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St. Augustine Halloween Happenings

St. Augustine Halloween Happenings.....

don't miss these spooktacular events. Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

It would be difficult to imagine a more appealing location for ghostly fun than the Nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. With nearly 450 years of history, ancient narrow streets, two cemeteries with graves dating back hundreds of years, a brooding Spanish fortress and endless stories of roaming spirits and things that go bump in the night, it's the place to be for all things other-worldly. Despite daylight's warm Florida sun and beautiful Atlantic beaches, every night of the year features ghost tours and spooky encounters. But when Halloween approaches, that's when the spirits really get busy.

Here are some Halloween adventures awaiting for intrepid souls, fun-seeking spirits and, well, shoppers.

Spirits in St. Augustine: Walk, ride or sail your way through a night of ghostly encounters on three tours offered October 30 and 31 only by Ghost Tours of St. Augustine - selected by Florida Living magazine as the Number One guided tour in Florida. A Ghostly Experience is a walking tour led by a guide in period costume who provides authentic stories of old St. Augustine - and an encounter with a spirit at three stops. Ghost and Legends is a riding tour through the historic district and a stop at Potter's Wax Museum. This tour ends with a nighttime walk on the grounds of the St. Augustine Lighthouse - a place called "the Mona Lisa of paranormal sites" in the United States by the Scy-Fy network's Ghost Hunters. Ghosts of the Matanzas features a one-hour, moonlit cruise aboard the schooner Freedom through the haunted waters of Matanzas Bay - the spirit of a long-decease pirate will be your guide. For reservations, tickets and more information on these tours, call 904.829.1122 or go to Ghost Tours of St. Augustine .

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Black Raven Adventures: Go aboard the Black Raven pirate ship for a voyage that will make your blood run cold. Sure, the games, libations and fun stuff make it seem harmless, but a visit to the Haunted Locker of the Matanzas on the quarter deck will make you beg for a quick return to dry land. This adventure is available every Friday and Saturday leading up to Halloween Eve and Halloween when The Return of the Matanzas Zombies take over the ship! It is suggested that passengers set their affairs in order before departing on this cruise. The 8:15 cruise on each night is suitable for the entire family, but only adults over the age of 21 are allowed onboard for the 11:15 p.m. finales. For full details, go to Black Raven Adventures or call 877.578.5050.

Ghosts and Gravestones:As seen on The Today Show, Sci-Fi Channel and Travel Channel. Explore the darker side of the Nation's Oldest City with our ghost guides and experience the historic haunted tales and legends found at every turn. Included is a visit to the town's most haunted building, The Old Jail, for an up close and personal encounter. Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour boards every evening at the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center at 27 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine. Call for reservations as space is limited. (904) 826-3663.

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Creatures of the Night: A visit to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is sure to create lasting Halloween memories for the entire family! From 5:30-7 p.m. on October 29, 30 & 31, the Alligator Farm will present Creatures of the Night - a fun way to encounter creepy creatures along the park's wild walkways. Costumed keepers, candy and an alligator show each evening - plus drawings for free annual passes. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children. For more details, go to Alligator Farm Zoological Park or call 904.824.3337.

History and Legends of Halloween: The true history of Halloween and the Celtic New Year is presented on a fun walk offered by the top-rated St. Augustine Pub Crawl. Find out how the Celts got Halloween off to a great start on the night when the veil between the living and dead is at its thinnest, learn the significance of bonfires and jack-o'-lanterns, plus much more and a stop at five pubs along the way. This special tour is available each Wednesday through Sunday night through October 31. For full details, call 904.540.3476 or visit St. Augustine Pub Crawl.

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Old Florida Museum: Visit the Halloween Festival at the outdoor Old Florida Museum - a living museum that features a Timucuan Indian hut, Spanish house, a Florida pioneer school house and the Old Florida General Store. Story telling, games, costume contests, pumpkin carving and much more are featured at the festival. Festival hours are 6-9 p.m., Friday, October 30, and 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday, October 31, A Timucua Indian guide and a colonial Spanish maiden will be your guides. Admission is $4. The museum is located at the intersection of San Marco Avenue and State Road 16 in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.824.8874 or go to Old Florida Museum .

Family Fright Nights: What's Halloween without a visit to the original Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum in St. Augustine? This year, Ripley's is offering a chilling selection of Halloween week adventures, including special Midnight Madness Ghost Train Adventures on both Friday and Saturday nights. There will be a free Family Fun Ghost Walk departing from Ripley's Castle Warden on Friday and Saturday nights at 5, 6, & 7 p.m. - trick-or-treaters are welcome at Ripley's. Plus, for the truly fearless, a one-time only Witching Hour Tour will depart at 3 a.m. aboard the award-winning Ghost Train Adventure. To add to the festive atmosphere, each evening from 5-8 p.m., Spooky Dan the DJ will be spinning creepy tunes, shooting laser beams and tossing candy from his perch atop Castle Warden. For reservations or more information, cal 904.824.1606 or go to Ghost Train Adventure .

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Ghost Town Trolley: This spirited tour is a light-hearted look at St. Augustine's darker side as we share ghostly tales and legends that are guaranteed to raise your spirits! All of the stories told are well researched and rooted in the town's history.The Ghost Town Trolley boards every evening at the Old Town Trolley Welcome Center at 27 San Marco Avenue. Call for reservations and availability as space is limited. (904) 826-3663

A Night at the Old Jail:Join the Paranormal Seekers as they hunt the Ghosts of the Condemned at the Authentic Old Jail of St. Augustine. All participants will have the opportunity to test various types of equipment used by paranormal investigators, such as EMF detectors and tri-field meters. This tour is not for the faint of heart. What you may be seeking may be seeking you. Call for reservations and availability as space is limited. (904) 826-3663

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

A Ghostly Encounter: Walk the dark, narrow streets of St. Augustine and hear stories of those who came before us and refuse to leave. Remember, the doctor is always in at the Haunted Hospital! Come check in with the MAD Surgeon as he demonstrates the "cutting" edge of patient care. This year he has brought some friends. Meet them up close and personal when you walk through the Haunted Hospital. Ghostly Encounters occur from 7-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, October 30 & 31. Presented by Ancient City Tours, 904.827.0807.

Shivers and Awe: If you're brave enough to go it alone, take a self-guided GPS tour through some of St. Augustine's most haunted real estate. Or if you need some company to stiffen your spine, take a pedicab ghost tour, segway tour or a personally-guided walking tour - all presented by SA GPS Adventure Tours. For full details on these unique ghost stores, go to SA GPS Adventure Tours or call 904.377.1447.

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Meet the Higginbothums: Take a night-time stroll with the Higginbothums, St. Augustine's wackiest and spookiest family. This hilarious, 90-minute walking tour is the newest offering from Ancient City Tours - it's very interactive and lots of fun even in the darkness of the Old Drug Store. The tour is nightly at 8 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the Spanish Military Hospital, the Old City Gate Train Station or by calling 904.827.0807.

Fright Music Concert: Enjoy a lively program of Halloween music presented by the St. Augustine Community Orchestra and featuring the music of Chopin, Bach... even John Williams' theme from E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. The first concert will be at 8 p.m., October 30 in the Lightner Museum, 75 King Street in St. Augustine. The second performance is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 1 at the Switzerland Community Church, 2179 State Road 13 in St. Johns. Tickets are $10 at the door for each concert, children under 12 admitted free. For details, go to St. Augustine Community Orchestra or call 904.287.8417.

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Children's Halloween Parade: Ancient City Tours is proud to again sponsor the annual Halloween costume parade/contest and trick or treating for the children. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 25 at the Clock Tower at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center, 1 Castillo Drive, and end in the downtown Plaza for the costume judging. (Registration will begin at 1:30PM). Then safe trick or treating will take place along the historic streets of the downtown area from 3:30 - 5 p.m. For more information, call 904.827.0807.

Horror Zone Haunted House: Get scared for a good cause at the St. Johns County Sheriff Department's Horror Zone Haunted House. Creative makeup, clever lighting and motivated zombies create a scary atmosphere for visitors to the house in the former Mikee's store in the Food Lion Plaza, 2497 U.S. 1 South in St. Augustine. Admission is $5 and proceeds benefit the department's programs for juveniles.

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Spooktacular Shopping: Uptown Saturday Night takes on a festive, Halloween theme on October 31 when the galleries, antique stores and unique shops along St. Augustine's San Marco Avenue stay open until 9 p.m. Meet-the-artists, book signings, live music and refreshments provided by the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association create a lively, autumnal atmosphere for bargain hunters. Plus, there's free parking at the Mission Nombre de Dios. For more information, call 904.824.3152. Also, Prime Outlets-St. Augustine, featuring a "who's who" of luxury names including Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Juicy Couture and Cole Haan, as well as the only Gucci's outlet store in the Southeast, will host trick-or-treating for children at the mall from 6-8 p.m. on October 31. For more information, go to Prime Outlets - St. Augustine .

Warehouse 31: Prepare yourself for the most intense and frightening 30 minutes of your life as you run, twist and make your way through 18,000 square feet of terror. The Haunted Experience takes place nightly through October 31. Warehouse 31 is rated PG-13 for intensity and graphic scenes. It is not recommended for people with heart conditions, who are pregnant, or suffer from intense claustrophobia or anxiety. For ticket prices, location and other information, visit Warehouse 31.

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Haunted Trails: Climb aboard wagons that will carry the entire family along trails leading through the deep woods inhabited by ghouls and goblins. Pony rides, face painting, moonwalks and carnival games add to the Halloween festivities. It all takes place at the Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road near the corner of U.S. 1 and Old Kings Road just across the Flagler County line. A donation of $6 per person is requested. For more information, call 386.446.7630.

For more information on events and activities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, go to the Visitors & Convention Bureauwebsite or call 1.800.653.2489. For a free Getaway Card good for exciting discounts on accommodations, shopping, attractions and dining, go to My Getaway Card

Come for the weekend and stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Top 2009 camper vans to travel Europe

Article from Articlebliss and entitled Top 2009 camper vans to travel Europe - By Simon Macsis.

If so then you are in the right place, here is some advice on how to go about choosing the best camper van to tour in, whether you are touring through Europe or anywhere else on the planet. These campers will stand you in good stead for comfort as well that little bit of luxury. If you do buy a camper van then talk to your car insurance provider to check whether all of your camper’s contents, etc will be covered under their policy (including your breakdown cover), if not you need to find out what to do so that you are fully covered, inside and out!

Westfalia Camper Vans

So truth be told, Westfalia don’t actually manufacture camper vans, they do however specialise in converting panel vans and other camper vans into, now legendary camper vans. Their official name is Westfalia-Werke and they are based in Rheda-Wiedenbruck in the Westphalia region of Germany. The company made a name for itself in 1951 when it started converting VW camper vans and their work has inspired countless other camper van imitators, but Westfalia are still in a class of their own!

Converting a van into a camper van is one of the most popular ways to go about it, because you can choose which ever van you want to convert and, this is quite possibly the clincher, you have an input on what you want in your new mobile holiday home. Customisation is a key element of owning a camper van and whether you choose to modify a Mercedes Benz Sprinter or the legendary Ford Transit you will be able to decide exactly what you want in your camper van.

Remember to talk to your van insurance provider to establish whether all of your possessions (in and outside) of your brand new camper van will be covered. Also remember to take all of your vital documents with you when you go on holiday and they include breakdown cover (as well as a European breakdown

Travel on a Budget, Visit National Parks

Low on cash this summer? Why not visit your county parks or some of the magnificent National Parks.

Photo by Paul Rezendes

There are national parks in every state of the United States like Maine's Acadia National Park in the Northeast with 40 miles of spectacular coastline.

In the Northwest, get awed by the magnificent beauty of Mount Rainier National Park.

For More information on our National Parks go to the National Park Service web site.

The National Park Service provides information on everything from climate to road conditions, wildlife, camping and much more.

Justin Bailie/Aurora Photos

In the Southeast, visit our nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, FL.

Wall Street Journal Article on Top Travel Deals

The Wall Street Journal has information on some great travel deals you can only get today!

Hurray, Business and Pleasure Travelers check out the article and see if it is something you can take advantage of.

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/07/14/eye-popping-travel-sales-free-international-tickets-18-rooms-at-a-luxury-hotel/

When you are finished reading the article, check out the deals available in St. Augustine, Florida at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha.

Ways to Save When Traveling in Europe

There are lots of deals on flights and hotels in Europe this summer but, if you really want to save money while traveling, consider staying at a hostel.

Several thousand hostels provide beds and rooms throughout Europe — in cities, towns, and the countryside for $20 to $40+ per night.

Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, and some are sightseeing destinations in themselves. There are castles in Bacharach, Germany, moored ships in Stockholm, alpine chalets in Gimmelwald, Switzerland, huge modern buildings in Frankfurt, lakefront villas in Lugano, Italy, former prisons in Ljubljana, Slovenia, medieval manor houses in Wilderhope Manor, England, former choirboys’ dorms in St. Paul’s, London, country estates in Loch Lomond, Scotland, and former royal residences in Holland Park, London, just to name a few.

Hosteling is different from staying in a lonely hotel. It is very much like going to visit and stay with friends. You give up privacy for a chance to meet travelers from all over the world. Some make friends for life, gain travel buddies and love hosteling so much they chose hostels over hotels. If you're not one who enjoys meeting and sharing with others, hosteling may not be for you.

Should You Take a European Tour?

European Travel is up recently because of all the discounts available, but should you go alone or take a tour?

The fact is escorted tours can save you up to 40% off the price of traveling the same itinerary on your own. That's because tour operators negotiate low group rates on everything from hotels to sightseeing, and pass the savings on.

And that's not all. Escorted tours are worry-free and hassle-free, as all the details are handled for you. It's easy to budget for escorted tours, as tour operators include so much in one price. And escorted tours include the services of a tour director with years of experience to help you discover more sights than you could possibly find on your own.

Vancouver to Whistler a Fabulous Inexpensive Trip

Reality shows have caught America's and no doubt the world's eye. Seeing people in strange situations is interesting to a lot of us.

I find the Bachelor and Bachelorette shows particularly interesting because they put a group of same sex people in a house all battling to win the affections and grand prize - the one opposite sex person. My love of sociology finds this mix very entertaining.

If you are like me and you watched the Bachelorette this week you saw them take a train ride from Vancouver to Whistler in Canada's Britsh Columbia. The scenery was stunning and it looked like a trip I would love to take.

I saw how the train hugs the oceanfront, winds through mountain canyons and climbs the steep grades of the British Columbia Coast Mountains for an endless array of breathtaking views.

So I did some research and found the trip is relatively inexpensive. For $199 you can take a day trip from Vancouver to Whistler and back. The train leaves Vancouver before 8 am and you are in Whistler before noon. Spend some time in Whistler then back on the train and back to Vancouver, or you can spend more time in Whistler and stay at a hotel for a few days before heading back to Vancouver.

Whistler has a wide variety of summer activities, from a sightseeing gondola ride to a mountaintop restaurant to an alpine hike with 360 degree views; from a bear viewing tour to a glacier walk; from a day in a mountain bike park to an afternoon of mini golf, there is an activity with just the right amount of adventure to suit just about anyone.

This sounds like a great trip. I am not affiliated with any travel agencies, so if you are interested, just google "Vancouver to Whistler" for information and tickets.

If like me you find yourself on the other side of this continent, why not stop in at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha, and enjoy our nations oldest city.

Air Fares are More than 60% Lower than Last Summer

According to USA Today, Airfares on most routes are lower this summer.

Trying to attract passengers in a recession, airlines are selling tickets much cheaper than a year ago.

Fares for travel next month are as much as 63% lower than last summer, according to an analysis by FareCompare.com.

At USA TODAY's request, FareCompare analyzed all domestic fares for flights between the hub cities of legacy airlines United, (UAUA) American, (AMR) Continental, (CAL) Delta (DAL)and US Airways. (LCC) The fares were valid Friday for travel in mid-July with a 14-day advance purchase.

The analysis found that the cheapest round-trip coach fares were less expensive this summer for 115 of 136 pairs of cities. In 54 city pairs, the cheapest tickets were at least 25% lower than a year ago.

Read the complete article http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-06-29-cheaper-summer-airfares_N.htm

Spend July 4th in our nation's oldest city St. Augustine

Unusual Vacations

Did you know you can Train and Travel into space with the Russian Cosmonauts for the paltry fee of just $40,000,000, yes that's forty million dollars.

If you don't have the $40 mil, a US company called Space Adventure will put you into the cosmonaut training program for a measly $3,000,000 so you can train but not actually travel into space.

Talk about an unusual vacation! For something much more affordable, visit our nations oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida

511 is American's Traveler Information Number

511 is America's Traveler Information Telephone Number for the latest in road conditions across america. Check 511 before you start on that road trip this summer.

For a great place to stay in St. Augustine

A Great Place to Go on the Cheap

Imagine miles of uncrowded beach, lots of historic sites, fantastic restaurants and interesting museums and art galleries. That's just some of what you will find in St. Augustine, FL.

St. Augustine is Americas oldest continuous settlement and a hidden gem for vacationers. The City has done a remarkable job preserving its history while remaining a great Florida vacation spot.

Stroll down cobblestone streets and browse the quaint shops. Take a trolley tour or horse drawn buggy ride through the historic district where you will see exquisite Spanish architecture and beautifully preserved buildings from days gone by.

Chain restaurants are not allowed in the Historic district so the restaurants are all unique and top quality as they compete with each other to our benefit.

St. Augustine has been named one of the most walkable cities in America. If you want to have that home-town feel again, just come to the Plaza on Thursday nights with your lounge chair for free music and fun.

Don't miss spending time in St. Augustine this summer. It is a gem vacation spot you can enjoy on the Cheap.

Camping Has Become Cool!

I read a CNN article today about camping with lots of info and resources.

Pitch a Tent, it's cheap!

"Camping has become cool," says Christine Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, a not-for-profit organization charged with encouraging young people to get outdoors. She notes that reservations for campsites and sales for camping gear are up.

And many appear to be first-time campers. "We've had the highest growth of first-time campers in 18 years," reports Jim Rogers, CEO of the 450-plus KOA Campgrounds, the world's largest system of family campgrounds.

If sleeping on the ground isn't your thing, try a pop-up camper. According to Kevin Broom of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, rentals start at just $35 a day. Visit Go RVing to find a dealer near you.

The National Park Service, offers plenty of campground activities, has announced three free-entrance weekends (June 20 to 21, July 16 to 19 and August 15 to 16).

Another plus: It's easy to bring along your dog or cat. At some places, including Yosemite and private campgrounds, you can rent a platform tent or rustic cabin so that you don't have to pitch your own.

People Love to Travel

Travel is something people love that has nothing to do with nationality, race or creed. We as humans love to experience new things. We need it. New experiences renew our spirits and give us a whole new perspective on life.

Even when recession hits, we look for ways to travel cheaper, but still want the opportunity to embrace those new experiences. Who are we going to meet, what are we going to see and how much are we going to relax and simply enjoy the experience. All these things feed our souls. For us, there is nothing better than taking the time to laugh and play with those you love. Some of us even travel alone, others with friends, most with family.

We don't really care too much what we do as long as it is different from what we do every day. One reason why "Staycations" have caught on. It is better to do things in our own community that we either put off or just didn't get around to than have no vacation at all.

by Dee Vanover