An Unusual Hotel With A View-The Queen Mary In Long Beach, CA

If you are looking for an unusual place to vacation and checking out accommodations think Long Beach, CA and the Queen Mary. This is a cruise ship that never leaves port, so you don't have to worry about getting sea sick. The reason, this vintage ship has been permanently moored in Long Beach since 1967 and was turned into a floating hotel. The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In World War II it was called the "Grey Ghost" and Winston Churchhill stayed on board.

The Queen Mary has 314 staterooms that have been converted into modern guestrooms, but if you want to experience a bit of the past glory of the ship there are suites that retain their original Art Deco ambiance. There are six different award winning restaurants, cafes, and bars on board with views of the ocean and city skyline. The Sir Winston, a five star restaurant, is known for great service and creative cuisine. The Observation Bar is a Southern California landmark with lively entertainment. The Grand Salon, the ship's original first-class dining room, has a special Sunday Brunch. Tibbies Cabaret offers delicious cuisine along with a critically-acclaimed, "Broadway-Cabaret" style show.

Ship attractions include historical tours, and for some scary fun, ghost tours, because the ship has a haunting dark side to its past. Haunted Encounters Tour takes you on a guided tour of the ship's most haunted areas while the tour guide reveals the stories of the Queen Mary's most famous reported ghosts. Queen Mary also has a interactive special effects show called Ghosts & Legends featuring spooky animations of the ship's haunted past. Increase the mystery and fun by taking the nighttime tours.

Since you can leave the ship at your leisure take time and explore the city of Long Beach with its many attractions. Aquarium of the Pacific, Downtown Shoreline Marina and Village, the Pike at Rainbow Harbor are featured places to explore with entertainment, shopping, and restaurants. Long Beach is a bicycle friendly city where you and your family can explore the waterfront and city by bike. Check out Bike Long Beach for biking fun. Upcoming events of notice include the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, which takes place April 16-18, 2010. The 15th Annual All Toyotafest is scheduled for May 8, 2010. The Queen Mary Park will be packed with over 370+ Toyota products (including Scion and Lexus). Featured vehicles include- modified, restored, hybrid, and all-original Toyota products.

Long Beach Airport ranked in the top five for lowest average domestic air fares in the nation. So, hop on a jet at your local airport and take off to Long Beach and experience the Queen Mary. Queen Mary can be found at 1126 Queen's Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802.-Vacation Rick Travel for travel information.

Old City Jail, Charleston, SC-Take A Walk On The Scary Side Of History

We were looking to do a scary nighttime tour in Charleston one day, so we called Bulldog Tours for some input. Their suggestion was the Haunted Jail Tour. We decided upon the 10 pm tour and were given directions on how to get there. The Old City Jail housed some of Charleston's most infamous criminals, 19th century pirates, and Civil War prisoners.

The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was just right with a slight bit of a haze in the air, no wind blowing, and a dark sky. We took some pictures of the outside of the Old City Jail while waiting for the tour to begin. The weather-worn brick and age-stressed structure crumbling in random places set the mood for the stories to come.

The tour began outside centered around the buildings history and executions by hanging. We entered the building through an old creaky and rusty iron door. The guide talked about the high death rate among the inmates because of the living conditions, disease, and sweltering summer heat. A story about one of the heavy doors flying off its hinges and almost hitting a guide was a bit of a stretch, according to my skeptical estimation.

At one point, the lights were turned off while the guide told the story about one of its only female inmates. You will have to do the tour to the find out the moral and climax of the story. The guide also pointed out the significance of the steps leading to the upper floor. Unfortunately, some areas we passed contained a few reminders of the present, such as ladders and paint cans from some current restoration, which somewhat diminished the eerie aspect of the jail.

It takes a good deal to scare me because I don't believe in ghosts, although the old House on Haunted Hill movie really frightened me. So, how would I answer the question as to whether it was truly scary? I will decline and leave it up to your judgment after you have taken the tour. It is one of the many historical tours offered in Charleston and is billed as one of the scariest.

The Old City Jail's imposing structure and aged condition makes for some good pictures, and if you free your imagination, you will be entertained. It is definitely not a tour to take little children on.

In conclusion, "If you have a message you want to send to hell, give it to me--I'll carry it."

Old City Jail is located at 21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC. Bulldog Tours is located at 40 North Market St, Charleston, SC or call 843-722-8687.

Spring Awakening In Asheville, North Carolina-Rejuvinate Yourself

Winter has finally ended. Thank goodness for that little bit of revelation.Thinking about spring and a close destination you can take in for that long weekend getaway, think Asheville, Nc. Asheville pops up on national rankings for a variety of things: Modern Maturity named it one of "The 50 Most Alive Places To Be," Self magazine labeled it the "Happiest City for Women," it is one of AARP Magazine's "Best Places to Reinvent Your Life," and was proclaimed the "New Freak Capital of the U.S." by Rolling Stone. In the 2008 book The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner, Asheville was cited by the author to be one of the happiest places in the United States. What makes Asheville the happiest place for women and the United States? Read the articles or just go there yourself and find out.

It has been a long winter and many of us have been anxious to get on with spring's warmer temperatures. Of course, warmer temperatures mean more sun, and more sun brings more fun. It also brings the flowers to bloom and Asheville is an excellent place to observe the spring awakening. The Western North Carolina area is blessed with a variety of elevations and terrain containing a variety of plants, trees and shrubs in and around Asheville. It is also home to the Biltmore Estate with its beautiful gardens and Grandfather Mountain where the majority of the spring bloom appears at various times through the season.

This is a list of when and what to look for on your visit. March: Iris, Crocus, Narcissus "Daffodil", Yellow Violet, Spring Beauty, and Dutchman's Breeches. April: Phacelia, Cersis "Redbud", Yellow Lady, Rhododendron, Pink Lady, and Painted Trillium. May: Tulip, Violet, Dogwood, Trailing Arbutus, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalia, Mountain Magnolia, Wild Cherry, Japonica, Trillium, Crab Apple, and Pinkshell Azalia. If you are like me and don't know a Phacelia from a Cersis "Redbud" take the opportunity to do some research and if you don't have the time, just go and enjoy it first hand.

Aside from flowers blooming, Asheville comes to life with spring activity. It is at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the United States. Hiking, fishing, swimming, tubing, rafting, horseback riding, and a host of other outdoor activity is available. Named a must-see destination in 2007 by Frommer's, it boasts a thriving arts community, a vibrant and inviting downtown, numerous historic and architectural attractions, and unique shopping options. Restaurants and dining are plentiful featuring all cuisines. Many restaurants also feature live music from jazz to bluegrass. A guided walking tour called Food Tours is offered. Also named one of the top 24 cities in the world for drinking beer! A great place to stay is the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa overlooking Asheville. Don't give it another thought, take the trip.-Vacation Rick Travel