Exploring America’s Caribbean Island: Key West (Part 1)
Exploring America’s Caribbean Island: Key West (Part 1)
What comes to mind when you hear the word Caribbean? Inevitably you would conjure up pleasant thoughts of white-sand beaches somewhere in a tropical paradise. The thoughts of a beautiful archipelago surrounded by the sea would come to mind. Perhaps, you will never forget the taste of salt on your skin as you wade through the waters of its serene beaches. Apart from the relaxing joy that the sound from the wavy waters of its beaches bring, how can one forget the exhilarating pleasures of climbing in its green mountain peaks?
You’ll also love to hear the ‘Caribbean’ story. How its culture was built on piracy and sugar, slavery, revolt and colonial identity. You will come to appreciate and enjoy the vibrant mix of cultures that the islands support.
But did you know that somewhere in the heart of Florida Keys lies America’s ‘Caribbean’? It is Key West; a tiny, subtropical island awaiting both discovery and rediscovery. Yes, Caribbean pleasures are just one of the finer things in life that you can find in this little coral reef island. Considered as the most beautiful among the Florida Keys, it is a place so vibrant and laid back that exploring it once will make memories that would last you a lifetime.
Exploring Key West’s Art & History
A place’ culture is better understood through its art and history. When you come to be familiar with this tiny city’s art and history, you will appreciate its innate beauty and laid back simplicity. You will embrace Key West as your own, much like how its residents consider each other as one family.
How can you discover its history better than touring its museums? Yes, this little coral reef island of charm has three museums replete with the story of its past glory. Visiting these historical vanguards will certainly enrich your experience and perception of the beauty that is uniquely this Key’s own.
The Fort East Martello Museums & Gardens (Part 1)
The museum’s casemates, citadel and courtyard house a vast collection of Key West and Florida Key’s artifacts and historical records as well as military memorabilia. The view from atop the central tower grants visitors a spectacular panorama of this little city’s Atlantic coast. An 80-year old playhouse in the garden provides children with tangible experience of how kids lived and played in old Key West. Also housed in this museum are the state’s largest collections of painted wood carvings and drawings by Mario Sanchez and the scrap metal “junk” sculpture of Stanley Papio, both of whom are internationally renowned folk artists from the Keys.…
Vacationing In Ireland
Vacationing In Ireland
Blarney Castle
One of Ireland’s most sought out travel destinations is the Blarney Castle. The historic landmark is famous for its Blarney Stone. There is a tradition in Ireland that if a person kisses the Blarney Stone they will be blessed with “the gift of gab”, meaning they will be transformed into very eloquent talkers. This is a wonderful experience for anyone who travels to Ireland to experience. It also makes for a memorable photo opportunity.
Medieval Sites
Another great attraction to see in Ireland is the medieval capital of Kilkenny. It is home to some of the most stunning, ancient architectural structures in the country. This location also plays host to a number of interesting festivals that take place throughout the year. Kilkenny is only about an hour and a half trip from Dublin, making it an easy spot to visit on any vacation to Ireland.
The Famous Cliffs Of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher is arguable the most famous tourist destination in all of Ireland and is a must see for any traveler. The scenery offered by these enormous cliffs is simply stunning and gives tourists an incredible place to view the Atlantic Ocean. Ever year more than a million tourists flock to this destination. The Cliffs of Moher also hosted part of the production for the Hollywood hit “The Princess Bride”.
Golfing Experiences
Golf is wildly popular in the country of Ireland and the country boasts some of the more noteworthy courses in the world. In fact, many people travel to Ireland for the golfing experience alone. Ireland is also home to a number of famous golfers worldwide, many of which have gone on to win major championships. Some of Ireland’s golf courses date back hundreds of years and can still be played today. This is a wonderful experience for any golf enthusiast as the can play the game as it was played by its inventors.…
The Perfect Spot for Vacation Rental Homes in the World
The Perfect Spot for Vacation Rental Homes in the World
Most Americans are aspiring and longing for vacation rental homes. There are also some who are quite hesitant because of the crisis going on. However, if decision is greatly thought twice or more, the aspirants can select to have their vacation home rented out if they are not using it. Since many are looking for it, this technique can become a beneficial investment. There are times when one cannot greatly gain from it but still, the fact remains that it can add some extra income.
The most important aspect to keep in mind when planning to purchase a vacation home is the location. It is suggested to buyers to go visit the location where they want to have their vacation home before buying. This is advisable because it is assumed that homeowners will spend more time on their vacation home and it is significant that they are happy with the location. Not only the exact location itself but also the areas around should be taken into consideration if one prefers to invest from their vacation homes. The location should be appealing enough to get the attention of the market as well as it should be able to bag good rent returns. If one is planning to invest on a vacation home, one should take note that location matters. The best vacation home should allow the vacationers to not only feel the comforts of the home but also have fun while having the time of their life. Location plays a major role in the vacation rental homes business. Vacationers choose the place where they can enjoy aside from experiencing the amenities of the vacation home. A nice example of location for vacation homes is a place that either has beaches, parks, or anything of that sort that will bring some activities to vacationers. A good atmosphere and weather will also make a difference to catching a potential vacationer.
An ideal vacation home should offer a wide range of fun and interesting activities. These activities can be an outdoor activity or an indoor activity. Regardless, it should make the vacationers enjoy their vacation. Some samples of outdoor activities are kayaking, hiking, swimming, skiing and trailing. For indoor activities, one can watch painting exhibits or visit museums. Aside from fun activities that the vacationers can enjoy, the location of the vacation home should involve socialization with others from time to time. Festivals or celebration in an area may make this possible. These festivities not only show the traditions of the area but also allow the tourists or vacationers to have fun while mingling with other people. Some of the best places forit in the United States are Guam, Florida, U.S Virgin Islands, Oregon, and Colorado.
Guam may be the one of the best choices if one is looking for an exotic place. Guam’s climate is warm all year round and provides the vacationers the chance to experience their culture and enjoy their wonderful beaches. Oregon features a variety of outdoor activities. Ashland, OR is famous for its Oregon Shakespeare Festival while Salem, OR celebrates the Salem Art Fair and Festival. Miami Florida is included in one of the most visited destination in the US. It not only offers its beautiful white sand beaches but it also provides fun activities like swimming with the dolphins.
The US Virgin Islands has picturesque white sand beaches that allow visitors to go swimming, snorkeling or go hiking in the National Park. Horseback riding is also a fun activity to try when in the U.S Virgin Islands in addition to golfing. There are still a lot of places in the US for that wonderful vacation home that can provide investors not only self comfort and luxury but also an added income.…
Vacation Homes And The Furniture That Brings Them Together
Vacation Homes And The Furniture That Brings Them Together
With spring arriving soon, you are probably planning some vacations for the summer months ahead. Some families will be heading to their lake house, some to a cabin in the mountains, and some might even be heading to their beach house! When you and your family get to these places you want to feel like you’ve escaped from the hustle and bustle of everything that is going on at work, school, and everything else that is happening in the world. What makes these places special is that they are your own personal safe haven to enjoy with friends and family.
When you have a lake house or even a cabin in the mountains, sometimes it’s a considerable amount of time between visits. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the kind of furniture that is low maintenance and durable enough to last long enough for your family to enjoy as well as their families to enjoy in the future? A niche that has been concealed by modern contemporary style furniture is quickly making a prominent return to the world of furniture. This niche is known as barrel furniture. This furniture is fabricated from used oak wine barrels. The beautifully aged wine stained oak is sanded down and transformed from a discarded barrel to noteworthy works of fine craftsmanship.
The most popular items are the end tables. The table tops are constructed out of the heads of the barrels. These barrel heads often have cooperage marking on them, which makes each one unique in its own way. The coffee tables also have these same features; bringing a warm relaxing feeling into any room of your vacation home. Bar stools and chairs are also popular items. These can be specifically designed to your physical attributes. Size, width, wood finish, and even engraving your initials or favorite sports team logos can make these beautiful chairs to match your personality. With comfort and originality, these are truly one of a kind.
Barrel furniture is built to last under any condition. Whether it’s inside or on the porch out back, it is guaranteed to last. With the weather proof finishes and rock solid engineering that is put into these timeless wine stained pieces of furniture, they become increasingly difficult to part with once you and your family have shared unforgettable moments sharing laughs and stories with close friends as the sun goes down before playing candle lit board games before the next day of new experiences and adventure begins.…
What You Need to Know About the US Passport
What You Need to Know About the US Passport
The modern passport contains many characteristics that enhance the appearance and safety aspects for travel. These ensure that tourists can have a smooth passage into the country of destination.
Essentials: Every regular US passport contains a few standard features – a blue cover page with the Great Seal of America affixed on it, a personal data page and a page carrying the signature of the bearer and a message from the US Secretary of State requesting permission to enter a foreign country. The passport covers for diplomats and officials, however, differ from regular ones. Each passport contains a standard of 32 pages, or 52 pages for frequent flyers such as businessmen.
Visa access: Some countries, such as China and Australia, require visas for entry into the country. The time taken and cost for visa application varies from country to country. A vast majority of countries in the world, including most of Europe and Japan, do not require any prior visas to enter. For information as to whether to apply for a visa, do remember to check the Foreign Affairs website of the country you re about to visit, or simply enquire with your travel agent.
Safety: The new US passport now contains an electronic chip that stores all your bio-data and passport information. This is not only to ensure that no changes are made to the passport illegally, but also to allow for a faster checkout at the immigrations.
Passport card: An alternative to the passport booklet is the passport card, specifically for travel to countries in North American – Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean. It might be a good idea to apply for a card instead of a standard booklet if you are traveling to these countries, since it is not only more portable, but also cheaper.
Validity: Both booklets and cards are valid for 10 years for an adult, or 5 years for a minor under 16 years of age.
Application: Applying for a passport can be done in person at any passport agency or acceptance facility. Current costs for an adult passport booklet are $100 and $85 for minors, or $45 for an adult passport card and $25 for minors. Passport renewals can be done through the internet and mail.
These are just some of the basics of a US passport, and would serve any traveler well when using or trying to obtain one.…
Are Vacation Homes A Big Waste of Money?
Are Vacation Homes A Big Waste of Money?
Rent is a waste of money, or is it? That’s what we’ve been conditioned to believe for the last few generations. Even when the real estate market is more stable and prices are steadily increasing, buying a vacation home may not be the best decision for your wallet.
Should you buy a vacation home that you’ll only use a few months a year? Let’s take a look at a simplified example to highlight what it costs to own a vacation home. You purchase a vacation home, and the monthly costs including mortgage payment, real estate taxes, insurance, HOA, or other maintenance and utilities are $3,000 a month. You use the home for three months a year, although you’re paying for 12. So, you’re paying $3,000 a month for 12 months or $36,000 a year and using the home for three months at an effective cost of $12,000 per month ($36,000/3). You could seasonally rent a similar home in the same area for $4,000 per month or $12,000 for the season. You’d be paying $24,000 extra a year owning the home versus renting it ($36,000-$12,000). Over five years, you would have spent $120,000 more to own the home ($24,000 x 5 years). Yes, the home might appreciate, but you would have to subtract buying and selling closing costs and a potential real estate commission from any appreciation.
Let’s say you purchased a home for $400,000 plus $8,000 in closing costs for a total initial investment of $408,000. Let’s assume it increased in value 5% a year (higher than normal market conditions). It would be worth about $510,500 at the end of the fifth year. If you sold the home and subtracted a 6% commission and $8,000 in selling closing costs you would net about $471,900. Your approximate profit would be $63,900, but remember you would have spent an extra $120,000 to own instead of to rent the home for those five years which would actually mean you spent $56,100 more overall (-$120,000+$63,900).
Keep in mind that the home might have needed repairs and renovation work, which would have added to your cost as a vacation homeowner. You would, however, pay off some of your mortgage balance which would be a benefit of owning versus renting. But, know that during the first several years of a 30-year mortgage, typically 75% – 80% of each mortgage payment is interest and not principal repayment. You may also be able to deduct the mortgage interest on this second home, but the bottom line is for this vacation home, the overall financial costs would be greater than the benefits.
Every situation is different, but now you have the tools to conduct your own financial analysis. Sometimes it makes financial sense for you to buy versus rent a vacation home, and sometimes there are non-financial reasons to influence your decision. It is, however, better to make a big financial decision with your “eyes wide open” rather than with blinders on. You may avoid financial disappointment or hardship later.
Please note that all information contained within this article is educational and should not be interpreted as financial advice. For advice that is specific to your needs and circumstances, you should consult a financial or tax adviser.…
All You Need to Know in Holiday Cottages
All You Need to Know in Holiday Cottages
Modest structure, rural nature, small size, quaint architecture, is what cottages are generally about. Many people have different opinions about the term cottage and it is rural type of dwelling house that is typically made of wood. Cottages are also called bungalows, are often small houses of one or two stories. Though it is typically found in countryside’s, some cottage style house elements are also worked into suburban and urban design. So before hiring your holiday cottages, know its advantages and uses so that you can find the best one and can have a nice vacation. In this article, you can find some useful information about vacation villas and how to get the best one.
The advantage of holiday cottage is you can feel comfortable and your babies and children can be easily accommodated. In recent years, vacation rental has been famous and you don’t feel the pressure as you feel in hotels, and holiday homes bring you much more experience to your holiday. They may be small and big and it gives you complete freedom. You can come and go as you like and it does not have any restrictions. You can eat in and out and can stay in bed as you like. The holiday home has the features that typically look like a countryside house and they have the features such as garden or large outdoor space. Another advantage of rental villas is, if you are interested in gardening, you can grow some flowers or plants, so when you come next time you can see its growth and enjoy.
The holiday homes have accessories such as stone or rustic wood benches and even wishing wells are typical features. If you are fond of having garden on your cottage, then holiday houses are perfect setting to indulge. You just came for a vacation to enjoy the trip and some of you may like loneliness and don’t want yourself to be in a crowd. So vacation rentals may be your perfect choice and most of the holiday cottages are as like your house and you can have all the facilities such as kitchen, music room, television, music player, kid’s room, playing room and more. The villa rental owners have made this facility for the convenience of the vacationers.
The best way to find these holiday homes is by doing some search on internet by using the keywords and you can find the list of companies and sites that have provided information about villas, villa guests, travel ideas and tips. All of our vacation villas are professionally cleaned and managed and provide the ultimate in luxurious accommodation. So you can find some of the villa rental websites who provide information about the spectacular mountains, landscapes and beaches nearby your vacation spot. Also, it is advisable to book a villa before, so that you can have a best vacation home for your holiday. The website that provides information about villas has also made the facility to contact the villa owners directly.…