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5 Hottest Destinations for Your Summer Vacation 2020

Published on February 18, 2020

Summer is fast approaching and much closer than you think. That said, if you are planning to have a vacation, you have to get it done right away. Early planning will help you to find the best airline rates and seat options. Also, it allows ample time to look for rentals or hotels in the area.

If you are on the hunt for an exciting new spot to visit, then lucky you! There are a lot of options to choose from; most of them are undoubtedly making a buzz this year. For a little help, below are some of the best places to travel to this summer. Read on!

Istanbul

As per The Points Guy’s research, Istanbul will be one of the top places this summer. The city brags its new airport and tons of flights anywhere in the US. Plus, lush hotels that will not empty your pocket, just be sure to book a room now through online booking sites like Planet of Hotels.

Other than that, Istanbul is unique and beautiful, and the city will be something out-of-the-ordinary from your usual European getaway. If you are an avid fan of football, then it is wise to visit Istanbul in May to witness the UEFA Champion League Final.

What’s more, there are a lot of things that you can enjoy in the city during the summer. You could rent a boat and have fun in the sun. Some tours can even take you to restaurants accessible by boat and small coves for swimming. Also, you can have a boat party at night.

Would you like to see the Prince Islands or unwind on the Sea of Marmara? If yes, then spend a day sailing. Be sure to drink raki and eat mezes to refresh yourself after a tiring day at sea.

San Diego, California

Is San Diego your chosen destination this summer? Well, it’s no surprise because the city has tons of things to explore and see, from adventurous trails to enchanting museums. Moreover, a visit to San Diego won’t be complete without going to the zoo.

For any summer vacation, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and San Diego Zoo are staples. Aside from seeing and meeting all of your loved animals from across the world, both parks provide interactive experiences.

After a trip to the zoo, you may want to hit the beach. The city has many public and private beaches that are undoubtedly worth your time or money. Each euphoric oasis has its own distinct beauty.

Additionally, don’t forget to visit the iconic landmarks in San Diego. Many attractions, places, and statues are part of what makes the city a top destination. Gaslamp Quarter is one of the iconic landmarks here. This neighborhood is filled with culture, entertainment, and excitement.

Tokyo

This 2020, the Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan. Thus, if you want to explore the city and do not mind lots of people, then summer is the perfect time to go to Japan. Aside from the 2020 Olympics, there are other things you can do in Tokyo.

One of the tourist attractions in Tokyo is the Shibuya Crossing. It is not just any crosswalk because it can be the busiest in the world, too, according to Lonely Planet. At peak times, there are roughly about 3,000 people crossing at a time.

What’s more, if you have a big love for animals, then here’s good news for you! The city has made a global reputation for its animal cafes. Aside from getting drinks and snacks, tourists can interact with tame, cute animals, like ferrets, meerkats, and hedgehogs.

Tokyo is uncomplicated to explore and tour around through public transportation. However, if you want a more affordable option, then opt for taxis.

Panama

Do you want to go to Central and South America? If yes, then rather than heading to Costa Rica, consider going to Panama, its neighboring country. The country has a lot more things in store for the tourists than its popular canal.

Although it is expensive to go to Panama compared to the other countries in Central America, its unparalleled beauty is worthy. Think of many deserted, idyllic islands across the warm seas, thick forests, and lots of creatures. Undoubtedly, the narrow land of Panama holds all this, and a lot more.

If you would like to see some natural wonders like waterfalls and volcanoes, then do visit the Boquete. This town overflows with flowers, plus you can see the Anton Valley, the biggest unoccupied sleeping volcano in the world.

The most popular and striking archipelagos in Panama are the San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean, as well as the Pearl Islands nestled in the Pacific. The latter was even featured on a reality show called Survivor. On the other hand, the San Blas Islands are popular for its artisans.

Dominica

There are tons of islands to visit around the world. However, Dominica undoubtedly stands out from the rest. The island features trails, beaches, rivers, mountains, and rainforests. So, if you are a big fan of cocktails, beaches, sun, and natural wonders, then Dominica is the best destination for you!

You can go scuba diving and see the colorful coral reefs underwater. Or you can enjoy a staycation with friends at hotels. Better yet, take a trip to the Indian River, enjoy the natural cold water pool at Titou Gorge, and visit the chocolate factory.

Takeaway

For a lot of people, they want to travel or visit other places during the summer months. And with plenty of options to experience longer days and warmer weather, it is pretty much difficult to decide which destination is ideal for you and your family. The list of places mentioned in this post will help you streamline your options. Be sure to weigh factors such as the weather, dining venues, lodging, entertainment options, and activities to find the best summer destination. So, book your trip now and enjoy the upcoming summer months.

The Best Cities You Want To Visit In California

Published on April 15, 2019

Travel

California is a really popular travel destination because of the fact that it is one of the world’s few destinations where you can find everything that you want. This includes elegant vineyards, ocean drives, expensive, mountains, lush forests, agricultural heritage and incredible cuisine. By visiting LuxuryRetreats.com you can find so many incredible underrated destinations and fantastic luxury retreats villa rentals in remote locations or in the top cities highlighted below.

Most people believe that California is just about surfers, movie stars and beaches. In reality, the diversity of the state is simply fantastic. You have access to all you want, in cities like the ones mentioned below.

Napa

Napa is renowned around the world for vineyards and wineries. These are world-class and can be toured with a group or on your own. You should also consider a visit if you just want to relax and sample wonderful cuisine. Seriously consider biking through vineyard roads and when in the area, check out Sonoma County, a location renowned for interesting wine-making.

San Francisco

If you visit California, you absolutely have to check out San Francisco for its stunning Pacific coastline, Victorian architecture, inclined streets and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The atmosphere in the city is quite liberal, with numerous LGBT communities. Also, seafood is really tasty and San Francisco is well-known for attractions like Union Square, Chinatown and Golden Gate Park. As an extra tip, if you have some extra time available, be sure that you check out the smaller quirky neighborhoods as they are quite a delight.

Monterey

Monterey is not that popular, especially when compared to destinations like San Francisco. However, it is an incredibly beautiful coastal town that has some stunning rugged landscapes to offer and a really rich heritage. You can so easily tie Monterey with literary and Mexican traditions. If you love art and history, this destination should be on your list. Monterey gives you access to that and some interesting travel activities like birdwatching, hang gliding, parasailing, kayaking and whale watching.

Fresno

Fresno offers great access to the well-known Yosemite National Park, being located in San Joaquin Valley. It is just 3 hours away from Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you are a traveler interested in visiting Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, Fresno is a great choice of a home base. To make matters even more interesting, when you visit you can quickly figure out the importance of agriculture in California since there are so many highly developed farming areas present, some of the best in the US.

Death Valley Junction

This is the lowest, driest and hottest city in the world so you may want to visit it. Landscapes are highly varied, ranging from mountains with snow tops to salt flats and sand dunes. You can actually see all this variation in just one day. Stop by some of the really popular destinations like Wildrose Charcoal Kilns and Zabriskie Points or some of the numerous local ghost towns.

Los Angeles

It is impossible not to think about Hollywood and Los Angeles when mentioning California. This is a city that has perfect weather and as you walk around its streets, it is hard not to recognize sights from really popular TV shows and movies. If you are interested in arts and business, Downtown LA is where you want to go and if you want to go for some shopping, you cannot beat Beverly Hills. When you visit LA, be sure to check out Santa Monica, Venice Boardwalk and at least one of the Sunset Strip music clubs. If your goal is to see how the rich and famous live, tours are run around the clock.

San Diego

The city is renowned for its naval operations, surfing, beaches and tourism. It is also quite a large hub for biotechnology, defense and telecommunications industries. The Mexican influence here can easily be felt, which is normal since it is so close to Mexico’s border. Tourists love the diversity that is present here, especially when it comes to cuisine. Even so, the huge draw is definitely the beach. If possible, be sure to consider other beach towns like La Jolla and Ocean Beach.

Mt. Shasta

This city is located, just as the name implies, at the base of Mount Shasta, which is 14,179 feet high. Every single day of the year you will experience natural beauty, with numerous outdoor activities being available. If you want to go hiking, you want to try the Siskiyou Trail as it has been used for hundreds of years now, ever since the Native Americans were around and needed trading opportunities.

Mt. Shasta is perfectly placed right in the middle of the distance between Oregon, San Francisco and Portland. This is why it is such a wonderful road trip destination. As a vacation destination, Mt. Shasta is growing really fast. This is due to numerous new luxury resorts, biking, mountain trekking and wilderness camping.

South Lake Tahoe

You want to check out this city to experience a huge lake, one of the largest in the entire world, located between Nevada and California. If visiting during winter months, you can easily enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snowboarding and skiing there. If you visit during summer, you will want to experience jet skiing, sailing, swimming, mountain biking and kayaking. The city may be small but it was built around tourism. This means you can find everything you want to see.

How to Find the Best Financial Advisor in San Diego

Published on February 28, 2019

Business

Hiring a financial advisor San Diego requires a disciplined process. You need to find someone whom you can work with for many years. This may take more time but you’re sure to have a peace of mind, knowing that you made the best choice. How do you find the best financial advisor in San Diego? Below are some helpful tips that will guide you to make the right choice.

Understand The Different Types Of Financial Advisors

There are different types of financial advisors. Before you hire one, make sure you understand what services they offer. Some financial advisors offer financial assistance but don’t offer investment management services. Some of them manage investments but don’t offer financial planning. Some of them have expertise when it comes to retirement income planning while some don’t. Some only focus on wealth accumulation.

To make sure you hire the best financial advisor San Diego area, you need to determine which type of financial advice you’ll need. You also need to know what type of services the advisor provides. What services do financial advisors provide?

1. Financial planning is focused on all aspects of financial life. That includes how much to save and what insurance is needed. In short, it’s not limited to investments.

2. Investments services are focused on investment management functions. That involves which investments should be owned in which accounts. Good investments are chosen as a part of a financial planning process.

3. Retirement income planning services are focused on coordinating all the key pieces. These pieces include taxes, social security, investments, pensions, and more. These should be in accordance with the goal of delivering a retirement paycheck.

Choose a Financial Advisor With Credibility

Not all financial advisors have the same credentials. Some of the organizations make credentials that are easy to obtain in exchange for a fee. Salespeople can simply pay the fee and acquire the credentials and act like experts. When hiring a financial advisor San Diego, make sure you check for their training for CFP (College for Professional). Also, check for their PFS designation (Personal Financial Specialist). You may also check their investment advisor who has the certificate for their CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).

These credentials can be obtained if they pass the examination. Financial advisers should be able to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter. In order to maintain the designation, an advisor should adhere to a policy with ethics, and to meet the education requirements.

It’s important to take note of these, as these would describe the kind of advisor you’re dealing with. In the absence of training and certificates, it’s best to look for another advisor.

Check the Credentials

For you to be sure that the advisor is legitimate, always verify the credentials. It also helps if you review the service record before you hire one. A financial advisor’s complaint history can say a lot about the service, too. You can check the records with FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and the SEC (Security and Exchange Commission). You can also check the records with the CFP board or with membership organizations the advisor is associated with. Customer complaints will always stay on the financial advisor’s record.

it doesn’t automatically mean that an advisor with complaints isn’t trustworthy. The longer the advisor is in the business, the more likely he or she is to have at least one complaint. But if the advisor has multiple complaints, you might just look for another one.

Understand the Compensation of a Financial Advisor

To make sure you’re hiring the best financial advisor in San Diego, then you need to know how they are compensated. Financial advisors are compensated through a number of ways. Some of them may charge an hourly fee, an asset-based fee, or through commissions. It’s best if you take this into consideration before you hire a financial advisor.

Look Up Reviews Online

The best way to narrow down your search is to read some reviews online. You can enter your specific criteria and zip code to search for financial advisors near you. This is a good way to find an advisor in your location that meets your requirements. If you couldn’t find one in your area, you can still find excellent advisors elsewhere. A lot of companies are working with their clients remotely. You can work with an advisor without having to meet face-to-face. Just make sure to do some research about the company first and read the reviews. Does the company have more negative reviews than positive reviews? You can eliminate the company with more negative reviews from your options and move on to the next.

Ask Questions Before Hiring

It’s very helpful if you know the right questions to ask. This will eliminate those who don’t communicate well with you. What are examples of questions you can ask?

How would you describe your ideal client?
How long have you been practicing?
How are you compensated?
What are your retirement planning options?

These are just a few of the questions you can ask. These will determine how well the financial advisor communicates. These will also help you get to know more about the advisor. The key here is to understand the responses. If you don’t, then don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions.

You can also ask for references. Because of privacy regulations, financial advisors aren’t allowed to provide the names of their other clients. If the advisor does, however, then move on to the next.

Know How to Identify Fraud Risks

When somebody has custody of your assets, then fraud is easily perpetrated. A lot of these advisors use a third-party custodian to hold your assets. When this happens, your accounts can be opened at a large firm. This gives the advisor the capability to place offers and trades on the account. The custodian will still report to you and do transactions with you. This is why you should be very careful or advisors who have custody of your assets.

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