Latest Travel Blog Entries

Monday, March 01, 2010

March 1st, 1872, was the day that the U.S. Congress made Yellowstone America's 1st national park.  The park covers some 2 million acres, mostly in Wyoming, with parts in Montana and Idaho.  It is one of the crown jewels in a national park system that encompasses nearly 80 million acres, visited by 275 million people each year.

Popular vacations in 2010 include the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons multisport vacation where you enjoy biking, hiking, rafting and kayaking; an 8 driving vacation of America's National Parks; Mt. Rushmore, Grand Tetons and Yellowstone including a float trip in Grand Teton; Wild, Wild West, an 8 day trip including 2 nights in Jackson and Yellowstone; and the family itinerary called Wild West Cowboys and Buffalos.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The United States is filled with so many beautiful National parks that come to life in the spring. You can enjoy the beauty of the national park along with the beauty of spring wildflowers in these parks:

Arches - Moab, UT - Features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches as well as many other unusual rock formations. Weather has exposed millions of years of geologic history in a landscape of contrasting colors and textures. Desert annuals like grasses and wildflowers are adapted to the arid environment and can be seen here in April and May.

Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg, TN - well known for its mist-shrouded ridges of forest which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity including over 1,660 varieties. It is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.”

Yellowstone - Yellowstone, WY - Famous for Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, along with the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This park was established in 1872, and is America's first national park. In the spring you may see Wild Strawberries, Glacier Lilies and Bluebells among many other wildflowers.

Yosemite - Yosemite, CA - is best known for its stunning waterfalls and Half Dome. The best time to visit is late May and early June, when mountain snowmelt and waterfalls are at their peak. In Yosemite Valley & Wawona: you will find flowering dogwood and California Poppies beginning in May. More Wildflowers begin in early June such as Sierra Onion, Lupine, MariposaLlily, and Pentstemon.

Zion - Springdale, UT - Includes towering cliffs and small narrow canyons in unique sandstone ranging in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons. With elevations ranging from 3,600 to 8,700 feet, Zion National Park has a diversity of plant communities, supporting more than 900 species of plants. In the early spring, many plants take advantage of the seasonal rains, to flower such as the Desert Marigold or Slickrock Paintbrush.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Trafalgar's "last minute deals" give you the opportunity to experience incredible savings on a select few European and North American award-winning vacations.

These selected departures are only available until February 28, 2010. All are Definite Departures. Space is limited, so come and experience Europe and North America with Trafalgar’s unbeatable services, tremendous value and great savings.
 
Please note: To get these special rates, please reference the tour’s ‘PROMO CODE’ at the time of booking. If booking online enter the 'PROMO CODE' in the "Apply Promotions" section during the booking process

Europe & Britain Tours

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

We all know the famous question: “Are we there yet?” Traveling by plane with kids does not have to be draining. Here is a checklist to help right from the planning stages of your trip so you will arrive at your destination excited and ready to have fun.

Start by making things easier – If your budget is a little flexible, the best practice is have as few connections as possible. Book direct or non-stop flights whenever you can.

Make sure you arrive at the airport early so you are not stressed while finding parking, checking in and getting through security. Realize that traveling with young children always takes longer to walk through the airport than you expect.

Have your children carry their own bags with snack and entertainment items. Even toddlers can wear backpacks or use rolling bags and they like the responsibility. You may also want to carry on any favorite stuffed animal to avoid a problem if the checked bag gets lost.

Bring a favorite pillow to help your children sleep on the flight and on while on vacation. Airlines no longer supply everyone with pillows on flights.

Have some healthy snacks packed. Don't rely on the schedule of the flight attendants for food. Bring some paper cups and buy a bottle of water after you get through security. Some people take an empty water bottle and fill it after getting through security, saving money and the wait in line to purchase water.

Bring your own entertainment. Do not count on the movie selection being appropriate for children or being something that can hold their attention. Here are some suggestions for the different age groups:

• Older Babies and Toddlers - nested containers, sets of things to put into containers, Busy Boxes with hand activities and moving parts, board books, blanket, stuffed animal
• Pre-Schoolers - books, stickers and activity or coloring books, crayons, lap-sized wipe-off easels and pens, post-it notes, scotch tape, magnetic letters or dolls & metal tin
• Young School Age - books, comics, stickers and activity or coloring books, small magnetic puzzles, travel-size Etch-a-Sketch, Go-Fish cards, books on tape, miniature worlds: little houses with figures, hand-sized playsets, LeapFrog Leapster- fun games and assisted reading
• Older School Age - books, activity kits, blank paper for drawing, Hangman, or Xs & Os, deck of cards, travel size board games, Mastermind: a great game for age seven and up, cribbage set, small Lego sets, hand-held toys with the sound turned off, electronics (iPods, games, DVD players, used with headphones). If you do not have a DVD player, they can be rented at many airports.

Monday, February 01, 2010

In February, PBS is airing a documentary by Ken Burn's called "America's Best Idea: The National Parks."  In celebration, the National Parks Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations are giving away a free trip to one of America's most popular national parks.

Participating is easy – just share with the world one, or all, of your favorite spots in America's national parks.  Anytime during the month of February, visit http://thisisyourland.nationalparks.org to explore America's 392 national parks online, and then mark your spot by sharing your favorite moments, stories and experiences.  Individuals that add their spot to at least one park will be entered to win a three night trip for two, including lodging and airfare, to their choice of the following destinations located in, or within close proximity to, some of America's most beloved parks:

• Shenandoah National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Denali National Park
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park
• Olympic National Park

The grand prize winner will also receive a $300 resort credit to use towards meals and/or activities (cannot be used towards lodging, retail, fuel, or any non-ARAMARK managed operations), and an official  "America's Best Idea" book signed by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.  In addition, twenty runner-up winners will receive an "America's Best Idea" poster signed by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, and a limited edition National Park Foundation "America's Best Idea" t-shirt.

Individuals can add one new spot to http://thisisyourland.nationalparks.org each day to increase their chances of winning.  The National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations will announce the winners in March.  For more information and complete contest rules visit: www.nationalparks.org/thisisyourlandsweeps

View our great selection of National park vacations.