Charm City just might be that perfect weekend getaway you’ve been looking for. The museums, shops, sports venues, aquariums, food and cruises offer fun for the whole family or fun for just the two of you. Below are a few places to visit next time you are in Baltimore.

Obrycki’s Crab House

Maryland’s #1 claim to fame just might be the blue crabs and Obrycki’s is the place to go. If you are staying in the harbor its a short cab ride away and well worth the trip. If this is your first time eating whole crabs ask your server for a quick lesson.

View from Above

The World Trade Center in the Inner Harbor is the world’s tallest five sided building. You can visit the “Top of the World” observation deck on the 27th floor with views of the entire city and harbor below. There is a small fee for the observation deck so if you want to save a few bucks and don’t mind a little walk, head to Federal Hill on the other side of the harbor. You can get some great pictures of the harbor and city from there.

Camden Yards

This is a must visit when you are in Baltimore. Whether you are a sports fan or not this place oozes history and it may just be the best looking baseball park in America.

Seadog Cruises

For the adventurer be sure to check out Seadog cruises from Baltimore. Daily sightseeing tours leave the harbor on a speedboat that can travel up to 30 knots.

National Aquarium

The aquarium is probably the biggest attraction in the Inner Harbor. The Aquarium has over 660 species of animals including Pythons, Zebra Sharks, Eels and Octopus. One thing to note if you have children is the aquarium does not allow strollers.

Cruise to Bermuda

Royal Caribbean considered by many to be the best cruise line, sails from Baltimore to Bermuda throughout the year and is a great way to start or end your stay in Baltimore.

When it comes to picking out spots for romantic summer vacations, it is important to consider a number of things such as budget and personal preferences. It pays to take some time to think about where to go and what to expect from such location so that you can make the most out of the downtime. Listed below are 5 of the most romantic vacation spots in the world as well as their best features which would help couples decide where they want to go for their getaway.

Venice, Italy

While some couples think of Venice as too cliche for a romantic getaway, it is still quite a wonderful place to visit with your special someone. The scenery is spectacular whether you are cruising around in a gondola or from the terrace of a hotel room so flying across the globe for this classic side of Italy would be well worth it.

Paris, France

The French have a way with creating romantic moments and it is not just about the language. Paris has always been the best place to take a significant other for a special occasion such as proposals or anniversaries. Taking your better half to Paris is always a good idea as long as you are prepared to shell out a bit more cash in the process. Some of the things to look forward to are excellent cuisine, luxurious hotels, and famous landmarks which shaped history in the impressive and memorable way.

The Caribbean

Most couples are looking to enjoy the sun during the summer and one of the best locations is the Caribbean where some of the most fantastic beaches in the world can be found. One of the popular vacation trends today is going on a romantic cruise and Caribbean is among the best stops for couples who are looking to spend time together while basking in the warmth of summer.

Martha’s Vineyard

Vacationing locally might not seem as glamorous but there are a number of locations which you would want to go during the summer. Martha’s Vineyard is a lovely place where you can spend days just enjoying the weather as well as the local cuisine and all the wine you can sample. The lobster dinners on this side of the country is definitely outstanding and the accommodations are nothing less than superb.

Couple’s Cruises

If one vacation spot is not enough, try several locations instead by booking a cruise. Romantic summer vacations can last for a few days or a few weeks depending on how long you can afford to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Romantic cruises are all the rage these days because couples really get to be by themselves with the least possible distractions.

Some cruises include visiting more than a dozen countries and there are several packages to choose from so you can expect to be spoiled with options.

In order to make the most out of your getaway, make sure that you entertain all the options before making a decision.

Everyone needs to take a break every now and then. A favorite way to escape from reality, relax and unwind is by traveling. Most travel is done during the summer months when school is out. People often look for affordable summer vacations. Travel destinations can be anything from exotic places, to water parks, to beaches to historic landmarks.

You may be one of those people avoid taking vacations in fear of the high cost of travel. With good planning and ample information, you can take that dream vacation without breaking the bank. Here are a few exciting yet affordable summer vacations that you can share with your love ones and friends.

A cruise is a predictable summer getaway. Favorite cruise destinations are Las Vegas, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. Perhaps due to numerous travel advisories issued by the government, people have been seeking domestic over international destinations. It used to be that you could get a great deal by booking last minute, but since a lot of people have been doing that lately, last minute deals are fast becoming a thing of the past. Internet resources continue to prove itself to be great at finding travel deals. Planning your getaway a year in advance is no longer frowned upon. In fact, it is even encouraged. You may even want to consider booking with travel agencies because they might even offer you an option to make monthly payments on your vacation.

You can also opt for road trips. This gives you a chance to see your own country at your own pace. You can choose to stay at a camping resort, a hotel, or a bed and breakfast. These accommodations offer great rates. Here is a tip when you call a hotel to make a reservation, be sure to ask them for their lowest rate. Most hotels will not give you their lowest available rate unless you specifically ask for it. Flexibility is a plus when planning your vacation. Rates are not always available for the dates you want. With a little flexibility, you can opt to change some dates to take advantage of the best rates. And if a hotel is fully booked on the dates of your reservation, they may have a partner hotel nearby that can accommodate you on your travel dates.

Make sure you do your research. Establish what you want before finalizing any reservations. Read up on the hotels before booking. If you are traveling with your kids or pets, check if the hotel is child friendly or pet friendly. Find out about the destination before you get there. To save money on transportation, look for an accommodation that strategically placed near shopping malls, restaurants, convenience store and a police station. If you are planning a romantic getaway, you will want to steer away from party destinations. There are a lot of affordable summer vacation packages available for couples. Take the time to plan your activities when you get to your destination. Use your online resources to find affordable summer vacations.

It is important to set off on each new phase of life right, to take time to salute the old life and prepare for the new.  Celebrating your retirement by taking a luxury cruise on beautiful liners like the Cunard Queen Mary 2 is a great way to reward yourself for a lifetime of hard work.  Far too many people put off trips like these that they have been wanting to take for a lifetime, afraid that the cost is too high or that finding travel insurance over 65 is too hard.  These concerns can be dealt with and should not keep you back from living your dreams.

If you are concerned about cost, many companies offer discounts and sales programs.  Some cruises specifically marketed to retirees can make the cost easier and ensure that many of the people you meet are of similar age and interests, making it easier to make connections.  Spend some time looking around for the trip you want and the best deal you can find.  While a month long transatlantic voyage will certainly be pricey, a week in the Caribbean is quite affordable for people from all walks of life.

After deciding on your destination, it is important to decide what style of cruising you prefer.  Light-hearted, family friendly cruises like Carnival will be fun, casual, and generally less expensive than some of their other counterparts.  If you would rather spend you vacation being pampered and entertained, then a luxury cruise might be more your style.  Either way, your preferred style of entertainment is available.

The days when cruises were rare events only partaken in by the wealthy are over.  Excellent cruise trips have become available for everyone.  Now is the perfect time to take advantage of your own retirement and the changing market to give yourself the trip of a lifetime.

In the playground of cruises, there are least two (2) ships that dominate the market. This is because there have been plenty of positive reviews about these two cruise ships that both put them in the lime light for the past few years in the field they are currently playing in. These two ships I am referring are the Cunard Queen Mary 2 and the Norwegian Fjord cruises.

photo credit: robertsharp

On the one hand, the Cunard Queen Mary 2 has become popular from its field because of the exemplary elegance of its service. Also known as QM2, this cruise has brought a great to its passengers through the best lounges it offers. With QM2, you are able to relax at their different music bars while you can also meet new people and colleagues. Of course, when it comes to the elegance of the bar, nothing can beat the best and most extravagant wines that they serve to their customers. You can even enjoy drinking one of their wines as you leisurely listen to the live bands playing jazz music or a genre you like.

On the other hand, the Norwegian Fjord cruises have become popular because of their itinerary. Embarking to the Fjord is the best vacation option for you, most especially if you are looking for an experience to remember to different countries and destination. Well, the Fjord can bring you to the region of Geiranger, which only few were able to witness the magnificent picture of the place.

You will also be stunned to witness the one of a kind view of glacial scenery, which included the famous waterfalls of Seven Sister and the Mount Dalsnibba. Lastly, but definitely not the least, you will be able to witness the renowned Northern Lights on your way to the Tromso. Hence, by choosing the Norwegian fjord cruises to handle your vacation, you will certainly enjoy lots of sights and things that you will not experience if you will choose other cruise lines.

When looking for a best, all in one, trouble free vacation, you would have to think extremely hard to try beating a family cruise. These are an ideal way to see another country or region of the world without all the hassle that might come with travelling in the usual way.

The most difficult part of the trip would probably be a plane trip to get to your port of departure. Once you are on the ship, you will never have to worry about accommodation or food as these are all included in most family cruise deals as well as the live shows, which have great variety and talent. Above all this, the crews are so well trained and professional in all aspects from service to safety, to just making you and your children have the greatest time on your family cruise vacation.

The only time you have to pay extra is for your liquor, the casino, if the ship has one, which it usually does, and, of course the goods in the duty free shops. Other expenses you would want to be prepared for are any purchases you will make on any of the well selected and ample stops one makes at all sorts of ports of call.

The stops offer a wonderful experience of what a region has to offer and some of them are even full day stops where you can even adventure a little inland to broaden your family’s horizons. The crew is always there to happily help you with any questions you might have about how to pack in as many activities in the least amount of time. They have been there before and thus can give you inside advice of what you must see and experience.

Other facilities include an on board fitness gym with personal and group fitness trainers to help you work off food that is not only magnificent and original but you can bet there is always plenty of it. If you still have the energy there are always plenty of night-time activities and areas on board where you can dance the night away and wonder why you didn’t do all this before.

So research the internet or any media for your best choice for a family cruise deal and start planning that family cruise vacation, because the variety of choice locations and adventures for family cruises are just too good to lose out on. You will not regret taking a family cruise for a top summer vacation.