5/16/2008 at 1:30 PM
Tags: Sanibel-and-Captiva-Map, Sailing, Summer Travel (all tags)
David LaHuta just got back from Florida, and he's telling us all about it this week. Keep up with our Sanibel and Captiva Map.
By now you've covered Sanibel and Captiva like a pro: Your pockets are bursting with shells, you've seen dozens of birds, you've endured sensory overload while dining, and conquered the great outdoors on bike, boat and kayak. You deserve a civilized sunset sail and a few cocktails to boot.
Head directly to Captiva Beach--your perfect evening begins and ends at the 'Tween Waters Inn.
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by David LaHuta
5/15/2008 at 5:00 PM
Tags: California Travel, Adventure Travel, Zip Lines, Ski Resorts, Summer Travel, Ski-Resorts-in-Summer (all tags)
Going to a ski resort in the summer sounds like a half-baked idea that your dad comes up with to save a couple bucks while getting some fresh air. Can't you just imagine standing at the base of a mountain while dear old dad waxes on about how beautiful it must be all covered in snow? Next year, kids!
But what if your old man was craftier than that and took you to the new 3,100-foot Heavenly Flyer zip line at Heavenly Mountain Resort? It's the longest zip line in the lower 48 and hits speeds of 50 mph on the way down. It would be a lot cooler if you had to hold on for dear life like on the zip lines you grew up with, but insurance companies get kind of grouchy about stuff like that: You'll have to settle for being strapped into a seat.
For $30 a ride, this is a unique way to experience some of the best views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. No doubt taking in the sights from 50 feet up at 50 mph will make for unforgettable daddy issues for decades to come.
(Btw, the Flyer doesn't re-open for the summer season until Friday, June 13.)
Related Stories:
· Heavenly Flyer [Official Site]
· Summer Travel coverage [Jaunted]
by DanielR
5/15/2008 at 10:16 AM
Tags: Sanibel-and-Captiva-Map, Active Travel, Beaches, Summer Travel (all tags)
David LaHuta just got back from Florida, and he's telling us all about it this week. Keep up with our Sanibel and Captiva Map.
You've been staying busy while on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. There were days spent shelling on Lighthouse Beach, afternoons bird-watching at Darling National Wildlife Preserve and dinners at The Bubble Room, perhaps the wackiest restaurant in all of south Florida.
It's time for some active pursuits. And considering the islands have an average year-round temperature of about 75 degrees, there's no good reason to stay inside.
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by David LaHuta
5/15/2008 at 9:30 AM
Tags: Oman, Animals, Ecotourism, Beaches, Summer Travel (all tags)
Although a rush on accommodation might mean going to Oman isn't instantly possible, we've just discovered yet another reason to try it. Sea turtles.
Turns out there are seven different species of sea turtles in the world, and Oman's got five of 'em. If you visit Oman's beaches in the evening between June and September, you've got a great chance of seeing a leatherback or a loggerhead or a bunch of other turtles laying eggs.
There are a few special rules for sea turtle viewing in Oman: You shouldn't get too close, never touch their eggs (we thought that went without saying?), you can't camp nearby and, most importantly, don't litter. Sea turtles aren't that bright and sometimes confuse plastic with jellyfish, which they eat. And we could certainly use fewer jellies on the beach.
Related Stories:
· Into the Azure [The Australian]
· Still Crushing on Oman [Jaunted]
· Come Back Soon, Oman Is Full [Jaunted]
[Photo: Mct-Enigma]
by amandak
5/15/2008 at 9:15 AM
Tags: Surfing, Beaches, Summer Travel, Budget Travel, Tourism Boards (all tags)
Already spent your entire economic stimulus check in Vegas? In 12 hours? Try San Diego. It offers beautiful beaches, wonderful weather and the local tourism board has just released a list of 50 great things to do this summer without breaking the bank.
No shirt, no shoes, no surfboard? No problem at this year's World Body Surfing Championships. Held August 23-24, the best of the best in body surfing take to the waves and put on a show. Just make sure you bring some binoculars so you can alert the competitors if any finned friends make an unwanted appearance.
Come evening, you can check out the funky shops and cool restaurants of La Jolla. After you've spent your last dollar on dinner, enjoy a stroll along the sand to check out the local marine life, including sea lions, and then watch the sun sink into the mighty Pacific.
Related Stories:
· San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau [Official Site]
· La Jolla [Official Site]
· World Body Surfing Championships [Official Site]
· San Diego Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: tailcat2000]
by kjb
5/14/2008 at 1:36 PM
Tags: Festivals, Bars, Alcohol, Booze, Nightlife, Summer Travel (all tags)
Tales of the Cocktail, the booze-focused "conference" for bartenders, restaurateurs and, uh, enthusiasts, runs July 16-20 in New Orleans. With seminars, demos, dinners and hobnobbing, it's like a giant cocktail party without the black ties and annoying co-workers.
One day passes are available for $175 and include four events and nighttime drinks. You can also just pick and choose a couple events, hanging at the festival as a smaller part of a New Orleans vacay. Tickets range from $25-$75, depending on what you're attending.
If you really wanna get serious, the Founder's Day pass gets you into everything and goes for $625. Seems steep, yes, but it's probably less than your bar tab for five days in NoLa would be.
Festival headquarters is the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, and we can tell you from experience that it's the best place to stay for the event. Aside from giving you easy access to the Carousel Bar and festival seminars, it's also got discount rooms available if you book early.
Related Stories:
· Tales of the Cocktail 2008 [Official Site]
· Jaunted in New Orleans :: Gray Line Cocktail Tour [Jaunted]
· 120-Hour Cocktail Party Coming to New Orleans [Jaunted]
by pbb
5/14/2008 at 12:05 PM
Tags: Sanibel-and-Captiva-Map, Summer Travel, Weird, Restaurants (all tags)
David LaHuta just got back from Florida, and he's telling us all about it this week. Keep up with our Sanibel and Captiva Map.
Who knew there was so much to do on Sanibel and Captiva Islands? So far you've gone shelling on the Gulf of Mexico and just yesterday you spotted tons of birds and reptiles at JN "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Preserve.
For an island experience that's equally as unique, look no further than The Bubble Room, a kitschy, hodgepodge of a restaurant that specializes in quirky meals and wacky décor. Picture TGI Friday's on crack and you'll begin understand what this place is all about.
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by David LaHuta
5/13/2008 at 4:17 PM
Tags: National Parks, Beaches, Summer Travel, Outdoor Travel (all tags)
Apparently, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a better tourist attraction than the tallest brick lighthouse in the US. North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to both, but the area earned the nickname "The Graveyard of the Atlantic" thanks to all the ships that have been lost off the shore.
Visitors are free to bring their vehicles onto the sand and shore to find the perfect spot for a summer afternoon. As of this May, though, drivers can only practice sand time trials between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm. The new rules are in effect in order to protect the nesting areas of the sea turtle and shore bird populations in this area.
Further south, Ocracoke Island is the most remote island of the Outer Banks and can only be reached by free ferry from Hatteras Island. Not to be outdone by its sibling to the north, Ocracoke has its own snazzy lighthouse as well as an excellent beach.
If you grow tired of all the swimming, driving, and lighthouse looking, snag a spot on the beach and set up camp. Fees start at $20 a night this summer; be sure to get there early.
Related Stories:
· Cape Hatteras National Seashore [Official Site]
· National Parks coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Seamus Murray]
by kjb
