famous Riverwalk where you will do your shopping and dining. The second is The Alamo. Although the latter is a historic site, it is also the home of a museum that provides visitors with important information about the history and culture of San Antonio. If you only get to see one museum during your time in the city, this is the one that you should make sure that you see because of its historic value, interesting information and tourist appeal. However, if there is time to see more San Antonio Museums, there are many different types of terrific museums to choose from.

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Taking a trip to Italy is an amazing experience. However, it can also be a frustrating trip to plan. That’s because there is such an immense number of things that you’ll want to see in Italy and you simply won’t want to seem them all. Many visitors opt to focus their sights on just one Italian city in order to be able to immerse themselves in their vacation without getting completely overwhelmed. For a great number of Italy’s visitors, the place of focus becomes Rome.

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Tell someone that you’re going to Orlando, Florida for a vacation and they’re going to automatically assume that you’re headed to Disney World or one of the other theme parks that make the city so popular with tourists. However, there are more reasons than just amusement parks that Orlando has consistently been a favored vacation destination for people of all ages. With terrific winter weather and numerous resorts, Orlando is a favorite place for people who are seeking out a warm climate for leisure activities. There are many of those to choose from but one that typically dots the list is golfing. This is due largely to the fact that there are a great number of stellar golf courses here but also in part to the fact that Orlando is the home of The Golf Channel headquarters.

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Reno, Nevada isn’t nicknamed the world’s “biggest little city” for nothing. Known for the gaming entertainment of its casinos and its proximity to the outdoor adventures of nearby Lake Tahoe, Reno is a place where all different types of people may go for a good time. From the college-aged snowboarder who is too young to gamble to the elderly couple who have been vacationing in Reno every year for several decades, the city is a vacation spot for a truly diverse group. But there is one thing that all of Reno’s visitors have in common; they need to eat.

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Phoenix, Arizona is one of the fastest-growing nations in the country. This growth has been driven by a number of divergent factors. On the one hand, business in the industry has grown considerably and Phoenix has become a leading location for professional conferences. On the other hand, the retirement and resort communities have taken a strong interest in Phoenix as a warm-weather place for developing leisure activities.

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Have you ever noticed that French women eat things that would destroy an American woman’s diet and yet never seem to gain a pound? It is said that the French are able to indulge in daily food delights because their great appreciation for their food overwhelms the weight gain and keeps it at bay. This probably isn’t true, of course. But what is true is that the French people are able to enjoy smaller meals because they use such rich ingredients that quality surpasses quantity in the French dish.

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When you get the opportunity to take a vacation to London, you should take advantage of it. This modern city is rich with history. That history has greatly impacted the United States and the rest of the world over the years and makes London a place that’s important for people from all nations to visit. Any basic tour guide will take you to all of the major spots that you’re going to want to see but you can also see most of their on your own if that’s your style.

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You go to the Los Angeles area to catch a glimpse of celebrities and to spend a day at Disneyland. However you’ll be sure to notice the beautiful weather while you are in the L.A. area and you’ll want to take advantage of it. The best way that you can enjoy the California sunshine is to don your swimsuit and sunglasses and get yourself to the beach. You can go surfing, go sun tanning or even go celebrity hunting on the beaches that are located all up and down the Pacific Coast near Los Angeles. You just need to know which beach to go to in order to engage in the activity that you enjoy most.

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You’re going to Montreal and you want to make sure that you eat at all of the best places. After all, you are going to be telling people about this trip for months to come and you want to be able to drop some names of the hottest restaurants that Montreal has in order to show off a little bit about the experience. Besides, all of the other sightseeing that you’re going to do in the area is going to make you hungry and these are the restaurants that offer the best food in the most enjoyable environment.

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Niagara Falls is an amazing natural wonder that everyone should make a point to see at least once in their lifetimes. This set of stunning waterfalls cascades magnificently in an area that would be beautiful even without the falling water to make it sparkle. You’ll be surprised to see just how fast and hard that water can rush down the mountainside. You’ll probably be even more surprised to learn that the pressure of the water is controlled through a series of dams which means that the rush of the falls that you’re seeing isn’t even the full capacity of what this natural wonder can provide for the eye to see.

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Where do you think of visiting if you imagine that you are going to take a trip to Italy? Do you dream of checking out the canals of Venice? Do you picture yourself enjoying the fashion capital of Milan? Are you the kind of person that would book a tour through the historic landmarks in Rome? Or perhaps you envision yourself wandering through the art history of Florence? It’s hard to narrow down your choices for an Italian vacation. But perhaps you should think about going to an area of Italy that isn’t as likely to be the first place that you think of when you plan an Italian vacation. Maybe you should think about going to Naples.

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In America, almost everyone is Irish, at least for St. Patrick’s Day. Each year, on March 17, the cities of the East and Midwest with large Irish-American populations throw city-wide parties, with parades, green beer, and plenty of Irish ballads. Everyone is invited. Among the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day are:

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Wondering how much and whom to tip when you’re traveling in a foreign country. Here’s a short guide:

• London: A 12.5 percent service charge is generally included at restaurants; 10 percent for taxis; up to $2 for hotel porters.
• Paris: Between 5 and 10 percent at restaurants, if a service charge is not already included; no tips for taxis; up to $2 per bag at hotels.
• Dubai: Tips are not obligatory for restaurants or taxis; hotel porters get between $1.50 to $3.
• Moscow: 10 percent at restaurants; 5 to 10 percent for taxis; $1 per bag for hotel porters.
• Tokyo: Tips are not necessary.

Source [Mercury News]

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I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts of travel is the food. But satisfying your whole group isn’t the easiest task, since everyone seems to have different tastes and palates. One way to alleviate your stress and make everyone happy is to frequent a place with fantastic food and an even better view.Sunset Magazine has come up with a list of the 10 best mountaintop restaurants, sure to please anyone and everyone for both the food and the views.

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Denver, the “Mile-High” city, was recently named one of the top destinations for 2008 by Frommer’s. The city offers a winning mixture of modern and traditional, with frequent glimpses of its 19th century “wild west” past. Enjoying Denver doesn’t have to be expensive. The city and the surrounding area offer a number of free attractions.

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Costa Rica offers naturalists a dream vacation, with both lush rainforests and pristine beaches. There is truly a Costa Rican vacation designed for every tourist and finding the right combination just takes a little research and the right travel company.

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If you’re looking for a quintessential Parisian memory, try having lunch or dinner at the Eiffel Tower’s newest attraction: The Jules Verne restaurant.

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Historical beauty is the hallmark of downtown Prague, whose medieval center remains largely undisturbed with its intact maze of cobbled lanes, courtyard relics, dark passages and illuminating churches–all closely guarded by a 1,100-year-old castle.

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If you’re looking for a meal deal then leave the fast food behind and make an early trip to a nice restaurant. Florida is known for its early bird specials that have drawn the pre-dusk crowds for ages. And speaking of ages, it’s not just a treat for the geriatric crowd. Early bird specials are open to everyone and anyone willing to partake of an early meal.

Most of these specials feature a soup or salad, an entrée from a limited menu and a beverage. Many restaurants also give diners a dessert option. The entire meal is moderately priced in the teens, saving the diners several dollars per meal.

The best part of these specials is they give you a chance to try new restaurants at a reduced rate. Generally, the restaurants put several of their more popular items on the menu, not only giving you a good selection but the palate pleasing choices are apt to encourage you to return to the restaurant in the future.

The popularity of early bird specials for both diners and restaurant owners has begun to catch on in other cities. New York City restaurants, for example, now offer many pre-dusk deals for cost-conscious consumers. So the next time you’re in a big city and looking for a great meal at a reduced rate, go for the early bird dinner special.

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How about taking time off from your business trip to see how business was conducted in the 19th Century? The Hagley Museum, located in Wilmington, Delaware, is a convenient day trip for visitors along the Eastern corridor, from New York to Washington.

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For a one-of-a-kind experience for your group, try taking your next vacation at one of the country’s most luxurious hotels. Elegant decor, first class amenities and incredible locations await you these top destinations:

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Overseas travel can be scary: The language is different, the customs are different, and it’s hard to find your way around. But  it’s just those differences that make travel so rewarding. So arm yourself with a little knowledge, a few words, and a good map and you’ll be at home no matter where you go.

Here are some of the things it’s wise to know before you travel overseas:

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An almost-unprecedented $100/barrel price of oil has led United Airlines to raise rates between $10 and $20 for domestic fares. And other airlines are following suit.

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A group vacation can be a terrificexperience … but it can also be exhausting. The whole process of figuring out where you’re going to go, what you’re going to do and how you’re going to get there can infuse stress into a situation that is supposed to be fun. It’s enough to make you come home feeling like you need another vacation.

Well, what if you took one?

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If you’re in the military be aware that several organizations and businesses offer free or discounted tickets to serving soldiers, sailors and marines.

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Lyon, located in southwestern France along the Saone and Rhone Rivers, is a city with a diverse history and culture. It’s also one of the culinary captials of a country that takes its food very seriously.

What to See

The many attractions of this city include the dramatic Mount Fourviere, which towers over the city; the Fine Arts Museum, home to canvases by Picasso, Bonard, Braque, and others; the winding streets and intriquing shops of the city’s Old Town; and the Gallo-Roman Amphitheater, remarkably preserved from the days of the Roman Empire and which hosts periodic concerts and other events.

Dining in Lyon

Lyon is home to some of the world’s most famous restaurants and chefs, including Paul Bocuse. Regional specialties include onion soup gratinee with melted cheese, stewed rabbit, tripe, and a variety of sausages. The region is also known for its wines, including the Cotes du Rhone, Hermitage, and Chateauneuf du Pape appellations.

Getting to Lyon

Lyon is easily reached from North America via London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and other major European cities. It’s also connected to Paris via the TGV, the high-speed train.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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If you’re a group traveler you should know about Groople. The website combines social networking with group trip planning to make planning your group travel more efficient. And people in the industry are starting to notice: The site won the 2007 award for the World’s Leading Group Travel Booking Site.

Groople continues to incorporate new technology. Its most recent development is a webpage-making wizard called GroopVine. The wizard makes it simple for you to set up a website to plan and organize your group travel.

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It’s become common for kids’ sports teams to travel outside their own city, state and sometimes even country to take their championship title to the next level. If your child is on one of these teams, then careful consideration should be given to travel arrangements.

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There are a host of websites around that purport to have the best deals on airfare. Some people make it a point to visit them all when searching for the best deal. But if you don’t have the time–or inclination–to go through all of the competing sites on your own, consider making just one stop: To Mobissimo.

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On average, couples in the United States are pay almost $30,000 to tie the knot. In the past, only the rich escaped to romantic island getaways but now it’s actually less expensive than a traditional wedding with all the frills. In fact, a destination wedding can be so much less that you can even afford to pay your wedding party’s travel and lodging.

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Dallas has a reputation for over-the-top extravagance, but the Texas city offers a surprising number of free attractions.

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JetBlue has been getting a lot of media attention these days for its decision to make inflight email available. If you’re interested in the perks JetBlue has to offer, maximize your flying experience by joining the airline’s loyal travel discount program, TrueBlue.

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More and more people are using social networking sites to stay in touch with old friends as well as to meet new people and make business contacts. Another way to utilize such sites is group travel.

Private travel groups, such as families or church groups, can create their own online community to share information, photos, itineraries and other trip details with one another. Solo travelers can join travel groups online to meet other people who are interested in going to the same destinations that they are.

If you’re a member of MySpace or Facebook, you can make that the place where you connect with your travel group. Or you can sign up with one of the social networking sites specific to travelers such as TripUp. You also can start your own group on any platform from Google Groups to Ning to connect with the people that are in your existing group of travelers.

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It can be difficult to decide where to travel with your group. Although there are many terrific options for group travel, there are only a few places that are consistently good for all different types of groups. Here are three of those hot spots for your group to consider:

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To package deal or not to package deal - that is surely the question. Some people swear by the good value of buying a bundle including a flight, accommodation and meals through your travel agent; others will say the best way to save money on your holiday is to research everything yourself and book the most reasonable options available separately.

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No visit to London is complete without a trip to Parliament. If you time it right, you can see the inside of the building on the Thames, which is open for touring to foreign visitors in the summer.

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Spa days are becoming increasingly popular and groups can get great discounts on a day at the spa. But before you go, consider the following.

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Most people figure that they’ll save money on their trip by packing everything they need. That’s not always the case. Besides,  packing light and buying as you go also makes travel a whole lot easier.

Ask yourself realistically what you have to have on this trip. Sure, you want those cute little travel shampoo bottles that you always get, but couldn’t you get by with the hotel shampoo? Or, if you’re going to be gone long enough, wouldn’t a bottle bought on discount at a store when you arrive make more sense than taking five travel bottles with you?

Before you go on vacation, make a list of the things that you’re thinking about taking with you, including make-up, toiletries and extra shoes. Now go through the list and cross off anything that you won’t actually need.  Go through the list again, asking yourself if you can borrow any of these items once you arrive. If you’re heading to see your sister, you can probably get away with using her shampoo instead of taking your own.

Once you’ve got the narrowed-down list in hand, determine if it’s more cost effective to buy extras of these products for travel or to get them once you get where you’re going. Don’t forget that you can also take small amounts of things that you already have at home. For example, you can transfer your shampoo into a smaller bottle.

Save money and save trouble by being smart about what you pack.

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Cincinnati, located along the banks of the Ohio River, is a mixture of new and old. The city, settled in the late 18th century by traders and German immigrants, has a wealth of historic architecture, mixed with green spaces and modern attractions. The “Queen City” also boasts a number of free attractions.

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How about a family hotspot that’s cool? The kids are sure to love a trip to Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame.

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A big step up from Girls’ Night Out, the Girlfriend Getaway is your chance to leave all your responsibilities at home and enjoy some time away with your best friends. From whole foods and yoga to indulging at a beachfront spa, a getaway weekend with your girls could be just what you need.

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Vegas used to be a place where you’d spend money on gambling and not much else. You especially wouldn’t pay much for food. The signs outside each hotel on the Vegas Strip would advertise buffet meals at under $10 a pop. You could walk up and down the street finding the best deal on crab legs or seafood buffets. But that’s not the case anymore. Stop in for dinner for two at the Buffet at TI and you’ll be shelling out nearly $60 for the meal.

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