Archive for November, 2008

Where To Reserve The Finest Golf Lodging In Spain

Part of the thrill in planning a family vacation comes in imagining the seemingly endless options you may have available to make a fun trip. The world is simply filled with enjoyable travel packages that can take you to exciting lands. And one of your “can’t miss” choices is playing some of the great golf courses in Spain.

If you want to combine amazing prices with an incredible golf hotel, Spain is where you need to go. The seRVice is at European levels, the grounds are incredible, the golf is even better and the prices are affordable.

The majority of golf hotels and resorts are centered in and around Costa Del Sol, home to famous courses like the Robert Trent Jones-designed Valderrama Golf Club.

But that’s not the only hot course in the region or the country. Costa del Sol is home to 36 courses alone and Spain itself offers hundreds of both public and private courses for you to enjoy. To find out more about the region and the best courses, keep reading.

Andalusia and Coast Line

Costa del Sol is located in Andalusia and it’s only a 50 minute flight from Madrid. Along this incredible coastline, there are piles of amazing courses. Aside from the golf though, you can enjoy beautiful Spanish towns, hike nearby hills or simply lie by the beach and relax.

Best Gold Courses in the Area

Valderrama isn’t just a difficult course – it’s also hard to obtain a tee time unless you have a lot of advance notice. If you can’t get into Valderamma, you may want to try one of the following other courses or resorts. The Golf Club Marbella was also designed by Robert Trent Jones and is located close by. The Real Club de Golf Las Brisas is historic and gorgeous. The Golf Torrequebrada is tortuous and a course for the truly adventurous.

Other Activities in the Area

Along the fabled coastline, now bursting with hotels, marinas and casinos, there are also many small harbors where boats can be chartered for fishing expeditions and water skiing. Yet if visitors have already found enough water on golf courses, they should consider other diversions, such as excursions to Grenada, Seville and small whitewashed towns in the Sierra Nevadas first settled by the Phoenicians and Romans centuries ago.

But no matter what your pleasure, whether it’s golf, a cultural adventure, or even a short ferry ride to Morocco from the port town of Algeciras – at day’s end, eat and drink heartily, because on the Costa del Sol, particularly at its many beachside restaurants, the no-frills cooking is pescadito sardines and small squid or calamaritos, usually roasted on spits and, best of all, seRVed with famous sweet Malaga wines.

Places to Stay

If you’re looking for a golf hotel, Spain has numerous options. For luxury, try the Marbella Club Hotel. For variety, take in the Atalaya Park Golf Hotel and Resort. For a central location, opt for the La Cala Golf and Spa Resort. And if your heart is set on absolute luxury, try looking into the Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa, a five star hotel with an award-winning course.

Tracking Down Super Student Travel Rates

It’s great to take an opportunity for a family vacation. However, what might be a fun trip for some may not seRVe as enjoyable travel for others. Consider teens or college students on break who want some adventure for a reasonable price.

Well if you are planning a backpacking voyage and looking for some great global student travel deals, then keep reading to learn the three best ways to save money on your next big trip.

Get an ISIC

ISIC stands for an international Student Identity Card. This card is available from most STA Travel offices, Travelcuts locations and other student-affiliated travel agencies around the world. Essentially, an ISIC is your proof that you’re a student, and the card is recognized by thousands of dealers, sellers and travel providers around the world.

If you want to save on your Eurorail pass or get a discount at the hostel in Peru, then you’ll need to show your international Student Identity Card. Basically, some travel companies and providers won’t recognize unknown student cards, meaning the ISIC is your key. It typically costs between $15 to $30 and is valid for one year.

Student airfare Rates

Most airlines no longer offer student rates directly. However, some continue to provide youth fares that are only available through youth-focused or student-focused travel agencies. Check with your on-campus travel agency to see if they have any student specials before you book.

Remember though, most student fares are highly restricted. That means you will either be unable to make changes to the flight or will have to pay a hefty premium to do so. So, if you’re planning to book a student rate airfare, make sure you have your dates solidly confirmed.

Get a Hostelling International Membership

Hostelling International is a global network of hostels. By purchasing a membership before you head out on travel, you’ll get discounted rates, preferred booking access, lower cost trips and activities, commission-free currency exchange, complimentary basic travel insurance and savings on long-distance international calling.

Of course, even if you’re not a member you can still stay at an HI hostel. The cost of an HI membership for a US resident is about $28 a year. Your membership will typically save you between $4 to $6 per night. So, if you plan to stay in your hostel for more than 4 to 7 nights, it will automatically pay for itself. Plus, you’re getting all the other included perks.

Remember, you’re not going to automatically get student travel deals. You have to look for and ask for them. So, always keep your eye out for special student prices, and keep your ISIC or student identity card on you at all times to take advantage of savings opportunities.

Organizing For Preferred Group Vacation Spots In Michigan

Are you looking for creative family vacation ideas this year? A fun trip that all ages will enjoy? Perhaps you’re interested in an enjoyable vacation time at a lesser-known destination that requires travel.

If so, keep reading for a list of some of the best family-friendly destinations in the state of Michigan.

The Air Zoo

For your next family vacation in Michigan – or even if you’ve never yet visited – let your kids explore a replica of the international Space Station, learn about the Wright brothers’ first flight, climb aboard a flight simulator and enjoy many educational and fun rides about the maRVel of flying.

The Air Zoo is sponsored in part by the Smithsonian and is designed to be both a museum relating to flight and also a family entertainment center that focuses on education as well. It’s located in Portage, Michigan and open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Tickets can be expensive though. Expect to pay $19.50 for an adult admission ticket and about $15.50 for a child’s admission. Kids under the age of five can enter for free. If you’re on a budget, then try purchasing your tickets at least three days in advance from the Air Zoo website. You’ll save 10% off the ticket price, which can be a significant savings for large families.

Ford Museum

The Henry Ford Museum isn’t all about Henry Ford. Rather, it’s about the American experience and a long history of ingenuity and commerce. The target audience is children and young adults, but there are numerous activities and resources for adults too. The curators focus on interactive and fun exhibits that capture kids’ imagination and make learning fun.

The museum is open every day of the year, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Expect to pay $14 for an adult admission, $13 for a senior’s admission, $10 for a youth entrance and nothing for children under the age of 5. For more information, you can visit their website at thehenryford.org.

Indoor Water Park hotels

Michigan has the most indoor water parks of any other states in the country. From the infamous Gold Rush to the Great Wolf Lodges, Michigan is packed with hotels that feature massive indoor water playgrounds that are open during all four seasons.

Expect to pay more than you would at a standard hotel, but enjoy the benefits of relaxing by the pool while your kids are entertained with water sports and fun.

Corn Mazes

Michigan state is known for its fall corn mazes. If you’re taking a Michigan family vacation this autumn, be sure to stop at some of the country’s largest corn mazes. In Williamston, you can find a 20-acre corn maze (visit bestmaze.com for details). So, visit Michigan this autumn and get lost in the fun.