Top Summer Destinations

     Greetings audience, this is Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler again, and today we are going to talk about a different subject. We are going to discuss Top Summer Destinations. For most of us who are out of school or looking for a break from work and haven't booked our summer trip, here are some ideas to consider while booking. Some types of vacations that people like to check out include beach, city, camping, theme park, and nature.

     A lot of people in the summer, especially those graduating high school or college, have plans to tour around Europe. One of the best summer destinations to visit is Paris, France. With many museums such as the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and even a Disneyland for Disney fans, there is a lot for the "city of love" to offer. There are many things that make Paris an amazing summer destination, such as July 14 aka French National Day or Bastille Day. This was the beginning of the French Revolution and storming of the Bastille. There's a parade and everything. There is also a pop-up beach near Paris with sand and umbrellas. Launched in 2002, the mini beach is known as the Paris Plages. This is a great way to get a tan without going to an actual beach. Some other summer activities include the Tour De France, rollerskating on the streets every Friday night, and a trip outside Paris to Chateau de Versailles. These are unique attractions that make Paris an exciting city. For more information, feel free to check out https://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/france/paris/articles/summer-in-paris-beyond-bastille-day.

     We all think of going back east as going to big cities such as New York City, Boston, Washington D.C. or Philadelphia, or even historical walking tours about slavery and plantations. However if one is going back east, one should check out some lesser known destinations such as Lake George, New York, and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Let's first talk about Lake George. Located about 4 hours from New York City, it's dubbed the miniature golf capital of the world. Some of the attractions include swimming, fishing, cruising on the lake, hiking, and even zip-lining. This small town is worth checking out if you're into nature or if you're visiting New York and want a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. For more information, please visit https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/.

     Another destination worth checking out is Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Some of the highlights include the gingerbread-style houses and the famous lighthouse. This is a beautiful place for those who want to check out an island on the east coast, particularly those who want a break from Boston. There are many ways to get there, such as a ferry from Woods Hole, which you can get to by bus from Boston, or you can even take a ferry from New York. This would be a great day trip to escape the city, or an adventure for the entire weekend. For more information, visit http://marthas-vineyard.com/.

     Another destination worth checking out in the summer is Alaska. As you may know, there are many cruises to Alaska out of Vancouver or Seattle, particularly in the summer months. This is why. Between May 10 and September 15, the days are long, the nature is beautiful, and the air is clear. On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun in Anchorage is up for 19 hours, 20 hours in Fairbanks, and 18 hours in the southeast. Think of why that movie was called Insomnia with Al Pacino and the late great Robin Williams. Some of the activities in Alaska include Northern Lights tours, dog sledding, bear viewing, glacier tours, and many other nature attractions. There is a lot of beauty to check out in Alaska. For more information, visit http://www.alaska.org/.

     Hopefully I've given you some ideas of places to visit that will make your summer just a little more eventful. From international travel around foreign continents to nature to the beach to the city, there are a lot of places one can check out that would be suited for them. Happy travels!