Cape Cod Family Hotels - Take a Ride on a Piece of Cape Cod History

Do you remember what it was like having the wind blow through your hair, the bright lights and music as you ride high atop a colorful horse? I'm talking about a carousel ride of course!

Families have enjoyed Cape Cod family vacations for many years and their fondest memories are of the carousel rides (which are quite popular on the Cape).

Factoid

Did you know carousel horses were once used to train cavalry soldiers?

The Cape relishes in the history of carousel rides. You can find them at the Cape Cod Carousel and Funhouse Arcade, Island Carousel at Cape Cod Mall and the Flying Horse Carousel in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard - just to name a few.

The Flying Horse was built in 1876 by Charles Dare and is the oldest carousel in the U.S. - it only costs $1.50 for a ride and kids and adults love it.

Ride For Free!

The hand carved carousel at Heritage Museum and Gardens is another historic carousel. It was crafted in 1912 by Charles Looff and rides are free with museum admission.

A Cape Cod family vacation is perfect for kids because there is so much to do. Countless families spend summers throughout the Cape and never run out of fun things to do.

* The Zooquarium
* Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
* Whale watching
* Seal watching
* Water Wizz Water Park
* Bonkerz Indoor Playcenter

This is a just a jumpstart on what's to do on the Cape. All Cape Cod hotels have a list of Cape and area attractions and activities. Just ask the front desk.

Bring Out The Kid In You

Whether you have busy toddlers or teenagers on the go, there is something that will even bring out the kid in you. There's nothing like feeling like a kid again and doing things that trigger great memories of days gone by.

The Cape is a place that can do that for you, right down to the beaches. Even if you've never step foot on a coastal shore sandy beach before in your life, it will call in that inner peace inside of you.

Continue Reading...

What Kind of Hotel Or Holiday Accommodation is Right For You?

These days, there is a dizzying array of choices when you jet off on holiday, reflecting a variety of price ranges and target consumers. But figuring out which type of accommodation would be best for you can be tricky and time-consuming, particularly if you're not totally sure what you want yourself. Of course, it's always good to pause for a few minutes and really think about your wants and needs. What kind of traveller are you? What kind of destination are you heading off to? Who are you going with? What is your budget? If the answer still doesn't become clear, read on...

A hostel may be best for you if...

-you are travelling alone and looking to meet new people
-you are sociable
-you don't have a strong need for private space
-your budget is quite low

Hostels can have a bad reputation, but they are actually very flexible and affordable. Indeed, you need not stay in a single room, although that is still the norm. Ask around and you may find hostels offering double rooms suitable for couples or even families.

Hostels tend to be popular with younger travellers, but attract an even mix of people. Thus they can be great for solo travellers and people eager to meet new friends. Staying in a dorm-style environment gets people chatting, sharing tips, helping each other out...which can be a great atmosphere.

Additionally, many hostels have a communal kitchen. If you are on a low budget, it can be great to know you can just whip up a big batch of pasta instead of forking out for expensive fast food or restaurant fare.

A hotel may be best for you if..

-you have no particular preferences
-you do want your own private space
-you have extra luggage
-you want a bit of luxury
-you're planning to spoil yourself or someone else

Hotels vary greatly in quality, although overall they still tend to be quite a lot more expensive than hostels. However, if the communal style of hostels isn't your thing, a one or two star hotel may fulfil your needs. Clearly, if you're really in need of some pampering or you're treating a loved one, you'll probably want to splurge.

However, make sure you check out hotel reviews online before booking to avoid nasty surprises. Consider hotels below your required star rating or budget as well - you may find them just as good as higher starred hotels, but missing a few extras that you don't really need.

Couchswapping may be the way forward for you if...

-you are social, gregarious and confident
-you want to experience a destination as close to how locals see it as possible
-you relish the idea of making new friends
-you're not afraid of 'roughing it' if need be
-your budget is very low

Couchswapping has gained popularity recently, although it tends to be reciprocal in nature. The basic idea is people offer space in their homes: a couch or bed if you're lucky, and you head off to stay. It's good manners to bring a gift and make an effort with your hosts, of course. Although slightly frightening, this is a great way to meet people and really experience a destination rather than skimming through all the touristy spots rather than getting to the heart of the place. If you decide to take the plunge, make sure to read the security guidelines beforehand.

Houseswap

-you want your creature comforts
-you're actually quite nosy...
-it doesn't bother you that strangers will be using your place too
-your budget is fairly limited

Houseswapping is a daunting prospect, and you definitely want to make sure you have your valuables securely stored away, but it can be a great option. For little to no cost, you can have your cake and eat it. You get far more privacy than in a hotel and in addition you have a kitchen, television and computer free of cost (unless your hosts are very behind the times).

Rental

-you want your creature comforts but you don't want anyone rooting through your house!
-you'd rather be able to prepare your own food than be forced to eat out
-you have a fairly high budget
-you like your privacy

Rentals can be quite expensive, but they also offer a lot of benefits. You have security and privacy, for one, as well as total freedom in terms of what you do, where you go and how you eat. In fact, if you do decide to use the cooking facilities then you could save yourself a bundle that would otherwise have been on dining out. Again, check out rental property reviews before you book. Many places look great on paper but can conceal nasty surprises. Hotel and rental comparison sites are a godsend in this case.

Continue Reading...

Famous Luxury Hotels Around the World

The idea of staying in luxury hotels is something that many of us find very attractive. There are some truly impressive luxury hotels around the globe and in this article we're going to look at some particularly special ones. From golden taps to the finest cuisine on the planet, the experience of staying in one of these places is nearly always very special.

The Savoy, London

This world famous hotel opened on the 6th August, 1889. It has 263 rooms, many of which overlook the Thames or otherwise have impressive panoramic views across the capital city. The hotel has actually been closed since December of 2007 - and it is thought will open sometime this summer. The hotel has featured in many films and works of fiction; one famous film it appeared in is The Long Good Friday, starring Bob Hoskins. Certainly one of the most desirable luxury hotels.

Le Bristol Hotel, Paris

Another one of the world's most famous luxury hotels is Le Bristol, located in the heart of the French capital. Aesthetically, the hotel is a blend of Carrara marble and Gobelin tapestries. It also has a wide selection of 18th and 19th Century paintings - which are thought to have charmed some of the most beautiful women in the world. Famous personalities such Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe have stayed here and been reportedly amazed by the understated opulence of this old hotel.

The Plaza Hotel, New York

In its time, the Plaza Hotel was a big building - but over the years it has been gradually surrounded by modern tower blocks and skyscrapers. It is still, however, one of New York's most famous luxury hotels. On its opening night, a room would have cost a modest 2.50 US dollars. Today the same room would cost around 3750 US dollars. This hotel, together with the Waldorf-Astoria, is the only hotel to be designated as a National Historic Landmark. It is located on the corner of 5th Avenues and 59th Street in Manhattan.

There are of course, a great many other top class, 5 star hotels around the world that offer these kind of facilities. But the selection 3 hotels above are a little special because of their history and the fact that they were among the first hotels to offer this level of service and comfort for their lucky guests. From London to Paris to New York - and many other cities besides - the choice of luxury hotels means that the well heeled can find great digs wherever they go.

Continue Reading...

Gold Coast Accommodation - Everything You Need to Know

The Gold Coast accommodation has been a growing popularity amongst all kinds of tourists because of its diversity. The Gold Coast is full of choices for all ages. There are of course water activities - surfing, snorkeling, diving, swimming, cruising, fishing and using of water sport equipments. Otherwise, there are land and wildlife activities for the more adventurous. There is also a very vibrant music and night life in the Gold Coast. A vacation in G - C would surely be a time well spent as you would never run out of things to do.

You must first choose though the location where most of your preferred activities would be easily accessible. There's the Surfers Beach side which have the famous Q1 resort and some cheap apartments. There's of course the Main Beach area which has both the most and least expensive Gold Coast accommodations for tourists. There is also the Broadbeach side where there are 100-dollar to 550-dollar accommodations per night. If you want to splurge, go ahead and enjoy their pride - the Sierra Grand Resort and Spa.

There are also few accommodation options in the Burleigh Heads. The more affordable one is the Burleigh Palms Holiday Apartments or the most premiere in the area - Indigo Blue, which costs just a little over 200 dollars a night. If not in these areas, there is the Mermaid Beach area where coffee shops and no-high-rise-building policy exists. Otherwise, enjoy green-carpeted land in the Hinterland accommodation options - an hour drive from the beach.

Continue Reading...