Dive Sites of Saipan and Tinian

Saipan & Tinian offer a wide variety of great dives. Listed below are the sites that are most commonly visited by divers, but its a big ocean out there and there's always new places to be explored.

(B) Boat dive (S) Shore dive

EAGLE RAY CITY (B)- Eagle Ray City is one of the most unique dives in Saipan. Rising out of the sand at a depth 30 feet is a rocky formation that on a good day will have up to 40 Eagle Rays hanging out. While divers hold on to the rock Eagle Rays glide overhead.

ICE CREAM (B)- A seamount located on the west side of Saipan that is home to eels and octopus. It is not uncommen for a couple of Eagle Rays to visit the site. This is a shallow dive with the base of the seamount at 50 feet and the top at 18 feet.

LAU LAU BEACH (S) - With an easy beach entry and one of the largest and oldest reefs on the island, this is one of the most frequently visited sites. Lau Lau has an array of Wrasses, Butterfly Fish, Surgeons, Big Eye Skad, Snappers, and more. For the diver that likes to go slow, you will also have frequent encounters with nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and octopus. This is an ideal dive site for beginners or people interested in smaller, more colorful animals.

DIMPLE (B)- This is a seamount on the Western side of Saipan. Entering the water you will see a large school of Red Snappers in the distance, towards the base you will find hundreds butterfly fish. Eagle Rays, eels, and Surgeons are also seen often. Depth on this dive ranges from 40 feet to 130 feet making it suitable for all skill levels.

NAFTAN (B)- One of the best wall dives in the CNMI, with amazing visibility and fish live, located on the southern tip of the island. The top of the wall starts at 45 feet and goes down to over 130 feet. On the top portion, there are some great coral formations that are home to huge clams among other things. As one starts to descend on the wall, you will find magnificent fan coral and colorful animal life. Since this dive is at the edge of the abyss there is always the possibility of running into the larger fish like Napoleon Wrasses and Sharks.

CHINSEN MARU (B)- Chinsen Maru is a large Japanese freighter that sits at 30 foot of depth in the lagoon. The ship has been in the water for over 50 years, allowing for some significant coral growth as well as becoming a home to thousands of fish. There are monstrous Red Snappers as well as Big Eye Emperors patrolling the wreck while huge schools of Goat Fish sit on top. The wreck is probably the best place on island to find Stonefish, several Stonefish call Chinsen home. To top it off a resident White Tip rests underneath the wreck.

BANZAI CLIFF (B)- A beautiful wall located on the North side of the island. There is only a brief time during the year when conditions are suitable for diving, but it is well worth the wait if you like the big blue dives. Large pelagic fish such as sharks, rays, huge tuna, and dolphins are often seen. There are also amazing anemones and coral formations. This is an advanced dive due to the depths and currents.

WING BEACH (B/S)- A fantastic dive that can be done from the beach or a boat. Wing Beach is located on the northwest part of the island. There are some great geographical features here, such as large crevasses and breathtaking drop-offs. This site is well known for shark encounters and Spanish Dancers at night. A drift dive from a boat is the best way to do this dive.

SPOT LIGHT (B)- This dive site is very close to Banzai and as with Banzai only accessible during a brief time period. This cavern dive is named Spot Light, because when the sun shine through a hole in the top of the cavern, it is like a spotlight shining on a stage. There is always the possibility of seeing large fish and animals such as turtles and sharks. The cavern has some of the largest lionfish you've ever seen.

GROTTO (S)- Considered by many as one of the best cavern dives in the world , this Must Do dive site in Saipan is sure to amaze you. After a giant stride into the water from a rock in the cavern, divers can take three different exit holes out to open ocean. Once outside, there are beautiful walls, swim-throughs, and caves to explore. Turtles and Clown Triggerfish are some of the many types of sea life to be seen at this magnificent dive site. Several resident White Tip Sharks lounge on the bottem during the day.

OBYAN BEACH (B/S)- Located near Naftan Point, this site has some of the best visibility on the island. On a good day, there will be 150 + feet of visibility. After entering through the first reef, there is a beautiful patch reef with hundreds of small fish and some interesting animals to see. The second reef starts at about 50 feet where one finds Barracuda, sharks, and garden eels. This dive site is ideal for all skill levels, especially people interested in photography.

Travel to Hawaii - Experiences

The Hawaii Islands are situated in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,300 miles (3,700 km) from the mainland, at 21°18′41″N, 157°47′47″W. In the 19th century, Hawaiʻi was also known as the Sandwich Islands.

Summer is here and there is no place on earth like Hawaii. The six unique islands offer distinct experiences that will entice any traveler.

Some of the experiences are:

Polynesian Center (A must see)
Hawaii's Polynesian Cultural Center, located about one hour's scenic drive from Waikiki, is the top paid Hawaiian attraction for a reason. The seven native villages give visitors the rare chance to participate in the daily adventures of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures. Along with Hawaii's most authentic luau and the world's largest Polynesian night show every trip to Hawaii must include a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

International market
The International Market Place has been an island tradition for years upon years.
With over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands, this open-air setting in the heart of Waikiki remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souvenir.

Beaches
The summer [July-August] has the best water condition for swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing and scuba diving.
Beware that some beaches have seasonal high surf in summer.

Weather
Nice and hot, but sometimes has a cool breeze.

Snorkeling
Hawaii offers some of the best snorkeling in the world. Most companies provide all the snorkeling equipment you will need. The best time to go snorkeling or diving is early in the day. Most companies provide free hotel pickup. One of the most popular water sports activities and tour companies on Oahu is Hawaiian Isle Adventures.

Top 5 Resorts in Los Cabos, Mexico

At the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, the once-sleepy towns of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas have evolved into vacation playgrounds. This striking landscape attracts fishing enthusiasts, golfers, and anyone looking for sun and fun in an area that’s always warm.

At the luxury end of the scale, the Los Cabos region has several world-class resorts that are fixtures on annual best-of lists. Here are the five top resorts where you can’t go wrong, according to the upscale review site Luxury Latin America.

One and Only Palmilla
This resort sits on 250 acres of a 900–acre community, which includes private residences and a 27–hole Jack Nicklaus golf course. Its ten categories of luxury accommodations range from large oceanfront superior rooms to 12 beachfront one–bedroom luxury suites at 1,400 square feet. The beach here is swimmable, which is not always a given on this rocky coast.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso
Las Ventanas set the tone for a new standard for Los Cabos when in opened in the nineties. With international billionaires and tabloid celebrities guests among its guests, privacy and specialized service is ingrained into the culture of the staff. With a Robert Trent Jones golf course, a highly acclaimed spa, and a bevy of butlers at the ready, this resort is still hard to top.

The Hotel at Esperanza
With only 50 casitas and six luxury suites, this boutique resort is laid out like a private Mexican village. Spread across 17 lushly landscaped acres, the oceanfront hotel is perched on the bluffs of Punta Ballena (Whale Point) above two secluded coves on the Sea of Cortez, creating a natural barrier exclusive to registered guests. Accommodations range from 925 to 4,700 square feet, all facing the sea.

Marquis Los Cabos
With a 15,000-square-foot spa, stunning infinity pool complex, and rooms with great views, this is a great spot for taking in the dramatic scenery of Los Cabos. It is also the most Mexican-feeling resort around, with all interior design and décor items sourced locally. Public spaces are filled with an extensive art collection featuring 400 commissioned oil paintings and bronze sculptures featuring many notable Latin American artists.

Hilton Los Cabos
Under the same ownership as the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, this above-average chain hotel is coming off a major renovation, to the tune of $15,000 per room. Rooms range from large to larger and are now equipped with plenty of goodies like flat-screen TVs and marble baths with separate showers and whirlpool tubs. Stunning views are a given from most areas of the hotel and the draped lounge beds and draped palapas by the pool and swimming beach add more drama.

Fantastic Worldwide Destinations for Your Next Vacation

Have you ever thought of traveling around the world visiting different cities, touring the great attractions of the world such as the British Museum on London, the Puerta del Sol of Madrid, the Colosseum in Rome, the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, not to mention all the sites for you to see in Hong Kong, Sydney, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. You could easily spend a year traveling through just the cities listed here. Here are some of the highlights you won’t want to miss in some of these great cities.

Rome – There are enough sites and museums in Rome to take you weeks or even months. You won’t want to miss St. Peter’s Basilica, the beautiful fountains scattered throughout Rome, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel and the Piazza, just to mention a few.

After you see all those, there is still the Domus Aurea (the Golden House of Nero), the Roman Forum, and the Vatican. The Villa Borghese is for those who love nature and beautiful gardens. It is 148 acres of greenery with exotic birds, aviaries, museums and more.

London – When you are finished touring Rome, a trip to London is a great place to enjoy spectacular gardens and palaces as well as shows and museums. No visit to London would be complete without seeing Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, or the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

If you are interested in armor, jewelry, and British history in general, you will definitely want to visit the Tower of London. Begun as a fort, turned into a prison, and finally transformed into a sort of museum which houses thousands of pieces of armor, some of the most beautiful jewelry on display anywhere including the 530-carat Star of Africa diamond, and much more.

Madrid – Traveling from London you might stop over in Madrid for a few weeks. Here you can visit the famed Palacio Real which is second only to Versailles. It houses the Royal Library, the armory, and almost 3,000 rooms and 240 balconies. It was home to the royal families of Spain until 1931. Be sure to include the two hour tour in your visit.

Other sites in Madrid that you will not want to miss include the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza which houses art worth over $1 billion, the Basilica de San Francisco El Grande, and Retiro Park.

New York City – No visit to the United States would be complete without visiting New York City. There you will want to see the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Bronx Zoo and much more.

If you are interested in big ships you can tour the air craft carrier Intrepid which has been made into a sea, air and space museum. That is something you really don’t want to miss during your trip to New York City.

There is still Hong Kong, Sydney, Washington DC, Jerusalem, and many more cities to visit during your worldwide tour. So if you ever decide to visit major cities of the world, you can be sure that there is so much to see that you could easily spend a year or more and still not see everything these places have to offer the tourist.

Travel to Hawaii - Experiences

The Hawaii Islands are situated in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,300 miles (3,700 km) from the mainland, at 21°18′41″N, 157°47′47″W. In the 19th century, Hawaiʻi was also known as the Sandwich Islands.

Summer is here and there is no place on earth like Hawaii. The six unique islands offer distinct experiences that will entice any traveler.

Some of the experiences are:

Polynesian Center (A must see)
Hawaii's Polynesian Cultural Center, located about one hour's scenic drive from Waikiki, is the top paid Hawaiian attraction for a reason. The seven native villages give visitors the rare chance to participate in the daily adventures of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures. Along with Hawaii's most authentic luau and the world's largest Polynesian night show every trip to Hawaii must include a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

International market
The International Market Place has been an island tradition for years upon years.
With over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands, this open-air setting in the heart of Waikiki remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souvenir.

Beaches
The summer [July-August] has the best water condition for swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing and scuba diving.
Beware that some beaches have seasonal high surf in summer.

Weather
Nice and hot, but sometimes has a cool breeze.

Snorkeling
Hawaii offers some of the best snorkeling in the world. Most companies provide all the snorkeling equipment you will need. The best time to go snorkeling or diving is early in the day. Most companies provide free hotel pickup. One of the most popular water sports activities and tour companies on Oahu is Hawaiian Isle Adventures.

The American Side of Niagara Falls, An Overlooked Gem

When most people visit Niagara Falls, they often head straight for the Canadian Side of the falls. Just across the Niagara River, in the United States, are some too-often-overlooked attractions and views of these majestic wonders. In the USA, one would be hard-pressed to differentiate Niagara Falls, New York from any other small upstate town. Aside from a small collection of hotels and attractions around the falls, and the towering Seneca Niagara Casino, the American side of the falls has little to distinguish itself as one of the most-visited vacation destinations in the country. It is only until visitors approach almost the brink of the falls themselves where they see that the American side has many wonders to behold.

1. Niagara Falls State Park
The United States’ part of Niagara Falls is in the Niagara Falls State Park (sometimes called "New York State Park" or "Niagara Reservation State Park"). Started in 1885, the park is the oldest state park in the United States. It was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who was one of the initiators and designers of the Niagara Falls State Park – but he is better known for another creation: New York City's Central Park.

The Niagara Falls State Park manages and operates many of the attractions on this side of the falls. The park encompasses all of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Goat Island (and surrounding islands), and about one third of Horseshoe Falls. Although the park itself is open year-round, including the Visitors Center, most of the attractions are seasonal and thus off-season adventures offer less direct activity with the falls.

The Visitors Center features general information about the falls, including a snack bar and gift shop. The large garden outside is maintained seasonally. Also in the Visitors Center is the Festival Theater, a year-round attraction which features the 1999 History Channel movie, "Niagara Falls: A History of the Falls."

While most Niagara Falls visitors will agree that the Canadian side of the falls is superior, with better views of all that great water, a distinct advantage to the American side is – interestingly enough – much closer access to the falls themselves, by actually standing "on top" of them (plus, visitors get a great view of Canada!).

2. Goat Island
Goat Island is the piece of land that separates Bridal Veil Falls from Horseshoe Falls. Accessible by car and part of the Niagara Falls State Park, Goat Island has an interesting location. From here, visitors can see rapids up close, which lead to the American / Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls. It is additionally the location of several of the park’s best attractions. Though the island is big, because of its location and the surrounding hostile waters, it is slowly eroding and will eventually disappear as the three Niagara Falls move upstream over many years. Goat Island is where several of the Niagara Falls State Park attractions are located, including Cave of the Winds. Shuttles take visitors around Goat Island and throughout the park, but there are additionally many walking paths, benches, and scenic vistas on which to stroll around endlessly.

3. Luna Island
Luna Island is the tiny island that separates the Bridal Veil Falls from the American Falls. It is accessible on foot, but no cars are allowed (the island is so small, more than a few cars wouldn’t fit, anyway). The walkway to Luna Island is on Goat Island. The walk to Luna Island is worth it, as it situates you in between two waterfalls, which is an unusual place to be.

4. American Rapids
The rapids approaching the American Falls – visible only on the American side, roar through the middle of the park and around the several small islands before toppling over the brink of the American Falls. The rapids reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. At night, they may be illuminated with bright spotlights for a more unusual view.

5. Terrapin Point
Horseshoe Falls is bordered on the Canadian side by Table Rock Point, and on the American side by Terrapin Point. Here, visi-tors can feel the mist of Horseshoe Falls as they look across the gorge at Canada. More remote than Table Rock Point, Terrapin Point has great views of the Canadian Fallsview resort sections, and the mist here can be just as powerful as Table Rock, if the conditions are right.

6. Cave of the Winds
The curious name of this quintessential attraction is misleading. Cave of the Winds is not a cave, but rather a walkway that leads visitors over to the base of Bridal Veil Falls – the smallest of the three Niagara Falls. The attraction, however, used to be a cave. Named after the Aeolus, Greek God of Wind, it stood behind Bridal Veil Falls and was a popular tourist spot as early as the 1800s. The earliest tourists had to climb down a rope, and eventually a staircase, to reach the cave. However, there were occasionally cave-ins, which killed or injured tourist. It was intentionally destroyed in 1955 because it was in danger of collapsing.

Visitors are given a poncho and special footwear prior to commencing the hour-long adventure. In groups, they are led with a tour guide down an elevator to near the base of Bridal Veil Falls. From there, they walk on a wooden walkway to what has been dubbed the "Hurricane Deck" – the closest accessible point to the falls. It is at this point where visitors get positively soaked, sometimes even more than on Maid of the Mist. Ice makes the attraction largely inaccessible in the winter, and also requires the decks to be completely re-built each year – a process which can take weeks.

7. Observation Tower
Located just beyond the Visitors Center in the Niagara Falls State Park, the Observation Tower is the best place in the United States to view the American and Horseshoe Falls. The tower extends out a little bit from the mainland, but still does not come close to the spectacular views from the Canadian side of the falls. Still, the tower offers a very different point of view than the one most visitors are used to. Also, there is a Maid of the Mist dock at the Observation Tower. When boarding here, the tour encompasses basically the same experience. However, near the dock, there is (when weather permits) a path where visitors can walk up next to the American Falls – kind of like the Cave of the Winds, but free, and you don’t get as wet.

8. Whirlpool State Park
Located on the American side of the Whirlpool Rapids area, the Whirlpool State Park is a hearty adventurer’s place. Here, a crude cement staircase makes a long descent into the Great Gorge, down to nearly the water level of the rapids. For those who don’t wish to make the difficult descent, there is still the perfect place for picnics and play on the upper level, with great views of the whirlpool and rapids.

Britain's Top 10 Picnic Spots

In the hope of a sunny August (fingers crossed, touch wood etc), here’s a list of Britain’s top picnic spots, as recommended by the Waitrose website.

1. Mottisfont Abbey Garden (Near Romsey, Hampshire )



Though Mottisfont’s pride – the National Collection of Old-Fashioned Roses – tends to be at its best in July, this year’s weird weather may have delayed their bloom somewhat. Even if you miss the roses’ prime, you will enjoy the gorgeous gardens and the beautiful house. Perfect for an evening’s Jane Austen re-enactment…

2. Bodiam Castle (Near Robertsbridge, East Sussex)



If you prefer Monty Python to Jane Austen – this castle is for you! It featured in the Python film The Holy Grail and boasts a splendidly well-preserved medieval castle complete with moat, battlements and all the trimmings. “Niiii!”.

3. Fountains Abbey (Fountains Ripon, N. Yorkshire)



A treat for the whole family! Borrow monks’ robes on site and join the “It’s a monk’s life” tour of this World Heritage Site.

4. Stourhead (Near Mere, Wiltshire)



Wander through the renowned landscape garden and enjoy your picnic by the lake with a backdrop of temples and rare trees. If you’re feeling energetic after lunch, climb King Alfred’s Tower and enjoy the magnificent view.

5. Avebury (Near Marlborough, Wiltshire )



This is one of Europe’s most impressive prehistoric stone circles – it even predates Stonehenge! Speculate about what the site was originally used for… and walk where centuries of lovers have walked before you. If you’re feeling didactic, there’s an interactive museum to enjoy.

6. Lyme Park (Near Diesly, Stockport, Chesire)

What girl can forget the scene in Pride and Prejudice (the ‘real’ BBC version) where Colin Firth emerges from the water? Well, Lyme Park is where it was filmed! With 1,400 acres of parkland to choose from, you’re bound to find your perfect picnic spot to play at being Mr Darcy and Lizzie Bennett.

7. Wimpole Home Farm (Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire)

This is one for the animal lovers! The working farm specialises in rare breeds of sheep, goats, cows and horses from the 1700s. The perfect spot for a traditional farmhouse picnic, followed by meetings with Shire horses and lambs. This spot is a favourite with families as there’s plenty to keep kids entertained.

8. Stowe Landscape Gardens (Buckingham, Buckinghamshire)

This is a picnickers dream – with over forty monuments, temples and secret nooks to explore you are guaranteed to find a secluded spot that suits your taste. The banks of the Octagon Lake near Palladian Bridge are a particular favourite.

9. Dinefwr Park & Castle (Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire)

A medieval castle, a park with deer, and bog woods – now that’s what I call picnic perfect! Newton House, dating back to 1660, is open Thursday-Monday throughout the summer.

10. Morden Hall (Morden, Surrey)

This proves that you don’t have to go far from London to feel as though you have! Explore meadow, wetlands, waterways and an exquisite Rose Garden. The latter is in bloom all summer and holds over 2000 plants.

Traveling with Kids - 5 Tips

Are you traveling with kids on a long awaited vacation? In order to make them happy and excited, include them in the planning of your vacation. Don't forget to let them help you pack. They get so excited even if it's one night away.

If you're unsure of where to visit, ask the kids what they really want. Once the destination is chosen, have the kids help plan some of the activities. Amusement parks, water slides, and general activities that entertain the younger crowd are a must. Also include downtime so that both parents and kids can get refreshed.

Driving

If you're driving a long way, make sure to stop every two hours. Kids can't stay in a car that long. Frequent stops will help stretch the body. Plan your trip around parks or swimming areas so that kids can get out and be active.

Another great idea is to leave early in the morning or late at night when the kids are tired and more likely to take a nap. You can also plan your trip around meals. Decide when and where to stop to eat lunch or dinner and leave so that you're in that area during that timeframe. Also, think about traffic. If you have to sit in rush hour traffic, kids get antsy. Make sure you're going through a major city during off hours.

Things to Do

Bring plenty of kid stuff in the car. It doesn't have to be large. When we go somewhere, my girls bring coloring items, craft items, sewing, knitting, dolls, books, etc.

• Sample of Activities to bring:
• Simple craft items are usually a hit
• Activity books
• Whiteboards and markers
• Magnadoodles
• Magnetic board games
• Deck of cards
• Ipods or MP3 players
• Gameboys
• DVD players and movies
• Books on tape
• Scrapbooks to collect mementos - they can create a page while in the car or plane

Games to Play

There are simple games that everyone in the car can participate. Just by looking around as your traveling, your imagination can run wild.

• Alphabetical words - Try finding words in alphabetical order. Someone can try to find a word that starts with A and the next person can find one that starts with B, etc.
• License plates - This is where everyone tries to find a license plate from as many different states as possible. I remember playing this as a kid. It was fun.
• Q - This is an inexpensive game you buy at the store or you can play it with two or more people without the electronic version. This is where someone thinks of something and the other person has to ask questions to help find clues to the answer.
• I Spy - One person can say I spy something green, then the others can try to guess what it is.

Things to Bring

If you're going to a beach, make sure you bring some beach toys: this includes, pails, shovels, little boats, forms to build castles, floats, boogie boards, goggles, snorkel gear. If you're going by car, much of this can be brought with you. If you're flying, you may have to buy it there or bring just a couple of things.

Don't forget to bring things to keep the baby occupied like rattles, squeaky toys, mirrors, things they can chew on, etc.

Once you're there, find something to do right away so the kids feel like the long travel was worth it and they won't be so whiny. Even if it means going to the beach at dusk, an arcade, hotel pool or mini-golf. That way the kids will be more willing to do what you want next.

Relax!

Remember, this is a vacation where you should relax and go with the flow. Try not to set a schedule because then it becomes stressful and not as enjoyable. Don't try to put too much in one day. The kids can't handle it. Make sure you get plenty of sleep and downtime. Kids love staying somewhere else. As long as there is a pool or beach, they're happy.

When the kids are happy, everyone's happy!

Visit The Coliseum In Rome - One Of The Newly-Elected 'Seven Wonders Of The World'

The eternal city of Rome provides the venue for many a romantic weekend or holiday break, offering a memorable mix of activities and sights guaranteed to keep even the hardest-to-please tourist happy! The capital of Italy is home to great designer shopping, a long impressive history and, of course, a gorgeous Mediterranean climate. Furthermore, Rome is currently in the news due to the election of the Coliseum - its iconic ancient stadium - as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The Coliseum is Europe’s sole representative in the new Seven Wonders list, for which 90 million people voted in an online poll. The results, announced during a star-studded ceremony in Lisbon in early July, also revealed the remaining six of the new Seven Wonders of the World to be: the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Taj Mahal in India, Chichén Itzá in Mexico, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Brazil, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The poll has attracted criticism in some quarters, most notably by UNESCO who has its own list of wonders and argues that a popular vote is not the way to determine the world’s wonders.

However, whether or not you agree with the poll results, Rome’s Coliseum is undeniably an impressive ancient wonder. In its heyday it could accommodate 50,000 spectators seated over three tiers, many of which were witnesses to the incredible gladiatorial contests held therein. Opened in 80AD, this marvel of ancient engineering still stands proudly in the centre of modern-day Rome and draws millions of visitors each year. The Coliseum bears witness to the sheer opulence and decadence prevalent at the height of the Roman Empire, and leaves many a visitor awed.

There are other notable sights in Rome from the same age worth a visit, such as the ancient Pantheon with its massive dome - an architectural and engineering marvel. Other sites in Rome from a later age that should be included on a ‘must-see’ list are the Vatican City and the Trevi Fountain. Indeed, if you leave the city without throwing three coins into the fountain, legend dictates that you will never return.

Rome offers a varied range of hotels from cheap and cheerful all the way to top 5-star luxury. Those wishing to visit the Coliseum on a budget but not wanting to sacrifice comfort should consider renting an apartment in Rome, as such an option can offer an affordable alternative to expensive city centre hotels and are certainly more comfortable than budget hotels. You can rent fully-furnished, stylish apartments in Rome for stays of as little as one night.

But, wherever you choose to stay in the world’s eternal city, you must visit the Coliseum: one of the new seven modern wonders of the world.

Summer Vacation - Booking Options For Your Summer Vacation

We continue to see a large number of individuals, couples and families wishing to take the ever popular summer vacation. We also see the same trends, ranging from some people wishing to return to their favorite resort to travelers who wish to try something exciting and new (to them).

Another perhaps obvious trend is the increase in accessing the internet. Again, this varies from searching for more information on a summer vacation destination to using online travel and vacation services to make actual vacation bookings. Certainly, for some types of summer vacation this can be beneficial due to the online discounts that can be available.

So, when it comes to booking a summer vacation, what are the booking options to consider?

I know this is going to sound 'stupid' but before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select the actual summer vacation destination. Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make any bookings. When selecting a summer vacation, however, what are the important factors we need to keep in mind?

Whenever possible, I like to encourage people to think of their summer vacation as starting from the minute they leave their home to the minute they return and, in doing so, consider…

• traveling with children
• the age of the children
• traveling with senior citizens
• traveling with disabled family members
• likes and dislikes
• absolute needs and 'nice to haves'
• total cost of travel
• the 7 out of 10 principle

The 7 out of 10 principle simply means that if we cannot match 100% of our needs to a summer vacation choice, the more 'boxes' we tick, the greater the chance that we can select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs, thus ensuring we can have the best summer vacation possible.

Now, we can think about actual bookings and reservations.

I suppose the one option is to not to book anything at all. Exciting and fun – maybe. Yes, there are parks, motels, hotels, camping sites where it is not always necessary to book in advance. Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, I would always encourage travelers to make their reservations. Highly popular summer vacation destinations fill up fast. Apart from that, whereas it may be fun dealing with the uncertainty when we are on our own or a couple, imagine looking after three young children or elderly family members and not finding a place to stay.

At the other end of the booking option choices, some people prefer to use professional services such as travel agents especially if they are known to cater for certain summer vacation destinations or specialize in catering for certain groups. Others will use them purely from the viewpoint of convenience – make a decision, book the vacation, now let’s get back to work!

The downside of this option is that these services can come at a price. So, for the budget conscious or for those looking for that something a bit different, this may not be the best option to take. If you have time, read some of the other 'summer vacation' articles which may help in deciding the best option for you.

With the availability of information online and the summer vacation booking facilities also available for anything from car hire and flights to bed and breakfast and five star hotels, more people are making their own reservations. For many it is a lot of fun doing the research, finding the best deals and developing their own unique summer vacation.

As mentioned earlier, as long as most of the boxes are ticked, it can then take no more than a few minutes to have the whole vacation from flights to accommodation booked within a few minutes.

Let's have a recap…

With overnight stays, most families may prefer the convenience and services provided by hotels and motels. Others prefer the outdoors staying in parks, camping sites. Although reservations may not be required, booking your preferred accommodation in advance, ensures that you are guaranteed a place to rest your family or set up your tent.

Researching online provides the opportunity to either develop your own unique summer vacation or to book a popular vacation destination at a discounted price. (You may want to weigh up this option against package deals where 'extras' may be included as part of the deal. These 'extras' may only be available to you at a price if organizing the vacation yourself). It’s always worth checking these things first before making a booking commitment.

So, whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel company online, a professional travel agent, or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the necessary and appropriate steps. Please don’t assume that everything will just work out and run the risk of ruining your much deserved summer vacation. Book it!