Holidays | ecoXplorer

Where to Buy Christmas Ornaments Made in America

U.S. ornament company sells only Made in America Christmas ornaments

We all know what the outsourcing of office jobs and manufacturing has done to the US economy. Maryland-based A Christmas Ornament Company is trying to do something about it by selling only American-made products this holiday season.

A recent Gallup Poll found that [...]

Florida Travel Bargains Now in Palm Beach, Boca Raton

Labor Day through Thanksgiving is a great time to visit Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Temperatures are in the 70s and 80s, and hotels and airlines have great pre-holiday budget travel deals. Here are some special offers and events to entice you to visit Florida’s Palm Beaches and Boca Raton:

• Boca Raton Resort & Club, The Waldorf Astoria Collection – Receive up to $100 in resort credits, plus a complimentary one-night certificate for a future stay. Offer valid through Dec. 22, 2010.

• Delray Beach Marriott – Spoil yourself with a spa package, including deluxe accommodations and spa treatment at n Spa. Rates start at $249 per night.

• Embassy Suites Palm Beach Gardens – For as little as $119, stay the night, tour the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and adopt a turtle (no worries, the turtle stays at the Center).

• Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach – Enjoy the third night free with rates starting at $216.67 per night.

• Jupiter Kayak Tours – Try Kayoga – morning kayak and yoga at Riverbend Park.

• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens – A new exhibit beginning Nov. 2 features one of the last great Japanese ukiyo-e print designers.

• Norton Museum of Art – Visit one of the major art museums in the southeast, with a current Van Gogh exhibit, and one of my favorite pieces of art anywhere, a huge glass seascape sculpture by the glass artist Dale Chihuly, plus events with music.

Top Travel Apps for Holiday Road Trips

There is a mind-boggling number of iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry applications on the market to download to help make your driving and travel experience more user friendly. So which ones are best?

These are my picks for the five best travel apps for holiday road trips, to help keep you save and get [...]

Fall Travel Deals to Caribbean Include Free Airfare to Bahamas

Aerial view of Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, now offering free airfare

The peak summer travel season ends on Labor Day, and that’s when the fall travel bargain season begins. Here are three dynamite travel deals and discounts, including free airfare and kids stay free –

Bahamas – Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort

Jamaica – Royal Plantation Ocho Rios

Anguilla – Anacona Beach Resort

Airline Travel Deals to Save Your Green

There are discounts galore from airlines and hotels. Act fast, since these travel bargains don’t last forever.

AirTran Airways has a getaway sale valid for travel on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. You have to book your flights by July 8, 2010, but you can travel through November 16, 2010. Sample fares are $114 [...]

Holiday Driving Safety 101 Starts in the Driveway

It’s safety first for any holiday driving, including this long Fourth of July weekend. Every family road trip should start with a ten minute check of the car in the driveway to give you peace of mind on the road ahead. Ten minutes now can save you headaches, time [...]

Five Best Places for July Fourth Fireworks and Concerts

Macy's Annual July Fourth Fireworks in NYC is largest in US

The Fourth of July and fireworks displays go together like hot dogs and mustard, kids and ice cream. Here are five of the best places in the United States to watch Fourth of July fireworks:

New York City — The biggest and best, of course, is the annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display. This year again, the pyrotechnics are from barges parked in the Hudson River, near the Statue of Liberty, who will be basking in the glow of 40,000 shells in a 26-minute display synchronized to music. A special symphony of patriotic music, Broadway show tunes and other favorites is being provided by The New York Pops orchestra, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as well as a capella, gospel, choral groups and barbershop quartets. There’s a FREE download of the music on the Macy’s website. The show is being televised by NBC at 9 p.m. EST, which will be broadcasting from the brand new cruise ship Norwegian Epic, berthed in the Hudson River.

Travel to the Gulf Coast Now Despite the Oil Spill

Despite the BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in US history, most beaches along the Gulf of Mexico remain open and ready for visitors. One of the best ways you can help resort communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida is to travel there and spend your money in the local, family-owned restaurants, [...]