Harbor Springs Vacations
For an idyllic vacation that has a New England-feel without the crowds, try venturing to Northern Michigan and the picturesque city of Harbor Springs. With its small town atmosphere and ideal location on the shores of Lake Michigan, you can capture the restful vacation you have been dreaming about. So pack up the family and get ready for the beauty and ambiance that causes visitors of Northern Michigan to come back year after year.
Upon arrival in Harbor Springs, one of the first things you may notice is the historic Little Traverse Lighthouse on the Harbor Point peninsula. This lighthouse reminds one of the striking lighthouses of New England, minus the crowds and the gusting winds. As you take in the breathtaking views from the Harbor, take a stroll along the city pier for a pleasant afternoon under the warm summer sun.
Water activities are plentiful in this region since the lake is clearly the centerpiece of the splendor that drives families here in the summer. You can simply take a walk along the cool beach, dipping your toes in the water occasionally, or, if you prefer a little more excitement, get out on the water for a day of thrills and fun. The expanse that is Lake Michigan can be quite shocking at first, however once you get beyond the fact that it is much larger than you initially expected, you are ready to feel the wind in your face. Renting a motorboat or sailboat is the best way to really experience this sparkling blue lake, so venture outward for an exhilarating day.
For such a small area, downtown Harbor Springs is surprisingly bustling in the summer. There are four blocks of shops, with a large number of upscale boutiques, a couple of small town coffeehouses, numerous art galleries, and a few of the always popular fudge shops. Northern Michigan fudge shops are a staple of the area as every visitor makes a trip to their favorite one at least twice during their stay. There are also popular, must-see restaurants such as Mary Ellen’s, which is a 50’s-inspired soda fountain that maintains its original appearance, and Bar Harbor, which draws yachtsmen in off the lake with its world-class hamburgers.
Located a few miles away from the downtown area are both the Nubs Nob and Boyne Highlands ski resorts. The Nubs Nob recreation area offers cross-country and downhill skiing on its 246 acres. There are 43 runs to keep visitors entertained and some slopes run upwards of a mile in length. Boyne Highlands has 50 ski trails, which are serviced by 10 lifts, in addition to a terrain park and recently expanded cross-country ski trails. However, Boyne Highlands is not just a winter destination as this mountain resort offers three championship courses for summer visitors of Harbor Springs. One course that any avid golfer simply will not want to miss is the 18-hole Heather, which is considered one of the most scenic and picturesque courses in the country.
An entire vacation in Harbor Springs is easy to imagine when you consider the amazing golf courses, the beautiful weather, the shimmering lake, the bustling small town, and the surrounding large cities, such as Petoskey, that are begging for exploration. For the most convenience during your stay, try a Harbor Springs vacation rental. Your vacation home allows you easy access to Lake Michigan while also placing the attractions of this charming small town within walking distance. Spend a day in Petoskey searching for a souvenir state stone, then return to your vacation rental and watch the sun set over the bay from the privacy of your patio. This is your vacation, so experience all the beauty this area has to offer at your own pace and with all the comforts of home at your fingertips.
HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, look into a Harbor Springs vacation rental for your next trip to Northern Michigan.
Tags: harbor, harbor springs, mi, michigan, northern, springs, travel, trip, vacation travel on June 18th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »Travel Safety Precautions Include Securing Everything before You Leave Home
Every year people take vacations that can be as short as a day or so or as long as a couple of months to be on the safe side you should be sure to secure your home and personal belongings before you leave. Your home may be safe and it may not be. Many criminals like to spend time observing houses to get a good idea of when you will be present or better yet, not present so that they can take all the time they need to go through your belongings.
You can easily help to make your home more secure by telling the neighbors that you are planning on going on a long trip, that way they will pay more attention to suspicious activity. You may also be able to get one of the neighbors to agree to check the doors and exterior of the house periodically to ensure that the place is still locked up tight.
Don’t let the mail pile up or the newspapers either. This is a sure sign no one’s home. You can request that the same neighbor pick up your mail and newspaper or you can have your mail held at the post office for free.
Automatic timers for the lights and even the television in your home will help to give it a more lived in feel while you are gone. They are easy to purchase and install. You can set different timers to turn on and off at different times of the day so it doesn’t appear that everything in your home turned on at once. If you all ready have a security system installed you should notify the company that monitors it to tell them how long you will be gone.
Be sure to get the phone number and address of the place you will be staying at and give it to one of the neighbors and the company that monitors your security system. In case your home is broken into they will be able to contact you and get instructions on how to proceed.
Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.
Tags: cruise, home, safety, secure, trip, vacations travel on June 17th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »Travel Information - Follow My 3 Travel Research Tips To A Worry Free Vacation
For many sun worshipers and golf enthusiasts that live in a seasonally cold climate, I have to regretfully inform you that the 2006 summer season is coming to a close.
The good news is that you may be planning your next sun drenched vacation to escape your cold winter, and if you are fortunate enough to get away this year, allow me to provide you some valuable travel information that can help you prevent any travel pitfalls!
Your vacation is supposed to be relaxing and carefree, and booking your holiday should be stress free as well. When planning your vacation it’s always best to research your destination, accommodations, and flight itinerary months in advance, even though you’re thinking about jumping on a last minute package deal.
Now you may be the spontaneous individual that may say that planning in advance takes the fun out of your last minute booking, but I have come across many people that overlook some key travel requirements, and wind up experiencing a vacation nightmare!
Travel Tourism Organizations And Embassies Are Your Best Source For Information!
The first step many vacation travelers do is either pick up a holiday brochure at their local travel agency, or go online and start searching travel sites for planning tips and package information. These sources are great for helping you select your travel destination, choice of hotels, resorts, and desired cruises, plus detailed information on the destination’s amenities and available tours, but chances are you won’t find in these brochures, or on many of the travel sites, currently updated political and economic situation at destination.
Other important information you may not find is up to date information on changes in your required travel documentation for the country you plan to visit, or any major construction going on nearby your accommodations.
You would be surprised how many vacation tour companies don’t advise travel agencies that extensive renovations are taking place at their properties they offer, and this can be a real inconvenience to you if you’re not informed ahead of time!
Even though you may put all your trust in your local travel advisor, or the information you find on some of the reputable vacation websites, it’s your responsibility to obtain the most current information available, and to do this you should contact the Tourist Boards and Embassies of the destination you’re planning to visit. If you’re not sure what to ask or find out, below are 3 valuable tips to help you plan a safe and enjoyable holiday, and avoid any pitfalls that may create a vacation nightmare.
Tip # 1: In my opinion, knowing what travel documentation is required for each country you visit is extremely important, and if you think that your travel company or online services will keep you up to date, think again! Prior to booking your vacation, ensure you ask your agent to provide you a number to the Embassy of the destination you’re traveling to, and contact them directly yourself to get the most current travel document information.
You would be surprised how quickly a country can change their document policies to enter on a dime, and if your travel agent didn’t get this information quick enough, it’s your responsibility to get the proper papers, passports, or anything else that’s required to enter that destination. If you don’t, then it doesn’t matter whom you point the finger at, it’s your responsibility in the end! Contacting the country’s Embassy will give you all the requirements, and having this information ahead time will allow you to prepare without having to pay extra passport fees, or even worse, cancelling your vacation.
Tip # 2: It’s a fact that many of the vacation paradises you plan to visit may have increased tourism crime. No matter where you go on you holidays, if you don’t use your common sense and gut feelings, you may become a victim to crime. Tourism Organizations are good sources to find out about the destination’s economic situation, and also other information on tourism growth. You might be asking what this all would mean to you, and I will tell you!
You unquestionably should be contacting the Embassies for any current political unrest, or dangerous events that may be undergoing, but don’t stop there. You should also contact the Tourism Boards as well, and ask them questions such as:
Tags: events, guide, information, map, planning, tourism, tours, travel, travel information, trip, visit
travel on June 11th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »