How To Take A Luxury Vacation

by: Zenobia Peoples



You’ve reached the voicemail of Zenobia Peoples. I’m away from the office and will be unavailable to the phone beginning Friday, February 29, through Tuesday March 18. During this time I will not be checking messages. Therefore, if your call is urgent, please dial 0 to speak with the operator and you will be directed to someone else.

But wait a minute. Since you called me, I just want to tell you where I’ll be for the next three weeks. Tomorrow morning I’m boarding a plane to Hawaii. My bags are packed and I am ready! In fact, my entire family is ready. Everyone is going except our beagle, Max.

We’ll stay three weeks on three different islands, relaxing, touring, swimming and just plain chilling. We’ve rented fully staffed villas on each island and also arranged for drivers so that we can tour the islands at our convenience.

We have a chef on staff at each house also, but I still made a few dinner reservations, so that we can check out some restaurants that have been recommended to us. I could go on, but I’ll just tell you more upon our return.

Yes, this is a fairly costly vacation, given the accommodations that we’ll use. But life is short. So why wait? And because of additional money that I’ve earned with my online travel agency, http://www.traveruscashmachine.com, we have the extra funds to travel first class. Plus it doesn’t hurt that I can write the entire vacation off our taxes when we come back home because of my travel agency business! See you when I get back to work.


About The Author
Zenobia Peoples is a wife, mother and works as a trial lawyer. she also owns an online travel agency. For more informaton, go to http://www.traveruscashmachine.com

Presenting: Niagara Falls Tourism - One Wonder After Another

by: Susanne Pacher

In early December of 2007 I decided to embark on a three day winter getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario. In order to explore the city in the best possible way I contacted the experts at Niagara Falls tourism to help me work out a comprehensive itinerary to explore the many facets of Niagara Fall. Their travel specialists helped me put together a packed schedule that exposed me to many interesting sights and activities in this unique city.

My three-day adventure included a thrilling helicopter sightseeing tour, an encounter with nature at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and at Bird Kingdom, the world's largest aviary. I sampled culture and entertainment in a magic show at the Greg Frewin Theatre and a musical production at the Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Theatre.

I also got up close to the majestic Niagara Falls, viewed them from the Skylon Tower and saw an Imax movie called "Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic" which presented an interesting dramatization of Niagara Falls' colourful history. I also checked out some of the actual vessels used by real-life daredevils who went over the Falls and explored the tunnels that take you behind the big cascade of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the Journey Behind The Falls experience.

Naturally I sampled some of Niagara Falls hospitality offerings: from my convienent accommodation at the Best Western Cairn Croft to the cozy luxury of the Kilpatrick Manor Bed and Breakfast to a variety of culinary experiences, I got a good idea of Niagara Falls' broad tourist offering. And of course I explored Clifton Hill - Niagara Fall's most popular tourist promenade with its gift shops, wax museums, haunted houses, restaurants, hotels and themed attractions.

I even partook of the gambling experience at the Fallsview Casino Resort, a giant top-modern mind-boggling gaming, shopping and entertainment complex. There were so many more things on the list that I could have done, but three days were simply not enough to sample it all.

To help you with your own plans for a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, here is an interview with Anna Pierce, the Executive Director of Niagara Falls Tourism who has graciously agreed to provide a general overview of Niagara Falls and everything it has to offer:

1. Please provide us with some general information about Niagara Falls, Ontario. Where is it located and how can I get there? How big is the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario? How do I get around the city?

Niagara Falls is located between Lakes Erie and Ontario sharing a border with New York State. To get to Niagara Falls from the United States, visitors can travel by car over one of three bridges: The Rainbow, Peace or Queenston-Lewiston Bridges. Three international airports service the area: Buffalo in the US, Hamilton and Toronto. Buffalo and Hamilton airports are approximately 40 minutes drive and Toronto is just over one hour away. Via Rail/Amtrak also provide service directly into Niagara Falls.

2. Niagara Falls has a very interesting history. Please give us a brief historical overview of this unique city.

Niagara Falls was first brought to the attention of the European explorers when Father Hennepin was shown the wonder by Native Americans. It was named the Honeymoon Capital of the World after Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother spent his honeymoon here.

Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel. She was hoping this feat would make her rich and famous. She died penniless. Since then, several attempts have been made to conquer the Falls. Unfortunately, more have failed than succeeded – they never lived to tell the tale. Attempting any such daredevil exhibitions now is illegal and comes with an extremely hefty fine.

Several battles of the War of 1812 (the only war the American Army ever lost) were fought here. Laura Secord, a settler's wife, played a prominent role in that war – before the chocolate company made her famous. She overheard US troops planning an ambush against the British and walked over 20 miles in enemy territory to inform British Troops of the impending attacks. Although she received little recognition for her heroism during her lifetime, today Laura Secord is considered to be a Canadian folk hero.

3. Please tell us about one of the most significant attractions in Niagara Falls - the majestic waterfalls themselves. What makes them special and how can I experience them?

Our Falls are special in so many ways, but the most important is the sheer volume of water that flows over the brink. 600,000 gallons per second, in fact. The Falls is NOT the tallest in the world. It only measures 170 feet deep and 2200 feet wide. The best way to experience the Falls is to make sure you view it from ABOVE, BELOW AND BESIDE. Aerial views via tower or helicopter show how it all works. The Maid of the Mist provides the absolute best vantage point below the brink and the Journey Behind the Falls or Table Rock Point give you the best possible view from beside the Wonder. You have to experience all three to truly understand just how spectacular the Falls are.

4. What type of sightseeing opportunities do I have in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers a wide variety of Sightseeing Opportunities that centre around the Falls as well as many other wonders. We offer Winery Tours featuring Niagara’s World renown ice Wines, biking and hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, wildlife viewing at Marineland, ZOOZ, the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the Bird Kingdom, gaming at one of two Vegas-style Casinos. You name it, we have it.

5. Niagara Falls also has a number of attractions that appeal to nature lovers, featuring birds, butterflies and elaborately designed parks and gardens. Please provide us with further information about these attractions.

I would suggest checking out the following websites for more information on these great attractions:

www.niagaraparks.com
www.niagarafallsaviary.com

Most of the gardens in the Niagara Parks system can be accessed free of charge. For example, their School of Horticulture, the Greenhouse Collection, Queen Victoria Park, and many others.

6. What kind of museums and locations of historic interest does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer?

We have several museums in and around Niagara Falls. The Clifton Hill area is filled with many novelty museums including Louis Tussaud’s, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Guinness World Records Museum and a few haunted houses sprinkled in. The Lundy’s Lane Historical Museum houses memorabilia from the War of 1812. One of the battlefields of that war is also located on Lundy’s Lane and is said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Canada. The Laura Secord Homestead is also open to the public as are two forts – one in Niagara-on-the-Lake and one in Fort Erie. Both were strategic outposts for British troops fighting the attempted invasion from the US.

7. Niagara Falls, Ontario, offers many opportunities to travellers who like the casino and gaming experience. Please tell us more.

Niagara Falls is home to two Casinos: Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort. The Fallsview Casino is a showpiece in and of itself. It houses over 3000 slot machines and 150 game tables, world-class big-name entertainment in the Avalon Ballroom, and great shopping in the Galleria Mall.

8. What other entertainment options and attractions does Niagara Falls, Ontario, have to offer? What are some of the main entertainment areas? What about theme parks?

Clifton Hill offers great family entertainment: museums, arcades, rides including the newest arrival: the SkyWheel (a ferris wheel which is a smaller version of the EYE in London with air conditioned and heated pods providing great views of the Falls).

Many of our hoteliers are opting to add or build indoor waterparks to add to their existing offerings. We have the Great Wolf Lodge Resort, Waves at the Americana Resort and the Sheraton on the Falls Fallsview Waterpark. All three provide visitors with indoor thrills for year-round fun. They each have several waterslides, a wave pool and the mandatory “Giant Bucket”. The Fallsview and Waves are both open to the public.

9. What options are there for nightlife in Niagara Falls, Ontario? What about theatre offerings, shows and special performances?

Nightlife is fantastic here in Niagara. In addition to the great outdoor and indoor pubs, clubs and karaoke bars, we have several great shows available. The Oh Canada, Eh? Dinner Theatre features great Canadian music paired with a fantastic dinner. Greg Frewin is a master magician whose show is sure to please the entire family. We also have several comedy shows and blockbuster performances at the Fallsview Casino.

10. Niagara Falls is embedded in one of Canada's most popular wine regions and the entire area is often referred to as the "Breadbasket of Ontario". Please tell us more about the areas surrounding Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Escarpment is located in the Niagara Fruitbelt. This area is some of the most fertile land in the country. We have a microclimate in the Niagara Region which is ideal for growing fruit. The temperatures in the Fruitbelt are generally 10 degrees less than the surrounding area. Frost is always a consideration. This is why you will see windmills in the middle of fields throughout the region. The windmills are used to break up the frost which is so dangerous to the fruit – especially grapes.

11. What types of festivals and special events highlight the yearly calendar in Niagara Falls, Ontario?

In September we celebrate the grape harvest with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. In winter, our Niagara Parks are illuminated with over 2 million twinkling lights. The Winter Festival of Lights is filled with animated lighting displays featuring Disney Characters. The celebration culminates with a free New Year’s Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park.

12. What type of accommodation options are available in Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls offers accommodation from 2 to 4 star hotels to bed and breakfasts from cottage rentals to campgrounds from budget to luxury.

13. Please describe the culinary options available in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Our signature culinary experience is, of course, Fallsview Dining. The Skylon Tower offers the best view from their Revolving Dining Room, but the Keg Steakhouse, a Cut Above and the Watermark Restaurant all boast excellent food with a view. Dining at the brink of the Falls is also available at the Table Rock House. In Niagara-on-the-Lake the vineyard cafes and restaurants are some of the best in Southern Ontario. The chefs in these restaurants pride themselves in offering recipes featuring meats and produce grown in the Niagara Region.

14. Please tell us about the shopping opportunities in Niagara Falls.

Canada One Factory Outlet, the Fallsview Galleria, the Penn Centre and Niagara Square Malls are all within 15 minutes of the Falls. Niagara-on-the-Lake has many quaint one-of-a-kind shops to choose from as well.

15. What outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities are available in and around Niagara Falls? How about golfing?

Niagara Falls has many hiking, biking and roller-blading trails. Water-based sports such as boating, sailing and fishing are also huge draws for us. Niagara Region is also gaining renown as Canada’s Golf Capital. We have over 48 Golf Courses – both public and private. Several are PGA quality and have been designed by leading course architects. John Daly and Greg Norman have both designed courses in the region.

16. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming up for Niagara Falls in 2008 and beyond?

The biggest news for Niagara Falls is the announcement of a new Convention Centre for Niagara Falls. The details are being finalized as we speak, but they should be breaking ground fairly soon. We are expecting the opening to happen some time in 2010. In short, it’s an exciting time to be part of Niagara Falls’ Tourism Industry.

Thank you, Anna, for your taking the time to provide us with this comprehensive information about Niagara Falls. You have given me some great ideas for a summer getaway and I look forward to visiting Niagara Falls again.


About The Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions. Travel and Transitions deals with travel to foreign countries and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travelers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features.
Check out some of Susanne's several hundred video clips at http://www.youtube.com/user/travelandtransitions from all sorts of exciting destinations (Cuba, Mexico, Sicily, Austria, Puerto Rico, the United States and Canada).
Life is a Journey – Explore New Horizons.
Please take advantage of her articles.

Safety Is High Priority in Selecting a Tour Bus Company

by: Robert Janis

Whenever travel on the highways is involved safety should be a top priority. That is no less so when selecting a bus company for your tour. Several elements are involved in the issue of safety when bus tour companies are concerned. They are: The condition of the bus itself The driver The length of time a tour bus company has been in business and that company’s safety record A bus tour company’s understanding of laws and regulations A company’s involvement in such organizations as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Its compliance to U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Defence regulations

The Bus

One issue that is up front for you to actually see is the tour bus itself.

The age of the fleet of buses used by a tour bus company should be considered. It should be obvious that the latest models of buses should be in the fleet. The latest, the better. Many companies like USA Bus Charter says that they replace their buses after 10 years of service. They also point out that there are bus companies that own buses that are as old as 25 years. In short, you don’t want the transportation you will be using to be too old. Inquire with the bus tour company about the age of their fleet.

If at all possible, go to the tour bus company and inspect their buses. Check the interior, the exterior and underneath. Look at the tires including the tread depth and examine the seat covers, dents, bumps, scratches and cleanliness. If all of that is not up to your standards, then it is possible that the company is not concerned with safety and appearance as a top priority.

If things look good after a visual inspection, don’t be afraid to ask questions concerning things you don’t see.

And that would be how often the buses are analyzed by the company’s mechanics. It is not uncommon for well managed tour bus companies to have their mechanics inspect things every time a bus returns to the garage.

The Driver

The driver of a tour bus, not the president of the tour bus company, is probably the most important employee.

When push comes to shove, it is the skills of the driver that assures that the bus gets to its destination on time and that the trip is safe.

Of course, you would expect that the driver has experience. Industry standards call for the driver to have at least three years experience. Some companies are stricter than that and call for them to have a little more.

This could be as much as five years or more. Of course, the more experience they have, the more skilled they are in driving the bus. But they are also knowledgeable of the routes they are expected to drive and would be well seasoned to be able to find alternative routes should the need arise.

An important element in assuring that you get to the destination on time.

You will want the driver to be emotionally balanced. It’s been said that there are three types of drivers (not necessarily bus drivers): the passive, the aggressive and the hostile. Of course, you want a driver who is passive. You would expect him to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, not speed, slows down when it is raining, drive with caution at night, etc.

You also want the driver to be alert when he is driving and drug free. To assure that drugs are not an issue there are laws the require companies test prospective drivers during the hiring process and then to administer random drug tests.

You want the driver’s schedule to be such that it doesn’t change his sleep patterns.

Commonly, drivers are expected to drive 10 hours. A driver who has a schedule of sleeping at night should stick to that. He should not be expected to drive all night. It is better to be safe and permit the driver to either share the duties with some one who could drive at night or allow him to pull the coach into a motel where he and the passengers can get a good night’s sleep before proceeding on a gruelling trip of let’s say 1,000 miles without rest.

Making certain that the passengers of the bus – that means you -- stays on their best behaviour is another perhaps overlooked responsibility of the driver. How you act can be a safety issue. It is not a bad thing for the driver to pleasantly remind passengers of such etiquette as remaining seated when the bus is in motion, move to the restroom by holding on to overhead racks,

handrails or headrests to assure good footing, never stand up before the bus has come to a stop, and activity that could prove to be distracting to the driver be minimized if not totally avoided.

A Company’s Record

The longer a company has been in business the better chance that it will be well managed and have a good safety record. The companies that don’t have a good safety record won’t be in business for any length of time.

One entity that assists you in the research of a company’s record is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov).

The organization’s website includes a safety and security page that provides you with all sorts of information including a safety database, a snapshot or profile of particular companies and safety initiatives.

Moreover, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Defence have regulations that tour bus companies are expected to follow. For example, the Department of Transportation requires tour bus companies to assure that their drivers are fully qualified. Companies that comply urge that their drivers have a current commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement, undergo a thorough physical and hold a valid medical certificate.

You can find out more by visiting the U.S. Department of Transportation website at http://www.ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Passenger/home.asp.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is involved in regulating motor coach safety because these companies are often used by military personnel and the DOD wants to make certain that their troops are safe. The DOD monitors the bus industry through the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC). This part of the DOD implements and maintains a “pre-qualification” process.

The DOD will not allow any bus company to transport military personnel until its buses have been inspected by the MTMC. The MTMC also analyze a carrier’s performance, reliability and responsiveness. The MTMC has a rating system using a scale of 1 to 5.The best rating is 1 and the worst is 5. Companies rated from 1 to 3 are approved to transport military personnel. More on the MTMC can be found at their website.

Finally, nothing is perfect. Things go wrong. The best companies, however, provide a mechanism to make the wrong right. To assure that such a remedy can take place, you should find out who to contact in the company when something does go wrong. Some companies equip their drivers with cell phones that permit them to call the company to help solve a problem that the driver can’t. Later, if you have a complaint or a comment you can call the designated employee who you can alert to a problem and who work with you to solve it.

The mission of a tour bus company is to provide you with a service that will make your tour as pleasant as possible.


About The Author
Robert Janis from IMG Coach specialises in writing articles relating to the automotive industry and Bus Tour in the US. Visit his website at http://www.imgcoach.com