http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/184860_articles-united-states-other.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:25:27 GMT Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:25:27 GMT http://RealAdventures.com http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/184860_articles-united-states-other.htm 100 100 http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1197895_NBA-City-A-Theme-Restaurant-for-Sports-Enthusiast http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1197895_NBA-City-A-Theme-Restaurant-for-Sports-Enthusiast Articles Florida Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:04:20 If you are in Orlando with your kids or if you have some sports enthusiasts in your family then spending an evening dining at NBA City will be a big hit. Established in 1999, NBA City has twice been voted the best Theme Restaurant by the Orlando Sent -
If you are in Orlando with your kids or if you have some sports enthusiasts in your family then spending an evening dining at NBA City will be a big hit. Established in 1999, NBA City has twice been voted the best Theme Restaurant by the Orlando Sent


If you are in Orlando with your kids or if you have some sports enthusiasts in your family then spending an evening dining at NBA City will be a big hit. Established in 1999, NBA City has twice been voted the best Theme Restaurant by the Orlando Sentinel and this praise is also echoed by many visitors to the restaurant.

It is easy to see the appeal. You dine in an atmosphere that is rich with sports memorabilia and with flat panel TV screen showing either live action sports or choice videos from the NBA archives highlighting exciting moments, performances and rivalries from Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant.

If your kids, or you, want to test basketball skills then there is an interactive area where there are games for all ages. Yes, you can shoot some hoops at this place.

The restaurant's menu features a mix of American cuisine, including grilled steaks, hamburgers, fresh pastas, brick oven pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. The desserts are made from scratch. The price is moderate with the average price for a meal coming in under $15.

Although the menu sounds ordinary, the cuisine has garnered a lot of praise from ordinary customers and connoisseurs alike. The respected Fodors Review said "The NBA memorabilia and video games are great, but the food is actually the real draw here."

The restaurant is 17,500 sq. feet and seats up to 352 on two levels. Private party space is available from an intimate VIP room for 25 to a cocktail reception for 800.

If you really want to watch sporting events in style then you should try the SkyBox Lounge. With a good view of Universals CityWalk area. The SkyBox Lounge is an upscale lounge serving cocktails and showing nonstop sports action on 20 different TVs.

Before you leave from NBA City you may also want to get an NBA jersey or other gear from your favorite basketball team. You can get your hearts desire in the wellstocked merchandise area.

NBA City is great for family outings but it is also attractive for group events as well, and they host numerous parties throughout the year as well as a variety of corporate events, youth group outings, team functions, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, church outings and much more.

In case you are wondering about the location of NBA City, it is in the heart of Universals CityWalk area. This is an entertainment, dining and shopping complex loaded with night clubs, restaurants and theme restaurants.

Here is the exact address and phone number NBA City Orlando, 6068 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, P (407) NBACITY . The restaurant is open daily from 1100 AM and the closing time is flexible depending upon the business.

So, if you are going to spend some time at the theme parks in the Orlando area this year and are looking for an interesting dining spot, then save some time for NBA City. You and your sportsloving family and friends will be appreciate it.

Mark & Whichard writes frequently on Orlando Tourism and is a specialist in Orlando vacation home rentals. Visit his website http// www.orlandosfinest.com for information about condos, vacation homes and villas for rent in the Orlando, Florida area
Details & Reservations: NBA City A Theme Restaurant for Sports Enthusiast
RealAdventures | Florida Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1187945_Yurtilicious http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1187945_Yurtilicious Articles Wyoming Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:02:52 Three seniors from Texas embark on an exciting adventure into Yellowstone National Park where they stay in Yurts, Xcountry ski, showshoe, and experience the beauty of Yellowstone in the winter. -
Three seniors from Texas embark on an exciting adventure into Yellowstone National Park where they stay in Yurts, Xcountry ski, showshoe, and experience the beauty of Yellowstone in the winter.


Have you lost your mind?

When I first broached the subject of a winter Yellowstone adventure my wife Jeni seemed excited. After all we had been there in the summer and the fall and we know Yellowstone to be a magical place.
It was when I told her that we were going to stay in Yurts that she began to become suspicious.
You want me to stay in a tent with the outside temperature sometimes reaching forty degrees below zero? What is wrong with you Jake?
It took some convincing on the part of Yellowstone Expeditions Erica Hutchings to change Jenis mind. I was determined to go with or without her.
Great food, warm yurtlets, superior guides, and beautiful scenery combined to make this trip one of the most memorable trips ever for the three seniors from Hideaway, Texas that decided to step out of their comfort zone and into a winter wonderland.
XCounty skiing, showshoeing, and photography were a part of the daily routine in the Yurt camps.
Its true that I love adventure. But what good is an adventure unless you can share it with someone you love. At least that is the way I feel. I wanted Jeni to go on this trip. She had passed on the five day whale watching kayak trip in the San Juan Islands and I was determined that this was a trip she would thoroughly enjoy.
I just had to get past the cold weather image she had. Erica helped with that. She explained that the yurtlets where we would sleep had insulated walls, a thermostat, and a propane heater that would run you out. She also helped by discussing the heated shower and sauna. Finally Jeni bought in...but conditioned on a new down filled jacket, new boots, and warm mittens were needed. Oh well!
Discussing the trip around our little community was interesting. Everyone thought we were crazy. (They knew I was and now it must be rubbing off on Jeni). Everyone but one person, Nancy Motley who had lived in Alaska for some fifteen years. It was right down her alley and she signed up to go with us. (Now there three crazy people in Hideaway)
Next came the swarm of about 900 earthquakes that the news reported near where we were going. If we heard that once we heard it a thousand times.
We also knew that there are over 2000 earthquakes in Yellowstone each year and that it is long overdue for a big one.
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITIONS FOUNDER AND OWNER ARDEN BAILEY GOT IT RIGHT
I wanted something that had personal service but a way to experience some of the wildness and remoteness of the back county of Yellowstone and not just the same sort of thing that every one else does. said Bailey. After twentysix years of having this business and thirty years of taking folks into Yellowstone I can tell you that every day I get to vicariously experience Yellowstone again for the first time through other peoples eyes. Thats the exciting thing for me.
I remembered myself being a much better xcountry ski person than I showed with four face plants. I am thankful neither Jeni nor Nancy had their camera at the ready when I was stuck upside down. Jeni reminded me that it has been eleven years since we were on those skinny skis. Where does the time go?
My camera was always at the ready and I have the picture of both Jeni and Nancy to prove it.
About the only thing Nancy, Jeni and I didnt see on out trip was a wolf. We saw lots of coyotes and everything else you can imagine. And pictures. Wow. We have them. Yellowstone in the winter is a photographers disneyland and a nature lovers delight.
Want something wonderful, warm, and fun? We recommend Yellowstone Expeditions. They can be reached at YellowstoneExpeditions.com or 800.729.9333. Arden or Erica are truly wonderful people.










Details & Reservations: Yurtilicious
RealAdventures | Wyoming Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156731_Ontario-Quetico-Park-canoe-trip http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156731_Ontario-Quetico-Park-canoe-trip Articles Minnesota Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:01:35 Canoe trip taken in 2007 into Quetico Provincial Park, a canoe only wilderness -
Canoe trip taken in 2007 into Quetico Provincial Park, a canoe only wilderness


John & Lynns Fall Quetico Trip Detours and Low Water

Lynn & I usually go out on our trip around September 10th since that is about the time things slow down a little at the shop. It happened that we had two customers that needed to be dropped off on the north side of Quetico, at Nym Lake. We chose to take advantage of the van ride and paddle the north side as well, starting at Stanton Bay which is about 20 miles from Nym.

The route was planned to take us from Pickerel Lake and out through Sturgeon, to Lac La Croix where a tow boat would pick us up and take us over to Crane Lake. The only thing I worried about was the Deux River. In low water conditions it can be impassable, so I called a Canadian outfitter I knew to get some info. He said that there were 3 beaver dams to pullover but you could still get through.

Day 1 September 10th at 6 am we met the Sheltons (father & son), packed up the van and took off. We had John Duke (aka Duke) drive us up. We stopped in International Falls to gas up and get some breakfast. After crossing the border, we stopped in Canada to pick up some bait & our Ontario fishing licenses. (Note as of 2007, no live bait at all will be allowed in Quetico).

After we dropped of the Sheltons at Nym, we drove over to Stanton Bay. There is a quarter mile portage to Stanton Bay that has a large, nice boardwalk on it. Duke gave us a hand with the gear. Then we set off, heading south out of Stanton Bay. We entered Pickeral Lake, which is a large lake with lots of sandy beaches. At one time there was a large dam on Pickeral but between the years of 1978 1983, the dam was dismantled. This reduced the water levels 4 5 feet, down to their original levels and created the sandy shoreline.

We headed toward Emerald Island and Pine Portage Bay. As we got closer we spotted dark smoke curling upwards just ahead of us. A bit closer & we saw an area of Pine Portage Bay peninsula in flames, the fire snaking up the trees, burning the needles and making the sounds of a rather large bowl of Rice Krispies (snap, crackle, pop). We stopped and took several pictures of the blaze. As we left we saw a plane circling overhead.

We headed over to the 94 rod Deux Rivieres Portage into Dore Lake. On the south end of Dore there are some Indian pictographs and right before the next portage we spotted a sunken barge just below the water. This barge was used by people moving west over the Dawson Portage in the 1870s. The next 142 rod portage follows a shallow stream which leads to Twin Lake. After doing the portage into Twin we ran into 4 solo canoers who were coming from the Deux River area, which was where we were headed. They told us that they had just spent 2 hours trying to do the Deux and had given up! They had chest waders on and had mud almost all the way up. They had talked to a Quetico Ranger a week before who had given them the same info we had received, that the river was passable. Obviously conditions in the fall can change pretty fast. The same thing has happened to us when giving information on routes, luckily though, not too often.

I decided to change my route to exit at Beaverhouse Lake. This would still give us two days for ourselves and not increase the portaging too much. We found a nice campsite on an island on the south part of Twin Lake. It was set high up and had a great view. That night we listened to the small German shortwave radio I had brought and got up to date on football game scores. As we sat around camp we were also serenaded by the mournful howl of a nearby wolf pack not once but twice. When we woke up the next morning we were treated to another two serenades as well! This area is filled with wildlife. A Park naturalist has said that this one of the best parts of the Quetico to find moose, wolves, bald eagles and osprey.

Day 2 That morning I used our satellite phone to call our office to inform them of the change & to have them switch the pick up point and schedule a flight out of Beaverhouse instead of a tow at La Croix. We backtracked our way out to Pickeral Narrows and met Matt Shelton & his dad paddling towards us. We gave them the bad news about the Deux River and suggested they go around through Bisk, Beg, Bud, Fern and Olifaunt to get to Sturgeon, which was their next goal.

At the end of Pickeral there is a narrow spot which shows 2 portages on the map. We were able to paddle through the first area but had to do the next short portage. At that portage we met a Canadian couple who were traveling with their two gorgeous and well behaved malamute/husky dogs. We were now on Batchewaung Lake where we settled in at an island campsite with a great view of the evenings sunset.

We had two short portages, in and out of a small pond to get into McAlpine Lake. The map shows just one portage but there is a large beaver dam which must be portaged around. McAlpine is a long lake, five miles long, and narrow. There is a small rock cliff which has an Indian pictograph as well as some kind of spiral abstraction. The west side of the lake is very shallow and littered with large tree stumps. The portage out of McAlpine is a series of portages around beaver dams. We spotted a muskrat on the shoreline and a large flock of Canadian geese.

Day 3 4 Once on Kasakokwog, we followed the north shore down to the middle of the lake where there is a bunch of camp sites. My buddy, Jeff Hway, told me about a nice sandy beach site. We found it and set up camp, planning to stay here for two nights. It was very nice, sand beach, facing west, set in a big stand of red pines, with a small island in front of it. After dinner we enjoyed a great sunset. When it got dark I lit up the lantern (Quetico had a fire ban). We had a cocktail and talked about how the trip had gone so far. Except for the low water, we had great weather and the wind at our backs.

The next morning we slept in late & then got up to do some fishing. Since I knew nothing about this lake, I decided to do a lot of trolling. We took our rod holders & heavy rods set with 17 test and a 8 deep diving Shad Rap. After a few passes we picked up some pike and a few smallmouth bass off a point near our campsite. We switched over to crawlers & jigs and caught some more bass. After fishing we went for a swim, did some reading and then got our stuff ready for traveling the next day. We had a great dinner which included some of Cache Lakes fry bread, yum!

Day 5 That morning we woke to a beautiful blue sky. We jumped into the canoe and took off. We had another three miles to cross Kasakokwog and we checked out a couple campsites along the way. Back in the southwest corner of the lake is a 75 rod portage which was very rocky. We were able to paddle down the creek a ways before we had to portage. There were about three beaver dams we had to either go over or walk around. The last quarter mile was low water & very mucky and we sank to our knees in mud. We were very happy to finally spot Quetico Lake.

The wind started to pick up from the southwest, right in our faces. This wind forced some smoke and ash toward us from a fire in Quetico Lake. We made our way through some islands and were able to use them for a shield. Finally the wind calmed a bit and we were able to explore the rugged, rocky northern shoreline. In Quetico Lake there are at least four displays of Indian pictographs, all relatively easy to spot since they are at the base of steep cliffs. The easternmost set is exceptionally good and is nearly hidden under a low rock overhang. This one has many figures a moose, a canoe, three people, a caribou and several abstract drawings.

Day 6 We paddled past the narrows that lead to Cirrus Lake and began to look for a campsite on Eden Island. We found one right away that Lynn went to check out. It was very high, set on a granite ledge just off a long winding trail and would have taken a lot of work to get our gear there, so we passed it up. We found one near Eden Island, very nice but with one drawback, it was exposed to the wind. The next day it was very windy and the lake had a good chop to it. We fished off shore and got a few bass and pike. Afterwards we went back to finish reading our books and then got everything ready for an early departure the next day.

For breakfast our last morning we had Harvest bars & KoolAid. The wind wasnt too bad but we could see rain moving in. We paddled to a big point off Eden Island and took a small break. From this point we headed west into a narrows. There were a lot of beautiful red maples found here. We also saw a bunch of mergansers and an osprey. This was a perfect area to take pictures.

Just as we started the next 24 rod portage it began to rain on us. After the portage we followed the south shore down a little. A mile after a big point there is a nice sandy bay and that is where the Canadian Ranger Station on Beaverhouse is located. This station is closed after September 6th. We reached the shore around 930 a.m. and it began to rain harder. We spotted two other people who had just pulled up to the station. We all took cover in an old cabin that had sort of an enclosed porch on it. The couple, Patty & Paul Payne, was also waiting for a floatplane to pick them up. Their flight was supposed to be at 930 and ours was to be at 130 p.m. With the low cloud ceiling, neither appointment looked like it was going to happen.

Paul & I took a canoe out on the lake to try for a better satellite connection. They called Jay Hamburg, owner of Campbells Cabins of La Croix & Quetico Air Services. Jay said he couldnt promise anything but there was a slight possibility of a small air opening for around 200 p.m. While waiting to hear a floatplane arrive, we sat on the porch and chatted with the Paynes. Then Lynn took out our Coleman Max Expedition stove and made a nice hot soup, combining our wild rice soup mix with Pattys cream of broccoli. After lunch the rain has subsided quite a bit so we decided to explore a bit. We checked out the other cabin, seeing if we could sleep there overnight since we didnt really think wed get picked up that day. But then at 145 we were startled by the sound of a large plane overhead. We couldnt see it until it hit the water. Jay had sent an Otter plane (one of the largest floatplanes) and his most experienced pilot, Rob, who was 65 years old. Patty knew Rob from previous flights and said, I like my pilots with gray hair!

We loaded the plane but were only able to put one canoe on it. Our canoe was left behind and Jay would have it picked up the next day. We flew so low that we were able to clearly see the colorful trees we soared over. Rob had to make a quick turn to avoid a fog bank and was only able to take us as far as Crane Lake, not all the way to Ely. I had called our shop and had a driver bring a van up to Crane Lake. After landing at Crane and checking in at the U.S. Customs, we went over to Scotts and bought a couple beverages & some snacks. Soon our van pulled up and we took the drive back to Ely. The drive on the Echo Trail was a maze of reds, oranges and vibrant yellows and was a gorgeous way to end our trip.

We had a great trip with six out of seven days having great weather. We saw & heard lots of wildlife, viewed lots of pictographs and experienced wilderness fires, luckily without being threatened by them. A great trip indeed!


Details & Reservations: Ontario/Quetico Park canoe trip
RealAdventures | Minnesota Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156222_Bourbon-Country-Urban-Bourbon-Trail http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156222_Bourbon-Country-Urban-Bourbon-Trail Articles Kentucky Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:12:40 Louisville is the perfect destination to start/end your Bourbon Country adventure. Nowhere else in America will you find 7 of the best stocked & most celebrated whiskey bars in the world on the citys Urban Bourbon Trail. -
Louisville is the perfect destination to start/end your Bourbon Country adventure. Nowhere else in America will you find 7 of the best stocked & most celebrated whiskey bars in the world on the citys Urban Bourbon Trail.


The Urban Bourbon Trail in Louisville

Louisville is the perfect destination to start and end your Bourbon Country adventure. After all, Louisville is the home of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, Louisville Slugger and Muhammad Ali. Its a city with unique, worldclass museums and more art galleries than coffee shops. Its a city where oneofakind is practically commonplace. Nowhere else in America will you find eight of the best stocked and most celebrated whiskey bars in the world along Louisvilles one and only Urban Bourbon Trail. Walk, take a horsedrawn carriage, or take a cab because theres something new and exciting each night along the Urban Bourbon Trail.

Urban Bourbon Trail Bars
The Bar at Blue
Bourbons Bistro
The Brown Hotel Bar
Makers Mark Bourbon House & Lounge
Park Place on Main
Proof on Main
The Old Seelbach Bar
Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar at The Galt House

Distilleries of Bourbon Country

JIM BEAM
The worlds largest Bourbon distiller. The seventh generation of the Beam family just may be waiting to shake your hand and give you a big hello. Stroll the grounds, visit the historic T. Jeremiah Beam home, and enjoy a sample or two of the distillerys handcrafted Small Batch Bourbons.

BUFFALO TRACE
Legendary explorers, pioneers and settlers followed ancient paths of buffalo that led America westward to new lands and adventures. Buffalo Trace is located at a point on the Kentucky River that intersected the trail known as The Great Buffalo Trace. The rolling green hills are the perfect backdrop for a warehouse tour, or seeing how this Bourbon is made, and just plain enjoying a taste.

FOUR ROSES
The Spanish Mission style architecture of the distillery building is your first hint of the unique and mellow experience to come. Starting at the Welcome Center, visitors are treated to detailed tours, giving you a taste of the history of Kentucky Bourbon. Hear the history of Four Roses itself, dating back to the 1860s, and of course, how Four Roses uniquely distills 10 distinct Bourbon recipes to create some of the worlds most popular Bourbons some of which are not sold in America, or outside of Kentucky. It is an experience that allows visitors to see, smell, feel and taste the distillation process.

HEAVEN HILL
Americas largest independent familyowned distillery. Among the rickhouses where the worlds second largest supply ages, you can explore interactive exhibits on the birth of Bourbon, the roles of whiskeymaking pioneers Evan Williams and the Rev. Elijah Craig, and the process by which the distillery makes its Bourbons. The experience continues with a tour through one of the working rickhouses, ending with a Bourbon tasting in a unique barrelshaped tasting room, where you can create you own personalized bottle to buy and take home.

MAKERS MARK
History awaits you in this storybook setting outside the charming town of Loretto. This is the nations oldest working distillery on its original site and has been named a National Historic Landmark. Step back in time as you stroll through the buildings and grounds on a guided tour and discover how this worldrenowned Bourbon is made by hand every step of the way. At the end, you can purchase and handdip your own bottle of Makers in its signature warm red wax to take with you.

WILD TURKEY
Bourbon has been distilled here for generations. Sitting on the crest of a hill overlooking the Kentucky River, the Wild Turkey Distillery makes a statement in simplicity, as simple and unadorned as the traditional methods used inside. The legendary Jimmy Russell still watches over this timehonored process that allows you to follow along from grain delivery to bottling even watch as new Bourbon is poured into handcrafted oak barrels and sent to age in timber warehouses.

WOODFORD RESERVE
Located in the heart of Kentuckys scenic Bluegrass Region and surrounded by thoroughbred horse farms youll find, the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Now a National Historic Landmark it is on a site originally chosen by Elijah Pepper as a perfect place to distill Bourbon back in 1812. A guided tour is kept purposely intimate to allow you the opportunity to speak with guides and gain a closeup look at the distillation process from copper pot stills to the only surviving stone aging warehouses in America. The visitors center provides a panoramic view of the entire 78acre site and celebrates the living history of Kentucky Bourbon.

Visit the Louisville Visitors Center at 4th and Jefferson in downtown Louisville for Bourbon Country Merchandise & to pick up your Urban Bourbon Trail Passport. Monday Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

1888Louisville
Details & Reservations: Bourbon Country & Urban Bourbon Trail
RealAdventures | Kentucky Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1025961_Daytona-Beach-getaway http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1025961_Daytona-Beach-getaway Articles Florida Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:09:19 Daytona Beach has 23 miles of beautiful beaches. The atmosphere is casual, so leave your fancy clothes at home. You can enjoy the arts and culture scene with flip flops and a sunhat. - US $100 Per Night
Daytona Beach has 23 miles of beautiful beaches. The atmosphere is casual, so leave your fancy clothes at home. You can enjoy the arts and culture scene with flip flops and a sunhat.




Daytona Beach A Place to Relax and enjoy the Sun

Leave your fancy clothes at home

By Arvin Steinberg



Leave the world of chauffeurdriven limousines, tux and tails behind and enter the laid back world of Daytona Beach, where you can don blue jeans, wear flipflops and eat at the fanciest restaurant in town without a jacket.

Daytona Beach is a Florida getaway that doesn't' put on airs. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself at your own speed. It's also a place you can enjoy the finest beaches, worldclass sports attractions, excellent museums, and firstclass restaurants.

For me, Daytona Beach was like a tranquilizer. The beach itself is world famous. I couldn't wait to experience it. As soon as I put on my swimsuit and stepped on the white sand, I was in a different world. Everything seemed so calm.

The beach was superwide &8211 so wide and flat that cars and trucks rode on it. Many years ago automobiles actually raced on it. The ocean near my hotel was unbelievably calm and very shallow when you first entered. I didn't have to fight the waves.

There are 23 miles of beautiful beaches in the Daytona Beach area. As I looked down the beach in either direction, it appeared that all of the waves were breaking in unison. This symmetry was intriguing. The waves breaking slowly over and over created a calming, relaxing effect.

However, for those who to like to surf there are beaches where the waves are high and robust.

There is also a boardwalk on the beach with some exciting rides. I could spend everyday of my vacation on the beach and many visitors do. But there is so much more to do and see in Daytona Beach.

The Daytona International Speedway was a mustsee on my visit to Daytona Beach. The Daytona 500 race is the most watched motor sports event in the world when attendance at the track and television viewing are combined. Estimated attendance for the Daytona 500 is 200,000 and more than 29 million watch it on television.

I had heard they had tours of the Speedway, but that's only a small part of it. Located at the Speedway is DAYTONA USA, an interactive motor sportsthemed attraction. This is an interesting and exciting entertainment experience for hardcore race fans and casual observers. It offers lots of fun for the whole family. In addition to the thrilling interactive features, there are historical exhibits such as the Goodyear Heritage of Daytona history walk.

A good place to start your visit to DAYTONA USA is by taking a 30minute guided tour of the Speedway. The tour takes guests on an openair tram through the Speedway's garage area. The tour is narrated and you see Pit Road, Victory Lane and the worldfamous 31degree high banks where cars race at over 200 miles per hour.

There are two new motion simulator rides at DAYTONA USA&8212&8220Daytona Dream Laps&8221 and &8220Acceleration Alley&8221. &8220Daytona Dream Laps&8221 is a ride that seats 32 guests for a fullrange motion experience racing at the high banks of the Speedway. On the &8220Acceleration Alley&8221 ride you hop inside a racecar, buckle up and take a simulated ride at high speeds that combines motion, video, and sound.

Other activities include going over the wall at Ford's 16second pit stop challenge to test your skills in a live pit stop.

One of the most popular attractions is the Daytona 500 movie, a largescreen format film presented on a screen 55 feet wide and almost three stories tall in the Pepsi Theater. You see the movie in the realism of 3D, and with the accompanying sounds you feel as though you are behind the wheel of one of the racing cars.

Tickets for DAYTONA USA including the Speedway tour are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $14 for children 612.

If you want the real thing, for an additional charge of about $130 you can first don a racing outfit including helmet. Then climb through the window of a racing car on the Speedway track, strap yourself in, and ride next to a race driver at high speeds around the track. I saw many racing enthusiasts waiting in line for their chance to be a semiparticipant in this highspeed sport.

Whether or not you are a baseball fan, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark is an interesting place to visit in Daytona Beach. This is where baseball legend Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated baseball game. The ballpark was built in 1908, seats 3800 fans, and is the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

It is also a museum with plaques and photos documenting the life of Jackie Robinson. It explains Robinson's childhood, how he excelled in many sports in college, and the humiliating experiences he faced as the man who broke the color barrier in major league baseball. It also lists many of his accomplishments such as playing in six world series and being voted MVP in 1949 in the National League. But for me the one that tells it all, was that after Robinson's retirement from baseball, his &8220number 42&8221 was also retired by every major league baseball team. It's a real pleasure to visit this historical ballpark and watch the Daytona Beach Cubs play. Tickets are only $5.

Another fun way to see Daytona Beach is by an amphibious adventure on a trolleyboat. It leaves daily from the Ocean Walk Shoppes and takes you on a drive through historic Daytona Beach. It then enters the Halifax River where you are given a narrated tour of the history and wildlife of the area with great views of the riverfront mansions. The trolleyboat then leaves the river and drives you back to the Ocean Walk Shoppes.

At the Ocean Walk Shoppes there's lots to do. There's a new Bandshell featuring concerts with an ocean view and a beachside theater showing ten movies. There's also a delightful Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant for some casual fun, good food, based on the Forrest Gump movie with plenty of Forrest's favorite fixins.


A visit to the Museum of Arts and Sciences is a wonderful way to spend some relaxing and interesting hours in Daytona Beach. All six permanent collections are excellent. I especially enjoyed three of them.

The Center for Florida History collection tells the story of Florida's historical and cultural development from prehistory to the present complete with interactive features. It centers around a 13foot tall skeleton of a Giant Ground Sloth which was excavated in 1975 in a fossil site called the Daytona Bone Bed. This huge vegetarian could have weighed three to five tons and eaten a daily ration of 300 pounds of plants abundant in the area.

The Cuban Museum collection is the largest Cuban Museum in the world outside of Cuba. It contains rare 18th, 19th, and early 20th century maps, documents, lithographs, paintings, furniture, sculpture, and ceramics arranged chronologically. Rare photographs help establish a sense of time and place.



The Root family's collection is not only interesting, it brings back a lot of memories. This is an astounding display of more than 800 Teddy Bears, ranging from seven feet tall to only a few inches in height. Each Teddy Bear represents a different time period or theme, and portrays everyday scenes such as a &8220Teddy Bear Wedding&8221, complete with bridesmaids, groomsmen, and a minister.

The Root family has also amassed one of the most historically important anthologies of the American soft drink, CocaCola, on which their family fortune was founded. The collection includes just about every conceivable item relating to bottling, advertising, and consumption of CocaCola.



The Root's collection also includes an impressive array of decorative arts, china, silverware, and glasses collected from 85 of the nation's railroads, hotels, and restaurants. Two actual railroad cars are also displayed in this permanent collection.

There are still lots of other fun things to do in Daytona Beach. You can spend an hour or two at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, and climb to the top if you wish. It's the tallest lighthouse in Florida.


Not far from the lighthouse is the Inlet Harbor Marina & Restaurant. The seafood is fabulous. There is a lot of freshly caught fish on the menu. It's a nice place for lunch or dinner (they have sunset specials if seated by 6 p.m.) with a lovely waterfront view. You can dine inside or on the riverfront outdoor deck. It's casual dining. A live band playing on the outdoor deck added to the festive Caribbeanlike setting.

Greyhound racing is also another exciting attraction in the area. They race at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club. Children are welcome with a parent or guardian.







Details & Reservations: Daytona Beach getaway
RealAdventures | Florida Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1184238_A-Little-Wine-A-Little-Shopping http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1184238_A-Little-Wine-A-Little-Shopping Articles California Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:09:02 Here's a comprehensive discussion of all the best wineries in both Napa and Sonoma California that also offer great shopping. It's the perfect way to please a crowd with varying levels of interest and stamina when it comes to wine. -
Here's a comprehensive discussion of all the best wineries in both Napa and Sonoma California that also offer great shopping. It's the perfect way to please a crowd with varying levels of interest and stamina when it comes to wine.


Spending a day in Napa and Sonoma is a delight, especially for adults, but even in wine country its not just about the wine, theres shopping too! After all, due to the nature of alcohol, there is a limit to how much wine you can taste. Not only do you want to stop before you have a hard time climbing back into the car but also, the taste buds become saturated after a while so that unless you cleanse them with water and food, all of the wines start to taste the same. Of course, due to differences in physiology, some people will want to keep tasting new wines after others have reached their saturation point. To make sure that the trip is interesting to everybody, pick wineries later in the day that combine good wines and great gift shops. Here are some favorites and why.

When you come to wine country via the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a group of wineries on Route 121 just north of where you turn off of Route 37. Our best recommendation these days is the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. Every day their gift shop gets more interesting. For the moment, the wine tasting is complimentary and the attached Olive Oil Company, where you can sample the flavored oils, has their own gift shop too making this stop a winning combination. Make it the first stop on the way into the valleys or the last stop on the way back to the city.

Just to the north of Jacuzzi is Cornerstone Place (look for the gigantic blue lawn chairs directly opposite the entrance to Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves). Cornerstones combination of unique stores, fascinating galleries, playful gardens, food and wine tasting is also a great way to start or end any tour.

Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery They have, without a doubt, the best winery gift shop in Sonoma. Because they have been around for so long (the winery started in 1906) people often relate them to their previous incarnation as a jug wine producer, however today they make excellent wines that are a great value, in part because they own so many vineyards, and have for so long. For the moment, their wine tastings are also complimentary and people always come out smiling. The historic Plaza is just minutes away, which is a wonderful place for shopping, filled with a wide variety of galleries, tasting rooms, clothing stores and specialty items.

Leaving the Plaza, head north up the Valley of the Moon where there are several wineries that we think have especially great gift shops. B.R. Cohn Winery has a wonderful collection of items and their olive oils are as good as their excellent wines. A little farther up the valley is Imagery Estate Winery where many of their products are based on the original art that they commissioned for their wine bottle labels. Chateau St. Jean Winery devotes a large part of their main tasting room to their gift shop with branded products with a wine and food tilt. Just past them is Landmark Winery which has a charming gift area that includes a tribute to their John Deere family tractors.

When you go up the Napa Valley, there are some wineries that really shine giftwise. In the heart of Rutherford, Rubicon Estate is the most elegant gift shop in Napa stylish, unique, and accompanied by great wines, a charming espresso bar and graceful seating outside that can accommodate the whole family. Plumpjack Winery, which is just off the Oakville Crossroad, naturally offers great wines, but it also has one of the most charming gift shops, in part because it's so comfortably close to the tasting bar. At the base of the Silverado Trail, Darioush offers unusual gifts with a Persian flair in a spectacular building that shouldnt be missed.

Many times, late in the day, we have dropped shoppers of at the north end of St. Helena, close to the restaurant called simply Market to enjoy the nice variety of shops. Well catch up with them at the south end of town in the parking lot of Sunshine Market, a great place to pick up that sparkling water for the road. Thanks to the wonders of mobile phones, one segment of the party can go shopping while the others continue their wine tasting. Everyone is happy! There are a number of good wineries close to St. Helena including Beringer, St. Clement and Merryvale, all of which have very nice gift shops.

For nonwinery shopping, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, just north of St. Helena, and Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in downtown Napa (next to the Oxbow Market) both have spectacular, cooking related gift shops. Of course there is always The Premium Outlet Mall in Napa (take the First Street exit on Route 29.) This is especially popular with international visitors who can reconnect with their old friends named Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ann Taylor and Liz Claiborne (just to name a few.)

One of the most important goals on a tour is to find places that everyone in the group is going to enjoy. We make it a habit to ask our clients about themselves, so that we can connect the dots in the best way. Our clients safety, comfort and enjoyment are our main concerns, and sometimes the thing that makes the best accompaniment to a day of wine tasting is a fabulous new pair of shoes.

Details & Reservations: A Little Wine, A Little Shopping!
RealAdventures | California Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156857_Florida-Beach-Vacations http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156857_Florida-Beach-Vacations Articles Florida Tue, 20 May 2008 15:05:55 Florida beaches are some of the best in the world and ideal for relaxing vacations in the sun. With over 1,100 miles of beaches, the florida coast has the perfect beach for every visitor. -
Florida beaches are some of the best in the world and ideal for relaxing vacations in the sun. With over 1,100 miles of beaches, the florida coast has the perfect beach for every visitor.


With over 1,100 miles (1760 klms) of beaches that stretch along the Atlantic and Gulf Of Mexico shorelines, the Florida coastline has a beach to suit every visitor. No matter what your interest, whether it be surfing, treasure hunting, shelling, birding, people watching, snorkeling, Florida history or romantic getaway, you can rest assured that Florida has a beach that's perfect for you.

So pump up the beach ball, get ready to build an awardwinning sand castle, put on your favorite bather and have some family fun on the beaches of your choice. Don't be surprised if a dolphin or two goes bobbing past just a few metres away as they cruise the shallow Gulf Of Mexico waters searching for their dinner.

The standard of Florida beaches is so high that when we describe any as "the best", it can easily do an injustice to the others. In the following descriptions of Florida regions and their beaches, is is probably best to talk of these beaches as being "most popular" for visitors to Florida.

Each beach is unique in its own way. Some Florida beaches are exposed to the ocean swells, some are on the ocean side of barrier islands while others lie on the leeward side of barrier islands. Some are famous for the abundance of shells, others for finding prehistoric sharks teeth. Some beach locations attract holiday makers looking for bright lights, glamor and action while others seek peace, quiet and tranquility.

** Top Florida Beaches Destinations

South East Coast
Fort Lauderdale Miami Beach South Beach West Palm Beach

North East Coast
Amelia Island Daytona Beach Melbourne Beach

Florida Keys
Marathon Key West

South West Coast
Bonita Springs Captiva Clearwater Marco Island Naples Sanibel Island St Petersburg

North West
Destin Fort Walton Panama City Beach

Details & Reservations: Florida Beach Vacations
RealAdventures | Florida Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156841_California-Beach-Vacations http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156841_California-Beach-Vacations Articles California Fri, 16 May 2008 16:05:02 California has over 1,000 miles of some of the best beaches in the world. The beaches are so popular because they offer rugged, natural scenic beauty and for the active, ocean waves on the California coast provide an incredible surfing experience. -
California has over 1,000 miles of some of the best beaches in the world. The beaches are so popular because they offer rugged, natural scenic beauty and for the active, ocean waves on the California coast provide an incredible surfing experience.


California has over 1,000 miles of some of the best beaches in the world. The beaches are so popular because they offer rugged, natural scenic beauty and for the active, ocean waves on the California coast provide an incredible surfing experience.

The best place to go to the beach is in California. The sun is shining brightly most of the year. The beach is full of beautiful, white sand that you can sink your toes into and lay back on and catch some rays. You can watch your kids have the time of their lives running away from the waves, building sand castles, and just running around enjoying themselves.

The best part about the beach is the fact that the most you'll pay for is a beach towel and maybe parking, but other than that, it's free and available to everyone! There are amazing beaches in North California, Central California, and South California, each with their uniqueness, but all are a spectacular idea for beach vacations.

In the northern parts of the state, you will most likely not be swimming, but rather taking some awesome photographs, seeing fantastic sites, and otherwise enjoying the wonderful scenery. Unlike the crowded beaches in the major metropolitan areas of California, northern beaches have tons of wildlife, animals and birds that are living in their natural habitat. This is great for kids to see, and they will definitely enjoy it.

Top beaches in northern California include Humbold County, Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara.

Do you love to surf? Beaches in the middle of the state of California are great for people who love surfing. The waves will crash into the shores, allowing you to get some great exercise and to learn a new sport, or to even watch the pros ride the waves like roller coasters. You can also enjoy scuba diving, para sailing, fishing, and rockclimbing. These beaches are cooler than the others because of the fog, but the fog is usually cleared up by the afternoon. There is also tons of wildlife on the Central beaches including whales and sea otters.

While in Southern California, you can enjoy some of the most popular (and surprisingly, some of the most private) beaches in all of the state. If you enjoy many people on the beach to get to know, or to have fun peoplewatching, then you are in heaven. Southern beaches are also the home of many celebrities. While the other parts of the state are known for their beautiful photographic opportunities, but you could unleash your inner paparazzi and maybe catch some rare photos of celebrities.

Be sure to check out the beaches in and around San Digeo including San Diego, La Jolla and Mission Beach. Closer to the Los Angeles you will find Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica.

And in Orange County there is Laguna Beach and Newport Beach.

Maybe, if you have the guts, you can go up to the celebrity and maybe get a picture from them. Southern beaches are also great spots for surfing, and other beach activities such as beachcombing, beach volleyball, building sand castles, do other sand art, snorkeling, bodyboarding, and obviously swimming.

The Pacific Ocean invites you to play along its beaches. The tides will continue to rise and fall, and the waves will continue to rush in and pull back. Will you be there to enjoy yourself? If you are going to visit one of the many theme parks in California, or the redwoods, or other great natural displays of beauty in California, then why not head to the coast, and enjoy yourself throughout all of the state, at one of the many beaches throughout the state.


Details & Reservations: California Beach Vacations
RealAdventures | California Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156458_Safety-First-Advice-to-make-your-hotel-stay-more http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156458_Safety-First-Advice-to-make-your-hotel-stay-more Articles Nevada Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:03:16 Staying safely at a hotel is our first concern while vacationing outdoors. While staying at a hotel make sure that you protect yourself from falling an easy prey to the petty thieves eying on you. When you are researching on your destination, make s -
Staying safely at a hotel is our first concern while vacationing outdoors. While staying at a hotel make sure that you protect yourself from falling an easy prey to the petty thieves eying on you. When you are researching on your destination, make s


Staying safely at a hotel is our first concern while vacationing outdoors. While staying at a hotel make sure that you protect yourself from falling an easy prey to the petty thieves eying on you. When you are researching on your destination, make sure to check out some good guide books and hotel review sites to find recent comments on hotels that you would like to book for your next trip. Also play close attention to suggestions from your family members and friends.

Moreover, look for hotels that lie in a crime free zone, having well lit parking lots and ideally that are near to the city center. While booking always avoid a room on the ground floor or any other room that is easily accessible from the outside of the building. When you arrive at your hotel, look for the parking near the main entrance and preferably in the area that has more light. If you are getting inside or moving out at night you don't have to walk much and you are at the least risk of being attacked if you are in a lit up area where the passers by can see you.

While checking in request for keys that do not the room numbers printed on them, in case the you get keys with number, do not allow the desk attendant to say the room number aloud in front of any stranger. Before leaving for your room, ask someone from the hotel staff to carry your luggage and tell him to check your room thoroughly. If the room is not acceptable, he can help you to move to another room. Lock all the luggage that you leave unattended in the hotel room and use the hotel safe to store keys, wallet, credit cards and other valuable belongings.

While resting inside, use all locks and chains on the doors as well as windows to make sure you are safe. Never open doors to strangers and look out from the peephole to before opening the door. If are not able to recognize the person and in case there is no peephole, call front desk for their help. It's also important to locate the fire escape route and two nearest exit to your room in case the primary is blocked.

The most important part of your vacation is sightseeing, before leaving for outdoors, doublecheck the door lock and leave on your TV or Radio, it always make the passerby feel like someone is at home. Also hang your Do Not Disturb door tag that will make it appear to be inhabited. While returning at night, if you feel that someone with you in the elevators is following you, push the button to a floor that has a restaurant or fitness center and depart there.

Finally, at the end of the hotel stay, check out the Safety First Advice to make your hotel stay more
RealAdventures | Nevada Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1024017_Priest-Lake-Idaho http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1024017_Priest-Lake-Idaho Articles Idaho Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:09:00 Located just south of Canada's border, Priest Lake offers something for absolutely everyone. -
Located just south of Canada's border, Priest Lake offers something for absolutely everyone.


Pull out your trusty atlas and locate the state of Idaho. Way, way up towards the top of the state, just north of Coeur d' Alene you'll see Sandpoint and Priest River. Priest Lake is located 33 miles north of Priest River on Highway 57. Located just south of the Canadian border in the Idaho panhandle, Priest Lake offers something for absolutely everyone.

You can camp with a tent, camper, or motor home. Or, stay in a lodge or a fancy resort. There are a variety of lodging choices at Priest Lake.

Where To Stay Priest Lake State Park offers several choices for campers Dickensheet and Indian Creek campgrounds are the two most popular areas. Kaniksu Resort at the far north of the lake offers camping spots, RV hookups and a lodge.

Three of the most excellent resorts are the Elkins Resort, Grandview and Hills Resort. They are a bit pricey, but have wonderful cabins and suites many at the edge of the lake. During the height of the season expect to find only weekly packages. A group of 6 to 8 people can rent lakeside cottages from $750.00 to $1,000.00 a week.

When To Go From Memorial Day (May 31st) to Labor Day (September 6th) Priest Lake campgrounds, resorts, restaurants, lakefront bars, and locals haunts are all open and hopping. Luckily, Priest Lake is large enough to get away from everyone but small enough to run into old friends at the local ginjoints.

Wintertime brings lots and lots of snow, with Priest Lake businesses finally taking advantage of the snowmobile market. The lake area sports 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails now, which is great for northwest winter getaways.

About the Lake Elevation of 2,500 feet in the Selkirk Mountains. Priest Lake stretches 19 miles with 7 islands perfect for exploration, hiking and boating. The surrounding mountains rise above 7,000 feet.

What to do at Priest Lake Fishing (the largest Mackinaw trout in the United States was captured here!), swimming, boating, water skiing, huckleberry picking, hiking, lounging and snowmobiling in the winter.

Priest Lake is known for it's perfectly clear and clean water. There isn't any pollution . . . which is a rare find these days.

Upper Priest Lake There is a second and more isolated lake called "Upper Priest Lake." The only access is by boat or on foot. This is our favorite haunt. it's not unusual to motor up the channel separating the two lakes and end up right next to a lazy moose making his way across the channel. Upper Priest Lake is pure beauty and isolation.

Many folks in the northwest United States know about the beauty and isolation of Priest Lake, Idaho. However, if you have not heard about it and you love deep woods, a huge lake with secret little coves, and fabulous summers, Priest Lake could be your next great discovery.


Details & Reservations: Priest Lake, Idaho
RealAdventures | Idaho Articles

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