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America's Dream Town Offers Fun and Relaxation for Summer Vacationers

Americas Dream Town Offers Fun and Relaxation for Summer Vacationers

The passing of the Memorial Day weekend marked the start of the travel season and one Texas hotspot is gearing up for another busy summer. Voted Americas Dream Town in 2004, Glen Rose is one of the most popular travel destinations in Texas. In addition to being Americas Dream Town 2004, Glen Rose is also known as the Dinosaur Capitol of Texas due to the concentration of fossilized dinosaur tracks that were left all over the area.

Nature enthusiasts visiting Glen Rose will enjoy spending time at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. This 1800-acre world class, award-winning, conservation, research and education facility is home to over 1000 wild animals including 15 endangered species. Visitors can view the animals through the luxury of their own cars or take a guided tour bus through the park.

Another popular outdoor activity in Glen Rose is spending time on the two beautiful rivers, the Brazos and Paluxy. Both rivers offer crisp clear flowing water, which is best enjoyed from the comfort of a tube or canoe. Outfitters such as the Low Water Bridge Canoe Rentals offer trips for visitors. They will drop you in the river and pick you back up down stream. They even provide life jackets and paddles. Trips can be arranged in several different packages depending on the length of the float.

Glen Rose isnt just for the outdoor adventuresome types. There are plenty of relaxing indoor activities to enjoy as well. Probably the most special attraction in Glen Rose is the annual showing of The Promise which is a passion play depicting the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. People come from all over the country to see the play, which will be in its 17 season this year. The play runs on Friday and Saturday nights from June 3 through October 30 at the Texas Amphitheatre located behind the Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites.

Travelers looking for a restful place to spend their evenings should look into the Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites. Guests at the hotel can take advantage of the tranquil outdoor amenities, which include a large swimming pool, baby pool with waterfall (located under an expansive pergola), cool misters that drop the outdoor temperature 15-25 degrees, a calming goldfish pond and free use of the outdoor barbeque grills. While sitting back and relaxing, guests can also help themselves to the evening snacks, which include popcorn, nachos and the hotel tradition of navy beans and ham.

A couple that recently visited Glen Rose had this to say about their visit:

What a delightful and unexpected surprise we had on our vacation to Glen Rose, Texas. This small Texas town, the home of the fossilized dinosaur tracks which were left over 100 million years ago in the limey mud in and near the Paluxy River, is a multi-faceted vacation spot for not only geology and nature buffs, but also music aficionados of the Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph and Floyd Cramer type at the Warm Country Heart Theatre in downtown Glen Rose. After enjoying a most delicious home-cooked dinner at Two Grannies, we walked down to the theater, where we were greeted enthusiastically by the members of the band and invited upstairs to the refurbished, old-fashioned theatre for an intensely lively and awesome performance. All five musicians in the group are high-caliber musicians and each member in the group has a highly respected background. For example, the drummer, Jack Greubel, performed with Floyd Cramer, Chet Atkins and Boots Randolph for 15 years in Nashville, while lead guitarist, Cecil White, and saxophonist, D.C. Barlow, were both Branson recording artists. All of the musicians, from the saxophonist to the keyboardist to the bass player to the lead guitarist to the drummer were extremely accomplished and very relaxed while electrifying with their performances! Their show was to be seen and heard to believe! We stayed at the extremely comfortable and very nice Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suite , which is about a block from the city park, with a wonderful walking/jogging trail. We loved every minute of our three-day stay and highly recommend a visit to this multi-faceted and very friendly town! Jolene and Jerry of Carmine, Texas.

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Contact Lenses on Vacation - 7 Simple Tips

When you are on vacation, contact lenses are great convenience - they are invisible and you dont have to take them off while swimming. However, contact lenses can also spoil your vacation, if you dont take precautions. Here are some simple things you can do, to prevent it happening to you.

1. Make sure that you have a spare pair of lenses.

Even if the lenses you wear arent frequent replacement lenses, it is always recommended that you have spares. A lens can get lost or damaged, and replacements might be difficult to find. If you wear daily disposable lenses, take the amount of lens you need for your vacation plus several extra - just in case.

2. Dont forget your contact lens case and solution.

Most brand name solutions can be bought in smaller bottles, which are excellent for traveling. And you can get a case that clips onto a solution bottle, so the pieces dont get separated in your luggage.

3. Dont let water in your eyes when swimming

Contact lenses are great for swimming and all water sports, but it is best to prevent their contact with water. However, water contains myriads of bacteria, which can get onto your lens and cause keratitis. So it is best to wear tight goggles, when swimming. If seawater gets into your eyes anyway, you should take your lenses out as soon as possible and clean them before putting them back in.

4. You still need sunglasses

Most modern contact lenses, like all Acuvue or Focus lenses, block harmful UV rays. However, the lens only can protect the area it covers, which is not the entire surface of your eye. Also, contact lenses dont reduce glare. So it is safest to wear sunglasses with high UV protection over your lenses, and a sunhat.

5. Dont neglect caring for your lenses

If you are tired after a day of sightseeing, it might be tempting to fall asleep still wearing your contacts. This is not a good idea - unless you wear extended wear lenses, of course. No matter how tired and relaxed you feel, take your contact lenses out for the night.

If you dont want to care for your contacts during vacations at all, ask your doctor if extended wear contacts would suit you. Acuvue 2 can be worn without removal for up to 7 days, and Focus Night and Day for up to 30 days; they are great for vacations.

6. Be careful with sunscreen creams and inset repellants

Be very careful to avoid getting sunscreen or insect repellant in your eyes. If it gets into your eyes, it can cause serious irritation. If this happens, take your lenses out and give them a good clean.

7. Wear glasses on long flights

During long flights, most contact lens wearers feel miserable. This is because in an airplane, both atmospheric pressure and humidity are low. As a result, your soft contact lenses dehydrate and draw moisture from your eyes. Many people also nap during a flight, and sleeping in contacts isnt recommended. If you can wear glasses as well as contacts, it is a good idea to do so in the plane. If glasses are not an option, use special eye drops and make sure you drink plenty of water during your flight. Keep these simple rules in mind when going on vacation, and your contacts shouldnt cause any problems to prevent you enjoying your holidays.

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How To Save Money When Traveling On Vacation

Did you know you can go on a 7-day cruise for half the price?

Or visit Europe for 15 days for only $2,000 per person including airfare, hotels, car rental and meals?

If you follow these steps, you can save more up to 50% in travel expenses.

1. Travel during low season.

Choosing to go on vacation during low season, will save you a great deal of money on airfare, hotels, cruises, car rental and more.

The best dates to travel are between:

February - May

September - the week before Thanksgiving December 1 - 15

For example, a 7-day cruise in the Caribbean can cost around $1,000 during summer and winter but it can cost $495 during low season.

A ticket to Europe can cost between $800-$1,200 during high season but you can buy it at $395 roundtrip during low season.

2. Hotels

The same applies to hotel rates.

When it comes to hotels, you should look for 3-star hotels that will offer most amenities you need at a lower price than 4 or more star hotels. You should keep in mind, that 3-star hotels are smaller, but you can find very good hotels for a great price.

Keep in mind that hotels that are very near local attractions will be more expensive than hotels located 2 or 3 blocks away.

3. Attractions and Places to Visit

Make a list of the places and attractions you want to visit and do some research. Find out about the schedules, locations, special events,etc. You'll find out that there are certain dates during the year that they will have discounts and even free admission.

4. Restaurants

Don't visit tourist-oriented restaurants. Instead, ask locals to recommend family-owned or small restaurants. Not only will you pay less but the food, quality and service will be much better.

Two years ago, I visited Monaco, France and we went to a small restaurant on a side street and we only paid $100 (for 4 people) for appetizers, great pasta, drinks and dessert (including tip). Not a bad price considering that Monaco is very expensive.

5. Metro vs. Taxi

In most places, there is a metro or train system which will be a lot cheaper than traveling by taxi. All you need to do is get a map and trace the route you're going to visit and find out the train or metro numbers you need to get on to.

Final Thought

By planning your vacation in advance, choosing the best dates to travel (low season), doing research about places and attractions to visit, going to local restaurant versus tourist-oriented ones, and using the metro or train system instead of taxis, will save you a great deal of money and allow you to go on vacation at least twice a year.

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Discovering the Secrets of Sin City: My Vegas Vacations VIP Insider Guide

Situated in the middle of the arid Mojave Desert, Vegas is a sparkling paradise of luxury and pleasure with countless mysteries begging to be discovered. Recently, I went on several trips to Vegas, where I explored the tucked-away gems that set Vegas apart and the glitz and glamour of the famed Strip. With this exclusive guide, I'll divulge the trade practices that elevated my routine travels with Vegas Vacations VIP into unique experiences.

The Coming.

A warm greeting.

As soon as I landed at McCarran International Airport, I was surrounded by the electrifying atmosphere of the Strip. The welcoming climate of the desert blended with the excitement of what was to come, creating a memorable atmosphere. I made the costly decision to use a celebrity limo assistance to genuinely start my Vegas experience in fashion, hinting at the grandeur that awaited me.

The Stop.

Past the Strip.

Although the famous Boulevard is the lifeblood of Vegas, my Private Concierge showed me how to stay in places other than the most apparent. I saw small resorts where opulence meets closeness, like The Nomad at Park MGM, hidden away from the hubbub. These places, with their understated elegance and distinct, sometimes overlooked aspect of the city, offered a much-needed respite from the hectic intensity of the Vegas Strip.

The Culinary Wonderland.

Past Buffets.

Although my private guide revealed an environment outside the all-you-can-eat extravaganza, Vegas is known for its extravagant banquets. I explored the Arts District and found Esther's Kitchen, an undiscovered treasure. This neighborhood hangout offered delicious fresh pasta as well as farm-to-table fare, a world away from the glittering glitz of the Strip. Exploring the city's various areas led to more food adventures as I tried anything from exquisite meals made by renowned cooks to authentic Mexican food sold on the streets.

The Invisible Presentations.

Backstage credentials.

Although the Strip's tents feature big-name acts, my Elite treatment gave me entry to the smaller, less well-known events that render Vegas a destination for amusement. Getting behind tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show allowed me to witness the meticulous craftsmanship that went into every routine that defies nature. Meeting the artists and seeing how committed they have turned the performance into a one-on-one encounter with the town's creative spirit.

The Bars That Are Concealed.

Speakeasy Culture.

Beyond its flashy gambling establishments, Vegas has a vibrant cabaret tradition that intrigues the city's evening. Through unlabeled doorways and clandestine doors, my expert guide showed me where to find obscure pubs such as Commonwealth's Washer Space, a nightclub, or these private locations took me back to a time when mixology was an artistic discipline, and the atmosphere was just as thoughtfully created as the drinks.

The Getaway in Nature.

Valley of Crimson Rocks.

The Mojave Desert is breathtakingly beautiful, even with roulette tables and slot machines outside. I learned about Red Rock Canyon, an unspoiled gem just a few miles from the Strip, via my Private tour. As I made my way across the striking reddish-brown sandstone rocks, I was struck by how drastically different the lively turmoil of the town was from the calm, arid environment. It was a revitalizing getaway that highlighted Vegas's many sides.

The Big Bet.

Playing a Game of Twist.

Testing to win on the slot machines is necessary for any Vegas holiday; however, my Concierge gave the high-stakes encounter a unique twist. I was infamous for places' exclusive rooms rather than the busy gambling floors. The individualized service and upscale setting transformed the excitement of gaming into a refined experience. It was more important to enjoy the thrill of elegance than to prevail or lose.

The Shock of Dawn.

A Flight in a Hot Air Balloon

Being in Vegas, a town that rarely drifts off, and seeing the sunrise is a unique experience. My expert advisor organized a hot-air balloon flight over the city at daybreak, offering a stunning view of the awakened metropolis. As I flew over the famous sites, I noticed that the Strip was illuminated by the initial beams of light, casting it in the color of golden. It was an odd encounter that gave my Vegas trip a lyrical quality.

The Retro Vegas.

Boneyard of Light.

The famous brightly colored symbols of the town are interred among the glittering illumination of the Las Vegas Strip. An undiscovered treasure of Vegas heritage comprises the Fluorescent Museum, sometimes called the Fluorescent Boneyard. I was able to spend time at this outside gallery, which is home to decommissioned signage from storied gambling establishments, thanks to my Elite membership. It was an evocative trip through classic Vegas that helped create the opulent metropolis that it is nowadays.

The Leaving.

A memorable evening.

When my time in Vegas was coming to an end, my Concierge guide planned an incredible goodbye. An exclusive supper atop the globe's most oversized panoramic pedal, the Las Vegas High Roller, offered a stunning perspective of the Vegas illuminated to its most entire splendor. Encircled by the city's skyscrapers, I reflected on the undiscovered gems, unique encounters, and life-altering events that shaped my trip to the Strip.

I ventured through the developing Central district, an urban renaissance teeming with hip clubs, graffiti-covered streets, and the well-known Fremont Avenue Knowledge, to round out my Vegas Vacations VIP trip. Upon entering the historic Downtown Container Park, I was astounded by the inventiveness contained within the converted freight containers, which provide a distinctive eating and shopping environment. The disparity between the modern and the ancient and the vitality of continuous street acts gave the Strip's magnificence an exciting counterpoint. Vegas's capacity to continuously reinvent itself was demonstrated by this less well-known aspect of the town, and it deepened my admiration for the city's enduring appeal.

Conclusion

My Vegas Vacations VIP tour turned an average holiday into a fantastic journey filled with extraordinary events. I found a city with abundant civilization, food, the natural world, and amusement hidden beneath the superficial beauty of the Boulevard. With everything of its mysteries still to be discovered, Las Vegas was revealed to be far more than merely an area to visit; instead, it was a voyage into the epicenter of luxury, where every second was an investment-worthy undertaking.

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What you need to know about Travel in Luxury

Luxury travel is diametrically opposed to traveling on budget. Luxury as the term

Suggests, is to have the best of everything by paying the maximum for it. If you have money and want to make your vacations a dream come true then go for the luxuries available in the travel world.

The Hunt for a Perfect Place

The first task to take up is to decide a lavish destination. You can go according to the season like if it is hot, its better to throng the beaches. There are three worlds top most destinations in this category and these are Caribbean, Europe and South Pacific or Oceania.

The Caribbean is the land of water. If you are a water lover then there is nothing like this place. Well known as the worlds fifth greatest water body, Caribbean has more than a hundred islands which turn from the bottom tip of Florida to the northwest of Venezuela.

These islands are blessed with exotic beauty of turquoise blue waters and sandy beaches. The temperature is perfect throughout the year at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. What else one can look forward to are the bewitchingly beautiful beach villas with the best of amenities ranging from food to entertainment.

The next outstanding destination can be Europe. The place has the best of everything and foe everyone. Besides a rich historical past, this wealthy destination has all sorts of scenic splendors. There are spectacular slopes of Scandinavia, the humid Mediterranean and the peninsulas to steal your attention.

How can one forget the incredible South Pacific or Oceania as a luxury destinationthe place has a bunch of marvelous islands like New Zealand, Australia, Micronesia etc. that make you a prisoner of their lust. The place has fascinating lagoons and lively beaches to enjoy all types of water sports and other activities for instance spinner dolphins, humpback whales and the like.

The Means to Commute

After you select the ideal place for your journey, think about the way to reach there. Several options are available of which private jets and helicopters top the list. These private air modes have lots of benefits and convenience. Their services are available round the clock. All you have to do is to call up a private jet or airways company and ask for a jet or plane. These jets not only take least time to reach the desired destination but provide you with privacy, peace of mind, no hassle of booking etc., luggage safety, all in all a perfect journey.

If you desire to sail then cruise ships are the perfect option. Silversea Cruise Ships are a good and wise choice. They offer you the best of rooms, restaurants, entertainment like casinos etc. So there is much more to enjoy along with the oceanic magnificence.

Yacht is also a favorable option for the sea admirers. Besides accommodation there is accurate planning for all other requirements. The most renowned luxury yacht so far is known to be SeaDream II.

The accommodation, food and entertainment

Go for the best of hotels or resorts available. Make sure they have entire set up to take care of not just your lodging but food and entertainment (casinos, bars etc.). Health spas, gyms, parlors and the like add one more feather to it.

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Cheap Vacation Travel Packages versus Independent Budget Travel

When traveling on a budget, one of the most often asked questions is whether it is best to travel independently, reserving your own airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices. Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

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Tips and Tricks for Last Minute Business Trips

Business trips can often take place at the last minute. Something crops up that just absolutely has to be sorted out face to face. Which means if your job could potentially involve business travel, its essential to be prepare as much as possible in advance.

In general, all travel trips are being booked later and later, so unless theres a major conference going on in your destination city, you should be able to find somewhere to stay. What can be more difficult to ensure is that its somewhere you want to stay and that its within your budget.

If you know your job is likely to involve travel, its worth planning ahead and setting up a new folder in your bookmarks so that youre not hunting around the search engines, desperately trying to find your preferred airlines and hotel bookers.

Start your search while youre not rushed!

Make sure that you bookmark at least two of everything, in case the site you use doesnt have anything available for your trip.

For flights, choose one of the sites that lists lots of different airlines. But remember that these dont always list the budget airlines, so bookmark the web site of any budget airline that flies from your local airport.

When choosing flights, make sure that you check the number of stopovers. This is easily missed when you are traveling at the last minute. Stopovers can add hours to a flight time and they increase the likelihood of delays on your journey.

Taxi journeys from the airport to your final destination should be straightforward. But take the precaution of checking the likely fare before accepting the ride, even if the cab has a meter to display the price. Its not unheard of for taxi drivers to take a longer route than necessary if they perceive that you arent local to their city.

If its close enough to travel by car, driving will be your best option. Again, bookmark your favorite route planning site so that you can call on it at short notice. If you havent used a route planning service before, test it out by entering a journey you do regularly to see how good the directions are. Not all online route planners are created equal!

When you reach your destination, you will probably need to get hotel accommodation booked.

For peace of mind, its worth booking before you set off for your trip. Some hotels will offer an online booking service but you need to be aware that these services dont always show all the rooms available, especially at the last minute. If you cant get your chosen room online, remember that you can always use the telephone were so used to doing everything online nowadays that we can sometimes forget this!

Because web sites prefer you to book using their online system, you may need to have a directory enquiries number to hand so that you can find out the hotels contact details. If theyre fully booked when you call, most hotel receptionists will be able to recommend somewhere else to stay.

Also make yourself a pre-travel check list ahead of time. This should include things like flight, car rental and hotel reservations as well as the usual things you would pack for any trip.