Archive for December 10th, 2008

Aspen Nightlife The Crystal Palace

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

If you like comedy, you should visit The Crystal Palace. This Aspen landmark was established in 1957, and has been offering quality dining with satire comedy ever since. The interior of the restaurant is done in a Victorian style, with beautiful stained glass windows, sparkling chandeliers, and vintage furnishings.

If you take politics very seriously, this may not be the type of comedy you enjoy. The majority of the comedy acts and musicals have a political slant to them, and the staff performs most of the acts. The Crystal Palace is located in the heart of downtown Aspen, on Hyman Avenue.

The food is the best you can find anywhere. Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb, Fish, Seafood, and Roast Duckling are served. Dont make the mistake of just showing up call ahead for reservations. The Crystal Palace is open Tuesday through Sunday in the evening for dinner and a show. You should definitely make it a point to eat here at least once while you are on your Aspen vacation, as this is a traditional part of Aspen nightlife for locals and guests.

Need to Take a One-Way Flight? Why You Should

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Need to Take a One-Way Flight? Why You Should Examine Privately Chartered Jets

Are you preparing to take a trip in the near future? If so, will your trip need to be a roundtrip or a one-way trip? Although most travelers need to take roundtrips, there are some who are only in need of a one-way trip. If you are able to take a one-way trip, you may want to think about chartering a private jet, instead of flying commercially.

When it comes to the chartering of a private jet for one-way trips, there are many travelers, just like you, who wonder why they should charter a jet. One of the many reasons why you may want to think about chartering a private jet for your next one-way trip is because of privacy. When you charter a private jet, you and your predetermined passengers, if there are any, will be the only individuals aboard the aircraft, aside from the crew. This means that you get to travel in comfort alone. There is no having to deal with unpleasant flight attendants, screaming children, or unhappy passengers. This, alone, is enough reason to seriously think about chartering a private jet for your next one-way trip.

While being able to travel alone is a great reason for chartering a private jet for your next one-way trip, it is not the only reason why you should. In fact, there is an even bigger reason, the price. Although privately chartered jets are often associated with expensive tastes, it is more than possible for you to find a relatively low-cost or affordable private jet chartering company to do business with. There are a number of companies that regularly charge low or competitive rates, for all different types of travels. These types of companies are the ones that you may want to examine first, when looking for a private jet chartering company to do business with.

In addition to companies that regularly charge low or reasonable rates for the chartering of a private jet, it is also possible to find companies that offer specials on one-way trips. That is why you are urged to give a private jet charter a quick glance if you are only in need of a one-way ticket, instead of roundtrip travel reservations. Although a large number of private jet chartering companies offer deals or specials for one-way travel, not everyone does. Despite not being offered, one-way discounted chartering trips are worth looking into, as they may be able to save you a considerable amount of money.

When it comes to discounted one-way charters, you will find that your estimated date of travel, as well as your destination plays a role in the discount, if any, is offered. As it was previously mentioned, a large number of individuals only need to make one-way travel arrangements. Although private jet chartering companies will take these types of reservations, they can sometimes lose money when doing so. For instance, if the private jet chartering company is located in New York, but a customer makes reservations to charter a flight to Texas, that plane will have to return to New York. If that plane returns empty, the jet charting company is often losing money, as they are flying with dead weight. Losing money is frowned upon by any business, not matter what the type. That is why many chartering companies offer discounts on one-way returning flights.

As it was mentioned above, not all jet chartering companies offer discounts on one-way flights, but it is relatively easy to determine. Simply visit a jet chartering companys online website or place a call to their offices and you should instantly be able to know if you can save money by booking your one-way travel arrangements though a jet chartering company.

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Hawaiian Luau

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

No Hawaiian vacation would be complete without attending a luau. The word luau really just means a party or a celebration. Typically in ancient Hawaiian culture luaus were given to celebrate the birth of a child or a wedding. These days the word luau has become a household name all across the United States. When we think of a luau today, we think of those cheap plastic lays and those silly plastic tiki cups. Oh, but a luau is so much more. In Hawaii there are two basic types of luau. The first type closely resembles that of the original type of luau. This is a private gathering of friends and family for a celebration.

The second type of luau is a commercial luau open to the public and what we tourists typically visit. While in the state of Hawaii there will be many different luaus to choose from. They are basically all the same, with a few different high points. Arriving guests are greeted with a fresh flower leu. The entertainment is usually choreographed and top notch, complete with hula dancers and fire eaters. Sometimes the guests provide some of the entertainment themselves. It’s always fun watching grown men wear hula skirts and try to learn this complicated dance. There are different options for food and drink as well. I myself prefer the open bar type. The food is usually a buffet, consisting of a roasted pig or perhaps some sort of roast beef, rice, and of course the Hawaiian staple…pineapple.

I have to mention some of the best known luaus and those with the best reputation. While in Maui, the Old Lahaina Luau is the one not to be missed. This is the most authentic Luau on the island. The hula dancers are superb and the food is of the highest quality. The other luaus available in Maui are usually done at the resorts and lack the realism of Old Lahaina. Because of it’s popularity, the Old Lahaina Luau does require reservations. In fact, I would recommend that you make your reservations before you even leave for Hawaii.

While visiting the big island, again there are a plethora of options to choose from. Kona seems to be a popular town for the luau. King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel offers a Luau with a shell lei greeting, and a torch lighting ceremony. Check with the hotel for luau days. On the mornings of luaus spectators can watch the hotel staff bury the pig in the sand and begin roasting.

The island of Kaui offers a couple of luau’s of its own. Both the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort and the Kilohana Plantation have nice luaus complete with open bars, fire eaters and of course, hula dancers.

Whichever island or islands you choose to visit while in Hawaii, a Hawaiian luau is a must. Whether the gorgeous hula girls are your thing (scantily clad Polynesian dancers for the ladies) or you are just there for the food, a luau is sure to please.

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