Celebrating Spring Break aboard a Cruise Ship

 

Are you a hardworking college student?  If so, are you looking forward to spring break?  Spring break is an extended break that all college students in the United States are granted.  Unlike holiday breaks, spring break is often a time to vacation, let loose, and have fun with your friends.

Selecting a bring break destination is a fairly easy process. There are a large number of college students who flock to the most popular spring break destinations.  These destinations include Cancun, South Beach, the Bahamas, or Panama City.  Each of these destinations is famous for their sunny weather and amazing nightlife.  Despite their popularity, these beaches often become overcrowded during spring break.  If you are interested in swaying away from the norm, you may want to consider spending your spring break aboard a cruise ship.

When it comes to cruise ships, many individuals mistakenly believe they are only for family vacations or romantic getaways.  The truth is that you can take a cruise at just about any point in your life and go just about anywhere you want. That includes spring break.  If you are interested in spending your break partying and enjoying life, you do not have to worry. There are a number of cruise lines that have cruise ships that are just for you. 

To find a cruise ship that allows adventure, partying, and all-around fun, you will need to do a little bit of research.  This research involves familiarizing yourself with popular cruise lines and the ships they offer.  If you are looking to examine popular cruise lines, you are encouraged to learn more about Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, or Costa Cruises.  In addition to these well-know cruise lines, it is likely that you will come across additional cruise lines offering fun filled cruises, all around the world. 

When you are searching for a cruise ship that offers excitement and adventure, you are encouraged to stay away from ships that target families.  Family cruises are often limited on the amount of gambling or alcohol assumption that goes on.  If gambling and alcohol consumption is allowed, excess amounts are often frowned upon. To avoid confrontation, you are encouraged to stay away from these family cruise lines. That is unless you plan on spending your spring break with your family. 

In addition to family cruises, you may want to avoid cruise ships that target couples.  These romantic cruises are often geared towards couples that are interested in experiencing a romantic and relaxing cruise.  If you are traveling with your partner, a romantic cruise may be acceptable for your needs.  Gambling and alcohol consumption is allowed aboard most romantic cruises, but excessive amounts are also often frowned upon.

To find the perfect cruise ship for your summer vacation, you are encouraged to find a cruise ship that targets those seeking adventures.  In addition to offering exciting onboard activities, you are likely to find that the land adventures are just as fun.  Many party cruises or adventure cruises dock in well-known ports.  These ports may have activities that are just what you are looking for. 

Spending your vacation aboard a cruise ship is the perfect way to enjoy your break.  This unique vacation experience will often eliminate overcrowded beaches and unsafe adventures.  Aboard a cruise ship you can safely enjoy your break, while having fun at the same time.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

 

London, Just Like in the Movies... Well Sort Of!

London Should Be On Your Bucket List!

Have you ever watched a movie and fallen in love with where it took place? I remember the first time I saw Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and deciding for sure that I was going to live in London one day, right there in Notting Hill. And hopefully, meet my version of Hugh Grant in a bookstore. And then when I saw Under The Tuscan Sun, I decided for sure that I'd like to one day buy a farmhouse in Tuscany and convert it to a bed and breakfast.

Movies have such a powerful effect on our imagination, and no doubt, they have influenced many people by inspiring them to travel to their favorite movie or television locations.

If London is on your travel bucket list, be sure to check out these movies to get you and your travel companion in the mood. Are you trying to convince a group of friends to go with you? These movies will help!

What's your favorite movie set in London? Comment below.

Pst. Mine is a toss-up between James Bond and Bridget Jones Diary - so similar, I know!

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Floppy-haired Charles (Hugh Grant) is looking for The One in Richard Curtis's sweet, soppy movie. The capital provides a picture-perfect backdrop as Grant and his band of twenty-something aristo Londoners date, flirt, and consider settling for sub-standard partners in an effort to get down the aisle. Proof that spending every sunny Saturday at a friend's wedding is not a modern affliction.

London location Charles lives (and has that romantic, rainy reunion) on Highbury Terrace in Highbury Fields, the lucky sod. He also wanders along the South Bank and has a matrimonial meltdown at Smithfield's St Bartholomew the Great.

A Fish Called Wanda

John Cleese hauled Ealing comedy legend Charles Crichton out of retirement to co-write and direct this acid-tongued shout-out to the classic comedy crime caper. Cleese plays a barrister swept up in a robbery plot; Michael Palin outraged stutterers worldwide as an animal-loving getaway driver; and two Yanks, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kevin Kline offer scathing observations on British life.

London location The iconic scene where Kline dangles Cleese out of a window was shot at New Concordia Wharf in Bermondsey. TH

Sherlock Holmes

Sir Conan Doyle's sleuth gets a post-modern update, with Robert Downey Jr playing a beefed-up version of Holmes.

London location Shot in and around London (as well as Liverpool and Manchester), Ritchie's London of yesteryear is a romantic place of heaving bosoms and ridiculously cool heroes.

Notting Hill

It's from the same makers as out Love Actually, but Notting Hill is a funny, light-hearted fantasy romance that has its tongue pressed enough into its cheek just about enough.

Only In London: Notting Hill is one of London's most multicultural hot spots, which means it's odd that Curtis' film doesn't reflect that. Still, the area looks the best it ever has – though Portobello Road is where you'll find Grant's bookshop.

Bridget Jones Diary

Renée Zellweger stars as the perpetually-single Bridget in this canny update of Pride & Prejudice.

Only In London: Visit Borough Market and you'll easily spot Bridget's little flat near the pub, not to mention the restaurant that's the setting for Firth and Grant's hilarious dust-up.

Bend It Like Beckham

Two 18-year-old girls aspire to become professional football players in Gurinder Chadha's gentle comedy.

Only In London: Chadha captures the city's cultural diversity beautifully as Parminder Nagra rebels against her orthodox Sikh upbringing – with Hounslow providing the perfect suburban backdrop.

Oliver!

Carol Reed's classic musical in which young orphan Oliver (Mark Lester) falls in with a gang of street urchins who've been trained as pickpockets.

Only In London: The city's a smoggy place filled with danger in this movie adaptation of Dickens' novel – you believe somebody like Fagin could live here.

28 Days Later

Sci-fi horror from Danny Boyle in which an incurable virus sweeps the UK, transforming people into ravenous zombies.

Only In London: Trust us, it's never this empty in London – not even at 4 am when the clubbers are all tucked up in bed. Which makes the sight of a deserted central London all the creepier…

The Bourne Ultimatum

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) continues his hunt for answers while dodging the CIA.

Only In London: Waterloo Station is a battlefield at the best of times. Still, it becomes a hustle-bustle setting for a fantastically tense action scene in Damon's last Bourne film, as he attempts to protect Paddy Considine's journalist.

Mary Poppins (1964)

Joyous musical romp starring Julie Andrews as the titular nanny, who's hired to look after two very unhappy children.

Only In London: This is London as envisioned by Walt Disney Pictures, where everybody's smartly dressed, the townhouses are towering and gorgeous, and there's not so much as a single turd in the parks. Dare to dream, Disney…

Brick Lane

A Bangladeshi woman arrives in London, leaving behind her family and friends.

Only In London: Cultural diversity is all part of London's charm, and here we get a look at the East End's Bangladeshi community, where the aftershock of 9/11 is strongly felt.

Harry Potter

Eight films adapted from JK Rowling's bestselling book series, with Daniel Radcliffe as the lightning-scarred boy wizard.

Only In London: Sad to say, Diagon Alley doesn't exist in our beloved capital. That doesn't stop Columbus, Yates et al. from lavishing the city with adoring screen time, whether it's the Millennium Bridge getting destroyed in Half-Blood Prince or those gorgeous over-city shots in Phoenix. And, of course, there's King's Cross station…

The King's Speech

Oscar-nabbing historical drama starring Colin Firth as King George VI, who struggles with a debilitating stammer.

Only In London: Rush's Harley Street practice should look familiar – it's a Georgian townhouse 33 Portland Place, a popular location used in everything from Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab' video to some less-well-known gay porn films…

Sliding Doors

A 1998 British-American romantic drama film written and directed by Peter Howitt and starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, while also featuring John Lynch, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Virginia McKenna. The film alternates between two parallel universes, based on the two paths the central character's life could take depending on whether she catches a train and causing different outcomes in her life.

Only In London: The bridge featured is the Albert Bridge between Battersea and Chelsea. The late-night scene when Paltrow and Hannah walk down the street was filmed in Primrose Gardens (formerly Stanley Gardens) in Belsize Park.

Ready to head to London? I'd love to help you plan that trip for you and the people you care most about. Reach out and contact me today.

Call (909) 990-1124 today to book your London Vacation!

Ohh La La!

Have you Been?

Paris is sweet on the eye, sweet on the romance and sweet on the palette. It is a sugar lovers' dream, and the only problem you'll have when it comes to the delectable French deserts is which one to choose. To help you navigate that yummy last course, we've broken down the top 10 must-try desserts for your visit to France. And if you have to eat more than one a day to get through them? Well, c'est la vie!

10 Sweet Treats to Eat While Visiting Paris

The Tartes Aux Fruits – The tartes aux fruits are prepared with fresh fruit inside a buttery pastry. The fruit sits atop a heavenly Chantilly cream. You can enjoy these tartes in both miniature and pie sizes.

The Éclair – The éclair is a popular dessert in Paris. The long French choux pastry can be filled with either a rich custard or pastry cream and topped with a sweet fondant. By definition, the term éclair means lightning in French. Go figure!

The Paris Brest – This pastry was created to celebrate the Paris to Brest bicycle ride in 1891. Naturally, it's circular and contains praline flavored crème and choux pastry.

Macaron – Macarons are undeniably delectable. There are so many flavors to choose from. The base ingredients include meringue and almonds. Be sure to not confuse with coconut macaroons, in which the English added the -oon to the word in the 16th century.

The Tarte Au Citron – Tarte Au Citron, also known as the lemon tart, are also very popular. Donning a pastry crust and delicious lemon filling. The filling, however, is not made with fruit. The cream is a mixture containing lemon juice, lemon zest, and of course, eggs and sugar.

The Mille Feuille – This fluffy treat comes in a vanilla or custard slice and is comprised of several layers of puff pastry. Between the puff pastry lies an additional two layers of pastry crème. Another name for the Mille Feuille is the Napoleon.

The Tarte Tatin – Named after the hotel that serves the dessert (Hotel Tatin), the tarte Tatin is a unique upside-down pastry. Its ingredients include caramelized fruit prepared with sugar and butter. It pairs famously with a bit of tart crème Fraiche.

The Choux à La Crème – These cream puffs are created using puff pastry as well. They swell while cooking and are hollow. The oozing center can be either whipped cream or custard. Interestingly enough, once you add chocolate as your topping, it then becomes a profiterole. There are various toppings you can add to this pastry, from ice cream to fruit and even spun caramel.

Croissant – This buttery, flaky wonder is a signature French pastry. There are so many ways to top it; you can use fruit, chocolate, fondant, or a compote of your choosing. You will not be disappointed.

The Petits Four – Translated, petit four means small oven, and are also known as mignardises. The fours are little bite-sized pastries that can also be savory if you choose. The sweet option includes a sugary glaze atop a crispy biscuit. These pastries are perfect for tea parties.

Call (909) 990-1124 today to book your Paris Vacation!

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