Beaches. Forests. Mountain villages. Casinos. Lake Tahoe has it all. And if you go this summer, you can have it all for under $500. With flights taking up only about half the budget, those departing from the West can rejoice, as well as some other folks as far-flung as Chicago. But no matter where you're from, comfy lodge-style inns come at comfortable prices, and you can even tote your furry friends for a complete family vacation.

via smartertravel.com

You know that every time you are planning to go for a family vacation, there is always the daunting task of where to go because each member desires to impose his or her own ideas. It is good to listen to everyone so you can factor in their sentiments. Whether you want to have an indoor vacation or outdoor activity, there are many spots to pick from.

via eastandard.net

There are few childhood memories as distinct as those of family road trips. In her new book “Are We There Yet? The Golden Age of American Family Vacations,” Susan Sessions Rugh explains how the prosperous period between the end of World War II and the gas crisis of the 1970s gave Americans the unprecedented opportunity to see the country by car. What’s more, she uses the subject as a vehicle to explore American social norms and racial tensions of the time.

via worldhum.com

Come fall, will you be ready for a beach vacation away from it all? If so, have a look at what American Airlines has going for its sale to a number of destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Deal: The “Caribbean and Mexico Sale” features low fares to a handful of popular locales bearing cabana-shaded sands aplenty.

via travel.latimes.com

Chicago... Chicago... was not at all what any of us expected. For one, the city seems so clean! It is so shinny and city like yet there are so many trees and parks and I know we didn't find every area there was to find... but we did a pretty good job at seeing as much as we could. When we first landed we did a river boat tour which was really interesting to learn about the architecture and just see the city.

via travelblog.org

After having a blast at the family reunion, we left Flat Head Lake on Monday and headed towards Glacier National Park in northern Montana with Bird and Bob and the Tabor family (Patty's sister). We traveled on the "highway to the sun" (which just opened a few weeks ago because of snow) through the park and we stopped at Logan Pass for a hike. The hike was 90% on the snow and we saw some great wildlife (see pics).

via travelblog.org

We got to the ferry at 10 in order to insure a spot on the 12:45 ferry to Victoria. We walked around the town and had lunch at Rick's American Cafe. The ferry ride was about an hour and half and was very scenic. Arriving at Victoria we found our hotel, The Delta, another Priceline find and very, very nice. We walked over the draw bridge to the main part of the city. First stop was the Parliament House.

via travelblog.org

Hacienda San Jose appeared to be away from any towns. It was a sugar plantation but the buildings had fallen into disrepair. Their reconstruction is shown in photos in the reading room. There are extensive gardens, aqueducts and facilities that suggest the hacienda's former glory. Some of the footpaths were made of slabs of limestone with gaps in between them. Since they were not smooth they were difficult to walk on, especially at night.

via travelblog.org

Previews of a Canadian Winter Wonderland and sunny Italia await those who attend the DSC Destinations information session Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m. at the James E. Brown Center on the Dalton State campus.
Over regional treats, participants will learn plans of two upcoming trips: a December excursion to Quebec featuring luxury accommodations and shopping/museum opportunities as well as a spring 09 tour of Italy, featuring visits to Rome, Florence, Venice, Como and Milan.

via northwestgeorgia.com

While you're visiting Niagara Falls, take a morning or afternoon tour of the spectacular attractions on the Canadian side of the falls. Highlights include an exhilarating ride aboard the famous Maid of the Mist boat at the base of the majestic Horseshoe Falls, and admission to the lofty Skylon Tower Observation Deck. You'll have the best views of Niagara Falls possible from the Skylon's 700-feet/210-meter Angel's View lookout.

via viator.com

I finally packed up my things, cleaned my sweet little room and bathroom and had to leave Copán. Wow. I have been so ready for a change, so ready to be some place different for such a long time...and then when the moment came it was as if there were still things to do there. I wanted to have pizza with my friends, lunch in Santa Rita, another trip to the best baleada place.

via travelblog.org

So today we went to this waterpark in Texmico with the kids who didn't get visitors on visitors day. There were only 44 kids which means an amazing amount of people had visitors. It's in an old haceinda grounds which is of course like an old plantation in the south. Basically we played volleyball, frisbee, football, laid in the lazy river, swam, and played in the pools and slides where a bunch of slaves were held.

via travelblog.org

We headed down south to see Big Muddy Badlands, the drive was really enjoyable! We had the beautiful Big Saskatchewan sky to look at and the we had the back roads all to ourselves. It was really beautiful in it’s simple way, endless fields and endless sky. Along the way we say all sorts of cute little buggers along the side of the road.

via travelblog.org

Truthfully, we saw less of Denver than any other stop we have made so far. Next time we are in Denver we will have to explore all that it offers. Then we were on the road again, this time for Grand Junction. Today was a medium-sized day of travel, but Colorado certainly had a tremendous number of panoramas in store for us. All of a sudden, I was singing old John Denver songs in my head. Leaving Denver was the same high desert that we had entered in.

via travelblog.org

We left for Portland around 6am. Kelsie drove down with us to take the car back. A quck stop at Tim Horton's on the Maine Mall road enabled us to meet what had to be Tim Horton's newest employee. Two atempts at a hazelnut with just cream, no sugar, and she produced a regular coffee for Brian the third time we asked for it. We'd already paid for it, and it was on the screen, but she was still having trouble.

via travelblog.org