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Dream Destinations for a Delightful Thanksgiving Day

By Liz Kaadou

Need a little pick-me-up when turkey time rolls around this year? Instead of spending the holidays at home slaving over dinner preparations and autumn decor, why not explore a few cities stuffed to the brim with enticing Thanksgiving festivities. Take a scrumptious bite out of these delicious destination getaways. Whether you are looking for adventure, warmth, tradition or family fun- these cities offer a Thanksgiving menu packed with spectacular specials guaranteed to make you say YUM!

 

NEW YORK CITY - The City That Never Sleeps literally lives up to its name for the Thanksgiving season.  The city boasts the beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, filled with flying-high floats, marvelous marching bands and guest appearances from some of your favorite celebs. Catch a Broadway play, ice skate in Rockefeller Center, and if you are really daring- join the crazy crowds on Black Friday for some serious sales on Saks Fifth Avenue.

 

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - We can thank the Native Americans for the time-honored traditions of tummy-filling turkey, scrumptious sweet potatoes and succulent cranberry sauce.  Since Thanksgiving would not exist without them, why not spend the holidays in the proud home of numerous Indian Reservations, like the Navajo Reservation.  Learn about their history and culture with a tour of the Heard Museum or take a walk down the Apache Trail.

 

DENVER, COLORADO - Ski-lovers around the world get ready to slither down the slopes.  November marks the start of ski season with the opening of some of Colorado’s riveting resorts, including Aspen, Breckenridge and Cooper Mountain. What better way to spend Turkey Day than feeling the rush of the slopes followed by a delectable and delicious meal? 

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA -  The Magic City offers travelers a mix of warmth and winter with its famous North Miami Winternational Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Enjoy sunny weather with a winter theme! Plus, you can take a dip in the glistening waters of South Beach and pick and chose from exceptional eateries!

For even more Thanksgiving Day destinations, Click Here.

Source: www.vacationrentals.com

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Travel Channel.

 

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Unknown Tourist Attractions Around the Globe

By Liz Kaadou

Looking for a little slice of private paradise? We all know about the tourist hot-spots around the globe like Paris, New York and Milan, but what about those hidden hideaways tucked away somewhere in between? Here are a few of the best kept secret tourist attractions anxiously awaiting your arrival.

Graskop, South Africa- a small town perched in the Panorama tourist region of Mpumalanga, South Africa.  Boasting a mix of hip-hop artists and Afrikaner farmers, this secret destination offers up traditional African culture and art.  It is also only a few minutes from some of Earth's wonders, like God's Window, the Lisbon Waterfalls and Blyde River Canyon. Known for its gold panning, abseiling and river rafting, this is the perfect place for any adventure seeking traveler!

Weymouth, England- situated along the English Channel and surrounded by sandy, sunshine filled beaches and beautiful Georgian homes, this large town is home to one of the best diving locations in the world. Waters surrounding the city are riddled with Roman shipwrecks and submarines from both world wars.  The beaches attract thousands of visitors each summer with firework festivals and drag boat racing. If you are looking for a little English charm, this is definitely the place to be.

Willunga, Australia- take a drip down under and experience a taste of heaven, with an overflow of red wines and local pizza parlors. This trendy town is situated in the McLaren Vale area and is home to numerous festivals including the Tour Down Under and the historic Almond Blossom Festival. It also encompasses a number of beaches for sunny family outings and barbeque's.

Gaziantep, Turkey- the aroma of flavorful, exotic foods and spices fill the air of this popular province in south central Turkey.  Home to the breathtakingly gorgeous Gaziantep castle, this province is known for its use of a scrumptious secret ingredient in almost all of its savory dessert dishes - pistachios!

Source: Hotel & Resort Insider

For more travel ideas from RTM, visit our Travel Channel.

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Take a Vacation - At Home!

By Liz Kaadou

 

Not much bang for the buck these days when it comes to traveling? With the current state of our economy, the last thing you need to worry about is purchasing pricey airline tickets and shelling out your savings account for a swanky hotel stay.  It may be time to rethink the traditional vacation, and opt for a more convenient, economical choice, otherwise known as a “staycation.” This new travel trend simply means spending your vacation in the comfort of your own home and saving tons of money while you're at it.  Even though you won’t be soaking up the sun along the beach, these simple suggestions will make other travelers green with staycation envy.

 

1) Explore your own city – dig a little deeper for hidden treasures right under your nose. Most cities have fun festivals during the year, house community centers that offer theater productions, free dance classes and art exhibits, and many even have historical districts with antique shops and exceptional eateries. Check out local parks or lakes in the area for a little fishing fun or picnic party. It’s okay to be a tourist for the week, remember you are on vacation!

 

2) Unplug yourself – if you were flying high in the sky all electronic devices would have to be turned off, so adhere to vacation rules and wander far away from the wireless world.  After all, the whole idea of a vacation is to escape reality for a few days, so set your phone to go to voicemail and check your messages periodically like you would on a traditional vacation.

 

3) Travel the World in a Week – invite friends to your staycation and pick destination theme nights for everyday of the week. Themes could range from "a night in Paris" to "a luau in Hawaii." 

4) Family Adventure Week - spend your staycation as a family. Plan a fun adventure for the week like building a tree house, having a family talent show contest or even creating a time capsule and filling it with great memories. 

For more travel ideas from RTM, visit our Travel Channel.

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Adventure Travel for Kids: Most Family-Friendly Hotels

Of course kids will absolutely adore these themed hotels, but the biggest value is how they make vacationing a breeze for parents. When the hotel is a destination in itself it provides all the vacation entertainment the kids can handle!

Nickelodeon Family Suites: Florida, United States - This hotel's suites are outrageous and unique, providing excitement from sunrise to sunset. The 2-Bedroom Kidsuites are themed around some of the most popular Nickelodeon Characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and The Fairly OddParents. The integrated waterpark is sure to keep kids active all day.

Fantasyland Hotel: Edmonton, Canada - Each suite is themed after 1 of 11 different fantasies, like Hollywood, Roman, Polynesian, African or even Trucks - most of which have jacuzzis built into the themes. Located in the middle of an enormous mall and entertainment center, the only thing anyone won’t find here is boredom. There’s also the Galaxyland Amusement Park, World Waterpark, Professor Wem’s Miniature Golf, the Sea Life Caverns, the Ice Palace skating rink, movie theatres, arcades, cool stores and a Sony Playstation in every room.

Baumhaus Hotel: Neißeaue, Germany - This treehouse resort/adventure park is one of the craziest of the crazy hotels - but it's actually very kid-friendly. Choose 1 of the 5 rustic and oddly-formed 2-story treehouses, located about 20 to 30 feet up in a tree for a truly unforgettable family experience. How to climb to your bed? It's a secret.

For more family travel adventure ideas, visit RTM's Adventure Travel or Family Travel Sections.

 

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Summer's Best Family-Friendly Destinations

Family travelers rule in the summertime as hotels and resorts embrace the family-friendly season. These hotels offer value, diversion and extra space for mom, dad and the kids. So pack up your bags and maybe even tip off the grandparents - summer only lasts through September.

CAMP WATAPANA: Family happiness is just an island-hop away with the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. The authentically chic Aruban retreat offers a world of experiences for parents and kids alike, including several new island-inspired children's activities onsite at Camp Watapana. Slip away for some time together while the young ones (3-12), are preoccupied with engaging activities such as Papiamento lessons, seashell hunts, story time (with Aruban tales), nature walks, sandcastle building, and star gazing.

MOUNTAIN MAMA, PAPA, & KIDS: For family togetherness in the outdoors, look no further than Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vt. Guests will get a guided hike, family picnic lunch and half-day bike rentals for the entire family along with overnight accommodations. Topnotch will also make sure that families are well outfitted, offering a special Topnotch Adventure Backpack for all children and Topnotch baseball caps for the parents.

THE MORE THE MERRIER: Family bonding will reach new heights this summer at The Curtis in Denver. A pop culture explosion in the heart of the city's Theatre District, The Curtis hotel is fun from the moment you walk in the front door, starting with a 5 & Dime store selling classic candies and games in the lobby, a Front Desk staff adept at "rock, paper, scissors," wake-up calls from Elvis and other kitschy luminaries, and complete with 13 themed floors (including the ominous Thirteenth Floor) decked out with pop art installations.

ADD FAMILY, ENJOY: Like a well-made dessert, a family vacation needs all the right ingredients to be a success - and the result can be just as sweet. Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa puts them together with the skill of a patissier with the Classic Family Vacation package. Count on a full breakfast daily for every member of the brood and a locally inspired kids snack served in-room.

(Source: Hawkins International)

For more vacation ideas from RTM, click here.

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The Very Best New Road Trip Vehicles of 2009

What entails a vehicle that's perfect for a road trip? A car that provides all the amenities to keep its occupants comfortable, a car that keeps everyone entertained, a car with a hot look and smooth ride, or one with lots of storage space? We suppose it depends on who's driving it. Here are Kelly Blue Book's selections for 2009:

Spring Break: Ford Mustang Convertible - The combination of these two phrases is just unbeatable.  
Family Outing: The Honda Odyssey - A high-tech van that provides the ideal family travel world: kids focused on the entertainment center in the backseat, which allows parents to focus on the road using navigation and bluetooth technology.
Driver's Trip: Chevy Corvette Z06 - We call it the accidental road trip: this car's so good, it's too hard to stop driving it.
Camping Trip: Honda Element - This reliable sport utility doubles as a back-up tent, in case setting up camp isn't so successful.
Trip for Two: Jaguar XKR Convertible - When it's just the two of you, there's nothing like a Jaguar to keep things heated up.
New Grad Trip: Mazda Mazda3 - Yes, zoom-zoom. This bridge-the-gap car is affordable and has high fuel economy while looking and driving like the sportscar you can't quite afford.
Cross Country: VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI - With 41 mpg on the highway, you'll save tons of gas and still have plenty of room to haul all the necessary accompaniments.

For more road trippin' advice, visit RTM's Auto Advice Section.

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Camping: The Season's Last-Minute "Micro-Vacation"

Most families are lusting after the same aspect in their summer vacation: affordability. Because of this economic influence, many travelers have shifted their focus this summer from 2-week traditional vacations to shorter, more affordable "micro-vacations." According to Kampgrounds of America (KOA), there was a 6% increase in campground stays since last Memorial Day weekend, which is attributed to people not planning as far ahead to make travel decisions. The spontaneity of camping is perfect for families or groups of friends who have difficulty coordinating schedules to pick a date. It's easy to plan a trip and find camping sites along the way using tools like KOA's regional vacation ideas map of the U.S. 

Though camping is down-to-earth and lets you appreciate a different way of life, it doesn't have to be wild and rustic. Campground cabins usually run about $45-$80 per night, and sleep 4-8 people. That's roughly $10 per person! Plus, many campsites offer amenities, activities and events which are included in your lodging expense - many even offer wi-fi!

Find more group travel ideas in RTM's Travel Channel.

Plan a Cheap & Worry-Free Vacation This Summer

If you’re looking to take a cheap summer trip, your vacation may fall into one of two categories. Those traveling alone or with friends may appreciate the free-spirited adventure feeling offered by renting a hostel, but families are likely to enjoy creative quality time spent with each other outside.

Taking a camping road trip

close to home is the way an increasing number of families (or groups of friends) stretch their budgets and maximize just a few vacation days.  

The RV Industry Association says that a family of four can save up to 65 percent on a camping road trip, compared to other vacations, such as taking a cruise or traveling by plane. By taking one or several weekend trips, families can save money yet have an authentic camping experience. Not only is driving more economical, it allows for some spontaneity- there’s nothing like the bathroom break that turns into a hike to a nearby waterfall, or a random stop at a local ice cream shop where a new favorite flavor is discovered. Being flexible and open-minded is the way to keep things fun for the kids.

Staying in a hostel is another idea that appeals to the young, the budget-minded and the fiercely independent among us. The best hostels are cheap, centrally located in bustling cities, and offer similar amenities as a full-service hotel. You can choose from international hostels and book the perfect one with no booking fee using hostelbookers.com.

Reader's Digest: Plan an Affordable Family Vacation

This month, global magazine Reader’s Digest takes planning affordable family travel to another level online. Reader’s Digest’s interactive map of the United States allows travelers to choose from a variety of summer trips that hit all 50 states, divided into four regions. Below are a couple of ideas from each region.

 

Western States:

·         Smith Rock State Park, OR: Smith Rock is known as one of the world's most popular rock-climbing destinations.

·         Alaska: Kotzebue, AK: See native Inupiat Eskimos nurture and raise wildlife in their natural habitat.

 Rocky Mountain States:

·         Rifle Gap and Rifle Falls, CO: Discover this remote mountain region featuring two state parks.

·         Snake River Valley Wine Country, ID: Tour Idaho’s wine country which is the perfect climate for growing grapes.

 Central States:

·         Villa Louis, WI: Visit one of the most beautifully restored Victorian homes in the United States.

·         Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, OK: See the location of the battle that killed Cheyenne chief Black Kettle in the surprise attack led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer.

 Eastern States:

·         The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, CT: Discover major trends in today’s art scene at this Ridgefield museum.

·         Amelia Island, FL: Visit this beautiful quaint and authentic Victorian seaport island for a quick trip back in time.

To take a closer look and discover other suggested trips using Reader Digest's interactive map, click here.

Summer Dangers : Don't Leave Your Child in the Car

Summer is on the horizon and parents need to be particularly cautious about their children's safety during those long, hot days and offer the following safety precautions to combat heat-related injuries in cars and other motor vehicles:

• Never leave your child unattended in a motor vehicle, even with a window open.
• Teach children not to play in, on or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks and keep keys out of children's reach.
• Watch children closely around cars, particularly when loading or unloading items.
• Ensure that children exit the vehicle at your destination.
• Don't overlook sleeping infants.
• Place an unmistakable reminder of a child's presence where you'll be sure to see it before you leave the vehicle. For example, place a diaper bag right next to you, your briefcase or your lunch bag.
• Check the temperature of child safety seats and seat belt buckles before restraining your child.

Click here to read more about the dangers of leaving your child in the car.

Read more auto and travel safety tips from ROAD & TRAVEL.