Archive for the ‘Group Travel’ Category
Monday, February 16th, 2009
When considering travel in Florida, do yourself a favor and consider St.Augustine. There is something there for everyone. Visitors enjoy multiple sightseeing adventures including it’s vast history, spooky evening ghost tours, fabulous coastal seafood, and beautiful beaches and surfing, just to name a few.
St Augustine is full of History. It is said to be the oldest city in the United States. Ponce De Leon first discovered it in the year 1513, and at that time also discovered the famous “Fountain of Youth” It was the first city to be discovered almost a half century before the English landed in Jamestown. The rich History of St. Augustine is quite interesting even for those who are not particularly interested in history.
The beauty of the city is almost breathtaking. The lush landscaping and the fabulous old architecture are certainly something to behold. The Flagler University building is spectacular. Henry Flagler (oil tycoon) built it in the late 1800’s as a wiinter resort, along with the Cordova and the Alcazar Hotels. These buildings are still standing and operating as a university, a hotel and a museum and are quite fabulous in themselves.
St. Augustine Beach is also known as Anastasia Island. This East Coast beach is breathtaking. There are many exquisite hotels on or very near the beach. The Castillo Real is one such hotel that is not to be missed. A small boutique hotel with only 60 rooms, but a true gem for any traveler.
Shopping in St. Augustine is plentiful. Again there is something for everyone. There are fine bakeries, second hand stores, clothing boutiques, cigar shops, souveneir and novelty shops and a multitude of antique stores.
While touring St. Augustine you will find many horsedrawn carriages available for hire which take passengers on a personally narrated tour, pointing out all the historical places of interest as well as some of the local hot spots. Most vacationers enjoy a day of just wandering through the streets of downtown St. Augustine. This is a really great way to just take it all in. On the downtown streets you will see a little bit of everything. There are many local street performers, artists and galleries and shops of every kind asn so many fabulous little restaurants. The Columbia Restaurant is another must see during your visit, offering amazing authentic Spanish cuisine.
St. Augustine is great destination for a romantic getaway, a girls’ getaway, a family trip, or any type of vacation.
Tags: florida beaches, Florida travel, ghost tours, historical tours, sightseeing, St.Augustine
Posted in Children, Couples, Family, Family Vacations, Florida, Getaway, Girls getaway, Group Travel, Holiday Travel, Spa/Resort | No Comments »
Monday, December 15th, 2008
Many women plan “girl’s-weekends” or “girl’s getaways” but not too often do men plan “men’s weekend’s” or “dad’s getaways”. Sure they play golf for hours on end and take all-day-long fishing trips, but how about planning a whole weekend, a getaway just for the guys?
Now, guys weekend wouldn’t be quite the same as girl’s weekend. There would be no spa involved, no hours of relaxing by the pool. But a long day on a chartered fishing boat, or a weekend deep sea fishing would be part of a perfect getaway for most guys.
The men could plan a trip around a big sporting event. Take in all the local sites while staying in the city of a big bowl game or tournament of some type. Think the Masters in Augusta, or the U.S. Open in New York. The Superbowl would be the ultimate sporting event, but it is quite out of reach for most of us.
College buddies could plan a great time hanging out in some of the old dives, and take in a college ball game of some sort.
Golf outings are very popular among most men. I’ve never quite understood it but men can play 36 holes one day and go back out and play again the next day. Find an area that boasts lots of great courses and plan the weekend around that.
Some men are roller-coaster enthusiasts. A weekend planned around a couple theme parks may be a fun time. There are many parks in Florida and Georgia, all within driving distance of one another.
While food may not be as important to the men’s trip as it would be to the women, it is still a consideration. If you are planning a men’s getaway, a hotel that has a restaurant or in the very least continental breakfast is a must. The ladies may make an event out of getting dressed up and enjoying a nice meal in a fine establishment, but the men will probably want to get in and out and on with their day/night’s activities.
Whatever your men-only plans are it should be geared toward fun and male bonding. The men need the down time as much as the women (almost). The ideas are unlimited, just find what interests you and your group and go from there.
Tags: eating, fishing, golfing, guys getaway, guys only, guys retreat, hotels, men
Posted in Group Travel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is heaven on earth to me. Safety Harbor Resort/ Spa is located in the Clearwater, Florida area in a town called Safety Harbor. Nestled directly on the pristine waters of Tampa Bay. This spa/resort is built atop 5 natural springs with much history surrounding them.
The 2,000-year-old Espiritu Santo Springs, meaning “Springs of the Holy Spirit,” are considered a liquid treasure, located beneath the resort. Ancient Indian tribes discovered the springs in the 1400s. Hernando de Soto found them in 1539 when he came upon these shores, and thought he had discovered the legendary “The Fountain of Youth.”
History reports that many others have been attracted to the purity of our mineral springs. In the early 1900s water from all five springs was bottled, and labeled according to the various Healing properties then shipped to eager customers around the world. In 1936 a doctor purchased and rebuilt the facilities and it was used as a healing retreat. Nine years later, the famous Dr. Salem Baranoff bought the property and transformed it into Safety Harbor Spa.
Some of the spa has remained original, while most has been rennovated and transformed into the four star resort we know and love today. The rooms are beautifully decorated; some elegant and classical others with a “Tommy Bahama” inspired feel. Some of the rooms have water views, while others are poolside with balconies and patios. I’ve stayed there many times adn never had a bad room or a bad view.
The treatments in the spa are AMAZING. I recommend the 50 min massage, and the salt glow body treatment. My skin felt unbelievable after the body glow and the relaxation massage was the best ever. They robes they offer for you to wear while in the resort are luxurious as well. They are available for purchase but carefully monitored to avoid theft.
There is a nice restaurant on site and room service is incredible. The chef will make you just about anything you want as long as he has the ingredients on hand; this is great for room service. There is a nice tiki bar by the pool that offers a wide variety of drinks and a small menu.
A weekend at the spa is the perfect retreat for anyone. It’s a great place for “girls weekend” or for a couple to get away and reconnect.
Tags: Florida resort, Florida Spa, healing, massag, massage, spa, waterfront resort
Posted in Couples, Family, Family Vacations, Florida, Girls getaway, Group Travel, Pet Travel, Spa/Resort, Staycations | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Traveling for Christmas, in my opinion, is not always a good idea. There are so many reasons not to travel on Christmas (or other holidays). Christmas travel is always hectic. No matter how you decide to travel, by car, train, bus, or plane. Christmas time is usually, in most parts of the country, the WORST weather. With this bad weather comes bad weather delays to contend with. Including delays in traffic, and arrival and departure times. These hours of endless waiting send most people into angry panic mode. This is not fun for any one.
Christmas travel is also very confusing for young children. They will often worry about how Santa is going to find them. Then there is the whole ordeal of packing all the gifts, and what size gifts are appropriate.
Once you’ve reached your destination, there is so much pressure to make it a memorable Christmas with the family. Pressure to participate in many of the Holiday traditions. Some of which you have chosen to abandon as an adult. You may be forced to attend a church you are unfamiliar with, and leave behind those you worship with weekly.
I feel that there are so many other opportunities to travel and visit with family throughout the year, that don’t involve all the pressure and formalities. Christmas time is one of the most hectic times of year for everyone, by throwing a big trip in the middle of it I think you are asking for trouble.
I think travel should be relaxing and enjoyable for everyone involved the host and the guests. It is very hard to relax during this type of trip. Another consideration, is other friends and family you may like to visit while you’re in town. Some of them may be traveling as well. If they’re not, they are likely busy with their crazy Holiday schedules and it is a hard time to fit in a casual get together.
There’s nothing like waking up in your own home on Christmas morning, and enjoying the joy of your children as they casually open their gifts. Somehow being at another person’s home, or worse, a hotel, takes away the magic for the children.
Christmas-time travel is just bad timing all the way around and I think it should really be avoided.
Tags: Christmas travel, family Holidays, Family Vacations, Holiday Travel, travel delays, travel weather
Posted in Children, Family, Family Vacations, Group Travel, Holiday Travel, Train Travel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
RV travel is a great way to see the country and spend some quality time with your family. Why not take advantage of gas prices coming down and start planning a family getaway. Traveling by RV is less stressful than other forms of travel because you can control all of the departure and arrival times since you are not at the mercy of the airlines. Depending on your location, you can also schedule your days to include sightseeing tours, or just go out on your own and find your own adventure.
When traveling with the family it is important to find family friendly sites to hitch up overnight. The kids can go a little stir crazy if they don’t have some social outlet. There are many RV parks and campgrounds that are family friendly and offer amenities for entertaining the children, and therefore attract many families. RV travel is quite the social outlet for some families. When you settle into these campgrounds, it is not uncommon to meet other families whom you form lifelong friendships with. This is a great way for the kids to have some time to play with other kids and for the parents to swap ideas about entertainment in the area and exchange other RV travel ideas.
RV travel is also very popular with retirees. After retirement, many couples choose to sell everything they own and live in their RV’s and travel the country full time. There are Senior RV clubs that offer social gatherings all over the U.S. and Canada for those who are full time travelers, as well as the weekend warriors. It is believed by many that RV-ing is the best way to see the country and a great way for empty nesters and retirees to reconnect with their spouses, after the hustle and bustle of raising a family and working 9-5 is behind you.
While RV-ing you may chose to “camp out” in campgrounds or off the beaten path somewhere secluded. This decision may be easy for some that don’t like to “rough it”. RV travel incorporates a few more conveniences than traditional camping. So many people find it fun and interesting.
You can plan a theme for your trip, like antique collecting, or touring the historic sites in the northeast, or all about the Wild West and rodeos. There are unlimited possibilities when planning an RV excursion. Let the road and your imagination be your guide.
Tags: Campgrounds, camping, family travel, RV, RV travel, sightseeing
Posted in British Columbia, California, Canada, Children, Couples, Family, Family Vacations, Florida, Group Travel, Pet Travel, RV travel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Vacations are becoming more expensive every day with rising fuel costs, food costs, hotel costs, just about everything is on the rise, making it more difficult for families to afford summer vacations. The new catch phrase is “staycation” This means you stay close to home and explore the area around you. Staycations also emphasize what vacations are all about; quality time with your family.
Depending on your location, there are probably many one tank trips you can take with your family. Do some research and find out what’s around you, within driving distance. Even if it involves a night in a hotel, it’s still more affordable than a plane trip and a week at a hotel, meals…etc. On a staycation you can also enjoy local things that were always out of your budget. Again, without the major travel costs, you can afford these little splurges, like eating at fabulous local restaurants, and taking in local theater.
Vacations are a great tiime for families to regroup after a hectic season and get to know eachother again. Staycation-road-trips are a good way to do this. Reconnect with you kids and enjoy local family activities together. There are probably numerous sightseeing opportunities that are overlooked due to busy schedules. Exploring your surroundings together will create just as many memories as visiting the mouse in Florida.
Be certain, no matter what you plan for your staycation travels, that you DO NOT just stay at home. When you are at home with unlimited free time, it is easy to fall into the trap of completing all the little projects that don’t get done throughout the year. Leave the house daily as if you were out of town. The cluttered closets, the piles of laundry, the dirty grout lines will all have to wait. Don’t let the daily chores ruin your vacation, because you chose to make it a staycation. Plan your daily activities in advance the way you would on any other vacation.
There are parks and picnics and museums and history all around you. Enjoy your local resources and most of all enjoy some relaxation with your family.
Tags: budget travel, family travel, sightseeing, staycation
Posted in Children, Family, Family Vacations, Group Travel, Staycations, Weekday travel | No Comments »
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
Since most women love to travel and we ALL occasionally need to get away, why not start planning a fun girls’ getaway with a couple of your friends or family. There doesn’t need to be a special occasion for a fun trip with ‘the girls’. No occasion at all can be the best reason to celebrate and take a little breather. It may just include a long weekend or three or four days, and needs to be relaxing and/or exciting, but definitely guilt-free.
This kind of small, female group travel is one of the hottest trends today and most resorts and hotels across the country are aware of it. You can find package deals almost everywhere, almost any time of the year. Promotional packages can include spa treatments of every kind, chocolates and champagne or gourmet dinners, tickets to the theater or other special events. They can include cooking lessons, dancing lessons, horseback riding or rock climbing — it will all depend on when and where you decide to go and with whom.
While in those fun planning stages, the girlfriends can determine if they want to get away to be pampered or go hiking, be in the sun by the pool or go snow skiing, or just try something they have never tried before. (I’m always for being pampered and relaxing because I‘m practically an expert at it.)
Once your interests and activities have been narrowed down and your destination chosen, research some of the points of interest in the area. Contact the local chamber of commerce or visitors’ bureau. Check to see if there are any specials or discounts available at the hotels or resorts that look interesting in the area.
Pull in all those discount offers you can. Are you senior citizens? Does someone in your group have frequent flyer miles to share? Are any of you AAA members? All the breaks you can get in prices can be spent elsewhere on your trip (or not spent at all).
If you can plan six or nine months ahead (or more), you can all start saving towards the big event. Every pay period, each of you can set aside a certain amount. You may want to consider putting it all into an interest-bearing account. If you plan the financial end of it ahead of time, none of you will feel the squeeze when it comes down to booking the event(s) and coming up with the deposit money.
Whatever you do, where ever you go, allow yourselves enough time in your schedule to regroup and reconnect and enjoy those relationships. And remember, you are not abandoning your loved ones and your responsibilities. You are taking a well-deserved mental health break. You are not only entitled to some “Me” time, you owe it to yourselves (and your families) to leave the stress behind for just a little while. You will emerge a better mom or wife or sister or girlfriend for it. Have fun! Wish I were going.
Tags: a la carte, all-inclusive, discounts, Girls getaway, travel packages
Posted in Cruises, Family, Girls getaway, Group Travel | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Talk about breath-taking Italian landscape beauty, this may be the most beautiful of all. Lake Como, Italy. I was advised to include it in my last trip to Italy but thought — naaahh. It just didn’t seem like Italy to me. So now I cannot wait until I have saved up enough money for another Italian vacation. It will probably be my only destination next time. I have fallen in love with just the pictures and videos alone!
Most of us know that George Clooney lives somewhere there on the lake and we would all love to be able to wave to him as he cruises by in what must be an incredibly luxurious speed boat. But, even though chances of that are slim, you won’t believe the vistas that will surround you.Lake Como is in the northern part of Italy in the Lombardy region. It is one of many lakes in that area, but probably the most popular. The lake is huge and borders the Italian Alps no less. The lake stretches southward with two ’legs’ of the lake and many, many small villages up and down the lakeside coast that are accessible to each other by ferry boat. You may have heard of a few of those villages — Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio. From what I have learned, Varenna looks like my pick and this picture gives you just a little clue as to why.
Varenna is home to maybe a thousand or less permanent residents. There you can find accommodations varying anywhere from a hotel room or studio apartment or a bed and breakfast arrangement to a nearby villa that sleeps twelve to twenty and comes furnished with live-in maids and cooks and the like — of course, a short stay there would take several years of my income. Accommodations for the typical visitor (like me) seem very affordable though.
Leaving Milan, the Lake Como area can be reached easily by car, train, bus or boat (from the town of Como). Depending on your destination (Varenna), it is only about an hour outside Milan via train.
Just a little bit of research on this area and I am about to wee. Even if I only have one week to spend on vacation, this will definitely be my next trip. Honestly, I would just sleep better knowing you are going to give this gorgeous area at least some serious thought.
Tags: Bellagio, Italian villas, Italy, lakeside accommodations, Varenna
Posted in Group Travel, Italy, Train Travel | No Comments »
Friday, August 1st, 2008
Ahhh, the lovely Irish countryside of County Mayo, the breathtaking views of the Atlantic, the beautiful and serene Stella Maris Country House Hotel and Restaurant, and a memorable Ballycastle pub crawl! What could be better — of course, I failed to mention the renowned Stella Maris breakfasts and dinners that they are talking about all over Ireland and elsewhere. Just thinking of it all makes me imagine with an Irish lilt to my thoughts.
So here is what I know personally. In the mid-1800s, the property was used as a Coast Guard station while the British ruled Ireland. Then in 1914, it became a convent for the Sisters of Mercy who taught primary school for the village of Ballycastle and later lace making and music. In 1960s, a new school was built in the village of Ballycastle and the property subsequently was sold the Whelan family who then operated it as a small, family-run hotel for many, many years.
When the branch of the Whelans who had continued to run the hotel decided to sell it, fate intervened. The lovely Frances Kelly, who had lived in Ballycastle as a young girl and had worked at Stella Maris alongside her sisters after it had become a hotel, returned to Ireland for another visit after having pursued her education in culinary arts in the United States. When Frances learned that the property was up for sale, she and her husband, Terrence McSweeney, purchased the property, and began renovations on this unique property to the point that it is today — a beautiful and luxurious environment for a choice clientele who could appreciate the tranquility that West Mayo has to offer.
Situated very close (40-minute drive) to both the Enniscrone and the Carne/Belmullet golf courses, two of the finest links in all of Ireland, this meticulously restored structure provides the perfect lodgings for the golf enthusiast. With its 100-foot glassed conservatory, the views of Bunatrahir Bay will comfort and delight you. There is both fresh and salt water fishing, bird watching, hiking and biking all available in this area, as well as strolls to the famous Downpatrick Head. One version of the story of Downpatrick Head is that it is where St. Patrick cut off the head of a giant serpent, dividing the Head from the mainland and driving all snakes from Ireland.
And now I am there, if only in my imagination, and I swear I can almost feel the wind on my face and the sound of the birds and crashing waves. Is it my imagination, but as I look out upon that vast Atlantic, do I almost see the roundish curvature of the earth…?
Tags: County Mayo, Downpatrick Head, golf, Ireland
Posted in Family, Group Travel, Ireland | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
We all dream of that perfect travel experience in the dreamland that is Italy. How about including a stay in an Italian villa in that dream. It is as easy as your purse and your time allow.
True villas abound in every region of Italy. If you long for the warm Mediterranean, the beauty of Lake Como and the Italian Alps, the unbelievable wine regions of Tuscany or the Southern parts including rustic Puglia that embraces the Adriatic Sea. Italy has everything to offer. The difficulty is in choosing only one area to visit. But, aahh, no matter the location, Italy’s warm people and the beauty of its varied landscapes are unequalled. With a little work and the right websites, you can find everything to rent from an entire villa that possibly sleeps twenty or more, to an apartment or cottage that sleeps two or four within the confines of a villa.
Lake Como and the Italian Alps, the unbelievable wine regions of Tuscany or the Southern parts including rustic Puglia that embraces the Adriatic Sea. Italy has everything to offer. The difficulty is in choosing only one area to visit. But, aahh, no matter the location, Italy’s warm people and the beauty of its varied landscapes are unequalled.
Renting an entire villa will be, of course, more costly; however, for a good-sized group of friends or family, it could be the perfect kind of accommodation and a solution to having everyone under one roof for a bountiful breakfast before everyone takes off on the day trip of their choice or for a few evening meals to relax and discuss your finds of the day.
Villas come fully furnished with totally equipped kitchens and if you like, many have pools. You can arrange for meals to be prepared for you at your villa or you can purchase some of the local delicacies and prepare your own meals. You can hire a driver or guide to show you the sights of the area, the popular places as well as the out of the way places you may never find on your own or you can rent a car and strike out on your own. Often, bus lines run nearby that will connect you to yet another interesting destination for the day. Choose your region, choose your villa, choose your friends or family members and give this a try.
The history and beauty of a villa will enhance your Italian vacation unlike any hotel stay you have ever experienced. It is yours for the week (or longer). You can just imagine what life would have been like to grow up there or raise your family there. Mama Mia! The stories and pictures you will have to share, the memories you will hold dear for the rest of your life.
Begin making your plans today. This is a dream you can make come true. I only wish I were joining you.
Tags: Add new tag, family group travel, Group Travel, Italian villas
Posted in Family, Group Travel, Italy, Travel Tips | No Comments »