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Archive for March, 2009

Where to Bike in the Central US

March 31st, 2009 No comments

They have been called the best, but to be honest, I had to leave some trails off the list that I would put up against any of these. I left these because they offer something for everybody. The Central US has so many incredible trails to offer I recommend you try to get on as many as you can. This list is a good place to start.

Colorado, Waldo Canyon. The views are breathtaking and it is absolutely impossible to be disappointed by the trails here. There aren’t many places on the planet where you feel like you can peek into heaven, Waldo Canyon is one of them. The top of the trail gives you a view above the tree line which makes you feel like omnipotent. This feeling sure comes in handy during the ride back down. Enjoy.

Palmer Park, Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado Springs is a personal favorite so I may be a bit biased about the trails here. Palmer Park offers many trails from beginner to expert. There is an added adventure element as well. There is no discernible way to navigate the park because the maps are incomplete, so you could get lost for a little while, but it is totally worth it. The rock formations impress every time.

Cache Creek to Game Creek Loop. This loop is just a little southeast of Jackson, Wyoming. In the beginning it seems a bit easy but gets tougher as it goes on. Only a couple of miles in you will realize this trail isn’t for beginners. The varied plants and wildlife add to the mystique of the place and insure that you will never get bored, no matter how many times you ride this trail.

Utah, Moab. The MOAB Brand Trails are 4 trails, each named for the different letters in MOAB. The M trail is the easiest and works it way up to B, which is the most difficult. You’ll find the M trail a little rocky, but mostly just fun. The B trail will through expert level obstacles at you like slick rock and tight turns. These trails are enough to keep you busy for a couple of days and can be fun for the whole family. It’s a beautiful place, designed for biking fun.

Austin, Texas. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is my favorite place in the great state of Texas. Not only is Austin one of the coolest, quirkiest cities you will ever have the pleasure of visiting with the right mindset this trail is a ton of fun. It is inconsistent in places and you may have to walk in some places but if you are looking for nature in the middle of an urban setting, Barton Creek is a lot of fun. If you can go during the Austin City Limits Music Festival and bike a couple of days you will have lived my dream vacation, I hope you enjoy it.

These trails are just a sampling of what the Central US has to offer. As I mentioned, it was difficult to narrow the lists down to just 5 places. I hope you get the chance to see them all. Each one is very unique and has something different to teach you. Get out there and learn all your lessons on the above amazing trails.

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Stay at The Oaks Hotel & Conference Center – Midway in Burr Ridge Illinois

March 31st, 2009 1 comment

If you are traveling through Chicago Midway Airport, you’ll want to stay at The Oaks Hotel &  Conference Center. This lovely hotel is ideal for both business and vacation travelers. It is located within minutes from the airport and there is a complimentary airport shuttle to take you both to and from the airport – nearly 24-hours a day.

The Oaks Hotel & Conference Center offers guests easy access to many shopping and dining venues. There is also lots of cultural and entertainment available in the Burr Ridge area to enjoy. It is easy to see that this hotel is convenient to everything you’d want to see and do.

This hotel has many amenities that guest are sure to enjoy. There are 122 rooms in this location, with luxury whirlpool suites. Take a quick dip or a leisurely swim in the indoor swimming pool. There is an on-site fitness center for your convenience. Business travelers will especially appreciate in-room telephones with personal voicemail. Every room has a coffeemaker, hair dryer and an iron with an ironing board. Enjoy premium cable with special channels like HBO. Laundry services are available for guests. You’ll be sure to enjoy your stay with every luxury and convenience right at your fingertips!

Travel Tips For Cheap Family Vacations

March 31st, 2009 No comments

Family vacations are really an important time for the family. Its probably the only time of the year that the whole family can get together and spend some real quality time with each other. It means fun for both the parents and kids. Many families may now tend to avoid thinking about vacation because of a tight budget and a slumping economy. Here, however, are some tips on how to cut down the cost of your next family vacation and yet still ensure loads of enjoyment for everyone:

1. Plan your vacation well in advance. This gives you plenty of time to surf the internet and get the best bargains on air tickets and hotel reservations for your family.

2. Try to be flexible about the dates of your travel. Its better to travel in mid-week rather than on a weekend. Try to plan your travel in the off peak season. You are more likely to get cheaper air tickets and a good bargain on your hotel.

3. Save money on hotel rooms. Your hotel choice could consume much of the money spent on your vacation. If you have relatives or friends living near any probable vacation spot, then try make arrangements, if possible, to stay with them for the holiday. If planning an international vacation then consider using a hotel guide or surf the internet for the best rates you can find.

4. Save money by considering cheap cruises. These can be for only three to five days on many popular cruise ships with many fun designations. The inside cabins are the best choice and can actually be very affordable.

5. Check for a vacation rental. These provide a great value when it comes to a family vacations. You can save a lot on the hotel room and also on the food.

6. Before you leave for your vacation, buy all your own amenities like sunscreen, toothpaste, medicines, etc. These things usually cost more at vacation spots.

7. Try to travel with another family or with friends. You can consider booking a vacation cottage and share the cost of the stay. You can do the same with food because you will most likely have a kitchen in the cottage.

8. Choose a destination where you can have free fun. Youre already paying for your stay and the food could be costly so you dont want to end up paying for all your entertainment as well.

9. Try to visit the off beaten path destinations. These destinations are a lot cheaper than the crowded destinations most might choose. You also will have the added advantage of privacy.

10. You can consider choosing a destination that you can drive to. You can also carry your own food and entertainment along. You can carry an ice box with bottled water, soda, and perhaps a selection of canned foods.

11. You may also consider a family camping trip. Its filled with fun and adventure and it can really be within your budget. Your biggest expense might be the tent. You can carry an ice box with all your food and drinks. You might also plan a family barbeque. You can take your friends along so that you can split the price of gas and food.

12. We cant ignore the fact that last minute vacation packages can be big money savers. Although planning your vacation in advance is good advice, you could also plan on catching a last minute deal.

So get geared up, pack your bags, and start planning your next fun-filled cheap family vacation.

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Ten Questions Before You Book That Orlando Vacation Rental Home

March 30th, 2009 No comments

An Orlando vacation is the dream getaway for most families. Every year about fifty million people make the journey to Florida to enjoy the pleasures that Disney, Sea World and Universal provide. It’s a truly magical place for the whole family.

Even though tourists spend most of their time at the theme parks, accommodation is obviously a very important issue for them to decide on. Hotels and motels are the obvious choice and there are many of them to pick from. But a new industry has developed during the past few years that is becoming increasingly popular.

There are now literally thousands of single-family homes and condos in the Disney World and Orlando areas that are rented out by their owners on a short-term basis, just like hotel or motel rooms. So families and groups who want to enjoy more space and the comforts of home have a definite alternative.

Most of the properties are situated within just a few minutes’ drive of the Disney theme parks. There is an enormous variety of property styles and sizes, ranging from two bedroom condos to six bedroom single family homes or even larger. Some communities include additional facilities such as a movie theater, a club house and a gym for those moments when Mickey isn’t capturing your attention.

The vacation rental industry has grown in popularity so much that few families want to return to the restrictions of a hotel once they’ve sampled the extra freedom and flexibility. But like any purchase, there are hidden aspects to think about.

Helped by the communication tools of the Internet, a lot of owners and almost all of the vacation rental companies have built clever and convincing web sites with photos and summaries of why you should book with them. But they are in business to make money and you should be very clear about all the terms and conditions before you buy. For example, you should ask:

* How many nights is the minimum I can book?

* How much deposit do I have to pay to secure a booking?

* When is the total rental payment due to be paid?

* What is your refund policy if I cancel?

* Can you confirm the total amount including tax and other charges that you will require?

* Will we actually be staying in the home that you’ve shown me pictures of or do you allocate homes only on arrival?

* What is check in time on the day of arrival?

* What is check-out time on the day I leave?

* Can I pay by credit card?

* Do you require any security deposit to be held until after departure?

So the overall message is: just like making any substantial purchase, get the answers you need before you commit to a booking.

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The Top 10 Beaches in the Caribbean

March 30th, 2009 1 comment

Having your vacations makes you ignore the unease caused by the every day office work and brings you towards life again. Holidays takes boredom away from you and regenerate you with the energy and serene. Choosing a perfect holiday spot is always a vital factor. Select a place according to your mood and inclination. Majority of people have a commonly agreed venue for their vacations i.e. the beaches. Caribbean beaches are indubitably the best among the beaches. Nearly each island of the Caribbean will have beaches that astonish; with sparkling clear blue seas, glowing white sands & the palm trees.

For your instant reference and prelude information here is list of 10 top Beaches in the Caribbean.

1: Palm Beach: It is positioned in Aruba. Palm Beach is pleasing beach with gorgeous landscape, having very miraculous colors and with superb white sand.

2: Grand Anse Beach: Grand Anse Beach is in Grenada. A pretty place with amazing white sand and it is very drudgery. It has low waters and offers you a nice chance to swim through and even go under water to see the sights.

3: Johnson’s Point: Johnson’s Point is in Antigua. This is truly a well urbanized island. This Island is consisted of isolated bays. This is a fantastic place for beach holidays.

4: Pink Sand Beach: Pink Sand Beach is beach in Bahamas. It carries picturesque outlook and greatly cherished by tourists. It is the world’s best as this is acknowledged by travel publications.

5: Crane Beach: Crane Beach is the highlighted beach of Barbados. Crane Beach is a spectacular beach offering glorious cliffs, a usual coral reef and soft white sands that make Crane Beach precise spot to visit.

6: Negril Beach: Negril Beach is the foremost attraction of Jamaica. It is quiet and relaxing beach. The life at this beach is hassle free. Negril Beach is a soothing place for the people who want it quiet and without any noise.

7: Englishman’s Bay: Englishman’s Bay is the magnetism of Tobago. This beach is covered with trees and offers an enclosed environment. People looking for sheltered beaches can find it as best for their vacations. It also has the white sand, crystal waters and is encircled by a palm jungle.

8: Grace Bay: Grace Bay is eminent in Turks & Caicos. This is a segment of a national marine park. This beach has the standard features of all beaches like fine white sand, calm blue and green waters and is confined by a fence reef.

9: Trunk Bay: Trunk Bay is located in US Virgin Islands. An inimitable display of crystal clear waters and sparkling sun over the sea makes it quite pictographic for tourists. A gorgeous place to visit and have the vacations overvalued with the soothing feeling caused by its environment. Swim through the sea, go under water to explore the exquisiteness of nature and walk through the cluster of palm trees. Have the unsurpassed time of your life here.

10: Shoal Bay: Shoal Bay is in Anguilla. If you have not missed in pointing out Shoal Bay on your tourism map then you surely are going to find a best place ever for beach vacations. The main attractions are finest white sand, crystal clear blue waters & coral reefs.

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