Caribbean Travel Guide

All there is to know about the vacation destination of your dreams – that is exactly what a Caribbean travel guide offers. But are Caribbean travel guides really godsend? Or are they just patronizing materials designed for commercial purposes?

Well, they’re a little of both actually. After all, the people behind Caribbean travel guides do need a source of income in order to continue to publish their guides. But a tremendous amount of research has been placed in these guides to just dismiss them as useless resource material.

What else is more nifty, informative and convenient than a Caribbean travel guide?

Sure, the Internet may prove more updated when it comes to information, but you can’t carry the Internet everywhere. And believe it or not, it’s always much more gratifying to pull out a Caribbean travel guide from your carry case, flip a few pages open, then slip it right back when you’re tried of reading. It sure beats having to wait in the airport, sitting bored silly and wondering whether or not your flight’s going to be delayed.

That said, don’t cling to travel guides religiously. Many travelers make that mistake. They are not the bibles that they are made out to be by some people. You should know that published materials, including travel guides, are out of date the moment they are published, because by then, there would have been new updated material that came up and it would be too late to include them.

So, how are you supposed to use Caribbean travel guides then? How would you know which information to believe and which facts are outdated? Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to that. To get the most out of your Caribbean travel guide, use them sparingly for basic orientation. So once you have the basics right down to a tee, go out there and discover the towns and cities on your own. That is, after all, what traveling is all about – adventure and discovery of new things. At the very least, when all other signs look foreign, the information on museums and places of interest are great.

However, when it comes to hotels and restaurants, each to his own taste and budget. Remember that bargains rise in price with popularity, so there’s every bit of chance that that hot new deal in your Caribbean travel guide isn’t much of a deal anymore, considering how pricey it has become. And then sometimes, too, the places get easily full with foreigners and travelers like you, so you can’t always expect your Caribbean travel guide to point you in the right place all the time.

Then, if you do wander around on your own, then you will surely find quality rooms with reasonable prices. They may be located in out-of-the-way places that Caribbean travel guide writers may not know about. Remember that because you in the destination, you are in far better place to get what you want out of your vacation.

So to close it off, don’t be a sad type who writes to say that “it wasn’t like what you said in the book.” Here’s a tip: open your eyes and explore for yourself!

Aspen Ski Vacations

Aspen Mountain has long been known as the playpen of the rich and famous – and it is. But it is also a great place to take a family ski vacation. Christmas in Aspen is especially wonderful! Aspen Mountain rises above the town of Aspen, with a top elevation of 11215 feet and a vertical drop of 3269 feet. There are 76 trails suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts, accessible by eight lifts, including seven chair lifts and one cable car line.

While Aspen has much to offer skiers, as well as those who enjoy the night life in a ski town, you should expect lots of crowds and lift lines on the slopes. Again, this is the playpen of the rich and famous, and many people choose this ski vacation spot simply for that reason – as well as for the great runs and nightlife.

There are numerous places to stay in and around Aspen, with more than 100 restaurants to choose from as well. Ski instructions and equipment rental are abundant in the area, and snowboarders are welcome.

Overbooking your Time is a Vacation Destroyer

When planning a vacation it is often very difficult to set priorities from a distance. San Francisco is really no different than any other vacation destination in that manner. In fact, as a vacation destination, this city has so much to offer that the problem isn't finding enough stuff to do; it is limiting yourself to only doing the things you want most to do because of time constraints. Unless you are going to be in this great city for a month, it would be very easy to overload your itinerary.

Here are a few suggestions for pacing yourself while traveling as well as providing adequate downtime for all family members while visiting San Francisco.

1) Remember that this is a vacation not a military exercise. Be especially aware of young children as they can tire easily and aren't much fun when overtired. Plan rest times in addition to activities in order to provide much needed breaks for everyone that is traveling with you.
2) Remember that the little ones have things that are important to them too and your ideas and their ideas about what will interest them the most aren't always the same. You don't want a child with hurt feelings, especially when that could have been so easily avoided by simply offering your child a choice.
3) Keep in mind that while most things are great to do as a family, some alone time or split time, isn't necessarily a bad thing-even when on vacation.
4) Plan your day with extra time in between attractions to accommodate for transportation issues, bathroom breaks, and any number of things that can come up. There is no point in being frustrated over the unavoidable, especially when on vacation.
5) Limit yourself to activities in the same general area of town on a given day so that you aren't spending the vast majority of your day getting from point A to point B or looking for a parking spot. It is best to park and walk as much as possible or rely on public transportation in San Francisco whenever walking is unavoidable.
6) Let your young ones select at least one place a day (within reason) to eat. Obviously no one wants to eat at McDonald's every day of your trip except your little ones, but by allowing them to have a choice you are making them feel special and giving them something to look forward to when standing in a long line for something you want to do more than they do.
7) Plan activities for younger children in the middle of other activities. This will keep them somewhat appeased if they know they have something to look forward to later and will save you from a long line of endless tantrums.
8) Plan for some sort of restful activity in the middle of the day if you aren't close enough to your hotel for an afternoon nap. Even if it's ducking into a library or bookstore to read quietly for an hour. You will be amazed at how much just a quick rest can do to perk up the spirits of everyone in your group.

These things won't guarantee a smooth trip but will greatly increase the likelihood of less bouts of angry, overtired children and fed up over tired mom and dad as well. The most important thing about any vacation is that you take the time to enjoy yourself and your time together as a family.

San Francisco is not just Child's Play

Visiting San Francisco, California is great to do with a family; it is even better to do as an adult without children along. Frisco has a thriving nightlife and plenty of entertainment that simply isn't meant for children. From the slightly off color to the seriously bawdy, San Francisco nightlife has entertainment of almost every flavor. Of course there is still plenty to do during the daylight hours too.

If you're looking for a taste of nightlife that is 'belly busting' funny, there's Comedy on the Square that offers comedic variety shows. You can also check out Lila Theatre for some of the best long-form improvisation. If you need a good laugh these are great places to start. 50 Mason Lounge is also a great place to go to get in on the laughs. The problem with San Francisco is that there are so many great comedy clubs they can't all be listed in one place. My suggestion is that you ask around for suggestions and find out who's playing. You never know when someone you recognize might be popping in for the evening.

In addition to the great comedy clubs there is the general 'gentleman's' nightlife alive and well in this fair city. I would be remiss if I failed to mention some of the more unique adult entertainment that San Francisco has to offer. In addition to the typical gentlemen's clubs such as Broadway Showgirls Cabaret, which boasts more luxurious surroundings than other clubs, there is Crazy Horse, Inc., which has totally nude live shows, The Gold Club, and Larry Flynt's Hustler Club. There is one club that goes above and beyond what any of these clubs offer though and is worth checking out with a date if you and your partner are so inclined. This club is called Power Exchange and while there are a few places like this around the country, they are extremely rare. If you aren't easily offended and are the least bit curious, I would recommend checking it out.

San Francisco is swimming with active and awesome nightclubs and as such it is quite difficult to single one out as superior to any other. I recommend finding a nightclub that is within walking distance of your hotel. This diminishes the odds of your driving while intoxicated. As always it is important to enjoy responsibly.

If you want to make the most out of your trip to San Francisco, be sure to remember that while there is plenty to do at night, you want to be awake and aware for at least part of the day so don't have too much fun at night. If you are very brave and adventurous and looking for more adult only entertainment you can try one of the nude beaches in the area. While these beaches are not for everyone and they aren't exactly nighttime activities, they do offer some adult only entertainment that is worth considering if it floats your boat.

You can also rent sailboat and powerboat cruises in the bay, if you are with a loved one, try one of the sunset cruises. These cruises are romantic time away from the crowds of the city. Even if these times aren't exclusively for adults, if you close your eyes and imagine, you can whittle the world down to just the two of you.

Whatever your pleasure in this great city, I hope you have found some ideas for great fun and entertainment that will get your trip off to a great start. Remember to have fun and enjoy the time you spend visiting San Francisco, California whether that time be day or night. If none of the things I've mentioned above have struck your fancy there are always more cultural undertakings such as museums, guided tours, or trips to Alcatraz. Just remember the purpose of a vacation is fun, if you aren't having fun where you are, go somewhere else!