US Travel

The 4th of July holiday weekend is typically the busiest time for auto travel. According to AAA, more than 37 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over this holiday weekend (down a bit from 2008). While gas prices are a bit lower than last year’s $3+ per gallon, they have risen recently — possibly making this summer’s last-minute, carefree road trips unrealistic for some.

Before you give up on your dreams of a family vacation, take the time to sit down and develop a plan. Following are a few suggestions to make this summer’s vacations more enjoyable and less draining on family pocket books.

• Avoid paying with plastic. Planning to pay for gas by credit card is definitely not a wise financial move; gas cards typically have higher than average interest rates than other credit cards. If you must use credit, use a general purpose card with affordable terms and make a plan for a quick pay off. [Read more…] about 4th of July Driving Tips

The Hotwire 2009 Travel Value Index named Orlando the “Top Destination for Deal-Seeking Travelers.” The Index includes the top 10 cities where savvy travelers across the country can find the best value and entertainment options.  The travel index is based on a statistical model that evaluated 50 U.S. markets for consumer vacation value. The discount prices on hotwire.com are then compared to published prices to help determine which places offer the lowest rates and greatest discounts to travelers.

Tripadvisor.com voted Orlando as the number one “Best Family Vacation” destination for 2009; named Orlando number four on their list of Top 10 Places To Go in 2009, which is based on user votes; announced Orlando as the No. 1 destination travelers with children plan to visit this year, according to a family travel survey with more than 1,500 respondents; and announced Disney’s Pop Century Resort and All-Star Music Resort, Homewood Suites Orlando/International Drive and Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando International Drive as part of the Top 10 Bargain Family-Friendly Hotels. [Read more…] about Orlando – Voted Top Family Vacation Destination

Skip the beach and put off visiting the trip to the theme parks this summer. Instead, plan an unforgettable family vacation right here in Missouri: a trip to High Adventure Ranch. Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, High Adventure Ranch offers all inclusive family vacations featuring big game safari tours on a beautiful ranch that will make this year a vacation to remember.

“A trip to High Adventure Ranch is the perfect family vacation to put on your to do list this year,” said Charles Puff, owner of High Adventure Ranch. “Our ranch features Elk, Bison, Czechoslovakian Red Stag, Boar and native Whitetail Deer for an incredible safari tour. Plus, High Adventure Ranch has fully stocked lakes for catch and release fishing. Our serene accommodations and home-style meals will make High Adventure Ranch the perfect retreat this summer.”

The family summer vacation and big game safari tour package is perfectly tailored to accommodate the entire family. This package is only $70 a night per person and includes: [Read more…] about High Adventure Ranch – Missouri

Carol Mathis at the Examiner as this great article about the Fossil Beds in Oregon which is a great place for your family to stop to see on a trip through the Pacific Northwest.

So this year the family is seeking something different to do. How about a trip to the John Day Fossil Beds for the entire family. The entire family will feel as if they have walked back into the prehistoric times of Oregon. The first place on your trip to visit is the Visitor Center at Sheep Rock Unit.

This is located on highway 19 between Dayville and Kimberly. Just a couple of miles from the junction, there are many destinations at Sheep Rock. Thomas Condon Paleontology Center filled to the top with monuments and fossil collections the family can spend literally hours in this fabulous building learning and seeing things that many of us will never see in a lifetime.

Another stop while visiting the John Day Fossil Beds is the Cant Ranch house. This is a cultural historic ranch house museum located ¼ mile down the road from Thomas Condon Paleontology Center. While you visit the Cant Ranch it will transport you to another time and place in the State of Oregon’s history. Learn about the settlement of the area of the John Day Fossil Beds and enjoy feeling as if you are transported to another place and time. [Read more…] about John Day Fossil Beds Oregon

While every year many people from all over the world visit the United States, few know the top US travel spots to see. There are dozens of them, but here we will focus on a few, selected from different states. These are by far some of the most adventurous places to be for both locals and tourists.

So, which are they? Here is a list of a few of them.

North Carolina: This is the premier US travel destination to be if you want to experience the beautiful wildlife of the Southeast United States, enjoy the clean and serene waters of the beaches, “go back in time” and revisit American history or just go sightseeing and feed your eyes on the beauty and marvel this state offers. North Carolina is home to the Outer Banks beaches that stretches over 100 miles. You can also visit Kitty Town where The Wright Brothers’ Memorial is. Other attractions include the Appalachian Mountains, an alligator wildlife refuge, an aquarium and some amusement parks to spice up your vacation here. [Read more…] about Three great southern states to visit