You may have sticker shock from passing one gas station sign after another and feel that you may not be able to afford a vacation. In the following article you will find some helpful advice on saving money on your much needed vacation.

1. Plan your vacation months or at least a year in advance
2. Set up a vacation savings account and put something in it each week
3. Prepay your lodging. Make payments through out the year so that you are not hit with the big bill when you arrive.
4. Plan your vacation with other family members or friends. Split the cost of the lodging. Example: A three bedroom condo that may rent for $1500.00 - $1800.00 for a week could be divided three ways and only cost you $500.00 - $600.00 for the week. This is still cheaper than a nice motel or hotel and you have all the amenities of home.
5. If you choose the condo idea you can also save by everyone chipping in and buying groceries and eating in, this will help you save a ton of money from eating out. By doing this you can save up and choose to eat out only for special meals like a mom and dad date night. By choosing to eat in this will give you more mad money to go and see the sights and experience things you normally might not be able to do through out the year.
6. You do not have to go far to enjoy yourself. Fire up the internet and research your area. Look for things to do within a 2-3 hour drive from your home. There are most likely State parks and campgrounds within that radius, historical sites and little towns with mom pop shops. Look for a town you have not been to in your area and go exploring.

You can have that much needed family vacation and it not break the bank. Here is our personal story.

Our family just took our second family week long vacation. There are four of us, mom, dad and two daughters 20 & 15. We went with another family and a couple of friends joined in. We rented a 3 bedroom 3 bath condo in Destin, Florida and we spent less than $2000.00 on the whole trip; everyone got to do everything that they wanted and we enjoyed ourselves.

The parkway in Pigeon Forge is packed with things to do, from helicopter rides to go cart racing. My children had a blast. The best part of it though is that you don't have to stray far to find something interesting to do. Regardless of age you will have a great time. You can park the car and take the trolley to anywhere you need to go. Sure beats wasting your gas.

There are several things that we did not get to do this year, like the Dixie Stampede and Wonder Works… The list goes on but there is always next year.

Photo by the Quail

Sedona is also one of the great Metaphysical hot spots of Arizona. Its energy vortexes have been talked about for many years and its history goes way back to early Native American. The Yavapai-Apache are believed to be the earliest settlers of this area. Many a story has been told by the ancestors of the earliest settlers surrounding the great flood that covered Mother Earth.

The Yavapai Native American people have told the story of the Lady of the Pearl and it is said that they are the descendants of her daughter.

I have found through my researching of the Sedona area that the earliest accounts by the Yavapai concerning their take on the Creation story to be very accurate. They tell of how the Lady of the Pearl was sealed in a great log with a woodpecker along with a great white stone that is believed to have been a pearl. The Lady of the Pearl was sent from another of Arizona's great land marks, Montezuma's Well, at the very beginning of the great flood. She remained sealed in the log for forty days and forty nights. The waters from the rains covered all the land masses and when the water receded, the log came to rest in Sedona. The woodpecker freed the lady from the log and she took with her the Great stone of protection. The woodpecker guided her to the highest peak of Mingus Mountain. She met the sun; they fell in love. She returned to Sedona and bathed in the enchanted waters of Boynton Canyon. Shortly afterwards she gave birth to a daughter, that the Yavapai referred to as the First Lady and mother to its entire people.

Photo by the Quail

Another great point of interest is the many Metaphysical stores that are in the town of Sedona. They carry books, and many different types of semi precious gem stones and it's also the home of many that walk the path of healing. Yes, Sedona is a very enchanted place and it has much to offer anyone that takes the time to visit her.

Sedona is also the home of a well known author, Angel Lightfeather. She is a Spiritual Counselor to many. Her husband is also an Elvis impersonator singer, actor and entertainer. They have one of the many metaphysical, Spiritual shops that are present and thriving well. The thing that caught my attention first and foremost concerning their shop, is the hand painted mural on the stone wall that faces the road. It's a must-stop-by-and-see, if your traveling through Sedona. You can't miss it. Its one of the very first things that catches the eye of the passer-by.

Photo by the Quail

To take a picture does not do it justice, and one would be totally in awe of it, if they were to stop by and view it, for it has taken on a living energy of its own.

There is much to write about and showcase in Sedona. It's fast becoming the vacation hot spot, nestled in the red rock and mountains, with an elevation of 4,326 ft. above sea level. So what you waiting for? Come visit "Beautiful Sedona, Arizona".

The Summer months can see temperatures as high as 90 degrees, but the average temperature is 85 degrees. The Summer months are during May through October. The Winter months are from November through April. The temperatures have been as low as 10 degrees but only at night. The average temperature during the day is 78 degrees which is not much different than the Summer months. Yet, during the Winter Hawaii will experience the most rain. Flooding is not uncommon.

There are several little islands that belong to Hawaii. Depending on which side you live on will depend on how much dry or wet weather you will get. Typically, when you live on the windward side which is the northeast side you will get the most rain and the coolest weather. This happens since the winds are coming from the northeast. The driest parts of the island will be the southwest area of the islands. The southwest side is called the leeward side since the winds die down and the rains tend to lighten by the time it gets to the southwest side of the islands.

Hurricanes do not happen as often you may think. The last major hurricane that hit Hawaii was in 1991 which was the most severe hitting Inko, Kauai, and parts of Ohau. For the most part, hurricanes do not hit Hawaii. They may get heavy winds, but nothing too strong to destroy the islands.

If you are looking for a place to go on vacation that has the most reasonable and consistent weather then think about going to Hawaii. If you want to visit the higher elevations of the island then be sure to dress appropriately with pants and a sweater since it can get rather cold up there depending on what time of year you go. It doesn't just have natural beauty but it offers great weather.

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