Local Travel Tip

During chillier months, many prefer to visit tropical locales where they can lay by the beach and soak up some rays. While this can be a wonderful escape from the everyday mundane, there are other things that one can do to really take advantage of the “Winter Wonderland” that is only available for several months out of the  year.

Park City, Utah, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics, is the place to go if you really want to experience a thrill. Not only is there plenty of skiing and snowboarding available to enthusiasts, but there are options to take part in extreme sports, as well. The Utah Olympic Park is the place to go if you want to feel like a real Olympic athlete.

During the summer, the place comes alive with tourists wanting to hitch a ride on the Alpine Coaster or Alpine Slide; however, the winter brings a new crop of individuals seeking diverse fun. Anyone who feels ready to tackle the Nordic Jumps or Bobsled Track can do so for a fee.

There are plenty of fun activities to take part in for those who want to relax by the fire or play in the snow; make Park City your next vacation destination!

One locale that offers the both the excitement of exploring an ancient monument and the relaxation of beautiful views resides in Cuzco, Peru.

The mountain ruins of Machu Picchu are some of the oldest surviving traces of the ancient Inca civilization. Its construction began in approximately 1400 AD, but it was never finished, because of the Spanish conquest of the empire.

Visiting the site is no easy feat; most trips to the ruins require at least three days of uphill hiking. You can get there quicker on horseback or by purchasing a helicopter ride.

All of the tours to Machu Picchu begin in the town of Cuzco, so that is the place to find information on expeditions. However you choose to get there, this is one place that cannot be overlooked as a travel destination.

Whale watching adventures are at their peak around the world while families across the globe are jumping on boats right now to take advantage of whale season.  Thanks to television awareness from programs such as “Whale Wars“, children are actually begging their parents to take them out to see these curious creators of the ocean.

Whale watching tours create great family memories (when done right). Whether  you want to watch whales in Australia or watch whales off the coast of Nova Scotia, these helpful tips will make your experience the best possible…

Tips For Whale Watching:

• If you are bringing kids along:
  • Make sure they use the “potty” before they get on the boat. (Only some whale watching boats have toilets).
  • Let the kids take pictures.
    • Their pictures may even be better than the adults pictures…strange how that happens. There are great inexpensive disposable waterproof cameras available that would be perfect for this.
  • Feed the kids before they get on the boat.
    • The last thing you want is a whiny, cranky, hungry kid that makes it a miserable experience for everyone. You want this to be a happy memory, not one that’s associated with frustration and contention. You may even consider bringing snacks for the voyage.

• Items you may need to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, a poncho (to keep dry) and sweatshirt (to keep warm).
  • Even on cloudy/foggy days you can get sunburned if you’re not wearing sunscreen.
  • It can get cold out there on the water, especially if you get wet.

• Call the whale watching tour company ahead of time and ask what you should bring and what’s provided.
  • Most tour companies provide items such as life vests, so you may not need to bring your own. However, if you are bringing a baby, numerous kids, or a very large person, you’ll want to be sure they have an adequate number of the right sized life vests.

If you’re lucky, you may even get treated with an on-board BBQ and hot chocolate. Watching whales is definitely something to consider for family adventures or even family reunions.