#eco tour charters key west | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

naturecoaster · 5 years

Text

Sunset Landing Marina

Sunset Landing Marina Boat Rental Hours & Pricing

HOURS are 8:00 am - 4:00pm BOAT RENTALS PONTOON BOATS - Up to 7 People $35.00 PER HOUR PONTOON BOATS - Up to 10 People $45.00 PER HOUR NEW: 14' GLASS BOTTOM SKIFF Up to 3 people $30.00 PER HOUR JON BOAT - Up to 3 People $20.00 PER HOUR KAYAKS - SINGLES $26 FOR 4 HOURS CANOES - Up to 3 People $26 for 4 HOURS FISHING CHARTERS - Prices Vary ECO-TOURS - Prices Vary * ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR FUEL, OIL AND SALES TAX Bayou Business District We are a proud member of the Bayou Business District in the City of Port Richey. The combined efforts of the waterfront businesses is cultivating new and exciting features for the area. Residents and tourists are enjoying more activities within the district. The Bayou Business District promotes our area as an authentic destination. We advocate boating and fishing. We strive to present unique dining experiences for people to enjoy while upholding standards of excellence. The Cotee River is Our Gateway to the Gulf and yours to discover. Read the full article

0 notes

sharonamurphy · 6 years

Text

Meet Squid: Key West's solar-powered boat for dolphin tours

Visitors who want to see the 200 wild bottlenose dolphins who live around the lower Florida Keys now have a more eco option. Squid, the first lithium ion battery-powered, hybrid charter boat with electric motors, takes visitors on four-hour dolphin watching and snorkeling tours. Its electricity stores can be recharged by plugging in while at shore, via solar panels, or, when necessary, with a diesel generator. Sunflare solar panels are the secret to the Squid’s success. Since the boat carries...

0 notes

dealspoints-blog · 6 years

Text

Travel Pre And Post Internet

Travelling Pre Internet:

I've been travelling for over 40 years - simply by thumb in my early days, by boots in the Scouts, any Lambretta came next and then my first old banger followed by newer old bangers to the beaches of the Acantilado Brava.

My thumb, boots, bikes and bangers procured me all over Europe and the UK before finding that some sort of charter flight to Spain on an old 'Connie' gets me to the beaches and bars a lot quicker and allow longer to enjoy the local travel opportunities by horse and carry and the occasional bus and train.

'Go West together with Prosper' seemed to be a good idea so instead of taking an 8 an hour flight I took an 8 day transatlantic traversing from Tilbury to Montreal on the Stephan Batory involving Polish Ocean Lines ensuring that jet lag did not problem my travel plans. Some years later I entered the pond again on a ship but this time it was five times bigger and I travelled in style on the QE2 and dined in the Queen's Grill somewhat removed from my earlier practical knowledge. I highly recommend ocean voyages but cannot see me on one of the modern cruise ships going from port to be able to port with constant line-ups to get on and off to buy tonneaus. However , I have done 10 Windjammers and a Star Dog clipper cruise in the Caribbean which were all memorable (let's intend Windjammer Barefoot Cruises recover from their woes). But I just digress. I had read that Canada is a spectacular united states, from sea to shining sea, and my appearance into the St. Lawrence River to Montreal and then really going west in an old Econoline van from the Great Lakes, ponds, across the Prairies to the Rocky Mountains before ending up whale watching off of the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island was obviously a trip of wonder to a bloke from London. Now the scenery is still spectacular and the best way to go continues to by road so rent or buy a car, mobile home or motorbike, take the train or tour bus keep in mind the maps, a fly rod, good boots and hurry. My favorite part of Canada / USA for adventure vacation has to be Northern BC / Alaska, to hike the very Chilkoot Trail in the steps of the goldseekers of 1898. The Northwest Territories to canoe the Nahannie Lake and the Yukon to drive from Dawson City to Fowl, Alaska. If you like the outdoors and can put up with a few bugs, team a fly and scale a few hills or get on endless dirt roads sharing the space with moose, caribou, elk, bears and eagles, then these are the main places to put on your list. The pleasures and goes through in driving to Inuvik on the Dempster Highway or even to Prudhoe Bay on the Dalton Highway or even the Canol Roads can only be felt by doing them. I would have brought up the Alaska Highway but now it is an easy drive compared with the aforementioned. Today the costs of driving these distances may perhaps mean that sharing the journey with others is required, yet RVing or simply vanning and camping is a great way to discover beyond the horizon. Some enroute adventures now has to be booked in advance whereas when I hiked Denali and the Chilkoot Pass it was just a case of turning up, registering along with the local ranger office and heading on out. Even more00 planning is needed for today's traveller and cost issues to consider of lengthy flights or drives have to somehow often be countered with more careful planning. In the days of reasonable petrol prices I would not even consider the driving or flying expenditures and have driven to Key West from the northwest shore, down the west coast to the Baja and to the actual west coast from New York. I once even travelled my 1946 Fleet taildragger from the Pacific to the Ocean and back using around 5 gallons an hour connected with avgas. Before the oil and credit crisis I had from Rio de Janeiro to Lima, down to Tierra del Ignición and back to Rio covering over 15, 000 distance of spectacular scenery and with no consideration about the expense of gas. South America should be on your itinerary too! Some other terrific drives that may now require a mortgage with the gas providers include London to The Nordkapp, Norway, Skippers Canyon around New Zealand and the loneliness of the far north with Australia and the amazing coast of Western Australia visiting at Monkey Mia and Wave Rock. We tend to fail to remember that the real cost of travelling is often less today as compared with over the 40 years of my travels. In 1977 my favorite round-trip airfare from Canada to Australia cost in excess of $1700 in 1977 dollars so today it is much less to fly, even with the airlines gouging for power, extra baggage, no service and no pleasure. The 'Big Mac' method of price comparison as developed by The Economist papers gives us a good gauge for most expenditures of today as compared to yesterday but my $1500 cost to get a private aircraft pilots licence in the 1970's seems cheap by comparison to now, but obviously not when using this Big Mac standard. Other travel costs are also far cheaper today but this absolutely should not mean that travellers should disregard the many methods of protecting costs that can then be put to extended or better travel experiences

Travel Post-Internet:

In my 40 years of take a trip I have had to use travel agents to make even the simplest for reservations and buy tickets, not even thinking to ask them if they happen to have "been there, done that? " It was just a instance of there being no other options to buying travel. Now we have indefinite choices and can seek out better travel agents, better prices, significantly better selections and information about anywhere in the world for our travels - without leaving home.

The Internet now gives travellers ideas and selection of Where to go, When to go, Why to go, What to do, Who for you to book with and How to save money and offset costs. We will search and find experts for every travel option. If we are usually comfortable with the Internet we no longer have to go to a travel agent in making reservations and buy tickets except to book with some of your larger travel companies that still produce glossy flyers and offer all inclusive packages or tours that only sell in the agency system. The Internet also allows those of us who are brilliant enough to know when to seek out a top travel agent with experience, experience and expertise (KEE skills) of destinations as well as activities about where to find them. There is no longer any really need to only use our local agents when we can find a person somewhere else in the world. When we do not need 'the knowledge' and can practice it ourselves we simply surf the web so that we can book immediately with tour and travel operators wherever we have went.

Some travel agents operate their own tours, some are both below wholesale and retail, some limit consumer selection by exclusively selling their 'preferred' suppliers and some have professional brokers with years of experience invested in gaining knowledge, experience and also expertise and are worth their weight in gold to the savvy traveller. Beware while, as some are also called destination specialists and some of these designations merely require the agent to take a rudimentary examine offered by tourism offices, destination marketing groups or even visit operators and in my opinion can harm the reputation of the travelling industry. A specialist is not necessarily an expert.

Travel is probably the a lot of used commercial aspect of the Internet and if retail agents prefer to harness this exciting medium to offer 'the knowledge' and the 'kee' skills to a global audience, not just their people, they must embrace the changes that are happening. Travellers now have the capacity to seek answers to the 5 W's of travel as well as important

'How to' save money

and offset costs injury lawyer toronto information just a click away.

And then it occurred to me that also internet travel prices often include a commission element regardless of whether sold directly to the consumer. If we book directly with workers we should not have to pay full retail prices as we are generally doing for ourselves what a retail agent would ordinarily do for us. A dilemma for the operator is that to indicate a both a retail and a cost price method could deter many agents from selling the services like travellers could use an agent for free advice and book instantly with the operator to get a 'net of commission' price. Of course this two tier pricing is not often available nevertheless travellers who do not need advice should also not be penalized by simply retail pricing. A new way had to be found and I think I have found them!

The need for

Deals Points

is why I developed the superior Travel Voucher program at The Top Travel Club and I possibly found a dot com for it. All travel solutions on the site are at 'net of commission' prices for users who handle there own travel arrangements directly with the travel operators linked on the club website using our voucher method.I am inviting travel operators from around the world to join the program, from B&B's, Motels, Hotels, Luxury Lodges, Eco Destinations, Beach Resorts and Tour and Adventure Operators who wish to promote their products and services to travellers who are at ease direct bookings and reservations.I am also inviting Travel companies with knowledge, experience and expertise of destinations along with activities to showcase their skills to a global crowd of travellers and to the members of this new go club. I am leery of 'specialist agents' and only really want experts to showcase their services.This opportunity can be found to the travel trade at no cost except for them to offer world-wide-web, wholesale or outlet prices to club members in addition to visitors to the website using top travel vouchers. I believe this method offers fairer fare prices to direct-booking travellers. The exact operator would normally be paying commission anyway now travellers get the savings because they make their own arrangements.

#Deals Points

0 notes

bennyblnco-blog · 7 years

Text

Getting Married in Queensland

Getting Married in Tropical Queensland.

With sunny days in abundance аnd a year round temperate climate, Queensland really does have so much to offer аnd countless places to visit! Nо matter what type of adventure оr Queensland wedding you are seeking you will be sure to find something to suit your style. With a variety of terrain from rainforest to ocean, outback to reef you can be sure to tailor a fantastic package to suit you аnd your guests anywhere in QLD!

People fly and drive from all parts of Queensland and other states to visit Queensland’s largest bridal store, Elite Bridal.

Located at 16 Morrisby St Geebung, they have the largest range of off the rack Wedding Dresses Brisbane and Queensland

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef; this is Queensland's Tropical North where you will find thousands of locations for a wedding аnd discover a place that is full of natural wonders аnd beauty! Cairns City, gateway to some spectacular scenery from rainforest to thе Great Barrier Reef with thе village of Port Douglas offering a more sophisticated, low-key escape. This is аn extremely popular place for couples looking for a more intimate wedding to elope to аnd there are so many amazing deals available in this part of Australia.

Perhaps you are looking for a unique spin on your wedding, аnd well this is one of thе most renowned places in thе world for scuba-diving. You could even go completely different аnd say 'I do' amongst thе coral, you would have to hold uр cards of acceptance to your vows at аn underwater wedding but what a magical аnd unusual way to get married!

Thе Daintree Forest is also a must see, thе oldest surviving tropical rainforest on earth is home to аn astounding amount of plants аnd species of animals. You can get аn indigenous guide to give you a tour to find out more about thе culture аnd history of thе surrounding area аnd its people.

Townsville; this beautiful coastal region has such a diverse terrain, with thе ocean reefs in thе east аnd thе outback in thе west thе opportunities for exploring are simply endless. Thе town of Townsville is at thе centre of all that is on offer, you should take a trip uр Castle Hill to take in thе views of thе city аnd thе nearby Magnetic Island. This tropical island offers some outstanding resorts аnd is a wonderful destination for a beach wedding with thе perfect setting for a unique escape. Getting to thе island is only a short 25 minute cruise across thе bay, a beautiful way to begin our journey.

Be sure to think about your honeymoon in this area too, perhaps thе more adventurous might take thе Great Tropical Drive, a self-driving route that will take you from Cairns аnd Townsville to some amazing places in Tropical Australia. Take in Charters Towers аnd sample outback life at a cattle station farm stay оr see thе historic gold milling site at Venus Battery. Ravenswood is аnоthеr old gold mining town well worth a look.

Thе Whitsundays; thе 74 island wonders that make uр thе Whitsundays are mostly uninhabited аnd provide thе perfect setting for a day of exploring оr simply relaxing on thе secluded beaches аnd coves.

Airlie Beach is thе gateway to these stunning islands аnd thе epitome of a beach town, with a carefree vibe аnd packed full of palm-fringed beaches, waterfront parks, restaurants аnd bars. Thе after dark backpacker аnd travelling vibe is full of energy аnd most will party to thе early hours before embarking on a party boat оr organised cruise.

Be sure to take in Whitehaven Beach, this 4 mile stretch of pure white silica sand has been voted one of thе best beaches in thе world. If you have a little more budget to play with then why nоt take a romantic flight over heart reef, a stunning collection of coral that has naturally formed into thе shape of a heart аnd looks amazing from thе sky above.

Thе resort islands include thе Hayman Island, one of thе top luxury destinations for weddings аnd honeymoons. Hamilton Island, this is thе largest inhabited island аnd has аn airport making it easily accessible for both families аnd couples. Daydream, Lindeman, Brampton, Long, Hook аnd South Molle Island are scattered across this beautiful ocean, all offering аn array of resort accommodation to suit your personal preference.

Fraser Coast; this wonderful region is filled with some of thе word's greatest attractions аnd beautiful scenery. If you can plan your wedding between June аnd November then thе perfect treat for you аnd your guests would be to venture to Hervey bay аnd take a trip on thе water to see thе humpback whales that frequent this water during this time.

Just a short ferry ride from Hervey Bay is thе outstanding Fraser Island, you can arrange your own way across оr join a tour to take you along thе highway of sand аnd thе tracks that lead you to some spectacular lakes аnd waterholes including Lake McKenzie with its crystal clear freshwater.

You will also find thе eco-friendly resort of Kingfisher Bay, if you are planning a wedding with them then they offer discounts on guest accommodation, advice about hens аnd bucks nights on thе island along with a special wedding package аnd honeymoon visit all in one.

The original blog for Wedding Dresses Brisbane

0 notes

pagedesignpro-blog · 7 years

Text

New Post has been published on Pagedesignpro

New Post has been published on https://pagedesignpro.com/travel-pre-and-post-internet/

Travel Pre And Post Internet

Travel Pre-Internet:

I’ve been traveling for over 40 years – by thumb in my early days, by boots in the Scouts, a Lambretta came next and then my first old banger followed by newer old bangers to the beaches of the Costa Brava.

My thumb, boots, bikes and bangers took me all over Europe and the UK before finding that a charter flight to Spain on an old ‘Connie’ could get me to the beaches and bars a lot quicker and allow more time to enjoy the local travel opportunities by horse and cart and the occasional bus and train.

‘Go West and Prosper’ seemed to be a good idea so instead of taking an 8-hour flight I took an 8-day transatlantic crossing from Tilbury to Montreal on the Stephan Batory of Polish Ocean Lines ensuring that jet lag did not trouble my travel plans. Some years later I crossed the pond again on a ship but this time it was 5 times bigger and I traveled in style on the QE2 and died in the Queen’s Grill somewhat removed from my earlier experience. I highly recommend ocean voyages but cannot see myself on one of the modern cruise ships going from port to port with constant line-ups to get on and off to buy t-shirts. However, I have done 10 Windjammers and a Star Clipper cruise in the Caribbean which were all memorable (let’s hope Windjammer Barefoot Cruises recover from their woes). But I digress.

I had read that Canada is a spectacular country, from sea to shining sea, and my entrance into the St. Lawrence River to Montreal and then heading west in an old Econoline van from the Great Lakes, across the Prairies to the Rocky Mountains before ending up whale watching off of the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island was a trip of wonder to a bloke from London. Today the scenery is still spectacular and the best way to go is still by road so rent or buy a car, motorhome or motorbike, take the train or tour bus but remember the maps, a fly rod, good boots and take your time.

My favorite part of Canada / USA for adventure travel has to be Northern BC / Alaska, to hike the Chilkoot Trail in the steps of the gold seekers of 1898. The Northwest Territories to canoe the Nahanni River and the Yukon to drive from Dawson City to Chicken, Alaska. If you like the outdoors and can put up with a few bugs, cast a fly and scale a few hills or drive on endless dirt roads sharing the space with moose, caribou, elk, bears and eagles, then these are the places to put on your list. The pleasures and experiences in driving to Inuvik on the Dempster Highway or to Prudhoe Bay on the Dalton Highway or even the Canol Road can only be felt by doing them. I would have mentioned the Alaska Highway but now it is an easy drive unlike the aforementioned.

Today the costs of driving these distances may mean that sharing the journey with others is required, but RVing or simply vanning and camping is a great way to see beyond the horizon. Some en route adventures now need to be booked in advance whereas when I hiked Denali and the Chilkoot Pass it was just a case of turning up, registering with the local ranger office and heading on out. A little more forward planning is needed for today’s traveler and cost considerations of lengthy flights or drives have to somehow be countered with more careful planning. In the days of reasonable gas prices I would not even consider the driving or flying costs and have driven to Key West from the northwest coast, down the west coast to the Baja and to the west coast from New York. I once even flew my 1946 Fleet taildragger from the Pacific to the Atlantic and back using around 5 gallons an hour of avgas. Before the oil and credit crisis I drove from Rio de Janeiro to Lima, down to Tierra del Fuego and back to Rio covering over 15,000 miles of spectacular scenery and with no consideration of the cost of gas. South America should be on your itinerary too! Some other memorable drives that may now require a mortgage with the gas companies include London to The Nordkapp, Norway, Skippers Canyon in New Zealand and the loneliness of the far north of Australia and the amazing coast of Western Australia stopping by at Monkey Mia and Wave Rock.

We tend to forget that the real cost of traveling is often less today than over the 40 years of my travels. In 1977 my round-trip airfare from Canada to Australia cost over $1700 in 1977 dollars so today it is far cheaper to fly, even with the airlines gouging for fuel, extra baggage, no service and no pleasure. The ‘Big Mac’ method of price comparison as developed by The Economist newspaper gives us a good gauge for most expenditures of today compared to yesterday but my $1500 cost to get a private pilots license in the 1970’s seems cheap by comparison to today, but obviously not when using this Big Mac principle. Other travel costs are also far cheaper today but this should not mean that travelers should disregard the many methods of saving costs that can then be put to extended or improved travel experiences

Travel Post-Internet:

In my 40 years of travel, I have had to use travel agents to make even the simplest of reservations and buy tickets, not even thinking to ask them if they had “been there, done that?” It was just a case of there being no other options to buying travel. Now we have unlimited choices and can seek out better travel agents, better prices, better selections and information about anywhere in the world for our travels – without even leaving home.

The Internet now gives travelers ideas and options of Where to go, When to go, Why to go, What to do, Who to book with and How to save money and offset costs. We can search and find experts for every travel option. If we are comfortable with the Internet we no longer have to go to a travel agent to make reservations and buy tickets except to book with some of the larger travel companies that still produce glossy brochures and offer all inclusive packages or tours that only sell through the agency system. The Internet also allows those of us who are smart enough to know when to seek out a top travel agent with knowledge, experience, and expertise (KEE skills) of destinations and activities about where to find them. There is no longer any need to only use our local agents when we can find one somewhere else in the world. When we do not need ‘the knowledge’ and can do it ourselves we simply surf the web so that we can book directly with tour and travel operators wherever we have decided to go.

Some travel agents operate their own tours, some are both wholesale and retail, some limit consumer selection by only selling their ‘preferred’ suppliers and some have professional consultants with years of experience invested in gaining knowledge, experience, and expertise and are worth their weight in gold to the savvy traveler. Beware though, as some are also called destination specialists and some of these designations merely require the agent to take a rudimentary test offered by tourism offices, destination marketing groups or even tour operators and in my opinion can harm the reputation of the travel industry. A specialist is not necessarily an expert.

Travel is probably the most used commercial aspect of the Internet and if retail agents want to harness this exciting medium to offer ‘the knowledge’ and their ‘key’ skills to a global audience, not just their local community, they must embrace the changes that are happening. Travelers now have the ability to seek answers to the 5 W’s of travel and the important ‘How to’ save money and offset costs by having information just a click away.

And then it occurred to me that even internet travel prices often include a commission element even when sold directly to the consumer. If we book directly with operators we should not have to pay full retail prices as we are doing for ourselves what a retail agent would normally do for us. A dilemma for the operator is that to show a both a retail and a cost price option could deter many agents from selling the services as travelers could use an agent for free advice and book directly with the operator to get a ‘net of commission’ price. Obviously, this two-tier pricing is not often available but travelers who do not need advice should also not be penalized by retail pricing. A new way had to be found and I think I have found it!

The need for fairer fare prices is why I developed the Top Travel Voucher program at The Top Travel Club and I even found a dot com for it. All travel selections on the site are at ‘net of commission’ prices for members who handle there own travel arrangements directly with the operators linked on the club website using our voucher program.

I am inviting travel operators from around the world to join this program, from B&B’s, Motels, Hotels, Luxury Lodges, Eco Resorts, Beach Resorts and Tour and Adventure Operators who want to promote their products and services to travelers who are comfortable with direct bookings and reservations.

I am also inviting Travel Agents with knowledge, experience, and expertise of destinations and activities to showcase their skills to a global audience of travelers and to the members of this new travel club. I am leery of ‘specialist agents’ and only want experts to showcase their services.

This opportunity is available to the travel trade at no cost except for them to offer net, wholesale or outlet prices to club members and visitors to the website using top travel vouchers. I believe this program offers fairer fare prices to direct-booking travelers. The operator would normally be paying commission anyway but now travelers get the savings because they make their own arrangements.

The Top Travel Club opened in mid-April 2008 offering thousands of top travel vouchers for travel in over 70 countries with around 150 travel operators onboard. Every week we add more travel operators with more choices for members. Currently, you can get savings on accommodations, adventure travel, boat charters, culinary tours, hike, bike and dive tours, auto and RV rentals fishing lodges and guides, safaris, vacation rentals, single travel, women only and dude ranches. Members get the vouchers free of charge by paying an annual membership fee and non-members can buy the vouchers on the internet at Top Travel Sites at deeply discounted prices to the face-value. The future growth will include restaurants, travel clothing, travel insurance and the opportunity to access air ticket consolidators who want to deal directly with consumers.

The way I have traveled and the way I see travel is that consumers should have unlimited access to every travel opportunity with the ability to do their own due diligence or to find a professional who can offer quality advice and services at fair prices, and to find all of this without needing endless hours of searching.

0 notes

beingmad2017-blog · 7 years

Text

Travel Pre And Post Internet

New Post has been published on https://beingmad.org/travel-pre-and-post-internet/

Travel Pre And Post Internet

Travel Pre-Internet:

Travel Post-Internet:

0 notes

baburaja97-blog · 8 years

Text

New Post has been published on Vin Zite

New Post has been published on https://vinzite.com/travel-pre-and-post-internet/

Travel Pre And Post Internet

Travel Post Internet:

Today the costs of driving these distances may mean that sharing the journey with others is required, but RVing or simply canning and camping is a great way to see beyond the horizon. Some en route adventures now need to be booked in advance whereas when I hiked Denali and the Chilkoot Pass it was just a case of turning up, registering with the local ranger office and heading on out. A little more forward planning is needed for today’s traveler and cost considerations of lengthy flights or drives have to somehow be countered with more careful planning. In the days of reasonable gas prices, I would not even consider the driving or flying costs and have driven to Key West from the northwest coast, down the west coast to the Baja and to the west coast from New York. I once even flew my 1946 Fleet taildragger from the Pacific to the Atlantic and back using around 5 gallons an hour of avgas. Before the oil and credit crisis, I drove from Rio de Janeiro to Lima, down to Tierra del Fuego and back to Rio covering over 15,000 miles of spectacular scenery and with no consideration of the cost of gas. South America should be on your itinerary too! Some other memorable drives that may now require a mortgage with the gas companies include London to The Nordkapp, Norway, Skippers Canyon in New Zealand and the loneliness of the far north of Australia and the amazing coast of Western Australia stopping by at Monkey Mia and Wave Rock.

Travel Post-Internet:

Some travel agents operate their own tours, some are both wholesale and retail, some limit consumer selection by only selling their ‘preferred’ suppliers and some have professional consultants with years of experience invested in gaining knowledge, experience, and expertise and are worth their weight in gold to the savvy traveler. Beware, though, as some are also called destination specialists and some of these designations merely require the agent to take a rudimentary test offered by tourism offices, destination marketing groups or even tour operators and in my opinion can harm the reputation of the travel industry. A specialist is not necessarily an expert.

The need for fairer fare prices is why I developed the Top Travel Voucher program at The Top Travel Club and I even found a dot com for it. All travel selections on the site are at ‘net of commission’ prices for members who handle their own travel arrangements directly with the operators linked on the club website using our voucher program.

0 notes

hopefulphantomwonderland-blog · 8 years

Text

New Post has been published on Pagedesignweb

New Post has been published on http://pagedesignweb.com/travel-pre-and-post-internet/

Travel Pre And Post Internet

I’ve been travelling for over 40 years – by thumb in my early days, by boots in the Scouts, a Lambretta came next and then my first old banger followed by newer old bangers to the beaches of the Costa Brava.

‘Go West and Prosper’ seemed to be a good idea so instead of taking an 8 hour flight I took an 8 day transatlantic crossing from Tilbury to Montreal on the Stephan Batory of Polish Ocean Lines ensuring that jet lag did not trouble my travel plans. Some years later I crossed the pond again on a ship but this time it was 5 times bigger and I travelled in style on the QE2 and dined in the Queen’s Grill somewhat removed from my earlier experience. I highly recommend ocean voyages but cannot see myself on one of the modern cruise ships going from port to port with constant line-ups to get on and off to buy t-shirts. However, I have done 10 Windjammers and a Star Clipper cruise in the Caribbean which were all memorable (let’s hope Windjammer Barefoot Cruises recover from their woes). But I digress.

My favorite part of Canada / USA for adventure travel has to be Northern BC / Alaska, to hike the Chilkoot Trail in the steps of the goldseekers of 1898. The Northwest Territories to canoe the Nahannie River and the Yukon to drive from Dawson City to Chicken, Alaska. If you like the outdoors and can put up with a few bugs, cast a fly and scale a few hills or drive on endless dirt roads sharing the space with moose, caribou, elk, bears and eagles, then these are the places to put on your list. The pleasures and experiences in driving to Inuvik on the Dempster Highway or to Prudhoe Bay on the Dalton Highway or even the Canol Road can only be felt by doing them. I would have mentioned the Alaska Highway but now it is an easy drive unlike the aforementioned.

Today the costs of driving these distances may mean that sharing the journey with others is required, but RVing or simply vanning and camping is a great way to see beyond the horizon. Some enroute adventures now need to be booked in advance whereas when I hiked Denali and the Chilkoot Pass it was just a case of turning up, registering with the local ranger office and heading on out. A little more forward planning is needed for today’s traveller and cost considerations of lengthy flights or drives have to somehow be countered with more careful planning. In the days of reasonable gas prices I would not even consider the driving or flying costs and have driven to Key West from the northwest coast, down the west coast to the Baja and to the west coast from New York. I once even flew my 1946 Fleet taildragger from the Pacific to the Atlantic and back using around 5 gallons an hour of avgas. Before the oil and credit crisis I drove from Rio de Janeiro to Lima, down to Tierra del Fuego and back to Rio covering over 15,000 miles of spectacular scenery and with no consideration about the cost of gas. South America should be on your itinerary too! Some other memorable drives that may now require a mortgage with the gas companies include London to The Nordkapp, Norway, Skippers Canyon in New Zealand and the loneliness of the far north of Australia and the amazing coast of Western Australia stopping by at Monkey Mia and Wave Rock.

We tend to forget that the real cost of travelling is often less today than over the 40 years of my travels. In 1977 my round-trip airfare from Canada to Australia cost over $1700 in 1977 dollars so today it is far cheaper to fly, even with the airlines gouging for fuel, extra baggage, no service and no pleasure. The ‘Big Mac’ method of price comparison as developed by The Economist newspaper gives us a good gauge for most expenditures of today compared to yesterday but my $1500 cost to get a private pilots licence in the 1970’s seems cheap by comparison to today, but obviously not when using this Big Mac principle. Other travel costs are also far cheaper today but this should not mean that travellers should disregard the many methods of saving costs that can then be put to extended or improved travel experiences

Travel Post-Internet:

In my 40 years of travel I have had to use travel agents to make even the simplest of reservations and buy tickets, not even thinking to ask them if they had “been there, done that?” It was just a case of there being no other options to buying travel. Now we have unlimited choices and can seek out better travel agents, better prices, better selections and information about anywhere in the world for our travels – without even leaving home.

The Internet now gives travellers ideas and options of Where to go, When to go, Why to go, What to do, Who to book with and How to save money and offset costs. We can search and find experts for every travel option. If we are comfortable with the Internet we no longer have to go to a travel agent to make reservations and buy tickets except to book with some of the larger travel companies that still produce glossy brochures and offer all inclusive packages or tours that only sell through the agency system. The Internet also allows those of us who are smart enough to know when to seek out a top travel agent with knowledge, experience and expertise (KEE skills) of destinations and activities about where to find them. There is no longer any need to only use our local agents when we can find one somewhere else in the world. When we do not need ‘the knowledge’ and can do it ourselves we simply surf the web so that we can book directly with tour and travel operators wherever we have decided to go.

Some travel agents operate their own tours, some are both wholesale and retail, some limit consumer selection by only selling their ‘preferred’ suppliers and some have professional consultants with years of experience invested in gaining knowledge, experience and expertise and are worth their weight in gold to the savvy traveller. Beware though, as some are also called destination specialists and some of these designations merely require the agent to take a rudimentary test offered by tourism offices, destination marketing groups or even tour operators and in my opinion can harm the reputation of the travel industry. A specialist is not necessarily an expert.

Travel is probably the most used commercial aspect of the Internet and if retail agents want to harness this exciting medium to offer ‘the knowledge’ and their ‘kee’ skills to a global audience, not just their local community, they must embrace the changes that are happening. Travellers now have the ability to seek answers to the 5 W’s of travel and the important ‘How to’ save money and offset costs by having information just a click away.

And then it occurred to me that even internet travel prices often include a commission element even when sold directly to the consumer. If we book directly with operators we should not have to pay full retail prices as we are doing for ourselves what a retail agent would normally do for us. A dilemma for the operator is that to show a both a retail and a cost price option could deter many agents from selling the services as travellers could use an agent for free advice and book directly with the operator to get a ‘net of commission’ price. Obviously this two tier pricing is not often available but travellers who do not need advice should also not be penalized by retail pricing. A new way had to be found and I think I have found it!

I am inviting travel operators from around the world to join this program, from B&B’s, Motels, Hotels, Luxury Lodges, Eco Resorts, Beach Resorts and Tour and Adventure Operators who want to promote their products and services to travellers who are comfortable with direct bookings and reservations.

I am also inviting Travel Agents with knowledge, experience and expertise of destinations and activities to showcase their skills to a global audience of travellers and to the members of this new travel club. I am leery of ‘specialist agents’ and only want experts to showcase their services.

This opportunity is available to the travel trade at no cost except for them to offer net, wholesale or outlet prices to club members and visitors to the website using top travel vouchers. I believe this program offers fairer fare prices to direct-booking travellers. The operator would normally be paying commission anyway but now travellers get the savings because they make their own arrangements.

The Top Travel Club opened in mid-April 2008 offering thousands of top travel vouchers for travel in over 70 countries with around 150 travel operators onboard. Every week we add more travel operators with more choices for members. Currently you can get savings on accommodations, adventure travel, boat charters, culinary tours, hike, bike and dive tours, auto and RV rentals fishing lodges and guides, safaris, vacation rentals, single travel, women only and dude ranches. Members get the vouchers free of charge by paying an annual membership fee and non-members can buy the vouchers on the internet at Top Travel Sites at deeply discounted prices to the face-value. The future growth will include restaurants, travel clothing, travel insurance and the opportunity to access air ticket consolidators who want to deal directly with consumers.

The way I have travelled and the way I see travel is that consumers should have unlimited access to every travel opportunity with the ability to do their own due diligence or to find a professional who can offer quality advice and services at fair prices, and to find all of this without needing endless hours of searching.

To find out more about the new way of cost offsets for travel please go to The Top Travel Club and my apologies for some of the spelling (traveller / traveler) but that is what I was taught. As long as we all understand the meaning, vive le difference!

0 notes

naturecoaster · 6 years

Text

Sunset Landing Marina

Welcome to Sunset Landing Marina Established in 1958, as Korman’s Sunset Landing, this landmark business is one of Port Richey’s fondest places for many families of the past. Now, Sunset Landing Marina, will be keeping the memories and good times alive for future generations. Our family is dedicated to the community, maintaining an outlet for other families to have fun together. Recreational boating and fishing are terrific ways to have a happy and healthy lifestyle. So, the next time you think of getting out, think of boating out onto the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. We are open everyday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.. We celebrate Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. We are closed those days. Sunset Landing Marina is Pasco County Florida's #1 Marina for renting boats and Kayaks. The Marina offers boaters the ability to rent Pontoon Boats, Jon Boats, and Kayaks at some of the most affordable rates on the west coast of Florida and the entire Tampa Bay area. The location of Sunset Landing Marina is what sets it apart from other boat rentals & kayak rentals in the area. With easy access to the Gulf of Mexico you will spend more time out on the water enjoying the day with your family and friends. Many boaters enjoy visiting one of the areas most popular tourist attractions, Anclote Key State Park (access by boat only) and its neighboring Sand Bar. The State Park is known for its beautiful scenery and breathtaking and sunsets. BOAT RENTAL HOURS & PRICING HOURS 7:30 am - 4:30pm BOAT RENTALS PONTOON BOATS - Up to 7 People $35.00 PER HOUR PONTOON BOATS - Up to 10 People $45.00 PER HOUR NEW: 14' GLASS BOTTOM SKIFF Up to 3 people $30.00 PER HOUR JON BOAT - Up to 3 People $20.00 PER HOUR KAYAKS - SINGLES $26 FOR 4 HOURS CANOES - Up to 3 People $26 for 4 HOURS FISHING CHARTERS - Prices Vary ECO-TOURS - Prices Vary * ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR FUEL, OIL AND SALES TAX Bayou Business District We are a proud member of the Bayou Business District in the City of Port Richey. The combined efforts of the waterfront businesses is cultivating new and exciting features for the area. Residents and tourists are enjoying more activities within the district. The Bayou Business District promotes our area as an authentic destination. We advocate boating and fishing. We strive to present unique dining experiences for people to enjoy while upholding standards of excellence. The Cotee River is Our Gateway to the Gulf and yours to discover. Read the full article

0 notes

casualmondaycharters · 22 days

Text

Sailboat Charter Key West: Experience the Serenity with Casual Monday Charters

Imagine gliding across the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, the wind in your hair, and the sun warming your face as you sail through one of the most beautiful seascapes in the world. If this sounds like your idea of paradise, then a sailboat charter in Key West with Casual Monday Charters is the perfect way to turn that dream into reality. Why Choose Key West for Sailing? Key West, known…

View On WordPress

#boat tour #Eco Charters #Eco Charters in Key West #Key West private sandbar tour #Key West Private Sunset Charter #Key West Sandbar #Key West Sandbar Charter #Private Island Hopping Boat Trip #Sailboat Charter Key West #Sandbar Boat Tour #What is a Sandbar?

0 notes

casualmondaycharters · 1 month

Text

Eco Boat Tours - Casual Monday Charters

What is an eco friendly boat?

An eco-friendly boat is designed and operated with the intention of minimizing its environmental impact. This can involve various aspects, including the materials used in construction, the propulsion systems, and the maintenance practices employed.

Key Features of Eco-Friendly Boats

Sustainable Materials: Many eco-friendly boats utilize materials that are renewable or recycled. For example, some boats are made from flax fiber or incorporate recycled plastics in their construction 1.

Alternative Propulsion: Eco-friendly boats often use electric motors or hybrid systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Electric boats, for instance, are becoming increasingly popular, with some companies offering 100% electric models.

Energy Efficiency: These boats are designed to be energy-efficient, often incorporating solar panels or other renewable energy sources to power onboard systems.

Eco-Friendly Maintenance: The maintenance of eco-friendly boats emphasizes the use of non-toxic cleaning products and environmentally safe antifouling paints. Traditional antifouling paints can harm aquatic life, so alternatives that are less harmful are preferred.

Waste Management: Eco-friendly boating practices include proper disposal of waste, including sewage and graywater, to prevent pollution of waterways. Boaters are encouraged to use facilities that treat waste responsibly.

Conservation Practices: Eco-friendly boating also involves practices that protect marine ecosystems, such as avoiding damage to coral reefs and seagrass beds, and being mindful of wildlife 2.

Conclusion

In summary, eco-friendly boats represent a growing trend in the boating industry that prioritizes sustainability and environmental stewardship. By utilizing innovative materials and technologies, these boats aim to reduce their ecological footprint while still providing enjoyable experiences on the water.

#snorkeling tours near me #ecotour key west #sunset charters key west #best eco tours keywest #sunset tours near me #snorkeling trips #eco boat tours

0 notes

casualmondaycharters · 2 months

Text

Discover the Best Snorkeling Boat Tour in Key West with Casual Monday Charters

Key West, known for its stunning sunsets, vibrant culture, and crystal-clear waters, is a paradise for ocean lovers. Among the many activities this island city offers, snorkeling stands out as a favorite for locals and visitors alike. If you’re looking to explore the vibrant marine life that Key West has to offer, there’s no better way to do it than with a snorkeling boat tour. And when it comes…

View On WordPress

#boat tour #Eco Charters #Eco Charters in Key West #Key West private sandbar tour #Key West Private Sunset Charter #Key West Sandbar #Key West Sandbar Charter #Sandbar Boat Tour #What is a Sandbar?

0 notes

casualmondaycharters · 2 months

Text

Key West Sandbar Anchoring — How To Anchor and Sandbar Etiquette for a Stress-Free Excursion

It’s easy to think that anchoring at the sandbar involves nothing more than getting out there and dropping a big hook. But there are actually a lot of things you need to consider, things like getting off the sandbar after the tide goes out, not running out of frosty beverages (like these five great sandbar cocktails), and not let the boat drift away, leaving you stranded for the rest of your days on a deserted tropical island trying to make a phone out of a coconut. Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but a lot can happen out there. https://casualmondaycharters.com/

#boat rides in key west #key west private sunset charter #key west sandbar #eco charters #sandbar boat tour #key west private sandbar tour #key west sandbar charter #private island hopping boat trip #what is a sandbar?#eco charters in key west

0 notes

casualmondaycharters · 2 months

Text

Snorkeling Charters Near Me - Casual Monday Charters

Are snorkeling tours worth it?

The question of whether snorkeling tours are worth it depends on various factors, including personal preferences, experience level, and the specific destination. Let's explore some perspectives on this topic:

1. Access to Prime Snorkeling Spots: One advantage of joining a snorkeling tour is that they often take you to prime snorkeling spots that may be difficult to access on your own. Experienced tour guides know the best locations and can take you to areas with abundant marine life and vibrant coral reefs

2. Expert Guidance: Snorkeling tours usually provide the expertise of experienced guides who can enhance your snorkeling experience. They can offer insights into the marine life, point out interesting features, and ensure your safety in the water.

3. Convenience and Equipment: Snorkeling tours often provide the necessary equipment, such as masks, snorkels, and fins. This can be convenient, especially for those who don't have their own gear. Additionally, some tours may offer amenities like food and drinks, making the experience more enjoyable.

4. Learning Opportunities: Snorkeling tours can be educational, particularly for beginners. Guides can provide information about the marine ecosystem, marine species, and conservation efforts, enriching your understanding of the underwater world

5. Unique Experiences: Some snorkeling tours offer unique experiences that may not be easily replicated on your own. For example, certain tours provide access to hard-to-reach areas or take you to specific attractions like underwater caves or shipwrecks

6. Personal Freedom: On the other hand, snorkeling on your own allows you the freedom to explore at your own pace and choose your own snorkeling spots. It can be a more relaxed and flexible experience, especially if you have prior snorkeling experience and knowledge of good snorkeling locations

7. Cost Considerations: Snorkeling tours typically come with a cost, which can vary depending on the destination and the services provided. It's important to consider your budget and weigh the cost against the benefits and experiences you expect to gain

Ultimately, whether a snorkeling tour is worth it or not depends on your individual preferences, comfort level, and the specific circumstances of the tour. If you are new to snorkeling or want to explore unique locations with expert guidance, a snorkeling tour may be a great option. However, if you prefer more freedom and have the knowledge to find good snorkeling spots on your own, independent snorkeling can be equally rewarding.

#eco trips keywest #sunset boat key west #snorkeling tours near me #eco tours keywest #coral snorkeling key west #sandbar charters near me #sunset boat tours #sunset sail in key west #boat rides in key west

0 notes