European Flight and Hotel Package Deals
TotalTrip_The Majesty of Europe at a Pauper’s Price! Flight + Hotel from $1126!
11/30/2008

A great vacation and one that is educational and fun as well is a trip to Panama City, where you and your family will see firsthand the Panama Canal.  Let’s take a look at a typical itinerary.

Day 1 - Arrive Panama City

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where your Panama family vacation begins.

Days 2 and 3 - Chiriqui Highlands

Cloud forests, volcanic peaks and coffee plantations create the remarkable landscape of the Chiriquí Highlands.  Along with the natural beauty, there is plenty of fun to be had here too.  Enjoy these family tours:

* White water rafting trip down the Esti River.  It is beginner-friendly and a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the tropical surroundings, including cormorant kingfisher birds, otters, tropical trees and orchids. The water is nice and warm too!

* Take the Zipline Canopy Tour, where you will wind your way through a course in La Amistad International Park.  The excitement of gliding from platform to platform high in the rainforest canopy is indescribable.  You will see birds, monkeys, and all sorts of thrilling natural sights.

Days 4 and 5 - Bocas Del Toro Archipelago

Bocas is a scattering of seven islands off the northwest coast of Panama and there is a unique relaxed ambience throughout the region.  Your family excursion to Bastimentos Island to snorkel and explore the wildlife rich rainforest will make for an unforgettable day.

Also not to be missed are:

* Hiking in the Bastimentos National Marine Park, where you will find white-faced titi monkeys, sloths and red poison dart frogs (that aren’t poisonous at all).  Bring your sneakers and get those cameras ready!  It’s a beautiful hike.

* Coral reefs and mangrove isles for some snorkeling.  There is a large variety and an abundance of fish here. Keep an eye out for sea horses, barracuda, and clown fish.

Perfect Weekend Sales
Race to Savings with Perfect Weekend Travel Sales!
Offer expires 11/15/2008

Day 4

Your scenic journey continues through the Oregon Trail.  The Willamette Valley contains some of the most fertile agricultural soils of Oregon and nurtures vegetables, flowers, herbs, nuts and even vineyards.

Next, you will head to the coastal town of Newport for a brief stop before traveling along some of the country’s most beautiful coastlines and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Day 5

Today, you will drive to Bandon State Natural Area.  Next, enjoy a cruise up the spectacular Rogue River taking you into Oregon’s rugged wilderness for a chance to see bald eagles, cormorants, seals and blue heron. 

Continuing south, you enter the redwood country of California.  Visit the famous Redwood National Park, home to some of the world’s tallest and oldest trees.

Day 6

Enjoy a delightful tour through the historic timber and fishing village of Eureka, and enjoy the Victorian architecture of Old Town. 

Journey through more redwood forests, including the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic highway loaded with towering redwoods. 

Next, drive over the legendary Golden Gate Bridge, and arrive in San Francisco.

Day 7

Today, you can take a sightseeing tour of the city’s most popular landmarks.  You will see the Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. 

 Day 8

Today you will do more city sights, or head home, or you can take a tour of the Sonoma or Napa Valleys to see how wine is made, if you are there in late August/September, or to get a chance to taste them if you are there in October. Domain Chandon, home of the famous champagne, is not to be missed, and the Viansa winery is like something straight out of Tuscany.

One thing is for sure, a day is not enough to see all of the things San Francisco and its surrounds have to offer.

With memories and photos galore, you will not easily forget this vacation to one of the most beautiful destinations in America.

If you are planning a vacation in the early to mid-autumn, you may wish to consider the Pacific Northwest as your vacation spot.

Starting from Portland, Oregon, this tour takes in the Columbia River Gorge, the Redwood National Park and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. This is one trip you and your family will treasure for a lifetime.

Here is a typical itinerary to get a taste of this wonderful area.  

Day 1

You begin your scenic tour through the Pacific Northwest and California with a relaxing stay in Portland, Oregon. The city has a great number of delights to offer, including Powell’s, one of the world’s largest bookstores. Great food and wine, quaint neighborhoods with a variety of ethnicities, this is a sophisticated if not fast paved city for the whole family to enjoy.

Day 2

Your morning tour of Portland includes two of its famous gardens, the spectacular International Rose Test Garden, and the serene Japanese Gardens. 

You can enjoy the wonderful zoo, and then head to Mount Hood, a glacier with winter sports all year round and a wonderful lodge.

Next, travel to the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center where you can learn about the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, as well as the history of the state park.

Day 3

Drive along the Mt. Hood route once more to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.  It’s a day of sightseeing you will never forget. 

Your day will be highlighted by a tour of the magnificent Columbia River Gorge and the Bonneville Dam, where a US Army Corps of Engineers park ranger will guide you through the dam and provide an interpretive talk on its might, hydropower and history.

Waterfalls and unspoiled wilderness abound.

Bella Italia on a Budget! Fly Round-Trip From $489! > Expires 10/27/08
Offer expires 10/27/08

Discount on Paris Hotels
Race to Savings in Paris! Stay at Hotel Migny Opera Montmartre from $114, Hotel Magenta from $80, and Au Grand Hotel Francais from $127!
Offer expires 11/15/2008

Days 4 and 5 Tortuguero, Caribbean Coast

An endless system of rivers and canals make Tortugero the most biologically diverse region of Costa Rica.  They also allow for some extraordinary in-depth exploration by boat. 

You may come across crocodiles, lizards, toucans, sea turtles, and howler monkeys, to name just a few of the fascinating species.

These two days will include:

* Jungle Boat Expedition:  Explore Tortuguero’s intricate river system via motorized jungle boat.  As you wind your way through the lowland rain forest, your guide will be keeping his eyes peeled for the unusual wildlife that live in the region, and be happy to point them out to you.

* Kayaking:  You and your teenagers can go on a kayaking trip through the waterways for some more rain forest exploration through the impressive maze of canals.

Days 6 to 8 Manuel Antonio, Pacific Coast

This is a great adventure up high in the canopy of the Costa Rican Rain Forest.

Not only does the rain forest zipline canopy tour provide a fun time for all as you glide high above the ground from one platform to another, it also serves as an aid in the preservation of the world’s endangered rain forests.

Your family will participate in the following:

* Zipline Canopy Tour:  Get ready for a bird’s-eye view of the rain forest you’ll never forget.  Gliding through the air surrounded by nature is such an exhilarating feeling that this high-flying adventure is sure to be your favorite activity.

* Explore Manuel Antonio National Park:  This nature preserve juts out into the ocean, so it offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing along its trails, as well as pristine white sand beaches for swimming.

This is truly a glimpse of paradise.

Day 9 Depart San Jose for Home

Then it is back to the big city for some last minute shopping, a great last meal in this fabulous country, and a few more memories which your family will cherish for years to come.

The Travelzoo Top 20® is the definitive list of the week’s best travel deals. Join 12 million people and sign up!

If you have teenagers, why not consider a family vacation to Costa Rica?

Your family will discover a variety of wildlife, explore the canal systems of the Tortuguero rain forest on the Caribbean coast, and visit the pristine beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast.

Ensure that your digital camera has plenty of memory, because you will be taking hundreds of pictures while on this exciting journey to Costa Rica.

Here is a sample all year round itinerary you can look forward to when you visit Costa Rica.

Day 1 Arrive San Jose

Today you can settle in and become used to your new surroundings before you and your family begins an adventure of a lifetime.  Costa Rica is Spanish speaking, but many friendly locals also speak English. They are proud of their country, which is near English-speaking Belize, and both nations are trying to encourage responsible eco-tourism, so you will feel more than welcome provided you show a healthy respect for nature while you are here.

San Jose is a typical capital city, with all the amenities you would expect.

Pick up your rental car from the airport, beware the rules of the road, and get ready for the marvels of nature tomorrow. 

Days 2 and 3 - Sarapiqui Region 

This region is named for the immense river that flows through it, and your family will hit the Sarapiqui River for an invigorating Class III white water rafting adventure. 

This climate is warm, however, unlike white-water rafting in the states, so the splashing waters will feel wonderful as your family makes its way over clear rapids that run through the lush rain forest.  There is excellent birdwatching here as well.

You can visit the following popular sites:

* La Paz Waterfall Gardens:  This wildlife park has the largest butterfly garden in the world. It includes hummingbirds, tropical gardens, and an array of waterfalls. 

After spending some time learning about the Costa Rican flora and fauna, your family can hike the surrounding scenic trails.

* White water Rafting: 

Once you’ve been outfitted with life jackets, helmets and paddles, it’s off to the Class III rapids of the Sarapiqui River.  This rafting trip is first timer-friendly, so anyone can join in. Remember to wear your swim suite, and bring some spare clothes. The water will be lovely and warm, compared to the Colorado or other more northerly rivers.