Sydney

This week’s post will take us all the way to Sydney Australia! The home of 42 wallaby way and our favorite fish Nemo and friends. Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and is home to some of the most beloved and famous tourist attractions. Many of those attractions lie within the Sydney Harbour.

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Sydney Harbour is part of Port Jackson, which is one of the world’s largest natural harbors. Onlookers of the harbor marvel in its beauty and are witness to one of the many wonders of the world. From the harbour, visitors will be able to see the busy metropolitan skyline. They will also be able to see the famous Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. These two attractions are the most prominent in the skyline and are also the most visited.

The Opera house is a multi-venue performing arts center and host to over 1500 performances a year. The site is home to four key resident companies some of which include Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet. Each year approximately 7 million people visit the attraction. What’s perhaps most endearing about the opera house is its distinct structure and architectural design. The structure takes on an “expressionist design” with a series of large concrete shells layered on top of each other to form the roof.  The structure is undeniable and unique to the contemporary Australian culture.

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The Harbour Bridge is perhaps one of Sydney’s most distinct and iconic images of Australia. The bridge was modeled after the Hell Gate Bridge in New York and happens to be the sixth longest spanning arch bridge in the world.  The bridge held the title of widest spanning bridge in the world until construction of the Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver. The bridge is nicknamed “The Coathanger” due to this arch-based design.

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With an average yearly average climate of 71 degrees, an urban and exciting lifestyle, some of the most beautiful sites you’ll see, Sydney becomes one of the most visited places in the world. And rightly so!

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Florence!

Today’s travels take us to one the most popular and renowned cities of the world. Florence is the capital city of the Italian region Tuscany. Florence is famous for its European mid-evil history and is said to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. The city has beautiful architecture unique to its history and is host to up to 1.7 million visitors a year. The city is also host to hundreds of students a year studying abroad.

There are countless attractions to visit in this city. Among them are Basilica Di Santa Maria del Fior, otherwise known as the main church of Florence. The cathedral was built in the 5th century and was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Due to age the building began to crumble and has undergone numerous repairs. It also had to be expanded to accommodate the growing population of the city. Today, the cathedral’s structure is unparalleled and is the church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence.

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Among other attractions such as buildings, bridges, and restaurants, is Michelangelo’s statue of David. David is a masterpiece sculpted between 1501 and 1504. The statue is a representation of the biblical hero of David and was originally placed in a public square. The statue soon came to symbolize defense of civil liberties embodied in the Florentine Republic. David stands at 17 feet tall and is now placed in Florence’s Accademia Gallery.

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Needless to say, Italy is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but the wonders of Florence are unique, intriguing, culturally enriched, and special. The city is old but contemporary and a place where I would love to escape to. One day I’ll walk the streets of Florence and bask in the intricate beauties of the Tuscan city.

Cancun

Now that spring break is over and our bank accounts are empty, we can start saving up for spring break 2015! Having missed out on the fun in the sun this year, I intend on splurging on a trip next year to Cancun, the land of blue waters and reckless college kids. College spring break and Cancun are as synonymous as peanut butter and jelly. However, Cancun has more to offer than just resorts filled with party loving 20 somethings. It is actually a beautiful city with Mayan cultural influences. Some still know Cancun as the gateway to El Mundo Maya (The Mayan World). There are archaeological sites dating back hundreds of years within some of the resorts

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Development of the city began in the 1970s with hotels and  a city inspired landscape. developers began to create a place where tourists would feel welcome and enjoy themselves. The city was built with tourism in mind and today, is host to 3.3 million tourists a year. One of the more important reasons people visit Cancun is because of it nearly perfect climate, with an annual average of about 80 degrees. Along with the beautiful weather tourists are attracted to the white sandy beaches and exotic native flowers and plants. Cancun is undeniably beautiful.

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Cancun is also host to some of the most exciting night life scenes around (particularly attractive to college kids). The city is host to hundreds of bars and night clubs, ranging from disco to tropical themes. However caution must be taken while hanging out at night. Per usual, never take a drink from a stranger and never leave phones, cameras, or purses out in the open. They may happen to disappear. Also when out and about in Cancun, never be wandering alone. If you get lost and happen to wander outside the limits of the resort, you will find yourself in big trouble, as mexico is currently home to terrible gang and drug violence. Just remember always travel with a friend and do not wander. BE SAFE! BE SMART!

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With that being said, if you want a spring break like the ones you see in movies and MTV then Cancun is the place for you. Save your pennies!

Spring Break

Spring break is FINALLY here and you know what that means. A few of us will be going on amazing vacations and enjoying a nice cold beverage on a nice warm beach. However, for the rest of us (most of us), we are headed home to our northeastern homes where we’ll be lucky if the temps rise above 30 degrees. This doesn’t mean that we have to be miserable does it? Of course not! This post is going to be highlight some of the top spots in a few of the major cities of the northeast so those of us who have to wait a few more months to see sand might have something to keep us occupied next week.

Being from the greater Philadelphia area, I know the value of a good cheesesteak. However rarely do I actually venture into the city to grab one but when I do, there are only a few places I trust have the absolute best cheesesteaks. Two of these hot spots are Jim’s Steaks and Ishkabibbles, which are located on South Street, noted as “one of the hippest streets in town”. However if you want a classic, tried and true cheesesteak, venture over to East Passyunk avenue and get a steak from either Pat’s or Geno’s. The two establishments, located right across the street from each other, have been fighting for the title of worlds best cheesesteak for the past 50 years. Regardless of where you go, you’re going to get a real Philly cheesesteak, which will be far superior than any steak you’ve tried in state college.

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If you’re from the greater New York City area I do not even know where to begin. The world is at your finger tips. You can simply walk down the street and that will be enough to satisfy any touristy urges you may be having. I suggest catching a Broadway show, Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Les Mis, the list goes on. However if you wanna save some change go to time square, stand on the steps and people watch. The abundance of people and neon lights is a wonder (and you could get a good instagram out of it). Something I highly suggest doing in the big apple is having a meal at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. All the staff are trying to make it on Broadway so mid meal, you may get serenaded by some insanely talented waitresses/ waiters. How fun!

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No matter where you may be going this spring break, have fun, relax, and try something new!

Iceland!

Iceland, home of highlands, mountains, lava fields, and the popular alternative band Of Monsters and Men. Iceland is also one of the more interesting and adventurous places to vacation. Iceland is ranked 18th in the worlds largest islands but is ranked 2nd largest in Europe next to Great Britain. Iceland’s climate is not necessarily tropical with an annual average of 44 degrees Fahrenheit,  but its beauty and uniqueness make up for the chilly weather.

The landscape, architecture, and culture of Iceland has its roots in Norse tradition. Something worth checking out would be the traditional Icelandic turf houses. These houses were built in order to combat a tough climate and insulate homes. As you can see they are interesting, and architecturally unique to the nations culture.

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Something also worth checking out is the Blue Lagoon Spa. Known as one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon Spa is a geothermal man-made spa with warm waters filled with the minerals silica and sulphate.

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Bathing in the lagoon is believed to have cured individuals with sickness and skin diseases. Other attractions include whale watching and something that’s on my bucket list, watching the Northern Lights.

Although viewing the Northern lights is possible in many of the northern regions of the world, watching them in Iceland is possibly one of the more popular places to see the technicolor sky due to its unique landscape and prime location. Check out this video to see what I’m talking about.

Icelandic Northern Lights

Regardless of where you go in Iceland, you’re going to have an unique and fun experience. I know Iceland is towards the top of places I’m dying to go to, and hopefully I’ll be able to experience the beauty and wonder of the unique northern island.

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Atlantis

Today I am going to talk about one of the best places ever. Atlantis! A Bahamas resort worthy of star studded guests and the location of one the best Mary-Kate and Ashley movies ever made, Holiday in the Sun. Atlantis is located on Paradise island and is home to some of the most beautiful hotels, blue waters, and insanely steep water slides. I have actually had the privilege of visiting the resort and it surely lives up to its magnificent name.

Atlantis officially opened in 1998 and was originally named the Trump Plaza. That is, until the royal towers were built, and rest of the resort was refurbished to match the towers.

The Royal Towers

The Royal Towers

Atlantis has a wide variety of activities to enjoy. There are multiple beaches to relax on, where snorkeling and floating in the blue water is a must. There are dozens of pools each unique to its location, which allow for recreation and sunbathing. Most importantly, and most prominent in the resort are the water parks. The water parks include lazy rivers that span for miles, under water walkways that are host live tropical fish, and a feature that the resort is most known for. The water slides.

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The two most popular water slides are the Mayan Leap of faith and Shark Tank. Shark tank takes you down from high altitude into a tunnel where you find yourself surrounded by real live sharks. Not only is the water slide exhilarating and fun, it is also beautiful and captivating. They Mayan leap of faith drops the rider at almost 90 degrees from 60 feet in the air. Terrifying and riveting are the two words that come to mind while remembering my experience on the leap of faith.

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Leap of Faith

Atlantis is only becoming more amazing as the years go on. They recently created Atlantis Live, where the resort has made an effort to host concerts and other events to its guests. A few  of those guests include Katy Perry, Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift, N’SYNC, Lady Antebellum, and Kenny Chesney.

Never will there be another resort as unique and wondrous at Atlantis Paradise Island. If you get the chance, I highly recommend visiting the resort. You will make memories, have fun, and get to experience a place that is beautiful and exciting.

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Alaska

So I’m not going to torture you with a sunny vacay spot thats hot and tropical because quite frankly, I can’t do it. These sheets of ice on the sidewalk have hindered my abilities to venture the interweb for places that we all are longing to be. However, I would like to share something that is just as awesome and beautiful as the waters of Bora Bora. Alaska!

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Taking an Alaskan cruise has always been a dream of mine. These cruises allow you to see wildlife and national parks from the view of the ship and also offers a beautiful view. Something I would be most interested in is seeing The Great Land’s glaciers. “The Great Land” is the meaning of “Alyeska”, obviously the derivative of “Alaska”. This land is known for its lush forests, high mountain peaks, and tons of wildlife, such as grizzlys and moose. You can travel through the gulf of Alaska, or if lucky, cruise through the Inside Passage, a coastal route extending from southeastern Alaska through western British Columbia. The passage offers ideal scenery and gives onlookers a feeling of refreshment and clarity.

Inside Passage

Inside Passage

If you are seriously considering taking this cruise you will experience a whole new aspect of the world that you never thought you would. An alaskan cruise is filled with culture, nature, and most importantly, a beautiful view. Never did I think I would long to go to Alaska so badly. I would absolutely sacrifice a week on the beach if it meant seeing the beauty that an Alaskan cruise had to offer.

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Siem Reap

When exploring top vacation spots of the world, one came across that I had never heard of before. When I researched farther I thought that the spot was worth sharing. The town Siem Reap resides in northwestern Cambodia and it is a popular resort town as the gateway to Angkor region. The name Siem Reap translates literally to the ‘Defeat of Siam’ today’s Thailand, and refers to the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer peoples. Although this is true, modern Siem Reap is rather laid back and is a rather pleasant place to stay. The average year round temperature is a balmy 91 degrees, but the heat is a small concern when entrenched in the awesomeness of the town.

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There is a lot of history in the town and its architecture has a colonial and Chinese style that is intriguing to the eye. Since the town has a heavy cultural influence, there are museums, souvenir shops, fishing villages, and bird sanctuaries. Two of its most popular attractions are the Old Market and the Central market. The Old Market offers traditional antiques and tourist souvenirs while Central Market offers food, clothing, and jewelry. Perhaps one of the coolest attractions in Siem Reap is the Angkor Thom, an inner royal city built at the end of the 12th century its temple ground and towering southern gate draws tourists from all over the world.

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Usually when we think of vacation we think of beaches and sunshine. In this case if you’re looking for beauty, history, and culture, Siem Reap is the perfect place for you.

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Bora Bora

Its winter time in state college! The winter coats are out, the sidewalks are slippery, and everyone is skipping class to avoid the cold. If you do happen to be vegetating and avoiding contact with the outside world, you may catch an episode of Keeping up with Kardashians, and it may be the one where they take yet another luxurious vacation to Bora Bora. If you have not seen the episode, there is a lot of whining and family drama that revolves around Kim losing her diamond earring in the tropical waters after her soon to be second ex-husband pushes her in. While I try to avoid the Kardashians whenever I can, I couldn’t help but notice the beauty and awe of the island they stayed on.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island is well known for its over the water bungalows on stilts and its economy relies almost entirely on tourism. Most of the attractions are aqua-centric, because who wouldn’t want to play around in that crystal blue water? Public transportation on the island is non-existent and the preferred methods of travel are bicycles and rental cars.

The average temperature for the island year round is 84.7 degrees. In the month of January the average high is 86, approximately 74 degrees warmer that it is right now. So since we cant actually be in Bora Bora , we might as well sit back, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, hibernate, and look at pictures of Bora Bora until winter ends.

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