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60 Second Travel Destination – Viva Las Vegas!

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LAS VEGAS IN 60 SECONDS!

Vegas is a city of stories, amazing facts and history. Over 37.5 million people visit Las Vegas each year. Each one arrives with the small glimmer of hope that this trip could be the one where they return wealthier than they arrived. At the very least, each leaves with a story of their own to tell.

  • Seventeen of the 20 largest hotels in the United States are in Las Vegas.
  • The first casino was licensed 1931. The current number of licensed gambling places is over 1,700.
  • There is gambling aplenty, from penny slots to the highest stake tables and even private card games.
  • Mobster Bugsy Siegel named the Flamingo after the long legs of his girlfriend. Siegel’s “financiers” were unhappy when the budget for the casino went from just over one million dollars to nearly 7 million dollars.
  • Las Vegas is one of the most popular places to get married in the world with very few legal requirements and even a drive-through marriage chapel.
  • Las Vegas has historically been an adult destination, but during the 1990’s city leaders and publicists attempted to remake the city into a more family-friendly destination. Results were mixed.
  • Visitors almost always underestimate the amount of walking they will do in Vegas. The hotels are huge, the distances between hotels equally long. Take comfortable shoes!
  • Not everyone spends time outdoors, but a good sun block is important as well. Speaking of the outdoors, Vegas hotels are famous for their lavish and lively collection of swimming pools, some of which are adult only.
  • There is nothing subtle about Las Vegas architecture. Where else will you see the New York City skyline next to the Eiffel Tower next to the canals of Venice, next to one of the Pyramids, next to Camelot?
  • Las Vegas casinos are famous for their bargain dining options and buffets, but the city is also home to world-class dining in many of the major hotels with a collection of famous chefs that rival any city anywhere.
  • Vegas weather is predictable. If you are looking for cooler weather come from October to February. Looking for hotter weather? Come March through September.
  • The casinos are not the only attractions. Grand Canyon tours are popular as are trips out to the desert.

Get out there and “Live the Dream!”

Ready to experience Las Vegas? Contact Atlanta Travel Associates to get started.

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60 Second Travel Destination – Cancun and the Maya Riviera

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THE CANCUN AND THE MAYA RIVIERA IN 60 SECONDS!

The Yucatán coast has been a staple of travelers from the United States for forty years or more. The rapid development in and around Cancun became a model for the best and the worst in the ways in which tourism could enrich a population. This area was largely isolated from the rest of Mexico until the Mexican government selected the region for development.

  • The Yucatán’s Caribbean coast is more than 236 miles and stretches from Cancún in the north all the way to Chetumal, on the border with the nation of Belize.
  • The northern half of the Yucatán’s coast is known as the “Maya Riviera” to the south, the “Costa Maya.” Between the two is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
  • South of Cancun development along the Mayan Riviera is on a smaller scale, with a greater understanding for the principles of sustainable tourism and a respect for native cultures.
  • The second longest reef system in the world runs much of the length of the coast. Playa del Carmen, Xpu-Ha, Tulum and the other magnificent beaches occur where there are gaps in the reef and the tidal action of the ocean’s waves pounds the reef into fine sand.
  • The reef provides great snorkeling and diving and the beaches are some of the world’s finest.
  • Ancient Mayan ruins dot the coast and are easily accessible from the resort communities along the coast
  • Inland, vast caves are present and under ground rivers run where travelers can explore with experienced guides.
  • The choice of accommodations is large and varied from cabins to all inclusive resorts or boutique hotels.
  • The ancient Mayan cities of Uxmal and Chichen Itza remain some of the best examples of the mysterious cultures, the vestages of which exist to this day in the native populations.

Ready to go to the Yucatán coast? Contact the Atlanta Travel Associates  and get started planning your trip.

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Still time to cruise on the SOUL TRAIN C

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Still time to cruise on the SOUL TRAIN CRUISE.. “The Hippest Trip at Sea!”
Sailing Feb. 23 – March 2, 2014

Rub elbows with The Isley Brothers, Charlie Wilson, Roberta Flack, Jeffrey Osborne, The Commodores, Stephanie Mills and many others throughout the cruise.

The cruise is 90 percent sold, with only Deluxe Verandah Ocean view Cabins remaining.

Call for our special rate of $2,000 per person total (Including port charges, taxes and onboard gratuities) Based on double occupancy.

Call me…..770-656-8668
Email me…info@atlantatravelassoc.com

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Move and Shake Something!

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Did someone mention “Vacation”? Is it time to load up the truck? Where do you want to go and When? Over the years I’ve planned hundreds of vacations. I’ve provided my clients with interesting tidbits, facts and tips about their destination and local favorites. I’ve even posted tips & tidbits on my Facebook page from other sites. But I think of all the advice, facts, tidbit and tips I’ve given and shared….Move and Shake Something has got to be the most important tip to having a great vacation.

Whether you’re traveling on a cruise or a land vacation, if there’s a live band or music playing; I encourage you to get up and raise the roof that’s on fire.  And it doesn’t matter how old or how young you are any vacation is the perfect time to get out your seats and move your feet.

For centuries dancing has been a social activity. Dancing provides many opportunities to meet other people. And because dancing is a physical activity it reduces stress and tension, and gives an overall sense of well-being.

So the next time you’re on vacation, grab your best pair of Apple bottom jeans and those boots with the fur and “Shake what yo mama gave ya!

Contact us when you’re ready to Move & Shake Something on your next vacation!
Phone:        770-656-8668
Email:         info@atlantatravelassoc.com
Website:    www.atlantatravelassociates.com

“Some pursue happiness, We love to create it!”

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GOOD VIBRATIONS

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Good, good, good…Good Vibrations! I’ve felt nothing but good vibrations since I’ve returned from Myrtle Beach, SC. For several years, I’ve planned many trips to Myrtle Beach and many years I ended up going in another direction.  This year, more specifically for my birthday, I decided to literally “dive in” and take the plunge and go with Myrtle Beach. And I’ve got to honest, I’ve been missing out. I LOVE MYRTLE BEACH!!!!! I’m ready to go back.

Located only 6 hours outside of Atlanta, straight down I-20 East. Me and the crew loaded up the truck and headed out on the highway. Like a true nature child, Yes, we were born. Born to be wild! Or maybe just a little wild, we’re not as young as we used to be. Once we arrive at our hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott on Broadway.  We took a quick break and we hit Broadway at the Beach.

Now let me explain what exactly is Broadway at the Beach.  If you have ever been to CityWalk in Orlando, then you’ll understand the concept. Imagine a HUGE complex with shopping, several restaurants, multiple bars to bar hop, attractions, comedy clubs. Too many to list in this blog, so here is a link if you would like to see for yourself BROADWAY AT THE BEACH.  It’s ideal for families during the day, and party goers by night.

Since I don’t have any children, I’ll jump right into the partying aspect of Broadway at the Beach. There you’ll find all types of clubs and bars to suit your “Cha Cha Slide” and “Cupid Shuffle”.  We ended up at Wet Willie’s. Now you can sit at the bar and drink their $3.00 Finger Shots all day, but trust….you’ll want to go out back on the deck.  That’s where you’ll find “Sushi for Breakfast” a local cover band. They ROCKED THE HOUSE! They’ll have you out of your chair and on your feet dancing the entire night. And don’t forget…you can order those $3.00 finger shots on the back deck as well.  Here’s a video of “Sushi for Breakfast”.

After closing down the club , we were still wired for action and no one was ready for bed. We all grabbed our cocktails and headed for the pool for drinks and conversation.  BTW, did I mention our hotel was located right across the street from Broadway at the Beach and was very convenient to all the attractions and only 1 mile away from the Boardwalk and the Beach. Oh, and let me not forget to give the staff and “Shout Out” at the Courtyard. They were absolutely wonderful, very friendly and hospitable.  The hotel rooms were clean and beds were very comfortable. You’ll enjoy your stay there. That’s enough about the hotel.  

Day 2 started at the crack of noon, still hung over from Friday night. The crew showered and headed to the Boardwalk and Beach. It was already nice and toasted outside. Prepare to do a lot of walking.  Ladies I don’t advise wearing heels here.

On the Boardwalk, you’ll find more shopping, more restaurants, arcades, ice cream parlors, miniature golf, Ripley’s Believe it or not and so much more.

We dinned at Oceanfront Bar and Grill right on the Boardwalk with a view of the ocean and beach. While there try the Irish Whiskey Shot with Dill Pickle Juice chaser. Sounds awful, but really its now my new drink. The dill pickle juice cuts the bitterness of the whiskey. I could drink it all day. Oh, the food….average. Stay away from the Fried Flounder. Very mushy, like it had freezer burn and too much bread.

After lunch we walked down to the beach. The water was still incredibly warm. Be sure to bring a beach chair, chair rentals were about $25.00 a chair.  To learn more about the Boardwalk restaurants, shopping and bars please visit BOARDWALK BEACHES AND BARS.

Now dinner…..Ooooooo weeeeeee!!!! How can I say this? Since it was my birthday, I had one request. To go to a restaurant that served oysters. That’s it, nothing special, nothing fancy. Just some good ole local restaurant that served oysters. So my crew, found a local restaurant on Yelp called the “Noisey Oyster“.  It took us less than 15 mins to get there, but the wait was out of this world. I don’t think I’ve ever waited so long to eat. Don’t leave! The food was well worth the 1 1/2 hour wait. Go across the street and grab a few KrispyKreme donuts while you wait, but don’t you dare leave. The food was out of the world.   Everything was just delicious. Since you couldn’t be there here are a few picture to temp your eyeballs.

All in all the trip was a great getaway from the everyday city life. It gave us a chance to leave city traffic noise for behind for the sound of crashing waves, the smell of saltwater.

 

*Most photos provided by Marcia Murray.