hotels, aug 4

TRAVELOCITY: HOTELS

FOR AUGUST 4, 2010

·        Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires

Sweet Bliss at Mar del Plata Hotels

The sea breeze blowing through your hair and the sand beneath your feet—welcome to Mar del Plata. Just imagine what 17 kilometers of beach and a variety of amenities Mar del Plata hotels can provide. Busy and bustling especially in the summer, this city welcomes millions of tourists to its seaside each year. Mar del Plata is also an important fishing port in Buenos Aires and is considered Argentina’s biggest beach resort.

There are over 500 hotels in Mar del Plata, so there’s something for everyone. Crave solitude and the impression of a private beach? Several hotels in Mar del Plata stand past the Point Mogotes lighthouse on the city’s southern side. Want a place nearer the sights? You can find accommodations short distances from El Paraíso Zoo or Mar del Plata’s Aquarium. Smooth sandy beaches, rugged beaches, or even striking cliff sides are options offered here.

Have Fun in the Happy City

Mar del Plata is also known as the Happy City, and this is seen in its pulsing nightlife. There are plenty of bars and restaurants near Mar del Plata cheap hotels. Once the sun sets, you can plan a nonstop party until it rises again. Whether you’re shopping or soaking up culture, the cheeky charm of this city shines through.

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·        Marbella, Andalusia

A Resort-Town Vibe at Marbella Hotels

Known as a favorite vacation spot for the rich and famous, this Andalusia city’s architecture, beaches, galleries, and boutiques create an escape best seen in many Marbella hotels. Yachts, villas, and five-star hotels are common here. There are many sights to visit like Orange Square and La Amelada Park. Just as postcard-pretty are the narrow side streets filled with unique shops and residences. The whole city embraces a chic, cozy vibe.

Culture by the Coast

Visitors booked in Marbella cheap hotels appreciate the city’s natural beauty—over 20 kilometers of beach fronted by the Mediterranean. Away from the sand, why not try a wine and tapas tour in Costa del Sol? How about wine tours with a twist—in Puerto Banus, there are options to coast around in a Rolls Royce. Stick around the area and enjoy world-class shopping, too.

Cultivate your cultural side with visits to the city’s Bonsai Museum, the Roman Villa at Rio Verde, or even ruins of ancient Roman bath houses at Guadalmina. At the popular promenade Avenida del Mar is a number of restaurants and bars. You can try your luck betting at the casinos and clubs. If you’re lucky you can book a hotel in Marbella steps away from this happening scene.

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·        Marco Island, Florida

Relax at Marco Island Hotels

Get a taste of the laidback vibe along Southwest Florida’s coast—those booked in Marco Island hotels savor it. A stretch of fine sand over three miles long, shimmering blue-green waters, and a generous dose of island charm mark this paradise. The largest of the Ten Thousand Islands in Florida, Marco Island has plenty of beaches, bays, creeks, and islands to explore.

Tropical Getaway

Rest in a waterfront villa overlooking the Hideaway Beach Preserve or Tigertail Beach, or premiere hotels in Marco Island carrying amenities like golf courses, gyms, and spas. Relax right on the beach, sip exotic drinks, and nibble on the freshest seafood. Marco Island has some of the best game fishing waters in the world. Everglades adventures will find you canoeing or kayaking your way around. Catch a glimpse (or two) of the dolphins during a Marco Island eco-tour.

When the sun sets, head over to Capt. Brien’s Seafood & Raw Bar for drinks and live entertainment. Musicians and stand-up comedians guarantee you a good time. Many cheap Marco Island hotels are just a stone’s throw away. Whether it’s shopping, sporting, relaxing, or dining, let Marco Island distract you and give you a memorable holiday.

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·        Marietta, Georgia

Charming City Living at Marietta Hotels

“Come see why it’s hip to be square!” So a Marietta website greets visitors. Nestled against the spectacular backdrop of Kennesaw Mountain and Chattahoochee River, this charming Georgia city has plenty of natural wonders and historical attractions. There’s more than enough to charm and distract visitors booked in Marietta hotels. In 2006 the National Civic League hailed Marietta as the All-America City. It is one of the ten best communities in the United States. Quite impressive for an area destroyed by fire in the 1850s and had to be rebuilt.

Around Marietta’s Neighborhoods

Every inch of Marietta is steeped in history, but walking around Marietta Square, you are transported into another time. The Marietta Museum of History, once a morgue during the American Civil War, is rumored to be haunted. Sign up for a Ghosts of Marietta tour for added chills. Pop culture enthusiasts will enjoy the Gone With The Wind Museum with its memorabilia from Margaret Mitchell’s novel and the Oscar-winning 1939 film. Nearby are numerous cheap hotels in Marietta, each with their own charm.

Marietta Square also holds a number of restaurants with various cuisines—from casual cafes to fine-dining fare. Eager to shop? Enjoy vintage finds, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles in the several boutiques right in the square. Numerous galleries and theaters will whet your appetite for culture. Even the cheap Marietta hotels are attractions in themselves, whether it is a luxurious convention center or charming bed & breakfast.

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·        Markham, Ontario

Finding the Best Markham hotels

Just north of Toronto and Canada’s largest town, Markham in Ontario wears its historic past proudly. They have a legacy that spans more than 200 years. In charming contrast, Markham is also home to the Canadian head offices of top technology brands like Apple, IBM, and Motorola. Varying attractions and activities within this Great Lakes region town are a treat for tourists staying in Markham hotels.

A Variety of Accommodations

The juxtaposition of contrasts in Markham is its biggest charm. For instance, there’s no end in the choices for cheap hotels in Markham. Take your pick from unique inns to popular chain accommodations. Many of these are near the town’s top tourist places. Main Street Unionville has a distinct European flavor with its architecture, reflected in the numerous churches, pubs, parks, and buildings.

For the best of the best—and we mean that literally—head over to Main Street Markham. Here you’ll find the best pub, the best pasta, the best florist, the best bicycle shop, etc. Short distances away are the best Markham cheap hotels to stay in. The sheer variety of activities in town guarantees plenty of fun-filled days. Have your fill of shopping in small boutiques and large-scale malls. From festivals to theater productions, enjoy small-town living in Markham.

META TAG: Travelocity has the best deals when you book your Markham hotel today—the town’s variety of accommodations caters from family-friendly groups to honeymooning couples.

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·        Maspalomas, Canary Islands

Discover Your Maspalomas Hotel Hideaway

If you want a vacation worlds away from the city, your best bet is a beach. The four-mile length of golden sands in Maspalomas and its blue waters are a standout location. Combine their beauty with the striking waves of sand dunes that border the area and Playa del Ingles, and you have paradise. The dunes are a habitat for many rare flora and fauna. With a stay in a Maspalomas hotel, visitors can best appreciate the wonder of the island.

Serenity on an Island

Wherever you decide to make your temporary home in this sandy getaway, each Maspalomas hotel carries the island’s charm and serenity. Villas, apartments, boutique hotels, and more are scattered throughout the island. Some are conveniently located near popular restaurants, bars, and shopping outlets. Best of all, many are mere steps away from the beach.

Even as the island enjoys being a refuge for the harried, there are plenty of family-friendly attractions. The Holiday World amusement park blends fun rides with a historic feel. There are sightseeing tours around the outlying islands and boat trips to watch dolphins and whales. Maspalomas is known for their world-class golf courses, including Spain’s oldest—founded in 1891. Whether you aim to recharge on the sands or teeing off on the greens, look for the perfect Maspalomas cheap hotel for you.

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·        Mazatlán, Mexico

Top-notch Mazatlán hotels

Right on the Mexican Gold Coast lurks a top-notch vacation getaway. Also called the Pearl of the Pacific, Mazatlán is a thriving commercial seaport and a tropical escape. Depending on the length of your stay here, you can opt for different Mazatlán hotels and accommodations. Rest in a villa by the beach and be lulled by the sound of the waves. Rent an apartment and enjoy the city for a month. Whatever your budget or inclination, you’ll find the perfect place.

Embrace the Mild and the Wild

At the heart of the Zona Dorada is the Sea Shell City Museum, and nearby is the Aquarium and Botanical Garden. Shoppers will favor the many stalls selling jewelry, clothes, soaps, and leather goods at Plaza de la Revolucion in Viejo Mazatlán. Other museums and historic areas here lie close to hotels in Mazatlán so visitors have easy accessibility.

Those in love with the beach will thrive staying in the Golden Zone—a line of Mazatlán cheap hotels steps away from the sand and surf. These have access to plenty of boating tours around the area and water sports. At night, walk a little farther and you’ll hit the happening restaurants and bars. Everywhere you turn, Mazatlán is ready with something to thrill and enjoy.

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·        McAllen, Texas

McAllen Hotels in the Deep South

It’s nicknamed the “Jewel in the Valley Crown” for its location at the Rio Grande Valley and is the largest city in Hidalgo County. Its attractions draw plenty of tourists in every year. Owing to its developing commercial, retail, industrial, and medical facilities, McAllen gets a fair share of visitors keen on its business opportunities. Whether you intend to relax or play hard, there’s a choice of McAllen hotels for your needs.

Enjoying the Social Scene

There are plenty of opportunities to get friendly with the locals, especially when the sun goes down. Take your pick from dances, game tournaments like shuffleboard and dominoes, and concerts. Shopping here is practically a sport with the combination of unique shops and ultra-modern malls. For items of the more handmade variety and some family fun, the McAllen Street Market is perfect. Make sure you book a McAllen cheap hotel near where you want to go.

As contemporary as the city is, McAllen is best known for its natural wonders. There are wildlife preserves, nature parks, and sites for the best bird-watching in the entire country. Arrange for walks down the citrus groves. As you plan your vacation here, keep in mind what kind of hotel in McAllen you’ll need. Aside from popular chains and small, family-owned accommodations, there are RV parks and campgrounds. Options are abundant here.

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·        McCall, Idaho

All-Season Stays at McCall Hotels

This resort city at Valley County, Idaho is a premiere tourist destination for both summer and winter travels. It’s near Payette Lake and by Payette National Forest. Northwest to McCall are the mountains of central Idaho, rising up to 7,640 feet above sea level. The city has the highest average snowfall in the entire state, and is nicknamed Ski Town U.S.A. With visitors coming in year-round, there are many McCall hotels to appeal to every tourist demographic.

Savor the Sun and Snow

Summer is the perfect season to try water sports like river rafting in the Snake and Salmon Rivers in Hells Canyon. Golf is a popular sport here, with tall trees flanking the various smooth fairways. Payette Lake becomes a favorite spot to visit at this time, so visitors fill up the McCall cheap hotels along its vicinity. There are also summer rental homes available. Tourists enjoy the opportunities to canoe, water-ski, and swim at the lake. The picturesque appeal of Payette Lake came out in the Oscar-nominated film Northwest Passage starring Spencer Tracy.

The winter brings a different charm to McCall. Glade and snow cat skiing at Brundage Mountain Resort, tubing, snowmobile rides, and more become the activities of choice. After fun in the snow, visitors relax in geothermal hot springs. Several of them are near hotels in McCall so they are easy to get to.

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·        Medan, Indonesia

Easy Guide to Medan Hotels

In the Malay language, the word “medan” means “a large place to gather.” Medan is a beautiful blend of traditional architecture within a thriving urban area. Located in North Sumatra, Medan used to be a village called Kampung Medan and largely filled with tobacco plantations. Dutch colonists eventually settled here in the 1860s and development to what is now Indonesia’s third-largest city began. As tourism developed, an increasing number of Medan hotels appeared.

Exploring Medan

There are taxis and minibuses to ride getting around the city; for a more authentic touch you can opt to take a becak, or rickshaw. Plenty of Medan cheap hotels are accessible to these kinds of transport. Have your pick from large chains to smaller, unique accommodations. Near these, Medan has several shopping centers, museums, galleries, and a lively night life.

Just as fascinating are the signs and symbols of Medan’s historic past. Many hotels in Medan are situated near entire streets of buildings filled with traditional Dutch architecture. The Tirtanadi Water Tower, considered Medan’s icon, was built in 1908. Also worth visiting are various temples and parks. The intriguing mix of the modern and traditional gives Medan its unique appeal. This explains the influx of tourists who visit every year.