The International Dark-Sky Association has certified Sossusvlei as a Dark-Sky Reserve. Light pollution does not exist in this desert where few animals live and people come to stay just for the starry nights.
You can arrive in Sossusvlei by a small plane and a gravel airstrip or take a 6 hour car ride from Windhoek.
The dessert lodge has a dining patio with telescopes to look at the stars up close. The hotel pathways are lit with red energy saving night-vision bulbs to produce as little light pollution as possible,.
Once you get into bed there are skylights above you so you can sleep under the stars too.
Click here to read the full story by Griffin Shea on CNN.
Learn about Mexico’s culture at beautiful, off the beaten path locations. Here are the best underrated destinations for families in Mexico.
Bacalar, Quintana Roo is located along the Caribbean with a lagoon, Lago de Seis Colores that you can swim in. You can also take a trip over to the Mayan ruins. The rooms at Rancho Encantado have a Master suite and 2 twin beds for the kids.
Campeche, Campeche is where many affluent and native Spanish families lived before the Europeans came over. The city has been restored and has great museums show casing the Mayan architecture.
La Paz, Mexico means peace and is a small quiet town on the Sea of Cortes. There are many excursions including Kayaking and whale watching at the Malecon boardwalk.
Merida, Mexico is the capital of the Yucatan Peninsula and gives you a balance of tourism and colonial Mexico. Museums in the downtown area have artifacts and show how the city transitioned from a Mayan city to today. There is also a free zoo and playground that is a faororite stop for children.
San Pancho is a small artsy town on the Pacific Ocean. There is a fantastic golf course called Las Huertas golf course and a plaza where you can buy handmade local goods.
Click here to read the full article by Jordan Estrada on Huffington Post.
As a passenger, the biggest concern you have about flying is safety.
How old is the aircraft you plan to board? What is the safety record? Questions about private jet charter safety seem to come up more often than they would about aircraft operated by a commercial airline.
You would do well to choose a private jet operator that is ARG/US and WYVERN certified.
The Aviation Research Group United States and Wyvern Consulting are the country’s premiere third-party safety aviation auditors.
Conducting Research Into Operating Histories
Your private charter company should be relentless in its aircraft inspection program.
While the company does not maintain aircraft or crews of its own, it will have access to a wealth of information provided by operating histories.
Since that information can be passed along to potential clients, you can learn about the background not only of an individual aircraft, but also the crews, dispatcher, maintenance provider, insurance provider, and even the international handler, if applicable.
Flying the Wyvern Way
Wyvern Consulting was the first firm to conduct worldwide safety audits of air charter operators onsite.
The statistics since 1991, when the company was founded, attest to the quality and thoroughness of its work. For example, of 2,034 fatalities recorded from January 1991 to August 2010, there were none that involved an aircraft or crew approved by Wyvern.
The Pilot & Aircraft Safety Survey
An experienced air charter company will create a Wyvern “PSS” or Pilot & Aircraft Safety Survey, which each flight scheduled must pass.
The survey information includes the trip summary, type of aircraft, certificate holder, the names of the pilot in command and the pilot second in command.
An Inspection-Perfect Flight
In the interest of private jet charter safety, the experienced air charter company you choose will have performed inspections and acquired comprehensive aircraft histories so that you can be assured of a safe and comfortable flight.
Do you often need to travel to the city of New York for business reasons?
If you are going back and forth every week or so, chartering a jet may be more convenient and less frustrating for you than constantly driving to the airport, waiting in long lines and getting stuck sitting next to someone you do not want to sit with at all.
Get Where You Need to Go Anytime
One of the downfalls to taking a commercial airplane to get to the city is dealing with the possibility that anything can happen.
You never know if you will arrive to the airport on time only to find out your flight has been delayed several hours.
What do you do when a situation like that happens? Most likely, you get stuck sitting in an uncomfortable chair waiting hours to board the plane.
By chartering a jet, you no longer have to go through that. It does not matter if you prefer to travel early in the morning or late in the evening.
The pilot of the charter jet will you get you to New York in a timely manner whenever you need to go there.
Planning Every Last Detail
When you charter a jet, you get to decide on just about everything, which makes it convenient. Some of the decisions you may need to make would include:
When you would like to leave your current location.
What time you need to arrive in New York.
What type of charter you prefer to take.
How many people you may be traveling with.
At times you may travel alone, but there are other times when you may bring business associates with you to visit the city for work-related reasons.
When you spend a lot of your time traveling, it is better to have a private jet to ride in, especially if you want to get to your destination on time at all times.
As the seasons change and summer travelers settle back into daily life, fall travelers are gearing up for some fun and adventure.
This is a great time to travel as you miss the busy season with its often inflated prices, crowds and sometimes extreme heat.
Below are a few choice destinations that you can enjoy.
Munich
The home of “Oktoberfest,” Munich is a prime destination in fall. This German city capitol is not only rich with carnivals and fun activities that are put in place specifically at this time, but it is also rich with culture, beautiful sites, delicious food and charming locals.
Melbourne
If you are still not ready to let go of that spring time feel, Melbourne could be the perfect destination for you. While the temperatures may be dropping in the US, they are coasting around the 60’s and 70’s in Australia. Not only is the weather pleasant, but there are different historical monuments, parks and landmarks to explore, as well as exquisite shopping that you can indulge in.
Santiago
Another weather conscious option is Santiago, a popular city in Chile. Enjoy the spring weather, along with the vibrant culture, beautiful locals, flavorful food and striking architecture. You may choose to explore the city on a tour, or set your own path and experience the city like a local.
Vancouver
This city is an excellent option for the price-conscious traveler. After the summer season, prices drastically drop, making travel to and around this gorgeous destination quite reasonable. As a growing entertainment hub, there are many film festivals in the fall. There are also natural parks and monuments worth visiting.
Paris
As a popular tourist destination year round, it is no secret why this city of love is a great travel choice. In the fall you can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of this beautiful city without the hassle of large crowds.
One thing you should do before you go heli-skiing in Chile is check out what your health insurance cover while you are abroad. You can purchase a supplementary policy but most of the major providers supply insurance while you are abroad. But there are still major expenses that may not be covered, like being medically evacuated back to the U.S. which could cost over $10,000. The State Department recommends calling your provider and asking what they will cover if something happened to you out of the country and what you will need to cover yourself.
Click here to read the full article by Stephanie Rosenbloom on NYTimes.
