The city of Hong Kong is a growing global financial center which ranks just behind New York and London according to recent surveys. This exciting city has been governed as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China ever since it was handed over back to the Chinese by the British in 1997. Glitzy, glamorous Hong Kong is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia and it welcomed nearly 29 million tourists in 2009. Just like any other tourist destination; Hong Kong is also chock a block with many attractions,  many of which can be enjoyed for free.

Hike up Victoria Peak

Hong Kong is known largely as a destination that features ‘Luxe’ accommodations and various options for shopping, dining and entertainment but the territory of Hong Kong is actually made up of several islands, old time fishing villages, scenic bays and several hilly areas. The most famous hill in Hong Kong is Victoria Peak which is referred to simply as ‘the Peak’. This lush, green, promontory, rises to a height of 554 feet above sea level and offers gorgeous views of the harbor of Hong Kong and its surrounding islands. Victoria peak can be accessed via the Peak tram which has a station at the base of  hill but for an enthusiastic hiker, the best way to get to the top of the Peak which is littered with some of the most expensive real estate in world is to hike up one of many trails that access its summit like Mount Austin Road which leads all the way up to the Victoria Peak garden at the top.

Take a breather in Hong Kong’s many lush ,green parks

For a relatively small city, Hong Kong is dotted with many verdant parks like Victoria Park, Kowloon Park and Hong Kong Park.  These lush green spaces offer many attractions like the Edward Youde Aviary and the Museum of Tea Ware, both of which are both located within the Hong Kong Park. Additionally  these green spaces  offer a wide array of recreational facilities along with gentler pursuits like watching   Tai Chi  which is practiced by many Hong Kong residents in these parks  and of course bird-watching.

Enjoy a day at the Beach

Hong Kong surprisingly has a number of relatively clean public beaches which present a great opportunity for a relaxing day outing.  Many of these Hong Kong public beaches like Deep Water Bay, Golden Beach, Repulse Bay, and Shek O are easily accessible via the MTR ( Hong Kong’s subway system) and the many public buses that make up its  public transport system.

Indulge in all your shopaholic tendencies at Hong Kong’s animated street markets
Hong Kong has several markets which are populated by  numerous vendors who sell all sorts of  animate (gold fish, song birds)and inanimate( jade,  handbags, clothes) objects. Most of these markets are concentrated in areas like Mong Kok( Ladies Market which is known for its stalls that sell inexpensive  bags, clothes and other accessories,) and Yau Ma Tei( The Temple Street Night Market) both of which are on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong .

Popular street markets  located here include the  Kansu Street Jade Market( Yau Ma Tei), The Goldfish Market, The Flower Market, The Sports Wear Street Market(All of which are in Mong Kok), Ap Liu Street Flea Market in Sham Shui Po and the Jardine’s Crescent Market( Hong Kong Island).
The extremely well known Stanley Market is located on the extreme south side of Hong Kong island and  it features many vendors who sell a whole host of souvenirs and lifestyle products, apparel, art works and more. This market is especially popular with foreigners as the garments sold by the vendors at Stanley Market tend to cater to Western sizes unlike the apparel which is sold in some of the other markets of Hong Kong.

See the song birds of the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden

The Yuen Po Street Bird Garden( Mong Kok) is a favored spot for Hong Kong’s songbird owners who often congregate at this typically Chinese style garden which features an imposing gateway, courtyards, carvings of various birds, a bird themed mural and stalls that occupied by vendors and traders of song birds.

Discover the many gastronomic delights of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is renowned for its delicious Cantonese food. Food is a passion in this city which is known for its Yum Cha culture. Yum Cha refers to the art of eating dim sum( small eats consumed for breakfast or at tea time) while ingesting Chinese tea. Some of the most popular dimsums in Hong Kong include Cha-Siu-Bao ( Barbecued pork buns) , Fung Jao( Steamed Chicken feet),  Har Gau( Steamed shrimp dumplings)Siu-Mai( steamed pork dumplings).  Old world Hong Kong Yum Cha restaurants are busy and bustling and often feature communal dining tables that are served by fast moving,  trolley pushing, dim sum servers.

Go antique shopping on Hollywood Road

Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Row(Cat Street) which are both located on Hong Kong island should both be considered as a must-do attraction especially for those visitors who enjoy browsing and shopping at  antique shops.  The Antiques market was established at Hollywood Road nearly a century ago when western sailors on their way back to Europe from China used to stop here to sell their antiquities . Today the many stores located here sell a wide array of porcelain, furniture, statues and other antique knick knacks.  However like antiques elsewhere they tend to be quite expensive though cheaper items and souvenirs can be found at the shops that line on Upper Lascar Row.

Ride  the Mid-Levels Escalator

Hong Kong  has the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system that  connects the IFC mall in Hong Kong’s Central business district with Conduit Road in  the Mid-levels . The Mid-Levels is a primarily  residential area located towards the base of  ‘the Peak’. This elaborate system of elevated stairs, ramps and pedestrian walkways was built to alleviate some of the rush hour vehicular traffic that often clogs Hong Kong’s fairly narrow roads. The escalator which runs down hill in the mornings and uphill in the evenings enables many of the residents of the Mid-Levels to walk to  their work  places which are largely located in the Central district of Hong Kong. The escalator  thus eliminates their need to use taxis or private cars for their commute. Located along the Mid -Levels are many trendy bars and restaurants that are considered to be a part of Soho which is Hong Kong’s main dining and night life district.

Party the night away in Lan Kwai Fong

The Soho district in Hong Kong refers to the area of Staunton and Elgin streets which lie South of Hollywood Road  in Hong Kong. This premier dining and night life area contains within its boundaries the bar and nightclub district , Lan Kwai Fong which is ‘Party Central’ in Hong Kong.  Lan Kwai Fong populated by  raucous bars and clubs like Insomnia, Post 97 and Lux some of which remain  open for business 24/7.

Take in a Fireworks Display

Hong Kong celebrates several important days  in the year with magnificent firework displays over Victoria Harbor.  These displays commemorate days like the New Year (January 1st),  National Day( which commemorates the founding  of the People’s Republic of Chinaon 1st October), Chinese New Year( anytime from Mid-January to Mid-February). If you happen to be in Hong Kong on any of these days , you sure to  be able to  witness this fabulous display of pyrotechnics for free.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo you can enjoy savings of up to 50% off hotels in cities such as Acapulco and San Diego.   Book by May 2nd to get rates as low as $43.94 in Acapulco and 32.99 in San Diego!  You can also enjoy savings of up to 30%  at hotels across the US and beyond if you book by May 3rd for travel through July 3rd.  Deals include Palm Springs hotels from $55 and Barbados hotels from $57!

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge consists of three adjacent, glamorous camps with 30 Maasai-inspired suites perched on stilts on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.  Considered one of the most spectacular safari lodges in Africa, it’s vantage point provides it’s guests with spectacular views of African wildlife.

The Southern United States is filled with unique attractions.  In fact, this region, more than any other in the US, has a  distinct culture that inspires certain expectations from visitors.  Whether it is the theme parks and beaches of Florida, the rowdy good times of New Orleans or the modern, cosmopolitan Southern culture of Atlanta and Charlotte, visitors seek a certain amount of “southern-ness” when they choose to spend their summertime holiday south of the Mason Dixon Line.

Here are the five best summertime travel destinations in the Southern United States.  In many ways, these places fit the Southern stereotype, but more often than not, visitors find themselves confronted with unexpected – but welcome – surprises.

1. The Barrier Islands of South Carolina are known for their golf courses, beaches, gated communities and water sports.  Nearby Charleston, a city of rich history, is an attraction in its own right.  But the unique geography and natural, untouched beauty are what truly make this part of the Carolinas worth a visit.  Outfitters, such as Aqua Safari, take tourist on cruises to explore the natural side of the islands, allowing them to come in close contact with wildlife, including alligators and dolphins.

Of course, surfers are always at home on South Carolina’s Central Coast, one of the most underrated wave-riding spots in the nation, especially during summer hurricane season.  Or, you can remain dry and just enjoy the area’s laid back version of beach culture.

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park in the nation in terms of the number of visitors.  Wander through the wild, rural landscapes and its easy to see why.  The Smokies boast some of the most unbelievably picturesque scenery.  Summers can be hot and hazy, but large parts of the park lie at higher elevation, meaning that the weather is cooler.  The road up to  Clingman’s Dome (more than 6600 feet of elevation) is littered with scenic overlooks, while trails can be accessed from the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, in North Carolina, and the Sugarlands Visitors Center, in the Tennessee portion of the park.

3. Key West proves that sometimes the classic destinations are still the best ones.  Seafood, water sports and, most of all, that un-copyable, frozen-in-time Key West vibe that attracted famous vacationers like Ernest Hemingway in years past.

There are plenty of touristy attractions, such as the Conch Train Tour and the Key West Nature Preserve, but also plenty of opportunities to get away from the city for some diving, fishing or simply for a boat ride or hike.  And Duval Street, though a bit overly-crowded with tourists sometimes, is home to some of the most iconic bars in the Southern US.

Yes, summertime is rainy season in Key West, but most of the showers occur during the morning hours, with the days being perfectly dry.

4. Atlanta is the cultural and economic capitol of the so-called New South.  Yes, the city suffers from all the standard big city woes, but the culture (especially the cuisine and nightlife) and the sense of history make this one of the more interesting and exciting all-around vacation destinations.  Of course, mainstream tourist attractions like the CNN Studio, Coca-Cola World and a world famous zoo are reasons to visit as well.  If you want to mix a bit of high-brow entertainment with your sightseeing, this is one of the better choices in the country, with The Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Symphony and more than 60 theater groups regularly staging plays and musicals.  Summertime festivals – the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Georgia Shakespeare Festival and the National Black Arts Festival, to name a few – make the warmer months the best time to get a full cultural experience.

5. Charlotte is another Southern city on the rise.  Attractions aside, this is arguably the best city to experience both the excitement and diverse culture of the modern South and a healthy dose of old fashioned southern charm.  Charlotte’s large immigrant population and numerous “new transplants” from other parts of the country give it its cosmopolitan vibe, while museums and art galleries give visitors plenty of high-brow options. Many great Charlotte hotel deals are available while enjoying all the excitement this city has to bring.

Summertime is the high season for golfers and stock car racing fans.  Most of all, though, June and July provide the ideal weather for getting out and experiencing Charlotte’s best trait: its public parks.

Food is always an integral part of a Charlotte vacation.  June’s Taste of Charlotte Festival is the perfect opportunity to find all of the flavors that make Charlotte’s eating scene  unique in one place.

Get Caribbean All Inclusive Vacation Packages at the top resorts in  Mexico, the Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica for up to 65% off until midnight on Friday, April 23rd.

Deals include great rates such as $77 a night per person at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort in Jamaica.

Grab these deals fast before the sale ends on Friday!

Earth Day is turning 40 this year. What are you going to do to celebrate? If going green is more than a passing trend for you, consider showing your respect for Mother Nature while having a blast by attending one of these 5 weekend Earth Day events in a city near you.

1. 40th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration in Washington D.C. (April 24-25)

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the EPA at the National Mall in DC this weekend. One of the biggest features of this event will be the National Sustainable Design Expo, which will showcase exciting new green technologies and alternative designs from college groups around the nation. There will also be several family-friendly activities taking place, such as basic science experiment demonstrations and the Carbon Wheel of Fortune game, which will teach participants how to reduce their carbon footprint.

2. Berkeley Earth Day in Berkeley, California (April 24)

From noon to 5pm, join Berkeley-ites at the Civic Center Park as they celebrate the environmental movement through cultural performances and activities. Performers will include the Venezuelan Music Project and Reggae Angels. The event will also feature craft and community booths, a demonstration of biodiesel and electric cars, a climbing wall, and farmer’s market.

3. EarthFair at Grand Central Terminal, New York City (April 23-24)

EarthFair is a two-day, outdoor festival featuring art and music that will take place on Vanderbilt Avenue. There will be a large exhibit area featuring interactive displays from environmental groups and green businesses. On stage, there will be musical performances by the Manhattan Samba Band, Judah Tribe, The London Souls, and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, among other bands.

4. Pikes Peak Earth Day 2010, Colorado Springs, Colorado (April 24)

Held at the LEED-certified Cornerstone Art Center at Colorado College, Pikes Peak Earth Day is a popular, community-wide event that hosts workshops, food, art, environmental presentations, and much more. Some hands-on, kid-friendly activities that will be offered throughout the celebration include litter bug crafts, balance eco mobile art, rock art, and face painting. There will also be performances by several local artists, including Rayah, a gypsy belly dancer, John Armstrong, a Native American flute player, and The Lame Wolf Project, a folk/bluegrass band.

5. Miami Goin’ Green, Miami, Florida (April 24)

Miami Goin’ Green will be held at Bayfront Park and feature over 100 exhibitors from around the country. Entrance to this event, which will run from 10am to 6pm, is free. Some unique features of this event include the Miami Science Museum’s Mad Lab, where kids can learn about green concepts by participating in hands-on activities and an electronic recycling center, where you can dispose of old electronic appliances for recycling. If you have any unwanted clothing that’s hip and in good condition, you can trade them for new garbs at Miami Goin’ Green’s Fashion Forward clothing swap.

Alam Jiwa is situated in Nyuhkuning Village, a traditional village on the southern side of Ubud. Alam Jiwa Hotel in Ubud offers tranquility atmosphere in the secluded area. A perfect holiday retreat in the heart of Balinese culture.

New England is full of summertime attractions.  The heavy snows of winter give way to pleasantly warm weather, and locals and tourists alike are ready to visit the breezy seaside, explore mountain trails, photograph historic sites and experience those legendary New England charms.

With a choice between cosmopolitan culture, rural scenery and classy seaside excursions, it is simple for tourists to find a vacation that matches their interests.  Certain destinations allow travelers to sample the best that New England has to offer.  Here are five of the best summertime vacation destinations in the Northeast.

1. With all its history, diversity and exciting attractions, Boston is the best place in New England for an urban vacation.  History and high-brow culture always take center stage in America’s oldest big city.  Warm weather means a trip to the famous harbor is possible, as is a stroll down the Freedom Trail, which passes some of the more important sites in US history, such as Fanieul Hall and Boston Commons, America’s oldest public park.  Boston is also home to the famous Boston Pops orchestra, the Boston Museum of Fine Art and several museums located on the Harvard and MIT campuses.

Summer also brings whale watching tours on the waters of the Atlantic and celebrations marking the Fourth of July.  The Boston Pops helps to celebrate Independence Day with an outdoor concert that accompanies fireworks launched from the banks of the Charles River.  These events and attractions make New England’s largest city one if its best summertime destinations.

2. If you want a more laid-back New England experience, but still want some sophistication, head to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Boston does not have a monopoly on the region’s historic sites.  Portsmouth is the third oldest city in the US.  Its is characterized by aged architecture and hint of the ambiance of bygone eras.  The Strawbery Banke Museum, located in an historic, port-side neighborhood, is open daily during the summer and offers a glimpse into the city’s past.  A more modern experience  is available at the brewery that produces bottles of the popular Red Hook Beer.

The Prescott Park Arts Festival (outdoor performances all summer long) and the Portsmouth Blues Festival (traditionally held in August) add to the summertime excitement in this New Hampshire city.

3. Another small city  option is Burlington, Vermont.  The largest city in Vermont, it is home to less than 50,000 people, but has a surprisingly sophisticated ambiance and plenty of worthwhile attractions.  Entertainment options range from taking a  cruise on nearby Lake Champlain to people watching to enjoying the skills of street performers who dance, sing or act outdoors along Church Street in the center of the city.

There is also plenty of history, with several sites dedicated to Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen and several of examples of old New England architecture.  The pub and cafe culture is alive and well in Burlington, with students from four area colleges, including th University of Vermont, giving the nightlife a youthful energy.

Summertime events include Dragon Boat Races, in August, a jazz concert series, in June, and the Vermont Brewers Festival, which is hosted by Burlington in mid-July.

4. Acadia National Park, in Maine, is one of the best places to get-away-from-it-all without actually feeling like you are alone in the wilds of New England.  The park covers several offshore islands, most notably Mount Desert Island.  In total, it stretches for more than 50 square miles and contains every type of landscape you could expect in the Atlantic Northeast.  There are mountains, woodlands and forests, a rugged shoreline and waterways.  Camping is possible during the summer, although there are several small towns on Mount Desert Island that offer suitably quaint accommodations to those who want more comfort than a tent can provide.

5. York Beach, Maine, is another popular summertime getaway spot in the Northeastern-most state.  This resort area has everything you could want in a New England destination.  There are tourist attractions like a petting zoo, plenty of seafood restaurants, sandy beaches and stretches of that trademark rugged Maine coastline.  York Beach is located in Southern Maine, making it much more accessible than some of the other popular summertime resort areas further up the coast.  Aside from playing on the sand and in the waves, there are more adventurous options, such as sea kayaking tours and mountain bike trails.

York Beach is home to those quaint New England features that many visitors have come to expect from Atlantic Coast destinations: lighthouses (Nubble Lighthouse is one of the country’s oldest), craft shops, seafood restaurants and hundred-plus year-old buildings.

If you’re a die-hard soccer fan, you’re probably salivating at the prospect of flying to the southern tip of the African continent this summer.

But in case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the deal: from June 11th to July 11th, the Soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa for the first time ever.

Although the games will probably take up most of your time, you’ll surely have a moment available to discover some of South Africa’s hidden charms. Heck, even if you don’t like watching men kicking balls back and forth, visiting South Africa this summer is totally worthwhile, as the nation boasts a rich heritage, vibrant culture, and remarkable natural attractions. Here are the top 10 things to do while you’re in South Africa.

1. Elephant Back Safari

Several game reserves in South Africa offer guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride on the back of an African elephant. A giant of the animal kingdom, the African elephant has a majestic presence. The Elephant Sanctuary, which has three different branches in South Africa, allows visitors to ride, walk, feed, and groom elephants.

2. Apartheid Museum

Visiting the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is practically obligatory if you want to leave South Africa with a deeper understanding of its culture and history. A visit to this graphic, powerful museum kicks off when you are given a ticket that denotes whether you’re “white” or “non-white.”

121 nooses dangle from the museum’s roof, symbolizing the political prisoners that were executed during the apartheid era. Additional artifacts in the museum that serve as memories of South Africa’s dark history of racial segregation include racially tagged identity cards, weapons security forces used to enforce segregation, and blown-up photographs that illustrate the rise and fall of the apartheid.

3. Shark Cage Diving

If you’d like to see a great white shark up close and personal without getting your arm bitten off, you’ll love the new adventure sport known as shark cage diving. In Gansbaai and Mosselbaai, Western Cape, brave folks have the rare opportunity to encounter great white sharks in their natural habitat by venturing underwater in jaw-proof cages.

First, you’ll head out to sea in a boat, and the crew will throw some fish heads and livers into the water to lure the sharks. Once the sharks are circling the boat, you’ll hop into a specially designed diving cage and be lowered into the water. The cage features a tube that goes up to the boat for you to breathe out of, so you don’t have to use an oxygen tank.

4. Cape Wine Tours

There are 13 major wine regions in South Africa, where you can savor some of the world’s finest wines. Most of South Africa’s picturesque wineries are nestled in the Western Cape and can be accessed on a day trip from Cape Town.

During wine tours, you can meet the winemakers, learn more about the winemaking process, and afterwards, enjoy wine tasting and fine dining while admiring the picturesque scenery of South African wine country.

5. Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a grandiose, flat-topped mountain covered in unique vegetation that serves as Cape Town’s beautiful backdrop. Climb or take the Aerial Cableway to the top of Table Mountain, from which you can enjoy stunning views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.

6. Kruger National Park

One of the largest game reserves in Africa and one of the largest national parks in the world, Kruger National Park has more species of mammals than any other game reserve in Africa. On a safari or self-guided drive through Kruger National Park, you’ll see wild animals including hyenas, lions, leopards, hippos, and cheetahs, to name a few.

7. Robben Island

From the end of the 17th century, Robben Island, an island in Table Bay, was used as a prison. After helping end apartheid in South Africa and establishing a democratic government, Nelson Mandela inaugurated Robben Island as a national monument. Mandela himself was imprisoned there for 18 years.

When you visit the Robben Island Museum, a leg of your tour is led by an ex-political prisoner, who gives you a firsthand account of life on Robben Island. You are also taken on a tour of the maximum security prison where Mandela and other political prisoners were held.

8. Whale-Watching

From June and throughout the winter months, migrating whales make their way along the South African coast. Walker Bay in Hermanus, South Africa happens to be one of the top 12 whale watching locations in the world. Southern Right whales can be seen just 33 feet from the shore at Walker Bay.

9. Ride an Ostrich

Ostrich riding isn’t an activity for the faint of art, but if you’re up for the challenge, you can give it a go at an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, often referred to as the Ostrich Capital of South Africa. If you find yourself getting the hang of ostrich riding pretty quickly, feel free to join one of the regular races that are held in the area. But if you feel uncomfortable hopping on an ostrich, no worries; watching the professional ostrich jockeys race each other is sufficiently amusing.

10. Ride a Luxury Train

If you feel like pampering yourself after watching a string of intense soccer games, why not take embark on an opulent getaway on one of South Africa’s luxury trains? The Rovos Rail, which claims to be, “the most luxurious train in the world,” boasts dining, lounge, and observation cars that are complete with traditional furnishings and décor, reminding you of a bygone era. The Blue Train serves world-class cuisine and features five-star accommodations. Even if the team you’re rooting for doesn’t end up winning the World Cup, you’ll leave South Africa fully satisfied by concluding your trip with a luxury train ride.

Giraffe Manor is a small hotel in the Lang’ata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. Together with its related Giraffe Centre, serves as a home to several endangered Rothschild giraffes, as well as operating a breeding program which reintroduces breeding pairs back into the wild.