Maine Themed Vacations

January 21, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

MaineWith the fresh ocean water breeze hitting your face and the amazing landscapes around you, Maine truly is a serene destination to be at. The weather varies with each section of the state but it is mostly cool or cold with spurts of warmth during the spring and early autumn seasons where as the summer season can get really hot. Located on the Eastern coastline Maine is a beautiful and quaint place to visit during any season.

Whether you are looking for a nice quiet warm vacation or a cold and blustery vacation you can book your trip to Maine at www.vacationsmadeeasy.com which has a new section featuring “Themed Vacations”. You will have no trouble at all finding the right destination for you and your family through the Maine Vacations. This section features the two gorgeous cities of Augusta and Portland that everyone is sure to love during their stay.

Las Vegas Area is Full of Adventure

January 20, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Grand Celebration Helicopter TourLas Vegas has long been known for its vibrant nightlife, its casinos and its glitzy downtown. But Vegas is so much more than just poker chips and live shows, and beyond the big city lights, there is plenty of outdoor adventures to satisfy the Vegas traveler as well. So whether you prefer the attractions beneath the neon lights, or you would rather fly into the Grand Canyon on a helicopter, Las Vegas is the place for you.

Grand Celebration Helicopter Tour

For a once in a lifetime thrill, climb aboard a helicopter and descend into the breathtaking Grand Canyon. On the ride, you can marvel at the overhead views of Lake Mead, the imposing Hoover Dam, and the Las Vegas strip. But the highlight of your ride is likely to be the 4,000 foot descent into the Grand Canyon, where you will land along the Colorado River and enjoy a picnic surrounded by the majesty of the canyon’s rims towering high above you. This is sure to be the ride of your life!

Deluxe Hoover Dam Tour with Buffet Lunch & Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory

Another sightseeing adventure you won’t want to miss is the Deluxe Hoover Dam Tour. Not only will you get to see the impressive Hoover Dam and the beautiful Lake Mead below it, but you also will be treated to a buffet lunch and a scrumptious sampling of Ethel M Chocolate Factory’s famous candy. Don’t forget to take the time to walk through the adjacent Desert Botanical Garden where you can savor the sights and smells of desert flora.

Las Vegas Power Pass

Finally, after exploring the great outdoors, you can still take the time to enjoy the city attractions in Las Vegas, with the Las Vegas Power Pass. This great card is no gamble as it is sure to grant you access to all your favorite Vegas attractions at low or no cost. You can check out the Las Vegas Zoo, The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, or Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, along with many other attractions in the city. So whatever you like, chances are you can find it in Vegas!

Romantic New York City is a Perfect Valentine’s Weekend Getaway

January 20, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Double Decker TourNew York is the perfect romantic city to rekindle your romance with your special someone on Valentine’s Day Weekend. From Times Square to Central Park, to the Observation Tower of the Empire State Building, New York City boasts so many romantic places where you can share time with your special someone. If you are looking for the ideal lover’s getaway on Valentine’s Day weekend, consider visiting New York City and its many wondrous attractions. 

Wicked-the Broadway Musical 

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without catching a Broadway show. This year you can enjoy a revisionist version of the Wizard of Oz as seen through the eyes of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, with Wicked, the Musical. This mixture of drama, adventure and comedy is sure to dazzle and entertain you, and is a must see musical. 

The Empire State Building Observatory 

If you want to tell your sweetheart how high they have lifted your spirits, there is no better way than to take him or her to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, over 1000 feet above the street, to share in the incredible view of New York City as it spans for blocks and blocks from borough to borough. You can recall romantic movie scenes from movies like Sleepless in Seattle as you embrace your loved one from this romantic vantage point. 

All Loops Double Decker Tour 48 Hour Pass

You may want to take in the sights from a double-decker bus while you tour through iconic New York City neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, Little Italy, and Chinatown, and in addition, you will visit some of the city’s great museums like the Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Don’t miss taking an incredible bus right through the heart of Manhattan.

 

 

Add a Pinch of Cajun Flavor to Your Next Memphis, TN Vacation

January 19, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Blues City CafeWhile Beale Street is best noted for the blues, this February 27 – 28 the historic street will be host to the authentic sounds of Louisiana with the Beale Street Zydeco Festival. Throughout the weekend, guests will find many of the bars and clubs lining Beale Street showcasing some of the best in Zydeco music. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the decidedly Cajun sound of Zydeco or have never even heard of the genre before, if you’ll be in Memphis during late February you’ll definitely want to stop by Beale Street and see what all of the commotion is about.

While visiting Memphis during the Beale Street Zydeco Festival, you’ll find a number of ways to take in the musical heritage of Memphis for a complete time of musical celebration. In particular, the Memphis Mojo Tour can offer a musical look at Memphis guided by an actual musician! Along the tour an authentic local musician will take you through the city in a 1950′s vintage bus as you explore sites including Beale Street, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and even a few sites not tied to music, but extremely important to Memphis, including the Civil Rights Museum.

Another great activity option while visiting during the Beale Street Zydeco Festival is dining at the Blues City Cafe. Located directly on Beale Street, the Blues City Cafe offers convenient and mouth-watering dining right where the action will be taking place. The diner is renowned for its ribs, though other local favorites can be found, including seafood gumbo and fried catfish.

Romance Awaits This Winter in Gatlinburg, TN

January 19, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Smoky Mountain Picnic Romantic Carriage RidesGatlinburg, Tennessee is known for its family oriented activities and adventures, but it also offers a variety of romantic activities that are sure to help present you with a quality time alongside that special someone in the Smokies. Even if it’s just for a weekend, every couple will find something to compliment their time together in Gatlinburg.

Rain Forest Adventures

Explore the Rainforest indoors with your loved one by your side at Rain Forest Adventures. Here, you will see hundreds of different animal species. Enjoy the sights of ancient ruins, a 25-foot waterfall and the vibrant colors of the jungle. Arrive early to watch the reptiles being fed and stay to have a chance to see many of the attraction’s more popular residents being presented by expert handlers!

Fly the Scenic Skies with Scenic Helicopter Tours

If you’re looking to experience a bird’s-eye-view of Gatlinburg, then go on and Fly the Scenic Skies with Scenic Helicopter Tours. Choose from four different tours ranging from 2 minutes to 45 minutes and see the beautiful wonders of nature and the Smokies.

Smoky Mountain Picnic & Romantic Carriage Rides

Take your loved one’s breath away along the romantic Smoky Mountain Picnic & Romantic Carriage Rides. With a country picnic prepared by the Memories of Ole Tea Room, your driver will take you to a private meadow where you’ll spend quality time together enjoying the scenery and wildlife.

Explore Asia With Vacations Made Easy’s New Theme Destinations

January 19, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Mekong Delta of Vietnam CyclingContinuing with its emphasis on international travel, Vacations Made Easy has dedicated a portion of its site solely to Asia vacation destinations, offering its customers unique insight into a variety of cultures from the East. Countries including Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam are all featured, with lodging and activity reservations offered in a variety of cities.

Those that would like to simply browse information and piece together their own, unique vacation package are certainly able to do so; however, there are also pre-packaged vacation options offered including the adventurous Mekong Delta of Vietnam Cycling Package, which features three nights lodging, meals, bike rental and guide.

Regardless of whether you’d like to build your own Asian vacation or choose from the exciting, existing packages, a world of culture, intrigue and adventure is just a few clicks away! Read on for a complete list of Asia destinations currently featured within the new theme.

Vacations Made Easy’s Asia Vacation Destinations

  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Beijing, China
  • Chengdu, China
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Danang, Vietnam
  • Guilin, China
  • Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
  • Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • Hue, Vietnam
  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Shanghai, China
  • Xian, China

Vacations Made Easy Unveils Its Europe Vacations Theme

January 15, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Europe SightseeingWhile VacationsMadeEasy.com has long been a popular source of information and reservation options for North American travel, it has finally unveiled its presence within international travel and has released a theme dedicated solely to Europe. In total, fourteen European cities will be highlighted with many more undoubtedly to follow. As of now, the European destinations featured include:

  • Athens, Greece
  • Bologna, Italy
  • Dublin, Ireland
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Florence, Italy
  • Limerick, Ireland
  • London, England
  • Paris, France
  • Pisa, Italy
  • Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Rome, Italy
  • Siena, Italy
  • Tralee, Ireland
  • Venice, Italy

On the site, the cities are broken into themes including Northern European, Western European, and Southern European travel destinations to help easily find the city or region you have in mind, with a variety of activities and lodging options featured throughout the various locations. Regular customers of Vacations Made Easy will certainly benefit from the expanded range of travel options, while those that have yet to experience a vacation made truly easy now have more reason than ever to visit the site and see where Vacations Made Easy can take you!

Ski Salt Lake Super Pass

January 15, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Skiing at SnowbirdIf you are planning a ski trip to Salt Lake City, Utah you might consider the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass. Offering access to four different ski resorts in the area, this Super Pass is not something you will want to pass up. It gives you admittance to different slopes, runs, trails, and activities throughout the Alta Ski Resort, the Brighton Resort, the Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, and the Solitude Mountain Resort that would be great for the entire family.

The Alta Ski Resort is most commonly known for its deep powder that covers its rugged terrain. Even though this is strictly a skier’s mountain and no snowboards are allowed, there is still much to see amongst the slopes. With a base elevation of 8530 ft, a top elevation of 10, 550 ft, and vertical drop of 2, 020 ft. you can explore for hours across the 2, 220 ski able acres with over 116 different runs.

The Brighton Resort is located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon and receives some of the best snow winter has to offer. It is known for its Ski and Snowboard School where visitors of all ages can learn to ski and/or snowboard. With a base elevation of 8, 755 ft, a top elevation of 10, 500 ft, and a vertical lift serviced drop of 1, 745 ft. guests can travel through 1, 050 ski able acres and take on 66 runs and many off piste runs.

The Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort was ranked as the number one ski resort in America and was named one of the top ten Fun Family Resorts. Located one mile down canyon from Alta the Snowbird has a base elevation of 7, 760 ft, a top elevation of 11, 000 ft, and a vertical drop of 3, 240 ft. With a little over 2, 500 acres of ski able terrain with about 89 runs, this resort has a lot to offer its visitors.

The Solitude Mountain Resort is a European-style pedestrian village that has many activities to offer to its guests. Located just fourteen miles up Cottonwood Canyon you will be greeted by a bottom elevation of 7, 988 ft, a top elevation of 10, 035 ft, and a vertical drop of 2, 047 ft. There is over 1, 200 acres of ski able terrain available to everyone who has the need for speed and fun amongst the 64 runs and three bowls.

Get your family together and determine which resorts have the right activities and slopes for everyone and go online to make your reservations that include the Ski Salt Lake Super Pass and enjoy your vacation!

Grand Ole Opry Schedule of Performers For January 16 & 17, 2009

January 14, 2009 by  
Filed under Grand Ole Opry

Grand Ole Opry HousePlease Note: The Grand Ole Opry does not release final lineups until the Wednesday prior to each performance. This list will be updated weekly as new performers are confirmed and added to the lineup.

Friday, January 16 – Order Tickets

John Conlee
Connie Smith
The SteelDrivers
Mike Snider
Jim Ed Brown
Billy Dean
Bill Anderson
Stu Phillips
The Whites
Jamie O’Neal
Riders In The Sky
Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
Jimmy C. Newman
Exile

Saturday, January 17 – Order Tickets

Mike Snider
Jim Ed Brown
Jimmy C. Newman
Ashton Shepherd
Bill Anderson
The Whites
Point Of Grace
Mel Tillis
Mel McDaniel
John Conlee
Opry Square Dancers
Marty Stuart
George Hamilton IV
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Connie Smith

Branson, MO Says Goodbye to Celebration City

January 14, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Rain Tree Island at White WaterFor six years, Celebration City has offered Branson visitors a unique look into the American culture of the first half of the 20th century with thrill rides, live shows, and themed areas ranging in topic from ‘Route 66′ to ‘small-town America.’ And it is with much sadness that Vacations Made Easy Blog announces that Celebration City will not be opening for the 2009 season. Herschend Family Entertainment, the parent company of Celebration City, has decided to close the park permanently due to unexpectedly low profits. However, with the ever popular Silver Dollar City still presenting a world-class theme park experience throughout the year, and White Water offering splashing fun throughout the summer months, Branson is certainly not left with a want for action. That is why instead of mourning the loss of Celebration City we have decided to focus on the quality theme parks that are still alive and well in the Ozarks!

Silver Dollar City

Since 1960, Silver Dollar City has been offering all of the thrills and fun of a theme park wrapped in the ambiance and culture of the Ozarks in the 1800′s. From wandering along tree-lined paths and enjoying scenic train rides to watching in awe as craftsmen display their talents and sale their wares, every step inside Silver Dollar City is a veritable step back in time. Of course, that’s not to say that Silver Dollar City is in any way lacking when compared to other popular theme parks throughout the nation. Right alongside the scenes of yesteryear you’ll find speeding roller coasters, splashing water rides, and numerous live shows to ensure that every member of your party is entertained throughout your day at Silver Dollar City!

White Water

During the summer months, Branson is blessed with not only Silver Dollar City, but White Water water park as well. Featuring 12 acres of various attractions and pools, White Water is a tropical oasis amidst the bright lights and hills that cover the 76 Strip and the Ozarks. What’s more, with special Play & Splash tickets you’ll gain access to both Silver Dollar City and White Water for a complete time of theme park fun during your next vacation to Branson, MO!

« Previous PageNext Page »