Summer Vacation USA 2012

Finding the perfect summer vacation can be challenging, especially if you are looking for a family friendly destination. Florida is one of the top family friendly destinations in the USA, if not the world, but going there in the summer time is advisable as the temperature is usually very high there in the summer season. If you are planning to visit the Orlando Theme parks, prepare for long waits in lines for the rides in the sweltering heat. The high humidity just helps in making things much more uncomfortable. That is the main reason i would advice against visiting Florida in the summer, unless you are a beach freak, then i guess the hotter the weather the better for you.

One hot spot to visit in the summer season is Maine, as the temperature is moderate in the summer, and there are plenty of activities to participate in. Most of Maine's attractions are family friendly, from the outdoor activities to the sight seeing tours, or the whale watching boat rides. Maine is considered one of the best nature lovers destination in the USA, for its magnificent rivers, beautiful scenic mountains and its coastal islands.

Exploring the beauty of mother nature is one of many things you can do in Maine, but the state features many more attractions for the entire family especially kids with its vast variety of amusement parks and water parks where kids as well as grown-ups can have an adventurous day full of fun. The crowds are way much smaller than the ones in Orlando's parks, and the wait time for the rides is not even close to that of Florida's amusement parks.

There are nearly fifty parks and historic sites in Maine for out-door entertainment and sightseeing tours. You can visit a living history museum, take guided tours to capture photos of all kinds of birds and other wildlife creatures , or go horse-back riding through the forest, and mountainsides. You can also take the kids for a ride on one of the many whale watching boats that sail about twenty miles of the coast where you can see the huge whales along with the humongous white sharks swimming alongside the boat. Try not to eat right before boarding the boat as that might cause you to get sea-sick, and prevent you from enjoying the trip. 

Maine is considered vacationland for its unique natural beauty, densely wooded mountains, fabulous coastline, along with its state and national parks, such as Baxter State Park, White Mountains National Forest, and the crown jewel of the nation's parks: The Acadia National Park. People visiting will find countless variety of activities, most will probably run out of time before having a chance to explore everything the state has to offer.

Southern Maine is known for its cosmopolitan cities and beautiful shorelines, while the North is famous for its magnificent forests and farmland. Maine is also famous for its delicious seafood, especially lobsters. You can enjoy eating a variety of fresh seafood meals at many of the eateries scattered all over the coastal cities. Whether you visit Northern or Southern Maine you will have a very fun-filled time along with your children.

For more information visit: www.visitmaine.com

For more travel planning articles visit: www.PlanaVacation.blogspot.com 

The Redneck Riviera: A Great Vacation Spot

France and Spain have the Costa Del Sol and Riviera. America have the Emerald Coast and the Redneck Riviera, stretching around to arguably the sexiest city in America, New Orleans. Starting from the Apalachicola area in Florida (that's the bump between the Panhandle and the bend toward the south on the Gulf Coast) and wrapping around to the Louisiana shores, the Redneck Riviera boasts every imaginable playground for country boys and girls. Described by some as Mardi Gras with a beach, the Redneck Riviera is a great place to vacation, bikini-watch, surf, or just watch the sunset in a beach chair.

A small taste: deep-sea fishing, shallow river fishing (boat or fly or whatever you love), every imaginable watersport, gambling, military museums and the Blue Angels precision flying team, white sand beaches lined with fantastic bars and nightclubs, and tons of historical spots, good golf, and nearby attractions like Disneyworld. Some of the best places along the Redneck Riviera to stay include:

Destin, Florida, is the premier Florida destination for Spring Breakers, and it should be. A combination of incredible beaches and excellent bars and hangouts provide the best beach singles strip for hundreds of miles, and you're guaranteed in the non-Spring Break season to find good deals on beachfront condos as well as lots of great restaurants with world-class food priced for your wallet. Just a few miles away, Sandestin provides a more upscale vacation experience, including a world-class golf course. Oh, and did I mention Destin is called the World's Luckiest Fishing Village? Destin is renowned for its great deep-sea fishing, and you'll find it easy to charter a boat to go out and catch that marlin.

Pensacola Beach is built on the barrier island off Pensacola, a military town. Because the community is designed to appeal to tourists and young military personnel (Navy and Air Force), you'll find lots of singles hangouts, mostly filled with other tourists (the locals generally go over to nearby Navarre or to Gulf Breeze for bar crawling). The Blue Angels put on regular air shows here as well as impromptu practices, and the naval aviation museum is unbeatable if you love military aircraft. The Pensacola area is also great for blackwater canoeing, where tea-colored rivers flow gently out into the Gulf. Don't trust maps here; ask a local. Hurricane Ivan a few years ago tore up parts of the island, and not all roads go where they claim.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is as far west as you can go and see those wide, protected beaches. Beyond here, the barrier islands that surround and protect Florida's coast end are washed away by the wide Mississipi delta. This is a great golfing destination, but is also perfect for just relaxing and sitting in the sun with a margarita listening to some Jimmy Buffett.

Dauphin Island is just off Gulf Shores, and is filled with stilt-constructed homes designed to avoid storm surges that come every year during hurricane season. Like Pensacola, Dauphin Island has taken a beating from recent hurricanes, but it is still beautiful. It may be more family-oriented than a single redneck looking for company would like, but it's a great place to go for a quiet weekend to explore a new relationship.

Need a little more? The Redneck Riviera is only a little distance from New Orleans on the Gulf Shores end, and not too far from Orlando on the Destin side, where Downtown Disney and other hangouts are increasingly attracting young singles to the region. And small ocean-going casinos set out regularly from Mobile for gambling cruises. You will find just about anything you're interested in down in the Redneck Riviera.


Plan a Vacation

Plan a Disneyland Vacation

Going to Orlando, Florida, for a vacation is a good idea for those looking to get away from work and the hassles of their daily life. Not only is Orlando home to Disney World, but it is also ranked high on the top lists of places to go to for vacation. As such, there are numerous Orlando vacation resorts that cater to tourists and provide places to reside in during vacations.

Orlando receives over 40 million tourists every year, and it's no wonder why. With great theme parks, tourist sites, and luxurious hotels, Orlando is truly one of the nicest places to go on vacation.

Plan For Your Family Vacation

There are many ways for a family to save when trying to book a vacation. Try to book your flights for off-peak times, avoid booking flights on weekends as the prices are way cheaper during the week days. The real early or real late flights are usually cheaper than midday flights. Book your flights at least a month in advance as the prices are typically high if the booking and travel time are pretty close.

Rent a car, you will save lots of money if you do, public transportation is very limited in Orlando, and taking cabs every where you want to go can add a lot of cost to your trip. Renting  a car can also get you a better hotel for less money as you don't have to stay right in the center of where all the action is, if you stay at a hotel that is about  20 to 30  minutes away from the attractions you get a better resort at lower rates.

Buy your theme park tickets online before leaving, they are offered at a little lower prices online, try to get the multi-days ticket as they are cheaper than buying individual day tickets.

Get your rain gear, batteries, and accessories for your cameras before you head to the parks.

Vacation Packages

Keep a watch for vacation package deals, a lot of times airlines and travel agencies offer good deals if you bundle your flight and hotel stay together.

Time-share Condos

Be aware of the "get your theme park tickets for half the price" , that usually means you'll have to attend a time-share seminar that lasts about 90 minutes, and most of the sales people are really pushy. Unless you are in the market to buy a time-share, steer away from those seminars, saving a hundred dollars or so is not worth the hassle.


Disney

If you don't want to deal with the driving back and forth from and to the Disney parks, you might consider staying at one of the fine Disney resorts where you'd be right in the middle of it all and where the packages are built around the plan of touring Disney. There are numerous resorts to choose from, and like the theme parks themselves, are also catered to different tastes. So when going there, you can choose to go wherever your child, or the child in you wants to go., but be ware those resorts are not cheap at all.
Children Bed Stories

The Fabulous Las Vegas

It seems as though there are a million activities to do when visiting Las Vegas, especially when you read about all the attractions before you arrive in the city. However, after many people finally arrive to the great Las Vegas city they oftentimes find that there are millions of more things that can be done around Las Vegas. Whether it's gambling at the famous scenes of the Las Vegas casinos or its simply relaxing to enjoy your stay at the world-class hotel that you've made reservations at, or enjoy one of the money shows and plays that uyou can get for half the price at the half price tickets booth available at different location throughout the strip. There is always going to be plenty to do and see in Las Vegas. Here are some major attractions that you don't want to miss while planning your trip to Las Vegas:

Eifel Tower, The Ride

Enjoy the spectacular view from one of the highest points in all of Las Vegas. The Eiffel Tower Ride is positioned in the center of the Vegas Strip, 46 stories high.

A signature of the Las Vegas skyline, The Eiffel Tower Ride at Paris Las Vegas is a duplicate of one of the most famous attractionsin Europe.

 As soon as you get to the observation deck, you will encounter an amazing 360 view of the Las Vegas Valley.

After enjoying the astonishing views at the top of the Eiffel Tower, don’t forget about  stopping by the Wonderful Photos kiosk to buy a commemorative picture of your journey into the sky! It is the ideal souvenir for a memorable time.

The Adventuredome

When thinking about your trip to Las Vegas one of the words that probably came to mind was "adventure." However, you can also experience a real adventure by going to the Adventuredome in the Las Vegas Strip. Not many people realize that this attraction is in Las Vegas until they actually arrive, but the Adventuredome is made to attract all sorts of people even though families, kids, and teenagers are the ones who you'll see hanging out here the most. However, there is a lot to do within this 5-acre building. Whether you want to ride on the many rides that are available or play games throughout the Midway Game portion of Adventuredome, the possibilities are literally endless.

Some of the interesting rides and attractions that are located inside the Adventuredome in Las Vegas include the Canyon Blaster Roller Coaster, the Xtreme Zone, plenty of clown shows, as well as plenty of arcade games to choose from. There is also a putt-putt golf course, as well as a rock climbing wall for all to enjoy!

The Fashion Show Mall

If you thought that your trip to the mall ended with your local mini-mall then you may just want to check again. In Las Vegas, the awesome Fashion Show mall has plenty of opportunities to shop at the over-200 stores and restaurants available. This mall is so named, though, because the many fashion shows that take place here are usually regular occurrences. Some of the major stores that sit in the Fashion Show Mall include Bloomingdales, Dillard's, Macy's, Abercrombie and Fitch, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Ann Taylor, as well as a whole host of other ones that are just too numerous to name!

The M&M World

This is a really interesting and creative Las Vegas store, but the M&M World incorporates everything M&M related into their store, and actually contains two huge floors that are fully devoted to the chocolate candies that many people in America love!

All in all, it is really possible to easily find something that one can enjoy while planning a vacation to Las Vegas. These are some of the more interesting attractions that are still equally as popular as the many casinos in Las Vegas. All of these attractions, though, offer the excitement of a lifetime for any and all who choose to come!

Jamaica Sailing Cruise Vacation

Jamaica sailing cruise vacation offers you all the beauty the place has to offer. Since it is one of the most popular West Indies' island, Jamaica is quite famous not only for unique gastronomic selections, wide array of music selection to choose from, but also for its magnificent beaches.

If you ask people who have been to a Jamaica sailing cruise vacation, they would tell you not to miss out on its beaches. This is because the majority of tourists who go there love the Jamaican beaches among other attractions. The most famous beaches to visit include the Negril, the Montego Bay, and the Ocho Rios. These three are the most beautiful beaches Jamaica has to offer.

Aside from skinny-dipping in the wonderful sands and clear waters of any of these beaches, there are so many water activities you can choose from. With its calm waves, sailing is the most famous sport in the place-both for foreigners and locals. And since the water is lukewarm , many people can't get enough of swimming in the beaches.

For visitors who are into sailing, visiting Negril is a must. Located 50 miles at the west side of Montego Bay, Negril is a superb beach that is ideal for almost all kinds of water sports and activities.

Ocho Rios, on the other hand, is also among the most visited places in Jamaica, especially its Blue Mountains that is filled with wide variety and selection of fauna and flora. This is the most ideal place to stay in especially to those who can't live without the comforts of commercialization because almost all amenities are available at the hotels nearby.

Among the three beaches mentioned, the most popular is the Montego Bay wherein you can find three of the most sought-after beaches in the world-the Doctor's Cave Beach that has a five-mile stretch of white sand and has peaceful waves perfect for cruise sailing, the Cornwall Beach that has smooth and white sand and the Walter Fletcher Beach with clear and warm water also ideal for sailing.

What you need to know before leaving 

Once you have decided to go on a Jamaican sailing cruise vacation, you should consider not only your destination experience but also a list of things that will ensure the success of the trip including:

1. Peak seasons. The peak season for tourists start from January until March because this is the most ideal time to arrange Jamaica sailing cruise vacation. People who are planning to cruise should remember not to arrange their sailing vacations from the month of July until November. This is because these months are cyclone season in Jamaica.

2. Type of ship to be used. When planning a Jamaica sailing cruise vacation, you can choose from three types of ships. These include the skippered bareboat, the crewed charter, and the bareboat.

3. Legalities. Aside from choosing the right boat that will cater to your needs, always bear in mind some legalities and confirmations for your Jamaica sailing cruise vacation. These include informing the customs of Jamaica about your arrival in the territory and your intention to stay for a couple of days or weeks.

Here, the officials from customs will conduct an inspection in your ship and will ask you to fill up necessary documents such as ship registration, affirmation, permission for departure and a list where the stores of the ships are recorded.

Vacation Deals

There are cheap airfares you can use for your travel needs, and you don't need to empty your wallet just to get to your destination. Keep in mind that these offers may be hidden from the general public and it would take a lot of research on your end to find them for your use.

Shop For It

Getting the cheapest airline tickets in the market requires a little window shopping. You need to check out airline companies or travel-related agencies if they have some good offers on specific destinations. You can find a lot of them on the Web through search engines. Avoid picking out the first airfare deals you see in the online market and always take some time to compare the rates before making the final choice.

Again, you need to do better on your research if you want to get the best price for your travel. You don't have to check individual companies since there are quite a lot of them around. There are some sites like Kayak.com that allow you to check for specific flight schedules on different airline companies in a single look-up, so make use of them to expedite your search.

Wait For The Prices To Go Down

Airfare rates tend to go down on specific dates and go back up again when the peak season or summer holidays starts. If you check out the history of airfare rates, you will see that many of these airline companies increase their prices during special holidays, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or when the summer season begins. Don't do last minute booking on these dates if you want to cut down on travel costs.

One idea here is to book your flight in advance. You will find that there are certain discounts to be had when you reserve for seats for travel on a later date. Since holiday rates don't usually sky-rocket until a few weeks before the event, you will surely get a good deal out of it when you get the seats long before the price change.

Rewards And Frequent-Flyer Miles

If you are fond of collecting rewards then you might want to look for some coupons or rewards points to get discount rates on airfare deals. Credit card companies do have some reward points for specific airline companies and some even have discounts with them if you use their service for your reservation.

Another idea is to become a member of airline or travel groups that offer frequent-flyer discounts or mile credits for you to use later on. Watch out for these rewards since they are quite handy to cut down travel cost when you need them.

Look For A Travel Agent

Travel agents are experts in the airline industry. They are updated with the latest deals and offers that grant big discounts on various destinations around the globe. They are the perfect medium to use when you need to go somewhere with a limited budget. Hook up with one easy by checking them out in the local yellow pages or look for their contact information on the Web using search engines. Give them your budget and destination, as well as your planned flight schedule to successfully get the best airfare deals for your needs in record-breaking time.

Travel Tips To Italy

About the county

Italy, the birthplace of pasta and pizza provides a wide range of choices for artwork lovers to experience. A temperate climate exists here with very hot summers and not so cold winters. The weather is the best in spring and autumn with pleasant temperatures and scenic views. At that time of the year, the place isn't crowded much and things can be enjoyed in leisure. Incase of emergency call 112. For fire call 115 and for ambulance call 118.

Culture

Italian is widely spoken and is the official language. English isn't very familiar to the locals. Family ties are of utmost importance here and hence social courtesies mean a lot to the locals. There is a great impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the culture here. There is a high content of chlorine in tap waters, so bottled water is recommended for staying fit during the trip. Since Italian is spoken on a wide scale, it is highly recommended to learn few common Italian phrases which can be of great use. Social gatherings call for formal wear, but one can dress in casuals otherwise. At some religious places, sleeveless shirt and shorts are frowned upon. So they are better avoided. Purses and wallets should be well guarded and in case of any theft, police should be informed about the incident.

Site Seeing

The first thing to check out is the leaning tower of Pisa, where Olympics originated. At places like museums and art galleries, photography, especially flash photography is restricted. Check out the ticket counter for more information. Italy should be mainly discovered on foot for a thorough viewing of all the beautiful buildings and monuments. Coaches and trains are a good option to get to a tourist spot.

Shopping

Shops here are open from 9am to 8pm, closed for lunch. Quality of goods is great although the prices are very less. Items like crystals, lacework, leather good, and jewelry can be bought at the stores. Remember to hold on to the receipt. Tipping of 10% is customary along with the service tax levied on the bill. Italy is famous for top designers of the world, so do buy clothes and accessories to update your wardrobe. Cruises have formal gatherings in the evening, so ensure to buy a cocktail dress or some formal wear, though casuals can be worn at other times.

Electricity

The voltage used is 220 volts and 50 Hz frequency.

Getting there

Alitalia is the national airline of Italy. Many other flights connect to Italy from USA, Canada and Australia and there is big competition to attract passengers giving a wide range of offers to travelers. Rome airport is located 26 km away from the city and it takes 45 minutes to get there from the airport. Trains connect directly to Termini Station from where one can take a taxi to get to their destination. Duty free shops, banks, car hire and restaurants are the other services provided at this airport. Milan has another famous airport  which is at a distance of 45km away from the city.

Brindisi, Ancona, Naples and Venice are the major seaports of Italy. Italian State Railways connects many European cities. But, Eurostar provides the fastest train service.

If you choose to drive, don't forget to carry international driving license and international insurance certificate. Roads connect Italy to France, Austria and Switzerland. Many coach services are provided from the neighboring countries.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 2liter of wine and 1liter of spirits (over 22 per cent) or 2liter of fortified or sparkling wine
3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (if over 15 years of age)
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
5. Gifts not exceeding Euro89.96 (if entering from an EU country), Euro175 (if entering from a

Plan a Trip To Lake Tahoe

If you are planning a California vacation, you might want to visit Lake Tahoe for a couple of days. Your stay will surely create a mark in your life because of the wonderful scenery and relaxing atmosphere. There are a lot of things for you to do so don't miss the fun and excitement that an upcoming vacation in this destination can bring you.

Lake Tahoe and its Setting

Lake Tahoe is actually shared by two popular states, Nevada and of course, California. Two-thirds of it is situated in California whereas one-third is in the state of Nevada. It is mounted in between the Carson Range and the Sierra Nevada while the gigantic and mountainous peaks surround it. Lake Tahoe also ranks as the eight biggest lake in the entire world.

You will definitely love the crystal clear and pure water of Lake Tahoe. It is approximately 200 feet deep. The water is naturally filtered through all the meadows and marshes before it finally runs through the lake.

Things to do while on a Vacation

Fishing is one of the prime activities that you may engage in. The salmon and the trout are two of the main inhabitants in the lake. You may fish for the Rainbow Trout and Mackinaw. Your chances of catching the Rainbow Trout are higher when you fish in the two-hundred foot water levels. Meanwhile, the Kokanee Salmon is one sport fish that proves challenging to catch. Shore fishing is also popular and best done by most beginners. If you prefer to do this, better secure your California fishing license. 

For other outdoor activities and extreme adventures especially during the summer season, you can always enjoy rock climbing, camping, water sports, biking, golfing, and hiking.

The beaches are nevertheless breathtaking that you can always go for a swim and do sunbathing. The nude beach is also available. You just have to be at least eighteen years old to be admitted

If you love going for walks, you can always go for a short hike. Take note that you should wear the appropriate apparel as the weather can abruptly change. The wilderness hike lets you see the wonders of the forests filled with nature's blessings. The hikes also require a special permit. 

On the other hand, if you will visit California on the cold winter season, you can do downhill or cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobile skating. There are ski slopes meant for the pros and the beginners. Lake Tahoe has the largest ski resort in the entire United States. No wonder, tourists flock the place for the winter season. 

Another extreme adventure to do is rock climbing. The Bear Valley in Central High Sierra Nevada and Sugarloaf south of Lake Tahoe are among the popular sites. At night, you can kill time by visiting the casino hotels. Concerts and live bands also perform for your heart's content. 

Lake Tahoe Accommodations

For your comfy accommodations, you may decide if you prefer to stay in a swanky hotel or go for the vacation home rentals in Lake Tahoe. Rental homes and condos are all over the Alpine Meadows, Carnelian Bay, Brockway, Cedar Flat, Donner Lake, Kings Beach, Juniper Hill, Tahoe City, Truckee, Tahoe Vista, and a lot more.

Hence, whether you are up for an outdoor adventure or casino hopping, Lake Tahoe is surely a great spot during a California vacation.