Maui and Molokai by Air
December 31, 2007
Maui and Molokai by Air
by: Andrew Crawford
Maui is one of my favorite places in the world. I have been lucky enough to live here for about seven years, and have explored the island extensively. Recently, I was given the opportunity to take a ride on an a-star helicopter and see Maui and Molokai from the air. It was completely amazing to see the areas of both islands that I had never seen before. The only way to see many of these places is by helicopter, since dense foliage and steep mountains protect them, and they were certainly some of the most beautiful areas I have experienced in Maui.
The day started early, at about 6:30 am with a trip to Bad Ass coffee for the necessary wake-up ingredients. I love the coffee there, especially the 100% Kona dark roast, which is rich in flavor and not a bit bitter. An early morning start meant I would avoid the possibility of tradewinds making my flight bumpy, and avoid heavy morning traffic on the trip from Lahaina to Kahului. The drive went well, taking about forty minutes to arrive at the heliport, and we were lucky enough to see a couple of whales along the way.
Cheap Weekend Breaks & Short City Breaks to Amsterdam!
December 31, 2007
Cheap Weekend Breaks & Short City Breaks to Amsterdam!
by: Annie Jones
Plan your city break to Amsterdam, now whilst airfares are still low and the city remains unspoilt before the hoards of tourists and stags discover this latest new destination.
With your next weekend break you must plan a holiday package to the Cultural Capital of Holland, Amsterdam. With its beautiful canals running through the city centre, Amsterdam earned itself the honorary name of “the Venice of the Netherlands”. Amsterdam is physically small, beautiful, relatively quiet, and an unusual city in that it has all the advantages of a big city - culture, history, food, entertainment, good transport.
If you’re planning a short city break to Amsterdam, there are a lot of places you shouldn’t miss. The largest park of the city, Vondelpark, close to the Leidseplein and the big museums, is always alive with skaters, joggers and all sorts of street performers. During your city break you must visit Amsterdam’s most famous day market, with stalls lining both sides of the Albert Cuyp street. The canals of course are one of the major attractions of the ‘Venice of the North’. By daytime already very charming, by night they become even more enchanting because a lot of the canal houses and bridges are beautifully illuminated. The flower market on the Singel between the Munt tower and the Koningsplein is one of the most colourful, sweet-smelling sightseeing.
Cruising with Children
December 30, 2007
Cruising with Children
by: Bruce Pickett
Up until a few years ago, the words “cruise vacation” and “children” were seldom uttered together, and if they were, it was usually during a discussion of who would babysit while the parents went on a cruise. Most people would not even consider taking their children on a cruise vacation, and those few brave souls who did were often viewed with disbelief.
Those days are gone. Family cruise vacations have exploded in popularity, with more and more cruise lines catering specially to the needs of families with children of all ages. Now when it comes to cruising with children, your choices are many and your biggest challenge will likely be choosing from the amazing selection of cruise options.
Getting started
The first step to successful cruising with children begins with the planning. Include your children in the planning process as much as possible; after all, it is a family vacation and the trip will go much better if everyone has had at least some input from the start. Set an expectation up front that adults will make the final decisions but that everyone in the family will have some input.
The Luxury Of Traveling With Yacht Charter Companies
December 29, 2007
The Luxury Of Traveling With Yacht Charter Companies
by: Clinton Maxwell
Luxury is something everyone deserves from time to time. Such an indulgence can make a vacation a truly rejuvenating experience. One of the best ways to get the luxury of the rich and famous to fit into your budget can be yours through yacht charter companies. These companies specialize in creating custom sailing vacations that redefine travel.
Planning Your Luxury Trip
With your budget in mind, it is easy to plan a chartered yacht vacation. Companies often have a fleet of sailing vessels that can accommodate parties of various sizes. You may want to make it a more intimate trip with only close family. There are charters that can be rented for as few as two people. These include either a sailboat or motorboat and can come with or without a crew and captain to sail the ship for you. If you choose not to hire a crew, you will have to show that you are knowledgeable of sailing and can handle the ship competently.
Camp Out at Fort Wilderness
December 28, 2007
Camp Out at Fort Wilderness
by: Jose Negron
The Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground continues its tradition of being one of Disney World’s best kept secrets. The only campground at the Walt Disney World Resort offers a tranquil getaway for families and couples alike. Relax within the confines of the lush Florida landscape lined with rustic woods teaming with friendly, local wildlife.
Where can I stay?
For the well-traveled visitor, Disney provides top-notch hook ups for mobile RVs. The adventurous crowd is encouraged to pitch a tent and unwind in secluded campsites after a long day at the parks. If your party values the pleasures of comfort and convenience, make yourself at home in the spacious Fort Wilderness log cabins. Each fully air-conditioned cabin comes equipped with cable TV, VCR, kitchen, daily housekeeping, and a charcoal grill for cookouts. All guests are invited to take advantage of strategically placed ‘Comfort Stations’ which include private showers and laundry services.
There always something to see and do!
Visit West Palm Beach Florida
December 27, 2007
Visit West Palm Beach Florida
by: David G. Hallstrom, Sr.
Just accross the Lake Worth Lagoon from Palm Beach sits the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, a 55 square mile city with a population in excess of 82,000 situated on the Intercoastal Waterway.
Staying in West Palm Beach puts you right in the middle of things but costs less than staying in Palm Beach. You are right next door to Palm Beach with it’s luxurious resorts and beaches, minutes from Boca Raton and just over a one and one half hour drive north of Miami Beach.
Stay at the West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 833-1234, or the Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach Hotel, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, (561) 689-6400 (Note: At this time the Crown Plaza is closed due to damage from Hurricane Frances, but will be reopening soon.), or the Courtyard By Marriott West Palm Beach, 600 Northpoint Parkway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, (561) 640-9000, or the Hilton Palm Beach Airport (A 100% non smoking hotel.), 150 Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33406, (561) 684-9400, or the Radisson Hotel Palm Beach Airport, 1808 S. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, (561) 689-6888. There are also a large number of even less expensive hotels in and around the city.
Amorgos And Its History
December 26, 2007
Amorgos And Its History
by: Jakob Jelling
Amorgos is one of the most visited islands in the Cyclades of Greece. This island has a size of about 120 km2 and inhabited by around 1800 people can be found at the east of the Cyclades, next to Dodecanese. Anciently called Minoa, the origins of this city and its population can be found strongly attached to the Cretans who are believed to be the first inhabitants in this island.
The island of Amorgos counts with a very rich and interesting past, and therefore all those who enjoy historic spots would be able to have a great time while visiting it. Many centuries ago, Amorgos was used by the Ionians in order to go from their islands to mainland Greece. Many constructions and elements from such époque can be still observed nowadays since was important in shaping the island’s culture and traditions.
Three of the main and most antique cities in Amorgos can also be still visited nowadays. These three cities are Militos, Efessos, and Alikarnasos and also are strongly attached to the époque in which the Ionians used to go through this island in order to reach mainland Greece in such a way that each one of them can tell a bit of the history of those days. These three cities count with the peculiarity of being autonomous although they share a same currency and have many other aspects in common as well.
RV Camping
December 26, 2007
RV Camping
by: Steve Gillman
RV camping can make for a great trip almost anywhere, but I think it is best in the west. In many areas, you can just drive into the desert, and stay free for up to two weeks. It’s true of most BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) and national forest lands, and many state forest lands too. You have to move every two weeks, but how far is open to interpretation, and mostly yours will be accepted.
Long Term RV Camping on BLM Land
RV camping, or “boondocking” is growing in popularity. In fact, the BLM has begun to establish special areas for longer stays, particularly in Arizona. A permit fee is around $140 now, but this allows you to stay up to six months, and you get pump stations, dumpsters and water. People are living in some of these areas. It’s cheaper than paying property taxes or rent for a lot to park on.
RV camping is common in Winter in Arizona. One of the largest gatherings of “boondockers” is in Quartzite. Several hundred thousand people spend at least part of the year in their RVs here. It’s near the California border, on Interstate 10, only 20 miles from the Colorado River. Surrounded by BLM lands, Quartzite is famous for gem shows, swap meets, and the multiplying of its population each winter.
Time to Explore? Have Fun at Caribbean Festivals
December 25, 2007
Time to Explore? Have Fun at Caribbean Festivals
by: Jennifer Smith
The Caribbean is best-known for its role as wintertime haven from the snow and ice, but the islands’ year-round warmth island the only reason to visit. Though it’s always easy to find something to do on these islands, festivals can be a great way to explore island culture.
Carnival Events
The most widespread Caribbean festival is Carnival, which is sometimes spelled “Carnaval.” Though most islands celebrate this annual event just before Ash Wednesday, the dates do vary from island to island. This event is often described as an island-wide party, so parents with younger children may not choose Carnival as the most appropriate festival, those interested in experiencing a genuine slice of island culture will usually enjoy this event.
These traditional Carnival dates are followed throughout much of the French and Dutch Antilles: Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthelemy, Saint Martin - but not Sint Maarten; Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The Dominican Republic, Dominica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago also share these Carnival dates.
Visit The Sand And Surf Of Watergate Bay
December 24, 2007
Visit The Sand And Surf Of Watergate Bay
by: Steven Cronin
The coastal road from Newquay snaked its way eastwards atop the high, craggy cliffs sculpted by the relentless Atlantic Ocean. Suddenly the road dipped and wound steeply towards sea level. Cars were parked everywhere; almost all had surfboards strapped to their roofs. This was Watergate Bay.
I turned into a car park and waited at the entrance. Just to my right a small, open camper van laid dormant. It had certainly seen better days and judging from the bodywork wouldn’t travel very far. Well, that and the fact it had no wheels and appeared to have taken root. The bed and kitchen utensils suggested someone might actually be living in it.
Suddenly, your stereotypical surf-dude emerged: medium length bleached blond hair, Bermuda shorts, and a cannabis induced lazy grin that made you feel as if you were missing out on something. (Actually I’m rather jealous of their carefree lifestyle and would like to be a surf-dude in another life). I left my car under his watchful eye and headed for the beach.
