10 Most Popular Places to Vacation at the End of the Year

Christmas attractions and year-end best that has been ranked by leading tourist guide Lonely Planet

1. Santa Claus Village, Finland:If not satisfied with the number of Santa Claus at the mall, arose and flew to the Arctic circle in Finland. St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus is a citizen of honor in the village of Santa Claus this. Although located in snowy regions, in the interior of a forest inhabited by deer, but the tourists even more interested to visit this village. Not far from the village there are also amusement park of Santa Park. A bit expensive to visit this place, but you are guaranteed satisfaction.

2. New York, USA:Quite a few films that show the splendor of New York at Christmas time (example: Home Alone 2). Christmas lights everywhere, hopefully there is little snow fell, then you can see the glitter of the biggest Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center that has been installed from the beginning of December, ice-skating around a Christmas tree, then shopping at luxury stores in New York . And at the end of the show there are performances of "The Nutcracker" by New York City Ballet.

3. Bondi Beach, Australia:The opposite of all the cliches of Christmas in the northern part of the world, on this beach you will not find snow or Christmas lights. December 25, this beach will be filled by a backpacker, and crippled by the DJ and band performances. This is the place to wash the eyes.

4. Midnight Mass, the Vatican, Italy:Certainly the center of the Catholic church will celebrate Christmas with a large scale. Vatican City includes the spiritual appeal in general, but its atmosphere is thicker Christmas time again. Fragrant aroma of roasted chestnuts nuts on the streets and the entire town filled with presepi (nativity scene). The places that must be visited: the Court of St.. Peter, Piazza Navona, and the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill. The Vatican is the most interesting places pilgrims. Midnight Christmas Mass at the Basilica of St. Peter, or at noon on December 25, is an unforgettable occasions.

5. Dublin, Ireland:Catholics in Ireland to celebrate Christmas with a sense of humor. The most interesting event is the pool on the morning of December 25, swimming in salt water 12 meters. By Christmas the streets of Dublin is always crowded, there are 12 Day Christmas Markets in Docklands, mime performances, Christmas lights, ice-skating, and its bazaars and perayayaan in Temple Bar. Do not forget also the singing of Christmas (Christmas Carol) in the Cathedral of St.. Patrick.

6. Nuremberg, Germany:Buying Christmas gifts is not always at the mall or the mall, try visiting Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market), in Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg. Here about 180 stalls offering tent toys, knick-knacks, candles, gingerbread, and candy for the visitors. Looking around you can enjoy a bratwurst (sausage typical of Germany) and grape juice mixed with warm or rempahan herbs like cinnamon, cloves, or ginger. After dusk, and all the Christmas lights switched on, this place changed like fairyland. This Christmas the most romantic places to shop.

7. Zurich, Switzerland:Known for its chocolate, mountains, and snow, Switzerland is also suitable for the Christmas holidays, especially in the city of Zurich, because of the many Christmas markets (even inside the train station), and there is also a tour of the city with a Christmas theme. Jug no Christmas trees 'sing' in Werdmuhleplatz, the choir on stage triangles arranged so that similar Christmas tree, complete with shades of green and his flashing lights twinkle..

8. Tokyo, Japan:
Christmas in Tokyo is always sparkling, but not religious. Japanese tradition is more excited to celebrate the New Year than Christmas, but this is how non-Christians try to celebrate Christmas. It must be recognized spirits, with all the lights and decorations amazing. But unfortunately Christmas in Japan is not a holiday, so there is little anti-climactic. Festive Christmas Eve celebration, and celebrations like Valentine, for this opportunity to young couples express love. The tradition of Christmas celebrations in Japan is to cook fried chicken, followed by tart with cream and strawberries.

9. San Juan, Puerto Rico:
The island is small but profound personality. Puerto Rico to celebrate Christmas without snow, with the rhythm of salsa and roast pork. The celebration lasts from the middle of December to alert the Three Kings on January 6. Since mid-December the churches in Puerto Rico featuring Christmas songs at every Mass, and groups of singers Christmas Caroler Christmas aliases also come from house to house to spread the joy. Top of the celebration is on Christmas Eve, at midnight mass. Stop also at City Hall, the Plaza de Armas to see the Christmas decorations and also to the court of the Paseo de la Princesa.

The Spectacular Beauty Of The Wasaga Beach

The Wasaga Beach is situated in Ontario, Canada. It is very popular beach destination and also the longest fresh water beach sites. Every summer huge number of people comes to visit this beautiful beach with breathtaking views. The beach is becoming very famous among the tourist. So let us know about the features that make it the most visited beach attractions.

Being the longest beach in the world it is stretched up to 14 kilometers. It is the best way to relax and spend some enjoyable moments. The beaches are always characterized by the environment that is cool and calm. Therefore people always want to enjoy their vacations at beach.

There are numerous things to be enjoyed here at the Wasaga beach. The very first one is the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park which is a picnic spot for the tourist and the local residents. The lush green land of the park is really fascinating and looks very beautiful. Even the kids can enjoy this place very much. The park also has playground for the children. Most of the tourist enjoys making the sand castles which is very exciting. Sometimes a few beach events are also organized but only during the specific seasons.

The beach is also preferred for swimming for those who enjoy it. Apart from swimming other activities are also enjoyed by the entire tourist. A quiet walk near the beach side is also an enjoyable experience. During the winter seasons skiing and snowshoeing is also done. Also there is a Wasaga Water World where there are lots of water slides and wave pool. It forms the source of entertainment for the people.

The Wasaga beach is known for diving and boating also. Those who cannot swim have the option of boating. Along the beach side you will find good dining options where you can have fun and also enjoy the tasty sea food. Even the drinks are served to quench your thirst during the summers.

The pristine silver sand embracing the turquoise azure water along with the lush green landscapes all together make it a living paradise on earth. This place has ample gifts to offer to each taste and age. You can enthrall yourselves with some of the amazing marine sports or can enjoy the leisurely walk.

Thus the Wasaga beach is definitely the best place to enjoy your vacations. It is the perfect spot to have fun and enjoyment. In all a really fantastic attraction of Canada which is worth seeing. So just trip yourselves and make your journey happening by visiting the most gorgeous beaches of Canada.

Best Beach Vacations for Family at Atlantis Paradise Island

Atlantis Beach Tower 3 Nights from $815

Bahamas offers its visitors a piece of land from heaven: Atlantis Paradise Island. It is located on Paradise Island and offers many attractions to its visitors. You may be lost in the activities they offer. Where you are going to stay is not so hard to decide as it has many options for all budgets. What most families prefer is the Coral Towers, which is central for the city and close to the famous Predator Lagoon.
In which age you are is not so important. Atlantis Paradise Island Resort has a thing for everybody. If you are interested especially in water sports, do not worry because they are in abundance. In Neptune’s Water Toy’s Hut, you can deal with many water sports like water biking, kayaking, snorkelling, pedal boating.
Children will like Atlantis more than everybody. It has two programs; one of which is Aqua Tots program that is designed for 3 aged children. The other one is Discovery Channel Camp arranged for the kids of 4- 12 years old. Discovery Channel Camp lasts long an hour and include lunch and break. Other activities that will attract the attention of children are water slides and marine exhibits. In these activities, you can enjoy with your children. In water slides, children are required to be more than 48 inches tall.
All in all, if you want to keep yourself busy with the activities, you can take a right decision by arranging a vacation with your family to Atlantis.

Fontan Ixtapa Beach Resort : El Palmar Beach

El Palmar Beach

The Fontan Ixtapa Beach Resort is centrally located in Ixtapa on El Palmar Beach. Ixtapa itself is a lively resort town with a host of hotels and a few shops. The Fontan Ixtapa Beach Resort offers an all-inclusive package, like many resorts in the area. The all-inclusive packages include breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the day at any of the Fontan Ixtapa Beach Resort restaurants. The hotel also features two bars and a bevy of snack bars located near the adult pool.

The two swimming pools that grace the Fontan Beach Resort are clean and good sized. One pool is reserved for families, while the other is exclusively an adult pool. Poolside drink service is available during the day at the adult pool. During the busy season, the Fontan Beach Resort can be quite full and space near the pool can be very limited. While some travelers resort to rising early in the morning to reserve a poolside lounge chair, tourists can also head down to the beach to catch some sun.

Rooms in the Fontan Beach Resort are clean and decorated in a colorful style. Most rooms are air-conditioned, feature TV, phone and private bathrooms with showers rather then tubs. Some rooms also have balconies overlooking the ocean, which are available upon request.

Tours from Ixtapa can be booked at the front desk of the Hotel Fontan Ixtapa beach resort. The staff is friendly and extremely helpful and work to accommodate guests in a welcoming manner. Since the Hotel Fontan Ixtapa beach resort is only a fifteen-minute drive from its neighboring city, Zihua, many travelers make a vacation out of visiting both Ixtapa and Zihua. Zihua features a more laid back beach town feel then the busy resort scene of Ixtapa and sampling a little of both worlds can be a nice balance.

Although the Hotel Fontan Ixtapa beach resort does not rent cars, hotel staff will be more then happy to direct guests to good rental car locations. Renting a car can be an excellent way to travel both the beaches and jungle back roads at your own pace. From the Fontan Ixtapa beach resort, tours of fascinating ancient ruins are just a day trip away. Most travel agencies will allow you to book travel packages, which can include a rental car along with airfare and hotel accommodation. Since the Fontan beach resort is an all-inclusive hotel, guests can take advantage of great budget choices by booking their vacations well in advance. Also, the Mexico's busiest season for tourism runs from December to April, prices will be much higher and often times double the prices during the summer and fall. Consult with a travel guide or search online to find some of the best deals for the Fontan beach resort.

Experience a Luxurious Vacation In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta Beach

Once a tiny fishing village, Puerto Vallarta retains the timeless, laid-back feeling of "Old Mexico." The combination of tropical sand and sunshine with old-fashioned Mexican charm is what makes Puerto Vallarta one of Mexico's fastest growing resorts. Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by lush mountains on one side and the exotic 25-mile-long Bay of Banderas on the other. This scenic locale is punctuated with winding, stone-paved streets bordered by old buildings with red-tile roofs. You can horseback ride along mountain trails in Puerto Vallarta or walk to a scenic tropical waterfall.

PUERTO VALLARTA RESORTS

* Four Seasons Punta Mita
* Quinta Real Puerto Vallarta
* Las Alamandas * Casa Las Brisas
* Majahuitas
* Paradise Village Resort & Spa
* Westin Puerto Vallarta
* Grand Velas All Suite & Spa Resort
* Marriott Casa Magna Puerto Vallarta
* La Jolla De Mismaloya
* Grand & Club Marival Resort
* Premier Hotel & Spa
* Melia Puerto Vallarta
* Grand Nuevo Vallarta

PUERTO VALLARTA ACTIVITIES

Marieta Islands Cruise: For excellent diving and snorkeling, take a boat ride out to these islands, where you'll encounter many beautiful fish and giant mantas. Surfers also love the islands for the constant waves.

Los Arcos Cruise: Hop aboard for a breakfast cruise to this popular national marine park, the perfect place for a fun day at the beach with exciting extras like horseback riding along the surf, snorkeling, open bar upon return, and more!

Spanish Galleon Dinner Cruise: Have a fun night with historic ambiance on a Spanish Galleon replica. There's folkloric entertainment, lots of great food, an open bar, and of course a fantastic sunset view.

City Tour: Get to know the city with a guided visit to all the main sights including Guadalupe Church, City Hall, The Malecón (Boardwalk), Rio Cuale, and many others. Tours starts with a convenient pick-up from your hotel.

Jungle Tour: Take an excursion through the jungle teeming with wildlife and exotic plants and flowers. You'll have stops at fishing villages and a beautiful beach for 2 hours of playing in the surf.

Tequila Plantation Tour: Climb aboard an air-conditioned coach for a tour through the lava fields, pyramids of Nahuatl, a tequila plantation, and much more. The trip includes breakfast, lunch, and soft drinks.

Sierra Madre Expedition: An extraordinary discovery tour through the wildlife habitats and natural wonders of Banderas Bay. The expedition includes continental breakfast, snacks on the mountain, and soft drinks.

San Blas Tour: This popular tour heads north past Nayarit's Gold Coast, for a visit to San Blas, a crocodile farm, and a 16th-century fort. The trip includes breakfast, lunch, and soft drinks.

Huichol Indian Encounter: Interact with a community of Huichol Indians, the "healers" of the ancient Aztecs. Their lifestyle has remained unchanged for over 1,000 years! Trip includes breakfast, lunch, and soft drinks.

Horseback Riding: Follow a guide through the jungle and over the mountains for a natural encounter with the landscape and wildlife. Stop along the way for hiking, swimming, and lunch.

Mexican Fiesta: Celebrate with traditional style in a colorful, jubilant atmosphere with more than 40 performers, an open bar featuring Mexican drinks, and a Mexican buffet. Olé!

Fishing: The bay is one of the largest in the world, and great catches come in year-round. Charter a deep-sea vessel or fish like a native in a small panga boat and still reel in the big ones.

Water Sports: Water skiing, banana boating, jet skiing, wave running, windsurfing, and sail-boarding are available everywhere, with expert instructors to teach you the basics and get you equipped.

Golf & Tennis: There are various championship golf courses and lighted tennis courts sprinkled around the city and within the resorts.

Visit the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: The venerated structure of Guadelupe Cathedral features exquisite examples of Puerto Vallarta's old world artisan heritage. Examine the cathedral's handcrafted columns and moldings.

Shopping: This is a great spot to pick up jewelry, art, and clothing. Prices are reasonable as is, but you should definitely try your hand at bargaining! Remember that from 2- 4pm, many shop-owners are taking their siestas.

Dining

With over 200 restaurants serving international cuisine as well as native Mexican fare, you'll definitely want to make time for at least three meals a day. And your budget is a non-issue because there are restaurants that cater to everyone without sacrificing quality!

Gourmet: Archie's Wok is the place to go all out. Archie was film director John Huston's personal chef during the filming of Night of the Iguana, and now his wife Cindy runs the kitchen at this fine restaurant. Enjoy dishes inspired by the foods of Thailand, China and the Philippines, accompanied by live music. Francisco Rodriguez 130

Highly Recommended: Adobe Café is a trendy and tasty eatery specializing in creative international cuisine mixed with classical Mexican recipes, all at reasonable prices. Badillo 252

Local Flair: Las Palomas is a culinary legend in Puerto Vallarta. Not only is it one of the town's first restaurants, but it serves richly flavored, genuine Mexican cuisine starting with breakfast and all the way through after-dinner drinks on the outdoor terrace. Paseo Diaz 594

Romantic: La Palapa is on the beach, literally! Your table is set right on the sand just beyond the water line. The chef specializes, not surprisingly, in seafood, and live music accompanies your meal, often performed by the owner, Alberto Perez. Pulpito 103

Nightlife

After dinner, your night is nowhere near over! Evenings in Puerto Vallarta begin with a spectacular array of colors in the sky, as the setting sun bids farewell amidst mariachi music. There's plenty to choose from, like dancing to pop hits, learning traditional Mexican dances, hopping from bar to bar, taking a party cruise, and much more.

Senor Frog's: This popular chain bar has a fun-loving reputation that made it famous in Cancún. Now, those same good times are happening in Puerto Vallarta!

The Malecón: If you're looking for loud music and a good-time crowd, this famous strip has transformed from a dining spot into the place to go clubbing. Walk on the water's edge and try as many clubs as you'd like because there's never a cover charge.

El Faro Bar: Set high above the ground, this famous spot is great for a romantic evening with exotic specialty drinks.
La Cantina: A creative mix of traditional and modern Mexico, with a Happy Hour that's popular and always hopping. There's complimentary finger food served with your drinks, non-stop great music, and board games.