Bar Harbor, Maine, is a town located between the mountains of Acadia National Park and the Atlantic Ocean on Mount Desert Island. This is a lively community with a rich history that is a terrific vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts as well as artists, food aficionados, and families.
Acadia National Park was established by Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and now covers more than 40,000 acres. The most popular attraction in the park is Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast. Early birds can either drive, bike, or hike up the mountain and be the first in the United States to see the sunrise. The park features 130 miles of hiking trails with varied lengths and levels of difficulty so everyone, from informal walkers to seasoned athletes, can enjoy them. For nature lovers, you can also kayak in Frenchman Bay, tour the island lighthouses, head out on a whale watch, and see the puffins and other seabirds. Deep-sea fishing is also available, where you can help haul a lobster trap.
When vacationers need a break from the great outdoors, Bar Harbor still has more to offer in the form of independently owned galleries, shops, and boutiques. Many shops sell items that are unique to the area, such as bracelets made of stones gathered from Mount Desert Island’s shore and watercolor landscapes or seascapes. You can also spend a day at the spa or taste samples at a local brewery and winery.
Though Bar Harbor is most popular as a summer getaway, it is a popular winter vacation destination as well. Cross-county skiing is available, along with snowshoeing on a carriage trail. You can ice skate at Jordan Pond and ice fish on Echo Lake.
Where should you stay? The best place to stay in Bar Harbor is at a local Bed and Breakfast Inn. When we visited Bar Harbor, my family stayed at the Acacia House Inn, which is within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Breakfast is included as well as afternoon hors d’oeuvres including Maine cheeses, homemade crackers and chutney, and fresh-baked bread and tea. Breakfast eggs are collected from the Inn’s own hens. There are many other local Bed and Breakfast Inns to choose from as well.
Photo credits: The second photo, of downtown Bar Harbor, was taken from the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce website. The third photo, of a room in the Acacia House Inn, was taken from the Acacia House Inn website.
This is the Red Eyed Tree Frog. They live in the rain forests in Costa Rica. This has to be the most colorful frog I have ever seen. You will be able to see them if you visit the rain forest and the Arenal Volcano area in Central Costa Rica. Facing the Volcano on 27 acres that include a thermal springs, Arenal Kioro Hotel sets the standard for luxury. Kioro’s suites feature spa tubs with hydro massage and views of the volcano. For dining , enjoy the five-star Heliconias Restaurant. The Neidin Spa pampers guests while a wide range of adventure options are available everyday.
Tucked in Los Angeles Cloud Forest Private Biological Reserve, Villa Blanca Resort & Spa offers guests a tranquil escape and look into the rich history of Costa Rica. Thirty-five casitas, including five Honeymoon Suites, rest on the spacious grounds each with spectacular views of the tropical cloud forest.
In Manuel Antonio National Park area Si Como No is a one-of-a-kind property set atop the hillside along the incredible Manuel Antonio coastline. Only one tree was removed in the construction of the resort and Si Como No remains committed to the promise and vision of conservation.
La Mansion Inn also offers a wonderful setting and is set apart by its unique location above a secluded beach and offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, Manuel Antonio National Park and rain forest. Fine in-room spa services include a variety of massages.
Along the Northwest Coast, Paradisus Playa Conchal has redefined the worry-free family vacation concept by offering the only top-of-the-line, all-inclusive beach and golf resort in Central America. Explore 2,400 acres of fun, live entertainment, water-sports, honeymoons, golf, eco-tours – it is all available at the Paradisus.
If you prefer a little privacy, look no further than the hills of Guanacaste. There you will find Punta Islita a romantic hideaway where privacy and comfort have earned its distinction as a Small Luxury Hotel of the World. This resort consists of 45 bungalow-style rooms, suites, casitas and villas. The centerpiece is the pavilion housing the open-air dining room. Relax and rejuvenate in the on-site full service spa.
You get the idea. Costa Rica has something for everyone, but has several distinct areas with different things to do in each area. If your interested in nature, the beach, fishing, adventure sports, gambling or just plain relaxing, Costa Rica has it all. Let us help you find the right area within Costa Rica for your travel needs.
I just love this little guy!
Tags: Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Paradisus, Punta Islita
Here is a past group cruise photo from one of the many Swinging Flamingo cruises. This group will be sailing 11/14/10 on the Celebrity “Solstice” for 7 nights from Ft. Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean. They are a really fun group to travel with and there are still a few cabins left for our group rates, give us a call if your interested in traveling with them in.
They all love to cruise so much that they will celebrate their 25th year in the fall of 2011. Everyone has decided that they really need a special ship for this milestone. This group that has ranged in size from 80 to over 250 people each year has decided on the newest and most incredible ship afloat – the Allure of the Seas!
I know I have already written a post on the Oasis Class & one on the Allure so I won’t go into great detail on this amazing ship. Please check out the other posts on this blog. I just wanted everyone that has been asking about the 25th anniversary cruise to know what has been decided.
We have some wonderful prices for this amazing ship and anyone can join in on the group rates and specials we have included. You do not have to be a past Flamingo or join in any of the group activities that your not interested in, but I have to warn you that once you go with this terrific group you will probably want to go with them every year!
So come on Flamingos call your friends, we have already started taking reservations for the Allure 10/30/11 and we want to make the 25th Anniversary cruise the best “Flamingo Cruise” yet!
Tags: Allure Of The Seas, Celebrity Solstice, group cruises, groups, Swinging Flamingo
Step aboard the New Norwegian Epic and be prepared to be amazed. It is a one-of-a kind experience everywhere you look from brand-name entertainment like Blue Man Group; revolutionary accommodations such as single occupancy studios; and a massive water park with the largest water slide at sea called the Epic Plunge.
After all that fun in the sun there are 20 places to eat including one dining option that will have entertainment with your dinner. Sit back as you watch spectacular acrobats perform at Epic’s Cirque Dreams and Dinner Show.
You can take the kids to meet their favorite Nickelodeon characters at the exclusive Nickelodeon at sea. The Epic has a 17 degree Ice Bar (one of only 14 in the world) where you can enjoy a really frozen drink! You can sing along with the musicians of Howl at the Moon a dueling piano bar. The Epic even has a bowling alley and a casino that are also the largest at sea….so you can knock down some pins or pile up some winnings.
The accommodations are sophisticated and offer everything from Spa Suites with their own hot tubs to Villas with attentive butlers and private pools. Where ever you go, Norwegian Epic will take you there in unprecedented style.
The Epic is doing 7 day Eastern & Western Caribbean cruises departing the Port of Miami from July 2010 through April 30, 2011. Hurry…book a balcony by August 8th 2010 with rates starting at $949.00 per person and get upgraded to a deluxe balcony! What are you waiting for…give us a call so we can book you on this wonderful new ship —- Norwegian Epic!
Tags: blue man group, Cirque Dreams, Epic, NCL, Nickelodeon, Norwegian Cruise Line, waterpark
Tags: Harry Potter, Orlando, Theme Park, Universal
Yes, I know it is July 5th…..However in watching the news and some of the entertainment shows over this holiday weekend I noticed that although they showed some of our history, it is just not the same as being there.
We have many tours that take in all of our Heritage sites in America. Our escorted tours run any where from 7 – 12 days and cover many different areas of the US. Since we are still celebrating our independence today – I will give you some information on our most popular tour for that area. It is a 10 day tour that begins in New York City. Here a local guide leads you on a fascinating tour of the “Big Apple.” You’ll see the Wall Street district, the Empire State Building, United Nations, Statue of Liberty, and other time-honored landmarks. A memorable visit to Ground Zero is sure to be a moving moment. Then we move on to Philadelphia “the birthplace of a New Nation.” Here the highlights are the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Independence Hall is rich in heritage as the location of both the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution. Then we will visit the Amish Country of Lancaster, the second largest Amish community in America. Here you will learn about their self-sufficiency and peaceful lifestyle. Journey on to Gettysburg, site of the Union victory that marked a turning point in the Civil War. Travel to Shenandoah National Park via the famous Skyline Drive, along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mtns. Next we will visit Monticello the home & gardens of our third U.S. President – Thomas Jefferson. From there you will travel to Colonial Williamsburg . Costumed re-enactors populate the streets and buildings, you travel back in time to 1770. This was one of my favorite stops in the area. Next visit Mount Vernon, the home of our first U.S. President – George Washington. This is a beautiful plantation and the home is filled with 18th century artifacts. From here we travel to Washington D.C. You will explore the world-famous Smithsonian. See the Hope Diamond and the actual Apollo 11 Command Module. You will visit Arlington National Cemetery to view the Tomb of the unknowns and the Kennedy gravesites. Visit the White House Visitor Center and tour the nations capital. Drive along Embassy Row and stop at the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial & the Korean War Memorial. There are so many things to see and do in each of these cities on the Heritage of America tour that I’m sure I have not mentioned them all. This is a wonderful tour and has departures each year March – November. Please give us a call if you are interested in this or a similar tour.
If you are short on time you can choose just one or two cities to begin with. We would be able to help you with getting a hotel in a good location & suggest or set up tours of the historic areas. We have been to most of these cities so we can give you first hand information on what to see and do and how long you need to spend in each area to see the things your interested in.
I am ridiculously excited about Universals new adventure theme park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I have always been a big Harry Potter fan and remember thinking multiple times that I wish I could visit that world even just for a day. When I first heard about Harry Potter at Universal I had the impression that they were only making a single Harry Potter themed ride. I had no idea that they had a whole park planned for us!
Unfortunately I was unable to be at the opening of the park on June 18th, 2010. But from what I have heard it has met and passed expectations of even the biggest fans. Who wouldn’t want to check out the Hogsmeade village or meet a couple of dementors?..and the butterbeer sounds fabulous. I plan on going for Halloween and cannot express how excited I am about this experience. Let me add that I will be wearing a costume, this is serious business. 
If you plan on going and want to take the booking stress away, feel free to give us a call. We would love to help book your hotel, flight, or anything else you might need. We can make your trip that much more MAGICAL.
Call: 239-542-2824
Is anyone else as excited about this as I am?
Leave a comment I would love to hear what you think!
Tags: Adventure, Harry Potter, Orlando, Rides, Theme Park, Universal
Thoroughly explore Tuscany. Spend 2 nights in Florence then 5 nights in Siena and you will have the chance to savor local flavors, tastes and sounds of this wondrous country. Tour includes Gourmet Cooking Lessons as well as visits to Wineries, Chocolate Tasting, Olive Oil Tasting, local sightseeing and much more. Give us a call if your interested in this area. We a variety of tours available for this beautiful region in Italy.
This is not the only area in Italy for a Food & Wine tour….there are many mouth-watering dishes that await you and many more Italian wineries that will beckon you.
Italy has so many wonderful cities that it will be hard to pick just a few to visit. I spent 14 nights on a cruise that went all the way around Italy and each and every city had its own special allure. Italy is enchanting and can be visited many times as it has the possibility of many different experiences from the culture, lakes, beaches, mountains, history and so much more. We invite you to experience the charm, treasures and warmth of Italy on one of our tours or cruises soon.
Score another victory for the Professional Full Service Travel Agency!
Ruthanne Terrero editor of Travel Agent Magazine writes, “I don’t think the value of a travel agent could have been any clearer than with the recent volcanic ash crisis in Europe, when millions of travelers were stranded for days on end.” Travel agents emerged as heroes to many travelers during this crisis and appear to have proven their value once again as the public reached out for help. The next time you compare an online or in home travel service with a full service travel agency – just think about who you would like to call if you were stranded far away from home with no relief in sight?
Many times I have clients ask me about rates they see online that they think are lower than what I’ve quoted them. In most cases there is a reason. They are either not comparing the same itineraries or the same class of service or even the same date….Many times the online rates are the bare bones and you will have extras added in after booking and or after arriving at your destination. A good travel agent will give you a complete package price so you know the bottom line up front and can make a good comparison between different vacations. The Internet is a great resource tool and it will help you narrow down some of your options, but you should always call and compare what you see online to what a full service agency can do for you.
Remember – it costs you nothing to call/email to compare!
Tags: Volcanic Ash
