College Tours

All those years of properly raising your children are about to pay off
...time to pick a college.

If you are the parent of a high school junior or senior you are probably experiencing some mixed emotions.

On one hand, your child is about to embark on a giant step in his or her life.  You must be proud.  

On the other, he or she has not found a college that is a good fit...that means more college tours.  More 1.5 hour trips around college campuses complete with declarations on why this college is the best and tour guides that haven't exactly mastered public speaking (ummmm & like.)

All of a sudden those 5th grade band concerts don't sound to bad!

It's a stressful time for you and your family.  Scholarships, financing, finding the perfect fit, new friends, new roommates, empty-nest.  All thoughts that will keep you up at night.

One thought that shouldn't keep you up at night is the notion of driving hours to make it on campus in time for the 10am information session and campus tour.  Leave that up to Way to Go Air Charter.  The concept of visiting multiple cities instead of multiple campuses is entirely in the realm of possibilities when you fly.

For example, Rochester, NY has two world class institutions that you could visit in one day.  University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology have tours around 10am and 2pm.  Without having to spend the night in town, you could tour both these universities in one day and be home by early evening.

Boston, MA is another college town.  In fact, in the Northeast there are hundreds of colleges universities.  Why limit your son or daughter's choices based on driving distance?

Your son or daughter will immediately know what campus is right the second he/she steps foot on campus.  Enjoy your trip.

Ocean City, NJ: America's Greatest Family Resort

Whether you need a quick getaway, taking your family on a vacation or meeting friends/family at their vacation rental, Ocean City, NJ is the perfect place for your trip.

The Jersey Shore is known for having 'something for everybody.'  Now that MTV has taken claim to the term "Jersey Shore" the territories had to become more clearly defined.  It goes something like this (heading north to south):

• Seaside Heights: Snookie and her cronies.
• Atlantic City: Gambling, rides and boardwalk.
• Sea Isle City: Where college students go to work on summer break.
• Avalon & Stone Harbor: Classy and high-end.
• Wildwood:  Has the distinction of being one of the 'Top-50 Authentic American Experiences.' 
• Cape May: Home of most impressive collection of Victorian houses you will see.

Ocean City, NJ fits right in between Atlantic City and Sea Isle City.  It's distinction is "America's Greatest Family Resort."  Often times you'll hear people mention that "I've been there, my parents would take me there to walk on the boardwalk and get salt water taffy."  Ocean City, NJ is steeped in tradition that is more prevalent than any other coastal town in New Jersey.  

Ultimately, people go to Ocean City for its beaches.  Combed beaches, life-guarded waters and easy access to food, entertainment and restrooms.  7th Street beach is a great place to hangout and watch the surfers while catching the rays.

A couple must-do's: 

• Caramel popcorn from Johnson's Popcorn (ask for the lid off)
• Salt Water Taffy from Shriver's
• Jewelry from Terry Ivory (ask for Renate)
• Cookies from Crazy Susan's (as seen on the Food Network)
• Ride the carousal at Wonderland (do this before eating all the aforementioned)

OCNJ is truly a unique experience.  Don't worry if you track sand in the airplane.  It is much welcomed!

Oh...and by the way...this is your first and only warning - once you get the sand of OCNJ in between your toes you know you'll be back!

See you soon.

Niagara Falls, Canada

Niagara Falls Illuminated

Hours away from anywhere in the Northeast there is a spectacle that is so powerful it'll literally blow you away.  Niagara Falls was formed over 10,000 years ago as a conglomerate of glaciers made its ways from modern day Wisconsin.  Now, it is known as one of the most popular natural tourist attractions in the world.

The falls are made up of two parts - the US side and the Canadian side.  Despite recent efforts to revive the American side of the falls...it isn't really worth the trip.  The Canadian side?  Well, that's a whole other story.

Yes, the touristy stuff is there, casinos, fun houses, novelty museums and chain restaurants, but the true star of the shoe is ...you guessed it...water.  And a lot of it.  As long as you have a Passport, you are set to explore it all.  

First stop, Maid of the Mist.  When in Niagara Falls, you must get wet.  The easiest way to do this is to take a boat tour right underneath the falls.  After being underneath the falls, take in the view by walking along the park that surrounds the Niagara River.  You'll be able to read about successful (and failed) attempts to take barrels over the falls.

You can pretty much spend hours starring at billions of gallons of water falling off a cliff.  On paper it doesn't seem all that impressive, but when you feel the power you will not be disappointed.

Useful sites:
Wikipedia - Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls Tourism

When QVC Calls...

Allison, 21, needed to get to the QVC Studios ASAP

Very rarely does QVC call you, but when they do...you answer!  

Allison Mastrangelo, 21,  from Stone Harbor, NJ is a senior at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. In addition to being a full-time student she is an accomplished model and actress.  For every modeling/actress position there are about 1 billion professionals that want to land the role.  So what do you do when QVC calls you at 8am and asks you to report to their studios by 10:30am?  You go!

QVC's studios are located in Brandywine, PA (outside of Philadelphia.)  From Stone Harbor, NJ to Brandywine, PA Allison was looking at a 2.5 - 3.5 hour drive.  It was a Monday morning so there was a strong possibility for heavy traffic.  Fortunately, the QVC studios are located half of a mile from Brandywine Airport (KOQN.)  So here's how Allison's morning proceeded.  

A quick drive from Stone Harbor, NJ, She boarded N38331 at Ocean City, NJ Airport 8:45am and 30 minutes later she was in hair & makeup at QVC Studios.  A few hours in the studio, a quick flight back to OCNJ and she's home in time for dinner.

When time is of the essence Way to Go Air Charter can get you there.

As Tyra Banks would say: "Allison, you're still on the road to becoming America's Next Top Model."  

Gettysburg, PA

Abraham Lincoln (middle with no top hat) delivers the Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863.

Gettysburg, PA.  Just saying it sends chills down your spine.  The turning point of the Civil War, the Gettysburg Address, haunted battlefields the list of descriptions does not end.  It's one of the few places in this great nation where the history finds you instead of you finding the history.  Every step you take in this town something happened.  You and your family need to see this place.

Each year millions of people visit Gettysburg, but for most its just a stop on the way to some other well-known vacation destination.  Situated 1 hour from Harrisburg, PA, 2.5 hours from Philadelphia and 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh its not exactly the easiest place to get to unless you enjoy driving.  However, there is a small airport less than 2 miles from some of the most famous battlefields in the world.  That's how close Way to Go Air Charter can get you to the action.

Every year in July, the town holds a reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Thousands of reenactors dress up in authentic outfits from the Civil War, camp out in canvas tents and eat hardtack for a week while recreating battles at Picketts Charge, Devil's Den and Little Roundtop.  To this day you can still walk these sacred grounds that once witnessed the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.

South Central Pennsylvania may not be known as the vacation mecca of the country, but it is something that you need to see.  Gettysburg, Hershey and Lancaster, PA hold some of the most unique experiences you have ever experienced.  Definitely worth the trip.     

Information websites:
Gettysburg Visitor's Center
Complete List of Year Round Events
Trip Advisor Recommendations
Wikipedia

Feel Good Friday: For the Paws!

Way to Go Air Charter will fly just about anyone (or anything) anywhere anytime, but in May 2010 the owner of Way to Go had an urgent mission.  Lives were at stake.

Read more here: A New Meaning to Tailwind

Atlantic City, NJ

The Steel Pier Diving Horses no longer wow audiences in Atlantic City, NJ, but their is still plenty to do in this year-round resort.

Believe it or not, the winter and spring can be one of the best times of year to visit the city that has recently gained notoriety from HBO's Boardwalk Empire.  If the roaring 20's are your thing, you definitely want to visit Resorts Casino.  It's recently been retrofitted to bring you back to the days of gangsters and prohibition.

Most think that you have to be a serious gambler to visit AC.  That theory couldn't be farther from the truth.  Bring a $20 to the casino and try your luck.  Visit the stores and awesome restaurants at The Pier Shops at Caesar's or The Quarter at Tropicana.  After you turn that $20 into $200 visit the Atlantic City Outlets that are only a few blocks from the boardwalk.

Ahhhhh, the Atlantic City Boardwalk.  One of the first of its kind.  It's definitely changed since it opened in 1870, but you still can't beat the sights, sounds and smells.  Cabin fever is about to set in and the first nice weekend of spring you are going to want to get away.  Go get the sand between your toes and take in the salt air!

Have you ever walked through and elephant?  You can now! 

The coolest thing about this resorts town is that it can be a hop, skip and jump away.  Unlike flying the airlines or driving hours, Way to Go Air Charter can get you there on a moments notice.

Way to Go Air Charter is the way to go.