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Marvellous Miami: 6 Places You Must Visit


Got plans to visit Miami? Known for its beautiful beaches and glamorous nightlife, Miami is a popular vacation hotspot, but many people never venture much further beyond their resort. Here are six places you must explore whilst in Miami.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach is the most famous resort in the city and is often heralded as having the best beach in the world. On top of taking the opportunity to work on your tan, Miami Beach is fantastic for trying out all kinds of watersports. If you’re looking for yacht charter in Miami, this is also the place to find it – by hiring out your own yacht for the day, you can explore the city from the water and feel like a millionaire.

Fort Lauderlale

Sometimes referred to as ‘the Venice of America’, Fort Lauderlale is known for its canals and historic waterfront. It’s possible to book a gondola ride around the waters – perfect for those on a romantic getaway. Fort Lauderlale also has some great beaches, as well as some great shops and bars to explore.


Biscayne Bay

Also known as Key Biscayne, this area of Miami is great for sightseeing. You can take a scenic drive over the Rickenbacker causeway and take in views from Cape Florida Lighthouse. It’s also home to Vizcaya museum and gardens – an Italian renaissance style villa containing many historical antiques and incredible gardens full of subtropical flora. Biscayne Bay also has no shortage of bars and restaurants with great views over the bay.

Little Havana

Little Havana is a taste of Cuba in America. It’s the perfect place for drinking a Mojito, trying some salsa dancing or buying a Cuban cigar. There are some impressive wall murals around this district and the architecture is distinctly Latin in some places. It’s also worth visiting in March when the Calle Ocho festival is on – this is a one day street festival in which you can get involved in everything from dancing to food sampling.



Art Deco District

Miami’s Art Deco District is unique for its largely art deco architecture. You’ll feel as if you’re stepping back in time to the thirties whilst exploring its streets and there are there are plenty of famous buildings here including Park Central Hotel and the home of Gianni Versace. This district comes alive at night – there are plenty of restaurants for enjoying some fine dining as well as bars for grabbing a cocktail.

Jungle Island


Jungle Island is an eco-adventure park in Miami – once known as Parrot Jungle. Here you’ll find wildlife from around the globe including the world’s only tame cassowary, twin orangutans and an array of lemurs and parrots. It’s also a great place for seeing some Florida’s natural wildlife and flora including crocodiles, alligators and various tropical plants commonly found in the Everglades. This park makes a great escape from the urban hustle and bustle of Miami if you want to reconnect with your natural side.
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Are These Aqua-Vacation Activities Right For You? Let's Find Out

A new vacation is a great chance to explore exciting fresh activities and adventures. This could be something that gets your blood pumping or that allows you to open your mind to new experiences. It’s important to make sure that you are choosing the right activity for you. You’ll find that costs are often considerable and you don’t want to waste a day of your vacation doing something that you haven’t even found enjoyable. So, let’s look at a few of the possibilities and figure out if they are right choice when you’re on the ocean or by any stretch of water.

Fishing


You might want to think about going fishing, particularly if you’re thinking about enjoying the outdoors on your next vacation. You can fish everywhere from deep rivers to gorgeous lakes with water, so still, it looks like crystal. This is definitely something you should consider when you think about going fishing. It can be a very peaceful, tranquil experience that allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Of course, it can also be a challenge, and you can read more about this from resources like Fishing Sun. You will need to be patient if you want to catch anything but sometimes the actual activity of just going out there can provide enough enjoyment.

The only reason not to try fishing would be if you like something a little more fast-paced or you’re not fond of the idea of handling the fish themselves.

Jet Skiing


Now, this is something that is sure to get your heart racing as you rush across the waters, leaving frothy paths in your wake. It’s great fun, and yes, jet skis do go seriously fast. So, if you’re looking to put the pedal to the metal when you’re off the road, this could be the experience for you. Bear in mind that jet skiing can be quite expensive and may eat a fair amount of your holiday budget. You will also usually only get a couple of hours on the waves. But that is more than enough to fall in love with this activity. Who knows, you might even be tempted to buy one yourself.

If you aren’t a strong swimmer, jet skiing must, unfortunately, be avoided. People commonly will fall off jet skis and even with a life jacket on this can be dangerous if you don’t know how to stay afloat.

Snorkeling




Or finally, how about heading down to the depths of the water and exploring something like the great barrier reef. It’s important to realize that you don’t need to be a great diver to go snorkeling. In fact, you don’t need any diving experience at all. As long as you’re not scared to swim with the fish and potentially, larger aquamarine life, there’s no reason not to give snorkeling a try. It’s popular in tropical vacation spots like the Carribean and the Golden Coast.

One point worth nothing before you sign up is the cost. You’ll need a boat to take you out to water where you can snorkel and a licensed company. Expect to pay at least a couple of hundred for the full breathtaking experience.


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Sports Activities That Can Be Relaxing Too

We usually think of sports as being adrenaline-fueled and high speed, but that doesn't always have to be the case. In fact, there are quite a few different activities that can also be relaxing and centering instead. Just read on to find out what they are. 

 Tai Chi 

 Tai Chi is a martial art, but unlike other forms, it is not based on conflict and fighting. Instead, it is geared towards channel the energy flow within the body. Therefore it is an activity that can be very calming and relaxing. 

 In fact, most of the movements in Tai Chi are slow and sweeping and require a certain amount of concentration and focus to perform. This then provides enough mental stimulation to be engaging, but not so much as to cause stress, making Tai Chi the perfect sports activity if you are looking to  relax.

  


 Fishing 

 There are two types of people when it comes to fishing. The kind that lives for the thrill of reeling in their catch, and those that are happy to savor the peaceful atmosphere, and sit by the water for hours.

 Of course, whether you will find this particular activity relaxing or not very much depends on the way you approach it. 

 Yes, it may be gratifying to come home with a bucket full of fish for dinner each time you go. However, many people are happy enough to spend their free time researching into what the best baitcasting reel is, and their time by the lake contemplating the more profound things in life. In fact, just like any activity, with fishing, you get out what you bring to it. 

 Yoga 

 Yoga is a fabulous activity for relaxing if you allow it to be. Yes, you will find those folks in the classes at your gym that love to be a the front and the pride themselves on being bendier than everyone else. However, they are entirely missing the point of Yoga! 

 In fact, yoga is about developing a mindful awareness of the body and the sensations within it. This is something that can be hugely grounding and help with relaxation a great deal. 

 Also, some of the best yoga classes will have an extended meditation at the end. Something that can be very calming, as not only have you rid yourself of all the stress and tension in your muscle but your mind can be more peaceful during this time as well. 

 Golf 

 OK, so golf might not be that relaxing if you are playing at pro level and for high stakes, but friendly matches can undoubtedly be a great way to chill out. 

 After all, it's mostly walking around a perfectly manicured garden for a few hours, with the occasional break to focus your concentration on hitting the ball. 

 You don't even have to carry your own bags if you don't want, as you can hire a caddy, or even choose a golf cart to do this for you. Oh and don't forget the very relaxing activity of visiting the 19th hole for a drink or two to celebrate your win or commiserate your losses. That can be super relaxing!
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Spooky New Yorky: Have A Hauntingly Good Time In The Big Apple

It may be on the other side of the country, but New York has always been somewhere I've wanted to visit, and what better time to do this than during the spookiest time of all Halloween? In fact, you’ll be quite surprised to find out about all the great activities that are laid on during October in NYC. Just keep reading to find out what they are...If you dare!


For the couples

What do you do when you are a couple in NYC on Halloween that wants some spooky fun, but definitely isn't up for raving the night away in some dark and sweaty club?

Well, you head to Broadway and catch a show of course! Obviously, if you are looking for something Halloween themed most people will recommend seeing Wicked at one of the two showings on the 27th October. It being the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz before a house landed on her, that has received rave reviews for both its’ wonderful NY and fabulous London runs.


There are plenty of fabulous restaurant and bars in the area like Danji and Trattoria Trecolori, as well where you can grab a drink or a bite to make a night of it really.


For the partiers


If Halloween is all about dressing up in a crazy costume and downing as much booze as you can get a hold of, New York during October certainly will not disappoint. In fact, you may find it hard to choose between all the spooky and fun options on offer.


One in particular that stands out is the Halloween Masquerade Ball at Stage 48, on 605 West 48th Street. There you will find a mix of very modern revelers with a hint of a traditional Venetian ball. The latter being a place where for a night everyone could put on a mask and pretend to be whoever they wanted.


The dress code is typical New York nightclub with a half face mask in the Venetian style, of course. Don't forget your dancing shoes either, and you can even book a table for a group online if you like, but tickets do sell out quick so beware!


For the families






Of course, not all NYC revellers are ones that want quite such an adult night out! Don't worry though because there are plenty of fun and age appropriate things to do with the whole family.


Try Prospect Park on October 27th itself as there you will find a kid-friendly haunted house, delicious treats from food trucks, and its a place where the kids can wear their costumes too.


Of course, if you are looking for a more traditional activity then why not try the pumpkin patch cast Pumpkin Point, Governors Island? It runs on the weekend before and of Halloween and has free entry too. Although, you do have to pay for the pumpkins!


Alternatively, why not head on over to Glenn Oaks and try your wits escaping the Maize Maze? There is even a fall festival for kids on the 28th that you can visit as well. If you are all spooked out by that point, that is!

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The Best OK Corral Movies

When you travel to Tombstone, Arizona, you’ll have the opportunity to watch an OK Corral reenactment on the actual site where the historic shootout took place. You can also watch the gun battle in the comfort of your own living room by screening any one of the following movies.



My Darling Clementine

Widely regarded as one of the finest Westerns ever made, this 1946 film, which was directed by John Ford, stars Henry Fonda as the iconic Wyatt Earp and Victor Mature as his wingman, Doc Holliday. “My Darling Clementine” focuses on the events leading up to the shootout, and let’s just say the screenwriters used plenty of poetic license. The acting, the direction and the art direction are all superb, however. Interestingly the screenwriters chose to set the action in 1882, which is a year after the real gunfight took place.

Gunfight at the OK Corral

There’s just something about this bit of American history that makes film writers and directors want to blow it up to supersized proportions. In this movie, which is directed by John Sturges, the fictionalized bloodbath lasts for five long minutes whereas in real life, it took something less than 30 seconds. Burt Lancaster plays Wyatt Earp and Kirk Douglas plays Doc Holliday. The movie was rife with historical inaccuracies, but that didn’t hurt its reception at the box office: “Gunfight at the OK Corral” was one of the biggest hits of 1957.

Hour of the Gun

John Sturges liked Wyatt Earp and Tombstone so much that he revisited the material again a decade later with the 1967 movie “Hour of the Gun.” This time, James Garner played Sherriff Earp as a congenial wisecracker while Jason Robards plays his laconic sidekick. This movie is more historically accurate than most cinematic depictions of events at the OK Corral since it was based on a nonfiction book called “Tombstone’s Epitaph.”

Tombstone

In 1993, Kurt Russell became Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer, Doc Holliday. The film provided a reunion of sort for many of the legendary outlaws and lawmen of the Wild West. “Tombstone” was directed by the Greco-Italian director George Pan Cosmatos, and it earned nearly $60 in theatrical release.
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The Missouri River: It's A Real Rush

There are few river road trips with quite as much to offer as a drive along the Missouri River. As the longest river in the country, it’s no wonder. Here, we’re going to look at some of the best ways to use your time next to this winding waterway, some of the coolest places to check out, and the most fun activities to try.

Plenty of places to park
There are tons of national parks, trails, and scenic byways to enjoy alongside the Missouri River. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your RV locked and loaded. If there’s one worth seeing particular, check out the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway, a route twisting and turning through hills, valleys, imposing cliffs and more. This route was used as a hideout by famous outlaws by Kid Wade, making it feel like a route ripe for adventure.
Have a taste of the finer things
You deserve a little reward after such a journey, too. What better than a glass of the finest red the Hermann Wine Trail has to offer? Stops like the OakGlenn Vineyards and Winery offer wine tastings for the adults, but there’s plenty of good food for the whole family. It’s nestled right over the Missouri River Valley, offering you one of the best views in the region. There’s plenty of live music, too, with live entertainment every weekend. The whole wine trail is just as ripe with delicious food, drink, and nightly fun.

Don’t be afraid to get wet
If you’re exploring a region most famous for its river, then it would be missing out if you didn’t dip a toe in the water, wouldn’t it? There are boat tours that offer you the chance to watch the scenery go by in relative peace and tranquillity, but if you want something a little more exciting, a river canoe trip might just be the thing for you. The river is relatively peaceful, so children as young as five can enjoy the tours, too. As big as the river is, you can get tours that last as long as five or six days.
Take a trip into the past
The Missouri River is one of the most storied landmarks in the whole of the Midwest. There are plenty of historical stops, including the sites of prehistoric Native American settlements. If you want a slice of good old Americana then the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park might just be the stop for you. Here you can find some lovingly preserved and restored 19th-century homes, as well as the fort itself, and even the On-A-Slant Indian Village, which recreates the scene of the Mandan Village first founded in the 16th century.
A family road trip along the Missouri River is one of the best ways to experience the diversity of natural beauty this region has to offer, as well as to truly glance the scale of it all. There are a lot of spots to stop by, so your biggest challenge is picking the ones you want to see the most.

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12 Solid Reasons To Choose Camping For Your Next Vacation

There are thousands of different places that you can choose to visit when you next go on vacation and there are tons of types of vacation to choose from. One such type that many people tend not to bother with, though, is camping.
Sometimes, you need a little push to move from a desk and time with technology into the great outdoors. When you have children, it is easier to do because children grab you by the hand and drag you outside to enjoy it. The arrival of the warmer weather always encourages families to head out and enjoy nature in its rawest form, but no matter what the time of year, people love to camp. There’s something about being in the open air and seeing the sites and smelling the smells that come with staying close to nature rather than in a hotel room. It may feel tempting to just book a hotel for your vacation so that you can take stock around the pool, but just like there’s no point in camping if you plan just to sit by the fire, you need to plan a camping vacation that’s going to make your heart sing.
Bonfire Surrounded With Green Grass Field


Camping can be lots of fun with the right planning and the right equipment to enhance your trip. It’s not all making s’mores and telling ghost stories. It’s learning how to build a fire, to pitch a tent, to take on adrenaline-inducing activities and learn to find the peace in the great outdoors. It’s a good time to take yourself back into your hobbies that you may have put aside while you rock the office and boost your career. You need to take a moment to step back from life, gather your tent, pack your car with all your equipment, including sports equipment and braided line for fishing, and get out there! Book the best campsite that you know of and give yourself reasons to get back to nature in a big way. Below, you’ll find twelve fantastic reasons to choose camping as your next vacation choice.
Going Green Again.
We’ve mentioned already about getting back to nature and reconnecting with the earth again. Being out in the air isn’t just about being in a different environment from the house or the workplace, it’s about seeing the world. It’s noticing that there is more than one shade of green in the trees. It’s noticing the way that the rocks in the brook make the water split as it rushes. It’s knowing how to light a fire and cook your own food on a makeshift spit. Being in nature isn’t going to make you suddenly love the mud or the rain, but it’s going to show you that there is so much more to the life that you have. Plus, the kids REALLY love the mud.
Unplugging, For A Change.
Life is surrounded in screens. No matter what you do or where you go, you’ve got a screen in your pocket or at your desk. There’s Netflix and games consoles and smartphones and triple screens for your work. You may also time your coffeemaker to make you the perfect cappuccino every day. Going camping actually allows you to remove yourself from that screen-laden environment and appreciate something else. Decompress and leave the electronics at home.
A Rush Of Adrenaline.
Extreme sports are so common when people choose camping. Kayaking, white water rafting, freshwater fishing and even cliff climbing are all ways to make your heart race, your stomach clench and the adrenaline rush around your body. The workout that you get from hiking to the right spot, from climbing the side of a steep hill and even abseiling back down again is so worth every second of camping in the great outdoors.
Group of People Sitting on Ground While Cooking Egg

Time For Quiet.
Cities and towns are full of a low buzz of noise. Traffic, aircraft noise, people; they all make a low and steady hum of noise wherever you go. You work hard all week, you have the kids on the weekend and there’s never really anywhere you can go that seems really quiet. Until now. Camping puts you in a place that’s usually in the middle of nowhere, with huge amounts of forestry, fields and bodies of water wherever you are. There’s no traffic. There are no people chattering on phones on the subway. There is just you, your family and the outdoors. Sit somewhere peaceful and listen to the water. Hear the actual rush of the wind in the trees and tell the difference between the chirping crickets and the cicadas. A quiet place is the best area to unwind.
Quality Time.
Family schedules clash massively during the week. Working shifts, school timetables and a ton of responsibilities with housework and grocery shopping all take away time together as a family. Camping gives you the chance to snatch that back. Sit. Talk. Eat. All of the things you wanted to do to catch up on each other and catch up on the news you haven’t managed to share are all so important.
Cheap Travel.
Camping is so much cheaper than booking a vacation at a resort. If you are camping, you can travel for less cash and you get to see more for it, too. Paying for transportation only means that you could take more trips away to camp at various spot on various weekends. The world is truly your oyster when you choose to camp, and if you want to upgrade, you could choose to get a camper van instead.
Cooking Basics.
When you want the chance to reconnect with the kids, what better way to do that than with teaching them how to cook over a fire? You could teach them hot to roast meat, cook sauces and you can have so much fun buying really basic food items and making new things out of them. There’s such a thing as campfire stew for a good reason!
Relight The Fire.
When you spend so much time working and busy, you can really lose the intimacy in your relationship. It’s not always the case in every marriage but losing the connection that you had is an easy thing to happen when life is busy. You can relight the fire in your marriage when you slough off the distractions and get back to each other. Whether you choose to go with your significant other, a best friend or a family member, you can use camping to reconnect and get to know each other again.
Stars: They Shine.
How often do you head outside at night just to look up? I’m willing to bet it’s not all that often. The best thing about being out in nature and camping is the chance to snuggle down in a sleeping bag and look into the stars. If you’re lucky enough to get a clear and cloudless night, you’re going to get a huge swell of twinkling stars gazing right back at you. There is barely any light pollution in nature, which gives you a moment to see far beyond anything else that you could imagine.
New Skills.
Being outside after so long being cooped up means that you’re going to have a chance to learn some skills that you can’t do in your usual, modern, everyday life. Teach your kids to fish while they teach you how to tie knots, learned from going to scouts. Plan some educational things in advance of a family trip; you’ll all get to learn something new together.
Refresh Yourself.
If you choose to head off camping on a Friday night after work, then you’ve got a weekend to spend in the great outdoors before you head back to the office. It’s a great way to slough off the cobwebs and restart your working week on a total, natural high. Take your time to get back to the office but do it as a more refreshed version of yourself.
It’s For Everyone.
It doesn’t matter whether your usual vacation choice is you, a cocktail and a good book next to a swimming pool, camping is for everyone. It has something to make anyone of any age feel amazing and brings you in touch with yourself as much as nature. You could choose to glamp if you don’t know how to get down and sleep on the floor of a tent. There are so many ways to camp, and as long as you haven’t forgotten the giant marshmallows or a torch, you could be right now on your way to having the best vacation of your life.
Camping isn’t just something that children do in the backyard. It can be an exciting option for a family vacation that you have so far been overlooking. Don’t overlook it; camping is a chance for everyone to have fun with each other in a way that they haven’t for a very long time. Camping is awesome, so what are you waiting for? Book your camping trip today.

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