Resorts versus Hotels

Resorts over Hotels
Why should I invest in or stay at a resort over hotels is the big question families are asking me all the time. The most important difference that every family should take into consideration is security. If you stay at a resort you will find out that most people are just like you. They are there with their family members on vacation having a wonderful time and bonding.

Another benefit of resorts over hotels is that the resort has several rooms including a kitchen. According to triple AAA a family of four vacationing will spend approximately $150.00 a day eating every meal out which comes to a $1,050.00 a week. Using the kitchen you could possible save $ 525.00 which could pay for your getaway saving you money you would normally pay for your accommodations.

Guests staying at a resort over hotels have many things to do besides the pool area. Things like horseback riding, miniature golf, game rooms, movies, bingo and many other things too numerous to mention in this article.

One of the main things family’s are likely to find at a resort is the people they meet there are really friendly, especially the staff who love to help the guests when they arrive. They welcome you to the resort and quickly get you booked in. A concierge will escort you to your condo, make sure that your room is ready and they give you a welcome package with discounts. They will then tell you the best locations for attractions and restaurants in the area.

Another great thing about 5 star resorts is peace of mind on what the accommodations are going to look like and are they clean, your money is well spent for just that one thing. Vacations are meant for making lasting memories not nightmares.
I will stop here as there are too many benefits of staying at a resort over hotels to mention and do not want to take any more surprises away from your vacation.

In all fairness I must say there are a few nice hotels out there and if you are alone or with one family member they might do given the fact that there are not resorts in every state of the union.
At hotels there are also families on vacations trying to have a good time that are all crammed into one little room. If they get hungry in the middle of the night they can walk down a lonely hallway to the candy machine as most have no refrigerator or stove.

There are other guests there that are not vacationing, and you always need to keep a watchful eye on everyone going up and down those hallways.

Because you only have one room you mainly keep your curtains closed over the one window you have in your room because that is your bedroom, and no one likes strangers looking into that room. Out of 24 hours you only use the room for eight of them but have to pay for the entire twenty four.

I am not going to go into this anymore but hotels had their day, and just like technology is constantly changing so are the way people vacation.

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Best 8 Places To Visit In Aswan

No part in the world can be compared by the beautiful city of Aswan; when you pay a visit to Aswan you will feel as you transferred to another planet while seeing the incomparable nature and landscape contributed by the Nile River. In the time of ancient Egyptian Aswan was known as "Sonw" which means "Market" where it was the trade center for caravans which came to Nubba, later on in the Ptolemy era it was known as "Sin" then called "Aswan" by Nubian people. Some called it "Gold City" because it was a great treasure or a tomb for Nubian kings who lived on its lands for thousands of years.

Aswan is a beautiful winter resort because of beautiful climate in the winter. It away of Cairo 899 Km and connected to by railway, land roads, Nile Cruises and domestic flights. The panoramic view of The Nile River in Aswan is distinguished by rocks and rounded islands surrounded by palms and plants in its heart. Enjoy walking on the wide Corniche of Aswan watching barks or having delicious meal in one of floating restaurants listening to Nubian Music and watching folkloric shows. You can also have a tour to the markets which are full of perfumes, spices and accessories stores.

The Best Places to visit in Aswan:

1. Kalabsha Temple

Kalabsha Temple back to the roman emperor Octavious August (30 B.C), it is one of the biggest sandstone temples in Nubba and was moved to its current position in 1970. The walls of the temple are covered by inscriptions of gods such as Isis and Osiris.

2. Temple & House of Ruler

It’s a rocky temple and one of five temples built by Ramses II in Nubba, it includes a courtyard, a hall and a chamber full of multi-colored inscriptions and Kings images in the battle.

3. Philae Temple

Relocated from its original place in Philae Island and combined in Angelika Island after building the High Dam. Today boats take visitors to "Angelika Island" where the current site of the temple and left them in the Hall of Nectanebo (the oldest part of Philae). In the north of the temple there is an outer hall surrounded by columns on the two sides to the gate of "Isis Temple".

4. Abu Simbel Temple

It is a unique archeological site in the heart of mountain south of Aswan consists of two grand temples sculptured in the rocks. It was built by Ramses II in 1250 B.C, the front of the temple consists of grand four statues and Ramses II statue which height is (20m2). The gate of the temple leads to chambers which lengths are 180 feet. Inside the temple there are six statues, four dedicated to Ramses II and two for his favorite wife Nefrtari.

5. Philae Island

It’s a fortress along Egyptian southern borders separated the Nile into two adverse canals in Aswan.

6. Plants Island

It’s a garden nearby Philae Island full of unique plants and trees imported from all over the world.

7. Angelika Island

The place in which Philae Temple was combined 500 m2 away of the original Philae Island. Sound and Light Show is made there by different languages.

8. The High Dam

Before building it, villages on the Nile banks were drowned in the time of floods in addition to monuments but after building it saved these villages from floods and created a new mode of irrigation "organized irrigation" the matter which provides more than one cultivation season in Egypt and enabled cultivation throughout the year.

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Smithsonian American Art Museum: Presenting a Fun, Online Classroom for Prepping Student Travelers

There are many art museums across the United States with notable collections. Yet only a portion of these museums specialize in American Art. It is true that many museums collect American art, but few focus solely on it. A student tour of Washington D.C. is greatly enriched with a visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. A visit to this comprehensive museum will expose students to American Art and artists.

Class preparation for a trip like this is important. Many teachers will want to incorporate blended learning exercises to pique student interest in the class trip to D.C. Prior to a visit, teachers will want to explore the rich, in-depth classroom activities available online. Visit http://americanart.si.edu/education/activities/online/index.cfm to review them all.

Teachers will love the prepared exercises. Students will learn about American art from different perspectives. There are classroom exercises that focus on different eras in American Art, evolving identities for various ethnic groups, and fun, mystery solving exercises that help students retain what they learn.

An example of an inspiring and interesting exercise is Meet me at Midnight. This imaginary adventure involves a folk art sculpture coming to life at night and mixing up the art in the museum. Students are tasked with setting things aright.

There are a plethora of ways to learn about art. One of the ways to do this is to immerse students in the stories of artists. Many of the artists featured in American Kaleidoscope emerge from working class backgrounds or specific ethnic groups and achieve greater recognition for their works through social movements, such as Chicano Rights, Black Rights or even Women’s Rights.

Selecting Del Corazón! is a way to immerse students in the experience of the Latino artist. This classroom exercise features bi-lingual interviews of artists. Plus, the interactive zoomify feature allows students to take a closer look at work by this important group of Americans.

In Cleopatra: Lost and Found, students will learn more about the intersection of art and history. The focus in this exercise is gaining a unique understanding of historical, literary and biblical figures celebrated in the art of sculpture.

For many art students, participating in classroom activities online will be stimulating and fun –but these exercises still do not compare to a real time visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Downtown Washington D.C. Teachers will want to combine the online learning with a real visit to see the exhibitions.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum was renovated from 2000-2005. The Renwick Gallery is a centerpiece of the work completed and it is a stunning example of architecture. This was actually the first building in the U.S. specifically built to be an art museum. An important part of the gallery that is not to be missed is the Renwick Gallery. Located right across the street from the White House - this building houses American craft arts. The current exhibition is called Wonder. This exhibition of large-scale installations includes well-known contemporary American artists.

Smithsonian American Art Museum continues to be a leader in art education across the United States. Since 2006, the Museum curatorial staff has launched 14 major traveling exhibitions of more than 1,000 pieces of art from its permanent collection. The Museum’s renovations left more time for curatorial staff to take a deeper look at the collection and send parts of it on tour.

There are plenty of reasons to take student groups on a trip to Washington D.C. For more information on a Student Art Tour of Washington D.C. or a general student tour of Washington D.C. that incorporates a visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

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Take a Student Tour Group to Philadelphia to Study Black History

A student trip to Philadelphia is an excellent opportunity to study African American History. The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) is the best starting point for the tour. The AAMP is the most definitive collection of African American art, culture and history and best describes the ever changing social fabric of African Americans that define the region. The native cultures of Africa are also honored here.

When founded, Philadelphia was a mixture of free slaves and indentured servants and the rules between each group were not clearly defined. At one time it was possible for a slave to be freed by his or her master, or to purchase their freedom. Thus Philadelphia evolved as an abolitionist city and a place where some African Americans moved freely

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is located at 7th and Arch Streets, in the heart of Downtown Philadelphia. After a morning trip to the Museum, student travel groups can have lunch in nearby Chinatown or at the Reading Terminal Market.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia
The African American Museum in Philadelphia houses far more than art. In fact it traces the lives and work of a wide diaspora of African Americans across the United States and their heritage in the Philadelphia region and in native Africa. There is usually a rotating exhibit in one gallery. A significant show from the Permanent collection is always on display in another gallery: Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876. The exhibition is interactive, with a narrated timeline that spans 100 years. Trailblazers from the African American Community are highlighted with video projections telling the story of their lives. These video narratives make history larger than life for students. There are other educational programs at the Museum as well. For teachers preparing students for the trip, expect exercises will be eye opening and told from a unique historical perspective. Visit: http://www.aampmuseum.org/education.html to learn more about Traveling Trunks, Iconic Images Mural Tour and the Passport to Culture Summer Youth Enrichment Program.

Barnes Foundation
The Barnes Foundation relocated from an estate in Merion, Pennsylvania, to Philadelphia several years ago. In order to satisfy Barnes’ will, which stated the art must be kept in the original mansion, those who designed the building’s interiors recreated them exactly as they were in the 1920s. The collection was displayed precisely in the same places inside the new building. The Barnes Foundation is next to the Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Albert C. Barnes is known for his collection of post-impressionist and early modern paintings. He also has an extensive African American collection of arts and practical items used in African cultures. Barnes felt the African Art to be a highly developed form. So, he collected figural sculptures, ceremonial masks, and domestic objects as well as those used in rituals and celebrations. The collection is worthwhile seeing on this tour. Many of these pieces of the African diaspora are now well documented by African American Art Scholar Christa Clarke, PhD.

President’s House Commemorative Site
A perhaps unknown facet about the President’s House in Philadelphia, which honors George and Martha Washington, is about the enslaved members of the household.
Altogether Washington brought 9 enslaved Africans to his three story mansion in Philadelphia, where he and Martha lived from 1790-97. President Washington was known to treat his slaves in his household well. Eventually he freed them in his will and donated money to the creation of the African Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas. Students of Black History will find this remarkable and important historical site to visit.

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
One of the first historically black and abolitionist churches in the new country was the Mother Bethel. A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia located at 6th and Lombard Streets. The first church was convened in 1794. In 1805, the building was expanded and the church leaders and congregation would become a leading force in fighting against slavery by helping those who escaped and were on the run. Beginning at its infancy, and as the decades wore on, the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church would be a leading force in abolishing slavery all together. Bishop Richard Allen constructed the first church and expanded the second while leading a congregation of black Christians and allies in a fierce anti-slavery movement. All students of black history will want to visit the Richard Allen Museum, which is part of the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church.

As any teacher can easily see, Philadelphia is a city rich in African American history, culture, politics and the arts. There are many more places to visit in Philadelphia, which celebrate black history, besides those noted here. Trip leaders and teachers may feel free to explore and suggest other places in Philadelphia that would enrich a black history tour.

For more information on taking a student group on tour of Philadelphia with black history as the focus, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

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Top 3 Places to Visit in Your Machu Picchu Tours

Greenery and landscapes with natural settings always wins every traveler’s heart. Add some ancient ruins, serene lake and rivers along with an opportunity to lay sight over some of the rarest flora and fauna and you have Machu Picchu, the land that gives out heavenly vibes. Taking Machu Picchu tours is necessary at least for once in a lifetime. No individual can ever afford to miss the magnificence it has to offer and more importantly, you get an opportunity to get one with the nature.

To make the most of your Peru trip, it becomes obligatory on the part of the traveler to shortlist all the sightseeing spots that hold utmost significance. You may touch your tongue and elbow but you will be having a hard time trying to choose locations in Peru. It is because every site has its own Peruvian flavor and exploring each one of them shall simply make you hungry for more. For this purpose, bearing the following things in mind is an easy way to make your Peru trip a memorable one:

Top Three Must-Visit Places in Peru

1. Visit the Jaw-Dropping Amazon Forest

You might have come across many facts about the Amazon forest even in your school days. The Amazon Forest has some of the most unique and blissful landscape setting that can be found nowhere. Exploring the forest and its wildlife can be the perfect treat for those who have the nature’s instinct hidden in them. There are tour agencies in Peru that arrange aerial trips for travelers to discover Amazon forest from the skies. There are also train trips and boat trips made available which prove to fascinating options for travelers to experience the best of greenery.

2. The Interesting Inca Trail

Paying a visit to Peru but failing to take Inca trail tours can be the biggest mistake a traveler could ever make. The Inca Trail is considered the most popular trekking spot in South America and is rated amongst the top five in the world. Travelers can approach tour agencies and sign up for tour packages that cover distances from Inca trail to Machu Picchu. It is estimated that the land stretches for about 26 kilometers and the travelers get to explore a combination of many interesting things right from cloud-lush forests to precisely carved sculptures and ruins.

3. The Serene Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley located at the Andes Mountain is considered as a significant spot as it once served as an important piece of land for the Incan Empire. The Sacred valley is has commanded huge respect and love from the travelers for its exceptional geographic and weather conditions. The place has a number of ruins and taking path drawn to different places that originate from this spot is sure drive your senses go berserk with great views to catch.

The listed sightseeing spots are some of the most appreciated and visited locations in Peru. However, there are tons of other locations as well which has its own aura. Signing up for Peru travel packages by approaching local travel agencies and garnering information from the experts are an easy way to make your Peru trip more memorable.

Sungatetours is a renowned travel agency involved in offering Peru travel packages for travel enthusiasts from across the globe. Sungatetours aims at enhancing the experience offered to travelers in a unique manner via their diversified travel packages that covers exceptional sightseeing spots.

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Fishing in Bimini

The Bahamas fishing scene is world-renowned for the rich history it carries and the incredibly diverse marine life that populates its waters to this day. Of all the 700 islands that encompass the archipelago of the Bahamas, Bimini is the one destination that attracts sports fishermen from around the world, firmly holding its title as the Big Game Fishing Capital of the World. Sitting on the edge of the Gulfstream and the westernmost edge of the Bahamas, Bimini is the perfect location for access to the tropical north-flowing current of warm waters, replete with fish of all varieties. Conditions for fishing in Bimini are perfect year-round, making it a highly popular destination for fishing tournaments and events. More than 50 record-setting catches have been made in the waters that surround Bimini, not to mention the 1993 record tuna weighing a staggering 971 pounds.

Bimini’s vibrant marine life has always been a major attraction for visitors, including the revered American novelist, Ernest Hemingway. He spent many seasons of the 1930s exploring Bimini and finding inspiration for his novels within the deep blue waters that surround the island. Hemingway spent his days sailing the waters on his boat, the Pilar, searching for the perfect catch of marlin, tuna, and swordfish. Many of his most famous works were taken from his experiences out on Bimini’s waters, including To Have and Have Not, The Old Man and the Sea, and Islands in the Stream.

Both amateur and avid fishermen will find their slice of heaven within the enchantingly colorful marine life that rushes through Bimini’s warm currents. The list of fish that can be sought is truly endless: blue and white marlin, sailfish, swordfish, wahoo, kingfish, mackerel, tuna of all kind, Oceanic Bonito, bonefish, permit, tarpon, amberjack, grouper, snapper, barracuda, and more.

There’s no better source of fishing wisdom than from locals who are immersed in the waters of Bimini daily; that’s why we’ve reached out to Jonah Hepburn III, a local fisherman, to find what makes the island of Bimini his most prized fishing paradise.

Resorts World Bimini: How many years have you been a fisherman, and would you say that Bimini is a top-rank destination for fishing?

Jonah Hepburn: I’ve been fishing for the past ten years; 3 years ago I put down my rod and reel, picked up a spear and never looked back! Yes, Bimini definitely is a top-ranked destination for fishermen of all experience levels.

RWB: What has been your greatest catch in Bimini, and do you have a particular fish that you are still chasing?

JH: My biggest catch would have to be a 23.6 lb mutton snapper that I shot in 20 ft of water less than two miles west of the island. As far as hunting a particular type of fish goes, I am after the species that offers me the greatest challenge. Whether it be big groupers hiding in deep ledges and caves or the elusive mutton snappers that push your breath holds to the very limit.

RWB: What sets Bimini apart from any other place for fishing?

JH: The one thing Bimini has over all other fishing destinations is its location. Having the Great Bahama Banks to the east and the Gulfstream to the west, the waters of Bimini are nutrient rich. The waters provide not only numerous reef structures for fish to live, but also excellent feeding grounds. Having the deep waters of the Gulf Stream so close to its shores means that large schools of pelagic fish are not very far away. These factors and a few others help to create an angler’s utopia.

RWB: In your opinion, what is the tastiest fish you have ever tried and how do you prefer your fish cooked?

JH: Hands down the tastiest fish I have ever tried would be the Hog Snapper. Ceviche would be my favorite way to prepare freshly caught fish.

RWB: What is the most interesting story that you can share of your time out there in the Atlantic Ocean, and what advice can you give to anyone that is interested in a fishing excursion in Bimini?

JH: Two years ago I shot my very first Nassau Grouper in a small cave two atmospheres deep. On the surface as I began preparations to go back and retrieve my catch, I had the misfortune of watching an 8ft green moray eel devour my grouper in the most vicious of ways, leaving me with a broken heart and a bent shaft. The best advice I can offer to anyone looking for a fishing excursion or any nautical experience in Bimini is to get out and make it happen! Find a guide that’s knowledgeable and experienced who can offer a safe and fulfilling trip. Moreover [and] most importantly, enjoy every moment of paradise.

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Bimini Popular Attractions

What’s the secret to a perfect Bahamas vacation? Adventure. Bimini is filled with opportunities for sightseeing, exploration, and stories of the island’s history. Bimini is made up of a chain of islands only 53 miles east of Miami. Nicknamed the "Big Game Fishing Capital of the World," Bimini offers world-class fishing, incredible scuba diving, and beautiful displays of nature.

Bimini’s mangroves are one of the island’s most beautiful natural preserves. As the only mangroves in the western Great Bahama Bank, they are widely known as one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. The area is filled with a large variety of marine animals, including many endangered species. On any given day, you could see the Nassau grouper, smalltooth sawfish, hawksbill turtles, kirtland’s warblers, loggerhead turtles, great hammerhead sharks, and the Bimini boa.

Through the Bimini mangroves lies one of the island’s most popular natural wonders, The Healing Hole. Guests are invited to swim in the mineral rich water. In order to reach the spring, visitors will have to walk through acres of trees and creeks. The walk is well worth it, as the waters are believed to have healing qualities.

The waters of Bimini hold more than just amazing displays of nature, they also hold artifacts and tales of Bimini’s past. Bimini Road is a rock formation that is completely underwater near North Bimini Island. The rock formation is half a mile long and is made from limestone blocks. Some say it has mystical origins. J. Manson Valentine, Jacques Mayol, and Robert Angove discovered this formation in 1968. Legend has it that Bimini Road was once a road system of the Lost City of Atlantis, which according to popular belief, sunk into the sea thousands of years ago.

Another popular attraction in the long list of Bahamas activities is The Dolphin House. Established in 1993 by local author Ashley Saunders, the house is made from reclaimed items from local beaches. The house shows how the island of Bimini truly treasures its natural materials. Visitors can join daily walking tours led by the Saunders family.

One of the most popular attractions on the island is The Bimini Museum. Founded in 1995 and opened in 2000, the museum went through a five-year period of restoration and funding before opening to the public. Visitors will find pictures, artifacts, relics, and memorabilia of the island’s history. Together it all tells the story of Bimini’s rise to a top vacation destination. Two popular items currently on display are a 1964 immigration card of Martin Luther King Jr. and Ernest Hemingway’s fishing logs.

One of the island’s most prized artifacts is The Fountain of Youth. According to legend, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain on the island of Bimini. Unfortunately, he failed to discover the site. The fountain was later discovered by locals and is believed to carry the power to restore youth to those who bathe or drink its waters.

Visitors are invited to tour the site to see if the legend is true.

Looking to explore the stunning nature of the island? The Bimini Nature Trail is a great way for visitors to hike through the area and discover a large variety of native plants and animals. Visitors can take a guided tour of the natural trail and learn about the animals that live throughout the area.

Many travelers enjoy shopping when they are on vacation and the Bimini Straw Market is the place to go. It is located next to the Bahamas Custom Building and there are many vendors selling their handmade crafts and goods.

Any visitor that enjoys the water will love visiting the Sapona wreck. The ship was blown to the area by a hurricane during the 1920s, and now lives deep below Bimini’s waters. Both divers and snorkelers can swim and explore the wreck. If visitors are interested in spending time with Bimini’s larger sea creatures, swimming with the island’s dolphins is an absolute must. The dolphins crowd the area between March and September, providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

The history and the legends of the island of Bimini are available for all to explore. No matter which excursions fill your itinerary, from scuba diving shipwrecks, to tasting Bimini’s delicious dishes, to exploring the artifacts within the Bimini Museum, there’s no doubt that Bimini is the perfect destination for an unforgettable Bahamas vacation.

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