Vacation World

Travel During the Off-Season

"According to Reader’s Digest, traveling during the off-season also results in big savings."

Take it from somebody who has experience. Traveling during the off-season is a must. I’ve been to Disney World in the middle of January, and over Easter break. The kids and I had such a good time in January. There were no lines and the weather was perfect. Easter, however, was a nightmare. It was so hot one of my kids got physically ill, and the lines were so long that we missed out seeing much of the park.

According to Reader’s Digest, traveling during the off-season also results in big savings. Hotels will offer discounts on rooms as much as 50% off, and airline prices are also less during the off-season because there is less of a demand. Some amusement parks and noteworthy attractions will also lower their prices during the off-season in an attempt to attract more visitors.
Read more about Travel During the Off-Season

Top Tourist Attractions in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is easy for me to get to since it is only about an hour and a half away. I have seen many of the sites within the city and decided it would be nice to compile a list of the top tourist attractions for visitors who may be a bit father away than I am.

1. The Liberty Bell: This is a must see for history buffs or children traveling to Philly on a class trip. Although the Liberty Bell no longer remains inside of Independence Hall (another great location to stop in when visiting the city), it can now be viewed from the Liberty Bell Center.
Read more about Top Tourist Attractions in Philadelphia

Compare Traveling Costs

Flying may get you to your destination the fastest, but it is not always the cheapest. This week a friend of mine had me acting as her travel agent (although I am not one by profession). I compared the different modes of transportation that were available for the destination she had picked out, and then gave her the options so that she could choose which route was best for her to take.
Read more about Compare Traveling Costs

New Mobile Translator App Lets You Translate Text On The Go

Japanese company Omron will be releasing their new live-capture translator app in 2012.

One of Japan’s chief exports, other than electronics, is tourists. For this reason, it seems, they have been fixated on mobile translation technology for the purposes of maintaining literacy even in foreign countries. Japanese company Omron has finally developed a live-image mobile app that translates text in foreign languages just by pointing your phone at it. Imagine the benefit to tourists and business travelers if suddenly menus, maps, and signs were easily translatable in moments, simply by pointing your phone at it.

There have been a number of travel friendly apps developed in the last year that attempt to make users as bilingual as possible without actually having to go through the pesky process of learning the language. Famously, iPhone released an app using their voice-recognition software that is able to hear the user’s voice in their native language, and translate it, the phone vocalizing the words in the desired language to listeners. Called Jibbigo, it’s great for person to person communication (in small amounts), but tourists are far more likely to need assistance with written text, rather than speech. That’s where Omron’s new translation app comes in. Read more about New Mobile Translator App Lets You Translate Text On The Go

Vacationing in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Here are a few places and restaurants that you may want to check out when you get to Atlantic City!

Atlantic City is the last of my island reviews in South Jersey. It’s the farthest away from where I live on the mainland, but only by about 40 minutes. Just like Wildwood, Atlantic City does not charge for the use of its beaches. This is a big plus, since beach tags for a season can be quite costly.

Most people think “casino” when Atlantic City is mentioned. Yes, the city does have several really nice casinos, but there is a lot more to Atlantic City than gambling. The boardwalk itself offers an array of entertainment. Vacationers can stroll along the pier, enjoy a sunset, play in one of the arcades, grab a bite to eat, or take part in a few boardwalk games. Steel Pier even offers amusement rides for both children and adults.

Several other attractions are also alluring should you plan on visiting AC anytime soon. There is the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, Tuckerton Seaport Museum, Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the Atlantic City Aquarium, and Lucy the Elephant. If you have younger children, you can also take a quick 10 minute drive outside of Atlantic City to stop by Storybook Land. Read more about Vacationing in Atlantic City, New Jersey

The Madonna Inn

"A Unique San Luis Obispo Theme Hotel"

I love theme hotels. They aren't as popular as in the past, but there are still many to choose from. The Madonna Inn, located on the southern coast of California (San Luis Obispo), is one of them. Read more about The Madonna Inn

Vacationing in Sea Isle City, New Jersey

Sea Isle City, New Jersey is the island just between Avalon and Ocean City. My daughter’s best friend’s parents enjoy the beach in Sea Isle City more than the other beaches, so they often take her there in the summer. I think it is because Sea Isle City’s beaches are often commented to be the cleanest around.
Read more about Vacationing in Sea Isle City, New Jersey

Vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey

Ocean City is my next favorite island to visit here in South Jersey. It only takes me about 35 minutes to get into the city. Several of my family members have worked in Ocean City, and a lot of my friends choose to attend church there. My favorite place is the boardwalk, and twice per year they offer $10 bracelets for the rides and miniature golf courses to benefit handicap children.
Read more about Vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey

Vacationing in Stone Harbor, New Jersey

"96th Street in Stone Harbor is perhaps the most famous street."

I’m continuing my series of islands here is South Jersey that you should consider visiting. Stone Harbor is in between Avalon and Wildwood, and is home to many art shops and specialty boutiques. No matter where you stay in Stone Harbor, the beach is within walking distance.
Read more about Vacationing in Stone Harbor, New Jersey

Frommer's Hot Travel Spots of 2011

It's a good year for sunny locales.

If you live in the United States, it's probably cold this time of year. If you're lucky enough to live in a temperate place, you're probably bored because the rain just keeps on drizzling. Sigh. Regardless of your situation, December drags long and bleak, and really, what could be better than a vacation during that holiday work hiatus?

Since there's a wide world at your disposal, our friends at Frommer's have picked the best vacation spots of 2011. Here are a few: Read more about Frommer's Hot Travel Spots of 2011