St. John
The gem of the Virgin Islands
City Guides, Travel Planning and Dream Vacations
Growing up in New Jersey, a vacation in New York City is probably one of the last places we’d consider as a family. But for everyone else around the world, the Big Apple rivals any city you can think of for it’s endless energy, cultural diversity and plenty of good old fun. There are experiences here that you just won’t find anywhere else. Here’s a few at the top of our list:
1) Empire State Building
Kids and as well as adults love having good photos for their social media accounts, and there is no better place for awesome photos than the Empire State Building. Be sure to but your tickets in advance to skip the long line. To eliminate both ticket lines and elevator lines, time your visit for early morning or late in the day.
For over a century and a half, Atlantic City (or AC as we locals call it) has had an amazing and infamous history, with many ups and downs in popularity and prestige. In recent years, casinos and mega-resorts have fallen on some hard times, with competition from newer nearby entertainment complexes including the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut, the Sands in Bethlehem PA, and Resorts in the Catskills luring the NY crowds.
The iconic Boardwalk and Beach destination rose to a glitzy beginning when gambling was legalized there in 1976, but never really spread beyond a few of the Monopoly-named streets, (yes, the popular board-game properties are named after the AC streets) with the exception of the three properties in the Marina District (The Borgata, Harrah’s and The Golden Nugget).
So, all said…and not to make this a history lesson…what’s new and exciting in AC right now, and what are some of the favorites that keep us coming back for the beaches, bars, bands, restaurants and non-stop fun on the Jersey Shore?
Imagine a place where cultures come together. Where the architecture pushes the limits of imagination. Where parks are built on sustainable technology. Where there is a pride in heritage and a vision for the future. This is Singapore. We don’t think there’s anyplace else like it in the world.
At first it seems that you can experience most sights in a short amount of time, everything appears to be so close and contained. But once you dive deeper into neighborhoods, parks, museums, and more, there’s a lot to take in. Here’s what we did in just four days…yes we were tired, but the collection of moments will last forever. Guided by our daughter who lives and works there, thanks for helping us go beyond the guidebook.
From magnificent mountains to rugged coastlines to volcanic hillsides to black sandy beaches, it’s no surprise Bali is known as the ‘Island of the Gods’. The Balinese architecture is no less prominent with the island housing thousands of Hindu temples in every nook and cranny.
The wonders of Southeast Asia continue to amaze and delight us. Our trip to Bali was part one of a long-awaited trip to see our daughter, who now lives and works in Singapore (which will be part two of our journey). For us, the total trip took over 26 hours of flight time from New Jersey, from Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon, and we made it there without a hitch (but pretty wiped out) despite a very recent earthquake and continuing volcanic activity (which totally stressed me out). Here are our memorable moments and a few ideas on how to spend yours.
When we look to escape on vacation, several things may come to mind…
- Take us away to the peace, tranquility and splendor of natural beauty. A magnificent setting where clear blue water meets the magnificent green mountains set against an azure sky. Give me places to explore – both on the trails and on the water.
- Pamper us with a luxurious accommodations, perhaps rich with history, having choices in fine and/or casual dining, places to enjoy and relax, in a setting that is a feast for the senses.
Well, who’s to say you can’t have it all? It’s all here, and more, at The Sagamore Resort on Lake George in Bolton’s Landing NY
Only 33 years ago we celebrated our Honeymoon aboard a cruise ship. Our bags packed with our best dressy attire, we picked the late dinner seating and our floating hotel whisked is away for a taste of tropical paradise and onboard elegance.
Just 10 years ago, we departed out of our home port in Bayonne, NJ for a 5 day family cruise to celebrate our parents 50th anniversary. 22 if us had an absolute blast running up the biggest bar bill I’ve ever seen in my life.
Three weeks ago, to celebrate our best friend’s 60th birthday (where does the time go), we left freezing NYC for 7 fun-filled, carefree days aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway. It was the perfect way to leave the world behind for a bit and focus on what’s really important in life.
The world’s 10 best beaches (we’ve ever been to)…
OK…we certainly haven’t been everywhere…and our bucket list is pages long with beautiful destinations at the waters edge that we long to explore.
That said, we’ve been blessed to see a few that hold memories of spectacular beauty. This is just one list of some that we’ve been to, and wanted to share.
Please add your favorites to the list…comment below…and together we’ll inspire each other to never stop exploring.
Check out the latest incredible adventures of Organic Passengers: Sonia and Hemanshu as they brave the elements to explore the remote paradise of Little Andaman Island.
The Journey Might Be Demanding, But In The End It Will Be Worth It!!!!!
Away from the world with barely any phone reception let alone Internet connection we were blissfully enjoying our stay on the island of Little Andaman. So much so that we decided to extend our trip on this tiny paradise & to this day we talk about returning back. Amongst all the spectacular things we experienced here, what actually became the highlight of our vacation was our trip to the Whisper Wave Waterfall or as the locals call it, “The Big Waterfall”.
Updated for 2022 – Christmas City is as festive as ever, full of Holiday magic. This has become a tradition for our family, and puts us in the spirit of the season like no place else. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
‘Tis the Season for a visit to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a.k.a. ‘Christmas City’, and a wonderful way to banish any and all ‘Humbugs’!
Founded in 1741 and named on Christmas Eve by Moravian missionaries, it received it’s name from the beloved Christmas carol we all grew up with. And the citizens of this charming town are committed to preserving their rich heritage and providing a most welcoming and magical experience to all who visit.
Here are the top things we enjoy at the most wonderful time of the year…
We are thrilled to feature this guest post from Organic Passengers…to follow their adventures and amazing photography follow them on Instagram: @organicpassengers
Here’s a brief introduction to our newest friends and world travelers:
Long time childhood best friends, Sonia and Hemanshu are a long distance relationship couple that live in Australia and India. Initially, travel was just a way for them to meet up with each other but now it has become a ritual where they meet every few months in a new country. Apart from loving travel, they’re very passionate about leading a very wholesome & organic lifestyle that they incorporate not just in their daily lives, but also during their adventures around the world.
Carla is standing by with travel advice, ideas, recommendations and the best deals you'll find anywhere. Reach out now to make your travel dreams a reality! Email Carla@vacationkids.com or call 973-370-5584