Best Places for Vacation in Quebec City

Quebec City combines old European charm and the political center of a modern city. Named after the province of which it is the capital, it is smaller than its sister city of Montreal but offers a similarly grand array of history and culture. Here are the top sites to see in Quebec City. Top Tourist Attractions of Quebec City Old Quebec:   The city was founded in 1608, and the oldest portion was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Old Quebec is the only walled city north of Mexico. Quaint shops, narrow streets, and stone buildings, you will need at least a half day here but will probably want to spend more time. Chateau Frontenac:   Atop the Cap-Diamant, this famous hotel is one of the most photographed in all of North America and is an icon of the Quebec City skyline. If you can’t stay there, it is still definitely worth a visit. Battlefields Park:   Also known as the Plains of Abraham, this was the site of France’s cessation of Canada to Great Britain during the French and Indian War. Now a 267-acre park filled with gorgeous gardens, riverfront vistas, and ornamental cannons commemorating the history. Place Royale:   The founding site of the colony of Quebec is now a quaint square with plenty of shops and eateries. You will also find interesting art in this section of the city, including a bust of Louis XIV. Montmorency Falls Park:   8.5 miles outside of Old Quebec sits this 272-foot waterfall. You can climb the sometimes-treacherous staircase to the top or take a cable car for some of the best views of the city. Terrasse Dufferin:   A former military fortification built in 1879 that is now a boardwalk just below the Chateau Frontenac offers a great view of the St. Lawrence River. In the winter, you can take a toboggan ride down the boardwalk. La Citadelle:   An active military site since 1850, the largest British-built fortress in North America took 30 years to construct. It now hosts an infantry division of the Regular Canadian Armed Forces and a museum on the history of the Canadian military. Petit Champlain:   The oldest shopping district in North America has many quaint boutiques along with its souvenir shops. You can climb the “Breakneck Stairs” or take the funicular to the top of the quarter for a breathtaking view of the city. Morrin Centre:   It was first a military prison in the 18th century. It was then was used as a civilian prison until being repurposed as the city’s only English-language library. Today, you can take a tour of the jail cells or explore the Victorian library with artifacts dating back to the 16th century. National Museum of Fine Arts:   More than just an art museum, the three buildings that make up the collections are architectural and historic attractions in their own rights, including one being the former Quebec City Prison. In addition to viewing the art, you can take a tour of the remaining cells.  

Top Sites in Budapest

Overview Budapest sits on the Danube River and is separated into two parts, Buda and Pest. It has an incredible list of World Heritage Sites. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and is the 25th most visited city in the world with 4.3 million annual tourists. The city houses the second oldest metro line in the world, the Millenium Underground Railway, the world’s largest thermal water cave system with 80 geothermal springs, the world’s second largest synagogue, and the world’s third largest Parliament building. Budapest is among the most beautiful and most historic cities in the world. Transport The public transportation system in Budapest, BKK, is one of the largest and most well traveled in the world. The busiest trams run every 2-3 minutes during rush hour, and the system is known for great night service. Budapest is also a highly walkable city, so it is easy to make your way around. To orient yourself, think of the Danube, Buda is on the east bank while Pest is on the west bank.  Neighborhoods The most famous district in Budapest is the Buda Castle District. Many of Budapest’s most popular attractions can be found here. The streets are made of cobblestone and cars are prohibited. It has a quaint and old-fashioned feel to it. While there, you must see the Buda Castle, or the Royal Palace, an architectural wonder. Take a guided tour of the underground Labyrinth. Trinity Square is home to the famous Matthias Church, which is over 700 years old. Its emblematic Gothic Tower is one of the most photographed sites in the city. The Fisherman’s Bastion is a neo-Gothic terrace near the church that offers some of the best views of Pest across the river. The House of Parliament of Budapest The House of Parliament, where the Hungarian crown jewels are kept, is located in Pest. The observation deck at Saint Stephen’s Basilica offers a great view of the city. The most famous street is Andrassy Avenue, 2 miles of tree-lined paths with residential houses and some of the city’s best museums. The street ends at Heroes’ Square where you can find the Millenium Monument with its tall column topped by the angel Gabriel. Memento Park, also known as Statue Park, is an open-air museum filled with relics from the Communist era, including a large sculpture of Lenin. At the City Park, you can find the zoo and the botanical gardens. Hike to the top of Gellert Hill for a panoramic view of the city and to see the Habsburg built Citadel. The Jewish Quarter is home to the Great Synagogue and the Jewish Museum that explores the history and culture of Hungarian Jews. Arts and Culture Budapest is home to many fine museums. The Hungarian National Gallery in Castle Hill has Hungarian art dating back to the Middle Ages and the Museum of Fine Arts next to Heroes’ Square covers international art. The House of Terror in Pest documents the horrors Hungarians faced during fascist and communist oppression. The city has many other museums, including one dedicated to Marzipan. The Hungarian State Opera House was built in neo-Renaissance style in 1884 and is still one of the best places to hear music in the city.  Bridges No trip to Budapest is complete without walking across Chain Bridge, the oldest in Budapest and one of the largest suspension bridges in Europe. Four stone lions guard the ends of the bridge. There are 11 bridges in total, including Margaret Bridge with its 35-degree turn, Elsbeth Bridge, and the Liberty Bridge, connecting the Gellert Baths with the Great Market Hall.  

Top Travel Destinations of Barcelona

Barcelona has a rich cultural history and millions of people visit the city each year. Its tourism industry has seen a resurgence since the city hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics. Now it is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The city has modernized while still maintaining its historic appeal. There are innumerous things to see and do in Barcelona, but let’s focus on three neighborhoods in the city and take an in depth look at what to do, where to stay, and what to eat. Passeig de Gracia The Passeig is a high-end shopping street in an upscale neighborhood of Barcelona. Where to Stay Mandarin Oriental: An 93 room hotel overlooking the street with 5 restaurants and a world-class spa, the Mandarin is the definition of luxury. The decor is chic contemporary. From the hotel, you are within walking distance of La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter. Hotel Condes de Barcelona: Near the Plaza Cataluna, this hotel is built in a former nineteenth century palace. It offers a swimming pool, a solarium, and the Alaire Terrace Bar overlooking the city. Hotel Bagues: In the renovated El Regulador 1850 mansion, Baques is just steps away from the Gran Teatre opera house and the Boqueria market. Where to Eat Moments: The in-house restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental is Michelin-starred and offers traditional Catalan dishes. Restaurant Lasarte: In the Hotel Condes, this intimate dinery has two Michelin-stars. Its food has a unique twist and it is a hot spot for hotel guests and anyone looking for a fine dining experience. Where to Shop It is the Passeig after all. Loewe: For all things leather. Bagues-Masriera: Jewelry. Enough said. Attractions No stop on the Passeig is complete without a sojourn to two of the famous modernist designer Antoni Gaudi’s buildings, Casa Mila, known as La Pedrera, and Casa Batllo.  Placa Reial Just off La Rambla, this square is one of the oldest parts of the city and is graced by palm trees, lampposts designed by Gaudi and a central fountain. Once a hip artist hub, the area has been overrun by crime and is building itself back up. Where to Stay Hotel DO: A small, five-star hideaway built in a refurbished nineteenth century building. IT only has 18 rooms but is extravagantly decorated, houses two restaurants and a rooftop bar, and is steps away from the port of Barcelona. Where to Eat Ocana: In a classic building, the cafe doubles as a nightclub. Diners can see their food being prepared through the glass walls surrounding the kitchen. The menu is constantly changing but always retains its Catalan core with other Mediterranean influences. Les Quinze Nits: After a wait in a long line, you will get excellent food for a lower price than many of Barcelona’s other fine dining restaurants. What to do Visit the arcade  Avinguda del Paral Lel The only street in Barcelona that runs parallel to the Equator, has many theaters and was once the capital of the cities cabaret and burlesque houses. The street divide the Sants-Montjuic, Eixample, and El Raval. Where to Eat Tickets Bar: Only open for dinner, this place is tapas heaven. Fabrica Moritz Barcelona: A family owned brewery operating since 1864. It now offers excellent tapas as well as its home brews. What to do Spot by the els Tres Chimeneas. Visit the Sala Apolo, Condal, and Victoria theaters.    

Top 5 Glamping Destinations in the U.S.

Glamping, a cultural phenomenon that combines camping with the comforts of home, has increased in popularity in recent years. Instead of sleeping on the ground out in the wilderness and building your own fire to survive, travelers can now enjoy an outdoor experience with a little bit of glamour. Glamping destinations vary in both luxury and price, so you have to do your research before booking a trip. Exactly what ratio of glamour to camping you’re looking for will impact where you should stay. But that also means that one of the benefits of glamping is more personalized stay. You can see as much or as little of the outdoors as you want. Glamping sites can be as expensive as a hotel or a cheap alternative depending which way you go. You can glamp in anything from a tent to a tipi to a yurt to a treehouse. So long as it provides direct access to the outdoors, it counts as glamping. Glamping is the perfect summer vacation. Here are the top glamping destinations in the U.S. Dolores, Colorado Set in a ghost town, Dunton Hot Springs offers private cabins with full amenities. Food is served quasi-family style or personalized on the go with a new menu crafted each day from local ingredients. There is an on-site spa. Explore the San Juan Mountains or go fly-fishing in the Dolores River. West Yellowstone, Montana The Yellowstone Under Canvas facilities at the national park offers a variety of housing options. The safari tents sleep 4 and come with a wood burning stove. Full furniture and a private patio, you just step away from a full-service bar and restaurant. Take a guided tour or hike and bring along a freshly made picnic meal with you. Pescadero, California Costanoa is near the beach and offers both your typical lodge stay or a tent village, depending on your preference. Tents have electricity, sliding windows, and door locks. There are nearby stations with restrooms, showers, and a sauna. There is a general store in case you forget anything and free WiFi access. Who knew you could get a massage at the spa while on a camping trip? Falling Waters Resort, North Carolina The Yurt Village offers many great amenities for a solid price. For those interested in a budget-friendly glamping vacation, this is the place to go. Cheaper than your average hotel stay, the yurts have queen-sized beds, refrigerators, and coffee makers. Activities include ziplining and white water rafting. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, you will get in touch with nature. Greenough, Montana The Resort at Paws Up takes glamping to a whole new level. Their large tents have 2-3 bedrooms with king-sized beds and are cleaned twice daily. Set at Moonlight Camp near Lookout Rock and the Blackfoot River, Paws Up offers en-suite bathrooms, an on-demand butler, full electricity, laundry service, and the Internet. There are a dining pavilion and camp chef, a fitness center, and a whole host of family-friendly activities offered as a complementary part of your stay. Pricey but luxurious.

Top Attractions in Copenhagen

Copenhagen was originally founded in the 10th century as a Viking fishing village. Throughout its history it has been decimated by the Plague, fire, wars, and pillages but has been able to rebuild itself over and over again, giving many people cause to nickname it the Phoenix. Copenhagen has built itself into one of the richest cities in Europe with a masterful urban planning system, and a high quality of life for its citizens. Copenhagen -  A Political Hub for Denmark  The city is well known for being the hub of political, cultural, economic, and technological life linking mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Copenhagen has many great universities as well as a focus on corporate expansion. Medicon Valley is the center of biotechnology research and development in Copenhagen and aims to connect companies and academic institutions to work together in harmony. Copenhagen also has an ambitious green plan. Cleantech is an initiative aimed to focus research on making Copenhagen environmentally friendly. Architecture of Copenhagen Architecture in Copenhagen is varied with remnants of its past mixing in with the rebuilding that has taken place throughout its history, from Neoclassical to modern. Copenhagen is known as the “City of Spires” due to its horizontal construction. Its skyline is broken up only by the dottings of tall spires from castles and churches throughout the city. Tourist Destinations in Copenhagen Copenhagen is a park-centric city, even its cemeteries double as parks. There are 5 miles of beaches in the area surrounding the city only a 30-minute bike ride away. Many Danes speak English, making tourism easier for Americans. While most signage, including descriptions in museums, are written in Danish, it is possible to ask for an English speaking guide to help you get the most out of your museum experience. Another highlight of Copenhagen is that most museums offer free admittance on Wednesdays. Copenhagen has many attractions. Here is a breakdown of where to go and what to see and do in Copenhagen:  Indre By: The inner city, also known as the Medieval City, is the historical heart of Copenhagen. Home to many of the city’s historical buildings, church spires, and shopping, it is the tourist center of Copenhagen. Here you will find Frederiksstaden, the area built in the rococo style and known for the Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle,  Frederick's Church (aka the Marble Church), and Stroget, the world’s largest pedestrian street. Nearby is the Nyhavn Canal. Vesterbro: Located here is Copenhagen’s top tourist attraction, the Tivoli Gardens. You will also find many of Copenhagen’s amusement parks here, including the Pantomime Theater.  Osterbro: The famous “The Little Mermaid” statue can be found in this district north of the city center. Also here, you will see the Citadel, one of Europe’s best-preserved fortifications.  Fredericksburg: This area includes the Copenhagen Zoo, an extensive and beautiful park, and Frederiksborg Palace.