Street performers, jugglers, and musicians fill the former marketplace of Place Jacques-Cartier. And Mount Royal rises above the center of the city, offering beautiful parks, hiking trails, and horseback riding. A 23-year-old intern at TravelMuse.com sold us on the idea after she called it her favorite all-around city. This gorgeous 2-minute video sealed the deal. We’re booking our tickets now for the summer. Winter is icy. Nearby La Jolla boasts swanky boutiques and posh shops, and Coronado Island lends a retro vibe and powdery soft beaches to your must-see list. Other places to see include coastal towns nearby like Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and Del Mar, home of the famous race track. The Del Mar Racetrack season runs from mid-July through early September. There’s also the very popular Del Mar Fair. Other great things to do in New Orleans and the surrounding area include bayou tours, architectural tours, and museums. In addition to the historical attractions and hiking possibilities, Dublin’s Temple Bar area, the narrow, cobblestoned streets near Christ Church Cathedral, is home to bohemian shops, a thriving arts scene, and plenty of late night clubbing. In short, there’s plenty to do here for teens, as well as enough nightlife to satisfy the 20-something crowd. If your family enjoys hitting the links, there are plenty of gorgeous golf courses in Ireland for you to try out. Going outside of the city to see the countryside is a day trip that’s worth the time, as the Irish countryside is unique and beautiful. It’s not “uber-developed,” she says, so prices are still low, but it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world discovers the Central American country’s beach towns, towering volcanoes, lush jungles, and great cities. They include Granada, a colonial-era jewel on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. There are ample opportunities to explore, she says, everything from coffee farm tours to petroglyphs, jungle hikes, and other adventures that will keep teens and 20-somethings enthralled.
