Outdoor Adventures in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN

August 6, 2010 by  
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN

Take advantage of the wonderful summer activities in beautiful Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge while the summer sunshine lasts. These great outdoor activities will help you make the most of your summer before fall begins!

Zipline at Five Oaks

Go out experience the rush and exhilaration of the zip lines with the Zipline at Five Oaks excursion. This awesome zip line experience will give you thrills and speeds up to fifty miles per hour. All of the equipment needed for the zip lines will be provided for you, so you just have to show up prepared for an adventure unlike anything you’ve experience before!

Waterfall Jeep Tour

Don’t stop with your zip line adventure, there are still several more exciting opportunities for adventure that you can take advantage of with the Waterfall Jeep Tour. This tour will take you up the same trails pioneers used by jeep. A knowledgeable guide will be with you to answer questions and tell you interesting facts about the areas you pass as you head toward the gorgeous waterfalls in Nantahala. Snacks are even provided for you on this tour, so you can relax and just come ready for a good time!

Monster Truck Rides

Don’t settle for anything less than incredible on your getaway in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Get out and do something unique and exciting with the Monster Truck Rides. Hop into a monster truck with 66-inch tires and a 454 motor for a wild ride on a dirt road. While you’re in the truck, don’t forget to look around you. Incredible views of the Smoky Mountains will greet you everywhere you turn. This ride is something that few people can say they’ve gotten to experience!

Smoky Mountain Picnic and Romantic Carriage Rides

For those looking for a beautiful outdoor experience during their time in the Smokies, the Smoky Mountain Picnic and Romantic Carriage Rides will be the perfect activity. With everything from a hay ride to a romantic carriage ride, these tours give a variety of options to explore the area. Some of these carriage rides even provide a picnic so you can eat a delicious meal out in the fresh air of the Smoky Mountains. It’s a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature on your getaway.

Branson Gets New Attraction In Early 2010

December 9, 2009 by  
Filed under Branson MO

If you’ve been following our blog then you know there is a new attraction coming to Branson! The Branson Zipline is a one-of-a-kind attraction that is currently under construction in the Ozark mountains. If you didn’t know about this incredible addition to the Branson entertainment scene, then you’re sure in for a treat.

Construction on the Branson Zipline began on December 1 and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2010. Currently, the platforms are being fabricated but the inclement weather has slowed the progress of the construction crew. So what’s the good news? Installation on the mailbox is complete!

Vacations Made Easy will be the premier company offering tours and activities for the Branson Zipline once it opens in early 2010. We already have the tour set up and ready, we’re just waiting for the go-ahead from Branson Zipline. The Branson Zipline and Canopy Tour will be a 2.5 hour eco-tour that shows visitors the best of the Ozark Mountain landscape while providing interesting information about the local ecosystem. Be warned, this is an adventure tour to the core. Those partaking in the tour will be zipping down lines and cables (hence the name zip-line) through the forests surrounding Branson.

If you want to check out the tour, or read more about what to expect from the Branson Zipline, the activity page on our website!

If the idea of a zipline in Branson has intrigued you, you can read more about the zipline and the progress of construction on Vacations Made Easy’s sister website, BransonZiplineBlog.com. Check it out to read more about the zipline and what visitors can expect. Check back often, as we will be providing weekly updates until construction is complete!

Create Warm Winter Memories in Sunny San Diego

December 1, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

See the Amazing California Gray WhaleWhether you are tired of typical winter weather, looking to start a new holiday tradition or simply need a break, San Diego offers winter travelers a metropolitan city combined with the natural beauty and outdoor activity of southern California for an adventurous vacation that is sure to both warm and liven your family’s holiday. From flying planes to strolling along the beaches of Mexico, read on for a few ideas on how to make this holiday season one that truly stands out!

San Diego Whale Watch

Beginning the last week of December, the San Diego Whale Watch cruise allows you to take to the Pacific Ocean and experience one of nature’s largest creatures in their natural habitat. California gray whales will be the star of the cruise, though they are far from the only sight you will encounter as dolphins and sea lions are also known to frequent the waters surrounding the San Diego Harbor. From simply witnessing amazing sights to learning a little about the California gray whale, the San Diego Whale Watch can definitely impart meaningful holiday memories on your family.

Learn to Fly Discovery Flight 60 Minute Flight

Those looking for full-throttle adventure will be hard pressed to find an activity better suited than the Learn to Fly Discovery Flight 60 Minute Flight. This unique adventure tour gives you a crash course on flying a plane before actually allowing you the opportunity to take to the skies with a certified pilot and gain first-hand experience controlling a Varga VG-21. Even if you’ve never flown in a plane, let alone controlled one, this is a safe experience that can provide lifetime memories for one and all.

Rosarito Beach, Mexico

If you would like epic memories without the thrills a visit to Rosarito Beach, Mexico may be a better suited recommendation. Along this tour, you will travel down the Pacific Coast and through Tijuana, soaking in cultural and natural sights, before having the opportunity to relax along Rosarito Beach. Whether you choose to spend your time exploring the local resort, browsing the arts & crafts market, or simply lounging in the sand, you are sure to find a tropical twist that can offer refreshing memories.

Outdoor Fun in Williamsburg, VA

August 5, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Busch Gardens in WilliamsburgBefore the summer passes you by, round up the family and make the trip to Williamsburg, VA and enjoy some of the outdoor thrills and adventures this historic city has to offer. From exciting theme parks and water parks to educational tours along the York River, Williamsburg’s options for a complete vacation experience are abundant.

Guests of all ages will enjoy what is perhaps Williamsburg’s most popular attraction, Busch Gardens. The thrilling theme park is the 19-time winner of the “Most Beautiful Park” award, as voted by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Featuring a European theme, the park allows you and your family to enjoy a full taste of the different cultures that helped shape our country into what it is today. With rides ranging from thrilling roller coasters to kid-friendly options, plus a variety of live performances and unique shopping, it’s easy to see why Busch Gardens continues to draw guests from all over the world. Try out the Griffon, the tallest dive coaster in the world, or the Alpengeist, the world’s tallest inverted roller coaster. End your day by taking in a live performance, such as American Jukebox, which plays the biggest hits from the 1950s, or Pet Shenanigans, which features different pet tricks that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

Located just a few miles away from Busch Gardens is Water Country USA, the largest water park in the mid-Atlantic region. Featuring about 43 acres of wet and wild entertainment, the park takes on a 1950s and 1960s surf theme and offers a variety of fast slides, leisurely rides, shows, and attractions. Your whole family will have a blast on thrilling rides such as the Jet Scream and Big Daddy Falls, a 700-foot lazy river, and a 9,000-square-foot pool. For further enjoyment, you can purchase the Water Country USA / Busch Gardens Combo Ticket for unlimited access to either park for seven consecutive days.

Take a break from thrilling theme park excitement and add a history lesson to your Williamsburg itinerary. The Yorktown Sailing Cruise allows you to see historic sites such as the Yorktown Battlefield and Victory Monument – all while staying aboard the Alliance, a tall ship as seen hundreds of years ago. The tour not only provides breathtaking sights throughout Williamsburg, but it also works as a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. Plan this family-friendly, informative activity on your vacation in Williamsburg!

Plan a Peaceful Sightseeing Adventure in Mount Rushmore

June 22, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Mt. Rushmore In addition to viewing the historic landmarks the Greater Mount Rushmore Area is known for, take some time this summer to roam the rolling Black Hills surrounding the area for a look at beautiful waterfalls, unique wildlife, and calm streams. With its combination of national parks, forests, canyons, and trails, you will find no shortage of tranquil locations to give you the peaceful vacation you deserve.

Located within Black Hills National Forest, Spearfish Canyon offers the kind of scenery you would hope to come across during your sightseeing quest: superior waterfalls (such as the stunning Bridal Veil Falls), widespread plant growth, and native wildlife. Summer marks the perfect time to view all of the colorful plants set against the rolling terrain of the area. Hike along the streams and cliffs for a completely absorbing natural adventure.

For further recreational fun, look into Custer State Park. A full 71,000 acres of land, Custer State Park is perfect for more adventurous travelers looking for open space for their activities. You can enjoy such activities as rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking along rougher terrain, and witnessing some of the wildlife indigenous to the area. Don’t be surprised to see hundreds of buffaloes, mountain goats, deer, and more nearby. Spend the whole day journeying through the natural beauty of the Black Hills, then spend the evening camped out under the stars at one of the local campgrounds.

Give yourself a history lesson during your sightseeing adventure by walking along part of the Lewis and Clark Trail that winds all the way through South Dakota. Put yourself in the shoes of the world’s two most famous explorers as you walk past such sites as South Dakota’s Great Lakes, the Missouri River, and Indian reservations. Camping and recreational opportunities are available on the way, giving you the peace you want on your vacation with just a touch of civilization along the way.

Give yourself a summer vacation away from big-city commotion by taking in some of Mount Rushmore’s peaceful outdoor beauty.