Tag: Lake Tahoe

Honeymoon Thrills at Cheaper Deals

Lets admit it, wedding costs are no joke. Theres the whole wedding hullabaloo, not to mention the honeymoon. And of course, you definitely want to enjoy the honeymoon where its just the two of you together. And more than just being a time spent with your loved one, your honeymoon is the perfect way to relax yourselves after a busy wedding ceremony, and be treated like royalties and enjoy all the amenities of luxury. Although it is always good to be frugal, settle for anything less than what you and your loved one deserve. While some may have the money to enjoy an all-expense luxurious honeymoon get-away, its also easy to create the romantic ambience and enjoy the perfect honeymoon vacation without busting your pockets.

First, get familiar with off-peak seasons and the perfect times to visit places. If youre planning a January wedding, its also the perfect time to go visiting New York, San Francisco and Washington. February is the cheapest time to go honeymooning in Celtic Ireland, the snow-capped mountains of Netherlands and Dallas. March is perfect for honeymoons in Los Angeles; go sight-seeing in Italy and Spain, while April is perfect for a Caribbean honeymoon in Jamaica. Hawaii is cheapest on May while June brides can always choose to go to Phoenix and Albuquerque for some Mexican exploration. July offers at best at Tucson and Memphis, while a honeymoon in August is perfect at Las Vegas. September is the perfect time to go abroad and explore Asian culture in Japan. In October, you can head off to Costa Rica and in November, go kayaking at Lake Tahoe or enjoy the flavor of Dominican Republic. December brides can go to sunny, tropical, Mediterranean Greece.

Here are five travel destinations you can explore on your honeymoon, offering you the perfect romantic thrills, without the worries of an empty pocket.

London. There are many available flights to choose from, and if you pick a remote location, it costs cheaper. While it may seem more expensive than any other European destination, there are an endless choice in hotels, restaurants, transportation and tour services that you can choose from. And theres definitely something offering you and your loved one a London experience within your budget.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Accommodation is easy you can choose from luxury resorts to quaint but clean hotels in the downtown area. Honeymooners can visit Tulum or take the ferry to the island of Cozumel for some snorkeling experience.

Tioman Island. For some Asian experience, go to Tioman Island in Malaysia. It boasts of sandy beaches, verdant jungles and mountains. You and your honey can bask in the sun, go snorkeling and diving. A $100 already assures you of a two-night stay at a suite in an Oceanside resort. The island can be reached via ferry from the mainland; a good two hours ride perfect for dolphin-sightings.

Buenos Aires. For some Latin American color, Buenos Aires provides a variety of cultural events, nightlife, shopping, local sports and excursions to choose from. Explore La Boca, its street performers, shops and architecture. Airfare costs an average of $500 for a round trip.

Las Vegas. The ultimate gaming experience, not to mention the color lights and sounds make Vegas the whirlwind wedding and honeymoon setting. There are many cheap vacation packages offered by many hotels and resorts, with discount rates from lodging, meals and entertainment.

And because the honeymoon is all about just being the two of you together, you need not even go out of town or out of the country. Scout your local area for some place you can explore. Or with just candles and champagne and the two of you together, your honeymoon can be perfect and cheap in just the comforts of your new house.

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Packing List for your Winter Lake Tahoe Vacation

A packing list for your winter Lake Tahoe vacation would be the best solution for you if you are planning to have a winter getaway of skiing or snowboarding activity at Lake Tahoe.

Skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts know what to bring along, but for first time snow sporting fans, here is a checklist of what to bring along.

This checklist will also be useful for anyone, especially on basic items one needs to bring along regardless of whether you are out for a snow sporting getaway, or simply enjoying the Lake Tahoe outdoors during winter.

For skiers and snowboarders, of course, you need to tag along your Alpine and Nordic Skis, Boots and Poles, as well as snowboards and boots, helmets, ice skates and snowshoes.

For clothing and footwear, one should need to bring along a waterproof jacket or parka, waterproof pants or shells (to wear over a warm base layer), breathable under layers (long underwear, non-cotton fabrics to prevent from absorbing melted snow subjected to body heat), fleece, sweaters, turtlenecks, gloves/mittens, neck gaiter, hat or helmet, ski or snowboard socks, goggles and sunglasses.

Be sure to pack extra layers of clothing to accommodate for the mountain climate, since the weather can change quickly.

For those who may not want to lug along bulky equipment, a lot of rental shops offer offers ski and snowboard rentals, overnight equipment storage, and season-long
lockers for those who dont want to worry about transporting their gear to and from the mountain.

For your basic winter needs after skiing or riding the snow, you may need to have with you long pants, sweaters, warm jacket, casual shoes, warm socks, snow boots, warm base layer undergarments, scarf, warm sleepwear, accessories and casual wear

Here are other key items you may need to have handy with you like sunscreen, lip balm, aloe cream, sunglasses, eye glasses or contact lenses, camera and film or digital camera and batteries, medical insurance cards, credit cards, cash or travelers checks, ID or Drivers License, travel alarm, prescriptions or medications, itineraries and confirmations, maps and directions, bathing suit, babys needs, diapers, swim diapers, adress book, story books for bedtime, games for the ride, toothbrush/toothpaste, cosmetics, spare car key and ski tickets or passes.

Heres a helpful tip, pack ski tickets or passes with ski or snowboard boots so they wont be forgotten.

Other handy things that would be nice to have along would be a CD or MP3 player, CDs, headphones and batteries, DVDs, guidebooks and brochures and pillows for the ride.

Finally, before leaving home for the vacation, make sure that you leave a trip itinerary, contact info, spare house and car key with your neighbor or a relative, arrange for your mail and newspapers to be picked up, turn off gas lights and water, lock all windows and doors, arrange for pet care and water the plants.

And if you are traveling with children you should allow for extra travel time and be flexible – plan to make frequent stops, bring water and snacks, bring along wipes or a towel handy in car for messes and spills, ensure that car seat is properly installed, bring toys and games to keep children occupied during the long trip and show your child photographs of your destination to get your child excited about your vacation.

So take note of this packing list for your winter LakeTahoe vacation, you will definitely need it.

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Learn a Bit of History on your Lake Tahoe Vacation

Learn a Bit of History on your Lake Tahoe Vacation

Wouldnt it be a fulfilling getaway when you get to learn a bit about of history during your Lake Tahoe vacation?

It wouldnt hurt so much to dig in to the culture or know the history of the place you are enjoying your vacation in, since this will provide you with helpful key trivia items that you can boast about with friends when you come back to school or work.

Lake Tahoes history is one for the storybooks.

It started out as a land mass of shifting, grinding, sliding earth with imperceptible, perpetual movement which later on became the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the massive water basin that came to be knows as Lake Tahoe.

Here are some more interesting information about Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoes elevation is 6,229 feet, making it the highest lake of its size in the United States.

The water depth measures 1,645 feet at a portion of the lake in the Crystal Bay area, making it the tenth deepest lake in the world and third deepest in North America.

Lake Tahoe also boasts of water clarity to a depth of 75-feet.

The lake covers a surface area of 191 square miles with 71-miles of exquisite shoreline, while the Nevada/California border traverses lengthwise with a greater portion being on the California side.

Average snowfall in some areas is 300-600 inches and melting snow finds its way to the lake via 63 streams entering the basin.

But what would strike you as odd is the fact that there is only one outlet, the Truckee River.

Because of the huge volume and constant movement of the water, Lake Tahoe never freezes despite the drastic winter temperatures.

Back in the old, old days summer vacationers began arriving more than 10,000 years ago when the American Indian Washoe tribe camped along the cool lakeshores.

One of their favorite places is known today as Camp Richardson and the men of the tribe were skillful hunters and took advantage of the abundant wildlife.

The Washoe women were noted for their intricate and artistic basket weaving and this idyllic lifestyle spanned generations of the peaceful tribe, however, it would not last.

The first European American to see Lake Tahoe was John C. Fremont, whose exploration party was led by Kit Carson in 1844.

In 1859, the discovery of the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, changed the face of the lake would affect it forever.

With mines, towns and the railroad invading the territory, wood was the primary fuel source wand was also needed to supply building materials.

The east shore, from what is now Incline Village to Glenbrook, became a vast logging empire and the ravages of clear-cutting would remain evident for years to come.

The Comstock silver lode made hundreds of people during the California and Comstock mining days and many were attracted to the pristine lake.

This was how tourism started and the resulting resorts soon to dot the lush landscape.

The Tahoe Basin managed to remain in relative obscurity with only a few people knowing about its existence until the 1950s when Bill Harrah and Harvey Gross built the first casinos on the south shore.

With their gaming expertise they learned over the years back in Reno, they knew how to attract business for their establishments and became mainstays up until today, Known as Harveys and Harrahs

Back in 1960, the Winter Olympic Games were hosted at Squaw Valley on the west shore and with the resulting publicity, the area was soon recognized as a world-class winter playground, as well as the premier summer vacation venue.

The Olympic Rings still remain at Squaw Valley Resort and the place is renowned for year-round sporting activities.

So does it hurt a bit to learn about pieces of history on your Lake Tahoe vacation? Not a bit.

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