Phila Airport Parking Vacations

Melbourne, in the Australian state of Victoria, is a very popular holiday destination with both Australian and overseas visitors. Melbourne’s international airport (Tullamarine) is just 20 minutes away from the city centre (CBD or central business district). This short Melbourne Accommodation Tullamarine article covers some of the hotel accommodation near to Tullamarine, and also covers some of the sights and landmarks in Melbourne itself.

Melbourne, which has a population of about four million is in the state of Victoria, and is the second largest city in Australia. The city is centred on the Yarra River, which flows into Port Philip Bay. Port Philip Bay, which is just known as “The Bay” to local Victorians, is a large, approximately circular body of sheltered water. Melbourne City, and its suburbs, are mostly located around the eastern and northern shores of the bay.

The Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne is found just north of the Yarra River. Melbourne is an important centre for the arts, for commerce, tourism, sports and entertainment. Many locations of interest are found in and around this central part of Melbourne, as are many good hotels, and excellent shops, cafes and restaurants.

The Australian film/TV industries were both founded in the state of Victoria, and Melbourne’s Federation Square now hosts the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). This state-of-the-art facility is designed to showcase all types of screen content, ranging from silent films to video games. Exhibits are both from Australia, and from other countries. The large collection at ACMI includes film posters and promotional shots, and entry to the building is free. Other events at ACMI may be charged for, and details of these events (screenings, special exhibitions etc) can be checked in ACMI’s online calendar.

Melbourne is also noted for sporting events. The Melbourne Cup (horse racing) is held at Flemington Racecourse every November, and the Australian Open is held in January at Melbourne Park. The Australian Open is one of the four “Grand Slam” tournaments in the tennis calendar.

The city’s airport is at Tullamarine, and international and domestic hub. International carriers, especially Qantas and Virgin Blue, run scheduled services from here, with connections to other major Australian cities.

The Best Western Motel is five minutes away from the airport. A courtesy bus is available for hotel guests. Rooms at the Best Western are four star rated, and have foxtel satellite, and wireless internet connectivity.

The Best Western’s restaurant is the modern Reflections Restaurant. Reflections offers a full buffet breakfast and a la carte menu in the evening. Full range of foreign and imported beers is available.

Another hotel which is really convenient for air travellers is the Hilton at Melbourne Airport. This is connected directly to the terminal via a covered walkway, and is also within easy reach (twenty minutes travel time) of the city’s business, shopping and tourist district.

Jasmine Zahara is actually a well known blogger with a place of work in Melbourne Accommodation and is passionate about this area of Australia. Jasmine blogs on all provincial Victorian things and acknowledges Beechworth Victoria as one of the most desirable country Australia locations.

Romance is in the air at Chateau on the Mountain. Boasting mountain views and surrounded by acres of peaceful countryside, this North Carolina bed and breakfast is the perfect spot to bring the one you love.

Each of the guest rooms has been designed with a different theme in mind. For example, the posh Biltmore Suite evokes the ambiance and glamour of the nearby Biltmore Estate. It includes a king canopy bed, fireplace and a balcony with mountain views.

The other five rooms and suites are equally impressive, all offering luxurious linens, spa tubs and a myriad of amenities. Some rooms offer a fireplace or a private garden.

In addition to the romantic rooms, guests are treated to a full breakfast each morning as well as an evening turndown service. Beverages are always available, and in the evenings there is an innkeeper-hosted reception. Other amenities include wireless internet, clock radios, hair dryers and much more.

If you feel the need to add even more romance to your visit, consider one of the innkeepers’ many romantic add-on packages. You can opt for a simple touch such as chocolate-dipped strawberries and wine to be placed in your room or consider the Touch of Romance package, which includes champagne, flowers, chocolate, strawberries and other snacks.

If the sky is the limit, consider the Vive La Romance package. This two-day package includes lodging in one of the inn’s suites, breakfast in bed and a couples’ massage. You can add on a variety of other spa treatments and even arrange for a private, gourmet dinner in your room.

Although secluded, this Fletcher bed and breakfast is within easy driving distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Biltmore Estate and all the fun of Asheville. Hiking, biking and skiing all are nearby, as well.

Jane Leisteiner enjoys traveling and blogging. For info about these romantic packages, planning NC mountain weddings, or more details about Asheville bed and breakfast inns, go to the Chateau on the Mountain or iLoveInns sites now.

If you are looking to pile up free-night rewards from frequent stay programs when you travel, we’ve found that you can get more bang for your buck staying at a bed and breakfast. Here’s a little test we did:

Rewarded 10 Times Faster than at Marriott

Picking up the phone, we called Marriott Rewards with a standard request to earn a free stay. We asked about booking a $209-per-night room at the Marriott Suites, which would get us a total of 627 points per night. In order to compile enough points to get a free night at their lowest level, we would need 7,500 points. That means we would have to spend $2,500, staying about 11.9 nights in order to get that free night reward.

Now we’ll check how travelers can earn a free stay at B&Bs nationwide, in addition to a few other B&B-related values. Bed and breakfasts are hard to beat when it comes to unique lodging, hospitality and what you can get for your hard-earned dollar. If you are interested in making your money work better for you, take into consideration a couple of items:

Across the nation, more than 1,500 B&B inns will give guests a free second-night stay with the purchase of the first night. They do this for a simple reason. They want exposure for their property. The typical bed and breakfast doesn’t have the large advertising budget that a standard hotel does. So, they look to earn word-of-mouth exposure and added promotion through this popular program.

At iLoveInns.com, the site that runs this free-night program, travelers can save $140 on an average two-night stay. Think about the numbers above that we quoted from Marriott Rewards. How much more can you stretch your travel dollar than using it to spend 11.9 nights in order to get that free night?

Depending on the individual bed and breakfast or country inn, a traveler can save as much as $650. Plus, the buy-one-get-one promotion is an immediate reward.

You can save even more when you take into consideration your meal expense. The bed and breakfast, after all, comes with breakfast. But many inns also take it a step further an offer various free business services and such items as free drinks or snacks (and not with a mini-bar price).

Money and Memories Go Further with Bed and Breakfast Trips

Now that you know you can save more from a bed and breakfast, consider a typical inn and what it provides. For example, look at this California Bed and Breakfast, the Inn at Seventeen Mile drive located in the Monterey Peninsula.

Choose from rooms with views of the sea or garden in the main house of this three-building bed and breakfast. Or, enjoy the oak and redwoods in the chalet and cottage rooms. Unwind in the spa beneath the towering trees or the gardens whose guests also include the occasional deer and monarch butterfly. Maybe sip some champagne near the fountains and koi ponds. With the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program, guests will save anywhere from $145 to $290 at this lovely property.

Hard to beat an excellent experience and an excellent value. When you’re trying to decide how to find that next free-night perk, take a look at a property like that California bed and breakfast. The B&B free-night program is a superb travel value.

With its crisp, clean air and snow-capped mountains, Germany is a vision for the soul. You’ll find any number of interesting villages from one end of the country to the other, each with its own special charm.

Bavaria is an absolute must, and Munich is the center of it all. You could easily spend a week exploring the city, but be sure to venture out of town and discover some of the villages and towns that dot the landscape, as well as one of the world’s great castles Neuschwanstein- the inspiration for the Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle. The Rhine and Mosel wine regions offer their own selection of castles and unique towns, such as Trier, which was founded in 15 B.C. and beautiful scenic drives. Another enjoyable travel option is to venture along the highways and byways of the famous Black Forest and explore its beautiful countryside.

If you have trouble narrowing down what to do and see, seasoned travel writer Karen Brown has already done the work for you. On her popular website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she details a variety of interesting itineraries complete with maps and suggested pacing for each region. Her readers also have voted for country’s top hotels and inns, and the following establishments were named as the best in Germany.

Situated across the Elbe River from the city center of Dresden, the Hotel Bulow Residenz offers romantic accommodations in a quiet neighborhood filled with historic homes. From the impressive Baroque exterior to the elegant interior with its mix of traditional and modern dcor, this is truly one of Dresden’s best hotels. Breakfast and afternoon refreshments are served in the charming courtyard. The hotel’s formal restaurant, The Caroussel, is Michelin-rated and ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. Cocktails, wine and beer are served in the hotel’s piano bar. The hotel has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” hotel.

Travelers flock to Rothenberg, a medieval town enclosed by ramparts, turrets and walls, to experience its history and fairy tale charm. But a visit to this enchanting village would not be complete without a stay at the Romantik Hotel Markusturm. The historic hotel was built in 1264 as a toll house and is absolutely filled with Old World German ambiance. Guest rooms are eclectic, filled with a mix of old and modern, including quaint touches such as a baby’s cradle in one guest room. Hosts Lilo and Stephan Berger infuse this hotel with their warmth, from Lilo’s welcoming dcor to the delicious meals served by Stephan. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s “Warmest Welcome.”

The Gasthaus Die Krone in the Black Forest town of Staufen is a delight. This family-run hotel is located in a pedestrian-only area, so it enjoys a quiet and peaceful spot. The exterior of the building is charming with shuttered windows, window boxes bursting with color and a mural depicting the Revolution of 1848. Guest rooms are simple and pleasing with light pine furnishings and beds topped with white duvets and fluffy pillows. The hosts are friendly and welcoming and in addition to the guest rooms, there is a restaurant where dinner is served nightly. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Germany.

The Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof offers both a unique location and all the amenities of a full-service resort. The hotel is the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Germany’s best “Splendid Splurge.” It is located on Sylt, a sand-dune island in the northernmost portion of Germany. Several farmhouses comprise the hotel, all connected by glass corridors. There are plenty of different room options, and this is an excellent place for families. The hotel has a babysitting service, as well as a room full of toys and a children’s program. The restaurant serves breakfast until 1 p.m., so guests can take their time heading out in the mornings. There is a sauna and swimming pool, and you can even book a massage.

Ireland, though split politically into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, is truly one romantic, mysterious being at heart. Filled with castles, ancient churches and spectacular scenery, travelers easily can fill a two-week vacation with enough memories and stories to last a lifetime.

A journey to Ireland would not be complete without a stay in Dublin. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as the easiest way to see the sites of the city are on foot. The Guinness Brewery is a popular attraction, as is the National Gallery, where you’ll find works ranging from Manet to Picasso. From there head in any direction and you are sure to find something of interest, from Blarney Castle and the lakes of Killarney in the southwest to the unique landscape of Connemara in the western portion of Ireland. Don’t forget to set aside a few days to explore Northern Ireland and Belfast.

On her popular website, travel writer Karen Brown offers several comprehensive itineraries for visitors to Ireland. Her readers also have voted and chosen the following inns and hotels as Ireland’s top lodging experiences.

The Quay House, a historic gem located just off the harbor in the seaside village of Clifdon, has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s “Most Romantic” inn. Quay House offers seven guest rooms and seven studios, each with individual dcor ranging from traditional Irish with antiques to more fanciful and bohemian-themed rooms. All but two of the rooms boast a harbor view. A homemade breakfast buffet is served each morning in the cheerful conservatory.

The enthusiastic innkeepers at Ballyvolane House encourage their guests to relax and enjoy themselves. Their passion for innkeeping has earned Ballyvolane the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Ireland’s “Warmest Welcome.” This idyllic Irish country home is surrounded by spectacular gardens, and also offers seven kilometers of private salmon fishing along the River Blackwater. The tastefully furnished guest rooms include special items such as clawfoot tubs perfect for a long, restful soak. Spend an hour with a good book in the drawing room or ask the innkeepers to prepare a picnic lunch and you can find a sunny spot on the inn’s grounds. Four-course dinners are served each night in the beautiful dining room, featuring an ever-changing seasonal menu.

Surrounded by acres of parkland, which includes a ruined Norman Church, a stay at Ballaghtobin is a bit like staying at a friend’s posh country estate. The ivy-covered inn offers three charming guest rooms, each with a private bathroom. The Sun Room is a delightful place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Ballaghtobin, which is located in County Kilkenny, was named by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s “Greatest Value.”

If you wish to indulge yourself at one of Ireland’s best lodgings, The Merrion is a stunning Dublin hotel and was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s best “Splendid Splurge.” The historic hotel is opposite from Leinster House, the home of Ireland’s Parliament. Guest rooms and suites, as well as a hugely extravagant penthouse, are spread among the historic main house and the garden wing. All of the rooms are spacious and elegant with views of the city or hotel gardens. The Tethra Spa offers a wide selection of massage treatments, as well as a fitness center and swimming pool. The Cellar Bar is an excellent spot to enjoy a pint or a glass or wine, and it is found in the hotel’s original wine vaults. There are two restaurants, the more casual Cellar Restaurant and the Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only two-star Michelin Restaurant.