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Though the dollar has lost some value, Americans seem to be addicted to the joys of travel: In 2006, about 63.7 million U.S. residents traveled outside the country’s borders, enjoying international and overseas destinations, and you may be surprised at the 20 most popular international vacation destinations for Americans:

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If you’re looking for a break from the snow and cold this winter, give Wisconsin a try. It sounds like reverse logic, but the Wisconsin Dells are actually a secret oasis of whitewater fun, no matter what time of year it is.
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Quebec, Canada is unique in several ways: It is the only Canadian province to have been declared a nation within the country, it is the largest province by area, and it is the only province whose official language is French. It is also a prime region for winter sports–especially skiing. (more…)

The Yakima Valley, in Washington State, is home to over 60 percent of the wine grapes grown in that state. The region, located in the southern end of the Columbia River basin, is also a major producer of hops (used to make beer) and a whole range of fruits. Visitors to the area will find plenty to explore–wineries, orchards, museums, the scenic Yakima Canyon, and even a Native American-run casino. (more…)

If you’re a ski enthusiast, you undoubtedly have a favorite place to go, but if you’re looking for a change of venue, consider Vail. The Colorado resort offers some of the best skiing in the United States. (more…)

The Dolomites on the Italian border with Austria contain some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Europe. Here are some places to consider if you’re thinking about booking an Italian ski vacation. (more…)

If you’re visiting Philadelphia for the first time, be sure to take a walking tour through the city’s historical district. (more…)

Heading into Canada for a ski vacation this winter? Check out our list of some of the best ski resorts in British Columbia to help you plan your trip. (more…)

What’s better than a ski vacation? How about a ski vacation in France? (more…)

Portes du Soleil, literally “gateway to the sun,” is a large section of the Alps that spans between Mont Blanc in France and Lake Geneva, Switzerland. The 400-square mile region encompasses 12 resorts–8 in France and 4 in Switzerland–over 350 miles of ski runs and more than 230 lifts. (more…)

Sydney is one of the most visited cities in the world, despite being relatively far away from the US and Europe. If you take your family to Sydney, your most difficult decision will be deciding which activity or attraction to leave out of your itinerary. (more…)

The Jackson Hole Valley in the west of Wyoming is a great destination for a ski vacation. Here’s some information on the area’s top ski resorts. (more…)

Legend has it that Windsor Castle, the primary residence of Queen Elizabeth and the largest inhabited castle in the world, also plays host to some monarchs of the past. (more…)

The small state of Vermont is a big place for ski vacations with many resorts and regions to choose from when. Here’s a brief look to help you get started. (more…)

From shadowy New Orleans to historic Salem, if you’re looking for ghosts we’ve got a host of ghost tours from which to choose. (more…)

It might have happened way back in 1892, but the suspected murder by Lizzie Borden of her father Andrew and stepmother Abby has left a legacy that lives on at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. And you’re welcome to share it. (more…)

Want to visit the most haunted building in all of England? Then the Tower of London is the place to put at the top of your list. With a history involving any number of infamous prisoners, a torture chamber and numerous executions, it’s not difficult to imagine there are a few unhappy ghosts wandering around.

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A family vacation in Vancouver, British Colombia gives you plenty of possibilities for keeping everyone happy and entertained. There are outdoor and physical activities to use up energy, and attractions like the Vancouver Aquarium or the Museum of Anthropology that have something to suit all ages.

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People who don’t ski often think of Lake Tahoe as a summer travel destination because of the great lakeside camping that is available there. But those who do ski know that Tahoe has slopes that make it a perfect winter destination. People who live in nearby major cities such as Sacramento and San Francisco often make the quick trip to Tahoe every weekend of the winter months to take advantage of the skiing there. Even friends who don’t ski will make the trip with them to enjoy the winter weather and partake of the pleasures in nearby Reno.

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Chicago is a striking urban city which offers plenty of attractions. But if you’re looking for a different Chicago experience, consider taking a tour of the live theater spaces located throughout the city. Theater is thriving in Chicago, where you can see everything from stand-up comedy to Broadway musicals. Taking in local performances in small theaters will give you a true sense of the culture and sociopolitical climate of Chicago today. You’ll also get a little sense of history since many of Chicago’s theaters have been a part of the city for many years.

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All chocolate lovers will have a visit to Ghirardelli Square on their list when they visit San Francisco, but this destination has something for everybody. Although the square is named after the famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, there are all kinds of shops and historical sights to be found there. Back in the early 1900s, Domingo Ghirardelli built the chocolate building, the cocoa building, the clock tower and the power house that today form the cultural hub that is Ghirardelli Square.

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Where can you see the original documents of the “Declaration of Independence,” the “Bill of Rights,” and the “United States Constitution,” as well as over 1000 other important world documents? At the National Archives Building in Washington D.C., that’s where.

The Greek Revival building, located (fittingly) on Constitution Avenue, just off of the National Mall, is open year-round and is free to all. The building’s rotunda houses the “big three” documents, and visitors can view them at their own pace. Off of the rotunda are galleries for temporary exhibits, such as the current “School House to White House” that examines recent presidents’ grade school years, and the Public Vaults, where documents, such as the “Magna Carta” (the original, signed by England’s King Edward I in 1297), the Louisiana Purchase agreement, and the “Emancipation Proclamation,” are displayed.

The National Archives is an easy walk from the Capitol Building or the National Mall. Fall and winter hours are 10am to 530pm. Spring and summer hours are 10am to 7pm. Admission is free.

National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20408

(photo credit flickr cc)

Santa Monica is a beach city in the Los Angeles area which makes it an ideal spot for a vacation at almost any time of year. The weather in this region stays beautiful enough to enjoy the waves well into the year. Although technically Santa Monica is a city of its own, it is generally considered a part of Los Angeles. Nevertheless, it does have all that you could ask for from a small city – beach activities, nightlife, restaurants, accommodations and shopping.

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Besides being known for the 10-gallon hats and oil, Dallas holds a landmark that played an important role in American history, the event that spawned the question for an entire generation; “Where were you when you learned JFK was assassinated?” To commemorate this historic incident, the infamous 6th Floor of the Texas School Book Depository building at Dealy Plaza was converted into a museum to honor John F. Kennedy’s life and display memorabilia related to the assassination. While half of the intrigue of the historic event is the “whodunit” factor and where the actual fatal shot was triggered from, the museum doesn’t focus on that and is located on the 6th floor simply because a sniper’s nest and rifle were found after the assassination. Some interesting items on display are records from the Parkland Hospital, where JFK was taken after the shooting, a film narrated by Walter Cronkite that delves into the repercussions of the assassination, and a recreation of the corner staircase where the rifle was located.

Since it’s a privately owned museum and not a recipient of any kind of government funding, the museum charges $13.50 admission for adults and $12.50 for children and senior citizens, which includes an audio guide. The museum is open daily from 10am-6 pm. To get more information on the 6th Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza, visit www.jfk.org.

Even from the outside, or the lobby, and especially once you really get inside, New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is the kind of gallery that simply impresses everybody. Since it moved to the huge stone building on the eastern edge of Central Park in the late nineteenth century, the Met has welcomed millions of visitors wanting to see its great collection of American art, the beautifully-housed ancient Egyptian art and European paintings from greats like Monet, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

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Singapore Zoo has long been known as the home of some great animal attractions, and in the last decade the possibilities for visitors have doubled with the addition of the Night Safari next door.

For a great day out in Singapore, arrive at the Singapore Zoo after an early lunch. There’s plenty to see here, with highlights including the free-ranging orang utan program, the Australian Outback enclosure and the Asian elephants, who you can see in the Thai Elephant Logging Camp, demonstrating their ability to work together with humans. The polar bear exhibit is also a highlight, although these polar bears have had to adapt to a slightly warmer climate than they’re used to.

After spending a few hours in the Singapore Zoo, take a short break for a light meal and then head next door to the Night Safari, which opens daily from 6.00pm. This is a very special zoo, the first of its kind in the world, designed purely for us to see animals who prefer to be active at night. You can either use the tram to see the highlights with guided commentary or you can walk on three different paths taking you past leopards, lions, giraffes and elephants, amongst many others. The enclosures are specially lit so that the animals still feel it’s night time but you can also get a good view of them.

If you go: Special shuttle buses run from central Singapore to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. If you plan to visit both attractions, be sure to buy the combined ticket to save some money.

The state of Alaska is known as the Last Frontier and it’s definitely not the most easily attainable states of the Union. However, there are many gems hidden within, including Denali National Park, which features the tallest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley. So you don’t accidentally wind up in Alaska, rather it’s a destination that requires some good planning. Like any of the other National Parks within the US, entrance to the park is $10 per person or $20 per carload, and admission is good for 7 days. Getting to the park is quite easy, and it’s less than a day’s trip from Fairbanks or Anchorage. If you prefer to let someone else do the driving, the Alaska Railroad provides a scenic route from Fairbanks and runs 2 primary passenger services during the summer months. (more…)

Austria is well-known as the home of many important musicians including Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss and Schubert, so it’s not surprising that a visit to Vienna’s musical museum Haus Der Musik is worthwhile - and on top of that, a whole lot of fun.

Haus Der Musik (literally, the House of Music) is also known as the Sound Museum. It’s a multi-story museum and interactive exhibition space in the center of Vienna, and it’s an entertaining place for music enthusiasts, families and tourists of all ages. One floor is filled with interesting exhibits about key Austrian composers and musicians, but even this floor doesn’t feel too historical or museum-like - the displays are colorful and clever and full of multimedia elements. A really popular exhibit of the Haus Der Musik is found here - the Virtual Conductor. A screen shows a video of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and visitors can pick up a virtual baton and try to conduct them. If you don’t wave the baton in good time and with good rhythm, the musicians will get grumpy and eventually put down their instruments and storm out!

Another great floor of the Haus Der Musik illustrates the scientific side of sound with an array of curious, hands-on experiments. If you’re ever wanted to know what a cow would sound like in a cathedral, you can press a few buttons and hear for yourself; change the acoustics by putting the cow in a cave or a house and you’ll understand the difference. There is a Brain Opera where you can create your own “music”, too.

Haus Der Musik is found at Seilerstätte 30 (shown on all tourist maps); usually open from 10am to 10pm daily.

Movies like Witness, a film made in 1985 starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis and the recent tragic school shooting have shed light on the mysterious Amish community. In a society that thrives on the Internet, cell phones, and gadgets galore, it’s hard for Americans to imagine a community that can exist in this day and age on horse driven buggies and no electricity. However, these communities exist and are thriving in the small community of Volant, PA, which is located half way between Pittsburgh and Erie in Western PA. (more…)

One of the top tourist attractions in Germany is the Schloss Neuschwanstein, a fairy tale castle in southern Bavaria near the town of Füssen. Built by crazy King Ludwig II in the late 1800s, it is said to have inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, and you can certainly see some resemblance.

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San Antonio

is a prime destination for conventions and family vacations. And for good reason, there is plenty for visitors to see and do in this south Texas city. First stop for most San Antonio tourists is The Alamo - Texas’ most visited tourist attraction with nearly 3 million visitors each year. Admission is free to the Alamo, where you will learn about the history of Texas’ independence from Mexico. The Alamo is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can get more details about visiting the Alamo at TheAlamo.org. After visiting the Alamo, you can take a walk through the heart of downtown San Antonio, where you will find the 2 1/2 mile San Antonio River Walk. Visitors stroll along the banks of the San Antonio River where they can stop along the way at the many restaurants, night clubs and shops. San Antonio is also home to many fabulous eateries, including Le Reve, which was named 6th best restaurant in the nation by Gourmet Magazine. Le Reve is located downtown at 152 East Pecan Street and can be reached for reservations at (210) 212-2221. For more shopping, head to El Mercado - the largest Mexican marketplace outside Mexico. Located in San Antonio’s historical Market Square, El Mercado is always full of activity and fun. Vendors sell jewelry, furnishings, clothing, antiques and much more at this marketplace. Market Square is also an outdoor destination where you can enjoy festivals, music, dancing and lots of delicious food. A great time to visit San Antonio is in April for the 10-day, citywide festival - Fiesta San Antonio. Nearly 100 Fiesta events take place during Fiesta, including parties, parades, galas, pageants, concerts and other festivities. Many of the Fiesta events are free and geared toward families, while others are great for party-goers. The San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau has more great information and resources about visiting the city of San Antonio. Photo courtesy of Janez Zigon

Museums to Visit in San Francisco

If you enjoy museums, San Francisco is a city that offers so many that you won’t know what to do with yourself. And believe it or not, you can see some of these museums for free. In fact, a majority of the museums in San Francisco offer a free day on either the first Tuesday or the first Wednesday of every single month. So, if you’re planning to do a tour of the city’s museums, set your itinerary for the first week of the month of your choice. <!–more–>

Here are some of the museums that you might want to check out in San Francisco:

• Audium – This is a sound center which is a really unique experience. You enter a room with hundreds of speakers and experience the sensation of sound.
• Cable Car Museum – Riding them is great but you should learn about them too.
• Cartoon Art Museum – Great blend of art and fun.
• DeYoung Museum – Located in Golden Gate Park, this museum has a number of changing contemporary exhibits. Friday evenings are a discounted rate with a featured event.
• Exploratorium – This science center offers interactive fun that is truly great for all ages. It’s on the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts and is within walking distance of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Legion of Honor – This is the museum that’s got the best scenic drive to it and view surrounding it.
• Randall Museum – Great place to take kids; this museum has a labyrinth to walk through and a number of other hands-on exhibits.
• SF MoMA – Even the building itself is beautiful.

Those museums will get you started on your exploration of San Francisco. However, there are numerous other museums in the city. If you’ve got a particular hobby or interest, you can probably find a museum in San Francisco that suits it.

With more than 300 years of history, Savannah Georgia is steeped in glorious tradition and antiquated charm that’s hard to find in today’s modern electronic world. In fact, Savannah boasts one of the largest National Landmark Historic Districts in the United States. Reaching from River Street to Forsyth Park, the 2.5-mile stretch is dusted with quaint shops, charming boutiques and incredible restaurants. Live oak trees draped in Spanish moss line both sides of the street, creating a faux ceiling of branches that snuggles this historic region in the arms of the past. The center of the Historic District was originally conceived of by General James Edward Oglethorpe in 1733 when he founded the city of Savannah. His vision of the city included squares separated at regular intervals. His organized grid earned Savannah the moniker of “America’s First Planned City”. The remaining 22 cobblestoned blocks harken of times past as examples of Georgian, Greek Revival, and Gothic architecture all give their own flavor to the region. Georgia’s famed southern charm and old-fashioned hospitality embrace you with warmth in the Historic District of Savannah Georgia. It’s no wonder that the region is one of the country’s most popular vacation sites and one of the fastest growing cities in the state.

The San Diego Zoo, one that the city’s most popular attractions, is also one of the most well-regarded zoos in the world. The 100-acre park is located in Balboa Park, San Diego’s vast cultural district, located just east of downtown, in the hills overlooking the city and the harbor. (more…)

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful South Carolina coastal destination which is enjoyed by travelers who want that true “summer at the beach” vacation experience. It’s perfect for all different kinds of travelers from the couple interested in a romantic getaway to the family who wants to spend a weekend at the beach. Even solo travelers find that there is both activity and relaxation to be enjoyed at Hilton Head Island. (more…)

Nestled in the center of Arizona is a small mountain town known for its outdoor recreation, beautiful scenic views and thriving arts community called Sedona. Travelers interested in experiencing the beauty and culture of the Southwest without the overwhelming heat that Arizona is known for often find that Sedona is a perfect getaway destination. It sits in the center of gorgeous red rock mountains and offers both the opportunity to be highly active and the chance to just relax if that’s what you prefer. (more…)

Virtually anyone who reads a magazine or picks up a newspaper on a somewhat frequent basis is touching something that can trace its origin back to William Randolph Hearst and the Hearst Corporation. Some of the more popular entities are the San Francisco Chronicle, Cosmopolitan, and Oprah just to name a few. Hearst is remembered in history for many different things, the start of sensational journalism, a brief career in Congress, and most notably his estate the Hearst Castle, which is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco near San Simeon, CA. Set atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the estate covers 90,800 square feet among 4 buildings and 2 swimming pools. This includes 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, and 19 sitting rooms. Talk about the ultimate group vacation home! Hearst Castle was donated to the state of California in 1957 and opened to the public for tours shortly after. It can stake the claim of having one of the most sophisticated tour programs in the nation and offers 5 different tours to choose from. (more…)

When people think about traveling to Arizona, they often think about going to Phoenix which is the large capital city right in the heart of the state. But people who are familiar with Arizona often select Tucson as their preferred destination. Tucson has many of the great Southwestern features that you can find in Phoenix including warm weather, great golf courses and resorts and an interesting diverse culture. But it’s a smaller, homier place which many travelers find they prefer. Even if you’ve never been there before, Tucson can really feel like a home away from home. (more…)

San Diego is one of those all-time favorite destinations for a family holiday, and that’s because there’s something for all kinds of family members. Whether you’re traveling with young kids, teenagers or even grandparents, chances are high that you can find some outings and activities that everyone will get excited about. Try these:

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An apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so they say: but if you think you need more than one apple as summer draws to a close, why not try the North Carolina Apple Festival which is running as usual this year over the Labor Day long weekend (August 31 to September 3). It’s the sixty-first festival, hence the theme “61-derful years” and there’ll be plenty of wonderful apples there in Henderson Country, North Carolina - a center of the apple industry.

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Plenty of famous world leaders have had a stay in Kennebunkport, Maine, thanks to it being home to President George Bush senior’s summer residence. But just because people like Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev and and Vladimir Putin have visited Kennebunkport, doesn’t mean that you can’t stop by too!

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Looking for a unique wedding destination? How about Mystic Connecticut?

The pairing of land and sea makes the coastal city of Mystic Connecticut the perfect location for a romantic wedding. So perfect that Hollywood royalty, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, escaped to this resort community to celebrate their honeymoon.

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Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is a Midwestern vacation destination which often gets overlooked. With low-cost accommodations, interesting attractions and a number of annual events worth checking out, it’s a city that you might want to put on your travel radar. Although you might think that you’ve never thought about Madison before, it’s a city that’s home to a number of brand names that you already know. Oscar Mayer, Famous Footwear, and Pizza Pit all got started in Madison. You can take a trip to some of these spots to get some inside information on the industry and to see the kind of attractions that offer low-cost entertainment. (more…)

Kennebunkport! The name in itself is a tongue twister, try arranging travel to this quaint little port town, which is a few miles south of Maine’s largest and probably it’s most popular city Portland.

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Disneyland is not the only theme park in Southern California. Knott’s Berry Farm, located about ten minutes away in Buena Park, calls itself America’s first theme park. Founded in the 1920s as a roadside berry stand, the operation has evolved into a 20-acre park with more than 165 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, and shops — in six themed areas.

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Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, The Gateway is a multi-use entertainment and shopping complex that combines the historic with the modern. Included are dozens of shops, restaurants, a residential tower, a 12-theater cinema complex, an IMAX theater, the Clark Planetarium, and the former Union Pacific Train Depot, which now may be rented for weddings, parties, and other private functions.

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Madison, Wisconsin conjures up different images for different people. Those who remember the Vietnam War will think of the town as a hippie Mecca with anti war protests and at least one fatal bombing. Current college students routinely mark their calendars and try to make the trek to the annual Halloween Bash on State Street. Sports fans are well aware of the Badger’s ability to dominate in more than one discipline. And outdoor enthusiasts are well versed in the many lakes, parks and nature areas that thrive in this eco-friendly community. Unbelievably, all of these views of Madison, Wisconsin are accurate.

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By the sounds of things, it sounds like Rocky Mountain air is good for you. The citizens of Denver, Colorado have set the model standard for city living, as only 20% of adult population is overweight. That speaks volumes about a quality standard of living that Denver offers to both its residents as well as those who come here on vacation. With the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, people tend to think that there isn’t much going on for city life besides the Great Outdoors. LoDo, aka the Lower Downtown Historic District, proves this notion wrong, as it’s the hippest and most exciting part of town. It’s hard to believe that this 23+ square block area is home to the Colorado Rockies, the Opera Colorado, the Museum of Contemporary Art to name just a few of the attractions. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, it’s easy to see why people want to spend so much time outdoors. There is an abundance of bike paths in addition to park-lined paths running parallel to the banks of the South Platte River. A day trip out of the city leads you to the spectacular Rocky Mountains where limitless outdoor adventures beckon you. There are hundreds of miles of hiking possibilities or test your teamwork skills with a whitewater rafting excursion. Denver, CO is the perfect city to visit if you feel that you are in a fitness rut and looking for some inspiration. Of course, you may end up liking it so much that you consider the ultimate lifestyle change and relocate here!

Honolulu is America’s paradise. Blessed with a temperate climate, miles of beach, and a carefree island lifestyle, the city is a favorite of honeymooners, families, and anyone looking for a island flair with American customs. The city is also a vibrant business center and home to a plethora of shopping and restaurants. Among the best of the things to see and do in Honolulu are:

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Whatever your interests, there’s probably something to amuse you in a diverse town like Salt Lake City. Here are just a few of the key attractions the capital of Utah has to offer:

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