Pilot Report

Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

If you get to see Boston this fall you’re in for a treat whether you live there, are going on a trip, or are just spending a short stay at one of the many Boston business hotels . While this city has a rich history, that can be appreciated by those with an interest in key moments of America’s growth into the country it is today, everyone can appreciate the beauty this town offers with the changing of the seasons.

When the weather starts to get a hint of chill to it this autumn many are going to travel to the beautiful city of Boston to enjoy trademark New England foods and walk through its amazing parks enjoying the scenery.

While there are many lovely parks spread throughout the city there are some with their own special touches that make them true gems to stroll through. From the famous Swan boats you can rent to go out on the water at the Boston Public Garden to the carousel with its variety of whimsical and unique mounts else where in the Boston Common, there are no ends to the wonder just this park presents to its visitors. Whether you have time to meander its paths or just want a jog or fresh air you will certainly find the view of this park in autumn stunning.

Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis is the largest of five lakes that are connected by a channel comprising of Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. With sandy beaches perfect for volleyball, sunbathing and picnics; a 3 mile paved path circling the lake that is perfect for walkers, bikers and in-line skaters, Lake Calhoun not only attracts the younger crowd, but all Minneapolis residence and tourist alike.

Windsurfers, kayakers, canoeists and sailors can rent any of these aquatic equipment for a fun-filled summer days at Lake Calhoun and travel to all the connecting lakes; for winter days, Lake Calhoun is dotted with ice-fishing houses.

The Lake is the centerpiece of the Uptown District, located at 3000 Calhoun Parkway and within walking distance from most luxury Minneapolis hotels, Lake Calhoun is great for the entire family with a huge, new playground that will keep the little ones busy all day; it’s a great inexpensive activity where you’ll only spend money at the food vendors stationed throughout the park, unless you bring a picnic. If you’re a visitor, ask the concierge at your hotel to provide a picnic basket that you can take to the lake, that way you don’t have to make any additional stops on your way to soak up the sun, watch sailboats sail by, relax as you people watch and above all else take in the spectacular view of Minneapolis.

One of the best ways to enjoy the Port of Seattle is to hop on a Ferry and take a ride to one of the surrounding islands. It is great to just get on and take the time away from the big city to relax and take in some fresh air. One can find information and ride to the pier from the best seattle hotels .

With in 20 to 30 minutes one can set foot on one of the beautiful islands such as Vashon Island and Bainbridge Island to name a couple. These are the closest islands to visit and they both offer up some lovely places to dine as well as some great galleries and shops to brows through.
It is always a really nice day.

Check out the Washington State Department of Transportation page for information on the Seattle Ferry’s . They do take on motor vehicles and bicycles as well as walk on passengers. If you walk on there are some cabs on the other side to help you get around. They usually take off every half hour or forty five minutes and if it is a bit busy it is well worth the wait.

Spend the night at a Los Angeles cheap hotel and enjoy a delightful evening of musical entertainment under the stars at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Music in the L.A. Zoo . There will be three nights of different types of music performed at different locations throughout the Zoo. July 9, 2010 is World Music Night; July 23, 2010 is Classic Rock Night; and August 6, 2010 is the Local Scene. Each event begins at 6pm and ends at 9pm. Tickets for this very popular annual event go fast, so don’t delay.

July 9th – World Music Night, features Middle Eastern music by John Bilezikjian, French music by the Marieve Harrington Band, Japanese by Marisa Kosugi, Mexican by ‘Cui Cui’ Rangel, Salsa by Incendio, Irish by Paddy’s Pig, Latin by Espino and Zimbabwean by Masanga Marimba. Zoo exhibits will focus on international animals.

July 23rd – Classic Rock Night, features a Grateful Dead Tribute band, the Cubensis; The Heist will play music from The Doors, Led Zepplin, The Who and Creedence Clearwater Revival; There will be a Beatles Tribute band – We Are The Eggmen; a Heart Tribute band – Bad Animals; an Eagles Tribute Band – Heartache Tonight; On the Rocks will perform music by the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Bad Company; and David Vito Gregoli will perform music from James Taylor, America, Dan Fogelberg and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Zoo exhibits will focus on native and international animals.

August 6th – The Local Scene, features an all-Los Angeles band roster: the Happy Hollows, Voxhaul Broadcast, Useless Keys, The Lonely Wild, Walking Sleep and the Slang Chickens. The Zoo exhibits native to California animals.

All three nights will also include interactive animal education and conversation stations that will be located throughout the Zoo; each one will be staffed by Zoo Docents and Zoo volunteers. Picnics are encouraged and there will also be an eclectic array of food and beverage selections, varying on the three nights. A wine bar, fresh fruit skewers, gourmet cheese skewers, caprese skewers, Washington martinis and mashed potatoes served in a martini glass, L.A. Street Tacos, wild Alaskan salmon, soba noodle salad, Thai beef salad, Angus beef, Cajun chicken sliders, barbecued pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, corn on the cob, and well over hundred more delicious food items will be available to purchase throughout the Zoo.

Admission to ‘Music in the Zoo’ is $16.50 for adults and $10.50 for children under 16 years of age. Children 5 and under are free.

One thing Lafayette isn’t lacking in are day spas and for very good reasons; Lafayette is becoming the place to go for resort life, leisure and relaxation. There’s no better way to enjoy what this city has to offer its visitors other than a day at the spa. Listed below are not only the best spas, but they are also conveniently located next to great hotels Lafayette is known for to accommodate all the thousands of tourists each week, looking for a nice respite from their daily lives.

The Ashero Spa , located at 233 Doucet Road, offers services including therapies, specialized treatments, body works, facial treatments, waxing, make-up and nails. This spa opened in 1999 and has created a personal friendship over the years with their clients and their community. The spa’s intention is to continue to provide high quality products alongside their unmatched service and unparalleled therapeutic spa treatments such as the Moor and Dead Sea Mud Wrap, the Hydro Whirlpool, the Swedish Miracle, a Body Polish that utilizes exfoliation salts and essential oils to revitalize the skin, Tango Paraffin Body Wraps, and the Alpha Spa Capsule treatment consisting of a dry heat sauna with temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Europe Spa , located at 340 Kaliste Saloom Road, offers a peaceful setting to enjoy services that include, facials, body treatments, massage, laser, natural spa waxing, detoxing and manicures. Europe’s mission is to help clients achieve their goals of health and wellness, by providing the best services including honoring their clients with dignity and privacy. Their vision is to educate and inform their clients with ways of improving and sustaining good health and wellness with varying levels of treatments that lend themselves to the whole person.

The Coccolare Spa , located at 331 Doucet Road, offers the latest in skincare technology and products. Coccolare is an Italian word meaning ‘to Pamper’. Which Coccolare has surpassed its name. They have spa medical treatments, spa services, surgical procedures and consultations and all in a beautiful, relaxing environment. It’s like no other spa and is dedicated to the restoration of a healthy skin with emphasis on non-surgical treatment options.

The Thai Herbal Spa , located at 1619 W. Pinhook Road, offers an authentic Thailand experience for massage therapy, traditional Thai spa aroma massage, mini facial spa, skin care and hair care. The Thai Herbal Spa and Salon offer a wide variety of Thailand Body Solutions that have been a part of Thailand traditions of centuries. These products are used on all guests, and you might just be receiving the spa treatment by the owner herself.

Washington DC is well known as the nation’s capital and the various government buildings and establishments are part of its overall symbolic image. Meanwhile, there is actually a great deal of cultural attractions thriving in DC and attract numerous tourists every year in addition to those who are there to see The White House and Capital Building, though they are on almost everyone’s visitation agenda. The Smithsonian Institute is one of the most important and significant cultural establishments in the country and is also based in Washington DC. It has many programs, performances, exhibits and other events that are either produced or sponsored by it and the guests in some of the five star hotels Washington DC are frequently surprised by and amazed with all that the institute does.

One of the great and also pleasing aspects of admission to the Smithsonian zoos and museums is the fact they are free. Among all of the incredible features of the institute, some of the permanent and traveling exhibits are absolutely incredible. From the What Does It Mean to Be Human to One Life: Echoes of Elvis, the exhibits explore and present various aspects of science and the arts as they relate to the human experience and condition. In addition to the museums and exhibits the Smithsonian houses many libraries and they contain some of the most impressive and important historic literary manuscripts and collections in the world. Preservation of important artistic documents, such as plays, sheet music and fictional works is extremely important and one of the outstanding services provided by the Smithsonian.

One of the favorite features for children is the Albert Einstein Planetarium, which is also popular with adults. A diverse collection of shows is presented that attracts all interests and age populations. From Black Holes to One World One Sky, the Planetarium entertains and educates. The Discovery Theatre is another popular program for kids. The educational and entertainment oriented productions are specifically aimed for young audiences who are introduced to various cultural traditions while gaining an appreciation for the performance arts.

Lisbon, Portugal is a festive city celebrating Catholic saints Portugal’s feasts and holidays year round. Tourists almost always are bound to encounter a street carnival of some sort while on vacation in this historic city. The, hands down, most festive time of the year to visit is June 12th and 13th for the feast of Santo Antonio, or Saint Anthony.

Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Lisbon, is most popularly known as the keeper of lost things, but in Portugal he is known as the saint of marriages, believe that he during his life time helped council marriages. Yearly in Lisbon, since the 1950′s, lucky young couples receive the blessing of Saint Anthony. They are married on June 13th in a group wedding ceremony called “Santo Casamenteiro”, at the Se Cathedral in the Alfama district surrounded by festivities. The traditions surrounding this feast have evolved over the centuries from celebrated weddings to full festivals including parades and street vendors.

Starting roughly at 9:30 pm, the evening festivities kick off with a parade, the Marchas Populares. This parade starts at Marques de Pombal square and meanders down Avenida da Liberdade, a main thoroughfare, to end in Rossio Plaza. All of the local neighborhoods have been competing in float and celebration contests since the 1930′s, despite the tradition having begun in the 1800′s, so no matter where you are in Lisbon you are bound to get caught up in the Feast of Saint Antonio. If you stay out to see the end of the Marchas Populares, about midnight, you probably plan to be out all night because the streets become so packed with revelers that it’s practically impossible to wade across the street until dawn. If you have elected to stay in a Lisbon hotel during the celebration it is definitely advisable to party close to your hotel and book well in advance for the largest summer festival in Europe.

As the plane begins its decent onto the island of Kauai one of the first things that you will notice, apart from the gorgeous green mountains, is the crisp clean shoreline and the sparkling blue ocean. They are unlike any beaches you have ever been to; especially if you are accustomed to California beaches. The best thing to do once you get checked into your Hawaii hotels is grab your swim gear and head out for some snorkeling.

There are a couple of different options for snorkeling on Kauai. The first option is to take a tour. There are several tour companies in Kauai that offer different snorkeling packages, including Kauai Sea Tours . Kauai Sea Tours provides tours on both the catamaran and the raft that take you up the Na Pali coast . Upon arrival you are free to snorkel in the shadows of the magnificent Na Pali cliffs ‚ €the highest cliffs in Hawaii. The tours can last anywhere from 3 hours to 6 hours and some even include a meal. The tours are nice because you often see things, like sea turtles and Hawaiian spinner dolphins, that you won’t see anyplace else.

If a lengthy boat ride isn’t your thing, or perhaps you just didn’t get your fill of the ocean, you can also snorkel on your own at many of Kauai’s beaches. You do need to be cautious and do your homework before diving into just any beach since many of them do not have lifeguards on duty. Investigate each beach you are considering and check the tide reports for rip tides and warnings. One beach that is great for snorkeling, especially if you have kids, is Lydgate Park . There is a man-made pond formed by a half circle of large rocks that helps keep the waves and the tide under control. However inside that pool is the greatest variety of fish you have ever seen. Whether you are just learning to snorkel or have been snorkeling for years, Lydgate Park is a must see.

No matter how many times you have been to Kauai, snorkeling is one the Hawaiian activities that you don’t want to miss.

California beaches have a kind of magic that is somehow able to appeal to almost everybody, but remains very specific, and seems to hold something deeply personal to each person that spends any time here. It’s as old as any mystery that’s been part of the earth’s history for millions of years. So although one can spend time here watching new swimwear, and toys that roll, and hear sounds that have electronic beats, there is still something very ancient about the experience.

Clothes are part of a tradition of adornment, and every culture has its tastes. The objects that we use to move us around come about from the invention of the wheel. And the beats from hip hop come directly from West Africa , and can be traced back into a vanishing point that predates the oldest ancestors. Even the gorgeous hotels here, suited with all the latest technologies, speak to a convenience and hospitality that are as old as any civilization that has had guests. This is all part and parcel of the sea’s great mysteries, and there are times when we can be reminded that this is indeed where we all came from.

Or so it would seem, and even if the jump between the sea and the land is as hard to fathom as the moment before the universe exploded into what it is today, we are water. Our bodies are mostly water, and affected by tides and the turns and the whims of the moon . It’s a strange moment, to be vacationing in California, and wondering about how we don’t want to leave, not just yet. But in the greater picture, our lives are a flash, a blink, and we are always just visiting. Some things seem permanent, and they fade into the horizon, and the only thing that survives all of this, bearing witness to these events, is the ocean.

While staying in London it is a seeing a show in one of the great West End Theatre’s is a must do. The theatre here has given great influence to theatre’s all over the world. The shows performed here on a nightly basis are considered to be the some of the best in the world. Millions of people see the high quality productions each year. Over the past few years specifically the attendance records have been broken with major musicals like Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins, Wicked, We Will Rock You and The Producers on the scene. The productions have also attracted many major movie stars from America to perform such as Kevin Spacey and Val Kilmer. The history of the theatre district is a long one starting with the construction of the first playhouse in 1576, The Theatre. Then came along another called The Curtain . They both had performances by the William Shakespeare Company. There were some changes for a few years with openings, closings and rebuilding which lead to a restoration in 1660 and the licensing of two companies, the King’s Company and the Duke’s Company were allow to perform. This is when the first West End theatre was built called Theatre Royal in Bridges Street. Now that same site holds the Theatre Royal. All sorts of conditions were placed on who could perform what for a long time and but the creative stayed creative and were finding loop holes they could build into their performances that made most things possible. The late 1700s and early 1800s proved to be growth period for the districts as new theatres were going up every couple of years. Places like the Criterion Theatre , the Savoy Theatre and the Comedy Theatre went up with the boom until the slow down around World War I. Mixed in with many of these theatres is a great London hotel to find and rest ones head after a late night of decadence and excitement. Catch a great tour of the theatures in London and see if you may be able to meet some of the performers before they go on stage.