May 3, 2005 - What's new in Orlando this summer?
Plenty, according to the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau.The reopened Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will feature a new addition this summer, called Splash Island Water Park. The special section of the park will feature wave pools, water slides and a children's area.
Universal Studios unveils its new show, "Fear Factor Live," which the bureau describes as a scaled-down version of the hit series that will allow visitors to participate, while a retro-raft adventure will open at Wet 'n Wild-Orlando. Riders will listen to hits from the 1970s while spinning in circles through an enclosed aqua disco.
Walt Disney World will feature new openings as part of Disneyland's 50th anniversary event, "The Happiest Celebration on Earth," which begins in May. The Magic Kingdom will feature Cinderellabration," a musical spectacular that "continues the happily-everafter story of Cinderella." While walking around Animal Kingdom, guests may encounter Lucky the Dinosaur, an Auto-Animatronics free-walking creation that laughs, sneezes, hiccups and signs autographs.
For thrill-seekers, the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" opens at Disney-MGM Studios and features cars, motorcycles and jet skis "careening across the studios backlot and gives a behind-the-scenes look at movie mayhem." At Epcot, guests will find a "thrilling hang-gliding journey over California on Soarin.'" That ride is also found at Disney's California Adventure, where it is one of the most popular attractions.
Crush 'n' Gusher is described as a "water coaster" thrill ride that Disney decided to add to Typhoon Lagoon water park.
Orlando is also gaining new accommodations. Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn is the first Nickelodeon hotel that has specially designed rooms, activities and food for children.
Those wanting further information can call 1-800-551-0181 or access www.orlandoinfo.com.
May 8, 2005 - Cool Website to Stay in Touch on Vacation
Mom and Dad want to know that you are safe - friends want to hear who you've met and what you've done - the kids want to know that you are healthy - co-workers want to vicariously experience your adventures....
These are just a few of the reasons why Dan and Faye Parlow - together with software developers Dave Vincent and Paul Melhus - created the increasingly popular service called MyTripJournal.com. Whereas once upon a time, you did and then you told; now it is possible to do and tell at the same time! With the help of MyTripJournal.com, travelers can share their experiences with everyone as they go!
With just a few clicks, anyone can create their own travel website, allowing them to
- plot their journey on maps with the IntelliMap System
- store & display photos, stories and experiences
- exchange messages with friends and family
- control who views the ad-free personal travel website
- download a permanent archive at the end of the trip.
Whether the trip is a few weeks in Europe following graduation, an extended sabbatical from work, that retirees trip of a lifetime, or a new job assignment away from home, MyTripJournal.com eliminates the need to be making regular calls back home. It also eliminates sending separate emails to a myriad of family members and friends, all of who wanted you to "keep in touch."
"MyTripJournal.com offers a secure and stable platform for travelers to store their photos and journals," stresses co-founder Faye Parlow. "It invites friends and family to read when and wherever it is convenient for them do so. Travelers can post as many photos as they want without worrying about crashing anyone's computer. Readers can go back to previous journal entries and photos as often as they like. And the mapping function is an excellent way to provide geographical context for friends and family."
Anyone can create their own 45 day MyTripJournal website for FREE in less than 5 minutes (no credit card required) with no obligation.
For longer-term websites with additional features, charges are modest. In general, these are less than the cost of regular phone calls home. Visit My Trip Journal for details
So, although cell phones have made staying in touch much easier from almost anywhere, one call cannot connect travelers to everyone instantly in the way that the Web now can. And calls certainly can't retain all those photos to produce an instant "scrapbook" after you return home.
May 9, 2005 - Tips For Better Vacation Photos
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences with family and friends. Here are a few suggestions to help you capture vacation memories you will treasure for years to come.PLAN AHEAD
Make sure your digital camera is in good working order before you go, and keep it in a water- and shock-resistant case. Bring two sets of rechargeable batteries and don't forget the charger and relevant cords. Make sure your camera has enough memory. Packing an extra memory card is wise, as there is nothing worse than running out of room for pictures halfway down the Grand Canyon. It may be tempting to lower the resolution so you can store more pictures, but you will regret this later as it may result in poorer quality prints, or you will be limited to smaller size prints. Set your camera at its highest quality JPEG setting and get more memory if you have to. You will appreciate this when you're viewing and printing your photos after your trip.
TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES.
With a digital camera you can always erase the photos you don't want. Take pictures of anything you find interesting and try to focus on some of the details such as an attractive doorway or a colorful market, not just panoramic scenes or major landmarks. Let your pictures tell a story by creating a visual diary of your trip. Include street scenes, interesting signs, people you see along the way. For variety take both vertical and horizontal pictures.
READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP?
When taking people shots, don't make the mistake of standing too far away. You want to be able to recognize the people in your photos. Get close enough so you can see the expressions on your subjects faces. Zoom in on individuals or capture them from the waist up. Pictures are often more interesting when you can catch people at candid, un-posed moments. In posed photos, try to incorporate some of the background into your shot. Try snapping from interesting angles rather than simply head-on.
USE YOUR FLASH
When photographing in bright sunlight, setting your camera's "fill" or "forced" flash is very helpful, particularly when photographing people. Brilliant sunlight often makes people's faces look harsh, casting dark shadows under the eyes and accentuating wrinkles. The daytime fill-in flash will soften the lighting and make the images more flattering. Your family and friends in the photos will thank you!
EDIT AND ENHANCE YOUR FAVORITE SHOTS
When you get home you can edit, crop and enhance your favorites using photo editing software such as Foto Finish, Ulead or Photoshop Elements. Consider adding drama to your images by turning some of your color photos into black and white or sepia tones and then upload all your images to an online photo printing service like Ofoto or Shutterfly for fast and convenient prints. You can take your best snaps and use your photo editing software to create a photo calendar or make photo cards for personal notes, or to email your favorites to family and friends.
Most of all have fun with your camera!
Valerie Goettsch publishes the digital photography website www.digitalphotos101.com featuring reviews of photo editing and album software and digital photo printing services.
May 14, 2005 - New England Family Resort
Much of Nantucket's charm lies in the fact that it is an island with miles of beaches and bike paths. The gentle surf on the harbor side and the challenging waves on the ocean side provide endless opportunities for water sports.Swimming, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, whale watching, surfcasting and charter fishing are but a few of the activities visitors can enjoy. And of course there are the many secluded areas along bay or ocean shore for sunbathing, reading and quiet relaxation.
The new 104-room Harbor House Village in Nantucket, Massachusetts, has nightly introductory rates of US$90 p.p. (representing 25 per cent savings) from Sunday to Thursday and on some weekends through June 16.
Facilities at the Harbor House Village include a heated outdoor swimming pool (opens May 24), a comprehensive children's program called Village Kids an educational supervised activity program for children ages 5 to 13.
Activities are offered for a daily fee fo $10 (lunch is available for an additional fee) and are designed around the native crafts, natural elements and traditions found on Nantucket.
Babysitting services are also available.
For more information visit Harbor House Village
Find other Resorts in Nantucket
May 15, 2005 - Kids Will Love a Day at The Private Island
Often a port of call on a cruise involves a stop on the cruise line's private island. These islands used to be just a relaxing way to spend the day at the beach, now however, in a bid to out-do each other, each Island is getting to be a destination in itself. Some examples for family retreats are:Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay
Disney's Castaway Cay provides plenty of magic and fun for people of all ages. The three-mile-long island, of which only ten percent has been developed, provides plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy its natural beauty.
Attractions include the Castaway Family Beach, climb the ropes of the aquatic playground or swim, snorkel and take part in many more family activities.
Serenity Bay is a secluded beach for adults, no one under 18 allowed. Teens have their own private space at Teen Beach, and Scuttle's Cove is for kids 3-12 years of age.
There are also shore excursions, take to the sky on a parasailing adventure, paddle through tidal zones and skim the waters on an inflatable banana boat. The array of adventures is seemingly endless on Castaway Cay.
Royal Caribbean's Coco Cay
Located in the middle of the Caribbean is the secluded 140-acre private island of Coco Cay, reserved exclusively for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise guests.
The tropical paradise was recently updated with new aquatic facilities, nature trails and a ton of great places to relax.
A favorite attraction is the new 20,000 square-foot Caylana's Castle Cove, a fun-filled floating aqua playground. Situated just offshore in the crystal-blue waters around CocoCay, the park features fun, floating activities to appeal to visitors of all ages.
These include two 14-foot castles with one side for climbing and the other for sliding; two 25-foot floating trampolines; several "slidewalks" and aqua logs; and two water teeter-totters. The separate children's section consists of similar equipment on a smaller scale.
Other popular activities include SeaTrek adventure waverunners, snorkeling and parasailing 400 feet above Coco Cay.
Find out more about Family Cruises
May 17, 2005 - Teens Stay Free At Club Med
To celebrate the launch of The Ramp, Club Med Punta Cana's new exclusive teen hangout, teenagers 14-17 stay free at Club Med Punta Cana. Teens free offer valid on select travel dates from 06/18/2005-09/02/2005. One free land stay per teenager aged 14-17 years old when booking with one full paying adult in one category C room, limit two free teenagers per room. 7-night min. stay required.
The new teen hangout at Club Med Punta Cana is the Ramp, a two-story, open-air lounge exclusively for 14 to 17-year olds.
Overlooking the Caribbean, The Ramp combines music, sports and games in a comfortable atmosphere, where they can meet other teens from around the world. Rollerblades and skateboards are welcome. Adults aren't. There are football tables, telescopes and a jukebox filled with hit tracks from around the world.
A club within the Club, there's a lot more to The Ramp than just an address. With access to The Ramp teens get:
* A membership bracelet
* A Ramp access card
* A mailbox, so they can keep in touch with new friends
* Access to The Ramp's two foosball tables, photo booth, jukebox, hammock, a life size chess board and two telescopes
* Club Night, exclusively for Ramp members
* Water world, when the pool becomes one big party
* Cool off-site excursions
So visit before September 2, 2005 and teens stay free.
May 18, 2005 - "Stuck with the Kids" in New York City? Try this place...
The new Hotel Gansevoort in New York City - complete with a rooftop pool - has created a "Honey, We're Stuck with the Kids" package, priced at US$895 per night for two rooms or US$1,095 for a suite and connecting twin-bedded room.The family deal includes swimming lessons featuring underwater music, Parents' Night Out that includes a babysitter for four hours and dinner reservations, milk and cookies daily, oversized bucket of candy, daily use of board games, unlimited use of in-room video games, free movie daily and breakfast.
Kids can even learn how to become DJs during their stay, with private lessons at US$120 per hour and group lessons at US$75 per hour.
The new Hotel Gansevoort is the first luxury hotel in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, adjacent to the West Village Nearby attractions include: the Chelsea Market and Historic Greenwich Village Are Within Walking Distance. Fantastic Shopping Can Be Found in Soho, Which is Also a Short Distance Away. Broadway Theatres, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Bergdorf Goodman Are a Quick Cab Ride Uptown. The South Street Seaport, Beautiful Battery Park, the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street Are South of the Hotel.
For more information, visit Hotel Gansevoort
May 25, 2005 - Family-Friendly Virginia Beach Anyone?
A perfect destination for the classic beach vacation, Virginia Beach maintains a long-standing reputation as a family-friendly oceanfront resort. Centrally located on the East Coast, Virginia Beach is situated in the southeastern corner of the state where Virginia meets the sea. This popular resort city is just four hours away from Washington, D.C. by car, and within easy fly-drive access of two-thirds of the U.S. population. A recently-widened 300-foot beach, a three-mile long oceanfront Boardwalk, historic landmarks, exciting attractions, manicured golf courses, parks and wildlife habitats, and popular events enhance any visit.
One of the Top 10 most-visited aquariums in the country, the Virginia Marine Science Museum, brims with more than 800,000 gallons of water and live animal habitats, 350 hands-on exhibits and boasts the state's only 3D IMAX® theater.
Additional familly attractions include:
Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
Old Coast Guard Station
Ocean Breeze Waterpark
Motorworld Family Thrill Park
Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment
Historic homes such as the Adam Thoroughgood House, Lynnhaven House, and the Francis Land House
Seaside lodging with spectacular views and dining experiences with succulent seafood abound, and the resort city's mild climate makes it an ideal vacation spot any season of the year. Find a recommended hotel in Virginia Beach
May 26, 2005 - Families get a break at Breezes resorts
SuperClubs' Breezes is giving families a break this summer. At Breezes Curaçao, for instance, single supplements are being waived for single parents through Oct. 31, as well as the daily children's rate for kids aged two to 13 years (a combined savings of US$105 per day). Children can also stay free at Breezes resorts in the Dominican Republic, which are waiving the US$50 daily rate for children aged two to 13 years (one child per paying adult) through Dec. 24.
This includes Breezes Punta Cana Resort, Spa & Casino and Breezes Puerto Plata Resort, Spa & Casino. For more information, visit:
Breezes Puerto Plata Resort Spa & Casino All-Inclusive
Breezes Punta Cana Resort Spa & Casino All-Inclusive
Breezes Curacao
May 30, 2005 - Food Allergies and Travel
Food allergies are increasing at an alarming rate in today's society. What is particularly scary is how many children are effected by them. Talk to your doctor about bringing an adequate supply of EpiPen injections together with all medication information if allergies are severe. So, what do you do when you are traveling to a foriegn country and there is a language barrier? The best thing to do is get a translation done stating what you are allerigic to and carry the information with you at all times. Just make sure that the person doing the translation is qualified and has the correct terminology.
Dietarycard.com also sells wallet sized cards with either "I have an allergy/intolerance to..." or "I have a life threatening allergy to..." in Cards are available in the five most common western languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. These translations mean you can carry peace of mind in your pocket wherever and whenever you eat.
