On Your Next Vacation, Try a Zip Line

     

       For some people, their idea of a great vacation is one continuous adrenaline rush.  For others, the thought of adding a little excitement to an other wise relaxing trip makes for the perfect vacation.  If either of these describe your vacation taste, or your somewhere in between, you need to experience an activity that has exploded in popularity in recent years in most of the more popular vacation areas around the nation.  Zip line courses offer everything from daring glides to more laid-back aerial adventures for family travelers - or those devoid of the daredevil gene.  Check out these great zip line spots on your next vacation for a sky high adventure.

Smugglers' Notch, VT.
       Located at the Smugglers' Notch resort in Northern Vermont, ArborTrek offers climbing adventures, treetop obstacle courses, and three different zip line tour options depending on the season.  Don't miss one of their award winning winter tours, complete with stunning views of the snow-covered canopies of the Green Mountains.  Depending on your experience level, you will spend one to three hours on a fully guided zip line canopy tour that combines the thrill of up to 4500 feet of high speed zip lines and commentary on the local ecology and natural history.  During this adventure, you will cross sky bridges high above the forest and rappel from trees, exploring areas that can't be reached by hikers.

Rockbridge, OH.
       Famous for their "SuperZip", Hocking Hills Canopy Tours can get you going up to speeds of over 50 mph as you sail down over a stream, caves and rock cliffs.  Get a bird's eye view of the native wildlife, plants and rocks at one of Ohio's top attractions.  They also offer nighttime zips, and separate tours for children.

Durango, CO.
       What does the historic "narrow gauge" railroad in Durango have to do with a zip line adventure?  It is the only way to reach the longest zip lining course in the world - Soaring Tree Top Adventures in Durango, Colorado.  Here, thrill-seekers zip over a mile and a half cable on 27 different zip lines.  After you zip through the trees for five incredible hours, you'll be treated to a four course gourmet lunch while overlooking the Animas River.

Big Sky, MT.
       For a change of scenery, Big Sky Resort will allow you to fly high along the rocky ridges just 18 miles from Yellowstone National Park after some mild hiking.  At Big Sky Resort, you can soar past expansive views of Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks of the Madison mountain range, or take the nature zip, which consists of three zip lines 30 to 60 feet in the air.  Up the fun factor even more by racing your travel partners on a twin zip line.

Park City, UT.
       Hold on tight as you experience a 500 foot vertical drop on the steepest zip line in the world at the Olympic Park in Park City.  The XTREME ZipRider course runs parallel to the 120 meter Nordic jump, (you might even be in the air at the same time as athletes during practice).  Sound a little to intense for you?  Olympic Park also offers a shorter "Ultra ZipRider" - a four cable zip line that's 750 feet long for the non-daredevils.

Charlemont, MA.
       The Berkshire East Zip Line is a great option for adventure lovers on a budget, with tours starting around $30.  They also offer something for everyone on their three family friendly tour options.  The Base Tour will introduce newbies to zip lining, while the Mountain Top Tour offers seven zips, two hikes and two great ski lift rides with incredible views of the valley.  Once you're ready for something more extreme, sign up  for the Valley Jump, which consists of two 1/2 mile long zip lines approaching 200 feet off the ground.  For one of the most colorful tours, take a trip in the fall during "leaf" season when the Appalachian Mountains look afire with red, yellow, and orange hues among the forest canopies.

Want the Ultimate Golf Vacation? Take a Cruise!

        

       My husband has really developed a passion for the the game of golf.    He is always telling me about some golf course we should play when we are planning a vacation.  Lately we have been discussing a return visit to the state of Hawaii, and of course his criteria for what island to visit depends on what course he has been reading about or seen on the Golf Channel.  If you or your significant other are as golf crazy as my husband;  imagine yourself in Hawaii  teeing off on a course that winds through mango forests, lagoons and along ocean cliffs.  Sipping drinks at the 19th hole as you watch a Maui sunset.  Walking in the footsteps of Tiger Woods at Poipu Bay surrounded by acres of oceanfront beauty.  Or lining up a putt with with the peak of Kaua's legendary Bali Hai in the distance.  If the idea of playing some the playing some of the greatest golf courses on the different islands of Hawaii sounds like a dream vacation to you, ( or even if you just want to visit the different islands), then I have the perfect trip for you.  In addition, the entire trip will take a week of your valuable time.

       Norwegian Cruise Line offers offers golfers a fantasy vacation with their Golf Hawai'i program, aboard their ship Pride of America. The ship sails year round from Honolulu on 7 night cruises to the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.  While the cruise itself is great and economic way to experience the islands of Hawaii, the Golf Hawai'i program allows your golfer to indulge their golf fantasies on some of the world's most fabulous courses.  Norwegian's Golf Hawai'i lines up the perfect the perfect golf and their world famous Freestyle Cruising vacation - and you don't even have to bring your clubs.  

       For one all inclusive price you get a great cruise on a ship that offers tons of things for the whole family to do, in an relaxed atmosphere where you do not need to bring formal wear or be fixed to a set dining schedule.  For the golfer, the cost of program also includes paid green fees, carts, and priority tee times at some of the top golf courses in Hawaii, and the opportunity to play rounds on the islands of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and the garden island of Kauai.  In addition, the program includes prepaid transfers between ship and courses, certified golf instruction with a trained golf professional on board the ship everyday of the cruise.  The ship also offers a sophisticated golf academy experience using V1 Digital Coaching system to help improve your game during your vacation.  The ship also has a complete Pro Shop were you can get all of your golf gear, and includes complete Nike Golf club and shoe rentals.  As the official cruise line of the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour, Norwegian also offers special Guided VIP golf excursions with personalized expertise that are not available to the general public.

Some of the over 30 Courses on four Hawaiian Islands you have a chance to play includes; Ko'aolau Golf Course on O''ahu, rated as one of the "Top 100 Courses in the World" by Golf Magazine.  With views of cascading waterfalls, tropical rainforests, and winding ravines.  The scenery is stunning and the course a challenge to all.  On the island of Maui you can play a round at the Plantation Golf Course; home of the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championship.  On Kaua'i try the Poipu Bay course, a beautiful championship course that has been home to the PGA Grand Slam since 1994.  What ever course on any island you choose to play, the course will challenge you as much as the scenery will take your breath away, and leave you with a golf experience you will never forget.  

       So if your looking for the ultimate golf vacation, and do not have a great deal of time, this may just be for you.  In addition, for the non golfers in your life, the islands offer something for everyone, from surfing, to beach to mountains, in some of the best weather and on some of the best islands on the planet.  From the golfer to the casual visitor to Hawaii, if you want to experience the best of Hawaii on a great ship, this may be the perfect way to enjoy the perfect vacation.

South American Cruises 101

       South America is becoming the new hot destination for American international travel; and its easy to see why.  For travelers in search of rugged natural beauty, breathtaking mountain peaks, fjords that seem to stretch forever, world-class cities, indigenous historic peoples and cultures, vast tropical rain forests, and the perfect beaches, South America is a revelation.  Add to the fact that their are more flight to the continent departing from more US airports, and the flight times and costs are comparable or even lower than flying to Europe; and you see why taking a vacation to South America is becoming more and more popular.      

       One of the most popular way more Americans are experiencing South America is on a cruise.  From the first time visitor to the continent or on a cruise ship, to the experienced cruiser looking for something different; there are many reasons why opting to embark on a cruise when you want to visit South America is increasing in popularity.  The attractions are numerous: you get to visit multiple locations without long bus and train trips, ( the transportation infrastructure in most of the countries is iffy at best).  A cruise eliminates the stress of packing and unpacking in an array of hotel rooms plus you can eat and drink to your hearts contents.  As well, costs usually are all-inclusive, so you eliminate the need to to hand-over cash or a credit card ten times a day.  Add these reasons to the fact that South America is an enormous continent, still relatively difficult to travel around in by land, and a cruise allows you to sample a wide variety of the treasures there; and you see the reason for the popularity of cruising of South America for Americans.

Itineraries
       Because this huge continent, which extends from the steamy equatorial tropics to the sub-Antarctic; South America is a number of cruise to big to sample on a single cruise.  Fortunately, you have a number of itineraries departing from different countries, that allow you to sample the different nations, cultures and environments of this continent.  While you can find everything from specialty cruise to Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands, most American will cruise on one of four primary routes-- which while offering some connection, they also are incredibly different.  Around the Cape Horn cruises typically sail between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso Chile, and features lots of fjords, the wild beauty of Patagonia and Cape Horn-- the southernmost point on the continent.  Another popular route is between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.  You get to experience everything from the beauty of the Brazilian beaches, to the exotic Amazon to the energy of the cosmopolitan vibe of Rio and Buenos Aires.

       An Amazon cruise is a voyage of a different color, and I mean literally as well as figuratively ( the river itself changes as you sail from Manaus toward the Atlantic, going from a milky brown to an inky black). Seeing and experiencing the primitive energy of the Amazon is something you will always remember. Another cruise that is becoming very popular is the all-Brazil itinerary, which allows you to experience a detailed sample of the cities, beaches, exotic islands, and stunning rain forests of this incredible nation.

Who, When, How Long
       Nearly all the major American based cruise companies; including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Princess all have ships based in South America on a seasonal basis and offer cruises of varied lengths and varied itineraries.  Most of the cruises are between 7 and 14 days in length; bbut a popular option is to do back to back cruises of different itineraries on the same ship, which will allow you more time to explore this fancinating part of the world.  All the cruises are seasonal, and take place between September and Early May; which being in the Southern Hemisphere, is spring and summer in South America.  If your looking for a different types of cruise ship, you can find it here during the season.  From traditonal cruise ships from European lines like MSC, to luxury cruise lines like Oceania and Cunard, to specialty cruise companies who explore the continent in more detail and offer a more active and hands-on experience.  Many of these specialty and luxury cruises occurs on a limited basis, but all occur during the September to May season.

        Being undeveloped in terms of road or public transportation to explore comfortably, cruise ships go where very few hotels exist--and even folks who like a little edge in their travel may be relieved to re-board their ship after spending a day twawling the Amazon's waterways or trudging through the dusty Argentinean pampas.  No matter which route tou choose, and no matter howluxurious the ship, this is a more rugged cruise experience, a trip where comfortable walking shoes are more important than black tie and where your adventures outdoors--from paddling canoes up a tiny Amazonian tributary to hiking out of a peninsula to observe penguins, to exploring a desert island--will be the most memorable experiences of the trip.

My Family's Favorite Caribbean Snorkeling Destinations

       Winter is finally receding in the Midwest, and my family is thinking about our upcoming cruise to the Caribbean; or as my young calls it our "thawing out trip".  For my family, like thousands of others,  two major actives that we must do when we visit the Caribbean is to enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving as much as we can.  For more and more families, the quality of an activity like snorkeling is becoming an important factor in their decision where they go on their Caribbean vacation, or like my family, the quality of the activity at a cruise destination helped us determine which cruise to take.  With years of snorkeling and scuba focused vacations at most major destinations in the Caribbean with my family, you learn a few tricks about what makes a great snorkeling experience for your family. In this blog I thought I would dive in fins first and list some of my family's favorite reefs, and help your family discover new options for your future underwater adventures.

Bay Islands
       Once the home of pirates, the Bay Islands - Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, have become a snorkeling mecca.  Located on the north coast of Honduras, it s the home of the second largest coral reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.  From caves, canyons and sand chutes to vibrant coral, towering sponges and nearly ever species of marine life found in the Caribbean, the Bay Islands offer divers an underwater oasis.

Grand Cayman
       Finding world-class snorkeling in Grand Cayman is a breeze.  Simply walk into the water from the beach or jump in at a remote spot like the locals.  The island is surrounded by the underwater beauty of shipwrecks, exotic coral heads, and oversize fish and rays that more often or not are yards from the shore.  These are the same rays that graze your lap and suck bait right from your fingertips st Grand Cayman's most popular snorkeling destination; Stingray City.

Belize
       Belize offers spectacular day and night snorkeling in the cays, atolls and on the 185 mile long barrier reef.  The days are filled with gentle turtles and wading nurse sharks that swim so close you can brush their sides.  The nights offer a completely different experience - bioluminescent bacteria  release flashes of blue and green: glowing green  moray eels stake their claims; and dozens of colorful parrotfish rest in their protective cocoons.

Tobago
       Snorkeling is big in Tobago.  With shallow reefs and year-round 80-degree waters, snorkel and dive operators are always busy.  Sea fans that always flutter with the ocean currents, the worlds largest brain coral, neon orange sponges and hammerhead sightings make Tobago great for your underwater activities.

Bonaire
       Elkhorn coral just below the surface, and thousands of fish pulsing all around you.  Only on Bonaire can a neophytesafely pilot a  rental truck (watch out for iguanas and burros) to dozens of exotic shore entries.  The lee shore offers almost 25 miles of calm waters and reefs starting 20 feet from the shore.  The arid tropical climate mean consistent sunshine and truly blue water and a location below the hurricane belt that sends out a true 365-day-of-a-year invitation.

Costa Rica's Gold Coast

       The popularity of Costa Rica with travelers has exploded over the last several decades, and its not hard to see why.  From the lush tropical rain forests with superb adventure and eco-tourism, to great year-round climate, and great beaches and some of the friendliest people on the planet; Costa Rica has become known as a perfect place for a tropical vacation.  Most visitors discover the wonders of the country either by visiting during a cruise to Costa Rica's Caribbean coast or staying at one of the resorts along the eastern coast.  While the Caribbean coast has some stunning national parks; the beaches good but not what would be considered world class, and the rain season is followed by a real rain season.  If you want to really experience the perfect Costa Rica, you need travel to the other end of the country, in the northwest along the Pacific Ocean to the the province of Guanacaste- or it has come to be called- Costa Rica's "Gold Coast".

The Gold Coast
       Guanacaste is Costa Rica's northwestern most province, and is home to towering volcanoes, tracts of untamed wilderness, a string of stunning pristine beaches, and near perfect sunny temperate weather.  Liberia, with its whitewashed adobe houses anchors the northern part of the province and is the easiest way  to fly into the region.  There are three national parks (Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, and Rincon de la Vieja) to the north, and the many spectacular and uncrowded beaches making up the provinces western edge.  Because it is somewhat isolated and under populated, the natural beauty is just being discovered by the outside world.  But while some world class resorts have been built on the beaches, and the airport in Liberia is connected to dozens of airports in the US, you will still need a car to get around and the lack of crowds will make everywhere feel remote and relaxed, just as it has for hundreds of years.

 Fun in the Sun
       Accessible from Liberia along the well maintained Highway 21, many of the provinces beaches extend south from Culebra Bay.  Separated by lush headlands, the rainbow-shaped basins have drawn the attention of world class resorts from companies like Hyatt and AM Resorts.  Even with the new development, the beaches are still home to local fishing communities.  Scuba diving, sunbathing and some of the best surfing in the world are all popular; the key is to know which beach is best for each activity.

       As howler monkey swing in adjacent trees, swimmers will love the dark sand and calm waves at Playa Hermosa.  The benefit of eating fresh steamed mussels or scallops from one of the small restaurants on the beach as you sit in an Adirondack chair looking out at absolutely stunning sunset over the ocean, something everyone should experience.  Further south, gorgeous Playa Grande, a part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, which protects nearly 1000 acres of Pacific shoreline and 54000 more acres at sea, offers offers some great scuba diving and snorkeling; and features many untouched coral reefs to view and explore.  For surfing, try the beaches at Playa Tamarindo for some world class waves or lessons.

Wild and Volcanic
      East of Santa Cruz, is the 32000 acre Palo Verde national park, which is a birder's wonderland.  It can be explored mainly by boat, where will will ply marshes teeming with life to spot snowy egrets, great blue herons, crocodiles and white faced monkeys.  If action and adventure is more to your liking, check out the mighty Rincon de la Vieja volcano.  Located 15 miles north of Liberia, the volcano looms over the region and is part of a dramatic 34800 acre national park of the same name.  The park has nine craters, including the park's active namesake.  You can spend the day doing a challenging summit hike, which affords sweeping Pacific and Caribbean views.  On the trails you may see all sorts of wildlife, from sloths to rows of leaf-carrying ants.  The rustic lodges in the area offer a vast amount of activities, from mineral-rich hot springs to soak your tired muscles, to horseback riding to animal watching to the ultimate, zip lining through the tree canopy, as holler monkeys bellow all around you as exotic birds swoop all around you.  This is like much of the "Gold Coast" is itself - a thrill.