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Fun in the Sun: How to Have the Ultimate Weekend in San Diego

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Who doesn’t love sunshine and beaches? Who doesn’t love the laid back coastal city of San Diego? There are mountains, deserts, the ocean, art, theatre, food, and some world class zoos. There is something for everyone. It is the laid-back cousin to Los Angeles, where you can relax, enjoy some fun recreations, and sightsee. Many consider it to be even more fun than LA.

If you get the opportunity, it is very worthwhile to see San Diego! There are so many fun things to do in San Diego that will truly make your visit a memorable one. Follow this quick guide to help you plan for your ultimate weekend in San Diego:

1. What Are Your Interests?

There is no point in going through “Top Things to Do in San Diego” without first having a clear idea of what you want to see and do. Knowing specifics can help you find unique and bespoke things to do, see, and eat. Are you athletic, or do you prefer the theatre? Do you love animals? Remember that you don’t have to go somewhere just because a city is famous for it if you are not interested. It’s not about checking off lists, it’s about having a great time.

2. What Do You Reasonably Have Time For?

When you’re only there for a short period of time, you need to be realistic. Packing in ten things to see or do in a day can cheapen your experience. You want to relax and enjoy the day, not rush through it. If you want to be “busy” try to limit your day to three main activities per day. One in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. Don’t try to pack too much in!

3. Compile of List of “Possibles” But Leave Actual Decisions for the Day

There is something romantic and fun about doing things spontaneously. Being spontaneous, however, doesn’t guarantee that you will see or do the things that you want to. The best way to balance being prepared and spontaneous is to compile a list of everything that you want to do, and choose on a day by day basis (unless you have tickets or reservations, of course). Be open to possibilities, but know what your options are! You are just as likely to miss an awesome event as you are to stumble across one.

While following suggestions that other travelers make is a good way to see the city, it won’t be your trip. Don’t follow the guidelines when visiting a city, build your own itinerary! Look at unique things to do, see the things that you want to see, be aware of the events going on! Having the ultimate weekend means having the best weekend based on your interests. San Diego is a world-class city, so make sure your pack your bag and book your ticket. There is something for everyone, so why not put a little extra effort in and find the “something” that speaks to you?

8 Great Things to Do Near Deer Valley Resort

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Deer Valley in the Wasatch Mountain range is best known as a ski resort, but it offers amazing activities year-round. The region is growing in popularity because of the many attractions it offers. Here are eight great things to do near Deer Valley Resort.

Mountain Biking

Among the thrills of mountain biking are racing down the hills, and riding slowly downhill while appreciating the views. One of the main benefits of Deer Valley Resort is the scenic mountain bike paths that you can reach via three different lifts, so you don’t have to hike up the hills with a mountain bike to enjoy the rush on the way down. Silver Lake Express is located at the base of the resort, and Sterling Express is halfway up the mountain. Ruby Express is located at Empire Canyon. Note that you have to have a pass to take your mountain bike on the ski lifts.

Mountain biking is open through the summer through Labor Day and then weekends only through mid-September depending on the weather.

Horseback Riding

If you want a more relaxed ride on the trails than can be found on a mountain bike, horseback riding is a popular activity in Deer Valley during the summer.

Hiking

Deer Valley hiking during the summer is amazing, and if you’re not up to a full hike, enjoy one of the scenic lift rides to enjoy the same view, or take the lift up and hike downhill all the way to the base. There are many affordable Deer Valley lodging and vacation rentals available near both hiking and skiing routes.

Concerts

The Snow Park outdoor amphitheater hosts concerts throughout the summer, often holding several events a week. Concerts include both local bands and world-renowned artists. Performances range from the Utah Symphony to free concerts sponsored by Grand Valley Bank. The Deer Valley Music Festival is held in the Snow Park Amphitheater each summer.

Summer Camp

The summer adventure camp is located at Snow Park Lodge’s children’s center. The summer camp has activities for children ranging from infancy to school age. Older children take on challenges like the rock climbing wall, while younger children enjoy crafts, games and age-appropriate outdoor activities.

Winter Sports

Deer Valley is best known for its winter skiing and top notch ski school. If that’s not your taste, there are several trails open to snowmobiling in Deer Valley. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skier, you’ll find plenty of options for you here.

Water Sports

The fly fishing in Deer Valley is excellent. If you want something more athletic, stand up paddle boarding is a great option during the summer.

Shopping and Eating Out

Deer Valley’s historic main street offers a number of unique shops, and you can also visit the Tanger Outlet Center for pretty much everything you need.  There are lots of restaurants to enjoy in the town, and you also have the option of pre-ordering picnic items from Deer Valley Grocery, which doubles as a café.

No matter what time of year you are visiting Deer Valley, you’ll find plenty to do in the resort!

Owing a Timeshare Opens a World of Travel Opportunities

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If you have dreamed of having a perfect vacation in a luxury resort with all the top features and amenities, but think it is out of your budget, think again. Owing a Westgate timeshare means you have a home away from home in a top resort for a fraction of what you may ordinarily expect to pay.

Timeshares offer the benefit of owning a vacation home along with the amenities of a luxury hotel. You buy a share of the resort and have the right to spend a week or two there every year. For those who want a guaranteed annual vacation in their favorite resort, owning a timeshare is much more cost-effective than renting a hotel room, especially in a luxury resort.

Vacation ownership means you can select from a variety of floor plans to have a private home that suits your needs. You may want a romantic weekend getaway or a golfing vacation and only require a studio apartment, or you may want a full family vacation with two or three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, separate living and dining areas, furnished patios or decks, gorgeous interior décor and entertainment systems throughout.

Since your timeshare is in a luxury resort, you also have access to all the resort’s amenities. These may include indoor and outdoor pools, fitness rooms, spas, barbecue areas and sports courts including nearby championship golf courses. Many resorts offer concierge service for planning tours of the locality and acquiring theme-park tickets as well as providing planned activities for children.

You will have the flexibility to choose when and where you want to travel because timeshares can be traded for a comparable unit in another destination. For example, owning an Orlando timeshare is extremely desirable because Orlando is one of the top vacation destinations in the world. You may not have any trouble trading it for a timeshare in Whistler, BC, Mexico or Europe.

Timeshares offer you the privacy and convenience of a vacation home without the expense. When you have a vacation home, you may use if for a few weeks every year, but you still have to pay for it just like your original home. With a timeshare, you only pay for the time you use it because the cost is shared with others throughout the year.

You get all the advantages of a private vacation home along with the amenities of the luxury resort without the worry of upkeep and maintenance. With an annual maintenance fee, you never need to worry about cleaning, tax, insurance or utility charges. You always have onsite management which is not the case for vacation homes and condominiums that sit vacant most of the year.

Once you enter the world of timeshare ownership, you enter the world of travel. Many Westgate resorts have multiple locations you just need to choose your next destination. If you do not choose to travel, you have a guaranteed luxury vacation at your Orlando timeshare.

Timeshares are cheaper for a full family vacation than hotel rooms. Even in a budget hotel, you may need two rooms and you will not have the facility of a fully stocked kitchen which can cut your vacation budget even more because you can cook your own meals. On the days you do not feel like cooking, most resorts have excellent restaurants on-site or nearby.

Finally, timeshares may be a good investment in your future because you gain equity while vacationing. They can be bequeathed to a family member to be kept it in the family for another generation.

Whether you have a favorite vacation destination every year, or want to travel the world for an affordable price, owning a timeshare may be your best option. You will stay in luxury resorts and enjoy all they have to offer guests without paying a small fortune.

Emily Kil is a professional blogger that writes about small business, family, and digital marketing.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and two dogs.

Travelling the World on a Budget

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Have you ever dreamed about going on a long voyage around the world, but always feel restricted due to money? Well due to the rise of budget airlines and travel providers, getting around is now affordable for even those on a tight budget.

With that in mind, there are still various things to take into account to ensure your travels stay in that low-cost zone. Because there are pitfalls to avoid that could cause you to pay more than expected. So whether you are going on a cross-country trip or want to explore the globe, read on for some quick tips on how to do so on a budget.

Search around for the best prices

In this day and age, finding the best deal for travelling and accommodation is made easy thanks to the Internet.

In terms of flights, you have the likes of Kayak and Skyscanner that compare airline providers and find the best prices available. If you are flexible with your travel plans, they also give you the opportunity to search for the cheapest dates for flying.

As for hotels, motels and other accommodation options, you will no doubt know about trivago and TripAdvisor – two of the biggest search comparison tools in this particular field. Like the aforementioned flight-related firms in terms of prices, these provide the cheapest places to stay. Although keep in mind, booking accommodation far in advance – rather than leaving it to the last minute – will usually supply the best bang for your buck.

Use your own car

While renting a vehicle is a possibility, using your own car is the more cost-effective option overall. As you will avoid having to buy plane, train and bus tickets, this point is especially beneficial if you’re travelling as a family – where you need to purchase multiple tickets at a time – as opposed to going solo. Other than needing the confidence to tackle foreign roads/routes and requiring parking as part of your accommodation options, there is one major thing to consider: the maintenance of your car.

After all, the last thing you need is for your car to break down in the middle of your journey. Not only is it a stressful and time-consuming experience, but it will most likely incur a sizeable wedge of cash to repair – which goes against the budget philosophy explored in this article! As a result, ensure your vehicle is checked over by a specialist maintenance/repair company like Revolution Automotive before setting off. For example if you own a BMW, use the Revolution Automotive BMW service for that peace of mind during your travels.

5 Great Vacation Destinations for Summer Break

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Ah, summer break. A time to relax by the pool or swim in the ocean and soak up all of the sunshine that you couldn’t get during the short and cold winter days. And, summer is also a perfect time to head off on a great vacation. But where should you go? Consider the five destinations below to plan a trip that you will never forget.

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Whistler, British Columbia

You might not think of Canada as a hot weather destination because it is known for its ski resorts, cold winters, and winter sports, but it can be a perfect place for your summer break. In fact, the same places where you can go skiing in the winter also offer a host of fun activities during the summer. Whistler is a fantastic example. There, you can take a gondola tour way up in the air between two mountain peaks, or you can go on eco tours and see native wildlife in their natural habitats, and you can also access countless trails for hiking and biking. Resorts like Whistler Premier will gladly welcome you even during the green and warm summer season.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are a really beautiful and unique place, and they are one of the most popular summer vacation destinations. From black sand beaches, to incredible volcanoes and sea cliffs, the islands are home to a varied landscape and abundant plant and animal life. Plus, there are a lot of blissful resorts where you can stay and relax as you indulge in delicious local cuisine and spend your days lounging in the sun working on your tan.

Paris

Heading over to Paris, France is yet another fantastic idea if you are planning an unforgettable summer break. Known as the City of Lights, millions of people visit this unique place year round, but summer is a great time to book your trip because you will be able to comfortably walk through the streets, have a coffee or a meal outside, and visit all of the historic places throughout the city. From churches that are hundreds of years old, to museums that are home to breathtaking art, Paris has something for everyone.

New York City

New York City can be rough during the winter when the weather is cold and there is dirty snow on the ground along the sidewalks, but the summer is the perfect time to get out there and see what makes “the city that never sleeps” so special. Check out a Broadway show, have dinner at one of the world’s most famous restaurants, head to a baseball game, and shop at the designer stores throughout this exciting city.

Florence

Searching for an idyllic place to escape to for your summer vacation? Then look no further than Florence, Italy, where you will be steeped in Italian culture. Friendly locals and delicious meals await, and you can take in the lush and quiet beauty of the Tuscan hills that have inspired artists throughout the centuries.

So there you have it: these are five of the best vacation destinations for your summer break. Head out there and take it all in.

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