Tag: vacation

Five of the Best Places for Families to Vacation This Summer

Summer family vacations can be a blast, but picking the right get-away spot can make the difference between a vacation to remember and a vacation you wish you could forget. The following five vacation spots should help you lay the groundwork for summer fun and relaxation.

Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida)

You can’t go wrong with the happiest place on earth! Your kids will meet their favorite Disney characters, ride classic roller coasters like Space Mountain, see live performances, and more. DisneyWorld is spread out over 30,000 acres and features multiple theme parks, water parks, and golf courses. That’s more fun than you’ll know what to do with.

Hawaii

If your family is willing to brave a long airplane ride, Hawaii should be at the top of your list. There are a host of child-friendly beaches, not to mention a wide range of activities such as snorkeling, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, and the Hawaiian Adventures Water Park. Aloha ʻOe!

The Grand Canyon (Arizona)

The Grand Canyon ranks with DisneyWorld as one of the most popular vacation destinations. 277 miles long and 18 miles deep, this natural wonder is a must-see for the whole family, especially if you’ve never been. When you’ve gotten your fill of this titanic chasm, you can also go hiking, kayaking, rafting, and ride the Grand Canyon Railway.

Circus Circus (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Despite its reputation, Sin City can be a great place to take the family, especially if you stay at Circus Circus. It’s Vegas’s fifth largest casino, and offers a variety of entertainment such as acrobatic shows, arcades, and carnival games. Last but not least, Circus Circus is home to Adventuredome, an indoor theme park with over 20 rides.

Atlantis Resort and Casino (Paradise Island, Bahamas)

Who can say “no” to the Bahamas, especially if you’re combining the Bahamas with a fantasy-adventure experience? This $850 million resort is a recreation of the mysterious lost continent of Atlantis. You’ll have access to beaches, pools, water slides, and exhibit lagoons. You’ll also come across over 50,000 different types of animals, including sharks and stingrays

What places would you recommend for the perfect summer family vacation? Let us know in the comments section.

Find Last Minute Travel Deals For Spring Break

by bmadmin

While it’s often true that booking your travel months in advance is most cost effective, many times waiting until the last minute before booking your flights and hotel arrangements could pay off. These last minute deals typically become available because of a cancellation, finding companies ready to discount the fare or package because they need to get it re-booked ASAP.

Searching for Last Minute Travel Deals

As you might expect, searching online is the best place to find last minute travel deals. Websites such as LastMinuteTravel.com, CheapTickets.com, VacationsToGo.com, CruisesOnly.com, and FareCompare.com are known for their great last minute travel discounts. Many times if you book your flight, along with hotel, car rental, or all-inclusive vacation packages, you can save hundreds of dollars.

Comparing the Best Deals

If you are concerned about getting the best deal at the last minute, one of the features most of these sites have is the ability to compare prices all in one place. You simply type in where you want to go, and the site will give quotes from several different places offering deals. You then read through what the whole package is, compare taxes and fees, and see which one is the best choice for your Spring Break getaway.

These sites are going to try to sweeten the pot for you, offering packages that are very appealing. Sort through these offers and you’ll be able to customize the vacation package that best suits your needs.

Subscribe to Newsletters and Email Alerts

Oftentimes, these travel sites will have newsletters or email lists you can join. They will send you weekly emails of all of the deals they have going on. If you see something you like, you log onto the site and check it out. This is often one of the best ways to find last minute travel deals because the alerts come to you, rather than your having to think to check every day.

If you decide to take advantage of this service from several websites, it’s a good idea to set up a separate email for yourself (some people call this a “burner email”). That way, your regular email won’t get cluttered with newsletters and alerts, and you can keep track of them easier.

Remember, too, that these last minute deals can be very exciting and lucrative, but only if you are prepared. This sort of vacation planning is not for the timid or hesitant. Have your money and passport ready, or be ready to be disappointed as deal after deal slips by. Like I said, this sort of vacation planning is not for everyone; it is only for those who are flexible and prepared.

Don’t Forget Your Local Travel Agent

Nowadays, travel agents rarely make simple flight reservations. They are much more likely to be privy to great package deals waiting to find the right traveler These deals for last minute flights and hotel bookings are very often not advertised, and you will only know about them if you go in and talk to a travel agent in person. It’s possible that a travel agent could have a group already booked for your vacation destination and there could be a few more tickets available at a great rate.

How flexible are your travel plans? If you know you can travel during a certain period of time, and at short notice, you may be in the perfect position to take advantage of great last minute travel deals. Get your money, your passport, and your luggage out of the closet… your dream vacation awaits, and at a lot less cost than you might expect!

Discover Vacation Destinations Right In Your Backyard

by I Am Benchmark

Going on a vacation doesn’t have to mean driving for hours and hours or flying to a far away place. Sometimes such an elaborate vacation isn’t in the budget, and sometimes you just need a few days to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.

Planning short getaways within driving distance of home may be just the ticket. Close vacations are easier on the wallet and, truthfully, easier on the nerves. Planning and executing long, involved travel plans are taxing, leaving you less relaxed than you intended. Finding places nearby takes a bit of creativity, but can be well worth the effort.

Think Like a Tourist

The last time you had family come from out of town, I’ll bet you found new things to do and fun places to see. Residents often overlook some of our areas unique attractions until we have ‘tourists’ to entertain.

Start by visiting those places you’re always telling your out-of-town friends about. If you have scenic beaches, picturesque mountain views, walking trails, museums, or anything else you’ve always wanted to do, go see them for yourself. Whether it’s a day trip, or a weekend, make your plans early so you can take full advantage of your trip.

Gather Brochures

Most cities print local ‘what to do’ magazines or fliers that are available in grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, or the Chamber of Commerce. Grab a handful and start browsing. Don’t be too selective at this point, just grab them. Those racks and racks of brochures are there to entice visitors to our area, so be enticed! Give each one some consideration. Hotels are another great source for tourist brochures.

Go Online

Google is an amazing tool. Search “things to do in CITY” or “tourist attractions CITY”. Search for state or national parks for a fun day trip. Look up Facebook events, meetup.com, or eventbrite.com for public events you may want to attend. Local radio stations tend to play commercials for events and concerts too.

Tons of Fun in Our Backyard

Water parks, amusement parks, and other big attractions can often be found within an hour or so of most cities. You may likely find that these areas cater to the ‘park going crowd’ and offer discounts at hotels.

The added bonus in going to a city that has a big water park or amusement park is that they often have more attractions. Affordable lodging, meals, and memorable experiences is the name of the game. Plan your local adventure for the ‘slightly off season’ and your experience will be less hectic than at the busy times.

Learn and Laugh Staycation

Having a learning vacation close to home could be an adventure with a little research. You may be able to visit a ranch, a zoo, a farm, a winery, a tree nursery, a crafting colony, or even a chocolate factory. There are lots of local businesses that would love to have your support.

Wouldn’t it be breathtaking to watch your kids help feed a newborn foal? A trip to a working farm could teach everyone how to milk cows, collect eggs, or make butter. Perhaps you could plant the next season of Christmas trees, or create soy wax candles, or learn how to make cake from scratch. Many factories, farms, and artist colonies offer free tours, requesting only a donation.

Change It Up

A vacation is merely a change of scenery from the usual, a time to do something fun and interesting. Chances are there are many places around town that you have never been to. You may have driven past these places and even suggested them to friends. Now is the time to experience the area like a visitor. Go ahead and plan a day or two creating experiences for your family in places not so far from home.