Monday, September 28, 2009

You Can Have Extra Spending Money on Your Vacation With a Travelocity Promotion Code

British Airways Flight - Travelocity GnomeImage by SAITOR via Flickr

Travelocity has more than 40 million members that use the site's services time and time again. It's one of the largest travel agencies in the US, and provides consumers with access to thousands of hotels, flights, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages. Moreover, it provides its members with great deals and discounts that can be found nowhere else on the web.

In addition to saving money by booking through the website, travelers can save even more money by using a Travelocity promotion code that can be found at affiliate websites. These codes and coupons can be used to save extra money on a trip. They're not always advertized directly from the travel agency itself, so you'll need to look around a bit if you want to use one.

When planning your vacation, there are so many miscellaneous expenses that you can easily overlook one. Keeping that in mind, look over all the promotional codes and coupons you come across to get some idea about what you need to save on. What aspect of your trip will you need to save the most money on? What will you have trouble affording? Whatever expense you may be concerned about, a Travelocity promotion code can be used to help you save!

The more discounts you get, the more money you'll be able to save all together. Just use a code before it expires or ends up being discontinued. Read over each coupon, discount, and promotional code carefully so that you'll know how to use them correctly in order to save.

You should be able to save at least $50 with a Travelocity promotion code. It all depends on which hotel, restaurant, or agency is offering it. Nevertheless, these promotion codes, along with other Travelocity discounts, will help you save a lot of money!



About the author:

Nadav Snir operates a website which includes the best travel providers, including coupons and discounts. To get the best rates possible, visit his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/Travel/index.html

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Yellowstone Horseback Riding and Whitewater Rafting

Yellowstone Horseback Riding and Whitewater Rafting



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrF1CfSB3LA&hl=en

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Money Saving Tips For First Time Visitors to Las Vegas

This was our second trip to Las Vegas and it did not disappoint. There were more hotels than last time and more being built. A visit to downtown is a must to see the light show in the roof area. A technological marvel. We heard it cost $400 million. To say we wandered around hotels every day seems a strange thing to do but anyone who has visited Las Vegas will understand how facinating that is. Even in February the sun shines and we were able to sunbath around one of the MGM swimming pools.

Five things you should do. Walk into and around every hotel. Take a roller coaster ride at New York New York. Visit the lions and dolphins at the Mirage hotel. Take a helicopter trip over the Grand Canon. And finally take an elevator ride to the top of the Stratosphere hotel to see the fabulous night time view of the Las Vegas strip and surrounding city.

I was not sure if anyone would read an article on money saving tips when visiting Las Vegas. This is the city for gamblers so who is looking to save money? But then I though that, I am not a gambler and I have now visited Las Vegas twice.

Back in 2000 my daughter and I bought my wife a surprise 50th birthday present of a four day trip to Las Vegas. The bonus being it was for four people, which included my wife, myself, my daughter and her husband.

You can fly direct to Las Vegas but this four day visit was an indirect flight stopping at Chicago for four hours then flying on to Las Vegas after four hours stop over. The return flight was the same. So our actual stay in Las Vegas was two full days and three nights. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience especially as I arrange a room upgrade to a suite which looked out over the 'Strip'. We did not gamble much as there was too much to see and do.

Our second visit to Las Vegas was a complete surprise. This Christmas we as a family decided to keep our present buying to a small token gift as we had started two new businesses and money was tight.

Our son who had not come on our first visit to Las Vegas has since had two holidays in Las Vegas with his wife and in-laws. He told us a few months before Christmas that he was taking another holiday to Las Vegas in February with the in-laws and did we want to go as well. Unfortunately we had booked our summer holiday and another holiday before that was not in our budget.

Anyway on Christmas day after all the small gifts were opened our son and his wife gave us a final gift. When my wife opened it we found a 'not new' roulette game, which we thought was a joke gift. He insisted we open the box and we found inside a picture of the MGM hotel in Las Vegas and a lovely short note inviting my wife and I to join them on the visit to Las Vegas, at their expense. We only had to find our spending money. How could we refuse? We had always wanted to go to Las Vegas with him and knew that this year they wanted to start a family and if they did we probably would never get to go to Las Vega with him for many years to come, if ever.

This time we flew direct with Virgin. I must tell you that I have flown with Virgin in the early days and thought them one of the best. But over the years I found the service from Virgin had dropped. This time the service from Virgin was top rate and I would recommend them to anyone.

On this visit to Las Vegas we were staying for a whole week, flying out on an 11am flight from Gatwick on a Friday, which meant leaving home at 5.30am, and returning a week later on a 4pm flight from Las Vegas, landing Saturday morning. Las Vegas airport is a five minute drive from the MGM Hotel.

When we arrived in Las Vegas it was decided to catch a bus to the MGM hotel. They charge $7 per person one way. On our trip back to the Airport at the end of our holiday we caught a taxi. Taxi's charge $9 per trip from the MGM hotel.

Tip 1. If you are staying at the MGM, Luxor, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, New York New York hotels, it is cheaper to use a taxi than the shuttle bus if there is more than one of you. But if you are staying further down the 'Strip' then the taxi fare goes up and the shuttle bus may be more cost effective.

On this one week trip my wife and I took to Las Vegas £1000, which converted to $1360 at Feb 09 exchange rates. We converted a further £180 towards the end of the week and paid to see a show on a credit card $160. We returned from Las Vegas with $180.

With an eight hour time difference it was mid afternoon on the Friday even though we had left the UK at 11am and had a 10 hour flight. It's really UK bedtime especially for people of my age.

Tip 2. If it's your first visit you are probably very excited and want to hit the town or hit the gambling but what ever you do try not to go to bed until it's late evening. If you go to bed too early your body clock will take longer to adjust to the time difference.

Our first impressions when we 'hit the town' after we had unpacked was that the place seemed busy as if the 'credit crunch' had not affected Las Vegas. The second thing we noticed was it was not cheap. Having had a number of 'all inclusive holidays' over the last few years we found having to pay for everything quite difficult. For people that are used to spending time in hotels the prices are probably quite normal but for us the prices such as a bottle of Budwisser at $6 seemed expensive.

We visited the New York New York hotel the first evening and the first round of drinks at a bar in the hotel was $35 for 4 bottle beers, one coke and one glass of wine. We decided to have a meal in the same hotel and five had steaks and one had pizza. Very good food. The bill came to $153 + $27 (18% tip) + $11 (15% tax) = $191. we understand from past visits to the US that it is expected to tip 12-15%, which is normally a voluntary option. To find it on the bill at 18% is a bit much, we believe.

Tip 3. We found that the 18% tip included on the bill was normally for groups of 6 or more. Therefore if you ask for your bill in groups of two the 18% tip is omitted from the bill and left to your discretion. We found that 'Dennys' do not add a tip to any bill no matter what size your group is.

The major disappointment we found on this second visit to Las Vegas was that all the 'slot' machines in all the Hotels do not dispense coins as winnings anymore. You feed in dollar bills and if you are lucky to win you will get a slip of paper dispensed as your winning. The tinkering of coins when you win was sadly missing. This slip of paper can be fed into any other slot machine in the same hotel to continue gambling.

Tip 4. If you want to hear the sound of coins dropping with your winning the only place that still uses coins is next to the hotel Circus Circus.

Not being much of a gambler I tended to watch the others but found I wanted a beer while I watched. My son had found on past visits that if you gambled, either on the slots or on the tables, you will be offered complementary drinks from waitresses or barmen at the bar. These drinks are free of charge other than a tip of a couple of dollars to the waitress or barman. The more you gamble the more drinks you are offered.

Every chair in the gambling halls is in front of a slot machine. Even at the bar each seat is in front of a gambling machine embedded in the bar.

Tip 5. It was recommended to me at a number of bars by the barmen that so long as I feed the slot machine with $20 he could feed me complementary drinks. If you win you could be drinking for free all night.

On the first evening of our stay we were advised by my son to join the 'Players' club, which meant queuing with passports to receive individual swipe cards. These cards gave you points when you inserted them in the slot machines before you gambled. If you achieved 1500 points during your stay then you may receive complementary gifts like free buffet meals etc.

Just by signing up to get a 'Players' club card mean we were entitled to a two for one deal on any of the MGM shows. This option only allowed you to buy the expensive seats at $160, not the cheaper seats at $80. We choose to go to see the Circus du Soliel which was great and cost $160 for two of the bests seats.

Tip 6. Join the 'Players' club at any hotel, as soon as you arrive, to ensure you get any complementary deals or freebies going. You can also use your 'Player' card in any other hotel in the MGM group which are:

MGM Grand, Bellagio, City Center, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, Monte Carlo, Treasure Island, Cirus Circus and Railroad Pass.

There are plenty of places to eat within the hotels and along the 'strip'. A good steak will cost you $17 upwards and a bottle of wine start around $28. There are always deals around and the MGM hotel was offering their buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner for $29 + tax, which taken individually would cost $60.

Tip 7. Before you go to Las Vegas search the books and guides that are in the shops and online for any deals and discounts that are on offer. You could save enough for your gambling.



If you live north of London as we do, then getting to Gatwick in the early hours of the morning is not some thing you can get a friend to do, especially when there is six of you. There are three options, drive down and leave your car in a long stay car park. Stay over night at a local to Gatwick hotel, which provide long stay parking, within the price of the over night stay price. Or get a taxi to take you and pick you up on your return.

Over the years we have tried all three options and when we drove down for the first four day visit to Las Vegas we stayed at the Worth Hotel near to Gatwick. Another time we have driven down on the day of our flight and left our car in a long stay car park. I would recommend using http://www.bargain-breaks.org if you want to book a Hotel or Car Park. They provide a very good and competitive service.

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Visit Yellowstone National Park, The First National Park in the World

Lower Falls, Yellowstone RiverImage by v1ctory_1s_m1ne via Flickr

Yellowstone National Park extends more than 3,400 square miles across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It is the oldest, and thus the first, national park in the world, and has plenty of geysers, hot springs, and wildlife and unsurpassed beauty to intrigue and entertain anyone looking for a glimpse of true nature at its best. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem makes up a large part of the park, and is one of the largest untouched ecosystems that are still in pristine condition. The park was named for the rocks that are found in the canyon, which was formed by floods and soil erosion from the Yellowstone River.

Native Americans inhabited the Yellowstone National Park area for many years before the park was actually established. The first American to set foot in the area was John Colter, who was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition. F.V. Hayden was the one who actually started the set up of the national park due to his explorations in 1871 of the area that is now Yellowstone.

There are a variety of things to see and do at Yellowstone National Park, including a wide array of natural wonders and landscapes, as well as an array of wildlife and activities that can be enjoyed by anyone who visits the park. And since Yellowstone is such a huge park, more than 4 times the size of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, don't plan on only spending one day here.

Yellowstone National Park is known for rafting and hiking most commonly, but is also home to great fishing and kayaking experiences. The park is not alone in its location. It is surrounded by Grand Teton National Park and Custer National Forest, which are also protected national areas in the United States. There are about 250,000 visitors each month to the park, which covers more than 2.2 million acres of area and 370 miles of roadways that traverse the park. Additionally, the most visited place within this vast park is easily Old Faithful, one of the most popular geysers in the entire world. The yellow lake that is located in the park is also among the highest altitude lakes on the continent.

There are many buildings, museums, and structures in and around the park, including the Old Faithful Inn, and Fort Yellowstone. One neat adventure you can take is a historical tour guided by the national park authority, if history is what you're interested in. One thing is certain for all visitors to the park, though, if you're going to take a vacation to Yellowstone National Park, you really need to allow yourself to enjoy at least three to five days in the park to fully experience everything that there is to see. You will certainly enjoy your vacation to Yellowstone and have memories to share for a lifetime.



Alan LeStourgeon runs a cabin rentals website where he writes about great vacation destinations and accommodations including Yellowstone National Park Lodging

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Things To Do In And Around Yellowstone National Park

Upper Falls of the Yellowstone RiverImage via Wikipedia

Each year thousands of people flock to Yellowstone National Park, the United State's oldest national park. Once visitors have spent a few days admiring the amazing geysers, waterfalls and thermal pools - what else is there to do? In one word, plenty!

Yellowstone National Park is situated in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. The park itself is criss-crossed with enough boardwalks, paths and visitors centers to keep any tourist busy. But there are those tourists always looking to add some adventure and sports to their itinerary. Here are some activities to consider trying during your Yellowstone National Park vacation.

Scenic Golfing

Montana, Wyoming and Idaho may not be the first states to spring to mind when contemplating a golf retreat, but golf enthusiasts will be pleased they packed their clubs when they arrive! There are many stunning courses located within Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding areas. With rolling foothills, open greens, amazing wildlife and challenging layouts, these courses are absolutely amazing.

Horseback Riding

When surrounded by the beauty of Yellowstone, it is very easy to imagine what life must have been like for early settlers. Booking a half or full-day horseback tour allows visitors to literally hop in the saddle and experience that feeling for themselves! Guides take tours to their very favorite places within the park - often only accessible by horseback. The scenery is breathtaking and the experience is often unforgettable for families of all ages.

White Water Rafting

Thrill seekers will not be disappointed by the offerings of the Yellowstone River, the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states. From scenic trips the kids can enjoy to pulse thumping class IV rapids, this river offers one of the best side excursions a visitor can add to their Yellowstone National Park vacation. There are several tour companies from which to choose that offer half and full day trips as well as "saddle and paddle" horseback/rafting combination trips.

Mountain Biking

Biking in nearby Teton Valley Idaho is an adventurous and spectacular excursion not to be missed during a trip to Yellowstone. With dozens of mountain bike trails ranging from truly mountainous and romantic back roads to paved beginners paths - there is a trail for every level of biker. Plenty of adventure companies offer bike rentals, trail maps and even guided bike tours.

Skiing

A winter trip to Yellowstone National Park brings forth a whole new set of possible side excursions! Some of the best white powder in the country means that there are plenty of snowboarding and ski trails to explore. The area surrounding Yellowstone offers a complete range of skiing options, but advanced and expert skiers simply should not miss the opportunity to take part in a heli-ski experience. Nothing but a heli-ski trip allows skiers to find the best virgin snow, enjoy the tranquility of nature and stretch the boundaries of skiing.

No matter your fancy, you're sure to find plenty of exciting things to do in and around Yellowstone National Park. A visit to Yellowstone is so much more than just a vacation, it can be a life-changing experience that takes us out of our hustle and bustle world and reminds us of the beauty, awe, and inspiration of nature.



Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Yellowstone National Park, visit http://www.tetonspringsresort.com.

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Rafting the Yellowstone River with Montana Whitewater

Rafting and Duckies on the Yellowstone River near Gardiner with Montana Whitewater in August



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdUc4uUYh0E&hl=en

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A River Rafting Trip - A Good Summer Vacation

Labor Day Whitewater RaftingImage by Zevotron via Flickr

Most of us are tired of the same old vacation and are looking for something just a little more exciting, while remaining safe and fun. Are you one of the many? If you want a good summer vacation, why not try a river rafting trip?

I know what you are thinking "but the kids"- not to worry, white river rafting is available at all levels. More and more of us are taking to the back country for our vacations. We're tired of the commercial vacation and looking for something that's more alive and that will stimulate our senses like never before. That's just what a river rafting trip will do for you. You'll get to see and hear the sights and sounds that nature has to offer.

If you are new to whiter river rafting, when you plan your rafting trip you'll want to make sure you choose the right package. A beginner rafting trip will be designed to get you hooked. You should start with a level one or two, which will provide you with all kinds of great adventure while keeping you save and at a level that's not difficult for you. Even as a beginner, you want to enjoy the thrill of paddling the rapids, never mind the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you.

As you get more skills you can turn it up a notch eventually making it to level five which requires a great deal of skill and stamina. But wow what a ride! Enjoy the rush of the challenge of navigating through the rapids, and don't forget to take in the invigorating surroundings. Now that's nature at its best!

The more experienced you get the more fun you'll have. Of course like any other sport or hobby it's going to take some work to develop the more advanced skills, but worth every minute. And besides what could be more fun than being able to develop those skills on the river while enjoying the sites and sounds around you.

There are some great white river rafting packages. How about a trip through Lodore Canyon? This river rafting trip will keep you enchanted from beginning to end. If you're an advanced rafter, you'll enjoy a highly technical ride that will have your oars busy all the time. And what an adrenalin rush!

Or maybe a river rafting trip through Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid country is more your style? Explore the remote canyons, crystal clear waters, and with more than 84 miles to explore you'll have the adventure of a lifetime.

Perhaps this is the summer to let the kids experience something outside the bounds of the concrete urban world most us live in. They'll have a great time and so will you! And think about the stories the kids will have to tell. Isn't great memories what life is made of?

It doesn't really matter where you plan your river rafting trip, nor the level of your skills. Because you see, your river rafting trip isn't just going to be a good summer vacation; it's going to be extra-ordinaire! And you'll have a tough time beating it next year. Get ready for the experience of a lifetime!



Terry Fitzroy is a veteran white water rafting guide and is knowledgeable in writing about river rafting and Colorado river rafting

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