Costa Rica is a truly beautiful destination and discovering this tiny Central American country was a truly relaxing experience. It is a little taste of paradise, and its hotels and sites are all built around ensuring its visitors that they all have a truly magical experience. My eight day vacation was perfect for sinking into my time in Costa Rica and not sweating the details. My excursions and adventures took me door-to-door and the hotels I stayed at provided me with all the amenities I could wish for.

I flew into Costa Rica where I was greeted by my VIP greeter who was waiting to assist me with my luggage and get me on my way to La Fortuna. When I arrived at Arenal Springs Ecoresort, I officially switched into vacation mode. I had a relaxing evening sipping cocktails on my hotel room terrace while enjoying the beautiful views of the tropical gardens and the Arenal volcano.

On my first official day of my vacation, I took hike up to the Arenal volcano. The massive volcano dominates every view from anywhere in the region but in order to see it in all its glory I took a short hike through the rainforest during the late afternoon up to the observation clearing. It was an amazing up and close view of this natural wonder and made for a wonderful experience. After I’d taken in the volcano, it was off to the Baldi Hot Springs to enjoy the geo-thermally heated waters mineral waters. I could still hear the volcano rumbling in the background as I relaxed in the warm waters. The hot springs came complete with a swim-up bar and dinner buffet to enhance the experience.

Day two and three of my trip were spent on the water. First up was white water rafting on the Rio Balsa, where professional guides took me and my group through class II and class III rapids. The fun and exciting adventure ended up with us in some tranquil river pools in an isolated rainforest river canyon where we enjoyed our lunch. During the afternoon, I spent my time lazing by the pool and working on my tan. The next day it was back to the water for a jungle riverboat ride through the wilds of the Rio Frio and the seasonal Lago Cano Negro. This wetland refuge included some of the best wildlife viewing in all of Costa Rica, including aquatic birds, monkeys, sloths, caiman, turtles, and bull sharks.

One day four of my trip I switched hotels, moving to the beach of Playa Panama in Guanacaste, where I lazily hung out on the beach and went for a swim in the ocean. Day five included a snorkeling adventure above a vibrant coral reef. I saw thousands of colorful tropical fish along Costa Rica’s pacific coast, as well as a large sea turtle. My second last day consisted of zip-line activity through the tropical dry forest canopy. It was fun zipping through the tree tops next to monkeys, birds, and other wildlife.

My last day in Costa Rica was a lazy one, spent on the beach enjoying the paradise of my surroundings. Costa Rica is a beautiful and relaxing destination that still allows for some adventures and definitely fun activities. I loved my time in Costa Rica, and was sad to have to go home.

My wife and I have the following very simple vacation requirements: warm weather, rest, relaxation, good food, fine wine, sun-bathing on the beach, shopping, and occasional dancing. Tropical vacations would seem to provide what’s needed. We found that a Jamaican vacation is designed for people like us. It fulfilled our every requirement, and did so at a reasonable cost. We shopped around on the Internet before we bought, and found a great package deal.

We spent all of our four days in Montego Bay. Our hotel wasn’t on the beach, but within a short walking distance. With weather as fine as Jamaica’s a short walk is worth it for a great inexpensive deal on accommodations. Most of our time was spent on the beach. My wife’s a great swimmer and loves to be in the water. I’m more the jump-in-and-get-wet type. Splash and dash back to the blanket with a good book.

For a change of pace, one day we decided to forgo the beach and spend some time downtown shopping. You don’t play with price tags when you shop in Montego Bay, and I assume anywhere in Jamaica, you bargain. You want a deal, and the vendor does not want to let you go without a sale. Initially it’s frustrating to an American who is used to a fixed selling price, but after a few skirmishes, it becomes fun. It makes shopping a real sport.

In the evenings, after a quick walk back to the hotel to change, it involved only another short stroll to find sustenance in one of the many fine restaurants at the Oceanside. The food is absolutely delicious. I’m not sure how they do it, but I had a black bean concoction that must have been flavored with oranges. I still can’t get it out of my mind.

One other special evening was spent on an cruise around Montego Bay. There was dancing on the boat, which was quite a challenge for one whose entire dance routine consists of the old two step. But the Jamaican crew was only too willing to help me move my two left feet, although it was really my hips that didn’t know what to do. By the time I tried out my new moves at one of the local night spots, I made a commendable effort, overshadowed by my wife, or course, who has naturally mobile hips.

As with all enjoyable vacations, the Jamaican experience ended too quickly, but it was memorable. I enjoyed the place and the people. My wife and I intend to go on another Jamaican vacation in the near future, but this time we’re going to approach it from the sea on a Caribbean cruise.

My wife and I have travelled to many places that compete for “the best place we’ve ever visited.” It’s impossible to pick a favorite. When it comes to picking which vacation destination was the best place we’ve ever visited as a family, however, there’s no hesitation at all. It’s Disney World in Orlando, Florida. For one full week, my wife and I along with our ten year old and thirteen year old sons completely forgot that we had other lives before our visit. We were immersed in what we thought was paradise, smiling and laughing for seven full days.

Epcot Center is definitely the part of Disney World meant for grownups. There is enough activity and enough rides to keep the children entertained, but the real impact is upon adult education provided at each country’s pavilion. The history and the cultural experience can’t be beat anywhere. You actually feel that you have visited each country that has an Epcot area dedicated to its culture. Be prepared to eat. Sampling ethnic foods is one of the most fulfilling activities. In just a few afternoons you’ll be able to experience trips to Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, and the United Kingdom. You’ll enjoy the ambience of each country without wasting money on air fare.

Of course, entertaining adults is not really the purpose of making the trip a family affair. The true enjoyment of Disney World is not the great experience that adults cannot help but enjoy; it’s the joy of seeing your children totally immersed in the world of Disney – the world as it should be. The kids can expend all of their excess energy at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, swimming, rafting, and careening down some of the longest water slides in the world. Animal Kingdom Park will thrill them as they view the hundreds of exotic animals, with the opportunity to get up close and pet many of them. The real thrill, however, is The Magic Kingdom.

All childhood fantasies and dreams come together here in Disney’s masterpiece of illusion. Whether walking through Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, or Fantasyland, your children’s smiles will never leave their faces, nor will yours from watching their total abandonment into the experience of each theme park.

If you never take another trip as a family, make the effort to enjoy Disney World together. It will be a bonding experience like no other. Your children will never forget that special time together, and will relive it someday in the distant future when they take their family to Disney World for their “vacation of a lifetime.”

My wife and I have always had a tendency to take exhausting vacations filled with lots of moving around with morning till night activity. Visiting the land of the Pennsylvania Dutch, or Amish, was an excellent alternative. Lancaster County, which is a reasonable stone’s throw from Philadelphia, has the well deserved reputation of being the garden spot of America. It owes this distinction to the hundreds of years of effort expended by the local Amish farmers. It’s their lifestyle that draws people to the area, and my wife and I were no exceptions. Imagine spending a vacation being voyeurs to an entire community.

We spent a week in a fine, clean, inexpensive, and unmemorable motel just outside of Philadelphia, which required only a short easy drive to be right in the heart of the Amish countryside, easily recognized by the abundance of horse drawn carriages. As would be expected in a productive farming area, food is plentiful and excellent.

One famous restaurant in Lancaster, called the Good and Plenty, absolutely must be visited. We entered the restaurant, which is always busy, expecting the usual separate tables with two to four seats. Instead we found a great hall with family sized tables filled with guests sharing country style service. The food is excellent. The chicken pot pie is superb, and I can’t really speak about the pastries. I’m still full from the shoofly pie and apple dumplings.
Naturally, shopping for Amish made wares is a prime activity when visiting the area. If you’re into high quality collectible quilts, Lancaster is heaven. Amish women are queens of the craft, and every country store and gift shop has excellent handmade quilts for sale. Homemade jams, preserves, and jellies are also excellent gifts to take home or send to friends.

Not all of Lancaster’s farm products are sold at local shops. Most farmers bring their produce and crafts into the Farmer’s Market in downtown Philadelphia. My wife and I spent a full morning browsing and shopping at the market. It was a cultural learning experience, meeting and talking with the Amish farmers and their wives. During the afternoon, after our shopping spree, we did all of the touristy things expected from visitors to Philadelphia like visiting Betsy Ross’s house, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall.

If you should decide to follow in our footsteps into Lancaster County, be sure to plan your vacation during the warm season. Pennsylvania enjoys a robust four season climate. Unless you enjoy deep snow, avoid visiting Lancaster in winter. Enjoy the rich lush green countryside with the bright sun in your face.