Summer Vacations Cannot Be Beat!

For those of you gearing up in anticipation of the joys of summer vacations, now is the time to begin planning. While winter is a good time to get away, there's no time better than when the temperature is warm and the kids are out of school. Energy is in the air, and if you're ready for it, summer vacation will be ready for you. The following are some specific places to consider visiting this year.

If you're history minded or just like to see people dress up, Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia may be the place for you. The people of this town will amuse and amaze with their town that hearkens back to the time of the American Revolution. The style of clothing, the buildings, even many of the local recipes date back to this important era of American history. There are even mock battles between the minutemen and the redcoats!

If you or your kids like Garfield the Cat, you'll love Lake Compounce. This lake in Connecticut holds a theme park with rollercoasters, drop towers, a waterpark, and is the official summer home of Garfield. Besides enjoying the regular attractions you and your children can also watch Garfield perform in his very own musical.

Do your kids like music, jazz, even? Even if the answer is no, the Montreal Jazz Festival features something for everyone. For adults there are long, romantic nights in clubs and at stages listening to all the eras of illustrious jazz history, from modern jazz all the way back to the roots of the great musical form, the blues. For the kids there is a vast play zone with musical instruments that they can actually play, like a giant piano, as well as games, clowns, and arts & crafts. This is one of those summer vacations that is perfect for couples wishing some 'alone time' while the kids are off having their own fun.

For anyone who likes roller coasters, the reputed Roller Coaster Capital of the World is at Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio. Not only roller coasters inhabit this park, but also a water park, an historic hotel, and there is something for everyone in the family. Cedar Point is a must see.

For those on a budget who've always wanted to see Las Vegas, the Excalibur Hotel may just be perfect. Like so many of the hotels and casinos in Vegas, the Excalibur plays to a theme of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The real King Arthur never enjoyed summer vacations like this. In addition to traditional clothing and speech, there are sword fights and duels -many provided as entertainment while you dine like, er...a king.

Though you may have never heard of the Mexican poet Quintana Roo, nor of the Mexican state named for him, tourists have been having mind-blowing, fantastic, even memorable summer vacations here for years. Featuring the renowned town of Cancun, there are miles and miles of some of the warmest and cleanest beaches in all of the Americas.

Wherever you imagine your summer vacations, imagine big, because there are great attractions to see wherever you look on the map. Surf's up!


Vacation Definitions, Terms and Acronyms:

• Residence Inn - a hotel chain credited with popularizing the extended stay concept.
• Hostal (Spanish, plural hostales) - a type of lodging which tend to be somewhat nicer than youth hostels but cheaper than hotels.
• Boutique hotels - hotels which differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing more personalized accommodations and services / facilities.