The small town of Innsbruck in Austria does have something to offer for skiing-addicts. The thing is the Olympic Games were held in this area twice. And perfectly equipped slopes are heritage and reminder of the major sports events. Exactly in Innsbruck you’ll find the trace for professionals. However if you don’t feel like skiing it’s just fun to watch snowboarders flying up as the well-known ski jump is situated here as well. Meanwhile, another Austrian ski resort, Lech is the resort where the celebrities from all over the world flock to. Snow cover is perfect for skiing all year round whereas high level service has brought Lech the reputation as one of the best winter getaway resorts in the world.

However, if nature doesn’t appeal to you and you don’t want to leave a big noisy city, then head straight to Stockholm, Sweden where in the landscape park Hammarby Backen skiers and snowboarders can slide down the slopes till the 10 pm admiring the city’s evening lights. The view is so fantastic that many Swedes leave their skis home and come here just to enjoy the landscape.

Winter gataways

Not far from Stockholm, in another Scandinavian capital, Oslo in the Tryvann Vinterpark you’ll find 14 slopes, 7 ski lifts and beautiful landscape park that can compete with any resort in the Alps. It will take you only 30 minutes to get to Tryvann by subway. Moreover, thanks to the local climate and modern technologies the skiing season lasts here from November to April. To distract from snow you can pay a visit to the Kon-Tiki Museum where you’ll know more about legendary traveler, writer and scientist Thor Heyerdahl. You can entirely plunge into exciting winter sports without leaving Finland. Lahti is also a well-known ski town. Here you just have to check Messilä, the biggest and highest skiing area in the southern Finland.

Meanwhile, Eastern Europe also has something to boast. Just 15 minutes from the Ljubljana airport (Slovenia), you’ll find a skiing resort. It’s the single world’s example when the skiing resort is situated so close to the capital. In case you don’t ski, visit medieval Ljubljana Castle towering above the capital and Igloo Village where all the houses are made from snow. Not far from Ljubljana, namely in Saraevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) there is another Olympic Games heritage – skiing resort Bjelašnica where almost vertical slopes are equipped with six ski lifts. To give your muscles some rest you can make a relaxing stroll in the old city where mosques and oriental-stylized shops remind of the unique atmosphere of the Middle East rather than of Eastern Europe.

However, if Europe is too predictable and traditional for you, try winter sports in Sapporo, Japan. There are 5 skiing areas not far from Hokkaido and the biggest of them – Teine Highland is a vertical slope of 450 m. It was designed in 1972 for the Olympic Winter Games. Apart from skiing, there is a festival of ice sculptures held every year in February.

Of course, it’s not the whole list of winter getaways. Compiling of full list would take ages as our planet is generous in terms of the various nature landscapes. Still, I hope that this article will help you to define where to go!

Monumental old churches, monasteries and castles, cozy houses scattered along the picturesque coast – here you’ll find yourself like in an exotic fairy tale. The most famous temples to visit are the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, the Church and Convent Of St. Monica, the Basilica Of Bom Jesus (the monument protected by UNESCO), the Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi and so on.

You won’t be indifferent when you see the old streets Panaji and Margao and small cafés where the most exquisite fish and seafood are served, where you’ll be offered the national drink Fenny and where you’ll be listening to calm music.

Local cruise companies can organize a yacht trip along the coast of Goa as well as river cruise in crocodile jungles and mangrove tangles. Also you should visit plantations where spices are raised: cloves, pepper, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and betel nut.

However, the most magnificent part of Goa must be its delightful, stretched for more than 100 kilometers Goa beaches with palm trees and gentle ocean waters. Along the beach you’ll find a row of superb hotels hidden in shadowy parks.

Goa

Bars, restaurants, night clubs, tennis courts, swimming pools, all kinds of water sports including diving centers will make your Goa trip unforgettable. However if you find these entertainment activities too banal, you can enjoy something more original like tours to jungles and mountain waterfalls.

Surely, your trip to Goa won’t be complete without trying Indian traditional therapies held according to ancient recipes. You really should try the Panchakarma healing massage based on oil and herbs. The seven day course will make you 10 years younger!

There many souvenir and jewelry shops located mainly in the capital of Goa – Panaji. Here you can find anything you’re looking for. Amazing craftwork will remind you about hospitable India.

As for the accommodation, there are lots of hotels, cottages, guesthouses of all kinds, tastes and prices. You should book rooms in 3-5 star hotels in advance while you can rent something cheaper on-site.

To get to Goa is quite easy. If you’ve decided to reach it by air, then Dabolim Airport is the main point leading to Goa and locating in 30 km from Panaji. As Goa is a popular tourist destination it receives national and international daily regular flights. What is more, if you’re used to travel with comfort, then opt for one of the chartered flights that are frequently operating between Goa and Europe.

It is also possible to get to Goa by rail. You should get on a train from major cities like Mumbai and Pune. The same true is for buses. There are regular bus cruises from big cities to Goa.

As soon as you reach Goa, there won’t be anything existing out there for you. This exotic and hospitable land is like a dream coming true. So don’t hesitate and start packing!

In the south the park borders with the Crocodile river, in the north with the Sabie river, in the east the mountains Lebombo serve as a border and finally Drakensberg Mountains are the west border of the park.

Apart from safari drive tours Kruger National Park offers numerous hiking trails starting with Lisbon and Berlyn Waterfalls, Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon in the world), panoramic God’s Window, the ancient town Pilgrim’s Rest and picturesque Robbers Pass.

Kruger National Park

It’s much easier to get here than you might firstly think. There are regular flights from Johannesburg to the airports of Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit and new Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). It’s even easier to get to KMIA from Durban and Cape Town. As an alternative there are bus shuttles from KMIA directly to Kruger. The trip takes half an hour and costs 500,00 rands per person. Also, you may opt for a coach tour as well as packaged tours. There are lots of them at all levels of price and luxury.

The accommodation in Kruger National Park is also rather diverse: camps, bungalows, chalets, cabins, loggia – from the cheapest to the most luxurious.

You must have understood that Kruger National Park is a true natural phenomenon. In times when ecology and wildlife is becoming endangered, it’s unforgivable to miss the chance to come here!

New York City

New York City

The Big Apple has lots of love to share. Everybody knows that. This never-sleeping city always welcomes lovers at any time. Regardless season it has so much to offer! Romantic carriage ride in Central Park in spring, in winter frosty skating at the Rockefeller Center, shopping, galleries, museums, restaurants, river cruises – how can you ignore all these?

Hayman Island, Queensland, Australia

Crystal waters, miles long sandy beaches and well-known reef conclude a perfect formula for a romantic getaway. All in all, seventy four small and big islands make up the amazing Whitsundays. So, you’re sure to find here a little intimate shelter for you two.

Nassau, Bahamas

What people love Bahamas for is a great variety of pastime alternatives. Of course, the main attraction here is waters and beaches but I can’t forget about horseback rides, nightlife, shopping for handmade souvenirs and whatever you like!

Costa Rica

First of all, Costa Rica is known for being an eco-friendly vacation destination. Emerald green rainforests, original landscapes and pure nature make a strong alliance with La Paz Waterfall, Butterfly Gardens and Monteverde Cloud Forest for one of the best romantic getaways.

St. Petersburg

Architecture like in fairy-tale, surreal beauty of imperial Russia, the Church on Spilled Blood, the fabulous Winter Palace and the world-renowned Mariinsky Theater. It’s impossible not to yield to temptation.

Helsinki

You can’t deny that the Finns know how to do everything in style. Wooden interiors, modern cities and welcoming attitude – these are what are you going to meet, if you take your lover to Helsinki for a romantic weekend.

Courchevel, France

For those who can’t resist glamour and style there is one possible solution. Courchevel in France has lots of wonders to impress: Hôtel Cheval Blanc, Givenchy Spa, Vuitton boutique without mentioning marvelous churches, mountain views, nightlife and restaurants. So if you can afford it, don’t think about anything else!

Tahiti

Second-to-none valleys, impressive waterfalls, peaceful small villages, endless beaches, pure waters and intimate spots speak for themselves explaining why Tahiti is considered one of the best romantic getaways in the world.

Paris

Do I really have to explain why Paris is in the list? Maybe, there is no other place in the world where just married couples come for their honeymoon in such big numbers… So my advice is: if you want to visit Paris, make it really personal. Skip the most popular tourist spots and discover Paris that will belong only to you two.

Venice

No surprise I’ve decided to close the list of 10 best romantic getaways with Venice. Contesting only with above-mentioned Paris this striking city is a real threat to steal your heart and soul. It captures you all at once with its bridges, canals, ancient buildings and unique atmosphere.

Wow! Complete list, isn’t it? So if I’ve given you food for thought, don’t think too long. Just pack your luggage and have the time of your life!

What can be more serious than history? For many centuries the island of Ireland was inhabited by the Celts until in the 11th century it was conquered by the British. For more than eight centuries it remained the British colony until 1922 when as a result of the liberation rising the island was divided into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State that later in 1949 became the Independent Republic of Ireland. Meanwhile, the territory of Northern Ireland (six counties) remained as the part of the British United Kingdom.

Ireland

To date, most of people know about Ireland only from news published in periodicals on the basis of which they think of Ireland as a country with the events in Northern Ireland, mainly explosions, military patrols on the streets of Belfast and terrorism. That is, with those events disturbing the northern part of the island for more than a century. As for other aspects of the Ireland’s life, there is not much information in news that is why people have some sort of the informational deficit regarding the country.

In fact, Ireland is surprisingly quiet country where life is flowing slowly and calmly. Anywhere you go you can’t get rid of the feeling of thoroughness and stability. The economy of Ireland is one of the most developing in Europe with such major branches as computer industry, financial and stock markets, telecommunications and tourism. By the way, the tourists’ interest is growing year by year. The popularity may be explained quite easily as Ireland is an attractive country for vacation especially the elite one.

The climate of Ireland is quite favorable. The proximity to the continental Europe, the average geographical latitude and the warm current Gulf Stream – everything contributes to the warm, soft and temperate climate. Regardless of the time of year, you can always feel the amazing and healing ocean scent combined with clear and fragrant spirit of forest and herbs. This inebriating bouquet of aromas and pure, unpolluted nature will fill you with joy and make a strong impression from staying in this country.

The accommodation is one of the Ireland’s boasts for which the country is known in the whole world. There are more than 11 thousand hotels in Ireland that offer their service. Everything depends on your preferences, budget and personal taste.

Come to Ireland and you can be sure that you’ll be welcomed and warmed with friendly attitude and excellent hospitality.

Princeville is a resort place on the shore of the island of Kauai.

Princeville Hawaii resort is wonderful place to spend your summer vacation.