Archive for January, 2009

Athens - A Walk On The Wild Side

Athens is known for archeological sites and history. If you want a break from history, Athens has much more to offer travelers.

Athens

You’ve seen the Acropolis, you’ve hit the museums and you’re trying to figure out if it is time to head to the islands. Wait! You’re missing much of the modern charm of Athens.

There is a conundrum with many historically significant cities. Guidebooks tend to send you off to every site with any potential historical significance, but leave out any mention of the modern attractions of the city. In the case of Athens, slavishly following your guidebook is a very bad choice and you’ll be the worse for it.

As with any city, there are two good ways to see the charms of modern day Athens. The first is to get out and just start walking. The second is to befriend some local residents and let them show you the city. Either way, you’ll do fine in Athens.

The charm of Athens is found in the hubbub of daily life on the streets. The city and residents exude energy and character. If you get off the tourist tracks, you’ll find little neighborhoods with outdoor cafes and no tourists. This is where the action is in true Athens. Just plop yourself down at a caf? and start people watching.

One particularly good spot is in the Plaka neighborhood. A nineteenth century quarter, Plaka has a mix of Turkish and Greek influences. From Plaka, you can head to the shopping bazaars found throughout the city. The bazaars in Athinas and Eolou are a bit touristy, but no excessively. With a mideastern feel, you can sit down and drink tea with local shop owners while they hock their wares.

From there, the city is wide open. If you dare, grab a taxi and tell the driver you just want to see the real city. It will be the ride of your life.

About the author:

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles, travelogues and travel stories.
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North Floridian Hospitality

Interested in taking a trip to Florida? Consider North Florida for the next vacation destination. Although most of Florida’s most famous attractions are in the south, the northern part of the state, extending from Pensacola to Jacksonville, offers travelers plenty of what they expect from Florida with a twist of Southern Charm.

The area surrounding the bustling metropolis and unofficial capital of South Georgia of Jacksonville is full of fun activities and sights for the whole family. Amelia Island, home to the Ritz Carlton and the Bausch & Lomb ATP tournament, is a resort community set within beautiful natural beauty. Between hundred year-old live oaks, the marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean is a nature-lovers paradise, a tennis players dream, and the perfect place to get pampered. Travel south to Ponte Vedra Beach, home of the Tournament Players Championship at Sawgrass. Golf lovers will find a plethora of the most prestigious and world-renowned golf courses while the family will enjoy its beautiful beaches and tranquil lifestyle. Following the coastline will take visitors to St. Augustine, the nations oldest city, and home to great shopping and beaches. Take a stroll down St. George Street for old city charm and shopping and stop for a bite to eat at Opus 39, 95 Cordova St, Fiddlers Green, or Saltwater Cowboys, all St. Augustine favorites. Jacksonville itself is home to great attractions, including Alltel Stadium, home to the Jacksonville Jaguars professional football team, the Florida Theatre where you can see concerts, plays, and shows year round, and the beautiful St. John’s River.

Traveling west on 1-70 takes you through Florida’s plantation region and Tallahassee, the state capital. This is not the home of palm trees and famous beaches, but antique live oaks, sprawling plantation homes, and freshwater springs. With beaches within a 30-minute drive and plenty of lakes, there are plenty of areas to play and with two state universities in town there is plenty of arts and cultural events to enjoy. This area of Florida is so different from the rest, yet many visitors to the state are not aware of all that the area has to offer. Preservation of the past and respect for its natural beauty is what keeps the Tallahassee area ready for more generations to enjoy.

The Florida Panhandle is situated between the southern borders of Georgia and Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico, making it culturally and historically more similar to the Deep South than the rest of the state. The Gulf Coast beaches, known as the Redneck Riviera, are renowned for white sand beaches and warm waters. The emerald color water extends from Pensacola Bay to Panama City, including beaches such as Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Seaside, Perdido Key, Navarre, Sandestin, Grayton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and Seagrove. Deep-sea fishing is the activity of choice with Destin known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”; of course, eating the catch of the day may be more popular. There are seafood and oyster houses on every corner catering to families, couples, or large parties. Seaside, made famous by the movie “The Truman Show”, is known for its quaint pastel-colored homes and is the perfect place for a family summer vacation. Panama City is the Spring Break capitol and was named “The Best Beach in America” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Enjoy great beachfront restaurants and exiting nightclubs at night while basking in the sun during the day. Families will love both its warm temperatures and warm personalities of the locals. Gorgeous beaches, natural beauty, world-class golf and tennis, southern hospitality, superb vacation rentals, and warm Florida sunshine make North Florida the perfect spot for any vacation.

About the author:

Caroline Brame writes travel articles for RentalsExpress.com. For more information on Florida travel, as well as, other vacation destinations, please visit http://www.RentalsExpress.com.
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