Any recommendations for an AFFORDABLE Florida Gulf Coast vacation?|173733

We moved from Miami to Houston a few years ago and would like to find a gulf coast resort somewhere mid-point between those two locations to meet up with our family. Does anyone have any recommendations for an affordable resort/hotel/rental preferably on the beach somewhere in the pan handle vicinity? We_ve looked at Destin which seems a little pricey. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Owner Direct Vacation Rentals has loads of vacation rentals in the Florida Panhandle here:
http://www.ownerdirect.com/accommodation��
If not, try the Central Gulf Coast here:
http://www.ownerdirect.com/accommodation��
or the South Gulf Coast here:
http://www.ownerdirect.com/accommodation��


I bet you_ll find something affordable in there. I_ve been using Owner Direct for years now, and always find a great place to stay, and their customer service has always treated me right.

Hopefully this info helps you out in your plans!

St. George Island is a 22-mile barrier island in the Gulf Coast and is a wonderful place for an affordable beach vacation. Because the beach is not too commercialized, the waters are clear and ideal for swimming and fishing. Also, since you��re meeting up with family, it would be a good idea to rent a vacation home which is more economical than staying in a hotel. You can all stay in one roof, split the costs and save on expenses by cooking your own family breakfast. St. George Island Vacation Properties has many vacation homes to choose from so check out their site.

There are a million options in the panhandle. My favorite site for affordable Panhandle Vacations is http://www.floridagulfvacation.com - Florida Gulf Vacation.

They only list Florida Gulf Coast rentals, all are listed directly by the owners, and you can contact them right from the site. I_ve got some great deals in Panama City beach, Destin and Perdido Key over the last three years. Below is the link direct to the Panhandle beaches!

there are quite a few sites that you can search that will likely show you great hotels at the best prices available. check out the website BookMe and you will be able to compare prices on all the reputable travel sites in just a couple minutes. it_s very convenient and will save you a bunch of time and money. Also, make sure you buy them online... otherwise they charge much higher fees for phone orders. good luck.

What is the most tropical hawaiian island?|158367

I have been to kaui before and would like to go to either maui, oahu or the big island out of those which is the best? Id like to go snorkeling alot! so the water being clear and warm is important to me. I love tropical beaches with lots of palm trees ect...what island is best for that?

The big Island has fewer beaches because of the lava flows. It_s an interesting place but probably not what you are looking for. I think Maui would be your best bet. Kaanapali beach is located in an ancient volcanic rim so that water is more shallow and less choppy making snorkeling easier. If you go between Nov and May you can see the whales swimming with their new babies. You can also hear them when you are snorkeling or swimming in the water. Have fun!

Aloha! You sound like me, those are the things I love about Hawaii also! =)

I have some friends that just got back from Maui and went snorkeling every day, they just couldnt say enough good things about how beautiful and clear the water was, seeing dolphin_s swim by, the amazing trails, beaches and vistas - it is not for nothing that people say Maui nai ka oi (Maui is the best)

Kauai is called the garden Isle.

That would be Kaua_i, the Garden Isle.

In addition to what PEACE said Kauai holds the wettest spot on earth.

What are the best things to do in Honolulu?|171830

My fiance and I are going to Hawaii in June for our Honeymoon. We will stay 4 days in Honolulu and 3 days in Kauai. We are wanting to see and do a lot, especially in Honolulu. Does anyone have any tips or thoughts on the best things to do and see?

Wow, this is the longest answer I_ve ever done!!

I am assuming you already have a tour book that lists the main stuff (Waimea Canyon on Kauai, Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, surfing lessons, etc.) so I won_t:

* There are a lot of romantic restaurants in Oahu. The Hau Tree Lanai, on a terrace right on Sans Souci Beach (a quiet part of Waikiki) is outside seating under some Hau Trees. Reserve right before sunset to watch the sun go down and the surfers come in. For a busy Waikiki Beach experience, people always like Duke_s. The most beautiful _Bali Hai / South Seas_ tropical view to cuddle up close about is on the windward side of the island, in Kaneohe called Haleiwa Joe_s. The view is spectacularly gorgeous as the food is spectacularly average but with the view who cares? They have music. Go early, as the garden they overlook, Haiku Garden is famous, in fact a lot of local weddings there. For breakfast, go to the Plumeria Restaurant at the Kahala Resort....ahhhh. The locals all go to John Dominis when they have a special occasion. Smooth, seamless restaurant but I like it because it is the only time I_ve ever seen the famous foot-long centipedes we have here in the islands...I saw it in front of the lobby (nobody wanted to catch it and take it out...). Roy_s and Alan Wong_s are the top two local-food chefs in the islands, both restaurants are amazing. Alan Wong_s is also amazing $$$$$-wise.

http://www.haleiwajoes.com/111111_hjoes_��


http://www.johndominis.com/


* Walk down Mauna Kea Street in Honolulu_s Chinatown. Huge number of small florists that make flower leis are there. You can buy a hand-made work of flower art for $5 to $10 (some are amazing!). How wonderful to give each other an orchid or plumeria lei! I like Cindy_s Lei Shop.

http://www.cindysleishoppe.com/


* If you want to see a decent hula dancer, Kanoe Miller at the House Without A Key at the Halekulani Hotel (the top hotel in Oahu) is the most consistent dancer, the food is above average, great atmosphere right out of the 1940_s. Locals call this ambience the _Territorial_ era, before Hawaii was a state.

http://www.halekulani.com/dining/house_w��


* If you are thinking about having your fiance buy you a nice Hawaiian style keepsake jjewelery not too expensive, the local jeweler (many locations) is Na Hoku. Then at least you know it is legitimate. Avoid the Black Coral, Maui Divers and Tahitian Black Pearl shops, they are a rip-off I think.

http://www.nahoku.com/NaHoku/Home


* June 5-7 is the Matsuri Festival in Honolulu. There are a lot of ties between Japan and Hawaii (18% of locals are Japanese in fact).

* There are a lot of Vegas-style shows on Waikiki, they are all entertaining. But if you want to see local _Hawaiian_ music talent, go to Chai_s Island Bistro in the Aloha Tower. They have the top names in the islands in an intimate setting. If the dinner price is too high, go for drinks.

http://www.chaisislandbistro.com/


* The Iuaus are not-so-great nowadays. However, the show at the Polynesian Cultural Center is probably the most entertaining and informative. It is run by the Mormon Church so no drinks if that is important to you. I_m pretty sure you can still buy a ticket for just the show if you don_t want to see the exhibits of the different South Sea islands.

* Do you like to hike? Diamond Head is actually a round crater (doesn_t look like it from Waikiki) and you can hike from the inside to the highest point above Waikiki. It is hot and dry (tradewinds are blocked on the inside of the crater, ugh) but the view is amazing...worth a kiss or hug at least when you get there! If you are willing to put up with the mud, hike to a tropical jungle waterfall and pool, such as Manoa Falls (I always recommend this) in back of Honolulu in Manoa Valley...wear very strong flip-flops (cheap ones will break and it won_t be fun walking through the jungle without shoes) or Tevas. Bamboo forests, giant ferns and orchids on the way.

* Drive up to the overlook in back of central downtown Honolulu on the Nuuani Pali Highway to the windward side. It is called Nuuani Pali Point, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful vistas in Hawaii. If the tradewinds are blowing (which is usually the case) the wind funnels through the valley with spectacular wind speeds here.

* I_m sure you will snorkel at the two top spots Hanauma Bay National Preserve (GO EARLY or water gets cloudy and parking spots difficult) and Shark_s Cove on North Shore, but rent a car and go to beautiful Kailua or Lanikai Beach, both on the windward side.

* When you go to see Pearl Harbor, as exciting as the memorial is the perfectly-preserved WWII submarine on the grounds, don_t miss it! It is amazing how small it is inside, and you wonder how they stayed under the water in it for so long!

On Kauai:

* Absolutely you should go to Ke_e (or Ki_i) Beach near Hanalei/Princeville, the spot they filmed the beach love scene in the Thorn Birds. You can (theoretically) hike along the Na Pali Coast from here, but it will be more fun to take a zodiac inflated boat tour over here to see the sea caves, waterfalls that drop into the ocean.

* You should have the local _asian noodle_ dish in the islands. A mix of chinese, japanese and hawaiian. It is called _saimin_. Go to Hamura_s Saimin in Lihue, eat at their counter, it_s a fun _dive_ you will enjoy.

While in Honolulu take her to Dillingham on the North Shore of the Island. You can get a bus from Honolulu for $2. There is a small airfield at Dillingham where you could fly a glider (With a qualified instructor). If you get bored with that the just across the street, literally, you have some of the best surf in the world.

I don_t have a URL but for sure Google will find it

Have fun

Ian M.

1. surf
2. climb diamond head
3. meet people
4. stay up all night and watch the sunrise on the beach

Sex ?

What foods are the city of Boston known for?|182342

New York has Manhatten Chowder and style pizza, Chicago has there style pizza and the Italian Beef. What does Boston have for foods the city is known for?

The city isn_t called Beantown for nothing. Boston Baked Beans.

New England Clam Chowder, the white kind

Boston Creme Pie

Sam Adams Beer

New England style clam chowder, Boston baked beans, boston cream pie, I think sea food in general. . .Oh, and Sam Adams beer :)

oh, and I think Boston is the only place with so many roast beef shops, like Kelly_s Roast beef on Revere Beach and the many copy-cat shops. If you aren_t from the area, I think that_s worth checking out as well.

Baked Beans (Friend_s Brick Oven, of course!) and Cod (yeah, th_ fish!) are the two most commonly known. The Cod is the Massachusetts state fish.
Friend_s Beans got it_s start in Melrose..

When I think Lobster, I think Maine...

Clam chowder ( there is only one kind and it is white!)
Baked beans
lobster
fried clams
steamers (more clams)
scrod (cheap fried fish)
Boston Cream pies (yummy!)
North End Italian food
Sam Adams Beer
Toll House cookies
Fig newtons

Boston = Bean Town.

Are You Getting Jimmy_s Drift??? lol =-]

Okay, Gotta Blast! Catch You Later! ��

Boston Baked Beans, fried dough, and it_s seafood are what Boston is known for.

Clam Chowder (REAL stuff, not that Manhattan crap), Baked Beans

Boston Cream Pie, Parker House Rolls (Both from the Parker House in Boston)

Indian Pudding at Durgin Park, and tourists all come for Lobster

Yo Bostons called bean town for a reason boston backed beans we also got our lobster codfish and other seafood and have u ever heard of boston cream

beans, tea, lobster.

Lahbstah, Chowdah, _n beans!

Baked Beans!

that Chowdah

dead rats and beer

What places get hit the by hurricanes the most in central and west Florida?|181568

I am trying to find a place to live with in 30 min drive of orlando or tampa. But I want to be away from the places that are hit the most by hurricanes, winds and floods.

If you want to be within a half hour of Orlando search in towns North and South. Going East or West will put you closer towards the coast. If you want to be within a half hour of Tampa look East towards Orlando. If you can find a town about half-way between Orlando and Tampa you_ll be looking at about a 45 minute drive in either direction.

Unfortunately since Florida is a peninsula (and a relatively narrow one) there aren_t any good places to hide from hurricanes. Make sure you ask about flood plains and whether you are buying or renting make sure you have insurance including flood coverage.

The closer you are to water the more likely you_ll take a direct hit from a hurricane. Most storms loose their strength long before they reach Orlando so it_s not nearly as bad there as it is in coastal areas.

Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont, Oviedo, Lake Mary, and Winter Park are nice areas within 30 min of Orlando. You can have a hurricane come through any part of Florida but if you_re prepared they aren_t as bad as you think. Look for a block house with newer construction. I would avoid apartment complexes and condos b/c they are poorly built.

Any place in Florida can be hit at anytime. You just have to be prepared. Here is how.

Mainly South East Like Miami Homestead and Key Largo!!

What is the best things to do in Tennessee for a vacation and where to stay ?|155865

We are taking vacation with 2 lil ones . 8 and 4 yrs old also.. where is the best places to stay in mountains an in cabins preferably. but we wanta visit graceland also and the zoo an stuff. We wanta check out main towns like nashville an stuff too... so where should we stay and close to main town an streets . all information please if ya have any is needed. thanks

Should be a long trip if you want to do Graceland and Nashville... Sorry I can_t help about Memphis, but in Nashville, if you have 2 little ones, you probably don_t want to stay around the downtown area, as that is a heavy nightlife place with lots of bars, restaurants, clubs... it could be a nice place to check out during the day as it is tourist friendly with many shops and good food.

The zoo is in south Nashville off of Nolensville Pike (a place called Grassmere) and the Cumberland Science Musuem would be a great place to take the kids as well. South of Nashville (about 15 minutes) is a town called Franklin which has some history to it with large plantations you can visit such as the Carnton House. There are lots of farms/horse ranches down that way too. There is a neat place north of Nashville (I don_t know the exact town) called _A Cowboy Town at Rambling Breeze Ranch,_ they offer horse trail rides and other fun activities that kids might enjoy.

Chattanooga has some great touristy attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, and Rock City...

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are always fun destinations for kids with a neat _ski and resort_ type feel to it. Very much like a Panama City in the mountains. Ober Gatlinburg can be fun with some ice skating and/or skiing.

There are also lots of civil war memorials, battlefields, etc to visit as well. With a little research on the internet, they should be easy to find, or you could just pull off of the interstate if you see signs for them.

Have fun in Tennessee!

Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Memphis, Nashville, and Gatlinburg are far apart though....

Don��t forget to explore Chattanooga, Tennessee. There are outdoor attractions like Lookout Mountain_s Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. Lookout Mountain_s abundant Civil War history will interest young and old alike. Discover the Tennessee Aquarium, with its two underwater worlds: River Journey and the new Ocean Journey. You_ll see graceful seahorses, playful penguins, fierce sharks, curious otters, and even a butterfly garden! The Tennessee Aquarium_s IMAX 3D Theater will transport you _into_ the movies. And right down the street is the children_s Creative Discovery Museum where fun and education meet.
http://www.chattanoogafun.com/Attraction��


Enjoy your trip!

Chattanooga is good, but Pigeon Forge is also fun.

Whats the best travel site to book a hotel/flight through?|136757

Such as expedia, hotwire, priceline, etc, etc? What has the best deals in your opinion and no hidden costs. This is for a Disney trip and we_re buying the disney tickets separate from the flight/hotel.

priceline is what i love, name your own price

I find the best deals on Bookit.com. They do usually add a lot of taxes at checkout, but for trips I have taken it still works out to be cheaper than travelocity, expedia, hotwire. If you are a student, studentuniverse.com can have great deals sometimes (I found a flight to greece for 400 dollars round trip 2 years ago through them.) Also, next year disney is offering a special where you do one day of service through the handson program in your city and you get a free one day ticket to any of the 4 main parks. Its a great way to help out in your community and get a free ticket to Disney.

If this is a Disney trip I strongly recommend that you stay on-site at a Disney resort. They offer vacation packages that include hotel, dining, and tickets combined. If you stay on-site at Disney you will also have access to all the Disney resort amenities that include free transportation to all the parks, extra magic hours at the parks, and Disney guest services. Checkout their website:
http://www.disneyworld.com

You can compare hotel prices here

Hotels near Walt Disney World Resort

http://hotels.americacheaphotels.com/Cit��

There are many good sites which offers really good deals on booking. However you can look for Tripcart Travel destination site. This site is really good.

What is the best way to get from Penn Station to Ship of Fools?|150239

Address is 1590 Second Avenue Between 82nd and 83rd.

MTA.Info is telling me to take the N from Herald Square and transfer to the 6 to 86st street and walk down.

But with the crane collapse will this way be affected, or is there another way?

My friend, the crane fell on on 91st Street, the Ship of Fools is located about 10 block south of the accident. Here how to get the from Penn Station.

Step 1: take the uptown (northbound) _E_ train (Blue Line Local) from Penn Station to Lexington Avenue/53rd Street.

Step 2 at Lexington Avenue/53rd Street, transfer upstairs (follow the directional signs) to the #6 train (Green Line Local). Take the uptown (northbound) train from the 51st Street to 86th Street.

Step 3: at 86th Street, exit the subway, and walk east (towards the East River) 2 blocks from Lexington Avenue (86th Street Subway Station) to 2nd Avenue. At 2nd Avenue and 86th Street, turn right and walk an additonal 3 and a half block south along 2nd Avenue, from 86th Street to 1590 2nd Avenue.

The fare on the subway is $4 round trip ($2 each way).

I hope this information is very helpful. Good luck.
Native New Yorker