Chandra B asked:


I am trying to book a honeymoon for next summer. Is it best to go through a travel agent or online?

Antonio

bxrswfe asked:


I would like to plan a family vacation for four to Canada this upcoming year. What websites should I visit for good info?

Louis

Brooke Hayles asked:


“We’re going to the beach!” The phrase brings back memories of being children and building sandcastles out of wet sand and letting the waves chase us up and down the coast.

As we grow, the beach never quite looses it’s magic. In fact, it gains more magic as we discover beach vacations have more to offer than just sandcastles and waves. Nothing soothes us after a long work year like the sun tanning us, the water lapping at the shore and knowing there will be a clam bake later on tonight and a bonfire past that. With little doubt, beach vacations are among the most relaxing vacations you can take.

The Caribbean Island of Delos Santorini seems to be almost custom made for the explorer in all of us. They are full of history and they have even preserved a town ravaged by a volcano. You can go through and almost touch history as you explore how ancient people lived.

If you are a frequent surfer and are looking for the best surf spot in the world, you will want to check out the Canary Islands, they have recently been given this honor. Whether you are looking to check out ancient ruins or surf the curl, beach vacations are for you.

You will find there is far more to do than in days gone by. While the image of the beach back when you were a child may have involved sandcastles and people in the shade under big umbrellas sitting on towels or lawn chairs, today, they have become full-blown resorts. You can get a message, have room service send up a tropical drink and then walk on the beach at sunset. You can relax your day away or fill up every moment of it.

The typical tropical beach vacation is about two weeks.

Accommodations on the beach have also undergone a big change over the years. No more with the motel that is 3 hours away. Now there are hotels right on the beach that offer more than just a place to sleep. With room service, beautiful views and other amenities, you may be too relaxed in the room to make it to the beach some days.

Another option on some beaches is to get a bungalow right on the beach so you get the feeling of never having to ‘go home’ while on vacation.

The great thing about beach vacations is they can truly be anything you want them to be. Deep sea fishing, shopping at the local shops, surfing, laying on the beach, rock climbing, cabana boys serving drinks as you work on your tan, swimming, clam digging, bonfires, etc. Very truly anything you want.

Lately, Greece has become a very popular destination for a lot of celebrities looking for a beach vacation. Thanks to the incredible, full flavored foods and ancient ruins like the Parthenon, this area seems to draw a variety of people.

Your local travel agent can help you plan the perfect beach vacation, if you are unsure or overwhelmed with the choices. Simply tell the agent what you want and they will put together a beach vacation package for you. You will not have to worry about getting your hotel room or flight arrangements – they will do it for you. They will provide you with information of the area such as restaurants and attractions. Basically, they will take care of the stressful part so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy it!

Summary:

No matter you age, activity level or interests, beach vacations are going to hold whatever you want to do. Activities range from staying on the beach and working on your tan to deep-sea fishing and rock climbing. No longer is it just some place to go when you have a weekend you don’t know what to do with, but more of a designation when you want to spend some time in a special place.



Louise

caroline asked:


I am planning to go with my daughter and her best friend to Florida on April 11- April 16. With the econmany now, where do you think I can find the best deals for a Walt Disney World Trip to all 4 parks? I would also like to have the hotel inside the park so I can use Disney’s Magical Express

Arthur

Miriam Boh asked:


There are numerous choices in lodging when you go for your Disney vacation. If you choose to stay in a Disney World resort hotel, you have a number of choices in Disney vacation packages to decide from in order to find out which is the best option for you.

Here are five types of Disney vacation packages for you to evaluate:

- You may choose to plan your own Disney vacation. You book a Disney hotel. You arrange and pay for your Disney World tickets, meals and recreation separately. You need to plan your budget and know the most that you can spend for the vacation. This is the option that needs a lot of work but it may be the least expensive if you carefully research and compare with other Disney vacation packages.

- ‘Disney’s Magic Your Way’ is the least expensive Disney vacation package available. It includes the costs of your accommodation and a Disney World Base ticket for each member of your party. You can choose the number of days for the tickets or even add on the Disney Park Hopper and Non Expiration option.

- The ‘Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining’ vacation package includes all the above-mentioned in the basic package, plus the Disney dining option. Many people think this option is a good value. It allows you and everyone in your party to have one table service dining, one quick service dining, and one snack for each night of the package.

- The ‘Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package’ is a very convenient Disney vacation package. It has almost everything that you need. The Premium Package includes Magic Your Way Water Park and More Park Hopper with Non Expiration for the number of days you choose. The dining option includes breakfast, lunch and dinner per person per night with a wide choice of Disney dining locations serving a wide variety of food. More benefits include theme park tours and recreation options. This Disney premium package allows you to budget.

- ‘Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package’ is truly the finest most comprehensive package for those looking for the ultimate in luxury. The Platinum package includes all the elements in the Premium package with additional services in your personal Disney vacation planner which will help to make your stay a truly magical experience. If money is no object and you wish to have an incredible magical experience, then Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package is for you.

Whichever one of the Disney vacation packages that you choose even if it is to go with the a-la carte way, make sure is in your budget and you can make the most out of your investment.



Marion

Gargi Nath asked:


 

Before there was air travel, people went from one place to the other by ship. Such voyages took days or even weeks. But these days, adventure sailing vacation is gaining popularity and if you are thinking of booking one, you should know what is inclusive in most packages.

The price tag of adventure sailing depends on the destination and how long you will be at sea. You might be shocked at first glance how much it will cost but if you think about it, you save money in the long run because one thing that is already included here is the food you will be eating.

Another thing that is included will be the cabin. It is not that big compared to the kind you often stay in at a hotel but it will do. You get clean linen sheets, a bed and a pillow which is all that you need to sleep peacefully until you wake up the following morning.

One thing you have to keep in mind is that although food is free, the drinks are not included. This means that you have to pay for whatever you order. You can avoid this though by bringing in some drinks like bottled water, soda or a bottle of wine.

The ship you will be chartering will already have a skipper and crew. Sometimes, if you are lucky which really depends on the mood of the crew, they can teach you a thing or two about adventure sailing so you can help them out or get you hooked into this as a hobby.

Depending on the size of the boat being chartered, you may have to pay for security deposit or insurance that will be retuned when the voyage is over.

Since the ship is not going anywhere just by using its sails, part of what you pay for is the fuel. This will keep the ship moving when there is no wind around otherwise, you will be dead in the water.

Unlike large cruise ships, one thing that is not inclusive here are airport transfers and airfare. With that, you will have to make the arrangements yourself especially if you are coming from out of town.

One thing that chartering companies cannot control is the weather so if it is bad, then your planned sailing adventure will have to moved to another date.

So you know what is inclusive in a sailing vacation package, it is best to look at one of their brochures or see what is posted in their website. If you don’t have time to do this, get in touch with your travel agent so he or she will fill you in on the details so you can decide whether or not you want to make a reservation.

Once you know that is inclusive in the adventure sailing vacation, it will be easy for you to decide which one you want to try. The only thing you have to do now is pack your bags and then head down over to the docks so you the voyage can get under way.

If this is your first time and you enjoyed it very much, you can plan another one in the future as these chartering companies sail to different destinations within the year.

 



Carla

Irish07 asked:


A group of friends are looking to go up to Michigan or Wisconsin for a weekend this summer, but I don’t have a clue where I can find vacation rentals, info and all that. We thought maybe finding a place that is near a lake and town that had some bars/restaurants near by. Any ideas/suggestions on where I can look or get info?

Donald

faiza asked:


Having Visited Costa Rica, I have compiled a list of the best locations to

visit. This list is by no means comprehensive or complete, it is just a checklist

of all the places I would visit when I go to Costa Rica.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Most famous for being associated with the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,

the tiny community of Monteverde is a small village located near the

entrance of the cloud forest. Monteverde was founded by the Quaker community

that migrated from North America to Costa Rica in the 1950’s. In town, which

is actually Santa Elena, you’ll find banks, drug store, a local hospital,

book store, gas station, ATM machine, police station, post office,

supermarkets, internet cafes, restaurants

As the weather here is quite chilly and misty, due to the village being high

up in the Tilaran Mountain Range, you should bring some thick clothes and a

light jacket to stay warm. When here, do remember to try out the delicious

local cheeses, which are a treat to eat. If you are a bird watcher, this

village offers some lovely bird watching opportunities, even though you are

not in the cloud forest itself. However, if you prefer to do the more

touristy thing, visit the local craft centers, the women’s co-op center, the

butterfly garden and the Hummingbird Gallery in town.

Dominical Beach

Located on Costa Rica’s amazingly beautiful Central Pacific coastline, the

small village of Dominical is a surfer’s paradise where waves can reach over

10 feet high, a place rich in island biodiversity and amazing underwater

flora and fauna. It is the perfect combination between the extensive golden

coasts full of scenic beaches & luscious mountains.

Dominical is a 4 km long beach strip, with a few hotels, lodges, resorts and

restaurants in the area. While swimming here is near impossible with the

strong swells and rip tides, one can kayak off the coast or enjoy some

diving or snorkeling opportunities in the area. Horseback tours can also be

arranged to the nearby Nauyaca Waterfalls, or one can visit the Marino

Ballena National Park, which is home to a number of marine mammals like

turtles and whales that come here seasonally to mate and nest. If you like,

you can take a short day trip to the lovely Caño Island just off the coast.

This island is considered one of the best adventure diving spots in the

world and is home to an impressive array of underwater marine life.

Tortuguero

Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse

wildlife areas. Featuring one of the most verdant landscapes in the country,

the 26,156 hectare park was created with the main purpose of protecting the

green sea turtle nesting area. Tortuguero owes its very wet tropical forest

to the 5000 to 6000 millimeters of rain it receives per year. These climatic

conditions are favorable to more than 400 tree species, around 2200 species

of other plants and more than 400 birds, 60 amphibian and 30 fresh water

fish species, as well as several endangered animals including tapirs,

monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, manatees and sloths. Tortuguero is characterized

by beautifully scenic canals, lagoons and rivers that may be toured by boat,

canoe or kayak. In addition to the green turtle, three other sea turtle

species nest on the park’s beaches.

Arenal Volcano

The Arenal Volcano area is one of Costa Rica’s top attractions. Only 3 hours

away from San José, in the town of La Fortuna, stands a majestic 1,633m

volcano, known to be one of the most active in the world. Despite its

constant activity, the volcano is very safe to visit as long as you stay

within the safety perimeter. In this area take advantage of the pristine

natural surroundings! Go fishing, horseback riding; take a canopy tour,

rafting or experience a tremendous canyon expedition. Whatever you decide,

be sure to visit the relaxing hot springs in the area, the most famous being

Tabacon and Baldi.

La Fortuna and Surroundings

Often simply referred to as La Fortuna, the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos

is the gateway to the magnificent Arenal Volcano. A charming and quiet town,

La Fortuna is easily accessible from the capital city San Jose, and offers

some panoramic views of the spectacular Arenal, Costa’s Rica’s most active

volcano. Sitting around 10 kilometers away from town and regularly spewing

smoke and ash for some time now, the Volcan Arenal is the country’s top

rated tourist attraction and is indeed a sight to behold.

Over the last few years in particular, La Fortuna has become quite a

bustling town. However, there are plenty of accommodations, hotels and

resorts here to suit every budget. A must try when in La Fortuna are the

amazing resort spas surrounding the volcano. On a clear day you can watch

the volcano erupt and if you wait for nightfall, the Arenal puts on a

brilliant show with bright red rocks tumbling down its sides.

Beside the volcano, this town has other great tourist attractions like the

La Catarata de la Fortuna, Tabacon Hot Springs, white water rafting, hiking

excursions, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, canopy tours and

Caño Negro Boat Tours are just some of the many activities that one can

enjoy while you are here.

Malpais

Malpais is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica on the southern tip

of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Also known as the Hawaii of Latin America, there are several beaches to

swim, dive or snorkel though it’s main attraction is it’s unique conditions

for surfing and it’s pristine subtropical nature. Horseback riding,

sportfishing, canopy tours, scuba, and nature tours make up some of the

other popular activities nearby. Malpais is a community unlike any other in

Costa Rica with a strong surf culture and a the laid-back atmosphere that

maintains the type of earthy tourism that made Costa Rica famous.

MalPais boasts a great selection of places to stay and eat from camping on

the beach to luxurious resorts and a wide range of activities. Without a

doubt it’s a very attractive place to relax and enjoy the golden rays of the

Pacific sunset.

Turrialba Valley

With some stunning views of Costa Rica’s rural countryside, Turrialba is a

charming little town in the lush and beautiful Central Valley in Cartago

province. Famous for being a white water rafting hotspot and base camp, this

town lies 53 km east of the capital city San José and is an excellent place

to tour the pre-Columbian ruins at Guayabo National Monument, or the rarely

visited but lovely Parque Nacional Volcan Turrialba. A quiet town, Turrialba

with its charming street corners and gorgeous surrounding sceneries is among

the few places in Costa Rica with direct access to a volcano’s crater. From

the summit of the volcano, you can on a clear day, see the Irazu, Poás and

Barva volcanoes in the distance Botanists and gardeners will want to pay a

visit to the Center for Agronomy Research and Development (CATIE), which is

located 5km (3 miles) southeast of Turrialba on the road to Siquirres. This

center is one of the world’s foremost facilities for research into tropical

agriculture.



David

Cynthia Andrews asked:


If you’re ready to take a vacation, here are the things you’ll want to cover…

Airplane tickets, including transportation to and from the airport A hotel (or a few, if you’ll be moving around a bit) Rental car or other ground transportation Reservations for dinner, entertainment, sightseeing, and… What you will need when you are there (packing)

You can either scramble to try and get all of this in order with only a month or two before you’re set to fly, or… you can just go with a package vacation.

Depending on the vacation itself, the components of a package vacation can include anything from just a round trip ticket and a hotel room, or, both of those, plus a half dozen other things. In either event, though, the purpose of a package vacation remains the same: reduce your to-do list down to one item: packing your bags.

If you’re looking for a full, all inclusive package vacation through a reputable travel agency, you can probably expect it to include the following.

Airplane Tickets

Well you probably knew that already! However, booking a package trip through a great travel agency can help to get you a surprisingly great deal on tickets. You don’t even need to fly coach to get a nice price if you’re willing to take a moment and look for a great package. Consider buying trip interruption/trip cancellation insurance for a small extra fee. This insurance could be a real money saver if anything should go wrong with your flight plans such as inclement weather or major airline malfunction.

Hotel Reservations

Okay, this is another no-brainer! Again, though, booking with a package deal offers a number of advantages. First, and perhaps most obvious: you don’t have to go calling every single hotel around your destination to find out who has a vacancy, your travel agent does that for you. This means you don’t have to worry about showing up with no place to stay and just hoping for the best. Second, any travel agent worth his salt is pretty much a professional low-price-finder. A good travel agent will be able to find dozens of hotels in any area, and they will know how to find the best hotels at the lowest prices.

Rental Car

This depends on your package, of course. You might prefer to take taxis everywhere. However, if you’re looking to drive yourself around, reserving a car with a package deal is a better idea than just showing up at the local rental agency and hoping they have something halfway decent on the lot. Reserving a car in advance, you usually have a nice variety of options, and, most rental agencies will bring the car directly to the airport. Not up for driving in an unfamiliar location? Some packages offer unlimited bus/tour passes that will allow you get around and see all the sites you want to see without the hassle of navigating and parking.

Dining Reservations

This one is to be considered at your own discretion. If there’s a famous restaurant at your destination that you’d love to try, you may want to reserve a table. However, in other events, you may just want to wander the streets and check out some little hole in the wall café. Again, this one is up to you.

More importantly, though, many all-inclusive vacation packages include the cost of food and drinks - meaning you don’t have to shell out money and tips every time you turn around. Even if you don’t choose an all-inclusive resort, a lot of top quality hotels have concierge floors with free food and beverages all or part of the day. Be sure to find out exactly what is included and not included in the package you choose. Some packages just include breakfast and lunch but not dinner. You don’t want any surprises once you get there.

Entertainment Reservations

Okay look, if you’re going to Vegas, you want to have reserved your entertainment tickets, say, at least a year before you were born. Okay but seriously! You can’t really expect to show up outside the Cirque du Soleil and ask if they’ve got a spare seat. It’s always a good idea to book tickets for live entertainment well in advance.

Vacation packages frequently have other options for exercise and sight-seeing. Ask about fitness facilities and any off-site recreation privileges - such as golf at a private club. Another overlooked package perk is discount helicopter or hot air balloon tours.

Resort Reservations

Well, this one is specific to resort packages, of course. You’re not really going to need a resort reservation if, well, you don’t plan on going to a resort! But anyways, if you’re looking to hit up a resort, an all inclusive package really is the way to go.

Be sure to ask about your specific resort’s policies on recreation activities such as golf, sailing, snorkeling and spa services. You don’t want to assume that just because the cost is included in your package, you can just show up whenever you feel like it. Most resorts require advance reservations for high-demand activities such as scuba diving and massage therapy.

Other packages might include cruise ship tickets, tour guides, and so on. It really depends on the actual vacation you have in mind. However, an all inclusive package should, at least, include the basics: transportation, hotel, and reservations for just about anything you want.



Ethel

Suzane Gray asked:

Golf is a gentlemanly game played by its admirers and novices alike. Surely, it demands time and leisure for the game to be appreciated and is a perfect wind-up after a busy schedule. For most of the time, one is preoccupied with the race to achieve something and this leaves mind exhausted of its reserves. A Bahamas golf vacation in these circumstances is a perfect retreat from the usual hustle and bustle of life. Nothing could be an ideal gift for your family than the leisurely staying in Bahamas and enjoying every nuance of the sport. Besides the usual soothing hues of green, the backdrop of Atlantic Ocean provides a stunning contrast for the tired eyes.

Some of the most challenging golf courses are found in the Bahamas. Nine and eighteen holed golf course dot the Bahamian landscape and are jewels in the crown for numerous resorts, hotels and other lodging accommodations present at the place. For a golf freak however, a Bahamas golf vacation package includes at the golf courses, an ambience that smells of sports and nothing else. One surely has to pay extra bucks to savor the pleasure of the game under the clear skies and at the same time explore the place to hilt. Bahamas golf vacation is ideal for the seekers of nature as the place has plenty to offer in terms of sports activities besides the usual charms of golf. The underwater sports and parasailing activities nudge one to take a peep into the unique sea-life replete with charming species, offering one an ultimate high.

The Bahamas golf vacation package includes complimentary food and drinks which come with three nights in luxury hotels and suites. Since the place is a congregation of a group of islands, there is much to be explored and thus numerous sight seeing trips are arranged by the travel agents. The solace offered by the place is almost therapeutic to many a traveler to the place and the package is apt for the executives and the laymen alike. The package ensures that your money is well spent on other sports activities like swimming, snorkeling, exploring the underwater caves etc. Meanwhile, the tranquility of the beaches is something everybody would like to go for, as the place is known for its rippling shorelines. The picture-postcard perfect destination is a place holding enough promise for the tourists in terms of scenarios seeming quite out of the world. To make the vacation more fruitful, it is necessary to be selective while choosing a perfect vacation package.

Some of the prominent golf clubs in Bahamas are Nassau golf club, Paradise golf course, Ruby golf course besides others. Bahamas golf vacation package gives one an access to these golf courses besides other benefits as well. These benefits include boarding and lodging facilities arranged by the travel agents and their proper management. City tours are an important part of the travel itinerary and most of the packages ensure that a traveler is saved from unnecessary efforts to locate the destinations on maps. Internet is apt medium to procure information about the holiday packages and numerous travel agencies which are in the fray to help many a visitor. A proper assessment of the expenses helps in ensuring that no hidden costs are involved and the vacation should turn out to be the perfect one.

Charlene