Today marks the start of Fleet Week New York City. The offical US military website for Fleet Week NYC says that thousands of service men and women in the Navy, Mariens and Coast Gaurd will participate this year.  Dozens of demonstrations will happen over the next week including hliocopter raids, navy seal exercises and many more. Of course the ships will be open to the public during the week. Particpation by active service members is planned for Memorial Day celebrations in Bayville, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island.  Check the schedule for details.

The AP reports today that this year more Americans will travel by car for their holiday plans compared to last year.  Read the full story, “Gas prices won’t deter Memorial Day travelers“, on MSNBC.com to find out about the tipping point for gas prices.  The report comes from a AAA survey.  It seems that many Americans plan take trips by car this holiday despite record gas prices over $3.00 per gallon at the start of the summer travel season. But they will take shorter trips and stay closer to home.  This could actually benefit the local Long Island economy, since more people in the metro NYC area will take vacations closer to home this summer.  Many Americans like to use this three day weekend at the start of the summer for short trips.  They plan to adjust to high gas prices by going to cheaper hotels, motels and restuarants.  Here are a few of the links to our business listings that can help you find bargins on summer traval and vacations on Long Island:

• Long Island hotels and lodging
• Guide for tourists on Long Island
• Long Island restaurants

Well for all of you coffee lovers and tea enthusiasts, this weekend is the time to take a trip into Manhattan.  The Coffee and Tea Festival fires up for its second year with discussions of coffee roasting, demonstrations of how to make the the “perfect shot” of espresso and a perfect cappuccino, and learn about the japanese tea ceremony.  Experience a chocolate tasting, and cupping (the evaluation of coffee tasting).  Cupping is like a wine tasting event but with the focus on coffee.  Coffee is compared on its qualities of flavor, acidity, aftertaste and body. And while you are in Manhattan you can exerience a wealth of special shops dedicated to coffe and tea drinkers.  Our New Your City drectory has over a hundred listings for unique coffee shops, coffee bars, and coffee houses.  If you are staying on Long Island this weekend you’ll find some pleasure at one of the businesses listed in our Long Island coffee houses and cafes. 

We are adding a category on our blog to let Long Islanders know about the uncommon things to experience on a day trip into New York City.  Well last year some of our friends in Manhattan told us about the great bargins on personal care and pampering you can find at day spas.  Participating spas acrss the country join in on a week they call “spa week” and offer special promotion packages all for the same $50 price.  You can find out some of the details at the New York travel guide story: “$50 treatments for Spa Week starting April 16“. 

Some example spa services for the one price deal include:

• 50 min Elizabeth Arden classic facial
• 50 min cream & sugar scrub
• warm cream pedicure
• 45 min fitness facial
• 60 min full body massage
• 60 min body floatation treatment
• 45 min super-enriched oxygen bath
• microdermabrasion treatment

Mark it down on your calendar - April 16th the start of spa week in NYC!

And if you are here stuck close to home for that week look over our listings for Long Island day spas.  We will be covering some local deals in Suffolk and Nassau spas and beauty salons for Mother’s Day gifts.  Spa gift certificates become popular gifts last year and we are sure the trend will continue this year.  If you have some tips to share please let us know.