Cost-Effective Ways to Take Your Family on a Vacation

When the times comes for school vacations, the perceived price of a good trip away often prevents the majority of parents from even looking at vacation ideas and options.

If this sounds like you and you are tired of staying at home during the entire school vacation periods each year, then the information below can help!

 On the Road!
 
It doesn’t matter if you pack the family into the car and take a weekend trip away to visit relatives, if you take a week away to explore a neighboring city, or if you all spend a month traveling around the country, a road trip is a great cost effective adventure which everybody can enjoy.

Holiday 2011- Visiting the Ancient Ruins in Turkey

We had been planning since two months ago for a holiday together. Finally, hubby and I will be going to a holiday in Turkey this coming September 2011. We wanted to stay in one of those beautiful villas in Turkey but the holiday package we booked allowed us to stay in a 4-star hotel somewhere in Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Trojan and Aphrodosias in Turkey. I am finally spending one of those luxury holidays in Turkey since our hotel has a 4-star category.

Last Monday, I reminded hubby to fill-up a vacation leave from his work so that I can book our trip. I forgot to remind him last Tuesday because I was so busy with a lot of errands and activities. Last night when I went home from a birthday party, I asked him if his vacation leave was already approved. I am happy to hear that his manager finally approved his vacation leave. This will be our first long vacation together after almost five years. Of course, we always go for a short trip but this holiday, where we can see and experience the ancient ruins in Turkey is quite special and very exciting for me.

The holiday package in Turkey include the following:

1. Bus transfer from Regensburg to Munich and vice-versa
2. Lufthansa Tourist Class Airline ticket to Istanbul, round trip
3. Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Hotel and vice versa
4. All the bus trips to different places in Turkey
5. 9x breakfast buffet in hotel
6. 9x Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel
7. 5x Dinner-menu
8. Tour Guide for the different bus trips to different cities in Turkey

We will be visiting some of the ancient ruins and other historical places in Turkey which are included in this holiday package.

Istanbul

This is one of the cities that I always wish to visit. I had seen some images of it in the internet and I find it awesome. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey. It is known historically as Constantinople and Byzantium. Our holiday package states that we will be visiting some of the historical sites here like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace and some other more.

Izmir

This is the third largest city in Turkey. Izmir is called as the "Pearl of the Aegean". I can finally see the Clock Tower in Konak Square which is the iconic symbol of the city. This city is also known for its fine beaches which is located near the city centre.

One of my friends had already visited this city and I love the images she posted in her facebook albums. I will see this city very soon!

Ephesus

Here is so far the best part of this trip if I am not mistaken. Ephesus is one of the major tourist attractions in Turkey. It has a large archeological site in Aegean Turkey. An online friend named Art, who also love to travel and visit interesting places wrote me and email about his trip to Greece and Turkey last March of this year. Here are some of the travel experiences he shared to me through email. Thank you so much Art for this wonderful experiences.

"We went to Kusadasi, Turkey next. If you are arriving by cruise ship you do not need a visa to go there. If you are at all religiously minded this is where you will really want to visit. When Jesus died on the cross, He asked his apostle John to take care of his Mother, the Virgin Mary. John brought her to live out her last years at Ephesus, which is right outside of Kusadasi. When I walked into the small stone building that is where she lived, it was the most unbelievable feeling that I have ever felt in my whole life!! And I am not even Catholic. BUT I BELIEVE, especially now! The Greek and Roman ruins at Ephesus are unbelievable. There are more ruins in just Ephesus than there are in all of Greece. I saw where the apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and where he was imprisoned. I saw where John was tried and exiled to a small island just of the coast of Turkey. And all of Ephesus is very well preserved because no cities were built over the ruins like they did in Greece and Italy."
Some other places that we will be visiting during this trip are;

Pergamon- also called as Pergamum-an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey.
Troy- called in German as Troja-where the legendary Trojan War took place according to the book of Iliad by Homer.
Aphrodosias- one of the best preserved Roman cities in Turkey.
Bursa-where you can also see a lot of historical sites.

I am very happy to book this very cheap trip this morning. I will share some images once we are done with the trip.

Holiday Cottages and Sighst To See in Cornwall

The first quarter of the year is almost ending. Three more weeks and the month of March will be over soon. It seems that I am in a hurry for the coming of April. I am just excited to browse about holiday cottages because I will be having another mini-holiday next month. It will be a 6-day trip and I am quite excited about it.

Have you plan your holiday for the year 2011? If you want to ask me, I will surely say, Yes, I am! I am in the process of browsing for cottages in Cornwall because this is one of my holiday destination for 2011. I believed there are a lot of cheap accommodation in this area. Thanks to Owners Direct for giving a lot of information about powerful holiday villas, apartments, bed and breakfast, hotels and holiday rentals not only in Europe but in the whole world as well. Wherever and whenever we want to spend our holiday, there is always a good place for us to stay.

I am also trying to research what could be the possible sights to see in Cornwall. I have a travel book of England but it did not say too much of Cornwall. Thanks to wikipedia for all the helpful information about this place. I would love to especially visit The Eden Project which has a vast collection of flora from all over the world. I always love to watch movies about King Arthur and visiting Tintagel Castle which is his legendary birthplace can be a great experience. Some other interesting sights to visit includes The Lost Gardens of Flannigan, Leyton McCash's Mystery Dungeon, Land's End, The National Maritime Museum Falmouth, The Fate St Ives and a lot more.

For sure, I would to also love to taste the regional specialties in Cornwall. My list includes Cornish Ice Cream, Saffron Cake, Hogs puddin, the famous seafood Star Gazey' pie and their yummy fudge and biscuits. It seems that my appetite is getting high now. I also heard that Cornwall if famous for its honey wine. I might try this too!

Don't forget to plan ahead you travel in Cornwall. You might save time and money for that.

Beautiful Beaches in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu, a province in the Philippines is known to have white and fine beaches. Cebu is consists of Cebu Island ans some other 167 surrounding islands. The best thing to do when you are in Cebu is island hopping. For sure, you will see the beauty of nature in this side of the Philippines. Here is one of the white beaches located somewhere in the South of Cebu. I was there during my vacation this year.

such a beautiful place to relax!

Beautiful Bohol Beach Club, Philippines

I miss this place. This beautiful beach in Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island. I guess I don't need to elaborate the picture below. Simply take a look at it and the photo alone will tell you a thousand words. This was taken during my 2009-2010 vacation in the Philippines. We went there in February. Happy weekend guys!
Feel free to visit and join these wonderful memes; Skywatch Friday,Looking at The Sky Friday, Scenic Sunday and Wordless Wednesday.
Thanks to the Authors of these sites for sharing these wonderful memes in the blogosphere.

Let's Go Eat Pizza at Ayala Cebu

It's been two weeks now since I left Philippines. I miss the fun and the great time I spent with my family, friends and relatives there. It was such a wonderful moment spending quality time with them. Taking a a vacation also means going out for dinner or buffet, or maybe simply strolling and shopping in the mall. The picture below was taken inside Ayala mall, one of the biggest shopping mall in Cebu City. That is Shakey's on the picture where you can eat yummy pizza. I guess that's all for now. I wish everyone a great start of the month of March! take care guys!
Feel free to visit Ruby Tuesday,Wordless Wednesday and Mellow Yellow Monday to see more photos! Have a great one especially to all participants of these memes! Thanks to respective Authors for hosting these wonderful memes!

WW: Taoist Temple in Cebu, Philippines

Thank God it's Friday! Thank God for each day that I have the chance to see the beauty of the world. Thank God for all the blessings and the graces that comes my way and my family. I am thanking God for everything that he had showered upon me. God is truly great!

Here is picture for my Wordless Wednesday entry for today. This was taken during my vacation in the Philippines this year. That's my dear sister in the picture striking a pose at Taoist Temple in Cebu City, Philippines. Have a great day everyone! Have a wonderful weekend too!

Feel free to visit WW site to join and to see more photos. Thanks to the Author of this wonderful meme. Happy Wordless Wednesday everyday!

WW: Garden in Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

Just sharing this picture taken inside the Garden in Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. I hope everyone will have a good start of the month of July..happy wordless Wednesday to all!

copyright photo by: Euroangel

Feel free to visit WW site to join and to see more photos

Wordless Wednesday!

photo I took at Disneyland, California

MDN: Live Life to the Fullest!!

It's Monday again!! I'm back to my real world!! It's been a week that I am back to Germany. After having a 2 months vacation in USA, I just felt so exhausted. At least now, I am recovering a little bit. It was a great time , fun and excitement in USA esp. in Las Vegas. That was a very memorable experience.

Live Life to the fullest!! I believed I am really living my life to the fullest!! Living a simple but happy life!! I might not have all the materials things on earth but I have all the simple things to be happy... family, friends and all the basic things I need....and of course my "lakwatsa" ..in short escapades and some travel and adventures anywhere!!

I just always feel refresh and regain my energy and power every time I see interesting places.
This is what I am sharing to you in this blog which I consider "My Daily Nourishment"...My life, my family and all the basic and simple things in life that can truly make a person happy!!

I am sharing to all my readers, visitors and blogger friends some pictures of my escapades in USA..keep reading!! also visit my other sites for more updates!!

Lastly, I want to extend my gratitude to everybody who always visit and leave their comments and messages here while I was away...Thanks a lot!!

Have a great Monday!!

Rustyland in Universal Studio Hollywood, Los Angeles , California
we got great time here!!

we also enjoyed the ride in Jurassic park at Universal Studio, Hollywood, LA

we stayed 2 days here in Disneyland, California...where million dreams come true!!

it's me with Minnie Mouse!! I thought it is only in dreams that I can have pix with the famous cartoon character...but it was a dream come true!!!

at Las Vegas strip during the day!! I had lots of partying here...very unforgettable experience!!

with my Kababayan Mercy from Midsayap..she is also my co-varsity player before in Softball back in our college days!!...got great time with you merz...next time again!! thanks for the dinner in Caesars Palace!! hahaha!!! pix taken at the fountain inside Forum shops in CP..

at the Fremont street in Downtown Las Vegas!! experience the Fremont experience if you visit Vegas!! it a great place to have fun!!

in front of Caesars Palace..