Cyprus

Say hi to my quest blogger, Nikolai Rudenko, a freelancer in advertising and marketing who enjoys travel and photography and sharing experiences with friends  Please enjoy his travel post on Cyprus, it sure makes me want to pack my bags and head out for some adventure.

Captivating Cyprus

There's so much to love about Cyprus. For starters, it's the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the legendary goddess of love, and it's clear that she left her mark here. This captivating island is a beautiful place that's home to glorious seascapes, gorgeous golden sands stunning mountains, so as destinations go, Cyprus holidays are pretty close to perfect.

Anchored in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus offers a wonderful climate that regularly peaks in the early 30s during the summer season, and hovers around 20-25 during spring and autumn. Even during the winter months, temperatures on this lovely sunny island make t-shirts and shorts a possibility while the rest of Britain is shivering in winter's icy grip.

So, sunshine aside, what else can you expect from Cyprus holidays? Its resorts are plentiful and enormously varied. You've got party-mad Ayia Napa for non-stop nightlife and energetic clubs that will keep you dancing 'til the small hours. This is a great spot for 18-30s style getaways and, as well as a buzzing nightlife, it's also home to some cracking beaches. So make sure you pack your swimwear and plenty of Factor 30 - because sunburn and blisters are never a good look!

For something a little quieter, Nissi beach is located just a few miles away from Ayia Napa and makes a great spot for anyone who fancies being within reach of the nightlife, without compromising a good night's sleep. Or if you fancy soaking up a bit of classic Cypriot culture, head to the town of Paphos. This is a great place with a lovely harbour and stacks of historical sights nearby, including Aphrodite's Rock and the ancient Tombs of the Kings.

You'll find holidays here and in many other locations by flicking through the holiday brochures of major tour operators, like Thomas Cook. Even better, get online and search the website for all the latest moneys-saving deals and inspiration on where to go. One thing's for sure, Cyprus holidays are pretty special - and one visit to this captivating island is never usually the last...

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Scotts Brats on Palm Beach, Aruba

Meet Scott and Leslie.  Scott and Leslie formerly of Wisconsin here in the United States now make their home in Aruba, One Happy Island.  After vacationing in Aruba for a good number of years, they got married on the beach, and the rest if history.  Scott and Leslie serve up an awesome breakfast, and lunch right on the beach in Aruba on Palm Beach.

They're located at the Playa Linda Resort, a very popular spot on the beach.

You can have a quick bite without breaking the bank.  The food is good, the service is fantastic, the  people are friendly, and the prices are reasonable.

You can walk right up and order and take it with you, to the beach, or the pool area.

You can eat while you're walking on the beach.

For breakfast and or brunch, you can enjoy the Bloody Mary Bar

I highly recommend Scotts Brats and Leslie Bunz (take another look at the pictures), for breakfast and or lunch.  We would have eaten here more then twice, but only found it on our last 2 days...this trip.  We will be back, and we will visit with Scott and Leslie and enjoy both breakfast and lunch with them.

AND as a bonus, folks they play great music.  Check it out and tell them Sandy and Ernie (Buckeye's) sent you.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Braves All Star Grill in The Atlanta Airport

 When you get up around 3 am to catch an early morning flight, having a Bloody Mary with your breakfast seems totally in line.........by this time we'd been up about 5 hours already.  Braves All Star Grill in the Atlanta airport is a must.  Good food, good Bloody Mary's and a really fun atmosphere.  Everyone was upbeat and fun........and they were far more awake then we were.  Hubby and I both had an omelet, toast, and fried potatoes with our coffee and Bloody Mary's.  Somehow a Bloody Mary for breakfast always signifies the beginning of vacation from our perspective.

 Braves All Star Grill is located in concourse D.  If you're tight on time, not to worry Carolyn and the other wait staff will get you in quickly.  Things were hoping with people coming and going.  We had some time to kill before our next flight so we got to relax and enjoyed the friendliness and efficiency afforded to all.

This was our wonderful, fun, and super waitress...Carolyn.  Please look her up she'll make your day.  Generally, you make do in most airports grabbing whatever you can; this was not such an occasion.  We enjoyed our breakfast, and we will return on our next flight through Atlanta's airport.  Have your phones powered up when you get there, they have a deal for you using your phones which results in your getting a discount.

Thank you Carolyn and Braves All Star Grill for a great start to our vacation!

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Sunrise on Board Air Tran

 It's time for Travel Tip Thursday.  When you take an early morning flight...don't go sleep as soon as you get on the plane.  If you do.........you'll miss this.

 Don't pack your camera where you can't get to it.  I keep my small point and shoot nothing fancy camera in my purse, in my purse under the seat so I knab it quickly.

Not pictures you could put in a contest, but was happy not much of a reflection.  Held the camera close to the window, took the first picture with the flash, the other 2 without the flash.    This sunrise was taken out the window of my Air Tran flight heading from Columbus to Atlanta on my way to Aruba.  Do pop back in for photo's and information about Aruba, one of my favorite places to travel.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Stewart's Root Beer, Marion Ohio

Stewart's RootBeer Stand in Marion, a step back in time.  Stewarts is located at 1036 North Main Street in Marion, Ohio  43302.  1-740-382-6807.  There are open seasonally.

 Frank Stewart was a school teacher who needed to supplement his income and started making Stewart's Rootbeer back in 1924.  He blended 20 varieties of roots, herbs, and berries to come with the famous and delicious Stewart's Rootbeer.  His first location was in Mansfield, Ohio.

 It is now a franchise with locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and many places on the East Coast.  It truly is a step back in time when you ordered from your car and your meal was delivered by a car hop on roller skates.  Though the roller skates are missing, this location in Marion does still deliver to your car and hooks the tray right on your rolled down car window.

 Some locations are open all year and have grown into a sit down style restaurant, but I'm happy to say this Marion location hasn't!  It's so unique to sit in your car or at the picnic table and enjoy your foot-long hot-dog and root beer like my friend Wendy.

 Or a grilled balogna sandwich and root beer float like I did.

And look at that nice frosty mug!  A fun nostalgic spot for lunch or dinner that's easy on your purse strings.  I highly recommend you pack up the family and give it try.........next year, as they are now closed for season.

Spend some time at Linns Old One Room School House
Tour The Harding Memorial

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.