After being released 40 years ago, the Disney ride Pirates of the Caribbean continues to blow people away. From haunted caverns to a pirate galleon, there have been no Disney rides as successful as this since the opening. With additions to the ride and the success of the Walt Disney Pictures movie, the ride has a bright future of setting sail for years to come.

It all started in 1961 when Walt Disney assigned imagineer Walt Davis to design a pirate-themed wax museum. Sadly, Walt Disney passed on December 15, 1966 before getting to see the finished product. With the drive to finish the product he had started, Walt Davis released “Pirates of the Caribbean” in New Orleans Square on March 18, 1967.

With all of the sounds, sights, and dazzling features to the ride, it is no surprise that Pirates of the Caribbean has been the most popular Disney ride at Disney. Since the release in 1967, there have been nearly 315 million guests who have ridden the ride.

On March 7, 1997 the ride was redesigned to incorporate some new scenes to make the ride more appealing. There was also added technology to spice up the ride for its 30th anniversary in 1997. As the ride continued to have success, interest for a movie was sparked. After many years of talk and creation, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was released on July 9, 2003 based on the Disney’s ride.

Every delicacy of the ride was taken into serious consideration to give it a realistic feel. Blain Gibson, who sculpted the pirates, often found himself staring at people in restaurants and at church to get his ideas for characters. Harriet Burns, who helped Gibson, changed the hair color or added an eye patch to several characters to ensure that not one looked similar to another.

While first being envisioned as a wax museum by Walt Disney, he later changed his mind to have it be a walk-through adventure. Finally, the ride’s creators turned it into the same boat system that is used for It’s a Small World.

After the extremely successful opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in the summer of 2003 and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, there is much anticipation for the last part to the trilogy coming this summer titled Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Because of the ongoing success of the movies, on June 6, 2006 the Disney opened a redesigned ride. The new ride incorporates the voices and similarities of the movie’s actors Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy and Geoffrey Rush, as well as a revised music track.

Although there have been revisions to the original Disney ride, after 40 years Pirates of the Caribbean continues to be the most popular and most successful ride at Disney theme parks around the world.

When most people think of Disney World they think of the plethora of rides, the Disney characters and the experience of a lifetime. What many people don’t realize until after they have gone is that all of that is just the tip of the iceberg. The Disney entertainment available to vacationers is one that you will find no where else in the world.

There are a number of live Disney entertainment things to do in downtown Disney to keep you busy. One of the most popular shows to see downtown is the Cirque Du Soleil. Because of the high demand for tickets, make sure to plan ahead and prepare to arrive at least a half hour prior to the showing.

The House of Blues is a place to relax and have fun with some of the best Disney entertainment offered. It’s at the House of Blues where you can hear performances from famous performers and rising stars of all kind. The music is accompanied with tasty food and a gift shop to bring the music home with you.

If you’re a sports fan, there is plenty of Disney entertainment to keep you going with the ESPN Club and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The ESPN Club is located in downtown Disney and offers dining, shopping and plenty of fun. There are three different sections to this massive complex including a multimedia center, a sports arcade and a full restaurant and television facility.

Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex is a 47 square mile facility that plays host to over 170 amateur and professional events every year. You can experience everything from professional baseball spring training to an inline skating marathon. The wide array of events offers a little something for everyone.

Other Disney entertainment offered is the five championship golf courses and 9 hole walking course. Each course offers a different challenge for whatever level you are looking for. Magnolia is a course for those who want to play where the champions compete and Lake Buena Vista offers a fun family outing and resembles that of a country-club setting.

If that weren’t enough, you can’t miss Disney World’s numerous nightclubs, spas and miniature golf, fishing, arcades, tennis and more. Whether you are looking to work out or kick back and have a good time, there is never enough time to do everything that Disney World has to offer.

Kenya Africa camping safaris

Camping safaris cater for budget travelers, the young (or young at heart) and those who are prepared to put up with a little discomfort to get the authentic bush experience. At the bottom of the price range, you’ll have to forgo luxuries such as flash toilets, running water and cold drinks, and you’ll have to chip in to help with chores such as putting up the tents and helping prepare dinner.

Showers are provided at some but not all campsites, although there’s usually a tap where you can scrub down with cold water. The price of your safari will include three meals a day cooked by the camp safari chef (s)

There are more comfortable camping options, where there are extra staffs to do all the work, but they cost more. A number of companies have also set up permanent campsite in the Maasai Mara and Samburu National Reserves where you can just drop into the bed at the end of a dusty day’s drive.

At the top of end of this market are some cvery plush luxury campsites offering hot showers and big permanent tents fitted with mosquito nets, beds and sheets, about as far from real camping as five-star hotels are from youth hostels.

Whatever you pay, you’ll end up hot, tired and dusty at the end of the day, but you’ll sleep well, and if you’re lucky your traveling companions should be like-minded independent souls with a sense of adventure. Few things can match the thrill of waking up in the middle of the African bush with nothing between you and the animals except a sheet of canvas and the dying embers of last night’s fire.

It’s not unusual for the elephants or hippos to trundle through the camp at night, or even the occasional lion, and, so far, no-one has been eaten or trampled on-that we know of.

Kenya Lodge & tented –camp safaris

If you can’t do without luxuries, there’s another side to the safari business, a world of luxurious lodges with swimming pools and bars overlooking secluded waterholes, and wonderfully remote tented camps that re-create the way wealthy hunters used to travel around Kenya a century ago. Some of the lodges are beautifully conceived and the locations are to die for, perched high above huge sweeps of savannah or water holes teeming with African wildlife.

Most are set deep within the national parks, so the safari drives offer maximum wildlife –viewing time. A lot of the environmental bad habits of the 1980’s, leopard baiting for example, are falling out of favour.

In the lodges you can expect rooms with bathrooms or cottages with air conditioning, international cuisine, terrace bar beneath a huge makuti (palm-thatched) canopy with wonderful views, swimming pool, wildlife videos and other entertainments, and plenty of staff on hand to cater for all your requirements.

Almost all lodges have a waterhole, and some have a hidden viewing tunnel that leads right to the waterside. Some also put out salt to tempt animals to visit, a dubious habit which shouldn’t really be encouraged.

The luxury tented camps tend to offer semi permanent tents with fitted bathrooms (hot showers come as standard), beds with mosquito nets, proper furniture, fans and gourmet meals served alfresco in the bush. The really exclusive ones are even more luxurious than the lodges, and tend to be very expensive; many of the guests fly in on charter planes, which should give you some impression of the kind of budget we’re talking about.

If you plan to go on vacation for your next summer break or Christmas holiday, then why not choose somewhere exotic? There are many places, and travels agents offering a great Mexican vacation deal.

You can get any type of package you want and you will find anything and everything you are looking for and need. All you need to do is to go online and find the best deal for you and your family, and rest assured that you will fine a Mexican vacation package that will suit your financial situation.

You can get a Mexican vacation deal for your whole family with a family vacation deal, where you will find some agents offering great deal to any place in Mexico.

If you want a famous approach to your holiday you could visit one of the great Acapulco hotels, where you can get an all inclusive Mexico vacation deal that will fit all your needs.

You can choose a Mexico vacation package deal to take your whole family or just choose to take yourself and your partner. Whatever you choose, you are guaranteed the time of your life, and that is a promise that most of these hotels make and keep.

Mexico Vacation Deal Options

You can also go to Cancun and get an all inclusive package that is packed with your family’s daily meals, domestic drinks for the entire family for your whole stay with no limit per person, non motorized water sports, that ensures your family a safe vacation, many daily activities and even more nightly activities, you will be happy to know that all kids under the age of 6 will be granted leave to stay free for you entire visit, and all room are available with a brilliant sea view.

For a water front hotel on the beach visit the Club Bananas Hotel. It is only a 25 minute drive to the international airport and a mere walking distance to the beach, where you can start your vacation off by taking in the vibrant rays of the sun.

At the Club Bananas Hotel you are assured your families safety, good food, good ice cold domestic drinks, comfortable and clean rooms, entertainment at affordable rates and even a swimming pool, which you will never need, because of the massive sea just a few feet away.

At this hotel each room is fully kitted out with an ironing board, alarm clock, TV with international cable, maid services everyday, air conditioning, full sized family bathroom, and many more.

There are plenty of thing to do and even more to see with you Mexico Vacation deal, and you will be happy to know that all deals are tailor made just for you, so you will be assured that you will not be left without money at the end of your vacation.

More importantly, you will be relaxed on your return home, which is the most important thing when one goes on a vacation. So choose a Mexico Vacation deal and make the most of your holiday time.

Hong Kong, a leading commercial center of the world, is also a great place to travel to. Tourists visiting the metropolis have found their trip to be a very enjoyable and enlightening one. This is an excellent place for sightseeing, shopping or simply moving around. No matter how many times you visit the city there will always be something new and innovative coming up that remains to be discovered. You can be assured of a rewarding experience every time you visit the city.

Though facing competition from the Mainland cities and Macau as far as tourist attraction is concerned Hong Kong does occupy a special place in the hearts of the visitors. The government of Hong Kong has been planning and developing a wide range of diversified tourist attractions in Hong Kong for bringing the city to focus as a premier tourist destination. So, planning a trip to Hong Kong can be a worthy experience indeed.

Hong Kong attractions

Attractions that await you upon your visit to the city are:
# The Sai Kung waterfront and the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade whose beautifications have been recently completed.
# The Stanley waterfront that is being completed.
# The Symphony of Lights launched in 2004 that is a world class multi-media light and sound show and a permanent night time feature of the Victoria Harbor.
# The Avenue of Stars- a new tourist attraction popular among tourists and locals alike that pulls in millions of visitors every year.
# The open plaza outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.
# The newly designed visitor signage as installed in the 18 districts- seeking to make the city more visitor-friendly.

The Outlying Islands of Hong Kong are also great attractions. They are perceived to be endowed with the real Hong Kong magic- the traits that give Hong Kong a distinctive identity of its own setting it apart from the other great cities of the world.

The islands serve as a reflection of the unique history of the place. Tourists can get to witness ancient villages, little fishing communities, monasteries etc. - all reminiscent of the past days of the place that is now Hong Kong. However, with the setting up of roads and with telephone and electricity services being installed the centuries old lifestyle of the islands is gradually changing. Nevertheless, they will never fail to becharm you.

Visiting Hong Kong during festive times

Hong Kong is also a city of festivities. A number of special festivals take place over the year that are great to witness and participate in. The Chinese (Lunar) New Year is an important festival that occurs towards spring time. Then there is the Spring Lantern Festival of beautiful lanterns. For best enjoying this, a visit to the Victoria Park of Hong Kong Island is recommended.

The Mid Autumn Festival as celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth Chinese lunar month is another festival of significance that can be witnessed. This is also called the lantern festival as decorative lanterns are made use of to add gaiety and brightness. Moon cakes that contain various fillings are eaten.

Best seasons for planning travel to Hong Kong

The weather of Hong Kong becomes a little chilly in winter and hot and humid in summer. Spring i.e. March-April is considered to be the best time to visit the city as during this time it is neither too hot nor too cold and is not too humid either. Autumn i.e. between September and November is also a good season to visit the place. So, trips to Hong Kong are best planned during either spring or autumn. A number of special festivals can also be witnessed during these times.

If you are looking to go on vacation but have no idea where to go, then how about Mexico where you can leave the country, but will not have to travel overseas.

Mexico has so many beautiful beaches and settings that will be able to offer you the best in relaxation while being no trouble at all. The Mexico vacation packages that you can find are extremely cheap and you can choose from beach settings, colonial towns, archaeological sites and much more.

The most popular vacation hotspots are Cancun and the Riviera Maya which is situated along the Caribbean coast with natural surroundings, sandy white beaches, and great night life. The Pacific Coast offers eth destinations of Los Cabos, Acapulco, and Puerto Vallarta.

Included in the Mexico vacation package is a choice of first class resorts and hotels, transportation to and from the airport, as well as for your stay in Mexico, and other specially organized activities.

The resort vacations will also include meals, beverages, and entertainment for your stay in Mexico. The guided tours provide great insight and can be a great way to experience the sites and sounds of Mexico.

You can go on tours through the jungle, whale watch along the coast, and visit the ancient archaeological sites of the Maya, Aztec, and other civilizations.

When you choose a Mexico vacation package you will be sure to get the best service possible and you can choose from so many diverse and interesting regions to visit. You can even choose a package which will take you to different areas around Mexico.

Special Mexico Vacation Deals

There are also various special deals on offer depending on which American city you are departing from, and also which Mexican city you are going to visit. Some are flight deals and might offer that kids fly for free, which is great for those large family vacations.

One of the most well known Mexico vacation deal packages is the hotel resorts in Acapulco and is one of the places that you must go to if you are traveling to Mexico. When you are going to Mexico, one of the things that you need to take into account is the weather.

The weather can vary a lot, and the rain and hurricane season is in August to September, so it is best not to visit the costal towns during that time. Inland areas are cool at night even in summer, but the costal towns are very hot so be sure to get an air conditioned hotel.

So when you are deciding which Mexico vacation package to take, be sure to find out what the weather will be like in that area, and find out what there is to do fro family activities, or romantic couples. There is something for everyone in Mexico, check with your travel agent about special offers and great Mexico vacation package deals.

IF you cannot decide, then look at some forums and reviews on the different places that other Americans have been to and recommend.

Barcelona is finally seeing an end to the days where a shortage of hotel rooms was acutely felt at certain times of the year, including the boat show, the F1 Grand Prix or the large scale trade fairs and conferences.

The city has seen a huge increase in tourism over the last decade and the construction of news hotels combined with renovating existing buildings to such a standard that they could be converted to hotels is forecast to continue well into the future.

The choice of hotel is often down to the purpose of visiting Barcelona and perhaps can be broken down into three criteria – cost, location and facilities. While many tourists choose the old town, with its darkly narrow streets within easy walking distance of the Ramblas, many business travellers choose hotels close to the Fira.

The top areas for tourists are the Ramblas, the gothic quarter and Passeig de Gràçia, as well as El Born for the nightlife. Hotel Arts is also popular, but located in the Port Olimpic area and not so convenient, although taxis are reasonably cheap compared with many cities, although can be in short supply at weekends and throughout August.

One of the problems with some hotel booking websites is that they aren’t always accurate about where they are located, and many hotels that are described as being in Barcelona are a long way out. It is easy to check though as hotels in Barcelona city will always have a 5-digit postcode starting 080.

There are a number of hotels right on the Ramblas, although you should be aware that the lower end of the street becomes the city’s prime red-light district in the early hours, although the city council is making moves to clean up the whole area.

The top end of the Ramblas, towards Plaça Catalunya, is much better and home to such hotels as 5-star Le Meridien and Hotel 1898. Close by, in the gothic quarter is the Rialto and directly opposite the cathedral is Hotel Colon. Other hotels of note include Banys Orientals in El Born, to which the popular Senyor Parallada restaurant is attached; the 5-star Majestic Hotel on Passeig de Gràcia, with the Claris nearby; and Barceló Sants. The latter is really aimed at business travellers, but as it is directly above Barcelona-Sants station is ideal for the metro and mainline stations, although there are currently massive works going on there due to the high speed train.

Barcelona hosts dozens of major exhibitions and conferences and so there are several hotels within easy walking distance, although you’ll probably want to make your way into the city centre too. 4-star Hotel Plaza is the obvious example and there is a metro station that runs straight into the centre too, but the three big hotels near Sants station are a good bet too.

However, if you’re looking for luxurious surroundings and first class service then you won’t beat the elegance of hotels such as the Majestic, Claris or Le Meridien.

Slovenia is a country that surprises visitors with its unspoilt countryside and varied landscape in a small geographic area, while the uniqueness of your country often lies in the rich tourist offer of its region, which may, at first glance, seem hidden from the eye.

In addition to the unspoilt countryside, the rich cultural life, the varied tourist offer, the excel-lent gastronomy and outstanding wines, tourists are again and again surprised by the hospitality and friendliness with which peoples in Slovenia welcome their guests.

There is a full range of overnight accommodation options in Slovenia. Visitors may choose a hotel, apartment hotel, garni hotel, motel, guest house, villa, bungalow, apartment, private room, tourist farm, mountain lodge, youth hostel or campsite. Most accommodation are opened all year round.

Hotels in Slovenia are categorized from one to five stars in line with international standards and those of other hotels in Western Europe. Hotel reservations may be made directly with the hotels. You can book your hotel room also via tourist agency or by faxs or e-mail.

You can get pricelist of Slovenia hotels at different places. A hotel price list is published annually in Slovenia and may be obtained from Slovenian representative offices abroad, Slovenian tourist agencies or from the Slovenian Tourist Board.

Younger visitors may find accommodation at youth hostels at Bled, Ptuj, Piran, Nova Gorica and Ljubljana. Student accommodation is also open to tourists at very reasonable rates during university summer holidays in larger towns and cities across Slovenia.

Kurnik Edi is a travel consultant and writer, specialising in less well known destinations in Slovenia. If you want to avoid the tourist traps and see more of the real Slovenia visit his site, Explore Slovenia

For some, the changing colors of the leaves in the trees signals a sad end to summer. But for millions, it signals the start of the sweetest season of them all:

Fall Foliage in New England

From late summer until around November 1st, Mother Nature paints her pictures in every shade in the spectrum, from the deepest oil colors of the reds and purples to the delicate pastels of the yellows and greens. Starting at the northernmost points in New England, she slowly sweeps her brush across the landscape, from the mountaintops to the city parks, from sea to rural settings in the west.

Planning your fall foliage tour depends on the vacation dates you have available. But anytime during this almost two month period will provide plenty of "leaf peeping" if you go to the right places. In other words, by mid-September the leaves in Maine are approaching their peak while the trees in Connecticut are just beginning to turn. Conversely, by November first when western Connecticut is in full flower, the trees in Maine will have already lost their leaves.

The warmer and wetter the summer, the longer and later the season will last. A cooler and/or dryer than normal summer will hasten the process and put peak viewing times in a narrower shutter. The best way to get an idea is to visit the individual state websites for their predictions on the best time to see the leaves. Also, most newspapers in New England keep a running report during the season, noting the arrival of perfect scenery throughout the region.

For those of you who like the comfort and convenience of a guided tour, there are many bus tours (and even a train/bicycle option) which keep right on top of the changes and can provide optimum viewing from the comfort of the bus or from the frequent stops at overlooks and to stroll out into the trees.

The do-it-yourself-ers can always plan out an auto tour which leaves you free to linger in a particularly beautiful spot or to push on if an area doesn't meet your expectations.

And of course, the more adventurous traveler will find that walking, hiking and biking can provide you with opportunities to see spectacular foliage which would otherwise not be accessible from the main roads.

Coinciding with the coming of harvest time, the hotels and inns, restaurants and farm stands will provide you with many spectacular dining experiences all along your route.

Remember, New England fall foliage tours attract millions of people from not only all over the country, but from all over the world. It is not unusual to run into not only many Europeans in autumn in the region, but people from even the Far East! Do not be lulled into a sense that peak tourist season is over and that accommodations will be plentiful. Be sure to make reservations in plenty of time so as not to miss out on some of the more spectacular scenes.

Here are some state-by-state tips for your fall foliage planning.

MAINE
For the first peek at the peak foliage season, Maine is your destination. Starting in September, the leaves in the northwestern area of the state have begun to turn. Starting up in the mountains north of Baxter State Park, the leaves will rapidly reach their peak in a long, southeasterly arc, sweeping steadily down to the shoreline near the southern coastal resorts in the Kennebunk/Ogunquit area. A 10 day trek across Maine at this time will provide you with every setting in which to view spectacular foliage, from the mountain tops through the free-standing forests to the wooded areas directly to the west of the Atlantic coast.

VERMONT
The state of Vermont is considered the center of New England's fall foliage spectacular. Starting in the northern part of the state up near Canada, St. Johnsbury hosts an annual Fall Foliage Festival. Heading south, the Green Mountains and Smuggler's Notch State Park are optimum for viewing. The ski resorts are all perfect places from which to centralize a trip. There's plenty of lodging and dining and other amenities not at their peak demand and the season lasts longer than many others.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The White Mountains is the place to go. It is the most popular foliage tour destination in New England, but they're also plenty prepared. Simply driving the Kancamagus Highway from Conway to North Woodstock will provide you with scores of stunning opportunities. And the locals will be more than happy to clue you in to scenes off the beaten path. For a quick trip from New York or southern New England, the Mount Monadnock State Park region is a cornucopia of delights within just a few hours drive.

MASSACHUSETTS
The Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts are easily accessible from any starting point. These foothills of the Adirondacks are one of the most popular destinations for the "leaf peeper". In the heart of the state, the two main roads, the Mass Turnpike and Route 2 provide dozens of great opportunities while heading east to west or vice-versa. There are many easily accessible areas right off the main roads, but simply sticking to those main roads will provide you with spectacular scenery without ever even leaving the car! This is a really easy way to see the sights, especially for the novice.

CONNECTICUT
A trip around the border of this state will provide you with multiple opportunities and can be accomplished in just a couple of days. For a longer stay, the northwestern area of the state is an optimum location for a more extended stay.

RHODE ISLAND
The beauty of fall foliage in "The Biggest Little State in the Union" is that not only are the colors spectacular, but also it has the longest and latest season. And being so small it is possible to travel throughout the state on the 2 main roads heading east-west (Routes 101 and 6) or north-south (Routes 95 and 102) and see all there is to see in just a couple of days, while staying in one of southern Rhode Islands seaside communities or enjoying luxury accommodations in the greater Providence area.

Here's a checklist to help plan your fall foliage tour.

Look for foliage festivals, harvest celebrations or other autumn-oriented events. They are usually centered in a prime foliage location and can provide many opportunities for other kinds of recreation when you're ready for a break or in the evenings.

Book your rooms early. Autumn in New England is just as busy in the fall as it is in high summer and during ski season. You're competing with people from all over the world for accommodations.

Try planning for weekday excursions. You can enjoy the scenery in less-crowded conditions during the week and then relax in the surroundings of your accommodations on the weekend without fighting the crowds.

Make sure to bring your camera! Just look at the amount of award-winning photographs of fall foliage to give you an idea of the number of memories you'll wish to preserve.

Take advantage of the full array of possibilities. Whether driving yourself or on a tour, make sure there will be opportunities to head down the side roads and back roads and to explore on foot or by bike. Many of the most spectacular scenes are available only off the beaten path.

From some of the oldest points of interest in the United States to some of the most modern marvels America has to offer; from the quiet and solitude of Mark Twain's small-town life to the excitement and nightlife of America's largest casinos; from the foothills of the Appalachias to the very shores on which our ancestors first set foot on the solid ground of the new world - you'll find it all here in Connecticut!

The diversity of Connecticut, one of the original thirteen colonies to declare statehood and independence, is astounding. And being one of our smallest states, it is easy to partake in some of everything the area has to offer in just a short stay, or fill an extended stay with enough different activities to appeal to any member of your family.

Spend the day walking through the woods and your evening at one of the largest casinos in the country, with time out for dinner at a world-class restaurant and an entertainment break with one of the top stars in the world. Spend the day at one of the picturesque beaches and your evening in the coziness of a Bed & Breakfast ensconced in an ancient farmhouse

With each of the major tourist areas within an hour's drive of each other, and each offering truly rural settings anchored by a major - and historical - metropolitan area, Connecticut is the place to go!

CONNECTICUT - NORTH EAST AREA

- Heritage Valley The Heritage Valley of Connecticut is where it all began for this state. The first town was incorporated here and there are nine other towns in the area representing traditions from manufacturing to farming communities, college towns and businesses. You are also poised to make quick visits to Boston, Providence, Newport and New York. The towns are full of quaint shops, historical sites, great restaurants and wonderful old inns.

- Quiet Corner If you've ever seen a postcard from Connecticut or an ad symbolizing small-town New England life, you already know what "Quiet Corner" is all about. Small towns popping up between working farms, cattle grazing by the river. There is a bounty of dining experiences here from upscale, country inn dining in the quaint town of Woodstock to roadside diners as you approach the Massachusetts border.

- Hartford Metro Area The capital city of Connecticut is the perfect place to base your stay in the Nutmeg State. A major metropolitan area, Hartford has everything a big city can offer - museums, nightlife, fine dining, great shopping. And its location offers you quick, easy access to everything else the state has to offer: the country, the beaches, New York city, a quiet New England village, casino gambling and entertainment or a concert on the village green. As the insurance capital of the world, Hartford itself is a sophisticated city which has undergone a great revival and offers world class entertainment, art and cultural attractions as well as a multitude of opportunities for the more intellectually minded. For the confirmed city dweller who would like a taste of what New England life has to offer without giving up the comforts and convenience of the big city, Hartford is the ideal place to center your stay in the Nutmeg State.

CONNECTICUT - NORTH WEST REGION

Dividing up what most people would consider a small region to begin with into smaller areas may seem like splitting hairs. But, the diversity of this region demands attention to each of the exciting and entertaining locations which will be calling you during your Connecticut stay.

- Central Connecticut & New Britain The small town life enjoyed by all Americans from our very beginnings through the 1950s is still a "way of life" in this area. Halfway between Boston and New York City, you can visit almost anything this entire country has to offer in this microcosm of America. Flea markets, county fairs, arts festivals, museums, working farms, small towns, modern cities. All of these can be found in in Central Connecticut. The greatest attraction of the area is that its rural nature offers you the relaxation which the demands of modern life require as a component of any vacation. However, you can easily balance the quiet times with the fun and excitement which are within a short drive of your hideaway. Base your vacation in the great city of New Britain or just outside the city limits and everything is within your reach.

- Housatonic Valley & Bridgewater/Danbury Small towns, historic villages, and quaint shops dot the scenery as you drift through the past in the Housatonic Valley. Enjoy the quiet of country life all day - stop for some traditional fare at an in on one of the picturesque back roads, do some antiquing and enjoy the sunset over the rolling hills. The head into the Bridgewater/Danbury area for world-class dining and exciting nightlife. Return to your country inn for the evening or stay in one of the fine hotels in town and spend the day at some of the great museums and other attractions in town and treat yourself to some great shopping including some of the local and national factory outlets well-represented in the area.

- Litchfield Hills This area is true "New England". The working and preserved farms give way to the rolling hills. As you wind through the hills and begin your ascent into the mountain area, you can stop for a swim or a picnic or just a stroll around one of the many mountain lakes and streams nestled in some of the best cared-for state parks in the land. Covered bridges, which draw tourists, photographers and artists from all over the world, span the streams and rivers which lead into the small towns and villages where the bandstand on the village green promises an evening concert after enjoying a home-cooked meal at one of the many great restaurants. Then retire to one of the ancient inns or B&Bs which flourish in the area for a truly relaxing, old-fashioned getaway.

- Waterbury Region A major city surrounded by incredible New England countryside. Who could ask for more! Truly the best of all worlds, this area is like getting a taste of everything New England has to offer in one convenient area. Museums, theatre, shopping, musical entertainment all await you in the city. To get away from it all, just drive out a few miles and you'll find yourself in the heart of the best of what New England has to offer.

CONNECTICUT - SOUTH EAST REGION

River Valley & Shoreline The rolling hills and small towns which line the Connecticut River lead you down to the beautiful Atlantic coast dotted with beaches, fishing villages and marinas. This area is the perfect combination of rural and shoreline which has played such a great role in life in New England since the first settlers. Experience it all in one of the most relaxed settings in New England.

The town of Mystic is the perfect combination of the new and the old. Here lies Olde Mistick Village, the finest example of old seafaring life in the northeast. The perfectly preserved village and the wonderful tall ships and fishing vessels offer a combination of fun and history which is unparalleled. The inns and Bed and Breakfast establishments offer comfy rooms and fine dining for a true taste of life on the ocean. The nearby town of Stonington has much the same attraction without being quite as busy. The beaches and fishing are some of the best on the East Coast and opportunities for sailing and boat tours abound.

The evenings in these quiet towns can be offset with the excitement afforded by the fabulous Mohecan Sun and Foxwoods casinos. The largest and most successful casinos in the world, these 24 hours per day, 365 days a year establishments offer all the excitement of Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, but with the convenience and affordability of New England. They offer dining for every taste and pocketbook from wonderful ethnic and local fast foods to true upscale cuisine. The showrooms, lounges, bars and theatres are a must stop for every major act touring the country and many of these great shows are free. From seniors bingo and quarter slots to blackjack and high roller events and competitions, virtually anyone can enjoy the excitement of gaming no matter what their budget. Go sailing in the day and relax at your inn during the evening or lounge on the beach all day to gear up for an evening of excitement at the casinos - this area is truly one of the great destinations for a classic New England vacation.

CONNECTICUT - SOUTH WEST AREA

Coastal Fairfield Fairfield County is the destination for the tourist who would like to stay busy! As you travel up the coast from Manhattan, you'll pass through the bedroom communities of the big apple from Greenwich to Bridgeport, each with it's own flavor and personality. The beaches which line Long Island Sound are some of the finest in the country - in the world, actually - and they are only one of the reasons so many are attracted to the area. The towns along the shore and those just a short drive inland represent an unprecedented combination of big city sophistication with small town tradition. The colleges, museums, theatre groups, malls and sports teams of the towns and cities form a dividing line between the fine fishing, boating and swimming to the south and the backroads warmth of true Yankee hospitality to the north. And in the summer, there are an unprecedented number of special events - over 1000 at last count - from arts festivals to the P.T. Barnum Festival, from parades to sea food festivals and everything else in between. You're guaranteed a great time in this area on any day you visit.

Greater New Haven As you travel up the coast, you'll find that it's all topped off with the great city of New Haven. The home of the ancient ivy league Yale University, this historic city offers outstanding opportunities to explore the best of what Connecticut has to offer - a great intellectual community brimming with museums and libraries, classical music and theatre, historical sites, great international cuisine and a lively club and pop music scene. It's all here in New Haven and just a hop, skip and jump away are the great beaches on one side and the quaint countryside on the other. A perfect place to see and experience everything one looks for in a New England vacation.

Take a break, stay away from the busy city streets, free your spirit and meet new people. There are all kinds of specialty cruises, from cruises for hiking enthusiasts that stop at many choice hiking locations, to cruises for fisher people, health enthusiasts and other special interest groups. The cruise ship offers everything that is entirely for one's enjoyment. You can take part in planned group activities, take in some sun, enjoy one of the many on board activities or just hang out in your cabin and watch movies. Enjoy the traditional way of relaxing near the pool with eyes set on the star-studded sky or flash one's eyeballs on the beautiful people. Some ships offer spa and other beauty packages. As the night curtains are dropped, there are numerous bars and parties for you socialize and mingle with others. You may be surprised at the unique types of activities that are available. There are a lot of things and activities waiting for you so do not get stuck in a corner, go out and meet people.

You are on your way away from home; packing is the next thing to consider. There will be plenty of situations perfect for casual wear, such as shorts and t-shirts. For the night time something a little formal will do the trick. Besides the basics of clothes and toiletries, it's a clever idea to bring at least a few swim suits. There's just nothing fun about putting on an icy cold suit that doesn't want to go on. If you've ever tried to squeak into a wet swimsuit, then you know what I'm talking about. Be sure to bring your camera because there will be tons of interesting things to snap pictures of. You'll want these to record your vacation for yourself as well as share with friends once you get back home from your cruise vacation. Above all else, don't forget to pack your sense of fun and adventure.

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