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Vacation Destinations Miami Florida: What To Do During Your Sunny Miami Excursion

October 2nd, 2009 No comments
by Don Pasqualinto

Have you ever been to a Miami football game? Shop ahead of time for your favorite Miami Hurricanes jersey and soak up some sun. Football is a super popular sport in all of Florida. You can tell by the number of top college and professional teams the state boasts. There are also a large number of professional players who began their football careers in a Florida high school.

Visit South Beach while you are there. South Beach is the favorite party spot for energetic travelers. South beach is known for its wild nightlife and hot bodies. There is an abundance of tasty food, refreshing cocktails and beautiful young bodies everywhere. There is even a bar hopping shuttle to take you from your hotel to the night clubs.

Take a dinner cruise out on the big blue. Its a perfect way for you and your date to get a little romance into your trip. If you are going to be that close to the ocean, you might as well take advantage of it.

Visit the beach. What would a trip to Florida be without a visit to the beach? Don’t let that much prime coastline go to waste. Bring your sunscreen and a wake board. Bury your cocktails in the sand to keep them cold.

Have you ever wanted to take a short ride on one of those big air boats with the huge fan on back. Haul around the Florida Everglades on one of those flat bottom cruisers. Keep an eye out for snakes and alligators. Be careful so you don’t fall out of the air boat.

Have you seen people flying down the beach before? Get towed behind a speed boat on one of those tandem chairs with a parachute. Parascending is an especially fun way to spend an afternoon in Florida. Even if you only do it one time during your life, it is well worth the cost. You can get fly like an eagle and take in awesome views of the surrounding beaches.

Do the traditional tourist activity and take a sightseeing tour. There are a ton of companies that provide professional tour services around the greater Miami area. There are a variety of tour types to pick from such as the duck tour, Miami buildings tour, cultural tours and tours of the Everglades.

No matter what you intend to do while you’re there, you can almost guarantee great weather. You’ll have an abundance of sun and warm weather. Don’t forget your sun block and swim suit.

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The Beginnings: Costa Rica Eco Tourism, Teddy Roosevelt And The Matterhorn

August 9th, 2009 No comments
by Victor C. Krumm

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It began with Teddy Roosevelt and started at the Matterhorn. Today we call it eco tourism and what started as the germ of an idea on a cold, forlorn Swiss mountain now leads thousands of people each year to a tiny gem that Christopher Columbus named “Costa Rica” over 500 years ago.

About 20 years before he became one of America’s greatest presidents, Roosevelt, always the explorer, went to Europe to climb the famous Matterhorn Mountain in Switzerland. He was chagrined by what he encountered on the mountain or, more accurately, what he did not find.

The mountain was virtually barren. Where once there had been wilderness there were no longer goats, mountain sheep, bears, wolves, or other great animals.

Though “eco tourism” didn’t enter the language lexicon for nearly 100 more years, Theodore Roosevelt was the world’s first eco tourist and, I would say, the responsible for today’s eco tourism.

How do Roosevelt and the Matterhorn relate to Costa Rica eco tourism? Perhaps more than you might imagine. From his observations at the Matterhorn, Roosevelt realized that unless vast tracts of land were set aside, relentless exploitation would ultimately lead to disaster. So, when he became President and, despite the powerful robber barons and vested interests who fought him, he was the first to set aside wilderness and parks—an incredible 230,000,000 acres—an extraordinary achievement for America and singular accomplishment for the world.

Roosevelt’s bold vision led to an extraordinary discovery: common citizens would gladly pay money to visit nature. Sustained use of land through eco tourism had important economic consequences, perhaps more valuable than exploitation in many cases—in America.

But, America’s experience was one thing. It was wealthy and developed. Costa Rica was, seemingly, very different. Here was a place that in 1519 its Spanish Governor called “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all Americas.” Four and a half centuries later, now independent and free, most of its forests had been cut or burned to make farm land. Big (American) business dominated its primary product, bananas, and the country was almost completely dependent upon the export of bananas, coffee, and other agricultural products for its economic life. United Fruit Company controlled the banana market and its relations with Costa Rica were often stormy, sometimes icy. Then, in the early 1970s, prices for coffee collapsed during a glut of the product on the world market. The country’s future looked bleak.

With challenge comes opportunity for the bold and thoughtful and, in an apparently unlikely alliance, conservationists and business interests argued in favor of setting aside resources for sustainable, rather than exploitative, development. For whatever reason, the government agreed to this rather bold experiment and, in just three decades, has now set aside nearly 25% of the country for parks and preserves. Roosevelt, ever the visionary, would applaud if still here.

In the span of just 30 years, the results have been stunning. While most countries were burning and cutting their forests, Costa Rica was reforesting. Today, there are 20% more forests than just 25 years ago. Birds and mammals are returning to places where they haven’t been seen for a generation or more. Costa Rica has enthusiastically embraced sustained development, rejecting the siren’s call of Big Oil by refusing off shore drilling for oil. Indeed almost 100% of its electricity now comes from renewable, non-polluting hydro-electric power and it is embarking on wind turbines for additional generation. Researchers from Columbia and Yale researchers now categorize it in the top 5 of all environmentally sensitive countries on the globe.

Costa Rica tourism and eco tourism have skyrocketed and the country has vaulted into the #1 position on the Happiest Place in the World Index. Turns out that Columbus was prescient when he named this place “the rich coast” or “Costa Rica” and the Spanish governor who derided it as “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in Americas” was dead wrong. Somewhere, Roosevelt smiles in triumph.

To close, we need to revisit the Swiss Matterhorn, the impetus behind Roosevelt’s sudden clarity that parks and preserves were essential to saving wildlife and Costa Rica’s wise extension of that idea leading to today’s incredibly successful Costa Rica eco tourism. Consider the irony here. Costa Rica is often called the “Switzerland” of the tropics but it learned from Swiss failures. Ironically, Switzerland has learned nothing. Costa Rica’s mountains are today filled with life and eco tourism helps fuel its economy. One of every five species of plants and animals on earth are found there. Meanwhile, the magnificent Matterhorn remains silent because its life was exploited and destroyed, not cherished and preserved.

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Deer Valley Resort Vacations Offer Many Lodging options

July 8th, 2009 No comments
by Robin Rutecki

Deer Valley vacation rentals are one of the reasons that Deer Valley Resort is such a popular vacation destination. Perfectly placed in the mountains, Deer Valley rentals offer vacationers many diverse options to choose from when planning a vacation. You can’t go wrong anytime of the year at one of America’s most popular mountain destinations.

While the places to stay are wonderful exciting attractions, the snow capped mountains and sparkling lakes are worthy of praise themselves. The landscape is scenic enough that the 2002 winter Olympics held several events on the majestic mountains that tower over the surrounding areas.

Deer Valley vacation rentals offer a lot to choose from. You can stay on the slopes of the mountains in a plush ski-in ski-out residence or choose a well appointed condo for two. The whole family can stay in a large townhouse overlooking a lake that, I’m sure I saw on a couple of post cards. Choosing where you will stay is an important component of your vacation, but no matter what you decide, Deer Valley vacation rentals are always a great choice.

Deer Valley rental condos are an excellent option. Ranging from one bedroom to more than five, multiple families can share the expenses leaving more money for dining out or activities. A lot of the areas condos are privately owned, which means a personal touch from someone who cares about the properties upkeep and well-being.

Be sure to save time and a little money for shopping and dining during on your stay. While the extras aren’t terribly expensive, there are countless opportunities to choose from and your going to want to try as many as possible. Skiing, snowmobiling, tubing, and ice skating are prominent in the winter. Golf, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor concerts are popular in summer. No matter what time of year you visit Deer Valley, there will be plenty to keep you entertained.

If you don’t care about activities and want to stay inside during your get away, then this is the perfect place. It’s nearly impossible to find a Deer Valley vacation rental that’s not equipped with a fireplace. What you might not expect are the washing machines and spacious fully equipped kitchens. Relax at ease in a hot tub or enjoy the comforts of a bear skin rug placed perfectly in front of a crackling fire place.

Maybe you’re interested in a truly high end vacation experience. Deer Valley Resort offers some of the most luxurious lodging options in the world. Inquire about a private home rental in the exclusive Bald Eagle, Deer Crest, or Flagstaff neighborhoods to treat yourself to the best. These Deer Valley vacation rentals cater to those with expensive taste, but are well worth every penny.

Whether you come for the beauty or the skiing, Deer Valley Resort has many fantastic vacation rental choices for your vacation. Fill your time with events and tours or stay in and play all day. Just don’t miss out on the vacation of a lifetime.

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A Guide to Costa Rica Attractions

June 22nd, 2009 No comments
by Victor C. Krumm

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Costa Rica is a very small Central American country bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Many who visit find a tropical paradise. It got its name 600 years ago by Christopher Columbus who, when he landed along its Caribbean coast was so enraptured he named the place ‘Costa Rica’ or the ‘Rich Coast’.

In a part of the world often known best for its instability, Costa Rica is a proud, stable democracy and, along with Switzerland, only one of two countries in the world without a military. With an ever-improving tourism infrastructure and two international airports, it is a great place for a spectacular vacation. There is nearly an endless list of things to do and see in a country famous for its incredible diversity of plants and animals.

Costa Rica tourism is struggling due to the world’s economic problems. Still, a challenge always presents an opportunity and today is no exception. Now may be exactly the time to travel to Costa Rica. Airfares are down and you will find some great travel and accommodation bargains. To check out a few, simply Google ‘visitcostarica.com/crplus’ to go to the Costa Rica government’s official Institute of Tourism (ICT) website that has discount coupons but lots and lots of other hotels and resorts are offering special prices right now.

For many, Costa Rica is particularly famous for its plants and animals. Though tiny, only about the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica boasts one of every five species of plant and animal on the planet. There are more kinds of butterflies than on the entire African continent. Little Costa Rica has almost as many different kinds of birds as in the continental United States and only about 100 fewer species than in all of Europe. The diversity is simply staggering. You are going to find fascinating tropical rainforests, spectacular cloudforests, beautiful beaches and rugged coastlines along two tropical oceans. It even has a teeny, teeny park, just half the size of New York City, which National Geographic calls ‘the most biologically intense place’ on earth. Hundreds of kinds of birds, six species of wild cats (including the mighty jaguar and puma), reptiles, amphibians, and (yes!) insects galore in a staggering array of primary rainforest only 20 miles long and 8 miles wide.

Perhaps you would like to see a volcano. There are over 100 in this little country but only a handful are active. Arenal Volcano is the most active and with some frequency erupts with spectacular shows. Hot springs resorts have popped up nearby and lots of folks sit in the warm waters, tropical drinks in hand, and marvel at the nearby volcano. Just minutes away is Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake, famed for its great freshwater fishing and world-class windsurfing. Or, just outside San Jose, nearby the international airport, nestled in the cloudforest, is Poas Volcano with the second largest volcanic crater on the planet. My advice is to visit this place early in the morning (before the clouds come in) and on a weekday (because it is packed with Costa Ricans on the weekend). And, by all means, drive to the top of mighty Irazu early in the morning. Only a few miles from San Jose, it is like no place else you’ll ever go. Why? Because, on a clear day, you can stand on an active volcano and see the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans at the same time! I love the romance of this place because, just a few months before he was killed, JFK flew into Costa Rica and was greeted with a spectacular eruptive salute. Two greats in awe of one another!

Do not forget Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, chosen by Ticos themselves. Two great volcanoes: mighty Arenal Volcano and spectacular Poas Volcano near San Jose International. World famous for its ecotourism is Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve with its great plant and animal diversity—including its spectacular orchids! Hop a boat for a get-away to magnificent Cocos Island (300 miles off the coast), described as the “most beautiful island in the world” by Jacques Cousteau, a famous pirate island with millions of dollars of still-missing buried treasure, and the best large animal diving anywhere. The tallest mountain in Central America is called Mount Chirripo where you will hike from tropical forests to glacial lakes. Unknown to most folks is the Rio Celeste (Celestial River) where the river changes, literally and almost magically, from crystal clear to sky-blue in front of your eyes. And, for real nature lovers, there is remote Tortuguero National Park along the Caribbean coast, the world’s largest protected area for green sea turtles and waters teeming with great sportfish.

No vacation is complete without visiting several of its simply amazing beaches. You are going to find nearly 800 miles of beaches: white sand beaches, brown sand beaches, black sand beaches, even coral beaches. Along two oceans. Dozens have been awarded the famed ‘Blue Flag’ certificates meaning they are the best of the best ecologically. The north Pacific coast is increasingly developed with great resorts, hotels, and golf courses. Meanwhile, the Caribbean coast remains far more undeveloped while maintaining its particular Caribbean flavor. There are very popular beaches (particularly over Easter and Christmas) and virtually deserted beaches. To go from one to another is often just a few minutes’ drive.

In Costa Rica there are activities to suit just about everyone. While you can go in for the extreme sports, many people take part in swimming, cycling or sunbathing, all pastimes which are particular popular for tourists to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is also famous for having some of the best tropical golf courses in the world. And, if that is not enough, here are a few more things to do to keep you busy during the days: 1. Fish the deep sea for marlin (I recently fought a 450 pounder before releasing it), sailfish, huge tarpon, snook, and dozens of other varieties. 2. Surf! Don’t know how? Go to surf school. 3. Raft or kayak in some of the world’s best whitewater or leisurely raft a tropical river with the kids. 4. Sail or take a dinner cruise. 5. Windsurf at Lake Arenal, considered the second best place in the world. 6. Defy death and bungee jump into deep canyons or at night. 7. Take an ecotour 8. Zipline 80 feet up the air through tropical forests. 9. Become a bullfighter. But beware that in Costa Rica the bulls cannot be harmed, anybody can jump into the ring with these critters, and you can buy insurance just before you take your life into your hands. 10. Take a horseback ride in the mountains, along the beaches, or even across the entire country. 11. Take a hot air balloon ride or go hang gliding. 12. Become a canyoneer and rappel tropical waterfalls. 13. Take a train ride—in a genuine Swiss train to a genuine Swiss mountain hotel or from San Jose to the beach. 14. Visit a tiny park, Corcovado, only half the size of NYC but the most biologically intense place on earth. 15. Scuba dive or skin dive in a Caribbean marine park at the largest coral reef in the country. 16. Watch whales (Costa Rica has the world’s longest whale-watching season). Wonder at the sea turtles as they have nested since the days of dinosaurs. 17. Enjoy tropical gardens or tour plantations where the finest coffee in the world is grown. 18. Hike, bike, rent motorcycles or ATVs. 19. Take a walk on the wild-side into the crater of an active volcano. 20. Tour an African wildlife park. 21. Take a photography tour. 22. Go on a volunteer vacation. Enough ideas? I have more!

Night provides more attractions. Bars, restaurants, nightclubs (many are very adult in tone and tenor), gambling, and, of course, beautiful women. Costa Rica is world famous for its women of the night. For gays and lesbians, there are an increasing number of places to go and things to do as well.

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Deer Valley Restaurants – A Mark Of Great Quality

June 13th, 2009 1 comment
by Robin Rutecki

Catering for one of the premium level ski resorts in the Wasatch region, Deer Valley restaurants are renowned for their quality. This is true of both service and food, as they cater for a more discerning palette, used to the delights of fine dining, and exclusivity. Such an approach settles well with the upmarket focus of the resort, offering such luxury service as ski valets and shopping boutiques.

Within the resort itself, there is a selection of three fine dining restaurants to choose from. The most respected of these is the Mariposa, which has won several top awards, and is often named as one of the best restaurants to visit in the skiing world. Only open throughout the ski season, patrons are able to enjoy both contemporary and classical dishes. Also offered are signature tasting menus, allowing the kitchen team to showcase all that is best about them. With attentive staff, exuding comprehensive knowledge about the food and its provenance, you are assured a memorable experience.

Next in the impressive list of resort restaurants is the widely acclaimed Seafood Buffet. Focusing on providing only the best quality, most sustainable seafood, customers can experience a delightful menu. The Seafood Buffet is again only open throughout the ski season, but is a favorite for both locals and visitors alike, who enjoy the slightly more relaxed environment. Many reviews are posted on the Internet promoting this restaurant, which lovers of cr?me brulee in particular would do well to take notice of.

Completing this impressive gathering is the innovative Fireside Dining restaurant. Here, each course is carefully presented from one of four fireplaces. Diners are invited to make the choice from the wide range of Alpine inspired dishes, starting with delicious homemade appetizers, and finishing with hot and cold Swiss desserts and drinks.

Whilst the restaurants within the resort are popular, and worthy of attention, it is wise not to ignore other restaurants in the surrounding area.

Possibly the most respected of these restaurants is the Goldener Hirsch Inn. An award winner on countless occasions, this offers its unique mountainside setting as just the start of the experience. Bookings for this restaurant are usually necessary, such is its reputation throughout the local, and wider culinary, communities.

Amongst the preferred venues away from the resort is The Gliterand, which offers regional cuisine. Set in a stunning mountainside location, it is the proud winner of numerous awards. Another fine dining experience, diners are greeted with an innovative and modern menu. A greater number of restaurants outside of the resort cater for more than fine dining however. This is the case with the Stew Pot restaurant, which is proving popular throughout the local community for its more homemade approach to food, with generous portions and traditional dishes.

If you are lucky enough to be vacationing in Deer Valley this ski season, you are sure to not be disappointed, with high quality restaurants at every turn. However, be sure to check out those restaurants away from the resort, particularly if you intend visiting throughout the summer.

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