Visit Windsor and Eton Your Way!

England is known for its famous landmarks, beautiful natural surroundings, and those big red buses! An open-top bus tour is an ideal way to see London and the surrounding area, and it is a flexible option as well. If you are looking to see one of the Queen’s residences, Windsor Castle, a hop on hop off bus tour is the way to go.

The City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour in Windsor & Eton comes complete with a pre-recorded commentary in English, in order to acquaint you with the areas of Windsor and Eton. The best part of this tour, however, is that it gives you the ability to hop on and off the bus at your leisure.

There are 11 stops on the tour, including Castle Hill (featuring Windsor Castle), High Street (Parish Church and Guildhall), Eton Court, and Windsor Bridge. The comfortable air-conditioned bus takes you to the sights that are major highlights in the vicinity.

Children under age 5 are free, and the regular child rate starts as low as $6.95 so this is an affordable trip for everyone. So get ready to experience Windsor and Eton as you enjoy the gentle breeze from atop one of those famous red buses. You won’t regret it!

To check out more on this tour and others in the areas of Windsor and Eton, England visit www.windsortours.net.

PJ Party on the Polar Express!

This November and December, why not take the kids on the ride of the lifetime on the Polar Express? As featured in the animated movie starring Tom Hanks as the voice of the conductor, the Polar Express gives kids and adults the opportunity to feel the magic of Christmas while enjoying hot chocolate, cookies, caroling, and a visit from Santa. The adventure begins and ends in Ely, Nevada – a historic mining town in White Pine County.

Kids are encouraged to get comfortable and wear their pajamas as they get cozy and listen to a reading of the story of the Polar Express. Everyone on the train is given a silver bell, a special gift from Santa and his elves before they depart the train. On the return trip to Ely, Nevada, the caroling begins so warm up your voices and get ready to belt out a Christmas tune.

This is not your typical train ride, so get in the Christmas spirit and bring along the little ones for a North Pole trip to remember! Visit www.elytours.net for more details and to book tickets.

And the Winner is…Rio de Janeiro!

As the US is reeling from its defeat in attempting to win the bid for the 2016 Olympics, it may have people wondering, “What does Rio de Janeiro have that sets it apart from any other city?” Below is a list of reasons that make Rio de Janeiro an ideal place to take the family…and an army of athletic Olympic hopefuls:

-The city, which is the second largest in Brazil, is known for its carnival festivities, samba music, and beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema. It will also be the site of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

-Rio houses more than 50 museums, making it an ideal destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike. Included on the list are the Indian Museum, Native Art Museum, and Quinta da Boa Vista. A quick search on Rio de Janeiro brings up a host of other cultural opportunities in the city.

-Many sporting events take place in the city, including the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix, the world beach volleyball finals, and competitive rowing events. Mario Filho Stadium in Maracana is the world’s largest stadium, where soccer (or, as they say in Brazil, football) stars are born.

-Guanabara Bay, which is surrounded by lush tropical forests and beaches, is a popular tourist spot. Over 130 islands exist along the bay, providing numerous opportunities to take in the beauty and vitality of the area’s unique backdrop.

If this list doesn’t have you convinced, there are many other activities to take part in around Rio de Janeiro. Check out www.RiodeJaneiroTours.net for details and to book tickets today!

Halloween Haunts for Hire!

Trick or treat?! We usher in the Fall season with massive planning efforts for Halloween over the coming weeks. For those who don’t plan on staying home to hand out candy this year, here are a few of the places you can go to get spooked:

Plymouth, Massachusetts: Ghosts, orbs, and grave sites, oh my! On the Fright Night Halloween Ghost Tour in Plymouth, you can get an education on the different types of ghosts that stalk the area around Burial Hill. Mystery and macabre come together on this lantern-lit walk where you can photograph the area and, later, watch for orbs of light in the developed pictures.

Washington, DC: On another walk, the Georgetown Ghost Walk, you will learn about the ghosts and spirits still haunting our US capital. A trip through DC’s finest Victorian style neighborhood reveals much about the interesting lives of its now-dead inhabitants as they sometimes reveal themselves in spirit form.

Dallas: Whether you choose a Halloween-themed show like Keith & Margo’s Halloween Mystery Dinner Adventure or to put a different spin on things with the Haunting & Healing Paranormal Event in Dallas, you’re in for a good time for sure. The dinner show includes an hors d’oeuvres reception, full 3-course sit-down dinner and dessert, and live entertainment in the form of an interactive live action murder mystery where you get to solve the crime and figure out whodunit. The Haunting & Healing event gives you face time with four paranormal experts, which has been enjoyed by the likes of the queen of England and Dr. Seuss. The experts channel their unique energy into a powerful grid of light and healing for all to witness. It is truly a sight to behold.

London: If you happen to be overseas this Halloween, check out the Medieval Halloween Banquet in London. The Brits do it up right with a celebration of the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII taking possession of the throne. Live entertainment, a night of disco, and a four-course banquet menu, along with unlimited beer and wine during the meal, make this a festive event to be enjoyed by all. Not to mention the cast of characters in full dress, which adds to the delightfully scary atmosphere of it all.

No matter where you go or what you do, be sure to make it a scary day for the record books. If you would like more information on any of these tours, visit www.Reserve123.com and tour type search for “Halloween.”

See Why Chicago is the President’s Pick for 2016 Olympics

In three days, President Obama makes his trip out to Copenhagen, Denmark to make a pitch for Chicago to be the home of the 2016 Olympic Games. Besides being the President’s adopted home town, Chicago has plenty to offer to travelers in general inside and outside the scope of the Olympics. See a list of some of the main activities and attractions in Chicago below:

-Shedd Aquarium

-Sears Tower

-Adler Planetarium & Museum

-Wrigley Field

These are, of course, only a few of the attractions that make Chicago an ideal destination for travelers. There are many tours that showcase the ins and outs of Chicago’s history, architecture, and key attractions.

See if the President is right and go check out all that Chicago has to offer. Visit www.ChicagoTours.us for more on how to make your trip to Chicago your most enjoyable getaway of the year!

Autumn Adventures Around the US

Fall is the perfect time to get out and see the vibrant colors of nature, whether you are jet-setting across the country or hanging out in your own backyard. With the weather getting cooler outside, it becomes easier to get active and enjoy an outdoor adventure or two without breaking too much of a sweat.

Here are a few activities to consider when planning your fall outings:

-Check out the historical town of Salem, Massachusetts for a look inside the history of the Salem Witch Trials

-Watch the change of season in the Berkshires, where you will see vibrant bursts of color in the trees and witness the harvest of beautiful autumn fruits and vegetables

-Venture out on horseback in the San Francisco area and explore the valleys, preserves, and beaches that define the area

-Enjoy an exciting trip to Boston and take in a baseball game to watch the Red Sox play during the post season

-Set out on a fishing trip in Orlando, Florida and catch a “reel” winner!

-Visit a ranch in Texas and live like a cowboy

Reserve123 has a wide array of activities that will keep you entertained throughout the fall season, and their scope is not limited to the United States.

Worldwide tours are available, from Europe to Asia, Canada to Africa and everything in between. You can find out more about tours and activities in your area of interest by visiting www.Reserve123.com.

Helicopter Tours of Sedona

The most popular way to see Sedona by helicopter is through the Sedona Ancient Ruins Helicopter Tour which takes you through Secret Canyon’s enormous 2,000 foot walls and to Mogollon Rim and Secret Mountain before heading to Boynton Canyon to check out the ancient Sinagua Indian ruins. The trip will take place in a Bell Jet Ranger Helicopter and includes in-flight narrative by a knowledgeable pilot who is ready and willing to answer any questions you may have.

Another option is the Sedona Deluxe Helicopter Tour. This tour takes you through the most famous red rock formations in Sedona, the Bell and Cathedral Rocks. You will then descend into Secret and Boynton Canyons where you will see the ancient Sinagua Indian cliff dwellings. Along the way you will also see Courthouse Butte, The Chapel of the Holy Cross, Snoopy Rock, Submarine Rock, and finally the magnificent Bear Wallow Canyon. This is a photographer’s dream, as there are endless amounts of photo opportunities sprinkled throughout the 30 minute trip.

You can also take the Grand Helicopter Tour with Gourmet Lunch from Sedona and can choose between a 30 or 45 minute flight along with a full-day luxury coach tour from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. The tour begins with a scenic ride from Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon, the Ponderosa Pines of Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks and the gorgeous Aspen Groves before stopping at Tusayan to watch an IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon. Entrance fees to Grand Canyon National Park are included in the price of tickets and you will also get a gourmet lunch at the historic El Tovar Lodge on the South Rim (Yavapai or Maswik Lodge for the regular lunch option) followed by a walk along the South Rim for a spectacular view and a visit to the historic Watchtower Observatory. The scenes you will see are indescribable, as if an artist hand painted them. You will not want to forget your camera to take still pictures or video, as you will likely not have a similar experience again.

All of the above tours are accessible at www.SedonaTours.us.

Cruisin’ through the Castro

The Castro, the historically famous area of San Francisco where Harvey Milk began his political career as a gay activist, is still a popular destination for travelers looking to get a feel for the life and times of residents during the gay rights movement. Those looking to get the real Castro experience can take the Castro Cruisin’ Historical Walking Tour and learn more about what gives this area such a significant place in history.

See how this part of San Francisco has changed and what remains the same on this amazing tour dedicated to the vibrant and diverse area known as “The Castro.” The tour pays tribute to the empowerment of the LGBT population which began as a result of Harvey Milk’s start in politics and success in becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in the state of California.

Guests on this journey into history can expect a great intro into what makes the Castro the largest “gay mecca” in the world. Insights by a local tour guide and visits to Harvey Milk’s residence and camera shop, Pink Triangle Park and Memorial, and the Human Rights Campaign Action Center add additional layers to the cultural significance of this area.

For more information on this tour, visit www.SanFranciscoTours.us.

A Photo Tour is Worth a Thousand Words!

Chances are, you have had the opportunity to take some amazing tours and see some incredible sights at some point in your life, but have you ever seen them on a photo tour? Photo tours are a fairly new trend in travel, and they can be taken in groups or on a more private basis.

Best of Seattle

Tours like The Waterfront Photo Tour in Boston not only give you the historical tidbits you desire, but also some very helpful tips for how to capture the best photographs on your journey. While you may have taken a trip to Boston in the past, you have never seen the city like this before! Tours like this one are for those who want to get more out of their visit than a quick snap here and there, some of which may not come out the way you imagined they would. This time, take home not only wonderful memories, but wonderful pictures to go along with them.

You can find similar tours in Seattle, Flagstaff, and New York as well. The Best

Custom New York Tour

of Seattle Photo Walking Tour, which is limited to 8 adults to optimize the learning experience, takes guests of all skill levels to famous sights like Pike Place Market – including the “Wall of Gum” just outside the Market Theater – and the waterfront. For a more personal tour, the Central Park & New York City Neighborhoods Personal Photo Tour is an excellent choice. This tour takes you on either a two or three-hour journey through New York with a personal tour guide and photographer who will capture your special moments for you as you explore some of the beautiful architecture and local neighborhoods that identify New York as the unique city that it is.

Other photo tours are available in cities such as Washington, DC, Lake Tahoe, and Florence, Italy. For the most up-to-date options for your next vacation, visit www.Reserve123.com.

Winter Preview: Fun in the Snow in Lake Tahoe

Take a snowmobile ride along the well-groomed trails of Lake Tahoe. With the assistance of a tour guide, you will learn to operate the equipment and ensure safety at all times. Maneuver your way through dense forests of pine and aspen into mountain meadows and alongside peaks that are almost 9,000 feet above sea level. The sight is amazing, and you can enjoy it with another rider or in your own single rider Ski-Doo snowmobile.

This is recommended for veteran riders AND first-timers, since the guides are excellent and will have you off and running in a matter of minutes. For an adventure unlike any other you definitely want to check out this Snowmobile Tour from Lake Tahoe. Depending on the weather you will cover about 15-20 miles of ground at average speeds of 15-25 miles an hour.

Snowmobile Tour from Lake Tahoe

There will be several stops for pictures, including at the Lake Tahoe Basin. You can rent the appropriate clothing for the trip onsite if you don’t have your own.

For more information on how you can book your own snowmobile tour and other activities for any season, visit: www.laketahoetours.net.