Planning for A Trip To The U.S.

There are just a lot of travel plans for this year. I am hoping that most of these will be materialized. Some were already booked and some are still on its planning period. As much as possible I want to plan all these trips as early as I can to avoid hassle and stress. Undoubtedly, I already started to search for affordable airlines and cheap hotels for this plan. One of the travel destinations included in the travel plan is United States of America. I am also planning to visit Canada when time and budget are available.

Since three weeks ago until now, one thing that keeps me busy is searching for cheap Delta Air Lines Flights online. I once boarded this airline during my first holiday to the U.S. last 2008 and I am quite contented with their service.

I am also trying to make a list of the places that I want to visit in this holiday. Here is the tentative itinerary.

Las Vegas, Nevada- This was my port of entry during my first visit to the U.S. last 2008. I boarded one of the Delta Air Lines flights from Munich, had a stop-over in Atlanta, Georgia and then headed to Las Vegas Mc Carran International Airport. It was quite a long flight but maybe due to too much excitement visiting the U.S. for the first time, I did not felt so tired at all.

The "Sin City" and the "Entertainment Capital of the World" is truly fabulous! I had a lot of fun and memories in this city. That two months holiday I had there was truly a fantastic one. I can't wait to visit it again hopefully this coming summer season. I am quite excited to see some family members there.

the replica of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris Las Vegas. This was taken during my visit last 2008.

Phoenix, Arizona- I am not quite sure if the wedding that I will be attending will be held in Phoenix. This is actually the main reason why I am going to the U.S., to witness the incoming wedding of my sister sometime in June or July this year. Her fiancee currently lives in this capital city of Arizona.

I would like to visit some of the sights there including the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center,St. Mary's Basilica, Tovrea Castle and I would for sure love to walk around downtown Phoenix.

Seattle, Washington- My friend who temporarily lives in Germany will accompany her daughter who will be going to one of the universities in Washington. We are planning to meet each other there sometime in July. From there, we might be taking a cross-country trip to Vancouver, Canada. I hope this will be materialized.

A sightseeing to the Pike Place Market, Space Needle or a visit to some of its museums and parks would surely be included if this trip will push through.

Vancouver, Canada- I have some acquaintances and friends living in Vancouver. They have been mentioning that this city is a wonderful place to live-in. It is being frequently ranked as one of the "best cities to live in". No wonder my friends love it living there. It is also famous for its majestic natural beauty being nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains.

I am hoping that I can meet my friend in Washington so that we can make a trip to one of the beautiful cities of Canada. I consider Vancouver a wonderful and a beautiful destination to visit in the future.

There are still a lot of cities and states that I would like to include in my second visit to the United States. I have to finalize everything once I know the exact wedding date of my sister.

View from The Airplane Window

I just selected randomly an image in my picture albums. I landed in this photo which was taken in Munich International Airport. Last December 2011, we boarded Iberia Airways going to Madrid, Spain. It was my first visit to Spain's capital city. For some reason that we never knew, Iberia was late that time. I think almost an hour late. At least we arrived safe to our destination and we also came back home safe with a lot of travel experiences during that 8-days holiday. We visited different places in Spain especially in the Andalusia region. I wish to visit that country in the future.

taken in Munich International airport last December 2011.

Remembering Windsor Castle in England

It was three years ago since I visited this medieval castle in the English country of Berkshire. Windsor Castle is noted for its architecture and the association with the British Royal family. This castle is considered to be the largest inhabited castle in the world since more than five hundred are living and working here. It is in essence a Georgian and Victorian design based on a medieval structure, with Gothic features reinvented in a modern style.

I remember during our visit, I told myself not to go inside because I will surely pay for an entrance. Upon seeing the castle November 2008, I decided to go and had a look of it. Sad to say, taking pictures inside the castle rooms is forbidden.

My visit to Windsor castle was so far one of the highlights during my three weeks vacation in England.

Windsor Castle during our visit last Nov. 2011

Spain Trip Coming Soon

I believed this is one good way of ending the year, a trip to Spain. Two weeks ago, I finally have the confirmation for our trip after being fully paid. A week from now, me and friend will be finally spending a short holiday to one of the famous tourist destinations in Europe. I am thankful that another travel wishlist is soon to materialize.

The Alhambra in Granada, Andalucia in Spain. We will be visiting this palace and fortress during our trip. Thanks to my friend Claudia for this image.

The trip is not so expensive compared to the ones I see on travel catalogs and in the internet. I have been browsing for cheap airline tickets to Spain the past months but I always find expensive ones. The cheapest I found the past few months is around 400.00 Euros and this is only for plan ticket. With the one we booked last time, an 8-day trip cost only 608.00 Euros. Included in this price are the return plane ticket, hotels for 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and the trips to the different places and cities everyday for the duration of the trip.

I need to slowly pack this week. Seven night from now, we will be flying. Thank you dear Lord for this trip. See you soon Spain.

More on itineraries and updates of the places that we will be visiting in my Euro Travel blog.

The Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa, Turkey

This is one of the beautiful mosques we visited in Turkey. The Ulu Camii Mosque, also called as Bursa Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey was built in the Seljuk style. It was ordered by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and edificed between 1396 and 1400. The mosque has 20 domes and 2 minarets.

Our tour guide who is a Turkish told us that entrances to most of the Mosques in Turkey are free of charge. He added that sometimes, they charge entrances to Christian people. I never see security or people who are watching the mosque entrance using garretts metal detectors. I heard that some people are afraid when visiting Turkey due to security reason. For me, our trip was quite fine and in order. There were even a lot of tourists especially in Istanbul during our visit there.

One of the minarets of the Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa. Taken during our visit last September 2011.

Ulu Cami is the largest mosque in Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture, which carried many elements from the Seljuk architecture. Ordered by Sultan Bayezid I, the mosque was designed and built by architect Ali Neccar in 1396–1400. It is a large and rectangular building, with a total of twenty domes that are arranged in four rows of five, and are supported by twelve columns. Supposedly the twenty domes were built instead of the twenty separate mosques which Sultan Bayezid I had promised for winning the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396. The mosque has two minarets.

the beautiful interior of the mosque. You can find various Calligraphy on the walls.

Where to Find Cheap Holidays

It seems that the cold breeze is here now. You can no longer wear shirt outside because it is getting cold again. The Autumn season is fast approaching! This is the time of the year where you can spend a holiday in a warmer region of this planet.

That is also the reason why we will be spending our holiday in warm Turkey in more than a week from now. Sometimes you can just find very cheap holiday packages anywhere. Included in our trip are the international flights, hotels, tour to different places in Turkey, tour guide, breakfast , dinner and the tourist guide.

Here are some tips on where to find or book your budget holidays.

Browse the Internet

This is one of the best way in searching for your next travel or vacation. Whether you are looking for cheap flights, affordable hotels, holiday packages, rental villas, apartments, all you need to do is simply move your mouse and with a click of it, you can already search a lot in the internet.

I remembered my Europe tour with a friend last year. We booked everything in internet and we were lucky to minimize our travel expenses. You know why? We planned it ahead and booked everything earlier. Imagine visiting seven countries in Europe for three weeks with less money? That was a record for me. It was the most interesting and memorable trip that I had so far.

taking-off in Nuremberg airport going to Rome. taken during our Europe tour last August 2010.

You can also browse for cheap flights online. Some cheap airlines in Europe include Easyjet, Air Berlin, Ryanair, Tuifly, Alitalia and a lot more.

Travel magazines, catalogues and Newspapers

I always found some affordable trips in newspapers and travel magazines. In fact I found this incoming trip to Turkey in a magazine that was sent to us sometimes in May 2011. I booked it immediately because there are only 8 seats left. I am happy that hubby is finally going with me.

Visiting a Travel Agency

Sometimes you are also lucky to find cheap vacation packages, cruise trips and last minute trips in a travel agency. I usually go there to pick-up travel catalogues.

Friends and Acquaintances

Through your friends or acquaintances, you can get sometimes cheap travel and holidays. This is the the so-called word of the mouth. I always tell friends if I find cheap trips anywhere especially in Europe. In return, they also tell me if they find cheap ones.

Weekend Trip To Italy

It seems that I was not able to update this blog for some days now. I am finally back and hope to give you more updates. I had a weekend trip to Italy last weekend with friends. It was a nice trip especially after all the shopping and sightseeing we had in some of the cities in Italy.

As we arrived last Saturday, we did some capodimonte shopping first. After that we proceeded to Verona, a city in the Veneto region in northern Italy. We spend the whole day last Sunday in Venice, one of the most visited cities in Italy.

The Bell tower in Saint Mark's Basilica..You can also see the Saint Mark's Basilica in the background at the left side. This is the so-called St. Mark's square or Piazza San Marco.

Verona Arena the famous sight in Verona, Italy.

Remembering My Trip to Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare's Birthplace

It seems that I haven't updated this blog for some days. Sorry folks, I am quite busy offline doing a lot of chores in the house especially cleaning the dust caused by the little renovation we are having right now. July is here! I just wish everyone a wonderful one.

Here are some pictures taken during my three weeks vacation in England. These were taken in Stratford Upon Avon, one of the cities we visited.

This building is the birthplace of the famous poet and playwriter William Shakespeare.
The second image below is the Avon River that flows in Stratford, thus the name Stratford Upon Avon.

Feel free to visit and join these wonderful memes; World Tuesday, Watery, Wordful, Outdoor Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday. Thanks to the Authors of these sites for sharing these wonderful memes in the blogosphere.

WW: Halloween at Warwick Castle

I spend Halloween in Warwick Castle in England last year. This is my WW entry for today's edition. Thanks to a friend Dae Loloy for the amazing tour and trip in England. I also wish everyone a great and enjoyable weekend. I can't wait till tomorrow because we will be having a weekend escapade again! I hope you too!

Feel free to visit WW site to join and to see more photos. Happy Wordless Wednesday everyday!

Mellow Yellow Monday #1-Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas

This humble blog of mine is joining for the first time this fantastic meme, Mellow Yelow Monday. My first entry was taken inside the shopping mall of Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas during my vacation last year. I would love to participate when possible every week! have fun viewing the pictures!

Click the logo to visit and join this wonderful meme. Thanks to Drowsey Monkey for hosting this beautiful meme. Happy Mellow Yellow Monday!

Happy 4th of July

I would like to take this opportunity to greet and wish all American people a joyous and safe celebration of this very memorable day, the celebration of Independence Day! God bless you all and America!

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Hello Paris!

A visit to one of the most visited cities in the world is such a fantastic experience! I was finally in Paris, France. I got a photo below taken in Louvre Museum. I also had the chance to enter to this museum and witnessed their historical and great collections. more updates in my other blogs..time to go to sleep now! take care everyone!

amazing architecture! The Louvre Museum in Paris, France. so happy to be there!

Must Places To Go for Winter and Enjoy Skiing

Hi everyone! I am back!! I just remember that today is Friday the 13th. For some people today is an unlucky day. For me..I can't really tell but maybe find the same also. It is unlucky day for me because I am not feeling good the whole afternoon due to migraine. It is a lucky day because we received a good news from our mailbox. 2008 Tax refund is here. Not so much money but better as nothing...probably enough for a week vacation for two. And you know what came first to my mind....dadaaannn...a winter vacation!!..It is still winter and I believed spending sometime or somewhere for a great winter vacation is still not too late. I never experience skiing in my life. It means I don't have any skiing gadgets. I know deer valley ski rentals have a lot.

I also wish that I am in Colorado or Utah right now enjoying a winter vacation. I know this will not be possible this year anymore because I was already in the US for two months last year. If I were there this time, I should be enjoying park city ski rentals with their superb ski gadgets. Sounds exciting guys..

I am not just very sure if they deliver skiing gadgets in Europe but I know for sure that Ski Butlers delivers it right to your hotel or home in places like Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, California or British Columbia. If you need great ski gadgets, beaver creek ski rentals is always a great place to go. And talking about the must places for me to go on winter include Switzerland, Austria and these States in the US that I just mentioned. I hope my husband will agree with me. have a great evening guys!! time to relax a bit..Wait a minute, got a very nice winter photo from our garden..That was from yesterday.