Hot summer weekends are here and everybody is weighing their options for a rightfully earned vacation that is sure to include fun-filled activities, cool cocktails and tasty dishes, recreation and quality-time alongside their family. Well, for those who fell like cooling off and enjoying the sun-drench days, there is the possibility to book a vacation package to a seaside resort or to buy a ticket to one of the best water parks across the United States. Going for the latter option can help you save yourself a mint of money and in the same time rejoice the thrill of the rides on a water slide, the relaxation when riding in a tube on the lazy river and arriving eventually in a wave pool. Plus, your kids will be delighted to dabble all day long. Therefore, glimpse at our top comprising the American water parks that are worth a visit and put together an affordable easy escape.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Texas

Built up in New Braunfels, Texas this amazing water park features incredible rides for the thrill-seekers and the water-lovers which brought it the Golden Ticket Award for Best Water Park for seven years in a row. Both soft rides for children and speedy, adrenaline-filled ones are to be found here, quenching every visitor’s needs.  Best of all, you can have dinner at one of the restaurants lined up in the park and find an accommodation at this location as well. For those of you who are planning a low-budget visit to this amusement park, there’s nothing to worry about! You can bring food and drinks from home and have a picnic in the facility.

Noah’s Ark, Wisconsin

This water park is famous for harboring the longest water coaster in the country, symbolically called the Black Anaconda. It draws many tourists during the summertime with dozens of waterslides, cozy wave pools, winding rivers, play areas, a Paradise Lagoon activity pool and mini golf courses, just to mention a few. So if you crave to feel the adrenaline rush or you’re simply looking for recreational activities and enjoying the sun beams, Noah’s Ark makes for the perfect destination.

Aquatica in Orlando, Florida

There is something for all ages to enjoy when coming to the Aquatica Park: exciting, vibrating rides of all sorts like raft slides, bowl rides, mat-racing slides, multi-passenger inflatable raft rides, large pools, lazy rivers or frolic animals. However, it is mainly praised for the golden beaches that surround the wave pools, creating the illusion of a natural seaside view.

Water World, Colorado

This park beckons the tourists with countless attractions such as water slides, among which the Flat Line is a blast by giving the riders the optimal combination of water, thrilling drops and instinctive hands up, endless lazy rivers, a Captain Jack’s wave pool, family raft rides or tube rides. However, most of the tourists stop by to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush by taking a nearly 5-minute Voyage to the Center of the Earth, which has them travelling in spirals  through an artificial cavern in family rafts and featuring a scary final encounter with a dinosaur.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach in Orlando, Florida

This water park boasts with the largest outdoor wave pools worldwide and your visit can reach its apex on a shoe string by taking a ride with the Crush N Gusher, the Summit Plummet or with the Downhill Double Dipper. Other great activities include snorkeling, swimming and catching the sun beams on the beach.

When travelling with your children, it’s very difficult to find a holiday destination that is sure to meet your tastes and that of your little ones as well. Since kids are after games, sports and in most of the cases their lack of patience doesn’t match the idea of a tour featuring important monuments and museums,  we advise you to consider including in your travelling itinerary a trip to one of the best zoos in the country. Apart from being an educative experience for your children providing them with information on multiple species, such a visit can turn into a fun-filled manner to spend time with your family…not to mention that most of these zoos are home to some endangered species that no longer live in the wild and the only way to ever see them is by paying a visit to these facilities.

Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas

Built up a century ago, this zoo has gained reputation worldwide by offering the animals great living conditions in the form of natural habitats. This zoo harbors more than 350 species of animals from all the continents, except for Antarctica, numbering also multiple local fauna (like domestic goats, Guinea hogs, domestic chickens, opossums) and flora species. Here you have the possibility to learn about the wildlife in Texas and also to wander in a reconstructed town with houses featuring the same architecture as they had in the early 1900’s. A ride on the carousel will make your children grin ear-to-ear.

Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona

When in Arizona, you should definitely stop by to visit arguably one of the largest zoos on the American territory covering 125 acres of land. Housing more than 1200 animals, this zoo’s main attractions are the African lion, the Aldabra tortoise, the baboon and the giraffe. You can make a quick tour of the zoo by hopping on the Safari Train which circles the entire facility. At the end of the ride enjoy the Wild About Animals Show and buy some plush toys for your kids.

Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach, Florida

You can venture inside the Lion Country Safari with your own car drive about 4 miles and gaze at the zebras and giraffes that frolic in their natural habitat. For security reasons, the lions’ savannah-like home is surrounded by fences that you cannot cross. You are also allowed to fees some of the animals and that could be quite a memorable adventure.

San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California

Praised for its size and the involvement of the human caretakers in offering the animals the best conditions, this zoo often tops the list of best, most modern zoological parks in USA. The zoo is cage free, with the giraffes and other species running and roaming freely. In spite of harbouring more than 4,000 animals and 880 species, most of the animal-lovers come here to take a glance at the Giant Panda.

Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio

Divided into eight regions, each of them harboring species living in a particular area of the planet, this zoo is worldly reckoned for being a natural paradise. Once you get here, you can take a train or a boat in order to tour particular regions within the zoo. Currently holding the title of America’s oldest and largest zoo, it harbors over 5,000 animals including also a golf course, a water park and an amusement park. Hence, there is something here for all ages to enjoy: both you and your children can have tons of fun and laughs and after admiring the animals and the singing birds you can go for a ride in the carousels or have a bite.

Is there a carousel, a cotton candy, an intense roller coaster ride or an acrobatic show in your near future plans? If not, you should weight your options well as amusement parks are sure to quench both your needs and your child’s providing a ton of fun, tasty food that you can grab from one of the restaurants or kiosks that are lined up within the theme park or enjoy multiple games of chance. And let’s face it…what can be more fun than tossing a colored ring and attempting for it to go through a bottleneck? Provided we managed to draw your attention, let us countdown the best amusement parks scattered across the world.

Cedar Point

Located in Ohio, United States, this amusement park draws many thrill-seekers who can’t wait to enjoy a ride on Top Thrill Dragster, a roller coaster which currently holds the record for being both the tallest and the fastest worldwide. Nevertheless, if you think you cannot steel your nerves for such an adrenaline-filled experience dotted by unexpected drops, super speed and tall vertical loop, play mini golf or enjoy another ride like Space Spiral or Antique Cars alongside your children. You could also watch Snoopy’s Big Bow Wow On Ice and spend some time together laughing. Best of all, you don’t have to use all your money when booking a ticket to the park as it features each season hot deals that can help you take off some bucks from the total rate.

Disney

Probably the most well-known theme park in the world, Disney creates a fantasy word that seems detached from a fairytale. It is populated by magic characters that put a smile on every child’s face like: Minnie or Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto which all happen to be human-sized. Not to mention Cinderella’s castle which proves fairytales, princesses and princes are more real than ever.  Actually, all four Disney locations Anaheim (California), Orlando (Florida), Tokyo and Paris have it all: fun, exciting rides, mouth-watering food that you can taste in one of the many restaurants, great games, animal parks.

Asterix Park

Situated in the north of the French capital, and named after the funny cartoon character, the Asterix amusement park is home to all the characters in the comic books and mythology-related. You can experience the adrenaline rush by purchasing a ticket to rides such as the Flight of Icarus, Caesar’s Spies, and Descent Along the Styx. Other entertainment sources are the “Theft of Mona Lisa” and the “Musketeers” shows. There is also a ring of 40 candy shops and multiple restaurants featuring traditional dishes or fast food (not healthy!) a delight for your taste buds.

Ratanga Junction

Built just three years ago, this amusement park is situated outside Cape Town, in Africa. Ratanga is destined to offer to the most daring riders the ultimate, soul-stirring experience of their lives.   Numbering about 26 rides, there is something here for all ages to enjoy: dizziness-inducing drops for roller-coaster fans like the Tarantula to soft rides for children such as The Hippo Hollow.

Everland

The South Korean largest amusement park has quite some history, first opening its doors to the visitors in 1976. Currently it is composed of three theme parks: Festival World, Caribbean Bay and the Speedway. While the Festival World houses seasonal celebrations such as the Tulip Festival and a wild-animal zoo, the Caribbean Bay is like a refreshing oasis, harbouring water amenities. As for the food, the blend between the Korean and the American dishes is sure to meet every tourist’s taste.

All in all, a visit to one of these amusement parks is a great manner to spend your spare time alongside the one you love. Such a trip can turn into an affordable deal one you catch the deals pumped up continuously by the park’s managers. And when you decide to head back home, leaving behind fun-filled days, do not forget to some plus-toy gifts or a pair of mouse ears!

The United States is home to top-notch, expensive cities worldly reckoned for their exclusive, luxurious restaurants, seven-star hotels and glossy shops. The American territory is crowded with travel destinations that are sure to quench every traveler’s needs:  magnificent landscapes created by The Grand Canyon or the Niagara Falls, amusement parks like the Disneyland Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park or other famous landmarks such as the Universal Studios Hollywood Park, the sun-drenched Waikiki Beach or Times Square.  While the beauty of the landmarks will leave you breathless, the price of a tour/vacation in the USA will have you running for the hills. However, a pocket-friendly vacation is possible even in the most expensive states on the American continent, proving that some well-done research can provide you with unexpected travelling gems and in the same time can help you save a mint. So let us countdown the free objectives across the USA that deserve your attention during these belt-tightening times.

New York

It is well-known that a trip to New York can leave you with an empty wallet, but if you include in your itinerary some of these freebies hosted by the City that Never Sleeps, you’re definitely going to save some big bucks. Among New York’s free objectives the following top the list: Times Square, the Empire State Building or Central Park. Best of all, you won’t have to pay a single penny for taking some pictures. Moreover, the access to the Rockefeller Center or the New York Public Library is not restricted to the tourists that buy a ticket. Everyone is free to venture inside and take a glance. For the art endeavourers there are some bargains as well: the entry at the Museum of Modern Art is costless every Friday after 4 p.m and during rest of the week you can pay as much money as you have.

Arkansas

When in Arkansas, you shouldn’t miss the chance of tasting and touring some wineries, located in the Arkansas River Valley: Mount Bethel, Post Familie Winery, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and Chateau Aux Arc. After all, it’s costless.

Colorado

Take advantage of the free access at the Dinosaur Ridge National Natural Landmark in Morrison, near Denver and have a wander round to spot real dinosaur footprints and other fossils and bones from allosaurus, apatosaurus and stegosaurus. Sounds like a great manner to spend your spare time, isn’t it? And your kids will be in seventh heaven.

Florida

Stop by the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola to admire the largest naval aviation museum on the globe without spending a cent. Not only is the visit gratis, but they are providing you with guided tours, outdoor trolley tours and the possibility to touch the controls of some impressive aircrafts.

Idaho

If you’re fond of winter sports and especially skiing, you definitely have to pay a visit to the Ketchum Ski & Heritage Museum. Apart from being free of charge, it offers the tourists information on the history of skiing and on Gretchen Fraser, a remarkable figure in the history of this sport.

Illinois

A visit to Springfield, to the former house of Abraham Lincoln won’t cost you anything. Moreover, the city is dotted by Lincoln-themed attractions such as a library and the former president’s one-time law office.

Indiana

Venture inside the Indianapolis Museum of Art and take a look at the impressive collection of nearly 54,000 pieces of Impressionist and contemporary art. It’s without any doubt, thought-provoking!

Kansas

Take a stroll in a coquette, little ranch house harbored by the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region, enrich your knowledge on both the local fauna and flora and all without a sizeable effect on your wallet. The promotion is valid through the last Sunday in October so hurry!

South Carolina

A cost-effective trip should definitely include Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls, two free touristy attractions not far away from Greenville. It is said the 1,600-foot tunnel’s functionality was reduced to healing blue cheese in the 50’s while the verdant scenery created by the 200-feet cascade is quite amazing.

Europe boasts with spectacular capital cities that house elegant, history-soaked buildings, museums, parks, piazzas and feature a cultural majesty. They are crowed with fine restaurants, glossy shops and trademarks that pinpoint their particular identity. However, it is well-known that a tour of Europe might empty your pockets right away. Well, you can now enjoy this adventure and plan a low-budget travel by inserting in your itinerary only the pocket-friendly European objectives…because even in the most expensive cities you can find cheap rates. Some research is needed, but that’s where we step in! Just check out the free of charge objectives in Europe and mark on your agenda some dates to get there on time!

Paris

Indeed, it might be expensive to climb the Eiffel Tower in the City of Lights and to have dinner at the restaurant “Jules Verne”, on the top floor overlooking a breathtaking view or visiting the Parisian Art Museums, but there are some freebies in the French capital that you cannot possibly miss out. For example, in the first Sunday of the month, a visit to the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée Rodin are free of charge, while you can gaze at the magnificent architecture of the Cathedral Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur without paying an entry all year round.

Berlin

The German capital city beckons the tourists with many amazing touristy objectives like the Brandenburg Gate or the Sanssouci Castle. Whereas you are required to buy an entry ticket when stopping by those hotspots, a visit to the Pergamon Museum on all Thursday nights is costless. And you cannot possibly pass up this offer since it harbours impressive historical artifacts. If you’d like to find out more about Berlin and travelling to Germany, our friends at Dodo.com have a great collection of Germany travel tips you can check out.

Vienna

Due to its elegance, architectural beauty, coffee, strudels and chocolate, the city where Mozart’s music was heard a long time ago, has gained a lot of popularity among tourists. There are many people who come to Vienna and spend a king’s ransom for a vacation, but the city welcomes the average tourists as well, hosting free objectives like the city’s imposing church, Stephansdom or the Hofburg Imperial Chapel where listing to the State Orchestra’s music every Sunday is also possible. Moreover, take your kids to the Prater Amusement Park because you don’t have to pay for the entrance.

Rome

In an outdoor museum like Rome, dotted with a great number of churches, monuments and museums, there are plenty of affordable and sometimes free options that are sure to provide you with priceless memories. Among the free yet beautiful objectives in Rome that top the list are the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the oldest church in the city) and the breathtaking Pantheon. Provided you want to save yourself a mint of money, visit both the Vatican and the Capitoline Museum on the last Sunday of each month, when you have free access to admire their beauty.

London

This bustling capital is home to some worldly-famous objectives that work for anyone’s pocket because they are free. For example, venturing inside the British Museum or the National Gallery is costless.

All in all, you can have a lot of fun, take a glance at buildings loaded with history and enjoy magnificent sights without paying a bundle. However, take advantage of the each visit in a capital city and do the things that meet your interest even though they might be a tad expensive. Briefly, these pocket-friendly objectives are the best alternative to reduce the costs of your travel…not to mention they are worth-seeing landmarks!

The economic recession spread across the world caused some changes in the tourism industry and made the travelers savvier and more temperate when it comes to travelling expenses. And since many of the travelers are not willing to pay a bundle for a vacation in a seaside resort or for a tour, travel agencies and flying companies are continuously launching all sorts of deals to draw their clients. However, apart from catching a deal, there are some tricks and tips that you could take into account in these tight- belting times in order to have a great time when vacationing and in the same time not to exhaust your financial resources. In a nutshell, here are some useful tips for travelling cheap.

Get the Best Price

Since an eye glued to the Internet can bring you certain benefits, visit a site featuring a price comparison engine like Travelgrove and get your plane tickets, rent a car or book a hotel room cheaper. With such a website with just a few clicks you can find the best deal and choose some budget-friendly variants.

Choose a Recession-proof Destination

Top-notch holiday destinations that have gained popularity among the travelers are in most of the cases expensive options where you cannot enjoy your free time without breaking the bank. However, recently, travelling in some countries like Iceland, Canada or South Korea has become affordable even for the pockets of an average tourist. Just search for a bargain, grab it and spend trouble-free and fun days!

Free Touristy Objectives

Still, if you want by all means to travel in one of the bustling European capitals, there are some touristic objectives where you are not required to pay an entry. More precisely, while it is free to visit the Louvre museum in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, you don’t need to buy an entrance ticket on the last Sunday each month in order to venture inside the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. A visit to the following European trademarks is also free of charge: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Pantheon, Notre Dame, the Tate Museum and the National Gallery in London. So there you have the proof that you don’t have to use up all your money to visit Europe’s gems.

Public Transportation

Once you arrived at your destination, you can always cut the costs either by travelling with the public transportation or by hiring a bike. While cycling it’s both healthy and fun, your access to the heart of some cities might be restricted.

Use Cash

Taking into account many credit cards charge you with a fee when paying abroad, choose to purchase your food or your drinks with cash. However, we recommend you not to carry along a mint of money because you might end up losing your handbag and with it, the money for all your vacation.

All in all, you don’t have to take some drastic measures in order to travel cheap. Just put into practice these tips for a cost-effective holiday. Nevertheless, remember to have fun and do not give up on the things you would like to do or see just because they are a tad salted. After all, the purpose of your trip is to relax and spend wonderful days, not to countdown prices!

Each trip comes with a different destination and features a separate goal. You visit Paris to make a tour of the most important museums, history-soaked buildings and to gaze at the Eiffel Tower, you go to the Caribbean to bake yourself under the sun, to relax on a comfy beach chair or to do all sorts of water sports or you can make Austria your destination for a top-notch ski resort. Therefore, travelling is all about discovering new places, relaxing, admiring architectural or natural wonders that are famous worldwide. However, there is another goal that adventure-seekers may have in mind when travelling and that is…food! Well, to be more precisely food adorned with fun and served each year at the most exquisite food festivals across the world! Every year, the food festivals draw many tourists fond of dainties, but also curious travelers eager to taste the traditional dishes and local veggies and fruit displayed.

La Tomatina

This festival held in the town of Bunol, in Valencia Region has quite a tradition since it took place for the first time around 1945. It’s not a typical food festival, but a tomato fight that involves every year almost 30000 participants. However, before being thrown each tomato is squeezed in order to avoid undesirable injuries. In spite of the food wasting, you can always grab a fine meal at one of the restaurants hosted by the city.

White Truffle Festival

This festival is hosted by San Miniato in the Italian region Tuscany and it is always organized during the last three weekends in November. The stalls placed in front of the tents are crowded with dishes containing truffles, but the merchants sell other products as well such as mushrooms, cheeses, salamis, olive and bottles with the new wine (”vini nuovi”).  Still, most of the products are truffle-oriented so this is the perfect place to buy truffle oil, jarred truffles, truffle butter, jam, liqueur or champagne.

Castroville Artichoke Festival

California is not only the wine country, but also the artichoke capital worldwide, harbouring the festival of this vegetable each year in May, in the Castroville city. Provided you decide to attend this festival, expect to see parades, cooking demonstrations, a 3D food art contest and a classic car show. Apart from all that, it features activities for adults and children, music and teaching food courses. Once you took some lessons, you’ll know how to prepare fried, sautéed, grilled, marinated or pickled artichokes.

Wildfoods Festival

When visiting New Zeeland, you can always stop by Hokitika to become one of the Wildfoods festival goers that enjoy every year in spring a unique and exotic culinary experience. Among other exotic dishes, you can taste the fried huhu grubs, the wasp larvae ice-cream, the jellied grasshoppers, the sheep milk cheeses or fried clams. Take courage by drinking a glace of wine or a pint of beer. Best of all, with each edition of the festival, new dishes are added up to the strange menu.

The festival is also the best time to witness music stars, dancers and comedians going on stage or take part at a particular wine degustation.  You are also allowed to participate to a competition that is destined to find the most amazing artwork for flyers and posters used subsequently to bring fame to the festival.

Preuvenemint

Apart from being one of the best festivals of degustation in Netherlands, Preuvenemint has also gained popularity as a charity event. In this way, you can give money for a noble cause and venture inside Maastricht’s market square to savor the delicacies provided by the city’s restaurants. So if we managed to pique your hunger, mark the month of August on your calendar and do not forget to change your cash into preuvenelaps, the festival’s money.

All in all, satisfy your appetite at one of these festivals and don’t forget to visit the surroundingS or the important touristy objectives…after all, travelling is also about new adventure-filled experiences!

Everyone needs a little bit of adventure now and then. So why not plan a trip in one of the best French camping sites? Pack your tent and prepare to pitch it in France’s overwhelming wine country dotted by farmhouses and featuring amazing medieval towns and fine weather. Moreover, apart from being quite an affordable option that is sure not to leave your packets empty, camping offers you the possibility to discover the nature and to live an exciting experience without any advanced technology… and that’s quite a challenge, isn’t it?

Either located on the banks of rivers or overlooking spectacular mountain cliffs and gorges, the French camping sites are sure to impress you. Therefore, take a glance at the best camping sites on France’s map where you could unzip your tent and spend a magnificent vacation.

La Brouquere

Situated in Gondrin, the region boasting with both foi gras and infinite verdant vines, this camp site is reckoned for providing its guests with the best traditional camp food on the French territory. The camp site’s owners will offer you the tasty duck dish accompanied by a glace of Armagnac right from their cellar.

Camping Domaine le Poiteau

There’s no wonder the French wines are famous all around the world. After all, each region has a long lasting tradition and produces a particular refined wine. As a result, this camping site, located in Castlenau d’Auzan gained the camping lovers appreciation due to the fine wine and Armagnac the owners of the camp serve and in the same time due to the amazing natural countryside scenery.

Le Grand Champ

When camping at le Grand Champ the spectacular view the massive Mont Blanc and the Aiguille Midi create, it’s quite rewarding. So if you like to hike and to admire the snow capped mountain peaks, set up your tent at Le Grand Champ, in Chamonix. Moreover, the flavored fruit trees growing here scent the entire atmosphere.

Bois des Ecureuils Campsite

Located within the borders of the Brittany region and harbored by a wood of oak, this camp site’s main attractions are the cute squirrels that can visit you from time to time, especially if you tempt them with nuts. Otherwise, make sure you keep your tent zipped if you’re not looking for big, fluffy tailed guests

Camping Les Sables d’Argent

Stop by the Camping Les Sables d’Argent to enjoy a fun-filled time either relaxing on a comfy beach chair on the golden powdery sand or surfing, windsurfing, playing tennis, horse riding, cycling, fishing or if you’re daring enough, sky diving. The camping is surrounded by pine woods which makes the camping a peaceful place to spend your time.

Le Brèvedent

Fit up in Le Havre on the green grounds of one of Louis XVIth’s hunting lodges, le Brevedent’s main asset is the great food ranging from Moules, crevettes cooked a la francaise to fresh fruit and vegetables. The facilities like the maze and the pool guarantee the tourists a one-of-a-kind retreat.

Les Romairins

The location of this camp site on the Cote d’Azure cliffs, right in between the vibrant city of Nice and the luxurious Monaco is absolutely dazzling. With yachts piercing the horizon and dotted by olive trees, Les Romairins is an ideal place for camping. And if you’re starved you can always go to the restaurant Chateau Eza to delight your taste buds with the exquisite French cuisine.

All in all, if you’re looking for an amazing, yet affordable manner to spend your summer holiday set up your pitch in one of these places pinpointing the crowded camping map of France.

In the world that we live in, there are countless possibilities for traveling. It all depends on each traveler’s interest, budget and time. Certain countries with a long tradition and featuring amazing natural scenery are continuously putting into practice tourism strategies in order to draw a great number of travelers willing to spend fun-filled days and nights. As a result of these strategies, many castles dotting the European continent where kings and queens used to live changed their functionality and became nowadays luxurious hotels providing the tourists with an unrivalled ambiance. Therefore, let us countdown the most spectacular castles in England, France and Scotland that were converted into unique hotels where one could enjoy the facilities that were once reserved to the blue-blooded people.

Amberly Castle, England

What could possibly be more luxurious and elegant than spending the night in the massive, medieval Amberly castle built in the 12^th century? Especially since it is located in the peaceful countryside and was home to Queen Elisabeth I with other royalty figures like Charles I stopping by from time to time. The castle which was strongly fortified preserves exactly the same outdoor image as a long time ago. Inside the castle however, things are completely different. It features elegant guest rooms with castle-like jacuzzi where one could sip form a glace of gin and relax. Book a room in the main wing as the other part of the castle might seem isolated. The restaurant in the castle provides tasty dinners and sometimes true feasts. As for the aforementioned question, we let you be the judge.

Thornbury Castle, England

This castle that belonged to the Tudors’ dynasty welcomes many tourists all year round. And mostly because a night spent in the enormous bedroom of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is worth only between ₤300 and ₤500. Well, let’s face it! For a royal suite the price is not too salted, isn’t it? In addition, you are also allowed to take long strolls in the colorful garden surrounding the castle.

Chateau de la Bourdaisiere, France

This 16^th century castle boasts of 11 rooms embellished with reconditioned furniture and three huge apartments and additionally 125 acres of green space surrounded by ornamental hedges. If you decide to book a room in this hotel castle chances are you cross paths with one of the Broglies princesses that call this chateau home.

Chateau de Mercues, France

This castle was the summer residence of Counts and Bishops of Cahors and is praised for its towers, pointed roofs, imposing battlements and the spectacular view with the river of Lot and the vineyards that it offers. When visiting the castle, make sure you taste the traditional French dish foie gras adorned with truffles and perfectly matching the taste of a red wine.

Balfour Castle, Scotland

Unlike the massive English and French Castles, the Scottish Balfour castle built in Gothic style can only host twelve guests. Still, it’s the perfect accommodation for the big families that want to enjoy a one-of-a-kind retreat. The best part is that you have access to the gallery, library, conservatory, chapel, drawing and dining rooms that belonged to the Balfour’s and that were once crowded with important figures in the royal court. If it arouses your interest, you have to know that you can get there quickly by renting a ferry from the nearest town.

All in all, provided you have always dreamt of living in a royal castle, you now have the possibility to turn your dream into reality by simply planning a staying at one of these accommodations. Canopy king-sized bed, immense bedroom overlooking amazing landscapes, room service, Jacuzzi…what can beat that?

Let’s face it! When it comes to travelling, there is no accounting for tastes! While for some travelers the idea of a perfect holiday destination includes a nice hotel, a city tour dotted by important monuments and history-soaked buildings, nature-lovers want to go hiking and seek for green destinations like car-free islands (such as Dry Tortugas National Park) or spend their time in a cottage hidden at the foot of a snow-covered mountain. The National Parks on the American territory are included on the list of green destinations as well, being visited not only by the nature-going aficionados, but by everyone longing to breathe fresh air and gaze at the amazing fauna and flora. In a period when everyone seems to struggle against pollution, why not choosing an eco-friendly destination? Provided you decided to go green, here’s a top comprising the National Parks in the USA housing impressive and rare species of plants and animals.

Glacier National Park, Montana

If you love hiking, camping, snow-capped mountains and want to bring home tons of beautiful memories, pay a visit to the Glacier National Park. Plus, you’ll find here more than 60 native species among which the grizzly bear, the elk, the bighorn sheep are jaw-dropping. And the best part is that the Park organizes guided daily hikes or backpacking trips ranging from one to seven days.  Briefly, what better way to connect with the nature?

Olympic National Park, Washington

This national park is praised for being the home of various and unique species of animals. Due to its three different ecosystems such as mountain chains, rainforests and the Pacific shoreline, in a single visit to this amazing park a lucky tourist can admire deer, cougars, bears, raccoons, mink, dolphins, whales and sea lions. Some other species like the Olympic marmot, the Olympic snow mole and the Olympic torrent salamander live only within the borders of this green paradise. Venture inside the park and go for a guided tour in order to spot its inhabitants.

Isle Royale National Park

Located in the northwest side of the Lake Superior, this isolated park can be reached only by boat or floatplane. The tourists that arrive here can see more than 14 species of mammals and colorful plants. Nature-lovers can get a sight of the park’s beautiful wild species by renting a canoe, a kayak or joining a guided tour.

Everglades National Park

This enormous national park beckons the tourists with a singular subtropical ecosystem on the world’s map. It boasts of more than 300 species of birds and 700 species of plants. As a result, it was included on the World Heritage Site list being also declared an International Biosphere Reserve. Therefore, a visit to this park is sure to leave you breathless. The most daring tourists can take a glance at the pools populated by crocodiles and alligators…brrr ! In order to magnet the tourists, the park offers a varied range of possibilities for a complete visit: Shark Valley Tram tours, ranger-led programs as well as canoes, kayaks and bikes to rent.

Yellowstone National Park

This park features magnificent natural scenery harbouring the Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon. Ranked as America’s first national park, it is crowded with animals belonging to the Rocky Mountain ecosystem. While some of the tourists consider themselves lucky if a bison makes its appearance, some others stop by to look at the bears. If you’re interested in visiting this park you should know that bears can be spotted only between March and November as in the rest of the year they hibernate.

All in all, a visit to one of these parks not only enriches the pages of your personal encyclopedia, but it’s another proof that nature provides an unrivalled, marvelous spectacle of beauty!