Top Reasons to Vacation in Tampa

Tampa, Florida is a city located on the Gulf Coast Bay Area of Florida.  The city is a part of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area which attracts thousands of people every year. Why not plan a fall last minute vacation to Tampa. Here are the top five reasons for considering Tampa, Florida for your vacation.

 

Tampa Bay Beaches:

Tampa picturesque scenery and sunshine days provide a great setting for visitors.  With beautiful sunsets on the West coast and natural settings it is a wonderful destination for a last minute getaway.  Home to some of the world’s top rated beaches, Tampa created a year round have vacationers.  Take a picnic lunch and relax on one of the white-sand beaches. If you’re lucky maybe you will spot a manatee or dolphin from the shore line. 

More Outdoor Activities:

Tampa has won awards as the 5th best cities for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many choices of outdoor activities for a last minute holiday including plenty of botanical gardens, theme parks, beaches and several zoos within the city. The surrounding suburbs will also certainly put a lot of fun and enjoyment in your vacation. Some popular parks include the Hillsborough River State Park, The Adventure Island, The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and The Lowry Park Zoo which is home to over 2000 species of animals.

Exciting Events:

Tampa is also known for several exciting and fun events.  Gasparilla holds a festival usually in January or February. The Gasparilla Priate festival is a pirate invasion which has been held since 1904. The festival is also popularly known as the "Mardi Gras" of the city and involves flotillas and parades. Tampa has a number of other festivals to enjoy on a last minute vacation including the Distance Dance, International Film Festival and the Outback Bowl. Other non pirate-themed celebrations include the Fiesta Day, the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Festival, the GaYbor Days and the Sant'Yago Knight Parade.

Fun Sports Attractions

Tampa Bay is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a National Football League team. Tampa also has a National Hockey League team the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay Rays is their Major League Baseball team. These teams regularly train in the area or in the nearby cities and host a variety of games per year. Watching the teams train is a great experience to enjoy on your last minute holiday getaway.

Accommodation Choices

Tampa is a great last minute vacation destination visited by thousands of tourists each year, so it is natural for the city to have numerous accommodation options to meet your needs, budget and preferences. Plan your last minute fall vacation now.

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Asheville Zip Line Experience

People of all ages want adventures and thrills in life.  Zip lines are a relatively new form of outdoor adventure and should be added to the list. The experience is popular and a great way to see the outdoors and the rich natural diversity of Asheville's mountainous landscape on a last minute vacation. The zip line phenomenon is sweeping the globe and a relatively new activity for the Asheville area, with the first zip lines built just a couple of years ago.

A zip line canopy tour will send the 'flyer' safely down a secure cable in mid-air above and/or through the treetops. The flyer wears a helmet, gloves, and harness and is oriented by an experienced guide. You will begin and end on a platform. The average distance covered on the zip line will be anywhere from 400 to 1200 feet.

Flyers have a nice view of the skyline from the treetops and you can get an experience of wildlife and natural colors from a bird's eye viewpoint. The adrenaline rush of flying through the air is enough to inspire some thrill seekers to try a zip line wherever their last minute vacation travel takes them.

You can observe an abundance of forests, meadows, rollicking streams and rivers in the Asheville area on your last minute holiday getaway which makes the zip line experience especially rich in scenery and natural colors. Physical health and weight will be factors in deciding to ride a zip line and most of the zip line tours will not place upper age restrictions on flyers. You fly at your own risk and will be asked to sign a waiver of liability before engaging in this activity.

Navitat Canopy Adventure:

Navitat Canopy Adventures is one of the best places in the nation. It is located just a half hour outside of Asheville, in the town of Barnardsville. The views are just amazing and breathtaking and a great experience on your last minute holiday. You will feel very safe because of all the precautions they take and the abundance of hardwood trees which provides a spectacular setting for a zip through a canopy of trees. It is amazing flying above the tops of the trees and looking out at the mountain range.

Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours:

Over an hour south of Asheville Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours is in the town of Bryson City, in the heart of the Smoky Mountains and a great place to visit from your last minute vacation rental. Flyers go through hemlocks and hardwood trees by flowers for shrubs and gurgling streams which is located on 20 acres by providing 6 aerial bridges as well as hiking trails, this tour can be combined with other activities, such as whitewater rafting.

American Zip line Canopy Tours:

Adventure in American Zip line Canopy Tours is the closest to Asheville area and is located just one mile from Downtown Asheville. The Zip line does not offer the deep woods/wilderness experience but the flyers get some of the magnificent mountain views.  With a total of 10 zip lines and three sky bridges allow the visitor to take in the Asheville skyline and landscape and the surrounding 150 year old oak trees. This zip line is the only one in Asheville that is open year round. Why not try a zip line experience on your last minute vacation.

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Make Some Italian Holiday Memories

Italian vacations can be filled with luxury and enjoyment and may be a little out of your financial range. In truth, you can find a reasonable last minute vacation which may have costs closer to your budget than you thought.

In a few keystrokes you can discover a world of amazing Italian excursions which will delight. So from your last minute holiday rental you can enjoy the most popular and desirable Italian vacation..

Everyone dreams of a vacation in the Tuscan region of Italy. Travelers leave Rome by heading towards Tuscany down the Chianti Wine Road. As one might expect by the name, plenty of fine wine tasting opportunities abound. When taking a trip to the vineyards of Italy don’t pass by a visit to the 13th century castles or the traditional Tuscan villages. The food during these types of Italian last minute holidays is second to none.

Tuscany is known as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and have been home to many influential figures of art and science.  The region is recognized for great museums such as Uffizi, The Pitti Palace, and the Chianciano Museum of Art.  The wine country here is fabulous including Chianti, Vine Nobile di Montepulciano to name a couple. 

Why not take your dream trip to the Renaissance cradle of art, history and food? Many tour companies will provide day trips from your last minute vacation rental to the very city where some of the greatest artists and inventors created their masterpieces. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli are few names of amazing minds and creative souls whose works one might take in on a day trip to Florence or Rome. Florence is the capital city of Tuscany.

If your trip to Italy includes time in Rome, then you must see the Vatican. The smallest state in the world, Vatican City is home to the Catholic Church, and some of the most revered museums housing priceless, irreplaceable works of art.

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Try a Norway Vacation

Norway is situated in Europe's northern country and it is one of the most loved vacation destinations. A last minute vacation in Norway has so much to offer and competes with the magnificence of its neighbors. This dramatic landscape and northern chill will provide an opportunity to engage in certain Arctic activities including whale watching.  You can view walruses, polar bears, beautiful fjords as well as experience alpine or cross country skiing.

You get a chance to see the Northern Lights, to stroll the streets of Bergen and tour Urnes, Heddal and Borgund. You can also enjoy the Oslo Opera House or enjoy other cultural and traditional festivities of the country on your last minute holiday. Visit some places like Oslo and Narvik to try alpine skiing.  This is the most vital iron-ore harbor and its mountainous area is very popular during the winter time.

Tromso is the starting point of Polar Expeditions and is known for its large-sized herring fisheries, seal hunting, and shipping.  The northernmost brewery in the world and the North Cape are also located here. Some other destinations you will want to include on a last minute holiday getaway are Honningsyag, Otta and more.

A vacation in Norway will be complete with a last minute vacation rental. One of the most noted Songs fjord Gjestehus is the most highly appreciated accommodation along the Varanger Peninsula. There is a small fishing village and will be easy to spot due to its brightly colored houses within a snowy landscape. The place is furnished with beautiful antiques and an excellent chef with a unique menu of Norwegian dishes. The towns near are Tana Bru and Berlevag.

You can learn about tradition and heritage on a last minute vacation in Norway. They will offer enjoyment and relaxation. It is loved by many tourists because of the hospitality and friendly nature of the locals. Norway is definitely one country worth visiting. So why not take this opportunity and explore.

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Much to Do in Michigan

Michigan is a wonderful place for a family vacation. There are many Michigan last minute vacation getaways and a lot to see in this state. You can visit it at any time of the year. If you like lots of adventure you will have your choice.  Enjoy kayaking, canoeing, hiking, etc. and have fun on your vacation.

 

A great Michigan vacation getaway is to go to the Upper Peninsula which is calming and a nice place to visit for everyone. The beauty of this place will amaze and is loved by everyone.  You will come back here again for your next last minute holiday. There plenty of rentals and last minute hotel getaways where you can enjoy your vacation in Michigan.

 You can enjoy the beauty of lakes in Michigan. There are many lakes and a variety of water activities to keep you busy and provide some fun. So treat yourself to the pleasant surroundings.

 Why not visit the many historic lighthouses on the various lakes in Michigan? Some light houses have been converted into museums. Their displays are unusual.  Michigan has around 90 parks to their credit. The Mackinac Island state park is a lovely park.  Since you cannot drive in this area you will need to take a raft for rental to get to the park. This is a wonderful last minute vacation trip and one you won’t soon forget.

Visit a unique museum just north of Grand Rapids at a place called the Corner Bar.  It looks just like your average small town bar and restaurant but you will notice that is full of history and hot dog legends. If you van meet the challenge of eating 12 hot dogs you can get your name on a brass plate on the wall.

What about the Henry Ford Museum to fulfill your love for transportation.  This museum is one Michigan’s best. There is so much to do on your last minute vacation to Michigan. You can visit the Barbed Wire museum, Dead Man's Hill, Hart Wick Pines, Firemen's Memorial, Loons, Ludington state park, and Pointe Aux Baroques.  Come to Michigan and relax in the wonderful environment.

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Great Caribbean Vacation Spots

If you are thinking of taking a last minute vacation holiday to the Caribbean there are many options for great spots.

 

Anguilla

This island off the Caribbean coast is an ideal Caribbean last minute vacation spot for relaxing. It is located at the northern section of the Caribbean and has a great historical background which can be traced to various cultures among its natives.

 Anguilla has some of the top relaxing options with outstanding last minute getaway hotels, spa services and well-appointed restaurants. Visitors will take pleasure in different water activities such as diving and snorkeling. It is world renowned as a diving destination. Tourist need to plan sight- seeing activities just to marvel at Anguilla's relaxing and nostalgic ambiance.

 Aruba

The island of Aruba will offer year round Caribbean vacation packages which are ideal for sun lovers. Aruba is located at the center of the southern area of the Caribbean just outside the hurricane belt.

Aruba presents unlimited outdoor action for its visitors because of its stable tropical warm weather throughout the year. You will find many stunning hidden beaches on your last minute holiday getaway where you can surf as well as enjoy other water activities including boating and snorkeling.  Try your luck while vacationing and play at the casino. Apart from these, Aruba is well celebrated for its marvelous nightlife. Party people will surely understand why Aruba's nightlife is popular and recognized internationally.

Barbados

Barbados is a great destination for nature lovers. This magnificent coral island is located at the east end of the Caribbean Sea. Last minute vacation holiday tourists may find many all inclusive Caribbean packages that would work within their budget.

Very interesting tourist spots may be found in Barbados including acres of sugar cane plantations, various white sand beaches and unique botanical gardens. For the weather conditions in Barbados, it is almost the same as Aruba's year round tropical warm climate. However, during the months of June to November, it is the rainy season in Barbados.
 These islands off the Caribbean offer so much to tourists and guests. Planning your last minute vacation to one of these Caribbean islands is an easy task.

Florida Beaches and Attractions

Florida is known for its magnificent beaches and a last minute vacation rental can provide an enjoyable view of one of those beaches.  While you enjoy the fun in the sun you have the opportunity to experience the other attractions Florida’s cities offer. Listed are some of the top beaches in Florida.
 
Key West
Key West is rich in arts & culture, yet if you crave the wild outdoors, guided eco-tours, walking trails, environmental centers and a plethora of green travel initiatives will satisfy your needs. It is a great area for families to enjoy a last minute vacation rental on the beach.  Water sports are abundant. You can dive or snorkel and visit the US’s only living coral barrier reef.  If you are a fishing aficionado then the Key’s offer heart-racing, world-class sport fishing.
Try some of the other tourist attraction including Astro City, the Florida Keys Eco Discover Center and the Key West Nature Preserve.

Miami Beach
You can enjoy the surf and sand on Miami Beach or get to know the city’s rich history as a cultural and entertainment destination. From world-famous Art Deco architecture to renowned nightclubs to designer fashions, there’s so much going on in Miami Beach that you’ll need extra time to enjoy all that it offers.  Discover it all from your last minute holiday rental. The beach is seven-miles long bordered by turquoise waters perfect for playing. Don’t forget the great dining and shopping.

Panama City Beach
Panama City beach is situated in an area which is known as the Emerald Coast. Panama City Beach boasts of white sandy beaches and glistening emerald green waters. Tourists prefer to go to this beach because of its soft sand that literally squeaks when walked on. Aside from the beach itself, it is also near plenty of attractions such as the St. Andrews State Park and the Pine Log State Forest. There are also plenty of last minute vacation getaway rentals in the area. So why not rent one and enjoy not just the beach but also the restaurants and other tourist spots without having to go too far.

Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is located in East Central Florida and they offer much more then their famous beach.  Apart from enjoying in the sun and sand, you can also watch a lot of motor sports and races at the Daytona International Speedway. Historic St Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center are not far and well worth the trip.  Experience a drive right on the beach while you enjoy your last minute vacation.


West Palm Beach
It is located in the center of South Florida and it offers more than 40 miles of beautiful beaches. Since it is near the Gulf Stream, the water is warm throughout the year and it may become your favorite last minute holiday beach destination for those who frequently travel to Florida. This area offers a wide range of activities from snorkeling and kayaking to hiking and shopping. Many tourists enjoy watching the launch of space shuttles over the ocean, as they lift off from Cape Kennedy. It situated near other attractions like the Lion Country Safari and the McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Come and enjoy!

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Enjoy the Wonder of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls are among the 3 highest tourist attractions in Canada along with Toronto and Vancouver.  These are also rated two of the highest 10 most visited cities within the world. Niagara is additionally a premier destination in New York State and the Niagara Falls USA is a superb last minute vacation destination to examine the wonder of nature.  Designing a visit to Niagara Falls USA, a North American natural wonder is worth the effort. There is so much to see and enjoy.

The most attention-grabbing attractions entertain at Niagara Falls USA.  Visitors have so many activities or sightseeing tours to choose from that will pack their days with fun.  A visit to the Horseshoe waterfall and Table Rock Center is a must see.  Several hours of your day will be occupied with the scenery and sound of the thunder. The mist within the air and the colorful rainbows transform you to a wonderland.  The Gorge envelops you with natural beauty.  Your last minute holiday getaway will bring you lots of happiness.

When you enter Table Rock Center you will begin an unbelievable Niagara experience viewing Journey Behind the Falls.  This Journey is one among the few Niagara Falls attractions that will take you near the waterfall and get you up to date on your knowledge of the Falls.

Niagara Falls USA offers so many attractions.  You can watch a reenactment of a battle from the War of 1812 at the Old Fort Niagara.  The Star Spangled Banner was written as a result of this war.  The Aquarium has varied events happening and would be a great excursion on your last minute vacation.  Why not try a Wine Trail or a concert in the park?

You may need to protect yourself from the mist of the Falls. The famous Maid of the Midst is a boat that will take you close to the falls so you can get an up close view.  You may need a raincoat or poncho which may be purchased on site.  The Skylon Tower is the tallest building in the area and offers great views of this natural wonder.  You can also visit the area's museums and restaurants.  Don’t miss the Top of the Falls Restaurant for great views and great meals on your last minute holiday.  Be sure to walk across the bridge to Canada so you can see the falls from another angle.

Amazing Natural Beauty and Wonders of France

  

France is a place filled with lots of natural wonders and also beautiful cities. We have all seen in postcards the glamorous cities, scenic villages and picturesque countryside from the southern regions, but there is more to France’s natural wonders.  The natural beauty is all around and not hidden from view in any way. If you can afford to take a break from the wealth of cultural attractions that France offers its visitors during your last minute holiday getaway, take a trip to the wild side of the country and bask in the beauty of some of the most amazing natural wonders of France - there are plenty of them.

If you have an interest in speleology then Aven Armand is one of the most visited caves in France, and it is one of the most spectacular too. The cave houses a stalagmite forest of over 400 stalagmites.  It is home to one that is over 30 meters tall, making it the tallest stalagmite in the world known so far.

           

When exploring the verdant valleys, dramatic waterfalls, and sensuous flowers of the French Polynesian islands up close your last minute holiday becomes a true adventure. And the view from the islands’ highest points is well worth the trip up the rocky roads that lead to them.

Annecy Lake is the second largest lake in France and worth visiting from your last minute vacation rental.  It is famous for its extremely clear water and beautiful surroundings, so it is no surprise that it is one of the most amazing natural wonders in France.  The lake is also the cleanest in Europe.  European countries follow the strict rules of environmental regulations, and thus provide a very good place for a swim.  Cycle paths can be seen around the lake, and the best way to enjoy this peaceful area is on a bike, breathing the clean mountain air.

Paris is the “city of love”, and rather a large city. It can be a little confusing to first time visitors.  A good idea may be to join a tour on your first visit to the French capital to get your feet wet and get used to navigating the labyrinthine layout of the city.  Paris is a wonderful last minute vacation destination with gourmet restaurants and lots of upscale shopping.  So why not plan a French connection for your next holiday.

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Unforgettable Trip to Michigan

Michigan is very interesting and enjoyable place to visit.  It is a place where unspoiled nature and authentic character can revive our spirits.  In Michigan you can enjoy four distinct and unique seasons.  There are plenty of opportunities to find the perfect last minute vacation getaway during any time of the year.  Here are some of the more unforgettable places to visit in Michigan and some of its top tourist attractions.

Detroit Zoo:

The entire Detroit Zoo includes 125 acres of a natural habitat in Royal Oak and in Detroit.  There are so many animals and feeding opportunities as well as events scheduled throughout the year.  Plan a visit to make your last minute holiday complete.

Belle Isle Nature Zoo:

This revived zoo in Belle Isle Park, Detroit, is an inspired Eco-friendly endeavor. There are nature programs scheduled for families on the weekends and field trips for community groups and schools during the week to enhance your last minute vacation getaway. The highlights of the Belle Isle Nature Zoo are the fallow deer that visitors can feed, as well as a turtle exhibit and an indoor beehive.

Isle Royale National Park :

Most visitors will spend a lot of the time entertaining themselves in the park.  Do you enjoy wilderness that appears to be largely untouched by man? If your answer is yes then absolutely this is the park that will intrigue you This National Park is an amazing place for viewing nature at its best on your last minute vacation. If you enjoy hiking, kayaking or scuba, put this on your must-see list of Michigan places to visit.

Lighthouse:

Some of you may know that Michigan’s coastline includes more than 115 historic lighthouses.  Some are turned into Bed and Breakfast getaways and others are now museums.  Michigan lighthouses should be very high on the list of things to do on your last minute holiday getaway.

Porcupine Mountains:

Porcupine mountains are a group of small mountains that span the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They offer opportunities for camping, hiking and sightseeing too. Visitors will be entertained and enjoy the sites in these mountains.

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Tahquamenon Falls State Park:

The falls provides a wonderful last minute vacation spot.  If you have never been to this Michigan state park then you will be missing out on a enticing experience.  It has trails that lead to the waterfalls that are nothing short of spectacular. A must see on your vacation!

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