1000 Islands Golf

New Zealand Vacation For the Family

With everything that a tropical vacation should have, New Zealand is the perfect place for couples, families, and anyone who wants to spend their days in a land so diverse it almost seems like a world of its own. On a New Zealand Vacation, you can experience everything from great dining to great golfing, and a coastline that is like none other in the world. The people of New Zealand maintain a deep connection to their ancestry and traditional culture, and invite travelers to experience the land that is uniquely theirs. Vacationers have found that the wine in New Zealand is exquisite, the shopping fantastic, and the beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. New Zealand is comprised of two islands, where English is the main language, and Maori is a second one that is spoken. An abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and meats make this couple of islands the perfect getaway destination for thousands of foreigners every year.

The weather in New Zealand is for the most part warm and sunny. Many people have claimed that it is very similar to the climate of California in the United States. It has been known, however, to suddenly rain, so a good tip is to have an umbrella and rain gear kept close by. In the South Island, home of the Southern Alps, there is frequently snow, which makes skiers and snowboarders happy. The seasons are the opposite of the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, keeping vacationers wanting a break from their winter more than glad to travel to New Zealand for their summer. There are mountains over much of the islands, with some coastal plains as well.

There are abundant opportunities to take advantage of guided tours that take you to some of the best sights in New Zealand. The native people welcome visitors and are eager to share their culture. Experiencing the cities is a favorite activity for many people, especially those who love shopping, dining, and great entertainment. Of course the beaches are near perfect, where tourists can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, scuba dive, or spend the day offshore on a mini cruise. Renting a car and driving through countryside and mountains, or hopping on the train for a tour of the land is one of the best ways to take in as much of these paradise islands as possible. A New Zealand vacation is the perfect way to spend your time on a honeymoon, family vacation, or a romantic getaway.

Dubai and Kuwait Artificially Created Wealth Doomed to Go Down?

The United Arab Emirates has seen a significant increase in tourist activities in the past decade, thanks to savvy marketing campaigns and dispelling myths that people mistaken take for truth. Made up of seven sovereign states, the United Arab Emirates is an exciting and fascinating region to visit, filled with so activities and places that people of any country or culture wish their stay was longer.

Indeed, some of the attractions are just the opposite of what most people think of finding in the Emirates. The Palm Islands, a group of beautiful manmade islands with luxury accommodations, will surprise and delight travelers who think of the region as a desert with only archeological artifacts to attract tourists. The truth is, the United Arab Emirates have stepped into the 21st century and have as much or more to offer than any region in the world.

Potential visitors are surprised to learn that the Emirates are more than desert sands, as depicted in the movies. Hundreds of miles of pristine beaches and sparkling ocean waves are home to turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life. Coral reefs attract divers from all over the globe and the sailing and snorkeling is unrivaled.

Sports fans will find that they can join in or watch games of cricket and golf, horse or camel racing. Formula One race tracks are popular as are speed boat races. There are also several world class golf courses and resorts that have accommodations that meet the most exacting standards of service.

Shoppers will think they’ve gone to heaven when they see all the shopping malls and specialty boutiques flourishing in the UAE. From designer clothing and accessories to the newest electronics, these shops leave nothing to be desired. Traditional souqs also abound, allowing shoppers access to cultural items, local crafts and art, as well as the usual souvenirs.

You will find everything under the sun in the UAE, including a fascinating culture that is thousands of years old. Tourists will find that the Bedouin tribes are respected and preserved in the UAE, their customs and way of life revered. Those interested in getting to know the culture are welcome to spend a night in a Bedouin camp, enjoying traditional cuisine and customs.

The United Arab Emirates is a vacation destination that serves every taste and need. Whether you want to enjoy top-notch service and accommodations, participate in or watch world-class sports, indulge your passion for diving or shopping or just want to visit a region of the world that’s as old as civilization but as modern as tomorrow, the UAE is the perfect destination.

For more information on Dubai, visit http://www.dubaimicroblog.com. For more information on Kuwait, visit http://www.kuwaitmicroblog.com.

Pattaya Luxury Hotels ? Something for Everyone

One of the most popular destinations in Thailand, the city of Pattaya is located on the eastern coast of the gulf, approximately 165 kilometers South East of Bangkok. Being so close to Bangkok makes Pattaya a weekend getaway for Thais and foreigners alike. Pattaya luxury hotels are some of the most visited in the world.

Like much of Thailand, Pattaya has a tropical climate. Seasons range from warm and dry to hot and rainy. Originally a small fishing village, Pattaya first gained popularity as a vacation spot during the Vietnam War era, when American GIs dropped by for their “Rest and Relaxation”. Since then, it has become a high-traffic family friendly tourist destination. And with the new airport, Suvarnabhumi an hour drive away, Pattaya tends to increase in popularity. It’s easy for families to find a hotel in Pattaya, as there are a multitude of high-end options.

There definitely isn’t a lack of things for tourists to do while visiting. For the marine adventurers, there are several Pattaya luxury hotels near the aquatic action. Pattaya Beach is right next to the city center, and close to the nightlife. Most of the beach is occupied by rental deckchairs that are offered by vendors from the area during the day. Jomtien Beach is just south of the Pattaya and is separated from the main section of the city by Pratumnak Hill. This area is mostly residential and is filled with hotels, bungalows, and condominiums on beachside locations. There are also a variety of restaurants located in the area to cater to visitors. Jomtien Beach is also a great location for water sports. Tourists can use jet skis, go parasailing and rent small sail boats. In addition to the mainland beaches, just off the coast of Pattaya there are several island groups. For purposes of tourism they are nicknamed the Near Islands, Far Islands, and Coral Island. This area, especially the Far Islands, is known for its fantastic scuba diving scenery.

There are also a variety of non-aquatic activities in the area. There are an impressive 21 golf courses near the city. The Sri Racha Tiger Zoo is home to several hundred tigers, thousands of alligators, and a bunch of other animals. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is just outside the city and features 500 acres of gardens and an orchid nursery. One of the most popular attractions in Pattaya is Mini Siam. It is one of the most famous model villages in existence. Mini Siam incorporates miniature replicas of the monuments and historical sites of Thailand including: Bridge over the River Kwai, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Prasat Hin Phimai, and Democracy Monument. In a section called Mini World, replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are displayed. And you shouldn’t forget the famous Tiffany Cabaret Show; you will enjoy the spectacular performance and be amazed at the talented and beautiful transvestite performers. No matter what kind of sites you’d like to see, there is sure to be a hotel in Pattaya that is right for you.

The 10 Best America?s Campgrounds

As the summer starts, RV campers hit the road for the first camping trip of the season for many people and families. But, this year that holiday weekend and summer kickoff is met with expenses and gas prices making heads spin.

Therefore, many of them are exploring the camping spots close to home and using the gear they’ve got (tents, sleeping bags, or maybe a camper) for the most fun they’ve had in a long time.

But, there are thousands of campgrounds around the country, many of these in national and state parks and forests.

Privately run camps, such as those in the KOA system (“Kampgrounds of America”), charge some fees, and a number of public lands require permits of various kinds. But if you take a do-it-yourself approach to everything else, you can manage to pull off some adventure on a sensible budget, with a little planning.

Here are 10 best campgrounds in America according to Forbes.

1. Sterling Highway, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

The Kenai Peninsula’s Sterling Highway runs through a major chunk of Alaska’s gorgeous southern-coast scenery. There are numerous places to stop and camp along the Highway, from Sterling Junction to the very end at Homer Spit, whether you just want to pitch a tent or park an RV.

Along the way, you’ll have chances to spot moose, eagles and bears. And in the summer, you’re smack dab in the middle of the biggest salmon-fishing party in the world, when the wildlife extends to the numerous good-time taverns and road joints in various towns along the highway.

Chill out at Centennial Park in Soldotna, which is roughly halfway. Carry the salmon-fishing gear with you, and book ahead for some halibut fishing out of Homer.

2. Roan Mountain

In the East, some of the greatest Appalachian Trail scenes are available to those hikers who climb and camp on Roan Mountain, known for incredible views of rhododendron-covered hillsides and spruce groves.

Roan Mountain shelters a rich diversity of life, from spruce-fir forests to vast grassy balds.

Access is through Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, or Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. Moving south from Carver’s Gap to the Roan High Knob takes hikers through some of the thicker spruce on Roan.

Look for rhododendron gardens a short distance off the main trail on High Knob, along gravel paths. After some steep climbs, those who want to pitch a tent off the trail can do so, but be careful of sensitive areas.

3. San Gorgonio Wilderness Area

Those campers in the West who are willing to do a little hill climbing for the sake of a great eco-adventure should look to the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area in the San Bernardino National Forest.

The San Bernardino Mountains aren’t your typical desert range. For one, they are well watered and forested. They are also extremely high, rising like a fortress and walling in the eastern edge of the Los Angeles Basin. San Gorgonio is popular with back-packers and climbers seeking incredible views of the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles.

4. Cotter Trout Dock

Looking for some terrific Arkansas trout fishing? Looking for a whole lot of fun, a real getaway, and relaxation all at the same time? Cotter Trout Dock specializes in just those very things.

A cool destination around Lake of the Ozarks is the Cotter Trout Dock fishing camp on Smith Island, at the confluence of the White and Buffalo rivers.

You can treat yourself to a day (or several) of fishing, fun and relaxation.

5. Seawall Campground

In Maine you never run out of outdoors amusing stuff. Coming to this campground is always a great idea. Seawall Campground sits at the southern end of the island, so it often sees less of a crowd than the campsites near Bar Harbor.

Seawall Campground is right by the Harbor Trail, and you absolutely ought to stop at Lamoine State Park since you’re here. So much cool stuff in the vicinity of Seawall Campground, and it’s always fun to be here.

Near Seawall Campground you stumble on splendid places like Long Ledge; do take a hike on the Wonderland Trail.

6. Kirk Creek Campground

To pitch a tent in ocean breezes, your best bet for scenic coastal camping on the West Coast is Kirk Creek Campground in the northern section of California’s Los Padres National Forest.

It’s situated on a bluff 30 miles south of Big Sur, and trails from the campground lead down to the rocky beach.

The best way to discover the wonders of Big Sur is to stay awhile. An excellent way is provided by the Los Padres National Forest at Kirk Creek Campground. For campers, either in a tent or recreational vehicle, who want to experience both land and sea, Kirk Creek is the best campground on the Big Sur.

7. Brickhill Bluff, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga.

Feeling shipwrecked never felt so good on this Spanish-moss-strewn island where you can kayak, swim, fish, watch for dolphins, sea turtles, and wild horses, and then camp in one of three wilderness areas or two main campsites.

The mosquitoes can get thick in wet periods, so be prepared. The only way to get to the island is by ferry, which departs from the park visitor center in St. Marys, Ga., not far off Route 95 (exit 3, about half an hour south of Savannah).

8. Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Ky.

If you err on the side of a pretty loose definition of “camping,” Barren River Resort might be just the thing for you. Maybe “camping” means a cottage on a lake and a little tennis every afternoon. Or it means an improved site for a trailer camper and a couple rounds of golf.

You can do that here, plus fishing, boating, lake swimming, cave exploring, riding, and just about any organized outdoor group sport. The main lodge has 51 rooms for those whose relationship with nature involves an actual bed and bath.

9. Dispersed Sites, Colorado State Forest, Colo.

While there are four areas of developed campsites in the Colorado State Forest, the 60-odd first-come, first-serve “dispersed” sites scattered around the County Road 41 and the Bockman, Montgomery Pass and Ruby Jewel road areas provide some of the best seclusion and allow for spur-of-the-moment access to adventure.

Backcountry camping is allowed in many places in the forest, especially around a number of alpine lakes. Located northeast of Estes Park, this is the place to turn to for a whole host of wildlife—elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bear, moose, porcupines, eagles and bobcats. Take your fly rod for the trout and grayling.

10. Juniper Woods Campgrounds, Catskills, N.Y.

How free do you want to be in the outdoors? Juniper Woods lets you go all the way, with its clothing optional/nudist campground (50 campsites total, and filling up fast), right in the storied Catskills region of New York.

Natural beauty is abundant here from the wooded rolling hills to the open meadows perfect for sunning and relaxing. Set your mind and body free and wrap yourself in nature’s magnificence.

So shed that uptight ‘tude, get rid of the polo shirts and skinny jeans, and live like Adam and Eve before the apple incident. But don’t expect some kind of Bacchanalia—this is a mellow, family-oriented place that doesn’t put up with weirdos, shenanigans, or cell-phone cameras (you’ll get tossed out on your bare bottom if you try).

Campers enjoy barbeque’s, parties and karaoke nights. The first-time visitor day fee is waived for those who want to spend an afternoon getting to know the camp.
Check out these top Canadian camping destinations.

Have fun in KENYA with style : Cheap flights to Kenya

Most people visit Kenya to go on a safari to see the fantastic wildlife. However, there are other things to do there that are completely off the beaten track of regular tourism. On a recent visit, I went to visit a new golf course development 30 miles north of Mombasa, then went on to stay in an exclusive beach house on the island of Lamu, even further north.

Kenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. Kenya is bordered in the north by Sudan and Ethiopia, in the east by Somalia, on the southeast by the Indian Ocean, on the southwest by Tanzania and to the west by Lake Victoria and Uganda. The climate of Kenya is as varied as its physical structure. Climatic conditions vary from the tropical humidity of the coast, through the dry heat of the hinterland and northern plains, to the cool air of the plateau and mountains.

Getting Around by Air

Kenya Airways operates scheduled services to Kisumu (on the shore of Lake Victoria), Lamu, Malindi and Mombasa. Air Kenya offers scheduled flights from Nairobi to Amboseli, Lamu, Malindi, Masai Mara, Mombasa, Lewa, Nanyuki, Meru, Samburu and Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania). Safarilink operates scheduled services between Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and the popular safari destinations; Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Chyulus, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Lewa, Samburu, Lamu, Kiwayu and Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania). Mombasa Air Safaris has scheduled services linking Mombasa, Diani Beach and Malindi with Lamu, Amboseli and Masai Mara. In addition there are several private charter companies that serve over 150 airstrips around the country.

Getting Around by Train: Kenya has an efficient and comfortable rail service connecting Nairobi to Mombasa, Kisumu and Malaba,. The overnight Nairobi-Mombasa service offers first and second class options but it is popular and for most of the time you need to book in advance

Getting Around by Road: A wide network of buses runs throughout the country connecting almost every town. It is cheaper to travel by bus than train and often quicker but sometimes crowded. However, there is a highly-developed light aviation industry with daily scheduled flights operating to most towns and game parks in Kenya. If their schedules don’t suit you, you can always charter your own light aircraft or, even better, a helicopter to take you from door to door.

When to go: The main tourist season is in January and February, when the weather is hottest and driest. At this time, the animals in the wildlife parks tend to congregate more around the watercourses, making them easier to spot. However, the parks can get crowded and rates for accommodation soar – also make sure you avoid Christmas and Easter unless you want to pay much higher prices. From June to October, the annual wildebeest migration takes place, with thousands of animals streaming into the Masai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti. During the long rains (the low season, spanning from March to the end of May) things are much quieter. Wildlife is harder to spot and mosquitoes are rife, a combination that keeps most tourists away.

What to See: Kenya Safaris are among the most exciting adventures the world over. The vast wildlife, the many sunny beaches, the different people groups all add up to a worthwhile investment and a luxury not found in many places. Kenya Safaris have proved to be a very popular byword in the tourism sector.  Following are some of the highlights of travel to Kenya. Kenya offers an array of Golf courses for golf lovers. The Golfing fraternity in Kenya is made up of the affluent in society. It is therefore referred to as a game for the rich. Most tour operators will organize Golfing Safaris for their clients who are interested.

You will find the best national parks, national forests, wilderness areas, and public lands in Kenya by your outdoor interest with GORP’s Kenya Parks Guide. Get parks information and outdoor resources, including campground information and trail maps, to help you book your next outdoor Kenya vacation. Some national parks are: The Aberdares National Park, Amboseli National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park, Mt. Kenya National Park, The Samburu and Shaba Reserves, Tsavo East and Tsavo West

Finding cheap flights to Kenya is not that easy, you need to do researching as well as planning ahead of time. Airfares are usually the most expensive part of a vacation trip, next to it would be hotel accommodations, this is why most of those who plan to visit the Kenya would surely want to go after those cheap flights to Kenya. Nevertheless, once you arrive in the country, most of the things you will find there have adequately cheap prices, like food, transportation, souvenir items, clothing stuffs, and other accessories you may want to buy, way much cheaper compared to buying the same things from other countries.

There are many specially trained professional Travel Agents will always help you to book a convenient flight to Kenya and cheapflightsafrica.co.uk is one of them so just call them to book flights which will best suit your budget and travel needs.

A Tourist’s Guide to Williamsburg and Hampton Roads Sights

Colonial Williamsburg, 101 Visitor Center Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia’s top tourist attraction and the state’s second capital after Jamestown, is like entering a time portal to the colonial era.  Founded in 1699, it had been conceived as a prestigious, sophisticated gathering place because of its chosen location next to the College of William and Mary.

As in any town, its citizens had pursued daily mercantile activities, providing functions, goods, and services in exchange for the salaries they themselves had needed to purchase those goods and services.  Craftsmen had practiced their trades: blacksmiths, coopers, shoemakers, printers, gunsmith, cabinetmakers, and wigmakers had all made vital contributions to the community’s continued existence, while the remainder of the people had engaged in military and governmental pursuits.

Transportation had been provided by horse-drawn wagons and carriages, as evidenced even today by ubiquitous clompings on the dirt streets.

Several buildings had been nucleic to life.  The Peyton-Randolph House and kitchen, for example, had once been the home of one of Virginia’s leading politicians and the scene of numerous social and political gatherings.  Civil and criminal cases had been tried at the Courthouse.  The circular, brick Magazine had served as Williamsburg’s arsenal and had stored arms and gunpowder on its upper level.  The Printing Office and Bookbinding shop had been instrumental in pre-Revolution information distribution.  The James Anderson Blacksmith shop had repaired arms for American forces.  In 1776, the patriots of Virginia had voted for independence in the Capitol and a new state constitution had been drafted there.  The government had conducted war over a five-year period from this location and legislation had created the Republican party within its walls.

The Governor’s Palace, the city’s most opulent structure, had been the residence of several royal governors and the first two elected governors of the new sovereign state of Virginia, and today retains the appearance of the home of Lord Dunmore, the last British governor to have lived there on the eve of the Revolution.

As in the current day, men often met in taverns to drink and discuss business.

The town, associated with such names as Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, and George Washington, had offered little manufacturing, but instead had acted as the political and economic center of Virginia for 80 years, having been England’s largest and wealthiest colony–the location of enacted laws and administered justice, and the site where the seeds of democracy and political independence had been planted in an ultimate attempt to separate itself from its source.

Williamsburg had thrived until Virginia’s capital had been relocated to Richmond in 1780, whereafter it had declined to a backwater town.

The town’s slow rebirth began in 1926 when the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation had been established to excavate buried foundations and reconstruct the crumbling buildings which had still stood, ultimately transforming it into the world’s largest, 18th-century living history museum comprised of 88 restored structures and some 500 other reconstructed ones spread over 301 acres.

Colonial Williamsburg is once again alive: the buildings can be visited; the pounding of the glowing anvil can be heard in the blacksmith shop; cases can be heard in the courthouse; costumed interpreters reenact scenes from earlier life; soldiers march down Duke of Gloucester Street; meals can be eaten in four historic taverns; 18th-century goods are made and sold in the numerous shops; and horse-drawn carriages still clomp down the unpaved streets.

An extensive Visitor’s Center, replete with gift shops, bookstores, and theaters where the introductory film, “Williamsburg: Story of a Patriot,” is shown, provides the threshold to this colonial era, and is the departure point of the shuttle buses which periodically take visitors to the city’s two entry points.  At least two full days are needed to visit Williamsburg’s significant buildings, observe its costumed “citizens” at work, witness their numerous reenactments, peruse the museums, shop for period items, eat in the taverns, and partake of the evening entertainment programs.  A hefty entrance fee provides access to most of these sights and events, although “add-ons” are required for certain buildings and programs, and prices vary according to the number of days the passes cover.

Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown, Virginia

Thirteen years before the Pilgrims had even set foot in Plymouth, Massachusetts, 104 English men and boys, representing the Virginia Company of London, had made the four-and-a-half month ocean voyage in three ships designated the Susan Constant, the Discovery, and the Godspeed from London, and landed on the banks of the James River in current-day Virginia, establishing the first permanent English settlement in North America.  The date, May 13, 1607, can be considered “one small step for European-kind,” but had ultimately served as the threshold to the United States of America.

In 1994, archaeologists had begun a search for the settlement’s original location and two years later they had uncovered sufficient evidence to determine that the James Fort had been built on a small island on the banks of the James River originally separated from the mainland by a narrow isthmus.  The site, designated Historic Jamestowne and administered by the National Park Service, can be visited.           

Subdivided into Old Towne and New Towne sections, the former contains the site of the original, 1607, triangular-shaped fort whose foundation is roughly outlined by brick, and a 17th-century church and tower, while the latter, located past the Tercentenary Monument, sports brick replicas to mark excavation foundations of the expanded settlement.

Jamestown Settlement, Route 31, Off Colonial Parkway

Jamestown Settlement, located a mile from the original site, recreates several key features of it.  A huge, red brick Visitors Center, with reception, cafeteria, gift shop, interpretive galleries, and films, leads to the outdoor path which winds its way to the docks on the James River.          

The first of the recreated scenes, a Powhatan Indian village based upon the archaeological findings of a site once occupied by the Paspahegh tribe, features hide-covered sleeping and storage houses, a ceremonial circle, hide-tanning frames, and planting fields.                

The triangular-shaped James Fort, located further down the path, had been the first home of the original settlers and features recreated, wattle-and-daub, thatched-roof structures, a storehouse, a church, a guard court, and three bulwarks.  Daily reenactments demonstrate carpentry, agriculture, rifle shooting, blacksmithing, and cooking.               

The Riverfront Discovery Area offers insight into how water had provided the core of commonality for different 17th-century cultures, all of which had relied upon it for fishing, transportation, boat building, and trading.               

The three ship replicas docked in the harbor represent the lifelines of the English colonists, the largest of which is the 110-foot-long, square-rigged Susan Constant.  Crew had lived and worked on its main deck, while passengers and cargo had been accommodated below. 

Jamestown Settlement complements Historic Jamestowne with visual, full-size replicas of excavations just rising from the ground at the original site.

Yorktown Battlefield, Route 238

Jamestown had served as America’s origin.  Williamsburg had served as the pivot of governmental development, the cradle where the American Revolution’s forefathers had been nurtured.  One more location, however, would serve as the point where that Revolution had led to victory, separation, and independence. 

While the French naval fleet had sailed southward toward the Chesapeake Bay during the latter portion of 1781, General George Washington had believed that the optimum opportunity for a decisive land-and-sea battle had been at hand and, in cooperation with French General Rochenbeau, had quietly relocated both American and French troops from New York to Yorktown, Virginia. 

Intercepting British ships outside of the Virginia Cape on September 5, the French had succeeded in blockading them and causing their subsequent retreat.  Arriving in Yorktown later that month, Washington and Rochenbeau seized the town, surrounding Lord Cornwallis’ British troops. 

In early October, Washington dug trenches from which to launch an out-and-out attack, American and French detachments subsequently cornering the two British redoubts on October 14, which had rapidly exhausted their ammunition supplies.  Defeated, Cornwallis surrendered five days later, ending the six-year Revolution and effectively beginning a new nation and a new government. 

The settlers who had put the first English footprint in Jamestown had now just put the first American one in Yorktown. 

Yorktown Battlefield, the actual site of the historical event and reconstructed with the aid of 18th-century military maps and excavations, accurately depicts Washington’s siege, pinpointing British and American troop locations.  The nearby Moore House had been the location of the surrender term negotiations. 

Yorktown Victory Center, Route 238

Life during and after the Revolution can be gleaned from the Yorktown Victory Center, which depicts a recreated Continental Army encampment and a 1780 tidewater Virginia farm.  The former encompasses commanding officer and regimental surgeon quarters and several soldiers’ tents, while the latter features dwellings, a tobacco barn, a kitchen, a herb and vegetable garden, and an agricultural field where corn, tobacco, cotton, and flax are grown. 

Yorktown, the third of the three locations after Jamestown and Williamsburg, forms an integral part of Virginia’s “Historic Triangle” which is connected by the 23-mile, James and York River-paralleling scenic byway and is part of Colonial National Historical Park.  Established in 1893 when the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities had acquired 22.5 acres on Jamestown Island, it had created the Colonial National Monument incorporating Jamestown, Yorktown, and the connecting parkway in 1930.  The National Park Service had acquired the remaining 1,500 acres of the island four years later. 

Busch Gardens, Route 60 East, Williamsburg, Virginia

Aside from the Historic Triangle sights themselves, one of Williamsburg’s most indicative attractions, and one which is the epitome of family fun, is Busch Gardens.  Voted “most beautiful park” for the past 18 years, this bathing suit-necessary, European-themed complex, encompassing more than 100 acres, offers rides, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues subdivided into areas representing England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy.  Rides include world-class roller coasters; a 36-inch-gauge steam locomotive-propelled train which makes a 1.5-mile loop; the world’s first, and floorless, dive coaster which plunges 205 feet at a 90-degree angle; and a vertically-diving log plume. 

Water Country USA, 176 Water Country Parkway

Aquatic thrills can also be experienced at Water Country USA, the mid-Atlantic’s largest water park.  Exuding a 1950’s and 1960’s surf theme, the complex offers more than 50 rides, attractions, shops, and restaurants, including the “Hubba Hubba Highway,” an interactive river adventure whose free-floating ride plunges through water-sprouting coconut trees and geysers; a high-speed, twisting and turning toboggan plunge evocatively called “Meltdown,” and the tunnel- and water curtain-penetrating “Aquazoid.” 

Ripley’s Believe It or Not, 1735 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia

Kid curiosity can be peaked at Ripley’s Believe It or Not, whose more than 300 exhibits and artifacts, reflecting Robert Ripley’s life philosophy of collecting and displaying odd, strange, bizarre, and, at times, unbelievable, items from ancient and exotic civilizations amassed during global travels, include prehistoric dinosaur eggs, 3,000-year-old mummified falcon remains from Egypt, shrunken heads from South America, golf balls once driven on the moon, locks of George Washington’s hair, two-headed kittens, and 500-pound gorillas formed by nails.  These strange effects are only exacerbated by the museum’s 4-D theater. 

Yankee Candle, 2200 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia

Yankee Candle, a combination shopping and sightseeing attraction, appears to both kids and kids at heart.  Aside from selling some 250,000 candles, 200 candle scents, toys, gifts, and holiday ornaments, its is a year-round winter wonderland.  Its entirely indoor Holiday Park features a 25-foot, revolving Christmas tree; a color-changing ice pond; falling snow; Santa’s workshop; a Christmas countdown clock; and an animated show, “Hickory, Dickory, Doc.” 

Haunted Dinner Theater, 5363 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Haunted Dinner Theater, another combination attraction, pairs a 71-item, all-you-can-eat dinner buffet at Captain George’s Restaurant with a comedy murder mystery which incorporates audience clues to solve the nightly “whodunit.”  The winning combination has been running since 1994. 

Air Power Park, 413 West Mercury Boulevard, Hampton, Virginia

The outdoor Air Power Park, dedicated in recognition of the contributions made by NASA and Langley Air Force Base to aerial and space development and for their interest in community endeavors, features several unique aircraft designs, inclusive of the Lockheed T-33A T-Bird, an A-7E Corsair II, an XV-6A Kestrel V/STOL, a North American F-86L Sabre, the later-developed North American Rockwell F-100D Super Sabre, a McDonnell F-101F Voodoo, a Northrop F-89J Scorpion, and a Republic Aviation F-105D Thunderchief.  Even rarer, perhaps, is its space-related collection, including an SM-78 Jupiter surface-to-surface intermediate-range ballistic missile, a Western Electric NIM-14 Nike-Hercules two-stage missile, a Jet Propulsion Lab M-2 Corporal Ballistic Missile, a North American Aviation Mercury/Little Joe Booster, and a Mercury Test Capsule.               

Mariners’ Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Virginia

Changing from air to sea, the Mariners’ Museum, one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive, displays more than 50 full-size boats and ships; authentic, hand-crafted ship models; and seafaring artifacts, subdivided into eight exhibits and galleries: the Chesapeake Bay Gallery, the USS Monitor Center, the Age of Exploration, Defending the Sea, the Great Hall of Steam, the Nelson Touch, International Small Craft Center, and the Miniature Ships of August and Winnifred Crabtree.  Its award-winning gallery, the $30 million, 63,500-square-foot USS Monitor Center, houses a full-scale replica and actual remains of one of the Civil War’s most important vessels.  The experience is further heightened by walk-through, high-definition “battle theaters.”               

The conceptual design for the United States’ first full, hull and protective plating ironclad ship, powered by steam and sporting a rotating turret, had been submitted to the US Navy by Swedish-American engineer John Ericsson, and the resulting vessel, the USS Monitor, had been launched on January 30, 1862 from Greenport, Long Island.  Two months later, in March, it had been ordered to Hampton Roads, Virginia, in order to protect the federal fleet stationed there, but on the ninth day of that month, it had engaged in a four-hour battle with a Confederate ironclad, the CSS Virginia, although neither had sustained much damage.               

During its New Year’s Eve towing at the end of the year by the USS Rhode Island to Beaufort, North Carolina, however, it had been caught by a fierce storm off of Cape Hatteras and 16 crew members had been swept overboard and perished. 

Today, most of the ship remains submerged off of North Carolina in the US’s first marine sanctuary, which had been designated on January 30, 1975. 

Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Newport News, Virginia

While the Mariners’ Museum focuses on the sea, the Virginia Living Museum showcases what lives in it, as well as on land, in settings such as a cypress swamp, a mountain cove, the Chesapeake Bay, and a limestone cave.  Living exhibits include color-changing frogs, moon jellies, eyeless fish, loggerhead turtles, spider crabs, red wolves, otters, and coyotes.  An extensive collection of native plants completes the flora and fauna experience.               

Fort Monroe/Casemate Museum, Casemate 20, Bernard Road, Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia

Fort Monroe, progressively constructed between 1819 and 1834 and located on the north side of the channel between the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads, is the country’s largest stone fort and only moat-surrounded, still-operating one.  A Union stronghold during the Civil War, where both Robert E. Lee and Edgar Allan Poe had served, it had once sheltered thousands of slave refugees.  Its present Casemate Museum, location of Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s cell, displays uniforms, weapons, and artifacts collectively depicting the fort’s history.               

Virginia Air and Space Center, 600 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, Virginia

The Virginia Air and Space Center, located in downtown Hampton on the waterfront, is a $30 million, 110,000 square foot, nine-story facility which had opened on April 5, 1992 and is characterized by its futuristic, interconnected, dual-building, gull wing roof-resembling architecture.  Its more than 30 historic air- and spacecraft, which represent more than 100 years of flight, are exhibited in the recently completed, $9 million Adventures in Flight Gallery and the Space Gallery, and include such designs as the Apollo 12 Command Module which had made the journey to the Moon, an AirTran DC-9-30, a B-24 Liberator nose section, an F.84 Thunderstreak, an F-4E Phantom II, an N2S-3 Stearman, a Lunar Orbiter, an F-104 Starfighter, an F-106 Delta Dart, a YF-16 Fighting Falcon, and a P-39Q Aircobra.  A new exhibit, “Space Quest: Exploring the Moon, Mars, and Beyond,” had recently been introduced in the Space Gallery.  Extensive, hands-on exhibits, featuring hot air balloons, noise abatement, a Boeing 717 glass cockpit fight simulator, aircraft flight surfaces, propeller efficiency comparatives, and Space Shuttle landing simulators, are complemented by the Riverside IMAX and Curtiss Jenny Century of Flight Theaters. 

The museum also serves as the Visitor Center for both the NASA Langley Research Center and Langley Air Force Base.

Hampton Carousel, 602 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, Virginia

The Hampton Carousel, located downtown on the waterfront and housed in its own pavilion, had been built in 1920 and is one of only 170 antique wooden merry-go-rounds remaining in the US. 

Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruises, 710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, Virginia

Water-surrounded Hampton Roads cannot be fully enjoyed without at least one boat cruise on it.  The Miss Hampton II, a 44-passenger, dual-deck boat with a snack bar, departs daily from the Hampton Marina, plying Hampton Roads Harbor; stopping at the 1819-built Fort Wool; and tours the Norfolk Naval Base, the world’s largest naval installation.  Adults and kids alike are often fascinated by the 1,098-foot-long, nuclear-powered Nimitz-Class aircraft carriers which weigh in excess of 100,000 tons and are manned by 6,000 crew members; the Wasp-class amphibious assault ships; the guided missile destroyers; the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack, nuclear-powered submarines; and the Ticonderoga-class missile destroyers.

5 Reasons for Choosing LBI Shore Rentals

Shore rentals are a great place to go to when you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of a hectic daily routine and enjoy life for what it’s truly worth – living on sandy beaches along the beautiful coastline and enjoying the cool sea breeze. They are popular all year long however they are particularly popular in the summer.

Long Beach Island also known as LBI is a popular summer colony along the Atlantic coast of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is notoriously famous for its beaches, cool breeze and elegantly designed shore rentals that people from all over the world come to throughout the year.

While there are colonies like LBI all over the United States, there are certain features about LBI that makes their shore rentals the best choice for a vacation.

Long Beach Island Weather

The weather is always a big factor especially when it comes to vacations. Since the visit is only temporary, the idea is to stay at a place where outside conditions are favorable. If warm, sunny weather with ocean views makes you feel good, then renting a shore rental in LBI would be the best choice for you. The humid subtropical climate makes LBI ideal for summer vacations due to its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

Countless Attractions in LBI

Long Beach Island shore rentals are conveniently located near numerous recreational and extracurricular establishments to accommodate people of all ages and taste. Some of the famous attractions include:

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Sunlight Theatre Barnegat Light Museum Fantasy Island Amusement Park LBI Foundation of Arts and Sciences “The Original” world famous Ron Jon Surf Shop Barnegat Lighthouse

Competitive Shore Rental Costs

Unlike summer colonies in other parts of the United States, LBI shore rentals are competitively priced and come with flexible lease terms and options. While the prices vary depending on the time of year, consumer surveys indicate that LBI shore rentals are better priced and nicely maintained.

Numerous Recreational Facilities at LBI

A shore rental at LBI brings about numerous recreational activities in addition to walking on the beach and swimming. The island attracts thousands of visitors with varying interests and is an ideal place for:

Fishing Boating Jet Skiing Sailing Surfing Miniature Golf Volley Ball

LBI Properties for Sale

It is not uncommon for people living in shore rentals to change their mind once they see the scenic beauty and realize the true benefits of living at LBI. Hence the summer colony also has properties for sale for those who wish to establish LBI as their permanent vacation spot. Renting can sometimes become frustrating due to lack to availability. Having your own beach house on the coastline eliminates such hassles and makes the vacation trip more enjoyable.

At the end, LBI summer colonies are primarily designed for one thing – Fun. No matter how long your stay is, the main idea is to ensure that it is a memorable one.