Friday May 17, 2013
Canada's already getting its May long weekend, this week: check out some ideas at About.com's Canada Travel site for
Victoria Day Weekend 2013.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May, and though its origin is a sober one-- to honor and remember those who've died in war-- and many events still commemorate this purpose, over time this long weekend has also evolved into the unofficial kick-off for summer-time.
Memorial Day in 2013 is Monday May 27th. Many cities in the U.S. have special events including parades, concerts, and wreath-laying. Also, many resorts and hotels dream up special long weekend packages with BBQ's, entertainment, fireworks, to create some festive start-of-the-summer fun for their guests. Have a look at:
Photo courtesy of Sandestin Resort.
Tuesday May 14, 2013
We Muggles will soon have a new place to sample a mug of
butterbeer, immerse ourselves in meticulously recreated details from the Harry Potter books, and scream our appreciation of themed thrill rides.
Fans have been very happy indeed with the
Wizarding World of Harry Potter "theme park within a theme park" that opened at
Universal Orlando in 2010. Millions have entered Hogwarts Castle and filed past
talking portraits and
Dumbledore's office on the way to the state-of-the-art
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction. Meanwhile in the Hogsmeade village area, guests can explore Ollivanders Wand Shop and Honeydukes before dining at the Three Broomsticks tavern.
All this and more has been found at the
Islands of Adventure theme park, which is one of two huge parks at Universal Orlando. The other park is
Universal Studios Florida, and now this park too will get a Harry Potter area: Diagon Alley will open in 2014 in the former location of the Jaws attraction. About.com's Guide for Theme Parks has
details... The two Harry Potter areas will be connected by the Hogwarts Express, and rumor has it that a feature attraction in Diagon Alley will be an indoor coaster based on Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
See also:
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
Friday May 10, 2013
It's time again, to look ahead to summer vacations... Check out
six strategies for going easy on the budget, such as splitting costs with another family and renting a large vacation home. People can spread out in multiple bedrooms, there's a full kitchen so families can save money on meals, laundry is convenient, there may even be a yard with pool... Whether you head to the beach or the mountains or to Orlando, vacation home rental can be the start of an excellent and affordable getaway.
You might also want a look at these
Affordable Summer Vacation Ideas, including family camps with lodgings, meals, and many fun activities included, affordable vacation towns, and more.
See also:
Vacation Home Rental - Photo courtesy of Hotpads.com.Tuesday May 7, 2013
Guest writer Tony Conboy III finds much to like, on this road less traveled (compared to other destinations in Europe where visitors come in droves): uncrowded getaways, charming villages with centuries of history, outdoors adventures, and terrific food. Expect to find miles of country roads, and vistas of rolling hills and grazing sheep. Visitors can also explore -- or even stay at-- some of the 600 castles in Wales: Ruthin Castle, for instance, has a hotel portion, and also some surviving towers and gatehouses that date back to the 13th century.
Wales, by the way, is part of the United Kingdom but it is not part of England. (It does border England on its eastern side, and uses the British pound as its currency.) Wales prides itself on its unique culture and language: most residents speak English and Welsh.
And about that food... He recommends lamb, served in many different dishes; mussels; and traditional Welsh Cake. Find out more about a
family trip to Wales. See also:
Photo courtesy of Tony Conboy III.
