Amazing Brazil Part 2 – If a picture is worth a thousand words….

Friday, March 1st, 2013

The party continues as AJ heads down the homestretch of this really, well, AMAZING tour! From cruising on the Amazon River and hiking among the beasts of the jungle to the glorious beaches, beautiful people and very special Jewish experience in Rio…..we are now in Iguazu Falls to view our 2nd of the new 7 Natural Wonders of the World. That’s right – we’ve seen two of the 7 Wonders of Nature in the last week alone, along this tour. Check it out: http://nature.new7wonders.com/

This is why we call it “Amazing”! See for yourself – in less than 30,000 words:

Tags: 7 Natural Wonders of the World, AJ, Amazing, Amazing Journeys, Amazon, Brazil, Iguazu Falls, jungle, new7wonders of nature
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Amazing Brazil

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. As our Amazing Journeys Brazil adventure passes its midway point and 34 passengers navigate their way through the remote regions of the Amazon Rainforest, the buzzing city of Rio de Janeiro and, soon, the majestic awe of Iguazu Falls….enjoy these memories-in-the-making, condensed from 30,000 words:

Tags: Amazing Journeys, Amazon, Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Rainforest, Rio, Rio de Janeiro
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One Night in Bangkok

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

More than One Night in Bangkok….it was “Slingin’ it in Singapore” and “Gooooooooood Morrrrrrrrning Vietnaaaaaam”.

What an amazing journey, on so many fronts! Its been just a few days since AJ returned from the far east, having visited some truly remarkable, interesting and memorable places. From visiting extravagant Buddhas and riding elephants in Thailand to chillin’ like the locals overnight in Saigon ….from the opulence of a Grand Palace to the chaos of motorbikes-gone-wild in Vietnam….from a New Year’s Eve Party on the pool deck to riding the “Flyer” in Singapore, the thousands of miles traveled, the places we visited,and the scores of friendships made will not soon be forgotten.

A picture’s worth a thousand words so enjoy this story of 3 weeks in Asia, and a Happy New Year like no place on earth:

Tags: Amazing Journeys, Bangkok, Buddah, elephants, Good Morning Vietnam, Grand Palace, New Year's Eve, Singapore, Singapore Flyer, Thailand, Vietnam
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Balloons in Review

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

Our New Mexico tour has come to an end but not after an avalanche of “oooh”s and “aaaah”s and “wooooah”s as 40 Amazing Journeyers took in all the beauty and pagentry that our 48th state has to offer this time of year. Some of the highlights of this magnificent tour:

On our first full day we wasted no time as an early morning wakeup call provided us with one of the most photographed events in the world, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Viewing the Dawn Patrol and the Mass Ascension, over 100 colorful balloons from around the world made the sky become a pallet of multicolored orbs dancing in the cool morning light. Following the morning festivities, we enjoyed an Albuquerque City Tour featuring the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center depicting the history and culture of New Mexico’s 19 Native American pueblos, and historic Old Town. That evening we returned to the Balloon Fiesta where just before dusk, burners from hundreds of balloons light up the evening sky with the amazing Balloon Glow. What a sight!

On our 2nd day in New Mexico we headed to Bandelier National Monument, best known for its mesas, sheer-walled canyons, rock art and ancestral Pueblo dwellings. We also visited the Los Alamos Bradbury Science Museum to learn about the Manhattan Project and the creation of the world’s first atomic bomb.

We discovered Santa Fe, the upscale resort and artist community with Spanish-Pueblo roots. On our City Tour we visited the Plaza, Loretto Chapel and the Palace of the Governor’s, a Santa Fe landmark built in 1610 as well as an array of art galleries, museums, restaurants and craft shops.

We traveled north via the “High Road to Taos,” passing through ancient villages founded in the 1700’s and stopped in the Spanish village of Chimayo to visit El Santuario, revered by pilgrims for the healing power of dirt found inside the chapel. Taos is the historic home of the Pueblo Indians. Located atop a plateau between the Rio Grande and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos has lured artists and writers since the 19th century. We visited Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America.

Thanks to all 40 passenger (half them first time AJers!) for entrusting us with their vacation plans and for being part of such an Amazing Journey.

Tags: Albuquerque, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Balloon Glow, Bandelier National Monument, Bradbury Science Museum, Dawn Patrol, hot air balloon, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Mass Ascension, New Mexico, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe, Taos, Taos Pueblo
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Weeeeeee…….

Monday, September 24th, 2012

Everyone loves a good roller coaster. Whether its a fast one or one with corkscrews or one with a 200 foot vertical drop…or one that goes from zero to 80 mph in 3.2 seconds , the need for speed takes many turns on a good coaster. Coasters are the lightening rods for fun at Amusement Parks; the featured fun…the thrills that give you chills…and, the reason that 3-hour wait lines were invented. Over 7 million people attend an amusement park every summer and chances are you were one of them.

Amusement Today, a publication that covers the amusement and water park industries recognize the best parks in 25 categories as ranked by “experienced and well-traveled” fans who know their way around the amusement park world.

This year’s winner is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio! The honor will come as no surprise to diehard amusement park fans who track these things, seeing as this Park has ranked No. 1 in the annual competition since it began 14 years ago.

In other categories, winners include industry giants like Universal Studios and Disney, as well as family run enterprises like Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Ind.

Curiously, though the results were tallied from an international database of fans, according to Amusement Today, not a single non-U.S park landed on the “best” list.

A sampling of 2011 awardees are:

*Best Amusement Park – Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
*Best Waterpark – Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas
*Best Children’s Park – Idlewild and SoakZone, Ligonier, Pa.
*Best Marine Life Park – SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
*Best Seaside Park – Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Calif.
*Best Steel Coaster – Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
*Friendliest Staff – Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
*Best Halloween Event – Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
*Best Landscaping – Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.
*Best Food – Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
*Best Outdoor Night Show Production – IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Walt Disney World’s Epcot, Orlando, Fla.
*Best Water Ride – Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla.
*Best Dark Ride – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla.
*Best New Ride of 2011: Amusement Park – New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas
*Best Indoor Roller Coaster – Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
*Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction – Noah’s Ark at Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pa.

Got an opinion? Here’s your chance to cast a vote. What’s your favorite amusement park and why?

Tags: Amusement Park, Busch Gardens, Cedar Point, Disney, Harry Potter, Journey, Revenge of the Mummy, Roller Coaster, Seaworld, summer, Universal Studios, water park
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Do ya Do ya Do ya Do ya Wanna Dance (and tap your toes…and smile…and sing along)?

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Amidst all the stresses of leisure travel, the industry is booming at levels not seen since pre 9/11. Why? Because the tribulations outweigh the trials. (At least they are supposed to.) The thrills of venturing off to another place for “a change of scenery”…a “break in the action”…some “R & R”….”downtime”, or whatever you want to call it, is a natural yearning in the DNA of most people living in the civilized world. As much as we have, we need a break from it from time to time.

So, what does all this have to do with the title of this week’s post? Well….it became a thought, after watching the following youtube video, that travel is so special in so many ways. It really is what you make of it. Things go wrong (lost luggage), there are stresses (rushing to make a flight connection) and there are premature moments of early onset vacation-itis (did I remember to close the garage door)….but in the end, whever you go and whatever you do can be amazing, if that’s what you want to make of it.

This awesome video shows you one man’s journey around the world, making the most of it by meeting thousands of people…by just dancing. Now I invite you to sing along, tap your toes, (just try not to smile)…and dance with us, all around the world: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pwe-pA6TaZk?rel=0

(…and then for even more smiles, check out the outtakes)

Tags: break in the action, dance, downtime, lost luggage, R & R, You Tube, youtube
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Tales From the Alaska Trails (if a picture is worth a thousand words, then these memories from our latest AJ is worth millions!)

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Tags: AJ, Alaska, Tales, Trails
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Feria

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

In the spring in the city of Seville in southern Spain, a week-long celebration takes place that draws over one million people a year – the event is called “La Feria de Sevilla”. Over the years, Feria has become an internationally known celebration of flamenco, bullfighting and fun. Flamenco is an integral part of the tradition because Seville is considered to be the cultural epicenter of flamenco culture and music.

During Feria, a temporary “tent city” is born and the make-shift “tents” (or as they are known in Spanish, “casetas”) divide the land into different dance halls and private areas that are filled each evening with dancing and life lasting from 9 in the evening until 6 or 7 in the morning. Every tent is set up differently with a unique atmosphere and different customs. Visitors roam around the fairgrounds until they find an open tent with a good vibe to have a drink, watch performances and experience the atmosphere.

The women are known to dress in their most spectacular gowns, usually brightly colored flamenco dresses inspired by Gypsy fashion. The most common beverage drunk in during the Seville Fair is Spanish sherry wine, very famous in southern Spain. Often, to battle the heat of April in Seville, the sherry wine is mixed with 7-up or sprite to produce a drink known as “rebujito”.

In addition the the long nights of stomping, clapping and celebrating in the casetas, Feria also offers a wide range of other events during the day. Andalusian horse parades with decorated carriages are daily processions as they make their way through the city and fairground. The equestrian events are usually accompanied by singing groups who serenade crowds with traditional Sevillian ballads and guitar music. Many of the parade participants are members of Seville’s upper class aristocracy and normally dawn exquisite traditional Andalusian outfits with wide-brimmed “bolero” hats and short-cropped jackets. Of course, not to be missed during Feria are the afternoon bullfights. The bullring in Seville is known as one of the most beautiful in Spain and is commonly known by the locals as “the cathedral”.

Our Amazing Journeys travelers had the opportunity to experience the thrill of Feria. They sipped on sherry, explored the casetas and danced until the wee hours of the morning soaking in every bit of the tradition as possible!

Tags: adventure, Amazing Journeys, Feria, Jewish Singles, Spain, Vacation
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Hola España!

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Memories in motion: Amazing Spain is well underway–from churos con chocolate to Flamenco dancing on the streets, to the festival of Feria and the pagentry of a bullfight, check out this montage of amazing fun from our group:

Tags: Amazing, bull fight, churos, Dancing, España, Feria, festival, Flamenco, pagentry, Spain
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MANcationing

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Hey dude…man up! Its always fun to take a VAcation with that special lady…or that special group (Amazing Journeys!) but every once in a while you need MANcation with your buds for a no-ladies-allowed adventure. You’ve outgrown the Spring Break mentality but you’re looking for something fun, accessible and yes….manly.

Uphold your end of the man code by planning a fishing trip in San Diego, a trip to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, ski weekend to Lake Tahoe, a Vegas Weekend or a visit to legendary Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Here are a few other ideas with links on how to learn more:

Lingerie Bowl – The Lingerie Bowl is the ultimate fantasy football game, an annual Super Bowl alternative special. It’s full-contact football and the female athletes wear, you guessed it, just lingerie. Really!

Best US Golf Courses – From the east coast to the west coast, check out the best golf courses in the United States including Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and more.

Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza – The world’s largest ice-fishing contest takes place every January in Brainerd, MN. Chill out with 15,000 anglers on frozen Gull Lake.

Final Four Cities vs. Cities – Check out the local scenery and historic sites that capture the beauty of the final four men’s college basketball teams left in the NCAA National Championships.