When visiting New York City, it may be important to you to enjoy fine dining restaurants, bars and lounges. If you are not in the market to experience these spots daily, then you will want to take special care in researching for the one-time event that you are planning. It is important to know how much you may want to spend, what area of the city will you frequent and most especially, the type of food that you desire. There are so many fine restaurants in New York City. Many restaurants compete to be the very best at preparing their highly advertised, specialty items. They all work very hard to earn their money and to give their customers a most memorable experience. They each hope that you will be talking about them long after they have served you your meal. They hope that you will recommend them to your friends who plan to be visiting the city.


There are various city locales, such as Greenwich, Manhattan or Soho. All of these are experiences of unique downtown areas. Some restaurants cater to the family, while some are reported to be  romantic type restaurants, with alluring atmospheres and sensual foods. Most fine dining restaurants have couples and families partaking of their menus.

A Few Among Many Fine Dining Establishments in NYC:

1. Serving dinner until 11 o'clock p.m., the Gotham Bar and Grill located on East 12th Street provides many chef delights. They are interested in very unique dishes and food full of nutrition, as well. Chef Alfred Portale offers his signature dish, the skyscraper of a seafood salad and is willing to accept the praise that he receives concerning this particular meal.

2. If you are interested in visiting Greenwich Village, the restaurant entitled One if by Land, Two if by Sea in central Greenwich will delight your sense. They offer aromatic, fine food, beautiful piano music and twinkling lights for the atmosphere they wish to create. If you enjoy tender lamb or beef Wellington cooked to perfection, then you may

Car travel in Japan can be a pretty harrowing experience if you're not quite ready for it. There's a completely different car culture in Japan, and as a foreign driver, trying to navigate the roads for the first time can come as something of a pretty stressful shock. There are a ton of new rules, customs, and mores to internalize, and it can be a little overwhelming when you're just trying to have a vacation, see some sights, and get from point A to point B. Thankfully, getting around in a place like Japan doesn't have to be as complicated as it might seem at times, and we're going to talk about a few really easy strategies that can help you make sense of a confusing and different way of driving.



1. Pay Cash for Gas. One of the hugest "yen traps," as it were, is the gas pump. There are a ton of ways that the unsuspecting tourist can wind up spending a lot more money than is necessary on the petrol you're going to need just to get where you're going, and if you know how to pay cash for your gas you'll be able to save some money. A lot of the gas stations in Japan have memberships that allow you to pay gas and receive a discount -- join. It usually only takes a moment, and those savings add up.

2. Shop for Gas, Too. Driving in a foreign country is confusing, but that doesn't mean you have to stop for gas the first time you see a station just because you aren't sure as to whether or not you can find a better deal. In Japan, it's smarter to shop around -- if prices are being advertised, you're likely to be able to find a good deal, and gas prices vary from locale to locale. You'll save money in the long run if you wait a little while and make the smartest purchase possible.

3. Get a Highway Card. Toll roads are the other huge yen drain when you're out and about in Japan are the many tolls that you'll find yourself up against when you navigate the highway system. It can be confusing, and

For many of us, vacation is typically a summer event, but this doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. You leave home during the most pleasantly warm months of the year, and during the winter you drudge through cold and miserable weather, dealing with freezing rain, ice and snow? Forget convention; plan your next romantic getaway in the winter at one of these fantastic locales.

Bangkok, Thailand



Thailand is a fantastic destination for an exotic and romantic getaway for two. Beautiful scenery and fascinating local culture are just two of the great things you'll privy to in your vacation to Bangkok. Sample the delicious local cuisine, see the sights, go to special events and festivals, or just spend your time relaxing on the beaches. Tourism is popular enough in Thailand that you shouldn't have to worry much about the language barrier; you'll only have to worry about not wanting to go home.

The Caribbean Islands



Lucky for us, the Caribbean isn't full of marauding pirates like in the movies. Rather, it is mostly filled with some of the best winter vacation destinations in the world. Montego Bay in Jamaica is one of the most popular resort towns, along with the Bahamas, the Cayman islands, Aruba, Bermuda, and literally dozens of others. The beaches are warm

There's no doubt that travelers on a tight budget can often feel like they're missing out the fun and entertainment that a major city has to offer. But when you visit Rome you'll discover that there are all kinds of freebies just waiting for you to find. Here are a few activities and attractions that won't cost you a dime.

St. Peter's Basilica. This, the largest Roman Catholic building in the world, is an architectural delight that will take your breath away. Although you will likely want to check out other famous buildings like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, you shouldn't hesitate to put this freebie on your list of must-see sights while in Rome. You can wander the main floor for free (although they charge to take you up to the dome). And that includes attractions like Michaelangelo's 'Pieta' and the statue of St. Peter (rub his foot for good luck). Best of all, you can join a free tour every day of the week (except Sunday) by showing up at 9 a.m. (offered by Sky Tours Rome).

Hiking Gianicolo Hill. This free activity can not only help you to stretch your legs after a long flight, but it is also said to offer some a spectacular view of the city and of the Tiber River. Although it is not one of the famous "seven hills" of Rome, you'll get an unfettered view of the city that includes everything from the Colosseum to the

Health care systems are a hot issue in almost all developed countries; often a major issue in deciding elections and dividing political parties. Everyone has differing opinions about what the government should do, when it should back down to private companies, and who should get coverage. It's a muddled issue and no one has a simple answer, but some people are taking matters into their own hands by bypassing their own countries' health care systems altogether. This growing trend in the world, known as medical tourism, has people in countries like Canada, the US, and the UK traveling to less developed nations for medical treatment.

This seems backwards from the normal cases of residents of under-developed countries making journeys to the US and other more advanced countries to receive medical care that their home countries can't provide. Now, however, many nations in South America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and even South Africa have medical treatment standards that rival our own. Medical schools and training are becoming more and more available to people all over the world, making advanced medical care and surgery no longer a luxury of the richest nations in the world. Ironically, the citizens of those rich nations are looking outside their own borders for treatment.

The reasons for the popularity of medical tourism are mainly reasons of expense and timing. Medical treatment in the US, for example, is more expensive than almost anywhere else in the world, and many Americans are finding it difficult to pay for medical treatment even with insurance. Wait times for medical procedures are another reason for

Do you have a fear of flying? If so, don't feel bad. You are certainly not alone. As a matter of fact, a few years ago, the New York Times did an article that revealed that well over 40 percent of people share in that same fear. Plus, upcoming movies like Flight (with Denzel Washington) in which a plane does go down (although all people's lives were spared) certainly doesn't help cure such a phobia.

And while you may have already heard things like "There are far more car accidents that happen every day in your own city than there are plane crashes for years on end throughout the entire world" (which is true by the way), it doesn't really help when you're sitting in your seat, you feel the wheels go back into the plane and you're watching big houses turn into little specks. Suddenly, statistics are not what you're thinking about. You just want to know how to get through the next few hours with your sanity intact.



We understand and we have some ideas. Check out these tips; ones that will hopefully help you to have a flight that is as peaceful as it is safe:

Admit that you're scared. It may seem like that's oversimplifying things, just a bit, but it's really not. A part of what makes dealing with a fear even more challenging is that people tend to put pressure on themselves to act like they're not scared when they actually are; anxiety mixed with fear makes for a really long flight. As soon as you can feel OK with admitting that you're scared and perhaps even sharing it with the person sitting next to you (you might want to use the word "nervous" with them, though), you might be surprised about the ease that comes over you and oftentimes the words of comfort that the person you told will have to offer as well.

Occupy yourself. OK, if you already are not that big on flying, staring outside of the window the entire time is probably not going to do you much good. So, make sure that you bring a book, your laptop, your iPod or some form of

By the time that most of us are 48 hours out from a vacation, the reality is that we're so excited to go somewhere else that we usually don't tend to give the house what we are leaving behind a lot of thought. However, how much fun can our time away really be if we're worried the entire time about if we thoroughly secured our home (or not)?

For this reason, it's always a good idea to have a checklist of things that you should make sure you do before going away for several days. If you're wondering what should go on that list, we have enclosed five things below:

Make sure to have an alarm. There are a lot of people who think that they don't need a security alarm, but it's definitely an easier way to sleep at night (whether you're at home or you're away). As a matter of fact, there are almost 2 million people within the United States who currently have one and for around $1,500, it really can be a worthwhile investment.

Install motion lighting. What thief wants to try and break into a house with lights shining on them? This is why it's a good idea to install motion-sensor lights and security lights at the entrances (including the windows) of your house. Speaking of lighting, a house is pretty inviting when it's completely dark on the inside. For that reason,

If you really want to immerse yourself in a travel experience, there's no better way than to tour a foreign country by car. While you could certainly see the landscape in minute detail from the air or zip by in a train, you won't get the true feel of a country in just a few hours of travel. By taking a road trip you can find tiny towns that are nowhere near train tracks or flight paths. You can stop and talk to people, discover hidden gems for shopping and food, and slowly form a relationship with your surroundings. There's a lot to love about car travel if you have the time to spend and an adventurous spirit. But there is an amount of planning involved, even if your plan is to wing it. So here are just a few tips to ensure you have a great time when to travel around Spain by car.



1. Get your license and insurance in order. You may not realize that many countries do not accept foreign driver's licenses as valid within their borders. Spain is one such country. However, you can easily apply for an international license through either the State Department or AAA (the latter actually provides these permits). It won't cost much (about 15 bucks) but it could take up to six months to process. So if you plan to drive you'd better get on the ball. And don't forget to speak to your automobile insurance provider to find out what you need to do to ensure you're covered during your time in Spain.

2. Opt for a fuel-efficient vehicle. In case you hadn't heard, fuel prices in Europe are quite high at the moment. Okay, they're high pretty much everywhere, but even urban Americans may be shocked by the prices they see at the pump. Hey, there's a reason Smart cars are so popular there! A long road trip may demand that you

Fireworks are often used to punctuate and enhance times of celebration such as holidays and special events. For many they are an annual tradition, used to celebrate independence or the start of a new calendar year. But there's no doubt that some locales do it up right with massive displays that draw crowds by the millions. Here are just a few festivals of lights that have garnered global acclaim with their ability to light up the skies.


1. Disneyland - Anaheim, California. Okay, so Disneyland may not have the biggest or best fireworks display in the world, but for those looking to enjoy lights in the sky year round, every night delivers at the happiest place on Earth. And with the holidays coming, you're bound to enjoy seasonal themes both around the park and via the fireworks display - as if you needed a reason to go to the world's most popular theme park.

2. New Year's Eve - Sydney, Australia. Nearly every major city in the world employs fireworks to celebrate the turning of the year, but Sydney is known across the globe as having one of the best light shows on Earth come midnight on New Year's Eve. And it's no surprise when you consider that they spend an estimated $5 million for the display each year. Last year's fireworks included a bowtie on the Harbour Bridge as well as a cascade of lights that looked like a waterfall. And if over 100,000 exploding shells aren't enough of a draw, a street party that is 1.5 million strong ought to put you in a celebratory mood.

3. Festa del Redentore - Venice, Italy. The third Sunday of July marks this annual celebration, which has been in practice since the late 16th century. But before the annual pilgrimage can be made to the Redentore Church (across a makeshift pontoon bridge, no less), revelers gather on Saturday night to feast, watch

Deals for holidays in the 2013 summer season are on sale now. Getting away with the kids is never cheap and booking in advance is often one of the best ways to cut down on costs.

Bargain Benidorm holidays are your ticket to sunnier climes next summer. Concentrate on picking a package that fits well within your price range, because wherever you stay here there’s plenty of action outside of your accommodation.

Keeping the kids entertained when abroad can sometimes be a struggle. With waterparks, wildlife centres and entertainment all on hand, families in Benidorm will be spoilt for choice.

Mundomar




One of the most popular resorts in Benidorm, Mundomar offers families the opportunity to swim with dolphins. This fabulous life experience is enhanced with epic sealife shows and marinelife displays.

Terra Mitica




If you’re looking for action packed fun, Terra Mitica is the place to be. With a great selection of theme park come fairground attractions, this is a top spot for families with older children. Cool off in the midday heat in one of Terra

Ah, the vacation rental. There are pretty much two ways it can go when you rent a property to take your family on vacation: it's either the time of your life, or you learn a hard lesson and vow to never leave on a trip without doing as much research as possible again. Whatever you've experienced in the past, there are a few solid tips and strategies to keep in mind when you're looking for a vacation rental. With so much that can possibly go wrong, it's almost silly not to spend as much time as you can looking up every scrap of information about your potential rental spot. Hopefully these tips will consolidate some of that effort, but it's always important to make sure you've done your due diligence. Taking your family out to get away from it all for a week or so should be fun and relaxing -- the following five strategies will help you make sure you achieve this each and every time.

Location, Location, Location



Location is important in more than just one way. Obviously, you want to make sure your vacation rental is located close to the things you'll want to be doing, be it shopping, beachgoing, sporting events, or what have you. But it's also important to make sure you can get to the place easily, and that the surrounding terrain is kid-friendly if children will be included in your entourage.

Will There Be Neighbors?

Vacation is great, but you don't always get to go by yourself. We've all wound up in that vacation spot right next to the gaggle of college-aged partiers who stay up all night and make for cranky kids (and even crankier parents) in the

If you've gotten a little tired of attending the same old events out in your neck of the woods, perhaps it's time to think about hitting the bricks or flying the friendly skies in search of world events that are sure to curl your toes. Here are just a few that are bound to impress even the most seasoned of world travelers.

1. Carnivale. If you thought Mardi Gras in New Orleans was crazy, just wait until you visit Rio (Brazil) for the pre-Lent celebration known as Carnival. Occurring seven weeks before Easter Sunday annually, this debacle of debauchery is a chance for Catholics to let loose en masse before the forty days of fasting and piety that traditionally mark Lent. Ostensibly, this is one last hurrah before strict religious observance. But for most people it's just a chance to don a costume and mask and eat, drink, and be merry in what is perhaps the largest street festival in the world.

2. Dubai Shopping Festival. If you love to shop, there's no better place to be during the month of January than the bustling Middle Eastern city of Dubai. The slogan for this spending free-for-all is "One world, one family", and if your family was millions strong and came from every conceivable corner of the world, it might look something like this festival. Initially designed as a method of attracting tourist trade back in 1996, this annual festival has likely exceeded the government's wildest expectations, drawing hordes of globe-trotting buyers and sellers to a month-long spectacle of spending. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 3 million visitors flood the city during the month of January in order to sell their wares or snag some killer deals. It's one event that avid shoppers won't want to miss.

3. Burning man. You don't have to be a pot-smoking Phish-lover to attend this celebration of radical self-expression. What you do have to be is semi-self-reliant, because the festival takes place in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada during the last week of August and attendees are encouraged to use the barter system rather than cash. As festivals go, this one is a doozy, with 50,000 people living in what virtually amounts to a tent city; creating art, driving mutant vehicles, and then leaving without a trace. There may be music, as with other festivals, but the only planned activity is the burning of the wooden effigy on the last night of the festival, the occurrence from with the event draws its name.

4. La Tomatina. With everyone up in arms lately about the ill treatment of animals, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona has become kind of taboo. But if you're looking for a reason to visit Spain, why not check out the annual day of La Tomatina? This odd festival is a one-day event that occurs in the tiny western town of Buñol on the last Wednesday of August each year (since about 1945) and it's basically a giant tomato fight. Although the town normally houses only about 9,000 residents, on the day of La Tomatina the streets may be packed with as many as 30,000-40,000 bare-chested visitors spoiling for a food fight of epic proportions. If you want to let your inner child out, this is your chance. Goggles are recommended.


5. The Olympic Games. There are other sporting events that people from all over the world travel for;

Fans of this series may be charmed by watching their high-heeled gal pals whistle up a taxi in quintessential NYC style, but when you stop to consider how much these fictional denizens probably spend on transportation you might wonder just how they can afford all those Loubotins and Manolo Blahniks (forget "hello, lover", how about "hello, bankruptcy"?). For the native New Yorker or visiting tourist, the need to get from here to there in an affordable manner is essential, and luckily the city provides for many forms of transportation that will cost less than sitting in a cab for hours on end. So here are just a few options for those who want to hit up the nightlife in Tribeca or the Meatpacking District (but can't actually afford to live there).



The first option is to drive a car, but while this might be more affordable than taking taxis it's not exactly the most efficient choice. Owning a car is a rather expensive proposition to begin with, and in New York City it can get even more pricey thanks to the terrible parking situation. If you live in the suburbs and you want to commute into the city via car, well, you'll have convenience on your side during the drive. But once you get into the city you will face the hassles of gridlock and limited parking. Although there are parking garages aplenty, you'll have to pay a pretty penny to use them. So while this is likely less expensive than taking cabs, it's definitely not the cheapest option for transportation. You'd be better off with a motorcycle, which at least gets better gas mileage and may be able to squeeze between cars in a pinch (although good luck finding even that much space).

A better choice for most commuters is the public transit system, made up of trains, subways, and buses that can take you nearly anywhere in the city, not to mention surrounding burghs, or at least get you darn close to your

It's all too easy to get overwhelmed when planning for family travel. You've got to take everyone's wants and needs into consideration, while insuring safety and adhering to a budget. But the well-executed family vacation leaves everyone with beloved memories that can last a lifetime. The flipside of that coin is missed flights, food poisoning, grumpy kids and all the other disasters you would really prefer to avoid. Your best weapon against those problems is organization. The better prepared you are, the greater the chance that your family trip will go off without a hitch. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are trying to organize for family travel.

To really minimize the stress, get started well before the trip occurs. Set aside a small corner of the house as travel headquarters. You don't need to go overboard. It can be as simple as a small notebook or a digital list than everyone can access, or even an accordion folder with physical copies of everything. But you must keep all details contained in one location. That means all of the airline information, any travel agent contacts if you're using one, all of your car rental and frequent flier memberships and full itineraries for your trip. It's also a good idea to keep everyone's passports together as well, so you can make sure your family has all it needs before you leave the house.


As you create different sections in your travel organizer, make lists for everything that needs to be handled. Start early, and don't be afraid to make the lists overly detailed. You can always trim them back if you find certain notes unnecessary, but you want to make sure that each and every contingency and desire has been considered before you

Whether it's the first trip for you and your significant other, or it's an anniversary trip to celebrate decades of lasting commitment, the awesome thing about going on a romantic vacation is that it can bring about surprising feelings of excitement and anticipation; that's always a great motivator for a time filled with passion.

So, as you prepare for your trip, it's definitely a good idea to prepare for the occasion by packing in a way that will help to set the mood, as well as keep it there until the return home. And what would that kind of "goodie bag" look like? Here are some of our recommendations:

Sleepwear is a must. Whether it is lacy lingerie or satin pajamas, make sure that you leave your cotton shorts and tatted robe behind for this kind of trip. As a matter of fact, this is a great time to purchase something new, perhaps in your partner's favorite color. Oh, and if you're a guy reading this, women like to see their man in something that they haven't seen before as well (that's just a hint).


Body oils and butters. If you're going to a resort where you can get couple massages, then they will already have some of these things on hand. However, even the best kind of massage therapist cannot replace how sensual it feels to receive an intimate rub down from the one who you love the most. So, whether it's body oil from Victoria's Secret or a body butter from your favorite department store, pick up a couple of bottles or containers that smell and feel divine. Oh, don't forget some bubble bath as well. Nothing says "romance" like a bubble bath for two.

Romance one another. Another great thing about romantic vacations is that it's a time to do things outside of the norm. 

Your entire family deserves a vacation, and if you have a disabled or special needs child, this might seem like a lot more of an undertaking than might be worth it. Every child deserves the same experiences, though, and as the parent of a special needs child, it's up to you to do whatever it takes to make sure your youngster experiences the most normal life possible. It turns out, thankfully enough, that there are plenty of ways to make a trip easier if you've got to make it with a disabled child in tow. We'll talk about some of the most important and useful strategies that will help you make your trip as easy as can be.

Call the Travel Agency

Get in touch with whomever will be handling your travel arrangements and make sure your disabled child will be able to be properly accounted for. Many travel agencies and companies will offer the amenities you need to make sure your disabled travel partner is taken care of in the utmost of style, and usually all you need to do is ask.

Ensure Accessiblity

Whether your disabled child is hearing impaired, has trouble seeing, or is confined to a wheelchair, it's important to work this factor into your planning process. Most areas and establishments have accessibility options that make it so individuals with special needs can use their facilities without too much trouble or consternation. You want to be sure, however, before you leave. There are few things worse than arriving at your vacation destination to discover that everyone's needs have not been accounted for.

Pack What You'll Need

Don't forget to make sure you have everything you'll need in order to attend to your disabled child. Whether this means special treats and snacks, dietary supplements, medicine, or equipment -- you should make yourself a

Travel is best experienced during those post-college years of sweet, sweet freedom, and there's a reason for this. A few ones, in fact, and all of them have contributed to the somewhat stereotypical notion of getting out and seeing the world as much as you can during the scarce little bit of turnaround time you'll get between graduating with honors and having to report for duty behind a desk all day. We'll talk about some of the most popular (and most compelling) reasons why you should take advantage of your first few years of educational freedom to get some miles logged on your travel-o-meter.



You're Truly Free for the First Time

You're not imagining that strangely unencumbered sense of full-blown freedom that you experience when you've finally graduated college. If you feel like it's something you've never felt before, then you're entirely right. When you graduate college, for the first time (and probably for one of the only times) you're almost entirely without any kind of long-term obligation. You're completely done with school for the first time ever, and likely haven't begun your career or committed to a serious, full-time job yet. There will probably never be such freedom in your life ever again, so you should take full advantage of it.

Your Financial Responsibilities Are Minimal

Graduation is typically the time parents stop really going out of their way to make it easy on their kids, mostly because they're not kids anymore. It's your turn to start being a sufficient adult, so you're likely to find yourself needing to pay for things like groceries, rent, and a lot of the other little things that you might not have realized could cost so much. Well, traveling brings with it its own set of expenses, but it's a decent way to dodge having to