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Looking for Adventure, Beauty, Culture and a Unique Vacation? Then Choose Ecuador

drew — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:51:18 +0000

The Inherent Beauty of Ecuador

Ecuador isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when you are thinking about planning an ideal vacation or a unique getaway. With that said, it really should be. Ecuador is located in the Andes and is full of unique experiences, idyllic attractions and offers intrigue and excitement for all kinds of travelers. You can trek through the Amazon, lay back on pristine beaches and climb your way to the top of volcanoes. While there is no end to the places you can visit in Ecuador, you would regret not visiting the historic and world famous Galapagos Islands. Here are some of the best places to visit and a few reasons why you should put Ecuador on your list of possible vacation destinations.

Quito

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is full of culture and majestic architecture. It is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in all of South America and is covered in awe-inspiring white houses with red roofs. If you are used to living in a large city you will be pleasantly surprised by the lack of lights, bustle and concrete design in Quito.

The climate in the area is considered to be eternally spring as it is surrounded by snow covered mountains, yet warm enough to enjoy the beaches. Quito is referred to as the gateway to the Amazon and is full of lively outdoor cafes and entertainment. There are economic problems in the area, so be sure to keep your cash hidden and be weary of pick pockets.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands can be found approximately 600 miles off of the mainland of Ecuador and are home to some of the most mystifying creatures and inherent natural beauty. There are 13 different islands that you can tour and there will be no shortage of experiences and wildlife that you will come across. The best way to get there is via boat and you will have to purchase an affordable entry permit, but it will be well worth it.

Volcano Avenue

Just south of Quito you can find the infamous volcanoes that run down the side of the valley. The mountain sides are covered in dormant volcanoes that provide a uniquely beautiful backdrop. There are a number of old fashioned villages dotted throughout the area that really give it a classic, old fashioned feel.

San Lorenzo Railway

If it is adventure and a unique experience that you are after, then grab a ride on the San Lorenzo Railway. It is more than just a train ride as you will be taken through some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenery in the world. The truly unique part is that the train is not necessarily a train. It is an old fashioned bus that has been converted into being able to ride the tracks.
Ecuador can best be described as an exotic location, full of unique experiences, that is off the beaten path. The entire country is full of attractions and beauty. The next time you are planning a vacation getaway, it is in your best interest to look into Ecuador and consider the memories that you can create there.

For more information on a vacation to Ecuador and facts you need to know, please visit http://www.fodors.com/community/south-america/ecuador-and-galapagos.cfm

A Memorable Trip to Fiji; The Perfect Cheap Holiday

drew — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:41:55 +0000

A Sunset you will Never Forget

There has been a lot said about Fiji and the surrounding islands in the last few years, and to be honest, not much of it has been positive. There has been economic turmoil and political instability, along with some severe weather conditions. However, whether you are an adventure seeker or looking for that perfect romantic getaway, Fiji can be the perfect cheap holiday. A lot of the issues have been resolved or were blown out of proportion and you can take advantage of this. There are an abundance of cheap vacation spots in Fiji and it is easy to barter and negotiate for lower prices when it comes to renting villas, booking flights and engaging in daily tours. At present, the islands of Fiji provide the ultimate mix of relaxation, romance and adventure at an affordable price.

Let’s take a look at what your typical cheap holiday in Fiji may look like. For starters, if you have traveled before then you know just how costly resorts and hotels can be. You are looking at easily paying upwards of a couple of hundred dollars per night. If you do your research and look around, especially on websites like www.vrbo.com, you can find a number of villas for rent that will allow you to create the perfect self catered holiday, at a very impressive discounted rate. The longer you stay, the better price you will receive. You may notice that some villas hover around the $900 USD a week mark, but if you inquire about a month stay, the owners will usually give you a considerable discount of sometimes even up to half price. This is why so many people are leaning towards self catered vacations for the perfect cheap holiday in Fiji.

Fiji offers some of the most dazzling and memorable attractions in the world, and you can tour the islands easily and get from place to place quite quickly, especially if you hire a car service or rent a vehicle of your own. You can start out visiting the Naihehe Caves which offer an excellent look into the culture and history of the Fijian people, and then end up on one of the world’s best beaches. Natadola Beach has everything a beach lover could want from shaded trees to endless white sand and even the opportunity to ride a horse along the water.

After that you can make the short trek to Nadi and visit the temples and historic religious sites and simply enjoy the majestic architecture and flavor of Fiji in all its glory. From there it is just a hop, skip and a jump to Suva which is one of the most festive areas of the island. You can enjoy a cheap night out on the town and visit the colorful flea markets around town. It is the perfect place to stock up on souvenirs from your cheap holiday to Fiji.

This is just a small glimpse of some of the things you can enjoy in Fiji while stretching your dollar as far as possible. You also do not want to miss out on Taveuni Island where you can find one of the top natural trails in the world, the Lavena Coastal Walk and the spectacular Tavoro waterfalls. Possibly the best part about a trip to Fiji is that there are all these options when it comes to entertainment, but you are not forced into any of it. You can simply kick back in your villa, relax in the sun and sip a cocktail if that is what you are into. Fiji is a one place fits all destination and an affordable opportunity that you do not want to let slip away.

For more information on the wonderful activities and opportunities available in Fiji, feel free to visit

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/fiji

Top 10 Places to Travel on a Budget

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:48:56 +0000

If you are like most folks these days you are on a budget. Whether you have been affected financially due to the slumping economy or not you are probably watching what you spend. Fortunately, even if you are on a budget there are some places you can travel that offer fun and excitement even when you don’t have much to spend.

Beaches

You can go to the beach for free. Sure, you might have to pay for parking, but it usually isn’t much and if you don’t mind walking you can always park for free. The surf and the sand are available year round free of charge and can be a great way to have fun, get some sun, and save some money. Pack a picnic and have fun!

National Parks

There are national parks located across the United States. Find the closest ones to you to explore. Most even have campsites where you can truly enjoy nature and save some money.

Rivers

There are many rivers throughout the United States that offer great vacation and recreational opportunities. Fishing, rafting, boating, swimming, and more can all be enjoyed. Find the rivers closest to you and checkout recreational activities you can enjoy.

Mountains

The mountains are beautiful and perfect for hiking, camping, and simply enjoying peace and quiet. Take a drive to the closest mountains and camp out, enjoy white water rafting, or even take a train ride through the mountains and valleys.

Theme Parks

Theme parks are usually relatively affordable and they serve up lots of fun. They are great for kids of all ages and families really enjoy spending a day together enjoying the rides, shows, and food.

Museums

The United States has museums in all big cities and many small ones, too. Make it a family goal to visit all the museums in a 100 mile radius of your home one year and you will learn many new things about your area and its history.

Cruises

When it comes to vacations, cruises are usually fairly affordable. A 3-day cruise can be reserved at a couple hundred dollars a person and that includes food! Consider a cruise if you are on a budget and interested in going somewhere tropical.

Walt Disney World/Land

Whether you are in California or Florida, you should definitely check out a Walt Disney theme park. With free entrance on your birthday, and other deals, this can be a great way to vacation, have fun, and still stay on a budget.

National Monuments

There are all kinds of national monuments, especially in Washington, DC. They are free of charge to visit in most cases and you will learn a great deal about the history of the country.

Internationally

If you live near the border consider traveling out of the country for a few days. Many times prices are more affordable and you will be able to have a better vacation for less money. If you don’t live close to the border you may be able to find affordable flights to places like Mexico, Central America, and even places in Europe. That’s especially the case if you live near a large international airport.

These are just a few ideas to take a vacation and save money. Remember, it’s not where you go or how much you spend, but the family time spent making memories that’s important.

Budget Travel for the Unemployed

admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:47:12 +0000

Regardless of whether you are gainfully employed or not you will still want to take a vacation to enjoy your family, friends, and some free time away from the stress of looking for a job. Luckily, there are quite a few ways you can travel on a budget even if you are currently unemployed. The following are a few of the ways you can save money and still have a great vacation!

Day Trips

Day trips are a great way to have a mini vacation without having to spend money on lodging. Many times, lodging is the most expensive part of a vacation so when you eliminate that cost you will be able to save money and still have fun. Consider where you live and what locations are close enough for a day trip. Perhaps you live within a few hours from the beach or mountains, or a river where you could white water raft. Theme parks are fun, too, and great for a day trip.

Off season

If you are unemployed and money is tight consider traveling during the offseason. Everything is more affordable during the offseason from hotel rooms to park entrances and everything else you might be interested in.

Prepare Meals

If you are going on vacation and you plan on spending a few days you can save a lot of money by preparing your own food. Take a cooler with the basics like sandwich makings, drinks, and bottles of water. Pack chips, crackers, and other foods that travel well. Consider a hotel room with a kitchenette that you can prepare meals in and you can stop at a local grocery store and stock up on ingredients.

Coupons

Look out for coupons to help you find a place to travel on a budget. Many times when the economy is suffering vacation spots offer coupons to bring in more business. Search the web, your newspaper, and even destination websites for coupons to help you save some money.

The great thing about travel is you can get in your car and go anywhere that sounds like fun to you. Get creative and explore the areas near home. More often than not there are great places to visit nearby that are a lot of fun that you may have overlooked your whole life. Get creative with taking a “vacation”, something you can even do at home by renting movies, making popcorn, and having a movie day with the whole family.

Map of Travel Destinations

admin — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:08:53 +0000

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5 Simple Packing tips

admin — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 15:50:16 +0000

When I initially began to write this article, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. I couldn’t help imagining obsessive compulsives all over the world (including my dad) fervently taking notes from their computer or printing this very article to tape on their suitcase. But upon further consideration I began to recall vacations I had so gloriously embarked upon, only to find my belongings jammed hap-hazardly in my suitcase topped with a perfume-soaked sock swimming in a flower-scented river(the culprit being a melted lady speed stick). And So I have come to realize that this article is not just for those who color-code their sock drawer, or only eat their cookies in odd numbers, oh no…these tips are for everyone (including the girl with the crusty wrinkled clothes and the Calvin Klein scented tube socks).

1. The Wrinkle Fairy

Ok So I actually tried several tips on how to keep your suit-cased clothes wrinkle-free and these are the ones I found most useful: It is best to pack your clothes in the following order: Shirts on the bottom, then dresses, then pants. If you prefer to fold your clothes your shirts should be folded into on large rectangle (start with the more delicate shirts at the bottom, and stack until you have a pile with the most heavy-duty shirts on the top) the sleeves folded inward, then fold your pile in half(from the bottom) which gives you a nice, neat rectangle. Then place your dresses on your freshly folded shirts, and spread the dress to its fullest length (its ok if it drapes over the sides). Now for the pants, fold each pair in half (lengthwise) then stack on top of the dresses in the same order as the shirts (with the most wrinkle-prone pairs on the bottom) now fold the whole stack of pants in half then finish by wrapping your dresses around the pants. This was I found to be the most effective way to avoid wrinkles. Or if you are like me you could always just jam your clothes in your suitcase any ole way and hope like heck there will be an iron in your hotel room.

2. Stinky Shoes

If you need to take your gym shoes on your trip you can avoid the "your clothes smell like gym-shoe" comment by placing a dryer sheet into each shoe, and putting the offending pair of shoes into a grocery bag. I found this not only to be a fairly effective way to keep my clothes smelling good, but to also avoid the embarrassing scenario of having hotel staff direct you to the nearest soup kitchen.

3. Is that toothpaste on your zipper?

We all know that anything that is moist, spill-able and/or breakable should be kept in plastic bags but I have found that if you use regular sandwich bags the smell can still seep through onto your clothes, and who wants to smell like denture cream? Ok except for my grandma. The best bags to use are the zip lock freezer bags (just make sure there is minimal air in them so they don’t take up so much space or pop open).

4. Dirty Laundry

Most hotels don’t have washers and dryers so what to do with already worn clothing? Bring a large kitchen garbage bag and as soon as you take off your dirty clothes just toss them on into your makeshift hamper. I highly recommend the Hefty bags with the built-in odor eliminator to suck up some of the smell. You could also bring older underwear and socks and just throw them away after you wear them. This also frees up more space for those I Love Montana mugs you bought for your friends.

5. Protect yourself.

Never leave valuables (jewelry, car keys, cash, credit cards, etc.) in your non-carry on luggage. Not only will you be S.O.L. if your suitcase gets lost by the airline, airport security can randomly pick a suitcase and search the contents, and why tempt the innocent (or in some cases not so innocent)? It is also a good idea to use a business address on your ID tag instead of your home address. Thieves often target visible ID tags for your home address. Knowing that you are not at home, your house is an easy target for a burglar.

So there you have it! Some helpful tips to make your packing a little easier and your free time can be spent enjoying your vacation instead of ironing out your shirts and picking dried Colgate out of your zipper. Happy Packing!

Inexpensive Things to do in Atlanta during the summer

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 22:31:37 +0000

Slip into some shorts and a cotton shirt and prepare to have wholesome, cheap fun in Atlanta during the summer. From free concerts to inexpensive Asian meals, Take One magazines to Starbucks on every corner, and down the way to Little Five Points where parking is cheap and refundable, and shops call out to you on the sidewalks with their air- conditioned caverns.

Every Saturday at Underground Atlanta, there’s a free concert. And not the local talent nobody but a few handfuls of hippies have heard of. Real, live, entertainers. In July, Cake and Weezer rocked the crowds. Coming up in August will be names like Seether and Garbage. More than one band plays every Saturday night, and concerts last from 6:15-11:00. Check out www.99x.com for times and dates.

For movies, one of the local radio stations, Star 94, has you covered, for free again. On Saturdays, they take a blow-up movie screen to a different part of the city each time, and play a family-friendly movie.

With every good concert or movie should come a delicious dinner and possibly coffee. While you could go somewhere like the Cheesecake Factory or the Olive Garden, why not keep with the as-cheap-as-possible trend? There’s a great little restaurant called Noodle on the corner of Peachtree and 7^th Avenue where the average price of a meal is $8.75. The serving sizes are more than one person can usually eat in a sitting. Most of the food is Asian inspired (might I recommend the basil shrimp rolls with peanut sauce for an appetizer), but there are things on the menu such as fried chicken cut up on a bed of noodles. If you’re the adventurous type, try their Thai iced tea. It’s got a smoky flavor that’s hard to associate with anything else. The atmosphere’s that of a quirky, expensive restaurant but the prices don’t reflect it. It’s on the small side, with deep red walls wearing characters outlined in black and fiber-optic lamps. And right down the sidewalk there’s a Starbucks and a stand for free copies of one of their local magazines (free reading material!).

If Asian food’s not your forte, the Vortex serves up delicious all-American food. Who could ask for more than a big, fat, juicy burger on a summer evening prior to a rock concert? There’s a full bar with a hefty selection of beers. If you don’t find yourself in that location, you can check out their first location in Little Five Points, with the door located in the mouth of a skull. It’s a punk-inspired location with an appeal to even the most traditional set of taste buds.

Along with the several unique food establishments in Little Five Points lie stores you won’t find anywhere else in Georgia. From thrift stores to crystal, if you want something just a little different from everyone else, shop here. If you shop at a selection of stores and show the guys in the parking lot your receipt from there, your $2 parking fee will be refunded (in at least one lot). You can walk away with a henna tattoo on your back, beaded hair sticks in your hair, and a bag of deeply discounted designer jeans and a sack of assorted incenses and sterling silver jewelry.

Take advantage of the warm temperatures and all the free/inexpensive things Atlanta has to offer for the summer. Go from food to shopping, then on to Starbucks and a concert for a low-key weekend. Enjoy!

Mongolia

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 22:25:56 +0000

Known as “The Land of Blue Sky” in ancient east-Asian lore, Mongolia spread culture and language westward, creating the legends and allure that brought Marco Polo to the Far East, inspired the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Dinosaur hunters to the Gobi desert. For my own part, it was continued exploration of the effects of Soviet-era occupation in Asian lands that drew me to this faraway nation, a newer democracy.

Indeed, when one explores Mongolia’s capital Ulaan Bataar, the Cold War spy photos of Eastern Europe seem to be juxtaposed with the ‘tintypes’ of the Old West. Block like concrete structures straddle semi paved streets where donkeys and primitive vehicles carry goods and natives to and fro.

Sükhbaatar Square

is the center of the city’s life, with new businesses and older residential high-rises occupying the surrounding streets. On the very outskirts of the city one can find the traditional gers or yurts; felt tents that have been stalwarts of Mongol life for all recorded history.

Virtually every sign in Ulaan Bataar is written in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet, though the Russian and Mongol languages have nothing in common. Mongolian, the official language, is a member of the Ural-Altaic family of languages, which includes Finnish, Turkish, Hungarian, Kazak, Uzbek and Korean. Named for the area between the Ural Mountains of Russia and the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, the language was spread throughout the Eurasian landmass by Mongol horsemen, nomadic warriors who sought riches from western lands. The most famous of these, Genghis Khan, conquered most of interior Asia (from Beijing to the Caspian Sea) between 1189 and 1227 AD.

Genghis’ grandson, Kublai Khan (1216-94), completed the conquests envisioned by his predecessor: during his reign the Mongol Empire stretched from Korea to Hungary and as far south as Vietnam, making it the largest empire the world has ever known.

Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) is the dominant faith in Mongolia, and one can find evidence of the religious past within very old and very new temples. From the 1930s until 1990, religious practice was officially outlawed under the communist regimes of Soviet puppet governments. Since then, there has been an amazing revival of Buddhist worship, leading to the restoration of old temples (that had been ransacked or vandalized) and creation of newer ones for the increasingly urban population. Just as Muslims seek to travel to Mecca once in their lifetime, Buddhists in Mongolia feel a pilgrimage to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (now under Chinese rule) is a tenet of their faith.

It is possible to fly into Ulaan Bataar from Moscow, Osaka, Beijing or Seoul, but flights are infrequent and frequently delayed during bad weather, which can materialize instantaneously between October and June. The Trans-Mongolian railway links Beijing and Moscow, but it is a highly capricious and corrupt system of travel; foreigners are often “delayed” while officials stall for bribe money. Entry and exit visas are required for all foreigners, and you should be ready to expect delays while your passport and visa are scrutinized.

Las Vegas: A Guide for Families

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:16:27 +0000

Las Vegas is a timeless multi-billion dollar glittering icon, covering the sins which earned it the moniker "sin city" with a veneer of class. In the recent years, Vegas has made an incredible comeback as the previously proclaimed adult playground, with breathtaking new casinos, shows, and clubs while still maintaining the old school excitement that has attracted so many jack-pot seekers over the decades.

In addition to new and architecturally improved casinos, there has been an additional lure provided for Vegas-goers (families in particular) which includes the addition of theme parks, glorified roller coasters, and several other family-friendly activities. These new additions create an atmosphere that both children and adults can enjoy (and subsequently keep the kids occupied while their parents spend more time in the casinos). Never has a city so eloquently catered not just to high rollers but to families who want a small taste of everything that Vegas has to offer without emptying their wallets. Fortunately for the latter party there are several casinos who are geared towards this very principle. Below is a small sampling of some of the more family oriented casinos including the entertainment they offer for both children and adults.

Excalibur: This is one of the most family and pocket book friendly hotels, with rooms starting at $59.95 and a prime location on the strip. When you check in, make sure to obtain a coupon book which is available to all hotel guests and includes a 2 for 1 buffet, free day pass to the spa, and several other useful coupons.

Activities for mom: Excalibur has recently opened an elegant day spa which includes a gym, hot tub, sauna, and freshening rooms with everything from mouth wash to hair styling products. For those who are staying at the hotel, the free pass included in the coupon book obtained at check-in can be used to enjoy these basic amenities. One can also enjoy (for an additional charge) a choice of several different types of massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend a day in a calm, relaxing environment away from the kids.

Activities for the kids :On the lower level (right below the casino) Excalibur offers an entire floor of carnival games, an arcade, and a magic motion theatre which is sure to keep the kids busy for hours. The hotel also offers 2 outdoor pools one of which has a water slide.

Activities for dad: As with all hotel/casinos Excalibur offers every imaginable aspect of gambling, and complimentary drinks while you play ( make sure to tip the cocktail waitress a few dollars each round, this is common courtesy and will keep the drinks coming). But if you are in the mood for sports, there is a large sports bar with several big screen TVs.

Family activities: If you want to stay near your hotel, Excalibur has the Tournament of Kings which is a medieval times type show that includes a dinner of soup, Cornish game hen, potatoes, vegetables, and dessert (you can get a discount on the show if you are staying at Excalibur). Some other fun and inexpensive activities include the shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay, the M&M and Coca-Cola museums, a free bird show at the Tropicana, and gondola rides at the Venetian.

Circus Circus: This is an older hotel, located further back from the strip, however the prices are lower (starting at $41.95 a night). The hotel has the Adventure Dome, an amusement park which includes a log ride, roller coaster, and carnival games. One level above the casino is another floor dedicated to carnival and arcade games, one of the major perks being that the games can cost as little as .25 cents which will help stretch the spending money a little further. Because of its inexpensive rooms, Circus Circus tends to be more crowded, there have also been instances where the rooms were not adequately cleaned, and the buffet has received poor reviews.

Mandalay Bay: Rooms at Mandalay Bay are more expensive (starting at $119.95 a night) but the accommodations are well worth the extra money. The hotel is built resort-style with spacious rooms, state of the art casino games, and an excellent service staff. A very attractive feature is the outdoor man-made beach with a wave pool, and a winding river that can take you on a relaxing inner-tube ride in a tropical setting.

New York New York: This newer hotel is very pleasing to the eye, featuring 12 New York style skyscrapers, complete with a 150-foot recreation of the Statue of liberty (room prices start at $79.95 a night). This hotel enhances the New York feel with a huge Manhattan-style roller coaster, however just one ride can be expensive it is a better deal to buy the unlimited day pass and ride the coaster several times. In the same vicinity there is a large state of the art arcade with a few carnival games. Also worth checking out is the Coyote Ugly (you must be 21 or older) but beware of a $10.00 cover charge, and overpriced drinks which are shamelessly forced on you. But if you don’t feel like spending much money on liquor, a little dance up on stage with the Coyote Ugly girls will snag you a free shot.

This is merely a small sampling of the accommodations available in Vegas, as each hotel uses a different lure to attract more guests which makes is a wonderfully diverse city. Entertainment can be provided to any extreme, with hotels that simulate a variety of themes and destinations making it one of the most popular and well worth your dollar vacation spots in the United States.