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Budget Family Camping: A Growing Trend

13 Oct 2011
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Is the cost of a family vacation a source of concern for you? Airline and train tickets have skyrocketed in recent months due to the rise in gasoline prices. Booking a weekend in a hotel for a family of four could cost the equivalent of a week’s salary, and that does not include meals. These factors leave many families with a small budget wondering how they can afford to take a family vacation without breaking the bank. Budget family camping may be the answer.

The option of packing the family car and driving out to a secluded place at the lake or in the woods sounds ideal to some families. Let’s face it; we all want to get away from the incessant ringing phones, the sound of traffic, and the responsibilities of life now and then.

Budget family camping doesn’t require much planning for a pleasant trip. Many campgrounds around the country offer overnight camping for tent campers ranging anywhere from $7-25 a night which is far less than the cost of even the most budget priced hotel. Even if the family chooses to camp in their Recreational Vehicle (RV) the rates usually, do not exceed $35 per night in all but the most exclusive parks. Most of the government owned National Parks now have online systems in place for booking camping trips in advance. A family can plan their budget family camping trip as much as a year in advance, in almost any state.

Once the reservations are made the family simply packs their bedding, extra clothes, fishing gear, and their food before heading off for their budget family camping trip for some family togetherness time.

If you have never taken a camping trip before you will need to invest in some camping gear which will last for several years. For a family of four your budget family camping trip will require the following gear:

? A good size cooler to keep food and drinks cold

? Disposable cups, plates and silverware

? Quality sleeping bags for each family member ($40-60 per person)

? Tarps for ground cover under the tent (keeps out moisture) around $8-10

? Battery powered lantern, extra batteries (less messy)

? Family tent (buy bigger than you think you need) $80-170

? Basic game gear- balls, bikes, horseshoes, dominoes, cards.

? Fishing tackle box, bait, fishing poles, (optional).

Once you purchase the gear for the first trip you will have what you need for each additional budget family camping trip. You will probably keep adding items as you continue camping. Many campers find it addicting to get away at least once or twice a year with the family.

Category: Budget Travel  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment

Exploring The Arts In Puerto Vallarta

09 Oct 2011
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While most tourists visit Puerto Vallarta to experience the beaches, resorts and unmatched natural beauty, there is a more creative allure just beneath the surface. Though Puerto Vallarta is far from a sprawling city, the community houses more galleries than any Mexican destination outside the capital. Throughout the years, artists and aficionados have flocked to the majestic landscape of Puerto Vallarta. The results can be seen throughout the galleries of the city – in everything from painting, sculpture and ceramics to jewelry, literature and fashion. Yet, even if you don’t step inside any of Puerto Vallarta’s galleries, you will still find yourself surrounded by art – courtesy of public sculptures throughout the city and the paintings lining the walls of local restaurants. Regardless of where you set foot in this gorgeous city, you are sure to be overwhelmed by the powerful creative spirit.

Inside the galleries of Puerto Vallarta, you will find everything from folk art to the most challenging contemporary compositions of the region’s vibrant art scene. One of the most well-known galleries is the Galeria Arte Latinoamericano – a two-story collection of Puerto Vallarta’s finest painters and sculptors. Another great destination for locally produced work is Galeria Dante. Featuring more than 50 artists from the Puerto Vallarta community, this gallery has been awarded top honors in numerous publications.

While there is a strong focus on locally produced artwork in Puerto Vallarta, don’t be surprised to find some famous names on the walls. For instance, Galeria Omar Alonso has displayed works by documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado and European artists such as Wouter Deruytter and Michal Macku. Galeria Corsica – a popular destination for collectors – features artists championed by Mexico City’s Museum of Modern Art. The Galerie des Artistes – a space known for its many rooms of unique pieces – has also been known to exhibit works by Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco.

One of the most celebrated art forms of Mexico is Mata Ortiz pottery, an elegant craft on display in a pair of galleries. Both Galeria Mata Ortiz and Galeria de Ollas feature some of the best ceramic work you will find anywhere in the world. You can also find traditional work produced by the Huichol – a tribe residing in the mountains outside Puerto Vallarta – at Galeria Piramide. Not only will you be able to see incredible examples of traditional bead and woven art, you can witness these indigenous artisans working at the gallery.

One of the most popular events in Puerto Vallarta is the Old Town Art Walk that takes place each Wednesday during the tourism season – generally October to April. On these special evenings, you will find at least 17 galleries open late to display everything from the newest work of local artists to treasured paintings by Old Masters. You can enjoy this self-guided walking tour at your own pace with the assistance of detailed maps available at any of the galleries or your resort. The Old Town is also a great place to dine, but make sure to save some room for complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

No visit to Puerto Vallarta is complete without a stroll down the city’s famed boardwalk – the Malecon. Besides offering a beautiful view of Banderas Bay, the Malecon serves as an outdoor sculpture museum. Beginning at the north end of the boardwalk, you will encounter Mathis Lidice’s “Los Milenios” – one of the most photographed sites in Puerto Vallarta. Tourists are also known to gather around the “Rotonda del Mar,” a unique assemblage of chairs by local artist Alejandro Colunga. If you want to learn more about the sculptures of the Malecon or the artists behind them, don’t miss the Tuesday morning tour offered by Gary Thompson – owner of the Galleria Pacifico. Ramiz Barquet – one of the city’s most celebrated artists – is often on hand to discuss his famous work “La Nostalgia” and offer a unique perspective on the region’s artistic culture.

Most importantly, Puerto Vallarta has something for everyone’s taste and price range – making it easy to come home with a piece of this beautiful city. Regardless of when you visit Puerto Vallarta, the city will have plenty to inspire your creative side. The Puerto Vallarta art scene is always expanding, incorporating new styles and concepts to reflect the ideas of artists and visitors alike.

Category: Adventure Tours  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment

Cruise Lines – All You Need To Know

04 Oct 2011
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Who are the people whom you refer to when you plan a pleasure trip with your loves ones on the ship? Whom do you contact to know and compare the prices of various voyage packages? Who are the people whom you contact when you need to make sure that your safety is ensured? Well, the answer to all these questions is “cruise lines”!

CRUISE LINE-WHO?

A corporation or an organization which operates cruise ships is popularly known as cruise line. They serve two purposes, namely, transportation and leisure pleasure trips. Apart from the headquartered employees and the administrative officers, the cruise line personnel also includes the captain of the ship, the cruise crew, hospitality staff members and a hotel manager or his equivalent.

Many cruise lines that are operating currently operating are straight from the family of conventional passenger shipping lines. The others originate from the original cruising organizations which were established early in the days of 1960’s.

WELL-LIKED AND FASHIONABLE CRUISE LINES:-

Presently, there are 52 major cruise lines that are operating in many parts of the world like Europe, United States, and Asia among others. And invariably, most of the headquarters of all these cruise lines are located in Europe and the United States. So, here is the list of the most popular and well known cruise lines:-

1. Birka line:

The starting point of this cruise line is Stockholm and its cruise activities mainly take place in and around the Baltic Sea. It is an Albanian cruiser ship and it mainly focuses on cruising activities. It was created post the acquirement of this ship named M/S Princessan was later rechristened as Prinsessan. The first cruise of this ship was between Stockholm and Mariehamn.

In the year 1972, this ship, took over the M/S Olav, after which it was renamed Baronessan. Many other ships were acquired with the passage of time and passenger ferries and cars have also been introduced in the Stockholm to Helsinki route. One other addition was the M/S Drottningen, a train ferry which provides service from Stockholm to Helsinki via the Leningrad route.

2. Carnival cruise line:

The carnival cruise line is one of the ancillaries of the carnival co. which is the largest cruise corporation in the world. They used to be the leader of shorter and cheaper cruises. They have also been the producers of large ships such as the Carnival Destiny which is the greatest passenger ship weighing 101,000 tons.

In the first quarter of April of 2006, the company has successfully incorporated two more cruise ships to their already existing fleet. The new ships have been named Carnival Freedom, which would be unveiled in the year 2007 and the other one is carnival Splendor, which would be getting a spring 2008 launch.

3. Crystal cruise lines:

The crystal cruise line made its debut in the year 1988 with three high-end medium sized ships. It is more popularly referred to as Crystal Cruises. The Japanese Shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha owns it. These ships have been placed as one of the best cruises almost every year by the Conde Nast Traveler magazine. They have also been placed in the top twenty in almost all guidebooks.

4. Disney cruise line:

It is held by the world renowned Walt Disney company and has its headquarters in Celebration, Florida. Two ships are operated under this line namely, the Disney wonder and the Disney magic together with Castaway Cay, an island designed as a special port for all of Disney’s ships in the Bahamas.

There variation between the two ships lies in the entertainment sections and the restaurants. They have different areas designed as per the likings and preferences of different age groups right from toddlers to children to teenagers to adults.

5. Norwegian cruise lines:

This company has its base in Florida, Miami to be precise and was initially known to be the Norwegian Caribbean Lines when it was formed in 1966. It started off by providing voyages in the Caribbean region at lower costs.

The acquirement of the France cruise ship in the year 1979 which was later renamed and rebuilt as the Norway, laid the foundation stone for the beginning of the era of huge cruise ships that are available today..

There are a variety of other cruises which would suit every other pocket and would make their voyage one of the great memories in their life.

Category: Deluxe Cruising  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment
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