B&N's Nook eBook Reader: The Perfect Reading Tool For Travelers...Or Not?

When I first heard about the Barnes & Noble Nook eBook reader back in early-November, I immediately went online to www.bn.com, and placed a pre-order for a unit. In the past, I had refrained from purchasing an Amazon Kindle, because it was a first-generation product, and it seemed to have some limitations. According to the preliminary marketing and advertising for B&N's Nook, many of those limitations were overcome...at least in the ads.

About a week ago, I finally received my Nook eBook reader, which is priced at $259.00 (plus $39.00 for the case). As an avid reader, and someone who is constantly traveling, I looked forward to having one device on which I could store a handful of books to read on airplanes and when traveling. Admittedly, my expectations for this device were high.

Does the Nook work? Well, yes. The programming has some bugs, but basically it works. You can download eBooks, and then read them on the Nook's display. However, the unit itself is very slow. It takes several minutes to boot up once it's turned on, and loading books from memory, and then turning digital pages as you read is also very slow (almost to the point of being frustrating).

The battery life is also much shorter than B&N advertises, and the overall design of the unit has its own set of minor problems. For example, the unit's weight is off-balance, based on the way someone would hold it in their hand while reading. And, that cool looking, full-color, touch screen at the bottom is over-sensitive. When the menu screen is on, many of the menu options are counter-intuitive. Plus, when the lower screen is off (when you're actually reading), it appears black. Thus, if you're actually reading using light from an overhead lamp, it causes a pretty major glare and reflection which is distracting. Plus, the touch screen gets finger prints on it that also causes a glare when the light hits it. I find myself wiping off the lower touch screen several times during each reading session.

In my opinion (as someone who loves using all of the latest gadgets, and who is literally hooked on my iPhone and iPod Nano, for example), I have to admit that the B&N Nook has not lived up to expectations at all. Yes, it works. But, the overall unit design and more importantly, the programming and user interface, could have, and should have been much better designed.

My first big problem with the unit occurred when I tried to purchase, download and read the new Stephen King novel directly from the Nook. Nowhere did it say the book wasn't yet available. (As it turns out, the release date is on December 24th). Anyway, the Nook accepted my order for the book, and kept trying to download it. Because it was apparently a pre-order, the download would not work, but all I received as a generic error message stating that the unit could not connect to the network. After spending almost an hour on the phone with B&N's technical support people, they were able to tell me there's a bug in the Nook's programming and that they'd need to adjust my online account somehow before my Nook would again work properly.

So, while the concept of the Nook is great for frequent travelers, this first generation of the product still needs some fine-tuning. Unless they drop the price of the unit considerably, I strongly recommend holding off, and waiting for the next generation of eBook readers to become available. I understand Apple will be releasing some type of digital tablet device in early-2010, that'll allow people to read eBooks, plus it'll run iPhone apps on a larger screen and surf the net.

In terms of the Nook, I am also a bit disappointed with the selection of eBooks, as well as the digital versions of newspapers and popular magazines that are Nook compatible. Many of the most popular titles an avid reader would want aren't available (at least not yet). The initial ads for the Nook stated that dozens of major daily newspapers and magazines would be available in digital format upon the Nook's release. Well, it's been several weeks since the Nook was officially launched, but the selection of digital newspapers and magazines that's currently available is small and totally unimpressive.

Again, the Nook does work. However, with just a bit of extra work on the designers' part (and maybe if they tried a few focus groups with actual end users), the unit could have been so much better.

To sum this up, I don't hate the Nook, but I'm not overly impressed with it either. My expectations were not met, and in my opinion, the cost of the unit is too high. The $9.95 cost of most downloadable books, however, is very reasonable.

So, if you're considering the purchase of a Nook, I'd hold off, and see what comes out next year.

New York, New York Photo Montage

Gaylord National Resort: The Perfect, Family-Friendly Holiday Getaway

For most people living on the East Coast, getting to Washington, DC is a quick and easy trip. Well, this holiday season, Christmas on the Potomac River will be better than ever. So, if you're looking for a quick, easy and inexpensive weekend getaway for the entire family, head to the DC area!

The Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland (just 15 minutes from Washington, DC), has gone all out to celebrate the holidays with incredible decorations, fun activities throughout the holiday season, and plenty of festivities for the entire family.

In addition to a massive Christmas tree and holiday decorations, The Gaylord National Resort offers its own ice skating rink, free holiday concerts, holiday themed scavenger hunts, nightly fountain shows, plus the incredible ICE! attraction.

Dozens of ice sculptors have worked for over a month to create a massive winter wonderland, made entirely of ice. In fact, more than two million pounds of ice were used to create 10 life-size holiday scenes.

This attraction is indoors, however, to keep the ice from melting, the temperature is kept at a chilly 9-degrees (F). Ultra-warm parkas are provided to visitors.

Plan on spending at least 20 minutes exploring ICE!, which is a memorable attraction for the entire family. Admission is $19.99 for adults and $13.00 for children, however, special package deals (starting at just $185.00) are available from the Gaylord National Resort, which include a night's accommodations, four ICE! tickets, four ice skating tickets, breakfast for the kids, and more. Call (888) 703-9725 or visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com for details.

If you can't make it to the DC area between now and January 10th, ICE! is also being presented at the Gaylord Resort properties in Orlando, Nashville and Dallas.

I had the chance to get a sneak preview of the ICE! attraction about three days before it opened to the public, and it was truly amazing! Check out the photo montage below. And, while you're in the DC area, consider a visit to Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington. A wide range of special holiday events are taking place there as well.

Exploring Long Island's Wineries

I am spending a few days exploring Long Island as I do research for a new, full-length travel guide, called The Insider's Guide to Long Island. It'll be published by Globe Pequot Press in 2010.

Anyway, I took the ferry today from New Haven, Connecticut to Orient Point, New York, and then explored Long Island's wine country this afternoon.

Tonight, I am staying at the lovely and upscale The In At East Wind (631-929-3500, www.TheInnAtEastWind.com), which is near the "entrance" to the North Fork's winery region. If you're in New York City, Connecticut or Massachusetts, for example, this is a great weekend getaway destination that's easy to reach and stunningly beautiful.

There are more than 50 wineries that are open to the public in this region of Long Island, and each has tours, tastings and events happening throughout the entire year. For more information about Long Island's wine country, visit www.LIWines.com.

The following are some photos from today's adventures in Long Island.

Hocking Hills, Ohio Fall Foliage (October '09)

The following video contains a montage of photos from my recent trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio. As you'll see, it was a truly beautiful place to visit, especially during peak fall foliage...Enjoy!

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls: A Get Back-To-Nature Getaway Featuring Four-Star Accommodations

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend a few days exploring the Hocking Hills, Ohio area, and stayed at a wonderful place called the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls (740-385-7489, www.innatcedarfalls.com).

Located about 50 miles from Columbus, Ohio, this lovely inn offers four-star luxury, gourmet cuisine, and a wide range of outdoor activities, not to mention extremely friendly, personalized and attentive service.

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in not a traditional hotel or motel, nor is it a run-of-the-mill B&B. It's a family-owned and operated, small resort complex that's comprised of nine guest rooms, 12 cottages, and five cabins. There's also a casual dining room that serves gourmet cuisine, and a full-service day spa on the property.

Situated on 75 acres, this inn is surrounded by gorgeous woods. However, a stay here is anything but rustic. In fact, what you'll find are four-star quality accommodations with intimate guest rooms and cabins, which contain all of the amenities and luxuries you'd expect from a Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton. However, instead of a massive resort or hotel complex, what you'll find are cozy cabins, and a small cluster of buildings constructed to replicate 1840 log houses.

The guest rooms, cottages and cabins are decorated with antiques combined with fine furnishings that are extremely comfortable. Yet, what you won't find within the guest rooms (or cabins) are televisions, Internet access or telephones.

Thus, the Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls is truly a wonderful place to get away, explore nature, and enjoy the outdoors, without really having to "rough it." The beds within the cabin I stayed in was adorned with imported fine linens, and was incredibly comfortable. In fact, I don't remember ever sleeping so soundly in any hotel, motel or inn, anywhere in the world.

For those addicted to technology and the modern world, don't worry! There's a large flat screen TV, telephone service and Internet access available within the Inn's main building, so you're not totally isolated. However, your cell phone won't work in the area, so you'll feel as if you're cutting the cord with civilization as you embrace the natural surroundings and have a chance to simply relax.

What's nice about the Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls is that it's located a very short distance from Hocking Hills State Parks, which contain countless miles of hiking and biking trails, plus attractions like waterfalls and Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave and Cedar Falls - all of which are stunning beautiful places to visit, even if you're in inexperienced hiker.

In addition to the outdoor activities offered at the Inn and the nearby State Parks, there's plenty to do indoors as well. For example, there's the day spa, plus an ongoing schedule of cooking classes, wine tastings, and other types of classes - all taught on or near the Inn.

Nearby, you can also play golf, learn the art of basket weaving or glass bead making, or take a free tour of the world's only remaining washboard factory which was founded in 1895. The Columbus Washboard Factory (740-380-3828, www.columbuswashboard.com) is an historic place to visit, however, it's also a working factory that manufactures and distributes over one million handcrafted washboards per year. (Yes, there are people in the world that still use these things to do their laundry manually.)

While the tour was extremely interesting, what really caught my attention was the fact that The Columbus Washboard Factory was actively involved with providing a laundry solution for U.S. soldiers currently stationed in Iraq, Kuwait and other countries that lack modern amenities, like washing machines.

I invite and ask everyone reading this to make a $25.00 donation to The Columbus Washboard Factory to help cover the cost of just one Washboard Troop Kit, which includes everything needed for a soldier to wash their clothing while stationed in the desert, for example.

Donations can be made online (www.columbuswashboard.com), by telephone (800-343-7967), or by mail (Kuwait Fund, c/o The Columbus Washboard Company, 14 Gallagher Avenue, Lohan, Ohio 43138).

Just $25.00 can make a huge difference in the daily life of a U.S. soldier who wants and needs to wear a clean uniform, and who otherwise would be unable to get their clothing laundered, sometimes for weeks at a time.

Anyway, getting back to the Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls. This inn truly offers a wonderful place to relax. It's perfect for romantic getaways, anniversary celebrations, weddings, corporate retreats, guys or girls-only weekends, and family vacations.

The cost for accommodations at this inn ranges from $125.00 per night (for a guest room) to $289.00 per night for a luxurious private cabin in the woods. The inn is open throughout the year and offers off-season rates and specials.

If you're within driving distance of Logan, Ohio (the Hocking Hills region) where this inn is located, it truly is a perfect vacation destination. However, if you need to pay for airfares to Columbus, Ohio, and then have to rent a car, the price of the weekend or week-long getaway goes up considerably if you're coming from the east or west coast, for example.

What I discovered, however, is that people visit the Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls year after year, not just to experience nature and the wonderful accommodations, but also because of the highly personalized service.

The innkeepers, Ellen Grinsfelder and Terry Lingo, make you feel at home with their hospitality and gourmet cooking. You'll immediately feel like you've made close friends as you interact with Ellen, Terry and the entire staff. It's a level of personalized attention and service you won't find at traditional hotels or motels, or even most B&Bs.

During my stay at the Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls, I learned that the inn is part of the Select Registry Distinguished Inns of North America (800-344-5244, www.selectregistry.com). Established in the 1960s, this organization's members include only about 400 of the very best and most upscale inns and B&Bs in The United States.

To become part of this organization, an inn must adhere to very strict quality and service standards which are above and beyond what you'd expect from most hotels or even upscale resorts.

So, if you're looking for superior accommodations that are not part of a hotel or motel chain, seriously consider booking reservations at any of the inns that are part of this organization. Inns which qualify to be part of the organization are located with all 50 U.S. states, as well as parts of Canada.

All-Inclusive St. Thomas Get-Away Discounts

A few months ago, I visited the lovely Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort in St. Thomas and had a wonderful time. One of the unique things about this resort is that guests can pay by the night (like a traditional hotel), or the resort offers a very attractive all-inclusive option, which includes meals and most activities. (See my August 25, 2009 blog entry for details about my trip to this resort.)

I just learned that the resort is offering a 35 percent off discount on its all-inclusive rates. This option allows you to save money and calculate all of your vacation expenses in advance. What's nice about this resort is that it's suitable for people of all ages (plus honeymooners, families travel together, seniors, etc.), plus there are several excellent restaurants right on the property, so you're not stuck dining at the same place for every meal. (Oh, the food was top-notch, by the way, in each of the restaurants.)

Because St. Thomas is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, when you travel there as a U.S. citizen, you do NOT need a Passport. A valid driver's license is all that's required. Plus, direct (and affordable) flights are available from many U.S. cities. If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean, St. Thomas is a wonderful destination, and the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort is definitely one of the nicest resorts on the island!

Seeing Broadway Shows Doesn't Have To Cost A Fortune

For the past few days, I have been in New York City taking photos and gathering information for an interactive New York City travel guide iPhone app which I am developing in conjunction with Bizmosis. The app is called BizTravel (for business travelers), and it'll be launched in early-2010.

Tonight, I went to see my good friend Diana DeGarmo star in the off-Broadway show The Toxic Avenger, and she was absolutely fantastic! This show was really funny and entertaining, albeit a bit quirky. If you're visiting NYC, I strongly recommend seeing this show, especially if you're traveling with teens, or you're a fan of the 1984 movie (which has become a cult classic).

If you look at the box office ticket prices for any off-Broadway or Broadway show, you might think that seeing a show as part of your NYC trip is simply too expensive. Well, this isn't the case at all! For starts, in the heart of Times Square is the TKTS Booth, which sells same-day show tickets at up to 50 percent off.

In addition, surrounding the TKTS Booth are people distributing discount coupons for individual Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Today, for example, there were at least a dozen of these people giving out coupons offering $25.00 tickets for various popular shows, including The Toxic Avenger.

There are a bunch of amazing shows currently playing on Broadway. While you probably won't find half-off tickets for the Broadway shows that sell out night after night, like Wicked, these shows have daily lotteries at their respective box offices, during which a limited number of $25.00 seats are offered to those who attend the seat lottery in-person.

To participate in the Wicked ticket lottery, for example, show up at the box office (Gershwin Theater, 222 West 51st Street) at least 2.5 hours prior to showtime and add your name to the list. Two hours before each performance, the lottery is held. There's a two ticket per winner limit, and you must be present for the actual lottery to purchase your $25.00 ticket(s) if you win. For more info about the Wicked ticket lottery, click here.

Instead of waiting in potentially long lines at the TKTS Booth, you can also go online, visit www.broadwaybox.com and/or www.playbill.com/club (if you're a member of Playbill's "club," and receive special codes which you can use at a theatre's box office to obtain a significant discount on New York-based show tickets (up to 50 percent).

Just some of the wonderful musicals currently on Broadway include: Billy Elliot, Bye Bye Birdie, Hair, In The Heights, Jersey Boys, Mama Mia!, Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages, Shrek The Musical, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Wicked.

I haven't seen Rock of Ages yet, but Constantine Maroulis, who, like Diana DeGarmo, I got to know from my involvement with American Idol a few years back, is getting a lot of positive notoriety for his amazing performance in this musical. I have seen first-hand how talented Constantine is, so I have no trouble believing he's absolutely amazing in this show.

Off-Broadway, in addition to The Toxic Avenger, I recommend Alter Boys, Blue Man Group, Stomp and The Fantastics. If you want guaranteed seats for any of these shows, you'll need to reserve them in advance and pay full-price. However, if you have some flexibility in your schedule or you want a bargain, check out which shows are offering same-day discounts at the TKTS Booth in the heart of Times Square. The selection is typically extensive (unless it's a holiday).

Oh, and speaking of American Idol contestants, Anthony Federov is about to once again star in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat for a limited time (October 10th - November 1st) in Seattle, Washington at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. Click here for a video promoting that show.

Abilene, Texas Big Country Balloonfest

This week, I've had a chance to visit Abilene, Texas for the first time. I've already seen and experienced so much, which I'll write about shortly, but so far, the highlight of the trip has been attending the 15th Annual Big Country Balloonfest this morning.

The day started at about 6:30am (before sunrise) as the pilots of about a dozen hot air balloons prepared for take off and went for a flight.

I was lucky enough to be a passenger aboard the "Blew Bayou" hot air balloon, owned by Beau Hand and piloted by James Tucker. Needless to say, this was an exciting and truly amazing experience.

From my hotel room (at the Courtyard Marriott in Abilene), I put together a short video and photo montage using my new iPod Nano and photos I took using my regular camera...Please take a look below, and enjoy!

More details from my trip will follow shortly. In the meantime, if you're thinking about vacationing in Texas, check out the website for the Abilene Convention and Visitor's Bureau at www.abilenevisitors.com or call (800) 727-7704.

Pet Travel Tip: In Case of Emergency

Many people, including myself, often travel with a pet. While it's easy to pet-proof your own home and keep things that could be dangerous for your dog out of his reach, the task can be more difficult when visiting hotels, for example.

If you travel with your pet, keep the phone number to the Pet Poison Helpline handy...just in case. This hotline is available 24/7. If your pet eats something poisonous or dangerous, and you can't reach your own vet immediately, this hotline is staffed by veterinarians who can help by providing life-saving guidance.

Call (800) 213-6680, or visit The Pet Poison Helpline's website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com. There is a flat fee of $35.00 per incident, which includes a follow-up phone consultation. The group which operates this hotline has handled more than 750,000 cases involving pet poisoning.

When traveling with your pet, do some research in advance. Determine where the closest veterinarian office and animal hospital is, based on where you'll be staying. Also, be sure to pack a copy of your pet's medical records. Help4Pets.com is an excellent (annual fee based) resource for finding nationwide referrals for all of your pet's needs.

Buying and Selling Airline Frequent Flier Miles

My article about buying and selling airline frequent flier miles appeared today within the "Your Money" section of the New York Daily News newspaper. To read the article online, click here.

The Broadmoor Resort & Spa in Colorado Springs: One of America's Top Resorts

One of the perks of being a travel writer is that I get to travel...a lot. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of staying at thousands of hotels and resorts across America and around the world. (Yes, it's a tough job, but someone has to do it.)

Anyway, one of my all-time very favorite resorts continues to be The Broadmoor Resort & Spa in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

There are several reasons why The Broadmoor is among my favorites, and a resort that I consistently recommend and rave about.

First, the resort is located about 6,000 feet above sea level in the beautiful Colorado mountains, so the surroundings are visually breathtaking. Using its surroundings as a picturesque backdrop, the resort's landscaping team does an amazing job making all of the resort's public areas look like beautiful parks - complete with a lake, plush green lawns, colorful flower beds and an abundance of trees. No matter what the season, strolling around the grounds of The Broadmoor is always a pleasure.

Combined with the beautiful setting, The Broadmoor offers extremely luxurious and spacious guest rooms and suites, all of which utilize the very best of amenities to insure absolute comfort. This is a five-star resort for good reason, and from the moment a guest checks in, it's easy to see why.

The resort's restaurants are also top-notch, featuring award-winning chefs, diverse menus, and one of the most extensive wine lists in the country. For example, I had dinner tonight at The Tavern, which is considered one of the resort's more casual restaurants, and the food and service was amazing. In fact, this "casual" restaurant is vastly superior to what most five-star resorts consider their fine-dining restaurant. (Yes, it's that good. But, the formal restaurants here are even better.)

Oh, and speaking of service, you won't find more personalized, friendly and attentive service anywhere. The Broadmoor has a long history serving very famous and prominent guests. It has developed a reputation for its superior service.

So, to sum things up, The Broadmoor offers a visually stunning setting, top-notch accommodations, extremely memorable dining experiences, and consistently personalized service and attention to all of its guests....but that's just the beginning.

The Broadmoor is also home to three championship (and beautifully manicured) golf courses, which golfers come from all over the world to experience. There's also a world-class day spa (The Spa at The Broadmoor, 719-577-5770), a tennis club (Tennis at The Broadmoor), a fully equipped fitness center, multiple indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a specialized (supervised) children's program, a movie theatre, and countless other indoor and outdoor activities designed to make anyone and everyone's stay a memorable one.

For business travelers, the resort has full convention, catering and meeting facilities which are state-of-the-art and able to handle groups of almost any size, plus a business center.

With all that it offers, The Broadmoor is literally the perfect destination for a romantic getaway, family vacation, destination wedding, honeymoon, business gathering, or golf vacation. It's ideal for "girls only" getaways that fully utilize the spa, or "guys only" weekends which include golf and spending time at the upscale and sophisticated bars and lounges. It's also a wonderful place for extended families to come in order to celebrate any holiday or experience a reunion.

In addition to the organized kid/teen activities hosted by the resort, The Broadmoor is just minutes away from an impressive zoo and other attractions that are ideal for families. Oh, and getting to The Broadmoor is extremely easy from virtually anywhere in America. It's located just minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport, and about 90 minutes (by car) from the Denver Airport.

This weekend (until Tuesday), I am enjoying my second visit to The Broadmoor, and so far, my stay has been every bit as enjoyable and comfortable as my first experience here was a few years ago. This time, however, I brought along my Yorkshire Terrier, Rusty. This is a very pet-friendly resort. In fact, when we checked in, waiting in the suite was a plush dog bed, a food and water bowl, gourmet biscuits, and a special "Guest of The Broadmoor" dog tag for Rusty. When it comes to pet-friendly resorts, The Broadmoor understands how to make dogs and their owners comfortable.

For more information about this very special and award-winning resort, visit www.broadmoor.com, or call (800) 634-7711 or (719) 634-7711. Obviously, being an ultra-luxurious resort, the standard rates are high (but worth every penny). However, throughout the year, especially during non-peak travel periods, The Broadmoor offers special rates and promotional packages which make staying here much more affordable. Check the resort's website to learn about promotional rates and when they're available.

...More to come as the weekend continues!

Photos (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

"Animals" Video: A Montage of Animal Photos From My 2008/2009 Travels

Try Something New, Adventurous and Fun in St. Thomas

It's one thing to visit a tropical vacation destination, such as St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and simply sit at the beach or pool in order to get an awesome tan. That's certainly a lazy, but relaxing way to enjoy a trip.

Others might prefer to party, drink and dance the night away (and then sleep most of the day), while some people might opt to take full advantage of their vacation by trying new, exotic, and/or a bit adventurous activities that they couldn't or wouldn't experience at home. If this is what you're looking to do, at least for a few hours during your vacation, keep reading!

Whether you're visiting St. Thomas and staying at a resort, or its one of the ports-of-call you'll be visiting during a Caribbean cruise, one way to really enjoy a few hours and experience something unique (that very few other vacation destinations offer) is to take a Breathable Observation Submersible Scooter (BOSS) tour. (It's like riding a Segway, but underwater. And, it's a great alternative to scuba diving or snorkeling, especially if you don't consider yourself to be an adventurous person or risk taker.)

In St. Thomas, to participate in a BOSS tour, call Aqua Adventures, LLC at (340) 777-3549), visit www.bossusvi.com, or check with your cruise line's shore excursion desk. The company works directly with several major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and Carnival.

Riding a BOSS may seem a bit scary, and you might think it requires a lot of physical strength and skill, but this is not the case at all!

No experience is needed, and you don't even need to know how to swim. If you can breath on land, sit still, and press a button with your thumb while holding onto handle bars, you'll be able to ride a BOSS with no problem whatsoever. During my tour today, a 10-year-old girl and several older people did it with no trouble. (That's me in the photo to the left, by the way.)

As I just mentioned, I had the chance to try this today, and it was a lot of fun! It was truly a memorable experience. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to try something new and who wants to see the Caribbean's marine life up-close, but who is not a certified scuba diver. (Riding a BOSS is easier than snorkeling and less physically taxing.)

The Aqua Adventures tour itself lasts about 3.5 hours, although participants only spend about 30 minutes riding a scooter underwater. The rest of the time is spent aboard a comfortable 60-foot, custom-built dive yacht. Free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are served throughout the voyage. When not riding a BOSS scooter, participants can relax on the yacht or go snorkeling (all of the equipment is provided).

The cost of the tour is about $115.00 for adults and children alike, but I assure you, the experience is well worth it. You'll want to bring along an underwater camera or purchase a disposable underwater camera aboard the boat for an additional $20.00. Although, this is not an experience you will forget anytime soon. It's a totally awesome experience and well worth the time and money!

Throughout the tour, you'll be instructed and guided by a crew of skilled, experienced, friendly, funny and highly-professional certified divers and boat captains whose collective goal is to keep everyone safe, while also insuring an amazing time is had by all.

Currently, Aqua Adventures only operates in St. Thomas (not elsewhere in the Caribbean). Due to the popularity of this tour, it often books up well in advance, so make your reservations early - especially during peak travel seasons.

When you show up at the dock ready to experience your tour, along with an underwater camera, be wearing a bathing suit, and bring a towel, hat, sunglasses and sun block. Everything else you need will be provided. On the boat and scooter you'll be barefoot. If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you'll be able to wear them throughout your tour (even while riding the scooter).

So, the choice is yours. If you're visiting St. Thomas, you can do what every other tourist does and have a run-of-the-mill vacation experience, or you can participate in a BOSS tour with Aqua Adventures, and try something unique that you'll be able to tell all of your friends and family about when you return home.

St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) Offers The Perfect Weekend or Week-Long Getaway

I am currently visiting St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands) as a guest of the lovely Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa (340-777-7100). I arrived last night and have spent a fun-filled day today exploring the resort and enjoying its many amenities and activities.

One great thing about this resort is that it is all-inclusive and offers all of the services and amenities you could ask for, including a private beach, tennis courts, multiple swimming pools, an incredible ocean view (overlooking St. John and Tortola), several restaurants, a casino, a day spa, a putt-putt golf course, and a supervised kids' club.

At the resort's private beach/pool area, you'll find all kinds of water-based activities (most of which are included), such as snorkeling, sail boats, and paddle boats. Jet skis and scuba diving are available, but for an additional fee.

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa here in St. Thomas operates as a traditional resort hotel (you can pay by the night), but I'd recommend taking advantage of the all-inclusive option during your stay. Not only will this help you manage trip costs, it also offers convenience and significant savings (all-you-can-eat meals are included).

St. Thomas is a Caribbean island, 32-square-miles in size. It's part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is comprised of 50+ islands located about 40 miles west of Puerto Rico (1,100 miles southeast from Miami and 1,500 miles from New York City).

While vacationers feel like they're visiting a foreign country that's tropical and exotic, St. Thomas is an English speaking island which is considered a self-governing unincorporated U.S. territory. In other words, the U.S. dollar is accepted here and American citizens do not need a U.S. Passport to visit.

In addition to its tropical location, the weather is what attracts many vacationers here. Throughout the year, the average temperature is in the 80s. The peak season to visit St. Thomas is between November and June, however, it offers a great weekend getaway throughout the year. Multiple major U.S. airlines (including U.S. Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines) fly from popular U.S. cities directly to St. Thomas, so getting here is easy.

Plus, St. Thomas offers plenty of duty-free shopping, so if you're looking to purchase jewelry for a designer watch, for example, this is a great place to come for a bargain. During the peak season, multiple cruise ships dock here on a daily basis. However, many of the resorts and hotels, including the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, are located on the opposite side of the island (about a 20 to 30 minute taxi ride away).

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa is an ideal vacation destination for families, since the resort is very kid and teen friendly. However, this resort also caters to people wishing to have a memorable destination wedding or honeymoon. Wedding and honeymoon planners are on-site, since the resort hosts over 100 weddings per year.

If you're looking to visit the Caribbean, St. Thomas offers something for everyone, plus it's affordable and easy to get to. (Anyone with a U.S. cell phone will have full-service here, without having to pay international roaming charges. Plus, high-speed Internet access is readily available.)

When you're planning a visit to St. Thomas, be sure to experience some of the water-based activities - whether you opt for jet skiing, motor boating, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing or sailing. These activities can be coordinated through the resorts and hotels. There are also a handful of attractions worth visiting, such as Coral World (a small but interesting marine life park), and the St. Thomas Skyride (which offers an amazing view of the island).

If you're not a certified scuba diver, but wish to see incredible underwater marine life, consider experiencing BOSS (Breathing Observation Submersible Scooters), which are available on St. Thomas in the Havensight and Crown Bay areas (340-777-3549 / www.bossusvi.com). These are personal underwater motor scooters which you literally drive along the ocean floor. No diving or swimming experience is necessary. The experience is truly unique and is much more exciting than snorkeling. Check out the company's website for details about this very unique and fun activity. By the way, St. Thomas offers amazing snorkeling and scuba diving, even for people who have never tried these activities.

For more information about St. Thomas, visit the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism's website at www.usvitourism.vi or call (800) 372-USVI.

Below are some photos from my visit to St. Thomas...

All images (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Myrtle Beach Day 3: Freestyle Music Park and Hibiscus Spa

My third day in Myrtle Beach began with a visit to Freestyle Music Park (843-236-7625). It's a brand new, music-themed amusement park that offers a wide range of coasters and thrill rides, plus kid-friendly rides, a handful of attractions, and several entertaining shows presented throughout the day and evening.

As one of Myrtle Beach's newest attractions, Freestyle Music Park is offering excellent deals on admission tickets and dining options, making this attraction particularly affordable to families on a budget.

During its first full summer season (going on now through September 2009), Freestyle Music Park, offers at least one full day and night's worth of fun and entertainment - all packed into a 50-acre amusement park. In time for Summer 2010, the park will undergo additional expansion, and will offer an even broader selection of rides, shows and attractions.

Freestyle Music Park offers something for everyone. There are several hardcore thrill rides and coasters suitable for teens and adults, but also plenty of rides and shows that younger kids will enjoy. In fact, for kids, there's a whole section of the park, called "Kids In America," which includes over a dozens rides and attractions, plus the up-beat "Flip 5 Live!" music, singing and dancing show.

Teens and adults will find more thrill-oriented rides and attractions within the park's other areas, which include "VIP Plaza," "Country USA," "Across The Pond" and "Myrtle's Beach." During the peak summer months, the park is open daily, from 11:00am until 10:00pm. A flat fee admission ticket offers unlimited rides and admission to the shows and attractions. Food is extra, but very affordable.

Apple iPhone users should be sure to download the free, interactive Freestyle Music Park application from the App Store. This application offers an interactive map of the park, plus information about each ride, show and attraction, show schedules, and other tools for planning and experiencing the best possible day/evening at the park.

If you'll be visiting Myrtle Beach for a week or more and want to spend several days at the park, consider buying annual passes, priced at $64.95 (adults) and $39.95 (kids) each. However, for one day admission, two people can enter the park before 4pm for just $19.99. After 4pm, the single day ticket price is $19.99 per person. This special promo rate is only valid during the 2009 summer season. Visit the park's website for details, to purchase admission tickets online, or to learn about other special promotions and events happening at the park - www.freestylemusicpark.com.

Every evening after dark, be sure to catch the "Kiss the Sky" fireworks show. It's a 7.5-minute pyrotechnic presentation that's very impressive. During the day and evening, guys (ages 6 to 18) will enjoy the "Adrenaline Rush" show. It features a live showcase of extreme sports. Kids will love the up-beat "Flip 5 Live!" show. Adults will appreciate the "CSI: Live" show (based on the TV series), as well as "Ice Cold Country" ice skating/music show.

When visiting any outdoor attraction or theme park, be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Wear comfortable shoes (there's plenty of walking involved), and drink plenty of water, especially on hot and sunny days when the Myrtle Beach heat is intense.

Considering 2009 marks Freestyle Music Park's debut season, the park is very impressive and offers an excellent value. It's well worth visiting if you're in the Myrtle Beach area.

Check out these photos from my visit to the park...

All photos (c)2009 by Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Need to Relax?

Visit Hibiscus Spa at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

After really enjoying my visit to Freestyle Music Park, I returned to my hotel (The Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes), and experienced an absolutely incredible 80-minute signature Hibiscus massage, followed by a "Gentleman's Facial." Talk about getting pampered! The spa visit was amazing! I am so relaxed, I can barely type right now.

The Hibiscus Spa (843-449-8880), which is located within the resort, is a full-service and lavish day spa. It offers a vast menu of massages, facials, body treatments, nail treatments, waxing and other treatments, along with the amenities and extras you'd expect from an upscale spa (including comfortable and clean locker rooms, steam rooms, saunas, etc.).

In addition to specialized treatments for adult men and women, The Hibiscus Spa also offers specialized massages, facials, body treatments and make-up lessons for teens, plus lavish spa packages for adults. The service here is top-notch and extremely professional, which makes it that much easier to indulge, let go, relax and allow yourself to be pampered.

What I liked best and appreciated the most about my treatment at this spa was that the therapists paid careful attention to my specific needs. While most massage therapists will go through their pre-choreographed 60, 90 or 120 minute massage routine, and they won't deviate from it, my massage therapist at The Hibiscus Spa discovered exactly where I held my stress (my lower back and between my shoulders), and then spent time focusing in on those specific areas in order to relieve the tension that those specific areas held using a variety of different massage techniques. Without being told, he found my most stress filled areas and catered to them, which demonstrates her skill and training as a massage therapist, plus her dedication to each client,

Whether you're staying at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes or not, if you're looking for an awesome spa experience that's well worth the fees charged, I highly recommend visiting The Hibiscus Spa. It's conveniently located at 8400 Costa Verde Drive in Myrtle Beach.

The Carolina Opry: More from Myrtle Beach

It's been a very busy and fun-filled few days. I've been running around trying to see and experience as much as possible during my trip to Myrtle Beach.

Despite my best efforts, there's no way I'm going to be able to see everything. There's just so much to do here in terms of attractions, shows, spas, shopping and dining opportunities. Plus, there's golf, beaches and all sorts of other land and water-based activities which are suitable for people of all ages.

Today, I had the pleasure of experiencing an incredible spa treatment at the new Cinzia Spa at North Beach Plantation in North Myrtle Beach. This is much more than a traditional day spa. It also serves as a destination spa (for people who want to spend several days or a full week here). The spa offers traditional and extremely exotic treatments that you won't find elsewhere. In addition, the spa has teamed up with top doctors and specialists to offer an array of medical treatments, in addition to the regular spa offerings (massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, etc.).

At the spa, I enjoyed the signature "Fijian Ritual," which offers two full hours of relaxation and pampering. The Cinzia Spa is new (having opened in March 2009), but the 17,000-square-foot facility has already developed an incredible reputation for helping its guests achieve health, fitness and overall well-being.

As for local entertainment, since I arrived here in Myrtle Beach, I've been seeing all sorts of ads and billboards for the many shows offered here. Variety shows, Las Vegas-style shows, comedy, magic and interactive dinner shows are among the many offerings which will appeal to people of all ages.

Tonight, I attended The Carolina Opry (800-843-6779), one of the most famous and popular shows here in Myrtle Beach. Having seen so many "variety shows" all over the country, I've become cynical and really didn't have high expectations for tonight's show. I figured it would include bad lip-syncing musical acts, unfunny comedians, and not-too-impressive dancing. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong! In a word, this show was amazing!

The Carolina Opry was one of the most entertaining, fast-paced, upbeat, impressive and fun shows I've seen in a long time. The entire cast of singers, dancers, entertainers, musicians and comedians are extremely talented and entertaining. This show is suitable for the entire family and features different genres of music from the past and present, plus funny comedy skits and energetic and perfectly synchronized dance performances by All That! (from NBC-TV's America's Got Talent).

Unlike many shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Orlando and other tourist areas, this one features all live music and vocal performances. There's no lip-syncing whatsoever. Thus, it's easy to see just how talented the cast members are.

I really enjoyed the performance and strongly recommend it to anyone and everyone who visits the Myrtle Beach area.

In October 2009, The Carolina Opry presented its 6,560th performance. While the show has been around for more than 23 years, it's constantly updated to keep it timely. So, even if you've seen the show in years past, it's well worth seeing again, because the musical numbers and acts change annually.

In addition to the talented cast, the 2,200-seat theatre is impressive onto itself, offering a state-of-the-art sound and light system, impressive sets, and comfortable seating - all of which contribute to the overall quality of the show itself.

During the summer and holiday seasons, you'll want to book tickets in advance, since performances sell out. Even with tickets, you'll want to arrive at least 20 minutes early for the pre-show.

During the Christmas season, The Carolina Opry features a special holiday show that's also been extremely popular for more than 23 years in the Myrtle Beach area.

If you're looking for a fun, uplifting and highly entertaining way to spend an evening in Myrtle Beach, reserve tickets for The Carolina Opry! You won't be disappointed. Adult ticket prices range from $34.95 to $49.95. To order tickets online, click here.

Exploring Myrtle Beach: A Wonderful Family-Oriented Vacation Destination (and a Great Place to Play Golf)

I'm spending a few days exploring Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This is my first time visiting this extremely popular, family-friendly vacation destination. From what I've experienced so far, Myrtle Beach offers a ton of fun, unique and exciting activities, culture and shopping for people of all ages. Plus, there are hotels, resorts and timeshare properties that are available at all price points.

Myrtle Beach is best known as a golfing and beach vacation destination, which it certainly is. But, there's so much more to see and do here.

I'm staying at Marriott's Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa At Grande Dunes (843-449-8880), which is a lovely, high-rise hotel/resort, located right on the ocean. The rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable, plus the property has plenty of amenities, including beachfront access, several pools, tennis courts, a day spa, and multiple restaurants. The resort hotel is located adjacent to a luxurious Marriott Vacation Club timeshare property.

During my first day in Myrtle Beach, I visited Broadway at the Beach - a unique dining, shopping and attraction area that offers at least one or two full days worth of things to see and do. For example, you can spend several hours visiting Ripley's Aquarium (an 87,000-square-foot indoor aquarium). It offers many impressive exhibits. The aquarium's phone number is (843) 448-2331.

The Broadway at the Beach area also features an IMAX Theatre which shows a selection of 3D IMAX movies. You'll also find a traditional movie theatre here, a handful of restaurants (including a Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood), Dragons Lair Mini Golf, and many one-of-a-king shops.

For kids, teens and adults alike, one of the coolest and most impressive attractions at Broadway at the Beach is MagiQuest (843-916-1800). This is a massive, fully-interactive experience which is a cross between a video game and a role-playing adventure filled with quests, challenges and puzzles to solve.

Every MagiQuest participant is given a magic wand (which really works). Casting the wand allows players to interact with their surroundings. Kids will like the "Harry Potter"-like experience, while teens and adults will be challenged and entertained by the more advanced quests.

Each visit to MagiQuest can be a 60, 90 or 120 minute experience. All of your progress is automatically tracked (via your magic wand), so your collected gold, experience points and progress is saved after each visit. Anyone who enjoys RPG video games or the "Harry Potter" books/movies will really enjoy MagiQuest. It's a very impressive and fun attraction that's well worth the price of admission. Each visit and each quest will be totally different, especially if you spend a little extra money and time to fully customize your wand.

MagiQuest is definitely one of the more fun, unique and addicting family-friendly attractions I've experienced in a long time. There really is no other attraction anywhere that offers a similar interactive and immersive experience. (Several MagiQuest locations are now open around the world, however, the location in Myrtle Beach was the first.)

If you're more interested in experiencing traditional museums, galleries and theatre, for example, Myrtle Beach offers all of this and much more, plus just about everything here is very affordable (including the flights to get here). For example, Spirit Airlines offers direct flights from several popular East Coast cities that are convenient and affordable. Plus, driving to Myrtle Beach is easy from many cities.

June, July and August are the most popular months to visit Myrtle Beach (since it is a beach-oriented area), however, the weather is very pleasant here throughout the year.

Check out photos from my visit to Myrtle Beach below. For more information about this awesome destination (which is ideal for families, as well as golfers, spa goers and shoppers, for example), visit the official Myrtle Beach Conventions and Visitors Bureau's website at www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

Greeting from Tenerife (Canary Islands)

So, I was invited by the Department of Tourism for Tenerife (aka Turismo de Tenerife) to visit for a week. Tenerife is in the Canary Islands and is part of the country of Spain. Thus, Spanish is the primary language spoken here and the local currency is the Euro.

In the past, this has been an extremely popular vacation destination amongst Europeans (since it's only about a two hour plane trip from Madrid, Spain). However, in recent months, Air Europa has begun flying to Tenerife from JFK Airport in NYC (with a connection in Madrid), and directly to/from Miami (non-stop), which has made it a lot more convenient for Americans to also enjoy this tropical vacation destination. (Because the flight is a long one, I recommend flying Business Class, if you can afford it. You'll be much more comfortable.)

There is a lot that this island has to offer - much more than tropical beaches. In fact, you'll find more five-star hotels here than in Barcelona.

While much of the architecture, for example, is old (and predates anything you'd find in America), from a technological standpoint, Tenerife is as modern as any U.S. or European city - plus it's absolutely gorgeous. Being part of Spain, Tenerife has a strong Spanish influence and culture, which makes it that much more interesting for tourists to experience.

For several nights during my trip, I stayed at the Hotel Botanico in Puerto de la Cruz. It's an extremely luxurious five-star resort with an amazing spa and excellent restaurants. On the opposite side of the island, I also stayed for several nights at the equally impressive Gran Melia Resort (in Palacio de Isora), plus I've visited a handful of other resorts that are also well worth staying at, including the lovely and prestigious Abama Golf & Spa Resort (a Ritz-Carlton property).

Overall, the quality of the food everywhere I've dined has been top-notch, and the island is known around the world for its fine wines.

I would recommend Tenerife as a unique and exotic vacation or honeymoon destination for anyone traveling from the East Coast (especially New York City or Miami). While more than five million tourists travel to this island every year, less than six thousand of them are Americans, which makes Tenerife a unique tourist destination for people looking to experience something new, exciting, exotic and beautiful.

You'll find top-notch resorts, restaurants, shopping, golf courses located along the ocean, stunning beaches, day spas, boating, fishing, scuba diving, hiking, plus countless other activities, including Loro Parque (a massive, SeaWorld-like theme park - complete with whales and dolphins, shows, rides and attractions, that I can't wait to visit firsthand). There's also Siam Park, a fun-filled water park for kids and teens, which is one of many family-friendly activities to be experienced here.

Don't Forget About Travel Insurance Before You Leave (Regardless of Where You're Going Overseas)

In terms of travel advice, I have written extensively about the need for travelers to purchase travel insurance when going abroad. For this trip, I am very happy to say that I have practiced what I've been preaching.

I acquired insurance through Travel Guard before departing. As luck would have it, my baggage was delayed for more than 48 hours. However, when I discovered one of my bags "missed my flight," I simply called Travel Guard's toll-free number and they had someone from their luggage recovery team deal directly with the airline to locate my bag and arrange to have it delivered to my hotel. Because the bag was more than 12 hours late, I was given an allowance of $500.00 to purchase clothing, toiletries and other items I've needed.

If I didn't have the insurance, the airline delaying my luggage would have been a huge inconvenience. Thanks to Travel Guard, my trip has gone that much more smoothly. I did not have to deal directly with the airline (sitting on hold from my cell phone while paying $.99 per minute), and I was able to purchase clean clothing to wear.

So, once again, I urge anyone traveling abroad for business or pleasure to acquire travel insurance prior to their departure. In addition to covering lost or delayed luggage, the insurance also protects travelers if they get injured or encounter some other type of emergency.

Obtaining travel insurance for a trip takes under five minutes. It can be done online, and the cost is typically less than five percent of the overall trip cost. For this trip to Tenerife, the Travel Guard insurance cost $97.00, and it was money well spent!

I urge you to learn more about Tenerife by visiting www.webtenerife.com. In the meantime, below are some photos from my trip.

All images (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Frequent Flier Programs: Choose The Best One For You

Please check out my recent article that was published in the New York Daily News newspaper about choosing the best frequent flier program, and getting the most out of its perks, based on your personal travel habits. To read the article, click here.

A Quick Trip to Pittsburgh, PA

I just got back from spending a few days exploring Pittsburgh, PA. While I have flown through the city's airport on US Airways literally hundreds of times, until this week, I never actually left the airport to see the city. In fact, all I knew about Pittsburgh until this week was that this was where Mr. Rogers lived and shot his TV show. It's also the home of Heinz ketchup.

Anyway, Pittsburgh is a lovely city that's clean, modern, friendly and chock full of places to see and things to do - especially if you enjoy outdoor activities. If you enjoy drinking locally brewed beers, for example, there is also no shortage of micro-breweries here. Besides that, Pittsburgh offers theatre, museums, culture, interesting places to explore, and, of course, sports!

Below is a compilation of photos from my three day trip. During the trip, I toured the city (and surrounding rivers) by boat, car, Segway and kayak. I'll add more descriptions of what I experienced soon, but these photos offer a preview....Enjoy!

All photos (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.

Planning To Stay At A Hotel or Resort Anytime Soon? Avoid Extra Charges & Fees

Check out the article I wrote for the New York Daily News newspaper about all of the new fees/charges that hotels across the country and throughout the world are now charging, plus discover tips for avoiding at least some of them. To read this article from the Monday, July 27, 2009 edition of the newspaper, click here.

A Day At Miami's MetroZoo

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Miami, Florida. While gathering content for my upcoming travel guide, Thomas Cook Florida Hotspots, I experienced many of the attractions, resorts, restaurants and activities that this incredible city has to offer.

Two of the highlights of the week were my visits to Miami MetroZoo and Jungle Island. In a nutshell, these two zoos are amongst the very best and most impressive in the country. Each offers a full day's worth of entertainment and excitement for people of all ages. Even adults traveling without kids will enjoy spending a few hours exploring these two animal-oriented attractions.

If you're planning a visit to Miami, definitely make time in your schedule to visit this zoo and Jungle Island! When you do, plan on walking a lot. The alternative at MetroZoo is to rent a four-passenger bike, take the zoo's monorail, or rent a Segway to explore this massive and stunning attraction. Don't forget to bring a hat, drink plenty of water, wear comfortable shoes, and apply sunblock during your visit. This is primarily an outdoor attraction.

I guarantee that a day at Miami MetroZoo and/or Jungle Island is one you won't soon forget. Admission to the zoo is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child. Bike and Segway rentals cost extra. The zoo is open everyday of the year, typically between 9:30am and 5:30pm. A handful of tours and special programs are available (some for an additional fee). Visit the zoo's website or call (305) 251-0400 for details.

Jungle Island is open 365 days a year, from 10:00 am to 6:00pm. Special shows and events at this popular Miami attraction may extend the attraction's hours. Admission prices are as follows:

One-Day Admission

Adults (Ages 11-64) $29.95 plus tax
Seniors (Ages 65+) $27.95 plus tax
Children (Ages 3-10) $23.95 plus tax
Children (Ages 0-2) Free

Check out my photos from Miami MetroZoo and Jungle Island below...

All photos (c)2009 Jason R. Rich. All rights reserved.