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

 

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

Are you ready to Travel for the Holidays?

 

Going to another country for the holidays is a great way to learn about a new culture. In some instances the travel is to visit family that is located there instead of just for a vacation. Regardless of the reason why you are traveling to another country during the holidays, you need to make sure you are prepared for the trip.

For most countries you are going to need a passport with a photo ID. This will allow you to remain in the country for a specified amount of time. Generally, this time frame is from 30 days to 90 days. You can take your passport photo at any post office, but it is going to take several weeks to get it back. There is an expedited option and it is very expensive. If you wait until the holiday time to obtain your passport it is going to take much longer, even for the expedited option.

Make sure you keep your passport and other pertinent travel documents in a safe place. You don’t want them to get lost or stolen as this can delay your travel plans. Make sure you arrive early for your flight so that you can get through all of the necessary inspections and verifications in plenty of time.

There may be vaccinations that you are required to get and others that you are encouraged to get before you can travel to certain countries for the holidays. Plan ahead and find out what these vaccinations are and then schedule appointments with your doctor. Some of the required vaccinations have to be given in a series with a specific amount of time between each shot in the series to be administered. Therefore you don’t want to wait until close to your time of travel to take care of this matter.

Depending on where you are traveling, you may have to deal with a different type of currency. You can get your money exchanged at your local bank before you leave. This will save you time trying to take care of it when you arrive in the other country for the holidays. There may be language differences as well that you need to take into consideration.

Be careful what you pack when you travel for the holidays. Most modes of transportation have strict guidelines on the size of your luggage, how many bags each person can have, and the weight guidelines. They will be enforcing these restrictions during the holidays because of the volume of people traveling. You don’t want to have to get rid of some of your items or purchase more bags at the gift shop.

Make sure you are aware of how much luggage you have for your return trip as well. While it can be fun to purchase items while you are there, think about how you will get them back. It may be a good idea to pack an extra bag in your luggage when you go so you can fill it up for the trip back. Another idea is to have items shipped but that can be quite expensive.

While traveling to another country for the holidays can be exciting, you need to remember that their customs may be significantly different than your own. Be respectful of such differences to avoid any conflicts while you are in that country. It is a good idea to read about the various customs that will be in place so you won’t reach them by accident.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

AA Travel Insurance for Your Insurance Needs

 

There are several major search engines that you can count on if you want to search for information regarding travel insurance. You can go to Google, Yahoo, MSN, and many others. Simply type the words 'travel insurance' and you will be provided with a plethora of enriching information that you can use in your search for the right insurance provider. While you're still hunting for that one insurance provider who can meet all your insurance needs, check out AA Travel Insurance first.

AA insurance is among the leading providers of travel insurance around the world. In fact, AA is also included in the results of your search and maybe you skipped it. AA is a name that you can trust. Don’t hesitate to visit their site because it is open to public.

There are several reasons why you need to choose AA as your insurance provider. If you become a member of AA, you get to enjoy a variety of benefits. It can include roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown, member rates and discounts, and the rewards program to name a few.

It's not that hard to join AA. Once you've joined AA and became a member, you can still renew your membership since the membership is valid for only twelve months. AA will send you a notice if your membership is near expiration and will invite you to renew your membership. Aside from that, AA also allows the upgrade of the membership. If you want to understand all their policies, rules, and regulations, you can visit their online site on the net. There you can find all the valuable information about AA and their insurance plans.

Just like any other insurance provider these days, AA has an official website. This makes it easier for them to deal with clients in distant places where they have no physical office locations. In short, the company is open to the different parts of the globe as long as there is an internet connection. Online transactions are entertained and they have an excellent customer service ready to answer all your questions.

By logging into a comparison website and providing some information about yourself and your insurance needs, you will be provided with travel insurance quotes that answers your needs. See if AA is one of them. If it is, then you can check them out thoroughly. You see, insurance providers offer different types of insurance policies.

They differ in terms of coverage, exclusions, deductibles, etc. You must know what you want to be covered and if in case, you can't find all your desired coverage, you must choose the policy that covers most of your needs. After doing this, you can already check out the price of the policy. If you can't afford it, look for other alternative plans. Perhaps you can still find one that is closest to your desired insurance policy.

It would be best to talk to someone with a great knowledge about travel insurance so that he or she can help you in the selection process. An agent can be of great help to you. See if AA has a qualified agent that you can talk to about your insurance needs.  After careful consideration of the different factors in selecting the right travel insurance provider, you can arrive at a decision. You can also tell now if AA has the right travel insurance plan for you.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Booking Your Summer Vacation: What Are Your Options

This year a large number of couples and families intend to take a summer vacation.  Summer vacations are popular.  In fact, they are so popular that it is likely that you are interested in taking one.  When it comes to booking a summer vacation, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations. 

Before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select a summer vacation destination.  Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations.  When selecting a summer vacation destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are traveling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel.  Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs.

After you have selected a summer vacation destination, you can begin to make reservations.  A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United States do not require reservations.  Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them.  Popular summer vacation “hotspots,” quickly fill up with vacationing tourists.  Without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodations. 

When it comes to booking a summer vacation, a large number of travelers use the assistance of a travel agent.  Travel agents are individuals who specialize in researching and arranging vacations for their clients.  Travel agents are popular because they allow clients to spend more time completing their daily activities, instead of having to research and plan a summer vacation. 

If given the opportunity most families would prefer to use the services of a travel agent.  Unfortunately, services of a travel agent do not come free.  If you are interested in planning a summer vacation, on a budget, you may want to consider making your own reservations.  In a few simple minutes, you could easily make reservations online or over the phone.  Not only should your reservations include hotel accommodations, but travel accommodations as well.

Aside from car travel, air travel is one of the most preferred methods of travel for arriving at summer vacation destinations.  If you are interested in booking your airline reservations online, you need to find the online website of the airline you wish to fly with.  Popular airlines include, but are not limited to, Delta, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.  Each of these airlines has an online website that should allow the online booking of reservations.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room.  Unless you plan on staying at smaller resort, you should be able to make online reservations.  Most of the well known hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, Hampton Inns, Super 8, and Motel 6, have online websites.  Specialty resorts that are located in popular summer vacation destinations, including California or Florida, are likely to also allow online booking.

When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone.  A large number of families enjoy vacations that are centered on the outdoors.  These vacations often involve camping outdoors.  Even if you plan on vacationing at a state park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation.  Public campgrounds and state parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have.  Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular vacation destination, but at a discount, you may want to looking the services offered by online travel websites.  These websites tend to offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world.  The only downside to using the services offered by an online discount travel website is that they tend to focus only on popular summer vacation destinations.  If you are looking to vacation at an unknown resort, you may be unable to use the services of a discount travel website.

Whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps.  Anticipating room at the hottest summer vacation destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your vacation.  Don’t make that mistake; book your reservations ahead of time. 

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations  

School Is Out – Keeping the Kids Busy

 

It’s the end of June, school is out and the kids are ecstatic.  You may be a bit overwhelmed not knowing how you are going to entertain you children for the entire summer.  They are used to being in school for the majority of their days and now they are free and clear to do as they please and it is up to you that they stay busy.  Or is it?

Yes, children need activities to learn and have fun but it is also just important for them to have some free play time too.  So while you are planning all of the activities and outings for them to participate in remember that they need some free play time too.  Depending on the age of your children and their level of independence the free play time may take different forms.  For younger children independent time will have to be supervised but for older children it can be a nice break for both of you to let them play alone in their room or outside in the yard. 

Let your kids have a say in what goes on too.  Have a couple of options ready; let them help plan how you will spend the day. Letting your kids plan what goes on in the day is a sure way to get their buy-in and participation.  Just be sure that if there isn’t any wiggle room in what you have planned for the day you make it clear from the beginning.  When there are choices (limit them to two to three) ask and when there isn’t a choice simply tell them what is planned for the day.

A good balance between planned activities and free play or independent time will make for a fun-filled summer for the kids and for you too.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

A Mauritius Vacation Does Not Need To Be Expensive

 

You may believe that taking a vacation in a faraway place such as Mauritius must cost a small fortune;  or, at the very least, that anything affordable would not be up to very good standards.  If you have put off planning a trip because of these beliefs, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that not only can a Mauritius vacation fit into your budget, but also that everything you need in order to make your visit the most perfect vacation you have ever had can be the very best without being accompanied by an extreme cost.

For example, depending on your personal needs for accommodations, there are a number of hotels which will provide beautiful suites and all of the amenities that you would expect to only find in a high-priced hotel.  Being lower in cost does not mean that they offer anything less than the finest services.  You can find hotels which offer such features as a fitness room, sauna, tennis, lovely restaurants with specialty meals, and many other features that you would love to have but may have been afraid that you could not afford. 

You can lower the overall cost of your Mauritius vacation considerably if you select a travel package which includes both your flight and your hotel accommodations.  When you have taken this first step, you will be pleasantly surprised at exactly how affordable the vacation of your dreams can really be! 

When you check into these packages, you will also find that such important "extras" as car rental and numerous activities can all be nicely achieved within your budget.  Instead of spending a small fortune on your hotel accommodations and other such necessities, you can have them at a much more reasonable price, which will leave you and your family with more spending money for your entertainment and souvenir-shopping. 

Reviews of these trip packages make it clear that many people have found them to be more than satisfactory.  Whether you are an individual, a newlywed couple, an elderly person, or planning a trip for your entire family, a vacation on Mauritius is equally suitable and enjoyable for everyone.  There are virtually no negative concerns--  unless you count having too many wonderful things to do and exciting things to experience than will fit into your time schedule!  The costs, and the standards of the accommodations, however, are very reasonable.

If you have been procrastinating about making any solid vacation plans, your worries are over!  There is a Mauritius vacation travel package available to fit nearly every budget.  If you already know all of the experiences and adventures that are waiting for you on the island, you do not need to simply dream about all of the good times you could have on your vacation, you can easily find vacation packages that are much lower than you may have thought, without having to sacrifice the great service and fine quality that you and your family deserve.  You can save money and have a wonderful vacation on Mauritius at the same time. 

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Auto Rental When in a Maui Hawaii Vacation

 

You have the travel tickets and you have the accommodation. The problem is how you will get to the hotel from the airport and how you will get to the beach from the hotel. Well, you forgot something when planning a Maui Hawaii vacation, a auto rental.

Actually, you are not alone.

Most people who plan their vacations, whether in Hawaii or anywhere else in the world, always forget this small detail. Some do not even bother at all, rationalizing that the hotel can provide car service for them or that there are hundreds of cabs that can accommodate them. The problem with these two is the fact that they are limited in some ways.

Hiring a cab for example will never be as convenient as having a transportation that is all your own. If you rent an automobile, you can go whenever you want, wherever you want. You just need to start the engine. You don’t have to wait for a cab in the middle of nowhere. Hotel car service, on the other hand, can be pretty expensive, not to mention very hard to get by.

You see most people in the hotel will probably need a car service. And you have got to be at the first in line if you want to leave first. Otherwise, you have to wait for the other people to come back before you can leave or at the very least have the hotel tell you that there is no more cars available.

One down side though with having your own car while on vacation is the directions. This is especially true if this is the first time that you have visited Maui or Hawaii. And even if you have a map, nothing beats having a driver who already knows the way.

You can solve this problem by getting a car rental service that comes with a driver. Most auto car rentals will offer this because they know that tourists don’t have the patience to look at maps and follow road signs.

After all, this vacation is all about relaxing and not stressing over which way to turn to get to the beach! Having a driver is however more expensive than hiring just the car. So make sure first that you have the budget for it.

When you sum it up, renting a car from an auto rental service for the duration of your vacation is cheaper than hiring the hotel’s service.

But you have to take into account the number of times that you will actually use the car rental service. If you are just going to use it once or twice, then you are better off with the hotel’s car service. If however, you plan to tour the whole state, then a car just for you is better.

If you do not plan to go at all and you just plan to stay at the beach and do water sports all day long throughout your vacation time, then don’t anymore rent a car.

You can just book a hotel that is nearer and you all have to do is walk towards the beach. This will save you a lot of expenses for taxis. Auto rental when on a vacation in Maui Hawaii or in any other place is important but it all depends on how you plan to spend your vacation.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

All About La Jolla

 

Attracting tourists from all over the world, La

Jolla's community is one that combines trends with

traditional class.  Located 12 miles north from

downtown San Diego, this highly prosperous

community offers seven miles of coastline at an

elevation of 110 feet.  The land here is so desired

that it's impossible to find property in La Jolla

for less than 1.25 million an acre!

 

The lucky 38,000 plus who live in this heavenly

seaside town live among Mediterranean style

architecture with a unique flair.  From the

crashing waves along the shore to the high rise

buildings in the business district, you can expect

everything in La Jolla to be first rate quality.

 

Business district

Even though La Jolla is mostly known for its

incredible shoreline, the city's business district

is hardly modest to say the least.  Located to

the east in La Jolla, there are professional centers,

financial buildings, law firms, and technological

industries that dominate this district.

 

There are also modern shopping centers here as well,

along with a wealthy residential area.  The

world renowned Scripps Memorial Hospital & Medical

Research Center is here as well as the San Diego

Mormon Temple - a remarkable 59,000 square foot

building that resembles a large ice sculpture.

 

The Village

The downtown area of La Jolla offers shops, hotels,

boutiques, restaurants, coffee houses, salons,

and art galleries.  Even though this area is

rather small, the district is full of trendy

establishments that draw wealthy visitors from all

over the world. 

 

Girad Avenue is the main street of La Jolla, even

though Prospect Drive is known as "Rodeo Drive" in

San Diego. 

 

Shoreline

Although the business area and La Jolla Village are

both impressive communities, the most memorable

region in La Jolla is the areas and communities

along the Pacific shoreline. 

 

La Jolla offers some of the most impressive shore

lines in Southern California, with remarkable

caves, cliffs, beaches, and sunsets.  The best

view of La Jolla can be seen from the air.  Daring

visitors can take in La Jolla via the Torrey Pines

Gliderport and learn flying.  If you seek a more

tame view of the coastline, try the scenic drive

along North Torrey Pines Road.

 

All along the coastline, La Jolla offers you a

first rate shopping district.  You can visit

jewelry stores, art galleries, souvenir shops,

and fashionable boutiques.  Once you have been

shopping, you can complete the day by dining above

the water of the Pacific.

 

From the art galleries and trendy shops to the

world class golf courses, La Jolla has attractions

to please tourists from all over the world.  Each

district is unique, yet they are all similiar when

it comes to quality.  You won't find anything short

of the best when you visit the best Southern

California has to offer.

Next Until Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

All about Money and your Italy Vacation

 

If you are traveling to Italy for vacation, you need to be aware of some basics about the currency. Travelers are usually concerned with several questions. What is the currency conversion rate? Where can I change my dollars into Euros when I arrive? Can I use my travelers' checks? Are ATM machines readily available? What if I need a larger amount of cash and I need a bank? Can I use my major credit card at many places? What about tax-free shopping?

These are all great questions to ask before you go on your Italy vacation and each one has an answer that will be addressed here. First of all it is important to know that Italy uses the European Euro. There is no "Italian currency." One dollar ($1) is equivalent to approximately 0.70 euros. The currency conversion rate can fluctuate daily so it is best that you check for a more accurate figure before you leave for your vacation to Italy. You can find the most current exchange rate at The Universal Currency Converter website which is www.xe.com/ucc/

How can you get Euros once you arrive in Italy for your vacation? There will be an exchange office at the airport when you arrive. This is usually most accurate if you are arriving in a main city. Exchange offices may also be available at railway stations in the main cities. You can always also get Euros at any ATM or bank. This leads in to the next question about the availability of ATMs. There are ATMs all over Italy mainly in big cities but also in some smaller towns. But you need to know that in Italy ATMs are called "bancomats." During your Italy vacation you will find that these bancomats work just like they do in the US and you will get the chance to select your language of preference from the screen when you begin. You can use your credit or debit card to get money (euros only) out of the bancomat as long as there is a Cirrus or BankMate symbol on that machine and your card.

You could always find out from your Credit Card Company or bank if their cards can be used worldwide before you leave for your vacation to Italy. Most businesses accept major credit cards in Italy and you should always look for the credit card signage stickers on doors of shops just like there are in the US. Travelers' checks are also widely accepted in the major cities.

If you need a larger sum of cash than the bancomat will provide during your Italy vacation you will find that there are banks all over Italy especially at the main tourist attractions. Most Italian banks close for about an hour and a half for a lunch break during the week and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays. 

People taking an Italy vacation will be glad to find out that non-resident visitors may claim a refund for the tax they pay on many of their purchases. You can go to www.globalrefund.com to pursue a refund.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Adventure Travel in India: A Once in A Lifetime Experience

 

Have you been to Asia before? If not, the very first place that you need to visit is India because this is an excellent place for tourists like you. For about 5,000 years now, India has been celebrating life and all its pleasures. If you find exotic, colorful, and mysterious places memorable, this is the best place for you. Despite the changes and diversities in India, the country is still a picturesque and a unique tourist destination. If you want an adventure travel in India, start packing your things now and catch the next flight. You can find a unique civilization and culture in India.

In fact, the country's civilization is among the oldest in the world. The imagination of tourists is always captivated of India's legends and culture. There are many legends to tell and if you listen to them, your imagination will surely run wild. You can get in touch with the locals so that you can learn more about their culture and way of life. By doing so, you can also make new friends there. An adventurous soul would also love to visit monuments and you can find a lot of them in India.

Enjoy the intricate splendor of mosques, temples, secular structures  (bridges, step-wells, and tanks), and canopies found in the different regions of the country. Don’t forget to visit the pink city (Jaipur), blue city (Jodhapur), golden city (Jaisalmer), and romantic city or the lake city (Udaipur). You can find all these cities by going with a Rajasthan tour. Ask a tourist guide about their trip schedules so that you can also join them. Aside from the intricate architectural structures in India, you can also find adventure in the tropical jungles, resorts, the Gangetic Plains, golden beaches, and the mighty Himalaya. Lovely beaches can be found in Goa, as well as independent cultures. There are many local spots that you can choose from, so make sure that you choose one that you can get the most excitement ever.

Spa and ayurveda resorts can be found in Kerala. There are also lovely resorts and beaches there. If you're on a beach vacation, the ocean, sand, and palms of Kerala can give you life's greatest adventure. Extreme adventures are also welcome if you travel to the Himalayan ranges in India. If you're a sports lover, you can join the Himachal tours. You can enjoy trekking together with other sports in the Himalayas. If wildlife fascinates you and captures your adventurous spirit, you can check out India's safari.

There are national parks that you can visit all over India where you can see different kinds of birds and the in-demand tigers. Another place that you can visit is Mumbai where you can find Haji Ali, Hyderabad's Charminar, the beautiful gardens and valleys of Kashmir, Rajasthan's rustic beauty, Ooty, Manali, Shimla, and Uttaranchal. If you've been to India before, perhaps these places are already familiar to you.

But for your next trip, why don’t you organize your tour destinations so that you can enjoy the vacation there?

By planning ahead, you can save time and money because you'll know the right places to go to. Make the most out of your stay in India. Traveling can get very expensive but if you visit a place like India, everything is worth it. You will not regret visiting such a beautiful place and you will have the greatest adventure travel in India.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

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

9 Beach Vacation Ideas

 When it comes to go on your beach vacation, it can

be very hard to pick a destination.  There are many

places you can go, whether you want to explore the

beaches of Hawaii or just play golf in Georgia. 

Below, you'll find 9 ideas to help you decide on

where to go for your vacation.

1.  Hawaii resort

You can choose to put your frequent flier miles to

good use and take a beach vacation on the island of

Hawaii.  Here, you can relax on the beach, swim in

the ocean, play golf, and even indulge in one of

the many innovative spa treatments.  Hawaii enjoys

some of the best weather in the world - making it

a great choice for your beach vacation.

2.  Golf and Beach in Georgia

Popular among the East Coast, the Cloister at Sea

Island in Georgia offers you 54 holes of championship

golf, sandy beaches, and a wide array of things for

you to do. 

 

3.  Oahu beach vacation

At the Kahala Mandarin Oriental you can expect to be

pampered like never before.  You can visit the spa,

take scuba diving classes, or choose to swim it up

with the dolphins.  The resort is conveniently

located 15 minutes away from Honolulu and Waikiki

Beach.

 

4.  Virgin Islands vacation

At this vacation destination you can enjoy blue

waters and sandy beaches.  The Ritz Carlton, and

St. Thomas resorts offer you the best of luxury

hotels during your beach vacation in the Virgin

Islands.

 

5.  Half Moon Bay California

Located just 30 minutes by car away from San

Francisco, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a

quick beach vacation away from the normal busy life

of the city. 

 

6.  Luxury Beach Resort of Bermuda

Two hours away by flight from New York City,

Bermuda is a quick and ideal vacation away from the

East Coast.  Ariel Sands offers you 47 guest rooms

with gourmet food and breathtaking views.

 

7.  Romance and seclusion in Jamaica

With unique rooms and splendid views of the

Caribbean, gourmet cuisine and amazing beaches,

The Caves resort in Jamaica helps to set the beach

vacation mood like never before.

 

8.  Lakeside Resort Georgia

Near Atlanta Georgia, the Lake Lanier Islands offers

a golf course for golf lovers and a waterpark with

several water rides, slides, and water attractions

the entire family will enjoy.

 

9.  Family fun in Hawaii

The Kona Village Resort in Hawaii offers you

several vacation activities that include snorkeling,

kayaking, sailing, volleyball, tennis, fishing,

scuba diving, and glass bottom boat tours.

Until Next Time, 

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Why Cruises Are a Great Multi-Generational Vacation Idea

Why Cruises Are a Great

Multi-Generational Vacation Idea 

Planning vacations can be tricky–especially when trying to accommodate all your family’s interests and needs. If you’re stuck on where to head for your family vacation this year, look no further than a cruise! Cruising is the ideal multi-generational vacation for all members of your family to ensure that everyone has fun at their own pace!

Something for everyone

The best reason to go cruising with your family is the never-ending entertainment options! No matter what you and your family enjoy, you can feel confident that there is always something that each member of your family can have fun doing. While each cruise ship is different, there are some staples that most cruise lines typically offer:

●      Watch a show: Cruise lines pay to have actors, singers, and entertainers come along for the ride to perform in nightly shows. In fact, you can even check out some Broadway shows (like Mamma Mia!) on Royal Caribbean’s ships. The best part? All these shows are included in the price of your cruise fare! And they’re the perfect opportunity to have fun with the family or keep it just to the adults.

●      Have a spa day: For family members looking to relax, the spa is the perfect destination. Cruise ships offer spa treatments and packages ranging from facials to massages and more. If you don’t want to spend the extra money on a treatment, simply head into the sauna to sweat it out!

●      See a movie: Almost all ships will offer nightly movies out on the outdoor decks. It’s a great opportunity to watch a film, hear the sounds of the ocean, and gaze up at the gorgeous night sky above! Plus, you can bring any food or drinks from the buffet or casual restaurants.

●      Take a dip: If you’re going cruising, you'll have to take advantage of the pools and jacuzzies on board! Ships will have at least one pool on the lido deck featuring one or more hot tubs adjacent to the pool. Some ships will also have a second pool at the back of the ship to overlook the water. By the pool, you’ll be able to soak up the sun, grab a bite from the food stands, and rinse off in the outdoor showers at the end of the day. If your whole family wants to lounge by the pool, make sure to get there early enough to snag chairs next to each other before it gets too busy! For your more adventurous family members, some ships will even have water slides to keep the fun going all day long!

●      Take an educational class: Did you know that many cruise lines offer courses in skills such as cooking, photography, videography, languages, and lectures on a variety of topics? This is an amazing offering that every member of your family can take advantage of to learn something new while out at sea!

Freedom to explore

When on a cruise, the ship will usually make several stops (otherwise known as a port of call) at different countries/locations along the route. During these stops, you are free to head off the boat and explore the destination. Many cruises will also plan excursions for port days that you can participate in with the whole family. While you’re always able to hop off the ship on port days, you also have the freedom to stay aboard a typically less crowded ship. When a cruise ship is docked, most people get off to relax on the beach or explore the area which means the pools are less crowded and the spas usually offer a discount.

The freedom to explore or relax on port days makes cruising ideal for family members of all ages. Plus, if your family does decide to split up for the day, you can always meet back up at night for a delicious dinner on the ship and some nighttime entertainment! 

Meals for foodies and picky eaters alike

It’s not uncommon for a family to have different food preferences and dietary restrictions which can make planning meals difficult. On a cruise, you don’t have to worry about any of that! Many people say the 24/7 access to delicious food and drinks is one of the best parts of cruising, and they are not wrong! From buffets to ice cream shops to fully loaded bars, you can truly never go hungry (or thirsty) on a cruise.

Quality family time

Unlike other vacation options where you spend a lot of time on your feet, cruises are a great opportunity to really get some quality time with all your family members. You will be stuck on a boat together after all! From pool days to excursions at your stops to spa treatments and dinners, there is plenty of time to catch up with your family and have some fun together. Most vacations do not offer this level of time spent together which makes cruising the ultimate multi-generational vacation idea.