Beach Vacations For Winter

 

During the winter months, finding a beach vacation

spot can be a little difficult.  It doesn't have

to be, which is where this article will really come

in handy.  Below, you'll find some resorts that

offer a unique twist to your winter beach vacation.

 

1.  Molokai Ranch and Lodge

On a white sand shore on the tiny Hawaiian island of

Molokai, guests will stay in comfortable yet unique

tents.  Each double unit canvas bungalow sits on

wooden platforms, offers queen size beds in one

unit, twin beds in the other, solar powered lights,

and a private bathroom with hot water showers.

 

The Molokai Ranch and Lodge offers over 54,000

acres, including seaside cliffs with very lush

valleys.  The outdoor activities here include sea

kayaking, cultural hikes, mountain biking, and

horseback rides.  For the kids, the lodge offers

nature walks, horse stables, tidal pools and

Hawaiian arts and crafts.

 

2.  Grand Wailea Resort and Spa of Hawaii

Long ago, a big swimming pool was enough to make

guests happy.  Now days, resorts compete in water

activities such as lagoons, waterfalls, water

slides, and even lazy rivers.

 

The Grand Wailea Resort offers several attractions,

such as the 4,580 square foot Hibiscus pool,

and the 25,700 square foot Canyon Activity pool

which is great for families. 

 

3.  Atlantis Resort of the Bahamas

In the amazing water fun department is the unique

Atlantis Resort and Spa on Paradise Island in

the Bahamas.  Along with the beach, the Atlantis

has eleven swimming pools, Mayan Temple water

slides, and lazy river rides.  The Atlantis

also boasts an amazing marine habitat, with

exhibit lagoons that house more than 50,000

sea animals.

 

4.  Club Med Punta Cana

Over the last several years, the Dominion

Republic has been working very hard to establish

itself as a destination for families, with many

all inclusives being built.  This location has

all the perks of a tropical resort plus stand

out features that include kids programs, and

other attractions that make Club Med Punta Cana

one of the most unique beach vacation spots in

the entire world.

 

5.  Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands National Park is a very

unique vacation spot with white sandy beaches, and

lodging in comfortable tent cottages.

 

As with the Molokai Ranch, guest cottages are built

on platforms and designed to be both attractive

and comfortable.  Each one has a sleeping area,

bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils, stove, ice

cooler, and even a private deck.

 

Water sports for the area include kayaking, wind

surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.  There is

also an outdoor restaurant and a food store for

those who want to cook from the privacy of their

own room.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Air Travel: Is It Right for You?

 

Are you interested in taking a vacation?  If you are, you may be required to fly.  There are many popular vacation destinations, such as Hawaii, Europe, and the Caribbean, that cannot be reached any other way.  With that in mind, if you are looking to vacation within in the United States you may have more options.  For that reason, you may want to first decide if traveling by airplane is really right for you.

When it comes to determining if air travel is really right for you, for your next trip, you will first want to look at your destination.  Just because you do not have any oceans to cross, it does not mean that you don’t need to fly.  For example, if you are looking to travel from New York to California, it may be within your best interest to fly.  This is particularly true if you are limited on the amount of vacation time that you have available from your work. 

Your budget is another factor that you will want to take into consideration, when trying to determine if air travel is right for you.  For example, there are many other cheaper alternatives for those who must travel a short to medium distance.  For example, if you will be traveling from Texas to Nevada, you may be able to buy tickets for a bus or train.  There are many different options when you look for them.  For many individuals, riding a bus or a train is a much more affordable option.  Perhaps, the only downside to this approach is the time that you will spend on the road.  For many, it would just be convenient to drive their own car.

Speaking of driving your own car, if you are looking to avoid flying, you will want to examine your alternative option of driving yourself.  As previously stated, keep your location and distance in mind.  Also, it is important to take the cost of your trip into consideration.  Many of us automatically think of gasoline and the cost of it, but it is also important to take the cost of vehicle wear and tear into consideration.  For that reason, many end up renting a car for their trip.  However, it is important to return back to traveling by air.  For long distance trips, the cost of renting a car can be the same, if not more than hopping on a flight that only lasts a few hours

What does all of this mean for you?  It does mean that you will likely be better off traveling by airplane if you are looking to travel in the United States.  With that said, there are some exceptions to this rule.  For example, you should never fly if you can drive to your destination in an hour or two, as doing so can be considered a waste of money.  Also, if you are a motor home owner or if you can find an affordable rental nearby, you may want to drive to your destination instead, as doing so can sometimes be better than flying.

For the most part, the only individuals who should have trouble flying are those who suffer from claustrophobia or a fear of flying, even flying is safe.  Individuals with other disabilities, including the need of an oxygen tank or those who are wheel chair bound, can still fly to their destination, as many airlines will go out of their way to provide needed accommodations and services.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Adventure Sailing Vacation Has No Limits

 

Adventure sailing vacation has no limits when even the physically disabled are able to achieve such a feat. This is as long as there are charities and clubs around that allow people with mixed abilities to work side by side with an able crew on equal terms.

Currently, such groups can be booked for a sailing vacation that will last from 4 days or 4 weeks. Ships can be charted to go from one point in the US to another. Charters those across the Atlantic might sail south or the west to enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Tour groups that provide these cruises are suitable for beginners and veterans alike. First timers get learn the basics and at the end of the course get a certificate. To get more experience, they will have to head out to see regularly. Those who don’t have the time can take an online course because although it is not a substitute for certification, it is a good tool in preparation for your continuing sailing education.

But if you are just doing this for fun to spend time with friends, you don’t have to work. Given that charters already assign a trained crew, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ocean voyage.

Along the way, the ship will dock in different ports. This allows people to go inland and spend some time ashore. They can sleep there as well or go back to the ship to watch the harbor and the stars at night before it is time to set sail to their next destination.

At sea, the crew might encounter dolphins, seals and whales swimming alongside the ship. As they get closer to land, they will most likely encounter cormorants, guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins, shags, skuas and razorbills among other creatures.

Part of the package includes good quality fresh food so you don’t have to bring anything when you come aboard. Crews will do the cooking but you can assist if you want to get into the action. 

To make such tours accessible to those who are and are not physically challenged, companies make it a point that the meeting points are easily accessible by plane and at cheap rates. Booking can be made through your travel agent or you can make the reservation online. You can look at their itinerary for the year so you know where the ship is going on a certain date.

There are also sailing clubs for the disabled. Some will require you to pay a membership fee while others hand this out for free.

Perhaps the biggest achievement for those who are disabled is to compete against others that have similar disabilities. Established in 1998, the US Disabling Team competes in various races annually and the biggest one this year happens to be the 2008 Paralympic Games which will be held in Qingdao, China about 430 miles east of the Capital.

So whether it is just for fun or to race for the grand prize, adventure sailing vacation has no limits even to those with physical disabilities. This is because they can be trained to run the ship just as well as an able bodied person so they are able to set out to sea and return back to port.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

A Holiday on the 7 Seas

 

The problem with a lot of holiday trips is that resorts or theme parks are so predictable.  While we all go that route at first when the kids are little, it doesn’t take long even for the kids to see that these manufactured adventures are just that, pretend adventures and that it's far more exciting to get out there and have a real adventure and come home from holiday or vacation with a memory that will last a lifetime.

This is why yachting has become such a popular approach to enjoying some time off with the family and having an exotic vacation where the variety of things to do is virtually endless.  The yachting industry has come a long way to make the experience available to the wealthy and to people who are not looking for the most luxurious vacation ever as well.  Because you can pick the level of service you want or need, you can opt to have an entire crew on board of your yacht catering to your every need or scale down the size of your service personnel to just a captain or even to skipper the yacht yourself with a bareboat tour that is as close to "us against the world" as you are likely to get. 

The great thing about yachting in one of the exciting vacation spots around the world is you have a lot of freedom to move about easily.  Virtually while you nap, your captain can take you from a remote forest just off shore to gaze through binoculars at exotic beasts in their natural setting to a remote beach you would pay big money to enjoy in a luxury resort.  There is no experience as breath taking as sitting with your sweetheart and seeing the sun go down over the horizon at sea with no land in sight north, south, east or west.  This is the kind of change of pace that can take you out of the humdrum of life and really make you reflect on your life and on the world.  And that is always a healthy outcome of any get away.

The choice of destinations for a yachting holiday are vast and diverse because anywhere you might go to vacation in a land bound resort offers charter yachts so you can take in the entire experience from the deck of a boat that is yours to captain.  Feel free to stand with your hands on your hips and leg up like a pirate king or to stand on the point and shout "I'm the king of the world" to the open seas.  It's your yacht to get out there and enjoy it. 

The biggest problem you might have when planning your yachting vacation is picking what area of the world to enjoy in this very unique way.  Whether your yachting takes you to Greece, Turkey, the south of France, Bulgaria or the gulf coast of America, each location offers exotic cultures to explore, new food sensations to savor each night and shorelines that will all compete for you to crown them "best beaches in the world".  Then next year the competition will be even more intense for where to go or where to go back to.

Of course one option to try at least once is simply to "disappear at sea".  While you would not literally vanish, with a yacht at your disposal, you can get away from humanity to where it is just you and the sea and stay there for a day or a week if it suits you.  The gentle movement of the saves will create an entirely new balance in you and sooth you like nothing on hard ground can do.  It might seem like you would get bored but if you have ample provisions, simple acts like fishing, taking a swim in the deep with the creatures of the sea or just watching the birds dive for their suppers can be wonderfully entertaining and give you hours of time to reflect and recuperate from a busy life at home.

That kind of relaxation may be only possible with a complete retreat environment such as a yacht can provide.  And once you enjoy the deep refreshing that being at sea with complete isolation, complete freedom but also the luxury your yacht affords, you will get hooked and be planning a new yacht holiday next year and for many years to come.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

5 Tips for RV Renters

Are you in the process of planning a cross-country trip to see the United States firsthand?  Or, are you in the process of planning a long distance road trip to visit friends and family?  If you are, you will want to consider traveling by RV.  There are a number of benefits to traveling long distances in a motor home.  These benefits include luxury, comfort, and having many home-like features.

As nice as it is to hear that traveling by RV is a great way to travel long distances and with large families, many are unsure about doing so.  One of the biggest concerns is the cost of buying an RV.  If you are interested in traveling by RV, but cannot afford the cost of owning one, you still have options.  RV rentals are an affordable way to gain access to a motor home.  With that being said, RV rentals can get expensive if you are not careful.  For that reason, five helpful tips for RV renters are highlighted below.

1 – Know All Of Your Options

Knowing all of your options is the best way to see success when renting a motor home.  First, examine all of your options in terms of local RV rental companies.  Many have multiple companies to choose from. 

Next, examine the types of motor homes available for rent.  For comfort, as well as safety, rent a motor home that is able to accommodate you and your traveling party.  For example, a group of six travelers should not try and squeeze into a motor home built for five.  Also examine features, such as number of electrical outlets, onboard television, movie players, and so forth.

2 – Compare Rental Prices

As previously stated, most individuals have multiple RV rental companies to do business with.  To limit the cost of your next RV trip, compare prices.  In addition to comparing the average rental price for different companies, also examine the different motor homes.  As previously stated, size is not something that you will want to be short on, but by limiting additional features, you may be able to save money.

3 – Read All Fine Print

When renting an RV, you will be required to sign a contract.  This contract is similar to one that you would sign if you were renting a car.  With that being said, never assume that all rental contracts are the same.  Always fully read an RV rental contract, including the fine print.  Never sign anything that looks too suspicious.  When in doubt, ask to take the contract home and review it first.

In keeping with reading all fine print, it is important to know all RV rental rules and restrictions upfront.  Many times, these rules and restrictions are highlighted on a rental contract, but there is no harm in asking for additional information.  Be on the lookout for any rules that may limit the number of guests allowed on board, age requirements for children, and so froth.

4 – Be Careful With Use

Being cautious is an important component of renting an RV.  If you are not careful, you may be financially responsible for any damage that occurs.  That is why you should always use caution.  Some tips involve keeping all food and drinks properly covered or put up while on the road, don’t prepare foods while driving that can cause harmful stains, and so forth.  Also, if you have children, be sure to set some ground rules.

5 – Return Your Rental On Time

Returning your RV rental on time is important for keeping your rental costs low and affordable.  Late rentals may incur late fees.  These late fees, should they exist, should be outlined on the RV rental contract.  If you know you are running behind schedule and will be late, be sure to contact your RV rental company to inform them of your delay as soon as possible.

As a recap, RV renters are encouraged to examine all of their rental options, compare prices, thoroughly read through rental contracts, use caution, and return their RV rentals on time.  These steps, when properly implemented, can not only help to improve the overall quality of your next RV trip, but they can also help to keep the costs associated with that trip reasonable. 

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations