Branson Missouri...Enjoy a Smoky Mountain Christmas...and Get a Branson Hotel

Branson Missouri has slowly crept into the conscienseness as being a destination resort. Branson has been heralded as one of the greatest cities to in having the most shows and theaters. Well if you happen to be in the Branson area there is a great celebration that the people from this charming town of the Ozark Mountains Celebrates each year. It's called the Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration. The general time line of this celebration begins the day after the pumpkins are put away from Halloween and culimnates on New Year's Eve. This year, 2008 marks the 20th Annual Celebration of this Festival

Let's take a look at some of the great things to take part in at Branson's Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration.

Silver Dollar City - This is a Theme Park in the area that offers rides, entertainment, shows and great food. Further, the park is modeled and themed for 1880's America. During the Smoky Mountain celebration the theme park turns into a winter wonderland. Every night during the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, Silver Dollar City puts on a wonderful Christmas Parade that includes floats that have over 100,000 Christmas lights combined on them. Imgaine pulling that line of lights out of a knot.

DollyWood - Named after the famous entertainer Dolly Parton, this theme park is just as wonderful for the Smoky Mountain Christmas Celebration. This year Dollywood's theme is Babes in Toyland. This is a wonderul musical that has over 20 people in the production and is backed by a tremendous professional orchestra. The show is put on every night and will run to January 3rd 2009.

Last on our tour of Branson's Christmas Bonanza is the Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights. I can honestly say words don't do it justice, because it really is amazing. The drive is called the Magical Christmas Wonderland and takes the tour of the entire city up to what is called Inspiration Tower.

This weekend you might be able to find some great Branson Hotel Deals. The average rates I'm seeing right now fora stay starting tomorrow, December 20th, are about $100 a night. Remember I said average, which includes the higher end properties. One of the more incredible spots is the Chateau on the Lake in Branson. Another solid property to visit is the Radisson Hotel Branson. Both hotels are offering rates in the neighborhood of $129 and $69 respectively.

For more information about the Smoky Mountain Christmas or for more information about Branson Missouri and all there is to see and do check out the link provided.

Christmas in Italy...Traveling to Rome During the Holiday Season..

Our gregoreous and happy go lucky purple ape, known to many you affectionately sure does love to travel. Oddly, as he was reviewing the posts to his blog he realized that he has neglected to talk about the beauty and style of destinations outside of the United States. Once again, trying to maintain a theme of reflecting on the holiday season our simian friend thought it would be fun to discuss both traveling to a destination outside of the United States and doing so doing the Holiday season. That is, what kind of traditions, fun, events, etc, etc, could the would be traveler find should he or she venture to a foreign land during the holiday season. We chose the beautiful and ancient city of Rome Italy.

If any of you out there have family or friends of Italian desent, or have the priviledge of being so, you can all attest that the traditions, feast and events surrounding the Holiday season for the Italians is bright, fun and festive. Oh, yeah, and the food is just incredible. Venturing outside to Italy itself does offer a slight variation on the traditions and foods one might find in an Italian American household or party during the Holiday season. If you do happen to go on a Rome Italy Vacation, and it is during the festive holiday season here are somethings to expect. What one has to remember is that Rome, as a city, is ancient and much of the traditions for Christmas date back to the actual Roman Empire era or antiquity. One of the traditions that was very common in Italy, but I have reccently found out, is that during the Christmas season the Holiday is ushered in by festivities including fifers, or to best translate, musicians that play a bagpipe type of instrument. The sound carries through the city and really offers a "feel" to the season. As I mentioned, sadly, this tradition is fading from the scene. Now unlike the United States, in Italy a decorative Nativity scene is the focal point of decorations in homes and around the city. Another difference in Italy is the legend of Santa Clause. Children in Italy still look fondly to Christmas to venture to sleep and but look to a female version known as La Befana. This Christmas gift giver is said to fly around on a broom but their night comes on the day of January 6th for the Feast of the Epiphany. The day to celebrate the arrival of the three Wise Men visiting baby Jesus.

There are many other great traditions, but you can see for each country a little something different and wonderful is a part of the tradition. If you happen along to Rome Italy, be sure to enjoy all the holiday has to offer.

Top Ten Office Holiday Party Offenses...

Well here at TravelApe.com the holidays are in high gear. Sure the economy has been sluggish but the Ape himself has made his way to the offices more than usual the past few weeks just to offer some extras encouragement. I'm sure I don't have to say that everyone loves him here. Travel Ape brings with him quite a bit of exuberance, spirit and fun. Well we're preparing for the annual TravelApe.com Holiday Party, and it occurred to me, there's probably no one event that could be the death nail to many on the job when it comes to these events. So I figured I'd offer my own bit of advice when it comes to going to the office holiday party. I hope these tips help.

The first bit of advice is whether you're required to go to the office holliday party. Sure to most employees, the office party is nothing more than an extension of work and therefore an extension of the politics, the rules and everything else that goes along with work. To some extent, sadly enough this is true. We can't always hope that the workers that work for us, will behave like adults. Party's are associated with fun, drinking and to some degree letting loose. So when it comes to the choice of attending or not attending, just know this...just go..unless there is some unforseen God awful thing that has come up and you can't attend, there is no way around management not looking into the fact that you're not there. They have put the time, effort and money to try and show their appreciation for you so by not showing up you're giving them a big flag as to what you feel about the company.

The second bit of advice is for God's sake don't go to the party on an empty stomach. This is just a big no no and as an adult when it comes to drinking. A full stomach sops up sooo much. Eat things like breads or pasta, or even a few glasses of milk, if your lactose tolerant. Poor Travel Ape isn't thats why I bring that fact up.

The third is dress attire. Why I even have to mention this is beyond me, but being around the world of business long enough and having attended my share of Office Holiday Party's I've seen some big missteps in this area. I'm not saying go out and rent a tux or go pay $5000 for a gown that one would wear to the Presidential Innagural Ball, but just be smart about it. No jeans..Maybe some offices are laid back and sure enough ours are here at TravelApe.com but put on a pair of kahki's if your a man and no t-shirts. The same goes for the ladies. A pair of nice slacks and a conservative button down shirt or sweater works great.

The fourth is try your best to have fun and not do business. This is definitely not the time to pitch to your supervisor, upper management, the CEO or Chairman your next great idea. The Holiday Office Party really is meant for just that..a time to break away from the drudgery of the daily grind in the office or work place and try and have time to mix with co-workers on a different level. By the grace of God if you happen to run into a whale of a client while stopping at the convenience store on the way to the party that's 100% sure thing, contract in hand and is worth big money to the firm, that might be the exception to this rule.

The fifth is a combination of a few helpful hints...Don't get drunk, don't hook up and don't dance like you're at a Hedonism Resort. The first bit of advice should be paramount, because it is no doubt the catalyst that usually leads to the other two fopaux's I mentioned. Remember you work with these people and probably outside your immediate family are the people you have to deal with more often day to day than anyone. I've heard horror stories where employees that have had steller careers for years at a firm, all to just smudge their reputations because of one night of one or two stupid acts.

The long and short is, I'm sure to most that have read the above, that common sense would seem to be enough. Sadly enough, and history has shown us, that it isn't enough. So for those of you that already know these rules of the Holiday Office Party kudos to you. Maybe you'd like to pass this post along to friends, collegues or family that you feel might find the suggestions helpful.

Vacation Pacakges, Vacation Deals and Resort Packages...TravelApe.com Has it Now..

I'd like to take this time to offer a little introduction to the newest members and premiums offered by the wonderful Travel Ape. TravelApe.com the official site of Travel Ape is now offering a vacation packages and vacation deals section. Actually, I'm speaking out of turn. TravelApe.com had the Vacation Packages section for some tim but some new cities have been added, in addition to having added some new cities. These cities include Cancun Mexico, Branson, Williamsburg and Myrtle Beach.

The exciting thing I've noticed though is that Travel Ape really went out to find some great deals for vacation packages and vacation deals in these destinations. First for Cancun Vacation Pacakges I'm seeing a deal for $199 for a 4 day and 3 night package with additional premiums. That's a heck of a deal heading to Cancun Mexico. What's more it appears that several other packages will be offered going to Cancun that range somewhere in the $199 to $499 price for comparable trips that are regularly priced from $799 to over $1000. The deals are very good.

The next newsest group of packages for a destination they are offering are for Williamsburg Vacation Packages. What makes Williamsburg Virginia such an attractive destination for travel is it really is a simple place to get to from many sources and directions, plus it's a great family vacation. The deals being offered are on average for 4 Days and 3 Nights with great premiums that include free meals, tickets to local amusement parks, discounts on all kinds of stuff. The rates for the Williamsburg Vacation Packages that I saw ranged somewhere between $149 to $250 for the 4 day stays. The property where these deals are offered are the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort.

One last place that is worth mentioning is Myrtle Beach South Carolina. It goes without saying that many of the best golf vacation packages you could find probably are offered along with Myrtle Beach Vacation Packages. Once again as I observed for the other destinations, the pricing and the offerings are incredible. For anywhere from $165 to $250 you can find a 4 day and 3 night vacation package and mix in a premium that you would enjoy. Participating properties where you can find accommodations for these Myrtle Beach Vacation Pacakges are at the Springmaid Beach Resort, the Golf Colony Resort on Surfside Beach and the Wild Wing Resort of Myrtle Beach. I've checked out all the pacakges coming out and each has there own value. It really is up to the traveler.

We are proud here at TravelApe.com as well as having Travel Ape be a very happy soul. There will be more informaiton about great deals each day and we'll be adding packages to the destinations we currently serve.

 

 

Holiday Season Has it's Highs...and Lows...A Tip of the Hat to Those Who Help...

A current theme of Travel Ape's posts have been toward the Holiday Season. There is no doubt that the Season is upon us now, as I sit on the East Cost and it is officially Thanksgiving Day. There are many things to look upon as this season comes, especially when it comes to tradition. There are foods, and events that many of us look to each year. Of course there comes a lot of travel with the holiday's too, and Travel Ape would be remiss if he didn't at least acknowledge that to be the case. We travel to friends homes, back to our childhood homes to visit with parents and grandparents, or to go for a special getaway to either a sunny island or a ski vacation. 

To many though, this season brings with it a great deal of malaise. It's a time where people who have felt loss or are alone, where this feeling stings the most. No one deserves to be alone during this time of year especially and there are travel programs for singles, or elderly to take part. 

To that end there are some unsung heroes that help people dealing with grief, and having had spend much time on the road, Travel Ape would like to acknowledge these people and the organizations. 

In the West Coast, out of Los Angeles California there is the Hope Unit Foundation.  Founded by a group of ten people that were spurred into action by a feeling that cancer patients and to a larger extend terminal patients were not be treated for the grief associated with their conditions. The HOPE Unit Foundation did just that. They have been recognized in California for their outstanding work in this area and are a fabulous group. If you live, travel to or are even in need of help like this in Los Angeles check out the HOPE Unit Foundation. 

Heading out to the East Coast, a smaller area, but an organization that really has become a shining star in the area of grief counseling is the Alcove Grief Counseling and serves the greater Atlantic City NJ area.  The Alcove is located in the town of Northfield NJ, which is just outside of Atlantic City, but the focus of the foundation is to counsel children dealing with a loss in the family. A service that can't be heralded enough. The Alcove has been able to collect millions in grants and contributions each year due to its outstanding reputation in dealing with grief as it does with children. As any of us know, the Holidays can be a difficult time to deal with loss, but for children it is a sin that should not have a solution ready. The members of the Alcove provide this incredible service.

The city of New Orleans was stunned almost 4 years ago by Hurricane Katrina, and in large part as a community has not recovered. The Seasons Grief Center has been providing help in overtime since this terrible tragedy. Originally having been set up to deal with terminally ill patients and their families, Season's has extended their service to help out with many in the community that are dealing with loss of a life they had. A life that had been decimated to nothing. For that effort and so much more Seasons Grief Center of New Orleans has received much official recognition and awards for this effort. For good reason.

There are many other viable and worthy organizations that probably deserve recognition for the same reasons the ones mentioned above have been. Travel Ape welcomes any posts to recognize these worthy groups. In the spirit of this being a mainly travel oriented blog and web site, we'd also like to suggest for those of you Volunteer Travel. This is a great way to get away and see the world and also help people.  

There is no doubt that Travel Ape is a fun filled simian and absolutely enjoys the holiday season. Travel Ape also has a heart and knows that many are sad and need help. 

From all of us at Travel Ape, enjoy your up and coming holiday season, if you're lucky enough to have a good life, be thankful for all you have and if you're not, know that there is a world out there that does care. 

Gobble, Gobble and an Early Happy Thanksgiving Greeting with Travel Deals...

It may be a little early, but Thanksgiving salutations from TravelApe.com and friends. The Thanksgiving weekend is absolutely the biggest travel day of the year, and for goodness sake, not having a post about it here at Travel Ape's blog seems too odd.

There's lot's to do and there are traditions that track back over 100 years or generations for families and communities alike. There's high school football games about community rivals that go back decades. There are family gatherings that bring people across the country to see long lost friends and family once a year. This truly is a great day and doing so in a country that tried so ardently and against the history of humanity, embrace success, achievement, a sense of community and hopes for a better life to be thankful in this way. This truly is Thanksgiving.

A few places that people may be traveling to are Los Angeles, where the sunny shores of the California coastline can welcome an outdoor Thanksgiving feast.  Another great place for travel or if you happen to be coming to visit family is Miami Florida. Miami is graced with a high Hispanic community namely Cuban, and a lot of Thanksgiving food fare comes with a Cuban Flare. How about going to the Bayou and traveling to the New Orleans area. The influence on food is most incredible in the New Orleans area and variations on appetizers, to side dishes to even the Turkey itself is almost artistic. Just think Cajun with Turkey...The combination is a home run. 

One of the most unique dishes Travel Ape has come across is the Turducken. This is just a feast for the lover of great fowl. It basically is a de-boned turkey that is stuffed with a de-boned duck stuffed with a de-boned chicken. The basting and what goes on in an operation of cooking like this is beyond words. Succulent is all I can say.

Traditions go along with Thanksgiving like no other. Even beyond Christmas, because Thanksgiving is a true holiday of the people. Religious, or agnostic, liberal or conservative or anything in between, for a relative many of us that live in this country, we are lucky. Lucky beyond are stars. Further, comes with it an air of lightness, not of a solemn nature, of relaxation, not stress, with a step back kind of attitude and anticipation of what comes with the up and coming season.

From Travel Ape and his friends his family, he wishes all of you an upcoming Thanksgiving and continuing holiday season. 

Holiday Traditions in Travel..Rockefeller Center New York City Tree Lighting

It's that time of year once again. Well officially in about a week from now the Holiday Season will be upon us. For many, it already has started, and usually is heralded in literally the day after Halloween. One notices this as some radio stations dedicate their broadcasting 24 hours a day up and to Christmas Day with all Christmas Music.

With all that of note, the Holiday season is full of tradition. Either on a per family scale or to a larger degree with things like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the White House and one of Travel Ape's favorites the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center New York City. Several years ago when Travel Ape was just a small simian, his uncle took him up to New York City and he attended an official Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. A day he's never forgotten and if time, his schedule and location permit he tries to make his way to the actual event. 

 The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is located in the area between 47th and 50th Streets and 5th and 7th Avenues. The text link provided in this paragraph offers directions, schedule and more information about this years tree lighting ceremony and event. 

Over the next month during this holiday season Travel Ape will be posting more info about other holiday happenings and traditions across the United States. If there are any that you want to specifically comment about or post, we welcome them here.

From Travel Ape and the rest of us here, we wish you Peace in this up and coming Holiday Season. 

Dawson Street Pub in Manyunk Very Disappointing ...

Travel Ape and I like to try and maintain a sense of youth and in doing so while traveling if we can take in some of the local entertainment we do it.

A few weeks ago, my friend and I happened along into Manyunk Pennsylvania. There was a birthday party, he asked me to tag along, I felt obliged so I went for the ride. We spent the weekend there so we could make a little bit of a trip of it. I digress. We asked around to see what local watering hole might be a decent place to sit back, relax and maybe even take in some music. We were told about Dawson Street Pub.

Without to much hoopie-a-do I'll get right into it. It appears that this place, Dawson Street Pub is living on borrowed time. Maybe at some point this was a place to be, a place where the never before acts of some soon to be new phenom in the world of music got their chance but I didn't see it. To start the door person was rude. No personality and noticeably enjoying the little authority they had. Second, the bartender that I can remember was bad at their job...it's not brain surgery making a Tom Collins...better stated, I could have counted the drink I got as one of my required 8 ounces of water, b/c it was totally watered down. Third, the entertainment was suspect at best and the noise in the place is carried terribly. Last, the regulars, and you can pick them out like a man wearing a pink shirt in a room full of black shirts, are idiots.

I would not recommend Dawson Street Pub at all. Don't waste your time. There is plenty to do in the Philadelphia area, this shouldn't even be on your list. 

Spirit Airlines making note improvements..

I was on the phone with our friend Travel Ape this past weekend. For those of you who may not have noticed our blogs and our official posts haven't happened in a few weeks, so I hope you sadly missed us and are happy to have us back. Well regardless, Travel Ape happened to be sitting in the Fort Myers Airport in Florida on his way to Atlantic City NJ via a Spirit Airlines flight. The topic of discussion was started, "Hey how bad was your flight?". Which Travel Ape responded "You know what I was startled by how fast and courteous the service was"...I was startled by the response.

Well sure enough I looked into the observation a little further and Spirit has made a concerted effort in both speeding up flights and improving service. The product of which is a combination of two. For example, a flight from or to Atlantic City - Fort Myers Florida had been tracked on average somewhere near 2 hours and 45 minutes. At last tracking, Travel Ape's same flight was in the range of 2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes. What's the difference? First off, there has been an initiative to get the time between flights sped up. If you take a flight on Spirit you'll notice the team and militant effort of the flight crew moving people out, personally helping out with loading and unloading luggage and cleaning up waste left from last flights. Second, again peeping into the background a little, Spirit has made some significant changes in their flight plans. That translates into flight paths that basically take a lot less. Not really sure the semantics that go into flight plans but why this took so long to address or adjust doesn't make sense. The only thing I'm happy about is that Spirit Airlines is just better to fly on considering flight times are considerably less. 

Well kudos to Spirit Airlines. No doubt shorter flights equate into less fuel used and of course this tracks back up to the consumer with cheaper fairs. In a time where less has to mean so much more, it's nice to see that capitalism still means striving for adjustments that meet market demand. Check back often for many of the deals that Spirit Air has to offer.

Congratulations Philadelphia Phillies..MLB Champs

I wrote a few weeks back that oddly enough TravelApe is a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies. Well last night our symian friend's team won the World Series. 

Well being a travel related blog it's probably important to get some information out there to all the people traveling to Philadelphia to attend the parade tomorrow. So here it is.

First things first, Public Officials have said anyone wishing to attend this event use public transportation. That is SEPTA or AMTRAK. Here are links to their sites. But use the information below first to see where the parade route will be so you can plan around it.

The parade is set to begin this Friday, October 31st, Halloween at 20th and Markets Street and to start at 12 Noon. 

The parade will travel south down Broad Street and end at the sports complex.

Time Saving Travel Tips..Why has the "Fast" in Fast Food lost it's Meaning.

I'll tell you what really get's my goat and had TravelApe very frusted this past weekend on his own. Oddly enough it was the same situation but at different places and areas. First to me. I was visiting a friend outside of Philadelphia the other day and being pressed for time I got into a drive through line at a Burger King. Yeah, let's not even get into quality or anything like that, I'm talking about the mere fact that I wanted something that tasted somewhat good and could get it fast. I proceeded to sit in line for 10 minutes !!! Yes ten minutes. Now let us get the facts straight. I was in line, there was one car in front of me and there was one other car in the parking lot. I could see that there was no activity in the store. Oh, by the way did I mention two lovelorn teen agers were in the throws of ectasy as I sat in line. Point is, when one drives into a fast food line, the expectation is in less than five minutes you can make an order, pay, get your food and be on your way with a half decent meal. Point is for me, I left.

Unbeknownst to me our friend TravelApe was in the Miami area this weekend doing some sightseeing and decided to stop in at an area KFC. Once again, he sat in line for over 15 minutes. TravelApe, unlike me, however, is a little more patient. That, however, still doesn't offer a happy end to the story. First, he sat in line while he watched a group of teenager or young workers throwing stuff at each other through the store windows. Second, a special meal he saw on a commercial wasn't available yet?? Third the food was terrible.

Well the moral of this story is there has to be a better way. TravelApe and I conversed on the phone and decided there are a few decent options. First, and probably people poo-poo on this concept, the local brand name convenience stores are sometimes the best of the options. The have food that is probably of higher quality, offer better selection, and sure let's get past the "fast" element here, actually can get you out the door in less the five minutes. The selections are boundless depending on where you are in the country. You have your 7-11 Convenient Stores across the country. You have Your WaWa's in the North East area of the United States. You've got your Circle K's out West. And a whole smorgish borg of selections across this great country. Do yourself a favor, before you take that turn and head into a Burger King, McDonald's, KFC or Taco Bell, think...And think well. The in and out convenient stores are your best bet.

Over the next few posts I'm going to feature some great destinations and offer some recommendations as to other alternatives outside the convenient stores too. The options are out there and TravelApe is sure to find them for you.  

Jamaica...A Place for Couples..

The island of Jamaica is a tropical paradise, if you can find the right places to visit. While island hopping Travel Ape was very happy to find that this oasis of the Caribbean has several resorts that cater to couples. 

Specifically Couples Resorts has several properties around the island that offer a little bit of unique pampering all to themselves. Just as you would think these properties are the perfect fit for weddings, honeymoons or just a good old classic romantic getaway. Let's take a little deeper look at some of the specific properties this group services. First you'll find Couples Negril Hotel.  The resort is all inclusive and is couples only. So no worrying about kids or frolicking youths. Well unless that 20 something couple is something to be worried about. Current rates for nightly stays, and again remember this is an all inclusive resort, are $519 per night. If that rate seems a little steep for you, there is another Couples resort that offers a better rate. At the Couples Swept Away Hotel, you can find current daily rates at an average of about $390. 

All told the Couples resorts are dedicated to providing a great closed setting for the romantically inclined. From moonlit dining to days swaying under hammocks tied to palm trees, I'm sure you can let your imagination get away with you to figure out how great a destination plan these are. Travel Ape might just surprise his sweetheart with an all inclusive trip to either one of the Couples properties, so if you are booking soon you may just see him there. Be sure to send over a Banana Daiquiri. I'm sure he'll return the favor. 

The Oak Room New York City..Fancy for Your Eyes as Well As Your Stomach...

There are certain times when just getting something to eat is not primitive. Not just getting the sustinence that is required to live. The fact is, going out to eat can sometimes be like going to an art museum. Well feast your eyes, your ears and the rest of what ever senses you have on the Oak Room New York City. This is a place of elegant style that offers entertainment in the old world style. You and the guests that accompany you can enjoy the elegance and warmth of carbaret style entertainment along with a great dinner. The Oak Room in New York City is located in the Algonquin Hotel New York City and is a perfect match for this legendary hotel. Quite simply this is really a fun place to visit, eat and just enjoy some great quality entertainment.

Visitors to the Oak Room Supper Club have been treated to the best in jazz, piano and much more. You're sure to enjoy some great laughs too on occaision as these performers really play it up to the crowd. Some great entertainment is coming to the venue soon as they include Barbara Carroll. Actually this performance is being offered every sunday as the show is called Barbara Carrol's Sunday Brunch Performance. A treat for your sunday afternoon. Beginning on October 20th, Glimpses of the Moon, a Jazz Age interpretation of a book authored by Edith Wharton will be gracing the Oak Room New York City.

There are many more performances that are worthy of a night out or afternoon if you're in the New York City area. Enjoy the best that these places have to offer.

Seeing the Changing Fall Colors of New England Should be an Annual Pilgrimage...

The Ape is a fan of big colorful things. No doubt, and it would be hard to contend, that some of the biggest, brightest and most colorful scenes in the world is the changing of the colors in New England. In fact during the fall, many New York City residents make an annual pilgrimage to places such as Connecticut to enjoy the peace and serenity that come along with the country.

Our highlight or spotlight today is the beautiful and serene state of Maine. Specifically on our journey, the Ape took a great liking to the Cozy Moose Cabins of Maine. This is one wonderful place to literally get away from it all. Whether you are just a single person looking to get away and be at peace with yourself, or for the lovebirds out there that are looking for the best scenic and romantic getway you could possibly have, the Cozy Moose Cabins of Maine are right on target. To start the cabins are located right on Moosehead Lake of Maine. The area is out of a Norman Rockwell painting to some degree. The cabin resorts are located in Greenville Maine. The resort is home to vacation fun all year long, but the Ape, if pressed would have to say that if he had to make a choice, the fall is the best time of year to visit this place. The cabins are well appointed and being the class act they are, are decorated for the fall season. Bright earth tone colors and lot's off blankets to keep you and your love warm. One thing to remember is that it's not all about the cabins. If you're up in that area get out and enjoy the outdoors. The resort has lot's of planned activities to choose from such as canoes, organized hiking trips, mountain climbing and off road vehicles to rent.

The point is, these are crazy times and it is important to really step out and smell the roses. The Cozy Moose Cabins of Greenville Maine is one heck of a place to do this.

Can Someone Find Me Some Live Music in Atlantic City..

That is the cry I most recently heard from a near and dear friend. The issue is I don't think there is lack of live music, but just a lack of great free live music. Atlantic City has some of the best headlining acts of most places out there. The issue is that the area does a very poor job in promoting clubs, venues and other places of entertainment that have free live music.

Well because they offer just what the doctor ordered, the Borgata and their Gypsy Bar is the topic of this discussion. They Gypsy Bar was written up by a local Atlantic City publication on the net that praised the level of entertainment offered. This isn't a bar that sets up an aging group of musicians set out to cover every dime a dozen bar song ever made. The Gypsy Bar brings in new and unheard talent on a regular basis to dazzle and entertain the crowds. Like the precision of the well oiled machine that is the Borgata Hotel and Spa Casino, they don't miss. The talent varies on the type of music offered but the result is always the same...quality.

So if you're looking for great live music check out the schedule for the Gypsy Bar at the Borgata Atlantic City.

Let's Here it for the MLB Playoffs and Especially the Fightin' Phillies..

Trust me my faithful following, TravelApe will hardly make personal opinions known, but something very neat is happening near and dear to the big fella's heart. The Philadelphia Phillies have made it to the post season of Major League Baseball for the second straight year on the back of another Division Championship. That's all great, but one little difference, at least this year is the Phils are up 2-0 to a great Milwaukee Brewers club. Baseball fan's TravelApe has access to places to buy tickets and also check for room availability in both cities. The series heads to Milwaukee for Saturday October 4th, where some probability lies that the Phils will finish off the series best of 5 with their third win. But why not take a chance to see if you could have some fun. Check for ticket availability for the Phillies Playoff Tickets at StubHub. TravelApe is not officially associated with that site or anyone from the company, but we have found it to be a place for quality prices and hard to find tickets. It also makes sense to see what type of room availability there is for Philadelphia Hotels, so also being helpful the link provided offers you the ability to search for rooms.

Miami Florida...A Hot Place to Visit as the Temp Gets Cool..

It's hardly winter and October just started, but for anyone that lives in the North East or North West areas of the US a crisp bite in the air can be felt. No doubt fall is here and visions of summer memories are already more than a month past. That should hardly mean that for those
of you untethered to family or children better stated, that options and getaways to some of the worlds greatest sun soaked destinations are out of reach.



This post is dedicated to Miami Florida and general area
of southern Florida. A great place to vacation and continue to soak in
the rays of the oh so wonderful sun. The spotlight attraction is the
Ancient Spanish Monestary located specifically in North Miami Beach
16711 West Dixie Highway. The Ancient Spanish Monestary official site is here for further review. The Monastery is open Mondays thru Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Sundays 12 Noon to 4:30 PM. The facility does close on occasions during regular business hours as the schedule here shows. The official site says it makes sense to call ahead just in case to see what the schedule for the upcoming days. The phone number is 305-945-1461. Admission is $5.00 regular, $2.50 Seniors over 62, $2.50 Students with valid ID, Children under 12 $2.00. The history of the Ancient Spanish Monestary starts actually in Spain, between the years
1133 to 1141 AD. At that time the St. Bernard de Clairvaux was built in the city of Sacramenia in the Province of Segovia Spain. The original purpose of the construction of the Monestary was to honor the Blessed Mother Mary, however, a local monk was canonized for sainthood, St.
Bernard of Clairvaux, as such the Monestary was named in honor of him. During civil war in Spain the monestary was cloistered and the entire facility was taken down brick by brick. Around 1925 a gentleman by the name of William Randolph Hearst purchased these cloisters and all buildings associated with the monestary. Packed away in over 11,000 protective crates the entire structure was shipped to the US.  About that time, hoof and mouth disease had broken out in Segovia, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fearing possible contagion, quarantined the shipment upon its arrival, broke open the crates and burned the hay, a possible carrier of the disease. Unfortunately, the workmen failed to replace the stones in the same
numbered boxes before moving them to a warehouse. Soon after the shipment arrived, Hearst's financial problems forced most of his collection to be sold at auction. The stones remained in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, for 26 years. One year after Hearts' death in 1952, they were purchased by Messrs. W. Edgemon and R. Moss for use as a tourist attraction. It took 19 months and almost $1.5 million dollars to put the Monastery back together. Some of the unmatched stones still remain in the back lot; others were used in the construction of the
present Church's Parish Hall.

There is a lot more you can learn by visiting the Ancient Spanish Monestary Miami if you do plan on heading to theMiami Beach area. Places like these are just awesome to take in while
you look for that occaisional diversion from the sunny beaches.

New Services and Products..A look behind the curtain..

Well I see you've come back and I'm happy to have you. I just finished up my afternoon nap, as we symians love to enjoy and now it's back to a little work. We at TravelApe.com are the real deal and as our first introductory post said we have new, unique and exciting services on the horizon. 

Coming soon is a whole new offering that will allow travelers to find and enjoy great vacations in great destinations while also reaping the reward of some ancillary perks. What are these perks you might ask? Well how about front of the line passes to some of the hippest places in NYC, Los Angeles or other big cities. What about great discounts to top restaurants in some of those exact same cities, or a round of Golf at any number of courses. The products are known as min-vacs, or for the full name mini vacations. They were spurred by the need of the timeshare industry to offer new and innovative ways to market their properties. Fortunately for travelers like yourself the side effect are great packaged vacations at top known destinations with packaged deals, at a great discount than if you were to do this through a traditional vacation package. More information about Vacation Packages like these will be found on the official TravelApe.com site, but the concept is fairly straight forward as explained here.

We hope to have a functioning and live interface for you loyal TravelApe.com users very soon and as soon as we have more information we'll be posting it here.

Please leave your comments and questions here so we can better help you find out what you need.

Until later, I am Travel Ape and I am out of here !!!

Greetings and Salutations from the World's Grooviest Symian..

Greetings one and all from the Travel Ape Blog. Just another way for the folks of TravelApe.com to communicate all the cool, hip and fun things out in the world of travel. This is obviously our first entry so we wanted to introduce ourselves to the world of blogs. TravelApe.com the site offers some of the most up to date cool tools online for booking, searching and finding out about places to travel. From hundreds of cities to book hotels, to our unique travel guides, Travel Ape offers a one stop place for travel needs. 

The services are growing and the site is getting enhancements daily. Therefore we decided to keep everyone updated with our daily blog. As more services come online we'll talk about them here. Also, we'd love this to become a forum for travelers or would be travelers to come and discuss various things about travel. Where are the best deals, places to avoid in cities, great restaurants and anything under the sun about travel.

We hope this blog becomes an additional resource for all of those out there.

For now..Good Day my friends ...Travel Ape