Explore Unique Attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
September 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN, VME
Although Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are known for many entertaining shows and great shopping, the area also has several unique attractions that are must-visits for your next vacation to the area. Whether planning a day trip to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage this autumn or are looking for activities for a weekend escape or family vacation, these attractions are sure to please everyone in your group.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
This full-scale aquarium features tens of thousands of marine species and wildlife, with everything from amphibious creatures to sharks. The latest exhibit to open at Ripley’s Aquarium is “Lethal Weapons.” This exhibit exclusive to Ripley’s features a variety of creatures with lethal capabilities, from razor-sharp teeth to potent poison. The “lethal weapons” on display include a Portuguese Man of War, electric eel, and the Crown of Thorns starfish. In addition to this exhibit, visitors can also explore several other areas, including exhibits of the Rainforest, Ocean, Coral Reef, and Stingray Bay. The Shark Lagoon features one of the highlights of the aquarium: a walk-through aquatic tunnel with sharks swimming above and around you.
If you would like to see a show a little different than the usual country shows in the area, this circus performance is a must-see. The Cirque de Chine performers are gold and silver award winning acrobats and gymnasts. The show features a choreographed acrobatic performance accompanied by outstanding traditional Chinese acts, including the mesmerizing mask changing performance, where the mask on a girl’s face changes before your eyes, without being visibly touched or removed. Other features of the performance include the Chinese yo-yo, hoop divers, springboard, and the Jungjo drum group. This performance also features stunning costumes and traditional Chinese music. Cirque de Chine is in its third season at the Smoky Mountain Palace theater. Cirque de Chine is a great activity for all ages.
Reserve Tickets for 15th Annual Inspirational Country Music Fest
September 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
The Inspirational Country Music Awards are quickly approaching. The awards are set to take place October 15, and the top five nominees in each category have just been announced.
The ICM awards show will be hosted by David Keith and will take place at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Performers scheduled to appear include Randy Houser, Tommy Brandt, Jason Crabbe, Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, Craig Morgan, and Josh Turner. Here are nominees for the top awards:
- Entertainer of the Year: Barry McGee, CrossCountry The Band, Del Way, James Payne, Point Of Grace
- Male Vocalist: Allen Frizzell, Del Way, Greg McDougal, Russ Murphy, Tommy Brandt
- Female Vocalist: Amanda Fessant, Denean Workman, Kathy Joy Bell, Mary James, Sandra Dee
- Vocal Duo of the Year: Bellamy Brothers, Branded, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Robert & James, The Roys
- Vocal Group: CrossCountry The Band, Last Light Band, Point Of Grace, The Akins, The Springs
- New Artist: Clay Dustin, Glen Shelton, Jayc Harold, Nichole Hope Crandell, Steve Richard, The Akins
These are just a few of the categories for awards. Other awards include Songwriter of the Year, Christian Country Song of the Year, Mainstream Inspirational Country Song, and Video of the Year. If your favorite musician is among those listed, be sure to get your tickets for the chance to see them in person.
The ICM awards are just the culmination of a week-long event celebrating Inspirational Country music. With the Inspirational Country Music Fest tickets available at Vacations Made Easy, you receive tickets to the ICM awards as well as the events leading up to the event, which include live performances. The fest runs from October 11 to 15. Tickets are available for one or four days and for the awards show.
Celebrate Film and Music in Chicago This October
Two upcoming events in Chicago are well-worth marking on your calendar and planning a trip to the Windy City. From music to film, everyone will find something to love about these festivals.
Chicago Country Music Festival
This festival will take place in Grant Park on October 3 through 4, and all performances are free to the public. This event features five different stages with performances available throughout each day. Three stages are devoted to music, and there is one stage especially for children. The fifth stage is dedicated to dancing, and visitors can find line dance demonstrations, open dancing, and square dancing. Headliners for this year’s event include Miranda Lambert, John Rich, Jamey Johnson, and The Flatlanders. This festival features performers from a range of backgrounds and genres, including contemporary country, bluegrass, and Latin-influenced country. This festival draws over 100,000 visitors annually. The festival is open each day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visitors can also find food vendors, a farmers’ market, and an art fair on site.
Chicago International Film Festival
The 45th Annual Chicago International Film Festival is set to take place October 8 through 21 at the AMC River East 21. This film festival has debuted films like Slumdog Millionaire and Reservoir Dogs that have gone to be highly acclaimed and award-winning films, and this year it is likely to screen more films that will go on to be very popular this season. Films scheduled to be screened include Precious, Astro Boy, Made in China, and Motherhood. Over 150 films will be shown over the two weeks of the festival, and festival goers can expect to see films from all over the world, including Japanese, German, and French films. At the end of the festival, the Best of Fest Hugo awards will be announced. The Chicago Film Festival may give you the opportunity to be among the first to see the films that will become this season’s most talked about movies, so do not miss your chance!
Visit National Forests near the Grand Canyon
In addition to the Grand Canyon National Park, there are several other natural attractions to visit in the area during your vacation.
This national landmark adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park features desert and mountain landscapes, the two split by the large ravine in the center of the park. Kendrick’s Peak is located in the south side of the Kaibab National Forest. Other natural attractions in the forest include Sycamore Canyon and Kanab Creek. An interesting and unique aspect of this park is the ancient writings and signs of civilization left behind by the Cohonina tribe, who inhabited the area from 700 to 1100 AD. Visitors can see pottery, stone houses, stone tools, and more. While in the Kaibab Forest, you can enjoy hiking, sightseeing, and exploration.
Painted Desert and Petrified National Forest
These two natural attractions are highlights to many visitors’ trips to Arizona. Unlike the Kaibab National Forest, the Petrified National Forest does not contain thick groves of tall trees. Instead, this natural wonder contains a field of petrified wood. The petrified trees are thousands of years old. Native Americans also made this area their home, and many artifacts and drawings have been found. The Petrified National Forest is also located on Historic Route 66. The Painted Desert is another one-of-a-kind natural attraction found near the Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon. This desert area is a badlands that stretches across thousands of miles in Arizona. The Painted Desert is still home to the Navajo tribe. The painted aspect of the desert comes from hundreds of mineral and organic layers.
We offer several tours that stop at these national parks, including the Rim Walk & Indian Paintings Jeep Tour, Imperial Helicopter Tour, and the Indian Painting Safari Jeep Tour.
Limited Time to Enjoy Several Branson Shows
September 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Branson MO, VME
Time is running out to experience a few great Branson shows. To make sure that you do not miss your chance to see these shows that may not be returning to Branson, make your reservations ahead of time.
Only in its second season, Noah the Musical at Sight and Sound Theater has become one of Branson’s most popular and must-see shows. This spectacular show features live animals and a musical interpretation of the famous biblical story of Noah and the Ark. The Sight and Sound Theatre features a state-of-the-art stage with sets that reach up to 40 feet in height. Other stage effects include pyrotechnics, lasers, and video imaging. Although you may be familiar with the story of Noah, you surely have never seen it presented like this. Noah the Musical runs until October 17, and it has not been confirmed that it is returning to Branson.
Andy Williams’ All-Star Variety Show
After a summer-long hiatus in which he wrote his memoir, the legendary performer Andy Williams has returned to the Branson 76 strip with a classic All-Star Variety Show. This performance runs until September 30. Featuring the style of classic variety shows, this performance features a variety of performers and acts, including Andy Williams, the Warnocks, Aliona and Pasha, Williams Brothers tap-dancing duo, Joe Trammel, Tom Mullica, and Dean Church. This is a truly one-of-a-kind performance that offers something for everyone, and your last chance to see it is quickly approaching.
Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders
This engaging act has spent the summer at Andy Williams’ Moon River Theatre. This show’s final performance will be October 24, but the show is available at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday starting October 1. This show features Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders performing their classic songs. Medley performs Righteous Brothers hits such as “Unchained Melody” and “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.” Those who grew up in the 50s and 60s will feel as though they have been transported back to their youth as they enjoy these classic songs from that era, brought to them by the performers who made them famous.
Visit Award-Winning Park in Williamsburg
Busch Gardens is celebrated as one of the best attractions in Williamsburg, and the park has recently received accolades from the Golden Ticket awards, sponsored by Amusement Today. Busch Gardens took home the top prize for “Best Landscaping” and was also recognized as one of the top parks in “Cleanest Park,” “Best Park,” and “Best Food.”
See Busch Gardens and judge for yourself by planning a visit to Williamsburg. Although summer is traditionally the most popular time to visit theme parks, Busch Gardens remains a fantastic destination in the fall as well. Busch Gardens is open weekends during the fall season. The park event taking place until November 1 is the annual “Howl-O-Scream.” This event features special after-dark attractions, including haunted mazes, haunted houses, and special scare zones. In addition, special Halloween-themed shows are available, including Frankenrock and Monster Stomp. The activities available range in degrees of scariness, so even your children can enjoy some of the special features. In addition to the great Halloween events, Busch Gardens also features great rides and attractions for every age and interest.
To make the most of your time in Williamsburg, booking a hotel near Busch Gardens is the best choice. We offer a variety of hotels close to Busch Gardens, ranging from affordable family-friendly locations to more upscale properties. The Quality Inn at Kingsmill offers a location convenient to Busch Gardens and features a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, business services, and more. The Crowne Plaza Williamsburg is a more upscale choice that features a fitness center, indoor pool, on-site restaurant and lounge, and room service, among other services.
Fall Vacation Ideas in British Columbia
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Vancouver and British Columbia. The leaves change as the temperatures drop, creating an atmosphere with crisp fall air and beautiful foliage. In addition to the great activities found year round, if you time your vacation right you can enjoy the Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival.
The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival will take place October 18 through 25 on Granville Island. This annual event is in its 22nd year and draws thousands of visitors and award-winning writers each year. This year, headline speakers and writers include Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and David Sedaris. Other authors scheduled to appear are Alistair MacLeod, Michael Crummey, and Elaine Arsenault. Special features of the festival include special French readings by writers from Quebec and a writing contest. Of course, there will also be book vendors on site. A variety of books and readings will be available, with everything from non-fiction to children’s books. Readings and events will be held at various venues on Granville Island, including Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island Hotel, and the Revue Theatre.
To take advantage of the changing foliage of the season, a trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria on the Vancouver Island, Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour will reward you with a garden in full bloom with vibrant reds, oranges, and golds. The Butchart Gardens is a 55 acre garden that has foliage that changes seasonally. Beginning in October, the highlight of the gardens is the Japanese Garden. In autumn this garden features red, russet, and golden maple trees accompanied by arbutus and copper beech trees. Chrysanthemums are also in bloom. In addition to admission to the Butchart Gardens, this tour also features a guided tour of Vancouver Island and Victoria. In total, the tour takes 13 hours to complete.
Escape to the Canadian Rockies
Escape to the majesty of the Canadian Rockies this October with our limited-time A Great Escape to Victoria vacation package. Along A Great Escape to Victoria you will be treated to nine nights lodging as a knowledgeable guide leads you through the Canadian Rockies and cities including Calgary and Banff along a ten day journey that will touch upon natural beauty, metropolitan settings, and quaint villages.
Your travel party will converge in Calgary before beginning the adventure by traveling towards Banff National Park. Throughout the next ten days, you will cross Rogers Pass en route to Victoria, embark on a whale watching cruise, visit the Native American town of Duncan, relax along Sooke Harbor and its surrounding temperate rain forest, and more!
However, A Great Escape to Victoria is only departing once this year, on October 11, and features limited availability, so those interested are encouraged to place reservations before it is too late. You can learn more about A Great Escape to Victoria online.
Additionally, you can learn of other vacations throughout Canada online as well.
Enjoy Fall Festivals in San Antonio
October in San Antonio is full of fun and unique events that are great companions to any San Antonio vacation or a reason to plan a trip to San Antonio. From accordions on the Riverwalk to beer in the Beethoven Maennerchor, these events have plenty to offer for a great time.
On October 3-4 and 9-10, you can enjoy the festivities of Oktoberfest in San Antonio. Held at the Beethoven Maennerchor, this event celebrates the beginning of fall and the German culture of San Antonio. Many visitors do not expect that San Antonio has a heavy German influence, but the German immigrants were quite influential in settling the Texas Hill Country. You can celebrate their contribution as you enjoy singing, dancing, and great German food, including bratwursts, potato pancakes, schnitzel, and more. Each weekend will feature food, polka music, polka dancing, and traditional German music from German composers.
International Accordion Festival
For more great German-inspired music, make plans to attend the International Accordion Festival, held on October 9 through 11 on the San Antonio Riverwalk. This event features performances each day on four different stages, all of which are free. Visitors can expect the accordion players to represent a variety of genres, from Polish classics to songs with a Zydeco spin. Even if you do not think you are an accordion fan, you may be after this fun event!
New World Wine and Food Festival
Later on this fall, you can experience a taste of San Antonio at the New World Wine and Food Festival, taking place November 10 through 15. This event is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, so you can expect an extra-special event this year. The festival brings together the best of area wineries and restaurants to celebrate the culture of food in San Antonio. Events of the festival include tours of Hill Country wineries, tasting events, a lunch at Becker Vineyards, a black tie event, and a “Totally Tejas” event to cap off the week. The festival features events that the whole family can enjoy, and you are sure to have some unforgettable tasting experiences.
Autumn in Argentina
As the weather begins to cool in the Northern Hemisphere things are beginning to heat up in South America, providing the perfect autumn vacation for those that would like warm weather and cultural diversity. In particular, our limited time Argentina vacation package can offer a thorough look into a foreign culture and natural beauty for an adventurous, eye-opening experience.
Departing on October 17 only, the Argentina vacation package offers ten nights accommodations, 19 meals, and a variety of activities and opportunities for sightseeing while being led by a knowledgeable guide that will ensure you not only experience Argentina, but understand the rich history behind the sights seen. Throughout the 11-day journey, you will explore the cityscape of Buenos Aires, enjoy sights of the Andes Mountains, enjoy an authentic night of tango, view Iguazu Falls (often considered to be even more impressive than Niagara Falls), visit authentic farms and vineyards, and more.
Learn more about the Argentina vacation package and make reservations before space runs out online.
