Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

Sometimes, the best holiday celebrations aren’t the most famous or obvious ones.

This is especially true on Oregon’s coast, where one big secret is that this time of year doesn’t just mean the area’s notoriously stormy and wild weather, but that it has many days that are unusually dry and warm compared to the rest of the state. But the most delightful secrets lie in the realm of holiday celebrations, which make for some memorable discoveries along this famously pristine stretch of shoreline.

On the northern Oregon coast, the holidays begin not with the usual celebrations, but with a major wine event and loads of signature Lewis & Clark commemorations.

On November 7, it will have been exactly two hundred years since William Clark wrote “Ocian in view! O! the Joy!” as he spotted what he thought was the Pacific Ocean (it was actually a big bay just before the ocean). For the next five months, staring in 1805, the Corps of Discovery spent their time in this part of the Northwest. The Lewis & Clark Bicentennial marks this, and things kick off at Fort Stevens (between Seaside and Astoria) on November 11, with the “Opening Ceremony – Lewis & Clark Veteran’s Day Commemoration.” Oregonian and former Miss America, Katie Harmon (2002), will sing the national anthem, and the event will feature banners from local tribes and other remembrances of the Corps of Discovery.

November 14 brings the Dedication Of The Fort To Sea Trail at Fort Ctatsop (near Fort Stevens), marking the trail from the crew’s winter quarters to their time on the beaches of Seaside.

Fort Clatsop – the replica of the Corps’ winter camp – will feature various “Wintering Over Events” between the Fort and Cannon Beach. This replica tragically burned in early October, but the visitor center there is still the center of many of the winter events, including a living history program about their Christmas at the camp on December 25. On January 7, the celebration comes to Cannon Beach (some 25 miles south), marking the day that Clark, Sacegawea and others traveled to the ocean to see a beached whale.

The adorable resort town of Seaside – which boasts broad, immaculate beaches, the “million dollar walk” of Broadway Ave., and a cove famous for surfing – will be one of the few cities to host a major traveling exhibit on Lewis & Clark. From November 19 to November 22, you’ll find the “Corps of Discovery II, 200 yrs. To The Future,” with a mobile 250-seat auditorium showing multimedia programs on Lewis & Clark’s troupe of travelers. Free. 503-861-4403. www.destinationthepacific.com.

Also on November 19, Seaside will abound with the bounty of the vineyard with the holiday-themed Seaside Downtown Wine Walk. The now-annual event features hundreds of folks wandering throughout the downtown area and taste-testing Northwest wines. $5 for the wristband. 503-717-1914 or www.seasidedowntown.com.
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When I think of the perfect holiday, my mind immediately turns to white sandy beaches and lounging poolside with a drink in my hand being waited on by attentive staff at a beautiful five star resort. This is what I was dreaming about when I began searching for a family vacation earlier this year. My husband Stan and I wanted to take our two children with us to a luxurious five star resort where we could rest and rejuvenate while having some fun together as a family.

Once we had chosen the dates that we could get away, I immediately began looking for vacation specials that would fit within our budget. After hours of searching it became clear to me that my idea of a five star resort vacation would not be possible. There were simply no holiday specials that fit within our budget, either at a resort or a vacation rental property.

After weeks of combing the internet for vacation specials, I was ready to throw in the towel. My visions of white sandy beaches, relaxing by the pool and five start accommodations were quickly slipping through my fingers. Our budget was just not going to allow for that type of holiday; I was going to have to make major compromises for our dream family holiday, or give up altogether.

Fortunately for my family, I just happened to mention my struggle in finding vacation specials to my good friend, Jessica. Instead of feeling badly for me and offering me condolences, to my surprise, Jessica just laughed at me. She could not believe that I was wasting my time searching for luxury holidays that my family of four could afford on traditional holiday websites. After I got over the shock of her laughter, I insisted that she tell me everything that she knew about vacation specials, because I was obviously missing something.
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According to research carried out by GfK NOP during the period 12-14th May 2006 over 4 million people have canceled their holidays in the last three years.

The research, carried out on behalf of Sainsbury’s travel insurance revealed every year many would be tourists are forced to cancel their long awaited annual vacation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Unfortunately since around 13% (1) of holiday makers fail to take out holiday insurance many will be unable to recoup the cost of these canceled pre-paid holidays. To make matters worse many leave purchasing holiday insurance until closer to the departure date and are therefore not covered for this pre-trip problem.

The Sainsbury’s travel insurance report highlights the top reasons why people cancel their annual vacations. Top of the list being sickness of a relative/friend closely followed be sickness to the policy holder themselves. Other reasons included for canceling a holiday are work related issues, natural disasters, relationship breakdowns, wedding, Christening’s, funerals and the fear or occurrence of a terrorist attack.

Sainsbury’s Bank travel insurance has been voted a Best Buy for the last six years. They offer single trip travel insurance, multi-trip travel insurance and family travel insurance.
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Olu Deniz is the well-known beauty spot in Turkey. Holidays ten to be a commemoration. The wide and pleasant beach resort with a gorgeous bay endorsed by wooded mountains extremely portrays a vivacious picture of the culture and nature of Turkey.
A stress-free, easy and relaxant holiday can be achieved in the Olu Deniz resorts. The resort maintains a perfect balance with its delightful blend of relaxed beaches and utopian open-air waterfront dining. The nightlife bestows the bottled-up dazzling parties. Olu Deniz holidays present a coordinated accessible resort with grand beaches.
Local walks and cycling can be performed here resulting in a more friendly trip to the tourists. Olu Deniz holidays concentrate on the praiseworthy Belcekiz beach. This beach in Olu Deniz is awfully stretched out in white sand. The beach overlaps into the sparkling clear warm water of the Mediterranean. Olu Deniz beach has well-maintained gardens lined with an adorable seafront promenade.
This place is regarded as one of the well-crafted in Turkey. A typical feature of the Olu Deniz holidays is the renowned photogenic bluish-green lagoon at the end of Olu Deniz beach. The beauteous lagoon is a fortified beauty spot with several out-of-the-way beaches. The national park is positioned on the sand spit and the home of the local loggerhead turtles are some of the expeditions the tourists would like to explore at the end of the visit.
There are plenty of water sports that are put forward including snorkeling and scuba diving. Olu Deniz holidays also tantalize paragliding and hang-gliding enthusiasts. Olu Deniz holidays also exhibits a rather calm and relaxed atmosphere. It is an ideal place for shopping. Olu Deniz has a great deal of shops and fine local markets in both Hisaronu and Fethiye.
These shops are brilliant for jewelry, bags, leather goods, carpets and ceramics. Olu Deniz holidays serve a big choice of pacifying waterfront restaurants, exquisite seafront bars and even dazzling discos. After an ardent sunset cocktail late-night dancing in the discos are enjoyed by many people. These discos are near to the village resort of Hisaronu that has amazing views.
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