Travel Blog

Get the best deals on Las Vegas Vacation packages at DiscountHotels.com

Although they’ve been around for a long time, not as many people as you’d think know about all inclusive vacation packages.  Instead, most people book a hotel, plane, and car separately, and then wait until they get to a new place to decide what to do.  They may have one place in mind, but not know much about anything else to do in a particular area.

All inclusive vacation packages help you to take care of most of that.  Many sites have packages that will include the flight, hotel, and rental car.  Cruise vacation packages already include all the stops, meals, and accommodations, though they don’t usually pay for the cost of getting to the docks, so you still might have to book your own flight.

But think about a trip to New York City, for instance.  Many sites will have a full package that will include the flight and hotel, and include tour buses to take you all over the city, not only to see the sights but also on shopping trips.  New York is one of the few cities in the world where you’ll be very happy you didn’t get a rental car, as parking can be as high as $10 an hour in many places.

Las Vegas vacation packages will usually include the flight, hotel, most of your meals, and a show, which is definitely worth the trip if you get lucky and stay at a casino with a big star.  Naturally you get to go into the casinos, which are always lively.  A few casinos will actually throw in a trip to Hoover Dam, which is spectacular and something anyone who even gets close to Las Vegas should stop by and visit.

A very popular vacation trip is the European vacation where you’ll go through multiple countries in  7 to 10 days.  Hotels, meals, shopping and transportation are totally covered.  Some vacation packages are even lower if you end up going with a group.  Just imagine what it must be like being able to visit a bunch of countries on one trip, as opposed to the United States where you may visit many states, but in general much of it seems the same.

We mentioned costs above, and now we’ll go much further.  Paying for a vacation package is always less costly than doing everything individually.  For instance, there are 4-day vacation packages to Las Vegas that will cost you less than $300 per person; that’s just a phenomenal price.  Packages cost less because these different businesses get together and agree to reduce their services by combining everything in some fashion.

Everyone’s looking for a deal these days, and if you’re still hoping to go on vacation, take advantage of one of the many all inclusive vacation packages available to you.

See more:
Top Hotel Deals in New York
North America’s 15 Best Vacation Spots
The Best Mexico Vacation Spots

Most people never think about booking a bed and breakfast when they have overnight stays, but a bed and breakfast just might be what you need if you’re really looking for a relaxing overnight experience and the feeling of being home.

In essence, a bad and breakfast is a residence that’s been converted into a kind of rooming house.  Some are larger than others, but most have 4-8 rooms.  The owner of the rooming house lives there, and offers at least one meal a day, often breakfast, but some will also offer lunch and/or dinner.  The owner is all the staff that’s there; cleaning, cooking, and almost anything else you need you will get from that one person.

Staying in a bed and breakfast does have a few limitations as well.  Not all of them are wired for the internet.  There’s usually a time when you have to be in so the owner can lock the doors for the night.  You won’t be having any big parties in the room, and most eschew alcohol.  There’s usually a shared bathroom.  And there’s probably not going t be a microwave in the room also, so you’d better bring back snacks you can just eat, or be ready to go hungry for the rest of the night.

What a bed and breakfast offers you is a little slice of home while you’re on the road.  Bed and breakfast owners are known to be really kind and open, because their reputations are on the line.  They treat the environment better because they’re also residences; it’s their home after all.  Bed and breakfast residences are usually in quiet neighborhoods, but that doesn’t mean they’re far away from the city, if that’s where you happen to be.  And the room you stay in won’t feel sterile, like many hotel rooms might feel.  Many of them adopt a contemporary feel for the rooms, which may make you feel like you’re back in the 40′s and 50′s.  It’s really a very comfortable environment.

The costs of staying at a bed and breakfast are comparable with the costs of staying at a hotel.  You won’t end up with thousand dollar rooms, but you’ll stay in very comfortable rooms for a price that’s competitive, usually between $75 and $200 a night, depending on where you are.

See more:
Travel Channel – Haunted Bed and Breakfasts
Full List of B&Bs in Rome
Locate Bed and Breakfasts

Photo Credit: www.wideworldtravelstore.com

There was a popular song where the lyric used to go “Get your kicks on Route 66.”  Route 66 was the first true American highway.  It linked Chicago, IL, with Santa Monica, CA, and many cities in between became legendary and vibrant because of its existence.

It was the road that connected the big city with the West Coast, and provided a way for people who needed to get from one area of the country to the other with the quickest access possible at the time.  Work began in 1927 and wasn’t completed until 1938, though it was in use well before then.  It’s the main road people took when escaping the Midwest during the Dust Bowl years, and many tales and folklore developed because people saw the road as their opportunity to start life anew in the west.

Unfortunately, like most things, the highway couldn’t keep up with modern technology, and didn’t easily allow access to many major cities the way it was.  When President Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act in 1956, it pretty much spelled doom for Route 66.  Not that it’s totally gone, but it lost its designation as a highway in 1985.

It does still exist, and it’s become more of a tourist attraction that a main highway.  Following the road will take you to cities such as St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Alburquerque, Flagstaff, and of course Santa Monica, which is then a hop, skip and jump to Los Angeles.  Along the way, you’ll see how smaller cities used to take advantage of the traffic by setting up eateries and gas stations, many having been restored as the road has enjoyed popularity from tourists.  You’ll see some of the old style motels which were prevalent.  Even drive-in theaters have come back in some areas along the highway, for those travelers who want to experience another blast from the past.

Route 66 goes through 8 states even now.  It’s bypassed in many areas, but in others it was incorporated into their new highway systems.  But every one of the states it existed in has the historic areas marked for those people who don’t mind taking the long way around.  Route 66 looped its way to its destination instead of being a straight highway, which was where it attained some of its charm.

There are many places along the way where you can stay for the night if you chose to take a ride down memory lane.  Or, as it’s still unofficially known as, Will Rogers Highway.

See more:
The Mother Road: Historic Route 66
A Trip on Route 66: Sites to See
Martin’s Route 66 Gallery

Photo Credit: www.farm1.static.flickr.com

Cenotes are sinkholes, but not like what you hear about when it happens within a neighborhood.  In nature, they’ve been carved out by erosion over hundreds of thousands of year, and are actually large pools of water that either lead into or have worn themselves through caves.  Many of the cenotes are remnants left when the Yucatan Peninsula receded.  Throughout the Yucatan of Mexico, these are fascinating tourist attractions.

Many of the cenotes are round; no one can really explain that one.  The water in these cenotes is clear and inviting, and many small communities have built their entire business of tourism around the promotion of their particular cenotes.  It’s no wonder why, as almost all of them invite swimming and caving of some sort.  Some cenotes have turned into archaeological digs, as cave paintings and artifacts of older civilizations have turned up.  For some communities, the only drinkable water in the area comes from the cenotes.

In some communities, you can only see the cenotes if you go into the underground caves.  This can be quite an adventure, as you will have to deal with things that typical caves have, such as stalactites, bats, and other underground life.  Many famous photographs of caves with underground lakes are actually pictures taken of cenotes.

As noted earlier, swimming and snorkeling are encouraged in most communities.  Not all cenotes are accessible or even allowed to be visited.  In communities such as Chichén Itzá, many artifacts have been discovered, so anyone who’s not an archaeologist is not permitted to visit.

Of course, if all there was to do was go caving and swimming, it might be relaxing, but could get boring for a long trip.  Luckily, there are some communities that offer more than that.  For instance, the community of San Ignacio has the Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins & Museum, which is not only a museum, but is located near ancient Mayan Ruins that are still standing.  There’s also the San Ignacio Flea Market, where all sorts of things can be purchased.

Chichén Itzá also has some nice attractions, which includes the Pyramid of Kukulkán and the Temple of the Warriors.  Something unique is the Mayan Ball Courts, where they played a game with the intention of getting a ball through a stone ring.  The winners and losers literally gave their lives for this game, though it’s debated whether it was the winners or losers who were sacrificed after a contest.

Most of the communities have restaurants serving local fare, though some of them don’t speak English, so you’ll need a translator.  And some of these communities don’t have hotels either, so you’ll be commuting in from somewhere else, like Merida.  Still, the cenotes are fascinating things to see.

See more:
Swimming in the Cenotes of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
Cenotes of the Riviera Maya
Cenotes biotope, a freshwater habitat in the forests of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico

It may seem strange to talk about visiting an entire state, but when you’re talking about a state bigger than all of New England with an entire population less than most state’s metropolitan cities, it suddenly seems appropriate.

Idaho is one of the largest states in the union geographically, yet has a population of less than 1.5 million people.  It was the 43rd state in the union, is bordered by six states, and is one of the rockiest states because of thee numerous mountains.  In essence, it’s a paradise for hikers and mountain climbers.

The capital city of Idaho is Boise, and it’s also the largest city in the state.  At around 205,000 people in the city, it’s the third largest city in the Northwest.  It also contains the highest number of attractions in the state.  You start with the museums, which includes the Idaho Historical Museum, the Boise Art Museum, and the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.  This last one is unique because Boise has the second largest population of Basque descendants in the country after Bakersfield, CA. There’s also the Idaho Black History Museum, which may seem strange since the population of African-Americans in the state is less than 1%.

In Boise, there’s also the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center, which offers many wildlife exhibits, and is near Municipal Park.  Boise is also the annual host of the Idaho International Film Festival.

Once you’ve left Boise, you realize there are other attractions around the state, many of them weirdly wonderful.  In Arco, the county seat of Butte County with a population of just over 1,000 people, there’s the world’s first nuclear power plant, which doesn’t have a name.  There’s also the Craters of the Moon monument, their own tribute to man’s walking on the moon.

In Blackfoot, proclaimed the “potato capital of the world“, there’s the Idaho Potato Museum, which not only gives you all the history and information about potatoes that you’ll ever want and need, but is home to the largest baked potato and potato chip.  And, if you remember your Evel Knieval history, you might want to make a stop in Twin Falls, where he tried to execute the Snake River motorcycle jump; that one didn’t go quite as planned.

However, if you’re looking for something a little calmer, Idaho has many national parks, such as the City of Rocks National Reserve, where many people enjoy rock climbing; Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, which has one of the world’s largest fossil deposits containing samples from around 3.5 million years ago.  And the Snake River Canyon is located in what’s known as the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, which offers access to water sports such as kayaking.

And finally, the mountains, which includes the Rocky Mountains, the Owyhee Mountains, and the Sawtooth Mountain Range, which is home to both mountain climbing and skiing.

Photo Credit: www.gsea.org

Seattle, WA, the home of Microsoft and Starbucks, may be the cloudiest large city in the nation, but it’s certainly not close to the most boring. It’s one of the oldest areas of the country where civilization has been proven to live, over 4,000 years old, and is now one of the top metropolitan cities in the country.

This birthplace to people like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain has an interesting history. Only 96 miles from Canada, its location has proven to be a great resting spot for travelers from Asia and Canada, and was probably a great spot throughout history for travelers going back and forth through the Alaskan Peninsula. It’s also more temperate than its location might suggest, being protected from much of the Arctic Air by the Olympic Mountains and the warming influence of the Pacific Ocean.

Its most famous landmark is the Space Needle, which was created for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition. It’s surrounded by the Seattle Center, where many events are held, including concerts, and it was the home of the Seattle Supersonics, who has now moved to another city. The Seattle Center also contains the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, Mercer Arena, the Pacific Science Center, and one of the city’s official landmarks, the Kobe Bell.

Seattle has the tallest building in the northwest in the Columbia Center, which is 76 stories high and the fourth tallest building west of the Mississippi River. There’s also the Washington Mutual Tower, another very tall building which might be going through a name change soon since Washington Mutual was taken over by JP Chase in 2008.

Seattle is known for performing arts of all types. Many clubs feature local musicians, and many musicians have made their name in Seattle, such as Quincy Jones, Nikki Six, and rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot. Seattle hosts a 24-day international film festival every year, and is known for its cultural diversity, also hosting what’s become the largest gay pride festival in the U.S. It hosts all sorts of conventions, including the Penny Arcade Expo. There’s also the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, which has existed for around 100 years.

And, of course, there are the obligatory tourist attractions that every large city has. There’s the Seattle Aquarium and the Woodland Park Zoo. There’s museums and galleries all over the city, including the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of History and Industry, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and something a little avant garde, the Crawl Space Gallery.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much to see and do in Seattle, and luckily, most of it is indoors, since the city is lovingly also known as “Rain City.” If you’re not afraid to dodge a little bit of rain, Seattle might be a city worth visiting.

See more:
Visiting Seattle
Seattle’s Convention and Visitor Center
Seattle, Washington Tourism

Photo Credit: www.casinoinaustralia.com

Many people love gambling, while many others like the idea of taking a vacation where they can gamble and try out a bunch of new games, whether it be slot machines or gaming tables of some sort. For people who have been many times, there’s an excitement that builds up every time they go. For people who haven’t, the anticipation can be overwhelming. Here are some things to consider when heading to a casino for a vacation.

1.Pick a casino to stay at for the duration of your trip. You don’t have to only stay in that casino for the entire day, but if you want the full experience of what it’s like to be in a casino, you have to stay in one. If you’re in a casino town like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, you’ll find some great prices on rooms. If you’re going elsewhere, the room prices might not be as comparable, but the amenities will more than make up for it.

2. When making reservations, ask about the amenities. Some casinos offer meal specials, a certain amount they’ll give you daily to start gambling with, and tips on how to play the games. Some casinos offer spa packages, or a free tour around the city. Many will pick you up from the airport or train station for free. There might be a show as part of the package, which is also very nice.

3. Budget yourself to have enough money to play with for the entire day, and stick to it. Everyone thinks they’re the best gambler in the world, but realize that the odds are stacked in favor of the casino. In some cities, you’ll be enticed as soon as you arrive at the airport; the lights and sounds will draw you in. But no one is made of money. A good tip is every time you hit the big one, or win a large amount, put some of that away and “bank” it in your hotel room later on. You might find that, at the worst, you’ll break even for your trip; that’s a good goal to start with.

4. Take advantage of meal specials. Unless you’re at an exclusive resort, meals are usually fairly inexpensive in most casino towns. You can easily find a great buffet meal for around $15, even for dinner, sometimes even cheaper. If you’re eating in the same casino and have a refrigerator, you’re allowed to take some food with you, and that might make a nice midnight snack.

5. Get away from the gaming every once in awhile and walk around. Whether you determine to go outside, or just look at everything a casino might have to offer, no one can continue playing games hour after hour without getting overly consumed. When you get tired, you start making mistakes; when you get mentally tired, you’ll lose all your money and your control. A casino vacation is supposed to be a fun experience; don’t get too caught up in the action.

6. Sleep; casinos are usually open 24/7, and even when the action isn’t heavy, there’s always some kind of game going. There will always be a game for you when you want to play, so take some time, relax, and sleep. You’ll enjoy the experience much more.