Travel to China with Sealand Travel Club
July 25, 2009
The Great Wall, Beijing, China
If you are looking for a new destination that perhaps you have never experienced before, China is definitely a new and exciting place to go.
China has much to offer the traveler in the way of activities to see China’s history and culture. The Grand Mecure Xidan is located nearby to many great sights including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, Tienanmen Square and many other amazing sights.
Beijing history begins over 3,000 years ago, it was the capital of many ancient Chinese dynasties and was divided into four parts including the Forbidden City, the Imperial City, the Inner City and the Outer City.
A variety of opportunities await travelers to experince all that China has to offer. Over 60% of Beijing is made up of Mountainous area, great for seeing China’s spectacular outdoor scenery. Wonderful food and dining experiences abound in the Beijing area, try local cuisine or dine in more American resturant, the choice is yours.
You will also find the Hongquio Market, the largest pearl distribution center in North China as well as many large wold class retail developments housing such stores as Gucci, Prada, and louis Vuitton. Operas and live shows begin when evening arrives. Beijing Opera is different even from Chinese Opera, and is considered one of the best forms of opera available. Unlike what we may be used to , Beijing Opera is more visually important than musically, certainly a must see while in Beijing.
The Grand Mecure Xidan offers its visitors two restaurants, a bar, WiFi Internet access, pool and a fitness center as well as wonderful Chinese hospitality.
It was built in 2001 and renovated in 2005 so you can be sure of many modern conveniences. China was built on its history, but it is also a very modern city which thrives on new technology and high quality experiences. The hotel also offers its own ATM/Bank, barber, car rentals, currency exchange, gift shop and many other great guest services.
For the traveler looking for something new and interesting for their next vacation, Sealand Travel Club has provided just that in this great travel opportunity. Take advantage of your membership privileges today, or join if you are not already a member. Don’t forget your passport!
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Whispering Woods Resort and Sealand Travel Club Welcome You
July 23, 2009
Whispering Woods Resort
Members of Sealand Travel Club are always offered wonderful discounts and travel opportunities that non-members could only dream of. By becoming a member of Sealand Travel Club you to are given the opportunity to save money on not only condos throughout the world but also on hotels, cruises, flights, car rentals and many other amenities necessary for you next vacation.
One of our feature vacation specials this month in Whispering Woods Resort in Welches, OR.
Located near Mt. Hood, one of Oregon’s most well known ski and year round recreation areas, Whispering Woods Resorts offers wonderful accommodations and amazing outdoor activities for its guests.
Accommodations include 2 bedrooms, a full kitchen, dining/living room washer and dryer and much more. Other resort amenities include a pool, sauna, an adjacent 27 hole golf course and of course you are nearby to many lakes, rivers, hiking trails, and Mt. Hood.
If you are not familiar with the area, Whispering Woods is also only an hour from Portland which offers you a host of other opportunities including the Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Wonderful restaurants from high class to a more laid back atmosphere are all throughout the city. Back at your home away from home, you also have your own full kitchen and a full service grocery store nearby so you could even prepare your own meals with the comforts of home.
Sealand Travel Club loves to reward its members with the best deals available! By becoming a member of Sealand, you could be sitting near the base of Mt. Hood in Oregon on your next vacation. Imagine strolling through the mountains or driving through a beautiful orchard. You could be standing near Multnomah Falls, North America’s second tallest waterfall or sitting on a rock watching some amazing bird take a bath. You could also be on the beautiful 27 hole golf course teeing off while gazing at Mt. Hood looming above you.
If you travel frequently and love saving money, joining Sealand Travel Club may be for you. This wonderful vacation could be for you.
All hot weeks are very limited & subject to availability. If you are interested in something listed or unlisted, please call as soon as possible.
At these low prices they will not last long! Price may not include sales taxes, if applicable.
*This is only a portion of our inventory.
Going on a Voyage across the Sea – What to do to prepare for a cruise
July 17, 2009
What to pack for a Cruise
Pack your bags, you are heading on a cruise! You know you have to have your clothes and a toothbrush, but is that all you need? How do you know what you really do need to make your voyage a perfect one?
Hopefully this will help you be more prepared before you set sail into the sunset.
The first thing you must do is plan around where your ship is actually traveling to. For example, will the climate be the same as what you are leaving, do you need warmer clothes or cooler ones? Is your cruise staying in the US or are you going to be stopping in international waters at ports outside the US?
Clothing can easily be fixed, most ships have a place to buy things you may need, but a passport is a bit harder to come by if you are leaving tomorrow.
With tighter restrictions on travel in the last few years, you need to plan ahead, or your cruise may end before it even begins.
Passports take at least a week sometimes up to 6 weeks to process, so you need to start planning the moment you book your trip. Adequate preparation will save you time, money, and hassle and help make your first cruise only the beginning.
Other identification and paperwork that may be helpful on your trip are your identification, which you should never be without, as well as health insurance cards if you have them, just to be on the safe side. If you take medications, be sure to have an adequate supply before you leave as well, if you are running short, be sure to fill a new prescription before you leave.
You will definitely need spending money as well. A cruise ship is much like a floating vacation on land.
Different restaurants, events, often times even a casino is on board for you pleasure. Of course cash is always nice to have on hand, but a safer alternative may be traveler’s checks or perhaps even a credit card. Most cruise ships today accept many other forms of payment. If you are planning to investigate off the ship at a port you stop at, be sure you have some cash in case you want to purchase something from a vendor that may not accept other forms of payment.
It is also wise in case of emergency that friends or family that are not traveling with you are advised of your vacation, so they may get in touch with you in case of emergency. This is not limited to cruise vacations, this is just a good idea no matter when you are traveling even if you are not traveling alone.
If you are prepared before leave, your cruise vacation will be smooth sailing all the way.
Cruise vacations have come a long way in the last 10 years, many even offer water slides and golf aboard your ship. Though there is some structure provided on your cruise, as with any vacation, what you choose to do is up to you. So head out to sea on your next vacation, it sure to be one you will always remember.
The Theaters of London
July 8, 2009
The Globe Theater of London
When you think of London, you probably think of the great traditional plays that can be viewed in one of the world’s greatest cities. The West End provides ample opportunity to see the major theatrical productions in the city. But, what about other areas of the city? What if you wanted to see more contemporary, avant-garde work? Well, London has a few secrets in store for you, if you’re willing to look carefully.
First up, Riverside Studios in Hammersmith is a great place to see contemporary dance, theater and opera.
Artists from around the world visit here yearly, making this a truly international venue. The space is unconventional, and yet houses a traditional play as well as a classic stage. Dance is well viewed here, with sightlines unobstructed and clear. Riverside is the former home of the BBC also, so there is some strong history in this space. Be sure to dine at the theater, or well before coming to Hammersmith. There’s not much to eat or do here, other than see amazing theater.
Next, is the classic venue for all dance in London, Sadler’s Wells. Remodeled in 1998, this beautiful old theater has been remade to become the UK home for the world’s finest modern dance companies.
Many touring operations from the US make annual stops here including Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris and Twyla Tharp. The theater is located in Islington, making it very accessible from many parts of London. Also, after the show, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby - a short walk up St. John street will take you into Upper Islington where you can find virtually any cuisine you like.
The most electric venue in London on the contemporary theater scene is the Barbican Centre. Also housing some incredible visual and video art, as well as cutting edge cinema, Barbican has separated itself from the rest of the London scene. A city attracted to tradition, Barbican has made its name in change. Facilitating exciting collaboration, incredible premiers and fostering new and emerging artists, Barbican - like BAM - has made a name for facilitating the growth of multiple art forms. Be sure to arrive early and take in the front curtain. You will be amazed at seeing it as it appears like a steel curtain, curved and nuanced like nothing of its kind. When it raises and vanishes, it reveals one of the finest viewing stages in the world. All works can be seen rather easily. Also, Barbican is very close to the theater district, its restaurants and nightlife.
The Tower Bridge in London
A week spent in London should include Big Ben, The Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral. But, at night, take in these three different and eclectic theater venues and explore the city in a new way. Breaking off the well beaten path, in these three cases, is well worth it.
Sealand Travel Club offers an array of options and price quotes from a variety of travel suppliers, giving you the upper hand when making your final travel decisions. We can help to make your travel dollars go farther because we have access to finding all sorts of deals ranging from flights to hotels to dinner recommendations.
We are are experts in helping travelers get where they need to go and create possibilities most people never would have dreamed were possible. Avoid the headaches and let Sealand Travel Club do all the time consuming work of planning a complex itinerary.
The Sites To See In Park Slope Brooklyn
July 1, 2009
The Architecure in Park Slope
It’s easy for me to say, but Park Slope is my favorite neighborhood in all of lovely Brooklyn.
Brooklyn has always cherished its independence, and Park Slope is easily home to the most fiercely liberal and free-spirits in all of New York City. So, should you visit, be wary of stroller-mom’s who don’t give a sidewalk inch and the slow-walkers who didn’t get the “New York Minute” memo.
First of all, one of Brooklyn’s best-kept secrets is the “Superhero Supply Store” on 5th Avenue between 5th & 6th streets.
For sale are capes, lab supplies, masks, secret identities, invisibility potions, and the like. Also, you can try on a cape and a mask and jump on the flight simulator as well as take a lie-detector test. It’s all in good fun, and it actually functions as an after-school reading/learning program for kids. Through a porthole in the back of the store is a secret door which leads into the reading space. Dave Eggers, author of “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius”, is a local resident and founded this unique store as his gift to the kids in the neighborhood. You must go and see it for yourself as no words truly do it justice.
Next, head over to 7th Avenue and go to Park Slope’s lone independent bookstore, “The Community Bookstore”.
The neighborhood used to be populated with a myriad of stores selling both used and new books, but those all closed a couple of years ago. This lone storefront is the stalwart, giving Barnes & Noble its only local competition. The Community Bookstore hosts regular readings and coffee nights, as well as stocking the best in contemporary literature.
Just south on 7th Avenue you can find the single best white chocolate cocoa in Brooklyn at “The Cocoa Bar”.
Be warned before entering though, there are a LOT of great desserts here, and they are all on display. So, this is not a place to enter hungry as you might overdose on sugar. Be sure to try the white chocolate cocoa and say “yes” to marshmallows as they make them on site and they are truly delicious. In the summertime, there is a large garden in the back with plenty of seating so do not be frustrated if it seems crowded at first glance.
The final stop on your tour must be Prospect Park.
The entire Slope flanks it to the west, and it’s one of the city’s finest green spots. During the summer, the Prospect Park Bandshell has a multitude of free concerts featuring the likes of David Byrne & Bob Dylan as well as thrilling theater and classical music. It’s a gem of a park, as you will see upon entering. The locals love it!
Article brought to you by Sealand Travel Club
Best Places for the Wedding of your Dreams
June 26, 2009
They are called “destination weddings” and they are becoming extremely popular in today’s culture. Why wait till after the wedding for the honeymoon, why not travel there before the wedding and make it the wedding and the honeymoon of your dreams. Your wedding is supposed to a dream come true, so why would you stay at home and deal with all the pressure of hundreds of guests etc. when you can just take off to some remote travel destination, and invite some of your closest family and friends, I am sure they wouldn’t mind a vacation either. This is your day, no one else’s so why not make it yours.
Deciding where to go for the fabulous wedding of your dreams can be the difficult part, but thankfully with destination weddings becoming more popular, there are fair amount of great wedding ideas already provided to you.
Some of the top destinations for wedding/honeymoon vacations are France, Mexico, Tanzania,Italy and Hawaii. Romance abounds in all of these wonderful destinations. Location is a large part of making that special day something you will always remember fondly. Here are just a couple of examples of the destination wedding of your dreams to help you get started.
Villa Baroncino
A five star villa located in Italy, between Umbria and Tuscany and is known for its romantic wedding retreats. Built in the 18th century, Villa Baroncino is luxuriously furnished and surrounded by soft rolling hills. Once an olive mill, its impressive architecture is reminiscent of the time it was built, a more magical time. Amidst lush gardens filled with fragrant flowers, Villa Baroncino offers a perfect wedding getaway.
Villa Baroncino offers a wedding suite with fantastic amenities for the perfect honeymoon as well. Their wedding suite is located on the top floor, featuring a luxury bedroom with an original antique bed, stunning bathroom, and living room with views overlooking the lake and surrounding valley.
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
Guana Island is a privately owned island, one of the few remaining in the Caribbean. Featuring over 850 acres of tropical forest, mountains, valleys and 7 pristine white sand beaches, you really could have your dream become a reality you will never forget. No tourists, no strangers, just you, the person of your dreams and up to 35 of your closest family and friends on your own private island in the Caribbean, what could be better?
Guana Island has a variety of activities for you and your guests to enjoy on this tropical island paradise including swimming, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling hiking or relaxing on a hammock, it’s your choice. After a long day of activities, watch a spectacular sunset and get a massage before heading to your splendid cottage retreat to sleep in luxury accommodations cooled by the trade winds and lulled to sleep by the waves.
No matter which destination you choose, thousands of choices are available for the perfect wedding. Stop thinking traditional and start thinking fantastic! The Wedding vacation of your dreams awaits you, all you need to do is choose and your dream can become a reality.
Paris, A Dessert Lover’s Guide
June 25, 2009
Chocolate
I must admit, it’s rather easy to find three delicious dessert spots in Paris. In fact, I feel like I am cheating. But, you should know that these three venues were recommended to me when I visited. It would be simply wrong of me to withhold this information.
First, lets talk chocolate.
Nearly every block has delicious chocolate. Particularly for us westerners, who have had our senses ruined by years of mass-produced, boring and choco-tame kisses and cups. If you’d like to charge your chocolate memory, go to “Café Angelina” and order the Chocolat l’Africain.
Upon serving, it arrives in 3 separate elements. First, is the standard Parisian mug. It’s oversized, white and ceramic. It says “France” all in one object. Next, you are given a crystal dish holding freshly made whipped cream (think “Fancy Feast” commercial, without the cat food!). And finally, a small pitcher of melted dark chocolate arrives. This is when you know it is serious. You blend the crème with the chocolate, to your taste of course, and the result is a high-producing cocoa that cannot help but leave you giddy.
Next up - Ice Cream (what else).
Paris, like all of France, has delicious and fresh ice cream. (Note - please avoid the mainstream shops like Haagen-Dazs. They are traps for tourists. Go local, for Heaven’s sake!) The finest in France is none other than “Berthillon” on the western tip of the Ile Saint-Louis. Once finished with your trip through the Notre Dame Cathedral, cross the bridge and glance to the right where you will find the world-famous “Berthillon”. Inside, it feels like a standard Bistro. But, this particular venue stands out for its ice cream. The sorbet is also truly delicious, but the cream itself will ruin state-side ice cream forever. My favorite? Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream, with all of the ingredients being completely real and completely fresh.
Finally, no dessert list for Paris is complete without a bakery.
The finest in all of Paris is Poilane. I prefer the location on rue du Cherche-Midi as it’s more cozy and feels more original. I once traveled with a well-known macrobiotic choreographer. He would ask me - daily - to visit Poilane and get him fresh bread for his lunches. Upon arrival, I always found a line. But, the nice thing about Paris is that people know what they want. There is no fooling around at all, and the line moves quickly. As for pastries, I have heard that Pierre Herme has opened a patisserie on rue Bonaparte. I can only imagine how extraordinary his cake’s and pastries are. He is one of France’s finest, so certainly worth the visit.
Article brought to you courtesy of Sea land Travel Club.
Walt Disney World Orlando Florida - Not just for Kids!
June 19, 2009
Every child dreams of Walt Disney World, seeing Mickey Mouse, Minnie or Pluto.
What if you grew up and had still never been to Disney? Maybe you would be like I was and say, too bad I missed it, maybe if I have kids, I will take them. Well, why wait for kids? Disney World is not just for kids, it is for everyone who has a child inside, not just those still unable to drive a car. Walt Disney World Orlando offers a dream for everyone, big and small, young and old. Vacation in Disney for those of us who missed it as a child, can still be a reality.
So, we all know about the rides, which may still interest you, but if they don’t, or even if they do just a little, we are going to wander to the more adult side of Disney, the part that caters to your dreams now, you still have a magic kingdom at your fingertips, you just have to look.
Downtown Disney offers a shopping mecca for the adult in you. Just a short trip away from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, lies the downtown Disney area. It is divided into three sections - Downtown Disney West Side plays host to high-end restaurants, a 24 screen movie theatre and many other uncommon shops to visit. You will also find the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba show and other live entertainment that are sure to keep you entertained.
The Downtown Disney Marketplace offers dining as well as many Disney related stores to shop in.
It is just that, a marketplace, more Disney shopping than you could ever imagine, all in one place. A must see for that kid in you. Some attractions include Basin - Bath and Facial Products featuring handmade and natural skin and bath products. Also you could visit the newest addition to the marketplace called Tren-D. Featuring all that is hip and chic you won’t be disappointed.
Pleasure Island is a great place to end the day with some fantastic dining and entertainment opportunities.
Fulton’s Crab House is a seafood restaurant not like most. It is located on a paddleboat permanently docked at the entrance to Pleasure Island. Its focus is on fresh seafood of course, but other meals are also served as well. If you enjoy a new experience, you should definitely think about Fulton’s Crab House.
If you are looking for a little romance, you could try out the Portobello Yacht Club which features regional Italian cuisine in a romantic contemporary Italian setting. Indoor or outdoor seating is available. Also features an extensive wine list and a convenient location.
If you are looking for a place to stay Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is an equestrian themed Victorian style deluxe villa resort on the shore of Lake Buena Vista.
It includes not only spacious 3 bedroom villas with all the amenities ,but also the newest vacation homes the Treehouse Villas, which sleep 9 are located, in the trees!
This resort features 65 acres inspired by Saratoga Springs and offers rolling hills, fountains, lakes and spa treatments. Also includes 2 restaurants and of course a fantastic pool and internet service. This could be your home away from home while experiencing the Walt Disney World vacation of your dreams. Disney is after all the magic kingdom even if you are only just a kid at heart.
Yes or no? What to bring while traveling on a flight
June 11, 2009
Tens of thousands of people travel on airlines every day. So with this many people traveling via the same flights, how do you maximize efficiency while traveling in the air? The answer is being prepared. If you know what to bring and what not to bring, traveling can be made a pleasant experience as opposed to a nightmare.
Here are some tips on what to bring and what not to bring to make your travel more pleasant and efficient.
What can I wear?
Many people wonder if they can were jewelry, belts or other metal objects when traveling. The answer is yes if you want to take it off at the gate. Rules require ALL metal objects be removed and placed on the conveyer belt in order to get through the gate. This includes keys, key chains, jewelry, belts, coats with metal buttons, coins and even your shoes, and your laptop.
What do I need to show them at the gate?
Depending on where you are traveling internationally, there are a few things you must have to travel. First, remember to have your boarding pass and know your seat location so when your section is called to board the flight, you know where you are going to make travel for everyone smoother. Next, if you are traveling in the country, you must still have your identification on your person. If you don’t drive, have your personal id card, if you have a license, bring that. Lastly, if you are traveling internationally, remember to have a valid passport. Also, make sure if you are traveling internationally, check to make sure if there are any immunizations recommended for entry into the country of destination, you have gotten them well in advance of your departure.
Can I bring fruits and vegetables on flights?
If you are traveling within the 48 states, yes is the answer, but if you travel anywhere else including Alaska, Hawaii, and internationally, the answer is maybe not. I once purchased a pineapple in Hawaii and had to have a special box that it was inspected by the department of agriculture in order to bring it back with me, and it could not be opened in the interim. Certain fruits and vegetables are allowed with the proper inspections, but others may be confiscated once you step off the plane. Internationally, rules are strict, it is easier just not to do it, which will save you time and hassle.
In general, travel can be difficult if you are not prepared. Since 9-11 rules have gotten stricter, and many people are unhappy. We need to remember that it is for our safety that these rules are put in place even if they may not make sense to us. Get online and check the prohibited items for travel before you go. The Transportation Security Administration has a list of things you may not bring on a flight, for those of you interested, here it is.
- Sharp Objects
- Sporting Goods
- Guns & Firearms
- Tools
- Martial Arts & Self Defense Items
- Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items
- Other Items
Most of these are broad categories and have been broken down on their website. Also, many of these things can be brought, just not as a carry on, they may be checked. An example is knives or razors, they can’t be carried on, but you may check them. Also, there may be special regulations on bringing some of these items; rules that you need to follow in order to bring them along. The moral of the story is, when in doubt check with the TSA and with your airline, and your travel experience should be a wonderful one!
Cruise Vacations for the Entire Family
May 10, 2009
Brought to you courtesy of Sealand Travel Club:
When people think of cruise ship vacations they think of a tropical, romantic getaway, but that isn’t always the case. There are many cruise vacations geared for the entire family. Each year, millions of families make the decision to take a family vacation. If you and your family are interested in becoming one of those families, you have a number of different options. Your options may include, but are not limited to, camping, visiting the beach, visiting a local amusement park, or setting sail on the water.
Setting sail on the water is something that many individuals would like to do. The good news is that you do not have to know anything about boats to enjoy a fun, family vacation aboard a cruise ship. Cruise ships are creating fun, exciting, and safe vacation environments for families.
You may be wondering if you and your family would enjoy a vacation aboard a cruise ship. The reality is that all families vary. Each family member is likely to have a personal preference. Despite that preferences, cruise ships are often enjoyed by everyone, not matter what their age. This is because cruise ships offer a wide range of activities. These activities are geared towards individuals of all ages.
To decide whether or not your family should take a family vacation aboard a cruise ship, you are encouraged to consider cruise ship benefits. The most obvious benefit, as mentioned above, is the onboard activities. On any given cruise ship, you are likely to find an unlimited number of activities for both children and adults. These activities may include swimming, gaming, gambling, eating, watching movies, and dancing.
Other one of the many benefits of taking a family cruise ship vacation is the fact that almost all cruise ships have onboard childcare. If you are traveling with small children, these childcare centers may allow you to have private moments by yourself or with your spouse. These childcare centers are often operated free of charge. That means that within a few minutes, you could drop your child off and be on your way to pampering yourself.
A cruise ship vacation benefit that many individuals do not consider is the quality time spent together. While it is true that this quality time together can be spent anywhere, it is often more memorable on a cruise ship. Many travelers view the close corridors as a disadvantage, but in a way it may benefit your family. This benefit is most often seen with teenagers. When a child becomes a teen, spending time with their family is often eliminated from their list of priorities. A cruise ship will provide them with fun and exciting activities, but it will also allow you and your child to reconnect.
The memories made on a cruise ship are often incomparable. The majority of children will be unable to, for one reason or another, take a cruise when they reach adulthood. This memory is one that could serve them for a lifetime. To cherish this memory, you are encouraged to bring along a camera or video recorder. In addition to enjoying the cruise in the present, you and your family will also be able to enjoy it in the future. Can you imagine sitting around your kitchen table twenty years from now reminiscing with your family?
Wherever you and your family decide to vacation, whether it be on a cruise ship or not, your vacation is sure to be memorable. For a reasonable price, you can have an unforgettable vacation. If a cruise is financially within your reach, why not grab hold of the experience while you can?
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