Surfers have long been known to have a unquenchable thirst for traveling around the globe in search of the perfect wave. While in the past this meant low budget travel and camping in front of desolate breaks, today’s generation of surf travelers are more often composed of high-powered executives looking for an exotic vacation in which to enjoy nature, blow off steam, and of course enjoy world-class waves.
With this new trend in surf travel and the surf industry in general booming (companies like Billabong and Quicksilver are today publicly traded behemoths whose advertising budget alone would make most jealous), a huge number of surf resorts have been popping up all around the far corners of the globe. From Bali to Hawaii to Costa Rica, one after another has opened its doors and made the primal call to surfers that “surf’s up!”. And surfers have responded in droves, in many instances choosing vacation destinations solely based on access to and quality of waves.
With so much competition sprouting up, many people have begun to ask the question — “What is the Ultimate Surf Vacation?”. To answer this query we set out to explore the options. First and foremost, the baseline requirement of course was the presence of world-class waves, solid consistency and variety for all levels and types of surfers. Next, we searched out spots which had something more to offer than just waves, as today’s high-end surf traveler is more demanding in terms of leisure options. Only a destination with access to other day time outdoor activities, as well as great nightlife and dining, is able to fit the bill these days. Finally, the resort needs to have high-end accommodations, as today’s surf travelers no longer are content with tents and hammocks. Luxury villas and amenities such as high-speed wireless internet, international phone lines, and direct beach access are crucial.
After much analysis and research, we are happy to report that in a crowded field of many, one surf resort stood out head and shoulders from the rest — NEXUS Surf in Florianopolis, Brazil.
Florianopolis is an enchanting island located just off Brazil’s southern coast. It is generally considered the surf capital of Brazil and hosts South America’s only WCT Pro Tour event. It is known for its excellent tubular waves and has 42 beaches around the island to choose from.
In addition to great surfing, Florianopolis offers kitesurfing, river rafting, horse back riding, paragliding, snorkeling/diving and much, much more. Then there’s the nightlife — some of the world’s best, with a huge array of bars, clubs and lounges where locals party in true Brazilian style until the wee hours of the morning.
NEXUS Surf offers all-inclusive surf/adventure vacation packages that are truly unique, including everything from deluxe beachfront accommodations, expert surf instruction and tours, transportation and rental car, local cell phone usage, VIP access to Florianopolis’ best nightlife.
By: Hans Keeling
Tags: Baseline Requirement, Behemoths, Billabong, Day Time, Droves, Exotic Vacation, Far Corners, Internet International, Leisure Options, Low Budget Travel, Luxury Villas, New Trend, Perfect Wave, Primal Call, Quicksilver, Surf Industry, Surf Travel, Unquenchable Thirst, Vacation Destinations, Wireless Internet
Travel America | admin October 30, 2009 | 
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“I see dead people.”
Admittedly one of the best movie lines ever spoken. From “Ghostbusters” to “Ghost” to “The Sixth Sense” Hollywood has had a fascination with the world beyond the living. But, why let Hollywood have all fun? Perhaps on your next vacation, you’d like to try your own hand at ghost hunting.
There’s not enough space in one article to list all the supposedly haunted sites in America. Therefore, I’m just going to acquaint you with a few of these other-worldly destinations.
First up, Moundsville, West Virginia. Don’t know why, but West Virginia has more than its share of hauntings and ghost tours. One such tour occurs at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, West Virginia, one of the bloodiest prisons in America. The tour starts at 8:00 P.M. and lasts an hour. But, it doesn’t end there. From 9:00 P.M. until 6:00 the next morning, you’re free to explore the prison under the guidance of a paranormal investigator, or, if you’re the really brave type, by yourself. Alone. With no one but the spirits to keep you company. This tour is available March through November. Yes, that’s right, you can even go on Halloween – if you dare. The number to call for reservations is 304-845-6200.
Our next destination is located in Dresden, Ohio. Here you’ll be able to tour and spend the night in Prospect Place, a 29-room mansion built in 1856 by abolitionist George Willison Adams. Cost for a tour and guestroom for the night is only $40, and that includes breakfast when you wake up (if you wake up, that is). For those not choosing to stay the night, there is a 90-minute tour on Friday and Saturday nights when paranormal investigations are scheduled.
And, for the real chickens amongst us (not pointing any fingers) there is a daytime tour scheduled. While on the ghost tour be on the lookout for the many souls which apparently haunt the mansion. They include: The Servant on the Stairwell; Constance, the little girl who fell from the balcony; The souls of the many slaves escaping slavery via the underground railroad who took refuge in the basement.
Now we come to San Diego, California for a Ghost and Gravestone Experience night tour of some of that city’s most haunted locations. Themed trolleys will take you and other “ghost hunters” to various hauntings, featuring the Whaley House, which some believe to be the most haunted houses in America. (Okay, what does “most haunted” mean? To me, just one ghost is plenty).
Whaley House has a particularly sad history – it sits atop a graveyard of some of the almost 9,000 Kumeyaay, a local Indian tribe who were converted to Christianity by Father Junipero Serra’s mission, who died of disease and violence. The Whaley family itself held many Kumeyaay as slaves. It’s said that many of these Kumeyaay haunt the house to this day. Other haunted locations on the tour include the Villa Montezuma, the William Heath Davis house in the Gaslamp Quarter, as well as one of the oldest cemeteries in San Diego. Walking shoes are recommended (or, running shoes if you’re of the chicken variety I mentioned above). The tour is approximately two hours long. Reservations can be made by calling 619-298-8687.
By: Shari Hearn
Tags: Abolitionist, Best Movie Lines, Dresden Ohio, Enough Space, Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tour, Ghost Tours, Guestroom, Hauntings, Moundsville West Virginia, Paranormal Investigations, Paranormal Investigator, Prisons In America, Prospect Place, Room Mansion, Saturday Nights, Sixth Sense, Stairwell, West Virginia Penitentiary, Willison
Travel America | admin |
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Most likely if you are flying into Las Vegas you are coming into McCarran International Airport. This is the nation’s fifth largest airport and could be the only one with slot machines in it. Located just south of the Vegas strip this airport has all the shuttles, taxis and rental cars at your finger tips. Figure on paying $15-$20 for a taxis to the hotels on the strip and about $45 dollars to take one all the way downtown Vegas.
Getting around the main Vegas strip is a piece of cake. Most casinos and hotels are located along the 4 mile strip or Las Vegas Boulevard South. Many non gaming hotels and the Las Vegas Convention Center lie on Paradise Road which is located just east of the strip. If you ever get lost just look for the Stratosphere Hotel which is at the north end of the Vegas Boulevard and can be seen from all around.
You may not want to walk the 4 miles of the Vegas strip specially in the mid summer heat which has been known to get up to 120 degrees at times. Fortunately there is plenty of public and paid transportation all over the town. You could take the monorail if you want and most of the off strip hotels and casinos run their own shuttle and concierge service.
When you go to Las Vegas on vacation there is a lot to see and do. Just remember don’t gamble more than you have, don’t wonder off in the desert and always remember “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
By: Cary Bergeron
Tags: Bergeron, Concierge Service, Finger Tips, Las Vegas Convention Center, Mccarran International Airport, Mid Summer, Mile Strip, Monorail, Paradise Road, Piece Of Cake, Rental Cars, Shuttles, Slot Machines, Stratosphere Hotel, Summer Heat, Vegas Boulevard, Vegas Convention Center, Vegas Strip, Vegas Vacation, What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas
Travel America | admin October 29, 2009 |
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