18 Things I Want to Do & See Before I Die

Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans. ~John Lennon

I asked our travel agents where are some of the most exotic places around the world? What are some of the most exciting excursions? What are some of the must-see and must-dos in the world. While some of their answers were more exotic than others, they were all worthy of making this list: 18 Things I Want to Do & See While I Still Can.

Here are some of the highlights!

Holguin Cuba Beach
#18: A beach in Cuba. Sounds simple, right? It is! Cuba has some of the most spectacular beaches in the entire world, with white powdery sand and crystal clear waters.

 

#17: Galapagos Islands. Our very own Debbie Maguire recently visited the Galapagos Islands and was lucky enough to swim with sea lions!

swimming with sea lions

#16: NYC Deli. Ya, that sounds about right to me! You haven’t had a real sandwich until you’ve been to a New York City Jewish deli. I recommend Carnegie Deli on 7th Ave at 55th St.

#15: Le Lido in Paris, France. You don’t hear as much about this one, I think simply because there are so many sights to see in France. But the cabaret show at Le Lido is not to be missed.

#14: Speaking of Paris shows, Moulin Rouge is another must-see when visiting France. This show features world-renowned showgirls and Cancan dancers!

Gorilla in Rwanda#13: Gorillas in the Mist. Remember the Sigourney Weaver movie about naturalist  Dian Fossey? Imagine walking the same Rwandan jungle with the mountain gorillas, quietly gazing upon these gorgeous creatures. Top of my list for sure!

#12: Inca Trail Hike: This is one of the most famous hikes in the world. The 4-day walk takes you through 45 kms of mountain scenery, subtropical jungle, Inca paving stones, tunnels and ruins. This journey is not for the faint of heart.

#11: Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Another one of life’s simple pleasures, Jamaican jerk chicken paired with beach-side reggae music and tropical bevvies — try me!

#10: Farm Stays. Seriously? Why not! There are “luxury” farm stays from New Zealand to New York, where you can get your hands dirty and lounge at the pool. Check out some of these ultimate farm stays to see what I mean.

#9: The city below me from a hot-air balloon. Now that sounds like fun! If you’re not afraid of heights, a hot-air balloon ride is an experience of a lifetime – one that too many of us miss out on, I think.

Niagara Falls#8: Niagara Falls. I forget about this one at times because it’s practically in my backyard. But for those who aren’t lucky enough to live here, Niagara Falls is a site that absolutely must be seen.

#7: Ski the Swiss Alps. This was my contribution to the list. One of my greatest regrets in life is that I didn’t ski the Alps while I was in Switzerland. At least I have a solid excuse to return!

#6: Take a river cruise. It’s true what they say, river cruising is without a doubt the best way to travel through many of the world’s most fascinating places. Cruise Europe, Russia, Egypt, China … so many spectacular sights to see on a river cruise.

#5: Take any cruise! Yes, a river cruise does sound tempting with its more intimate setting, but cruising is cruising, and if you’ve never been on a cruise ship, you are definitely missing out. If you like the water, a cruise really can give you the best bang for your travel buck.

#4: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This is one of the best vacation destinations in the world. Better still, it is arguably the most well-known and well-loved places to go scuba diving and snorkeling … on the entire planet!

Great Barrier Reef Australia

#3: The Luxor. No, not the hotel in Vegas. The Luxor in Egypt. Travellers have been visiting this destination for hundreds of years to gaze upon its magnificence. For anyone interested in ancient history, monuments and culture, the Luxor is a must-see.

#2: Iceland – the land of fire and ice. Did you know that Iceland is one of the most volcanic regions in the world? In addition to whale-watching, hiking and fishing excursions, one of the most famous attractions is the Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall and the spouting hot springs of Geysir.

Turkey#1: Cesme Peninsula, Turkey. Here are some of the world’s most picturesque villages with crumbling Greek facades and seemingly endless miles of sparsely populated beaches. Vacationers can relax in the thermal spas, stay at one of the many bayside resorts, or book a romantic boutique hideaway.

Now it’s your turn! Tell us about your favourite vacation destinations of all time…

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Last-Minute Labour Day Getaways

Labour Day marks the end of summer. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s a fact. It means back to school, back to work, and back to reality. There are only a few weekends left before summer is behind us for yet another year … but don’t fret! There is still some time to plan one last hoorah!

Whether you want to enjoy one more weekend on the beach, or you need a relaxing spa getaway to recharge for another school year, here are some great Labour Day escapes to close out the summer in style!

New York City Weekend Getaway

Gild Hall NYCGild Hall is a boutique Thompson hotel in the heart of the Financial District, ideally situated down by the Seaport. With 126 guest rooms, decorated with custom-made furniture, handsome brown leather headboards and tartan blankets, you can enjoy your nights in a deluxe king room or king suite. Ask about their Last Days of Summer Promotion to receive 30% off their best available rate, free wifi, welcome fruit,  and 2pm checkout (based on availability). Valid now until September 13, 2012

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas Cosmo HotelStay at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas to celebrate the final days of summer in style! Hip, stylish and spacious rooms are available for 3-night package deals offering 20% off. Most rooms have outdoor balconies and easy access to trendy nightclubs, a pool lounge and some of the best restaurants in town.

You’ll want to book this one ASAP to lock in Labour Day weekend dates.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Maroma Hotel, Mayan RivieraFor the ultimate end-of-summer vacation, escape to sunny Mexico. Kick back on a soft, luxurious beach bed, located on the powdery white sands as you sip your fresh-fruit margarita.

The beachfront Maroma Resort features oceanfront thatched-roof bungalows, Mayan-style spa, rooftop yoga classes, and mouth-watering Mexican tapas restaurant. In addition to your welcome cocktail upon arrival and daily breakfast, you can explore the nearby Mayan ruins, and take advantage of one free snorkeling excursion in the beautiful offshore reefs.

You can book for the Labour Day weekend, but this deal is valid through December 18 with a 3-night minimum.

For more information on these or any other Labour Day vacation getaways, contact a tripcentral.ca travel agent travel agent in your area or call 1-800-665-4981.

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Top 10 Free Things to Do & See in NYC

Statue of Liberty
Planning a trip to New York City can be expensive at the best of times. Especially if you’ve never been, or are travelling with someone who’s never been. It means you’ll do all the touristy stuff, including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, the Met, a Broadway show, to name just a few. Twenty-five bucks here, fourteen bucks there, $100+ for show tickets, it all adds up pretty quickly.

The good news is that there is a ton of cool stuff to do and see in New York City that doesn’t cost a dime. Since I was just there last week, I wanted to share some of my personal faves.

Central Park offers all kinds of free events, cool statues and sites like Strawberry Fields, an ‘Imagine’ mosaic, where John Lennon was killed in 1980, ‘the Pond,’ (from “The Catcher in the Rye”). Or, you can just sit and people watch all day.
Times Square, baby! There’s nothing quite like the big city lights of Times Square at night. Plus, you never know who (or what) you’ll see!

The Naked Cowboy, NYC, NY

Chelsea is home to a mecca of galleries nestled mostly in the 20s Streets between 10th & 11th Aves. Rumour has it that lots of galleries offer wine and cheese openings on Thursdays.

Brooklyn Brewery – any chance I get to go inside a brewery for a free tour and taste, I’m there!Tours run on the hour from 1-5 on Saturdays & 1-4 on Sundays.

New York Earth Room – what’s there, you ask? Dirt. 280,000 pounds of dirt. How often to you get to see a single room filled with that much dirt?

Rockefeller Center was built during the depression in the 1930s and spans an impressive 22-acres of the city. You’ve seen the giant Christmas tree in NYC, right? Well that’s Rockefeller Center, and it’s free to visit!

Bronx ZooBronx Zoo might be of interest if you’re travelling with kids – or even if you’re not! It’s the oldest and largest zoo in the entire US, occupying a whopping 265 acres and housing more than 4000 animals. The Bronx Zoo operates on a donation system on Wednesdays.

If the zoo isn’t your thing, maybe you’d rather peruse innovative art, lights shows and maybe take in a movie. If so, Socrates Sculpture Park offers all of the above on Wednesdays as well.

Everyone loves a botanical garden, and you can visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for free on Tuesdays, and from 10am to noon on Saturdays.

When it’s time to escape the chaos of the city streets, you can rent a kayak for free on the weekends and on some evenings from public boathouses along the Hudson River.

9/11 Memorial WaterfallSaving the very best for last … I know, how can you top the entertainment factor of the Naked Cowboy, right?

Well, back to reality. The best of all free sight to see in NYC is the 9/11 Memorial. Experience the magnificent waterfalls and reflecting pools set within the footprints of the North and South Towers.

Freedom Tower, NYC

 

While you’re there, look way up to see the new Freedom Towers currently being built! I speak from the heart when I tell you this was truly a magical experience not to be missed.

What are some of you favourite free things to do in New York City? Share them with us below!

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