Few places on planet Earth capture the idea of a romantic honeymoon getaway as the magical wilds and waterways of Chincoteague Island on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Once you and your spouse have successfully navigated the anxieties, anticipation, and hectic activities leading up to and including your wedding day, you deserve to leave the world behind and bask in the pleasure of each other's company, in surroundings of natural beauty and Southern...more
Just a short drive off Virginia's Eastern Shore lies an island so stunning that its seven mile length is the vacation destination for more than one million annual visitors, each one of whom arrives to enjoy a taste of Paradise. Chincoteague's Island natural beauty, coastal charm, and Southern down-home hospitality are what draw them from around the globe to this small place big in romance and tradition.If you decide to take a page from their...more
The waters and winds of Chesapeake Bay never rest, and over the eons they have built up and carved away countless land masses. The Island of Chincoteague, about five miles off Virginia's Eastern Shore, rose from the Chesapeake's waters about four thousand years ago and is surrounded by vast areas of marsh. More than twenty miles of the tiny island's coastline, in fact, consists of marshes, and the vast majority of its land mass is less than 10 feet above sea level.While its topography may leave Chincoteague vulnerable to erosion from flood and wind, those wetlands, waterways, and beaches have also allowed the Island to develop into one of America's premier vacation spots, with annual visitors numbering close to one million. Many of them are drawn to Chincoteague's sister island and protector Assateague, the 37-mile long barrier island just a few hundred yards to Chincoteague's east. Assateague is home to both the Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague Island National Seashore, and, of course, to the world-famous Chincoteague Island ponies.Until four hundred years ago, Chincoteague and Assateague were left to themselves except for hunting and fishing parties...more
If you go to Chincoteague Island during the last week of July, you're probably there for the Pony Penning and Auction, like approximately 50,000 other visitors. You'll be in for an exciting time, but what you won't see is the sort of round-up which takes place on Federal grazing lands in the Western United States. There'll be no helicopters herding...more
The mountains loom and the bluest sky reaches beyond the heavens, soaring endlessly, dotted with fluffy clouds that make insignificant shadows over the rolling prairies. You have the sense that those who have laid claim to this grand land have done so only temporarily. In a way, it makes you feel free, more open to new experiences and adventures....more
The tourism industry in Thailand truly took off when US soldiers started to arrive in the 1960s for Rest and Recuperation (R&R) during the Vietnam War period. Coinciding, international mass tourism sharply increased during the same period due to the rising standard of living, more people acquiring more free time and due to improvements in technology making it possible to travel further, faster, cheaper and in greater numbers, epitomized by the Boeing 747 which first flew commercially in 1970. Thailand was one of the major players in Asia to capitalize on this then-new trend.Tourist numbers have grown from 336,000 foreign visitors and 54,000 R&R soldiers in 1967 to over 14 million international guests visiting Thailand in 2007. The average duration of their stay in 2007 was 9.19 days, generating an estimated 547,782 million Thai baht, around 11 billion Euros. In 2006, Thailand was the 18th most visited country in the World Tourism rankings with 13.9 million visitors. France, comparable to Thailand in size and population, led the list with over 79 million foreign tourists.According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 55% of the tourists in 2007 came from the Asia Pacific region,...more
When visiting Southern California, consider using San Diego as your base camp. Many world famous attractions, and most everything you might need can be found within a short drive of downtown San Diego. The locals often say that everything is within...more
Getting to set out exploring New Zealand in a Spaceship is something that people are lucky enough to do every day, but setting out in a Hybrid model takes this luck to a level of luxury! I was fortunate enough to take one of these beautiful vehicles...more
Dordogne is one of the most beautiful regions in France. With its stunning castles and lush forests, Dordogne has the appearance of having emerged straight out of a fairytale. There are many monuments, Chateaux, and rustic villages dotting the region...more
Iceland is a large island situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is home to many spectacular mountains and is one of the more novel holiday spots in Europe. Despite its name, only about 10% of the island is actually covered in ice. The country also...more
Mexico has always been a prime destination for tourists, and the Yucatán Peninsula is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The Yucatán Peninsula is located in the south-eastern region of Mexico and is comprised of several...more
In past few years, serviced apartments have become popular as short stay option of accommodation. People have started loving this new concept in luxury living. It is obvious for everyone to love the well furnished luxury apartments with all the...more