When most people think of the Florida Keys, they think of Key West, Islamorada and the laid-back, “beach bum,” Jimmy Buffett-inspired lifestyle. But there is much more to this chain of more than 1,700 islands than the beach bars, Hemingway tributes and candy-colored cabanas. In fact, just about 70 miles west of where you’ll find the Key West resorts in Florida is one of the most unspoiled natural areas in the U.S.
Dry Tortugas National Park, comprised of seven islands surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, offers a unique combination of natural beauty and historic significance. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, these uninhabited islands represent perhaps the last undisturbed tropical ecosystem in America and are an ideal place to explore coral reefs and shipwrecks, as more than 99 percent of the park is actually underwater. However, the 140 acres of land within the park are also ripe for exploration, with white sand beaches, bird habitats, a deserted fort and several lighthouses.
While it takes a bit of effort to get to Dry Tortugas, one could argue that you haven’t truly been to the Florida Keys until you’ve explored this one-of-a-kind treasure.
Pirates, Explorers and Soldiers
While few people outside of the Florida Keys are even aware of the existence of the Dry Tortugas, the islands have played an important role in U.S. history. Because of their location right on the edge of the main shipping channel between the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, they were ideally suited to serve as a point of protection for U.S. shipping interests. While early Spanish explorers used the islands as a landmark in their travels — and legendary pirates are believed to have made stops during their own voyages to plunder — it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the U.S. military recognized the islands’ value to military strategy.
In 1846, the U.S. Navy began construction on Fort Jefferson, a sprawling installation that to this day remains the largest masonry building in the U.S.; more than 16 million bricks were used in the construction of the fort, which was never actually finished. The U.S. Civil War put a halt to the construction, but the completed portion of the fort was used as a military prison until 1874, after which the buildings were abandoned.
Because the waters surrounding the Dry Tortugas are among the most treacherous in the world for ships, thanks to the abundance of reefs, shoals, shallows and strong currents, there are literally hundreds of shipwrecks surrounding the islands. Several islands boast lighthouses, including Garden Key, Loggerhead Key and Fort Jefferson.
Exploring the Park
The vast majority of visitors to the Dry Tortugas arrive via seaplane or ferry, as it’s difficult for private vessels to get to the islands due to the distance from Key West, the dangerous waters and the limited docking areas within the park. Only boats with permission from the National Park Service may moor in designated areas around the park, but several companies offer daily excursions to the Tortugas each day, making it easy for visitors to experience this unique place.
While it is possible to camp at Dry Tortugas in the self-service campgrounds, there are no services on the island. That means that you must bring everything you’ll need for your visit with you, including food, snorkeling or diving equipment and camping gear, if necessary. Many first-time visitors opt to explore the park with an experienced tour guide or charter company. For example, several tour companies offer fishing or wildlife viewing expeditions that include transportation to the park as well as all of the gear you’ll need.
If you do opt to explore the park on your own, it’s important to plan ahead and learn which areas are open to the public and which are off-limits. Several of the islands, including Hospital Key and Long Key are closed to visitors, while Middle and East Keys are only open during the winter months to protect nesting seabirds. Weather is also a factor here; during the winter months, rough seas can make navigating the islands difficult, while hurricanes and severe storms during the summer are always a concern. Visitors should always check the weather before heading out to ensure they can safely explore the park.
Exploring Dry Tortugas National Park is a memorable experience for any visitor, and the perfect antidote to Margaritaville-overload. When you’re planning your next trip to the Florida Keys, plan to spend some time in this unique and scenic park, and experience what true deserted islands feel like.
Underwater imagery from Flickr’s Creative Commons by NOAA’s National Ocean Service
A country the size of the USA would take weeks, months, or perhaps years to explore fully, and most visitors will tend to concentrate their journey around a specific state, or a smaller locality. Explore the US with a car rental service, many companies will offer pick-up in one area, with drop-off in another, allowed the maximum variety in the trip and avoiding the necessity to retrace your route back to its starting point.
Boston and the New England area are popular destinations in the late summer and autumn, and the areas around Vermont, four hours or so to the north, are also popular winter sport destinations. Using Boston as a starting point, and striking inland, it’s only a few hours before you reach The Berkshires, in West Massachusetts, a heavily-wooded area of hills with many opportunities for walking, biking and hill climbing, as well as many cultural attractions. Tanglewood, near Lenox, is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and is also host to a variety of jazz and popular concerts in a season spanning June through August. Stockbridge is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum, dedicated to the works of one of America’s most famous painters and illustrators.
Although much of its original highway has been torn up and replaced or bypassed with modern interstate roads, it’s still possible to follow much of the original and iconic Route 66, from Chicago to Los Angeles. This takes you through the heart of the USA, through much of Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona, as well as cutting through smaller segments of Kansas and Texas, before ending up in California. There’s a wealth of heritage sites and attractions along the way, and a trip of this magnitude is likely to be a memorable one.
California offers a route following the west coast of the country, the Pacific Coast Highway, running from Crescent City and the Oregon border in the north, and connecting with San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego and the Mexican border in the south. The Pacific Coast Highway has a wide variety of tourist attractions along its route; redwood forests in the north, historic towns between Monterey and San Francisco, sunny beaches in the south, and of course, the attractions offered by the various cities and towns along the way. A little further inland, and around five hours or so from Los Angeles, are the bright lights of Las Vegas, just over the Nevada border. As well as the obvious attractions of the casinos, shows and resort hotels, Las Vegas, although some distance from the official Grand Canyon National Park, is a few hours from the western end of the canyon itself, and it’s possible to take in the Hoover Dam as well as a few canyon viewpoints in a single day trip.
To the south, Florida is home to some of the largest theme parks in the world, including Universal Studios Florida, Seaworld Orlando, and of course, the most-visited theme park in the world, Walt Disney World, subdivided into Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studio, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot, as well as a number of smaller entertainment venues. A road trip through Florida could also take in Kennedy Space Center, the launching point for all of NASA’s space exploration missions. Kennedy is around an hour from Orlando, and the visitor centre offers tours of the facility as well as displays and exhibits on the history and future of space exploration, and the Astronaut's Hall of Fame
Of course, a short article such as this can only hint at the scope of road trips that could be scheduled through America, and with many cities, airports and towns offering flexible services, US visitors and tourists have a wide variety of destinations and touring opportunities to choose from.
If you are planning a trip to New York and want to experience some vibrant and exciting nightlife, you should go to a cabaret show. Take a look below at some of the top cabaret venues New York has to offer.
Le Scandal
If you want to see circus, burlesque, and live music all in one place, all in one night, take a trip to Le Scandal. Le Scandal is a popular and longstanding New York variety show venue. There is an impressive cross section of performers including comedians, contortionists, acrobats, striptease, trapeze, jugglers, jazz singers, blues singers, sword swallowers and belly dancers. These fantastic performances are all scored against live music from the in-house orchestra.
Joe’s Pub
If you want opulence as well as entertainment, plan a visit to Joe’s Pub. This lavish velvet draped venue provides an intimate atmosphere and fantastic acoustics. Joe’s Pub is renowned for creating a space for emerging artists, as well as showcasing established performers. Amazing talent from all over the world regularly attract a number of A-list celebrities. Shows at Joes Pubs are diverse and have included cabaret, dance, world music, singer-songwriters, jazz, country, and indie performers. Due to its popularity, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance.
Don’t Tell Mama
Don’t Tell Mama is a world famous entertainment venue that has a piano bar, a restaurant and two cabaret showrooms. You will be spoiled for choice. The venue itself was established in 1982, and now features performances of music, comedy and spoken word that go on till the early hours of the morning. There is an open-mic policy in the piano bar, so if you want to get involved, you can be a part of the performance. You can catch a show any night of the week, and there are matinees on Saturday and Sundays.
The Box
If you want to experience titillating cabaret and burlesque performance, you need to go to The Box. This Twenties style venue has been compared to a three-ring circus, and oozes decadence. Guests are expected to follow suit and dress with glamour in mind. The popularity and extraordinary experience provided by The Box mean that tickets expensive. If you want to go, make sure that you book tickets that coincide with your visit. When you go, keep in mind that you are not permitted to use phones or cameras inside.
The Duplex
If you want to experience some old school New York lounge elegance, you need to go to one of the cities oldest cabaret theatres. The Duplex was established in the 1950’s and moved to its current location in the 80’s. The standard of performance here is high but accessible. There is a piano bar downstairs, and like Don’t Tell Mama, there are open-mic sessions where you can perform on stage. Upstairs you will find The Duplex, a small stage and a big party.
Photo by Thomas Leuthard via Flickr Creative Commons
Have you ever been on vacation somewhere particularly beautiful or unique and wished you had just that one extra thing or forgotten item to make it perfect? If so, you're just like everybody else! It's hard to know exactly what to pack for different vacations, so here are a few packing tips for specific destinations around the world.
The Caribbean
- An E-Reader - The Caribbean is full of breathtaking destinations, but in terms of day-to-day activity, vacations here are full of down time. For that reason, consider heading to Barnes and Noble to pick up a Nook e-reader to enjoy on the beach!
- A Day Bag - You'll probably want to spend whole days outside, lounging on beaches or exploring island towns. For this reason, a day bag is well worth including.
Major Cities
- Sunscreen - You think of this for a beach trip, but for cities it often goes overlooked. The truth is, however, it's very easy to get sunburned in a city, and this can ruin a trip.
- Contacts - While contacts are ideal for traveling, It is not a bad idea to prepare for the cities sights, as well as the dirty air that can irritate your eyes. Reading up on handy traveling tips before packing can help secure a vacation filled with memories and clear sightseeing.
Alps & Colorado Rockies
- Sunglasses - For a ski trip, sunglasses can be incredibly valuable. You may wear goggles on the slopes, but when you're lounging and the sun is glaring off the snow-capped mountains, you'll be glad you brought shades.
- A Bathing Suit - If your hotel includes a pool or hot tub, you'll love having a bathing suit. Nothing beats a heated outdoor hot tub on the side of the slopes!
Summer Mountain Ranges
- Binoculars - This one is self-explanatory, but binoculars are easy to forget. Capitalize on the gorgeous sights of an outdoor summer trip.
- Hiking Boots - You won't be comfortable in just your athletic shoes. Make the effort to find some hiking boots that allow you to really explore the terrain.
Mediterranean Towns
- Formal Attire - These towns - in the French Riviera, the Greek isles, etc. - may seem relaxed, but they're also jam-packed with luxurious spots where you'll want to show off your best attire. A trip to Men's Wearhouse before a trip to the Mediterranean isn't out of order.
- An Umbrella - In the spirit of luxury and relaxation, an umbrella for either shade or cool can be a nice accessory to have along. You may just enjoy a beautiful seaside café even more.
On Safari
- A Camera - Seems obvious, right? Not so fast! With smartphones taking over photography these days, many of us forget that actual digital cameras still take the best pictures. Bring along a camera to capture the incredible visuals you might see.
- Bug Spray - Another item that's an obvious accessory, but one that's so easy to forget. Depending on your specific destination, it may be hard to find the right bug spray once you're there, so be sure to pack this in advance to guarantee comfort.
This guest post was written by Michael Newton. Michael is a travel writer and freelance blog contributor.
Recent research from TripAdvisor showed that London is the seventh most expensive city in the world for tourists, but that doesn’t mean that visiting on a shoestring isn’t possible. By planning carefully in advance, travellers can ensure that their trip runs smoothly and stays on budget.
It can be easy to spend more than intended upon arrival if you are not well-prepared – it’s tempting to go into the nearest restaurant when your stomach is rumbling only to discover extremely expensive items on the menu, for example, while paying for theatre tickets at the last minute can be just as costly.
By creating a schedule beforehand and paying for your travel needs in advance, you can use your time more efficiently so that you get the most out of your holiday. This also limits the amount of cash you need while there, reducing the risk of overspending.
Restaurants
Eating out can take a big chunk out of your finances, so it’s a good idea to carefully plan where you want to go and determine what is affordable. It’s a good idea to check out early-bird, mid-week or set menus and time your visit accordingly in order to save cash.
If you require more flexibility, you should consider the Hospitality Line ‘dine as you please’ cheque scheme. This provides you with vouchers to redeem for meal and drink combinations at a variety of prestigious and well-located restaurants - they cover a range of cuisines to suit your mood.
Attractions
Buy tickets for attractions in advance and you might be able to save money and miss the queues. Look on the associated websites or purchase easy-to-redeem vouchers from specialist providers like Hospitality Line – the London Eye, the Shard and Madam Tussauds are just some of the must-visits across the English capital.
Transport
The sights of London span a huge area, so you would probably find yourself shelling out for bus, Tube and black cab rides if you arrived unprepared. However, there are a number of different ways to cut the cost of travelling around the English capital.
Carefully plan your schedule so that you visit nearby attractions and restaurants on the same day and you should be able to get around London by foot. Mark everything on a map so you can create the most efficient routes while taking in everything you want to see.
You can also buy Travelcards, which allow you to take as many trips as you like on the Tube or bus systems. This is a great option if you’re looking to pack in a lot of attractions in a short space of time – make sure you only pay for the zone and timescale you require in order to save even more money.
Photo by Duncan Harris via Flickr Creative Commons
Cruises might conjure ideas of tuxedos and ball gowns, lobster for dinner, and exotic, far-flung destinations, but this type of break has undergone a transformation, meaning that cruises are no longer restricted to the luxury market where you’re required to have a huge budget.
More travel specialists are now offering affordable cruising options, with Cruise Kings promoting some particularly eye-catching deals, meaning that this type of break might no longer be out of reach for those looking to tighten the purse strings. Make sure you don’t rule out this option when you are looking for a fantastic holiday for less.
Destinations
The destinations that a cruise liner visits will have a significant impact on the price of a trip, so thinking carefully about where to go could help you to seriously cut the cost. As a general rule, just as with flights, the further the locations, the more expensive the vacation is likely to be.
Travellers on a budget might therefore consider taking a cruise around the British Isles. This puts a luxurious and exciting slant on the traditional staycation, allowing you to visit a range of interesting locations and top attractions without the need to tackle the traffic on congested roads.
Cruising around the British Isles is a fantastic option for local families with young children, eliminating much of the stress associated with air travel and preventing the restlessness that families can experience when staying in one place for too long.
Holidaymakers wishing to travel further afield should consider western Europe – this is usually cheaper than going to the likes of the Caribbean, yet still allows you to immerse yourself in a range of different cultures and new experiences. You can still enjoy great weather too.
The length of your trip
An obvious way to cut the cost of a cruise is to make the trip shorter, and one of the best solutions is a mini cruise. Usually three or four days long, these holidays allow you to visit exciting destinations and give you a welcome respite from everyday life, much akin to a city break.
Mini cruises enable you to enjoy everything about a cruising experience – from looking out of your cabin porthole at the glistening sea to staying comfortable and relaxed while travelling to the next destination – at a much lower cost, and give a great taster of this kind of holiday to novices.
When to book your cruise
A great way to save money on a cruise is to book at the last minute – although this means you might not get the exact package you were wishing for, it does mean you can save huge sums on a trip that would have otherwise been out of your budget.
Of course, the opposite is also true – booking your holiday far in advance means you may be eligible for early bird discounts, so if you’re planning a trip in 2014, it’s a good idea to start searching now. Go outside of peak periods – such as school holidays – to secure the best prices.
Photo via Flickr Creative Commons
Photo via Flickr Creative Commons
Despite the common perception of student life being little more than parties and lying in bed until noon, most students work very hard at what they do to ensure they achieve the qualifications they need. It can be difficult going straight into college from school, particularly as it coincides with a period of time where most people begin to form their adult identities.
Having been in education for the best part of twelve or thirteen years it is no surprise that many people decide to take a break or gap year between finishing college and going into university. There are many benefits to taking a gap year beyond that of simply having a well earned break from the classroom and essentially it is a great opportunity to travel, meet new people and pick up important life skills.
Funding your trip
There are different ways to fund such a trip. One way is to save up money from a part-time job whilst studying (bar work usually fits relatively well around student commitments) for a year or so.
Taking a loan is another popular way to fund the cost of a gap year but some people embark on their journey with the intention of finding casual labour along the journey. Although a lovely idea it is an inherently risky and unreliable plan so it is important to make sure you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances and costs.
Carrying a credit card is a good way to cover yourself against any emergencies but not all credit cards are the same so make sure you choose one suitable for your needs. Take a look at the advance card online and see whether it is right for you.
Planning in advance
There is a lot to plan and the better planned your gap year is, the more you will get out of it. Beyond the obvious things such as booking the flights/travel you will also need to look into what visas are required as well as insurance, accommodation and most importantly healthcare arrangements and suitable vaccinations.
Giving back
Having established how to fund the gap year how about spending your time doing voluntary work aboard? There are countless projects and charities that operate in Ghana, Cambodia, Kenya, the Caribbean and almost every point in between and as well as the warm weather you will be able to significantly improve your CV and give something back to the world which you’re exploring.
Normandy! The name brings a dozen different images to mind: William the Conqueror, the D-Day landings, Mont-St-Michel; the bleak landscape of the Cotentin coast, the sparkling summertime playground of the Côte Fleurie; sumptuous châteaux, historic abbeys, famous gardens; the orchards of the Auge, the picture-postcard scenery of the Suisse Normande; Monet’s home at Giverny, the Cabourg immor- talized by Proust – or perhaps it’s cider, calvados and camembert. If you are coming from England, you can get to Normandy using one of the car ferries to France. But if you are coming from other parts of the world, a train or plane would probably be the most suitable option.
So given the above, it looks like no matter how much time you will designate to your holiday to Normandy, chances are, you will barely scratch the surface of this rich and rewarding region. But if you are short of time here are the top 3 picks.
So given the above, it looks like no matter how much time you will designate to your holiday to Normandy, chances are, you will barely scratch the surface of this rich and rewarding region. But if you are short of time here are the top 3 picks.
Mont-St-Michel
One of the most spectacular sights in Normandy, this craggy rock crowned by a magnificent abbey appears to erupt from the surrounding landscape – a broad expanse of sand or sea, depending on the dramatic tides. The region’s star attraction since pilgrims first flocked here 1,000 years ago, it now draws some three million visitors each year – and has perhaps 50 true inhabitants.According to legend, St Michael, the archangel, appeared three times in a dream to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, commanding him to build an oratory on Mont Tombe (tomb on the hill). When Aubert delayed, the impatient archangel prodded a finger into Aubert’s forehead, leaving a dent. Aubert’s church rapidly became a centre of pilgrimage for the miquelots, followers of the cult of St Michael, which had taken root in the West in the 5th century.
The brightly gilded statue on top of the abbey spire, sculpted in 1897 by Emmanuel Frémiet, portrays the archangel in traditional fashion (below). Armour-clad, he is slaying a dragon (symbol of the devil) with his sword. In his other hand he carries a set of scales - a reference to the medieval belief that it was his role to weigh the souls on Judgment Day. The Archangel Michael is the warlike angel of the Apocalypse, who slays the devil – in the form of a dragon – in the great conflict at the end of time. In Normandy, he is the patron saint of mariners.
Bayeux Tapestry
Both a unique historical document and an astonishing work of art, the Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 – and it tells it with thrilling narrative drive. Stitched in eight brilliant shades of red, yellow and blue wool, the 58 strip-cartoon-style scenes were embroidered just 11 years after the Conquest onto a single 230 ft (70 m) linen cloth – at the behest, it is thought, of William the Conquerer’s half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. It is displayed in a renovated seminary, preceded by helpful explanatory exhibitions.
A slide show projected onto billowing white “sails” describes the Viking invasions of western Europe. Next, echoing the Tapestry itself, an 85 m (280 ft) band of cloth explains the story told by the embroidery. Using life-size figures, maps and scale models (including a delightful model of the village of East Meon), William’s
influence on every sphere of English life after his conquest is cleverly portrayed.
Honfleur
Seductively pretty, with cobbled streets and half-timbered or slate-fronted houses, Honfleur is a working port with a long maritime history. First mentioned in documents of the 11th century, by the 15th it had become a significant fortified port. Its heyday came some 200 years later, when it spawned intrepid explorers like Samuel de Champlain, who set out from here to found Québec. Le Vieux Bassin, the charming old dock at the heart of the town, is brimming with colourful sailing boats; artists have flocked here since the 19th century.Turner, Corot, Courbet, Daubigny, Dubourg, Jongkind, Monet and the Impressionists, the Fauves, Dufy, Friesz – these and countless others were drawn to Honfleur by the special quality of light in the Seine estuary, the unspoilt medieval town, and the beauty of the surrounding countryside – the same reasons that Honfleur has a thriving artists’ colony today.
Normandy is a culturally rich region and it is definitely worth spending some time here. And budget restriction should certainly not stop anybody from visiting. Although getting from England to France by train can be expensive, and to be honest, not very interesting (ok, maybe once for the sake of ticking the experience off your bucket list), a far more interesting choice is taking a cheap ferry to France. It doesn't take that long either, and it can be a relaxing time spent in good company. I've always found ferries to be quite charming and the idea of being surrounded by water (maybe watching a beautiful sunset at the horizon) sounds simply magical. It can be a surreal experience. All you need is to let go and enjoy. By the time you will get to France, you will already be in the right mood for your holiday.
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