Our Vacation Adventures

Niagara Falls Motel

Can you find a good deal on a motel in Niagara Falls?

When vacationing or going away for a business trip where you stay can have a huge impact on how the trip goes for you. Accommodations in Niagara Falls can be expensive depending on the season, and your personal preferences. Of course if you don’t need Internet, hot tubs, or valet parking you can probably get by with staying at the lower rated motels. But what if you do need these things but are on a budget?

Is it possible to find a good deal when staying in Niagara Falls? Of course it is. Like anything else to get a good deal you will need to shop around for the best prices. One option is to book through a travel agent who can help you get a good deal often including your airfare, motel, and discount tickets for attractions and dining.

There are several motels located in and near Niagara Falls including the Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Ramada, Marriott, Sheraton, and Howard Johnson, Thriftlodge, Double Tree, and Crown Plaza. One of the more extravagant motels located here is the Pillar and Post Inn.

You can often get a good deal on rooms by booking your trip online as well. Many of the online sites for travel are able to give you lower rates due to the motel having several vacancies. Along with getting better rates many of the hotels offer coupons or discounts with your purchase of two nights or more. You can often get free passes for rides or tokens to enjoy things such as the local arcades or water parks.

If you are looking for something all inclusive look for deals that also include some of your meals as well. When booking for a family you can also get cheaper rates if you book more than one room.

The prices for everything revolve around what amenities you need and how close you are to the Falls. If you are traveling there for business there are many motels that cater to your needs with free Internet and local convention centers which can be used for meetings.

One thing to keep in mind when looking for a motel is hotel chains usually have a standard rate while others have the ability to change their rates from one night to another. If you belong to discount clubs such as Triple A, or other motel rewards program this can help to lower your rates as well.

Local hotels such as the Marriott offer special motel packages that include the price of your room for 2 nights with a free spa treatment, and a free dinner and breakfast for two. Other motels in the area have similar offers but they vary according to season and availability. Make sure to ask for as many extras as possible. Some motels will not tell you that you are entitled to the extras such as free dinner passes, free valet or taxi services, airport shuttle passes, or even attraction passes.

Finding a deal in the beautiful Niagara Falls is possible but just requires some planning and make sure you do your homework before choosing the first offer you are presented with.

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Niagara Falls Casino

Information on gambling in Niagara Falls

One aspect of Niagara Falls that often attracts new tourists or returning is the vast selection of hotel and casinos found on both the Canada and New York side. Depending on which side you intend to visit the currency dealt may be only American dollars while other areas may consist of Canadian and American dollars. The gambling age also varies from one location to another with the legal gambling age in America at 21 as opposed to 19 on the Canadian side.

Most of the casinos found in Niagara Falls are now housed by hotels to extend the amenities offered to guests and tourists. Room rates will vary depending on the area and the rating of the casinos. Some of the world class casinos found here may be compared with the popularity of the Falls itself.

Many hotel operators and casino resorts have made impressive efforts to transform large areas of their hotels to accommodate dealing tables and gambling machines to provide their guests with the best gambling choices available. Most of the casinos have the common casino games such as Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Caribbean stud poker, and tons of slot machines. These casinos stay open 24/7 so if you want to tour the Niagara Falls during the day you can easily enjoy the attractions and convenience of the casinos at night.

The casino hotels found in Niagara Falls offer a venue where excitement meets luxury. With elegant decor and furnishings sure to delight almost everyone, coupled with the thrilling excitement offered by the casino gaming your visit will be most memorable. Most casino hotels offer a wide variety of rooms ranging from standard to double or king to the most extravagant suites often known as penthouse or presidential suites.

Among the best casinos in Niagara Falls you will find three that stand out. These include the Niagara Falls Casino Resort, Fallsview Casino Resort, and the Seneca Casino Niagara Falls. Each of these three hotel and casinos have large gaming areas, numerous rooms to choose from, games of chance galore, and most of all, they each give great access to the Falls.

The Niagara Falls Casino Resort is located on the Canadian side and is known as one of the greatest and most extensive locations in that part of North America.

The Seneca Casino which is located in New York opened in 2002 after an $80 million dollar renovation. This includes 82,000 square feet of gaming space with over 2,000 slot machines and almost 100 table games. The casino now offers a buffet, steak and seafood restaurant, and pub. To enhance your nightlife check out their Bear’s Den showroom or Club 101. You can often enjoy live music at the club or catch a famous star or two performing there.

If you are looking for alternative ways to enjoy Niagara Falls at night and over the age of 19 definitely check out these magnificent hotel and casinos. Whether you are a advanced gambler or just looking to let loose and enjoy a spin of the roulette wheel or round of blackjack you will definitely enjoy your time at the Niagara Falls casinos.

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Niagara Attractions

Summary of tourist attractions in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World which has huge amounts of visitors each year. Tourists flock to see the marvelous beauty it holds.

Niagara impresses many with its exceptional natural beauty, kind hospitality, numerous cultural offerings, natural and man created attractions, and all of the historical architecture that you can handle.

There are tons of attractions to enjoy during your visit ranging from no charge to higher fees. On the Canadian side the most popular attractions are Journey behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, Marineland and Niagara Jet Boat, Skylon Tower, and Spanish Aero Car. For the American side you have the Maid of Mist again, Niagara Aquarium, and Cave of the Winds. If you have the time and resources I would recommend visiting these great attractions.

If you are on a budget or looking to stay on the cheaper side of things Niagara Falls actually offers a wide selection of cheap and affordable attractions.

Many tourists enjoy visiting the Horseshoe Falls which is found on the Canadian side. It gives you a wonderful view of the cascading Niagara Falls during the daytime, and a lighted rainbow sky illuminating the falls at night. If taking photos is a passion this will be where you capture some of your best work.

Often during the summer you will see a firework show taking place once it gets dark especially during the summer time or nearing holidays.

For those who have a love for mother nature try visiting the large 99 acre botanical garden which houses over 2,000 types of roses, shrubs, trees, and exotic plants. This lovely attraction is free for all to enjoy year round. For those who haven’t had enough you can visit the Floral Clock which is a 40 feet area which consists of over 20,000 bright carpet plants. It’s one of the biggest in the world and people come from all over to see it.

Mother Nature also provides tourists with numerous hiking and biking trails that will enhance your love for the outdoors. You can experience the breath taking views while traveling along some of the well known trails or parks including Bruce Trails, Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, and Ball’s Falls.

For those who are a fan of wine you will be happy to know that there are several wine tasting facilities found in the Niagara Falls area. With over fifteen thousand acres under vine they have close to 100 wineries.

For those traveling with children there are many areas that will keep you and your family busy for hours. The Fallsview Waterpark offers 15 slides, numerous swimming pools including a wave pool, an AquaPlay area which is known as Calypso Beach, and ceiling to floor windows which allow you to enjoy the best view of the Falls. There is also a grand magic show which is run by the great Greg Frewin. The show includes appearances by some of the most majestic and rarest tigers in the world.

This is just a handful of the many attractions that can be found while visiting the magnificent Niagara Falls.

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Marineland - Niagara Falls

Info about Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada

If you plan on traveling and looking for a place to take your family that is not only fun but also educational you should consider Niagara Falls. With the many attractions and natural beauty this is the perfect place for you to relax while enjoying the serenity and thrills that Niagara Falls have to offer.

Just south of Niagara falls is Marineland which is a a very unique theme park loved and visited by millions each year. The theme park grew from a normal water park to an all out theme park that includes water rides, roller coasters, deer petting zoos, rides, and tons of games for adults and children to enjoy.

There are numerous marine animals to see at the theme park including killer whales, sharks, beluga whales, and dolphins. The wide array of marine life allows individuals to enjoy the ocean’s most intriguing and exotic creatures. You will enjoy daily water shows which include the water sharks and the beloved dolphins which are held at the Aquarium Dome and Waldorf Stadium Show. If you want to be a part of the show or to be able to get the best view it’s recommended that you show up early. You will be amazed by the magnificent animal spectacles which often end with the unsuspecting audience being drenched with a huge tidal wave of water. Aside from the water shows you will get an upfront look at the manatees, penguins, walruses, and a variety of other fish and wildlife.

The newly created Friendship Cove houses the biggest whale habitat anywhere in the world. The cove has walkways that surround it to enable visitors to view the water shows. There are numerous rides available for those who are looking for a bit more excitement at Marineland. This includes the Sky Scream which is the world’s tallest triple tower ride that not only gives you amazing views but will drop you over 400 feet within just a few seconds.

Children love visiting because they are given the chance to pet and feed animals from the land and sea. The enjoy watching the dolphins flip high into the air or perform tricks. They can see the sea lions outwit their trainers while they play with the fallow deer.

Marineland is closed during the winter months but is open bright and early all summer long which gives locals and tourists something fun to look forward to. If you plan on visiting Niagara Falls often or live in the area then you could purchase summer passes to help stick to a budget. If you only plan on visiting a single time you would be better off buying just enough tokens and passes as needed.

One thing to consider when booking your hotel room is to check out if they are one of the many properties that offer tour packages that include 2-3 nights, free meals, and tokens for Marineland.

The Marineland in Niagara Falls is a majestic unforgettable adventure that the whole family will enjoy.

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Butterfly Conservatory Niagara Falls

Summary of the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Canada

Have you ever wanted to become one with nature? There is a place that can make you feel like you are doing just that. If you are looking to plan a trip in the near future consider the Niagara Falls. While there visit the Butterfly Conservatory for a science lesson you will never forget.

Watching a butterfly is almost like seeing a colorful flower float throughout the sky. They have an elegant flight pattern that often seems to paint the walls with color. Here you will see extraordinary greenery and flowing water which will set the stage for hundreds of fluttering butterflies.

The 11,000 sq ft butterfly conservatory houses numerous kinds of species of butterflies. You can observe them flying about while making their way exit out of their chrysalides. Feeding the butterflies could be a challenge if it were not for the large variety of foliage which is placed throughout the conservatory. There are bright colorful flowers for the butterflies to sip nectar on so observe carefully as you may get to see them feed.

Housed inside of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens the conservatory is visited each day by many tourists. You will find over 2,000 tropical butterflies who are allowed to fly freely among exotic blossoms and lush greenery. There are several walking paths for you to follow which make their way around a pond, past a waterfall and eventually to the Emergence window which is where you can observe the butterflies preparing to take their first flight ever. This exotic rainforest setting is the most amazing habitat for the butterflies.

Prices will vary but on average will run around $11 for adults and $7 for children 6-12. Children under the age of 5 get in free. The conservatory stays open all year long except for one day which is Christmas. However, there are times when the conservatory is crowded and there may be a waiting list to get in. This time usually occurs during the summer months when tourism is at its highest peak of the year.

When you enter the Butterfly Conservatory you will be asked to watch a short video on how to keep the butterflies safe as well as yourself during your walk throughout the area. The humidity is usually high due to the needs of the butterflies so depending on the season you make want to take that into consideration when visiting to help you decide how to dress. Once you have watched the video you are free to roam as you like to watch butterflies. Often you will be surprised when you see them land on your shoulder or the head of someone passing by.

Whether you are young, old, traveling with your family, for business or alone you will enjoy your time at the conservatory. It’s an amazing sight to view one of Mother Nature’s most exotic creatures move about as if no one is watching.

Aside from enjoying the majestic beauty that the butterflies hold you are helping to preserve the heritage and nature of the Niagara Falls because a portion of proceeds is donated to area causes.

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Alicante - the Most Famous Gateway to Costa Blanca

Alicante is maybe best called the gateway to Costa Blanca, famed more for its airfield than for its more familiar neighbors like, Benidorm and Denia. Most visitors to Alicante use the town as an arrival and exit point, not stopping long enough to see what the area has to really offer.

Alicante offers a more sophisticated break in Costa Blanca. The beaches and coastal attractions remain consistent in the area, but the area is a touch more laid back than it’s loud neighbor. Alicante has moved upmarket recently with a multitude of exclusive cafes and bars turning up round the commercial port areas. The boulevard meanders nicely past the pier and beachfront area which turns into the charming Old Quarter.

From an agreeable base in Alicante, Costa Blanca offers much to the more discerning visitor. The church at Altea is respected and presents one of the most enduring and symbolic sights in Costa Blanca. Further South lie Murcia and Valencia a prospering modern town that has recently profited from renovation. Valencia is a cosmopolitan town which juxtaposes the traditional and modern features of Spain in a small way.

Alicante supplies the ideal base for exploration of the area. The city offers a fine tourism infrastructure itself but the only way to explore the Costa Blanca is by driving there. There are a few options for those willing to go out with Alicante to discover the Costa Blanca all alone.

The trustworthy train service meanders up and down the coast, taking in Altea and Denia as well as the bright lights of Benidorm. Driving in the region has much to give with great coastal roads permitting you to explore on your own terms.

The roads are often safe, but some of the more mountainous areas should be traveled with some extra caution. Unless you want a night on the tiles among the bright lights of Benidorm, that is.

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Africa Travel Adventures

If you’re like most people, the idea of visiting Africa conjures up some remarkable images of wild animals and jungle adventures. For some visitors, that’s the primary reason they decide to visit The Dark Continent. Africa is home to a remarkable array of danger and exotic intrigue. This article takes a look at getting the most possible out of Africa travel adventures.

The first thing an intrepid African adventurer will need to do is to find an experienced adventure travel agency that specializes in the geographic area of interest to the traveler. The array of trips offered and the variety of the adventures is truly astounding. Africa is a large continent, so you can probably find an experience adventure travel agency for almost any activity you can imagine.

Registered guides will take you on a tour of the landscape that will take your breath away. The easiest way to determine which travel adventure you’re most interested in is by comparison shopping and paying attention to what people who’ve already gone have to say. African travel adventures should be once in a lifetime trips that you’ll cherish forever, so if people seem to be complaining about a certain company, it’s always best to steer clear.

If wild animals are your thing, then you may consider visiting one of Africa’s many wildlife reserves. These will give you a chance to see the local wildlife in a controlled manner. You wouldn’t want to wander into the jungle just to be eaten by a lion, now would you? With experienced guides or visits to wildlife reserves, this becomes a remote possibility.

If the jungle isn’t your thing, then perhaps visiting coastal Africa is. There are adventure tours that will take you along much of the pristine coastal area, and allow you plenty of time to sun worship, if you so desire.

There’s something for everyone when it comes to African travel adventures. There are packages that can fit nearly any budget, so don’t be shy about customizing a trip you’ll remember for a lifetime.

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Icehotel Anyone?

If you want to go to a strange and wonderful hotel, you may want to consider Icehotel in Northern Sweden. At Icehotel, you become immersed in the arctic culture, without freezing yourself to death. It’s not cheap to stay at Icehotel, but how could it be? The place has to reconstructed out of ice each year!

Conceived by Yngve Bergqvist, a river-rafting guide who wanted to lure visitors to the Arctic north during the winter, the Icehotel started out in 1990 as nothing more than a crude igloo. Now, it’s a fanciful ice castle that’s rebuilt every November with an unparalleled level of artistry — which explains why each winter 16,000 guests pay hundreds of dollars a night to sleep on a slab of ice and thousands more make the trek just to tour the rooms for the day.

Now this vacation might not be for everyone, but for folks who go it sure sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For more information: Icehotel

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Getting The Best Out Of Carnaval Vacation

The word “Carnaval” came from two words – carne, which means meat and vale, which means farewell. From this translation you might already have an idea of the reason for this celebration and the dates on which it’s observed.

Carnaval is a celebration that begins before the official start of Lent. These festivals are celebrated every Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) and usually last for four days. These celebrations are somehow considered as the final days of feasting, since Lent will be the start of fasting and abstinence from meat for devout Catholics.

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Travel 2008 - A Tough Year

High costs put pressure on travel industry margins

The travel industry is ending a very bad year, where fuel costs pushed prices to the brink, and customer demand fell. Airlines, in particular, suffered greatly in 2008, and there are now less of them than there used to be. Aloha, ATA and Skybus all went under in 2008, along with 80 other airlines worldwide.

Not only did the airline industry contract by number of carriers, the carriers that remained contracted by ending service to less than profitable hubs. Now airline customers have fewer routes to choose from in many areas. Plus, the standard of service was cut back by airlines, when the big airlines all started charging customers for amenities that used to be included free.

Beleaguered consumers skip traveling in 2008

Unfortunately, that means travelers are probably paying more for less than they were in 2007 when it comes to air travel.

Fares had been rising at a healthy clip all year, with gains above 5 percent each month, thanks to healthy demand and fewer flights. Yields were up 12.5 percent in September, the first month of the most severe flight cutbacks.

Then, the recession started to take its toll.

Business travel fared no better. Even the high end business travelers cut back on their plans.

The upper end of the travel industry has insisted that its increased emphasis on $20,000 first-class airline seats and $1,000-a-night hotel rooms was justified because the rich were different. The wealthy would always travel, claimed the developers of new luxury resorts and the executives of every airline that unveiled another pricey, front-cabin offering. But the rich aren’t different — except that they’ve curtailed travel faster than the rest of us. According to I.A.T.A., the worldwide airline trade group, premium-class travel dropped 8 percent in September, 6.9 percent in October, and “early indications for November point to further large declines.” Occupancy rates at luxury hotels have plummeted faster than the lodging industry at large, and even fancy brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons are suddenly discounting like crazy and throwing in extras like free nights and gratis breakfasts.

The trends for 2009 would indicate more of the same. Hotels are cutting prices in the anticipation that fewer travelers will be staying, and the airlines continue to face an uncertain future.

Certainly many consumers used credit to finance their travel. Now, with credit all but dried up, few are plunking down the big money on “dream vacations.”

If the middle class isn’t traveling, and the “super-rich” aren’t making up the difference by booking high end accommodations, it’s safe to say that 2009 will look a lot like 2008. Travel is down far enough, in fact, that many major destinations like Las Vegas are announcing layoffs in industries that have remained relatively unscathed by the recession. At least until now. More ominous, a number of construction projects in overbuilt locations have been stalled as investor money dries up.

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