Archive for April 2010
New York City’s Midtown West: History, Culture, and Big Business
Author Alexine
Spending a great deal of time on the road can include comfort and style without sacrificing convenient locations. When visiting New York, many magnificent hotels are readily available. In Manhattan, boutique hotel accommodations provide a luxurious retreat from the daily pressures and an opportunity to experience the area in a new way.
Hell’s Kitchen
Between Midtown and the Hudson River lies a unique Manhattan neighborhood with a colorful name and a rich history. Like many of the neighborhoods in New York, Hell’s Kitchen has recently undergone a massive renovation, creating an unusual blend of wealth, culture and history. You’re as likely to find exclusive boutique shops as you are inexpensive ethnic restaurants. Trendy nightclubs frequented by up-and-coming young professionals stand among bars and diners favored by working-class residents.
The area’s proximity to the theater district makes it the perfect home for stage actors, and it’s not unusual to see famous faces among the crowds. Whether you’re looking for Broadway hits or Off-Broadway innovation, you’ll find it all within walking distance of Hell’s Kitchen. The Great White Way alone is home to 36 theaters, with most boasting world-class productions seven days a week.
Military history buffs won’t want to miss a visit to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum located at Pier 86 at 46th Street. The museum features the World War II aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, the submarine the USS Growler, and a Concorde SST, and is open to the public all year. You’ll discover what life was like for the 3,000 sailors who lived and served on the Intrepid and see more than 30 aircraft housed on the flight deck of the ship. You’ll get a glimpse of true luxury when you tour the Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger jet. The plane, on loan from British Airways, holds the world’s speed record for commercial aircraft, having flown from New York to London in just under 2 hours, 53 minutes.
Javits Center
Overlooking the Hudson River from the center of Hell’s Kitchen, the Javits Center is convenient to many of Manhattan’s popular destinations including shopping, sightseeing and theater. The lustrous glass and steel building spans five city blocks and sparkles with the light from the city that never sleeps. At night, the unique design turns the building into a glittering jewel perched at the heart of this bustling city.
The Jacob K. Javits Center bills itself as the Marketplace for the World and it has certainly earned the right. With 1.8 million square feet of exhibition space and a breathtaking lobby dubbed “the crystal palace,” this stunning glass and steel marvel is as large an attraction as the events it hosts.
The convenient, central location of the Javits Center puts it within easy reach of all this city has to offer. Whether walking around Manhattan, hailing a cab or commuting via New York’s world-renowned public transportation system, you’ll have quick access to everything you need, both business and personal. Book a boutique hotel near Javits Center and see New York from a new perspective.
Author’s Bio
Barbara Wade writes for Ink48, a Manhattan boutique hotel with luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views in the heart of New York City. Visit them online at www.ink48.com.
Ten Great Travel Accessories
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
When traveling by plane, train or bus you want to be as comfortable as possible. To make sure you can sleep on an overnight travel experience or relax during daytime travel you will want to pack right. There are so many travel accessories to choose from that you can easily miss an important one. To help you pack for a long day or night of traveling here are ten great travel accessories you won’t want to miss.
1. Pillow
Having a pillow along may seem like a bit of a luxury however most planes and trains run out fast. They do supply a few but if you want to guarantee no stiff neck on the other end of your trip then packing your own pillow is a great choice. They make blow up neck pillows that are really small when deflated if you are worried about space.
2. Blanket
Just like pillows, blankets are a scarce commodity on planes and trains. Just packing a little fleece blanket will save you a lot of discomfort when the air conditioning kicks in on those enclosed spaces. It is easier to put more layers on then to take them off so dress in layers and pack a little blanket for the trip to maximize your comfort.
3. Ear Plugs
Whether there are five screaming babies or chatty adults near your seat it is nice to be able to zone out and enjoy your travels. Having a good set of ear plugs along can make a world of a difference. Make sure you get a comfortable pair that blocks out sound so that you can sleep with your ear leaned on the pillow if you want to. Also the ear plugs help with pressure changes which is nice.
4. Bubble Gum
As simple as it may be bubble gum is a great distraction for long hours of traveling. You can play with it in your mouth and enjoy the flavor in between interesting snacks. Another great thing about bubble gum is that it helps with pressure changes. Chewing bubble gum helps pop your ears on the airplane and when traveling through the mountains on train or bus.
5. MP3 Player
To help keep your mind busy or at peace load your favorite tunes on an MP3 player. It is a small little device that offers hours of entertainment. You can also put audio books on there if you buy them or rent them from the library before the trip. If you need soothing music to sleep with then this also helps a lot because you zone out all the chatter and commotion around you.
6. DVD Player
Most major airports offer DVD rentals for flights which is a great distraction. Also some MP3 players and most laptops double as a DVD player. Just make sure you pack a couple of your favorite movies or load them before you have to leave for the airport. Also remember to charge your battery or you will be out of luck when it comes to watching anything.
7. Good Book
Sometimes all you need is a good book to keep your mind busy for hours on end. This is a great distraction for flights where you are stuck in your seat for hours without much room to move around. To help you concentrate on the book you can put your MP3 player on with some classical music that doesn’t have any words or wear your ear plugs to keep you focused.
8. Note Pad & Pen
Most times when you travel there will be time to just sit back, relax and think about life back at your home. This seems to be the best time to think of things you have wanted to do for a while or just thought up. Make sure you keep a notepad and pen with you so when you come up with an idea you can jot it down real fast before you forget.
9. Mini Photo Album
Whether you are taking a business trip or a trip to visit some friends without your spouse and children, a photo album is a nice accessory. Most people ask to see a photo of your family so it is always nice to have one or two in your wallet. It is a bonus when you have a mini photo album because it gives you something to look at to see their faces when you miss your family.
10. Water Bottle
If you bring one from home then make sure it is empty if you are traveling by plane. However, filling it up once you pass through security is a must. With the beverage service on airplanes coming only once or twice you will want a water bottle along to quench your thirst. Also when traveling by train or bus they don’t usually have a service and only some trains have a snack car that is not always open.
Hopefully you will remember all the important travel accessories the next time you take a trip or vacation. If you can then jot down these items on a piece of paper and keep it in your travel bag so you remember to put them in each time you travel. I can’t count the times I have forgotten one or two of my must haves when traveling.
Take a Family Vacation to One of These Parks
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
After searching the web for great theme and amusement parks I came up with a list of parks for a wonderful family vacation. Below is a little blurb about each park to give you a better idea of what you can do there in addition to having a lot of fun. Parks like these are a great place to take your family to ensure everyone has a wonderful time.
Sea-World
These parks have many wonderful attractions including animal exhibits, rides and animal interactions. It is like visiting an amusement park, aquatic zoo, shopping mall and entertainment hall all in one. With reasonable flight deals to their locations offered on a regular basis from major US cities there is sure to be a great deal where you live.
Knoebels
With a variety of great rides you will not get bored at this park. Then around mid-day when the temperatures are at their peak you can go to the pool for a swim and ride a few water slides. After cooling off you can be back on the rides and enjoying the fun. The nice thing about this park is that you pay per ride. The water park has an admission fee but it is less than most amusement parks when you combine it with the individual ride fees.
Islands of Adventure
This park is part of Universal Orlando and has a big section opening this coming June. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is going to be a huge hit with its fun rides and great attractions. There are also many other movie inspired rides and attractions available for all the family members to enjoy. With roller coasters, children rides and many other fun activities there is sure to be something everyone enjoys at this park.
Six Flags
With locations in many different states and several different countries Six Flags is well known for its fun roller coasters and rides. Many of the parks also include a connected water park to cool off and take a break from all the thrilling rides. With restaurants scattered throughout the park there is sure to be one close when your hunger creeps up on you. On the other hand you might just want an ice cream or smoothie to cool you off between rides. Whatever it is you enjoy, these parks are sure to make you smile.
Indiana Beach
Located in Monticello, Indiana this amusement park has lots of fun waiting for you and your family. Also starting this year they are offering season passes for everyone so you can pay a lot less if you visit more. If you only visit for a week the season pass is still a much better buy than daily passes. They have roller coasters, other rides, a water park and much more.
Busch Gardens
With a park in Tampa Bay, Florida and Williamsburg, Virginia you can visit either area and find many other activities to do on your vacation. However, on the days you go to the parks there are many fun things to do including animal interactions and roller coasters. These parks are like great big zoos with lots of fun rides included.
Cedar Point
This park is known for its amazing roller coasters and many more fun rides. You can visit their Sandusky, Ohio location in the months of May through October. Bring the whole family for a fun vacation and take them on an adventure. To expand on the fun you can buy passes that are also good at the Soak City water park. This is a great way to split up the day when the weather is warm.
Silver Dollar City
Located in Branson, Missouri this amusement park is a wonderful place to bring to whole family. This year in 2010 they are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary so there is lots of celebrating going on. On top of all the fun you can buy a season pass for less than the price of two days at the park. This is a great deal if you spend a week in the area exploring while the teens are playing at the amusement park.
Hopefully you can find a fun park in this list that seems like something you and your family would enjoy. Riding roller coasters is not for everyone but there are lots of parks listed that have way more to do so you won’t feel left out. Also if you have little children that cannot enjoy the thrillers yet the other activities are a must. If you decide to visit one you should make plans soon since the early rates are only good for a little while longer.
Ten Great Websites to Help Plan Your Vacation
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
If you are looking for a great deal on your next family vacation, give these sites a try. They offer everything from airfare to package deals. You can even see what specials they are offering their customers on a daily basis. Just like anything else you spend your hard earned money on, you should shop around for vacation deals. This is just making that process a little less of a headache.
1. Expedia.com
When searching in the vacation packages you can search for any combination of flight, hotel and car. Sometimes all you need is the hotel and car if you use air miles to purchase the tickets. On the other hand you might be looking for the total package deals which they have sorted into featured, last minute and destination tabs.
2. Hotwire.com
As another very high rated site, they offer a search box with the flight, hotel and car rental options. However when you are looking to save even more money you can use their money-saving tools that help you book for less. They offer things like flexible date search, local search and trip watcher.
3. TripAdvisor.com
They have this great tool for trip planning that helps you decide where to go based on what you want to do. If you are looking for family fun or beaches and sun they have a category for almost everyone. Give this tool a try if you are stumped on where to travel with your family.
4. TravelZoo.com
This site covers a lot and right on the home page you can see things like airfare sales, vacation specials and cruise sales. Then each day they have a list of the top deals for that day if you are looking more regularly. Also if you don’t have much time to look around you can sign up for the weekly deals e-mail to get them right in your inbox.
5. Orbitz.com
With no fees added onto the flights and their lowest hotel price guarantee you can be confident when you book a vacation package through this site. They have a special deals section and list off the top destinations, top resorts and top interests. These might spark your interest if you didn’t already have something picked out.
6. Priceline.com
This site has a great option where you can bid on hotels, cars and even flights. That can save you up to forty percent when you bid and they accept. However if you want to take advantage of their no booking fees and no Priceline change or cancellation fees you have to purchase a published price vacation package.
7. Kayak.com
This site is great because it compares the prices of the flights, hotels, car rentals or vacation packages at five different sites. These include Delta Vacations, Priceline, Hotwire, CheapCarribean.com and Travelocity. While you can also visit each site individually, this site is a great tool for a quick search for the best price on several big sites.
8. Travelocity.com
Although Kayak.com searches on this site there is a lot to offer you when you go here as well. They have vacation package deals to the most popular destinations like Mexico and Hawaii along with other specials like their top secret hotels. With that tool you can save up to forty-five percent on three and four star hotels.
9. SmarterTravel.com
Right on their home page the deals are screaming at you in their sponsored deals box. They also have a lot of money saving tips for the destinations that they offer along with a price comparison tool. That helps when you are on a time crunch to find the best deal. However, I still recommend going to each site if you are doing a specific search.
10. CheapTickets.com
This site has your traditional search box with a lot of extra vacation suggestions based on the top destinations, top resorts and top interests. While it is similar to the other sites they also have a “Cheap of the Week” tab where you can see what the current deal is. This page has a vacations deals category which is another great resource.
After searching for your specific travel idea at all these sites you should have a better understanding of how much you might have to spend. On the other hand you might want to go for one of the site deals as it may give you a better vacation for you dollar. Do the research and double check before you go ahead and book. This will save you both time and money on your vacation.
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