Travelling LogBook

Nothing says New England like a small white church with it’s steeple rising in the air high above orange, yellow and red hued fall leaves beneath a sky so blue that you can actually feel the cripsness of the fall air. One of these most famous New England churches is the Stowe Community Church in the beautiful 200 plus year old town of Stowe Vermont.Walking down Main Street in Stowe you will feel like you are back in time, and you won’t be at a loss for shopping. Park the car and enjoy the old time ambiance as you stroll the quaint town center. You will find antique stores, ski shops, a clock and lamp shop, ice cream parlor, a book store, Vermont made furniture store, and a quilt shop, to name a few. There is even an old fashioned general store tucked behind the shops that sells New England mustards, those ever present maple syrup candies and any array of souvenirs you might need.

After enjoying a tour in the town of Stowe, you might want to spend the night in the fabulous Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa. The Stoweflake is a AAA Four-Diamond luxury resort. It boasts a 50,000 square foot spa, state-of-the-art fitness center and two award winning restaurants.

The Stoweflake offers a wide array of rooms, from standard guestrooms with 1 king or 2 double beds to their one- bedroom suites that include a living area, fireplace and jacuzzi tub with two separate vanity areas. For vacations with the family the Stoweflake offers townhouses for rent right behind the main hotel.

No vacation to the Stoweflake would be complete without being pampered by one of the many spa services offered by the Spa at Stoweflake. From traditional massages and facials, to treatments for men, to Eastern or Vermont bodywork the Spa at Stoweflake is a world renowned spa. The highlight of the Spa is the Aqua Solarium which has a hydrotherapy water falls and Hungarian mineral soaking pool to ease any tensions away.

Travel to Stowe any time of the year. You will find a variety of activities all year round. For a winter vacation with the family, the area of Stowe is known for cross-country skiing with the nation’s largest cross country trail system. There are over 150 kilometers of groomed trails and 100 kilometers of back-country trails. For travelers looking for a downhill ski vacation, there is Mt. Mansfield for unsurpassed New England downhill skiing. The summit elevation is 4395 feet with a vertical drop of 2360. Mt. Mansfield offers skiing for all levels, beginner to expert. Dog sledding and snow mobiling are also fun winter vacation activities. Don’t forget a romantic horse drawn sleigh ride for two!

With summer just around the corner, how are you doing with your vacation plans? Have you ever considered visiting the Delaware Beaches? Beside being known as the “First State”, the Rehoboth Beach area in Delaware has also been referred to as “The Nation’s Summer Capital”.This pouplar and fun beach resort is located on the Atlantic Coast. Because it’s only only two hours from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and the South Jersey area, you will enjoy a vacation destination that offers a calmness and welcoming feeling, in a relaxing, slower paced family atmosphere.

Accommodations run the gamut and include anything from quaint bed and breakfasts to fine hotels and everything in between. Apartments, condominiums, cottages, and private homes are just a few of the options to choose from. The local realtors offer services to assist you in finding the ideal lodging for your stay.

There is an abundance of food choices. Whether you decide to eat at your hotel or go exploring, each eatery has their own specialty. Menus range from the local catch of the day to vegetarian. The area is also well known for it’s shopping opportunities. There are many local artisans, as well as factory outlets where you can really stretch your vacation dollars.

Another thing that Rehoboth Beach is famous for is its mile-long boardwalk. Many people come down just to walk the boards and watch the ocean waves. You can also bike ride or jog or just hang out and people-watch. If you are lucky enough you can catch a glimpse of dolphins, porpoises, and other wildlife, such as pelicans. Other activities which are great for the kids as well as adults include arcades, musical entertainment, miniature golf and the many festivals that schedule Rehoboth Beach for their venues.

For those of you who are into more natural surroundings, there is Cape Henlopen State Park close by in Lewes, Delaware The open shoreline of Cape Henlopen State Park is perfectly suited for swimming, crabbing, fishing, walking or just soaking up the sun. The highest sand dune between Cape Hatteras and Cape Cod is located on this beach. This “great dune” towers more than 80 feet above the shoreline.

There is a restored World War II Observation Tower, if you are inclined, where the public is able to see the area from a bird’s eye view. The story behind the tower is fascinating. Bird lovers will want to keep an eye out for ospreys and hawks. The protected piping plover and bald eagles have also been spotted occasionally.

Finding another location that matches this resort area’s variety and charm would be a challenging task, because it really has everything you would want or need to have a fun and relaxing vacation. Do yourself a favor and visit”The Nation’s Summer Capital”. You’ll be glad you did!

That’s the intent of this article, to wake up some ideas in your head, and plan for things to do in Florida and any of your travels.When we venture down to Florida or anywhere for that fact of the matter, we first figure out what activities we definitely don’t want to miss. Here is our list of favorite things to do on vacation…

1. Sit on the beach and play in the ocean. This is a no brainer. We love to walk the beach, bathe in the sun, play in the waves, and watch the beautiful people. What types of things do you do on your vacation? What activities do you have planned? Do you relax, go active, or a little of both? 2. Play golf. Golf is a great game. There are excellent golf courses all over the world to choose from and you can even plan an entire golf vacation.

3. Go fishing. Deep sea fishing or fishing from a pier is a blast. If you have never done this try it once, you’ll love it.

4. Other sporting activities like scuba, snorkeling, water skiing, parasailing, renting jet skis, or whatever. There are a ton of water activities to choose from.

5. Day trips and tours are awesome choices. Rent a boat for the day. Take a barefoot cruise. Venture over to Orlando and go to Disney World or any theme park. Dinner cruises, exploring, hiking, tours at local sites, and anything else that you can think of.

6. Go shopping! Yes, the ladies will love this one and probably already have it planned. I hate to shop, but it is actually fun when I am on vacation. It wears me out though. Take some extra money and visit the local shops, find souvenirs, and spend some of that hard-earned money.

7. Drive around. We have rented convertibles or motorcycles for a couple of days and just explored the area. One time, we went from Miami to Key West and spent the day there. Another time, we traveled up the A1A highway along the Atlantic Coast of Florida, enjoying the luxurious homes, yachts, and views. You can even do this as a weekend getaway. Find a cool spot that’s only 6 hours or less away and take off. We always have fun doing this.

8. Take in local entertainment, events, restaurants, and such. Go dancing, find the best watering holes, do something romantic, party likes its 1999. Remember, you are on vacation and it’s time to have some fun and do stuff you don’t usually get to do at home.

The list is as endless as your imagination. These are just a few general ideas that we always plan on doing. Be creative and try new things.

Enjoy your trip, have a good time, and tell us your stories!!!

A European vacation with your family is one of the most exciting and educational things you can do together. Train travel allows you to see the beautiful countryside in detail, and you can do it at a great discount.A European vacation has so much to offer, you will have to decide ahead of time what kind of vacation you want. You can travel from Madrid to Paris, then Rome, trying to see all the sights along the way as you rush by. This can be fun because you are seeing and doing so much, there is no way to be bored, and you will remember the trip forever. The downside is that you don’t get to feel as much of the local culture and lifestyle when you are rushing through. Spending some of your European vacation in the same place and getting to know some of the locals can be much more satisfying and relaxing.

It all depends on your personality and what you are looking for in a vacation. A lot of people like to travel by train for their vacation so that they can see more areas, getting great pictures, and they will be able to say they have seen all of those famous landmarks. Some people would rather pick a place and spend the whole time there, really soaking in the atmosphere with their family and getting to know the customs.

Some of you may prefer to combine the two options for a European vacation that I have described above. Pick a city, like Madrid for example. Fly into Madrid, get a nice hotel, and stay there for about a week. There are many beautiful monuments and sights to see, and you can walk around downtown and see them up close and personal. You can eat at some local restaurants, take short day trips to see other areas of the city, and come back to your hotel in the evening.

When your week is up, you can travel by train to continue your European vacation in the sunny southern province of Andalucia. This area of Spain has beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The weather is hot and sunny from spring through the fall, and the climate is dry. The beaches are fine, white sand and amazing blue water. Tourists from all over the world, and especially from the rest of Europe, fill these beaches every summer. Take at least a week and find a hotel or villa near the beach. You can spend every day at the beach working on your tan, relaxing in the warm sun, and swimming in the crystal blue waters. The seafood is spectacular in southern Spain, and you will have no problem finding great restaurants with mouth-watering food at great prices. If you like to go out at night, there are more bars and nightclubs than you can possibly visit. You can be sure that you can stay out dancing as long as you want to.

When you are done relaxing in a sunny beach town, you can fly or travel by train to vacation in Paris for a week. There are all kinds of historic sites and museums to see. You can walk or take a bus around to see all of the areas of the city, enjoy French restaurants, and soak in the culture. When you are all done, you can fly home again, knowing that you saw a vast amount of historic and cultural sites, beautiful countryside, and had a great time at the beach relaxing. A little bit of everything, to make your European Vacation complete.

Wait until your friends hear about it!

How many of you have seen the classic Chevy Chase movie, “National Lampoon’s Vacations?”
If you haven’t then you should, but if you have (and are probably laughing right now), then you’ll remember the mishaps the Griswold family went through traveling across country to Wally World Theme Park.Well, family vacations don’t have to be that way. With a little planning, you can ensure little headaches, relaxation, and most important, fun!!

With that being said, here are some top tips for having a great family vacation…

**Plan ahead. Get all the guides, maps, & information you can get your hands on. If you travel with kids, sit down and plan out things to do, see, and so forth. It can be a fun thing to do before you leave and get everyone excited about the trip. For kids, renting movies (Disney, Vacation movies) can be fun also. Although the Griswold’s had a heck of a time and planned ahead, be sure you know what to do in crazy circumstances- have a plan.

**How are you getting there? Taking your own car may pose problems. We typically fly, but if you decide to drive, weigh out the options of taking your own vehicle or renting one. Now, if your family car is newer, has a DVD player, and plenty of room, then it may be the best way to go to keep everyone busy. Otherwise, look into flying or renting a car for the trip.

**Does everyone have stuff to do? Keep the kids and spouse pre-occupied during the trip. Books, games, movies, toys, and so on are must have items. Remember, waiting in airports can be boring and long drives can be rough with antsy kids in the back. I am an adult and even I have a tough time. Don’t forget things to do while you’re there as well.
**Did you take care of the mundane details? Is the family pet taken care of? Did you consider travel insurance? What about other important documents? Did you get discount tickets and coupons? Who is watching the house, getting the mail, etc…? What is everyone packing and is there room for all that stuff? These are important details many people wait until the last minute or forget to handle causing them to rush around or make cell phone calls from the road. Don’t stress by figuring it all out in advance.

**Did you prepare your budget? Maybe you have a ton of money to take, which is what everyone wants. Don’t overdo it though. You can have an awesome vacation without a high-end budget (especially in Florida). I have seen people who go on champagne vacations with a beer budget. Remember, credit cards have to be paid back and the trip is only temporary. We agree, travel is a must, but be smart.

Are you ready to go? Be sure you plan your trip, find the best deals, shop for travel necessities before hand, and have fun doing it- there is a lot to do, but if you make it a headache it will be. If you make it fun and include everyone, then you’ll feel like you’re already on vacation!
Most of us work all year for a vacation. We see little time of each other and vacations are a great way to spend quality time together. Ensure you don’t become the Griswold’s with just a little planning!!

There are a number of beautiful mountain ranges across the United States that provide wonderful vacation destinations. A mountain vacation can be an adventurous, fun-filled trip for the entire family, or it can be a secluded and relaxing romantic getaway.Scenic mountain ranges are found on both the east and west coasts of the United States. The majestic Rocky Mountains stretch across the western United States from New Mexico up all the way to Canada. The eastern United States has its share of mountains as well. The Appalachian Mountains run from central Alabama up through New England into Canada. Both of these mighty mountain ranges contain numerous tourist spots designed to provide a full range of activities.

Travelers can do just about whatever they want on a mountain vacation. Most mountain vacation destinations in the United States offer a wide range of activities, including sightseeing, mountain biking, skiing, camping, shopping, live musical entertainment, and fine dining. Travelers can tailor their own personal mountain vacation to include all of their favorite activities on one trip.

Travelers can choose from a plethora of different lodging options on a mountain vacation. Many tourist spots rent out historic cabins and chalets, similar to the dwellings that residents lived in hundreds of years ago. Many high priced ski resorts offer modern amenities and high class dining along with access to skiing and snowboarding facilities. Camping is a great idea for people who want to remain as close as possible to nature and experience firsthand all the mountains have to offer. The usual hotels and motels found all over the country are another option available to travelers.

There is such a wide range of activities and lodgings available on a mountain vacation that it is nearly impossible for someone not to have a good time. Travelers on any type of budget will find accommodations and activities to fit their needs. Mountain Vacations Info provides detailed information on vacations in the Rocky, Blue Ridge, and Great Smoky Mountains, as well as mountain biking vacations and mountain rental cabins in Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and other destinations. Mountain Vacations Info is the sister site of Dude Ranch Web.

Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There’s plenty on tap to see and do, and it’s an easy city to get around on foot. And you’ll find Boston vacations a refreshing mixture of old and new.You can experience the start of the revolutionary war, take a bus on a river, and see a coral reef - and all before dinner.

The best way of getting around during Boston vacations is walking. That’s right the ole soft shoe shuffle. You’ll save time and see more by expending some shoe leather.

But for first time visitors I highly recommend an orientation tour first.

A SPLISH-SPLASH DUCK TOUR

One of the best, and most unique tours is the Duck Tour ride.

The tour is done in a renovated World War II amphibious vehicle. You get to not only experience Boston from the streets of the city, but also from the Charles River.

That’s right, during the tour, the bus you’re on will become a boat, and you’ll see the beautiful Boston skyline from the river that separates Boston from Cambridge.

You can pick-up and buy tickets for the tour at two places: The Museum of Science, and The Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay. During the summer the tours are usually sold out by lunchtime. The tour lasts about 80 minutes, and there’s no stops.

It’s a great tour and you’d have to be “quackers” not to do it! Sorry couldn’t resist it.

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile easy-to-follow red brick line that links 16 historical sites together around the streets of Boston. It’s a one-way route starting from Boston Common and ending up at the Bunker Hill monument in Charlestown.

If you do the whole thing, plan on at least 2-3 hours, or better still take the whole day. You’ll pass by many landmarks on your trip, such as: The Boston Common, Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere’s House, and USS Constitution.

The route takes you through Boston’s famed North End, where you’ll be sure to return during your Boston vacations to sample the superb Italian restaurants.

THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

As San Diego has its world famous zoo, then Boston has the New England Aquarium.

New England and its coastline have a history of fishing and whaling. But today instead of slaughtering whales, New Englanders spend most of their time saving them.

And the aquarium is a vital link in the area’s ocean preservation movement.

The centerpiece of the aquarium is the giant tank. The floors of the aquarium run around the tank and up four levels. At the top you get to peer down into a coral reef and listen as the staff explain about the tank and the fish that live in it.

You’ll get the answer to questions such as: “Why don’t the big shark fish eat the little tasty fish?” or “How old are those huge sea turtles swimming around down there?”

Your ticket will include a visit to the Discovery next to the main building, where you can see and learn about sea lions during an amazing show. A few years ago the Aquarium opened an IMAX theater that shows a mixture of sea-related and general science films.

A word of warning - this is a favorite Boston vacations attraction for families. But you’ll always get in, even when the ticket line seems to stretch for miles.

BEACON HILL

Sandwiched in a small area between Boston Common, and the Charles River, are alleys and narrow red brick cobbled streets, where time has stood still for the last century.

This is Beacon Hill, and one of the most popular walks for people on their Boston vacations.

Quiet and bewitching, it’s a delight to walk. You’ll find walled gardens and an authentic 19th century neighborhood feel. Even the original gas lights remain on streets lined with ancient elms.

A favorite haunt for taking pictures is Louisburg Square. A picturesque block of residences perfectly preserved.

After you ramble up Mount Vernon street, wind your way back across to the Massachusetts State House that sits atop Beacon Hill and get your camera out again.

AND THERE’S MORE…

Three other places to visit on your Boston vacations are Cambridge, just across the Charles River, and home to the universities of Harvard and MIT - THE J.F.K Library and Museum at Columbia Point in South Boston - and the Boston Harbor Islands, tours to the islands leave from Long Wharf and Rowes Wharf, both located near the aquarium.

Boston has tons of things to do and see, and I’ve really just started to scratch the surface for you. The rest is yours to discover and as close as your favorite search engine and booking on the Internet.

Universally, the term “gone fishing” is associated with vacations. In that case planning a fishing vacation should be nothing more then a natural choice. Fishing combines sport, relaxation, communing with nature and free food and hence qualifies as the perfect vacation. From a weekend trip to the closest lake front camping ground to an adventurous and long packaged tour to the best fishing locales of the world, one has plenty of choices that could be made.While planning a long fishing vacation, there are a couple of obvious choices to be made.
First one being what type of fishing is most appealing. The most basic breakdown here is a choice between freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Fishing vacations come in various sizes and forms. They can be started with loading your car with fishing rods and sleeping bags or calling a travel agent or professional fishng guide.

These trips can be taken all the year round. Although the first thought is generally to catch the bass biting at the very onset of spring or the blues running in autumn. Trips can be made absolutely anytime of the year, even in the dead of the winter, just in case he angler has no aversions to cutting holes in the ice.

A properly planned vacation can be fun for all, irrespective of whether you are a novice or a very serious sportsman. The only essential purchase required is the fishing license, rest all can be rented. Rods and reels, boats and crews, which can even cater lunch, can be rented out.

It can be a way for families to spend time together while simultaneously enjoying the outdoors. Although the idea of skewering worms onto hooks may sound gross yet the vacation can be fun for the entire family. Fishing is a leisurely pastime and you don’t have to excel at it to enjoy, and a total beginner might be just as good or even more than a seasoned pro.

Just because you are vegetarian, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while fishing. One may use catch and release techniques for the fun of the sport.

While as said earlier, their can be several ways of going for fishing, however packaged tours certainly has some advantages. Best part here being that all the essentials are included right in the price. One need not carry all the equipment around, and thus the trip becomes more fun. Along with the trip, the vacationer also gets the expertise of the trip provider. Thus one need not hunt around for the best ‘fishing hole’ and thus the chances of returning empty handed are considerably reduced. Also at fairly reasonable prices one may also get lunch included in the package deal.

Toughest decision to be made while planning a trip is, where to go. Think globally as ther are plenty of scenic fishing spots which are a real treat for anyone interested. British Columbia in Canada boasts of beautiful wilderness and streams filled with great number of fishes of an ample of species.

There are also the less exotic but easier on the pocket destination which can be good value for money. Prices for accommodations may range from 100$ to 300$.
One may also like to make it a learning experience, by opting for a Fishing School package. It generally includes hands-on and personal tutoring regarding the ins and outs of fishing. All the equipment is provided by the school. Prices may be around 300$ per session , travel expenses excluded.

When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted of driving for a week from place to place in a hot stifling car. My parents had the knack of picking the hottest week of the summer to do so. In spite of that, we still had fun, managed to find interesting sites to explore and those are the memories that I still have.I discovered the joy of travel to far reaching destinations on my own by the time I turned 18. Jumping on a plane and heading off to Brazil, Europe or cruising the Caribbean, has turned into a life long passion my whole family now enjoys with me.

Family vacations have evolved over the years. There have never been more choices, more variety and more options available for family vacations as there is today. Especially since 9/11, the focus on family and community and played a strong role in our society. The travel industry has noticed and has geared up for families. From all-inclusive vacation packages and cruises, which are equipped with kids clubs and special activities: to resorts that supply a nanny for your stay, it’s never been a better time for families to travel.

Still not sure? Here are just a few of the benefits of taking a family vacation:

1. The family that plays together, stays together…..

It is a time to get away from it all. Away from work, the phone calls, the kid’s activities, the daily to do list. This is a great opportunity to spend time as a family and get to know each other. Go for a hike, build a sandcastle, explore a museum. There is more time to talk and spend time together without the daily distractions.

2. Teach your children well….

Travel is an excellent learning tool for kids. They can have the opportunity to learn about things first hand they may have learned in school, read about or saw on TV. Any destination can offer this learning experience whether it is a few hours drive away from you home or in Europe. Family vacations will teach children about different cultures, food, history, geography, climate, environment and so much more. The best part is that it’s way more fun for them then learning it through homework!

3. New experiences they will never forget…..
Family vacations provide a whole new venue for experiences that your kids never would have had otherwise. We took a family cruise last winter, and it was my 9-year-old son’s first cruise. We told him all about the ship and showed him pictures but I don’t think he could quite grasp what it was really going to be like. We landed in Fort Lauderdale and as we were driving to the port, we could see our ship in the distance. He was excited but still very nonchalant. Once we got to the port and pulled up alongside the ship, he looked up and up and up at the enormous ship, his mouth dropped open and he gasped in amazement. That reaction was worth the price of the whole trip and is something I know our family will always remember.

4. Life is an adventure, especially on vacation….

Even if you are not particularly brave there are still many ways to experience the adventures that lie in every corner of our planet. It may be as simple as going to the zoo at your destination and seeing the animals that are local to that habitat or taking a jungle tour though the Amazon. There is so much to see and do, pick the adventures that appeal to your family and do them together.

5. You kids won’t be kids forever….

Doesn’t seem like yesterday that the teenager that just borrowed your car, was in diapers and day-care? Most parents agree that time seems to fly by quickly and those babies are grown before you know it. There will come a time that your children will have lives of their own and sad as it may seem, spending time with Mom and Dad will not be anywhere near the top of their list. Take the time for a family vacation while they still want your company.

6. Time to kick back and relax……

Now this part is important. One of the main reasons to take a vacation is to get some rest and recharge. It is important for everyone so don’t over do it. Try and schedule an active day followed by a more relaxing day. It’s hard to do in some destinations where there is so much to see and do like Disney World, but trust me. The kids will be less tired and cranky and it will give you a reason to come back to the destination again!

I know this all sounds so good, it makes you want to book that trip you’ve been putting off doesn’t it? Well, I will add in a dose of reality here and include a few negatives. There are some natural stresses to travelling. Planes get delayed, kids get cranky, families can have too much of a good thing and get on each other’s nerves. The list can go on, but don’t let that discourage you, the advantages are too numerous to ignore.

So whether you choose to pack the kids in the car or fly to more exotic destinations, the benefits are the same. As far as memories go, we tend to remember the good things; the time spent together as a family, the new things that were discovered, the new friends we made, the places we saw. This is what your children will remember and, the fact that you were there with them to enjoy it.

Most of the time, when an individual is planning a vacation, they have to consider all aspects of the time they will spend away from home. The lodging, the transportation, the meals and so on are all things that have to be thought of. One way to limit the expense that all of this creates, is to book an all inclusive vacation. While this will not alleviate all of the things an individual has to think about, it will help to reduce the amount of planning that is needed.

All inclusive vacations usually include accommodations, meals, tips, and taxes are included in the package. Sometimes, they can also include attractions, airfare, and transportation as well. To find an all inclusive vacation that fits the needs of an individual, several things should be taken into consideration. All inclusive vacations wrap the cost of all these expenses into one. That is not to say that an individual can not find great deals on these items individually. But, often an all inclusive vacation includes all of this at a discounted rate.

If considering an all inclusive vacation, one should check out the deals that are available. Individuals who are really looking for the best deal should take the time to find out if all inclusive vacations they have found are a better deal. But, in the end, they can find all this information and do so from their home. The Internet is a great tool in planning a vacation, including an all inclusive vacation. Most big attractions have all inclusive vacations planned for them. To find the options available to anyone, it is as simple as finding the right Internet sites. An all inclusive vacation may be just the thing to help make planning a vacation less of a struggle and more of an enjoyment. And, it may just save some money!