There Is a Lot To Do in the Gatlinburg Area!
August 19, 2011 by admin
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN
Are you looking for a place to take a getaway soon? Check out Gatlinburg, Tennessee! There are many things to see and experience in the area, you’ll have a great, relaxing time. From shows to activities, there’s a variety of attractions that will meet the interests of anyone. Stroll the zoo as you observe an enormous variety of animals, or ride the Sky Lift to get an incredible view of the city. Don’t miss out on this outstanding Tennessee destination. Search through our lodging options to find one that is right for you, and make sure to check out these recommended attractions.
If you are a fan of acrobatics and incredible performance routines then you can’t go wrong with the Cirque De Chine Acrobatics Show. Over sixty gold and silver medalist acrobats from around the world combine to make this one stunning performance filled with talent that includes juggling, thunder drums, motorcycles and more. You will be blown away and this show will surely be a highlight of your trip.
The family and kid-friendly RainForest Adventures Discovery Zoo features hundreds of exotic animal species, including venomous snakes, brilliantly-colored birds, giant tortoises, lemurs and more! A 25-foot indoor jungle waterfall and ancient ruins add to the realistic rainforest feel of this attraction, and an interactive show featuring expert handlers and plenty of animals lets the children get involved in learning about these exciting species. There’s plenty of excitement to keep the entire family entertained, so make the zoo a must on your Gatlinburg trip.
Ascend to the clouds with the Gatlinburg Sky Lift! Watch the world below grow smaller and smaller after boarding in downtown Gatlinburg and climbing above the city, mountains, trees and river for amazing views from the heights of the Smoky Mountains. You’ll end up 1,800 feet above the rest of the world where you can savor the view, enjoy a picnic lunch or take some unbelievable mountaintop photos. Try it at night for a different experience!
Don’t Miss Gatlinburg’s Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage!
April 27, 2011 by admin
Filed under Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN
What better way to see the Smokies than during the Wildflower Pilgrimage now through May 1. As the dark hues of winter begin to fade into the vibrant colors of spring, take the chance to get outdoors and experience the unique flora and fauna of East Tennesee. Since 1951, the Wildflower Pilgrimage has offered more than 150 programs for visitors including instructional walks and guided hiking tours that focus on the endless varieties of trees, shrubs, mosses, flowers and everything in between. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend demonstrations and lectures by skilled botanists and wildlife experts. If you plan on visiting Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge this Spring, you won’t want to miss this annual event!
While in area, keep with the nature theme and stop by the Rainforest Adventure Discovery Zoo. This wonderful attraction features a simulated rainforest ecosystem with interesting animals like giant tortoises, ringtailed lemurs and venomous snakes. You will surely enjoy strolling through the rainforest and admiring the 25-foot waterfall while awe-inspiring tropical birds fly overhead.
For a more nautical adventure, head to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies where you can see more than 10,000 aquatic animals from around the world. Spend some time in one of the many exhibits, such as the Ocean Realm or Shark Lagoon. For those really adventurous souls, drop by Touch a Ray Bay where you will have the chance to mingle with these gentle, smooth-skinned creatures. On your way out, don’t forget to drop by the Cargo Hold Store for any last minute souvenirs or gifts to commemorate your trip.
Explore the San Diego Wine Country this Spring!
San Diego is a great destination spot in the spring, especially if you are a wine aficionado looking for a leisurely way to pass the afternoon. Through May 13, you can take a trip on the Coaster Wine Train for five hours of wine tasting at premier urban wineries, a gourmet lunch with wine tasting from around the world and beautiful coastal scenery. Also available is the La Jolla Romantic Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting Tour. This three hour tour provides you and your loved one with award-winning wine tastings and gourmet food pairings of Mediterranean, Italian, Californian and Japanese cuisine. This tour takes place from now through May 15. If you are looking to treat Mom, make sure to visit the South Coast Winery in Temecula for their fabulous Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch on May 8 at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant. You and your family can also make San Diego area lodging reservations in the as well.
While you are in San Diego, you won’t want to miss visiting the World Famous San Diego Zoo. The zoo is home to more than 4,500 animals of over 800 species from all over the world and hosts a variety of special events and experiences at the park throughout the season. During your visit, you can take advantage of educational programs and hands-on experiences. Travel from the “Urban Jungle” to the “Lost Forest” to see thousands of animals up close in beautiful, natural habitats when you visit the San Diego Zoo.
If you are interested in learning more about the historical aspects of San Diego, book the San Diego City Tour, which will take you on an in-depth, narrated tour of city. See the beautiful harbor views from Embarcadero, the Exposition Museum buildings in Balboa Park and even the historic landmark Hotel Del Coronado on this four hour trip. Whether this is your first time to San Diego or one of many visits, you are sure to see something you and your family will remember for years to come.
Audubon’s ‘Boo at the Zoo’ Offers Kid-Friendly Halloween Entertainment
Boo at the Zoo is an exciting Halloween event put on by the famous Audubon Zoo to help give kids and adults a safe and fun Halloween experience. This year, Boo at the Zoo will be held the 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th of October for four full nights of Halloween adventures. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in his or her favorite costume to be a part of the fun. Trick-or-treating, a ghost train, a haunted house, and games with prizes are just a few of the special events going on at the zoo this year, so head to the zoo prepared for a great time!
If you plan to attend Boo at the Zoo, you may want to consider getting the Audubon Experience package. This package gives you admission to the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Insectarium, and a ticket to Audubon’s Entergy IMAX Theater. You have five days to visit each place one time, so you can spend several days enjoying the many activities in the package. It’s a great way to get all of your tickets without having to pay separately for each attraction.
Make sure that you don’t miss out on your chance to experience some of the southern heritage of New Orleans while you’re visiting. The All Day Plantation Tour will take you to three separate plantations where you can learn some of the history of plantation living. You will visit the Destrehan Plantation, San Francisco Plantation, and Houmas House with this exciting tour. Your tour also includes a delicious meal served with style at the San Francisco Plantation. It’s history, heritage, and a dining experience in one!
San Diego Zoo Vacation Packages Offer Family Fun
People travel around the globe to visit the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. If you are one of the many who want to vacation to this incredible destination, you’re in luck. You can see the San Diego Zoo a few different ways, depending on your family’s needs.
San Diego Family Vacation Package
If the zoo is only one stop on your list of must-sees, then the San Diego Family Vacation Package is the perfect choice. This package includes the Go San Diego Card, which gives you admission to LEGOLAND California, Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Chula Vista Nature Center. The highlight is the special San Diego Zoo Best Value Ticket. This ticket provides you with zoo admission, unlimited use of the Guided Bus Tour, Express Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram. It’s your own personal VIP ticket to the world’s most famous zoo.
If the zoo is the whole reason for your trip to San Diego, then the San Diego Zoo Vacation is exactly what you need. This package includes two nights hotel accommodations and admission to the San Diego Zoo. Take your time as you explore this expansive attraction featuring more than 800 species of animals from around the world in their natural habitat. Make sure to leave enough time to see the many rare plants housed in the arboretum. This vacation is the perfect weekend getaway for the whole family!
If neither of the previous options are appealing to you, there is always the option to custom-build your own San Diego Vacation. By planning ahead of time, you can ensure that your tickets are waiting and you have nothing to worry about. If you are planning on staying over-night, the Chula Vista and the Del Mar areas are very close to the zoo to make getting there as easy as enjoying it!
With all of the options available, you’ll find exactly what you need to make your trip to San Diego, California both easy and enjoyable!
Relax with a Beach Vacation in Sunny San Diego
One of the reasons that Southern California is such a popular vacation destination is the great beaches that are found here. The San Diego area is no exception. In addition to the great theme parks and attractions like the San Diego Zoo, the area also has beautiful beaches and fun activities, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing beach vacation.
The San Diego area offers many options for beachfront relaxation. Popular ocean destinations include Mission Bay, Coronado Island, Imperial Beach, and Ocean Beach. Any of these locations is a great place to spend the day on the sand or enjoy a variety of beach activities. July 18 and 19, you can catch the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition at Imperial Beach. This competition is one of the biggest in the country, and the sandcastles you will see here are unbelievable. The event is complete with a variety of food vendors, entertainment, and more.
There is no better way to get the most out of a beach vacation than by staying at a beachfront resort. We offer a number of resorts that offer deluxe accommodations on the beach. If you want to be close to San Diego as well as the beach, the Bahia Resort Hotel is the perfect spot for you. Located on pristine Mission Bay, this resort features beach access, on-site dining options, and an outdoor pool. Water sports available at the resort include swimming, fishing, and boating. If you need a break from the beach, the best of San Diego’s attractions are just minutes away, including Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
The Del Coronado Hotel offers some of the most luxurious beachfront facilities in the area. This 100-year-old establishment has an undiminished reputation for exceptional beaches, service, and amenities. The hotel sits on 26 acres on Coronado Island and offers beachfront access, on-site dining, bike and water sport rentals, and more. This hotel is approximately 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, which provides the perfect spot for a relaxing night out.
Although the San Diego beaches are excellent, you may want to venture south to Mexico for a day to Rosarito Beach in Mexico. This day trip will take you from San Diego to Tijuana, where you will enjoy a city tour. Then, you will head to Rosarito Beach, where you can spend the day relaxing on the beach or shopping, dining, and exploring the city. This tour provides a great day in the sun as well as a memorable cultural experience in old Mexico.
Get in Touch with Nature in Nashville
June 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Nashville TN, VME
Summer is the perfect time to explore the natural beauty of the Nashville area. In between catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry and exploring the city, take some time to get in touch with nature at these area attractions.
Experience a wildlife oasis in the heart of the city with a visit to the Nashville Zoo. Named one of the top zoos in the country, this zoo is the perfect destination for a day of family fun. This zoo contains traditional animal exhibits like giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers and more as well as exciting rare animals including macaws from South America, a meerkat colony from Africa, and white-cheeked and siamang gibbons. The exhibits house the animals in environments similar to their native homes, making the animals comfortable. The zoo is open year round and has special summer hours lasting until October. A gift shop and restaurant are also available on site.
If you are feeling like roughing it for a day or two, check out Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch. This attraction contains an RV park, paddle boats, a plantation home, and a theater. Visitors can tour the home, and Loretta Lynn fans will love spending time in the Coal Miner’s Daughter museum that contains artifacts, photographs, and more from Lynn’s life and career. After exploring the property, you can stop in at the Rock-a-billy Cafe or snack shop for lunch or dinner, and you can visit the gift and T-shirt shop on site to grab some souvenirs to commemorate your time here. If you time your trip right, Loretta Lynn may even be performing a concert!
If you are ready to experience some thrills in the Tennessee forest, check out the Eco Adventure Canopy Zipline Tour. This excursion provides you a guide who will take you deep into the forest. You will be securely strapped into a harness, and then you are ready to sail across the canopy for a thrilling adventure! You will have the chance to spot a variety of native wildlife, and your tour guide will describe the eco-system around you and the challenges it faces. This activity is fun for both the young and old and is sure to be a memorable part of your vacation!
Explore Unique Sites in Memphis, TN
From Elvis Presley’s Graceland Platinum Experience to the array of guided tour options, Memphis’s major attractions and sites alone are worth the visit. But Memphis offers several less-visited destinations, any of which would complete your experience in Memphis by offering more insight into the history and culture of The River City.
Don’t be fooled by the underwhelming exterior of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The museum has successfully exhibited a consistently accurate timeline of Memphis music by featuring audio recordings, film clips, and other mementos from such musical artists as the legendary Elvis Presley. Through a variety of displays, you’ll be able to trace the history of music as it relates to the city of Memphis, such as by seeing equipment from the original Sun recording studio. Music fans everywhere will be compelled and educated at this site.
Since its opening in 1976, Dixon Gallery and Gardens has been one of the main art museums in Memphis with its collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works or art. Starting with just 26 paintings at its inception, the museum now houses over 2000 paintings and features an extensive outdoor garden created from the Tennessee woodlands. Featuring four major sections, the garden features beautiful plants, rare shrubs, and priceless sculptures. Trees line the area, providing enough shade to help you beat the heat of the summer months. For an elegant and insightful afternoon, look into the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis.
Featuring three different zones with different exhibits in each, you can see animals ranging from birds and mammals to reptiles and different marine life. In addition, the zoo also features different shows and lectures as a form of education and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you want a look into the life of a panda bear or you want to witness nocturnal creatures, the Memphis Zoo is the right choice.
Honor Our Fallen Soldiers This Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego, CA
If you’re looking for a distinguished vacation spot for this Memorial Day Weekend, consider San Diego your ideal trip. This Memorial Day Weekend will provide you with the opportunity to not only enjoy the major attractions of the greater San Diego area, but also to appreciate the true meaning of this day by honoring our fallen soldiers. Bring your entire family and make the most of your Memorial Day by enjoying beautiful San Diego while keeping our military service in mind.
No trip to San Diego would feel complete without a stop at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. Appropriate for all ages, the San Diego Zoo features more animal exhibits than you could possibly witness in one day, ranging from polar bears to reptiles. The zoo will not only prove to be an entertaining stop for the whole family, but an informative one as well.
Complete with a handful of rides and shows, SeaWorld – San Diego is among the most famous aquatic theme parks around. The Cirque de la Mer, Believe, and Dolphin Discovery are just a couple of the shows featuring amazing performances from some of the world’s most intelligent animals. For the best exploration of the most astounding aquatic life, SeaWorld – San Diego tops the list.
For additional information about the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld – San Diego, consider the San Diego Zoo Vacation Package or the SeaWorld Weekend Getaway Vacation Package, each with two or more night’s hotel accommodation included.
To support the meaning of Memorial Day itself, this May 25 at 2 p.m. a Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Mt Soledad Veteran’s Memorial as a testament to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. Throughout the city of San Diego itself, parades and other parties celebrate and honor the men and women who have made this sacrifice. Become part of the scene and you too can honor our brave military personnel.
