Today, we are talking about our dream vacation destinations. If you've been following along with us, hopefully you'll remember that in our last post we mentioned that we have a world map full of pins for future dream vacations. Some of these pins are really popular destinations (Western Europe, anyone?!) while others might be more obscure or harder to reach spots. Below is a list of four of our must-visit places around the world. For each destination, we've included accommodations that we wouldn't mind blowing our nest egg on as well as a more budget-friendly option. Tokyo, JapanA city filled with so much history and culture, tons of parks and Zen gardens and supposedly the best ramen around, Tokyo has all the sights and amenities of a world class city with its own very odd twist. Like many historic cities, Tokyo has fused old and new, combining modern steel and glass with sacared temples and tranquil escapes! It's a destination for eclectic activities, whether you're buying scotch from a vending machine or playing an obscure arcade game in Akihabara. Japan will certainly have you indulging your weird side, like visiting a cat cafe! I want to go right Meow!! Photos courtesy of: Accommodations: Low: Park Hotel Tokyo is located in the Minato neighborhood close to the Tokyo Tower, the Hamarikyu Garden, and the famous Tsukiji fish market. Park Hotel is also a Travelers Choice Hotel via TripAdvisor. Room prices start around $160 a night. High: The Tokyo Station Hotel. It's worth splurging for! The hotel is located blocks from the Imperial Palace and is directly connected to the JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi, for travel all over this sprawling city! It's gorgeous exterior looks as good today as it did when it was first constructed, thanks to a 7 year long restoration project, and the interior has vintage flare throughout! Rooms start around $320 a night. The city of love, lights, and amazing pastries. Paris may be considered an over-used dream vacation spot but there has to be a reason this European city is adored by so many! With countless museums, gorgeous rose gardens and endless boulangeries for people watching, this city can satisfy any romantic. Plus the city is stunningly beautiful during all seasons, so why not aim for a repeat visit, or three or four...We know a few people that have visited Paris multiple times and still haven't been able to see everything on their list! Just be warned, this is not a budget friend city! With a lot of micro hotels popping up, some rooms are just big enough for a bed and can still carry a hefty price tag. Photos courtesy of: Accommodations: Low: Operated by the Astotel Paris group, Hotel Joyce might not have a view of the Eiffel Tower, but they still boast neighborhood scape views that are as Parisian as croissants and cafe au laits. Plus each of their rooms have private terraces that are worth the distance from the touristy city center. Rooms start around $160 a night. High: if you're going to go all out on a Paris hotel, it has to be for an Eiffel Tower view. Shangri-La Hotel is a stone's throw away and some of their room’s views make it look like the tower is actually sitting on their veranda. It is a five-star luxury hotel with a price tag to match. Rooms start around $720 a night. Ouch I know, but if its a dream vacation, why not stay in a dream worthy hotel! It's pretty common to forget that here in the US, we have some fantastic domestic vacation spots that don't require flying overseas. The one we've been dying to do is the Pacific Coast Highway drive along the California coast. Ideally, we'd fly into San Diego spend a day or two, pick up our rented Mustang convertible, and make our way up to San Francisco with a few stops along they way! Some popular stops are in LA, Malibu, Santa Barbara, and Monterey/Carmel. Another thought we had was to continue the drive up to the Redwood National Park or even go all the way and head up to Portland, Oregon. With extended time in San Diego and San Francisco, we've included two hotels (low and high) for each destination spot. Photos courtesy of: San Diego Accommodations: Low: The Sofia Hotel located directly downtown in San Diego, is a quaint boutique hotel loaded with history. Throughout their lobby, they have framed images of San Diego from the past. Squeezed between the Marina and the Gaslamp Quarter, there's plenty to do around the hotel. Rooms start at $150 a night. High: Tower23 Hotel, getting its name from lifeguard tower 23 being right down the beach, is minutes from San Diego's downtown but wonderfully located on the water. The views of La Jolla beach are incredible and worth the splurge for just a couple days! Rooms start around $480 a night. San Francisco Accommodations: Low: The Hotel California San Francisco is located just minutes from Union Square which houses shopping, theaters, and plenty of restaurant and bars. The hotel was recently renovated and boasts brights walls and airy rooms. The main reason we picked this hotel was because of their complimentary bicycle checkout for guests! Who needs the cable cars when you can pedal around the city with your own agenda! Rooms start at $199 a night. High: Galleria Park Hotel is operated by A Joie De Vivre hotel group. Galleria Park is a modern boutique hotel with touches of Parisian decor. They boast a french restaurant called Gaspar that also houses a bar upstairs. Galleria Park Hotel is farther from the city center and about 15 minutes from Union Square, but I guess it's a good excuse to jump on the cable car and take a ride into town. Rooms starting around $270 a night. Cape Town, South AfricaThis South African metropolis has its origins in the age of imperialism as an essential supply port. Today it has evolved into a full fledged western city set amidst the wild and untamed nature of Africa. Cape Town is a one stop shop for getting in more nature sight seeing than you imagined possible. Start by standing on top of Table Mountain, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, then go see penguins on Boulder Beach, a safari through the reservations, and end with standing at the southernmost point of the continent at Cape Point. For the more historically inclined, the city has over 400 years of European influences which have resulted in some spectacular architectural achievements like the Castle of Good Hope, the Grand Parade, St. George's cathedral and the Anglican Diocese. Like every good vacation destination, Cape Town offers unique sights, activities and history that you won't find anywhere else. Photos courtesy of: Accommodations:
Low: With the American dollar being so strong in South Africa, most of their 5 star rated hotels fall in the $150-200 price range. The Three Boutique hotel is a small 15 room hotel with updated and modern rooms but the best part is the location. Minutes from Cape Town the hotel is close to everything but has a secluded feeling by being farther up on Table Mountain. The views are pretty incredible! Three Boutique Hotel rooms start at $170 a night. High: Located in the center of Cape Town, Taj Hotel is an upscale hotel in a great location. Taj Cape Town has all the amenities a visitor would want along with the elegance and flare of luxury but without the high prices. Rooms start around $200 a night. Like we said, The USD is strong in Cape Town so take advantage of it! ~ Now as lovers of traveling, this isn't an all inclusive list, but all of these destinations would be phenomenal highlights for our lives. However, we are always interested in learning about other vacation destinations. If you have a special place that you already know everything about, but have never been, share in the comments below. Until next time, C + D
2 Comments
Paige S.
2/8/2015 02:22:28 pm
These locations sound wonderful!
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Danielle
2/9/2015 12:40:52 am
We talked about Portland with our Cali trip... It's supposed to be beautiful and in the summer it's just crisp and refreshing. Croatia, I've only drooled over the images from that place, would love to visit one day. AND as a trip group?! So fun, we should do that!
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