Visiting National Parks for a winter vacation gives the entire family the opportunity to commune with nature, enjoy the different species of trees and flowers, and have more time to explore the area during the off-peak season.

They can also be very educational, as well as adventure-filled trips.

National Parks offer a variety of activities for the entire family. Some of the well-known parks that are visited during the winter months are Great Smoky National Park, Glazier National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Death Valley National Park.

There are also wonderful places to explore like Carlsbad Caverns.

In addition, winter is a great time to visit these parks because you will have more time to explore, and the park rangers will undoubtedly be more accessible during this time. In the wintertime, you may see different species of animals as well.

Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are two additional parks you may enjoy during the winter months. But no matter what time of year you visit any National Park, you are sure to experience a trip of a lifetime.

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Day 4

Today you can explore Yellowstone’s beautiful backcountry in a leisurely way as you enjoy all that nature has to offer. You might even spot a  bear, though we doubt he will be called Yogi!

Day 5

As you leave Yellowstone for Cody, named after dashing Buffalo Bill Cody, visit the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.  Here you will learn the history of the American cowboy, and about dude ranching, Western conservation, and frontier entrepreneurship. 

Later this evening, you will enjoy the Cody Rodeo, where you will witness America’s original sport with fearless bull riders, high-flying broncos, brawny steer wrestlers, and daredevil rodeo clowns.  The action is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Day 6

This morning you will take a scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains on your way to the Little Bighorn Battlefield.  Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors.  Visit the museum and afterward you will continue on to the cattle town of Sheridan.

Day 7

Today you will journey through the rolling hills of Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and the Black Hills before arriving in South Dakota.  See the Crazy Horse Memorial, which was built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief. 

Afterward, you can explore Mount Rushmore National Park, which features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. Presidents:  Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt.

Day 8

Head back home through Rapid City.

A Wild West adventure may be the best way to find a vacation that offers something for the whole family.

Check out the many Wild West tours available and ascertain which one would be perfect for your family. There is plenty to see and do for all age levels and levels of fitness.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, perhaps a Wild West vacation package would be just the sort of adventure your family is waiting for.

A typical package would include sightseeing in Jackson, Wyoming, a float trip and a chuck wagon dinner, a sightseeing tour of Yellowstone National Park, a visit to Buffalo Bill’s Historical Center and a Cody Rodeo. You might also consider a sightseeing trip to Little Bighorn Battlefield and museum, a visit to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, and a visit to Rapid City.

Here is a typical itinerary:

Day 1

Welcome to the all-Western town of Jackson.  Board a covered wagon and ride into beautiful Cache Creek Canyon for a Chuck Wagon Cookout and Wild West show.

Day 2

Today, you will set out on a river adventure in a comfortable raft that takes you beneath the towering peaks of the Grand Tetons.  Your experienced guide will point out the flora and fauna wildlife indigenous to the area.  In the afternoon, explore the quaint old town.

Day 3

Head north through Grand Teton National Park and on to Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872.  Here you will admire the famous Old Faithful Geyser that has been erupting consistently for more than 100 years. 

Take a scenic drive, stopping at Fountain Paint Pots, where you will see four of the main geothermal features of this area:  fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, and a bubbling mud pot.

 Rejoin the loop road to enjoy photo stops at Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls, which are almost twice as high as Niagara.

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Days 6 and 7 – Taurus Mountains

Turkish culture is rich in the villages of the Taurus Mountains.  Your family will have a great time exploring this picturesque region.  You will also visit Sultanhan Caravanseri and the Museum of Rumi, hike the Grotto of the Golden Cradle, and watch a soccer game, a favorite pastime here in Turkey.

Days 8 and 9- Antalya

Where the Taurus Mountains recede from the shore, set high up on the cliffs, you’ll find the picturesque seaside town of Antalya.  You’ll stop at Koprulu Canyon National Park for some wonderful white-water rafting. 

The Koprulu River has crystal clear waters and towering canyon walls that reach up to 1,300 feet high.  These two days will also incorporate a hike to Termessos, and time to just relax and enjoy nature.

Days 10 to 13 – Yachting along the Mediterranean Coast

Over the next four days, you can take a yacht along the Turquoise Coast, dropping anchor at quiet coves, sheltered beaches and small harbor towns.

Your family will have many opportunities to swim, snorkel, hike, and explore.  There is fun for the whole family as you hike to a Crusader Castle and Roman Ruins, visit the Church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus), and explore Gemiler Island and Kayakoy.

Days 14 and 15 – Istanbul

You can see the great dome for miles and miles; it has been rebuilt three times in 200 years and it is the last relic of Constantinople.

You will visit the Hagia Sophia museum, which remains Turkey’s most incredible landmark, and your family can explore this marble masterpiece inside and out.

Make sure you soak up the local markets and finish up any last minute shopping.

Day 16- Depart Istanbul, with loads of souvenirs and memories that will last a lifetime.

This once-in-a-lifetime vacation will be remembered for years to come.  Ensure that you have the proper documentation such as passports, Visas, before you go.  Also check to determine if you need any vaccinations for this trip depending on time of year and which part of the country you will be touring.

If you are planning a two-week vacation during the cooler months in the USA and want to head somewhere warm and interesting, there is no better family destination than Istanbul, Turkey.  Here is a sample itinerary you may like to consider.

Days 1, 2, 3- Arrive Istanbul, start your sightseeing

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where your Turkey family vacation begins. Get accustomed to the hotel, heat and food, and begin touring the city.

You will get a chance to breathe in some of the flavorful culture at the famous Spice Market, where you can buy countless kinds of spices, seasonings, teas and candy, including the succulent rose-flavored or lemon-flavored Turkish Delight.  Also included are tours to The Blue Mosque, the Spice Market, and Topkapi Palace.  You can visit the great domed mosque now, or later in your trip when you return to Istanbul.

Days 4 and 5- Cappadocia

Located in a region that was once volcanic, Cappadocia is known for its exceptional rock formations and valleys.  As unusually beautiful as these are above ground, the limestone rock formations are even more impressive below the surface, as you and the family will discover when you climb down four stories into one of the largest underground cities ever built, known as Kaymakli.

In addition, the following are also highly recommended:  Hike the Valley of the Spears, visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, and see the Terracotta Pottery Workshop.

While in Salzberg, you can also make arrangements to visit the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and follow in his footsteps. He was born here on January 27, 1756. 

Today the rooms once occupied by the Mozart family have become a museum.  The most famous exhibits include Mozart’s childhood violin, his concert violin, his clavichord, the pianoforte, portraits and correspondence of the Mozart family.

There is also the training school for the incredible Royal Lippizaner stallions, beautiful horses trained in a method that stretches back hundreds of years.

Salzburg has fabulous food and lots of old world charm.  Just watch your waistline with the fabulous food and cakes (tortes). You will soon learn the phrase ‘mitt schlag’ because they put whipped cream on everything!

As you return home from this amazing vacation, your family is sure to be singing many of the songs from The Sound of Music, and humming Mozart as you eat the most amazing marzipan.

Salzburg is great any time of the year, but you can really enjoy a sound of music tour in the spring or fall, when there are fewer tourists.

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What child, or adult for that matter, wouldn’t like to spend a week in Salzburg?  Well, if you are considering a family vacation this year that combines old world charm with lots to do, consider Salzberg, Austria.

A typical vacation package to Salzberg would include:

* Round-trip airfare from your home city. Taxes and baggage fees will be extra, so budget accordingly.

* Accommodation in Salzberg

* Daily continental breakfast

* Hotel taxes and service charges

There is a variety of accommodation to suit your wallet and number of people traveling with you.

The highlight of this trip, of course, would be the Sound of Music Tour.  Take a wonderful ride with breathtaking views of the landscape where the opening scenes were filmed.  Relax and listen to the original Sound of Music soundtrack. 

An English-speaking guide not only shows you the highlights of the film, but also the historical and architectural landmarks in the city, as well as part of the picturesque Lake District.

Most of the tours would include the following sites:

Mirabell Gardens

The Mirabell Gardens were laid out in the 18th century.  Maria and the children were seen dancing around the statue of Pegasus, the winged horse, and throughout the gardens singing ‘Do-Re-Mi’.

Leopoldskron Castle

The front side of the castle was used as the von Trapp family home, where the children were boating on the Leopoldskron Lake and fell into the water.  The Venetian room was copied from the castle and used as the ballroom.

Hellbrunn Castle

This hunting castle was built in the early 17th century by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus.  In the gardens, the glass pavilion was reconstructed for the pleasure of those fans still returning after 40 years.

Nonnberg Abbey

Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest convent in the German-speaking part of Europe.  Maria was a novice there.  The baron and Maria were married there in 1927.  The scenes for the movie made here, include the opening scene wherein the nuns were going to Mass.  Remember Maria running to the Abbey after spending a morning singing on the hillside.

St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang

The scenery shown at the beginning of the movie was filmed at Lake Fuschl on the way to St. Gilgen.  Like the Mozart family, visitors from all over the world appreciate the beautiful village in the Salzkammergut.

Wedding Church Mondsee

Visit the Mondsee Cathedral, where the film wedding between Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as the Baron, took place.

If you are planning a trip to Germany, Austria, or Switzerland and are a fan of Rick Steves, you will certainly want to purchase his DVD called ‘Rick Steves Best of Travels in Europe.’

This DVD encompasses such cities as: Munich and Bavaria; Salzburg, Austria; Austrian Lakes District; Swiss Alps; and Western Switzerland to name a few. It also has highlights of Munich’s Oktoberfest and Rick’s Back Door Travel Tips.

Rick Steves personal guide is a great way to see this area of Europe. He does a great job in telling the watcher not only about places to see, but how to travel when you’re a guest in a foreign country; how to change money; how to find the off-the-beaten path places away from the tourist crowd; and features nice family type restaurants. He provides a perfect balance unlike other videos in this genre.

His personal touch is engaging and this travelogue is narrated from his perspective. On one DVD, he sits down and explains how he packs and shows what he puts in his money belt that he wears.

He does a lot of walking/hiking during his trips and explains about packing lightly and being able to carry everything in a backpack of sorts. He takes the time to explain things, offers a bit of history, talks to the locals, and is just a normal kind of guy.

The DVD is well done and you will want to watch it again and again just for fun. A trip anywhere should be intellectually stimulating and interesting as well as filled with beautiful people and sights–Rick Steve’s makes sure it is.

Again, this is another sensational Rick Steves combo, putting episodes about all the German-speaking countries into one package.

Whether you are planning a Sound of Music tour in Salzberg or a trip to Munich for Oktoberfest, this is one DVD that you will utilize over and over again as you plan your vacations to Europe.

Some of the material is dated of course, since we use the Euro now, but the sights and sites he covers are timeless.

Rick Steves Best of Travels in Europe – Germany, Austria & Switzerland