XcitFun: Travel Destinations

After a whole week of hectic schedules filled with a plethora of activities like preparing an important presentation, attending important meetings, taking your child to school, taking your spouse to shopping, you literally feel the need to have some time exclusively for yourself.

If you have a car, then all you have to do is pick up your car keys, get out of the office or house, put the keys into ignition and drive yourselves to the top 10 scenic drives around the world, for a ride surely energizes you to the core.

1. Western Desert, Egypt:

One of the most wonderful places in the world, the western desert is splayed across the road that takes you from Cairo to Egypt. The desert truly reminds you of the importance of water in our lives. As soon as you think of water, you come across the five most spectacular oases like Kharga, Dhakla, Siwa and so on, across this magnificent desert.

The most beautiful fact of this desert is that it runs along the mother River Nile, a river that has an amazing history and has given birth to one of the greatest civilizations of the world. This scenic drive truly takes you to the heart of the deepest historical events of Egypt and Cairo. You can hitch up a ride and be ready with the tents so that you can spend a peaceful night in this wonderful desert.

2. The Seward Highway:

Though acclaimed as a U.S. highway by the U.S. Transportation department, on the Seward Highway you can witness the dazzling Alaskan beauty all along your ride.

If you constantly look out for different varieties in your whole life, then this highway is the exact picture of your life because it is full of variegated landscapes that involve the breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, the lush green forests with beautiful never-seen-before flora and the enthralling mountain goats, sheep enjoying on the green shrubs.

You can also enjoy the exciting scene of beluga whales running in the waters totally packed with ice along the whole drive. While looking at the amazing flora and fauna you can go for camping on this place and also enjoy fishing.

3. Transfagarasan road, Romania:

If you have the reruns of the Dracula, the vampire movie again and again and you just can’t get over with your obsession towards vampires all thanks to Stephanie Meyer for her sexy, handsome vampire, Edward Cullen from the Twilight Saga, or the utterly attractive vampire, Bill Compton, from the television series “True Blood”, then this road directly leads to the historic land of vampires, Transylvania.

Besides the vampire history, this road is full of lush green forests that accompany with lofty Carpathian Mountains and an exciting castle of Vlad III- the man from whom the character of Dracula was inspired.

4. Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada:

If you are in awe with roads that are so long that you just cannot see its end then the Ice fields parkway is the best driving road for you. The beauty of this road is enhanced by the colossal black mountains that are crowned with the whitest snow, the deep forests with thick growth of flora and amazing fauna like the moose, elks and bears, the bluest of the rivers combined with turquoise waters and the mesmerizing waterfalls.

Though it is impossible to drive on this highway in winter, this road is awesomely smooth in rest of the seasons.

5. Alsace Wine Route, France:

Being a true wine lover, you ought to go on a ride along the Alsace Wine route in France. This route contains a beautiful treasure of most rustic scenic beauties in the form of Rhenan plains, the huge Vosges Mountains, the awesome castles that remind you of the medieval times, the rustic villages with their own amazing cultures and customs, the wonderful rives and much more. You can treasure all these scenic memories in your heart along with the breathtakingly mesmerizing view of the Mont Sainte Odile.

6. The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia:

If you wish to see the unique combination of earth and sea then the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is the best place for you to take a ride on. This trail is not just a huge stretch of road, it is often interrupted with colossal mountains that are snow clad surrounded by the deep thick forests with lush green flora.

As you drive further on, you can also see the majestic whales enjoying the cold waters. Once you start riding on, you suddenly come to an end towards the mighty Atlantic Ocean that truly mesmerizes you to the core.

Along the ride, you can also enjoy the sights of the Margaree Valley and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Once you come on this trail for a drive, make sure that you have time to go on trekking on this beautiful scenic location.

7. Grossglocknerstrasse, Austria:

The highest mountain in the Alpines of Austria, the Grossglockner Mountain is surely a mesmerizing sight for many tourists and visitors alike. However, the original fun involves in riding on the high alpine road that takes you to this lofty mountain in Austria.

The sweet fragrance in the air is truly wonderful that takes you on a dream ride along the beautiful meadows, amazing flora and fauna around and the never-melting glacier the Pasterze. Driving on this road will truly be an experience of a lifetime.

8. The Vermont Route, Newport, Vermont:

Yet another greatest scenic drives is along the Vermont Route. The specialty of this route is that you never have to stop until and unless you want to. That’s right, there are no traffic signals on this route and hence you do not have to dread the stop lights any time.

The route surrounds the Green Mountain National Forest and hence has a beautiful green view. The other good thing about this route is that you can find small inns, antique shops and so on to hang out.

9. Highway 94, New Zealand:

The best scenic drive in New Zealand, this highway takes you to Milford through Fiordland. If you have always believed that the mountains always arise from the lands then this highway proves you wrong. This highway takes you to the high and mighty Mountains that directly appear through the water.

The steep highway road, at a point of time, is so surrounded by lush green thick forests that it typically reminds you of medieval times. While driving on this highway, you come across mesmerizing waterfalls and amazing ferns. Since this highway is surrounded by rain forests, it is best to enquire about the weather before going on the jaunt.

10. Munnar Road, Kerala:

This road leads to one of the best known hill stations in India, Munnar, a town that witnesses the joining of three lofty mountains. While driving of the Munnar road, you are ensnared in the sweet fragrance of the fresh tea leaves from innumerable tea plantations.

Along with tea plantations, this road is surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna. While going further on the road you can also embrace the spicy scents of innumerable Indian spices while looking at the mist covered mountains and hill tops.

Hurry up and visit these beautiful scenic drives before the weather crashes your plans.

See The World Without Putting A Dent In Your Pocket

The year 2009 may already be half-over, but it’s never too late to catch up on your traveling.

How long has it been since you treated yourself to a well-deserved break from work? When was the last time that you spent some quality time with your friends or family in a place where you can get away from it all?

Where did you and your significant other have that romantic getaway? If it’s taking you too long to come up with an answer, then it pretty much means that it has been just that: too long since you had a break.

And you don’t even need to use the tough economic times that the entire world is facing as an excuse not to travel. In fact, the opposite is true. Since lesser people are booking for leisure or even business flights, the airlines are coming up with great deals to attract customers to actually go out and travel [Cheap air travel deals].

You might even be lucky enough to grab a travel package deal at a luxury hotel without having to bust your budget. Read on to find out which places are considered to be the top 10 budget travel destinations for the year 2009.
A Look at the Top 10 Budget-Friendly Backpacker Travel Destinations for 2009

Whether your ideal vacation is lounging by the beach on some exotic, tropical island – or exploring the ruins of a romantic city – there is a travel destination which is suited specifically for you.

Here’s a quick look at the best travel destinations that you can explore and visit:

1. The Lassen Volcanic National Park

Location: California, USA

If you’re looking forward to having a better appreciation for nature, there is no better place to be than the Lassen Volcanic National Park in California [Romantic getaway to California].

Located about 50 miles east of Redding, the park boasts of four types of volcanoes, mud pots, steam vents and painted dunes.

The Lassen Volcanic National Park attracts almost half a million visitors per year – and the vista is such a sight of splendor. With the Cascades range to the north; the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the south; and the Great Basin desert to the east, you will not be lacking for a magnificent background during your stay.

And why did it become a destination for budget-conscious travelers? Basically, you don’t have to spend a fortune booking a hotel because there are 8 campsites, a lot of bed and breakfasts and chain motels which surround the park.

2. Waikiki Beach

Location: Hawaii, USA

BudgetTravel.com dubbed Hawaii as one of the best places to be in the year 2009 – and with good reason. Now that the nation is experiencing an economic downturn, what tour operators are doing is to bundle up the rooms which are not booked into affordable travel packages.

Volcanoes, luaus and the Waikiki Beach in particular are what draw tourists to Hawaii – so learn how to say “Aloha!” the local way when you book a visit to this budget travel destination.
3. Berlin Wall

Location: Berlin, Germany

This capital of Germany has come a long way from its dark, haunted past. Berlin itself is a huge city where a traveler will not be lacking for sights to see and places to visit.

Naturally, you can’t pay this city a visit without stopping by the Berlin Wall, which is a large stretch of intact wall located to the east of the city which has been preserved as a gallery.

For a historical tour, you can even stop by the site of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and there’s a multitude of galleries and parks to choose from.

So what’s in Berlin for the budget-conscious travelers? You can take your pick from one of the many 3-star hotels scattered within the length and breadth of Berlin.

4. Angkor Archaeological Park

Location: Northern Cambodia

Also called the Angkor Wat, this is a famous tourist destination in Southeast Asia. The Angkor Archaeological Park is where you will see the famous Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon Temple and a myriad of other great architectural wonders. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

In terms of affordable accommodations, you can choose from the many newly opened 3-star and 4-star luxury hotels in the area between the airport and Siem Reap. Aside from the Angkor Wat temple itself, you can extend your explorations in Cambodia by taking a boat trip up the Mekong River and soaking in the local culture at Phnom Penh.

5. Belfast

Location: North Ireland

If you’ve never been to an authentic Irish pub before, now is as good a time as any to sample a local brew in one. Belfast is the second city of Ireland next to Dublin which is its capital – and it has been transformed into a hot tourist destination.

You can take the usual tour of the city with the Titanic Boat tour, or stop by the Botanical Gardens, the Ulster Museum, the Belfast Castle and even the Belfast Zoo!

If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to stay, you can take your pick from hostels, mid-range hotels, a backpacker’s haven and a couple of travel lodges.

6. Cartagena

Location: Bolivar, Colombia

This South American destination is one of the most visited cities in the country of Colombia. What serves as a major attraction in the area is the fact that it is facing that Caribbean Sea so you will get to enjoy a beach holiday at its finest – especially in Playa Blanca which is one of the best destinations there.

It goes to say that “you don’t have to bust your budget when visiting Cartagena, either”. The ciudad amurallada is the place to be if you want to know what makes Cartagena unique as a city – but you also have a myriad of colonial houses turned into hostels, as well as budget hotels where you can stay.

7. Cape Town

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Also known as the “Mother City” of South Africa, Cape Town is the most southern city of Africa which offers a variety of great places to visit.

You can visit the Cape Town City Hall which is an exemplary structure of Victorian architecture, have a tour of Robben Island, commune with nature with the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or sample the modern amenities provided at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Swimming, taking a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, exploring the Cape Peninsula and a lot more are the activities that you can indulge in when visiting Cape Town. There are a lot of bed and breakfasts, hotels, hostels, guest houses and backpacker’s accommodations – so there’s something for every budget.

8. Waiheke Island

Location: Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

Situated just 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, the Waiheke Island in New Zea land is an ideal traveler’s getaway [New Zealand travel]. What makes New Zealand famous for travelers from around the world is their wine and olive industry – something that you can sample once you go on a wine-and-olives tour.

There are also plenty of affordable accommodations to choose from, so make sure to check for great deals online or call your travel agent.
9. Puerto Peñasco

Location: Sonora, Mexico

Puerto Peñasco or Rocky Point is a beach city which is located in the northwestern part of Sonora, a state in Mexico. It’s a mere 70 miles south of the border with Arizona – making it a perfect holiday getaway for those who live nearby.

You can get great deals at the Riviera Nayarit and the resorts along Puerto Peñasco which serves as a virtual oasis in the middle of the desert.
10. Waterton Lakes National Park

Location: Southern Alberta, Canada

Yet another national park which serves as a crowd favorite among the tourists and locals alike is the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada [Canada travel].

If you’re looking for somewhere to travel that’s really affordable [Budget travel tips], this is the place to be with its icy-blue lakes, ancient gullies and magnificent glaciers.

So what are you waiting for? Check out your daily planner and schedule a long weekend – or perhaps even a month-long vacation to any of these budget-friendly travel destinations!