Photo Credit: mcclave
I’ve always been partial to words such as magic and mystic. Since I was a kid, the word “mystic” had always been one of my favorites. So I was delighted when I found a place actually called Mystic.

A major tourist destination, Mystic, Connecticut is a village split in the middle, one part in Groton, another in Stonington. What’s lovely is that you can find the Mystic Seaport, and the Mystic Aquarium there, along with the more popular tourist shopping destination.

The Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration boasts of indoor and outdoor exhibits, and habitats where you can watch the beluga whales and the Pacific white-sided dolphins. Being a sucker for aquariums, I’d sure head there first before anywhere else.

You can also visit the Mystic Seaport, also known as The Museum of America and the Sea, which is America’s largest maritime museum. While at the seaport, you can also ride the Steamboat Sabino, the oldest, operational wooden steamboat that can take you on a tour of the scenic Mystic River.

For shopping needs, the charmingly named Olde Mistick Village is an outdoor shopping area, home to over 60 shops where the whole family can spend a day.

What I remember though is a movie called Mystic Pizza, starring Julia Roberts. Apparently, the real Mystic Pizza still exists on West Main St. They don’t have Julia Roberts but they do have great pizzas.

For something quietly mystical, head on over to Mystic.

Photo Credit: wyntuition
Thinking of where to go on vacation next? Let this article be your guide.

Miami, Florida wins as the city that has the most beautiful people, according to “America’s Favorite Cities” by Travel + Leisure magazine online survey. So if you feel like people watching is the best activity, get your suntan lotion and squeeze into your bathing suit and hit the Miami beaches.

If your up for wild, wild weekends, Las Vegas and New Orleans (my current favorite US city) still rank right there at the top for fun under the moonlight. Although, New Orleans has its work cut out for it in the clean city category. Thank God, Brad Pitt is there to save the day.

Not surprisingly, Washington, D.C. is top city for historical sites and monuments. And THE city of cities happens to be New York, receiving the most No. 1 rankings, for arts, shopping and skyline. Although you can’t expect it to be quiet, and affordable. San Antonio, Texas won the most affordable city award.

Honolulu apparently offers the best for a romantic interlude, while Orlando, Florida is at the top of the list for family vacations.

How I’d love to visit all the US states, but if you ask me my top five right now? I’d list New Orleans, LA (for Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters); Portland, Oregon (for the set of Twilight); Orlando, FL; Las Vegas; and of course, New York.

For a more comprehensive look at the list, visit www.reuters.com.

Photo Credit: gterez
I am so obsessed with Greece right now. It hasn’t always been my dream vacation spot, but it has always been one of my top three since I discovered Greek mythology when I was nine and wished that I was Pallas Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. And! I have to find out that one of my uncle lives in Greece!

He’s currently living in Glyfada which is a luxurious suburb of Athens, and one of its largest, south of the metropolitan area. It’s what millionaires, celebrities, high profile political figures and various Greek A-listers call home. Located at the foot of the Hymettus mountain, it reaches out to touch the Saronic Gulf. The area is famous for upmarket cafes, famous and expensive boutiques, and cosmopolitan clubs. According to it’s Wikipedia entry, it has also been called the “Hellenic Hamptons”.

Currently, it’s where Athens’ most famous nightclubs, upscale restaurants and shops are located. And real estate is as prime as prime can get. The waterfront location, luxurious commercial center and business district make sure of that. Which is why it is where the most decadent beachfront properties in the whole of Europe can be found.

This is also where Greece’s original 18-hole golf course can be found. The Glyfada Golf Club is Greece’s first golf course, established in 1962. Not only that, it is also near enough to the Acropolis that you can happily mix in the glory of the past with modern conveniences.

I’m actually planning my vacation now, and hope to go to Glyfada soon. See you there!

Photo Credit: David.R.Carroll
Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, is along the Ontario side of the Ottawa River, right across from Gatineau, Quebec. Aside from its main tourist attractions such as the Parliament Hill, Ottawa is also a great place to wine and dine.

Local and international food are available in countless restaurants and street vendors across the city. It has the finest Chinese cuisine in the Chinatown area, along Somerset Ave. If Italian is your thing, wander over to Little Italy along Preston Street. And if you think, what the heck, I want something new, you have choices, choices, choices at the Byward Market area, a total food haven.

While you’re there, do not miss Ottawa’s “claim to culinary fame”, the deep-fried beavertail (which is actually deep-fried dough, and not a real beaver’s tail). You can get it topped with ordinary sugar or you can choose cinnamon, or both, or a hundred other variants. You can get it in the Byward Market on George St. It’s the only place that has it during summer.

You also have your choice of coffee shops. Starbucks is the safest bet, but there’s a Tim Horton’s at practically every street corner if you need a quick coffee fix.

And, coffee isn’t the only thing that you can find quickly in Ottawa. There are a lot of “chip wagons” parked around the city at lunch time. Food is usually just a few steps away so you will unlikely get hungry.

For the traveler on a budget, Budapest Delicatessen is an institution in Ottawa, serving great (and I mean great!) classic European cold cut sandwiches with the works. You can also try DiRienzo’s Deli which is a little heaven of a place in Little Italy which also serves great (and fast) sandwiches. If you want to splurge, there’s Domus, in the Byward Market. They serve regional Canadian cuisine under the knowing eyes of talented, award winning chefs. If you have a little taste for French cuisine, there’s Signatures, a classy French restaurant with a five-diamond rating.

If you want to go bar-hopping, Byward Market is still the place for you. Helsinki Lounge and Disco is a popular spot that serves creative, and very un-Finnish, delights.

There are also an abundance of Irish/British style pubs around such as Black Thorn, the Irish Village and Patty Boland’s. You won’t be wanting for any more beer, I think.

Wherever you turn, you can enjoy the dining experience in Ottawa.

Cheers!

Photo Credit: Felex
“Pearl of the Andaman, southern paradise, golden beaches, land of the duo of heroines and highly revered Laung Pho Chaem.” - Slogan of Phuket

Phuket, pronounced “poo-get”, is Thailand’s largest island. It’s connected to the south of Phang Nga Province by road bridges. Phuket is one of the most popular travel destination in Thailand where most beaches are. The delightful Andaman Sea water on the Indian Ocean is balmy and is a perfect beach.

There are a number of gorgeous beaches, although you can’t go topless as nudity is viewed as offensive to Thais. You have a choice of beaches, and there are a lot of options. Bang Tao is a gorgeous, quiet beach, untouched and private. The Laem Singh Beach is small but the views are stunning enough, you won’t care about how small it is. You can also go to Patong Beach, the largest resort and the center of nightlife in Phuket.

There are also a few islands you can visit, Ko Yao with four resorts, and Kho Hae, or Coral Island.

It’s absolutely gorgeous in Phuket. Don’t forget your sunscreen!