Vacation Destinations Archives - Page 4 of 4

Virginia Beach Neptune Festival

July 19, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

If you’re looking for an event to attend with the family in the Hampton Roads area, check out the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival in Virginia Beach, VA. It’s a great way to spend the day with the family, soak up some sun and end the summer with a bang. It’s been on my list of travel destinations for several years.

Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, summer activities in Virginia Beach, Things To Do In Virginia, beach activities

First, the festival starts in September. So, be sure to check the site for up to date information. You can stroll along the boardwalk from 18th – 29th street and find vendors under a sea of white canopies selling their wares. Furthermore, the smell of delicious foods will engulf you. If you decide to attend, find the vendor selling the fish tacos. They are yummy in your tummy. Also, they sell veggie burgers, gyros, and a variety of other foods. Musicians will gladly entertain you throughout the day.

Next, what excites me about the festival is the artists who create the sand sculptures. They are amazing. So, the sculptors bring their skills from the USA and around the world. I have seen sculptors from Russia, Holland, Canada, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Ireland and Singapore. As a result, big money is up for grabs and big sand sculptures will rise up on the sand. The precision that the sculptors use is incredible. As a result, it is so much fun to walk along the beach and check out these beautiful works of art. To give you a taste of what you will see here’s a few pictures from prior festivals:

As a matter of fact, the first time that I saw sand sculptures was in Venice Beach, CA. I couldn’t believe that such beautiful artwork could be made out of sand. I was hooked. Fortunately, my daughter moved to Virginia Beach years ago. So, I try to attend the Neptune Festival when I can. The sand artists never disappoint.

Additionally, if you’re willing to pay an entry fee, you can sit under this massive canopy. If the weather is not cooperating, it’s a perfect place to watch the artists sculpt. The fee also allows you to mingle with the artists.

Last, mark your calendar for the annual Neptune Festival. Parking can be found on Pacific Avenue without too much trouble. And, it allows easy access to the boardwalk. Be sure to bring a stroller for baby, hat and your sunscreen. You’ll want to spend the day. Finally, you may also like 9 Budget Friendly Activities in Virginia Beach.

Filed Under: Vacation Destinations Tagged With: Neptune Festival, travel destinations, travel tips, virginia beach

11 Reasons To Visit St. Thomas

July 13, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Today, I’m sharing reason why you should vacation in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. It is now one of my favorite places to visit, and I’ve added it to my favorite travel destinations. So, at least once a year I head to the Caribbean or some other destination on my bucket list. And, I always return with a positive outlook and feeling relaxed. I found St. Thomas to be truly breathtaking from the condo that I rented for the week. I don’t think I could have made a better selection. Let’s check out why you should visit too.

Here’s 11 Reasons Why You Should Visit St Thomas Virgin Islands:

1. First, these are pictures from my balcony, which overlooked the harbor in Charlotte Amalie. The view was just as spectacular during the day as it was at night. St. Thomas is hilly as you can see in the pictures. As a result, many homes and businesses are built into the hills. Reaching certain destinations can be a struggle if you’re walking around the island. If you decide to visit and rent a car. As a matter of fact, I would suggest a jeep. You may also want to remember they drive on the opposite side of the road in the Virgin Islands. If you’re not comfortable with that concept, cabs are plentiful.

2. Next, this is a picture of Blue Beard’s Castle named after the Pirate Blue Beard. The castle is actually a tower that sits on a hill. It was used as a look out by Blue Beard for ships coming into the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The canons used by Blue Beard on still on the premises, Also, a statute of Blue Beard is pictured below. The tower is open several days a week for tours.

3. Cruise ships dock in St. Thomas. The ships actually passed my balcony before docking in the harbor. I captured these pictures after they had docked on the other side of the resort. They arrive around 6:00 – 7:00 am several days a week and normally depart around 9:00 pm that night. Cruise passengers must shop and explore the island between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

4. St. Thomas offers world class shopping for the rich and famous as well as unique boutiques and shops for the everyday person. Many of the shops are housed in narrow alley ways, but they also have major shopping areas with stores like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, Rolex etc. They are a little to rich for my pocket, but you can also find flea market type items at Vendor’s Plaza. Nice place to visit for tees, jewelry and other items for souvenirs.

5. Historical churches and landmarks are a big part of St. Thomas too. This is the world famous Frederick Lutheran Church. It’s the oldest church in St. Thomas and the second oldest church in the western hemisphere. Also shown is the oldest building in St. Thomas, Fort Christian, built in 1671.

6. Exotic fruits and hot sauces are plentiful. It was interesting to see coconuts in their original state after being picked from the palm trees. What we see in our stores are coconuts that have the shell shown removed. The coconut has reached its final stage, and contains the coconut meat that we use for cooking. Fresh mangoes are huge on the island too. I’m a lover of all things hot, so I went in search of unique hot sauces to bring back to the states. I found the perfect stand at Market Square. The vendor allowed me to taste the sauces before purchasing to ensure I went home with the perfect sauce. I did!

7. I enjoyed watching the yachts of the rich and famous pass my balcony as they headed out to the Caribbean Sea and their next destination. You see million dollar yachts on television, but to see them in person is truly amazing. This one has a helicopter on board, see it on the back of the yacht?

8. I love eating native dishes when I’m traveling. Gladys’ Cafe came highly recommended. So I headed there for lunch. The cafe is downtown and specializes in Ox Tails and curried dishes. They were both amazing. The Cafe is very small. Pauline was our waitress and the only waitress. What amazed me the most, the cafe didn’t have a rest room. In the states, a business would not be able to operate.

Patrons were required to go outside and several doors down a small building housed the Ladies and Men’s rooms. Most of the establishments are open for either breakfast and lunch or they’re just open for dinner. Those that are open for breakfast and/or lunch close by 5:00 pm. Since many businesses depend on tourists, the money must be spread around.

9. Also, you can find Green Iguanas in many areas in St. Thomas. The Green Iguana is native to Central and South American. Wondering how they have populated the Caribbean? Biologist believe they arrived via hurricanes over the years. This is an older Iguana. Unfortunately, they loose their bright green color as they age. It appeared to be used to people and was enjoying crackers when I spotted it.

10. There’s nothing like relaxing with a little steel drum music when your vacationing in the Caribbean. As a matter of fact, one evening we were entertained by a brother and sister team pool side. In addition to Calypso, you will find Reggae which is popular on the island of St. Croix. Furthermore, salsa dancing in the Virgin Islands is a must too. So, be sure to brush up on your moves before you arrive.

11. So, the supermarket in the background below was about a mile from my condo. Some items were reasonable and some caused my mouth to hang open. For example, $9.00 for a gallon of ice cream, $10.00 for a gallon of milk, and $5.00 for a dozen of eggs. Needless to say, I didn’t purchase any milk or ice cream. Truthfully, it was cheaper to eat it out. In spite of the of the high prices, the views are awesome on the island. They make-up for the high cost of living. As a result, things balanced out for me.

Last, rent a vehicle. If you’re simply going to cruise around the island, I would recommend a convertible. Remember, the maximum speed limit is 35 mph on the island and it’s hilly.

Finally, I wish I could share all of my photos of this trip. It is a beautiful island. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit several places during my visit. So, I will be returning in the near future. In my opinion, turquoise water, beautiful beaches, great food, and nice people make another trip worth it. In closing, you may also like 18 Places to Travel Off Season.

Filed Under: Travel, Vacation Destinations Tagged With: family travel, travel, travel destinations, Virgin Islands

Visiting the Martin Luther King Childhood Home

January 17, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

In honor of Black History Month I wanted to share my trip to Martin Luther King childhood home, in Atlanta, GA. It’s one of the great travel destinations that I have checked off my Bucket List. The weather was perfect for photo opportunities and sightseeing during my stay. I visited the and the MLK Center for Non-Violent Social Change during my visit.

So, this is a picture of my sister and me sitting on the front porch of the childhood home that Dr. King grew up in. I will always treasure this picture. Most importantly, I will cherish the feelings that I had when I stepped upon that porch. It literally sent chills through me. To see where this genius and American Icon and Civil Rights leader grew up was so emotional.

Witnessing a part of history, especially since the Civil Rights movement that had impacted me and my family significantly was mind boggling. Sharing it with my sister put the icing on the cake. We always have a good time together.

Dr. King’s childhood home is beautifully maintained and has lots of character. It is actually quite large, four bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, study, parlor/living room, a bathroom and a huge backyard. That was a large home, especially for a black during that time. My favorite feature of the house is the wrap around porch.

Unfortunately, Dr. King would be assassinated during the peak of the Civil Rights movement. This is the farm wagon that carried Dr. King’s coffin from his Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College, his alma mater, for the second service. The wagon was pulled by 2 mules through Atlanta for 3.5 miles. If everyone remembers, Mrs. King walked with her children ahead of the wagon in the funeral procession.

Across the street from the King Center is Dr. King’s final resting place at the King Center in Atlanta. His wife Coretta Scott King was laid to rest beside him.

Last, across from the Kings’ Crypt is the eternal flame. There is also the Civil Right Walk of Fame located at the King Center. Below are a few prints from the walk which include Dr. Maya Angelo, Sidney Poitier, Magic Johnson, and Maynard Jackson. Maynard Jackson was the first black mayor in Atlanta. My brother, Dr. Robert Holmes, wrote Maynard Jackson’s biography.

Finally, I hope that you enjoyed the photos of Dr. Martin Luther King childhood home. Furthermore, I hope you remember and honor what Dr. King dedicated his life doing. Be kind to and love one another, and take the time to learn something new during Black History Month. Additionally, you may also like: African American Invent

Filed Under: Travel, Vacation Destinations Tagged With: Atlanta, GA, Martin Luther King, Things To Do in Atlanta

Twelve Hotel Atlanta Georgia

September 19, 2009 by Rhonda Gales

Today, I’m sharing my Twelve Hotel Atlanta Georgia review. I was actually there for a business trip. And, it was absolutely beautiful. Especially, if you like high end hotels, The Twelve Hotel Atlanta Georgia is a must. The hotel is located in downtown Atlanta about 5 blocks from the Coca Cola Company, Aquarium, Olympic Park and the CNN Building. I was hoping that I would see that gorgeous Don Lemon or Dr. Gupta, but it didn’t happen.

Fortune Magazine has named this hotel as one of the best business hotels in the country. I agree.

travel destination

There’s a wonderful gourmet sandwich shop around the corner from the hotel, Jimmy Johns. They have the best sub sandwiches. It takes less than 5 minutes to get your order. By the time I paid, the sandwich was made, bagged, and ready to go. If you want to splurge, visit BLT Steak on Ivan Allen Blvd. It’s ranked as the number two steakhouse in Atlanta. It’s also around the corner from the hotel. You see that I spoke of food first. Food is a top priority rather I’m traveling for business or pleasure.

Now for my take on the hotel. There’s nothing better than having the comforts of home while you’re away. This hotel delivers. It has a full kitchen with gorgeous stainless steel appliances and cherry cabinets. It also offers a dining area and breakfast bar if you wish to cook. Not interested in cooking, they have a ghost computer where you can order room service and set your wake-up call on line. Room service can be expensive with the delivery fee and gratuity, but it was worth it. The hotel also delivers mixed drinks, wine, beer whatever your preference. Furthermore, if you want to socialize, they have an upscale restaurant and bar down stairs.

There’s a balcony off the bedroom. I was on the 11th floor, so I didn’t venture out too far. Although I’m a veteran flyer, I have a fear of being on balconies if I’m up that high. I wanted to admire the view of downtown Atlanta, so I did stick one foot out while holding on to the door, lol. Downtown Atlanta is beautiful at night. I tried to get a few night photos, but they didn’t turn out. Proving once again, I need photography lessons.

I absolutely loved the bedroom. The decor was stunning. It was spacious, and offered ample closet and drawer space. It was decorated in a contemporary decor with a king size bed and full length stainless steel mirror. The bed was comfortable and the bedding soft. I woke up feeling rested and ready to start my day.

The hotel room had a separate shower, but I decided to filled this tub while I was there. I always carry candles when I travel. So, I lite my candles and soaked until the water turned cold. It was so relaxing. My tub at home is just as nice, but I’m always in a hurry so I jump in the shower. I’ve decided that I’m going to use it more often. It’s good for these aching joints and old bones. Twelve Hotel Atlanta Georgia offers a complimentary robe too. If you wish to purchase it will cost you $75.00. I didn’t purchase, but I did make use of it while I was there. It was so soft and comfortable. My body could get used to Egyptian cotton. Than again anything would be better than my tattered and torn bathrobe at home.

In the summer, you can take a swim in the pool located on the roof top. I’m a veteran traveler, and this hotel met all my needs except one. It doesn’t have a washer or dryer for hotel guest. It offers laundry service, but there’s a fee for each piece of clothing. I had a week’s worth of clothing with me, so I opted to carry my dirty laundry home. That’s something I hate to do.

The suites start at $189.00 a night with a discount. The Marta Train is across the street, which takes you to the airport or the hotel will arrange a shuttle or a cab. I took a cab since I was carrying numerous bags. The hotel is located 12 miles from the airport. However, they offer a flat rate fee of $30.00 for door to door service. If you’re in the Atlanta area and looking for a 5 star hotel, Twelve Hotel Atlanta Georgia is the place to stay. It’s a business traveler’s paradise.

I thank my employer for such luxurious accommodations. They usually set me up at the Crown Plaza when I’m in Atlanta, but they out did themselves on this trip. I hope my Twelve Hotel Atlanta Georgia review will give you some insight on this beautiful hotel.