Don’t know what to do this summer? How about visiting the historic Dunrobin Castle in Scotland? (Photo Credit: Zubi Travel)
By Dagmar Alayash, e-Management
With summer on the horizon, our thoughts are turning to the sun, warmth, and vacation time. A Trip Advisor’s survey indicates that about 89% of people in the United States are planning a summer trip this year, a 6% increase compared to last year. The harsh winter may have contributed to the increase. While we can’t choose or plan your vacation for you, our blog team is excited to talk about the vacation trends for 2014, with some special events taking place that are predicted to drive and shape some of our vacations.
Travel Destinations for Summer
2014 Top Travel Destinations, in no particular order, we list a few destinations as predicted by several travel sites and USA Today.
- Starting with a local destination… The e-Management blog team lives in the Mid-Atlantic region; so let’s talk Baltimore, MD. Baltimore is heading the country’s 200th anniversary of the national anthem in September with its Star Spangled Spectacular. The event will bring replica 18th and 19th century tall ships, into its Inner Harbor, and one of the largest firework displays ever on the Chesapeake Bay.
- The U.S.A. has more than 58 national parks. So, we recommend one of the gems of American parks–Yosemite National Park in California. The park celebrates 150 years of protected status. Hundreds of events, most of them in the surrounding communities, are planned throughout the year.
- Sports fans have options too. This year’s World Soccer Cup host, Brazil, also makes the list, with the country’s entire infrastructure being upgraded in preparation for the games, including airports, hotels, and tourist services.
- Moving across the globe, the Greek Islands have amazing picturesque beaches, delicious food, and a magical tranquility in the air. With the Greek economy final improving after 6 years of a flailing economy, it’s still a budget-friendly vacation spot.
- The United Kingdom (UK) is a favorite vacation spot for our blog team! So we strongly recommend you take advantage of the host of events going on this summer. Looking at Scotland, it’s calling 2014 the year of Scotland Homecoming with a series of special events, exhibits, and activities planned throughout the country to highlight what makes Scotland unique. Liverpool, England is an eternal attraction for Beatles fans. The city offers museums, historic sites, and a hotel all themed after the Fab Four. After the post-industrial gloom, the city’s revival includes an outpost of the Tate Art gallery. Liverpool’s port also makes a comeback as a major cruise port. Bringing back the Cunard shipping line after an absence of 50 years, Cunard sails its 3 ships into Liverpool port for a rendezvous in February 2015. Also, it’s only a 2 hour train ride from the city of London. See more popular destinations on Foder’s Travel link, including tips on how to find the best travel bargains.
- Back to the U.S.A. Assateague and Chincoteague Islands, though not included on the list of Top Travel Destinations for 2014, they make our list. Located in both Maryland and Virginia, the islands are protected from development and are one of the most visited refuges in the country. With 14,000 acres of beaches, salt marsh, and fresh water marsh, the area offers an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. An annual attraction on the islands is the Annual Wild Pony Swim with about 150 wild horses making the historic swim across the Assateague Channel. Want to avoid the crowds? Boat excursions can take you close to the islands at other times of the year to see the ponies living in their natural habitat. Check out this website for more details.
What Are Your Summer Plans?
So, in our quest to explore new places, it looks like we are ‘all over the map’ in 2014. Be it close to home or far away, there seems to be no boundaries to our vacation options. We’d love to have you join us and share your own thoughts on vacations in 2014. (1) Do you have any favorite destinations? (2) Do you have any recommended travel tips to add to our list? (3) What places are on your wish list for future trips?
Tags: Assateague, beaches, Brazil, Chincoteague, Dagmar Alayash, , Greece, parks, Scotland, The Star-Spangled Banner, travel, UK, World Cup, Yosemite National Park
Great blog posting Dagmar. I love your travel recommendations. To answer your question…
(1) My favorite travel destinations are New York City, the San Francisco Bay area, New Orleans, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago etc), and London.
(2) I would add music or cultural festivals to the list. Summer is great for special events including the Taste of Chicago (July 9, 2014 - July 13, 2014); Toronto Caribana carnival (July 31, 2014 - August 3, 2014 ); 32nd Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival (June 11, 2014- June 22, 2104) to name a few.
(3) South Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Côte d’Azur (French Riviera), Sweden, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria are on my bucket list of places to go during the summer months.
Looking forward to reading the comments in response to this thread.
Dennis, thank you for sharing. You have a long list of interesting places to visit on your bucket list!. I’ve visited Lund, Sweden twice now and fell in love with the place. One location on my bucket list is exploring the New York foodie scene, in particular taking a a foodie walking tour. Walking from one eatery to the next and sampling amazing foods. As the walking will help burn the calories consumed, I can only imagine this to be a unique guilt-free experience
Assateague and Chincoteague Islands are now on my Must-Visit list. I never knew the North had such beautiful beach fronts.
I do not have any plans for the Summer yet.
But being Italian, I would like to share my ideas about an alternative trip to Italy. Most of tourists tend to visit the main cities, often getting into tourist traps and definitely huge crowds; they will see incredible works of art, but probably they will not get a “true” feeling of what Italy really is!!
So my suggestion is to match the typical tourist destinations (Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples, etc.) with something maybe a little unusual but definitely authentic and mind blowing. An example about the area I am most familiar with -the Northern region of Lombardia. Enjoy a small city like Bergamo, with its core on a hill, still surrounded by ancient a Roman walls. Then travel in the famous wine region “Franciacorta”, with its sweet hills that slowly reach the nearby Lake Iseo; visit some cellars, enjoy wine tasting, spend some time sightseeing -architecture, art, hamlets, real people, amazing nature. And don’t miss the lower Lake Garda: the unforgettable Valtenesi with its olive trees, the nightlife and “aperitivo” venues in Desenzano, a perfect walk by the lake in Salo’, a visit to the famous poet Gabriele D’Annunzio’s mansion surrounded by a stunning park (also try to catch a concert, ballet, or play in the inside amphitheater!! I saw Pat Metheny there and a couple of ballets… The background behind the scenes is the lake itself!). Don’t miss Sirmione, where you can visit the ruins of ancient roman villa on a promontory that will take your breath away. If amusement parks are your thing, stop at Gardaland for a full day of fun!!
Enjoy your next trip to Italy!!
Roxanne, thanks for your comments on places to visit in Italy I agree it’s good to visit non-traditional areas of destinations that often turn out to be hidden gems; less crowded than the more well-known places yet equally as amazing as major tourist areas. The only place I’ve visited in Italy is Trieste, in the northern part of the country. This was a very long time ago, and to this day I can still remember the dream-like scenery (there are no other words) and the cuisine, which has to be among one of the best in the world! Thanks for your recommendations and sharing your experience.
Malik, thanks for stopping by. I cannot say enough good things about Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. A little bit off the beaten track and just a beautiful unspoiled area. Enjoy your trip there!
I stop by the e- Management blog every now and then and I am glad to have stopped by this time. I am not making any vacations plans at this very moment. However, it was so interesting to discover here the Assateague and Chincoteague Islands right here in the USA. They sound so exotically amazing , unique and not USA at all. I will definitely put those in my “cart”. When I travel, I love to visit historical and geographical locations. My last most enjoyable visit was to Alaska by cruise. The trip afforded me the luxury (which I love) and just enough time to see right before me all that I have heard, read or seen from pictures that which I could satisfy my quest to satisfy my historical knowledge of this beautiful landscape and location. I love Europe and have traveled to London, Paris, and Madrid Spain. My anticipation now is to go back soon to Italy. Again, the history and geographical combination are tugging at my heart. This is my immediate future plans. Not this summer, but the next perhaps. Thanks for the Assateague and Chincoteague suggestions. They seem to have tugged at my “cart” as well.
Billy, we’re glad you stopped by to visit again. Its true that being on the Assateague and Chincoteage Islands feels like you’ve been transported to a far away place, yet geographically its very close to many of us in the Mid-Atlantic area. Alaska sounds like an interesting place to visit, especially on a cruise. I’m sure the landscape is breathtaking. I believe its a myth that Alaska is always on the cool side, and that in reality their summer months can be very warm in some regions?
Sometimes just being at an historical location is so fascinating that it doesn’t really matter if its a cloudy day. A couple of years ago I was in Puerto Rico, on a tour of the 16th century El Morro Fort in Old San Juan, when it started to rain and then pour heavily. Because our tour guide was sharing such interesting stories, it really didn’t matter that we were all getting drenched!
I currently don’t have plans for the summer yet… My toddler wants to revisit SeaWorld. I would her to visit the Caribbean. I have Singapore on my bucket list. But willing to go anyplace warm… No limits & must have children’s activities.
Barbara, thanks for stopping by. I’m sure SeaWorld is a place children want to visit over and over again! The Delaware beaches are also a great place to go during the summer months. Rehoboth, one of of the beach towns is starting a Children’s Summer Theatre in June, with hour long shows for audiences of all ages, including the ever popular Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland; a nice way to unwind after a day a the beach. http://www.rehobothchildrenstheatre.org/ Rehoboth also hosts it’s 36th Annual Sandcastle contest in August. Beach goers who would prefer to just watch are welcome to view the amazing creations as as they are being constructed. Enjoy your summer vacation where ever you go!
I’ve never been to either Assateague or Chincoteage Islands but after reading this I will be making arrangements to visit both. I love to travel and have traveled all over the U.S. I am about to get my passport so I can go to Antigua, Jamaica, Spain, Buenos Aires, and New Zealand, and Australia just to name a few of my desired destinations. With traveling I would say do your research and make sure whatever destination you choose it accommodates the checklist of things you want. Each trip is unique so make it as enjoyable as possible. Don’t bring friends or family members who are party downers or cant make decisions. It will only frustrate you and make your vacation less enjoyable. If you aren’t afraid, taking a vacation by yourself is the best.
Brian, thanks for sharing. I agree researching a place before you go is a good idea, and looking at reviews on Trip Advisor or other sites is all helpful. I believe too that indecisiveness can take away from the spontaneity of a vacation. There is a growing trend nowadays of taking Multi-Generational vacations, which is a wonderful way to to create long-lasting memories, especially with family members often living far away from each other, although I think there is also the potential for more indecisiveness when many generations are are all trying to come to a consensus! The idea of taking a vacation by yourself is also appealing.
Like many of you I long for a summer vacation. Unlike many, I prefer to travel to a cooler/colder region during the US summer and a warmer climate during our summer. Most importantly, I prefer to vacation at a location where I can REST and feel at home. One of my favorite vacations spots is Salvador Brazil in the Bahia state. Whenever I am there I feel like I am back home with family. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy summer vacationing season :).
W Allen, thanks for stopping by and sharing. Its great to learn about new places. Salvador Brazil in the Bahia state sounds like a perfect vacation destination and a wonderful place to explore. I also much prefer vacation locations where I can completely rest, however it doesn’t always work out this way and its funny how vacations often include endless walking!
Lol that’s funny Dagmar because walking is relaxing to me. I love a city where I can walk and explore what the city has to offer. Salvador offered that opportunity. To describe the sense of “home”, I’ve visited Salvador a few times and after being away for 2 or 3 years some of the people I had a brief interaction still remembered me. I had the same experience with the JWMarriott staf in Rio :-).