Best vacation destinations of 2009

Our world has so many wonderful places that one lifetime doesn’t seem enough for traveling to all these unique spots of our planet. Every year, some vacation destinations get the biggest share of the travel pie for numerous reasons. However, anywhere one can travel is a blessing because visiting foreign places signifies cultural and intellectual advancement, civilization and, at the end of the day, change of attitude.

Berlin

Berlin has attracted many tourists in 2009 because of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Besides, Berlin has been practically reconstructed offering to the visitor a spectacular view of dynamic skylines around Potsdamer Platz, innovative buildings and the city’s modern train station. One of the most famous new constructions is Berlin’s new stadium, the O2 World stadium where the IAAF World Championship was hosted in August 2009.

Berlin is in a constant state of unrest and transforms itself to something new. Being the old and the new capital of Germany, Berlin encompasses elements of the modern history and translates them into a magic that spreads all over the entire city. Since the fall of the Wall on November 9, 1989, all efforts have been directed towards the metamorphosis of Berlin into an international metropolis.

There is always so much to do in Berlin. Particularly, throughout 2009, the city commemorates the fall of the Wall with memorials, concerts and an open-air exhibition in Alexanderplatz. On November 9, a symbolic wall of hundreds of five-foot-tall stones at the Brandenburg Gate will collapse like dominos with a fireworks display to symbolize the 20 years of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Overall, Berlin is an attraction itself and can satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding visitor. Whether one likes culture, history, nightlife or all the above, Berlin offers everything in combo. Featuring an extensive transportation network that takes people all around the city, getting around Berlin has become easier than ever. Reichstag; Brandenburg Gate; Friedrichswerdersche Kirche; Holocaust Memorial; Tiergarten; Potsdamer Platz; Kurfürstendamm Strasse; Kreuzberg; are all there ready to over to the visitors of Berlin an unforgettable experience.

Istanbul, Turkey

Split up in its European and Asian side by Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a European city at the junction of two continents breathing the air of East and feeling the touch of history spread upon its nearly 13 million residents. In its streets, history and modern life meet, offering to its visitors an unforgettable travel experience.

Sultanahmet district is the heart of the historic center of Istanbul. In this old, interesting and enchanting location history captures the city’s visitors with structures like Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), the Topkapi Serayi (TopKapi Palace), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), the At Meydani (Byzantine Hippodrome), the Yerebatan Serayi (Yerebetan Basilica Cistern), the Istanbul Archeological Museums, and the Great Palace Mosaic Museum. Besides, Sultanahmet is filled with hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, rug stores, and souvenir shops. The Grand Bazaar in the labyrinth Kapaliçarsi near Beyazit University is the ultimate medieval market, while the main drag, Divan Yolu, is the heartbeat of the area, where visitors can wander in hundreds of tiny back streets and alleyways to explore the history of the old city.

The four islands in the Sea of Marmara, known as the Princes Islands, attract millions of tourists every year. Cars are not allowed on the islands and the transportation is limited to horse-drawn carriages. Ferries leave from Sirkeci, Kadiköy and Bostanci and visitors can explore the unique glory of Greek monasteries.

Getting prepared for being the up-coming European City of Culture 2010, Istanbul retains its rich cosmopolitan character demonstrating its unmatched physical and cultural legacy. For more than 2,000 years, Istanbul captures visitors’ attention by being a living example of where occident and orient civilizations harmonically meet.

Hawaii

Mark Twain once said that ‘Hawaii is the most magnificent, balmy atmosphere in the world’ and it looks like this statement is still true. Hosting thousands of visitors each year in each of its six key islands, Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, Oahu, Maui, and Lanai, Hawaii offers a unique culture that spreads over its volcanoes, under its oceans and into its waterfalls.

Just like all exotic places, there are certain seasons that visitors can enjoy their visit to Hawaii. December to February, Hawaii is full of life because winter is mild and people go there to escape from the chilly temperatures of the most states. However, December has the most intense rainfall. So, for people who don’t like rain, this may be a reason to visit Hawaii anytime but December. For people who love summer sports such as windsurfing, the period between June and October is the hottest of the year and they can enjoy a great weather. For those who like board surfing, winter in Hawaii is the perfect choice as the waves are huge and they can have really good time.

During high season, lodging rates are relatively higher than the rest of the year. However, Hawaii hosts many tourists, who look for budget deals on April, May, October and November. Typically, lodging rates are lower during these months, although there are resorts, mostly catering to families, which keep the rates of high season.

There are many activities to do in Hawaii. Some of the most impressive attractions are the Hawaiian volcanoes that explode spectacularly and their blazing lava connects the ocean with the bulging clouds of haze. Visitors stroll by the shoreline to view the eruption, which is particularly spectacular at night time. Another spectacular attraction is the submarine adventure, a breathtaking exploration of coral reefs and reef fish in 100-feet depth. Similarly, the waterfalls escapade offers tourists an unforgettable experience where humpback whales and dolphins dance with the waves.

Hawaii is the place to be for relaxation. There is nothing better than to enjoy a mai tai made the right way at the Royal Hawaiian, a landmark pink hotel in Waikiki Beach. It’s perhaps the best spot in the entire Hawaii to watch the surfers wipe out and the sun go down, taking in live Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

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Help answer the question about best vacation destinations

What are the best family vacation destinations(with kids under6) besides disney?
I live in alabama. We are planning on a getwaway on a weekend, friday through monday. I was wondering what are the best places to visit with a 4 year old and a 10 month old near alabama?

About Author

Christina Pomoni has acquired her MBA Finance from the American College of Greece. Her advanced familiarity with financial statement analysis, capital budgeting and market research has been acquired through her professional career at high-esteemed organizations. As part of her long journey, Christina has served as an Equity Research Associate at Telesis Securities (EFG Eurobank) and a Financial & Investment Advisor at ING Group. Besides, having lived at Chicago, IL, Boca Raton, FL and Paris, France has helped her, not only to be a successful professional, but mostly to see life under a more creative and innovative perspective.

Since 2005, Christina provides high quality writing services to numerous websites and research companies contributing her knowledge and expertise. Her areas of specialization are Business, Finance & Investment, Society, Politics & Culture. She also has a very good knowledge of Entertainment, Health & Fitness and Computers & Technology.

Christina currently designs the website of her own writing company. Believing that knowledge is the road to opportunity and development, her mission is to promote her already established knowledge to a growing number of visitors and to provide high quality writing services to meet the most demanding customer requirements.