Thinking about planning your next trip to Germany? Berlin is the capital of Germany and is a must see when vacationing in the country of Germany. Countries that border Germany include Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, making it so many travelers who visit Germany will also choose to visit one or more of these other western European countries.
Thinking about planning a Southern College Tour? The Southland is home to a number of exceptional colleges, making planning a tour of one or more of these colleges in order to choose the right one a great idea. It really is important for new college students to get an overall feel of the environment a college offers, as this allows them to gain perspective on what any college campus can offer them during this important time in their life.
University of Richmond
Located in the beautiful state of Virginia, the University of Richmond requires potential students to attend an informational session before touring the campus. The informational session lasts about 30 minutes, and immediately after a walking tour of the campus is provided for participants, which lasts about 75 minutes. Current students lead the session as well as the tour, which takes place every weekday throughout the entire year, as well as a few Saturdays throughout the year. While registration is preferred, it is not required.
Wake Forest University
Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest University was established in 1834. The required informational session lasts about 60 minutes, which take place in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in the Porter Byrum Welcome Center. Tours are available every day except for Sunday, and are led by current students. Scheduling a campus tour is necessary at Wake Forest University.
Elon University of North Carolina
Located in Elon, North Carolina, it is necessary to make a reservation when wanting to tour Elon University. Seating for their informational session is limited, which can be reserved on any day from Monday through Saturday. Potential students even have the ability to sit in on a class in order to experience what it’s like to be in an Elon classroom environment. Classroom visits must be requested at least seven days before visiting the campus.
Trinity University
Located in San Antonio, Texas, Trinity University is a top ranked liberal arts college. Potential students, as well as their families, are welcome to join the open house programs that take place on Saturdays. Individual visits are also available and are based on the stage a particular student is in when it comes to choosing a college. At least two weeks notice is required in order to schedule an individual campus tour visit.
Duke University
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is consistently ranked in the top colleges located in the United States. Potential students must register in advance in order to reserve a spot, and can ask to be placed on a waiting list when sessions are full. The informational session lasts about 45 minutes, and the walking tour lasts about 90 minutes. Recommendations are to arrive about 30 minutes early, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Travel Makers
Currently planning your next family vacation? The Berkshires in Massachusetts makes for a great family weekend! The Berkshires were listed in the 2018 edition of Travel and Leisure’s 50 best places in the world to travel to, making it a top pick for both weekend and weeklong family vacations.
A Family Weekend at the Berkshires in Massachusetts
The Berkshires in Massachusetts are also known as the Berkshire Hills, the Berkshire Mountains and the Berkshire Plateau. The majestic mountains, the windy rural roads, the bright blue skies, the rushing rivers, swimming holes, berry patches, outdoor concerts and the picturesque views are just a few of the many things that beckon vacationers to this particular area of the United States. All in all, there are more than 100 cultural attractions for families to visit in the Berkshires.
Since there are many towns located within Berkshire county, families have choices when it comes to wear exactly they want to stay. They also have choices when it comes to accommodations – campgrounds, cabins, cozy inns, motels, hotels, luxury resorts and vacation rentals.
Events and attractions specifically geared towards families include:
Planning your next trip to Europe? Adding Croatia to your itinerary is a must as it has so much to offer. One of its best offerings is Plitvice Lake National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that makes this park one of Croatia’s most popular tourist attractions.
Croatia
This Mediterranean country is perfectly situated along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea. It is a geographically diverse country due to its flatlands, highlands, and islands. While the main language spoken here is Croatian, many people who live here also speak German and Italian, with a little English on the side. There are many options for traveling within Croatia, with choices simply being dependent on each travelers preference, i.e. plane, train, car, bus, boat.
Plitvice Lake National Park
The Plitvice Lake National Park is not only the largest park in Croatia, it is also the oldest. Its claim to fame is its absolute beauty. A total of 16 different turquoise colored lakes are to be enjoyed here, of which all are linked together via spectacular waterfalls. The park covers about 5 square miles of green, lush forest, and includes plenty of wildlife, including deer, bears, wolves, and boars. Bird lovers will enjoy the fact that there are a few different species of rare bird that can be found here. Guided tours of the park are available.
Summertime is a popular time for visiting the park due to the warm weather. This is a time when many families choose to visit as everyone can enjoy relaxing by the lake, as well as enjoy swimming in them. But spring, fall, and even winter are not to be forgotten. Springtime weather is nice and cool and offers visitors the chance to see all of the plants and flowers start to come into bloom. Fall weather is chilly and allows visitors to enjoy views of the changing colors of trees from summer to fall. Wintertime is a magical time for the park. The snowfall and icy lakes are a wonderful sight to behold!
While the park is open every day of the year, it can get crowded during certain times of the year making it a good idea to make traveling plans in advance so one knows what to expect. Visitors often choose to stay 1 or 2 days as there are three nearby hotels that allow for convenient accommodations. There are also private accommodations available in the area, i.e. guesthouses, rooms for rent, local apartments for rent.
Travel Makers
Plitvice Lake National Park, Croatia
Thinking about taking your next vacation in the City of Brotherly Love? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a top vacation destination, especially for travelers who enjoy history. Philly is one of America’s most visited cities, mainly due to the city itself as well as surrounding counties that offer plenty of rich historical heritage. People come from all over to see some of the best national historic sites to be seen in the United States, including the Liberty Bell.
Other popular attractions include must-see museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rittenhouse Square, the Morris Arboretum, Franklin Square, Spruce Street Harbor Park, and the Philadelphia Flower Market.
Philadelphia Flower Market
The Philadelphia Flower Market in Center City is a definite must visit when in Philadelphia. Situated right in the heart of Philadelphia, only the freshest of flowers and juiciest succulent plants can be found here. This family owned business offers premier floral arrangements and spectacular plant gardens for their customers, all while also offering them the friendliest service possible, and all within the local Philly area. The busy flower shop is underground near the subway, making it easy to access for commuters to stop and shop.
Flower arrangements and plant gardens can be made for any occasion, with birthdays and anniversaries being two of the more popular requests. Both premade flower arrangements and plant gardens can be purchased and given as a gift or kept for one’s office or home. A few premade options that are more commonly chosen include their dozen long stem red roses, any of their spring bouquets, and the assorted tulips. The opportunity to create one’s own custom arrangement or garden is also available, and can be quite fun to do.
For those who need a little advice on how to take care of their flowers or succulents, all they need to do is ask. The customer service team is one that goes above and beyond what their duties call for, which means they are more than happy to offer their advice or to help their customers with any requests they may have.
All flowers and gardens are hand delivered, making for a personal touch. Same day delivery is available, a great option for those who tend to wait until the last minute.
Visitors should keep in mind that Philadelphia hosts an annual flower show – The Philadelphia Flower Show. This extremely popular event is the world’s oldest and largest indoor event of its kind, with more than a quarter of a million people attending every year.
Travel Makers
Philadelphia Flower Market
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been in business for more than 100 years! Upon their opening in 1891, this mountainside railway company has allowed thousands of people to enjoy the many spectacular views that come with taking this guided mountain tour. Whether it’s an entire family taking their yearly vacation, a small group of friends, or a large group of travelers, the railway at Pikes Peak offers all vacationers a super fun and exciting adventure that they will not soon forget.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is also known as the Big Hill. What makes this mountaintop stand out from the rest is that it contains some of the oldest living things on the planet. This includes the bristlecone pine trees, which are estimated to be over 2000 years old. All of the views from this mountaintop are truly spectacular, with trees, grasses, wildflowers and more being just part of the natural views that vacationers come here to see. The wildlife here includes yellow-bellied marmots and bighorn sheep.
Cog Railway
The entire railway tour takes a little more than 3 hours to complete the almost 9 miles of train tracks. Passengers are able to enjoy the many views that come when taking this mountainside tour, including the beautiful Ponderosa pine and Colorado blue spruce trees, the boulder fields, the Minnehaha Falls, Hell’s Gate, Deer Park, and the final destination Pikes Peak. Once Pike Peak is reached, vacationers are allowed to spend about 30 minutes in the area before it’s time to head back down the mountain. Because this adventure takes place on a mountainside, it’s really important for visitors to be mindful so they can be safe.
Good to Know
Pikes Peak is located in the sub alpine desert, which means that the air is more dry than humid. Because the temperatures in Pikes Peak can vary it’s important to bring a variety of clothing to wear. Because the elevation is a little over 6000 feet above sea level, it’s recommended that vacationers take it easy for the first day are so in order to adjust to the high altitude.
This railway journey is one that any adventure seeker or nature lover will truly enjoy!
NOTE: The railway has been going through some major renovations during the 2018 season. Because it has been determined that there is a need to reevaluate the current infrastructure as well as the current equipment, the railway is currently figuring out what their next steps are going to be for future railway trips to Pikes Peak.
Travel Makers MD
Most travelers enjoy taking lots of pictures when visiting various cities all over the world, as this is one of the best ways for them to create long lasting memories. Instagram is a photo uploading app that more and more travelers are using nowadays as it offers them an easy way to upload and share their pictures during their travels. Since many travelers are now using Instagram to tell a story, those who are looking to plan their next vacation destination are now using this social media platform as a way to choose their next vacation choice.
Social Media
Social Media is being used more than ever nowadays, especially by travelers. When someone is interested in traveling to a particular location, they can use Social Media to find out more information about that location. While there’s plenty of general traveling information available, there’s also plenty of detailed traveling information available on various Social Media platforms. This allows potential travelers the ability to access all of the information they feel they need so they can choose where they want to go on their next vacation.
Most Instagramed Cities
According to Guinness World Records, New York City was the most popular city on Instagram as of December 2017. The Big Apple is visited by more than 60 million people every year and is still one of the most iconic cities photographed today!
The following is a list of the most Instagramed cities to date:
Thinking about planning your next trip to Spain? More specifically Castilla y Leon, the largest region of Spain? Many travelers choose to visit this particular area of Spain because it’s void of all the labels that come with planning a Spain vacation, making it one of Spain’s hidden destinations that should be on everyone’s vacation bucket list.
The Tuscany of Spain – Castilla y Leon
Castilla and Leon were united in 1983. Since this time, the area has come into its own. The serene countryside, the isolated castles, the back roads that wind in and out of the many villages, are all just a small part of the allure to be found here. Other top reasons for visiting include the delicious Tuscan cuisine that can only be found in this region, the local fine wines, and the wild truffles
The following is a list of the city’s that make up the Tuscany of Spain, along with one or more reasons why travelers should stop by and visit that particular city.
Planning a trip to Colorado? Colorado Springs is home to Garden of the Gods Park, a definite must see! The geological rock formations found here are not only impressive, there are also plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to partake in when visiting this free outdoor attraction.
Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado
Garden of the Gods Park has been registered as a national natural landmark since 1971. Scenic views include snowcapped mountains and sparkling blue skies. There are more than 1300 acres that make up the Garden of the Gods Park, which includes a total of 12 main hiking trails and 19 different rock formations. Visitors can choose to explore the park on their own by driving their car on specially designated roads, leisurely biking, mountain biking, hiking and walking.
Visitors can also choose to sign up for free 30 minute guided nature walks. A knowledgeable naturalist is ready to guide visitors through the Park every day, weather permitting. The naturalist will not only guide them through the Park, they will also educate them on some of the more popular topics brought up by people visiting this area – weather, nature, wildflowers, rattlesnakes, gold mining and more.
Visitor Center, Nature Center
There’s always something new and exciting going on at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center! Various themes and special series are continually being offered to visitors for educational reasons. Visitors can listen to special presentations, review interesting demonstrations, sign up for hikes led by top naturalists, and even listen to historians speak on a number of relevance subject matters.
Largest Trading Post in Colorado!
The Garden of the Gods Trading Post is the largest in Colorado and includes an art gallery, a gift store, a coffee shop and a café. The Balanced Rock Café offers visitors a variety of rustic food choices, including buffalo burgers. The Colorado City Creamery makes their own ice cream, making it a must stop for ice cream lovers.
Annual Events
The following is a list of annual event celebrations held in Garden of the Gods Park.
Things to do Nearby
The following is a short list of some of the nearby things to do when visiting Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs.
Planning a trip to Colorado? Enjoy exploring caves? Then visiting the Cave of the Winds is a definite must! Cave of the Winds Mountain Park is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, where these impressive caves were only discovered about 150 years ago. The Park is now a leader when it comes to preserving caves, and spends a lot of time educating others in everything there is to know about caves.
Because there are many things to do when visiting this popular cave system in Colorado, all ages are welcome.
Cave of the Winds
Cave of the Winds is the perfect place to visit for those who love adventure. Whether someone is simply interested in learning more about the underground world of caves or is already an experienced caver, the opportunity to participate in one or more of the tours available is available to all. When signing up for a cave tour, all participants are well informed on what to expect, as safety is definitely a top focus. Respecting the caves is also important as it allows the underground ecosystem to continue as it should.
Below Ground Cave Tours
There are different types of cave tours available. From educational walking tours that are perfect for families, to a deeper exploration that requires lanterns and includes folklore stories, to climbing and crawling through undeveloped caves sections, there’s a perfect cave tour available for every visitor.
Above Ground Fun!
There’s a variety of packages that can be purchased for families or individuals that allow for an entire day of fun when visiting the Cave of the Winds – Pioneer Package, Explorer Package, Mountain Man Package. Each activity can be purchased and enjoyed separately, too. Visitors can choose to climb up the mountainside, participate in a 3-story obstacle course, pan for gemstones, visit the nature center to learn more about caves, figure out how to get out of an escape room, and shop for some really cool cave souvenirs.
A list of above ground activities to do when visiting the Cave of the Winds.
Via Ferrata Canyon Tours
Panning for Gemstones
Josephine Snider Nature Center
Magic Lantern Virtual Reality Theatre
Bat-a-Pult
Wind Walker Challenge Course
Cliff Hanger Climbing Wall
Terror-Dactyl
Escape Rooms
Accommodations
Visitors who are wanting to spend more time at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park can choose to stay at one of the many local hotels or campgrounds located near the Park.
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