Ft. Lauderdale
The Seminole Indians were the original inhabitants of the
area now known as Fort Lauderdale. The city itself was named for Major William
Lauderdale, who led a group known as the Tennessee Volunteers into the area
during the Seminole War.
Fort Lauderdale began as an agricultural community, full of
citrus groves. By the 1960?s, the city took on a new identity as the place for
college students to come for spring break. Hedonism and public drunkenness
became the norm for much of the next twenty years, but the residents of the once
sleepy town decided to take it back from the rowdy youngsters. The police began
to make their presence known a little more, and soon Fort Lauderdale was off the
list of top Spring Break destinations.
Today, Fort Lauderdale is a little closer to its roots, with
a gentle breezy demeanor to it. You can still have a good time here, exploring
the 300 miles of waterways that led to the labeling of Fort Lauderdale as
"the Venice of America." There are places to rent boats, and plenty of
opportunities to take a boat tour around the city. Or, get really acquainted
with the water by snorkeling or diving in the Atlantic.
There is still plenty to do in and around Fort Lauderdale.
Take a water taxi to some of the area's best restaurants and bars. Stroll
along busy Las Olas and visit the eclectic shops and art galleries.
The sports enthusiast will get his fill here. Tennis courts
and golf courses are everywhere in Fort Lauderdale. It's just a matter of
deciding which one to play on. Choose from baseball, football, or jai alai. You
can even place a bet at the greyhound racetrack.
The nature lover can check out over 500,000 acres of Florida
Everglades, which are part of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area. The Everglades,
which were formed by the constant overflow of nearby Lake Okeechobee, are home
to flamingos and alligators, among others.
Of course, if you're visiting Florida, chances are that you
will want to hit the beach, and there is ample space for everybody along Ft.
Lauderdale's beautiful coastline. There are over 3,000 hours of sunshine here
every year, so enjoy!
New York
New York City has something for everyone. It is North America's most cosmopolitan destination, and boasts of an artistic and cultural history that reigns supreme among American cities. It is fast paced, loud, and certainly never boring. Its sights and sounds are a glorious combination of everything imaginable. From Bohemian Greenwich Village to the elegant Upper East Side, the diversity here is sure to astound you.
Historic Battery Park is an educational mecca. Little Italy and Chinatown have marvelously maintained their immigrant population and heritage. Today they offer a cultural richness that is truly a gift to the city. Soho (South of Houston St.) and Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal St.) exist on the cutting edge of fashion and style, and are proof of an industrial area's potential for chic. Gramercy Park will make you feel as if you have somehow made your way to London. The Flatiron District has become famous for its technology boom, or Silicon Alley. Chelsea is a hip, European-feeling area that is home to many of New York's photography studios and galleries. These are just some of the city's gems, each offering a unique flavor and pace. Visitors could spend days in any one of them, but for the ultimate New York experience, make your trip a mélange of them all. To truly see the city could take a lifetime, but sampling from the bits and pieces of New York's variety is a treat for any tourist.
Orientation is key to navigating this city. Terms like uptown and downtown are literal descriptions referring to north and south. If you are south of your destination, locals will tell you to go uptown, and vice versa. The terms also refer vaguely to areas of the city. Uptown describes anywhere above lower Manhattan (north of about 34th St.), and downtown usually means lower Manhattan (34th St. and below) through Chelsea, which begins near 22nd St. You will also hear east side, and west side, referring to the areas above 59th St. that are on either side of Central Park.
Boston
Boston is the gateway to New England. It is filled with all of the beauty and ambience that makes New England a tourist mecca and a vacationer's haven. In the fall, it embodies the seasonal color change that is about as breathtaking as nature can get, with foliage dressed in deep reds, bright yellows, and vivid oranges. During the winter, the area evolves into a wonderland of snow and magic. Springtime finds the city teeming with wildflowers and gardens. And summer is an outdoor celebration seven days a week. Boston's cultural diversity, artistic richness, historical atmosphere and charisma make it one of the best places to see in North America. Buzzing with energy, this is home to some of the world's best colleges and universities, and it offers a vacation experience that is as rich as its academic heritage.
You will find that there are endless possibilities for fun and relaxation from one end of the city to the other. This city is highly populated, but somehow remains unstuffy. It is sophisticated and poised, but hardly fussy. It is active and eclectic, but not disorderly. The people here are as diverse as the U.S. can be, as are their interests, foods, talents and activities that they happily display in the form of restaurants, museums, concert parks and sporting areas.
Boston is a place of brilliant juxtaposition. The city seamlessly merges all the characteristics of an urban setting with a countrified appeal that is unlike any other city. Old World charm stands strong in the face of modern-day invention in this fully historic yet state-of-the-art city. Lush green parks are revered here, but so is the subway. And whether your pace is frenzied or leisurely, you have a choice in Boston. From non-stop shopping and sightseeing, to a tranquil day by the waters of the Charles River, you can truly create a unique experience here, and can do so at your own speed. So unwind, or hurry up, and experience the jewel of New England!
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor combines beautiful, crisp weather with glorious sightseeing opportunities. Maine is a wonderful state to visit anytime of the year, and in the spring and summertime you could not ask for a more scenic location. In the winter, the weather is cold, but the new-fallen snow will have your eyes begging for more. The soft powder covers the area and it is an absolutely breathtaking sight to behold. There are several standout museums in Bar Harbor, and the Mount Desert Oceanarium, in particular, is outstanding. This city is a great place for the whole family, as there is a wide array of activities to captivate young and old alike. The dining in Bar Harbor is magnificent, and if you are a fan of lobster, you will adore the possibilities here. You can find surf and turf specials in numerous high-end restaurants, and a few places prepare magnificent meals that you will not soon forget. Pubs and bars line many of the streets, and if you enjoy good ale, Bar Harbor will definitely fit your style. The city is set up in a way that pleases the Maine locals and impresses tourists. There are a number of great historical spots, and you cannot visit Bar Harbor without visiting Acadia National Park. This destination is truly one of Mother Nature's greatest achievements, and the local government has made tremendous efforts to keep this park in its natural form. There is plenty for you to do in Bar Harbor, and both the shopping and the nightlife are rocking. From live music to the theater, the city offers plenty of great activities once the sun goes down.
The harbor and docking area are exquisite, and seem like they have remained the same for years. The locals don't want their small town to change, but it is changing, and they are accepting this fact graciously. They understand that tourism is starting to grow as an industry, which is no wonder to anyone who has visited the area. Experience Bar Harbor and see the best of the Eastern United States.
Halifax
Halifax is an historic site full of natural beauty and fun-filled learning centers. The museums that make up the downtown sector are tremendous, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which is an ocean lover's dreamland. The Halifax Harbor is gorgeous, and the area around it is exploding with life and activity. It is well protected and serene, and an afternoon by the harbor will calm even the most rattled nerves. The city is very close to major fishing spots, and if you are in the mood for some outstanding fishing opportunities, you will not have to look far. Halifax is home to 115,000 people, and in the last three decades, this charming port city has become the financial and commercial center of the Maritimes.
Incredible as it may seem, behind Sydney, Australia, Halifax is home to the second-largest natural harbor in the world. As your cruise ship pulls in, you will instantly realize why you came to this youthful and pleasurable destination. There are a few top universities in Halifax, and there is certainly no shortage of top notch dining and shopping facilities. A few of the restaurants are absolute knockouts, and you could shop for days in this spectacular seaport. At night, Halifax is alive and kicking, with numerous desirable nightclubs, bars, and theatrical venues to catch your attention. The Citadel is a fortress made out of stone that is a popular landmark, and Spring Garden Road is the liveliest portion of Halifax. Recently, a great deal of work and construction has gone into improving the waterfront. The port and nearby area have enjoyed wonderful transformations, and the result is an elegant harbor that is more picturesque than ever. Boutiques and cafes have sprung up all over the place, and entertaining events such as the International Busker Festival occur all year long.
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