Inside The Travel

If you are considering heading to San Diego for a vacation, you are probably planning on sitting on the beach all day long. Well, there are a few other things you should know about.

A Trip to San Diego, California

When most people think of San Diego, they think of beaches and sitting out in the sun. Obviously, that is what our city is known for, but you will miss a lot if that is all you do. Here are some tips from a local on other things you might want to have a go at.

1. Every city has a zoo, but no city has a Zoo quite like San Diego. The San Diego Zoo is fairly well-known for being huge and impressive. A wide variety of fairly rare animals exists, but you have to be prepared to walk to see everything. We are talking up and down hills, so get your walking shoes ready. Tickets for adults are $32, while kids get in for $19. It is worth it.

2. If you prefer a bit of culture, Balboa Park is the place. Located next to the zoo and a few minutes from downtown, the park is a bevy of museums with the Ruben H. Fleet being a favorite. If you get tired of museums, you can also just kick back and people watch all day. There are some very interesting characters in the area.

3. If you prefer a younger crowd and eclectic shops, Pacific Beach is a good spot to visit. Yes, you can sit on the beach, but you will want to take some time to stroll up Garnet Avenue from the beach. You will find coffee shops, more than a few bars, pool halls, eclectic clothing boutiques, more bars and some of the cheapest sushi in the world. This is also a great place to take in the nightlife San Diego is known for.

4. The Carlsbad Flower Fields are definitely worth a trip if you have a thing for blazing colors. Carlsbad is located in what is known as North County and can be reached by taking the I-5 freeway north out of San Diego proper for about 15 minutes. The Flower Fields consist of 50 acres overlooking the ocean and are a sight to be seen. The flowers only bloom from May to March, so make sure to time it right.

5. During summer, Del Mar is the place to be. In June, the Del Mar Fair is a large fair that offers every gadget and sketchy carnival ride you can imagine. Major headlining artists perform each night, so keep an eye out for favorites. After the fair ends, the grounds convert into the Del Mar Horse Track with the ponies racing from July to the middle of September. Bands perform on Fridays after the last race.

The above represent just a small slice of the possibilities when visiting San Diego. Oh, you should probably visit a beach or two as well.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals that make great travel gifts.

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For many centuries, Subic Bay was recognized as a deep safe harbour. Realizing
Subic Bay’s potentials, the Spaniards used the bay as a port to defend and maintain
the Philippines as a part of their empire in the 17th century. In 1885, it was built
into a naval base that utilized the safe harbors and natural resources.

After their victory over the Spaniards in 1898, a naval repair and supply base in
Subic Bay was established by the Americans. It was only reachable by sea until 1932
when the zigzag roads were opened linking Subic Bay and Olongapo to the rest of
the Philippines.

The Japanese bombed Subic Bay in 1941 and was held by them until the US took
back the Philippines in 1945. The naval base was returned to the control of the
United States. The two invasions by the Japanese and Americans produced a
number of bombed or scuttled naval ships in Subic Bay. Scuba divers from around
the world are now enjoying these wrecks in their underwater graveyards.

Control and maintenance of Subic naval base remained under the United States
despite the Philippines gaining their independence. The United States was given 99
years free access of the facility via an agreement signed between the Philippines and
US. With the outbreak of the Vietnam War, Subic Bay became a strategic site in the
maintenance of a strong US presence in Asia.

In 1991, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo covered Olongapo and Subic Bay with nearly
half a metre of ash. After the Senate of the Philippines rejected the renewal of the
US bases treaty in 1992, the Subic Bay Freeport was established after the last of the
American naval ships completed its pullout of forces.

Since then, Subic Bay Freeport Zone has now become a well-known economic,
commercial and tourist hub. It is booming with world class restaurants and duty-
free shopping.

Subic Bay is situated in Zambales Province on the west coast of Luzon 120
kilometres north of Manila. Mountains with lush jungles bound its coastal area.
Mountains with lush dense jungles, suitable for trekking, surround the coastal area.
The bay cuts out into the South China Sea.

Subic Bay brags of interesting wreck dives. It is home to a impressive combination
of wrecks. The six wreck sites have an average depth of 45 ft.

Subic Bay boasts of its rainforest and a white sand beach. Its world-class facilities,
which include a marina, yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades and food shops, are
supported by Philippine tourism. An international airport is another attraction.

Nestor Santos is a field reporter for PhilippinesVacation.org, where you can
enjoy great articles about the Philippines.

If you want to enjoy more articles related to going on a
Philippines Vacation, visit the
site.

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China is a land of ancient wonders. It’s so different from the norm of western travelers that a first visit there can be a bit intimidating. Today, we will become acquainted with some basic traveler information on China. We’ll talk about the time of year to go, when to avoid China and some points of interest.

Times to Go

China can get pretty cold in the winter. For instance, Temperatures in Beijing are average highs of 40F and lows of 14F. In Hong Kong, the temperatures are more bearable58 F - 75 F. The summers can get a little warm for some, but it’s the best time of the year to visit China. Temperatures can reach 90 F in Beijing and Hong Kong.

When To Avoid China

The worst month to travel in China is February. In early to mid-February, the Chinese hold their Spring Festivalwe also know it as Chinese New Year. February is when most Chinese either take a vacation or limit work time. Therefore, the country is crowded with travelers and businesses are closed or operating during limited hours.

Festivals

As with many countries, festivals are held throughout the year at various locations within China. We already talked about the Spring Festival, which is something to experience if you don’t mind being overcrowded.

The Harbin’s Ice Festival is held in Zhaolin Park. It starts in the beginning of January and runs through the end of February. This ice festival is a spectacle that features huge ice sculptures of legendary figures and animals. It’s held at this time of the year, because the temperatures a freezing. The average temperature will be around 20 F. If you like the cold, or can stand it, this is one festival to check out.

If you are interested in visiting the Birthplace of Confucius, check out Qufu. Confucius’ birthday, which falls on September 8, is a celebrated event. It’s also home to many Confucius points of interest, such as the Confucius Temple.

China is full of great travel points. Don’t try to tackle them all in one visit. Pick an area and savor the moments while you are there. Beijing is in the north and Hong Kong is in the south.

Jason A. Martin is the owner of a travel & vacation guide website at TourismJunction.com. You can find more China travel articles at the site. He also operates a travel china site at ChinaTourist.org.

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