What's an Alaska cruise tour? It's a combination of a cruise vacation to Alaska and an inland vacation. These trips range between three and eighteen days, allowing a "cruiser" to experience the attractions of the coasts and the interior of America's last frontier.

An Alaska cruise tour will give you an opportunity to explore the heart of the country including breathtaking sights to Mt. McKinley and the famed Denali National Park. Being a vacation package that combines the exploration of the coastal and land areas of Alaska, an Alaska cruise tour involves traveling by deluxe motor coach or trains, staying at fine mountain lodges and a wonderful wildlife view after cruising the beauty of the country's coastal features. An Alaska cruise tour also lets you participate in various culturally rich activities as well as shore excursions.

ALASKA CRUISE TOUR BASICS

Before finally deciding whether to take an Alaska cruise tour or not, take time to ponder on these major considerations:

1. Plan your Alaska cruise tour carefully by knowing when is the best time to cruise. Knowing when is the best time to cruise the Alaska is first step to enjoy the marvelous trip. Statistics show that the peak season is between mid-May and mid-September since Alaska has short summer months.

May and September are also considered the best time for an Alaska cruise tour because the weather during these seasons are consistently good which is evident in warm spring days with long hours of daylight that highlights the fully-bloomed wildflowers in meadows. Aside from getting the better view of carpeted wildflowers, the wildlife viewing is also excellent especially during May because larger animals migrate.

The month of September is also considered as a prime season to visit Alaska because it will give you a breathtaking view of the fall, which highlights many of Alaska's deciduous trees.

These deciduous trees are major attractions because they showcase an array of changing colors that are equally breathtaking. During this time, tall mountains and ranges also have fresh snow on their peaks while wildlife viewing can be quite an adventure because this is the season when larger animals feed in the lower elevations.

2. Consider the weather and climate. Since Alaska is situated above Canada and close to the North Pole, it should be expected that the weather and climate here are unpredictable but generally cold. Usually, temperatures in Alaska vary depending on the time of year and the port or city you're visiting. If you're on a cruise ship, there is an average daily high temperature that is quite comfortable but it's better if you prepare for cold and warm weathers.

3. Know what to pack for an Alaska cruise tour. Since the weather and climate in Alaska can be quite unpredictable, it is a must that you know what to bring to be able to enjoy the cruise tour fully. Basically, the essentials include clothing, travel documents and identification, sundries, miscellaneous necessities, and photography & electronic equipment.

When it comes to clothing, it is advisable to dress in layers because the climate ranges from cool and rainy to mild and sunny. Jackets and sweatshirts are advisable. Although it's not necessary to bring formal outfits, you can bring semi-formal ones like cocktails and fancy dresses for women and slacks and polo shirts for men if you feel like dressing up.

Bringing expensive jewelries are not encouraged during an Alaska cruise tour because it increases the possibility of having it dissapear. Although most rooms are secured, it is better if you don't take a chance in losing one of your investments.

4. Find a good and reliable cruise agent. Having a reliable cruise agent will ensure your wonderful Alaska cruise tour because you can always ask him/her about major specifications during the trip.

A cruise to Alaska is a spectacular vacation. Find out how to ensure you get the most out of your vacation by visiting the Alaska cruise tour site and make your cruise to Alaska unforgettable.

Traveling is easier than it use to be, especially with the Internet. You can get all kinds of deals if you shop around a little bit. Here are a few other suggestions that may help you keep the price down.

1)Travel out of season: During peak times of the year prices skyrocket. If you are not restrained by obligations like the kids school and so forth then travel in early spring or late fall. Also, book your flights to leave out on a Wednesday or Thursday verse the weekend, you will save on taxes and fees plus the over all price.

2)Research hotels in the area: One of the easiest and best ways to do this is to go to the Internet and look for reviews on these hotels. This could mean the difference between getting a good deal or a bed full of roaches.

3)Don't limit yourself to the closest airport: By expanding your options as far as where you leave from, you could potentially save a lot of money. Larger airports have more airlines and flights so you get better rates. I have an airport no more than 10 miles but I always make the trip to Atlanta Ga to beautiful Hartsfield International two hours away to save some money.

4)Use the Internet to book your trip: It could literally take you all day to call different travel agents and compare prices. With the Internet you can do it in a fraction of the time, not to mention you can often bundle everything you need under one umbrella , flight, hotel, food tickets to different events, even a rental car. On other piece of advice is to make sure they have a secure payment system and print your confirmation off in case you have any questions.

5)Register for newsletters and deals: A lot of companies offer email updates for different discounts for spur of the moment trips. You never know, one of these deals could be exactly what you are looking for.

With some flexibility and research a great deal is right around the corner.

Kyle Combs is an Independent Certified Travel Professional specializing in teaching others how to travel at half the price. He has been exposing the closely guarded secrets of the travel industry for a number of years. You can find out the hidden secrets of the travel industry and save thousands. Visit or more information and a Free Report that shares everything.

Ask any bride-to-be and she'll quickly tell you that honeymoon dreams come true in Hawaii. This tropical paradise has been king of the hill when it comes to honeymoon destinations for nine straight years. But this year, the king was dethroned. Instead of finding Hawaii as big kahuna, Italy took the lead.

In previous years, Italy ranked third, but in the 11th annual Modern Bride survey for 2007, it surpassed Hawaii, followed by Tahiti, Costa Rica, Mexico and France. The 11th annual survey was conducted through a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who ranked their 50 favorite honeymoon spots. The results appear in the magazine's August/September issue. But what doesn't appear is the answer to the question "why?"

According to Hawaii's state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the trend has been building over time. The number of honeymoon couples traveling to the Aloha State fell to just over 200,000 as of June this year. That's a 1.2% drop from 2006. Hawaii certainly has beauty and a playground with enough adventure and romance to keep couples busy for weeks. But Italy is beginning to be appreciated for many of its unique features.

Venice

For instance, Venice charms young and old alike with magical waterways stretching throughout the entire city. The gentle trickling of water through the canals is romantic on its own. Add to that a dreamy gondola ride and you've set the mood for the entire trip. Truth be known, Venetians travel by gondola because there are no cars, not because of the romance! You also won't find any motorbikes or motorized scooters. Why no cars? Because there are no roads to drive them on!

What you will find in Venice is gorgeous scenery along with palaces, museums and art collections. Open-air food markets are also plentiful and make for wonderful shopping. Or, of course, you can dine at any number of restaurants where you'll delight in truly authentic northern Italian cuisine.

You won't want to leave without participating in Carnival. Remarkably, the term "carnival" comes from the Latin "farewell meat!" Similar to Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, Carnival began the practice of throwing huge parties in order to use up all the meat, eggs and butter before the fasting of Lent started. To make Carnival unique, Venetians wore masks to disguise themselves. This way they could participate in all types of debauchery without being found out. While Carnival today is much more civil, the enormous levels of fun still run high.

Capri

Another unique destination in Italy is Capri. An island (as is Venice), this region has wooed the world for decades. Countless movies have been made on Capri, emperors have visited and honeymooners have strolled along her hillsides. Part of the allure of this island lies in the aromatic fragrances that overtake you as soon as you arrive.

The scent of ripe natively grown lemons in addition to the intense perfume of indigenous basil, marjoram, oregano, parsley and thyme waft through the air with every breeze. It's something almost everyone is pleasantly surprised by.

One of the most popular attractions is The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) - a must-see. As daylight enters through an underwater opening located immediately below the entrance to the cave, the light is filtered by the water. The red tones are absorbed, leaving only the blue ones to pass into the cave. The result is an astonishing aura of blues that simply defies words.

Whichever you choose as your top honeymoon spot, you'll find plenty to do and see. Cruising to your destination offers the flexibility to see more of the region for less than you might think. Explore online first and then decide which location will offer more of what you and your spouse-to-be will love.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at offering the best deals including

European cruises. © 2007, All Rights Reserved

"The family that plays together stays together," and luxury vacations are the greatest ways to play! Everyone needs a vacation, especially families. Tired parents, cranky kids and spoiling grandparents may not see spending the night in a Motel 6 as the best vacation plans. Families want to go on vacations that will please everyone, and the best way to do that is to find the best travel destinations, accommodations and eateries that are family friendly.

Family Friendly Destinations

The best way to find family friendly destinations is to consider places that have attractions that will entertain travelers of all ages. For example, some of the best family destinations are exotic beach locals. Kids and adults can both enjoy the sun, surf and sand, as well as the other beach activities. Stay away from luxury travel destinations that are purely historical or educational, as kids will get board quick and cause problems. It's not the best idea to take your nine, seven and five year old to Paris for a visit to Versailles and the Louvre. They will not enjoy it, and when the kids are not happy, neither will the adults nor your fellow travelers.

Family Friendly Accommodations

You can stay in luxury on your luxury travel vacation and still find a kid friendly atmosphere. A great example of one of these hotels is the Atlantis in the Bahamas. This hotel has all the luxury desired by adults, and still offers kids programs and a great pool. Places like Atlantis and Beaches in the Caribbean are pretty up front about being kid friendly. The challenge comes when you are looking for luxury and find no hotels that are upfront to being family friendly. One way to discern if families will be welcome at specific hotels is to see how their pool is and if babysitting is offered. Usually, if both of these items are above average, the hotel is accommodating rather than simply putting up with your family.

Family Friendly Eateries

When looking for a place to eat on your luxury travel vacation, there are several elements to take into account. First of all, if there are tablecloths on the table and plates start at $25, toddlers and infants are not welcome. Children are usually accepted at fine dinning restaurants and bistros so long as they have proper manners and table etiquette. But be aware that well-behaved children are nearly always accepted, but badly behaved children are always unwelcome. If your wish to eat somewhere where your children will not be welcomed, consider taking advantage of the hotel's babysitting services. That is exactly why they are there in the first place.

Choosing wisely is important to finding the perfect family luxury travel vacation. Finding the best family friendly destinations is key, as is finding great hotels and accommodations to stay in. Fine dinning is also a highlight of a family vacation that you might want to take advantage of, and choosing the best way to handle your family needs can be the key to satisfying everyone.

Virginia Morgan writes tourism and travel articles for AMT American Express Travel,

The Internet's premier resource for American Express Vacations. Serving customers online since 1996.

When it comes to choosing a cruise vacation getaway a good travel agent will first seek to find out the customers interest in luxury cruise vacations. The agent will recommend an independent travel experience or suggest the guided excursion variety cruise. Cruising seems to be a favorite among a growing number of vacationers and is perfect for travelers seeking luxury and convenience.

Naturally, the price of your cruising includes housing, but they generally also include all food. Each supplier of cruising is a little different in the options they provide, but rest assured that there are basic options available which are included in the price. Some cruise lines will even include drinks. Your price also includes on board entertainment.

For those interested in long excursions a cruise is ideal and holds many advantages over taking a long land based vacation. If you were to travel somewhere by plane, you have the extra expense and concern of making transportation arrangements upon arrival at your destination. A two week vacation that includes two weeks of car rental expenses will pretty substantially impact the cost of your vacation. Then of course there's the hassle of unpacking and packing.

Cruising simplifies the process by allowing you to visit many ports, without having to hassle with packing and unpacking, or having to arrange transportation. When cruising, you simply go to sleep and awake in a new port. No matter what you desire there is a cruise that fits the bill. There are cruises coming and going all over the world with hundreds of different cruise packages available.

With the growth of the cruise industry over the last 10 years travelers can easily find the perfect cruise for their tastes. There are almost 50 different companies worldwide offering cruises. Each offering a huge array of cruise options, routes and exotic ports of call.

Many travelers have even taken to holiday cruising. That is, experiencing the ultimate vacation during time off around the major holidays. It's widely believed this is because cruising offers some of the greatest vacation values available because the price covers the cost of housing, food and on board entertainment for the entire length of you vacation.

Travel Spain

Ah, when to visit Disney World . . . Well, coming from a true Disney lover, I think that right now is the right time to visit Disney World! But seriously, planning your vacation starts with picking the dates, so here are some things to keep in mind:

If you can avoid school holidays - do it! The parks are always more crowded when schools are on vacation, so if you can avoid holiday times and the summer months, you will be rewarded with fewer crowds and shorter lines. Of course, the parks close earlier during these 'off-peak' times of year as well, so you'll still need to arrive early if you have lots of attractions on your agenda. If you have children, you may be able to find times that only your immediate area (and not the whole country) is off from school.

If you must visit the parks during school holidays, you may need to be more proactive about planning your days at the parks. Crowds are at their largest during Easter and Christmas weeks, so plan to be at the gates as the parks open to arrive before those late-sleeping visitors even wake up. During summer vacation, my family has had a lot of luck visiting the parks during the last 2 weeks of August, since our schools don't open until after Labor Day, but Florida schools open around August 20.

Be aware if you are planning to visit during the winter months, the weather may be chillier than you expect. If you are from up north, you may assume that Florida is warm year-round, but in actuality, central Florida can go down to around 50 degrees, so be sure to carry sweatshirts or jackets (and those water parks and rides might not seem so appealing). Starting in mid-November, Disney World is all decked out for Christmas, so through the middle of December, this is a beautiful - and very empty - time to visit Disney. The parks empty out again for the month of January, but starting around the middle of February the various winter and spring breaks overlap to keep things hopping though April. Frequent visitors often cite May and October and ideal months to visit, as you get the most beautiful weather combined with the lowest number of visitors. Whenever you decide to go, be sure to make your specialty dining reservations early (up to 180 days in advance), as these fill up all thoughout the year. Enjoy your trip!

Stephanie Larkin is the editor of as well as She and her family love to cruise - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on the beds at night!

When it is time for girls to rule, American Girl Place is an excellent choice for a way to spend the day. With locations in both New York City and Chicago, American Girl Place serves as a paradise on earth for many young girls.

American Girl is a collection of dolls, each with her own carefully designed historical background. Each doll's story is told in a series of books that accompanies each doll. The dolls all range in eras from colonial to modern day. The books are aimed at a tween-aged reading level, but that isn't to say both younger and older girls won't enjoy spending a day here. For younger ones, they will enjoy playing with the dolls and doll accessories. As for girls who think they are too old for the store, they can be entertained by the café, different plays, and various displays, even if they no longer play with the dolls.

American Girl Place is a three story mega-store that is much more than just a store, though it does offer three floors full of American Girl merchandise. While its main objective is to entertain and captivate their young audience, the American Girl corporation also does an excellent job of educating their readers. Many girls learn a lot about cultural and historical issues from having an American Girl doll and reading the books. American Girl Place also offers many chances for learning in their store.

The American Girl Revue takes place daily in the store's theater. The musical offers a cast of talented young girls who recreate memorable scenes from each one of the doll's books. They also have original songs and showcase each individual doll's historic era. After the show, visitors can also walk aimlessly around the store's very own art gallery. The gallery is a showcase for all the original illustrations done for each book. Both the learning experience and the enjoyment continue as girls can view large, detailed dioramas depicting aspects from each doll's unique time period.

While touring the complex, many girls, of course, bring their very own American Girl Dolls and the store is careful to not leave these very special guests out. Much of the merchandise available to buy is actually for the dolls. Girls can buy their dolls new outfits as well as new accessories and toys. And for the ultimate doll indulgence, girls can even take their doll to the doll salon to have their hair professionally restyled.

After a long day of walking, touring, and pampering their dolls, girls can sit and relax at dinner in the American Girl café, an important part of the total experience of American Girl Place. The café serves lunch, weekend brunch, afternoon tea, and of course dinner. However, it is important to make reservations and make them early. The staff is excellent

and always patient with their young diners and they are one of the most kid-friendly places to eat in New York City.

Whether a young girl is just starting to become interested in American Girl, or she already has every accessory, doll, and book, doll, book, and accessory, taking a visit to American Girl Place will be an extremely special trip for any girl.

Lindsey Lindquist - Adventure Student Travel - Group Travel Coordinator

Bus Tours, Group Tours, Group Cruises Student Travel