Top 10 End-of-Summer Vacation Getaways

Ranking	Trip Advisor	Comments
1.	Santa Fe, New Mexico	Yes, this has to be one of my all time favorite locations. When there, don’t forget to visit the many Native American reservations, the wonderful O’ Keeffe museum, as well as the house where she used to live, and last but not least, the nearby town of Taos. delightful. Yes, I want to go. Another good time to go is around XMAS.
2.	Calistoga, California	Ah, the wineries. It is not just Calistoga that is interesting and beautiful. It is the whole Napa-Sonoma wine country area that is well worth visiting and staying at … for a while. Well, given that I got married there in that wonderful Napa valley area, I am biased towards this destination. Check out Tra Vigna restaurant for a fabulous meal. There are some sophisticated spas in this area to check out as well.
3.	Tybee Island, GA	Never been.
4.	Southampton, Bermuda	We have lots of wonderful Bermuda travel tips on this site.
5.	Glenwood Springs, Colombia	Colorado is unique; one of the better spots there.
6.	Montreal, Quebec	My husband’s home town and yes, a MUST DO once in your life. If you go in August, you can catch the world famous jazz festival which will permeate the entire city when on. It is a lovely spectacle. Yes, the food is good in Montreal, as is the art scene. Other worthwhile day trips have to include Quebec city and the little villages above it.
7.	Provincetown, Mass.	Never been.
8.	Bar Harbor, Maine	Personally, I’d save my Maine trip for Fall when all the colors are turning and Maine offers spectacular views.
9.	Molokai, Hawaii	Find dolphins and large turtle in the ocean. Great hiking as well for those so inclined. Absolutely gorgeous!!! A ‘must-go-once-in-your-life’. Be ready for romance and excellent weather.
10.	Riverhead, N.Y.	Ok, but not in my top 10.

Be sure to use the search function on this site to learn more about romantic getaways for the weekend or longer, at the lovely holiday destinations mentioned today.

Enjoy your summer!

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

When planning Napa Valley travel, you should understand the key areas that make up the majority of Napa Valley. Calistoga, St. Helena, Oakville/Rutherford, Yountville, and Napa are towns that offer winery tours, pleasant accommodations, and other activities that tourists can add to their Napa Valley travel itinerary. As Napa Valley is well known for its wine, adults will find plenty to do, but children may not be quite as thrilled.

Calistoga became popular in the early 1800’s when settlers discovered the amazing restorative properties of the area’s natural hot springs. From that day forward, tourists arranging their Napa Valley Travel itinerary, and who are seeking a little rest and relaxation, have flocked to Calistoga. Harbin Hot Springs is a non-profit organization that offers relaxing Napa Valley travel choices. At Harbin Hot Springs, guests can relax in any of the resort’s natural springs, attend artistic workshops, or stroll the 1700 acres of impressive landscape.

Located in St. Helena, Beringer Vineyards is California’s oldest winery in full operation. Founded in 1876, Beringer offers daily tours and wine tastings for a very affordable price. The vineyard is packed with lush landscaping and historic buildings. St. Helena is also a haven for antique shoppers. The area’s extravagant Meadowood golf course will appeal to the avid golfer. Couples needing a mix of activities on their Napa Valley travel itinerary will enjoy St. Helena.

Any movie buff knows the name Francis Ford Coppola. Formerly known as the Niebaum-Coppola Vineyards, Rubicon Estate in Oakville/Rutherford continues to produce top-notch wines. Rubicon Estate offers special estates throughout the year. The St. Helena Olive Oil Company is another “must see” on many Napa Valley travel itineraries. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar are both produced daily and can be sampled in the retail section of the company.

Yountville, California is no more than one mile in length. Tourists love adding Yountville to their Napa Valley travel plans because the town can be seen by foot. Park your car, put on some comfortable shoes, and see the sites. Amazing architecture is only one of the rewards. France’s Moet and Chandon sister company, Domaine Chandon, is located in Yountville. Daily tours of the winery that specializes in sparkling wines are free. While a trip into the tasting room lets you enjoy a few samples.

In Napa, La Belle Époque remains a highly requested bed and breakfast. Romantics of all ages book rooms at this gorgeous Queen Anne Victorian months in advance. The Wineries of Napa Valley is a unique organization that offers samplings from many of Napa Valley’s wine makers. The Wineries of Napa Valley sells a wine tasting card that allows ten-cent initial samplings from each winery in the establishment.

Whether you are arranging a romantic Napa Valley travel plan or wanting to explore the world of winemaking, Napa Valley is a lavish option. Though the area can be a little on the pricey side, Napa Valley travel plans create a lasting memory.

About the Author

For more information on the best Travel Deals Online try visiting Ultimate Travel Deals Video located at vacation-travel-deals.com/traveldeals.htm where you will find valuable information on cheap tickets and other information.

Travel Trip Vacation Tip

Golden Getaways: California Hotels from $95

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Summer is here – outdoor venues event calendars are looking plump! Everyone is gearing up for concert picnics, outdoor plays, and summer concerts – even restaurants and eateries are offering gourmet picnic baskets to take to these events. Get your hats, umbrellas, beach chairs, and picnic blankets ready!

One particular event that I look forward to this summer is the California Philharmonic’s Festival on the Green. It’s held at the Los Angeles Arboretum every summer in succeeding weekends. Each performance features a theme (Classics, Dance, and Movie themes to name a few). This event started in 1997 – a vision of Maestro Vener. The event came a reality with the help community leaders and the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department. This year is definitely special as Festival on the Green is celebrating its 10th year.

There are many events happening in other parts of the country – if you are a big literary fan, the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR is the event for you. Founded in 1935, this Tony Award Winning event is among the oldest theatre events in the country. Started by a teacher from South Oregon Normal School, Angus L. Bowmer, the festival was officially launched on July 2, 1935. Bowmer’s idea is to create a festival in conjunction with the city’s Fourth of July celebration. In 2001, the 10 millionth ticket holder was welcome. This festival is definitely one to check out!

An event that has been gaining worldwide notoriety is the Burning Man Project. Founded by Larry Harvey and Jerry James in 1986, it started as an annual fire party at Baker Beach in San Francisco. This event began with a humble group of friends and now grew to a community of 25,000 people. There are different descriptions of this event… Some say it’s Art festival, some would describe it as music festival, and others a social experiment. It is probably a combination of all these – it seems the Burning Man Project is what you want it to be or how you experience it to be. The only way to find out is to go there yourself!

Whatever you are interest in; there is a summer event for you. There’s music, arts, theatre, culinary, and many more. Definitely plan ahead and get your tickets early, as most of the very popular events sell out months in advanced. Be sure to check out the events websites to see any restrictions (such as age, alcohol, transportation, etc.), if any.

About the Author

To see a calendar of events happening this summer – music, concerts, festivals, theatre, culinary – visit The WhereWhen Project:
thewherewhenproject.com Calendar access is free with no registration required… And if you have an event to promote, posting events are free as well.

Travel Trip Vacation Tip

Golden Getaways: California Hotels from $95

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

Hundreds of gorgeous, inspiring photos grace this first-of-the-series book, “San Luis Obispo County Wineries” which highlights the world-renown wineries of California’s Central Coast. The lavishly illustrated book from author and photographer Janet Penn Franks makes the tour of the county’s many early and newly established wineries easy, fun, and informative. San Luis Obispo County Wineries is currently available throughout North America for a suggested retail price of $35.00.

San Luis Obispo County Wineries

The grapes were used to make sacramental wine.

San Luis Obispo County’s world-renowned wine country presents residents and visitors with an unforgettable adventure in wine tasting. Dozens of picturesque tasting rooms set among vineyard-covered valleys and rolling hills offer guests a feast for the eye and award-winning vintages to please the palate. “I am pleased to present this first-of-the-series book,San Luis Obispo County Wineries,” said Franks, who has also published the second-of-the-series release, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY WINERIES, as well as several Web-site pieces and numerous magazine articles on Central Coast architecture and history. “Wine tasting has significantly increased in popularity during the last decade so my goal was to offer comprehensive and user-friendly guides that outline the Central Coast wineries.”

San Luis Obispo County Wineries profiles 60 of the region’s premier wineries and features the history of area winemaking, which highlights many old wineries that are now world-renown for their world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot, Roussanne, Viognier and sparkling wines and port. “San Luis Obispo’s first vineyards were planted more than 200 years ago when the King of Spain sent Catholic priests to colonize rugged Alta California,” said Franks. “The grapes were used to make sacramental wine.” During the past ten years, Central Coast Wine Tasting has become a huge industry and sampling the region’s offerings makes for the perfect California Wine Tour. Wine tasters of any level–novices to aficionados–can enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean with its miles of uncrowded beaches while sampling the many fine wines this spectacular region has to offer.

A Helpful Wine Country Travel Guide

Both informative and inspiring, San Luis Obispo County Wineries offers the following helpful guidance:

* Gives an informative history of area winemaking
* Explains AVA (American Viticulture Area) designations
* Outlines the setting and history of each profiled winery
* Pairs selected wines with signature recipes from each winery
* Lists winery locations, tasting-room hours, winemakers’ specialties, banquet facilities, and contact information
* Offers a glossary of wine terms
* Provides lodging suggestions for visitors

How to Get the Travel Book

You can get the book, San Luis Obispo County Wineries, from our online Amazon store, conveniently brought to your home.

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

Lake Tahoe is shared by two states, California and Nevada, with two-thirds of the lake located in California and one-third in Nevada. It is situated between the Sierra Nevada and the Carson Range and is surrounded by very large mountainous peaks. It is the eighth largest lake in the world.

The water is crystal clear (99.1 percent pure) and visibility at times measures two-hundred feet deep. It has its own natural filtering system with water filtered through marshes and meadows before running into the lake.

Sixty-three streams and two hot springs feed the lake and make it popular for fishing. Trout and salmon are the natural inhabitants. Mackinaw and Rainbow Trout are found in the waters of Lake Tahoe. Shore fishing is popular, but the Mackinaw Trout are best found at two-hundred foot levels. The Kokanee Salmon is a sport fish, hard to catch and presents a real challenge for the sport fisherman. Lake Tahoe’s fishing season is open year-round and either a California or Nevada fishing license is required.

Lake Tahoe is considered one of the favorite vacation and recreation places, with over two million visitors a year. Summer is the peak season (July 4th through September 1st). It offers the best outdoor activities and entertainment. Hiking, biking, water sports, golfing, camping, fishing and rock climbing are just a few of the outdoor activities enjoyed by visitors to this area.

There are several sandy beaches where sun bathing and swimming can be enjoyed, with even a nude beach for those so inclined. Age requirement on this beach is eighteen years.

There are several areas where visitors can take short hikes, but be aware that proper clothing is required due to possible weather changes. A wilderness hike is available that takes you through the desolate wilderness. It is twelve and one-half miles long with nature in the raw. High water stream crossings and sudden stormy weather can happen any time. A permit is required to take this hike.

Winter sports include skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowmobile and ice skating. The ski slopes have fifteen downhill and twelve cross-country ski ranges. This is the largest ski resort in the United States. Over half of the winter visitors to Lake Tahoe go there to ski.

Rock climbing is done in Bear Valley located in Central High Sierra Nevada, at Phantom Spires and Sugarloaf on South Lake Tahoe. Sugarloaf has a pitch of approximately 350 feet and is a popular climbing site in the winter, while Bear Valley offers climbs no higher than 100 feet. Phantom Spires’ climbing is steep and best climbed in early summer through fall season.

In addition to the outdoor activities, Lake Tahoe boasts some of the best casino hotels around – Caesars, Harrah’s, Harvey’s and Horizon. The casinos present top-notch entertainers year-round and have outdoor concerts in the summer. You can expect world class accommodations at the hotel casinos at Lake Tahoe with luxurious guest rooms, fine dining in their restaurants, swimming pools, spas and, of course, the casinos. Casinos are open twenty-four hours a day with some of the best gaming tables. The accommodations for Harrah’s and Harvey’s have been awarded the AAA Four-Diamond award.

Yes, the casino hotels even have wedding chapels with an experienced staff to help in planning a wedding, reception and honeymoon package. The chapels are beautifully designed and make a lovely setting for a wedding. Bridal suites are also available in the hotels.

So, whether you want outdoor activities or just simply enjoy the luxurious casino hotels, Lake Tahoe is definitely a place to consider for your next vacation.

About the Author

Michael Russell is your Independent guide to Lake Tahoe

Travel Trip Vacation Tip

Golden Getaways: California Hotels from $95

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

Those of us who live in the States are lucky. We have one of the best National Park systems in the world. We also have fast, efficient Interstates that will take you close enough to most of them that you don’t have to worry about off-roading in your RV!

But what makes those parks so great is really the breathtaking natural beauty that is preserved there. Every place in the world has its unique sights to see, but you just can’t beat standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon watching the sun go down.

Here is a brief introduction to 3 of America’s oldest and still best national parks, Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Yellowstone National Park – Southern Montana and Northern Wyoming

Yellowstone is the first, and many consider the greatest National Park in the United States. It’s a wonderland of spouting geysers, unique rock formations and other leftover evidence of a massive volcanic explosion over 600,000 years ago.

Don’t worry, it’s all cooled off now. At Yellowstone, you can see the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful. Early settlers thought it was a noxious spew from hell itself, but nowadays we know it’s just a geothermal process, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting.

Yellowstone has a reputation for being crowded, and it’s true that it’s a popular destination. If you really want to see the park, park your motor home and hike off the beaten path. Yellowstone has lots of great hiking trails, more than enough for everybody to enjoy without crowding each other. There are plenty of day hikes with spectacular views.

Yellowstone has at least 12 different campgrounds, and they’re all first come, first served. Before you go, you’ll want to call ahead and see about fire restrictions. If you’re with the family and you want to stick to some luxurious digs, there are KOA’s and other commercial campgrounds just outside the park with more modern conveniences where you can park your motor home or RV.

Yosemite National Park- Eastern California

Yosemite is another one of the oldest national parks in the United States. The wilderness of Yosemite represents all kinds of terrain, including meadows, valleys, mountains and great forests, and it’s not too far from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Probably the most amazing thing about Yosemite is the waterfalls. It has more waterfalls than any other single place on earth. Steep cliffs of granite abound, and from certain points in the valley you can see seven or eight big ones at once. It may be tempting, but don’t try swimming in the pools, because the force of the water can knock you senseless.

Yosemite also boasts one of the biggest forests of sequoias in the world. These ancient trees stand tall, their tips pushing way up into the sky, like the California Redwoods.

There are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, and some of them accept camping cars, trailers, motor homes and RV’s. If you plan on heading to Yosemite, it’s best to call ahead and make a reservation. In the summer months, the campgrounds fill up quick.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – The North Carolina and Tennessee Border

If you like the outdoors, Great Smoky has it all. There are more hiking trails than probably any other area in the US, as well as great fishing and camping. Compared to the parks out west, you’ll see lots more wildlife and plants. Also unlike the west, the weather is mild and there’s plenty of humidity to keep you from dehydrating.

Another reason to head for the Smokies is to experience real, authentic Appalachian mountain culture. There’s mountain music, storytellers, and all kinds of family fun.

Great Smoky is also a great place for RV drivers, because there are lots of auto tours. The park boasts roads where you can see great views, old historic buildings and vast forests as far as the eye can see.

Of course, this is just a basic introduction. You have to see these parks to believe them. These are definitely three places you want to hit at least sometime in your life.

See the States coast to coast in your home on wheels. Your family motor home lets you travel in style. Visit Bankston Motor Homes, http://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com/, to search for your next motor home or come by and visit with us at any of our five locations.

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

A discussion of top notch golf courses is a lot different than a discussion of favorite golf courses. Although each golfer might have his own favorite, there are a few that have always stood out.

Anyone with a serious interest in golf will have heard of St. Andrews in Scotland. This is not only a Mecca for serious golfers, but is also where the game originated. St. Andrews is really a whole series of different world class courses that surround the town and run along the rugged Scottish coast near the town of St. Andrews. Although some of the courses are over 100 years old, there are some new and modern courses mixed in for variety. Despite year round play, these courses are among the best maintained in the World. It appears that the Scotch have the experience to do this job correctly. They are known for hosting the British Open.

The courses at St. Andrews are across an ocean which poses a slight disadvantage for the American golfer and many who make this journey are a bit shocked by the higher costs and green fees here. Most people are too blown away by the awesome scenery and the sense of golfing history to notice and the thrill of playing St. Andrews is rarely a disappointment.

The Augusta National Golf Club is another top notch course. It was designed and built in 1933 by golf legend Bobby Jones and has hosted the Masters Golf Tournament since 1934. It is a private club golf course that has been in the news recently for more than just the Master’s Tournament. There are only about 300 members. The membership fees range fro $250,000 to $500,000 a year and in its entire history no female has ever been a member. Although women are allowed to play the course as guests of members, they are restricted from membership. This caused a bit of a stink recently as the National Organization for Women put pressure on the club to change its policy.

Pebble Beach in California is like St. Andrews in Scotland. It is not just one golf course, but rather a series of top notch golf courses all in one location. Pebble Beach could be better called a golf destination than a course. There are seven public or private courses located at Pebble Beach. The Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the public courses and is possibly the most top notch course in America. It is the one of only two courses in America to make the top of the “best courses” list in Golf Digest.

St. Andrews, Augusta, and Pebble Beach might be the most top notch golf courses in the World, although another writer might pick another for this list. In the end, the choice might be personal. The most top notch course in the world, to an individual, might be where they shot their first par or even where they first learned to play and love the game.

About the Author

Aazdak Alisimio writes about golf courses for GolfClubCourse.com.

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

Sonoma County is famous as one of the largest wine producing regions in the world. Sonoma, located in the southwestern portion of California’s wine-making region, has always been known for its fantastic wine. In the 50 years following Prohibition, Sonoma county wine production faltered. With the growing consumer interest in wine, Sonoma experienced a dramatic rebound in the 1980’s, with the establishment of over 125 wineries. Today, with over 250 distinct vineyards, the Valley produces an enormous amount of high quality wine. In 2004, almost 200,000 tons of wine grapes were harvested, worth more than three hundred million dollars.

While wine is the main economic engine of this California county, it’s certainly not the only attraction. Beautiful landscapes provide scenic vistas and hiking. Sonoma County also has great beaches that are less crowded than many other destinations. Finally, the Sonoma and Mayacamas Mountain Ranges create a sharp contrast with the Valley, adding to the spectacle. All of these visual factors have contributed to making Sonoma a center of art, with galleries and museums continually opening.

The most visited art museum in Sonoma County is the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. The museum is located at 551 Broadway St. in Sonoma, only a half block south of Sonoma Plaza. Admission is 5 dollars during the week, but free on Sundays. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors since 1999, the SVMA exhibits incorporate work from local, national, and international artists across various medias including paint, photography, and sculpture. The SVMA also stages a number of events in the Sonoma Valley throughout the year. With more than 1,000 members, the SVMA is the largest visual organization in the San Francisco North Bay region.

Another option is the Sonoma County Museum, located in the city of Santa Rosa. This museum is dedicated to the rich history and art of Sonoma County. The most prized possession of the Sonoma County Museum is the collection of work by renowned artists Christo and Jean-Claude, donated in 2001 by Tom Golden.

The Sonoma Valley is also home to an ever-expanding collection of art galleries. These galleries serve different functions. Some provide an outlet for local artists to display their work, while others sell fine art. In addition, some vineyards also house an art gallery on the grounds.In such galleries it is common to see that the art will be wine related. Combining a day of wine tasting and art viewing is one of the most pleasant ways to experience the Sonoma Valley.

Coordinating much of this art is the Arts Council of Sonoma County. Its mission is to enrich the community of Sonoma County through art. The Arts Council accomplishes this through encouraging art programs in schools. This comes full circle when local artists remain or return to the area after further training to produce art. The Council also sponsors events throughout the year to bring artists together.

Sonoma County is known across the country for its wine production. Grapes aren’t the only things growing here, however. Visitors to the area can also enjoy the incredible nature-inspired art in galleries and museums across the county.

ZaZaGallery. Located in the wine country and I must say that our art is the buss in our community. Our fine art prints are gallery wrapped using the finest canvas and inks to create a museum grade art piece. Our product is unique so visit us by clicking wine art Thank you Hugh Parker

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

No matter which of the US national parks you choose to visit, you will discover intriguing wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

There are a handful of parks, however, that offer things that you won’t find anywhere else.

From the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the stunning gorges of northern New York, the United states offers some spectacular natural scenery. Enjoy this brief journey through those parks.

Everything about California’s Yosemite National Park is big. The park itself is roughly the size of Rhode Island. The Sequoia trees are absolutely humongous, while the El Capitan is the world’s largest granite monolith, standing 3,593 feet tall.

If you really want to see Yosemite in all of its glory, make your way to Glacier Point. You will see the incredible Half Dome, as well as the grand Yosemite Valley. Everything about the park makes it one of our national treasures, a gem of our US national parks system.

Yellowstone National Park was the very first US national parks and the prototype of many future parks. Home to nearly 300 geysers including the infamous Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone sits atop an active volcano bed centered over Yellowstone Lake which has been theorized to erupt only a few times over the past two million years.

Hot springs, steam vents, and waterfalls heated by the lava flows just beneath the surface provide extraordinary scenery for any visitor of the US national park. Life still teems in every corner of this hostile environment.

From the colorful micro-organisms found at Mammoth Hot Springs to the bald eagles soaring overhead, Yellowstone proves that life can propagate anywhere.

Upon first glance, the Grand Canyon National Park seems to be the ripped off of an alien planet and dropped in northern Arizona. The canyon itself is a wonder to behold unmatched by anything else in the national parks system.

Carved out by the winding Colorado River, some parts of the canyon are a mile deep and eighteen miles wide creating multi-colored vistas revealing the Earth’s prehistoric past.

The south rim is where most of the more popular scenery can be found because it is the most easily accessible. The north rim is a much longer drive but has been touted by many explorers to have the best views of the canyon inside this beauty of US national parks.

The canyon is the main event for this park but there are plenty of side shows to explore: ride the rapids down the Colorado River, explore the Hermits Rest history landmark, or hike in the backcountry to discover your own secret part of the Grand Canyon. Whatever you do here, you will leave with new respect of the grandeur of nature.

These US national parks are but a select few from the national parks system that defy the definition of what is a national park and treads into a territory of wonder.

There are many spectacular parks to visit, each with its own beauty and wonder. Exploring nature and parks around the country is a wonderful way to learn of history and respect for the environment.

About the Author

National Parks can be an intriguing and beautiful experience for anyone. Learn more about the US national parks at Mike Selvon portal. While you are there leave is a comment at our National Park blog, and receive your FREE gift.

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.

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By Sam Berman

For a location known primarily for best of class skiing Lake Tahoe offers an amazing choice of activities. Even though outdoor activities are the most most familiar ways to have fun there are so many indoor activities that everyone is sure to find something to please.

Let’s start with the casinos. Most of the Nevada side casinos, including MontBleu Casino, offer a full range of activities besides gambling. Also featured are top live shows, truly fine dining and every kind of shopping.

Hiking has always been among the favorite activities at Tahoe in the warmer months. The Mount Tallac/Glen Alpine trail offers a six mile hike to a breathtaking vista of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake and the High Sierra. For the truly adventurous there is the Tahoe Rim Trail which, at 152 miles, completely circles the lake and provides some of the most jaw dropping landscapes to be seen anywhere in the world.

For a glimpse into the heritage of the Lake Tahoe area try the Thunderbird Lodge, begun in 1936, which started out to be a vacation resort, but as the building went on the eccentric owner found himself more and more interested in the indigenous history, the flora and fauna of Tahoe. The site was eventually sold to the US Forest Service and the mansion remains as the last and best example of a great individual residence in the area.

For those interested in the natural wildlife of Tahoe no stay could be complete without a stop at Eagle Lake, famous for the wild Eagles often spotted at the lake. It can get very busy on weekends so plan to arrive early.

Additional leading hiking trails typically include Echo Lakes offering an easy to moderate trail past both the lower and upper Echo Lakes and many other smaller lakes along the way. An even easier choice is the Rainbow Trail which is a handicapped-accessible, paved trail and features many signs by the walkway creating a self-guided tour.

Another great view point that isn’t well known is the Stateline Fire Lookout just a 45 minute hike off the road. The lookout area is cleared so nothing obstructs the alluring views that are worth the easy walk.

A beautiful way to enjoy the lake if you enjoy biking is the Ring Around the Lake bike trail. At 72 miles you will probably just select one portion to do.

While we’re talking about the lake we must mention the Dixie Queen paddlewheel boat providing daytime and dinner cruises. The Dixie Queen offers a fun and memorable bring out of any trip to the Lake.

If you want the ultimate in views with very little effort then check out the Squaw Valley Tram. The tram runs year round from Squaw Village up to the observation facility, restaurant and swimming pool build for the 1960 Winter Olympics. Heavenly also offers an thrilling Tram ride operating all year.

This list should not be considered close to complete. I haven’t even touched on many of the other popular adventures such as hot air balloon rides and, of course, the main winter attraction of downhill skiing and boarding.

With so many fun adventures awaiting you why are you sitting there reading this article? Go have some fun. Go find some Tahoe fun!

Vacation Rentals 4 Lake Tahoe (http://www.vacationrentals4laketahoe.com) offers a complete resource for Tahoe fun and adventure.

Copyright 2008 by Travel Trip Vacation .com. All Rights Reserved.