Archive for March, 2007

Spring Into Your Vacation With Fewer Crowds And Lower Costs

March 8th, 2007 William

Once the winter holidays are over, many of us begin to look forward to summer. After all, the summer months afford the best weather, not to mention longer days to enjoy it. Moreover, a good number of people usually plan to take their vacations during the summer – so there’s often a getaway to look forward to. But in the midst of all those thoughts of fun in the sun, there’s an all-too-blunt reality: it’s actually still winter!

That’s right: if you usually take your holiday during the summer, you have about five months to count down before you can start packing your bags. After all, you have been committed to your summertime vacations ever since you were a child, when your parents used to take you along with them to sunny destinations. But does that really mean you have to stick to the same summertime holiday mould? The answer is simple: no, you don’t. So what’s the alternative?

While most people choose to travel in the summer, there is a wave of holidaymakers who know better: springtime travellers. These holidaymakers have a number of advantages over those who choose to vacation in the summer. For starters, those who travel in the spring beat the summertime “rush” of people. Can you really imagine travelling without hordes of tourists roaming the streets alongside you? It’s certainly possible – if you travel during off peak times of the year. Transport and accommodation prices are also usually lower in the spring, so you can anticipate an abundance of great deals and packages on the travel market.

Even so, what about the weather? After all, warm weather has a lot to do with why people choose to travel in the summer. But the truth is that springtime weather can be even better than that of the so-called glory days of summer: summertime climate can often be too hot, depending on where you go – which means you may have to sweat it out to get a bit of sightseeing in. But if you choose to travel in the spring, you’ll have the advantage of being able to bask in the sun without having to brave intense heat.

If you’re considering taking your vacation in the spring this year, you’ll find plenty of hotels – such as Hilton Homewood Suites – which can provide superb accommodation. And because you’ll be travelling during the off-peak season, you’re likely to be able to find some special deals, packages or promotions. So beat the summer rush and start exploring your springtime travelling options. With so many advantages, what have you got to lose?

Posted in Family Vacations, Spring Vacations Comments Off

A Bahamas Family Vacation At The Atlantis Hotel On Paradise Island

March 8th, 2007 William

If splashing in the sea on your family vacation is a must, then head over to Paradise Island and the Atlantis hotel, a full seRVice resort, in the Bahamas. The Atlantis Resort, in the Caribbean, has a 14 acre waterscape filled with water slides sure to excite kids of all ages and will please everyone on your family vacation.

Now is the best time to be planning a Bahamas family vacation. Make plans now so that when the weather turns cold your family goes south for a tropical paradise all families will enjoy.

The Bahamas are located off the coast of Florida. The islands are located near the Atlantic Gulf Stream making the water temperature an average of a pleasant 80 degrees year around. Think of how wonderful that will seem when the weather where you live is frigid.

The beaches are white and sandy with more water activities than you can even begin to think of. Swim with the dolphins, snorkel along the reef, or scuba dive with the sea creatures. Brilliant colors combined with sun, fresh air and the beautiful sea will create memories that will always be remembered. There are four towers that make up the Atlantis Hotel. The Royal Towers is the largest tower with 1,201 rooms and beautiful water views. All of the standard rooms have French balconies while the suites have full ones. You have your choice of King or double queen beds. This tower includes the sumptuous bridge suite with over 5000 square feet of space and is suspended 17 stories in the air.

The Coral Towers, home of the Kids Club has 656 deluxe rooms with many amenities decorated in a contemporary, relaxed style. The atrium has a lounge with a waterfall and a domed skylight. Your rooms view can be the Terrace or the sea. Here your choice for beds is a king or two doubles. This is much small then the Royal Tower. At the Kids Club children over 3 years and at least 48 inches tall can experience the thrill of feeding the fish in the Estuary Lagoon. They select five children a day to participate in this activity. Register your children at the Atlantis Kids Club for a chance for one of the spots. This activity is done Tuesday thru Saturday at 2:30 pm. There are two rules, the kids must have water shoes and be able to get into the lagoon without the aid of a parent.

Then there is the beach tower which is more moderately priced. The rooms, all 423 of them, are decorated in a tropical decor. Here you can choose from king or two double beds with Terrace or water views.

Then there is the truly elegant Harborside that has 392 villas. These villas can house four to ten guests. They have one, two or three bedroom options. Each has a kitchen and separate living and bedroom areas. Each villa has a balcony but the views are not guaranteed. It features a fitness room, a zero entry pool, children’s pool and 2 whirlpools. Guests at the Harborside have full privileges at Atlantis with a free shuttle seRVices. There is lovely, relaxed dining on the Harbour front.

If you like to gamble there is one casino on Cable Beach and another one at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. The casino at Atlantis spans a seven acre lagoon with skylights and windows bringing the scenery inside. Dale Chihuly, who makes famous glass sculptures, designed the casino with vibrant colorful energy. You will find 78 gaming tables including, Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat and Baccarat. And of course, what casino would be without Craps, Roulette, Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud Poker. This being the Caribbean largest casino there are over 800 slot machines for the casino patrons to use.

They have three dining options available. The Gourmet plan which costs $92.00 per day for adults and $40.00 per day for children gives you the most choices. You can get a full American breakfast at each of five restaurants: Seagrapes, Marketplace, Water’s Edge, Café at the Great Hall of Waters and Murray’s deli. For dinner you have a whopping 12 places to choose from: Seagrapes or Water’s Edge, Mama Loo’s, Seafire Steakhouse, Bahamian Club, Fathoms, Marketplace, Nobu, Café at the Great Hall of Waters, Carmines, Café Martinique or Dune. Dinner includes a choice of an appetizer; soup or salad; one entrée, a selection of one dessert; tea, soda, or coffee. Reservtions are required in all Gourmet restaurants.

The modified American Plan offers relaxed dining with no reservations. The cost for this plan is $59.00 per day for adults and $28.00 for children. Here you are offered a full American breakfast daily in a choice of four restaurants: Seagrapes, Marketplace, Water’s Edge, and Murray’s Delicatessen. For dinner you have a choice of seven restaurants: Seagrapes or Water’s Edge, Atlas Grill & Bar, Marketplace, Murray’s Delicatessen, Bimini Road and the Point at Harborside Resort. Dinner includes a choice of an appetizer; soup or salad; one entrée; a selection of one dessert; tea, soda, or coffee.

Atlantis Guests dining on either plan at Seagrapes, Marketplace and Water’s Edge for breakfast and Seagrapes and Marketplace for dinner will enjoy a variety of selections available from the buffet.

Or you can opt for the no Meal plan and plan your meals on your own.

These are some of the highlights of the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island, a truly great place to spend a family vacation. While you are there don’t forget to visit the straw market. Have fun.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and travel. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.WorldHotelPortal.com

Posted in Bahamas Vacation, Family Vacations Comments Off

Alaska Dip Netting – Family-Filled Adventure

March 8th, 2007 William

Alaska BannerAn amazing phenomenon occurs for a short time each summer in the Last Frontier as thousands of Alaskan residents, both young and old from all walks of life, take a break from whatever they are busy doing at the time to storm the shores of Alaska’s rivers. Other Alaskans know exactly what they’re up to as soon as they lay eyes on the long-pole contraptions of every sort, shape and size with very large nets attached. Some come alone, others come with friends or their entire families, having carefully planned this annual getaway and Alaskan family fishing tradition. Arriving in cars, trucks, campers and RVs, they bring their kids, pets, coolers, tents, gear for harvesting and cleaning, food, wood for fires and anything else they feel they might need for a day, a few days or a week or two at a time for some fun-filled work and adventure.

This adventure and privilege of the Last Frontier is called dip net fishery and is only open to Alaskan residents. Since Alaska is known for world class salmon fishing with a variety of species, dip netting is an unparalleled and not to be missed, opportunity for all Alaskan residents to fill their freezers with prime subsistence for the coming winter. So with a whopping 25 salmon per head of household limit and an additional 10 fish per family member in sight, they go in droves to the various Alaskan rivers around the state as each is opened up for fishing. They are well equipped and armed with fishing licenses; dip netting permits for recording, a good cap and pair of sunglasses to guard against occasional seagull deposits.

How does one dip net? First you need a long pole with a handle that you are able to handle and are comfortable with, usually 10 to 15 feet, (shorter for kids) with a large net no bigger than 5 feet in diameter. You can buy one or be creative and craft your own, staying within the size limitations. Although many don’t wear any particular type of clothing, most are outfitted with chest waders that are designed to keep you warm and dry; that is if you don’t fall in.

You wade out as far as you feel comfortable, careful not to fill up your waders with water and hold the dip net straight out in front of you into the current. Now you wait. Waiting might be the hardest part for some. Sometimes you will wait a long time and your arms and legs will probably get tired, but wait you must until you feel a tug in your net. You then give the net a quick twist to the left or right depending on the direction of the current so the salmon can’t escape and then walk backwards or turn around and run quickly towards shore pulling the net behind you and empty out your fish on the shore for someone in your family or a friend to take over from there. You repeat this process over and over again until you reach your limit. Someone in the family or a friend will either bonk the fish on the head with a club or cut a gill to bleed it out or both.

To keep everything legal, your catch must be recorded on your permit as well as physically marked by clipping both tips of the tail fin of each fish before packing the fish away out of sight. It’s the law. A good pair of kitchen sheers should accomplish that task just fine. Now it’s ready to be put on ice in a bucket or cooler in preparation for the trip home.

You might reach your limit in one day or over several days or weeks. Dip netting is like the luck of the draw or “the great equalizer” as Alaskans like to say about this adventure extraordinaire. Sound incredible? It is and it’s only found in Alaska. If you happen to be fortunate enough to be in Alaska during this season, don’t miss the sight of these elbow-to-elbow dip netters as they get together with family and friends to have a bit of fun while dip netting for their food for the coming year. There’s nothing like it.

Michael Russell

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