10 Fireworks Photo Tips

With the holiday weekend approaching, it’s a great time to sit back with friends and family and take in some amazing aerial displays – fireworks.

But like many, your photos probably never come out as well as seeing it live. Well, maybe that’s changing. Check out these tips from Shutterfly.com photo blogger Rachel B. on taking some amazing fireworks photos:

1. Extra Memory Cards – the more photos you can take, the better chance you have of walking away with some great shots
2. Keep your finger on the button – prevent “camera shake” by not releasing the shutter button right away
3. Focus faraway – fireworks explode far away from you. To record them clearly, set your digital camera focus to infinity. If your digital camera has preset focus modes, look for the mountain icon either on a camera switch or in a menu
4. Tripod is a must – tripods are key in making your fireworks photos crisp. If you can’t bring a tripod, make sure you brace your camera, or your hands (holding the camera) on something solid
5. Location location location – location also plays an important role. Avoid streetlights that may outshine the brightness of the fireworks. Also choose a spot that’s not highly trafficked, in order to avoid people walking in front of your shot
6. No flash - using flash won’t do a thing for you
7. Higher ISO - try increasing your digital camera’s ISO setting from 100 to 200 (check your manual for details) in order to shorten exposure time. Your photo might look a little grainy, but this shouldn’t be too noticeable.
8. Filler – to fill the empty space of the night sky, try incorporating a landmark into your photo – a building, statue, etc
9. Angle it – try tilting your camera to add more variety/interest to your photo
10. High Exposure – to capture the full effect of those fireworks, set your camera’s exposure time (shutter speed) to between .5 and 4 seconds

Tips for Unpluging on Vacation

You have your iPhone, your BlackBerry, your Android. You have your laptop or netbook with wifi. It’s hard enough to unplug for the weekend…let alone an entire vacation. But for your own sanity and even that of your coworkers, you need to. There’s no reason to take a vacation only to spend it working. The beach might be great, but think about how much better it would be if your phone was left in your hotel room.

Vacations are meant to help employees recharge so they can return to work re-energized and refocused. But if you’re constantly checking in with the office, you won’t get a real break.

To help you unplug and look forward to your vacation, here are some tips:

Plan ahead. Coordinate your vacation time with your co-workers, team and other executive staff to ensure that things run smoothly while you’re out.

Designate your main point of contact and give them a detailed account of all your projects and work commitments along with your emergency contact information.

Try to leave the majority of your work-related hardware at home.

Inform your key accounts, vendors and clients when and how long you’ll be out of the office.

If you have a lot of projects that will need attention while you’re out, consider distributing your projects among your co-workers or team.

If you can’t resist the temptation to check in, try to set up specific times or days you will be checking messages.

Leave your mobile devices in your room so you can concentrate on family and friends and not be tempted to check in during the day.

If you receive urgent voicemails or emails while you’re out, ask your main point of contact troubleshoot the issue.

Remember, your health is important, and taking a vacation may be all the help you need. Caldwell Travel can handle all of your vacation planning, just contact us today!

Aventura Palace

The all-inclusive Aventura Spa Palace Resort invites you to take your body, mind and spirit on a journey that will at once purify, restore, and revitalize the senses. Ideally positioned in the heart of the Mexican Riviera Maya, where the tropical sun meets the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, the ultimate pampering experience awaits.

Recently our clients traveled to the Aventura Palace resort in the Mayan Riviera and had a very memorable and relaxing vacation.

A few words from our clients:
“AHHH – it was marvelous….thank you so much for setting us up in heaven!

We absolutely loved the all adult, all inclusive. You need to try the hot stone massage – well worth it. The facials were not, however. Our friends were sunburned and did the wrap – it was awesome too. Everything was absolutely perfect from the “smelly” cloth and drink when we arrived to the very last day of sunshine.

Of course, we want to go again.”

If you’d like to indulge yourself at the Aventura Palace in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, contact Caldwell Travel today!

Norwegian Epic

Mary recently tried out Norwegian’s newest, largest ship, the Epic. This brand new ship is massive, hip and magnificent. Mary said fondly of her time on the ship, “Our cabin was amazing, our balcony was the largest we ever had on a cruise ship. Norwegian Cruise Line has added so many new elements to cruising that we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed very much.”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest, largest and most innovative cruise ship ever. This is cruising re-imagined – with exclusives like Blue Man Group appearing at sea for the first time ever and the 200-foot Epic Plunge, the largest bowl slide at sea.

What’s Included?
From traditional fine dining to endless buffets with custom-order action stations, there is a host of delicious options included in your cruise fare. For an additional cover charge, you’ll have access to a world of possibilities including gourmet French, Japanese Teppanyaki, a traditional steakhouse and more – over 20 different dining options in all.

Blue Man Group, The Second City® comedy troupe, a state-of-the-art fitness center, the Aqua Park, hot tubs, climbing and rappelling walls, bowling alleys, bars and lounges of all kinds, a kid’s center, teen disco and more are all on board.

Flexible accommodations ranging from our new Studios designed and priced specifically for the solo traveler to the over-the-top opulence of Norwegian Epic’s Suites & Villas.

Video: Freestyle FUN                                                      Video: Blue Man Group

Video: Aqua Park                                                           Video: SVEDKA Ice Bar

Mary loved the Blue Man Group performance, the Cirque Du Soleil show, the laughter at the Second City Comedy Club, the music from the Jazz club, the chill at the Ice Bar, the Martini Club and so many more venues.

Dinning was an experience. Their favorite dinner was at the Le Bistro, the French restaurant, watching the sunset over the water. The Brazilian restaurant rivaled the best on land. There are so many restaurants and so many choices.

The Water Park is perfect for both adults and kids. Fun was had at the climbing wall, repelling wall, ice skating rink, and so many more activities. Such a wonderful cruise!

If you’d like to experience this amazing ship, or another cruise ship, contact Caldwell Travel. We’ll take care of all of the details so that you can relax and enjoy your vacation getaway!

Planning Your Road Trip Vacation

Summer road trips are a glorious part of American culture. They’re celebrated in books, songs and movies.

OK, forget that last one. “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Sideways” are road trip flicks, but they shouldn’t dissuade you from heading for the highway this summer with family and friends.

To survive (even enjoy!) a summer jaunt, first do some planning and know your road-tripping style. This applies whether you are traveling with family members, friends or your sweetheart.

Do you:
a) Move a well-packed car from Point A to Point B, with minimum road time and maximum destination time?
b) Choose a final destination then embrace a serendipitous journey, with summer festivals, impromptu picnics and unlimited road time along the way?

Remember that a road trip is different from vacations via airplane: Traveling to your destination is part of your vacation. In the summer, especially, there’s a good opportunity to … see different roadside locations, take detours, take scenic routes.

If you’re adventurous and head off a main route for side trips or to wander country roads, make sure you have a good map, GPS or app on your phone just in case you get lost, she says.

Caldwell Travel will handle the plans and details of your road trip vacation. Let’s hold a “where to go” discussion to find out likes and dislikes of your fellow vacation goers. Then let our vacation planners work out the framework and details (lodging, timing, finances, etc.) so that you can just simply ENJOY YOUR VACATION!

America’s Top 10 Sweetest Attractions

Travelers with a soft-spot for candy and hard-centered cynics alike will melt as they take in the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of these sweet spots, which include chocolate fountains, ice cream empires and jelly bean feasts. Summer vacations offer the perfect excuse to indulge in these sweet spots.

1. Tantalizing Treats: Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey, Pennsylvania
For the true chocoholic, a dazzling menu of sights and flavors awaits at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Travelers can hop on a free tour ride for a simulated journey through Hershey’s chocolate making process, package their own Hershey’s Kisses, or be immortalized on their very own chocolate bar at the Hershey’s Photo Bar Wrapper. And while school may be out for summer, visitors can further their education nonetheless; all participants who indulge in Hershey’s Chocolate Tasting Adventure receive an “Official Masters Degree in Chocolate Tasting” from Hershey’s University.

2. Colorful Confectionary: Jelly Belly Factory Tour, Fairfield, California
Travelers seeking a mouth-watering experience should look no further than number one, Jelly Belly Lane, home to the Jelly Belly factory. Free 40-minute walking tours offer visitors a taste of the candy-making process and reveal why it takes more than a week to make a single Jelly Belly jelly bean. Confectionary-enthusiasts can also enroll in Jelly Belly University and earn a degree in Beanology during the exclusive tour, which takes groups of just six participants to the very heart of the factory. Round off the experience with a pizza or hamburger—Jelly Belly-shaped, naturally—at the Jelly Belly café.

3. Goodies Galore: Food on Foot Tours, New York City, New York
“The World Famous Sweet Tooth Tour” may have the Big Apple as its backdrop, but it’s a distinctly fruit-free experience. This three-hour guided expedition takes in some of the city’s greatest spots for cookies, cupcakes, candy and more—and part of the fun lies in not knowing where the magical mystery tour of munching will move on to next. Those seeking a truly cool experience can also sign up for the two-hour “Ice Cream, You Scream” tour and satiate their appetites for the cold and creamy stuff.

4. Magical Munchies: M&M’s World, Las Vegas, Nevada
Situated next to Las Vegas’ MGM Hotel and Casino, this 28,000 square-foot, four-story retail-entertainment emporium could be just the ticket for travelers who have had their fill of slot machines. Candy fanatics can take in a free 3-D movie, “I Lost My ‘M’ in Vegas,” starring Red and Yellow, before they shop ‘til they drop and snack ‘til they pop. One-of-a-kind branded-souvenirs available for purchase include poker sets and snow globes, while candy dispensers containing every color of M&M’s imaginable, from fuchsia to aqua, are an irresistible sight for sore eyes and hungry tummies.

5. Icy Indulgence: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, Waterbury, Vermont
Ice cream lovers will melt at the prospect of scooping a spot on a tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. The 30-minute experience begins with a movie recounting the company’s history, before progressing to a mezzanine with a bird’s eye view across the production room, where a guide will share details of the ice cream manufacturing process. From late-May through October, travelers can also visit the Flavor Graveyard in the factory grounds, and pay their respects to dearly de-pinted flavors such as Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Purple Passion Fruit.

6. Decadent Delights: Gourmet Walks, San Francisco, California
For a guilt-free treat, work off the calories while walking the streets as part of “The San Francisco Gourmet Chocolate Tour.” The city may be best known for its fog and steep hills, but it’s also at the center of a new wave of artisan chocolatiers—and this three-hour guided tour will tantalize travelers’ taste-buds as they sample local flavors and receive tips on tasting. Stops are subject to change, but can include a Swiss chocolatier loved by Oprah Winfrey for its champagne truffles, a deluxe boutique featuring treats made by “the Dali of Chocolate Art” and even a newsstand that carries 225 chocolate bars from over 15 different countries.

7. Fizzy Fun: New World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia
This fizzy delight is situated in downtown Atlanta’s Pemberton Place, which takes its name from John S. Pemberton—the local pharmacist who invented Coca-Cola in 1886. Visits last 90-minutes on average, during which time travelers can explore the history of the world’s best-known brand, sample over 60 different products from around the globe, see the bottling line in action and check out the world’s largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia.

8. Fantasy Fountain: Bellagio Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
While Bellagio’s world-famous dancing fountains are a sight to behold, an altogether different type of drool-inducing fountain lies within the hotel. Jutting out from Jean-Philippe Patisserie is the world’s tallest chocolate fountain, as certified by Guinness World Records. The mesmerizing fountain of cascading chocolate stands at 27-feet tall and uses more than 2,100 pounds of dark, white and milk chocolate, to spellbinding effect. While a sturdy glass case prevents travelers from tucking in to the luscious liquid, the patisserie boasts plenty of other tempting delights to tickle travelers’ palettes.

9. Scrumptious Sweets: Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory, Daytona Beach, Florida
Travelers who have had their fill of Daytona Beach’s sand and surf can get a taste of traditional candy-making on a free tour of Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory. The local company, which has been operating since 1925, offers visitors the opportunity to see candy-makers doing things the old-fashioned way—and the sights, sounds, smells and tastes will overwhelm the senses. Following the short but sweet tour, which runs Monday through Friday and lasts around 20 minutes, tuck in to free samples of freshly-made chocolates while perusing the selection of goodies available for purchase.

10. Divine Desserts: Eli’s Cheesecake World, Chicago, Illinois
For travelers with a penchant for wickedly decadent desserts, Eli’s Cheesecake World will serve up a sensory-stimulating experience. The company’s Chicago-style baked cheesecake has been making its mark across the U.S. and beyond for 30 years, and during the course of a short guided tour of the award-winning bakery, visitors can learn about the history of Eli’s and its dessert-making process, in addition to seeing the decorating department at work.

Olympic National Park

Now that summer is officially upon us, I thought it would be an ideal time to write about a favorite summer travel destination: Olympic National Park. Located in the northwest corner of Washington state, this National Park is a true gem!

It is a large and diverse area that covers a rain forest, beaches on the Pacific ocean, large mountains and beautiful lakes and rivers.  Our Olympic National Park adventure began in the Hoh Rain Forest. I’m sure you’re thinking, “A rain forest in the Pacific Northwest?” I thought the same thing. But it’s true. This area of the National Park is very warm, and they get an average of about twelve feet (feet!!) of rain every year. There are several streams and rivers like the one pictured above that run clear with rain water runoff from nearby mountain.

There are some areas of the rain forest that look pretty normal, much denser vegetation that you would see in elsewhere, but nothing that makes you think that you’re in a rain forest. And then we went for a hike along the “Hall of Mosses” trail and saw scenes like the one above. There are ferns growing out of the side of trees. Almost every square inch of every tree in sight is covered in a moss or fern. Everything is very green. Intensely green.

Then we drove on Highway 101 headed back to the Pacific to enjoy the sunshine at Rialto Beach. The beach was rocky with tons of driftwood and sea stacks off the shore. It was wonderful feeling the sun on my face. We stayed for a while and had a picnic as well. When I was finally ready to give up the beach, we headed inland to Lake Crescent. I learned at a roadside placard that Lake Crescent is a glacial lake. It is 600+ feet deep and crystal clear. It was an absolutely gorgeous area and we kept pulling over to enjoy the views.

The large glacial lake that is crystal clear at the edges and then various shades of blue and blue grey in the center depending on the light. Very cold water, and pretty incredible shades of blue. This whole lake was carved out by a glacier millions of years ago and now it gets its water from nearby glaciers in the park.

Each one of these aspects would make for their own interesting National Park, and I haven’t even talked about the wildlife – there is a huge herd of Roosevelt elk that lives within the park – but when you combine all of these things into one National Park you get quite a visit. I was really impressed with the variety of the scenery and vegetation throughout our trip through the park. I plan to come back to Olympic National Park and do some hiking of the large mountains, that’s the only thing that we missed out on during our stay.

If you’d like to know more about Olympic National Park – or book a trip to experience it for yourself – please give us a call at 317-885-9788 or fill out one of our handy online web forms.

Tips For Families On The Go This Summer

The family vacation is a ritual of summer. While traveling with kids brings parents enormous amounts of joy, it also comes with a certain level of stress. Family travel expert, Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom, offers the following advice to make every trip stress-free.

TIP ONE
Pick a vacation destination that really, truly offers something for every family member – Look for hotels, resorts and getaways that have a wide variety of activities; golf for dad, spa for mom, structured kid’s clubs for children.

TIP TWO
Don’t overschedule your vacation – Our families are so busy. We balance school, jobs, homework, sports, dance and other activities all the time. Vacation is a time to relax and enjoy the down time.

TIP THREE
Kids are creatures of habit that don’t tell time – They know what is coming next because of the sequence, order and routine. Even on vacation go through the same steps surrounding bed time, meal time and potty time so the children know what to expect.

TIP FOUR
If traveling with another family, be very clear about everyone’s vacation expectations before you leave – Discuss how much time you plan to spend all together. Talk about all costs from meals to rental cars. Know if one team of parents is going to stay with the kids one night and let the other parents have an adult night.

TIP FIVE
Be prepared! Arm yourself with information about the place you are planning to visit. Most every city has a local visitor’s bureau, and their websites are loaded with information about the destination. Check out their sites to learn about family friendly activities, dining offers, special events and more.

TIP SIX
Make a boredom bag for a car trip – Take a hanging travel cosmetic case and fill each pocket with age appropriate activities; things like books on tape, hand held electronic games and self contained craft kits. Hang it from the seat back in front of where your child is sitting. This will keep everything organized and the young one from asking “are we there yet?”

TIP SEVEN
Sneak in an educational experience – We are never too old to stop learning! Visit hands on, kid friendly museums, walk in the footsteps of history or take a trip to aquarium. Learning can be lots of fun.

TIP EIGHT
Be loyal – Credit card companies, airlines, hotels, cruise lines and rental cars all reward their most devoted customers with special perks, from free upgrades to amenities in their hotel room. Some airlines don’t charge their premium members to check baggage and offer access to the most desired seats.

TIP NINE
Disconnect to reconnect – Our families are so wired in with technology that we miss the chance to talk to each other. Kids can stop texting, mom can stop with the cell phone and dad can stop with the blackberry so the family can enjoy each other.

TIP TEN
Contact your travel agent to save time and money – Purchase tickets to theme parks and other attractions ahead of time, and have them before you leave. That way you don’t waste valuable vacation time waiting in line to pay for admission.

Source: RISMEDIA, July 2010

Beach Burns

Before you head to the beach, the pool, or spend large amounts of time outside, you may want to know what the difference is between all of the new sunscreen options.

Something strange is happening in the sunscreen aisle. Shelves that had been stocked with bottles claiming an SPF, or a sun protection factor, of 30 now trumpet SPFs of 55, 70, even “110+.” This not-so-subtle escalation often comes with corollary pricing. Higher SPFs frequently cost more, but are they worth it?

Many dermatologists don’t think so.

“Once you get to SPF 50, it’s really getting silly,” said Boston dermatologist, James Spencer. “SPF refers to multiples of how much longer it takes the skin to burn,” but it isn’t a linear progression.

An SPF of 30 doesn’t offer twice as much protection as an SPF of 15, for example. An SPF 15 blocks 94 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 45 blocks 98 percent.

Spencer recommends sunscreens with an SPF of 30, as does the American Academy of Dermatology, “because we know you’re not going to put enough on.”

In fact, the academy found that most sunscreen users put on only half as much sunscreen as they should to get the product’s claimed SPF protection. Making matters worse is the fact that sunscreen doesn’t last all day and needs to be reapplied every few hours.

When packing for your beach vacation, don’t forget the sunscreen. When planning for your beach vacation, don’t forget to call Caldwell Travel. We are here and ready to help!

Source: RISMedia

Survey Results Are In

The results of its 2010 Summer Travel Intentions Survey have been announced. This year, the travel bug seems to be back as 75% of respondents are planning to travel the same amount or more as compared to 2009. And this summer, vacationers are most interested in hitting the sandy beaches, having plenty of sightseeing/cultural experiences and swinging a date with lady luck.

When asked what type of dream summer getaway is the most desired this year, it’s no surprise that a resounding majority chose beach getaways (37%) and cultural/sightseeing excursions (33%). To help the team at Travel Ticker continue to handpick just the right deals, they also found out specific destinations that summer travelers are aiming to visit most. Coming in at number one is sunny Las Vegas, followed closely by locales sure to please beachgoers or culture lovers.

Top 10 summer destinations chosen by survey respondents:
1. Las Vegas
2. New York
3. Caribbean
4. Europe
5. Hawaii
6. San Francisco
7. San Diego
8. Chicago
9. Boston
10. Washington D.C.

It’s great to hear directly from customers that they’re ready to travel again this year. Travelers can feel confident that our team of experts is always searching for deeply discounted, high-quality travel deals to all their desired destinations and more. Contact Caldwell Travel today!