MJGB Travel

25/11/2018

GRAND CANYON / JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Without a doubt, life takes a toll on you mentally and you need to unwind and take some time for yourself/family. That means it's time for a vacation! Not a National Lampoon, pack the car and trek across country vacation, but one that lets you unwind and relax. Unless you are that special someone that loves to drive, this means flying! Before you can just jump on a plane and go, you have to do a little research.

We've made that a lot easier with www.mjgbtravel.com. Determine a location and use the website to find yourself the best deal available!

We want recommend two must see's. We're sure you will not be disappointed, ask anyone who has been here, these are some of the best vacation spots in the USA!

1.) The Grand Canyon - Rarely does a place exceed expectations, the Grand Canyon will. This is one place that you cannot describe. A must see for every living person on the planet. It's guaranteed you will feel small standing on the rim. While the Great Lakes of the mid west and the world's oceans are larger in scale. You really view these objects in 2D. Now obviously that's not true, but they provide no depth of perception. Visit the Grand Canyon and you will now exactly what I mean. You'll leave speechless. Guaranteed!

Check out the resorts in the area or ride a mule down to camp on the canyon floor. There is something here for everyone; luxury to roughing it. A day time stop to a week long getaway. Cross it off your list this year!

2.) Joshua Tree National Park - A camper's delight! But be prepared, day and night time temperatures can vary by as much as 40 degrees during certain times of the year. That shouldn't keep you away. Hiker's could walk for days inside of Joshua Tree. For those that have not spent a lot of time in the high desert, the scenery is breath taking! From the awkward Joshua Tree's that the nearby city and National Park get their name from, to the rock formations and desert plant life; there is beauty all around.

It's also in a very remote location, so you won't be fighting lines of tourists once you've made it through the entrance. It's on the route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas so it something perfect to include on a trip to either.

When you go, check out Pappy and Hariett's in Pioneer Town too! The best steak's in California, and you never know when a popular LA music band might be starting out a west coast tour there. It's a famous first stop.

Plan a trip there today!
www.mjgbtravel.com

Compare Best Travel Deals mjgbtravel.com provides the ultimate travel shop for all of your holiday needs. Compare thousands of different deals and prices across the top travel sites for hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises. As well as some exclusive VIP

24/11/2018

SPAIN

Arid plains, austere mountains, stunning architecture, and awe inspiring coastlines; a few swatches from the visually and sensually alluring fabric that is Spain. Whether seeking an artfully modern metropolis or a setting that beckons the traveler to a bygone era, the warp and weave of this diverse destination will leave no one wanting.

From the grandeur of Barcelona and Madrid, to the timeless beauty of the Alhambra, Spain is imbued with an 'Aire', (a sense of breathing/being) that is at once indefinable, and unmistakable.

Spain (Andalucia in particular) is the birthplace of Flamenco, a form of music and dance born of this historic cultural melting pot. However, Flamenco is also a way of life, and it's 'Aire' has influenced the heart blood of this romantic nation.

Sevilla, in southern Spain, is a stunning example of this sensibility. Like Spain in general, Sevilla comes alive at night, a societal imperative that finds the 'Old Town' filled with the promenade of young and old alike. One senses in this timeless tradition a pulse of acceptance and joy. A pulse that does not discount life's tribulations, but rather embraces the entirety of beingness. (Uh oh... travel blog does philosophical poetry.....but, spend a little time there and then tell me I'm being too effusive.)

The Mediterranean Sea laps against Spain's southern and eastern coasts, allowing for a wealth of romantic seaside vacation possibilities. If you're a castle aficionado, the mountaintop Santa Barbara Castle in the port city of Alicante is not to be missed.

The northwest corner, Galicia, is where Spain does Celtic. In fact, it's home to some of the best bagpipers in the world. The architectural beauty of Santiago de Compostela is among the most stunning and grand to be found anywhere on the planet.

Duende means elf in Spanish, but in Federico Garcia Lorca's Flamenco-Spain, it's become synonymous with "that moment of spontaneous creation, when everything comes together and it's like.......Ole!
Oh yea......

Let's just say that from Santander and San Sebastian in the north, to Marbella and Almeria in the south, Spain is a confluence of sublime majesty and picturesque earthiness that has no rival,
'cause it's just so........Spanish.

Go to WWW.MJGBTRAVEL.COM for all your travel booking needs.

Hasta la proxima.....Cap'n Pete

Compare Best Travel Deals mjgbtravel.com provides the ultimate travel shop for all of your holiday needs. Compare thousands of different deals and prices across the top travel sites for hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises. As well as some exclusive VIP

24/11/2018

Hey Gang.....Cap'n Pete here.
Living on a boat teaches one to be spare and choosey about possessions. Such a lifestyle is certainly not for everyone but, when it comes to travelling, a healthy dose of discretion when packing can help your venture be less expensive (baggage), and more enjoyable.

If you do a fair amount of travelling, either for business or pleasure, you might not need to read any further. However, even those of us that travel a lot won't find this reminder unwarrented.

"If you don't KNOW you're going to NEED it....DON'T PACK IT..!

And......be brutal with yourself when it comes to determining whether or not to bring that sixth shirt or fourth pair of pants.

Of course, one needs to take into account what type of venture you're setting out on. Is it business or pleasure...or both? Is your destination in a warm climate or a cold one? Will the setting be one where you can purchase articles...(if you determine you absolutely NEED to)? A jaunt to Cozumel will demand different preparation than traversing the Outback in Australia.

For most forms of travel (more than an over nighter) I've found that the 'rule of thumb' for clothing is "2 plus". That means two pairs of pants, shirts, socks, etc., PLUS the one's you're wearing. A swimsuit, if you're travelling one direction....a jacket/coat if the other. One pair of comfortable footwear to travel in, and pack a second that is destination/activity specific,....ie. is it business or beach..?

Let's not forget toiletries, a tablet, and perhaps a good book....and you're done.

These articles will all fit nicely in a small travel bag. Chances are you'll want to make a place specific purchase or two, so even if you've got a little extra room in that bag at departure...you probably won't on your return.

I've journey'd for weeks at a time, to various places around the world, and found this system to be absolutely sufficient. (Actually, I've found myself wondering why I thought I really needed more than two pairs of pants.)

Before leaving the house you'll be certain you NEED all kinds of stuff. Take a deep breath, give yourself the freedom to REALLY travel light and, once out the door, you'll be happy you left the baggage in the closet. I promise.

Another way to avoid baggage is to streamline your travel booking with WWW.MJGBTRAVEL.COM

Enjoy.....Cap'n Pete

Compare Best Travel Deals mjgbtravel.com provides the ultimate travel shop for all of your holiday needs. Compare thousands of different deals and prices across the top travel sites for hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises. As well as some exclusive VIP

03/11/2018

Gulfport (Florida)

Perhaps there are those that don't hanker for a simpler time. Those that have never daydreamed about a place where life moves a little slower, people smile a little easier, and the main complaint is that it's too dang sunny all the time. If you happen to be one of those people...please, stop reading right now.

If, however, like most of us, you have known such yearnings, then turn your cell phone ringer down, hit the recline button on your full body massaging lounge chair, and push play on your favorite Andy Griffith episode. Cuz in this Mayberry R.F.D. 2.0, you get to keep your cool modern toys.

Boca Ciega Bay, "The Gateway to the Gulf", is the serene and picturesque southerly terminus of this seemingly 'lost in time' little hamlet. The Gulfport Casino, a throwback to early last century, (now used soley for numerous weekly social events) sits directly on the bay. The main drag in the heart of 'downtown' is grandiously named, Beach Boulevard, and is comprised of five whole blocks book ended on the south by the Casino, on the north by Gulfport Public Library. There are numerous open-air restaurants, bi-monthly ArtsWalk events, a Tuesday Morning Market that's reminiscent of farm-to-market days, and there's even a theatre....the Katherine Hickman, that caters to locally produced shows (now isn't that exciting...!) It's a town comprised of young and old, hip and not-so, a town accepting of myriad life stages and choices.

The west end of Gulfport is Town Shores, a retirement community that houses many of the snowbirds.
The east end is the Marina District, a lovely area that boasts one of the most protected marinas on the Gulf Coast, and Boca Ciega Yacht Club.

Lastly, Gulfport is subtly imbued with a European sensibility, a hint of bygone charm that draws people from all walks......and, (like a European villa) while there you'll do just that....walk.

Visit www.mjgbtravel.com to book your trip now!

Cap'n Pete

03/11/2018

St. Pete Beach

When you write about travel, and come across a place-name that tell's the reader not only what it's called but, what it is.....well...
Let's just say that St. Pete Beach certainly lives up to it's surname. There might be more famous beaches, but I can't tell you how many times I've traveled someplace new, and found that a tee shirt from St. Pete Beach has gotten there before me.

Gulf Boulevard runs the entire length of the Pinellas County Barrier Islands. Heading south from Clearwater along this glorified sandbar one passes through Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Reddington Beaches, Madeira Beach, John's Pass, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, and Pass a Grille. (Pass a Grille lies just south of St. Pete Beach and, other amenities aside, Pass a Grille is my favorite of the numerous beaches along this strip.)

St. Pete Beach might be the 'red-headed step child' of it's northern mama, Clearwater, but that just might be what adds to it's attraction. Clearwater is dry-cleaned and pressed. St. Pete still has sand in it's cuffs and was haphazardly hung up to dry. That's not to say that St. Pete doesn't offer world class resorts and accomodations. The Tradewinds and Sirata are two such resorts, and the Don Cesar is an iconic old-world palacial hotel. St. Pete's beach is an elongated horseshoe that is at once stunning and 'everyman'.

From grocery to nightlife to watersports activities, St. Pete Beach has it all....with just enough surfer-kid sensibility to make you forget, or at least overlook, the fact that you are achieving that envy-inducing suntan in a mecca of tourism.

Book 'em Danno.... Go to www.mjgbtravel.com now! You won't regret it.

Cap'n Pete

Compare Best Travel Deals mjgbtravel.com provides the ultimate travel shop for all of your holiday needs. Compare thousands of different deals and prices across the top travel sites for hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises. As well as some exclusive VIP

27/10/2018

St. Petersburg

At the base of the peninsula that extends west and south of Tampa we find a confluence of Old Florida charm, no nonsense business development, and artsy sensibility that has been dubbed the 'Sunshine Capital of the World'....St. Petersburg.

This burgeoning mini-metropolis is home to the Dali Museum, the Chihuly Collection, the famed Vinoy Hotel, and Tropicana Field, where many major league sporting contests are decided. The city boasts excellent dining (and drinking) establishments, many with live music nightly. One of my favorites is Ceviche, a Spanish inspired restaurant and nightlife spot that offers live Flamenco performances.
Classical and Jazz music patrons will find a home at the Palladium, while Janus Landing caters to the more pop-radio-ready musical stylings.. There's also an excellent Saturday Morning Market, featuring foods, crafts, and entertainment in the heart of downtown, an area that's coming to be known as 'Mural City' due to the preponderance of exquisite murals that dot the landscape.

Sprawling on the western shore of Tampa Bay just before it flows westward to meet the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg is first and foremost a city. But, it's proximity to these large bodies of water, and numerous lovely beach-town environs imbues it with a beachy-city feel. There are some lovely parks, large and well cared for marinas, old school neighborhoods, and an active social and nightlife scene. Development has ramped up in recent years, but much of the Downtown area is foot traffic accessible.

St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach are all within a 20-40 minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg, making it an excellent vacation destination for those seeking both citified bussle and beachside
relaxation.

Now, let's head to the sand.....

Visit today... or next week! Go to www.mjgbtravel.com to book your flight and hotel. Rental cars will be available to rent soon!

Cap'n Pete

27/10/2018

Tampa. To the east, take Rt. 4 and arrive in Orlando in one to three hours (depending on traffic). North and south, it's I 75, four hours up to Jacksonville and about the same down to Miami. To the west, 275 takes you across the seven mile long Howard Frankland Bridge to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and numerous beach communities in about 25 minutes.....yea, guess which way we're heading.

Hello again...it's Cap'n Pete, thanks for coming along.

The city Fathers/Mothers/Whatever are intent on making Tampa a central hub and I gotta say they're doing a lot of things right. Tampa International Airport is in the midst of major renovations and will soon be (according to the City F/M/W) the most open and accessible airport in the country. Tampa is also the only Eastern seaport that had the foresight to construct (with Chinese help) the machinery necessary to offload the supertankers coming through the new-and-improved, vastly larger Panama Canal. Prior to the construction of this new canal, all supertanker traffic coming from the west had to offload in California with goods trucked from there to the rest of the country.....things change.

Tampa has grown into a major city center, complete with all the attendant amenities and traffic. However, areas like the old town of Ibor City (just east of Tampa proper) add a quaint old Florida touch. For instance, the Columbia Restaurant (****) which offers live Flamenco performances nightly, is nestled in the midst of Ibor City in what was once a cigar factory.
Tampa also sports numerous sports teams. (I wrote that!) The Tampa Bay Rays, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the pro teams that call Tampa home and, of course, USF's main campus is located in Tampa and if you follow college sports.....yea.
Go to visittampabay.com for more info.

Alright, let's steer west, across Tampa Bay on the picturesque Howard Frankland Bridge, and begin to explore some of my favorite Florida locals...

Visit www.mjgbtravel.com to book your flight and hotel! Rental cars are coming soon.

Cap'n Pete

27/10/2018

For some, Florida is a seat on a plane, followed by a seat on a shuttle from Orlando International to the Disney/Epcot/Universal Studios experience...Right?

Right.

For others, thoughts of the Sunshine State summon a movie reel starring expa­nsive beaches, with lighting designed by endless summer, and a plot rife with story lines sure to unwind the clock of daily existence....Right..?

Absolutely...!

A quick glance at the answers to these questions should give some idea of which course we'll be setting.

Hello, I'm Cap'n Pete....I live on a beautiful sailboat somewhere on the Gulf Coast. I didn't relocate from the Northeast to this alternately glorified/vilified State to spend keyboard time detailing the entertainment value of mid-Florida's corporate mega-attractions.

I certainly have nothing against such diversions, and I would highly recommend spending time in the engineered bliss of these iconic, cultural creations. But, they've already got plenty of advertising. And, they really are not what Florida's about.

(So, I just started the last three sentences with conjunctions.......not exactly proper....expect more impropriety.)

Florida: a once and future vacation vision; a sandy finger at the far corner of the country that tugs at tropical romance. The bastion of the elderly and spring-breakers alike...Right..?

Well, yes...but this dichotomy begins to lead us in the right direction.

Look closely and you'll see the depth and breadth of this slim southerly peni­nsula offers something to appeal to virtual­ly any taste. For one thing, Flo­rida is a repository of some of the olde­st cultural sites to be found anywhere in the country, and boasts some of it's most interesting and adventure laden history. The amount of shoreline, combined with the shallow depths that surround this modernized sandbar offer a potential for touristic marine exploration that few other states can rival. I mention this bec­ause, the more adventu­rous amongst you could tr­ade your 'kicks' for 'flipps' and dive on some of the most interesting and acces­sible shipwrecks to be found anywhere.

Avoiding such a fate (ie. a wrecked ship), Juan Ponce de Leon first landed in Nor­th East Florida at St. Augustine, the ol­dest continuously se­ttled city in the Un­ited States. Before him, of course, came Columbus, and Amerigo Vespucci. Civilization existed on this continent prior to any of them raising sails, but, the 'known world' first encountered 'The Americas' on the shores of what some would now term 'America's Playground'.

Does this sound like fun? Of course it does! So visit www.mjgbtravel.com to book your flight and hotel now!

Cap'n Pete

19/09/2018

Compare Best Travel Deals
www.mjgbtravel.com provides the ultimate travel shop for all of your holiday needs. Compare thousands of different deals and prices across the top travel sites for hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises. As well as some exclusive VIP package holidays for a luxurious escape.

www.mjgbtravel.com