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Top 3 Australian Attractions

June 6, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

Many people are lucky enough to get to visit Australia at some point in their lives. But once you’ve sorted out the essentials, including applying for a passport and getting your Australian visa, the next big thing to consider is what you’re going to do when you get there. Here are three of the most famous attractions in Australia that you really shouldn’t miss when you visit.

Uluru – Ayers Rock

Can you think of any natural site more incredible than Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock? This mighty monolith, the biggest in the world, is one of the defining natural wonders of Australia. A sacred site for the aborigines for thousands of years, it is now a major tourist attraction in the heart of the desert.

Situated in Alice Springs, the trip here will take some time but it is certainly worth it. The huge rock is 348 meters high, and measures 2.2 miles along and 1.2 miles across. It is absolutely colossal, and standing there surrounded by the flat desert makes it even more impressive.

Walk around the rock, or even climb up it-just make sure you go well prepared, it’s a long way! Aboriginal guides are on hand to teach you about the history of Uluru, making the whole experience a fascinating and unmissable one. And make sure that you get to see it at the best times of the day: sunrise and sunset. The changing colors at these times make it truly spectacular.

The Great Barrier Reef

Another natural wonder that Australia can boast is the Great Barrier Reef, the biggest coral reef in the world. This incredible area that stretches down the east coast of Australia is home to a huge variety of marine life, including turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, and crocodiles, not to mention the many hundreds of bird species that inhabit the area.

The Great Barrier Reef is a haven for divers who go to explore its spectacular underwater scenery and the sea creatures they come across. But even if you are not a diver, you can go snorkeling, swimming, or just laze on one of the many pristine beaches, of which the area has hundreds of wonders

For a really special experience, head out in a glass-bottomed boat to see the underwater world from the surface. Or head to the skies in a plane to get an unbeatable view from the air.

Sydney Harbor

Australia is not just a country of natural wonders, as Sydney Harbor clearly shows. Sydney is a fantastic city in its own right, but this is the highlight. Of course the most noticeable feature is the Sydney Opera House, which is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Simply getting an up-close view of the building is enough, but you should also head inside to catch a performance for an unbeatable experience.

The other main feature of the harbor is the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Tours are available, and if you really want to get adventurous you can even climb it with the help of an official guide. The top of the bridge offers a fantastic view of the surrounding area, and if you happen to be in town for New Year’s Eve you’ll be able to witness a spectacular firework show.

These are just three of the major attractions in Australia-but there’s many more. If you are planning a trip down under then apply for your passport now! Applying for your passport is quick, easy, and convenient, and then you too can enjoy all that Australia has to offer.

Travel Inoculation – What To Know

June 3, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

There is nothing like the thrill of exploring and discovering other peoples and cultures as we travel the world at least if your have travel inoculation. However, there is a serious side to travel. Visiting a foreign country also means that we are exposed to bacterias and viruses that we may otherwise not come into contact with in our own country. This is why travel inoculation is so important. In many cases, it can save our lives.

Reasons for Travel Inoculation

The subject of travel inoculation causes great amounts of confusion and anxiety in many travelers. The type of travel inoculation required will greatly depend on the time of the year that you will be traveling and the geography of the destination that you will be traveling to (e.g. rural, urban or forested areas). Nevertheless, it’s extremely important to be aware of what can be contracted in different parts of the world.

Cholera can be caught from contaminated food, particularly shellfish and water. Symptoms include severe diahrrea and vomiting. Cholera immunisation is no longer necessary for international travelers. However immunisation against Cholera for aid workers staying for long periods in known high risk areas, or those who have an underlying gastro-intestinal condition, is highly recommended. Countries: African, Indian, Far East, Central and South American subcontinents, and parts of Eastern Europe

Hepatitis A can be contracted through contaminated food, water and personal contact. It is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. Symptoms include severe vomiting and diarrhea. Travel inoculation of combined Hepatitis A and B, or Hepatitis A and Typhoid, should be given 2 weeks prior to departure. Countries: African, Indian, Far East, Central and South American subcontinents, and parts of Eastern Europe

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver which can be fatal. This disease can be contracted through contact with infected blood (e.g. in drug transfusion), bodily fluids (e.g. in sexual intercourse), blood-to-blood contact (e.g. sharing of contaminated needles), or by a human bite from an infected person. Hepatitis B is easier to catch than HIV as it is more concentrated in the infected person’s bloodstream and can exist on surfaces outside the body. Travel inoculation is administered in 3 doses, the second dose administered one month after the first, and the third dose administered five months later. Once a blood test proves your immunity, you will be protected for life. A combined Hepatitis A and B inoculation is available. Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa, most of Asia and the Pacific Islands, the Amazon:

Japanese Encephalitis is a disease that is passed on to humans through bites from infected mosquitos normally in tropical surroundings. The symptoms are mild, although in severe cases, the disease can cause brain inflammation. Travel inoculation should be administered one month prior to travel in 3 doses. Countries: Far East, South-East Asia, tropical North-East Australia

Malaria is a tropical disease that is passed on to humans by mosquitos carrying this virus. Symptoms appear 10 days to 4 weeks after infection and include fever, chills, flu-like symptoms of muscular aches and headaches, diarrhea and nausea. A course of anti-malarial tablets must be started up to 3 weeks prior to departure, should continue to be taken abroad, and taken for a further 4 weeks after return. Extra precautions such as mosquito nets and insect repellants must be used as the tablets are not 100% effective. Countries: Africa, South and Central America, Asia and Middle East

Typhoid fever is the result of a bacteria contracted from contaminated food, water and person to person contact in areas where hygiene is poor. Causing fever, diarrhoea, and serious illness, Typhoid can be fatal. The inoculation should be administered one month prior to departure. However, care should still be taken with food (e.g. do not eat fruit unless you have pealed it yourself), water(e.g. drinking only bottled water with seal intact) and personal hygiene as the travel inoculation is not 100% effective. A combined Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccine is available. Countries: Africa, South and Central America, Asia and Middle East

Yellow fever is a serious viral disease that is found only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa and is also spread by mosquito bites. Symptoms include headache, vomiting, jaundice and bleeding. This disease can be fatal, and some countries, particularly East Africa, require a certificate of vaccination prior to entry. The travel inoculation should be administered 10 days prior to departure date and lasts for 10 years. Countries: Africa, South and Central America, Asia and Middle East

Meningococcal Meningitis is a bacterial form of meningitis that affects the brain membrane. This infection can be spread by direct close contact with nose and throat discharge (e.g. through sneezing) of an infected person. Symptoms include high fevers, severe headaches, discomfort when looking at bright lights, purple bruising, vomiting and sometimes chills or fever. There are 3 strains of the disease that are not covered in the common preventative immunisations commonly vaccinated for in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. These uncommon strains, A, W, and Y, can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia requires vaccination of pilgrims to Mecca during the Hajj. Travel Inoculation should be administered 3 weeks prior to trip. Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia

Poliomyelitis (Polio) is caused by a virus that can be contracted from contaminated food and water and person to person contact. Particularly common in Indian subcontinents and sub-Saharan Africa, those infected are often unaware of that they have the disease. In severe cases, it can cause paralysis and difficulty in breathing. Polio is immunized against in countries like the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. However, as a preventative measure, check with your doctor prior to your trip for a booster dose. Countries: Indian subcontinents and sub-Saharan Africa

Tick-borne encephalitis is a disease that is passed on to humans from bites of infected ticks (e.g. while hiking or camping in Spring or Summer). This disease causes brain inflammation, and can at times even be contracted through unpasteurised milk. The symptoms are flu-like. Short term travel incoculation against this disease is available from your doctor. Countries: Heavily forested areas of Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, parts of China

Rabies is a virus that is spread by the bite of an infected animal, most commonly a dog, and it commonly fatal. A dog with rabies can be recognised by foaming or drooling from the mouth and highly aggressive behavior. Symptoms include extreme thirst, spasms, fear of water and paralysis. Doctors recommend preventative travel inoculation against this disease when traveling to areas where medical attention may not be readily available. Countries: All regions of the world where medical attention not available.

All travelers should assess their own risk by considering the nature of their travel, and while travel inoculations work, travelers must never assume that they are 100% effective all the time. That is why every health and hygiene precaution must still be taken in preventing the illness. A successful trip depends equally on the preparation we make ahead of the trip and the precautions that we take while we are on our journey.

Victoria Ugarte is the Founder and Director of Postcards From Millie, a womens travel website. Based in Sydney, Australia, she draws inspiration from the courage of mind and spirit of her muse, Amelia “Millie” Earhart. Victoria spends 3 months out of every year traveling the world and writing about her adventure vacations on her website, keeping her readers posted on exciting destinations, itineraries, travel tips and resources, and challenging women to go beyond their current boundaries so that they may come home to themselves. Look Victoria up on Postcards From Millie

Now that you know the dangers abroad it should be much easier to convince you to get that travel inoculation.

Saving money on family vacations

May 31, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

When going on a family vacation it is important for most families, especially mine, to save as much money as possible. This is a list of ways and ideas that you can do to save money on vacation. Some of the best ways to save money is by setting priorities before the year even starts, like booking in the off season for your destination and leaving mid week if you are taking a flight.

I also really like the idea of getting a kitchenette.

Almost half of all Americans surveyed in a recent study by AIG Travel Guard said they intend to change vacation plans to save money. That means taking shorter vacations, choosing modestly priced hotels and restaurants, and looking for cheaper ways to get to a destination.

Although summer airfare deals seem to have taken a vacation, finding bargains is still possible, travel experts say.

Successful travelers will be those who keep their summer plans flexible, said Anne Banas, editor at SmarterTravel.com.

“If you’re the type where you know what you want – a special place at a specific time – then start benchmarking prices for a couple weeks now and book soon,” Banas said. “If you’re flexible about where and when you go, wait. People are waiting to book (airfare, lodging, travel packages) and the (travel) companies are going to put things on sale in late April or May.”

Here are 10 tips Saving money on family vacations

1. Think off-season. Summertime deals abound in Florida, Mexico and even Puerto Rico and Aruba. It’s hot, sure, but Valley residents are used to that, right? Heather Martin of Scottsdale usually goes to San Diego in the summer. This year, it’s Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, for a few days at lower prices, which she considers a good compromise. “It’s safer than most people think and fun,” she said of the vacation destination also known as Rocky Point. “Play on the beach. The resorts down there have spas and are amazing.” If you can’t take the heat, consider Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Aspen or Telluride, Colo.; or Portland, Maine, popular winter destinations, says Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, editor of travel Web site WeJustGotBack.com. Summer lodging is up to $200 cheaper than in winter, and these cold-weather havens turn into summer hot spots for biking, hiking and fishing.

The problem with this may be that these areas are too hot for you in the middle of summer, go to weather.com and see what it was like last year at the time you are thinking of going.

2. Think any day but Saturday. Kelleher said playing around with dates, such as leaving midweek and returning on a Monday or Tuesday, can save a family hundreds of dollars in airfare and room rates.

I have save many times travelling mid week, great idea.

3. Get a kitchen. When budgeting a family vacation, the price of dining often is overlooked. A home rental with a full kitchen – or such hotels as Embassy Suites or Residence Inn with in-room microwaves and refrigerators – can stem food costs, a significant part of any trip. Fixing one meal a day at “home” can save hundreds in a week, Kelleher said. Tip: Pack condiments or collect fast-food packets, because buying ketchup, mustard or Worcestershire sauce can add up.

A kitchenette in Hawaii saved us money and was a great way to eat better. Especially good because kids don’t seem to always be hungry at mealtimes

4. Swap homes. The film The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, popularized the idea, and it’s gaining steam as a summer-vacation option, said Eileen Ogintz, a syndicated travel columnist who runs Taking theKids.com. Details of the home exchange are worked out between the two parties. Online home-swap sites may charge about $100 per year. Check homeexchange.com and homelink.org.

Not to sure about swapping homes with kids involved, there is that couchsurfing site as well along the same vein.

5. Rent a home. If swapping homes sounds too out there, consider renting one. Travelers may be wary of cost or the rental process, but Ogintz says home rentals often are cheaper than hotels and may offer hot tubs, pools and access to transportation. Many of the Web sites offer slide shows and Google Earth maps of the property. Try homeaway.com, vrbo.com and zonder.com.

6. Volunteer. Spend a day working on trails or other charitable projects and get discounts on hotels and other travel perks, Ogintz said. This emerging form of travel, dubbed voluntourism, gives travelers a purpose and an itinerary (including options for families). Many times, airfare, meals and vaccinations are tax-deductible. Visit vol unteermatch.com, I-to-I.com and sierraclub.org/outings.

Again I am not sure if kids really have the patience to volunteer but this is a great way to get to know a new area and meet the locals if it is done out of the country.

7. Make an informed bid. You’ve heard you can bid on air, hotel and car components at priceline.com and hotwire .com, but don’t forget skyauction.com and luxury link.com, said Nancy Schretter, managing editor of the Family Travel Network (familytravelnetwork.com). At skyauction.com and luxury link.com, people also can bid on Broadway tickets, spa packages and dining certificates. These sites are buyer-beware, however, because once you click, the purchase is final. Schretter recommends visiting bidding fortravel.com and betterbid ding.com to better understand the parameters of auction sites.

8. Assemble a crew. During the past few years, “togethering” on vacations with friends and family members has been among the biggest travel trends. It also allows families to stretch their budgets by splitting the costs of lodging (vacation home, villa or houseboat), Schretter said. When deciding upon your destination, Schretter said, don’t forget “kids-eat-free, stay-free and play-free” deals commonly offered at such chains as Marriott, Holiday Inn, Wyndham, Palace Resorts, FDR Resorts and Barcelo Resorts. Some cruise lines offer similar packages.

Travelling with friends and neighbors with kids not only helps to have a good vacation but the parents can also trade looking after kids and let parents go trekking on their own for the day.

9. Research fuel costs. Gas prices are high, but how much will those prices eat into your vacation budget? Anne Banas of SmarterTra vel.com recommends using AAA’s fuelcostcalculator.com to estimate your gas expenditure. Select your starting point, destination city and vehicle make, model and year. GasBuddy.com allows you to find the cheapest gas by ZIP code. “This can be really effective. You just have to make sure you’re going to the right gas station and not the one across the street. It works well with a GPS system,” Banas said.

Tough year this year for car trips although this can be a very great family trip of course. I spent my childhood travelling on road trips and every summer my wife cringes whenever I use the term Road Trip.

10. Book now. Or later. Both can be the right way to save money, depending on the type of traveler you are. If you know what you want and when you want it and find a price you can live with, book it now, Banas said, while inventory in your price range is available. If you’re flexible about where and when, watch for sales in May and beyond.

Travel To Masada

May 29, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

According to UNESCO’s world heritage treaty (1972), this inclusion reflects the extraordinary worldly importance of this site, which makes it worthy for protection for future generations.

UNESCO’s main focus is on the northern palace, which was built by Herod the Great, and is an exceptional example for a splendid villa of roman times as well as the roman siege system that surround the site and is the most comprehensive example to survive of such a siege system.

Since 2001 – Masada has been a world heritage site on the world heritage center list.

One of UNESCO’s reasons for choosing Masada is that Masada is a symbol for the violent destruction of the Judea Kingdom and the exile that followed it at the beginning of the 1st century. It is also mentioned that the tragical events during the final days of the Jewish erfugees who held this castle-fortress, make Masada symbols of both cultural-Jewish identity and the continuous human struggle between oppression and freedom.

Herod the Great’s Masada

Masada resides on an isolated cliff ion the Judea Desert, more than 400 meters above the adjacent Dead Sea. The combination of cliffs and escarpments in the middle of a desert, provided the place a perfect natural defense system.

Despite the natural elements, Herod the Great surrounded Masada by a strong double wall. This was not an easy operation along 600 meters length and 300 meters width of Masada’s peak.

Herod the Great did more than that – Masada was not just a fortress, but also a royal citadel with big palaces, a state-of-the-art public bath house, and some smaller palaces which probably hosted Herod’s family members.

Northern Palace of Masada

The northern palace is the most impressive structure at Masada, and the way it was constructed is still astonishing: the palace is attached to the northern cliff edge, and it seems to be hanging on a brink. The cliff is made of three rock levels, and in order to make those levels bigger – builders constructed huge supporting walls using different materials as rock and still having services as steel supplies in frankston to supply the material.

The top level had four bedrooms and a veranda overlooking the spectacular view of the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi Oasis and the Moab hills. A sophisticated hidden stairway led to the second level where a big hall was built, surrounded by another veranda with polls that seem to hang from the edge of the cliff. The stairway then continued to the lowest level, where a huge hall was built, surrounded by exedras. The walls of this hall were decorated with beautiful wall paintings, and next to the hall a private wash house was built – for the use of the northern palace residents, and they even get a Dallas floor restoration company from http://www.totalfloorcare.biz/ to make sure the place was adequate.

At the peak of the mountain Herod built a public wash house for the rest of Masada residents. It seems like Herod challenged the forces of nature by building this fabulous wash house in one of the most arid places in the universe.

29 storerooms were built at the top of the mountain, each lengthening 27 meters. Archaeological excavations revealed hundreds of pottery pieces with huge amounts of food. Thus, by a rare combination of natural conditions and man labor, Masada became a nearly unconquerable location.

Herod carved 12 gigantic water holes in the western edge of the cliff of Masada, where flood water were gathered. The size of all water holes combined is 40,000 square meters. This was a huge amount of water that provided all Masada residents with enough water to drink,bathe and swim, and even grow vegetables.

The water holes are spread into two lines – the top line is located 80 meters below the Masada peak, and the second line is located 130 meters below. Beasts of burden carried the water to the cliff top via special routes.

Masada of the Zealots

Despite the might and splendor that Herod’s buildings reflect, it seems that the most exciting findings are the small pieces of remnant left by the zealots, which enable us to understand the end of the big rebellion.

The big halls of the palaces were not suitable for families to live in, so they were turned into headquarters and public building. The building adjacent to the northern wall, which used to be a horse stable was turned into a synagogue. This is one of the earliest Jewish synagogues found, and it operated while the 2nd temple was still active. Defenders also built two water “Mikveh” places which allowed them to wash according to Jewish tradition rules.

By looking at ovens and food storage facilities, we understand that most of the residents lived inside the walls or in small huts next to the walls. Personal belongings such as pieces of clothing, baskets and food containers were found in rooms that were not torched by Romans. Many of those belongings were found in heaps alongside coals – from which we understand were meant to burn so that the Romans wouldn’t get to them.

More than 5000 coins were found in Masada, most of them date back to the time of the great rebellion. Mostly exciting are the coins that carry the Hebrew writing: “Israel shekel” and “holy Jerusalem”. The coins also state the year of the great rebellion in which they were created. Apart from those coins, pieces of scrolls and some 700 ostracons (scriptured pottery) were found.

Hundreds of Catapult stones that were fired by Roman soldiers, human skeletons (probably Zealots’) that spread throughout the mountain, and big rolling stones testify of the intensity of the fight between Romans and Zealots.

The Roman siege system remained nearly intact surrounding the Masada. From the top of the cliff, one can easily wive the camp grounds, the embankment ground, and the various routes and towers the fighters used. The total length of the double wall that surrounded Masada is 2 kilometers, and it is 2 meters wide. The Roman siege system is surprisingly big, if you consider that it was aimed at 960 people who defended the Masada, some of them were children and women. This reflects the strength of the Masada cliff and the persistence shown by defending Jewish fighters – the Zealots.

Masada Preservation

The Israel Parks and Nature authority puts great efforts and resources into preserving the Masada, and makes use of the best researchers and technologies worldwide. The reconstructing of collapsed walls and buildings recreate the original Masada. Reconstructing and preservation is made with the original construction materials which were used to build Masada. This form of reconstruction is especially important when handling wall paintings, mosaics and artistic elements.

Access to Masada peak

Today, Masada peak is accessible by a cable cart or by one of two walking paths:

1. The embankment path – a steep, but short and convenient path that goes all the way up from the western parking lot (Access Through Arad). It was re-opened by monks in the Byzantine era. It overcomes a 100 meter height difference, and takes 20 minutes to climb.

2. The snake trail – a long path that overcomes a 350 meters height difference. It is wide and convenient, and goes all the way up from the Masada eastern parking lot. It takes 45 minutes to climb.

The Audio-Visual spectacle

The Audion Visual Spectacle takes place in Masada national park during the months of March – October on Tuesday and Thursday. The spectacle tells the story of the last Jewish settlers of Masada. The Masada cliff – on its western side serves as background to this magnificent spectacle.

At the dawn of the 3rd millennium, The Dead Sea area continues to search for its identity in between the spirit of the desert, and the permanent and growing life in the middle east. It is an area where dreams and ideas are created on one hand, and the will to live a peaceful quiet life exists on the other hand.

The Dead Sea is one of the finalists in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World campaign. Come see the Dead Sea like never before on the Dead Sea Website for the new7wonders campaign. Join our Facebook group to support the dead sea in the new7wonders campaign.

Houseboat trip this summer

May 29, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

Houseboating is a great week long trip for many families. Here in the Canadaian West many people and families will book houseboats in the Okanagan lakes and drift and have a great outdoors and water holiday. Here are some offered by Forever Resorts.

Antelope Point Resort & Marina – Lake Powell, Arizona
Veteran visitors to Lake Powell have a good idea of the impact that quality houseboat rentals and marina amenities can have on their vacation. For the Lake Powell houseboat enthusiast, Antelope Point Marina offers deluxe houseboat styles, each with more creature comforts and modern conveniences – all to make your next trip to Lake Powell as enjoyable and fun as possible. (more)

Callville Bay Resort & Marina – Lake Mead, Nevada
Located just 45 minutes from Las Vegas, and within an easy half day’s drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, Salt Lake City and Phoenix, Callville Bay Resort & Marina on Lake Mead offers a convenient and relaxing get-away on the waters and secluded beaches above Hoover Dam. Nowhere else can you find this combination: 550 miles of pristine shoreline, near the entertainment capital of the world. Few places on earth match the raw, natural beauty of Lake Mead. It’s all yours with a houseboat vacation at Callville Bay Resort & Marina. (more)

Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina – Lake Mohave, Nevada
Lake Mohave is amazing with 240 miles of shoreline, spreading 67 miles from end to end, with Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina located right in the center. Relax at the Resort – it’s just 14 miles east of historic Searchlight, only 45 minutes north of Laughlin and an hour away from Las Vegas, so you can experience a little of the world-famous entertaintment each city has to offer! From the deck of your houseboat, you can view ruby red sunsets and rich indigo skies to crystal clear waters, which are great for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. You can spend all your time cruising in your houseboat or you can hike and explore the many hot springs and hidden coves. This desert oasis truly is perfect for vacationing spring, summer or fall. Spring and fall are very comfortable with average temperatures in the 70’s. (more)

Lake Amistad Resort & Marina – San Antonio in Del Rio, Texas
Just 2 1/2 hours west of San Antonio and 12 miles northwest of Del Rio, situated on the United States-Mexico border, Lake Amistad and its 850 miles of spectacular limestone cliffs and sandy beaches is the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast. Thanks to an ideal climate, houseboating at Lake Amistad is a special treat. The lake features sheer cliff walls dotted with ancient caves. If you look closely, you might catch a glimpse of ancient markings of fossils dating back more than 360 million years! (more)

Lake Don Pedro Marina – Modesto, California
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, on the way to Yosemite, is Don Pedro Lake, east of Modesto and approximately 2 hours southeast of Sacramento. Because of its large size and over 160 miles of shoreline, Don Pedro Lake is rated as one of California’s best recreational lakes with hundreds of hidden coves and inlets to boat, fish, swim and camp. Whether your idea of a vacation is relaxing all day with a good book…laughing with family and friends over a card game… or keeping busy with a variety of activities, houseboating on Don Pedro Lake is perfect. (more)

Lake of the Ozarks Marina – Missouri’s Ozark Mountains
Lake of the Ozarks Marina is located just 2 1/2 hours south of Kansas City or St. Louis, in the heart of Missouri. Lake of the Ozarks is known for fun, fun, fun – just ask the folks who have chosen to build second homes around the 1,150 mile shoreline. At Lake of the Ozarks, there’s golf, tennis, spas, music festivals, historic sites, museums, antiquing and of course, shopping to be indulged. From your houseboat you can explore the expansive State Park or tour the famed Bridal Cave. There’s so much to do, you’ll have to return to the lake again and again to take it all in. (more)

Lake Oroville Marina – Lime Saddle Recreation Area, California
Lake Oroville Marina, located 75 miles north of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, boasts of 167 miles of forested shoreline and offers more recreational variety than any other lake or reservoir in California. Travel with your friends or family to this un-crowded splendor and spend quality time relaxing on the lake, aboard your own luxury houseboat. Bring along your fishing gear and enjoy a unique fishing opportunity for both cold and warm water fisheries. (more)

Marina at Lake Meredith – Windswept Plains of North Texas
Lake Meredith is tucked in the plains of North Texas just outside of Amarillo. There is no better way to enjoy Lake Meredith than on a houseboat or deck cruiser relaxing with your favorite beverage, or water-skiing the day away behind a 20’ powerboat rented from Marina at Lake Meredith. Lake Meredith was created when the Sanford Dam on the Canadian River flooded this area in the high plains of the Texas Panhandle. (more)

Moccasin Point Marina – Don Pedro Lake, California
Moccasin Point Marina is the ideal destination to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Situated in the foothills of California’s beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, this location if perfectly peaceful so you can “recharge your batteries” and reconnect with family and friends! Moccasin Point Marina is 60 miles west of the world-renowned Yosemite National Park and 2 1/2 hours east of San Francisco – so getting away from it all has never been easier. Enjoy Don Pedro Lake houseboating on a variety of houseboat styles, including the Millennium, the premier houseboat on Don Pedro Lake. This is the start of a memorable Don Pedro Lake vacation. (more)

Pleasure Cove Marina – Lake Berryessa, California
Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, just 45 minutes from Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa is an ideal location for your Forever Houseboat getaway. Mild temperatures in the summer make it perfect for water sports, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing, or just simply sitting back and releasing the cares of the everyday. The grassy hills surrounding Lake Berryessa are dotted with oak and Manzanita and provide excellent opportunities for spotting eagles, hawks, deer, and even wild turkey. Up above, you may spot great blue heron, snow geese, and loons. (more)

Temple Bar Marina – Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona
Enjoy hundreds of miles of beautiful shoreline set within the red rocks of America’s Southwest with a houseboat vacation from Temple Bar Marina on Lake Mead – the perfect way to put yourself in the middle of it all and enjoy everything that the lake has to offer. Temple Bar Marina’s location provides almost year round perfect weather for enjoying outdoor activities from hiking to boating to wildlife viewinig. The waters of Lake Mead are clear, and provide ideal conditions for watersports like waterskiing, tubing and touring via personal watercraft, boating, and fishing. (more)

Trinity Lake Resorts & Marinas – Shasta Trinity National Forest, California
Located just 1 1/2 hours from Redding, near the small mountain town of Weaverville, you’ll enjoy a slower pace when you visit Trinity Lake Resorts & Marinas. A perfect family destination, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest provides you with the best places to hike, backpack and vacation in Northern California. Experience the serenity of the lake hidden away in one of the many tree-laden coves. Whether you go back in time to the Gold Rush era to experience the excitement of panning for a nugget or two or cast a line for trout or kokanee salmon in the cool waters of Trinity Lake, recreational enthusiasts will satisfy their love of the outdoors with the many things to do in the National Forest. (more)

About Forever Resorts
Forever Resorts is an exceptional collection of destinations providing hospitality services throughout the world. Forever Resorts focuses on properties with access to nature and one-of-a-kind surroundings for vacations. Forever Resorts was the first multi-site marina, hospitality, and lodging operator in the United States to earn the International Organization for Standards ISO 14001 certification for all its domestic operations and is committed to the preservation of the natural and cultural resources that lie with the parks and recreation they operate. By the end of 2008 thirty-five Forever Resorts properties were accepted into EPA National Environmental Performance Track for demonstrating environmental excellence. For more information, visit www.ForeverResorts.com.