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One of the prettiest cities in Europe, Geneva is slick and cosmopolitan, yet classic in that European feel of old buildings, grand monuments and prestige shops and restaurants. Set off by the beautiful Lake Geneva, the city itself houses most of Europe’s largest NGOs, thus it’s a government town, full of lucky bureaucrats.

Impossibly beautiful gardens and parks, streets without a speck of dirt, buildings that appear to have never seen graffiti, trains and bus services that run to the second, Geneva is an easy city to travel around and a city you’ll love.

The right bank is where the main train station is and the bohemian, if slightly seedy district of Pâquis, and on the left bank (of the Rhône Rive) is old Geneva and the landmark Jet d’Eau.

The little island of Rousseau juts into Lake Geneva and is the perfect place to start your exploration of Geneva. Walk down towards the giant flower clock (made from some 6500 flowers) and then walk into Old Town. The streets of Old Town are full of serious banks, expensive coffee shops and exquisite shopping. The town itself is a beautifully preserved slice of old Europe and you get a sense of the wealth and grandeur of this lovely city.

You must check out the Cathedral of St Peter; and the nearby Museum traces the life and times of the Protestant reformer John Calvin. The art museums here are really quite special. The MAMCO on Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers specialises in younger more contemporary art and installation as well as multi-media. It’s vibrant, colorful and fun. Other interesting museums (Geneva is full of them) include the fascinating La Cité du Temps (Time Museum) which shows off every Swatch ever designed.

The parkland and grass reserves on the lakefront are perfect for a picnic lunch. Do some cheap eating by picking up a pastry and coffee from a street side stall or nearby shop and watch the world go by in one of the most beautiful lake front areas you’ll ever see. Great selection of cheap hotels in Geneva will make you enjoy your stay even more.
If you have the time (and you’ve booked ahead) make the short journey out to CERN where they’re exploding matter particles and the place where the internet was invented. Cheaprooms.com has a wide choice of cheap hotels in Geneva available and all the prices have been dramatically cut to make a visit to Geneva easily affordable, even if you are watching the pennies, so book now to get the best rates.

Sacramento is dwarfed by its other California cousins, notably San Francisco and Los Angeles, but it’s a special town full of memorable moments. The bonus being less crowds, fabulous state-capitol level attractions and great food in an environmentally conscious city.

First stop should be the state capitol building. Modeled on the Federal Capitol, this 19th century testament to power is awe-inspiring especially up close. You can do a behind the scenes tour but just wandering the outside is impressive enough. It’s part museum too. You can walk the hallowed halls and see period pieces from the early 19th century as well as the impressive formal rooms and galleries.

Sacramento is quirky little city – with some of the most imaginative museums in the State. The California Automobile Museum is here and if you love cars, you’ll love these old-time machines. The exhibits show the different eras of car ownership in California. There’s plenty to see so give yourself an afternoon at least.

How about a night at the theater? The quality on display at the Sacramento Theater Company is extraordinary. Fast-paced, vibrant shows by professionals in a heater that oozes ambiance. The relaxed atmosphere adds even more enjoyment.

Got a thing for trains? Even if you don’t the California State Railroad Museum is the most fun you’ve have in a museum! Perfect for the kids of course, but trains, and rides and exhibits for everyone. The place hosts some 500,000 train fans every year so they’re doing something right. You can even take a steam train ride down by the river and back.

Make sure you get to Old Sacramento and have a ramble around the restored warehouses, historic homes and museums. Every spring it hosts one of the largest jazz festivals in the US and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to keep everyone fed and watered. Great selection of cheap hotels in Sacramento on cheaprooms.com will make you enjoy your stay even more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u1OUib8R3Q

Catalina Island is just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles and a million miles from care. This little spot of nature in the bustling channel islands has been drawing tourists for over 100 years – sometimes successfully and sometimes not so. It’s chequered history began under the auspices of a property developer called George Shatto who pitched up at what was to become Avalon. He went broke and the ownership transferred to the Banning Brothers. They created much of what can be seen today including the glorious art deco ballroom. They also met an untimely financial end and ownership transferred to the Wrigley family who continued the banning vision and also created the nature conservancy part of the island.
Today Avalon and Catalina still draws almost a million visitors annually. The attractions include the casino (still the world’s biggest circular dance floor) and the many natural attractions that encompass the island.

You can go snorkelling or diving – the experience is rather special due to the vast shoals of fish that surround the island including the bright yellow Garibaldi. You can kayak from one end to the other, you can hire small boats or you can hire a bike to go open an extended cycle to many parts of the island.

The township of Avalon is uniquely historic in that many of the homes are in original condition. Avalon is the main ferry terminal, serviced by boats from Newport and Long Beach and the town is an excellent place to just ramble about. Check out the little boutiques selling largely craft type stuff. You must see the amazing art deco casino and ballroom and the equally fabulous Avalon Theater. Built in 1929 it has retained many original features including the seats and the glorious wooden floors.

If you’re looking for a quieter spot than Avalon Beach, try Decanso just past the casino building. It’s very pretty and has a restaurant, a bar and kayak rental spots.
Lot of cheap hotels in Catalina Island can be found on cheaprooms.com.

If you’re interested in the fascinating history of Catalina, check out the Island Museum. It’s in the Casino building (the social center of Avalon) and includes the island’s naval history and the association with the Chicago Cubs (also owned by the Wrigley family).

One of the real pleasures in Avalon is the hiking. One of the best walks is accessed through the Botanic Gardens about a thirty-minute stroll from the town center. The trail is called the Garden to Sky.