New Haven is a mid-sized city in Connecticut known primarily as the home of Yale University.  The city has East Coast flavor, but is unique because of its history and its blend of residential and commercial.  New Haven is densely populated for a city of its size.  Its proximity to New York makes it an attractive stopping off point and even the home of many well heeled, commuting professionals who work in the Big Apple.  As with New York, New Haven has recently experienced a huge drop in crime.  It was never much of a problem in the downtown and in University areas, but now most of the city is safe, at least during daytime and evening hours.

Its residential vibe makes New Haven an attractive and comfortable place to visit.  There are numerous neighborhood cafes and eateries.  In fact, New Haven has, arguably, some of the best independently owned pizzerias in the US.  Most of the city’s best are located along Wooster Street.  They include Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana.

The place to be on a weekend night is on Chapel Street or Crown Street in downtown New Haven.  There are plenty of Irish pubs and live music venues.  Delaney’s on Wooster is a good place for a pint, while modern jazz is always on tap at Firehouse12.  Nearby, Toad’s Place is great for those who appreciate quality indie rock and up-and-coming national acts.

Cyclists will find that New Haven is a pedal-friendly city.  Community bike rides between various venues (libraries, cafes, schools) are held almost daily.  Local bike shops offer rentals and can give you the low-down on what is happening when.

Of course, the ivy-covered buildings of Yale University are worth a visit.  But many people forget that New Haven is a seaside town.  The beaches are quite pleasant in summer and picturesque the cooler months.

Philadelphia, despite being the 5th largest city in the US, has never been a huge tourist draw.  It has a lot of history, but usually falls behind Boston in terms of drawing tourists interested in the sites that hearken back to the early days of the nation.  Mostly, outsiders see Philadelphia as a city with hard-luck sports teams and poverty-stricken neighborhoods.  True, these are aspects of Philly.  But…

The Old City is where much of the history that Philly is famous for it located.  Visitors to this area will be able to view Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall.  The district also has a growing artist community and is the center of a vibrant nightlife scene.  Young professionals congregate in Old City’s bars.  Things get especially happening on the weekends.

South Street is a center for Italian food and nightlife.  There is a diverse range of activity here.  Visitors could spend a couple of days simply shopping and eating their way through the area.  At night, there are live music venues, nightclubs and bars.  South Philly is also home to the city’s largest parks and all of the pro sports venues (baseball, football, hockey and basketball) in the city.

Philadelphia has decent public transit in the form of trains and buses.  Driving is not impossible.  During the summer, the city’s tourist board operates a trolley bus called the Phlash that connects the city’s major historical sites.  It only costs $5 for an all day pass.

While Philadelphia has seen improvements over the past few years, it still has one of the worst murder rates in the nation.  Most of these killings are gang-related, but robbery and assault are not unknown.  However, most areas are safe, especially during daylight hours.  Using general precautions such as avoiding side streets at night and staying in well lit areas after dark will probably lead to a safe visit.

While many travelers turn to budget hotels and discounted packages during the troubled economy, some are turning to a new lineup of hotels that offer the luxuries and amenities of condominium living as part of the experience.  The ‘Lifestyle Hotel’ trend is on the rise as more hotel developers and resort managers tap into the growing demand for extended stays and luxury travel that feels ‘just like home.’  From stylish tech-inspired designs to custom family homes, these hotels and resorts are designed to accommodate singles and families for longer than the overnight stay.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has already jumped into the trend with its opening of Element and Aloft, a set of hotels that accommodate for both short and long-term stays. The difference between this set of hotels and its signature line is the fresh, modern and contemporary design and plush amenities .  These sleek and spacious hotel rooms are designed to be functional living spaces with an ‘upscale, residential ambiance.’  Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units are available, and each are equipped with modern kitchens filled with healthy snacks, a spa-inspired bathroom and flatscreen LCD televisions.  These types of hotels are essentially miniature apartments for guests who want to enjoy the comforts of home while on the road.
Business travelers can also take advantage of condominium-style amenities such as heated swimming pools, state of the art fitness centers, and conveniences such as in-room dining and high speed internet access.  Lifestyle hotels are often accompanied by discounted spa and shopping services in the local area, allowing travelers a chance to make the most of the area while enjoying on-site amenities.  Many also extend loyalty programs and frequent visitor incentives that can be redeemed for future stays and qualify for discounts on packages. Lifestyle hotels  cater to all types of guests who want to relax and enjoy a home away from home.

Heading out on traveling venture on your own can be an exciting experience, and may even put your survival and navigation skills to the test.  Traveling alone offers several benefits; you have full control over your itinerary, can manage your own schedule, you can pick and choose only the attractions and sites that you want to experience, and you may even save money on food and accommodations with your ‘single’ status.

Still, traveling alone does require some safety precautions, especially if you’re a single woman who is heading off on a solo trip for the first time.  Here are some essential safety tips and strategies to make sure your trip doesn’t leave you vulnerable to injury or crime:

1.    Pack light and pack smart.  Packing a light load when you’re trekking through busy city streets or going on long tours can prevent you from losing important items on your trip.  Pack a handbag or fanny pack with only the essential items you need for that particular day, and make sure all jewelry, travel documents and money are well-hidden from view.
2.    Eat properly.  The last thing you want to worry about is getting sick or suffering from a bout of fatigue on your trip.  Make sure you eat well-balanced meals, drink plenty of clean water, and even take a multivitamin to ward off disease or digestive problems.  Skip the ‘taste test’ of foreign food if you have a sensitive stomach.
3.    Dress appropriately.  Make sure you’re traveling not only for the weather, but also for the culture.  Some countries require visitors – especially women – to dress in modest clothing or cover their hair in a scarf.  Learn about common cultural practices well beforehand so you don’t break the rules.
4.    Carry your own first aid kit.  You never know when you may need antiseptic wipes, a band aid, or even painkillers during your trip and you don’t want to worry about finding a store in the middle of the night.  Pack a small kit with the essentials to manage small health concerns with ease.
Load up the cell phone with important phone numbers.  Plan ahead and load your cell phone with key contacts in case of an emergency situation.  Include hotel and taxi numbers, the local police department and the local hospital in this list as an extra precaution.

If you’re not ready to plan and book a travel package overseas, it might be easier to turn into a student and join the thousands of travelers who choose to study abroad for a semester. Enrolling in college even on a part-time basis may give you the opportunity to jet off for a semester, and can be a great way to experience a new lifestyle and culture while earning college credit.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad, here are a few essential tips to get you started:

1.    Learn about the local culture.  Get a head start on researching your destination so you know what the local culture might be like, what the most favorable attractions and tourist hotspots are, and even what the political climate is.
2.    Make sure you have your housing in order.  If you’ll be returning to school at the end of a school year, make sure you have your housing or apartment applications in before the deadline.  It’s easy to forget about planning for housing for your return, but you’ll need to keep this in order before you leave the country.
3.    Make a doctor’s appointment.  Make sure you’re in good health for traveling, and get the immunizations and vaccines you need well in advance.  Renew any needed prescriptions and make sure you’re not at risk for any allergies at the new locale.
4.    Do a scholarship search.  If you’re low on funds for your venture, consider applying for scholarships and grants that might be able to support your endeavor. Jump online to do scholarship searches and get your application in as early as possible.
5.    Interact with locals and students online.  There are now dozens of social sites geared toward learning a foreign language online, and this can be an easy way to build up language skills and learn the local lingo.  Set up a profile months before your trip to become comfortable with speaking, reading and writing the new language.

If you like it faster, bigger or just better then the new theme park rides for 2008 will definitely fill your needs.  These are some of the best rides that have ever been designed and they include everything from interactive elements to stomach dropping excitement. 

Silverwood Theme Park in northern Idaho is set to premier the Aftershock in July of 2008.  This is a 191 foot tall steel roller coaster that reaches speeds of 65 miles per hour and G-forces of 4.5.  It is definitely not for the weak at heart (or at stomach).

River Battle may not be the most heart stopping fun around, but this great family ride at Dollywood in Tennessee.  Not only do you get to shoot targets and other people on the ride, but you also have the ability to shoot the people watching the ride along the way!

Hershey Park in Pennsylvania is the top of the heap for vertical drops at present.  Fahrenheit, which premiers in 2008, drops an insane 97 degree drop for 121 feet.  It is high speed, high intensity and definitely one for the experience rollercoaster junkie.

Legoland offers great interactive opportunities for the whole family.  The new Lost Kingdom Adventure is set in the Land of Adventure and is sure to offer a new thrill every time you enter its domain. FireFall is another of ride for thrill seekers everywhere.  It takes riders up to 60 feet and then through 360 vertical arcs that twist, turn and spin through fire and water effects.

Angels and Demons was the second book by Dan Brown (the first was The Da Vinci Code) and a prequel to the first release.  The majority of the story takes place in the amazing structures in, around and even under Rome, Italy.  You could spend a full vacation just following the foot steps of the characters in “Angels and Demons.”

One of the main locations in the book is the Vatican City.  Today the Roman Catholic Church has opened much of the city up to public tour.  The numerous museums are open, free of charge, almost anytime during the year.  The Archives are not open to public tour, but you can tour them virtually through the Vatican City website.

The Tiber Island is a boat-shaped island in the Tiber River that has long been associated with healing.  The main character in the book is thrown by an explosion into the river near the island.  The island was once the home of the temple to Aesculapious (the Greed god of medicine and healing).  The island is small and can be toured in just a few hours.

If you don’t want to feel your way through the book on your own you can try one of the many tours of the sites that are available today.  3 Millennia is a touring company that offers and “Unofficial Angels and Demons Tour.”  It will only last a few hours, but will take you too many of the sites featured in the novel.

Witur offers the La Roma di Bernini and includes many of the sites from “Angels and Demons.”  It includes the II Panteon, Raffaello’s Tomb, Christ by Michelangelo and much more.  This tour is a bit longer and will take around 7 hours.

The Official Angels & Demons Tour - The Path of the Illumination will take you through the novel - the sites, the mysteries and even the hidden symbolism.  This is the most extensive tour that is available for the sites (and secrets) of the Dan Brown novel.  The standard tour package is approximately 4 hours long.

Rome, Italy is an amazing location to visit – full of history and intrigue.  Add to that the focused mystery created by the Dan Brown novel, Angels and Demons and you have the makings of an adventure that you aren’t soon to forget.  Try combining the paid tours with self tours and create the ultimate experience of reading it then seeing it.

Many people avoid traveling because they prefer the comfort and convenience of home. The great thing is that the rise of Bed & Breakfast accommodations means that you can have the warmth and comfort of home almost anywhere you need to travel. There are a wide range of homes that have been opened to your visit and each has unique characteristics and amenities for your enjoyment.

Joshua Tree, located in Joshua Tree California, is located just a few miles from the Joshua Tree National Park. It features a large pool and a courtyard. It was built in the 1940’s in the Hacienda Style and gives you a unique experience when you are visiting the desert.

Red Castle Inn Historic Lodgings is located in Nevada City and offers amazing views of the historic town. The 1860 Gothic Revival mansion has been expertly preserved. The lodgings offer a rustic garden, koi pond and is located within walking distance of many nearby attractions.

Cheyenne Canon Inn is located at the entrance to the Park with the same name. It offers beautiful vies and easy access to the parks many outdoor recreational opportunities. This 10,000 square foot structure was built around 1921 in the Arts and Crafts style and was originally designed to be a casino and bordello.

Florida House Inn is the oldest surviving hotel and has been around since 1857. It is located on Amelia Island in the Fernandina Beach Historic District. One of the great features of this historic site is that it is a pet friendly Bed & Breakfast.

The Victorian Guest House is located in the heart of Amish country and is a great starting point for seeing many of the sites in the region. It is two blocks from Nappanee, Indiana’s town square. The 1887 Queen Anne-style home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and filled with amazing details and craftsmanship.

Great Oak Manor is located on the Chesapeake Bay, Chestertown, Maryland. It was built in 1938 and styled after the 18th century English country retreat. Every morning you will be met with the stunning views of the water and an unforgettable breakfast buffet. While you are visiting you can enjoy the many outdoor activities available in the area of just sit back and do nothing at all.

Bed & Breakfasts make a great alternative for accommodations when you are away from home. Many of the facilities offer the same conveniences of home (with the exception that you don’t have to clean up after yourself) and all create a unique experience for you when you stay.

The Middle East is home to some of the oldest and most religious sites on Earth. The land and the streets where reportedly touched by many of the famous figures in the Christian Bible. Today it is possible to walk many of those same paths and see the bible as more than just a book of stories.

Israel is the main focus of most of the Christian bible. The modern country of Israel still holds many of the historic sites within its borders. No walk through the bible would be complete with out a stay in Israel.

Jerusalem has always been the Holy City for the Israelites and today it still holds much of the same awe for Christians and Jews alike. Hear you will find the Temple Mount is believed to be the spot where the first and second Jewish Temples were located. Many experts believe that the Ark of the Covenant can still be found in that spot today.

The Garden tomb is believed to be the location of the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, just outside the city walls, where Jesus Christ was laid after the crucifixion.

The Western Wall is all that remains of the Temple today. Today it serves as an open-air synagogue where many Jews (and Christians) come to pray.

Recent excavations in Jerusalem have uncovered a pool that many believe to be the Pool of Siloam mentions in the Gospel of John. It is breathtaking to stand near the pool and realize that Jesus Christ performed miracles on that same ground.

Bethlehem is another city that still exists today. With in the modern world, you can find traces of the history that is the foundation of the Christian faith. The fields of Beit Sahour are believed to be the location where the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepards to declare the birth of Jesus. It is also believed to be the area where Ruth gleaned in the fields in order to feed herself and her mother-in-law.

Bethany is the biblical home of Lazarus as well as Mary and Martha. The Tomb of Lazarus can still be visited there today.

The countries and land in the Middle East are full of history. Walking through the paths and hills can be like walking back in time. Many of the most religions sites are located in this region and visiting them can be like walking through scripture.

“Swimming with the fishes” is not something most people long to do – at least not the way the phrase intended. Swimming with the dolphins, however, is something even the most insistent land lubber would admit to dreaming about.

Dolphins are highly socially and friendly creatures for the most part. They have shown to be protective of humans time and again, probably because they have a natural tendency towards protection and compassion. They are wild animals, though. They have teeth and they can bite. These are not creatures to be taken lightly.

Even though they are wild, they are normally docile. And there are many places that offer controlled opportunities to swim with dolphins in amazing situations.

WildQuest is all about experiencing nature with as few limits as possible. It offers week long retreats with wild dolphins that will take your breath away. The waters of the Caribbean are some of the clearest around and there are many islands to visit that are covered with deserted beaches. Through this encounter, you will meet free living Spotted and Bottlenose Dolphins and will have the opportunity to connect with other like minded adventurers like yourself. http://www.wildquest.com/dolphin-swim-programs.html

Dolphin World offers a program sure to meet everyone’s budget and vision. There is a chance to swim with trained dolphins in the salt water lagoon or wild dolphins in the open ocean. You can appreciate sea lions, tropical fish, birds and sting rays - all up close and personal. Custom create the dream experience you have always wanted. http://www.dolphinworld.org/index.htm

For another great opportunity of in the wild contact, you could visit Swim with the Dolphins. They offer an experience that includes great food and amazing sailing along with the dolphin encounters. You will learn as much about yourself as you do about these amazing creatures. http://www.swimwithdolphins.com/index2.htm

Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida has taken the human fascination for the ocean and the life that it holds and created a safe environment (free from predators) to experience the ocean world. The all-inclusive package offers a 30 minutes session with the dolphins, snorkeling in the reef, wading with the rays, and even hand feeding birds. It is the safest way to experience the “wilds” of the ocean. http://www.discoverycove.com/vi_dcpackages_pricing.aspx

Dolphins can offer a wonderful experience for you, but never forget the basic idea that these are wild creatures. Treat them with respect and your time together will be a memory of a lifetime.