America’s top tourist attractions
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment1. Times Square - Manhattan:
Times Square is a famous intersection and a iconic image of New York City
lying at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. The whole area is
highlighted with vibrant animated neon and Led signs to such an extent that it
is now compared to the glamour and illumination of Las Vegas. Some of these
adveritisements at Times Square are so huge that they are popularly known as “jumbotrons.”
Times Square is also very popular for its annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop,
millions of tourists pour ito the city around that time. Being the one of the
busiest intersection and a top tourist destination of America, Times Square is
also seen in several films and T.V. shows all around the world.
2. The Las Vegas Strip - Nevada:
It is popularly said that the glamorous city of Las Vegas never goes to
sleeps with “The Strip” being the main tourist area. Las Vegas strip is apx. 4
miles long and consists of some of the largest mega casino hotels in the world
and each one of them is based on a theme and has been lavishly decorated. The
city is also famous for its marvelous shows, adult entertainment and alcoholic
beverages. It is sometimes difficult to believe how such a glamorous city can be
built in the middle of Nevada’s desert and yet be such a famous tourist
destination of America, drawing millions of tourists each year from all over the
world.
3. National Mall and Memorial Parks - Washington D.C.
Established in 1965, the area within the National Mall & Memorial Parks provide
several opportunities to visitors to commemorate presidential legacies,
celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality and to honor the
courage and sacrifice of war veterans. It consists of following famous icons -
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. Located in the capital of America, National Mall and Memorial
Parks is one of the most visited tourist destination of America.
4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Massachusetts:
This marketplace in Boston is internationally known for its street performances
including Jugglers and clowns, puppeteers and dancers, musicians and much more.
With over 60 street performances, Faneuil Hall Marketplace has performers from
all over the world and has become one of the top tourist attraction of America.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is also famous for its other activities and sources of
entertainment including annual events such as Harborfest and The Holiday
Lighting Ceremony along with community events and fun fairs.
5. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom - Florida.:
Disney is a city in its own with millions of tourists that come here each
year to see mickey mouse and various other Disney characters. The Magic Kingdom
is a part of the Walt Disney World Resort and was the first theme park here. The
main attractions of this theme park are Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Galaxy
Palace Theater, Disney Dreams Come true Parade and Dream Along with Mickey show.
There are several tours also to add more fun to your trip, some of the popular
ones are Steam Trains Tour, Disney’s Family Magic Tour, Mickey’s Magical
Milestones Tour and several more. Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a must visit
destination of America and is a world of fantasy, adventure and wonder.
6. Disneyland Park - Anaheim, California:
Located in Anaheim, CA. Disneyland is truely a dream land not only for children
but also for adults. Being one of the top tourist destinations of America, it
has welcomed more than 500 million guests ever since it opened in 1955. The park
features eight themed lands with over 50 shops, 65 popular rides, 35 restaurants
along with live entertainment and mesmerizing night fireworks and Disney shows.
7. Fisherman’s Wharf - San Francisco, California:
Well Known for its historic Waterfront, beautiful bay views, delicious seafood
and unique shopping area, Fisherman’s wharf is a famous tourist destination of
America that is also popular all over the world. Some of the most popular
attractions of Fisherman’s Warf are - Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not
Musuem, PIER 39, Ghirardelli Square, Aquarium of the Bay and much more. It is
also popular for its street shows and performances, open shopping area, road
side seafood along with authentic restaurants.
8. Niagara Falls - New York:
lying at the border of Ontario (Canada) and New York (U.S.), Niagara Falls is a
must see destination of America. Niagara Falls mainly consist of two sections,
the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the U.S.
side. One has to see to believe the majestic beauty and humbling power of these
falls. Its beauty has been a source of inspiration for several writers and
artists. Over the years countless number of people have come here to get over
powered by its sparkling views.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Tennessee/North Carolina:
The park lies at the border of Tennessee-North Carolina. The Great Smoky
Mountains National Park is home to over 3000 plant species along with several
endangered animal species and is the most visited national park of United States
of America drawing more than 8 million of tourists each year. It is recognized
all around the world as a International Biosphere Reserve and is a World
Heritage Site.
10. Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.:
Situated near Chicago’s downtown area, Navy Pier is a large pier on Lake
Michigan that has always been a popular tourist destination ever since it was
opened in 1916. It was initially a military training site along with being a
shipping and recreational hub. Today Navy Pier is one of the top visited
destinations of America amongst tourists and has a unique collection of
restaurants and recreational facilities.
Rainbow Beaches Around The World
Posted July 14, 2009 , add a commentBeaches not only come in all shapes, sizes, and textures, they come in a virtual rainbow of colors. Most beach fans know that sand color can range from pale cream to golden to caramel, but few realize that in select places around the world, sands can be red, brown, pink, orange, gold, purple, green, and even black! Continue reading 'Rainbow Beaches Around The World'
10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the US
Posted , add a commentDo you have several thousand dollars lying around to spend on an extravagant night of pampering? Me neither. But someone in the United States is enjoying the life of luxury.
Here’s where they’re doing it…
10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the US
Enjoy everything from camping to beachfront property at the nation’s top luxury hotels. Continue reading '10 Most Luxurious Hotels in...'
Anne’s Beach, Islamorada, Florida Keys
Posted , add a commentby Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels
At Anne’s Beach in Islamorada in the Florida Keys, it is possible to grab a patch of soft sand on the postage stamp beaches that jut from beneath the mangroves and loll the day away. However, its real beauty can only be experienced upon entering the water. Tidal flats stretch for nearly half a mile beyond the tiny scalloped beaches, covered by just inches of water. The major activity here is not sunbathing, sunning, or boating; people come here to wade.
One visitor exercises by striding through the shallow tidal flats for miles
I stepped into this giant bathtub (because of the shallow depth, the water temperature is always extremely warm) and sank into sand so soft it felt like mud or silt squishing through my toes. Some visitors turned their dogs loose to romp in the water. Others beach-goers strode purposely through the shallows, aiming for a workout. I wandered aimlessly, head down, peering beneath the water to discover its mysteries.
A quarter mile from shore, the water is not even calf high
At first glance, this shallow bay seemed devoid of underwater activity. But looking more closely I realized that life was everywhere. Transparent minnows darted back and forth between the sparkling ripples in the turquoise water. Where sea grass covered the bottom, soft shell crabs scampered sideways, then suddenly stopped and disappeared, perfectly camouflaged by the surrounding sand. Hermit crabs tentatively ventured out of their borrowed homes and clawed their way across the bottom. When I touched their shell or disturbed the water they instantly ducked back inside and sank to the bottom, becoming just another discarded snail shell.
Look closely - the bottom is covered with critters like this hermit crab
In addition to two small parking areas (one with restrooms) connected by a boardwalk, several little covered decks have been built beneath the trees lining the boardwalk; these are perfect for picnics and most have steps leading down to the beach. Anne’s Beach is not for everyday sunning and swimming, but it is an intriguing beach that every visitor to the Keys should experience at least once.
Located at mile marker 73, just off the Overseas Highway on Lower Matecumbe Key in the town of Islamorada, Anne’s Beach is open each day from sunrise to sunset.
Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel
Xcellimark Launches OrlandoTravelHotels.com in Partnership with WCT, a Division of Travelocity Partner Network
Posted , add a comment) Orlando, FL July 1, 2009 — OrlandoTravelHotels.com is a new destination travel site launched by Xcellimark in partnership with WCT, a division of Travelocity Partner Network. OrlandoTravelHotels.com provides everything visitors need to plan their vacation or travel to the Central Florida Orlando area such as information on hotel accommodations, favorite restaurants, local insight into events, local activities, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, theme parks, beaches, spas, recreation, transportation, parks, museums and science centers, water parks, tours and sightseeing.
“Xcellimark designed OrlandoTravelHotels.com with the unique needs of the travel consumer in mind. Visitors can book a room online using an intuitive hotel search widget to help them select the best hotel option based on price, rating, proximity to landmarks and more. There is also the option to search by type of hotel such as Family Friendly, Luxury, Disney, Universal, Orlando Airport, and Downtown Orlando hotels. For price conscious travelers, Hot Deals and Last Minute Deals in Orlando are available and updated continuously to help travelers save even more on their travel plans or vacation packages,” said Scott Lambert, President of Xcellimark. “Visitors can also purchase tickets to local attractions without ever leaving the site. This makes for a convenient and personalized vacation planning experience.”
Once visitors secure their flight to Orlando and hotel in Orlando, they can look around at the comprehensive information listed on the site to plan the rest of their trip. OrlandoTravelHotels.com provides everything travel consumers need to know about hotels, Orlando car rental companies and local area attractions with complete contact information including an address, telephone number, and map to make getting around Orlando as convenient and easy as possible.
“When travel consumers book their Orlando vacation packages online, they want a comprehensive travel website that has everything they need in one location. From the beginning, Xcellimark set out to create a travel website that would be a one stop destination website for anyone looking to travel to Orlando Florida. From the ‘Best of Orlando’ lists that feature highly recommended, top rated restaurants, luxurious spas, popular attractions, thrilling entertainment, and more, to being able to purchase tickets to theme parks online, OrlandoTravelHotels.com offers every feature travelers desire,” said Nancy Lambert Vice President of Xcellimark.
In addition to providing travel and vacation planners with everything they need to plan a trip to Orlando on one convenient website, OrlandoTravelHotels.com is also backed by a 110% Best Rate Guarantee from WCT. What this means for vacation planners is that if they find a lower rate on another website for the same room, at the same hotel, on the same dates, within 24 hours of booking, a price match is guaranteed, plus the traveler gets paid 10% of the difference in price.
About Xcellimark
Xcellimark is an award-winning Internet Marketing firm based in Orlando, Florida with clients throughout the US, Canada, UK, and Barbados. Xcellimark specializes in providing clients with exclusive, qualified sales leads using a skilled online conversion process that includes design, search engine marketing strategies and copywriting. Through their unique approach to internet marketing, Xcellimark has significantly increased their client’s qualified sales inquiries. For more information on how Xcellimark can help you improve your bottom line, contact Scott Lambert or visit www.xcellimark.com