Panama City, Florida: One of the favorite hot spots for Spring Breakers. Panama City is home to MTV Spring Break, which brings the benefits of awesome concerts, celebrity sitings, crazy tournaments and huge beach parties. Over 500,000 college students flock to PC each year. As for night life, PC is home to some huge clubs including Club La Vela, which is the largest club in the US and has over 13 different themed rooms to check out.

Nassau, Bahamas: Beautiful beaches and wildlife to explore during the day and excellent night life. During the day, go swim with dolphins or check out the Mayan ruins. At night (or during the day) check out the Mardi Gras party at Cocktails and Dreams, live bands at Club Waterloo, private beach parties at the Blue Lagoon. Or, go gambling’s on nearby Paradise Island.

Cancun, Mexico: One of the hottest spring break spots is Cancun. You are just a ferry ride away from Cozumel or a bus ride away from Playa del Carmen. Go snorkling at Xel-Ha or see the Unba ruins at Tulum. Remember, you will need a passport for this destination.

Acapulco: guess who is also heading to Acapulco this year? That’s right, MTV will be partying there as well which will guarantee a good time and lots of outrageous activities. Also available are the quite beaches of Playa Pie de la Cuesta or quaint villages with unique artistry like the Puerto Marques village. There has been a lot of concern about the safety or tourists but officials have said to stay in the tourist sections and follow safety guidelines and you should not run into any trouble. Again, remember you will need a passport.

Europe: Moving up in the ranks of places to go during Spring Break. Of course the weather is cooler than in the Caribbean so most of the things to do will occur in doors. Hot spots for American’s include Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Madrid and Berlin. While it will cost a pretty penny to get there, the exhange rate isn’t too bad and a lot of the popular sites are free or inexpensive. Staying at Hostels is one of the most cost effective ways to go and you will be with other students your age.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system. It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,600 miles. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Of interest, the Great Barrier Reef can also be seen from outer space.

The Great Barrier Reef supports a diversity of life which I thought I would share with you as it is staggering when written down:

*Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, including the dwarf minke whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the humpback whale.
*Six species of sea turtles: green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the olive ridley.
*Fifteen species of sea grass.
*Around 125 species of shark, stingray, skates or chimera.
*Nearly 5,000 species of mollusk have been recorded on the reef, including the giant clam.
*Forty-nine species of pipe fish and nine species of seahorse.
*At least seven species of frogs.
*Seventeen species of sea snake.
*More than 1,500 fish species to include the clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor.
*At least 330 species of ascidians.
*Between 300-500 species of bryozoans live on the reef.
*Four hundred coral species, both hard corals and soft corals inhabit the reef.
*Five hundred species of marine algae or seaweed.

Due to the length of the Great Barrier Reef and the distance between some of the hottest diving spots, it is recommended that you use the “diveaboards” in order to maximize the number of dives you can fit in. Here are some of the recommended diving spots:
*Ribbon Reefs offer excellent diving and snorkeling for all experience levels. Here you find the famous Cod Hole where you can dive with friendly, diver-sized fish. These reefs offer the biggest variety of marine species and coral.
*North Coral Sea is for more experienced divers as it has stronger currents. It has large packs of grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and hammerhead sharks at certain times of the year.
*Cairns Outer Barrier Reef is where you will find walls, swim-throughs, and fields of coral. There is a diverse range of marine life from turtles to dolphins.

Australia is a year round dive destination but most recommend planning a trip between late August and early December in order to secure the best diving conditions.

Disney Cruise Line – On a Disney cruise, there is something for everyone: relaxing “me” time for the adults, imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all. Every voyage includes the attention to detail and world-class hospitality that Disney is famous for.
* Activities: Join in fun-filled activities at lavishly themed onboard venues all day long—where every family member feels as if their cruise were designed specifically for them.
* Dining: Savor Disney’s one-of-a-kind Rotational Dining, where Guests “rotate” through 3 different restaurants with personalized service from servers who travel with you to each meal.
* Entertainment: Immerse yourselves in Broadway-quality, original Disney musicals that can’t be seen anywhere else—as well as special moments with Disney Characters and first-run Disney movies.
* Deck Parties: The family comes together for unique themed celebrations on deck, including the only fireworks spectacular at sea.
* Castaway Cay: Most cruises include a stop at Disney’s island paradise, reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers.
Website: DisneyCruise.Disney.Go.com

Carnival Cruise Lines:
Camp Carnival includes a wide range of activities designed for children in three different age groups – Toddlers, Juniors, and Intermediates. All children are supervised by staff who have experience and/or education in child-care. You’ll see your child’s excitement grow as soon as they meet their counselor and get assigned to their group. And when it’s time to eat kids get their very own menus, featuring all their favorites like hot dogs, chicken nuggets, pizza, macaroni & cheese, hamburgers and more.

Circle “C”The ultimate spot where children ages 12-14 can cruise, chill, and connect to others. Cool activities, awesome facilities and lots of great new friends to add to their text-mail lists. The activities (think games, dance parties, outdoor movies and more) are supervised and created just for them.

It’s Club O2Club 02 activities are designed to be cool and a little more relaxed. Teens can hangout with their friends and watch a movie, listen to the latest music, play video games or join karaoke jam sessions. We’ve even set up teen-only shore excursions so your young adults can enjoy the sites and sounds of our beautiful ports with their peers.
Website: Carnival.com

Celebrity Cruise Lines – There’s so much for your children and Teens to do in the Celebrity Youth & Teen Programs which feature Fun Factory for ages 3-11 and Teen Entertainment for ages 12-17. Each program keeps them engaged and having a great time in an environment designed just for them. A Welcome Aboard Information package and Open House Orientation will fill you in on all the details of the Fun Factory and Teen Entertainment programs. They can explore all the possibilities and you can get answers to any questions you may have. You can also go ahead and get them registered for the activities that excite them.

From teen-oriented entertainment to special opportunities for toddlers and their parents to interact with each other, the Fun Factory and Teen Entertainment programs are designed to make sure your children enjoy their Celebrity experience as much as you do. You can even join your children for Family Events like Karaoke, Family Disco, Bingo and more.

Programs are available year round From 9 a.m. each morning, or half an hour before arriving in each port.
Our five-tiered program includes Toddler Time (under 3 years old), Ship MatesSM (ages 3-5), Celebrity CadetsSM (ages 6-8), EnsignsSM (ages 9-11), Admiral TeensSM (ages 12-17)
*Program age groups may vary slightly in low season based on the number of children on board
Website: CelebrityCruises.com

Costa Cruises – An Italian Style vacation is big fun for the little ones onboard a Costa ship! With lots of activities and games to choose from, kids can have fun playing with children their own age. And mom and dad can rest easy, knowing their children are under the careful supervision of the ship’s dedicated youth entertainment staff. The Costa Kid’s program is included in the price of your cruise vacation, so all activities are free! Youth activities are directed and organized by a special staff of youth counselors offering kids a shipful of supervised activities like: Their own Sail away party, Treasure Hunts, Sports tournaments: table soccer, ping pong, basketball, Velcro darts and ring toss, Olympic games and sport competitions, Parades in costumes, Video quizzes, Theme parties, Games at the Disco and at the Pool, Farewell parties and birthday parties with prizes, Dance competitions and Karaoke, and more. Costa takes parent’s traveling with kids into consideration with Parent’s Night Out, a feature is appealing to both children and adults alike. On both formal nights, children can spend the evening with their peers as they enjoy a supervised buffet dinner and fun activities designed especially for them. While the kids are being entertained, parents can relax as they enjoy sumptuous cuisine and a romantic evening together.While cruising is a vacation for the whole family, Costa also provides quiet time for Mom and Dad. Mini and Maxi Club nighttime group babysitting, held in the children’s area, is a free of charge babysitting service until 1:30 am.
There is no night time baby-sitting service available for children under 36 months of age.
Website: CostaCruise.com

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have many programs for kids and their familes…including Aqua Babies, Adventure Ocean, and Adventure Family Programs. In the Fisher Price® Aqua Babies program, your 6 to 18-month-old is enticed to explore music, rhythm, creativity, letters, shapes, numbers, color and more. Aqua Tots, 18 to 36 months, discover more about the places they are visiting on the cruise, sing, dance, and join in imaginative play with Little People® friends, building blocks and vehicles. Adventure Ocean is a free program, open to all guests ages 3-17. Children are separated by age: 3 to 5; 6 to 8; 9 to 11; 12 to 14; and 15 to 17. They must be at least 3 years of age and diaper-free (no pull-ups). Adventure Ocean is a complimentary program specially designed to blend educational activities with just plain fun. Your child will learn about local customs, do cool science experiments, and make great new friends. There are no exceptions to this rule. The idea of Adventure Family is for kids and their parents to get together and participate in fun onboard activities like ice-skating and karaoke, as well as beach games that are played shoreside. It’s a great way for the entire family to have some fun.
Website: RoyalCaribbean.com

In honor of the 2010 Olympics, I wanted to do a piece on Vancouver, BC. There is something magical and exciting about this city. It is a beautiful mix of culture and has something for everyone. It’s climate makes it available to all kinds of interests, including theater, outdoor recreation, and nightlife.

Vancouver is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest city in Western Canada and the third largest city in the country. It’s climate is temperate by Canadian standards and typically considered a Oceanic or Marine climate. During the summer, the weather is dry. Spring and Fall are typically rainy.

Vancouver has one of the most diverse populations in North America and has been called the “city of neighborhoods.” It’s population mainly consists of English, Scottish, and Irish descent and those cultures are still visible today, especially in South Granville and Kerrisdale. With such diversity comes the benefits of great ethnic food, shops, customs and celebrations.

Vancouver is the third largest film hub in North America, after LA and NYC. It has the second largest TV production, after LA. It has been nicknamed Hollywood North. It also has several theatre companies, including The Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver TheatreSports League, The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company and Bard on the Beach. Several smaller theatre companies include Touchstone Theatre, Studio 58, Carousel Theatre, and the United Players of Vancouver. There are always theatre productions occurring and during the summer, there are outside productions, one of which occurs at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. Finally, Vancouver hosts The Vancouver International Film Festival, one of the larger film festivals in North America. It occurs for 2 weeks in September and over 350 films are shown. Other companies host smaller film festivals throughout the year.

There are a host of museums in Vancouver, including the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, Science World – which is an interactive museum. Finally there is The Museum of Anthropology the Vancouver Museum, which is the largest civic museum in Canada. Vancouver also a diverse collection of Public Art. The Vancouver Art Gallery has a permanent collection of nearly 10,000 items.

Musical also plays a key role in the diversity of the city. There is the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and The Vancouver Opera. There are also several well known punk rock bands, alternative rock bands, heavy metal, etc. There is always live music in Vancouver. Other popular musical artists who hail from Vancouver are Bryan Adams, Sarah McLaughlin, Heart and Michael Buble. To hold all of these events, Vancouver’s music venues include the GM Place, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, BC Place Stadium, the Pacific Coliseum. Smaller acts are held at the Plaza of Nations, the Commodore Ballroom, the Orpheum Theatre. Also notable are The Vancouver Folk Music Festival and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Sports and recreation also fare well in this city, mainly due to the mild climate and close proximity to the ocean, mountains and a host of rivers and lakes. There are over 3,200 acres of parks, 11 miles of beaches with parks attached that boast a host of entertainment. The coastline boasts provides many types of water sports and boating. Vancouver is also a hot spot for runners. It hosts the Vancouver Marathon in May, the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon in June along with some smaller races like the Vancouver Sun Run in April (6.2 miles).

Less than 30 minutes away are the North Shore Mountains. Not only are there three ski areas (Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour) but there are world-renowned trails for mountain biking. Also available at North Shore is white water rafting, hiking and swimming. About 120 km from Vancouver is Wistler, a world renowned winter ski resort and summer playground and also the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Like sports? Well, in 2011, Vancouver is hosting the Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League championship game. The Vancouver Titans (International Basketball League) played their first season in 2009. Vancouver is a center for the fast-growing sport of Ultimate. In 2008, Vancouver hosted the World Ultimate Championships.

So, check it out! There is a reason why the Winter Olympics were held there this year!

“Aruba’s path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.”
-Courtesy of Destination Aruba Magazine

First Inhabitants:
Aruba was first inhabited by the Caquetio Indians of the Arawak tribe from the South America. They were fisherman, hunters and gatherers. Artifacts, including pottery and erthenware can still be found at the Archeological Museum in Oranjestad and at the Historical Museum of Aruba at Fort Zoutman and William III Tower. Also there are several sites where one can view cave drawings left behind by the shamans. They are located in the Fontein and Guadiriki Caves and at Arikok National Park.

Spanish Rule:
In 1499, Spain claimed Aruba for the Spanish throne and enslaved it’s inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants were shipped to other islands and placed into slave labor. During this period, Aruba became a haven for pirates and buccaneers who preyed on ships transporting goods from the other Caribbean Islands back to Europe. At Bushiribana on the northeast coast, the ruins of an old pirate castle still remain standing. Also, there are many ship wrecks along the coast of Aruba to explore. Many scuba diving expeditions include a visit to these ship wrecks.

The Dutch influence:
In the mid 17th century, the Dutch took control of the Island, after the 80 year war with Spain. The Dutch allowed Aruba’s inhabitants to remain free. Aruba became a chief satellite location for the Dutch West India Company. It is during this time that the construction of the historic fortress, Fort Zoutman and William III Tower, took place. These are the oldest buildings in the country. The Dutch struck gold in Aruba in 1824 which became a leading export for this country (along with phosphate, divi-divi pods and aloe). The ruins of a nineteenth-century smelting plant still survive in Balashi, which is northwest of the Spanish Lagoon near the center of the island. In 1924, gold was replaced by oil as the leading export. Aruba became home to one of the world’s largest refineries and turned the Aruban city of San Nicholas into a major commercial center.

English Rule:
It should be point out that there was also an eleven year period where the English controlled Aruba (1805 – 1816).

Aruban Culture:
Aruba is a beautiful mix of cultures that can trace its ancestry back to 40 different ethnic backgrounds.
The native language is a creole dialect called Papiamento which is made up of elements of Dutch, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, a number of different African languages, and Arawak Indian. Nearly everyone on the island is able to speak English and Spanish, in addition to Dutch, which is the official language of Aruba.
-The Original Official Homepage of the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Color and music are important staples in Aruban life. These two elements are major parts of cultural events, including the yearly Carnival and Dia Di San Juan (St. John’s Day) celebrations. Types of music most often heard on the island are calypso, soca, merengue, and a local combination known as socarengue.

Recommended sites to explore while in Aruba:
Oranjestad: The capital city, located on the southern coast near the western end of the island. There you will see the influence of the Dutch in the pastel colored colonial architecture. There is also a museum in Oranjestad that holds ancient artifacts, pottery tools, and giant earthen jars of the original Aruban inhabitants.
Fort Zoutman And William III Tower: The oldest building in the country built by the Dutch. It now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba, where Caiquetio artifacts from the prehistoric past are now on display alongside of remnants from the Dutch colonial period and other items of local interest.
Bushiribana:
On the northern coast midway down the island. There you will find abandoned gold mines. Nearby are the ruins of an old pirate castle.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital city of Catalonia. This place has won the esteemed 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal, mainly because of the structural designs of edifices. Not all cities have had the prestige of having that award. It used to be just architects who win awards like these, but Barcelona has pretty much done it as a city. That’s how beautiful this city is as far as architecture is concerned. Add the fact that Barcelona is included in the top 10 list by a Travel Magazine under the category of must-visit places in Europe

The early 20th century structural designs of Catalan were developed here in Barcelona between 1885 and 1950. True enough, it has left a vital heritage in the city. Group of these creations are now known as World Heritage Sites. Part of these sites are works of the celebrated architect Antoni Gaudí, responsible for the great but still-in-progress temple of the Sagrada Família (construction of this started in year 1882 and is due for completion in 2026).

Another renowned architect was Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who was responsible for the design of the Palau de la Música Catalana.

Barcelona is a great destination for historical pieces as it a convergence of a good number of museums, one of which is The City History Museum that used to be a royal residence. Works of Joan Miró can be found in the museum of the Fundació Joan Miró. The Picasso Museum can also be found in Barcelona, which features early works by Pablo Picasso.

Barcelona also now has a revitalized coastline which is always picture-worthy nowadays.

Taste for yourself the gastronomical delights of this city. Pan con tomate with tapas are some of the originals of Barcelona, and these can very much go well with your choice of wine.

Come and visit this majestic cityBarcelona!

Question: What is the best way to travel between Madrid, Santiago, Barcelona, and Granada (in just 9 days)? Is their air pass in Spain?

This answer is from Jona:

There’s no air pass in Spain. If you only have nine days, I think you better take a plane, at least in one or two of the trips. Companies that have domestic flights in Spain are Iberia, Vueling, Spanair and Air Europa. Iberia should have the most options and Vueling should be the cheapest.

You can get a train pass, called interrail, which will give you free pass to all the trains (except high speed train) for a fixed price for a certain period of time. More info in www.inter-rail.org (only in Spanish). If you want to buy single tickets just check the Spanish rail network website www.renfe.es (info available in English) where you can find prices and timetables. Prices don’t change so no matter when you buy them.

The worst option in my opinion will be the bus, but if you want some info just check www.alsa.es which runs all long-distance Spanish journeys. It’s a little bit cheaper than the train though.

I think it depends on the actual route you take between them and the time you want to spend on a vehicle. If you travel by train or bus, you better travel overnight so you can enjoy more your time. In the train you can even get a bed.

Have fun!

Seville has long, dry and hot summers and even warm winters. Annual average temperature is 18.2C and can go up as high as 26.6. No wonder, it is known to be one of the hottest places in Europe. But the hot weather is not a hindrance for people to enjoy Seville’s wonderful tourist spots

Seville is proud to have the tallest tower in Spain, which is attached to its cathedral. The La Giralda (Moorish Tower) is 319 feet high and is an ancient minaret of the Islamic Mosque. Another one of its pride is the Torre del Oro or Golden Tower (made of golden tiles that reflect the sun) built at the end of the reign of the Taifa Kings.

There are lots of other visit-worthy places in Seville and can easily be seen with any City Bus tours with English-speaking guides. There are also hop on / hop off Seville guided bus tours which give an easy way of sightseeing.

For sheer Andalucian culture, Seville is the place to be.

Seville Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Spain / España
• Status: city / capital of Andalusia
• Population: 720,000 in the city, 41 million in Spain
• Language: Castilian Spanish
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Time zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Country dialling code: +34
• Telephone area code: 95
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz – round two-pin plugs are used

Murcia was a Moor-founded city way back in 825 AD. During those times, the Moors (Arab) named it Mursiya. The Caliph of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman II, founded it on the site of a Roman colony.

Murcia has sunshine all throughout the year, and it can get really hot during the summer. The city has evident Moorish influence showcased in their extraordinary city walls. It has its own university and it’s well-known to host many conventions.

There are 23 diverse chapels in the city, although, The Cathedral is the most valued building in Murcia (first foundation was built in 1388 by Bishop Pedrosa).

Murcia exemplifies loaded history of commerce and agriculture. In fact, its original populace, the Iberian tribes, forged money-making relations with Phoenicians and Greeks. Later on, the place became first a Carthaginean colony, then a Roman colony. The Moors left the legacy of effectual and contemporary agricultural production, which is still being used up to these days.

The original name of the city was Tarraco. Previous settlers may have occupied the area, however the first Tarragona inhabitants were led by Gneus Scipio, who established a Roman military camp in 218 B.C. The force developed quickly and the place was declared a colony of Rome in 45 B.C. by Julius Ceasar. Tarragona was then considered as the key Roman town in Spain.

Tarragona , being situated in a very coastal spot, there is no doubt that the main menus will capitalize on SEAFOODS. The local cooking has FISH as core ingredient. One ver famous Tarragonian food product is the Romesco sauce (the first-rate olive oil from El Camp and the peppers grown in the vicinity, as well as the clandestine ingredient handed down from generation to generation of fishermen, are the indispensable components of this sauce).

The Tarragonians are honest, penny-wise, and generally hospitable even if they have certain reservations towards strangers…quite a universal behavior.

Mondays are hushed days in Tarragona. Shops and amusements are closed on Mondays. So never schedule a vacation in Tarragona on a Monday, unless you just want a relaxing escape form the jostle of the metropolis.

Today, Tarragona has gone a long way from its Roman history and is now comparable to other modernized cities. Still, it is an enriching hub for historians and archaeologists who persist on unearthing ancient Roman relics. Wine trade is also a major industry in this place.