My wife and I have the following very simple vacation requirements: warm weather, rest, relaxation, good food, fine wine, sun-bathing on the beach, shopping, and occasional dancing. Tropical vacations would seem to provide what’s needed. We found that a Jamaican vacation is designed for people like us. It fulfilled our every requirement, and did so at a reasonable cost. We shopped around on the Internet before we bought, and found a great package deal.

We spent all of our four days in Montego Bay. Our hotel wasn’t on the beach, but within a short walking distance. With weather as fine as Jamaica’s a short walk is worth it for a great inexpensive deal on accommodations. Most of our time was spent on the beach. My wife’s a great swimmer and loves to be in the water. I’m more the jump-in-and-get-wet type. Splash and dash back to the blanket with a good book.

For a change of pace, one day we decided to forgo the beach and spend some time downtown shopping. You don’t play with price tags when you shop in Montego Bay, and I assume anywhere in Jamaica, you bargain. You want a deal, and the vendor does not want to let you go without a sale. Initially it’s frustrating to an American who is used to a fixed selling price, but after a few skirmishes, it becomes fun. It makes shopping a real sport.

In the evenings, after a quick walk back to the hotel to change, it involved only another short stroll to find sustenance in one of the many fine restaurants at the Oceanside. The food is absolutely delicious. I’m not sure how they do it, but I had a black bean concoction that must have been flavored with oranges. I still can’t get it out of my mind.

One other special evening was spent on an cruise around Montego Bay. There was dancing on the boat, which was quite a challenge for one whose entire dance routine consists of the old two step. But the Jamaican crew was only too willing to help me move my two left feet, although it was really my hips that didn’t know what to do. By the time I tried out my new moves at one of the local night spots, I made a commendable effort, overshadowed by my wife, or course, who has naturally mobile hips.

As with all enjoyable vacations, the Jamaican experience ended too quickly, but it was memorable. I enjoyed the place and the people. My wife and I intend to go on another Jamaican vacation in the near future, but this time we’re going to approach it from the sea on a Caribbean cruise.

My wife and I have travelled to many places that compete for “the best place we’ve ever visited.” It’s impossible to pick a favorite. When it comes to picking which vacation destination was the best place we’ve ever visited as a family, however, there’s no hesitation at all. It’s Disney World in Orlando, Florida. For one full week, my wife and I along with our ten year old and thirteen year old sons completely forgot that we had other lives before our visit. We were immersed in what we thought was paradise, smiling and laughing for seven full days.

Epcot Center is definitely the part of Disney World meant for grownups. There is enough activity and enough rides to keep the children entertained, but the real impact is upon adult education provided at each country’s pavilion. The history and the cultural experience can’t be beat anywhere. You actually feel that you have visited each country that has an Epcot area dedicated to its culture. Be prepared to eat. Sampling ethnic foods is one of the most fulfilling activities. In just a few afternoons you’ll be able to experience trips to Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, and the United Kingdom. You’ll enjoy the ambience of each country without wasting money on air fare.

Of course, entertaining adults is not really the purpose of making the trip a family affair. The true enjoyment of Disney World is not the great experience that adults cannot help but enjoy; it’s the joy of seeing your children totally immersed in the world of Disney – the world as it should be. The kids can expend all of their excess energy at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, swimming, rafting, and careening down some of the longest water slides in the world. Animal Kingdom Park will thrill them as they view the hundreds of exotic animals, with the opportunity to get up close and pet many of them. The real thrill, however, is The Magic Kingdom.

All childhood fantasies and dreams come together here in Disney’s masterpiece of illusion. Whether walking through Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, or Fantasyland, your children’s smiles will never leave their faces, nor will yours from watching their total abandonment into the experience of each theme park.

If you never take another trip as a family, make the effort to enjoy Disney World together. It will be a bonding experience like no other. Your children will never forget that special time together, and will relive it someday in the distant future when they take their family to Disney World for their “vacation of a lifetime.”

Egypt has long been a popular destination for UK tourists, attracted by the warm weather, the ancient history and the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea Riviera.

Described by travelsupermarket.com as “a country of true diversity – from the flora and fauna of the Nile valley and the barren sands of Sinai Desert to the golden beaches and exotic marine life of the Red Sea Peninsula” Egypt is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East.

Egypt has a rich cultural history, and ancient cities such as Alexandria and the capital Cairo are popular destinations for those looking to explore tombs and museums dedicated to the histories and mythologies of Ancient Egypt.

The capital Cairo has a number of museums dedicated to the ancient history of Egypt – with artefacts and mummies on show at the Egyptian Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts. Cairo is also a fantastic destination for searching for a bargain at one of the many bazaars

Tours of the world famous pyramids at Giza remain one of the biggest tourist draws in Egypt, giving us an insight into fascinating ancient cultures and the chance to explore the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World that remains today.

There are also a number of tours available, which give you the chance to explore all that Egypt has to offer – from the great pyramids and their surrounding desert landscape to the chance to view the sights from a boat trip on the historic River Nile.

Indeed, Giza is home to a number of recognisable Egyptian monuments, including the Great Sphinx – the world’s oldest monolith – and the largest of the pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

The coastal resort of Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most popular destinations for scuba enthusiasts. The blue waters of the Red Sea are a prime location for scuba excursions, with a variety of coral reefs and wrecks to explore.

With a variety of beach resorts to choose from, Sharm El Sheikh is a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a short break in the warm desert weather and a dip in the clear blue waters of the Red Sea.

And with a wide variety of activities to see and do in and around the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh – from scuba diving excursions to desert tours – what was once a small fishing village has become a prime destination for Egypt holidays.

Whether you’re looking to explore ancient tombs or take the plunge into the clear blue waters off the coast and explore beautiful coral reefs, Egypt is a country that has something to offer every type of tourist.

My wife and I have always had a tendency to take exhausting vacations filled with lots of moving around with morning till night activity. Visiting the land of the Pennsylvania Dutch, or Amish, was an excellent alternative. Lancaster County, which is a reasonable stone’s throw from Philadelphia, has the well deserved reputation of being the garden spot of America. It owes this distinction to the hundreds of years of effort expended by the local Amish farmers. It’s their lifestyle that draws people to the area, and my wife and I were no exceptions. Imagine spending a vacation being voyeurs to an entire community.

We spent a week in a fine, clean, inexpensive, and unmemorable motel just outside of Philadelphia, which required only a short easy drive to be right in the heart of the Amish countryside, easily recognized by the abundance of horse drawn carriages. As would be expected in a productive farming area, food is plentiful and excellent.

One famous restaurant in Lancaster, called the Good and Plenty, absolutely must be visited. We entered the restaurant, which is always busy, expecting the usual separate tables with two to four seats. Instead we found a great hall with family sized tables filled with guests sharing country style service. The food is excellent. The chicken pot pie is superb, and I can’t really speak about the pastries. I’m still full from the shoofly pie and apple dumplings.
Naturally, shopping for Amish made wares is a prime activity when visiting the area. If you’re into high quality collectible quilts, Lancaster is heaven. Amish women are queens of the craft, and every country store and gift shop has excellent handmade quilts for sale. Homemade jams, preserves, and jellies are also excellent gifts to take home or send to friends.

Not all of Lancaster’s farm products are sold at local shops. Most farmers bring their produce and crafts into the Farmer’s Market in downtown Philadelphia. My wife and I spent a full morning browsing and shopping at the market. It was a cultural learning experience, meeting and talking with the Amish farmers and their wives. During the afternoon, after our shopping spree, we did all of the touristy things expected from visitors to Philadelphia like visiting Betsy Ross’s house, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall.

If you should decide to follow in our footsteps into Lancaster County, be sure to plan your vacation during the warm season. Pennsylvania enjoys a robust four season climate. Unless you enjoy deep snow, avoid visiting Lancaster in winter. Enjoy the rich lush green countryside with the bright sun in your face.