Groups Archives - Ingenious Travel

Ten Things To Cross Off Your San Diego Bucket List

Posted in Baseball, Beaches, Family Travel, Food, Golf, Groups, San Diego, on 31 August 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

When we think of California, it’s not uncommon to fill our heads of images of the Hollywood sign, celebrities, and the infamous traffic jams of Los Angeles; however, the city of angels isn’t the only prime travel destination within the state.

San Diego has a rich history and a laidback style to match. Not only is it the birthplace of California, but it’s also one of the first spots where Europeans stepped ashore on the entire west coast. Beyond its history, San Diego has a mass appeal that will allow everyone to find something within the city that they enjoy.

So to help jumpstart your next trip to San Diego, here are ten must-see places you can quickly cross off your bucket list!

Ten Things To Cross Off Your San Diego Bucket List

San Diego Beaches – You can’t make a trip to California and not visit the beaches, and San Diego is no exception. The water is perfect for swimming, surfing, and lounging around reading a good book. If you’re looking for relaxation, San Diego has the beaches for you. Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores Beach, and Sunset Cliffs, to name a few.
LEGOLAND California – Let your creativity and imagination run wild with the whole family. Take in the movies, interactive rides, and Lego designs that overtake this popular destination. You can even try your hands at your own LEGO creations at any number of building activities. (Pictures are from my visit in October 2019.)

3. Balboa Park – The nation’s largest urban cultural park. There are plenty of trails, play areas for kids, as well as museums. Street performers line the streets to help give you a real sense of modern renaissance and entertainment.

4. San Diego Zoo – Who doesn’t love a zoo, and with more than 3,500 animals on-site, it’s easy to get lost in the jungle and enjoy a day with the animals. Learn more about conservation efforts, and the rare and endangered plants and species occupy the 100-acre zoo.

5. SeaWorld San Diego – Families flock far and wide to take in the wonders of SeaWorld. With its mixture of outdoor aquarium and theme park, there are plenty of rides, sights, and attractions for the entire family.

6. San Diego Bay Tours – San Diego Bay is the hub spot for major water-related adventures, so why not take in the harbor and book a tour by boat. This is a relaxing way to end your day or kickstart a day of exploring. Tours can be completed on Jet boats, Hornblower cruises, speed boats, and many others.

7. San Diego Breweries – Brewery tours are always a hit for those 21+, and San Diego has its fair share of breweries to wet your whistle. With nearly 200 breweries in the area, there’s always a fresh beer that you’ve probably never tried before.

8. San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park – This nearly 6,000-acre underwater park contains various habitats such as kelp beds, sand flats, and rocky reefs. The waves are calm and gentle enough to snorkel below the water’s surface for a day of swimming with sea creatures and exploring the surrounding sea caves.

9. Mission Bay – Mission Bay is another great locale for water sports. Not only are there boat rentals, paddle boarding, and other leisure activities, but there are also trails for walking and hiking, and a camping area to set up camp over a long weekend.

10. Annual San Diego Events – Like most major cities, San Diego hosts a variety of one day and weekend-long events that occur annually. These include things such as the San Diego County Fair, Comic-Con (see images below!), as well as the Padres Major League Baseball Season (Petco Park – you can do a tour or see a game!). Even if you’re not attending these events, you may want to plan accordingly because of increases in traffic and travel accommodations being few and far between.

Which of these bucket list items are you looking to cross off on your next trip to San Diego? Are there any other San Diego must-sees that didn’t make our list? Be sure to let us know when you call today to start planning your next vacation!

You can reach us by phone 727.748.4077, email: info@ingenioustravel.com or using our contact form. We’re ready to help you explore San Diego!

10 Reasons Why Ocean Cruisers Will Love River Cruising

Posted in Europe, Golf, Groups, River Cruising, Theme Vacations, on 25 June 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Ocean cruises have been a popular way to vacation for decades, and for good reason. They’re affordable, convenient, and offer travelers peace of mind knowing that everything they need for a fantastic getaway is all in one place. What could be better than that? Well, consider a river cruise.

You might think that the words “inland” and “cruise” are incompatible. Well, let me show you on AmaWaterways just how superbly well they go together. AmaWaterways river cruises combine all the comfort and convenience of an ocean cruise with the excitement of European excursions at each port of call.

Walking Tour of Dubrovnik Croatia Old Town

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Groups, Travel, on 16 April 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is certainly a treasure of picturesque and stunning scenery in the country of Croatia. The entire city is a wonderful sight to see, but its walled Old Town remains as the city’s crowning glory. There is no better way to explore this old fortress than to follow the direction of your own two feet.

You can begin your exploration from several other gates of the Old Town, but my personal favorite is from the ever-busy Pile Gate. Upon entry, it immediately sweeps you off your feet to a dizzying but exciting array of intriguing sights to see.

3 Fantastic Castle Stays in Ireland

Posted in Europe, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Groups, Ireland, Luxury, on 5 February 2021, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

Most people dream of one day living in the regal and whimsical castles they read about from childhood in storybooks. Now that many castles are opening their doors to the general public, you can live out your fantasy in the grandest fashion. Here are three of the best castles you can stay at in Ireland:

Photo from Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal

The Lough Eske Castle has, over the years, witnessed conquest, defeat, destruction, and restoration. Its long and vibrant history has established it as a symbol of warm Donegal hospitality, attracting international guests for over 150 years. The castle has earned a long list of awards and accreditations during this time, and rightfully so!

This impressive architectural wonder, with its tall steeples and majestic forests, has something to offer everyone! Its interior is intricately designed, with scintillating marble flooring, romantic fireplaces, spiral staircases, and brimming, unashamed extravagance.

If you manage to pull yourself away from the opulent interior, you will get to experience what many call the “walker’s paradise” as the International Appalachian Trail passes by the castle. There are also many amenities, such as an indoor swimming pool, fine dining with local cuisines, and a luxurious five-star spa. There are many activities to participate in like horse riding, archery, kayaking, and even surfing – if you’re willing to make the trip to Rossnowlagh or Bundoran.

Daydream Vacations: the Galapagos Islands

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Groups, on 7 August 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

So you’ve crossed off the last item on your “to-do” list, and you have a few minutes of extra time. Even if you are actively counting down the days to your next dream vacation, it can’t come soon enough. Since instant gratification for wanderlust is so hard to find, allow us to introduce the next best thing: a daydream vacation.

Why not take a “me” moment right now? The beauty of a daydream vacation is you get to go any time, regardless of how many vacation days you have saved. Refresh your coffee, mute your inbox notifications, and pull in a few calming breaths. Ready? Great, because we’re going to the Galapagos Islands!

Pinnacle Rock

Our journey begins at Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island – the most visited island in the Galapagos. The cone you see is basalt formed from the eruption of an underwater volcano. Let your eyes slip out of focus as you breathe in the salty air and abandon yourself in reverie of the stillness around you.

Yosemite National Park

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Groups, skiing, on 5 June 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

With many of us planning to stay closer to home this summer, more and more people are looking at visting national parks, with Yosemite National Park at the top of their list.

Hiking, rock climbing, skiing, biking or plain nature sightseeing – Yosemite National Park is one of the best places in the United States to do all these and more. The natural beauty of the area, with its verdant forests, scenic meadows, gorgeous waterfalls and giant sequoias, qualify the park to be on top of any nature lovers must- visit US sites.

You don’t have to be in top form to fully enjoy the scenic vistas and picturesque views of the park. You can easily reach its attractions in your car or you can hop on the open tour bus for a scenic drive around the area.

Muckross House and Gardens | Ireland | Ingenious Travel

Ireland Travel – Your Top 13 FAQs

Posted in Europe, Groups, Ireland, on 21 February 2020, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

We’ve received over a dozen requests for Ireland over the last few weeks, along with a number of general questions. Here are the answers to the top 13 commonly asked questions we’ve received.

How is the weather?

Get the rundown on Ireland’s climate and seasons here.

How populated is Ireland?

Ireland’s population as of 2016 is estimated to be about 4.7 million – about the same number of people who live in the state of Louisiana.

Travels Come Alive with the Sound of Music

Posted in Family Travel, Groups, Movies/Television, Theatre, Theme Vacations, on 20 December 2019, by Maria Stefanopoulos, 0 Comments

In March 2020, Twentieth Century Fox is releasing the 55th anniversary of the classic hit movie, The Sound of Music. For those of you who don’t know, the film is set in Austria, and stars Julie Andrews who plays Maria. It’s based on the true story of the Von Trapp family of singers, and is a heartwarming tale about how music helps heal and bring a family together, even during the most devastating of times.

In celebration of the movie’s anniversary, we recommend heading to Salzburg to see the sights from the film. Watch or rewatch the movie on your flight over, and then visit all the stunning locations that were used as the filming locations or as inspiration for the scenes in the classic musical. The views you’ll enjoy will make you feel like you’re in the movie. We dare you not to hum or sing the most memorable tunes from the film as you tour the sights.

Love the Sound of Music as much as we do? Check out the 50th Anniversary Edition here.