My family and I recently met in Branson for a reunion. The trip was terrific and I highly recommend choosing Branson for your next family getaway. If you are thinking about visiting Branson anytime soon, here are some informative websites to help you organize your trip.

Branson.com

This is the official website of Branson. It is the ultimate spot to learn what's happening in the area. It has a menu where you can read about shows, lodging, dining, shopping, weddings and more. If you're planning a family reunion or any group gathering, be sure to click on the "groups and reunions" button. You can download a map from the site, as well as check on the weather. They also have very affordable vacation packages available. Another perk of the site is the videos - you can view clips from the Dixie Stampede show and more.  Branson.com is a great site to click on if you're thinking of a Branson vacation.

Bransontourismcenter.com

This is a great one-stop site for your Branson travel needs. It offers vacation packages, specials, maps, attraction information and much more. It has a helpful reunion section too. One perk of this site is that you can get a discount on gas - just click on "gas coupon and discounts." It is an informative website to check out if you are planning a Branson trip.

www.branson-missouri.com

This site shares detailed information of Branson. For example, if you click on "Christmas" you can learn about how Branson is transformed around the holidays. You can also read about attractions, shopping, reunion planning, nearby lakes, restaurants, etc. it is also a travel agency where you can book vacation packages, tickets to shows, and more. It provides descriptions of the museums and shows.

Bransonvacation.com

This site is an travel agency dedicated to Branson where you can book a hotel, buy tickets to shows, and plan your itinerary. You can read about places to dine in Branson and print a travel map. It is a very simple site, but it might help you plan your vacation. Bransonvacation.com is worth a peek.

Bransonshows.com

This is another one-stop spot for planning a Branson vacation. You can read about and buy tickets to some shows, but not all are listed on the site. You can also read desciptions of, and buy tickets to popular attractions such as the World's Largest Toy Museum. It has vacation packages available as low as $170 per adult. Bransonshows.com is a site to check out for your vacation needs.

Silverdollarcity.com

One place you must visit on a family vacation to Branson is Silver Dollar City. Children of all ages - even toddlers - will enjoy it, and parents will too. Check out their website to read about the attractions, rides, special events and more. This is a site you can't miss if you are planning a Branson getaway.

Bransoncelebrationcity.com

Another site to be sure to visit is the website for Celebration City, another family friendly amusement park in Branson. You can read about the park, rides, games, and shows. Click here to be directed to it.

Trip Advisor

Trip Advisor is an excellent website to browse for all vacations, not just to Branson. It provides plenty of advice from other travelers like yourself. Just go to www.tripadvisor.com and search for Branson. You can read reviews on restaurants, hotels, and more. (Please note that the site has no way of making sure the reviews are valid. Negative reviews could possibly be written by competitors.) You can even view photos and videos taken from other tourists. If you have a question, but sure to check out the forum. This is an excellent site to bookmark.

www.tangeroutlet.com/branson

If you plan to do some outlet shopping while you're in Branson, check out the Tanger Outlet website here. You can learn which stores are available, specials, etc.

www.bransonducks.com

This site explains one of Branson's hottest tourist spots where you can "ride the ducks". It's a fantastic sightseeing tour aboard a vehicle that converts to a boat. If you're bringing children to Branson, this is a fabulous thing to do.

These are few websites to browse to help you plan your Branson vacation. Happy Traveling!

We had wanted to try rainbow trout fishing at Big Bear Lake, but we were aware that the picturesque lake, which sits at 7000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, is both a summer and winter playground for several million people living in the Los Angeles area.  That’s why we decided to drive to the lake during the off-season. 

There’s a special time of year between early September when the kids go back to school, and the middle of November when the snow-bunnies start to appear on the slopes surrounding Big Bear Lake.  During that period, you will find both the lake and the village downright quiet, --and when compared to the summer and winter seasons, the price of lodging is much more appealing. 

On our first morning at the lake, we opted to get our bearings by taking a narrated boat tour.  When we checked into the lakeside Lagonita Lodge, and inquired about tour boats, the front desk clerk assured us that we could depend on the captain of the ‘Big Bear Queen’ to provide us with pertinent information and interesting tidbits about the lake and its history.  The ‘Queen’ turned out to be a Mississippi paddleboat replica that took us around the more than 22 miles of shoreline in complete comfort.

 

We boarded the Queen just before noon and introduced ourselves to the ship’s captain, Chris Bellows.  The weather was excellent, with a pleasant temperature in the mid-70s.  Big Bear boasts sunshine 320 days a year -- a good reason why the location is a favorite of Hollywood filmmakers and TV producers. 

About 15 minutes into our excursion, we were fortunate to see an American bald eagle soaring high above our boat.  The eagles migrate to Big Bear Lake each fall from the colder climates of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.  We were surprised to learn from captain Bellows that our national bird has a wingspan up to eight feet, and weights between 10 and 14 pounds.  He also said, “It’s not unusual to see several bald eagles on any given winter day.”

Half way through our tour, we pulled into one of the lake’s many coves, where our captain called out to a waterfront cabin owned by the late Mel Blanc, who you will remember was the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and other famous cartoon characters.  The captain’s call brought a jolly looking fellow out of the cabin and onto the front porch.  He lifted a waiting megaphone and replied to our captain in a loud voice, “badeep, badeep, badeep, that’s all folks.”  It was Mel Blanc’s son Noel.  He takes great delight in greeting excursion boat tourists with some of his dad’s famous dialogue.  Nice guy -- good impersonator, too.

We took note of a sizeable marina as we passed by another sheltered cove.  We thought it might be a good place to rent a boat for an afternoon of angling.  Captain Bellows suggested that if we planned to fish, we should make inquiries with Big Bear Charter Fishing. 

After disembarking the Queen, we drove the short distance to Holloway's Marina where we found Mike Marzell, the operator of a pontoon boat for Big Bear Charter Fishing.  Among other things, Mike told us “The rainbow trout are hitting well on worms today.”  Mike also seemed to know where the fish were biting, so we decided to hire him and his boat for a few hours.  We brought our own fishing equipment, but didn’t need to fetch it because rods, gear, and bait, were all provided with the charter.

 

Mike’s lovely wife Trish joined our party to help with the deep water trolling rigs the couple preferred for catching trout.  It didn’t take long before we had our first rainbow flopping around on deck.  Five more one and two-pounders quickly followed our first catch.  Mike and Trish seemed to be having as much fun watching us, as we were having catching the fish.  It was a great outing.

 

Our fishing time was up a little after four in the afternoon, and we decided to seek out the Visitors Center in the village to see what attraction might fill the rest of our day.  The center’s affable Manager of Marketing and Public Relations, Dan McKernan, suggested we try a late afternoon off-road tour.  Not the kind of thing that would normally appeal to us, but we thought it would be interesting to write about, so we signed up.  We were glad we did. 

We hooked up with Big Bear Off-Road Adventures.  The off-road vehicle utilized by owner Doug Walton and his crew is really something.  It looks like a khaki painted convertible panel truck without sides, but there the resemblance ends.  This machine has big tires and is awesome in appearance and performance. 

 

Within minutes of departing the parking lot at Big Bear Village, we were dashing along a dirt road and heading for the mountains on the north shore of the lake.  It wasn’t long before the dirt road turned into a bouncy narrow boulder-strewn trail.  It was an exciting ride. 

 

We asked our guide Doug if he knew of any old abandoned gold mines in the area.  He replied, “There are a good number of them in the San Bernardino National Forest wilderness.”  In a short time, we found and investigated three mines, circa 1850.  We were surprised that the openings to the mines were so accessible to the public, but the mines are in remote locations, so we guessed that was the reason for not having safety fences.  Gazing into the seemingly bottomless mineshafts, one could only wonder of the difficulties the miners faced as they worked deeper and deeper into the dark earth.  We were also impressed that these 150+ year old mines had wooden superstructures still in place and relatively intact.

 

The sun was beginning to set as we exited the third mine, so we headed back to the Lagonita Lodge for a well-deserved rest. 

The next morning we packed up and started our drive down the mountain and on to our next destination.  We reminisced about our fun filled day at Big Bear, and talked about how we would be recommending it as a first rate family vacation destination to our readers.  If you haven’t been there, -be sure to give it a try.

Swat provides you with a rich cultural base; its heritage follows deep in the foot-steps of the Buddhism, Islam and Greek mythology. The snow-capped crests of the mountain, the emerald green and the thick forests hold great attraction for people who have a true love for raw nature.

The people are humble and hospitable, and the tourist industry is blooming, with guides equipped in linguistic skills to help you around. The people mainly follow a simple Islamic tradition, and this makes the area relatively devoid of technological gadgets - another comfort of residing in between the sky-kissing caps. It is the ideal place for simplicity and peace.

The Museum of Swat is a natural haven for people interested in lost treasures and artifacts. It houses many ancient statues from the sculptures of Buddha himself to ancient gods and goddesses from Alexander's reign. The upper regions of Swat valley become a popular place for snow-skiing - especially due to the 800 meter slope of its ski resort, one of the longest slopes in Pakistan.

All in all, Swat provides you with a complete vacationing package; culture and tradition, rich history and pure natural magnificence at its highest. So, if you are looking for a small vacation to get away from everyday worries or a family holiday destination or even a perfect honeymoon to trigger your passion - look no farther than the Swat valley of Pakistan - a perfect tourist destination.

The place I stayed at was a little hotel that had separate rooms. There were two bedrooms included along with cable and a refrigerator. It wasn't too fancy but I liked the idea that it convenient, economical, safe, and quiet. The place I would recommend anyone going to Colorado Springs is Beverly Hills Hotel. You will find one man who owns this little place. There is a maximum of 12 apartment size rooms and each one has its own parking. There are horses in the far back of the hotel.

There was horseback riding offered but you had to get up early to get on their list. They also closed by 5pm. Don't plan to go out and come back later since they will probably be full or out on a trail.

Up the street towards the back of the horse ranch you will come across parts of Garden of the Gods. There are residential homes around the area as well. The Garden of the Gods runs several miles around. You must drive very slowly as the roads wind around tightly but there aren't too many cars driving around. Many tourists decide to jog or hike through the mountains and from there climb the rocks. This area was so relaxing and was truly healing. Wildlife was all around. I saw Deers crossing roads and Eagles flying around.

You will need to ride up the mountain to Pikes Peek as well. The elevation is so high that I became very dizzy when I reached it. It took a little while before I could get myself together well enough to take pictures. The scenery was absolutely amazing. You could see far away mountains that had some frost on the tops. The air was clean but the clouds were coming in to give some rain. You have to be careful going back down despite the slow speed of the train. You can still get very sick depending on if you have high blood pressure or various other conditions. This ride may not be good for you then. Many tourists take the plunge and hike up to Pikes Peek. There is plenty of wildlife there as well.

If you are looking for a place to take the family Colorado Springs is definitely a place I would recommend. There are economical places to stay and eat. There is plenty to do that doesn't cost very much or anything at all. There are plenty activities you can do with your family that wouldn't cost a dime. You can also take a jeep tour or balloon tour that is offered around town. There are places to rent canoes and rafts as you try to go down some rapids or calm waters. All of these are low priced adventures.

1. Hotel

   The most important tip for both children, and parents to enjoy a trip, is the Hotel. For the kids, pools mean more than anything. The bigger the pool, the better the stay. Parents as well should find a hotel that fits there needs (ex. Spa, Restaurant, etc.)

2. Activities

   Believe it or not, kids do not enjoy going on a 5 hour bird watching tour. In order to let your kids enjoy the trip the most, include some fun adventures for them. (ex. Riding horse up a mountain, surfing lessons, waterskiing, and more)

3. Food

   Exotic does not mean better. Your children will not enjoying eating sushi and lamb for every meal on vacation. Let them enjoy the basic burger and fries every once and a while.

4. Location

   Pick something you know your children will like. If you notice they like bugs, plants, and other wildlife things, take them camping. If your child loves a game such as "Rollercoaster Tycoon" take them to Disney World. If your child loves surfing, take them to the beach. Fit your Childs wants, and the trip will be more important for the entire family.

5. Have Fun

   And probably most important, have fun. A parent yelling at a kid the entire trip for whatever he might have done can kill the entire trip. A vacation is a time to enjoy each other's company and strengthen as a family unit. So do the most you can do to have fun.

I hope these tips have helped you, and enjoy your next family vacation

Have you ever tried crabbing? All you need for this activity is some chicken, string and a net, then head on over to the Currituck Heritage Park. Tie some string around a piece of chicken and toss it into the Currituck Sound. Then, all you have to do is wait for the crabs to start biting. When one grabs the piece of chicken, slowly pull the string toward the shore. When it is close enough, gather the crab in your net. Crabbing is that easy! If you are interested in more fishing information, contact one of our experienced local bait and tackle shops, including Corolla Bait and Tackle Shop, Currituck Sports, TW's Bait and Tackle, and Hookers Bait and Tackle Shop.

How about a relaxing round of mini-golf? Miniature golf is fun for the whole family. Currituck has two beautiful mini-golf courses. Call the “Corolla Grass Course,” at (252)453-4198 or Timbuck II at (252)453-6900 for additional information.

Both kids and adults will love to paddle boats on Currituck Sound. Adults will both love the leisurely pace and enjoy relaxing and the kids will love watching turtles and other wildlife while paddling around. If you prefer, the whole family can paddle together because some boats hold up to six people. Find information about paddle boat rentals at “Kitty Hawk Water Sports,” located in Timbuck II, (252)453-6900.

Timbuck II also hosts the “Corolla Raceway,” which features a large go-kart track. Younger family members will enjoy their bumper cars. Call (252)453-9100 for more information.

On the Currituck mainland, expert design meets innovation at the Maple Skate Park. Grindline Skateparks, a world leader in skate park design, designed this skate park that continually receives rave reviews from pros and amateurs alike. Clean lines and deep bowls exemplify this arena. Genuine pool coping gives riders the edge they've been seeking. Riders can frontside an 11 foot keyhole or just cruise around on glass-smooth cement. This park is free, but all riders are required to wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads. The Maple Skate Park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sundown year round. Call (252)232-3007 for directions and more information. Or, sign up for your free Visitor s Guide.