Europe is like a time machine, every country having a slightly different flair of old and new. Triumphs of past centuries are often intermingled with modern skyscrapers and architectural wonders. Elaborate palaces, gothic churches, and many historical spots and modern marvels are seen throughout Europe.
The Tower of London is a good example and a popular starting point. This metropolitan city has one of the world's largest international airports and, as the capital of England, is serviced from all points world-wide. Formerly used as a prison, the Tower of London now secures the Crown Jewels of England, making it one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Also throughout London are the Yeoman of the Guard (aka "Beefeaters") who still wear the uniforms that date back from the rule of the Tudors.
The Houses of Parliament (collectively, the New Palace of Westminster) is the seat of British legislature. Three towers, the Victoria Tower, Middle Tower, and Saint Stephen's Clock Tower (housing the world-famous Big Ben) are the hubs of the complex.
France is the world's favorite sight-seeing spot for European vacation goers. The Musee de Louvre houses many of the world's most famous art, including da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Paris' Eiffel Tower is another world landmark along with the nearby Avenue des Champs-Elysees. The Notre Dame Cathedral cannot be missed and families will be interested in visiting Disneyland Paris.
The Dutch city of Amsterdam is also extremely popular as a destination, housing more attractions than can be seen in just a day or two. The house of Anne Frank, the Rijksmuseum (housing the world's largest collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings), and the works of Vincent van Gogh.
Italy, while usually associated with fashion, also offers some of the world's greatest old-world charm. You're sure to want to visit again and again as the mixture of tradition, culture, and architecture dating from the Roman Empire all the way into the middle ages and into today's modern age will delight. Make sure to toss a coin into Rome's Trevi Fountain, which will assure you're return, according to tradition.
Visiting Italy means seeing old Roman buildings, such as the Pantheon and the Colosseum, both world landmarks and very impressive feats of ancient architecture. These fascinating structures are home to ancient stories of gods, battle, and glory.
Milan, Italy's fashion and shopping haven, is also a major center for art and architecture. Traversing Piazza del Duomo and seeing the Duomo itself, a huge Gothic cathedral of white marble are virtually requirements for any visitor to Italy.
If you're an art lover, you'll definitely want to visit Europe, especially Madrid, Spain. Some of the finest museums in the world are found here, including the Museo del Prado. Spain holds too many museums of renown to name and will surely delight anyone who loves art.
By Emma Geller
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Travel Tips: Planning a Trip to Disneyland
Where to Find the Best Prices on Disneyland Tickets
For those planning a trip to Disneyland, the cost of the trip is an important consideration. Many wishing to visit Disneyland begin to wonder where they can get the best price on Disneyland tickets. With many sources from which to obtain Disneyland tickets, finding them at the best possible price can take some legwork. If you would like to find out where to get the best prices on Disneyland tickets, the following suggestions may be helpful to you.
Visit the official Disneyland website - The truth is, that the ticket prices listed on the official Disneyland website are not always the lowest you can find. However, sometimes Disney will run a promotion during which Disneyland tickets can be purchased at a lower price from the website than anywhere else. These low price promotions often require that your travel to Disneyland occur during the off season, but for some people this might be an added bonus. So before you jump into your quest for the best prices on Disneyland tickets, check the Disney website first. Just in case.
Try getawaytoday.com - It is not uncommon for getawaytoday.com to have the best prices on Disneyland tickets and packages. The site is comprehensive and easy to use. Simply plug in your preferred dates of travel, the number and ages of children you will be bringing, and the getawaytoday.com travel tool will give you many options to choose from. You can also purchase Disneyland tickets alone from getawaytoday.com, without having to purchase them as part of a hotel package.
Check out Ares Travel - Ares Travel has been offering some of the best prices on Disneyland tickets as of late. The Disneyland tickets at Ares Travel have been listed at approximately $5 less per ticket than getawaytoday.com or the official Disneyland website. Ares Travel offers multi day Park Hopper tickets.
Check with your usual travel agent - Sometimes travel agents can get a better price on Disneyland tickets than you will find online. So if you already have a travel agent that you have had good experiences with, ask about Disneyland tickets.
Don't forget AAA - When searching for the best prices on Disneyland tickets, don't forget to check with AAA. Even though the individual ticket prices may not be lower than Ares Travel, a purchase of Disneyland tickets with AAA can sometimes get you free parking at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. Depending on how many days you are planning to visit Disneyland, at a savings of $11 per day on parking, you may find that it actually saves you a few bucks to pay the membership fee to join AAA.
If you can purchase tickets through Costco or your employer, check those prices, too - Sometimes these are the places where you can find the best prices on Disneyland tickets. The Costco tickets might require that you be a Southern California resident, and your employer may not be offering tickets at lower prices than other sources, but it's definitely worth it to check into it.
How to Use the Fast Pass System at Disneyland
Long lines at Disneyland can be the difference between a good day at the park, and a bad one. Long lines with wait times of an hour or more can seriously affect how many attractions can be enjoyed in one day at the park. Additionally, waiting in extremely long lines can be nearly impossible for families with young children, or those with conditions that make standing for long periods of time difficult.
Fortunately, Disneyland has a way to help guests spend less time in lines. By using the Fast Pass system, Disneyland guests can cut their wait time in line by half, or even more. Using the Fast Pass system at Disneyland can be a little tricky for those who have never before tried it, so if you need directions for how to use the Fast Pass system at Disneyland, these tips will help!
First, know which rides are part of the Fast Pass system - Fast Pass is not available for every ride at Disneyland. Although the Fast Pass system has been available at different attractions since its implementation, it is currently available for several of the most popular rides. These include Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. Although these attractions are part of the Fast Pass system, Fast Pass is generally only implemented on days where crowds are heavy enough to produce lines long enough to warrant its use.
Next, get a Fast Pass - Obtaining a Fast Pass is relatively simple. Near the entrance to the attraction you want to get a Fast Pass for, there will be Fast Pass machines. If you don't see the machines, simply find a Disneyland employee and ask where the machines are and they'll be happy to point you in the right direction. You will use your paper admission ticket that you received at the front gate, or your annual pass card. Whichever one of these you have, insert it into the Fast Pass machine, and the machine will then return your ticket or card, and then give you a Fast Pass.
Now, use your Fast Pass - Your Fast Pass will have two times on it. The time listed first, is the earliest time at which you may redeem your Fast Pass for entry onto the corresponding attraction. The second time is the time at which your Fast Pass expires. When the time comes for you to use your Fast Pass, approach the entrance to the attraction the Fast Pass is from. You will notice a sign that directs you to the Fast Pass line for that attraction. As you enter, or shortly thereafter, a Disneyland cast member will take your Fast Pass and permit you onto the ride.
How to Use the Parent Swap System at Disneyland
Disneyland can be a lot of fun for most people. However, visiting Disneyland with children who are too small for some rides, or perhaps too frightened to ride on other rides, can be a challenge. Fortunately, Disneyland has a Parent Swap system that was designed to help people in precisely this predicament. The Parent Swap system makes it possible for both parents to ride an attraction, even if their child or children do not want to ride, or cannot ride due to the ride height requirement. And with the Parent Swap system, parents will not have to wait in a full attraction line twice. If you are interested in using the Parent Swap system during your next visit to Disneyland, the following information will likely be useful to you.
Know which rides allow you to utilize the Parent Swap system - One of the really nice things about the Disneyland Parent Swap system is that it is available on every attraction. Unlike the Fast Pass system which is only available on relatively few select attractions, parents can use the Parent Swap system on every attraction they were hoping to ride during their visit to Disneyland.
Using the Parent Swap system at Disneyland is easy - In order to use the Parent Swap system at Disneyland, one parent will need to wait in the full attraction line once. Parents will have to split up, with one parent sitting out with children who are too short or too frightened to ride a particular attraction. Simultaneously, the other parent goes through the line in order to ride alone, or with additional children who wish to ride, and who meet any rider height requirements that may exist for that attraction. The parent who is not riding first, and who is choosing to sit out with children, will have to be present when the parent who intends to ride first makes their way to the cast member working the line of that particular attraction. This is because the cast members will not issue a Parent Swap pass unless they actually see the parent who will be sitting out. This is to cut down on the possibility that certain individuals might abuse the Parent Swap system. Once the Parent Swap pass is issued however, the parent who is sitting out for the first ride, can take the kids to another attraction, or just wait near the exit. Ask the cast member who handed out the Parent Swap pass where the second parent should enter when it is their turn to ride, because this will vary among different rides. Some attractions have the second parent enter through the exit, whereas others do not. When the parent who is riding first comes off of the attraction, the parent who waited out first can now ride. The parent riding second can also bring one person with them, as long as that person meets any rider height requirements that may exist for that attraction.
Read also
Preparing for a Trip Abroad with Children
Taking Pictures on Your Walt Disney World Trip
Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers
Tips: How to Shorten Wait Times at Walt Disney World
Disney World Cruises
By Brandy Madison
For those planning a trip to Disneyland, the cost of the trip is an important consideration. Many wishing to visit Disneyland begin to wonder where they can get the best price on Disneyland tickets. With many sources from which to obtain Disneyland tickets, finding them at the best possible price can take some legwork. If you would like to find out where to get the best prices on Disneyland tickets, the following suggestions may be helpful to you.
Visit the official Disneyland website - The truth is, that the ticket prices listed on the official Disneyland website are not always the lowest you can find. However, sometimes Disney will run a promotion during which Disneyland tickets can be purchased at a lower price from the website than anywhere else. These low price promotions often require that your travel to Disneyland occur during the off season, but for some people this might be an added bonus. So before you jump into your quest for the best prices on Disneyland tickets, check the Disney website first. Just in case.
Try getawaytoday.com - It is not uncommon for getawaytoday.com to have the best prices on Disneyland tickets and packages. The site is comprehensive and easy to use. Simply plug in your preferred dates of travel, the number and ages of children you will be bringing, and the getawaytoday.com travel tool will give you many options to choose from. You can also purchase Disneyland tickets alone from getawaytoday.com, without having to purchase them as part of a hotel package.
Check out Ares Travel - Ares Travel has been offering some of the best prices on Disneyland tickets as of late. The Disneyland tickets at Ares Travel have been listed at approximately $5 less per ticket than getawaytoday.com or the official Disneyland website. Ares Travel offers multi day Park Hopper tickets.
Check with your usual travel agent - Sometimes travel agents can get a better price on Disneyland tickets than you will find online. So if you already have a travel agent that you have had good experiences with, ask about Disneyland tickets.
Don't forget AAA - When searching for the best prices on Disneyland tickets, don't forget to check with AAA. Even though the individual ticket prices may not be lower than Ares Travel, a purchase of Disneyland tickets with AAA can sometimes get you free parking at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. Depending on how many days you are planning to visit Disneyland, at a savings of $11 per day on parking, you may find that it actually saves you a few bucks to pay the membership fee to join AAA.
If you can purchase tickets through Costco or your employer, check those prices, too - Sometimes these are the places where you can find the best prices on Disneyland tickets. The Costco tickets might require that you be a Southern California resident, and your employer may not be offering tickets at lower prices than other sources, but it's definitely worth it to check into it.
How to Use the Fast Pass System at Disneyland
Long lines at Disneyland can be the difference between a good day at the park, and a bad one. Long lines with wait times of an hour or more can seriously affect how many attractions can be enjoyed in one day at the park. Additionally, waiting in extremely long lines can be nearly impossible for families with young children, or those with conditions that make standing for long periods of time difficult.
Fortunately, Disneyland has a way to help guests spend less time in lines. By using the Fast Pass system, Disneyland guests can cut their wait time in line by half, or even more. Using the Fast Pass system at Disneyland can be a little tricky for those who have never before tried it, so if you need directions for how to use the Fast Pass system at Disneyland, these tips will help!
First, know which rides are part of the Fast Pass system - Fast Pass is not available for every ride at Disneyland. Although the Fast Pass system has been available at different attractions since its implementation, it is currently available for several of the most popular rides. These include Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. Although these attractions are part of the Fast Pass system, Fast Pass is generally only implemented on days where crowds are heavy enough to produce lines long enough to warrant its use.
Next, get a Fast Pass - Obtaining a Fast Pass is relatively simple. Near the entrance to the attraction you want to get a Fast Pass for, there will be Fast Pass machines. If you don't see the machines, simply find a Disneyland employee and ask where the machines are and they'll be happy to point you in the right direction. You will use your paper admission ticket that you received at the front gate, or your annual pass card. Whichever one of these you have, insert it into the Fast Pass machine, and the machine will then return your ticket or card, and then give you a Fast Pass.
Now, use your Fast Pass - Your Fast Pass will have two times on it. The time listed first, is the earliest time at which you may redeem your Fast Pass for entry onto the corresponding attraction. The second time is the time at which your Fast Pass expires. When the time comes for you to use your Fast Pass, approach the entrance to the attraction the Fast Pass is from. You will notice a sign that directs you to the Fast Pass line for that attraction. As you enter, or shortly thereafter, a Disneyland cast member will take your Fast Pass and permit you onto the ride.
How to Use the Parent Swap System at Disneyland
Disneyland can be a lot of fun for most people. However, visiting Disneyland with children who are too small for some rides, or perhaps too frightened to ride on other rides, can be a challenge. Fortunately, Disneyland has a Parent Swap system that was designed to help people in precisely this predicament. The Parent Swap system makes it possible for both parents to ride an attraction, even if their child or children do not want to ride, or cannot ride due to the ride height requirement. And with the Parent Swap system, parents will not have to wait in a full attraction line twice. If you are interested in using the Parent Swap system during your next visit to Disneyland, the following information will likely be useful to you.
Know which rides allow you to utilize the Parent Swap system - One of the really nice things about the Disneyland Parent Swap system is that it is available on every attraction. Unlike the Fast Pass system which is only available on relatively few select attractions, parents can use the Parent Swap system on every attraction they were hoping to ride during their visit to Disneyland.
Using the Parent Swap system at Disneyland is easy - In order to use the Parent Swap system at Disneyland, one parent will need to wait in the full attraction line once. Parents will have to split up, with one parent sitting out with children who are too short or too frightened to ride a particular attraction. Simultaneously, the other parent goes through the line in order to ride alone, or with additional children who wish to ride, and who meet any rider height requirements that may exist for that attraction. The parent who is not riding first, and who is choosing to sit out with children, will have to be present when the parent who intends to ride first makes their way to the cast member working the line of that particular attraction. This is because the cast members will not issue a Parent Swap pass unless they actually see the parent who will be sitting out. This is to cut down on the possibility that certain individuals might abuse the Parent Swap system. Once the Parent Swap pass is issued however, the parent who is sitting out for the first ride, can take the kids to another attraction, or just wait near the exit. Ask the cast member who handed out the Parent Swap pass where the second parent should enter when it is their turn to ride, because this will vary among different rides. Some attractions have the second parent enter through the exit, whereas others do not. When the parent who is riding first comes off of the attraction, the parent who waited out first can now ride. The parent riding second can also bring one person with them, as long as that person meets any rider height requirements that may exist for that attraction.
Read also
Preparing for a Trip Abroad with Children
Taking Pictures on Your Walt Disney World Trip
Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers
Tips: How to Shorten Wait Times at Walt Disney World
Disney World Cruises
By Brandy Madison
Friday, September 12, 2008
Preparing for a Trip Abroad with Children
Personally, I think a basic safety guideline for any parent travelling with young or adolescent children is this: multiply what you know by ten, then you may have what you need to know. Vulnerabilities, risks and potential dangers are magnified ten-fold or greater when anyone leaves the comfort and familiarity of home (and their home country) to explore foreign territories. Add to this equation a parent, or parents, travelling with more than one child and the need to research and prepare adequately may increase as well. Where to start?
First off, of course, is where are you going? To another First World country like Sweden, France or Japan where health concerns are minimal if non-existent and safety issues similar to back home. Or are you planning an adventure in a Third World country such as Mexico, Zimbabwe or Nicaragua where basic levels of sanitation may be considered unsafe for drinking water, eating out in a restaurant, eating fresh fruits or raw shellfish, etc. and that may be the least of your concerns. Personal safety issues such as prevention of armed robbery and potential for kidnapping or abduction could be risks as well, greater than what you may have taken precautionary measures against back home.
Take a deep breath and don't throw away the suitcases! A sound mind and sound travel planning is all you need to assure your vacation or extended stay abroad is enjoyable for the whole family and worth the time and money you spent. When it comes to life experience and education for children, the value of a trip abroad is difficult to calculate.
How to Prepare
When I travel to a new country or destination with my child I ask myself these basic questions:
1) Health, Food and Water Safety
Is the water safe to drink? Are we likely to become ill from eating in a restaurant (such as in India)? Are vaccinations needed for travel (such as Yellow Fever shots for travel to Ecuador or Peru)? Is there a Dengue Fever or Malaria risk in the area? Other health risks?
2) Personal Safety for Adults and Children
Have there been incidences of aggression against tourists such as armed robbery, sexual assault or other? What is the risk of abduction or kidnapping for foreigners?
3) Relative Safety of the Country or Location
Is the country in a state of civil unrest (such as currently in Nicaragua) or relatively peaceful? Is there infrastructure already in place for visitors such as tourist police, hotels, restaurants and basic medical care? Or is the location remote and off the beaten track and therefore potentially more dangerous and hostile to outsiders?
Researching Your Chosen Destination
In researching the answers to the above questions the most important consideration is to ensure the information is as up-to-date as is possible. Situations can change in a country seemingly overnight.
As an example, we traveled through Nicaragua approximately three months ago. I researched thoroughly online and chose three destinations to visit and a stay of approximately a month. Personally, I would not have felt comfortable with a more extended visit or time in the country due to safety concerns for my child. As Americans I felt we were vulnerable.
We had a pleasant experience with no major mishaps. A month or so after we left the country to head further south, a bus strike was initiated and news reports flooded the Web with photos of University students in Managua burning public busses in protest of raised fares. Taxis drivers also went on strike. If that had been the situation prior to our entering the country I would have traveled differently, for less time or possibly avoided the country altogether.
Guidebooks are a great first step in researching an area, as they offer background information about the country and addresses of hotels for you to have on-hand when arriving in a city or town. I've had many taxi drivers take advantage of my 'not knowing where I was going' when landing somewhere new without a sound game plan intact, being driven around the city (or in circles) in lieu of an available hotel unnecessarily so as to be charged an over-priced fare.
Three popular brands of travel guides that list high-end hotels as well as low-cost backpacker hostals are: Rough Guides, Moon Handbooks and Lonely Planet. All three have information about countries on their websites free of charge for you to review before purchasing a book.
Lonely Planet and Rough Guides have eBooks available online. Rough Guide eBooks are the full-text of a guidebook, minus maps and photographs that you can download to a PDA or your computer. Lonely Planet eBooks are similar, yet include maps and photos and you have the option of purchasing a section of a book such as 'Honduras' in the Lonely Planet guide to Central America. The cost for a chapter or section of a Lonely Planet guidebook is around $2-$3 USD, and is sent to you via email as a PDF file after ordering online at Lonely Planet Buy by Chapter online.
You would also want to do an online search specific to the country such as 'Costa Rica and Crime' entered into Google. A quick way to get current information is to do a search for newspapers for the area. When writing an article on Costa Rica, it was the information I read in the Tico Times online that informed me of the serious increase in violent crimes (murder, sexual assault, armed robbery during the night in expatriate homes) in Limon province on the Carribean coast. We had traveled through the area a week earlier unknowingly. I knew they had a problem with drugs and theft, but had no idea about the level of violent crime that was going on in the area until I read the article: "Fear and Loafing in Puerto Viejo - Residents say town suffers from rampant crime as cops just sit around ". That information you will not get from a guidebook.
If planning an extended stay, I would check to see what listservs or newsgroups were available and post a few questions as well. Expatriates who have relocated to an area are an excellent source of information. An example of one for Panama would be the Yahoo group 'Americans in Panama'.
Here are some websites I would use to research the below concerns online. These are general resources. Again, a location should be researched independently and thoroughly online. Relying solely on the information from a guidebook is not an adequate way to prepare for a trip abroad when traveling with children.
Health, Food and Water Safety
1. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention located at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/. Enter in the country you are researching and you will find information such as Travel Notices in Effect, vaccinations that may be needed, and much more.
Read also:
Top 10 Things for Kids to Do in Boston
Family Vacation in Las Vegas
Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers
Planning Your Walt Disney Vacation Online
Tips to score an airfare bargain
By Molly Mc Hugh
First off, of course, is where are you going? To another First World country like Sweden, France or Japan where health concerns are minimal if non-existent and safety issues similar to back home. Or are you planning an adventure in a Third World country such as Mexico, Zimbabwe or Nicaragua where basic levels of sanitation may be considered unsafe for drinking water, eating out in a restaurant, eating fresh fruits or raw shellfish, etc. and that may be the least of your concerns. Personal safety issues such as prevention of armed robbery and potential for kidnapping or abduction could be risks as well, greater than what you may have taken precautionary measures against back home.
Take a deep breath and don't throw away the suitcases! A sound mind and sound travel planning is all you need to assure your vacation or extended stay abroad is enjoyable for the whole family and worth the time and money you spent. When it comes to life experience and education for children, the value of a trip abroad is difficult to calculate.
How to Prepare
When I travel to a new country or destination with my child I ask myself these basic questions:
1) Health, Food and Water Safety
Is the water safe to drink? Are we likely to become ill from eating in a restaurant (such as in India)? Are vaccinations needed for travel (such as Yellow Fever shots for travel to Ecuador or Peru)? Is there a Dengue Fever or Malaria risk in the area? Other health risks?
2) Personal Safety for Adults and Children
Have there been incidences of aggression against tourists such as armed robbery, sexual assault or other? What is the risk of abduction or kidnapping for foreigners?
3) Relative Safety of the Country or Location
Is the country in a state of civil unrest (such as currently in Nicaragua) or relatively peaceful? Is there infrastructure already in place for visitors such as tourist police, hotels, restaurants and basic medical care? Or is the location remote and off the beaten track and therefore potentially more dangerous and hostile to outsiders?
Researching Your Chosen Destination
In researching the answers to the above questions the most important consideration is to ensure the information is as up-to-date as is possible. Situations can change in a country seemingly overnight.
As an example, we traveled through Nicaragua approximately three months ago. I researched thoroughly online and chose three destinations to visit and a stay of approximately a month. Personally, I would not have felt comfortable with a more extended visit or time in the country due to safety concerns for my child. As Americans I felt we were vulnerable.
We had a pleasant experience with no major mishaps. A month or so after we left the country to head further south, a bus strike was initiated and news reports flooded the Web with photos of University students in Managua burning public busses in protest of raised fares. Taxis drivers also went on strike. If that had been the situation prior to our entering the country I would have traveled differently, for less time or possibly avoided the country altogether.
Guidebooks are a great first step in researching an area, as they offer background information about the country and addresses of hotels for you to have on-hand when arriving in a city or town. I've had many taxi drivers take advantage of my 'not knowing where I was going' when landing somewhere new without a sound game plan intact, being driven around the city (or in circles) in lieu of an available hotel unnecessarily so as to be charged an over-priced fare.
Three popular brands of travel guides that list high-end hotels as well as low-cost backpacker hostals are: Rough Guides, Moon Handbooks and Lonely Planet. All three have information about countries on their websites free of charge for you to review before purchasing a book.
Lonely Planet and Rough Guides have eBooks available online. Rough Guide eBooks are the full-text of a guidebook, minus maps and photographs that you can download to a PDA or your computer. Lonely Planet eBooks are similar, yet include maps and photos and you have the option of purchasing a section of a book such as 'Honduras' in the Lonely Planet guide to Central America. The cost for a chapter or section of a Lonely Planet guidebook is around $2-$3 USD, and is sent to you via email as a PDF file after ordering online at Lonely Planet Buy by Chapter online.
You would also want to do an online search specific to the country such as 'Costa Rica and Crime' entered into Google. A quick way to get current information is to do a search for newspapers for the area. When writing an article on Costa Rica, it was the information I read in the Tico Times online that informed me of the serious increase in violent crimes (murder, sexual assault, armed robbery during the night in expatriate homes) in Limon province on the Carribean coast. We had traveled through the area a week earlier unknowingly. I knew they had a problem with drugs and theft, but had no idea about the level of violent crime that was going on in the area until I read the article: "Fear and Loafing in Puerto Viejo - Residents say town suffers from rampant crime as cops just sit around ". That information you will not get from a guidebook.
If planning an extended stay, I would check to see what listservs or newsgroups were available and post a few questions as well. Expatriates who have relocated to an area are an excellent source of information. An example of one for Panama would be the Yahoo group 'Americans in Panama'.
Here are some websites I would use to research the below concerns online. These are general resources. Again, a location should be researched independently and thoroughly online. Relying solely on the information from a guidebook is not an adequate way to prepare for a trip abroad when traveling with children.
Health, Food and Water Safety
1. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention located at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/. Enter in the country you are researching and you will find information such as Travel Notices in Effect, vaccinations that may be needed, and much more.
Read also:
Top 10 Things for Kids to Do in Boston
Family Vacation in Las Vegas
Planning a Trip to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers
Planning Your Walt Disney Vacation Online
Tips to score an airfare bargain
By Molly Mc Hugh
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Travel Guide to New York City
The cruise ship will pull into the Port of New York/New Jersey which is the largest seaport on the East Coast of North America. The seaport is managed and maintained by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This Port Authority is also responsible for the four major airports, PATH rail system, tunnels and bridges that connect New York with New Jersey, the Manhattan Bus Terminal and The World Trade Center site. The PATH rail transit network provides direct service form the port to New York and New Jersey.(Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org)
New York City is the biggest city in the United States and is known for an entry point for immigration to the United States and its status as a financial, cultural, transportation and manufacturing centre. It was named after the 17th century Duke of York, James Stuart, future James II and VII of England and Scotland.
(New York. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org)
Shopping
New York City has always been a fantastic shopping destination bringing in people from all over America as well as the world. New York offers three famous Flagship Department Stores these are Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue. Macy's Herald Square store is massive and in fact is the world's largest department store. It is well worth going to the visitors centre as international tourists can usually pick up a discount card. Bloomingdales is seen as one of America's more exclusive shops stocking many designer items. Bloomingdales are most commonly found all the way down the East Coast. The most exclusive Department Store in New York is Saks Fifth Avenue which stocks the highest quality designer goods. The store is nowhere near as vast as Macy's, but everything stocked in of the highest quality. Of course high quality brings high prices and there are few bargains, so bring a large amount of cash if planning to purchase anything.
Along with the Department Stores that New York City has to offer it is also home to the famous Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue contains top quality boutique shops, well known chains and top tourist attractions. Stores featured are Fortunoff, Wempe Jewelers, FAO Schwarz, World of Disney, the NBA Store and Nike Town. The area also features the Elizabeth Arden Salon & Spa. Away from shopping and relaxation the Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral are both well worth a visit.
The East Side of Manhattan features many exclusive stores including Nicole Miller and of course Burberry. Looking for hard to find luxury items for the home then Gracious Home is the place to go located on Third Avenue. The Crystal District is well worth a look for crystal objects and jewellery which is between 58th and 63rd Streets of Madison Avenue. Along the Crystal District are Daum, Lalique and Steuben.
Grand Central is one of the most amazing train stations in the world and features many fine shops ranging from national retailers to local shops. The main concourse is also worth a visit as it contains a vast European style food hall.
Head to the Lower East Side for more European style shopping. The Historic Orchard Street Shopping District consists of Orchard, Grand and Delancey Streets. This is where the first immigrants from Eastern Europe settled. This is where unique shops and restaurants are located. There are many designer stores with an emphasis on European fashion. It's worth noting that some of the stores are closed on Saturdays to observe the Jewish Sabbath.
Lower Manhattan is the place to go for a bargain and especially Century 21 a department store that offers 25-75% discounts on retail prices. Also the South Street Seaport has amazing views of the water and Brooklyn Bridge, but also features over 100 shops, cafes and restaurants.
There are two more shopping destinations worth checking out these are Harlem and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. Harlem is getting redeveloped and has recently opened a 285,000 square foot retail and entertainment complex located at the intersection of 125th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. For something a little different and also in Harlem is the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, which features many African goods including authentic clothing, instruments and crafts. A little further out is Woodbury Common Premium Outlets which is located one hour north of New York City. It's a bit of a trip but this 220 shopping centre offers great savings and there is Public transportation available to get there.
(Shopping Destinations. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://nycvisit.com)
Sports
New York City features many great sports enjoyed around the world. The major sports in New York City are Baseball, Rugby, New York Cricket, Running, Basketball, American Football, Ice Hockey, European Football, Tennis, Horse racing, Arena Football and Auto Racing. Baseball is often referred to as the Number one sport in New York City. The two Major League Baseball based in New York City are the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. The New York Mets play their home games at Shea Stadium, but in 2009 they will move to CitiField, which has only just been constructed. The New York Yankees currently play in Yankee Stadium, which is considered to be one of the most historic venues in North America. They will move to the New Yankee Stadium in 2009. Rugby is a growing sport in New York and the two Rugby Union teams are the New York Athletic Club RFC and Old Blue. Cricket is growing in popularity in New York, but funding is scarce making facilities basic and it's really only represented at the amateur level. The New York Marathon is very well known and held in November each year. Last year the Marathon was won by British athlete Paul Radcliffe and she will be a big favourite this year. The marathon is 26.2 miles long and is the largest in the world. Due to the popularity of the event it's limited to 35,000 participants chosen by a lottery system preference is giving to those who have run the marathon in the past. Another major sport in New York is basketball and New York Knicks play NBA basketball at Madison Square Garden, where the professional women's team called the New York Liberty also play. New Jersey also has a basketball team known as New Jersey Nets, but they are going to be rebranded as the Brooklyn Nets or New York Nets.
New York has two Professional American Football teams who both play in the NFL they are New York Giants and New York Jets. It's worth noting that both these teams play their home games at Giants Stadium, which is actually located in New Jersey. Of sports teams in the city it's the New York Giants that last tasted success by lifting the Super Bowl on February 4, 2008. The New York Rangers are the city's representatives in the NHL. The New Jersey team is called New Jersey Devils. The National Hockey League's (NHL) headquarters are also located in New York City.
European Football or what the Americans would call Soccer is the biggest world sport, but still remains low in popularity in New York and the rest of America although New York now has a Major League Soccer team called New York Red Bull. Major League Soccer itself is becoming more popular especially with the influx of former Premier League players, but it's still highly unlikely that it will ever become a premier sport in the USA.
One of the most well known events to International visitors will be the U.S. Tennis Open. The Open is one of the four Grand Slam events of the year and is well worth a visit. The event is held at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens. The tennis centre can be easily reached using the Subway train system and matches takes place at either a morning or evening session. Matches can go on to about midnight as play can go on under floodlights. Tickets are fairly cheap and can either be purchased at a Ticketmaster outlet or from the box office at the tennis centre.
In much of the United States of America it's is American football that has become the most popular sport, but in New York baseball remains the top sport. Of course much of this is due to the success that the New York Yankees have enjoyed in the last few years. Due to the geographic proximity New York has an intense rivalry with the cities of Boston and Philadelphia.
(Sports in New York City. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org)
Famous movies set in New York City
There have been many movies set in this great city of the years. I have selected five of my favourites and they are quite old, so I think it's safe to call them classics.
My top five movies are:
· When Harry Met Sally
· Taxi Driver
· Goodfellas
· Saturday Night Fever
· Breakfast at Tiffany's
When Harry Met Sally is a real classic starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan and explores the theme of two graduates coming to New York for that extra bit of excitement. They come to the city as friends and the movie explores their ever closer friendship. Taxi Driver is a really clever movie exploring the affects war can have. As the movie goes on we discover in what a bad way DeNiro's character is in. Goodfellas is a quality gangster's movie as three wise guys scheme and steal their way to the top. Saturday Night Fever is a great feel good movie featuring timeless music from the Bee Gees. The plot follows a young teen played by John Travolta who finds love in the disco. For many people Breakfast at Tiffany's is considered to be the greatest movie ever to be set in New York. The movie stars Audrey Hepburn and is based on Truman Capote's great novel.
(Cross, H. (n.d.). Top 10 Movies Set in New York City. Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://gonyc.about.com)
Fun facts about New York City
Here are some interesting facts about New York that compares life in 1988/89 with life today. Some of the facts contain comparison figures for today others just the 88/89 figure.
Here is the list:
· The population of New York in 1898 was 3,350,000 the population now is more than twice that · New York is now 321.8 square miles, but in 1898 it was only 360 square miles
· After consolidation New York become the second largest city in the World only beaten by London
· In 1898 New York contained 56 cities and towns and 1,150 churches
· In 1898 there was 2,000 farms in New York City
· Back in 1898 the tallest building in New York was only 23 stories, but today the tallest building is 110 stories
· In1898 thirty percent of New Yorkers were foreign born and seven percent of New Yorkers were illiterate
· Back in 1898 a taxi cab ride in Manhattan would cost 50 cents for the first mile and 25 cents for each additional half mile
· In 1898 the New York speed limit was just nine miles per hour
· Finally in 1899 there was 1,333 people arrested for gambling
Extra historical information on New York
This information goes with the information above and provides a deeper understanding of the consolidation of New York City.
The measure to unite the five boroughs into one city was approved by the residents Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx and of course Manhattan in a referendum in 1895. The exact voting numbers were a count of 176,170 to 131,706. The boroughs were consolidated on January 1, 1898.
Before 1898, the Bronx was referred to as the Annexed District. Queens consisted of factories to the west and farms to the east. Brooklyn was known as the City of Churches and was the third largest city in the world and they were somewhat put out by becoming part of New York rather than a City in its own right. Staten Island was largely uncharted territory and had a population of 68,000. Manhattan was a hub of commercial activity and had long since surpassed Philadelphia as the great American City.
(NYC Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2008, from http://www.nyc.gov)
By James Kent
Friday, September 5, 2008
Travel Tips: Things to Do in the Washington, D.C. Area
So maybe you live here and don't want to be caught up in the tourist crowd or maybe you're just a tourist who wants to try something other than the obvious. Here are five of my favorite things to do in the Washington, D.C. area that don't involve getting up at the crack of dawn and wandering around downtown with your backpack and water bottles.
1. Gravelly Point - I lived in this area for 6 years before I discovered Gravelly Point. It's a large open area; let's call it a park, that's sits adjacent to Reagan National Airport. Now my husband started bringing me here because I had always been fascinated by how "low" the planes were flying around D.C. Where I grew up, when you saw a plane in the air it was just a little speck in the sky. Well, I didn't know the meaning of seeing a plane fly low until we watched some land from Gravelly point at night. We could see the wheels, the name of the airline and if you looked close enough the people in the windows. Well, okay, not the people in the windows, but you are so close to the planes that kite-flying is not allowed in the area. It's also a lovely place to park your beach chairs or camping chairs and watch the boats maneuver around the Potomac. There's plenty of open space for your children and your animals to play. Bring your own outdoor games, you won't find any actual playground equipment here but there is usually a picnic table available. If you like to bike, run, or even walk, there's a trail that goes on seemingly forever. Parking is free and plentiful.
2. Jefferson Memorial after Dark -The view of the Jefferson Memorial at night from the Tidal Basin is very beautiful. If you're lucky enough to have a digital camera that can take good pictures in the dark you will be able to capture a nice shot across the water. As with any nighttime activity you should always put caution first. Even in a well-patrolled part of the city, don't be stupid, take someone with you. At night you shouldn't have any problem parking in the lot near the paddle boats.
3. The Washington Monument at Sunset - I've been to the Washington Monument many times since I've lived in this area but always in the middle of the day. At sunset it was absolutely breathtaking. There are still quite a few tourists in the area at this time of day but there are plenty of places around the perimeter of the Monument were you can sit alone and enjoy the scene. If you walk right up to the platform you can take a nice shot of the flags waving in the sunset. Parking on Constitution is allowed after 6:30 PM so if you time things right you can avoid using metro rail.
4. Mount Vernon - I will admit I had never even heard of Mount Vernon as a tourist attraction until recently. Mount Vernon is the home of George and Martha Washington. My husband and I got up early one Sunday morning to check it out. It was a very large property. This is the one thing on my list that I would recommend you bring bottled water to. The Washington's had a very nice place. You can tour the mansion with the price of your regular admission and then roam the grounds on your own. We visited both the old and new tomb, the wharf, the farm (complete with farm animals), and the orchard. We also visited the museum to look at the Presidential China collection. We spent about 3 hours walking around but we should have planned to stay much longer. I'm not sure if we saw everything there was to see. For those that are interested in covering every square inch, a season pass is available for just about twice the amount of a regular admission ticket. There is a nice cafeteria which you will likely want to visit before you leave. It was a bit pricey but the food at the grill was very good. There is also a high end restaurant on site for those who can afford it. Before you go, don't forget to stop by the gift shop.
5. Screen on the Green - This is truly an enjoyable experience. Screen on the Green sponsors outdoor movies in the Nation's capitol. It only happens in the summer and only for a series of weeks so as soon as you hear about it, make plans to attend one night. These days they are showing the movies on the National Mall, close to the Capitol Building. Get off the metro at the Smithsonian station and walk past the Carousel and you will see everyone setting up their blankets. Come early if you like to sit close, although the sound is clear enough that you could sit far away and still enjoy the movie. This is an excellent way to spend a cool summer evening with friends. Pack your cooler and a deck of cards to keep you occupied until the movie begins. If you prefer to drive, parking is available in the area after 6:30 PM but the spots will fill up quickly.
By Lorelle Noble
1. Gravelly Point - I lived in this area for 6 years before I discovered Gravelly Point. It's a large open area; let's call it a park, that's sits adjacent to Reagan National Airport. Now my husband started bringing me here because I had always been fascinated by how "low" the planes were flying around D.C. Where I grew up, when you saw a plane in the air it was just a little speck in the sky. Well, I didn't know the meaning of seeing a plane fly low until we watched some land from Gravelly point at night. We could see the wheels, the name of the airline and if you looked close enough the people in the windows. Well, okay, not the people in the windows, but you are so close to the planes that kite-flying is not allowed in the area. It's also a lovely place to park your beach chairs or camping chairs and watch the boats maneuver around the Potomac. There's plenty of open space for your children and your animals to play. Bring your own outdoor games, you won't find any actual playground equipment here but there is usually a picnic table available. If you like to bike, run, or even walk, there's a trail that goes on seemingly forever. Parking is free and plentiful.
2. Jefferson Memorial after Dark -The view of the Jefferson Memorial at night from the Tidal Basin is very beautiful. If you're lucky enough to have a digital camera that can take good pictures in the dark you will be able to capture a nice shot across the water. As with any nighttime activity you should always put caution first. Even in a well-patrolled part of the city, don't be stupid, take someone with you. At night you shouldn't have any problem parking in the lot near the paddle boats.
3. The Washington Monument at Sunset - I've been to the Washington Monument many times since I've lived in this area but always in the middle of the day. At sunset it was absolutely breathtaking. There are still quite a few tourists in the area at this time of day but there are plenty of places around the perimeter of the Monument were you can sit alone and enjoy the scene. If you walk right up to the platform you can take a nice shot of the flags waving in the sunset. Parking on Constitution is allowed after 6:30 PM so if you time things right you can avoid using metro rail.
4. Mount Vernon - I will admit I had never even heard of Mount Vernon as a tourist attraction until recently. Mount Vernon is the home of George and Martha Washington. My husband and I got up early one Sunday morning to check it out. It was a very large property. This is the one thing on my list that I would recommend you bring bottled water to. The Washington's had a very nice place. You can tour the mansion with the price of your regular admission and then roam the grounds on your own. We visited both the old and new tomb, the wharf, the farm (complete with farm animals), and the orchard. We also visited the museum to look at the Presidential China collection. We spent about 3 hours walking around but we should have planned to stay much longer. I'm not sure if we saw everything there was to see. For those that are interested in covering every square inch, a season pass is available for just about twice the amount of a regular admission ticket. There is a nice cafeteria which you will likely want to visit before you leave. It was a bit pricey but the food at the grill was very good. There is also a high end restaurant on site for those who can afford it. Before you go, don't forget to stop by the gift shop.
5. Screen on the Green - This is truly an enjoyable experience. Screen on the Green sponsors outdoor movies in the Nation's capitol. It only happens in the summer and only for a series of weeks so as soon as you hear about it, make plans to attend one night. These days they are showing the movies on the National Mall, close to the Capitol Building. Get off the metro at the Smithsonian station and walk past the Carousel and you will see everyone setting up their blankets. Come early if you like to sit close, although the sound is clear enough that you could sit far away and still enjoy the movie. This is an excellent way to spend a cool summer evening with friends. Pack your cooler and a deck of cards to keep you occupied until the movie begins. If you prefer to drive, parking is available in the area after 6:30 PM but the spots will fill up quickly.
By Lorelle Noble
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