If you are ready to really escape the rat race and have a great get away you can't go wrong with a beach vacation. Whether you want to travel alone, as a couple, or with all the kids in tow, a beach vacation has something for everyone.

There is no shortage of beaches to choose from. Every shoreline of every country has beachfront property, so there are an endless number of locations you can choose for your beach vacation. You can stick near home in the United States, or you can explore beaches around the world and see a new country while enjoying their shoreline.

If you want get away for a couples beach retreat, consider going to Hawaii. There is a magic to Maui and it's beaches. The beaches of Maui are considered great romantic places to get away from normal life and just enjoy time with one another. No wonder it's a top honeymoon spot. When you are done with the beaches, there are a number of spots to keep you entertained nearby.

Looking for something with a more Caribbean flair? How about the Virgin Islands? The Virgin Islands are famous for their fabulous beaches, but also offer a great place for couples to have a great romantic getaway and enjoy some time in the sun.

Don't want to wander too far from the west coast of the U.S., how about California? There are a number of family beaches in California that offer all kinds of things to do for kids and adults alike as well as fun beaches to explore when you are not at the nearby attractions like Sea World and San Diego Zoo.

Not every beach has the right things for all family units who are traveling. You need to think about who is going with you and what you want to get out of a beach vacation before you decide which destination will be your perfect beach getaway. If you are looking for a family outdoor vacation you may want to choose a vacation rental in a different location than you would choose if you are booking couples holidays.

As you try to narrow down the beaches for your outdoor vacation, there are a number of resources that can help you out. You can check online, using search engines that may help you find a great deal on your vacation rental to make your vacation all the more enjoyable.

The best way to have great beach holidays is to make sure to do all your planning and research before you go. Know where you are going, what you can expect and what the offerings will be for all the members of your family. While the beach will be a great place to spend a lot of time, it is good to know what other offerings are available as well.

If you have done your planning in advance, you will then be able to go on your trip and completely enjoy the entire time there with that special someone, or your family.

Scotland's capital and one of the finest cities of the world, Edinburgh is like a chapter from your history book - revived and animated. From historical landmarks to festivities and cultural programs, there is a whole lot of fun awaiting you with open arms. But if you are not with your Edinburgh guide, then chances are that you would lose half of the city's fun and attractions, just because you got lost in the labyrinth of the roads and streets of this historical city.

This article is aimed to provide you a bird's eye view on the mode of transportation that are plying in the city. From roadways to railways, from cycles to flights we will have a cursory look on what your Edinburgh guide would tell you about the transport system in this city. We will begin with how you can reach Edinburgh. You can touch base with the city at the Edinburgh airport which schedules flights to different parts of Europe and also to major cities in other continents, like New York, Atlanta and Toronto.

When you reach Edinburgh, you can find buses and trams plying on the roads of Edinburgh with élan. They will take you to various destinations, including major tourist spots. The two bus services - 'Lothian Buses' and 'First Bus' will help you reach to different parts of the city and also to the suburbs and the region surrounding the city. You can also find trams, which is a new concept in Edinburgh, doing the rounds. This is also a major tourist attraction in the city.

Then you have the railways which runs to different parts of the country. You can find trains operated by 'Virgin Trains' and 'First Scot Rail' shunting between major stations and terminus like Edinburgh Waverley. Lately Edinburgh has become cyclist friendly and the pleasure of walking in the city is also worth your try. So grab your Edinburgh guide immediately, and make your next vacation, a memory as good as history.

Although it may not feel like it, spring is just around the corner, and with it thoughts of taking a short break somewhere a bit different. The days are lengthening, nights shortening and hopefully the weather will be getting better. So, now that the winter shackles are starting to be thrown off, why not celebrate with a short spring break?

Many cities throughout the UK are offering exciting and cultural events designed to attract visitors, such as Bristol where the city is staging the "love" exhibition. Temporarily housed in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery the exhibition is on tour from the National Gallery and will be in situ from 19th Jan to the 6th April, featuring romantic artwork ranging from the 15th to 21st centuries. On display are works from old masters Vermeer, Goya, Turner, and Raphael, and modern artists such as Tracey Emin, all demonstrating their interpretation of the powerful emotions associated with love.

Also in Bristol, on St. Valentine's Day you could enjoy a night to remember at the Colston Hall, where the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will join the Bristol Choral society to play some of the world most loved operatic arias and choruses.

But, if classical music isn't to your taste alternatively you could try the Arnolfini; unique to Bristol and located by the historic Harbourside. It is one of Europe's leading centres for the contemporary arts, and frequently presents new and innovative work from the fields of visual arts, dance, performance and film. On St. Valentine's night, for example, you are invited to dedicate a song that has special meaning to you and your loved one, and the performers will make it come alive on stage; a very unique and romantic way to declare your love.

During the day take a trip to Bristol Zoo Gardens where you can choose to adopt an animal for a small fee. There are over 400 species to decide from; more than enough choice and a lasting reminder of your spring break. Of course, there are many other desirable locations throughout the UK where you can enjoy short breaks; you certainly don't have to limit yourself to Bristol!

London is a perennially popular destination for short spring breaks as it offers a range of hotels catering for all tastes and budgets. The nation's capital is home to some of the country's most historic buildings, West End theatre breaks, great nightlife and the London Eye - Britain's most popular tourist attraction.

Plus, there are many more exciting destinations throughout the UK; the choice is huge and a break will help you throw off the winter blues.

So you're stuck in the second largest state in the Union with nothing to do on a weekend? Houston has everything that you're looking for to entertain and enlighten yourself. It all depends on what you want to do and where you want to be.

If you love the great outdoors, you'll find plenty of ways to enjoy the fresh air of Houston. One of the mainstays of outdoor entertainment in Houston is Hermann Park. Offering an excellent zoo housing over forty-five hundred animals, Hermann Park is perfect for wildlife lovers. The "Natural Encounters" feature brings visitors literally face-to-face with animals from every corner of the globe.

For those who want to explore scientific horizons but prefer the great indoors, Hermann Park also contains the Houston Museum of Natural Science; which has a planetarium, a 3-D IMAX theater, and a world-renowned butterfly exhibit. Be sure to enjoy a relaxing paddle boat ride on the calm waters of McGovern Lake.

When you are out and about in H-town, be sure to visit the famed Battleship Texas, a survivor of both world wars. Wander its decks and interior and imagine what it was like to live and fight aboard this magnificent ship, which has recently been renovated.

Or, if that's not your style, check out one of the city's many golf courses. See a baseball game at the legendary Astrodome. Hike on one of the trails in Braeswood Bayou.

Now that you've got some great ideas for things to do in Houston during the day, it's time to plan for your night. What does Houston have to offer for nightlife? Start the night off right with one of Magnolia City's restaurants. Check out the Goode Company Barbeque for a nice dining experience.

After dinner, catch a show at the famous Anderson Fair in Montrose. It features internationally acclaimed musicians. Anderson Fair is famous for its black box stage, which emphasizes the musicianship of its artists. Most of its talent is acoustic in nature, so metal heads be warned.

But if your not in the mood for some acoustic jams, try getting your groove on at South Beach, Houston's premiere nightclub. Top international DJs will have you grooving with the beautiful people until dawn. The club features suspended jets that spray water on the dance floor to cool off the action when it gets too hot.

Numbers Houston might be more your fare if you're in the market for indie rock. Hole and Ben Folds Five is just a couple of acts that have played Numbers Houston, and upcoming shows feature all kinds of new talent. On nights that they don't have live entertainment, DJs spin everything from new wave and Goth to metal.

Or, if you're looking for an authentic Texan time, try your line dancing skills out with a trip on down to Eddie's Country Ballroom in nearby Manvel. It's about 20 minutes from the Astrodome, but if your boots crave a scoot, it'll be worth the drive.

Aspen Colorado is a great place to be. Nestled in the Roaring Fork Valley off the Colorado River, the city of Aspen co - Snowmass is home to all sorts of opportunities that are bound to improve a person's quality of life...and let's not forget the movie stars!

When you decide to visit a place like Aspen, Co one of the first things you are struck with is the natural beauty of its setting. This city in Pitkin County began as a mining camp during the Colorado Silver Boom, but when the boom ended people did not want to leave. Walter Paepke thought it would be a great place to renew mind and body and apparently so did many others. For the 6000 plus residents who call this resort home year around and for those many thousands more who visit seasonally...winter wonderland is like an oasis in a busy world.

The mountains of Pitkin County are the ideal setting for revitalizing oneself in and out. Have you ever been sitting at your desk so long that you could barely think straight? A walk in the fresh air does a lot of good for the work day. Now think in terms of the work year. Sometimes the months go by and you don't even stop to look at the stars. Just as a brisk walk can make all the difference in your day, so a day in Aspen Colorado can make all the difference in your year.

It has not gone unnoticed that many in the cities of North America can't even see the stars if they want to. Aspen Colorado is not such a place. But don't get the idea that looking up at the sky is all you can do here. When you are looking up and the snow starts coming down then the fun has just begun. Be the first to the hill for some of the best skiing in the world. You can go cross country or you can go downhill, and if you've never done either then go to ski school! It doesn't matter how you get there, you haven't lived until you've tried it. And once you've tried it you may want to make it a regular part of your routine.

German magazine 'Geo Saison' has introduced the list of 50 most exotic trips in the world.

The most large-scaled from given tours - is the round-the-world trip. For 9 thousand € and 24 days one can get from Frankfurt to Frankfurt, visiting 3 continents.

For 35 thousand dollars one can spend night in an incredible place - 7-star hotel Burj al Arab in Dubai. It is the most expensive hotel in the world, the floor space of the apartments is 1,2 square meters.

Another unusual proposal - "the museum for oneself." For example, the rent of one of the halls of Versailles will cost about 8 thousand Euro.

Paying 2,5 thousand € one can visit the formal dinner on the occasion of Nobel prize presentation in Stockholm. By tradition, all the Swedish royal family will be present on this event.

A week-long trip to India with visiting of a national wedding ceremony will cost 10 thousand €. And journey to the lost in Cambodian jungle temples of Angkor Wat is estimated in 5 thousand Euro. The initiators of this route do not exclude the possibility that tourists could discover a new archaeological sensation.

6 days behind the wheel of a truck would cost 2 thousand €. Accompanied by a professional a tourist can get from Santa Fe to Los-Angeles.

Paying 650 dollars the tourists can take a course in 'driving an elephant' in Thailand. The teacher will show special controls which the elephant can follow.

And for only 65 Euro, tourists, accompanied by instructors can dip to the sea bottom near Alexandria and admire the sunken treasures of Cleopatra.

At the same time, it will cost 30 thousand € to dip to the bottom of Atlantic ocean in order to see the remains of 'Titanic'.

For full-valued participation in winter carnivals in Rio de Janeiro tourists will pay about 6 thousand Euros. Those who would like to, will be taught to dance samba.

The French have invented an interesting entertainment for tourists. They take them to Giverny near Paris, to the garden of the famous French artist Claude Monet. The painting course lasts 8 days and costs 900 €.

Berlin Zoo offers its guest night visits. 6 people will pay 3 thousand Euros in order to spend a night in the little house near the cage with hippos. Spending this sum of money tourist will lie on floor mats and taste the dinner for gourmands.