Travel Vacations tips

Archive for March, 2011

Holding The Ultimate Retirement Party: A Chartered Cruise

Retirement is something that comes around once in a lifetime and you should definitely enjoy it. The best way to say adios to your career is to put on the celebration of a lifetime and what better way to do this than hold your retirement party on a chartered cruise?

Chartered cruises are usually far more affordable than most people think and they provide the ability to enjoy amazing scenery and luxury settings while celebrating. It’s a good idea to check with various chartered cruise companies in your area to find the best one with a price you can afford and a boat of the appropriate size for your guests.

Bring on the Food

The retirement dinner is a definite musthave. Some cruises include a meal but for true luxury you’ll want to bring your own chef or caterer aboard and handpick the menu. Seafood is always a good option for a chartered cruise and is appropriately elegant for your retirement send off.

Find chefs by looking at the different caterers available in your area. Most of them will be more than willing to cook aboard they will just need time to load their ingredients and equipment on the boat before your guests arrive. Make sure you schedule everything so that the catering crew and anyone else including servers can board early enough that they won’t be loading stuff on the boat as your guests are arriving.

You will want to make sure that there is adequate space for dining on your chartered cruise. Depending on the cruise ship there could be anything from a cozy dining room to a proper banquet hall. Choose the chartered cruise option that fits the number of people you will be inviting. There’s no point in trying to cram 100 guests onto a cruise meant for 50. Most cruise lines will also limit the number of guests according to the size of the vessel.

Decoration of the Chartered Cruise

What would a retirement party be without a few decorations? There’s no need to be cheesy with paper signs and such. You can request silver and gold streamers decorated tables etc. to suit the theme and still be elegant. It’s often nice to include a little favor for each guest at their place on the table.
Find out ahead of time if decorating is included and if you will need to bring your own table linens etc. Most cruise lines will have their own table settings but if you aren’t happy with them you should be able to rent something more appropriate or speak to the caterer about the possibility of having the tables done to your specifications.

Choosing the Chartered Cruise

Not all cruises are the same. There are a variety of sizes available from intimate dinners for a dozen all the way up to ships that can accommodate hundreds of guests. It’s completely up to you as to how many people you want.

Some cruise lines require that you use their particular caterer. While this is often fine it could mean extra cost to you so make sure you double check prices and find out if there is an option to bring in your own caterer and serving staff which could save you money in the long run.

A retirement dinner aboard a chartered cruise is the perfect way to say goodbye to a lifetime of loyal work. It can be a lot of fun to kick off your retirement with a party on a boat and is a good sign of the fun times yet to come.

About the writer:  A chartered yacht makes an excellent venue for any special occassion or event including themed cruises. When looking for a Toronto cruise consider Klancy’s Charters.

The Top Five New Years Eve Parties On The Planet

The Top Five New Years Eve Parties on the Planet

New Years Eve is our last chance to enjoy the excesses of the season before the sobering onset of January but overpriced events tickets a lack of public transport and horrible weather often result in big disappointment. With more Brits staying in and missing out on the biggest party night of the year perhaps its time we set our sights further afield making the fun last that bit longer with a new year break in a place that really knows how to celebrate in style. Heres Auto Europes recommendation for the best venues to raise a glass on December 31st:

Edinburgh

Scotland is famous for the Hogmanay party celebrated on New Years Eve with varying degrees of tradition. In Edinburgh it has become a huge ticketed street party organised to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. Celebrations start on Thursday 29th December with a torchlight procession in the early evening. Various different events run up to the New Year crescendo when a number of stages are erected to host performances from top music acts. The party kicks off at 10pm and at midnight the Seven Hills firework display lights up Edinburgh castle. The atmosphere is electric and the event is in full swing well into the early hours. Walk off the following days hangover in the Princes Street Gardens or take a stroll along the Union Canal.

Sydney

Australias Sydney Harbour is home to some of the most breathtaking New Years Eve celebrations. The pleasant nighttime temperature and two spectacular fireworks displays one setoff at 9pm for young families draw hoards of partygoers. Make sure you get an unspoilt view by booking a place aboard one of the vessels taking part in the Harbour of Light parade or head to one of the recommended vantage points some of these have entrance fees so check in advance. There are also a number of hotels from which you can view the fireworks or if the budget stretches far enough book a luxury dinner cruise. Find everything you need to know about this party and other events taking place in the area.

New York

New York City is possibly the most iconic New Years Eve venue on the planet. As midnight approaches on December 31st all eyes turn to Times Square where a free event has been held each year since 1906. As the clock strikes twelve the New Years Eve ball descends from a flagpole atop One Times Square to the sound of a million cheers. The festivities are watched by over a billion people worldwide. If you want to soak up the party spirit in person get there early and be well prepared. Temperatures are low and with such a high volume of visitors the event is carefully managed so you will have to stay in barricaded areas for the duration of the evening or risk losing your place.

Madeira

Its a littleknown fact that Madeira is a great destination for a Christmas break. The weather is mild and the capital city Funchal is turned into one big nativity scene. Each year the city organises a varied programme of cultural and artistic events. On the 31st December its impossible to avoid the celebrations with spectacular fireworks displays and parties taking place in hotels restaurants bars and on the streets. A safe friendly atmosphere makes this an ideal New Years Eve destination for families.

About the writer:  Auto Europe UK www.autoeurope.co.uk is the English arm of the successful online multinational car hire firm www.autoeurope.com

Magnetic Attractions Of San Francisco Beckons

One of the most densely populated cities in the USA; San Francisco has something for all ages. From Golden Gate Bridge Chinatown to Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco attractions beckon tourists from all over the world. This charismatic city is also known for diverse multicultured population multiflavoured cuisine and lifestyles.

Here is the list of some of the major crowd pulling attractions of San Francisco:

Golden Gate Bridge
Millions of people visit this beautiful bridge each year which is the most photographed bridge in the world. Driving on this 746 feet high 1.7mile bridge in a classy limo is mindblowing. Contact a San Francisco limousine providing company for hiring a limo and cross the bridge in style.

Alamo Square
It is one of the most photographed sites as Alamo Square frames the old Victorian styled homes against a backdrop of tall skyscrapers. Some of these Victorian homes have been turned into Bed amp; Breakfasts while some are open to the public for viewing.

Alcatraz
Once a chilling prison to lock up hardcore criminals Alcatraz now attracts thousands of visitors. Tour guides here recount history of inmates in languages convenient to the group.

Lombard Street
Known as the “crookedest street in the world” the bricklined Lombard Street attracts a large number of visitors each year. It is fun to drive on this one way street with sharp curves and which passes by grand mansions. Drive slowly and take the curves carefully.

Cable Car Rides
When you are in San Francisco do spare some time to enjoy a ride on a cable car. It is truly fun and your kids would surely love it. Considered as San Francisco’s moving historic landmark it still passes through the 100yearold routes.

Fisherman’s Wharf
The one place where you can get scrumptious and fresh sea food particularly the mouth watering crabs it has to be Fisherman’s Wharf. The rich aromas of the Fisherman’s Wharf attract thousands of visitors and make it the city’s one of the most popular tourist destination.

PIER 39
Located just a few blocks away from Fisherman’s Wharf PIER 39 is a festive marketplace which contains more than 110 stores several restaurants with lovely views of the bay and mouth watering dishes.

Chinatown
Chinatown is a city within a city. It is home to the largest number of Chinese present outside China. Streets are lined with grocery stores tea shops theatres and restaurants. Don’t forget to collect the fascinating souvenirs from exotic shops here.

Mission Dolores
Founded in 1776 Mission Dolores is the oldest standing structure in the fabulous San Francisco. It has survived two major earthquakes and is still relatively intact.

Exploring such a beautiful city with so many attractions is not possible in a public transport which is usually very crowded. To see the sights and to travel around the place a limo is the best mode of transport any given day. A limo makes journey comfortable and you can enjoy the marvellous things city has to offer without worrying about the parking or traffic jams.

Check on the net and find a reputed San Francisco limousine providing company to organize a luxurious San Francisco trip for you.

About the writer:  Jack Strauss is a travel journalist who has written extensively on big cities like San Francisco and the companies providing San Francisco limousine and the San Francisco bay area limo service.