Archives for February, 2010
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under USA Beaches |
Point Pleasant is the ultimate Jersey Shore family destination, offering exciting activities for a day trip, a week end, or as a summer vacation destination?
Point Pleasant Beach bills itself as family-oriented. The Boardwalk, one of the nicest in the state, stretches for a mile and has a first class aquarium, family amusements, rides, games of chance, arcades, food, live entertainment, and a one-of-a-kind Victorian-style ice cream parlor.
The beach is safe and clean where children build sandcastles and body surf in the ocean while their parents bask in the sunshine and cool salt-air breezes.
It has all the fanfare and excitement expected of a top rated beach town.
Downtown Point Pleasant boasts a shopping district with many unique shops and antique establishments, making the area a great location for all ages. And if shopping builds up an appetite, the many fine restaurants, coffee shops and cafes are there to satisfy whatever your taste is.
At night, the Boardwalk vibrates with colorful lights, exciting rides twisting with screams and music, and in the arcades you can hear the bleeps of the latest video games. For adults, several nightclubs with the latest music blasting away can be heard along with their dancing into the late night hours.
The commercial fishing industry is still an important year-round activity, and the sea-food restaurants and retail shops along Channel Drive and Inlet Drive are popular with residents and visitors alike.
Interested in becoming a resident, Point Pleasant was named the 3rd best place to live in the USA by the July 1997 issue of U.S. by Money Magazine,
Only a one-hour drive from New York City, or an hour and a half ride on New Jersey Transit, with a 15 minute walk to the boardwalk, this small town on the Jersey shore is a popular vacation spot for North New Jersey and NYC tourists, or “benny’s” as the locals call them.
Major Attractions
• JENKINSON’S AQUARIUM -Explore two floors of exotic fish, mammals, and birds. Facilities include a petting tank and a fossil room.
• POINT PLEASANT BEACH BOARDWALK Over a one-mile long boardwalk with arcades, amusements, entertainment, food stands and beach train. During the summer they also have fireworks and laser light shows.
• Point Pleasant Beach – clean beaches, accommodations, amusements, bathhouses, daily or seasonal badges, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard on duty until 6:00, picnicking, scuba diving and surfing. There are both public and private beaches in Point Pleasant. A public access beach can be found at the southern end of town with an entrance on Ocean Avenue across from the Dunes Motel. It’s free, but be aware there are no lifeguards, so use common sense if swimming. Everything’s open from Memorial Day to Labor Day with lifeguards on duty from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
• The Festival of the Sea – One of Point Pleasant Beach’s top events. Held Downtown in September as an end of summer gathering. Local restaurants and vendors provide the large crowds with delicacies such as crab cakes, shrimp skewers, paella, soups and bisques, lobster, and other seafood items.
• The Point Pleasant Beach race – Sunday September 9th 2007, is a major offshore power boat Race. If you are on the beach or in a boat between Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, you’re in for a treat as boats roar down the ocean at speeds up to 115 miles per hour.
• Fishing – Point Pleasant offers the opportunity to catch some big tuna, bluefish and fluke. For those who just want to kick back, tours offer the use of all their equipment, leaving you with nothing to worry about. Party and charter boats go offshore from the Broadway Basin or Ken’s Landing.
• Kayaking – In summer, at Point Pleasant Beach, the north end is a kayak zone with nice 3- to 6-foot curlers at high tide when winds are from the east. During the off season, on the north side of the Manasquan Inlet, Manasquan Beach has an off-shore break that’s great after the crowds leave for the season.
Frank Dalotto
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/point-pleasant-nj-an-exciting-family-beach-destination-88502.html
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under South America Beaches |
I’ve travelled to Panama at least a dozen times and stayed at countless <a href=”http://panamacitybeachhotels.blogspot.com”>beach hotels in Panama </a> on my travels. You’re probably going to need a little background information when you first travel to Panama before you go and even before you start looking for <a href=”http://panamacitybeachhotels.blogspot.com”>hotels in Panama </a> City. I believe Panama is one of those undiscovered tourist destinations which is only just now opening up to visitors. So it’s one of those undiscovered secrets that will rapidly change as more and more people from North America search for another sunny vacation spot apart from the traditional Caribbean islands such as Cuba, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Jamaica etc.
Location of Panama
Panama is officially known as the Republic of Panama. It is most southern country in Central America on an the isthmus which connects North and South America. It lies between two great seas, the Pacific Ocean in the and the Caribbean Sea in the North. The total population of Panama is about 3.1 million people but this number is expanding with the increasing number of retirees who are selecting Panama as a home.
The Economy of Panama
As far as the economy goes, Panama is the third biggest economy in Central America. It is the largest consumer of resources in Central America. The unemployment rate is about 7.2% and has a poverty rate of about 20%. However, its infrastructure and economy is solid and growing. For many tourists, it’s becoming a new vacation destination for travelers from North America who search for a place to escape the bad winter weather. Its industries are centered on the commerce, banking, tourism, private industry and trading benefitting from its privileged geographic situation. In Panama City, there is lots of construction going on and real estate is booming. Retirees are heading south to check out Panama as a retirement destination. All this will come as a surprise for those who don’t know much about Panama.
Currency of Panama
American dollars are used here mostly. The national currency is the balboa.
What to See in Panama
The tourist to Panama will find there are lots of delights to discover in Panama as well as the famous Panama Canal. Although Panama is most famous because of the Panama Canal, the country is famous for snorkeling, bird watching and hiking. The miles and miles of white sand beaches of the coastline are splendid and unspoiled.
Security Warning for Some Areas of Panama
You must avoid certain areas in Panama because of smugglers, bandits, Colombian guerrillas and paramilitary forces in Darién Province from the Columbian border along the Tuira River to Yaviza because they target tourists. Much of Darién National Park is okay, but be advised to take a travel guide with you or stay away from it altogether. Another area to avoid is the Madden Dam in Chagre National Park for the same reasons.
The Weather in Panama
When is the best time of the year to vacation in Panama? There are actually two different seasons, a dry season which starts mid-December and lasts to mid-April and a rainy season which starts from mid-April to December. On the Caribbean coast of Panama, it seems to rain all the time, but less so in February to March, September to October. Days are generally hot throughout the year, with an average of 32 degrees Celsius, (90 degrees Fahrenheit to approximately 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit in the evenings. During the rainy season, the humidity is quite high. If you are traveling to the mountains, it is cooler with a temperature ranging from about 10 – 18 degrees Celsius (50 – 64 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.
So you have it now, a basic introduction to the Republic of Panama the place you have decided to explore for your next southern trip away from the winter storms of North America. Not a country to be missed.
Veraz
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/basic-travel-information-about-panama-681549.html
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under Pacific Beaches |
The Panama real estate is developing rapidly today. This is because there are many investments that are being made in Panama real estate. The investments that are made in Panama real estate are being encouraged by the government of the country. There are many undeveloped lands that are coming under development projects that make the country a land of paradise. With abundant natural beauty and a warm tropical weather it is the perfect get away spot. People from all over the world today are coming here to spend quality vacation time. There are many facilities that are available to the tourists in Panama property. Much is done for the comfort of the tourists in the country today. There are loads of projects that are being developed under the Panama property development scheme in which there are many resorts and hotels being made. All this is being done to encourage tourism in the country. The country is a nature lover’s paradise. The country maintains a wonderful eco system. You will find many endangered species of birds and animals here. Also you will find birds of many species in the country. There are many natural reserves also in the country where you can find animal in their natural habitat. The beaches make wonderful places to enjoy and relax yourself while you are at vacation. The beaches are on both Caribbean and the pacific coasts. Therefore you can take your time to visit both these beaches and enjoy your vacation in the country. The Panama property resorts are great place to spend your vacation too.
If beaches are not the thing for your and you are looking for some more adventure then you should check out the mountains of Panama. These mountains will provide the peace and quite that you desire after your long hard spell of daily work. You can escape off to these mountains on Panama real estate for a spell of rest and relaxation. These mountains will help you to relax and do things at your own pace while you are on vacation. If you are looking for some sports then you can opt for mountain climbing or river rafting. These activities are exclusively available at these mountains on Panama real estate. The biggest advantage in coming to Panama for a vacation is the low cost of living. Even though it is a paradise on earth the low costs of living are the best for a person to spend quality vacation on. If you have a European source of income then you will benefit the most from the weak dollar here. The untouched natural beauty will help you heal and will rejuvenate you for your daily routine. Once you visit Panama you will be sure to consider buying Panama property. It is not odd for tourists to come back later and settle down in Panama property permanently. It is also one of the favorite retirement spots for many people all over the world. The country is a place that is waiting to be discovered with its many natural beauties that are to be enjoyed the most by you on your vacation here.
Laurie Cooper
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/panama-an-untapped-paradise-738392.html
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under Mexico Beaches |
Imagine your family opening up a present to reveal that you all will be leaving tomorrow to go on a vacation in Mexico. Your family will not only be surprised and overwhelmed but they will be forming images in their minds of the amazing time they will have as a family. The gift of a vacation in Mexico is sure to make anyone’s holiday. Mexico timeshare sales are the perfect way to go about making your family’s dreams come true. A vacation in Mexico will provide your family with the medium to spend quality time with one another in a luxurious destination. Mexico is the ultimate destination for excitement, fun, and adventure as well as relaxation, leisure, and rest. Whether you are into relaxing on the beach all day with a margarita in your hand, or horseback riding through waterfalls, Mexico is the place to do it. Mexico timeshare sales can provide you and your family with a yearly vacation that is sure to entertain all. The gift of destination can be the perfect holiday gift that will not only bring your family together but it will also give everyone a new lease on life. You and your spouse can be refreshed and energized for a new year at work, and your kids will be ready to take on another semester at school. Whatever the case may be, Mexico timeshare sales can be the answer you are looking for to gaining that quality time with your family.
Mexico timeshare sales are now available online which makes it the most efficient way of booking a vacation. No longer do you have to wait on your travel agency to find you deal that they might think you will like. Now that Mexico timeshare sales are online, you will be able to browse through thousands of listings online from the comforts of your own home or office. You can tailor your search to your exact specifications so that you will be sure to find Mexico timeshare sales that you like. Once you have found a couple that you like you can contact the seller directly via e-mail so that you are sure you are getting the right information. Mexico timeshare sales allow you to break from the mold of hotels and have a yearly vacation set that is tailored to your exact needs and wants. This way you will not have to worry or stress about booking and planning a yearly vacation. This time of year is a great time to take your loved ones on a vacation that they will be sure to remember for years to come. Your family will be able to get away from the cold and bask in the warm sun and glistening beaches. Mexico timeshare sales will enable you to have a yearly vacation for you and your family to look forward to every year. Don’t let these amazing deals pass you by this holiday season and inquire about Mexico timeshare rentals today.
Charles Joseph
http://www.articlesbase.com/vacation-rentals-articles/mexico-timeshare-sales-the-perfect-holiday-gift-719710.html
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under European Beaches |
Portugal is one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean. It is officially called the Portuguese Republic and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean towards the south and the west and Spain towards the north and the east. It has become one of the resurgent countries in Europe because of the European Union alliance. It is one country that can boast of its share of rich historically significant events and places, adding to the interest and fascination of most travelers who visit the country. Portugal and most of its cities also offer some of the best coastlines you can find in the world, entertaining locals and visitors alike. You can add great beaches, a rich sporting tradition, and awesome nightlife. It’s the perfect place to establish a second home or your dream vacation house.
A Hot Destination for Home Investors
Portugal’s main sport is golf. Golf is a big hit in the country with hundreds of magnificent golf resorts spread throughout its towns and cities. There are always tournaments arranged all year round, so the country is always hustling and bustling with golfing news and opinions. Golf is successful in Portugal since it is mainly seen as a retirement destination. People, who are now experiencing great freedom with their time, indulge in the leisure activities of golf and younger folk learn to pick up the trade through their senior peers. Golden Triangle Algarve properties in Portugal is an attractive place for most golfing enthusiasts who are looking for a place that can satisfy their great yearning to play golf most of the time.
The Coastline
Apart from golf and sports, people choose to head off to Portugal for its beautiful coastline and beaches. It offers the most pristine sandy beaches. They offer you a relaxed coastal lifestyle that you can enjoy year round. Their coastal homes also boast of luxury homes and resorts and, of course, the great golf courses for your enjoyment.
The Weather
People who have been to Portugal will attest that they have some of the best weather anybody could ever ask for. You get to have the beauty of warm weather during summer and moderate temperature during spring and autumn. The winter is special here in Portugal unlike any other countries in Europe, as to what most people claim.
Property Hotspots
If you talk about obtaining luxurious and beautiful properties in Portugal, your foremost choice should be Central Algarve properties. Algarve is one of the best places you can obtain your dream vacation home or your second home. As expected, luxurious golf resorts abound. You have the Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and Vila Sol. This region attracts those high-end investors who want to have a piece of paradise here on earth. It is mainly popular with celebrities who want the privacy and luxury they deserve. If you are a small investor, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a piece of the action, you can get beautiful apartments on Golden Triangle Algarve properties with prices ranging from £50,000 to £70,000. Apart from Algarve, another place in Portugal is the Silver Coast. It is a fast emerging property destination and has been wooing home investors lately. However, Central Algarve properties is still the top choice for most home investors.
So if you are looking for the ultimate top luxury European property then look no further than Golden Triangle Algarve properties. It has everything you could ever ask for in a place. You have great beaches, wonderful weather, and luxurious villas, all just waiting for you to enjoy once you set foot in Algarve.
Vikram kuamr
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/top-luxury-european-properties-in-algarve-portugal-property-investments-in-algarve-698760.html
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under Central America Beaches |
So my brother is in town, together with his wife and 2 friends from my little home town in Austria. It is everybody’s first time in North America and their initiation to Toronto. Just to give you ideas of dimensions: Austria has a population of about 9 million and the country extends about 900 km from east to west while the Greater Toronto area nowadays probably has about 4 to 5 million people and Lake Ontario alone is over 300 km long. The first thing my visitors noticed was the difference in size: the size of the city, the size of the lake, the size of cars, the size of supermarkets, and even of refrigerators.
On Sunday we started off with a little driving tour of Toronto where I first took my visitors down to the lakefront by the historic Art Deco style R.C. Harris Filtration Plant. All of them love water and to have a lake as big as an ocean so close by fascinated them. After a leisurely drive on Queen Street through the quaint Beaches neighbourhood we parked the car close to the St. Lawrence Market and started our walk around.
Since my brother is a chef and always loves to purchase market-fresh food, I initially took him to the St. Lawrence Market which always has an antique sale on Sunday. The food market is actually closed on Sunday. We checked out the wares from old furniture to cameras to various knick-knacks.
Our exploration continued westwards along Front Street past historic 19th century houses and of course past the famous triangular-shaped Flatiron Building which has a mural on its west side. Approaching Yonge Street we walked past the Hockey Hall of Fame, a historic Beaux-Arts former bank building, the magnificent Royal York Hotel, built in 1929, once the largest hotel in the British Commonwealth.
One of the things that fascinated my visitors most was how old and new can coexist right next to each other: shiny skyscrapers are located right beside historic sandstone churches. Our walking tour continued past Union Station, Toronto’s impressive central railway station, built between 1914 and 1927 as a joint construction project by the Canadian Pacific Railway and Grand Trunk Railway (now the Canadian National Railway). Its monumental scale, classical detail and rational, ordered planning were hallmarks of the style. The station is massive and takes up an entire block on Front Street between York Street and Bay Street. The Great Hall of the Station is 250 ft. long and 84 ft. wide.
Our walk continued further west on Front Street past the Convention Centre to the base of the CN Tower and the entrance to the Skydome, Toronto’s multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof, now called the Rogers Centre. We then snaked our way up through the Entertainment District to Queen Street where we admired Osgoode Hall, built in the 1830s, and now an oasis of green in the city. An ornate iron fence, built in 1867, renowned for its peculiar “cow gates,” surrounds the property and its beautiful gardens. The cow gates in particular fascinated my visitors.
Our next stop was at New City Hall and Old City Hall, opened in 1899, which racked up construction costs of more than $2.5 million at the time which caused great controversy in those days. Continuing past the Bay Department Store on Queen we passed the Metropolitan United Church, an English style cathedral dating from 1872, whose churchyard was filled with people enjoying the warm day.
Once back in the car we drove through the U of T campus, my Alma Mater and we stopped briefly to check out Hart House and Kings College. Then we headed down to Chinatown at Spadina and Dundas and my visitors marvelled at this exotic, busy market area. Our last stop on the tour was Kensington Market, a lively little neighbourhood full of food and clothing stores and restaurants where we ended up picking up fresh vegetables, dry beans, and a variety of cheeses for some of the scrumptious meals to come. My brother, the chef, marvelled at the variety of food available here, combined with the inexpensive prices a food lover’s dream.
We took our loot home where my husband was waiting for us with a big brunch to strengthen ourselves for attending a birthday party of one of my friends that had the motto of “let out your inner child”. The party was unique in that it involved such time-honoured Toronto traditions as hitting a piñada while a bunch of adults were playing with water guns, chasing one another around the house with buckets of water dropping on the combatants from the second floor.
I think our visitors had a full day, from getting a first taste of Toronto, to participating in a rather eventful birthday party, their first impressions were very positive and they were looking forward to exploring more of this exciting city.
Susanne Pacher
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/hello-from-toronto-part-1-a-first-little-driving-tour-the-city-viewed-through-the-eyes-of-firsttime-visitors-98532.html
Posted on Feb 28, 2010 under Caribbean Beaches |
All of us get tired of the humdrum of life and want to get away somewhere calm and peaceful for the holiday season. The Caribbean Islands offer the perfect getaway. It’s everything that our hectic daily life is not: sandy beaches, blue skies and turquoise waters, a bewitching landscape and nature in its most raw and pristine form. No wonder 80% of Americans pick the Caribbean, the perfect tropical paradise, as a holiday destination.
So you’ve made up your mind, packed your bags and you find yourself in the idyllic settings of the Caribbean. The first two or three days are just like being in heaven. The warm sun, the beaches that seem to stretch for miles and miles and the clean air is good enough on its own. But by the third day, the landscape alone loses its appeal.
Such is human nature, that we crave for change all the time and so we do this even while laying in the very lap of Mother Nature at its prettiest. By the third or fourth day, you’re all set to get moving, to find an activity after you’ve satisfied your appetite for natural beauty and exhausted your senses by marvelling over the picturesque surroundings you find yourself in. However, there is nothing to regret in your choice, since the Caribbean holiday is not just about good landscape and sprawling beaches. There are numerous things to do on a Caribbean Holiday, which will keep you occupied and thrilled throughout your stay.
Whether you’re much of a sportsman or not, you’ll find yourself compelled to try some of the thrilling water sports that the Caribbean is known for. From water skiing and jet skiing to canoeing, and from kite boarding to parasailing, there is a vast variety of water sports to suit your mood and disposition. Surfing is yet another hobby with Caribbean holiday makers that is appealing for the thrill it provides. Scuba diving and snorkelling are two more water sports that make the Caribbean a favourite destination for scuba divers and snorkellers. It offers the world’s best diving conditions and its exceptional caves, reefs and wrecks offer you a peek into the stunning marine life. So when it comes to things to do on a Caribbean holiday, I would say that a Caribbean holiday without indulging in water sports remains incomplete.
Talking of things to do on a Caribbean holiday, sailing is the best pastime for the ladies, and many of the holiday makers are seen sailing off to undiscovered, secluded little islands with their packed lunches, enjoying a private picnic in the midst of all the activity the main beaches are always buzzing with. For those who like to walk, a great pastime is hiking. Whether it be hiking up a volcano or walking through rainforests, the Caribbean offers an exciting terrain to explore. Yet another exciting pastime is horse riding. For those who aren’t much into walking, horse riding is an excellent way to explore the sandy beaches, lush landscape or enchanting forests of the Caribbean.
Those who would rather watch, than take part in, sport can count on the exciting range of spectator sports that are held regularly throughout the Island. From cricket, baseball and polo matches to surfing competitions, the island has it all. In addition to all this, there are the legendary Caribbean carnivals, which are held with regularity all through the year. The carnivals are rich with music, dancing and street parades and add to the festive mood of the whole place. From among the things to do on a Caribbean holiday, the carnivals are the favourite with kids and older people alike. The large variety of things to do on a Caribbean holiday, in addition to the truly picturesque backdrop that it offers, is one reason that that the Caribbean remains the most favourite holiday destination among people.
David R HUghes
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/things-to-do-on-a-caribbean-holiday-678042.html
Posted on Feb 25, 2010 under Mexico Beaches |
From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide: Premier beach resort areas on Mexico s Pacific and Caribbean coasts described and evaluated, including Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco, and the Riviera Maya Over 125 hotel profiles, from sprawling mega-resorts to secluded romantic getaways; plus more than 100 restaurant profiles Detailed information on the best sightseeing and nightlife Expert guidance on selecting tours and packages Insider advice on how, when, and where to travel in Mexico (and how to get around once you re there), with options for every budget and interest
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Posted on Feb 25, 2010 under South America Beaches |
Brazil, the largest country in South America is also the most vibrant. From football to samba, fabulous beaches to dense jungle, Brazil has it all. In the east lies Salvador, Brazil’s pulsating Africa heart. In the west, the Pantanal is the best place to view wildlife in South America. In the north
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Posted on Feb 25, 2010 under Caribbean Beaches |
Transform your TV into an endless beach and bask in the delight of an ever-changing scene as you enjoy the pristine sand, rolling waves, and clear blue of the sunny Caribbean day, while your cares just drift away
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