Land Vs. Sea Vacations - Which to Choose?
June 11, 2009
The open ocean, or the open road, those are your choices of vacations, now how do you decide? There are upsides as well as downsides to both of these options. Your job is to weigh the pros and cons of both of these choices and then decide, but what if you have never been on a cruise? Can you really make an informed decision as to which of these is the appropriate choice for you next vacation?
Here are some of the pros and cons in no specific order to the sea vs. land vacation’s controversy, hopefully it will help you become more educated on what to expect. Of course you need to remember that here we will just be discussing general tour information, to help you become more informed you may still need to do a bit of research, but I hope that this will help.
Mexico is a wonderful vacation be it by land or sea, so that is where our comparison begins
Many cruise lines offer cruises to Mexico. Some Mexico cruise ports include Catalina Island, Ensenada, and Cabo San Lucas. Of course there are many more ports of interest in Mexico, but we will stop with this.
We have decided to cruise to Cabo San Lucas and the first part of our journey is to fly to California from wherever you live and catch a cruise to your ultimate cruise destination. Basically your cruise ship is you floating hotel on the ocean. It takes you from port to port with scheduled trips on the way and shore excursions as you go, many of these excursions are not included in the price of the ticket, so be aware that extra money will be necessary if you are interested in one of the scheduled activities on shore.
If you are cruising around Cabo San Lucas, the itineraries include many regular onshore activities that you may already be interested in. Scuba diving off the island, off road excursions, museums, or other activities may be offered to you as options on the island part of your vacation. The joy of a cruise ship is there is a cruise director creating an itinerary for you with a list of things you can do on your stop off.
If you enjoy having options given to you then a cruise may be for you. Your food on the ship, amenities, pool, games, and even casinos are already at your fingertips on your cruise ship.
The upsides to a cruise are:
- Your hotel and restaurants are travelling with you
- All of your travel is taken care of in advance when you are going from port to port
- You have a cruise director that has an itinerary with a list of things to do at the ports
Downsides to a cruise are:
- Some of what you do at port are already planned for you with a time schedule you have to follow
- You are on a ship with a group of people in relatively small quarters you may not enjoy
- You still have to get to the ship before the cruise actually begins.
So, if you enjoy being in a group of people, are very social, and enjoy having a preplanned trip, then a cruise may be for you.
Now let’s travel to Mexico on a land vacation
You still need to travel via flight or driving to Mexico, if you are not cruising the decision is up to you, plan stops along the way. Once you get to Mexico, in this case Cabo San Lucas, you choose your accommodations, fancy or modest, there are many choices. Eat at a resturant with local cuisine or pick a five star restaurant of international cuisine. Choose a car to hit the open road, drive the island, see the sights, with no time restrictions.
On your own, your trip is entirely in your hands; of course the downside to this is you are in charge of discovering what Cabo San Lucas has to offer you. If you enjoy this kind of opportunity and desire choices and freedom of decision making, than a land journey is probably what you should choose.
The biggest problem with this kind of travel is you will probably pay more in the end for your vacation.
The upsides to a land vacation are:
- Freedom to choose where and when you travel
- Variety, it is the spice of life
- The open road and no set itinerary
Downsides to a land vacation are:
- In comparison to a standard cruise, you will pay more in the long run
- It is your job to find out if something is worth trying or not
So, in conclusion land vs. sea is entirely up to you, the traveler. If the benefits of a cruise outweigh the downsides, choose a cruise, but if the benefits of the open road and freedom outweigh the downsides to having to be your own vacation planner, choose a land vacation.
Whatever you choose, land or sea, if you investigate carefully, and choose what is best for you, I am sure that you will have the perfect vacation, one that suits you and will make you happy. I hope this has helped, have a great vacation wherever you choose.
Travel Green - What Ecotourism is All About
June 1, 2009
Having Fun...
Today’s society is becoming more ecologically minded with a concern for the world’s future. Look in any market today and you can find almost anything made from recycled products or created with an environmentally friendly form of energy. We are encouraged to recycle cans, bottles, and even old paint.
Ecotourism is defined as a form of tourism that involves traveling to tranquil and unpolluted natural areas. It’s focus is on the plants, animals and indigenous peoples in the area. To be truly an ecotourist, you must also minimize the impact you have on the area you visit. It is easily summed up by one statement: take only pictures, leave only footprints.
This type of travel may or may not sound exciting, but delve further into the ecotourism industry and it is obvious why some estimate that over 5 million people have become green in their travels.
The industry of ecotourism is thriving in areas where there is abundant wildlife and natural areas. Countries such as Costa Rica, Kenya and Antarctica have a substantial ecotourism base supporting their economy.
If you choose a place like Costa Rica, more than a quarter of this area is set aside for protection in some way or another. If you like to hike, go exploring in the rainforests or mountains. Snorkeling through a tropical reef is another way to experience Costa Rica at its finest. You could also visit local villages and towns to find out what the native culture is really like.
If you want to be totally ecofriendly, try camping out and getting a closer look at the native flora and fauna that makes Costa Rica one of the most diverse areas in the world.
If you are looking for something a little different, why not see what Kenya has to offer the ecotourist out for an adventure of a lifetime. Head out on the Serengeti with a local guide for the Safari that only children dream of. Explore the local market and see the bustle of a world completely different from your own, or experience the complete stillness surrounding you in a land where the animals are still the rulers of their jungle.
For the true adventurer, why not kayak in the wildest place in the world, Antarctica. What is more environmentally friendly than a boat powered only by you. Float inches above the sea gliding past mammoth iceburgs, perhaps spot a humpback whale on its journey through the sea, or watch a mother Leopard seal curl up with her pup for a nap in the sun.
The possibilities are endless. We don’t have to travel the same way we always have. The world is ours to enjoy, why not enjoy it in a way we have never thought of before.
White Water Rafting is an Adventure Worth Taking
May 27, 2009
White Water Rafting
One of the most thrilling adventures is white water rafting. This sport has gained much popularity in the last few years, so much so in fact, that there are tours all around the world just for this purpose. There are feature presentations about trips down river that will make even the most avid thrill seeker gasp.
With this popularity comes more accessibility. People who before would never think of trying white water rafting, are now given the opportunity to try their hand at an adventure on a river that they never dreamed of.
Rivers are rated from I to VI on the International Scale of River Difficulty, I being the easiest class, but still having some waves, to a class VI which is considered un-runnable. Class VI contains waterfalls and areas that are so fast, they are not recommended for travel. If you are in for an adventure, but don’t have any experience at all, you may want to try a Class II or III which don’t require any experience, but will let you see why this white water rafting is so popular in the world today.
Many States right here in the United States have rivers which lend themselves to white water rafting. Jackson Hole, Wyoming boasts the Snake River with trips of varying length as well as degrees of difficulty. New Mexico is the the home of the Rio Grande and Rio Chama rivers, varying from Class IV for the extremists, to a I for those that are quite ready for that much adventure. Of course, there are many other states that offer white water rafting as a travel option.
If you are planning to go a bit further off the beaten path, you also have the option of trying out the white water in Canada or South America. Ecuador is home to the Amazon jungle and boasts the Rio Upano, one of the world’s classic river trips. Waterfalls, canyons, and scenery abound on this amazing river. They rate from a Class II to a class IV, something for everyone.
One thing to remember is that there are seasons that white river rafting may or may not be available in certain areas. New Mexico, for example has a rafting season from mid June till mid September. Depending on the location you choose, plan ahead to make sure rafting is available that time of year.
Another thing you should remember when planning a white water trip, whether for 5 hours or a week, you need to come prepared for anything. Sunscreen is a must as water reflects sun rays and even if it looks overcast, there are still UV rays which could leave you with a painful burn. According to one guide, you should always have sunscreen, sunglasses, and a water bottle as rafting can be strenuous.
If you are traveling longer that a few hours, something dry to put on would benefit you as well. Remember you will be on white water, which means splashing, and chances are you will not be dry when you get off the river. It is recommended you bring shoes that are comfortable even when wet, perhaps a sandal that will allow your feet to dry. Make a checklist and stick to it.
Take a chance on something new, or if you have been rafting before, find someplace you haven’t been before and get ready for an adventure. White water rafting is gaining in popularity, so you have hundreds of options. This is one experience that you can’t miss.
Brought to you by Sealand Travel.
