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It’s a Big Ol’ Party in New Orleans

Everything you normally do has to stop when you step into New Orleans. It demands a suspension of everything that is usual, so you can enjoy a town that is definitely not so. So, no diets, no “I don’t drink,” and definitely no “I don’t dance.” Because you’ll be doing all this and more by the time you’re done with this enchanting city during your travels in the USA.

Your first stop must be the French Quarter, where you will see the legacy of the first French and Spanish settlers of this city. And see it you will – it’s evident in the wrought iron balconies that decorate the buildings, the tall shutters that keep out the heat and let in whatever air it can catch, the magnolias planted everywhere, and the scent of food wafting in the air. Enjoy a stroll down Jackson Square and have the mouth-watering beignets with its customary cup of cafe au lait.

Shopping is now in order at the French Market where you can get hot sauce (what else?) to take home. If this isn’t enough, there is more shopping to be had elsewhere. Antiques and galleries line the street and you’ll be sure to find something you like.

When night falls, music starts playing in earnest and it’s long been a wager on who could take one beer in each of the bars that dot the French Quarter. So far, none have won the bet. But the music is what keeps people coming and in each place, you’ll find a band as good as the other, which makes your feet start moving… you’re dancing!

When the day comes around again, take a St Charles Streetcar and take a 90-minute ride around the city. You’ll come across the business and the garden districts and numerous mansions with their own flair. It’s a great tour for a dollar, nothing extra for the tap dance the driver does as he changes seats to go back to the start.

The Garden District may not have the charm of the French Quarter but it’s the place the first Yankee settlers built their own camp and later built up houses in the English and American style. A must see are the gardens the district is named for, great plots of land with lush and fragrant plantings.

And no matter what you do, don’t miss the ferry ride down the Mississippi River. It’s best taken at dusk, where your return trip greets you with all the lights of New Orleans. “Ole Miss” still has her charms.

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Find a Romantic Getaway in Carmel-by-the-Sea

While Carmel-by-the-Sea is more of a town than a city, it’s a place that must not be missed when you are in the West Coast. It’s a perfect site for a weekend getaway, so make sure that your trip is planned out right during your travels in the USA!

The first thing that comes to mind for locals when you ask them about the attractions of this pretty town is – shopping! In fact, it is an artist’s paradise and you may well be happy with the amount of money you part with when you find the painting or sculpture of your dreams. The shops have products not usually found elsewhere, something that they pride themselves on.

If you want a romantic getaway, then Carmel-by-the-Sea is the place to go.  The laid back atmosphere blends nicely with the beautiful scenery, creating an ambiance that is lovely and romantic yet not stuffy or soupy at all.

One place to take a lazy stroll is through the downtown area of Carmel. You could take a self-guided tour with available brochures and discover all the hidden courtyards that it revolves around.

If you want to play up the romanticism of this vacation, take a stroll down Ocean Avenue until you hit Carmel Beach, a stretch of soft, white sand that is a definite love-spot at sunset. Take along a simple picnic while you’re at it.

You can share a cocktail at the Highland Inn during sunset if the beach doesn’t appeal. One other attractive spot to bring your love interest after a perfect dinner is to snuggle by the outdoor fireplaces strategically located at The Forge in the Forest.

A final tip – bring comfortable walking shoes! While it’s a scenic romp to drive around Carmel, it’s even better when you are walking. And unless you want to nurse a broken ankle while tramping on the cobblestones that edge the streets, you wouldn’t want to have any uncomfortable shoes or high heels with you.

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Pay a Visit to Austin

Austin is not just another Dallas. It’s the capital of Texas and a city all its own, popular in its own right. While it may not have the same name recall as its more famous sister city, the city of Austin, Texas has proponents in droves.

Take in a bit of history first and pay a visit to the only pink capitol building anywhere, the Texas State Capitol, which was constructed in 1888 and is bigger than the nation’s capitol building in Washington, DC. Take the guided tour to understand more about this city and how it came about. The price is right here – it’s free.

For those that are interested in the history of the city, then they should go down to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. It’s only here during your travels in the USA that you will be able to find everything there is about the State of Texas, whether it is the truth, a legend, or something in between. With the use of modern technology, it’s history brought to life.

Take a trip into the past by looking into the living museum that is Pioneer Farms. They offer historical and natural workshops for all ages and you can also purchase products made in the early 1800s as unusual souvenirs to take home.

After a day enriching your knowledge, it’s now time to feed your stomach. Take to South Congress Avenue for a Texas-sized choice of restaurants to sate your appetite and enjoy the music that spills out into the street as you stroll down while making your choice. It’s a scene so reminiscent of the old Western movies, you’ll recognize it without even trying!

Try to finish your meal by dusk so you can head out to Congress Bridge to watch an amazing sight – a nightly parade of thousands of bats that are headed out into the black, inky night. It’s a sight so spectacular that you even forget that you are supposed to be afraid of bats.

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See the Real Dallas

Dallas, Texas may be more famous for its namesake television series or the Dallas Cowboys (although some argue that it would be more of the Dallas CowGIRLS!) than the natural beauty that first attracted people there in the first place, “real” Dallas.

Dedicated Old West fans will find themselves in cowboy heaven once they catch a bull riding contest at Mesquite Rodeo and also put in a visit at the rightly famous Fort Worth Stockyards, where the sights and sounds have to be seen to be believed during your travels in the USA.

Dallas isn’t all just prairie. If you traipse down to the Dallas Arboretum, you will be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful greenery that will greet you. It’s been likened to the Garden of Eden by some, and they wouldn’t be that far off. Among the many collections is the azalea collection, a group of around 2400 or more different kinds of azaleas, including those that could only be seen before in the plant’s country of origin, China.

Hidden among the gardens are historical mansions that are open for visitors as well as views of the Dallas city skyline and White Rock Lake that take your breath away during moments that you least expect. You begin to feel that the gardeners planned the plantings to frame these views just for you and you may be right.

History buffs well know that Dallas was the site where President John F. Kennedy took his last breath and would want to chance a walk down the Grassy Knoll and Dealey Plaza where the beloved President lost his life. The School Book Depository, where that shot was fired, is now the Sixth Floor Museum, a tribute to the President and a remembrance of what took place that day. You could even walk down to the Kennedy Memorial to come full circle during this tour.

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Nation’s Capital – Washington

While Washington, DC will always be known as the city where the White House is, there is definitely much more to it than that. As the seat of government, it is also home to many historical monuments that give the city a grandeur that is surprisingly lacking in other cities of this great country. With the memories of the past forever kept in stone and the promises of the future in the air, this is a city like no other.

Aside from memorials, there are museums and arts and culture to be seen and experienced. Washington, DC is a place to see and be seen during your travels in the USA.

While anyone can of course visit, there are special considerations for senior citizens and the handicapped. It’s budget-friendly as well, since the government memorial sites are free.

While the White House would definitely be on anyone’s list, you could also take a trip to the U.S Capitol. If you arrange it ahead of time with your local representative, you could avail of seats in the gallery which would let you observe the normal day in the life of a Congressman. Although, the building is just as impressive at night with all the lights blazing.

All presidents are represented here, from the current one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. The presidential monument that should not be missed, though, is the Lincoln Memorial. While the building itself is full of the symbolism that represents what happened during Lincoln’s term, more people are riveted to the gigantic statue of the great man himself.

One other site that should never be missed is the Smithsonian. Long known as one of the biggest and most extensive museums in the world, there is not a single part of history that is not found here. While there are sixteen different museums to choose from and each has a charm of its own. There is no way that you can finish all these in one day, so put a lot of thought into your choice.

No matter what you decide to see in Washington, DC you will surely be captivated and overwhelmed by the majesty of this special city.

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