Tours of various parts of the palace are available. Places which are available for visit include the King’s state apartments, the Queen’s state apartments, the King’s chamber, and the jewel of the castle, the Hall of Mirrors. In addition to these fine quarters, one can also visit the Queen’s Hamlet, which is a small country hamlet replica built for the queen; this is where Marie Antoinette could pretend she was a country maid. See the Grande Ecourie, which is the collection of Versailles stables; it once held more than 600 horses. Costumed horse demonstrations can also be witnessed here.

That is not all; other great places to tour include the Dauphin’s apartments, Le Petite Trianon, and the Grand Trianon. The palace is full of opulence and you will never see anything like it anywhere in the world.  Shows, musicals, extravagant courtyards, courtly ceremonies, galleries, and a museum can all be found on the site.

Sardinia - Photo by cristianocani

When self-exiled British author D. H. Lawrence said that Sardinia was, “lost between Europe and Africa and belonging to nowhere,” he could not have been more accurate.  A distinct dialect of Italian is spoken here that is difficult even for Italians to understand.  The western side of the island is more prone to the qualities that inspired the quote.  Rugged beaches facing Spain and a less densely packed population offer not only a sense of slipping back in time, but also a number of National Parks and protected areas that are fantastic for viewing sea life and having a slowly paced trip. In the northwestern portion of the island both the Cap Caccia Marine Protected area and the Asihara National Park boast amazing natural beauty.  As you slip further down the coastline to the west portion, you come across Piscinas Beach.  The beach is appropriately named because the water is as clear and sparkling as a pool.

The southern portion of the island is the most densely populated and the location of the capital of Cagliari and also home of the busiest of the islands three airports.  One of the most famous areas of the island, not just the south, is the Capo Carbonara Protected Marine Area. With ample beaches and wildlife galore; whether your preference is for soaking up sunshine, swimming with dolphins or donning SCUBA gear and staying submerged; everyone can find something fantastic in what the area has to offer.

If the idea of time away from maddening crowds sitting on an idyllic beach that is backed by limestone cliffs in the region of one of Europe’s only remaining coastal forests puts that far away look in your eye, then head to the eastern coast of Sardinia.  The Gulf of Orosei embraces a peaceful pace of life that focuses on being outdoors, enjoying sports and activities and is off the most beaten tracks. Grottos and caves dot the coast, carved by time out of the limestone cliffs, offering opportunities to explore on land as well as sea.

Sardinia beach with crystal waters - Photo by ezioman

The Costa Smeralda is the crown jewel of Sardinia, with water worthy of the name.  The north eastern portion of the island is hands down the most popular tourist destination, not only for the amazing natural gifts the island has to offer, but for celebrity spotting as well.  The highest concentration of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs is here, overflowing with bronzed tourists famous and normal alike. In the Costa Smeralda, as in the majority of the island, you will notice a scent in the air as you walk through towns, hills and beaches.  Wild herbs grow abundantly and scent the air continuously, adding to the sensation that you are indeed in one of nature’s most perfect creations.

It offers Italians a time to relax and have a little nibble while waiting for the traditional dinner time of 9:00.  For the tourist, it offers a great way to tide over hunger while waiting for local restaurants to open, which normally is not until at least 7:00.  Aperitivo also gives someone who is inexperienced in Italian food a great opportunity to try a large array of different appetizer and side dish type foods without actually committing to ordering a whole dish.

KITSCH (1 and 2)

Kitsch is an outstanding destination for aperitivo, so popular they opened a second location on the other side of Florence. Now, as long as you are in the northern part of the city center, you are within 15 minutes walking distance from Kitsch.  The décor is exactly as you would imagine with having such a name.  These are places made for relaxed fun and good food.  The list of specialty cocktails is astounding and the juices are squeezed fresh in season, with a strawberry frappe that makes any margarita or daiquiri an instant dessert.

FUSION BAR

This is the place to see and be seen after work be the beautiful people of Florence.  The prices on cocktails for aperitivo average 12-14 Euro and rather than elbowing your way through a crowded buffet line your cocktail server or bartender will replenish your plate throughout the evening with artfully created and delicious hors d’oeuvres.  The secluded location, tucked within the Lungarno Suites hotel, combined with an ample patio for the summer and proximity to the absolute center of the city make it a perfect way to end a day and begin an evening.

SEI DIVINO

The name is a bit of a play on words, and it is both divine and overflowing with wine.  The selection of wines here is extensive compared to most,  the cocktails here should be passed up for wine that any of the owners or bartenders are more than happy to talk about, the cocktail servers in general have a more limited knowledge.  The food for aperitivo has theme nights at the beginning of the week and is solidly Tuscan Thursdays through Saturdays.  The pasta dishes and rice dishes on these nights are not to be missed.  Rotating art displays complement the atmosphere and are unusually good, which makes sitting back with a big, proper piece of stemware for sipping on that Super Tuscan all that much more pleasurable.

NOIR

The name belies the location, but is fitting for the décor.  Situated on the northern side of the River Arno with full sun exposure, the mood is anything but black.  With fairly ample seating indoors for those that arrive early, a limited number of outdoor tables and “table” for dozens comprised of the wall along the river, this is one busy location. The food is typically Tuscan all week and is refreshed continuously throughout the evening.  Cocktails over wine is definitely the right choice to make here and the crowd is lively, animated and young.

SLOWLY

In the heart of the city center, only five minutes walking from the Uffizi or the Duomo, lies Slowly.  Which aptly describes the manner in which the food is prepared, slowly and seemingly with great love.  The advantage of being open for lunch as well shows in the food, the sauces that are slow simmered and meats that have been braised for hours reward the post work Florentines that patronize this “oh so near all things shopping” location.

The Polynesian Cultural Center, found on the North Shore of Oahu, is well known for recreated island villages of Polynesia, including Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga, and Tahiti. Villagers at this creative destination will show you skills such as coconut husking, climbing palm trees, and more. A luau will end the day and you will feel immersed in the Polynesian lifestyle. Get in touch with the true culture of Hawaii by visiting this educational and entertaining attraction.

One tour in Hawaii that is not for the faint of heart is the Kalaupapa Leper Colony tour. This tour requires participants to ride a mule down the side of a cliff, which will surely stir objections in some people. A tour of the leper colony facility and the grave of Father Damien, their protector, who also died of Hansen’s disease (another term for leprosy), is educational and thrilling, thanks to the adventurous mule ride. This is one spot few others will be able to brag about seeing, so earn your bragging rights by mounting a mule on your next Hawaii vacation.

One strange tour in Hawaii is the Dolphins Gone Wild tour, which focuses on the mating habits of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. If you happen to be in Hawaii in spring or fall, when dolphin mating is at its peak, you can witness the action by boat. Definitely unusual, this is one experience you won’t soon forget.

Hawaii, as evidenced above, is full of unique travel fare that does not involve seeing volcanoes or staying on the beach. Why spend your vacation like everyone else? Be unique and see some of the lesser known sites that litter the Hawaiian Islands. Amazing adventure awaits you in Hawaii.

One of the most prominent features of Kentucky’s geography may not even be apparent to many who visit. Kentucky is actually home to the world’s largest cave system; one place to definitely see while in the state is Mammoth Cave, which is both a national park and a World Heritage Site. The cave affords visitors the chance to see some spectacular underground scenery, so make sure it is on your Kentucky itinerary. The Mammoth Cave area is also home to the Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum and the Mammoth Cave Wax Museum, both of which are interesting stops.

Unusual as it may seem, there is actually a museum dedicated to that fiery drink, whiskey. The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History is housed in Spalding Hall, which features its own unique history dating back to 1826. Artifacts and documents trace the history of one of America’s favored libations. If you wish to brag to your drinking buddies, this is one place you should stop and see.

Fried Chicken fans can visit the grave of renowned chicken maker, Colonel Sanders. Anyone who loves the crispy, spicy chicken of KFC will enjoy a stop at the resting place of the man who came up with the 11 herbs-and-spices recipe that we all know and love. Speaking of chicken, don’t forget to plan a stop at the World Chicken Festival in London, Kentucky. This four-day festival features plenty of food and entertainment the whole family can enjoy.

Kentucky will not only fill your senses, but also your belly. Chicken, caves, whiskey and more can be had when one travels to the bluegrass-covered state of Kentucky. Visit national parks, museums, and festivals to get a taste of the Kentucky most visitors miss.

A difficult night can be avoided by verifying what time the hotel you will be staying in closes for check-in.  Coordinating your flight to have a good cushion time in the event of a delay is vital if you are staying in a smaller hotel, especially in the smaller cities. Many of the smaller and boutique hotels do not offer check-in later at night, but with larger hotels this should not be a problem.  A good resource for minimizing flight delays is to check with http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/index.xml, which is based on the US Department of Transportation statistics.

After you have settled in to your hotel and are looking for restaurants to satisfy your urges for consuming pasta, pizza and parmagiano until the smile of satisfaction on your face is permanent, check your watch.  While the restaurants that cater to tourists stay open all day, most of the best food will be served in restaurants that have traditional hours.  Lunch is normally served from noon until about 2:30, with most Italians beginning lunch between 1:00 and 1:30 so a 12:30 -12:45 arrival time gets you a good table, good food and good service.  Dinner is served much later than in the US with most restaurants not opening for service until about 7:00, with most Italians not arriving until about 9:00.  Bring cash, cash is king in Italy.

The afternoon shop closure concept is still alive and well in Italy and travelers may want to plan around this.  While the city centers in Milan, Rome, Florence and Naples will have shops open all day, when you walk three steps outside of the tourist zones in the early afternoon long aisles of shuttered shops will greet you.  The frustration that seeing the perfect unique item in a store window that will not reopen for another threes hours can only be soothed by the consumption of gelato.  This rule applies to Sundays as well.  It is actually forbidden for businesses to be open on Sundays without a special permit.  Do not question this, it “is the Italian way.”

For the dreaded Italian transportation strike.  For those that have traveled and experienced this or heard horror stories from those who have, you can avoid falling victim to “il sciopero.” YOU need not be the one stuck in an airport or train station crying on your luggage.  If you head to http://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/. And click on the calendar icon and then the “Elenco Scioperi” button below it, all upcoming strikes will be alphabetically listed by the occupation that is striking that week.  Yes, the site is in Italian, but you need only know “aeree” and “trasporti” to avoid any of the misery.  The upside if you do encounter one is that they normally only last between 4 and 12 hours, yes hours.
For many people traveling to Italy is one of the most memorable vacations of a lifetime.  You can make it that much better with just a few precautions that will take less than an hour of your time.  The times it takes to sit back and sip one glass of light sparkling Prosecco to celebrate your trip.

Photo by Jim Linwood

When you are looking for a place to stay when heading to Florence you will be astounded how many options that a city of less than 400,000 residents has to offer.  From hostels in virtually every quarter to family owned bed and breakfasts to large hotels and culminating in Four Seasons Florence you literally can find a room from about 30 Euro a night to 15,000 Euro a night.  The damper that the economy has placed on tourism has had a big impact on the prices of hotel rooms in the city, with prices dropping typically about 30% over what they have been the last few years.  If you are aware of how consistently high the prices on hotel rooms in Florence tend to be, then you realize how significant that is.

That savings on your hotel room can treat you to some of the best food the world has to offer.  Despite the presence of a few McDonald’s in the city, the food in general is amazing.  If you can avoid most of the tourist oriented restaurants if you are looking for a bargain you will be surprised at the quality and quantity of food you can get for your Euro.  The most effective way to find the best value and quality combination is to go off the beaten track.  The permanent presence of hoards of annual tourist supports restaurants that specifically cater them, almost always with disappointing results.  If you befriend a concierge or can read local Italian bloggers and their restaurant experiences you will have a great food experience.  If not, the trick is to walk slightly outside of the high traffic areas and find a restaurant that does not have English menus.  Quality of the food, great, hospitality, great, and prices to put a smile on your face compared to the restaurants in the famous piazzas.

Scenery in Florence is some of the best urban scenery in the world.  Statues stand guard over centuries old piazzas, the presence of the Medici’s ancestral home and their nurturing of the artists of the Renaissance created some of the most beautiful works of art known.  Both man-made scenery and the surrounding natural beauty of the Tuscan hills will offer photo opportunities unparalleled in a city of this size.  One helpful hint for all budgets, lines for museums are insanely long, a quick visit to the representative website a day or two prior to your anticipated visit to reserve and purchase your tickets online will save you hours of time. (Be sure to check out the Uffizi Gallery.) The beauty of the city and small size of the historical center allow for walking to virtually every work of art and piazza you will want to see,  a huge amount of walking tours are available, so bring your comfortable walking shoes and enjoy the experience.

Fresh hand made mozzarella - Allstays.com

In the early spring, when the rains have finished and the hills are even more lushly green than the rest of the year, the crowds begin.  If you have ample time the Italian Sommeliers Association offers a certification program in Florence that could accompany a semester in one of the many culinary institutes of the region.  For the typical person that does not have three spare months to learn the intricacies of Italian cuisine, spring is the perfect time to do a week long cooking jaunt in one of the myriad of villas in the Tuscan hills that have been converted to luxury hotels offering cooking classes and wine tours.  Sleep the night away in a centuries old villa surrounded by vineyards, enjoy coffee and brioche before heading to a farmer’s market and then spend the afternoon learning to make pasta from scratch, a vibrant tomato sauce and artichoke risotto.

When the Tuscan sun is reaching its zenith in the summer and there is nary a cloud in the sky to threaten a sudden brief thunderstorm, the options broaden.  Bicycling tours going from farmhouse to winery to restaurant join their automotive cousins in showing tourists everything from how salami is made to how those grapes become that luscious liquid that should accompany every dinner. Tomatoes are everywhere, strawberries and peaches are abundant and classes and tours will always focus on fresh, in-season ingredients.  August is hot. August is the month to be at the beach in Italy so most small businesses close and it is infinitely more recommended to come to Tuscany in the fall.

Autumn is the ideal time to visit Tuscany for the food and wine addicted.  The grape harvest is coming in and every town from San Gimignano to Siena is awash in fellow aficionados.  In some places tourists can actually participate in the harvest as a portion of the wine touring, which is about more than Chianti.  Autumn is also the time for truffles.  Hunters are taking their dogs out daily, digging up the delectable fungi and bringing them to restaurants and food festivals to be shaved over everything from omelettes to risotto to bistecca.  The most famous area for truffles is San Miniato, and the truffle festival there is not to be missed by the agritourist.  The pungent, earthy aroma lingers over the festival, inviting you to deeply inhale in anticipation of everything you are about to consume.

Peaks for travel for agritourists are in spring and fall, but classes ranging from a few hours to a week are held year round throughout the region.  Booking ahead during these peak times is key to finding availability because the vast majority of the hoteliers that cater to this sector are smaller and tend to have high occupancy rates.  The economic turndown has not affected agritourism in Tuscany as much as it has impacted other areas of travel so while Florence hotels have fairly wide availability for the season, planning ahead for this particular Tuscan dream is recommended.  The lack of turndown also tells you just how fantastic and well appreciated the Italian reverence for food and wine is among fellow travelers.  Mangia.

Heading South in Colorado

Colorado travelers, often so wrapped up in the mountains, never even think to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park, which has the biggest sand dunes on the continent. The area encompasses various climates, including forest, tundra, and wetlands, so one can expect a ton of biodiversity. Creeks, streams, and mountain lakes provide scenic backdrops and swimming opportunities. See the peeled trees that Native Americans used for food and medicine while you are in the park as well. This is one destination that has something for everyone.

For a sighting you will not likely forget, visit the sculptured house in Golden. The house, designed by Charles Deaton, was used in the 1973 film, ’Sleeper.’ It features unique wall curving, an interesting in-house elevator called the “orgasmatron,” watermelon seed chairs, and panoramic views. Film fans, architecture buffs, and people intrigued by oddities will fall in love with this home.

If one wishes to revisit an interesting time in American History, one should stop by the Alfred Packer Massacre site (near Lake City) and grave (in Littleton). Alfred Packer was a prospector who was accused of murdering and eating his fellows when they became snowbound in the Rockies. After lengthy trials, sentence overturns, and a media circus, Packer received 40 years for manslaughter, which was the longest sentence in the United States at the time. Later forensic investigations proved that at least part of Packer’s self defense story was true. Visiting his grave and the massacre site will give you an interesting glance at controversial piece of history.

Colorado has much to offer guests; mountains, rivers, national parks, and more are available for tourist pleasure. Hiking in the sand dunes and learning about historic tragedies are two different activities that will amuse and educate. See film history while simultaneously witnessing architectural masterwork. Only in Colorado will you have these opportunities.

Located in Louisville, the Waverly Hills Sanitarium is the ultimate place for a scare. Paranormal investigators have found creepy evidence of multiple hauntings here; this comes as no surprise considering that beginning in 1908, this was the site of a tuberculosis hospital. Starting as a small institution and then growing over the years, staying a TB hospital until 1961, the hospital has seen a lot of death. Thousands of people died in this place and this is evident upon entering the “body chute,” which is a tunnel that was used to transport dead bodies to the waiting hearses.  Chills will crawl up and down your skin just meandering around the place; tours are available through the Waverly Hills Sanitarium official website.

The Queen Mary, in California, is a ship on which you can take the Paranormal Ship Tour, Twilight Historical Tour, Dining with Spirits Tour, and the Paranormal Investigation Tour. Each of these options offers different aspects to exploring the mysterious Queen Mary. Walk the gangways and see if you find any ghosts or just learn the history of the ship-it’s up to you.

One last sinister stop on your path to paranormal perfection is the Paraplex, which is located in New Orleans.  It sits imposingly, surrounded by cemeteries, which is fitting considering it was a 19th century funeral home. Owned by a parapsychologist PhD, who uses the site as an experiment; the house is rigged with many video cameras, which are used to capture both any paranormal activity and people’s reactions.  Supposedly inhabited by nine spirits, the house certainly will keep you on your toes.

Paranormal attractions are not for everyone. If you scare easily, you may want to stay away, unless of course, you like being scared. These three sampling represent only a small portion of the available types of paranormal attractions. Do some research and plan your vacation today.