Thrills & Chills Travel

Thrills & Chills Travel
Making Magical Memories One VACATION At A time

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Where To Next

 

 

Thrills & Chills Travel

Making Magical Memories One VACATION At A Time
Specializing in Disney & Group Vacations




Where to next?



Travel has always been an exciting part of our life. Thrills & Chills has recently established itself and we wanted to introduce ourselves to you.

 Thrills & Chills offers complete travel services that range from the simplest of travel plans to some of the most sophisticated travel itineraries.  We specialize in Disney & Groups with YOU in mind.  Our company is dedicated to bringing you the finest quality of service at some of the lowest rates in the industry.

We make it our priority to ensure that our customers are completely satisfied.  That is why we wanted to introduce ourselves. Please give us a call and introduce yourself, we'd love to hear from you. 

Once again, we welcome you to our services and we look forward to taking you to new places in the future.


Warmest Regards,

Ms. Sherita Shepard
Thrills & Chills Travel
(313) 278-8258

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Failure NOT an option

Las Vegas Strip

Thrills & Chills Travel ~ Making Magical Memories One VACATION At A Time

Las Vegas Strip Could Run Dry by 2021


Image courtesy of http2007 via flickr
While the odds of winning it big in Las Vegas may still be (excruciatingly) low, the odds that the bustling Strip will run dry in 13 years are getting better by the day. A new study by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography estimates there is a 50% chance the Strip will run out of water by 2021 if no significant cutbacks are made - and a 10% chance it could run out as soon as 2014.Las Vegas currently gets most of its water - around 90% - from Lake Mead, one of the U.S.'s largest man-made lakes and reservoirs, which is located on the Colorado River. As Adam Tanner reports, Tim Barnett, a marine research physicist and a co-author on the study, believes climate change, evaporation and strong demand have all contributed to the problem. "The biggest change right now is taking more water from the bucket than we are putting into it," Barnett told Tanner.
How soon the water runs dry will depend on the natural fluctuations of the Colorado River, Barnett explained. Officials at the Southern Nevada Water Authority are scrambling to find alternate sources as they warily embraced the study's results; urban consumers alone shouldn't be made to bear the weight of higher conservation measures, a spokesman said, explaining that agriculture still accounts for a large proportion of the water's use.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Best Vacations in 2013

Thrills & Chills Travel ~ Making Magical Memories One VACATION At A Time

 

Travel’s Best Vacations in 2013

Grab a pen, paper and your gumption; it's time to draw up your New Year's resolutions: This year, resolve to travel. As the calendar shifts to 2013, look forward to the destinations that will be leaving their mark on travelers. An array of locations for people of discerning, if varied, tastes await exploration, from an up-and-coming adventure-filled hot spot in the Caribbean to a nation of remote islands still pristine and untouched by the hands of mass tourism. Read on to discover our picks for the 5 trendiest destinations of 2013.
Gulf Coast, USA 
Gulf Coast, USA

The Gulf Coast is seeing a resurgence as it slowly recovers from the horrific 2010 BP oil spill, and once again, its sandy coastline and calm, warm waters are beckoning travelers to the region. Stretching from the Florida Panhandle down through Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, the Gulf Coast draws visitors hoping to explore its windswept dunes, quirky beach towns like Destin, FL, rollicking casinos such as Mississippi's Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, and incredible Cajun-Creole seafood shacks and restaurants.

Plan your trip to include a visit to one of the Gulf Coast's most exciting town, New Orleans, during Mardi Gras, its most epic of parties. Enjoy a stroll down Bourbon Street (and treat yourself to some cocktails while there), checking out the Dixieland jazz played at many local bars, then tuck into a meal at some of New Orleans's finest restaurants, like Arnaud's. After treating yourself to some time in the big town, relax along the silken sand beaches and windswept dunes of the so-called "Redneck Riviera," exploring towns such as Pensacola Beach, FL, and Gulf Shores, AL.
Christchurch, New Zealand 
Christ Church, New Zealand

After the tragic earthquakes that leveled great swaths of this city in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch, New Zealand, is bouncing back with a vengeance, reclaiming its rightful reputation as a quirky, urban enclave known for embracing New Zealand's rural charms at spots like the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Though the ruins of the town's much-loved Anglican cathedral will soon be demolished, other popular spots are still alive and well, including the Canterbury Museum, which highlights Maori arts and history, and the Avon River, where visitors can go "punting," or be rowed along the slow-moving river in small boats typically manned by local students.

Many of the town's hottest retailers and even a few bars and cafes have been relocated to Re:START, a pop-up shopping development near the City Mall that features nearly 30 shops, such as Scorpio Books and Revival bar. Also rebuilding and thriving in post-quake Christchurch are the city's craft beer and food scenes. Join the hipsters as they toss back beers at Cassels & Sons Brewery and the Twisted Hop, then enjoy some ethnic grub at The Bodhi Tree, a Burmese restaurant, or the Lotus Heart, a Thai restaurant. For a real local's experience, ogle the produce while wandering the Christchurch Farmers’ Market, held every Saturday off Kahu Road.
Dominican Republic 
Dominican Republic

Perhaps you've begun to hear murmurs among your friends or family of trips planned to the once-obscure Dominican Republic. It wouldn't be a surprise, as more and more travelers have discovered the country's beach resorts, mountains, staggering cliffs and peaceful lagoons. In the first quarter of 2012 alone, the DR, as it's known, saw an 8.4% increase in tourism, and most major airlines now offer flights to one or more of the DR's 8 international airports. Cruise lines have made the DR a popular port of call, and a number of new hotels and resorts are slated to open in 2013, including the Westin Puntacana Resort.

The Dominican Republic is also an outdoor adventurer's paradise, home to white-water rafting on the Yaque del Norte River, paragliding from Alto del Guayabo mountain and horseback riding along Punta Cana's white-sand beaches. Above all, visit the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua for breathtaking hiking, swimming and photo ops. The Dominican Republic remains one of the Caribbean's most affordable destinations, though we recommend you get here fast, before the crowds grow much larger, and the prices subsequently grow higher.
Solomon Islands 
Solomon Islands

If you've ever daydreamed about what Fiji's islands might have been like in their natural state before becoming overrun with ultra-luxe resorts, pay a visit to the heavenly Solomon Islands in 2013, before they, too, see the dawn of a tourism boom. The Solomon Islands are often best-known to Americans as the site of fighting during World War II, and many islands and dive spots have names to reflect the battles, such as Kennedy Island, where Lt. John F. Kennedy and his crew swam for safety after a Japanese destroyer crashed into their patrol boat. Many of the islands remain largely undeveloped, swathed in jungles, lined by beaches and surrounded by vibrant coral rings.

Accommodations, such as the bungalows at Fatboy's Bar and Restaurant Resort, are sufficient, but barebones. Volcanoes and rainforest-covered mountains are also the norm in these parts, lending a stunning backdrop to aquamarine waters and white-sand shores. The Solomons are a diver's paradise, and the surrounding waters make for fascinating underwater exploration, teeming with exotic and colorful fish, brilliant corals, and even a slew of WWII ship and plane wrecks.

Because the islands remain untouched by the reaches of mass tourism, traveling here can still be difficult. There are no direct flights to Henderson Airport in Honiara, the islands' only international airport, and additional domestic flights or boat rides are often necessary to reach your final destination. But the extra travel time is worth it for the end result: a vacation in a pristine natural wonderland.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
 

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The start of 2013 marks an epic year of milestones for Amsterdam -- and no, we're not talking about the expected ban on marijuana sales to tourists that's had so many people in a tizzy. The Dutch city will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of its famed Canal Ring, which has given Amsterdam the moniker, "Venice of the North." In 2013, Amsterdam also marks the 175th birthday of the Artis Royal Zoo, the nation's most famous zoo, which houses 900 species of animals.

Additionally, after years of extensive renovation, the iconic Rijksmuseum will reopen in spring 2013, showcasing 800 years of Dutch history and art in 80 restored halls. The upcoming year is also the 125th anniversary of both the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Concertgebouw concert hall. Also of interest to visitors is the 160th birthday anniversary of the Dutch master Vincent van Gogh, and the 40-year anniversary of the popular Van Gogh Museum, which is also reopening after renovations.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Top 10 Golf Courses Oahu

Thrills & Chills Travel ~ Making Magical Memories One VACATION At A Time

http://paradise.agenthub.net/

Top Ten Golf Courses On Oahu Offers A Delightful Variety of Venues

by admin on October 5, 2009
Oahu Golf

Links Are Suitable For Beginners As Well As Experts

Oahu has more than three dozen golf courses, and many are located just a short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki. Spectacular ocean and mountain views are common, and the well-manicured courses are suitable for beginners as well as experts.
With Hawaii’s pleasant temperatures in the 70s and 80s, golfing on Oahu is a truly enjoyable experience.  Here are some of the most enjoyable golf courses on Oahu.

Ewa Beach Golf Club (808-689-8351; 91-050 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach)
Robin Nelson designed this golf course amidst kiawe trees and Hawaiian cultural sites. The course is well manicured with challenging fairways and plenty of bunkers. Hole number 13 is a signature hole covering 187 yards (par 3) and requiring a tee shot that faces straight into the wind while going over water. The course is located on the Ewa Plain is suitable for pros as well as average golfers.

Koolau Golf Club (808-236-4653; 45-550 Kionaole Road, Kaneohe)
Set beneath the majestic Koolau Mountains on the windward side, the Koolau Golf Course has won many praises from Golf Digest Magazine (best Oahu golf course) and Golf Magazine (top 100 golf courses). The holes are long and challenging with lots of sand bunkers and other hazards. This is not an ideal course for beginners but is a wonderful course for experienced golfers. Considered by some to be the hardest golf course in the United States, the Koolau course features extreme elevation changes as it winds through ravines. There are great views and also waterfalls
.
Ko Olina Golf Course (808-676-5309; 92-1220 Aliinui Drive, Kapolei)
Ted Robinson designed this 640-acre oceanfront course in Kapolei on Oahu’s western shore, making it very challenging yet also scenic and enjoyable. Ka Olina Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course that is notable for its landscaping including waterfalls, and there are no parallel fairways. On hole 12 you get to drive your cart behind a waterfall. This is a very well-maintained course but it can be quite pricey. If you do some digging you can find some deals and special discounts.

Pali Golf Course (808-296-2000; 808-266-7612; 45-050 Kamehameha Highway)
Located about seven miles from Honolulu, this undulating hillside course on the Oahu’s windward side is as picturesque as it is challenging. Windy and wet conditions are common. Set beneath the stunning Koolau Mountain Range, the views are wonderful and also include a vista of Kaneohe Bay. Hole 9 has a wonderfully-framed view of a pali pinnacle.

Ala Wai Golf Course (808-733-7384; 404 Kapahulu, Waikiki)
Locals love this 6,208-yard course which is one of the most popular in all of Hawaii – up to 500 players a day try their luck on this course. Designed by Donald MacKay, this relatively flat course is located just across the Ala Wai canal from Waikiki, and it gets plenty of tradewinds. The Ala Wai Golf Course opened in 1931, and though it provides plenty of challenges the course is suitable for recreational players as well as serious golfers.

Hawaii Kai Championship Golf Course (808-395-2358; 8902 Kalanianaole Highway, Maunalua)
This lovely golf course is located about 13 miles from Waikiki in east Honolulu. Known for its narrow fairways, sand bunkers, and windy conditions, this is a championship course that is also suitable for beginners. From every hole there are great ocean views. Hawaii Kai also has a shorter executive course.

Makaha Resort Golf Club (808-695-9544; 84-626 Makaha Valley Road, Waianae)
Located in beautiful Makaha Valley beneath Mt Kaala, this golf course on Oahu’s wesern shore has 107 bunkers and 8 water hazards. The course spans the rugged Waianae Mountain cliffsides. The winds can be extremely challenging here. An easier course is located nearby.

Olomana Golf Links (808-259-7926; 1801 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo)
Located on Oahu’s windward side, Olomana Golf Links is set beneath the scenic Koolau Mountains. The first nine holes are very different than the second nine, with the front of the course having level fairways and lots of water hazards, while the back nine covers rolling hills and has lots of sand bunkers.

The Golf Courses at Turtle Bay (808-293-8574;57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku)
These two north shore golf courses – the (Arnold) Palmer Course and the George Fazio Course – provide challenging, high-quality golf at the northern tip of the island.
The Palmer Course (also called The Links at Kulima) moves from the sunny and sandy front nine in the Scottish style, to a back nine through forested areas including a wetland bird sanctuary. This was the site of the LPGA Tour SBS Open at Turtle Bay – there are five tees on each hole providing varying challenges for different player levels. The 17th green sits atop a plateau near the sea.
The George Fazio Course is known for its sculpted greens, large bunkers and wide, generous fairways. The courses span over 880 acres on Oahu’s beautiful north shore. The Fazio Course has hosted the LPGA Tour’s Hawaiian Open, and was the site of the first Senior Skins Game that included Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Gary Player, and Sam Sneed.

Hawaii Prince Golf Course (808-944-4567; 91-1200 Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach)
Arnold Palmer designed this course that is associated with the Hawaii Prince Hotel and has great views of the rain-eroded Waianae Mountains. Very popular among Japanese visitors, the Hawaii Prince Golf Course consists of 27 holes – three interchangeable nines – amidst a great deal of water, very tight fairways, and well-placed bunkers. The course can get windy but is fairly flat, providing some considerable challenges.