Archives: 2008 December

Every year, millions of Americans weigh their travel options when considering a fun trip for the entire family – and many love theme parks.

Do you love Ohio theme parks but hate the high prices and long line-ups? Do you plan a family vacation every year to Six Flags, but are tired of fighting the crowds and constantly opening your wallet? If so, keep reading for a basic guide that will help you survive the ups and downs of Ohio’s roller coaster parks.

Can Your Kids Handle It?

There’s no age rule for determining whether your child is ready for a theme park vacation. Remember though, the younger the kids, the slower the pace and more flexible you’ll have to be.

On the plus side, if your little one spends most of the day in a stroller, there’s less chance that he’ll get lost or overtired. Bigger kids, on the other hand, will allow you to move through the park faster, and they may get more enjoyment out of the whole theme park experience.

Have a Realistic Budget

A frugal five-night vacation for a family of four near Ohio theme parks will run about $2,000 – plus transportation. Roughly one-third will be for tickets, a third for food, and the rest for lodging and incidentals. But there are ways to cut back.

One aspect that sets many Ethiopian towns apart is their variety. Addis Ababa is a large modern energetic city set against a hilly backdrop, whereas Harar is a walled city with its roots firmly set in medieval times. Axum by comparison often seems isolated and close to world’s end, while Bahirdar offers the traveler lush tranquility.

Breathtakingly beautiful Gondar Ethiopia is typically Italian and art-deco in style. Whatever destinations travelers plan to visit Gondar Ethiopia should definitely be on their must see list.

No surprise, as the city is really a special place with the 17th Century castles resembling Disney animation, wide roads and interesting architecture of the 1930s. One can also be tempted to linger much longer than planned by the sights and scents of a vast array of colorful flowers.

Gondar Ethiopia is situated in the North – West of Ethiopia, south is Tana Lake and north are the Simien Mountains. Tourists come here traveling between Bahirdar and Simien or Axum. Those who do not intend to go further north, take a turn here east to Lalibela. Both the road going north and east from Gondar is astonishing.

This part of the Abyssinian plateau provides one of the greatest adventures in this region but one should be prepared to travel over some rough roads found in this part of northern Ethiopia. The road to Axum, built by the Italians during there occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930’s is to this day, still regarded as a great achievement. The road climbs and falls taking incredible bends for many more kilometers than the crow fly would suggest. It passes over the Simien mountain range, the highest in Ethiopia, and that makes it a firm favorite with travelers.

No matter where you head for a family fun vacation, the hotel or resort in which you stay can make or break the prospect of a relaxing trip. Among your many exciting travel options, Beaches Turks and Caicos should be one of your considerations.

Beaches Turks and Caicos underwent a $100 million renovation project about 5 years ago and the resort has since gone from the unknown to a major family-friendly destination.

To find out more about the resort, who it’s targeted toward and how it measures up, read on for a broad overview.

Targeted Clientele

As a Beaches resort, Beaches Turks and Caicos is all about appealing to families. Their villas in the French village are their most popular family option, allowing parents and children to share a space with multiple bedrooms.

If you’re planning to visit this resort as a couple, you may want to think again as the majority of guests are families and the activities tend to be targeted toward kids and family-friendly activities.

The Rooms

The French Village features 166 deluxe rooms which are divided among several buildings that encircle the large courtyard.

They’re decorated in old French style and all the rooms come with their own patio or balcony. Unfortunately, the deluxe rooms are still rather small, especially if you’re sharing with the kids.

Resort Areas