Summer vacation in Anchorage, Alaska? It may not be your first choice, but for spectacular scenery, the area around this city can’t be beat.
View Larger Map
Located in southern Alaska, Anchorage is also that state’s largest city. Bordered by the majestic Chugach Mountains to the east and the wild beauty of the Turnagain Arm Fjord to the south, Anchorage has its fair share of photo opportunities, and then some. Like many northern cities, the growing season here is short – only 100 days. In the summer, daylight can seemingly last forever, while darkness prevails in the winter.
Its climate is subarctic, but modified by warming ocean currents. Summers tend to be cool but pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 26 degrees. The winters, however, are different story. Anchorage sees 180 centimeters of snow each year, and temperatures can plunge down to 15 below – and that’s just on average.
This harsh and strange climate has produced a unique set of attractions for tourists. Of course, the most famous is the Iditarod. This sled dog race starts every first Saturday in March and covers over 1,700 kilometers until its finish in Nome, Alaska. Photographers might want to pack their camera bags and head to nearby Kenai Fjords National Park. Located on the Kenai Peninsula, it is a 149-kilometer trek to some of the most breathtaking ocean views on the planet. The Chugach National Forest, which boasts mountains, wildlife, and still more amazing scenery, is also within a two- to three-hour drive.
Anchorage has many things to offer visitors looking for a unique experience and unparalleled natural beauty.
Whether it is surfers or shoppers, the southern California city of San Diego attracts thousands of guests every year. But these visitors are often so dazzled by the area’s ideal beaches (bordering the usually tranquil Pacific Ocean) that they fail to realize some of the other treasures this town has to offer.
View Larger Map
For example, the interior of San Diego offers excellent opportunities for gourmet travelers to sample various cuisines. Within the space of a few blocks, restaurants offer foodranging from Afghan and Persian to Italian, American, and many more. In fact, San Diego’s Little Italy section is considered to be one of the largest in the United States. And speaking of tasty treats, chocoholics won’t want to miss the old-style Ghirardelli soda fountain and chocolate shop. Located on 5th Avenue, it offers delicious, gigantic sundaes drenched in lush chocolate sauce.
One of the area’s most scenic drives can be taken (for free!) along the coast of the nearby enclave of La Jolla. Here, the seaside becomes more rugged, and the coast becomes a series of dramatic cliffs and peaceful bays. A colony of harbor seals has its home on one of the public beaches. Photos are allowed, but getting too close to the animals is not permitted.
With the exception of a few rainy weeks in January and February, there really isn’t a bad time to visit San Diego. The weather generally stays between 15 and 26 degrees, and, while mornings may be cloudy (courtesy of the fog rolling in off the ocean), the sun almost always shines through.
Very few travelers need reasons to go to Paris. It’s one of the most-visited cities in the world – and one of the most expensive. But it doesn’t have to break the bank any more than a trip to Florida or California. Below are some tips from savvy, budget-minded travel websites that enable you to have your gateau in Paris – and eat it too.
• Skip (Some of) the Major Attractions. Granted, there are things in Paris you really need to see – the Louvre, for example. This museum is surprisingly affordable, but a going on a string of major sightseeing tours will leave your wallet feeling anemic. Some, such as the Eiffel Tower, feature long lines and a city view that leaves visitors disappointed. Instead of taking a Seine River tour, walk along the bank or across one of the beautiful bridges. Go window shopping or while away time people watching in a café – surely, a more Parisian pastime would be hard to discover.
View Larger Map
• Pass on Fancy Restaurants. Paris is the city of food, indisputably. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to have a great meal. In fact, sometimes a truly memorable meal can cost less than one in a fabled restaurant for the simple reason that you’re not paying extra for atmosphere. Instead, notice where locals seem to go and head there as well. (You can scan the menu, which is posted outside the door in most cases, to make sure it is in your price range. Learning basic French is extremely helpful.) If you are feeling adventurous, visit one of the many ethnic neighborhood eateries. Often, you’ll find tasty food at a bargain price.
• Know When to Go. Many budget travel guides recommend traveling on the so-called shoulder seasons, right before the main tourist season hits. This gives you a less-crowded, more-affordable experience combined with reasonably good weather. High tourist season in Paris extends from June to October; low season runs from January to March. Shoulder seasons, then, are November and December in the late fall and April and May in the early spring.
Visiting Paris on a budget is more than possible – it’s enjoyable.
