Whats New at Universal Orlando®
January 2, 2009
Mike and Kim from Universal Orlando® talk about Universal Orlando® Resort. This spectacular vacation destination encompassing two most amazing theme parks side-by-side, Universal Studios® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure®, Universal CityWalk®, and three world-class on-site hotels , the Universal Orlando® Hotel, the exciting Hard Rock Hotel®, or the exotic Loews Royal Pacific Resort.More details at Travel Impressions.com
Book Universal Orlando® online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: To book, log on to Quest.
Travelers: To book, search our locator to find a Travel Agency.
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Blue Curacao?
January 2, 2009
Okay, so this travel blog assignment comes down the pike and the word around the campfire is that I’m going to interview people when they come back from their trips. It’s funny. I thought they knew that I wanted to see the sugar sand beaches for myself and maybe get a spa treatment and eat some gourmet food while I was at it. So because they won’t let me leave my cube, I’ve decided that the blog will be called “The Inside Traveler”. I can now look forward to hearing about the beauty of the Caribbean from my coworkers even more than I did before. They’ll watch me salivate as they tell me detailed accounts of amazing cuisine, adventurous excursions, beautiful architecture, fascinating culture and breathtaking sunsets. Awesome- can’t wait!
So this entry is about an interview I did with my Director who just got back from Curacao. When I got the assignment, the first thing I thought of was an Electric Margarita… let me tell you why. I bar tend at night and we have this bitter orange flavored liquor at my bar called Blue Curacao. It tastes exactly the same as Triple Sec, but it has blue food coloring in it. Every time I look at it, I immediately think of all of those Caribbean cocktails, frozen and otherwise, that are just made to be consumed while on a beach chair and from what I’ve heard, this totally captures the vibe of this island.
When I sat down with my Director she told me all about her fabulous four days on this diverse island paradise and it sounded so beautiful and romantic. She spoke of the colorful Dutch architecture, the unique local dialect and the immediate sense of community she felt upon arrival. As this was her first trip to Curacao, I asked her what misconceptions were broken down for her and she plainly said, “There is nothing cookie-cutter about this destination.”
I think a lot of people look at the Caribbean as one big beach with little variation between islands and the more people I talk to, the more I realize that this is a total fallacy. What really seems to set Curacao apart is a population of less than 192,000 and a 96% literacy rate, making it a melting pot of language and culture. Going to one of the island’s many amazing restaurants and finding that your server speaks 4 languages is not uncommon. Curacao really is one of the hidden gems of the Caribbean, plus it’s affordable too! Many of the hotels capture the island feel with open air lobbies and the service is very good island wide. Because the hotels vary their décor to suit the tastes of all different travelers, you can have thatched roof cabaña style accommodations next to traditional Dutch architecture. Next to that you’ll have an ultra modern spa resort beside a luxurious high rise hotel. There really is something for everyone and I wish I could have been there to see it all.
I’m curious to see where they’ll send me next… I mean send someone else and have me write about it. Keeping in mind that I am not the only one who is not able to travel, please use me to travel vicariously through others and gain knowledge. This way you can plan the vacation of a lifetime to a destination that really fits your tastes and budget.
Book Curacao and the Caribbean online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: To book, log on to Quest. Travelers: To book, search our locator for a travel agency nearest you.
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