Author: City Traveler

Even if you have spent your entire life traveling by commercial flights, it might be time that you consider the advantages of using private plane charters. From saving time to impressing potential clients, private plane charters are an increasingly popular option for the most elite travelers and businesses of all sizes.
With a number of types of private jets, more and more individuals and companies find that a more personal kind of travel makes the most sense. Finding the right flight at the right time can be a challenge, put if you have a private jet membership you can make sure that you are able to travel any where that you want at any time of the day or night.
Executive Private Jet Charters Enable Workers to Spend More of Their Travel Time on the Job

Flying on a commercial flight can be both time consuming and exhausting. From waiting in long baggage check in and security lines to the taxing while you wait for your plane’s turn at crowded commercial airports, some simple trips can turn into a nightmare. By flying on private jets and traveling in any out of smaller airports, however, can help you make more efficient use of the trips that you need to make.
Consider these facts and figures about private jet flights and the benefits that they have over the commercial travel industry:

• 1.2 million Americans are employed by the business aviation industry, and generates $150 billion in economic activity every single year.
• Business travelers responding to a 2009 survey indicated that they are 20% more productive on a company aircraft than when they are in the office.
• A 40% drop in productivity was reported by business people who fly on commercial airlines, according to a 2009 survey.
• Compared to 550 used by commercial airlines, private jets use a network of more than 5,000 airports in the U.S.
• 11,261 private jets were registered in the U.S. in the year 2011.
• American accounts for 49.7% of the private jet market, the leader in the world. Europe comes in second at 20.8% of the private het market.

The next time that you get ready to make travel plans, make sure that you check into the options of private het travel instead of an over crowded commercial flight in a large, congested airport.

High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and many other chronic health conditions are ailments that many Americans are familiar with and may even suffer from. And while greater awareness and advances in the treatment of these conditions have significantly improved over the last two decades, mental health is a topic that remains touchy for many Americans. Ironically, Americans are more stressed than ever.

According to CBS News, roughly 3.4 percent of U.S. population experience serious psychological distress. This means that nearly 8.3 million American adults are living with anxiety, depression, and high levels of stress. Unfortunately, many Americans who live with these conditions don’t receive treatment because of stigmas associated with mental illness or even because they are simply unaware of their own emotional and mental health needs.

Although professional mental health treatment is always recommended for effectively treating cases of anxiety and depression, there is a lot that people can do on their own in order to manage their mental health and become more engaged in their own emotional well being. In fact, camping near a lake could be just what the doctor ordered!

Although camping vacations and solo or family camping trips are often thought of as physical activities, they have a number of positive effects on one’s emotional and mental health. Here’s how camping near a lake and being immersed in nature can support anxiety and depression recovery.

Unplug

Constantly being plugged into devices such as mobile phones, tablets, lap tops, and more can exacerbate anxiety and depression symptoms by disrupting sleep cycles and creating an unrealistic sense of urgency. Detaching from these devices allows the brain to reset and provide it with the quiet time it needs to effectively process thoughts, moods, and emotions.

Better sleep

Long days and nights at the office seem to be a fact of life for more and more Americans, however they can have a devastating effect on one’s physical, emotional, and mental health. Camping near a lake provides the quiet and peace necessary for a good night’s sleep. Camping near a lake can help alleviate restlessness, and feelings and stress.

Are you looking to rent a charter bus to transport a group of people from one place to another? Maybe you are an executive wanting to treat your employees to an incredible offsite training, or perhaps you are the coach of a large sports team needing safe travel to a tournament. No matter what your reasons might be, coach bus transportation is a great option to consider. Not only can you rest assured that the entire group arrive safely and on time, but you will be doing a service for the environment. Below are just three of the ways that coach bus transportation helps the environment:

1. Miles Per Gallon – Charter buses often get over 200 miles to the gallon whereas the typical passenger vehicle averages about 27 miles per gallon. This is just one of the many ways that the carbon footprint can be reduced by using coach bus transportation. Because less gasoline has to be used to go further distances, less carbon emissions are released into the air to pollute the environment.

2. Efficiency – Studies show that charter buses are three times more efficient than commuter rail, and six times more efficient than transit buses in the amount of carbon they release. Think of all of the times you have used either of these forms of transportation knowing that you are being more environmentally friendly, but still not as good as if you had ridden a charter bus. That is one more reason that the next time you need to transport a group of people, renting a charter bus is a fantastic option.

3. Removing Vehicles From The Road – Another reason that environmentally conscious organizations are choosing to rent charter buses for group travel is for the simple reason of it removing a number of cars from the road. Every full motorcoach removes around 55 automobiles from the highway which not only reduces traffic, but cuts cuts energy use and, again, reduces carbon emissions.

The next time that you are in need of a way to transport your work team, sports team, church choir or any other type of group, consider using a charter bus rather than several cars in a convoy. Being environmentally friendly is just one of the reasons that choosing coach bus travel, but it is a great one!

Everyone loves a good trip down memory lane. Whether that memory is a personal one, taking you to days of your younger self, or one of humanity’s collective memories, showing you the ways of generations and centuries past, exploring the days from before can be an exciting adventure. For the hardcore history buffs, heading to a town, city, or region that is not only rich in cultural history but that also holds special personal significance, is like a dream come true. And even in the most modern cities, if you dig deep enough, you can find remnants of days gone by.

Historic hotels, restaurants, and more

While history should theoretically be objective, it is often just the opposite, especially when it comes to the personal experiences of individuals revisiting the days of their youth. But even when it comes to cultural history, it is often very interesting to see how different places and areas differ from one another in how they preserve the ways of old.

Historic hotels are a great way to explore the past, whether they hold significance due to a well known figure making a stop there, or legends of hauntings or spectacular occurrences. Historic hotels, when designed and updated well, can tell stories of great importance. Historic restaurants can show the development and evolution of the food industry and the dining trends throughout time. In the most well preserved historic towns, just about any building can tell a story and give lessons from the past. From theaters to courthouses and town halls, every place has an interesting element or tidbit to indulge in.

Bringing your personal history alive

One of the most exciting things to experience is combining one’s own trip down memory lane with humanity’s. Imagine heading back to your college town for a thrilling alumni basketball weekend or attending an entertaining college football game, in a place rich with the tales of its origins so long before you ever stepped foot on campus, or indeed, before the campus even existed.

A visit back to your alma mater for a college town wedding is the perfect marriage of sweet nostalgia and celebration of the new. Taking part in helping to celebrate the union of two college sweethearts, and then taking the time to delve deeper into the history of the area where you spent some of the best days of your youth could make for a great little vacation.

History serves an important purpose. It is crucial to preserve what has happened before our time in order to learn from it, and in turn grow into better and better versions of humanity. Celebrating the triumphs of the past, while taking significant lessons from the darker aspects of history, is how we continue on a path for a better tomorrow for all.

Are you looking for a fun, new family vacation to take? Sometimes you need to plan a family getaway that is a little different than your normal trips. Instead of taking a vacation to an amusement park or to a big city, planning a trip to a smaller town can be a new experience for the family. When you visit a smaller town, you can dive into the local culture and immerse yourself in the history of the town and all it has to offer. You don?t have to worry about long lines, expensive food, and long days of sightseeing. You can enjoy a more laid back trip creating memories together.

Interested in learning more about different activities that small towns offer? Keep reading for more information about ways to spend time together as a family on a relaxing vacation.

3 Ways to Make Your Next Vacation to a Local Town Memorable

You don?t have to take an expensive vacation or a fancy vacation to enjoy some relaxing time with family and loved ones. All you need is a trip that allows you to explore somewhere new and spend time doing activities together. Here are three different ideas for why you should visit a smaller town for a more laid back trip this year.

1. Spend a day bike riding

When you visit a smaller town, getting around town isn?t as complicated. You probably won?t have to worry about different subway systems, using taxis, or driving, in general. Not only will this save you time as you won?t be waiting on trains or spending hours in the car, but also you will save money this way. Train and cab fares can add up as your trip goes on, especially if you?re traveling as a family.

Spend some time renting bikes and riding around to different activities. If the town is small enough, you can probably rent bikes the entire time you?re there for quick trips to the grocery and to other local stores. Bike riding is a very popular activity in the United States. Every day, there are more than 9 million bike rides taken. 33% of people living in the United States actually enjoy riding bikes recreationally, too. Do some research to find the best bike shops near you so that you can spend time biking.

2. Local restaurants

When you visit a small town, it?s likely that they have a variety of local restaurants you can enjoy dining at during your trip. Larger cities are full of chain restaurants that match the same restaurants from your own city. Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy some local cuisine by dining at different local restaurants each night of your trip. It will be a unique experience, and you will probably find some dishes you never knew you enjoyed. Local restaurants probably won?t be as expensive as some of the chain restaurants you eat at normally, too.

3. Camping

If you visit a smaller town, you can even give camping a try for the whole or for a few nights. You just need to pick a small town that has a state park or campgrounds that allow camping. Rent out a space for an RV or simply pitch a tent or two. In 2015, nearly 25 million people went on at least one camping trip. That just goes to show how popular of an activity this is for families. Also, you don?t have to go far for this kind of trip. The majority of campers tend to stay within 180 miles of home when they go on camping trips. You can even do this trip on a budget or for a short weekend getaway.

Not interested in camping in a tent? You can always try to find campgrounds that also have cabins. Cabin rentals are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with less hassle.

Do any of these ideas sound like fun for you and your family? Where will you plan your next family vacation to? Let us know in the comments about your thoughts on visiting small towns for laid back trips.

Since the dawn of modern civilization and society, the role of the architect has been so important to the foundational structure of this country both literally and metaphorically. This is to say that obviously, architects are responsible for crafting the designs of buildings, structures, and even large forms of transportation. This is also to say that architects are also responsible for including various aspects to their designs that help people interact with the objects that have been built.

The best way to fully articulate this concept is to look at airplanes and the development of the global aircraft interiors. Over the past 50 years, the design of global aircraft interiors has changed in many ways for many different reasons. Some of these reasons include trying to accommodate more passengers on a flight. Other reasons even possibly include trying to make a flight more comfortable for the people on board.

There are even more reasons as to why the design of global aircraft interiors have changed over the years, which I will get into throughout this article. Here is what you should know about the interior design of the aircraft that you fly on when you go on long trips across the nation, and even across the world.

Each day, an average of 8 million people fly, and sometimes the number goes above and beyond the average. People love to go out and vacation and especially love to do so in a place that is very far from their home. In order to so, people obviously need large transportation options and one of the most popular methods of transportation across the world right now is flying by airplane.

In the year of 2013, the number of total passengers hit 3.1 billion, which makes it the first time the number has ever gone above the 3 billion mark. Because of this, airplane companies and the global aircraft interiors industry has worked to renovate, revamp, and completely change the design of airplanes. These airplanes are designed to not only be safer than ever before but to also help entertain the people on board.

Resident and international travelers direct spending amounted to an average of $2.5 billion a day, $105.8 million an hour, $1.8 million a minute, and $29,398 a second. This is absolutely staggering to think that every second that goes by, travelers on average will spend $29,398. Keep this mind because it will help frame how and why the travel industry can afford to make such improvements the global aircraft interiors.

Airplanes now include in flight entertainment systems, in seat power, and even an airplane display to show where your flight is in relation to your final destination. In flight entertainment systems manufacturers are now entering the industry and are making big moves to provide entertainment to flight passengers. This is because of direct spending on leisure travel by both international and domestic travelers, in the year of 2014, managed to equal $644.9 billion.

78% of all domestic trips are taken for purposes of pure leisure. eDreams reviews revealed in 2014 that Emirates was considered by travelers to have the best in flight entertainment systems as they garnered a score of 4.48 out of 5. Understand that while on a flight 17% of airline passengers want to sleep, 21% want to read a book, and 41% want to watch a movie.

A TripAdvisor Air Travel Survey was conducted in 2013 and revealed some interesting information. 25% of all people involved in the survey said that they would choose one airline over another simply based on which airline service offered wifi. 37% of all people involved in the survey said that an iPad or a tablet should be a carry-on essential for anyone going on a flight, which shows an increase of 5% from the year of 2012. 56% of all passengers said that they use smartphones in order to receive flight status alerts as well.

In conclusion, the changes made to global aircraft interiors are for the better. Airlines are focusing on trying to provide the best experience possible to passengers, which is a win-win for people traveling by plane.

Always thinking of indulging in some fine living experiences with friends and family? Why not try recreational vehicle camping! This is a perfect vacation idea, convenient and with a lot of flexibilities for campers. If you are having difficulties in choosing between wilderness camping and the conventional tent camping, remember you have another suitable option, which is RV camping. This is a hybrid type of camping between a mobile indoor and outdoor camping experience.

If you’ve never considered this camping option, the following reasons will help you make an informed decision on whether to choose an RV for your next family camping trip.

Affordability
Whether you own an RV or often hire during camping vacations, having one is substantially less costly than other options such as vacation home, cabin, condo, or hotels. Regardless of the size of your group, you can find a perfect RV that fits and meets your specific group needs. You get to save money that you’d have otherwise pay for transport and accommodation expenses. For small groups like for example a family of four, there are other economical RV options that are within budget and basically offer the essentials.

Fun
Who said fun has to begin at a campground? With a good RV, you can combine the aspects of road trips and camp together. There a lot you can engage in together with friends and family inside a camping vehicle. Music is one option and it’s a good source of relaxation as you enjoy the great view outside. Read a book, play cards or just have good conversations. This is a sort of freedom you don’t get to enjoy often.

Flexibility and convenience
Cost aside, the flexibility RVs offer is the ultimate experience any camper would wish for. Starting from the departure time, storage space, detour options, tight schedules to the ease of movement between camping sites, you get to enjoy every moment in your camping.

Bring a pet
While RV companies differ in their rules concerning pets, most of them have no issue with you having pets on board. After all, it’s a loved one’s affair, and pets are dear too many.

Amenities
Lastly, the idea of RV camping is also viable since you get to enjoy all the amenities you house has to offer. Washroom, kitchen, entertainment, laundry machine among others are some of the amenities you delight in during your trip. With these pointers, you are certain to make the best decision for you and your family on your next vacation.

If you’re like most people, you’d jump at the chance to stay in a luxury vacation rental in a beautiful location. But while many vacation home rentals can provide a chance to explore a new place and soak up some much-needed rest and relaxation, not all house rentals are created equal. And if you don’t do your due diligence, you could easily fall victim to a scam. Because renters are in a vulnerable position, there are unsavory people who will try to take advantage. To ensure that your vacation home lives up to all the hype and you don’t get taken for a ride, be sure to follow these five steps before paying a dime.

1. Decide whether it’s too good to be true
   There are budget-friendly options for vacation home rentals out there. However, you need to expect to get what you pay for. A multi-bedroom property listed for far below the typical price for vacation home rentals in the area should raise some serious red flags. Be sure to look at other properties in the same location to get a good idea of the average price. You may even want to conduct a reverse image search on Google to make sure the property photos are genuine. Remember: if the price or the property seems too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Make sure payment methods are standard
   If you’re in contact with an owner (or a supposed owner), it’s important to discuss payment details. But you should never pay via money order or wire transfer. You should also never give out your credit card information through email or an unverified site. In addition, never pay the full rental balance (whether it be through cash, check, or any of the aforementioned methods) before you arrive unless you’re working with a verified travel agent. Should this person get pushy, do not give in. Otherwise, they’re likely to take the money and run. And unfortunately, they may not even own the property you’ve been inquiring about. A real owner will be willing to work with you on payment and will want you to feel comfortable with the agreement.
3. Do a Google search
   Not only should you conduct a reverse image search, but you should also verify the property’s existence and ownership. You can use Google Maps to make sure the address is accurate and isn’t a vacant lot or warehouse. You should also look up the owner’s name, the address of the property, and the owner of the rental website (if possible). Should you find multiple listings for the same property by different owners, discrepancies in contact information, or bad reviews, you should probably look elsewhere.
4. Never send personal information
   When you sign a lease for your own apartment, you will need to provide personal information to your rental agent and/or property manager. But with a vacation rental, the owner should never ask for a scan of your driver’s license, state ID, or passport to verify your identity via email. They should never ask for your Social Security Number, either. If someone posing as an owner requests this personal info, RUN. By handing out this information, you’ll likely become a victim of identity theft — a mistake that may take years to correct.
5. Trust your gut
   Above all, take stake in your instincts. At no point should you feel concerned about your vacation plans. If you notice broken English, are confused by the owner’s instructions, or feel that something just doesn’t feel right, you should listen to what your heart and mind are telling you. You shouldn’t feel like you’re taking a gamble with your vacation or your future. Saving a little bit of money is never worth taking a huge security risk. Working with a trusted rental company is typically the best way to avoid these kinds of worries, but even then, you should always be careful.

Keep in mind that there are just as many high quality vacation rentals out there as there are scam artists. But as long as you do extensive research and trust your instincts, you’ll be able to find and book vacation home rentals that are every bit as magical as you’d hoped they’d be.

Are you looking to rent a charter bus? Maybe you are a business owner wanting to take your employees on a team building outing, or perhaps you are the coach of a young sports team heading to a big tournament. No matter what your reasons may be, it is always good to be prepared when you are on the search for something like bus rentals. Below are a few good things to know about renting various types of transportation services:

1. Charter Bus Rentals – Travel by charter bus is not only stress free for the riders and person who facilitated the trip, but it is also good for the environment. Think of it this way, in the United States alone we have 16,000 vans and busses that are working for charter services and each full charter bus essentially removes 55 automobiles from the roads. Think of how much better it is for the environment if we are removing 55 vehicles from the road!

2. Airport Shuttles – Another common use for bus rentals is to get to and from the airport. Not only is airport parking typically very costly, but sometimes the travel to and from the airport can be more stressful and lengthy than the time you actually spend on the plane! More than three million people fly between airports every single day, and it is best if they do not all bring their vehicles to the parking lots.

3. Bus Tours – Another reason that people are looking at bus rentals is for bus tours of the nation, specific cities, and even their own states. If you are looking to tour NYC, for instance, there are so many bus tours to choose from that you are sure to find one that suits you. Bus tours feel more personal for many people because depending on the tour guide you get, you are likely to get a curated and unique touch with each fact you hear.

If you are planning an outing where you need to get a group of people from one place to another, you ought to be considering the use of a charter bus. Not only is it simple and easy to book, but it is good for the environment and everyone can be in the same place. Talk about team-building! Whether it is a work group or sports team, save yourself some time and stress by contacting a charter bus company and working out the details of your upcoming trip.

Manhattan Beach vacations aren’t only for the family. It’s always great to stay at hotels near Manhattan Beach so the kids can learn something new from the local art museums and get exercise on the sand. But a vacation is meant to be a slice of life away from the hectic day-to-day schedule you have at home. The kids can still be kids while they stay at your parents’ house. You need a vacation with the girls.

Treat yourself to some edible Manhattan Beach tourism

What’s a getaway vacation with your friends without experiencing Manhattan Beach’s incredible food? Here are some of the best places to go out for a drink and enjoy the entrees while you and your friends are (temporarily) free from responsibility:

• Hennessey’s. Located at 8 Pier Avenue, Hennessey’s is the place to go for a lot of fun. Enjoy great food, half-priced bottles of wine on Wednesdays, and a comfortable atmosphere at this Irish pub.
• Lala’s Argentine Grill. Located at 7229 Melrose Avenue, Lala’s is a great place to go if you’re looking to sit and eat a pleasant dinner or lunch with your friends while enjoying a nice glass of wine. Sit out on the patio to enjoy the warm weather of Manhattan Beach and soak up the sun.
• Mediterraneo Kitchen and Bar. Located at 73 Pier Avenue, Mediterraneo offers 2-for-1 Tapas (hot or cold) on Tuesdays and glasses of wine at $3. With regular entrees that are hard to beat, this is a hidden gem to visit before starting out for a night on the town with the girls.

Explore the places you wouldn’t explore on your own

Two heads are better than one, especially when it comes to exploring the terrain during your Manhattan Beach vacations and experiences. Have fun with the LA beach tourism scene. Pick up a round of volleyball for some friendly competition. South Bay is renowned for its Manhattan Beach Open. Think you could block a spike like Brandie Wilkerson?

If volleyball isn’t your thing, try learning how to surf. Falling off a surfboard is always a little less embarrassing when you have your friends around to laugh with you. And once you’ve gotten your fill of the waves you can always dry off in the sand and soak up some rays. After all, up to 53% of beachgoers prefer to sunbathe and after a strenuous workout in the ocean you deserve some warm relaxation.

Manhattan Beach vacations aren’t only for families. A weekend Manhattan Beach getaway is also for your friend-made families too. Go out with the girls and explore this wonderful area for a vacation you’ll remember for years. At least, until the next one.