16 Things To Do In Belfast, Ireland

If you are looking for a nice get-a-way weekend, with all the charm of a country town and yet all the opportunities of a thriving city, then Belfast is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy life! Belfast is the second largest city in Ireland, Dublin being the largest, and with a population of over 200,000 it is filled with the charm of an old town shipping port alongside a thriving metropolis.  Belfast originated centuries ago as a shipping passage through the Irish Sea, protected on one side by Ireland and the other by England. Today it is quickly gaining the reputation as being the place to go for “a break”, even more than Glasgow or London!  Once you get here, either by boat or plane, you have a choice either to stay inside your bed and breakfast, or get out and see what Belfast has to offer. 

Below is a list of some of the things to do while in the area:

- Shine – nightclub plays extreme techno for dancing and disco.
- Crown Liquor Saloon – Is decorated in ornate, Victorian-era pub and is full of friendly faces.
- Ulster Museum – displays many artifacts of early Ireland and treasures from the Spanish Armada
- W5 – children’s Museum
- Ormeau Baths Gallery – well-known contemporary art gallery. Specialty shop inside.
- Linen Hall Library – Library founded in 1788, beautiful architecture.
- Customs House – Historic site.
- Belfast Castle – tour a majestic castle dating back to 1870’s.
- St. Anne’s Cathedral – outstanding architecture; religious site.
- Grand Opera House – opera
- Cathedral Quarter – in upscale neighborhood, buildings of glass and chrome, cafes and wine bars. Scenic/historic walking area.
- Botanical Gardens and Palm House – walkthrough gardens.
- Belfast City Centre and Laganside Walk – historic walking tour around downtown area.
- Harland and Wolff Shipyard – shipyard down at the docks – where Titanic was built
- Mountains surround city and make a beautiful place to spend a day hiking, picnicking, horseback riding.
- Have a fresh seafood dinner out on the Pier.

Belfast is the kind of get-a-way everybody needs every so often.  Its quaint restaurants and pubs, old town background, and the dated architecture can’t help but lend a friendly atmosphere to all who enter.  Whether you take a weekend, a week or three weeks, there is plenty for you and your family to do.  If you need a rest, you can always slip down to the beach for a relaxing afternoon walking the shoreline and soaking up the sun.  But once you come to Belfast, you’ll see why it is becoming the get-a-way city of Ireland.

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6 Suggested Historical Destinations For Student Travel

Student travel promises to be an enjoyable trip. Not only do students can visit several places, they could also learn so much on every trip. And since air travel agencies as well as airlines provide student travel discount and special student travel rate, student travel is becoming more and more available for greater number of students who want to explore and learn more about the world.

For first time travelers, here are some historical destinations you can consider for you student travel:

Athens
As the center of knowledge, government, and system in the ancient world, every student would be amazed how this ancient city grew and evolved. Students can visit Acropolis, Agora, Library of Hadrian, Kerameikos, Olympieion & Southeast Athens, Pnyx, Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds, Arch of Hadrian, City Eleusinion and other ancient sites in this ancient city of Athens.

Egypt
Visit one of the earliest civilizations founded in this part of the world. Egypt features 3000 years old city in the banks of River Nile. Egypt is also one of the oldest tourist spots in the world with visitors coming from the ancient Rome and Greece.

Moving your way south from Cairo, the nation’s capital, you can stop at Giza where the infamous Great Pyramid stands. It was built by Pharaoh Khafu in the year 2550 BC. Standing at 147 meters, it was the largest and the most ambitious structure built in the ancient Egypt requiring 2.3 million stone block to erect. Also at Giza, see the Pyramid of Khafre home if the Sphinx. It was built 30 after the Great Pyramid. As the second largest, the Pyramid of Khafre stands at 144 meters of 471 feet. The third pyramid located at Giza was the Pyramid of Menkaure which stands at 65 meters or 213 feet.

Further south, Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser built in 2630 BC. Pyramid of Pepi II, also located at Saqqara was the last pyramid built by ancient Egyptians. In Dahshur, the Bent and the Red Pyramids are located. And down south at Maidum, the Maidum Pyramid can be found.

See the temples, mummies, tombs, hieroglyphics, and Valley of the Kings and the Queens if you visit Egypt.

Rome
See ancient Rome still intact with evidences of Roman structure and architectures built more than 2000 years ago. Rome presents the living timeline from the Roman Empire to the shift of the Middle Ages, to baroque and renaissance, to the dawn of the romantic period and enlightenment. Rome preserves its temples, churches, arts, and priceless paintings and murals.

Turkey
A former territory of the Roman Empire which stood strong for more than a thousand years against several barbarian attack. Turkey is in the easternmost part of Europe that features a diverse culture, religion, philosophy, and architectures.

China
Travel Far East and learn the history of the ancient eastern civilization that was once unknown until the last centuries. See the Great Wall, a remnant of the Zhou Dynasty along with other unique oriental culture and tradition. See the Chinese painting, calligraphy, paper cutting, and Chinese art.

Peru
As the center of the Inca civilization, Peru is a great destination for student travel for discovery of South American history. The 500-year old Inca traces could be relived in the Inca Trail that is both exciting and educational. Walk to the Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, Machu Picchu, and Pisac.

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A Boston Vacation: Five Ways To Experience Beantown

A Boston vacation is a mesmerizing trip through the nation’s past and to a celebration of its future and center of learning. Here in one city you can experience the start of the revolutionary war, see a coral reef, take a bus on a river, and experience the campuses of MIT and Harvard - and all before dinner.

You’ll find Boston vacations a refreshing mixture of historic and modern buildings. And what’s even better is you can see it all - or most - by walking. That’s right the ole soft shoe shuffle. You’ll save time and see more by expending some shoe leather.

But before you do that I highly recommend an orientation tour first.

THE FAMOUS DUCK TOUR

One of the best and most unique tours is the Duck Tour ride. This is a popular 80-minute tour for first-time Boston vacation visitors. But be warned, during the summer tours are usually sold out by lunchtime - so make them reservations in advance. You can pick-up and buy tickets for the tour at two places: The Museum of Science, and The Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay.
The tour is done in a renovated World War II amphibious vehicle. You get to not only experience Boston from the streets of the city, but also from the Charles River... and without getting wet!
That’s right, during the tour, the bus you’re on will become a boat, and you’ll see the beautiful Boston skyline from the river that separates Boston from Cambridge.
It’s a great tour and you’d have to be "quackers" not to do it! Sorry couldn’t resist it.

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile easy-to-follow red brick line that links 16 historical sites together around the streets of Boston... and it’s free. It’s starts from Boston Common and winds its way through Boston landmarks such as the State House, Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere’s House, USS Constitution, before ending up at the Bunker Hill monument in Charlestown.
If you do the whole walk, plan on at least 2-3 hours for distractions - nice ones though - or better still take the whole day.

The trail also takes you through Boston’s famed North End, where you’ll be sure to return during your Boston vacation to sample the superb Italian restaurants or stroll around this little corner of Italy.

THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

As San Diego has its world famous zoo, then Boston has the New England Aquarium.
New England and its coastline have a history of fishing and whaling. But today instead of harpooning whales, New Englanders spend most of their time saving them. And the aquarium is a vital link in the area’s ocean preservation movement.

The centerpiece of the aquarium is the giant tank. The floors of the aquarium run around the tank and up four levels. At the top you get to peer down into a coral reef and listen as the staff explains about the tank and the fish that live in it.
You’ll get the answer to questions such as: "Why don’t the big shark fish eat the little tasty fish?" or "How old are those huge sea turtles swimming around down there?"

Your ticket will include a visit to the Discovery next to the main building, where you can see and learn about sea lions during an amazing show. A few years ago the Aquarium opened an IMAX theater that shows a mixture of sea-related and general science films.
A word of warning - this is a favorite Boston vacations attraction for families so it can get crowded. But you’ll always get in, even when the ticket line seems to stretch for miles.

BEACON HILL

Beacon Hill is a popular walk for people on a Boston vacation.  Here just off Boston Common you can stroll around Louisburg Square and admire the picturesque block of perfectly preserved residences.

This quiet and bewitching area is full of alleys and narrow red brick cobbled streets, where time has stood still for the last century. It’s a sheer delight to walk. You’ll find walled gardens and an authentic 19th century neighborhood feel. Even the original gas lights remain on streets lined with ancient elms.

While many tour buses and trolleys drive through Beacon Hill, the only real way of experiencing it, is by foot.  So put on some comfy shoes, take out your camera and breathe in the scenery... its fine.

THE CENTER OF LEARNING
Boston has a strong traditional in universities. With MIT and Harvard perhaps the best known worldwide, but with other great colleges such as Tufts, BU, Boston College, and of course Northeastern.

MIT and Harvard are just a short train ride across the river. Take the Red Line to Harvard Square and hang-out in the Harvard campus and stroll the grounds, and if everything seems familiar to you, it probably is. Many movies - including Love Story - where filmed here.

And come back and visit at night when on a summer’s evening street performers are everywhere and you don’t have to pay a nickel for some of the best entertainment on your Boston vacation.

AND THERE'S MORE...

Other places to visit on your Boston vacation are THE J.F.K Library and Museum at Columbia Point in South Boston - and the Boston Harbor Islands, tours to the islands leave from Long Wharf and Rowes Wharf, both located near the aquarium.

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The Perfect Vacation

A beach vacation is something all of us can use, as it provides time away with the family, friends, or just that special someone. Beach vacations are also a great way to unwind from the pressures of life, and just have a blast.

All around the world, there are literally hundreds of places that you can choose for your beach vacation. You can choose from beaches in the United States, or choose to go overseas to more tropical climates and romantic beaches.

Those of you who are looking to get away with a husband or wife, would find the Maui to be the perfect beach vacation. Located in Hawaii, Maui is one of the most romantic beaches in the world. Also well known for honeymoons, Maui offers you plenty of breathtaking beaches with plenty of other things to do as well.

Another well known area for a beach vacation for couples is the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands have been a popular vacation spot for many years, offering couples the chance to get away from it all and just spend some well deserved and well needed time together.

For a family beach vacation, there are many places you can go.  One of the most popular is California, as there are many other things to interest the kids as well.  There are several beaches in the state, with Huntington beach and plenty of attractions as well, including Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.

When you choose the perfect beach vacation, you need to choose a spot that will cater to who you are taking with you. Couples wouldn't want to go to a family resort destination, while families wouldn't want to go to a couples resort that offers plenty of romance.

No matter where you decide to go, you can rest assured that there are plenty of locations for you to choose from. You can search online using a search engine, which can help you locate deals that are simply too good to pass up. 

Before you decide to rush off to your beach vacation, you should plan first. Decide on where you are going, research your destination spot, and make sure that it offers something for everyone. Beach vacations are truly inspiring, although it also helps to have other activities available as well.

Once you plan your beach vacation very carefully, you'll be more than ready to take off to your destination and relax. You'll enjoy yourself much better if you plan carefully, which will also help to remove a lot of the stress that can be involved with planning for a beach vacation - or going on your destination unprepared.

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Honeymoon Thrills with a Great Honeymoon idea

The honeymoon, they say, is the perfect time to enjoy the company of your loved one, bask in his/her love and relive the beauty of falling in love again – before the hassles of married life starts. After the wedding preparations, this is one of the truly memorable experiences of your wedding. Now, there’s just the two of you, together, in some secluded, private place without any distractions, any interruptions – just love and love and love, and of course, more time for each other.

So, how and where do you plan to spend your honeymoon? While some can afford the luxurious hotels and resorts with all-inclusive packages, others may want to be more practical and settle for something on the average, within their means. Here are some ideas you and your partner might want to consider.

You had your first date in the beach. He proposed to you in a fancy restaurant. You’ve always wanted to go to Europe and see the Eiffel Tower, walk along the streets of London, and wine and dine at the fanciest Italian restaurants, or ride the Gondola. A honeymoon abroad is definitely something you might want to save up for. Explore the places you’ve always dreamed of seeing!

Sail away on a cruise. There’s fresh sea air, the colorful ports, the wide array of food, and a cabin that fits your needs – what more can you ask for? And at night, there’s party and revelry at the ship’s deck. And just imagine the places you’ll be able to see!

This may be your one and only chance to stay at a classy, five-star, top-of-the-line hotel. Then go for it! It always spells a bigger room, with all the amenities inside – a well-stocked mini bar, a Jacuzzi for some swimming, perfect view of the ocean from your terrace. This is luxury at its best.

You’ve always been curious about the Sin City and its attractions –the casinos, the poker games, the cabaret dancers, the clubs, and the lights. A few nights at Vegas with your loved one may loosen up some of those tired, old muscles and teach you to have more fun.

There’s something about all-inclusive honeymoon packages and couples-only resorts. It’s Privacy. If you want something wild, you might want to consider trying a nude beach where you can bare yourself and get that wonderful tan minus the bikini lines. From California to St. Martin to Cap d’Agde, there’s some grain of truth in the saying that the best things in life can be done naked. No need to splurge on honeymoon clothes!

Escape to an island – no phones, no emails, no work, no noise, no distractions, just the two of you. Nurture your body, mind and spirit and savor each other’s company.

Relive your first meeting. Instead of going away to some unknown place, you might want to stay on more familiar grounds and spend your honeymoon in the place you first met, or the place where you had your first date as a couple. Doesn’t matter if you two met at the bus station – then spend the day taking a joyride in the bus as you reminisce and look back at that first meeting.

Stay close to home. A picnic in the park, or at the garden, in the backyard of your own home may be the perfect honeymoon destination. No need to splurge on a travel abroad, fine dining, hotel accommodations and other all-inclusive romantic packages.

In the end, what matters is the company, not the grandness of the place, not the accommodations, and definitely, not the cost.

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Love in the Sunny State

Looking for the sun, the sand, and the waves on your honeymoon? The State of Florida offers the perfect honeymoon destination for newly-married couples who would like to bask in the sun and sip some cool, refreshing drink under the shade of a palm tree. Think of a tropical island in the United States. You don’t have to go abroad or too far to experience the romance of a beautiful and romantic tropical island.

The Sunshine State is one of the top destinations for weddings and honeymoons. With its stretch of beaches and beautiful city attractions, Florida has always something new to offer newly-weds. Put on your list the Caladesi Spring State Park, which offers fishing, scuba diving, swimming and Manatee watching. Visit the Bok Sanctuary and the Coral Castle Gallery which houses the Three Bears’ Grotto.

And if you’re looking at the ultimate wedding and honeymoon experience in sunny Florida, this is the place to be: the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. At Walt Disney World, honeymooners are offered an extensive array of honeymoon packages, or if you want, you can even personalize your own honeymoon package! There are ‘concierge’ honeymoon options at Walt Disney’s deluxe hotels and ultimate honeymoon experience that includes a land and sea vacation package complete with a Disney cruise and a visit at Disney World. Experience the magic and be one of those that have been well-pampered by this magical resort.

Honeymooners are provided with choices on dining, special merchandise, exclusive spa treatments for you and your honey. There are also photo shoots, outings and unlimited admission to Disney theme parks, carriage rides and cruises.

For some wholesome entertainment, Disney’s MGM Studios stages Fantasmic, a show that showcases dramatic music, dancing water, animation, fireworks and lasers perfect. Truly, grandeur and luxury would be at your beckoning.

If you want to bask in the sun, hit the pristine beaches of Miami! South Beach, Miami is the place to go if you want some surfing and swimming with your significant other. There are also a number of trendy clubs and bars you can hit for some evening entertainment. Bash in South Beach, Miami is a dance club frequented by most celebrities. So if you and your spouse would like to go party and rub elbows with the stars after a day in the sun, go to Bash or the Marlin Hotel on Collins Avenue. Jacksonville’s T-birds is a good place to relax and listen to retro music. There are numerous other themed bars that can provide you with all the entertainment you need.

Hotels like Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort are five-star resorts with luxurious accommodations and services. For more variety, there’s the International Drive and SeaWorld Orlando, which offers a hundred or so restaurants and other attractions. You can check this and more with your travel agent or better yet log on to different websites that showcases Florida’s multitude of tourist and honeymoon spots

Swim, bask in the sun, be merry and enjoy the company of your loved one. The sunny state of Florida offers you the ultimate hip, trendy places to be on your honeymoon. What better way to start the life of marital bliss than to enjoy the waves, the sun, the sun, and more sun.

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Vacationing in Beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Being surrounded by beautiful snow-covered mountains in the winter isn't the only reason tourists swarm to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Snowmobiling through snow-covered terrain is a most exciting experience - one that you'd likely never forget. There are guided tours and day trips to many activities. There's never a boring moment, always plenty to see, and a lot to do. You decide if you want a busy day of numerous activities or to just take it easy, if you can.

Winter Activities in Jackson Hole

Sleigh rides are a great group adventure. Whether you want a traditional sleigh ride to view the scenery of winter wild life or a unique sleigh ride with a warm fire while you're dining, it's your choice. Either way it'll be an experience you'll never forget. Skiing and snow boarding for the beginner is an exciting adventure to partake in. For the more experienced skiers and snow boarders, there are a variety of steep terrain and a consistent fall line plus all the other adrenalin rushes that you could wish for in these adventures.
Summer Activities

The summer activities are nothing to frown on in Jackson Hole. There is still plenty to do even when the snow is melted and the sun is shining brightly on those beautiful mountaintops. Paragliding from the top of Rendezvous Mountain, after being carefully instructed, would be a memory of all memories and a tale of all tales to share with family and friends down through the years.

There's mountain biking for the beginner, intermediate, and expert biker. You can go golfing on one of the best golf courses in Wyoming. A vacation like this wouldn't be complete without horseback riding through the parks. Even wagon rides aren't a thing of the past in Jackson Hole Wyoming. These are just a few summer activities to choose from while you're vacationing in Jackson Hole.

Interesting Facts about Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is in the most western part of Wyoming. The population is around 8,500 and the city is in close proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, making the city an even more popular tourist attraction.

Not only is Jackson Hole a great getaway, but the homes on the market can be breathtaking. With a variety of homes to choose from and well established realtors in the area, it would take no time at all to find the home of your dreams. Homes with beautiful mountain views and beautiful country living are abundant. If you're considering a move to the area, you can check online to find a Jackson Hole real estate agency for assistance.

Jackson Hole Tourist Lodgings

If searching for Jackson Hole hotels, there are many great weekend packages that you wouldn't want to miss out on. There are very affordable accommodations starting out at only $69.00 per night for lodging, and you can find even more reasonable rates for family packages. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations, from condominiums to town homes. Whatever accommodations you choose for your vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, it will be a vacation to remember.

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Top Island Destination to Spend a Romantic Honeymoon

The honeymoon is considered to be one of the most important parts of the wedding. You have to consider that the honeymoon is where both of you and your new spouse will spend a romantic life before you start a family. Here, you will enjoy each other's company and this is also where you will spend one of your memorable moments with your significant other.

However, you have to consider that in order to have a romantic honeymoon, you have to spend it in a great location where everyday is a romantic day.

Today, island destinations are usually considered to be the best choice for honeymooners in the world. You have to admit that there is a romantic atmosphere in islands that can never be found in other places in the world. So, if you are planning for your honeymoon, one of the best destination choices would be an exotic island resort.

There are lots of exotic island resorts in the world where you can consider spending you and your significant other's honeymoon vacation. One of the best choices and also one of the most popular is the Hawaiian Islands. The islands of Hawaii offer great honeymoon packages where you and your spouse can definitely enjoy a romantic vacation. There are lots of activities to do and there are also lots of places to visit in Hawaii. Another great thing about Hawaii is it's just off the coast of the US mainland and is a state of the US. This means that you can save a lot on plane tickets.

If you want to spend your honeymoon farther, you can consider spending it at the Caribbean Islands. Here you will find world class white sand beaches and luxurious accommodations. The Caribbean also offers honeymoon vacation packages where you can enjoy romantic island activities, such as scuba diving, sailing or simply watch the romantic Caribbean sunset with your significant other.

You can also consider going to the Aman Group of Islands located all over the world. Although the packages are quite expensive, you can expect world class honeymoon packages, world class beaches, and world class accommodations. People who have been to one of the Aman Group of Islands have testified that it offers great quality services and an island vacation that they will never forget.

There are also countries in Asia where you can spend you and your significant other's honeymoon vacation. In the Philippines, you can experience great tropical weather as well as world-class beaches in the Island of Boracay, and in the islands of Palawan.

Thailand and Indonesia also offers great packages and world class accommodation for honeymoon vacationers. In Thailand, you can experience a romantic honeymoon vacation in Phuket. Indonesia also offers Bali as one of the premier destinations for tourists and honeymoon vacationers.

These are just some of the top island vacation destination available in the world. All you need to do is choose where you want to go and book your reservations.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of choices that you can make when you are planning an island honeymoon vacation. By choosing the best island destination for your honeymoon, you can be sure that you and your significant other will definitely enjoy a romantic vacation that you will never forget. And, a honeymoon experience that you will definitely want to try again.

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Laguna Beach California

Perfectly situated midway between Los Angeles and San Diego in southern Orange County, Laguna Beach is a popular weekend vacation in Southern California. Offering seven miles of coastline with sandy beaches and palm trees, Laguna Beach is the perfect beach vacation getaway.

There are 30 beaches and coves that visitors can explore either on foot or by kayak. The activities here include sailing, bird watching, beach volleyball, surfing, and even scuba diving.

The Laguna Beach also enjoys warm weather year round with an average high of 69 degrees in January and 77 degrees in July.  Popular activities for the outdoors here include romantic picnics, hiking, cycling, tennis, golf, and even botanical garden tours.

Laguna Beach is also home to an active artist community with almost 100 galleries that showcase art pieces by local and international artists. There are many festivals here in the summer, some of which are known around the world.

For those who enjoy shopping, Laguna Beach offers a wide selection of unique shops that sell hand crafted jewelry, antiques, and other things that you won't find anywhere else.

With the perfect weather year round, Laguna Beach in California offers you the perfect location for your beach vacation.  Kids enjoy playing in the sand at one of the several beaches, while parents enjoy sun bathing and taking in the views that Laguna Beach is very well known for.

If you've thought about taking a beach vacation in the near future, Laguna Beach is perfect. There are several hotels for you to choose from, many of which offer discounts during the year, depending on when you visit. There's something for everyone here, even if your family is hard to please.

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