Grand Ole Opry Performers, Week of 5-10-2013
May 7, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, VME
As always it’s a great time to head out to the grandest stage in country music to catch a show and see the top performers of yesterday and today. There are always brilliant performers ready to give you an amazing show, and this week is no exception. Here are the upcoming scheduled performers for this wonderful May week:
Tue, May 7, 2013: 7:00 PM: Chris Young, Del McCoury, Love and Theft, Mandy Barnett, and more to be added as scheduled.
Fri, May 10, 2013: 7:00 PM: Anita Renfroe, Maggie Rose, Sara Haze, and more to be added as scheduled.
Sat, May 11, 2013: 7:00 PM: Charlie Daniels, Joel Crouse, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ralph Stanley, and more to be added as scheduled.
Be sure and check us out for up to date performer information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NashvilleTN/activity/GrandOleOpryTicket.cfm
Of course you’ll also want to grab a hotel if you plan on staying a night or two during your trip, so why not check us out and see what kind of properties there are available that might suit your needs? We offer everything from standard hotel rooms at great prices, to luxury hotels with all of the top amenities. Visit us to take a look at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NashvilleTN/lodging/
Orlando Parks, Hotels, and More
May 7, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Orlando
The year is flying by and vacation time is here! It’s never too early to begin booking your trip, so take a look at the different hotels and lodging that we offer in this top Florida town, and get started on your trip today!
Quality Inn International Hotel, a Rosen Hotel
If you are looking for an inexpensive but clean and nice property located near exciting attractions, then the Quality Inn International Hotel is the choice for you. Less than a mile from exquisite activities like Titanic – The Experience, Treasure Tavern Burlesque, Comedy, and Magical Dinner Show, and Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy your stay, all the while keeping a few extra dollars in your wallet. The hotel includes an outdoor heated pool, two on-site restaurants, and all rooms include a microwave and refrigerator. For reservations and to see more information, visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/OrlandoFL/lodging/QualityInnInternationalHotelaRosenHotel.cfm
Coco Key Hotel and Water Resort-Orlando
With an on-site waterpark, five restaurants and bars, outdoor pool, and hot tub, you’ll never have to leave the resort! The Coco Key Hotel and Water Resort does happen to be conveniently located close to multiple attractions and also offers a complimentary shuttle which will take you to and from such exciting destinations as Aquatica, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. Guests will enjoy the refrigerators located in every room and the on-site fitness center. Reserve your room or check for more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/OrlandoFL/lodging/CocoKeyHotelandWaterResort.cfm
Disney Parks and Adventures
Of course people of all ages will enjoy going to Walt Disney World! And with over 20 themed resorts, you’ll be able to find the perfect something for your vacation. Some of the most popular resorts include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, where guests can witness wildlife grazing outside of their rooms on the Animal Kingdom grounds, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, where the property contains Disney movie motifs, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, where you will find yourself in a tropical Caribbean theme. These are just a few of the many properties that Disney World has to offer, so check us out for more details and to get started on your vacation at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/OrlandoFL/activity/iWaltDisneyWorldregiThemeParks.cfm
We also offer activities galore on our website, and you can bundle them together with a hotel to create your very own vacation package. So get started on your vacation today, and make it simple with Vacations Made Easy!
Mountains, Monuments, and More in the Greater Mount Rushmore Area
April 23, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Mount Rushmore, VME
It’s a great time to visit the beautiful Mount Rushmore monument and the Keystone area, but isn’t it always!? You can experience this American icon and more while taking a trip to beautiful South Dakota. You can tour the Black Hills, take a 19th century train ride, visit the presidential wax museum and even play a round of mini-golf! Here are a few of our favorite attractions from the Mount Rushmore area to keep your vacation busy and exciting!
Located in nearby Rapid City, The Journey Museum tells the history of the area, as well as the story of the people who first came to the area and the scientists who study them. Some different collections and museums include the Museum of Geology, where you can touch a dinosaur bone and observe geologists at work, or the Sioux Indian Museum, which includes interactive stories and activities while you learn the history of the Lakota Nation. These collections are just a few of the amazing artifacts, stories, and arts that The Journey Museum has to offer. For more information, take a look at our page at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/TheJourneyMuseum.cfm
Check out this informative guided tour, where you will see the world’s largest mammoth research facility. You’ll learn all about the greatest creatures to roam the North American continent, the Mammoth. Unearth the history behind both the mammoths and how they shaped the culture of the people who inhabited this beautiful area. The site where the movie “Hidalgo” was filmed is available to see as well! See this historical museum and visit the paleontology laboratory. Check out more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/MammothSiteofHotSprings1.cfm
The Holy Terror Mini Golf course is tucked-away on the side of a pine-covered slope that is located in Keystone at the Presidential Wax Museum. Named after the last active gold mine in Keystone, the course takes you on a wild adventure as you putt around huge boulders, up steep hills, thru the mine slew, around the water wheel and bubbling stream that makes getting a ‘hole-in-one’ an exciting challenge. This 18-hole course will appeal to any age, making it an excellent choice for a break from all the fantastic sightseeing in Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. It’s a family golf experience your family will never forget. Add an afternoon of fun to your itinerary by taking the challenge of the Holy Terror Mini Golf course today! View us for more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/activity/HolyTerrorMiniGolf.cfm
These are just a few of the options that are available in the greater Mount Rushmore area. Check us out at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterMountRushmoreAreaSD/ to see all of the other great attractions in the area.
Gators Galore in Fantastic New Orleans
April 23, 2013 by admin
Filed under New Orleans
It’s a great time to visit the bayou, but isn’t it always?! New Orleans is full of popular destinations, amazing culture, brilliant food, and deep history. Visitors can visit the famous Bourbon Street and French Quarter, or head out into the swamps and see all sorts of native wildlife including fascinating birds and alligators galore. So check us out at vacationsmadeeasy.com to see what all we offer in the New Orleans area. Here are just a few of the top options that we offer in this great city.
Airboat Adventures Swamp Tours in New Orleans
Get a taste of the south and see some gators with Airboat Adventures, Swamp Tours. You will tour a large tract of tidewater cypress swamp (20,000 acres), and see animals like alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets, herons and ibis, hawks, owls and bald eagles. Most tours last approximately 2 hours, and all take place on a sturdy airboat, of which there are plenty, so bring a big group! The tour is of a dynamic ecosystem supporting many types of aquatic and moist-soil vegetation, and you’ll get to witness some of the most beautiful scenery around as you go through the swamp and into the bayous lined with moss-draped cypress and tupelo-gum trees. So come watch the alligators get fed or sun themselves on a log. You’ll have an unforgettable experience in the Louisiana bayou with these amazing tours! Visit us for more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NewOrleansLA/activity/AirboatAdventuresSwampToursInNewOrleans.cfm
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and you can learn all about the underwater creatures of North and South America in a fun and interactive environment. The aquarium is home to the Caribbean Reef, which features a 30-foot long aquatic tunnel that brings you up close and personal with the aquatic creatures that call the aquarium home. You’ll also get to see animals such as seahorses, jellyfish, sharks, frogs, penguins, sea otters and much more. Other exciting attractions at the aquarium include a hurricane simulator, in which you can feel gusts of wind reach 79 miles per hour in 60 seconds, take pictures of your family members riding a wave, or a shark, and meet up with some of the slimiest, stinkiest, grossest creatures in the animal kingdom. There’s much to do at the Audubon Aquarium, you’ll struggle to find time to do it all! Visit us for more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NewOrleansLA/activity/AudubonAquariumoftheAmericas.cfm
These are just a few of the great options that we offer in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check us out to see what else is available for you in this amazing city. You can also find great hotels as well, and make your own vacation package! Get started on your great vacation today!
Fun and Excitement in Memphis, Tennessee!
Memphis is a rockin’ place to visit, and what better time to come to everyone’s favorite southern city than now?! You can experience everything that is Memphis including Graceland, the Gibson Guitar Factory, and all sorts of amazing barbeque. So get started on your tour of Memphis and book an amazing attraction today! Here are just a few of the top sellers that we offer for the city.
National Civil Rights Museum
More than 35 years after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, this historic landmark in Memphis has turned itself into a tribute to the earth-changing Civil Rights Movement. On April 4, 1968 all eyes in the world turned to a small hotel in Memphis, TN. On a balcony of the Lorraine Hotel, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Today, this landmark has become a tribute to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and has ensured that at least part of Dr. King’s dream would come true. Exhibits featured inside the museum and its expansion cover events from 1619 to the present day and include Little Rock, Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, Booker T. Washington, The Assassination of Dr. King and much more.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland Experience
Get ‘all shook up’ with the Elvis Presley’s Graceland Experience as you walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The tour takes place at Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland Mansion, in Memphis, Tennessee. The full Graceland experience will take you from Elvis’ humble beginnings through his rise to super stardom. See how a rock ‘n’ roll legend lived and relaxed with family and friends. Enjoy video, photos, Elvis’ personal mementos, movie memorabilia, stage costumes and much more. Explore Elvis’ two custom airplanes, the automobile museum, the Sincerely Elvis Memorabilia Museum, the King and Pop Culture Exhibit, the ’68 Special Exhibit and more on your own with a self-guided tour of Graceland. You can see the 1955 pink Cadillac, artifacts from Elvis’ past, special displays highlighting Elvis’ impact on music and the world, the recognizable fashion of the King, and so much more to keep you entertained.
These are just a few of the amazing things that Memphis has to offer, so check us out and see the other great options available to you to make your vacation an unforgettable one!
All You Can Handle in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Tennessee
April 5, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
Shows and attractions are in full swing as the calendar turns to April. You can go see the strange and weird at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, ride thrilling coasters at Dollywood Theme Park Tennessee, or see great comedy and entertainment with the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud Show. These activities and more are all available in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Take a look at other events going on in the area.
RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo
Worked on by the same contractors that themed Disney’s Animal Kingdom, RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo is an indoor exhibit for hundreds of animal species. Come visit and wander past ancient ruins, a 25-foot jungle waterfall, and into the RainForest to discover venomous snakes, giant tortoises, ringtailed lemurs, and vibrantly colored birds. There are over 600 animals featured at the venue, all born in captivity, and over 130 different species are represented.
Lumberjack Feud Dinner & Show
Grab your best flannel shirt and your heartiest appetite for the Lumberjack Feud Dinner & Show. You’ll get to see hilarious lumberjack antics and humor and have a hearty woodsman dinner. The show follows the lives of two logging families who are struggling with the impending doom as their livelihood is being reduced by the National Park. Enjoy the educational and entertaining show and a filling dinner at this one of a kind event.
Smoky Mountain Opry
Hosting a wide variety of music from the 40s through today, lively dancing, a hilarious nationally acclaimed comedian, dazzling costumes, magic, special effects, and much more! The Opry contains a digital projection system, huge video screens, surround sound, and a stunning laser light system. You’ll hear tributes from some of your favorite artists of all time including Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and more.
These are just a few options of some of the great things to do in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. No matter what you are looking for, you’ll find something to suit your tastes and make your vacation a memorable one.
Thrills Abound in Nashville, Tennessee
March 21, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Nashville
Travel to Nashville and see what everyone is talking about in Country Music USA! You can stop in for a weekend or stay a week, but no matter what you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a good time while in town.
Of course if you plan on staying overnight, you are going to need a hotel to get some rest at. Nashville has many different properties available to suit your needs. You can choose from standard hotel fare for the savvy shopper like the Econo Lodge North, Comfort Suites, or Best Western Fairwinds Inn, or go all in and choose luxurious properties like the Hyatt Place Nashville Northeast, Hilton Garden Inn Nashville/Vanderbilt, or the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville.
Next you’ll want something to do in town, and of course Vacations Made Easy has you covered! You can choose between the top attractions in the city; including shows like the Grand Ole Opry, Opry Country Classics, or Ryman Bluegrass Nights; or activities like the Homes of the Stars Tour, Music City Trolley Hop, or a trip to the Nashville Zoo.
Of course one easy way to take care of your trip to Nashville is with a vacation package! We have many pre-made packages consisting of a stay in the hotel of your choice and tickets to various shows and attractions all built into one convenient package. Of course for those of you wanting to have a little more hands-on vacation planning experience, you can choose to use our package builder to create your own itinerary! Here are just a few of our pre-made packages that we offer.
Grand Ole Opry Show Weekend
This package contains 2-night’s lodging at the property of your choice and tickets to the always exciting Grand Ole Opry! The show is one of country music’s longest running performances and certainly the most famous. Legends like Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks, and Dierks Bentley have graced the stage and to this day, top performers consider it a great honor to sing and perform at the Opry. With 2-night’s lodging included, this is the perfect package for those looking for a weekend trip to Nashville.
Nashville Romantic Getaway Package
With the Nashville Romantic Getaway package, you will receive 2-night’s lodging at the hotel of your choice, and admission to the General Jackson Showboat Lunch & Dinner Cruise. Your trip on the General Jackson showboat will give you a 3 hour tour where you will float past natural and historic sites along the Cumberland River. You’ll receive a delicious dinner and great live entertainment, and this package is sure to give you and your loved one a great time.
These are just a few of the many pre-made packages that we offer in the city. Go to our website to check out all that is available and pick one that suits you best. Or, check out the vacation package builder and set up your own personal itinerary.
Upcoming Grand Ole Opry Perfomers
March 21, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Grand Ole Opry
With its growing list of amazing performers, brilliant acoustics, and magnificent fun, the greatest country music show in the world just keeps on providing entertainment week after week. From its humble beginnings as a one-hour radio “barn dance” to the thrilling performance it is today, the show is rife with history. Let’s take a look at some of the top upcoming performers.
Oak Ridge Boys Friday, March 22nd
The Oak Ridge Boys are a country and gospel quartet that has become part of country music history, best known for their crossover hits “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” and “American Made.” The Oak Ridge Boys have a history spanning 40 years of innovating music-making. The current Oak Ridge Boys lineup is Duane Allen singing lead, Joe Bonsall as tenor, William Lee at baritone, and Richard Sterban singing bass. They carry on the band’s long tradition of energetic live performances and consistently upbeat, positive songs. Their most recent album, 2011′s It’s Only Natural stayed on country charts for nearly two months. They received new attention from rock fans for their cover of the White Stripes “Seven Nation Army.” The Oak Ridge Boys play more 150 a year, often appearing at their Oak Ridge Boys Theatre in Branson, Missouri. They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on August 6, 2011. For a full bio, visit http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NashvilleTN/activity/OakRidgeBoysAtGrandOleOpry.cfm
Ricky Skaggs Saturday, March 23rd
A mixture of country and bluegrass, artist Ricky Skaggs has made a name for himself in the country music industry. Born in July of 1954 in Cordell, Kentucky, Skaggs began playing music at the young age of five years. When he was six, he played the mandolin and sang on stage with Bill Monroe. The next year, he appeared on Martha White’s country music variety show. Then, he wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry, but was told he was too young. However, in 1982, after performing with fellow teen prodigy Keith Whitley and in Ralph Stanley’s band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and the rest is history. Skaggs is now a common, and welcome, sight at the Opry. For a full bio, visit http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NashvilleTN/activity/RickySkaggsAtGrandOleOpry.cfm
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 Alan Jackson, Dailey and Vincent, Oak Ridge Boys, and more to be added.
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 Charles Esten, Kayla Slone, Kristen Kelly, Marshall Tucker Band, Ricky Skaggs, and more to be added.
Tue, Mar 26, 2013 Dierks Bentley, Greg Bates, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, and more to be added.
You never know if a legend like Dolly Parton or Garth Brooks is going to show up at the Opry to perform, and each show is special in its own way. Get ready for a fantastic show full of songs and laughs at the Grand Ole Opry and order your tickets today! For a full list of performers that is updated as soon as they are booked, visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/NashvilleTN/activity/GrandOleOpryTicket.cfm
Enjoy the show!
Gatlinburg: City of Fun!
March 20, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, VME
Gatlinburg is in full swing and there are many attractive options for visitors. You can stay at an amazing local hotel, like the Westgate Smoky Mountain Hotel, Resort at Governor’s Crossing, or the Smoky Getaway Cabins, and then see some of the best attractions the city has to offer, such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Dollywood Theme Park, WonderWorks Interactive Experience, or the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram.
Of course the best way to experience the city is through a vacation package! We at Vacations Made Easy have many pre-made packages for you to select if you want some suggestions for your vacation, or you can create your own custom package and do exactly what you want to do! Here are just a few of the vacation packages we have to offer.
Dollywood Pigeon Forge Vacation Package
The Dollywood Pigeon Forge Vacation Package gives you three night’s lodging at the hotel of your choice, and admission into the Dollywood theme park. Dollywood is home to over 30 rides and attractions, all of which are inspired by the life of Dolly Parton and the rich history of the Smokies. You’ll be able to ride the 85-foot plunge on the Mystery Mine rollercoaster, or slide down the side of a mountain in a water toboggan on the Mountain Sidewinder. You’ll get some extra time to explore the fun of Gatlinburg with your three night stay in the city.
Gatlinburg Area Weekend Getaway Package
This great package includes two nights of lodging in the property of your choice, and tickets to see the Dixie Stampede. The Dixie Stampede is Gatlinburg’s premiere attraction. You will get to see high-adrenaline fun as the heart-pounding show features beautiful horses, stampeding buffalo, and a super-talented cast performing rousing musical numbers and hilarious, family friendly comedy. The show also includes a good old fashioned, down-home, country dinner. The Gatlinburg Area Weekend Getaway package is perfect for a weekend trip, you’ll get your two night stay and enjoy a great show with plenty of time to explore what the city has to offer.
These packages and more are available for your trip to this great southern city. Of course you can also check out our vacation package builder and create the perfect itinerary for you! So get started on your vacation today and visit us at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/!
Links:
Westgate Smoky Mountain Hotel: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/lodging/WestgateSmokyMountainHotel.cfm
Resort at Governor’s Crossing: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/lodging/TheResortatGovernorsCrossing.cfm
Smoky Getaway Cabins: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/lodging/SmokyGetawaysCabins.cfm
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/RipleysAquariumoftheSmokies1.cfm
Dollywood: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/Dollywood.cfm
WonderWorks Interactive Experience: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/WonderWorksPigeonForge.cfm
Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/activity/OberGatlinburgAerialTram.cfm
Dollywood Pigeon Forge Vacation Package: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/vacationPackages/DollywoodPigeonForgeVacationPackage.cfm
Gatlinburg Area Weekend Getaway Package: http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GatlinburgPigeonForgeAreaTN/vacationPackages/GatlinburgAreaWeekendGetawayPackage.cfm
What’s Up in Washington DC?
March 20, 2013 by Van Shipley
Filed under VME, Washington DC
March is in full swing now and that means the traveling season is upon us. It’s time to start planning your amazing vacation to the Nation’s capital today. Of course you will need a hotel, and what trip is complete without some show or activity tickets? Well we here at Vacations Made Easy have you covered! You can choose from pre-made packages with your choice of hotel, or visit our site and create your own custom package. Here are just a few of the top packages that we offer in the Washington DC area.
Washington DC Attractions Vacation Package
With this package, you’ll get to enjoy some of the hottest attractions in the city, and stay at the hotel of your choice for four nights. You’ll also receive tickets to Six Flags America, where you can take a range of family friendly rides, a waterpark, and of course, thrilling rollercoasters. Next, your tickets will get you to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. At the museum you will see a wide range of displays and interactive exhibits that focus on the history of crime from medieval times to present day. Finally, you will take the Taste of DC Bus Tour, where you will ride around and see the city’s most famous sites including the White House, US Capital, World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument and more. This tour is one of the best ways to explore the city. Take a look for more information at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterWashingtonDCAreaDC/vacationPackages/WashingtonDCAttractionsVacationPackage.cfm
Washington DC Family Vacation Package
This package gives you a family friendly option for your vacation. You’ll receive three night’s lodging at the property of your choice, and admission to the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, and a 3-day Washington DC Power Pass. The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament includes a four course meal fit for a king, and a performance where knights battle for the heart of the lovely lady Princess Catalina. And the DC Power Pass includes admission into roughly 20 options for activities in the area, and has discounts and line skipping at select city attractions. For more information, check out http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterWashingtonDCAreaDC/vacationPackages/WashingtonDCFamilyVacationPackage.cfm
Choose between these and more pre-made packages, or create your own package by choosing from the many amazing activities in the area. Create your own and see our packages at http://www.vacationsmadeeasy.com/GreaterWashingtonDCAreaDC/vacationPackages.cfm
