Golf Vacation Destinations

By Larry Denton

Does your ideal vacation include spending hours hitting a little white ball into a hole hundreds of yards away? For many people golf is the ultimate in relaxation and even a dream vacation. Many individuals and, indeed, entire families are taking golf
vacations which include visiting some of the premier golf courses around the U.S. or even signing up for a week of professional lessons given by former or current golf pros.

Granted, golf is not for everyone and dragging your entire family on a vacation that only you enjoy might not be the best idea. However, a number of golf courses and golf clubs now offer family packages that allow you to enjoy the course while your family explores other local culture, history, sporting, and entertainment options. Many such packages will even offer the ability to plan parallel vacations so that your family can join up with another local tour group while you enjoy the greens.


So where do people go when wanting to get in some serious golfing? Major cities such as Dallas and Chicago host a number of PGA golf courses that offer an exciting, challenging experience that will challenge your skills and teach you a few new tricks. There are ever getaways in the Caribbean and Hawaii for those who want to enjoy a bit of the exotic while they play the back nine.

Some daring adventurers may find that the best golf (and a good vacation for the rest of the family) takes them overseas to England, Scotland, Germany and Ireland which are home to a number of world-renowned golf courses on which to play. While these options can be considerably more expensive than domestic vacations, they can be worth it when it comes to the experience and the culture you enjoy by visiting a foreign land.

Many golf courses are resorts in themselves offering lodging and other entertainment options. Some, such as Disney properties, include both golfing and other vacation opportunities combined into one property so that the whole family has something to do right on site.

So what does it take to get your golf vacation planned? For the most part all it takes is a destination to get the ball rolling. The PGA provides a number of recommended sites and facilities that you can visit on their website. Or you can just simply find your own course and make your own vacation. Sometimes the best vacations are those that aren't planned out by a travel agency, but one you put together yourself.

So pack up the golf clubs (yes you can take them on the plane) and get out your best golf hat. A golfing vacation is going to be a challenge that you will enjoy!

additional links
Playa Azul, Cozumel
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort Spa and Golf
Gaylor Texan Resort and Convention Center, Dallas
Four Seasons Resort and Club, Dallas
CityWest Hotel and Golf Resort, Dublin, Ireland
Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar, San Juan, Puerto Rico
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando
La Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort, Bali, Indonesia
Ocean Blue Golf and Beach Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Beijing - 2008 Olympic Destination

All the travel industry gurus predict that by 2010, China will be the number 1 travel destination in the world. After eons of social isolationism, the Chinese seem to have finally figured out that they can preserve their culture and share it with the world at the same time. As one of the featured host cities for the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing is right in the middle of this stunning turn around.

The name of Beijing's famous imperial Ming Palace, "The Forbidden City," pretty much sums up the antiquated isolationist viewpoints that have dominated China for much of it's history. Now the major cities of China are embracing technology, and welcoming the world as tourism soars throughout a country that has a more or less remained the same for the last couple thousand years.

As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is the nation's political, economic, cultural and educational center as well as being the China's most important center for international trade and communications. It has been the heart and soul of politics and society throughout its long history and consequently there is an unparalleled wealth of discovery to delight and intrigue travelers as they explore Beijing's ancient past and enjoy its exciting modern development.

The major highlights of a visit to Beijing should include the following:

Great Wall of China - the longest man-made architecture on
earth, which can even be seen from space. This should be your number one destination in Beijing.

Forbidden City - the former palaces and offices of Ming and Qing
Dynasties. It is currently a museum with countless treasures and consists of almost 9,000 rooms.

Summer Palace - the most well preserved royal resort of Qing
Dynasty. Beautiful waterfront gardens are the highlight of spring tours.

Temple of Heaven - the 600 year old Taoist temple where Ming and Qing emperors demonstrated their devotion to Heaven.

Other things to enjoy include a classic Peking duck dinner, Peking Opera, shopping and browsing in old Beijing, Tiananmen Square, The Ming Dynasty Tombs, Temple of Azure Clouds, or a visit to the National Museum of China.

The best way to see the sights is to walk. Make sure you plan to allow yourself plenty of time to see everything there is to see. Prime times for travel to Beijing are May and September, when the weather is milder. If you do plan to travel as a spectator for the 2008 Summer Olympics, be sure to plan your trip as early as possible. Be aware that some events are scheduled for early morning hours rather than in the afternoon to accommodate live western television brodcasting. Opening Ceremonies begin August 8, but there are actually soccer matches scheduled to begin on August 6, so be sure you are also aware of the scheduling of the events you're planning to attend, when scheduling your travel plans.

Most vacation trips to China are planned for multiple cities and also include Xian, and Shanghai, among others. Yangtze River tours are also a great way to see the vibrant central China provinces, where you can see everything from archaic terrace farming to the very modern Three Gorges Dam. The average vacation into China lasts about two weeks and includes four stops. With new air lanes opening up between the US and China, air service is also more readily available, which makes the planning of these visits to the other side of the world even easier.

Among destinations on the lifelong to-do list, China remains popular. And as the country continues to welcome western tourists, more and more travelers will be able to look to far east and say, "been there, done that, bought the t-shirt."

GoTravel.com's Destination guide for Bejing

Adventure Vacation: White Water Rafting in Scotland

White water rafting is fun, exciting, dangerous and now Scotland has placed itself firmly on the map as the place to do it. Since the early 1970s white water rafting has become a sport that has grown rapidly year on year. Places such as River Tummel in Scotland are now home to thousands of tourists and experienced rafters alike who take to the water each year.

With white water rafting comes more than just adventure, there is the risk of injury as well. That is why anyone who is new to the sport must understand the risks that are involved every time you enter a raft. The fast-paced nature of the sport means literally anything can happen, and not just falling overboard. Steering in and out of obstacles also means that you run the risk of collisions, so it is imperative that you understand the importance of wearing a life jacket and as well as a safety helmet. It is usually the case that rapids are given a rating between 1-5 for how complicated they are, so remember and start low before working your way up. 1 is the lowest and would be suitable for young children and beginners, whilst a more experienced rafter may be able to take the challenge of a rapid classed as 5.

With the growth of rafting as a recreational activity and a sport, many improvements in the options that are open to people have become available. This means that lazy rafters looking for cheap frills without wasting energy can now look towards motorised rafts, rather than the traditional human-powered raft. This is also a great way for people to settle into the experience of riding a rapid, without the added worry of steering and powering the raft at the same time. It is also worthy of note that many say the motorised element can remove much of the fun associated with the sport.

Scotland and white water rafting now go hand in hand for a number of reasons, not least the great facilities. Scotland is home to highly skilled and qualified instructors in the area of white water rafting, but that is just the start. Places such as Grandtully, Dunkeld and Averfeldy have world class facilities for experienced rafters and beginners alike. Not only that, but Scotland is also home to dam induced rapids that mean rafters do not have to count on conditions to be sure they can have a great days sporting activity.

As Scotland continues to grow as the place to live the white water rafting experience, it is also becoming home to many sporting events in the international arena. This is not only raising the profile of white water rafting within Scotland, but also has a positive impact on the country as a whole. The areas in Scotland where rafting is most prominent are also tranquil and unspoiled, and therefore are suitable for holiday makers who want to enjoy the great sporting opportunities and the quiet country side at the same time.

Accomodations:
Hilton Dunkeld
Kinnaird Relais & Chateau Hotel
Hilton Dundee


by Peter Syme, of Splash White Water Rafting in Scotland

Top 5 Poker Rooms in Las Vegas

Top Five list provided by Jack Reider, professional gamer

If you want to experience live poker action at the gambling Mecca of the world, here is a guide to the top poker rooms in Las Vegas. You can read here updated info on each of the recommended Las Vegas poker rooms including their game variety, limits and tournaments.

1) Bellagio Casino and Hotel
If you want to experience Las Vegas poker action and hang out with pros, the Bellagio is the casino for you. It is one of the classiest poker rooms available in Las Vegas. It is so popular that you might find yourself spending over an hour at the waiting list and then find yourself stuck with a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs.

The games offered are Texas Holdem, Omaha and stud games, and you can also join one of the tournaments, but note that this involves playing No Limit Holdem. As for the table limits for the regular games, these are as follows:
a) Limit Holdem: 4/8, 8/16, 15/30, 30/60, 60/120, 75/150 dollars and up.
b) No Limit Holdem: 200 dollars buy ins with 2/5 dollars blinds.
c) Omaha: 6/12, 15/30, 20/40, 30/60, 50/100 dollars and up.
d) Stud Poker: 1/5, 4/8, 8/16, 30/60, 75/150 dollars and up.

2) Mirage Las Vegas
If you are tired of waiting for a table at Bellagio, the poker rooms at the Mirage can be an acceptable alternative. It resembles Bellagio's with its luxurious atmosphere, variety of games and its huge popularity among pros as well as tourists.

The games offered are Texas Holdem and Omaha, Stud and as the Bellagio, playing in a tournament means getting involved with No Limit Texas Holdem. As for the limits of each table in a regular game, they are:
a) Limit Holdem: 3/6, 6/12, 10/20, 20/40, 40/80 dollars.
b) No Limit Holdem: between 100 and 500 dollars buy ins with 2/5 dollars blinds.
c) Omaha: 5/10 dollars.
d) Stud Poker: 1/5, 5/10.

3) Excalibur Las Vegas
If you want to play in a less stressful environment, check out the poker room at the Excalibur casino. You can play spread limit Holdem with the lowest limits available on the Strip and enjoy beginners friendly rules such as limitation on three raises. The room has been renovated recently and the poker tables and seats are very comfortable.

At the Excalibur, you can play Texas Holdem or 7 Card Stud, and the limits are slightly lower:
a) Limit Holdem: 1/3, 2/6 dollars.
b) No Limit Holdem: 100 dollars buy ins with 1/3 dollars blinds.
c) 7 Card Stud: 1/5 dollars and up.

4) Binions' Horseshoe Hotel and Casino
If you want to play at the same room where the first WSOP took place, you must visit Binions' poker room. Although the casino has been renovated and went through many changes since the days of Nick the Greek, the ghosts of the past still haunt the place, but in a good way.

Here too you can play Texas Holdem, No Limit Holdem in their own tournament, Omaha and Stud games for the following limits:
a) Limit Holdem: 2/4, 4/8, 10/20 dollars.
b) No Limit Holdem: 100 dollars minimum buy ins with 1/2 dollars blinds.
c) Omaha: 4/8 dollars.
d) Stud Poker: 1/5.

5) Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino
If you want to follow in the steps of the 2006 WSOP champions, check out the Rio poker room. You might be surprised from the size and the small variety of games, but the thought of sharing the same location with contemporary gaming legends adds a certain appeal to it.

Other than taking part in the tournament where you can participate in some No Limit Holdem, you can pick from Texas Holdem, 7 Card Stud, Omaha or a few other variations according to what players request. The limits are as follows:
a) Limit Holdem: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8 dollars.
b) No Limit Holdem: 100 dollars minimum buy ins with 2/5 dollars blinds.

Keep in mind that you are not by any means limited to only playing in the hotel where you stay. Strip shuttles are the key to hitting all the hot gaming spots. Think about how you plan to spend your days (or nights) and book at the hotel that best suits those plans - you can play cards anywhere you want.

For a weekend trip, you might want to book a hotel closer to the center of the strip, then spend one day going south and another day going north... and if your luck runs out, you can always take in the sights: the mesmerizing fountains outside the Bellagio, or the spectacular fountains and volcano outside the Mirage are well worth the price of (free) admission.

The ABC Islands of the Caribbean

Exploring The ABC Islands
by: Justin Burch


As a group, the ABC islands offer an incredibly distinctive Caribbean vacation. Consisting of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the ABC Islands were under the control of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles until 1986. In that year, Aruba gained independence, though the island is still aligned with the Dutch Kingdom. Today, the Willemstad, Curacao serves as the capital of the Netherlands Antilles, a colonial grouping which also governs Bonaire and the smaller islands of St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba. As a result of Dutch rule, each of the islands is dominated by Dutch colonial architecture and custom, though in most cases infused with colorful local flourishes. Yet, despite this European influence, the ABC islands are as exotically Caribbean as you can imagine. From the diverse sporting opportunities to the wonderfully rich history, these Caribbean resort islands definitely have much to offer any type of traveler.

Aruba, the most southwestern of the ABC Islands, is located 42 miles from Curacao and a mere 15 miles from the coast of Venezuela. The premier Caribbean resorts are located in Aruba, the most developed and glamorous of the ABC Islands. As a result, over one million visitors are attracted to the island each year. But Aruba has far more to offer than glitzy Caribbean resorts, casinos and restaurants. Nearly 20% of the island is devoted to Arikok National Park, home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Caribbean. The island is also a popular destination for water sports, hosting an internationally recognized windsurfing competition each year. For many travelers, Aruba represents the ideal, picture book Caribbean vacation.

Bonaire, on the other hand, is the least developed of the ABC islands. The primary attractions here are the coral-filled waters off the coast and the laidback ambiance of the island. About 25 years ago, the local government designated much of the sea surrounding the island a marine park, preserving the reefs and beaches for the enjoyment of scuba divers and snorkelers. Expectantly, over half of the island’s annual visitors come to explore these waters. Beyond the 60 official dive sites, Bonaire is also known as a top bird watching destination. Inside the sprawling Washington-Slagbaai National Park and throughout the island, over 200 species of exotic birds can regularly be spotted. For a relaxing Caribbean vacation away from the crowds, Bonaire may be the perfect island.


Curacao, the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles, lies between Aruba and Bonaire in the Caribbean Sea. The island boasts an interesting history, visible in the museums and vibrantly painted buildings of the island’s capital, Willemstad. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is also home to the oldest operating Hebrew synagogue in the Western Hemisphere and several other historic sites. Walking the streets of this colonial treasure, you will hear residents speaking four distinct languages: Dutch, English, Spanish and the indigenous Papiamentu. This cultural diversity is also present in the island’s cuisine, some of the most unique fare in the Caribbean. Like the other ABC islands, the opportunities for fun in the water are limitless. There are also plenty of great options for families including the Curacao Seaquarium and plenty of quiet, unspoiled beaches. While Aruba is the most luxurious of the islands and Bonaire the most pristine, it could be said that Curacao rests somewhere in between.

~ editor's note ~
With daily flights departing from Miami to Curacao, it's well within the American vacationer's reach to plan an island hopping vacation that takes advantage of the unique characteristics of all three of these Caribbean gems. Many cruise lines also offer Caribbean cruise itineraries that include stops at Aruba and/or Curacao, giving the traveler yet another opportunity to see these tropical locations up close and personal. Visitors to Venezuela can also take advantage of the short boat trip across the water to see historic Willemstad, enjoy the ultimate dive locations in Bonaire, or even plan a wedding in romantic Aruba.

Ten Reasons to Visit Norway

The Vikings influenced most of Europe, and even part of North America, but a quick view through any Nordic travel guide will have you wondering... why were they in such a hurry to go somewhere else?

Here are the top ten reasons for the globe-trotting family to book a cruise to Norway:

• Sites of historical and cultural significance
  Norwegian cruises offer a vast selection of shore excursions where visitors can disembark to experience the country’s rich culture and heritage—from architecture, museums, and literature to festivals, concerts, and other great performing arts.
• An extremely safe destination
  Norway is an economically stable and high-tech country situated in a calm corner of the world.
• Lots of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages (family friendly)
  Nature lovers experience mountain walks, camping, fishing, golf, polar expeditions, and so much more—all appropriate for different ages and fitness levels.
• Amazing landscapes
  From waterfalls to fjords to parks, the Norwegian coastline includes more than 67.000 enticing islands, enabling cruise ships to sail in beautiful sheltered waters.
• Easily accessible air travel
  Travel from the US and other destinations in Europe is easy, with as many as nine airlines serving travelers.
• Family-friendly hotels
  You will even find a collection of hostels who cater to backpackers, providing inexpensive lodging for the adventurous.
• Modern lifestyle and cosmopolitan cities
  The combination of big city life, a diverse array of cultural activities and easy access to untouched natural surroundings have made Oslo an increasingly attractive destination for travellers from all over the world.
• Warmer than many nordic destinations thanks to the Gulf Stream
  While winters can still be cold enough to warrant a large coat and scarf, often simple layered clothing is enough to keep travelers comfortable the rest of the year.
• Easy entry
  Upon entering Norway you must present a valid passport and/or document proving your nationality, but Americans staying less than 90 days are not required to have a visa.
• Friendly English-speaking population
  Many tourists look upon Norway as a safe destination and discover how warm, engaging, and welcoming Norwegians are. A large portion of the population is proficient in English as a second language and can converse easily with travelers from the US.

Additionally, Norway claims one of the premiere Heritage sites in the world. You will find two of the world’s three longest fjords in Norway. UNESCO has included Norwegian fjords on its World Heritage List, and National Geographic has ranked Norwegian fjords the most popular of all World Heritage sites.

Norway also boasts one of the most highly rated train rides in the world - the trip between Oslo and Bergen, hitting heights of more than 1200 meters above sea level!

Currently about 18 different cruise lines makes ports of call in Norway. Maybe you should see what all the excitement is about?

http://www.visitnorway.com

Diving Into the Far Reaches of the Caribbean

When you mention Caribbean vacations and water sports, a lot of the same names come up - Grand Cayman, Nassau, Aruba, even Bonaire for the most avid divers. But there are other locations around the bright blue sea that are underused, but becoming ever more accessible.

Trinidad & Tobago may not spring immediately to mind when you think of a scuba vacation, but there's no reason to keep this destination off your list of dive sites. First of all, consider its location: neighboring islands are Grenada and Barbados to the north, and the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao to the west, and to the south, you have the lovely coast of Venezuela. So why aren't more divers plowing through the pristine waters?

Consider again, the location: Trinidad & Tobago are about as far away from the US as you can get and still be regarded in the Caribbean. And in point of fact, it's just a location that's not all that well-known in the US as a vacation or adventure destination. The folks in charge of tourism development are ready to change all that.

New hotels are coming into service this year, among them, the 428 room, 5-star Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center, which is part of the Port of Spain's International Waterfront Development initiative.The hotel will include luxury amenities as well as complete convention and business facilities. The Hyatt is expected to open in the fall of 2007. See the links listed at the end of this article for more details.

For dive enthusiasts, you'll be happy to know that US-valid dive certifications can be obtained in the warm tropical waters through DiveTNT. This 17-year old diving operation has locations on both islands - at the Coral Cove Marina in Trinindad and in the town of Charlotteville in Tobago. DiveTNT has certification programs to suit beginners and pros, ranging from simple Resort Dive training to Rescue Diving.

Links:
DiveTNT
Hyatt Regency
Neighboring Aruba
Lodging Options:
Ancon Club All Inclusive
Trinidad Hilton