Mexico has always been a fantastic place to visit. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find it somewhere – world class cuisine? Try Mexico City. Looking for great beaches? Puerto Escondido is your destination. Beautiful antiquities? Ancient sites abound. All these reasons make Mexico perfect for any vacation; here’s some of the more popular destinations.

The capital city of Mexico gets the first mention here. Mexico City is easily the most populous city in the country, with over 8 million residents. Because of this, it is easily one of the most modern. It hosts restaurants from top chefs such as Michael Mina; has plenty of American favorites like Starbucks at every corner. And if you’re looking for nightlife, Mexico City’s got it. Mexico City also plays host to many national treasures, such as the National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. Don’t be scared by all the media hype regarding crime in this big city – it’s no more or less than you will find in any major metropolitan town.

While Cancun steals all the national spotlight, locals know that Mexico has many better options. Playa del Carmen rises to the top of many of those lists. Long favored by locals, after seeing the beautiful white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, it’s no wonder why. The best part is, unlike it’s more expensive neighbors, Playa del Carmen has many hotels to fit any budget. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Mayan ruins.

Puebla, situated a mere 3 hours away from Mexico City, offers tourists an amazing look into Mexico’s storied past. A truly history city, many buildings have been preserved and are open to the public. It is here, at the Museo de la Revolucion that the Mexican civil war started in 1910. The city is famous for it’s pottery, so be sure to bring enough money to buy some as gifts. Oh, and don’t forget to try the mole; it’s a local specialty as well.

While Mexico doesn’t offer the same amount of flashiness as it’s neighbors, it does offer great weather all year round and beautiful destinations at an affordable price. Savvy travelers recognize a vacation to Mexico is a bargain compared to a trip to Cancun. Take a chance on Mexico – you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Being safe while traveling is a #1 priority for many. It’s a sad fact that many beautiful travel destinations (such as Columbia) are simply not safe for most people to travel to. While most places are generally safe, especially in well known “safe” districts, there are 7 countries that are well known for their low crime rates and high safety ratings.

New Zealand is high on the list of safe countries to visit. It has a relatively low population, and it’s an overall peaceful place to be. Many of the residents are natives and have lived there for their entire lives. Not only does this country provide exquisite landscapes, but also plenty of activities and safe fun.

Denmark is a country that is happy overall, and therefore, there are fewer crimes. Like any country this one does have its ups and downs, but overall its stable and minimal murders and robberies take place. You probably won’t get mugged in Denmark unless you are in the wrong part of town.

Norway is a beautiful country with majestic mountains and clean landscapes to explore. There are tons of attractions in Norway, both affordable and luxury. One of the best parts is that it is a safe place to visit and crime is minimal. While crime is “rising”, it doesn’t pose a huge threat to travelers.

Iceland is known for its remarkably low crime rate, happy people, and safe environment. Almost everyone keeps their doors unlocked and people are friendly here all around. If you want to visit someplace safe and beautiful, Iceland has to be it. There are very few crimes and when crimes do occur, they are minimal ones.

Austria is a pretty safe country too, but some cities (such as Budapest) are not as safe as others like Vienna. When in Austria, get advice from those who know which areas are safe and which are not.

Sweden is a clean and beautiful nation with beautiful people and safe places to visit. The crime rates here are low and well controlled. People seem to have better things to do.

Japan is a place of zen people, crazy customs, and low crime. If you want to visit a unique and culture rich country, go to Japan. It has plenty of fun opportunities for anyone.

Most countries in Europe are relatively safe, and they include Finland as well as Slovenia. Other countries that have records for low crime rates include Canada. It’s no surprise that the US isn’t on the list. However, these other countries are far more interesting if you already live in the United States anyway. As with any travel excursion, be sure to ask questions and get reviews from people who live there. They can tell you better than anyone, if something is safe or not. If you are adamant about traveling to a particularly risky place, be sure to take a self defense course ahead of time and pack lightly without valuables.

The Kindle 2 is the second iteration of Amazon’s e-book reader, and while not a complete redesign, it incorporates many features and improvements that make it a worthy upgrade. Amazon basically completely redid the the layout of the device making it much more user friendly. The keys are arranged in a more familiar keyboard like fashion, with a joystick like device allowing the user to move up, down, left, and right with ease. What’s even better is the new and improved screen – the new Kindle can display 16 shades of grey, vs the 4 supported on the previous iteration. What this means to you is a more newspaper-like look when looking at newspapers, and a more book-like look when looking at books. The new Kindle also boasts 2gb of onboard memory, more than enough for even the most avid readers.

Of course, not all improvements was hardware related – the software was much improved as well. Navigation menus have slimmed down a bit, giving the user less options but making it easier to find needed features, faster. A completely worthless feature on the original Kindle, the dictionary feature is now actually usable. Whereas it used to send you to a new page whenever you looked up a word, now the definition pops up at the bottom of each page. Finally, search has been given a facelift, and it’s now much more powerful and easy to use.

While devices like the Kindle 2 have been popping up here and there over the past year, is the market completely ready for it yet? No, but that’s not to say there are many people who will love the Kindle. Avid readers will love it for it’s ability to store hundreds of books in a footprint the size of a small magazine. Travelers will love it’s compact size and brilliant screen. Geeks will love it for it’s many technological gadgets. But with a price tag of $250, the big question is – is the average consumer ready for it?

1. Pike Place Market

For those who don’t know, Pike Place Market is a huge marketplace, similar to a farmers market. You can find fresh food, collectibles, and just about anything else there. Plus, the market itself as well as the surrounding area is very beautiful, so it’s a good place to go just to sight see.

2. The Space Needle

The Space Needle is known by most Americans, and even many foreigners, as the symbol of Seattle. Though you can see the needle from almost anywhere in the city, a trip to Seattle would not be complete without a vist to the legendary Space Needle. You can simply go to look and marvel at the amazing structure, or, for a price, you can go up in the elevators. If you happen to be hungry, there is a very good restaurant at the top of the needle. Just be sure to make a reservation as space is usually limited.

3. Experience Music Project

Experience Music Project, or EMP, is a music museum known nationwide. Though admission is fairly expensive, the experience is well worth the pricetag. The things you will see at EMP are hard to explain, but suffice it to say that if you like music, you will like EMP.

4. Safeco Field

Safeco Field, which is home of the Seattle Mariners, is a popular destination for baseball fanatics. Whether you like baseball or not, going to a Mariners game is a fun, bonding experience, especially if you bring your family along. Just be sure to bring enough cash, as food and drinks in the stadium are far from cheap.

Founded in June, 1939 by Lee Ferrick Andrews, the Hall of Fame has been honoring excellent players and managers for more than 70 years. The hall of fame has become so well-known that the term “Cooperstown”, which is actually a town in the state of New York, has become a metonym for the Hall. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, and because of this, tourism in Cooperstown is booming.

Because of the hall of fame, the area surrounding Cooperstown has become rather tourist-friendly. There are a lot of hotels, restaurants, and shops that appeal to tourists and locals alike. Of course the prices are slightly higher than normal, but compared to other vacation destinations, a trip to Cooperstown would be quite affordable. Though there are other things to do in Cooperstown, the Hall is by far the main attraction. If you truly love baseball, you could get lost in the Hall of Fame for days on end – especially since there are 3 floors packed full of fascinating information, artifacts, and collectibles.

So if you love baseball, come join the 350,000+ visitors a year, and bring the family down to Cooperstown for a vacation. It’s an affordable, fun alternative to typical family vacations, and it can be an experience you will never forget.

Buenos Aires is an amazing vibe city, specially at night

Highlights
If you do stop off on your cruise in Buenos Aires then you may feel slightly overwhelmed at the many amazing sights and activities on offer, so here is a round up of some of the main highlights to give you an idea where to start:
* Plaza de Mayo – this is the main square in the city and a great starting point for a sightseeing tour as it has a number of excellent examples of colonial architecture and is close to many of the main pedestrian shopping areas of Calle Florid and Lavalle.
* La Recoleta Cemetery – this is the main resting place of Argentina’s most famous daughter Eva Peron, and is a mecca for many Argentineans and also visitors interested in the often turbulent history of the country. This is often combined with a visit to the Museo Evita (Eva Perón Museum)

Plaza de Mayo is a good starting point for a Buenos Aires tour

* Docklands – Buenos Aires has a rich maritime history, and this area is full of historic buildings and museums and nearby is also Puerto Madero, one of the cities major regeneration projects.
* Jardin Japones – the translates to the ‘Japanese Gardens’ and is an oasis of calm and reflection in this sometimes chaotic city, so is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll.
* Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes - the National Arts Museum has an excellent reputation and there a number of wonderful exhibits on both South American arts and also important pieces of art from all over the world.

Shopping
Buenos Aires has a number of excellent shopping facilities, and this is one of the favorite pastimes of many of the more wealthy inhabitants of the city. You can buy almost anything you like here, including the latest designer clothing, antiques, stunning gold and silver jewellery and traditional leather handicrafts. For those shoppers that love a bargain there are also a number of thrift shops and markets filled with all kind of affordable trinkets, clothes and odds and ends.

Dining Out
Argentina is famous for its steak, and Buenos Aires has a number of excellent parilla (grill) restaurants ideal for meat lovers. There are also a good number of cosmopolitan restaurants and cafes also, with sushi and South Asian foods being very popular, and of course there are coffee houses all over the place selling fine freshly ground South American coffee. Local delicacies include empanada which are tasty little pastries sold everywhere and dulce de leche, a delicious sweet toffee.

Borges used to go at Cafe Tortoni, and nowadays he has a statue there

When to Go
Buenos Aires can get very hot and sticky in the summer, which can make it a little uncomfortable to go out sight seeing in the day, and the winters can get surprising chilly so the best time to visit is the spring, (Sept through to Nov) when the weather is warm and bright, and the city lively and full of seasonal festivals.

Additionally, guests staying for seven nights or longer can get up to 3 nights free plus a $250 Red Lane Spa Credit at select locations! Please see details of this amazing offer below.

Booking Window: Now – November 30 th, 2009

Travel Window: Now – December 28, 2010

Blackout Dates: December 27 – 31, 2009 & February 13 – 20, 2010

Minimum Stay: 3 nights

Traveling is a great experience for all, but what you bring with you is always a tough choice to make. Here are the top five travel must haves for any discerning traveler!

Traveling with toiletries and liquids can be a hassle, especially if you need liquid carry on pieces and are limited to the 3 ounce rule. However, some very clever folks have created the dissolvable hand soap, body wash, and shampoo. These are great when you are traveling and in a pinch for some cleansing suds – but don’t want to risk bringing aboard tons of liquids either in your luggage or carry on. Each package (shampoo, body wash, and hand soap) contains 50 sheets. Shampoo requires 4 sheets for hair, but body wash can be used with as little as 1. You simply dissolve the paper in water and suds up! Ta-da!

Wisp toothbrushes by Colgate are a must have for any traveler anywhere in the world. These little toothbrushes freshen your breath and remove plaque in the blink of an eye. Plus everyone knows how stale your breath can get on a long flight around the world or even just across the country. These toothbrushes come in small packaging, contain no liquids, and require no water to be used efficiently. Just slip into a bathroom, scrub, and toss. No one even has to know you just brushed your teeth!

The SteriPen is a must have for anyone traveling out of a big city or out of a first world country for that matter. This innovative pen uses ultraviolet light to sterilize your water before you consume the nasty microbes. It’s great for when you are in areas that you cant trust to have clean and safe water – and even better for hikers or campers traveling in the back country. This pen will not kill all of the bacteria in completely mucky water however, so be careful still.

A Universal Power Adapter is needed whenever you leave the country. You won’t be able to use any of your electricity requiring gadgets without one, so what else is there to say?

USB Rechargeable batteries are a useful gadget for anyone with a laptop USB port. You never know when you will run out of batteries – and batteries are expensive everywhere. These batteries can save you in a pinch though so it’s worth buying a few.

Angel Fire New Mexico is a small town but a hugely popular ski resort destination. The actual population of Angel Fire is around 1,000 but thousands more visit every winter to take on the beautiful ski slopes that reach 10,000+ feet in height. Lodging and skiing at Angel Fire is a family tradition for many in the South West, but ski enthusiasts from around the world visit every year.

Deep canyons and crystal clear sunny skies make Angel Fire a breathtakingly beautiful place to visit. The soft blankets of snow also make fantastic ski slopes and snowboarding slopes. There are a number of other activities in the area as well, if you prefer not to ski. Also, you never need to worry about being an amateur because there are plenty of teachers willing to teach beginners how to ski like an expert!

Where to Eat in Angel Fire

Since Angel Fire is a small town you won’t be able to jaunt over to the next huge city too quickly for a bite to eat. There are plenty of delectable little restaurants in the area though, such as Country Club Restaurant, Sand Wedge, Country Club Bar & Grill, a bakery, and a few other hometown favorites. The resort hotel also has a restaurant inside if you prefer not to eat away from the hotel.

Essentials

Angel Fire is small but it does have everything you need to be healthy and safe during your vacation. The great thing is that there are minimal distractions to keep you from relaxing!

Shopping

There are plenty of little shops in Angel Fire, New Mexico to keep you stocked for your holiday vacation. If you forget something, one of the shops is guaranteed to have it! Even if you forgot your beloved ski shoes, there is a ski shop in town to meet your needs.

When to Visit

Anytime is a great time to visit Angel Fire, but there are many festivals that are held throughout the year. If you want to catch them you should check their website to stay up to date on the Hot Air Balloon festival held there yearly, as well as a Chamber Music Festival. Traveling in the summer presents many wonderful opportunities and may be preferred by those who don’t like snow!

Unique Things to Try

One of the most unique things that Angel Fire offers is Night Skiing. Since the sun sets here so early skiers often miss out on plenty of precious ski hours. Now you can ski in the middle of the night! Don’t worry its safe!

You can also go tubing at Angel Fire, which is basically like sledding down a huge slope for hundreds of feet! This can also be done during the night hours, so there is plenty of entertainment to be had even after dark.

Angel Fire is definitely a unique and fun place to visit. Best of all, its pretty cheap for any visitor!

1. Mall of America, Minneapolis

Almost everyone has heard of the Mall of America, but many people have yet to experience it. This 520+ store behemoth is the grand-daddy of all shopping malls. Literally everything you could possibly think of is available for sale at the Mall of America. Obviously due to the massive tourism industry surrounding the Mall, prices are fairly high. However, for most people, the experience is well worth the price. If you can’t afford to drop much money, visiting the Mall of America can still be very fun, even if you only go for a day. There are so many activities and things to see that you will find it hard to get bored.

2. Madison Avenue, NYC

Though there are many hot places to shop in the NYC, some of the most legendary and prestigious stores are headquartered on Madison Avenue. Many of the worlds best designers, such as Dior, Armani, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and others have stores on this well-known street. If you do go to New York, be sure to check out Fifth Ave as well, where you will find Tifanny’s, Saks, and other must-see stores.

3. Las Vegas, Nevada

Though Las Vegas is known primarily for it’s gambling, there are a lot of shopping destinations near the Strip. This is mainly because when people win money they want to spend it, so high-end stores locate themselves as close to casinos as possible. Visit Las Vegas to see legendary stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstroms, and much, much more. Whether you’re a gambler or not, shopping in Vegas can be very enjoyable.