Top 5 Destinations to Make Your Friends Envious!
The American sociologist Charles Horton Cooley once said; “To get away from one’s working environment is, in a sense, to get away from ones self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.” After reading this, it should come as no surprise the amount of people that choose to escape their current existence and experience what is going on the far side of the world. A short list of five places, although perhaps pigeon holed to a certain part of the globe, just might make more words of Mr. Cooley ring loud and true; and make even the most ‘home-body’ of people sit up and scramble for their passports.
Hawaii. Although this might sound like an automatic for most people, it must fall on any list of places to go. If you have not had the pleasure of visiting any of these islands, then you truly don’t know what you’re missing; and if you have, sadly you do know what you’re missing and the time to reconnect with this paradise spot has never been more evident. Comprised of hundreds of islands spread over 1500 miles, the state of Hawaii has been a sod after spot for families, honeymooners and everyone else looking to enjoy its acclimate weather and its lush beaches, not to mention their bewildering gold, red, green and black sands. It might seem like a hard choice to pick from such places as Kauai, Maui, and Lanai; but a great place to start is the Big Island and Oahu.
Australia. I know that the flight there maybe a bit too long for those of us that might be a little cluster phobic, but when you consider everything that this country has to offer, you just might want to combat that phobia and go down under. With its over 2.9 million square miles of land, this country is filled with history, underwater treasures, sport enthusiasts and, for the nature lover, some of the most amazing creatures to ever roam the wild. If you’re a wine lover, or one that occasionally enjoys a nice glass, Australia, with its average temperature of 67F (19C), has some of the world’s best Chardonnay. Some major spots to visit: the Great Barrier Reef. The largest coral reef system in the world is composed of 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching approximately 133,000 square miles. If the mere size is hard to comprehend, you can see this massive structure from outer space! The Australia Zoo is another stop that any trip to Australia cannot do without. The home of the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, this complex is home to some of the countries best known inhabitants such as the Koala Bear, Tasmanian Devils, and of course crocodiles just to name a small few.
Florida. Alright, so this might not be as glamorous as the other two spots, and maybe I’m a bit biased seeing as how Florida is my home, but can 60 million visitors a year be wrong? I have lived here for the better part of 7 years and I still haven’t touched on ¼ of the places affectionately known as the “Sunshine State” has to offer. For simplicity sake, let’s start with Orlando and work our way south. I’m a huge kid at heart, and having said that, Disney World is one spot that I can’t seem to out grown. The old adage of ‘growing old, not up’ rings in my ears whenever I set foot in this place. And it’s not only inside the halo walls of WDW; it’s anywhere in Orlando. For some reason, things just seem to be more inviting while in Orlando. You see the smiles on everyone’s faces and because there is so much for the kiddies to do, the parents don’t look that stressed out. Pools and waterslides are the all the rage during the lazy, crazy hazy days of summer.
A little more then 3 hours south of Orlando is a quieter more laid back place called Singer Island. With its hiking, parks, marinas, and 47 miles of what has been considered one of the top five beaches in Palm Beach County, this little retreat is more to escape the hustle and bustles of everyday life. More then just a haven for the beach goer and hiker, the county also includes a drive-through safari, a zoo, science museum just to mention a few. Staying here isn’t as pricy as you may think; especially when you incorporate the fact that plush Palm Beach, Florida is just minutes away. Palm Beach Shores Resort and Vacation Villas is offering a special rate of only $99; along with 50% off regular pricing for an Island View Room.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Really, anywhere in the Caribbean is a comfortable, relaxing place to lay low for a few days, however Punta Cana, with its Phoenix rise from obscurity has become one of the hottest and most sought after places to visit in recent memory. Hundreds of resorts seem to be popping out of the nowhere to accommodate the influx of visitors that decide that the Dominican Republic is their vacation choice; and they have good reason. Home to a coastline of sandy white beaches, Punta Cana is considered the major resort area in the Dominican Republic. Golf courses, nightlife, waterparks and other tourist attractions can be enjoyed by all who visit this astonishing spot. This, in of itself, might be reason enough to go and enjoy some time, but throw in a 24-hour all-inclusive resort package where kids stay, play and eat free and, it’s a slam dunk.
Cruising. This is, admittedly, a wild card for me. I enjoy my time on the water, and to travel in a way that hasn’t changed much in close to a hundred years has some great appeal to me. I look out into the sea with bewilderment as I think that these are the same waters that famous pirates, Vikings and explorers sailed on. I look up in the sky and am amazed that these same people used a system of celestial navigation that is as foreign to me as the places that cruising takes me. Yes, cruising to me is more then just a hotel out in the middle of a body of water; it’s a vessel of enjoyment, relaxation and a tranquility of listening to the crescendo of the waves. Never been on a cruise, shame on you; but there is still time to reconcile.
Understandably, the eve of a recession has a lot of people contemplating trading in their vacation for a ‘stay-cation’. But with deals like these, it might be hard to pass up. Adhere to words of Mr. Cooley and get out there and enjoy what these magical places have to offer.
Source: Rich Gonzalez
