Travel Blog

The holiday travel season is quickly approaching.  But no worries if you still haven’t finalized your travel arrangements – we’re here to help!

The first thing you must decide is on is your destination. In making this important decision, you must ask yourself the following question: Do you want to bask in the warm sun and relax on the beach, or would you rather spend your time zooming down the side of a snow-covered mountain?

If the tropical getaway sounds more your style, a great destination is the Dominican Republic, specifically Punta Cana which has been a tourist favorite since the 70s. In November and December the average temperature in Punta Cana is 84 degrees and 82 degrees respectively, so you’re sure to enjoy some excellent weather. Another great thing about Punta Cana is the wide variety of things to do, with activities available for the whole family. The area’s beautiful beaches are prime for scuba diving, snorkeling, and horseback riding, and golfers of all skill levels love the different courses available throughout this highly popular tourist destination. Oh, and don’t forget about the vibrant nightlife!

Perhaps you’d prefer a ski vacation. If so, you should definitely look into visiting Aspen, Colorado, renowned for its world-class downhill skiing and snowboarding. Be sure to wear lots of layers, as the average temperature throughout November and December are in the 30s. One thing to keep in mind is that the town of Aspen is located 8,000 feet above sea level, so the weather can be hard to predict. In regards to this, The Official Online Guide to Aspen recommends always bringing the following:

1. Sunscreen
2. Sunglasses
3. Fleece, lightweight layers
4. Lug-soled shoes
5. Lip protection

While skiing is the main attraction, there are many other things to do in Aspen such as hiking, ice-skating, snowmobiling, or simply enjoying the view.

So there you have it, folks – which winter vacation will YOU choose? Sun? Or Ski?

If you like most Americans you’re probably thinking “who wants to go the Dead Sea”? Believe it or not it’s one of the most visited landmarks in the Mediterranean area, not only for its unique features, but because people around the world believe that it has unique healing properties for both body and skin. It’s almost a natural spot and another self, it is one of the few places in the world where you never have to worry about drowning because the salt water will always keep you on top.

Let’s get the statistics out of the way first. The Dead Sea is bordered by both Jordan and Israel. It is considered the lowest elevation on the Earth’s surface, at around 1385 feet below sea level. It’s considered a hyper saline lake, which means a landlocked lake not fed by a major ocean, and it’s one of the salt is bodies of water and the world. There are no fish or other animals living in the Dead Sea because of its salinity, which is why it’s known as the Dead Sea. It’s been named as one of the new seven wonders of nature around the world.

It’s a place with a lot of history. Many of the most famous names in biblical history spent time at the Dead Sea including King David, King Herod, and Cleopatra. They visited for the same reasons that people go now, to bask themselves in the salts in the rich black mud of the Dead Sea. The water and surrounding minerals are rich and chloride salts of magnesium, potassium, bro mine, and other things that many feel promote healing and relaxation. It’s also close to the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ.

There are some other things to do in the Dead Sea area other than just sitting in the Dead Sea. There are hot springs in the area that people like to go in for a bit of relaxation. There are many major motels, and there’s even a golf course that was named for Sodom and Gomorrah. There’s Kalia Beach, which has a water amusement park, water slides, and the largest go-kart track in Israel. There’s Qumran National Park, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. There is a nature reserve known as Einut Zukim. And there are desert tours and rockclimbing in an area known as Metzoke Dragot.

Considering a vacation to the Dead Sea isn’t so far-fetched after all.