Hawaii is the perfect group vacation destination to charter a private jet to make it extra special. You and your family or friends can celebrate as you fly here in record time.  If you are departing from the United States, this beautiful set of islands is still within its borders, saving you on the cost and hassle of traveling across any international borders.  You can enjoy a glass of bubbly with your companions as you view the islands rolling up over the horizon.  In a couple hours you’ll find yourself transferring from the jet to the beach with none of the stress and annoyances of flying commercially. 

One of the biggest hubs is the ultra-modern city of Dubai.  This cosmopolitan city’s location is perfect for jet charter as it can take flights from all over Europe, Asia and the Americas. This city houses some of the tallest, greatest and most expensive man-made attractions, resorts and buildings. The Burj Dubai skyscraper is currently the tallest man-made structure ever built. The Burj Al Arab is the second-tallest hotel and sits on a little reclaimed island.  Dubai also hosts world-class shopping.  There is even a Dubai Shopping Festival every January, which promotes retail with events and prizes through-out the area’s massive shopping zones. 

It can be a little bit costly to fly using this mode of travel, but you can usually find these types of flights used for corporations, and other types of organizations. Traveling by a private jet charter service offers many wonderful benefits for the passenger. There's a reason the rich and famous want to fly using executive aircraft. Yet, with a charter plane service, one doesn't have the financial outlay related to ownership. Instead, the passengers can simply enjoy the rewards and not have any of the headaches.

Deciding the moment for take off comes with an inherent ease, the passenger just says when to be ready. When they arrive the plane takes-off. It is just that simple. And so is the choice of destination. A charter plane service can offer over 5,000 airports in the United States as destination, as opposed to just 500 for the commercial airlines. This means a charter can get you to cool places like Santa Fe and Martha's Vineyard, places where the commercial airlines do not go.

The costs can typically be very expensive, but some of those expenses can be split amongst a group of people for extra savings. This may be possible with a little planning. There are a lot of remote areas that do not enjoy the luxury of commercial flights. The runway may be too small or there simply is not enough traffic into the region to support regular flights.

A private jet charter might be the only option. Basically you rent the flight and the pilot out. Usually the cost of fuel and the pilot's time is how the fee is calculated. Depending on the distance and how much fuel it will take to get from the start to the destination. Each situation is different but you can expect to pay upwards of fifteen hundred dollars per person.

There are some jet charter flights that are meant for the pure luxury lover in mind. These flights are geared toward the rich and allow people to travel in style. These types of flights are purely for the comfort of the passengers. The passengers of these types of flights avoid having to wait on long lines at the airport and fly in comfort. The interior of these types of planes are made more like a lounge than an airplane flight.

Many companies fly their top executives on this type of flight, they are definitely a better way to travel. There are also some government officials that use these types of flights. There are also a lot of celebrities also choose to fly by private jet as well. These types of flights typically offer a lot more privacy than regular commercial flights.

A private charter flight many times is necessary and as many times it is purely an option. There are plenty of these types that are used every day. There are special logs that these types of flights have to fill out. The flights are strictly regulated and are safe.

Antibes is a superb choice for a little French holiday by the sea. It is nestled between Nice and Cannes makes it a great place to start a Eurail train tour of the Riviera. For five hundred years this spot was home to the Romans, who first established it as a holiday village.  It was eventually destroyed by Barbarians and did not regain its popularity until the 19^th century, when development started again.

 The ancient walls and narrow cobblestoned streets of Antibes Old Town are lined with small shops and restaurants. Don't miss the vibrant Provencal Market in the centre of Town. Visit the 17th century Chateau Grimaldi, home of the Picasso Museum which, in 1946, also was Picasso’s home for six months. When he donated all his works made here to the Chateau. Antibes also hosts one of the largest antique shows in Europe each spring. From then on until late September the roads and streets buzz with people from all over the world.

 The amusement park in Antibes is fun for children of any ageThere are 30 rides that appeal to children or anyone young at heart. There are also places where you can sit and enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner, or you can eat at any of their small cafes which offer a selection of beer and wines also.

Juan Les Pins and Ile St.Marguerite are just outside of Antibes and are lovely vacation spots as well. The Royal Fort here dates back to the 1600's and there’s a museum plus the cell where the Man in the Iron Mask is said to have languished. There are lovely walks along eucalyptus and pine tree-lined paths, to walk around the whole island takes about two hours.

 Biot is also small town near Antibes but is inland a bit. The village is best known for its glass-blowing - and there are many shops and workshops where you can watch the glassblowers at work and buy samples. There is a museum dedicated to the well known modern artist Fernand Leger on the edge of the town, with an interesting collection that showcases his entire career.

The Cap Ferret is one of the highlights of the entire coast. It can be explored by walking the coastal path that is made of three parts. At the tip of Cap Ferrat, is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, the "Grand Hôtel du Cap", set in a stunning garden.

 So if you are looking for another spot to mark on your Eurail map for a little beach time while avoiding some of its busier, bigger neighbours, pick Antibes. Make sure to check out the eurail global pass if you're going to be travelling for over a month in Europe!

Rome, the capital of Italy, is arguably the most famous city in the world.  Its history spans over 2500 years. What started as a small village grew to the biggest empire in the world and still draws global acclaim.  Today, you can still see this incredible history in the city, from the ancient Romans, the middle ages, the Renaissance and the modern era. So start your train tour in Rome, select a Eurail pass, and get ready to explore Italy.  Here are some major highlights of Rome to get you started.

The Coliseum is the symbol of Rome. This gigantic ancient amphitheatre in the center of the city, and you can just imagine the scenes that played out here between gladiators. This is the largest amphitheatre to ever be built in the Roman Empire and can seat up to 50,000 spectators. It was used for public spectacles such as executions, re-enactments of famous battles and animal battles, but this was all stopped in the early medieval era. Partially ruined due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Coliseum still attracts thousands of tourists each year. The Roman and Imperial Forums are made up of two public squares and market places that were at the heart of the ancient roman culture.

 Piazzas, fountains and monuments are everywhere in the center of Rome from ancient times. The fountains and piazzas are somewhat of a meeting place for locals and a place where tourists and locals mix together. Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the Rome. Completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini, the actual square that the fountain is located in sits in the heart of the Quirinale district in the centre of the city.  It runs from the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, water travels an impressive 20km from the Salone Springs to spring out of the fountain's mouths. The most predominant figure is Neptune, god of the sea who is flanked by two Tritons symbolising the contrasting moods of the sea.

The many museums of Rome and considered some of the best in the world. Rome as a whole is one huge art collection with monuments and art work on display at every turn. You should set aside a few hours to visit some of Rome's essential museums: the Vatican museums, Galleria Borghese and Galleria Doria Pamphilj.

The Vatican City is another top tourist destination in Rome and as such may get very busy at times. The Vatican City City is located in the middle of Rome and is an independent country with an area less than a half a mile. Only limited sections of the Vatican City are open to the public, but those available are exceptionally interesting and very popular with most visitors to Rome. Set aside a whole day if you want to take the full tour.

The churches of Rome are world-renowned. They feature in films like the Da Vinci code and are another popular tourist spot. Although your cruise may only be in port for one day you can still see much of the local culture. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest Catholic church in the world and one that is linked with Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and other famous artists.

The Pantheon is found in the Piazza della Rotunda and is one of the most fascinating structures in Rome. It once was the largest concrete structure in the world, the imposing pillars of the facade and the large dome body create an impressive juxtaposition. Once an ancient temple, from as early as 125 AD, it was later converted into the church of Santa Maria and Martyres where it remains, for the most part, fully intact.

Shopping in Rome is an adventure all to its self, and if you're going out of Rome then check out a eurail global pass.  While it can be expensive, Rome offer you its own style of fashion and items that you will not want to miss. So make sure to grab a few souvenirs and head to your next stop on your Eurail train tour of Italy.  Hope you enjoyed those attractions of Rome, but take note that there is way too much to mention here.

Saint Tropez is the jewel of the French Riviera. If you are touring the Riviera by Eurail Pass, take a day to visit this exclusive location. In the early days Saint Tropez was a fishing village established in 68 AD. Back then the Emperor Nero killed a Roman, named Tropes, because he declared his Christian religion in public. He sent his body out to the ocean. The boat washed ashore at the little fishing village and St-Tropez became a place of pilgrimage.

Saint Tropez serve as an important site for WWII and first found its celebrity status in 1956, when Brigitte Bardot decided live there after making a film there. Still to this day, celebrities and the ultra-rich come here to escape the crowds of the rest of the Riviera.

St-Tropez features charming lightly colored houses, the little twisting streets and the typical French squares where old men play petanque. It also features tiny exclusive boutiques and chic restaurants. Your best bet is to find a seat and a harbour side cafe, so you can people watch and check out the million dollar yachts floating about.  Saint Tropez also is home to some exclusive beach clubs and resorts, such as Nikki Beach, which are world-renowned.  There are also sailing races in the summer, and it really is a sight to see all the sails flying as boats race around the beautiful coast.

So if you are travelling by Eurail pass through the French Riviera, make sure to take a day to explore where all the celebrities go to get away from it all.

For an article on the surrounding region of Provence, click here.

In Europe, Scandinavia is a popular summer destination worth exploring and is a great reason to buy a Eurail select pass, as you can pick the countries you want to travel across.  By train you’re sure not to miss all the scenic beauty.  Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark make up this region and with a select pass you can plan your trip around this majestic region. Finland is the eastern most country in Scandinavia and even shares borders with Russia. It has had a turbulent time through the last century, but has risen to a highly modern country.  Helsinki is the capital and here are some attractions to check out.

Helsinki Railway Station is one of Helsinki’s landmarks.  It opened in 1919 and stands as one of Finland’s greatest architectural works.

Helsinki's Old Town is a popular tourist spot in Helsinki. While not as ‘old’ as most of Europe’s old towns, it features a blend of old with modern architecture and design.  

The Historic city center of Helsinki is where you will find hundreds of year old monuments, sights and attractions such as: City Hall, Helsinki Cathedral, the Market Square, the Old Market Hall and the Presidential Palace.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park in Helsinki is a very popular attraction for families with children, and celebrates a "Carnival of Lights" each October concluding the summer season.

Töölönlahti Bay is a park and bay that is even popular with local residents. Come here to relax and enjoy the warm summer afternoons. It also offers a Winter Garden, the Sports Museum and the Finnish National Opera, the Olympic Stadium and Finlandia Hall.

Hietaniemi Beach goes well with Finland’s warm summers.  One doesn’t think of beaches and Finland together, but Finland features over 300 islands and a 100km coast line.  This beach is perfect for swimming, but if it gets to crowded, head to Seurasaari Beach.

Museum Island is actually a small island and is one of the most popular tourist attractions here.  This open-air museum displays Finnish traditions and buildings from the 1700s to the 1900s and offers visitors workshops and events for the whole family in summer. Seurasaari is also the location for annual celebrations like Christmas, Easter and Midsummer's Eve in summer. 

The Suomenlinna Fortress was built in the 1700s on six islands and is also one of the top local attractions. There are about 800 inhabitants and you can enjoy different museums, shops, cafes, and restaurants for. It is also one of Finland's UNESCO world heritage sites.

I found Helsinki different than I imagined and really was an interesting and dynamic place.  I do recommend Helsinki if travelling Scandinavia by Eurail Select Pass to complete a tour of the area.

Click on the links below to learn about other train tours to other Scandinavian capitals:

Stockholm, Sweden

Copenhagen, Denmark

Oslo, Norway

While on a Eurail train tour of Italy, Scilly is the perfect summer stop.  This beautiful sun-soaked island has a lot to enjoy and is worth the ferry ride over.  It even has a few train lines for your convenience. Here you can enjoy the tastiest food and seafood, while enjoying the laid-back life style of the locals.  Here are several spots to visit during a visit here.

Palermo is one of the main cities in Sicily and sits on its west coast. It is famous for its Mafia history and has its own way of life and with some fantastic traditional restaurants.

Catania is the biggest city in Sicily and sits on the East coast, between the ocean and the famous and active Etna volcano. Catania has some amazing markets to visit and even boasts its own its own International airport which has recently been expanded and is well served by many major airlines.

Taormina is a hour drive south of Catania, is one of the stars of Sicily. Sitting on top of a cliff top and with a spectacular view of the Etna volcano, Taormina is a stunning village with Greek theatre and even a cable car to take you to the beach. There is a film festival here annually and many starts frequent this village.  This is often considered the most popular place to visit in Sicily.

Siracusa is also a popular place for both tourists and locals. This town has a beautiful town centre and is close to the coast and is more relaxed than the two big cities Palermo and Catania.

The Aeolian Islands are unbelievably scenic. Floating on the northern coast of the main island of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands include the islands of Stromboli and Vulcano. These islands offer you the chance to stay on a small volcanic island which offer views and landscape you have to see to believe.

Of course, anywhere on Sicily you can find a stunning beach to enjoy, so if relaxing sea-side is on your list, Sicily is the place for you. Click here for some travel tips on Milan.

Switzerland is an interesting and beautiful country that to visit any time of year.  It is a mix of its surrounding countries set to a beautiful mountain-filled land. One thing Switzerland has is the most dense and efficient railway system in the world.  It claims very short wait times and dinning or beverage carts available.  It also offers spectacular views of the Swiss Alps.  These are all great reasons to buy an Eurail pass for Switzerland. Plus if you buy an Eurail pass you get discounts on boat services through all of Switzerland’s pristine lakes.

One city you need to visit while in Switzerland is the cultural capital of Zurich.  This beautiful city is considered one of the best places to live in the world, with top companies placing headquarters there, such as Toyota, IBM, Google, Microsoft, eBay and General Motors.  Here are some popular things you can do in this fascinating cosmopolitan city.

If you are a football fan you’re in luck because that is the major sport in Zurich. The club which represents the city is called as "FC Zurich" which competes in the top level of Swiss football league. The Great church is a 12th-century cathedral possessing both historical and architectural significance. Its twin towers serve as perhaps the most recognizable landmark in modern Zurich. Old Town is the historical hub of Zurich. It features cobblestone streets, a variety of small stores and restaurants and many of the city's most significant religious landmarks. Bahnhof St. is a famous pedestrian street. It offers the luxury shopping opportunities for the rich and is also home to some of the world's biggest banks. Rote Fabrik, or the “red Factory”, is one of the biggest cultural centres in Zurich, is a hub for concerts, parties and festivals. There is also a theatre, bar and restaurant. And it’s located right near a beautiful lake. The Kunsthaus Zürich is definitely worth a visit, housing one of the largest collections of Classic Modern Art in the world, including words by Munch, Picasso, Braque and Giacometti.  St. Peter is one of the oldest churches in the city. This cathedral is best known for having the largest clock face in Europe.  

There are many different festivals and events to attend while here. The second biggest rave event after the Berlin Love Parade, is the annual Street Parade. It plans to bigger and crazier each year they have it in August.

There are even more places to visit such as Zoological Garden, Museum of Art and Opera House.  As you can see, there is a lot to enjoy in Zurich on a train tour of Switzerland.  Check out these links for two other great spots in Switzerland: Geneva and Bern. And make sure to click here if you're intersted in buying an Eurail pass for the summer.

Honolulu is one of the most gorgeous cities within Hawaii. A true tropical paradise, this city attracts millions of people every year as tourists and residents. For people seeking a great combination of private beaches and urban areas, Honolulu offers that great mix.

Honolulu is home to about 370,000 people. There are about 140,000 households in Honolulu, and they are homes to a very diverse population. Honolulu International Airport is located on the western side of Honolulu, and is a very popular source of transportation for residents of Honolulu. There are also some major freeways in Honolulu, which are Interstate H-1 and Insterstate H-201. Interstate H-1 provides residents with access to the Hawaii International Airport and connects Interstate H-2 and Interstate H-3.

For families with children Honolulu offers a great variety of educational opportunities. For public schools, there are over 30 schools within the area for elementary and middle school education. Some great public schools for elementary education are Aina Haina Elementary School and Liliuokalani Elementary School. The educational system in Hawaii offers competitive educations for children. There are over 30 private schools in Honolulu, giving you a wide variety to choose from.

Depending on your preferences, there are also a small group of religiously affiliated private schools you may wish to send your children. Some of the other best private schools are Academy of the Pacific, Calvary by the Sea School, Honolulu Waldorf School, and Montessori Center of Pearl Harbor. There are also many higher education opportunities for students that pursue a college education. University of Hawaii offers three locations for students, and Hawaii Pacific University is a private college that is also highly ranked. University of Hawaii also offers a law school for older students pursuing a law degree.

Depending on your price range, Honolulu offers something for everyone. The priciest homes will cost anywhere from $5 million to even $80 million. Typically, luxury real estate in Honolulu features breathtaking views of the ocean and real, secluded privacy. These properties are often situation in close proximity to Diamond Head and Koko Head. Some of these luxury properties are also designed by the most aesthetic and renowned architects in the world. Diamond Head Road is also one of the best locations to look for luxury real estate.

For the $1 million price range, buyers can typically find a range of great deals. Often these homes feature 5 bedrooms and are located in wonderful residential communities. For homes in the $800,000 price range, Waikiki also offers some great options. Typically many of these homes are condos and are located within high-rise buildings.

There are opportunities to purchase starter homes in Honolulu, and these can be a great option for single business people or newly wed couples. Mililani Town offers some of the best deals on starter homes. On Hokuloa Loop, specifically, starter homes can be discovered for $400,000 to $600,000. These properties often have lots of space in the backyard for children and are great for pets.

Waikiki offers great homes priced from $100,000 to $400,000 for families that are more budget conscious. Many of these homes are smaller in size or are condos. These homes and condos are also located in great school districts.

Some great reasons to consider moving to Honolulu are the low crime rates and lack of pollution. Hawaii is one of the most environmentally friendly states in the country. Honolulu has consistently been ranked as one of the safest cities in the United States.

The best reason to purchase a home in Honolulu, aside from it being a gorgeous paradise, is that it is a great investment. Historically, homes in Honolulu have continued to rise in value since the 1970s. Even with a rough economy, Honolulu real estate is still highly valued around the world. People from every country know about Honolulu and its gorgeous paradise and beaches.

Cities like Kalihi consistently reach home values that are 10-11% greater than the market's average. Since last year, Honolulu real estate is currently valued at 16.5% greater than it was last year.

Overall, Honolulu is one of the greatest cities in the world to live in, due to its great beaches, fun nightlife, and great schools. In addition, Honolulu is one of the most environmentally-conscious cities in the United States, meaning there is little to none air pollution. For those seeking investment real estate, Honolulu has historically provided some of the highest valued homes in the country. Purchasing a home in Honolulu will not only provide you with deep enjoyment, but also will be a smart investment.