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Beach Vacations

November 6, 2016
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Beach vacations offer some time to unwind. The idea of the best beach vacation could be an all-inclusive resort on a glittering strip of white sand, an adventure vacation organized around one’s favorite activities, or a small bed and breakfast situated strolling-distance from cafes and local beaches. There are many popular spots to enjoy a beach vacation.

In the US, Virginia Beach is a fabulous resort city. Not only can you and your family enjoy the beach, but you can also explore the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center where you can actually climb into a seal aquarium and interact with 250-pound pinnipeds.

In Florida, Ft Myers is a sailing paradise and families can treat themselves to both children and adults. When parents take the course, kids are given sailing instructions for free. Also in Florida, Fort Lauderdale has beautiful beaches, waterways and parks that will keep you busy all day long. There are also malls, flea markets, water sports, music and more, giving your entire family the opportunity to enjoy one of many activities. If you prefer the Northeast, Cape Cod in Massachusetts has hundreds of beautiful beaches located in almost every quaint town along the coast. The state parks are unbeatable and perfect for families. Maine also offers many wonderful seaside resorts, including Bar Harbor and Old Orchard Beach. Bar Harbor is a cozy fishing village filled with friendly locals and plenty of fantastic restaurants. Old Orchard not only sports one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it also has a great amusement park for the kids.

If you prefer the Caribbean, St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Resort and Spa is the place to go. The resort is located along the Savannes Bay on the Island’s south coast and offers families exclusive beachfront vacation fun in the sand. You can swim, snorkel or just gaze at the spectacular sunsets. Another spot in the Caribbean is St. John, where the kids will be thrilled by the latest craze – a scavenger hunt along the sandy shores. You can stay at Caneel Bay, a luxury beachfront resort on St. John.…

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How to Find the Best Hotel Deals – Common Mistakes

November 4, 2016
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One of the most frustrating things about making a hotel reservation is the fact that there's a strong chance you'll overpay. Hotels are one of the most expensive aspects of your vacation, and the last thing that you want to do is pay more than you have to. In this article I wanted to go over some of the common mistakes the people make when they're booking their hotels, and talk about how it promises you from getting the best deal possible.

Mistake # 1: Paying too Much Attention to Star Rating

The star rating of a hotel can be a great measure of the hotel's quality. The higher the stars, the better experience you're likely to have.

The problem with the star rating is that it's assigned by an organization and does not really tell you what other people experienced. If you're looking for a hotel, then it might be better to pay attention to the reviews other people have given, and the comments that they've made.

When I'm looking for a hotel, I tend to care a little less about the star rating, and more about the overall experience. Generally, lower star hotels are cheaper, and if they're offering a similar experience then it can be an opportunity to save money.

The last thing that you want is to overpay for a hotel that you do not even like. If you find that other people have been satisfied with their stay then it's more likely that you'll be satisfied with yours too. You will not know whether or not you'll like the hotel solely by the star rating.

Mistake # 2: Not Thinking About Hidden Costs

What you'll find when you're booking a hotel is that price comparison websites (and hotel websites) are very good about telling you what your reservation includes. You'll generally know what amenities the hotel has, whether or not you can get Internet with your reservation, and sometimes what restaurants are in the area.

The problem is that they're not nearly as good at telling you what your reservation does not include. What are the hidden costs? And there's always going to be a few.

Also think about transportation. How close is your hotel to where you want to be? If you're going to be spending a lot of money on transportation, it might be more convenient to find a different hotel that's a little closer. It probably will not save you any money, but it will definitely be easier.

Mistake # 3: Not Knowing Where to Find the Best Deals

Different websites are going to offer different rates on the same hotel. It's actually possible to miss out on savings because you booked through the wrong website. …

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Lodging and Hotels in Hawaii

November 3, 2016
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You have a lot of lodging and hotels in Hawaii to choose from. Your first option is the Hale Lani Bed & Breakfast. It is located in Kapaa on Kauai. This B & B has been honored as "one of Hawaii's 50 Best B & B's" by Frommer's Travel Magazine. The features that this B & B offers to its guests include private entrance, private patios, Queen sized beds, private baths, a full kitchen, tropical toiletries, an island breakfast, tropical flowers, a home entertainment center, wireless internet access and access to sports equipment . The Hale Lani offers guest a variety of packages including: Whale Watch and fishing Expedition, Romantic Holiday, Friend and Family Gathering and Leave Your Cares Behind Getaway.

If you are looking for lodging and hotels in Hawaii that offer a secluded tropical atmosphere then you may want to consider Kaui Country Inn. This B & B is located in Kapaa, Hawaii. Some of the special services offered at the Kauai Country Inn include Water sports equipment, kayak rentals, DVD movie rentals and motorcycle rentals. The innkeepers are also available to help you plan the perfect Hawaiian vacation.

If you are looking for affordable lodging and hotels in Hawaii then you may want to consider the Poipu Plantation Bed & Breakfast. Here you can find rooms for under $ 100 per night. The innkeepers of this special tropical B & B can help you to plan activities, make local travel arrangements and they can also recommend great local sites to see. Some of the amenities offered at this B & B include: hot tub, barbeque, breakfast, housekeeping services, laundry room and a free telephone.

If you are looking for lodging and hotels in Hawaii on the Garden Island of Kauai, then you may want to consider Green Acres Cottages. This B & B is located on the north side of Kauai between Kilauea and Anahola. Each cottage is freestanding which offers guests privacy. This B & B is located within minutes of amazing vacation activities like rock climbing, snorkeling, live theater, hiking trails, swimming, diving and fine dining. …

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Vancouver, A Year Round Vacation Destination

November 3, 2016
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Vancouver, British Columbia has consistently been ranked n the top of the world's most desirable places to live in the world. The openness, quality of life, the diversity of outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains and the ocean at your doorstep as well as the modern cosmopolitan city center and natural beauty all help to make this world class city truly unique. Not planning on living in Vancouver? Well you should at least visit to see for yourself what all the excitement is about!

Any time of the year you visit this gem of the Pacific Northwest will prove to be a memorable one. In the winter season you have all the mountain activities from heli-skiing to dog sledding in Whistler to snowshoeing or romantic log cabin dining in the Coastal Mountains. Enjoy an authentic Canadian mid-winter evening by catching a National Hockley League game at the Rogers Arena in the heart of downtown as the local Canucks team takes on a visiting challenger. Demand for tickets are extremely high so be sure to book your seats in advance or you can always see what's available, usually at a premium, outside the stadium right before game time. Dining in Vancouver is wonderful year round; however, it is especially delightful in one of the many cozy restaurants on a brisk night with perfectly prepared local seafood hot out of the kitchen served with wine from one of British Columbia's growing and acclaimed vineyards. The fireside ambiance in a dimly lit soothing environment really is the perfect evening out.

During the summer season the ocean is made more accessible by the perfectly hot temperatures from June to August but that does not mean the mountains are out play. You can hike on established or less trekked trails through the surrounding area of ​​Vancouver and feel as if you are 1000 miles away into the wilderness. You must be careful and take the proper precautions with local wildlife but a single or multi-day trip into the mountains and surrounding valleys is always a rejuvenating and empowering experience. Getting into the ocean by boat or on one of the many world-class beaches that surround the city will give you a real sense of the delights of these West Coast paradise. Sailing, swimming, yachting, kayaking, whale watching or just chilling on the beach, your day with the Pacific Ocean will be unforgettable. Spend the evening in one of the many restaurants of Vancouver or go for a stroll around Stanley Park to watch the sunset. Be sure to check out what festivals and shows are going on in Vancouver while you are there are the city visits many international events and acts. Annual events that often draw a great deal of attention are the Celebrations of Lights fireworks show, Bard on the Beach Shakespear Festival, International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Sun Run and much more.

When planning your vacation to Vancouver be sure to pick the time of year that best suits what you're looking for. …

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How to Plan a Luxury Cruise Vacation

November 1, 2016
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A luxury cruise vacation is something most of us dream about. Sailing the ocean under sunny skies, our every want and need anticipated by attentive staff, food and wine everywhere we look, not a worry in the world. Well, what's keeping you?

Three-quarters of the earth is covered by water. What better way to explore our planet than in style on a cruise ship? Today's luxury cruises run the gamut from small vessels that carry 8 or 10 passengers to giant ocean liners with every amenity you could imagine, and a few you could not.

If you want a smaller, more intimate luxury cruise, look into small-ship luxury cruises. These all feature the service you would expect at a 5-star resort. You'll use fine china for dining, eat outstanding cuisine prepared by highly-trained chefs, and enjoy a selection of activities and destinations.

The smallest luxury cruises are actually aboard chartered yachts, and you can have the ship all to yourself – or your group. Ships that sleep 34, 42, up to 80 can be chartered to travel at your whim.

However, there are several cruise lines that specialize in small-ship luxury cruises. Regent Seven Seas features four different luxury ships: the Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator and the Paul Gauguin. The Seven Seas Mariner was the first all-suite, all-balcony cruise ship in the world and was such a hit she was quickly followed by the Voyager. Both the Voyager and the Mariner sleep up to 700 guests, while the Navigator can accommodate up to 490 travelers and the Paul Gauguin can travel with 330 guests.

Crystal and Cunard are two other cruise lines well-known for providing luxury on cruise vacations. Crystal's luxury liner the Crystal Serenity can accommodate 1,080 guests and typically sails in Europe and the South Pacific. However, she's scheduled for an around-the-world tour departing from Los Angeles in January of 2008 and arriving in Southampton, England, 110 days later.

Cunard Cruise Line was founded in Britain in 1838 and has been sailing successfully since then. They are well-known for both safety and luxury. Currently, the Cunard Line sails three luxury liners, the world-renamed Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), the Queen Victoria, and the Queen Mary 2.

The immortal QE2 is 963 feet in length and can cruise with up to 1,778 guests aboard. She has logged 5.5 million nautical miles, carried over 2 million guests, and is still the fastest merchant ship in operation. Definitely one of a kind!

The Queen Mary 2 is one of the most magnificent ocean liners of all time. At 1,132 feet she can sail with up to 3,056 passengers in full luxury. Billed as "your sanctuary at sea", the accommodations and dining are first-rate. A luxurious ballroom, planetarium, and sports decks will all keep you occupied. The spa will relax you when you're all done.

Launching in December 2007, Cunard's Queen Victoria will sail her maiden voyage to New York. At 964.5 feet, she'll accommodate 1,980 passengers on …

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Hotel Ambiance – What is Essential is Invisible to the Eye

November 1, 2016
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We define ambiance as the mood or the atmosphere that we encounter in a particular place at a particular instance of time. Ambiance, in this context, is a very important aspect of the hotel experience. It’s not really something guests see, but rather something that is felt, something that is experienced.

Without ambiance, hotels will simply be buildings with a bunch of rooms for lodging-and nothing more. Ambiance helps transform the hotel from a building with accommodations to a home away from home, an establishment where guests can be alive and well. Ambiance is the hotel’s character, important both for the hotel’s own mark as well as for the enjoyment of its many patrons.

Take the Gravetye Manor Hotel, for example. It is perhaps one of the most ambiance-filled hotels ever. This garden hotel located in England may not be the most flamboyant and spectacular hotels in the world, but it is filled with an inherent beauty and character afforded by the garden, the hotel’s stone construction, and a remarkable view of the surrounding English countryside. Its unchanging composition makes travelers come back for more.

Another excellent example is the roof of the Lebua at State Tower, located at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. With its breathtaking perspective overlooking the sprawling Bangkok cityscape, it’s no wonder many voted it one of the most ambient hotels in Asia.

See, the thing about ambiance is that one hotel doesn’t have to be located anywhere in particular just to simulate an atmosphere. Sure, being surrounded by lush groves and a rustic setting helps create a particularly relaxing mood, but it takes more than location to pull it off.

When it comes to creating that perfect atmosphere, well-appointed rooms that complement the hotel’s desired theme or character are always a big plus. Every tiny little detail should be able to work with every other detail as well as the environment, in order to create a unified mood that meshes together perfectly to achieve the desired result.

Sometimes it’s all about getting all things perfectly matched. From the food to the furnishings to the music played in the dining hall, these details all help create a unique ambiance. Lighting, of course, has a big effect on the ambiance. Even the decorations on the doors and the intricate tapestries adorning the walls play a significant role in establishing a mood inside the hotel.

People look for ambiance practically everywhere, from where they will be sitting at lunchtime to where they will be drinking their venti caramel frappuccino when the night comes. Atmosphere is everything-well, maybe not everything, but it sure is a very big something-especially when it comes to choosing hotels. Getting that particular mood just right helps establish the character of the hotel, and it is this defining characteristic that will help make guests book at the hotel more than once. Great ambiance translates to happy clients, and having that down pat means the hotel is well on its way to success.…

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