Your Ultimate Vacation Destinations This Summer 4.8k SHARES Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WHAT'S THIS?
A view of Haunama Bay, a popular tourist destination in Hawaii. IMAGE: FLICKR, DANNY LUONG BY RYAN LYTLE AND ANA ROSENSTEINJun 15, 2014 Memorial Day has come and gone, and the official start of summer is just around the corner. With the changing of seasons come s thoughts of time away from school and work and, for many, vacation. SEE ALSO: The Top 10 U.S. Summer Travel Destinations for 2014 But where do you go? While some dream of beaches and bikinis, others desire historic landmarks in their travels, or good food and drinks or all of the above. To narrow down the ultimate vacation this summer, Mashable hosted a series of community polls to get your top choices on everything from the top international vacation to the top U.S. beach destination. Here are your picks for summer 2014: Best U.S. Destination
IMAGE: FLICKR, MASHABLE COMPOSITE, DARYL_MITCHELL Have you been to Hawaii? Honolulu topped our community poll for best U.S. destination this summer. If you're planning your first trip to Honolulu, here are a few travel tips:
What to see: If you're looking for some history while in Honolulu, there is perhaps no more iconic site than the USS Arizona Memorial, which commemorates the sailors and marines killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. What to eat: Hawaiian cuisine highlights locally-grown ingredients. Local restaurants offer farm-to-table food options and pu pu platters with poke (raw fish) dishes. For delicious poke bowls, check out Ono Seafood. Salt Bar & Kitchen and Alan Wong's Restaurant are two other must-go eateries to experience the delectable Hawaiian cuisine. Can't-miss event: Aloha Festivals is Hawaii's premier cultural shindig. It is a series of events that begin in early September to celebrate traditional Hawaiian music, dance and history.
Best International Destination IMAGE: MASHABLE COMPOSITE, TYLER TRONSON Florence topped other international cities such as Sydney and Cape Town for the top spot in our best international summer vacation community poll. If you find yourself in Florence this summer, here are a few helpful tips:
What to see: If you're in Florence, you won't want to miss out on seeing The Duomo. The Galleria dell'accademia houses a beautiful collection of Florentine paintings and sculptures by Michelangelo. The centerpiece of the museum is the original David, which is reason enough to make sure to stop by the gallery. What to eat: Florence is known for its anitpasti, ribolata and bistecca alla fiorentina. A few restaurants known for mastering the Floretine cuisine are L'Incontro, La Giostra and Trattoria Sostanza. Can't-miss event: The Estate Fiesolana is a festival stretching from June through the month of August. It takes place in Fiesole's churches and the Roman amphitheater celebrating theater, music, dance and film. The Fiesta Di San Giovanni on June 24 celebrates the patron saint. During the festival, fireworks light up the sky and thousands come to participate in the celebration.
Best U.S. Beach Destination IMAGE: FLICKR, MASHABLE COMPOSITE, ROBERT NEFF St. Petersburg, Florida won, by a long shot, best U.S. beach destination in our community poll. For Florida travelers, here are a few St. Petersburg travel tips:
What to see: While you're in St. Petersburg, take advantage of the bountiful sunshine. Jannus Live is an outdoor concert venue in downtown St. Petersburg that hosts an eclectic assortment of talent every weekend. When you've had enough sun for the day, St. Petersburg is also home to The Dali Museum, which houses a large collection of surrealist works. What to eat: St. Petersburg is on the coast, which means there is an abundance of fresh local seafood, particularly Grouper, the official fish of the city. Walt'z Fish Shak is a casual spot to enjoy the local catch of the day. Hurricane Seafood Resta urant and Crabby Bill's will also let you indulge in some of the great seafood the city has to offer. Can't-miss event: On July 25, St. Petersburg is hosting the Vans Warped Tour, a waterfront festival that will bring out more than 30 bands on five stages. The music will range from folk to pop to alternative, with bands such as Yellowcard and Sleeper Agent gracing the stage.
Best Family Destination IMAGE: FLICKR, MASHABLE COMPOSITE, PORT OF SAN DIEGO San Diego narrowly topped Orlando in a close battle for top family summer vacation in our community poll. If you're planning your first trip to San Diego this summer, here are a few travel tips:
What to see: If you want to swim, dive and snorkle with the fish, head to La Jolla Cove. Another must-see attraction is the the San Diego Zoo, which houses more than 3,700 animals and is one of the few zoos in the world possessing the giant panda. What to eat: San Diego is known for its unbelievable seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine. Its proximity to the coastline means the fresh fish can't be beat. For seafood, check out The Fish market and George's at the Cove. For Mexican fare, try El Agave Tequileria or Las Cuatro Milpas. Can't-miss event: Big Bay Boom is San Diego's annual Independence Day fireworks display. It is considered to be one of the best fireworks displays in the country, stretching across 14 miles and five locations. Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments. TOPICS: LIFESTYLE, SUMMER, SUMMER VACATION, TRAVEL, TRAVEL & LEISURE, VACATION, WORK & PLAY Powered by Livefyre