Food and Drink

Do you love all of the snow that has recently hit Pennsylvania? If so, Sundance Vacations has a property in the Pocono’s, PA. The Woodfield Manor is a snow lover’s dream come true during the winter months. Just minutes away from some of the best ski slopes such as: Jack Frost Mountain, Alpine Mountain, and Camelback Ski Resort the Woodfield Manor is the place to stay during the cold winter months. Don’t like to be adventurous? Stay inside and eat beside the fireplace at the Chophouse restaurant right on site. Sundance Vacations guests have wonderful things to say about the Woodfield Manor. “We had a delightful time at the cottages on the property. They were very clean and cozy. The gas fireplace was such a great asset to keep the relaxed atmosphere. Dinner at the Chophouse was beyond words. Food was mouth wateringly delicious! Especially the dessert of the hour, peach cobbler. Everyone was so nice and kind. I have nothing bad to say! We will be coming back as soon as we can,” explained April K. of Allentown, PA. We know that many people have raved about the Woodfield Manor, but you know what they say, “you just have to see for yourself.” www.woodfieldmanor.com

Maybe you are sick of the snow and just want to go somewhere warm and sunny? One can dream right? Well, stop dreaming and make it a reality. Check out the numerous Sundance Vacations properties at www.planwithtan.com

Have you ever vacationed with Sundance Vacations? Did you stay at the Woodfield Manor? Let us know about your Sundance Vacations experience.

Dreaming of the warm sunshine on your face, walking in the hot sand, or how about a cool margarita poolside? Forecasts for 2010 predict that more people will be traveling, but the numbers are still well below what they were before the recession. Still, if you can afford to get away, interesting events will be drawing visitors to destinations around the world, from Shanghai to South Africa to Orlando, FL. And here’s a surprise, Mexico is turning up on some top 10 lists for 2010, despite the swine flu epidemic and worries over drug violence.

According to the Associated Press and the US Travel Association Website: Several destinations will be in the tourism spotlight in 2010 thanks to headline-grabbing events, including the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Feb. 12-28; the FIFA World Cup soccer games in South Africa, for a month beginning June 11; and the Shanghai World Expo, May 1-Oct. 31, a 21st century world’s fair that organizers are hoping will attract as many as 70 million visitors.

Universal Orlando will open the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure this spring. The marquee attraction will be a high-tech ride called “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” that will take guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster Potter movies. EXCITING! Sundance Vacations offers many great properties in or near Orlando, Florida.

Universal Hollywood also has news for 2010. Its King Kong attraction, which burned down in 2008, is swinging back onto the Universal Studios Hollywood with a tram tour next summer. The new 3D attraction, King Kong 360, will transport visitors to Skull Island where they will witness “the eighth wonder of the world” tussling with dinosaurs and other critters. SCARY!

To get some deals on airfare, it’s key that you sign up for frequent flyer programs, e-mail alerts, and Airline Twitter feeds. The big trend with airlines happened in 2009, when many airlines used different marketing channels to go directly to consumers with promotion codes and offers.

Go Ahead-Get Away! Check out Sundance Vacations right now and go on your dream vacation.

The following was written by a guest who enjoyed their stay at the Woodfield Manor: “We have enjoyed our stay at the Woodfield Manor so much! The cottage is wonderful and so comfortable. We have never stayed at a place that was any cleaner. The surrounding grounds and area are beautiful. The Woodfield Manor staff is great and very friendly. We feel like we have made new friends. Bob was great as well as the Tuesday, Wednesday bartender (we didn’t learn his name).

My husband and I appreciate your generosity and kindness allowing us to use your computer to check our “boy” Bronson. That was very important to us. We truly consider you both as our new friends. This is our first experience with the vacation program, and we are very glad we made the decision to join.
Thank you and your staff for making our vacation so pleasant and enjoyable!” -S. Beardman

The Woodfield Manor is located in the Pocono Mountains of Pa. For more information please visit www.woodfieldmanor.com

Sundance Vacations recently gave away a Spring Break trip to a local Kings College student in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  Here is what our Spring Breaker had to say about his vacation…

“Winning a free Spring Break trip from Sundance Vacations turned out to be one my most memorable weeks ever. I chose travel to Panama City Beach, FL and brought along three of my friends. During most of our time there we were either out on the beach enjoying the weather or out on the town jumping from place to place. The city definitely catered to Spring Breakers and everyday there were specials at an array of different places along the beach. Some places include: Coyote Ugly Saloon, Shuckum’s Oyster Pub and Seafood, and Club La Vela. All in all, my friends and I definitely had a blast at our stay in PCB. I was so happy to win the trip and was also very happy with how Sundance Vacations helped me get everything arranged. It was definitely one of those trips that I will never forget. Thank you so much Sundance Vacations!”

-Kings College Senior, Rob Crowell

Recently while on a plane from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, I met several members from the band Avenged Sevenfold. http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/page/a7x-bio

I was a little embarrassed because I would like to think that I am quite the music buff, but I had never heard of this band. I was intrigued by them. They were down to earth and actually pretty funny.  I mostly conversed with their bass player Johnny Christ. He was your typical tattooed guy from the O.C. He wasn’t “too cool” or heaven forbid, “famous”. We came upon an important discussion about Philadelphia. Who has better cheese steaks, Pats or Genos?

This has been the age old question for as long as I can remember. I’ve always thought Pats was the best. Surprisingly I got the same answer from Mr. O.C. He agreed Pats is the best Philadelphia cheese steak. When the East Coast and the West Coast agree, you know they’re doing something right!

Philadelphia is continuously sizzling with activity. The city is an exciting, welcoming place to sip cocktails, hear your favorite band and/or do your own thing. Whether you’re dancing and dining in Old City, heading to a hipster hangout in South Philly, you are always guaranteed good times. 
The best part about the nightlife in Philly is that everything is conveniently close together. Most places are just a short walk or a cab ride away.

The “City of Brotherly Love” has a lot to offer. Philadelphia is full of numerous parks, schools, museums, shopping attractions, and of course restaurants with options to satisfy the pickiest eater.

Another great thing about Philadelphia is that it is central to the Pocono Mountains for spectacular skiing, or just a few hours to the ever famous Jersey Shore. If you do check out the Pocono Mountains, the Woodfield Manor is the perfect place to stay. www.woodfieldmanor.com If you decide to go to the beach Sundance Vacations has some places there as well. Sundance Vacations occupies 22 vacation properties for your convenience at the Jersey Shore. Some include: Surrey Beach House (Voted “Best Shore Motel” by Philadelphia Daily News), Wildwood by the Sea, and Mali Kai to just name a few.

So, if you’re ever looking for a place that serves after 10 pm, OR the best place to find a cheese steak at 3 am, Philadelphia has got you covered.

What is your opinion on the Philadelphia cheese steak? Pats or Genos?

The question in Los Angeles is never what to do, but where to begin. Just recently I spent some time in California visiting a friend from college. From the time I walked off the plane to the time I left, it was an adventure. I hadn’t been to LA in 2 years and I knew that there was a lot I wanted to do. Thank goodness I have friends who are full of energy and always on the move. I was out and about every day/night.

My first night in LA my friends and I went to Cabo Cantina for happy hour. The Cantina is a great 2 for 1 margarita place on the Sunset Strip. Cabo Cantina is like bringing Mexico to West Hollywood. The crowd is mixed, but it seems to be more of a college scene. After a few margaritas (one for me of course) and a bite to eat we decided Social- Hollywood was on the agenda for the night. The Social- Hollywood is your typical California glamour scene. You know the kind where you wait in a long line and pay a ridiculous cover charge, but you know it’s always fun, so you do it anyway!  The most exciting part of the night was that Lady Gaga performed. The Social-Hollywood also has a restaurant so it’s the perfect place to have dinner, and then dance all night. The club is filled with so many different rooms that it’s impossible to get bored.  http://www.citrusatsocial.com/

I had to have a beach day, so we went to Hermosa Beach. Hermosa was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and I became a little home sick and missing the annual Scranton St. Patrick’s Day Parade. But, the Hermosa crowd was just as fun and to be honest I had the beach and sunshine instead of the dreary cold Pennsylvania weather. Hermosa Beach was beautiful, and I definitely recommend that you visit. Just hearing the wave’s crash as you eat dinner on the strand is so relaxing. http://www.hbchamber.net/lifestyle.htm

You cannot visit Los Angeles and not indulge in its nightlife. Downtown LA is for the adventure seekers. Anything goes! My friends and I went to LA Live. LA Live is a huge complex filled with broadcast studios, restaurants, movie theatres, bowling lanes, clubs, and a music museum. We spent the night in Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge. It’s bowling in one room and a club in another room. It was a lot of fun, and the crowd was diverse. www.lalive.com

Another great attraction is the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. It’s filled with tons of shopping, Venice Beach, great places to eat and also live entertainment. I actually saw a man line up five people on the Promenade, run, and jump over all of them. He didn’t fall, and actually made the jump. It was exciting!  http://thirdstreetpromenade.org/visitors/index.html

California was a great release from the East Coast, and the weather was perfect every day. I am very lucky that I was able to spend some time with my friend from college, and also lucky to have met a lot of new friends. California I hope to see you again very soon!

Have you ever traveled to California? Where is your favorite vacation destination?
   

We’re here at the Woodfield Manor in the Poconos Mountains, of Pennsylvania. This is Sundance Vacations first live blog. Sundance Vacations is holding their third customer service appreciation event. Dozens of customers have come out for a casual dinner and drinks to tell us what we are going great, and what we could do better. We asked customers what advice they had to offer to new clients who are considering Sundance Vacations. Check out what they had to say below.

Recently my family and I vacationed at Arrington Woods on Fenwick Island, Delaware. Arrington was truly a vacationer’s paradise. We were only 7 miles away from the beach. The island offered many kinds of entertainment, from water sports to golfing and outlet shopping. My family and I ate at Harpoon Hannah’s, Secrets, Nicks Ribs, and Brass Balls. The food was absolutely delicious, and we had such a wide variety. Everything was just a short walk away from our unit. Our place was huge; you could probably fit 12 people. It had such a home setting, with a pull in garage, and the ability to cook outside. Cooking outside worked well for us, since we went crabbing at Assawoman Bay. My husband didn’t want to leave, it was so beautiful and comfortable, he wanted to stay inside and relax all day. Surprisingly the neighbors were all really friendly too! Right across the street there was a playground with a free Merry-Go-Round, which was perfect for our daughter. Another attraction that was great for kids was Assateague Island. The island was full of wild horses, deer, and many other types of animals that kids of all ages love.  Overall our vacation was phenomenal, thank you so much Sundance Vacations!!  

-Lizette Barrager

Tis’ the season for vacations, and most people are taking advantage. Sundance Vacations employees know the importance of vacations; after all we are working for a vacation company. We also work very hard to make vacations more affordable and memorable to numerous families across the nation.

This year, a popular spot for vacationing is the Jersey Shore. The main attraction you ask? Most people would say, the boardwalk. In South Jersey alone, three resort towns have them, Atlantic City, Ocean City, and the Wildwoods. The Wildwoods, which consists of Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest, hold a plethora of activities. The towns are widely known to have some of the finest beaches in New Jersey. At the shore, you will find boardwalk standbys in multiple amounts. From t-shirt shops and jewelry stores, to arcade casinos the shore provides it all. In addition to the boardwalk and beaches, Wildwood also offers amusement and water parks to entertain the family. Pizza, hoagies, ice cream, fudge, soft pretzels, and the ever so famous saltwater taffy dominate the boardwalk menu. Just the thought makes your mouth salivate.

Sundance Vacations occupies 22 vacation properties for your convenience at the Jersey Shore. Some include: Surrey Beach House (Voted “Best Shore Motel” by Philadelphia Daily News), Wildwood By the Sea, and Mali Kai to just name a few. As the archway in North Wildwood boasts, the shore is home to “the happiest people in the world.”

Hopefully you’ll get a chance to vacation this summer, and if you do remember the Jersey Shore is waiting for your visit.

Have you visited the Jersey Shore? What was your favorite spot? What is your most memorable vacation?

I’ve just returned from my family’s annual vacation. This year we visited Ocean Village in West MD. Our unit was a beautiful three bedroom, 3 bath, two story, very clean and in a very peaceful and serene location. I was able to jog every morning around the resort without the fear of being mugged; this was a pleasant experience since I live in the hood. My five children, husband and I had a wonderful time. We all played tennis, poorly, but we played nonetheless. There was also a gym, an indoor and outdoor pool, a Jacuzzi and a basketball court.

We visited the beautiful MD beaches as well as Rehoboth beach and their boardwalks. We ate at the ever-popular Green Turtle, which was absolutely delicious whether your going for a light seafood fare or your heavy-duty sliders, I know because being the parent of five; it is my God given right to try everything they order. We also ate at Salvatore’s Italian restaurant that made all of their meals fresh and I mean from pasta to bread and pizza dough!! It was very good and we were told by our waitress that we were the happiest family she ever had the pleasure of waiting on…of course we were, we were on our Sundance Vacations vacation, together!! We ate at several other restaurants but these two were our favorites this year.

My four daughters were in heaven because they go to shop till’ my husband and I dropped at all of the outlets!! "But Mom, look how much money we saved you!!" How can you argue that?

As we packed to go back home, six sad faces were asking me, "can we take one more vacation this summer and if not, where are we going next year?" The six sad faces included my husbands, as usual! I can’t blame them I feel the same way!!

It’s a tough job to try out these resorts so we can better assist our clients, but someone’s gotta’ do it!!

Seriously, thank you Sundance Vacations for the opportunity and thank you TAN and Lani for the joy and ease in booking these vacations!!

-Judy Romanelli (Customer Service Manager for Sundance Vacations)