Illustrious Ibiza
Posted by admin in Ibiza, Uncategorized on 03 30th, 2010
Ibiza, Spain is an island in the Mediterranean Sea just off the coast of Spain, near the Iberian Peninsula. Ibiza is a part of a group of over fifty Islands , many of which are uninhabited. The climate is moderate. The temperature from May through October remains in the 70’s and 80’s while the November through April, the temperature dips between the 50’s and 60’s.
Ibiza is rich in history and has been inhabited by many different cultures including the Carthaginians, The Romans, The Arabs, The Catalans and Pirates. Each group left their mark on Ibiza either with their amazing architecture, artifacts, fortresses, cave paintings, etc.
Ibiza is also known for its legends and folklore. The early settlers believed Ibiza was blessed by the gods since the island does not support life to any reptile, animal, insect or plant that can harm humans. “To this day many people wear amulets and pendants containing the sacred soil to protect the wearer from harm.” Furthermore, the astrologer and physician, Nostradamus, predicted that ‘Ibiza will be Earth’s final refuge.’ There have been accounts of “alien/UFO” sitings at the island of Es Vedra. According to the Ibiza website, “A strong magnetic force is said to emanate from Es Vedra, attracting unexplained phenomena.” If you are a fan of the mystical or unexplained, Ibiza is a great destination for you.
The island is best known for its summer club parties (the original Phoenician settlers dedicated the island to the god of the music and dance, Bes). The hottest clubs to visit include Space, Pacha, Privilege, Amnesia, DC10, Eden, El Divino, Es Paradis, and Café del Mar. Clubs remain open till 6 am. DJ’s from all over the world make it a point to visit the island in the summer months to play at some clubs.
The beaches of Ibiza are clean, beautiful and not overly crowded. The water is warm and inviting. Of course, in addition to laying in the sand and soaking up the sun, other attractions include sightseeing, boat charters, diving and water sports, mountain bike tours, guided tours by land or by sea as well as full island tours. Family fun includes a water park in Playa d’en Bossa, the Aquarium Cap Blanch in San Antonio, train tours, go carting and paint ball.
The largest cities are Ibiza Town, Santa Eulària des Riu and Sant Antoni de Portmany. There are wonderful resorts and hotels throughout those cities and all over the island. Truly, where you stay will depend on what you want to experience in Ibiza.
read comments (0)Video: Money Saving Travel Tips
Posted by admin in Travel Tips on 03 24th, 2010I watched this video and really thought it encompassed everything and thus worthy to link to this site. Enjoy!
Traveling Alone? Some Tips for a Fun and Safe Trip
Posted by admin in Travel Tips on 03 23rd, 2010
Some can find traveling – or going anywhere – alone scary and downright intimidating. However, if you do it right (tips below), you can find traveling alone very liberating and rewarding. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a destination as well as enjoying your time while you are there.
1. Network With Friends and Family Before you Go: Let your friends and family know where you will be and for how long. This will help them keep tabs on you just in case of an emergency (with you or them). Also, this is a great way to find out if any of your friends or family know people to where you are heading. People who have a connection with your friends and family are typically more than willing to provide you with information concerning the area and what you need to know before heading there. For example, they will know the hot spots, the best restaurants and of any upcoming events that may or may not interest you.
2. Check Government Websites: Either the government where you are heading or the CIA website can provide you with any information concerning any recent political unrest, natural disasters, etc that could impede your ability to travel freely and safely through that country.
3. Put together an itinerary of what you most want to do on your vacation and map it out before you go: This will help you determine how much time it will take to travel from one place to the next. You should also research how much time it typically takes to “experience” each of the items on your itinerary. The last thing you want to do on vacation is have to rush around and stress out. Be sure to plan in some extra time for the unknown. You never know what will peak your interest that is NOT on the itinerary! What you put on your itinerary will depend on what your interests are.
4. Try a Cruise or an All Inclusive first: I really suggest easing into traveling alone. That way you can get some experience on what traveling alone entials without much fuss or hassle. Cruises and All Inclusive resorts do a lot of the “thinking” for you so you truly can go and experience a fun filled vacation without worrying too much about what you may have forgot or missed. Once you have a few of these experiences, you will be better equipped and ready to take on the experience of planning a solo vacation.
5. Have some Confidence: You can do this! And when you get to your destination, walk with confidence, eat at the restaurant with confidence. You are in charge of you and if you believe that, it will show. Remember, confidence is sexy and alluring. Who knows who you may meet!
Colchagua Valley, Chile – The Next Napa Valley?
Posted by admin in Chile on 03 20th, 2010
Beautiful Colchagua Valley is located approximately 80 miles southwest of Santiago; it is 75 miles long and 22 miles wide. The climate is a akin to the Mediterranean and the average annual rainfall is about 24 inches. Along with exceptionally long growing season, clean (smog free) air and nutrient rich soil (The Andes mountains are to the east of the valley), make for the near perfect conditions for the vineyards.
Colchagua wines were #3 in the world in 2003, and #2 in 2004 on the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 list. Furthermore, Colchagua Valley was named 2005 Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
There are over 30 wineries in this valley, including Emiliana Orgánico – which gives lessons on biodynamic wine making. Viña Viu Manent offers hot-air balloon rides and is home to the chic Andean handicrafts boutique. La Finca de Apalta Estate is home to the voluptuous “Montes Alpha M,” a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It also offers a private deck with breathtaking views of the vineyards.
The most stunning of all is Clos Apalta, a new winery in the micro-valley of Apalta. French owner, Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle (heiress to the Grand Marnier fortune), produces Clos Apalta, the premium line of Casa Lapostolle. This must see state of the art winery is carved six stories deep into solid granite. With its rounded wood exterior and spiraling staircase, the structure resembles a deconstructed wine barrel. There are four luxurious bungalows that have rustic French and Spanish furniture, rich Cambodian silks and alfresco style bathrooms.
The Museum of Colchagua is also worth visiting. The museum hosts a variety of pieces including prehistoric pieces of insects conserved in amber, remains of large animals, utensils from primitive local towns, prehispanic and prehistoric sceneries of life, cloths, carriages, old farming machinery and a steam engine train with locomotive and passenger cars.
Mediterranean Cruise
Posted by admin in Mediterranean Cruise, Uncategorized on 03 16th, 2010
The Mediterranean is one of the hottest tourist destinations. Of course you know all about the sun, sand and amazing cuisine. But, there is so much more to explore beyond the beaches and restaurants. This area is rich in history, which also makes for great adventures or excursions. The Mediterranean sits in the middle of Africa, Asia and Europe and seems to pull those exotic cultures together.
Mediterranean cruises are a relaxing, luxurious, and convenient way to explore some of the world’s most fascinating cities, historical sites, and diverse cultures. You can explore the beautiful attractions by day and have world class entertainment on board at night and by the next day you can be at another destination without the hassle of getting there yourself.
There are a ton of ports to choose from when cruising the Mediterranean. They include: Athens • Barcelona • Cannes • Capri • Corfu • Corsica (Ajaccio) • Crete • Dubrovnik • Elba • Florence • Fuerteventura • Genoa • Gibraltar • Haifa • Ibiza • Istanbul • Izmir • Jerusalem • Katakolon • Kusadasi • La Palma • Lanzarote • Las Palmas • Limassol • Lisbon • Madeira (Funchal) • Malta • Marseille • Monaco • Mykonos • Naples • Nice • Palermo • Palma de Mallorca • Portofino • Rhodes • Rome • Santorini • Sardinia • Sete • Seville • Sorrento • Split • St. Tropez • Taormina • Tenerife • Tunis (La Goulette) • Varna • Venice • Villefranche • Volos
There are also a lot of cruise ships to choose from and many are offering outstanding deals currently. It is imperative to do your homework before making your choices. You should consider what is most important to you. Do you want more adventure or relaxation or a bit of both? Which destinations do you want to see? Once you decide, start researching the cruise line that is in tune with your expectations.
Spring Break Destinations
Posted by admin in Spring Break, Uncategorized on 03 10th, 2010Yes, its that time of year again, spring break….Where young partiers flock to beach destinations all over the globe in search of a rockin’ good time. Here are five hot spots to consider:
Panama City, Florida: One of the favorite hot spots for Spring Breakers. Panama City is home to MTV Spring Break, which brings the benefits of awesome concerts, celebrity sitings, crazy tournaments and huge beach parties. Over 500,000 college students flock to PC each year. As for night life, PC is home to some huge clubs including Club La Vela, which is the largest club in the US and has over 13 different themed rooms to check out.
Nassau, Bahamas: Beautiful beaches and wildlife to explore during the day and excellent night life. During the day, go swim with dolphins or check out the Mayan ruins. At night (or during the day) check out the Mardi Gras party at Cocktails and Dreams, live bands at Club Waterloo, private beach parties at the Blue Lagoon. Or, go gambling’s on nearby Paradise Island.
Cancun, Mexico: One of the hottest spring break spots is Cancun. You are just a ferry ride away from Cozumel or a bus ride away from Playa del Carmen. Go snorkling at Xel-Ha or see the Unba ruins at Tulum. Remember, you will need a passport for this destination.
Acapulco: guess who is also heading to Acapulco this year? That’s right, MTV will be partying there as well which will guarantee a good time and lots of outrageous activities. Also available are the quite beaches of Playa Pie de la Cuesta or quaint villages with unique artistry like the Puerto Marques village. There has been a lot of concern about the safety or tourists but officials have said to stay in the tourist sections and follow safety guidelines and you should not run into any trouble. Again, remember you will need a passport.
Europe: Moving up in the ranks of places to go during Spring Break. Of course the weather is cooler than in the Caribbean so most of the things to do will occur in doors. Hot spots for American’s include Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Madrid and Berlin. While it will cost a pretty penny to get there, the exhange rate isn’t too bad and a lot of the popular sites are free or inexpensive. Staying at Hostels is one of the most cost effective ways to go and you will be with other students your age.
Scuba Diving at The Great Barrier Reef
Posted by admin in The Great Barrier Reef on 03 3rd, 2010
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system. It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,600 miles. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Of interest, the Great Barrier Reef can also be seen from outer space.
The Great Barrier Reef supports a diversity of life which I thought I would share with you as it is staggering when written down:
*Thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, including the dwarf minke whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the humpback whale.
*Six species of sea turtles: green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the olive ridley.
*Fifteen species of sea grass.
*Around 125 species of shark, stingray, skates or chimera.
*Nearly 5,000 species of mollusk have been recorded on the reef, including the giant clam.
*Forty-nine species of pipe fish and nine species of seahorse.
*At least seven species of frogs.
*Seventeen species of sea snake.
*More than 1,500 fish species to include the clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor.
*At least 330 species of ascidians.
*Between 300-500 species of bryozoans live on the reef.
*Four hundred coral species, both hard corals and soft corals inhabit the reef.
*Five hundred species of marine algae or seaweed.
Due to the length of the Great Barrier Reef and the distance between some of the hottest diving spots, it is recommended that you use the “diveaboards” in order to maximize the number of dives you can fit in. Here are some of the recommended diving spots:
*Ribbon Reefs offer excellent diving and snorkeling for all experience levels. Here you find the famous Cod Hole where you can dive with friendly, diver-sized fish. These reefs offer the biggest variety of marine species and coral.
*North Coral Sea is for more experienced divers as it has stronger currents. It has large packs of grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and hammerhead sharks at certain times of the year.
*Cairns Outer Barrier Reef is where you will find walls, swim-throughs, and fields of coral. There is a diverse range of marine life from turtles to dolphins.
Australia is a year round dive destination but most recommend planning a trip between late August and early December in order to secure the best diving conditions.
Family Friendly Cruises
Posted by admin in Cruises on 03 1st, 2010When you have children, vacations usually center around theme parks and child centered activities. However, I have found that family friendly cruises have activities for the young and the young at heart. This way, your children are having fun and engaged in their activities and parents can also enjoy some relaxation or adult centered fun….and when your vacation comes to an end, you don’t feel like you just ran the Boston Marathon and require another “vacation.” Here are five great cruise lines that are completely family friendly.
Disney Cruise Line – On a Disney cruise, there is something for everyone: relaxing “me” time for the adults, imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all. Every voyage includes the attention to detail and world-class hospitality that Disney is famous for.
* Activities: Join in fun-filled activities at lavishly themed onboard venues all day long—where every family member feels as if their cruise were designed specifically for them.
* Dining: Savor Disney’s one-of-a-kind Rotational Dining, where Guests “rotate” through 3 different restaurants with personalized service from servers who travel with you to each meal.
* Entertainment: Immerse yourselves in Broadway-quality, original Disney musicals that can’t be seen anywhere else—as well as special moments with Disney Characters and first-run Disney movies.
* Deck Parties: The family comes together for unique themed celebrations on deck, including the only fireworks spectacular at sea.
* Castaway Cay: Most cruises include a stop at Disney’s island paradise, reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers.
Website: DisneyCruise.Disney.Go.com
Carnival Cruise Lines:
Camp Carnival includes a wide range of activities designed for children in three different age groups – Toddlers, Juniors, and Intermediates. All children are supervised by staff who have experience and/or education in child-care. You’ll see your child’s excitement grow as soon as they meet their counselor and get assigned to their group. And when it’s time to eat kids get their very own menus, featuring all their favorites like hot dogs, chicken nuggets, pizza, macaroni & cheese, hamburgers and more.
Circle “C”The ultimate spot where children ages 12-14 can cruise, chill, and connect to others. Cool activities, awesome facilities and lots of great new friends to add to their text-mail lists. The activities (think games, dance parties, outdoor movies and more) are supervised and created just for them.
It’s Club O2Club 02 activities are designed to be cool and a little more relaxed. Teens can hangout with their friends and watch a movie, listen to the latest music, play video games or join karaoke jam sessions. We’ve even set up teen-only shore excursions so your young adults can enjoy the sites and sounds of our beautiful ports with their peers.
Website: Carnival.com
Celebrity Cruise Lines – There’s so much for your children and Teens to do in the Celebrity Youth & Teen Programs which feature Fun Factory for ages 3-11 and Teen Entertainment for ages 12-17. Each program keeps them engaged and having a great time in an environment designed just for them. A Welcome Aboard Information package and Open House Orientation will fill you in on all the details of the Fun Factory and Teen Entertainment programs. They can explore all the possibilities and you can get answers to any questions you may have. You can also go ahead and get them registered for the activities that excite them.
From teen-oriented entertainment to special opportunities for toddlers and their parents to interact with each other, the Fun Factory and Teen Entertainment programs are designed to make sure your children enjoy their Celebrity experience as much as you do. You can even join your children for Family Events like Karaoke, Family Disco, Bingo and more.
Programs are available year round From 9 a.m. each morning, or half an hour before arriving in each port.
Our five-tiered program includes Toddler Time (under 3 years old), Ship MatesSM (ages 3-5), Celebrity CadetsSM (ages 6-8), EnsignsSM (ages 9-11), Admiral TeensSM (ages 12-17)
*Program age groups may vary slightly in low season based on the number of children on board
Website: CelebrityCruises.com
Costa Cruises – An Italian Style vacation is big fun for the little ones onboard a Costa ship! With lots of activities and games to choose from, kids can have fun playing with children their own age. And mom and dad can rest easy, knowing their children are under the careful supervision of the ship’s dedicated youth entertainment staff. The Costa Kid’s program is included in the price of your cruise vacation, so all activities are free! Youth activities are directed and organized by a special staff of youth counselors offering kids a shipful of supervised activities like: Their own Sail away party, Treasure Hunts, Sports tournaments: table soccer, ping pong, basketball, Velcro darts and ring toss, Olympic games and sport competitions, Parades in costumes, Video quizzes, Theme parties, Games at the Disco and at the Pool, Farewell parties and birthday parties with prizes, Dance competitions and Karaoke, and more. Costa takes parent’s traveling with kids into consideration with Parent’s Night Out, a feature is appealing to both children and adults alike. On both formal nights, children can spend the evening with their peers as they enjoy a supervised buffet dinner and fun activities designed especially for them. While the kids are being entertained, parents can relax as they enjoy sumptuous cuisine and a romantic evening together.While cruising is a vacation for the whole family, Costa also provides quiet time for Mom and Dad. Mini and Maxi Club nighttime group babysitting, held in the children’s area, is a free of charge babysitting service until 1:30 am.
There is no night time baby-sitting service available for children under 36 months of age.
Website: CostaCruise.com
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have many programs for kids and their familes…including Aqua Babies, Adventure Ocean, and Adventure Family Programs. In the Fisher Price® Aqua Babies program, your 6 to 18-month-old is enticed to explore music, rhythm, creativity, letters, shapes, numbers, color and more. Aqua Tots, 18 to 36 months, discover more about the places they are visiting on the cruise, sing, dance, and join in imaginative play with Little People® friends, building blocks and vehicles. Adventure Ocean is a free program, open to all guests ages 3-17. Children are separated by age: 3 to 5; 6 to 8; 9 to 11; 12 to 14; and 15 to 17. They must be at least 3 years of age and diaper-free (no pull-ups). Adventure Ocean is a complimentary program specially designed to blend educational activities with just plain fun. Your child will learn about local customs, do cool science experiments, and make great new friends. There are no exceptions to this rule. The idea of Adventure Family is for kids and their parents to get together and participate in fun onboard activities like ice-skating and karaoke, as well as beach games that are played shoreside. It’s a great way for the entire family to have some fun.
Website: RoyalCaribbean.com
