Travel Wisdom

A vacation in Cape Cod provides an opportunity to relax in style amidst beautiful scenery, great eateries and lovely romantic spots. In fact, this secluded hideaway is probably one of the best places on the East Coast for enjoying an escape for two. Here are the top five activities for couples who are staying on Cape Cod:

1. Revel on the Beach

There aren’t many places on Earth where the beach is as revered as it is in Cape Cod. Visit Sandy Neck Beach where crowds are sparse and opportunities for seclusion are many. Alternatively, catch the waves on Nauset Beach; this sandy eastern spot offers surfers, boogie boarders, and body surfers consistent waves in a beautiful location that is surprisingly lacking in crowds. For an interesting historical site, check out Head of the Meadow Beach, which is known for the many shipwrecks that occurred in its sandbars and where visitors can still see wreckage.

2. Explore Charming Villages

With 15 towns to explore in Cape Cod, it’s easy for couples to discover something fascinating together. Names like Woods Hole, Sandwich, Hyannis and Provincetown are recognized the world over. Traverse quaint cobblestone streets hand in hand while delving into history museums and gazing over the offerings of local artists at galleries. Gingerbread decorations on the buildings and sweeping panoramic views of the ocean make these towns highly romantic settings.

3. Discover Intimate Dining

While Cape Cod is still a wonderful place to enjoy a meal in a clam shack, there are plenty of places where visitors can enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner, too. Regardless of how classy the dining, seafood is the name of the game on the cape, though many places have some nice Italian and steakhouse-style options. Sole, haddock and cod are common fish and the lobster, scallops, and mussels are abundant.

 Check out the Yarmouth House in West Yarmouth for a varied menu including everything from Asian and paella to the more common steak and seafood. Van Rensselaer’s Restaurant and Raw Bar in Wellfleet has lots of local, fresh cuisine replete with oysters and clams, vegetarian options, and a creative desert menu. For true decadence, head to Chillingsworth in Brewster for French with a New England twist featuring roasted swordfish, escargot, pan-seared foie gras, black and white truffle mac and cheese, and soufflé.

4. Try Something New

Discovering a new shared pastime can be among the most romantic experiences a couple can have on a vacation. During a vacation in Cape Cod, travelers might try ocean kayaking or a bicycling trip among the dunes. Fly fishing and hiking are widely pursued in the region, and few things can compare to a romantic sunset sailing adventure.

5. Choose a Gorgeous Souvenir

While Cape Cod certainly has its share of tacky souvenir stands, there is also a wealth of upscale shops where visitors can find rare and sophisticated treasures. Whether couples are looking for a painting by a local, undiscovered artist or a beautiful glass vase, the region’s many unusual boutiques offer wonderful opportunities for shared exploration that will unearth the perfect memento of a remarkable vacation.

A vacation in Cape Cod has the power to draw two people together like few trips can. Whether visitors are in the first flush of new romance or are hoping to rekindle a flame, this destination is the ideal place to celebrate together.

There is so much to do on the shore in Massachusetts, and Cape Cod rentals put you close to where it’s all happening. Your rental promises a relaxing place to come home to after a fun day of family activities and here are some of the best things to do in the area:

Biking

Rent bikes and explore the Cape Cod Rail Trail that winds through 22 miles of charming towns such as Harwich, Dennis, Brewster, Eastham, Orleans and Wellfleet. With marked crossings over roads where automobiles travel, the trail is a safe and ideal place to cycle. The site follows the trail of the former railroad tracks begun in 1848 that brought visitors to the Cape.

Swimming

Some of the Atlantic beaches that are part of the park service include Salisbury Beach, Dorchester Shores, Hull, Horseneck Beach, Nantasket Beach, Westport and more. Lifeguards help to keep these beaches family friendly and safe. Other beaches that families may enjoy include Sandy Neck Beach in Sandwich, where you can hike and bird watch as well as swim, and Kalmus, one of the most popular beaches in the Hyannis area.

Visiting the Aquarium

The Aquarium of the National Marine Fisheries, located in Woods Hole, is the oldest aquarium in the United States. Activities for children and educational opportunities make this a unique family outing and a chance to learn about sea life.

Golf

Play miniature golf at Cape Cod Storyland Golf in Hyannis and learn more about the history of the area as the family enjoys the game. Visitors could also venture to South Yarmouth, where the golf and game complex Pirate’s Cove awaits. Putter’s Paradise in West Yarmouth is another popular course, where a spouting whale lures travelers to enjoy this miniature terrain.

Lighthouse Hopping

Learn about history while visiting the lighthouses that the Cape is known for. Nauset Lighthouse (built in 1838) is located in Eastham and is one of the most well-known beacons in the area, possibly due to its presence on the logo of Cape Cod Potato Chips. Race Point Lighthouse is set at the end of Cape Cod in Provincetown and has been operating since 1816. Highland Light (built in 1797) in North Truro is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the cape. A day spent touring lighthouses provides children and adults with insight into the history and culture of the region while they explore these famous destinations.

There is much to do in Cape Cod that is fun, educational and adventurous. Cape Cod rentals are available in many locations and will offer your family comfort, close to all of the best attractions nearby.

Having the chance to visit Croatia on a vacation is an incredible opportunity, and travelers will love the fascinating culture, stunning scenery, and delicious cuisine. Perhaps the most exotic activity to enjoy while in Croatia is chartering a yacht. This experience allows visitors to sail along the coast, take in the breathtaking landscapes from the sea and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are the top five things to see when travelers decide to sail in Croatia:

1. The Roman Amphitheater in Pula

Pula is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Croatia, and it is located on the very southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula. Visitors on sailing trips can easily dock at the town’s port and walk to some of the Roman sites in the area. The most famous of these attractions is the amphitheater, which rivals even the Roman Colosseum in terms of size and history.

2. The Beaches of Brač

Many travelers who opt to charter a yacht are excited to spend as much time outdoors as possible. To truly take advantage of the water activities in the country, a trip to the island of Brač is a great idea. Brač is located in the Adriatic Sea just off the coast of Croatia’s mainland, and visitors can swim in the clear water and relax under the shade of stunning fig trees right on the beach.

3. Diocletian’s Palace in Split

One of the largest cities in Croatia, Split was founded by the Greeks in the 6^th century BC and then became the home of Diocletian’s Palace, the impressive structure that was built specifically for the Roman emperor when he retired in 305 AD. After docking the yacht in Split, travelers can be at the gates of the palace within half an hour, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.

4. Turris Stagni in Ston

Ston is a relatively small village on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, and is a wonderful place to get a feel for the less touristy side of local culture; however, the big draw for passing visitors is the opportunity to see the incredible fortress just outside of the town. Once the longest walls in Europe, the Turris Stagni is definitely worth a visit and a tour.

5. Vineyards of Hvar

The island of Hvar is a popular destination for a yacht charter in Croatia thanks in large part to its historic city square and beautiful beaches. Many travelers, however, will want to stop by the island in order to visit the vineyards and taste the sweet local wine.

Chartering a yacht in Croatia is the perfect way to spend a long weekend or even an entire vacation. Believe it or not, a charter can be very affordable and will provide a much more comprehensive panorama of the Dalmatian coastline than traveling by more generic means ever would.

Folly Beach vacation homes offer the perfect stepping-off point to the area’s many golf courses. The Links at Stono Ferry, for instance, offer golfing among some of the oldest trees in North America, the sprawling Live Oaks. Golf’s Digest has awarded its four-star rating to this Low Country golf course. You’ll enjoy views of the intercoastal waterway as you enjoy Stono Ferry’s challenging course.

While staying at Folly Beach vacation homes, you may want to take on the challenge of the Charleston National Country Club. This course offers a layout that takes advantage of the area’s natural features. The course is dotted with undisturbed marshes and lagoons that add challenges to the already challenging golf course.

Located at the site of an old cotton and indigo plantation, you can enjoy an excellent Scottish-style course in America, Oak Point Golf Course. You’ll enjoy the challenges posed by the area’s freshwater creeks and marshes, but watch out for alligators. Some say they’ve seen them at Oak Point. You are more likely to see the towers of magnolias, pines and live oaks amid the palmettos.

You may want to take a swing at Patriots Point Links. When you play here, you are not only challenged by the course, you are also challenged by the strong harbor winds. The view is beautiful since it borders the harbor, but you will want to keep your eye on the ball to make or beat par.

If you are looking for the least expensive place to play, you can do no better than the City of Charleston municipal course. Like the city itself, it has its own history. It is the oldest course in the area.

For more golf, you can head to Kiawah’s golf courses. The Osprey Course gives you a view of the ocean at every turn. Turtle Point has three holes that offer ocean views. Cougar Point has one of the newest courses. This par-72 course is meant to challenge player’s at a championship level. The Ocean Course itself once played host to the Ryder Cup.

While staying in Folly Beach vacation homes, no doubt you will also want to enjoy the water. Take a swim, relax on the shore or just go strolling. Fishing opportunities abound. You can cast a line in the surf, in the river, or from Folly Pier which stretches into the ocean. If you really want a fishing adventure, there’s nothing like the challenge of fishing from a deep sea charter boat. For a different kind of adventure, kayaking is a great way to get to know the Folly Beach river waterways.

For golfing and relaxation, Folly Beach Vacation Homes offer a great value.

If you’ve got a second house on or near a lovely beach, you’re well-aware of how lucky you are. But aside from making great vacation homes, houses by the beach are also great financial assets. Though a pricey investment, rental homes are a great way to make some extra cash, and being in a location that tourists love to visit means you’ll most definitely have steady renters. The main issue is letting people know that it’s for rent – in some areas, there’s a lot of competition, and it’s easy to have your house disappear amongst the many non-rental homes in the area. Here are some tips for putting your home out on the market.

Create a Website

No one is going to rent a house without knowing a bit about it. A small website will allow you to post pictures of the interior and exterior of the home so your potential renters can see how roomy it is, if it has the kitchen space they need, and how well-maintained you manage to keep it. In addition, you can list all the amenities of the home – garage space or street parking, televisions, cable, outdoor shower, et cetera. It’s also a great place to keep your contact information. It’s easier to refer someone to your website than to have to write down your phone number, address, name, and the rental information.

Sign on with a Realtor

There are plenty of realtors and real estate agents that will help you to rent out your property if you don’t feel as though you have enough time. This way, you’ll make it onto their websites and into brochures with other popular beach house rentals that tourists will be browsing when they visit to find a rental. This is a great way to be competitive with other renters in the area and to ensure that your house is shown to a wide variety of potential renters so it’s full every week of the year.

Use Social Media

It doesn’t hurt to have a Facebook or Twitter page where you can post the dates that your home is still available for rent and interact with other community businesses. Renters will like seeing that they can trust the person from whom they are renting, and it will also give you the opportunity to point tourists in the direction of must-see restaurants, locations and attractions during their stay.

There are lots of fun things to do in the city of San Antonio, Texas, but the premier attraction of the area is the famous Riverwalk. This public park is open every day of the year and boasts tons of activities, shops, dining, and attractions that will keep you entertained for the entirety of your trip. Finding accommodations that are close to the Riverwalk gives you easy access to the best that the city has to offer.

The Riverwalk beckons to visitors with outstanding al fresco dining and shopping as well as fun boat rides. During the holiday season, the river is lit up with festive activities such as Boat Caroling, in which school groups, choirs, and other ensembles take to barges and send their songs out across the water. The Fiesta de las Luminarias features a brilliant display of traditional candles in paper bags lining the river, as well, and numerous other light displays can be seen around the city during the holidays.

RiverCenter Mall is the perfect place to shop, with department stores and restaurants that include many favorites. An IMAX Theater adds to the fun and provides an exciting break from shopping.

Another attraction that is perfect for families is SeaWorld, with its dolphins, sharks, sea lions, seals and more, including Shamu. SeaWorld San Antonio has the distinction of being the largest marine life park in the world.

For a bit of history, you can visit the Alamo while in San Antonio. Originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo was home to Indian coverts and missionaries for many years before it was converted into the makeshift fort that would become famous. The details of the 1836 siege and battle are just some of the reasons that people continuously visit this fascinating and tragic site, which is conveniently located close to the Riverwalk area.

If you are a golf enthusiast, you will love the courses at the Westin La Cantera. You can choose between the Resort Course (just over 7,000 yards in length and a challenge to golfers since 1995) and the Palmer course (designed by four-time winner of the Masters tournament, Arnold Palmer). There are even classes held to help improve your game.

You can amble along the banks of Riverwalk to visit the San Antonio Museum of Art, housed in a historic brewery building. The collection contains Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, as well as more modern works, and the café on the premises overlooking the river lends added beauty to the location. For a museum with a little more local color, the McNay Art Museum offers Latino works of art spanning from the 16^th to the 20^th century in a Mediterranean style mansion.

Plant lovers will enjoy the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Spread over 33-acres, this pleasant location offers specimens of palm and cactus, while ponds and traditional gardens make it a great place to stroll for couples, people with dogs, and families.

San Antonio has a lot for you to see, but by choosing San Antonio Riverwalk hotels to stay in, most of them will be at your fingertips. Whether you are interested in the parks, shopping, dining, art, gardens, or history, San Antonio can provide it and leave you wishing for more.

Outer Bank vacation rentals offer fun for the whole family. The entirety of the Outer Banks, from Corolla to Hatteras, can be driven in about two hours and offers deep sea fishing, dune buggy rides, museums, surfing and lighthouse tours.

Deep Sea Fishing

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is the largest fishing marina in the Outer Banks, offering the best charter boat fishing in North Carolina. Vacationers and avid fisherman alike can enjoy half-day and full-day trips and the fully-stocked marina store offers fishing gear, clothing, ice, drinks, camping gear, food and pertinent information about North Carolina fishing regulations.

Dune Buggy Rides

These four-by-four excursions can be booked throughout the islands and offer spectacular views of nature and the famous Outer Banks wild horses. These horses are the descendants of the original Mustangs brought over by the Spanish conquistadors and they still live there (mostly in the Corolla area) today. Mustang tours can be booked at Corolla Wild Horses Fund for those that would like a closer look at these beautiful and majestic creatures.

Wright Brothers Museum

The Wright Brothers Museum is located in Kitty Hawk and celebrates the life and times of the famous pair and their first forays into flight. The museum has both indoor and outdoor areas where visitors can view replicas of the first Wright Flyers, the cabins the brothers resided in while testing their airplanes, and the distances they flew on their first three flights.

Surfing

The Outer Banks has been called the California of the East Coast for its spectacular surfing opportunities. Rodanthe and Nags Head are both especially popular destinations for the sport, with consistent winds, waves, and temperatures. The Outer Banks is also home to the Triple S Invitational, a kiteboarding tournament that draws competitors and viewers every year.

Lighthouse Tours

The Outer Banks contains five lighthouses located in Rodanthe, Ocracoke, Cape Hatteras, Currituck and Bodie Island. Designating the entrance to the Ocracoke Inlet, the Ocracoke lighthouse was constructed in 1798 and is the area’s oldest operating building of the kind.

The Cape Hatteras lighthouse stands 208-feet and is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. This structure warns passing boats off the Diamond Shoals, which are a series of sand bars that extend 20 miles from the banks of Cape Hatteras.

The Currituck Beach lighthouse in Corolla was built to fill the black void between Corolla and Cape Henry in Virginia. The Bodie Island lighthouse is located in Oregon Inlet and was constructed with the leftover materials from the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, making the buildings almost identical.

The entirety of the area can be viewed, accessed, and enjoyed from any of the many Outer Banks vacation rentals. Take a break and enjoy the surf, sand, sun and history of this unique stretch of coastline. You won’t regret it!

Honeymooners should look no further than Costa Rica when planning their perfect post-wedding getaway. Costa Rica resorts give newlyweds access to everything offered by this stunning Central American country: they have world-class cuisine, spa services, golfing, water sports, and more, all in an environment surrounded by nature and culture.

The traditional reason a newly married couple embarks upon a honeymoon is to get to know one another or get some alone time before they build their home together. Honeymoons also provide excellent opportunities to relax and unwind after the stress of wedding planning. Choosing Costa Rica resorts gives the new couple the opportunity to enjoy pristine beaches and tropical rainforests, while also getting away from it all. The privacy of these resorts makes honeymooners feel like they are in pleasant isolation, even when surrounded by other tourists.

Resorts in the country are not solely for enjoying the sanctity of a getaway. A resort with a beach club can give the couple a safe venue for exploring the local beaches or just spending time at a swim-up bar. A beach club can be an excellent alternative to the ocean on those days that couples would rather relax in a Jacuzzi than shake the sand from their shoes.

Those honeymooners who prefer to stay active while on vacation should opt for a resort with multiple amenities and luckily, there is no shortage of these in Costa Rica. For instance, a trip to the spa is always a great way to indulge, and when better than on one’s honeymoon?  With a careful choice of resort location, couples can enjoy a pampering treatment without having to make any trips into town.

A great resort may even include a golf course. With a lush green surrounded by tropical rainforests and ocean views, couples (even the ones that don’t usually golf) may decide to play just for the atmosphere. Some resorts even have instructors to assist amateurs with their games.

Another reason to honeymoon in Costa Rica resorts is to experience the fine cuisine. Newlyweds can relax as meals are prepared for them at an attached five-star restaurant, at the pool bar, or delivered directly to their rooms. These resorts employ some of the most talented chefs in the world and their aim is to make sure that honeymooners start their marriages off in a delicious way.

A honeymoon in Costa Rica is truly like no other. The short flight to this tropical country takes couples to a world that is different than they could have ever imagined—one where they will be treated like royalty.

Plenty of sunshine, abundant recreational activities and exciting evening entertainment combine to create an ideal honeymoon destination in Newport Beach. This southern California coastal community harbors extensive natural beauty and a casual, yet upscale lifestyle. Newlyweds will find desirable Newport Beach vacation homes located near the shore, where a walk on the beach, dinner in town, and nightly entertainment are all close at hand.

Daytime Activities in Newport Beach

The south Orange County area of Newport Beach offers couples a place to relax and enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Wide, sandy beaches are within walking distance of many homes, and visitors can enjoy a swim in the Pacific or try surfing at a popular local spot. Surfboards, boogie boards, swimming fins, beach chairs and umbrellas are readily available for rent or purchase at local shops. A pleasant bike ride along the boardwalk is an ideal way to spend the afternoon and can be arranged by the hour or as a full day rental.

A short ferry ride takes visitors to charming Balboa Island where a relaxing day can be spent by the beach, having lunch, and browsing through dozens of boutique and specialty shops. Throughout the year, the island is home to festivals, arts and craft fairs, and special events and visitors can enjoy walking the boardwalk, taking a boat ride, renting a kayak or unwinding on the beach. The Balboa Fun Zone is a popular amusement park area where excursions such as whale watching can be booked.

The mild year-round climate of the area is conducive to outdoor recreation. There are several championship golf courses within the region that are open to the public and nearby tennis courts, hiking trails, and bike paths offer sports activities that will appeal to both partners.

Evenings by the California Coast

A romantic evening, complete with music and champagne, can be arranged by booking an authentic gondola ride around the harbor. Dinner cruises on larger vessels are also available and often feature live music, dancing and entertainment. Dining out in the Newport Beach area offers visitors a wide selection of restaurant styles and cuisine. From casual cafes along the boardwalk to top-rated gourmet establishments, honeymooners will find numerous choices that serve enticing international cuisine such as Mexican, Italian, Asian and French.

A quiet walk on a starlit evening may be enough for many honeymooners, but local pubs and theaters come alive after dark and music, dancing, and cinema are always available.

After all the hectic planning and fast-paced wedding events are completed, newly married couples deserve a relaxing honeymoon and the Californian coastal region is the perfect solution for enjoying a serene and memorable vacation. Newport Beach vacation homes offer easy access to lots of activities, but also provide a serene escape from the world that is perfect for a couple just starting their life together.

Laguna Beach has enjoyed the reputation of an artist’s paradise since the early 1900s when landscape painters from around the world began to flock to the beachside city to capture the region’s natural beauty. With a coastline rimmed with rocky cliffs that evoke comparisons to the French Riviera, Laguna Beach is one of California’s most popular and best-loved tourist destinations. Renting Laguna Beach houses gives vacationers the opportunity to experience the city’s laid-back lifestyle and cultural art scene in comfort.

Encompassing less than nine square miles of land, the Laguna Beach landscape rises steeply from the sea into the surrounding San Joaquin Hills. The sloping terrain ensures that virtually all of the houses available for rent offer stunning views of the city and of the cobalt-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Many of Laguna’s attractions are within close proximity to each other, with most of the town’s restaurants, shops and artist studios located along scenic South Coast Highway.

Unclouded and bright almost every day of the year, Laguna Beach is natural vacation destination for sun-worshippers, swimmers, and surfers. The city’s sandy coastline features rugged rock formations and tide pools, making it an attraction for nature lovers, as well as beachgoers. The town’s thriving artist community continues to take inspiration from the distinctive landscape, making the city an ideal destination for art lovers across the globe. Open year round, the Laguna Art Museum’s permanent collection includes over 3,500 works representing California from the early 1800s to the present day.

Laguna Beach celebrates her cultural heritage with multiple arts festivals held throughout the year. The Pageant of the Masters features live representations of famous paintings, with people posed in a setting that replicates the original piece of art. The Sawdust Art Festival showcases local arts and crafts, with many artisans providing live demonstrations of their work. Year-round art walking tours are also available, providing fans with a personal introduction the city’s best artists and galleries.

Within short driving distances of all of the regional star attractions, including Disneyland and Universal Studios to the north as well as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo to the south, Laguna Beach houses can serve as a restful base from which to explore all that Southern California has to offer. The small and friendly community is also the ideal place to relax and explore the best of Southern California’s contemporary and historic art scene. Whether quaint private beach houses or a luxury seaside condos, Laguna rentals are not only a haven for artists, but for art lovers as well.