Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Planning a Cheap Summer Vacation: Tips for Choosing a Good Hotel


Are you in the process of planning a summer vacation? If so, are you on a budget? If you are, planning the vacation of your dreams may seem like an impossible task. Even with limited financial resources, you can still have a great time. Don’t plan a second rate vacation. Plan the vacation of your dreams. You just need to limit or reduce your expenses. There are many ways to do so, but a great place to get started is with your hotel. Continue reading on for a few tips on choosing a great hotel for your summer vacation when on a budget.

Look for hotels out of the way. Hotels located right in the middle of poplar vacation destinations automatically cost more. Consider going just five or ten miles out of the way. If you have a car rental, it won’t seem like such a big deal. The good part? You may save $50 a more a night. Another good example is with beach vacations. Do you want to travel to Virginia Beach or another popular beach destination? If so, look at hotels located inland. Yes, you might not get a beach view from your balcony, but you are likely to save at least $25 a night!

Price compare hotels to find the best deals. As previously stated, look for hotels out of the way because you are likely to find better deals. However, you never know. Hotels are known for offering special deals and discounts on occasion. See if you can find one. Online travel websites, like Priceline.com or Orbtiz.com, make it easier to compare hotels. In as little as two minutes, you can easily compare the cost of 20 hotels or more!

Speaking of online travel websites, examine vacation packages. Many packages can be customized, but most include the cost of a hotel, car rental, and airline tickets. One question many tourists ask is “am I really getting a good deal with vacation packages?” In most cases, yes, but it is easy to check. When getting a quote from an online travel website, they provide you with the names of the airline, hotel, and car rental company. Visit each website individually and request a free quote. Compare the two. If a vacation package gives you the best deal, opt for it.

Don’t forget about the little people. Hotels come in all different formats. Most tourists automatically think of the well-known and larger brands, such as Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Hampton Suites. These are nice, but there are locally owned and operated hotels, motels, and inns. Examine and price compare these. It won’t hurt to look. They need to draw attention to themselves somehow and most opt for affordable rates. Unfortunately, these smaller establishments are not always included in the search results for online travel websites. To check, perform a standard internet search with your destination and the phrases “hotels,” “motels,” or “inns.”

Opt for a hotel with an onsite restaurant. Onsite restaurants are designed for convenience, but many offer special deals for guests. For example, you may get a free or half-priced breakfast. For extra savings, you save money by staying onsite. You don’t have to waste gas with your car rental or pay for public transportation. Just walk from your room down to the onsite restaurant and enjoy a nice meal.

If you aren’t on a strict budget, aim for getting the best value for your money, as opposed to the lowest rate. If you do have money to spend, consider using it. When comparing price, also consider quality. What amenities are provided to guests? It is usually worth it to pay a few dollars more a night for access to a swimming pool, laundry room, fitness center, or childcare service. Once again, if you are on a tight budget, it is best to opt for the lowest price. However, if you have a little bit of wiggle room, get the best value for your money.

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Monday, May 03, 2010

Mission Beach San Diego


The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar
along the Pacific Ocean. Through Mission Beach, the
main artery is Mission Boulevard. This Boulevard is
a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as
there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you'll find attractions such as
Sea World and Belmont Park. Both amusement parks are
well known, and very popular. Within the two you'll
find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster,
Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and
The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities
to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing,
skateboarding, and many other activities. There is
also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs
for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn't allowed on the beach, alcohol
still is. Thong bikinis aren't legal on the beach,
although lifeguards and security personal normally don't
make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach
in San Diego is a great place to go. The beach is
very warm and offers a sandy environment. If you like
the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is
one place you should check out.
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Friday, January 15, 2010

Aruba Adventures

If you like warm, arid weather, beautiful sunny beaches, and stunning sunsets, Aruba might be the perfect vacation spot for you. This little treasure in the Caribbean caters to tourists, especially from the United States, so many people find this to be a great destination. If you’re interested in Caribbean travel, check out what Aruba has to offer to you.

Aruba is found not far north of Venezuela and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. One of the best things about this island is its climate. Unlike many of the other island in the Caribbean, Aruba does not have a generally rainy climate, and in fact is home to desert-like terrain featuring a few species of cacti.

The standard of living in Aruba is very high, and they cater toward a classy, high-end market. Therefore, if you wish to travel to Aruba, your stay may be a bit pricier than in some of the nearby islands in the Caribbean, like the Bahamas or Jamaica. However, the stay is definitely worth it. Aruba has famous white sand beaches and beautiful clear blue waters. If you like water sports, you don’t have to lie on the beach all day! You can try diving, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, or any number of other fun adventures.

The Carnival season is important in Aruba and takes place from January until Ash Wednesday. Just as in many other Caribbean countries, Carnival in Aruba has a variety of great festivities in which vacationers on the island can take part. This includes midway games and children’s rides, parades, contests, parties, and special foods. If you’re looking for an exciting time to visit Aruba, try during the Carnival season.

Because the majority of this island’s revenue comes from tourism, and many of their tourists come from the United States, Aruba’s residents usually speak English. The America dollar is also widely accepted (for a fee) in the major shopping and restaurant districts, and the exchange rate is fairly fixed, so money is easily exchanged if you want to do so. More and more, Aruba is becoming a second home for the wealthy from the United States and from around the world.

Aruba can be your sole vacation destination, and you can fly directly into the country’s large public airport, or you can take a cruise throughout the Caribbean islands and stop to enjoy Aruba for the day. The island has a little something for everyone, so whether you like a relaxing vacation to sleep in the sun or an exciting vacation full of adventure, Aruba is a destination in the Caribbean that you should consider.

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Cap Juluca In Anguilla

Cap Juluca is an exclusive Caribbean hotel that is
located to the southwest coast of Anguilla, of the
British Virgin Islands. The resort is set on 179
tranquil acres, and surrounded by white sandy
beaches, palm trees, and water so clear that you
can see to the bottom.

Guests of the Cap Juluca resort are accommodated
in 18 beachfront style villas which will house
no more than six rooms each. The rooms measure
at least 700 square feet in size and feature large
marble bathrooms, white tile floors, and louvered
doors which will open wide to let in the cool sea
breezes. During the morning, guests can enjoy
complimentary continental breakfast which is
served on their own private terrace.

The Cap Juluca also offers six pool villas which
are surrounded by foliage on the edge of the beach.
The pool villas offer either a private or shared
swimming pool, sundeck, and even golf carts to
help you travel around the property.

The resort design features exotic arches, domes,
turrets, and parapets. The white villas, which
are situated along the white sands of the mile
long Maundays Bay, is surround by tropical
flowers, palm trees, and breathtaking fountains.

This beach vacation also offers a number of
great activities which include water sports,
croquet, a health club, herb and endangered
species gardens, children's program, nature trails
and even tennis. Cove and Maundays Bay offer
a mile of beach, where you can enjoy kayaking,
sail, snorkeling, waterski, and even windsurfing.

You can also arrange for island tours at the
Cap Juluca in Anguilla to explore the many
beaches, go scuba diving, or even deep sea
fishing. When it comes to fun on the water,
this resort has something to offer everyone in
your family.

The spa services at the Cap Juluca include
specialized treatments such as Cap Juluca for
two, a Thai massage, aromatherapy, reflexology,
and even kinesiology.

Cap Juluca offers guests two restaurants and
a 24 hour room service. One of them, George's,
features pool and beachfront dining, serving
guests contemporary tropical cuisine that
includes salads, seafood, burgers, and even
sandwiches.

The other restaurant, Pimms, is decorated with
white Moorish arches and serves French-Asian
cuisine within walking distance of the
Caribbean Sea.

If you've been looking for a great beach vacation,
the Cap Juluca in Anguilla will provide just
what you need. There's something here for the
entire family, no matter what your family likes
to do. Waking up on an island with the
ocean at your back door is truly an amazing
feeling - which is what Cap Juluca is truly all
about.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Cotton House Beach Vacation

The only hotel on the exotic island of Mustique, the
cotton house offers luxurious service, privacy, and
plenty of secluded beaches.  You can spend your
days exploring the marine life, relaxing by the
pool, or getting pampered by the enticing spa.

The spa at the Cotton House offers an amazing array
of services, such as massages, facials, reflexology,
wraps, and fully body treatments.  You can catch a
spa in one of the four treatment rooms, just steps
from the beach, or even in the privacy of your
own room.

Situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic
Ocean, the 1,400 acre Mustique Island offers a
tennis club, nine secluded and beautiful beaches,
which are perfect for scuba diving, windsurfing,
and even snorkeling.

Rooms and suites
The Cotton House offers just 19 luxurious guest
rooms, cottages, and suites, most offering private
patios and panoramic views of the ocean.  The
amentities offered by the Cotton House include soft
French cotton linens, a pillow menu, air, flat
screen televisions, and maid service twice a day.

If you are planning a honeymoon twist to your beach
vacation, you can splurge on one of the cottages
with a private plunge pool, or even book the two
bedroom Cotton Hill Residence which offers a
private swimming pool and its own staff that are
dedicated to you.

Eating
From dining in your cottage, ordering a picnic
basket and going to an empty beach, or just having
a romantic candlelit dinner, Mustique leaves the
choices up to you.  A traditional afternoon tea
is served each day in the Great Room, while there
are weekly cocktail parties held by the Cotton
House as well.

Getting there
There are three ways that you can fly to Mustique.
You can go via Barbados, via Martinique, or via
Saint Vincent.  From Barbados, you can take a
Grenadines Airways flight to Mustique for around
$400 per person - round trip flight.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Cruising With a Celebrity: Are Celebrity Cruises Worth the Money?

You may have seen advertisements on the television, the radio, or online.  Your celebrity is vacationing aboard a cruise ship and they want you to join them.  The advertisement you heard is for a celebrity cruise.  Celebrity cruises are gaining popularity in the Untied States and all around the world. The question that many want answered is, are they worth the money?

Celebrity cruises are not to be confused with the popular Celebrity Cruise Lines.  Celebrity cruises are cruises that are offered by a wide range of different cruise line companies.  The intention of a celebrity cruise is to attract travelers. To do this, celebrity cruises are booked with well-known television stars, movie stars, and musicians.  For some reason, and they are right, cruises lines know that fans follow their idols. 

If you are interested in determining whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, there are a number of factors that you should first consider. One of the most important factors is the purpose of the cruise.  A number of well-known musicians, television stars, and movie stars are compensated for their appearance.  While this may not have a direct impact your reservation, it may be in your best interest to know. 

In addition to being compensated for their appearance, a large number of movie stars, television stars, and musicians use a celebrity cruise to promote one of their upcoming shows, movies, or music albums.  It is not guaranteed, but you may be granted behind the scenes information and footage. To many fans, this information makes a celebrity cruise worth it. 

Promoting a charity or another good cause is another reason why a number of well-know celebrities make the decision to participate in a cruise ship voyage.  If you are interested in promoting a specific charity or cause, you may find it beneficial, in more ways than one, to attend the cruise.  In addition to being able to meet one of your favorite celebrities, you could be helping to bring awareness to one of the many world charities that need assistance. 

Another important factor to consider when deciding on a celebrity cruise is the amount of time the celebrity will be onboard.  Due to busy schedules, celebrities may be unable to stay onboard for the whole length of the cruise.  To determine whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, you will want to know how long each celebrity will be on board. If they will only be onboard one or two days, you may find that the cruise is not worth your time or money. 

In addition to the length of a celebrity’s stay, you will want to know when certain promotional events are scheduled. These events should be established ahead of time.  To determine when you may be able to dine with, meet, or get an autograph from your favorite movie star, musician, or television star, you should check the ship’s itinerary.  This will enable you to determine if you will even get a chance to meet the celebrity onboard. 

It is also important to estimate how many passengers will be the celebrity cruise you wish to take. The number of onboard passengers may have an impact on how much time you get to spend with the cruise ship celebrity.  If there are a large number of onboard passengers and the celebrity will only be on the ship for a short period of time you may be unable to meet with them. This is something that should be closely examined when determining if a celebrity cruise is worth any value to you or your family.

Finally, the cost of the celebrity cruise should be closely examined.  The cost of a celebrity cruise is often higher than other traditional cruises.  This is because you are often paying to meet the person who is onboard. That is why it is important to take the above mentioned factors into consideration. 

Celebrity cruises are nice, but a celebrity is not the only reason why you should plan a vacation on a cruise ship.  You can still enjoy a cruise, with or without a celebrity.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Family Beach Vacation In Maui

Located on the southwest side of Maui, the Fairmont
Kea Lani Maui overlooks the amazing waters off of
Polo Beach. The beach here is the center of all
water activities such as snorkeling, sailing,
kayaking, and even windsurfing.

Visitors here can play on any of the Wailea Golf
Club's three championship golf courses or enjoy
a game of tennis at any of the 14 courts the tennis
center offers. Parents that are tired can get some
much deserved personal time with a massage at the
Spa Kea Lani.

The resort accommodations are either suites or
villas, so there is no need to squeeze your entire
family into a tiny room. There suites here are a
minumum of 840 square feet and offer a separate
living room and marble bathroom with a separate
tub for soaking.

The private two levels villas here are minutes
away from the beach and are between 1,800 - 2,200
square feet as well. The villas are ideal for
larger families as they offer a full service
kitchen and a private courtyard with a plunge pool
and barbeque for grilling out.

Keiki Lani is also the hotel's activity center
for kids as well. It's a state licensed facility
for children between the ages of 5 and 13, giving
parents a break from watching their kids. Here,
children can enjoy painting coconuts, building
sand castles, exploring the tide pools, learning
how to dance hula, and even making real flower
leis. The activity center can accommodate up to
19 children, so be sure to call ahead and reserve
a space for your children.

Rates
The rates for stay start at $325 per night for a
suite. One of the benefits of a family vacation
here is the special deals that are almost always
available. The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui has several
packages available for family vacations.

If you are planning to explore the island with
the kids, you'll save a lot of money by taking a
package that includes a free rental car. This way,
you can explore the island at your will without
having to worry about paying any extra money.

For a family vacation, Maui is truly a one of a
kind destination. There are many different things
to do here for everyone in your family, even if they
are indeed hard to please.

Once your family experiences Maui and everything
there is to offer, you'll never look at beach
vacations the same way again. Maui has that kind
of power - especially when it comes to warm weather
and pleasing people from all over the world.

Article Written By J. Foley

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Cloister At Sea Island

The Cloister At Sea Island is a private five mile
long coastal vacation spot in Georgia. Sea Island
is well known for its championship golf course,
which after recent improvements, is now better than
ever before.

There are a total of 54 holes, which include the
18 hole Plantation Course which opened in 1998, and
was designed by Rees Jones. The 18 hole Seaside
Course was renovated by Tom Fazio and re-opened
again in 1999. You can learn to play golf at this
course, or just play and polish your game.

The Sea Island resort also offers a spa with several
fitness facilities. You can participate in special
classes as well as personalized fitness and wellness
programs. Other activities around the resort include
tennis, horseback riding, sunset cruises, boating,
fishing, shooting school, kayaking, swimming, and
even diving lessons.

Sea Island also offers a family destination where
kids can choose from several different vacation
activities. Children can play afternoon tennis free
of charge and even participate in complimentary
golf and tennis clinics. During the summer, spring
break and even holidays, the resort is happy to
provide a program for kids ages 3 - 11.

Resort rooms and food
The Cloister at Sea Island offers you well over 250
guest rooms and suites that are situated in various
houses on Sea Island. The Retreat House, Hamilton
House, and Harrington House are all located on the
beach, while the newer guest houses and Terrace
Houses are all located between the beach and the
tennis center.

Guests that visit Sea Island can also stay at the
Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, which opened in
March of 2001. The Lodge offers guests 40 luxurious
rooms and suites that are situated above the
clubhouse with golf course and even ocean views.

The main dining room at the Cloister offers live
music and dancing during warmer months. The Terrace
dining room, located at the Lodge at Sea Island
Golf Club serves continental cuisine with a
Southern twist.

Late spring, summer, and early fall are by far
the best times to check out the Cloister at Sea
Island. Sea Island is an hour drive by car from
Savannah Georgia and one hour away from Jacksonville
Florida. Private aircraft can also land at the
McKinnon Airport on St. Simons Island, which is
four miles away from the Cloister. No matter how
you get here - you'll be glad you did!

Article written By J. Foley

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Cheap Summer Travel: 7 Moneysaving Tips

Are you gearing up to plan your upcoming summer vacation, but are you also on a budget? Do you need to save money? If so, please continue reading on for 7 moneysaving summer travel tips. Watch the price of your summer vacation decrease by implementing these easy steps.

1 – Plan Ahead

Many new deal seekers mistakenly believe the best discounts are offered at the last minute. Yes, some hotels and airlines do offer last minute travel deals and discounts, but they aren’t guaranteed. You could spend weeks waiting for a discount to arrive, only to never see it. Luckily, hotels, car rental companies, and airlines all offer moneysaving discounts throughout the year. Find one of these discounts. It should be just as good and you will still save money.

2 – Avoid Airlines with Loads of Extra Fees

Airlines have been losing money over the past few years. To compensate for those losses, many not only raised their fares, but increased fees too. Not only compare airlines to find the best ticket prices, but look at additional fees. If you can’t escape these fees, especially baggage fees, familiarize yourself with them and pack carefully to avoid them.

3 – Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates and Time

When planning a vacation on a strict budget, you should experiment with travel dates and times. Did you know it is usually cheaper to fly on Wednesdays than Fridays? It is. For the best deals on hotels and airfare, plan your trip in the beginning or end of summer, not the middle. Hotels are likely to fill up quicker and charge higher rates when business conventions or popular sporting events are happening. Avoid these dates. This is where planning ahead is helpful.

4 – Look for Freebies from Hotels

When researching hotels, be on the lookout for those that offer additional extras for guests. A hotel with affordable rates and a free breakfast is ideal. Many hotels also have onsite restaurants. See if special deals and discounts are offered for guests.

5 – Use Online Travel Websites

Many travel websites, like Priceline.com, can be found with a standard internet search. You aren’t always guaranteed the lowest prices, but it won’t hurt to look. Many offer discounts on vacation packages, where you book two or three arrangements at once.

6 – Don’t Rely Solely on Travel Websites

As previously stated, travel websites are nice, but they don’t always offer the best deal. If you only need a hotel or plane tickets, as opposed to a vacation package, your best bet is to go directly to the source. You should find lower rates and special deals listed on the websites of hotels, resorts, car rental companies, and airlines. In fact, compare them. If it is cheaper to go with a travel website and a vacation package, do it. If not, book your travel reservations separately.

7 – Avoid Spending Money at the Airport

If the cost of flying wasn’t already high enough, you can spend a lot more at the airport. For that reason, proceed with caution. For food, eat before you depart for the airport. Have a large meal and bring dry snacks from home. To keep yourself occupied on the plane, bring books, movies, or magazines from home. Wal-Mart is the best place to buy these items, as they offer discounts. They will cost more at the airport.

Article Written By J. Foley