Let’s talk vacation!

Donna F asked:


We are planning a mini vacation the end of July to Dallas. I know about Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in Arlington. Does anyone recommend Hurricane Harbor or is it a waste of time and money? What other places are fun for teenagers in or around Dallas? My son is 14, and three daughters ages 13 12 and 11. Any ideas are welcome. Thank you.

Arnold

#2 in the oven asked:


We live in WV and spouse and I have about $1500 for vacation. Want to go in summer and haven’t been on real vacation together yet. Any good suggestions with a 1 yr old?

Gilbert

Lisa Parker asked:


Where is the active senior heading for vacation? The choices have never been more numerous. While there are many vacation destinations that only a few years ago were unheard of, other vacation spots have updated in order to become more attractive to seniors.

Overall, seniors today are healthier and more active than ever before. Visiting new places and experiencing new activities is possible for many of today’s seniors. Of course, relaxation is still of prime importance, which is why all-inclusive vacations are still popular.

All-inclusive vacations are great for active seniors for a variety of reasons. Because everything is included in the price, including airfare and meals, it is easy for the senior to plan and budget for the trip. Many all-inclusive vacations allow the vacationer to choose from a variety of activities as well. This means that the active senior can choose to play tennis or golf, ride bicycles or scuba dive, while other participants partake in spa activities or shopping. In the past, choices in all-inclusive vacations could be restrictive, but today, it is unlikely that the senior will be forced to participate in an activity that does not interest them.

All-inclusive vacations are available on resorts or cruises, in all areas of the world. If you are interested in a particular area, it is very likely that there is an all-inclusive vacation to that spot. What to know before scheduling an all-inclusive vacation? Be sure that you understand what all is included in the vacation. While it may be necessary for you to pay airfare from a smaller city where you live to a travel hub in a large city, if there are a variety of “extras” or optional expenses, it should raise a red flag that perhaps this particular all-inclusive vacation is perhaps not the best vacation for you.

Another popular choice for active seniors is a volunteer vacation. A volunteer vacation allows you to visit a different part of the world, learn about the culture, and help others, while still reserving time for relaxation and recreation. Activities for volunteer vacations run the gamut from counting bird eggs to helping children learn to read. There are options in the United States as well as many foreign countries. Don’t think that you don’t have skills that are needed. While some volunteers find opportunities to work in the field they were in prior to retirement, there are many opportunities for volunteers with no specialized training.

How to choose the right volunteer vacation for you? It is important to do volunteer work that you are interested in. If you aren’t an animal lover, counting turtle eggs probably will not interest you that much, even if it is on a beautiful beach. Of course, this does not mean that you should only volunteer for a charity that you are already familiar with. If the work piques your curiosity, and sounds intriguing to you, it will probably be a good vacation. The volunteer work is only one part of the vacation.

How will you spend your off hours? Although some volunteer vacations are in extremely poor areas with no amenities, it is possible to find a volunteer vacation that allows you to work part of the day, and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, hiking in the woods or enjoying excellent meals. If you have a strong opinion about what you need for a successful vacation, such as a certain level of accommodations or food preferences, it is important to speak with the vacation company early in your trip planning, to make sure that it is possible. The most important thing that you can do to ensure you have a good time on your volunteer vacation is to speak with others who have completed these vacations and ask if they feel that the company accurately represented the vacation to them.

Learning vacations are another popular choice with seniors. These vacations are a terrific idea for seniors who have not been intellectually stimulated since retiring from the workforce. A learning vacation typically devotes several hours a day to honing a particular skill, and the remainder of the time exploring the countryside, taking part in spa treatments, or relaxing on your own. The things that you can learn on these vacations are limitless; you can take cooking classes in France, horseback riding lessons in Ireland, or language lessons in Spain. Lessons are available for all experience levels, from the rank beginner to the expert looking to hone their skills.

What should senior citizens look for in a learning vacation? Again, speak with past customers of the company you plan to use. If others were satisfied with their experience, and would go on another vacation with the same company, that is a pretty strong testimonial. Also, consider what the recreational options are for the trip. It is easy to think that you will be so involved in the learning process that you will not have time to go sight-seeing, but these vacations are specifically designed to provide amble down time, and if you don’t have a plan for how to spend it, you may find yourself painfully bored. An experienced learning vacation company will know exactly what recreational activities are perfect for seniors and are available in each area. Formulate a plan about how to spend your day, taking into account your interests and activity level, take plenty of pictures and have a great time!



Robin

Dhiraj Bandurkar asked:


Best Vacation Packages

Planning a vacation ahead with your entire family but don’t have enough time for the **** and bits of planning, then the vacation packages come as a great help in such a situation. You always wanted your vacation to be the best planned with enough time for sight seeing, adventure, recreational activities and most important of them, enough time for relaxation. But if you are on a family vacation and if you are the one who is responsible fro the planning and execution, then you can simply forget the word relaxation from vacation dictionary. This is so because you will always be busy in managing small details which will end up consuming your whole time spoiling your entire vacation.

To give you that edge in successful planning, infact to relieve you of the hectic vacation planning, many travel companies offer hundreds of vacation packages. A vacation package is a completely planned affair of events right from accommodation to sight seeing. The vacation packages are the best way to save on money when you are going with your family for vacations. The vacation packages normally include package cruising, meals and entertainment along with hotel rentals and other major expenses. Although the vacation packages help you to save a considerable amount on your vacations it is advised that you should go through the package deals carefully before paying and get definite information regarding add-ons. The vacation packages help in making a holiday more enjoyable, without having to worry about the small details and their arrangements.

There are many of us who would happily opt for the vacation packages for a specific destination. The reasons behind utilizing the vacation packages are more than one. The majority of travelers who usually are accompanied by the family think that the best way to enjoy vacations is by taking up the vacation packages. Among the top reasons behind the popularity of vacation packages are, first of all it can save you money especially where family is concerned. Secondly the vacation packages add convenience which have every amenity they can think for a perfect holidaying with the family. With the growing popularity of vacation packages you can find hundred of offers which sometimes can actually confuse you while making a choice.

There are many ways of choosing the best vacation package for your favorite tourist destination and one of them is to follow some basic steps. First of all know all about the company offering the vacation package and keep an eye on the fine print before finalizing your vacations package, even if you think you have found the perfect option for you. Many of the vacation packages do not include all the costs which you may have to pay later. Also make sure that you are offered the best quality of food and beverages and the right kind of accommodation as promised. Carefully consider the excursions offered and the schedule of the travel. For the best vacations choose the right vacations package and enjoy with everyone as long as you want.



Yvonne

link it together asked:


I plan on going to disney world in December 2009. I plan on staying there for about a week (6 - 8 days). It’ll just be me (21) and my 4 year old cousin. So when should I start planning it? And what are some tips that you can give me on saving money and traveling with a 4 year old? Also when should i start preparing him for this vacation? Should I start watching alot of disney movies with him now?

Lois

abby asked:


My fiance and i would like to have christmas vacation in a place just like the “Christmas Vacation” movie. Where the people of the town have and show a lot of christmas spirit and are welcoming.

Jerry

Ben Jordan asked:


Many people dream of spending hours on the beach lying in the sun with no worries on their mind. Unfortunately, most people simply cannot afford a coastal vacation and many more will not receive the vacation time from their employers.

Owning a coastal vacation business gives these dreamers a chance to soak in the sun and give other the opportunity to do so as well. A coastal vacation business can provide a way for some to reach their personal and financial goals.

A coastal vacation business begins with an entrepreneur’s spirit. The franchisee’s motivation for owning a coastal vacation business must provide more than an opportunity for a great coastal vacation.

Unless the person buying a franchise realizes they will need to work hard, the business will fail within five years.

A coastal vacation business allows franchise owners to work at home, allowing them more time to spend with their family and take coastal vacations when they want. Among the fastest growing sector of businesses, home based businesses offer the franchise owner personal freedom.

How much money the franchise owner will make depends on the ambition, ability and dedication of the franchise owner with the coastal vacation business.

The franchise owner must realize the potential of a coastal vacation business. Most families want to take a coastal vacation.

The franchise owner satisfies this desire by offering cheap family vacation packages. The franchise owner’s coastal vacation business succeeds by meeting the family’s needs.

The coastal vacation business franchise owner must remember that different families want different vacations. Many families dream of cheap Hawaiian vacations will some want a Texas vacation package.

No matter what type of coastal vacation a family wants, the coastal vacation business owner should deliver.

Owners of a coastal vacation business can take advantage of a coastal vacation call center. Employees of the call center take the coastal vacation business owner’s leads and close the sale, giving the family that perfect coastal vacation opportunity.

When franchise owners use the call center, they obtain a professional sales force at their fingertips.

The owners of a coastal vacation business know the employees of the coastal call center will not steal their business. The coastal call center representative will ask for the coastal vacation business owner’s personal sales number so they receive credit for the sale.

This represents the best way to sell coastal vacations.

Using a coastal call center indicates to potential customer that the owner of the coastal vacation business operates a professional company.

Customers will shy away from a coastal vacation business promoting a coastal vacation with a pen, a piece of paper and a cheesy sales pitch (how often do businesses people receive this kind of pitch!). Preparation, professionalism and knowledge equal success for the franchise owner.

Using a coastal call center alleviates the burden of closing sales for coastal vacation business owners but the responsibility of the business still lies with the franchise owner.

Unless the franchise owner prospects for customers who want to take coastal vacations, the call center will not receive lead to close.

Identify potential customers by searching for anyone who loves to travel or someone who wants to get away from it all. A good coastal vacation business owner realized nearly everyone represents a potential customer.



Bill

efetters asked:


I am planning a vacation. We are interested in cultural or historic things, primarily. Thanks!

Herbert

pi asked:


I don’t like it here in america. there is no vacation time at these jobs. i’d like to travel overseas, but that is almost impossible in america. 2 weeks isn’t really enough. so i’m thinking about careers where i can get at least 4 weeks vacation time a year. do temp agencies allow generous vacation time? i’m worried, though, that they don’t pay very well.

Leslie

Frank Yaconis asked:


Are you interested in taking an Oahu vacation? If you are, you may want to examine Kailua. Kailua is a popular Oahu vacation destination. When vacationing in Kailua, you will find no shortage of activities or places to stay.

Although you will have a number of options, when looking for overnight accommodations in Kailua, you may want to examine vacation rentals. Although vacation rentals do come in a number of different formats, you will find that many are private and have a home-like feel. Popular Kailua vacation rentals include vacation homes, vacation condos, and vacation villas.

When looking to book a stay at a Kailua vacation rental, many focus on cost, size, location, and features. While these are all points that you will want to take into consideration, there is much more than goes into to choosing a vacation rental. Many popular issues that are often forgotten are outlined below for your convenience. By taking these important points into consideration, you are more likely to choose the Kailua vacation rental that is best for you and your needs.

What many vacationers do not take into consideration, when examining Kailua vacation rentals, is security deposits. As with renting a residential apartment, most Kailua vacation rentals require a security deposit. This security deposit is designed to protect the property owner. If you leave your Kailua vacation rental in the same condition it was when you arrived, you should receive your security deposit back. Unfortunately, the security deposits for many vacation rentals can be quite high. Since most security deposits will need to be made upfront, you should combine the required deposit with the cost of the rental in question.

In addition to security deposits, many Kailua vacation rentals, including vacation homes and condos, do come with additional fees. One of the most common fees that you will find includes cleaning fees. When it comes to cleaning fees, you will typically find that larger rental properties, such as vacation homes, have large fees. As with the cost of a security deposit, you will want to include all cleaning fees and any other additional fees into your rental cost. Also, remember that just because you are paying to have your rental property cleaned does not mean that you should leave it in poor condition.

If you are planning to travel to Kailua with your family, for a family vacation, it is important to ensure that your chosen vacation rental allows children. Although most Kailua vacation rentals, including vacation homes, do allow children to stay as guests, not all do. To prevent any surprises or hidden penalties, you will want to make sure that you double-check all rules and restrictions concerning children that you may be traveling with.

In keeping with guest restrictions, it is also important that you examine any general rules and restrictions concerning guests. For instance, it is not uncommon for a Kailua vacation rental to have a number of maximum allowed guests. Generally speaking, this is two people per room, but there will likely be variances. It you are traveling with a large family or with a group of your friends, it is extremely important that you examine all guest rules and restrictions first.

If you are a smoker or if anyone in your traveling party is, you will want to review all vacation rentals and the policies that they have on smoking. Generally speaking, you will find that most Kailua vacation rentals, including vacation homes and condos, prohibit smoking in the rental property itself. With that in mind, you may never know what you will find with a little bit of research.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many that you may not necessarily think of, but ones that you should definitely take into consideration. If you have any questions that cannot be answered from an online Kailua vacation rental listing, you will want to contact either the vacation rental owner or the online travel website that you are using for more information.



Joyce