Plane Conversations

As the economy has slowed down,Americans have reduced spending in many areas of their lives.  But one thing that has remained high on the list of priorities is to have at least one vacation each year.

So, for the aviation enthusiast, I have found some great aviation related destinations to visit.  Even if you’re not into all things that fly, these are just “plane” cool places to visit.  Here are my top pick destinations for flights of fancy: 

Hotel Costa Verde’s Boeing 727 Fuselage Suite
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

This suite is a salvaged airframe of a 1965 Boeing 727.  It was transported in pieces from a San Jose aircraft graveyard, to the jungles of Manuel Antonio.  With a breath of fresh life, this aircraft has now been resurrected into a meticulously detailed, two bedroom suite, perched on a 50 foot pedestal to take in the stunning views of the Costa Verde II area in Costa Rica.  But it is nothing like a regular 727 inside the fuselage.  It features teak paneling from the cockpit to the tail, two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and flat screen TVs.  I think I would most enjoy sipping wine on the wing terrace, while taking in the ocean views and watching the monkeys, toucans and sloths in the lush surrounding treetops. http://www.costaverde.com/727.html

The Museum of Flight

Seattle, Washington

The Museum of Flight showcases a collection of more than 150 historic air and spacecraft and related artifacts in unique and inspiring exhibits. Walk in the footsteps of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon on their presidential 707 jet, see the world’s fastest jetliner - the Concorde, as well as other exhibits such as The Museum of Flight Tower at Boeing Field, Space: Exploring the New Frontier, The Montgolfier Brothers’ Balloon, and World War II Fighters.

Open now and running until May 2010 is the popular exhibit In Search of Amelia Earhart.  The Museum of Flight says it has  brought together resources from around the country for this new exhibit about the remarkable life and times of famous American pilot, Amelia Earhart. It features many of her original personal artifacts, as well as photos and newsreel footage”.

http://www.museumofflight.org/

Fighter Jet Experience at Thunder City

Cape Town, South Africa

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the thrill of a lifetime in a fighter jet (that is, head out to sea at a speed of close to 650 miles per hour just 50 feet above the water: your  limits and sortie profile are determined purely by your ability to handle them, then go vertical), then Thunder City is a destination you must visit. Ok, so it’’s in Cape Town, South Africa!  But this is your one vacation a year, right?  Why not zoom over the point where the Indian and Atlantic points meet?  Fly up the coastline of some of the world’s most stunning beaches.Climb high over Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain.  And do it all in the most exciting and graceful combat jets.  Thunder City’s jets include the world’s only flying English Electric Lightnings, Bae Buccaneers, and Hawker Hunter jets.  Choose from a variety of jet flight profiles; ultra high, supersonic, aerobatic, surface-hugging, formation or a combination of these.  Then spend the rest of your vacation recovering from adrenalin overload by enjoying the diverse and unforgettable offerings of Cape Town.  http://www.thundercity.co.za/

If you’re only going on one vacation this year, why not make it a completely unique experience that you can take with you for life!