Of all the different types of geographical landscapes to explore and enjoy, nothing resonates with me more than spending time at the ocean’s edge. Whenever I travel somewhere with a beach, it’s the first place I seek out.

Few things are more calming and inspiring than the ocean. Days spent at the beach equal a sense of rejuvenation, an abundance of exciting activities, and, often, natural souvenirs in the form of shells, sand, rocks or driftwood. From the rocky shores of the Mediterranean to the crystal-white soft sands of the Caribbean, visiting seaside locales around the world has been a lifelong passion. In addition to offering me unparalleled experiences such as snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving, I have a plethora of natural treasures to show off – sea shells. Shells are widely collected and prided around the world. Some of the best beaches here in the United States are places I visit again and again to bolster my collection.

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Although Alaska is part of the United States, it can seem like an entirely different country due to the extreme weather conditions, stunning natural scenery and remote location. It is an incredibly unique state, home to the country’s tallest peaks as well as some of the most breathtaking views. Many people agree that the best way to see the area is with an Alaska cruise. Not only will a cruise allow passengers to see the major sites around Alaska in one trip, but there is no risk of getting lost in the vast state, or having to spend hours traveling in a car or train to get around. Instead, you get to travel in luxury in a top cruise ship, enjoying the changing scenery from the comfort of your room. Here are some of the best destinations to consider on your Virgin last minute cruise to Alaska.

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View of San Francisco.

Daytona International Speedway (courtesy of Flickr user sqvol)

Are you planning a Florida vacation, but want to take a break from the usual theme parks and tourist crammed attractions? There are some fantastic alternative places and activities that offer a different view of Florida. So book your Orlando holidays with Florida 4 Less and use these suggestions for inspiration:

The Everglades

One of America’s true national treasures, the vibrant Everglades is a stunning natural habitat filled with crocodiles, alligators and turtles. Boat trips take you gliding over the surface of the waters and long grass as you learn more and more about this magical locale teeming with life and adventure.

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Daphne Williams on how to make the most of a Sin City stay without spending a fortune. Vegas offers tons of fun things to do that don’t cost a penny — like all the best Las Vegas shows, from watching the Bellagio fountain shows to checking out the Treasure Island pirate show or the volcano erupting at the Mirage.

Image by Christian Ferrari

Written by Daphne Williams

With the travel season on us and many Americans having to watch every penny they spend, it might seem like a bad time to splurge on a trip to Las Vegas, especially with the siren’s call of slot machines and other gambling games. Trips in the US, specifically Las Vegas, can really be more affordable — especially for those that love and enjoy to play live games rather than staying at home and playing online at sites like partybingo.com

Fly Smart

You can find package travel deals to Las Vegas at incredibly low prices at sites such as Priceline, Travelocity, and Expedia. Since hotels and casinos in Vegas typically make their profits from gambling, they’re willing to offer very low room rates, which can mean some great deals on package trips from travel sites. You’ll typically get the best price if you book more than 30 days in advance and make your reservation on a Tuesday or Wednesday, as flights tend to be cheaper when booked on those days.

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Arches National Park, one of many blissful sites in the US.

For many, a vacation to the United States involves visiting the big cities and seeing traditional touristy sites. So, what to do if you find yourself with cheap airline tickets into a major metropolis and are itching for something a little more intimate and unfamiliar? Hop on a train!

While a train is a great way of crossing large swaths of the country, I’m going to focus on two major cities on the US’s East Coast and where a short train ride outside of them will take you.

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Tatiana Fernandez on stag party destinations in North America.

Las Vegas, an ideal stag party destination.

Written by Tatiana Fernandez

Montreal, Quebec

Located in Quebec, Canada, Montreal is regarded as one of the finest cities in the world for stag parties and it is easy to see why when one walks down Saint Laurent Boulevard or Crescent Street. A high number of beautiful women from all around the world enjoy this stimulating city any time of year. A virtually endless selection of nightclubs and modern, trendy lounges can be found in the heart of the city. Early evenings many stag parties head to Crescent Street’s Jacques Villeneuve’s Restaurant and Lounge or the Newtown Pub. For serious partying, the Time Supper Club is open every night of the week to fill any stag partier’s needs.

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Looking to get away with your family? Consider Nisha Bashir’s suggestions of family-friendly destinations in Europe and the US.

Universal Studios in Orlando. (Image courtesy of gepiblu.)

Written by Nisha Bashir

Trying to keep everyone happy on a family holiday is no mean feat. However, there are many global locations in which you can do just that, although choosing between them can seem a difficult task whether they are holiday parks or somewhere different. Here are a few of the best options when you’re trying to book some time away from home and have people of all ages to look after.

Gatorland in Orlando.

Orlando, Florida, United States

Orlando is home to not one but many of the planet’s premier destinations for family fun. Walt Disney World is of course one of the most exciting places to visit for both kids and adults, but in the case of this amazing location it’s only the beginning. Sea World is another magnificent theme park worth the trip in itself, as are the incredible Universal Studios and Discovery Cove. It may be a cliché, but things really are done on a different scale here, making for an unforgettable experience for everyone from eight to eighty and beyond.

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Lisa Turner on the graffiti scene in New York.

TACK street art in NYC.

Written by Lisa Turner

New York City has many different landscapes.  Because the city is divided into five different sections, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island, the culture among the Big Apple can be quite diversified and so is the overall panorama. Either for personal or political reasons, artists express themselves on the walls of NYC and make this urban environment a real colorful and creative place.

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Janelle Vadnais suggests ways to spend your time in North Carolina’s port city of Wilmington.

© Janelle Vadnais

Written by Janelle Vadnais

Incorporated in 1739, the coastal city of Wilmington, NC provides a wide array of fun activities for people of all ages. If you’re planning on an extended stay in the city, consider hiring a car transport company. In the meantime, the following are just a sampling of some of the activities travelers can enjoy.

1. Go Shopping! There are tons of neat little stores in Wilmington, including a large selection of quaint antique stores to individually owned art galleries, music stores, clothing boutiques and holiday shops.
2. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park Have small children and looking for a way to cool down? Jungle Rapids is a family-friendly amusement park, filled with fun rides, water works and entertainment.
3. Bottega Art & Wine For those with an appreciation for artwork in all forms, Bottega provides a fantastic contemporary art collection.
4. Fidler’s Gallery/Wrigleys Clocks This is an interesting gallery featuring none other than clocks of all shapes and sizes.
5. Walking Tours Some of several walking tours of Wilmington include Culinary Adventures with Food Writer/Chef Liz Biro, Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington, Haunted Cotton Exchange Tour, and the Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington, to name a few.There are tours available by bike as well as by boat.
6. Nature Trails/Hiking Hiking by the coast? Sure, why not? Wilmington offers plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors at the Huge MacRae Nature Trail, the Summer Rest Trail, and the Greenfield Park & Gardens.
7. Kayaking/Canoeing Wilmington, NC is all about getting outside, and what better way to explore the outdoors than in a kayak or a canoe? The following are just a few places that offer this: Cape Fear River Watch, Inc.; Hook, Line & Paddle; Mahanaim Adventures,
8. Cape Fear Expeditions Take a cruise or tour around Wilmington with the Cape Fear Expeditions or the Captain Maffitt River Tourboat. You won’t be disappointed.

Janelle Vadnais is an avid travel enthusiast and blog manager for one of the leading classic car transport companies in the United States, National Transport, LLC. For more information about auto transport rates, you can contact National Transport, LLC at 1.800.665.5022.

Rosie Baldwin reminisces childhood memories and shares her experience of seeing the Niagara Falls.

Written by Rosie Baldwin

Something my Dad once said to me was that he would always be eighteen years old. This has become, I must say, a family trait. I know that I can speak for my entire family when I say that it is unlikely we will ever grow up, and at the age of 20 I certainly find it difficult to believe that in just five or six years I could be working full-time with a husband and thinking about mortgages and pensions and maybe even starting my own family. I am unashamed to admit I am the baby of the family, and will always be my Mum’s little girl. And so it was with a certain sadness that I realised that in my growing up and moving away to University two years ago, I had in fact flown the nest and done something I never thought I would, become a responsible adult (well, to an extent anyway).

Reminiscing my childhood I am flooded with happy memories of feeding ducks and sitting on the back of my mother’s bike and exploring for miles around the Sussex of England I grew up in (my first experiences of travelling!). And so a while ago, my Mum and I made an agreement to put aside a small amount of money every month until we had enough to spend on a trip to Canada. We chose Canada due to it having a special significance to my Mum; when she was just my age she was sent there to visit old family friends in a bid to stop her seeing my Dad, presumably hoping she’d be swept off her feet by a dashing young Canadian. However, the trip had the opposite effect, and it was there that my Mum realised she was in fact in love (this story can only be drawn out of her after a few glasses of Pinot noir).

And so during the Easter break and conveniently around the time of Mother’s day we set off to Ontario, Canada. It was a great setting for us to reminisce and have a break from the busyness of everyday life in one of the beautiful places to stay in Ontario. Over huge meals in the many restaurants of Ontario we talked about everything and anything, and it was such a privilege to spend time travelling and exploring with my own Mum — someone I often worry I take for granted.

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As families, couples and solo travelers opt for some of the most cherished destinations to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, national parks can draw big crowds on the Memorial Day Weekend. Award-winning travel writer and photographer James Kaiser shares five easy ways how you can enjoy the beauty of nature in quiet.

Written by James Kaiser

1. Get an Early Start
Sunrise is a breathtaking experience in any national park. But most park visitors snug in their sleeping bags, or in a comfy lodge, and sleep right through it. Wake up early and you’ll be treated to incredible views without the crowds, even at the most popular viewpoints. And don’t forget to pack your camera. Sunrise bathes the parks in soft, beautiful light—perfect for taking gorgeous landscape photos.

2. Go for a Hike
Sad but true: Most national park visitors never venture farther than 100 yards away from their cars. Of course, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds this statistic is great news. Go for a hike and the crowds will start to thin out immediately. Choose a challenging trail and you’ll really get away from the masses. As a general rule, crowds diminish exponentially for every step you take away from the pavement. And remember: hiking trails often lead to the most spectacular viewpoints.

3. Avoid the Hotspots
Most national parks are famous for a specific spot—Yosemite Valley in Yosemite, Old Faithful in Yellowstone, Mather Point in Grand Canyon. But take Robert Frost’s advice and choose the road less traveled. It really will make all the difference. Follow the herds and you’ll find more herds. Do a little pre-trip research and you’ll discover that some of the most beautiful places in any national park are often some of the least well-known.This is where a good guidebook can really come in handy. Plan your trip ahead of time and you’ll know exactly where to go—and where not to go—as soon as you arrive.

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