By James Rothaar Oct. 7th, 2010

Luxury Vacations: While Philadelphia is a great place to vacation for a spectacular Fourth of July celebration, there is lot more to the City of Brotherly Love than its historical sights and world famous Philly cheese steaks. There is an abundance of activities and sights to see throughout the city year round. Three of the world's top luxury hotel selections, the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons, and the Sofitel are located in Philadelphia. Additionally, the Rittenhouse Hotel, a local establishment, is known worldwide for its top-drawer accommodations and first-class amenities.

In order to get a better feel for the area, we recruited the help of Adrienne Sasson, a local who also is the regional marketing director at Just toTravel, to assist in adding a personal touch to our Philadelphia experience. Adrienne suggests choosing a hotel that is nearby the most relevant venues and sights for you and your guests. Center City is to Philadelphia what Manhattan is to NYC.

"For those who love the theater and music, as well as shopping and the bustle of a downtown district, the Ritz-Carlton is first on my list. Being located on the Avenue of the Arts, you can walk to most of Center City's major attractions with ease," said Ms. Sasson. "Also, the most important theater arts venues such as the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts and Merriam Theater are within easy walking distance too." The city's historical attractions are close by as well and include Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House. All three are no more than a mile away from the Ritz.

The Four Seasons, which is located in Center City, attracts many visitors who are patrons of fine arts. Its proximity to the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Rodin Museum, the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Science Museum, and the Academy of Natural Sciences is ideal. Other historic sights and attractions nearby include the Boathouse Row and River Drive. The Rittenhouse provides a quick route to the city's excellent luxury shopping and fine dining options. Located in historically preserved Rittenhouse Square, the hotel is the quintessential Philadelphia lodgings, fusing the city's illustrious history and current prominence under one roof.

Adrienne's "must-see to really know Philly" lists includes the Philadelphia Zoo, Jewelers Row, the Philadelphia Library, the Stock Exchange, and the U.S. Mint. Additionally, the culinary world is flavorfully represented at the unique indoor Reading Terminal Market. There is an Italian market and a Chinese market among the special shops. Other hidden gems suggested by Adrienne are the Japanese House and Gardens, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Longwood Gardens, and the historic mansions in the nearby suburbs of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, the nation's fifth largest city, in a tie with Phoenix, possesses a small-town charm that makes it diverse and dynamic. By train, the home of the Liberty Bell is a two-hour ride from both NYC and Washington, DC. For more information on a customized Philadelphia city tour or for a luxury vacation anywhere in the world, contact Ms. Adrienne Sasson at Just to Travel.

Yo, Adrienne; thanks for the tour! (Sorry for the rocky ending; but we couldn't resist.)