Wine Taste Tour

By Roberto Garabell

 Between the culture, history, festivities, and food so good it will leave you speechless, New Orleans captivates the senses. What is there to do besides Mardi Gras? Plenty. Here are the top things to do and see in New Orleans to keep you smiling during a diverse trip to this remarkable city.

1. City Park- This park is a must see for anyone that enjoys a natural park-like setting surrounded by trees draped in Spanish moss. Many of the gorgeous live oaks are individually registered with the Live Oak Society. The city park is quite expansive at over 1500 acres, and visitors can enjoy the splendor of a true natural preserve at its finest. With good food and first-class hotels right around the corner, it’s the best of city and country in one place. (Bounded by Wisner Blvd., Marconi Drive, City Park Avenue and Rob. E. Lee Blvd.)

2. Bourbon Street- This famous street is where the sparkle of New Orleans gets ignited and the action really takes off. Complete with full bars, nightclubs, restaurants and lively jazz music playing up and down the street, it’s the perfect party spot for eager adults. This area of New Orleans has made the city infamous to some, attractive to others and known the world over. Literally millions of visitors come to Bourbon Street each year, many to partake in the festivities of Mardi Gras, the notorious “Fat Tuesday,” when the fun never stops. (Runs the length of the French Quarter, but the most frequented section is “Upper Bourbon Street,” an eight-block section.)

3. Haunted History Ghost Tour- Take this very popular tour and discover the “mystery in New Orleans’ history.” The tour begins at Rev. Zombie’s Voodoo Shop and takes you over, under, around and through the haunted hotspots of the French Quarter. You will get to see the famous St. Louis Cemetery and visit the tomb of notorious voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau. (723 St. Peter Street, between Bourbon and Royal)

4. Magazine Street- This street is a shopper’s dream come true. It runs from Canal Street to Audobon Park and is a full six miles of shops and specialty stores. You can grab a detailed booklet that will clue you in to all of the shopping opportunities in great (and money-saving) detail. Be sure to bring bus fare, as you will not want to spend all day walking, as it can be quite tiresome and you will want your energy for shopping. If you start off from downtown and work your way up to Audobon Park, you can easily make a day of it. (Magazine Street from Canal Street to Audobon Park.)

5. The French Market - On Decatur Street, in the south part of the French Quarter near Jackson Square, you will find four blocks of “canopied commerce” that make up the Farmers Market. It’s colorful, crowded and a bit crazy, but it’s where many of the ingredients at the best New Orleans eateries come from. The French Market is part shopping center and part street fair, where tourists and locals alike haggle over voodoo trinkets, Cajun and Creole spices, jewelry-and the occasional alligator hide or head. (Runs four blocks along Decatur Street.)

6. Historic New Orleans Collection- This beautiful museum complex captures the history and “vibe” of New Orleans like no other and is located in an historic part of the French Quarter. The Historic New Orleans Collection is composed of four main structures that include the Williams Residence, the Merieult House and the giant three-storey Maisonette, all dating to the 1700s and 1800s. These historical landmarks are a great way to step into the past. (533 Royal Street)

7. St. Louis Cathedral This magnificent cathedral, formally known as “Basilica of St. Louis King of France,” was built in 1718 and is the “oldest continuously operating cathedral” in the United States, according to the Catholic Church. The building itself looms high above Jackson Square and is important both religiously and historically. Tours of the cathedral are offered on a daily basis and there is a gift shop located inside. (615 Pere Antoine Alley)

8. National World War II Museum- The National World War II Museum, formerly known as the National D-Day Museum, began operations in 2000 and displays dramatic photo images of the brave men and women who gave their lives to free Europe, especially in the Battle of Normandy. Take a step back in time and view all four floors of this spectacular museum. (945 Magazine Street)

9. Audubon Zoo- Here’s a place the whole family can enjoy, visiting over 2,000 animals on display. Features range from the educational Endangered Species Carousel to the exciting Jaguar Jungle. Adults and children alike will find both facts and fun at this zoo, as it also features a Komodo dragon, tiger and gorilla families, sea lions and elephants. The Monkey Hill is still one of the most popular attractions among the many zoo favorites. (Located at 6500 Magazine Street between Walnut Street and Calhoun Street.)

10. Aquarium of the Americas- There are over 7,000 types of marine life and fish in this facility, which is located right on the Mississippi River. There is an abundance of jellyfish and a slew of sharks to gaze upon, as well as a number of playful sea otters. When you enter the building, you will see a huge tank that holds a truly remarkable array of marine life. It’s quite a breathtaking journey as you begin the descent from the top floor, in the rainforest exhibit, down the spiral staircase that takes you right through the doughnut-shaped tank. (Located at 1 Canal Street between Lake Oaks Part and London Park.)

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Where to Find Cruises

By Renaldo Head

 Each year, a large number of individuals make the decision to book a cruise ship getaway. When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, you are presented with an unlimited number of options. There are a large number of cruise lines that operate numerous cruise ships. In fact, there are so many cruise ships available that many individuals, maybe even yourself included, do not know where to start.

The first step in planning a cruise ship vacation is making the decision to take one. Traveling aboard a cruise ship can be a fun and exciting experience, but it is not for everyone. Cruises ships often require residing in close corridors for an extend period of time. If you have a difficult time dealing with crowds or you are looking for an overnight vacation, you may want to reexamine your decision to schedule a cruise ship vacation.

If you have already decided that a cruise ship vacation is what you want, you will need to find a cruise ship that interests you. This is where many individuals develop a problem. As previously mentioned, there are a number of different cruise lines. Each of these cruises lines operates a number of different cruise ships. Each cruise ship is likely to travel to different destinations and offer different activities, services, and facilities.

When searching for the perfect cruise ship, you have numerous options. Many travelers automatically start searching for the cruise ship of their dreams. Searching for a cruise ship is, in a way, different than searching for a cruise line. If you do not have a preference as to which cruise ship line you’d like to travel with, it may be easier to search for cruises based on themes, destinations, or onboard activities. A standard internet search is a great way to educate yourself on the cruise ships available.

If you prefer to travel with a specific cruise line, you will want to research that particular cruise line. You can visit the cruise line’s online website to further educate yourself or else you can perform a standard internet search. If you are unaware of the cruise line selection you have, you can easily familiarize yourself. There are a number of travel websites that offer information and links to the websites of popular cruise lines. Performing an internet search with the keywords “cruise lines,” is likely to produce a large number of results.

In your search, it is likely that you will come up with popular cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruse Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, and much more. Once you are able to view the online website of each cruise line, you can begin to search for cruise ships with reservations still available. When browsing through each cruise ship, you will likely be presented with standard information. This information may outline the activities available onboard, destinations, travel stops, and the cost of reserving a cabin.

The Disney Cruise Line is one of the most well-known and sought after cruise lines for individuals vacationing with a family. If you are interested in scheduling a Disney cruise, you will see that the two cruise ships used are named Disney Wonder and Disney Magic. Each ship has onboard Disney characters and beautiful dcor. The main differences between the two ships are the character statues found onboard.

Carnival Cruise Lines is well-known among frequent travelers. They offer a wide range of cruises; however, their main focus seems to be on “fun” cruises. When researching Carnival Cruise Lines, you will see that they have over 20 “fun” ships. These ships target cruise goers who are interested in socializing, partying, and having an adventure over the water. Popular cruise ships include, but are not limited to Fantasy, Ecstasy, Celebration Fascination, and Sensation.

Royal Caribbean is another one of the many well-known cruise lines in the world. They are famous for their international cruises. Just a few of their many cruise ships include Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas. With twenty-one cruise ships, you are sure to find what you are looking for with Royal Caribbean

Researching each cruise line and cruise ships, individually, may take time. If you are pressed for time you can seek the assistance of a travel agent. Whichever method of research you select, research is important. It is the best way to find the perfect cruise ship for you and your family.

Visit the Interesting Animals website to learn about catching catfish, coyote trapping and other information.

The Sights and Sounds of Saint Thomas

By Jim Guerra

 If you are planning a vacation to St. Thomas, you will want plan ahead. Planning ahead does not necessarily mean packing your bags. It also means deciding what you plan on doing when you reach St. Thomas. To make the most of out of your St. Thomas vacation you are encouraged to decide which activities you’d like to participate in and where you’d like to go, before you leave home.

St. Thomas is a popular vacation destination. This means that you can do and see an unlimited number of things on the island. That is why it is advised that you plan your activities ahead of time. Planning ahead will ensure that you are able to visit all of the areas of the island that you may be excited to see.

When vacationing in St. Thomas it is likely that you will want to visit the beach. Spending your vacation at the beach is nice, but you should not limit yourself to just the beach. In and around St. Thomas you may find enjoyment by seeing what the island has to offer.

Sightseeing in St. Thomas can be done a number of different ways. Depending on the length of your vacation, you may be able to see most of the popular tourist attractions in St. Thomas. This is due to the size of the island. To be able to see and visit more attractions while on vacation, you may want to consider renting a vehicle. Renting a vehicle will give you the freedom to sightsee wherever and whenever you want.

In addition to sightseeing by yourself, you should be able to participate in guided tours. Guided tours occur on a daily basis, all around the island. If you are looking to explore the ocean and view what St. Thomas looks like from the water, you may want to consider booking a guided tour aboard a boat. Boat tours are a popular and fun way to travel around the island.

While boat tours are popular they are not the only tours that are available. You may find multiple bus tours, bike tours, or walking tours in St. Thomas. Each of these tours will give the opportunity to sightsee in St. Thomas. You will find that guided tours do cost money. Despite their cost, there are tourists who enjoy being able to see the area while learning valuable information, at the same time.

Whether you decide to go sightseeing around the island yourself or join a guided tour, there are a number of places and attractions that you should make sure you visit. One of those attractions is Paradise Point. Paradise Point is most famous for its tramway ride. For a small fee, you can view the Caribbean Sea while suspended in the air. The Paradise Point Tramway comes highly rated among both locals and tourists.

You may also enjoy visiting the St. Thomas mountains. Guided tours of many of the mountains are available. In addition to guided tours, you can drive yourself to many popular mountain destinations. What you may find most enjoying about visiting the mountains is the view from above. Along your way, you will likely come across a number of beaches and other attractions that you may wish to stop at.

The above mentioned things to do and places to visit are just a few of the many that you may find in St. Thomas. By researching and examining popular St. Thomas tourist attractions you may be able to develop a trip itinerary. If seeing as many places as possible is the goal of your vacation, this itinerary may come in handy.

To learn about largest frog, pet penguins and other information, visit the Interesting Animals website.

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