A List of The Things to Bring on Your Sailing Vacation

 

You should make a list of things you will bring on your sailing vacation. This will make it easier for you to pack only the essentials even if you will only be away for a few days.

The first thing you have to get is a bag. You must never use hard sided suitcases because of the limited space. Instead, use a duffel bag or back pack. The nice thing about them is that they can be folded when you have transferred your clothes into the closet.

The most important thing you should pack for your sailing vacation is your travel documents. Without the, you will not be able to go anywhere so make sure that these are stored in a secure place. You should also make a few photocopies of these documents so in the event they get lost, you still have something to show.

What is a duffel bag without clothes? Chances are you don’t have to bring much during the trip if most of the time, you will be wearing a swimsuit and have something to cover yourself. But if there are formal events on board or on land, it will be a good idea to bring one dress trouser and jacket for the men and nice dress for the women.

The rule of thumb when it comes to clothes is to find out what will the weather be like when you are at sea. What you bring is different when your sailing vacation takes you to the Caribbean or in Alaska. If you will be out in the sun a lot, make sure you have sun protection so your skin is not burned. If it is cold, you should have Chap Stick for your lips.

Passengers who are on medication should not forget to bring their prescription for the voyage. These should be packed in their original containers to avoid any problems when these are inspected by customs. You should also bring some extras in case there are delays when it is time to go home.

It also wouldn’t hurt to bring a first aid kit just in case you get hurt. You can buy these from the supermarket and also a flashlight so you are prepared in the event that there is a power outage.

For those who are going to the Caribbean, it will be a good idea to bring your own water gear. This will save you money because you have to pay a certain amount just to borrow them.

Another important thing you should pack for your sailing vacation is a camera. This will allow you to take pictures so you have something to show the people back home. Since digital cameras are the trend these days, bring an extra memory card and batteries so you don’t miss anything even if you forgot to recharge it the night before.  Don’t forget to put this in a waterproof bag like a Zip lock so water or dust does not damage it.

A bag, travel documents, clothes, water gear, first aid kit, medicine and a camera are just some of the things you should put in your list for things to bring on your sailing vacation. If there are others you are thinking of bringing, think about it first before adding it to the list.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

Get Back To Nature In Mexico: Explore Sian Ka'an Biosphere

 

There are 27 United Nations World Heritage sites in Mexico and only three of them made the list primarily for their natural significance, as opposed to historical. The most beautiful and diverse is Sian Ka'an Biosphere, a 1.3 million acre ecological park filled with lagoons, forests, marine habitats, and wetlands. It is the largest marine protected area in Mexico and offers one of the few natural treasures of the Yucatan peninsula that is accessible to tourists.

Added to the UNESCO list in 1987, Sian Ka'an translates as "Origin of the Sky". It provides a habitat for a diverse population of flora and fauna, as well as over 300 species of birds. There is a small ecotourism and education center there that serves as a model for sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. The center is funded by the various tours, fishing, accommodation on-site, and various other activities offered there. Some of the ecologically responsible techniques the center uses are rainwater collection, using wind and solar power, and employing systems for wetland waste management. It also provides educational outreach and biological research opportunities.

Accommodations at Sian Ka'an consist of tents that are raised off the ground to allow ecological and hydrological processes to continue.  They have gorgeous views from private patios, as well as plenty of shade and cooling breezes. Bathrooms are shared, but they are always clean and also have stunning views over the water. The dining areas and kitchens are designed to maximize comfort while minimizing impact on the surrounding environment. The menu for the restaurant is wide and varied, but the best choice would be the fresh seafood dishes that are offered.

Activities in the park include fishing excursions, kayaking, or taking one of several tours that will highlight the canals and the Mayan ruins, abundant flora and fauna, and the history of the reserve. There is also a sunset tour that centers on bird watching where you will float along in an open-air boat through beautiful lagoons while viewing birds, plants, and diverse ecosystems. The tour then culminates in watching the sunset over the mangrove forest and lagoon.

The kayaking tours are designed to give visitors a more intimate access to the natural splendor of the park. Single or double kayaks are available and expert guides, who speak both English and Spanish, can accompany you through the reserve to bird watch and explore the wetlands. Free basic training is provided if you have never kayaked before. If you would like to explore alone, the guides can give you directions and information on where to go to use ancient trading routes through the park used by the Mayans. This is an excellent option for experienced kayakers, but an additional fee can give someone basic training to undertake this more advanced tour.

Sian Ka'an is a beautiful ecosystem to visit and learn about history, ecology, and sustainable technology that will open your mind to possibilities you may never have otherwise known about. At the very least it will give you an appreciation of conservation and natural beauty that should stay with you forever.

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

1940s and 1950s in Las Vegas

 

Bugsy Siegel started out in Las Vegas in the 1940s.  He took some already existing properties and just added to them.  In 1941, the El Rancho Vegas was built among these properties almost right across the street from where the Sahara Hotel is located now. 

      Las Vegas was promoted as the Wild West combined with glamour.  Hollywood's connection helped the town grow and become a playground for celebrities.  In 1947, Siegel opened the Flamingo Hotel and its showroom boasted many headline entertainers.  There were Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.

      Hotel growth was phenomenal during the 1950's.  The town was moving from a frontier type to an entertainment type of place.  Entertainers such as Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen brought an elegance with them and builders started to add golf courses and tennis courts to the hotels.  In 1952, the  Binion Horseshoe Club would opened and would later become famous as the home of the World Poker Series.  In 1955, the Showboat Hotel opened that not only had the best buffets in town, but also had a bowling alley and twenty four hour bingo games.

      In 1956, Elvis Presley appeared at the New Frontier, but his fans were too young at the time to appreciate the shows.  In 1958, the 1,065 room, 10 million dollar Stardust hotel was opened.  The show that opened there “Lido de Paris” was the longest running show ever in Las Vegas.

      Competition for tourist monies also brought sporting events to the town.  The 1950's saw the start of the PGA Tournament of Champions for golfing.  Also, the wedding venue took off and Las Vegas became a popular destination to go and tie the knot.  A lot of celebrities sparked this takeoff in weddings getting married there themselves.  Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are just one of the couples that took advantage of the chapels in Las Vegas.

Until Next Time,

Jeané Elliott Bennett

Elliott Exquisite Vacations

A History of Alcatraz Island

 

Alcatraz Island is a small isle with a colorful history. Located in the San Francisco Bay, the land has filled important functions for the United States since California’s Gold Rush.

Today it is best known for housing the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Alcatraz Island has been a national recreation area since 1963.

The island first became known to Europeans in 1775. That year, Spanish naval officer Juan de Ayala discovered it while charting the San Francisco Bay. He named the land mass “La Isla de los Alcatrices”, which translates to Pelican Island.

Spain put the island under Mexico’s jurisdiction. After a few sales and legal battles, the island eventually became the property of the United States government; explorer John Frémont purchased it on the nation’s behalf for $5000 in 1846.

Two years later, when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, ships from around the world set sail for San Francisco Bay. Sailors urgently needed a lighthouse for navigation, and

Alcatraz Island was a prime location. A lighthouse was set atop Alcatraz in 1853.

That same year, the US Army began studying the island’s potential as a defense base.

The Army Corps of Engineers began a five-year fortification project in 1853. Soldiers moved in by 1859. When the American Civil War broke out, resident soldiers mounted more than 100 cannons around the island’s perimeter. They never fired the cannons, but they did use a guardhouse basement to imprison west coast Confederate sympathizers, Native American Hopis, and other persons deemed threats to the Union. 

Following the war, the government transitioned Alcatraz Island from a center of military defense to a detention center. The island’s isolation amidst cold water and powerful currents made prisoner escape highly unlikely. A brick jailhouse was quickly constructed, and long-term military prisoners were delivered there by 1868.

Alcatraz Island began housing civilian prisoners by the hundreds in 1906. This was a result of the San Francisco earthquake; with jails destroyed on the mainland, law enforcement needed a new secure location for the inmates. In 1907 the building was designated the Western US Military Prison. The original lighthouse gave way to a three-story concrete cell block in 1909. (A second lighthouse was constructed later that year.)

As a military prison, Alcatraz held a range of prisoners from convicted murderers to World War I conscientious objectors. Those who behaved well might enjoy time outdoors. Some even worked as servants for families who lived on the island! However, others experienced the military’s strict discipline; punishments included solitary confinement, severe food and water restrictions, and hard labor.

The prison drew interesting characters as Prohibition era crime developed. Famous mobsters like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly found Alcatraz was their new home. The government responded to their especially ruthless reputations by upgrading security. This included such additions as iron bars, metal detectors to screen visitors, teargas canisters, and the cementing of old underground tunnels. Prisoners were closely monitored with the issuing of one guard for every three inmates. There were also twelve inmate countings per day!

According to prison records, no inmates successfully escaped during the penitentiary’s 29 years in operation. Most people who fled the island were shot, were returned, or were found to have drowned. Some escaped convicts are unaccounted for, but most people assume they perished in the frigid San Francisco Bay. A $1 million recapture reward offered by a local ferry operator remains unclaimed.

Despite the restrictions, prisoners also had recreation. By the 1920s these prisoners had formed baseball teams, and on Fridays the Army hosted “Alcatraz Fights”, a tradition of boxing matches between inmates.

The War Department closed the famous military prison in 1934. The prison had unusually high operational costs, and waste from island residents was polluting the San Francisco Bay. The Department of Justice assumed management until 1963.

Today, the island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The National Park Service provides tours. During the warmer months, tourists reach the island via a ferry that departs San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood. Some Alcatraz Island attractions include the scenic bay view, the island’s flora and fauna, and tours of the famous prison.

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