As a kid, I had a great affinity for trains, no matter what the size.  I loved especially the miniature railroads that are designed with children in mind, and one of the best of these is located in another favorite of mine, the city of Austin, Texas.  You’ll find on that city’s southwest side, just east of the Mopac Expressway, and off Barton Spring Road, the Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train.  A part of the concessions at Zilker Park, the train is a pleasant diversion for parents and their kids, running on a narrow-gauge, light rail track, which leisurely takes you and your family along scenic Barton Creek and Austin Town Lake.  The train departs every hour at the top of the hour on weekdays and every half-hour on weekends, as long as the weather allows, and only costs a few dollars.

You can bring food and drink onboard, which you can purchase at a nearby concession stand.  The train itself circles a large field in the park, comes round the river and then back again.  There’s a number of ducks and geese and plants native to central Texas, which you can point out to kids as you go.   You may want to note that parking can be hard to find on a weekend, and that part of the ride may be in the sun.  Definitely bring a hat.  If you’re traveling, check into one of the fine Austin hotels and come have one of the best miniature train rides in Texas.

If you’ve never been to Austin before, you should have a great time, just exploring the city’s natural environment, from Zilker Park and the Barton Springs Pool, to Austin Town Lake.  At dusk, you can watch over a million bats fly from under the Congress Avenue Bridge.  Depending on the age of your kids, this can be a fascinating and thrilling experience.  Take your time, though, and get to know this wonderful city.

There was so much to do all over Birmingham, my family and I didn’t know where to start first. But, it was our family holiday, so we wanted to fit in as much as possible. We book the same Birmingham Hotel we book every year, because, after going there for five years, the staff knows us by name, and they tell us they really enjoy watching my children grow up. Surprised? Don’t be, Birmingham is full of great people who care.

This year we decided to check out and explore Birmingham’s spectacular landscape, go to the beach of course and then walk through the hills and dales. First we went to the hire-wire forest adventure named aptly, Go Ape , just outside of the city. My kids never laughed so much, and I never worried so much, but at the same time, I had just as much fun as my kids. Then the next day we were off to reliving the 1066 battle of Hastings. It was well organized and they managed to not only entertain my children, but they educated them at the same time. My kids didn’t feel one bit that they were in class getting a history lesson. I really recommend that all of history be taught this way; my children still remember all the details of the battle and why it happened. Ask them about any other history, and they just shrug their shoulders.

Then for the rest of our stay, we beached it. Besides swimming in the ocean, we spent time hunting for crabs in the many rock-pools, building sand castles, burying each other in the sand and eating the picnic lunch the hotel would prepare for us. A week really isn’t enough, but, anytime I get to spend fun time with my kids, is the best time. I know they feel the same, just seeing them smile when their heads hit the pillow for the night, tells the whole story.

An island, mobile and floating through the waters of the earth, twice as large as the continental US is growing in size and affecting countries, oceans and seas far away from its originating point in the Pacific Ocean. Just off the coast of California, heading towards Hawaii and Japan, this acts as an anti-sponge, releasing garbage and sludge into the atmosphere of the ocean, the largest ‘dump’ in the world. This has effects as far away as the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The currents of the underwater swirls have carried the shite far from its original resting place. In the Mediterranean Sea, floating in the waters that boast many luxury Ibiza hotels and Mallorca resorts, advertising clean, pristine waters, 75% of the oceans pollution comes from human rubbish. Of that, 95% are plastic shopping bags. Once thought a great idea to have a contained island for all the plastic garbage, it is now considered a soup, spreading and leaking out into all the worlds’ bodies of water. And when the soup hits land, it’s as the day after a New Years party, a confetti of scattered and multi-colored plastic debris. One scientist put it in a not so scientific term, saying it was as if the floating island of trash, floats by and ‘barfs’ on islands in its path.

Just about a quarter of the trash is what gets tossed off boats, cruise ships and tankers. Things such as kitchen pots, footballs, children’s toys and suitcases. The other junk comes from consumers on land. On top of questioning how this could possibly happen for a short period of time, such as oil spills that cause such upheaval and a rise to environmental arms so to speak…these are occurrences that get cleaned up relatively quickly, this floating rubbish has been happening and growing and dispersing itself for years. A captain of an oil tanker, upon witnessing this first hand, sold his assets and his business shares to become a full time activist. In ten years the amount of plastic waste in the oceans of the world is expected to double, should the humans of the world continue their use of disposable containers. Makes one think twice about the plastic, but good for you, contained bottled water.

Bangkok in Asia is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. It has won a multitude of travel awards.  Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand.  The city has many of the countries prime tourist attractions including Wat Pho , the Grand Palace, and Wat Arun. The Rattanakosin area and river districts is rich in historical significance.

As Bangkok is the countries capital it is home to the political as well as business, industrial, commerce and cultural center.  The city is home to the royal family of Thailand.  The current king has ruled for half a century. The city is very welcoming to visitors.  It has a fine range of five star hotels Bangkok.  As the city is also a thriving business center there are many Bangkok business hotels to choose from.

Bangkok lies on the east of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River).  Because of its wealth it has attracted many people from Thailand’s rural areas to live and work in the city.

The kingdom of Thailand is in the center of South East Asia.  The country is divided up into four main areas – the mountainous north, the central plains, the north east plateau, and the tropical coastline of the southern peninsula.  Thailand is a mix of different cultures and traditions.  The country is known for its proud people, its rich history, its tropical climate and welcoming hospitality.  No wonder it is one of the worlds major tourist destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is the heart of  Malaysia. It is a mix of the old and the new.  There are British colonial buildings and the Petaling Street night market mixed in with shinning new office towers and cosmopolitan skyline.  Kuala Lumpur’s business center has always been a meeting place for merchants from around the world.

Kuala Lumpur is located at the half way point on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, close to the Klang and Gombek rivers. It lies near to the coast and is amply supplied with transportation and roads.  Kuala Lumpur is the largest city in Malaysia and has a population of over 1 ½ million.  The population is made up of many ethnic groups.

One of the worlds tallest buildings –  the Petronas Towers rise above Kuala Lumpur.  The height is 1,453 feet.  This shows the remarkable progress the city has made over the past century.  If you are visiting the city there is an impressive range of hotels.  These include 5 star hotels Kuala Lumpur and other hotels focusing on business travelers and tourists.

Things to see in Kuala Lumpur include the Lake Gardens with a glimpse of the country’s birds, animals and plants.  The Central Market offers a host of traditional culture and stores including food, music and arts.  The National Museum shows off Malaysia’s colorful culture and history.

There are many ‘must see’ things in Corfu – a popular holiday island of the coast of Greece.

Corfu Town is the main cosmopolitan area and is an ideal center for shopping, eating and people watching. The old town with it’s narrow Venetian alleys and street vendors is very popular with tourists. There is also a more modern shopping area nearby. Perhaps the most important church in the island is located in Corfu Town – Ayios Spyridon Church. Nearby the Old Fort offers stunning views and its history dates back to the 16th century. Corfu Town has an impressive Archeological Museum which includes many ancient artifacts from the surrounding area. And strangely enough the town also has a Museum of Asian Art which is well worth a visit.

Corfu has two small islands close by that are well worth exploring – Pontikonissi and Vlaherna. Pontikonissi is also known as Mouse Island is a heavily wooded island which has a Byzantine church which dates from the 12th century. Vlaherna is home to a small convent. Both of these islands offer fantastic views.

Accommodation on the island ranges from major resorts to camp sites. One of the most popular with many tourists is to rent a villa Corfu. You can organize your own meals and determine your own schedule. Renting a villa in Corfu gives you more in the way of options and you can fully integrate into the island way of life. You can also relax away from the distractions of large groups of holiday makers.

Most people go to Corfu to experience the beautiful beaches. And there is no shortage on the island. Beaches range from the touristy ones such as Kavos to the more secluded ones such as Agios Spyridon. Mon Repos is a popular beach close to Corfu Town. It has modern amenities including changing rooms, tavernas and bars.

Singapore is one of Asia’s most modern and affluent countries. It is a busy port and has a vibrant finance and banking district. The population is multi cultural made up of many nationalities. The majority of the population is Chinese, Malay and Indian.

Singapore is famous for its skyscrapers, modern buildings and transportation system. It is an ultra clean city with a law abiding citizenship. During the 1990s the policing and restrictions were strict and were made prominent by stories of punishments for spitting or chewing gum. However recently the laws have become more lax and this has increased its appeal as both a business center and a tourist destination.

As a tourist destination Singapore excels. It offers fine dining, fantastic shopping and the many choices of the best hotels in Singapore. The hotels range from simple pensions to five star hotels in Singapore. There is an array of galleries and museums to visit and the world famous Singapore Zoo. Other places to visit include the Orchard Rd shopping area, the Raffles Hotel and Chinatown.

Because the city is multi cultural there is a magnificent choice of restaurants and other dining experiences. These range from street hawkers to the highest quality restaurants. Chinese, Indian and Malay influences are evident in a lot of the foods.

All in all Singapore is a must see place on a trip to Asia. Because it is modern and safe many tourists use it as their home base while visiting other Asian countries. Its airport is one of the world’s best and is close to the city. This helps to make Singapore a tourist’s delight.

Mallorca is an island off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest of Balearic Islands. The other main islands of the Balearics are Menorca and Ibiza. The Balearics and Mallorca became a beacon for tourists during the 1960s and is now one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe. Over 15 million visitors visit the island annually. It features many activities and attractions and is popular with people of all age groups.

The main city in Mallorca is Palma which is close to the main airport. The airport has flights from most of the major European cities. Palma is home to a magnificent Gothic cathedral dating from the 14^th century.

The island is famed for its blue waters and fantastic beaches. It has a warm summer with low rainfall making it ideal for tourism. In summer the average daytime temperature is 73 degrees.

There are over 2500 restaurants on the island catering to all types of diners. There are many types of hotels on the island including four (4) star hotels Mallorca and five (5) star hotels Mallorca. Mallorca has moved away from mass tourist destinations to include some fine hotels and resorts. Due to the large amount of tourism there are some great deals available for visitors.

The north coast of the island is rugged with some cliffs and two large bays. Most of the large scale tourist destinations are on the south west of the island. The island has so much to offer aside from beaches and water sports and offers many great places for cycling, walking and birdwatching.

The Spanish island of Formentera is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the Balearic Islands. The Balearic Islands are a chain of islands that are very popular with tourists (Check out the best Balearic hotels). Formentera is the smallest of the inhabited islands and is located 2 miles south of the party island of Ibiza. It can be reached by boat from Ibiza and also from the Spanish mainland. There is no airstrip on the island or few paved roads which means it is more off-the-beaten track than its larger neighbors.

Formentera is renowned for its wonderful quiet beaches which are pretty rustic and also allow nude sunbathing. The land is very flat which means that it is great for diving. The island has a population of just under eight thousand and has approximately 40 hotels, guesthouses and hostels, including a few big resorts. The Formentera hotels range from high class to rustic.

Mopeds are perhaps the best way to get around Formentera and the main roads are wide and straight and relatively quiet. There are several shops that rent mopeds. Be aware that some areas of the island can be pretty rugged. All in all Formentera is a great place to relax and chill out.

Ibiza is a Mediterranean island located of the coast of Spain. It is part of the Balearic Islands. It’s largest city is Ibiza Town.

Ibiza is a well known tourist destination and has become renowned as party island due to the large amount of clubs that exist in Ibiza Town and Sant Antoli. These are the home of some well known nightclubs including Privilege and Eden. Many of the world’s top Djs perform at these clubs throughout the year.

The island is also famous for its beaches as it has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. The quieter beaches can be found on the north of the island. The beaches on Ibiza are calm and clear and great for diving or snorkeling. Many of the busier beaches offer jet skis, parasailing, pedaloes and other forms of entertainment.

Hotels on the island are prevalent. These include a fine range of Ibiza boutique hotels. The quality of hotels has grown as the Spanish Tourist Office has attempted to change the image of the island from a clubbers destination to a more family-oriented, up-market, cultured destination.

Large portions of Ibiza are World Heritage sites and protected from commercialization. These isolated beauty of these sites have become popular with artists and photographers. Film makers are also attracted to these locations.

Ibiza has two prime seasons – hot, busy summers with many tourists and long, quiet and cooler winters where tourists are few and far between.

Singapore is an island country located off the southern end of Malaysia. It is connected to Malaysia by a series of bridges. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with a bustling economy based around tourism, electronics, petrochemicals, and financial services. It also has the world’s busies port. The city is modern and affluent.

Although the architecture is very modern the culture has Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. The majority of the 4.5 million population is Chinese and the predominant language is English which is spoken by almost everyone under the ago of 50. These influences make to an exciting tourist destination and a stop off point when visiting South East Asia.

Singapore is renowned for its cuisine, shopping and culture. It has a tropical climate which makes for a sunny climate with no distinct seasons which means visitors can enjoy out door activities and sports all year long. Most tourists arrive on the island via Changi Airport. Upon arrival there is a choice from an array of five star Singapore hotels.  Some of the best Singapore hotels are found within easy reach of the airport and have easy access to all areas of the island.

Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world and one of the cleanest! The country strictly enforces anti-drug legislation and has strict laws about other anti social activities such as spitting in public.

For tourists there are plenty of things to do and see. The Singapore Zoo is world famous and there are long stretches of clean, sandy beaches. There are also many cultural activities including galleries, art shows, theater, museums and parks. This all adds up to make Singapore a prime vacation destination.