Whisk your loved one away to a Treehouse Cottage! These cottages are unbelievably romantic. They are 22 feet off the ground nestled in the surrounding forest. Even though you feel like you are far away from everything you will discover that civilization, should you decide to leave your little bungalow, is not too far off.

This treehouse includes everything that you two will need. The bedroom, sitting area and kitchen are all equipped with the necessities. The Jacuzzi’s in these treehouses overlook the scenic outdoors. There is also cable TV, DVD, CD and Wifi. You can talk the night away in front of your fireplace or gaze into the sky together while sitting on the deck. Visit Treehouse Cottages at http://www.treehousecottages.com/ and plan your vacation getaway with your sweetheart.

Treehouse Cottages and their owners have been given rave reviews. A little far away for me, but someday that is where I will hideaway.

photo credit: Justin S. Campbell

The Roads Less Traveled in Seattle
The first one on my list is the Private Eye on Seattle Murder and Mystery Tour. There are three tours offered, the Queen Anne Murder and Mystery Tour, the Capital Hill Tour (which each cost $25 per person and lasts about two and a half hours), and Haunted Happenings, which is also known as the Seattle Ghost Tour (this tour lasts about 3 hours and is also $25 per person). These are great for any fan of true crime or simply dusty old detective novels. They are not however, tours I would recommend for the squeamish or faint of heart. I recommend any one of these tours or all of them if possible. They are a great way to spend your time while in Seattle.

After a trip with Private Eye on Seattle, you simply must check out the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries, which is a museum dedicated to the study of paranormal sciences. This is the only museum of its kind in Washington State. If you have any interest in Big Foot, UFOs, crop circles, ghosts, or just enjoy legends, lore, and tall tales, then this museum should be right up your alley. Even if these things aren’t vitally important in your day-to-day existence, it is still really interesting to see the artifacts that have been collected and to hear the stories that are being told.

Coming back to the world of the living, one of my favorite places in Seattle is a little bit crowded with tourists; however, it is well worth dealing with a few more people if you ask me. That place would be Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. I’m not sure if my fascination with this place stems from my love of science fiction movies and literature or simply from the contribution that science fiction has made on society in the last few decades. Perhaps it is a slight combination of the two. Or maybe it is just the coolness factor alone. For whatever reason, this museum is a favorite of mine and I hope that you will feel the same way about it after you visit.

Travel in Seattle
If you are visiting the Science Fiction Museum, you might seriously consider purchasing a combination ticket for the Experience Music Project. Separately the project is a tad expensive but when you purchase a combo ticket for both you save enough money to take the sting out of the visit. If you are a music lover, particularly rock and roll, then this experience is one well worth having. The price is somewhat prohibitive if you are visiting on a budget but if you plan carefully you can manage savings in other areas that will make up for the cost.

There are so many fascinating things to do, see, and experience in Seattle and the surrounding areas. I hope that I have introduced you to a few things that are a little off the beaten path and yet offer something of interest to you at the same time. The most important thing to remember when visiting Seattle, Washington is that vacations are fun and that is what you should have-lots of fun.

photo credit: Paraflyer

photo credit: martinhoward

Have you flown within the last year? How about within the last month? Even if you have, there is there is a good chance that things have changed since the last time that you were at the airport. While you may be thinking about the airport layout, it is actually the air travel rules that have likely changed. As more security issues arise, often on a daily or weekly basis, the airlines decide to enforce new travel rules. In the event that these new enforcements do go into effect, do you know how to go about finding what they are?

All Air Travel Rules
Before you can learn to famialrize yourself with new air travel rules, if there are any, you will want to understand the benefits of learning those rules. Unfortunately, too many travelers are worried about having the proper forms of identification that they dont always worry about the items that they pack. If you are one of those individuals, there is a good chance that you may, unintentionally, pack items that are prohibited past airport security checkpoints. Depending on the prohibited item, you may be required to make additional accommodations, discard of the item, or turn it over to airport security.

In addition to prohibited items, there are also new air travel rules that apply to security screening procedures. For instance, all air travelers are now required to remove their shoes. Your shoes will be scanned along with the rest of your carryon luggage. While this may pose an inconvenience, it is a requirement. Failing to comply with this requirement, as well as others, may lead to you being detained by airport security or local authorities. In addition to missing your flight, you may even face prosecution for your actions. However, this can all be prevented by knowing and understanding the new air travel rules, as well as the old ones.

Travel Rules
Perhaps, the best way to famialrize yourself with air travel rules is to go directly to the source. That source is the organization that makes and essentially enforces those rules, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can obtain valuable information from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including information on air travel rules, by directly contacting them or by visiting their online website. That online website can be found at www.tsa.gov. You are advised to fully examine this online website. You will find that it has a large amount of information that you need to know.

In addition to using the internet to examine the online website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can also use it to perform a standard internet search. By searching with the words new air travel rules, you should be provided with a number of different results. Those results are likely to include websites or news reports with information on air travel, including the rules that are enforced aboard all airplanes or in all airports. When doing this, it is important to keep your source of information in mind. A large number of websites with inaccurate, misleading, outdated information can be found online. More on Travel Resources.

If you’re visiting Orlando, Florida, you probably have a trip to Universal Studios on your list, and therefore may decide to skip MGM Studios, and however you may find that – especially if you have younger children – MGM is a better alternative as there are less attractions with height restrictions than Universal. Although there are a few more thrill-seeking rides, most of the MGM Studio park is at a more gentle pace making it one of the vacation spots.

Whether your family is involved in the history of the American Civil War or not, Gettysburg is an interesting place to visit. Many of the names such as Cemetery Hill, and Devil’s Den are familiar from Hollywood’s adaptation of history, but here at Gettysburg you can separate the fiction from the fact, and see how life really was for the men who fought and died here.

There’s more to see at Kennedy Space Center than just the space shuttle launching however. There are exhibitions of rockets and spacecraft from the years when space travel was in its infancy. There are rides to simulate space travel for those with the nerve to try. There’s the launching pad area where Apollo 11 was once launched placing men on the moon for the first time. There are tours of the site, which are narrated and have photo stops. Two must see parts of the Kennedy Space Center experience however are the Imax theatre presentations (capture the thrill of a close-up launch in the “The Dream is Alive” feature), and then the Astronaut Encounter where an astronaut takes to the stage to talk about traveling in space, and also answer questions from the audience – a great experience for any families who have a budding astronaut in their party

Divided between two states, with Colorado having the majority holding, Dinosaur National Monument is a “must see” park for anyone interested in Dinosaurs, and especially any family with a budding paleontologist in their midst. Dinosaur National Monument is a “in the field” museum, which shows ancient history in the shape of the Dinosaur remains that have been, uncovered there, the Indian art that was discovered and also the more modern history of settlers. It’s a unique experience to record for your vacation photo album.

The bright side to weddings are the honeymoon trips, and there are thousands of incredible destinations from which to choose, and all can be the exact reward for all the stress and strife stemming from the big day.

honeymoon trips
First and foremost, honeymoon trips do not have to break the bank and overload your already precarious finances after the big wedding. There are inexpensive honeymoon trips trips and do not have to be a tacky affair with a pink heart shaped bed and mirrored ceilings at the local motel.

If you plan in advance and do a little bit of research, great romantic getaway packages are possible. However, if you wait until the last minute, you may be very sorry.

A great way to start your planning is to do a bit of internet research on the top 10 hotel honeymoon vacation packages that are available. Most are getaway romantic anniversary trips in nature, all require a minimum stay.

getaway romantic vacation
This stay can range from two days on up to five. The packages usually include the hotel stay and a variety of complimentary services for the couple. Romantic getaway packages vary in price and on what is included, so make sure to check the fine print before booking your reservation.

A weekend getaway cheap and tacky is not the way you want the memories of your honeymoon to be remembered. You can plan for a getaway romantic weekend trip or a classic Paris honeymoon. However, it should be relaxing and a time for the happy couple to spend quality time together.

You may want to plan for activities but you do not have to stick to a rigorous schedule. This is your time to be alone with each other and bask in the joy of being newly married. Try to plan outings that are flexible and always take into consideration that you may not even want to leave your room very much.

getaway romantic travel
When it comes time to decide between all of the honeymoon trips available, make sure and talk it over with your future spouse. This is one decision that must be mutual if both people are to have a good time and enjoy themselves.

Also, as a word of advice, though children are wonderful, they do not need to go on your getaway romantic vacation with you. The same thing goes for family and friends. It is all about you and the one you love.

photo credit: loloieg

Now when you start your vacation you will either have to make your own reservations or go by a holiday package. Regardless of the method of travel when you arrive in Cancun you should get your hotel room reservations sorted out. Once you are in your rooms relaxing you can decide what you are going to be doing for the duration of your stay. This is important because you will need to plan your Cancun travel schedule so that you see everything that you want without feeling rushed.

The next day you will be feeling more relaxed so you should find out the best way to see the city. This brief overview will let you see the more important scenes that are in the city. You will also be able to find the best shopping destinations in the city from your taxi driver. As you stop at each of the places on your sightseeing trip find out more about that place from various brochures.

Now that it is nearing lunchtime return back to the hotel for lunch and a rest. The next item on your holiday schedule is that of relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean. So after a delicious buffet meal you head to your room to rest and to plan what you will do in the evening. Since you have only a limited time you should see as much as you can of the whole of Cancun.

The next day you can arrange with the hotel for your family to visit Chichen Itza on your Cancun travel list. This is a very interesting city. It used to be a commercial and a religious city. For reasons that baffle archeologist the city was abandoned. Did you know that in Chichen Itza there is a structure that is called EL Castillo?

This interesting place has four sides to the building and each face has 91 steps. All of these steps added together plus the 1 at the summit equal 365. Now what do you think the Mayans used this building for? Now if you are really interested in seeing some interesting things in your Cancun travel you should arrange for tour to Coba which is home to the largest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula.

With so little time to see everything you will need to come back on a longer holiday. Without more time your Cancun travel diary will be missing many wonderful things. So why wait, book your next vacation in Cancun, Mexico and explore all that is Cancun.

photo credit: ankarino

photo credit: scmikeburton

For your summer family vacation, Disney Cruise Line offers a seven-night cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida on the Disney Magic.  Sailing to islands in the Caribbean, including Castaway Cay, which is Disney’s private island and theme resort, this vacation combines the best of both worlds – a relaxing and enjoyable cruise for adults, and a fun-filled adventure for kids.

Disney cruises and Disney Magic, in particular, are geared toward families, and among the many activities available for children are the Walt Disney Theatre, the Buena Vista Theatre, and Studio Sea.  In addition, there are three pools; one for children, one for adults, and one for both children and adults.

More importantly, the cabins are larger than normal with one and a half baths and can accommodate up to six family members.

The Disney characters, Mickey and all his friends, are the star attractions on the cruise.  There are a variety of play areas for children of any age, including sports games, and the Oceaneers Club where autographs by Mickey and friends can be acquired.

There are seven restaurants, fitness center, full spa service, and while the kids are at play mom and dad can relax and take advantage of the many amenities offered for them as well.

There is a movie theatre, which offers Disney productions, shopping plaza, and three adult-only bars.  However, there are also two lounges where family entertainment is offered.

For children ages 3-12, Disney Magic offers the Oceaneers Club and for children 8-12 there is the Oceaneers Lab with activities including: sports games, arts and crafts, dance classes, and computer time.   For teens 13-17 years of age, Disney Magic offers the Stack, which is designed specifically for teens and guided by ship counselors who provide music, movies, video games, big-screen plasma TVs, a lounge area, dance floor, Internet café and teen-only activities.

Disney has designed this ship exclusively for children as well as teens (although there is plenty for adults to do as well).  Keeping with Disney’s tradition, The Goofy Pool area on the Disney Magic is transformed on special occasions to accommodate a new 24-by-14-foot jumbo LED screen, attached to the ship’s forward funnel. Guests will enjoy feature films poolside, along with enhanced outdoor entertainment and deck parties.
The Ports of call include: St. Maarten, St. Thomas (great for shopping), St. John, and Castaway Cay.  Departures are on Saturdays and booking early is highly recommended.   Passports are required.

A Disney cruise of this magnitude is the best possible family vacation you can imagine.  Leave your worries behind and enjoy all this cruise line has to offer while, at the same time, knowing your kids are going to have the time of their lives!