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Archive for July, 2011

Boat Storage: Where You Store Your Boat Matters

No matter where you live at and how often you boat all boat owners must face the dilemma of finding boat storage sooner or later. Boat storage must be found before going on long trips when bad storms approach and when the winter starts to draw near. New boat owners often find this task intimidating and are not prepared to make a decision when the time comes. To avoid having to make a hasty last minute decision that could lead to your boat being seriously damaged or destroyed it is important that all boat owners begin planning for storage as soon as they purchase their new boat.

Many new and old boat owners choose to store their boats out of doors. Outdoors boat storage is popular with boat owners that have easy access to a lake where storing the boat on the lake or water is easiest and best. This will allow the boat owner and their family to have easy access to the water whenever they feel like taking a ride or going fishing. Having the boat stored outdoors on the water is extremely convenient and makes it easier to participate in last minute boat sports and water activities.

Boat owners who are not near the water or who are looking for long term storage solutions often store their boats on their own private property. In many areas this is usually the backyard. There are some areas in the southern United States where it is not uncommon to drive through an entire neighborhood and see dozens of boats sitting idle in backyards waiting to be used. Storing boats outdoors is usually done because of convenience and for financial reasons. Placing a boat outdoors on ones personal property is usually free and marinas and lakes usually do not charge much for boats to be docked permanently.

The downside to storing a boat outdoors is the elements. While many boat owners do not think the storage location of a boat is important at all there are others who have had their boats completely destroyed who will tell you differently. If an unexpected storm comes up and your boat is resting in the water it could easily be smashed to pieces right along side any other boat that is near it. When your boat is left sitting outdoors on your property overtime it will rust and deteriorate it as it is constantly exposed to inclement weather. This damage and deterioration will often lead to expensive repairs and in some cases it might be necessary to completely replace the boat.

An alternative to storing a boat outdoors is storing boats indoors at facilities that are specially designed for storing boats. These facilities are usually extremely close to local lakes and marinas making transportation back and forth easier to manage. In some cases the indoor storage facility will offer transportation assistance to their loyal customers. This is done to encourage boat owners to use their boats as often as possible without having to worry about the cost of transporting their boat back and forth between storage and lake front.

Indoor boat storage facilities are usually spacious offering boat owners the chance to properly maintain their boats. These storage facilities make it easy for boat owners to check their boats for damage and to even complete repairs. Some indoor facilities even boast their own mechanics making it easy for boat owners to hire someone onsite to complaint repairs to the boats. This space and feature becomes especially useful when a boat needs to be stored for long periods of time. Having an indoor storage space for your boat that can be used for repairs makes it easy to weather proof a boat before leaving it for a long period of time.

The major downside too many when it comes to indoor boat storage is the price. It can be extremely expensive to rent a large space for the storage of a boat. The price goes up if the storage facility offers climate control extensive security features and more benefits. Storage rates often increase along with the size of the boat making it extremely expensive to store large boats that are perfect for families. Even though the price of storing a boat indoors can be a deterrent for many it is often well worth the money. Indoor storage will help save you and your family money in the long run by helping to prevent deterioration that could lead to serious boat repairs being necessary in the future.

Even though it could be tempting to choose the cheapest boat storage option available this might not be the best choice for you or your boat. Where you store your boat can affect whether or not the boat you own remains in top condition for years to come.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Simply Self Storage What Could be Easier than Simply?

Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

The Top 10 Honeymoon Resorts

Are you looking to choose the perfect location for your honeymoon? With all the wonderful sounding options available from Hawaii to the Caribbean to the South Pacific it can be difficult to settle on one region let alone one resort or hotel. How do you even begin to choose? It can be overwhelming.

In order to help you narrow down your options I have compiled this list of the very best honeymoon resorts anywhere. These are resorts with topnotch service incredible facilities and some of the most incredibly romantic locations imaginable. Any one of these romantic hotels would provide you with an unforgettable honeymoon experience.

So let’s jump right in to my picks for the top 10 honeymoon resorts worldwide.

10. Tahiti InterContinental Resort Spa

Formerly the legendary Beachcomber Hotel this is known as the best hotel in all of Tahiti. Located on an incredibly beautiful and romantic lagoon the best rooms are overwater bungalows.

9. Anse Chastanet St. Lucia

Anse Chastanet is a small unique resort set in one of the most incredibly beautiful locations anywhere and perhaps the most romantic spot on St. Lucia. Overlooking the calm turquoise waters and the famed Piton Mountains this hotel with its West Indian architecture and amazing location is a wonderful spot for a honeymoon.

8. Galley Bay Antigua

This is actually an allinclusive resort but don’t think long buffet lines and hordes of tourists. Galley Bay is small quaint and incredibly intimate. The service is great the staff wonderful and it’s beachfront location is absolutely gorgeous.

7. Princeville Hotel Kauai Hawaii

Set on breathtaking Hanalei Bay the Princeville Hotel is truly naturally blessed. I really can’t think of a more beautiful location for a hotel. The golf is incredible and the island of Kauai is the most laid back and romantic of the Hawaiian isles. Princesville’s worldclass service and dining ensure your honeymoon here will be truly memorable.

6. Hotel Villa Del Sol Zihuatanejo Mexico

If you are looking for luxury accommodations in an outoftheway place look no further. The Hotel Villa Del Sol is a small excellent hotel set on the perfect bay in a wonderful artsy little town. I really love this hotel it has great service and beautiful facilities. It’s also close to the art galleries shops and restaurants of Zihuatanejo. A world away from Cabo or Cancun Zihuatanejo has a unique authentic flavor all its own.

5. Little Dix Bay St. John B.V.I.

The best place to stay in the wonderful British Virgin Islands unless you have the cash the rent out Sir Richard Branson’s private island Little Dix has everything you’d want in a perfect romantic resort great service stunning beaches and that laidback ambience that makes for the best honeymoons.

4. Four Seasons Hualalai Big Island of Hawaii

Possibly the perfect resort for honeymooners that love golf and even those who don’t this Four Seasons hotel has an amazing location world class golf courses and of course the level of impeccable service you’d expect from a Four Seasons property. The Four Seasons Hualalai might well be the best hotel in all of Hawaii.

3. Las Ventanas al Paraiso Cabo San Lucas Mexico

This place is simply elegant. Set in one of the most beautiful locations in all of Cabo Las Ventanas has worldclass service dining and accommodations. It’s the kind of place where you are likely to rub elbows with celebrities and the level of service is bound to make you feel like a movie star yourself.

2 Caneel Bay St. John U.S. Virgin Islands

Located in perhaps the most beautiful spot in the Caribbean Caneel Bay is my version of paradise. The waters here are the most stunningly beautiful anywhere in the world and the hotel itself is amazing too. Surrounded by a U.S. national Park Caneel Bay has an outoftheway feel yet it is a ferry ride away from the excitement of St. Thomas. Caneel Bay really has the best of both worlds. It’s a wonderfully romantic resort and the perfect place for a honeymoon.

1. Four Seasons Punta Mita Puerto Vallarta Mexico

This resort tops my list due to its excellent service perhaps the best anywhere. The location is amazing the grounds are impeccable the dining is worldclass the beach is great and the views are beyond description. But it is the service that truly makes this hotel my choice for 1 romantic resort. Here the wonderful staff will cater to your every need and ensure that you have the most amazing memorable and romantic honeymoon of all.

About the writer:  Scott Russell is a writer consultant frequent traveler and editor of Romantic Honeymoon Destinations a website were you can find information on all sorts of great romantic getaways including Hawaii Honeymoons and even destination weddings.

Plan On The Run: Last Minute Vacations

Many things happen in life which cannot be predicted. Depending on certain employment situations or unforeseen events in scheduling vacation time can be granted with short notice. In the grand scheme of things it does not matter why but is important to be able to take advantage of the time allotted. A bittersweet spot to find yourself in planning a vacation at the last minute is not an impossible task. Your initial reaction is a sense of dread that you will be stuck with a higher priced vacation because of the short notice. Also you may be kicking yourself for not planning ahead. Although planning a vacation at the last minute is not ideal there may be good news. Last minute vacations can bring bargains not found in other situations.

It Is All Part of the Package

Trying to get a flight at the last minute can be intimidating. Stress becomes more prevalent when people are rushed and trying to book a flight and hotel reservation at the last minute can definitely produce some stress. When you are short on time you may feel that you are at the mercy of whatever you find. Even though your choices may be limited there are still ways to save money on your vacation.

By purchasing a deal that combines your flight with lodging some savings can be made. Open seats on airplanes can be tied into other parts of a vacation package and when bought as a single unit are sold at a discounted price. Not only will you end up with a booked flight that is cheaper than it would be were you to buy it on its own but you will already have your lodging and possibly a rental car booked for your vacation. Finding a great package deal at the last minute is very possible and a great way to use the brief time available when planning a vacation at the last minute.

Booking a Hotel Room at the Last Minute

Booking a hotel room can be complicated process even if you have plenty of time to work with. Any complications or complexities are of course heightened if time is a factor. Your best bet is to shop around online. In many cases if you cannot find a package deal and are forced to book a hotel room separate from your flight arrangements your choices may be increased but so will the price.

This may seem like a dire situation but all is not lost. In fact seeking the best price on a room at a great hotel can actually be easier at the last second. Contact the hotel shortly before you would like to stay there and ask if they have any openings. Hotels often offer rooms at a discounted price close to your chosen stay when they are still available.

As you scramble to make vacation plans at the last minute it is crucial to have a backup plan in place. Find an inexpensive hotel close to your vacation destination and book a room there. Make sure that this particular hotel allows for late cancellations. By booking a room at a cheaper hotel you can make sure that you will have someplace to stay. This way your bases are covered and you stand a very good chance of getting a great deal on the hotel in which you would to prefer to stay.

The Joy of “Cruising” For Deals

Booking a vacation at the last minute is never a lost cause even if the vacation desired is a cruise vacation. People tend to book cruises ahead of time. Oftentimes they are booked far in advance. This would make it seem as though there is little hope for the last minute cruise enthusiast but this is not true. Although cruises tend to be booked early sometimes reservations are cancelled shortly before the actual cruise. Cruise companies have a need to fill their ships with as many vacationers as possible. The more vacationers they can occupy their cruise ships with the better. In order to get these open spots filled cruise companies may offer reduced rates. Your position as a last minute vacationer can give you access to these last second sales and send you on a dream cruise without breaking the bank.

Always Ask Questions

It is important to point out that just because you are in a special situation these potential deals may not be instantly offered to you. Asking the right questions is the best way to find out what is available. You may wind up being pleasantly surprised at the deals available but only if you ask questions and are persistent. Stick to your guns and remember that sometimes airlines hotels and cruise companies find themselves in last minute jams similar to your situation.

Planning a last minute vacation can be stressful but it does not have to be. Now that you know that there are many possibilities available and even some advantages to planning a vacation at the last minute this process should go a bit more smoothly. It is possible to find great deals in any circumstance. Make sure to stay positive ask questions and try not to get stressed out. And most importantly enjoy your vacation!

About the writer:  Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights.