Make 2012 the Year You See London

The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, ...

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It’s been your dream for years: board a plane, cross the pond, and explore one of the most historic cities in the world, the land of Shakespeare and Jane Austen, tea and Cadbury, royalty and raucous pub crawls. London is the dream destination of many, and it’s about time you made it come true.

2012 will be a landmark year for England: its grand capital will be hosting the world for the Olympic and Paralympic games, and it should host you too. While most of the world will see London via their televisions in’12, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with Brits and Anglophiles alike, making memories in the heart of the action.

  • The Olympics are a clear London experience draw. The city and its surrounds will be filled with excitement while it’s the center of worldwide attention. Plan to come and experience the events, tour the venues, stock up on souvenirs, and route for your home team.
  • Even if you don’t make it to the Olympic events themselves, the British Museum houses a fascinating collection of ancient Olympic relics and exhibits so you can still experience the games in London.
  • Even though London will be the focus, venture past its environs with visits to historic cities like Bath, Windsor, and Winchester. If you’re a Jane Austen fan you won’t want to miss Bath or Winchester, and who could resist exploring the city home to a famous royal residence?

London and its surrounding cities, towns, and villages are filled with beautiful places, interesting places, historic places, and exciting places. Why not make 2012 your year of London?

Top Cities to Excite the Foodie’s Palate

wolfgang puck, barneys window

Image by bondidwhat via Flickr

Being a foodie isn’t just about analyzing dishes from famous chefs. It’s about finding the flavors that excite your mouth.

It could be truffles dipped in white chocolate or a great hamburger. While you can find great food in almost every city, some have made a name as places where foodies like to gather, and well, eat.

New York

Home of power lunches and the most restaurants in the U.S., you’re sure to find something to enjoy when you dine in the Big Apple. For a taste of Bobby Flay’s style, visit Mesa Grill or Bar Americain. If you prefer fine dining, plan a meal at Daniel, the creation of Daniel Boulud. To try Mario Batali’s dishes, head to Lupa Osteria Romana.

Barcelona

As the culinary capital of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is one foodie destination you’ll want to visit. Here, dining is not a quick meal on the run. Restaurants serve a heavy lunch from 2 to 4 p.m. The city holds 17 Michelin stars and features menus based on staples like seafood and olive oil. With over 10,000 restaurants, you’ll find a flavor to enjoy.

Chicago

When you’re in the Windy City, you’re sure to smell something good. As culinary experts know, Chicago has made an impact on cuisine. Moto, home of Future Foods, always has something extraordinary on the menu. That box of packing peanuts—it’s your meal (and 100 percent edible). If innovative food doesn’t excite you, try one of the other great restaurants around, including the following delicious stops:

• Wing Yee (Chinese)
The Berghoff (German)
Gene & Georgetti’s (Italian)

Rome

You can’t find a better destination to enjoy Italian food than in the city of its birth. Home to many of the world’s most beautiful and historical sites, Rome is also the origination point of many classic dishes. Other local flavors include truffles, pesto, olive oil, lentils, and pasta. The moment you eat the gnocchi, you’ll know you’ve found the Eternal City.

San Francisco

In San Francisco, you may just find the perfect pairing of food and wine. With award-winning wineries, incredible views, and local and organic foods, San Francisco continues to claim a spot as a top destination for food lovers. Top restaurants in the city include:

The Restaurant at Meadowood,
The French Laundry,
Quince,
Masa’s, and
Fleur de Lys.

Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Strip brings much more to Sin City than replicas of the Eiffel Tower, The Empire State Building, and the great pyramids. Tucked inside each casino, you’ll find world-class restaurants from some of the most famous names in cooking. Plus, you’ll find a variety of menus from American to Chinese to Italian. Plan to visit Picasso at the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay’s Aureole, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar and Grille, or Craftsteak at MGM.

No matter where you are in the world, there is food to tempt and delight- and many airfare discounts you can use CheapOair for cheap airfaires and many other sites as well.

On another note, tons of people enjoy food so much that they pursue a career in the culinary arts. Others enjoy it just by experiencing it. You can let your nose and mouth lead the way, but it never hurts to start in one of these foodie favorites.

Family Holidays in Malaga – Escaping the beach

Calle Larios, Málaga, Spain
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This is a guest post by Chris with Travel By Here.

Besides the pristine white beaches and fun water activities, Malaga offers much more and if you want to escape the beach resort and do something different there are plenty of things on the menu.

There are activities for both parents and children to enjoy throughout the area which will keep everyone entertained as well as providing the family with some memorable moments.

Read more about things to do in Malaga and make your vacation more than a beach holiday.

Theme Parks

Just outside of Malaga in Benalmadena, there is the popular Tivoli World which provides children with an exciting day out. There are rides for different ages; from adrenaline busters for teenagers to go-karts and teacups for younger children. Alongside this there are family shows to keep everyone entertained; a selection of these are Wild Western shows and Andalusian Flamenco dance performances.

For further entertainment there is also an open-air theatre which boasts performances of live ballet, music and children’s shows.  For something more relaxing, you can enjoy Tivoli World’s parks and relax for hours amongst the foliage and flowers.

There are plenty if buses that run from Malaga to Benalmadena so travelling there isn’t difficult but car hire in Malaga is also an option as you can travel to the theme park with your family at a convenient time.

Malaga Bike Tours

A great way to see the city, and keep your children entertained is on a bike tour around the Costa del Sol. This way of travelling allows you to manoeuvre down tiny alleyways and pedestrian walkways in order to observe some of the best sights in the city.

You can also visit some of the beautiful parks and observe the exotics blooms as well as cycling along seaside walkways in order to enjoy the expansive views. Whilst this will be a cultural experience for adults due to the experienced tour guide who accompanies you, the children will also have the fun cycling along the different terrain.

Unique Tours

A great way to enjoy the sights and monuments within Malaga is on the Segway Malaga Tours. This is an excellent activity for children who may never have travelled on this transport before.

Parents can so enjoy these vehicles as well as soaking in the sights and monuments around Malaga; this tour visits some of the popular places such as the Picasso Museum, Alazaba de Malaga and traditional tapas bars. You can find this unique experience at 12 Pena Street or alternatively you can book beforehand in order to reserve a large family.

Golfing

For a great sporting activity for all ages, there is the Santana Golf and Country Club within Malaga. The course is immaculate and perfect for playing on; you also do not need a buggy as the green offers you a lovely walk surrounded by nature.

It is great value for money for a daytrip with the family as it provides activities which keep all ages entertained. There is also a restaurant for the family to enjoy at the end of the day.

Alongside the beaches within Malaga, there are also a range of exciting and entertaining activities for all the family. You can go on tours with a twist in order to keep your children entertained as well as take them for sporting and adrenaline trips out.

Alongside the activities above, there are many others available; you may wish to research beforehand in order to give yourself a backup plan in case your children become restless on the beach.