Viva Las Vegas!

Las Vegas is actually one of my favorite cities. For some it may be gaudy, corny, and loud, but I still see it as a glittery place that’s really fascinating for everyone, not just those that are over 21 years of age. I first went to Las Vegas as a child, so I know that it’s possible to take children there. Not everyone who goes to Las Vegas are big rollers but still enjoy themselves. There is no need to break the bank to have a wonderful time in Las Vegas. Sometimes it all comes down to knowing where the best deals are and being smart about where to stay.

Hotels located directly on the famed Las Vegas Strip are of course going to be more pricey than the ones located just a little off it. Not staying on the Strip doesn’t negate from your Las Vegas experience, and you can still visit the famous hotels and casinos and gamble there, enjoy the food and other facilities even if you’re not actually staying there. These non-Strip hotels are just as good as some of the ones on it. Visit travel sites and see how hotels rank with real-life travelers.

And because Las Vegas is such a tourist hub, getting there could be easier than you once thought. Peak seasons will likely have an increase with regards to ticket and accommodations. The best way to get the best deals in Las Vegas is to go during the off season. Las Vegas doesn’t really have an off season per se, but it surely beats going there when everyone else is. The off season we’re referring to are those times when people aren’t likely to be flocking there. In short, it’s NOT summer, spring break, or winter holidays.

Keep these in mind, and have a fabulous Vegas time!

Traveling with Teenagers & Kids

He rolls his eyes. She pouts. And you wonder whatever happened to the kid who couldn’t wait to go on vacation. What happened is that child turned into a teenager. Teens are often difficult to please and as a parent you probably understand this. Heading out on a vacation with teens can be an experience that you don’t want to remember. Many times a teen will become bored and unhappy. This is why it’s important to pick a destination that your teenager will enjoy.

When you’re selecting a destination, see if it’s geared toward your teenager. Perhaps there are video games – but make sure that your teen enjoys the activities that are there. Also, will your teen enjoy the available activities?

Amusement and theme parks are perhaps a good destination for your teenager. Some possibilities are Disneyland, Six Flags and Orlando Studios. Some of these resorts even offer onsite camping (which will reduce the cost of the vacation.)

Some teens might enjoy such adventures as white water rafting or mountain biking. There are white water rafting vacations offered in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and West Virginia. If you’re interested in a white water rafting vacation, take a look at your child’s age, athletic ability and age. If your family is inexperienced, then book a guided white water rafting tour.

Another vacation possibility for teenagers is a cruise ship. Since cruises are offered all over the world, this gives you the ability to vacation throughout the world in a safe, carefree way. Many cruises are geared and emphasize families and offer onboard activities that appeal especially to teenagers. There are video games, movies, swimming, dancing and even rock climbing.

There are cities throughout the world who cater to tourists and have a lot of available activities. These cities include Hollywood, Paris, New York and London. Often there are events and attractions that might be appealing to your teen.

When planning your vacation with your teenager, it’s important to figure out what your teen and your family enjoys. Consider asking your kids what they would like to do on their vacation and allow they to help plan it. This will make them not only enjoy the planning but will bring your family together and this activity will be time well spent.

Singles Cruises

Travel and cruises: Searching for LOVE?

 

A friend of mine recently decided that it was time to move on after getting her heart broken, so, she booked her reservation on a 4-night, 5 day singles cruise.  I saw her off and wondered how in the world she was going to even enjoy herself as she cried about her lost love and his new girlfriend all the way to the port. 

 

Occasionally, during the time she was gone, I wondered if she had holed up in her cabin and only came out for meals. 

 

 

Boy, was I wrong.  The first indication came when I received a phone call that I didn’t need to pick her up…because her new friend had offered her a lift home.  Recently, my friend called to let me know that she’d and the man she met on the cruise were talking about getting married.

 

So, if you’re single and would like the chance to meet someone new, consider a single’s cruise.

Singles cruises have organized cocktail parties, group activities, one on one dining and games.  Many of the groups also have singles chat sites.  For the single person who wants to meet someone new, all you have to do is to “go for it”.

 

 

There are many very popular singles cruises.  You can sail on a 7 night Greek Isles cruise from Venice, Italy to Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu for as little as $1,699.

 

 

Or for $1,999 enjoy a 7 night cruise from Honolulu to Kauai and Maui.  Or perhaps a Western Caribbean cruise for 8 nights for around $750 might be more your style. 

 

 

By searching on the internet or asking your travel agent, you can find incredible deals for singles cruises.

 

 

These cruises were created specially for singles. The activities are planned to enhance self-confidence and interpersonal relationships.  There are also a variety of leisure activities that are planned by professional cruise directors.

 

 

Most people who have experienced joining the cruise are working professionals from mid 20s to mid 60s.

 

 

So, based on the success my friend had, I’ve decided that I, too will be looking for a cruise where I might meet my soulmate.

Properly Preparing For Your Vacation

Are you planning a vacation this year? If so, have you already started planning your trip? As you start, you might want to consider some of the online resources including a large number of tips available.

Here are some ideas you might want to consider.

1. Climate – What will the weather be like at your destination? Whatever the weather, you need to bring appropriate clothing. If you will be in a warm, tropical location, bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, lightweight clothing is the most desirable. And while you might have warm and sunny weather, be prepared for the worse – even packing an extra raincoat or an umbrella in addition to your summer attire.

2. Identification – No matter where you’re traveling to, it’s important to bring the proper forms of identification in the form of driver’s license, i.d. card and passport. Also bring along all health insurance and auto insurance cards. You never know if you might need them.

3. A popular tourist/summer vacation destination is the beach. Millions of people each year flock to popular beaches throughout the year. If you’re vacationing at a beach or pool area, it’s important to bring along plenty of sunscreen, beach towels and water.

4. Cruise vacations are a popular choice – and for good reason. If you plan on taking a cruise, start preparing as soon as possible after you book your reservation. Unlike some other vacations, a cruise often will require more preparation.

When preparing for your cruise, keep in mind the destinations of your ship and the stops that are planned. If you are traveling internationally, you will need a passport. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to obtain one and although they are easy to get, the time it takes could be as much as 6 weeks. This is why (if you don’t already have a passport) you should apply for one as soon as possible.

5. Some families choose to go camping. Perhaps even more than a cruise, a camping trip requires much more preparation than just packing up and heading to a hotel or amusement park. The amount of preparation however, does depend on where you’ll be going and how you’ll be camping.

First of all, determine where you’ll be sleeping – outside, in a tent or in a trailer or RV. Make sure that you have plenty of supplies stocked and, if camping outside, a tent (with all the pieces accounted for) and warm sleeping bag. If you will be boating, fishing, water skiing or hiking, bring the appropriate gear along. Since many areas are remote and secluded, if you forget something you might have to go without.

Although many times if you forget certain supplies, you can purchase replacements, many times the cost of the replacement is inflated…so prior to leaving, make a list and check your luggage before departing.

6. Inform your friends and family where you’re going. If you have put together an itinerary, give this information to a trusted friend of family member so if something happens at home, you can be reached. If you plan on leaving a pet home, make sure you make proper arrangements for the care and feeding.

The importance of preparing for your summer vacation can’t be emphasized enough. Although sometimes preparing for your vacation may be overwhelming, by preparing in advance, your vacation travel will be much easier to manage.

 

Popular Cruise Misconceptions

How to get rid of cruise misconceptions as you travel

For many people who love cruises, it is a great experience that nothing can replace, however, others believe that a cruise is boring and not much fun or excitement.  Why is it that some people don’t like cruises?

Some people believe that cruising is boring, however this isn’t true.  Cruise ships offer such a variety of activities that there’s just about something for everyone.

There are events from spas and workouts to dancing and dinint.  There are games and relaxations.  Night time brings on bars and parties with dancing and entertainment – and the chance to socialize and mingle with your ship mates.

Another concern that people have is that they might get seasick.  Today’s cruise ships are specially made so most people don’t get seasick – except in extremely rough waters.  There are medications that work so most people don’t have to be worried about this

Some people believe that cruising is only for “old” people, however more and more singles are now cruising.  This is a safe and exciting way to travel and to also meet people – and now many cruise lines are creating specialty cruises – cruises designed for people with similar interests.  Some of the specialty cruises can be geared toward singles – and there are also cruises for groups such as romance writers, or even political parties.

So if you’ve ever thought about taking a cruise, check out some of the options available to you.

Amusement Park Lovers

Are you trying to figure out where to go on your summer vacation? Sometimes this can be difficult to determine not only where you’re going but what you’ll be doing when you get there – especially when travelers all want to do different things.

Well fortunately when you’re seeking places to go on your summer vacation there are an almost unlimited number of options.  In fact, too many, so sit down with everyone who will be going on vacation (and who gives input) and make a list.

For instance, if you love excitement and thrills, consider an amusement or theme park.  This can be an exciting vacation with ready made things to do for the entire family…there’s something for everyone.

In some areas, an amusement park is also called a “theme” park…referring to the fact that there’s a ‘theme’ – this could be cartoon characters, a musical style, animals or other popular topics.

Once you’ve decided that an amusement park is the way to go for your vacation, you need to determine which park you’d like to visit.  If you’re vacationing on a budget, consider visiting an amusement park that’s located close to your home.  Otherwise, look at parks located in other areas of the country or even the world.

Activities.  Before you choose the amusement park that you’re planning on visiting, make sure that you think about the amount of activities at that particular park.  If you’ll be traveling you will also have to make accommodations.  Perhaps one of the simplest things you can do is to consider staying at an amusement park resort.

Staying in a resort at an amusement park has many added benefits that could appeal to the entire family. For instance, some sites have, in addition to hotels, spas, golf courses and restaurants.  So, if you decide to, you could also enjoy a round of golf or a spa day.

What are the most popular amusement park resort in the U.S.?  Well these are Disneyland, Disney World and Orlando Studios.  So if you’re planning on going to any of these, it’s important that you make reservations well in advance.  If you don’t have a reservation, you can still get into the park, however, you might not be able to stay at the resort.

The down-side of staying in amusement park resorts is that they can be expensive.  So if you’re interested in a less expensive way to go, consider a traditional amusement park that also offers onsite camping or look just outside the resort for a budget hotel.

Traditional amusement parks in the United States include Bush Gardens, Six Flags, Knott’s Berry Farm and Sea World.  These are also considered theme parks so, for instance, Sea World focuses on marine life while Six Flags has a Looney Tunes theme.

After you’ve determined where you’d like to go, start making preparations.  If  you get the entire family involved prior to leaving, you’ll all have fun before and during your vacation and you’ll create lifetime memories.