Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Summer in Ocean City

SO, upon graduating from college, the time came for me to decide what to do with myself. Do I live at home with my parents and baby brother? Yak. Or do I spend another summer living in Ocean City, NJ, working at a pizzeria and job searching? The latter sounds good to me!

After spending about a month looking for jobs and going to a few interviews, I found myself an intern position with a company located within miles of my family home at the Jersey Shore. No matter what anyone says about the Jersey Shore, you can't beat waking up with an ocean view each morning....

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Top 10 Travel Destinations of 2009

10 -- Tasmania, Australia
is Australia’s smallest island. Tasmania represents the vastness of the country off the southeastern tip of the continent and is very popular with those interested in the outdoors. 

9 -- Siem Reap, Cambodia
Just South of Bangkok, Siem Reap provides a great tourist infrastructure where you can get away from the governmental problems of Southeast Asia. This town has all the needed resources and still has the authentic beauty of Cambodia.

8 -- Bariloche, Argentina
Bariloche can be found in the foothills of the Andes, very close to the border of Chile. Bariloche provides deep blue lakes, towering mountains, glaciers, climbing, boating, and exploring. The scenery will leave you breathless.

7 -- Panama
Panama is south of Costa Rica and North of Colombia. Panama is slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina. Excellent beaches and surf on the Pacific side, and white sand surrounded by coral reefs and clear water on the Caribbean side, Panama has everything to offer its travelers. With everything ranging from rain forests, beaches, and nightclubs, the lack of tourist crowds won't last for long.

6 -- Bangladesh
Bangladesh is not an obvious vacation spot due to its poverty and natural disasters. This is a good spot for anyone looking to get out of the main tourist areas in Asia. The tourist infrastructure is hardly in existence, but the people are extremely friendly and find Westerners a source of curiosity. 

5 -- Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sardinia is home to some of the continent's oldest archeological remains. It is blistering hot in the summer and the winters are harsh and frigid as well. Sardinia is for adventurers. The island is known for kayaking and other water sports such as snorkeling. The language barrier is difficult because most do not speak English or Italian, but Sardinian.

4 -- Senegal
Those looking to explore the 'real Africa,' should start with Senegal. Knowing French would be useful when visiting Senegal, but you can get by knowing only English, especially if you learn a few key French phrases. Senegal is known for its outstanding beaches, wildlife, and natural reserves. It is the easiest African country to reach from a plane and is also the most friendly and safe.

3 -- Berlin, Germany Berlin is a well-known destination but not an obvious choice for a vacation. 

2 –- Damascus, Syria One of the oldest cities in the world, Damascus is like stepping back in time. If you are a history buff, Damascus is for you, and is extremely affordable (US travelers told they will spend less than $50 a day).
1 – Columbia Most travelers will tell you that this country is full of hidden delights, where tourism is just beginning. Visitors are getting deeper into the culture and find that the country has charm with its friendly locals.


Information provided by BootsnAllTravel.com.

Monday, March 23, 2009

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach, SC, is sixty miles of soft sand along the Atlantic Ocean, filled with entertainment, attractions for everyone, endless shopping and dining. Myrtle Beach is a great place to live or visit. Shop at Barefoot Landing, one of my personal favorite waterfront shopping areas with over 100 stores and many delicious restaurants. Have a laugh with friends at Dick's Last Resort, or enjoy the cozy, intimate atmosphere of Fire Island Bar and Grille. Any of these restaurants will serve you seafood.

I last visited Myrtle Beach, SC, in August and was amazed. It was a huge difference coming from the Jersey shore. The New Jersey water was frigid, I hardly step foot in the ocean all summer, but in Myrtle Beach I swam in the water everyday. The air was hot and humid during the day, but you really appreciate it at night when you can go out and roam the town in shorts and a t-shirt with no problem.

Riviera Maya

Looking for a vacation spot that is warm and sunny all year round? Then look no further, Riviera Maya, Mexico, is the place for you. With endless stretches of beaches with crystal clear water and white sand, Riviera Maya is a dream come true. Famous for its large scale all-inclusive resorts, luxury travel entities have been huge in increasing tourism. Activities in Riviera Maya include jet skiing, snorkeling, horse riding, zip-lining, and scuba diving.

When I visited Riviera Maya, I stayed in the Iberostar all inclusive resort. Iberostar was the perfect destination for families. Every day was sunny and beautiful and the employees at Iberostar make you feel so at home. With fabulous restaurants, pools, and the beach all at your reach, there is no reason to leave this all inclusive resort, except to explore the downtown shopping or take a Senor Frogs bar hopping tour.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Ocean City, NJ

One of my personal favorite destinations in Ocean City, NJ. As a South Jersey native, I find Ocean City the perfect place to escape, even if just for a day. Named America's Greatest Family Resort, Ocean City is truly a great place to travel to with friends and family, and it has a visitor-friendly atmosphere. The boardwalk is great for kids and travelers to ride bikes, walk, run, shop, or take your kids and explore the water park and boardwalk games and rides. There is also an abundance of boutiques and tourist shops on Asbury, which is only a few blocks up from the boardwalk.

Ocean City is filled with a number of great restaurants and pizzerias. Mack and Manco's is found in three different locations in Ocean City and provides fast, delicious slices of pizza. Randazzo's Pizza, located on 8th and Asbury, as well as 34th and Asbury, is known for it's delicious pizza, pasta, and seafood dishes. Wanting to go somewhere more fancy and enjoy a bottle of wine? Right over the 9th street bride you will find a fabulous array of restaurants in Somers Point.

There are plenty of Inn's and Bed and Breakfasts found in Ocean City if you are looking to stay for just a few days. You can never go wrong by seeing one of the realtors and renting a house for a week with the family.

Looking for a fun vacation to get away from the stress of our struggling economy? Ocean City, NJ is reasonably priced and fun, just the place for you.