Happy Steps travel blog

Family camping holidays in France

As one of Europe’s top destinations, France is in my list of places to have a holiday. Aside from its rich history and culture, medieval buildings and landmarks, the beautiful regions in France, such as Brittany, Normandy, Cote d’Azur, the Pyrenees and many others, are reason enough for travel bugs to enjoy scenic views while exploring the outdoors.

Those who would like to have a family holiday in France that offers more flexibility and adventure can opt for a camping accommodation.
Continue reading… »

Freeride World Tour Season 3 kicks off in the Russian resort of Sochi

Ski season is here again and ski enthusiasts are getting excited checking out ski deals, local and international ski events and even planning for their own ski holidays. For instance, on January 21, 2010, at the Russian resort of Sochi, the Freeride World Tour Season 3 starts. This four-leg action-packed event will again be featuring the world’s best skiers and snowboarders as they come down a designated mountain choosing any route they want and performing their skills and tricks along the way. Continue reading… »

Manhattan Beach CA fun activities and outdoor recreation

Tourists have a lot to explore in Manhattan Beach, California. Fun things to do such as surfing, biking, kayaking and other water sports, are just some of the outdoor recreation activities to be enjoyed making it as a known tourist destination. In addition, travelers have many options for a Manhattan Beach accommodation or hotel depending on their budget, lifestyle and personal preferences. Not to forget is the allure of the California sun and the beaches that attract not just surfing enthusiasts but those who wish for a leisure getaway by the sea.
Continue reading… »

Sky-high amusement rides at the Crown Regency Hotel &Towers in Cebu

At 40 stories high in Fuente Osmena, Cebu City, the Crown Regency Hotel &Towers stands out not just as another high-rise building. What makes it unique is not only the breathtaking city view it offers but its exciting sky-high amusement rides for thrill seekers as well. Aside from being recognized as a towering hotel among its neighboring buildings, it is also known as the home of the Edge Coaster, Sky Walk Extreme and the upcoming Insanity Orbit. These weird-sounding names are actually the thrilling amusement rides as part of the Sky Experience Adventure.
Continue reading… »

Camping facility by the lake

Situated upon the shores of Beaver Lake below Mount Yeager in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is Camp Kresge, an 1100-acre camping facility providing a wide range of outdoor activities. Campers have many options for fun and recreation, from wildlife sightings to fishing, swimming, boating, hiking and sports activities. The lake provides a scenic environment for daily camp life, which is very suitable for a weekend getaway.
Continue reading… »

Australian Open 2010 at Melbourne Park

Every year, tennis enthusiasts get to watch their favorite players at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open tennis tournament. This event draws a lot of tourists and fans and is usually held every January. The recently concluded 2009 Australian Open drew an estimated crowd of 66,000 with champions Rafael Nadal for the men’s singles and Serena Williams for the women’s singles.

Continue reading… »

Disneyland Resort ticket cards

One of my dream trips is going to Disneyland. Last night they featured HongKong Disneyland on the news and just seeing the Disney characters on parade and performing on stage made me wish I was there.

My friend G and her family had been there last year and she showed me some photos of their unforgettable adventures inside the theme park where they experienced some exciting yet scary rides such as the Space Mountain and The Abyss. Hmmm…I’m not sure if I can handle those rides myself, but I wish my fairy godmother would wave her wand and transport me to Disneyland someday.

The concept of families enjoying quality time together has been Walt Disney’s dream for Disneyland and true enough, it has become a top family destination for many years. The first Disneyland theme park opened in Anaheim, California in 1955 and now boasts of millions of visitors since then.
Continue reading… »

It’s the season for skiing!

I just had a chat with my big sis in Finland and it’s funny how they are covered up in winter clothes at this time while we here in the tropics are enjoying the sun. Winter is fun time for skiers though. For instance, my nephew is looking forward to this season when he can go sledding, skiing or playing ice hockey with friends. Those in the US can go skiing at Deer Valley in Utah or at other ski destinations in California, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming or British Columbia. It’s best to avail of Deer Valley ski rentals by reserving online your ski equipment.
Continue reading… »

Dive and travel trips

The sea offers a lot of activities and sports for the adventurous and going underwater and diving amongst the colorful marine life below can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences. It would be nice to be part of the dive and travel trips by Ultimate Dive and Travel, where they offer scuba diving lessons and personalized certification programs for beginners and experienced divers.
Continue reading… »

On sailing

Do you dream of sailing and relaxing in the middle of the sea, lounging in the sundeck with a drink in hand? I do. That is, when I’ll have my own private yacht someday or when I’ll be on one of those Caribbean cruises. Okay, enough dreaming!
Continue reading… »

Family camping at Pocono Mountains

With its many lakes and waterfalls, the Pocono Mountains aka Poconos in northeastern Pennsylvania is a popular tourist and outdoor recreation destination. It’s also known for numerous summer camps such as Camp Kresge, ideally located in the picturesque Pocono Mountains. As a Poconos summer camp, Camp Kresge offers parent-child weekends and family camp weeks, the latter is a new program for 2008.
Continue reading… »

New Jersey outdoor adventure

Autumn is here again and what better way to experience this magical transformation of nature than a weekend getaway in the outdoors. It would be nice to visit state parks and forests, gardens, environmental centers, arboretums, and other natural landscapes to enjoy the colors of fall before the winter season comes. In New Jersey, travel bugs have many options – the Greenwood Gardens at Essex, Glen Rock Arboretum, Camden Children’s Garden or the Butterfly Garden at Cape May Bird Observatory plus their many state parks, forests and recreation areas.
Continue reading… »

Helicopter tours within New York Uptown

This is yet another tour I have to experience – being in a helicopter while enjoying the view below. How would you like to tour around the New York Uptown in style with a helicopter ride and fly past the city’s skyscrapers such as the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings and watch other scenic views from above such as the Hudson River?

Helicopter tours from Xperience Days are offered within the Metro Area – Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati and more. For the NYC Helicopter Tour, the total experience time is about 45 minutes and is available daily. Guests are advised to dress comfortably and follow security requirements. Flights are subject to cancellation if the weather condition is not suitable. Helicopter tours offer a mode of sightseeing from a different viewpoint, many miles above the ground.

Photo credits: XperienceDays.com

Cruising by the Greek Islands

One of my dream destinations in southeastern Europe is Greece, a place which abounds in history and charm. How nice it would be to visit the Acropolis and climb until its summit where the ancient ruins of sacred buildings and especially the Parthenon is located. It would be such an experience to be walking over such historical site. The Greek Islands are interesting destinations as well. These top tourist destinations can be visited via Greek island cruises, where you get to be onboard a luxury vessel with all the amenities of a hotel while enjoying a nice view of the sea and islands from afar.

The Greek Islands are made up of over 6,000 islands and are grouped into the Saronic islands, the Northern Sporades, the Ionian islands, the Dodecanese islands, Aegean islands, the Cyclades, Crete and surrounding islands, Euboea and surrounding islands, and some islets near the mainland. For instance, Santorini which is part of the Cyclades group is famous for its beaches – the Perissa, Kamari black pebble beach, the white beach and red beach. This volcanic island boasts of natural and scenic beauty and has been the usual choice as TV and video location for Greek and Brazilian shows. Even some Hollywood movies such as Tomb Raider II were filmed in Santorini. Another island worth visiting is Crete, which is a unique mixture of modern and ancient buildings and architecture.

Going on a cruise is like staying on a floating resort. Cruise lovers can also check out other destinations (ports of call) such as the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida and more from Carnival Cruise Lines. Travel bugs who would like an Eastern Caribbean or South America cruise can have it via Celebrity Cruise Line which is a premium cruise line for couples, families and bigger groups.

Photo credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:192869736_c3090f211d_o-1-.jpg

The Oasis of the Seas

I still dream to be on cruise, leisurely enjoying the serenity of the sea, feeling the gentle breeze any time you go out into the deck. Speaking of cruise vacations, I’ve browsed from the net that in the later part of 2009 there is to be launched the largest and most innovative cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas. This huge vessel from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line boasts to have a gross weight of 220,000 tons and can carry as much as 5,400 cruise passengers.
Continue reading… »

Exotic vacation cruises

These days, the airplane is my usual mode of travel and though it brings me to my destination faster in just an hour, I miss having an overnight trip onboard a ship. Most travel bugs like me not only enjoy going on a walking tour and seeing breathtaking landscapes and views but are also enthralled with being at sea, onboard a boat or ship. Nothing beats the feeling of watching the waves down below with the wind on your face.

I remember waking up early at dawn and watching the sun rising from the ocean’s horizon and seeing birds stooping down the sea waters for a catch. Sigh… How nice it would be to go on one of those exotic Greek Island cruises, relaxing in a lounge chair out in the sundeck while sipping my favorite drink. Going on a cruise is a fun way of relieving stress, some therapists recognize the energy and healing radiated by the ocean.
Continue reading… »

Entertainment to the max!

With summer finally here, one can only wish to have extra time for travel and relaxation. Choosing where to spend your getaway really depends on your kind of fun. While some would like to spend it on a cruise in the Bahamas or staying in an isolated island paradise, those who go for flashy entertainment, exciting casino and great dining experience would opt to stay in a Las Vegas hotel. And why not?
Continue reading… »

Tours for the movie buffs

Other than seeing breathtaking natural landscapes and going to beach resorts, there are other options for tourists to enjoy their trip. It really depends on one’s preferences and interests. For the sports lover, the beaches and mountains are great outdoor experiences. And what about the movie buffs? I bet they would enjoy touring around and visiting the sites where some popular movies were filmed. This is one of the New York City attractions that movie enthusiasts would definitely love to experience. They can ride onboard the CitySights double decker bus and visit the apartment used in Friends, the Cosby townhouse, the restaurant in the movie Spiderman, locations from The Interpreter, Rescue Me, The Apprentice and many more movies and shows.

Continue reading… »

Cruising to St. Petersburg

Going on a cruise and getting a breathtaking view of the ocean is one relaxing option for a vacation. Whether you go for a Caribbean or South Asian cruise, being at sea is a romantic venue for couples and a fun place to be for families and groups. When booking for a cruise, it’s good to take advantage of cruise specials to get the most out of your vacation budget and save some for your next dream destination.

I’ve been browsing over some luxury cruise packages at Cruise Locators. I like their Baltic Cruise package from Stockholm to Copenhagen which features the fascinating city of St. Petersburg where the Hermitage Museum is, one of the world’s largest museums. The cruise starts at Stockholm and includes Tallinn, Helsinki, Visby and finally disembarking at Copenhagen.

Photo credits for the St. Petersburg Cathedral: CruiseLocators.com

—————————
Due to SPAM, I have disabled further comments on this post. If you have something important to tell me regarding this post, just send an email to happysteps1107 at yahoo dot com. Thanks and happy travels!

Elephant riding in Thailand

The Thais revere and love elephants. Their respect for these big creatures is evident in their art and culture. You can see some elephant sculptures and statues, wooden carvings, paintings, artwork, handcrafted bags, key chains, and souvenirs. Even some of their decorative shrubs are elephant-shaped. So, if you happen to be in Thailand, it’s a must to witness an elephant show (playing football, doing tricks, etc.) and yes, you have to ride one of them.

A first ride for Dad and Mom at the Nong Nooch Garden in Pattaya

Tony and Leen taking it easy with the ride at the Nong Nooch Garden in Pattaya

A tourist enjoying an elephant ride in the streets of Ayutthaya