Warm Places to Go in March Within the Continental US

By the end of February, many residents of colder states in the midwest and northeast are looking to exchange their winter coats and snow blowers for Bermuda shorts and golf clubs. While many southern states start to get warmer in March, the warmest locations in the continental United States are still in California, Arizona, Florida and Texas. Each state also has major metropolitan areas offering a variety of outdoor activities.

Los Angeles

o    Los Angles has the warmest average temperature of any continental U.S. city, with an average high of 68.8 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months and a low of 50. Located on the Pacific Ocean, Los Angles offers boating, fishing and sailing opportunities. Tourists can also watch dolphins and whales at Newport Landing, tour the Hollywood Walk of Fame, golf and relax on area beaches.

San Diego

o    The average high temperature in San Diego during the winter is 66.1 degrees. Outdoor attractions include visiting the U.S.S. Midway Museum, restaurants and amusement parks. Seaport Village offers shopping, cafes and restaurants overlooking the lagoon of Sand Diego Bay. Spanish Village, built in 1935, resembles an old Spanish-style village. Fiesta de Reyes is in the Old Town Historic Park featuring two restaurants and 16 specialty shops.

Phoenix

o    Phoenix, with an average high temperature in the winter of more than 68 degrees, features dozens of golf courses, museums and outdoor activities. There is hiking and climbing along Camelback Mountain and mountain biking at South Mountain Park. Other attractions include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Desert Botanical Garden, Goldfield Ghost Town, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Phoenix Zoo, Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park and Rawhide Wild West Town.

Jacksonville

o    In Florida, Jacksonville offers an average high temperature during the winter of 65.8 degrees. Among the attractions is Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth, a 15-acre park marking the spot where de Leon arrived in Florida while looking for the fountain of youth. There is also Castillo de San Marco, the oldest stone fort in the United States and what is arguably the oldest wooden school house in the United States, dating back to the 18th century.

Houston

o    An average winter high temperature of 64.5 degrees enables visitors to explore the various outdoor activities offered in the Houston area. Features include the Air Texas Balloon Adventures, which offers rides to individuals, and corporate outings and the American Cowboy Museum. Allen's Landing marks the spot where John K. and August C. Allen came ashore and claimed Houston in 1836.

Welcomw to Panama

Welcome to the Panama recommended hotels and resorts section!
In the last couple of years Panama has experienced a big increase in the number of hotels and resorts in the city and in its main tourist destinations. We have carefully selected a small group of hotels, lodges, and resorts, that we believe are the best in each area always looking for price, value, character, and good service.

For your convenience, please find our selected hotels & resorts divided into the 7 major regions commonly used to classify hotel locations. The main hotel regions are Panama , Chiriqui, Cocle, Bocas del Toro, Colon, San Blas, and Azuero Peninsula. 
Additionally, the hotels in each region are further divided into sub regions. In Panama, visitors will find a wide variety of modern luxury hotels in Panama City, and small boutique beach hotels at the Pearl Islands. If you travel to Chiriqui and decide to go to the highlands, you will find nice mountain lodges both in Boquete and Volcan. If you decide to travel to the Lowlands, Boca Brava Island is the place to go with its paradisiacal unspoiled beaches. Cocle, which is close to Panama city, offers a wide variety of mountain bed & breakfasts at EL Valle, and a selection of all inclusive beach resorts in Playa Blanca.

Near the city is Colon and the famous Gatun Lake with its exuberant rainforest and wonderful hotel options. At the Archipelago of San Blas, there are more islands than days, but only a few hotels available mostly owned and operated by the Kuna tribe. At the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro visitors will find a wide selection of nice small beach hotels in Colon and its nearby islands. Last, but not least, is Azuero Peninsula, with its charming colonial towns and the beautiful coastline.
Please browse through our selection of hotels & resorts and discover the best that Panama has to offer!

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

When is Carnival?

2012 Carnival starts on Saturday, February 18th and ends on Fat Tuesday, February 21. 

Which Carnival is the best in Brazil?

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Olinda and Salvador all clamor for this title. The Carnival in Rio is definitely the biggest and most famous, not just in Brazil but in the whole world. And it is most visited as well. Hence Rio is dubbed the Carnival Capital of the Globe.

Where should I stay in Rio?

Try to stay in Southern Rio (the Zona Sul), which is not just the most beautiful area but also offers the best infrastructure and is the safest. Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are the best, most up-market and priciest options, especially the last two. Botafogo, Lapa and Flamengo are more down-market but still within 15-20 minutes from Copacabana and Ipanema by subway, which runs 24 hours during Carnival.

When should I book?

Book flights and accommodation at least 4 months in advance. Get tickets as early as possible. The best tickets sell out early and prices usually increase as time passes.

Which events should I attend?

Rio Carnival's highlight is the Samba Parade. Go to a few balls especially to the Gala Ball in Scala. Join in as many street parties and street band processions as you can, both downtown (Centro) and in South Rio (the Zona Sul). Sample at least one samba school night.

Which are the best street parties?

The street band of Ipanema is the most famous and flamboyant one. The parties downtown (e.g. Cordão do Bola Preta) are the biggest.

Which are the best balls? 
High society attends the Magic Ball  at Hotel Copacabana Palace. For fun and a big night dance go to the Gay Gala Costume ball in Scala.  

When and where can I buy my tickets?

You only need to buy your tickets well in advance for the annual Samba Parade competition and the Magic Ball at Hotel Copacabana Palace. Some Scala balls sell out also quickly. See ticket details for all events.

What is a samba school?

It is an association of people in the same neighborhood preparing for the Samba Parade and entertaining the community with samba nights. They are not actual samba teaching institutions as their name may suggest.

Where can I learn to samba? 

Best to learn it just by watching others. Then have a go. You do not have to join a samba school. They do not offer courses or classes. Just go to a samba night at a school, watch and learn.

How can I participate?

Join in the street parties and march with the street bands. For the absolute knock-out experience parade yourself in costume in the Sambodromo

Disney World

A Disney vacation is the highlight of every child’s life and delights the child in all of us. I love Disney so much that some years my family spends two weeks at Disney World going to every park, and sometimes a trip to Disneyland too. Here you will find savings tips that will make your trip more affordable and vacation tips that will make your time more enjoyable, whether you are looking for the full Disney World resort/park experience or just a grand time at the parks.

There is so much to see and do in Orlando besides Disney too. The 4 amazing theme parks, 2 wonderful water parks, and downtown Disney will keep you in fun for a week. There are also numerous other attractions like Sea World, Universal Studios, Disney Quest, and the ESPN Disney Sports Complex.

DW Insider gives you the Disney World information resources to make your vacation an adventure of a lifetime!

Insider Tips for the Magic Kingdom at Disney World

The most magical of all places where the outside world seems to disappear, Disney's Magic Kingdom is paradise forever. This theme park is built in a wheel shape with the Cinderella Castle in the center and the 7 enchantedlands with rides and attractions laid out in spokes from the Castle.

You enter at Main Street with a view of the Castle straight ahead. Make your first stop at Disney's Magic Kingdom Guest Relations at City Hall just inside the park to pick up a 4” x 9” Times Guide & New Information card that contains weekly information for park hours, special hours, restaurants, height requirements, parade and fireworks times,show times, character greeting times, and locations for all.

Especially for small children: Disney Magic Kingdom autograph signing by the characters. I have found ones with Disney characters on the front for as little as $2.00. I can guarantee your children will want a book to have signed when they see all the other kids with them. Or if you are a scrap booker, you might want to bring colored note cards for the characters to sign—then put the autograph by the picture of your child with the character. You will find many of the characters at Mickey’s Toontown Fair during the day.

For the SpectroMagic parade and Wishes fireworks, I like to be on Main Street, but you need to get your spot at least an hour ahead of time. If other guests start to crowd into a space that you have been holding for a long time, let one of the Disney Magic Kingdom cast members know who is working crowd control; they are all trained in polite ways to ask people to find a more open spot.