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Posts tagged ‘Trips’

Family Beach Vacation Ideas

All across the world, there are several locations you can choose for your family beach vacation.  Below, you will find many different locations, and what they will offer you and your family.

Maui Throughout the West Coast of Maui, you’ll have many choices for your beach vacation.  If you plan to enjoy golf, the Kapalua Resort is a great choice, as guests will receive 30% lower golf rates than those who don’t stay at the resort.  The resort also includes the Kapalua Bay Hotel, Kapalua Villas, and the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

One bay over from the Kapalua Bay is the Napili Kai Beach Resort, which is a low rise family resort that offers comfortable beach front condos.  The Napili Kai also offers complimentary programs for children ages 6 – 12 from mid June to the end of August, during Easter and Christmas.  The condos are seconds away from the beach, and they include kitchens as well as laundry facilities.

If you prefer a more secluded area, the Maui Prince hotel is located in a quiet setting surrounded by two scenic golf courses and a large sandy beach that kids never seem to get enough of.

Mololai family adventures The island of Molokai is filled with empty beaches, no traffic lights, and few tourists.  Many tourists visit only for a day or so, with some going to the island because they assumed they were going to Molokini (which is a snorkeling site near Maui).

The island of Mololai is accessible by ferry from Maui or by plane from Honolulu.  The island is ideal for those who like the outdoors with a twist of adventure.  When you visit here, you shouldn’t expect shopping or nightlife.

Florida The Breakers Hotel in sunny Palm Beach Florida has a spa, golf course, and a 1/2 mile sandy beach.  There is also a separate pool for the kids, a family entertainment center, and a kid’s program.  Families can reserve up to five adjoining rooms while children under the age of 16 can stay for free in the same room as their parents.

If you decide to take your beach vacation in Orlando, the Loews Hard Rock Hotel offers you plenty of beach and amusement rides, with a 240 foot slide and a white sandy beach.

Florida also has SW Florida beaches with many wonderful places right on the beaches from Marco Island all the way up to Captiva Island. Whether you want to just relax in the SW Florida sun or enjoy the backwater fishing or Fishing in the Gulf Of Mexico, Or enjoy recreational boating to Shelling. Whatever your Vacation desires you will find it here in the SW Florida area of Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel Island or Port Charlotte. If nature is your thing to do we have sightseeing tours from the Gulf of Mexico or go inland to ride a air boat or swamp buggy. Enjoy dining while watching the sunset by boat or restaurant, Enjoy deep-sea fishing for some Grouper, Marlin, or Red fish , Along the shoreline for trout, Snook or even a Catfish for a good fight, Try backwater fishing for Snapper, Sheepshead, Trout or whatever might be running with the tide Also don’t forget the freshwater fishing for those Large Mouth Bass. If golfing is for you then we have many of the state’s top courses in the local SW Florida area, We even have several putt putt courses for the beginners. Most of all whether you want to bring the whole entire family to enjoy the SW Florida area or just want to escape with that special someone then SW Florida is the place to relax, unwind and enjoy yourselves to the fullest, after all we are the sunshine state.         

California With several family beach vacation resorts in California, the Hotel Del Coronado is among the most famous.  The hotel offers many different facilities for families, including lessons in kayaking, surfing, tennis, and biking.

Georgia The barrier islands in Georgia offer ambiance, sandy beaches, and a laid back prospective to life as you know it.  Jekyll Island offers you miles of paved bike path with three 18 hole golf courses, which is perfect for golf enthusiasts.

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Get the very best Rates on Hotel Rooms

It can be fun to go on a trip and enjoy staying in a luxurious hotel room. Yet many people have to pass up that option and go for a more moderate hotel because of the expense involved. There are some good ways to get the hotel you want at a price you can afford though. It does take some research and planning but it can be done.

Regardless of the hotel you are looking at, weekends are generally their busiest time. Planning your stay during the week will help you get a much lower rate. You also need to do research to find out the slowest time of year for that given hotel. They will offer lower prices during that time period so that they can sell rooms rather than leaving them empty.

If you have any type of membership such as AAA or military, you may be eligible for discounts on various hotels without even knowing it. Call the hotel and ask them what discounts they offer. While you have them on the line ask them to quote you the very lowest price they can offer. Then compare this price to different online sites.

Sometimes the hotel offers the best price and other times you will find it online. If you are more comfortable booking with the hotel directly, ask them to honor a price you found somewhere online. Many hotels offer discounts for people who have stayed with them before, even free nights or upgrades after you have stayed with them a set amount of times.

If you will be staying at the hotel for several days at a time you will likely get special treatment. This could be a room close to the elevator or with the best type of view. Make sure you mention the length of your stay and what you are interested in when you make the reservation. There is generally no extra cost for such features but make sure you ask before you agree to the reservation.

When you arrive at the hotel you can ask them for a free upgrade. If they have the room available they may be able to honor your request. There is no guarantee that it will happen though so be prepared that you will be in the type of room you paid for. If you are visiting the hotel on the off-season or during the week you are more likely to get such an upgrade at no extra charge. You may mention that you would really love one of the balcony rooms if they could offer you an upgrade if you want a specific type of upgrade amenity.

Many people plan their hotel arrangements way in advance. This is good so that you are guaranteed a room. However, if you can get away with flexible days to stay then you can keep a watchful eye on the very best prices. You can grab some great last-minute deals on hotel rooms online at different travel sites. You have to be careful though because you don’t want to end up with no hotel room at all.

You can try to work out a deal by simply walking into a hotel in the late evening to see what is still available. You have a good chance of working out a good deal since the room may go unused if they don’t offer it to you. However, they may be viewing it as a chance to get more money for the room since you are looking for one at the last-minute. Don’t be afraid to say no to their offer and try to renegotiate it. Too many people simply walk into a hotel, as the price, and then pay for it without any negotiating taking place whatsoever.

If you know several other people who will be staying at the same hotel you can ask for a group discount rate. In some cases the rooms all have to be paid for together but the majority of hotels will accommodate individual billing.

Vegas Basics

If you’re planning a trip to Vegas in the near future there are a few basic things you should know. First things first, walking shoes are a must for any trip to Vegas. You will probably be spending a lot of time on your feet and will need shoes that can handle standing in lines and walking quite nicely.

Second, the weather in Vegas is fairly predictable. You are likely to experience rather cool nights, particularly during the months between October and April so bring some warm clothes. You should also be prepared for a lot of sunshine and pack copious amounts of sunscreen in order to protect your skin.

Remember that the times around holidays are often the busiest times in Vegas if you want to avoid the higher prices and larger crowds you should avoid booking during these times. And if those are the times you absolutely wish to stay and play in Vegas you should make plans and book well ahead of time to make sure you have your first choice in accommodations.

It is important to remember that Vegas is indeed a desert town and that you will need to drink plenty of water and moisturizer more than you might be accustomed to. This is a much drier climate than many people experience in their day-to-day lives and the heat and dryness can sneak up on you for a double whammy if you aren’t prepared.

If you’re a golfer, you’ve found heaven and should come prepared. This means you should bring your best clubs along with you and be prepared to play a few rounds. You should probably also bring a nice set of dress clothes in order to catch some of the great shows that are always playing in Vegas.

While Vegas is famous for big spenders, it is quite possible to spend thrifty and have a nice vacation for two at around $100 per day. At the other end of the spectrum, big spenders can drop thousands on one meal very easily. Pay attention to the places you are considering before you enter if you are on a limited budget.

If you’re planning to stray far from your hotel or resort, it’s a good idea if you plan to rent a car or drive your own. The distances here can be quite conceiving and you can easily lose track of time while enjoying yourself inside the many casinos.

Vegas is almost as famous for weddings as it is for Casinos. If you are hoping to get married Vegas style you have a lot of styles from which to choose and you are not by any means alone. More than 122,000 couples apply for marriage licenses in Vegas each year. The licensing fees for marriage in Vegas is around $55 (this is the current rate, keep in mind that this rate is subject to change) and then there are the fees involved for the chapel you use, the services offered, etc. You can choose to go as informal and small or as bold and lavish as you can afford.

One of the most important things to remember about Vegas is like the new commercials claim, “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas”. So let your hair down and have some fun during your time here and be sure to make plans for your return trip.

This can be a wonderful vacation experience for you whether you are planning marriage, a golf smorgasbord, a gambling festival, to see your favorite act, or just to spend time with the family hanging out around the pool. Your trip to Vegas is what you make of your trip to Vegas. I suggest you have as much fun as possible. Enjoy the sights, watch the shows, enjoy the many great buffets, and spend some time at the hotel spa relaxing and rejuvenating as you prepare to go back home and face the outside world yet again.