Okay, new graduates, you’ve worked hard, studied many a night away and sacrificed a social life, but you stayed focused and now you’ve made it!  If the moment feels more anticlimactic than triumphant, you may be suffering from a little academic burn-out.  Believe it or not, perhaps a reward is in order; after all, a future as a responsible contributing member of society awaits you so why not live a little first? Whether you are in the market for yourself or you hope to plant a persistent seed in the mind of a potential “big” gift-giver, check out these inspired and affordable post-graduation getaway trips.

Cruise on Down to the Caribbean
Picture yourself relaxing on the deck in a comfy chaise lounge, or dancing the night away in a cruise ship club. No teachers, no parents, no responsibilities—just you, vast expanses of turquoise-colored seas, maybe a few pals, and a good time. A cruise is an excellent way to clear the cobwebs from your mind and de-stress from life as a dedicated student. A Caribbean cruise ups the ante by blending the perfect amount of R&R with oodles of fun activities. If you think a Caribbean cruise is out of your financial reach, prepare yourself to think again! Depending upon which cruise line you book with, these trips can be as inexpensive as $800 to $1,000, all-inclusive. You’ll have the option to stay aboard and get your relaxation on, or depart for a few adventurous excursions such as biking tours, Rio Grande river-rafting, Acapulco famed cliff-diving or exploring Aruba’s historic gold mine ruins.

Tour Europe on a Budget
Once you get the airfare out of the way, which is pretty reasonable in recent years, it’s easy to travel Europe on a shoe-string budget. This form of touring is suited for adventurous outdoorsy types who don’t mind crashing in a hostel and taking advantage of cheap public transportation. Hostels typically cost between $6 and $20 dollars per night, depending upon the desired amenities, but the mostly free sightseeing makes up for this cost. You can scope out Buckingham Palace and witness the changing of the guard in London, then hotfoot it over to Paris to see the wonders of the Louvre museum. Rome is another European destination filled with amazing sights to see. Check out the coliseum, the Vatican and a score of ancient ruins for pennies or less.

Say Hello (Aloha) to the Hawaiian Islands
There are valid reasons why Hawaii is among the top destinations for fresh graduates: It’s part of America, it’s affordable, it’s gorgeous and it’s packed with adventure and fun. Any one of the islands will ensure good times, but many people like to avoid the inevitable tourist hordes and experience the state’s lesser-known islands. These little gems typically offer the same activities available in larger cities such as surfing, snorkeling and trekking, plus you might get the chance to witness or participate in authentic Hawaiian culture. For those who want to mingle with like-minded contemporaries, consider the famed Grad Week Pass which offers access to nearly all of Hawaii’s most-loved pastimes at a fraction of the cost.

Be Captivated by Cancun
Mexico has been controversial for pirate activity and other negative elements in recent years, but Cancun is typically a safe destination. Graduates with an eye on maximizing social activities might enjoy a visit to the city’s famous Hotel Zone, known for its nightlife and multitudes of youthful partying. Those with a preference for extreme sports and outdoor activities usually choose to save their strength for trips to the Great Mesoamerican Reef, which is the second largest reef in the entire world. Past visitors claim that the snorkeling, diving and fishing there is the best on the planet. Other unique Cancun excursions include restaurant tours to sample local delicacies and observing authentic Mexican artisans at work in the friendly and inspiring Mercado 28 outdoor market. Touring ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza or Talum is yet  another popular Cancun activity.

Olivia Nicholas is a writer and a traveler.  She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work, and in her spare time works as a freelance writer for Storkie.

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The cemetery has become a popular tourist destination for a number of reasons. It may be that the visitors are fascinated by gravestone symbolism, or that they want to be scared so that they can escape the tedium of everyday life. Some visitors go to find the final resting places of their favourite artists or celebrities, or simply to explore the way in which death is celebrated amongst other cultures or religious domination’s. Ultimately, there is something appealing about being so close to the dead – a morbid fascination that draws people to investigate the afterlife by coming into contact with the dead. Whatever your reason, there are certain graveyard tours available that are sure to interest you regardless of your reasons for visiting the homes of the dead.

The 8 Best Graveyard Tours In The world

There are numerous reasons why people visit graveyards. Each one seems to have its own unique character and atmosphere, and whether you are looking for the grave of a great artist, feel the urge to get a thrill from something spooky, or simply want to admire the sombre beauty of Gothic architecture and gravestone symbols, there is a graveyard tour that will satisfy your urge. The 8 best graveyard tours, in no particular order discussed in these articles are:

• Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires
• Pere Lachaise, Paris
• Tikhvin, St Petersburg
• St Louis No 1, New Orleans
• St Mary’s, Whitby
• The Catacombs, Paris
• Salem Cemetery, Salem
• Avalon Cemetery, Soweto (Johannesburg)

Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires

A cemetery that houses the remains of Argentinean icon Eva Peron. This tour comes highly recommended because of the top class ghost stories on offer, the presence of famous Argentine historical figures, and of course the beautiful location itself.

Pere Lachaise, Paris

A tour that would definitely appeal to those who want to see the graves of famous figures throughout history. This massive cemetery houses figures from Jim Morrison to Chopin, and can provide a chilling insight into their preferences as highlighted by their choice of final resting place.

Tikhvin, St Petersburg

A cemetery that has several attractive tourist features which will excite any potential visitor. Famous Russian icons like Dostoyevsky and Stravinsky lie in this stunning Gothic cemetery that is positioned next to a famous monastery. Apart from the graves themselves, the Gothic architecture and churches of the monastery make this cemetery an absolute must see.

St Louis No. 1, New Orleans
New Orleans is world-renowned as the home of voodoo, and the sweltering atmosphere in this cemetery, with its unique smells, music and atmosphere confirms the occult feeling that visitors are looking for. This huge cemetery, which has streets of its own, is also alleged to be the resting place of the voodoo queen Marie Laveau!

St Mary’s, Whitby

A truly gorgeous cemetery in England that lies alongside a harbour. Apart from the picturesque setting, this site also offers unusual gravestones like that of “Humpty Dumpty” and “Tom Thumb”.

The Catacombs, Paris

Paris is known as the city of love, but beneath the streets lies the underground world of the dead. Due to space restrictions, many skulls and bodies have been stacked beneath the city. Although tour opportunities are limited they can be arranged by special request, for those who are truly dedicated.

Salem Cemetery, Salem

The home of the famous Salem witch trials – this is a specialist cemetery that brings many visitors who wish to see the place where the innocent (or were they?) witches lie.

Avalon Cemetery, Soweto

A huge and stark cemetery that is open to the public for touring, which captures the horrific effects of Apartheid.

Kristy is an avid ghost hunter and freelance writer for Life Insurance Finder. Ever wondered the meaning of death and gravestone symbols? or wondered what happens online when you die?

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If adventure sports are your thing then Peru certainly has a lot to offer. With beautiful coastline, jungles and mountains, it’s a paradise for those with an adventurous disposition. Outdoor activities include river-running, paragliding, rock climbing and scuba diving. Here’s our short guide to some of the best adventure sports locations to for holidays in Peru.

Surfing in Lima

Lima, the capital of Peru, has 250 kilometres of beaches with great surf break. For beginners, Redondo and Makaha beaches are perfect. More experienced surfers may prefer La Herradura and experts will want to hit up the waves at Pico Alto, if the swell is big it produces one of the largest, most terrifying waves in South America. Caplinas, which is right next to the city, is a very rapid wave and again only very experienced surfers should attempt – however owing to it being close to shore – this break is perfect for watching pros strut their stuff.

Altogether, Lima has surfing options for everyone from beginners to the pros and while something of a tourist trap, Waikiki, a beach near Miraflores  is perhaps the best place to start out, as it welcomes inexperienced and experienced surfers, has regular waves and a sandy bottom.

Rafting on the Urubamba River

The winding Urubamba River is a headwater of the Amazon River and a great rafting spot. Guided options included one, two and three day trips that cover the three most exciting sections of the river.

A trip will usually start with easy rapids, which are good for gaining experience or retraining beginners. However, during the dry season, the rapids will be low and can be a bit too slow for those with more experience – despite this it is always important to get to know the people in your raft and ensure that you have confidence in them with the bigger stuff to come.

The Urubamaba’s second section is the most popular section, as it has some fast rapids. However, individuals who are new to the sport should still be able to handle the trip, particularly after they’ve acquired some experience on the easier rapids upstream. Here, you can hit rapids that range from bumpy grade two to a foaming grade five monster, depending on how far down you go.

Another section of the river can take participants closer to Machu Picchu and is only available to experienced white water rafters, as near constant, fast white-water and very large rapids should not be attempted by inexperienced rafters.

If possible it’s really worth making a trip on the Urubamba River during the wet season, when the water is higher so the rapids are faster but not necessarily more dangerous. If you travel with a guide, you may hike to notable locations nearby.

Hiking the Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world, at about double the depth of the Grand Canyon in the United States. While it may not have the sheer sides of its US counterpart, it is a superb location for hiking. There are a number of guided tours but it’s worth bearing in mind that the hikes are tough, the ascents and the descents are hard on your body – so you need to be in good shape. The Colca Canyon is also the prime spot for seeing the Andean Condor, as it will often soar on thermals created by the canyon in the early mornings – although unfortunately it is now considered to be a near threatened species – in part due to loss of habitat.

Adventure sports are at their finest in Peru. The country’s varieties of settings make it ideal for people who enjoy the exhilaration of a thrilling, breath-taking sport.

Jonathan is a keen travel blogger who enjoys nothing better than writing about his holidays in Peru and elsewhere

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Jet-skiing is an exhilarating past time! The thrill of riding the waves under the hot rays of the sun with the wind whipping through your hair; what could be better on a summer day? Whether you’re looking for a place to try out your sea legs or you’re a jet-skiing veteran looking for some new water, you’ll want to check out these top ten jet-skiing destinations in the United States.

1. Greer’s Ferry Lake – Arkansas

Over 40,000 acres of water and 340 miles of shoreline make this a jet skier’s paradise. The clear, clean water offers a safe place to play and over 1200 private and public campsites provide a great place to spend the night.

2.St. Andrews Pass – Florida

If you’re an experienced rider, you’ll love these waters. The breaks are excellent but novice riders may be put-off by the rocks close to shore.

3. Lake Tarpon – Florida

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Top speeds are easily reached on this wide open lake. Experienced riders will enjoy the thrill of jumping ramp waves as they speed across the open surface.

4. Lake Allatoona – Georgia

If you feel like racing, head to the lake and challenge one of the many jet skiers that can be found cruising the channel. Guests report that gas can be fairly expensive here so it may be best to bring your own.

5. Lake Michigan – Illinois

A day on the lake is a cheap ticket at only $15. If you head to the lake, look for Rock River which allows for a 45 mile ride on calm waters.

6. Lake Bistineau – Louisiana

The lake is 14 miles long and about 1.2 miles wide, making it a great place for any manner of water sport. Located close to Shreveport, plan on spending a weekend and seeing the sites.

7. Edgewater Park – Ohio

Located in Cleveland, this park is popular with locals and tourists alike. Cruise about a mile down the coast and you’ll find 30 restaurants and bars that offer docking for personal water craft.

8. Columbia River – Oregon

The stunning views make a ride down this chilly river well worth it! Feel like a long day? Cruise the entire 80 miles down this quarter mile wide water way.

9. Lake Buchanan – Texas

One of the largest lakes in the entire state, the waves can get incredibly high; unusual for the average lake. Riders love this lake because the crowd is always fairly small which makes riding a breeze.

10. Lake Roosevelt – Washington

Named after the President, the river is miles wide and on the perfect day, breezes cause small waves enabling riders to catch maximum air.

Jet skiing is a fantastic water sport sure to thrill the novice and experienced alike. Before heading out on the water, be sure that your jet ski is properly insured; accidents do happen even to the most careful of riders!

Photo credit: Ben Aboard Jet Ski by Jennifer Morrow/flickr

Timothy Petersen is an avid water sports enthusiast and content contributor for SkiSafe.com, a Boat Insurance provider specializing in PWC insurance for jetskiis, yachts, fishing boats, and more.

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Juneau is a fascinating city, surrounded by vast mountains and glaciers on all sides. It is the most frequently visited city in Alaska and is located in a stunning location on a narrow salt water channel. Virtually all of the cruises to Alaska will stop off in Juneau, so we have put together a guide on the Top 3 Shore Excursions on offer to all cruisers visiting this brilliant city.

1. The Mount Roberts Tramway

The Mount Roberts Tramway, despite being one of the cheapest options, is one of the most exciting shore excursions in the whole of Alaska. As you depart your cruise ship, you will be collected by a tram close to the docks before being whisked high up into the amazing mountains that overlook the city! Here you will have a chance to follow one of the various hiking trails and take in the fantastic views and scenery. Suitable for people of all hiking abilities and experience, this wonderful excursion is sure to live long in the memory.

2. Mendenhall Glacier River Rafting

The Medenhall Glacier River Rafting is an ideal excursion for those of you who are heavily into incredible wildlife and amazing scenery. Visitors are always promised an unforgettable experience, whether you are a beginner or an experienced river rafter! After departing the cruise docks, you will be taken on a very short bus ride to the base of the immense Medenhall Glacier, via the visitor’s centre. Upon boarding your river raft, you will set off on a trip down the Medenhall River and travel past the amazing face of the Glacier!

3. Helicopter Flightseeing and Glacier Trek

The fantastic Juneau Helicopter Flightseeing and Glacier Trek is suitable for people of all experience levels. Beginners are always welcome, with an orientation session that teaches all of the required skills provided before you start. Before being allowed to spend time on top of a glacier, exploring it up-close, you will first be taken on an aerial tour of all of the Glaciers, looking down on them from a helicopter. After this you will be provided with full ice-climbing equipment and an ice axe for your hands on, breathtaking Glacier experience!

 Written by Ellis Green of LoveCruise.co.uk, a UK Cruise company specializing in Alaska Cruise Deals and Cruises from Barcelona

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Imagine coming upon a pride of lions striding in their majestic way or the fierce eyes of a tiger watching you from behind the bushes or even a gazelle speeding past you – all in real life.  So pick up your camera and visit these destinations to get acquainted with the other half of the world’s population.

Kenya

1. Watch the annual migration of the wildebeest during July and August at Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This moving sea of herbivores crosses over open savannahs and river in millions – a sight to see from a distance.  The animals return to Serengati in October or November after feasting on the Masai Mara grass.

Masai Mara is bursting with other animals like leopards, gazelles, zebra, lions, hyena, cheetah, jackal, giraffe, impala, bat-eared foxes and rare sights of the shy black rhino.  You can feast your eyes on these collections at ease if you are here during the yearly wildebeest migration.

Zambia

1. The “walking safari” at the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia may leave you gasping for more such heart fluttering experiences.  The vehicle safaris will take you past swamps filled with hippos, crowned cranes swooping low over the grassland, antelopes grazing languidly, baboons taking cover and large herds of elephants noiselessly walking by.  This place is believed to be populated by more than 60 species of animals and about 400 kinds of different birds – quite a concentration of wildlife in one area.

India

1. The snow leopard is a rare carnivore to be found in the high altitudes of Ladakh in India.  The distinct alpine atmosphere of Ladakh houses some more rare animals, birds and flowers.   Patience and some trekking can reward you with sightings of ibex, wild yak, blue sheep, and bharal and at a lower height you may even come across the musk deer.    If you are a bird watcher you are in the right place because here you may never want to put down your binoculars.  Watch out for the Bactrian magpies, grey tits, kite, kestrel, Turkoman rock pigeon, finches, larks, desert wheateaters and black necked crane, bar-headed geese and ducks near the lakes.

1. Ranthambore National Park in India is an extensive wildlife sanctuary.  Tigers are its most popular inhabitants and often sighted even during the day time.  It is not rare to see a mother tiger tending to her young ones out in the open or stalking her prey silently.  Since tigers are hunting you will get to see many smaller mammals roaming the green stretches of this park; and don’t forget to look up into the trees for a variety of colorful birds.

Argentina

1. For marine wildlife close to the shore come to the Peninsula Valdes in Argentina, a world heritage site.  The shoreline has gulfs, rocky cliffs, shallow bays and lagoons.  You will also find sandy dunes, small islands and pebbled beaches.   The southern elephant seal has the highest population here compared to the rest of the world and it is increasing.  The southern right whales have found these shores to be the safest for mating and giving birth.  You can watch the southern sea lions in great numbers over here, as they too find this spot safe for breeding.   Watch the local orcas hunting the young sea lions and elephant seals by snatching them off the shallow surf.  The Magellan penguins live here in large numbers as well.

About The Author: Elias Cortez is a freelance writer and the editor of www.topnetbookpicks.com – a website which provides detailed reviews and information for popular netbook models such as the nb305-n310 and the top netbooks for 2011.

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One of my pet peeves is arriving at a hotel or resort and discovering that I’ve forgotten my sunglasses, or packed a pair that doesn’t fit the type of activities I’ll be participating in while on my vacation. I used to do this all the time, but I’ve learned to plan ahead and pack the appropriate pair of sunglasses for each trip. Here are some hints on how to know which sunglasses to pack (or buy) for your next vacation.

Prescription Sunglasses

If you wear glasses and don’t own a pair of clip-on sunglasses, then it is pretty much a given that you’ll want prescription sunglasses for your vacation. In fact, you may want to consider investing in a pair that you can use when you’re at home too-they are very handy to have. If you don’t want to buy a pair of prescription sunglasses, there is always the option of wearing contacts and using a pair of regular sunglasses.

Sunglasses for Recreation

If you plan to go backpacking, skiing, whitewater rafting or to participate in other outdoorsy activities, a cheap pair of sunglasses from the local drugstore is not going to cut it. You want something that will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and something that is durable enough to hold up through rough treatment. The best type of lens material for athletic sunglasses is NXT polyurethane. Lenses made from NXT polyurethane are lightweight, durable and have superior optical quality. Unfortunately, these sunglasses are also extremely expensive, so only buy them if you plan to use them on a regular basis. Otherwise, a good alternative is polycarbonate or acrylic lenses.

Depending on the type of activity you participate in, you’ll want to use the right lens color. Color neutral lenses that are grey, brown or green in color cut through glare and are great for rock climbing. On the other hand, yellow and amber tinted lenses enhance depth perception and are ideal for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports.

If you are involved in water sports such as canoeing or whitewater rafting, your best bet is to get sunglasses with polarized lenses. They are wonderful for reducing glare. You will also want to invest in sunglasses straps in order to avoid losing your sunglasses in the water.

Fashionable Sunglasses

If you plan on spending more of your vacation time shopping or visiting various tourist destinations, you should get a pair of sunglasses in a style that will fit in with that worn by natives of the place you’re visiting. You may also want to keep up on eyewear trends so that you don’t end up wearing an overly dated pair. Sunglasses serve as a fashion accessory and can make or break an outfit, so be sure to keep your current wardrobe, and personal style, in mind when choosing a pair of sunglasses. And remember, you don’t need to break the bank to find a stylish pair of shades.

Sara Roberts is a content contributor for Just Eyewear, an online glasses retailer. Learn how you can buy glasses online and save hundreds off your next pair.

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Tourists are queueing up to visit the world’s first hotel with a millions stars.

Monika Fritz came up with the idea after cutting a hotel shape into her wheat field – and then putting beds in the middle giving guests an uninterrupted view of the heavens – and what she estimates is at least 1 million stars or more.

But she says: “Although some people are rather sceptical, the breathtaking view at night makes it worthwhile to visit.

“The air is always fresh and there is no street lights around here so nothing to disturb the view of the heavens.”

The price for one night at the hotel located outside the German city of Bad Kissingen varies between 3 and 7 Euros – which Monica says is not one bad value for a millions star rating.

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