Celebrate Music, Culture, and Art in San Antonio This Summer
The San Antonio area offers a variety of unique festivals in June, making it the perfect time to visit this eclectic city. These festivals are sure to offer something to appeal to anyone in your group, and you will not want to miss the great entertainment opportunities these festivals offer for a memorable vacation.
Annual San Antonio Summer Art & Jazz Festival
Known as the SAS Fest, this three-day long festival is happening June 3-5. This festival features 10 jazz concerts, as well as Arts & Crafts workshops and booths, in addition to the great Texas cuisine you can count on in San Antonio. Another feature of the festival is two jazz workshops geared towards budding young musicians. Admission is free, leaving you more money to donate to the charitable institutions the SAS Fest sponsors. The festival takes place in beautiful Crockett Park.
This weekend festival taking place June 11-14 celebrates the many cultures that have made their home in San Antonio and Texas. From the early French settlers to the German immigrants who established themselves in the Hill Country, this festival brings over 40 cultures together in celebration. This festival takes place at the Institute of Texan Cultures located in the HemisFair Park. You can look forward to great food, exhibitions, performances, dancing, singing, and more at this Festival, making for a great addition to any visit to San Antonio.
Central Texas is quickly becoming known as a great area for producing films, and the Festival of Films celebrates this passion of the area. A group of independent film producers created this festival to show off their films. A Festival of Films takes place June 25-29. This is the fifteenth year of the event, which was formerly known as the San Antonio Underground Film Festival. In between seeing a variety of local films, you can enjoy the performances of various local musician. This festival is a great way to experience the art scene of San Antonio.
Make your San Antonio vacation one to remember when you take in one of these great summer festivals! Don’t forget to check out our extensive list of San Antonio lodging options for your visit!
Cycle Through Central Thailand This Summer!
While there are a variety of travel options to help you make the most of the summer season, few will immerse you in the area culture as well as the Cycle Tour of Central Thailand. This unique journey provides three nights’ lodging accommodations, meals, bike and bike accessories rental, and guide as you travel from Bangkok, through Kanchanaburi, and back into Bangkok over the course of roughly 124 kilometers.
You will begin in the big city of Bangkok before starting right into the cultural adventure with a visit to the province of Samut Songkram and its famed floating market. Come afternoon, you will leave the city behind and trek past unique sights including the Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram temple.
As the journey continues, you will visit the city of Kanchanaburi, enjoy a train ride under The Death Railway, visit Kraset Caves, experience the Sai Yok waterfalls, and pay homage at numerous temples.
The cultural charm and natural beauty of Thailand will be wondrously displayed along the Cycle Tour of Central Thailand this summer, offering a vacation that provides both an educational experience and active option for enjoying the long days of summer.
Learn more about the Cycle Tour of Central Thailand and reserve your spot along the excursion online.
Additionally, learn about other great summer vacation ideas throughout Asia online.
Schedule Your Mt. Rushmore Trip During the Annual Black Hills Bluegrass Festival
While the terrific natural beauty of the Black Hills is reason enough to visit the Mt. Rushmore area of South Dakota, this June 26 through June 28 offers another reason with the 29th Annual Black Hills Bluegrass Festival. The longest running bluegrass and acoustic music festival in South Dakota, the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival welcomes music fans from all over the world to attend this three-day event.
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the First Night Performer’s Concert. This year’s event already has commitments from such musicians / groups as The Martins, Midnight Flight, Chuck Suchy, and The Greenman Band, plus the dancing team of the Care Country Cloggers. On Saturday morning, the Kids Bluegrass Workshop will provide kids with the opportunity to learn bluegrass music from local musicians. A Saturday afternoon performance is next, followed by the annual bluegrass picnic and the Saturday night performances. Wake up Sunday morning and attend the Gospel Music Show to cap off the weekend.
Of course, no trip to the Black Hills would feel complete without taking in some of the outstanding scenic beauty. So take some time for yourself to explore both the natural and man-made wonders of the Black Hills. The Mount Rushmore Tour offers a way to see both, as you will witness the Mt. Rushmore Monument, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Big Thunder Gold Mine in addition to the beautiful landscape.
The Black Hills Bluegrass Festival only comes around once a year. Act now and schedule your summer vacation in South Dakota during this popular event.
Don’t Miss the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana
If you are a music lover, July 3-5 is the perfect time to visit New Orleans and take in the Essence Music Festival. Featuring a weekend full of top name acts, this festival promises to provide a great time in the Big Easy.
The headliner of this year’s festival is Beyonce, one of U.S.’s best entertainers. This is just one stop on her United States tours, and her concerts have been sold out all over the country. Other big name acts include John Legend, a soulful Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter. Hip-hop lovers will love the musical stylings of Ne-yo and Robin Thicke, two young artists who are quickly making names for themselves.
Other artists set to perform include Solange (Knowles, Beyonce’s sister), Lionel Ritchie, Al Green, Salt-n-Pepa, Jazmine Sullivan, En Vogue, and Eric Benet. For music fans interested in the jazz scene, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Rebirth Brass Band will provide great New Orleans jazz music.
Another feature of the weekend is special seminars conducted by notable speakers. These presenters include Bill Cosby, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mayor Ray Nagin, and Dr. Juanita Bynum and Bishop T.D. Jakes, two speakers noted for their inspiring and uplifting seminars. Other presenters include Roland Martin, author, Donna Brazile, Demoratic political strategist, Steve Harvey, and many more.
This is the 15th anniversary of this festival, which was started to celebrate the birthday of Essence magazine. Filled with notable music acts and famous speakers for seminars, this weekend is sure to provide an awesome time in New Orleans.
Hotel rooms are sure to fill up fast for this great event, especially because it is on July 4th weekend. Be sure to book your room early so you can get a great room close to the festivities. We offer a wide range of hotels in New Orleans, so you will be sure to find a hotel that is perfect for you. If you want to take a break from the festival or extend your vacation, we offer lots of great tours and activities in New Orleans. Whether you are taking a foodie tour of the city or a carriage ride through the French Quarter, any of our activities is a great addition to the Essence Music Festival.
Explore Unique and Interactive Museums in Memphis
Aside from great dinner cruises and city tours, Memphis offers a wide variety of great museums to take advantage of on your next visit. From child-friendly exhibits to unique museums, adding a visit to one of these great museums is a great way to fill your Memphis itinerary.
A well-known aspect of Memphis’ history is its special role in America’s civil rights movement. This museum is dedicated to preserving and spreading Memphis’ role in this movement. Located on the site of the former Lorraine Hotel, the place where Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot. The museum features exhibits on epic civil war events in Little Rock, Arkansas; Montgomery, Alabama; Washington, D.C.; and more. This museum will provide a sobering perspective on the trials and events of America’s path towards reforming civil rights.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis
If you are traveling with young children, a stop by the Children’s Museum of Memphis is a must. Featuring special, interactive exhibits suitable for kids of all ages, your family will enjoy the hands-on features of this exciting museum. With special seasonal exhibits and occasional workshops, you will never know what you are going to find at this museum, making a great addition to your vacation. Whether your children are interested in the human body, engineering, or art, they will certainly will not be bored at this museum.
If you are interested in a unique look into the history of Memphis, this museum will be a perfect stop while visiting Memphis. Featuring exhibits on Piggly Wiggly and Clyde Parke’s Miniature Circus, this museum is full of interesting exhibits about the history of Memphis. Whether you have visited Memphis frequently and know a lot about the city or not, this museum is sure to provide you an entertaining view and fill you in on many details of Memphis’ unique history.
Celebrate Bronx Week in New York City
With more than 100 events within a one week period, the annual Bronx Week celebration is quickly becoming one of New York City’s most exhilirating summer events. This year’s event from June 13 through June 20 marks the 39th annual Bronx Week celebration, and the festivities are sure to be as good as ever before. So if you’re planning on visiting the Big Apple this summer, why not make it during Bronx Week to help you gain insight into the culture and pride of New York City?
Outdoor performances, trolley tours, and health fairs kick off Bronx Week. A Youth and Senior Day and a Community Awareness Day also highlight the opening days, and an “I Love the Bronx” ball also fascinates its attendees. The entire week is capped off by two of its headline events: the Bronx Week Parade and the Food and Arts Festival. The parade features the usual marching bands and floats, but the Bronx Borough President and the 2009 Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees will also be marching to celebrate their Bronx pride. After the parade, the Food & Arts Festival showcases the area’s most well-known craftsmen and restaurants with unique arts and crafts and terrific Italian cooking.
While you’re in the area, take some time for yourself to explore some of New York City’s most popular attractions. Catch the long-running Phantom of the Opera musical, take a Manhattan skyline cruise, view the world below from the top of the Empire State Building: the possibilities are endless in The City That Never Sleeps.
Make sure to stay in a hotel that places you close to the action. Whether you want to stay close to the week-long festivities of Bronx Week, or you would like to stay close to all of the other New York City attractions, you will find the right lodging option to satisfy you.
Enjoy the Historic Charleston, SC Harbor This Summer
Summer provides the perfect time to explore Charleston’s historic harbor. Whether taking a cruise or sightseeing sail, Charleston harbor activities are great additions to any vacation. In addition, the annual Charleston Maritime Festival is coming up June 26-29, which is a great family event.
This festival is an annual event that draws thousands of people to Charleston. Featuring a weekend full of special exhibits and beautiful boats on display, you will enjoy getting a taste of Charleston’s Maritime history. You may even get to see a pirate or two! You will have the opportunity to tour the tall ships, visit educational exhibits, and more. The festival takes place at the Maritime Center Complex in Charleston.
Charleston Harbor Day & Sunset Sailing Tours
You will be able to experience the beauty of Charleston harbor as you relax on this fun sailing cruise. You can choose a day cruise where you will be able to watch dolphins frolicking in the waters and see the 18th and 19th century architectural sights of Charleston. For a more romantic cruise, choose to take the sailing tour at sunset. You will be able to see the same sights, only you will see the cityscape of Charleston bathed in the soft light of a South Carolina Sunset. Whether traveling with your spouse or with your whole family, the Charleston Harbor Sailing Tours is a great way to experience the harbor.
Capers Island is one of the primitive barrier islands found just off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. We offer a variety of activities on the island, and you will be sure to find one able to please everyone in your group. The Capers Island Kayak Adventure is a three-hour kayaking experience. You will get to paddle around and explore the landscape and wildlife of the island. The Capers Island Sunset Dolphin Discovery Cruise is another option for your vacation. On this cruise, you will enjoy the beautiful sunset as you watch for dolphins playing in the water. This cruise also offers educational opportunities. The Capers Island Wildlife Exploration Cruiseis another option that provides you the experience to explore the wildlife and land of the area. You will learn about different area wildlife and have the chance to see bottlenose dolphins, ospreys, pelicans, and more. If all of these activities sound good to you, you can buy them all with the Capers Island All-Inclusive package.
Last Minute Memorial Day Weekend Ideas for Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN
May 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN, VME
No plans for Memorial Day weekend yet? Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, are a perfect quick getaway destination. Aside from the year round features, the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is hosting several festivals this weekend.
MountainFest in Downtown Gatlinburg, TN
MountainFestis a great annual festival held in Gatlinburg’s downtown that celebrates Gatlinburg’s heritage. Featuring traditional festival features like games, food, special exhibits, and more, this festival is a great time for families and visitors of all ages. You’ll be able to enjoy the great features of Gatlinburg and enjoy special festival features like live bluegrass music and live workshops. MountainFest takes place May 22-24.
Annual Craftsmen’s Fair at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, TN
Happening at the same time as the MountainFest, you can catch the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This fair features over 200 booths with craftsmen and handiworkers. You will also be able to enjoy live musical entertainment. You will be able to talk to the craftsmen, watch live demonstrations, and enjoy the city of Gatlinburg. This fair takes place May 22-24.
With great options for lodging, shows, and attractions, Gatlinburg makes a great destination any time of year. Whether you are interested in exploring Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokiesor checking out Dolly Parton’s theme park Dollywoodfeaturing thrilling roller coasters and entertaining shows, there is plenty to do in Gatlinburg to entertain you. If you want to stay a few nights, we offer a great variety of hotels in the area. From cabins to suites to deluxe hotel rooms, you’ll be sure to find a lodging option to fit your needs.
Explore the Las Vegas Area by Land, Air, and Water
Explore the Las Vegas strip and its surrounding areas every which way this summer with a combination of tours that allow you to experience Southern Nevada on the ground, in the air, or on the water. Whether it’s the stunning neon lights along the strip or the jaw-dropping view of Hoover Dam, these Las Vegas Tours provide the perfect blend of excitement and education.
With a length of about six hours, the Neon & Lights Motorcoach Tour provides perhaps one of the most thorough explorations of Las Vegas available. And with an itinerary that changes every evening, you’re sure to experience the most popular Las Vegas attractions for your particular tour. This tour is perfect for first-time Las Vegas visitors searching for their own points of interest for the remainder of their vacation.
If looking up at the the City of Lights isn’t enough, look down upon it instead. With the Vegas Strip Flights Tour, you will be escorted by helicopter over the Las Vegas strip and its surrounding areas. Soar high above the strip and witness the Bellagio’s famous fountains, the Pyramid of Luxor, the Stratosphere, and all of the other landmarks that helped nickname this city “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Cruise
Experience the second-highest dam in the United States and the largest reservoir in the United States with the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Cruise. Your journey around this man-made landmark will include a tour within the Dam itself, and will also include lunch along Lake Mead. Throughout the entire tour, a guide will point out interesting facts about the entire site, ensuring that you leave with both memories and knowledge that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Summer Vacation Ideas in Boston, MA
Summer in one of America’s most historical cities should not be missed! Take advantage of these great family activities and attractions to build a memorable family vacation in a classic American city. Boston also makes a great Memorial Day getaway. It’s not too late to plan your Memorial Day weekend in Boston!
Boston offers an overwhelming amount of historical sights, tours, and attractions, and with Go Boston Cards, you and your family will be able to take in over 60 of Boston’s most popular attractions and tours. Admission to various Boston museums including the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Boston Children’s Museum as well as historical sights including Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church is included in the card. You will also have admission to area attractions like Six Flags New England and the New England Aquarium. The options are endless for a full and entertaining vacation. Cards are available for one day to seven days. The Go Boston Card is a truly great way to see a lot of Boston for one price!
New England Aquarium Whale Watch Cruise
The nature lovers in your family will love this excursion! The New England Aquarium hosts this cruise that takes you out on Boston Harbor on a tour to see humpback whales, dolphins, sea birds, and more wildlife. Your family will definitely have a memorable experience aboard this cruise. You can purchase a combined ticket that will get your family into the New England Aquarium as well as the cruise. The Aquarium is one of the largest on the East Coast, featuring a four-story ocean tank filled with turtles, sharks, and more.
Building your own vacation package is the easiest way to find Boston lodging in combination with the activities of your choice. With our easy to use vacation package builder, finding a perfect hotel and activities to entertain your family is easy.
