Stories
of Our Travels
A
Spicy Jamaican Honeymoon
A Relaxing Catskill Mountain Getaway
A Magical Disney Vacation
A Memorable Visit to Pittsburgh
A Scenic DownEast Maine Vacation
Experiencing Spain's Culture & Heritage
A
Trip to Cleveland…a Remarkably Friendly City
A Spicy Jamaican Honeymoon
Hi my name is Edyta, our Inventory Control Specialist. In
late August of 2004, I took a romantic honeymoon to sunny
Jamaica with my husband, Dave to celebrate our recent nuptials.
The experience provided once-in-a-lifetime memories for us.
It was truly paradise. Every single day was sunny, warm, and
pleasant. A feeling of pure relaxation overcame us as we gazed
into the clearest blue waters we had ever seen. The sunsets
were breathtaking. Dave and I would sit, sipping Pina Coladas
in a hammock on the beach for hours on end just engulfing
ourselves in the beautiful tropical scenery.
While
visiting Jamaica, we went snorkeling for the first time. I
have a fear of going underwater, but to my pleasant surprise,
it was a memorable experience that I truly enjoyed. There
were such a large variety of activities in Jamaica; it was
a blast choosing what to do. Some of our favorite activities
were sailing, jet skiing, and Catamaran cruising. After months
of wedding planning, we were sure to indulge in a well-deserved
massage; it was after all, our honeymoon. We stayed in Couples
Negril resort, which is an absolutely beautiful resort located
right on the waters of Jamaica, mon! The food was great, the
people were great, and the drinks were great…I would
recommend it to anyone.
This trip
was truly a once in a lifetime experience; we couldn't have
been happier with our choice of honeymoon destinations. I
am so glad that we picked Jamaica as our destination and Couples
Negril as our resort. It was an unforgettable experience,
discovering pure paradise with my husband!
A
Relaxing Mountain Getaway
Hey, Charlie here…I am a computer guy here at GoldenTravelGuides.
I am in charge of Electronic Marketing and Office Operations.
I am going to tell you about a wonderful summer getaway that
I took with my wife, Barbara.
We recently
traveled to Hunter, NY. It was a lovely summer afternoon.
We stayed at Scribner Hollow, a true Catskill gem. The sun
gently shone on us as we enjoyed scenic vistas of Hunter Mountain
from our balcony. Scribner Hollow truly offers the traveler
a vacation rather than just a place to stay. The staff was
friendly and attentive and truly made us feel at home. Being
in the travel industry myself, I was really impressed with
the level of service that the resort maintained during its
off-season (Hunter Mountain is primarily a winter/ski resort
area, so to receive this level of service during the summer
was great).
Because
the resort is quiet during the summer months, it made a perfect
oasis for my wife and I to enjoy some alone time together.
We went swimming, enjoyed fabulous food, but our favorite
times were spent just relaxing and taking in the fresh mountain
air. We live just a few short hours from Hunter Mountain,
so we drove there. I highly recommend driving to anyone who
it makes sense for. We passed through quaint towns with stunning
Victorian architecture, meandered down scenic country roads
past deep valleys and large mountains. We even passed by mountain
bikers and families enjoying hikes together; it was just such
a great atmosphere that I would recommend you consider the
Catskills and Scribner's Hollow when planning your next vacation.
A
Magical Disney Vacation
My name is Sylvia and I am the Group Sales Director here at
GoldenTravelGuides. This past fall, my family and I traveled
to Orlando, Florida home of the famous Disney World Resorts.
I have been to Disney many times, but this time was particularly
special because I was able to share this amazing adventure
with my immediate family and extended family. Seeing the joy
on the faces of my loved ones made this such a wonderful experience.
We were
there during the hurricanes of 2004 however we weren't really
affected too much at the resorts. The weather was warm and
sunny and the wonder in the faces of both the children and
adults made the trip unforgettable. If I had to choose one
word to describe our vacation, it would be "Amazing."
The atmosphere
was perfect - gentle breezes and swaying palm trees surrounded
us. The whole area truly invoked feelings of amazement. We
took peaceful walks on the beach, spent relaxing afternoons
in a hammock or sleeping in a beach chair, and quiet afternoons
walking along the beach. This relaxation was much needed as
we were busy with a myriad of super fun activities throughout
the majority of our trip. We went swimming, shopping, park-hopping,
boating, and watching fireworks, laser light shows, and parades.
And, of course we had some really great park adventures too!
It was
so cool to see the different Disney Resorts up close. Each
resort was very different from the next. They have resorts
designed to fit the needs of all families. We stayed in the
Disney Wilderness Lodge. The Resort had lots of tall pines
that made you feel as if you were up North somewhere. The
pool was awesome; it had a replica of Old Faithful that would
erupt right in front of you. The building was log construction
and had a great fireplace in the lobby. The Wilderness Lodge
is set in the perfect location. You can take a boat directly
from the Lodge to Magic Kingdom.
We also
stayed at Disney's Polynesian Resort. We stayed at the Concierge
level and absolutely loved it. It is a must for families.
The Polynesian features a Lilo & Stitch tropical feel.
The Resort offers easy access to the parks by tram or boat
(to Magic Kingdom & Epcot), or a bus to the other parks.
Its proximity allows you to get into the parks easily, even
if it is just for a single event or show. The Resort offers
the best of both worlds with a lake and a pool. We also loved
the restaurants on property at the Polynesian.
The absolute
best part of the vacation was enjoying watching all of the
smiling families, including my own, make lasting memories
together.
A
Memorable Visit to Steel City
My name is Paul and I am a Travel Writer for GoldenTravelGuides.
I am going to tell you about a really noteworthy trip that
I took to Pittsburgh. Although it was winter in Western Pennsylvania,
the cold was very mild; it wasn't that bone-chilling cold
that keeps you bundled up in the house. It was chilly in a
very enjoyable way. The days were the kind where strolling
along the boulevards wrapped in a scarf and hat was almost
magical. It was the holiday season so the streets, homes,
and businesses were festively decorated.
I shopped
in the Strip District where produce and other foods come in
by ship and are sold by local merchants. This was a really
cool experience, like no other shopping district that I have
ever seen. Although a major city renowned for its steel, it
is surrounded by beautiful mountains. On the trek out there
from my hometown in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I passed through
some really beautiful Pennsylvania countryside. Pittsburgh
itself is situated in a valley, which I attribute to some
of the mild temperatures. The week I spent there was especially
significant in my life because it was spent with someone very
close to me at the time.
One of
the most interesting parts of my trip was riding the incline
where I was able to see Three Rivers Stadium from above. Three
Rivers Stadium derived its name from the point near downtown
Pittsburgh where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join
to form the Ohio River. This three-decade-old legendary sports
stadium was destroyed in 2001, making my memory of it all
that more treasured.
Dale Carnegie
lived in Pittsburgh during the time that I visited and there
were many libraries and buildings that were dedicated to his
honor, carrying his namesake. As a writer, that was the highlight
of my trip.
A
Scenic DownEast Maine Vacation
Hi, my name is Jessica and I am our Marketing & Public
Relations Director. During the summer of 2004, my husband
and I went to the rugged coastline of Maine to celebrate our
second wedding anniversary. We had the most amazing time;
let me tell you about it.
We drove
from our home in Pennsylvania, so it was a bit of a hike,
but well worth it. We rented an oceanfront cabin near Pemaquid
Point. While there, we explored up and down the entire coastline.
We thought Pennsylvania had a lot of countryside…until
we visited Maine. The entire state is just such a serene place;
it has an unbelievable amount of natural, undeveloped open
space.
We chose
to go to Maine because of the romantic affinity we have always
had for New England's rocky shores, and our desire to see
Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park hosts Cadillac
Mountain, the highest mountain on the East Coast north of
Brazil as well as countless other exquisite landscapes. The
park is situated around Bar Harbor, Maine's quintessential
Victorian town that is dotted with colorful gingerbread houses,
charming shops, and delightful restaurants and bed and breakfasts.
We visited gardens, mountains, carriage roads, and sparkling
lakes in Acadia.
Outside
of Acadia we visited at least twelve lighthouses, shopped
in Freeport, home of the original L.L. Bean store, as well
as exploring countless towns along the entire coastline including
Rockport, Rockland, Camden, and Old Orchard Beach to name
a few. Old Orchard Beach resembles the Jersey shore; it is
colorful, has food vendors of all varieties lining the wide,
people-filled streets, and has folks of all ages gathering
for sunny afternoons on the white sandy beaches (just about
the only white sand beaches in all of Maine).
We also
visited Calais, the Northernmost town on the East Coast, Eastport,
the Easternmost city in the United States, Lubec, the Easternmost
town in the U.S., and East Quoddy Head Light, the Easternmost
point in the U.S. Pretty cool, hugh?!
This was
a phenomenal vacation. The coast of Maine is a must-see for
everyone! It is perfect for couples and families alike. Be
sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and a windbreaker
(there is usually heavy fog and even in August it is a bit
chilly).
Experiencing
Spain's Culture & Heritage
Hi, I'm Nichole, a Travel Agent at GoldenTravelGuides and
a Group Sales Coordinator. Each summer I travel to Spain to
visit my grandparents. There are no words that could accurately
describe Spain during the summer. It is warm and sunny with
an absolutely perfect climate - it is not a dry heat, nor
is it humid and sticky. It is just perfect.
The architecture
is out-of-this-world; the country is dotted by stone homes,
castles, and a stunning coastline. The whole aura in Spain
is so different than here in the United States. Everyone there
is very laid-back and relaxed. This worry-free lifestyle is
so invigorating, especially coming from the Northeastern United
States where our daily life is filled with hustle and bustle.
Visiting Spain truly fulfills the meaning of vacation.
Unlike
any place I have ever seen before, Spain's coastline is actually
in the countryside. There are quaint streets running through
this mountainous region where goats and cows can be seen roaming
down the middle of the road. It is so unbelievable! The most
unique part of visiting Spain is that I feel as though I am
in another place and time.
While
vacationing there, the coolest things that I did were swimming,
mountain climbing, touring the castles, and taking a tour
of a cave. Each were unique and memorable experiences, especially
because I had the great pleasure of sharing these once-in-a-lifetime
experiences with my family. My family is extremely close and
they are very into our Spanish heritage and culture, which
makes these trips all that more interesting.
A
Trip to Cleveland…a Remarkably Friendly City
Hi, my name is Elaine and I am a Travel Agent and Package
Specialist at GoldenTravelGuides. I develop interesting and
unique theme packages (spa packages, murder mystery packages,
and ski packages, to name a few).
This past
fall I went to the friendliest city on earth, Cleveland for
a combination business and personal trip. The weather was
warm, the sky was cloudy, and the drive to Ohio from Pennsylvania
was just perfect. I stayed in the beautiful Embassy Suites
in an oversized two-room suite. The hotel had great breakfasts
and offers free cocktail hours daily.
It was
an easy six hour drive down Interstate 80. While in this wonderful
city, I had the pleasure of seeing the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame and the House of Blues which were unbelievable. These
have to be my favorite attraction I saw while in Cleveland.
The cityscape was really cool too; like none other I have
ever seen. It is home to numerous renovated industrial buildings.
The city,
which invoked overwhelming feelings of emotion in me, sits
serenely along the southern shoreline of Lake Erie. The museums
were fabulous and truly moved me. I was overcome by sentiments
of nostalgia while visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
amazement while touring the Natural History Museum, and love
and inspiration at the Museum of Fine Arts.
I also
stopped by the Pickwick & Frolic Comedy Club to check
out a show, which was absolutely hilarious. I had dinner at
"Cooperstown," Alice Cooper's restaurant, which
was unbelievably cool. Because I traveled to Cleveland by
car, I had the opportunity to take a self-guided driving tour
of this magnificent city. This was especially intriguing because
I was able to see an old city that has come back to life with
the downtown revitalization and the deep-rooted Rock and Roll
history.
Saving
the absolute best part about Cleveland for the end of my story,
I can not stress how incredibly friendly everyone was. Everywhere
in the entire city that I went, everyone was so amiable. Even
people on the streets would smile, say hello, and go out of
their way to hold the door for you. I would go back there
in a second. Each time I think of Cleveland I smile thinking
about the warm hospitality that shone throughout the entire
city. What an extremely memorable city and trip!
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